Kill Boksoon (2023) Review

"Kill Boksoon" Netflix Poster

“Kill Boksoon” Netflix Poster

Director: Byun Sung-hyun
Cast: Jeon Do-yeon, Sol Kyung-Gu, Kim Si-A, Esom, Koo Gyo-Hwan, Lee Yeon, Lee Jae-Wook, Park Se-Hyun, Ahn Seong-Bong, Kim Sung-Oh, Ki Joo-Bong
Running Time: 137 min.

By Paul Bramhall

At this point there are very few active actors and directors left who haven’t worked with Netflix in some form or another, and in 2023 arguably the most highly regarded actress in Korean cinema, Jeon Do-yeon, made her first appearance for the streaming giant. Clearly going for the all-in approach, she went for a double whammy by headlining the romantic drama series Crash Course in Romance to kick off the year, and with less than 4 weeks since the last episode aired domestically, at the end of March she headlines the assassin action outing Kill Boksoon (a play on her character’s name Gil Boksoon).

For those suffering from female assassin flick fatigue, a perfectly reasonably symptom considering in the last 5 years alone we’ve had Ava, Proud Mary, Kate, Gunpowder Milkshake, Red Sparrow, Maria, Black Widow, Anna, Protégé, and Baby Assassins (I’m probably missing more), then it may be best to clock out now. For everyone else, Kill Boksoon offers up Do-yeon as an elite assassin that works for what can best be described as a killer’s union. The union ranks their staff accordingly, and despite being past her prime, Do-yeon is still a grade A, a fact which causes some mild Continue reading

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Shaw Bothers Classics: Volume 1 | Blu-ray (Shout!)

Shaw Bothers Classic: Volume 1 | Blu-ray (Shout!)

Shaw Bothers Classics: Volume 1 | Blu-ray (Shout!)

RELEASE DATE: June 13, 2023

On June 13, 2023, Shout! Factory will be releasing Shaw Bothers Classics: Volume 1, an 11-film Blu-ray (Region A) collection that will include The Assassin (1967), The Thundering Sword (1967), The Golden Swallow (1968), The Jade Raksha (1968), The Bells of Death (1968), The Sword of Swords (1968), Killer Dart (1968), The Invincible Fist (1969), Dragon Swamp (1969), The Flying Dagger (1969) and The Golden Sword (1969).

Official details:

This exciting box set comprises 11 classic martial arts films from the famous Shaw Brothers library featuring some of their greatest stars – Jimmy Wang Yu (The One-Armed Swordsman), Cheng Pei-Pei (Come Drink With Me), Lo Lieh (King Boxer), Ku Feng (The Heroic Ones) and David Chiang (The Boxer of Shantung). Get Continue reading

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Jackie Chan Collection Volume 2 | Blu-ray (Shout! Factory)

Jackie Chan Collection Volume 2 | Blu-ray (Shout! Factory)

Jackie Chan Collection Volume 2 | Blu-ray (Shout! Factory)

RELEASE DATE: April 25, 2023

On April 25, 2023, Shout! Factory will be releasing The Jackie Chan Collection Volume 2 on Blu-ray (Region A). Unlike Jackie Chan Collection Volume 1this upcoming set will include 8 movies, spread across 8 Blu-ray discs (previous set included 7 movies, spread across 7 Blu-ray discs.

Here’s what’s included:

Winners and Sinners (1983): Fresh from prison, five friends try to stay crime free but inadvertently find themselves caught in a Triad war. Jackie is part of an ensemble cast that includes Sammo Hung, Richard Ng, Ching Shung Lin, John Sham, Stanley Fung, Yuen Biao and Cecilia Yip Tung. (1.85:1 / Cantonese, English Continue reading

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Your Guide to Solar Panel Wattage

Installing solar panels in your home is much more affordable than you may have thought.

While it’s true that solar panels used to be incredibly expensive, the cost has decreased massively over the last decade. This makes transitioning to solar energy a breeze. With just a few solar panels on your roof, you can end up saving thousands of dollars a year in reduced energy bills.

If you want to install solar panels at home, it’s important to take note of the solar panel wattage. This will let you know how much energy the solar panel can produce. In this way, you can find the ideal solar panels for your home’s energy needs.

Interested in switching to solar? Read on for more information on solar power and the solar installation process.

Solar Panels

Solar panels are a great way to harness the energy of the sun. These panels have been around for a while, but technology has advanced rapidly in the last few years. These advancements have made solar panels more efficient and affordable for homes and businesses.

In simple terms, solar panels are large panels that can convert solar energy into electrical energy. These panels absorb energy from sunlight and use it to generate an electrical current. This energy is then used to run your home or to charge batteries.

Setting up a battery pack at home is the most effective way to run your solar panels. This is because the battery pack can charge up and provide you with electricity at night. This means that you can run your home on solar energy even if the sun isn’t out.

Benefits of Solar Panels

There are a ton of benefits that come with solar panels. These benefits range from saving you money to reducing your carbon footprint. Here’s a quick look at the benefits of solar panels for homeowners.

1. Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

The first and most important benefit of solar panels is that it allows you to reduce your carbon footprint. Traditional electricity is provided through the national grid. This means that energy companies generate electricity and feed it to everyone on the grid.

While some energy companies use solar and wind to generate electricity, others use coal, oil, and diesel. This releases tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere every day. By switching to solar, you’re not relying on those traditional ways of generating electricity.

Instead, you’re using more solar energy than you’re extracting yourself. This reduces your personal carbon footprint and also makes you less reliant on the grid for energy.

2. Lower Your Energy Bill

As mentioned above, solar panels allow you to rely less on the traditional grid. This doesn’t just mean that you’re not taking as much electricity from the grid, it also means that you’re not paying as much either.

By installing solar panels at home, you’re effectively generating your own power. Solar energy is completely renewable and doesn’t cost you a thing. In this way, you just need to pay for the panels, and the electricity it generates is completely free.

Installing solar panels can end up saving you around $25,000 to $40,000 over 25 years. This means that you can save around $1,000 to $1,600 every year by installing solar panels.

Your exact saving is dependent on what kind of solar panels you install and how much energy you use.

3. Increase Your Property Value

Another great benefit of solar panels is that they can impact your property value. Home buyers understand the benefits of solar panels and know that it comes with reduced energy bills. This is why they’re willing to pay more for a home with solar panels.

The added demand for solar panels makes your home worth more on the market. If you’re planning to sell your home in the next few years, investing in solar panels may be a great way to jack up the price.

Kinds of Solar Panels

There are a few different kinds of solar panels that you should know about. The various kinds of panels range in size and efficiency. Here’s a quick breakdown of the most popular options.

Solar Panel Size

Solar panel size is another important factor to keep in mind. Solar panels come in various sizes and are ideal for different applications. Modern solar panels are so advanced that you can even get miniature ones to power lights around your home.

If you want solar panels to power your entire home, these panels are much larger and are installed on the roof. The average size of rooftop solar panels is around 65 inches wide and 39 inches high. These come with a solar panel output of around 300 watts.

How Many Solar Panels Do You Need?

One of the most important questions is how many solar panels do you need. The more solar panels you have, the less reliant you will be on the grid. This further reduces your energy bill every month.

Solar Panel Wattage

The wattage of your solar panels is the most important metric to keep an eye on. This is what tells you how much power the panel can produce.

As mentioned above, the average rooftop solar panel can produce around 300 watts. This is enough power to support a small refrigerator, your lights, and even a small television. However, most solar installations connect this to a battery that can then power the entire home.

Number of Panels

The number of panels you need depends entirely on the size of your home. Larger homes will naturally need more solar panels than smaller homes.

The average home would need around 20 to 30 panels to go completely off the grid. However, installing a few panels will still make a dent in your monthly energy bills.

Installing Solar Panels

Installing solar panels has never been easier. This is because you technically don’t have to do a thing. Professional solar installers will help guide you through the entire process from start to finish.

These installers will take a look at your home to let you know what kind of panels you need. They will then source the panels and install them for you. This makes the entire transition to solar effortless.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have a few questions about solar panels? We’ve got you covered. Here’s a quick look at the most frequently asked questions.

1. How Do Solar Panels Work?

Solar panels harness the energy from sunlight and convert it into electrical energy. This electrical energy can then be used to power your home or charge batteries. This reduces your reliance on the traditional grid.

2. How Many Solar Panels Do I Need?

Solar panels range in size and wattage. This means that the number of panels you need for your home can vary depending on what panels you get. However, the size of your home is usually the biggest factor.

A premium solar installer has experience dealing with all kinds of homes. This is why they are the best people to ask about how many panels your individual home needs.

3. Are Solar Panels Worth It?

Solar panels are not as expensive as they used to be. This means that they are a great way to increase your property value and reduce your energy bill every month. If you take your increased property value into account, you can make back your investment in just a few years.

4. How Long Does Solar Installation Take?

Solar installation can vary depending on how many panels you want to install. This is why solar installation can take anywhere from a day to a week. However, a premium solar installer will help you plan out the entire process.

5. How Do I Find a Solar Installer?

Finding a premium solar installer is incredibly important. The right solar installer will come to your home and evaluate your needs in person. They will recommend the right kinds of panels along with how many your home needs.

Once you finalize what you want, they will handle the installation for you. This way, you can sit back as professional installers handle the entire setup for you. If you want to learn more about premium solar installers, visit this homepage linked here.

Invest In Solar Panels

Solar panels are a great investment to bring your home into the 21st century. Modern solar panels are more affordable than ever before, making the switch to solar even easier.

If you want to install solar panels at home, it’s important to find the right solar panels. Looking at the solar panel wattage is a great way to see if the panels would generate enough energy for your home.

Want to learn more about reducing your carbon footprint at home? Visit our website today for more interesting articles.

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Colosseum Films announce Blu-ray for Bruce Lee’s ‘Game of Death: Pagoda Cut’ to celebrate its 45th anniversary

To celebrate the 45th anniversary of its release, later this year Colosseum Films will be releasing Game of Death: Pagoda Cut Limited Edition Blu-ray (All Region), the debut title from a new independent label inspired by the Little Dragon. Promising a whole host of new special features, below is the full press release –

Colosseum Films is proud to present a new vision for Bruce Lee’s crowning achievement 45 years after its original release with Game of Death: Pagoda Cut. Developed through years of research and analysis based on Bruce Lee’s own notes on the production, Colosseum Films representative George Fan explains, “Game of Death is considered to be the black sheep in Lee’s filmography since it wasn’t completed, however looking at his notes, it’s clear that the Little Dragon wanted to create the ultimate fight fest, and the Pagoda Cut stays true to that vision, creating Continue reading

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Warriors Two | Blu-ray (Arrow)

RELEASE DATE: June 6, 2023

On June 6, 2023, Arrow Video will be releasing a Blu-ray (Region A) for Warriors Two, a 1978 Golden Harvest kung fu classic directed by, and starring Sammo Hung (The Prodigal Son). In the film, Hung and Casanova Wong (Ninja in the Claws of the CIA) play two students of master Jan (played here by Bryan “Beardy” Leung Kar Yan) who must use their skills to defend their town against an evil businessman and his gang of killers.

Warriors Two also stars Fung Hak On (Police Story), Lee Hoi San (Shaolin Intruders), Tiger Yeung (Tower of Death), Dean Shek Tien (Drunken Master), Lau Kar Wing (Shaolin Martial Arts), Eric Tsang (My Lucky Stars), Billy Chan (Daggers 8), Peter Chan Continue reading

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The forecast for today is the New Trailer for ‘The White Storm 3’ starring Lau Ching-Wan, Louis Koo and Aaron Kwok

"The White Storm 3: Heaven or Hell" Theatrical Poster

“The White Storm 3: Heaven or Hell” Theatrical Poster

In the mood for another storm? Just like David Lam’s ongoing collection of Storm films (Z-StormS-Storm, L-Storm, P Storm and G Storm), the other Storm franchise continues to run wild with a third film titled The White Storm 3: Heaven or Hell.

For the upcoming The White Storm 3: Heaven or Hell (read our review), Herman Yau (Nessun Dorma) is once again at the helm, while Lau Ching-Wan (A Hero Never Dies), Louis Koo (Paradox) and, new-to-the-franchise star, Aaron Kwok (Project Gutenberg), are leading the show.

In 2019’s The White Storm 2: Drug Lords, Yau (Shock Wave) took over directing duties for Benny Chan – with Andy Lau (The Adventurers) headlining with returning star, Louis Koo (Paradox).

The first film (read our review), starred Koo as a narcotics detective hot on the trail of a new drug kingpin (Nick Cheung), who may or may not be a former cop that everyone believes is dead.

Don’t miss the New Trailer for The White Storm 3 below:

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Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander and Jung Ho-yeon team up for ‘Hope’ from ‘The Chaser’ director Na Hong-Jin

"The Chaser" Theatrical Poster

“The Chaser” Theatrical Poster

They call him Na Hong-Jin. If you’re not familiar with his name, maybe you’re familiar with his work. In 2008, the acclaimed South Korean filmmaker shook the world with his debut feature film, The Chaser. In 2010, he showed us that he wasn’t a one-hit wonder with The Yellow Sea. Then in 2016 came The Wailing, where Na proved his cinematic prowess while tackling the occult subgenre (he also lent his producing and co-writing chops to the recent Thai-made horror film titled, The Medium).

And now, it looks like Na isn’t done with the horror genre yet. He’s teaming up with Oscar winner Alicia Vikander (The Danish Girl), Oscar nominee Michael Fassbender (12 Years A Slave), and Emmy-nominated Jung Ho-yeon (Squid Game) for Hope, Na’s first directorial project since The Wailing. Cinematographer Hong Continue reading

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Bohachi Bushido: The Villain | Blu-ray (Discotek Media)

Bohachi Bushido: The Villain | Blu-ray (Discotek Media)

Bohachi Bushido: The Villain | Blu-ray (Discotek Media)

RELEASE DATE: June 27, 2023

On June 27, 2023, Discotek Media is releasing the Blu-ray (Region A) for 1974’s Bohachi Bushido: The Villain, the spiritual successor to Teruo Ishii’s 1973 film, Bohachi Bushido.

The film stars Goro Ibuki (Battles Without Honor and Humanity Vol. 1), Reiko Ike (Sex and Fury), Bin Amatsu (The Street Fighter), Keiko Aikawa (The Bullet Train), Kenji Kusumoto (The Great Killing) and Takashi Ebata (Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart at the River Styx).

Directed by Takashi Harada, Bohachi Bushido: The Villain, follows a ronin (Goro Ibuki) who is condemned to death sentence. However, he is saved by the notorious Bohachi clan who contemplate to use his sword skills against their rivals. The ronin now finds himself in an inferno of war between brothels and Continue reading

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Game Trilogy | Blu-ray (Arrow)

RELEASE DATE: June 20, 2023

On June 20, 2023, Arrow Films is releasing the Blu-ray (Region A) collection for Toru Murakawa’s Game Trilogy, which will include 1978’s The Most Dangerous Game, 1978’s The Killing Game and 1979’s The Execution Game spread across 2 discs.

In 1978’s The Most Dangerous Game, Yusaku Matsuda (Ridley Scott’s Black Rain) stars as an assassin who gets involved in a corporate feud when he’s hired to kill a rival conglomerate. In The Killing Game (made the same year), Matsuda returns, only this time, he gets crossed between two crazy yakuza bosses. For 1979’s The Execution Game, Yusaku Matsuda Continue reading

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Fist of the Condor (2023) Review

"Fist of the Condor" Theatrical Poster

“Fist of the Condor” Theatrical Poster

Director: Ernesto Díaz Espinoza
Cast: Marko Zaror, Eyal Meyer, Gina Aguad, Fernanda Urrejola, Man Soo Yoon, Jose Manuel, Cristian Garin, Francisco Castro, Andrés Cid, Joaquin Puig
Running Time: 80 min. 

By Paul Bramhall 

Chile isn’t the country that first springs to mind when you think about martial arts cinema, however since their debut with 2006’s Kiltro, the director and leading man pair of Ernesto Díaz Espinoza and the ‘Latin Dragon’ Marko Zaror have ensured their home country should at least get a mention. Friends from high school, together they cranked out a steady stream of DTV action flicks from the mid-2000’s to mid-2010’s, including 2007’s Mirageman, 2009’s Mandrill, and 2014’s Redeemer. At one point Zaror was even going to star in an English language remake of Mirageman called Defender 3D, which was set to be directed by Andy Cheng, but it unfortunately never got further than a trailer. While it seemed like we’d seen the end of Espinoza and Zaror’s collaborations together, in 2023 they finally reunited for Fist of the Condor, almost 10 years after their last collaboration.

In the intervening years Zaror has taken on a number of supporting turns in big budget Hollywood productions like Alita: Battle Angel and John Wick Chapter 4, as well as taking on villainous roles in DTV action flicks like Savage Dog (which offered up a rematch against Scott Adkins from Undisputed 3: Redemption) and Invincible. Espinoza on the other hand has largely been quiet, only going on to direct the comedy sequel Fuerzas Especiales 2: Cabos Sueltos in 2015, and Continue reading

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Violent Streets | Blu-ray (Film Movement)

Violent Streets | Blu-ray (Film Movement)

Violent Streets | Blu-ray (Film Movement)

RELEASE DATE: May 16, 2023

On May 16, 2023, Film Movement will be releasing the Blu-ray for 1974’s Violent Streets (aka Violent City). Directed by Hideo Gosha (Samurai Wolf 2: Hell Cut), the film stars Noboru Ando (Violent Fraternity), Akira Kobayashi (Tokyo Mighty Guy), Isao Natsuyagi (I Want To), Bunta Sugawara (Cops vs. Thugs) and Tetsuro Tanba (You Only Live Twice).

In Violent Streets, a retired yakuza is caught in the middle of a growing conflict between two rival clans.

Violent Streets is one of the wildest, bloodiest and most visually stunning Yakuza yarns ever made. Violent Streets is a masterpiece, plain and simple. One of Gosha’s best (just maybe his very best) and one of the Continue reading

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Daniel Lee’s dark ‘n bloody wuxia thriller ‘Code of the Assassins’ arrives on Digital, Blu-ray & DVD on March 28

Code of the Assassins | Blu-ray (Well Go USA)

Code of the Assassins | Blu-ray (Well Go USA)

Daniel Lee’s dark ‘n bloody wuxia thriller Code of the Assassins has arrived! The film debuts on Hi-YAH! on March 3rd, then goes to digital, Blu-ray & DVD on March 28th from Well Go USA.

This upcoming actioner is directed by Daniel Lee, the Hong Kong director behind films such as Jet Li’s Black Mask, Donnie Yen’s 14 Blades, Leon Lai’s White Vengeance and Jackie Chan’s Dragon Blade.

Code of the Assassins sees the filmmaker re-uniting with his White Vengeance and Dragon Blade star William Feng (Young Detective Dee: Rise of the Sea Dragon).

After completing his training, an elite young assassin embarks on his first mission and is quickly ensnared in an intricate plot laid by Continue reading

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Furies | aka Thanh Soi (2023) Review

"Thanh Soi" Theatrical Poster

“Thanh Soi” Theatrical Poster

Director: Veronica Ngo
Cast: Hoa Thanh, Veronica Ngo, Dong Anh Quynh, Toc Tien, Rima Thanh Vy, Thuan Nguyen
Running Time: 112 min. 

By Paul Bramhall

Multi-talented star Veronica Ngo has maintained an enduring presence since first coming to international audiences attention in The Rebel and Clash during the late 2000’s, both of which served to briefly put Vietnamese action cinema on the map. Naturally Hollywood came calling, however minor supporting roles in the likes of Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Bright failed to fully utilise her magnetic screen presence. The same could be said for her role in 2016’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny, a Hong Kong production which brought her into contact with producer Bey Logan, and the pair would go on to work together in the capacity of star and producer in 2019’s Furie.

No longer relegated to supporting turns, Furie saw Ngo return to Vietnam to headline a contemporary set actioner, and confirmed everyone’s suspicions that she was able to hold her own as an action lead. Very much a localised version of Taken, she plays a single mother whose daughter is kidnapped by traffickers, framed through a gritty tale of hunting down those responsible via a combination of fists and kicks. While it’s unlikely anyone was clamouring for a prequel, 4 years later we’ve got one in the form of 2023’s Furies, which once more sees the pair reunite, only this time Ngo Continue reading

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Hideo Gosha’s samurai classics ‘Samurai Wolf’ and ‘Samurai Wolf 2: Hell Cut’ arrive on Blu-ray from Film Movement in May

Samurai Wolf 1 & 2 | Blu-ray (Film Movement)

Samurai Wolf 1 & 2 | Blu-ray (Film Movement)

On May 16, 2023, Film Movement will be releasing a Blu-ray that will include two films by Hideo Gosha (The Geisha): 1966’s Samurai Wolf and 1967’s Samurai Wolf 2: Hell Cut.

In Samurai Wolf, Isao Natsuyagi stars as Kiba, a charismatic ronin who wanders into a small town and ends up ensnared in a local conflict that’s more than meets the eye. After dispatching a pair of highway criminals seen robbing a courier wagon, Kiba agrees to assist a beautiful blind woman who runs the local shipping compny.

In Samurai Wolf 2: Hell Cut, charismatic ronin Kiba (Natsuyagi) returns, once again entangled in a complex web of intrigue, involving a crooked goldmine owner, a cynical swordsman, and an Continue reading

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