Just finished watching John Woo's Bullet in the Head


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bullet_in_the_Head
http://www.lovehkfilm.com/reviews/bullet_in_the_head.htm

Dare i say it's much better than most modern Hollywood action movie. Even thought it got John Woo blueprint all over it, but it is not a plain action movie. It blend drama, humanity and reality of the situation at that time (Vietnam, Tiananmen Square). It's not a film for everybody. Though i don't really agree with the ending.

Why Hong Kong can't produce film like this nowadays? Today, it's all about romantic comedy, like fast food. Beyond the comedy, there's nothing. Even comedy genre back then (up until late 90's) was much better.

Also, it's easy to detect bad / plain HK film today just by reading it's title. Usually they will include some sort of silly pun as part of the title.

This post has been edited by Angel of Deth: Feb 17 2013, 08:20 PM

Finished watching Lan Kwai Fong 2. A bad film, probably an exploitation film about sex, nightlife / clubbing. Cliche theme and storyline. Also the ending.. that was the worst ending ever. Too corny, cheesy, unrealistic and it was embarrassing to watch.

King of Comedy (1999)
This is very good film. As usual, everything Stephen Chow touched turn into gold. Not only the main cast, he's also co-director in this film. This is not just a plain comedy, it has ton of message and Chow is very good on his role. He can amuse and sympathize the viewer at the same time. The way he shift his acting from comedic role to the more serious is just natural. I wish the film bit longer because i feel there are several underdeveloped aspect and character, especially for the female protagonist played by Cecilia Cheung.

This post has been edited by Angel of Deth: Feb 27 2013, 08:13 AM

Second Time Around (2001)

Finished watching this movie from Asian 151 channel, HyppTV (it's rock, lots of quality old HK movie). At first the plot kinda lame, a gambler who dream big, to make a big time at Las Vegas. But things is not as easy as he think, lost all his money. Sounds lame and cliche. But after quarter way through the film start to pick the pace and become much more interesting with twist, conflict and drama. The film is classic case of never judge a book by it's cover or by the introduction page. From the early narration, you thought the film is about some sci-fi time traveling adventure, Hollywood rip-off something like that, but it's not. Time traveling still play big part, sometime bit confusing (as expected from any movie that incorporate this theme). But the film itself is much deeper, and it has one of the best or most fitting ending i ever seen in any movie but at the same time kinda tragic. You can't help to feel sorry at the main protagonist. Not disappointing at all. I still think Ekin Cheng isn't a great actor, he just decent. But his partnership with Cecilia Cheung were natural, not feeling out of place at all.

Ekin played his role very well although but he wasn't irreplaceable. Surprisingly i don't find Cecilia was annoying at all in this movie. As opposed to Ekin, i don't think any other actress could naturally replicate what she had done in the film. Kinda shame her later career (up until the scandal) were reduced to comedy / romantic comedy genre. Unlike many popular actor and actress at her era, she actually had so much potential and diversity.

Woke up early morning (too early), stumbled across this film on Screen RED:

Beyond our Ken (2004)

The film is about: "The story tells about Ching (Gillian Chung), who was dumped by her playboy boyfriend Ken (Daniel Wu). She tracks down his new girlfriend Shirley (Höng Tao) and claims that Ken uploaded nude photos of her to a website." -wiki

Surprisingly very good drama. The plot, the storyline everything make sense. The most positive aspect from this film is the pacing. Everything reveal at natural pace. There are few charming and funny moment too. Like suddenly these two girls become very close just because they're share one common interest.

I don't know much about the cast but i believe this film has to be one of very few works from Gillian which is outstanding and not crap. Not like her usual commercial movie which were horrendous for most of the time. Actually the blame lies more on the her label, producer and director's shoulder for making such crap movie. She was the fad at that time, everybody milking her status.

Bio-Zombie (1998) Lost in Time (2003)

Bio-Zombie is like HK throwback to the 80's Living Dead series but without the excessive gore and special effects. Jordan Chan and Sam Lee were amazing. The plot is mainly revolve in a mall, which begin to populated with zombies. Any zombies fan should watch this film. Apart from the ending, everything is satisfying.

Lost in Time is just amazing. Usually i'm not fond about drama film. But this one is really good and effective. That's all i can say because my lack of writing and reviewing skill.

For me Hong Kong film industry was the best during their peak, even better than Hollywood. Because it's not just about pretty faces, big explosion, over the top action. Instead it contain plenty of implicit theme, moral inside their medium. Not just plain entertainment. Today i'm not sure, haven't watch most of their recent stuff since i'm not really fan of most of the new faces.

The 601st Phone Call

Very cliche', you can guess the way the story will pan out from miles away. I don't even know the casting team. Even though it is cliche' but at the end of the day it is the narration from the beginning to the conclusion that matter most in any film. So on that regard, i think the director had done very well.

Love Battlefield (2004)

Thought it was another generic modern HK romance crap. But i was wrong, it's action packed with romance and humanity. Even the bad guy also show believable brotherhood, love and humanity. One moment you feel like hating the bad guy, one moment you kinda root for them. Though some of the plot didn't make sense due to too much coincidence, but overall the director did a good job. Eason Chan must be one of underrated popstar-actor hybrid. He showed range of talent in this film.

Working Class (1985)
Directed by the legendary Tsui Hark, very good comedy about working class people. Typical 80's HK comedy. I know nothing about the cast except for young Tsui Hark and beautiful then-18 years old Joey Wong.

NANA 1 & 2

Possibly one of the longest films I ever watched in quite some time. Clocked at 115 minutes, unnaturally long for a drama genre.

The story itself is very good, no matter if you're familiar with the manga and J-Pop or not.

Century of the Dragon (1999)

Although the film is as cliche' as you can get, but definitely better than both KL Gangsters and slightly edge Young & Dangerous in storytelling. Unfortunately the latter half of the film ruined by quasi Hollywood illogical writing. Shame because up until that the film is pretty realistic in depicting the life of triad members.

TRICKY BRAINS (1991)

Just finished watching this on Screen RED (HyppTV channel 226).

Typical Wong Jin movie, but a damn good one. Starring Stephen Chow, Andy Lau, Rosamund Kwan, Ng Man-Tat and one other beauty (unfortunately I don't know who she is). Stephen Chow played as a professional trickster. He is hired to make sure Andy Lau life a living hell and hit rock-bottom. With Stephen Chow as the main star, hilarity ensues. Ng Man-Tat I believe this is one of his funniest work in his career.

I'm always hard on Andy Lau because I think he's not a very actor, but in this movie he is surprisingly very charismatic and silly. He holds nothing back, not the typical "macho" Andy like in most movie he starred late in his career. He's not overshadowed by anybody in this movie. A combination of strong acting and directing.

Finally Rosamund, that's what I called a real beauty, but backed with talent. Shame they don't produce one these days.

That's all for my lame review.

Just finished watching this movie on Youtube. It wasn't bad, true it is action-heavy, less emphasize on characters but still a good movie by its own standard. Maybe because Leslie Cheung isn't the main cast this time, some fans couldn't accept it. "I prefer long face, slight buck tooth and at least 6 inches taller than me", Tony Leung perfectly described Joey Wong, and I actually laughed at that line.

I'm waiting for HK to produce another film like this. Probably not in 100 years.

Edit:
Disappointing if the rumour about Joey went under the knife (plastic surgery) is true. I remember she look stunning in 2011, it was age-defying for a 45 years old. These actors and actresses need to learn to embrace ageing. Take a look at Anthony Wong, sure he's now fat, ugly and balding, but at least he's happy with himself. Anyway it's up to the individual, we the outsider know nothing and have no business about their private life.

This post has been edited by Angel of Deth: Feb 12 2014, 01:52 PM

That's my favourite scene as well. I thought the third film is the funniest since I laughed a lot right from the beginning, unfortunately at the expense of characters development. I don't really 'feel' the romance between Tony and Joey, as I did with Leslie and Joey. Beside, Jacky Cheung motive and background weren't developed properly. What's the point of him sticking his nose in the first place? But credit to him, he's funny as hell.

Haven't watch the 2011 remake yet even though I am a fan of Louis Koo because I'm bit close minded when it comes to remake. What do you think about it? Passable?

Thanks for the detailed explanation, you have great sense for details. I would like to re-watch the trilogy again, but can't bear the nostalgic feeling. I'm that kind of person, hence why I rarely watch any film more than once. However i'm going to watch the remake with an open mind. Maybe without comparing to the original, the remake isn't half bad.

Just finished watching both Silent Hill films. If anything these two are the best video games to film adaptation of all time. I liked the second film a bit more because it was more direct, about 30 minutes shorter than the first film and stay faithful to the video game.

Bio-Zombie (1998)

Had to revisited this film again. What seemingly a silly, cliché, tired genre in the beginning turn into one of the most touching film of it's kind. Lots of positive message and value. I like the ending as well, one of the best ending I believe. Jordan Chan and Sam Lee are absolute gold. Oscar-worthy performance by both of them. A must see for any horror, zombie or Hong Kong film fans. You don't need to like zombie to enjoy this film.

Keep 'em coming guys. I love reading neutral, unbiased film reviews. Doesn't matter if it thorough or not.

* sometimes I love watching and reading review more than watching the film itself.

This post has been edited by Angel of Deth: Mar 2 2014, 03:14 PM

Mismatched Couples (1985)

Some people regarded is as the worst film starring Donnie Yen. I don't know about that, I found this film very amusing. The film capture the 80's essences very well. Reminds me of the one of 80's Living Dead film. One thing I don't understand is the main premise is about Donnie Yen falling in love with his own sister / cousin (May Lo)? Isn't that a taboo?

This post has been edited by Angel of Deth: Mar 16 2014, 05:36 PM

Is it that good? Usually video game to movie doesn't translate well. Although in this case it is hybrid between action and racing genre, which I imagine not difficult to adapt onto silver screen, plus the game barely contain any storyline to begin with.

Thanks for the comments. I'll be watching the movie next weekend.