Kiss of the Dragon

Kiss of the Dragon

-2001 martial arts action movie directed by Chris Nahon
-Stars Jet Li, Bridget Fonda, Luc Besson, Tcheky Karyo
-Made as a request by fans for movies with more realistic fight scenes
-Based on a story by Jet Li

Did You Know?
-The tunnel where Jet Li is ambushed by the French police is the same tunnel where Princess Diana died
-The only CGI scenes in the movie are when Jet Li drops down the laundry chute with the CG flames around him and in the hotel when Jet Li kicks the pool ball
-For the fight between Jet Li and Cyril Raffaelli, the director of the movie, Chris Nahon, had to slow down the camera because they were moving too fast

Plot
-Liu Siu-jian(Jet Li) is a Chinese intelligence officer, sent from Beijing to Paris to investigate and help apprehend a Chinese mob boss named Mr. Big(Ric Young), who is involved in heroin smuggling. There he meets Inspector Jean-Pierre Richard(Tcheky Karyo), who is a corrupt and violent French police detective. Richard tracks Liu into thinking that he is simply providing recon of a meet involving Mr. Big. The plans change when he is introduced to 2 prostitutes, Jessica Kamen(Bridget Fonda), an American woman, who takes him to his room to service him. When Liu and everyone are watching from another room, Mr. Big kicks everyone out except the 2 women. While one is on top of Mr. Big, she attempts to kill him. Watching the events from another room, Liu rushes over to stop the prostitutes. Richard enters shortly, to shoot Mr. Big, and the prostitute with Liu's police issue gun, thus framing Liu

-Realizing he has been set up, Liu manages to escape from the hotel with a tape showing Richard killing the Chinese mob boss. Soon Chinese liaisons are sent from Beijing after the events to investigate the situation, after Richard makes Liu look like a cold blooded, psychopathic killer. The Chinese agents do not believe Richard. Liu manages to to contact one of the agents, in an attempt to pass on the tape, but due to French police surveillance, the meeting is ruined and Liu is spotted. The agent is murdered and Liu is forced to escape, thus losing the tape and is forced to keep a low profile

-As he considers the situation he's in, he meets the American woman Jessica, who he later finds out her daughter Isabel was kidnapped by Richard to keep her in prostitution. Liu finds out that Jessica was the 2nd prostitute there the night Mr. Big was killed. He realizes she can prove his innocence, but she refuses to do anything unless he gets her daughter back. He sends Jessica into Richard's office to steal the tape, so Liu and Jessica head to an orphanage where Isabel is. Richard thought ahead after he finds the tape missing, and ambushes the couple. Jessica is shot in the chest after their escape, and Liu manages to get her to the nearest hospital and he is now driven to find her daughter. Liu arrives at police HQ where Richard is holding Isabel, and he fights his way through the henchmen to his office. Once there, Liu rescues the little girl, getting shot by Richard during this. To save her, Liu kills Richard with a move called the "kiss of the dragon", by which he sticks an acupuncture needle into the back of Richard's neck in a forbidden location, which stimulates the blood to flow to the brain and cause a painful death via brain aneurysm. Liu survives the gunshot and returns the girl to her mother

Cast

• Jet Li as Liu Siu-jian
• Bridget Fonda as Jessica Kamen
• Tchéky Karyo as Jean-Pierre Richard
• Max Ryan as Lupo
• Ric Young as Mister Big
• Burt Kwouk as Uncle Tai
• Kentaro as Chen
• Laurence Ashley as Aja
• Cyril Raffaelli as Twin
• Didier Azoulay as Twin
• John Forgeham as Max
• Paul Barrett as Pilot
• Colin Prince as Lupo's Assistant
• Vincent Glo as Pluto
• Vincent Wong as Minister Tang

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Russell Wong

Russell Wong

Name: Russell Girard Wong
DOB: March 1, 1963
Where: Troy, New York
Occupation: Actor, photographer
Years Active: 1985-present
Spouse: Flora Cheong-Leen

-Brother of actor/model Michael Wong

Biography
-The 6th of 7 kids, Wong was born in Troy, New York to Chinese American restaurateur William Wong and American artist Connie Van Yserloo
-When he was a baby, his fmaily moved to Albany, where his dad ran a restaurant. When he was 7, his parents divorced and his mother moved him out to California
-In 1981, he enrolled in the Santa Monica City College, where he supported himself as a dancer and photographer.
-In 1989, he appeared on 21 Jump Street

-He found himself working with director Wayne Wang on the movie The Joy Luck Club, based on Amy Tan's novel of the same name.
-In 2001, he appeared as a bodyguard named Kai in Romeo Must Die

Personal Life
-Married to Hong Kong based designer Flora Zetz. Has one daughter, Eja Robinson Wong with African American dancer Eartha Robinson

Filmography
-True Crime: Streets of L.A.(Det. Nick Kang)

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Mark Dacascos

Mark Dacascos

Name: Mark Alan Dacascos
DOB: February 26, 1964
Where: Honolulu, Hawaii
Other Names: Marc Dacascos, The Chairman, Wo Fat
Occupation: Actor, martial artist, TV personality
Years Active: 1985-present
Influenced by: Jet Li, Bruce Lee, Al Dacascos
Spouse: Julie Condra(1998-present)
Website: http://www.dacascos.com

Mark Dacascos and Julie Condra

-American actor and martial artist
-Has won numerous karate and various styles of kung fu championships between the age of 7-18
-Some of his roles in acting and TV include: Eric Draven in The Crow: Stairway to Heaven, and starting with the episode "Hana 'a'a Makehewa" on Hawaii Five-O, he plays Wo Fat, Steve McGarrett's arch enemy, who is a recurring character

Playing Chinese Triad gangster Wo Fat on Hawaii Five-O

Biography
-His father, Al Dacascos, is from Hawaii, and is a martial arts instructor of Filipino, Spanish and Chinese ancestry. His mother, Moriko McVey-Murray, is of Irish, and Japanese ancestry
-In the recent History Channel presentation "Samurai", he revealed that the Japanese side of his mother's family was killed in the Hiroshima bombing. His stepmothers are award winning martial artist Malia Bernal and Hawaiian singer Melveen Leed.
-He is proficient in Wun Hop Kuen Do, Capoeira, Wushu, and Muy Thai.

Him and Lacey Schwimmer on Dancing with the Stars

Personal Life
-Currently married to actress Julie Condra, who starred with him in Crying Freedom. They have 3 kids, 2 older boys and one younger girl. Their names are Makoa, Kapono and Noelani

Him and his family

Career
-He was discovered after walking down the street in San Francisco's Chinatown by Chris Lee(assistant director then) and Rexall Chin(hairstylist then).
-His breakout role was in the 1993 movie Only the Strong. He played Louis, a Capoeira master who takes a high school's potential failures and turns their lives around by teaching them the fine Brazilian art.
-He starred alongside Jet Li in Cradle 2 the Grave, someone who he lists as his inspiration for martial arts. In the movie, his character faced off against Jet Li in the end. He also provided his voice for a few video games, such as Stranglehold, Wing Commander IV: The Price of Freedom.
-His most recent acting includes that of Hawaii Five-O. He plays Wo Fat, who happens to be involved with the Chinese Triads on the island and is most noted as Steve McGarrett's arch enemy.

The Crow

Cradle 2 the Grave

Filmography

TV

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True Crime: Streets of LA

True Crime: Streets of LA

-Action adventure video game. Allows you to do role playing.
-Created by Luxoflux Games.

Overview
-In this open world game, this game focuses on the other side of the law.
-You play as Det. Nick Kang, a Chinese-American member of the LAPD who has problems with keeping out of trouble with the LAPD

Did You Know?
-Throughout the city of LA there are billboards advertising the release of a True Crime movie coming out in the fall of 2005. That's when the True Crime: New York City game came out

-In the final fight between Kang and Han Yu Kim is a tribute to Jet Li's Cradle 2 the Grave. Both fights had the good guy and bad guy fighting amidst a circle of fire from airplane wreckage.

Plot
-The player assumes the role of Nick Kang, a Chinese American detective and living nightmare of every officer on the LAPD because of his unorthodox police procedures and destructive talents of catching criminals. The game starts out showing Kang returning to LA after an extended leave. He goes to the shooting range to practice his 2 fist shooting techniques. That's when the Chief of the E.O.D (Elite Operations Division), Wanda Parks, walks in. She asks Nick to come back and help them in the solving of a rash of bombings of local Chinatown businesses. At first, they seem unrelated, but further investigation reveals that it is the work of the Chinese Triad groups. At first Nick is uninterested. Parks asks him to reconsider. He agrees on only one condition: he do it his way.

-Kang is partnered with Rosie Velasquez. When Nick teasingly remarks how she's a "good girl", she responds that, before saying goodbye, "she ran with more than a few Latino gangs before becoming a detective." Rosie is hesitant to do this because of rumors she heard about him. The case becomes personal for Nick. That's when the player learns that Henry Wilson was an excellent police officer who was involved in a drug operation in the 1970s. One day he disappeared without a trace. Soon, Internal Affairs found a stash of cocaine in his locker and it brought his work into question. Nick refuses to believe this.

-Rosie learns of Nick's history, when his mother died, and father disappeared, that him and his younger brother Cary went to Hong Kong to stay with family. Nick became hungry for revenge while solving another case. His work got more reckless as time went on and he used the surname "Kang" when his dad Wilson died. As Nick investigates, he faces Triad guys, Rocky(member of the Russian Mafia), and a general named Han Yu Kim(Korean People's Army)

Characters

Nicholas "Nick" Kang-Wilson: Although he was recently suspended indefinitely from the police force due to repeated incidents of excessive brutality, property damage, and refusing to follow orders, Nicholas Kang (Wilson) was recruited into the E.O.D. as the group's first field agent. The same over-the-line methods that got him thrown off the force enable him to succeed at the E.O.D.. Nick Kang's skills in martial arts are only matched by his ability to expertly wield firearms and drive like a professional stuntman. Voiced by Russell Wong

Rosie Velasco: An ex-gangbanger turned straight, Rosie Velasco is determined to prove herself worthy of her badge; unfortunately, she's just been partnered with Nick Kang, and isn't too happy about hitting the streets with a loose cannon. Nick isn't too happy about it either, but when their first meeting together concludes with her being wounded in a shootout, she winds up behind a desk working intel for the rest of the case. Voiced by Michelle Rodriguez

Chief Wanda Parks: Wanda Parks is the Chief Detective of the LAPD, as well as head of the Elite Operations Division, with jurisdiction over the entire City of Angels. She has two decades of law enforcement experience and is one of the most well respected officers in the LAPD. Parks puts up with Nick's brash and over-the-top nature because she knows when all hell breaks loose, Nick is the only man who consistently delivers.


George: An old friend of Henry's, and a father figure and mentor to Nick. He reveals the backstory of the Wilson family to Rosie, and serves as a narrator at the beginning and end of Nick's quest. Voice of Christopher Walken.


FBI Agent Masterson: He is called on the scene to oversee the case that the EOD is working on throughout the game. He doesn't like working with the EOD, especially because of Nick. voiced by Gary Oldman

Han Yu Kim: A General from North Korea, seeking to strengthen his country's position in the world scene through illegal means. To this end, he is working with Rocky and his Mafia connections, as well as the Chinese Triads. He is seen in all three endings, and fought as the last boss in two; his ultimate goals are only revealed in the true ending, however. The character's image is based on Kim Jong Il.


Cary (Kang) Wilson: Nick's little brother, owner of a vast chain of 24-hour dojos throughout the city, where Nick can improve his fighting ability. Nick is very protective of his younger brother who, for his father's sake, he has vowed to defend with his life.


Endings
Bad Ending: Nick faces off with Han Yu Kim at the top of a high-rise bank, after shooting his way through the General's mercenaries. If Nick loses the final fight, he is thrown off the building and only wakes up in time to realize his fate, as the General escapes. If Nick wins, it is the General who falls off from the building before Nick receives any information from him.


Good Ending: After battling through Ancient Wu's trials, the truth is revealed: Rocky was formerly a plant by the KGB, who quickly turned criminal when given the opportunity, along with Rafferty, Henry's former partner. Kang tracks the two to the Santa Monica airport, but is surprised by Jill and knocked unconscious. Coming to, Rocky reveals the rest of the story: when Henry refused to be turned by Rocky or Rafferty, Rocky shot him in the head and dumped his body in the ocean. Rocky prepares to kill Nick, but Rafferty takes the bullet. Rocky dies after Nick blows up his jet. The General arrives and explains that the Russians stole their money and must deal with loose ends. If Nick loses, the General escapes and Nick either passes out or dies from his injuries just as the police arrive. If Nick wins the fight, the General is killed just as the police arrive.


Average Ending: Cary is dead, Rosie is kidnapped by Rocky, who forces Nick to drive an armored car full of counterfeit money to the Chinatown Plaza, in exchange for her life. After being ambushed and killing the General's men, Rocky and Nick have a final fight. If Nick loses, he dies and Rocky escapes. If Nick wins, Rocky surprises him and is about to stab him to death, when he is shot down by Rosie. Earlier, he had taunted Nick about knowing the truth about his father; however, the secret died with him.

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Cute Asian Guys

Jang Dong-gun
-He's a very private person and made a big surprise when he went public about his romance with his girlfriend Ko So-young

Where do they find these incredibly sexy Asian guys?

Aaron Yoo
-Had his appendix removed before the filming of Friday the 13, and for the character's post death shot, he is seen hanging upside down from some rafters, exposing the surgical staples from his surgical wound.

James Iha. He looks very sweet and loving.
-Guitarist and co-founder of The Smashing Pumpkins

Masi Oka. He makes me laugh on Hawaii Five-O with the way his character acts.
-Fluent in Japanese, English and Spanish. Hobbies include kendo where he carries rank of shodan

Jet Li
-Practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism

Ooh, he looks serious. I like his movies, very good.

Chow Yun-fat
-Grew up poor in a farming community on Lamma Island in Hong Kong

His movies rock too!!

Ken Watanabe
-At 6'1'', he is considered unusually tall by Japanese standards. He stands a whole head taller than most of his Japanese co-stars, male or female

Memoirs of a Geisha

Hiroyuki Sanada
-Studies Kyokushin kaikan, a type of full contact karate and in 2002, he starred in the play King Lear, making him the first Japanese actor to perform with the Royal Shakespeare Company. But it turns out he is not the first Japanese actor to perform with the RSC as Togo Igawa performed with the RSC

Daniel Dae Kim
-On Oct. 25, 2007, Kim was arrested by Honolulu police after police found him to be driving under the influence of alcohol.

B.D. Wong
-Is openly gay and began a relationship with talent agent Richie Jackson in 1988. They have twins who were born through a surrogate mother.

John Cho
-Most recently, in 2009, he took on the role of Hikaru Sulu in Star Trek, a role previously played by George Takei.

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The Forbidden Kingdom

The Forbidden Kingdom

-2008 Chinese-American martial arts movie.
-For the first time ever, brings together martial artist Jackie Chan and martial artist Jet Li

Plot
-South Boston teen Jason Tripitikas is a fan of the martial arts films and he awakens from a dream of a battle between the Monkey King and celestial soldiers in the clouds. When he visits a pawnshop in Chinatown to buy Wuxia DVDs and finds a golden staff. On his way home, Jason is harassed by some bullies who try to use him to help rob the pawn shop owner. The owner, Hop, tries to fight off the thieves and is shot. He tells Jason to deliver the staff to it's rightful owner and he flees with the staff. He is cornered on the roof and the bullies almost shoot him, but he is pulled off the roof by the staff and falls backwards onto the asphault.

-When he wakes up, he finds himself in a village in ancient China that is under attack from heavily armored soliders. They see his staff and try to get it. He is saved by a drunk traveling scholar named Lu Yan, a supposed "immortal" who remains alert even when drunk. Lu takes Jason to a teahouse and tells him the story of the rivalry between the Monkey King and the Jade Warlord. The Jade Warlord tricked the Monkey Kinf into setting aside his magic staff Ruyi Jingu Bang and transformed him into a stone statue, but he cast his staff away before the spell. Lu ends the story with a prophecy about someone, a "Seeker" who will find the staff and free the Monkey King. Just then, they are attacked by the Jade Warlord's men, but manage to escape with the help of Golden Sparrow, a young girl who refers to herself in 3rd person. She says her family was killed by the Jade Warlord.

-Elsewhere, The Jade Warlord, after learning of the sighting of the staff, sends the White-Haired Witch Ni-Chang to help him get it. Jason, Lu Yan and Golden Sparrow meet a strange man dressed in white, who takes the staff. Lu Yan fights with the man, who is later revealed to be the Silent Monk for the staff until they realize he is the prophesied Seeker. The 4 of them then travel to 5 Elements Mountain, Lu Yan and the Silent Monk teach Jason Kungfu along the way. After crossing a desert, they run into Ni-Chang and her soldiers after which a fight ensues, wounding Lu Yan with Ni-Chang's arrow. They take him to a monastery where Jason learns that Lu Yan is not immortal unless he drinks his wine. Only the Jade Warlord's elixir can save his life. So Jason goes for the elixir all by his self

-In the palace, the Jade Warlord asks Jason to fight with Ni-Chang to the death. He is defeated by Ni-Chang and the Warlord taunts him and is about to behead him when the other monks from the monastery show up. Jason manages to grab the elixir and gives it to Lu Yan, who recovers. The Silent Monk is wounded by the Jade Warlord's Guan Dao during the fight and passes the staff to Jason, who uses it to smash the statue containing the Monkey King. The Monkey King is freed and is actually revealed to be alos the Silent Monk. Lu Yan battles Ni-Chang and kills her by throwing her off the cliff hundreds of feet below. After another long fight between the Monkey King and the Jade Warlord, the Warlord is stabbed by Jason and falls into a lava pit to his death. Golden Sparrow has been seriously injured by the Warlord and she dies in Jason's arms. By then, the Jade Emperor has returned from his meditation and praises Jason for fulfilling the prophecy before returning him home

-Jason finds himself in 21st century Boston after passing through a magical portal at the exact moment and location of his fall. He defeats the bulllies and drives them away. He calls the cops and calls an ambulance for help. Hop then secretly reveals to Jason that he is Lu Yan. Before the movie ends, Jason is happy to see a girl who resembles Golden Sparrow and speaks to her, before she heads back to her shop, called Golden Sparrow Chinese Merchandise.

Cast

• Jackie Chan as Lu Yan, the Drunken Immortal/Hop, the pawn shop owner
• Jet Li as Sun Wukong (called) the Monkey King/The Silent Monk
• Li Bingbing as Ni-Chang, the White-Haired Witch/Assassin
• Michael Angarano as Jason Tripitikas, the Traveler^[5]
• Collin Chou as The Jade Warlord^[6]
• Liu Yifei as Golden Sparrow/the Chinatown girl
• Morgan Benoit as Lupo

Characters


Liu Yifei as Golden Sparrow



Li Bingbing

Colin Chou as the Jade Warlord



Jet Li as the Silent Monk/Monkey King

 

Michael Angarano as Jason




Jackie Chan as Lu Yan



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