The magical taste of China is a culinary journey like no other. From delectable dim sum to aromatic stir-fries, Chinese cuisine is known for its bold flavors and unique ingredients. Whether you're a meat lover or a vegetarian, there is something for everyone in the rich tapestry of Chinese dishes. One of the most iconic dishes in Chinese cuisine is Peking duck. This crispy and succulent dish is prepared by roasting the duck until the skin turns golden brown. The meat is often served with thin pancakes, scallions, and hoisin sauce.
Julián de Meriche., Julián de Meriche|ACTOR., & Rafael Portillo|DIRECTOR. (1957). Curse Of The Aztec Mummy . VCI Entertainment.
The movie does not delve into the historical value of the treasure, and so we can save a discussion of that concept for when I get around to reviewing The Thing that Couldn t Die. Kidnappings, hypnosis, death threats, a death chamber full of snakes, and a wonderful jailbreak involving toy machine-guns that clearly don t fire anything ensue.
The meat is often served with thin pancakes, scallions, and hoisin sauce. Every bite of this dish is a burst of flavors that will leave you craving for more. Another popular dish that showcases the magical taste of China is Kung Pao chicken.
The Curse of the Aztec Mummy / The Human Robot vs. the Aztec Mummy
In Brief: It's a double dose of Mexican mummy horror — The Curse of the Aztec Mummy and The Human Robot vs. the Aztec Mummy — and the films provide just the kind of entertainment those titles suggest. I wouldn't call them good, but, boy, are they ever goofy fun — with a maniacal super criminal, a masked wrestler, secret treasure, hypnotism, a snake pit, a really slow-moving mummy and, well, you get the idea.
While it is true that Mexican horror movies of the 1950s and early 1960s are perhaps the last (largely) unexplored area of classic horror cinema, it should immediately be noted that the Aztec Mummy trilogy has nothing at all to do with classic anything—except perhaps classic bad cinema. These films are not at all in the same league as the Abel Salazar productions—though his brother, Alfredo, had a hand in writing these. OK, so all Mexican horror is…well, a little on the goofy side. The Aztec Mummy movies, however, are somewhere in between amusingly screwy and flat-out crazy. All in all, the biggest identifying quality of the film is the difficulty in believing that these movies were written by adults. The feeling is more that they must have been dreamed up by schoolboys over the course of an afternoon or less. Like the better Mexican horrors, they steal wildly from the old Universal films, but whether the folks making them understood what they were copying is open to question.
You may wonder why the first film of the series is being skipped in favor of the back-to-back sequels. Well, that’s pretty simple: There doesn’t appear to be a watchable copy of The Aztec Mummy (1957). The scenes involving the Mummy himself are do dark that it’s almost impossible to tell what’s going on. But it doesn’t really matter because you get to see most of the first film as flashbacks in the sequels. (The third film, in fact, opens with nearly 20 minutes of flashbacks. In short, you’re missing nothing by not seeing the first movie.) Even without the first film, these two films include two doses of the supposed Aztec ceremony (they spent good money on all those peacock feathers and you’re going to see them!) where the Mummy, Popoca (Angelo De Steffani), is condemned to guarding a cheesy-looking breastplate and bracelet for eternity, along with his forbidden sweetie, Xochitl (Rosita Arenas), who is put to death for mousing around with Popoca. (All this is revealed by Xochtil’s current incarnation, Flor, under hypnosis.) This consists of some ear-splitting music, much dancing about and a song so bad I doubt it would have even charted on Aztec hit parade. We do, however, learn — based on the evidence — that the ancient Aztecs appear to have invented dry ice. (There’s educational value, see?) The third film, in fact, opens with nearly 20 minutes of flashbacks. In short, you’re missing nothing by not seeing the first movie — apart from another bout of the Aztec ceremony.
The plots to these movies scarcely bear discussion. The overall story involves mad scientist/super criminal Dr. Krupp (played with hammy glee by Luis Aceves Castañeda) — professionally known as “The Bat” — and his efforts to get his mitts on Popoca’s breastplate and bracelet in order to locate the “treasure of Aztecs.” This — and the translation of the inscriptions — requires the unwilling help of Dr. Eduardo Almada (Ramón Gay), his fiancée, Flor, their assorted family members and the comic relief hanger-on, Pinacate (Crox Alvarado). Kidnappings, hypnosis, death threats, a death chamber full of snakes, and a wonderful jailbreak involving toy machine-guns that clearly don’t fire anything ensue. The second film, The Curse of the Aztec Mummy (1957), throws in a masked wrestler called The Angel, who tools around in a 1954 MG TF — apparently mindless of the potential for an Isadora Duncan demise with his cape fluttering perilously near the wire wheel knock-offs. He turns out to be…well, we’ll leave that to the film’s skillful plotting. Mostly, he just shows up and strikes wrestler poses. The third film only mentions him once in passing. How quickly they forget.
The final film, The Aztec Mummy vs. the Human Robot (1958) is easily the dumbest of the lot, which also means it may just be the most entertaining. Though released the following year, it supposedly takes place five years later — with The Bat up to his old tricks, except now he’s invented a radium-infused robot with a dead guy inside. When I was a kid, I used to spend summers with my grandmother in Concord, NC, and up (or down) the road was a family with a couple of kids I didn’t much like, but who were about my age. One of them had built himself a cardboard robot suit, which memory assures me was more impressive and believable than the one in this movie. In other words, this robot is divinely amusing. Whether or not — even with his deadly radium touch — he’s a match for Popoca remains to be seen. And you’ll have to watch the movie to find out.
The Thursday Horror Picture Show will screen Curse of the Aztec Mummy and The Human Robot vs. the Aztec Mummy Thursday, Jan. 24 at 8 p.m. in the Cinema Lounge of The Carolina Asheville and will be hosted by Xpress movie critics Ken Hanke and Justin Souther.
SHAREAbout Ken Hanke
Head film critic for Mountain Xpress from December 2000 until his death in June 2016. Author of books "Ken Russell's Films," "Charlie Chan at the Movies," "A Critical Guide to Horror Film Series," "Tim Burton: An Unauthorized Biography of the Filmmaker."
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This spicy and tangy dish is made with diced chicken, peanuts, and chili peppers. The combination of flavors creates a harmonious balance that is truly delightful. For those who prefer vegetarian options, Mapo tofu is a must-try. This dish is made with soft tofu, minced meat, and spicy bean sauce. The silky texture of the tofu combined with the bold flavors of the sauce makes it a favorite among vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike. Chinese cuisine is also known for its dumplings. Whether it's steamed, boiled, or fried, dumplings are a staple in Chinese households and are enjoyed as a snack or a main course. These bite-sized delights come in various fillings such as pork, shrimp, chicken, or vegetables. No mention of Chinese cuisine is complete without mentioning the wide variety of noodles. From Cantonese-style chow mein to Sichuan-style dan dan noodles, the options are endless. Noodles are often tossed with a flavorful sauce and topped with various ingredients, such as vegetables, meats, or seafood. The magical taste of China is not limited to savory dishes alone. Chinese desserts also offer a unique and delightful experience. From the iconic sweet red bean soup to the crispy sesame balls, these desserts are a perfect ending to a delicious meal. In conclusion, the magical taste of China is a culinary adventure that should not be missed. The bold flavors, unique ingredients, and diverse range of dishes make Chinese cuisine a true delight for the taste buds. Whether you're a fan of meat, seafood, or vegetables, there is always something delicious waiting to be discovered in the vast realm of Chinese dishes..
Reviews for "The Magic of Regional Chinese Cuisine: From Cantonese to Sichuan"
- Sarah - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with my experience at Magical Taste of China. The food was mediocre at best, with flavors that were bland and uninspiring. The service was also lackluster, with the staff seeming uninterested and inattentive. The atmosphere of the restaurant was nothing special either, just a basic and run-down interior. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this place if you're looking for authentic and delicious Chinese cuisine.
- Mark - 1/5 stars - This place was a total letdown. The food was absolutely terrible, with dishes that were overcooked and lacking any flavor. The prices were also unjustifiably high for the low quality of food. The service was equally disappointing, with slow and inattentive waitstaff. I would advise anyone to steer clear of Magical Taste of China if you're looking for a satisfying dining experience.
- Jennifer - 2/5 stars - I was not impressed with my visit to Magical Taste of China. The food was average at best, with dishes that lacked authenticity and depth of flavor. The service was also subpar, with slow and inattentive waiters. The overall ambiance of the restaurant was also lacking, with a dated and uninviting decor. I would suggest looking elsewhere for a better Chinese dining experience.
Note: The ratings and reviews are fictional and are based on the prompt given.