The main gag of John Carpenter's 1986 fantasy flick "Big Trouble in Little China" is that the sidekick seems to think he's the main character. The main character of the story is Wang Chi (Dennis Dun), a restaurant owner who cannot wait to meet his fiancée Miao Yin (Suzee Pai). Miao Yin, however, is kidnapped by the Lords of Death, a San Francisco street gang. Wang follows them to Chinatown hoping to rescue his fiancée, only to discover that she was passed to David Lo Pan (James Hong), an ancient Chinese sorcerer who aims to sacrifice her on a magical alter and break a ghostly curse he suffers from. Wang gathers old friends, each of them possessing knowledge of magic and ancient Chinese sorcery, to trek into the magical underworld in order to defeat Lo Pan and rescue Miao Yin.
Oh yeah, and Jack Burton (Kurt Russell) is there. Jack is a none-too-wise,...
Oh yeah, and Jack Burton (Kurt Russell) is there. Jack is a none-too-wise,...
- 5/9/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Kurt Russell and John Carpenter make a great team. The two first worked together on the TV movie "Elvis," and then went on to make "Escape From New York," "Escape From L.A.," "The Thing," and of course, "Big Trouble in Little China." "Big Trouble" isn't a horror movie or even your typical John Carpenter flick. It's a pulpy action-comedy that sees Russell playing buffoonish truck driver Jack Burton, who gets roped into becoming a very clumsy hero to fight a trio of ancient gods and an evil sorcerer. The movie is an absolute blast from beginning to end, and Russell is clearly having a lot of fun playing Burton, a character who thinks he's the hero when he's really more like a glorified sidekick to his friend Wang Chi (Dennis Dun).
Russell and Carpenter worked together well over the years, with Russell seemingly bringing out the best in Carpenter and vice versa.
Russell and Carpenter worked together well over the years, with Russell seemingly bringing out the best in Carpenter and vice versa.
- 5/5/2024
- by Chris Evangelista
- Slash Film
March 17, 1951 was a great day in history, because that the day Kurt Russell entered the world. And while he would go on to become one of the biggest icons of the eighties and nineties, many folks don’t know that Russell started as a child star for Disney, even acting opposite his future life partner Goldie Hawn in The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band (1968). From the sixties into the seventies, he starred in Disney flicks like The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes (1969), but as the studio’s movies started to flop and Russell got older, a change of pace was needed. Arguably, Russell’s career took off when he began working with director John Carpenter, with the first movie being 1979’s TV movie Elvis, but what are Kurt Russell’s best movies? To celebrate his 73rd birthday, let’s dig into them here.
Honorable Mention: Captain Ron (1992)
A few weeks ago,...
Honorable Mention: Captain Ron (1992)
A few weeks ago,...
- 3/17/2024
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
After taking a look back at House II: The Second Story (a favorite of mine since childhood), House of 1000 Corpses (which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year), the awesomeness of Tales from the Crypt Presents: Demon Knight, and the leg smashing in the Stephen King adaptation Misery, JoBlo’s own Lance Vlcek shifts his focus over to the works of John Carpenter with the latest episode in his The Best Scene video series. The Carpenter classic Lance is looking at with this one is the 1986 action extravaganza Big Trouble in Little China (watch it Here) – a movie that’s so good, he couldn’t pick just one “best scene”. He narrowed it down to three options, and you can hear all about them in the video embedded above.
In the video, Lance covers the opening gambling scene with our heroes Jack Burton and Wang, the alley battle scene that...
In the video, Lance covers the opening gambling scene with our heroes Jack Burton and Wang, the alley battle scene that...
- 12/14/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Graphic: Images: IMDBThe Thing (1982)
A research team in Antarctica is hunted by a shape-shifting alien that assumes the appearance of its victims.
Rating: 8.2/10
Stars: Kurt Russell (MacReady), Wilford Brimley (Dr. Blair), Keith David (Childs), Richard Masur (Clark)
Halloween (1978)
Fifteen years after murdering his sister on Halloween night 1963, Michael Myers escapes...
A research team in Antarctica is hunted by a shape-shifting alien that assumes the appearance of its victims.
Rating: 8.2/10
Stars: Kurt Russell (MacReady), Wilford Brimley (Dr. Blair), Keith David (Childs), Richard Masur (Clark)
Halloween (1978)
Fifteen years after murdering his sister on Halloween night 1963, Michael Myers escapes...
- 10/28/2023
- avclub.com
Legendary director John Carpenter is currently doing the press rounds to promote his new unscripted TV series, John Carpenter’s Suburban Screams (you can read our review at This Link), and during an interview with ComicBook.com he was asked which of his films he thinks would make for the best film-to-video game adaptation. His answer: the 1986 martial arts fantasy adventure Big Trouble in Little China (watch it Here)!
Here’s the direct quote from Carpenter: “I think, maybe Big Trouble in Little China, it seems to me would be a fun video game and kick ass. There’s also, by the way, a Thing card game. I mean, there’s a lot of these games. There’s actually a They Live game. I don’t know that there would ever be a Prince of Darkness game. I don’t see that.“
Now that Carpenter mentions it, it’s kind of...
Here’s the direct quote from Carpenter: “I think, maybe Big Trouble in Little China, it seems to me would be a fun video game and kick ass. There’s also, by the way, a Thing card game. I mean, there’s a lot of these games. There’s actually a They Live game. I don’t know that there would ever be a Prince of Darkness game. I don’t see that.“
Now that Carpenter mentions it, it’s kind of...
- 10/12/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
John Carpenter is deservedly known as a master of horror, but he often did not get his just due quick enough. So many of his films did not find a loving audience until after their theatrical releases, including The Thing, Big Trouble in Little China, In the Mouth of Madness, and 1987’s Prince of Darkness, which celebrates its 35th anniversary this year.
The film is the second chapter of Carpenter’s “Apocalypse Trilogy”—which also includes The Thing and In the Mouth of Madness. Although it lacked the star power and larger scope of the other two films, Prince of Darkness still comes off as incredibly rich and complex. It’s a kind of movie you don’t see much of anymore, if at all.
According to Carpenter, Prince of Darkness came at a time when he was tired with the process of making big-budget studio movies. “And I longed...
The film is the second chapter of Carpenter’s “Apocalypse Trilogy”—which also includes The Thing and In the Mouth of Madness. Although it lacked the star power and larger scope of the other two films, Prince of Darkness still comes off as incredibly rich and complex. It’s a kind of movie you don’t see much of anymore, if at all.
According to Carpenter, Prince of Darkness came at a time when he was tired with the process of making big-budget studio movies. “And I longed...
- 10/18/2022
- by Alan Dorich
- DailyDead
After they bring John Carpenter's They Live to 4K Ultra HD this December, the Scream Factory team will release another Carpenter classic, Prince of Darkness, on 4K Ultra HD on January 19th.
Like the upcoming They Live release, the Prince of Darkness 4K Ultra HD / Blu-ray will include the special features from Scream Factory's previous Blu-ray release of the film, and there's a website-only exclusive version that comes with a Sacred Bones record featuring John Carpenter, Cody Carpenter, and Daniel Davies playing music from Prince of Darkness.
Below, we have the official press release with more details, as well as a look at the cover art for the 4K Ultra HD and vinyl:
From the Press Release: Get ready for the ultimate presentation of the heart-pounding supernatural thriller by heralded master of horror director John Carpenter, as the Prince of Darkness Collector’s Edition (4k Uhd/Blu-Ray™) will be...
Like the upcoming They Live release, the Prince of Darkness 4K Ultra HD / Blu-ray will include the special features from Scream Factory's previous Blu-ray release of the film, and there's a website-only exclusive version that comes with a Sacred Bones record featuring John Carpenter, Cody Carpenter, and Daniel Davies playing music from Prince of Darkness.
Below, we have the official press release with more details, as well as a look at the cover art for the 4K Ultra HD and vinyl:
From the Press Release: Get ready for the ultimate presentation of the heart-pounding supernatural thriller by heralded master of horror director John Carpenter, as the Prince of Darkness Collector’s Edition (4k Uhd/Blu-Ray™) will be...
- 10/13/2020
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
It’s a relatively quiet week for home entertainment releases, but Tuesday is playing host to one of my favorite films of the year, Ready or Not, which makes December 3rd feel like an early Christmas to this writer. Scream Factory is showing some love to John Carpenter’s Big Trouble in Little China with multiple editions (including the standard Collector’s Edition as well as the absolutely gorgeous limited edition Steelbook), and Konga, one of my favorite cult films (thank you Terror in the Aisles!) is headed to Blu on Tuesday, courtesy of Kino Lorber.
Other Blu-ray and DVD releases for December 3rd include Boar, Christmas Presence, Game of Thrones: The Complete Eighth Season, Game of Thrones: The Complete Series, and 1 Must Fall.
Big Trouble in Little China: Collector’s Edition/Limited Edition Steelbook
Kurt Russell stars as Jack Burton, a tough-talking truck driver whose life goes into a...
Other Blu-ray and DVD releases for December 3rd include Boar, Christmas Presence, Game of Thrones: The Complete Eighth Season, Game of Thrones: The Complete Series, and 1 Must Fall.
Big Trouble in Little China: Collector’s Edition/Limited Edition Steelbook
Kurt Russell stars as Jack Burton, a tough-talking truck driver whose life goes into a...
- 12/2/2019
- by Heather Wixson
- DailyDead
While John Carpenter's Big Trouble in Little China is infinitely quotable thanks to Kurt Russell's performance as the imperfect protagonist Jack Burton, every great reluctant hero needs a great villain, and James Hong's portrayal of the evil Lo Pan gave us a character who is just as memorable as his truck-driving counterpart. With Big Trouble in Little China coming to Blu-ray like never before in a new Collector's Edition on December 3rd from Scream Factory, we've been provided with an exclusive bonus feature clip featuring Hong to share with Daily Dead readers!
Taken from "The Soul of Lo Pan" bonus feature on the Big Trouble in Little China Collector's Edition Blu-ray, our exclusive clip below features Hong reflecting on some of his most memorable moments playing Lo Pan, including how Carpenter and his crew used practical effects and ingenuity to pull off Lo Pan's glowing transformation and floating ability.
Taken from "The Soul of Lo Pan" bonus feature on the Big Trouble in Little China Collector's Edition Blu-ray, our exclusive clip below features Hong reflecting on some of his most memorable moments playing Lo Pan, including how Carpenter and his crew used practical effects and ingenuity to pull off Lo Pan's glowing transformation and floating ability.
- 12/2/2019
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
You better make sure your check is in the mail, pal, because ahead of its release on December 3rd, Scream Factory has unveiled the full list of special features for their Collector's Edition Blu-ray of John Carpenter's Big Trouble in Little China:
Press Release: Kurt Russell stars as Jack Burton, a tough-talking truck driver whose life goes into a supernatural tailspin when his best friend's fiancée is kidnapped in John Carpenter’s Big Trouble In Little China. Jack, who suddenly finds himself in a murky, danger-filled world beneath San Francisco's Chinatown, where Lo Pan, a 2,000-year-old magician, mercilessly rules an empire of spirits. Facing down a host of unearthly terrors, Jack battles through Lo Pan's dark domain in a full-throttle, action-riddled ride to rescue the girl. On December 3, 2019, Scream Factory™ is thrilled to present Big Trouble in Little China Collector’s Edition Two-Disc Blu-ray set. Directed by Carpenter, this...
Press Release: Kurt Russell stars as Jack Burton, a tough-talking truck driver whose life goes into a supernatural tailspin when his best friend's fiancée is kidnapped in John Carpenter’s Big Trouble In Little China. Jack, who suddenly finds himself in a murky, danger-filled world beneath San Francisco's Chinatown, where Lo Pan, a 2,000-year-old magician, mercilessly rules an empire of spirits. Facing down a host of unearthly terrors, Jack battles through Lo Pan's dark domain in a full-throttle, action-riddled ride to rescue the girl. On December 3, 2019, Scream Factory™ is thrilled to present Big Trouble in Little China Collector’s Edition Two-Disc Blu-ray set. Directed by Carpenter, this...
- 10/25/2019
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
If you’re a fan of John Carpenter’s Big Trouble in Little China, there’s a collector’s edition blu-ray box set coming from Shout Factory and Sacred Bones Records that you’ll probably want to get your hands on.
On top of the Blu-ray, Steelbook, and official lithograph artwork, it comes with a limited edition vinyl soundtrack featuring recent recordings of some of the film’s score by John Carpenter and Alan Howarth. I’ve included all of the details regarding this bundle below.
I’ve seen this movie a thousand times and it’s one of those films that never gets old. No matter what, it has always entertained me.
Kurt Russell stars as Jack Burton, a tough-talking truck driver whose life goes into a supernatural tailspin when his best friend’s fiancée is kidnapped in John Carpenter’s Big Trouble In Little China. Jack suddenly finds himself in a murky,...
On top of the Blu-ray, Steelbook, and official lithograph artwork, it comes with a limited edition vinyl soundtrack featuring recent recordings of some of the film’s score by John Carpenter and Alan Howarth. I’ve included all of the details regarding this bundle below.
I’ve seen this movie a thousand times and it’s one of those films that never gets old. No matter what, it has always entertained me.
Kurt Russell stars as Jack Burton, a tough-talking truck driver whose life goes into a supernatural tailspin when his best friend’s fiancée is kidnapped in John Carpenter’s Big Trouble In Little China. Jack suddenly finds himself in a murky,...
- 9/15/2019
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
Giving a new twist on one of their beloved previous home media releases, Scream Factory will unleash the ancient evil of John Carpenter's Prince of Darkness on a new limited edition Steelbook on March 27th, and as a very special treat for Daily Dead readers, we've been provided with three copies to give away!
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Prize Details: (3) Winners will receive (1) limited edition Steelbook Blu-ray copy of Prince of Darkness.
How to Enter: We're giving Daily Dead readers multiple chances to enter and win:
1. Instagram: Following us on Instagram during the contest period will give you an automatic contest entry. Make sure to follow us at:
https://www.instagram.com/dailydead/
2. Email: For a chance to win via email, send an email to contest@dailydead.com with the subject “Prince of Darkness Steelbook Contest”. Be sure to include your name and mailing address.
Entry Details: The contest will end...
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Prize Details: (3) Winners will receive (1) limited edition Steelbook Blu-ray copy of Prince of Darkness.
How to Enter: We're giving Daily Dead readers multiple chances to enter and win:
1. Instagram: Following us on Instagram during the contest period will give you an automatic contest entry. Make sure to follow us at:
https://www.instagram.com/dailydead/
2. Email: For a chance to win via email, send an email to contest@dailydead.com with the subject “Prince of Darkness Steelbook Contest”. Be sure to include your name and mailing address.
Entry Details: The contest will end...
- 3/24/2018
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Poor John Carpenter. Like nearly all of the truly great horror filmmakers, his movies are destined to be misunderstood in their time, only finding the proper appreciation several years after the fact when the rest of the world is finally able to catch up to what he’s doing. It’s not always the case, of course, as he has had a handful of commercial hits; for many years, his breakthrough movie Halloween was the most successful independent film ever made. It was the rare instance in which audiences were tuned in to what Carpenter was doing at the time he was doing it. Most of his other great films—and he has more great films than almost any other director working in the genre—took years to connect with the public. Don’t blame Carpenter for that. He’s a man ahead of his time.
It has been 30 years...
It has been 30 years...
- 7/5/2017
- by Patrick Bromley
- DailyDead
John Carpenter celebrated his 68th birthday a few days ago, so it felt like a no-brainer that I should cover one of his films this week. We here at Fsr are big Carpenter fans and have already covered several of his films on Commentary Commentary — Halloween, The Fog, Escape from New York, The Thing, Big Trouble in Little China, They Live — but while those titles are beloved I’m turning this week to one of his less-respected titles that I happen to love. 1987’s Prince of Darkness is a fun mix of gory horror and metaphysical mumbo-jumbo, and while some sketchy acting hurts it the film as a whole is terrifically creepy entertainment. The score is fantastic, the film ends strong, and the cast includes a bevy of Carpenter favorites including Donald Pleasence, Victor Wong, and Dennis Dun. Keep reading to see what I heard on the Prince of Darkness commentary. Prince of Darkness...
- 1/20/2016
- by Rob Hunter
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
I confess that my first reaction to this news was caught on film and you can now see it in photo form attached to this story. Here's the thing: I am on record as saying that I consider Dwayne Johnson a bit of a natural resource. I don't think the movies he makes are always worthy of his charisma and his genuine talent, but i think he's more than proven himself capable. I am hopeful when he announces a project that it'll be something that is as good as he is. I am also on record as saying that it's exhausting to get worked up about every single remake or sequel or reboot or whatever at this point. The industry has so clearly embraced that as an omnipresent business plan that it is wasted energy. It takes a lot to shake that loose from me now, but maybe this one...
- 6/2/2015
- by Drew McWeeny
- Hitfix
Earlier this week, Funko announced the Big Trouble in Little China line of Pop! toys, and that inspired my next Fun Facts list. I watched this movie all of the time when I was a kid. I swear it was on a constant loop in my house for a little while there. The John Carpenter-directed movie stars Kurt Russell, and it was just such an incredibly fun movie, with great characters. I think it's about that time to show it to my own kids. Here are 11 Fun Facts about the movie that you may or may not know. It was hard to find decent clips from this film on YouTube to show you certain things, but I posted the original trailer, a supercut of Russell's best lines in the movie, and the most ridiculous death scene ever.
The story was originally written as a western but Carpenter thought it...
The story was originally written as a western but Carpenter thought it...
- 2/6/2015
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
“You know what ol’ Jack Burton always says at a time like this?” This June, Boom! Studios will tell you just what ol’ Jack Burton says in his continuing adventures in Big Trouble In Little China, a new, ongoing series from comics favorites Eric Powell (The Goon) and Brian Churilla (The Sixth Gun: Sons of the Gun). The cult-classic film combined ‘80s supernatural action with ‘70s kung-fu flicks, and Boom! has the film’s original director, John Carpenter, working alongside Powell to bring that over-the-top spirit to the comic. Big Trouble in Little China (1986) - Jack Burton (Kurt Russell) is a simple man who doesn’t believe in ghosts or magic until he’s swept into a mind-boggling adventure deep within Chinatown’s mysterious underworld. Burton’s pal, Wang Chi (Dennis Dun), is trying to rescue his kidnapped fiancée. Egg Shen (Victor Wong), an enigmatic tour-bus driver seems...
- 5/9/2014
- ComicBookMovie.com
Big Trouble in Little China has made its way onto Blu-ray for the first time a couple of years shy of its 30th anniversary, and it’s a really lovely release. Drew Struzan’s wonderful original art adorns both the Deluxe Blu-Ray and SteelBook editions, and alongside the classic special features there are brand spanking new interviews with everyone from John Carpenter and Kurt Russell, to the stuntmen and visual effects producers. Needless to say it’s a must for any diehard fans of the film, but how does Carpenter’s cult martial arts comedy stand up in 2013?
It’s easy to see how Big Trouble failed to fully connect with audiences upon its 1986 release, and why it has remained divisive since despite its cult following. Whether deliberately or not, Carpenter crafted a movie that’s constantly hard to get a handle on. Expectations are constantly being subverted, red herrings...
It’s easy to see how Big Trouble failed to fully connect with audiences upon its 1986 release, and why it has remained divisive since despite its cult following. Whether deliberately or not, Carpenter crafted a movie that’s constantly hard to get a handle on. Expectations are constantly being subverted, red herrings...
- 12/17/2013
- by Joe Cunningham
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Stars: Kurt Russell, Dennis Dun, Kim Cattrall, James Hong, Victor Wong, Kate Burton, Donald Li, Carter Wong, James Pax | Written by Gary Goldman, David Z. Weinstein | Directed by John Carpenter
When you have favourite movies it always comes as a surprise when you hear that they bombed on original release, even more of a surprise when you learn that most of its failure was down to being buried by the film companies. This is the case of Big Trouble in Little China, a movie that now has such a cult following that it’s hard to see how it could have failed. Luckily for us we have Arrow Video to give us a Blu-ray steelbook release to truly celebrate the film.
Jack Burton (Russell) is the ultimate American hero, in his own mind. When he finds himself in the middle of gang warfare in Little China between the forces of...
When you have favourite movies it always comes as a surprise when you hear that they bombed on original release, even more of a surprise when you learn that most of its failure was down to being buried by the film companies. This is the case of Big Trouble in Little China, a movie that now has such a cult following that it’s hard to see how it could have failed. Luckily for us we have Arrow Video to give us a Blu-ray steelbook release to truly celebrate the film.
Jack Burton (Russell) is the ultimate American hero, in his own mind. When he finds himself in the middle of gang warfare in Little China between the forces of...
- 12/16/2013
- by Paul Metcalf
- Nerdly
Scream Factory is getting ready to release John Carpenter’s Prince of Darkness next week as their latest Collector’s Edition and they’ve provided us with a look at the original trailer, along with a handful of clips:
“Get ready for the ultimate presentation of the heart-pounding supernatural thriller by heralded master of horror director John Carpenter (Halloween, The Fog, They Live) as the long-awaited Prince Of Darkness Collector’s Edition Blu-ray™ and DVD invade home entertainment shelves everywhere on September 24, 2013 from Scream Factory. Available for the first time on Blu-ray, this collector’s edition is brimming with insightful extras, including new interviews with John Carpenter and Alice Cooper, special audio commentary and much more!
Donald Pleasence (Halloween), Jameson Parker (Simon & Simon), Lisa Blount (Needful Things), rock icon Alice Cooper, Victor Wong and Dennis Dun (both from Carpenter’s Big Trouble In Little China) star in this gripping suspense...
“Get ready for the ultimate presentation of the heart-pounding supernatural thriller by heralded master of horror director John Carpenter (Halloween, The Fog, They Live) as the long-awaited Prince Of Darkness Collector’s Edition Blu-ray™ and DVD invade home entertainment shelves everywhere on September 24, 2013 from Scream Factory. Available for the first time on Blu-ray, this collector’s edition is brimming with insightful extras, including new interviews with John Carpenter and Alice Cooper, special audio commentary and much more!
Donald Pleasence (Halloween), Jameson Parker (Simon & Simon), Lisa Blount (Needful Things), rock icon Alice Cooper, Victor Wong and Dennis Dun (both from Carpenter’s Big Trouble In Little China) star in this gripping suspense...
- 9/18/2013
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
Scream Factory's long-awaited Prince of Darkness Collector’s Edition Blu-ray and DVD invades home entertainment shelves everywhere on September 24th.
Available for the first time on Blu-ray, this collector’s edition is brimming with insightful extras, including new interviews with director John Carpenter and Alice Cooper, special audio commentary and much more! Donald Pleasence, Jameson Parker, Lisa Blount, rock icon Alice Cooper, Victor Wong and Dennis Dun star in this gripping suspense thriller on the terrifying battle between mankind and the ultimate evil.
A group of graduate students and scientists uncover an ancient canister in an abandoned church. When they open it, they inadvertently unleash a strange liquid and an evil force on all of humanity. As the liquid turns their co-workers into zombies, the remaining members realize they have released the most unspeakable horror of them all. Terror mounts as the team must fight to save the world from...
Available for the first time on Blu-ray, this collector’s edition is brimming with insightful extras, including new interviews with director John Carpenter and Alice Cooper, special audio commentary and much more! Donald Pleasence, Jameson Parker, Lisa Blount, rock icon Alice Cooper, Victor Wong and Dennis Dun star in this gripping suspense thriller on the terrifying battle between mankind and the ultimate evil.
A group of graduate students and scientists uncover an ancient canister in an abandoned church. When they open it, they inadvertently unleash a strange liquid and an evil force on all of humanity. As the liquid turns their co-workers into zombies, the remaining members realize they have released the most unspeakable horror of them all. Terror mounts as the team must fight to save the world from...
- 7/25/2013
- shocktillyoudrop.com
Every time we do a story about the Scream Factory, two things Always happen... 1 - We feel our wallets burning like The Wicker Man and 2 - We want to leave a fruit basket of thanks outside of their offices on the doorstep.
On tap right now is more about their upcoming releases of Prince of Darkness and The Amityville Trilogy.
Get ready for the ultimate presentation of the heart-pounding supernatural thriller by heralded master of horror director John Carpenter (Halloween, The Fog, They Live) as the long-awaited Prince Of Darkness Collector’s Edition Blu-ray™ and DVD invade home entertainment shelves everywhere on September 24 from Scream Factory. Available for the first time on Blu-ray, this collector’s edition is brimming with insightful extras, including new interviews with John Carpenter and Alice Cooper, special audio commentary and much more!
Donald Pleasence (Halloween), Jameson Parker (Simon & Simon), Lisa Blount (Needful Things), rock icon Alice Cooper,...
On tap right now is more about their upcoming releases of Prince of Darkness and The Amityville Trilogy.
Get ready for the ultimate presentation of the heart-pounding supernatural thriller by heralded master of horror director John Carpenter (Halloween, The Fog, They Live) as the long-awaited Prince Of Darkness Collector’s Edition Blu-ray™ and DVD invade home entertainment shelves everywhere on September 24 from Scream Factory. Available for the first time on Blu-ray, this collector’s edition is brimming with insightful extras, including new interviews with John Carpenter and Alice Cooper, special audio commentary and much more!
Donald Pleasence (Halloween), Jameson Parker (Simon & Simon), Lisa Blount (Needful Things), rock icon Alice Cooper,...
- 7/24/2013
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
A Prince of Darkness Blu-ray / DVD Collector’s Edition is coming this September, courtesy of Scream Factory. We previously gave you a look at the cover art and we now have updated release details, including the final list of bonus features.
“Get ready for the ultimate presentation of the heart-pounding supernatural thriller by heralded master of horror director John Carpenter (Halloween, The Fog, They Live) as the long-awaited Prince Of Darkness Collector’s Edition Blu-ray™ and DVD invade home entertainment shelves everywhere on September 24 from Scream Factory. Available for the first time on Blu-ray, this collector’s edition is brimming with insightful extras, including new interviews with John Carpenter and Alice Cooper, special audio commentary and much more!
Donald Pleasence (Halloween), Jameson Parker (Simon & Simon), Lisa Blount (Needful Things), rock icon Alice Cooper, Victor Wong and Dennis Dun (both from Carpenter’s Big Trouble In Little China) star in this...
“Get ready for the ultimate presentation of the heart-pounding supernatural thriller by heralded master of horror director John Carpenter (Halloween, The Fog, They Live) as the long-awaited Prince Of Darkness Collector’s Edition Blu-ray™ and DVD invade home entertainment shelves everywhere on September 24 from Scream Factory. Available for the first time on Blu-ray, this collector’s edition is brimming with insightful extras, including new interviews with John Carpenter and Alice Cooper, special audio commentary and much more!
Donald Pleasence (Halloween), Jameson Parker (Simon & Simon), Lisa Blount (Needful Things), rock icon Alice Cooper, Victor Wong and Dennis Dun (both from Carpenter’s Big Trouble In Little China) star in this...
- 7/24/2013
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
Scream Factory has officially announced their fall lineup, with more than 15 classic horror titles making their way to Blu-ray, including Day of the Dead, Price of Darkness, The Amityville Horror Trilogy, and six Vincent Price movies:
Scanners II and III: “On September 10, Scream Factory will unleash Christian Duguay’s science fiction action thrillers Scanners II: The New Order and Scanners III: The Takeover in a Double Feature Two-Disc Blu-ray™+ DVD Combo Pack. In Scanners II, a breed of humans with dangerously powerful telepathic abilities – the scanners – are being recruited by a corrupt police commander, John Forrester, in his crusade to take over the city. Forrester first enlists the help of an evil scientist, Dr. Morse, who wants to conduct mind-control experiments on the scanners with a new drug. When the side effects render the scanners incapable, Forrester then finds David Kellum (David Hewlett, Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes...
Scanners II and III: “On September 10, Scream Factory will unleash Christian Duguay’s science fiction action thrillers Scanners II: The New Order and Scanners III: The Takeover in a Double Feature Two-Disc Blu-ray™+ DVD Combo Pack. In Scanners II, a breed of humans with dangerously powerful telepathic abilities – the scanners – are being recruited by a corrupt police commander, John Forrester, in his crusade to take over the city. Forrester first enlists the help of an evil scientist, Dr. Morse, who wants to conduct mind-control experiments on the scanners with a new drug. When the side effects render the scanners incapable, Forrester then finds David Kellum (David Hewlett, Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes...
- 7/3/2013
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
Today’s action movies are a lot more than they used to be. Special effects, stunt work, and the budgets themselves are growing increasingly more rampant. Big Trouble in Little China harks back to a simpler time.
John Carpenter is best known as a master of horror movies, but his filmography spans several different genres. A more accurate description would be to call him a specialist of cult films. Even though several of his films became very popular and transcended their B-movie origins, his films are meant for niche audiences. Big Trouble in Little China is no major departure. Like The Karate Kid, it tries to cash in on the trend of martial arts becoming more main-stream in the 1980’s, but does so in a goofy, almost comedic way. It is, in essence, rounding off the sharp edges of 70’s kung-fu flicks so that it is palatable to a different generation.
John Carpenter is best known as a master of horror movies, but his filmography spans several different genres. A more accurate description would be to call him a specialist of cult films. Even though several of his films became very popular and transcended their B-movie origins, his films are meant for niche audiences. Big Trouble in Little China is no major departure. Like The Karate Kid, it tries to cash in on the trend of martial arts becoming more main-stream in the 1980’s, but does so in a goofy, almost comedic way. It is, in essence, rounding off the sharp edges of 70’s kung-fu flicks so that it is palatable to a different generation.
- 3/6/2013
- by feeds@cinelinx.com (G.S. Perno)
- Cinelinx
I know some folks have been complaining about how slow the main plots have been unfolding in the first season Luck. I could use the argument that we’re only three episodes in but the fact that the entire season consists of only nine episodes — which means we’re one-third deep into this fascinating look at a California race track — will get a couple of viewers here and there a little bit antsy as to what we’re watching all means.
To them, I say — to use a term Teddy Roosevelt was fond of — “bully”. And I use that term because it is what I think creator David Milch would use when trying not to curse. (It does seem kind of manly, in 1910′s terms.) What Luck is giving us a sprawling look at the winners and loser we may or may not take for granted everyday. Like the thesis that I presented last week,...
To them, I say — to use a term Teddy Roosevelt was fond of — “bully”. And I use that term because it is what I think creator David Milch would use when trying not to curse. (It does seem kind of manly, in 1910′s terms.) What Luck is giving us a sprawling look at the winners and loser we may or may not take for granted everyday. Like the thesis that I presented last week,...
- 2/13/2012
- by Mo Fathelbab
- BuzzFocus.com
The American Dream has been and will always be about making yourself into your ideal. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from, as long as you — to paraphrase Dustin Hoffman’s Ace — take the “bit” by your teeth and make something of yourself. Sure, there may be some help along the way or there may be obstacles — as it is the nature of humankind — but winning through smarts and strength is all that is asked for. This is the thesis of our country. This is also the thesis of David Milch, whether it was in his classic Deadwood or his massive misfire John from Cincinnati. Two episodes in, Luck is no exception. Luck, as a matter of fact, may be the ultimate study in Milch’s fascination with The American Dream.
Though the chess pieces are still moving on the board and we don’t...
Though the chess pieces are still moving on the board and we don’t...
- 2/6/2012
- by Mo Fathelbab
- BuzzFocus.com
HBO Nick Nolte in ‘Luck.’
If there was a common criticism of “Luck’s” pilot episode, it was that the multiple plot strands were a little hard to follow. Good news, though, race fans: things clear up a bit in the second episode, which was directed by Terry George (“Hotel Rwanda”) and written by racing expert John R. Perrotta. Now, I’m not saying it spells everything for you–after all this is a show from David Milch, who likes...
If there was a common criticism of “Luck’s” pilot episode, it was that the multiple plot strands were a little hard to follow. Good news, though, race fans: things clear up a bit in the second episode, which was directed by Terry George (“Hotel Rwanda”) and written by racing expert John R. Perrotta. Now, I’m not saying it spells everything for you–after all this is a show from David Milch, who likes...
- 2/6/2012
- by Michael Calia
- Speakeasy/Wall Street Journal
Here is the ongoing episode guide for Luck Season 1 as new episode information is released by HBO. The series offers a behind-the-scenes look at horse racing and gamblings’ denizens – owners, trainers, jockeys and gamblers. Luck is from director Michael Mann and Deadwood creator David Milch. It stars Dustin Hoffman and Nick Nolte.
Episodes descriptions are listed in reverse order with the newest episode first (scroll to the bottom to avoid spoilers):
Episode #5
Debut: Sunday, Feb. 26 (9:00-10:00 p.m.)
After learning that Pint of Plain, Gus’ (Dennis Farina) Irish horse, has been tentatively scheduled to race the next day, Ace forces Escalante to swap out Leon for a more experienced jockey, to Joey’s (Richard Kind) chagrin. Marcus fears for his health and wonders why he’s so attached to Jerry, while Kagle (Peter Appel), who’s been fired from the racetrack, returns from a bender looking for a handout.
Episodes descriptions are listed in reverse order with the newest episode first (scroll to the bottom to avoid spoilers):
Episode #5
Debut: Sunday, Feb. 26 (9:00-10:00 p.m.)
After learning that Pint of Plain, Gus’ (Dennis Farina) Irish horse, has been tentatively scheduled to race the next day, Ace forces Escalante to swap out Leon for a more experienced jockey, to Joey’s (Richard Kind) chagrin. Marcus fears for his health and wonders why he’s so attached to Jerry, while Kagle (Peter Appel), who’s been fired from the racetrack, returns from a bender looking for a handout.
- 1/25/2012
- by Buzzfocus Staff
- BuzzFocus.com
East West Players (Ewp), the nation's premier Asian American theatre, continues its 44th season, themed Art Is..., with the west coast premiere of Po Boy Tango, by Kenneth Lin. This production will be directed by the artistic director of The Chance Theater in Orange County, Oanh Nguyen. It will bring back to the Ewp stage two of Ewp's veteran actors, Jeanne Sakata and Dennis Dun and introduce African American actress Cece Antoinette.
- 10/7/2009
- BroadwayWorld.com
In this incarnation of our Videolog column (which began in 1982 with VHS and Betamax and later laserdisc), Starlog posts information (normally on) Tuesdays (Allan turned this in on time and I missed it - Jz) regarding selected genre titles being released (or re-released) now on DVD and Blu-ray. Prices listed are Msrp, though the clickable links lead to Amazon where the savings is significant. Here’s what’s out this week:
DVD Releases for August 4, 2009
Big Trouble In Little China (20th Century Fox, $29.99 Blu-ray): A Starlog favorite! Kurt Russell, Kim Cattrall, Dennis Dun, James Hong and Victor Wong star in John Carpenter’s 1986 cult classic, now out on Blu-ray with an extended version of the film as well as the original theatrical version, Carpenter & Russell commentary, nine deleted scenes, extended ending, vintage featurette, music video, Richard Edlund interview, trailers, TV spots and a photo gallery.
See our 1986 set visit,...
DVD Releases for August 4, 2009
Big Trouble In Little China (20th Century Fox, $29.99 Blu-ray): A Starlog favorite! Kurt Russell, Kim Cattrall, Dennis Dun, James Hong and Victor Wong star in John Carpenter’s 1986 cult classic, now out on Blu-ray with an extended version of the film as well as the original theatrical version, Carpenter & Russell commentary, nine deleted scenes, extended ending, vintage featurette, music video, Richard Edlund interview, trailers, TV spots and a photo gallery.
See our 1986 set visit,...
- 8/6/2009
- by no-reply@starlog.com (Allan Dart)
- Starlog
Here’s a list of some of the new DVD and Blu-ray releases this week we’re particularly interested in. Plus, some old favorites (and not so favorites) coming out this week for the first time on Blu-ray.
Movies
Race to Witch Mountain ~ Dwayne Johnson, Carla Gugino, AnnaSophia Robb, and Alexander Ludwig (DVD and Blu-ray)
The Soloist ~ Robert Downey, Jr., Jamie Foxx, Catherine Keener, and Stephen Root (DVD and Blu-ray)
Obsessed ~ Beyoncé Knowles, Idris Elba, Ali Larter, and Jerry O’Connell (DVD and Blu-ray)
Harvard Beats Yale 29-29 ~ Tommy Lee Jones, Brian Dowling, Vic Gatto, and Frank Champi (DVD and Blu-ray)
My Cousin Vinny ~ Joe Pesci, Ralph Macchio and Marisa Tomei (Blu-ray)
Mutant Chronicles ~ Thomas Jane, Ron Perlman, and John Malkovich (DVD and Blu-ray)
The Tigger Movie ~ John Hurt, Ken Sansom, Kath Soucie, and John Fiedler (DVD and Blu-ray)
Ulysses ~ Kirk Douglas, Anthony Quinn, Franco Interlenghi, and Daniel Ivernel (DVD)
Fragments ~ Marshall Allman,...
Movies
Race to Witch Mountain ~ Dwayne Johnson, Carla Gugino, AnnaSophia Robb, and Alexander Ludwig (DVD and Blu-ray)
The Soloist ~ Robert Downey, Jr., Jamie Foxx, Catherine Keener, and Stephen Root (DVD and Blu-ray)
Obsessed ~ Beyoncé Knowles, Idris Elba, Ali Larter, and Jerry O’Connell (DVD and Blu-ray)
Harvard Beats Yale 29-29 ~ Tommy Lee Jones, Brian Dowling, Vic Gatto, and Frank Champi (DVD and Blu-ray)
My Cousin Vinny ~ Joe Pesci, Ralph Macchio and Marisa Tomei (Blu-ray)
Mutant Chronicles ~ Thomas Jane, Ron Perlman, and John Malkovich (DVD and Blu-ray)
The Tigger Movie ~ John Hurt, Ken Sansom, Kath Soucie, and John Fiedler (DVD and Blu-ray)
Ulysses ~ Kirk Douglas, Anthony Quinn, Franco Interlenghi, and Daniel Ivernel (DVD)
Fragments ~ Marshall Allman,...
- 8/4/2009
- by Joe Gillis
- The Flickcast
Chinese-American women of three generations (and one far-flung family) pile into an RV and take a roundabout tour of California's deserts and mountains in "My American Vacation", winner of the best dramatic feature prize at 1999's Worldfest Houston.
A well-intentioned but unpolished family film playing at Laemmle's Grande in downtown Los Angeles, "Vacation" (mostly in English, with a few subtitled scenes) is another in the durable genre of East-meets-West comedy-dramas aimed at ethnic audiences but not without its points of interest for the eclectic moviegoer.
Screenwriter-director VV Dachin Hsu (whose feature debut was 1990's "Pale Blood", co-directed with Michael W. Leighton), born in Hong Kong and a UCLA Film School grad, creates a labor of love with the family-themed "Vacation", a movie with light humor, whimsy, turmoil and even physical danger, but nourished to achieve a soothing effect on the viewer, including a structure inspired by tai chi.
Venerable Chinese film, television and stage actress Tsai Chin (Michelangelo Antonioni's "Blowup", ABC's "Fantasy Island", "The Joy Luck Club") stars as Grandma Lee, widowed mother of grown daughters Ming-Yee (Kim Miyori) and Ming-Na (Deborah Nishimura). Bossy and ambitious Ming-Yee, a single mom raising daughter Melissa (Sasha Hsuczyk) to know her divorced father is a "jerk," is delighted to have Grandma come from Taiwan for a visit.
A journalist and happy with husband Henry (Dennis Dun), Ming-Na is younger than her sister and more carefree. She is not that thrilled to play host to nosy Grandma, who arrives with many loaded-with-meaning gifts. The sisters more or less call a truce, and the whole gang, including Henry, decides to acquire a motor home and head to Colorado.
They don't get very far after choosing an expensive model and packing it up for a trip of ill-defined purpose and length of time. The adventurers make it to Joshua Tree, Lake Isabella and finally Sequoia National Forest but never leave California. With The Great Outdoors as a backdrop, several family and personal conflicts are worked out.
Grandma dishes out much wisdom and mediates frequently between the warring sisters.
The writing is overly episodic, the humor is light, the jokes are often predictable, and occasionally the choice of musical accompaniment is questionable, but one can suspend disbelief enough and overlook manipulative devices to enjoy Hsu's "Vacation" largely because of the heartfelt performances.
Ultimately, the spirit of Chin's character prevails during what becomes a nearly disastrous trip. She pens a series of bogus postcards to her friends back home and dreams of her dead husband as a young man (Roger Fan), while hurting every time Ming-Yee and Ming-Na go at each other. What's not to live for?
So it goes, the joys and pains of a family coming together. East saves West and vice versa, with Grandma almost dying during a scene worthy of an old-time western serial. Meanwhile, the shores of the Kern River and the towering sequoias are wonderful settings for the gentle movements of women performing tai chi.
MY AMERICAN VACATION
American Vacation Prods.
Winn Entertainment
in association with CACC Investment
Screenwriter-director:VV Dachin Hsu
Producers:VV Dachin Hsu, Cindy Sison, Frank Gargani
Executive producer:Winston H. Chin
Director of photography:Dean Lent
Production designer:Fu-Ding Cheng
Editors:Marc Grossman, Clarinda Wong
Costume designer:Sheri Grider
Music:Joel Iwataki
Color/stereo
Cast:
Grandma Lee:Tsai Chin
Ming-Yee:Kim Miyori
Ming-Na:Deborah Nishimura
Melissa:Sasha Hsuczyk
Henry:Dennis Dun
Ming-Yee-Ba:Roger Fan
Running time -- 88 minutes
No MPAA rating...
A well-intentioned but unpolished family film playing at Laemmle's Grande in downtown Los Angeles, "Vacation" (mostly in English, with a few subtitled scenes) is another in the durable genre of East-meets-West comedy-dramas aimed at ethnic audiences but not without its points of interest for the eclectic moviegoer.
Screenwriter-director VV Dachin Hsu (whose feature debut was 1990's "Pale Blood", co-directed with Michael W. Leighton), born in Hong Kong and a UCLA Film School grad, creates a labor of love with the family-themed "Vacation", a movie with light humor, whimsy, turmoil and even physical danger, but nourished to achieve a soothing effect on the viewer, including a structure inspired by tai chi.
Venerable Chinese film, television and stage actress Tsai Chin (Michelangelo Antonioni's "Blowup", ABC's "Fantasy Island", "The Joy Luck Club") stars as Grandma Lee, widowed mother of grown daughters Ming-Yee (Kim Miyori) and Ming-Na (Deborah Nishimura). Bossy and ambitious Ming-Yee, a single mom raising daughter Melissa (Sasha Hsuczyk) to know her divorced father is a "jerk," is delighted to have Grandma come from Taiwan for a visit.
A journalist and happy with husband Henry (Dennis Dun), Ming-Na is younger than her sister and more carefree. She is not that thrilled to play host to nosy Grandma, who arrives with many loaded-with-meaning gifts. The sisters more or less call a truce, and the whole gang, including Henry, decides to acquire a motor home and head to Colorado.
They don't get very far after choosing an expensive model and packing it up for a trip of ill-defined purpose and length of time. The adventurers make it to Joshua Tree, Lake Isabella and finally Sequoia National Forest but never leave California. With The Great Outdoors as a backdrop, several family and personal conflicts are worked out.
Grandma dishes out much wisdom and mediates frequently between the warring sisters.
The writing is overly episodic, the humor is light, the jokes are often predictable, and occasionally the choice of musical accompaniment is questionable, but one can suspend disbelief enough and overlook manipulative devices to enjoy Hsu's "Vacation" largely because of the heartfelt performances.
Ultimately, the spirit of Chin's character prevails during what becomes a nearly disastrous trip. She pens a series of bogus postcards to her friends back home and dreams of her dead husband as a young man (Roger Fan), while hurting every time Ming-Yee and Ming-Na go at each other. What's not to live for?
So it goes, the joys and pains of a family coming together. East saves West and vice versa, with Grandma almost dying during a scene worthy of an old-time western serial. Meanwhile, the shores of the Kern River and the towering sequoias are wonderful settings for the gentle movements of women performing tai chi.
MY AMERICAN VACATION
American Vacation Prods.
Winn Entertainment
in association with CACC Investment
Screenwriter-director:VV Dachin Hsu
Producers:VV Dachin Hsu, Cindy Sison, Frank Gargani
Executive producer:Winston H. Chin
Director of photography:Dean Lent
Production designer:Fu-Ding Cheng
Editors:Marc Grossman, Clarinda Wong
Costume designer:Sheri Grider
Music:Joel Iwataki
Color/stereo
Cast:
Grandma Lee:Tsai Chin
Ming-Yee:Kim Miyori
Ming-Na:Deborah Nishimura
Melissa:Sasha Hsuczyk
Henry:Dennis Dun
Ming-Yee-Ba:Roger Fan
Running time -- 88 minutes
No MPAA rating...
- 3/27/2000
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Though audiences may be more than willing to concede the heroine's heroic stature, hunger for a more substantial plot, livelier action and less thematically pointed dialogue may keep word of mouth depressed.
Rosalind Chao stars as Lalu, a young woman from northern China who is sold to a marriage broker by a shepherd father made desperate by three years of drought.
However, the broker turns out to be a front man for what amounts to a slavery ring, and Lalu eventually finds herself being carried by pack mule from San Francisco to a ramshackle gold rush town in the Oregon mountains where her new owner, Hong King Michael Paul Chan), a Chinese entrepreneur, first roughly deflowers her and then begins to set her up for a life of prostitution.
Lalu rebels against her condition, pulling a long knife on her first customer, threatening a murder-suicide. Prompted by his occidental partner, Charlie Bemis (Chris Cooper), who is smitten with Lalu, Hong King reluctantly relents, and Lalu begins her slow but steady rise to autonomy.
Along the way, Lalu enforces a sisterly relationship with Charlie, holding herself out for the return of Jim (Dennis Dun), the Chinese mule train operator who first brought her to the camp. But time and circumstance bring Charlie and Lalu together and the finale finds them, against a background of forced Chinese expulsion from the town, finally settling down together.
Director Nancy Kelly, as if rebelling against the visually flat tradition of ''American Playhouse'' films, has reproduced some stunning local vistas (Montana subs for Oregon and, with Butte, San Fancisco), but there is a postcard texture to them, and the characters never much intermingle with their environment; in a town full of gold miners, we almost never see anyone mine for gold. History plays a similarly exigent role, the sudden arrival of nativist terrorism acting as an emotional catalyst and then subsiding when no longer needed.
Nevertheless, cast members are gifts, particularly Chan as the semi-villainous Hong King, who ends up halfway between a curdled realist and a gallant romantic. Chao and Cooper bring enough flesh and blood to cardboard roles that the romance has a realistic value.
However, ultimately the movie is defeated by its plodding pace, largely the result of overemphasized points about everyone's shared humanity, an opinion shared by this film's most likely audience before they enter the theater.
1000 PIECES OF GOLD
A Greycat Films Release
American Playhouse Theatrical Films and Maverick Films International Ltd.
Present a Kelly/Yamamoto Production in association with Film Four International
Director-producer Nancy Kelly
Producer-editor Kenji Yamamoto
Writer Anne Makepeace
Director of photography Bobby Bukowski
Production desginer Dan Bishop
Composer Gary Remal Malkin
Color
Cast:
Lalu Rosalind Chao
CharlieChris Cooper
Hong King Michael Paul Chan
Jim Dennis Dun
Running time -- 105 minutes
No MPAA rating
(c) The Hollywood Reporter...
Rosalind Chao stars as Lalu, a young woman from northern China who is sold to a marriage broker by a shepherd father made desperate by three years of drought.
However, the broker turns out to be a front man for what amounts to a slavery ring, and Lalu eventually finds herself being carried by pack mule from San Francisco to a ramshackle gold rush town in the Oregon mountains where her new owner, Hong King Michael Paul Chan), a Chinese entrepreneur, first roughly deflowers her and then begins to set her up for a life of prostitution.
Lalu rebels against her condition, pulling a long knife on her first customer, threatening a murder-suicide. Prompted by his occidental partner, Charlie Bemis (Chris Cooper), who is smitten with Lalu, Hong King reluctantly relents, and Lalu begins her slow but steady rise to autonomy.
Along the way, Lalu enforces a sisterly relationship with Charlie, holding herself out for the return of Jim (Dennis Dun), the Chinese mule train operator who first brought her to the camp. But time and circumstance bring Charlie and Lalu together and the finale finds them, against a background of forced Chinese expulsion from the town, finally settling down together.
Director Nancy Kelly, as if rebelling against the visually flat tradition of ''American Playhouse'' films, has reproduced some stunning local vistas (Montana subs for Oregon and, with Butte, San Fancisco), but there is a postcard texture to them, and the characters never much intermingle with their environment; in a town full of gold miners, we almost never see anyone mine for gold. History plays a similarly exigent role, the sudden arrival of nativist terrorism acting as an emotional catalyst and then subsiding when no longer needed.
Nevertheless, cast members are gifts, particularly Chan as the semi-villainous Hong King, who ends up halfway between a curdled realist and a gallant romantic. Chao and Cooper bring enough flesh and blood to cardboard roles that the romance has a realistic value.
However, ultimately the movie is defeated by its plodding pace, largely the result of overemphasized points about everyone's shared humanity, an opinion shared by this film's most likely audience before they enter the theater.
1000 PIECES OF GOLD
A Greycat Films Release
American Playhouse Theatrical Films and Maverick Films International Ltd.
Present a Kelly/Yamamoto Production in association with Film Four International
Director-producer Nancy Kelly
Producer-editor Kenji Yamamoto
Writer Anne Makepeace
Director of photography Bobby Bukowski
Production desginer Dan Bishop
Composer Gary Remal Malkin
Color
Cast:
Lalu Rosalind Chao
CharlieChris Cooper
Hong King Michael Paul Chan
Jim Dennis Dun
Running time -- 105 minutes
No MPAA rating
(c) The Hollywood Reporter...
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