Hard Boiled Records and Video offers one of Chicago's most extensive Hong Kong video selections. Here's a list of ten "post hand over" films from Hong Kong in no particular order. These are all good films and worth watching although almost all of them have a high level of violence. Stop in and check out these videos. And remember, there's more arriving every week.

1. Running Out Of Time

Directed by Johnny To Stars Lau Ching Wan, Andy Lau Andy Lau is a master criminal who has only 14 days to live. He wants revenge on some criminals and decides to use Police Hostage Negotiator (Lau Ching Wan) to catch the crooks. The movie has some pretty cool set pieces as Andy Lau leads Lau Ching Wan on a clever cat and mouse chase.

2. Longest Nite

Directed by Patrick Yau Stars Lau Ching Wan, Tony Leung Chiu Wai Tony Leung is a crooked cop in Macau being manipulated by his triad bosses. Lau Ching Wan is a bald tattooed mystery man. The movie will be somewhat confusing the first time that you watch it as you try to figure out the double crosses, but it is definitely worth watching again to gain better insight into the underworld of Macau's casinos and the criminals that control them.

3. 2000 AD

Directed by Gordon Chan Stars Aaron Kwok, Daniel Wu This big budget action film was partly financed by Columbia Pictures, and therefore has a lot of dialog in English. Aaron Kwok is a computer software designer who gets framed by the CIA for the downing of a Singapore jet plane. The bigger budget allows Chan to stage the gunplay in the streets of Hong Kong and Singapore as opposed to the usual back alleys and warehouses. Jackie Chan's bodyguard Ken Low plays one of the bad guys. Daniel Wu writes for Giant Robot.

4. Time And Tide

Directed by Tsui Hark Stars Nicholas Tse. Wu Bai, Anthony Wong When he makes an action film expect something special from Tsui Hark, even including the 2 Van Damme films that he made before this. The final gun fight action sequence lasta about 40 minutes and I could watch it everyday.

5. The Mission

Directed by Johnny To Stars Francis Ng, Anthony Wong, Roy Cheung 5 strangers bond as security guards hired to protect a triad boss from an assassin. The movie spends a good deal of time showing the bodyguards relaxing on their down time, and it is pretty humoress. The tense action sequences are beautifully composed and perfectly executed

6. Full Alert

Directed by Ringo Lam Stars Lau Ching Wan, Francis Ng A great crime caper film that shows the effects of killing people from both the policeman's and criminal's point of view. After Michael Mann's "Heat" this is my favorite heist film.

7. Shaolin Soccer

Directed by Stephen Chow Stars Stephen Chow A great comedy from Hong Kong's best funny man. Shaolin monks learn soccer and find redemption. The blending of cgi and wire fu is used to create hilarious soccer matches. This film is the box office champion of Hong Kong.

8 & 9 (tied) Born To Be King aka Young & Dangerous 6 and Those Were The Days aka Young & Dangerous 5.5

Directed by Andrew Lau (#6), Yip Wai Man (#5.5) Stars Jordan Chan, Ekin Cheng The continuing saga of the Hung Hing triads. Those Were The Days is not an official Y&D film but it does continue the stories for most of the characters. This series originally started as a comic book and in the last5 years there have been a 6 films, a prequel, and several spin offs. You don't have to see them in order but the movies are always a quick reflection of what is going on in Hong Kong.

10. Metade Fumaca

Directed by Ip Kam Hung Stars Eric Tsang, Nicholas Tse In the 80's and early 90's Eric Tsang starred in many brainless physical comedies, but in the last few years he has taken on more dramatic roles such as this film and Comrades Almost A Love Story. In this film Tsang plays a triad returning to Hong Kong after many years to find the lost love of his life. The movie cuts between the young Tsang's adventures (played by Stephen Fung) and his modern day search. Great cameos by Sam Lee, Shu Qi and Kelly Chen.