Dragon Blood | aka John Liu In Mexico (1982) Review

"Dragon Blood" Theatrical Poster

“Dragon Blood” Theatrical Poster

Director: John Liu
Cast: John Liu, Phillip Ko Fei, Roger Paschy, Cyrielle Claire, Guy Ignace, Godfrey Ho, Lucien Michaud
Running Time: 91 min.

By Paul Bramhall

Dragon Blood can be considered to be superkicker John Liu’s last hurrah, both in front of the camera and behind it, pulling star and director duties for a third time after Zen Kwun Do Strikes in Paris and Ninja In the Claws of the CIA. It wasn’t necessarily meant to be that way, with Liu looking to take on star and director roles again for 1984’s New York Ninja, a project that started filming but was never completed (until of course the Vinegar Syndrome release in 2021, which was constructed without Liu’s involvement). Liu would return to screens one last time in 1998 after a 16-year absence to take on a supporting role in Robert Tai’s Trinity Goes East, but other than that his life is largely shrouded in mystery.

As a swansong though to his brief career as a kung fu thespian, having broke out just 6 years earlier in Secret Rivals, Dragon Blood is a worthy one. The plot is somewhat bewildering, but essentially it involves Liu as a Chinese immigrant in Mexico (and depending on which source you read, it was either filmed on location or in Tenerife, Spain). The year is 1886, and being in possession of a pair of gold dragons sees all kinds of unsavoury gringos after him, looking to get their hands on the valuable treasures, including an “assassin from the Chinese courts” played by the legendary Phillip Ko Fei (who clocked in 14 roles in 1982, including classics like Legend of a Fighter and Brothers from the Walled City). When Liu’s ambushed by a group of sombrero wearing gun slingers, after having his face pushed into a fire he’s blinded, and becomes a kind of kung fu Zatoichi – just replace the katana Continue reading

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Ninja in the Claws of the CIA | aka Kung Fu Emanuelle (1981) Review

"Ninja in the Claws of the CIA" Theatrical Poster

“Ninja in the Claws of the CIA” Theatrical Poster

AKA: Made in China
Director: John Liu
Cast: John Liu, Casanova Wong, Danny Lee, John Ladalski, Roger Paschy, Mirta Miller, Cheng Bik-Lin, Gam Biu, Raquel Evans, Jose Maria Blanco
Running Time: 77 min.

By Paul Bramhall

It’s always interesting when kung fu stars decide to step into the director’s chair and helm their own starring vehicles, from the globe-trotting adventures of Bruce Le in the likes of Challenge of the Tiger and Bruce Strikes Back, to the self-proclaimed cool of Donnie Yen’s Legend of the Wolf and Ballistic Kiss. One kung fu star who decided to start taking control of his career in a relatively short period of time was super kicker John Liu. After his breakthrough role in 1976’s Secret Rivals, just 3 years later he’d created his own martial art – called Zen Kwun Do – and decided to showcase it by directing, writing, producing, choreographing, and starring in Zen Kwun Do Strikes in Paris. Playing a Hong Kong movie star who heads to Paris to rescue his kidnapped father, a “well known American aerospace scientist”, Liu’s directorial debut is every bit as baffling as it sounds.

Liu would go on to direct 2 more productions which saw him similarly covering a multitude of roles, and in 1981 his sophomore feature arrived in the form of Ninja in the Claws of the CIA. Involving a truly mind-bending plot that sees Liu in dual roles playing twins – one a former military man now wheelchair bound, and the other a martial arts teacher (playing himself, John Liu) – proceedings only get more bizarre as they go. Taking place in the U.S., we learn that Russia has created a deadly new martial arts technique, and the CIA want to recruit Liu to teach the military his unique style of Zen Kwun Do. Liu’s style involves a form of self-hypnosis that can supress sexual desire and pain, however he wants nothing to do with it, declaring that he “can’t teach self-hypnosis to westerners.” However when he falls for a CIA trap involving the rescue of a lady being harassed while she’s buying Continue reading

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‘The Night Comes for Us’ director Timo Tjahjanto’s ‘Train to Busan’ remake to be titled ‘The Last Train to New York’

"Train to Busan" Theatrical Poster

“Train to Busan” Theatrical Poster

Indonesian director Timo Tjahjanto (The Night Comes for Us) of the “Mo Brothers” directing duo (Killers, Headshot, Macabre), will helm Warner’s The Last Train to New York, a U.S. remake of Yeon Sang-Ho’s 2016 South Korean blockbuster hit, Train to Busan.

The original Train to Busan, which starred Gong Yoo (The Age of Shadows), Jung Yu-Mi (A Bittersweet Life) and Ma Dong-Seok (Champion), was actually a sequel itself to Sang Ho’s animated film, Seoul Station. Train to Busan was followed up with 2020’s Peninsula, which was also directed by Sang Ho.

Deadline reports that Atomic Monster’s James Wan and Michael Clear and Gaumont’s Nicolas Atlan and Terry Kalagian will produce alongside Coin Operated’s Gary Dauberman, who is adapting the Continue reading

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To Sleep So as to Dream | Blu-ray (Arrow Video)

To Sleep So as to Dream | Blu-ray (Arrow Video)

To Sleep So as to Dream | Blu-ray (Arrow Video)

RELEASE DATE: March 22, 2022

On March 22, 2022, Arrow Video is releasing the Blu-ray for To Sleep So as to Dream, the 1986 debut of Kaizo Hayashi (Circus Boys, Zipang). The film stars Morio Agata (Hakodate Coffee), Kenji Endo (The Whispering Star) and Fujiko Fukamizu (Singing Lovebirds).

Read on for the details:

Two private detectives hunt for an actress trapped within the reel of a silent ninja film in the dreamlike debut of Kaizo Hayashi , a magical double-handed cinephilic homage to the movie worlds of the 1910s and 1950s.

When private eye Uotsuka (Shiro Sano, Violent Cop, Shin Godzilla) and his sidekick Kobayashi are approached by an aged former actress, Madame Continue reading

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

Gardener | DVD (Lionsgate)

Gardener | DVD (Lionsgate)

Gardener | DVD (Lionsgate)

RELEASE DATE: December 28, 2021

On December 28th, 2021, martial arts star Gary Daniels (City HunterBloodmoon, The Expendables) is teaming up with Charles Bronson lookalike, Robert Bronzi (Once Upon a Time in Deadwood), for Lionsgate’s DVD release for The Gardener.

The quiet of the English countryside is shattered one brutal night in this intense home-invasion thriller. A troubled wealthy family gathers in a quaint manor home for the holidays, never suspecting that bloodthirsty, sadistic Volker (Daniels) and his crew linger at the gates, ready to attack, rob, and maim them at nightfall. But they didn’t count on the estate’s quiet gardener Juhasz (Bronzi), who must return to the savage ways he learned as a soldier to save the family.

The Gardner is directed by Scott Jeffrey (Dragon Fury) and Rebecca Continue reading

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

Challenge of the Tiger (1982) Review

"Challenge of the Tiger" Theatrical Poster

“Challenge of the Tiger” Theatrical Poster

AKA: Gymkata Killer
Director: Bruce Le
Starring: Bruce Le (Huang Kin Long), Richard Harrison, Nadiuska, Hwang Jang-lee, Kong Do, Bolo Yeung Sze, Brad Harris, Dick Randall, Pei Ju-Hua
Running Time: 86 min.

By Ian Whittle

(Note: Every online source I’ve seen says this film is from 1980, which is contradicted by 1982 being mentioned in the dialogue, and a sequence taking place at an event that took place in that year!)

Although it features no martial arts, the opening sequence of Challenge of the Tiger must rank as one of my favourite martial art movies intros ever. Two scientists discover the secret of making men infertile, declare that it must not be used for the wrong purposes, then embrace passionately. Seconds later, masked men burst in and shoot them.

Genius. I defy any film to top that!

Challenge of the Tiger is the third of three films Bruce Le made in Europe for producer Dick Randall; the others being Le starring in Ninja Strikes Back, and Le’s bizarre cameo in the bizarre slasher Pieces, which is, let me assure you, very bizarre. Le also wrote and directed Challenge, so you know exactly who to thank/blame. Le plays agent Huang Lung, assigned to track down the missing formula. Because this is an international movie, he can’t do it without a white guy, so we have Continue reading

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10 Tips to help choose the best digital marketing company 

Digital marketing is not an easy platform for your company, even if you feel that any company is best then you are wrong here. 

To make a decision of hiring a digital marketing company is easy but to choose out of the many agencies is where you are going to work for. 

Every other person today can create a website and start offering their services, it’s quite common these days because of the access to internet connection. There are no barriers of entry qualification that they are asked for making it easy for them to start their business. 

This makes it really difficult to choose the right digital marketing company for us. We do not have to worry about this anymore as there are some tricks and tips that you can apply to make this decision easy and simple. This article covers all that you would need to know about how to decide on one digital marketing agency . 

Let’s begin: 

Knowing one’s goals

Before starting anything we have to make decisions and one decision that makes us go through the process easily is to set a goal. Every business is different and to find the best business support you do need an agency who knows about your business well. Most marketing agencies specialize in two areas. The work is full time but any marketing agency would work with someone when they know about their business well. 

Our first step is to work with someone who knows about our company and matches with the outcomes we are looking for. So it’s quite necessary to decide on the goals and what you want to achieve through it. 

Goal keeping helps in breaking things down and making it easier to communicate with your agency. The goals and the outcomes you need can be easily deliverable like this. Making goals helps you to get what you wish for with the project you are working on. 

Setting goals will let the agencies decide whether they can work in the field you want them to or not. For example if you need a company to work with you for the social media marketing of your company so you need the agencies for content writing. You can convey this to the agencies and ask them to provide content on a daily basis focusing on the different needs of the customers. If the agency feels that they can do it then it’s a go but if they don’t work in this field and never have then obviously it’s a big no. 

Know if the digital marketing company is eminent

The other way to decide a company is to check if it is prominent or not. Every other person can come online and make a website but the ones who are substantial would always stand out. These are the characteristics that an appreciable business support agency would have. 

After knowing the desired goals that you want to fulfill you need to check these things in the digital marketing company that you feel is right. 

Past clients or portfolio

When a digital marketing company is already established and has enough work experience they would not shy away from showing it off. They also try to display their partnerships with other companies so that the world can see it. It’s not necessary to know about all their previous customers but if you can find some of them or the work that they had been offered and the outcome that would really be helpful. Some services like finance and accounting services or content writing services aren’t displayed easily and sometimes it can be difficult to find such agencies. If you are looking forward to a company that could develop your website or for some virtual assistance then https://ossisto.com/ is one of the best agencies to seek guidance from. Be it content marketing services or bookkeeping they do it all. 

Moving forward to other characteristics, try looking for:

Specialized team members

It’s often essential to make sure that the company you are hiring has the right team members so that the project you want to work on is a hit. For instance if you want to develop the logo of your website you wouldn’t choose a company who doesn’t have a graphic designer or graphic design services. It’s essential to know that the team members are worthy of the task.  How can you know about the team members, you ask? 

Any established company at least has a LinkedIn account

There you can check the team members easily and their speciality too. You do not need to worry about the freelancers as no company shows their freelancers as their team members. This way you can know all about their team and you can always consult with the company directly. 

Strong reputation

Always go for a company who has the skills and the name too. Look forward to searching for social proof and testimonials and also the reviews give by earlier clients. This is really important as it gives you an insight of the type of agency it is. The smart agencies would always know the importance of displaying social proof. So, if they haven’t mentioned any that means that they do not have much to show. Reviews can always be of great help, positive or negative both can help you to decide whether that company is for the job or not. You can also search for in depth reviews on Google. This will help you to see what their earlier team members or the clients have to say about them. 

Core values or company culture

It is crucial to work with someone who has values and operates in a similar way to what you want or how your company operates. If you check this you will know whether they can work with you or your team easily or there are chances of feuds. A business agency describes your company too, so their values and culture is just as important to note as yours. The last thing you would need is to work with someone who does not value your culture or is completely different to what you want. Look at how they work and what they do, if that doesn’t suit the type of environment you need you can just move on to another company. 

Well-designed website

The reason you need graphic designing services or content writing services is only to make your business look good. In the same way checking out on the quality of the website of the agency you are going to choose is crucial. Any agency who has worked for a long time will know the importance of a well-designed website. Everyone gets attracted to a website that is attractive and refined. This is especially necessary if they provide website developing services or even design services. So obviously if their website does not execute what they offer, well how can you expect them to offer services like that. 

Content writing services are the most crucial services as the words define a lot about a business. It’s necessary to find a digital marketing company who can help you with that. https://ossisto.com/ is one stop to all your problems, if you are looking for graphic design services or even for a website development company, this could be the one. 

Easy to get in touch 

Best digital marketing companies would be easily available and will surely make it easy to get in touch. Searching for their website would not be difficult and getting back at them for any services would be trouble free. They would provide you with a clear call to action so that you might know clearly about all the steps to be followed. These steps would be painfully clear and you can always schedule a consultation. Always try to consider only that agency which has simplified the process for you. 

The bottom line

Be it any project big or small, every industry needs someone who is the best. Choosing them might seem like a task but it will get easier with this article. Follow the steps and get in touch with the best agencies for your business. 

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‘Hell Hath No Fury’ starring Nina Bergman, Daniel Bernhardt and Louis Mandylor lands on Blu-ray & DVD on December 21

Well Go USA will be releasing Hell Hath No Fury, a war thriller from action director Jesse V. Johnson (Triple Threat, Avengement, The Debt Collector) – to Blu-ray & DVD on December 21, 2021. The film is also currently available now on all digital platforms.

Hell Hath No Fury stars Nina Bergman (Doom: Annihilation), Daniel Bernhardt (Atomic Blonde), Louis Mandylor (The Debt Collector), Timothy V. Murphy (Sons of Anarchy), and Continue reading

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Cinedigm takes on Japanese horror film ‘Suicide Forest Village’ from ‘Ju-On’ and ‘Grudge’ director Takashi Shimizu

"Suicide Forest Village" Theatrical Poster

“Suicide Forest Village” Theatrical Poster

U.S. label Cinedigm will be releasing the Japanese horror film, Suicide Forest Village, the latest from collaboration from director Takashi Shimizu (Ju-On, The Grudge) and writer Daisuke Hosaka (Howling VillageThe Shock Labyrinth 3D).

Suicide Forest Village stars Jun Kunimura (Kate, The Wailing), Yumi Adachi (Usuke Boys). Asuka Kurosawa (Cold Fish), Yumi Adachi (Mother Game) and Hideko Hara (Rage).

The film follows a group who come across a mysterious box with a deadly secret: the item holds a curse that quickly spreads to those around them. The source of the box is the ‘Jukai Village,’ a rumored location deep within the Jukai Forest (via Deadline).

Look for Suicide Forest Village on demand and digital in early 2022 from Continue reading

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Schemes in Antiques (2021) Review

"Schemes in Antiques" Theatrical Poster

“Schemes in Antiques” Theatrical Poster

Director: Derek Kwok
Cast: Lei Jiayin, Li Xian, Xin Zhilei, Ge You, Qin Yan, Qingxiang Wang, Yong Mei, Tao Guo
Running Time: 123 min.

By Paul Bramhall

Movies about antiques may not necessarily sound like the most exciting proposition on paper, but if there’s one thing that 2003’s Ong Bak taught us, it’s that if the antique in question is a buddha’s head, then prepare for your expectations to be subverted. 18 years later, and China has released Schemes in Antiques, which focuses on the quest to retrieve a, you guessed it, buddha’s head. Uninspired title aside, this particular outing is based on Ma Boyong’s novel of the same name, and involves the mission to repatriate the national treasure in question from Japan, whom it was gifted to by a traitor in World War II. It’s now 1992, and Japan want to give it back, a significant gesture which will be televised with the full bells and whistles. There’s just one catch – the Japanese wish to handover the head to a descendent of the traitor that originally gifted it to them.

Enter Lei Jia-Yin (Cliff Walkers, A Writer’s Odyssey) who plays the traitors grandson, a gifted antiques expert with an eye for telling the real from the fake, but who spends most of his time in a drunken stupor while half heartedly running a dilapidated electronics repair shop. Jia-Yin’s shoddy state is explained by the fact his family have been treated as “the pariahs of the antique world” ever since his grandfathers’ betrayal, his interest in antiques now limited to running scams at local auctions, where he uses his skills to cast doubt over items authenticity and pick them up for cheap. Now finding himself thrust back into the spotlight as the intended recipient of the head, upon having the opportunity to witness it for the first time, Jia-Yin suspects a fake. What’s the deal – are the Japanese Continue reading

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Shaolin Mantis | Blu-ray (88 Films)

Shaolin Mantis | Blu-ray (88 Films)

Shaolin Mantis | Blu-ray (88 Films)

RELEASE DATE: March 21, 2022

On March 22, 2022, 88 Films will be releasing the Blu-ray for Lau Kar-Leung’s Shaw Brothers classic, Shaolin Mantis. A UK (Region B) version of the film will also be available on March 21, 2022.

Otherwise known as Deadly Mantis in the states, the irrepressible talents of David Chiang (Vengeance) are put to the test both characteristically and physically in a role often regarded as his second finest (Vengeance, naturally being the first). Here he was allowed a little more vulnerability than his general typecasting of grinning rogues or flighty swordsmen as Wei Feng – a Ching (Manchu) official ordered to investigate a wealthy family suspected of having pro ‘Han’ revolutionary connections. Posing Continue reading

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

New York Ninja | Blu-ray (Vinegar Syndrome)

New York Ninja | Blu-ray (Vinegar Syndrome)

New York Ninja | Blu-ray (Vinegar Syndrome)

RELEASE DATE: January 25, 2022

Although the deluxe Blu-ray is currently available exclusively at Vinegar Syndrome, a standardized New York Ninja (read our review) will be available through Amazon.com on January 25, 2022.

This “lost” John Liu film, which he not only starred in, but also directed, was originally abandoned during its 1984 production. Therefore, all original sound materials, scripts and treatments were lost. That is, until Vinegar Syndrome’s Kurtis Spieler got a hold of it. And it gets better…

Kurtis Spieler enlisted the help of Don “The Dragon” Wilson (Showdown in Manila, The Martial Arts Kid), Michael Continue reading

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

Neo catches up with Morpheus in a New Clip from Lana Wachowski’s ‘The Matrix Resurrections’

"The Matrix Resurrections" Theatrical Poster

“The Matrix Resurrections” Theatrical Poster

Lana Wachowski, who created The Matrix trilogy with Lilly Wachowski (the two visionary directors are collectively known as “The Wachowskis”) is currently hard-at-work putting finishing touches on the fourth installment of The Matrix series, titled The Matrix Resurrections (read our review), with returning stars Keanu Reeves (John Wick 3), Carrie-Anne Moss (Memento) and Jada Pinkett Smith (The Matrix Reloaded, The Matrix Revolutions)

Chad Stahelski (John Wick 2, John Wick 3) and David Leitch (John Wick, Atomic Blonde) have been enlisted in assisting with the development of the training and choreography. Stahelski stressed to Collider that it’s mostly conceptual as opposed to a full-on second unit position.

“They asked us to help out with the choreography and some of the physical training for the guys. I’m helping out Continue reading

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Kung Fu Vs. Acrobatic (1990) Review

"Kung Fu Vs. Acrobatic" Korean Theatrical Poster

“Kung Fu Vs. Acrobatic” Korean Theatrical Poster

Director: Taylor Wong Tai Loy
Cast: Andy Lau, Nat Chan Pak Cheung, Yuen Wah, Joey Wong, Cutie Mui Siu Wai, Lau Shun, Walter Tso Tat Wah, Chen Jing, San Kuai, Lee Hang, Mama Hung
Running Time: 99 min.

By Paul Bramhall

Kung Fu Vs. Acrobatic is one of those movies that I remember constantly reading about back when I was first getting into the genre in the late 90’s and early 00’s. Perhaps the reason why it stuck in the memory is that every review or feature in which it got mentioned would make a point of saying how there was no kung fu or acrobatics in said movie, regardless of the title. Being in the midst of the kung fu frenzy that I was back then, such statements essentially guaranteed I was never going to check it out. But what can I say, times change, we grow older, become more mellow, and suddenly you see a movie that features Andy Lau and Yuen Wah facing off against each other in an early 90’s Hong Kong movie and think – how bad can it be!? 

Let’s address the elephant in the room straight away, all of those reviews were right, for the most part there really is no kung fu or acrobatics. Power poses, animated energy blasts, and gravity defying leaps are in plentiful supply, but for anyone who clocks into movies expecting them to do exactly what they say on the tin, much like with Golden Swallow, here only disappointment would await. With that out of the way, the question of course is what type of movie is Kung Fu Vs. Acrobatic if it doesn’t come with the kind of awe inspiring feats of physicality that many Hong Kong cinema fans Continue reading

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Watch Well Go USA’s Trailer for Derek Kwok’s heist adventure ‘Schemes in Antiques’ releasing this month

"Schemes in Antiques" Theatrical Poster

“Schemes in Antiques” Theatrical Poster

On December 17, 2021, Well Go USA is giving Schemes in Antiques (read our review) a limited theatrical release. The film is the latest from director Derek Kwok (Gallants, As the Light Goes Out, Full Strike).

The film stars Lei Jiayin (Cliff Walkers), Li Xian (The Captain), Xin Zhilei (Brotherhood of Blades 2) and Ge You (Farewell My Concubine).

Despite his family’s famed expertise on ancient relics, Xu Yuan makes a simple living as the owner of an electronics shop, eager to distinguish himself from a disgraced ancestor executed for treason after stealing a Chinese artifact for Japan. But when a descendant offers to return the relic to China, Xu Yuan uncovers a decades-old mystery and embarks on a journey that could finally restore his family’s reputation—and may also cost him his life.

Don’t miss Well Go USA’s Trailer Continue reading

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