Category Archives: News

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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Daisy (2006) Review

"Daisy" Korean Theatrical Poster

Director: Andrew Lau Writer: Felix Chong Producer: Hoon-tak Jung Cast: Jeong Woo-Sung, Jun Ji-Hyun (Gianna Jun), Lee Sung-jae, Cheon Ho-Jin, Simon Yam Tat Wah, David Chiang Da Wei, Yu Sun-Cheol, Dion Lam Running Time: 110 min. By Paul Bramhall On paper Daisy reads like an Asian action thriller fan’s dream. A Korea and Hong Kong co-production (which translates to Korea being in-front of the camera and Hong Kong being behind … 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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Outcast (2014) Review

Director: Nick Powell Writer: James Dormer Cast: Hayden Christensen, Nicolas Cage, Liu Yifei, Ji Ke Jun Yi, Andy On, Wang Bozhao, Fernando Chien Running Time: 99 min. By Kyle Warner When a successful Hollywood star decides to star in a Chinese production, I see it as an interesting career choice. Maybe the script drew them in, maybe it was the chance to work on a new sort of film set, … Continue reading

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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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Shadowless Sword (2005) Review

"Shadowless Sword" Korean Theatrical Poster

Director: Kim Young-Jun Cast: Yun So-Yi, Lee Seo-Jin, Shin Hyun-Joon, Lee Gi-Yong, Jeong Ho-Bin, Park Seong-Woong Running Time: 98 min. By Paul Bramhall The words ‘Korean’ and ‘wuxia’ are not really two which you’d immediately think of putting together. The Korean film industry has gained a reputation for producing high quality entries in the likes of the gangster, revenge thriller, and melodrama genres. On the other hand, the wuxia genre … Continue reading

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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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Crank 2: High Voltage (2009) Review

"Crank: High Voltage" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Mark Neveldine Co-director: Brian Taylor Cast: Jason Statham, Amy Smart, Clifton Collins, Jr., Efren Ramirez, Bai Ling, David Carradine, Dwight Yoakam, Corey Haim, Keone Young, Art Hsu Running Time: 95 min. By HKFanatic I used to wonder what a film directed by video game auteur Suda51 (No More Heroes) would look like. Then I saw Crank 2: High Voltage and wondered no more. With High Voltage, writer/director team Mark … Continue reading

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Eight Escorts, The (1980) Review

AKA: Eight Peerless Treasures Director: Pao Hsueh Lieh Writer: Katy Chin, Ni Kuang Cast: Hsu Feng, Au Lap Bo, Michael Chan Wai Man, Choi Wang, Fang Mien, Goo Chang, Ko Keung, Danny Lee Sau Yin, Lily Li Li Li, Ling Yun, Mau Ging Shun, Stewart Tam Tin, Dorian Tan Tao Liang, Wong Ching, Wang Chung, Wu Ma Running Time: 90 min. By Martin Sandison In 1972 director Pao Hsieh Li and … 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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Rage | aka Tokarev (2014) Review

Director: Paco Cabezas Cast: Nicolas Cage, Rachel Nichols, Peter Stormare, Danny Glover, Max Ryan, Michael McGrady, Judd Lormand, Max Fowler, Pasha D. Lychnikoff Running Time: 92 min. By Paul Bramhall For several years now Nicolas Cage seems to have had a ‘say yes to everything’ policy in place when it comes to accepting movie roles. It’s a policy which has taken him to some odd places – in 2014 alone … 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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