Author Archives: JJ Bona

Deal on Fire! Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman Collection | Blu-ray | Only $99.99 – Expires soon!

Today’s Deal on Fire is the Blu-ray set for Criterion Collection’s Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman film collection. This deluxe set features a string of 25 Zatoichi films, made between 1962 and 1973, in one complete package. That’s about $4 a movie. In addition, you also get a 1978 documentary about Shintaro Katsu, an interview with Asian-film critic Tony Rayns, trailers for all films, new English subtitle translations, plus a book featuring an essays, short stories … Continue reading

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Martial arts star Gary Daniels has a ‘Bad Reputation’

Action filmmaker Daniel Zirilli has a pack of films that are currently brewing, including Invincible with Marko Zaror (Savage Dog) and Johnny Strong (Sinners and Saints). Now, The Asian Connection filmmaker is recruiting martial arts film favorite Gary Daniels (Cold Harvest, City Hunter) for an upcoming actioner titled Bad Reputation. “Gary and I worked together 10 years ago. I wanted to make a film with him in the lead, and finally have the go. It takes time, but I … Continue reading

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Mark Dacascos to reunite with ‘Crying Freeman’ and ‘Brotherhood of the Wolf’ director for ‘Corto Maltese’

With Netflix’ upcoming Wu Assassins and John Wick 3 (not to mention Roger Avary’s Lucky Day and The Driver), Mark Dacascos (Showdown in Manila, Ultimate Justice) is enjoying a much deserved career resurgence – and now – the martial arts star is getting the ultimate comeback by reuniting with director Christophe Gans for the Live-action adaptation of the swashbuckling comic book Corto Maltese. Gans directed Dacascos in two movies that – along with Drive – are considered the most-acclaimed of Dacascos career: Crying … Continue reading

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Kickboxing champ Rico Verhoeven to lead ‘The Black Lotus’

Dutch kickboxing champion Rico Verhoeven is set to star in, and co-produce The Black Lotus with Tom de Mol and Marcel de Block, the duo responsible for producing The Hitman’s Bodyguard. According to THR, The Black Lotus — inspired by action classics such as Man on Fire and Taken — will see Verhoeven play an ex-military operative on a revenge mission to save the woman he loves. Verhoeven recently had a supporting role in … Continue reading

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Raymond Chow: October 8, 1927 – November 2, 2018

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New Trailer for Han Yan’s cyber-punk actioner ‘Dream Breaker’

Is this China’s answer to Steven Spielberg’s upcoming Ready Player One? Doubtful. Directed by Han Yan (The House That Never Dies), this forthcoming cyber-punk actioner is titled Dream Breaker, and judging from its trailer, one can expect a visual, Blade Runner-ish treat. According to THR, Dream Breaker stars actress Chen Duling (Namiya) as a young woman who must fight her way through a mysterious, holographic game world designed by her late father to avenge … Continue reading

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Deal on Fire! Ip Man 3 | Blu-ray | Only $4.99 – Expires soon!

Today’s Deal on Fire is the Blu-ray for Wilson Yip’s Ip Man 3 (read our review), starring Donnie Yen (Kung Fu Jungle), Max Zhang (The Brink), Mike Tyson (Kickboxer: Retaliation) and fight choreography by the legendary Yuen Woo Ping (The Thousand Faces of Dunjia). When a band of brutal gangsters led by a crooked property developer make a play to take over the city, Master Ip (Yen) is forced to take a stand. Ip Man 3 … Continue reading

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Maria Tran’s ‘Femme Fatales: Seen & Unheard’ is ready to roll

An upcoming documentary, titled Femme Fatales: Seen & Unheard, is in-the-works from actress, martial artist, producer and director, Maria Tran (Truy Sát, Tiger Cops). The full press release follows… For the past decade of her life, Fairfield-based filmmaker Maria Tran has devoted her life in making Hong Kong cinema homage action films in her backyard. She and her female led film production company Phoenix Eye will soon be embarking internationally … Continue reading

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‘It’ filmmaker to direct Live-action ‘Attack on Titan’ movie

Warner has enlisted Andy Muschietti to direct an English language, Live-action adaptation of the popular manga series, Attack on Titan. Muschietti is best known for 2013’s Mama and the 2017 adaptation of Stephen King’s It. Written and illustrated by Hajime Isayama, Attack on Titan is set in a world overrun by giant, man-eating creatures known as Titans (via Collider). In 2015, two Japanese language, Live-action adaptations – titled Attack on Titan: Part 1 and Attack on Titan: Part 2 – were … Continue reading

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‘Die Hard 2’ director Renny Harlin goes ‘Operation Wild’

Renny Harlin, noted Hollywood film director known for his 90’s blockbusters Die Hard 2 and Cliffhanger, is preparing to helm Operation Wild, which we believe is a totally different film than Operation Somalia (Harlin’s other ‘operation’ film that’s also in-the-works). The upcoming thriller will be Harlin’s fourth (or fifth, if Somalia is still happening) Chinese film, following Jackie Chan’s Skiptrace and the upcoming Bodies at Rest and Legend of the Ancient Sword. According to AFS, Operation Wild involves two elite combat warriors from … Continue reading

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Burning | Blu-ray & DVD (Well Go USA)

RELEASE DATE: March 5, 2019 On March 5, 2019, Well Go USA will release the Blu-ray/DVD for Burning (read our review), from director Lee Chang-Dong (Green Fish, Oasis, Secret Sunshine). This 2018 Cannes winner stars Steven Yuen (The Walking Dead) and Yoo Ah-In (Veteran) and Jun Jong-Seo (via THR). Jong-soo, a part-time worker, bumps into Hae-mi while delivering, who used to live in the same neighborhood. Hae-mi asks him to look after her cat while … Continue reading

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Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days | Blu-ray & DVD (Well Go USA)

RELEASE DATE: December 11, 2018 On December 11, 2018, Well Go USA is releasing the Blu-ray & DVD for Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days (read our review), the continuation of Kim Yong-Hwa’s (Mr. Go) fantasy blockbuster, Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds. The first film saw the story of a firefighter (Cha Tae-Hyun) who is taken to the afterlife by three guardians. Once there, he completes in seven trials before he can be … Continue reading

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Death Note: Light up the New World | Blu-ray & DVD (Funimation)

RELEASE DATE: January 22, 2019 On January 22, 2019, Funimation will be releasing the Blu-ray + DVD for Death Note: Light up the New World, from director Shinsuke Sato (I Am a Hero). Delighted by the reign of Kira ten years prior, the God of Death orders his reapers to find a replacement. When six Death Notes are placed on Earth—who will be worthy to take the place of Light Yagami … Continue reading

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Wych Kaosayananda re-teams with Kane Kosugi for ‘Maxx’

Director Wych ‘Kaos’ Kaosayananda (Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever) is re-teaming with Kane Kosugi (9 Deaths of the Ninja) for a 3rd time in Maxx. This upcoming actioner also stars Jason Patric (The Lost Boys), Shogen (Street Fighter: Assassin’s Fist), Koichi Iwaki (Memoirs of a Murderer) and Ammy Chanicha (Zero Tolerance). In Maxx, the best assassin (Kosugi) in the business makes his 500th kill – and decides to retire. Instead, he finds himself involved in a fierce battle of wits … Continue reading

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Here’s what John Carpenter says about Dwayne Johnson’s ‘Big Trouble in Little China’ sequel

Back in 2015, it was reported that Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson was in talks to star in and produce a remake of John Carpenter‘s cult, kung fu-driven, mystical-filled classic Big Trouble in Little China. As it turns out, the project will actually be a sequel, not a remake. Collider recently spoke with Hiram Garcia, president of production at Seven Bucks Productions (which was founded by co-CEOs Johnson and Dany Garcia) and … Continue reading

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