My Expectations for Shang-Chi

In a few weeks, Marvel will be debuting their first Asian lead movie with Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. I am excited and cautious at the same time. Currently, my opinion of Asian lead activities in the "west" are that they play too much into the stereotypes. Mind you that I do not watch all of the Asian lead stuff, but watch some of the more mainstream ones.

I will admit that since the pandemic started, 75% or more of what I watch are directly out of Asia from Zhong Guo, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea, and Japan.

My opinion is based on a couple of trailers and some recent Facebook clips. And I have high hopes! Seems that Simi Liu is going to bring a regular guy role who turns out to be awesome. Kinda like Ant-man.



Tony Leung, Tony Leung. My favorite actor from the 1980s through 1990s. I first saw him in Duke of Mount Deer, then in Heaven Sword, to the first TVB of Handsome Siblings. I grew up on his TVB series. Then his transition to movies with John Woo's Bullet In the Head and Hard Boiled. I have been a life long fan of his. I am hoping Kevin Feige lives up to his word that they will not play to Asian stereotypes, especially with Tony's role.

I have purchased tickets to watch the movie during its first weekend out. Although I am no longer brave enough to make the open nights, I still want to watch them in the theatre.

As much as I love seeing Asian representation in the West. I am sad that some of my favorite Asia based actors cannot join the fun. My favorites right now are a pair of Darrens in Darren Wang and Darren Chen. I also think Xiao Zhan and Yang Yang can play both gritty and slick roles. But Hollywood is not likely to tap the Asia market for their leads. We'll continue to see the same faces over and over again, because the pool is so small. It's a numbers thing in my opinion. Not likely to change in my lifetime.

The Grandmaster - 一代宗師

The Grandmaster (一代宗師) is an 2013 film out of Hong Kong. The movie is directed and written by the acclaimed Wong Kar-Wai. The film stars Tony Leung and Zhang Ziyi. The supporting cast include Chang Chen, Song Hye-kyo, Wang Qingxiang, Zhang Jin, and Zhao Benshan. Cung Le makes a brief cameo in a fight under the rain. There are three version of the film. I have seen the Hong Kong and US versions.



Ip Man is in Foshan in 1936. A northern master has come south to retire and handing the reigns to his disciple Ma San. However, Ma San goes overboard and hurts combatants. Ip Man is to represent the Southern masters in one last duel with the Northern master. The two come to a non-physical duel. The duel is of ideals for martial arts. Ip Man wins by his philosophical ideal of expanding martials arts beyond the border of northern and southern Zhong Guo. Gong Er is the daughter of the defeated Northern master. Gong Er and Ip Man duel to pretty much a stand still before a Ip Man breaks a step. The terms of the duel were that nothing would be broken by the winner. Gong Er and Ip Man are than separated and long to reunite for another duel. Do the emotions they have for each go beyond their reverence for martial arts? The Sino-Japanese war lands in Foshan and Ip Man is forced to live in poverty for much of the remainder of his life. 1950 is here and Ip Man relocates to Hong Kong and sets up shop to spread Wing Chun.



This movie was not an action film. It was a Wong Kar-wai film. If you paused the film, it would look like a photograph you might hang on a wall. It was a beautiful film. The way Wong gets his films to look the way they do is amazing. 6 years was way too long from his last film, My Blueberry Nights.



The Hong Kong and US versions of the film were like watching two different films. The Hong Kong version was clocked at 130 minutes and the US one at 108. Another international version shown at the Berlin film fest was 123 minutes. I think only the HK and US version will be available to the general masses.



I liked the Hong Kong version better. It was classic Wong. The scenes were filled with flashbacks to an earlier times in the beginning moments. The non liner presentation made me long to know what was next. All along, I was pressed into the current scene and the grand emotions there. The dialogue was also pretty amazing. The Hong Kong version I watched was completely in Mandarin, I didn't have subtitles to distract me. I was able to focus on the faces, the scenery, the movie! Zhang Ziyi is still a beauty. During the Golden Palace scenes, she was plain and seemed to be without make up. While the other women all around her were made up and had fancy clothes on. BUT Zhang Ziyi was still heads above more beautiful than the rest of them. A testament to her natural beauty. The teahouse scene in Hong Kong between Zhang Ziyi and Tony Leung still resonances. From their philosophical chat and to Zhang's utter look of being defeated by life.

The US version was more linear and tried to tell a story from start the finish. Leaving out whole sub plots and inserting some scenes not in the HK version. I also enjoyed it and I recommend it to my US based friends as well. It's more digestible for the folks on this side of the pond. Marketed as a film about Bruce Lee's master, it left out the two main fight scene from Chang Chen's baji style.

In both films, the way Chang Chen's story was only a little of adding how the martial arts world had moved to HK was a disappointment. Knowing that rumors of an original 4 hour cut was around, I would have been very happy if Wong split the films into two!

Red Cliff - 赤壁 - US Release

Red Cliff (赤壁) is getting a one film US Release on November 18, 2009. It has also been available via VOD for the the past month or so in the US. The film was broken up into 2 parts for the Asian market. I wrote reviews for Part I and Part II in the past.



Red Cliff has a star studded cast of veteran Chinese actors including Tony Leung, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Zhang Fengyi, Chang Chen, Hu Jun, and Zhao Wei.



The US version will have some additional "explanation" scenes and voice overs. Some of the secondary stories from the Asian version will be out right deleted.



I am not sure I'll be catching this anytime soon. I am not sure I can watch a "English" dub. That just sounds wrong.

Hard Boiled - 槍神 (辣手神探)

Hard Boiled (槍神/辣手神探) is a 1992 film out of Hong Kong. Directed by John Woo and starring Chow Yun-Fat and Tony Leung. This would be John Woo's last Hong Kong film until he returned to Asia for Red Cliff.

This movie changed my life. Back in the summer of 1992, I was working full time and carrying a full load of courses at a local community college. I was just starting to re-acquaint myself with my Chinese Taiwanese background. I wasn't too sure about Chinese movies and series. But when I watched Hard Boiled, I was blown away and wanted to dive into Chinese entertainment. Which lead me to Faye Wong and 4 Four Heavenly Kings (四大天王) of hk in the 90s.



Chow plays a "break all the rules" kind of cop thats out to take down any bad guy. Tony plays a undercover cop that's in too deep. The two eventually meet eye to eye to take down a triad boss. The bullets fly everywhere but on Chow and Tony. The body count is high and some HK humor is thrown in with a peeing baby Chow is trying to save.



There is no possible reason for you not to watch this. Yes, it is extremely violent. It is in a sense like a video game as bodies fall left and right. But this is HK cinema at its epitome and 2 of the best HK actors in their prime. With Woo at his best.

Since I am watching this 18 years after its release, there are lots of people in "extra" roles that are still in the HK film industry. The music is a bit outdated, but that's what happens to movies as they age. I watched the mandarin dubbed version. I need to rent the Dragon Dynasty release one to see the extras.

I had originally watched the Taiwan version with the title, 槍神. For many years after that, I tried to buy it via VHS, VCD, or DVD with no luck. I couldn't find it. Once I found out that the HK name was 辣手神探, people started to know what I was talking about. Names do matter.

This is the first review of a film I've listed in my favorite movies post.

Confession of Pain - 傷城

Confession of Pain (傷城) is a 2006 movie out of Hong Kong. It stars Takeshi Kaneshiro, Tony Leung Chiu-Wai and Hsu Chi and is directed by Andrew Lau.

Tony plays a cop named Lau and Takeshi plays a private investigator named Bong. Lau and Bong had been onetime co-workers. When Bong's girlfriends cheats on him and than commits suicide, Bong goes a little bonkers. Bong's girlfriend committed suicide because her secret lover dumps her. Bong is now on a quest to find this secret lover and quits the force to do it full time. Bong takes up PI-ing to survive. Bong visits the same bar everyday. The site of the last meeting between the secret lover and Bong's girlfriend.

Tony's part is that of a calm, collected, and very smart police officer. I won't go into much with Lau, because it'll give away the movie.

The movie is a thriller, suspense and drama. You're in for a ride if you can wait toward the latter half of the movie.

The movie is long, quite long. I was getting a little restless at the end. Does it pay off. Yes! Pays off. You have to follow all the details.

赤壁:決戰天下 - Red Cliff II

赤壁:決戰天下 (Red Cliff II) is 2009 film directed by John Woo. Starring Chen Chang, Lin Chi-Ling, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Tony Leung Chiu-Wai, and Wei Zhao. I had watched Part I last summer and had a first thoughts and review posts.

Red Cliff is based on the Battle of Red Cliffs. Because the storyline has so many characters and Kingdoms, I'll leave it to you to read up on wikipedia. I'll just be talking about what I thought of the film here.

Red Cliff Part 2 starts as Cao Cao's armies descend on the Red Cliffs. Zhou Yu and Zhugu Liang prepare for the coming onslaught. Some plot points that I thought were interesting. The plague victims from Cao Cao's camp are sent to Zhou Yu's camp. The plague plays a major point in the storyline. Cao Cao is reputed to be a wife stealer. Stealing the wives of his conquered victims. In this case, Cao Cao wants Zhou Yu's wife. There is espionage from both camps but Zhou Yu gets the better end of the deal. Zhuge Liang fortune telling turns the tide. Lin Chi-Ling is still hot in this movie.

The battle of the Red Cliff doesn't actually seem that intense. The graphics are good, but you can tell it is computer generated. The fighting incorporates wuxia elements for the generals. But supporting people do die. There's soccer?

Red Cliff Part 2 was awesome and it's a good sign for the Chinese movie audience and film makers. The sign that these kind of movies can be made and that the audience will support it financially.

赤壁 - Red Cliff Part 1

赤壁 (Red Cliff Part 1) is 2008 film directed by John Woo. Starring Chen Chang, Lin Chi-Ling, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Tony Leung Chiu-Wai, and Wei Zhao. Initially thought of as one film when filming began. It was split up into 2 movies. Having seen both, the split was logical and its better as two movies versus a long condensed version. I had watched it last summer and had a first thoughts post.

Red Cliff is based on the Battle of Red Cliffs. Because the storyline has so many characters and Kingdoms, I'll leave it to you to read up on wikipedia. I'll just be talking about what I thought of the film here.

Red Cliff Part 1 has the job of introducing the cast and their importance to the story. So, there's a lot of character development here versus Part 2. But there's just as much action, if not more than Part 2. Two major battles are shown. One in the beginning where Zhao Yun saves Liu Bei's son. The other being the initial engagement between the allied forced against Cao Cao.

Through it all, characters are popping up and right. You do need to have a general knowledge of that era to understand the movie better. But pop up they do. This film also introduces Lin Chi-Ling's acting debut. Lin's been a top model and spokeperson for over 10 years now. But finally making the turn to acting now. And a good roll it is.

Takeshi Kaneshiro plays the iconic Zhuge Liang. Zhuge is like the "sherlock" of the Chinese world. Known for being an expert strategist and intelligence beyond all those around. Zhuge Liang is a reference in Chiense pop culture all the time.

Tony Leung's character of Zhou Yu does creep to the top of importance and prominence as Part I ends.

In all, I thought Red Cliff Part I was a great introduction to the characters and the eminent battle of Red Cliffs.

Chinese Odyssey - 天下無雙

Chinese Odyssey (天下無雙) is a 2002 movie that stars Faye Wong, Tony Leung Chiu-Wai, Chen Chang, and Wei Zhao (張震, 朱茵, 梁朝偉, 王菲).

The movie is about a brother and sister pair that gets together with another brother sister pair. Does that mean that when they have kids, they kids are not cousins but brothers or sisters?

The movie stars the lovely Faye Wong in one of her few acting roles and Chen Cheng hot on the heals of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon fame. Tony and Zhao Wei had been pretty established by 2002.

The movie is crude and rude and is a comedy all rolled up into one. In HK cinema, the wuxia stuff is thrown liberally into most films. For this movie, that was the case.

In all, I remember this film being well made, but didn't leave a lasting impression.

I was only reminded of this film because it was a recommended movie for me on Netflix.

My Lucky Star - 行運超人

My Lucky Star (行運超人) was a light hearted romantic comedy starring Tony Leung Chiu Wai (梁朝偉) and Miriam Yeung (楊千嬅).

The story is based on Miriam's character having extremely bad luck and accidentally bumps into Tony, who's a feng shui expert. However, as they start to fall for each other, the past lives of before are revealed and they cannot be lovers due to the destiny set in the stars. They over come this and live happily ever after!

I enjoyed the movie because its a role I don't see Tony play all that often in his recent years.

You can actually catch the whole movie via Netflix or on Youtube.

I've been a big fan of Tony since his Duke of Mount Deer TVB days.

Lust, Caution - 色, 戒

Lust, Caution (色, 戒) is a 2007 film by Ang Lee (李安). Starring Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Wei Tang, Joan Chen and Lee-Hom Wang.

The movie is based in both Hong Kong and Shanghai during the Japanese occupation of China during World World II. The main plot point is that Tony Leung's character is targeted, considered a traitor to the Chinese for working for the Japanese. Leung's character tortures Chinese to help the Japanese. Wei Tang is sent in as a spy to find a way to assassinate Leung. A thriller, coming of age, and drama all rolled into one.

The emotional roller-coaster that Ang Lee puts you on is amazing. I was being pulled in all directions regarding many of the characters. Ang Lee once again shows you that you may not really understand the life his characters choose, but you end up pulling for them.

Honorable mention goes to Joan Chen for still holding it up after all these years. It was nice to see some Shanghainese (上海話). When I was around my grandparents more regularly in my elementary school days, I actually knew a hundred phrases or so. I couldn't tell if Joan Chen and Wei Tang's dialect was authentic though. But it was cool, nonetheless.

Watch and watch it again. Be aware as the reports of the heightened sexuality is not exaggerated. But you could argue that it was necessary for the purpose of the story.

Red Cliff Part 1 - 赤壁 - First Thoughts

Originally posted on xanga.



I just finished part 1 of John Woo's Red Cliff (赤壁). It was an intense movie with a lot of stuff going on.

Here are some thoughts:
I need to learn my Chinese history better
Lin Chi-Ling is pretty dang hot
Zhao Wei is looking like she shouldn't play early 20s rolls anymore
The Costumes are amazing
The special effects look real and fake at the same time
I can't wait to see part 2.
Too bad there's no part 3
I would want to play a video game based off this (in english, since my Chinese is useless)

Go see it. It won't blow you away, but its a good film.

Being sold for $3 in my local video rental places. Crazy cheap.