jackie chan

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Happy Birthday, Jackie Chan!

Lee B. Golden III

It’s worth noting that director Sheng Ding’s 2012 production of Police Story: Lockdown – which I first caught at Screen Anarchy when readers first knew of it as Twitchfilm – that inspired me to get a leg in the blogging business with the launch of Film Combat Syndicate, roughly eight years after I first experimented with the hobby on a free hosting site that existed at the time. Alas, I partially credit Chan with much gratitude to being the inspiration he was to me at the time, as he continues his footing in the film business. While his fame in Hong Kong SAR has waned over the years, he remains a legend to fans around the world, especially here in the states long after leaving his footprint with titles like Battle Creek Brawl and The Protector, and ultimately channeling his Golden Harvest roots to pave the way for his signature […]

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Fight Scene Faves: A Short List Of Memorable Fight Scene Moments In Film

Lee B. Golden III

Years ago, I became obsessed with listing my “top-tens” or “fives” in final fight scenes. There was a UK website that produced such lists and for their final fight scene list, it bothered me for the longest time that it never had the one featured in Drive between Mark Dacascos and Masaya Kato, so you can imagine how fulfilled I felt when the page loaded and I finally saw it listed. That website has long since disappeared, but the practice of listing fight faves stands strong among the action genre fandom to this day. Thus, I felt compelled to just list my own top ten in final fight scenes just to feel it out some and see what folks think. For this, I applied several factors into this analysis; While choreography and cinematography are both important elements, I made other deductions as well which include the scene’s connection to the […]

SNAKE IN THE EAGLE’S SHADOW Blu-Ray Slithers With Its High-Flying Kung Fu Grip In March From 88 Films

Lee B. Golden III

It’s no overstatement to say or suggest the 1970s gave way to a bumpercrop of kung fu cinema legends, no less including Master Yuen Woo Ping whose 1978 kung fu comedy classic, Snake In The Eagle’s Shadow, has certainly stood the test of time. It was definitely a film that got me keen on invading my local video store’s Asian VHS isle on a near-regular basis following action star Jackie Chan’s phase-three breakout role in New Line Cinema’s Rumble In The Bronx, reigniting crossover kung fu fan fervor in the late 1990s. Since then, the film has endured a raft of physical media releases of various kinds and now, 88 Films is stepping up to the plate with its own committment to a Blu-Ray rollout of the film on March 29, bolstering its current collection of Jackie Chan classics. For all that and more, they’ve unleashed a brand new trailer […]

IRON MASK: Jackie Chan And Arnold Schwarzenegger Cross Swords In The Official Trailer For Oleg Stepchenko’s Period Fantasy Epic

IRON MASK: Jackie Chan And Arnold Schwarzenegger Cross Swords In The Official Trailer For Oleg Stepchenko’s Period Fantasy Epic

Lee B. Golden III

Nearly fourteen years in the making and through arduous production periods that finally gave director Oleg Stepchenko the first installment of his then-planned Viy trilogy in 2014, the second and long-awaited chapter has finally arrived stateside with Iron Mask (f.k.a. Viy 2 and Journey To China: Mystery Of The Iron Mask, among others). Lionsgate unveiled the official trailer this week as well, with a planed VoD and Digital release on November 20, and on Blu-Ray and DVD beginning November 24. The big seller? Less so the return of Jason Flemyng as cartographer Jonathan Green than headliners Jackie Chan and Arnold Schwarzenegger duking it out on screen for the first time, in a film that brims with action star brio that might have otherwise been a welcome big screen feat if it weren’t for the idiot Covid-19 pandemic. Ah well, guess we’ll take what we can get. For the first time […]

Jackie Chan Poised For Another Chapter In The POLICE STORY Franchise

Lee B. Golden III

Asian Film Strike has it on good terms that a new addition to the highly acclaimed Police Story franchise is on its way next year with the tentatively-titled Police Story 2022. Reportedly, the film will reunite Bleeding Steel star and director Jackie Chan and Leo Zhang for a thematic new chapter in the longstanding kung fu cop franchise. Plot and cast details are pending, as are shooting dates and locations. Chan was well-over 60 films in when he launched the Police Story film series in 1985 with producers Raymond Chow and Leonard Ho. Created in response to his own disappointing experience on the set of James Glickenhaus cop thriller, The Protector, Police Story was yet another template on which Chan would continue to reshape the way action cinema would be watched and perceived by audiences around the world, with a signature focus on cinematography, editing and his ultimate bread and […]

THE KNIGHT OF SHADOWS Unguards On Blu-Ray Combo, DVD And Digital In January

Lee B. Golden III

There is a whole row of Jackie Chan titles fans are looking forward to hearing more about going into the new year. Director Jia Yan (a.k.a. Vash) is certainly on the roster as fans in the U.S. await his newest fantasy adventure, The Knight Of Shadows, now poised to release via Digital, Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD on January 21 from Well Go USA. Pu Songling (Jackie Chan), a legendary demon hunter, is asked to investigate the mysterious disappearances of young girls from a small village. When he discovers evil forces are kidnapping the girls to feast on their souls, he sets out to save humanity from the inhuman invasion journeying through hidden worlds and colorful dimensions in this fantastical martial arts action-comedy. The film also stars Lin Peng (Dragon Blade), Ethan Juan (The Assassin) and Elane Zhong (The Resistance). Keep your eyes peeled and pre-order your copy wherever movies […]

DRAGONS FOREVER: 88 Films Shares Key Art For Upcoming Uncut 4K Re-Release

Lee B. Golden III

If nothing else, 88 Films understands the need for posterity on physical media when it comes to classic Hong Kong cinema. For this, say what you will about previous incarnations of Corey Yuen and Sammo Hung’s hit action comedy, Dragons Forever, but the UK-based firm is finally rolling out a portion of the goods with the official key art for its re-release as announced earlier this year, as illustrated by Robert “Kung Fu Bob” O’Brien. The film centers on a lawyer, an arms dealer and a career burglar (Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, Yuen Biao) who find themselves embroiled in a mix of romantic upheaval, and a face-to-face duel with an underground narcotics operation fronting as a chemical factory. The film also stars Pauline Yeung, Deanne Ip and Yuen Wah with appearances by Billy Chow, Benny “The Jet” Urquidez, Phillip Ko-Fei and many more for its re-relese which will be 4K, […]

MIRACLES: THE CANTON GODFATHER: Jackie Chan’s 1989 Classic Gets A Limited Edition U.K. Release From 88 Films

Lee B. Golden III

Jackie Chan’s 1989 hit, Miracles: The Canton Godfather, is now available for pre-order from 88 Films, the latest Jackie Chan release from the UK distro outlet following recent Chan releases, Crime Story and The Protector. The official street date for the new limited edition Blu-Ray is December 9, packed with featurettes, exclusive art and more. An optimistic Gwok Zan-Waa (Jackie Chan) arrives in Hong Kong, quickly finding himself impoverished. That is, until a serendipitous encounter with a rose seller (Gua Ah-Leh) leads to his inadvertent appointment as boss of a local gang. Amidst the reluctant leader’s efforts to reform their fraternity and businesses, is an endeavour to share his new-found fortune with the bestower, all whilst trying to stave off rivals and the authorities. A remake of Frank Capra’s ‘Pocketful of Miracles’, Miracles – also known by its Hong Kong English title ‘Mr Canton and Lady Rose’ – is an […]

Rossatron Talks DRUNKEN MASTER 2: The Best Fight Scene Ever?

Lee B. Golden III

For nearly fifty years, revered action cinema luminary Jackie Chan has dazzled the big screen with the kind of captivating, innovative and death-defying stuntwork that has made his career what it is today. His 1994 kung fu cinema diptych with Lau Kar Leung, Drunken Master 2, remains nothing short of one of his highest marks in this regard. YouTuber Rossatron took to his platform last week to highlight why in a new video essay discussing the film’s final fight scene and what makes it work so well for the film’s sake. Enjoy his insights on the matter, as well as the stellar footage enclosed. Also, click here to buy the movie.

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FESTIVAL NITS DE CINEMA ORIENTAL DE VIC XVI: Thai Retrospectives, Samurai Thrills And Jackie Chan Among 20 Titles To Look For

Lee B. Golden III

The Festival Nits De Cinema Oriental De Vic in Catalunya, Spain, is about to enter its sixteenth year in BIG fashion with some cool new premieres and retrospectives. The festival’s 32-title line-up will be giving deep into a variety of genres from horror and animation to comedy and drama, and for its Asian film coverage, you can especially predict there’ll be some terrific action titles making their European and otherwise international. Among some 20 titles we’ve gathered, the Thai retrospectives should be a crowdpleaser for fans looking to catch films like BKO: Bangkok Knockout and Panna Rittikrai classics like Hard Gun and Born To Fight. Family adventures will also make the rounds including Jackie Chan’s The Knight Of Shadows and Vidyut Jammwal’s elephant rescue actioner, Junglee, while Hong Kong takes aim with Big Brother starring Donnie Yen and Golden Job with Ekin Cheng, and Japan enters the fray with Takahiro […]

VANGUARD - Poster

VANGUARD: Jackie Chan Shows He Can Still Keep Up In The First Teaser

Lee B. Golden III

I love that some people can handle a good headbutt a little more than others in Stanley Tong’s latest, Vanguard. It’s a nifty little point of humor amid what looks to be an explosive action thriller that amps up the stunt caliber just enough to make Jackie Chan and the cast look good without anyone getting seriously injured. Big guns and fast fists and feet arise in this little endeavor which also stars Yang Yang, actress Miya Muqi and actor Allen Ai in a story about a covert international security agency going up against a powerful terrorist organization that finds itself as the last, best hope for an accountant marked for death by terrorists. Check out the teaser above and stay tuned for more info!

THE CLIMBERS

THE CLIMBERS: Wu Jing Takes The Leap In The Official Teaser

Lee B. Golden III

A festive mood in Shanghai encompassed a raft of reveals this weekend, including the first official teaser for The Climbers. Rejoining director Daniel Lee and producer Tsui Hark, the film is officially poised for a September 30 release. May 1960. Mount Everest, the second step under the cliff. The four members of the China Everest Climbing Commando are attacking the most difficult and most difficult “second step”. This is their fifth assault. The first four failures have cost them too much physical strength – …finally, the wind and snow stop the gap. Lee co-penned the script for a cast led by none other than actor Wu Jing whose box office returns have enjoined him with great favor in the industry with hits like Wolf Warrior 2 and The Wandering Earth. Zhang Ziyi also stars along with appearances by Jing Boran and Zhang Yi among others, including an expected appearance by […]

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Jackie Chan Tamps Down ‘Rush Hour 4’ And ‘Karate Kid 2’ Rumors

Lee B. Golden III

Indeed there have been developments over the last several years or so regarding the long-gestating development of Rush Hour 4, among other titles. Various interviews and trade blubs have surfaced to substantiate this, although it appears that more local mediums will need further scruitny with word from action star Jackie Chan’s own people pertaining to recent false rumors of forthcoming casting and auditions for the film, as well as a sequel to Harald Zwart’s The Karate Kid which had actor Jaden Smith set to recur. “We have noticed that false information that Mr. Chan would act in the motion pictures Rush Hour 4 and The Karate Kid 2 is spreading through multiple social media platforms, and that certainly apparently infringing parties have misappropriated the personal WeChat and email accounts of Mr. Esmond Ren, a motion picture industry professional, to release false information concerning the hiring of the crew, casting, audition, […]

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CLIMBERS: ‘Dragon Blade’ Star And Director Reteam For Wu Jing Mountain Climbing Epic

Lee B. Golden III

This news already dates back a few months when Twitter rumors began circulating over Jackie Chan’s involvement in a Wu Jing-led biopictoral climbing action epic. Alas, The Hollywood Reporter is now freshly confirming out of Hong Kong that Climbers is now underway, reteaming Chan with Jing eight years since co-starring in Andy Lau’s Benny Chan kung fu actioner, Shaolin. May 1960. Mount Everest, the second step under the cliff. The four members of the China Everest Climbing Commando are attacking the most difficult and most difficult “second step”. This is their fifth assault. The first four failures have cost them too much physical strength – …finally, the wind and snow stop the gap. Chan further reunites with Dragon Blade director Daniel Lee who directs from a script co-written with Ai Lai. Also starring are Monster Hunt star Jing Boran, The Grandmaster actress Zhang Ziyi and Chan’s 1911 co-star Hugh Hu […]

Chan And Tong To Reunite Once More For Action Thriller, VANGUARD

Lee B. Golden III

According to Jackie Chan France after sifting through mixed reports, the actor and action star is moving forward with director Stanley Tong once again for their latest pairing, Vanguard. The report forwarded the photo you see just above with Chan joined by the JC Stunt Team, along with young comedian Yang Yang, and Chan’s co-star for Tong’s KungFu Yoga, actress Miya Muqi. Vanguard centers on an international security team hired to protect a businessman and his daughter from a terrorist organization. Also joining the cast according to the report are Kung Fu Jungle actor Wang Baoqiang and celebrated actress Zhang Ziyi – that latter which reads as more of a rumor according to @AsianFilmStrike who forwarded the news. Vangaurd will be the sixth collaboration between Chan and Tong after KungFu Yoga, and in the years since Chan hit America big crossing over with Rumble In The Bronx, Police Story 3: […]

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WHEELS ON MEALS: Eureka’s 2K-Restored Limited Edition Blu-Ray Relaunch Gets A Trailer

Lee B. Golden III

UK distro banner Eureka Entertainment is the latest to revive its series of Jackie Chan classics as its done in the last few years, now with Sammo Hung’s “three brothers” reunion, Wheels On Meals. Pre-orders are still up and running at UK outlets for Amazon and Zavvi and now with an official trailer making the rounds following its live premiere on Wednesday. Eureka Entertainment to release WHEELS ON MEALS, a spectacular, non-stop action comedy starring Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung and Yuen Biao, presented from a brand new 2K restoration for the first time ever on Blu-ray in the UK as part of the Eureka Classics range on 18 March 2019. Available with a Limited Edition slipcase and booklet [4000 copies ONLY]. From a brand new 2K restoration comes perhaps the greatest martial-arts comedy of all time, Sammo Hung’s Wheels on Meals, starring Hung, Jackie Chan, and Yuen Biao as the […]

DRUNKEN MASTER

The Korean Roots of Hong Kong Kicking

The fast and precise kicks of Jackie Chan, Bruce Lee, Donnie Yen, and other great Hong Kong action stars are staples of the Hong Kong style of action choreography, but if we look before Bruce’s 1971 breakout hit The Big Boss, there were almost no kicks to be found in any action cinema. Only Billy Jack, released in the same year in America, featured the same high-flying kicks courtesy of Korean Hapkido artist Bong Soo Han. The similarity between Billy Jack’s kicks and Bruce’s in The Big Boss is no mere coincidence: Bruce had picked up his cinematic kicking style by studying from Korean and Vietnam war vets who brought Korean kicks to the USA, Chuck Norris being a major player. In his backyard home videos, we see Bruce shooting spin kicks and stepping side kicks, experimenting with how to make these kicks cinematic. Bruce’s backyard filmmaking endeavors would become […]

Police Story

Fortune Star, Janus Signal Limited Re-Release Of Jackie Chan Classics POLICE STORY And POLICE STORY 2

Lee B. Golden III

Ready to re-live classic Jackie Chan on the big screen? Word from Polygon brings news that Janus Films, in partnership with Fortune Star Media, is offering limited releases in select cities for Police Story (1985) and Police Story 2 (1988). It kind of makes you wish this campaign was a bit more commercialized and wider in its exhibitor rollout but at least these are getting some new life to ring in the new year. POLICE STORY: The jaw-dropping set pieces fly fast and furious in Jackie Chan’s breathtakingly inventive martial-arts comedy, a smash hit that made him a worldwide icon of daredevil action spectacle. The director/star/one-man stunt machine plays Ka-Kui, a Hong Kong police inspector who goes rogue to bring down a drug kingpin and protect the case’s star witness (Chinese cinema legend Brigitte Lin) from retribution. Packed wall-to-wall with charmingly goofball slapstick and astoundingly acrobatic fight choreography—including an epic […]

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Want Some Chan On-The-Go? Get Ready For Mobile-Friendly Ficto

Lee B. Golden III

By all accounts, 2019 may very well put debate to rest on how to hold a phone while viewing video… Project Xtraction, the Jackie Chan/John Cena two-hander from director Scott Waugh, is now slated to be packaged next year with an original series to be hosted on subscription-based premium app, Ficto, a new shortform video series platform from LA-based technology and content startup, Fiction Riot. The film is just one of three films announced for short form serial production among a listed number of up to twenty original and licensed shows for the new app following its introductory launch on Wednesday. The move comes in light of a recent study from Ooyala that suggests more than half of all video content is viewed globally on mobile devices, including longer form film and TV programs not optimized for a mobile experience. The app aims to achieve just that through leveraging native […]

THE KNIGHT OF SHADOWS: BETWEEN YIN AND YANG Turns A Page For Jackie Chan’s Newest Epic In The First Teaser

Lee B. Golden III

Vash’s new fantasy pic, The Knight Of Shadows: Between Yin And Yang, is finally on deck for a February release. No question though that it’ll be more of the same in the realm of family fun and adventure which should still serve amply well if Jackie Chan’s recent book revelations haven’t daunted you. In Ancient China, hordes of demons are pouring into our world! The demon hunter (Jackie Chan) must brush away monstrous trespassers with magical arts, martial arts, and his own menagerie of demons. When something starts kidnapping village girls to feast on their souls, our hero encounters another demon hunter who is not fully human! This next-generation Chinese blockbuster features exciting action, wild comedy, eternal love, thrilling VFX, and revelations of a world beyond. Also starring are Ethan Juan, Elane Zhong and Peng Lin.