john woo

John Woo’s MANHUNT Hails The ‘Return Of The Maestro’ In The New International Teaser Trailer

It was back in 2010 when acclaimed Asian action auteur, John Woo, received the Golden Lion for Career Achievement in Venice. It was also right around when he had completed the 2008/09 war epic, Red Cliff, nearly fifteen years following a post-Hong Kong crossover career into Hollywood that saw him directing a litany of titles that continue to pale in comparison to Woo’s glory days of heroic bloodshed and bullet ballet crime thrillers like A Better Tomorrow and Hard Boiled. It’s an era that fans have never forgotten. It is also one that stands as the perpetual driving force for Woo’s latest return to form, Manhunt, hailing from Media Asia this week in an ambitious remake effort inspired by Sato Junya’s 1976 film adaptation of Nishimura Juko’s earlier novel, “Hot Pursuit” which has Zhang Hanyu (Operation Mekong) leading the cast opposite Fukuyama Masaharu Fukuyama (Like Father, Like Son), and actresses […]

Review: REIGN OF ASSASSINS Hits Its Mark With Neither Flaw Nor Pretense

Lee B. Golden III

Set during the Ming dynasty, Su Chao Pin and co-director John Woo’s Reign of Assassins splashes onto the screen in the epic bravado of mythos, setting up the history of the Bodhi Kung Fu discipline; a fight system and martial philosophy developed by the powerful Indian Buddhist Monk Bodhi, who, as the legend tells it, went on a sacred exodus 800 years ago from India to China. It is said that when Bodhi died, it came to the subject of belief that his remains contained mystical powers, and from there a tradition flourished that whomever held possession of Grandmaster Bodhi’s remains would “rule the martial arts world.” At the start of the narrative, the last person to possess the remains, thief and assassin Xi Yu/Drizzle (Kelly Lin) of the Dark Stone clan, flees her group and disappears. She sees the renowned plastic surgeon Dr. Li (Shih-Chieh Chin) to change her […]

John Woo's MANHUNT Begins Principal Photography!

Lee B. Golden III

It’s a great time to be a John Woo fan if you’ve been nostaligic in recent time. As per the hype, expect his return to glory with the new cinematic re-adaptation, Manhunt which is now underway in Osaka, Japan and scheduled through October this year. Screendaily writes of the confirmed cast with actor Hanyu Zhang and Fukuyama Masaharu leading, based on Sato Junya’s 1976 film adaptation of Nishimura Juko’s earlier novel, “Hot Pursuit”, in which a lawyer must set out to clear his name after being framed and wrongfully accused of robbery, rape and multiple murders. Producers Chan Hing Kai (A Better Tomorrow) and Gordon Chan (Painted Skin) wrote the script with Zhang and Fukuyama joined by actresses Ha Ji-Won and Qi Wei. The ensemble cast rounds out with a list of seasoned and upcoming faces like actor Kurata Yasuaki (So Close) Kunimura Jun (Kill Bill, The Wailing) and Takenaka Naoto (Gonin Saga, […]

John Woo’s ONCE A THIEF Resets With New Cast, Stephen Fung Starring And Directing

Lee B. Golden III

Acclaimed director John Woo’s 1991 heist comedy, Once A Thief, may not share the usual “heroic bloodshed” tropes usually present in his other films, but it still remains a signature classic among ardent Hong Kong cinephiles. So, if you’re feeling at all nostalgic after this update, feel free to pop it in your DVD player and reminisce a bit before the remake comes. That’s right, the revamp is moving forward as a China/French co-production with Woo cohort Terence Chang producing following earlier updates in 2014. Actor and filmmaker Stephen Fung will helm as well as star alongside The Assassin star, actress Shu Qi and The Monkey King 2 co-star William Feng. The original, prior to Woo’s lesser-received Canadian CTV rendition in 1996, starred Chow Yun Fat, actress Cheire Cheung and actor and singer Leslie Cheung as a trio of international thieves who plot to get even when a powerful crimeboss […]

The Year Hong Kong Collided With Hollywood

The Long Road Starting as early as the mid-80’s, the Hong Kong film industry was making some inroads into Hollywood. Maybe it was the insane amount of money being casually tossed around… or maybe it was the giant communist nation that was set to retake control of it within the next ten years; whatever the reason, the biggest action film producer in Asia was looking to branch out. Seasonal Films led the charge with crossover B-movies like No Retreat No Surrender (1986), American Shaolin (1991) and Superfights (1995). The films possessed a so-bad-its-good quality that make them great fodder today but didn’t make enough of a splash in their day to move the needle. America just wasn’t ready for this much awesome Even the mighty Jackie Chan, already an international star, fell on his face when he tried to break into Hollywood with The Protector (1985). The film bombed so […]

John Woo's MANHUNT Confirms Two Leads

Lee B. Golden III

Names began swirling some casting news earlier this week with word that four actors were possibly up for roles in Media Asia’s forthcoming remake, Manhunt, from director John Woo. As of now though, the news reads as official with actors Zhang Hanyu and Fukuyama Masaharu set to lead the film when cameras commence rolling in May. The film advances from director Sato Junya’s 1976 film adaptation of Nishimura Juko’s earlier novel, “Hot Pursuit”, in which a lawyer must set out to clear his name after being framed and wrongfully accused of robbery, rape and multiple murders. Chan Hing Kai (A Better Tomorrow) and Gordon Chan (Painted Skin) are wtiting the script while Media Asia are tending to their slate at HK Filmart 2016. A third casting addition may be announced in the next few months as for whether or not actress Ha Ji-Won or actor Lee Byung-hun, or others will […]

Woo's MANHUNT Casts Zhang, Lee And Ha For Filming In June

Lee B. Golden III

Reportedly, casting is under way for Media Asia’s forthcoming production of the Japanese crime classic remake, Manhunt. For this, Apple Daily cites a diverse set of names with The Taking Of Tiger Mountain and Special ID co-star Hanyu Zhang along with South Korean leading man Lee Byung-Hun and actresses Ha Ji-Won as among the current crop to star. The film, once an adaptation of Nishimura Juko’s 1976 novel from director Sato Junya and starring the now departed Ken Takakura, centers on a lawyer who must set out to clear his name after being wrongfully accused and framed for robbery, rape and multiple murders. Details on how the remake with furbish things for the plot are nil at the moment as news on this film has been building for months now, and the Apple Daily report boasts a pretty meaty cast worth mettle while we await to find out more on Rurouni […]

John Woo To Remake His Bullet Ballet Classic, THE KILLER, In 2016

Lee B. Golden III

It was back in the Spring that celebrated film legend, director John Woo, announced his return to action with the forthcoming remake of Japanese crime thriller, Manhunt. This week however, appears to be a continuing pivot on that particular turning point with word now making the rounds that he’ll be looking forward to a remake of his ceremonious Hong Kong action classic, The Killer. The original film was released in 1989 and heralded as a signature title for the director’s stylish vision as per the era of Hong Kong cinema at the time. It starred Chow Yun-Fat as a top hitman who takes on one more job to pay for a surgery for an unwitting victim caught in the crossfire while on the run from a detective hot on his tail. 71: Into The Fire co-writer/director John H. Lee who is currently aboard Taewon Entertainment’s WW2 drama, Operation Chromite, was […]

Woo Teams With Catalyst For West-Meets-East Crime Series, COGNITION

Lee B. Golden III

Hong Kong action maestro John Woo is currently among an ensemble cast of seasoned veterans currently working on the eight part cinematic Hong Kong anthology, 8 And A Half. In the meantime, he’ll be seugueing back to television as of this week with newly-formed London company, Catalyst Global Media for the new West-meets-East neo-noir crime series, Cognition. The show will focus on an ex-detective who arrives to Asia for an experimental treatment that will hopefully target the painful decade of memories from a failed serial killer investigation believed to have induced his cancer, only to end up relieving the same trauma when copycat crimes begin to occur. Woo, whose directorial credits range from Hong Kong classics like The Killer and A Better Tomorrow to titles like Face/Off, Red Cliff and The Crossing 1 and 2, is executive producing the series with partner Terence Chang and executive producer Lori Tilkin. Misfits […]

Is Roel Reiné Directing A HARD TARGET Sequel?

Lee B. Golden III

Much ado has been said among fans for a potential sequel to action auteur John Woo‘s 1993 Hollywood feature, Hard Target. It felt more like a standalone actioner on its face, really, but that doesn’t mean following up would be impossible. Lead actor and action star Jean-Claude Van Damme is all for sequels to any number of his previous milestone hits, what with Hard Target having futher embedded his place as a Hollywood legend. So, if the latest report from Nu is true following earlier blurbs from the set of Van Damme’s China set on Pound Of Flesh, it’s no real surprise and I’m certain that nostalgic fans will surely appreciate this latest offering, now with The Man With The Iron Fists 2 and The Admiral helmer Roel Reiné in the director’s chair. However, there’s at least one catch. Reiné is reportedly set to begin shooting Hard Target 2 in […]

John Woo Returns To Action In 2015 For MANHUNT

Lee B. Golden III

Masterful action auteur John Woo‘s most recent efforts with the two-part romantic epic, The Crossing, met some lackluster commerical results upon its release late last year while its second half could arrive in May. In the meantime, the legendary director is refilling his plate once more following updates from the blurbosphere in lieu of this month’s events at the Hong Kong FilMart where Media Asia unveiled a new poster announcing their development for the new revamp of a classic Japanese novel and its proceeding film. Manhunt is the name of the film which doesn’t have a cast yet, but bodes excellently as an action thriller that centers on a lawyer who must set out to clear his name after being wrongfully accused and framed for robbery, rape and multiple murders. An adaptation of late author Nishimura Juko’s classic novel, Kimi yo Funnu no Kawa o Watare from publisher Tokuma Shoten […]

Johnnie To Headlines Alongside List Of Acclaimed Directors For An Eight-Part Hong Kong History Epic

Lee B. Golden III

It’s imaginable to be excited these days if you’re a fan of acclaimed Hong Kong filmmaker Johnnie To. The Triangle and Blind Detective helmer is already the prime subject of a remake effort over at Sony for his 2009 crime pic, Vengeance these days, although if a wee bit of Hong Kong history and some martial arts are your preference these days, then you’re in luck. Word from Twitchfilm states that To will be heading an 8-part anthology ensemble project, focusing on Hong Kong’s history within the last seven decades, with each portion attributed to seven other legendary directors, namely reuniting with fellow Triangle co-helmers Tsui Hark and Ringo Lam, in addition to attaching Ann Hui, Patrick Tam, John Woo, Sammo Hung and Yuen Woo-Ping. The project is reportedly one of three newly announced titles in development under To‘s watch, including a new crime pic with Drug War star Louis […]

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. […]

KEITH MIN: METHOD MAN

Lee B. Golden III

(Originally posted 2/5/13) Born Jae Ha Min (재 하 민) in Seoul, South Korea on October 18, 1983, Keith Min is the second youngest in his family, having a brother and 3 sisters. At the tender age of three, Keith and his family came here to America, where his mother introduced him to Hapkido when he turned four, under the tutilage of Master Chang. From grade school through high school, Keith’s speech therapist recommended he take drama to help improve his English. He participated in speech competitions, and even took up drama projects for school, such as musicals and a short film about Asian Americans. Ironically, as much as he enjoys acting, he expressed he does not intend on becoming an actor. Nowadays, he shares bigger dreams in performing stunts on film. Keith loves all kinds of movies, such as “Die Hard”, “Lethal Weapon”, “Alien”, “Nightmare On Elm Street”, “The […]