* * * * (Out of * * * *)
1. Hard Boiled (1992)
2. The Killer (1989)
3. Bullet in the Head (1990)
(I saw it on an old VHS tape)
4. A Better Tomorrow (1986)
5. Red Cliff (2008)
* * * 1/2 (Out of * * * *)
1. Face/Off (1997)
2. A Better Tomorrow II (1987)
cinematiccoffee 
Hard-Boiled was my introduction to Hong Kong cinema, Chow Yun Fat, Tony Leung, and squibs. My taste in films may have changed over the years but I still enjoy Hard-Boiled, especially with the paralleled violence in the multiple camera shootouts and the relationship between Fat’s detective Tequila and Leung’s undercover cop Tony. It’s highly entertaining and soulful.
I suppose I would choose ‘Red Cliff’, as I like those big epics. But I have pretty much enjoyed all of his films so far.
Best wishes, Pete.
Now here is a director and a set of films I know little about. I should rent your number 1 choice and give him a go…
Woo has so many classics, I’m most fond of the Heroic Bloodshed stuff. I do love Broken Arrow too, though I’m in the minority there
Speaking of Hard Boiled, Mark Salisbury of Empire Magazine (a film magazine in the UK, though you probably already knew that) called it “infinitely more exciting than a dozen Die Hards.” No doubt, John Woo’s Hong Kong action pictures give American ones a run for their money. Anyway, thanks for dropping by 🙂
I would say that John Woo’s Hong Kong pictures are the best. Anyway, thanks for dropping by 🙂
John Woo is quite a masterful action filmmaker. It has been said a bunch of times before by other people, but after you watch one of his shootout sequences, you will find yourself in agreement with others that they give American ones a run for their money as masterly crafted as they are. Anyway, thanks for dropping by 🙂
As for John Woo’s American work, Face/Off is the greatest one and Hard Target was very good. Broken Arrow was that missing link between good and mediocre. In other words, a little bit of both. Anyway, thanks for dropping by 🙂