HOLLYWOOD + World Cinema Thread

[failing_boy]

Hard Boiled
As John Woo's last and perhaps best Hong Kong movie, Hard Boiled is the kind of film where critical hyperbole like "it's a pulse-pounding, high-octane thrill ride" isn't far from the truth. Although his role as Mark in the A Better Tomorrow films may be more iconic, Chow Yun-Fat owns all as Tequila Yuen, a swaggering hardboiled cop who radiates so much charm and charisma that it's not hard to see why Chow was dubbed "the coolest actor on the planet" a few years back. But of course, with most John Woo films, the action is the main draw, and Hard Boiled doesn't disappoint. In the words of my esteemed colleague Kozo, this movie boasts the "MOST INSANE BLAZING TWO-GUN ACTION YOU'LL EVER SEE." And he's right on the money. In terms of balletic action, this is John Woo at his finest.

[failing_boy]

Drunken Master II
Drunken Master II is perhaps Jackie Chan's finest film, if not the best kung fu movie ever put on celluloid. It has some of Jackie's best stunts, mixing original director Lau Kar-Leung's old school choreography with Jackie Chan's contemporary kung fu comedy shtick. A word of warning: don't analyze the plot too closely (Oh Andy Lau, where art thou?), and you'll be just fine. Just sit back and enjoy the fireworks. Chan's last stand against the amazing leg-fighter Ken Lo is probably one of the best ending battles in cinema history. Really.

[failing_boy]

In the Mood for Love

My favorite Wong Kar-Wai movie EVER and probably the best film the critically-acclaimed auteur will ever make, although one hopes he can again craft something as wonderful as In the Mood for Love, a beautiful film that improves with ever subsequent viewing. Credit must also go to William Cheung Suk-Ping, Christopher Doyle, Lee Ping-Ban for the film's look, as well as Tony Leung Chiu-Wai and Maggie Cheung for delivering career-defining performances that are sure to be remembered for a very long time. It doesn't get much better than this.

[failing_boy]

Shaolin Soccer
Some folks think the first part drags, but those young grasshoppers just lack patience. Believe the hype! Shaolin Soccer is the ultimate Hong Kong flick super sampler. It's got a good old fashioned underdog story with a lot of kung fu, comedy, CGI wizardry, and just a little bit of romance. Add to the mix the funniest, and most honorific Bruce Lee homage to date, and you have the formula for a fantastic picture. The presence of the lovely Zhao Wei helps, too.
one of Amal Neerad's fav comedies....

[failing_boy]

Once Upon a Time in China II
Admit it, you think the first film is pretty boring. The truth is that Once Upon a Time in China II is Jet Li's and Tsui Hark's real epic masterpiece, actually surpassing the original as the best of the series. Sure, I had reservations about putting yet another sequel on the list, but OUATIC 2 is a great flick and also the first Hong Kong film I ever saw that didn't star Bruce Lee (or his clones). Part of what makes this movie a standout is the addition of the very funny Max Mok to the cast (replacing Yuen Biao) and the fact that Jet Li battles two great villains at the end - the evil gwailo-hater Kung and a corrupt official played by Donnie Yen. While the original film experimented with a lot of themes and genres, Once Upon a Time in China II successfully melds spectacular martial arts, chivalric romance, and social commentary into one great picture.

[failing_boy]

INFERNAL AFFAIRS

Top-notch commercial filmmaking starring more big names than any Hong Kong film probably deserves. Despite some contrivances and plot holes, this is a gripping and thoroughly entertaining crime thriller with fine performances from the principal cast.

With little actual warning, the HK cops-and-robbers thriller Infernal Affairs destroyed all comers this past Christmas season. At over 55 million Hong Kong dollars, the film has gone on to become the territory's second highest-grossing local film behind Shaolin Soccer. Cries of "Box Office Miracle" were trumpeted by Hong Kong's so-called fourth estate, which advanced the opinion that Hong Kong Cinema was revived. Still, it would be preferable if a box-office revival came with an actual good motion picture. Thankfully, they pulled it off; despite some flaws, Infernal Affairs is pretty good stuff.

Still, the question does come up: was Infernal Affairs worthy of all money made at the box office? Given its massive box-office take, some might judge the film to be a victim of massive hype, and be disappointed at the result. Such thinking isn't entirely beyond understanding; this isn't Shaolin Soccer, a film which was simultaneously familiar, original and thrillingly engaging. Infernal Affairs is simply good, solid commercial work with a marvelous production and some fine actors at the top of their game. It's a prime example of massive synergy, where you take the best of what's available and use it to its fullest. Forget fresh, inspired plotlines or startling thematic originality; this is simply a well-made, familiar storyline with all the big stars appearing in the same movie at the same time. And really, isn't a Hong Kong film like that worth the price of admission?

[failing_boy]

Fist of Fury
Who's the master? No, it's not Sho-Nuff, it's Bruce Lee, fool! And while this Lo Wei-directed flick may seem like just another "You killed my master!" revenge yarn, Bruce Lee's charismatic performance puts Fist of Fury at the top of the heap. Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Donnie Yen, and even Stephen Chow have tried to fill the shoes of the master in their own various remake and sequel attempts, but even after all these years, Fist of Fury reigns supreme.

[Tony Kurisingal]

Official Hollywood thread in main forum...

Good work admin...

[failing_boy]

With the remake of the awesome Hindi film A Wednesday.....

maybe we should consider.....Infernal Affairs

a film which has scope for two stars....?

its possible.....

[~ BILLA ~]

Ithu thirichuvana thanks admin namuku pathuke pathuke mate threads okke ingoteku kondu varanam