The Vineyard

  

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.