How To Upgrade Your Film Obsession

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Many people say they love film, but how do you turn your film obsession into something really spectacular? What can you do to move away from passive, casual viewing to something more active? 

That’s a topic we explore right here. We dive into some of the ways that you can upgrade your film, your passion for film, and enjoy the movies at a higher level. 

Start watching beyond the blockbusters

If you’re somebody who only watches blockbusters, then you’re missing out. There are so many independent film studios out there that it boggles the mind. Every year, thousands of new films get made, and some of them are real gems. However, only a small fraction with the marketing budget to reach people ever really get watched. This is where you can start to branch out. Platforms like IMDB and Criterion Channel are great places to find curated selections of films that other people simply aren’t watching, but are still worth your time. 

Combine it with film events

Cities where there are regular film events. These locations are a great place to meet people who are big names in the industry and get to know them better. Look for weekend promotions. These often offer discounts on your favorite activities associated with film or just give you a great night out. Once you start attending these events regularly, you’ll get a better understanding of how they work. You’ll also feel more involved in the world of film because you’ll be able to meet the people who make it possible. 

Improve your viewing setup

Another thing you might want to do, which is pretty easy, is to upgrade your viewing setup. If you can create a dedicated theatre with dim lights and a big screen, then you’re well on your way to a proper cinematic experience. Combine that with surround sound and a physical media collection, and you’re ready to go. Many people who really love movies prefer physical media because it allows them to play with 4K more reliably, especially if they don’t have a stable internet connection. 

Study directors and producers

Another thing you’ll want to do is study the biggest directors and producers throughout history. Names like Hitchcock, Tarantino, and Kurosawa are world famous. Once you know how these professionals approach their craft, it gives you a better understanding of the films you’re watching. You can become more of a critic yourself and understand why some films are superb and others are trash. 

Join communities and discussions

Another thing you could try and do is join communities and discuss. These are great opportunities to deepen your knowledge. You could also go for post-film talks with actors and directors and even have the option to ask questions. 

Balance with real life

 Finally, you’ll want to balance your film obsession with real life. Even if you’re really into watching films on the screen, try to read non-film books and live real experiences. These will provide you with the real-life contrast you need to boost your creativity. 

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It’s official! ‘Shadow Strays’ filmmaker Timo Tjahjanto and ‘Shang-Chi’ star Simu Liu are ‘Sleeping Dogs’

Over eight years ago, martial arts star Donnie Yen (John Wick 4, The Prosecutor) was announced as the lead of a film adaptation of Square Enix’s hit video game Sleeping Dogs. Since then, the project has been in a state of limbo. Earlier this year, Yen suggested he may have walked away for good, citing years of development, personal investment, and Hollywood inertia — before shrugging it off as “on to better things,” possibly referring to his upcoming John Wick spin-off, which he’ll both star in and direct.

Hope was reignited soon after when Simu Liu (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings) revealed he was actively pitching Sleeping Dogs to studios, even expressing interest in bringing Yen back. “First a movie, then a sequel game — that’s always been Continue reading

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Ryoo Seung-wan is back! South Korea’s top action director dives into espionage in the Trailer for ‘Humint’

"Humint" Theatrical Poster

“Humint” Theatrical Poster

Director Ryoo Seung-wan (Veteran, I, The Executioner) has been a staple of Korean action cinema since his debut with Die Bad in 2000, earning a reputation for consistently delivering films with hard-hitting action with character-driven storytelling.

The director continues his streak with Humint, an upcoming espionage thriller starring Zo In-Sung (Escape from Mogadishu), Park Jeong-Min (Harbin), Park Hae-Joon (Yadang: The Snitch) and Shin Se-Kyung (Tazza: The Hidden Card).

While investigating a crime on the frozen edge of Vladivostok, a South Korean agent crosses paths with a North Korean operative pursuing the same case. As rival loyalties collide, they uncover a conspiracy that threatens to ignite an international Continue reading

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Deal on Fire! Everything Everywhere All at Once | Blu-ray | Only $8.91 – Expires soon!

Everything Everywhere All at Once | Blu-ray (Lionsgate)

Everything Everywhere All at Once | Blu-ray (Lionsgate)

Today’s Deal on Fire is the Blu-ray for Everything Everywhere All at Once (read our review), a sci-fi actioner starring for Michelle Yeoh (Boss Level, Master Z: The Ip Man Legacy, Yes, Madam).

Directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert (Swiss Army Man), the writer-directors collectively known as “Daniels”, Everything Everywhere All at Once is a hilarious and big-hearted sci-fi action adventure about an exhausted Chinese American woman (Yeoh) who is swept up in an insane adventure across the multiverse.

Everything Everywhere All at Once also stars Stephanie Hsu (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings), James Hong (Big Trouble in Little China), Jamie Lee Curtis (Halloween), Jenny Continue reading

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Merry Christmas from Cityonfire.com!

Wishing all a very Merry Christmas! May your holidays be filled with warmth, joy, and a little magic!

– From your friends at Cityonfire.com

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Exit Protocol | Blu-ray (Well Go USA)

Exit Protocol | Blu-ray (Well Go USA)

Exit Protocol | Blu-ray (Well Go USA)

On January 6, 2026, Well Go USA is releasing the Blu-ray for Shane Dax Taylor’s Exit Protocol (aka Fight or Flight), a 2025 actioner starring Scott Martin (The Best Man).

Co-starring alongside Martin are Universal Soldier franchise action stars Dolph Lundgren (Wanted Man, Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning) and Michael Jai White (Universal Soldier: The Return, Triple Threat).

Sam Hayden (Martin) as an assassin of assassins, completing every assignment – no matter how dangerous with ruthless precision. Sam’s next assignment is to take out his legendarily ruthless predecessor, Charles Managold (Lundgren), who has fallen for his beautiful exotic mark and is now on the run with her. Sam is cold, professional and there is nothing that Continue reading

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The Great Flood (2025) Review

"The Great Flood" Netflix Poster

“The Great Flood” Netflix Poster

Director: Kim Byung-Woo
Cast: Kim Da-mi, Park Hae-soo, Kwon Eun-seong, Jeon Hye-Jin, Lee Hak-Joo, Yu-Na, Lee Dong-Chan, Kang Bin, Kim Dong-Yeong, Lee Jun-Hyeok
Running Time: 108 min. 

By Paul Bramhall

The last time Korea had to face a cinematic tsunami threat was in 2009’s Hauendae, and technically it still stands true in 2025, since the latest addition to Korea’s disaster genre catalogue, The Great Flood, went directly to the streaming giant Netflix, skipping a theatrical release. As the 2nd movie from director Kim Byeong-woo to be released in the same year, it’s hard not to feel that, as a filmmaker, he must be feeling like he’s stuck between a rock and a hard place. With Korean cinema attendance going through its worst slump for more than 20 years, when his big budget webtoon adaptation Omniscient Reader hit cinemas in July he openly appealed for people to watch it in the cinema, candidly stating that the situation was “desperate”. It feels like a cruel irony then that, only 5 months later, his latest has Netflix to thank for its existence.

It’s also a shame since The Great Flood feels like it should be being watched on the big screen, with Kim Da-mi (The Witch: Part 1. The Subversion, Soulmate) playing a mother who lives in a 3rd floor apartment with her six-year-old son, played by Kwon Eun-seong (Concrete Utopia, Ransomed). Byeong-woo throws us almost straight into the action, with Da-mi looking out the window after stepping into water on her apartment floor, only to find the water level is already Continue reading

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Deal on Fire! A Queen’s Ransom | Blu-ray | Only $15.99

A Queen’s Ransom | Blu-ray (Eureka)

A Queen’s Ransom | Blu-ray (Eureka)

Today’s Deal on Fire is the Blu-ray for Eureka’s A Queen’s Ransom (aka International Assassin), a 1976 all-star actioner from Ting Shan-hsi (The Ghost Hill).

Perhaps even God can’t save the Queen in Golden Harvest’s A Queen’s Ransom, an explosive action-thriller starring George Lazenby (The Man from Hong Kong), Angela Mao (Lady Whirlwind) and the legendary Jimmy Wang Yu (The One-Armed Swordsman).

As Queen Elizabeth II arrives in Hong Kong for a state visit, a band of skilled mercenaries plan her assassination. Contracted by an Irish Republican (Lazenby), the international group of hired killers includes a Japanese explosives expert (Chang Pei-shan), a Thai boxer (Bolo Yeung), a Filipino sniper (Peter Chan Lung) and a veteran Continue reading

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Hard Justice (1995) Review

"Hard Justice" Poster

“Hard Justice” Poster

Director: Greg Yaitanes
Cast: David Bradley, Charles Napier, Yuji Okumoto, Clabe Hartley, Benita Andre, Adam Clark, John Koyama, Vernon Wells, Doug Kruse, Harold Cannon, Arthur Roberts, Jim Maniaci, William S. Wong
Running Time: 88 min. 

By Paul Bramhall 

If you’re a fan of U.S. DTV action, when the Nu Image logo appears onscreen at the beginning of a production, you usually know you’re in for a good time. At best you’ll get plenty of explosions, hard hitting fight scenes, and some crazy stunts (especially in the 90’s, when they rivalled PM Entertainment in the same space), at worse you’ll get 90 minutes of DTV comfort food. Over the years Nu Image has been home to the likes of Dolph Lundgren (Command Performance), Jean Claude Van Damme (Until Death), Chuck Norris (Forest Warrior), Jason Statham (The Mechanic), Steven Seagal (Submerged), and even Scott Adkins (Ninja). A respectable roll call of modern action stars before the superhero roster took over our screens, accompanied by productions that often felt like the 1980’s era of heroic machismo had never gone out of fashion.

Another DTV star who got to join the Nu Image stable was David Bradley. Making his debut by headlining 1989’s American Ninja 3: Blood Hunt (he’d go on to also star in the 4th and 5th entries), Bradley was one of those DTV action stars who eventually slipped through the cracks of the 90’s era DTV boom. Sporting a muscular physique and trained in aikido, Bradley was an easy sell on paper – a potent mix of Jean Claude Van Damme and Steven Seagal in one package. However in front of the camera it was a different story, as he lacked both the charisma of Van Continue reading

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Arnold will NOT be back! James Cameron to begin work on ‘Terminator 7’, but without Schwarzenegger

While out and about promoting Avatar: Fire and Ash, director James Cameron has openly stated that he’ll get back to completing his script for the next Terminator movie, which will not feature the franchise’s star, Arnold Schwarzenegger.

“I can safely say he won’t be [in it],” Cameron told THR (via World of Reel), adding, “It’s time for a new generation of characters. I insisted Arnold had to be involved in [2019’s] Terminator: Dark Fate, and it was a great finish to him playing the T-800. There needs Continue reading

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Hard Boiled | 4K Ultra HD (Arrow)

On March 30, 2026, Arrow (UK) is releasing the 4K Ultra HD for Hard Boiled, John Woo’s 1992 Hong Kong action masterpiece, which can be pre-ordered today at Goodie Emporium!

In the 80s and 90s, director John Woo would cement his reputation as a master of action films with classics like A Better Tomorrow, The Killer and Bullet in the Head. This would culminate in 1992 with the release of his masterpiece Hard Boiled, the Continue reading

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Final Justice (1988) Review

"Final Justice" Theatrical Poster

“Final Justice” Theatrical Poster

Director: Parkman Wong
Cast: Danny Lee, Stephen Chow, Shing Fui On, William Ho Ka-Kui, Tommy Wong Kwong-Leung, Victor Hon Kwan, Ricky Yi Fan-Wai, Ken Lo Wai-Kwong
Running Time: 95 min.

By Z Ravas

As much as fans tend to valorize the late 80’s and 90’s Hong Kong scene as a Golden Age for Action Cinema—and it was!—sometimes it’s instructive to remember that not every film released during that era was a genre-defining classic. Sure, Chow Yun-fat and Ti Lung made history when they teamed up for John Woo’s A Better Tomorrow saga, but…they also paired together for City War, which was just okay. And, yes, Ringo Lam directed Chow Yun-fat in the now iconic movie that gave this website its namesake (City on Fire, naturally), but they also made Wild Search a couple years later, which is more or less a remake of Peter Weir’s Witness and another Hong Kong thriller that’s perfectly fine but unremarkable on the whole.

So while I was excited to see Shout Factory make the 1988 cop actioner Final Justice available for digital rental this week—it doesn’t seem like they have a disc release in the works—the movie reminded me that not all 80’s Hong Kong action movies were created equal. Final Justice arrives from director Parkman Wong and follows Danny Lee as a hard-boiled Hong Kong cop. (Danny Lee in the role of a maverick cop who plays by his own rules? Shocking, I know). While Continue reading

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Gil Gerard, ‘Buck Rogers in the 25th Century’ and ‘Sidekicks’ actor, dies at 82

Gil Gerard, an American actor best known for portraying Captain William “Buck” Rogers in Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, has died at the age of 82 following a brief battle with a rare and aggressive form of cancer. His career spanned decades across television and film, including a starring role alongside Ernie Reyes Jr. in the 1986–87 action–martial arts series Sidekicks (aka The Last Electric Knight).

Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends, and loved ones.

Watch videos featuring his most famous roles Continue reading

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The great just got greater! Thinking About Buying a Nintendo Switch? Here’s the Best Price and an Honest Review

The Nintendo Switch 2 feels like a natural next step rather than a radical reinvention, and that is honestly part of its charm. Nintendo clearly understands why people loved the original Switch and chose to refine the formula instead of throwing it away. The system still has that same pick up and play feeling that made the first console so easy to love, but everything feels smoother and more polished. Menus load faster, games look sharper, and the whole device just feels more modern in your hands.

One of the biggest improvements is the performance. Games run noticeably better, with steadier frame rates and visuals that finally feel closer to what you see on other modern consoles. The screen also looks fantastic when playing in handheld mode. Colors pop and the image is crisp, which makes longer play sessions a lot easier on the eyes. It still captures that cozy handheld vibe, but now it feels like the hardware is finally strong enough to keep up with the games developers want to make.

What really makes the Switch 2 work though is that it still feels unmistakably Nintendo. It is approachable, fun, and built around the idea that games should be easy to jump into whether you are playing alone or with friends in the same room. It may not be the most powerful system on the market, but that has never really been the point. The Switch 2 keeps the magic of the original alive while giving players a version that feels faster, sharper, and ready for the next generation of Nintendo games.

If you’re going to get the Switch 2, be sure and get these two following items, which are a must-have so you can protect your investment:

Nintendo Switch 2 Screen Protector:

  • Ultra-Fast Installation, Auto-Alignment in 30 seconds! – Installing a screen protector might seem like a headache, but our OneTouch Nintendo Switch 2 screen protector is equipped with an automatic alignment kit for a fast installation in just 30 seconds! Say goodbye to the hassle of manual alignment
  • Indestructible Ultra 9H Glass for Ultimate Protection – Our Nintendo Switch 2 tempered glass screen protector leads the market with Ultra-high 9H hardness for maximum resistance against impacts and scratches from objects. No matter you’re daily routine, your phone is safely protected. Give your device that extra layer of sturdy protection it deserves
  • Ultra-Clear and Ultra-Sensitive – Uses high-quality materials and advanced coating technology to provide a clear, visual experience, ensuring smooth screen touching and sensitive response. Whether swiping, tapping or gaming, you can enjoy a seamless experience without delay or lag.
  • Anti-Fingerprint Resistance for a Cleaner Screen – Annoyed by fingerprints? The screen protector comes with a transparent layer that is hydrophobic and oil repellent. After testing, they effectively prevented 99.99% of fingerprints caused by sweat and oil stains
  • Trusted Brand – Over 5 million users worldwide trust amFilm to protect their switch and phones.  

Nintendo Switch 2 – Licensed Travel Case:

  • Hard shell case protects & is compatible with Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch OLED, Nintendo Switch system
  • Protection Library holds 12 game cards and offers full screen and analog stick protection
  • MicroSD Card Case 2pcs, each holds 2 microSD Cards
  • Comfortable carrying handle

For more information about the Nintendo Switch 2, head over to Amazon. Prime members can get it shipped overnight for FREE, and it’s priced at a solid $449.

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Bullet in the Head | 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray (Shout)

On January 6, 2026, Shout Factory will release the 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray for 1990’s Bullet in the Head. Tony Leung (Hard Boiled), Jacky Cheung (Customs Frontline), Waise Lee (A Better Tomorrow) and Simon Yam (I Did It My Way) star in a dramatically powerful action-thriller from Hong Kong cinema legend John Woo (The Killer).

Three childhood friends fight to prove their places in the world when they escape from Hong Kong to seek a new life in war-torn Saigon in the 1960s. There they run Continue reading

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