More Golden Harvest martial arts action from Shout! Factory!

"Stoner" Chinese Theatrical Poster

"Stoner" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Fans of classic kung fu films have every reason to be happy. With the reemergence of news regarding the Weinstein’s and their plans to remake two Shaw Brothers classics (1966′s Come Drink With Me and 1978′s Avenging Eagle), it seems that kung fu movies are slowly finding their way back on the market.

Just recently, Apple’s iTunes Store has added 23 Shaw Brothers titles to their digital download library where you can choose to rent or purchase them in high definition at $3.99 and $7.99, respectively. Many of the titles are either hard to find or currently out of print (see current available titles in the comments section below).

Additionally, Well Go USA has announced two new additions to their Sword Masters series (Well Go’s own line of classic Shaw Brothers titles) that include 1978’s Legend of the Bat and 1977’s Death Duel. After a two year hiatus, this marks the first time Well Go USA has released a Sword Masters title.

It’s not only Shaw Brothers martial arts classics that are finding their way back on the market. In addition to their old school Jackie Chan catalogue, Shout! Factory has released The Bruce Lee Legacy Collection, which introduces all four of Bruce Lee’s Hong Kong movies on the high definition Blu-ray format for the first time (along with 3 documentaries and endless amount of extras).

Also, just a few months ago, Warner released a newly-expanded Blu-ray set of Bruce Lee’s Enter the Dragon, which marks the iconic film’s 40th Anniversary.

Even smaller production companies are getting in on the action. MVD Visual has just released a Bruce Lee Double Feature that includes A Warrior’s Journey (previously out of print) and the fantastic Pursuit of the Dragon, which is a 90 minute documentary that follows the chronology of Lee’s four films and their filming locations.

Updates: Shout! also has more Golden Harvest classics coming, including a Lady Whirlwind & Hapkido Angela Mao double feature, a Martial Arts Movie Marathon set, featuring The Skyhawk, The Manchu Boxer, The Dragon Tamers (aka Belles of Taekwondo) and The Association – and we’re sure there’s more to come!

During a chat with Screen Daily (via Film Combat Syndicate), Robert Rodriguez revealed that his El Ray Network will be teaming up with Celestial Pictures to release classic Shaw Brothers titles: “We are thrilled to partner with Celestial Pictures on this collection as it is a perfect addition to our existing line-up of renegade programming,” said Rodriguez.

BREAKING NEWS: Today, Shout! Factory announced another batch of Golden Harvest classics, in the form of The Angela Mao Ying 5-Film Collection. This 6 film, 3 disc set includes 1973’s When Taekwondo Strikes, 1974’s The Tournament, 1974’s Stoner, 1976’s The Himalayan, 1976’s A Queen’s Ransom and 1977’s Broken Oath. Other actors who star alongside Mao are 007’s George Lazenby, Bolo Yueng (Enter the Dragon), Sammo Hung (Ip Man 2), Yuen Biao (Dragons Forever) and Carter Huang (Big Trouble in Little China).

Posted in News |

Double Feature: Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah and Godzilla vs. Mothra | Blu-ray (Sony)

"Godzilla vs. Mothra" Japanese Theatrical Poster

"Godzilla vs. Mothra" Japanese Theatrical Poster

RELEASE DATE: May 6, 2014

Sony presents the Blu-ray for 1991’s Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah and 1992’s Godzilla vs. Mothra. In Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah time travelers use Godzilla in their scheme to destroy Japan to prevent the country’s future economic reign. In Godzilla vs. Mothra in the midst of another rampage by Godzilla, Mothra emerges to save the human race from Battra. Watch the trailers.


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

Double Feature: Godzilla vs. Destoroyah & Godzilla vs. Megaguirus | Blu-ray (Sony)

"Godzilla vs. Destoroyah" Japanese Theatrical Poster

"Godzilla vs. Destoroyah" Japanese Theatrical Poster

RELEASE DATE: May 6, 2014

Sony presents the Blu-ray for 1995’s Godzilla vs. Destoroyah and 2000’s Godzilla vs. Megaguirus. In Godzilla vs. Destoroyah (trailer), the aftermath of the Oxygen Destroyer brings forth Destoroyah, a beast intent on killing Godzilla, who is on the verge of a nuclear meltdown. In Godzilla vs. Megaguirus (trailer), Godzilla is back! This time, Japan has a new weapon: Megaguirus! Now a 3-way battle begins between Godzilla, Megaguirus and the humans beings!


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

March is an EXTREMELY HOT month for new martial arts and Asian Blu-ray/DVD releases – don’t miss our quick list!

March is one hot month for Asian and Martial Arts movie releases!

March is one hot month for Asian and Martial Arts movie releases!

For those of you looking to beef up your Asian cinema or martial arts Blu-ray/DVD collection, it’s going to be one hell of a month!

Since March is filled with so many high profile releases, we decided to put together a list of movies that every cityonfire.com visitor should know about: Wong Kar Wai, Van Damme, Korean remakes/originals, Jackie Chan, Akira Kurosawa, Cung Le, Dolph Lundgren, Takeshi Kitano, Exploitation, B-movies, Indie martial arts films and much, much more!

For your convenience, we listed them by day of release. If you’re interested in purchasing the titles, we’re hoping you’ll click on our links to show your support towards cityonfire.com. As always, we’ll appreciate it!

The Grandmaster: March 4th
Anchor Bay presents the Blu-ray & DVD for Wong Kar Wai’s The Grandmaster, an epic action feature inspired by the life and times of the legendary Kung Fu master, Ip Man, who mentored Bruce Lee. The Grandmaster stars Tony Leung Chiu Wai and Zhang Ziyi.

Spike Lee’s Old Boy: March 4th
Sony presents the Blu-ray & DVD for Spike Lee’s Oldboy. Obsessed with vengeance, a man (Josh Brolin) sets out to find out why he was kidnapped and locked into solitary confinement for 20 years without reason. It’s not the most loved remake, but hey, someone out there likes it!

Kingdom of Conquerors: March 8th
Lionsgate presents the DVD for Wang Ping’s Kingdom of Conquerors (aka An End to Killing). In the early 13th century, when all the nomadic clans of Mongolia were at war, one man was able to conquer them all and unite them under one banner: his own. Genghis Khan, known for his ruthlessness and barbarism, built an empire that covered nearly all of Asia and cemented his place as one of history’s greatest emperors.

Death Grip: March 11th
Osiris Entertainment presents the DVD for Death Grip. This 2012 martial arts picture stars Johnny Yong Bosch, a former star of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, as well as Contour director Eric Jacobus and various Stunt People members. Indie martial arts flicks don’t get better than this!

Puncture Wounds: March 11th
Lionsgate presents the DVD for Puncture Wounds (aka A Certain Justice). After returning home from a traumatic tour of duty in Iraq, John (Cung Le) finds himself at war with the criminals of the underworld. Also starring Dolph Lundgren, Sean O’Bryan and Vinnie Jones.

Enemies Closer: March 11th
Lionsgate presents the Blu-ray & DVD for Enemies Closer, directed by Peter Hyams (Timecop) and starring Jean-Claude Van Damme, as a maniacal drug cartel lord. Two mortal enemies (Orlando Jones and Tom Everett Scott) must make a choice: put aside their past and work together, or die alone at the hands of a ruthless gang (headed by Van Damme) who will stop at nothing to retrieve their lost cargo

Commitment: March 11
Well Go USA presents the Blu-ray & DVD for Park Hong-Soo’s Commitment. After his father’s botched espionage mission, North Korean Myung-Hoon (Choi Seung-Hyun) and his young sister Hye-In (Han Ye-Ri) are sent to a labor prison camp. In order to save his sister’s life, Myung-Hoon volunteers to become a spy and infiltrates the South as a teenage defector.

Beyond Outrage: March 11th
Magnet presents the Blu-ray & DVD for Beyond Outrage, written, directed and starring Takeshi Kitano. As the police launch a full-scale crackdown on organized crime, it ignites a national yakuza struggle between the Sanno of the East and Hanabishi of the West. What started as an internal strife in Outrage has now become a nationwide war!

The Hidden Fortress: March 18th
Criterion presents the Blu-ray & DVD for 1958′s The Hidden Fortress. Akira Kurosawa directs this spirited period action-adventure in which two conniving peasants are tasked with smuggling a general, a princess and the remains of her family’s wealth through mountainous, hostile territory in feudal Japan. This rip-roaring ride is among the director’s most beloved films and was a primary influence on George Lucas’s Star Wars.

The Wrath of Vajra: March 18th
Well Go USA presents the Blu-ray & DVD for The Wrath of Vajra, directed by Law Ching Cheong (The Iceman Cometh). In The Wrath of Vajra, a top Chinese martial artist (Yu Xing) sets his sights on a Japanese death cult after they abduct innocent Chinese children and train them to be assassins.

A Touch of Sin: March 18th
Kino Lorber presents the Blu-ray & DVD for A Touch of Sin. Both acclaimed and controversial, Jia Zhangke’s A Touch of Sin (a nod to King Hu’s 1969 action classic, A Touch of Zen) has been compared to the works of Sergio Leone and Quentin Tarantino. This ultra-violent film stars Wu Jiang (Dragon), Vivien Li (The Guillotines) and Lanshan Luo.

The Flu: March 18th
CJ Entertainment presents the DVD for The Flu (aka Flu), directed by Kim Sung-su (Musa the Warrior). This Korean blockbuster is about an outbreak of a deadly disease that throws a city into chaos. It stars Jang Hyuk (Volcano High) and Soo Ae (Athena, Goddess of War), as a couple who race against time as they try to save themselves and find a cure.

Chinese Zodiac: March 25th
Universal presents the Blu-ray & DVD for Chinese Zodiac. Jackie Chan returns as Asian Hawk (his character from Armour of God and Operation Condor), this time scouring the globe for the bronze head statues of the 12 Chinese zodiac animals, which were sacked by the French and British armies!

Girls, Gangsters & Zombies: March 25th
Switchblade Pictures presents the DVD for Masahiro Assou’s Girls, Gangsters & Zombies. It would have been the perfect crime except for those darn meddling zombies! Well, with that said, the title says it all in this Japanese splatter fest. Starring AV superstar Laura Aoyama, Ichiro Nishikoshi, Yu Minami, Ryuhei Kawana and Ken-ichi Takada.

Welcome to the Jungle: March 25th
Universal presents the Blu-ray & DVD Welcome to the Jungle. A group of office workers find themselves stranded on a desert island when a corporate retreat, led by unhinged former Marine (Jean-Claude Van Damme), goes horribly wrong. Now Chris (Adam Brody) and his co-workers must battle nature – and each other – to survive!

Countdown: March 25th
Action Slate presents the DVD for Countdown, a 2012 thriller from Thailand! Set in New York City on New Years Eve. At a time when most people start with a clean slate, three Thai roommates are at the mercy of a mysterious psychotic, house-crashing drug dealer, who forces them to face horrors from their past and to make amends, or die trying!

Killing American Style: March 25th
Cinema Epoch presents the DVD for 1990′s Killing American Style: Special Edition, directed by Amir Shervan (Samurai Cop). Looking for some cheesy action? This 1990s exploitation film will deliver. It stars Harold Diamond (stick fighter from Rambo III), Jim Brown (Three the Hard Way) and Robert Z’Dar (Maniac Cop).

If you’re looking for a new import release, please visit DDDhouse.com. The trusted retailer carries new and upcoming releases that are not available in North America, such as Firestorm, The White Storm, Out of Inferno or Unbeatable.

Also, be sure to enter our current Blu-ray and DVD contests! Your chances of winning are pretty darn good!

Posted in News |

Watch the blood-splattered trailer for ‘Zomboobies!’

"Zomboobies!" Promotional Poster

"Zomboobies!" Promotional Poster

Zomboobies! is an upcoming boobs-to-the-walls horror-comedy. It combines a love for insane Japanese horror movies with traditional creature FX, modern digital FX, comedy, action, drama, gore and of course boobies! Zomboobies! stars Cathy Shim (Oishi High School Battle), Marisa Tayui (Balls of Fury), Diana Toshiko (Bad Milo) and Greg Watanabe (Only the Brave).

In conjunction with the new full length trailer, Mike L. Taylor, the film’s director and creator, launched a Kickstarter to raise the funds to transform the insane trailer into a fully developed movie. To find out how you can partake in making it happen, visit Zomboobies!’ Kickstarter site.

Warning: The trailer lives up to its title. Don’t say we didn’t warn ya.

Posted in News |

Deal on Fire! Goemon | Blu-ray | Only $5.37 – Expires soon!

"Goemon" Blu-ray Cover

"Goemon" Blu-ray Cover

Today’s Deal on Fire is the Blu-ray for Goemon. From the director of Cassher (Kazuaki Kiriya) comes Goemon, a 2009 Japanese historical fantasy film directed and written by Kazuaki Kiriya. It is loosely based on the story of Ishikawa Goemon, a legendary ninja bandit hero who stole valuables from the rich and gave them to the poor. Read our review.

Posted in Deals on Fire!, News |

A new ‘Matrix’ trilogy in the works?

"The Matrix" Japanese Theatrical Poster

"The Matrix" Japanese Theatrical Poster

There’s a new rumor going around that The Wachowski siblings – the duo behind The Matrix, Cloud Atlas and the upcoming Jupiter Ascending – are in the process of developing a new trilogy of Matrix films.

Latino Review broke the news with this information: We’ve been told that the Wachowski’s have already started the writing process with early treatments and outlines already turned into the studio. No word if they will want to direct but my money says “Claro que Si!”.

So, will Keanu Reeves be back? Will Yuen Woo Ping be handling the fighting choreography? For all we know, the new set of films may be a set of remakes. Whatever the case, cityonfire.com will keep you updated. Stay tuned!

Posted in News |

Eastern Bandits | Blu-ray & DVD (Well Go USA)

Eastern Bandits | Blu-ray & DVD (Well Go USA)

Eastern Bandits | Blu-ray & DVD (Well Go USA)

RELEASE DATE: May 27, 2014

Well Go USA presents the Blu-ray & DVD for Eastern Bandits (aka An Inaccurate Memoir) directed by Leon Yang Shu Peng (The Robbers). A group of bandits led by Fang (Huang Xiaoming) and his sister (Zhang Xinyi) sets out to kidnap a rich groom (Zhang Yi) who has a secret identity. Watch the trailer.

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

Gamera: Ultimate Collection Volume Two | Blu-ray (Mill Creek)

Gamera: Ultimate Collection Volume Two | Blu-ray (Mill Creek)

Gamera: Ultimate Collection Volume Two | Blu-ray (Mill Creek)

RELEASE DATE: April 29, 2014

Mill Creek presents the Blu-ray set for the Gamera: Ultimate Collection Volume Two, which features Gamera vs. Guiron (1969), Gamera vs. Jiger (1970), Gamera vs. Zigra (1971) and Gamera: Super Monster (1980). The last 4 films of Daiei Studios’ monster series Gamera are unleashed and available on Blu-ray for the first time!


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

Gamera: Legacy Collection | DVD (Mill Creek)

Gamera: 11-Film Legacy Collection | DVD (Mill Creek)

Gamera: 11-Film Legacy Collection | DVD (Mill Creek)

RELEASE DATE: April 29, 2014

Mill Creek Entertainment presents the DVD for the Gamera: Legacy Collection, which includes Gamera: The Giant Monster (1965), Gamera vs. Barugon (1966), Gamera vs. Gyaos (1967), Gamera vs. Viras (1968), Gamera vs. Guiron (1969), Gamera vs. Jiger (1970), Gamera vs. Zigra (1971), Gamera: Super Monster (1980), Gamera: Guardian of the Universe (1995), Gamera 2: Attack of Legion (1996) and Gamera 3: Revenge of Iris (1999).


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

Sword of the Assassin | aka Blood Letter (2012) Review

"Sword of the Assassin" Theatrical Poster

“Sword of the Assassin” Theatrical Poster

Director: Victor Vu
Cast: Huynh Dong, Midu, Van Trang, Khuong Ngoc, Van Anh, Minh Thuan, Jaivee Mai
Running Time: 100 min.

By oneleaf

Sword of the Assassin, aka Blood Letter (2012), a Vietnamese language epic period drama/action starring Huynh Dong, Midu, Kim Hien, Khuong Ngoc, and Minh Thuan is directed by Vietnamese film maker and script writer Victor Vu. The film won a number of awards at the 2012 Golden Kite Awards (Vietnam’s equivalent to the Oscars, organized by the Vietnam Cinema Association) including Best Feature Film, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Cinematography and Best Sound.

Vu, a Southern California native is one of the most prolific directors working in Vietnam today. He has worked on a multitude of genres including action, comedy, horror and thriller. His body of work includes First Morning (2003), Spirits (2004), Passport to Love (2009), Inferno (2010), Battle of the Brides (2011), Scandal (2012), Battle of the Brides 2 (2013), and Vengeful Heart (2014).

Sword of the Assassin is a likeable movie though not very original. We have seen a number of films with similar themes of a noble family massacred, the sole survivor training in martial arts biding his time, and later seeking vengeance while trying to clear the family name. Dong stars as Vu Nguyen, the sole survivor of the Nguyens, having been saved by a manservant while he helplessly watched as three generations of the Nguyen clan are executed on orders from the Empress Dowager (Thai Hau) for crimes against the country. Sounds familiar?

Not only was Nguyen saved from execution, he was also fortunate enough to be brought to a monastery where for the next 12 years he trained in martial arts with a priest who was a good friend of his grandfather.

He later learned from the priest that crimes attributed to one of his grandfather’s concubine led to charges filed against his grandfather resulting in punishment for the whole clan. There also is a so called “blood letter” which may prove the family’s innocence and possibly bring down the royal family.

Vu is now on a mission to find the “blood letter” to try making sense of it all. In his quest he met a beautiful lantern vendor, Hoa Xuan (Midu) and her sister Hoa Ha (Kim Hien). Turns out they are kindred spirits (credit julius). The Hoas have also been wronged by the Thai Hau who murdered her whole family. Of course, as the movie progresses Xuan becomes his love interest.

Khuong Ngoc is quite menacing as the main villain and assassin carrying out the Thai Hau’s dirty bidding. I wish there would have been more fight scenes between him and Dong. The fight scenes are very well choreographed by Johnny Tri Nguyen (Clash, The Rebel, The Protector), an expert in Kung Fu, Tai Chi, Aikido and Wu Shu. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon must have been on his mind from his use of stylized slow-motion CGI leaps, jumps, kicks, and weaponry reminiscent of Hong Kong productions.

The lush backdrop of mountains, waterfalls and a number of bodies of water is magnificent and the only gripe I have is that there should have been more included in the film. I did enjoy the movie and look forward to more swordsplay movies coming out of Vietnam.

oneleaf’s Rating: 7/10

Posted in Reviews, Vietnamese | Tagged , |

Pre-order Andy Lau’s ‘Firestorm’ at DDDhouse.com

"Firestorm" Chinese Theatrical Poster

"Firestorm" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Despite hitting the ripe age of 51 years-old, Hong Kong superstar Andy Lau is showing no signs of slowing down. After headlining Tsui Hark’s Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame and making a cameo appearance in Cold War, Andy Lau is, once again, throwing himself back into the action. His next film is a high-octane action/thriller set in modern day Hong Kong. Titled Firestorm, the movie follows Lau as a senior police inspector out to bring a vicious gang of thieves to justice.

Firestorm arrives from screenwriter-turned-director Alan Yuen, whose previous script credits include such titles as New Police Story and Shaolin. Just in case you needed more incentive to see the film, the producers are promising “all out war” on the streets of Hong Kong. A trailer for Firestorm is online now for your viewing pleasure. | Expect to hear more about this promising movie as we near its December 2013 Chinese release. | Updated trailer. | New trailer.

Updates: The Andy Lau actioner Firestorm is receiving plenty of internet buzz ahead of its December 12th release in China. Says first-time director Alan Yuen: “Firestorm maintains the original flavor of the Hong Kong cop films that everybody used to love so much.” | Latest trailer. | Newest trailer.

BREAKING NEWS: DDDHouse.com now has Firestorm, available for March 5th pre-order on Blu-ray & DVD. Keep in mind that the DVD version is Region 3 coded, so you will need a multi-region DVD player to view the movie. Fortunately, the Blu-ray version is coded for region A, so it’s good to go on your current North American Blu-ray hardware.

Posted in News |

Fast & Furious 1-6 Collection | Blu-ray (Universal)

Fast & Furious 1-6 Collection | Blu-ray (Universal)

Fast & Furious 1-6 Collection | Blu-ray (Universal)

RELEASE DATE: May 13, 2014

Universal presents the Fast & Furious 1-6 Collection on Blu-ray. Buckle up for nonstop action and mind-blowing speed in the adrenaline-fueled Fast & Furious saga. Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson, Michelle Rodriguez and an all-star cast put pedal to the metal in pursuit of justice and survival as they race from L.A. to Tokyo, Rio and London.

Cityonfire.com is hoping you can take a minute to check out www.FrankandBeanz.com, a doggie apparel website that has just released their Fast & the Furrious clothing line. Part of the proceeds will be donated to Paul Walker’s charity, Reach Out World Wide (ROWW).

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

Karl Urban discussing ‘Dredd’ sequel with Lionsgate

"Dredd" Japanese Theatrical Poster

"Dredd" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Despite Dredd’s dreadful box office reception, Blu-ray and DVD sales for violent comic book adaptation have been sky rocketing. So now, Lionsgate has been having conversations about a Dredd sequel with Karl Urban, screenwriter Alex Garland and director Peter Travis – who are all reprising their talents, if the sequel happens.

From Screen Rant: Urban said what we’ve been saying since the film first released: that the studio completely fumbled its marketing and theatrical arrival. Urban went on to say that despite an underwhelming box office take that had seemed to kill any chance of a sequel, the DVD sales have continued to impress – and Lionsgate has taken notice.

We’ll keep you updated. Until then, the first Dredd is a click away.

Posted in News |

Deal on Fire! Tom Yum Goong | Blu-ray | Only $9.29 – Expires soon!

"The Protector" (aka Tom Yum Goong) Blu-ray Cover

"The Protector" (aka Tom Yum Goong) Blu-ray Cover

Today’s Deal on Fire is the Blu-ray for The Protector (aka Tom Yum Goong). Tony Jaa reunites with his Ong-Bak director to deliver bone-breaking thrills and amazing gravity-defying action (Daily Star). Packed with incredible fight scenes, mesmerizing muay thai moves, and a jaw-dropping final showdown that pits Jaa against 50 enemies. See it before you see the upcoming Tom Yum Goong 2.

Posted in Deals on Fire!, News |