Oscars

Leon was it's (original) European name. The Professional was the name it was released under in the USA (imagine your own theories for why). I believe it is now becoming known as "Leon: The Professional" generally. It's one of my favourites, too.

I wondered whether Kiss of the Dragon had been nominated, but I don't suppose it should win any. Out of the films I saw last year, it was definitely one of the most entertaining, but I don't think the Oscars have much to do with entertainment. Plus, KotD did borrow heavily from Leon.

The Jet Li film you're thinking of, Milo, is probably Twin Warriors. I watched it a while back. The Kung Fu was good, but I can never stay interested in the plots - they seem too drawn out. Like that Crouching Foo Fighter hidded Wagon one. I liked it, but the plot didn't hold my interest as much as I'd have hoped from all the hype.

I hope Spy Games at least gets a nomination, at least. Now, that had a plot that kept me paying attention.

 

You see, the deal with The Proffesional is: It's Jean-Paul Belmondo movie, shot in France, in French... Maybe they didn't wanna have the same name?.. Even though it was shot in NYC, Jean Reno and Luc Besson are French...right?

 

That's the one I was thinking of, Fatman. Twin Warriors. That's the one where Jet Li and his friend (brother?) got kicked out of the Shaolin monastary, and Jet Li became a good guy and his bro became the bad guy, right? I liked this one. Another good one is Fist of Legend.

Don't you dare mock this movie. It plays like an old Wushu novel; In fact it's based one. The cinematography (the films strongest point, IMO) was absolutely beautiful. The special effects where great, despite being fantastical. The fight scenes where nicely choreographed, and meshed very well with the soundtrack. And of course, Zhang Ziyi = boner, even when she's dressed as a young Chinese boy. No comment on what that last statement says about me.

Still, I think that "Amores Perros" should've won Best Foreign Film that year.

 

Yeah that's the one. Her name is Matilda Amidalah. Since you brought it up, what was the different ending? Did Leon live? Did the plant die?

And since we're talking about the movie, is there any difference (story wise) between "Leon" and "The Professional"? Is The Professional a remake or what?

 

I agree with all that, and those things made the film quite watchable for me, but it was a long film. Long films need a plot that keeps you interested. I just found the whole tortured romance aspect had lost its impact for me about half-way through and nothing took its place. I did have a brief resurgence of interest towards the end, when they had their Monkey-style show down with the bad guys.

Twin Warriors suffered from the same thing, I reckon. Maybe I have been spoiled by Hollywood (let's face it, we all have in one way or another), or maybe there are Chinese cutural elements at work that I am missing, but the plot was too one-track. The guys get booted out of the Monestary (at which point I'm still rivetted), then the rest of the movie is an extended fight between the two of them. Every scene is "just another clash between the twin warriors," with a few exceptions where the inevitable romance is developed in a standard "boy meets girl, boy likes girl's Kung Fu style" kind of way.

BTW, they weren't brothers. They met at the monestary, where the "evil" one quickly demonstrates his weak nature by making the "good one" do his chores for him.

I'm not syaing I didn't like these films, but I possibly need to understand them better to fully appreciate them.

Well, it probably says more about you that what you really wanted to say was "... especially when she's dressed as a young Chinese boy ..."

 

Kung Fu movies are pretty cool, but we don't get many over here...you really have to know what you're looking for to find them at video stores...

 

Okay, since I have no idea what's going on in most of this thread, which movie should I see?

 

After reading DarkUnderlord's post, I'd say get "Leon" if you can find it. Thanks for the link, btw. Interesting reading, DU.

Other than Matilda actually having sex with Leon (WTF?!), the European release sounds better than the US one. I wonder why they changed it?

 

Amores Perros blew, too Mexican.

 

Too Mexican? What's "too Mexican" about a Mexican movie filmed in Mexico about Mexicans in Mexico?

I liked it, personally. I thought the 1st and the 3rd stories where the best. The second one could've been cut way down.

 

No, that would be like the early Squint Eastwood flicks (although they were shot in Spain).

 

Yeah, I mean it'd be shocking if a Mexican film was made with all Mexican equipment and staff...What about the obligitary big-name American in the lead role with a bad accent and an even worse tan, pretending to be someone at the opposite end of the racial spectrum?

 

Weren't those done in Italy? I thought that was why they were called "Spaghetti Westerns".

I think Amores Perros was made with all Mexican equipment and staff. It was totally produced in Mexico. For Mexicans By Mexicans. I think it was done for only a few million dollars, too.

Another good all mexican film is El Mariachi. They went all Hollywood with the sequal and tossed Antonio Banderas into the starring role. My buddy who actually is Mexican had a good laugh at Antonio Banderas Spanish accent.

 

I think the Spagetti Westerns were so-called because the were made by Italians, rather than in Italy or with the use of any Itlaian food.

 

The Lord of the Rings is the best book in the world. My oppinion, and my oppinion is allways the truth. The movie was not that good though.

 

Hah I knew that would get a response. By "too Mexican" I mean you take felini and remove what cohearent plot elements there are and viola you have a mexican movie. Think Santo Sangre. Also El Mariachi was not mexican it was made by robert rodreguez. it was filmed in mexico.