Leopard Fist Ninja | aka The Return of Twin Dragons (1982) Review

"Leopard Fist Ninja" Theatrical Poster

“Leopard Fist Ninja” Theatrical Poster

AKA: The Return of Twin Dragons
Director: Nam Gi-nam
Cast: Im Ja-Ho, Baek Hwang-Gi, Kim Yoo-Haeng, Jo Choon, Im Hae-Rim, Chia Kai, Kim Ki-Beom, Jo Hak-Ja, Park Jong-Seol, Choe Jong-Sook, Kang Cheol
Running Time: 83 min.

By Paul Bramhall

By the 1980’s the popularity of the taekwon-action genre was starting to wane in its native Korea, a decline brought on by the hugely popular release of Drunken Master, which saw the kung-fu comedy become the order of the day. As with any shift in genre tastes, not every filmmaker was in a hurry to adapt to changes in the current trends, and in Korea one such director was Nam Gi-nam. After spending the 70’s helming movies like Return of Red Tiger and Double Dragon in Last Duel, Gi-nam maintained his poker-faced approach to action movies into the 80’s, of which The Return of Twin Dragons falls squarely into the category of.

While the likes of Jeong Jin-hwa (Elton Chong) and Seo Byeong-heon (Benny Tsui) were attempted to be sold as local equivalents to Jackie Chan, usually cast as high kicking comedic buffoons in a series of Drunken Master inspired outings, another new face on the block named Im Ja-ho wasn’t so lucky. Arguably arriving in the taekwon-action genre a little too late in the game, while Ja-ho had spent the late 70’s playing supporting roles in the likes of the Bobby Continue reading

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Team Japan or Team Korea? Place your bets. Well Go USA’s ‘Harbin’ arriving on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD in April

On April 1, 2025, Well Go USA is releasing the 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray & DVD for Harbin, a 2024 period thriller from director Woo Min-Ho (The Man Standing Next, The Drug King).

In 1909, several years after Korea is forced into becoming a Japanese colony, freedom fighters plot the daring assassination of Japan’s prime minister Continue reading

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She-nobi! Watch the Trailer for ‘Shogun’s Ninja’ from ‘Kamen Rider’ and ‘Power Rangers’ action director Koichi Sakamoto

"Shogun’s Ninja" Theatrical Poster

“Shogun’s Ninja” Theatrical Poster

On March 28, the “Samurai Vs Ninja” YouTube channel (if you’ve never heard of it, think Hi-YAH, only their focus is Japanese action) will be debuting Shogun’s Ninja (no relation to the 1980 classic of the same name that starred Hiroyuki Sanada and Sonny Chiba).

Shogun’s Ninja is helmed by Koichi Sakamoto (Power Rangers, Kamen Rider), who also handles the film’s action direction. The film stars Himena Yamada (Ultraman Blazer), Kanon Miyahara (Kamen Rider Gotchard), and features famous Japanese suit actors Teruaki Ogawa (Gokaiger Goseiger Super Sentai 199 Hero Great Battle) and Seiji Takaiwa (Shuriken Sentai Ninninger).

Produced by Nihon Eiga Broadcasting Corp, the Japanese-language film is set in the 17th century Edo period and follows sisters Kagaribi Continue reading

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This is a man’s world… but it would be nothing without Kara Hui! Blu-ray for ‘The Lady is the Boss’ now available

Goodie Emporium now has 88 Films’ Blu-ray (Region A/B) for 1983’s The Lady is the Boss. Directed by and starring the great Lau Kar-leung (Shaolin Mantis), The Lady is the Boss blends fun and fighting as only he could – and those fights are some of the very best of his illustrious career.

A culture-clash comedy – with kung fu! A thoroughly Americanised young woman (Kara Hui, The 8 Diagram Pole Fighter) returns to Hong Kong to visit the martial arts Continue reading

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Chang Cheh’s ‘The Daredevils’ and ‘Ode to Gallantry’ now on Blu-ray from Eureka Entertainment

The Daredevils and Ode to Gallantry | Blu-ray (Eureka)

The Daredevils and Ode to Gallantry | Blu-ray (Eureka)

Now available from Goodie Emporium is a Blu-ray (Region A/B) collection that includes two films directed by Chang Cheh: 1979’s The Daredevils and 1982’s Ode to Gallantry.

During his long and industrious career, the “Godfather of Hong Kong Cinema” Chang Cheh made several films with the celebrated “Venom Mob,” a group of skilled martial arts performers – including Lu Feng, Chiang Sheng, Philip Kwok, Sun Chien, Lo Mang, and Wai Pak – who rose to fame as the stars of his own Five Deadly Venoms. Here, Eureka Classics presents two of the Venom Mob’s best: The Daredevils and Ode to Gallantry.

Set in Republic era China, The Daredevils follows Yang Ta-ying (Lo Mang) as he sets out to avenge his father, a military commander who was Continue reading

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It’s the FINAL Trailer for the Sly-penned Jason Statham actioner ‘A Working Man’ from director David Ayer

"A Working Man" Theatrical Poster

“A Working Man” Theatrical Poster

Steven Seagal was just a cook in Under Siege. Daisy Ridley was just a window cleaner in Cleaner. Jean-Claude Van Damme was just a gardener in The Gardener. Now, Jason Statham (The Meg, Redemption, The Expendables) is just a construction worker in MGM’s A Working Man.

Formerly known as Levon’s Trade, this upcoming actioner – written by Sylvester Stallone (its plot is dangerously similar to Rambo: Last Blood) – reunites Statham with The Beekeeper director, David Ayer (End of Watch, Suicide Squad).

Joining Statham is David Harbour (Extraction), Michael Peña (Narcos: Mexico), Jason Flemyng (The Iron Mask) and Arianna Rivas (The Harvest). Daren Nop, who served as fight coordinator Continue reading

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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

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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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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

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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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