New Generation Directors

[azazel]

well, since the other threads were getting eaten up by them, lets devote this to the innovators behind the camera:



first one: John Woo

one of my absolute favourite action movie makers. his Hong Kong movies are legendary for their innovative action, slick direction and plots which have been copied by everyone around the world. his partnership with Chow Yun Fat, the anti-hero in his movies, is legendary. So, on the dissection table in Mr.John Woo



we can keep moving on with other directors n their movies once a discography is completed

[The jackal]

Wa!!!Finally a new thread. Let me make a list of John Woo's major movies:

The Killer---One of the best action movie's ever.

Hard Target---Nice combo of Jean Claude Van Dame and John Woo.

Broken Arrow---Awesome movie with a one of the best bad guys:John Travolta.Throughout the movie,I kept on vooing Travolta but he dies in the end.

Face/Off---The last proper action movie of the century.All those which came after this were not that hard core.

MI:2---This wanted to be too much like a bond movie.They should have done a proper spy movie like the first part but of course had a style of its own.

Windtalkers---Didnt see this movie but heard this bombed badly.

Paycheck---Nice movie but Uma Thurman was badly cast.She didnt suit the role.



I consider Face/Off and The Killer to be the best.The remaining were good but these were superb. John Woo and Chow Yun Fat are like Arnold and Cameron.Awesome combination.He's finally making another movie with CHow Yun Fat called Land of Destiny,I heard its more like a drama movie than an action.

[marko]

well, since the other threads were getting eaten up by them, lets devote this to the innovators behind the camera:

first one: John Woo
one of my absolute favourite action movie makers. his Hong Kong movies are legendary for their innovative action, slick direction and plots which have been copied by everyone around the world. his partnership with Chow Yun Fat, the anti-hero in his movies, is legendary. So, on the dissection table in Mr.John Woo

we can keep moving on with other directors n their movies once a discography is completed

good thread Az.



I'm only familar with 4 Woo films, Broken Arrow, Face Off, and MI one and two. only one i found memorable was Face Off, but even then it felt unoriginal, like i had read the idea a few times before in a book. Where would be a good place to start on his HK films?

[azazel]

ThaanQ

Let me make a list of John Woo's major movies:
The Killer---One of the best action movie's ever.

u mention that but leave out Hard Boiled n A Better Tomorrow? bad boy!

Hard Target---Nice combo of Jean Claude Van Dame and John Woo.

a decent intro into Hollywood but tames infront of his HK work. was a platform to show off his stylistic touches along wit giving Van Damme a new image other than the kick-boxing

Broken Arrow---Awesome movie with a one of the best bad guys:John Travolta.Throughout the movie,I kept on vooing Travolta but he dies in the end.

again, John Woo tryin hard to fit into mainstream Hollywood action movie arena. with a very Hollywood plot n not too many action set-pieces, must've been a cakewalk for him.

Face/Off---The last proper action movie of the century.All those which came after this were not that hard core.

dude, it was mostly style again which saved this one. all his baddies have exceptional style/attitude

MI:2---This wanted to be too much like a bond movie.They should have done a proper spy movie like the first part but of course had a style of its own.

this one did have a few trademarks but to me was a tad disappointing for the exact reason u stated. Mission Impossible was waaay cool but thats another topic for another day.

Windtalkers---Didnt see this movie but heard this bombed badly.

coz it deserved to. lame movie. dun think battle-scenes would ever have that chilling effect after Saving Pvt. Ryan

Paycheck---Nice movie but Uma Thurman was badly cast.She didnt suit the role.

dun even start on that. dunno wtf UT was doin in this one. Ben Affleck SUX!

I consider Face/Off and The Killer to be the best.The remaining were good but these were superb.

dun compare his Hollywood work with his HK films. they were mindblowing. also, the level of violence, however stylistic, cannot be stomached by our Hollywood chums

John Woo and Chow Yun Fat are like Arnold and Cameron.Awesome combination.He's finallymaking another movie with Chow Yun Fat called Land of Destiny,I heard its more like a drama movie than an action.

that was something everyone was wishing for! Chow Yun Fat was also gettin wasted in stupid movies. go back to HK n kick arse as they used to!

[azazel]

I'm only familar with 4 Woo films, Broken Arrow, Face Off, and MI one and two. only one i found memorable was Face Off, but even then it felt unoriginal, like i had read the idea a few times before in a book. Where would be a good place to start on his HK films?

for starters ma man, Mission Impossible wasnt made by John Woo; it was directed by Mr.Brian De Palma, another legend! Woo was the director of the sequel ofkorz. thats the problem i referred to earlier, his originality lay in his action set-pieces which come to the fore in the movies he made in HK. doesnt mean, they lack good acting or story-line. try n find, A Better Tomorrow, Hard Boiled, The Killer.. but, u will prolly notice that uve seen parts of 'em in other movies coz they're usually borrowed liberally

[CtrlAltDel]

Hard Boiled n A Better Tomorrow

these two wer e my intro to Woo...i remember going to Sai Kishore cinema to catch Hard Boiled, full of doubts whether its another meaningless HK actioner...and i came out really impressed!

Hard Target---Nice combo of Jean Claude Van Dame and John Woo.

was a platform to show off his stylistic touches along wit giving Van Damme a new image other than the kick-boxing

thats the first Van Damme movie after Blood Sport that i liked...else i always avoided his movies.

Broken Arrow---Awesome movie with a one of the best bad guys:John Travolta.

with a very Hollywood plot n not too many action set-pieces, must've been a cakewalk for him.

i miss my VCD of this movie....will kill the mofo who lost it...

Face/Off---The last proper action movie of the century.

dude, it was mostly style again which saved this one.

watever...this is one movie i can watch again n again without getting bored...

Mission Impossible was waaay cool

i dunno why but i never enjoyed MI part 1 too....

[azazel]

i dunno why but i never enjoyed MI part 1 too....

shall keep that in mind when i bring out Brian De Palma later.



for now, lets talk abt the stylistic touches. the violence/gun-fights are always mind-blowing. he always has a western-style stand-off, just has to be there. another important facet is the constant message to keep children away from the violence, there's always a kid arnd who's saved! the "Dove" of peace is ever-present, nevermind the ridiculous scene in Paycheck always questions religion/system/morals or the fallacy in each. n combined with Chow Yun Fat, its just mayhem unleashed.

[The Jackal]

for now, lets talk abt the stylistic touches. the violence/gun-fights are always mind-blowing. he always has a western-style stand-off, just has to be there. another important facet is the constant message to keep children away from the violence, there's always a kid arnd who's saved! the "Dove" of peace is ever-present, nevermind the ridiculous scene in Paycheck always questions religion/system/morals or the fallacy in each. n combined with Chow Yun Fat, its just mayhem unleashed.

The best things about Woo are his trademarks:

1.Mexican Standoff's.

2.Double Gun Shooting.

3.Doves.



I hated it when Farah Khan used the doves in MHN.You just cant rip off another director's trademarks.

[azazel]

The best things about Woo are his trademarks:
1.Mexican Standoff's.
2.Double Gun Shooting.
3.Doves.

u n i forgot the most noticeable aspect man, Slow-Mo! back when it was really cool

I hated it when Farah Khan used the doves in MHN.You just cant rip off another director's trademarks.

blasphemy man, every now n then new reasons pop up as to how good a thing it was for me to have not seen Main Hoon Na

[azazel]

The best things about Woo are his trademarks:
1.Mexican Standoff's.
2.Double Gun Shooting.
3.Doves.

u n i forgot the most noticeable aspect man, Slow-Mo! back when it was really cool

I hated it when Farah Khan used the doves in MHN.You just cant rip off another director's trademarks.

blasphemy man, every now n then new reasons pop up as to how good a thing it was for me to have not seen Main Hoon Na

[The Jackal]

IMO the main problem with MI:2 was that it included too much emotion which was completely out of place .The first movie didnt have this much emotion.And I just hate it when hollywood(read america) wants it own spy franchise.Bond series is one of a kind,everything just fits in it.

Off topic:IMO Spy Game,Russia With Love and Bourne Identity are the only proper spy movie without fancy stuff.

[azazel]

IMO the main problem with MI:2 was that it included too much emotion which was completely out of place .The first movie didnt have this much emotion.

it wasnt even a good movie like the first one

And I just hate it when hollywood(read america) wants it own spy franchise.Bond series is one of a kind,everything just fits in it.

Hollywood is America last time i checked ab unko jo samajh me aaya karne do, Bond franchise has lost its steam IMHO

Off topic:IMO Spy Game,Russia With Love and Bourne Identity are the only proper spy movie without fancy stuff.

what fancy stuff?

[Sharjeel]

Bond franchise has lost its steam IMHO

Long long ago, there was Sean Connery. The Bond series dies as he moves on.



Brosnan still acts like a tv artist.

[marko]

right, second director, David Fincher, not too many movies yet

but a distinctive style of his own. Great partnership with Brad Pitt

in Seven and Fight Club, got the best out of an ordinary actor.

The Game was entertaining and well directed. Looking forward

to great things in the future

[azazel]

Long long ago, there was Sean Connery. The Bond series dies as he moves on. Brosnan still acts like a tv artist.

nope, my man. if it didnt get better after Sean Connery's exit, it certainly didnt get worse! Roger Moore is more favoured than Connery by many ppl. he had his own distinctive style n brought a fresh flavour to the character. cant comment of Timothy Dalton n George Lazenby was just a one-movie deal. Pierce Brosnan, on the other hand, not only made for a charming Bond but also ignited interest in the franchise.

[marko]

Roger Moore is more favoured than Connery by many ppl.

can't think of a good Moore Bond movie, can think of a few good Connery ones. Moore definely brought something diferent to the role, but his style didnt really float my boat. Dalton was embarrasing (which at least Moore wasnt i suppose) and Brosnan's movies dont stand out from the mindless action movies of the nineties. agree with Sharjeel on the death of the Bond series

[azazel]

right, second director, David Fincher, not too many movies yet but a distinctive style of his own. Great partnership with Brad Pitt in Seven and Fight Club, got the best out of an ordinary actor.
The Game was entertaining and well directed. Looking forward
to great things in the future

right on Marko, done with Woo.. first change: David Fincher

the guy's 5 movies old i.e. relatively new but has many many fans coz of the movies he's made. Started off with the 3rd movie in the Alien series, which was a radical departure from the very Hollywoodish heroic-exploits Aliens, which is expected from James Cameron! Dun quite remember the movie, saw it looooooong ago but it was an OK deal.



His next movie ANNOUNCED his arrival among everyone who saw it, the brilliant Se7en from the extremely stylish credits sequence, to the story, the performances, the cinematography is just awesome, the last sequence which parallels the best ever in suspense/tension generation.. aaah.. shall watch it again soon..



then came The Game, another stylish thriller. never did like Michael Douglas much, but this one made me change my mind. Sean Penn being under-used was the only flaw. well-paced, well-acted, good movie.



First rule of Fight Club is: Do not talk about Fight Club!, those lines made movie history. an edgy thriller which had one of the best performances ive ever seen Ed Norton *takes a bow* brilliant movie, what more can be said?



Panic Room's his last movie, havent seen it yet but looks promising 'nuff. plus, Jodie Foster *drooooooool*

[marko]

right, second director, David Fincher, not too many movies yet but a distinctive style of his own. Great partnership with Brad Pitt in Seven and Fight Club, got the best out of an ordinary actor.
The Game was entertaining and well directed. Looking forward
to great things in the future

right on Marko, done with Woo.. first change: David Fincher
the guy's 5 movies old i.e. relatively new but has many many fans coz of the movies he's made. Started off with the 3rd movie in the Alien series, which was a radical departure from the very Hollywoodish heroic-exploits Aliens, which is expected from James Cameron! Dun quite remember the movie, saw it looooooong ago but it was an OK deal.

His next movie ANNOUNCED his arrival among everyone who saw it, the brilliant Se7en from the extremely stylish credits sequence, to the story, the performances, the cinematography is just awesome, the last sequence which parallels the best ever in suspense/tension generation.. aaah.. shall watch it again soon..

then came The Game, another stylish thriller. never did like Michael Douglas much, but this one made me change my mind. Sean Penn being under-used was the only flaw. well-paced, well-acted, good movie.

First rule of Fight Club is: Do not talk about Fight Club!, those lines made movie history. an edgy thriller which had one of the best performances ive ever seen Ed Norton *takes a bow* brilliant movie, what more can be said?

Panic Room's his last movie, havent seen it yet but looks promising 'nuff. plus, Jodie Foster *drooooooool*

nicely said, i forgot about Alien 3, i remember him saying at the time that there was too much interferance by the producers, a lot of the original ideas for the movie had to be changed.

[The Jackal]

Didnt see Aliens 3.How was it?I saw the first two parts.Fight Club and Se7en were simple superb.Anyone here seen The Game,how is the movie?

[marko]

Anyone here seen The Game,how is the movie?

the Game is twisty and interesting. some flaws, but overall really entertaining. not quite on the same level as Seven or Fight Club though.

I saw Alien 3 years ago, and I don't remember liking it all that much, i was a bit young to appreciate suspence maybe (found it a bit boring compared to the other two)

[marko]

that should be "i saw Alien3 a long time ago", rather than i saw Alien 3 years ago. you know what i mean

[The Jackal]

I saw Alien 3 years ago, and I don't remember liking it all that much, i was a bit young to appreciate suspence maybe (found it a bit boring compared to the other two)

Well Alien 3 was at time was directed my a completely new director.I mean Alien and Aliens were directed by some of the best Science Fiction directors,Ridley Scott(Blade Runner) and James Cameron(Terminator and Abyss).

[CtrlAltDel]

i have seen Alien3..its good but not as good as the first two...only the CGI is pretty advanced. there was a third sequel: Alien Resurrection or something like that...anybody seen it?



(warning: there is a blasphemous B-movie being screened here these days: Alien v/s Predator.....do not see it if u r a fan of the Alien series or Predator...)



Se7en was just great and so was Fight Club (btw, there is a hindi 'Fight Club' being made and i think it stars Sohail 'Stone Face' Khan. i pray its not a remake....aaarrgghhhhhh....)



Az, Panic Room was on HBO last month....wait for the inevitable reruns...its a neat movie....



btw, is Fincher the one who directed 'Perfect Murder'...? (too lazy to look up IMDB....)

[THe Jackal]

btw, is Fincher the one who directed 'Perfect Murder'...? (too lazy to look up IMDB....)

No,thats Andrew Davis.

[azazel]

can't think of a good Moore Bond movie, can think of a few good Connery ones. Moore definely brought something diferent to the role, but his style didnt really float my boat.

u must be amongst the hardcore Connery fans then, Roger Moore had his own style n the franchise kept growing with him in the role.

Brosnan's movies dont stand out from the mindless action movies of the nineties.

i started my tryst with Bond with Brosnan features, so he'll always be a name easier to identify with the character. His first coupla movies as Bond were good, it started to get a bit on the downside with The World Is Not Enough n hit rock-bottom with Die Another Day. i think they should have some sort of radical overhaul of the series lest it should meet a disastrous end.