Over at 24 Frames Per Second, they’ve got the scoop on a new Japanese horror movie called Another. The film is based off an anime which was in turn inspired by a bestselling novel by author Yukito Ayatsuji. The story follows a 15 year-old protagonist who transfers to a new school and is assigned to Class 3-3.
It doesn’t take long for him to realize that Class 3-3 is haunted or, at the very least, bad things tend to happen to its students, like the poor girl who is impaled by her umbrella handle. The characters race to figure out why Class 3-3 is cursed, which may be tied to a fateful night back in 1972.
The big screen adaptation of Another arrives from Ghost Train director Takeshi Furusawa and should be in theaters in Japan this August.
Check out the teaser trailer and a more detailed plot synopsis here. Here’s brand new trailer for the film, courtesy of Beyond Hollywood.
It’s a dire week for Asian cinema lovers. We’ll keep on trucking, cause that’s the Chicago way, and maybe you’ll find something to enjoy. Here are your Blu-ray and DVD releases for the week of 6/19/12:
ASIAN CINEMA
The Hidden Blade (Blu-ray+DVD) – Palisades Tartan brings Yoji Yamada’s meditative 2004 samurai drama to Blu-ray
Ninja Champion/Weapons Of Death (DVD) – the 36 Chambers of Wu Tang presents 172 minutes of ninja action. Be advised these movies are likely dubbed
FOREIGN CINEMA
My Afternoons With Margueritte (Blu-ray/DVD) – a 2010 drama about an oafish handyman and the 95 year-old woman who teaches him to appreciate literature. Starring Gerard Depardieu
Four Lovers (DVD) – in this 2010 French drama, two couples try to spice up their live lives by swapping partners. Oh, those French
Kino Classics Lina Wertmuller Collection (DVD) – a 3-disc DVD set containing three Italian-language films from director Lina Wetmuller. The set includes “Love & Anarchy,” “The Seduction of Mimi,” and “All Screwed Up”
Attenberg (DVD) – Greece’s official entry to the Academy Awards is this 2012 quirky, coming-of-age story about a 23 year-old woman in a small town who must leave her adolescent ways behind
All Screwed Up: Kino Classics Edition (Blu-ray) – Lina Wertmuller’s 1974 Italian comedy about immigrants trying to make it in Milan
The Seduction of Mimi: Kino Classics Edition (Blu-ray) – Lina Wertmuller directs this 1972 Italian farce, now in hi-def from Kino
Love & Anarchy: Kino Classics Edition (Blu-ray) – a 1973 Italian tragi-comedy from director Lina Wertmuller
MAINSTREAM
Seeking Justice (Blu-ray/DVD) – Nicolas Cage and Guy Pearce headline this 2012 direct-to-video action/thriller
Down for the Count (DVD) – a 2012 martial arts picture about a fighter who travels to Thailand to make it big as a Muay Thai boxer
Cat Run (Blu-ray/DVD) – a 2011 crime comedy starring Paz Vega as a call girl on the run after witnessing a crime
Legend of Hell’s Gate (DVD) – a 2011 Western that explores post-Civil War Texas
The FP (Blu-ray/DVD) – a 2011 comedy set in a far future where gangs wage war using a rhythm dancing game
Snow on tha Bluff (DVD) – this 2011 found footage film claims to offer an “authentic look” at life on the streets
Newsies: 20th Anniversary Edition (Blu-ray) – this 1992 Disney musical isn’t exactly a Cityonfire.com kind of movie, but it does star a young Christian Bale AKA Batman!
CULT
Ilsa, Harem Keeper of the Oil Sheiks (DVD) – this 1976 exploitation movie needs to be seen to be believed, based on the jaw-dropping NSFW trailer
Project X (Blu-ray/DVD) – not to be confused with the current teen movie, William Castle presents this 1968 mind-bending sci-fi thriller
CLASSIC
Flame Over India AKA The North West Frontier (Blu-ray/DVD) – a 1959 picture starring Lauren Bacall about the colonial revolt in India during the early 20th century
The Colossus of New York (Blu-ray) – New York is terrorized by a giant robot monstrosity from space in this 1958 sci-fi chiller
HORROR
Exit Humanity (DVD) – Bloody Disgusting Selects offers this 2011 film that seeks to combine the zombie movie with the Western
The Disco Exorcist (DVD) – with a title like that, how can you resist this 2011 homage to 70’s horror?
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!
Lionsgate presents the DVD of For the Love of Money, starring Edward Furlong, James Caan and Paul Sorvino and Steven Bauer. Based on a true story. One man, Isaac, leaves his old, seedy, gangster-filled lifestyle to start over with his family. A Jewish Scarface? A GTA ripoff? You be the judge: Check out the trailer.
Director: Johnnie To Co-director: Wai Ka Fai Cast: Andy Lau Tak Wah, Cecilia Cheung, Cheung Siu Fai, Karen Tong Bo Yue, Chun Wong Running Time: 93 min.
By Equinox21
Johnny To and Wai Ka Fai’s Running on Karma is one of the strangest yet ultimately fulfilling Hong Kong movies I’ve ever seen. It’s a difficult movie to explain as so much happens in a 90 minute package. The direction the movie seems to be going in comes to a conclusion about half way through, with the remaining time dealing with the TRUE story, which is one man’s struggle with who he is and what he’s become.
After his best friend, Jade, was killed by Sun Ko five years ago, Buddhist monk Big (Andy Lau in a muscle suit) flew into a rage, swinging his staff at the leaves on a tree and inadvertently killing a sparrow. He immediately sat down in front of the dead sparrow and meditated for 7 days. When he finally got up, he stripped off his clothes and gave up his life as a monk. He had developed a new gift, that of seeing people’s karma; the way they lived in a previous life, which, in turn, determines how they will die in this life. When the movie picks up, Big is in Hong Kong working as a stripper where he becomes involved with a cop, Yee (Cecilia Cheung). He decides to help her in order to prevent a police officer on her force from dying, because he’s seen the karma and realizes that the person is in danger. From here it progresses through Big and Yee’s relationship, and through Big’s struggle between doing what’s right vs. the inability to change the inevitable.
Running on Karma is, simply put, strange. If you can buy the fact that a muscle bound former monk can see people’s past lives, then you can buy the fact that his martial arts abilities (and those of some of the criminals in the movie) are supernatural; similar to those seen in Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, where people are running on air and climbing up walls. All this set against modern Hong Kong makes for very strange bed fellows.
The acting is fine from all the players. Especially noteworthy is Andy during the scene in which he tries to ride Yee’s scooter (quite a funny scene, actually, aided by Andy’s acting completely useless on the bike). Cecilia Cheung wasn’t bad, and was thankfully wearing long sleeves through most of the movie to cover her emaciated look.
The whole of this movie wasn’t as dark and serious as I thought it might be, nor was it as light hearted as it could have been; however, there were scenes that were at both ends of the spectrum (both light hearted/funny and dark/disturbing). I’m almost afraid to give this a rating, because it simply can’t be compared to any other movie I’ve ever seen. It was good, but how do I think of a score when I can’t judge it against other films? Regardless, I recommend this movie. Even though it’s quite strange, it’s a good watch… especially if you like seeing Andy Lau’s bare muscle suited ass constantly on display.
Equinox21’s Rating: 7.5/10 (but I have to watch it again, maybe that will change my score)
Director: Soi Cheang Pou Soi
Cast: Louis Koo, Richie Ren, Michelle Yip Suen, Stanley Fung Shui Fan, Lam Suet, Monica Mok Siu Kei, Alexander Chan Mong Wa, Han Yuqin, Lai Cheung Wing
Running Time: 83 min.
By HKFanatic
“Accident” is a slick Hong Kong thriller in the Milkyway Image tradition. If you’ve seen recent thrillers like “Eye in the Sky” and “Punished,” you’ll have some idea of what to expect. This Johnnie To-production presents a modern day Hong Kong where the populace is under constant surveillance, whether from street cameras, stalkers, or tenant neighbors. For those on the wrong side of the law, trust is a commodity – and one slip-up, one simple mistake, could cost you your life.
This is a compelling story but unfortunately Louis Koo has been cast in the lead role. Koo is an actor who has yet to impress me; he seems to garner high profile roles due to his popularity with audiences and not because of any discernible acting talent.
Louis plays a character nicknamed The Brain, due to the fact that he’s in charge of a band of criminals who perform elaborate assassinations for cash. It’s a mostly silent part, the kind of role that calls for an actor who can display a shrewd intelligence without a word of dialogue. Louis Koo is not that sort of actor; he remains as blank as ever, a cipher onscreen. Koo is just not capable of conveying personal anguish or razor-sharp thinking.
What a shame, then, since “Accident” has plenty else to offer. The pace may be meditative at times but there are still thrills to be had, including an impressive bus crash. The production values are decent enough and the supporting cast is great, including Milkyway stalwart Lam Seut and “Lucky Stars” alumni Stanley Fung. Michelle Ye (“Fire of Conscience“) doesn’t get much screentime but she still makes a strong impression thanks to her moody performance and wardrobe reminiscent of Michelle Reis in Wong Kar-Wai’s “Fallen Angels.”
Unfortunately, the whole endeavor collapses due to Louis Koo’s unengaging performance and a plot that’s slow to develop. After Milkyway flicks like “Mad Detective,” it’s almost too easy to predict that the ending is going to have a ‘mind-bending’ plot twist.
“Accident” is still worth a watch for the Milkyway faithful and I imagine many viewers out there will enjoy it. For me, it’s just difficult not to imagine how a talented actor like, say, Andy Lau or Tony Leung (either Tony Leung!) could have transformed the film from your standard pot-boiler into something truly memorable.
Sony Pictures presents the DVD for Six Bullets (aka The Butcher), directed by Ernie Barbarash (Assassination Games) and starring Jean-Claude Van Damme. Also starring Joe Flanigan, Bianca Bree, Anna-Louise Plowman and Kristopher Van Varenberg. Check out the Trailer.
THE MOVIE: In Six Bullets (aka The Butcher), Van Damme plays a martial artist who has to rescue a daughter of an ex-mercenary. This will be Van Damme’s second film with director Ernie Barbarash (Assassination Games). Also starring Joe Flanigan, Bianca Bree, Anna-Louise Plowman and Kristopher Van Varenberg.
Updates: From Van Damme’s Facebook: “I haven’t forgotten the kicks, but… I have a new move that has not been seen before, I have been practicing. You will see it in The Butcher. Wait until you see the condition I am in for this film you will see a real physical difference from my last film. Actors have to adapt to suit the role and I am ready for this one. Its really good to focus on training and nutrition. The Director Ernie (Barbarash) is the same Director as Assassination Games, he is really on his game.”
Not much news, but a quick message from Van Damme regarding The Butcher. Also, a hilarious new Dash Detergent commercial. If you still haven’t seen Van Damme’s Coors light advertisements, check them out here.
Added the new poster to Six Bullets. According to visitors of Vandammefan.net, this is the official poster, while a visitor of COF believes it’s a promotional Cannes poster. Whatever the case, let’s just hope it’s as good as Assassination Games, but hopefully with more action! Meanwhile, Beyond Hollywood has an alternative “fan” poster and six stills from the movie. Van Damme is looking good!
BREAKING NEWS: Check out Sony’s new DVD cover, which is now available for pre-order. If you haven’t yet, don’t miss thetrailer is now available.
AICN hits us with some truly cool news today, as reports indicate Joe Cornish of Attack the Block fame has been given the greenlight from Paramount to write and direct an adaptation of the acclaimed cyber-punk novel Snow Crash.
If you’ve ever been bitten by the cyber-punk bug in your life, chances are you’ve read Neal Stephenson’s 1992 tale of a not-so-distant future in which a sword-slinging pizza delivery guy struggles to save society from a deadly biolinguistic virus dating all the way back to the Tower of Babel.
Fans of Snow Crash have long dreamt of a movie adaptation, though there have been some who claim the novel is un-filmable. It will be interesting to see what concessions, if any, Joe Cornish has to make with the script in order to keep the dense plot accessible to mainstream audiences.
Either way, it’s a positive sign that Paramount is putting their money behind such a potentially challenging and ground-breaking piece of science fiction.
Director: Stephen Chow Cast: Stephen Chow, Cecilia Cheung, Ng Man Tat, Karen Mok, Jackie Chan, Bobby Yip, Bruce Law Running Time: 99 min.
By Vic Nguyen
Stephen Chow Sing-chi has long been considered the undisputed box office king of Hong Kong Cinema (not discounting Jackie Chan or Chow Yun-fat in their heydays), beginning with the remarkable success of the the Jeff Lau helmed All for the Winners. Ever since then, he has churned out a large number of vehicles that vary in quality, from low brow (Tricky Brains, Love on Delivery, etc.), to well rounded (Forbidden City Cop, A Chinese Odyssey series, King of Beggars), to just plain excruciating (The Lucky Guy, Tricky Master 2000). And yet, despite the lack of effort on a number of these pictures, the box office takes have always remained strong. But with the King of Comedy, Chow is perhaps presented with his most mature work to date, combining his trademark brand of “mo lai to” humor, along with genuine heart and a spirit to entertain that is readily appearant throughout.
Wan Tin-sau is an aspiring actor who operates a local recreation center, teaching acting on the side. At one point, out of sheer luck, he is given a small role in a ‘Killer’ type production, but, because of inadvertantly being a consistent nuisance on the set, he is scrapped off the picture. Again, with luck on his side, he meets Sister Cuckoo, a big name action star who is akin to the kindhearted Wan so much that she casts him as the lead in her latest production. Meanwhile, a nightclub call girl Lau Piu-piu decides to attend Wan’s acting classes (in order to learn to impress her ‘clients’), and, despite her overly indepedent nature and sometimes brash demeanor, they both gradually fall for eachother. And of course, this relationship doesn’t sit well with Sister Cuckoo, who, in additon, also falls for him. Who will Wan choose? What will become of Wan’s fate and career?
The undisputed box office champ in this Chinese New Years movie season (edging out Jackie Chan’s Gorgeous (Chan, in addition, has a small cameo in this pic), the King of Comedy is a well-balanced, fast paced delight of a production. Never before has Chow blended his usual goofy, laugh-out-loud antics with straight laced drama, with the final product working so well. Performance wise, it is not Sing Jai who comes off the best, but surprisingly newcomer Cecilia Cheung Pak-chi, who trancends the somewhat unpleasantness of her character, and in turn, delivers a charming performance, and molds a character with whom the audience could sympathize with. The future is bright for this young performer, and I will certainly look forward to seeing her in future productions. Other acting nods go to Chow himself, who remains consistently watchable and entertaining throughout, and to Chow’s partner in crime, Ng Man-tat, who plays a not-so-friendly caterer with a certain gusto in which only Uncle Tat can play.
And, as usual, there are plenty of Chow-ish antics which will satisfy even his most jaded fans. Certainly, despite being pretty much a drama, he allows a few goofy antics to slip through the cracks, and I thank him for doing so. Although I won’t elaborate too much, just watch out for the snot scene, the debt collection scene, and his parodies of such films as John Woo’s The Killer and Bruce Lee’s Fist of Fury. Trust me, they have to be seen to be truly appreciated, as they had me gasping for air, and made me laugh so much that I nearly pissed my pants(well, not really). Also included are some not so subtle references and parodies of various people in the film industry (didn’t that foul mouth, obnoxious gweilo director in the meeting remind you somewhat of Quentin Tarantino?), which adds further seasoning to the stew, and stakes this entertaining production as Chow’s best film to date.
Vic Nguyen’s Rating: 8.5/10
By Raging Gaijin
Ever since 1990’s “All for the Winner”, Stephen Chow has become Hong Kong’s #1 hit-maker, even out-performing Jackie Chan at times. And watching his films, it’s not hard to see why he’s so popular. Although Jackie Chan is arguably the best when it comes to martial arts, Stephen Chow inherently understands how to make a crowd-pleasing movie. He’s able to combine action, comedy, romance, and his own undeniable screen charisma into an entertaining whole.
“King of Comedy” has Chow assuming the role of a loveable loser/underdog, an archetype that he has grown accustomed to recently. He’s great playing these kinds of characters: people who are down on their luck that you can’t help but root for. I’m sure the knee-jerk reaction of a lot of American critics is to label him the ‘Chinese Jim Carrey’ but that’s really not what Chow is about. If anything, his perfect comedic timing and wit is closer to someone like Peter Sellers.
While Stephen Chow is certainly a marvel to watch onscreen, behind the camera he’s something else entirely. “King of Comedy” features what are somehow simultaneously the best and worst aspects of Chow’s filmmaking: his use of unconventional structure and sophomoric humor. Nearly all of his movies utilize these and the former *can* work: in “Kung Fu Hustle”, Chow committed the structural no-no of having the main protagonist off-screen for about twenty minutes during the crucial third act. Somehow he was able to pull this off when most films would have blundered. “King of Comedy” has a free flowing structure where characters enter and exit. The movie seems to move at Chow’s whim, as though scripted on the fly. Sometimes this feels fresh but sometimes you wish the story would get moving.
Chow’s bathroom humor is a little less forgivable. For one thing, there’s a scene involving a naked little kid that’s uncomfortable to sit through. Chalk it up to cultural differences but, come on, it’s still just plain weird. Other gags rely on snot or nose hairs to provoke laughs. And yeah, I’m not going to lie, I laughed. But the frustrating thing is that we know Stephen Chow is capable of so much more than this. He can be funny without being gross. Why go the Wong Jing routine when fans like him a little more sophisticated (like the awesome “Fist of Fury” parody he does elsewhere in the film)? And while a 19 year-old Cecilia Cheung is good in her debut role, she’s still quite young for Chow. Not that I think Chow minded much…
On the action front, Bruce Law’s choreography was a mixed bag. His parodies of John Woo style action were dead-on but during the third act, the film takes a good 15 minute detour into a subplot involving undercover cops (another example of Chow’s nontraditional structure). The shoot-out that follows is presumably meant to be the climax of the film but it’s sorely lacking. Chow is able to hit three different people spaced around the room with his arm seemingly held in the same position each shot. Maybe this is a further parody of the ‘heroic bloodshed’ genre but either way it’s not very exciting.Ý Also, it’s kind of interesting that Chow mocks Quentin Tarantino earlier in the movie and then rips off/pays homage to “Reservoir Dogs” with this scene.
I think that die-hard Stephen Chow fans are going to love this the most. Casual viewers should stick with “Shaolin Soccer” and “Kung Fu Hustle” before they decide to venture further into his filmography. All this said, perhaps I’m being a bit too harsh. The action may be so-so but Chow keeps throwing so many gags your way that you don’t have much time to notice. Some jokes work, some don’t, but Chow keeps trying until he hits your funny bone. I laughed throughout the entirety of “King of Comedy” so if that was Chow’s goal, mission accomplished.
“Zu: Warriors From Magic Mountain” Japanese Theatrical Poster
Director: Tsui Hark
Producer: Leonard Ho
Cast: Yuen Biao, Mang Hoi, Adam Cheng, Damian Lau, Sammo Hung, Moon Lee, Brigitte Lin, Norman Chu, Randy Man, Ha Kwong-Li, Tsui Hark
Running Time: 98 min.
By Numskull
An unrestrained martial arts fantasy extravaganza with ample tongue-in-cheek humor delivered with a smug “ain’t I a genius?” attitude by overpraised director Tsui Hark. This sugar rush of a movie bombards the audience with one special effects-laden action sequence after another until the whole production becomes a blur, largely devoid of truly memorable moments and remarkable only on account of its excesses. Antiquated special effects pop up all over the place as “fish out of water” Yuen Biao encounters numerous mystics and warriors with all sorts of supernatural powers (like a guy who can use his facial hairs as extendable appendages) and undertakes a quest to defeat the wicked Blood Demon and bring an end to a senseless war between rival factions who fight because…uh, they don’t like each other. I guess.
The storyline is (I assume) steeped in Chinese folklore and loaded with geek-friendly minutiae to which, I’m fairly certain, people more knowledgeable than myself attach all sorts of significance. I’d find out more, but frankly, I didn’t find the movie entertaining enough to justify the effort…and this is coming from a guy who goes on mini-shopping sprees in the Mythology & Folklore section at Barnes & Noble and was at the top of Mr. White’s Myth & Legend class in high school. The film is reasonably coherent as long as you resist the urge to turn your attention elsewhere, but the breakneck pace and relentlessness of the fantasy elements still make it feel like too much, too quick.
Maybe Tsui Hark should make another Zu movie now that more sophisticated special effects are available. Oh, hey, that’s right, he DID, and it bombed (rightly so, I might add). Oh well. Life is tough when you’re a hack director.
Numskull’s Rating: 5/10
By Vic Nguyen
Tsui Hark directed this groundbreaking special effects extravaganza which is a favorite among fans of Hong Kong’s fantasy genre. Features an all-star cast with names such as Yuen Biao, Sammo Hung, Meng Hoi, Brigitte Lin, Moon Lee, and Adam Cheng being the most memorable of the bunch. Although the special effects might seem amateurish by today’s standards, they are still impressive considering the budget, and the sheer imagination that the film possesses makes it an exhilirating thrillride until the end credits. A must for any Hong Kong enthusiast.
Director: Ringo Lam
Producer: Ringo Lam
Cast: Lau Ching-Wan, Francis Ng Chun-yu, Peter Yung Kam-Cheung, Chin Kar-Lok, Monica Chan
Running Time: 98 min.
By Barey Gusey
After making his Hollywood debut in Jean-Claude Van Damme’s Maximum Risk(which was heavily tampered with by the studio), director Ringo Lam (City on Fire) returned to his native Hong Kong to film Full Alert, a dark, superbly written crime drama.
Other than a very long and realistic car chase, action is almost beside the point. Instead, the viewer is treated to a screenplay that blends emotion and intelligence, accented by finely textured performances by two of the best character actors in the business: Lau Ching-wan (A Hero Never Dies) and Francis Ng (9413).
Style is something Lam could care less for. No flashy cars, no young heartthrobs, no cliched love story, no funky camera angles, and no jumping in the air while shooting fifty rounds before hitting the ground. Still, Ringo delivers the excitement and energy without all the extra pizzazz and shine.
Raw, intense and gritty as hell are the words that make up this movie. Earning multiple nominations at the 1997 Hong Kong Film Awards, Full Alert certainly ranks as one of Lam’s most accomplished efforts to date.
The Girl from the Naked Eye DVD (First Look Pictures)
Cityonfire.com is proud to present an interview with Jason Yee, the charismatic martial arts star of The Girl from the Naked Eye, which will be in theaters on June 15, 2012 and on DVD on July 24, 2012.
Can you tell us about your martial arts and acting background?
I started martial arts at 6 years old, influenced by my grandfather, Bruce Lee and Kung-fu movies. Growing up in the inner-city streets of Boston, I had friends who were falling into gangs and drugs, etc. So, I got serious about my training to protect myself and it was only thing that kept me grounded. I started competing at 19 and from then on I was hooked because it was the first thing that gave me positive energy. My Grandfather who raised me was supportive and happy to see me winning competitions. Long story short, I went on to win several National Kung fu & Kickboxing championships, was inducted to IKF Hall of Fame, was a Team USA Kickboxing coach, competing and teaching became my career.
On the side of competing & teaching my hobby was filmmaking. I was shooting my own 16mm short films, took acting & writing classes. Eventually, I was cocky & naive enough to write direct & act in my own first feature. Took my 3 years to shoot on S16mm film (before the DV craze) the film was called Dark Assassin (aka Dark Warrior), it was my ‘film school’. BlockBuster picked it up in 2005, so I decided to make career change and move to LA to act and produce full-time. Started developing The Girl from the Naked Eye and honing my acting chops with several LA coaches.
Your character comes across like like an Asian Clint Eastwood. Was this intentional?
Yes! It was intentional. I’ve always loved Clint’s bad-ass characters, especially in his early films. I thought it would be a cool twist to see an Asian-American in that light so, I thought of Eastwood when I was in my character, Jake.
Upon your first encounter with the Brazillian martial artist, your character puckers up and starts to walk with swagger right before going at it; it’s so “Bruce Lee in Fist of Fury.” Again, was this intentional?
Yes. Well, kinda intentional, I think Bruce is so engrained in my psyche that when I go into ‘Kick-ass’ mode the dragon in me comes out *laughs* I am aware of my resemblances, I thought that maybe some might appreciate the ‘throwback’.
How did the Old Boy homage come about in The Girl from the Naked Eye?
The Old Boy homage came about because the director, David Ren and myself were struck by the raw emotion that came out in the ‘hallway fight’. We thought it would be cool to do a shot like that with raw emotion but, with more complicated fighting. I kind of see it as anti-kung fu action because fighting is ugly, raw and exhausting to watch. Our scene is not ‘graceful and pretty’ like you expect, we didn’t want to do ‘Superhero kung fu’ like you see in many movies where the hero walks through dozens of guys and never gets hit or tired. We wanted Jake to be vulnerable but, he has the will and heart to survive. The action director, Ron Yuan came up with the main choreography then, other stunt guys and myself added to it.
Bruce Lee or Jackie Chan?
Bruce Lee. He was a huge influence on my life, was a strong Asian male on screen when there was none. But, I also, I love Jackie.
Jean-Claude Van Damme or Steven Seagal?
Seagal. Swagger. Because he doesn’t give a crap about what anyone thinks about him.
Robert De Niro or Al Pacino?
Hmm… Tough one. I like both but, I’ll say, De Niro because he’s more of a true tough guy.
Mac or PC?
Mac, I hate viruses.
BMW or Benz?
Benz, because of the 55’ 300 SL gullwing.
What are some of your all-time favorite martial arts action movies?
All time.. Enter the Dragon, Fist of Fury (aka Chinese Connection), Shaolin Temple, Police Story, SPL… I’ll stop there.
If you can work with any director/actor, who would it be?
Clint Eastwood, Ridley Scott, Tony Scott, Donnie Yen, Christopher Nolan, David Fincher, John Woo, Justin Lin… I’ll stop there.
Do you have any future projects coming up? (If, so please tell us they’re action & martial arts…)
YES!!!! Action & martial arts! More in our next interview.
Please check out the Trailer, Making-of and Action featurettes for The Girl from the Naked Eye. The film will be in theaters on June 15, 2012 and on DVD on July 24, 2012.
Well Go USA presents the Blu-ray & DVD for Battleground. A bank heist goes wrong and six ruthless men escape into the forests of North Michigan with three million dollars, only to encounter a deranged Vietnam veteran who still lives for the kill. Check out the trailer.
Lady Ninja: Reflections of Darkness DVD (Tokyo Shock)
RELEASE DATE: August 28, 2012
Tokyo Shock presents the DVD for Lady Ninja: Reflections of Darkness. A sexy squad of female ninja assassins is hired by a ruthless magistrate to exterminate his former lovers, who threaten to ruin his reputation. Battles erupt with a hilarious mix of martial arts, magic and (partial) nudity, all in the line of duty. Check out the trailer.
Masters of the Universe: 25th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray (Warner Brothers)
RELEASE DATE: October 2, 2012
Warner Brothers presents the Blu-ray for Masters of the Universe: 25th Anniversary Edition. Planet Eternia and the Castle of Greyskull are under threat from the evil Skeletor, who wants to take over the planet. It’s up to a group of freedom fighters, led by the heroic He-Man (Dolph Lundgren), to save the planet! Check out the trailer.
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Your character comes across like like an Asian Clint Eastwood. Was this intentional?
How did the Old Boy homage come about in The Girl from the Naked Eye?
Bruce Lee or Jackie Chan?
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