Our Top 15 Watched Movies of 2014

With 2014 coming to a close, it’s nice to look back and remember those moments that, especially for genre fans like ourselves, for every movie that made us bang our head against the nearest wall and accept that 2 hours of our lives have just been wasted, there’s also those movies that made us go, “Wow! What took me so long to watch this!?”, or if the movie is starring Shu Qi, perhaps just stare at the screen and smile.

For myself, there’s still a bunch of movies I want to watch that were made in 2014, and a seemingly endless list of ones from earlier, but I’m thankful to say I can end the year confidently declaring that I watched more good than bad. So, without further ado, below you can check out – listed in order of release – my top 15 watched movies of 2014.

Man on High Heels (2014, South Korea)

Every year we can be guaranteed a slice of superlative gangster violence from Korea, and 2014 was no exception. Both Man on High Heels and No Tears for the Dead were worthy additions to the much loved genre, however for me the former just pips the director of the Man from Nowhere’s latest to the post, thanks to a winning mix of transgender drama, liberal doses of OTT violence, and most of all a character whom the audience really cares about. For all of the blood that’s spilt over the course of its run time, and believe me there’s a lot of it, at its heart Man on High Heels is the story of a confused soul trying to find their way in a world which is all too easy to get lost.

Kung Fu Jungle (2014, Hong Kong)

A lot of criticism was heaped on Donnie Yen during 2014. Special ID was teeth gratingly annoying, The Monkey King was too childish, and Iceman 3D was too full of CGI and like a comic book. Thankfully, Yen’s final flick of the year saw him teaming up with the always reliable Teddy Chan, and Kung Fu Jungle saw him ending the year on a high note. Noticeably taking a step back from the action, Yen delivers a top notch performance in the tale of a kung-fu fighting serial killer wading his way through martial artists who are each proficient in a certain style. Wang Baoqiang takes center stage as the killer in question, and the final throwdown is a notable addition to Hong Kong cinemas great onscreen fights.

Street Fighter: Assassin’s Fist (2014, USA/UK)

Originally a web series, in 2014 the 12 episodes were brought together to make an epic 146 minute feature film, and somehow, everything worked. Focusing on the story of Ken, Ryu, Gouken and Akuma, Street Fighter: Assassin’s Fist went were no live adaption of the video game had gone before, and created a compelling tale of rivalry and obsession based around the mastering of the Hadouken. Rather than treating the Hadouken as a hokey video game invention, the decision to make its effect on the characters similar to what the ring has on Gollum in the Lord of the Rings movies was a winning one. Matched with some well choreographed fight scenes and special effects, the final version resulted in my biggest surprise of 2014.

The Raid 2 (2014, Indonesia)

The Raid crew returned with a vengeance in 2014, unleashing a 150 minute epic that not only matches the original, but in many ways surpasses it. Thrusting Iko Uwais’s character of Rama from the confines of a single building into the sprawling gangster underworld of Jakarta, the sequel is far from just being a flight flick, tipping its hat at influences as broad as The Godfather to Japan’s Nikkatsu noir movies of the 60s. With the inclusion of such characters like Hammer Girl and Baseball Bat Boy, The Raid 2 cranks up the violence to deliciously bloody proportions, all wrapped up in some of the most impressively choreographed fights that have been seen for a long time.

Soul (2013, Taiwan)

The one and only One Armed Boxer, Jimmy Wang Yu, takes centre stage as a father living in remote countryside Taiwan, whose son is brought to him with no memories of who he is or what he’s doing there. This quietly unsettling psychological horror movie flew under most people’s radar, save for the few who caught it at the NYAFF were it played, but is well worth a look. Blending surreal images of nature with sudden bursts of violence, the audience is constantly asked to question if what we’re seeing onscreen is actually happening, or is it the product of a broken mind? Soul gives no clear answers, and is all the more powerful for it.

Snowpiercer (2013, South Korea)

Bong Joon-ho was last out of the gates with his English language debut compared to his peers Park Chan-wook and Kim Ji-woon, but the wait proved to be well worth it, as his adaptation of the French comic book was the most well received out of their efforts by some distance. Once watched, it’s easy to see why, as the post-apocalyptic tale of people living on a train which never stops in a frozen over Earth comes to the screen with all of Joon-ho’s visual flourishes and trademark style. Having the backing of the major Korean studio CJ Entertainment behind him, along with the ever reliable Song Kang-ho, turned out to be a major advantage for the director of The Host, and the result is a great sci-fi movie in a landscape in which they’re few and far between.

Moebius (2013, South Korea)

Auteur director Kim Ki-duk had plenty of controversy bringing his 2013 production Moebius to the screen. The tale of a mother who finds her husband cheating on her, when her husband wakes up just in time to foil her attempt to castrate him, she goes into her son’s bedroom and castrates him instead. What plays out is an entirely wordless tour de force of skilled film making – often touching, frequently laced with blacker than black humor, and never anything less than gripping, Ki-duk’s battle to bring the movie to the screen against a barrage of censorship issues was ultimately a worthy one.

Young Detective Dee: Rise of the Sea Dragon (2013, Hong Kong)

Tsui Hark has been dabbling with the wuxia genre for the last few years, beginning with Flying Swords of Dragon Gate, which was followed up with Detective Dee & the Mystery of the Phantom Flame, his latest is by far the most polished and entertaining of the three. A movie which seems to make peace with CGI, it successfully captures the crazy energy of the wire filled wuxia’s of the 90’s. Focusing on a younger version of the character Andy Lau played in Hark’s previous movie, Taiwanese actor Mark Chao does an amiable job of stepping into the HK megastars shoes, in a tale which thankfully doesn’t shy away from giving us exactly what it says in the title.

Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons (2013, Hong Kong)

Stephen Chow decided to go 100% behind the camera for the first time with Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons, in his revisit to the tale that inspired his own Chinese Odyssey movies made almost a whole decade before. Here Wen Zhang takes the lead role as the meek demon hunter out to pacify the evils of the world with a book of nursery rhymes, who forms an uneasy friendship with a much more aggressive demon hunter played by Shu Qi. What follows is plenty of Chow’s trademark laughs, proving he doesn’t need to be in front of the camera to maintain his unique style of comedy, and a healthy dose of action to top everything off.

Treasure Hunt (1994, Hong Kong)

Middling reviews kept me away from Treasure Hunt for a long time, however after finally getting around to giving it a watch, I can safely say it was my loss. Chow Yun Fat anchors proceedings, as he always does, in a movie which wades through genres like they’re going out of fashion. From heroic bloodshed to children’s fantasy to romantic drama, it’s all here in completely uneven doses, but somehow it adds up to a charming whole. Oh, and bang in the middle there’s a pole fight between Shaw Brothers legends Gordon Liu and Philip Kwok, what more do you need!?

21 Red List (1994, Taiwan)

A movie that’s been on my ‘have to watch’ list for several years after seeing a clip on YouTube, 2014 was the year I finally got to see it. A Taiwanese effort starring Alexander Lo Rei as one of a group of siblings fighting the Japanese, while the plot may be nothing we haven’t heard of before, the fight scenes ensure it’s worthy of a watch. Aided by some creative use of wirework, every character is given superhuman like strength, a prime example of which has a couple of characters throwing down in the living room of a house, during which the pillars that are holding up the whole structure end up being wielded as weapons. Throw in some Matrix style gravity defying antics, and the absurdly over the top action makes 21 Red List a highly entertaining watch.

Sonatine (1993, Japan)

I have no idea why 2014 was the only the first time I got around to watching Sonatine, but whatever the reason, I’m glad I did. Takeshi ‘Beat’ Kitano crafts a deceptively calm tale of a group of yakuza that are sent to cool down in Okinawa, while a turf war has the potential to blow up in Tokyo. The characters spend most of the movie chilling out and larking around at a house on the beach, before it’s revealed there’s more going on than meets the eye. There’s barely any action in Sonatine at all, but Kitano creates an atmosphere which makes it impossible to take your eyes off the screen, as we witness his gangster slowly reveal himself through little more than facial expressions, showing someone who longs to be anywhere except where he is. A masterpiece of cinema.

The Bride with White Hair (1993, Hong Kong)

Another movie which makes me question why it took me so long to get around to watching it, Ronny Yu’s The Bride with White Hair is considered to be one of the quintessential movies of Hong Kong cinema, and once watched it’s easy to see why. Brigitte Lin and Leslie Cheung play the star crossed lovers whose fate dictates they can’t be together. Still, like any good romance, that doesn’t stop them from trying, and the result is one of the best wuxia tales that Hong Kong has produced thanks to a combination of fantastic cinematography, a haunting soundtrack, and standout performances from Lin and Cheung.

On the Run (1988, Hong Kong)

Described as a Hong Kong film noir, On the Run is exactly that, but instead of having the likes of Humphrey Bogart roam around the city in a trench coat, we have Yuen Biao, a legend of the kung-fu cinema screen. It might be disappointing to some that Biao would be in a movie that involves barely throwing a punch, but he does a fantastic job as the dishevelled and bearded cop forced to team up with his wife’s killer to go on the run from a bigger conspiracy. Director Alfred Chung maintains a high level of tension throughout, and the final scrappy fight predates the type of rough and tumble scraps that would become a trademark of Korean gangster movies by more than a decade.

Kung Fu Zombie (1981, Hong Kong)

Kung Fu Zombie provided me with my first taste of Billy Chong, whose movies up until that point had somehow escaped my viewing, and what an introduction it was. The movie is pure fun from start to finish, and Chong has a physical dexterity and level of power that should have seen him stay in Hong Kong for much longer than he did. Here he’s pitted against an evil vampire, and who better to play an evil vampire than Korean bad ass Kwan Yung-moon. Yung-moon has always looked like he could kick someone’s head off, and in Kung Fu Zombie, he does just that. Whenever the two of them square off, it’s a flurry of fists and feet that’s a joy to behold, with some highly entertaining over the top violence dished out throughout.

That wraps up my list for this year, here’s to a 2015 full of equally entertaining Asian movie goodness, and rest assured, that goodness will be covered by cityonfire. Have a happy and healthy year ahead, cheers!

Posted in Features, News |

Outcast | Blu-ray & DVD (Phase 4 Films)

Outcast | Blu-ray & DVD (Phase 4 Films)

Outcast | Blu-ray & DVD (Phase 4 Films)

RELEASE DATE: March 31, 2015

Phase 4 Films presents the Blu-ray & DVD for Outcast, starring Nicolas Cage (Face/Off) and Hayden Christensen (Star Wars: Episode III).

In Outcast, a mysterious warrior teams up with the daughter and son of a deposed Chinese Emperor to defeat their cruel Uncle, who seeks their deaths. The film also stars Yifei Liu (The Assassins), Andy On (Special ID), Ron Smoorenburg (Who Am I?), Jawed El-Berni (Ninja: Shadow of a Tear), the Dasz Brothers (Iceman), Alaa Safi (Chinese Zodiac) and Fernando Chien (Bunraku). Watch the trailer.

Pre-order Outcast from Amazon.com.

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

Wong Kar-Wai’s ‘Grandmaster’ re-released/re-structured in 3D!

"The Grandmaster 3D" Theatrical Poster

"The Grandmaster 3D" Theatrical Poster

Wong Kar-Wai’s epic martial arts feature, The Grandmaster (read our review), will be re-released in China with a new 3D conversion. Despite a shorter runtime of 111 minutes (the original international cut was 11 minutes longer), the re-release features a “new structure and more streamlined storytelling,” according to The Playlist (via FCS).

The Grandmaster – starring Tony Leung Chiu Wai and Zhang Ziyi – is inspired by the life and times of the legendary kung fu master, Ip Man, who mentored Bruce Lee.

The Grandmaster 3D opens in China on January 8th. We’re keeping our fingers crossed for a North American release. Until then, here’s three new promos/trailers ( 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 ) for the re-release.

Posted in News |

R.I.P. Chang Il Do (aka Bruce Lai), Korean actor, martial artist

"Enter Three Dragons" American Theatrical Poster

"Enter Three Dragons" American Theatrical Poster

KFC (via Toby Russell) has reported the death of Korean martial artist and actor, Chang Il Do, better known as Bruce Lai, who died at the age of 64 (not to be confused with Mun Kyong-sok, aka Dragon Lee).

Chang – who also goes by the names Chang Yi Dao, Philip Cheung or Cheung Yat Dao – is widely known for starring in a string of classic Bruceploitation movies. Some of his titles include Lau Kar Leung’s Return to the 36th Chamber (1980) and Godfrey Ho’s Enter three Dragons (1981).

Although Chang has long since retired from film, he has remained active in the Taekwondo community. He often showed up to public events with fellow martial artist, Hwang Jang Lee.

Our condolences go out to Chang Il Do’s family and friends.

Posted in News |

Our Blu-ray/DVD release list for January packs a mean punch!

Once Upon A Time in Shanghai | Blu-ray & DVD (Well Go USA)

Once Upon A Time in Shanghai | Blu-ray & DVD (Well Go USA)

A fresh New Year means new goals to pursue, new adventures to enjoy, new people to meet and new memories to create. Most importantly, it means adding some new titles to your Blu-ray & DVD collection – so let us help you with this priority!

The month of January is jam-packed with titles that every martial arts/Asian/Action film enthusiast will appreciate: The Sword of Doom, Once Upon a Time in Shanghai, Revenge of the Green Dragons, Falcon Rising, Why Don’t You Play in Hell? and much more!

If you’re interested in purchasing any of the titles, we’re hoping you’ll click on our Amazon.com links to support cityonfire.com!

The Sword of Doom: January 6, 2015

Criterion presents the Blu-ray & DVD for Kihachi Okamoto’s The Sword of Doom. Tatsuya Nakadai and Toshiro Mifune (Seven Samurai) star in the story of a wandering samurai who exists in a maelstrom of violence. A gifted swordsman plying his craft during the turbulent final days of shogunate rule in Japan, Ryunosuke (Nakadai) kills without remorse or mercy. It is a way of life that ultimately leads to madness. Features: HD digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack (Blu-ray edition); commentary by historian Stephen Prince; trailer; essay by critic Geoffrey O’Brien.

The Guest: January 6, 2015

Universal presents the Blu-ray & DVD for The Guest, directed by Adam Wingard (You’re Next) and starring Dan Stevens, Sheila Kelley and Maika Monroe. A soldier (Stevens) introduces himself to the Peterson family, claiming to be a friend of their son who died in action. After the young man is welcomed into their home, a series of accidental deaths seem to be connected to his presence. See for yourself why The Guest has received critical acclaim by both critics and audiences everywhere (except us).

The Art of War: January 13, 2015

Warner presents the Blu-ray for The Art of War, starring Wesley Snipes (The Blade Trilogy), Marie Matiko (The Corruptor), Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa (Mortal Kombat), Michael Biehn (Terminator), Donald Sutherland (Hunger Games), James Hong (Big Trouble in Little China), Glen Chin (Knock-Off) and Ron Yuan (The Girl from the Naked Eye).

The Scorpion King 4: Quest for Power: January 13, 2015

Universal Presents the Blu-ray & DVD for The Scorpion King 4: Quest for Power, starring Victor Webster as Mathayus. The Scorpion King 4 features a medley of  real-life fighters: Roy “Big Country” Nelson, Royce Gracie, Antonio “Big Foot” Silva, Don “The Dragon” Wilson, and Eve Torres. The film also stars Rutger Hauer, Michael Biehn, Barry Bostwick, Lou Ferrigno, Ellen Hollman, M. Emmet Walsh, and Will Kemp.

Once Upon a Time in Shanghai: January 13, 2015

Well Go USA presents the Blu-ray & DVD for Once Upon a Time in Shanghai, a martial arts film directed by Wong Ching Po (Let’s Go!) with action choreography from the legendary Yuen Woo-ping (The Matrix). The plot involves a laborer who moves to Shanghai in the hope of becoming rich, but ends up using his kung fu skills to survive. The cast includes Phillip Ng (Bodyguards & Assassins), Andy On (Special Identity), Luxia Jiang (True Legend) and Sammo Hung (Kill Zone). Don’t miss our review.

Weapon of Choice: January 13, 2015

Anderson Digital presents the DVD for Weapon of Choice (aka Fist to Fist 2), starring Master Jino Kang, who holds a black belt in Hapkido, Tae Kwon Do, Kyokoshin-Kai Karate and Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. The film follows (read our review) a retired assassin named Jack Lee (Kang) who must rescue his “daughter” (Kelly Lou Dennis) from a notorious crime boss (Douglas Olsson) and his crew of gangster hitmen. With a little help from a lovely rogue cop (Katherine Celio), Jack becomes a one-man kill squad who is determined to get his daughter back by any means necessary.

Revenge of the Green Dragons: January 13, 2015

Lionsgate presents the Blu-ray & DVD for Revenge of the Green Dragons, an action-drama about Chinese gangs in New York, directed by Hong Kong filmmakers Andrew Lau (Infernal Affairs) and Andrew Loo (It Had To Be You!); and produced by Martin Scorsese (The Wolf of Wall Street). Revenge of the Green Dragons stars Justin Chon (21 & Over), Kevin Wu (YouTube’s KevJumba), Harry Shum Jr. (Glee), Ron Yuan (Girl from the Naked Eye), and Eugenia Yuan (daughter of Come Drink With Me’s Cheng Pei-Pei), Jon Kit Lee (The Corruptor) and Ray Liotta (Goodfellas).

Bring Me the Head of the Machine Gun Woman: January 20, 2015

Screen Media presents the DVD for Bring Me the Head of the Machine Gun Woman, directed by Ernesto Díaz Espinoza, the Chilean action filmmaker responsible for Marko Zaror’s Mandrill, Mirageman, Kiltro and the upcoming Redeemer. Timid, video game-loving DJ Santiago (Matías Oviedo) seemingly digs his own grave when he agrees to bring a violent criminal kingpin the head of Machine Gun Woman (Fernanda Urrejola).

The Pirates: January 20, 2015

Well Go USA presents the Blu-ray & DVD for Lee Suk-Hoon’s The Pirates, an action/adventure that tells the story of rival pirates who have the common goal of capturing a gray whale that has swallowed a precious royal stamp. The Pirates stars Kim Nam-Gil (Public Enemy Returns), Son Ye-Jin (The Tower), Sulli (Punch Lady), Lee Kyoung-Young (A Company Man), Yu Hae-Jin (The Unjust) and Oh Dal-Su (Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance).

Falcon Rising: January 27, 2015

Anderson Merchandisers presents the DVD for Falcon Rising, directed by Ernie Barbarash (Assassination Games) and starring Michael Jai White (Blood and Bone, Black Dynamite). Also known as Favela or Codename Falcon 1, Falcon Rising follows an anti-hero named John “Falcon” Chapman (White) who travels to Brazil to find his sister’s killer. Along the way, he uncovers an underworld of vice and corruption, presided over by the Japanese mafia of all people.

Why Don’t You Play in Hell?: January 27, 2015

Drafthouse Films presents the Blu-ray & DVD for Why Don’t You Play in Hell? (read our review), directed by Sion Sono, the controversial and prolific director behind such Japanese-language films as Cold Fish, Love Exposure and Guilty of Romance. Why Don’t You Play In Hell? is an over-the-top mix of martial arts, comedy and gore.

Looking for new import releases?
If you’re looking for a new import release, please visit DDDhouse.com. The trusted retailer carries new and upcoming releases that are not yet available in North America.

Posted in News |

Man on High Heels (2014) Review

"Man on High Heels" Korean Theatrical Poster

“Man on High Heels” Korean Theatrical Poster

Director: Jang Jin
Cast: Cha Seung-Won, Oh Jeong-Se, Lee Som, Go Kyung-Pyo, Shin Sung-Hun, Jo Bok-Rae
Running Time: 125 min.

By Paul Bramhall

In many ways the gangster genre is to the Korean movie industry what the heroic bloodshed genre was to the Hong Kong movie industry of the 90’s. Ever since Korean cinema gained international recognition in the late 90’s, every year we can be guaranteed a hard hitting slice of gangster violence and bloody backstabbing. While for many this might be all that’s needed, for those who long for a slightly different angle, director and writer Jang Jin looks to be delivering just that with his latest offering – Man on High Heels.

Jin is a prolific director who’s worked in various genres, but to western audiences the title which will likely be most familiar is 2001’s Guns and Talks, which featured a young Won Bin in a quirky tale of four hitmen living together. With Man on High Heels, we get a typical tale of a cop on the tail of a pair of gangster brothers, however what’s not so typical, is that the cop in question secretly harbors the desire to be a woman.

The above description may sound like the setup for another quirky take on a well established genre, but surprisingly, Jin boldly decides to play the whole thing completely straight (no pun intended). The challenge of portraying such a character is given to Cha Seung-won, who rises up to the part with aplomb. We’re introduced to his character as the epitome of masculinity – he never uses a gun, his body is covered in scars, he has steel pins in his arms and legs, to his colleagues he’s a cyborg, to criminals he’s a legend – basically, someone who doesn’t have an ounce of femininity in him.

Within the first 10 minutes he’s single handedly raided a karaoke room, seating 11 armed gangsters, in a scene which will make you realize that the carcasses of recently eaten crabs and lobsters can make just as effective weapons as knives and daggers. It’s a brutally choreographed sequence, one which has blood spraying everywhere and a massive amount of pain being dished out, but it also establishes the almost hyper reality that the movie sets itself in.

Seung-won is essentially a one-man army, an army that even the gangsters admire. In another scene one of the gangster brothers dreamily recalls the first time he encountered him. In the flashback Seung-won stands in a rain drenched street holding an umbrella, as a horde of umbrella wielding attackers charge towards him, everyone dressed in sharp black suites. He takes them down one by one in a flurry of kicks and punches (and umbrellas) to the face, before the scene comes to an end and the gangster wistfully recalls that he didn’t get a single drop of rain on him.

These scenes are a joy to behold, sharply choreographed and violent to the point of being over the top, the transition to Seung-won’s woes over his identity crisis should be laughable against such a backdrop of machismo. Somehow though, they’re not, thanks to the combination of Jin’s assured direction and Seung-won’s committed performance. When his associate takes him to a transgender club to help find his look as a woman, it’s a scene which could potentially derail everything in a lesser talents hands, but here it all just fits into place.

Jin seems to be aiming at paying as much attention to the both the gangster storyline and Seung-won’s goal to have a sex-change operation, and he’s almost successful. Onscreen the gangster storyline is ultimately more prevalent than the transgender one, which if anything only makes the movie a more interesting beast. Should it be marketed as a transgender study, or a gangster flick? The decision to go for both is apparent even in the movies marketing, the Korean poster showing a roughed up Seung-won in a feminine blouse, easily making for one of the most unique viewing experiences in recent memory.

Jin deftly works in a healthy dose of black humor into proceedings. When Seung-won finally makes the decision to venture out into public in woman’s clothing, the elevator of his apartment breaks down, resulting in what he’d hoped would be a quiet ride having the small space gradually occupied by more and more passengers. As his phone rings and he answers with a male voice, causing everyone to turn around and stare, it may seem like a cheap laugh at people who choose to be transgender, but the look of hurt and embarrassment Seung-won portrays quickly gives the scene an unexpected poignancy.

It’s these moments, in which his expressions reveal a massive sense of vulnerability, and his body language an unmistakable femininity, that really make his performance stand out, as we’re suddenly witness to someone a world away from the one-man army image he’s built up of himself. An equally delicate touch is given to the flashback scenes of Seung-won’s childhood, in which he develops a same-sex relationship with another boy in his class, one which eventually leads to tragedy, but also ties into why he chooses to be seen as the epitome of masculinity. While a more scholarly reviewer may call foul on the presumption that being gay leads to transgender issues, or indeed vice versa, in the context of the story these elements all tie together.

Intended as a metaphor or not for the way people who are transgender constantly have to put aside their desire to fully transition to who they want to be, in the movie Seung-won finds that being a one-man army also brings with it a lot of grudges that aren’t easy to let go of, and needless to say for the finale those grudges come back with a vengeance. Traditionally in Asian cinema when a good guy enters the finale wearing white, whether it be Chow Yun Fat in The Killer, Jimmy Wang Yu in Golden Swallow, or any number of others, it means things are about to get bloody. It’s a credit to all involved that in the finale of Man on High Heels, the fact that the white Seung-won is wearing happens to be a ladies blouse couldn’t seem more appropriate, and what follows is one of the most bloody finale’s I’ve seen in a long time. For audiences who like their vengeance served without mercy, Man on High Heels delivers with an almost unapologetic delight.

Thankfully Jin respects the subject matter enough to not just forget about all that’s come before, and the final moments give a worthy emotional depth and respect to bring the movie to a close. All in all, Man on High Heels succeeds in its mission to blend a pair of unlikely storylines, and for that alone, it comes with a strong recommendation.

Paul Bramhall’s Rating: 8/10

Posted in Korean, News, Reviews | Tagged |

Vigilante (1983) Review

"Vigilante" Theatrical Poster

“Vigilante” Theatrical Poster

AKA: Street Gang
Director: William Lustig
Cast: Robert Forster, Fred Williamson, Richard Bright, Rutanya Alda, Don Blakely, Joseph Carberry, Willie Colón, Joe Spinell, Carol Lynley, Woody Strode, Vincent Beck, Bo Rucker, Frank Pesce, Steve James, Randy Jurgensen
Running Time: 90 min.

By HKFanatic

Vigilante opens with a scene of Fred Williamson (From Dusk Till Dawn, the original Inglorious Bastards) addressing a ‘neighborhood watch’-style meeting but more or less pointing his finger at the camera, as he explains how the streets have been taken over by gangs and it’s high time the community did something about it. If the police and the legal system can’t protect us, he argues, we’ve got to protect ourselves – by any means necessary. His speech is intercut with shots of concerned citizens practicing their aim at a firing range. This scene is completely awesome… and yet it has nothing to do with the rest of the movie.

Despite his considerable oratorical skills, Fred Williamson doesn’t seem to get his neighbors too excited about fighting crime. Vigilante is really concerned with Robert Forster’s character and his journey to take criminal punishment into his own hands. It’s a plot that will feel familiar to anyone who’s seen a Death Wish movie. Forster plays a factory worker who lives in a not-so-good neighborhood of New York but remains fairly ignorant to the violence that goes on outside his front door. All that changes until his wife and son are targeted by a vicious street gang. A lot of bad shit goes down and Forster eventually ends up in prison. It’s a short stay and once he’s back on the streets, he remembers Fred Williamson’s words and decides it’s high time for some vigilante-style justice.

Director William Lustig was famous in the 80’s for making squalid and gritty films set in the worst parts of New York City. In 1980, he unleashed Maniac on the world – one of the sleaziest horror films ever made, starring the great Joe Spinell (The Godfather: Part II, Rocky) in the lead role. Spinell has a short appearance in Vigilante, which Lustig made before embarking on the Maniac Cop series.

There are a few films from the 70’s and 80’s that make New York City during that era look like one of the worst places in America to live. Vigilante is one of them. The sky is gray, the streets are dirty, muggers and rapists lurk around every corner. There are only 2 cop cars on patrol on nights when the city needs 10. The legal system can’t do jack because of slimy lawyers and holier-than-thou judges. Watch Vigilante, and you start feeling the self-righteous anger of a concerned citizen – you really want to see Fred Williamson take out the trash. We are clearly in exploitation movie territory here. And you know what? It feels good!

The only thing that holds Vigilante back is the performances. Fred Williamson is great – it’s probably the most impressive performance of his career – but most everyone else in the cast is way too low-key. I know this isn’t exactly an Oscar-nomiated, A-grade film but come on: if your movie features little kids being shot down like animals, I want to see some intensity! Robert Forster and the actress who play his wife just don’t “bring it” during their dramatic scenes. When Forster is nearly assaulted in the prison showers by an inmate the size of a mountain, he fails to communicate the fear and trauma you would feel in such a situation.

During its last act, Vigilante becomes a nearly wordless action picture so I suppose the performances become less of an issue. There’s a car chase through the streets of Brooklyn that’s really quite spectacular considering the low-budget origins of the film. I doubt Lustig had permission to close off city blocks to shoot the chase but the filmmakers did a good job through careful editing. Nothing beats an old-school chase where the bottoms of cars are literally slamming against the pavement. One of my favorite moments of the film comes when Forster finally corrals the guy who killed his son and threatens to toss him from a great height to his death. “Go ahead, man!” the punk yells in Forster’s face. “It don’t mean shit to me!” Whoa. That’s some intense, nihilistic stuff right there.

Vigilante features great direction from William Lustig and a well-paced script full of memorable dialogue. The score by Jay Chattaway (Missing in Action, Silver Bullet) is funky and melodic; a good fit for the film. I just wanted more authenticity from some of the cast members. Even if it’s not a prestige picture, you need actors to sell the drama of the story. When characters remained unphased by even the most brutal of happenings, it just takes me out of the movie. Thankfully, Fred Williamson brought his A-game to this picture. He’s off the charts on the bad-ass scale, so I can at least recommend Vigilante if you like exploitative revenge movies (Death Wish, etc.). The video transfer on Blue Underground’s blu-ray release of the film is exceptional, as is always the case for Blue Underground.

HKFanatic’s Rating: 6.5/10

Posted in News, Other Movies, Reviews | Tagged , , , , |

Class of 1984 | Blu-ray (Shout! Factory)

Class of 1984 | Blu-ray & DVD (Shout! Factory)

Class of 1984 | Blu-ray & DVD (Shout! Factory)

RELEASE DATE: April 14, 2015

Shout! Factory presents the Blu-ray for the 1982 cult classic flick, Class of 1984, directed by Mark Lester (Commando).

Class of 1984 revolves around a newly hired music teacher at a troubled high school, where students have to pass through a metal detector due to problems with gangs, drugs and violence. The film stars Timothy Van Patten, Roddy McDowall, Stefan Arngrim, Lisa Langlois, Keith Knight, Neil Clifford and Michael J. Fox. Watch the trailer.

Pre-order Class of 1984 from Amazon.com today!

Posted in DVD/Blu-ray New Releases, News, Other Notable Titles |

Blood Factor | DVD (Bayview Entertainment)

Blood Factor | DVD (Bayview Entertainment)

Blood Factor | DVD (Bayview Entertainment)

RELEASE DATE: March 10, 2015

Bayview Entertainment presents the DVD for the acclaimed indie actioner, Blood Factor (aka Blood Ties), directed by and starring Kely McClung (American Ninja 4: The Annihilation).

Black Operative Jack Davis is forced back into the game when his brother is kidnapped while working for a foreign embassy. From the shadow of the Washington Monument to the exotic streets of Bangkok, Jack uses his lethal skills to bring his brother back home. Watch the trailer.

Pre-order Blood Factor from Amazon.com today!

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

Don “The Dragon” Wilson takes on horror in the ‘The Horde’

"Out for Blood" Promotional Poster

"Out for Blood" Promotional Poster

Next year, horror and action will collide in Jared Cohn’s thriller, The Horde (not to be confused with the 2009 French film of the same name). The upcoming film follows a group of innocent people whose camping trip is cut short when they’re targeted by a swarm of mutated killers. Fortunately, their odds for survival are evened up when an ex-Navy Seal gets thrown into the mix.

The Horde stars martial artist Paul Logan (Ballistica), Costas Mandylor (Saw IV, Fist of the North Star), Bill Moseley (The Devil’s Rejects), Vernon Wells (Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior), Nestor Serrano, Tiffany Brouwer, Sydney Sweeney, Nils Allen Stewart, Frankie Ray and Bobby C. King.

On a special note, be on the lookout for 11-time World Kickboxing Champion, Don “The Dragon” Wilson (Blood Fist). The martial arts Hall of Famer told cityonfire.com that he will have short, but memorable appearance in the film (click here for a set photo of Wilson with producer Gabriel Campisi).

Along with the Dragon’s The Martial Arts Kid and White TigerThe Horde is scheduled to be released in 2015. We expect a trailer to hit soon. Stay tuned!

Posted in News |

Deal on Fire! Alien Anthology + Prometheus | Blu-ray | Only $19.98 – Expires soon!

"Alien Anthology + Prometheus" Blu-ray Covers

"Alien Anthology + Prometheus" Blu-ray Covers

Today’s Deal on Fire is for the Alien Anthology 6-Disc Blu-ray set, which includes Alien, Aliens, Alien 3 and Alien Resurrection plus a log pile of extra features. In addition, you’ll also get the Prometheus Blu-ray! For about $4 a movie, this is one deal you don’t want to be alienated from!

Order the Alien Anthology + Prometheus Bundle from Amazon.com today!

Posted in Deals on Fire!, News |

‘New World’ director reunites with Choi Min-shik for ‘Big Tiger’

"Crying Fist" Korean Theatrical Poster

"Crying Fist" Korean Theatrical Poster

Earlier this month, production began on Big Tiger, an upcoming South Korean film directed by Park Hoon-jung (New World). According to FBA, Big Tiger is a period drama about a hunter who is enlisted to catch the last surviving tiger in the Korean peninsula during the Japanese occupation.

Park, who’s also known for writing the screenplays for Kim Ji-woon’s I Saw the Devil and Ryu Seung-Wan’s The Unjust, reunites with acting sensation Choi Min-shik (Old Boy, Crying Fist), who plays the lead to co-stars Jeong Man-Sik (Kundo), Kim Sang-Ho (Moss), Sung Yoo-Bin (Manhole) and Ren Osugi (Yellow Elephant).

Big Tiger is due for release mid-2015 release. Stay tuned for more updates!

Posted in News |

Dangerously Close | Blu-ray & DVD (Olive Films)

Dangerously Close | Blu-ray & DVD (Olive Films)

Dangerously Close | Blu-ray & DVD (Olive Films)

RELEASE DATE: February 24, 2015

Olive Films presents the Blu-ray & DVD for 1986’s Dangerously Close, directed by Albert Pyun (Cyborg).

A group of high school students who call themselves “The Sentinels” begin terrorizing classmates. Soon, one of their targets ends up brutally murdered. An editor of the school paper begins to investigate and “The Sentinels” become even more ruthless!

This cult favorite stars John Stockwell (director of the upcoming Kickboxer reboot), J. Eddie Peck (Blind Heat), Carey Lowell (License to Kill). Watch the trailer.

Pre-order Dangerously Close from Amazon.com today!

Posted in DVD/Blu-ray New Releases, Other Notable Titles |

R100 | Blu-ray & DVD (Drafthouse Films)

"R100" Theatrical Poster

“R100” Theatrical Poster

RELEASE DATE: March 10, 2015

Draft House Films presents the Blu-ray & DVD for Hitoshi Matsumoto’s (Big Man Japan) R100 (read our review). The title of the film is a play on the Japanese rating system (R18 is equivalent to our NC-17), so “R100” should give you an idea of what to expect.

In this audaciously kinky, meta-comedic thriller, a lonely father with a secret taste for S&M (Nao Ohmori, best known for his titular turn in Takashi Miike’s Ichi the Killer) finds himself pursued by a gang of ruthless dominatrices. Don’t miss the trailer.

Pre-order R100 from Amazon.com today!

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

Robert Rodriguez to conquer Live-action ‘Fire and Ice’

"Fire and Ice" Theatrical Poster

"Fire and Ice" Theatrical Poster

Looks like Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Legend of Conan may have some tough competition. According to Deadline, Robert Rodriguez (Machete) will be directing a Live-action version of Ralph Bakshi’s 1983 animated cult classic, Fire And Ice.

The original – based on characters created by legendary fiction artist Frank Frazetta – is a fantasy tale that took place during a time where savage warriors, horrific monsters and luscious maidens battled for the soul of a civilization. The feature was produced using rotoscoping, a process where scenes were shot in live action and then traced onto animation cels, giving the animation a seamless, life-like motion.

We’ll keep you updated as we hear more about Fire and Ice. Stay tuned!

Posted in News |