C-movie: Divergence (2005)

Synopsis - IMDB

A cop, a lawyer, and an assassin cross paths after the murder of a federal witness and the kidnapping of a famous pop star.



Did I ever mention that Daniel Wu is so adorable and my favorite Hong Kong actor?



He's so versatile. Gorgeous.

I know about his background. People criticize him for not being Chinese enough since he grew up in America but since I'm not Chinese, I don't care. I love him.

Danile plays the hitman in Divergence. I just love that he takes on that diversity in his film choices. Come on, his first film ever, he played a homosexual!



I think the casting was just right.

Daniel as the hitman. Aaron as the cop. Ekin as the lawyer.

My only problem is the many crying scenes of Aaron! Oh gosh! He is such a cutie-pie but needs to step it up on the acting part. I cannot believe he won an award for the movie! If anyone it should've been Daniel or Ekin!

Ekin had such an interesting, silent role. He was so badass!

I love how the movie makes all three men connected, all with different lifestyles and paths.

Overall, I enjoyed the movie. A lot! I would love to see a remake of it too.

9 out of 10

PS - I did see this on Netflix instant view also.

The Detective (2007)

Photos - Google
Synopsis - YesAsia

Holding shop from a small dinky office, near-sighted, debt-ridden private detective Tam (Aaron Kwok) talks big, but does small business. He gets an interesting new job when hard-drinking friend Lung (Shing Fui Oi) shows up one day with the picture of a woman whom he claims is trying to kill him. Unable to locate the woman, Tam starts looking up her acquaintances, but he seems to always be in the wrong place at the right time. At his first stop, he walks into a man hanging from the ceiling, the first of many dead bodies he stumbles upon. Tam becomes increasingly obsessed with finding the truth behind the mysterious deaths, but digging too deep could have dangerous consequences.



The Detective also known as C+ is a fast-paced thriller. From the first scene to the very end, it kept you on the tip of your seat for you to see what's going to happen. It had a few haunting moments but overall, it's an awesome thriller. You kept wondering where this killer was...or if it was really who the movie makes you think it is.



Aaron Kwok is a good looking, underrated actor.  I look forward to more of his filmography. Aaron has definitely improved within the past few films I've seen of his.



Definitely worth watching!

Cmovie - After This Our Exile (2006)

Synopsis - Wikipedia
Photos - Google & SoGoodReviews

In the hopeless pursuit of happiness, Aaron Kwok stars as Shing, a man who desperately attempts to hold onto the dwindling threads of his family. Once a man who had a dream, Shing has become a deadbeat gambler whose marriage is failing with wife Lin (Charlie Yeung). Shing's machoistic ego overrides any reasonable logic for change, which forces Lin to leave Shing repeatedly. After finally managing to escape, Shing is left with nothing but his son, Lok-Yun (Goum Ian Iskandar).

Hoping in vain to pay back loansharks, Shing turns to his loving son, Lok-Yun, who has somehow retained his filial loyalty. In his most desperate hour, Shing forces his struggle of survival onto his son, Lok-Yun, through thievery and tests the strength of loyalty and the boundaries of trust in their father-son relationship. With each passing day, the bond of love is threatened with Shing's unrepentant ways.



Gosh, I know so little about the Hong Kong film industry except for a few popular stars but Aaron Kwok is enough for me to watch this movie. However, the synopsis is just so intruging that I had to block all that out.



Aaron Kwok was soooo good in his character. I've never seen him play a father. And a negative one too. I didn't see Aaron Kwok. I saw the character Shing. Right now, Aaron has a top spot on my favorite Hong Kong actors. He is so versatile.



His facial expressions gets me every time. He makes you love him. Yet hate him at the same time.



I've never seen anything of Charlie Yeung but she was really good. She played Lin, the wife of Shing. I found the character Lin very selfish. I despise mothers who leave their children behind.



The little boy, Gouw Ian Iskandar, should get a lot of recognition. He is really good!



All he wanted was the love from both of his parents. I see Gouw Ian Iskandar going in high places in the future.



Not enough for you to watch? Then check this out....

Must watch!!!



Awards and nominations for After This Our Exile

1st Rome Film Festival
Competition Section

11th Pusan International Film Festival

Official Selection

Tokyo International Film Festival
Best Artistic Contribution
Best Asian Film

10th Toronto Reel Asian International Festival
Opening Film

43rd Golden Horse Awards
Won: Best Feature Film
Won: Best Actor (Aaron Kwok)
Won: Best Supporting Actor (Gouw Ian Iskandar)

26th Hong Kong Film Awards
Won: Best Picture
Won: Best Director (Patrick Tam)
Won: Best Supporting Actor (Gouw Ian Iskandar)
Won: Best Screenplay
Won: Best New Performer (Gouw Ian Iskandar)

Source