Author Archives: JJ Bona

Philip Rhee is rebooting the ‘Best of the Best’ franchise!

Ready for another Best of the Best? We sure are. With the franchise’s plug ‘n play global fanbase and the current wave of nostalgia driven revivals like Karate Kid and Cobra Kai, it feels like only a matter of time before some profit minded producer brings this beloved martial arts series back to the screen for a new generation. Way back in 2015, while promoting his “comeback” movie Underdog Kids, … Continue reading

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Ultimate action flick starring Jason Statham and Tony Jaa?

Furious 7’s Jason Statham (Blitz) and Tony Jaa (Skin Trade, Tom Yum Goong 2) may re-team for a potential martial arts film together. Statham says he wants to “elevate the action in a way that’s never been done before.” A script for the untitled project is currently being worked on. Here’s the full scoop from Statham himself: (via MH/MAAC): “What I’d like to do is a fully-fledged fight movie. I’ve … Continue reading

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The Most Memorable Villains in Martial Arts Film: Part I

Every film genre – action, science fiction, horror, comedy and even animated – has had a series of memorable villains that have stuck with us for most of our lives. Whether it be a sadistic teenager portrayed by James Spader; an emotionless cyborg represented by Arnold Schwarzenegger; a suave, humorous terrorist leader played by Alan Rickman; or even a scarred lion voiced by Jeremy Irons – it’s the bad guys who make the … Continue reading

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30th Anniversary ‘The Last Dragon’ Blu-ray detailed!

Berry Gordy’s The Last Dragon celebrates its 30th Anniversary by debuting for the first time on Blu-ray August 25 from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. The cult classic has been fully remastered in high definition for Blu-ray and features exciting all-new dynamic packaging art by acclaimed Mondo Gallery artist Gary Pullin, as well as the featurette Return of the Dragon, a newly-created retrospective look at the making of the film, featuring … Continue reading

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‘Hit-Girl’ prequel and ‘Kick-Ass 3′ in the works?

Mark Millar, creator of the comic books, Kick-Ass and The Secret Service – the basis for the upcoming Kingsman: The Secret Service – recently mentioned that a planned Hit-Girl spin-off movie was in the works. Here’s the interesting part: Gareth Evans (The Raid, The Raid 2) was in talks for the project. Here’s what Millar told IGN during a recent interview: “Before Kick-Ass 2 came out, we’d been talking about … Continue reading

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Underdogs Kids | DVD (Anchor Bay)

RELEASE DATE: July 7, 2015 Anchor Bay presents the DVD for Underdogs Kids, directed by and starring Philip Rhee (Best of the Best series). It’s a few weeks before the big karate tournament, and the struggling Mid-City Community Center has just lost their instructor. But when former MMA champ Jimmy ‘The Lightning Bolt’ Lee (Rhee) returns to the old neighborhood, he reluctantly agrees to train the misfit kids for their … Continue reading

Posted in DVD/Blu-ray New Releases, Martial Arts Titles |

Z Storm | Blu-ray & DVD (Well Go USA)

RELEASE DATE: August 18, 2015 Well Go USA presents the Blu-ray & DVD for the crime-thriller Z Storm, which stars Louis Koo (Accident), Lo Hoi-pang (Dream Home), Michael Wong (Nightfall), Gordon Lam (Triad Election) and Liu Kai-chi (The Stool Pigeon). Z Storm involves the ICAC, Hong Kong’s 40-year-old anti-corruption body, in a three-way conflict among the police and the government. Z Storm also marks the return of veteran Hong Kong filmmaker David Lam, … Continue reading

Posted in Asian Titles, DVD/Blu-ray New Releases |

Andy Lau and Johnnie To are ‘Running on Karma’ again!

2003’s Running on Karma was one of the strangest yet ultimately fulfilling Hong Kong movies ever made, and now, 12 years later, directors Johnnie To (Election 2) and Wai Ka Fai (Too Many Ways To Be #1) are currently at work on a 3D sequel. Andy Lau (Switch) is slated to return. Cecilia Cheung, however, is not on the radar. According to Jaynestars (via DiP), To wasn’t fond of her … Continue reading

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Rumble in the Bronx | Blu-ray (Warner)

RELEASE DATE: October 6, 2015 Warner presents the Blu-ray for Rumble in the Bronx, directed by Stanley Tong (Police Story 4: First Strike). Please note that this Blu-ray is most-likely the English-dubbed, U.S. edited version of the film. A young man (Jackie Chan) visiting and helping his uncle (Bill Tung) in New York City finds himself forced to fight a street gang and the mob with his martial art skills. Also starring … Continue reading

Posted in Asian Titles, DVD/Blu-ray New Releases, Martial Arts Titles |

Cityonfire.com’s ‘For the Emperor’ Blu-ray Giveaway! – WINNERS ANNOUNCED!

Cityonfire.com and Well Go USA are giving away 3 Blu-ray copies of Park Sang-jun’s For the Emperor to three lucky Cityonfire visitors. To enter, simply add a comment to this post and describe, in your own words, this trailer. We will be selecting a winner at random. Be sure to include your email address in the appropriate field so we can contact you for your home address. Additionally, you must ‘Like Us‘ … Continue reading

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Jet Li does a flying jump kick onto Netflix’s streaming service

Eagle-eyed martial arts fans who happen to own a Netflix account may have noticed that a significant portion of Jet Li’s back catalog has been slowly added to the website’s streaming service. It appears that the Weinstein Company, who purchased a great deal of Hong Kong action movies during the 90’s, have once again been divvying up their films to Netflix. Cinema buffs have long resented the Weinsteins for their … Continue reading

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Steven Seagal, Rutger Hauer, Vinnie Jones and Michael Dudikoff head for the ‘Four Towers’

Next month, Giorgio Serafini (Puncture Wounds) will begin production on Four Towers, an action flick starring Rutger Hauer (The Hitcher), Steven Seagal (Above the Law), Costas Mandylor (Fist of the North Star), Vinnie Jones (Midnight Meat Train), Michael Dudikoff (American Ninja) and Gianni Capaldi (Puncture Wounds). Here’s the plot according to EP: Viro (Hauer), a criminal mastermind, partners with a woman in a plot to steal a cache of gold from … Continue reading

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Expect more martial arts action as the Punisher joins Netflix’s ‘Daredevil’

By all accounts, season one of Netflix’s Daredevil series has proven a rousing success. The 13-episode program, which features Charlie Cox (Stardust) as Marvel Comics’ blind attorney turned vigilante, earned high marks from both critics and fanboys alike thanks to its blend of crime drama and hard-hitting action. The show’s fight scenes, of which are there many, offer intricate martial arts choreography that wouldn’t be out of place in a … Continue reading

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Donnie Yen’s ‘Kung Fu Killer’ hits hard this July!

Legendary Hong Kong action icon Donnie Yen is back in top form with the bone-crunching, martial arts action thriller Kung Fu Killer (read our review), debuting on Digital HD July 7, before hitting Blu-ray™ and DVD July 21 from Well Go USA Entertainment. Watch the trailer! Bonus Features include: Making of, Fight To The Top, The Spirit of Kung Fu, The Final Duel, Legendary Action Directors and Trailer. When a … Continue reading

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Martial arts fighters collide in the trailer for ‘Bloody Destiny’

A new tournament-style martial arts flick is on its way from the Chinese mainland titled Bloody Destiny. Not much is known from the plot, but considering its poster is reminiscent of old-school Shaw Bros. and Golden Harvest flicks (it even features a guy dressed up in Bruce Lee’s famous yellow/black tracksuit from Game of Death), the movie definitely stands out as something to look out for. Zang Xichuan directs with Gu … Continue reading

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