Reign of Assassins (2010)

Directors: Su Chao-pin, John Woo

Notable Cast: Michelle Yeoh, Jung Woo-sung, Wang Xueqi, Barbie Hsu, Shawn Yue, Kelly Lin, Guo Xiaodong, Jiang Yiyan, Paw Hee-ching, Pace Wu, Leon Dai

It took them over half of a decade, but finally Reign of Assassins hits the US in home video release. Fortunately, for those martial arts movie fans like myself who held out on importing it, the film was worth the wait. Co-directed by the iconic John Woo and starring the talented Michelle Yeoh, Reign of Assassins is a modern wuxia that blends the classic elements of the style with the modern splash that impresses beyond the normal sense of outrageous epic tones that come with the genre. It’s effective in its heart, stylish in its action, and ultimately a fun and thrilling ride that fans will be wanting to experience. Yes, Reign of Assassins was worth the time spent waiting for it.

Hard Boiled (1992)

Director: John Woo
Notable Cast: Chow Yun Fat, Tony Leung, Anthony Wong, Philip Kwok, Teresa Mo, Philip Chan, John Woo

A combination of director John Woo, a stunning cast, bullets, a crime story with triads and undercover cops, and a hospital siege obviously is a concoction of pure awesomeness. Oh, in all reality, Hard Boiled is pretty over the top and occasionally cheesy, but I'll be damned if it isn't a spectacular ride whose adrenaline shots and pure anarchic final act well make up for its faults. This is John Woo at some of his most balanced, igniting the screen with the film's iconic action sequences and giving it an emotive back story that embraces its over the top aspects as gold rather than a burden to overcome.