I was watching the DVD for Hitman the other day, and it has a load of trailers on it. Strangest thing was the style of the trailers for the films though. They all went with the Hollywood deep-voiced narrative, and playing up the dramatic elements of the film. As we all know, most Hong Kong movies are melodramatic (one of the reasons we love them so!), rather than Oscar-worthy acting.

What really got me was two films, Zu: Legend of the Mountain, and Prodigal Son. From what I remember of watching both of these films was that I pissed myself laughing through most of both of them, Sammo Hung was hilarious in Zu, and the camp voiceover for Yuen Biao's teacher was rib-achingly funny. Yet from the trailers you'd think these were both serious, straight down the wire dramatic pieces. Am I crazy, or is that just off.

Same was done with Scorpion King, which I haven't seen, but reviews put it as a comedy. It has some pretty amazing bootwork in it, just from the trailers.

So back on topic, does anyone recommend any movies in particular as source material for Feng Shui, HK or otherwise, that hasn't been mentioned anywhere else?

I for one go for a couple of Mark Dacascos films (he was the villain in Cradle 2 the Grave who out-acted both Jet Li and DMX, and was wasted in that film):

Drive (he plays a blatant ex-Special Forces type with Fu powers explained by top secret science - a biological "turbodrive" engine in his chest). Fight scenes in this film are top-drawer, and little obvious wire-work.

Crying Freeman (I'm sure people know of the comic and anime of the same name, here we see a Killer go rogue because of a woman). Not so much on the hand-to-hand (though an amazing sword sequence at the end), but lots of dramatic tension and gunplay.

Both are HK-influenced, even if not genuinely from HK.

Ideas?
Kiero

course, it begs the question.... are you just looking for dacascos films?....if thats the case, then you arent in too much luck...lol

something for feng shui... hmmmm.... anime is always a good source. go watch "Hellsing", or any of the vampire hunter D movies (i have blood lust)

just about any movie could be inpirational to FS, ya just have to know where to look

We are talking about the same Scorpion King, right? "Jie zi zhan shi" starring Kar Lok Chin, Chai-Liang Lu and Jung Yuen? The trailer showed some amazing acrobatics and kicking.

Kiero

I think the remake of "Thirteen Ghosts" is an *excellent* idea for a group that includes such characters as Monster Hunters, Dabblers, Private Investigators or Journalists, even the Two-Fisted Archaeologist. The movie itself had a Scrappy Kid and Everyman Hero in it, too. (Man, if your group has a Ghost, they may even be one of the spirits being pursued for the house!)

I plan on using "Jurassic Park" as an adventure idea: PCs are flying over the ocean, scouting a rumored uncharted island feng shui site. Lo and behold, on the island are the remains of a contemporary juncture secret Architect lab complex. Unbeknownst to the PCs, the Buro had been experimenting with genetically-altered dinosaur life forms to augment those Abominations...

'Tales from the Crypt' movies offer great sorcerous plot ideas: "Demon Knight" traps the PCs in a hotel in the desert as a demon and his zombie minions lay seige to it in an attempt to get an artifact one of the guests possesses. In game terms, this artifact could be an item that enhances Magic or Sorcery schticks, and the demon is a mercenary for the Lotus. (For confusion, the PCs may be left to think that the demon is trying to take control of the hotel as a feng shui site, when really the hotel is useless.)
"Bordello of Blood" pits the PCs against a lair of vampires (or other supernaturals) disguised as a funeral home.

"Gone in 60 Seconds". (Yes, as a Feng Shui session!) This works well for Thieves, Drifters, Gamblers, Smugglers, and naturally, Velocity Addicts. The PCs need to steal 'X' number of valuable cars to pay a debt to someone or because they're being blackmailed. These cars are secured in well-guarded areas, of course, and need to be delivered IN PERFECT CONDITION. The vehicle chase rules in Golden Comeback would be used extensively, I would expect.

And may I put in a plug for one of personal favorites, the "Evil Dead" series. [There is -NO- Everyman Hero in existence who doesn't owe a tip of the hat to Bruce Campbell's character, Ash.] In this scenario, again the PCs are investigating a feng shui site, only this one is haunted by evil and powerful forces. (Perhaps it's been intentionally defiled by the Lotus to trap the PCs...) The characters can't escape the site unless they defeat the entities there, which may include ghosts, zombies, demons... and the possessed bodies of their own companions!

While these movies aren't martial arts flicks or even necessarily all "action" films, their plots make perfect fodder for game adventures.

Never seen Thirteen Ghosts, maybe I should if it's a pulpish tale. I'm the only person I know who enjoyed the Phantom starring Billy Zane. And Catherine Zeta-Jones too!

Kiero

"13 Ghosts" isn't really pulp, I guess (because the remake is modern and high-tech looking), but it could definitely be given a pulp flavor. And I love the Indiana Jones series, which was based on pulp action. I also liked the Phantom, plus I enjoyed The Shadow and Firewalker, which all had pulp elements. One of my favorite TV shows from ages ago was "Tales of the Gold Monkey", which would also make for great campaign ideas, in the flavor of Indy Jones.

As far as futuristic sources, for those Feng Shui sessions taking place in the Buro's future juncture, check out "The Fifth Element". Much action, lots of humor... not much Fu, but there's magic involved to a limited extent.