World’s End Press’ freaking awesome 'Tall Stories' EP was released last month.
After kickstarting a national tour in Perth at the weekend, the Melbourne lads will spend the next three weekends rocking around the country.
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Band member Rhys shares his love of Hong Kong action films.
Heroic Trio (1992)
'Heroic Trio' is a kung fu/ superhero spectacular directed by Johnnie To and staring three of Hong Kong’s most famous actresses: Anita Mui, Michelle Yeoh and Maggie Cheung. Many have referred to this as Hong Kong’s version of 'Charlie’s Angles'. Maybe, if you throw in some flying swords and flying motorbikes. The film follows three superheros that must save the city’s newborn babies from being kidnapped by The Evil Master. The colours and choreography are super, super fine.{youtube}c5Fkd-Fyk7U{/youtube}
Master Of The Flying Guillotine (1976)
Shortlisting one, classic kung fu film isn’t easy – this one is quintessential. Perhaps the most awesome thing about this film is that the soundtrack heavily features music from German krautrock group Neu! What a combo! Another feature that appeals to geeks is that the Indian assassin with extendable arms is a precursor to Dahlsim in the video game 'Street Fighter'. The director Jimmy Wang Yu later went on to star in an Australian co-production, The Man From Hong Kong - also worth a look.{youtube}RmdP1qTjGZY{/youtube}
Kung Fu Hustle (2004)
Stephen Chow, the actor and director behind this film, is my all-time favourite. In reality, a true top five would be more like a list of five Chow films. This one is a homage to classic kung fu cinema, and many of the leading roles are played by actors who were stars in the 1970s. I put this right up there with 'Citizen Kane'.{youtube}-m3IB7N_PRk{/youtube}
Hard Boiled (1992)
Choosing one of John Woo’s pistol operas is not an easy task. This one is my personal fave. If there’s anything cooler than Chow Yun Fat in a white suit sliding backwards in slow motion across the ground shooting bad guys with two guns, it’s Chow Yun Fat sliding down a banister in slow motion shooting bad guys with two guns.{youtube}jAtxZHuJNW4{/youtube}
Iron Monkey (1993)
This one is more theatrical than the others; it is easy to see the influence of Chinese opera on the films choreography. Fight choreographer Yuen Woo-ping and actor Donnie Yen made a number of great films together; this is my pick of the bunch.{youtube}kBiDzgljpWw{/youtube}
World's End Press Tour Dates
Fri 9 Oct - Civic Underground (Sydney)Sat 10 Oct - Woolly Mammoth (Brisbane)
Sat 17 Oct - Howler (Melbourne)
Sat 24 Oct - Young Muscle at Rocket Bar (Adelaide)
