The Asian Film Awards Academy (Afaa) and the Singapore Film Society announced today that Hong Kong's first-generation kung fu superstar Sammo Hung will visit Singapore for the Afaa's Masterclass Series and a number of activities at the upcoming 12th Singapore Chinese Film Festival (Scff). Director Sammo Hung's five important movie classics will be screened during Scff as the festival's first “Filmmaker in Focus” special segment.
Studied under Peking Opera master Yu Jim Yuen at a young age, Hung was the “big brother” of the famous Seven Little Fortunes. Under the guidance of a strict master, Hung learned the true skills behind the four basic techniques of traditional Chinese opera: Singing, reciting, acting and martial arts. His career as a young performer gave him the foundation for his future as an action superstar and cultivated his hardworking and dedicated persona.
Hung thinks that “achievements” mean a great deal to him, and...
Studied under Peking Opera master Yu Jim Yuen at a young age, Hung was the “big brother” of the famous Seven Little Fortunes. Under the guidance of a strict master, Hung learned the true skills behind the four basic techniques of traditional Chinese opera: Singing, reciting, acting and martial arts. His career as a young performer gave him the foundation for his future as an action superstar and cultivated his hardworking and dedicated persona.
Hung thinks that “achievements” mean a great deal to him, and...
- 4/8/2024
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
Within the realm of martial arts cinema, ‘Ip Man 3’ stands as a testament to the genre’s allure, bringing together the prowess of Donnie Yen and the raw power of Mike Tyson. The film, released in 2015, saw Yen reprising his iconic role, continuing the legacy of the legendary Wing Chun grandmaster. This third chapter sees Ip Man defending a local school from a ruthless gang and a property developer named Frank, portrayed by none other than Mike Tyson. The significance of their fight scene was not just choreographed combat but a cinematic collision between boxing and kung-fu, promising an...
- 2/3/2024
- by Steve Delikson
- TVovermind.com
Further titles include ’Flash Point Resurgence’ and ‘Misjudgement’.
A trio of action films led by martial arts superstar Donnie Yen have been revealed by Hong Kong-based Mandarin Motion Pictures at the Cannes market.
The company will introduce Ip Man 5, Flash Point Resurgence and Misjudgement to buyers at the Marché this week.
Yen, who was most recently seen in John Wick: Chapter 4, is well known for his role as the eponymous Ip Man, the real-life Wing Chun grandmaster who was a teacher of Bruce Lee. The previous instalment, Ip Man 4: The Finale, generated more than $176.3m at the...
A trio of action films led by martial arts superstar Donnie Yen have been revealed by Hong Kong-based Mandarin Motion Pictures at the Cannes market.
The company will introduce Ip Man 5, Flash Point Resurgence and Misjudgement to buyers at the Marché this week.
Yen, who was most recently seen in John Wick: Chapter 4, is well known for his role as the eponymous Ip Man, the real-life Wing Chun grandmaster who was a teacher of Bruce Lee. The previous instalment, Ip Man 4: The Finale, generated more than $176.3m at the...
- 5/18/2023
- by Silvia Wong
- ScreenDaily
Considering the impact “Furie” and “Furies” had worldwide, it was expected that more martials arts films from Vietnam would also surface at some point. Low-budget “Foggy Mountain” is one of those movies.
Watch Foggy Mountain
on Hi-Yah!
In order to raise money for his wife's eye treatment, professional martial artist Phi competes in an underground tournament, run by the crime lord Ba Rau. However, after his win in his last match causes the organizer to lose a lot of money, he decides to retaliate against Phi's wife, after his goons leave the man unconscious. Phi swears revenge and begins searching for Ba Rau all over Vietnam, with his search eventually leading him to the remote Mist Village in the forests, where he is involved in human trafficking. Furthermore, he has hired the most powerful local fighter, Vong Akork, to be his main henchman, along with his other goons who are terrorizing the area.
Watch Foggy Mountain
on Hi-Yah!
In order to raise money for his wife's eye treatment, professional martial artist Phi competes in an underground tournament, run by the crime lord Ba Rau. However, after his win in his last match causes the organizer to lose a lot of money, he decides to retaliate against Phi's wife, after his goons leave the man unconscious. Phi swears revenge and begins searching for Ba Rau all over Vietnam, with his search eventually leading him to the remote Mist Village in the forests, where he is involved in human trafficking. Furthermore, he has hired the most powerful local fighter, Vong Akork, to be his main henchman, along with his other goons who are terrorizing the area.
- 5/6/2023
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Considering that the previous 9 movies about the 30+ teacher of Bruce Lee included events for three lives at least, a turn towards the past was “necessary” in order for the franchise to continue producing unnecessary sequels. And just like Indiana Jones and Superman before him, the solution was to start focusing on a younger Ip Man, in this case in his years as student, also in an effort to draw in younger audiences. The result is not exactly masterful, but it is better than “Four Kings”.
on Hi-Yah!
Young Ip Man is pursuing his studies in Hong Kong in 1917, while there is also a girl, Ya Yun, who seems to like him, even if her aristocratic father is not exactly cordial to him. As the story begins, Ip Man is very happy to see one of his old friends and co-student of Wing Chun, Brother Hu, appear in Hong Kong.
on Hi-Yah!
Young Ip Man is pursuing his studies in Hong Kong in 1917, while there is also a girl, Ya Yun, who seems to like him, even if her aristocratic father is not exactly cordial to him. As the story begins, Ip Man is very happy to see one of his old friends and co-student of Wing Chun, Brother Hu, appear in Hong Kong.
- 5/4/2023
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
John Wick: Chapter 4 is marking yet another chance for the West to get to know Donnie Yen, one of Asia’s top leading men. He has already been in several other major Hollywood franchises. He played the scene-stealing Force-sensitive blind master Chirrut Îmwe in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, the lure for the Asian market role in XXX: Return of Xander Cage, and Commander Tung in the Disney live-action flop, Mulan. However, in that same period when these Hollywood films came out, Yen made 10 of his own Asian-produced films where he was the leading man.
Action films are Yen’s specialty, so Yen’s inclusion in John Wick is a perfect fit. His mother is Grandmaster Bow Sim Mark, a pioneer in the global dissemination of Wushu. Wushu is a flamboyant acrobatic style of Kung Fu, designed for competition. It’s the same style that produced Jet Li along...
Action films are Yen’s specialty, so Yen’s inclusion in John Wick is a perfect fit. His mother is Grandmaster Bow Sim Mark, a pioneer in the global dissemination of Wushu. Wushu is a flamboyant acrobatic style of Kung Fu, designed for competition. It’s the same style that produced Jet Li along...
- 4/2/2023
- by David Crow
- Den of Geek
On a chilly Oscars eve, Donnie Yen has just returned from the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, where he was rehearsing for the Academy Awards along with a slew of fellow global superstar presenters like Spain’s Antonio Banderas and India’s Deepika Padukone. The “John Wick: Chapter 4” scene-stealer, who hails from southern China, feels good about how the following night might unfold, namely for his friend and Hong Kong neighbor Michelle Yeoh. Her victory and that of “Everything Everywhere All at Once” would be a landmark moment for Asian representation, he says.
“I’ve known her for more than 20 years, and that’s one of the reasons I’m here — to support her and share in a possible historical moment,” he says of his “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny” co-star. “And ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ has a lot of Chinese language and it talks about the Chinese heritage,...
“I’ve known her for more than 20 years, and that’s one of the reasons I’m here — to support her and share in a possible historical moment,” he says of his “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny” co-star. “And ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ has a lot of Chinese language and it talks about the Chinese heritage,...
- 3/27/2023
- by Tatiana Siegel
- Variety Film + TV
Thousands of people from Hong Kong have signed a petition to have actor Donnie Yen removed as an Oscar presenter due to his support for the Chinese government.
The petition says that the 59-year-old actor’s latest remarks over protests in Hong Kong in 2019 “violate the spirit of freedom of speech”.
Hong Kong activist Tong Wai-hung, who set up the petition, also claims that the Academy’s invitation to Yen shows “contempt for the people of Hong Kong” and his presence will “damage the image and reputation of the film industry”.
In an interview with GQ last month, Yen reiterated his opposition to the 2019 pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong.
“It wasn’t a protest, okay, it was a riot. I’m not going to be here talking about how to change how people feel about it,” he said.
“But my own experience, like, I was there, I have many friends who were there.
The petition says that the 59-year-old actor’s latest remarks over protests in Hong Kong in 2019 “violate the spirit of freedom of speech”.
Hong Kong activist Tong Wai-hung, who set up the petition, also claims that the Academy’s invitation to Yen shows “contempt for the people of Hong Kong” and his presence will “damage the image and reputation of the film industry”.
In an interview with GQ last month, Yen reiterated his opposition to the 2019 pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong.
“It wasn’t a protest, okay, it was a riot. I’m not going to be here talking about how to change how people feel about it,” he said.
“But my own experience, like, I was there, I have many friends who were there.
- 3/9/2023
- by Peony Hirwani
- The Independent - Film
Soon, two of the biggest and most committed action stars will face off in "John Wick: Chapter 4." Hong Kong martial arts legend Donnie Yen is set to go up against Keanu Reeves' seemingly invincible hitman in a showdown that promises to be a highlight in a movie full of meticulously-crafted action. And despite being nearly 60 years old, Yen is as popular and limber as ever. He's also still passionate about his roles, maintaining a determination to go above and beyond, a trait he's possessed since his days spent working for Hong Kong kung fu director/choreographer Yuen Woo-ping.
The actor, perhaps best known for portraying the titular Wing Chun grandmaster in the "Ip Man" franchise, has always pushed himself. As a recent GQ profile recounted, coming up in the almost militaristic culture of Hong Kong cinema, Yen got used to pushing his limits when his Yuen clan of martial art...
The actor, perhaps best known for portraying the titular Wing Chun grandmaster in the "Ip Man" franchise, has always pushed himself. As a recent GQ profile recounted, coming up in the almost militaristic culture of Hong Kong cinema, Yen got used to pushing his limits when his Yuen clan of martial art...
- 3/1/2023
- by Joe Roberts
- Slash Film
Outside of his "Rogue One" appearance, Hong Kong action star Donnie Yen is best known for leading the "Ip Man" franchise, where he plays an exaggerated version of the titular Wing Chun grandmaster. The movies were big enough to transcend their Hong Kong roots and become popular globally, with bombastic fight scenes that made a point of going beyond standard combat choreography to play up the real-life Ip Man's legacy as a Chinese national hero — causing some controversy in the process.
The series had Yen's Ip Man facing off against everyone from 'Iron' Mike Tyson to British stunt performer extraordinaire Scott Adkins — who played a US Marines Corps gunnery sergeant in "Ip Man 4: The Finale." Now, Yen and Adkins will appear together in the upcoming "John Wick: Chapter 4," which looks set to push the Hong Kong action star even further than the "Ip Man" franchise ever did.
The series had Yen's Ip Man facing off against everyone from 'Iron' Mike Tyson to British stunt performer extraordinaire Scott Adkins — who played a US Marines Corps gunnery sergeant in "Ip Man 4: The Finale." Now, Yen and Adkins will appear together in the upcoming "John Wick: Chapter 4," which looks set to push the Hong Kong action star even further than the "Ip Man" franchise ever did.
- 2/25/2023
- by Joe Roberts
- Slash Film
Throughout the "Ip Man" franchise's run, there's been an awkward question plaguing the popular film series. The Donnie Yen-led action movies have proven incredibly successful in their native Hong Kong and mainland China, also managing to gain fans internationally. Combined, the four movies have earned almost 422 million at the global box office, telling an exaggerated and often downright fabricated version of the life of the eponymous Wing Chun grandmaster.
Since "Ip Man" released in 2008, Yen, along with his director Wilson Yip and producer Raymond Wong (both of whom are Hong Kong natives), have returned time and time again to the story of the real-life Ip Man as inspiration for their fantastical retelling. As Yen said when promoting "Ip Man 3" in 2016, while his character is "based on a real person," he and the production team "didn't want to make a documentary," instead aiming to "create a new type of hero on film.
Since "Ip Man" released in 2008, Yen, along with his director Wilson Yip and producer Raymond Wong (both of whom are Hong Kong natives), have returned time and time again to the story of the real-life Ip Man as inspiration for their fantastical retelling. As Yen said when promoting "Ip Man 3" in 2016, while his character is "based on a real person," he and the production team "didn't want to make a documentary," instead aiming to "create a new type of hero on film.
- 11/26/2022
- by Joe Roberts
- Slash Film
Best known for his ultraviolence and splatter prison cult classic “Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky” and his portraying of the cocky Northern martial artist who challenged the Wing Chun master in “Ip Man” and after appearing in other kung fu movies, Louis Fan Siu Wong pretty much disappeared from the overall Hong Kong action scene. Nonetheless, he has been busy making online movies in China ever since, thanks to the advances of smartphones and 5G technology and like a cultural revolution, the online movie business phenomenon is flourishing in China like there is no tomorrow. These are usually short and disposable productions being watched by anyone on the phone or tablets and anywhere where the internet is within reach.
In his latest outing, Fan plays the leader of a squad of professional bodyguards Lung Wei assigned to protect a foreign businessman. As expected, they came under attack in which none of his members survived.
In his latest outing, Fan plays the leader of a squad of professional bodyguards Lung Wei assigned to protect a foreign businessman. As expected, they came under attack in which none of his members survived.
- 8/13/2022
- by David Chew
- AsianMoviePulse
Despite the changes in some key roles in the film, with Yuen Woo-ping taking the place of Sammo Hung as action choreographer, Max Zhang the place of the local rival, and Mike Tyson that of the foreign rival, “Ip Man 3” essentially repeats the recipe of the previous film almost to the letter, with one exception, of adding more drama.
Buy This Title
on Amazon
The story this time takes place in 1959 Hong Kong, where Ip Man enjoys his fame as the top sifu, respected by both peers and the people of the city. Eventually, however, another man appears, Tin-chi, whose Wing Chun also comes from the same roots as Ip Man. The two get to know each other through their sons, who are caught fighting in the school yard in an effort to show whose Wing Chun is the best. Tin-chi, who is a single father, tries to make a...
Buy This Title
on Amazon
The story this time takes place in 1959 Hong Kong, where Ip Man enjoys his fame as the top sifu, respected by both peers and the people of the city. Eventually, however, another man appears, Tin-chi, whose Wing Chun also comes from the same roots as Ip Man. The two get to know each other through their sons, who are caught fighting in the school yard in an effort to show whose Wing Chun is the best. Tin-chi, who is a single father, tries to make a...
- 6/15/2022
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
So if you’re wondering just how intense Jason Statham’s fight scenes can get you should know that he’s actually done his own stunts in the past. Plus, he has trained in Wing Chun kung fu, karate, and kickboxing. So all those fancy moves he’s dishing out onscreen aren’t just for show, he’s actually had some training and knows what he’s doing. Of course he’s an action star and nothing’s really connecting, most of the time. Accidents do happen after all but the whole point of the scene is to look awesome and not let the audience know that anything untoward
The Top Five Jason Statham Fighting Scenes in Movies...
The Top Five Jason Statham Fighting Scenes in Movies...
- 11/21/2017
- by Wake
- TVovermind.com
If you're familiar with martial art of Wing Chun, it may be because of the movie Ip Man, which displayed the Chinese discipline to a global audience. For Master Wong, however, the elements of Wing Chun are not dazzling stunts -- they're practical maneuvers that can help users defend themselves in public. Wong is a martial arts master and YouTube star whose videos demonstrate Wing Chun techniques and teach viewers how to deploy those moves in a fight.
Wong's instructional style is pragmatic, but also colorful. He punctuates his interactions with his students by adding in off-the-cuff quips that give his videos a fun, light-hearted feel, in spite of the violence within them. That appealing combination has helped Wong, who is partnered with BroadbandTV, surpass one million YouTube subscribers. Here are his thoughts about that achievement:
Tubefilter: How does it feel to have more than one million subscribers on your channel?...
Wong's instructional style is pragmatic, but also colorful. He punctuates his interactions with his students by adding in off-the-cuff quips that give his videos a fun, light-hearted feel, in spite of the violence within them. That appealing combination has helped Wong, who is partnered with BroadbandTV, surpass one million YouTube subscribers. Here are his thoughts about that achievement:
Tubefilter: How does it feel to have more than one million subscribers on your channel?...
- 9/14/2017
- by Sam Gutelle
- Tubefilter.com
Haofeng Xu (screenwriter of The Grandmaster) writes and directs the action-packed martial arts drama The Final Master, available on digital,
Blu-ray™ Combo Pack and DVD July 25 from Well Go USA Entertainment. Liao Fan (Let the Bullet’s Fly), Jiang Wenli (Farewell My Concubine), Chin Shi-Chieh (The Guillotines), Song Jia (Falling Flowers) and Song Yang (The Sword’s Identity) star in the story of a Wing Chun master who must defeat eight martial arts schools in order to open his own school, but he becomes a chess piece in the local power dynamics. Bonus content includes a featurette on the Director and a look at “The Weapons” used in the film.
The Final Master won Best Action Choreography at the 2015 Golden Horse Film Festival and was named a Film of Merit in 2016 from the Shanghai Film Critics Awards.
In 1930s China, unrest rules the nation. Chen, the last Wing Chun master,...
Blu-ray™ Combo Pack and DVD July 25 from Well Go USA Entertainment. Liao Fan (Let the Bullet’s Fly), Jiang Wenli (Farewell My Concubine), Chin Shi-Chieh (The Guillotines), Song Jia (Falling Flowers) and Song Yang (The Sword’s Identity) star in the story of a Wing Chun master who must defeat eight martial arts schools in order to open his own school, but he becomes a chess piece in the local power dynamics. Bonus content includes a featurette on the Director and a look at “The Weapons” used in the film.
The Final Master won Best Action Choreography at the 2015 Golden Horse Film Festival and was named a Film of Merit in 2016 from the Shanghai Film Critics Awards.
In 1930s China, unrest rules the nation. Chen, the last Wing Chun master,...
- 7/18/2017
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Adapting a script based on the life of the last Wing Chun master’s quest to pass down his art in pre-wwii China, Xu Haofeng (the writer of “The Grandmaster) decided to use an original style of narrative in order to separate his film from the plethora of similar productions coming out of Hong Kong at the moment. Let us find out if he succeeded.
“The Final Master” is part of the Asian selection at Fantasia International Film Festival
Wing Chun grandmaster Chen is the last practitioner of the art after his master died. As he tries to keep Wing Chun alive, he also tries to fulfill his master’s dream, to open a dojo in Tianjin, the “capital” of the martial worlds in the 1930’s Shanghai. In his mission, he has the help of Master Zheng, a board member of the Tianjin Martial Art’s Committee, who is considered...
“The Final Master” is part of the Asian selection at Fantasia International Film Festival
Wing Chun grandmaster Chen is the last practitioner of the art after his master died. As he tries to keep Wing Chun alive, he also tries to fulfill his master’s dream, to open a dojo in Tianjin, the “capital” of the martial worlds in the 1930’s Shanghai. In his mission, he has the help of Master Zheng, a board member of the Tianjin Martial Art’s Committee, who is considered...
- 7/16/2017
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Cast:
Robert “Bobby” Samuels
Gee lil bomb
Robert Jefferson
Jhon twist Dejesus
Ermias Baraki
Jourdan Barnett
Eric Fuchs
Orlando Cruz
Director/Fight Stunt Coornator/Co-Writer: Hector Soria
Assistant Director/Dp/Editor/Camera Operator/Co-Writer: Andrew Kim
The Call is an upcoming “Short” Martial Arts Action movie which aims to pull no punches. Directed and Written by Hector Soria (Co-written by Andrew Kim), “The Call” is a classic case of Good Cop vs Bad Cop with three minutes of hard hitting action.
Robert “Bobby” Samuels (Gambling Ghost, Don’t Give A Damn) is back infront of the camera playing a detective out to rescue his partner (Hector Soria), who’s been kidnapped by a group of men and want files in return. Robert finds out quickly they are not here to trade, but to kill him and stop any future investigations into their activities.
Robert Samuels Vs Robert Jefferson
From this moment on,...
Robert “Bobby” Samuels
Gee lil bomb
Robert Jefferson
Jhon twist Dejesus
Ermias Baraki
Jourdan Barnett
Eric Fuchs
Orlando Cruz
Director/Fight Stunt Coornator/Co-Writer: Hector Soria
Assistant Director/Dp/Editor/Camera Operator/Co-Writer: Andrew Kim
The Call is an upcoming “Short” Martial Arts Action movie which aims to pull no punches. Directed and Written by Hector Soria (Co-written by Andrew Kim), “The Call” is a classic case of Good Cop vs Bad Cop with three minutes of hard hitting action.
Robert “Bobby” Samuels (Gambling Ghost, Don’t Give A Damn) is back infront of the camera playing a detective out to rescue his partner (Hector Soria), who’s been kidnapped by a group of men and want files in return. Robert finds out quickly they are not here to trade, but to kill him and stop any future investigations into their activities.
Robert Samuels Vs Robert Jefferson
From this moment on,...
- 5/31/2017
- by kingofkungfu
- AsianMoviePulse
Stars: Aarif Rahman, Tony Leung, Christy Chung | Written by Robert Lee, Manfred Wong | Directed by Raymond Yip, Manfred Wong
Review by Baron Fortnightly
“Known as ‘The Little Dragon’ to legions of adoring fans, Bruce Lee is regarded by many as the greatest martial arts legend who ever lived. From his birth on November 27th 1940 to his departure for San Francisco in 1959, discover how Bruce Lee lived through war and persecution and survived the brutal street-gangs of 1950′s Hong Kong before going on to live his dreams.”
Young Bruce Lee is a Hong Kong biopic based on the recollections of Bruce Lee’s siblings, mainly the first-hand experiences of his younger brother Robert Lee, author of the book “Bruce Lee: My Brother”. From the opening credits you can tell this film has high production values, and why not, it’s an incredible look at the world’s most famous martial...
Review by Baron Fortnightly
“Known as ‘The Little Dragon’ to legions of adoring fans, Bruce Lee is regarded by many as the greatest martial arts legend who ever lived. From his birth on November 27th 1940 to his departure for San Francisco in 1959, discover how Bruce Lee lived through war and persecution and survived the brutal street-gangs of 1950′s Hong Kong before going on to live his dreams.”
Young Bruce Lee is a Hong Kong biopic based on the recollections of Bruce Lee’s siblings, mainly the first-hand experiences of his younger brother Robert Lee, author of the book “Bruce Lee: My Brother”. From the opening credits you can tell this film has high production values, and why not, it’s an incredible look at the world’s most famous martial...
- 4/2/2017
- by Guest
- Nerdly
“Birth of the Dragon,” an indie Bruce Lee biopic that premiered at this month’s Toronto Film Festival, has generated an eye-opening 8 million trailer views on Facebook in less than a week on Facebook — more than have been logged for studio films like “Sully” and “The Magnificent Seven.” Pretty impressive for a title that’s still waiting for a domestic distribution deal. The “Birth of the Dragon” trailer was reposted last week on the Wing Chun News Facebook page, where it went thermonuclear. The view count stood at 8 million views as of late Thursday. That outshines the viewership of the trailers.
- 9/23/2016
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
Shaolin is set in Dengfeng, Henan, during the warlord era of early Republican China. The warlord Hou Jie (Andy Lau) defeats a rival named Huo Long and seizes control of Dengfeng. Huo flees to Shaolin Temple to hide but Hou appears and shoots him. Hou ridicules the Shaolin monks before leaving.
Song Hu, Hou sets a trap for Song in a restaurant, under the guise of agreeing to his daughter’s engagement to Song’s son.
This leads to a violent sequence of events ending with Hou having to flee to the Shaolin temple for help.
The Good
The first hour is very impressive stuff indeed. Very nicely paced; the film flows beautifully between scenes. The first hour is very much carried by the developing relationship and interplay between Andy Lau and Nicholas Tse. Big credit needs to go to Tse , he expertly balances his role of villain perfectly.
I...
Song Hu, Hou sets a trap for Song in a restaurant, under the guise of agreeing to his daughter’s engagement to Song’s son.
This leads to a violent sequence of events ending with Hou having to flee to the Shaolin temple for help.
The Good
The first hour is very impressive stuff indeed. Very nicely paced; the film flows beautifully between scenes. The first hour is very much carried by the developing relationship and interplay between Andy Lau and Nicholas Tse. Big credit needs to go to Tse , he expertly balances his role of villain perfectly.
I...
- 9/9/2016
- by Tiger33
- AsianMoviePulse
Hong Kong-based Young Live Entertainment (Yle) has sold action title SPL2: A Time For Consequences to Japan’s Twin Co.
Directed by Soi Cheang, the film grossed around $90m in mainland China last summer and has sold widely to other territories. Tony Jaa, Wu Jing, Zhang Jin, Simon Yam and Louis Koo head the cast.
Yle has also sold three titles to Korea’s Poongkyung Sori Inc: Lin Yiqi’s 798090, Leung Kar Yan’s The Scroll Of Wing Chun White Crane and Shu Miao’s Taste Of Love.
Fantasy epic Taste Of Love and drama 798090, about a woman’s quest for independence during China’s economic reform period, both feature Korean stars – Yoo Seung-jun (Dragon Blade) and Song Ji-hyo (Running Man) respectively.
Meanwhile, ITN Distribution has acquired North American rights to two Chinese horror titles sold by Yle: Wong Pak Kei’s Are You Here, produced by Patrick Kong, and Chan Pang-chun...
Directed by Soi Cheang, the film grossed around $90m in mainland China last summer and has sold widely to other territories. Tony Jaa, Wu Jing, Zhang Jin, Simon Yam and Louis Koo head the cast.
Yle has also sold three titles to Korea’s Poongkyung Sori Inc: Lin Yiqi’s 798090, Leung Kar Yan’s The Scroll Of Wing Chun White Crane and Shu Miao’s Taste Of Love.
Fantasy epic Taste Of Love and drama 798090, about a woman’s quest for independence during China’s economic reform period, both feature Korean stars – Yoo Seung-jun (Dragon Blade) and Song Ji-hyo (Running Man) respectively.
Meanwhile, ITN Distribution has acquired North American rights to two Chinese horror titles sold by Yle: Wong Pak Kei’s Are You Here, produced by Patrick Kong, and Chan Pang-chun...
- 5/20/2016
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
What drew Game of Thrones actor Finn Jones to the role of Iron Fist? "I’ve always dreamed of a role that bridged spiritual discipline and badass superhero. There’s a contradiction in those elements that’s going to be very fun to play. " Finn goes on to confirm that he'll be training in the martial arts styles of Kung Fu, Wushu and Tai Chi. In an effort to further dive into Danny Rand, Jones is also studying meditation and Buddhism. In contrast, Charlie Cox trained in the fighting styles of boxing, Kali and Wing Chun for his role as the Devil of Hell's Kitchen. Onscreen, Iron Fist's fighting style should look very different from the way Matt Murdock kicks and punches as Daredevil. One superhero trained extensively in the various fighting disciplines of Japan while the other is a student of Chinese martial arts. When they appear together in The Defenders,...
- 4/8/2016
- ComicBookMovie.com
Wong Kar-wai at the Berlin Film Festival 2013/Cc-Attribution 3.0 Unported
Wong Kar-wai’s Jet Tone Films Ltd. will be honored at the upcoming Hong Kong Film Festival on March 21 to April 4, 2016 and some of the production company’s well-known movies will be screened during the course of the festival in spring.
Although a definitive list is yet to be released, you can look forward to some of these movies on the Hkiff screening.
Days of Being Wild
This 1990 drama stars Leslie Cheung, Maggie Cheung, Andy Lau, Carina Lau, Tony Leung Chiu-wai, and Jackie Cheung. Leslie Cheung plays Yuddy, a consummate playboy who breaks the heart of Li-zhen (Maggie Cheung) and Mimi (Carina Lau). The film casts light into the characters’ psychological drama, but has been labelled as frustrating by many audiences because it does not present a clear plot. This project started Wong Kar-wai’s collaboration with premier cinematographer Christopher Doyle...
Wong Kar-wai’s Jet Tone Films Ltd. will be honored at the upcoming Hong Kong Film Festival on March 21 to April 4, 2016 and some of the production company’s well-known movies will be screened during the course of the festival in spring.
Although a definitive list is yet to be released, you can look forward to some of these movies on the Hkiff screening.
Days of Being Wild
This 1990 drama stars Leslie Cheung, Maggie Cheung, Andy Lau, Carina Lau, Tony Leung Chiu-wai, and Jackie Cheung. Leslie Cheung plays Yuddy, a consummate playboy who breaks the heart of Li-zhen (Maggie Cheung) and Mimi (Carina Lau). The film casts light into the characters’ psychological drama, but has been labelled as frustrating by many audiences because it does not present a clear plot. This project started Wong Kar-wai’s collaboration with premier cinematographer Christopher Doyle...
- 2/4/2016
- by Kat Meneses
- AsianMoviePulse
Robert Downey, Jr. used a rigorous form of Chinese martial arts to help beat his addiction, and the master who taught him couldn't say enough good things to a judge and California Governor Jerry Brown to support his pardon. Si-Fu Eric Oram, who teaches Wing Chun Kung Fu, a "Chinese Boxing System," wrote a moving letter in support of Downey's pardon. Oram says when he met the actor 12 years ago, he had little hope for him.
- 12/25/2015
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Despite a short career as an actor and director, Bruce Lee was, and still is, the greatest martial arts expert to ever star in a motion picture. It shouldn’t be a big surprise that a couple of sequences from his films appear on our list of 100 essential action scenes that every cinephile should see. Lee trained in the art of Wing Chun and later combined his other influences from various sources, in the spirit of his personal martial arts philosophy, which he dubbed Jeet Kune Do (The Way of the Intercepting Fist). Bruce Lee applied his martial-arts philosophy to everything in life and the following tribute captures just some of the magic that made the artist a legend. Enjoy!
The post Watch this Amazing tribute to Bruce Lee appeared first on PopOptiq.
The post Watch this Amazing tribute to Bruce Lee appeared first on PopOptiq.
- 9/25/2015
- by Ricky
- SoundOnSight
Haofeng Xu is likely best known for writing the screenplay for Wong Kar Wai’s “The Grandmaster” — starring Tony Leung as Wing Chun master Ip Man, who also taught a young Bruce Lee the form while he grew up in 1950s Hong Kong — but he is starting to build a reputation as a visionary auteur with a unique directorial voice all his own. In 2011, Xu helmed (and penned the screenplay for) “The Sword Identity” - more of a slower-paced and deliberate tribute to the martial arts films of King Hu - and in 2012 Xu wrote and directed “Judge Archer”, a gorgeously shot film filled with practical fight scenes instead of flashy wire-worked based numbers. Perhaps its because he is also a novelist, martial arts scholar and practitioner that his martial arts films are infused with a deeper love and respect for Chinese martial arts - not just the physical or theatrical aspects,...
- 7/17/2015
- by Timothy Tau
- The Playlist
Sound on Sight undertook a massive project, compiling ranked lists of the most influential, unforgettable, and exciting action scenes in all of cinema. There were hundreds of nominees spread across ten different categories and a multi-week voting process from 11 of our writers. The results: 100 essential set pieces, sequences, and scenes from blockbusters to cult classics to arthouse obscurities.
You know an action hero is the baddest of badasses when he or she walks in and the room goes silent. The drug lord’s bodyguards, the mastermind’s henchmen, or even the foolhardy pack of drunkards outside a roadside bar stand at attention, ready for a challenge. It’s just one person. This shouldn’t be too hard. Seconds later, they’re on the ground nursing bruises, or worse, stumps where their arms and legs used to be. The One vs. Many Fight is the chance for the hero to prove...
You know an action hero is the baddest of badasses when he or she walks in and the room goes silent. The drug lord’s bodyguards, the mastermind’s henchmen, or even the foolhardy pack of drunkards outside a roadside bar stand at attention, ready for a challenge. It’s just one person. This shouldn’t be too hard. Seconds later, they’re on the ground nursing bruises, or worse, stumps where their arms and legs used to be. The One vs. Many Fight is the chance for the hero to prove...
- 5/21/2015
- by Shane Ramirez
- SoundOnSight
Scott Glenn has spent 35-plus years playing the toughest of tough men. Since his breakthrough performance as John Travolta's rival in "Urban Cowboy," he's played astronauts ("The Right Stuff"), cowboys ("Silverado"), vengeful bodyguards (the original "Man on Fire"), submarine commanders ("The Hunt For Red October") and FBI agents ("The Silence of the Lambs"), among other jobs, always looking lean, weathered, and alert of everything around him. With rare exceptions — a "Monk" two-parter years ago, a handful of TV movies — he's played all these roles on the big screen. His career started in television (his first two screen credits were minor guest spots on "The Patty Duke Show"), but unlike many of his contemporaries, Glenn never tried to take a regular TV job as he got older. Then last year, he agreed — with some reluctance — to play Kevin Garvey Sr., the possibly-crazy, possibly-psychic father of Justin Theroux's cop hero of HBO's "The Leftovers,...
- 5/7/2015
- by Alan Sepinwall
- Hitfix
Director: Kar Wai Wong; Screenwriters: Kar Wai Wong, Jingzhi Zou, Haofeng Xu; Starring: Tony Leung, Zhang Ziyi; Running time: 108 mins; Certificate: 15
There's plenty to recommend about Wong Kar-wai's martial arts drama, the Hong Kong auteur's long-awaited return to cinema after the disappointment of his first English language feature My Blueberry Nights in 2007. Yet The Grandmaster still falls far short of its potential, with the mesmerising visual sequences counterbalanced by the muddled and self-defeating narrative structure.
The sprawling tale is based on the true story of Ip Man (Tony Leung), the famous practitioner of close-range Chinese combat style Wing Chun, who once trained the great Bruce Lee. It chronicles his battles amidst the turbulent 1930s, rife with conflict between North and South China, through his flight to Hong Kong and relationship with the hugely skilled female fighter Gong Er (Zhang Ziyi).
Bursting with thematic potential about the dueling paths of happiness and vengeance,...
There's plenty to recommend about Wong Kar-wai's martial arts drama, the Hong Kong auteur's long-awaited return to cinema after the disappointment of his first English language feature My Blueberry Nights in 2007. Yet The Grandmaster still falls far short of its potential, with the mesmerising visual sequences counterbalanced by the muddled and self-defeating narrative structure.
The sprawling tale is based on the true story of Ip Man (Tony Leung), the famous practitioner of close-range Chinese combat style Wing Chun, who once trained the great Bruce Lee. It chronicles his battles amidst the turbulent 1930s, rife with conflict between North and South China, through his flight to Hong Kong and relationship with the hugely skilled female fighter Gong Er (Zhang Ziyi).
Bursting with thematic potential about the dueling paths of happiness and vengeance,...
- 12/8/2014
- Digital Spy
With Benedict Cumberbatch playing Alan Turing in The Imitation Game, James explores the importance of a good biopic...
Benedict Cumberbatch is Alan Turing. Benedict Cumberbatch is also the most popular Sherlock Holmes in history, the terrible and stupendous dragon Smaug in The Hobbit film adaptations and the ultimate nemesis that is Khan in the alternate-timeline that constitutes the Star Trek reboot movie cycle.
Benedict Cumberbatch is also set to become Doctor Strange in the Marvel Cinematic Universe - the hottest multi-franchise in the galaxy (several galaxies, actually) and the multifaceted pop-cultural entity magnetically attracting the most fascination and speculation right now (even more than the upcoming Star Wars sequels, which Cumberbatch has also been heavily linked with. In all likelihood, for all we know, Benedict Cumberbatch is also a Star Wars secret).
Benedict Cumberbatch is also Benedict Cumberbatch - one of the most in-demand actors alive with a cult-like fan...
Benedict Cumberbatch is Alan Turing. Benedict Cumberbatch is also the most popular Sherlock Holmes in history, the terrible and stupendous dragon Smaug in The Hobbit film adaptations and the ultimate nemesis that is Khan in the alternate-timeline that constitutes the Star Trek reboot movie cycle.
Benedict Cumberbatch is also set to become Doctor Strange in the Marvel Cinematic Universe - the hottest multi-franchise in the galaxy (several galaxies, actually) and the multifaceted pop-cultural entity magnetically attracting the most fascination and speculation right now (even more than the upcoming Star Wars sequels, which Cumberbatch has also been heavily linked with. In all likelihood, for all we know, Benedict Cumberbatch is also a Star Wars secret).
Benedict Cumberbatch is also Benedict Cumberbatch - one of the most in-demand actors alive with a cult-like fan...
- 11/13/2014
- by ryanlambie
- Den of Geek
Exclusive: When I pull up to the home that Robert Downey Jr and his wife and producing partner Susan share in Malibu, there are the trappings you would expect from the house owned by Hollywood’s best paid actor. The small fleet of cars, all tarped; the expanse of Pacific Ocean viewable from most anywhere on the grounds, a small staff that runs the house. But there are also the mischievous aspects you expect from Downey. There is that wooden blocking dummy in the barn that has raised bruises a plenty as Downey spent the last decade closing in on his black belt in the Chinese martial art Wing Chun. There’s the bright yellow front door that is as cheery and inviting as the spacious interior. The rooms are adorned by an undoubtedly pricey artwork collection, but there is nothing show-offy; the bathroom, for instance, features a medley of framed photos,...
- 10/3/2014
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline
Wong Kar-wai has swept the Hong Kong Film Awards with The Grandmaster.
The new film from the In the Mood for Love director took 12 prizes at the event, including Best Film.
Wong was named Best Director, while Zhang Ziyi (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) took the Best Actress honour and Zhang Jin the Best Supporting Actor gong.
This was Wong's third Best Director win, following nods for his work on Days of Being Wild (1990) and Chungking Express (1994).
"I remember it was 1994 when I was last here," he said as he accepted his prize (via The Hollywood Reporter).
"It was a short walk from the podium to the stage, but it took me 20 years to come back to this spot."
The Grandmaster also won Best Screenplay, Best Art Direction, Best Costume and Make-up Design, Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing, Best Sound Design, Best Original Film Score and Best Action Choreography.
The film...
The new film from the In the Mood for Love director took 12 prizes at the event, including Best Film.
Wong was named Best Director, while Zhang Ziyi (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) took the Best Actress honour and Zhang Jin the Best Supporting Actor gong.
This was Wong's third Best Director win, following nods for his work on Days of Being Wild (1990) and Chungking Express (1994).
"I remember it was 1994 when I was last here," he said as he accepted his prize (via The Hollywood Reporter).
"It was a short walk from the podium to the stage, but it took me 20 years to come back to this spot."
The Grandmaster also won Best Screenplay, Best Art Direction, Best Costume and Make-up Design, Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing, Best Sound Design, Best Original Film Score and Best Action Choreography.
The film...
- 4/14/2014
- Digital Spy
I’ll never look at a bucket of ribs the same way again.
I’ve been a steadfast reader of Television Without Pity since I lit upon Tracie “Potes” Potochnik’s America’s Next Top Model recaps back in 2004. In snarky TWoP style, Potes regularly engaged in a gentle mockery of host-mogul-mentor Tyra Banks about everything from her Kool-Aid weave to her love of barbecue-slathered pork. From the first lines of those recaps, it felt like I’d found the website equivalent of my very soul (and what a trash-tv-filled, highbrow-educated soul it is). And so, like Tyra Banks and those ribs,...
I’ve been a steadfast reader of Television Without Pity since I lit upon Tracie “Potes” Potochnik’s America’s Next Top Model recaps back in 2004. In snarky TWoP style, Potes regularly engaged in a gentle mockery of host-mogul-mentor Tyra Banks about everything from her Kool-Aid weave to her love of barbecue-slathered pork. From the first lines of those recaps, it felt like I’d found the website equivalent of my very soul (and what a trash-tv-filled, highbrow-educated soul it is). And so, like Tyra Banks and those ribs,...
- 3/28/2014
- by Lanford Beard
- EW.com - PopWatch
The Chinese action epic The Grandmaster was nominated this year for two Academy Awards – Best Costume and Best Cinematography. It didn’t win either but now you can own the DVD of The Grandmaster and see what all the fuss is about. The Grandmaster is the story of Ip Man, the Wing Chun martial-arts legend who trained Bruce Lee, and it was directed by the acclaimed Wong Kar-wai. Read Jim Batt’s review of the film Here and my review of the Blu-ray Here.
We Are Movie Geeks has, courtesy of Anchor Bay, three copies of the DVD to give away to lucky readers. All you have to do is leave a comment here and tell me your favorite movie with the either the word ‘grand’ or the word ‘master’ in the title (mine would be Master Of The World because it stars Vincent Price and Charles Bronson).
We’ll choose the winners next week.
We Are Movie Geeks has, courtesy of Anchor Bay, three copies of the DVD to give away to lucky readers. All you have to do is leave a comment here and tell me your favorite movie with the either the word ‘grand’ or the word ‘master’ in the title (mine would be Master Of The World because it stars Vincent Price and Charles Bronson).
We’ll choose the winners next week.
- 3/5/2014
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Moviefone's Top DVD of the Week
"12 Years a Slave"
What's It About? Based on the memoir by Solomon Northup, "12 Years a Slave" stars Chiwetel Ejiofor as a free man who was kidnapped from his home in New York and sold into slavery. Northup ends up on a plantation run by the cruel Edwin Epps (Michael Fassbender) and his equally awful wife (Sarah Paulson), who take special delight in tormenting another young slave named Patsey (Lupita Nyong'o).
Why We're In: The movie took him Best Picture Sunday night -- see director Steve McQueen quite literally jump for joy here -- for good reason. Nyong'o took home the Best Supporting Actress award for her wrenching performance, and John Ridley won for his adapted screenplay.
Moviefone's Top Blu-ray of the Week
"Hairspray" (1988)
What's It About? This is the original "Hairspray," which stars Ricki Lake as the adorable Tracy Turnblad. Tracy won't let anything...
"12 Years a Slave"
What's It About? Based on the memoir by Solomon Northup, "12 Years a Slave" stars Chiwetel Ejiofor as a free man who was kidnapped from his home in New York and sold into slavery. Northup ends up on a plantation run by the cruel Edwin Epps (Michael Fassbender) and his equally awful wife (Sarah Paulson), who take special delight in tormenting another young slave named Patsey (Lupita Nyong'o).
Why We're In: The movie took him Best Picture Sunday night -- see director Steve McQueen quite literally jump for joy here -- for good reason. Nyong'o took home the Best Supporting Actress award for her wrenching performance, and John Ridley won for his adapted screenplay.
Moviefone's Top Blu-ray of the Week
"Hairspray" (1988)
What's It About? This is the original "Hairspray," which stars Ricki Lake as the adorable Tracy Turnblad. Tracy won't let anything...
- 3/4/2014
- by Jenni Miller
- Moviefone
Who deserves the 2014 Oscar for Best Cinematography? This video pitch from Fandor tries to answer that question – or possibly confuse us more. The five choices are brilliant in their own way and completely different from one another, so it’s no easy process. In order to help narrow things down, Fandor is offering two clips from each of the films with the sound removed and some pleasant commentary about the excerpts. Regarding Philippe Le Sourd’s cinematography for The Grandmaster, which portrays the life of the Wing Chun grandmaster Ip Man starting in the 1930s, Fandor notes the incredible clarity and depth amongst a chaotic fight scene. You can almost feel every raindrop as the camera alternates speeds, capturing our attention at every turn...
Read More...
Read More...
- 2/5/2014
- by Alison Nastasi
- Movies.com
Moviefone's Top DVD of the Week:
"Man of Steel"
What's It About? In Zack Snyder's Superman reboot, "Man of Steel," the young Clark Kent (Henry Cavill) goes on a journey to discover his origin and to better understand his super-human powers. However, when the Kryptonian military leader, General Zod (Michael Shannon), threatens the fate of earth, Clark must face his past to save his planet.
Why We're In: "Man of Steel" is full of spectacular action sequences that will quench any superhero junkie or comic book fiend's appetite. However, Snyder's film was ranked as one of Moviefone's Best Movies of 2013 (So Far) primarily because it successfully rebooted the Superman story after previous failed attempts. It may be your typical Blockbuster fare, but it's undoubtedly a thrilling ride.
Watch: A special feature from the "Man of Steel" Blu-ray (Video)
Moviefone's Top Blu-ray of the Week:
"Noseferatu"
What's It About? F.W. Murnau's 1922 silent "Nosferatu,...
"Man of Steel"
What's It About? In Zack Snyder's Superman reboot, "Man of Steel," the young Clark Kent (Henry Cavill) goes on a journey to discover his origin and to better understand his super-human powers. However, when the Kryptonian military leader, General Zod (Michael Shannon), threatens the fate of earth, Clark must face his past to save his planet.
Why We're In: "Man of Steel" is full of spectacular action sequences that will quench any superhero junkie or comic book fiend's appetite. However, Snyder's film was ranked as one of Moviefone's Best Movies of 2013 (So Far) primarily because it successfully rebooted the Superman story after previous failed attempts. It may be your typical Blockbuster fare, but it's undoubtedly a thrilling ride.
Watch: A special feature from the "Man of Steel" Blu-ray (Video)
Moviefone's Top Blu-ray of the Week:
"Noseferatu"
What's It About? F.W. Murnau's 1922 silent "Nosferatu,...
- 11/12/2013
- by Erin Whitney
- Moviefone
IP Man: The Final Fight is the latest in the lucrative Chinese franchise about Ip Man, who the grandmaster of the Chinese martial art known as Wing Chun and the mentor of the great Bruce Lee. With fight scenes amazingly executed by Hong Kong directer Herman Yau, the film delivers a detailed account of the hero’s middle-to-later years that is one rip-roaring adventure.
Sam Moffitt, in his review of posted here last week, wrote “IP Man: The Final Fight has just got it all, tragedy, humor, honesty, loyalty, integrity, all wrapped up in the person of a humble Chinese man who only wanted to teach people to defend themselves.” (read the rest of Sam’s review Here)
http://www.wearemoviegeeks.com/2013/11/ip-man-final-fight-blu-review/
Now IP Man: The Final Fight has been released on Blu-ray and three lucky We Are Movie Geeks readers will have the chance to win copies. All...
Sam Moffitt, in his review of posted here last week, wrote “IP Man: The Final Fight has just got it all, tragedy, humor, honesty, loyalty, integrity, all wrapped up in the person of a humble Chinese man who only wanted to teach people to defend themselves.” (read the rest of Sam’s review Here)
http://www.wearemoviegeeks.com/2013/11/ip-man-final-fight-blu-review/
Now IP Man: The Final Fight has been released on Blu-ray and three lucky We Are Movie Geeks readers will have the chance to win copies. All...
- 11/10/2013
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
These days, you can watch pretty much any movie online. Yet there's still one thing the magical wonders of instant streaming haven't solved for indecisive movie-lovers: what the heck to watch! Moviefone is here to recommend the best streaming movies from Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Instant and new digital releases from iTunes and Vudu each week in Moviefone's Digital Download.
This week's Digital Download picks range from Disney classics and martial arts legends to haunted houses and revenge-seeking brothers. Check out our suggestions below, and happy streaming!
Comedy: 'The Way, Way Back' (2013)
This coming of age tale follows the shy, 14-year-old Duncan, who slowly comes out of his shell after he is forced to go on summer vacation with his loving mom and her not-so-nice boyfriend. From the Academy Award-winning writers of 'The Descendants,' 'The Way, Way Back' stars Steve Carell, Toni Collette, Sam Rockwell, and others in this...
This week's Digital Download picks range from Disney classics and martial arts legends to haunted houses and revenge-seeking brothers. Check out our suggestions below, and happy streaming!
Comedy: 'The Way, Way Back' (2013)
This coming of age tale follows the shy, 14-year-old Duncan, who slowly comes out of his shell after he is forced to go on summer vacation with his loving mom and her not-so-nice boyfriend. From the Academy Award-winning writers of 'The Descendants,' 'The Way, Way Back' stars Steve Carell, Toni Collette, Sam Rockwell, and others in this...
- 10/31/2013
- by Jonny Black
- Moviefone
Movie Review of Wong Kar Wai's The Grandmaster. Tony Leung brings to life te famous kung fu master Ip Man in action epic. There is artistry in kung fu. Movement. Meditation. Philosophy. Then, there is the cinematic artistry filmmaker Wong Kar-wai brings to kung fu via The Grandmaster, a period action movie six years in the making that’s almost too beautiful to slot into the action genre. Working from a screenplay co-written with Xu Haofeng and Zou Jingzhi), Wong tells the life story of Ip Man (Tony Leung), a grand master best known as the trainer to Bruce Lee, his early training in Wing Chun, the devastating impact on his wealthy family by the invading Japanese during the ‘30s and his competitive relationship on ‘50s Hong Kong with Gong Er (Ziyi Zhang), the daughter and skilled martial artist to Grandmaster Gong Baosen (Wang Qingxiang).
- 8/31/2013
- Upcoming-Movies.com
The Grandmaster
Written by Wong Kar-Wai
Directed by Wong Kar-Wai
Hong Kong and China, 2013
It’s almost impossible to consider the U.S. cut of The Grandmaster without wondering what’s been lost, to the point of regretting that either Harvey Weinstein or director Wong Kar-Wai (depending on which story you read) doesn’t trust American audiences to pick up on simple nuances, character titles and motivations, and historical context. One character, late in the film, discusses the idea of regrets, and that life wouldn’t be worth living without harboring a few. Perhaps, then, it’s fitting that The Grandmaster, or the shortened version being released this weekend in North America, may be a beautiful elegy to the past that never stops letting its audience know that a fuller cut exists, giving them their own regret to harbor.
Based on a true story, The Grandmaster focuses on Ip Man...
Written by Wong Kar-Wai
Directed by Wong Kar-Wai
Hong Kong and China, 2013
It’s almost impossible to consider the U.S. cut of The Grandmaster without wondering what’s been lost, to the point of regretting that either Harvey Weinstein or director Wong Kar-Wai (depending on which story you read) doesn’t trust American audiences to pick up on simple nuances, character titles and motivations, and historical context. One character, late in the film, discusses the idea of regrets, and that life wouldn’t be worth living without harboring a few. Perhaps, then, it’s fitting that The Grandmaster, or the shortened version being released this weekend in North America, may be a beautiful elegy to the past that never stops letting its audience know that a fuller cut exists, giving them their own regret to harbor.
Based on a true story, The Grandmaster focuses on Ip Man...
- 8/30/2013
- by Josh Spiegel
- SoundOnSight
Last year marked the 40th anniversary of the Us release of Five Fingers Of Death, the movie that began the martial arts film craze in America (buoyed also by the surprise TV hit of 1972, “Kung Fu” starring David Carradine). For a short time in the mid 70′s, a flurry of hastily dubbed and edited Eastern action programmers filled drive-ins and urban neighborhood grind house theatres. From this film frenzy a cinema icon emerged: Bruce Lee. After the low-budget sensation Fists Of Fury, Hollywood snapped him up for the martial arts epic Enter Of The Dragon. Lee’s untimely death struck a blow to the booming “kung fu fightin’” flicks. Sure there was Jackie Chan and Jet Li, but Lee’s shadow still looms large over this genre. There have even been several film biographies of Lee, the best of which may be the twenty year-old Us made Dragon: The Life Of Bruce Lee.
- 8/30/2013
- by Jim Batts
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Hong Kong director Wong Kar-wai's martial arts biopic The Grandmaster topped a subdued weekend at the specialty box office, grossing $132,259 from seven theaters for a location average of $18,894, the best of the weekend for any film. The bigger test of the movie's strength, based on the life of Wing Chun grandmaster Ip Man, comes next weekend when it expands into a total of 600 theaters or more. The epics stars Tony Leung opposite Zhang Ziyi, and made its world premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival this year. The Weinstein Co. acquired distribution rights to the
read more...
read more...
- 8/25/2013
- by Pamela McClintock
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Everybody is kung fu fighting in this historical epic from director Wong Kar Wai (2046, In the Mood for Love). Tony Leung stars as Ip Man, a master of the real-life Wing Chun style of kung fu and the legendary teacher of Bruce Lee. In mid-1930s China, Ip Man is selected as the successor to aging Grandmaster Gong Baosen (Wang Qingxiang). The only person who can best Ip is the old master's daughter, Gong Er (Ziyi Zhang), but being a woman, she can't assume the mantle. Instead, Gong Er and Ip Man end up sharing an unconsummated romance that spans decades. Ready for some fighting and flirting? Chop, kick and punch your way through these fun facts: 1. Pain & Gain (& Rain): Tony Leung, a frequent player in Wong Kar...
- 8/25/2013
- E! Online
Throwing his crisp white fedora into a crowded ring of Ip Man biopics, director Wong Kar Wai looks to make the definitive “Man” epic with The Grandmaster. Renowned in his own right when it comes to cinematic aesthetics, Kar Wai takes to the challenge with two hands and one leg tied behind his back. “The legend of the man who trained Bruce Lee,” has become a marketing tagline that’s as familiar as it is cumbersome, with Wilson Yip’s 2008 action-drama Ip Man having launched a full-blown wave of Ip-mania that’s included several other films and TV series in China. Wai’s flair for the visual form alone makes his take more than a match physically for the horde of other Ip pics, but thanks to meddlesome studio interference, The Grandmaster comes away with more than its fair share of lumps and bruises.
Tony Leung Chui Wai stars as Ip Man,...
Tony Leung Chui Wai stars as Ip Man,...
- 8/25/2013
- by Sam Woolf
- We Got This Covered
Director Wong Kar-Wai is renowned for legendarily long incubation periods for his films. Five years after his last movie, Director Wong brings us The Grandmaster, his kung fu-filled biopic of Wing Chun master, Ip Man, which reunites him with 2046's Zhang Ziyi and the Mastroianni to his Fellini, the Mifune to his Kurosawa, Tony Leung. During a hectic New York promotional trip, yours truly was able to have a few words with the director and his stars about why the multiple Ip Man films didn't faze Wong one bit, Leung's Bruce Lee connection and Zhang's retirement from martial arts films. Twitch: Director Wong, the Us cut of The Grandmaster is different from the one that was shown in Asia and in the Berlin...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
- 8/23/2013
- Screen Anarchy
With his 10th feature (his first original one since 2007) Won Kar Wai (Chungking Express, Happy Together, In The Mood For Love) mines the generation-spanning heritage of martial arts cinema by bringing us the tale of the kung fu innovator and Wing Chun grandmaster who trained Bruce Lee. The Grandmaster traces the rise of Ip Man (Tony Leung) in phases from the 1930s to the 1950s.
Thanks to EOne films and Alliance, Sound On Sight is giving away double passes to the advanced screening in Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Calgary and Edmonton.
In order to enter, simply email feedback@soundonsight.org with The Grandmaster in the subject headline. Please be sure to indicate which city you live in.
We give away cool stuff pretty often, so be sure to follow us on Twitter, Tumblr and like us on Facebook for future contests. Good luck everyone.Here is the information with dates, times and locations:
Calgary
Thursday,...
Thanks to EOne films and Alliance, Sound On Sight is giving away double passes to the advanced screening in Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Calgary and Edmonton.
In order to enter, simply email feedback@soundonsight.org with The Grandmaster in the subject headline. Please be sure to indicate which city you live in.
We give away cool stuff pretty often, so be sure to follow us on Twitter, Tumblr and like us on Facebook for future contests. Good luck everyone.Here is the information with dates, times and locations:
Calgary
Thursday,...
- 8/20/2013
- by Ricky
- SoundOnSight
And now for something slightly different.... Exquisitely crafted, as visually stunning as you’d imagine and virtuosic in its meticulously gorgeous fight choreography (which acts as a kind of throwdown to comers like the Wachowski siblings), acclaimed Hong Kong auteur Wong Kar-wai’s “The Grandmaster” is nevertheless still an uneven and unbalanced affair that doesn’t track and cannot negotiate its various aims. Ostensibly a chronicle of the the story and struggles of Ip Man (played by longtime Wkw collaborator Tony Leung), the seminal Chinese martial artist who famously taught Bruce Lee, “The Grandmaster” is both his story, and a type of martial arts history lesson concerning Ip’s self-defense-based discipline Wing Chun. But this being a Wong Kar-wai film, a moody, familiar unrequited love story with the daughter of a rival Grandmaster, Gong Er (Zhang Ziyi), also materializes to only minimally convincing (and emotional) effect. But none of these...
- 8/20/2013
- by Rodrigo Perez
- The Playlist
Vertical Flow: Style Vs. Substance Vs. Wong Kar Wai
Sporting a lusty gestational period of something like sixteen years and taking nearly six years to bring to screen including extensive martial arts training for its myriad of performers, Wong Kar Wai makes a much anticipated return with The Grandmaster, a kinda sorta biopic on the legendary Ip Man, the famed mentor of Bruce Lee. A follow-up to his poorly received 2007 English language debut, My Blueberry Nights, Wong takes great pains to avoid the formulaic route of the biopic, a refreshing choice considering a splotch of films about the famed martial arts artist have bowed since he began filming his. The result, unfortunately, is a bit uneven, and those who know little of Ip Man going into the film will know about as much coming out. Instead, Wong has crafted a stunning spectacle, a film that employs some of the most...
Sporting a lusty gestational period of something like sixteen years and taking nearly six years to bring to screen including extensive martial arts training for its myriad of performers, Wong Kar Wai makes a much anticipated return with The Grandmaster, a kinda sorta biopic on the legendary Ip Man, the famed mentor of Bruce Lee. A follow-up to his poorly received 2007 English language debut, My Blueberry Nights, Wong takes great pains to avoid the formulaic route of the biopic, a refreshing choice considering a splotch of films about the famed martial arts artist have bowed since he began filming his. The result, unfortunately, is a bit uneven, and those who know little of Ip Man going into the film will know about as much coming out. Instead, Wong has crafted a stunning spectacle, a film that employs some of the most...
- 8/19/2013
- by Nicholas Bell
- IONCINEMA.com
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