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[China and Sex 1994 directed by Joe D'Amato (using the name Robert Yip) 90 minutes Full Frame] MYA's DVD for China and Sex is a typically mediocre affair from the label whose name is an acronym for 'Mislead Your Audience'. It features a sub-par full frame transfer that looks no better than it might have on VHS. There's plenty of damage to the print and no restoration was even attempted. The film is fuzzy overall, lacks contrast of any kind and the colors are decidedly washed out. The two-channel mono sound isn't much to celebrate, but it's better than the image. Dialogue is clear enough, but any music or background noise is too diminished to really notice. And, typical of MYA, there are no extras. Predictable MYA fodder, abusive to those who purchase their products, which has become more than tedious through time (read my other reviews of MYA'S travesties, as I'm tired of trashing their releases here on Amazon).
Content wise, this film echoes many of the themes that D'Amato explored in his similarly-themed and equally awful film 'Chinese Kamasutra', which he also did under the name Robert Yip. The plot revolves around a dancer named Tama, who works at a sleazy brothel, but is unattainable unlike the other girls there (how does this work? You're there to make money and degrade yourself in the process, right? Am I missing something regarding the rules of engagement in such an establishment?). She is not the type of woman that money can buy; in fact the only way in which someone gets to spend the night with her is if they are chosen by her. Enter a wealthy man who sets his sights on her, only to be spurned time and time again. It is only when he is willing to let everything he has go that she finally picks him. Unfortunately what he seeks may not be what he is ultimately looking for. Let's just say that pleasure and pain goes hand in hand when it comes to conquering Tama. The erection-eradicating and shocking ending is the film's only merit, if you could call it that, but most of you will have drifted off long before it arrives. Oh Joe, what have ye done to us now?
People who actively seek out the films of Joe D'Amato have no real reason to skip 'China and Sex', but it's weaknesses are apparent from the get go. When Joe has his heart in a flick, the results can be surprising. That isn't the case here; the same can be said of any of his films from the 90's (except his hardcore flicks, which were far better than any of his soft-core sleep-aids from this period). It's worse than most of his work and features some very unintentionally funny, ultra-pretentious dialogue. It's a terrible movie by any employable standard of calibration, even by low-rent exploitation standards, and everybody else should definitely skip it. Save your coin and order Chinese take-out instead.
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