"The Legend of Zu" Cover Art

It is perhaps not possible to overstate the importance of the Zu series to Hong Kong cinema. Back in 1983, Tsui Hark’s Zu Warriors from the Magic Mountain single-handedly created Hong Kong’s special FX industry, much in the same way that Star Wars gave rise to Industrial Light and Magic. The film’s success also paved the way for Tsui Hark’s Film Workshop to become a production powerhouse during the 80’s and early 90’s.

When Tsui Hark announced the series would return with 2001’s The Legend of Zu (known as Zu Warriors in the US), Chinese audiences had their expectations at an all-time high; unfortunately, the film went on to be a Phantom Menace-style disappointment and some would argue that Tsui Hark’s career still hasn’t recovered from the blow.

Now, over a decade later, the Warriors from the Magic Mountain are making a comeback. Tsui Hark has announced plans for a new film in the series, titled Zu Warriors: Dawn of Darkness. This time around, action choreographer and filmmaker Yuen Woo-ping (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon 2) is set to direct the picture. Shooting is expected to begin in Beijing this July and the movie will be in 3D. Casting details should be announced any day now.

"Red 2" Theatrical Poster

THE MOVIE: Unbeknownst to us, the action-comedy Red must have been one of the sleeper hits of 2010 because Summit Entertainment is fast-tracking the sequel and they’re signing on some big-name talent to join the cast. Headliners Bruce Willis, Helen Mirren, and John Malkovich are all back, but now they’ll be joined by Catherine Zeta-Jones and Korean superstar Lee Byung-hun (I Saw the Devil, G.I. Joe: Retaliation).

This time around, Dean Parisot of Galaxy Quest fame will be handling scripting and directing duties. The first movie was based on a graphic novel written by acclaimed comic book author Warren Ellis. Red 2 takes our cast of geriatric ex-C.I.A. agents to Europe and should arrive in theaters on August 2, 2013.

Updates: It looks like Anthony Hopkins will play the big villain in the movie, as long as his commitment to Thor 2 doesn’t interfere. | Even though Red 2 doesn’t even start filming until the spring, the first teaser poster has been released, courtesy of Collider. | Enjoy some new set photos from Collider. | More new set photos from Cinema Blend. | The first trailer is now available. | The newest poster has arrived. | Check out the new Lee Byung-hun character poster. See all of the other character posters at impawards.com. | Watch the new Red 2 trailer.

BREAKING NEWS: Apparently encouraged by rave test screenings for Red 2, Summit Entertainment has already tasked screenwriters with developing a Red 3.

"Sympathy for Lady Vengeance" Korean Theatrical Poster

In celebration of Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month, Hulu is adding some new and exciting titles to its Chinese, Japanese and Korean libraries.

Korean Titles:

Korean Dramas: Launching today are My Sassy Girl (dir. Jae-Young Kwaek), 200 Pounds Beauty (Young-Hwa Kim), and action drama Crying Fist (Seung-Wan Ryoo with Oldboy’s Min-Sik Choi).

Korean Cannes Selections: Hahaha, Virgin Stripped Bare by Her Bachelors (Sang-Soo Hong), and A Brand New Life (Ounie Lecomte)

The famed Vengeance trilogy is available on Hulu Plus until June 30th. The sci-fi cult classic is about a man determined to find his kidnapper who imprisoned him for 15 years. The film has been recognized at numerous festivals, and took home the Grand Prize of the Jury at Cannes in 2004. Enter the world of director Chan-Wook Park with Oldboy, Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance and Lady Vengeance.

Chinese Titles:

Chinese dramas, such as Love In a Puff (Ho-Cheung Pang), The Soul Of Bread (Pin-Chuan Kao), and Don’t Go Breaking My Heart (Johnnie To) make their Hulu debut in the Chinese film category as well.

Japanese Titles:

Continue your journey into cinematic history with the Criterion Collection, which features masterpieces by Akira Kurosawa, Masaki Koboyashi and Nagisa Oshima, among many others. Brand new Criterion titles never before seen on DVD are coming exclusively to Hulu soon, so stay tuned.

Experiencing Asian films can be as simple as adventuring through one of our many categorized playlists, such as New Asian Films on Hulu, Chinese or Korean Dramas and A Beginner’s Guide to Korean Dramas.

New Asian Films on Hulu | Cick Here
Asian Fight Films | Click Here
Chinese Dramas  | Click Here
A Beginner’s Guide to Korean Dramas | Click Here

Cityonfire.com received the above press release from hulu.com.

"Gallowwalkers" DVD Cover

The undead roam the range in the thrilling, supernatural Western Gallowwalkers, arriving on DVD (plus Digital UltraViolet), Digital Download, and Video on Demand this August 6th, 2013, from Lionsgate Home Entertainment.

Picked as an official selection at Film4 Fright Fest, Gallowwalkers stars Wesley Snipes (the Blade trilogy) and Kevin Howarth (The Seasoning House). Including a “making of” featurette, the Gallowwalkers DVD will be available for a suggested retail price of $26.98.

Plot: A mysterious gunman, Aman (Snipes), is the son of a nun who breaks her covenant with God to ensure his survival. This act brings a curse upon Aman – all those that die by his gun will return. Soon, he is hunted by a gang of his undead former victims, led by the vicious Kansa (Howarth). Aman enlists Fabulos (Riley Smith), a new young warrior, to fight by his side. Watch the trailer.

DVD Special Features (subject to change): “The Making of Gallowwalkers” featurette

Additional Information: Year of Production: 2012, Rating: R for bloody violence, grisly images, some language and brief nudity; Closed Captioned: English; Subtitles: English and Spanish; Feature Run Time: 92 minutes ; Format: 16×9 Widescreen (2.35:1); DVD Audio Status: 5.1 Dolby Digital

Cityonfire.com received the above press release courtesy of Lionsgate.

"Rurouni Kenshin" Japanese Teaser Poster

If you’re anything like us, you might have grown a little tired lately from waiting for the next big Asian action epics to make their way to North America. Well, trusted retailer DDDHouse has you covered with a slate of new releases available now and in the next month on Import Blu-ray and DVD.

Titles available now include Wong Kar-wai’s highly anticipated martial arts film The Grandmaster, about Bruce Lee’s legendary teacher Ip Man, on All-Region Blu-ray or All-Region DVD.

Action buffs will also want to look into Warner Brothers Japan’s live-action adaptation of the popular anime Rurouni Kenshin, which has earned rave reviews for its samurai violence. It’s available on Region A Blu-ray or Region 3 DVD as well.

Bear in mind that Region A Blu-rays will play on any North American hi-def player but Region 3-coded DVDs will only play on Import-compatible players.

You also won’t want to miss the new special FX-infused blockbuster Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons, a tale of the Monkey Kong from producer/co-director Stephen Chow (Kung Fu Hustle). This movie broke box office records all over Mainland China and is now available on Region A Blu-ray or Region 3 DVD.

What to look forward to in the weeks to come? The Chinese historical epic Saving General Yang, which is the latest from Fearless and The Bride With White Hair director Ronny Yu, is making its way to All-Region Blu-ray on May 23rd, 2013. It will also be available on All-Region DVD on the same date.

On May 30th, 2013, you’ll be able to experience A Lesson of the Evil. This grisly new thriller, about a beloved teacher who is secretly a psychopath, arrives from Japanese shock master Takashi Miike. Anticipate it on Region A Blu-ray and Region 3 DVD.

Looking for something you don’t have to wait for? The Korean disaster movie The Tower is on Region 3 DVD while Jackie Chan’s CZ12 skydives onto Region A Blu-ray. We happen to have a review for that one right here. Not matter what kind of Asian film you’re interested in, the past two months have surely delivered a wide range of entertainment.

Back to 1942 Blu-ray & DVD (Well Go USA)

Hello folks. It’s never a lazy Sunday around here so let’s get started. If you’re interested in any of these titles, you can support the site by ordering through our affiliate. We appreciate it!

Here are your Blu-ray and DVD releases for the week of 5/14/13:

ASIAN CINEMA

Back to 1942 (Blu-ray/DVD) – one of the most lavishly-mounted Chinese epics of 2012 was this emotional drama, co-starring Hollywood actors Adrien Brody and Tim Robbins, about a terrible drought that struck in the Henan Province

Jet Li Double Feature (DVD) – Image Entertainment presents two vintage early 90’s Jet Li martial arts pictures, including Tsui Hark’s “Once Upon a Time in China” alongside “Legend of the Red Dragon,” AKA “The New Legend of Shaolin” co-directed by Corey Yuen and Wong Jing

Spellbound (DVD) – this unique 2011 Korean film is billed as a ‘horror romantic comedy’! On DVD from the folks at CJ Entertainment

Colorful: The Motion Picture (Blu-ray/DVD) – this 2010 Japanese animated feature about the transitory state between life and death won the 34th Japanese Academy Prize for Excellence in Animation

Chanbara Beauty: Movie Vortex (DVD) – this 2009 movie in the “Chanbara” series is based on a hack-n-slash video game series spotlighting, what else, but bikini-clad zombie killers

MARTIAL ARTS AND ACTION

Universal Soldier: The Return & Second in Command – BD Double Feature (Blu-ray) – Jean-Claude Van Damme takes the spotlight in this hi-def double feature, offering two of his more recent action movies for only $6.99

4 Action-Packed Movies Collection (DVD) – in this set, you’ll witness Steven Seagal in Ching Siu-tung’s slightly underrated “Belly of the Beast”; Jackie Chan in “The Medallion”; Steven Seagal in “Half Past Dead”; and wrestler Goldberg in “Half Past Dead 2”

Money Train / The Big Hit (DVD) – an action double feature starring Wesley Snipes in “Money Train” and Mark Wahlberg in the Hong Kong-inspired “The Big Hit,” which was “Crime Story” director Kirk Wong’s break into Hollywood

FOREIGN

French Masterworks: Russian Emigres in Paris 1923-1929 (DVD) – distributor Flicker Alley presents 5 films, ranging from 1923 to 1929, from Ivan Mosjoukine, a Russian-born director who made his claim to fame in France

Escape (Blu-ray/DVD) – despite a cover that makes it look like a shameless rip-off of “The Hunger Games,” this 2012 Norwegian film is a thriller about a young girl trying to escape a prison camp shortly after the Black Death. From the director of the “Cold Prey” series

MAINSTREAM

Cloud Atlas (Blu-ray/DVD) – the Wachowskis of “The Matrix” fame teamed up with the director of “Run Lola Run” for this 2012 far-reaching science-fiction film

Tomorrow You’re Gone (Blu-ray/DVD) – this 2012 direct-to-video thriller stars two actors whose work usually goes to theaters, Michelle Monaghan (“Mission: Impossible III”) and Willem Dafoe (“Boondock Saints’), as well as “Blade’s” Stephen Dorff

Nicolas Cage Double Feature (DVD) – these days actor Nicolas Cage tends to be the butt of industry jokes, but this set will remind you that he can be a great actor when he wants to be. Look for director Spike Jonze’s mind-bending “Adaptation” alongside the very David Lynch-esque early 90’s thriller “Red Rock West”

Offender (Blu-ray/DVD) – this 2012 British thriller in the “Death Wish” vein follows a young man out for revenge after his girlfriend is viciously attacked by a gang

MASTERED in 4K

Spider-Man (Blu-ray) – this 2002 comic book blockbuster from “Darkman” director Sam Raimi turned the superhero genre into Hollywood’s #1 moneymaking avenue

Taxi Driver (Blu-ray) – this 1976 gritty thriller from Martin Scorsese needs no introduction. Starring Robert De Niro in his most iconic role

Glory (Blu-ray) – the 1989 Civil War drama starring Matthew Broderick and Denzel Washington is brought to Blu-ray with a stunning new transfer

The Amazing Spider-Man (Blu-ray) – actor Andrew Garfield assumes the role of everyone’s favorite web-slinger in this 2012 blockbuster

Battle: Los Angeles (Blu-ray) – a 2011 film about U.S. soldiers fighting alien invaders in the streets of L.A. From the director of “Wrath of the Titans”

Totall Recall (Blu-ray) – director Len Wiseman presents his 2012 high-tech, poe-faced remake of the 1990 Paul Verhoeven classic

Angels & Demons (Blu-ray) – Tom Hanks tries to get to the bottom of a Biblical conspiracy in this 2009 sequel to “The Da Vinci Code”

The Other Guys (Blu-ray) – Will Ferrel and Mark Wahlberg play two bumbling detectives in this 2010 comedic riff on buddy cop action movies

CULT

Crimewave (Blu-ray + DVD) – this goofy 1985 crime/comedy, co-starring Bruce Campbell, arrives from none other than “Evil Dead” creator Sam Raimi himself

The Unbelievable Truth (Blu-ray/DVD) – Olive Films offers this early 1989 effort from indie auteur Hal Hartley, about a college girl preoccupied with the thought of nuclear armageddon

CLASSICS

3:10 to Yuma (Blu-ray/DVD) – the 1957 original Western arrives in hi-definition, courtesy of the fine folks at the Criterion Collection

Jubal (Blu-ray/DVD) – the Criterion Collection also releases this other Western starring “3:10 to Yuma’s” Glenn Ford, this time from 1956. Co-starring Ernest Borgnine and Charles Bronson

Land of the Pharaohs (DVD) – legendary Hollywood director Howard Hawks (“The Big Sleep”) helmed this 1955 Cinemascope epic set in Ancient Egypt

Three Faces West (Blu-ray/DVD) – cinema icon John Wayne plays against type as a gifted surgeon in this 1940 drama

The Miracle of the Bells (Blu-ray/DVD) – Fred MacMurray (“Double Indemnity”) and Frank Sinatra star in this 1948 heartwarming tale

Command Decision (DVD) – a 1949 picture about the heavy decisions made by high-ranking officers in World War II. Headlined by Clark Gable

HORROR

Texas Chainsaw (3D Blu-ray/DVD) – the latest addition to the venerable “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” series is this 2013 flick

Mr. Sardonicus & Brotherhood of Satan – BD Double Feature (Blu-ray) – two old-school horror films, including William Castle’s 1961 chiller “Mr. Sardonicus,” are available together for $6.99

Interested in any of these movies? If so, we hope that you’ll consider ordering from our affiliate to help support this site. Thank you!

"The Thing" Japanese Theatrical Poster

John Carpenter, the director behind genre classics like Halloween, The Thing and Escape from New York, wants to make a movie based on EA’s Dead Space videogame. In an interview with Game Informer, he said: “I maintain that Dead Space would just make a great movie because you have these people coming onto an abandoned, shut-down space ship and they have to start it up and something’s on board. It’s just great stuff. I would love to make Dead Space [into a film], I’ll tell you that right now. That one is ready-made.”

If you’re not familiar with Dead Space, it’s an acclaimed video game that puts the player in control of an engineer who battles Necromorphs (reanimated human corpses) aboard an interstellar mining ship. The original spawned two sequels and two animated movies. Despite the weak sales of Dead Space 3, it’s rumored that EA has started pre-production for Dead Space 4.

If it was the late 70s/early 80s when Carpenter was at the top of his game, I’d say he would be the perfect guy for the job. Since then, he has sort of lost his juice. But hey, maybe a Dead Space movie could be his great comeback. Whatever the case, we’ll keep you posted.