- published: 16 Jul 2006
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A pagoda is the general term in the English language for a tiered tower with multiple eaves common in Nepal, India, China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Burma and other parts of Asia. Some pagodas are used as Taoist houses of worship. Most pagodas were built to have a religious function, most commonly Buddhist, and were often located in or near temples. This term may refer to other religious structures in some countries. In Vietnam and Cambodia, due to French translation, the English term pagoda is a more generic term referring to a place of worship, although pagoda is not an accurate word to describe a Buddhist temple. The modern pagoda is an evolution of the Ancient Nepal stupa, a tomb-like structure where sacred relics could be kept safe and venerated. The architectural structure of the stupa has spread across Asia, taking on many diverse forms as details specific to different regions are incorporated into the overall design.
The word is first attested for in English in the period c. 1625–35; introduced from the Portuguese pagode, temple, from the Persian butkada (but idol + kada temple, dwelling.) Another etymology, found in many English language dictionaries, is modern English pagoda from Portuguese (via Dravidian), from Sanskrit bhagavati, feminine of bhagavatt "blessed" < bhaga "good fortune."
Actors: Anjelica Huston (actress), Scott Rudin (producer), Owen Wilson (actor), Ben Stiller (actor), Larry Pine (actor), Gwyneth Paltrow (actress), Al Thompson (actor), Luke Wilson (actor), Alec Baldwin (actor), Gene Hackman (actor), Danny Glover (actor), Seymour Cassel (actor), Bill Murray (actor), Owen Wilson (writer), Owen Wilson (producer),
Plot: Three grown prodigies, all with a unique genius of some kind, and their mother are staying at the family household. Their father, Royal had left them long ago, and comes back to make things right with his family.
Keywords: accountant, adopted-daughter, ambulance, archeologist, art, artist, attempted-suicide, ballerina, ballet, bandaged-handActors: Po Tai (actor), Fui-On Shing (actor), Pak-cheung Chan (actor), Kiu Wai Miu (actor), Richard Ng (actor), Shui-Fan Fung (actor), Kuan Tai Chen (actor), Sammo Hung Kam-Bo (actor), Sammo Hung Kam-Bo (actor), Wah Cheung (actor), Tat-wah Cho (actor), Mars (actor), Lowell Lo (actor), Fong Lung (actor), Eric Tsang (actor),
Plot: Supt. Walter Tso of the Hong Kong Police Department hires the "Five Lucky Stars" once again to help the daughter of cheated gambler king Lui Tin, Tso's good friend, defeat the swindling Sheung Kun Fan-Fa in the ultimate gambling match. The "Five Lucky Stars" are joined by beauty queen Françoise also hired by Tso, to undergo gambling training. Meanwhile, Fastbuck, one of the "Five Lucky Stars," is on medical leave in China. As a result, his Buddhist monk cousin, Leung, joins the gang in the gambling challenge.
Keywords: gamblingActors: Richard Ng (actor), Hoi-Pang Lo (actor), Shui-Fan Fung (actor), Chi Hung Ng (actor), Kent Cheng (actor), Ging Man Fung (actor), Kiu Wai Miu (actor), Pak-cheung Chan (actor), Pak-Kwong Ho (actor), Shiu Hung Hui (actor), James Ha Jim-Si (actor), Tat-wah Cho (actor), Ka Ting Lee (actor), Chia Yung Liu (actor), Eric Tsang (actor),
Plot: Hong Kong Police Supt. Walter Tso arrests Big Dai, the reformed leader of a criminal corporation. When Dai asked his brother Richard Mao to turn himself in to the police, he betrays him and decides to take over the corporation. Dai is imprisoned and an informant is murdered by one of Mao's men. With no evidence against Mao and the corporation, Tso coerced four of the "Five Lucky Stars" to go undercover in the prison, rescue Dai, and help nab Mao and bring down the corporation.
Genres: Comedy,Actors: Karl Maka (actor), Chia Yung Liu (actor), Billy Lau (actor), Andy Lau (actor), Kent Cheng (actor), Sammo Hung Kam-Bo (actor), Sammo Hung Kam-Bo (actor), Alfred Cheung (actor), Anthony Chan (actor), Ging Man Fung (actor), Hark-On Fung (actor), Shui-Fan Fung (actor), Tat-wah Cho (actor), Norman Chu (actor), Kiu Wai Miu (actor),
Genres: Action, Comedy,Actors: Alfred Cheung (actor), Anthony Chan (actor), Anthony Chan (actor), Pak-cheung Chan (actor), Philip Chan (actor), Fruit Chan (actor), Jackie Chan (actor), David Chiang (actor), Charlie Chin (actor), Kar Lok Chin (actor), Kar Lok Chin (actor), Siu-hou Chin (actor), Tat-wah Cho (actor), Yun-Kin Chow (actor), Fat Chung (actor),
Plot: A police informant sent a letter containing sensitive information on an illegal drug operation to his friend, Yi-Ching. While on vacation in Thailand, the informant is assassinated by the drug lord's henchmen and, to cover-up their operation, they attempt to eliminate Yi-Ching and double-agent Lau. Back in Hong Kong, police detectives Muscles and Ricky Fung are assigned to protect Lau and Inspector Barbara Woo is assigned to protect Yi-Ching. She takes her to the hideout of the "Five Lucky Stars" and also enlists their help in bringing down the drug operation.
Keywords: action-violence, asian, brawl, chinaman, chop-socky, fight, fighting, fistfight, hand-to-hand-combat, kung-fu