Motorway - 車手

Motorway (車手) is an 2012 film out of Hong Kong. The movie stars Shawn Yue and Anthony Wong. The supporting cast includes Barbie Hsu, Josie Ho, Gordon Lam, and Michelle Ye.

Shawn Yue plays Cheung, a young cop that likes to drive fast with a vengeance. Anthony Wong plays Lo, a cop that's about to retire. Lo and Cheung make the most unlikely pair, but they both like to drive and know cars. A diamond makes its way to HK and two bad guys go after it. But one of the guys is in jail. The other guy, who's an expert driver, bust the guy out of jail and kills some cops along the way. A citywide manhunt starts and the cops chase and chase these two men. Cheung seems to have luck and tails the the get away driver, but doesn't have luck. On a mountain top range not unlike something out of an Initial D comic, a deadly chase happens. The driver always seems to be a step ahead and take a bunch of cops out. Lo decides to pursue after so many cars are left disabled. Will Cheung and Lo be able to stop these two maniacs from getting the diamond?



This movie was sort of a throw back to the late 90s and early 00s HK films. Very gritty, matter of fact, and straight to the story. Character development is left to a minimum. You figure it out along the way. A chase/heist all put into one, you have tension, suspense, and you feel for the cops. Barbie Hsu's turn as an doctor was just to get some eye candy into the film. It's too bad Michelle Ye is transitioning into more "older" women roles. Ye plays Lo's wife and has short hair. I am sad since Ye is one of my favorite HK actresses and is still quite stunning!

I would highly recommend this film for HK enthusiast. If you're not familiar with HK style, you might not like the lack of character development and purpose of the film.

BTW - the English translation of the title is a bit off. The Zhong Wen version translates to "driver".

Exiled - 放逐

Exiled (放逐) is a 2006 film out of Hong Kong. The movie stars Anthony Wong, Nick Cheung, Francis Ng, Roy Cheung, and Lam Suet. The supporting cast include Simon Yam, Josie Ho, and Richie Ren. The film was written and produced by Johnny To. Exiled has a limited relation the 1999 Johnny To film, The Mission.

The movie is primarily based in Macau. 5 childhood friends who grow up into gangsters congregate at the house of one that's left the triads. 2 are there to save the guy and 2 are there to take him out. But emotions run thick as the 5 are very close. In the end, the former gangster dies and the 4 remaining guys set out for revenge in the most unique of ways.

The final gun fight is one for the ages and the ones scattered throughout the film are very nice too. It reminds me of the gun play movies of John Woo when he was a HK movie machine.

A very slow movie when the action is on pause, but very intense. If you're a Johnny To fan, this is a must see.

Poker King - 撲克王

Poker King (撲克王) is a 2009 film out of Hong Kong. The movie stars Louis Koo, Sean Lau, and Stephy Tang. Supporting cast include Cherrie Ying, Josie Ho, Jo Kuk, and Kama Lo. Although this movie is from Hong Kong, almost all of it takes place in Macau.

The story is about Poker! Texas Hold 'em Poker. All the rage on the sports channels in the US. Is Poker even a sport? Throwing chips and cards takes a lot of skill. Louis Koo plays Jack, the heir to a casino in Macau. Sean Lau plays Uno, the current head of the casino after Jack's father passes away. Uno brings Jack in to help him run the casino. But Jack's a computer poker king, but not very good at the table. Uno forces Jack out of the casino. Jack roams the streets of Macau and finds Smiley, played by Stephy Tang. Jack and Smiley form a partnership. Jack gets better and better. Will Jack have enough to face Uno again?

The movie was really loose. The plot was everywhere. The gals were really pretty, but the story didn't flow well. But I actually enjoyed it. It's worth a watch, but don't expect it to be good.

Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li - 街頭霸王: 春麗傳奇

Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li (街頭霸王: 春麗傳奇) is a 2009 film. The film stars Kristin Kreuk as Chun Li. The supporting cast include Neal McDonough as Bison, Chris Klein as Nash, Michael Clarke Duncan as Balrog, Moon Bloodgood as Maya and Robin Shou as Gen. Cameos are made by Cheng Pei-Pei, Josie Ho and Taboo of the Black Eye Peas. The movie did not fare well at the box office. I had written an upcoming post about this film back in February and labeled it as a potential "guilty pleasure" type of film.

The movie starts in flashback form. Chun Li is the daughter of a influential businessman and takes up residence in Hong Kong. Chun Li is an accomplished pianist and learns the art of wu shu from her loving dad. During Chun Li's schoolgirl days, her father is captured by M. Bison. Flash forward to the present and Chun Li is giving a piano recital. Chun Li's mother is in failing health and passes away. Chun Li is than directed to Thailand to find her way. Chun Li spends months on the streets of Bangkok and finds her new self. Chun Li finds Gen, who teaches her how to channel her skills to become an ultimate street fighter. Eventually, Chun Li gets some skillz to kill and sets out to find M. Bison.

The movie isn't going to win any awards for story and acting. What I am trying to figure out for myself is if I think its one of those "guilty pleasure" type of films or something you want to avoid. The fighting wasn't bad. Kristin Kreuk wasn't bad. Its just the story and everyone else that's bad. If you're looking for lots of action and fighting, you got it here. If you want that and beauty to go along. This film will meet those needs.

Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li

Looking forward to Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li. It's one of those guilty pleasure type movies. No one is going to be up for any awards in this film. Except awards for kick @$$.

Coming out in 10 days and the hype is starting to build. Will it be a Friday the 13th like 45 million opening weekend? I know Capcom does.

Here's a nice "behind the making" of on IGN.

I hope it does well, because I want to see a Ryu one.

Filmed in Thailand and stars a lot of Asians. Kristin Kreuk, Taboo, Robin Shou, Moon Bloodgood, Josie Ho, and Cheng Pei-Pei. Check it out.