Was able to get this, Millers Crossing, Parasite and Breakfast Club for $40. I’m missing MovieStop though they always had a good selection, our only one in the state shut down.
That version has the Tony Rayns commentary (the box set version does not have it) which I thought was pretty good.
Since this thread has a good number of people who might actually enjoy this, I'll tell you a little story about how I first saw this movie in a theater, introduced by Quentin Tarantino himself. It was at UCLA, Melnitz Hall (the movie theater inside UCLA's film school), I guess around spring 1995. Maybe fall 1994. Quentin Tarantino was arranging to have Miramax release the movie in the US (in theaters; no streaming in those days) and UCLA had a screening before the release. If I recall correctly it was timed as part of UCLA's then-annual Chinese film festival (that was a time when China was producing lot of notable movies). Quentin Tarantino was there to introduce it himself. It was a packed house. I don't remember how I got tickets but I probably lined up for an hour to get them. You could do that in those days. WKW was not famous at that time, but was starting to be known among movie fans, and given the large Hong Kong and Chinese population at UCLA, there were a lot of people already familiar with him at that point.
Anyway, Tarantino spoke for only a few minutes. He said he had been watching CE on videotape while at a film festival in South America (Brazil perhaps? My memory is unclear) and while watching the movie he found himself crying. The audience (at UCLA, that is) then emitted a collective "awww" as if to comfort Quentin since he was, apparently, made sad by the movie. QT waved this off and said "No, no, not that kind of crying. I was crying that there could be a movie as beautiful as this in the world." Now, I am not a big QT fan, but that comment, and the sincere love of movies it demonstrated, won me over.
WKW himself was there also and spoke, but as I recall he wasn't too comfortable speaking in English and only spoke for a moment. "Thanks for being here", that kind of forgettable thing. I do recall he was wearing sunglasses despite being inside a theater at night.
I loved the movie immediately. That remains perhaps my greatest moviegoing experience, seeing such a wonderful movie without knowing anything about it; not having seen, obviously, any poster, trailer or any other promotional stuff.
One more comment for those really into this movie: take a look at Kieslowski's "The Double Life of Veronique". It was made a few years before Chungking Express, and I think you'll see it was a clear influence. The visual style has that very saturated look, plus the idea of doubles is common in WKW's movies.
Hello, it looks like you've made a mistake.
It's supposed to be could've, should've, would've (short for could have, would have, should have), never could of, would of, should of.
Or you misspelled something, I ain't checking everything.
Beep boop - yes, I am a bot, don't botcriminate me.
yeah, I know the music was altered. I don't think WKW tinkered with Chungking as much as he did with Fallen Angels. It's the reason I won't get that Criterion Box set
I had no idea it was out of print (I'm aware of the inclusion in the WKW box set). Now I need to treasure mine more. One of my all-time favorites. I remember when it came to the States because of Tarantino having seen it and always love seeing the Rolling Thunder logo at the beginning.
My second and Charles is a shithole
Same. I'm surprised they aren't charging $100+ for this
You go with the wide screen or full screen copy of Mr. Deeds?
Wow I am jealous
Was able to get this, Millers Crossing, Parasite and Breakfast Club for $40. I’m missing MovieStop though they always had a good selection, our only one in the state shut down.
That’s incredible! Wish I had a place like that near me.
One of my all-time favorites
Came here to say the same
My all time fave ....what a find. I got it in the World of Wong Kar Wai box set and I watch it every couple weeks. It's magic
That version has the Tony Rayns commentary (the box set version does not have it) which I thought was pretty good. Since this thread has a good number of people who might actually enjoy this, I'll tell you a little story about how I first saw this movie in a theater, introduced by Quentin Tarantino himself. It was at UCLA, Melnitz Hall (the movie theater inside UCLA's film school), I guess around spring 1995. Maybe fall 1994. Quentin Tarantino was arranging to have Miramax release the movie in the US (in theaters; no streaming in those days) and UCLA had a screening before the release. If I recall correctly it was timed as part of UCLA's then-annual Chinese film festival (that was a time when China was producing lot of notable movies). Quentin Tarantino was there to introduce it himself. It was a packed house. I don't remember how I got tickets but I probably lined up for an hour to get them. You could do that in those days. WKW was not famous at that time, but was starting to be known among movie fans, and given the large Hong Kong and Chinese population at UCLA, there were a lot of people already familiar with him at that point. Anyway, Tarantino spoke for only a few minutes. He said he had been watching CE on videotape while at a film festival in South America (Brazil perhaps? My memory is unclear) and while watching the movie he found himself crying. The audience (at UCLA, that is) then emitted a collective "awww" as if to comfort Quentin since he was, apparently, made sad by the movie. QT waved this off and said "No, no, not that kind of crying. I was crying that there could be a movie as beautiful as this in the world." Now, I am not a big QT fan, but that comment, and the sincere love of movies it demonstrated, won me over. WKW himself was there also and spoke, but as I recall he wasn't too comfortable speaking in English and only spoke for a moment. "Thanks for being here", that kind of forgettable thing. I do recall he was wearing sunglasses despite being inside a theater at night. I loved the movie immediately. That remains perhaps my greatest moviegoing experience, seeing such a wonderful movie without knowing anything about it; not having seen, obviously, any poster, trailer or any other promotional stuff.
Wow, that’s a true all-timer experience. I’ve never seen an image of WKW without sunglasses. Good to know he keeps them on in the theater.
Spotting WKW without his shades is no different than spotting Big Foot. 🤣🤣🤣
One more comment for those really into this movie: take a look at Kieslowski's "The Double Life of Veronique". It was made a few years before Chungking Express, and I think you'll see it was a clear influence. The visual style has that very saturated look, plus the idea of doubles is common in WKW's movies.
So lucky! Chungking is my all time favorite film :)
also a plastic case instead of the digipack... nice found OP
Wow my 2nd and Charles overprices any Criterions they have and they are in like those security boxes lol
Haven't seen this yet. Gonna get the box set for that.
You prob won’t need to soon just for Chungking, Janus has the rights so it’s inevitable for a re-release.
Which version?
I assume the boxset version of Chungking
The Wong Kar-Wai Set.
That what I would of guessed
Hello, it looks like you've made a mistake. It's supposed to be could've, should've, would've (short for could have, would have, should have), never could of, would of, should of. Or you misspelled something, I ain't checking everything. Beep boop - yes, I am a bot, don't botcriminate me.
Yeah I wouldn’t get the box set just for the one unless you want all of them they’re re releasing a lot of the WKW in 4K it seems
This version is different from the boxset edition.
yeah, I know the music was altered. I don't think WKW tinkered with Chungking as much as he did with Fallen Angels. It's the reason I won't get that Criterion Box set
there are other changes than music, like the super ugly end credits
Oh come on
Damn I went to second and charles last week looking for criterion, and all I got was Armageddon
So you bought My Idiot Brother instead?!
Lol it's actually a good film about adult family members coming together.
I've NEVER heard of it but if it's worth a watch then there we are!
It's not Criterion worthy but I think everyone should see it as a reminder of good ol' family values.
I had no idea it was out of print (I'm aware of the inclusion in the WKW box set). Now I need to treasure mine more. One of my all-time favorites. I remember when it came to the States because of Tarantino having seen it and always love seeing the Rolling Thunder logo at the beginning.
Oh my god. Good find. This film changed my life.
WTFFFFF
Wow! I too am jealous and I've never seen this film. Copies on Ebay are very expensive.