“Brothers in Heaven” Korean Theatrical Poster

Won Jin, the legendary Sonny the Scorpion from the 1992 classic Operation Scorpio (read our interview here), has confirmed he’s recently completed action directing duties for the upcoming Korean crime thriller Brothers in Heaven. Jin has been applying his action directing skills in China as of late, so this marks the first time for him to return to his native Korea since choreographing the action in 2013’s The Suspect, in which he also has a small but memorable role.

Brothers in Heaven is the sophomore feature from director Park Hee-joon (Mandate), and stars K-drama actor Jung Hoo in his movie debut, and Jo Han-sun (A Better Tomorrow) as twin brothers that were separated at birth, and grow up on opposite sides of the law. When fate brings them together 20 years later, as expected, a healthy dose of gritty violence ensues.

Brothers in Heaven will also feature Hong Kong actor Simon Yam, in his third Korean movie after turns in The Thieves and Cold Eyes. Hitting domestic screens in January, we’ll keep you in the loop of the latest news. In the meantime, check out the trailer below:

“Always be yourself, express yourself, have faith in yourself, do not go out and look for a successful personality and duplicate it.” – (Bruce Lee, 1940 – 1973)

Bruce Lee is one of those rare actors who transcended the movies he appeared in to become an almost mythical figure. He is the embodiment of the martial artist, an accomplished actor and a positive role-model for Asian Americans. Lee was single-handedly responsible for a surge of interest in Asian martial arts in the late 60s and 70s, his fame extending far beyond the reach of the four movies that made his name. Today he is more icon than man, a representation of martial arts, of Asian masculinity and of what was a very new type of action hero in the America of the 1970s.

Born in San Francisco, the young Lee Jun-Fan was raised in Hong Kong until he was a teenager. His father was an actor and his mother came from a wealthy family, meaning that the young Lee grew up in relatively affluent surroundings. Despite that, his neighbourhood became a more dangerous place in later years, with various gangs operating in the area, and Lee was beaten up on a number of occasions. This prompted his father to send 16-year-old Lee to take martial art lessons, and it was not long before the young teen started to display startling quickness and agility. He also took up boxing in his new high school, and aged 17 won the Hong Kong schools boxing tournament. It was clear that this was a very special talent, and that he would soon become famous beyond the confines of Hong Kong.

As Lee continued to become embroiled in street violence, his parents decided that moving back to the States was the best way to protect their son. Lee continued his martial arts training in America, studying under a variety of different teachers. Feeling that many martial artists neglected the physical conditioning aspect of their sport, Lee devoted himself to maintaining peak physical condition. A martial arts exhibition at Long Beach in 1964 brought Lee to the attention of Hollywood. With his father being an actor, the young Lee had appeared in a number of Hong Kong films as a child actor, but had given up on the idea of making movies after moving to the US. However, with Lee gaining fame as a high-profile martial artist, he was selected to play the role of Kato for the TV show The Green Hornet which aired from 1966 to 1967. He also made guest appearances in the iconic Batman show as the same character at this time. While the TV show only lasted for one season, Lee had made enough of an impression to ensure that he was at the front of Hollywood casting agents’ minds when it came to looking for Asian martial artists.

Lee’s first Hollywood role came in the 1969 movie ‘Marlowe’, where he briefly made an appearance as a henchman hired to try and rough up the titular private eye character. This would be the type of role offered to the young Lee, but he was not destined to be a bit-part player in life. Dissatisfied with being type-cast as a supporting player, Lee moved back to Hong Kong to take on some leading roles: roles which would define him as the greatest martial arts actor of all time. Unbeknownst to Lee, The Green Hornet had been shown in Hong Kong, except that over there it was known as ‘The Kato Show’. This meant that Lee was a star by the time he set foot back in the place where he grew up, and as a result he had little difficulty in obtaining a contract to appear as the star of two movies. Due to the success of the early releases, two would become four, and these four movies which Lee starred in between the years of 1971 to 1973 would cement his reputation forever. These were, in chronological order, ‘The Big Boss’, ‘Fist of Fury’, ‘Way of the Dragon’ and ‘Enter the Dragon’; names that will be instantly familiar to anyone with even a slight knowledge of martial arts in cinema.

Upon the release of ‘Big Boss’, it quickly went on to smash box office records all across Asia, making Lee a star in the region in the process. Fresh from the success of ‘The Big Boss’, ‘Fist of Fury’ was released in 1972, and this movie would go on to smash the records set by the first one. The success of the two movies left Bruce in a very strong position to negotiate a deal for two more Hong Kong pictures, and for movie number three he was given control of choreography, writing, producing, and directing, as well as being the star. ‘Way of the Dragon’ was a critical and commercial success, and introduced the world to karate champion Chuck Norris, whom Lee had met year earlier in the Long Beach martial arts exhibition. The final movie that Bruce Lee would make was ‘Enter the Dragon’, in most people’s eyes the best of his collection. This movie became one of the year’s biggest box office successes, and to date it has earned more than $200 million; a staggering return for the $4 million (adjusted for inflation) that it cost to make in 1973. Unfortunately, Bruce Lee would not have the opportunity to make any more films, although the work he had done on the unfinished movie ‘Game of Death’ was used to release the movie, with a stand-in doubling for Lee in some scenes.

Over the years, Bruce Lee has become more than simply a man, and has instead morphed into an iconic brand. In fact, from our perspective in time it can be quite difficult to separate one from the other. Bruce Lee has adorned the bedroom walls of so many college student dorms that his image has become iconic: close your eyes and you can probably conjure up the picture of Lee standing in fight pose. Similarly, you can find countless Bruce Lee branded t-shirts, shoes, headphones, Lego models, playing cards, pens, jewellery, stamps and action figures. There are even Bruce Lee branded online slot games featuring the martial artist in various threatening poses, as well as video games with the Hong Kong master as the hero. Think of a collectable item, and you can be sure that there is a version of it featuring the king of martial arts. Even to this day, ask anybody to name a famous martial arts expert and chances are that Bruce Lee’s name will be one of the first to be mentioned. For that reason, the man and the brand have become intertwined, and the iconic figure of Bruce Lee – a man who came to global fame in the early 1970s – is still proving to be a hit well into the 21^st century.

Sadly, Lee would die before his final ‘full’ movie, ‘Enter the Dragon’, could be released. The actor passed away due to complications from some medication he had taken, dying at the tender age of 32. However, his all-to-brief life spawned the legend of Bruce Lee, a legend which endures to this day. Bruce Lee passed away while still at the height of his powers, leaving behind the impression of a young man frozen in time, still invincible and powerful. As with any unexpected celebrity death, rumours and conspiracy theories have done the rounds regarding Lee’s untimely passing. These ranged from the mundane to the outlandish, such as claiming that there was a curse on the family, or that Chinese mafia had poisoned the action star. Despite these claims, medical and forensic experts determined that the cause of death was simply an unfortunate accident, and that no foul play was involved.

Bruce Lee has left an impressive legacy behind him, remaining an iconic figure to this day. Time Magazine named him as one of the 100 most influential people of the 20^th century, which places him in very exalted company. June 8 was named ‘Bruce Lee Day’ in Los Angeles, and in the Chinatown of that city a seven-foot statue of 5 foot 8-inch Lee has stood since 2013. There are more statues of Lee in Hong Kong, China, and even Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as a star on the Hollywood walk of fame. It seems that we will never grow tired of this martial arts superstar, and indeed he has inspired generations of martial artists who have followed in his wake. Indeed, even Dana White, the outspoken president of the incredibly popular UFC, has credited Bruce Lee as being the ‘father of mixed martial arts’. It is a rare person indeed who transcends their sport, not to mention the movies in which he or she appears, to become a global superstar and an inspirational figure to millions of people around the world. That is the true legacy of Bruce Lee.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_awards_and_honors_received_by_Bruce_Lee#/media/File:Bruce_Lee_Walk_of_fame.jpg

https://asianmoviepulse.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/BruceLee.jpg

https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/624/cpsprodpb/16250/production/_91540709_hi018686725.jpg

“Manga bible” (CC BY 2.0) by supermicah

Manga has become iconic in Japan, but that’s not the only place its influence has been felt. Although early Manga illustrations were seen as popular works sold to the masses in the 17^th century, according to japantimes.co.jp, the style took off in the 19^th century. From here, illustrators found a home in comics and that gave rise to the Manga styling that we know and love today.

While Manga comics have now become staple reading for people in Japan, this isn’t the only place where the artwork can be seen. Indeed, as you scan popular culture around the world, the funky characters and engaging storylines have been used to enliven everything from movies to art and even games. For instance, the 1973 movie Golgo 13 was based on Manga that started in 1968. Although the 1983 Anime version of Golgo 13 achieved greater success, the movie was released in the West and stands as a testament to the popularity of Manga around the world.

Fusing Style and Substance to Create a Manga Slot Game

Beyond the movies, the Japanese style has become popular with games developers. Final Fantasy by Square Enix is a game that clearly draws inspiration from the worlds of Manga and Anime, as do games such as Gantz: The Game and J-Stars Victory Vs. However, it’s not just the video game community that’s embraced Manga. In the last two years, software developer NetEnt has brought the theme to the online casino world. The brand is known for its themed slots such as Planet of the Apes and Emojiplanet. Through these games, the developer has developed a reputation for creating games that are as artistic as they are lucrative.

According to the reviewers at online-casinos-canada.ca/netent-casinos, NetEnt has not only won Mobile Slot Supplier of the Year three times in a row because of their jackpots but because of their gameplay. Describing the design and themes as “elite level”, the reviewers suggest that NetEnt is among the top software providers in the iGaming industry. In 2015, this reputation was solidified thanks to the release of Manga-styled slot called Koi Princess. Like the comics it’s inspired by, the lead character, Koi Princess, and her surroundings are drawn in an edgy cartoon style. On top of this, the numbers and card symbols have a Japanese look to them that complements the Manga theme.

However, and this is why reviewers such as Online Casinos Canada rate NetEnt so highly, it’s not just the drawings that stand out. In a bid to fuse style and substance, the developer has included animations and bonus features that fit in with the Manga style you’d see at manga.com. For example, as you spin the five reels, three fish (koi carp) will appear at random intervals and ask you to pick them. Much like a Manga character encounters certain people or beings who define their path in life, the fish each hold a unique bonus that can change your fate.

This ability to take a concept and bring it to life through gameplay as well as visuals is something NetEnt does extremely well. Of course, without the popularity of Manga, this would count for nothing. Indeed, despite its Japanese roots, it’s clear to see that this style has become a fantastic device for creative types in a variety of mediums.

Manga Makes a Great Slot Game

“panda” (CC BY 2.0) by spikeystar

Another popular Manga slot is Panda Manga. Taking a slightly more tongue-in-cheek look at the genre, this game features everything from geishas and waving pandas to sushi. However, as entertaining as this game is on the surface, it lacks the depth of a spinner such as Koi Princess. Where NetEnt’s creation has features that fit into the Manga narrative (i.e. choosing your destiny), Panda Manga is more straightforward. What we mean by this is that wilds and scatter symbols unlock simple free spin and multiplier bonuses.

Of course, there’s certainly nothing wrong with this. In fact, it’s all a matter of perspective. For players that simply like the look of a game and enjoy the artwork of Manga, a slot like Panda Manga is great. However, for those that want slightly more depth, Koi Princess from NetEnt is perfect. Whichever way you look at it, the one thing that’s clear is that Manga is a fantastic theme. Whether it’s in the slots world or another entertainment medium, the ability to offer stunning visuals and/or a clever storyline is the reason people around the world love Manga.

“Queen of Triads” Theatrical Poster

Ready for some female-centric organized crime? Get ready for Queen of Triads, an action-thriller written and produced by Wong Jing and directed by his protege Kam Kar-wai (who is currently shooting Big Brother with Donnie Yen).

When an innocent girl is raped again and again and betrayed by her loved ones, she decides to take control of her life by becoming a gangster leader.

The film stars Raquel Xu (Chasing the Dragon, Mission Milano), Emotion Cheung (The Chinese Box) and Philip Ng (Zombie Fight Club, Special Female Force).

Queen of Triads is getting a domestic release on December 7, 2017. Don’t miss its Trailer below (via Mike Leeder):

“Hong Kong – Bruce Lee” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by IQRemi.

When it comes to fighting, the ancient martial arts of the East have a certain mystique that captures the imagination.

Although the end goal with any physical confrontation is to render your opponent helpless (or dead), the code by which traditional martial artists live by brings a certain reverence to proceedings. Naturally, this combination of control aggression and power has intrigued filmmakers over the years and led to some impressive cinematic spectacles. In fact, what’s interesting about Asian martial arts movies is that they sit in stark contrast to the battle-based offerings from the West.

“Karate kick at sunrise” (CC BY 2.0) by bluesbb.

A Clash of Styles, from Game of Thrones to Slots

Of course, the last few decades have seen the two styles merge, but it’s fair to say that there are two distinct styles when it comes to fighting on screen. Take the ever-popular Game of Thrones as an example. The average battle scene in the HBO show is a brutal, bloody affair that seems a million miles away from the refined, technique-based showdowns in a traditional martial arts flick such as Enter the Dragon. And, it’s not just on screen where this divide is apparent. Take, for example, the Game of Thrones slot.

Developed by Microgaming, this game is based on the show and features a plethora of images and animations fans will be familiar with. Indeed, as this Game of Thrones slot review notes, the “epic opening score” creates an intensity that captures the spirit of a bloody battle. Contrast this with another online casino game, Bruce Lee slots, where the use of chimes and xylophones creates a much more serene atmosphere.

East vs. West: It’s a Matter of Intent

In essence, whether it’s onscreen, in a game or via some other medium, the main difference between East and West when it comes to the depiction of fights is action. In the case of the former, everything is calm and attacks happen in short bursts. Everything around the battle is still and there’s a level of respect between combatants.

In the case of the latter, everything is more intense and chaotic. Fists are flying in every direction, and anything can happen in a given moment. This is something Game of Thrones captured fantastically well in the Battle of the Bastards (see video above) and, moreover, across the entire franchise. Why is the case? Well, it all stems back to the origin of martial arts. Although Asia isn’t the only place where martial arts evolved from, it is considered the spiritual home thanks to its use as a form of defense.

Martial Arts as a Form of Respect

From China’s Emperor Huang Di using martial arts as a way to defend the kingdom back in 2600 BC, this trend quickly spread across Asia. At the heart of the teachings was the idea that fighting was a way of protecting all that you deem to be sacred (i.e. your kingdom and country). As various arts developed, notions of respect and honor evolved to encompass all those that had devoted their lives to the art. From this, the idea of mastery and perfect technique came into play and that’s what typically separates martial arts from general fighting.

Even though the warriors seen in Game of Thrones had to learn certain skills, their battles could and would be won by any means possible. In contrast, a true warrior martial artist would never use dirty tactics to defeat an opponent. This, for us, is why there’s a clear difference between fights in classics such as 10 Brothers of Shaolin and Game of Thrones. So, would Bruce Lee survive in Game on Thrones? Yes, but only if he abandoned his martial arts training and fought like a Westeros warrior.

Cheap Essay Papers: 4 Ways to Be Sure They Are NOT Going to Fool You

In their pursuit of academic excellence, students usually turn to professional writing services such as CheapEssay.net to help them with writing assignments. This is because students usually have a lot of such assignments and without the help of online writing services, they may not be able to submit all of them on time. Students should, therefore, find a good company to help them with assignments when the need arises. But how do students go about finding great essay writing services capable of handling “write my custom essays” request? How do they tell genuine companies from fake ones? There are a lot of things that students have to look out for when finding essay services online, and we will look at some of these factors in this article.

1. Ask for Samples

Students should ask for samples before deciding to buy cheap essay papers online. From the samples, students will be able to gauge the writing ability of the writing services, and this will help them make the best decision regarding their writing tasks. Writing companies should not object to this request, and students should avoid the services that deny them the samples. This, however, is not enough since corrupt services can find academic papers online and issue them as samples. Students should, instead, ask the companies to write sample papers on given topics. A company has to deliver a quality sample paper, that a student can use for their assignment, but if it doesn’t, then students should continue their search. CheapEssay.net has a lot of samples that students can access for review. It will also write sample papers should the students demand them, and they will not have to pay anything for the samples.

2. Read the Reviews

Students looking for cheap custom dissertations should go through the reviews posted on the website before hitting the buy button. The client reviews indicate the level of customer satisfaction, and if the reviews are positive, then, that is a credible company. But if they are negative, you will be wasting your money if you decide to work with that company. Read through the reviews in detail to understand the working process of that company. Some of the things that students should be able to make out from the reviews include whether the company delivers assignments fast and whether the company handles revisions or not. A glance at the reviews posted on CheapEssay.net shows that clients are happy with the services offered by the company. Students who pick CheapEssay.net as their preferred essay writing company are assured of quality services and good prices for academic papers.

3. Visit Independent Sites

Independent review sites is another great place to find information on a particular writing service. This is because a writing company may choose to delete some of the negative reviews posted by past clients, and this may paint a company as great when that is not the case. To get genuine information about a particular company, students can turn to independent review sites. Such sites post honest and unbiased opinion about a company, and this makes them great resources for students.

4. Consult Your Friends

Students can also consult their friends before deciding to work with a particular company. Your friends may have worked with that website, and they can help you decide whether to work with it or not.

Students should be careful when choosing writing services for their assignments, and the above tips will help them pick the best website to deal with.

“Namiya” Teaser Poster

If you’re a Jackie Chan fan who can’t wait to see him in action, his appearance in Han Jie’s upcoming fantasy, Namiya, probably won’t be on your must-watch list.

Based on Keigo Higashino’s novel Miracles of the Namiya General Store, the film follows three orphaned youths who stumble upon a letter slipped under the door as they hide out in a food store. They write a response thus beginning a correspondence with people from 30 years ago (via CD).

The film also stars Dilraba Dilmurat (Mr. Pride vs. Miss Prejudice), Karry Wang (Pound of Flesh) and Hao Lei (Kill Time).

Namiya opens domestically on December 29, 2017, followed by a U.S. release date on January 5, 2018. Watch the film’s Trailer below:

“Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai” Japanese Theatrical Poster

A sequel to Jim Jarmusch’s 1999 action film Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai is apparently in-the-works, at least according to musician / actor / director, RZA.

The original film starred Forest Whitaker (Bloodsport) as a modern day samurai employed by the mafia as a hit man. The movie is highly influenced by Jean-Pierre Melville’s Le Samouraï, and is known for its references to Seijun Suzuki’s Branded to Kill.

Here’s the scoop from RZA himself, according to BMD (via Telerama): “Jim Jarmusch, my good buddy, and Forest Whitaker, have both signed on with me and another writer named Dallas Jackson, to executive produce another Ghost Dog. And we already have something written. So maybe Ghost Dog will make its way back to the silver screen, or small screen.”

It should be noted that Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai was RZA’s first venture into the movie business, as it served both as his acting and composing debut (predating Kill Bill a few years later).

We’ll keep you updated on Ghost Dog II as more news arrives.