Not two films that you would normally put together in a review but I have decided to write something – even if only a paragraph – about each film I watch.
Hard Boiled (1992) was “fun” – all the John Woo balletic stuff, which looks dated because it has been so ripped off and riffed on. The “infernal affairs” aspect was kinda okay, the love story perfunctory and the “who’s left holding the baby” stuff funny. Not sure I’d watch it again, but hey, that’s not the only criterion of a good film. [watched 1 October]
The Killing of a Chinese Bookie was altogether a darker affair, albeit with a lower body count. We saw the 1978 re-edit – the 1976 original is available, far longer and baggier and not the favourite of the star, Ben Gazzara, who was absolutely compelling, plausible and even sympathetic as the gambling-addicted nightclub owner who gets in too deep and is given a terrible choice. Cinematography and performances out of this world (even though there was a distinct Rockford Files vibe at one point – that’s no bad thing). One that I think will haunt me… What happens after that final scene? A reckoning? No reckoning? More Cassavetes, I think… [watched 3 October]
marchudson.net 
Love hard boiled and I ll have to watch the other one. Another good Chow Yun Fat/John Woo film is the killer. Woo didnt make any better films after hard boiled.
Indeed – saw the Killer when it came out (that’s a while back!) and wil watch again. Agreed on Woo- Face/Off was diabolical…