Ashfall (2019) Review

Posted on February 13, 2022 by Paul Bramhall
"Ashfall" Theatrical Poster

“Ashfall” Theatrical Poster

Director: Lee Hae-Jun
Co-director: Kim Byung-Seo
Cast: Lee Byung-Hun, Ha Jung-Woo, Ma Dong-Seok, Jeon Hye-Jin, Bae Suzy, Lee Sang-Won
Running Time: 130 min.

By Paul Bramhall

Korean cinema went for the disaster movie double in 2019, with the low-key Exit offering up a brisk comedic take on the genre, one that saw the residents of Seoul looking to escape a steadily rising cloud of poisonous gas. On the other hand, Ashfall opted for the more traditional approach to the disaster epic, complete with the bombast of having the entire Korean peninsula threatened by the eruption of the long dormant Baekdu Mountain (which is notably the literal translation of the Korean title) in North Korea. If anything, the volcano disaster movie is certainly ripe to be re-visited, coming more than 20 years since Hollywood dabbled with the same volcanic threats in 1997’s double whammy of Dante’s Peak and Volcano.

Almost as if to say that such an impending disaster wouldn’t be enough for one director to handle, Ashfall comes with two. Sharing directorial duties are Kim Byeong-seo and Lee Hae-joon, and while neither are known primarily as directors, they’re also no strangers to the film industry. Byeong-seo is an established cinematographer, in recent years lensing the likes of Take Point and the Along With the Gods flicks. Ashfall marks his sophomore feature in the director’s chair, after also co-helming 2013’s Korean remake of Hong Kong’s Eye in the Sky – Cold Eyes – alongside Cho Ui-seok. Hae-joon is mainly known as a scriptwriter, having contributed his talents to everything from Arahan to the Korean remake of Japan’s Golden Slumber. Ashfall marks his 4th outing as Continue reading →

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

Simon Yam is back in action in the First Trailer for Richard Lin’s upcoming thriller ‘Man’s Creed’

Posted on February 13, 2022 by JJ Bona
"Man's Creed" Theatrical Poster

“Man’s Creed” Theatrical Poster

Hong Kong star Simon Yam (Iceman: The Time Traveller, Run and Kill, Operation Red Sea) will be returning to action in Man’s Creed, the sophomore feature of director Richard Lin (Out of Control).

The film also stars Zhang Lanxin (CZ12, Police Story 2013), Sabrina Qiu (Chasing the Dragon II: Wild Wild Bunch, the upcoming Kung Fu Colt Master remake) and Kenneth Tsang (Chasing the Dragon, To Be Number One).

For fans of classics like Tiger Cage, Bullet in the Head, Full Contact and Expect the Unexpected, it’ll be a warm welcome to see Simon Yam back in a film like Man’s Creed.

The film is due domestically on February 2, 2022. As soon as a Trailer arrives, we’ll be sure to let you Continue reading →

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Lionsgate to release Blu-ray for shark thriller ‘The Requin’ from ‘Furie’ director Le-Van Kiet starring Alicia Silverstone

Posted on February 12, 2022 by JJ Bona
The Requin | Blu-ray & DVD (Lionsgate)

The Requin | Blu-ray & DVD (Lionsgate)

On March 29, 2022, Lionsgate Home Entertainment is releasing the Blu-ray & DVD for The Requin, the English-language directorial debut of Vietnamese filmmaker Le-Van Kiet, who is perhaps best known for helming 2012’s House in the Alley and 2019’s Furie, both of which were headlined by martial arts star Veronica Ngo (The Rebel, Clash).

The Requin stars Alicia Silverstone (Clueless), James Tupper (Big Little Lies) and Deirdre O’Connell (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind).

There’s terror in paradise when Jaelyn (Alicia Silverstone) and Kyle (James Tupper) arrive at a remote seaside villa in Vietnam for a romantic getaway. A torrential storm descends, reducing the villa to little more than a raft and sweeping the young couple Continue reading →

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JCVD to rematch with Dolph Lundgren, Michel “Tong Po” Qissi, and Bolo Yeung in ‘What’s My Name?’ (aka ‘Headlock’)

Posted on February 11, 2022 by JJ Bona
"Kickboxer" Japanese Theatrical Poster

“Kickboxer” Japanese Theatrical Poster

Although martial arts icon Jean-Claude Van Damme (aka the most re-made action star in the world) has been consistently keeping busy for the last several years, he hasn’t exactly made anything “memorable” since 2009’s Universal Soldier: Regeneration and 2012’s Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning.

In the 2013-2015 period came Swelter, Enemies Closer, Welcome to the Jungle, Jian Bing Man and Pound of Flesh. The years 2016/2017 saw Kickboxer: Vengeance, Kill ’em All and the series Jean-Claude Van Johnson. Then in 2018-2021, came Black Water, The Bouncerm, Kickboxer: Retaliation, We Die Young and the Netflix original, The Last Mercenary.

Even though these titles were a welcome addition to his filmography, Van Damme fans are really Continue reading →

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Deal on Fire! The Sorcerer and the White Snake | Blu-ray | Only $6.99 – Expires soon!

Posted on February 10, 2022 by JJ Bona
The Sorcerer and the White Snake | Blu-ray (Magnolia)

The Sorcerer and the White Snake | Blu-ray (Magnolia)

Today’s Deal on Fire is the Blu-ray for Ching Siu-Tung’s The Sorcerer and the White Snake, starring Jet Li (League of Gods).

Jet Li stars as a sorcerer monk in this epic special effects fantasy film based on a Chinese legend. The story centers around a man who falls in love with a thousand-year-old white snake disguised as a woman. Discovering the white snake’s true identity, the sorcerer goes to battle believing that in so doing, he is restoring balance and order between man and the supernatural.

The film also stars Raymond Lam (The Four), Eva Huang (Iceman), Charlene Choi (New Police Story), Wen Zhang (Ocean Heaven), Vivian Hsu (Accidental Spy), Jiang Wu (Wu Xia), Chapman To Continue reading →

Posted in Deals on Fire!, News |

Seobok (2021) Review

Posted on February 9, 2022 by Paul Bramhall
Seobok: Project Clone | Bu-ray | Well Go USA

Seobok: Project Clone | Bu-ray | Well Go USA

Director: Lee Yong-Joo
Cast: Gong Yoo, Park Bo-Gum, Jo Woo-Jin, Yeon Je-Wook, Lee Un-Jung, Lee Sang-Kyung, Park Byung-Eun, Jang Young-Nam, Kim Jae-Gun
Running Time: 114 min. 

By Paul Bramhall

Around the turn of the millennium the Korean film industry saw itself increasingly dabbling in the science fiction genre, with movies like 2001’s 2009 Lost Memories, 2002’s Yesterday, and 2003’s Natural City, and while they all had their moments of inspiration, for the most part they proved to be middling efforts. Now 20 years later, the beginning of the 2020’s seems to indicate a resurgence for Korea’s interest in sci-fi, after being absent for the most part in the preceding 2 decades. In 2021 we got the space adventure Space Sweepers, and the year closed out with the Netflix series The Silent Sea, which followed a mission to retrieve a mysterious sample from the moon that could save the planet. Making it a hat-trick, in the same year we also got Seobok, although notably completed before both Space Sweepers and The Silent Sea, being another production that’s release was much delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Eschewing any adventures into space, Seobok takes the more grounded approach of being set in Seoul, and centers around the title character – a human clone. Played by Park Bo-gum (Coin Locker Girl, The Admiral: Roaring Currents), returning to the big screen having stuck to acting in K-dramas since 2015, Seobok is the result of years of top-secret research – he’s immortal, doesn’t need to sleep, and has brain waves so strong he can perform telekinesis. He’s also been confined to a lab for the entirety of his life, required to have daily injections to supress his ever-evolving cells that would kill him if not kept in check, and seemingly accepting of his place in the world. His cells are also believed to hold the cure for a whole variety of diseases, making him a hot commodity, so when one of the leading Continue reading →

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

Don’t miss Hi-YAH!’s action-packed New Trailer: ‘Kung Fu Stuntmen’ documentary and more headed to Hi-YAH!

Posted on February 7, 2022 by JJ Bona

Hi-YAH!, Well Go USA’s very own Asian/martial arts streaming channel is getting bigger and BIGGER! The popular streaming company has just released a Brand New Trailer above, promoting many current and upcoming titles headed for release.

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!

Also, here’s a sneak peak on some of their upcoming titles Continue reading →

Posted in News |

‘Kung Fu Stuntmen: Never Say No!’ say YES to Well Go USA’s Hi-YAH! streaming service!

Posted on February 7, 2022 by JJ Bona
"Kung Fu Stuntmen: Never Say No!" Theatrical Poster

“Kung Fu Stuntmen: Never Say No!” Theatrical Poster

Sammo Hung, Donnie Yen, Yuen Woo-ping, Tsui Hark any many more iconic names of Hong Kong action cinema will be featured in a New Chinese documentary titled Kung Fu Stuntmen: Never Say No!, which is headed to the U.S. in April by way of Well Go USA’s Hi-YAH! streaming service!

John Wei, the director of Kung Fu Stuntmen: Never Say No!, had this to say: “Many legendary stuntmen live hard lives and many are unknown,” Wei said. “That’s why I decided to make a documentary film in tribute to their continued efforts and never-yielding spirit.” (via Shine)

Kung Fu Stuntmen: Never Say No! is the first of its kind since Robin Shou’s 2004 doc Red Trousers: The Life of Hong Kong Stuntmen, which featured industry names such as Beatrice Chia, Keith Cooke, Hakim Continue reading →

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Michelle Yeoh and Daniel Wu team up with ‘Shang-Chi’ director for the Disney+ Series ‘American Born Chinese’

Posted on February 7, 2022 by JJ Bona
"American Born Chinese" Graphic Novel

“American Born Chinese” Graphic Novel

Hong Kong stars Michelle Yeoh (Boss Level, Master Z: The Ip Man Legacy, Yes, Madam) and Daniel Wu (Sky on Fire, The Last Supper) are teaming up with director Destin Daniel Cretton (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings) for the Disney + series, American Born Chinese.

The upcoming series also stars Ben Wang (Chang Can Dunk), Yeo Yann Yann (Rubbers), Chin Han (Mortal Kombat reboot), Ke Huy Quan (Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom), Jimmy Liu (Ip Man 4: The Finale) and Sydney Taylor (Just Add Magic: Mystery City).

American Born Chinese is a genre-hopping action comedy adapted from Gene Luen Yang’s graphic novel of the same name, which tells the story of three apparently unrelated characters: Jin Wang (Wang), who moves to a new neighborhood with his family only to discover that he’s the only Chinese-American student at his new school; the powerful Continue reading →

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88 Films reveals more titles for 2022: Mark Dacascos, Jackie Chan, Jimmy Wang Yu, Shaw Brothers and more!

Posted on February 7, 2022 by JJ Bona

The UK-based company (with certain titles now hitting the U.S.) has announced a load of New Blu-ray/4k releases. Details are coming in bits ‘n pieces, but here’s their full upcoming Asian/martial arts film release schedule (so far) for 2022.

Posted in News |

Half a Loaf of Kung Fu | Blu-ray (88 Films)

Posted on February 5, 2022 by JJ Bona
Half a Loaf of Kung Fu | Blu-ray (88 Films)

Half a Loaf of Kung Fu | Blu-ray (88 Films)

RELEASE DATE: May 15, 2022

Later this year, 88 Films will be releasing a Blu-ray (Region B) for Jackie Chan’s first ever “comedy” kung fu film, Half a Loaf of Kung Fu.

This 1978 oddity comes from director Chan Chi Hwa, who helmed Jackie’s Snake and Crane Arts of Shaolin (1978) and Shaolin Wooden Men (1976).

The film marks the first time Lo Wei’s production company let Jackie have creative control over a project. In fact, Lo Wei thought so highly of Jackie’s artistic vision that he refused to release the film (at least not until 1980, when Jackie was well on his way to become a megastar).

Critics and fans alike have bashed the film for its silliness, but nobody can deny that it’s clearly the work of someone who’s still honing his craft. And despite its flaws, there are some great fight sequences that can only come from Jackie Chan. Continue reading →

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

Deal on Fire! Air Strike | Blu-ray | Only $9.99 – Expires soon!

Posted on February 4, 2022 by JJ Bona
Air Strike | Blu-ray (Lionsgate)

Air Strike | Blu-ray (Lionsgate)

Today’s Deal on Fire is the Blu-ray for Air Strike, a Chinese-produced World War II film directed by Xiao Feng (Hushed Roar). The film is also known as Unbreakable Spirit and/or The Bombing.

Air Strike features an all-star, international cast that includes Bruce Willis (Last Man Standing), Nicholas Tse (The Viral Factor), Song Seung-Heon (A Better Tomorrow), William Chen (Triad), Liu Ye (Police Story 2013), Adrien Brody (Dragon Blade), Fan Bing Bing (The White Haired Witch of Lunar Kingdom) and Simon Yam (Cross). Additionally, Mel Gibson (Edge of Darkness) will be working behind the scenes as the film’s art director and executive producer.

According to Variety, the $65M movie, shot in 3D, is a dramatic recreation Continue reading →

Posted in Deals on Fire!, News |

White Force (1988) Review

Posted on February 3, 2022 by Paul Bramhall
"White Force" Film Artwork

“White Force” Film Artwork

Director: Eddie Romero
Cast: Sam J. Jones, Kimberley Pistone, Tim Hughes, Raul Aragon, Jaime Fabregas, Vic Diaz, Ruben Rustia, Ken Metcalfe, Mike Monty, Tsing Tong Tsai, Anthony Ogunsanya, Eric Romero, John Falch, Mauricio Go
Running Time: 90 min. 

By Paul Bramhall

The Philippines has always had a slightly different take on the action genre compared to its South East Asian counterparts. The western influence through being an American colony for almost 50 years, gaining independence in 1946, saw it become a haven for actors who didn’t quite make it in Hollywood, and all manner of directors – from A-list names like Francis Ford Coppola using it to double as Vietnam in Apocalypse Now, through to B-movie maestros like Edward D. Murphy leveraging the budget-friendly conditions to create masterpieces like Raw Force. Plenty of Filipino directors got in on the action as well, from the post-apocalyptic madness of Cirio H. Santiago (Equalizer 2000, Stryker), to the bullet riddled mayhem of Teddy Chiu (Ninja Warriors, Blood Ring). 

Another Filipino director synonymous with the B-movie was Eddie Romero. It wasn’t always that way though, with the young Romero directing his debut just one year after the Philippines gained independence, with 1947’s Ang kamay ng Diyos, made when he was just 23. It would be his latter work though that would define his legacy. The likes of the Blood Island Trilogy, made during 1968 – 1970 and starring frequent collaborator John Ashley, found Romero embracing the world of B-movie horror (although whether it was an intended embrace is up for debate), and would lead to trashy fun like Twilight People and Beyond Atlantis. Soon he was also directing blaxploitation and women in prison exploitation flicks like Black Mama White Mama and Savage Sisters, but by the time the 80’s rolled around he turned his focus once more to the dramatic fare that he was associated Continue reading →

Posted in All, Asian Related, Filipino, News, Reviews | Tagged , |

Watch the New Trailer for Nino Brocka’s 1982 Tagalog cult thriller ‘Cain and Abel’ releasing in February

Posted on February 2, 2022 by JJ Bona
Cain and Abel | Blu-ray (Vinegar Syndrome)

Cain and Abel | Blu-ray (Vinegar Syndrome)

On February 22, 2022, Vinegar Syndrome/Kani Releasing is releasing the Blu-ray for Nino Brocka’s 1982 Tagalog thriller, Cain & Abel (aka Cain at Abel).

A limited edition embossed slipcover (designed by Tony Stella), limited to 1,500 units, will be available through Vinegar Syndrome.

Official details:

Named after Yasujiro Ozu’s custom-made, tatami-level, crab-like tripod, Kani is a new home video label dedicated to leveling the gaze and furthering the understanding of Asian cinema in North America. Focused on genre-defying films, Kani aims to expand the canon, bolster up-and-coming filmmakers and Continue reading →

Posted in News |

More Vincent Zhao ‘n Mulan, another Raid and a big ass snake! Here’s what’s on Hi-YAH for the month of February!

Posted on February 2, 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 February, which includes a New title added to Hi-YAH! every Friday. And don’t forget, you can try it out for FREE for 7-days!

Read on for the full list of New and Exclusive titles:

February 4 | Fearless Heroes S01 E11 – In Fearless Heroes, Vincent Zhao (God of War, Unity of Heroes) takes the role of Huo Yuan Jia, the role Jet Li played in Fearless, in this new 2020 TV series. Huo Yuan Jia was a prominent martial artist in the late Qing dynasty who had lived fearlessly in servitude of his country and his people. See the life and times of this legendary character as he goes through his life’s most defining moments. The series also stars Continue reading →

Posted in News |
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