The Elkemental War of Magic was a significant and historical conflict that took place in the magical realm of Elkement. This war occurred between two powerful factions of magic users and had far-reaching consequences for the entire world. The origins of the war can be traced back to a long-standing rivalry between two ancient magical families - the Eldrivers and the Emberthorns. For centuries, these families had vied for control and dominance over the magical energy that permeated Elkement. However, their disputes escalated into a full-scale war when both factions discovered a rare and immensely powerful artifact known as the Crown of Elements. The Crown of Elements was said to grant its wearer unparalleled control over the fundamental forces of nature, effectively making them a living god.
This story boasts the strongest concepts, and we are not surprised because it is helmed by the critically acclaimed Chan. There is plenty to think about as the handheld camera shots assault the senses. Everything seems to be in a mess, yet poignant themes such as consumerism, greed, pandemic panic and real estate scams are constantly being explored.
You ll be kept intrigued as the characters share their back stories, face their fears to confront the water ghost, and scramble to get rid of a corpse. Distressed and driven to the edge, she can t tell whether she is suffering a relapse of her depression, or if she is being haunted by a menacing ghost.
The Crown of Elements was said to grant its wearer unparalleled control over the fundamental forces of nature, effectively making them a living god. Realizing the immense power that the artifact possessed, both the Eldrivers and the Emberthorns sought to obtain it and use it to cement their control over the magical realm. The war that ensued was marked by intense battles and powerful displays of magic.
TALES FROM THE OCCULT (失衡凶间) (2022)
Genre: Horror/Thriller
Director: Fruit Chan, Fung Chih Chiang, Hoi Ip Sang, Wesley
Cast: Jerry Lamb, Cecilia So, Cherry Chung, Yeung Wai Lun, Monnie Li, Richie Ren, Sofiee Ng, Peter Chan, Paul Che, Baby Bo, Cherry Ngan, Ng Wing Sze, Kelvin Kwan, Van Chan
Runtime: 1 hr 51 mins
Rating: NC16 (Some Mature Content & Violence)
Released By: Golden Village Pictures
Official Website:
Opening Day: 15 September 2022
Synopsis: Fear lives inside everyone’s hearts. Do you think you’re immune? You just haven’t found yourself in the wrong place at the wrong time. Produced by John Chong and Mathew Tang, Tales from the Occult features three eerie stories about spooky happenings in tight spaces: Dead Mall by Fruit Chan, The Tenement by Fung Chih Chiang and The Chink by Hoi Ip Sang, Wesley. They will take you into a terrifying world in which human nature is driven to extremes by twisted environments. Do you have the guts to go inside?
Movie Review:
Remember a time when we were spoilt (and scared silly) by movies like The Eye (2002), Three…Extremes (2004) and more recently, Rigor Mortis (2013)? Seeing ghosts after a cornea transplant operation, stuffing aborted fetuses in dumplings to achieve eternal youth, and spirits possessing a human’s body after a failed suicide attempt – these are the concepts behind these truly chilling horror flicks.
In this reported first instalment of Hong Kong production company and film distributor Media Asia’s new omnibus series, we are treated to three stories which remind us of the chills derived from the good ol’ Hong Kong horror genre.
The first segment directed by newcomer Weley Hoi tells the story of a pop singer (Cherry Ngan) who experiences scary events in her new apartment. We learn that she came face to face with a rotting corpse when she was a teenager. Are the creepy things she’s experiencing a result of the unsettling episode she went through as a young girl? Elsewhere, her uncle (the ever reliable Lawrence Cheng) is the psychiatrist trying to calm the terrified celebrity down.
Titled “The Chink”, this tale sets the tone for the 111 minute feature film. There is an unsettling atmosphere throughout, and there seems to be a repressed plot development waiting somewhere. You anticipate an outrageous twist, so when the segment ends on a straightforward note, you can’t help but wish there was something else cleverer instead. But on another level, the ending reflects a dread that traumatised individuals have to live with for the rest of their lives.
Fruit Chan, whom many of us are familiar with, is on form with the second segment “Dead Mall”. People are facing the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, where the economy is in the dumps. We are introduced to an online influencer (Jerry Lamb) who hosts the popular “The Gate To Wealth” series. He is in a mall that seems to be thriving with business – until the camera pulls back and we realise the crowd is made up of paid actors. Retail spaces are empty, and business is non existent. Things get interesting when another online influencer and a mysterious figure show up in the mall.
This story boasts the strongest concepts, and we are not surprised because it is helmed by the critically acclaimed Chan. There is plenty to think about as the handheld camera shots assault the senses. Everything seems to be in a mess, yet poignant themes such as consumerism, greed, pandemic panic and real estate scams are constantly being explored.
The last segment directed by Fung Chih Chiang has the most structured story. Five strangers come together after a water ghost appears in the dilapidated building they stay in. Richie Ren and Sofiee Ng headline this tale that scores in entertainment value, with Ren delivering an unexpectedly hilarious performance as a gangster who had seen better days.
"The Tenement" is the easiest tale to follow. You’ll be kept intrigued as the characters share their back stories, face their fears to confront the water ghost, and scramble to get rid of a corpse. The plot thickens and you’ll be pulled into a murder mystery before the episode ends on a disturbing note. We can't wait for the second instalment of the series to hit the big screens.
Movie Rating:
(The spooky tales in this Hong Kong horror omnibus are competently told and provide old school scares)
Review by John Li
Into this death chamber steps Maggie (Michelle Wai Sze-nga), a former teen idol who is desperate to make her acting comeback. Ho happens to catch her in a particularly feisty mood during a late-night meeting and Hui, working with a simple yet effective story, keeps the tension high until the hair-raising end.
The Eldrivers, known for their ability to manipulate water and weather, launched devastating storms and floods upon their enemies. In response, the Emberthorns, skilled in the art of fire and illusion, conjured up immense firestorms and created illusions to confuse and disorient their opponents. As the war raged on, the conflict began to take a toll on the balance of the natural world. The unchecked use of magic led to disturbances in the very fabric of reality, causing unpredictable and dangerous phenomena to occur. These disruptions threatened to engulf not only the magical realm but also spilled over into the human world. Recognizing the grave consequences of their actions, a group of wise and influential magic users from both factions came together to broker a ceasefire. The group recognized that the continued fighting would only lead to further destruction and chaos. Thus, they formed The Council of Elders - an organization dedicated to overseeing and regulating the use of magic within Elkement. The Council imposed strict rules and regulations on the use of magic, ensuring that the power of the Crown of Elements would never again be obtained or used in such a destructive manner. They also established diplomatic communication and cooperation channels between the Eldrivers and the Emberthorns to prevent future conflicts. Despite these efforts, the Elkemental War of Magic left a lasting mark on the realm of Elkement. The scars of battle and the memory of the immense destruction wrought by the warring factions serve as a reminder of the consequences of unchecked magical power. However, the war also led to the birth of the Council of Elders, an organization that has helped maintain peace and balance in Elkement ever since..
Reviews for "Decoding the Symbols and Spells of the Elkemental War"
- Sarah - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Elkemental War of Magic". The plot was convoluted and filled with clichés, and the characters were one-dimensional and lacked any depth. The writing itself was also lacking, with awkward phrasing and grammatical errors throughout. I had high hopes for this book, but it just fell flat for me.
- John - 1 star - I really couldn't get into "Elkemental War of Magic". The pacing was extremely slow, with long, drawn-out descriptions that seemed to go on forever. The world-building was also confusing and inconsistent, making it difficult to fully immerse myself in the story. Overall, I found it to be a tedious read and would not recommend it to others.
- Emily - 2 stars - "Elkemental War of Magic" had an interesting premise, but it failed to deliver on its potential. The magic system was poorly explained and seemed to be made up as the story progressed, leading to a lack of consistency. The dialogue was also stilted and unnatural, making it difficult to connect with the characters. I wanted to like this book, but unfortunately, it just didn't live up to my expectations.