Welcome to Sudden Death | DVD (Universal)

Welcome to Sudden Death (aka Sudden Death 2), a sequel/remake (mostly by name) to Jean-Claude Van Damme’s 1995 actioner, Sudden Death (proving our 2015 article Van Damme is the most ‘remade’ action star in the world was spot on) has finally arrived to DVD and Netflix.

Filling in Van Damme’s shoes is cult martial arts star Michael Jai White (Triple Threat, Accident Man). Co-stars include comedian Gary Owen (Ride Along), Gillian White (Never Back Down: No Surrender), Marrese Crump (Tom Yum Goong 2) and Kristen Harris (Channel Zero).

Jesse Freeman (White) is a former special forces officer and explosives expert now working a regular job as a security guard in a state-of-the-art basketball arena. Trouble erupts when a tech-savvy cadre of terrorists kidnap the team’s owner and Jesse’s daughter during Continue reading →

“Vinaman” Teaser Poster

Ever rising Vietnamese star Veronica Ngo (House in the Alley, Furie) has taken to social media to tease Vinaman, an upcoming superhero flick produced by Studio68, Ngo’s own production company.

“The world has Iron Man, Spider Man and Superman. So what does Vietnam have?” says Ngo, in a lengthy post on social media on Monday. She later adds “…Young people need a hero. And Vietnam needs a representative face.” (via FCS)

To Western audiences, Ngo is mostly known for her work in the acclaimed Vietnamese martial arts features The Rebel and Clash with Johnny Tri Nguyen, not to mention a minor role in Yuen Woo-ping’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny with Michelle Yeoh and Donnie Yen. And her recent appearances in Bright, Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Da 5 Bloods have gotten her more exposure in mainstream Hollywood. Continue reading →

“Shock Wave 2” Theatrical Poster

A sequel to Herman Yau’s 2017 box office hit Shock Wave (read our review) is on the verge of being released to either streaming platforms or in theaters this December.

In the upcoming Shock Wave 2 (read our review), Hong Kong superstar Andy Lau (Switch) is back in place. Philip Keung (Chasing the Dragon), who appeared in the first film, also returns. New cast members include Lau Ching-wan (Integrity) and Ni Ni (The Warrior’s Gate).

Shock Wave 2 is said to feature new characters in a related storyline that revolves around a bomb disposal officer who is injured in a blast and then named as a suspect in a terrorist bombing (via SD).

For now, check out the film’s latest Trailer Continue reading →

“Door Lock” Teaser Poster

The trend of Asian films remade from other Asian films (as noted in our article Made (& Remade) in Asia) continue with Door Lock, a Chinese remake of the 2018 Korean thriller of the same name (which itself was based on the 2011 Spanish film, Sleep Tight).

The Chinese remake of Door Lock is directed by Wu Bai (The Big Shot) and stars Bai Baihe (Monster Hunt), Wang Zixuan (The Golden Years), Bai Ke (Fresh Teachers) and Fan Chengcheng (via AFS).

The 2018 Korean film revolved around a woman (Kong Hyo-Jin) – living alone in a studio apartment – who finds evidence that someone broke into her apartment, which is connected to a brutal murder.

For an idea of what to expect from Continue reading →

“Yakuza” Videogame Artwork

Following Sega’s unexpected success of their film adaptation of Sonic the Hedgehog (the 3rd highest-grossing film of 2020, after The Eight Hundred and Bad Boys for Life), the videogame company is developing a Live-action adaptation of Yakuza with 1212 Entertainment and Wild Sheep Content.

The first game in the Yakuza franchise, which has been widely praised for its story and character-driven plot, follows the story of Kazuma Kiryu being released from a 10-year prison sentence after taking the fall for the murder of his family’s patriarch. After the entire Japanese underworld is pulled into the search for $100 million stolen from the vault of his former clan, Kiryu is forced back into the lawless world of the yakuza (via Variety).

Yakuza is being produced by Erik Barmack (November 13: Attack on Paris), Roberto Grande Continue reading →

“Chungking Express” French Theatrical Poster

Renowned Hong Kong filmmaker Wong Kar-Wai (The Grandmaster, Ashes of Time) is writing a sequel to what’s arguably his most popular film, Chungking Express.

China’s National Film Bureau has officially approved Wong Kar-Wai’s new project to shoot tentatively-titled Chungking Express 2020. The sequel will take place in 2036, with Wong Kar-Wai attached as the screenwriter. It remains unclear whether he will return as the director or any of the original stars reprising their roles (via SHK).

Wong Kar-Wai is currently in sequel/follow-up mode, as he’s also working on the fouthcoming release of Blossoms with Kris Wu (Europe Raiders), which  is said to be connected to his previous films, In the Mood for Love and 2046.

We’ll keep you updated on Continue reading →