9. "Time and Tide" (2000)

This slick and stylish Hong Kong action thriller is one of the best from the film wizard Tsui Hark. The noirish film tells the story of a streetwise young man who becomes a bodyguard and befriends a disillusioned mercenary, played by singer-turned-actor Nicholas Tse and veteran rock star Wu Bai. The two find themselves working together to foil an assassination attempt. The film is visceral and bombastic with fresh, imaginative, spectacular, and exhilarating shots. Tsui proved he was ahead of his time with this film.