The Magic Crane (1993) Review

"The Magic Crane" Theatrical Poster

“The Magic Crane” Theatrical Poster

Director: Benny Chan
Cast: Tony Leung Chiu-Wai, Anita Mui Yim-Fong, Rosamund Kwan Chi-Lam, Damian Lau Chung-Yan, Lawrence Ng Kai-Wah, Norman Tsui Siu-Keung, Zhang Tielin
Running Time: 96 min.

By Paul Bramhall

In 2017 the late director Benny Chan unleashed Meow onto the world, the tale of Louis Koo and an oversized ginger cat from space, a production which had much of the action maestro’s fanbase scratching their heads as to what exactly was going on. For long-time fans of Chan though, as tough as it is to admit, Meow wasn’t the first time for the director to dabble in the world of oversized animals. Admittedly you have to go back almost 30 years, however the fact remains that in 1993 the world was gifted with The Magic Crane, which saw Hong Kong icon Anita Mui flying around on the back of a, well, gigantic crane.

After his debut co-directing 1988’s Let’s Rage the Gangland with Chik Kin-Chung, Chan dabbled in various genres during the first 5 years of his directorial career, but all shared a contemporary setting. The Magic Crane would be the first and last time he’d helm a new wave wuxia flick, and he did so working from a script written by Tsui Hark, who also sat in the producer’s chair. If any one man was responsible for igniting the new wave wuxia genre then it was arguably Continue reading

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‘Silence of the Lambs’-sploitation graces the Blu-ray cover for Well Go USA’s ‘Devils Stay’ arriving in March

Devils Stay | Blu-ray (Well Go USA)

Devils Stay | Blu-ray (Well Go USA)

On March 18, 2025, Well Go USA is releasing the Blu-ray & DVD for Devils Stay, a 2024 thriller that marks the feature-length debut from writer-director Hyun Moon-Sub, who is perhaps best known for penning the Nightmare High South Korean TV series.

In the film, a heart specialist doubts his daughter’s death after an exorcism, believing her heart still beats. Amid her three-day funeral, he and a priest clash over the truth, each trying to prove their stance and potentially save her life.

Devils Stay stars Park Shin-Yang (The Big Swindle, The Uninvited), Lee Min-Ki (For the Emperor, Monster) and Lee Re (Peninsula, Seven Years of Night).

Watch the Trailer Continue reading

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Has John Wick met his match? Watch the ultra-violent Trailer for ‘Demon City’ streaming on Netflix on February 27th

"Demon City" Netflix Poster

“Demon City” Netflix Poster

Streaming on Netflix on February 27, 2025 is Demon City, an ultra violent martial arts actioner based on the manga Oni Goroshi by Masamichi Kawabe.

Directed by Seiji Tanaka (Melancholic), Demon City stars Toma Ikuta (Beyond Goodbye) as Sakata, an an ex-hitman framed for his family’s murder and left for dead.

Just as hit man Sakata (aka Immortal Hit Man) is about to clean up his act for his family, the mysterious organization Kimen-gumi murders his wife and daughter, pinning the blame on him and sullying his name. After being shot in the head, he miraculously survives but falls into a coma. Twelve years later, the Kimen-gumi attacks him again, but his dormant killer instinct awakens, setting him on an epic course of revenge. However, what awaits him is a truth that threatens Continue reading

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Donnie Yen sleeps while Simu Liu awakens the Live-action videogame adaptation of ‘Sleeping Dogs’

Over 8 years ago, it was reported that martial arts star Donnie Yen (The Prosecutor) would be starring in a film adaptation of Square Enix’s hit video game Sleeping Dogs, but since then, news about Sleeping Dogs has been off and on. Now, it turns out that Yen might be out for good:

“I spent a lot of time and did a lot of work with these producers, and I even invested some of my own money into obtaining the drafts and some of the rights. I waited for years. Years. And I really want to do it. I have all these visions in my Continue reading

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Shaw Brothers, Desperados, Mulan and Kowloon Walled City! Here’s what’s on Hi-YAH for the month of February

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

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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Tsui Hark’s latest! Watch the Trailer for Sony’s ‘Legends of the Condor Heroes: The Gallants’ arriving in February

"Legends of the Condor Heroes: The Gallants" Theatrical Poster

“Legends of the Condor Heroes: The Gallants” Theatrical Poster

Coming to U.S. theaters on February 20, 2025 from Sony Pictures is Legends of the Condor Heroes: The Gallants, the latest from acclaimed Hong Kong director, Tsui Hark (The Taking of Tiger Mountain, Zu: Warriors from Magic Mountain).

Legends of the Condor Heroes: The Gallants is an action-packed fantasy drama adapted from Jin Yong’s classic martial arts novel, The Legend of the Condor Heroes.

Under Genghis Khan, the Mongolian army pushes west to destroy the Jin Dynasty, setting its sights on the Song Dynasty next. Amid internal conflicts among martial arts schools, Guo Jing unites the Central Plains’ warriors to defend Xiangyang, embodying courage and loyalty in the fight for the nation.

The film stars Xiao Continue reading

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In space nobody can hear you ASH! New Trailer for the sci-fi thriller starring Eiza Gonzalez, Aaron Paul and Iko Uwais

"Ash" Theatrical Poster

“Ash” Theatrical Poster

Martial arts star Iko Uwais (The Raid, The Raid 2, Headshot, Beyond Skyline) is joining Eiza Gonzalez (Ambulance) and Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad) for Ash, an upcoming sci-fi thriller that’s due to hit theaters early next year!

Directing Ash is musician/filmmaker Steven D. Bingley-Ellison (Kuso, V/H/S/99), who mostly known as his stage name, Flying Lotus. The XYZ/GFC-produced film also stars Beulah Koale (Dual), Kate Elliott (Power Rangers Ninja Steel) and Flying Lotus (Game Over, Man).

The plot of Ash follows a woman (González) who wakes up on a distant planet and finds the crew of her space station viciously killed. She must now decide if she can trust the man (Paul) sent to rescue Continue reading

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Let me tell you of the days of high adventure… Ringo Lam’s ‘The Adventurers’ arriving on Blu-ray in April

On April 28, 2025, Eureka is releasing a Blu-ray (Region A/B) for The Adventurers, a 1995 actioner from acclaimed director Ringo Lam (Sky on Fire, Wild City, Prison on Fire) and star, Andy Lau (Infernal Affairs).

The only collaboration between action master Ringo Lam and Hong Kong superstar Andy Lau, The Adventurers is an explosive story of heroic bloodshed Continue reading

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Yeah, bam, bam, bam, bam, bam… Arrow to release V-Cinema Blu-ray collection ‘Bullets and Betrayal’ in April

On April 28, 2025, Arrow Video will be releasing a Blu-ray collection for V-Cinema Essentials: Bullets & Betrayal, which will include 9 direct-to-video Japanese classics spread across 5 discs.

In 1989, legendary Japanese studio Toei launched their V-Cinema line of direct-to-video genre features. V-Cinema Essentials: Bullets & Betrayal presents nine Continue reading

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Some magnificent news! Eureka announces Chang Cheh’s ‘The Magnificent Trio’ and ‘Magnificent Wanderers’

On April 28, 2025, Eureka is releasing a Blu-ray (Region B) collection for The Magnificent Chang Cheh, which will include 1966’s The Magnificent Trio and 1977’s Magnificent Wanderers.

One of the Shaw Brothers Studio’s most prolific directors, Chang Cheh – or the “Godfather of Hong Kong Cinema” – is the filmmaker behind Five Deadly VenomsChinatown Kid and Boxer Rebellion. Collected here are two films by this maestro of martial arts Continue reading

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Damn it feels good to be a gangster! Johnnie To and Tony Leung are teaming up for an upcoming Hong Kong crime film

Although Johnnie To’s (Three, Office, Running on Karma) filmmaking output has been slowing down in the past 10 years (he’s been consistently pumping out 2-3 films a year for most of his career, but only 3 films in the last 10 years), the prolific Hong Kong Continue reading

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Korean horror cult classic ‘Suddenly in the Dark’ arriving on Ultra HD + Blu-ray from Terror Vision

In March, U.S. label Terror Vision is releasing a 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray for 1981’s Suddenly in the Dark, the only horror movie to be helmed by prolific director Go Yeong-nam (Korean Connection).

The film stars Kim Young-ae (Confession of Murder), Yoon Il-bong (Love on a Rainy Day), Lee Gi-seon (Lost Youth), Hyeon Hye-ri (Unconditional Love) and Kim Geun-hui (Encounter).

Kang Yu-jin is a biology professor who brings in a housemaid to help around the house. Mi-ok doesn’t have any family so Yu-jin and his wife Seon-hee welcome her into their home. Seon-hee grows weary of Mi-ok presence not only because she suspects Continue reading

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Xie Miao returns in ‘Eye for an Eye 2: Blind Vengeance’ arriving on Blu-ray and DVD in March from Well Go USA

Eye for an Eye 2: Blind Vengeance | Blu-ray (Well Go USA)

Eye for an Eye 2: Blind Vengeance | Blu-ray (Well Go USA)

On March 4, 2025, Well Go USA is releasing the Blu-ray & DVD for Eye for an Eye 2: Blind Vengeance, an upcoming martial arts actioner from director Bingjia Yang (Eye for an Eye: The Blind Swordsman).

This one starts where 2022’s Eye for an Eye: The Blind Swordsman ends! Xie Miao (My Father is a Hero) returns as the skilled blind sword-wielder, but this time he saves a young girl after she survived a tragic family massacre. Under the persistent persuasion of the orphaned girl, he reluctantly keeps her by his side and teaches her his martial arts skills, while she patiently prepares and waits for the perfect moment to take her revenge.

Eye for an Eye 2: Blind Vengeance also stars Yang En You (Five Hundred Miles), Tao Continue reading

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Attention Bruceploitation fans! Terror Vision announces Blu-ray for 1975’s ‘Enter the Panther’ starring Bruce Li

In March, U.S. label Terror Vision is releasing a Blu-ray for Enter the Panther (aka Conspiracy), a 1975 Taiwanese kung fu film from director Han Bao-Chang (The Great Hero), featuring an early starring role by Bruce Li/Ho Tsung-Tao (Lama Avenger, Super Dragon).

Enter the Panther delivers the hits and kicks of kung fu action at its most violent! A struggle for control of a gold mine begins with a violent poisoning… and doesn’t end until the body count piles high. Martial Arts Master Bruce Li battles his way out of frightening Continue reading

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Did someone order food? Blu-ray for Xu Zheng’s ‘Upstream’ now available from Bayview Entertainment

"Upstream" Theatrical Poster

“Upstream” Theatrical Poster

Today, Bayview Entertainment is releasing the Blu-ray for Upstream, a 2024 Chinese black comedy from actor and director Xu Zheng (The Great Hypnotist, Lost in Thailand).

After suffering a number of disasters, including losing his job, having his savings wiped out and facing his father’s high medical bills, Gao Zhilei (Xu) takes up a job as a delivery worker, dealing with long days and stomach-turning events. Amongst crazy customers, tight deadlines and competition among app companies, he manages to form strong bonds with his fellow workers. But in his quest for success, he must face a choice: keep the new friendships he’s created or move to the next level in his new career by taking advantage of the new business world where he finds himself.

The film also Continue reading

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