Category Archives: News

Karate Kill (2016) Review

"Karate Kill" Theatrical Poster

Director: Kurando Mitsutake Writer: Kurando Mitsutake Cast: Hayate, David Sakurai, Asami, Katarina Leigh Waters, Mana Sakura, Kirk Geiger, Noriaki Kamata, Kirk Geiger, Tomm Voss, Jeffrey James Lippold Running Time: 85 min By Paul Bramhall Japanese action cinema has a history of making movies that act as a showcase for the karate skills of the stars that headline them, from Ken Kazama in Karate from Shaolin Temple back in 1976, to Rina … Continue reading

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5 New Posters for the Live-action adaptation of ‘Contra’

A live-action Chinese film adaptation of Konami’s 1987 arcade hit, Contra (aka Kontora or Gryzor), is in the works. The film will be produced by Wei Nan (Soul Transfer Station) and backed by Beijing Starlit Movie and TV Culture. The highly popular video game involved two Rambo-like characters who take on an alien army. The character design of the boss aliens were highly influenced by H.R. Giger’s Necronom IV, which were the source for the Xenomorphs in the Alien film franchise. The original … Continue reading

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Exclusive: Interview with Hong Kong legend Eric Tsang

On the back of the great success of his wonderful and moving new film, Mad World, Eric Tsang appeared at the 19th Far East Film Festival in Udine. Prior to the screening he was presented with the Golden Mulberrry Lifetime Achievement Award, a fitting tribute to one of Hong Kong’s great filmmakers. Alongside such memorable roles as Hon Sam in Infernal Affairs, Tsang has worked as a director, producer, presenter and … Continue reading

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Karate Kill | Blu-ray & DVD (Dark Cuts)

RELEASE DATE: July 18, 2017 On July 18, 2017, Dark Cuts is bringing Karate Kill to Blu-ray & DVD, a new martial arts film directed by Kurando Mitsutake (read our interview with him). When a mysterious loner and Karate master Kenji’s (Hayate) little sister goes missing in Los Angeles, whoever stands in his way of finding her will face the wrath of a lethal Karate Kill! Karate Kill also stars Asami (Prison Girl), … Continue reading

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I Am a Hero (2015) Review

"I Am a Hero" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Shinsuke Sato Cast: Yo Oizumi, Kasumi Arimura, Masami Nagasawa, Hisashi Yoshizawa, Yoshinori Okada, Nana Katase, Jin Katagiri, Makita Sports, Muga Tsukaji, Yu Tokui Running Time: 126 min. By Paul Bramhall It’s rare for Asian movies to break out into the mainstream, and when they do, they’re normally of the martial arts variety. So in 2016, when the Korean zombie movie Train to Busan started getting global attention, thanks largely … Continue reading

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Exclusive: Interview with the Cast and Crew of ‘Jailbreak’

jailbreak movie interview

This year’s 19th edition of Far East Film Festival offered a special treat for the fans of martial arts cinema. The long-awaited hit title Jailbreak, titled as Cambodia’s very first martial arts movie was scheduled for screening on the opening day of the festival. Coming to Udine to promote the movie was the Jailbreak team: director Jimmy Henderson and producer Loy Te, as well as the film’s stars Jean-Paul Ly … Continue reading

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Cynthia Rothrock’s Fists of Fury | DVD (Full Moon)

RELEASE DATE: October 17, 2017 Martial arts film legend Cynthia Rothrock (The Martial Arts Kid, Righting Wrongs) is hosting Fists of Fury, a new, butt-kicking DVD documentary by Charles Band and Full Moon Entertainment. Synopsis: Class is in session as your seductive sensei, Cynthia Rothrock, gives you the hardest hitting lessons of your life! Courses include a study on the greatest ‘Martial Arts Movie Masters’, ‘Deadliest Weapons”, and the many failed attempts … Continue reading

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New accolade-filled Trailer for Edgar Wright’s ‘Baby Driver’

Edgar Wright, the genius director known for his pleasantly paced, comedic brand of culture-induced films (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World) is back with an innovative project that’s being described as an “action crime musical film”. The movie, titled Baby Driver, involves a young getaway driver named “Baby” (The Fault in Our Stars’ Ansel Elgort), who finds himself taking part in a heist doomed to fail. In the process, he … Continue reading

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Wolf Guy: Enraged Lycanthrope (1975) Review

Wolf Guy | Blu-ray (Arrow Video)

Director: Kazuhiko Yamaguchi Cast: Sonny Chiba, Rikiya Yasuoka, Saburo Date, Koji Fujiyama, Tooru Hanada, Ryuji Hayami, Jiro Ibuki, Harukui Jo, Kenji Kawai, Hiroshi Kondo, Koji Miemachi, Etsuko Nami, Yoshio Neshima Running Time: 86 min. By Kelly Warner There are two types of film fans in the world; those who learn of Sonny Chiba’s 1975 werewolf action movie Wolf Guy with a “Huh?” and those who almost immediately plunk down $20 so that … Continue reading

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A ‘Guest’ filmmaker to bring ‘Godzilla vs. Kong’ to the ring

Now that Jordan Vogt-Roberts’ Kong: Skull Island (reboot of the King Kong franchise) and Gareth Edwards’ Godzilla have done their damage at the box office, Legendary Entertainment and Warner Bros. are in full swing with Godzilla vs. Kong, a mash-up of the two aforementioned titles. According to THR, Adam Wingard (director of Netflix’ upcoming Death Note), who made a name for himself with low-budget horror thrillers such as You’re Next and The Guest, has closed a deal … Continue reading

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Aces Go Places V: The Terracotta Hit (1989) Review

"Aces Go Places V: The Terracotta Hit" Chinese DVD Cover

AKA: Mad Mission 5 Director: Lau Kar-leung Cast: Samuel Hui Koon-kit , Karl Maka, Leslie Cheung, Nina Li Chi, Conan Lee, Billy Chong, Maria Cordero, Ha Chi Jan, Mark Houghton, Walter Tso Running Time: 102 min. By Paul Bramhall There’s a distinct feeling with the fifth instalment of the Aces Go Places series, that the producers were trying to aim for as broad an audience as possible. Of course fans of … Continue reading

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Deal on Fire! City Hunter & Battle Creek Brawl | Blu-ray | Only $11.76 – Expires soon!

Today’s Deal on Fire is the Blu-ray Double Feature for 1980′s Battle Creek Brawl (aka The Big Brawl) & 1993′s City Hunter. Battle Creek Brawl is noteworthy for not only being directed by Robert Clouse (Enter the Dragon), but for also being Jackie Chan’s first English-language attempt at making a name for himself in America. Based on the famous Manga of the same name, Wong Jing’s City Hunter is practically a campy … Continue reading

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Mad World (2016) Review

"Mad World" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Wong Chung Cast: Eric Tsang, Shawn Yue, Elaine Jin, Charmaine Fong, Yvan Chan Hok-Man, Ng Siu-Hin Running Time: 101 min. By Martin Sandison The name Eric Tsang conjures up images of Golden Harvest comedies like My Lucky Stars (I’ll never forget the button mushroom joke) or his magnificent turn as gang boss Hon Sam in Infernal Affairs and it sequel. A seasoned veteran of Hong Kong cinema, even directing martial arts movies (he helmed … Continue reading

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Bitcoin Heist | Blu-ray & DVD (Well Go USA)

RELEASE DATE: July 4, 2017 On July 4, 2017, Well Go USA will be releasing the Blu-ray & DVD for Bitcoin Heist (aka Sieu Trom), a Vietnamese action film directed by Ham Tran (Hollow), who is perhaps best known for his editing work on the martial arts gems, The Rebel and Clash.  In Bitcoin Heist, hackers have become the bank robbers in the new world of crypto-currency. In order to catch the most wanted … Continue reading

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City Ninja | aka Ninja Holocaust (1985) Review

"City Ninja" Korean Theatrical Poster

AKA: Rocky’s Love Affairs Director: Choi Young-chul Cast: Michael Chan Wai-Man, Casanova Wong, Andy Chworowsky, Chae Eun-hui, Eagle Han Ying, Park Yun-geun, John Ladalski, Mabel Kwong Mei-Bo Running Time: 90 min. By Paul Bramhall Let’s just get it out of the way upfront – City Ninja is such a muddled production, the very prospect of reviewing it and providing some kind of background of how it came to be is an intimidating one. Almost every source … Continue reading

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