A guilty pleasure if ever there was one, Black Rain is a ridiculously entertaining thriller by Ridley Scott (Alien), starring Michael Douglas as a tough New York cop who--along with his partner (Andy Garcia)--goes to Japan to deliver a local mobster. When the latter escapes, Douglas's brand of gonzo crime fighting rubs his Japanese hosts the wrong way. Slick, mechanistic, and absurd, the film is all surface action and attitude (not to mention Scott's incredibly busy, trademark art direction); and one can get lost in the sheer indulgence of it. However, if you can buy Douglas as an iconoclastic lawman, you can buy anything else here, including the notion of Kate Capshaw as a blonde escort highly desired by Japanese businessmen. -- Tom Keogh, Amazon.com
2007's largest grossing film at the Hong Kong box office - the smash-hit Mad Detective - is one of the freshest and most satisfying films from that country in a decade. The traditional Hong Kong police film is turned on its head: the imaginative twist being our hero - Detective Bun (a role created for Lau Ching Wan) - who has the ability to 'see' people's inner personalities or hidden ghosts. Breaking new ground and establishing new cinematic rules, Johnnie To's latest giddily entertaining collaboration with Wai Ka Fai radically raises the level of storytelling in modern film. This ingenious realisation of a supernaturally gifted copper is fast-paced and furious, yet also complex and disturbingly funny.Detective Bun (Lau Ching Wan) was recognised as a talented criminal profiler until he sliced off his right ear to offer as a gift at his chief's farewell party. Branded as 'mad' and discharged from the force, he has lived in seclusion with his beloved wife May (Kelly Lin) ever since. Strangely, Bun has the ability to 'see' a person's inner personality, their subconscious desires, emotions, and mental state. When a missing police gun is linked to several heists and murders, hotshot Inspector Ho (Andy On) calls on the valuable skills of his former mentor Bun to help unlock the killer's identity. However, Bun's unorthodox methods point to a fellow detective and take a schizophrenic turn for the worse...
From Creator Noah Hawley, the new installment of Fargo is an all-new true crime tale starring Ewan McGregor in dual roles as Emmit Stussy and his slightly younger brother Ray. Their sibling rivalry leads to a twisted path that begins with petty theft but soon leads to murder, mobsters and cutthroat competitive bridge.
From Oscar-nominated director Ridley Scott (Gladiator) comes this stylish star-powered crime thriller that crackles with heart-pounding action and taut suspense. Academy Award-winner Michael Douglas is electrifying as Nick Conklin a rough-and-tumble NYC detective under investigation for corruption. Ordered to escort a cold-blooded killer named Sato back to his native Japan Nick and his partner Charlie (Oscar nominee Andy Garcia) unwittingly deliver Sato into the hands of his own gang. With assistance from a by-the-book Japanese cop (Ken Takakura) and a beautiful club hostess (Kate Capshaw) the American cops chase Sato through Osaka's seamy underworld as Nick fights to recapture something as important as the criminal he lost: his honour.
Explosive prequel to last year's Hong Kong hit about an undercover cop and triad mole in the police force.
The intrigue continues in the third volume of Gasaraki...
Infernal Affairs (2002): A mole in the police force. An undercover cop inside the criminal organisation. The objective is the same: each must discover the other before their own position is exposed. Who will succeed and who will pay the ultimate price for their failure? A gripping police Hong Kong police thriller starring Andy Lau and Tony Leung the super-stylish Infernal Affairs was the biggest grossing Hong Kong film of 2002 and has even seen the Hollywood re
Three features now in High Definition. Directed by Andrew Lau and Alan Mak, Infernal Affairs is a tense thriller featuring Hong Kong superstars Andy Lau and Tony Leung. The film follows the parallel lives of Ming (Lau), a cop who secretly reports to ruthless Triad crime boss Sam (Eric Tsang); and Yan (Leung), an undercover police officer who poses as a Triad member in Sam's gang. For Yan, the years of living in the criminal underworld have taken their toll, and he longs to return to regular police duty. However, the only person who knows Yan's true identity is his mentor Superintendent Wong (Anthony Wong), also the unsuspecting superior of Ming. When Wong's officers come face to face with Sam's gang, both leaders realise there are moles in their midst. Soon Yan and Ming must track each other down, leading to an inevitable confrontation. Unlike many contemporary Hong Kong films, Infernal Affairs steers clear of over-the-top action in favour of a more stylised and subdued story that builds on emotional and psychological tension. Leung is riveting as the undercover cop who desperately wants a normal life, while Lau instils his corrupt character with confidence and charm that mask his deep inner conflict. These two stellar turns are ably supported by veteran actors Wong and Tsang, along with Sammi Cheng and Kelly Chen. A huge blockbluster in Asia, Infernal Affairs is a landmark of Hong Kong cinema that deserves the same status abroad. Part of the New Directors/New Films 2003 series presented by The Department of Film and Media at the Museum of Modern Art and the Film Society of Lincoln Center in New York City. Also features: 'Infernal Affairs II' and 'Infernal Affairs III'.
Island on Fire is, as the trailer says, "five films in one!". Despite the packaging headlining Jackie Chan this violent modern-day prison drama is an ensemble piece with Chan, a pool-player in prison for accidentally stabbing a man to death, on screen for no more than a quarter of the 92 minutes. Anyone buying this as a Chan movie may be seriously disappointed, for apart from the brevity of his role there is no trademark Chan humour. Also in the brutal and corrupt prison is Andy Lau, an undercover cop searching for the murderer of his professor, and Sammo Hung offering comedy and pathos as an inmate who keeps escaping to visit his son. There are many more characters, together with one subplot involving a mouse which anticipates The Green Mile (1999) and another concerning an assassination conspiracy which parallels Nikita, also released in 1990. Island of Fire is an uneven, always entertaining, sometimes moving film which packs an incredible amount of incident into its running time. However, it should be noted that it is an imitation of, rather than an official entry in, Ringo Lam's Fire series, which includes Prison on Fire (1987) and City on Fire (1987). On the DVD: The anamorphically enhanced 1.77-1 picture is a very good transfer of a rather grainy print, though given the many darkly lit scenes, this grain is probably part of the original film. The mono sound is fine. The film can be watched with the original Mandarin soundtrack and English subtitles, or with a much better than average English dub. The packaging claims there are over 60 minutes of extras. In fact there are nine deleted/extended scenes of variable quality, the best of which give more emotional depth to Sammo Hung's character, together with video interviews with Sammo Hung, Jimmy Wong Yu and director Chu Yen Ping. These total around 20 minutes and are interesting but not specific to the film. Also included is the theatrical trailer, Hong Kong Legends' own "music promo" trailer and eight trailers for further releases. There is also a six-page "animated" biography of Jackie Chan. --Gary S Dalkin
Island on Fire is, as the trailer says, "five films in one!". Despite the packaging headlining Jackie Chan this violent modern-day prison drama is an ensemble piece with Chan, a pool-player in prison for accidentally stabbing a man to death, on screen for no more than a quarter of the 92 minutes. Anyone buying this as a Chan movie may be seriously disappointed, for apart from the brevity of his role there is no trademark Chan humour. Also in the brutal and corrupt prison is Andy Lau, an undercover cop searching for the murderer of his professor, and Sammo Hung offering comedy and pathos as an inmate who keeps escaping to visit his son. There are many more characters, together with one subplot involving a mouse which anticipates The Green Mile (1999) and another concerning an assassination conspiracy which parallels Nikita, also released in 1990. Island of Fire is an uneven, always entertaining, sometimes moving film which packs an incredible amount of incident into its running time. However, it should be noted that it is an imitation of, rather than an official entry in, Ringo Lam's Fire series, which includes Prison on Fire (1987) and City on Fire (1987). On the DVD: The anamorphically enhanced 1.77-1 picture is a very good transfer of a rather grainy print, though given the many darkly lit scenes, this grain is probably part of the original film. The mono sound is fine. The film can be watched with the original Mandarin soundtrack and English subtitles, or with a much better than average English dub. The packaging claims there are over 60 minutes of extras. In fact there are nine deleted/extended scenes of variable quality, the best of which give more emotional depth to Sammo Hung's character, together with video interviews with Sammo Hung, Jimmy Wong Yu and director Chu Yen Ping. These total around 20 minutes and are interesting but not specific to the film. Also included is the theatrical trailer, Hong Kong Legends' own "music promo" trailer and eight trailers for further releases. There is also a six-page "animated" biography of Jackie Chan. --Gary S Dalkin
An American Cop in Japan. Their country. Their laws. Their game. His rules. Black Rain is centered around two New York City police officers Michael Douglas and Andy Garcia who arrest a member of the Japanese Yakuza and must escort him back to Japan. Once there he escapes and the two police officers find themselves dragged deeper and deeper into the Japanese underworld.
During the Sino-Japanese war a Chinese patriot steals damning evidence that exposes traitorous intentions within the government. Planning to bring the evidence from Shanghai to Hong Kong and break it to the public he becomes an assassination target.
In this kung fu fantasy a daring duel of powers between the fairies finds the young mortal Cheung rescuing the Sky Mussel Fairy. His bravery is not repaid however as Cheung is driven out of his home by his uncle. Now Cheung must struggle to stay alive in a world of gods and demons with only his kung fu powers to keep him safe. With wild images dazzling visuals and mind-boggling fights Deadly Snail vs. Kung Fu Killers is fast furious kung fu action!
As Yushiro struggles desperately to rescue Miharu the noose around the neck of the free world begins to tighten. As the US and Japan find themselves driven to the brink of war the very fabric of civilization begins to unravel. Caught in the crossfire the TA Team must make the difficult decision of whom and what to fight for in a war that no one can possibly win. Apocalypse approaches in Gasaraki!
Steve Martin is back as Inspector Jacques Clouseau in The Pink Panther 2! Inspector Clouseau (Steve Martin) teams up with a squad of International detectives who are just as bumbling as he is. Their mission: Stop a globe-trotting thief who specializes in stealing historical artifacts.
"Protege" is a stimulating exploration of the complex relationships within the multilayered, international drug manufacturing and distribution syndicates of today.
As an heir to family fortune, Jin-hyuk has money, the looks, the charm, everything except finding the love of his life. So he sets up a cake shop where women are sure to come. He hires Sun-woo, a talented patissier who had a crush on Jin-hyuk back in high school. Along with and ex-boxing champion Gi-beom and a clueless bodyguard Su-young, the four unique and handsome young men stir up the quiet neighbourhood at their cake shop, Antique. Although seemingly careless and happy, each of the four men have unforgettable past that they are afraid to face. But their secrets slowly begin to unravel.
A pair of champion swordsmen (Andy Lau and Brigitte Lin) are preparing for a martial arts competition when they are framed for the murder of the Empress meaning the two warriors must fight to clear their names while a third tracks them down. Yet again Brigitte Lin displays her tremendous confidence in the Kung Fu genre this time with Andy Lau (Infernal Affairs) by her side.
Steve Martin is back as Inspector Jacques Clouseau in The Pink Panther 2! Inspector Clouseau (Steve Martin) teams up with a squad of International detectives who are just as bumbling as he is. Their mission: Stop a globe-trotting thief who specializes in stealing historical artifacts.
Its power cannot be stopped. In the vein of House of Flying Daggers this martial arts film is action-packed with stylized martial arts scenes and beautiful actors - Cecilia Cheung is something to behold! A young noblewoman falls in love with a prince of the Imperial House. By accident she acquires the martial arts skills of the White Dragon. New in her power she learns that there are definite advantages in performing ""good deeds"" as the Little White Dragon. When she
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