http://www.diddit.com/list-lmcrvm/films-to-make-you-a-fan-of-hong-kong-action-pix/For many years Hong Kong studios have created some of the best cinematic action masterpieces, regarded by film analysts and hardcore film buffs alike. Filmmakers such as Tsui Hark, Ringo Lam, Woo-ping Yuen, John Woo, Johnny To, and Sammo Hung have created some of the most memorable, stylish action films to date. Their groundbreaking films continue to inspire and influence filmmakers worldwide (just take a look at Bloodsport, The Matrix and countless others). Quentin Tarrantino openly credits the success of his films to the Hong Kong pictures to which he “pays homage”. What Hong Kong action films have you seen? Tue, 14 Apr 2009 14:51:30 +0000http://www.diddit.com/movie-cddfllk/the-killer-1989/The Killer (1989)]]>Aa MusicTue, 14 Apr 2009 14:51:30 +0000http://www.diddit.com/movie-cddfllk/the-killer-1989/http://www.diddit.com/movie-cqpclj/a-better-tomorrow-ii/A Better Tomorrow II]]>Andy MeisnerTue, 09 Sep 2008 00:42:39 +0000http://www.diddit.com/movie-cqpclj/a-better-tomorrow-ii/http://www.diddit.com/movie-crddcd/infernal-affairs/Infernal Affairs]]>Amy ChoiThu, 03 Jul 2008 22:24:10 +0000http://www.diddit.com/movie-crddcd/infernal-affairs/http://www.diddit.com/film-ccvrbc/a-chinese-ghost-story-1998-lao/A Chinese Ghost Story (1998, Lao) -- Siu-Tung Ching's fantastic fantasy film is a must-see for film buffs. It's a wonderful, pulchritudinous tale about a lowly scholar (Leslie Cheung) who meets the woman of his dreams (Joey Wang). The catch? She's an ethereal ghost who is the 'daughter' of an Evil Tree Demon possessing the world's longest tongue. Another catch? She is about to be married to an underworld creature whom she doesn’t love known as Lord Black. A Chinese Ghost Story is one of the most beautiful movies every made. I love the gorgeous imagery in one exquisite scene, we witness the veils subtlety moving as if they are swaying with the wind as well as the unique camera angles (in many cases, we get to see the action from the perspective of the monster tongue). I also love the director's use of lighting to generate mood. The performances too are wonderful. Leslie Cheung is simply hilarious as the clumsy tax collector whom we grow fondly of (oddly) and Joey Wang is wonderful as a ghostly being who symbolizes purity. But Wu Ma steals the show as a silly Taoist Priest who even has a rap number about Daoism and 'The Way'. ]]>sethMon, 11 Feb 2008 17:56:06 +0000http://www.diddit.com/film-ccvrbc/a-chinese-ghost-story-1998-lao/http://www.diddit.com/film-cbbrwc/the-storm-riders-1998-lao/The Storm Riders (1998, Lao) -- In Andrew Lao’s masterpiece Sonny Chiba is Lord Conquer, a megalomaniac who wants to rule the entire martial arts world. But a prophet known as 'Mud Buddha' (Yiu-Cheung Lai) warns him about two souls who might stand in his way: Striding Cloud (Aaron Kwok) and Whispering Wind (Ekin Cheng). Lord Conquer decides to adopt these two and raise him as his own. But what happens when the two learn the truth? The Storm Riders is purported to be one of the most expensive films in Hong Kong to date. With a budget of $10 million in US dollars, The Storm Riders contains an array of marvelous special effects (the Fire Beast is a WOW!) ]]>sethMon, 11 Feb 2008 17:56:06 +0000http://www.diddit.com/film-cbbrwc/the-storm-riders-1998-lao/http://www.diddit.com/movie-ckdzwg/full-contact-1993-lam/Full Contact (1993, Lam) -- While I should be recommending another John Woo film here, I opted to choose Full Contact instead. This film is very unique in its depiction of its main characters. Our hero in this film is Jeffrey (Chow Yun-Fat), a nightclub bouncer. In order to help his best friend, Sam (Anthony Wong), Jeffrey gets involved in a weapons heist led by the sadistic Judge (Simon Yam). Of course, Jeffrey is double-crossed (by his best friend nonetheless) and left for dead, but he has revenge on his thoughts. ]]>sethMon, 11 Feb 2008 17:55:51 +0000http://www.diddit.com/movie-ckdzwg/full-contact-1993-lam/http://www.diddit.com/movie-cmqzcc/riki-oh-the-story-of-ricky-1991-lam/Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky (1991, Lam) -- This is easily the most violent martial arts film this side of The Street Fighter (the film starring Sonny Chiba). A guy by the name of Ricky Oh (Fan-Sui Wong) is sentenced to hard labor after killing the guy who killed his girlfriend. In prison, Ricky realized that several of the inmates are being bullied by the corrupt administration and its enforcers known as the 'Gang of Four', so Ricky decides to stand up and defend the oppressed. Inspired by the manga of the same name, The Story of Ricky is one of the most gruesome films ever made.]]>sethMon, 11 Feb 2008 17:55:18 +0000http://www.diddit.com/movie-cmqzcc/riki-oh-the-story-of-ricky-1991-lam/http://www.diddit.com/film-ckxvwf/peking-opera-blues-1990-hark/Peking Opera Blues (1990, Hark) -- What surprised me the most is how little fanfare this film received in the States. Peking Opera Blues one of my favorites, combining action, comedy, a bit of romance, and plenty of pathos as it tells the story of three women who are caught in the chaos of China during the early 20th century, when warlords fought each other for supremacy. One of the women is Pak (Sally Yeh), the daughter of an opera house manager. She yearns for the life as an actress on the Peking Opera stage. But the tradition that only males can be actors has prevented her from achieving her dream. Sheung Hung (Cherie Chung) is a struggling music yearning for a better life in America. Tsao Wen (Brigitte Lin) is the daughter of a corrupt military warlord. Ironically enough, she opposes her father's ideals. Though all three have different ideals and dreams, they are bonded together by one common goal: the need to better their lives. ]]>sethMon, 11 Feb 2008 17:54:45 +0000http://www.diddit.com/film-ckxvwf/peking-opera-blues-1990-hark/http://www.diddit.com/movie-ckxfzp/a-better-tomorrow/A Better Tomorrow -- John Woo's poignant masterpiece about cops and gangsters is a must see. This film examines the relationship between an ambitious cop who wants to go all the way (Leslie Cheung) and his older brother (Ti Lung), a criminal who seeks redemption. It is a powerful, intense action drama about the importance of brotherhood and friendship. While this film lacks the over the top mayhem characterized by Woo's later works, ABT has its share of spectacular action scenes including a slow-motion shoot-out in a Chinese restaurant and a gun-blazing finale in a dock.]]>sethMon, 11 Feb 2008 17:54:45 +0000http://www.diddit.com/movie-ckxfzp/a-better-tomorrow/