chow yun fat

Well Go USA Announces The July 8 U.S. Release Of COLD WAR 2

Directing duo Longman Leung and Sunny Luk had a hit on their hands in 2012 with the Aaron Kwok and Tony Leung Ka-Fai headliner, Cold War. On top of its box office earnings that year, the film won a raft of wins and nominations in the festival circuit, further solidifying the next logical step: the sequel. Thus, anyone with a computer and a love for thrilling Asian cinema will have come across the numerous trailers, promos and posters of which there are MANY. That said, the film has become one of the most highly anticipated sequels of the summer following the first film in which Kwok and Leung led the story of two opposing authorities of the Hong Kong police force caught amid tumultuous internal politics in the wake of a mysteriously disappearing police van, and instances of terror and corruption involving the ICAC. With the story unfolding and the […]

COLD WAR 2 Erupts Online With A New Trailer

Lee B. Golden III

Film duo Sunny Luk and Longman Leung are back at it again, and with what looks to be a fully-amped and tumultuous follow-up in the new sequel thriller, Cold War 2. Leading among our cast are Aaron Kwok and Tony Leung Ka-fai who starred in the first film as two Hong Kong deputy commisioners at an empasse following a terrorist attack and the kidnapping of five officers, and with much more to the story that ensued. SYNOPSIS: Resuming the storyline of Part 1, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Management) Sean Lau is hell-bent on nabbing the mastermind behind the kidnapping of the police van and the five police officers. On the other hand, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations) Waise Lee and his son Joe Lee are joining forces with the biggest mastermind of all, Peter Choi. The three of them plot against Sean Lau in an attempt to outwit him. The Hong […]

FROM VEGAS TO MACAU 3 Gets A Worldwide Limited Release

Lee B. Golden III

For those of you keeping track, directing duo Andrew Lau and Wong Jing are releasing their latest, From Vegas To Macau 3 in select territories this Friday. Magnum Films Global has announced its participation in releasing the third installment of the franchise with locations in North America, Canada, the U.K., Australia and New Zealand, with dates and theater locations listed accordingly. SYNOPSIS: A grand wedding ceremony is being held at a resort hotel in Macau. It is the wedding of Ken’s (Chow Yun Fat) daughter, Rainbow (Kimmy Tong) and his protégé, Vincent (Shawn Yue). Ken’s close friends, Vic (John Chiang) and Mark (Nick Cheung) are also on the guest list. During the ceremony, Mark receives a call from his buddy, Michael Chan (Andy Lau), warning Mark that someone wants to kill Ken. Suddenly, a strange looking “Michael Chan” appears at the ceremony and self-detonated in the wedding. Vincent and Rainbow […]

Place Your Bets In The New Trailer For FROM VEGAS TO MACAU 3D

Lee B. Golden III

The past two years have proven fruitful for film duo Wong Jing and Andy Lau in the wake of their latest God Of Gamblers revival, From Vegas To Macau. The new title now spawning a trilogy of spectacular feats led by legendary thesp Chow Yun-Fat comes full circle with the new movie, From Vegas To Macau 3D and further upping the antee than that of its predecessor, here and now with robots and all sorts of gadgetry to showcase the next-level storytelling, energetic action and comedy that awaits; Yes, Chow chastising a mannequin is pretty chuckle-inducing. SYNOPSIS: A grand wedding ceremony is being held at a resort hotel in Macau. It is the wedding of Ken’s daughter, Rainbow and his protégé, Vincent. Ken’s close friends, Vic and Mark are also on the guest list. During the ceremony, Mark receives a call from his buddy, Michael Chan, warning him to beware […]

FROM VEGAS TO MACAU 3D Gets New Character Posters And A Teaser!

Lee B. Golden III

Harkening back to their popular God Of Gamblers franchise of yesteryear, director/producer duo Andrew Lau and Wong Jing have kept consistent with their latest work on the action-packed From Vegas To Macau franchise. Both the 2012 film and its sequel last year have done amply well for themselves at the box office, and so its clear the right thing to do was offer a third. And so they did with From Vegas To Macau 3D. SYNOPSIS: A grand wedding ceremony is being held at a resort hotel in Macau. It is the wedding of Ken’s daughter, Rainbow and his protégé, Vincent. Ken’s close friends, Vic and Mark are also on the guest list. During the ceremony, Mark receives a call from his buddy, Michael Chan, warning him to beware of a mysterious tycoon who has hired mercenaries to kill Ken. The wedding is sabotaged, while Ken and Mark are accused […]

COLD WAR 2 Gets A July 2016 Release With Chow Yun-Fat Joining

Lee B. Golden III

Further supporting reports dating back to 2013, THR has now weighed in confirming the appearance of actor Chow Yun-Fat in the forthcoming sequel, Cold War 2. All the familiar faces will be returning in the new film as well, including Aaron Kwok and Tony Leung Ka-fai, actress Charlie Young and actors Eddie Peng and Aarif Rahman, with duo Longman Leung and Sunny Luk back on board as writers and directors. Plot details are currently nil though the 2012 thriller focused on Kwok and Leung in the respective roles of Deputy Commissioners of different branches of the Hong Kong police and their brewing dissent in the wake of suspicious attacks that precede the kidnapping of five police officers. The film became a huge box office success pocketing $40 million dollars at the time with talk of a sequel slowly gaining traction. Also in tow for Chow is Soi Cheang’s The Monkey King 2 with […]

TWC Grants SHANGHAI A Limited Release On August 27!

Lee B. Golden III

It’s been five years since Escape Plan and 1408 helmer Mikael Håfström’s neo-noir wartime drama, Shanghai bowed in China. Interestingly enough, TWC has since landed the film for a limited theatrical release beginning on August 21, and while this is very much newly on my radar, seeing the likes of John Cusack, Gong Li, Chow Yun-Fat and Watanabe Ken together feels very rewarding and promising of some stellar performances to come. SYNOPSIS: Nothing is what it seems in this Casablanca-style international thriller set in the ancient Chinese city a week before the attack on Pearl Harbor. U.S. Secret Agent Paul Soames (John Cusack) has just arrived to investigate the murder of his best friend, only to become quickly immersed in a web of conspiracy and lies that beset the city. Shadowed by a Japanese intelligence officer Tanaka (Ken Watanabe), Soames’ investigation quickly centers on a charismatic local gangster, Anthony Lanting […]

Uh-Oh! The New Trailer For THE MAN FROM MACAU 2 Has Arrived!

Lee B. Golden III

Following the Chinese Lunar new year success of writer and director Wong Jing‘s The Man From Macau back in January comes its sequel which takes things to even greater scales in next year’s From Vegas To Macau 2. Producer Andrew Lau also returns with lead actor Chow Yun-Fat reprising his role as slick card sharp, Ken, modeled off of his former lead role in Jing’s God Of Gamblers film series, and as promised earlier, you can expect much of the splendor and grand visuals of exotic locales around Asia, with all the tropes of an explosive, action packed Bond-style thriller with a dosage of romance, groovy card ballet, and some silly comedy to boot. What does all this mean? Well, thankfully there’s a trailer floating around online and while it isn’t English subbed, there is a synopsis to help understand things a bit. SYNOPSIS: Head of the money laundering organization, […]

FROM VEGAS TO MACAU 2 Announces Its Official Starring Cast

Lee B. Golden III

Following the Lunar New Year box office success of writer and director Wong Jing‘s hit film, From Vegas To Macau, the sequel has already started production with locations currently extended to Macau, Thailand, Hong Kong and China. Actor Chow Yun-Fat is back leading the cast alongside actress Carina Lau as his love interest, and this week the film has more names to the film’s official cast list. Actress Kimmy Tong is returning to star along with actor Shawn Yue (Invisible Target, Helios) who replaces the previous film’s co-star, Nicholas Tse who is currently preparing to shoot in New Zealand for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon 2. Also on board are Nick Cheung (Unbeatable, That Demon Within), along with actress Jin Qiaoqiao (Legendary Amazons, Out Of Inferno), Wu Yue (Bruce Lee – My Brother, Police Story 2013). The film will also reunite Yue‘s fellow Invisible Target co-star, actor Kenny Wong who previously […]

A BETTER TOMORROW Gets The 4K Treatment

Lee B. Golden III

Internationally acclaimed filmmaker John Woo is quite expressive nowadays regarding his hopes of reinvigorating his old partnership with fellow film legend Tsui Hark, years after lighting the Hong Kong action genre for the world to see with the 1986 smash hit, A Better Tomorrow. Two more films within that franchise followed apart as the two parted ways years later (with the Korean remake of the first film arriving in 2010), and with Woo wanting to build that bridge, it would certainly revive the glory days for fans longing to see another masterpiece from the famous duo. Fortunately such admirers also happen to represent 181-year old Swiss watch brand and manufacturers, Jaeger-LeCoultre who took to this year’s events at the 17th annual Shanghai International Film Festival to auction off their products to help fund the 4K restoration of up to nine classic Chinese films since the two parties partnered in 2011. […]

FROM VEGAS TO MACAU Gets A Sequel With More Names Attached

Lee B. Golden III

Continuing the trend of filming in exotic locales in and around Asia, writer and director Wong Jing is expected to return with a second offering of his revitalized spin on the God Of Gamblers franchise with the production of From Vegas To Macau 2. Apparently, the first film which released in January beat commercial expectations despite mixed reviews, and will now ante up the production with a larger budget for a 3D shoot that will take place in Thailand, Mainland Macau and Hong Kong. From Vegas To Macau 2 is tentatively set for the next Chinese Lunar New Year in February 2015 and will once again feature actor Chow Yun-Fat reprising his lead role along with newly added cast members, award-winning actress Nick Cheung (Unbeatable) and Carina Lau (Young Detective Dee). Actor Nicholas Tse will also reportedly be reprising his role in the Wong Jing sequel before relocating this August […]

Lots Of New Footage In The Final Trailer For THE MONKEY KING 3D!

Lee B. Golden III

The final trailer for Pou-Soi Cheang‘s new film, The Monkey King 3D has arrived as we approach the final week nearing the film’s theatrical release in Hong Kong and China on January 30 and 31, respectively. No English subtitles here, but the trailer flexes a LOT more muscle in its dialogue than in previous trailers and TV spots. However, the film is expected to cross the pond as the year progress through the Fall, so we may yet see more trailers ahead as distributors announce their pick ups and release dates. Acclaimed international action hero Donnie Yen directs the action sequences and stars in his latest stint as the larger-than-life character based on the works of 16th century Chinese author Wu Cheng’en. Aaron Kwok and Chow Yun Fat also star along with Xia Zi Tong, Joe Chan, Zilin Zhang, Peter Ho, Gigi Leung and Kelly Chen. SYNOPSIS: Sun Wukong, (The […]

THE MONKEY KING Gets A New Short Teaser

Lee B. Golden III

After finally wrapping the second chapter of his two-part remake swordplay fantasy epic, Iceman 3D II, actor Donnie Yen continues his momentum as a leading international action star in the forthcoming release of The Monkey King 3D with actors Chow Yun Fat and Aaron Kwok. Combined with the artistic efforts of a select few from Hollywood, the long-awaited film represents China’s latest ambitious venture into major blockbuster territory, heavily armed with lots of high flying computer graphics to augment its visual muscle for director Pou-Soi Cheang‘s newest telling of the classic “Journey To The West” story with a hopeful trilogy to follow. The film is also one of two productions shared as of recent between Yen and Cheang, with the pending production of Yen‘s upcoming role in The Master under his Superhero Films banner this year before filiming his next role in Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon 2, confirmed in an […]

THE MAN FROM MACAU Reveals His Hand In New Character Posters

Lee B. Golden III

Ahead of the upcoming January 30, 2014 release for writer and director Wong Jing’s new film, The Man From Macau, FilmSmash delivered a fresh, small batch of character posters which are now viral. Chow Yun-Fat is featured as he leads the film’s return to its God Of Gamblers glory days with new faces added to this high-flying, comedic action adventure as our heroes team up to take down a money-laundering crimeboss in a high stakes game between good and evil. The Man From Macau (a.k.a. From Vegas To Macau) also stars Nicholas Tse, Chapman To, Annie Wu and Jing Tian, with Kimmy Tong, Benz Hui, Max Zhang, Philip Ng, Sammy Sum and Natalie Meng rounding out the cast.

Zany Comedy, Kung Fu And Card-Fu In The New Trailer For THE MAN FROM MACAU

Lee B. Golden III

The newest trailer for China’s release of writer and director Wong Jing‘s high-flying, card tossing action adventure comedy, The Man From Macau is online ahead of its forthcoming release the weekend of January 30, 2014. Lead actor Chow Yun-Fat returns to form once more in his iconic God Of Gamblers role with Jing, along with actor Nicholas Tse in a story that engages silly comedy and a touch of romance in its blend with spectacular action, danger, and illustrious casino-lit card ballet. The Man From Macau (a.k.a. From Vegas To Macau) also stars Chapman To, Annie Wu and Jing Tian, with Kimmy Tong, Benz Hui, Max Zhang, Philip Ng, Sammy Sum and Natalie Meng rounding out the cast. SYNOPSIS: Super Hacker “Show Hand” (Nicholas TSE) and Karl (Chapman TO) went to Las Vegas with their mentor, the retired swindler, Benz. They were there to visit Benz’s old buddy Hendrick (CHOW […]

Bi Xia And Zhang Bai Yuan Unleash 'Havoc' In The New Music Video For THE MONKEY KING

Lee B. Golden III

International action star Donnie Yen‘s latest 3D fantasy action adventure, The Monkey King: The Legend Begins, is set to make its big screen debut in China on the weekend of January 31, 2014. And with promotion for the film heavily underway, we also have a lively new music video for the film titled Havoc In Heaven–Push The Earth Theme, courtesy of the vocal stylings of artists Bi Xia and Zhang Bai Yuan. You can view that video in the embed above, in addition to some new poster art below, which was recently made public over at Filmsmash. The Monkey King: The Legend Begins is the latest theatrical rendition of classic writings of Ming dynasty novelist and poet, Wu Cheng’en, newly adapted for the screen by Edmond Wong and the late Kam-Yun Szeto. The film is directed by Terence Cheung and stars Yen along with Chow Yun-Fat, Xia Zi Tong, Aaron Kwok, Joe Chan, […]

War Erupts In The Heavens In The New Trailer For THE MONKEY KING: THE LEGEND BEGINS

Lee B. Golden III

The second newest trailer aired online at the start of the new year for the upcoming release of director Terence Cheung‘s The Monkey King: The Legend Begins. The trailer takes on a much darker tone than previous trailers with exciting new footage of some of our main players, namely international action star and action director Donnie Yen opposite actors Chow Yun Fat, Aaron Kwok and Peter Ho. A production of Filmko, Mandarin Films and Global Star Productions Inc., the film boasts an ambitious China production backed by some Hollywood muscle to achieve its ambitious push for a new 3D reimagining of the classic character, which is currently poised for a trilogy should this one do well. The film is also set to domestically release in China and throughout Asia in IMAX 3D screens the weekend of January 31, 2014, with a reported pending September 14, 2014 release in North America. […]

Go Behind The Scenes With The Cast And Crew Of THE MONKEY KING: THE LEGEND BEGINS

Lee B. Golden III

International action star Donnie Yen, unveiled the latest behind the scenes featurette for the upcoming domestic January 31, 2014 release of director Terence Cheung‘s The Monkey King: The Legend Begins, which you can now view below along with the first right above from a little over a week ago. The film is the latest cinemtic 3D rendition of the classic mythological character written by Edmond Wong and the late Szeto Kam-Yuen, and featuring Yen in the lead of what is expected to be the first of a trilogy. The Monkey King: The Legend Begins also stars Chow Yun-Fat, Xia Zi Tong, Aaron Kwok, Joe Chan, Zilin Zhang, Peter Ho, Gigi Leung and Kelly Chen. You can find more information about the film at its newly launched official website. In other news, Yen is also tapped to get some big screen North American treatment with Well Go USA’s forthcoming February 4, […]

[UPDATED] Chow Yun-Fat Goes FROM VEGAS TO MACAU In A New English-Subbed Trailer

Lee B. Golden III

The first trailer for writer and director Wong Jing‘s slick card tossing action comedy, The Man From Macau aired a few weeks ago, featuring actor Chow Yun-Fat reprising his classic role from the original God Of Gamblers film franchise. And this week, we finally get the same trailer with English subtitles and Cantonese audio (in addition to a new poster), and the Hong Kong title as it was previously noted throughout the year, From Vegas To Macau. Releasing across Asia on January 30, 2014, From Vegas To Macau is produced by Andrew Lau and Dong Yu, and also stars Nicholas Tse, Chapman To, Annie Wu, Jing Tian, Kimmy Tong, Benz Hui, Max Zhang, Philip Ng, Sammy Sum and Natalie Meng. SYNOPSIS: Super Hacker “Show Hand” (Nicholas TSE) and Karl (Chapman TO) went to Las Vegas with their mentor, the retired swindler, Benz. They were there to visit Benz’s old buddy […]

Watch The Brand New Trailer For THE MONKEY KING: THE LEGEND BEGINS!

Lee B. Golden III

2013 has been a busy year for international action star Donnie Yen, between pushing his third MMA cop thriller, Special ID and launching his own production company, in addition to filming both parts of his upcoming epic, Iceman 3D, as well as wrapping up the newly titled Kung Fu Killer with director Teddy Chen. But 2013 is just one year of which the last several with Yen fully-loaded on beginning production of director Terence Cheung‘s reimagined 3D adventure epic, The Monkey King. The film is set up as the first of a hopeful trilogy, which is said to be distributed for English and Mandarin-speaking audiences. But with Yen reportedly backing out of any further heavily costumed roles after his experience with the first film, set for a January 31, 2014 domestic release, the role could ultimately go to someone else for the sequel, provided that the first film succeeds at […]