I'm behind on the HK Action and Martial Arts scene and I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations. I'm mostly looking for fairly recent stuff at the moment. For action films I can bare sub-par acting as long as the action is fun and fast paced.

Also wondering if anyone had seen these films and could post what they thought of them.

The Protege
The Banquet
Election 1 + 2
Dog Bite Dog
Bullet & Brain
Confession of Pain
Twins Mission
Blood Brothers
Battle of Wits

I just got Dog Bite Dog, but haven't seen any of those besides Election...

Election is pretty good, but not action packed or anything. If you like triad movies, it's pretty compelling.

Definitely post up your thoughts about Dog Bite Dog whenever you watch it.

I've heard so much about Election 1 + 2, just never got a chance to pick them up. I should also mention I'm a sucker for Chinese Cop/Gangster dramas

Am I correct to assume you already have "Exiled", "Invisible Target", "Sha Po Lang", and "Curse of the Golden Flower"?

"Protege" - enjoyed it as a HK version of "Traffic". Don't recall it being action-heavy.

"The Banquet" - enjoyed it quite a bit but is more a Shakespearean drama bookended by some action

"Election 1 and 2" - top-notch but low-key triad dramas. There is some brutal violence if I remember right. I found them fairly intense, but they are not action films.

"Dog Bite Dog" - don't recall too much but it was okay enough, but if I recall there is some super-sappy romantic segment towards the latter third where the movie sinks quite a bit. But there is a fair share of violence too.

"Bullet and Brain" - haven't purchased yet

"Confession of Pain" - One of the poorer HK crime efforts. Many better options within the genre.

"Twins Mission" - haven't watched it yet

"Blood Brothers" - liked it a little better than I expected based on the lukewarm reception. While decent enough, I don't know that I'd call it essential when compared to other options in the HK crime genre.

"Battle of Wits" - sort of like a smaller-scale HK version of "Troy", "Kingdom of Heaven", etc. I remember being disappointed by it...just okay. "The Promise" had more of a fun factor to it.

So that's it...actually maybe I just should have kept my mouth shut as it has been a while since I've viewed some of these so my recollection isn't too sharp.

I just bought Invisible Target and Flash Point yesterday. Already own Sha Po Land but I do not own Curse or Exiled yet. How are those?

Thanks for all the info. Is Confession of Pain just a poor HK cop drama or does it fail to live up to the expectations of Andrew Lau and Alan Mak's previous film?

you should get exiled above many of the others mentioned. I enjoyed the banquet a lot more than curse of the golden flowers though. I just saw protege over the weekend but it was a little heavy handed just like traffic as flix compared. The one thing it does have to its favor at least to other HK movies I've seen is that it shows drug use, making, production etc directly and not like other HK movies where is either hinted at and or not seen as directly unlike american films.

"Exiled" would be an action essential...like a HK homage to "The Wild Bunch". I enjoyed both "The Banquet" and "Curse of the Golden Flower" very much. "Curse of the Golden Flower" is also somewhat Shakespearean while more melodramatic and with more action than "The Banquet". "Sha Po Lang" which you own should also sit atop your to-watch pile with "Exiled" and "Invisible Target" (which I wrote about in the "what are you watching thread" somewhere on page 2 of this forum). I wasn't as impressed by "Flashpoint" overall but it does have the requisite amount of action you would be looking for. Jackie Chan's "New Police Story" from a few years back was also very satisfying, much moreso than "Rob-B-Hood". I've picked up pretty much every HK action release from the past few years and I'd rank "Confession of Pain" in the lower third of them all. I didn't have any expectations despite the high-profile talent involved and I still didn't care for it. Also, despite their lack of the action you might be craving, don't skip the "Election" films as they were also top-shelf. For what it is worth, I didn't care much for the new Hark/Lam/To collaboration "Triangle". "Love Battlefield" from a few years back though was a pleasant surprise. And while most didn't like it...despite some suspect CGI, I did find entertaining the Chen Kaige's wuxia "The Promise" aka "Wu Ji" from a few years back.

What happened to entertaining HK martial arts films? And I'm personally sick of the gangster/cop/mafia movies that keep on coming out...The last typical HK film with great action and martial arts was House of Flying Dagger and The Myth. SPL was okay...and Curse of Golden Flower, The Banquet were pretty damn dull...

I thought they were both decent. I actually liked Flash Point better and thought it was a good prequel to SPL. The fight choreography was much better.

Thanks for all the feedback guys!

I'll definitely put Election 1 + 2 and Exiled on my "to buy" list. Should I go straight for the R3 releases of those films? I only ask because I think Election and Exiled were both released in R1 recently.

I saw New Police Story (R3) at a local DVD store yesterday for $7.95 but didn't pick it up. Might have to get that now.

There is a store inside an Asian mall here in the Bay Area, that I used to go to weekly for new R3 releases. I hadn't been there in so long that their new releases section had me confused. Totally behind on what is new, fun, and worth watching/owning.

All that is sort of why I decided to make this thread, so thanks again everyone

I would like to check out this store. Where in the Bay Area is it? I'm in the S. Bay and there are quite a few places to check out here but their prices are a bit on the high side and I just usually end up ordering online. I sometimes go to SF Chinatown and the prices there are decent but it's a long drive and parking is a hassle; especially on weekends.

It's in Richmond at the Pacific East Mall off Central Ave.

I forgot the name of the store, but you can't miss it. It's near the entrance to the 99 Ranch Market and sells all sorts of DVD's, CD's, Manga, various Nintendo and Anime toys/figures. You'll notice the store since the window display wraps around from the front of the store, to near one of the mall entrances. You'll usually see new releases displayed on two endcaps as soon as you walk in.

The prices are a little higher than they are online. I paid $20 for the 2 disc LE of Flashpoint and $19 for the 1 disc of Invisible Target.

There's a DVD shop near Jackson (I think) in Chinatown that I like to go to as well, but as you mentioned the toll and parking problems (and cost) aren't worth it.

Where do you go in the South Bay? I'm in that area about 2-3 times a month and I'd like to check some of these places out. What are the prices/selection like?

'dog bite dog' is the only one of those that i've seen that i would describe as action.
good film, very dark look and brave approach, i think. must see if you're into HK.

as for 'election'. no action, but good slow drama with some jaw-dropping moments.

Umm.... House of Flying Daggers, Myth, Curse of the Golden Flower and the Banquet are all Mainland Chinese films and not HK Action films.

Tsui Hark and John Woo are the two names that come to mind when I think of Modern HK action, Once Upon in China, and the Killer/Hardboiled.

As for the movies you listed, Dog Bite Dog, was a little Grainy and Dark, The movie itself was strange as soon as the Girl enters the picture. Besides that if you want to think of harcore Graphic Violence... This movie is full of it. Lots of blood and people getting beat to death. The Last scene is crazy.... I had to go WTF.

As for the Election series.... It is a Drama Triad movie, some inventive ways of knocking people off, I dont rember much action.

As for up to date Hong Kong action... I would say check out anything Johnnie To is putting out. BTW he directed Election.... But dont think of that just being him.... He seems like he really can vary from film to film A lot.

Full Time Killers - Assiasns go againest each other. Lots of good action scenes, This is the movie that I Discoved Johnnie To.

Breaking News This movie is nothing but a long shoot out with Grenades.

Exiled Very Cool movie, great shoot outs, with decent CGI effects that just add to the shoot outs. This is probally a movie you want to see.

Becareful with Johnnie To though, because He does put out different types of movies, Running on Karma isn't a bad movie but for HK action person I dont think youll like it considering its a werid love story with past lives and a Monk who gave up being a Monk and has to discover himself.

As for HK Action... Does it have to be from HK? One of new Favorites that has HK type action is a A bittersweet Life from Korea... Half the Movie is a little boring getting you into the story... Then the movie just turns into a one dude being a total Badass and getting payback.

Thanks for the info. As for the ones I go to in the S. Bay there's one in Milpitas that seems to get the titles early. At least the same time as online stores. It's right off the Dixon Landing Rd. exit off of 880 South. Head East and it's in the same parking lot as a McDonald's that you will see on your right hand side. The crossroad is Milpitas Blvd and Dixon Landing. I can't remember the name but it has a big "Karaoke" sign in front of it.

The other is in San Jose. Take the Hostetter Rd exit off of 680 South. Head West on Hostetter and it will be on your left hand side in the same complex as a Ranch 99. It's on the far right hand side of Ranch 99. Their prices are about the same as you mentioned but the one on Dixon Landing are a bit cheaper; starting at around $15 for single discs and their usually the new releases. $20 for 2 disc sets. However, their older titles start around $12.

Lots of recommendations! Awesome

I'll have to add Breaking News to the list of stuff to look out for. I already have Full Time Killers and I love that movie. Also it doesn't have to be HK, I should have just asked for Asian Cinema in general.

Thanks for the heads up Mrhan. Is the first store you mentioned in the big shopping center near Dixon that has the 99 Ranch Market in it (in Milpitas)?

I won't be in the South Bay maybe for another 2 weeks, but I'll definitely hit up those stores with my girlfriend. Gotta catch up on my HK/Asian flicks.

The Ranch 99 your talking about is off of Hwy 237 and Calaveras Rd in Milpitas. It's not that. The one off Dixon Landing is called Lions; similar type of Asian grocery store, though.

Ah, I think I know where that is. Has that grocery store called "Lions Head" or something of that nature?

Also does anyone know how DVDAsian.com is on updating the stock of their DVD's? They are the only E-Tailer that I have seen stocking the IVL (Chinese) release of Five Deadly Venoms.

I do not recommend the Dixon Landing/McDonalds with the Karoke sign shop. I just visited them and they look like bootleg copies. It doesn't look right. However, I recommend the one in McCarthy Ranch. It's the shop that sell bunch of toys...the selections are small though.

I wish there's an actual store that specializes in asian DVD around here in the South Bay.

There used to be a place in San Jose called "AZN Films" that did that. I think they closed down about 2 years ago though. I remember checking out their website (now down) and inquiring about in-store pick up a while back.

I haven't been to that store at McCarthy in a while. Is it the store that sells all the little Naruto and Pokemon figures in the glass display cases? How do their prices fare in terms of 1 and 2 discs?

I think that's the one.

I think their price was reasonable for legit DVD. If I recall, I believe it was cheaper than yesasia.com price. They usually carry the 1 disc instead of the special edition/2 discs set...but they do have them for special order. If you have to drive 15 miles to the shop, then I wouldn't recommend it. If you're in the neighbhorhood, then check it out. Again, their selections are small because it's tiny store. If you can't wait a week after official release date, then they're probably the best option. For me, I just order it online as it's convenient.

Apparently Tsui Hark is on the outs here, no mention of Seven Swords or Time and Tide.

What about Dragon Heat aka Dragon Squad. I thought it was a pretty solid action/crime movie. It's got a solid cast with:

Michael Biehn
Sammo Hung
Maggie Q (It's her last HK movie before she moved to LA to do MI:3)
Shawn Yue

It's a pretty dark movie, but there are some cool shootout scenes. Dragon Dynasty released this a few months ago.

I've been meaning to see those for quite some time, especially Time and Tide.

Dragon Squad looked interesting when I saw it playing on a TV in SF Chinatown a little while back. I think finding out that Steven Segal was producer turned me off a little. Is it more of a rental?

I think it's irrelevant that Steven Seagal is the producer. Bey Logan's commentary on the Dragon Dynasty DVD said they got him as a in name only producer to attract a larger international distribution audience.

I think if your interesting in this title, get the Dragon Dynasty DVD. There is a really good commentary by Bey and also some good interviews. One of the interviews that was really interesting was with Michael Biehn and how they got him involved with this movie. I would recommend it. Plus there is a pretty good amount of action.