Outlaw Brothers (1990) Review

November 2, 2012 Z Ravas
"Outlaw Brothers" American DVD Cover

“Outlaw Brothers” American DVD Cover

Director: Frankie Chan Fan Kei
Cast: Frankie Chan, Yukari Oshima, Max Mok Siu Chung, Michael Miu, Sharon Kwok, Sheila Chan Suk Lan, Michiko Nishiwaki, Jeff Falcon, Mark Houghton
Running Time: 97 min.

By HKFanatic

“Outlaw Brothers” belongs to that most cherished of genres: the late 80’s/early 90’s Hong Kong martial arts movie. Released in 1990, this film directed by, and starring, frequent Jackie Chan collaborator Frankie Chan ticks all the requisite boxes: fierce hand-to-hand combat, reckless stunts, and a breakneck pace. As a result, the film has built up a following over the years and is frequently mentioned in the same breath as movies like “Righting Wrongs.” Believe it or not, “Outlaw Brothers” has been available on DVD in the UK as a Hong Kong Legends title since late 2005. Only now has Dragon Dynasty brought the film over to North American shores. Was it worth the wait? Well, yes, mostly.

“Outlaw Brothers” is a film that celebrates the vacuous, surface-obsessed quality of the Eighties. Frankie Chan and Mak Mok play two close friends who make a living by stealing high-end sports cars. They savor the taste of ‘the good life’ that their ill-gotten gains provide them with: driving Porsches, wearing designer clothes, making it with hostess girls. In other words, they’re worlds away from our usual morally upright martial arts heroes. At first glance, most of “Outlaw Brothers” resembles a random episode of Miami Vice. The soundtrack certainly fits – it’s all keyboard pads and popping bass guitar, almost like b-sides from the Tom Tom Club.

Compounding the superficial nature of the movie, the script indulges in the same political incorrectness you’ll find in many Hong Kong movies of this era. There’s a tasteless joke about AIDs within the first twenty minutes and the ending features the questionable use of live chickens for a stunt. The female characters don’t have it much better. They’re frequently treated as a punchline – or a punching bag. The only co-star who comes out unscathed is Yukari Oshima, a talented actress and martial artist who made a name for herself via the ‘girls with guns’ genre. You may recall her from films such as “Millionaire’s Express” and “Iron Angels,” and she gets to show off her fighting skills during some of “Outlaw Brothers'” best setpieces.

Behind the camera, Frankie Chan has a clear eye for action. All of the fight scenes are staged so that the audience can follow every move and appreciate the performers’ obvious athletic skill. An early clash in a parking garage is one of the highlights of the entire movie. Frankie Chan may look a bit wiry and older than his years, but he can clearly hold his own in a fight. On the run in the parking deck, he manages to fend off nearly a dozen attackers with a mere broom. The editing during the climax of the movie is a bit too fast paced for my taste – cutting back and forth between Frankie and Yakuri’s individual bouts with a frequency that makes it difficult to fully appreciate either fight – but that’s the only real flaw in Chan’s action direction.

While I’d hesitate to label “Outlaw Brothers” an outright classic of its genre like movies such as “Righting Wrongs” and “She Shoots Straight,” it’s still more great Hong Kong-style action for those who miss the genre’s heyday. Most of the script is fluff, moving the plot along with broad comedy and misguided romance, but when the fists start flying it’s easy to forgive Frankie Chan for any missteps. Fung Hark-On served as fight choreographer on the film; while Jackie Chan visited the set to add flavour to the Yukari Oshima fight with Jeff Falcon. One of the best fights in the movie might just be the scene where a bunch of security guards form a ‘human centipede’ while hanging on to the bumper of a speeding car. Such reckless endangerment is par for the course for ‘Outlaw Brothers.’ Hong Kong action buffs wouldn’t have it any other way.

HKFanatic’s Rating: 7/10

Posted in Chinese, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , |

Will Category III flick ‘Triad’ bring back the good old days of Hong Kong gangsters?

November 1, 2012 Z Ravas

"Triad" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Online now is a trailer for Triad, a new Chinese movie that takes an in-depth look at the Hong Kong Triad. As of late, Chinese moviemakers have shied away from exploring modern organized crime in China and Hong Kong so as to not run afoul of censorship. Perhaps it won’t come as a surprise, then, that Triad is set in pre-1997 handover Hong Kong.

The story follows a college-educated young man (played by William Chan) who decides to give up the straight and narrow for a life in the Triads. He very quickly ascends the ranks, even as he offends his elders by operating extra-circular businesses. But his entire house of cards might come toppling down when he realizes someone close has betrayed him.

Hop on over to Far East Films to check out the trailer. The film appears to have a slightly low-budget aura but, who knows, this might be the throwback to old-school Hong Kong gangster movies we’ve been waiting for. At the very least, the movie is carrying a Category III rating – likely for violence and the fact that it takes a close look at Triad initiations.

Triad is directed by Daniel Chan, who reveals on his production blog that this is the first real gangster movie made in Hong Kong since 2007. Expect Triad in Mainland Chinese theaters on November 15th, 2012.

Update: Far East Films has the second trailer for the film.

Posted in News |

Roger Avary enters ‘Castle Wolfenstein’

November 1, 2012 JJ Bona
"Wolfenstein 3D" PC Box Cover

"Wolfenstein 3D" PC Box Cover

Panorama Media and Samuel Hadida announced today the production of Castle Wolfenstein. The action-adventure film, inspired by the iconic game franchise, is written and will be directed by Academy Award® winner Roger Avary. Hadida will produce through his Davis Films Productions, and global sales will be handled by Panorama’s Marc Butan and Kimberly Fox. Talks with U.S. distributors are underway.

The story follows a young US Army Captain and a British Special Agent on a top secret mission to Castle Wolfenstein, where Hitler will be for the unveiling of a new secret weapon.

Hadida explained, “With Roger at the helm, we expect everyone will join us for a wild and fun cinematic ride that will grab contemporary film audiences with the same irreverent, hip, over the top approach that Roger brought to Pulp Fiction and the other films he has either written or directed.”

Avary noted, “I’ve been playing the Wolfenstein games since I was a kid, and feel that their outlandish sensibility has deeply influenced my own writing and directing throughout my career.”

The above press release is from Panorama Media, via Collider. For the full press release, please visit Collider.

Posted in News |

Gary Daniels dives in ‘Blackwater’

November 1, 2012 JJ Bona
"Bloodmoon" DVD Cover

"Bloodmoon" DVD Cover

Fleur De Lis Film Studios announced today that actor and martial artist Gary Daniels (The Expendables, Bloodmoon, Tekken) will lead the cast of the action-adventure Blackwater, to be directed by veteran stuntman and producer B.J Davis.

Davis, who has worked in stunts on a variety of action classics, including The Delta Force and Universal Soldier, says “Gary Daniels and I go back for decades. He is one of the best in the business. Blackwater will be a real showcase for him – as both a martial-artist and actor. ”

Daniels plays a Special Ops trooper who switches sides and sets out to seek justice for the oppressed he was hired to police.

Andrew Lawrence (Sniper 3) and Christopher Showerman (C.S.I Miami) have also been cast in the film, which action-movie vet John D.Schofield (Doom) is producing. The studio describes the film as All Quiet On The Western Front set in Afghanistan.

Cityonfire.com received the above press release from October Coast.

Posted in News |

The latest on Lu Chuan’s ‘The Last Supper’ – new poster and release date

October 31, 2012 Z Ravas

"The Last Supper" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Chinese director Lu Chuan first made waves internationally with his 2009 film City of Life and Death, a movie praised for its stark depiction of the 1937 massacre of Nanking by the Japanese imperial army. Now Lu Chuan is prepping his latest endeavor, The Last Supper, which takes audiences farther back in history to the end of the Qin Dynasty. The story focuses on the famous Hongmen Banquet, which was held in 206 B.C. by one warlord with the express purpose of assassinating his rival.

If the black-and-white realism of City of Life and Death made you think this new historical epic would be similarly gritty, think again. In a new interview with Film Business Asia, Lu Chuan explains his approach to the material: “I’ve tried to bring a new style to Chinese historical movies. An almost sci-fi look, with flying around and immortal characters.”

In addition, Lu Chuan reveals that this film won’t just be a dusty commentary on something that happened thousands of years ago. Says Chuan: “In China there are many topics we cannot touch openly. However, historical movies act like a cover, a camouflage, [and] obscures the director’s meaning.”

The Last Supper features an impressive cast, including Yu Liu (Curse of the Golden Flower), Daniel Wu (New Police Story), and Chen Chang (Crouching Tigger, Hidden Dragon). The film is expected to release sometime in 2012, though Lu Chuan says that he is not aiming to meet festival deadlines for Cannes or elsewhere, and that The Last Supper is meant for Chinese and global audiences to enjoy once it is completed. In the meantime, you can head over to Chinese Films for a Behind the Scenes video.

Update: Building on our coverage from yesterday, the hallucinatory first trailer and some character posters have hit the web. Here are some new stills from the film, featuring Daniel Wu and his character’s impressive battle armor.

Director Lu Chuan recently spoke about the challenge Chinese directors face in trying to compete with Hollywood. Says Chuan: “Hollywood makes dreams come true for audiences through cameras. Over the past one hundred years, their movies have been the quintessence of cinema aesthetics. Why do Chinese filmmakers always make movies for themselves rather than for our audiences? We should think about that…We should learn from them [Hollywood] and guard the dignity of the Chinese film industry together.”

The Last Supper has been delayed from its original July 5, 2012 release date. There is speculation that the producers did not want to compete with the deluge of Hollywood blockbusters coming this summer, while director Lu Chuan joked that his film simply hasn’t been approved or given a rating by the State Film board yet. A special director’s panel at the Shanghai Film Fest recently discussed issues of movie censorship and Hollywood competition in China. Director Lu Chuan became very emotional while addressing the delay on The Last Supper but would not go into details. Says Lu Chuan: “The year of 2012 is a very dangerous year for the Chinese film industry.”

BREAKING NEWS: After a long delay due to possible censorship issues, The Last Supper will arrive in Chinese theaters on November 29th, 2012. Here’s a new poster to celebrate.

Posted in News |

5 Points Pictures throws a ‘Punch’ onto DVD this February 19th, 2013

October 31, 2012 Z Ravas

"Punch" Korean Theatrical Poster

Cityonfire.com has received the following press release from 5 Points Pictures: Film distributor 5 Points Pictures is pleased to announce the two-disc, special-edition DVD release of Punch, which will be available on February 19, 2013.

A coming-of-age story with equal parts humor and humanity, Punch features direction by Lee Han (Lover’s Concerto, Almost Love) and standout performances from Yoo Ah-in (Sungkyunkwan Scandal, Antique) and Kim Yun-seok (The Thieves, The Chaser), along with Kim Sang-ho (Moss, City Hunter TV), Park Soo-young (Architecture 101) and Jasmine Lee.

Punch was one of 2011’s surprise box-office champs – with more than 5.3 million tickets sold in South Korea – and following its world premiere at the Busan International Film Festival, it went on to screen at the Berlin International Film Festival, Udine Far East Film Festival, Shanghai International Film Festival, and Fantasia Film Festival, as well as throughout North America.

Based upon a best-selling young-adult novel by Kim Ryeo-ryeong, Punch was produced by UBU Film and Another Pictures. It is presented by CJ Entertainment.

“Both moving and challenging, offering an appealing set of
offbeat characters, sly humour and honest human drama.”

– James Mudge, BeyondHollywood.com

“I was so invested in the film’s protagonists that I was sad
to be leaving them when the credits rolled.
This is the kind of film that reminds you why
Korean cinema is so well-regarded.”

– Pierce Conran, Modern Korean Cinema

Disc details: 5 Points Pictures’ release of Punch will feature an upgraded English translation of the film, plus nearly an hour and 15 minutes of translated and subtitled video extras from the South Korean limited-edition releases. Running time is 107 minutes, exclusive of bonus material.

Posted in News |

Toxic Avenger: Japanese Cut DVD (Troma)

October 29, 2012 JJ Bona
Toxic Avenger: Japanese Cut DVD (Troma)

Toxic Avenger: Japanese Cut DVD (Troma)

RELEASE DATE: December 11, 2012

Troma presents the DVD for Toxic Avenger: Japanese Cut. Among the residents of Tromaville is Melvin, a nerdy, emaciated janitor at the local health club. As the chemicals take hold of his body, Melvin turns into the Toxic Avenger, doer of good, and brutal mauler of evil! This special “Japanese Cut” contains footage not seen in the current release. Check out the original U.S. trailer.

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

Westerns Unchained: 25-Film Blu-ray Collection (First Look Pictures)

October 29, 2012 JJ Bona
Westerns Unchained Blu-ray 25-Film Collection (First Look Pictures)

Westerns Unchained Blu-ray 25-Film Collection (First Look Pictures)

RELEASE DATE: December 4, 2012

First Look Pictures presents Westerns Unchained, a 25 film Blu-ray collection featuring classic Spaghetti Westerns. Memorable films such as Kill Django, Lola Colt and Face to Face; and featuring Richard Harrison, Robert Woods, Antonio Sabato, Klaus Kinski, Rory Calhoun, Guiliano Gemma and Lola Folana.

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

Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning (2012) Review

October 28, 2012 Z Ravas
"Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning" Japanese DVD Cover

“Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning” Japanese DVD Cover

Director: John Hyams
Cast: Jean-Claude Van Damme, Scott Adkins, Dolph Lundgren, Kristopher Van Varenberg, Andrei Arlovski, Roy Jones, Jr., Mariah Bonner
Running Time: 114 min.

By HKFanatic

Free will is overrated. Just ask the Universal Soldiers – they’re a group of reanimated corpses brainwashed into becoming government killers. After being released from their programming by revolutionary leader Luc Deveraux (Jean-Claude Van Damme), these muscle-bound warriors can finally act of their own violation. But all they seem to do with their newfound freedom is drink, sleep around, and get into fights. They’re soldiers without a cause; guns in need of a hand to aim them.

They inhabit a world that seems to resemble ours…but something feels off. It’s not long into “Day of Reckoning,” the latest entry in the “Universal Soldier” series, that we realize co-writer/director John Hyams has crafted a dystopic tale – all the more disturbing because it’s set, not in our distant future, but in the now.

While most fans were expecting “Days” to pick up where the previous film, “Regeneration,” left off, this new entry in the series is more self-contained. The story very much belongs to John, a new character portrayed by Scott Adkins, who has some serious questions about his identity and the fate of his loved ones. For the first hour of the movie the audience feels as lost as Adkins does. Director John Hyams mentioned watching “Angel Heart” and “Jacob’s Ladder” while writing the script and there’s a similarity in the way Adkins goes from a place of ignorance to knowledge – a knowledge he may come to regret.

Both of those influences are horror movies, which is indicative of “Day of Reckoning’s” tone. Director Hyams shares some similarities with his contemporary Nicolas Winding Refn (“Drive“) in that both men know how to deliver visually seductive genre movies that blindside the viewer with their sobering portrayal of violence. Early in “Reckoning” when Andrei Arlovski’s brainwashed killer stalks the corridors of a sleazy sex shop with shotgun in hand, mowing down civilians, it’s clear we’re not in popcorn movie territory. In Hyams’ films, violence carries consequences.

Not all of Hyams’ stylistic risks necessarily pay off. “Reckoning” is an altogether more ambitious film than its predecessor and a much messier one as a result. In particular, the numerous sequences shot from first-person POV fall flat and the Gasper Noe-style strobe lights may make viewers avert their eyes from the screen. Granted, both of these techniques likely work better in theaters and in 3D, which is how the movie was meant to be seen.

It’s a credit to action choreographer Larnell Stovall that even though most of “Reckoning” was filmed in the spring of 2011, the fight scenes are nearly as vicious and impressive as anything in this year’s genre breakout “The Raid.” The clash between Adkins and Arlovski that takes place in a sporting goods store about halfway through the film is arguably the best fight scene of Adkins’ career – which is saying something for an actor who has already built a resume of jaw-dropping bouts in movies like “Undisputed III.” Later on, Hyams replicates the one-take action sequence from the end of “Regeneration” as Adkins traverses the Universal Soldier compound, dispatching one foe after another with some impressive full-body takedowns.

Although “Day of Reckoning” bears the Universal Soldier logo, we’re about as far away from the summer blockbuster sheen of Roland Emmerich’s 1992 original as we could possibly get. Similar to the way that “Regeneration” brought a real-world, war-movie aesthetic to the series, “Day of Reckoning” ignores the expectations of its brand entirely by telling a murky tale of stolen memories and cloned killers. Fans of the original looking for escapist entertainment may be disappointed that neither Jean-Claude Van Damme or Dolph Lundgren play a big role here. On the upside it’s a gorgeously-lit film, with apartment corridors straight out of “The Shining”; and there’s a car chase that would make William Friedkin proud.

Director John Hyams isn’t content to merely serve up your typical action movie dreck. He’s made it his mission to challenge audiences and their expectations of what a film like “Universal Soldier” can do. As such, the violence here isn’t presented as ‘entertainment’ and it might take more than one viewing of “Day” to truly appreciate it – as well as piece together the plot. This shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise to cinema buffs who have been following John Hyams’ career: the director has spent the past few years quietly expanding the limits of the action genre. “Day of Reckoning” represents his boldest statement yet.

HKFanatic’s Rating: 8/10

Posted in Asian Related, Other Movies, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , |

Blu-ray and DVD Releases for 10/30/12

October 28, 2012 Z Ravas
Outlaw Brothers DVD (Dragon Dynasty)

Outlaw Brothers DVD (Dragon Dynasty)

Trick or treat? This week is short on releases but with half the country bracing for a hurricane that’s probably not a bad thing. 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 10/30/12:

ASIAN CINEMA

Outlaw Brothers (DVD) – only one Asian movie this week but it’s well worth a look. This 1990 Hong Kong action film was directed by and stars Frankie Chan. Fans of classic HK action like “Righting Wrongs” and “She Shoots Straight” won’t want to miss this

FOREIGN CINEMA

Polisse (DVD) – this critically acclaimed 2011 French drama follows the police unit charged with protecting the children of Paris

Elena (DVD) – in this Russian-language 2011 update of vintage noir, a window will go to any lengths to ensure she receives her inheritance. Soundtrack by Phillip Glass

Taxi for Tobruk (Blu-ray/DVD) – in this 1960 French film, a group of French soldiers and their German prison unexpectedly discover the meaning of solidarity

Brain (Blu-ray/DVD) – a 1969 slapstick comedy out of France starring David Niven, Jean-Paul Belmondo, and Eli Wallach

Greed in the Sun (Blu-ray/DVD) – French actor Jean-Paul Belmondo headlines this 1969 adventure about a stolen truck, in the vein of “Wages of Fear”

Americano (Blu-ray/DVD) – French director Matthew Demy directs and stars in this 2012 English-language drama about Frenchman who heads to Los Angeles to square away his mother’s estate

Raaz 3 (DVD) – “Black Swan” gets crossed with black magic in this 2012 Bollywood thriller

MAINSTREAM

Safety Not Guaranteed (Blu-ray/DVD) – the delightfully snarky Aubrey Plaza (TV’s Parks and Recreation) headlines this 2012 indie comedy about time travel – or the possibility of time travel

Ruby Sparks (Blu-ray/DVD) – writer Paul Dano finds out what happens when a character you create on the page comes to life in this 2012 indie romance

The Campaign (Blu-ray/DVD) – Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis square off as two political candidates in this 2012 election comedy

CLASSICS

Alfred Hitchcock: The Masterpiece Collection (Limited Edition) (Blu-ray) – this box set is a treasure trove for Hitchcock fans, 15 discs in all, including: “Rope,” “Rear Window,” “The Man Who Knew Too Much,” “Vertigo,” “The Birds,” and more

Long Day’s Journey Into Night (Blu-ray) – Katherine Hepburn stars in this 1962 film about an addicted, dysfunctional family

Max Fleischers Superman: Collector’s Edition (Blu-ray/DVD) – a collection of fully restored 1930’s animated shorts from legendary animator Max Fleischer

HORROR

Rosemary’s Baby (Blu-ray/DVD) – the Criterion Collection presents the definitive release of Roman Polanski’s 1968 horror classic

House of Dark Shadows (Blu-ray/DVD) – this 1970 film was made to serve as an introduction to the “Dark Shadows” television show

Night of Dark Shadows (Blu-ray/DVD) – the 1972 sequel to “House of Dark Shadows”

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!

Posted in News |

Bleak Night DVD (Bayview Entertainment)

October 27, 2012 JJ Bona
"Bleak Night" DVD Cover

"Bleak Night" DVD Cover

RELEASE DATE: January 22, 2013

Bayview Entertainment presents the DVD for Bleak Night (aka Pasuggun). A grieving father (Cho Seong-ha, The Yellow Sea) seeks to understand the circumstances that led his teenage son, Ki-tae (Lee Je-hoon, The Front Line), to commit suicide. Watch the trailer.

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

‘Dangerous Liaisons’ remake starring Zhang Ziyi – coming to North America

October 26, 2012 JJ Bona

"Dangerous Liaisons" North American Theatrical Poster

Shooting began on September 27th for Hur Jin-Ho’s Dangerous Liaisons, a Chinese/South Korean co-production based on the classic French novel Les Liaisons dangereuses by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos. It will be released in 2012 and stars Jang Dong-gun (The Warrior’s Way), Zhang Ziyi (Musa) and Cecilia Cheung (12 Nights).

Les Liaisons dangereuses has been made into feature films many times. One of the most popular takes is Stephen Frears’ Dangerous Liaisons (1988), followed by the modern day retelling Cruel Intentions (1999). South Korea even had an adaptation called Untold Scandal (2003). – Thanks to AlbertV for the tip!

Update: A teaser poster was revealed at the 62nd Berlin International Film Festival. Dangerous Liaisons is slated for release in winter 2012. Thanks to our source.

Some brand new posters for the film, courtesy of Chinese Films. Director Hur Jin-ho promises that this is not just a remake of Untold Scandal, a previous Korean adaptation of Liaisons. He also claims this will be the “cleanest” adaptation of the book yet, so you may not want to expect too many steamy scenes.

You’ve heard of character posters, well get ready for a ‘character trailer‘ for Dangerous Liaisons. Cecilia Cheung actually looks quite good in this and it’s nice to see Zhang Ziyi playing against type. The studio released some new stills of Zhang Ziyi from the film. Cecilia Cheung plays the seductress in new stills released from the movie.

Hot off the heels of their acquisition of Korean caper flick The Thieves, Well Go USA has announced they’ve obtained the rights to distribute Dangerous Liaisons in North America.

BREAKING NEWS: Apple Quicktime has the exclusive North American trailer. Meanwhile, Entertainment Weekly debuted the North American poster. Look for Dangerous Liaisons in limited release this November 9th, 2012.

Posted in News |

Return Engagement (1990) Review

October 24, 2012 Z Ravas
"Return Engagement" Chinese DVD Cover

“Return Engagement” Chinese DVD Cover

Director: Joe Cheung
Cast: Alan Tang, Andy Lau, Simon Yam, May Lo, Elizabeth Lee, David Ng, Carrie Ng, Melvin Wong, Stephen Tung, Ku Feng, Chan Chi Fai, Dennis Chan, Stephen Chan, Chang Yi, Chen Jing, Dang Taai Woh
Running Time: 109 min.

By HKFanatic

Until his tragic passing in 2011, actor Alan Tang was a bonafied Hong Kong legend. Tang carried himself with all the swagger of a classic Hollywood movie idol; he’s one of the few actors around who could manage to steal the spotlight from Chow Yun Fat, as he did when they starred together in 1987’s “Flaming Brothers.” It was during this period that Tang began to rebrand himself as an action star, a role that suited him well. Behind the scenes, he formed his own production company and famously invested millions of his own dollars into Wong Kar-Wai’s benchmark film “Days of Being Wild.”

And before Wong Kar-Wai took flight as his own director, he regularly provided scripting services for Tang. Besides the aforementioned “Flaming Brothers,” Wong Kar-Wai helped to pen “Return Engagement,” a little-seen and oft-overlooked 1990 film that likely falls under the genre of ‘heroic bloodshed.’ On a surface level, the plot doesn’t bear much resemblance to Wong Kar-Wai’s other work but, upon closer inspection, this is a Triad picture that favors interpersonal relationships and family drama over nonstop bloodshed. Then again, if all you’re here to see is bullet casings hitting the ground, “Return Engagement” doesn’t disappoint in that regard either.

As our film opens, Alan Tang’s Triad boss is fighting the Italian mafia for control of Vancouver’s Chinatown. You read that right: this is one of the few Hong Kong action flicks that isn’t set in Hong Kong – at least for the opening 15 minutes. It’s quite a sight to witness Triad gangsters diving through the air and drawing their pistols in the middle of a quaint Canadian suburb. Shortly thereafter, Tang becomes separated from his family and placed in prison for over a decade while his newborn daughter is sequestered away to Hong Kong.

The movie jumps ahead to when Alan Tang, now looking older thanks to some grey dye in his hair, is released from prison. He soon boards a plane to Hong Kong to try and track down his missing daughter. Once there, he meets May Lo (“The Last Blood“), a streetwise teenager who might just know where Tang’s daughter is. In fact, she might even be his daughter. Tang’s patience is tested as Lo strings him along and drains his wallet, but both his character and the audience are left in suspense as to whether or not Lo is his missing daughter.

Along the way they must contend with an amoral Triad boss, portrayed by a young Simon Yam at his most maniacal. When things get bad enough, Alan Tang makes the phone call to summon a baby-faced Andy Lau from Vancouver. Andy Lau fans may be disappointed their hero is allotted a mere 10 minutes of screentime, but Lau makes the most of his brief appearance by serving a crucial (and acrobatic) role in the film’s climactic shootout.

The real heart of the film is Alan Tang’s budding paternal relationship with May Lo. Tang realizes that a mistreated orphan like May could use his guidance, whether he’s her real father or not. For her part, Lo slowly comes to understand that this ‘stiff old man’ has her best interests in mind. While the story has plenty of resonant themes, most of them are kept in the background. This is a fairly emotionally complex movie – but only upon reflection. Most of “Return Engagement’s” runtime is eaten up by May Lo looking and acting like a character from a John Hughes movie – hair gel’d to hell and back, new wave-style makeup – not to mention the numerous shootouts and beat downs that occur.

The finale in particular is worth mentioning. Director Joe Cheung doesn’t rely much on the slow motion or complex editing of someone like John Woo, but he makes “Return Engagement” stand out due the over-the-top and unique nature of the final action sequence. This guns-blazing shootout is staged on a wide public road in the middle of broad daylight, with our heroes desperately outnumbered and everyone packing Rambo-sized firepower.

While it may not be up there with “Dragon Family” or “Tragic Hero,” the massive gun battle that concludes “Return Engagement” certainly comes close. This is a ‘heroic bloodshed’ movie that deserves a wider look from fans, due to Wong Kar-Wai’s emotion-laden script as much as the film’s violent pyrotechnics.

HKFanatic’s Rating: 8/10

Posted in Chinese, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , |

The latest on the Hong Kong cop thriller ‘Cold War’ – final trailer

October 24, 2012 JJ Bona

"Cold War" Chinese Theatrical Poster

THE MOVIE: Cold War is directed by first-time directors, Longman Leung and Sunny Luk. Although the duo have no films to their credit, their riveting script for Cold War is what drew Hong Kong’s biggest stars in. The film stars Andy Lau, Aaron Kwok, and Tony Leung Ka Fai, Aarif Lee, Gordon Lam, Andy On, Terence Yin, Charlie Yeung, Eddie Peng, Chin Ka-lok and Ma Yili.

Andy Lau said “Infernal Affairs was a classic gangster film ten years ago. It is my pleasure to play a part in Coldwar and hope it can become the new benchmark for Hong Kong gangster films for the next ten years.” Cold War hopes to be a blockbuster in Hong Kong gangster films.

Updates: Twitchfilm has confirmed that The Corruptor’s Byron Mann has joined the cast.

A teaser poster and synopsis have hit the web. Stars Aaron Kwok and Tony Leung Ka Fai were on hand to promote the film in Beijing yesterday. Kwok said of his co-star Leung: “He is the best actor of all time. After reading the script, I immediately made up my mind to join the film.” Twitch has posted a promotional teaser trailer.

Don’t miss the explosive new trailer for the film! Chinese Films notes that this is the first time Aaron Kwok and Andy Lau have starred in a movie together since 1991’s Saviour of the Soul. Expect Cold War in Hong Kong theaters this October 18th, 2012.

A new promotional trailer for the movie, courtesy of Chinese Films. A new 70-second trailer designed for Mainland Chinese audiences. Finally, we’ve got a decent poster for Cold War, courtesy of Chinese Films. Here’s a  new behind the scenes video. No English subtitles but it’s still an interest looking at the making of the film.

The producers have been pretty shy about publicizing Andy Lau’s cameo in the film, as they reportedly don’t want to spoil his character’s role in the story. But today we’ve got some pics of the famous actor in the movie.

BREAKING NEWS: The final trailer is online at Chinese Films, although it requires a plug-in. We’ll provide a YouTube or similar link when available. Cold War releases in Chinese theaters on November 8th, 2012.

Posted in News |

Tai Chi Zero Blu-ray & DVD (Well Go USA)

October 24, 2012 JJ Bona
Tai Chi Zero Blu-ray & DVD (Well Go USA)

Tai Chi Zero Blu-ray & DVD (Well Go USA)

RELEASE DATE: January 22, 2013

Well Go USA presents the Blu-ray & DVD for Tai Chi Zero (aka Tai Chi 0) is directed by House of Fury’s Stephen Fung with Ip Man’s Sammo Hung serving as action director. The film stars Xiao-chao Yuan, William Feng, Eddie Peng, Shu Qi, Daniel Wu, Tony Leung Ka Fai and Angela Baby. Watch the trailer.

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