Fruitvale Station

Fruitvale Station starring Michael B. Jordan is a film that chronicles the last 2 days leading up to the tragic shooting of Oscar Grant by transit police. It is directed by upcoming director Ryan Coogler, who's also at the helm for the upcoming Creed film, also starring Michael B. Jordan.  Jordan here, gives his most powerful performance to date and it's really no surprise if you've seen his previous work in film and television. What makes this movie so powerful besides great performances, is how the ordinary life events and struggles of a young Grant and his family are captured amidst the unexpected violence of the new year. Fruitvale Station is certainly a movie of it's time and before in lieu of the still prevalent racial tensions and incidents of police brutality, but it gives a more personal and honest scope to the fragility of life, than become just another extended sound bite to capturing a tragic story.

Kung Fu Killer

2014's Kung Fu Killer (Kung Fu Jungle) stars Donnie Yen as a convicted ex police martial arts instructor who is released to help hunt down a serial killer (Wang Baoqiang) targeting martial arts experts.  Overall, it's a solid enough kungfu film with good use of a somewhat improbable plot and better than decent action scenes to move the story along.  As you would expect, Donnie also serves as the fight choreographer and so there's no surprise at the action quality.  At 52 years of age, Yen is still very viable and I give him much homage, especially in the last 8-10 years for keeping Hong Kong action movies viable, relevant, and always striving to maintain integrity and authentity to the martial arts genre. Much credit is also given to Wang Baoqiang for being formidable villain and martial artist to counter Yen.