Edward Yang's Family Epic, One Of The Most Acclaimed Movies Of The Decade. The extraordinary, internationally embraced Yi Yi (A One and a Two . . .), directed by the late Taiwanese master EDWARD YANG (A Brighter Summer Day), follows a middleclass family in Taipei over the course of one year, beginning with a wedding and ending with a funeral. Whether chronicling middleage father NJ's tentative flirtations with an old flame or precocious young son YangYang's attempts at capturing reality with his beloved camera, the filmmaker deftly imbues every gorgeous frame with a compassionate clarity. Warm, sprawling, and dazzling, this intimate epic is one of the undisputed masterworks of the new century. Features: Newly restored digital transfer, with DTSHD Master Audio soundtrack. Audio commentary by writerdirector Edward Yang and Asiancinema critic Tony Rayns. Video interview with Rayns about Yang and the New Taiwan Cinema movement. Theatrical trailer
Based on real events The Children of Huang Shi is a sweeping but intimate story set against war-torn China in the 1930's. The film centers on a young English journalist (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) an American nurse (Radha Mitchell) and the leader of a Chinese partisan group (Chow Yun Fat) who meet in desperate and unexpected circumstances. Together they rescue 60 orphaned children leading them on an extraordinary journey across hundreds of miles of treacherous terrain through snow-covered mountains and an unforgiving desert. Along the way they discover the true meaning of love responsibility and courage.
Set in 19th century Thailand, ANNA AND THE KING is the true story of British governess Anna Leonowens, who is employed by the King (Chow Yun-Fat) to look after his many children.
The Monk (Chow Yun-Fat) is a Zen-calm martial arts master whose duty has been to protect a powerful ancient scroll that holds the key to unlimited power. Now, faced with finding the scroll's next guardian, the Monk's quest brings him to America.
A subtitled three-hour saga of an ordinary middle-class urban family in modern-day Taiwan, at first glance, A One and a Two might not seem the most appealing of prospects. But don't be misled: this is a film that draws you in with all the warmth and density of a good novel, and once you are past the surface unfamiliarity of Taipei society, there's nothing in this tale of a troubled family that would seem alien anywhere in the world. Romantic stories often end with a wedding. Realistic stories are as likely to begin with one. Writer-director Edward Yang's film starts in a mass of floaty white dresses and heart-shaped pink balloons, but the smiles seem a little too effusive, the jollity feels forced. And sure enough, disaster is lurking. The seeming simplicity of Yang's narrative style conceals a subtle, intricate design. His camera moves obliquely, often holding its distance from the action, letting us take in all the elements of a scene and draw our own conclusions. Wider social implications--about modern society, about international business ethics--are hinted at, but never rammed home. By the end we realise we've been watching a microcosm of human life, with all its humour and tragedy. For all the apparent narrowness of its canvas, A One and a Two makes most British and American films feel hopelessly parochial. The Best Director Prize at Cannes was rarely more richly deserved. On the DVD: A One and a Two comes to disc with a generous helping of extras. The original theatrical trailer, wordless and intriguing; numerous cast and crew biographies; a brief stills gallery; and, best of all, a full three-hour commentary track of Edward Yang in conversation with Tony Rayns, UK expert on Chinese-language cinema. Their discussion is relaxed and illuminating. The print, and the SR Dolby Digital sound, are clean and crisp, and we get the full 1.85:1 ratio of the original release. --Philip Kemp
Stephen Chow directs this fantasy drama starring Yun Lin as the mermaid Shan. When business tycoon Liu Xuan (Chao Deng) buys the Green Gulf with the intention of reclaiming some of the land from the sea, the technology used causes the marine life in the area to die. The surviving merpeople who reside in the Gulf decide to send one of their own, Shan, who is able to disguise herself among humans, so she can assassinate Liu Xuan and put an end to the deaths. The assassination attempt doesn't go to plan, however, as Shan develops feelings for the entrepreneur.
Nick Chen (Chow Yun-Fat) is not your average New York cop. Working in Chinatown has its multifarious cultural nuances and its fair share of ubiquitous enticement, both of which are reflected in detective Chen's weary face. He had to get into bed with the highest echelons of the Chinese Mafia as a way of augmenting his own career, while maintaining a semblance of control over the dime-a-dozen hoods who proliferate on this turf. To make matters worse, he now has to break in rookie detective Danny Wallace (Mark Wahlberg), who has asked to be assigned to the Chinatown division. Apparently Wallace is infatuated with all things Chinese, or is suffering from "Yellow Fever," as his fellow colleagues would have us believe. Chen, not one to suffer fools gladly, takes young Wallace under his protective wing, oft-warning the shady powers of the neighbourhood not to sink Danny into their sordid pool of corruption. But before he knows it, both he and Wallace are caught in a deadly ring of double-crosses, shady-dealings, murders, and car chases. And all of this under the suspicious eye of Internal Affairs. Part Serpico and part Hard Boiled, this film seems at first to be a major departure from director James Foley's previous work. However, Foley has frequently revealed a keen eye and understanding for emotionally complex relationships, especially between teacher and pupil (Glengarry Glen Ross) or father and son (At Close Range). This movie is no different. In fact, Foley's meticulous attention to the relationship between the wise, morally burdened Chen, and the naove, innocent Wallace morphs this otherwise tedious plot into a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Hats off to Chow Yun-Fat and Mark Wahlberg, whose sympathetic chemistry creates an authentic and deeply personal connection, a factor that proves crucial to the film's poignant, disturbing finale. --Jeremy Storey
Silence Of The Lambs: Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster deliver knockout Oscar-winning performances in this shocking powerful thriller. This terrifying masterpiece of suspense garnered five Adademy Awards including Best Director and the coveted Best Picture. A psychopath known only as Buffalo Bill is kidnapping and murdering young women across the midwest. Believing it takes one to know one the FBI send in Agent Clarice Starling to interview an insane prisoner who may provide psychological Dr. Hannibal Lecter. Brilliant yet psychotic with a taste for cannibalism Lecter will only help Starling in exchange for details and secrets about her own complicated life. This twisted relationship forces Starling not only to face her own inner demons but leads her face-to-face with a demented killer an incarnation of evil so overwhelming she may not have the courage or strength to stop him. Horrific disturbing spellbinding. This thriller set the standard by which all others are measured. Nell: A young woman (Foster) is found hiding in the rafters of her Blue Ridge Mountain home after the death of her mother. She has been totally cut off from the outside world and has developed her own impenetrable language. A local doctor (Neeson) attempts to hide her from the outside world's prying eyes but she may have to be locked up in an institution for her own safety from hostile locals... Little Man Tate: Fred Tate (Adam Hann-Byrd) is a gifted pianist a math genius an incredible artist... and he's only seven years old. But this child prodigy is also adrift. Shunned by his peers and bored by his schoolwork Fred is stifled by his environment. Desperate to encourage his potential yet afraid he'll miss out on a normal childhood his single mom Dede (Foster) reluctantly allows a psychologist (West) to enroll Fred in a school for exceptional children. But when he's rushed headlong into academia Dede's worst fears are realized - Fred is more isolated and alone than ever. And it's up to Dede to become what little Freddy's been looking for all along... a Mom. Foxes: A group of four teenage girls in the San Fernando Valley cope with the problems of being a teenager together. Diedre is fascinated by sex Madge is unhappily overweight Annie is into drugs and Jeanie has to take care of them all. They think that the school is crap their boyfriends immature and the grown-ups come from another planet... Anna And The King: Academy Award winner Jodie Foster and international sensation Chow Yun-Fat star in this epic retelling of a classic true-life story. When English schoolteacher Anna Leonowens arrives in the exotic land of Siam to teach the children of King Mongkut her Western sensibilities clash with the ruler's Eastern ways. The tension builds as Mongkut learns that outside forces are conspiring against his regime. With the political intrigue set to explode Anna and the King must become allies in a daring fight to save Siam from dangerous enemies bent on destruction.
Chow Yun-Fat is the mysterious Ko Chun invincible God of gamblers. A freak accident results in amnesia but leaves his supernatural skills unscathed. Unaware of his true identity small time hustler Andy Lau sets out to explore Chun's talents on Hong Kong's notorious gambling circuit only to find himself the target of vicious gangsters hell-bent on eliminating them both and unsurping Ko Chun's crown. Director Wong Jing blends violent action intense drama and classic Hong Kong comedy into the perfect backdrop for Chow's bravura tour-de-force as the enigmatic idiot-savant; a classic!
Chow Yun-Fat makes his Hollywood debut with Mira Sorvino in this fierce and explosive action thriller. A seamless fusion of style and Hong Kong action adventure 'Replacement Killers' will blow you away! After he betrays Mr. Wei the ruthless crime boss who hired him to avenge his son's death professional killer John Lee goes on the run. Enlisting the aid of beautiful document forger Meg Coburn Lee attempts to return to his family in China before they are targets of their impress
A tale of two brothers: one who has left the Triads attempts to help his sibling reform the ways of the gang even if it means losing his own life in the process...
1000 ways to kill a man and he knows them all. Jimmy Liu is the son of master Lung Tzu leader of the famed Dragon Boxing sect. Lung Tzu is challenged and killed by Ling Fung (Hwang Jang Lee) an outcast master of the Dragon Claw system. Jimmy and his mother go into hiding and plan their revenge. After training diligently in the secret techniques of Dragon Boxing Jimmy challenges Ling Fung to a showdown that is truly in the Jackie Chan tradition. Directed by legendary director/producer Joseph Kuo this film was adapted from a script originally written for Jackie Chan.
It is six years after the dramatic and violent events of Rich And Famous. Kwok (Andy Lau) the former right-hand man of Triad boss Chai (Chow Yun Fat) has retired and left Hong Kong in order to settle down and raise a family. Chai himself is now a successful businessman with a wife and son. Meanwhile Kwok's double-crossing stepbrother Yung (Alex Mann) has been released from prison after serving time for his assassination attempt on Chai and his bride on their wedding day. Still driven by jealousy and hatred Yung has built up his own criminal empire and is determined to exact his revenge on Chai.
This didn't turn out to be quite the deserving American vehicle for Hong Kong action superstar Chow Yun-fat that it should have been. But it is an entertaining potboiler about a hired gun (Chow) who fails to carry out an assignment to kill a cop (which would leave the fellow's son without a father), and becomes a target himself when the contract is handed over to other assassins. Mira Sorvino plays a document forger who is drawn into the fray, pairing up with the hero as they fight their way out of bad spots. The whole enterprise is a little too routine, but the action is sharp and the battles are imaginative and crisp. Director Antoine Fuqua has a by-the-numbers feeling for the influence of Hong Kong on contemporary thrillers (this film was also produced by John Woo), and that's enough to make The Replacement Killers purely enjoyable if not exactly a revelation. --Tom Keogh
Bulletproof Monk (Dir. Paul Hunter 2003): 'Bulletproof Monk' begins in the 1940s as a Tibetan Buddhist monk charged with protecting an ancient scroll passes on his legacy to his pupil. As the student receives the power to safeguard the scroll his aging process is halted and he gives up his name only to be known as the Monk (Chow Yun-Fat). Suddenly the monastery is raided by Nazis led by the ruthless Strucker (Karl Roden). As they attempt to seize the relic the Monk is
Kill Bill icon Gordon Liu stars in this amazing Korean production playing an evil Kung Fu Emperor well versed in the Buddhist Fist & Staff styles.
Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon (Dir. Ang Lee 2000): Amazing martial arts fighting sequences (choreographed by Yuen wo Ping - The Matrix) stunning special effects action adventure and romance have made Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon the most talked about movie of the year. Martial arts masters Li Mu Bai (Chow Yun-Fat) and Shu Lien (Michelle Yeoh) battle against evil forces to recover their stolen sword the legendary Green Destiny. Warriors Of Heaven & Earth (Dir. Ping Lee 2003): China 700AD: the Tang Dynasty assumes far-reaching political influence culminating in battle against the Turks. Wen Zhu (Zhao Wei) the daughter of a top Chinese general spearheading the forces massed against the Turkish enemy is entrusted to the care of Lai Xi (Kiichi Nakai) the Japanese emissary and feared imperial bounty hunter who hunts down rebels in the Western Frontier who is ordered take her back to the capital city of Changan. Lai Xi longs for a return to his beloved Japanese homeland but his assignment is hijacked by the command to hunt down rebel Li (Jiang Wen) a lieutenant condemned to death for disobeying a direct order to murder innocent women and children in the name of war. However as dedicated to carrying out his duty as Lai Xi is when he tracks down Li he is surprised to find his foe transporting a sacred Buddhist relic across the Gobi desert to its rightful resting place. As Turkish forces mass to attack in an effort to steal the relic Lai Xi must question his loyalty to his superiors and his Buddhist faith... Likened to the multi-Oscar-winning Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon and Zhang Yimou's No.1 U.S. box office hit Hero China's official entry for the Best Foreign language Academy award Warriors Of Heaven And Earth is epic entertainment! Legend Of The Red Dragon (Dir. Wong Jing 2001): The epic story of a man who challenged the limits of courage and fought for the heart of a nation. When his wife and entire village are brutally murdered by evil Manchu soldiers the master warrior Kwun (Jet Li) sets out on a mission of vengeance with the only survivor of the massacre - his son Ting. For seven years the two journey across ancient China on their quest for revenge always staying one step ahead of the deadly army. But Kwun is forced to face the past when they come across a wealthy benefactor with five young Shaolin masters in his charge who unbeknownst to Kwun have the detailed map to a priceless treasure trove tattooed on their backs. It is not long before Manchu officials find out about the maps and deadly soldiers came after the masters. Now in an ancient battle that will pit Kwun against one of the very soldiers who helped to kill his family he and Ting will unite with the young masters of Shaolin for a fight to the death. Get ready for an ancient martial arts battle with the world's most masterful warriors!
Anna And The King: Academy Award winner Jodie Foster and international sensation Chow Yun-Fat star in this epic retelling of a classic true-life story. When English schoolteacher Anna Leonowens arrives in the exotic land of Siam to teach the children of King Mongkut her Western sensibilities clash with the ruler's Eastern ways. The tension builds as Mongkut learns that outside forces are conspiring against his regime. With the political intrigue set to explode Anna and th
The stars of SECRET RIVALS reunite in this most action packed of films. Wong Tao and John Liu play a pair of Ming patriots who are trying to stop the Ching Army from crossing the Formosa Straits and attacking the remnants of the Ming troops residing in Formosa (Taiwan). Their plight is made more hazardous as news of their presence spreads to the capital. What follows is nearly an hour of superb fight choreography set against the beautiful backdrop of South Korea.
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