Raise The Red Lantern (product link) Drama An exquisite film. Beautifully photographed and acted. Gong Li, in a stunning performance, stars as Songlian--one of four wives of a master of a household. The film is at once a cry against the subjugation of women. It is also a metaphor of the Chinese political situation of which individual rights are trampled against authoritarian rule.
My Sassy Girl [2001] (product link) Comedy / Romance Quite possibly the best modern romantic comedy. Hollywood's " Almost Famous" comes pretty close but that film is more of a drama in my opinion.
This film has two incredibly charismatic actors, the beautiful Jun Ji-Hyun and hilarious Cha Tae-hyun, and an original genre bending script. This film rises far above the crowd in its ability to move the audience and provoke thought and laughter. There's good reason (unlike many other films) why this is such a popular film in Asia. See it before the Hollywoood remake comes out!
The Avenging Eagle (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure Excellent old school film with great cast (Ti Lung and Fu Sheng). It's a classic for a REASON...with great fight choreography, colorful set designs, and an engaging story.
No Mercy For The Rude (product link) Comedy / Action/Adventure An excellent noir/black comedy that is ultimately moving. Very stylish (i.e. use of color, music, and sets) and well scripted with interesting characters. Weinstein Company bought the rights to this film and I can see why. It's like a Tarantino film with greater development of character.
Shaolin Intruders (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure An underseen and underappreciated martial arts classic that is exactly the type of film that HKFlix can offer fans of martial arts films.
This is a superb film that rises above the standard kung fu mystery with an excellent cast, well developed characters, an intrigue filled and propulsive narrative, and even a little humor. The martial arts choreography is "gosh wow" and Derek Yee turns in a stand-out performanc. The scenes in the Shaolin Temple are particularly impressive. Nice mix of hand to hand combat, use of weapons, and wire-fu. Director Tang Chia is to be commended for this extravaganza.
Five Fingers Of Death (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure Lo Lieh in the grand-daddy of all martial arts flicks. This film contains a great archetypal story with some memorable characters and villains. The soundtrack is simply supreme and the subplot involving the two women after Lo Lieh's heart is a bit of a twist and well done. Though the martial arts action is not the absolute best, Lieh's stone-faced charm and "red hands" more than makes up for it. There's a reason Tarantino calls this film one of his favorites.
Thankyou, this movie is a classic and one of Lo Liehs best. I totally agree with your review, the martial arts choreography is not the greatest but as you stated Lieh's charm carries this film to kung fu greatness!
A Bittersweet Life (product link) Action/Adventure / Crime Tremendous film...with great style, cool cinematography, and eye-popping action executed in various ways. Has Woo and Tarantino influences. As with most Korean films, the drama works.
Breaking News (product link) Action/Adventure / Thriller Nice action-thriller with director Johnnie To's pet themes of brotherhood, professionalism, coincidence, ineptness of police. Also uses the theme of the power of media to influence reality. The city of Hong Kong is a great character in the film.
A Dirty Carnival (product link) Crime / Thriller A solid gangster film with depth of character and an emotional core. Life imitates art, but sometimes art is larger than life. See the film.
Return Of The Sentimental Swordsman (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure A very good film starring Ti Lung, Fu Sheng, and Guk Fung. Though its plotline is overly elaborate and byzantine, the film still stands out for a majestic performance by Ti Lung (as the sentimental swordsman who can't escape from the machinations of the martial world) and Fu Sheng ( in a restrained performance as a fighter who is consistently manipulated by the martial world). The film is a critique of power and those who are overly obsessive about being number one. Fights are average, for the most part, but a fight between Lung and Fung's character involving a wine vase is particularly well done.
The Lady Hermit (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure Unusual story with a love triangle incorporated into the martial arts/ revenge plot line. Cheng Pei is great as an actress and martial artist. The martial arts choreography is particularly good in this film with the standout scene in the end where Pei Pei's character climbs up the temple. Good story and great martial arts.
The Jade Tiger (product link) Martial Arts / Swordplay/Sword(s) Very good Chu Yuan/Gu Long collaboration featuring trademark mystery. Particularly devious plot with fine acting and martial arts choreography
My Wife Is A Gangster (product link) Action/Adventure / Girls With Guns Underrated by the critics. This film epitomizes the Korean new wave...a unique blend of screwball comedy, family drama, action, martial arts, and even a little bit of a musical element. More often than not it works....with the marital story underpinning all the other elements. The martial arts choreography is superb.
Judgement Of An Assassin (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure Sun Chung's film is very good. A wuxia film that is well directed with a standout performance by David Chiang.
Killer Army [Ground Zero] (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure Classic intrigue layered storyline with the VENOMS! Only weakness is director Chang Cheh would have been better served going with a shorter fight in the end. Solid film, however, with excellent choreography.
Return Of The 5 Deadly Venoms (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure Slightly over-rated Venoms flick. The story is overly simple. The action is excellent as the crippled "venoms" show off some wondrous acrobatic moves. Certainly good, though not quite as engaging ( from a plot standpoint) as " Five Venoms" or " Killer Army"
Sad Movie (product link) Drama / Romance Well-acted ensemble drama/comedy that is contrived and manipulative in parts (i.e. the ending "fire" scene and story beween mother and son) Still, it succeeds on an intelligent script--for this kind of melodrama genre-- based on miscommunication, disconnection, fear, and longing. It would have been taken more seriously worldwide had the actors been a tad older, the lighting darker, and the music more serious. a simplistic but still entertaining and moving film.
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