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THE SWORD: Eureka Unsheathes The 1980 Wuxia Classic In 2K Limited Edition Blu-Ray This November!

Lee B. Golden III

I have a feeling that Patrick Tam’s The Sword was one of those remastered specialty picks that played a festival that flew off my radar at some point. Certainly it feels like it. At any rate, this baby is now coming to a phys-media outlet near you with Eureka Entertainment announcing their release of the 1980 wuxia classic as part of the Eureka Classics line beginning November 19. The film will be made available on Blu-Ray and with a 2k restoration with a limited edition release of the package rolling out 2000 copies (per territory), which include exclusive features such as an O-card slipcase, and a collector’s booklet. Read on for the language below and then head over to the MVD shop to make your pre-order! Best known as a key contributor to the Hong Kong New Wave as the director of My Heart is That Eternal Rose and the […]

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The Criterion Collections Picks Up A Slice Of Sammo Hung Military Madness This December!

Every now and again, the guys and gals at Criterion – who are mostly known for releasing some rather high-brow cinema on Blu-ray – give action fans something special. Whether it’s their Police Story and Once Upon a Time in China releases or John Woo’s Last Hurrah for Chivalry, they certainly know their Hong Kong cinema. And so it should come as no surprise that, yesterday, Criterion announced they’ll be releasing Sammo Hung’s military actioner, EASTERN CONDORS, on shiny Blu-ray in December. Region locked US residents have been waiting for this once, since the only decent releasee as of late has been the Region B Eureka! Entertainment disc, which saw the film in a three-movie set with The Magnficent Butcher and The Iron-Fisted Monk. Criterion’s release will be standalone and, per usual, is jampacked with special features. Per Criterion: Legendary actor-director Sammo Hung delivers a bazooka blast of pure adrenaline in this exemplar of Hong Kong action […]

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Brooklyn Horror Film Fest IX: The Full Line-Up Is Here!

Lee B. Golden III

No, I don’t typically cover horror on this platform, but there’s always something for everyone on some scale when it comes to these festivals. The upcoming ninth edition of the Brooklyn Horror Film Festival is no different, as shown with the details now available in the full line-up which you can below ahead of its launch next month. Peep the festival art below as well with the language just beneath encompassing all there is to know about what’s in store with badges now on sale and limited tickets up for grabs this Friday! Brooklyn, NY– The Brooklyn Horror Film Festival (BHFF) announces today the full program for its 2024 incarnation, running October 17-24 with all screenings held at Nitehawk Cinema’s Williamsburg and Prospect Park locations. Audiences are in for an unworldly lineup of films and events, including a special screening of Larry Fessenden’s HABIT with the Leviathan Award Ceremony, honoring his film career. The Opening Night film is […]

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CELLS AT WORK: Mei Nagano And Takeru Satoh Fight Back Against Formidable Ills In The Official Trailer!

Lee B. Golden III

The official trailer is out for Hideki Takeuchi’s long-awaited adaptation of the hit manga and anime, Cells At Work. Best of all apart from the featuring of Mei Nagano and Takeru Satoh is the inclusion of other key characters, and now with actors Abe Sadawo and Mina Ashida adding the apropos human element to the stakes. The film, as fans of Akane Shimizu’s IP know it, embarks on an Osmosis Jones-style adventure of a red blood cell and her travails at maintaining the human body, alongside all the requisite cells needed – including the bacteria and virus-batling white blood cells and T-cells, and the healing cells to form clots. I love Takeuchi’s approach already, and not that I wasn’t already sold on the teaser from a while back, but this trailer makes a great case for recommended viewing. Cells At Work arrives in Japan cinemas from Warner Bros. Japan on […]

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REDEMPTION Teaser Surfaces With Michael Chuah Back In Action!

Lee B. Golden III

Oof! The last we heard from actor and filmmaker Michael Chuah for his latest production with Redemption was in 2022 when cameras were rolling. Fast forward a little under two-and-a-half years later and at long last the first sign of life has since gone online with a first look teaser featuring Chuah in leading man fashion for Malaysia’s moviegoing demos. A mercenary who wants to undergo a peaceful life, has to come out of retirement when he sees his newly moved in neighbours being targeted by the local crime syndicate. The film also stars Mimi Chu, Tian Long, and Cherry Cheng, and is subject to a January 2025 release. Catch the teaser below!

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TWILIGHT OF THE WARRIORS: WALLED IN Hits Digital, DVD, Blu-Ray, And 4K UHD This Fall From Trinity CineAsia

Lee B. Golden III

Trinity CineAsia is out to make its case with the upcoming UK/Irish home releases of Soi Cheang’s Twilight Of The Warriors: Walled In. The film stars Raymond Lam, Terrence Lau, German Cheung and Tony Wu, along with Louis Koo, Sammo Hung, Richie Jen, and Philip Ng. From award-winning director Soi Cheang (Mad Fate, Limbo, Dog Bite Dog), this gritty, fight-filled epic is adapted from the cult Manga series “City of Darkness” by Andy Seto and based on the novel by Yuyi. Set in British colonial Hong Kong in the 1980’s, Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In follows a troubled youth as he accidentally enters the infamous Kowloon Walled City – a dangerous Chinese enclave ripe with gang crime and corruption. He soon discovers order amidst the chaos, and gains life lessons from the inhabitants as they resist a villainous invasion. With a production budget of $40 million USD, it is […]

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BEFORE DAWN Blu-Ray Review: Jordon Prince-Wright’s Serviceable WWI Epic

Lee B. Golden III

Before Dawn is a new WWI epic drama, directed by Jordon Prince-Wright who co-wrote the script with Jarrad Russell. The film stars Levi Miller as Jim Collins, the son of an outback sheep farmer who decides against the wishes of his father to join the ANZAC Corps in the fight against the Nazis in France. The result is a cataclysmic journey of tragedy, dark reflection and bravery chronicling the near-900 day endeavor as we watch Jim tackle the dogs of war, measuring his own courage and ideal school of thought against an environment encumbered by a survival-first instinct. This aspect of the story is explored aptly through brewing tension between Jim, and Thomas Nickles (Travis Jeffery) following a mission gone wrong resulting in the death of Travis’s brother, Harry. The impasse eventually reaches a boiling point under the stewardship of their superiors, including the dogged Sgt. Beaufort (Myles Pollard), even […]

TIGER COP: PROJECT A: Richard Norton Joins In As Maria Tran And Adrian Castro Hail Next Chapter In The Nostalgic HK Style Shortfilm Saga

Lee B. Golden III

Fans of the independent Fideo Films and Phoenix Eye platforms are reconvening once more for another entry into the cult “Tiger Cop” shortfilm saga with Tiger Cop: Project A. Aussie director Adrian Castro will reteam with rising star Maria Tran (Tracer, Suka, Echo 8) on the new short with cameras rolling in Sydney and Melbourne in December. Tran will lead a cast that also lists Melbourne-based collaborators Vinh Nguyen, martial artists Louis Damien Chaurémootoo and David Hong, and comedian/actor Georgina Neville. Further bolstering the roster is legendary action star Richard Norton, whose credits partly include Twinkle Twinke Lucky Stars (1985), China O’Brien (1988) and its 1990 sequel, as well as Mr. Nice Guy (1987), Mad Max: Fury Road and its 2024 prequel, Furiosa, and upcoming Cynthia Rothrock Western vehicle, Black Creek. The concept behind Tiger Cop: Project A is a highly celebrated one for fans of the 80s and early-90s […]

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Streaming Sleepers: Killers And Killer Gimmicks Run Amuck In Chris Huo’s THE COMEBACK

Lee B. Golden III

The Comeback is currently streaming on Hi-YAH!, and is available on Digital from Well Go USA. Mainland action titles tend to fall by the wayside for me. This is mainly because I don’t have an iQIYI account like some of my mutuals do, and so I rely on the good will and economic viability of a streamer like Hi-YAH! to obtain these kinds of titles for their output to the niche Asian film crowd which I’m a part of. Alas, we get The Comeback, which marks the most recent reteaming of director Chris Huo and his Blind War star Andy On, who takes a seat here as antagonist to lead thespian Simon Yam. The streamer’s logline would have you thinking differently as it cites Yam’s role as Mr. Hua, a revered antique dealer in a small village who helps fight back against a violent gang trying to seize the properties. […]

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FIGHT AGAINST EVIL Review: Xiao Mie fights crime in an intense action thriller

Xiao Mie (As God, Fighting for the Motherland) grew up in movie sets in company of film deities such as Jet Li (My Father is a Hero, Legend of the red dragon) or Chow Yun Fat (Hard Boiled, The killer) and being directed at a very young age by legendary filmmakers such as Corey Yuen (Above the Law, Ultraforce) or Wong Jing (God Of Gamblers, City Hunter), is undeniable that there´s no better film school than have been blessed with the chance of learning the craft from the best, This, combined with his exceptional qualities and overwhelming charisma, has made Xiao Mie become, in his own right, one of the most visible faces of action cinema coming from China. FIGHT AGAINST EVIL, was small production released in 2021 highly influenced by the forays into cop films by Wilson Yip (Ip Man, SPL) with Donnie Yen (Flash Point, Kung Fu Jungle) […]

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TAKE COVER Trailer rumbles the screen with the promise of a good action spectacle

Signature Entertainment has launched the trailer of the next adventure starred by who is possibly nowadays the most beloved action star by all those fans who long for the older style of action cinema in which problems were resolved using the the fists and throwing kicks and bullets flew all over the screen barely hurting anyone. The trailer promises to the fandom a good dose of good action entertainment with Scott Adkins in good shape, soon fans will have the chance of enjoying his efforts on “DEATH MARCH” by Louis Mandylor, a story set in Philippines during World War II, or the expected “DIABLO” by Ernesto Diaz Espinosa, in which is expected a new epic showdown between the British actor and Marko Zaror. On TAKE COVER, Adkins is well accompanied by Alice Eve (Bombshell), in a plot that revolves around Sam Lorde (Scott Adkins) a hitman who after a hit […]

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Beyond Fest 2024: Catch The Full Line-Up!

Lee B. Golden III

Info on the twelfth edition of Beyond Fest is out this week as of Thursday with the full line-up and tickets on sale as of Friday. The picks are jam-packed with a variety of notable hits and new arrivals. Speed fans might be keen on grabbing a seat with the actor in attendance. Check out the announcement below with links included to the Beyond Fest and American Cinematheque websites: THE BIGGEST GENRE FILM FESTIVAL IN THE U.S., BEYOND FEST, RETURNS FOR ITS 12TH OUTING WITH AN 82-FEATURE SLATE AND 15 DAYS OF GLOBAL CINEMATIC CELEBRATION Beyond Fest announces its 2024 festival slate including the World Premiere of SALEM’S LOT, a Very Special Screening of DEVARA: PART 1, International Premiere of Toho’s MY HERO ACADEMIA: YOU’RE NEXT, West Coast Premieres of THE BRUTALIST in 70mm with Brady Corbet, Palme d’Or winner ANORA with Sean Baker and Mikey Madison, Ali Abbasi’s THE APPRENTICE, Marielle […]

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11 REBELS: Well Go USA Sets 2025 Release In North America

Lee B. Golden III

Japanese action fans in North America can gladly rely on Well Go USA in the new year for its pending release of Kazuya Shiraishi’s new period thriller, 11 Rebels. The film is directed by Kazuya Shiraishi who reteams with The Blood Of Wolves scribe Junya Ikegami, whose script is based off of an earlier draft by late Toei veteran Kazuo Kasahara. The historical betrayal by the Shibata clan of Niigata happened in the shadows of the Boshin War, the fiercest war in Japanese history. From history to the big screen, Shiraishi Kazuya’s adaptation elevates the late, great Kasahara Kazuo’s script, with riveting action by stars Yamada Takayuki, Nakano Taiga, and the talented ensemble cast. The 11-member suicide squad takes on a hopeless fortress-defense mission. When the interests of the Shibata clan, the old shogunate, and the new government collide, their heroic battle begins. The hell-bent rebels enthrall in this timeless […]

STUNTMAN Official Trailer Revealed For The Leung Brothers New Action Drama

STUNTMAN Official Trailer Revealed For The Leung Brothers’ New Action Drama

Lee B. Golden III

Plans for a select screenings are underway in Hong Kong with the upcoming release of Stuntman, the new riveting filmmaking drama from directing duo Herbert and Albert Leung. Those screenings are set to take place on Friday and Saturday before the film’s wider release on September 26 from Edko Films. The official trailer is now up and running and diving (more or less) well into the dramatic upheaval centered on two generations of stunt professionals. If you love Hong Kong cinema as much as the next fan, then chances are you’ve definitely seen some of the compelling documentaries over the years, which is why this film’s tagline might read a little familiar, particularly if you’ve seen documentatian John Wei’s work. At any rate, Stuntman will also make its way around the festivals following its regional releases. This especially goes for anyone lining up for seats for this year’s 44th edition […]

THE BEAST IN ME: Russell Crowe, ONE Championship Team Up For Bangkok MMA Drama Filming Through 2025

Lee B. Golden III

Academy Award-winning actor Russell Crowe (Gladiator, A Beautiful Mind, Cinderella Man, Land Of Bad) is teaming up with lead actor Daniel MacPherson (Land of Bad, Foundation, Infini), martial arts mega brand ONE Championship (ONE) for MMA action drama production, The Beast In Me. Broken Open Pictures will commence filming later this year in Bangkok, Thailand. The Beast In Me will see MacPherson in the role of an out-of-work former MMA fighter who suffers a personal tragedy involving his brother. With the help of a veteran trainer, played by Crowe, he sets out to avenge his brother by coming out of retirement to compete in ONE Championship. Crowe co-penned the script with fellow Land Of Bad cohort David Frigerio who is also producing. ONE is set to be featured prominently in the film as well with expected appearances by ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong. Par for the course will be […]

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THE PROJECT A COLLECTION: 88 Films Announces October Release For The Back-To-Back Classics On 4k And Blu-Ray In October!

Lee B. Golden III

I’m old enough to remember when I first saw the above promo included on VHS tapes back when action star Jackie Chan was conquering the West in his second crossover attempt post-Rumble In The Bronx. Chan’s had a hell of a career over the years and including since then as he nowadays focuses his attempts on the mainland, while his heyday as one of Hong Kong’s biggest stars alongside his Peking Opera ilk now comes back into focus with The Project A Collection, 88 Films’s own re-releases of the 1983 and 1987 action adventure classic, Project A and Project A 2. The films mark only the latest in the film’s celebratory re-releases with 88 Films turning its attention to the U.S. for its rollout. Included are 4-disc Deluxe Edition as well as a 2-disc Special Edition, incumbent with either 4K or Blu-Ray renditions and loads of special features to serve up […]

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11 REBELS: Kazuya Shiraishi’s Own Suicide Squad Takes War To Task In The First Teaser

Lee B. Golden III

Kazuya Shiraishi will soon be making headway onto Netflix with upcoming series drama “The Queen Of Villains”. In the meantime, the man behind this NYAFF 2024 favorite is back with another in the form of 11 Rebels, one of last year’s notable spotlights under Toei’s banner at AFM last year. Shiraishi reteams with his The Blood Of Wolves screenwriter Junya Ikegami who penned the script based on a long-shelved draft by late Toei vet Kazuo Kasahara who penned most of the Battles Without Honor And Humanity yakuza saga, and a number of other classics. 11 Rebels is set in 1868 during the Meiji Restoration when the flames of the Boshin War begin descending unto the small Echigo domain of Shibata. The domain’s castle lord requisitions the services of eleven prisoners for the all-or-nothing task of protecting his fortress in exchange for their freedom. The film also rejoins Shiraishi with his […]

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DOMINO: Tino Nguyen’s New Vietnamese Action Thriller Gets An Official Trailer

Lee B. Golden III

Hereby known officially for its Vietnamese release as Domino: Lối Thoát Cuối Cùng, it had been a few years Tino Nguyen’s new action thriller was shot in parts of New York and Texas prior to a first look teaser that went viral a year ago. At long last though, an official trailer has been revealed to the public as theatrical release chain CGV Cinemas sets a Vietnamese release on October 11. Actor Thuan Nguyen stars in the film and plays An, the estranged and only son of a crime boss who is summoned to America, and uncovers a deadly double-cross in his father’s organization. With the help of an undercover cop and innocent lives now at risk, it’s up to An to tread a seedy criminal underworld he wanted no part in, in order to bring his father’s killer to justice. Domino, or Domino: The Last Exit as one English […]

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OPERATION BLOOD HUNT: Sink Your Teeth Into The Official Trailer For The New Werewolf Thriller From Quiver

Lee B. Golden III

Actor Louis Mandylor be makin’ movies y’all! The Blindsided and 3 Days In Malay director is currently in toe with Well Go USA’s Death March, while the floor now belongs to Quiver Distribution whose latest offering with Operation Blood Hunt, kicking off this week with an official trailer and poster ahead of an October 4 release on Digital and On Demand. In 1944, a band of Special Forces are sent to a remote Pacific island to solve the mystery of missing Marines. They uncover a deadly secret: werewolves. Now, they must outwit and outfight the supernatural to survive. Welcome to Operation Blood Hunt. Operation Blood Hunt was written by Brandon Slagle and stars Quinton Rampage Jackson, Louis Mandylor, Sonia Couling, and Jonathan Rhys Meyers. Watch the trailer below, as revealed on Tuesday by Bloody Disgusting.

Gordon Liu, Lee Hoi-Sang and Lau Kar Leung on the set of The 36th Chamber Of Shaolin - image via HKMDB

In Memoriam: Lee Hoi-Sang (1941-2024)

It’s a sad day for kung fu cinema as news of Lee Hoi-sang’s death hit the internet this morning. Those that don’t know his name almost definitely know his face as he appeared in over 115 action films over the years, including an absolute wealth of classics. He featured in The 3th Chamber of Shaolin, The Magnificent Butcher, Warriors Two, Dynamo, Heroes of the East, Knockabout, Shaolin Prince, Project A, and Miracles, as well as many, many more. As a Wing Chun master (he was one of Yip Man’s disciples), he found his way into the film industry througfh being a Martial Arts Consultant. This graduated to performing in front of the camera and, eventually, getting meatier roles, mostly as a villain or Shaolin monk – and sometimes both! As well as his movie stardom, he worked a lot in television, and can be seen in TV series’ such as […]