Kung Fu Rookie (2023) Review

"Kung Fu Rookie" Theatrical Poster

“Kung Fu Rookie” Theatrical Poster

Director: Aman Ergaziyev
Cast: Timur Baktybayev, Irina Azhmukhamedova, Kuat Khamitov, Erkebulan Toktar, Riskul Konakbaev, Janelle Sergazina, Talgat Duisenov, Kuandyk Shakyrzhanov
Running Time: 79 min.

By Z Ravas

2023’s Kung Fu Rookie (AKA “Timuchin”) has a problem. No, it’s not the production values — the film looks sharp for a low-budget project out of Kazakhstan — nor is it the script necessarily, as this action/comedy has more than a few jokes and gags that land. No, it’s the fact that the whole movie is built around the idea that lead actor Timur Baktybayev is a walking, talking tribute to Jackie Chan… except instead of fighting like Jackie Chan, he moves like your best buddy with the beer paunch who says, “Hey, watch this” and then pretends to do a martial arts kick in your kitchen, nearly splitting his groin in the process.

Okay, okay, maybe I’m being a little harsh: Kung Fu Rookie proves it’s hard to pull off a compelling fight scene on camera, and you can tell the cast and crew here are trying. Let’s not forget that Kazakhstan isn’t exactly known for its thriving international action scene. And the setup is adequate for this kind of movie, as Timur Baktybayev’s character visits his uncle in the big city with the intention of joining the local police force. Before long, his uncle’s fruit stall draws Continue reading

Posted in All, Asian Related, News, Other Movies, Reviews |

Raiders of Buddhist Kung Fu (1981) Review

"Raiders of Buddhist Kung Fu" Theatrical Poster

“Raiders of Buddhist Kung Fu” Theatrical Poster

Director: Godfrey Ho 
Cast: Gordon Liu, Wang Ryong, Kim Ki-Joo, Seol Ji-Yeon, Kwak Eun-Gyung, Baek Hwang-Gi, John Kelly, Choe Moo-Woong, Lung Ho-Yu, Park Hui-Jin, Lee Hwa-Jin
Running Time: 90 min. 

By Ian Whittle

So I picked up the DVD assuming from the cover still of Gordon Liu in his usual monk attire that this was going to be another “Gordon from Shaolin” by way of a Korea flick, but once again I have been fooled… here Gordon is the villain! A warlord in what may be Republic era China, but it’s not very clear. And I don’t think Shaolin came into it at all!

So my thoughts on this mess….

  • IFD used the Star Wars music for their damn logo!
  • Gordon Liu is very miscast as a very milquetoast villain, who seems way too fond of his hot sister. I find it very hard to believe the boyish Liu is supposed to be a powerful warlord here. He’s not helped by the weird old man voice given to non-sequiturs they give him – “Arrest everyone….traitors!”
  • An unexplained Roy Horan/Bob Baker/Wallish/ gwailo
  • A rather repulsive hunchback traitor, disfigured Continue reading
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Deal on Fire! The Shadow Boxing | Blu-ray | Only $18.99 – Expires soon!

The Shadow Boxing | Blu-ray (88 Films)

The Shadow Boxing | Blu-ray (88 Films)

Today’s Deal on Fire is the Blu-ray for 88 Film’s The Shadow Boxing (aka The Spiritual Boxer Part II), a 1979 Shaw Brothers kung fu movie directed by Lau Kar-leung (Eight Diagram Pole Fighter)

From the legendary Lau Kar-leung comes one of his finest – and wildest – rides, following a pair of very special undertakers who transport dead bodies by magical means. But their latest trip is proving tricky; it’s bad enough that a strong-willed young woman has invited herself along for the ride but, even more awkwardly, one of the corpses might not actually be dead…

Pretty much inventing the kung fu horror-comedy, and a huge influence Continue reading

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The Kosugi ninja empire lives on! Watch the Trailer for Shane Kosugi’s ‘Seek’ starring Kansuke Asano and Kane Kosugi

"Seek" Theatrical Poster

“Seek” Theatrical Poster

Shane Kosugi (9 Deaths of the Ninja, Pray for Death) will be making a directorial debut with Seek, an upcoming martial arts actioner that stars Kansuke Asano (Barashi Fight), as well as Shane’s brother, Kane Kosugi (Tekken 2: Kazuya’s Revenge, Zero Tolerance).

(For those who are not familiar with the Kosugi name, Shane and Kane’s father is the legendary Sho Kosugi, who became the main face of the 80s phenomenon known as the “ninja craze,” after a string of successful ninja movies for The Cannon Film Group, which included Enter the Ninja, Revenge of the Ninja and Ninja III: The Domination.)

In Seek, Kyohei Aizawa (Asano), an assassin for a covert non-governmental espionage group in Japan called “SEEK”, is grieving over the Continue reading

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Tom Hardy isn’t the only one raising ‘Havoc’! Check out the New Poster for Nicholas Tse and Andy Lau’s ‘Raging Havoc’

"Raging Havoc" Theatrical Poster

“Raging Havoc” Theatrical Poster

A thematic sequel to Benny Chan’s 2021 actioner Raging Fire is currently being prepped by director Derek Kwok, who is perhaps best known for helming 2014’s As the Light Goes Out, 2015’s Full Strike, and the recent 2021 film, Schemes in Antiques.

The follow-up, titled Raging Havoc (aka The Unleashed Blaze), is headlined by Nicholas Tse (The Bullet Vanishes), who starred in the original Raging Fire (opposite Donnie Yen).

This time around, Hong Kong heavy Andy Lau (White Storm 2: The Drug Lords) fills the space previously filled by Yen. Ray Liu (Raging Fire, Operation Bangkok) also returns, not to mention the addition Continue reading

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Fallen (2019) Review

"Fallen" Theatrical Poster

“Fallen” Theatrical Poster

Director: Lee Jung-sub
Cast: Yang Ji, Jang Tae Young, Han Sung Min, Kim Ga Hyun, Lim Jung Min, Lee Ji Yong, Hwang Se On, Yun Ha Bin, Ju Seo Eun, Oh Ji Young, Kwon Ip Sae
Running Time: 110 min. 

By Paul Bramhall 

In the 2019 Korean production Fallen a famous sci-fi author played by Yang Ji, previously only seen in small bit roles in late 2000’s/early 2010’s productions like I Came from Busan and Mr. Idol, is having a bad day. Opening with her as the subject of an on-camera interview for TV, despite it supposedly being about her latest work, it seems the interviewer is more interested in asking about the leaked sex tape she’s featured in, and the fact her mother is a convicted serial killer. Her publicist isn’t much help, insisting she joins him to a local bar considering she’s holed herself up at home for so long, where he suggests that the best thing she can do is to apologise to the public for appearing in the tape. Things go from bad to worse when she wakes up kidnapped, zip tied and stuffed in a drum in an unknown location, her fate in the hands of whoever has taken her captive.

Based on the above description, on paper Fallen probably sounds like it fits the mould of similar female in peril 2010’s era Korean movies like Midnight FM or Manhole, however that would be before taking into account that it’s the directorial debut of screenwriter and producer Lee Jung-sub. Also responsible for scripting 2017’s psychological neo-noir action flick Real, often unfairly Continue reading

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Hey, that’s Hsu Chien!!! James Tien shines bright in Golden Harvest’s ‘Shaolin Boxers’ releasing next week from Eureka

Next week, Eureka is releasing the Blu-ray (Region B) for Shaolin Boxers. Directed by Ta Huang (Chinese Hercules) and released at the height of the 1970s kung fu craze, Shaolin Boxers offers a rare leading role to James Tien – who more often played supporting roles in films such as Fist of FuryThe Iron-Fisted Monk and The Magnificent Bodyguards – in an action-packed narrative that charges him with rescuing innocents from forces of corruption and evil.

In the village of Fukien, the people are terrified of the local security squad – led by Ho Yung (Chu Mu, The Invincible Iron Palm), who gained his position by bribing the referee in the village’s annual martial arts tournament. In order to wrestle control from this band of tyrants, Chuan Tai (Tien) – the master of the local Shaolin school – enters the competition to prove Continue reading

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Don Lee takes on Satan? Capelight Pictures picks up the South Korean action thriller ‘Holy Night: Demon Hunters’

"Holy Night: Demon Hunters" Theatrical Poster

“Holy Night: Demon Hunters” Theatrical Poster

Ma Dong-seok, aka Don Lee (Derailed, Roundup: Punishment) co-stars with Seohyun (Seeking the King) and David Lee (Svaha: The Sixth Finger) in Holy Night: Demon Hunters, an upcoming action-thriller from first time director, Im Dae-Hee, who co-wrote the film with Ma.

Holy Night: Demon Hunters sees Seoul descend into chaos as a devil-worshipping criminal network takes control. In a desperate plea for salvation, the police are forced to enlist “Holy Night”, a trio of demon hunters – played by aforementioned trio – who are armed with supernatural powers (via Variety).

Holy Night: Demon Hunters also stars Kyung Soo-Jin (The Vanished) and Jung Ji-So (Parasite).

The film will be released in the U.S. by Capelight Pictures later this year. Watch Continue reading

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Richard Norton vs Maria Tran! Watch Adrian Castro’s Hong Kong cinema throwback short ‘Tiger Cop: Project A’

"Tiger Cop: Project A" Poster

“Tiger Cop: Project A” Poster

Are your claws ready for more Tiger Cops? The Australian-produced “80’s Hong Kong martial arts throwback” comedy series continues with Tiger Cop: Project A, a 10-minute short that’s now available to watch!

Martial arts star Maria Tran (Last King of the Cross, Tracer) is back as Inspector Tiger! This time around, she goes head-to-head with B-movie/HK film veteran Richard Norton (City Hunter, Mission: Terminate).

As with the previous Tiger Cop entries, the upcoming Tiger Cop: Project A short is directed by Adrian Castro (Nightwalkers TV series), who also serves as action director/fight choreographer.

Tiger Cop: Project A’s supporting cast include David Hong, Damien Continue reading

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Demon City (2025) Review

"Demon City" Netflix Poster

“Demon City” Netflix Poster

Director: Seiji Tanaka
Cast: Toma Ikuta, Masahiro Higashide, Miou Tanaka, Ami Touma, Taro Suruga, Mai Kiryu, Naoto Takenaka, Takuma Otoo, Masanobu Takashima, Matsuya Onoe
Running Time: 107 min. 

By Paul Bramhall

If I had to guess I’d say the audience for Demon City falls into 2 categories – the first being those who’ve been waiting for the sophomore feature from director Seiji Tanaka, and the second being fans of the manga that it’s adapted from, Oni Goroshi. Personally I fall into the first category, with Tanaka’s 2018 debut Melancholy being one of the best surprises of the 2010’s, a witty and offbeat tale of a bathhouse worker who comes to realise it’s used by the yakuza after hours to carry out hits. As a new voice in the world of Japanese cinema it showed a lot of promise, and despite it taking 7 years to release his 2nd feature, the anticipation to see how he’s developed as a filmmaker is no less. Netflix hopefully feel the same way, since it’s their platform that Demon City has landed on.

Taking a slice out of Timo Tjahjanto’s The Shadow Strays, Demon City opens with an assassin played by Toma Ikuta (Miike Takashi’s The Mole Song trilogy) taking out a household full of yakuza in violent fashion. The massacre was intended to be his last job (aren’t they all?) before he settles down with his wife and 5-year-old daughter, but unfortunately the rival Continue reading

Posted in All, Japanese, News, Reviews |

You betta ASH somebody! Sci-fi thriller starring Eiza Gonzalez, Aaron Paul and Iko Uwais hits Blu-ray in July from Shudder

"Ash" Theatrical Poster

“Ash” Theatrical Poster

On ‎ July 22, 2025, Shudder is releasing the Blu-ray & DVD for Ash, a sci-fi thriller that stars Eiza Gonzalez (Ambulance), Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad) and martial arts star Iko Uwais (The Raid, The Raid 2, Headshot, Beyond Skyline).

A woman wakes up on a distant planet and finds the crew of her space station viciously killed. Her investigation into what happened sets in motion a terrifying chain of events.​

Directing Ash is musician/filmmaker Steven D. Bingley-Ellison (Kuso, V/H/S/99), who mostly known as his stage name, Flying Lotus. The XYZ/GFC-produced film also stars Beulah Koale (Dual), Kate Elliott (Power Rangers Ninja Steel) and Flying Lotus (Game Over, Man).

Watch the Continue reading

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Glitter, sex and violence! More on ‘Drive’ director Nicolas Winding Refn’s thriller ‘The Avenging Silence’

Nicolas Winding Refn, the writer/director behind The Pusher Trilogy (1996-2005), 2009’s Valhalla Rising, 2011’s Drive, 2013’s Only God Forgives and 2016’s The Neon Demon, is returning to the big screen for The Avenging Silence.

The director hinted that The Avenging Silence will bring back themes and characters inspired by his last features, Only God Forgives and The Neon Demon, which Continue reading

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‘Silence of the Lambs’-sploitation and ‘Exorcist’-sploitation’ combo! Well Go USA’s ‘Devils Stay’ arrives on disc next week

Devils Stay | Blu-ray (Well Go USA)

Devils Stay | Blu-ray (Well Go USA)

On March 18, 2025, Well Go USA is releasing the Blu-ray, DVD and Digital for Devils Stay, a 2024 thriller that marks the feature-length debut from writer-director Hyun Moon-Sub, who is perhaps best known for penning the Nightmare High South Korean TV series.

In the film, a heart specialist doubts his daughter’s death after an exorcism, believing her heart still beats. Amid her three-day funeral, he and a priest clash over the truth, each trying to prove their stance and potentially save her life.

Devils Stay stars Park Shin-Yang (The Big Swindle, The Uninvited), Lee Min-Ki (For the Emperor, Monster) and Lee Re (Peninsula, Seven Years of Night).

Watch the Trailer Continue reading

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Jackie Chan-sploitation on acid! Watch a Fight Clip for the Kazakhstan-produced martial arts film ‘Kung Fu Rookie’

"Kung Fu Rookie" Theatrical Poster

“Kung Fu Rookie” Theatrical Poster

Film Movement is set to release Aman Ergaziyev’s Kung Fu Rookie (aka Timuchin), a Kazakhstan-produced martial arts film heavily influenced (in more ways than one) by Hong Kong action legend, Jackie Chan.

Country bumpkin Timuchin (Timur Baktybayev) comes to the city to enroll in the police academy. There he is pranked by a lovely young woman who eventually cottons to his courtship. When they run afoul of local gangsters his Dudley Do Right persona and studied obsession with martial arts send him on a bare-fisted mission to thwart the baddies and rescue his damsel in distress.

This inspired homage to Jackie Chan by way of urban Kazakhstan Continue reading

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What If Famous Directors Designed Slot Games?

Internet slots have developed far past their initial stage as fruit machines and basic reels. Contemporary slot games deliver immersive gameplay, including dramatic storytelling, high-end visual effects, and multiple bonus feature elements. But what if the slot gaming industry allowed well-known Hollywood directors to create their own games as part of industry advancements?

A visionary game developer behind the scenes uses storytelling abilities to transform casino game mechanics into thrilling artistic creations, combining artistic storytelling with casino entertainment elements. OnlineSlot developers explore every gaming theme, from exciting adventure slots to nerve-wracking, mystery-themed games.

Numerous online slots currently derive their themes from well-known Hollywood properties. The outcomes of providing celebrated directors complete creative independence to make their slot games would result in exceptional products. Online gambling entertainment would drive to unprecedented heights when directors matched their personal storytelling elements with slot game characteristics.

Quentin Tarantino’s Grindhouse Reels

Quentin Tarantino’s slot game design would prove mind-blowing in its creation. The games that Quentin Tarantino would make for online gambling would bring unpredictable action alongside sharp dialogues, thanks to his distinctive storytelling methods. A slot game based on Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill, or Django Unchained would let players experience fast-paced motion through different thrill-packed depictions of dark comedy.

Players in bonus rounds would make showdown choices that lead them toward big payout possibilities or dangerous betting situations. The briefcases, samurai swords, old-school vinyl records, and Tarantino-style slow-motion explosions would appear across the reels. A slot game built with surf rock and funk rhythm matched to a soul music base would become an immersive cinematic experience.

Christopher Nolan’s Mind-Bending Spins

When Christopher Nolan establishes his own seasonal slots game, he will create an advanced immersive adventure that forces users to encounter unpredictable thinking patterns. The Inception-themed slot game would show layers of reels which would create a surreal illusion of sinking deeper through imaginary dream worlds to become eligible for increasingly better rewards.

The slot game design for Tenet would integrate backward-time mechanics to make former reel rotations impact impending game outcomes. The game would include a function allowing players to perform a backward rewind that modifies losing spins to show alternative outcomes. Visuals in this game would display modern high-tech components as well as unreal animations challenging the laws of gravity. The Nolan slot would require astute gameplay because smart players who grasp this specific mechanism would unlock the game’s reward systems.

Steven Spielberg’s Blockbuster Slots

Steven Spielberg developed a slot game which represents the best entertainment experience available. Players who enjoy Spielberg films will relish a slot game featuring his multiple franchises as it would deliver captivating entertainment with suspenseful and thrilling features. The slot reel spins transported users to major Spielberg film scenes while showing dinosaurs in rampage and allowing treasure discovery alongside underwater secret discoveries.

The bonus game presents a treasure hunt through various paths, which provide instant wins or free spins and additional winning multipliers. The Spielberg slot offers an experience beyond gambling that becomes an epic story-filled motion picture with dramatic events and sensational music and graphics.

Alfred Hitchcock’s Psychological Thriller Reels

A slot released by Alfred Hitchcock would produce an entirely new gaming experience. Players would experience more than just reel rotation because this game would generate suspense along with rising tension through the unknown elements. The slot design combines black-and-white imagery similar to Psycho and Vertigo together with sonic effects created for dramatic intensification of winning chances.

A novel gameplay element would make reels drift toward players in a Hitchcock film manner, creating mounting tension that determines jackpot success or paralyzing shock reactions. The additional round reveals concealed items which help players solve puzzles that give better prize amounts based on their game advancement. Players would experience suspense during every spin when entering a Hitchcock slot game because the gameplay manipulates anticipation psychology through rewards.

James Cameron’s Sci-Fi Spectacle

Due to his fame as a director who creates visually stunning movies such as Avatar and Terminator 2, James Cameron would create a sci-fi spectacle slot game. The slot machine would exhibit futuristic graphics and 3D visual immersion, enabling players to experience a world with a true virtual landscape feel.

The Terminator-themed slot includes cyborgs, time-travel devices and action-packed explosions that use the famous “Judgment Day” countdown for a progressive jackpot system. Players can discover an enchanted world through its unique shifting reel patterns within the Avatar slot while observing floating mountain ranges and enchanted rainforests. Online slots made by Cameron deliver complete blockbusters through exceptional technological features integrated with astonishing animations.

Martin Scorsese’s Casino Crime Spins

Martin Scorsese directed the greatest gambling films in history, so he was a superior choice for developing slot games featuring high-stakes gambling themes. The slot machine he built would embrace a gangster-style atmosphere by incorporating traditional casino symbols, including poker chips alongside roulette wheels and stacks of cash currency.

During the online slots bonus round, players must choose between safes while risking capture, as pushing their luck too far leads to bonus forfeiture. The classic mob voiceover adds authentic narration for each player’s win or loss during the game experience. Every game round in the slot machine developed by Scorsese would transport players into a criminal fantasy world that merged luxury and dangerous situations.

Online slots unite with Hollywood directors to offer innovative gameplay through stories and gambling activities. These adapted slot games have already emerged from the industry, but a directorial method could produce an unparalleled gaming experience where each turn creates a genuine cinematic experience. Slots of the future will deliver more than standard winning patterns because the upcoming generation of artistic development will allow players to experience the vision of famous filmmakers from the past.

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