Bar none the best shot/reaction (pun intended) gunfights ever put to screen. John Woo took the Pekinpah formula and crafted it into a dance of violence, though at this stage he didn't quite have it perfected as he would in later films. Regardless of the imperfections, and possibly even because of them, A Better Tomorrow has some of the grittiest most impactful shootouts of Woo's career. A true landmark moment for Hong Kong and action cinema, and still one of the best.
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The Night of the Hunter 1955
"Children are the strongest of man."
In parts noir thriller, southern gothic, German expressionist, Lynchian fairytale, childhood parable, Christmas movie, and entirely beautiful. An examination of the isolation of children at the hands of jaded and blinded adults. Dense with powerful and symbolic imagery. It's a shame Charles Laughton was prevented from ever directing anything else.Translated from by
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Yes, Madam! 1985
I had the opportunity to see this film at a local cinema on a 35mm print tonight, and I have to say seeing it in a theatre of people enjoying it just as much as I did really made the experience. There is a distinct tonal dissonance between the Michelle Yeoh/ Cynthia Rothrock scenes and Tsui Hark and Co, but the humor landed for me on this viewing, and the fight scenes are kinetic and visceral. The Looney Tunes-esque fight in Tsui Harks apartment is a standout. The soundtrack kicks ass.
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Big Trouble in Little China 1986
"Will you quit rubbing your body up against mine because I can't concentrate when you're doing that"
John Carpenter understands the flash and fun of the Honk Kong film, and expertly recreates the excitement of finding those movies for the first time. Possibly the most fun you can have watching a movie.
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