The night comes for Bob Odenkirk! Acclaimed Indonesian action filmmaker Timo Tjahjanto wraps up ‘Nobody 2’

"Nobody" Japanese Poster

“Nobody” Japanese Poster

Indonesian director Timo Tjahjanto (The Big 4, The Night Comes for Us) – of the “Mo Brothers” directing duo (Killers, Headshot, Macabre) – has just wrapped production on Nobody 2, the sequel to 2021’s Nobody, which has Bob Odenkirk (Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul) reprising his lead role.

Tjahjanto directs from a script by Derek Kolstad (John Wick, Nobody), Aaron Rabin (Jack Ryan), Odenkirk, and Umair Aleem (Kate). Kelly McCormick and David Leitch are returning to produce through 87North’s first look deal with Universal, as are Odenkirk, Marc Provissiero through Odenkirk Provissiero Entertainment, and Braden Aftergood through Eighty Two Films (via Deadline).

The original film follows a former ‘auditor’ (Odenkirk) for the likes of the CIA and Continue reading

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Deal on Fire! Brotherhood of Blades | Blu-ray | Only $8.99 – Expires soon!

Brotherhood of Blades | Blu-ray & DVD (Well Go USA)

Brotherhood of Blades | Blu-ray & DVD (Well Go USA)

Today’s Deal on Fire is the Blu-ray for 2014’s Brotherhood of Blades (read our review), a wuxia actioner directed by Lu Yang, who also directed by the sequel, Brotherhood of Blades II: The Infernal Battlefield.

Brotherhood of Blades stars Chang Chen (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon), Cecilia Liu (Badges of Fury), Qianyuan Wang (Saving Mr. Wu) and Ethan Li Dong-Xue (The Warriors).

Brotherhood of Blades tells of three friends (Chen, Wang Qianyuan, and Li Dongxue) who serve as Jinyiwei guards. They are dispatched by a palace eunuch (Nie Yuan) to hunt down a eunuch politician (Jin Shijie) who had been forced to resign from his influential post and exiled from Beijing. The Jinyiwei brothers return successfully from their quest, only to find that their task was but the beginning of a strange conspiracy. Continue reading

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Killer: A Girl Who Deserves to Die, The (2022) Review

'The Killer: A Girl Who Deserves to Die" Theatrical Poster

‘The Killer: A Girl Who Deserves to Die” Theatrical Poster

Director: Choi Jae-Hoon
Cast: Jang Hyuk, Bruce Khan, Cha Tae-Hyun, Son Hyun-Joo, Lee Seo-young, Anne, Son Hyun-joo
Running Time: 95 min.

By Paul Bramhall

It’s no secret that in the 21st century mainstream Korean cinema has rarely sold itself on action. It’s certainly not for lack of talent, but rather you’re likely to find the countries best action sequences play out as part of a gangster movie, or a crime thriller, with very few productions marketed purely on the strength of being an ‘action movie’. There are a few exceptions to the rule, with the likes of 2006’s City of Violence, 2013’s The Suspect, and 2022’s Carter all proudly wearing their action credentials on their sleeve as the reason for audiences to check them out, and in 2022 they were joined by The Killer: A Girl Who Deserves to Die.

Starring as the titular killer is Jang Hyuk, a talented actor proficient in a number of martial arts, who originally got his big break in 2001’s Volcano High, a kind of post-apocalyptic The Matrix-inspired actioner (in which he was bizarrely dubbed by André 3000 for the MTV sanctioned western release!). Coinciding with the Korean Wave (the name popularly attributed to the recognition Korean cinema started to receive internationally in the early 2000’s), the direction Continue reading

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Horrible History: Four Historical Epics by Chang Cheh (1972-1976) | Blu-ray (Eureka)

Horrible History: Four Historical Epics by Chang Cheh (1972-1976) | Blu-ray (Eureka)

Horrible History: Four Historical Epics by Chang Cheh (1972-1976) | Blu-ray (Eureka)

RELEASE DATE: December 9, 2024

On December 9, 2024, Eureka is releasing the Blu-ray collection for Horrible History: Four Historical Epics by Chang Cheh (1972-1976), which will include 1972’s Four Riders, 1973’s The Pirate, 1975’s Marco Polo and 1976’s Boxer Rebellion.

Often described as the “Godfather of Hong Kong Cinema,”Chang Cheh made nearly a hundred films during a long and storied career spent at the Shaw Brothers Studio, where he directed such landmark films as The One-Armed SwordsmanFive Deadly Venoms and The Heroic Ones.

Many of his films drew upon Chinese history for inspiration – and many of them were based on real people and events. Eureka Classics presents four of his best historical epics in this limited-edition set: Marco PoloThe PirateBoxer Rebellion and Continue reading

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John Wick makes a cameo in the New Trailer for Len Wiseman’s ‘Ballerina’ starring Ana de Armas

If you’ve seen Ana de Armas’ butt-kicking capabilities in No Time To Die, and the upcoming Ghosted, you know she’s capable of leading her own action film. With that said, De Armas (Knives Out) is teaming up with Live Free or Die Hard director Len Wiseman for Lionsgate’s Ballerina, a spinoff of the expanding John Wick franchise.

Franchise stars including John Wick himself, Keanu Reeves, as well as Ian McShane (John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum), Anjelica Huston (John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum) and Lance Reddick (John Wick: Chapter 2) will have appearances as their respective roles from the previous films.

New co-stars include Norman Reedus (Walking Dead), Catalina Sandino Moreno (Maria Full of Grace), Gabriel Byrne (The Usual Suspects), Togo Continue reading

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Mr. Lee, are you ready? ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’ director Ang Lee to shoot ‘Bruce Lee’ biopic early next year

Acclaimed director Ang Lee (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) will soon begin production on Bruce Lee, an upcoming biopic for Sony’s 3000 Pictures. The film is being penned by award-winning writer, Dan Futterman, who wrote 2005’s Capote and 2014’s Foxcatcher.

The filmmaker’s son, Mason Lee, who is perhaps best known for his roles in 2011’s The Hangover Part II and 2017’s Legend of the Demon Cat, will be playing Continue reading

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Got some time to kill? Watch an action-packed Extended Preview for Van Damme’s ‘Kill ‘em All 2’ arriving in September

"Kill 'em All 2" Teaser Poster

“Kill ’em All 2” Teaser Poster

Martial arts superstar Jean-Claude Van Damme will soon kill again in Kill ‘em All 2, the sequel to his 2017 actioner, Kill ‘em All. This time around, Valeri Milev (Re-Kill) directs off a story written by Jim Agnew (Nicolas Cage’s Rage).

Following the events that unfolded in Kill ‘em All (read our review), the sequel will see Phillip (Van Damme) and Suzanne retired from the spy game, living peacefully off the grid. That’s until their whereabout are discovered by Vlad the vengeful brother of their target from the first film (via Deadline).

Kill ’em All 2 also stars Talia Asseraf (Kill ‘em All), Andrei Lenart (Kingsman: The Secret Service), Meredith Mickelson (Paradox Effect) and Continue reading

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Shock Wave-sploitation? Watch the Trailer for Well Go USA’s ‘Men of Sacrifice’ exploding on Digital on September 24th

"Men of Sacrifice" Poster

“Men of Sacrifice” Poster

Arriving on Digital on September 24, 2024 is Men of Sacrifice, a 2022 Chinese thriller that’s reminiscent of Herman Yau’s successful Shock Wave series, which consisted of 2017’s Shock Wave and 2020’s Shock Wave 2.

But unlike the Shock Wave films, gone is the star power of Andy Lau or Lau Ching Wan. For Men of Sacrifice, we get Duan Bo Wen (The Glory of Youth), Hu Hao Bo (Only Beautiful) and Jacky Zhao (Trial Marriage).

In the film, experts in bomb disposal navigate high-risk challenges in the EOD field, showcasing their bravery and sacrifices.   

Men of Sacrifice is also streaming on Hi-YAH!, Well Go USA’s very Continue reading

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Deal on Fire! A Queen’s Ransom | Blu-ray | Only $24.99

A Queen’s Ransom | Blu-ray (Eureka)

A Queen’s Ransom | Blu-ray (Eureka)

Today’s Deal on Fire is the Blu-ray for Eureka’s A Queen’s Ransom (aka International Assassin), a 1976 all-star actioner from Ting Shan-hsi (The Ghost Hill).

Perhaps even God can’t save the Queen in Golden Harvest’s A Queen’s Ransom, an explosive action-thriller starring George Lazenby (The Man from Hong Kong), Angela Mao (Lady Whirlwind) and the legendary Jimmy Wang Yu (The One-Armed Swordsman).

As Queen Elizabeth II arrives in Hong Kong for a state visit, a band of skilled mercenaries plan her assassination. Contracted by an Irish Republican (Lazenby), the international group of hired killers includes a Japanese explosives expert (Chang Pei-shan), a Thai boxer (Bolo Yeung), a Filipino sniper (Peter Chan Lung) and a veteran Continue reading

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Tai me up! 88 Films 4K UHD release for Jet Li, Michelle Yeoh and Yuen Woo-ping’s ‘Tai Chi Master’ arriving in October

Tai Chi Master | 4K Ultra HD (88 Films)

Tai Chi Master | 4K Ultra HD (88 Films)

On October 7, 2024, 88 Films is releasing a 4K Ultra HD for Tai Chi Master, a 1993 Hong Kong martial arts classic from director Yuen Woo-ping (In the Line of Duty 4) and stars Jet Li (League of Gods) and Michelle Yeoh (Everything Everywhere All at Once).

Jet Li stars in this thrilling martial arts epic about two childhood friends falsely accused of cheating and expelled from their Shaolin Temple. As they grow up, their paths diverge, with one embracing the peaceful teachings of Tai Chi and the other seeking power and joining the military. Set against the backdrop of a civil war, their friendship deteriorates into betrayal, leading to a climactic showdown between the two.

Michelle Yeoh co-stars Continue reading

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Young, drunk and full of Tao! Blu-ray for The Yuen Clan’s ‘Taoism Drunkard’ and ‘Young Taoism Fighter’ now shipping!

Two Taoist Tales | Blu-ray (Eureka)

Two Taoist Tales | Blu-ray (Eureka)

Now shipping from Goodie Emporium is Eureka’s Blu-ray (Region A/B) for Two Taoist Tales, which includes both 1984’s Taoism Drunkard and 1986’s Young Taoism Fighter. 

In the wake of Encounter of the Spooky Kind, the Hong Kong film industry launched headlong into a prolific genre cycle that drew upon Taoist folklore. Popular throughout the 1980s and into the next decade, these films combined elements of horror, fantasy, comedy and martial arts as they pit their protagonists against hopping vampires, vengeful ghosts and evil sorcerers. Here, Eureka Classics is proud to present two of the most mind-bending tales of Taoist magic ever committed to film: Taoism Drunkard and Young Taoism Fighter!

Directed by and starring Yuen Cheung-yan (The Miracle Fighters), Taoism Drunkard follows Continue reading

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Publicity stunts? ‘Twilight of the Warriors’ stars Terrance Lau and Philip Ng reunite in the New Trailer for ‘Stuntman’

"Stuntman" Theatrical Poster

“Stuntman” Theatrical Poster

Albert Leung (Twins Mission), real-life stuntman-turned-filmmaker and his brother, director Herbert Leung (Twins Mission), are teaming up for Stuntman.

Plot details are thin, but the film revolves around a rising stuntman, played by Terrance Lau (Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In), who works in the highly competitive Hong Kong film stunt industry.

The film features an all-star cast that includes Stephen Tung Wai (Hitman), Philip Ng (Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In, Undercover Punch and Gun) and Cecila Choi (Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In).

Edko Films Ltd. is releasing the film domestically on September 26, 2024. Trinity Continue reading

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Deal on Fire! The Miracle Fighters | Blu-ray | Only $16.99 – Expires soon!

The Miracle Fighters | Bu-ray (Eureka)

The Miracle Fighters | Bu-ray (Eureka)

Today’s Deal on Fire is the Blu-ray (Region A/B) for The Miracle Fighters, a 1982 kung fu fantasy classic from the legendary choreographer/director Yuen Woo-ping (Dreadnaught, In the Line of Duty 4).

Hailed as one of the “weirdest” kung fu/fantasy movies to be distributed under the Golden Harvest banner – and certainly shouldn’t be confused or compared with Tsui Hark’s seminal masterpiece Zu Warriors from the Magic Mountain (also 1982) – The Miracle Fighters is an octane fueled tale of despotism, ego-based ambition and insanely cerebral magical practices. Again using Yin/Yang metaphors, Ping’s physical depictions of Chinese occultism is clearly defined by both ‘light’ and ‘dark’ forces, regardless of its signature trappings or banal dialogue. Its true magical sturdiness lies in the picture’s motion and fluidity, not in the Continue reading

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Erotic Ghost Story: I-III Collection | Blu-ray (88 Films)

RELEASE DATE: December 16, 2024

On December 16, 2024, 88 Films is releasing a Blu-ray set for the Erotic Ghost Story: I-III Collection, which will include 1990’s Erotic Ghost Story, 1991’s Erotic Ghost Story and 1992’s Erotic Ghost Story III. 

This triple-bill of paranormal perversion delivers everything you’d want from a Category III movie, plus a bit more besides. In the first tale from Story of Ricki director Ngai Choi Lam, a trio of sexy spirits fall for the same hunk. The second movie, the directorial debut of Peter Ngor (Legendary Couple) has the God of Carnal Desire, God Wu Tung on a quest for revenge after his favourite conquest is zapped by other god like beings and in the third piece from Kai-Ming Lai (The Blue Jean Monstter), a man journeys into the afterlife only to be greeted Continue reading

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Smugglers (2023) Review

"Smugglers" Theatrical Poster

“Smugglers” Theatrical Poster

Director: Ryoo Seung-Wan
Cast: Kim Hye-Soo, Yum Jung-Ah, Zo In-Sung, Park Jeong-Min, Kim Jong-Soo, Go Min-Si, Kim Jae-Hwa, Park Jun-Myun, Park Kyung-Hye, Kwak Jin-Seok
Running Time: 129 min. 

By Paul Bramhall

Any discussion on modern Korean action cinema will invariably also be a discussion on director (and sometime actor) Ryoo Seung-wan. An avid Hong Kong action cinema fan when he was growing up, Seung-wan would debut in 2000 with Die Bad, a gritty slice of machismo that provided a first look into what would become his distinctive style – pulpy storylines, stylised violence, and an energetic pace. While there’s no other mainstream director in Korea who’s continued to consistently crank out new movies for more than 20 years, Seung-wan’s last 2 productions have pivoted away from his usual style, instead opting for the “based on true events” approach. While both 2017’s The Battleship Island and 2021’s Escape from Mogadishu were perfectly serviceable crowd pleasers, they also lacked the touches that make a Seung-wan directed movie stand out from the crowd.

So it was a relief in 2023 to see him return to the kind of movie that established his popularity in the first place, with the 1970’s set caper flick Smugglers. It’s also the first time for Seung-wan to cast a pair of actresses as his leads since his sophomore feature No Blood No Tears in 2002. It’s easy to get a feeling that Seung-wan may be feeling nostalgic for those Continue reading

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