Showing posts with label Hong Kong. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hong Kong. Show all posts
Saturday, January 7, 2017
Friday, November 18, 2016
Thursday, September 22, 2016
Wednesday, August 17, 2016
Wednesday, August 3, 2016
Monday, July 11, 2016
Tuesday, May 17, 2016
Monday, May 2, 2016
Monday, April 4, 2016
Wednesday, March 16, 2016
Friday, March 11, 2016
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
Friday, March 4, 2016
Friday, February 26, 2016
Wednesday, January 13, 2016
Thursday, September 19, 2013
i SPY ASIASPY: Interpol 009
Interpol
009
Director:
Ko Nakahira
Year
1967
Interpol
009 is a swinging Asiaspy flick which focuses more on the ridiculous
aspects of the spy genre, more so than the action oriented ones.
Immersed in a 60's vibrant style and overflowing with zany flavor,
this unusual espionage feature dives headlong into the absurd yet
comes out smelling like roses thanks to the charismatic efforts of
its lead character and the wild antics he gets into. With its
eye-catching photography and its tendency to get a little silly,
Interpol 009 is a highly enjoyable entry in the shamefully forgotten
genre of Asiaspy.
Tang
Ching takes on the role of Agent 009 and he does a wonderful turn as
the suave ladies man with a license to kill. Extremely confident and
always effective, the character of 009 is a classic portrayal of 60's
secret agent prowess and Ching does an amazing job with the material.
Always on point and extremely magnetic, Ching knocks the role out of
the park as he gives an extremely entertaining performance as the
lead man and uncompromising hero. Ching is no stranger to the genre,
or Shaw Brothers films for that matter, as he has had two memorable
roles in Summons to Death and Angel Strikes Again, two highly
enjoyable Asiaspy productions. In Interpol 009, his first stab at
playing a secret agent, he does a fabulous job, giving that highly
contagious charisma and unabashed coolness that the role demands.
As for
the rest of the cast they fill out their roles respectively, allowing
Tang Ching's Agent 009 to interact with a colorful assortment of
characters, while in the process getting himself into a wide array of
ridiculous situations. Li Kun plays the role of Huang Mao, a
pickpocket and overall goof. Kun fills in for the slapstick and
comedic portions of the film, doing the usual comic relief shtick
that is customary for a sidekick. He does a great job with what he is
given and his efforts inject an added sense of fun into the
proceedings. As for eye-candy, Margaret Tu Chuan and Shen Yi give
memorable performances as just a few of the lovely ladies that 009
romances throughout the film. Yi plays a sultry nightclub singer who
catches the eye of Agent 009, while Margaret embodies the evil
villainess Pai-Lan Cheng, the leader of the counterfeit gang. They
both do great things with the little time they have on screen, and
each hold their own against Ching's Agent 009's overwhelming
charisma.
Aside
from the excellent cast of characters, the film is brimming with a
great array of fun aspects that help keep it engaging as the story
rushes along. Gadgets, guns, and girls is the name of the game in
this entry, and 009 has an abundance of said items at his disposal.
The gadgets range from a lighter that doubles as a smoke bomb, a
watch that serves as a listening device among other things, and
chewing gum that can change into metal when combined with perfume.
Strange to say the least, but 009 uses each of these devices with
great effect, including the chewing gum when placed inside a key hole
and then hardened to forge a make-shift key. Now that's unusual, but
ridiculously fun to see in action.
Speaking
of action, the film isn't particularly catered to displaying much,
but when it does kick in it ignites to absurd levels. For instance,
when cornered by an army of henchmen after infiltrating their
mansion, 009 decides the best course of action in confronting these
goons is to jump onto a chandelier and proceed to firing wildly at
the surrounding attackers. The scene is without a doubt beyond
logical, but it makes for a sequence that is so damn fun to watch and
infinitely unpredictable. The photography of Interpol 009 is also a
great asset of the production, giving a great deal of eye-pleasing
moments in most every scene the film throws at you. From lavish
mansions, to colorful nightclubs, to sun covered beaches, to bustling
streets, the film works wonders with the locations that it covers.
All in all, the movie may not be the best example of the Asiaspy
genre, but it is one hell of a fun time.
Interpol
009 is a fantastically silly Asiaspy entry which seems to have a
blast playing in the 60's espionage playground. Cinematically robust
and colorfully presented, this grand Shaw Brothers production is
without a doubt an interesting experience and one you're not likely
to forget. The wild nature of the film and the unrestrained absurdity
that it possesses is sure to please even the most critical of the
genre.
Tang
Ching as the lead hero, Agent 009, is an absolute gem and his witty
banter and promiscuous hijinks are what make the film so enjoyable
and appealing. Filmed in visually pleasing splendor by director Ko
Nakahira, the vibrant colors and picturesque locales match perfectly
against the lively characters and spirited atmosphere. This
delightful combination adds up to a highly enjoyable entry in the
Asiaspy cannon and one that is sure to tap into the interests of all
of you out there that enjoy this type of wild, wild cinematic ride.
Interpol 009 is a.....
| Badass Staring Contest..... GO! |
| Roger that... I think someone stole my pants! |
| Agent 009 is just too cool for school. |
| Eyes on the road asshole! |
| Have you seen this pervert? |
| This movie is A OK. |
| Cold as ice girl! |
| If these walls could talk.... then this would probably make more sense. |
| Pull my finger you little shit. |
| I can't believe you made him pull your finger. You make me sick. |
| I'm sorry I made you pull my finger.... But do it again. |
| Worst wake-up call ever! |
| You're not going to shoot me in the ass with that are you? |
| Get down from there you little monkey! |
| I think I crapped my pants! You sure did Mao... you sure did. |
| Cool shades bro! |
| What time is it? It's time to get ill! |
| Oh 009... You smooth operator! |
Sunday, September 15, 2013
HERE'S JACKIE!: Rumble in the Bronx
Rumble
in the Bronx
Director:
Stanley Tong
Year
1995
Rumble
in the Bronx is an extremely fun action romp starring martial arts
legend Jackie Chan. The film is responsible for introducing the
international action star to American viewers, and damn what an
impact he has left on the cinema world. After falling on deaf ears
with his American efforts, 'Battle Creek Brawl' and 'The Protector',
two ridiculously underrated features, Rumble in the Bronx took the US
box office by storm opening countless numbers of cinema fans to an
entirely new style of action comedy. Sprinkled with humor and filled
with tightly choreographed fight scenes, this Hong Kong/Canada
production features an in form Jackie as he does what he does best;
crazy stunts, over the top comedy, and fast-paced action. I must
mention that this is the film that introduced me to Jackie Chan, so
needless to say it holds a special place in my cinema-loving heart.
The film
follows a young Hong Kong man named Keung, who travels to New York
City in order to attend his uncle's wedding. After agreeing to watch
over his uncle's market in the Bronx while he is away on his
honeymoon, Keung quickly stumbles into a heap of trouble with some
local thugs after confronting a group of them shoplifting. Forced to
defend his uncle's employees and place of business, Keung expertly
takes matters into his own hands and beats up the gang-members, but
this only serves to infuriate them and their leader Tony. Armed with
his wits and his martial arts abilities, Keung must take on the local
gang while desperately trying to keep his new-found friends safe,
including his young neighbor Danny and Danny's beautiful older sister
Nancy.
Jackie
Chan takes on the role of Keung, the soft-spoken Hong Kong native who
just so happens to be a martial arts badass. Jackie is absolutely
explosive in this entry, putting it all on the line as he displays,
with great results, that he is the master of this genre. Coming off
the heels of his masterwork, The Legend of Drunken Master, Chan does
great justice in introducing his style to an international audience.
It's hard to believe that within just three years, Jackie had starred
in City Hunter, Crime Story, Supercop 2, the previously mentioned
Legend of Drunken Master and Rumble in the Bronx, and finally
Thunderbolt, but that is just a testament on how truly hard working
the man is. With Rumble in the Bronx, he showcases his unique style
in a somewhat American setting and focused for American audiences,
and the results are absolutely astounding.
The film
is briskly paced, matching the hyper tempo of Chan's expertly crafted
choreography, making for a film that doesn't dwell too long on the
details, yet rather relishes in presenting the next insane set-piece
and action oriented extravaganza. The style on display is a mish-mash
of Jackie's trademark film cues as he uses everything but the kitchen
sink in his fight scenes, creating some of the most memorable and
creative fight sequences in his rather storied movie career. The raid
on the gang headquarters is one of the most imaginatively
choreographed set-pieces of the film, showcasing Chan as he slips
through grocery carts, tumbles under pinball machines, and climbs up
walls, all the while using inanimate objects like refrigerators,
chairs, and skis as brutal weapons. The action is quick and fierce
and it moves so smoothly that it's impossible to not be impressed at
the skill on display.
The
setting is also rather interesting for this film because we are
basically centered in New York City, particularly the Bronx, or Hong
Kong's version of what the Bronx would be like. It is strangely
represented, having that international flavor on hand thanks to the
diverse crew of Canadian and Hong Kong actors comprising the cast of
New Yorkers. Anita Mui, an extremely talented and accomplished Hong
Kong actress and popstar, takes on the role of Elaine, an associate
of Keung's uncle. In this film she's able to flex her comedic muscles
and display just how endearing she is as an actress. Canadian born
Francoise Yip, also gets some time in the limelight as Nancy the
former gang member turned Keung's love interest. It's not the most
demanding of roles, but her stunning looks and fierce personality
help bring an added kick to the proceedings. The rest of the cast
including Morgan Lam as young Danny and Marc Akerstream as the prick
turned nice guy Tony, and they do a commendable job in bringing the
over the top world to life. Needless to say, the film has its fare
share of wild and expressive characters.
Of
course it wouldn't be a Jackie Chan film if it didn't infuse comedy
into the mix, and with Rumble in the Bronx, Chan hams it up for all
he's worth. As usual, a great deal of slapstick and classic comedy,
in the vein of Charlie Chaplin, is at the root of the film, and it's
all done in good fun. It is a style that has followed Jackie
throughout his entire career and one that he has honed as the years
have gone by. From his early Lo Wei produced work to his modern
American efforts, Chan has always crafted his own unique style of
combining comedy with action and Rumble in the Bronx really nails the
formula, and in some of the oddest of ways. What I love most about
this entry is the energy that it produces. It's infectious, and
Jackie seems to feed off of this as he goes ape shit and pushes his
body to the limits. That's one thing in a Jackie Chan film that you
can always count on, and that is he will go absolutely crazy on the
bad guys by the film's end, and this film is no exception. A true
classic!
Rumble
in the Bronx is an exceptionally good time at the movies and a
perfect example of Jackie Chan's immeasurable talents. As an
introduction to his work, it is a fine stepping stone, and you really
can't go wrong with such an energetic production. Chan is in top
form, showcasing why he is the master of this style of film-making,
and his stunt work and fight choreography in the film is seamless in
its fluidity and ingenuity.
The cast
also matches up perfectly with Chan's vision, pulling out the comedic
punches and maintaining that same exhausting pace and attention to
detail in both expressive performances and relentless action. The
diverse cast is a greatly appreciated addition to the film, and it
helps to set it apart as a unique vision of this fictionalized
version of New York City. Anita Mui, Francoise Yip, Morgan Lam, and
Marc Aderstream do a great job in filling in this world, making it
extremely entertaining and super-charged. That's really the best way
to describe this film... Super-charged. It's fast paced, extremely
expressive, outstandingly outrageous, overtly silly, and marvelously
entertaining. If that's your thing then jump aboard this Jackie Chan
driven crazy train. Rumble in the Bronx is.....
| Jackie Chan finds out just how shitty New York City is. |
| Don't do it Danny! Don't pull Uncle Bill's finger! |
| Oh Anita Mui.... you're so crazy. |
| Jackie stumbles onto the Mad Max set. Look out Jackie! |
| That's one badass chick! |
| Don't make Jackie angry. You won't like him when he's angry. |
| See what I mean about over expressive! |
| It's Jackie the zombie! RUN! |
| Jackie! Stop playing with those man's balls! |
| Weeeeeeee! |
| Get some Jackie! |
| Jackie... you silly, silly man. |
| Look at this guy! He's a freak of nature! |
| Strike a pose there's nothing to it.... Vogue! |
| What the hell did you say about my jean jacket?!?! |
| Jackie quit clowning around! |
| Jackie look out! |
| Oh shit! He's got that look in his eyes again! |
Sunday, March 17, 2013
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