you want women who make no apologies for their abilities to take care of themselves? See any films with the marvelous Michelle Khan. I can highly recommend SUPER COPS 3 and ONCE A COP (American titles). Many Hong Kong action films, and especially the ghost stories and period tales feature all sorts of fiendish and fantastic women with fighting skills (i.e., A CHINESE GHOST STORY and THE BRIDE WITH WHITE HAIR). The wonderful PEKING OPERA BLUES by the wonderful Tsui Hark (Thompson and Bordwell call him the "Hong Kong George Lucas") has THREE competent female heroes who roll with the punches and shoot back. And if only we could have real access to the Serial Queen films of the teens. I'll save this breathless wish for another day. Donna Cunningham University of Southern Califonia [log in to unmask] PS--to So Cal screen-l readers: you have the marvelous opportunity of being able to see Hong Kong action films (and many other Asian films) at the Laemelle Monica on Second Street in Santa Monica, as they have dedicated at least one screen to Asian film for a whole year AND show the most popular Hong Kong action flicks at midnight screenings on FOUR screens! take advantage of this unique opportunity. one more afterthought--the Voyager people have issued the ultimate rendering of John Woo's THE KILLER on laser disk though their Criterion collection in the 1.85 ratio. I just showed it to my undergraduate film history class for the last screening and it blew their socks off. It's great to show them how much of the French New Wave survives in this overblown gangster/cop melodrama (J. Hoberman calls it "MAGNIFICENT OBSESSION as directed by Sam Peckinpah.") They laughed, shouted, groaned, screamed and could finally see--at least for a moment--that knowledge of film history can help you to appreciate a film!