Throw Down | Blu-ray & DVD (Criterion)

Throw Down | Blu-ray (Criterion)

Throw Down | Blu-ray (Criterion)

RELEASE DATE: September 21, 2021

On September 21, 2021, Criterion Collection is releasing the Blu-ray & DVD for Johnnie To’s Milkway Image 2004 classic thriller Throw Down.

Check out the official details below:

One of the most personal films by the prolific Hong Kong auteur Johnnie To is a thrilling love letter to both the cinema of Akira Kurosawa and the art and philosophy of judo. Amid the neon-drenched nightclubs and gambling dens of Hong Kong’s nocturnal underworld, the fates of three wandering souls—a former judo champion now barely scraping by as an alcoholic bar owner (Louis Koo), a young fighter (Aaron Kwok) intent on challenging him, and a singer (Cherrie Ying) chasing dreams of stardom—collide in an operatic explosion of human Continue reading

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

Rizk Casino Review – The Best Online Casino of 2021

Rizk casino entered the market with the rather cheeky slogan “Real rewards – no bullshit”, which means that Rizk casino is honest, genuine, and transparent without any rules hidden in small print. The line has held to this day. Not only is Rizk worth joining for the excellent perks in particular, but the casino also delights players with its original superhero theme. The games are played under the leadership of Captain Rizk!

The Wheel of Rizk, however, is probably Rizk’s biggest specialty. You can spin the wheel as soon as you register and later as you progress to the next level. The wheel’s payouts also get better as the player’s level increases. New players often get free spins on the wheel with no wagering requirement. All other prizes won on the wheel are always non-revolving.

Rizk is an online casino owned by Zecure Gaming, a subsidiary of the Gaming Innovation Group, and is licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA). It offers an all-around great environment to enjoy the games. Although the casino, which opened in 2016, may not be a new casino anymore, the interface is very modern and works well. 

In this article, we will walk through the review of Rizk casino including its bonuses and game selection. However, if you’re still not convinced after reading this, we suggest you read a deeper review on this page.

Rizk casino bonuses

Rizk Casino offers new players a very attractive welcome bonus. We recommend you give this casino a try. Previously, Rizk’s bonus on the first deposit was a 200% bonus up to $50, but it was updated at the turn of May-June 2021. With the new bonus, the multiplier is lower, but by claiming the max, you can play with a bankroll of as much as $1000!

No deposit bonus

  • 1x spin on Wheel of Rizk

As soon as you open an account, you can spin the Wheel of Rizk Wheel of Fortune with no deposit required. The wheel will give you a minimum of 10 free spins and you get to choose between a few slots to take your spins on. At best, you can win $25 in play money from the Wheel of Rizk.

First deposit bonus

  • 100% bonus up to $500 + 1x Wheel of Rizk spin

On the first deposit, players will receive a hefty 200% deposit bonus up to $100 + 50 free spins. Deposit $100, get an additional $100 in bonus money.

The previous bonus came with an additional 50 free spins, which have been replaced by a single spin on Rizk’s own “Wheel of Fortune” in the new offer. So depending on your luck, this current one could be either a slightly worse deal or a much better deal!

Bonus terms and conditions and other rules

The terms and conditions have not changed in the revised bonus. The following rules apply to bonuses:

  • Nonsticky bonus 
  • Recycling requirement 45x
  • 30-day time limit
  • Free Spins ALWAYS free spins
  • 5$ maximum bet
  • Minimum deposit of 10$ (Skrill or Neteller cannot be used to claim the bonus)
  • There is no cap on the winnings earned with the bonus
  • Wagering: all slots 100%, table games, and live casino 10%, video poker 0%
  • Cold Games and Deal or No Deal Live games may not be used in recycling.

Be sure to check the up-to-date bonus terms and conditions yourself before making a deposit!

Bonus code

You don’t need a bonus code at Rizk.

Rizk free spins

Wheel of Rizk usually results in 10 free spins. Of course, players have the chance to win more, up to $25 in free play money. The player can choose between a few slots to take the free spins won from the wheel.

The free spins don’t end after Wheel of Rizk, as 50 free spins are awarded on your first deposit. Unlike the free spins won on the Wheel of Rizk, the free spins awarded with the first deposit cannot be terminated. The free spins are also not awarded to the player immediately but in batches of 10 spins over the next five days.

Wheel of Rizk and Rizk Race

Rizk casino is particularly appealing for its simplicity and the casino’s equivalent of various VIP programs is no exception. When you play at Rizk Casino, you accumulate the “Power Bar” meter featured on the site. Once the bar is ticked, the player is able to spin the Wheel of Rizk again. Similarly, the player will be promoted to a new level (Level Up). The higher the level of the Wheel of Rizk, the better the rewards on the wheel. With a free spin on registration, the Wheel of Fortune offers the following prizes (pictured above):

  • Free money
  • Free spins
  • Super Spins
  • Mega Spins
  • Double speed
  • Cashback

Similarly, the free spins won on this first spin could be spent on any of the following games: Starburst, Book of Dead, Vikings Go Berzerk, Valley of the Gods, Ancient Egypt, Mystery Reels Megaways, The Shadow Order, Rise of Merlin.

Every tenth level unlocks a SuperWheel, while an ExtraWheel is obtained on the first level up of the day – with the chance to win better prizes.

In addition to the Wheel of Rizk, players can also take part in the regular Rizk Race. The casino also runs other promotions, such as gift vouchers.

While such perks are always nice to have, Wheel of Rizk could do with a little fresh air. After a certain point, free spins no longer offer any shocking experiences for experienced players. The risk-free bets are a nice spice, of course.

Offers – Rizk insider

If you get bored of gambling, the Rizk Insider section offers fresh experiences in the form of various offers and promotions. Let’s take a closer look at two of them to get a feel for what the benefits are all about!

Double speed in Wins of Fortune for a week allows you to accumulate the Power Bar required to spin the Wheel of Rizk at a very fast pace. In Multiplier Mania, the top prize of $7,500 is up for grabs for those with a 1500x multiplier on the scoreboard, plus a nice 50 random prizes. The $2,500 random prize is up for grabs with a 500x random multiplier. The games available in this promotion are Pirate Gold, Joker’s Jewels, Great Rhino, John Hunter, and the Secrets of Da Vinci’s Treasure and The Dog House.

Game selection and interface

Rizk’s game selection includes a number of games that are popular with players and other Nordic players. Well-known game providers such as NetEnt, Play’n Go, Quickspin, and Microgaming can be found in Rizk’s game selection. As a result, the variety of games at this casino is excellent, with no less than 3000 titles to choose from. Of course, the best-represented games in the gaming lobby are the slots.

Games are browsed Netflix-style in the casino, making it quick and easy to switch from one game to another. It is also possible to watch a short introductory text before moving on to the actual game. There are five ‘main categories’ under the search bar: favorites, all, suppliers, jackpot games, and race games. For the jackpot hunters, there are 24 jackpot games, including of course the legendary Hall of Gods, Mega Moolah, and Mega Fortune.

In addition to this, scrolling down the game selection reveals slightly more specific categories such as wilds, daily prizes, high volatility, jackpots with a known jackpot, megaways, re-spins, and multipliers. Such groupings based on game type take browsing the game selection to a whole new level, so you have to give Rizk Casino a big plus for this. However, the browsing could have been organized a little better, as there is plenty of room for more in the main categories bar!

It’s hard not to like the site’s dark, clean visuals. Especially for anyone who switches from one service to another at night, this look and feel are like velvet to the eyes. Add to this the stunning graphics and the great effect colors and the look is a real knockout.

Live casino

In addition to slots, Rizk Casino has a live casino, where games are mainly provided by Evolution Gaming. Some Rizk-themed tables are also available, supplied by NetEnt Live. All traditional table games are available in the Evolution Gaming lobby, but personalized Rizk tables are not specifically ordered by the casino from the gaming supplier. Live games can of course be played on mobile devices.

Mobile casino

A dedicated casino app is available for both Apple and Android smartphone owners, but the games are also great on the browser. The team at Rizk has clearly worked hard to ensure that the site runs smoothly on mobile devices and very quickly. The same functions work on the phone as on the computer, so you can get your money in and out on the go.

The games available on mobile are quite nice, with almost half of the games available. Older-generation slots fall by the wayside simply because they are implemented using outdated technologies that are no longer supported by mobile devices. It’s a phenomenon familiar to all other online casinos. Therefore, it can be said that Rizk casino has paid due attention to mobile gaming, which has been on the rise recently.

Rizk Betting

Rizk casino is not just an online casino specializing in slots but also offers to bet. There are also various promotions such as “Rizk free” bets available there all the time. On the betting side, as you would expect, you can bet on all the major sports and plenty of smaller ones, and you can bet both traditionally and live.

The betting, like the rest of the site, is very well done, and browsing through the sites and odds is a breeze. Opening a single item is like being in The Wolf of Wall Street, as the screen is hit with nicely visualized real-time data on the match.

Money transfers

  • Casino minimum deposit 5$ (Chip Mobile, other 10$)

Rizk offers a very comprehensive range of different money transfer methods. Deposit methods include card deposits (Visa & Mastercard casinos), online bank deposits via Trustly or Euteller, Skrill and Neteller net wallets, Zimpler and Siru mobile payments, and Paysafecard (Paysafecard casinos).

Other recent additions include ApplePay (mobile), MuchBetter, Revolut, and the domestic Transfer Payment service, launched in 2017. Although players still prefer traditional payment methods, Revolut, for example, is growing in popularity too.

Transfer casinos like Rizk allow OP, Nordea, and Danske Bank customers to make instant deposits. All deposits are free of charge on behalf of the casino and are processed immediately, but some payment methods may incur a deposit fee from the payment providers. SMS deposits are often an example of this. The minimum deposit for Rizki is $5 on Siru Mobile (Siru casinos) and $10 on all other payment methods, except for Zimpler (Zimpler casinos) where a $20 deposit is required.

Rizk cashout

Withdrawals can be made via Neteller, Skrill, Trustly (Trustly Casinos), and Visa. As with deposits, withdrawals are free at Rizk. Rizk withdrawal times are top-notch, as they are processed instantly, except for Visa. With Visa, the processing time is between one and three business days. The rest, as you know, depends on the payment method you choose, but Trustly, for example, offers very fast withdrawals. The minimum withdrawal is $20.

Lifting lock

Rizk casino keeps its straightforward “no bullshit” policy on withdrawals by offering a rather unique feature: lockable withdrawals. This feature is great for anyone who, shortly after requesting a withdrawal, starts itching their fingers for the cancel button – after unlocking, you can itch your fingers all you want, but the withdrawal will arrive.

Customer service – Rizk Suomi

Rizk Casino’s customer service is open every day from 09.00 – 01.00, so you can get service from morning till night. If you are fluent in English, you can get service 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

The quickest way to get help is via the live chat on the sidebar, but you can also contact us by email (support@rizk.com) or by submitting a call request. Average response times are 30 seconds for live chat, half an hour to an hour for email, and 15-60 minutes for a call.

Sustainability

Rizk has a good basic package on responsible gambling. These include a quick self-assessment questionnaire and information on the various organizations that help problem gamblers. There are also a number of tools, such as a pause and suspend function, a ban function, and the possibility to set your own gaming limits.

As an added bonus, as soon as you start playing, a Reality Check window pops up, allowing you to set a time limit for yourself so you don’t get too immersed in the world of gambling for too long. Thumbs up for that – play responsibly!

Rizk experiences – summary

Playing at Rizk is a very pleasant experience and the casino’s bonus for new players is one of the best available. The visual appearance of the site is very successful, customer service is available in English of course, and problems can be solved quickly. The game selection is very comprehensive both on desktop and mobile, and the ability to browse games based on different game features makes finding new favorites very effortless.

Players will also be delighted with Rizk’s very comprehensive money transfer options, and of course, their speed and free of charge. The tax exemption on winnings granted by the Maltese gaming license is also a good thing. The first deposit bonus is generous and the bonuses (and their terms) are clear. Wheel of Rizk and Rizk Race tournaments add a nice extra spice to the game, especially as the prizes are always non-revolving. To top it all off, there are always plenty of new promotions on the Rizk Insider page, which means that the bonuses at this casino don’t end in a flash.

The Gaming Innovation Group’s casinos are a sure bet for quality, and Rizk is no exception. It’s easy to give this online casino a big thumbs up and a strong recommendation.

 

Posted in News |

Bitstarz: The Japanese’s favorite online casino – exclusive bonuses and review

Bitstarz: The Japanese’s favorite online casino – exclusive bonuses and review

Welcome to Bitstarz, a multi-currency, hybrid currency casino! 

Bitstarz is an online casino that is very famous in Japan with the Japanese name called ビットスターズ. It offers not only a wide variety of popular games which are popular among Japanese players, but also customer support on a daily basis in multiple languages to ensure that players can enjoy their time at the casino.

Moreover, only Bitstarz allows you to manage 10 different currencies and 5 virtual currencies in one account. In addition to casino games, you get to enjoy elements of forex and virtual currency investing!

In this article, we will walk you through a review of Bitstarz (ビットスターズ) to show you why it’s one of the top online casinos, especially for Japanese players. Besides, if you want to know more about Bitstarz, we recommend you to click here for a deeper review from an expert including exclusive casino bonuses.

Three main reasons why Bitstarz (ビットスターズ) is popular in Japan

Friendly and courteous Japanese chat support is available, mainly on weekday evenings

Bitstarz has a friendly and courteous chat support team. It’s easy to use the chat support on the smartphone version as well, so it’s a breeze.

  • {Winter} Live chat is available 7 days a week from 4pm to 4am on weekdays and 4pm to midnight on weekends and holidays.
  • {Summer} Live chat is available 7 days a week from 3 pm to 3 am on weekdays and from 3 pm to 11 pm on weekends and holidays.

An award-winning casino with an average withdrawal processing time of 10 minutes!

Aside from the speed of withdrawals, this reliable casino has been nominated for two copies of the EGR Awards 2018, the Oscars of online casinos, and has won AskGamblers’ Best Casino and Player’s Choice for Best Casino two years in a row.

After all, it’s a multi-currency, new way to enjoy the casino!

At Bitstarz, customers can enjoy casino games in a variety of currencies.

Deposits and withdrawals can be made in virtual currencies such as Bitcoin (Litecoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin, Bitcoin Cash, Tether), as well as regular currencies (US Dollar, Euro, Japanese Yen, Australian Dollar, Canadian Dollar, New Zealand Dollar, Russian Ruble, Borland Zloty, Norwegian Krone, Chinese Yuan).

You can deposit and withdraw funds in all of these currencies, and you can have one “wallet” for each of these currencies in your account.

Bitstarz Special Bonuses

100% cashback

BitStarz (ビットスターズ) is offering a “First Deposit You Can’t Lose! Up to $100 100% cashback” for those who register.

If your balance 24 hours after your deposit is lower than your deposit amount, Bitstarz gives you 100% cash back on the difference, up to $100!

The first thing you need to do is register at Bitstarz. After that, all you have to do is make your first deposit. This way, even if your balance is low after 24 hours, you can still get up to $100 cashback if you apply for it.

To get your cashback, simply contact support 24 hours later and tell them you want your cashback!

For example

  • An initial deposit of $100 → If the balance is zero after 24 hours … $100 cashback!
  • First deposit of $100 → If your balance is $20 after 24 hours… $80 cashback!
  • An initial deposit of $20 → If your balance is $19 after 24 hours … $1 cashback!

Deposit bonus of up to $500!

Moreover, another special offer on your second to fifth deposit, a deposit bonus!

BitStarz is currently offering the following deposit bonus for those who register, which can be given on 2 to 5 deposits. Don’t miss out on this big bonus!

All you have to do is register and make a deposit. No application or code required.

The second deposit

100% bonus of up to $100 (100€, 10,000 yen, 3.5m BTC) + 180 lease spins

Example: $100 deposit + $100 (max) bonus = $200 to play! +180 free spins

3rd deposit

50% bonus of up to $100 (100€, 10,000 yen, 3.5m BTC)

Example: $200 deposit + $100 (max) bonus = $300 to play!

4th deposit

50% bonus of up to $200 (200€, 20,000 yen, 7m BTC)

Example: $400 deposit + $200 (maximum) bonus = $600 to play!

5th deposit

100% bonus of up to $100 (100€, 10,000 yen, 3.5m BTC)

Example: $100 deposit + $100 (maximum) bonus = $200 to play!

Please refer to the casino’s bonus terms and conditions for the minimum deposit, bonus betting, and withdrawal limits to receive the welcome offer.

BitStarz Game Introduction

BitStarz offers a wide range of popular game providers such as Yggdrasil, Netent, PlayNGo, and Pragmatic. There are also many unusual slots that can only be played at BitStarz. Live games are Evolution and VIVgaming, which can be played crisply on a smartphone, giving you a wide range of choices. There are more than 1,800 games available, and more new games are being added all the time. However, game providers vary depending on the currency.

List of providers who provide games to BitStarz

Yggdrasil, Netent, PlayNGo, Pragmatic, BET SOFT, Evolution gaming, VIV gaming, etc…

Bitstarz Support Contact Information

Chat Support  Japanese language support

Summer: Weekdays: 3:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. / Weekends and holidays: 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Weekdays: 4:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. / Weekends and holidays: 4:00 p.m. to midnight 

mail (usu. in phrases and compound words)

(Japanese) 

24 hours a day, 7 days a week (average reply time is within 3 hours) 

Frequently Asked Questions about Bitstarz

Tell me about Bitstarz’ great bonuses

BitStarz (ビットスターズ) offers a “100% cashback up to $100” that you can get on your first deposit, plus a “deposit bonus of up to $500” that you can get on your second to fifth deposit.

What are the deposit and withdrawal methods for Bitstarz?

Bitstarz deposit methods include MuchBetter, ecVoucher, ecoPayz, VenusPoint, Sticpay, and virtual currencies (bitcoin, BitcoinCash, litecoin, ethereum, dogecoin, CoinsPaid). Bitcoin, BitcoinCash, litecoin, ethereum, dogecoin, CoinsPaid).

For withdrawals, MuchBetter, ecoPayz, VenusPoint, Sticpay, and virtual currencies (bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, litecoin, ethereum, dogecoin, CoinsPaid) are available 

Isn’t Bitstarz cheating?

Bitstarz has obtained an international license issued by the government of Curaçao. Licenses issued by foreign governments are granted after passing strict conditions. Therefore, the possibility of cheating at Bitstarz is close to zero.

Does BitStarz support Japanese?

BitStarz has chat support available in Japanese. Chat support hours are as follows: 

[Summer] Weekdays: 3:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. / Weekends and holidays: 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

[Winter] Weekdays: 4:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. / Weekends and holidays: 4:00 p.m. to midnight. Japanese language support is available via email 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

 

Posted in News |

Xtreme | aka Xtremo (2021) Review

"Xtremo" Netflix Poster

“Xtremo” Netflix Poster

Director: Daniel Benmayor
Cast: Teo García, Óscar Jaenada, Óscar Casas, Andrea Duro, Sergio Peris-Mencheta, Alberto Jo Lee, Luis Zahera, Juan Diego, Andrés Herrera, Nao Albet, Cesar Bandera, Isa Montalbán, Joel Bramona
Running Time: 111 min. 

By Paul Bramhall

For the past 20 years fans of the Hong Kong action genre have been asking which country is going to take on the mantle of creating martial arts infused slices of cinematic goodness. So far the answer has tended to come from close to home – Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia have all attempted to stake a claim with varying results, however in 2021 an answer has come from further afield. It’s unlikely anyone was expecting Spain to throw its hat in the ring, but 37 years after Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, and Yuen Biao descended on Barcelona for Wheels on Meals, the city is once again the setting for a tale involving plenty of fists, kicks, and monkey wrenches to the face.

Xtreme is the passion project of martial artist and sometime filmmaker Teo García. A re-imagining of his 2006 short film of the same name, which saw him star, co-direct, and choreograph based on an idea he came up with involving mafia in-fighting. 15 years later, and García is still very much front and centre – he stars and choreographs the action (with assistance from Genaro Rodriguez, Eric Nieto, and Jose Álvarez-Boze), as well as bringing back Óscar Jaenada (Rambo: Last Blood) as the villain of the piece. For the feature length outing though directorial reigns have been handed over to Daniel Benmayor, a director best known for the 2015 parkour actioner Tracers which starred Continue reading

Posted in All, Asian Related, News, Other Movies, Reviews |

Don’t miss the New Trailer for ‘Gunpowder Milkshake’ from ‘Big Bad Wolves’ director featuring Michelle Yeoh

"Gunpowder Milkshake" Theatrical Poster

“Gunpowder Milkshake” Theatrical Poster

Navot Papushado, who co-directed 2013’s Big Bad Wolves with Aharon Keshales, is back with a female-centric actioner titled Gunpowder Milkshake.

Written by Ehud Lavski (writer of the upcoming Once Upon a Time in Palestine, which reunites Papushado and Keshales as a directing team), Gunpowder Milkshake stars Karen Gillan (Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle), Lena Headey (Dredd), Angela Bassett (Black Panther), Paul Giamatti (Sideways), Michelle Yeoh (Master Z: The Ip Man Legacy) and Carla Gugino (Spy Kids).

Sam (Gillan) was only 12 years old when her mother Scarlet (Headey), an elite assassin, was forced to abandon her. Sam was raised by The Firm, the ruthless crime syndicate her mother worked for. Now, 15 years later, Sam has followed in her mother’s footsteps and grown into Continue reading

Posted in News |

Trailer: Wu-Tang Clan’s The RZA and Dan Halsted to screen ‘The Five Deadly Venoms’ today at 12 pm PT / 3 pm ET

"The Five Deadly Venoms" by artist Robert "Kung Fu Bob" O'Brien

“The Five Deadly Venoms” by artist Robert “Kung Fu Bob” O’Brien

Wu-Tang Clan member and music giant, the RZA, has created 36 Cinema, a site that streams special screenings of kung fu (and sometimes samurai) classics with special guests doing live audio commentaries.

This coming Saturday, June 12th, at 12 pm PT / 3 pm ET, 36 Cinema will be screening the Shaw Brothers classic The Five Deadly Venoms (1978, aka Five Venoms) with a live audio commentary from the RZA and Dan Halsted (HK Cinema expert, renowned 35mm film collector, programmer for Portland’s Hollywood Theater).

The Five Deadly Venoms was so popular that its stars became known variously as “The Venoms, “The Venoms Clan” and “The Venoms Mob” and many of them went on to co-star together in other highly Continue reading

Posted in News |

Take Back (2021) Review

Take Back | Blu-ray (Shout! Factory)

Take Back | Blu-ray (Shout! Factory)

Director: Christian Sesma
Cast: Gillian White, Michael Jai White, Mickey Rourke, Paul Sloan, Jessica Uberuaga, James Russo, Nick Vallelonga, Jay Montalvo, Chris Browning
Running Time: 89 min.

By Paul Bramhall

I’m sure every fan of the American DTV action genre has at some point asked themselves “what could be better than watching Michael Jai White kicking people in the face?” The star of such DTV action classics as Undisputed 2: Last Man Standing and Blood and Bone attempted to answer the question in 2020, by facing off against his ass-kicking wife, Gillian White, in Welcome to Sudden Death. If anything, the strangely titled reboot of a Jean Claude Van Damme flick proved that some questions are best left unanswered, as Welcome to Sudden Death was unwatchable trash. In fairness though, it wasn’t the first time for the White’s to feature together in the same movie, as Mrs. White also had a supporting role in 2016’s Never Back Down: No Surrender. It’s 2021’s Take Back though which propels Gillian White to starring status, with her hubby in a supporting role.

The pair play a married couple living in small town California, which I’m sure must have been a stretch for their acting muscles. White’s character is a local lawyer (and stepmom to Jai White’s daughter), with Jai White himself playing a schoolteacher. One day she walks into her local coffee shop to find the barista being threatened by an ex-boyfriend, who ends up on the receiving end of one of her kicks. Captured on CCTV, soon the footage goes viral and White becomes Continue reading

Posted in All, News, Other Movies, Reviews | Tagged , , |

The Korean filmmaker behind ‘The Chaser’ and ‘The Yellow Sea’ is back (kind of) with a Thai thriller called ‘The Medium’

"The Medium" Theatrical Poster

“The Medium” Theatrical Poster

They call him Na Hong-Jin. If you’re not familiar with his name, maybe you’re familiar with his work. In 2008, he shook the world with his debut feature film, The Chaser. In 2010, he showed us that he wasn’t a one-hit wonder with The Yellow Sea. Then in 2016 came The Wailing, where Na proved his cinematic prowess while tackling the occult subgenre.

So what’s next for the Na? You’re looking at it. A Thai-made horror film titled The Medium (read our review), which he’s not directing, but producing and co-writing. However, from what we we’ve seen, it aligns closely with the look and feel of Na’s The Wailing.

Directed by Banjong Pisanthanakun, the film’s official plot reads: “A horrifying story of a shaman’s inheritance in the Isan region of Thailand. What could be Continue reading

Posted in News |

COF Presents: An interview with Philip Ng of ‘Birth of the Dragon’ and ‘Undercover Punch and Gun’

Philip Ng Wan-lung Interview Undercover Punch and Gun Birth of the Dragon Bruce Lee Well Go USA
Born in Hong Kong, with a good portion of his youth spent in America, Philip Ng Wan-lung is an avid practitioner/teacher of various forms of martial arts. As both an actor and fight choreographer, he’s had a solid film career in his homeland since the early 2000s. He’s already worked with some of the best in the industry, such as Ringo Lam, Donnie Yen, Corey Yuen, Sammo Hung and Jackie Chan.

But it wasn’t until 2016 where Ng hit a huge turning point in his career with the controversial Birth of the Dragon, which not only was first Hollywood gig he appeared/starred in, but it was the film where he played the iconic Bruce Lee.

While promoting the debut U.S. release of Well Go USA’s Undercover Punch and Gun, we had the opportunity to do a short, but sweet, interview Continue reading

Posted in Interviews, News |

Voice of Silence (2020) Review

"Voice of Silence" Theatrical Poster

“Voice of Silence” Theatrical Poster

Director: Hong Eui-jung
Cast: Yoo Ah-in, Yoo Jae-myung, Moon Seung-A, Yu Seong-Ju, Shin Tae-Yang, Hanna Kim
Running Time: 99 min. 

By Paul Bramhall 

Back in the early to mid-noughties, a period popularly known as the Korean Wave, the countries film industry had a knack for cranking out productions that seamlessly blended genres to create a number of unique cinematic experiences. From the sci-fi zaniness of Save the Green Planet, to the left of field horror antics in To Catch a Virgin Ghost, when it came to Korean cinema you could never be sure exactly what you were in for. In more recent times the country’s output has leaned increasingly towards sticking to one genre, which they often do exceptionally well, but long-time fans can be forgiven for missing an era of filmmaking when it felt like creativity reigned supreme. I mention this period, because 2020’s Voice of Silence very much feels like a hark back to those earlier days when movies frequently defied being pigeonholed.

Focusing on a pair of rural egg sellers played by Yoo Ah-in (#Alive, Burning) and Yoo Jae-myung (Bring Me Home, The Drug King), when not supplying the local community they have a side hustle (an arguably better paying one at that) of assisting gangsters to prepare for any gruesome beatdowns or murders they plan to partake in. While the pair never get involved in the nasty business themselves, decked out in plastic Macs and shower caps they carefully cover the floor Continue reading

Posted in All, Korean, News, Reviews | Tagged |

Wong Kar-Wai’s upcoming follow up to ‘In the Mood for Love’ and ‘2046’ gets a Trailer

"Blossoms" Teaser Poster

“Blossoms” Teaser Poster

Renowned filmmaker Wong Kar-Wai (The Grandmaster) is currently putting finishing touches on Blossoms with Kris Wu (Europe Raiders), a project that’s connected to his previous films, In the Mood for Love and 2046

Based on Jin Yucheng’s 2013 novel, Blossoms follows three Shanghai residents from the early ’60s, at the end of China’s Cultural Revolution and through the ’90s, with a selection of scenes being shot in San Francisco. “Blossoms would be the third part of In The Mood for Love and 2046,” said Wong at the Hong Kong Film Writers Association (via TFS).

Blossoms will be released as a 30-episode series (co-directed with Shen Yan, The First Half of My Life) followed by the feature film (via AFS).

We’ll keep up updated on Blossoms as we learn more. Until then, click here for Continue reading

Posted in News |

Fast Vengeance | Blu-ray (Shout! Factory)

Fast Vengeance | Blu-ray (Shout! Factory)

Fast Vengeance | Blu-ray (Shout! Factory)

RELEASE DATE: August 17, 2021

On August 17, 2021, Shout! Factory is releasing the Blu-ray for Fast Vengeance, the latest thriller from writer/director Pearry Reginald Teo (The Gene Generation).

This upcoming film stars D.Y. Sao (Champion Road: Arena), Natalie Burn (Hollow Point), Bai Ling (Maximum Impact, The Crow), Lyndon Hoffman-Lew (Recipe for Abduction), Randall J. Bacon (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.), Jeff Fahey (Only the Brave) and the late DMX (Exit Wounds).

Upon hearing of his brother’s death, a man named Shen returns to his old stomping grounds to find the men responsible and take justice into his own hands. He learns that a biker named Cobra and his ferocious gang, The Midnight Squad, were Continue reading

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

Daniel Wu and Wang Qianyuan’s heist thriller ‘Caught in Time’ now available On-Demand in the U.S.

"Caught in Time" Theatrical Poster

“Caught in Time” Theatrical Poster

Lau Ho Leung, the filmmaker behind Two Thumbs Up (and writer of ThreeKung Fu Jungle and 14 Blades), is back with Caught in Time (read our review), an upcoming heist thriller starring Daniel Wu (Into the Badlands, Sky on Fire) and Wang Qianyuan (Shadow, Saving Mr. Wu).

The film follows Detective Zhong Cheng, who leads a task force in pursuit of Eagle, a criminal gang led by Zhang Sun. Highly methodical and disciplined, the gang manages to avoid capture after each heist.

Caught in Time also stars Michelle Wai (The White Storm 2: Drug Lords, The Sleep Curse) and Jessie Li (The Hidden Sword, Port of Call).

Audiences in Hong Kong currently Continue reading

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Here’s what’s streaming on Hi-YAH! for the month of June

Hi-YAH!, Well Go USA’s very own Asian/martial arts streaming channel has just announced their New Release line up for the month of June, which includes a New film added to Hi-YAH! every Friday! Keep on reading for the full list:

June 4 | Silat Warriors: Deed of Death

When a young gambler runs afoul of the gang rigging a local betting ring, his luck soon runs out. When they show up to collect, he faces dire consequences, and his siblings must fight for their land and their lives—before time runs out. In addition to actors Namron (One Two Jaga, Dukun, Redha) and Fad Anuar (Dollah Superstar, TV’s KL Gangster: Underworld), first-time film director Areel Abu Bakar selected much of the talent from martial arts training facilities and competitions in order to give a sense of realism the exciting action sequences. Silat Warriors: Deed of Death won the Daniel A. Craft Award for Excellence in Action Cinema at the 2020 New York Asian Film Festival, the first Malaysian film to win the award.

June 11 | Fight Back to School

A SWAT team leader is going undercover at a high school to retrieve a stolen gun for his captain. Directed by Gordon Chan (Thunderbolt) and starring Stephen Chow (Kung Fu Hustle), Cheung Man (God of Gamblers 2), Ng Man-Tat (Shaolin Soccer) and Roy Cheung (The Mission).

June 18 | Fight Back to School II

Stephen Chow and company are back! An officer in the elite police unit resigns when he is made a scapegoat for a botched investigation. He goes undercover at a school to complete the case and realizes a bumbling detective is also undercover as a student.

June 25 | Fight Back to School III

For the third film, prolific director Wong Jing (City Hunter) takes over directing duties. Chow returns as police officer Chow Sing Sing. This time, he is sent to investigate the murder of millionaire Million Wong

Want to give Hi-YAH! a go? Use promo code “CITYONFIRE” for 50% off the first month following the 30 Day FREE Trial.

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Winning Strategies: 5 Online Gambling Tips

Let’s face it, the point of games of chance is to have fun. Fun isn’t exactly easy to quantify but generally speaking, things going your way is more fun than a downhill slope.

The tension and uncertainty of gambling make the rare big wins extra exciting. Of course, to see the most wins you need to play more than a few times. That’s where these gambling tips come in, to extend your play and enjoyment.

Gambling itself relies on a number of losses to make the wins fun. In psychology circles, this is known as intermittent reinforcement. Receiving a reward only some of the times an action is performed intensifies anticipation of the reward and makes receiving it all the sweeter.

So, sit down, strap in, and read on to supercharge your anticipation of the future.

Handy Gambling Tips

No technique will yield a 100% return rate. That’s as true for gambling as it is for any other venture. Still, going in forearmed with knowledge leads to better outcomes.

The unwritten, well, unnumbered tip zero is this: set expectations. As you learn more and engage with online gambling over time, you’ll modify your expectations several times.

Setting expectations isn’t a ‘set in stone’ type of thing. Rather, it is a flag that helps you see how far you’ve come and lays out where you next want to go.

1. Know the Site

Even outside of what sites you trust with your information, not all sites operate equally. Some cater to one game over another. some offer better introductory incentives while others offer better VIP perks.

Do some research into each site by reading what they offer. It’s alright to trust your instincts when selecting the site that gets your time and energy. Even if you find the site that mathematically offers you the best advantages, it’s not worth it if you find the decor boring or the layout frustrating.

Double-check their policies on security and even give their customer service a test. These are all the same procedures you would take for a brick and mortar establishment, getting to know the place and the staff.

2. Know Your Game

Next, you want to learn as much as you can about your chosen game(s). Sticking with one is a better recipe for success but some gamblers find that it pays to have a secondary ‘cool down’ or warmup game.

If you do pursue two games, make sure they are as separate as possible. You don’t want the subtle differences between two similar games skewing your mental math and strategy crafting.

Or.

Do play two games with similar rules and origins, a variation of a game such as American vs European roulette. The slight change in odds between these two games is a good way to learn how small changes lead to different ends.

Get started online by browsing through the rules of some games, read up on what seems intuitive and then try them out. Dedicating time to some free-to-play versions lets you confirm that the game is fun and works how you envision.

If there are regional or international variants, confirm which one you are playing before you put your money down.

3. Know Your Strategy

Increasingly, gamblers have access to large data sets compiled over a lot of time. Studying these data sets reveals key plays that lead to an increase in favorable outcomes.

Developing a strategy is a slow, but rewarding, process. The tried and true betting and playing strategies you will find with a quick search come with some numerical advantages but don’t yield maximum results.

A home-brew strategy increases your engagement with your chosen game and potentially offers even more of an edge.

Developing a strategy is the central key in how to online gamble. Unlike a brick-and-mortar casino, where taking copious notes is frowned on, you have the time and space to track your results and consider options.

Get involved with a community of players and share your ideas and data sets. The best online casino player lobbies offer opportunities to chat and interact with other players, so take advantage of that. Bonus: playing with others also increases your enjoyment.

4. Know Your Budget

Before you go too far down a rabbit hole of gambling highs and lows, consider your budget. Budget not only your money but also your time.

Setting these two parameters keeps the leisure session in perspective and helps you to categorize your experience. After all, it’s difficult to track your strategy if you blow through a budget in ten minutes or try to suffer through a twelve-hour marathon.

To stretch your budget on both fronts, start with a larger window of time and a smaller pile of cash. Shift your time down and your cash up as you learn. This offers a solid learning curve that is rewarding to you.

Remember that casinos incentivize time and attention. This is true both online and offline. Take full advantage of these perks in designing your time and engagement budgets.

5. Prioritize Fun

Having fun and chatting with a few like-minded players is, over time, the biggest reward of online gambling. If you go in with a mindset centered around having fun and enjoying the time, winning money and proving your strategy become secondary icing on the cake.

As the proverb says, time spent enjoying yourself is never time wasted.

Prioritizing fun also helps avoid the dire highs and lows of the gambler’s fallacy. Games of chance are meant to be fun, when you stop having fun, it ceases to be a game.

Professional gamblers are few and far between, and even they will tell you that anything that becomes a job feels like a job.

Catch the Heat

There you have it, some gambling tips that will get you started on a rewarding pastime of online gambling.

If you find yourself getting burned out on one game, there are always others to pick up.

For more information on the world of the night, check out our other offerings.

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