‘Passenger 57’, move over! Andy Lau’s hijack thriller ‘High Forces’ is getting a U.S. release from China Lion

"High Forces" Theatrical Poster

“High Forces” Theatrical Poster

In the tradition of hijack thrillers like The Delta Force (1986), Passenger 57 (1992), Executive Decision (1996) and United 93 (2006), comes High Forces (aka Crisis Route), an upcoming actioner from Oxide Pang (one half of The Eye and The Eye 2 writing/directing duo, the Pang Brothers).

Hong Kong superstar Andy Lau (Shock Wave 2, Walk on Fire) plays an international security expert who combats against hijackers on board the Airbus A380.

The film also stars Liu Tao (The Foreigner, The Monkey King 3) and Zhang Zifeng (Detective Chinatown, Aftershock).

High Forces is getting a U.S. theatrical release on October 25, 2024 from China Continue reading

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if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! Blu-ray for Angela Mao’s 1977 Golden Harvest classic ‘Broken Oath’ arriving next week!

Broken Oath | Blu-ray (Eureka)

Broken Oath | Blu-ray (Eureka)

Next Week, Eureka is releasing the Blu-ray (Region A/B) for Broken Oath, a 1977 Golden Harvest classic from Cheng Chang-Ho (Double Crossers) that stars Angela Mao (Dance of Death), the first lady of kung fu cinema!

A Hong Kong take on Japan’s Lady Snowblood, Broken Oath is an action-packed tale of righteous vengeance! Orphaned and angry, Lotus (Mao) is raised by Buddhist nuns before she is exiled for her violent ways – and skipping classes to improve her martial arts skills. Finding herself alone in the world, she quickly comes to discover the truth of her past: that her father was once a respected member of the Imperial Court who was murdered in cold blood, and that her mother gave birth to her in a jail cell after being unjustly imprisoned for killing one of the culprits. With revenge on her Continue reading

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Panda Plan (2024) Review

“Panda Plan” Theatrical Poster

“Panda Plan” Theatrical Poster

Director: Luan Zhang
Cast: Jackie Chan, Yanbo Han, Ce Shi, Xiang Wei, Temur Mamisashvili, Aleksandra Smirnova
Running Time: 100 min.

By Paul Bramhall

In one of the initial scenes from Jackie Chan’s latest big screen outing, Panda Plan, a character says, “It’s a commercial movie, it needs to entertain.” In many ways the line could be interpreted as director Luan Zhang’s way of announcing his intentions to the audience, and it’s far from being the only meta-aspect of the production. If 2023’s Ride On was Chan’s own way of playing a character who acts as a reflection of his own life, then his latest takes that journey one step further. How? The answer is surprisingly simple – in Panda Plan Jackie Chan is playing Jackie Chan. We’re not talking about the 90’s era Jackie Chan where movies like First Strike and Mr. Nice Guy had his character referred to as Jackie, but there was still some vague notion that he was supposed to be playing a fictional character. No, here he’s world-famous action movie star Jackie Chan, and a zoo on the fictional Noah Island has asked him to adopt a baby panda.

Not just any baby panda mind you, this one is a CGI baby panda with 700 million followers on social media, and features the rare trait of having black eyes of different sizes, apparently making it “the only one in existence.” Naturally, this also means that some Arabs want to get their hands on it, and are willing to pay whatever price is asked for to get it. So they hire Continue reading

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Too fast, too furious! Visual Vengeance working on a Blu-ray for Simon and Phillip Rhee’s 1984 cult gem ‘Furious’

"Furious" VHS Cover

“Furious” VHS Cover

Visual Vengeance is working on a Blu-ray for Furious, a 1984 cult martial arts gem from filmmaker Tim Everitt (Too Fast Too Young).

Furious is the first film to star brothers Simon and Phillip Rhee (4 years before the pair found the greener pastures of Hollywood in the Best of the Best franchise).

The rest of the film’s cast consists mostly of the Rhees’ own students and friends, including a then-unknown Loren Avedon (No Retreat, No Surrender II), former World Kickboxing Champion, Howard Jackson (Code of Silence), former Miss Philippines, Arlene Montano (L.A. Streetfighters) as well as a quick cameo by Susanna Hoffs (of the popular 80s band, The Bangles).

This title will soon Continue reading

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In GODFREY We Trust… Visual Vengeance to release a Blu-ray for the martial arts oddity ‘Born a Ninja’

"Born a Ninja" Promotional Poster

“Born a Ninja” Promotional Poster

Visual Vengeance is prepping a Blu-ray for IFD Films’ Born a Ninja, a martial arts film – produced somewhere between 1988 and 1991 – from director Law Chi (Thunderbolt) with some copy ‘n paste help from Godfrey Ho (Manhattan Chase).

In the film (aka American Commando Ninja), a group of Russians, a Chinese terrorist group and a Japanese ninja are trying to capture a Japanese WWII scientist and steal his formula for germ warfare.

The film stars Meng Fei (Young Tiger), Patrick L’Arcent (Commando the Ninja), Hung Kuan (Young Dragons: Kung Fu Kids), Daniel Garfield, Henry Kwan, Kelvin Wong (High Risk) and Laura Continue reading

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Ready for some post-Shaw Chang Cheh? Visual Vengeance is conjuring a Blu-ray for 1984’s ‘The Nine Demons’

"The Nine Demons" Theatrical Poster

“The Nine Demons” Theatrical Poster

Visual Vengeance will soon be releasing a Blu-ray for The Nine Demons, a 1984 post-Shaw Brothers film from legendary Hong Kong director Chang Cheh (Death Ring, The One Armed Sworsman).

After selling his soul to the devil, Joey (Ricky Cheng Tien Chi, Five Element Ninjas) is given the power to control 9 demons. With their help, Joey must save his childhood friend Gary from a bloody massacre.

The Nine Demons also stars Chris Lee Kin Sang (Full Alert), Lee Chung Yat (Death Ring), Lu Feng (Ninja Condors), Chiang Sheng (Kid with the Golden Arm) and Chui Tai Ping (House of Traps).

This title will soon be available at The Goodie Emporium, a U.S.-based online Continue reading

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Deal on Fire! The Double Crossers | Blu-ray | Only $21.99 – Expires soon!

The Double Crossers | Blu-ray (Eureka)

The Double Crossers | Blu-ray (Eureka)

Today’s Deal on Fire is the Blu-ray (Region A/B) for The Double Crossers (read our review), a 1976 Golden Harvest actioner from director Jeong Chang-hwa (The Devil’s Treasure, King Boxer) that stars South Korean martial artist Shin Il-ryong (The Dragon Lives Again) and featuring the legendary Sammo Hung (The Magnificent Butcher).

Following his late father’s murder, police officer Detective Lung (Shin) discovers that both of his parents were involved in a smuggling ring – and that his father was killed by its leader, a violent criminal now living in Hong Kong under the name Wang (Chao Hsiung, The One-Armed Swordsman). Determined to avenge his father’s death, Lung resigns from the police force to take matters into his own hands. Teaming up with a smuggler who was once a close friend and partner-in-crime Continue reading

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Uprising (2024) Review

"Uprising" Netflix Poster

“Uprising” Netflix Poster

Director: Kim Sang-man
Cast: Gang Dong-won, Park Jung-min, Cha Seung-won, Jung Sung-il, Kim Shin-rok, Jin Sun-Kyu
Running Time: 126 min. 

By Paul Bramhall

Much of the publicity for Uprising has leant into the fact that it’s co-scripted by Park Chan-wook, the director who gave us such modern-day classics like Decision to Leave and The Handmaiden. It’s an understandable approach, as while Chan-wook is most well known for the times he’s sat in the director’s chair, he’s also penned a number of classics where the directorial reigns have gone to someone else. From Lee Moo-young’s A Bizarre Love Triangle, to his protégé Lee Kyoung-mi’s Crush and Blush and The Truth Beneath, even when not directly involved in the production his touch is still felt.

For Uprising directorial duties have gone to Kim Sang-man, who worked on a number of Chan-wook’s productions in the 2000’s, primarily in the marketing department. In 2007 he’d make his own directorial debut with the action-comedy Girl Scout, going on to helm Midnight FM in 2010 and 2014’s The Tenor Lirico Spinto, before pulling that distinctive trait Continue reading

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Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In’ on Blu-ray, DVD and 4K Ultra HD arriving on November 19 from Well Go USA

Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In | 4K Ultra HD (Well Go USA)

Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In | 4K Ultra HD (Well Go USA)

Director Soi Cheang Pou Soi (SPL II: A Time for Consequences, The Monkey King) – and producers Wilson Yip (Paradox, Ip Man Franchise) and John Chong (The Invincible Dragon) – join forces for Media Asia’s Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In (formerly Kowloon Walled City), which hits Blu-ray, DVD and 4K Ultra HD November 19th from Well Go USA.

This all-star martial arts actioner (read our review), stars Louis Koo (Organized Crime and Triad Bureau), Sammo Hung (King Swindler), Richie Jen (Trivisa), Raymond Lam (Line Walker) and Philip Ng (Undercover Punch and Gun), and with action by Kenji Tanigaki (Enter the Fat Dragon).

Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In is an adaptation of the cult manhua (Chinese comicbook) series City of Darkness by Andy Seto. Set in the eighties Continue reading

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The East meets WEST! Watch the New Trailer for October’s Hi-YAH! Original ‘Westbound Inn’

Hi-YAH!, Well Go USA’s very own Asian/martial arts streaming channel has just announced their New Releases for the month of October.

If you want to give Hi-YAH! a go, visitors of this site can use the promo code “CITYONFIRE” for a FREE 30 Day trial!

Read on for the full list of New and Exclusive Continue reading

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Before you sleep…’Pray for Death’! Kino Lorber is releasing Sho Kosugi’s 1985 ninja actioner on Blu-ray in December

Pray for Death | Blu-ray (Kino Lorber)

Pray for Death | Blu-ray (Kino Lorber)

On December 10, 2024, Kino Lorber is releasing a Blu-ray for Pray for Death (read our review), a 1985 actioner directed by Gordon Hessler (Rage of Honor). This two-disc special edition includes both the R rated and unrated versions of the film.

They Shattered His American Dream. The Ninja Master himself, Sho Kosugi (9 Deaths of the Ninja), stars as Akira, a Japanese immigrant who starts a new life with his family in America, only to stumble onto the headquarters of a bloodthirsty gang of criminals. When the gangsters begin a rampage of murder that takes the lives of his two sons, Akira must step out of his quiet, peace-loving life and reveal his hidden identity, that of a perfectly skilled Ninja, the most lethal and mysterious of all martial artists. He has sounded his warning to top thug Limehouse (co-star/screenwriter James Booth, Avenging Force) and his henchmen: “Stay away from my family, or you will Pray for Death.” It’s time Continue reading

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Sho ’nuff… Kino Lorber is releasing Sho Kosugi’s 1987 actioner ‘Rage of Honor’ on Blu-ray in December

Rage of Honor | Blu-ray (Kino Lorber)

Rage of Honor | Blu-ray (Kino Lorber)

On December 10, 2024, Kino Lorber is releasing a Blu-ray for Rage of Honor (read our review), a 1987 actioner directed by Gordon Hessler (Pray for Death).

International action icon Sho Kosugi (9 Deaths of the Ninja) unleashes a devastating display of martial arts virtuosity as the forces of evil push him over the edge…and into a Rage of Honor.

When his best friend is slain by a vicious drug ring, undercover agent Shiro (Kosugi) vows revenge. Warned by his superiors to drop his vendetta, Shiro pretends to comply, traveling to South America with girlfriend Jennifer for a long overdue “vacation.” Picking up the villains’ trail in Brazil, Shiro forces a confrontation—but it backfires when Jennifer is kidnapped by the drug-runners. Pushed to the limit, Shiro’s mission of vengeance explodes into a bone-crushing Continue reading

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Seire (2022) Review

"Seire" Theatrical Poster

“Seire” Theatrical Poster

Director: Park Kang
Cast: Shim Eun-woo, Seo Hyun-woo, Ryu Abel, Ko Eun-Min, Kim Woo-Kyum, Jeon Woon-Jong
Running Time: 100 min.

By Paul Bramhall

Taking its name from a traditional Korean custom that follows childbirth, Seire refers to a newborns first 21 days, during which time the entrance of a property has a protective rope hung on it to ward off evil spirits, and the baby should have minimal interaction with those outside immediate family. The reason behind the custom is that newborns are believed to be at their most vulnerable to bad luck and curses during their first 3 weeks. In the opening we meet a new mother played by Shim Eun-woo (The Closed Ward, Each), who thanks to her mother is a firm believer in sticking to tradition, while the restrictive rules of the custom see her husband, played by Seo Hyun-woo (Escape, Thunderbird), looking forward to getting it over with.

Despite being supportive of his wife’s beliefs, Hyun-woo is clearly exhausted by the challenge of being a new father while balancing a busy job, and finds himself increasingly haunted by dreams of rotten apples and a woman who’s not his wife. The woman turns out to be his ex-girlfriend of 6 years, played by Ryu Abel (Young Adult Matters, A French Woman), and when he wakes up one morning there’s a text revealing she’s passed away. Invited to the 3-day funeral Continue reading

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Stuff of legends? New title has been revealed for Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio’s upcoming ‘Karate Kid’ movie

"Karate Kid: Legends" Teaser Poster

“Karate Kid: Legends” Teaser Poster

The highly successful motion picture franchise that spawned three sequels, a remake, and a series is getting another reboot – or should we say crossover?

Sony’s new Karate Kid film, titled Karate Kid: Legends, will be directed by Jonathan Entwistle, who has served as a director and executive producer on two popular Netflix original series including I Am Not Okay With This and The End of the F**ing World.

The upcoming film is a continuation of both 2010’s Karate Kid (Jackie Chan/Jaden Smith), and the original franchise (Pat Morita/Ralph Macchio) that took place in 1984’s The Karate Kid, 1986’s The Karate Kid Part II, 1989’s The Karate Kid Part III and in the events Continue reading

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Deal on Fire! The Last Blood | Blu-ray | Only $19.99 – Expires soon!

The Last Blood | Blu-ray (88 Films)

The Last Blood | Blu-ray (88 Films)

Today’s Deal on Fire is the Blu-ray (Region A/B) for The Last Blood (aka Hard Boiled II), a 1991 Hong Kong actioner directed by Wong Jing (Return to a Better Tomorrow) that stars Andy Lau (Saving Mr. Wu) and Alan Tam (Armour of God).

The Last Blood is definitely one to watch for anyone who looks back fondly at the late 80’s, early 90’s heyday of Hong Kong action cinema. Wong Jing’s ill-advised humor gets in the way, the supporting characters grate at times, and there may be a slow patch or two, but when Jing shuts up and lets action director Blackie Ko take the reigns, the movie kicks into overdrive and delivers in a big way. This is action movie junkfood of the highest caliber.

Andy Lau is out Continue reading

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