Yuk po tuen: Tau ching bo gam

When this movie first came out, I never expected it to be the classic that it has become. It's really a somewhat unlikely, and silly story about a man who doesn't know a good thing when he gets one, and ruins his life. Hong Kong actress Amy Yip who was known for her nice figure was the attraction for seeing this movie.

The other attraction that was somewhat unexpected was the scene between Rena Murakami, and Isabella Chow. Rena was starring in both Japan, and Hong Kong in the early '90s, and was a much sought out talent. If you see this scene, you can see why.

This movie received lot of endorsement from Hong Kong Penthouse magazine when it first came out, and probably this publicity helped in making it the commercial success that it was.

It's a lavish production for a Cat III movie, and is made very well. The success of this movie seemed to benefit future up coming stars that has appeared in part 2, and 3 of this movie, like Siu Qi. So it had rather wide reaching effect as well.

Not an artistic movie, but good entertainment from the '90s Hong Kong.

Well I don't know if this is supposed to be a sexcomedy but it is. Man can't get gorgeous women due to size problems. Man gets transplant from a horse, this sorts out problem but brings many further bizarre difficulties. This is strange Hong Kong Category III movie making as only they can produce.

While I have a great fondness for this awful gem, I just don't buy that bit. Two women? In that position? With a flute? There's just no way.

The first thing that sold me on this movie was the flying medieval thief guy. Everyone knows that any film is made intrinsically better by the inclusion of an amusing flying thief. ;) The amusing preparation of the young scholar's wife for her first sexual experience was the second. Especially, the look on Our Hero's face as he attempts to deal with it!

This movie is very silly and surprisingly strenuous in sections; two memorable scenes include a rampant, gymnastic almost-rape among bolts of hanging silk, and an incredible cardiac workout underwater.

If you like silly martial arts movies and sex, you will probably enjoy Sex and Zen. It is softcore, so you don't really see anything more than breasts or the odd bum. The subtitles are unfortunately a little hard to read, but the entertaining action speaks for itself.

There's no Zen here, which someone slapped on the English title, just the sex. A needy imperial scholar goes around trying to have lots of it. We see areolas rubbing together. Two women in all fours share a flute. Calligraphy brushes, whips and chains, some bondage. It has proper decor and costumes, a sense of plot. It's still Emmanuella stuff.

The same thing grates as in all the other skin flicks. Is sex just two bodies slathering together? In a teenager's mind maybe or if sexy means seeing a boob. Or is it a matter of context you inhabit, in which you change someone? More proper to call it sexual or erotic, it has started long before you enter the room and glows long after. Women know about this more than we do. Mind blowing sex is always with someone you know or can harness yourself in a context in which you do; the rest is monkeying around to extinguish a boner.

So what's sexy about a thing like this? What's deviant or risky? Cardboard characters who we don't know in the slightest go around rubbing themselves on each other. One pretends to be ravished, another pretends to be aroused at being whipped. It's like fake bondage for a Penthouse spread.

Keep in mind: this isn't some second rate snuff film. Sex and Zen has a story, has good acting, great costumes and setting. And also, sex.

The scholar in the film tries to fulfill his sexual appetites. Lucky guy, right? However, as the story progresses, I kind of felt sympathy for him. There is humor in this one which keeps the film lively. I winced during the operation scene with a funny cameo by Kent Cheng. The thief who helps the scholar adds some comedy as well.

Amy Yip really stands in this one. She is unbelievably sexy and her character is played nicely. The other beautiful ladies Isabella Chow and Carrie Ng also light up the screen. The sex scenes aren't too explicit, but there are some parts where you'd watch in disbelief. The whole scene in the end, S&M, "musical appreciation"...original concepts you'd probably only find in Hong Kong cinema.

Overall, the film doesn't take itself too seriously. It's erotic, funny, and there's a moral to be learned! Watch it for my hon Amy!!