Today’s Deal on Fire is the Blu-ray set for the complete Ip Man Trilogy, which contains 2008’s Ip Man, 2010’s Ip Man 2 and 2015’s Ip Man 3.
One Great Man. One Inspiring Story. And now, one quintessential collection. This biographical martial arts film based on the life of Yip Man (played by Donnie Yen), the grandmaster of the martial art Wing Chun and teacher of Bruce Lee.
On March 24, 2020, Sony Pictures is releasing The Grudge on Blu-ray & DVD. Directed by Nicolas Pesce (The Eyes of My Mother), the film is a reboot of Takashi Shimizu’s The Grudge (2004), which itself was a remake of Shimizu’s own Japanese horror film, Ju-on: The Grudge (2002).
After a young mother murders her family in her own house, a single mother and detective tries to investigate and solve the case. Later, she discovers the house is cursed by a vengeful ghost that dooms those who enter it with a violent death.
2002’s Ju-on: The Grudge (there were two direct-to-video productions before it) revolved around a vengeful spirit that pursues anybody who dares enter the house in which it resides. The film spawned several sequels (including the recent “The Ring vs The Grudge” thriller, Sadako vs Kayako) and the aforementioned 2004 U.S. remake starring Sarah Michelle Gellar.
Special Features:
The Cast of the Cursed featurette: Take an inside look at the evil that lurks behind the doors at 44 Reyburn Dr., as key creatives and cast members explore The Grudge characters and discuss their experience working with Writer/Director Nicolas Pesce.
Designing Death featurette: From a slightly paler version of themselves to being completely mangled and rotted, to the incredible death scenes; like Faith Matheson’s (Lin Shaye) epic leap off of the staircase, explore the character make-up design process and the film’s visual look involved in creating the myriad of ghosts caught in the grips of the Grudge!
Easter Egg Haunt featurette: Join Writer/Director Nicolas Pesce as he brings to light the plethora of hidden Easter Eggs throughout the film which are homages to the previous works in the Ju-On franchise.
Extended Scenes & Alternative Ending: Experience the scenes too disturbing for theaters, like Peter Spencer’s terrifying encounter in the attic of 44 Reyburn Dr., or the uncovering of the gruesome truth behind the Landers’ family deaths.
Optional English SDH, Spanish, and French subtitles for the main feature
Some will fall. Some will rise. Blood will spill. A bloody war between the living and the dead that no one can escape! The fate of Joseon hangs in the balance…
Kingdom Season 2 is directed by Kim Seong-Hun (Tunnel) and written by Kim Eun-hee, who also wrote Land of the Gods, the webcomic series of which Kingdom is based off.
Kingdom Season 2 premiers this March 13 on Netflix. Check out the New Trailer below:
Director: Kwon Oh-Kwang Cast: Park Jung-Min, Ryoo Seung-Bum, Choi Yu-Hwa, Woo Hyeon, Yoon Je-Moon, Lee Kwang-Soo, Lim Ji-Yeon, Kwon Hae-Hyo, Choi Dong-Hoon, Kim Ye-Eun Running Time: 139 min.
By Paul Bramhall
It’s probably a stretch to say that anyone was clamouring for a third entry into Korea’s Tazza series. The original entry, 2006’s Tazza: The High Rollers, marked director Choi Dong-hoon’s sophomore feature, and its colourful energy combined with performances from the likes of Cho Seung-woo and Kim Yun-seok made it an instant classic. In many ways it was representative of where Korean cinema was in the latter half of the mid-00’s. With the Korean Wave that kicked off the millennium marking the film industry as one to watch, by 2006 there was an assured confidence reflected in much of the country’s output.
A TV series followed in 2008, utilising some of the characters from the big screen version with different actors, but audiences would need to wait until 2014 for a sequel to hit the screens, which came in the form of Tazza: The Hidden Card. A standalone tale, the sequel was a disaster, beginning with the decision to cast K-pop group Big Bang’s T.O.P (who’s at least billed by his real name of Choi Seung-hyeon) as the lead. Proving that musical charisma on stage doesn’t always translate to acting presence onscreen, Seung-hyeon pouted his way through a cumbersome runtime, one which struggled to find the balance between being a breezy caper and a violent gangster flick. It seems more likely that the return of Kim Yun-seok’s iconic character from the original turning up for the last scene was a result of director Kang Hyeong-cheol calling in a favour, rather than a legitimate cameo.
So it came as a surprise when in 2019, it was announced we’d be getting a third big screen instalment of Tazza, this time titled Tazza: One Eyed Jack. I imagine my reaction to the announcement was reflective of many others, which was one of indifference, however there were a couple of names that were enough to pique my curiosity. First was the man who’d be sitting in the director’s chair, Kwon Oh-kwang, who had been on my radar since the release of his 2015 debut Collective Invention, a wry commentary on Korean society told through the framework of a man who finds himself tuning into a fish. You read that correctly. While far from perfect, Collective Invention marked Oh-kwang as a director to keep an eye on, and like Tazza: The High Rollers marked the sophomore feature for Choi Dong-hoon, so Tazza: One Eyed Jack marks the sophomore feature for Oh-kwang.
The other name that grabbed my attention was that of the title character, One Eyed Jack, who would be played by Ryoo Seung-beom. A name synonymous with many of the classics to come of out of the Korean Wave (his small but meaningful role in Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance has always been a personal favorite), to featuring in almost all of his brother Ryoo Seung-wan’s movies (the restaurant fight in Arahan is still a classic of Korean action cinema), Seung-beom is instantly recognizable. Since returning to Korea after a sojourn to Paris, during which he spent a couple of years modelling, Seung-beom has mostly stuck to working with the controversial auteur Kim Ki-duk. Taking roles in both 2016’s The Net and 2017’s Human, Space, Time and Human, his role as One Eyed Jack will be the first time for him to feature in a mainstream production since 2015’s poorly received Intimate Enemies.
Tazza: One Eyed Jack is notable for being the first entry for the screen that hasn’t been adapted from the original comic, which was published in 2000. Introducing a completely new set of characters also thanks to Oh-kwang, who writes as well as directs, Tazza: One Eyed Jack comes with the freedom (and the risk) of creating a story that feels thematically connected to its origins, while also establishing its own direction. Not an easy task when considering just how off-course Tazza: The Hidden Card set the series, which if nothing else succeeded in highlighting how tricky it can be to balance a narrative that’s equally about card games as it is gangsters.
Despite the title, One Eyed Jack actually isn’t the main character, although he is a pivotal one. Leading man honours go to Park Jung-min, who takes on the role that’s an essential part to any Tazza tale – the young card sharp who thinks he knows it all, only to lose everything, and be taken under the wing of a mysterious master, where he’ll learn the skills that’ll allow him to take on a ruthless enemy. In this case, the master is the One Eyed Jack the title alludes to. Jung-min makes for an effective lead, having last been seen in Svaha: The Sixth Finger. The fact that he doesn’t fall into the pretty boy category that the sequel decided to opt for, neither with his looks nor his acting, being a big advantage. Instead, Sung-min exudes a kind of world weary charm, one which often emanates from behind a layer of cigarette smoke.
The plot for One Eyed Jack sees Jung-min’s encounter with a big time gambler, played by Yoon Je-moon (Missing You) leave him stripped of most of his winnings, which leads to a chance meeting with Ryoo Seung-beom. Offered an opportunity to win big, Jung-min becomes part of a team Seung-beom is putting together to swindle an elderly businessman (Woo Hyun, Exit) out of the money he’s going to make from a property deal. Joined by fellow swindlers Lee Kwang-soo (Collective Invention), Lim Ji-yeon (Luck.Key), and Kwon Hae-hyo (The Day After), together they put the wheels in motion on a high risk plan.
Connecting everything together is a mysterious lady known as Madonna, played by Choi Yu-hwa (The Truth Beneath), who was seen accompanying the big time gambler who defeated Jung-min, and also shows up again with Woo Hyun. Exactly who she is, and what all of this has to do with the death of Jung-min’s father, are questions Oh-kwang banks on the audience wanting the answers to. To a degree, Oh-kwang’s own gamble is successful. His plot has a lot going on, and its focus is constantly switching, however its strength is that it stays coherent throughout. The cost of that coherency is some of the characterisation. Many of the cast are painted with broad brushstrokes, which is ok for actors like Ryoo Seung-beom who can get by on charisma alone, but in the case of Yu-hwa, what’s supposed to be a mysterious character ends up coming across as a plot device and nothing more.
For some then One Eyed Jack may well be perceived as an exercise in style over substance, and it’s a fair observation. However the style in question undoubtedly works. Korean productions have gotten increasingly glossy over the years, to the point that the grittiness which drew many of us to certain genres of Korean cinema in the first place has gotten lost under the sheen. One Eyed Jack feels like a movie which could also have come out in 2006, with Oh-kwang showing a keen understanding that high production values and grit can be exclusive of each other, and not everything needs to look so clean. The only other director I’ve seen who understands this in recent years is Kim Sung-soo, who delivered the goods with 2017’s Asura: City of Madness. There’s violence in One Eyed Jack, and some of it gets particularly bloody, but unlike in The Hidden Card here it doesn’t feel forced, and plays an integral part of the plot.
The conversation around how well Korea makes revenge flicks feels like one that belongs in the 00’s, and recently Korean cinema has arguably moved away from the genre it seemed so enamoured with at the start of the 21st century. As much of a clichéd statement as it eventually became, Tazza: One Eyed Jack proves once more that Korea knows how to put together a killer revenge flick, and doesn’t shy away from showing the messiness of it. A welcome return to the tone that was established in the original Tazza: The High Rollers, Oh-kwang has created a 3rd instalment that breathes new life into the series, as well as feeling like a homage to it. As if to offer up his own stamp of approval, the director of the original Tazza: The High Rollers Choi Dong-hoon shows up in the final scene, in a role that can’t help but raise a smile. If you’re willing to take a gamble, Tazza: One Eyed Jack could well turn out to be worth your time.
Young Detective Deeis the captivating tale of Dee Renjie’s (Mark Chao) beginnings in the Imperial police force. His very first case, investigating reports of a sea monster terrorizing the town, reveals a sinister conspiracy of treachery and betrayal.
Young Detective Dee also stars Feng Shaofeng, Kenny Lin Geng Xin, Kim Bum, Angelababy, Deng Chao, Carina Lau Kar Ling.
5 Nutritional Facts About Coffee Every Movie Enthusiast Should Know
According to the National Coffee Association, 63% of Americans drink coffee on a daily basis. So chances are, you’re a java lover too.
But while you chug this hot drink every day, do you actually know what’s in your brew?
Here are 5 nutritional facts about coffee you should know.
1. It Has Vitamin Bs
Coffee beans are little things packed with many vitamins. For instance, they have vitamin B2, 3, and 5 (riboflavin, niacin, and pantothenic acid).
You get a decent amount of them too. For your daily intake, just one cup has 11% of B2, 2% of B3, and 6% of B5.
2. The Caffeine Helps You Lose Weight
You obviously know there’s caffeine in coffee. But did you know in addition to helping you burn fat more efficiently? This is why most diet supplements have caffeine in them.
But you don’t have to use those supplements; you can reap the benefits of weight loss by just drinking coffee. Of course, leave out the sugar and creamer for maximum effect.
3. It Can Reduce Your Chance of Certain Cancers
Many studies show that by drinking coffee, you can reduce your chance of certain cancers. More specifically, colorectal and liver.
These studies show that people who drink 4-5 cups per day have a 15% lower risk of colorectal cancer. So you do have to drink quite a bit to reap the benefits of cancer prevention. But if you’re already drinking lots of java, then you’re probably already covered!
4. It’s Rich in Antioxidants
Antioxidants are what fight and eliminate free radicals in our bodies. These are harmful, as they damage cells. As a result, they can speed up the signs of aging and cause cancer.
Surprisingly, coffee is the biggest source of antioxidants for Americans. In fact, we get more antioxidants from coffee than we do from fruits and veggies!
So long as you keep the sugar and creamer to a minimum (or don’t use them at all), then coffee is a very healthy drink for you. Not only does it have antioxidants, but it also has caffeine and vitamins.
5. It’s Very Similar to Kratom
Kratom is a popular Southeast Asian plant that’s chewed for its energy-boosting properties. While it comes from a different part of the world, it actually comes from the same family of plants as coffee. They may look completely different, but again, they both are stimulants.
If you want to try an alternative to coffee to stay awake, you can always buy kratom powder online. This can be a wonderful way to switch up your source of energy, especially if you’ve been drinking coffee for a long time now.
Flex Your Knowledge When It Comes to Facts About Coffee
With these facts about coffee, you can now impress your friends the next time you get together for a cup of joe. So keep these in mind, and slip them into your conversations for a good time!
For more interesting facts, please check out our other blog articles.
“Braddock: Missing in Action III” Japanese Theatrical Poster
Looks like martial arts icon Chuck Norris (Slaughter in San Francisco) will no longer be missing in action. The Code of Silence star is heading back to the screen (in this case, the small screen) in Hawaii Five-0’s two-hour season finale, which airs Friday, April 3 at 9/8c on CBS.
According to TVLine (via Mike Leeder), Norris will guest-star during the CBS drama’s two-hour series finale as Lee Phillips, a retired sergeant major who is helping his mentee, Lincoln Cole (to be played by MacGyver alum Lance Gross), hide from authorities in order to protect his anonymity.
The same source adds that Hawaii Five-0’s two-hour season finale also will bring back guest stars James Marsters (Angel), William Sadler (Die Hard 2) and Mark Dacascos (John Wick 3, Ultimate Justice).
Here’s your first look at Chuck Norris in Hawaii Five-0 (a TVLine exclusive, courtesy of CBS):
If you’re looking to learn, then you can’t depend on the classroom alone to learn the lessons you need to learn in life. If you like to watch movies, then you have a wonderful opportunity to use them to learn some of the most important lessons in life. As it turns out, movies can teach us a whole lot if we watch them with an open mind. In fact, some movies are made so well and packed with so much wisdom that they can teach us a lot more than a classroom ever will. To make it even better, they’re entertaining! That’s why movies make for such great sources of education!
We were particularly interested in the movies coming out of Asia and the USA that were especially educational on aspects of life in these places. These are the kinds of movies you should consider watching if you’re moving between these countries and want to understand the culture and psychology better. So, to help you on your journey, we made a list of the 10 best movies from the two regions, 5 from each, to help you understand what makes them tick better.
Top Movies of USA and Asia
All these movies are great, and you should work your way through them one by one. You may find that it consumes a lot of your time, and you may not have the time to get around to your assignments. Don’t worry about it. Edubirdie located in Canada is a great service that can help with your assignments as you take your time to learn new things.
There are actually a lot of services that help with this. TopicsMill is yet another one that helps with theses and essays, helping you come up with interesting essays on a variety of topics.
Movies from the USA
1. Good Will Hunting
This iconic American movie stars Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, and Robin Williams. It features a 20-year old man who is immensely talented in chemistry and mathematics, but has to get through some serious psychological issues before they can truly tap their potential. It’s a great film for those looking to learn how to reign in their pride and be open to learning new things.
2. Forrest Gump
Forrest Gump has long since become a permanent feature of American culture since it was screened for the first time in 1994. Not only did it launch Tom Hanks to stardom, but it also taught people that anything can be achieved with the power of will alone. In it, Forrest (Tom Hanks) is a low IQ man that nevertheless overcomes obstacles in his life to become a decorated soldier, a consummate sportsman, and a rich businessman.
3. The Theory of Everything
Stephen Hawking will forever be a celebrity icon of the world of science, having fought acute ALS. When he was first diagnosed with the condition in his college days, the doctors only gave him 2 years to live. He defied their predictions and went on to live for 76 years, formulating many groundbreaking physics theories, writing books and papers, and gaining recognition as a charming science commentator in the process. The movie is a view of his life, and Eddie Redmayne does a remarkable job of depicting the distinguished scientist.
4. The Social Network
Marc Zuckerberg is the archetypal college drop-out who went on to start a billion-dollar internet company. The Social Network looks at his journey from the Harvard dorm where he started Facebook to the media giant, he built that has since influenced the lives of billions. Whatever you think of Marc Zuckerberg as a person, it’s hard to deny the many lessons of this movie.
5. The Pursuit of Happyness
This movie is yet another example of the things one can achieve through the sheer force of an indomitable will. Will Smith stars as Chris Gardner, a homeless man that goes on to become a millionaire with his own stock brokerage, overcoming many obstacles along the way.
This movie takes a deep dive into the state of media in North Korea and its role in maintaining docility and conformity in the population. If you’ve always been interested in how totalitarian states run propaganda machines through the media, then you will love this movie.
7. Ong Bak
Ong Bak is a movie about fighting against the odds to uphold your principles. IT follows Tony Jaa as he seeks to return the Buddha head stolen from his village and reinstate the dignity of his people. The Buddha head is really just a McGuffin, since it could really be anything else and the lessons would still stick. This movie also has great action sequences if you’re into that kind of stuff.
8. Myanmar
This film is really a documentary and seeks to pull back the curtain on the goings-on of a country that has largely succeeded in keeping its operations isolated from the rest of the world for decades. Yet another movie about totalitarian regimes and how they maintain their power, it’s a great study on the subject.
9. At the Height of Summer
This movie is all about women and how they go through everyday struggles that are uniquely female. The 3 sisters in the film juggle several responsibilities and face many challenges, but still manage to come out on top in the end.
10. Summer at Grandpa’s
This movie depicts the stark contrast between urban and rural life in Asia. It shows the challenges children from the two environments face when they are in alien places, and how they overcome those challenges.
Conclusion
All these movies make for a great time with lots of entertainment and education. By the time you’re done, you will have a much broader perspective of the world and how it works.
Author Bio
Nicholas Walker is a writer and editor with 5 years of experience. He primarily writes about travel, education, and entertainment. His favourite pastimes are meditation and hiking, and you can often find him on the local trails over the weekend.
What happens when a loser is suddenly infused with supernatural powers beyond his comprehension by a kung fu expert? He goes from being a loser to a hero in a flash! Protecting the innocent, our new hero becomes the person he always wanted to be, only to find that a connection in his past is the real reason he is unstoppable!
Loser Hero also stars Tiankai Cao, Yi Lin, Sin Lung, Guopeng Wan, Xia Yu Xin, Shu Yi and Jacky Wu Zongxian.
On May 5, 2020, Bayview Films is releasing the DVD for Mr. Six, an award-winning crime-drama from director Guan Hu (Dirt). The film stars Feng Xiaogang (Ash is Purest White), whose performance earned him Best Actor at the 52nd Golden Horse Awards.
Mr. Six is a story of family, camaraderie, and nostalgia – a tribute to the old values which we used to uphold – and how different generations can co-exist despite conflicting views and beliefs.
Director: Paul Leder Cast: Joanna Kerns, Rod Arrants, Alex Nicol, Lee Nak-hun, Yeon-jeong Woo, Jerry Harke, Larry Chandler, Walt Myers, J.J. Gould, Kwon Il-soo, Chiu Chun Running Time: 87 min.
By Paul Bramhall
When people think about Asian takes on King Kong, chances are the most likely answer they’re going to give you will be the 1977 Shaw Brothers flick The Mighty Peking Man, which came a year after Hollywood’s poorly received 1976 remake starring Jeff Bridges and Jessica Lange. Ask people to name a famous Korean monster movie, and most would likely reply with Bong Joon-ho’s 2006 classic The Host (and if anyone says D-War, I suggest you cut all associations with them immediately). What’s the point of these questions (and this review for that matter)? Well, it’s to bring your attention to the long forgotten U.S.-Korea 1976 co-production A*P*E, a 3D extravaganza that puts Avatar to shame, and features a 36 foot tall ape rampaging through the streets of Seoul.
With such an enticing premise, you may ask how such a production could become relegated to the deepest depths of celluloid wasteland, the answer to which becomes almost immediately apparent. On a positive note though, the good news is that in the almost 45 years since its release, A*P*E has matured into one of the finest examples of so bad its good cinema that you’ll ever have the joy of experiencing. Sure, movies like Samurai Cop and The Miami Connection may have matured to their cult status in half the time, but the fact is there’s no time limit on entertainment value.
A*P*E (Attacking Primate monstEr, for those wondering) is directed by Paul Leder, a name which I’m sure was synonymous with any given title in those $1 DVD racks you’d find in discount stores back in the 00’s (remember those?). If it doesn’t exist already, a distributor needs to get onto securing the rights for a Frame Up and Frame Up 2: The Cover-Up double feature. Here he steps into the director’s chair for the third time, and also takes on a small acting role as he would in many of his productions. Quite how he came to helm one of the first co-productions between the U.S. and Korea is anyone’s guess, and frankly I value my time more than to spend too much of it Googling to try and give a definitive answer, however I’m glad he did, because A*P*E is an absolute hoot.
The intentions are clear pretty much from the get go. Under the cover of night a pair of sailors are navigating a ship containing the 36 foot ape to Disneyland (yes you read that correctly). Through dialogue the pair exchange in an almost comatose manner (seriously, I think they were both high), we learn that the ape was recently captured in Harlem of all places, and is going to be put on display for the public in various cities. That is until the ape breaks free of its shackles, causing one of the sailors to react with an “oh, shit”, spoken through what I assume was a morphine induced haze. The shot then cuts to a plastic boat floating in a bathtub against a black sheet, which then explodes.
Cue a man adorned in possibly the worst ape suit ever committed to film (the nipples rivals George Clooney’s in Batman and Robin), emerging out of the water with a ripped seam to expose a white t-shirt underneath, who proceeds to then wrestle with an equally (I guess we’re supposed to believe) gigantic white shark in a fight to the death. What the chances are of a 36 foot ape encountering an equally large shark at the same time I don’t know, however it’s an amusing confrontation, and is quite blatantly a long dead baby shark (still readily available from your nearest local fish market in Korea). Only a few steps later, and somehow the ape has strolled through the Pacific Ocean from his Harlem – Disneyland transfer, to stomp onto the shores of South Korea. Welcome to the first 5 minutes of A*P*E.
Once in Korea we’re introduced to a newly arrived American actress, played by Joanna Kerns (most famous for her role as the Mom from TV’s Growing Pains), who’s there to shoot a movie on her “first visit to the Orient.” She’s surprised to be joined by her on-off journalist boyfriend, played by TV actor Rod Arrants, who wants nothing more than to profess his true love for Kerns. At its most awkward, Arrants joins a scene being shot for the movie Kerns is starring in, which involves her being raped by her co-star. When the co-star gets a little too rough, Arrants whisks her away for a smooch, before returning to set upon which time the director calmly tells her co-star, “Now remember Greg, rape her gently.” I felt terrible for laughing.
These scenes are undeniably padding towards the barely 85 minute runtime, however their inclusion only adds to the hilarity of everything rather than feeling like filler. Let’s talk about the ape. It’s horrendous. The suit itself is awful, full of scraggy tufts of hair that look like 100 people have worn it before its big screen appearance, and comprised of a separate head piece of which no attempt has been made to disguise. Whoever is in the suit (the part is uncredited) has clearly been given no direction as to how an ape should act, so he awkwardly steps onto model houses to crush them, probably worried about getting a splinter, and his hunched over walk looks like someone who’s had one too many rather than a primate. We’re talking Shaolin Invincibles and Bruce Lee the Invincible level guy in an ape suit acting here, only it’s not just for one scene, but a whole movie.
Speaking of kung fu movies, apart from alerting me to the fact that ones with the word ‘invincible’ in the title have a high chance of featuring a guy in an ape suit, A*P*E also features a scene where the moth ball ridden clutz stumbles upon a kung fu movie being filmed! For fans of old-school Korean kung fu movies (slowly raises hand), there’s a certain joy in seeing familiar faces like Kwon Il-soo (The Postman Strikes Back) and Chiu Chun (The Deadly Kick) stopping their fight scene in the middle of filming, and turning their weapons towards a gigantic ape. Not something I ever expected to see in my lifetime, I have to admit. Most likely inspired from the previous year’s Hong Kong and Australia co-production The Man from Hong Kong, we even get a giant ape versus a hang glider scene, featuring some of the most jaw dropping(ly bad) miniature work you’ve ever seen.
Surprisingly, director Leder seems to have realised he had a clanger on his hands at some point during filming. I’m not sure when that would have been, but I like to think it was when the ape encounters a snake in a tree. Again, the logic of physics means we have to assume the 36 foot ape has just stumbled across a 36 foot snake that none of the Korean population have noticed previously, but the narrative isn’t concerned with such matters as coherency. In one of my favorite moments, the ape then grabs the snake from the tree, very much alive, and throws it towards the camera positioned underneath. Except, the snake actually hits the camera, knocking the shot out of focus. Hilarious. Any aim at seriousness slowly dissipates as the narrative continues, until eventually we’re left with scenes of the ape perving wide eyed into the window of a hotel, as an American gentlemen and a Korean prostitute attempt to get it on.
Speaking of Korea, the 2 main Korean roles of a general and his wife are played by Lee Nak-hun (Kim Soo-young’s classic Mist) and Woo Yeon-jeong (John Woo’s The Dragon Tamers) respectively, who do an admirable job of speaking English, and not looking embarrassed. The rest of the Korean extras, who are mostly called upon to run towards the camera at various points, range from looking suitably terrified, to as if they’re having the time of their lives. I’m guessing Leder never imagined that his movie could one day be scrutinised on the Blu-ray format, but hey, for anyone that’s ever watched the extras in the background of a Shaw Brothers movie fight scene, there’s nothing unforgivable on display.
With an ape that at one point breaks the fourth wall and gives the middle finger directly to camera, rocks made of Styrofoam that disintegrate as they fall down a cliff, and awesomely era-appropriate lines such as “This is Korea not Scotland, the Loch Ness Monster couldn’t make it over the Berlin Wall!”, A*P*E’ is gold. Best enjoyed with a few cold beverages and friends (unless you’re me, in which case, alone), just don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Today’s Deal on fire is the Blu-ray for Benny Chan’s (Shaolin) martial arts epic, Call of Heroes (formerly known as The Deadly Reclaim).
This period action film (read our review) – featuring fight choreography by the legendary Sammo Hung (14 Blades, The Bodyguard) – tells the story of a pack of villagers standing up to a young warlord in the year 1914.
Koo stars as Cao, the son of a powerful General who has grown into a vicious and depraved warlord. Although Cao is accused of murder, his father will destroy the town if his son is convicted and sentenced to death. But injustice cannot go unanswered, and the villagers prepare for the repercussions of punishing a guilty man.
Underrated action director Martin Campbell (Casino Royale, The Foreigner) is calling Liam Neeson (Taken franchise) back into action with Memory, which will be based on the 2003 Dutch film The Memory of a Killer.
Penning the film is writer/producer, who is perhaps best known for his work on Marvel’s The Punisher series.
Neeson will play an expert assassin with a reputation for discreet precision who, when he refuses to complete a job for a dangerous criminal organization, becomes a target and must go on the hunt for those who want him dead (via Deadline).
Memory is scheduled to shoot in August. For now, here’s the Trailer to 2003’s The Memory of a Killer:
On April 14, 2020, Lionsgate Home Entertainment will release the Indonesian sci-fi action thriller Foxtrot Six to DVD – at this time, there is no indication if the film will also get a Blu-ray release.
In the near future, the economy has turned upside down and the world is becoming a dystopia. An ex-marine, Angga, rebels against the government and forms “Foxtrot Six,” a squad comprised of old military comrades. Together, they work to save their country from the attacks of a ruthless party leader willing to starve and kill in his quest for power.
Foxtrot Six is helmed by first-time Indonesian director Randy Korompis. Legendary Hollywood player Mario Kassar (Rambo, Total Recall, Terminator 2, Universal Solider), alongside Ario Sagantoro (The Raid), is producing the film.
We expect a U.S. Trailer for Foxtrot Six to pop up soon. Until then, watch an earlier Trailer below:
Last year we compiled the Top 15 Bathroom Fight Scenes, so since we’ve now had time to fully digest, it feels only right to take a visit to that other room where the magic happens – the kitchen. Some might say a visit to the bathroom should come after the kitchen, but hey, at COF we don’t split hairs (or bills). The kitchen feels like the neglected cousin of the bathroom when it comes to being utilised as a space for cinematic action, therefore we felt obliged to serve (pardon the pun) up a feature highlighting the amount of bodily harm that can be inflicted in a food preparation area.
So, if you feel like the art of cooking has been sanitised by the countless number of channels we have dedicated to it, it’s time for us to take a look at what happens when the main ingredients are anger, revenge, and a desire to kill. There’s a few techniques that we’re looking out for when it comes to kitchen fight scenes, and it’s safe to say that number one is the use of the utensils. You have a variety of sharp knives, pots & pans, and red hot stoves, so use what’s at your disposal! Number two is, just like a bathroom fight scene, how is the space used? Kitchens are cluttered places, whether it be a homely household or a sleek spacious restaurant, the environment lends itself to frantic exchanges, so as an action director there’s plenty to work with!
We’ll be plating up our culinary chaos in the order of how much time is spent in the kitchen area, and just like any creative chef, you’ll see that we’ve sprinkled in a couple of liberties here and there. If you feel like any recipes have been missed, feel free to add them in the comments section! So, without further ado, your COF degustation begins with a dish from Indonesia –
The Raid 2 (2014) – Iko Uwais vs. Cecep Arif Rahman Total Cookery Time: 6:50
By the time we get to the kitchen showdown in The Raid 2 there’s already been so much high quality action on display, it’s hard to image anything could top it. Coming straight off of Uwais dealing with the iconic Hammer Girl and Baseball Bat Boy, his kitchen clearing stand-off with the (so far) quietly lurking series newcomer Cecep Arif Rahman is one which not only belongs on this list, but any list of top tier fight scenes. A one on one epic clocking in at close to 7 minutes, it’s understandable why director Gareth Evans decided to wrap up the series on such a high note.
Chocolate (2008) – Jija Yanin vs thugs Total Cookery Time: 4:44
The movie that introduced us to the talents of Jija Yanin, one of the late Panna Rittikrai’s final protégés, Chocolate is a masterclass in steadily escalating fight scenes. This particular one takes place mid-film, as Yanin’s autistic character Zen makes a midnight excursion to a meat factory, to demand the money owed to her ailing mother from a less than sympathetic supervisor. When it becomes clear no money is going to change hands without a fight, that’s exactly what goes down, as Yanin single handedly takes on a small army of meat clever wielding butchers.
One Million K(l)icks (2014) – Mike Möller vs. Li Yan-Long Total Cookery Time: 4:23
In 2014 German martial arts wunderkind and stuntman Mike Möller was given his chance to shine by headlining the fight flick One Million K(l)icks. When Möller’s headstrong character finds fame online through clips of him fighting various opponents, he eventually meets his match in the kitchen of a Chinese restaurant, run by South Shaolin Master actor Li Yan-Long. In a battle of new school versus old school, the fight brings the kung-fu movie tradition of a softer style being able to neutralise an aggressive one into a contemporary setting, and does so with satisfying results.
After a slew of period pieces, Jet Li returned to modern day action with 1994’s The Bodyguard from Beijing. Teamed up with frequent collaborator Corey Yuen Kwai, the finale pits Li against Collin Chou in an era when both were at the top of their game. Making excellent use of a kitchen that’s part of an open floor plan apartment, the added danger of a leaking gas canister brings a unique element to the fight, as both attempt to take out the other without falling unconscious from the toxic fumes. Li and Chou would face off more than once during the 90’s, but this is my favorite of their encounters.
Sleepless Night (2011) – Tomer Sisley vs. Julien Boisselier Total Cookery Time: 2:59
Thoongaavanam (2015) – Kamal Haasan vs. Kishore Kumar G. Total Cookery Time: 2:25
Sleepless (2016) – Jamies Foxx vs. Tim Connolly Total Cookery Time: 1:47
Our first three-course meal in one sitting, director Frédéric Jardin’s 2011 hit Sleepless Night spawned a Bollywood and a Hollywood re-make, with both providing their own takes on the intense kitchen fight scene the original is known for. In it comic turned actor Tomer Sisley goes up against Julien Boisselier, with the formers Jiujitsu and Krav Maga training delivering a brutal edge (not to mention a ferocious elevator fight that the kitchen fight segues from – but we’ll save that part for another list!). Kamal Hassan’s clumsy running and Jamie Foxx’s Tupperware friendly reinterpretations pale in comparison.
The Kick (2010) – Ye Ji-won & Petchtai Wongkamlao vs thugs Total Cookery Time: 2:40
The 2nd movie on the list to feature Jija Yanin, unfortunately this time she’s not a part of the scene in question. In 2010 Prachya Pinkaew (the director of Ong Bak and Tom Yum Goong), somehow convinced the Koreans to make this misguided Thai co-production, about a Korean family that move to Thailand and get embroiled in a (you guessed it) stolen artefact. In this scene Ye Ji-won and Petchai Wongkamlao (the comic relief guy from the previously mentioned Tony Jaa flicks) have to fight off a group of thugs, while thankfully being in the vicinity of a kitchen.
Special ID (2013) – Donnie Yen vs. thugs Total Cookery Time – 2:26
I’m pretty sure I made my feelings for Special ID clear in the review I wrote at the time of its release, but one thing that can’t be denied, is that Donnie Yen’s skirmish through the corridors of a restaurants kitchen while fighting off multiple assailants is an entertaining one. Featuring plenty of painful impacts, falls, and Yen’s trademark flailing fists, as a fight scene it ticks all of the boxes, with the cluttered environment leading to a number of wince inducing close quarter exchanges. If only the rest of the movie was as good as this scene.
A Hong Kong/Australia co-production, in the 2008 documentary Not Quite Hollywood: The Wild, Untold Story of Ozploitaiton, many of the cast and crew recalled how much of a nightmare it was to work with Jimmy Wang Yu. A nightmare he may have been, but we still got this epic kitchen fight in which he squares off against legendary Aussie stuntman Grant Page (whose trousers split barely seconds into the fight, revealing some colourful yellow underwear). If you’re not distracted by the wardrobe malfunction, look out for the vintage Kelloggs Cornflakes boxes that line the shelves!
The Private Eyes (1976) – Michael Hui vs. Cham Kim-Wan Total Cookery Time: 2:04
Some consider The Private Eyes to be the best of the Hui Brothers collaborations, and it’s not hard to see why. Michael Hui’s kitchen duel with Cham Kim-Wan is pure comedic genius, as the pair face off using everything from strainers, sharks, chickens, and most hilariously, a pair of makeshift nunchucks made from a string of sausages. Now, imagine Michael as the lead in Dragon from Russia instead of his brother Sam, that would have been a movie!
Under Siege 2: Dark Territory (1995) – Steven Seagal vs. Everett McGill Total Cookery Time – 1:37
It may have been 1992’s Under Siege which gave us Casey Ryback, but we’d have to wait for its (endlessly more entertaining) sequel to see him in a real kitchen fight. We may never see the combination of Steven Seagal, Katherine Heigl, and China being attacked by crazy Americans in a movie again, but at least it happened. Here, after Seagal and Everett McGill go at each other through several train carriages, they eventually fall down a staircase landing in the kitchen, where Seagal decides it’s time to really get down to business. Watch out for the cheesy one-liner at the end.
Out for Justice (1991) – Steven Seagal vs. William Forsythe Total Cookery Time – 1:14
It seems that in the kitchen, you can’t escape Steven Seagal! I admit my pet hate in screen fights is when they’re too one-sided in the heroes favour, however with that being said, there’s something undeniably joyous in watching Seagal decimate his opponents throughout his early movies. Here it’s William Forysthe, who made the mistake of murdering Bobby Lupo, and the even bigger mistake of ending up in a kitchen with Seagal. Cue being on the receiving end of frying pans, rolling pins, and anything else within arms reach. I’m not too sure the ‘vs.’ is even earned in this scene, but damn it’s fun to watch.
Upgrade (2018) – Logan Marshall-Green vs. Richard Cawthorne Total Cookery Time – 00:56
Probably the most criminally underseen movie of 2018. Fantastic fight scenes? Check. A unique sci-fi concept? Check. Hard R-rated violence? Check. If you haven’t seen it, go check it out, and if you need any further reason to, well this kitchen fight scene should give you all the incentive you need. After Logan Marshall-Green is paralysed in a car crash and his wife murdered, he’s offered a chance at redemption when an experimental computer chip called Stem is linked up to his brain, allowing him to be upwardly mobile once more. For those involved in his wife’s murder, that spells bad news.
The Expendables 2 (2012) – Jet Li vs. thugs Total Cookery Time – 00:41
Jet Li may have spent most of his time in The Expendables franchise being the brunt of height related jokes, but at least he got to unleash for a few seconds (literally, seconds) in the horrendous sequel. Showing off his skills in the opening action sequence set in Nepal, apart from being pretty much the only scene Li would feature in for the whole movie, it’s also the highlight of the bloated, overly self-aware 2nd instalment. As brief as the sequence may be, Li’s energetic burst of action is a memorable one, as he unleashes against wave after wave of blood thirsty opponents.
Bonus dish –
Tom Yum Goong (2005) – Tony Jaa vs. Johnny Tri Nguyen Total Cookery Time – 2:11
Ok so technically this fight doesn’t actually take place in a kitchen, but rather right outside one, with the chefs looking on inside as much a part of the audience as we are. Still, we thought it was worthy of inclusion. After decimating a small army of attackers via an amazing one-shot stairwell fight, in his sophomore starring role Tony Jaa takes on a pre-The Rebel Johnny Tri Nguyen, a pairing which pits Muay Boran against Wushu. With the threat of his beloved elephant becoming the latest item on the menu, Jaa unleashes his inner rage at a time when elbows to the head still felt like a breath of fresh air.
Again, if you feel like any recipes have been missed, feel free to add them in the comments section below. Also, if you want to see what’s going on in the bathroom, don’t miss COF’s Top 15 Bathroom Fight Scenes.
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Last year we compiled the 
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