Arriving in stores Nov. 6th with a blast of gun metal and testosterone is the stunning Johnny To crime drama Election (from Tartan Video). Johnny To, the great Hong Kong director and producer, who established Milkyway Image films in 1996 and has made some fantastic films -- check out The Mission, Fulltime Killer, Running out of Time or PTU to see his fabulous work.

Election is about how every two years a new Triad crime boss is elected and the ceremonial Dragon’s Head Baton is passed down. The two rivals for this position are the flashy loudmouth Big D (Tony Leung Ka-fai) and the low-key but ambitious Lok (Simon Yam). Simon Yam is probably familiar to viewers from John Woo’s Bullet in the Head, but I remember him vividly in Dr. Lamb as a psychotic taxicab driver/serial killer.

Election was followed by Triad Election (also available from Tartan Video) In Triad Election, it's election time again and the boss is not eager to give up his title, and one lower level mob guy is reluctantly forced to go after the baton for strictly financial reasons. Some amazing violent confrontations and a thrilling chase through an outdoor restaurant. This brutal and stylish film is a treat for fans. I actually prefer Election over the sequel but they’re both great and both films put American crime dramas to shame.