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.

Cmovie - Devil Face Angel Heart (2002)

Synopsis - IMDB
Photos - Google

Lon is an assassin who is deformed. The only man he can trust is his brother, Kwan. When Lon kills a police officer, the officer's partner tries to go after him, but lets him go after seeing his face. Meanwhile, Lon falls for Wendy, the girlfriend of Lon's sadistic boss, Dragon. When Lon agrees to kill Dragon for Wendy, it's a setup. After the kill, Lon is hit by a car and plunges into the river. A year passes by. A new man named Michael arrives, working for Wendy. Meanwhile, the partner of the cop Lon killed is still on the case. He notices a resemblance of the new man to Lon. Is Michael the same person as Lon? If so, what is the motive?



The movie title is Devil Face Angel Heart because even though Lon's face is scary, he has the heart of an angel. There were several times that he was assigned to kill someone but he let them go because of his guilty conscious.

I am a huge fan of Stephen Fung and Daniel Wu after House of Fury. So I was able to hunt down another movie with the two of them together. This time, Daniel has the lead role while Stephen was supporting.



For me personally, I find Daniel one of the best young actors in Hong Kong cinema. I simply love his versality in his roles.

The movie is focus on Daniel Wu who plays Lon, a guy born with a disfigured face. He is tortured and talked down from everyone except his "brother," Kwan.

He doesn't have a double role in the movie at all. He undergoes through plastic surgery in the movie. Therefore, he is looking like his usual, fine self!



Stephen Fung was my first Hong Kong crush. I've always been a fan of martial arts movies but started to watch more within the past few years. I am hunting down to find all his movies!



He really doesn't have much to do in Devil Face Angel Heart but look cute...and that he does very well :) He plays a cop.



Gotta be an evil person and mastermind and it's no other than Wendy played by Gigi Lai. She is good!



There were a lot of sexual scenes and very graphic and explicit too. If you are bashful and usually shy away from even kisses, stay away from this movie!

Otherwise, worth a watch. I wasn't sure how I really feel about it though. I don't know if it's those types of movies for re-watchings or recommendating to others.

Cmovie - Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen (2010)

Synopsis

A continuation of the 1995 television series Fist of Fury, Donnie Yen reprises his role as Chen Zhen, a role made famous by Bruce Lee in "Fist Of Fury" (1972). The film is set seven years after the apparent death of Chen Zhen, who was shot after discovering who was responsible for his teacher's death in Japanese-occupied Shanghai. A mysterious stranger arrives from overseas and befriends a local mafia boss. That man is a disguised Chen Zhen, who intends to infiltrate the mob when they form an alliance with the Japanese. Disguising himself as a caped fighter by night, Chen intends to take out everyone involved as well as get his hands on an assassination list prepared by the Japanese.



I freaking looooooooove Donnie Yen!!
This man is so underrated.
He is the main reason for my love of the movie.
While some people may compare the fighting style to Ip Man/Ip Man 2. What do you expect????
Chen Zen is Bruce Lee!

Some people are bashing this movie saying that Donnie Yen is too old or he doesn't fit the role or it's too much like Ip Man. Whatever man. Some people don't know how to separate the movie from the actor.

Or maybe I'm a loyal fan. I love kick-ass guys. No wonder I love South Indian films where one guy takes it all. There's a pattern there, right? Uh-hum.



I was extremely ecstatic when I found out the heroine is Shu Qi. She's my favorite HK actress. She reminds me of the the Asian Angelina Jolie, an actress who can act, look sexy and kickass.

I am a huuuuuuge Bruce Lee fan so I am biase on this since Donnie Yen and Shu Qi are both in the movie.
Take it or leave it but I love the movie.



In addition, adding the superhero made me love it more. Go Kato! And on top of that, the outfit that Donnie wears at the end, presenting a bit of Bruce Lee....and pulling out the nunchucks! This made my day!



Oh yeah, not to mention that Anthony Wong is also in the movie. That man is awesome!

Cmovie - Mad Detective (2007)

Synopsis
Detective Bun (Lau Ching Wan) was recognised as a talented criminal profiler until he sliced off his right ear to offer as a gift at his chief’s farewell party. Branded as ‘mad’ and discharged from the force, he has lived in seclusion with his beloved wife May (Kelly Lin) ever since. Strangely, Bun has the ability to ‘see’ a person’s inner personality, their subconscious desires, emotions, and mental state. When a missing police gun is linked to several heists and murders, hotshot Inspector Ho (Andy On) calls on the valuable skills of his former mentor Bun to help unlock the killer’s identity. However, Bun’s unorthodox methods point to a fellow detective and take a schizophrenic turn for the worse…



I haven't been this impressed with a movie in a long time! Seriously. I love it! It's the type of movie that you have to pay attention to what's going on. At first, you would be confused but then you eventually start to follow it. Because I enjoyed it so much, I watched it several times again, I saw all that was unclear to me and focused on the "inner personalies" more. You have to watch it through both Ho and Bun's point of views.

Usually I watch Hong Kong cinema for the martial arts action. I've been trying to be more open-minded in watching more genres from Hong Kong. I'm not a fan of their romantic comedies or horrors. Most of the "dramas" I've seen left me disappointed.

Even movies like SPL or Invisible Target had some drama in it but was mixed with slick, martial arts. I need to focus more on Johnnie To's movies. He is a well-known director and producer.

I am really looking forward to Election and Exiled, which have been both recommended to me from so many people.

Besides the storyline and the direction, the editing is superb. A much watch! If you like Hollywood movies like Fight Club, then Mad Detective is worth a watch!

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 - New Police Story (2004)

Synopsis - IMDB
Photos - Google
Inspector Wing of the Hong Kong Police Force has become the victim of a gang, led by the evil Joe. When his entire team is killed, Wing becomes a hapless drunk, feeling guilty for the deaths of his team. A young man with a troubled past pretends to be a police officer working on the case with Wing, to get him back on his feet and begin an adventure to get revenge on the evil Joe and his Gang of Five, especially when it becomes personal.



First of all, OMFG, I looooooved it! I watched it several times already. The first time I watched it was by myself. The second time was with my daughter. The third with the rest of the family. Every one of us looooved it! Yes, it is that good!

I've seen Jackie Chan's Police Story and Police Story 2 a while ago but re-watched them again. New Police Story is a reboot version, meaning that it doesn't follow the trilogy, first three parts. However, it still has the same formula but you get more emotionally involved and the martial arts action was even better! Add in my other Hong Kong crushes -- Nicholas Tse & Daniel Wu!!! No disappointment at all!



My son asked me how come in a lot of modern martial arts action, the heroes are usually cops. I never thought about that, but he is right! A lot of law enforcements are seen in Hong Kong action, whether or not they do martial arts. Either that or gangsters. Or maybe it's the movies that I watch? If I like a certain star, I will try my best to watch their full filmography.

I've always been a fan of Jackie Chan from his 70s movies to modern. That man got a lot of talent. He doesn't even look like he's aging at all!



Nicholas Tse is my latest Hong Kong crush. Before him, it was Stephen Fung. I've seen Nicholas in numerous movies before but he got me...finally! I still adore Stephen Fung but his choice of films aren't as great as Nicholas. I think Stephen is taking a break from acting and focusing on directing instead now.



Daniel Wu is a hottie too. I always thought he was good looking but he is probably my favorite actor, for the most diverse acting. His spoken English is really good, no accent. Then I read more about him and learn that he grew up in the USA.



Charlie Yeung who plays Jackie's love interest is so gorgeous! I love her hairstyle and color. I didn't realize she was the same girl in After This Our Exile with Aaron Kwok. She's wonderful!



The girl villian, Coco Chiang, my daughter loves her style. She even had some kickass action scenes!



The only downfall is Charlene Choi who I found a bit annoying (and I like her a lot!) She does *not* look good in short hair! I didn't find the significant of her part until later on in the movie. She didn't even fit the role of a police officer and was a bit kiddish.



Yes, do watch it!!

If you enjoyed Jackie's other Police Story series, you won't be disappointed at all! This is just a modern version of his previous work, with hot, happening stars!

Cmovie - Blood Brothers (2007)

Synopsis - Amazon
Photos - Google

Blood Brothers is set in 1930s Shanghai, a flourishing modern-day Babylon, replete with warlords, politicians, wealthy industrialists, courtesans and gangsters. Three innocent young brothers, Kang (Liu Ye, Curse of the Golden Flower ), Fung (Daniel Wu, Around the World in 80 Days ) and Xiao Hu (Tony Yang), arrive in this seeming paradise in search of a better life. Enticed by the rich and powerful world of organized crime, the three brothers start down a path of no return: they are hired to do the bidding for one of the city s largest mob syndicate. When Fung begins an affair with the mob boss girlfriend, beauty Lulu (Shu Qi, Transporter), and life takes a difficult turn for all three brothers when the forbidden love affair is exposed. Friends turn against friends, brother against brother. The days of innocence have passed; the three brothers must stand up as men and make their choices.



I looooved the movie!! Storyline was really good. I love the art direction with the 1930s Shanghai look. The direction couldn've been better since I was a bit confused at first.

Acting is excellent from everyone. Shu Qi is my fave actress, and Daniel Wu is slowly becoming one of mines!

Cmovie - Goddess of Mercy (2006)

Synopsis - Rotten Tomatoes
Photos - Google

Yang Rui falls in love for the cleaning woman who works in a taekwando gym, only to later discover she's an undercover cop named An Xin. An is in hiding from drug smugglers who have a score to settle with her - a raid she led resulted in the death of one of the smuggler's parents. To complicate matters further, An was previously romantically involved with the smuggler whose parents were killed.



Overall, the movie was very well made. Storyline is good. It is an adaptation from a popular book (I have no idea the name of the book).

However, with "acting." I was disappointed with Vickie's presence. Because I do not understand Mandarin, I cannot just judge her acting. I was going by her body language and voice. I could barely hear her!!! I kept turning up and down the volumne just to hear her, which was very annoying.



It's not the first time I've seen Nicholas Tse in any movies but this is the movie that made me go, "Damn!! where have you been all my life?" I am seeking more of his movies!!!

The guy who plays Yang Rui was awesome. I really liked Yunlong Liu's acting.

Definitely worth a watch.

Cmovie - 49 Days (2006)

Synopsis - Amazon
Photos - Google

Lau Sing (Stephen Fung) as a successful entrepeneur of a medicinal company. He must leave his wife and children for a number of years while he goes off to make his fortune, and his business a success. His business is medicinal herbs: some from various plants and animals which indeed makes him very successful. However, he has a scheming business partner whom he thought was a close friend. The films antagonist, Pang Shi (Ho-Yin Wong) betrays his friend Lau Sing, and is responsible for the deaths of several people when he torches Lau Sings' business. Lau Sing is charged with the crime. It is here where the film introduces the character Siu Chin (Gillian Chung) who acts as Lau's defense attorney.



From the dvd cover, you would think it's a horror/thriller. Apparently, it's not. Well, not really. There are haunting moments but nothing scary. There are good moments but overall, a complete letdown.

I am a huge fan of Stephen Fung and Gillian Cheung but cannot say the same about the movie.

Cmovie - Heavenly Mission (2006)

Synopsis - YesAsia
Photos - Google


Young and Dangerous icon Ekin Cheng steps into a new triad role in his latest film, Heavenly Mission. Directed by James Yuen (Crazy N' The City), Heavenly Mission pits Ekin Cheng in a dangerous game of wits and bullets against Alex Fong (One Nite in Mongkok) and Stephen Fung (House of Fury). The film also features an impressively star-studded supporting cast including Julian Cheung (Wo Hu), Eric Kot, Wayne Lai, Wong Yau Nam (Men Suddenly in Black), Niki Chow (Love Battlefield), and Shaw Brothers veteran Di Lung. Entertaining and intriguing, Heavenly Mission is an uncommon triad action drama that engages from beginning to end.

After eight years in Thai prison, legendary triad leader Autumn Yip (Ekin Cheng) returns to Hong Kong, sending the police, the underworld, and the media into frenzy as they try to anticipate his next big move. Teaming up with his former buddies, the high-profile Autumn opens a legitimate company, gives to charity, and appears every bit a mild-mannered, reformed man. Seasoned cop Ming (Alex Fong), however, is convinced that his actions are a front for something illegal. Equally suspicious is aggressive triad boss Ghost (Stephen Fung) who resorts to nefarious tactics to challenge both Autumn and the police.



Intersting storyline but some parts bored me. I felt that the script had potential but the characters were never fully developed.



I watched this movie mainly for Stephen Fung. He is my Hong Kong crush. I know most people like other stars, but I adore Stephen ever since House of Fury. I love his cute dimples!



Another plus besides Stephen Fung and Ekin Cheng is Ti Lung. I was a huge fan of his 1970s martial arts Shaw Brothers movies back in the