Exciting Dragon | aka Drunken Dragon (1985) Review

Posted on August 18, 2022 by Henry McKeand
"Exciting Dragon" Poster

“Exciting Dragon” Poster

AKA: Drunken Dragon
Director: Chiu Chung Hing
Cast: Suen Kwok Ming, Chiang Sheng, Chow Mei Yee, Philip Ko Fei, Leung Kar Yan, Yeung Hung, William Yen, Ko Jan Pang, Chen Chin Hai, Lam Gwong Wing
Running Time: 94 min.

By Henry McKeand

One set piece in Chiu Chung-Hing’s Exciting Dragon (or Drunken Dragon, depending on who you ask) involves a man steering a wheeled rowboat as he fights, indoors, against two men who lay on top of one another and use a flame-thrower hat and bladed wheels to create a lethal human vehicle that can cut a man’s leg off. The “eight-year-olds with toys” quality to this scene has turned it into a minor classic amongst action fans who appreciate its unrestrained creativity and zany choreography. For kung fu fanatics who have seen almost everything and are starved for something new and fresh in the genre, the half-infamous “rowboat scene” may seem almost too good to be true. 

“Surely, this kind of gonzo spectacle is just an isolated occurrence,” I told myself. “If a movie actually managed to maintain this level of energy for its entire runtime, I would have heard of it before.”

When I pressed play on Exciting Dragon and saw that the scene arrives in the first ten minutes, I braced myself for disappointment. If Chiu was so quick to show Continue reading →

Posted in All, Chinese, News, Reviews | Tagged , , , |

David Leitch and Chad Stahelski’s 87North production company to remake Kara Hui’s 2016 actioner ‘Mrs K’

Posted on August 16, 2022 by JJ Bona
“Mrs K” Theatrical Poster

“Mrs K” Theatrical Poster

Writer and humorist, Mishna Wolff (Werewolves Within), who is best known for her 2009 book, I’m Down: A Memoir, is penning a remake of the 2016 Kara Hui actioner, Mrs. K.

The upcoming “re-imagining” will be produced by David Leitch and Chad Stahelski’s 87North production company. Currently, there are no filmmakers or actors attached to the project (via Deadline).

The original Mrs. K (read our review), a Malaysian-Hong Kong production, told the story of a woman (martial arts icon Kara Hui) who gives everything that she has to protect her husband and daughter when enemies from her past come hunting her. The film was directed by Ho Yuhang and co-starred Simon  Yam and Wu Bai.

We’ll keep you updated Continue reading →

Posted in News |

In the Mood for Love | 4K UHD (Criterion)

Posted on August 16, 2022 by JJ Bona
In the Mood for Love | 4K UHD (Criterion)

In the Mood for Love | 4K UHD (Criterion)

RELEASE DATE: November 1, 2022

On November 1, 2022, Criterion Collection is releasing an all-new 4K UHD for Wong Kar-wai’s In the Mood for Love (read our review), starring Tony Leung Chiu-wai (Bullet in the Head, Europe Raiders) and Maggie Cheung Man-yuk (Police Story, New Dragon Inn).

Hong Kong, 1962: Chow Mo-wan (Leung) and Su Li-zhen (Cheung) move into neighboring apartments on the same day. Their encounters are formal and polite—until a discovery about their spouses creates an intimate bond between them.

With its aching musical soundtrack and its exquisitely abstract cinematography by Christopher Doyle (Chungking Express) and Mark Lee Ping-bin (The Assassin), this film has been a major Continue reading →

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

Day Shift (2022) Review

Posted on August 13, 2022 by Paul Bramhall
"Day Shift" Poster

“Day Shift” Poster

Director: J.J. Perry
Cast: Jamie Foxx, Dave Franco, Snoop Dogg, Natasha Liu Bordizzo, Meagan Good, Karla Souza, Steve Howey, Scott Adkins, Oliver Masucci, Peter Stormare
Running Time: 114 min. 

By Paul Bramhall 

One of the biproducts of the John Wick franchise being so successful is that producers are now more willing to back experienced players from the stunt community who want to have a crack at directing. When stuntmen turned directors David Leitch and Chad Stahelski unleashed the original John Wick in 2014, it proved that not every action movie needed to be a superhero flick, and that there was indeed an audience for authentic action that kept things gritty and grounded. Both have gone on to have successful careers in the director’s chair, which in Stahelski’s case has included helming 3 sequels, and one of his most recent credits is producing the directorial debut of another long-time stuntman – J.J. Perry.

Anyone who’s familiar with American action cinema, particularly DTV action cinema, will have heard of J.J. Perry. Making his debut performing stunts in 1987’s They Still Call Me Bruce, Perry got his first fight choreographer credit on 2004’s long forgotten Sunland Heat, in which he replaced a certain Loren Avedon after he walked away in pre-production. Just 2 years later he’d secure his sophomore fight choreographer gig for Isaac Florentine’s Undisputed 2: Last Man Standing. Forever known as the movie which introduced Boyka to the world, a character played by British martial arts wunderkind Scott Adkins, it would lead to the pair collaborating a number of times together. Perry has Continue reading →

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

Emergency Declaration (2022) Review

Posted on August 9, 2022 by Paul Bramhall
"Emergency Declaration" Theatrical Poster

“Emergency Declaration” Theatrical Poster

Director: Han Jae-Rim
Cast: Song Kang-Ho, Lee Byung-Hun, Jeon Do-Yeon, Kim Nam-Gil, Im Si-Wan, Kim So-Jin, Park Hae-Joon, Kim Bo-Min, Hyun Bong-Sik, Seol In-A, Lee Yeol-Eum
Running Time: 141 min.

By Paul Bramhall 

The disaster movie has become something of a regular fixture in Korean cinema over the last 15 years. We’ve had colossal tidal waves in 2009’s Haeundae, towering infernos in 2012’s The Tower, nuclear meltdowns in 2016’s Pandora, and most recently the threat of unthinkable volcanic destruction in 2019’s Ashfall. Understandably, the COVID-19 pandemic that ravaged 2020 and 2021 has seen film goers appetite for the disaster genre on the wane, so 2022’s Emergency Declaration hopes to recapture audiences fondness for big budget chaos by taking it to the skies.

How much sense that makes will likely depend on audiences willingness to separate fiction from reality. With a story that involves a disgruntled lab worker releasing a highly contagious virus on a packed flight to Hawaii, with so much talk of how easy a virus can spread in the confined environment, it may not exactly be what everyone wants to see as the world begins to re-open to travel. Of course everything is relative, so ultimately such concerns will likely only apply to those watching Emergency Declaration at the time of its release. What can’t be argued though is that director Han Jae-rim (The King, The Face Reader) has brought onboard an all-star heavyweight cast, and chances are many will likely check out Emergency Declaration just to see some of the biggest names in Korean Continue reading →

Posted in All, Korean, News, Reviews | Tagged , , |

Carter (2022) Review

Posted on August 7, 2022 by Paul Bramhall
“Carter” Netflix Poster

“Carter” Netflix Poster

Director: Jeong Byeong-gil
Cast: Joo Won, Lee Sung-Jae, Jung So-Ri, Kang Yoo-Ra, Camilla Belle, Mike Colter, Yeo Dae-Hyun, Shin Woo-Hee, Kim Won-Jung, Lee Ye-Joon, Jung Jae-Young
Running Time: 133 min.

By Paul Bramhall

When it comes to modern day action cinema the influence of the John Wick aesthetic is undeniable, defined by its stripped-down approach to killing, and imbued with a kinetic energy and sense of immediacy that’s become the antithesis of the CGI filled superhero movies that usually surround their releases. As much as it’s become the standard to cite the John Wick influence in many contemporary action movies, there is one man who can claim the opposite to be true, and that man is director Jung Byung-gil. A Seoul Action School alumnus, Byung-gil’s 2017 feature The Villainess contained a fight scene that took place on speeding motorbikes, a sequence which director Chad Stahelski lifted wholesale in 2019’s John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum. In my humble opinion, that doesn’t just make Byung-gil any man, it makes him “the man”.

The Villainess was set to be Byung-gil’s Hollywood calling card, and the following year he was announced to be directing his English language debut, a project called Afterburn that was set to star Gerard Butler. For whatever reason Afterburn never materialised, and it’s taken 5 years for another Byung-gil flick to arrive, landing in the form of 2022’s Carter courtesy of Netflix. Remaining in his native Korea, Carter is the name of the title character played by Joo Won (Fatal Intuition, Don’t Click), who in the opening scene finds himself rudely awakened by a group of gun totting CIA agents. With no memory of who he is, half naked, and a woman’s voice giving him orders Continue reading →

Posted in All, Korean, News, Reviews | Tagged |

Martial arts star Gary Daniels to star in Druid Pictures’ upcoming ‘Rivals: The Loyalty of Sago Astar’

Posted on August 6, 2022 by JJ Bona
"Rivals: The Loyalty of Sago Astar" Poster

“Rivals: The Loyalty of Sago Astar” Poster

Martial arts star Gary Daniels (City Hunter, Bloodmoon) is set to star in the martial arts TV series Rivals: The Loyalty of Sago Astar, which is in development by Druid Pictures.

Read the full press release below:

In a savage post apocalyptic world where the gun has been replaced with the sword, the bullet replaced by the fist – two opposing characters from opposite worlds are forced to work together to save the people they love.

Druid Pictures is set to develop new dystopian fantasy martial art action TV series Rivals: The Loyalty of Sago Astar, starring Gary Daniels (The Expendables, Fist of the North Star), with Hollywood heavyweight Kirk Shaw (The Hurt Locker) attached as Executive Producer and Continue reading →

Posted in News |

Hapkido and Lady Whirlwind | Blu-ray (Eureka)

Posted on August 4, 2022 by JJ Bona
Hapkido and Lady Whirlwind | Blu-ray (Eureka)

Hapkido and Lady Whirlwind | Blu-ray (Eureka)

RELEASE DATE: October 3, 2022

On October 3, 2022, Eureka is releasing the Blu-ray (Region B) for 1972’s Hapkido and Lady Whirlwind, collectively directed by Huang Feng (Stoner) and starring Angela Mao, Sammo Hung, Carter Wong, Wang In Sik, Bruce Leung, Chang Yi and Pai Ying.

Official details:

Angela Mao and director Huang Feng (The Shaolin Plot) were a superstar pairing that produced an incredible series of top tier kung fu classics including Deadly China Doll, When Taekwondo Strikes and the two films presented here – Hapkido and Lady Whirlwind.

In Hapkido (aka Lady Kung Fu in the West), a group of martial artists (Mao, Sammo Hung, and Carter Wong) start their own school to teach the Korean Continue reading →

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

How to Choose a Worthwhile Online Casino: Tips for Beginners 

Posted on August 4, 2022 by JJ Bona

Gambling has grown in popularity since its introduction on the Internet. However, given the changing conditions, this form of business needs particular governmental control to protect the safety of the gaming process.

The main task of any beginner is to understand by what criteria to distinguish a reliable playground from a fraudulent one. If you want to start your gambling journey at a top establishment, we recommend Zodiac Casino in Canada. Also, in this review, you will learn how to choose another worthwhile casino that will give you the pleasure of playing and guarantee to pay out all the winnings.

Criteria for Choosing The Right Online Casino

Here are a few basic criteria by which you can choose a worthy playground:

  • License – First of all, you need to pay attention to the availability of a license. At the same time, it is important that it be issued not only by internationally recognized authoritative organizations in this area but also in the country where gambling services are provided;
  • Wide range of games – If a casino has a variety of games, then it has made a significant investment. By choosing a casino with a large assortment, you can try games from top providers such as Microgaming, NetEnt, Playtech, etc. Also, you can play both in demo mode and for real money.

Bonuses and Promotions

Also, various bonus programs and promotions can determine the top casino. So, the most common bonuses in most playgrounds are bonuses for registration, which lead to an unspoken correspondence struggle for players. A welcome bonus for registration is an accrual provided to the user for the fact of providing personal and contact information.

Types of Welcome Bonuses

In practice, there are two types of welcome bonuses – with and without a deposit.

  • Deposit bonus – It is provided after completing the registration procedure and replenishing the balance. Some casinos offer a starter package consisting of bonuses for the first few deposits, and their number can be up to ten. The amount is determined individually and most often ranges from 10 to 200% of the deposit amount. The minimum amount of replenishment is regulated by the rules of the gambling club, as well as the maximum amount of promotion;
  • No Deposit Bonus – A gift for registering at the casino, the player does not need to replenish the user’s account. Often, wagering of the provided points is required with a wager of up to 50 on average. This means you will not be able to pick up the bonus until it is wagered.

It is important to note that all bonuses must be wagered. The top venues provide a wager with x30-35 odds, allowing the player to recoup the bonus swiftly. This is another method for determining a worthwhile casino.

Posted in News |

Baby Driver, who? South Korean action-comedy ‘Seoul Vibe’ hits Netflix on August 26th

Posted on August 3, 2022 by JJ Bona
"Seoul Vibe" Netflix Poster

“Seoul Vibe” Netflix Poster

On August 26th, Netflix will stream Seoul Vibe, a 2022 South Korean action-comedy directed by Moon Hyun-Sung (The King’s Case Note) and starring Yoo Ah-In (Voice of Silence, Burning).

Seoul Vibe (read our review) revolves around a ragtag team of drivers who go undercover to dismantle a massive money-laundering ring, which happens to take place on the very day of the 1988 Seoul Olympics opening ceremony.

The film also stars Ko Gyung-Pyo (Seven Years of Night), Lee Kyu-Hyung (No Tears for the Dead), Park Ju-Hyun  (Silence), Ong Seong-Wu (Life is Beautiful), Kim Sung-Kyun (The Witness) and Jung Woong-In (Veteran).

If you haven’t already, don’t miss Continue reading →

Posted in News |

Indonesian action, Girls with Guns, Corey Yuen and more! Here’s what’s on Hi-YAH for the month of August

Posted on August 3, 2022 by JJ Bona

Hi-YAH!, Well Go USA’s very own Asian/martial arts streaming channel has just announced their New Release line up for the month of August, which includes a New title added to Hi-YAH! every Friday.

If you want to give Hi-YAH! a go, visitors of this site can use the promo code “CITYONFIRE” for a FREE 30 Day trial!

Read on for the full list of New and Exclusive Continue reading →

Posted in News |

Deal on Fire! Shanghai Noon & Shanghai Knights | Blu-ray | Only $8.99 – Expires soon!

Posted on August 3, 2022 by JJ Bona
Shanghai Noon & Shanghai Knights Blu-ray (Touchstone)

Shanghai Noon & Shanghai Knights Blu-ray (Touchstone)

Today’s Deal on Fire is the Blu-ray Double Feature for 2000’s Shanghai Noon and 2003’s Shanghai Knights, which follow the crazy adventures of Chon (Jackie Chan) and Roy (Owen Wilson).

In Shanghai Noon, a Chinese man named Chon (Chan) travels to the Wild West to rescue a kidnapped Princess. After teaming up with Roy (Wilson), a train robber, the unlikely duo takes on a Chinese traitor and his corrupt boss.

The action continues with Shanghai Knights. When a Chinese rebel murders Chon’s estranged father and escapes to England, Chon and Roy make their way to London with revenge on their minds.

Look out for appearances by Continue reading →

Posted in Deals on Fire!, News |

Baby Assassins (2021) Review

Posted on August 2, 2022 by Paul Bramhall
"Baby Assassins" Theatrical Poster

“Baby Assassins” Theatrical Poster

Director: Yugo Sakamoto
Cast: Akari Takaishi, Saori Izawa, Mone Akitani, Yukina Fukushima, Masanori Mimoto, Atom Mizuishi, Yasukaze Motomiya, Takashi Nishina, Yosuke Ohmizu
Running Time: 95 min.

By Paul Bramhall 

We can blame the John Wick franchise for the action genres current infatuation with assassins for hire. Following a bombardment of assassin flicks in the 2010’s which came after the release of the original John Wick in 2014, now only a couple of years into the 2020’s and there doesn’t seem to be any slowing down. We’ve already had Maggie Q in Protégé, Mary Elizabeth Winstead in Kate, Karen Gillan in Gunpowder Milkshake, and those are just the ones that immediately spring to mind. Even Japan, a country in which the action genre is usually relegated to the low to no budget arena, has thrown its hat into the ring with the likes of 2019’s The Fable and it’s 2021 sequel, The Killer Who Doesn’t Kill, which features a surprising amount of top shelf action.

In 2021 it was also Japan that offered up Baby Assassins, thankfully not a literal title when it comes to either of the ways it could be interpreted as meaning. The fourth full length feature from director Yugo Sakamoto, Baby Assassins further elaborates on what appears to be a kind of assassin’s universe that Sakamoto has created. His previous feature A Janitor also involves a world of assassins, as do his shorts The Legend of the Strongest Hitman: Kunioka and Heaven’s Rush. Here he takes a pair of actresses who play significant supporting roles in A Janitor in the form of Akari Takaishi (Distant Thunder) and stuntwoman Saori Izawa (Re:Born), and propels them into the titular roles Continue reading →

Posted in All, Japanese, News, Reviews | Tagged , , |

Deal on Fire! Mortal Kombat | Blu-ray | Only $8.84 – Expires soon!

Posted on August 1, 2022 by JJ Bona
Mortal Kombat | Blu-ray (Warner)

Mortal Kombat | Blu-ray (Warner)

Today’s Deal on Fire is the Blu-ray for Simon McQuoid’s James Wan-produced reboot of Mortal Kombat, a martial arts-thriller based on the highly-successful video game franchise of the same name.

The original film, which spawned a sequel and a number of TV and web series, involved three unknowing martial artists who are summoned to a mysterious island to compete in a tournament whose outcome will decide the fate of the world.

The reboot stars Joe Taslim (The Night Comes for Us) as Sub-Zero; Ludi Lin (Black Mirror) as Liu Kang; Sisi Stringer (Bloody Hell) as Mileena; Mehcad Brooks (Glory Road) as Jackson “Jax” Briggs; Tadanobu Asano (Ichi The Killer) as Raiden; Jessica Continue reading →

Posted in Deals on Fire!, News |

Watch a New fight clip from the all-star thriller ‘Bullet Train’ from ‘John Wick’ director David Leitch

Posted on August 1, 2022 by JJ Bona
"Bullet Train" Theatrical Poster

“Bullet Train” Theatrical Poster

Get ready to board Bullet Train, an upcoming thriller from action director David Leitch (John Wick, Atomic Blonde) that stars Brad Pitt, Sandra Bullock, Joey King and Aaron Taylor Johnson.

Bullet Train (no relation to the 1975 Junya Sato film of the same name) is based on Kotaro Isaka’s Japanese novel Maria Beetle, which acts as the second part of his “hitman trilogy.” The Hollywood screenplay adaptation will be written by Zak Olkewicz (Fear Street) and supervised by Leitch.

Bullet Train involves five assassins aboard a fast moving bullet train find out their missions have something in common.

The film also stars Brian Tyree Henry, Zazie Beetz, Michael Shannon, Logan Lerman, Lady Gaga, Masi Oka, Hiroyuki Sanada Continue reading →

Posted in News |
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