Tag: Michael Chow

HAMMETT (1982)

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Directed By: Wim Wenders

Written By: Ross Thomas, Dennis O’Flaherty and Thomas Pope 

Cinematography: Joseph Biroc

Editor: Janice Hampton, Marc Laub, Robert Q. Lovett and Randy Roberts 

Cast: Frederic Forrest, Peter Boyle, Marilu Henner,  Richard Bradford, Roy Kinnear, Elisha Cook, Lydia Lei, Michael Chow, R.G. Armstrong, Sylvia Sidney, Jack Nance, Samuel Fuller, David Patrick Kelly 

Fictional account of real-life mystery writer Dashiell Hammett, and his involvement in the investigation of a beautiful Chinese cabaret actress’ mysterious disappearance in San Francisco.

This is a strange film that unfortunately commit the worst crime of all it feels a bit bland and basic by the end 

It feels like the film is trying for a recreation as it takes place on sites that you can tell are sets.  which only adds to the artificiality of it all, which is deliberate but also as we are being placed in a story, and the main character is a writer of such stories living them out we can never quite tell what is true and what is being made up. A world of stylization and an homage to studio bound detective thrillers. As well as being in a world of imagination. 

This is a production that could’ve been filled with more imagination and inspiration as it just seems to go along. Another touch might have been if it had been filmed in black and white to make it feel more of the period that it takes place in and timeless.

Though Wenders is listed as the official director of the film, the film doesn’t seem to fit his style as his films are filmed the more creatively the film is rumored to have been shot by Francis Ford Coppola who produced the film under his American zoetrope studio afterward to be more conventional. 

So that the behind the scene story itself or rumors about this film are more fascinating than the final project unfortunately

The film isn’t a biopic of famed writer, Dash Hammett but the story of a writer caught up in one of his own detective story plots as he works as a private eye on the side and seems to get inspiration from his cases.

The film is enjoyable, offering Frederick Forest, the rare leading role and he does well with it as well as Marilu Henner as his name she should’ve gotten more films as she had the looks in the talent to go further in her career as she is one of the other bright spots in this well-stocked movie 

The film ultimately is a success as long as you’re not looking for more than your typical detective starring murder mystery that stays more small scale but includes all the cliché so much so that it just feels like a typical 1940s detective story only made in the early 80s, supporting cast so many classic All-Star character actors

Grade: C 

LETHAL WEAPON 4 (1998)

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Directed By: Richard Donner

Written By: Channing Gibson 

Story By: Jonathan Lemkin, Alfred Gough, and Miles Millar 

Based On Characters Created By: Shane Black

Cinematography: Andrzej Bartkowiak

Editor: Dallas Puett, Kevin Stitt, Eric Strand and Frank J. Urioste 

Cast: Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Jet Li, Rene Russo, Joe Pesci, Chris Rock, Kim Chan, Steve Kahan, Darlene Love, Traci Wolfe, Eddy Ko, Jack Kehler, Richard Riehle, Michael Chow, Roger Yuan, Mary Ellen Trainor 

With personal crises and age weighing in on them, LAPD officers Riggs and Murtaugh must contend with deadly Chinese triads that are trying to free their former leaders from prison and onto American soil.

This is the only lethal weapon movie so far that I have seen on the big screen. 

While satisfyingly, it closes out the franchise with a message of familiarity. This is definitely the most formulaic and cartoonish of the series. it feels like they are just adding things to make it relevant the formula, familiar and add some flavor so that the film comes fresh

The film also represents the aging of the characters as it shows Mel Gibson‘s character Riggs to have more weaknesses, and not be as sharp and invincible as he used to be . As well as becoming a new father and having a wife, which would actually give him more weaknesses than he is used to. In fact they are so much older that half the time they have to use laser pointers to aim their guns in a target.

Chris Rock seems out of place and thrown in here as he was a hot ticket at the time and added to help with the office and put butts in seats and give it some more flair with a side story is hard to believe and just adds to a sitcom sense of discovery And off-color humor. As he is barely in any of the scenes where action takes place.

Which kind of force is Joe Pesci’s character of Leo gets out of the picture as the main comedic relief though he is still here, and in the end is a dramatic moment, though he does actually have the best chemistry with Chris Rock throughout the film

Again, like the last film, this plays more comedic than dangerous or even action oriented as again this is more of a comedy with action in it. It seems like the first half of the series was more action with comedy. This half is more comedic with action sequences. 

The one addition that does make this film, memorable and come alive is Jet Li, as he is exciting as a villain, but other than his action scenes, he is left with nothing to do, though, is a good distraction, and a perfect adversary for Mel Gibson’s character (which with his gruff and viciousness in the past. You can see why fans at the time wanted him to play Wolverine if they ever made an x-men movie) and he actually wins most of the time in the fights on screen, as he truly comes across as invincible, almost like a machine with the speed of his moves Where you do wonder, how are they going to defeat this guy and with him.

I hate to say it, but he is really one of the only reasons to watch this film to see him in action. As this serves Moore as his introduction to Hollywood and a great showcase for him to star in action films, though this film managed to capture him unlike his other American or Hollywood films where he just seems so amazing vicious the only one that comes close that I can think of is unleashed, which also goes by the title Danny the dog

The comedy is just too broad and damn near almost takes over. Just as this film is definitely far from how dangerous Riggs his character was he was unpredictable and crazy. Now he’s still a little crazy yet more careful, and is showing his age. Though still manages to have a memorable chase sequence on the highway.

Just like the previous films, this film has at least one memorable action sequence, and a separate character scene that endears it and makes it can.

Though this film will certainly have a nostalgia and sentimental factor for those who are fans of the franchise and characters. As this Is their last hurrah together. Especially with the passing of directior Richard Donner. 

Grace: C