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Time Out
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
The 11 Classic Stephen Chow movies every Hongkonger has watched
Shaolin Soccer (少林足球) 2001 Kicking off this list (pun intended) is the household name of Shaolin Soccer. The sports comedy is widely regarded as one of the most successful Hong Kong films of all time, having propelled the Hong Kong comedy-flick industry to international fame. It's no surprise either – it's not every day you see a monk light a soccer ball on fire all whilst breaking every single one of Newton's laws. The story follows Sing (Stephen Chow), a martial artist-turned-street cleaner who is struggling to promote Shaolin Kung Fu's practical benefits to the general masses. However, this all changes when he meets an ex-pro soccer player, 'Golden Leg' Fung (Ng Man-Tat). Fung claims that he can help Sing achieve his goals through the medium of soccer, and motivates Sing to gather his estranged Shaolin brothers to form one of the wackiest soccer teams ever seen on the silver screen. Tricky Brains (整蠱專家) 1991 This comedic flick directed by Wong Jing is a riotous ride. We imagine this must be what it's like journeying into the mind of a mischievous 10-year-old boy, because some of the trickery, pranks, and puns pulled off in Tricky Brains is exactly what makes a young lad roll around with laughter. Stephen Chow stars as Koo Jing (whose English name is Jing Koo – a homonym for a Cantonese word that means to play a prank on someone), a self-crowned 'trick expert' for hire who uses his wide arsenal of childish to more sinister tricks on whomever he is paid to target. On one such mission, he pretends to be the long-lost brother of Che Man-kit (played by Andy Lau) in order to sabotage his romantic prospects. Chow's long-time screen partner Ng Man-tat also stars in Tricky Brains, as does Rosamund Kwan, Chingmy Yau, and a cameo by Wong Jing himself. Watch for the many jokes and wise-cracks, and the random song-and-dance number in the middle of the movie which mocks Hong Kong's incessant white-collar hustle. Fight Back to School (逃學威龍) 1991 Whether you are a boomer, a millennial, or a Gen X member, this 90s classic 'mo lei tau' (nonsensical) comedy is definitely one that we've all seen. Though the celebrated school/action-comedy had earned itself two more sequels following its highest-grossing Hong Kong film record for 1991, both follow-ups seem to pale in comparison to what many consider to be the original Hong Kong buddy-cop masterpiece. The movie itself tells the story of eccentric cop Chow Sing Sing (Stephen Chow), who finds himself on the verge of disqualification for recklessly putting his teammates in danger during a practice drill. Sing is given a second chance though when a senior officer assigns him to infiltrate a high school with a bumbling, aged partner (Ng Man-Tat). Together, the hilarious duo try their very limited best to recover a stolen revolver hidden amongst the students of Edinburgh College, and even end up in a high-stakes hostage situation towards the end of the movie! Kung Fu Hustle (功夫) 2004 With all its hidden wires, trick camera angles, trampolines, and special effects, Kung Fu Hustle is easily the most technically impressive film on the list. Action-packed, funny, and even poignant at times, the film's 11 prestigious awards are surely a testament to both its memorable quality and international success. Kung Fu Hustle 's plot revolves around Sing (Stephen Chow), a small-time crook who is convinced that 'good guys never win' due to the humiliation he experienced when standing up against bullies as a child. In order to survive, Sing tries (and fails) to extort the residents of Pig Sty Alley alongside his sidekick (Lam Chi-Chung) by masquerading as members of the violent Axe gang. However, this all ends up blowing up in his face when the real Axe Gang comes knocking after catching word of Sing's scuffle with both the locals and actual gang members. An epic sequence of flying kicks, betrayals, and 1,080 degree spins then ensues, with Sing finding himself locked in a standoff between his morality and his chances of survival. The God of Cookery (食神) 1996 It's no surprise that Stephen Chow is able to use a topic as serious as the cut-throat industry of the culinary world into a high-energy, hysterical film. The God of Cookery takes viewers on a whirlwind zero-to-hero story, giving us some of the most iconic moments in Hong Kong's cinematic history that is still remembered to this day, including a hilariously absurd nickname for char siu egg rice, a humble dish beloved by many. The film follows Chow, who plays a celebrity chef dubbed as the God of Cookery. He is feared by many for his harsh critiques of other chefs in competitions that are secretly rigged to add credibility to his title. However, he loses his reputation after one of his business partners, Bull Tong, outshines him as a chef and exposes Chow as a con-man. Feeling defeated, Chow embarks on a journey to develop his culinary skills, which takes him from the bustling streets of Temple Street to the kitchen of a shaolin monastery. During an epic cookoff, Tong plants a bomb inside of Chow's elaborate dish, leaving him with few ingredients to use. Despite the setback, Chow uses his skills to prepare a bowl of char siu rice topped with a fried egg, which he hilariously names 'Sorrowful Rice'. To everyone's surprise, Chow ends up winning the competition and earns the title of God of Cookery for good. All's Well End's Well (家有囍事) 1992 All's Well End's Well is arguably one of the most classic Chinese New Year comedies. The film revolves around three brothers – Moon, Foon, and So – who each have their own problems with love and relationships. While all of the characters have hilarious storylines, Stephen Chow's cheeky on-screen moments definitely steal the show. Chow plays Foon, a radio jockey who's also a flirtatious playboy. He gets a call from Holli, one of his listeners, who asks him out on a date. Desperate to try and impress her, Foon taps into Holli's avid fascination with Hollywood movies by dressing like movie characters and recreating cinematic moments. Soon after becoming lovers, Holli catches Foon cheating on her, which led to a Mexican standoff between them. As Foon attempts to flee, he suffers a head injury that leaves him with a debilitating mental illness. Hilarity ensues as Holli becomes his caretaker and tries to wrap her head around Foon's endless antics, making her question her decision to punish him for his infidelity. All for the Winner (賭聖) 1990 When 'Blackie Tat (Ng Man-Tat) discovers his nephew Sing's (Stephen Chow) mysterious ability to see through objects, he naturally tries to exploit this talent for money by adapting Sing's skillset to the field of gambling. However, as Sing begins to make a name for himself through his abilities as the 'Saint of Gambling', he quickly finds himself in trouble with the 'God of Gambling' after falling in love with one of his henchwomen Yee-mung (Sharla Cheung). To prove his skill and win her hand, Sing must gamble his way to the top through Hong Kong's most prestigious gambling tournament. This spin-off to the God of Gambler series is easily one of Chow's funniest pieces, and this is largely thanks to its hilariously unpredictable 'mo lei tau' comedy. Chow's portrayal of the ditzy but lovable nephew is genuinely endearing, and his on-screen chemistry with Ng in this film is arguably the most iconic out of all his works. So, if you ever wanted to get a six pack from laughing too hard, watching this film will probably do it. King of Comedy (喜劇之王) 1999 A film with a name fitting of the lead actor, this unforgettable comedy-drama is largely regarded as an autobiographical piece for the early career of Stephen Chow. The film describes the story of Wan Tin-Sau (Chow), an acting teacher for his local community centre who moonlights on the side as a movie extra. Despite being ridiculed for taking his unimportant roles way too seriously, Wan persisted through his passion for acting and is eventually rewarded with a leading role alongside a famous actress. On top of this, Wan also finds love along the way, getting into a serious relationship with one of his students Piu Piu (Cecilia Cheung). However, this is probably where the autobiographical element of the film stops, as the plot then takes a turn for the ridiculous, with Wan ending up involved in a CIB undercover stunt, complete with its own shootout. Nevertheless, this classic still remains to be an enjoyable, off-beat cinematic experience with a soulful story that will have your heart crying tears of both joy and sadness after the 90 minutes is up. From Beijing with love (國產凌凌漆) 1994 Stephen Chow's hysterical take on the infamous 007 franchise. Filled to the brim with references to the beloved spy series, From Beijing with Love tells the story of Ling Ling Chat (Chow), a secret agent sent on a mission to recover a stolen dinosaur cranium. On the way, he meets a mysterious beauty in the form of Lee Ham-Heung (Anita Yuen), and enlists her help to take on the film's elusive villain, Golden Gun (Wong Kam Kong). Though we can't say that this was one of the more intricate plots Chow has come up with over the years, it's hard to argue with the barrel of laughs brought to us by the goofy gadgets and unending stream of topical puns. Flirting Scholar (唐伯虎與秋香) 1993 Set in the era of the Ming Dynasty, Flirting Scholar tells the story of Tong Pak Fu (Chow), a famous scholar known for his talent in art, poetry, and calligraphy – oh, and his eight wives who are all gambling addicts. Determined to find a woman who can truly appreciate all his artistic skills, Tong meets Chow Heung (Gong Li), a housemaid for the House of Wah. Naturally, Tong decided to go undercover as a lowly servant at the House of Wah in order to get closer to Chow Heung. The classic boy-meets-girl plotline of the film may not be the most original or exciting, but this film is loved by so many Hongkongers thanks to the iconic 'chicken wing song'. Ask any Hongkonger about it and they'll be able to recite the whole song word for word. A Chinese Odyssey Part One and Two (大話西遊) 1995 From the genius casting of Chow as the Monkey King to the masterstroke of letting Buddhist monk Tang Xuanzang (played by Law Kar-Ying, no less) burst into song with his own rendition of The Platters' Only You, this wildly imaginative Journey to the West adaptation is deservedly recognised for its sublime wackiness. Yet, beneath all the time-travelling and supernatural slapstick of this postmodern two-parter is, a traditional love story so cheesy it's actually romantic. There are countless Journey to the West
Scotsman
27-05-2025
- Health
- Scotsman
Edinburgh artist fundraising for wheelchair access as some users 'fall through net' of care
An Edinburgh-based artist is fundraising for a new wheelchair that would allow her to work more independently around the city. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Shae Morgon is a 35-year-old artist from Gilmerton in Edinburgh. Five years ago, cancer treatment accelerated an existing degenerative condition called Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), leaving Shae, who was also diagnosed with Functional Neurological Disorder in 2016, wheelchair bound. Shae Morgon was left wheelchair bound after cancer treatment five years ago | Shae Morgon She believes that people like her, who are ambulatory wheelchair users, are 'falling through the net' in the care provision that they are receiving - with 24/7 wheelchair use a stipulation for receiving funding. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Shae said: 'Scottish Government guidelines say that to qualify for things like funding for a powered chair, you have to be fully 24/7 reliant on your wheelchair, and if you can stand and take even a couple of steps, you don't qualify.' 'So a lot of people with conditions like EDS, who are ambulatory to a degree, are falling through the net, and that's why we're having to fundraise and do things privately.' Shae is a contemporary artist from Gilmerton | Shae Morgon Now Shae is fundraising through GoFundMe to raise enough money to purchase adaptive wheels and batteries that will propel a manual wheelchair. It is the latest in a series of challenges she has faced as she studies HND Contemporary Art Practice at Edinburgh College. She explains: 'There has been a lot of learning curves on how to accommodate a wheelchair user in the studios, so I've had my space built to accommodate the stuff that I need. The issue I'm facing at the minute is I'm doing an art piece in a building called The Gatehouse, which is part of the Edinburgh College campus next week, but there's no ramp into it. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'There's only a temporary ramp, which someone has to come and put down, which means I can't work in there independently. It's just because these things have never come up, I'm the first one to encounter these problems and try and work with the college to find solutions.' However, the challenges are not just limited to college campuses, with the city itself being difficult to navigate at times. Shae said: 'It's so common, especially around Edinburgh. I'm working on an art project at the minute and photographing all the places in Edinburgh when I'm out with friends, and I'm like, 'oh, we can go in here', and then there's a step, but there's no access, and I can't go to these places.' Shae said that parts of her life are on hold until access improves across the city, and she is having to adapt how she approaches getting around, including getting a lighter chair. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Her fundraiser was launched earlier this month and she has raised more than £400 of the £5,300 that she needs. Much of that has come from fellow students who Shae said see the challenges she faces every day. She said: 'The initial response was really good. A lot of it has been my classmates who have been really supportive. And they can see how having this equipment would make my day to day life in the studio easier, and all these things. They're around me all the time, and see the challenges that I kind of face.' You can donate here.
Scotsman
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Edinburgh's first inclusive community sports day sees 150 pupils join in wide range of activities
Watch more of our videos on and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 Visit Shots! now More than 150 children and young people have taken part in Edinburgh's first ever inclusive community sports event. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The Big Sports Day, at Saughton Athletics Track, brought together pupils with a physical disability, learning difficulty or autism from both special schools and mainstream primary and secondary schools, to take part in a wide range of sports. Cycling was one of the many events featured at the Big Sports Day | supplied They were able to choose from football, frame running, cycling, tennis, karate, rugby, archery, cricket and lots more. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Groups of pupils rotated around three or four specific activity stations catering to their individual needs and abilities. Edinburgh College students volunteered their support on the day. Organised by the city council's active schools team and youth work development workers based at Gorgie Mills school, the event was partly funded through the Edinburgh 900 fund. Young people from Oaklands special school were among those attending the event | supplied Education convener Joan Griffiths said: 'It is truly fantastic to see that this community event was attended by so many learners from across the city and to hear that a great time was had by all. 'Having fun through sport and keeping active is an important part of the curriculum across all Edinburgh schools and it's brilliant that learners had the chance to try out a range of different sports.'
The Courier
22-04-2025
- General
- The Courier
Peter Cox: Glendoick Garden Centre founder and ‘Mr Rhododendron' dies at 92
Peter A. Cox of Glendoick, a pioneering figure in the world of horticulture and rhododendron cultivation, has died aged 92. The Perthshire gardener's lifelong dedication to the study and breeding of rhododendrons are widely regarded as monumental. His plant-hunting expeditions, which spanned China, Tibet and the Himalayas, yielded thousands of seed collections that were distributed to botanical gardens and nurseries worldwide. These efforts cemented his reputation as one of the foremost plant hunters of his generation. Leading the tributes, son Kenneth said: 'He collected thousands of seed numbers from many parts of the globe, all carefully documented as to altitude, aspects, growing conditions etc. 'Both the seed itself and many plants grown from it have been distributed to Botanic Gardens and collections in many countries. 'It is doubtful that anyone has ever known as much or achieved so much in this field and it is doubtful anyone ever will.' Peter was born in Dundee on February 28 1933. He was the son of renowned horticultural writer and plant-collector Euan Cox. After completing his horticultural studies at Edinburgh College and gaining experience at Notcutts Nurseries, Woodbridge, Peter and his father founded Glendoick Gardens Ltd at Glendoick, Perthshire, in 1953. Their rhododendron nursery quickly became a respected name in the field. Peter's visionary leadership guided Glendoick to global prominence. He combined scientific breeding with a passion for exploration and conservation. Peter married Tricia Sherrard in 1963. They met when she came to buy rhododendrons for her family garden at Maryborough House, Cork, Ireland. They settled at Sandyhall farm across the fields from Glendoick. Sons Kenneth and Raymond were born in 1964 and 1966 respectively. In 1972 Glendoick Garden Centre was opened, largely under the management of Tricia. Peter, meanwhile, ran the nursery. Over the years, Glendoick became a centre for excellence. It specialised in the culture of hybridising of and publishing books on rhododendrons. Away from Glendoick, Peter's life was a blend of scientific achievement and adventurous exploration. He embarked on 18 major plant-hunting expeditions with his close friend Sir Peter Hutchison. They travelled the globe to discover new species of rhododendrons. His landmark discovery of rhododendron coxianum in India in 1965 exemplified his enduring legacy. Cox and Hutchison, one of the world's most durable plant hunting partnerships, returned to China, Tibet, or the Himalaya almost every year, until they retired to write their memoirs the mammoth book Seeds of Adventure. As a plant breeder, Peter was instrumental in developing new cultivars of rhododendrons. His innovative hybridising work in the 1960s focused on dwarf rhododendrons suited to smaller gardens. These included the Chikor, Curlew, and Ptarmigan hybrids. His work in the 1980s produced cultivars with striking foliage and vibrant colour breaks. Varieties such as Wine and Roses and Evered became bestsellers worldwide. These cultivars, now protected by Plant Breeder's Rights, reflect his dedication. Peter's contributions to horticulture were recognised through numerous prestigious awards. These included the Victoria Medal of Honour from the Royal Horticultural Society in 1992 and a gold medal from the American Rhododendron Society in 1993. He received an honorary degree from the University of St Andrews in 2005. Peter was also awarded an MBE in 2013. His legacy was further immortalised in his writings. His books on rhododendrons are considered definitive guides. Peter's landmark works include Modern Rhododendrons, Dwarf Rhododendrons, The Encyclopaedia of Rhododendron Species, and Seeds of Adventure – co-authored with Sir Peter Hutchison. It won the Garden Media Guild's Inspirational Book of the Year in 2008. Peter created two woodland gardens. One was at Glendoick, Perth and the other at Baravalla on the west coast of Scotland. At Glendoick, Peter was to be found most days, weeding, watering, planting, pruning and bellowing at his errant labradors. He carried on gardening well into his 80s. Beyond his personal garden, Peter served for many years on the gardens committee of the National Trust for Scotland and as a trustee for the Dundee Botanic Garden. A modest and reserved man, Peter preferred the quiet life of a gardener and plant hunter to the limelight. Despite his shyness and a lifelong battle with a pronounced stammer, he became known worldwide as 'Mr Rhododendron'. His vast knowledge, unassuming nature and dedication to his craft earned him the respect of countless horticulturists and plant enthusiasts across the globe. In 2013, Peter and Tricia celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. Peter's love of dogs along with his enjoyment of table tennis, bridge, cricket, and shooting, added depth to his character beyond the garden. Peter, who is predeceased by his wife Tricia, died on April 8.
