Includes filmography: pages [265]-269

Includes bibliographical references (pages [259]-263) and index.

Immigrant movie gangsters : the outside story
A Frankensteinian frenzy : gangster identity, Hollywood
Ganster identity, Hong Kong : a Taoist code warrior
Hollywood : the void of material success
Dark laughter at the materialist illusion : Hong Kong
East meets West : The Sopranos, Gangs of New York, Infernal affairs
The lesson : from here to modernity
Interview with David Chase (excerpts from the transcript)

This fascinating book begins with a new definition of the gangster film and a challenging exploration of the Hong Kong and Hollywood screen traditions. Illuminates the way gangster films deal with the ambiguities of modern life, correcting the notion that this genre is inconsequential sensationalism Contends that both American and Hong Kong gangster films are against-the-grain reactions to the central fable of modern democracies that promise immigrant (and other) outsiders that they can become social insiders Clarifies crucial and fascinating differences between American and Hong Kong approaches to enjoining the discussion of immigrant histories by placing them in counterpoint with each other Draws on a range of American films, ranging from "Public Enemy" and "Scarface" to "Gangs of New York," "Goodfellas," and "The Godfather" Explores a number of Hong Kong's 21st century gangster films, including Andrew Lau's great trilogy, "Infernal Affairs, " and "Election" and "Election 2," directed by Hong Kong auteur Johnnie To Concludes with an exclusive interview with "The Sopranos'" creator, David Chase. -- Amazon.com.