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John Woo
John Woo Yu-sen ( zh, t= ; born 22 September 1946) is a Hongkongers, Hong Kong film director known as a highly influential figure in the action film genre. The recipient of various accolades, including a Hong Kong Film Awards, Hong Kong Film Award for Hong Kong Film Awards, Best Picture, Hong Kong Film Award for Best Director, Best Director, and Hong Kong Film Award for Best Film Editing, Best Editing, as well as a Golden Horse Film Festival and Awards, Golden Horse Award, an Asia Pacific Screen Awards, Asia Pacific Screen Award and a Saturn Awards, Saturn Award, he is regarded as a pioneer of heroic bloodshed films and the gun fu genre in Hong Kong action cinema. He is known for his highly chaotic "bullet ballet" action sequences, stylized imagery, Mexican standoffs, frequent use of slow motion and allusions to ''wuxia'', film noir and Western (genre), Western cinema. Considered one of the major figures of Cinema of Hong Kong, Hong Kong cinema, Woo has directed several notable Ho ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Wu (surname)
''Wú'' is the pinyin transliteration of the Chinese surname 吳 (Simplified Chinese 吴), which is a common surname (family name) in Mainland China "Mainland China", also referred to as "the Chinese mainland", is a Geopolitics, geopolitical term defined as the territory under direct administration of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in the aftermath of the Chinese Civil War. In addit .... Wú (吳) is the sixth name listed in the Song dynasty classic '' Hundred Family Surnames''. In 2019 Wu was the ninth most common surname in Mainland China. A 2013 study found that it was the eighth most common surname, shared by 26,800,000 people or 2.000% of the population, with the province having the most being Guangdong. The Cantonese and Hakka transliteration of 吳 is Ng, a syllable made entirely of a nasal consonant while the Min Nan transliteration of 吳 is Ngo, Ngoh, Ngov, Goh, Go, Gouw, depending on the regional variations in Min Nan pronunciation. Shanghaine ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Film Noir
Film noir (; ) is a style of Cinema of the United States, Hollywood Crime film, crime dramas that emphasizes cynicism (contemporary), cynical attitudes and motivations. The 1940s and 1950s are generally regarded as the "classic period" of American film noir. Film noir of this era is associated with a low-key lighting, low-key, black-and-white visual style that has roots in German expressionist cinematography. Many of the prototypical stories and attitudes expressed in classic noir derive from the hardboiled school of crime fiction that emerged in the United States during the Great Depression, known as noir fiction. The term ''film noir'', French for "black film" (literal) or "dark film" (closer meaning), was first applied to Hollywood films by French critic Nino Frank in 1946, but was unrecognized by most American film industry professionals of that era. Frank is believed to have been inspired by the French literary publishing imprint Série noire, founded in 1945. Cinema hist ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Follow The Star
''Follow the Star'' is a 1978 Hong Kong action comedy film directed by John Woo and starring Rowena Cortes. Plot Miss Chen ( Rowena Cortes) is a rich pop singer, and her father (John Woo) is a former criminal. On his last job before retiring, he keeps the crew's haul all for himself, and goes into hiding. One day while getting her car repaired by mechanic Ah Sing (Roy Chiao), Miss Chen is kidnapped by her father's former partners, who demand a ransom. Cast * Rowena Cortes as Miss Chen *John Woo as Miss Chen's father *Roy Chiao Roy Chiao Hung ( zh, 喬宏; 16 March 1927 – 15 April 1999) was a Hong Kong-American actor. Nicknamed "the Lion of Cinema" for his athletic physical stature and powerful screen presence, he was a popular leading man throughout the 1950s and '60 ... as Ah Sing References External links * * * 1978 films 1978 action comedy films Hong Kong action comedy films Films about kidnapping Films about singers Films directed by John Woo 1970s Can ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Last Hurrah For Chivalry
''Last Hurrah for Chivalry'' is a 1979 Hong Kong martial arts film written and directed by John Woo, who also produces with Raymond Chow. The film stars Damian Lau and Wei Pai. The film is a precursor to Woo's heroic bloodshed films. The film was released theatrically in Hong Kong on 11 November 1979. Plot Kao, the son and heir of a great deceased warrior, prepares for his wedding at his opulent hillside estate. Kao admits to his men that his bride is a prostitute that he bought for 1000 tang; the men note that Kao has focused on scholarship instead of martial virtue, and suggest that his scholarship has focused on skill in the bedroom. The wedding is interrupted by an attack by Pak, the enemy of Kao’s father. He and his men have come to reclaim the estate that Kao’s father took from him in battle. In the middle of the melee, the bride turns on Kao, and reveals that Pak paid her 2000 tang to betray Kao. As a result, the battle goes poorly and Kao is forced to flee with ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Hand Of Death (1976 Film)
''Hand of Death'' (, also known as ''Countdown in Kung Fu'') is a 1976 Hong Kong vigilante film, vigilante martial arts film written and directed by John Woo, who also has a small role. The film stars Tao-liang Tan, Doran Tan, James Tien (actor), James Tien, Jackie Chan and Sammo Hung in pivotal roles and features cameo appearances by Yuen Biao, Yuen Wah, and Chiang Sheng. In addition to their acting roles, Hung also worked as stunt co-ordinator, whilst Biao (as well as additional stunt work from Chan) also performed much of the stuntwork, including doubling for both of the principal stars. Plot During the Qing Dynasty the Shaolin Temple, Shaolin disciples are hunted down by a powerful warrior, Shih Shao-Feng, who wants to rid China of the Shaolin. At a remote training camp a group of Shaolin train together. Their best student Yun Fei is given the task of taking down Shih and his reign of terror. Along the way he befriends Tan Feng, who is a blacksmith. Yun Fei arrives at Shih' ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Dragon Tamers
''The Dragon Tamers'', also known as ''Belles of Taekwondo'' (), is a 1975 Hong Kong martial arts film directed by John Woo and starring James Tien, Carter Wong and Kim Chang-suk. This is the second feature-length film to be directed by Woo, following ''The Young Dragons'' in 1974. This action picture from Golden Harvest was filmed in South Korea. The stunt choreographer, Chuan Chen, had been a recognized talent at Golden Harvest, having worked on many of their films. His assistant on this particular production was Jackie Chan. Cast * James Tien as Nan Kung * Carter Wong as Fang *Kim Chang-suk as Sheng Ming-mei *Ji Han-jae as Master Sheng *Yeung Wai as Yuan (younger) *Kim Ki-ju as Yuan (elder) *Chan Chuen as Yuan's top fighter *Hsu Hsia as Yuan's thug *Yuen Wah Yuen Wah (born Yung Kai-chi; 2 September 1952) is a Hong Kong action film actor, action choreographer, stuntman and martial artist who has appeared in over 160 films and over 20 television series. Early life Bo ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Martial Art Film
Martial arts films are a subgenre of action films that feature martial arts combat between characters. These combats are usually the films' primary appeal and entertainment value, and often are a method of storytelling and character expression and development. Martial arts are frequently featured in training scenes and other sequences in addition to fights. Martial arts films commonly include hand-to-hand combat along with other types of action, such as stuntwork, chases, and gunfights. Sub-genres of martial arts films include kung fu films, wuxia, karate films, and martial arts action comedy films, while related genres include gun fu, jidaigeki and samurai films. Notable actors who have contributed to the genre include Bruce Lee, Jet Li, Jackie Chan, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Tony Jaa, Sammo Hung, Chuck Norris, Toshiro Mifune, Donnie Yen, Gordon Liu, Robin Shou, and Wesley Snipes, among others. Women have also played key roles in the genre, including such actresses as Cheng Pei-pei ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Hard Boiled
''Hard Boiled'' ()Elder, 2005, pg. xxviii is a 1992 Hong Kong action thriller film directed by John Woo from a screenplay by Gordon Chan and Barry Wong based on a story written by Woo. The film stars Chow Yun-fat, Tony Leung Chiu-wai, and Anthony Wong. It follows a police inspector whose investigation of a brutal Triad leader entangles him in the complex world of undercover policing. The film was John Woo's last Hong Kong film before his transition to Hollywood. After receiving criticism for making films that glamorized gangsters, Woo wanted to make a '' Dirty Harry''-styled film to glamorize the police. With the death of screenwriter Barry Wong, the film's screenplay underwent constant changes during filming. New characters such as Mad Dog and Mr. Woo were introduced, while the original plotline of a baby-poisoning psychopath was cut. ''Hard Boiled'' was released in Hong Kong in 1992 to generally positive audience reception. Though it was not as commercially succ ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Once A Thief (1991 Film)
''Once a Thief'' () is a 1991 Hong Kong heist film, heist comedy film directed by John Woo, who also wrote the screenplay with Janet Chun and Clifton Ko. The film stars Chow Yun-fat, Leslie Cheung, Cherie Chung, Kenneth Tsang and Paul Chu. The film was released theatrically in Hong Kong on 2 February 1991, before the lucrative Chinese Lunar New Year holiday season begins. Plot James (Leslie Cheung), Red Bean Pudding (Chow Yun-fat, Chow Yun-Fat) and Red Bean (Cherie Chung) are three orphans raised by crime lord Boss Chow (Kenneth Tsang), and grow up to become high end art thieves. Father directs the three to steal a cursed painting located in France. After the heist in France goes awry, Red Bean Pudding is thought to be dead, and James and Red Bean start a relationship. James finds out that the cursed painting was a ploy by Father to increase its value, and when Red Bean Pudding resurfaces again, the group begins to plot their final heist with the very painting from France al ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Killer (1989 Film)
''The Killer'' () is a 1989 Hong Kong action film directed by John Woo, and produced by Tsui Hark. The film stars Chow Yun-fat, Danny Lee, and Sally Yeh. Chow plays Ah Jong, a professional assassin for the Triads who wants to retire, but accidentally damages the eyes of singer Jennie (Yeh) during a shootout and sets out to perform one last hit to pay for her treatment. After the financial backing from Hark became problematic following the release of Woo's film '' A Better Tomorrow 2'', Woo had to find backing through Chow Yun-fat's and Danny Lee's financing companies. Woo went into filming ''The Killer'' with a rough draft whose plot was influenced by the films ''Le Samouraï'', '' Mean Streets'' and ''Narazumono''. Woo wanted to make a film about honour, friendship and the relationship of two seemingly opposite people. After finishing filming, Woo referred to ''The Killer'' as a tribute to directors Jean-Pierre Melville and Martin Scorsese. ''The Killer'' was not an immed ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
A Better Tomorrow II
''A Better Tomorrow 2'' is a 1987 Hong Kong action film directed by John Woo, produced by Tsui Hark, and co-written by both. A follow-up to its popular predecessor, ''A Better Tomorrow'', the film stars returning cast members Chow Yun-fat, Ti Lung and Leslie Cheung alongside new cast member Dean Shek. The film was released in Hong Kong on 17 December 1987. Due to the popularity of Chow's break-out performance in the previous instalment, he was cast in a new role as the twin brother of "Mark", who was killed in the previous film. ''A Better Tomorrow 2'' is known for its over the top violence, exaggerated blood and gore, and body counts nearing the hundreds. Film director John Woo and producer Tsui Hark had disagreements over the focus of this film. Tsui felt that the film should focus more on Dean Shek's character. This led to the film being edited by both Tsui and Woo. Their disagreements would lead to a split after this film, with Hark directing '' A Better Tomorrow 3'' and ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
A Better Tomorrow
''A Better Tomorrow'' () is a 1986 Hong Kong action film directed, co-written and co-produced by John Woo, co-produced by Tsui Hark, and starring Ti Lung, Leslie Cheung and Chow Yun-fat. The film had a profound influence on Hong Kong action cinema, and has been recognised as a landmark film credited with setting the template for the heroic bloodshed genre, with considerable influence on both the Cinema of Hong Kong, Hong Kong film industry and Cinema of the United States, Hollywood. Produced with a tight budget and released with virtually no advertising, ''A Better Tomorrow'' broke Hong Kong's box office record and went on to become a blockbuster in Asia. It is regarded as one of the greatest Chinese-language films ever made, ranking #2 on the Hong Kong Film Awards#Best 100 Chinese Motion Pictures, Best 100 Chinese Motion Pictures list in 2005. Its success led to a sequel, ''A Better Tomorrow II'', also directed by Woo, and ''A Better Tomorrow 3, A Better Tomorrow 3: Love & De ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
