Jackie Chan Film 4-Film Series (Miramax Echo Bridge)

RELEASE DATE: May 2, 2011

Contains: Operation Condor, Operation Condor 2 (Armour of God), Dragon Lord and Twin Dragons. They can also be purchased individually at later dates (click for date details): Operation Condor, Operation Condor 2, Dragon Lord and Twin Dragons.

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

Project A Parts 1 & 2 DVDs (Miramax Echo Bridge)

"Project A" Japanese Theatrical Poster

"Project A" Japanese Theatrical Poster

RELEASE DATE: May 5, 2011

Project A is a 1983 Hong Kong martial arts action comedy film written and directed by Jackie Chan. Film stars Chan, Sammo Hung and Yuen Biao. Project A Part II in the 1987 sequel also directed by and starring Jackie Chan. Both will be re-issued (separately) on 5/10/11.

Note: In regards to the audio tracks, please read this article.

Read cityonfire.com’s reviews for Project A and Project A 2.

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

Operation Condor DVD (Miramax Echo Bridge)

"Operation Condor: Armour of God 2" International Theatrical Poster

"Operation Condor: Armour of God 2" International Theatrical Poster

RELEASE DATE: May 24, 2011

Armour of God II: Operation Condor is a 1991 Hong Kong martial arts-action film, directed by and starring Jackie Chan. It is the sequel to his hit “Armour of God”, which was retitled to “Operation Condor 2” in America.

Note: In regards to the audio tracks, please read this article.

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

Operation Condor 2 aka Armour of God DVD (Miramax Echo Bridge)

"Armour of God" Japanese Theatrical Poster

"Armour of God" Japanese Theatrical Poster

RELEASE DATE: May 24, 2011

Armour of God is a 1987 Hong Kong martial arts action film co-directed by, and starring Jackie Chan. It was released in America as “Operation Condor 2,” when in fact, “Operation Condor” is the film’s sequel. Talk about confusion…

Note: In regards to the audio tracks, please read this article.

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

Dragon Lord DVD (Miramax Echo Bridge)

"Dragon Lord" Japanese Theatrical Poster

"Dragon Lord" Japanese Theatrical Poster

RELEASE DATE: May 10, 2011

Dragon Lord is a 1982 Hong Kong martial arts film directed by and starring Jackie Chan. It was originally supposed to be a sequel to The Young Master and even had the name Young Master in Love until it was changed to Dragon Lord. It will be re-issued on DVD 5/10/11

Note: In regards to the audio tracks, please read this article.

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

Supercop/Twin Dragons Double Feature Blu-ray (Miramax Echo Bridge)

Supercop/Twin Dragons Blu-ray (Miramax Echo Bridge)

Supercop/Twin Dragons Blu-ray (Miramax Echo Bridge)

RELEASE DATE: May 15, 2011

Supercop (starring Jackie Chan, Michelle Yeoh and Maggie Cheung) and Twin Dragons (starring Jackie Chan x2, directed by Ringo Lam and Tsui Hark) will both be available for the first time on Blu-ray, and Twin Dragons will be re-issued on DVD (5/24/11).

You can also get the Supercop Blu-ray or DVD on its own.

Note: In regards to the audio tracks, please read this article.

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

Supercop aka Police Story 3 Blu-ray/DVD (Miramax Echo Bridge)

Supercop aka Police Story 3 Blu-ray/DVD (Miramax Echo Bridge)

Supercop aka Police Story 3 Blu-ray/DVD (Miramax Echo Bridge)

RELEASE DATE: 5/10/11

Supercop (aka Police Story 3), is a 1992 Hong Kong martial arts action crime comedy film starring Jackie Chan, Michelle Yeoh and Maggie Cheung. Available for the first time on Blu-ray, and re-issued on DVD (5/3/11). You can also get the Supercop/Twin Dragons Blu-ray at a special price.

Note: In regards to the audio tracks, please read this article.

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

Chop Socky: Cinema Hong Kong (2005) Review

"Chop Socky: Cinema Hong Kong" DVD Cover

“Chop Socky: Cinema Hong Kong” DVD Cover

Director: Ian Taylor
Writer: Ian Taylor
Cast: Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, Lau Kar-Leung, David Chiang, Shih Kien, Gordon Liu, Cheng Pei Pei, Chor Yuen
Running Time: 55 min.

By Mighty Peking Man

After watching Ian Taylor’s Chop Socky: Cinema Hong Kong, I realize how much of a Hong Kong film connoisseur I’m not. The essence of this IFC produced documentary is that it digs deep into the beginnings of Hong Kong cinema, with well researched historical information and clips from some of the first Chinese films. It goes back from 1928′ Burning of the Red Lotus Monastery and 1949’s The True Story of Wong Fei Hung to the newer films that they inspired such as Drunken Master and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

Dozens of action-packed scenes are showcased, covering everything from Shaw Brothers titles like Come Drink With Me, One-Armed Swordsman, and Magic Blade to Bruce Lee’s Fist of Fury and Jet Li’s Once Upon A Time In China and many more. Honourable mentions include the renowned Shaw Brothers studios, King Hu, Chang Cheh, and of course, Bruce Lee.

There are trivia footnotes scattered throughout, such as the huge influence Japanese film had on Hong Kong cinema (like 1962’s Zatoichi) and Jackie Chan explaining how he became famous by being everything Bruce Lee was not. Common practices regarding the production of Hong Kong film are also explored such as camera techniques, special effects, and the usage of prop weapons. Lau Ka-Leung and Gordon Liu, two of the Shaw Brothers’ top stars, are shown doing some of these demonstrations.

The documentary is packed with interviews with some of Hong Kong cinema’s most influential players like Sammo Hung (Winners & Sinners), Lau Ka-Leung (Legendary Weapons of China), David Chiang (The New One-Armed Swordsman), Shih Kien (Enter the Dragon), Gordon Liu (36th Chamber of Shaolin), Cheng Pei Pei (Come Drink With Me), Chor Yuen (The Magic Blade) and many others.

I personally could have done without some of the X-Men and The Replacement Killers clips but they were obviously thrown in to justify the influence Kong Kong films have on popular Hollywood action films of today. For a running time of 55 minutes, Chop Socky: Cinema Hong Kong does a damn good job of giving the viewer a quick, but efficient insight into one the world’s most exciting cinema. I especially recommend this documentary to anyone who still hasn’t got into Shaw Brothers films, as they seem to be showcased more than anything, and that’s a good thing.

Recommended.

Mighty Peking Man’s Rating: 8/10

Posted in Asian Related, Documentary, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , |

Circle of Iron | aka The Silent Flute (1979) Review

"The Silent Flute" Theatrical Poster

“The Silent Flute” Theatrical Poster

Director: Richard Moore
Cast: David Carradine, Jeff Cooper, Christopher Lee, Roddy McDowall, Eli Wallach, Anthony De Longis, Earl Maynard, Erica Creer, Leo Whang, Tom Ascensio
Running Time: 102 min.

By Raven

Bruce Lee had helped write a screen play called The Silent Flute, which was never produced. Following his death, that screenplay was sold and changed beyond recognition, leaving only a few elements of the original. What became of this mess was Circle of Iron, a very bad David Carradine movie. As a martial arts film, it has flat choreography. As an adventure film, it simply fails to stage content or emotion.

By the looks of it all, its makers intended on a epic, they must have settled for a lot less somewhere down the line. Still, some of Lee’s imagery still lingers on, the ending where the hero looks into his treasure is a great example of what the entire film could have been.

Interestingly, Bruce Lee must have felt close to his writing of Flute which is based on a martial artists in search of a guarded treasure, he would later rework this idea into another screen play entitled Game of Death. A film that also never saw the light of day in its original format due to his passing.

It has been written, that a third attempt to get the original Flute produced was made by Bruce’s son Brandon Lee who had acquired the rights, he too died before production. It would be a good day for all martial artist and movie fans alike if and when a respected film maker brings to the screen what Bruce Lee intended on more than thirty years ago.

Raven’s Rating: 4/10

Posted in Asian Related, Reviews | Tagged , |

Enforcer aka Father is a Hero Blu-ray (Dragon Dynasty)

Enforcer aka Father is a Hero Blu-ray (Dragon Dynasty)

Enforcer aka Father is a Hero Blu-ray (Dragon Dynasty)

RELEASE DATE: Pending

Enforcer (aka Father Is A Hero) is a 1995 Hong Kong action film directed by Corey Yuen (Righting Wrongs) and starring Jet Li, Anita Mui, Blackie Ko, Yu Rongguang and Damian Lau.

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

To Kill with Intrigue (1976) Review

"To Kill with Intrigue" Japanese Theatrical Poster

“To Kill with Intrigue” Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Lo Wei
Cast: Jackie Chan, Hsu Feng, San Yat Lung, Yu Ling Lung, George Wang Jue, Tung Lam, Ma Kei, Kong Ching Ha, Chan Wai Lau, Lee Man Tai, Tsang Ming Cheong
Running Time: 110 min.

By JJ Hatfield

This review will be brief as I have already wasted enough time watching the damned movie.

Two martial arts families clash and one family is wiped out except for Jackie.  He is captured and taken back to the enemy territory because the leader of the family is in love with him. But he has a pregnant girlfriend back home.

There isn’t much more of a plot and there are some possibly disturbing torture scenes such as the leader burning his face and making him drink acid. Enough. This is a wretched wreck of bad acting, meaningless conversations, dreadful dubs, pathetic plot… it’s totally terrible!

There are a few fight scenes I believe but I was near comatose from boredom.  Do not buy this movie. Do not rent this movie. This is one of the worst Jackie Chan movies ever made, perhaps one of the worst movies in general to be made. If you see a copy do not touch it. Inform the local authorities there is a toxic object they need to handle with care. If you see it just walk on by. The only intrigue is how this film was ever made.

JJ Hatfield’s Rating: 2/10


By Numskull

lMPORTANT DISCLAIMER:

“I am not a pervert”

– Numskull

It all began the day Lo Wei decided he didn’t want to do “just kung-fu” films anymore. So Lo Wei approached Jackie Chan and said “Our next project will be a mix of action and mystery. You’ll need longer hair, so grow it out with the stuff I use on my private parts, we’ll call it TO KILL WITH INTRIGUE, it will be a great movie!”

And Jackie replied: “Fat shit Lo Wei, you wouldn’t know a great movie if one came up and bit you on the ass!”

But Lo Wei whipped out the almighty film contract between the two of them, which clearly stated that Jackie must must agree to star in the new movie. Then, because of having “The next Bruce Lee” under his thumb gave him a gleeful sense of power, Lo Wei whipped something else out too. And he said, “If you don’t do this movie, I’ll see it that you never work again in this town! How do you feel about that!?”

Then, with a small amount of hostility, came Jackie’s response: “That’s the stupidest question you’ve asked me since the one about whether or not I wanted to watch you bury your bone with that stray dog. Well, two can play at this game! How do you feel about having your hand wrapped around that pathetic little squeak-toy of yours, you sodomizer of homeless canines?!?”

And Lo Wei answered: “I feel a familiar sensation of subdued ecstasy, which gives way to giddy anticipation as I insert said appendage into my vagina for double the pleasure…it’s good to be a hermaphrodite. So, will you do the movie or not?”

“You’re a real pain in my ass”, snapped Jackie.

“Don’t you wish”, came the reply.

“But I haven’t done it doggie-style with a human being since my knee surgery. Besides, I just gave myself an abortion and you know that always leaves me in a rotten mood.”

A wave of realization swept over Jackie, “Oh, so THAT explains the half-starved rat on the string! Is it just me, or do you treat animals better than you treat people?”

Lo Wei twitched nervously, “My lawyer told me not to answer questions like that, or else the Audubon Society will be after me again. So, are you going to star in TO KILL WITH INTRIGUE or do I have to give kung-fu lessons to some alter boy with an acquired taste for oral communication?”

Jackie’s reply was fairly predictable, “Yeah, sure, whatever…but you have to stop tying me up while I’m asleep and forcing me to watch your homemade porno movies Clockwork Orange style, I’ll wear a wig and leave more Miracle-Pube for you”

“It’s a deal”

So, what we have here is an attempt at a genuine mystery story with kung-fu as a plot engine. Does it work? The answer, unfortunately is NO…though it is a definite improvement over the previous JC films made along those lines! “Killer Meteors” (which, in all fairness, may have a good story in its native language, but is an absolute mess in english). Viewed from a general perspective, “To Kill with Intrigue” is a hemorrhoid on the ass of Hong Kong cinema, only worth seeing if you are a fanatical JC completest. Even the last fight scene is a let down…towards the end of it, Jackie gets knocked down and, as he gets to his feet, is kicked back to the ground again…

About nine consecutive times. Bruce Lee would cringe. Oh well…this gets a 4/10 because of the conscious departure from the generic chop-socky structure. Plus, I just had so much fun writing this review, I was in a charitable mood.

Numskull’s Rating: 4/10


By Andrew

Ok, this is what you need to know, i.e. the consumer reports version of what to expect:

– Jackie chases off his girl after making her pregnant
– Some fantasy kung fu
– Jackie is pursued by a witch
– Some wussy gang beats people up
– An old guy helps Jackie out, but Jackie is a punk
– More fantasy kung fu crappy music
– More kung fu torture
– More crappy music
– More torture
– Still torture
– A fight
– Movie ends

Or in plain english:

This film tries to be many things. It tries to be dramatic, suspenseful, and sad like a greek tragedy or hamlet. It tries to use funky camera angles for cinematic effect. The $5 tape I watched blanked every couple minutes or so for cinematic effect.I’m not sure which one was better. Some witch really tortures Jackie because “CAN”T YOU SEE THAT I LOVE HIM!” oh of course, we all like to torture and scar the ones whom we love. Well in this film it’s true, because Jackie chases off the girl he loves after treating her like dirt.

There’s a fight at the end, and Jackie kills the bad guy. Sure he deserved it for that fake chest that he had painted on to look tougher. Then the film pretty much ends. We are all happy because now we can go back to our lives. To give you some idea of just how bad this film was I should tell you that a friend of mine – who is a big Jackie chan fan himself – watched this movie to about the halfway point and said, “so when does Jackie show up? Is he the baby of the pregnant girl and the funny looking guy?” Yeah, it’s really that bad.

Andrew’s Rating: 2/10


By Aloho

I put myself through torture watching this. The story/acting sucks and so the fighting is what I really relied on. Fights weren’t that bad, but not that good either. Camera angles were ridiculous. Maybe rent it for a very cheap price if every other movie is rented out, but for the sake of of humanity, don’t be as stupid as me and buy this garbage. I almost threw it out for taking up to much space!

Aloho’s Rating: 2/10


By Dusty

The coolest thing about this movie is the title. However, I am always one to look on the good sides of Jackie’s movies, and so, I found enough good things to keep me interested. This movie was weird. It scared me a little bit. The costumes were scary kind of. Well, plot, directing, and acting aside, it’s still a Jackie Chan movie, and gets a decent score from me!

Dusty’s Rating: 4/10

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

Platoon Blu-ray/DVD Combo (MGM)

Platoon Blu-ray/DVD Combo (MGM)

Platoon Blu-ray/DVD Combo (MGM)

RELEASE DATE: May 24, 2011

MGM Home Entertainment, in conjunction with 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment, has announced Platoon for Blu-ray release on May 24, in a BD/DVD combo. This acclaimed semi-autobiographical Vietnam war drama, directed by Oliver Stone, received eight Academy Award nominations, winning four (Best Picture, Best Director, Best Sound and Best Film Editing).

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

Equilibrium Blu-ray (Miramax Echo Bridge)

Equilibrium Blu-ray (Miramax Echo Bridge)

Equilibrium Blu-ray (Miramax Echo Bridge)

RELEASE DATE: May 10, 2011

It’s Fahrenheit 451, 1984 and Fist of Fury all rolled into one. Directed by Kurt Wimmer (writer of Salt and Law Abiding Citizen) and starring Christian Bale, Sean Bean, William Fichtner. First time on Blu-ray and NOT to be missed.

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

Gorgeous | aka Glass Bottle (1999) Review

"Gorgeous" Japanese DVD Cover

“Gorgeous” Japanese DVD Cover

Director: Vincent Kok
Cast: Jackie Chan, Shu Qi, Tony Leung, Emil Chow, Richie Ren, Elaine Jin, Bradley Allan, Vincent Kok, Sandra Ng, Sam Lee, Stephen Chow, Stephen Fung
Running Time: 121 min.

By Vic Nguyen

Lovelorn daydreamer Bu (Hsu Chi), on a typical day in her Taiwanese village, finds a mysterious message in a bottle. The contents read, “I’m waiting for you”, signed Albert from Hong Kong. Thinking that this might be her true love calling, she kisses her countrylife goodbye, and hops a plane to HK. Upon arriving in this new land, she immediately locates Albert (Tony Leung Chiu-wai), only to be discouraged, because you see, he is gay. But ever the goodheart, Albert agrees to take her in, despite initial hesitation.

While exploring the finer life of Hong Kong, Bu embarks on wealthy conglomerate CN Chan (Jackie Chan), who is in the midst of competition with his rival, LW (Emil Chow). The evercurious Bu develops a sudden interest in CN, and eventually, a relationship develops between the two. And on the other hand, LW enlists the assistance of an American kickboxer in order to humiliate CN. Upon their first bout, he does the deed, beating CN in an impromptu kickboxing match. Now, with the guidance of Bu, CN must go through vigourous training, in order to beat LW at his own game, and to gain back the pride he lost.

Director Vincent Kok Tat-chiu takes the reins this time, and does a good job for the most part, injecting large doses of light hearted humor and innocent fun into the mix. Occupying most of the screen time, surprisingly enough, is Hsu Chi, who does an admirable job portraying the innocent but immature Bu (or maybe this is what she’s like in real life), while co-stars Tony Leung Chiu-wai (appearing in the film as a favor to the late Leonard Ho Koon-cheung) and Emil Chau are obviously having a delightful time with their roles. The one performance that emerges as a disappointment is Jackie Chan, who coasts through this one with barely a semblance of enthusiasm, and, at the end (excluding a few scenes), comes off as dull and lifeless as the character he plays. Providing fun cameos are a plethora of celebrity faces, most notably Stephen Fung, Sam Lee Chan-sam, Sandra Ng, Annie Wu, Erik Kok, and Stephen Chow Sing-chi (Chan would return the favor later on, appearing briefly in Chow’s own Lunar New Year’s venture, King of Comedy).

Of course, what Chan lacks in the performance department, he more than makes it up with a series of exhilirating, well choreographed action sequences (all of which shows that this 45 year old man can still deliver). Highlights include Chan’s nifty tricks with several baseball bats, and a couple kickboxing duels showcasing the acrobatic agility of Chan and his opponent, in the form of Australian martial artist Brad Allan. The talents of Allan are really a thing to behold, as he throws off an impressive array of kicking combinations that gives Ken Lo and Benny Urquidez a run for their money. The end bout, set in a recycling plant, is terrific, and is worth the price of admission all by itself. And, in the tradition of Jackie Chan films, an outtakes reel is showcased under the end credits (more oriented with flubbed lines than with action goofups), closing the film with additional laughs, and leaving with the viewer with the feeling that they had a genuine good time.

Gorgeous was released on VCD under the Universe Laser and Video label, boasting a double disc package enclosed in a slick, cardboard case. The film itself is presented in it’s original widescreen format, with small, but legible Chinese/English subtitles burnt on the black, widescreen portion. The disc suffers from hazy, undetailed colors, mild jittering and pixelization, which is constant, but not very distracting. Filmed in sync sound with an even mixture of Mandarin, Cantonese, and English dialogue, the disc offers the viewer the former, in addition to providing a dubbed Mandarin track. A DVD version has also been issued by the same company, but unfortunately, I have yet to see it for myself (it reportedly is chock full of extras, including a subtitled making-of documentary).

The bottom line: don’t expect an action packed thrillride, and go away pleasantly surprised.

Vic Nguyen’s Rating: 7.5/10

Posted in Chinese, Golden Harvest, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , |

Hard To Kill | aka Interpol Connection (1992) Review

"Interpol Connection" Theatrical Poster

"Interpol Connection" Theatrical Poster

AKA: Hard To Kill
Director: Philip Ko
Writer: Cindy Chow
Producer: Philip Ko
Cast: Robin Shou, Yukari Oshima (aka Cynthia Luster), King Kong, Simon Kim, Philip Ko, Iwanabeo Leung, Romulo Grabiel, Jose Babida, Jess Babida, Simon Yam
Running Time: 87 min.

By Numskull

Co Chi Pang (Robin Shou) is a Hong Kong narcotics officer assigned to bring an international heroin dealer named Lo Tak to justice. He is assisted by a bumbling Filipino policeman and a fierce Japanese agent. Yay. Despite the poster featuring Simon Yam’s face, his role is only a short cameo. As a special added bonus, here is a RECIPE FOR A BORING ACTION MOVIE…

Ingredients:

– 1 hero (generic)
– 1 sidekick (buffoonish)
– 100 lbs. (approx.) eye candy
– bad guys (assorted)
– 2 dead cop partners
– 1 fake human hand
– 1 brassiere (black)
– 1 drug kingpin
– 1 trite plot device
– 1 big villain house w/Christmas tree
– 90 mins. (approx.) incompetent English dubbing
– 1/2 doz. (approx.) unfunny “jokes” (ex.: “She’s got hard tits! Jesus!”)
– 1 coconut
– 1 doz. (approx.) mistimed sound effects

Directions:

1. Generate 350 degrees homoerotic heat by showing sweaty Robin Shou pumping iron during credit sequence.

2. Credit Yukari Oshima as “Cynthia Luster” for no apparent reason. Introduce bad guys with appropriate music and sunglasses to inform audience that they are evil.

3. Set action in exotic location (ex. Manila) to create illusion that movie is somehow special.

4. Arrange meeting of hero and buffoonish sidekick; the latter should be modeled after Joe Pesci’s character from the Lethal Weapon movies and believe Lincoln is still U.S. president.

5. Have buffoonish sidekick guess what Lincoln’s “specialty” (medicine, computers, etc.) is at regular intervals throughout film (about three at first, then another every 15 minutes or so).

6. Kill hero’s partner in flashback (ex. fall from great height), then buffoonish sidekick’s partner in present (ex. shootout).

7. Let simmer until all momentum is gone; pass time with interrogation scene (ex. hero bends back little finger of fake human hand; audience must be able to tell hand is fake with minimum effort) and lifeless comic relief (ex. buffoonish sidekick wets self; buffoonish sidekick uses brassiere as shoulder holster; assassin poses as nurse with half-coconut shells for breasts; etc.).

8. Introduce trite plot device (ex. key) for everything else to revolve around for remainder of film.

9. Have villains choke hero with wire, thus incapacitating his powers of speech, while demanding that he verbally disclose location of trite plot device.

Introduce eye candy too late for viewers to give a damn. Stage short, unremarkable fight scene.

10. Coast effortlessly for 15-20 minutes or until bored shitless. Stage climactic battle at big villain house.

11. Have hero finally kill drug kingpin for both revenge and duty purposes.

12. Conclude with more lifeless comic relief.

13. Garnish with advertisements for other action movies with laughable “badass” voice placed before feature presentation.

14. Serve.

15. Dodge when guests throw at you.

16. Place in waste receptacle.

17. Watch good action movie instead.

Numskull’s Rating: 3/10

Posted in Chinese, Reviews | Tagged , , , |