The
Vineyard
1989
Director- James Hong
Cast- James Hong, Karen Witter ,Michael Wong, Sherri Ball, Sean P. Donahue, Karl Heinz
Teuber
Veteran
character actor James Hong (Blade Runner, Missing in Action, Big Trouble in
Little China) is known for memorable supporting roles, but The Vineyard has him
taking center stage. Hong wrote, directed, and starred in this entertaining, sleazy
horror film.
Hong
plays Dr. Po, a renowned winemaker whose vintages are sold for enormous sums.
In reality Po is a sorcerer who has prolonged his life thousands of years by
absorbing the Chi energy of his victims. In some confusing way, his victim’s
Chi is also used to make the wine, but that’s not that important.
Po has a
dungeon full of beautiful, lingerie clad women that he keeps chained up until it’s time to absorb their Chi. The
bound harem includes his wife who he found having an affair with one of the
servants. After their energy is absorbed, the victims becomes undead zombies. Po tries to keep the creatures
buried with sacred earth, but they periodically climb out and roam around at
night.
As he
needs a steady supply of energy, he invites a group of young wanna be actors to
his island, under the auspices that he is shooting a movie. One by one they
start meeting disastrous fates (including one that coughs ups spiders!). Po
gets a surprise when one of the young people (Playboy Playmate Karen Witter)
turns out to be a woman of a particular destiny and Po plans on sacrificing her
to appease some gods to which he is indebted.
James
Hong’s most famous role is the demonic Mandarin David Lo Pan in Big Trouble in
Little China. On the off chance that you haven’t seen Big Trouble ,stop reading
this and go find a copy as it is one of the most fun movies that you’ll ever
see. If you have seen Big Trouble, The Vineyard could very well be an origin
story for David Lo Pan. Both movies have 1) Hong playing an immortal sorcerer
who alternates between young and old 2) a beautiful girl that must be
sacrificed to appease the gods 3) plenty of Chinese lore. All that’s missing
are three kick ass supernatural henchmen.
Hong’s film
career goes back to the mid1950s and includes literally over 400 acting credits.
Surprisingly though, in a 70 year career, he only directed 3 feature length
films. He directed two exploitation
films in the 1970s (Teen Lust and Hot Connections) and then nothing else until
The Vineyard in 1989. The Vineyard isn’t an Academy Award winner, not by a long
shot, but it is a competent, entertaining horror film. It’s hard to believe,
with the sheer size of his career, that Hong never returned to the director’s
chair. I don’t know if this has been by his choice or simply a lack of
opportunities.
The
Vineyard has good practical effects and make up (having been made before CGI).
It has a generous helping of nudity like any good video store era horror film.
This isn’t the movie for someone wanting a subtle, character driven drama. But
if you want something fun, then try The Vineyard.
Fun fact #1- Along with Big Trouble in Little China,
James Hong starred in another dark
fantasy steeped in Asian lore, The Golden Child. That film also featured his
Big Trouble costar, Victor Wong.
Fun fact #2- Still wanting more Asian themed James Hong
horror? Check out the bizarre Ninja 3: The Domination.
