James Hong

2008 
PG 
AddKung Fu Pandato QueueAddKung Fu Pandato top of Queue
A clumsy panda bear becomes an unlikely kung fu hero when a treacherous enemy spreads chaos throughout the countryside in this animated martial arts adventure featuring the voices of Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie, and Jackie Chan. On the surface, Po (voice of Black) may look like just another portly panda bear, but beneath his fur he bears the mark of the chosen one. By day, Po works faithfully in his family's noodle shop, but by night he dreams of becoming a true master of the martial arts. Now an ancient prophecy has come to pass, and Po realizes that he is the only one who can save his people from certain destruction. With time running short and malevolent snow leopard Tai Lung (Ian McShane ) closing in, Furious Five legends Tigress (Jolie), Crane (David Cross ), Mantis (Seth Rogen), Viper (Lucy Liu), Monkey (Chan), and their wise sensei, Master Shifu (Hoffman), all draw on their vast knowledge of fighting skills in order to transform a lumbering panda bear into a lethal fighting machine. Now, if the noble Po can master the martial arts and somehow transform his greatest weaknesses into his greatest strengths, he will fulfill his destiny as the hero who saved his people during their darkest hour. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

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Starring:
Jack BlackDustin Hoffman, (more)
2008 
PG13 
AddThe Day the Earth Stood Stillto Queue
Keanu Reeves tops this adaptation of the seminal 1951 sci-fi film The Day the Earth Stood Still with this 20th Century Fox production. Scott Derrickson (The Exorcism of Emily Rose) helms the story of an alien traveler, Klaatu (Reeves), who heads to Earth along with his bodyguard robot, Gort, to deliver a warning of planetary destruction if the people of the world fail to bring peace to their civilizations. Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, and Kathy Bates co-star in the David Scarpa-penned film. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, All Movie Guide

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Starring:
Keanu ReevesJennifer Connelly, (more)
2007 
 
AddShanghai Kissto QueueAddShanghai Kissto top of Queue
A struggling Los Angeles actor who has never fully grasped his Chinese roots takes an eye-opening journey to Shanghai after inheriting his grandmother's home in this romantic comedy starring X-Men: The Last Stand's Ken Leung and Heroes's cheerleader Hayden Panettiere. Liam (Leung) is an aspiring Hollywood star who spends the majority of time picking up bar girls with his best friend Joe -- a starving writer who has yet to pen a proper screenplay. While Liam does share an innocent relationship with precocious 16-year-old Adelaide (Panettiere), she often comes off as more mature than he and the age difference between the pair is far too glaring to ignore. Upon receiving notice that he has inherited his grandmother's home in Shanghai, Liam throws caution to the wind and purchases an airplane ticket. Shortly after landing in China, Liam becomes smitten with beautiful local Micky (Kelly Hu) and gradually learns to embrace his Eastern roots. But it's difficult to exist comfortably between two cultures -- much less two women -- and before long Liam finds that in connecting with the past, he is simultaneously laying the groundwork for his future. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

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Starring:
Hayden PanettiereKen Leung, (more)
2007 
 
AddChill Out, Scooby-Doo!to QueueAddChill Out, Scooby-Doo!to top of Queue
When Scooby, Shaggy and the rest of the gang head out to Himalayas in order to solve a frosty mystery, the surprise that awaits them at their snowbound destination may prove their biggest challenge to date. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

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Starring:
Frank WelkerCasey Kasem, (more)
2007 
PG13 
AddBalls of Furyto QueueAddBalls of Furyto top of Queue
A disgraced former ping pong champion is drawn back into the world of high-stakes table tennis to carry out a top-secret mission in the feature directorial debut of Reno 911! writer/director Ben Garant. Far removed from the rigidly regulated world of professional sports, clandestine ping pong tournaments offer thrilling competition where only the strong survive. There was a time when the mere mention of the name Randy Daytona (Dan Fogler) was enough to make even those most hardened ping pong player cower in fear, but these days Randy has fallen out of favor with ping-pong fans. The former champ soon receives a much-needed shot at redemption, however, when he is recruited by a determined FBI agent named Rodriguez (George Lopez) to win a coveted spot in the upcoming underground table tennis tournament and ferret out the nefarious Feng (Christopher Walken), whose thriving criminal empire has transformed him into a true menace to society. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

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Starring:
Dan FoglerChristopher Walken, (more)
2007 
 
Filmmaker Arthur Dong's documentary Hollywood Chinese pays homage to the first century of the American film industry, as specifically colored and influenced by the Chinese immigrants to whom Hollywood owes an inestimable debt. Dong touches on everyone from actress Anna May Wong, of Limehouse Blues (1934) and Lady from Chungking (1943), to the late cameraman James Wong Howe, responsible for giving the Rock Hudson thriller Seconds (1966) such a creepy and inventive look. Dong also explores the newer generation of Chinese-American filmmakers, including such giants as Wayne Wang and Ang Lee, responsible for such contemporary classics as The Joy Luck Club, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and Brokeback Mountain. At the same time, a haunting and telling undercurrent of racism and stereotypes weaves its way in, suggestive of the difficulties that Chinese men and women found working in Hollywood -- particularly in the early years. As a historical footnote, Dong also makes film history by rediscovering and editing in footage from what is alleged to be the first Asian-American film ever made: the 1916 Curse of Quon Gwan, directed by Marion Wong. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide

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Starring:
Turhan BeyJoan Chen, (more)
2007 
PG13 
AddAdventures of Johnny Taoto QueueAddAdventures of Johnny Taoto top of Queue
An ancient demon and his sugar-craving army of kung-fu warriors are set to take over the entire planet, leaving the only hope for mankind in the hands of a young boy and a beautiful Chinese warrior. The demons are coming, and in order to stop them young Johnny Dow must harness the hidden power of an elaborately carved dragon head on his father's guitar. Perhaps with the help of Mika - a pretty but fearsome female fighter, Johnny will be able to defeat the forces of darkness and prevent the world from crumbling to chaos. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

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Starring:
Matt TwiningMatt Mullins, (more)
2006 
 
AddTotally Awesometo QueueAddTotally Awesometo top of Queue
Chappelle's Show writer/producer/director Neal Brennan makes his feature directorial debut with this retro-minded comedy purported to have been produced in the 1980s but never released until 2006. As the Gunderson family sets out on a cross-country road trip to their new home, boyishly handsome Charlie (Mikey Day), blossoming dancer Lori (Dominique Swain), and highly intelligent Max (Trevor Heins) all have their own ideas of what life will be like in their new town. When Charlie is singled out as the least popular senior on the very first day of school, kindly outcast Billie (Nicki Clyne) amiably agrees to show him the ropes and provide him with an illuminating crash course in the clique system. Meanwhile, Lori is shocked to discover that dancing has been banned in her new town and the only place to cut loose is at the clandestine dance sessions held in the garage of current janitor and former dance instructor Gabriel (Chris Kattan). Immediately forbidden from attending the highly secretive shindigs, Lori stealthily sneaks out to be with the kindly Gabriel as her feelings for the dance instructor grow and the pair set into motion a clever plan to usher in a new era of dancing around town. When Charlie vows to win the heart of popular girl Kimberly (Brittany Daniel) by competing against her athletic boyfriend, Kipp (Joey Kern), in the upcoming school decathlon, lovelorn Billie quietly pines for the clueless newcomer from afar as he begins a rigorous training regiment with Japanese gardener Yamagashi (James Hong). As his family struggles to adjust to their new life, reclusive genius Max continues working on a highly advanced home computer that soon draws the attention of the CIA. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

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Starring:
Ben SteinMikey Day, (more)
2005 
 
A woman stuck in middle age may yet find love if her mother can stay out of the way in this comedy from first-time director Frank Lin. Yvonne (Sylvia Chang) is a divorcee who is about to turn fifty and feels as if life is passing her by. Yvonne works for a throw-away newspaper where ad sales is more important than content, and her life is dominated by her overbearing mother (Lan Yeung), and to a lesser extent her slacker son, Joshua (Randall Park). When Yvonne meets Jose (Esai Morales), a handsome dentist, while working on a piece for the paper, the two hit it off and begin dating. However, Jose is Hispanic, and Mother is horrified at the prospect of her daughter marrying a Mexican-American, and with Mother about to undergo major back surgery, her stranglehold over the family is stronger than ever. Can Yvonne choose between her own happiness and that of her mother? American Fusion also stars Pat Morita, Collin Chou and James Hong. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

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Starring:
Sylvia ChangEsai Morales, (more)
2004 
 
AddForbidden Warriorto QueueAddForbidden Warriorto top of Queue
Forbidden Warrior is structured loosely on a popular Asian myth. The story concerns Seki, an attractive woman who discovers that she can utilize an ancient book of spells in order to accomplish just about anything. She must master these spells before the book falls into the hands of those who mean to do some serious damage with it. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide

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Starring:
Marie MatikoKang Sung, (more)
2004 
 
AddSucker Free Cityto QueueAddSucker Free Cityto top of Queue
Acclaimed filmmaker Spike Lee makes the leap from the big screen to the small screen for this Showtime drama concerning the battle waged between black, white, an Asian gangs for control of the San Francisco streets. A modern-day melting pot that has become home to some of the vicious street-gangs in the country, San Francisco is a city teeming with racial tension. When each gang lays claim to the streets in a desperate bid to establish their turf, the simmering tensions soon boil to the surface in a violent eruption of murder and chaos. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

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Starring:
Ben CrowleyKen Leung, (more)
2004 
 
ER costar Ming-Na is cast as Li Mei Nu, an immigrant woman in search of her missing sister Jiao Wu. The authorities are also interested in catching up with Li Wu, who has apparently abandoned two of her daughters in a squalid apartment. As the SVU detectives pursue the case, it becomes clear that the missing woman was being persecuted by an alien-smuggling gang which uses its "customers" as sweatshop workers and sex slaves. Unfortunately, none of the gang's victims are willing to cooperate with the detectives--especially after Li Mei is savagely beaten on the orders of a corrupt customs attorney. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

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2003 
AddGhost Rockto QueueAddGhost Rockto top of Queue
A boy grows to manhood with revenge on his mind in this martial arts-influenced Western. When John Slaughter (Michael Worth) was a boy, his family was killed by a gang of bloodthirsty outlaws. Twenty years on, Slaughter has become a sure hand with a gun and has learned the mysteries of Asian martial arts. Slaughter tracks down one of the men who killed his parents but is unable to exact revenge upon them; however, he does discover that one of the outlaws. Jack Pickett (Gary Busey) is now the mayor of the town of Ghost Rock and is using his political power to rob his constituents for all their worth. Determined to seek a greater justice than mere personal revenge, Slaughter joins forces with a small band of do-gooders to end Pickett's stranglehold over the town once and for all. Ghost Rock also features supporting performances from Jeff Fahey, Adrienne Barbeau, and James Hong. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

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Starring:
Gary BuseyMichael Worth, (more)
2002 
 
AddThe Biggest Fanto QueueAddThe Biggest Fanto top of Queue
How would you react if the frontman for your favorite boy band came knocking on your door looking for a place to hide out? It may be more trouble than it's worth, as a star-stricken teen discovers in this comedy that drives home the age-old adage "be careful what you wish for." Chris Trousdale is the singer for Dream Street, the most popular boy band ever to fill an arena. When he opts to take a breather from fame by crashing at the house of his number one fan, her world is turned upside down at the prospect of spending some personal time with her own personal American idol. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

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Starring:
Chris TrousdaleKaila Amariah, (more)
2002 
 
A French apartment building's natural order is disrupted by a young, melodramatic touring actress in The Idol, the third film from director Samantha Lang. Sarah (Leelee Sobieski) moves into an apartment that had been unoccupied for quite some time and begins tormenting her neighbors with frequent sessions of rambunctious lovemaking with her lover Phillippe (Jalil Lespert). Directly across the hall from Sarah's apartment lives an elderly Chinese man named Zao (James Hong), whom Sarah recognizes as a kindred soul and possible confidant. After inviting the old man into her apartment, she boldly opens her soul to him and reveals her intentions of committing suicide as a means of creating a scandal and exacting revenge against her lover, who also happens to be the husband of the actress that Sarah is an understudy for. Zao, rather than attempting to dissuade the young woman from following through with her vow, asks that he be allowed to cook for her until she commits the deed. Sarah and Zao thus begin a strangely unique friendship as they approach what appears to be the final chapter of their respective lives. The Idol was included in 2002 Locarno International Film Festival. ~ Ryan Shriver, All Movie Guide

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Starring:
Leelee Sobieski
2001 
 
In her efforts to be "one of the girls" -- that is, one of the benevolent Halliwell witches -- Paige (Rose McGowan) mixes up a potion that causes her to switch bodies with her half sister Phoebe (Alyssa Milano). In so doing, Paige acquires Phoebe's magical powers, and vice versa. Both girls must combine their new and (to them) unfamiliar conjuring skills in order to vanquish an apprentice ninja who is running murderously amok. ~ All Movie Guide

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Starring:
Brian KrauseJulian McMahon, (more)
2001 
 
Having learned that assassin Martin Shepard (John Hannah) is linked to her past and her mother's death, Sydney (Jennifer Garner) helps Shepard escape from a Bucharest mental asylum. Meanwhile, sinister SD-6 chieftain Sloane (Ron Rifkin) angrily vows to "make an example" of the as-yet-unknown mole in his organization, and Will (Bradley Cooper) discovers the true identity of the elusive "Kate Jones" -- too late to do him, or her, any good. On the brighter side, Charlie (Evan Dexter Parke) tries to make amends to his fiancée, Francie (Merrin Dungey), with a Thanksgiving dinner to end all Thanksgiving dinners. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

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2000 
AddThe Art of Warto QueueAddThe Art of Warto top of Queue
A spy who has convinced much of the world he doesn't exist now must prove that he does in order to save thousands of lives in this thriller. After the assassination of Wu (James Hong), China's ambassador to the United Nations, in the midst of negotiations on a trade pact, FBI agent Neil Shaw (Wesley Snipes) is assigned to ferret out the killer by his superior, Eleanor Hooks (Anne Archer). But Shaw soon discovers that he's now considered a key suspect in the murder, and is the subject of a manhunt. Shaw's ability to cover his tracks, and his network of similarly "invisible" agents, makes him a hard man to track down. But when Shaw learns that the real killers not only plan to strike again but intend to take out most of the U.N. in the process, he swings into action to prevent the attack and clear his name; Shaw is thrown into a partnership with Julia (Marie Matiko), a U.N. interpreter who witnessed Wu's murder and may be able to trace a recording of the crime. The Art of War co-stars Michael Biehn as Bly, one of Shaw's associates, and Donald Sutherland as the Secretary General of the United Nations. The film was originally written as a vehicle of Hong Kong action star Jet Li before Snipes stepped in as both star and executive producer. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

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Starring:
Wesley SnipesAnne Archer, (more)
1999 
AddG2: Mortal Conquestto QueueAddG2: Mortal Conquestto top of Queue
A fierce warrior fends off some nasty villians he slew in a previous life, this time in the year 2003. ~ All Movie Guide

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1999 
 
Rivalry and jealousy mix in this tale of two men who love and fight for the same woman. ~ All Movie Guide

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1998 
AddBroken Vesselsto QueueAddBroken Vesselsto top of Queue
Scott Ziehl made his directorial debut with this high-energy ambulance ride with a pair of paramedics careening through the Los Angeles night, with Antonio Calvache's camerawork capturing the social drama in a documentary-style depiction. In the vein of Leaving Las Vegas, the film was the top 1998 winner (best feature) at the fourth Los Angeles Independent Film Festival. Pennsylvanian Tom (Jason London) arrives in L.A., encounters his eccentric neighbor Susy (Susan Traylor), and gets work with an ambulance company. Tom is initially impressed by his cool, hard-driving partner, veteran paramedic Jimmy (Todd Field, who also co-produced), especially after Tom screws up by almost sending a crash victim off to the morgue and Jimmy straightens out the potentially embarrassing episode. Daily collisions with violence and danger soon become routine. During one trip to the hospital, a possibly violent attack from an injured man in the ambulance is quelled when Jimmy simply knocks him out with fibulator pads to the head. Steering the streets with adrenaline action and high-octane intensity, Jimmy cools down with an intake of sex and drugs. Tom soon seeks similar solutions to this frenetic life on the edge. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide

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Starring:
Todd FieldJason London, (more)
1998 
AddMulanto QueueAddMulanto top of Queue
Inspired by a familiar Chinese folk tale, this $90 million animated Disney drama follows the adventures of a young woman in ancient China. Character animator Tony Bancroft and 17-year Disney veteran Barry Cook (Captain EO, Tron, Trail Mix-Up) formed the directing team with production design by Hans Bacher (Balto), and work on the film began 2 January 1995 under the working title The Legend of Mulan. While the merciless Shan-Yu (Miguel Ferrer) leads invading Huns over the Great Wall, young Mulan (Ming-Na Wen, with singing by Lea Salonga) sees a matchmaker about her matrimonial future. Mulan's views on accepted marriage traditions prompt the ballad, "Reflection," as she hopes for a recognition of her true self. To repel the Huns, a man from each family is required to join the Imperial Army. When Mulan's elderly father Fa Zhou (Soon-Tek Oh) volunteers, she objects. He warns, "I know my place. It is time you learned yours." Mulan, however, cuts her hair, dresses as a man, and is ready for military camp, prompting the concern of her First Ancestor (George Takei), who converts an inanimate incense burner into the 18-inch high comedic dragon Mushu (Eddie Murphy). With Mushu hidden in her clothing, she joins a group of raw recruits under the command of Captain Shang (B.D. Wong, singing by Donny Osmond). During an ambush by the Huns in a mountain pass, Mulan steps in to turn defeat into a victory. Mulan was the first Disney feature from the company's 200,000-square-foot Orlando facility (now known as Walt Disney Feature Animation Florida). ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide

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Starring:
Ming-Na WenLea Salonga, (more)
1998 
 
Making TV history as the first-ever American sitcom to film on location in mainland China, The Drew Carey Show takes this opportunity to dish up its most surrealistic episode to date. Pulling off the practical joke to end all practical jokes, Mimi (Kathy Kinney) manages to maroon a sleeping Drew (Drew Carey) on the Great Wall of China with no money or passport. As his friends wonder why Drew didn't show up for his scheduled business meeting in Winnipeg, our hero sells chickens and gives impromptu sock-puppet shows in order to pay his way to the American Embassy in Beijing, 200 miles away. Several disasters later, Drew's only hope for ever getting back to Cleveland hinges upon his rendition of "You Deserve a Break Today" at the Tiananmen Square McDonald's! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

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1997 
AddRed Cornerto QueueAddRed Cornerto top of Queue
The strong anti-China beliefs of actor and political activist Richard Gere were evident in this Hitchcockian thriller that sought to expose the civil and human rights abuses of that country's legal system. Gere stars as Jack Moore, counsel to a large media conglomerate seeking to open trade relations with China, thereby delivering American television shows by satellite to the largest untapped market in the world. After an evening out at a nightclub and fashion show, Jack goes home with a beautiful model (Jessey Meng), then wakes up the next morning to discover her dead body. To his horror, Jack is accused of murdering the girl, who is revealed to have been the daughter of a high-ranking general. Assigned a court-appointed lawyer, Shen Yuelin (Bai Ling), Jack discovers that the repressive Chinese court system does not grant bail, encourages quick guilty pleas and executions, and looks upon him with disfavor for his Western moral turpitude. Finally persuading Shen that he's innocent, Jack and his lawyer embark on an investigation impeded at every turn by Chinese authorities, eventually uncovering a plot to discredit Jack and his company's entry into China. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide

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Starring:
Richard GereBai Ling, (more)

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