Alexander: let's do it
Mighty Peking Man: You start
Alexander: bastard
Mighty Peking Man: son of a!
Alexander: get started, man
Mighty Peking Man: alright. Let's see.... Chungking Express. I must of watched it 50 times or more.
Alexander: 50 times? Hell, I haven't seen Star Wars that many times.
Mighty Peking Man: I'm sorry?
Alexander: 50 times...that's a whole lot of times to watch a film.
Mighty Peking Man: Yeah. True. Well, actually - I think I watched the film that many times in bits and pieces. I seem to pop it in when I'm feeling a little low. Like that guy says in the film, it's nice to have someone share your sorrow.
Alexander: You've got the lines memorized? I'm impressed. But what's the appeal though? I love it, but I can't quite put my finger on it.
Mighty Peking Man: Whoever said I had the lines memorized?? What's the appeal of the movie? Well, the characters are real. They seem real in real situations and you can feel what they're going through.
Alexander: I assume you're talking more of the Takeshi Kaneshiro character...and not Brigitte Lin.
Mighty Peking Man: Well, actually, yeah him and Tony Leung's character (my favorite half of the film).
Alexander: Is there a HK film that Tony Leung HASN'T been in?! I swear he's in every every HK film I've seen.
Mighty Peking Man: Really? He's fantastic man. I think he's Hong Kong's answer to...Mel Gibson as far as I'm concerned. Check him out in THE LONGEST NITE. But he ain't no Lau Ching Wan. That's fore sure.
Alexander: Haven't seen that one. He DOES have great presence on screen (ala Gibson), but certainly HK producers could find another actor to cast. It's would be kinda like seeing Gibson is Rush Hour 2, Tomb Raider, and Pearl Harbor.
Mighty Peking Man: Well, I disagree with what you said earlier about him being in a lot of Hong Kong films. He's in many but so is everyone else. What do you think of Faye Wong's role?
Alexander: She's the best part of the film. I love her character in the film. Faye Wong communicates so much nonverbally. The way her eyes dart offscreen at times is strangely alluring.
Mighty Peking Man: I agree. Not only that, but she's fucking attractive in her own way. She can break into my pad any day.
Alexander: But why the hell isn't SHE in more HK films? I know she's a huge pop star in HK, but this shoulda been her "breakout" role.
Mighty Peking Man: She did a film recently (1999?) and it bombed hardcore. Man, Faye is probably busy with her music career. Who know? She's got more potential than the dozen or so Hong Kong actresses right now.
Alexander: Agreed. But what do you think of Brgitte Lin? Perfect casting here and I love the contrast between her mysterious persona and Faye's.
Mighty Peking Man: Bridgitte was cool. But you get no background on her character. Other characters in the film are unexplained, but still, easy to tell what kinds of people they really are. Even that air stewardess - you know exactly what kind of a person she is. A bitch that likes bad boys.
Alexander: "A bitch that likes bad boys." Well said, MPM. I agree with you though. It's the one role that's seriously lacking in development. Might have liked the film better with more of Faye and Takeshi.
Mighty Peking Man: I can really relate to both of the leading men in Chungking Express. I don't know If I've ever talked to my clothing or ate 100 cans of pineapple but...you know what i mean. Us guys, we do stupid things for women. It's amazing.
Alexander: You've never eaten 100 cans of pineapple?! Shit, man, then you've never been in love! It's a rite of passage, bro!
Mighty Peking Man: Shit. You know, if it takes TWO people to fall in love, then maybe you're right. I've never been in love. When I get depressed, I take long showers. I also jog.
Alexander: Then you CAN relate to Takeshi's character at least. Jogging seems to be a fairly common release. Y'know what bothers me most about this movie?
Mighty Peking Man: what?
Alexander: Well, two things. "California Dreamin'" and the whole expired pineapple as metaphor shit.
Mighty Peking Man: The expired pineapple thing is kind of ridiculous - I agree. Calfifornia Dreamin'....I have to be honest, I hated that fucking song until I saw this movie. I don't about you, but I picture Faye Wong dancing everytime I hear it. And, that's a good thing. It's just too bad that Nic Tse (Gen X Cops) is using her as a sperm bank as we speak. Ruins the whole thing.
Mighty Peking Man: I don't know about you (error)
Alexander: Nic Tse and Faye Wong?! Argh! You've dashed my hopes, man! But seriously, that song does get anoying after awhile. KNow what it reminds ME of? Shannon Lee in "Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story". Honest.
Mighty Peking Man: It reminds you of that! LOL! Well, better that than Mama Cas (or whatever her name was). What did you think of that Stewerdess? Now - that's sexy man. I got a thing for them stewerdesses now. I'm fucking going to the Philippines just for the plane ride!
Alexander: Mama Cas?! LOL. I'm telling you, the hottest women I've ever seen -- swear to god -- were the stewardesses on Singapore Airlines. The girl in Chungking Express reminds me of them.
Mighty Peking Man: You know, I might just fill out an application for an airline company that specialized in the orient. I'm there. I wanna be the one to ask if they want chicken or beef if you catch my drift!
Alexander: You'd make a fine stewardess, er, steward MPM! But the moment you asked me if I wanted to dab my face with a warm washcloth I'd kick your ass, homo.
Mighty Peking Man: lol! Well, I'd be asking my fellow stewerdess's that. Not the passengers. Have you seen FALLEN ANGELS yet?
Alexander: Yeah, I saw it. Was VERY disappointed. And I bet you know which scene I remember most.
Mighty Peking Man: Yeah I do. If I can choose any props from that movie, it would definitly be her panties. You know, when I first saw FALLEN ANGELS was disappointed myself. The problem is, we are expecting another Chungking Express (as it was always marketed as a kind of "sequel") but it really isn't. I watched it for the 2nd time about a week ago, and now, I dig it.
Alexander: You dig it? Hm. I should check it out again as well. Was a bit too bleak. I did enjoy Takeshi though. The whole mute thing is really ridiculous, but Kaneshiro is funny as hell in what's really a tragic role.
Mighty Peking Man: Yeah, give it another shot with a more open mind. You'll like it more. As far as Wong Kar Wai's other works...never seen them. These are the only two films I've seen.
Alexander: Same here. Been dying to see IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE. HAPPY TOGETHER sounds interesting (starring who else? Tony Leung!). And speaking of Tony, I just realized he looks pretty damn hot in the tighty whities.
Mighty Peking Man: lol! You know...I don't know if I can sit through HAPPY TOGETHER. I'm sure you know what it's about. I've heard it's really good but....I really respect Tony as an actor man. I'm just afraid that film might ruin it. Now Leslie Cheung...I'd expect it from him. He's made it quite clean in public that he's like you Alex....Bi-sexual.
Alexander: What?! *looks at wife sitting on futon watching Chungking Express and PRAYING she doesn't ask to read this* LOL. Didn't know that about Leslie. That's the second thing you've ruined for me, asshole (Nick and Faye was the first).
Mighty Peking Man: Oh, so you're saying you wanna get with Tony?
Alexander: I've only got eyes for you, MPM. *wink wink*
Mighty Peking Man: Dude, I've got a camcorder! Let's make Happy Together Part II!
Alexander: Dude, you read my mind!
Mighty Peking Man: So what grade do you teach?
Alexander: Whoa. Nice transition there. LOL. I teach 9th grade Honors and 10th grade English.
Mighty Peking Man: Right on! Yeah man, had to change the subject. Hitting too close to home man. Are you caucasian?
Alexander: Yeah, I'm caucasion. Can you tell? LOL.
Mighty Peking Man: Yeah man. "Alex" is the whitest name a person can have. Dude! I just hope that woman in the forum never comes in here and reads our commentary. We're seriously fucked. She ain't never comin' back no more! Gays, girls masturbating, racist remarks....
Alexander: LOL. FYI: Alex Haley, author of ROOTS is Afican American. Question: When did you first become interested in HK cinema?
Mighty Peking Man: LOL! Okay...but that white Jeopardy guy is more memorible than him! I first became interested in Hong Kong cinema when I saw my first "Shaw Bros/Bruce Lee" film back in the day of Saturday Morning Kung-Fu Theatre. Slowly moved into other Martial Arts films such as Bruce Li, Jackie Chan, John Woo and now...everything. What about you? Where did you mess up your movie tastes?
Alexander: It's Alex TREBEK, MPM. Jesus. Anyway, I went to HK about ten years ago and fell in love with the city. I didn't become enamored w/HK cinema until I saw a double bill of RES. DOGS and Woo's KILLER. Love at first sight, man. And when I realized Tarantino had used CITY ON FIRE (?) as "inspiration" there was no turning back. Subscribed to Asian Trash Cinema and Film Threat and rented anything Blockbuster would carry.
Mighty Peking Man: Interesting. Film Threat? Aren't they out of business?
Alexander: I think so. Haven't read it in a while. Once Tarantino faded away, there wasn't much for them to write about, I guess.
Mighty Peking Man: LOL! No shit. Where the hell is Tarantino anyways? With every year going by, he's losing his appeal man.
Alexander: Well, after Pulp Fiction, he went into acting. Idiot. Hasn't done anything since. Good thing, that. I think with Lyman and Aronofsky and the other "indie" filmmakers on the scene, the industry passed him by.
Mighty Peking Man: You forgot about Jackie Brown.
Alexander: I DID. Thanks for reminding me. What a load of shit that was.
Mighty Peking Man: I agree. I think he was just trying to revive Pam Grier's career. That's all that was. It wasn't totally shit, but for a Tarantino movie....it sucks chunks.
Alexander: Dude, I was about to say same thing. Question: Why does the second half of CE neglect Takeshi's character? I love the interaction between Tony and Faye, but where the hell is Takeshi?!
Mighty Peking Man: Well, it also neglects the blonde also. Well, I think it's intentional. It's supposed to be a 2-story deal. Have you noticed how Faye, the stewardess and Tony briefly appear in the first half?
Alexander: Yeah, noticed that. A bit disppointing, although I thing WKW made up for this with a whole lot of Takeshi in FALLEN ANGELS.
Mighty Peking Man: True. What do you think of Mickey Rourke?
Alexander: Mickey Rourke had one good role: 91/2 Weeks. He was only good in this role because he intelligently spends most of the film fucking Kim Basinger.
Mighty Peking Man: LOL! Come on man. Mickey is the coolest actor in the world. You've probably never seen YEAR OF THE DRAGON or ANGEL HEART. Just make sure and don't watch anything after '92, because he's deformed and looks like he's on steroids (which he actually was...).
Alexander: Yeah, I saw ANGEL HEART, and again, he does a mighty fine job of fucking Lisa Bonet. I MUCH prefer Gary Oldman.
Mighty Peking Man: LOL!!!!! Gary Oldman is the man. How old are you alex?
Alexander: 46.
Mighty Peking Man: 46?
Alexander: LOL. j/k. 28. You?
Mighty Peking Man: Damn! I was gonna say! I'm 26.
Alexander: OKay, so I get to play the Mr. Miyagi character and you're Ralph Macchio.
Mighty Peking Man: Don't be dissin' Karate Kid Part II man! I'm waiting for that DVD!
Alexander: I'm not dissin' it! I think part 2 is the best! I had a HUGE crush on Tamlyn Tomita!
Mighty Peking Man: And she's the young jap right?
Alexander: Uh...yeah. The young JAPANESE. Jesus, man.
Mighty Peking Man: Well shit, I didn't memorize the bitch's name man! You're probably the only guy who knows her name!
Alexander: No FUCKING way! She was the best thing about KK2! There are LEGIONS of Tomita fans, man!
Mighty Peking Man: Really? well. I remember her face. Just don't know the name man. She is cute. Who's the hottest asian babe man?
Alexander: THE hottest?! Hm. Good question. You first.
Mighty Peking Man: Let's see. Here are my top five in no order: 1) ZZ (CTHD - never will be able to spell her name so I just use two Z's), 2) Jaymee Ong (her accent and her face...damn!), 3) Michelle Reiss 4) Fiona Braidwood 5) and some chick I saw at the mall the other day.
Alexander: LOL. Tie between Kelly Chan (sexy), Kobe Tai (duh), Sammi Cheng (cute), and yes, ZZ.
Mighty Peking Man: Shit! Forgot about them! Sammi Cheng...something about her! Kobe Tai?? She needs to eat more meat mean. She's skinnier than GOD!
Alexander: LOL! Could also include Faye Wong on that list, but she's far more cute than hot. Chingmy Yao as well. Damn, so THAT'S why I like HK films so much!
Mighty Peking Man: True true. But I think ZZ is at the top of my list as we speak. She's a doll. And she looks the best when pissed off. I'd love to piss her off. What about Mickey Rourke? What do you think happened to his face?
Alexander: Dude, what is up with this bizarre fixation with Mickey Rourke?! No idea what happened to his face. Damn, man.
Mighty Peking Man: Why don't we put it this way. If I had to fuck a guy, I mean, if my life depended on it, with a gun held to my head.....I'd Fuck Mickey Rourke.
Alexander: Whoa. You WERE serious about the HAPPY TOGETHER sequel thing. Let's just say I like him far less than you.
Mighty Peking Man: LOL! Maybe we should sum things up for Chingking Express man....
Alexander: If it were a choice between being shot in the head and fucking Mickey Rourke, I'd ask to pull the trigger myself.
Mighty Peking Man: LOL! Come on man! Nah dude! I just think he's cool, underrated, and is up there in the ranks with DeNiro, Pacino, Oldman, etc.
Alexander: I promise I will not let your comparison of Rourke to DeNiro affect my appreciation and love for you in any way. Even though you are absolutely fuckin' insane for comparing the two, I still respect you, man.
Mighty Peking Man: Alex, your problem, is you havn't seen a Mickey Rourke movie worth seeing! See Rourke pound on Lisa Bonet's ass doesn't count. YEAR OF THE DRAGON baby!
Alexander: Okay, okay. I'll add that one to my netflix queu ASAP.
Mighty Peking Man: No you won't. It's not on DVD man! I'm waiting. You might wanna add the CRYING GAME to your queu.
Alexander: He was in that one too?
Mighty Peking Man: LOL! haha I was joking. So you're saying Mickey is a bad actor?
Alexander: Holy shit. He's as wooden as that puppet in Toy Story, man.
Mighty Peking Man: Now you're pissing me off "Mr. I know who's in KARATE KID PART II other than Pat Morita and Ralph Macchio!"
Alexander: LOL. Sorry, man.
Mighty Peking Man: Damn....we're talking more about everythign else than Chungking Express! This is low budget! lol!
Alexander: You INSIST on talking about Rourke! Focus, dude, FOCUS!
Mighty Peking Man: Yes teacher! Uhhhhh okay. Wouldn't be cool if Rourke was in Chungking Express?
Alexander: NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rourke fucking Faye Wong?! The horror!
Mighty Peking Man: Actually, he's in Wong Kar Wai's BMW film dude!
Alexander: Again: The horror!
Mighty Peking Man: Ilovemickeyrourke.com
Alexander: LOL Last question: Favorite HK film?
Mighty Peking Man: Too hard. I'd have to say...as far as what had the most impact in the last year or so? I'd have to say A HERO NEVER DIES.
Alexander: Hm. We should do commentary on that one. I HATED that film. Would make a good for a good argument. My fave? Still a tie between Hardboiled and Killer with Needing You and Chungking Express close behind.
Mighty Peking Man: You're kidding about A HERO NEVER DIES I hope. Needing You was just cute. Sammi man......quality! Alright dude, you're really pissing me off. Bad mouthing Mickey. And now, A HERO NEVER DIES. Okay, closing thoughts on Chungking Express?
Alexander: Like I said in my review, CHUNGKING EXPRESS is a very fun, quirky film with absolutely captivating performances by Tony Leung, Takeshi Kaneshiro, and Faye Wong. Brings back fond memories and, depite its flaws, is truly a benchmark in HK cinema. Oh, and Faye Wong is super fucking hot.
Mighty Peking Man: Couldn't say it better myself man. It's missing only one thing.
Alexander: What's that?
Mighty Peking Man: Mickey Rourke.
Alexander: LOL Saw that coming a mile away.