Singer and actor Richie Ren is no stranger when it comes to Hong Kong cinema, as he is best known for his stand out performance in Johnnie To's “Breaking News” (2004) and later in “Trivisa” (2015). In “Fierce Cop”, a Mainland online film streaming on Youku video platform is his first venture into the martial arts genre.
Set in country M, somewhere in Southeast Asia, there lives Zhang Tu, a middle aged single parent with a young son, Xiao Jie, who is also a hard working detective. He always asks his boss for a promotion so he can be a better role model for his son who is everything to him. One day, his son comes back from school in pain and covered with bruises, obviously a victim of bullying at school. After finding out that a bunch of young adults are responsible, he sets out to teach them a lesson by beating them up.
Set in country M, somewhere in Southeast Asia, there lives Zhang Tu, a middle aged single parent with a young son, Xiao Jie, who is also a hard working detective. He always asks his boss for a promotion so he can be a better role model for his son who is everything to him. One day, his son comes back from school in pain and covered with bruises, obviously a victim of bullying at school. After finding out that a bunch of young adults are responsible, he sets out to teach them a lesson by beating them up.
- 3/27/2024
- by David Chew
- AsianMoviePulse
The Action Scene is a column that explores the construction of action set pieces in order to deepen appreciation for and spark discussion about action cinema.The following column examines my fifteen favorite action scenes of 2023. In their variety, virtuosity, and visceral power, they embody the vibrancy of contemporary action cinema. Like last year’s roundup, the focus is on action scenes—relatively sustained, heightened, self-contained expressions of action filmmaking craft—so some otherwise strong action films didn’t make the cut, and not all of the films featured here are necessarily compelling beyond their set pieces. All included films made their official, non-festival, US theatrical and/or streaming debut in 2023. For the sake of variety, I’ve limited myself to one scene per film.And now, on to the action. As with previous years, these scenes have been grouped by theme to foreground patterns and enhance ease of perusal.
- 1/9/2024
- MUBI
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
“Project Runway” has taken a few weeks off for the holiday season, but it’ll be back on January 6 with its seven remaining designers competing for the season 19 title. While we wait for its return, let’s take a look at the show’s first nine weeks of challenges. Specifically, who has had the worst look of the season? Click above to see the gallery of the eliminated designs — as well as the last-place designs that were spared elimination. And scroll down to vote in our poll at the bottom of this post.
The season started with a team challenge — always a difficult way for designers to express their artistic points of view — and the elimination of Caycee Black for an unflattering coat dress that looked like a bathrobe. But losing a designer under such circumstances in the first week is always especially tough. Black is not the only contestant...
The season started with a team challenge — always a difficult way for designers to express their artistic points of view — and the elimination of Caycee Black for an unflattering coat dress that looked like a bathrobe. But losing a designer under such circumstances in the first week is always especially tough. Black is not the only contestant...
- 1/3/2022
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
“Project Runway” designer Prajje Oscar Jean-Baptiste didn’t think the judges got it right when they eliminated him from the show in “The Last Straw,” this season’s unconventional materials challenge. He said as much to Christian Siriano during the after show. But when we polled our readers, almost two thirds of respondents thought the judges made the right call. Scroll down for the complete poll results at the bottom of this post.
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Jean-Baptiste was sent home for the ill-fitting cocktail dress he made using just the pleather upholstery and doilies he scavenged from a cocktail bar. The judges didn’t think the look was flattering, and felt that his model was overwhelmed with the doilies. More than 64% of fans agreed with the judges decision, which came despite the fact that Jean-Baptiste was a previous judges’ favorite who had won the “#Streetwear” challenge in week two.
Discuss‘Project Runway’ and more in our infamous forums
Jean-Baptiste was sent home for the ill-fitting cocktail dress he made using just the pleather upholstery and doilies he scavenged from a cocktail bar. The judges didn’t think the look was flattering, and felt that his model was overwhelmed with the doilies. More than 64% of fans agreed with the judges decision, which came despite the fact that Jean-Baptiste was a previous judges’ favorite who had won the “#Streetwear” challenge in week two.
- 12/29/2021
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
“I never want to see doilies in my life ever again,” said Prajje Oscar Jean-Baptiste after his elimination from “Project Runway” in “The Last Straw,” the unconventional materials challenge where he was done in by doilies. But he didn’t think he had the worst look of the night. Watch him throw some shade in his after-show with Christian Siriano above.
“It’s a competition. Somebody does have to go. Do I feel like my look was the worst one? Absolutely not. And that’s my feeling, I’m sticking with it. But I respect the judges’ decision.” Naturally, Siriano asked him whose look he thought really was the worst, and Jean-Baptiste didn’t mince words: “I love Chasity to death, but that look was by far the worst look on the runway. That’s my story and I’m sticking with it.”
See‘Project Runway’ season 19 episode 9 recap: ‘The Last Straw...
“It’s a competition. Somebody does have to go. Do I feel like my look was the worst one? Absolutely not. And that’s my feeling, I’m sticking with it. But I respect the judges’ decision.” Naturally, Siriano asked him whose look he thought really was the worst, and Jean-Baptiste didn’t mince words: “I love Chasity to death, but that look was by far the worst look on the runway. That’s my story and I’m sticking with it.”
See‘Project Runway’ season 19 episode 9 recap: ‘The Last Straw...
- 12/17/2021
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
Hi-yah! (hiyahtv.com) the premier platform for streaming martial arts and Asian action movies in the U.S., today announced its official launch on mobile devices and connected TVs. As part of the launch, new users will be eligible for a 30-day free trial, after which a monthly subscription fee of only $3.99 will apply. Hi-yah!—available through app stores for devices including iOS, Android, Roku and Amazon Fire TV—offers both exclusive and non-exclusive content that will be refreshed monthly.
Hi-yah! currently provides subscribers with more than 500 hours of high-quality, commercial-free viewing of films featuring all-time favorite kung fu masters including Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, Donnie Yen and Tony Jaa, along with hits from acclaimed directors Johnnie To, Yuen Woo-Ping, Wilson Yip, Tsui Hark and more. As of today, subscribers can take advantage of Hi-yah!’s exclusive streaming release of Takashi Miike’s 2019 twisty, hyper-violent yakuza romp First Love, added...
Hi-yah! currently provides subscribers with more than 500 hours of high-quality, commercial-free viewing of films featuring all-time favorite kung fu masters including Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, Donnie Yen and Tony Jaa, along with hits from acclaimed directors Johnnie To, Yuen Woo-Ping, Wilson Yip, Tsui Hark and more. As of today, subscribers can take advantage of Hi-yah!’s exclusive streaming release of Takashi Miike’s 2019 twisty, hyper-violent yakuza romp First Love, added...
- 5/9/2020
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
Synopsis
In this visually arresting action drama from acclaimed director Johnnie To, legendary Judo fighter Szeto Bo unexpectedly gave up the sport and now lives the life of an alcoholic gambler who runs a pub. However, cocky Judo newcomer Tony (Aaron Kwok) wants to challenge him, while old foe Kong demands Szeto to finish the match that never took place, Soon Szeto’s pub becomes the ultimate arena where the greatest Judo fighters challenge one another.
Filled with brutal, no-holds-barred Judo fight scenes, “Throw Down“ is director To’s ultra-stylish homage to the great Japanese director Akira Kurosawa, and is an emotional tale of one man’s determination to rediscover himself and win at all costs. The Masters of Cinema Series is proud to present “Throw Down” in its UK debut from a 4K restoration.
Special Features
Limited Edition O-card Slipcase [2000 units]
1080p presentation on Blu-ray, from a...
In this visually arresting action drama from acclaimed director Johnnie To, legendary Judo fighter Szeto Bo unexpectedly gave up the sport and now lives the life of an alcoholic gambler who runs a pub. However, cocky Judo newcomer Tony (Aaron Kwok) wants to challenge him, while old foe Kong demands Szeto to finish the match that never took place, Soon Szeto’s pub becomes the ultimate arena where the greatest Judo fighters challenge one another.
Filled with brutal, no-holds-barred Judo fight scenes, “Throw Down“ is director To’s ultra-stylish homage to the great Japanese director Akira Kurosawa, and is an emotional tale of one man’s determination to rediscover himself and win at all costs. The Masters of Cinema Series is proud to present “Throw Down” in its UK debut from a 4K restoration.
Special Features
Limited Edition O-card Slipcase [2000 units]
1080p presentation on Blu-ray, from a...
- 3/1/2020
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
I love Martial Arts films, or better yet, Asian action cinema in general; Kung Fu, Ninjas, Samurai, Thai Boxing, Gun Fu, and my latest love: Silat. As escapist fun goes, nothing makes me happier than a good chop socky, hell, even a bad chop socky is not without its charm. A laughable plot, weird and esoteric fighting styles, and of course, terrible dubbing can be just as much fun as watching Shaolin Monks practice ancient techniques, that, if you were quick enough, and maybe had a knack, you could even learn a real move or two. “Old School” kung fu flicks always spoke to me because of the sense of respect and honor portrayed in the character of the hero, but more importantly, the idea that an individual could develop his body and mind and achieve feats of greatness.
Saturday afternoons in Philly only offered college sports, which I wasn’t into as a kid,...
Saturday afternoons in Philly only offered college sports, which I wasn’t into as a kid,...
- 3/7/2015
- by Robert Jefferson
- AsianMoviePulse
Action legend Jean Claude Van Damme has signed on to star as the lead role in director’s Ernie Barbarash latest movie “Pound Of Flesh”. They have worked together on two movies already, which are 6 Bullets and Assassination Games and the fight choreography will be done by John Salvitti (Flashpoint, Special ID).
Van Damme will portray a man who rescues a woman in distress one night, only to wake up the next morning in a blood-soaked hotel bathtub without a kidney.
“I’m looking forward to sinking my teeth into Pound of Flesh because it’s exactly the kind of character-driven action thriller I and my fans love best — a movie that delivers nonstop hardcore action that’s fueled by a really surprising story and real people you care about from the moment you meet them on screen,” said Van Damme in a statement.
So i expect there to be...
Van Damme will portray a man who rescues a woman in distress one night, only to wake up the next morning in a blood-soaked hotel bathtub without a kidney.
“I’m looking forward to sinking my teeth into Pound of Flesh because it’s exactly the kind of character-driven action thriller I and my fans love best — a movie that delivers nonstop hardcore action that’s fueled by a really surprising story and real people you care about from the moment you meet them on screen,” said Van Damme in a statement.
So i expect there to be...
- 1/18/2014
- by kingofkungfu
- AsianMoviePulse
Like several of his contemporaries including Jackie Chan and Donnie Yen, Jet Li has been stuck in a rut of period pieces for the past few years. Sure he has glorified cameos in The Expendables films and he made a drama (the excellent Ocean Heaven) too, but for lead action roles? It’s been a string of historical epics since 2007. Happily, also like Chan (Police Story 2013) and Yen (Special ID), Li is finally returning with an action flick set in modern times. Badges of Fury teams him up with the equally awesome Collin Chou (Flashpoint) and Wu Jing (Spl) in a story about cops tasked with stopping a serial killer who’s been targeting a popular singer’s ex-boyfriends. The original Hong Kong trailer released over the summer and gave some of us reason to pause with its lack of action and focus on untranslatable humor. Now that the film is getting a release in the States...
- 12/14/2013
- by Rob Hunter
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
Story30% Directing50% Acting56% Action Choreography75%Positives:Good fight scenes.Negatives:Really bad story and script. 53%Overall Score Reader Rating: (2 Votes)61%
‘Special ID’ has a very big problem: the story of its making (a boring ego-driven tour de force between movie makers and movie stars that crippled the final product) is better than the story within the movie itself. That’s tough, as Mr. Yen’s fans eagerly hoped ‘Special ID’ to be Donnie‘s triumphant return to contemporary rough and dirty Mma-style brawling films after his 6 years ‘classic-fu’ hiatus (that fortunately left gems like ‘Wu Xia’ for us to enjoy). Don’t get me wrong: the movie has good fighting scenes that, although not quite as good as the ones in ‘Flashpoint’, are far from disappointing. Oh, and a fairly impressive car chase. But that’s about it. Almost everything else looks like a sample book of patches covering up the holes...
‘Special ID’ has a very big problem: the story of its making (a boring ego-driven tour de force between movie makers and movie stars that crippled the final product) is better than the story within the movie itself. That’s tough, as Mr. Yen’s fans eagerly hoped ‘Special ID’ to be Donnie‘s triumphant return to contemporary rough and dirty Mma-style brawling films after his 6 years ‘classic-fu’ hiatus (that fortunately left gems like ‘Wu Xia’ for us to enjoy). Don’t get me wrong: the movie has good fighting scenes that, although not quite as good as the ones in ‘Flashpoint’, are far from disappointing. Oh, and a fairly impressive car chase. But that’s about it. Almost everything else looks like a sample book of patches covering up the holes...
- 12/9/2013
- by Miguel Angel Aijon
- AsianMoviePulse
Spl aka Kill Zone. Flashpoint. Ip Man. Bodyguards & Assassins. Ip Man 2. Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen. Wu Xia aka Dragon. I’m not shy about my love for Donnie Yen and the blistering brutality he’s capable of dealing out through his lightning-quick beat downs, an especially impressive feat seeing as he’s only four feet tall, but I’ve also been vocal in my wish to see him give the period films a rest. He’s made some great ones, obviously, but there’s something about seeing his Mma-infused martial arts in action in a contemporary setting. The alley brawl from Spl? The final fight from Flashpoint? Happily the six year drought is over as the next several months will see Yen kicking ass in two modern day settings. Iceman hits next year and starts in the Ming Dynasty where Yen’s character is frozen only to be thawed out in modern...
- 10/14/2013
- by Rob Hunter
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
Action director Donnie Yen is taking the fierce "Ultimate fighting" style as previously shown in the Hong Kong contemporary crime thriller Spl and Flashpoint to the next level in Clarence Fok's Special ID. For the action design, Yen continues to incorporate a variety of Mixed Martial Arts techniques, fusing not only stand-up striking but also Brazilian jiu-jitsu and grappling to choreograph the brutal street brawl while utilizing great fighting talents such as Ken Lo (Drunken Master II), Andy On (Unbeatable) and Collin Chou (Flashpoint).While the latest behind-the-scenes video feature an interview with the action hero himself without English subtitles, it does however showcase his action directing efforts and it looks pretty damn good. There is also an extended version of the Bts video from last...
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[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
- 8/23/2013
- Screen Anarchy
Well, hello, stranger.It's nice to have you back.It was 2005 when Hong Kong actions tar Donnie Yen triggered a major career resurgence with Spl (released in the Us as Kill Zone), an exhilarating martial arts crime film starring Yen as a cop on the trail of a notorious gangster. It was dark, gritty, punishing stuff and when Yen followed it closely with the similarly minded Flashpoint it appeared he had fully embraced a life as a contemporary action star. And then he more or less stopped making those sorts of movies, moving instead into period pieces of various sorts and while there are certainly some dandies in the ensuing years that gritty, modern feel was very much missed and the hit:miss ratio started to skew...
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[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
- 7/23/2013
- Screen Anarchy
Thanks to our friends at Magnum Films, we have Five double passes for Jet Li's latest film Badges of Fury to give to our Australian readers! It's been a while since Jet Li has starred in a modern martial arts movie. Badges of Fury has Corey Yuen (Fong Sai Yuk / The Legend) as action choreographer, and Wen Zhang (Journey To The West), Michelle Chen (You Are The Apple Of My Eye), Liu Shi Shi (Sad Fairy Tale), Liu Yan (Painted Skin), Collin Chou (Flashpoint) and Wu Jing (Spl / Kill Zone) as co-stars. For a chance to win a double pass to see this film, all you have to do is to follow these two steps:1) Visit Magnum Films' Asian Cinema Facebook Page and Like it,...
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[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
- 6/13/2013
- Screen Anarchy
Did you feel letdown with the martial arts taking a backseat to the goofy comedy in the last few trailers to the cop thriller Badges of Fury? Well, don't worry because an international trailer intended for the Singapore market (via Shaw Organisation/Scorpio East) has arrived and it showcases more of the fight choreography by action director Corey Yuen. With awesome onscreen fighters including the always amazing Jet Li, Wu Jing (Sha Po Lang) and Collin Chou (The Matrix Reloaded, Flashpoint), here's hoping they will deliver the goods. The cast also includes Wen Zhang, Michelle Chen, Liu Shi Shi, Liu Yan, Leung Siu Lung, Raymond Lam and Stephen Fung.When a spate of eerie murders erupts across Hong Kong, two troublemaking cops are assigned to the case. Young maverick...
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[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
- 6/4/2013
- Screen Anarchy
Watsuki Nobuhiro’s “Rurouni Kenshin” has long been one of the most loved manga in Japan, telling the story of the wandering pacifist samurai of the title and his many adventures. Known as “Samurai X” in the West, the manga has already been adapted across multiple formats, including a hugely popular anime series, several OVAs and audio books. Finally, it arrives on the big screen courtesy of writer Fujii Kiyomi (“L Change the World”) and director Otomo Keishi (“Taiga drama Ryomaden”) as a big budget live action film, with young television actor Sato Takeru (“Rookies”) as Kenshin. Also bringing the well-known roles from the comic to life are Takei Emi (“For Love’s Sake”), Aoi Yu (“Patisserie Coin de rue”) and Kagawa Teruyuki (“Kaiji 2”), with action choreography by Tanigaki Kenji, who previously worked with the one and only Donnie Yen on the likes of “Spl”, “Flashpoint” and “Wu Xia”. As...
- 5/19/2013
- by James Mudge
- Beyond Hollywood
At the Hong Kong Filmart today, Golden Network Asia Limited held a press conference to unveil the promo for The Wrath Of Vajra, a martial arts film from the producers behind the Painted Skin series. This marks Xing Yu's (aka Shi Yanneng) lead debut, and is being called China's answer to Rambo. The former Shaolin monk-turned-actor previously had supporting roles showcasing his martial arts talents in Kung Fu Hustle, Shaolin and Flash Point.According to director Law Wing Cheong, who is currently helming The Iceman Cometh with Donnie Yen, the film will explore themes of cultural pride and present a Chinese hero possessing a strong sense of justice and an indomitable spirit. On the martial arts scenes, Cheong claims to revive a more realistic style than the recent...
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- 3/18/2013
- Screen Anarchy
Hot on the heels of the European Film Market, the first promotional art for the cop actioner Badges of Fury (aka The One Detective) has debuted via Easternlight Films, featuring an explosive Jet Li standing tall and gun ready. The cop standing beside Li is Wen Zhang who previously appeared with the action star in Ocean Heaven and The Sorcerer and the White Snake.The film is directed by Wang Zi Ming and produced by Po Chu Chui of Kung Fu Hustle and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon fame. With Wu Jing (Spl) and Collin Chou (The Matrix Reloaded, Flashpoint) also onboard in the cast line-up and Corey Yuen (Shaolin) serving as fight choreographer, martial arts fans will surely not be disappointed for the lack of quality...
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- 2/11/2013
- Screen Anarchy
Someone's gonna get punched. Hard. More than once. And probably more than one person.Director Wang Zi Ming is now in post production on Badges Of Fury, a crime thriller featuring one hell of a martial arts trio with Jet Li (needs no introduction), Collin Chou (The Matrix Reloaded, Flashpoint) and Wu Jing (Spl / Kill Zone) in the lead roles.When a spate of eerie murders erupts across Hk two troublemaking cops are assigned to the case. Young maverick Wang and grizzled vet Huang who is fed up with his reckless younger partner always landing them in hot water. Reaching a dead end after discovering all the victims were former boyfriends of aspiring starlet Liu, the detectives must play a deadly game. One of them must...
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- 1/28/2013
- Screen Anarchy
After a break, we return right into our look at the varied world of comedy horror in cinema, with the occasional diversion into TV. So far we have had a variety of films from a variety of countries, from the obscure Hausu to the more immediately accessible in Beetlejuice & Drag me To Hell.
Before we go any further, horror has a habit of coming across in such an earnest light that it threatens to make its audience laugh. Take 2011’s The Rite as an example. The Rite starred Anthony Hopkins as an unorthodox priest outside the system who specialises in exorcisms in Rome, (spoiler) as luck would have it he becomes possessed and he over-acts like only Hopkins can. There is also the copious employment of cats jumping at the camera, even a horse with red eyes appears at one point. It was one of the best comedy films of...
Before we go any further, horror has a habit of coming across in such an earnest light that it threatens to make its audience laugh. Take 2011’s The Rite as an example. The Rite starred Anthony Hopkins as an unorthodox priest outside the system who specialises in exorcisms in Rome, (spoiler) as luck would have it he becomes possessed and he over-acts like only Hopkins can. There is also the copious employment of cats jumping at the camera, even a horse with red eyes appears at one point. It was one of the best comedy films of...
- 10/29/2012
- by Rob Simpson
- SoundOnSight
Rate This Movie
When Spl came out in 2005, it was like a breath of fresh air in a decade full of derivative, rehashed Hong Kong movies. (I am looking at you Ronald Cheng) Save for the Infernal Affairs Trilogy, there were not many Hong Kong movies of note that weren’t over-the-top slapsticks or action movie that looked cut from the same cookie cutter. It was a far cry from the Tsui Hark, John Woo glory years of Hong Kong movies. In the Asian movie scene, Japanese and Korean movies began creeping up on the Hong Kong market share, even among the Chinese speaking audiences.
Spl changed all that. Not singlehandedly, in-a-blink-of-the-eye type of miracle. But it reminded movie goers of the best in Hong Kong movies, tension between triads and police, balls-to-the-wall action sequences, brilliant fight choreography and a charismatic action hero (Donnie Yen) that you want to cheer on.
When Spl came out in 2005, it was like a breath of fresh air in a decade full of derivative, rehashed Hong Kong movies. (I am looking at you Ronald Cheng) Save for the Infernal Affairs Trilogy, there were not many Hong Kong movies of note that weren’t over-the-top slapsticks or action movie that looked cut from the same cookie cutter. It was a far cry from the Tsui Hark, John Woo glory years of Hong Kong movies. In the Asian movie scene, Japanese and Korean movies began creeping up on the Hong Kong market share, even among the Chinese speaking audiences.
Spl changed all that. Not singlehandedly, in-a-blink-of-the-eye type of miracle. But it reminded movie goers of the best in Hong Kong movies, tension between triads and police, balls-to-the-wall action sequences, brilliant fight choreography and a charismatic action hero (Donnie Yen) that you want to cheer on.
- 3/8/2012
- by dchew78
- AsianMoviePulse
Us distributor Well Go USA has recently introduced a line of second tier acquisitions for release on home video in the Us. The first of this new wave of releases was Donnie Yen's Flashpoint, which eluded me, but this second release marks the international Blu-ray debut of Twins Effect II, here retitled Blade of Kings for the North American market. Surprisingly, this film doesn't have a Hk Blu-ray, which means that Well Go is beginning to branch out into older titles, which could potentially be pretty awesome, considering the typical high standards of their discs. Blade of Kings is a very solid disc, however, I'm not entirely certain that the film holds up.Twins Effect II was a period action piece that was filmed largely as...
- 3/2/2012
- Screen Anarchy
“Magic to Win” revisits the popular Hong Kong 1980s “Happy Ghost” films (the first of which arrived back in 1984, inspiring no less than 4 sequels), following the same formula of cute female students getting involved in magical and supernatural shenanigans and learning lessons about life and growing up. Somewhat surprisingly, the film was helmed by Wilson Yip, who since the critical and commercial success of the Donnie Yen starring “Spl” and “Flashpoint” has been hailed as one of Hong Kong’s top action directors, also having been responsible for the hugely popular “Ip Man” and sequel. The film certainly represents another high profile popcorn outing for the director following his “Chinese Ghost Story” remake last year, and again sees him working with a cast of bankable talent including Louis Koo (“Overheard 2”), Fahrenheit’s Wu Chun (“My Kingdom”), martial arts favourite Wu Jing (“Spl”), real life magician Tonny Jan, and Mainland actress...
- 2/17/2012
- by James Mudge
- Beyond Hollywood
It looks like martial arts fans' love affair with Wilson Yip is going to continue through its rocky period for the foreseeable future. After delighting fans around the world, and picking up thousands of new ones, with Spl, Flashpoint and two fantastically entertaining IP Man biopics, Yip then decided to indulge his CGI sweet tooth with an ill-advised remake of A Chinese Ghost Story, which - as was the case with Dragon Tiger Gate back in 2006 - all but buried some good fighting under a mountain of computer generated smoke and mist. Yip, however, clearly wants to spread his wings and in an industry packed to the gills with suffocating, jingoistic political epics, I'm not going to hold it against him that he's not racing...
- 10/14/2011
- Screen Anarchy
Fantasy, it can now be claimed with some confidence, just isn't Wilson Yip's bag. The past five or six years have seen an impressive run of form from the director, and not solely because of his alliance with Donnie Yen. 2006's Dragon Tiger Gate is a film I struggle to glean much enjoyment from, but S.P.L. (Kill Zone), Flash Point, IP Man and IP Man 2 have clearly charted the evolution of a director finding his feet and rightly taking his place among Hong Kong's very best filmmakers. While personally I prefer S.P.L. over Flashpoint and the first IP Man over the second, there is no denying that purely from a technical standpoint, each new film outdoes its predecessors. The acclaim and financial success...
- 4/28/2011
- Screen Anarchy
As Donnie Yen’s star continues its inexorable rise, it’s inevitable that pretty much every film in his back catalogue will get re-released, usually with DVD covers unsubtly manufactured to suggest that he is the lead. This is certainly the case with “City of Darkness”, a 1999 Taiwanese production from director Lin Wan Zhang, in which he takes a supporting role. Although this may sound like cause for disappointment, as does the fact that the film’s English title is completely meaningless, seeming to suggest some kind of gritty action thriller, it actually turns out to be far better than expected, being an action packed, wacky and chaotic mishmash in fine old school style. Also worthy of note is that the film provides an early opportunity to see Yen coming up against his future “Flashpoint” foe Collin Chou, himself a popular martial arts figure, having recently featured in the likes...
- 5/8/2010
- by James Mudge
- Beyond Hollywood
Directed by Wilson Yip and featuring the work of many of the creative talents who helped him in bringing Ip Man, Flashpoint and Dragon Tiger Gate to the screen, Kill Zone stars Donnie Yen, Simon Yam, Sammo Hung and Jacky Wu and combines hard-hitting martial arts action with gritty police thriller conventions.
You can view the trailer for Kill Zone right here.
Thanks to Cine Asia we have Three copies of Kill Zone to giveaway, and all you have to do to be in with a chance of winning is to answer this simple question:
Kill Zone’s Sammo Hung starred in what Us television series? Was it:
a) Kung-Fu
b) Martial Law
c) Ninja Warrior
Send your answer – along with your name and address – to competition@blogomatic3000.com, with Kill Zone in the subject line. The competition will close on March 22nd 2010.
Competition T&C’s
• Only one entry will be accepted per person.
You can view the trailer for Kill Zone right here.
Thanks to Cine Asia we have Three copies of Kill Zone to giveaway, and all you have to do to be in with a chance of winning is to answer this simple question:
Kill Zone’s Sammo Hung starred in what Us television series? Was it:
a) Kung-Fu
b) Martial Law
c) Ninja Warrior
Send your answer – along with your name and address – to competition@blogomatic3000.com, with Kill Zone in the subject line. The competition will close on March 22nd 2010.
Competition T&C’s
• Only one entry will be accepted per person.
- 3/16/2010
- by Phil
- Nerdly
Winner of the Best Action Choreography Award at the 2006 Hong Kong Film Awards and hailed by Variety as “a must see” for martial arts and action movie fans, the action-thriller Kill Zone comes to Blu-ray and DVD (as a two-disc Ultimate Edition) in March.
Directed by Wilson Yip and featuring the work of many of the creative talents who helped him in bringing Ip Man, Flashpoint and Dragon Tiger Gate to the screen, Kill Zone stars Donnie Yen (Ip Man; An Empress And The Warriors), Simon Yam (Ip Man; Triangle), Sammo Hung (Three Kingdoms; Kung Fu Hustle; The Medallion) and Jacky Wu (Invisible Target; Fatal Contact) and combines hard-hitting martial arts action with gritty police
thriller conventions.
Finally apprehended by veteran detective Chan Kwok Chung (Yam) after years of ruling the Hong Kong underworld, brutal gangster Wong Po (Hung) manages to escape justice by arranging the execution of the prosecuting...
Directed by Wilson Yip and featuring the work of many of the creative talents who helped him in bringing Ip Man, Flashpoint and Dragon Tiger Gate to the screen, Kill Zone stars Donnie Yen (Ip Man; An Empress And The Warriors), Simon Yam (Ip Man; Triangle), Sammo Hung (Three Kingdoms; Kung Fu Hustle; The Medallion) and Jacky Wu (Invisible Target; Fatal Contact) and combines hard-hitting martial arts action with gritty police
thriller conventions.
Finally apprehended by veteran detective Chan Kwok Chung (Yam) after years of ruling the Hong Kong underworld, brutal gangster Wong Po (Hung) manages to escape justice by arranging the execution of the prosecuting...
- 3/4/2010
- by Phil
- Nerdly
Veteran Hong Kong director Tony Siu-Tung Ching (director of classic "A Chinese Ghost Story" and the "Swordsman" trilogy and the action choreographer for "Curse Of The Golden Flower", "Hero" and "House Of Flying Daggers") makes a dazzling return to vintage form with the epic, An Empress And The Warriors, starring Donnie Yen (Flashpoint; Dragon Tiger Gate; Seven Swords; Hero), Kelly Chen (the Infernal Affairs trilogy; Tokyo Raiders) and Leon Lai (Seven Swords; Infernal Affairs 3).
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tags: world cinema...
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tags: world cinema...
- 3/1/2009
- by Leigh
- Latemag.com/film
- Hugely popular in films and on television in Hong Kong, Donnie Yen has been steadily building up a presence in North America, thanks to roles opposite such international stars as Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson, Wesley Snipes, and Jet Li in films like Shanghai Knights, Blade II, and Hero. Born in China and raised in Boston, Yen trained in the martial arts from a young age and brings an unreal technical ability to his roles in action films, both on-screen and behind the scenes as action choreographer on many of his projects. This week, his latest film Flash Point is being released theatrically in North America. Yen has two projects currently in production: An Empress and The Warriors, a Chinese historical epic, and Painted Skin, a supernatural actioner about a vampire-like woman who eats the skin of her lovers. The latter is being helmed by Wilson Yip, who also directed Yen in Flash Point.
- 3/10/2008
- IONCINEMA.com
HONG KONG -- After last year's gaudy, CGI-crazy Dragon Tiger Gate, veteran Hong Kong director Wilson Yip Wai Shun goes back to basics in Flash Point. Those dazzled by the cut-and-thrust slickness of 2005's S.P.L.: Sha po lang will experience another kind of adrenaline rush in a "sequel" that hawks its realistic interpretation of MMA, or mixed martial arts, a school utilizing a melange of disciplines from Chinese wushu to boxing.
Boxoffice in China yielded about $1.9 million after three days. The film has been selected for the midnight section at the Toronto International Film Festival and easily should find its way to the North American DVD market.
Donnie Yen reinvents the role of Ma Jun, the dynamic but by-the-book policeman in S.P.L., as a violent cop who breaks every rule in the system -- and every rib of his culprits. His adversaries are a trio of drug-smuggling brothers from Vietnam: Archer (Lui Leung-wai), Tony (Collin Chou) and Tiger (Yu Xing). In a move to expand their turf, they try to assassinate a rival, who survives and agrees to testify against them. With the help of Ma's buddy, undercover cop Wilson Louis Koo), police arrest Archer; Tony and Tiger escape, while Wilson is handicapped in the operation.
This sets the stage for a plot of nail-biting tension, one in which a falling battery plays a pivotal role -- a neat variation on the slo-mo falling coin in Bullets Over Summer. Cinematography, editing and even the bass-heavy music are executed with the same briskness as the close-contact style of MMA. One elevator scene is shot like a boxing match with the camera nudging up to within an inch of Ma's face as he delivers a uppercut to his opponent, while a female cop aiming wildly with her gun encircles them like a referee in the ring.
Shooting a duel in an outdoor food stall, the camera is almost as acrobatic as the action stars. Skirting nimbly around tables turned and a girl being flung across the street like a Frisbee, it captures at close range Ma and Tiger wrestling each other with bare hands.
The final showdown is a prolonged 7 1/2 minutes of unarmed combat. As if afraid to detract attention from the real action, the set is just a makeshift hut, knocked up only to be knocked down. Even the camera pulls back to let Ma and Tony let go and let rip. Ma stops only for a second, not to catch his breath, but to take off his jacket so you can admire his biceps.
Now in his third collaboration with action director Yen (after S.P.L. and Dragon Tiger Gate), it's tricky to tell where Yen's influence begins and Yip's direction ends. With the help of Yen and his team of martial artists (including Kenji Tanigaki of Shinobi fame), the action set pieces are spread out sparsely but have stronger impact.
Yet gone are the enthralling human dramas, the quirky personalities and vivid evocations of place -- trademarks of Yip's best-loved works such as Juliet in Love and Bullets Over Summer. The plot development of Flash Point is purely utilitarian, like a shuttle bus that transports stock characters from one action set to another.
FLASH POINT
Mandarin Films Distribution /Chang Ying Group/Polybona Film Distribution/Beijing Enlight Pictures
Credits:
Director: Wilson Yip Wai Shun
Screenwriters: Szeto Kam Yuen, Nicholl Tang
Producers: Nansun Shi, Donnie Yen
Executive producers: Raymond Wong, Yu Dong, Wang Chang Tian
Action director: Donnie Yen
Director of photography: Cheung Man-po
Production designer: Kenneth Mak
Music: Chan Kwong-wing
Costume designer: Lee Pik-kwan
Editor: Cheung Ka-fai
Cast:
Ma Jun: Donnie Yen
Wilson: Louis Koo
Archer (aka Ja Ge): Lui Leung-wai
Tony: Collin Chou
Tiger: Yu Xing
Fan Bingbing: Julie
Inspector Wong: Kent Cheng
Running time -- 87 minutes
No MPAA rating...
Boxoffice in China yielded about $1.9 million after three days. The film has been selected for the midnight section at the Toronto International Film Festival and easily should find its way to the North American DVD market.
Donnie Yen reinvents the role of Ma Jun, the dynamic but by-the-book policeman in S.P.L., as a violent cop who breaks every rule in the system -- and every rib of his culprits. His adversaries are a trio of drug-smuggling brothers from Vietnam: Archer (Lui Leung-wai), Tony (Collin Chou) and Tiger (Yu Xing). In a move to expand their turf, they try to assassinate a rival, who survives and agrees to testify against them. With the help of Ma's buddy, undercover cop Wilson Louis Koo), police arrest Archer; Tony and Tiger escape, while Wilson is handicapped in the operation.
This sets the stage for a plot of nail-biting tension, one in which a falling battery plays a pivotal role -- a neat variation on the slo-mo falling coin in Bullets Over Summer. Cinematography, editing and even the bass-heavy music are executed with the same briskness as the close-contact style of MMA. One elevator scene is shot like a boxing match with the camera nudging up to within an inch of Ma's face as he delivers a uppercut to his opponent, while a female cop aiming wildly with her gun encircles them like a referee in the ring.
Shooting a duel in an outdoor food stall, the camera is almost as acrobatic as the action stars. Skirting nimbly around tables turned and a girl being flung across the street like a Frisbee, it captures at close range Ma and Tiger wrestling each other with bare hands.
The final showdown is a prolonged 7 1/2 minutes of unarmed combat. As if afraid to detract attention from the real action, the set is just a makeshift hut, knocked up only to be knocked down. Even the camera pulls back to let Ma and Tony let go and let rip. Ma stops only for a second, not to catch his breath, but to take off his jacket so you can admire his biceps.
Now in his third collaboration with action director Yen (after S.P.L. and Dragon Tiger Gate), it's tricky to tell where Yen's influence begins and Yip's direction ends. With the help of Yen and his team of martial artists (including Kenji Tanigaki of Shinobi fame), the action set pieces are spread out sparsely but have stronger impact.
Yet gone are the enthralling human dramas, the quirky personalities and vivid evocations of place -- trademarks of Yip's best-loved works such as Juliet in Love and Bullets Over Summer. The plot development of Flash Point is purely utilitarian, like a shuttle bus that transports stock characters from one action set to another.
FLASH POINT
Mandarin Films Distribution /Chang Ying Group/Polybona Film Distribution/Beijing Enlight Pictures
Credits:
Director: Wilson Yip Wai Shun
Screenwriters: Szeto Kam Yuen, Nicholl Tang
Producers: Nansun Shi, Donnie Yen
Executive producers: Raymond Wong, Yu Dong, Wang Chang Tian
Action director: Donnie Yen
Director of photography: Cheung Man-po
Production designer: Kenneth Mak
Music: Chan Kwong-wing
Costume designer: Lee Pik-kwan
Editor: Cheung Ka-fai
Cast:
Ma Jun: Donnie Yen
Wilson: Louis Koo
Archer (aka Ja Ge): Lui Leung-wai
Tony: Collin Chou
Tiger: Yu Xing
Fan Bingbing: Julie
Inspector Wong: Kent Cheng
Running time -- 87 minutes
No MPAA rating...
- 8/28/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Collin Chou is joining Jackie Chan and Jet Li in The Forbidden Kingdom. Lionsgate is the lead distributor on the co-release with the Weinstein Co. Principle photography has started, with Rob Minkoff directing from a John Fusco original screenplay based on the Chinese legend of the Monkey King. Chou, who will play the Jade War Lord, recently wrapped Hong Kong-based Mandarin Films' Flash Point. His credits include The Matrix Revolutions and The Matrix Reloaded. Chou is repped by Global Artists Agency, Convergence Entertainment and Jackoway, Tyerman.
- 6/14/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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