King Kong Escapes (1967) Review

"King Kong Escapes" Theatrical Poster

“King Kong Escapes” Theatrical Poster

Director: Honda Ishiro
Cast: Rhodes Reason, Linda Miller, Mie Hama, Akira Takarada, Hideyo Amamoto, Yoshifumi Tajima, Yoshifumi Tajima, Andrew Hughes, Shoichi Hirose, Ryuji Kita
Running Time: 96/104 min.

By Ian Whittle

Following the colossal success of King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962), Toho did not rush to bring back the giant ape in a hurry – the cost of licensing the character from RKO was high, and Toho had been left holding the bill by KKvG’s American co-producer, John Beck. But by 1966, American animation company Rankin-Bass had produced The King Kong Show in collaboration with Japan’s Toei Animation and a new live action Kong film was put into development between Rankin-Bass and Toho. Sekizawa Shinichi’s original script, Operation Robinson Crusoe: King Kong, was rejected and instead turned into the Godzilla film Ebirah, Horror of the Deep – which explain why that film has a scene where Godzilla takes an interest in a bikini-clad island girl.

Whilst Ebirah was in effect a B-movie, the resultant King Kong Escapes was very much top-grade, with direction (Honda Ishiro), music (Ifukube Akira) and SPFX direction (Tsuburaya Eiji) all being handled by Toho’s main monster specialists, in what would turn Continue reading

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Top 10 Qualities to Look for in a Clearwater Personal Injury Lawyer

Finding the right personal injury lawyer in Clearwater can be a big step in your legal journey, especially if you’re dealing with the effects of an accident. The right lawyer can really change the outcome of your personal injury case. Knowing what makes the best lawyers stand out is key. In this guide, we will look at the top qualities you should look for. These are qualities shown by the team at Catania and Catania Injury Lawyers in Clearwater.

1. Experience in Personal Injury Law

Experience in personal injury law is very important. The top personal injury lawyers have lots of experience. They have worked on many cases like yours. This experience gives them a good understanding of personal injury law in Florida. They can move through the legal system easily.

Also, lawyers with experience can see potential problems in your case. They know how to deal with these problems. This makes the legal process smoother. Their knowledge and experience can really change how your case turns out. So, experience is a key quality to look for.

2. Specialization in Your Case Type

Personal injury law covers many kinds of incidents and injuries. It’s important to have a lawyer who specializes in your kind of case. This could be a car accident, slip and fall, medical mistake, or injury at work. A lawyer who specializes knows the laws that will affect your case very well.

Having a specialist means they know the small details of cases like yours. They know what evidence to get and which expert witnesses to talk to. They know how to make your case as strong as possible. Their special knowledge can mean winning or losing your case.

3. Excellent Communication Skills

A great personal injury lawyer is very good at communicating. They are good at talking not just in court but also with you. They keep you up to date on your case. They explain complex legal stuff in easy English. This makes sure you know what’s happening and understand your choices.

Also, a lawyer who communicates well can talk about your case’s strengths well. They can negotiate with others, like insurance companies. Their skill in talking and arguing can really help in these talks. This can be good for your case.

4. Strong Negotiation Skills

Being good at negotiating is very important. Many personal injury cases are settled without going to court. A lawyer who is good at negotiating can get a good settlement. This means you get the most money possible for your injuries and losses. They know how to use the details of your case to get the best deal.

They have lots of experience talking to insurance companies and other lawyers. This experience helps them in complex negotiations. Often, this leads to better terms for their clients.

5. Trial Experience

Many personal injury cases are settled outside of court. But, some go to trial. In these cases, having a lawyer who knows how to handle trials is very important. Lawyers with trial experience are confident in court. They know about trial procedures. They can present your case well to a judge and jury.

They know how to argue well. They can adjust to changes during the trial. This can really affect what the court decides. Having trial experience shows the other side your lawyer is ready to fight all the way. This can make your position stronger even before you go to trial.

6. A Proven Track Record

Having a history of winning cases and getting good settlements shows a lawyer is effective. Successful personal injury lawyers can show examples of past wins. This can make you feel more sure about what they can do.

Comments from past clients give you a look at the lawyer’s style and success. These comments are a big help in knowing what you can expect. You learn about the results they get and how they treat their clients.

7. Availability and Responsiveness

Your lawyer should be easy to reach. They should answer your questions quickly. Getting updates often means you won’t be in the dark about your case.

A lawyer who cares about your case will keep you in the loop. Being available and quick to respond shows they want the best for you. It shows they are dedicated to your case.

8. Resources and Connections

Good personal injury lawyers have lots of resources and connections. They know medical experts, accident experts, and investigators. These resources are key to making a strong case for you.

They can get evidence and testimony from experts. This can make your case much stronger. This is very important for complex cases that need special knowledge.

9. A Transparent Fee Structure

It’s important to understand the fee structure from the start. This avoids any surprises later. Good lawyers are clear about their fees. They often work on a contingency fee basis. This means they only get paid if you win.

This fee setup means the lawyer’s goals match yours. They work to get a good outcome for you. Being clear about fees helps you understand the cost of your legal representation.

10. Local Knowledge and Connections

Knowing the local area can really help your personal injury case. A lawyer who knows the Clearwater area knows the local legal system. They know the judges and how local insurance companies work. This knowledge can lead to better results.

They know how to work with local courts and legal professionals. This can move your case along faster. It can also affect the outcome. Knowing the local scene can make a big difference in how well your case goes.

Winding Up

Choosing the right personal injury lawyer in Clearwater is a big choice. It can really change how your case turns out. By looking for these key qualities, you can find a lawyer who will fight for your rights. They will work hard to get you the compensation you need. Catania and Catania Injury Lawyers in Clearwater have these qualities. They are a good choice for anyone looking for a lawyer for a personal injury case. With the right lawyer, you can go through the legal process confidently and focus on getting better.

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Cynthia Rothrock’s insightful article about screen credits and their meaning

In the May 1991 Issue of Inside Kung Fu, martial arts star Cynthia Rothrock contributed this insightful article about film screen credits and their meaning. Enjoy!

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Game of Killers (1982) Review

Game of Killers | Blu-ray (Terror Vision)

Game of Killers | Blu-ray (Terror Vision)

Director: Hui Sing-Yue
Cast: Barry Chan Wai Ji Wan, Lung Chan, Chu Shao-Hwa, Chun-Eah Lung, Su Kuo-Liang, Tu Kuei-Hua, Lin Wan-Chang, Lin Kuang-Yung
Running Time: 81/90 min.

By Will McGuire

Recently I reviewed Dark Forces’ kung fu double feature Shadow Fist Hunter and Deadly Kung Fu Factor those of you who were shopping discs on Black Friday last year may recall that at the exact same time those discs who going up for pre-order venerable label TerrorVision was dipping its toe into the kung fu physical media pool with Game of Killers, which was being restored from a previously unknown 35mm print. The film was supposed to drop in January but with the concurrent discovery of the original Mandarin language track, TerrorVision wisely delayed pressing to get absolutely the best version of the product they could onto your shelf.

Game of Killers is a loosey-goosey kung fu comedy released in the wake of the immense success Sammo Hung and Jackie Chan were having with kung fu comedies. Barry Chan (The Black Tavern, this film marks his only turn as action director as well as star) plays a principled assassin who dresses like one of the Venoms and is paired in the opening scenes with Chu Xiao Hua playing a filthy ragamuffin and this relationship between the two is what is most notable Continue reading

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Deal on Fire! Kung Fu Killer | Blu-ray | Only $10.68 – Expires soon!

Kung Fu Killer | Blu-ray & DVD (Well Go USA)

Kung Fu Killer | Blu-ray & DVD (Well Go USA)

Today’s Deal on Fire is the Blu-ray for Donnie Yen’s 2014 box office hit, Kung Fu Killer (aka Kung Fu Jungle).

In Kung Fu Jungle, Yen plays a prisoner who’s been jailed due to accidentally beating an opponent to death. When the news gets to him of a martial artist he once knew being murdered in mysterious circumstances, Yen insists that he knows who the killer is and that the police, led by Charlie Young, should let him out so that he can help to find the culprit. It should come as no surprise that before long, they agree to do just that, however what may come as a surprise is exactly how closely Yen sticks to only helping them out.

This high-octane, martial arts thriller reunites Yen with director Teddy Chen (Double World, Bodyguards & Assassins), as well as Continue reading

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‘The Color Purple’ filmmaker Blitz Bazawule to take legendary African samurai ‘Yasuke’ to ‘300’ territory

Thomas Lockley's "Yasuke" Novel

Thomas Lockley’s “Yasuke” Novel

An “action film” adaptation of the true story of Yasuke ( “the first African samurai to swing a sword in Japan”) – who served under Japanese warlord Oda Nobunaga in 16th century Japan – is in development from Warner Bros and Blitz Bazawule, the filmmaker behind last year’s adaptation of The Color Purple.

Insiders say the original approach from Bazawule (who is also writing) is being compared to groundbreaking films like 300 and Mad Max (via Deadline).

There are currently no stars attached to the project, but at one point, the late Chadwick Boseman (Avengers: Endgame) was officially set to play the title character.

Many publications have explored the subject of Yasuke, such as Thomas Lockley Continue reading

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Pig, the Snake and the Pigeon, The (2023) Review

"The Pig, the Snake and the Pigeon" Theatrical Poster

“The Pig, the Snake and the Pigeon” Theatrical Poster

Director: Wong Ching-Po
Cast: Ethan Juan, Li Li-Ren, Ben Yuen, Ivan Chen, Gingle Wang, Chen Yi-wen, Lee Lee-zen
Running Time: 134 min.

By Paul Bramhall 

One of the biggest tragedies of the increasingly restrictive policies Mainland China has placed on the film industry has been the fact that some of the newer creative talents from Hong Kong have simply disappeared off the radar. Filmmakers like Pang Ho-Cheung and Lee Ka-Wing, who both made their directorial debuts in the 2000’s, have yet to make anything in the 2020’s, and for the longest time I also included Wong Ching-Po in the same discussion. Responsible for one of the most uncompromising Cat III productions of the 21st century with 2010’s Revenge: A Love Story, Ching-Po’s output always offered up something a little different and unique. However after 2014’s Once Upon a Time in Shanghai, with the exception of directing a segment in the 2016 omnibus movie Good Take!, he disappeared off the radar. Thankfully, in 2023 he reappeared.

Just shy of 10 years since he last helmed a feature length production, The Pig, the Snake and the Pigeon sees Ching-Po back in the director’s chair. While even the most distinctive Hong Kong directors have seemingly resigned themselves to helming middling Mainland-friendly fare in recent years (see Derek Kwok’s instantly forgettable 2021 thriller Schemes in Antiques for the perfect example), thankfully Ching-Po has decided to take a different route, choosing to make his latest in neighbouring Taiwan. While to the uninitiated it may not appear to be a big deal whether a production shoots in Mainland China or across the Taiwan Strait, the reality is there’s a world Continue reading

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Monkey Man (2024) Review

“Monkey Man” Theatrical Poster

“Monkey Man” Theatrical Poster

Director: Dev Patel
Cast: Dev Patel, Sharlto Copley, Pitobash, Vipin Sharma, Sikandar Kher, Adithi Kalkunte, Sobhita Dhulipala, Ashwini Kalsekar, Makarand Deshpande
Running Time: 121 min.

By Will McGuire

Monkey Man is Dev Patel’s love letter to Southeast Asian action cinema from 8 Diagram Pole Fighter right up to The Night Comes For Us. It is what a lot of action fans have been clamoring for: a mid budget, carefully produced and crafted, R-rated, revenge film. It comes from a place of actual understanding about what makes kung fu films work, and if you want a short, snappy, takeaway from this review it is this: the actual martial arts action of Monkey Man is a little less extreme than the marketing may have led you to believe however, the soul of a classic kung fu movie is under the bones here.

Monkey Man is about Kid (Dev Patel, who also wrote and directed) a young man who works as a hapless pit fighter to make money in order to infiltrate a criminal organization through a pleasure palace run by Queenie (Ashwini Kalsekar). We soon learn that Kid wants access to Queenie’s place because it serves Rana (Sikandar Kher) the local police chief, who used to work for psychotic guru Shakti (Makrand Deshpande) who destroyed Kid’s home and killed his mother. Kid’s first attempt at revenge goes awry and he barely escapes to a Temple with his life where he rededicates Continue reading

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The Inspector Wears Skirts 3 | Bu-ray (88 Films)

The Inspector Wears Skirts 3 | Bu-ray (88 Films)

The Inspector Wears Skirts 3 | Bu-ray (88 Films)

RELEASE DATE: July 9, 2024

On July 9, 2024, 88 Films will be releasing a Blu-ray (Region A/B) for The Inspector Wears Skirts 3, a 1990 Hong Kong film directed by Wellson Chin Sing Wai (Naughty Boys).

Inspector Kan (Stanley Fung), now married to Madame Wu (Sibelle Hu), has been instructed to train the Banshee Squad Members after Madame Wu goes into semi-retirement. For their next mission, the Squad is assigned to go undercover into a Casino Ship to nab a group of thieves responsible for stolen law enforcement and military weapons.

The Inspector Wears Skirts 3 also stars Sandra Ng (Thunder Cops 2), Kara Hui (Angel Terminators), Amy Yip (Miracles), Billy Lau (Miracles), Shing Fui On (Horrible High Heels) and Peter Continue reading

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The Inspector Wears Skirts 4 | Bu-ray (88 Films)

The Inspector Wears Skirts 4 | Bu-ray (88 Films)

The Inspector Wears Skirts 4 | Bu-ray (88 Films)

RELEASE DATE: July 9, 2024

On July 9, 2024, 88 Films will be releasing a Blu-ray (Region A/B) for The Inspector Wears Skirts 4, a 1992 Hong Kong film directed by Wellson Chin Sing Wai (Naughty Boys).

To save the Hong Kong Police Force’s Banshee Squad from becoming defunct, the struggling new squad members seek the help of former officers Amy (Sandra Ng Kwan Yue), now a divorced mom with a young kid, and May (Kara Hui), now partially mentally-unstable, to help them with their training regiment, lead by Madame Yang (Cynthia Khan). Their police skills are put to the test when they are ordered to nab a band of brutal thugs in the city.

The Inspector Wears Skirts 4 also stars Moon Lee (Killer Angels), Sheila Chan Suk Lan (Outlaw Brothers), Billy Lau (Miracles), Peter Continue reading

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

Mark Dacascos and Mickey Rourke break ‘Jade’ in the Trailer for the upcoming martial arts actioner starring Shaina West

"Jade" Theatrical Poster

“Jade” Theatrical Poster

Stuntman-turned director James Bamford (Supergirl series) rounds up newcomer Shaina West (Black Widow), Mickey Rourke (Take Back, Double Team), Mark Dacascos (One Night in Bangkok, John Wick: Chapter 3) and Katherine McNamara (Arrow) for Jade, an upcoming martial arts actioner from Defiant Screen Entertainment!

Bamford is perhaps best-known for his stunt work on Watchmen, Blade: Trinity, as well as directing episodes of DC’s Arrow and Superman and Lois.

Jade features action choreography from Daniel Joseph Rizzuto (Jiu Jitsu), Tony Vittorioso (Man from Toronto) with additional choreography from West and Bamford.

Jade follows a woman (West) who comes between a powerful businessman Continue reading

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The search for the extremely rare ‘The Big Boss Part II’ starring Lo Lieh, Bruce Le and Chan Wai Man is finally over!

"The Big Boss Part II" Chinese Theatrical Poster

“The Big Boss Part II” Chinese Theatrical Poster

The search for Lo Lieh’s 1976 cult classic, The Big Boss Part II – an unofficial sequel to the 1971 Bruce Lee classic, The Big Boss – is finally over! Back in 2014, the film had a one-night-only showing at Quentin Tarantino’s New Beverly Cinema in Los Angeles, but unless you lived in the area, news of this limited engagement was nothing but a lost opportunity for the rest of world.

But now, The Big Boss Part II, one of the most sought after kung fu titles ever, is being released in Severin’s upcoming The Game of Clones: Bruceploitation Collection Vol 1.

The Big Boss Part II practically picks up on location in Thailand where original The Big Boss left off. Bruce Le (Challenge of the Tiger) takes over the role of Cheng Chiu On (Bruce Lee), who is now in jail for the events Continue reading

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New recruits join Jason Statham’s ‘Levon’s Trade’ from director David Ayer and writer Sylvester Stallone

"Levon’s Trade" Novel Cover

“Levon’s Trade” Novel Cover

Action star Jason Statham (The Meg, Redemption, The Expendables) is currently hard-at-work on MGM’s Levon’s Trade, an upcoming actioner – written by Sylvester Stallone (Rambo: Last Blood, Rocky) – that will reunite Statham with The Beekeeper director, David Ayer (End of Watch, Suicide Squad).

Joining Statham is David Harbour (Extraction), Michael Peña (Narcos: Mexico), Jason Flemyng (The Iron Mask) and Arianna Rivas (The Harvest).

The movie – based on the novel of the same by comic author Chuck Dixon (Batman) – will chart how Levon Cade (Statham) left his “profession” behind him to go ‘straight’ and work in construction. He wants to live a simple life and be a good father to his daughter. But when his boss’s teenage daughter Jenny vanishes, he’s called Continue reading

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Why does Creed III not feature Sylvester Stallone?

SOURCE: Photo

The third Rocky sequel, Creed III, reached the big screen a little over 12 months ago. The $75-million-budget release grossed over $275 million at the box office. This made it the highest-grossing Creed movie yet, but crucially the only Creed movie not featuring Rocky legend, Sylvester Stallone.

There’s no doubt that Stallone is the face of the Rocky franchise, which has cemented itself as the pinnacle of boxing movies on the big screen. In fact, most movie buffs would associate Stallone with Rocky Balboa even more so than Stallone’s other iconic role as Rambo. Yet the franchise moved into unchartered territory last year with the decision to exclude Stallone from the cast of Creed III.

If you’re just exploring the Creed sequels to the Rocky franchise, we’ll explain why Stallone doesn’t feature in the latest release. Stallone himself was quizzed on his absence from the cast of Creed III and he was quick to acknowledge there was “no room” for him in the storyline. Stallone revealed that Creed III was much more about Adonis Creed’s “family” and “his journey”, with very little to do with the boxing side of things.

Stallone’s fractured relationship with the franchise’s producers

Nevertheless, there’s no doubt that Stallone’s relationship with the Creed series is strained. With Rocky reuniting with his son and grandson at the end of Creed II, cynics will say Rocky simply doesn’t have a compelling place within the ongoing narrative of the Creed series.

Although Stallone is synonymous with the Rocky brand, the reality is that he’s never had much control over the franchise. Although he’s performed in eight movies as Balboa – and played a major role in writing the screenplay of seven of them – Stalone’s ownership of the series is minimal.

After Stallone wrote his first Rocky screenplay, he sold it on with a view to playing a key role in its cast. He only received $75,000 for acting and writing in it, plus a percentage of the profits. Producer, Irwin Winkler, was crucially given ownership of the characters themselves, leaving Stallone in a somewhat precarious position.

Stallone has publicly voiced his frustration at the fact Winkler and his late fellow producer, Robert Chartoff, own both the series and the rights to the characters. Stallone is still seemingly bitter at Winkler’s refusal to give him a greater share in the series despite the franchise being nothing without his vision and presence.

Stallone has also intimated in the past that the series would have had several more releases if he had his way. One thing we can be certain of is that Creed 4 is already in development and there’s no indication yet of Stallone’s potential involvement.

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Down for some Jackiesploitation? Kung fu oddity ‘Fearless Hyena Part II’ arriving on Blu-ray from 88 Films in next Month

Fearless Hyena 2 | Blu-ray (88 Films)

Fearless Hyena 2 | Blu-ray (88 Films)

Now available from 88 Films is the Blu-ray (Region B) for Fearless Hyena Part II, a 1983 “Jackie Chan film” directed by Chan Chuen (Energetic 21) for Lo Wei Motion Pictures.

Fearless Hyena Part II was the film responsible for Jackie’s breach of contract with Lo Wei’s production company. Due to “creative differences”, Jackie, along with producer Willie Chan, left production of this film, resulting in both men terminating their own partnership with Lo Wei for a fresh career with Raymond Chow’s Golden Harvest (proven right choice!). The film was eventually released in 1983, but the production was stitched together using body doubles and archival footage of Jackie from his other films (a la Bruce Lee’s Game of Death).

Depending on your source, it’s not clear on who was supposed to originally direct Fearless Hyena Part II. Some say would have been been Jackie’s second directorial debut (after all, he directed the first film); others say, Lo Wei wanted the director’s credit (JC was already gaining box office momentum with Snake in the Eagles Shadow and Drunken Master for Seasonal Films, so this was Lo Wei’s chance to direct Jackie as a true rising action star – possibly mirroring the director’s peak with Bruce Lee – and not the dud Jackie was directing in previous films). In the end, Chan Chuen ended up getting the director’s credit.

Fearless Hyena Part II also stars Dean Shek Tien (Young Lovers on Flying Wheels), Yen Shi Kwan (Blood Child), Kwan Yung Moon (Killer Darts), James Tien (Seaman No. 7), Chan Wai Lau (Fist of Fury Part II), Austin Wai Tin Chi (Burning Ambition) and Pearl Lin Yin Zhu (Dragon Fist).

Features:

  • Includes Slipcase with New Artwork by King Fu Bob (First pressing only)
  • High Definition (1080p) Blu-ray Presentation in 2.39:1 Aspect Ratio
  • 2.0 Cantonese Dual Mono with English Subtitles
  • 2.0 English Dual Mono
  • 2.0 Alternate English Dual Mono
  • Audio Commentary by Frank Djeng
  • Export Opening Credits
  • Japanese Theatrical End Credits

This title is available at The Goodie Emporium, a U.S.-based online store that currently has many Import Shaw Brothers/Golden Harvest/martial arts DVD/Blu-ray movies in-stock – with New titles being added regularly!

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