I don’t think it’s too much hyperbole to say that John Woo’s “A Better Tomorrow” changed how the world looked at Hong Kong cinema. The film centers around two childhood friends who also happen to be counterfeiters, Mark (would-be International superstar Chow Yun-Fat) and...

Have you ever seen an Asian gangster movie? No? Well, have you ever seen any gangster movie? If the answer is Yes, then you know how this one will end because it’s simply a South Korean version of the very, very familiar “young tough rises through the criminal ranks through courage and brains...

Shin plays the main character, a protagonist with an amazing martial arts prowess that allows him to fight as if he was “flying.” It’s a sword technique that gives Shin the power to explode bodies with a slash of his sword. Yes, I kid you not. He did this throughout the movie. (Although...

“God of Gamblers 3″ is my first entry into the popular “God of Gamblers” series. I believe there is 4 — GOG1 to 3, and then two GOG3’s, this one and another one, which is supposed to be a prequel. This movie is supposed to be a comedy, and it is a very funny movie,...

Tsui Hark is an old hand when it comes to filmmaking. The veteran Hong Kong director has either directed or produced over 40 films in his native land, and has taken the John Woo route to Hollywood success by directing Jean Claude Van Damme in two American/Hong Kong productions. Not surprisingly his two...

For sheer martial arts excitement, “Fist of Legend” stands as one of Jet Li’s most impressive films, and that’s saying a lot considering that most fans of Li knows he’s put out some very excellent action movies in his Hong Kong career, before making the jump to Hollywood....

I have to admit, I was blown away by the amazing cinematography of “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” (hereby referred to as CTHD for brevity’s sake). The movie is breathtaking to look at and the acting is first-rate by the leads, although the secondary characters are spotty and employs...

Despite not being very original, “Battle Royale” proves to be something even better — a killer of a movie. Not only are there more than 40+ students sent to an island to be killed off (at the hands of each other, no less), but also the adults are around to urge them on. You see, there’s...

“Hard-Boiled” has the distinction of being action auteur John Woo’s last Hong Kong picture, and so far, his last picture with his familiar star (and offscreen friend) Chow Yun-Fat. I don’t think it would be too farfetched to say that the duo have turned what was once a joke in...