Under the Gun (1995) Review

"Under the Gun" Theatrical Poster

“Under the Gun” Theatrical Poster

Director: Matthew George
Cast: Richard Norton, Kathy Long, Jane Badler, Peter Lindsay, Robert Bruce, David Serafin, Ron Vreeken, Tino Ceberano, Adam Haddrick, Sam Greco
Running Time: 93 min.

By Z Ravas

As action fans around the globe react with sadness at the untimely loss of actor Richard Norton at the age of 75, I realized it was high time I dug deeper into the actor’s body of work. Sure, like most fans of Hong Kong martial arts movies, I’d seen Norton square off against Sammo Hung and Jackie Chan in movies like Twinkle, Twinkle, Lucky Stars and City Hunter, but I’d never actually watched one of his starring vehicles. When I read a review of the 1995 actioner Under the Gun that labeled it the ‘Direct to Video martial arts version of Uncut Gems,’ I just had to see for myself how a movie could live up to that description; if you’re familiar with that 2019 high anxiety thriller from the Safdie Brothers, about a compulsive gambler trying to pay off his debt to the mob before time runs out, you know it didn’t exactly feel like it had room for spin kicks.

And yet, I’m here to tell you that that description is not far off. Under the Gun follows Richard Norton as Frank Torrence, a former professional hockey player(!) turned nightclub owner with a problem: he’s got one last shift to work before he signs a deal to sell his club and absconds to Mexico City, but seemingly everyone who walks through the doors of his establishment Continue reading

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We have physical evidence that Donnie Yen’s ‘The Prosecutor’ hits Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD in May from Well Go USA

On May 27, 2025, Well Go USA is releasing the DVD, Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD for The Prosecutor (aka Misjudgement), an action thriller from filmmaker Ho Pong Mak (Breakout Brothers trilogy), who co-directs the film’s star, Donnie Yen (Sakra, Chasing the Dragon).

In the film, a poor young man is wrongly charged with drug trafficking after being deceived. An ex-prosecutor investigates the case, uncovers a corrupt Continue reading

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Do you believe in miracles? 88 Films’ 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray release for Jackie Chan’s 1989 masterpiece is now shipping

On April 14, 2025, 88 Films is releasing a 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray (Region B) release for Miracles (aka Mr. Canton and Lady Rose), Jackie Chan’s 1989 Golden Harvest martial arts film, which is loosely remade from Frank Capra’s 1961 classic Pocketful of Miracles.

Directed by and starring Jackie Chan, Miracles features an all-star cast that includes Rose Gua Ah Leh (The Wedding Banquet), Anita Mui Yim-fong (Drunken Master 2), Wu Ma (The Blonde Fury), Michael Chow Man Kin (Era of Vampires), Fung Hak Continue reading

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A fight for GOD? Trailer for the martial arts film ‘Absolute Dominion’ starring Désiré Mia, Alex Winter and Patton Oswalt

"Absolute Dominion" Theatrical Poster

“Absolute Dominion” Theatrical Poster

Writer/director Lexi Alexander, who is perhaps best-known for helming 2005’s Green Street Hooligans and 2008’s Punisher: War Zone, is currently prepping an upcoming martial arts actioner titled Absolute Dominion.

Absolute Dominion takes place in 2085 A.D., where the world has been destroyed by religious warfare. Desperate to save humanity, global governing forces host a gripping, no-holds-barred, martial arts tournament. Last fighter standing wins Absolute Dominion for one faith.

The film features an all-star cast that includes Alex Winter (Bill & Ted Face the Music), Alok Vaid-Menon (Random Acts of Flyness), Andy Allo (Chicago Fire), Désiré Mia, Jennifer Jajeh (Transparent), Juliana Joel (American Gigolo), Julie Ann Emery (Better Call Saul), June Carryl (Y: The Last Man), Junes Zahdi (Counterpart), Laith Ashley (Pose), Mario Continue reading

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Others strike hard, but Tony Jaa STRIKES HARDER! ‘Striking Rescue’ hits Digital on April 15, then physical media on May 13

On May 13, 2025, Well Go USA is releasing the Blu-ray & DVD for Striking Rescue, the latest from martial arts action star Tony Jaa (Ong-Bak, Triple Threat, Paradox, xXx: Return of Xander Cage) and Xing Yu (Flashpoint, Super Bodyguard, Ride On). Want to see it earlier?

Directed by Cheng Siyi (The Paper Man Returns, Desperado), Striking Rescue tells the story of a retired veteran who is framed after his wife and daughter Continue reading

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Prime cuts? Amazon and Sony developing a series adaptation of Ang Lee’s acclaimed ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’

A Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon series is in the works from Prime Video and Sony Pictures. Writer-producer Jason Ning (co-executive producer for The Brothers Sun) and Ron Moore (Outlander) will develop the series adaptation of the 2000 box office smash from two-time Best Director Academy Award winner Ang Lee (Brokeback Mountain).

The upcoming series will follow Shu Lien (previously played by Michelle Yeoh) and Mu Bai (previously played by Chow Yun-Fat), two star-crossed warriors, as they struggle between forbidden love and the pull of modernity — caught between preserving their way of life or embracing a future together (via Deadline).

The original Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon was noted for its stunning martial arts choreography by Yuen Woo-ping (The Matrix), who went on to Continue reading

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Snake Prince, The (1976) Review

The Snake Prince | Blu-ray (Imprint)

The Snake Prince | Blu-ray (Imprint)

Director: Lo Chen
Cast: Lin Chen Chi, Ti Lung, Helen Ko Ti-Hua, Fan Lei, Wong Yu, Ng Hong-Sang, Wong Ching-Ho, Ching Miao, Leung Seung-Wan, Lin Wei-Tu
Running Time: 93 min. 

By Paul Bramhall

When it comes to 1970’s Shaw Brothers oddities there are a few titles that will likely spring to mind. Whether it be the studios riff on King Kong with The Mighty Peking Man, venturing into mutant territory with The Oily Maniac, or taking a crack at the tokusatsu genre with The Super Infra Man, all come with their own distinctive charms of the era. One production which seems to have flew under the radar though for fans of the bizarre is 1976’s The Snake Prince, an unlikely genre mishmash of Chinese folklore, musical, kaiju action, horror, and even a little eroticism and kung-fu thrown in just for good measure. If you were looking for the Shaw Brothers movie that has everything, then The Snake Prince could well be the one that ticks all the boxes.

Helmed by Lo Chen, as a director he was one of the Shaw Brothers most prolific filmmakers in the 1960’s working outside of the studio’s martial arts flick factory. Adept at making a wide range of genres, Chen’s output spanned everything from comedies (The Tryst), musicals (The Shepherd Girl), dramas (Torrent of Desire), and Chinese Opera (Comedy of Mismatches). By the time the 1970’s rolled around Chen increasingly worked for other studios as well as the Shaw Continue reading

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Karate and Kung Fu collide in the New Trailer for Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio’s upcoming ‘Karate Kid’ movie

"Karate Kid: Legends" Theatrical Poster

“Karate Kid: Legends” Theatrical Poster

The highly successful motion picture franchise that spawned three sequels, a remake, and a series is getting another reboot – or should we say crossover?

Sony’s new Karate Kid film, titled Karate Kid: Legends, will be directed by Jonathan Entwistle, who has served as a director and executive producer on two popular Netflix original series including I Am Not Okay With This and The End of the F**ing World.

The upcoming film is a continuation of both 2010’s Karate Kid (Jackie Chan/Jaden Smith), and the original franchise (Pat Morita/Ralph Macchio) that took place in 1984’s The Karate Kid, 1986’s The Karate Kid Part II, 1989’s The Karate Kid Part III and in the events Continue reading

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Lady Whirlwind, move over! Watch the New Trailer for John Maclean’s samurai-Western actioner ‘Tornado’

"Tornado" Theatrical Poster

“Tornado” Theatrical Poster

Writer/director John Maclean, who is perhaps best known for 2015’s Slow West, is back with Tornado, an upcoming period thriller starring Tim Roth (Pulp Fiction), Jack Lowden (Dunkirk), Takehiro Hira (Shōgun) and Koki (Ox-Head Village).

The film, set in the rugged landscape of 1790s Britain, follows Tornado (Koki), a young and determined woman who finds herself caught in a perilous situation when she and her father’s (Hira) traveling puppet samurai show crosses paths with a gang of ruthless criminals led by Sugarman (Roth) and his ambitious son Little Sugar (Lowden). In an attempt to create a new life for herself, Tornado seizes the opportunity to take matters into her own hands and steal the gold from their most recent heist (via Deadline).

Tornado will be released by Lionsgate Continue reading

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Deal on Fire! The Postman Strikes Back | Blu-ray | Only $18.99 – Expires soon!

Postman Strikes Back | Blu-ray (88 Films)

Postman Strikes Back | Blu-ray (88 Films)

Today’s Deal on Fire is the Blu-ray (Region A/B) for The Postman Strikes Back, a 1982 Hong Kong film directed by Ronny Yu (The Occupant).

The film stars Leung Kar Yan (Exciting Dragon), Chow Yun Fat (The Head Hunter), Fan Mei Sheng (12 Gold Medallions), Cherie Chung (Walk on Fire), Eddie Ko (Warriors of Future) and Brandy Yuen (Dreadnaught).

The Postman Strikes Back is a unique entry in the Hong Kong action genre for a number of reasons. Set in 1913, it’s a movie which brings together elements of the old-school and the new-wave which can only be appreciated in retrospect. An early directorial effort from Ronny Yu, with the exception of his 1986 production with Brandon Lee, Legacy of Rage, it wouldn’t be until Continue reading

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How Online Games Drive the Entertainment Industry Forward

The entertainment industry is in transformation, and the future is online games. Interactive technological experiences combined fun with elements of technology, gave immersive engagement to hundreds of millions, redefining the reception of entertainment.

Casual or hardcore gamers, from online sudoku to old-school classics ported to browsers—a swift increase is witnessed in the demand for an online game. Playing an online pool game on the computer is just as exciting as playing Call of Duty for some. The gaming industry may be evolving massively, but the classics still have their place! The question now is what impact does an online game create on the larger entertainment spectrum? Let’s understand that.

Increased Global Reach

Online games transcend geographical boundaries. They have united people from various regions and countries to form entertainment platforms. Players link themselves, compete, and interact, thus forming societies that cross borders.

This accessibility has made gaming a dominant force in the digital age. For instance, exclusive games on 111win cater to diverse interests with more than 10,000 online games. Users can choose numerous such options, which makes gaming not only fun but an opportunity to earn money as well. Such portals reflect the diversity of entertainment that online games bring with effortless access to all.

Interactive Storytelling and Immersion

Unlike other entertainment mediums, online games take the form of interactive storytelling. Gamers are not just users; they are the narrative. Either by role play or even multi-player battles, such engaging stories engage users for hours on end.

The interactivity is the key reason games have sky-rocketed so fast. The market is not competing against movies or music but instead is an added way of accessing stories.

Monetization and New Revenue Streams

Online games have a novel revenue model, such as microtransactions, subscriptions, and in-game purchases, that brings in billions every year. Modern platforms emphasize rewarding users as yet another revenue-generating channel. Encouraging them to play more makes games profitable.

The model inspired some entertainment sectors to reassess their strategies. It showcases how gaming impacts not only behavior but also the economics of entertainment.

Entertainment Meets Technology

Games are significant in the testing phase of new technologies. Virtual reality, augmented reality, and cloud gaming have changed the way people play within the digital space.

The same technology effects spread into other entertainment. Movies, music, and even live performances take in new features through gaming technology to attract more audiences.

Revolutionizing Social Interaction

Online games have changed socialization among people today. It not only entertains but also forms an online platform through which players connect, share thoughts, team up to reach their goals, and even participate in international tournaments.

Other social features will also be features of chats that will facilitate the possibility of real-time communication between people with common interests. The interaction contributes toward a more enjoyable gaming experience.

Conclusion

Online games hold much more than just a fun activity; they shape entertainment. For anyone looking to try different things and reap rewards, platforms like Basant Club showcase how the gaming industry is breaking all the new standards. It is growing every day and promises that the gaming industry will be the cornerstone of entertainment.

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Who will replace JCVD? A24 is in negotiations for the remake rights to the Jean-Claude Van Damme’s ‘Bloodsport’

"Bloodsport" Japanese Theatrical Poster

“Bloodsport” Japanese Theatrical Poster

A remake of 1988’s Bloodsport, the martial arts extravaganza that launched Jean-Claude Van Damme to superstardom, has been in development-hell for well over 10 years.

Director Phillip Noyce (Salt) and screenwriter Robert Mark Kamen (Taken) were once attached. Then the project came into the hands of James McTeigue (Ninja Assassin) and Craig Rosenberg (The Uninvited), who would re-shape the “Frank Dux” narrative into the lives of 21st century mercenaries who would collide in the underground world of Brazilian Vale Tudo fighting.

Now, according to The InSneider, indie studio A24 is in negotiations for the remake rights to the Van Damme classic.

The original Bloodsport followed Frank Dux, an American martial artist Continue reading

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‘The Raid’ director Gareth Evans is back! Check out the New Trailer for Netflix’ ‘Havoc’ starring Tom Hardy

Writer/director Gareth Evans (ApostleMerantau), the mastermind behind The Raid franchise, is prepping his latest actioner, Havoc, which stars Tom Hardy (Mad Max Fury Road).

After a drug deal gone wrong, a bruised detective (Hardy) must fight his way through a criminal underworld to rescue a politician’s estranged son, while unravelling a deep web of corruption and conspiracy that ensnares his entire city.

The film also stars Timothy Olyphant (Live Free or Die Hard), Forest Whitaker (Bloodsport), Justin Cornwell (The Umbrella Academy), Luis Guzmán (Carlito’s Way), Jessie Mei Li (Last Night in Soho), Yeo Yann Yann (Wet Season), Quelin Continue reading

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The final ‘Mission Impossible’ we reckon? Watch the Newest Trailer for ‘Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’

“Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” Teaser Poster

“Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” Teaser Poster

Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning – the 8th entry in the long running Mission Impossible franchise – will be exploding to theaters on May 23, 2025.

Christopher McQuarrie (Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation, Mission: Impossible – Fallout) is back in the director’s chair, continuing from the events in 2023’s Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One.

Originally meant to be titled Dead Reckoning Part Two, the film underwent significant changes following some disappointing box office results from its predecessor. The adjustments include not only the new title but also enhancements made to the storyline after the production delays stemming from industry-wide strikes (via PTG).

Don’t miss the New Continue reading

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Uninvited Guest of the Star Ferry, The (1984) Review

"The Uninvited Guest of the Star Ferry" Theatrical Poster

“The Uninvited Guest of the Star Ferry” Theatrical Poster

Director: Kim Si-hyun
Cast: Im Ja-ho, Seo Jong-ah, Hwang Jang Lee, Heo Yang-mi, Yoon Yang-ha, Baek Hwang-ki, Park Hui-jin, Lee Suk-koo, Baek Hwang-ki, Choe Hyeong-geun
Running Time: 92 min.

By Paul Bramhall

When it comes to the niche world of Godfrey Ho’s infamous cut ‘n’ paste gweilo ninja movies, Ninja Terminator pretty much sits at the top of the pile. A cult oddity featuring Garfield phones, crab cookery gone wrong, and Richard Harrison with a heavy dose of eyeliner, when I first watched it in the early 2000’s the most that was known about the production the scenes had been spliced into was that it was a “low budget Korean kung-fu movie”. In the 20+ years since information on pre-21st century Korean cinema has become much more accessible, and thanks to resources like the Korean Movie Database, by the time the 2010’s rolled around it became common knowledge (well, at least in kung-fu cinema fan circles!) that the movie in question was called The Uninvited Guest of the Star Ferry.

Released in 1984, like so many Korean productions from the 1980’s, tragically it seemed like the original had been lost to the sands of time (Trouble Solving Broker being a classic example). While we don’t usually talk about specific releases on cityonfire, this time it’s worth to make an exception, as without the release in question there would never have been an opportunity Continue reading

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