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December 26, 2017

Episode 350: A Better Tomorrow (1986)

Special Guests: Karen Fang, Kenneth E. Hall, Barna William Donovan
Guest Co-Hosts: Beth Accomando

After a brief hiatus, The Projection Booth returns with a discussion of John Woo's A Better Tomorrow (1986). The film, a hallmark of the “heroic bloodshed” subgenre of action films, did for gunplay what a generation of Hong Kong films had done with swords.

The film tells the tale of Ho (Ti Lung), a criminal whose younger brother, Kit (Leslie Cheung), is a police officer. He's betrayed by a fellow gangster (Waise Lee) and sent up the river. When he returns to Hong Kong he wants to stay on the right side of the law which is more difficult than it should be.

The film speaks to loyalty, brotherhood, and put Chow Yun-Fat on the map as a bankable action star.

Cinema Junkie's Beth Accomando and Mike wax fondly about the glory days of HK Cinema, twin brothers, strange sequels, and the true colors of a hero.

Listen/Download Now:

Promos: 1:27:00
In the Mouth of Dorkness
Popcorn Poops
Badasses, Boobs, & Bodycounts
Proudly Resents

Interviews:
Karen Fang, author of John Woo's A Better Tomorrow: 1:31:00
Music: "Fatherly Advice - The Trip To Taiwan" - Joseph Koo

Kenneth E. Hall, author of John Woo: The Films: 2:08:00
Music: "Fatherly Advice - The Trip To Taiwan" - Joseph Koo

Barna William Donovan, author of The Asian Influence on Hollywood Action Films: 2:34:00
Music: "A Better Tomorrow II Theme Song - Instrumental (Reprise)" - Joseph Koo

Discussion 2: 3:13:00
Trailer: Pat Garrett & Billy The Kid: 3:40:00

Outro Music: 3:50:00
"當年情" - Leslie Cheung
"Birdy's Flight (From Not One Of Us)" - Peter Gabriel

Links:
Buy A Better Tomorrow on DVD
Buy the other Better Tomorrow movies on DVD
Buy Bullet in the Head on Blu-Ray
Listen to our episode on The Killer
Read more about the composite version of Bullet in the Head | Download

Watch:


1 comment:

  1. Another great episode. And the co-host here is stellar. Often the female co-hosts on PB are a little shrill - the co-host on EgoFest 5 is a total chore with all her fake laughing - or just not real informative. Ms. Accomando is a home run. Would love to hear more from her.

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