Ninja: The Violent Sorceror

Myer, the world's greatest gambler, takes his own life after losing a game of cards against Barker, The Gambling King, who uses the magic of evil Taoist Collins in order to cheat. After talking to the spirit of Rose (Myer's dead wife), Myer's brother Roger swears revenge, training as a ninja and teaming up with old friend Ken to tackle the Taoist and his hopping vampires. Meanwhile, Myer's son Leslie seeks out alcoholic ex-gambler James Webber, the only man who can beat Barker, who enlists the help of his pals Lily, Anna and Ricky.

This early '80s effort from prolific director Godfrey Ho is a total mess, a sloppy cut and paste job pieced together from a couple of old movies, with new footage shot to try and make some sense out of proceedings. It doesn't work, the result being a bewildering mix of hopping vampires, teleporting ninjas, Taoist magic, gambling, kung fu, ghosts, and alcoholism. If God of Gamblers was thrown into a blender with Mr. Vampire, Drunken Master and several Taiwanese ninja films, the result would be a bit like this—never boring, but completely confusing.

4.5 out of 10, rounded up to 5 for a brief spot of female nudity (always welcome) and for Barker somehow faking suicide—revolver to the head—in front of a room full of people.