Trigger

I had some help generating the current list of suggestion films in the HK Newbie thread above... I just think it's time to update it. I'm sure you all have ideas on how to make it better, but I'd like to keep the format pretty much as it is while changing some of the titles. I'm open to adding categories and removing some. I'm open to getting rid of some of the suggestions as well as adding some. That's basically what I want. I'd also like - since this is the International Forum - to add a section for French films or Spanish films or whatnot perhaps... if this is a good idea. I mean - it's pretty much solely a Hong Kong thread. Would it look too out of place to add other countries in there? Well... yeah - maybe it would. Just looking for suggestions.

Also - remember, the list isn't really for "what are your favorite Hong Kong films?" - it's for getting someone who is new to Asian cinema started. These people are typically gaining interest because of the recent US growth in popularity of Jet Li and Jackie Chan and Matrix's wire-fu scenes and Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon (specifically), so the list should probably contain mostly solid films that get the thumbs up from most everyone. Best thing to do is to think of the first films that you saw that really got you hooked. Think of someone who has never seen a Stephen Chow film - which of his films would you show him to get him all jazzed? The Stephen Chow section is probably ok as it is, but you know what I mean. I think the Drama, Romance, Horror, Comedy, and Kung Fu sections (to name a few) all need work. I only want about 5 to 6 suggestions per category because I don't want to overload the newbie with too many suggestions. Don't be offended if your suggestions don't all make it to the list - it's not a "best-of" so much as a "best places to start"

Here's the list as it appears now:
__________________________________________
== Good Kung-Fu/Wire-Fu ==

Iron Monkey (1993) - This is the MOST recommended title. This perhaps should be the first HK DVD you buy.
Tai Chi II - underrated
Dragon Inn (1992) - excellent
Fire Dragon (1994) - underrated - amazing special effects for the time
The Blade (1995) - Not yet on DVD in Region 1 or 0 but is available on a mediocre Mei Ah VCD and Tai Seng VHS - Tsui Hark directed. Highly recommended, but not typical of HK films.

== Michelle Yeoh ==

Butterfly and Sword (aka Comet, Butterfly & Sword)
Wing Chun
Heroic Trio
Supercop II (US Title) (Project S - HK title)

== Jet Li ==

Swordsman II No need to see the first one, but it's good too - Jet is not in the first one or the third one (East is Red).
Fong Sai Yuk 1 and 2 (a.k.a. The Legend & The Legend 2) - Many people's favorites - they have comedy, drama, outstanding action and great performances by Jet and supporting cast.
Tai Chi Master (a.k.a. Twin Warriors) - great wire work and very much like Fong Sai Yuk in spirit.
Once Upon a Time in China 1, 2 and 3 - Jet is said to have been born to play the character in these films (Wong Fei Hung)
Fist of Legend - Best film to showcases Jet Li's unassisted talent. The film isn't all that great, but the fighting is among the best ever recorded on film.
Kung Fu Cult Master - Outstanding film, but ends abruptly leaving some disappointed.

== Jackie Chan ==

Drunken Master 2 (a.k.a. Legend Of Drunken Master)
Who Am I?
Supercop (US Title) (Police Story III - HK title)
Operation Condor (US Title) (Armor of the Gods 2 - HK Title)
Rumble in the Bronx
Gorgeous
Miracles (US Title) (Mr. Canton and Lady Rose - HK title)
Project A
Young Master (old-school Jackie Chan)

== Steven Chow ==

God of Cookery - Hilarious! (Iron Chef-fu)
Shaolin Soccer - Excellent! (CGI Soccer-fu)
Royal Tramp 1 & 2 - Hilarious! (Period kung-fu comedy)
King of Comedy - Hilarious! (Wanna-Be-Actor-fu)
King of Beggars - Very funny (Reversal of Fortune-fu)
Justice My Foot! - Hilarious (period courtroom-fu)
Forbidden City Cop - Hilarious (Period Fantasy-fu)
Tricky Master - Funny (Gambling-fu)

Click here for a Steven Chow discussion thread

== Chow Yun Fat == - <small>usually paired with John Woo & his films are typically very bloody w/ tons of gunplay.</small>

The Killer
Hard Boiled
A Better Tomorrow 1, 2 and 3
City On Fire - Is said to be the Inspiration for Quentin Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs

== Old-School Kung-Fu Suggestions ==

The Five Deadly Venoms
The Master Killer (aka Shaolin Master Killer)
Kid With The Golden Arm
Five Fingers of Death
Chinese Super Ninja (5 element ninja)
Check out this thread for more discussion and info

[b]== Gun-Fu or Explosive Action ==

Tokyo Raiders
Running Out of Time
Purple Storm
Gen-X Cops
Shiri - Korean - really bloody
Time and Tide - Tsui Hark directed... beautiful!
Fulltime Killer - Johnny To directed

== Comedy/CatIII ==

Electrical Girl - funny "soft" porn/romance love story
Sex and Zen - Classic period sex comedy (S&ZIII is decent as well, but not that funny)
Story Of Ricky - Super Gory HK film - Based on a Manga. Only funny because it's so outrageous. A Must Have!
Naked Killer - Silly HK version of La Femme Nikita (sort of) with nekkidness.
Robotrix - Poor special effects, but has plenty of naked female cyborg action.

== Romantic Comedy/Romance ==

Fighting For Love
Love on a Diet
Comrades, A Love Story
Feel 100%
And I Hate You So...
Shuzou

== Drama ==

In the Mood for Love
Yi Yi
Peking Opera Blues - Fantastic film! Plenty of action as well.
Emperor and the Assasin
Farewell My Concubine

== Horror/Fantasy ==

Visible Secret - New release/ Not too scary, but good example of contemporary Chinese horror/ghost films. Click here for a review
Evil Dead Trap - (Japan Horror)
The Ring 1 & 2 - (Japan Horror)
Chinese Ghost Story 1 & 2 & 3 - classic love story
Green Snake - Fantasy
Bride With White Hair - Fantasy with a dash of Horror and plenty of swordfighting action. Well loved title - sequel is not as good.
Zu: Warriors of the Magic Mountain - Fantasy - Accused of practically starting the whole flying kung-fu fantasy genre - Tsui Hark directed.

== High Production Values & CGI ==

Bichunmoo - Korean. Very stylish. More violent than CTHD. Love and Swords.
A Man Called Hero - A bit slow, contains CGI, based on a Manga
The Duel - Andy Lau - contains CGI, mixed reviews
Storm Riders
Legend of Zu
__________________________________

Obviously films like Bio-Zombie need to go in here... so let's get to work.

Trigger

Nobody can take a moment from their *busy* schedule and post some film suggestions? C'mon...

Teremei

You've done a great job so far with that list. I really can't think of any more right now. (I really haven't watched many actually but that will soon change). As soon as I see a great one I'll come rushing back here and start ranting about it. ;D

Teremei

Um, Ok. I just went over you list. And I have one to add, any body have any objections on this one? Under Jackie Chan, "Heart of Dragon". Samo Hung does a really good job and I feel for his character when I watch him. And I feel for Jackie for what he has to go through. Great little action/comedy with a lot of heart. Anyway I like any flik where a main character breaks down crying.

UAIOE

Under "Jackie Chan" please add Police Story,any objections?

Supercp is good but i think seeing the orginal is just as good, if not better.

Teremei, i cant object because i have seen so little of "Heart of Dragon"

TheBigDave

I would recommend the Ringo Lam film "Victim". HKFliks.com also recommends it. I'm really surprised this movie doesn't get mentioned more often by HK film fans. Here's what HKFlix says:

"Inspired by The Shining by Stanley Kubrick, the film has a creepy and haunting feel that is puncuated with scenes of real horror. The film also features some inspired chase scenes and action, making this is a must buy for any Ringo Lam or Hong Kong film fan."

Trigger

Something to remember also is that since this is a newbie list, it should contain titles that are a bit easier to find - most on the list are available in R1... This rule applies to what's already there too, so perhaps The Blade should go since it's not really available on DVD yet (except for a crappy R2 version). That's pretty much why Supercop is there instead of Police Story 1. I personally prefer Police Story 2 to PS1 and I also think that Supercop (PS3) is a good candidate because it has Michelle Yeoh in it as well. I'm actually going to have to trim down the Jackie Chan list as it is. A few other categories need to have the fat trimmed a bit, but some of them are seriously lacking I think. Anyway - I do appreciate the feedback and if you could keep them coming... don't get discouraged.

Jeraden

I'm not all that well-versed in HK cinema yet so I guess you could say I'm a newbie. I'm a huge Jackie Chan fan though. Personally I'd remove Miracles from the list and replace it with City Hunter. Maybe I'm missing something in my infinite newbieness, but Miracles was just plain boring for a Jackie Chan movie and is definitely NOT a good introduction to him.

UAIOE

I know this doesnt have to do with the DVD list but if any newbies out there have a satalite dish (Direct TV) and they get the Starz! package, they can catch some HK films on the Action channel.
So far i have seen:

The Storm Riders (it had a 1/2 an hour cut out)
Heart of Dragon (called its alternate title First Mission)
Millionaires Express
Fong-Sai Yuk 2 (as The Legend 2
The Executoners (The Heroic Trio 2)

Coming in March & April im going to see:

Eastern Condors
Young Master
Tokyo Raiders
The Legend
& maybe The Protector

Most of the time the movies are shown letterbox (90%) but they are always dubbed. Sometimes yo have to indentfy the movie by a alternate title (like Heart of Dragon)

So for those who got the it this is a good channel to wach some HK movies, even if they are dubbed

Also, Starz! had a program on earlier this month called The Art of Action: Martial Arts In Movies. Its hosted by Samuel L. Jackson and gives basic overview of HK cinema for the really new people.

gabegarwick

Thinking aloud:
Maybe it's time we should think about creating an "advanced" (2nd level) list of sorts for those who complete the beginner list or just want to move on? (might help with the trimming of the newbie list as those titles could likely be incorporated into the advanced list?)

I'm volunteering myself to take responsibility for the 2nd-level list if anyone thinks it a good idea...

Comments? Suggestions? Anyone?

Cheers,
Gabe

Teremei

I think it's a good idea, I'll help in any way I can.

gabegarwick

I really can't think of much at all to add to the newbie list. But I do agree it is in need of "trimming", "slimming", "snipping", or whatever we wish to call it.

The only titles that come to mind that aren't on the list are:
Violent Cop and possibly Brother...

Brotherhood of the Wolf - oh wait, the R1 isn't released yet... hehe

See, I want to list a bunch of others too, but the newbie list certainly doesn't need to get any bigger.

Cheers,
Gabe

benedict

<small></small>Some of those mega lists can, perhaps, be a little intimidating. Bite-sized chunks may well be the way to go. When it comes to specialist thread maintainers, the more of them the merrier I'd say!

gabegarwick

Whaddya say Trigger? Your thoughts?

roseart

My suggestions.

gabegarwick

^^bump^^

Trigger

You can make a list if you want. You don't need my permission. Go ahead and start a thread about it and put the list together... once you have a thread with the list all ready I'll reference it and link to it in the newbie thread if you like.

eXcentris

I think The Mission is the better Johnnie To film.

Also, since this is supposed to be a "starter list", I think you should limit it to one film per director/category. Doesn't make much sense to have 2 (or 3, or 4) films by one director in the "Gun-fu/Action" category for example. Suggest one, and if the "newbie" likes it he can then explore other works from that director.

So, remove Ring 2 and put Audition.

Comedy. Where are Shaolin Soccer and Attack the Gas Station!

Story of Ricky is one of the worst films I've ever seen. Dead alive and Re-Animator are over-the-top funny. This is just plain bad.

joelgee

Under Chow Yun Fat, Full Contact and definitely Once a Thief, just to show the lighter side of Chow. Also Hong Kong 1941 as yet another side.

I'd also point out that there is an incredibly huge difference between "Once a Thief" and "John Woo's Once a Thief."

Somewhere I'd put "Prodigal Son" for Sammo Hung and Yuen Biao

Under Jackie -- "Wheels on Meals"

Under comedy, maybe Ace Go Places, Lucky Stars series and/or Winners series

Also Beast Cops under drama?

AsianImage

wow..you guys forgot one of Stephen Chow's films...

LAWYER LAWYER...was hilarious..

also under drama...I guess...how about the Triad classics:
YOUNG AND THE DANGEROUS series..I know not all of them are great but...good still...
and TIGER FROM WANCHAI is a good gangsta movie...
and the usual..A BETTER TOMORROW..the original...

and FWIW I am heading over tonight to pick up:
INFERNAL AFFAIRS
MY LUCKY STARS
LOVE ON A DIET