Shaolin Boxers, The (1974) Review

Shaolin Boxers | Blu-ray (Eureka)

Shaolin Boxers | Blu-ray (Eureka)

Director: Huang Ta
Cast: James Tin, Lee Tin-ying, Li Min-lang, Chu Mu, Leung Tin, Tien Mi, Hon Kwok-Choi, Chu Mu, Choi Sui-Cheng, Cheung Chok-Chow, Mars
Running Time: 78 min.

By Ian Whittle

“The only problem with James Tien seems to be his weight. When we first saw him on screen he was slim and muscular but of late his girth seems to have increased somewhat. Perhaps his marriage early in 1974 had something to do with it. The studio claims he does not drink much but home cooking can spoil the form of a kung fu fighter.”

– Clash Magazine, 1975

Ouch!

James Tien is probably one of kung fu cinema’s big enigmas – since retiring in 1993 after Blade of Fury, he does not appear to have given a single interview on his career. The impression some film critics/historians like to cultivate is of him seething away at Bruce Lee having stolen his thunder, much in the manner that we know Bela Continue reading

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The Beast to Die | Blu-ray (Radiance)

RELEASE DATE: July 21, 2025

On July 21, 2025, Radiance is releasing the Blu-ray (Region A/B) for 1980’s The Beast to Die. Directed by Toru Murakawa (The Game Trilogy) from a venomous script by Shoichi Maruyama (Yokohama BJ Blues), this unsettling dark thriller was Yusaku Matsuda’s farewell to his 1970s action hero persona.

Deeply scarred by what he witnessed on battlefields across Asia, a young war photographer (Yusaku Matsuda, Yokohama BJ Blues) returns to the bustling Continue reading

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1.21 gigawatts!!! Action comedy ‘A Samurai in Time’ arriving to Blu-ray on April 28 from Third Window Films

On April 28, 2025, Third Window Films is releasing a Blu-ray (Region Free) for A Samurai in Time, a 2023 action-comedy from director Junichi Yasuda (Gohan).

With one strike of lightning, samurai Kosaka Shinzaemon accidentally teleports through time and finds himself in modern day Japan. However, his realisation doesn’t hit so quickly, because of all places, he happens to land on a period drama film set! After facing the director’s wrath for veering away from a script he has no idea about, Kosaka is saved by the kind Continue reading

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Monkey Goes West, The (1966) Review

The Monkey Goes West | Blu-ray (Imprint)

The Monkey Goes West | Blu-ray (Imprint)

Director: Ho Meng Hua
Cast: Yueh Hua, Ho Fan, Pang Pang, Tien Shun, Fan Mei Sheng, Kao Pao-Shu, Lan Wei-Lieh, Li Yin, Diana Chang Chung-Wen, Mao Wei
Running Time: 112 min. 

By Paul Bramhall

Having gotten into Asian cinema in the late 1990’s, my first exposure to the phenomena of Journey to the West mania came in the 2010’s. For most of the decade it felt like a big screen adaptation of the 16th century novel was never more than a few months away – from Soi Cheang’s Monkey King trilogy (2014 – 2018), Stephen Chow’s double bill of Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons (2013) and Journey to the West: Demon Chapter (2017), Derek Kwok’s 2017 adaptation Wu Kong, to a big budget 3D animated feature in the form of The Monkey King: Uproar in Heaven (2012). That’s before you begin to count the literal bombardment of web-movies (easily pushing into double figures) that also took the tale as their inspiration.

Looking at the bigger picture though, it quickly becomes clear that movie adaptations of Journey to the West have never really gone away. Since the first known version in 1927 called Journey to the West: The Spider’s Cave, the tale of a monk travelling to India to retrieve a Buddhist scripture has been having the spotlight stolen out from under him for close to 100 years Continue reading

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Under the Gun (1995) Review

"Under the Gun" Theatrical Poster

“Under the Gun” Theatrical Poster

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

By Z Ravas

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Absolute Dominion" Theatrical Poster

“Absolute Dominion” Theatrical Poster

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Snake Prince, The (1976) Review

The Snake Prince | Blu-ray (Imprint)

The Snake Prince | Blu-ray (Imprint)

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

By Paul Bramhall

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

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

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

"Tornado" Theatrical Poster

“Tornado” Theatrical Poster

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

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

Tornado will be released by Lionsgate Continue reading

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How Online Games Drive the Entertainment Industry Forward

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

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

Increased Global Reach

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

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

Interactive Storytelling and Immersion

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

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

Monetization and New Revenue Streams

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

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

Entertainment Meets Technology

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

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

Revolutionizing Social Interaction

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

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

Conclusion

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

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

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

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

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

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

"The Uninvited Guest of the Star Ferry" Theatrical Poster

“The Uninvited Guest of the Star Ferry” Theatrical Poster

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

By Paul Bramhall

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

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

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Deal on Fire! The Perfect Weapon | Blu-ray | Only $14.41 – Expires soon!

The Perfect Weapon | Blu-ray (Kino Lorber)

The Perfect Weapon | Blu-ray (Kino Lorber)

Today’s Deal on Fire is the Blu-ray for Perfect Weapon, a 1991 martial arts/action film directed by Mark DiSalle (Kickboxer) and starring Kenpo 5.0 founder, Jeff Speakman. For the first time, the film will be presented with a Brand New HD Master – from a 4K Scan of the 35mm Original Camera Negative!

Jean-Claude Van Damme and Steven Seagal certainly had the action movie market cornered during the early 90’s, but martial arts fans would be wise not to pass up this B-movie gem starring Jeff Speakman (Street Knight). The well-oiled Kenpo practitioner was granted the spotlight for only one or two theatrical ventures in Hollywood before entering the straight to video realm and his 1991 debut Perfect Weapon remains the standout. While Speakman’s acting leaves something to be desired, the plethora of fight scenes choreographed by veteran stuntman Rick Avery make “The Perfect Weapon” an Continue reading

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Brokenhearted, The (2024) Review

"The Brokenhearted" Theatrical Poster

“The Brokenhearted” Theatrical Poster

Director: Leroy Nguyen
Cast: Leroy Nguyen, Samuel Joon Lee, Jackie SJ Kim, Travis Davis, Gene Rush, Alex Au
Running Time: 106 min.

By Matija Makotoichi Tomić

The US indie action scene is home to many talents. One such, still largely undiscovered, is filmmaker Leroy Nguyen, a man determined to pursue his unique creative vision and answering to no one in the process. A director whose movies are a microcosm, sometimes seemingly the same, in which crime, drama, and martial arts action intertwine, though never at the expense of the final product. Following a string of shorts, Nguyen signed his name on a debut feature, Black Scar Blues, an intriguing first produced by his own Rising Tiger Films company, that, despite its flaws, revealed its director as an interesting, bold filmmaker with a distinct vision. Taking the form of a raw neo noir crime drama set on the streets of Baltimore, Black Scar Blues was a movie that had conviction but failed to convince. Let me put it this way. It interested me in what it was selling, but it failed to get me buying. Nguyen’s sharp script brimmed with street-smart dialogue and proved to be the movie’s strong point, but the casting and the execution didn’t draw me in.

Following his debut feature, Nguyen returned to shorts. Among these, Silverback (owing its title to Leroy’s nickname Richie Silverback?) is one of those that stood out, taking home more than a fair share of festival awards and showing just how much this filmmaker progressed in the few years gone by in the meantime, returning its audience to an almost identical crime millieu with Albanian mobsters and Nguyen as a hot-headed gangster with an unhealthy habit of ignoring Continue reading

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