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Hong Kong/Cantonese flicks to share with Anglo BF

Hi all. I'm looking for fun, easy ways to shore up what remains of my Cantonese (born, raised in Canada; all colloquial), and I decided that movies may be a good way. My boyfriend and I like to watch movies together, so this could be educational and entertaining for all.

I grew up watching a lot of 90s comedy and action HK classics. The issue is that I remember only so many movies, and in many cases, don't know the English name to search by (either a newly coined title or the Cantonese name spelled out phoentically). I am also not very familiar with the latest in HK cinema (pretty much from the late 90s onwards).

There's also the issue of quality. I was not the most sophisticated viewer as a kid, and some of the movies I've rewatched on my own were terrrrrrrrible.

So I'm asking for:

- Comedies! We know he will probably not get all the humour, especially the word play stuff. That's OK.
- Action classics! Given.
- Police/triad dramas! So HK.
- Period dramas?
- Movies with particularly good subtitles, or relatively accessible culture
- I personally love a few actors, like Tony Leung (both) and Andy Lau. It's helped that the Leungs both have Western successes.

Some successes:

Infernal Affairs. Operation Condor. And ... well, I haven't gotten very far.

I'm picking out some Stephen Chow classics (some of the God of Gamblers series). I'm considering one or two Jet Li ones (Once Upon a Time in China, and maybe The Defender/Bodyguard from Beijing?). Also, of course, Chow Yun Fat classics.

Not sure Wong Kar Wai is necessarily something we want to watch together yet.

Asking for title information so I can find them (IMDB entries would be massively appreciated but not expected!).

Does anyone have recommendations? Other Anglophones who enjoyed HK classics, other couples who did the same thing, anyone who likes HK movies in general?

Thank you.

Gloria asked in Film 10 months ago | Report

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4 Answers

  • Dscn0421_small
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    This is not a specific recommendation (sorry!), but (if you're in Seattle-not sure) you should hit up Scarecrow and ask the employees. They've got wonderfully curated sections and the employees tend to be pretty knowledgeable (even when you're like "The main character is a kid with funny hair...it was made in the eighties....I think...").

    Sphinx answered in Film 10 months ago | Report
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  • N510833790_3563_small
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    I'd definitely watch both Kung Fu Hustle and Shaolin Soccer.

    If you like ridiculous comedies and Andy Lau, Love on a Diet is actually kind of funny. I also like Fulltime Killer and Needing You.

    Hard Boiled is definitely worth watching if you haven't seen it.

    Even though it's in Mandarin, I'd watch Hero if you haven't seen it.

    Andrew Beck answered in Film 10 months ago | Report
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  • Hey_girl_hey_small
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    I love the old John Woo flicks. My personal favs are "The Killer and "Hard Boiled."

    Dan Williams answered in Film 10 months ago | Report
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  • 50105_685919373_4514453_n_small
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    I loved New Police Story aka Crime story http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Police_Story

    Kevin Hope answered in Film 10 months ago | Report
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