Hide your fingers, because Amazon’s Prime Video will soon unleash Like a Dragon, an upcoming six-part, live-action series based on the SEGA videogame franchise, Yakuza: Like a Dragon.
The series – directed by Masaharu Take (100 Yen Love) and Takimoto Kengo (Kamen Teacher) – is set in two time periods, 1995 and 2005, and follows the life, childhood friends and the repercussions of the decisions of a fearsome and peerless Yakuza Continue reading
“Panda Plan” Theatrical Poster
Director: Luan Zhang
Cast: Jackie Chan, Yanbo Han, Ce Shi, Xiang Wei, Temur Mamisashvili, Aleksandra Smirnova
Running Time: 100 min.
By Paul Bramhall
In one of the initial scenes from Jackie Chan’s latest big screen outing, Panda Plan, a character says, “It’s a commercial movie, it needs to entertain.” In many ways the line could be interpreted as director Luan Zhang’s way of announcing his intentions to the audience, and it’s far from being the only meta-aspect of the production. If 2023’s Ride On was Chan’s own way of playing a character who acts as a reflection of his own life, then his latest takes that journey one step further. How? The answer is surprisingly simple – in Panda Plan Jackie Chan is playing Jackie Chan. We’re not talking about the 90’s era Jackie Chan where movies like First Strike and Mr. Nice Guy had his character referred to as Jackie, but there was still some vague notion that he was supposed to be playing a fictional character. No, here he’s world-famous action movie star Jackie Chan, and a zoo on the fictional Noah Island has asked him to adopt a baby panda.
Not just any baby panda mind you, this one is a CGI baby panda with 700 million followers on social media, and features the rare trait of having black eyes of different sizes, apparently making it “the only one in existence.” Naturally, this also means that some Arabs want to get their hands on it, and are willing to pay whatever price is asked for to get it. So they hire Continue reading
“Born a Ninja” Promotional Poster
Visual Vengeance is prepping a Blu-ray for IFD Films’ Born a Ninja, a martial arts film – produced somewhere between 1988 and 1991 – from director Law Chi (Thunderbolt) with some copy ‘n paste help from Godfrey Ho (Manhattan Chase).
In the film (aka American Commando Ninja), a group of Russians, a Chinese terrorist group and a Japanese ninja are trying to capture a Japanese WWII scientist and steal his formula for germ warfare.
The film stars Meng Fei (Young Tiger), Patrick L’Arcent (Commando the Ninja), Hung Kuan (Young Dragons: Kung Fu Kids), Daniel Garfield, Henry Kwan, Kelvin Wong (High Risk) and Laura Continue reading
“The Nine Demons” Theatrical Poster
Visual Vengeance will soon be releasing a Blu-ray for The Nine Demons, a 1984 post-Shaw Brothers film from legendary Hong Kong director Chang Cheh (Death Ring, The One Armed Sworsman).
After selling his soul to the devil, Joey (Ricky Cheng Tien Chi, Five Element Ninjas) is given the power to control 9 demons. With their help, Joey must save his childhood friend Gary from a bloody massacre.
The Nine Demons also stars Chris Lee Kin Sang (Full Alert), Lee Chung Yat (Death Ring), Lu Feng (Ninja Condors), Chiang Sheng (Kid with the Golden Arm) and Chui Tai Ping (House of Traps).
This title will soon be available at The Goodie Emporium, a U.S.-based online Continue reading
The Double Crossers | Blu-ray (Eureka)
Today’s Deal on Fire is the Blu-ray (Region A/B) for The Double Crossers (read our review), a 1976 Golden Harvest actioner from director Jeong Chang-hwa (The Devil’s Treasure, King Boxer) that stars South Korean martial artist Shin Il-ryong (The Dragon Lives Again) and featuring the legendary Sammo Hung (The Magnificent Butcher).
Following his late father’s murder, police officer Detective Lung (Shin) discovers that both of his parents were involved in a smuggling ring – and that his father was killed by its leader, a violent criminal now living in Hong Kong under the name Wang (Chao Hsiung, The One-Armed Swordsman). Determined to avenge his father’s death, Lung resigns from the police force to take matters into his own hands. Teaming up with a smuggler who was once a close friend and partner-in-crime Continue reading
“Uprising” Netflix Poster
Director: Kim Sang-man
Cast: Gang Dong-won, Park Jung-min, Cha Seung-won, Jung Sung-il, Kim Shin-rok, Jin Sun-Kyu
Running Time: 126 min.
By Paul Bramhall
Much of the publicity for Uprising has leant into the fact that it’s co-scripted by Park Chan-wook, the director who gave us such modern-day classics like Decision to Leave and The Handmaiden. It’s an understandable approach, as while Chan-wook is most well known for the times he’s sat in the director’s chair, he’s also penned a number of classics where the directorial reigns have gone to someone else. From Lee Moo-young’s A Bizarre Love Triangle, to his protégé Lee Kyoung-mi’s Crush and Blush and The Truth Beneath, even when not directly involved in the production his touch is still felt.
For Uprising directorial duties have gone to Kim Sang-man, who worked on a number of Chan-wook’s productions in the 2000’s, primarily in the marketing department. In 2007 he’d make his own directorial debut with the action-comedy Girl Scout, going on to helm Midnight FM in 2010 and 2014’s The Tenor Lirico Spinto, before pulling that distinctive trait Continue reading
Hi-YAH!, Well Go USA’s very own Asian/martial arts streaming channel has just announced their New Releases for the month of October.
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
Pray for Death | Blu-ray (Kino Lorber)
RELEASE DATE: December 10, 2024
On December 10, 2024, Kino Lorber is releasing a Blu-ray for Pray for Death (read our review), a 1985 actioner directed by Gordon Hessler (Rage of Honor). This two-disc special edition includes both the R rated and unrated versions of the film.
They Shattered His American Dream. The Ninja Master himself, Sho Kosugi (9 Deaths of the Ninja), stars as Akira, a Japanese immigrant who starts a new life with his family in America, only to stumble onto the headquarters of a bloodthirsty gang of criminals. When the gangsters begin a rampage of murder that takes the lives of his two sons, Akira must step out of his quiet, peace-loving life and reveal his hidden identity, that of a perfectly skilled Ninja, the most lethal and mysterious of all martial artists. He has sounded his warning to top thug Limehouse (co-star/screenwriter James Booth, Avenging Force) and his henchmen: “Stay away from my family, or you will Pray for Death.” It’s time Continue reading
Rage of Honor | Blu-ray (Kino Lorber)
RELEASE DATE: December 10, 2024
On December 10, 2024, Kino Lorber is releasing a Blu-ray for Rage of Honor (read our review), a 1987 actioner directed by Gordon Hessler (Pray for Death).
International action icon Sho Kosugi (9 Deaths of the Ninja) unleashes a devastating display of martial arts virtuosity as the forces of evil push him over the edge…and into a Rage of Honor.
When his best friend is slain by a vicious drug ring, undercover agent Shiro (Kosugi) vows revenge. Warned by his superiors to drop his vendetta, Shiro pretends to comply, traveling to South America with girlfriend Jennifer for a long overdue “vacation.” Picking up the villains’ trail in Brazil, Shiro forces a confrontation—but it backfires when Jennifer is kidnapped by the drug-runners. Pushed to the limit, Shiro’s mission of vengeance explodes into a bone-crushing Continue reading
“Seire” Theatrical Poster
Director: Park Kang
Cast: Shim Eun-woo, Seo Hyun-woo, Ryu Abel, Ko Eun-Min, Kim Woo-Kyum, Jeon Woon-Jong
Running Time: 100 min.
By Paul Bramhall
Taking its name from a traditional Korean custom that follows childbirth, Seire refers to a newborns first 21 days, during which time the entrance of a property has a protective rope hung on it to ward off evil spirits, and the baby should have minimal interaction with those outside immediate family. The reason behind the custom is that newborns are believed to be at their most vulnerable to bad luck and curses during their first 3 weeks. In the opening we meet a new mother played by Shim Eun-woo (The Closed Ward, Each), who thanks to her mother is a firm believer in sticking to tradition, while the restrictive rules of the custom see her husband, played by Seo Hyun-woo (Escape, Thunderbird), looking forward to getting it over with.
Despite being supportive of his wife’s beliefs, Hyun-woo is clearly exhausted by the challenge of being a new father while balancing a busy job, and finds himself increasingly haunted by dreams of rotten apples and a woman who’s not his wife. The woman turns out to be his ex-girlfriend of 6 years, played by Ryu Abel (Young Adult Matters, A French Woman), and when he wakes up one morning there’s a text revealing she’s passed away. Invited to the 3-day funeral Continue reading
The Last Blood | Blu-ray (88 Films)
Today’s Deal on Fire is the Blu-ray (Region A/B) for The Last Blood (aka Hard Boiled II), a 1991 Hong Kong actioner directed by Wong Jing (Return to a Better Tomorrow) that stars Andy Lau (Saving Mr. Wu) and Alan Tam (Armour of God).
The Last Blood is definitely one to watch for anyone who looks back fondly at the late 80’s, early 90’s heyday of Hong Kong action cinema. Wong Jing’s ill-advised humor gets in the way, the supporting characters grate at times, and there may be a slow patch or two, but when Jing shuts up and lets action director Blackie Ko take the reigns, the movie kicks into overdrive and delivers in a big way. This is action movie junkfood of the highest caliber.
Andy Lau is out Continue reading
RELEASE DATE: December 3, 2024
On December 3, 2024, Lionsgate is releasing a 3-Disc SteelBook for Kickboxer on 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray, which will also include the rarely-seen International version of film. Directed by Mark DiSalle (The Perfect Weapon) and David Worth (American Tigers), this 1989 cult martial arts hit further elevated the career of Jean-Claude Van Damme (Black Water), and was responsible of the sparking the kickboxing boom of the 80s and 90s.
In the film, kickboxing champ Eric Sloane (Dennis Alexio) is crippled in the ring by the evil Tong Po (Michel Qissi). Eric’s younger brother, Kurt (Van Damme), seeks Continue reading
Underworld Beauty | Blu-ray (Radiance)
RELEASE DATE: January 25, 2025
On January 25, 2025, Radiance is releasing the Blu-ray (Region A/B) for Underworld Beauty, a 1958 thriller from director Seijun Suzuki (Pistol Opera, Branded to Kill).
Retrieving the diamonds he stashed before his arrest, thief Miyamoto hopes to help his old partner Mihara, crippled during the heist. Their former boss, crime lord Oyane, offers to mediate with a foreign buyer, but secretly wants the stones for himself. The deal goes awry when gunmen appear on the scene. Mihara swallows the diamonds but dies in the chase, leaving a valuable corpse in the police morgue. Miyamoto forms an uneasy alliance with Mihara’s wildcat sister Akiko to keep the gems away from gangsters, cops and even Akiko’s greedy boyfriend.
This wildly inventive Continue reading
“Mickey 17” Theatrical Poster
Bong Joon-ho (Okja, The Host, The Snowpiercer) – the acclaimed South Korean director of the 2019 masterpiece Parasite – is going to space with Warner’s thriller, Mickey 17. The upcoming film is based on Edward Ashton’s novel, Mickey7 (spelled slightly differently with a “7”).
In the Mickey 17, an unlikely hero, Mickey Barnes (Robert Pattinson) has found himself in the extraordinary circumstance of working for an employer who demands the ultimate commitment to the job… to die, for a living.
Mickey 17 stars Naomi Ackie (Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker), Mark Ruffalo (Windtalkers), Toni Collette (Hereditary) and Steven Yeun (Burning).
Mickey 17 hits theaters Continue reading
“Shinobi” Videogame
Action filmmaker Sam Hargrave (Unlucky Stars), who is widely known for 2020’s Extraction and 2023’s Extraction 2, is directing a live-action adaptation of Sega’s Shinobi videogame franchise for Universal Pictures.
Hargrave is part of the stunt team for many of the Marvel movies (usually doubling for Chris Evans as Captain America). If you’re a die hard martial arts cinema fan, chances are you’ll know him more for his work on the likes of Blood and Bone (in which he acted as fight choreographer and fought against Michael Jai White) and Unlucky Stars (in which he played the main villain, and was also one of the fight choreographers). It was thanks to Hargrave’s talents that Wu Jing’s Wolf Warrior 2 turned out to be so entertaining, leaving the forgettable original in the dust, so to see what he can Continue reading
on It’s a miracle! Here’s the details for 88 Films’ 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray release for Jackie Chan’s 1989 masterpieceI stand behind you. Bring Bey back. The entire public is sick of of the avera…
on It’s a miracle! Here’s the details for 88 Films’ 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray release for Jackie Chan’s 1989 masterpieceI'll be that guy and say that I hope that future editions may re-instate the…
on Two branches. One tree. Watch the Trailer for Jackie Chan, Ralph Macchio and Ben Wang’s upcoming ‘Karate Kid’ movieThey did a good job with the trailer. It looks like they have an actual story… on Daisy Ridley is no ordinary window cleaner in the Trailer for the Die Hard-esque ‘Cleaner’ also starring Clive OwenPeople seem to really hate women starring in action films more than they did… on The prosecution rests its case! Donnie Yen’s latest action thriller hits U.S. Theaters on January 10th from Well Go USAThe Washington DC area didn’t get Striking Rescue or 100 Yards, so I hope The…
on Details for the 4K Ultra HD SteelBook editions for Tarantino’s ‘Kill Bill Vol 1-2’, ‘Jackie Brown’ and ‘Reservoir Dogs’Fixed. Though you're 100% wrong about it being 'deliberately'.
on Details for the 4K Ultra HD SteelBook editions for Tarantino’s ‘Kill Bill Vol 1-2’, ‘Jackie Brown’ and ‘Reservoir Dogs’NO details for Jackie brown revealed. Fix your deliberately misleading title. on The Shaw Brothers logo is missing from these Eureka, Arrow, Shout and Vinegar Syndrome releases – Intentional or Error?To answer your guys' question, an "inside source" has revealed there are no f… on The Shaw Brothers logo is missing from these Eureka, Arrow, Shout and Vinegar Syndrome releases – Intentional or Error?I wonder if there’s some legal issue with using the logo even though the word… on Two branches. One tree. Watch the Trailer for Jackie Chan, Ralph Macchio and Ben Wang’s upcoming ‘Karate Kid’ movieI would give the film makers credit if they put this much thought into it.
on Two branches. One tree. Watch the Trailer for Jackie Chan, Ralph Macchio and Ben Wang’s upcoming ‘Karate Kid’ movieWhat I heard recently is the story will connect Mr. Han and Mr. miyagi by the…
on Christmas Carol (2022) ReviewPark Jinyoung is still a Kpop Idol, and a member of GOT7. He is a singer, son…
on The Shaw Brothers logo is missing from these Eureka, Arrow, Shout and Vinegar Syndrome releases – Intentional or Error?Could be some leftover Harvey/Quentin legal bs.
on The prosecution rests its case! Donnie Yen’s latest action thriller hits U.S. Theaters on January 10th from Well Go USAWell Go USA: DTV n' streaming after a miserable exploitation in about 50 thea…
on Daisy Ridley is no ordinary window cleaner in the Trailer for the Die Hard-esque ‘Cleaner’ also starring Clive OwenPlease. First Jessica Alba as a special forces commando and now Daisy Ridley… on The Daredevils and Ode to Gallantry | Blu-ray (Eureka)Watch people complain about this one because "oh no... There's no English dub…
on Baby Assassins 2 (2023) ReviewThere's apparently a 3rd BABY ASSASSINS already out! This rivals Korea's ROUN… on Praying for a ‘Mantis’? First images from the upcoming ‘Kill Boksoon’ spin-off arriving on Netflix in 2025Not to be confused with that short-lived TV show from the 90's. https://en.m.…
on Daisy Ridley is no ordinary window cleaner in the Trailer for the Die Hard-esque ‘Cleaner’ also starring Clive OwenYou lost me at "According to Mike Leeder" on Daisy Ridley is no ordinary window cleaner in the Trailer for the Die Hard-esque ‘Cleaner’ also starring Clive OwenAccording to Mike Leeder, it appears to be adapted from that plot line. It’ll…
on Daisy Ridley is no ordinary window cleaner in the Trailer for the Die Hard-esque ‘Cleaner’ also starring Clive OwenI wonder if this was in any way inspired by the once proposed Jackie Chan mov… on Daisy Ridley is no ordinary window cleaner in the Trailer for the Die Hard-esque ‘Cleaner’ also starring Clive OwenCool looking trailer. Daisy Ridley looks to have taken her role seriously, an… on Not horrible news! Eureka’s ‘Horrible History: Four Historical Epics by Chang Cheh now shipping!We’re all different. I prefer the original language of films, but lots of peo… on Not horrible news! Eureka’s ‘Horrible History: Four Historical Epics by Chang Cheh now shipping!You mean to tell me that with all the special features and the 2 K transfers… on Not horrible news! Eureka’s ‘Horrible History: Four Historical Epics by Chang Cheh now shipping!Me too but I prefer the Mandarin language with English Subtitles. It gets goo…
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