Tag: Jingle Ma

RUMBLE IN THE BRONX (1995)

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Directed By: Stanley Tong

Written By: Edward Tang and Fibe Ma

Cinematography: Jingle Ma

Editor: Peter Cheung 

Cast: Jackie Chan, Anita Mui, Francoise Yip, Bill Tung, Marc Akerstream, Garvin Cross, Morgan Lam, Alien Sit

A young man visiting and helping his uncle in New York City finds himself forced to fight a street gang and the mob with his martial arts skills.

This is the first movie I saw Jackie Chan starring in. Though I remember him in the CANNONBALL RUN movies. This was another temp for him to break in Hollywood after the previous film mentioned, and THE PROTECTOR with Danny Aiello.

Only this time he had more momentum as Quentin Tarantino had hyped him up and his films after a lifetime achievement award at the MTV awards when they were at the height of cool. Showing clips of all his films and detailing his injuries from doing all his acrobatic stunts.

Had a younger generation mesmerized and salivating over his work. Having him be a well-known foreign secret this was the first released film after.

The trailer showcased more action scenes than the stunts and didn’t include any of the more comedic elements.

The film is pretty run-of-the-mill only here. Most of his enemies are Caucasian.  The film does show him struggling with the English dialogue so still eternally a nice guy and helping out a kid and his older sister, who had first set him up, and provides the film with some eye candy, but not a romantic one.

This has  what is typical in his film’s build-up of him being impressive and early scenes, yet being defeated, then the finale and over-the-top action fighting extravaganza, where he is like Hulk Hogan in his prime beaten now feels no pain in his nonstop as now he is truly angry and fed up

The film feels more like something from the 1980s and Chan is a little too old to be quite believable as the character and his circumstances.

Luckily, this is less comedic and family-friendly than his films would eventually become in America, so this film does retain some edge.

Though the pharmacy supposed to take place in the Bronx is obviously filmed in Canada and is not as exciting as the title.

Grade: C+

THE GOD OF COOKERY (1996)

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Directed By: Stephen Chow and Lik-Chi Lee
Written By: Stephen Chow, Man Sang Lo and Kan-Cheung Tsang
Cinematography: Jingle Ma
Editor: Ka-Fai Cheung

Cast: Stephen Chow, Karen Mok, Vincent Kok, Man-Tat Ng, Tats Lau, Chi-Shing Chan, Jung Chen

The God of Cookery, a brilliant chef who sits in judgment of those who would challenge his title, loses his title when a jealous chef reveals him to be a con-man and humiliates him publicly. As this new chef takes on the God of Cookery’s role, the former God tries to pull himself back on top again, to challenge his rival and find once and for all who is the true God of Cookery.

This is a riches-to-rags story of trying to make a comeback. Where the main character actually Manages to learn something on his way trying to make a comeback.

Where he falls in with an ensemble of oddballs and low lives. Where an asshole stays an asshole but learns some depth and integrity.

Having only seen a few of Writer/Director/Star Stephen Chow’s later more popular movies such as KUNG FU HUSTLE and SHAOLIN SOCCER. Watching this movie isn’t too far off from his later material. Though here a little less polished, the same kind of humor is more broad and slapstick without the heavy reliance on CGI & special effects as much.

His films still come across as more cartoonish. Due to them seeing more like live-action cartoon animated films. Though in all of the films I have watched, the earlier films are more cynical. While his later films are more positive and open. Though this film doesn’t feel as much of a fantasy.

This film Is more of a physical comedy and seems to love to showcase the grotesque.

Though for all the comic violence, blood seems to underline that there are at least some consequences of it.

Though the film is more made for adults. The film like most of his again has a childlike look at the world making even the most dangerous things seem fun. The humor remains juvenile yet usually funny. He still manages to bring some martial arts into it 

The film flows well tighter than her harmoniously. As it comes across at times as a like note to food. Not necessarily a love note though. That showcases the evil of corruption At every turn of business.

The film has a bizarre third act which is strange even for this film. 

Again Stephen Chow is starring, writing, and directing putting himself center stage but happily not failing and managing to impress. He even uses his actual name for the character. 

GRADE: B-