kung fu cinema

Shout! Factory Continue To Empty Wallets With Another Fantastic Shaw Brothers Box-Set

Shout! Factory continues to surprise martial arts cinema fans with their extensive catalog of Shaw Brothers titles as they deliver SHAW BROTHERS CLASSICS, VOL. 5 in early 2025. This time we get a slew of films spanning from 1967 to 1971, an era of Shaw Studios that some – including myself – may be somewhat unfamilar with. Mission Impossible, for example, has only ever been avaialble on the Zii Eagle (look it up!) prior to this release. This is a special one folks. From Shout!: TWELVE DEADLY COINS (1080p High-Definition Widescreen (2.35:1) / Mandarin DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Dual Mono / 89 min.) A treacherous ambush on a cargo team, the theft of a fortune’s worth of gold, and the quest to retrieve it have roots in a twenty-year-old feud between two brothers, and the seemingly unstoppable martial arts technique known as “Twelve Deadly Coins.” VENGEANCE IS A GOLDEN BLADE […]

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)

Shaun Williams

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 […]

Vinegar Syndrome Brings Jet Li’s MY FATHER IS A HERO To US Shores

Shaun Williams

Boutique Blu-ray specialists, Vinegar Syndrome, anoounced their new slate of releases today and Corey Yuen’s 1995 wire-fu classic, My Father is a Hero, is amongst them. The film stars Jet Li, Anita Mui, and Xie Miao. While it was recently released as part of a Blu-ray three-pack by Eureka! Entertainment, this is the official US release. Previously, it was only available in the form of Miramax’s godawful rebrand , The Enforcer. Complete with horrific dub and horrific score. Vinegar Syndrome’s release will be freshly restored and a breath of fresh air in comparison. Gong Wei is an undercover cop living in mainland China. He is so deep undercover that his own wife and son don’t even know he’s a cop. After a mid-level gangster nicknamed Blackie is arrested, Wei is ordered by his superiors to help Blackie escape back to Hong Kong in an attempt to gain his trust and infiltrate his […]

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The Shaws Keep Comin’! 88 Films Drops Two Classics On Blu-Ray, This October

Shaun Williams

If I can quote one of Mad Max: Fury Road’s War Boys for a second, “Oh, what a day! What a lovely day!” The Shaw Brothers Blu-rays continue to roll in as the wonderful folks at 88 Films recently announced their October slate. What are we getting this time around? Well, for kung fu cinema fans, they’re releasing the bonafide classic, The Kung Fu Instructor, as well as the quirky martial arts comedy, Kid from Kwangtung. You can find synopses for the films below: Kung Fu Instructor: In this bitterly divided town, there’s no middle ground; you’re either with one side or the other – cross the line and face dire consequences. One clan hires a kung fu master – played by the great Ti Lung (A Better Tomorrow) – to break the stalemate, but he’s nobody’s servant and his loyalties can’t be bought so easily… Inspired by Kurosawa’s Yojimbo and Sergio Leone’s […]

THE CRIPPLED MASTERS Is A Kung Fu Classic For All The Right Reasons

Shaun Williams

These days, if a film were to heavily feature, say, someone in a wheelchair (besides, perhaps, Charles Xavier), it wouldn’t be long before it was bombarded with cries of “woke!” or “leftism gone mad!”. Back in 1980, this wasn’t the case. In fact, in 1980, exploitation cinema was still thriving. These films often toed the line, highlighting more taboo subjects, such as sex crimes, racism, homosexuality and, of course, extreme violence, as well as many more. Exploitation became its own genre, despite being comprised of several other genres. There’s action exploitation, horror exploitation, Blaxploitation, exploitation porn (which seems redundant, I suppose)… The list goes on. Kung fu cinema has always been mildly exploitational. Or at least it’s gently held hands with exploitation throughout its existence. Sammo Hung often liked to make his films gritty with the inclusion of a rape scene or two, many martial arts films feature animal cruelty, […]

88 Films Delivers More Kung Fu Classics This September!

Shaun Williams

88 FILMS are on fire lately. Not only did they announce a new slate of Shaw Brothers releases mere days ago, they just announced the release of two kung fu classics (and a saucy CAT III collection which I won’t touch upon here). Both are set to land this September. The first of the two is Jackie Chan’s 1978 film, MAGNIFICENT BODYGUARDS. This early effort, directed by frquent Chan collaborator, Lo Wei, has something a bit unique to it as it was originally released in 3-D. Well, 88 Films’ upcoming Blu-Ray will also be in 3-D. No word on technical specs yet so exactly how it’ll be in 3-D is unknown. Looks like this will be quite the drop for physical media enthusiasts. Secondly, another martial arts legend gets a release in the form of Yuen Woo-Ping’s TAI CHI MASTER (originally released as Twin Warriors in the US). Jet Li (Fist of Legend) stars alongside Michelle Yeoh (Crouching Tiger, […]

88 Films Dips Back Into The SHAW BROTHERS Vault For Three New Blu-Ray Releases

Shaun Williams

It’s a great time to be alive if you’re a Hong Kong cinema fans. 88 Films have announced three new Blu-Ray releases for September 10th, including an unsung gem of kung fu cinema. The announcement includes TO KILL A MASTERMIND, THE SHADOW BOXING and THE GOLDEN LOTUS. As a genre fan, it’s incredible to see these Blu-Ray companies picking up some of the more obscure Shaw Brothers titles. To Kill a Mastermand, in particular, has only previously been available via shoddy bootleg DVD, so for that one to finally get a release really is something special. You can read the synopsis and view the cover art for these upcoming releases below: Although most famous for their kung fu movies, Hong Kong’s legendary Shaw Brothers studio made more than just chop socky; taken from a (famously saucy) classic novel, Golden Lotus is an epic tale of a passionate – and sometimes destructive – love […]

Arrow Video Unleashes Wuxia Heavy SHAWSCOPE VOL. 3 In November

Shaun Williams

If you find a very, very quiet spot today – maybe a closet or a bathroom – and listen carefully, you can hear the agonizing shrieks of kung fu cinema fans’ wallets as today’s the day Arrow Video officially announced the release of SHAWSCOPE VOL. 3, their third Blu-Ray box-set of classic Shaw Brothers films. But genre fans need not empty their bank accounts just yet, as the set will be releasing on November 26th. Plenty of time to scrape together the necessary funds. Early buzz among Blu-Ray enthusiasts suggested Volume 3 may be a horror-centric set but that doesn’t seem to be the case at all. This time around, Arrow is focusing on swordplay with films like The Sentimental Swordsman and the iconic One-Armed Swordsman trilogy. You can see the full ist of fims below: One-Armed Swordsman trilogy Lady Hermit Intimate Confessions of a Chinese Courtesan The 14 Amazons The […]

88 Films Bombards Us With Action With Their June/July/August Slate

Shaun Williams

British Blu-Ray distributor, 88 FILMS, have been delivering the goods with their martial arts action releases for years now and they’re showing no signs of stopping any time soon. Physical Media fans have a lot to look forwards to over the next few months as 88 Films are set to hit us with a veritable avalanche of classic Hong Kong action flicks. Check out their slate below: JUNE Fist of Legend (6/24) – Everyone and their dog knows this film. Considered Jet Li’s best by many, it tells the story of Chen Zhen (also portrayed by Bruce Lee in Fist of Fury) fighting off the evil Japanese. Features fight choreography from Yuen Woo Ping and a fantastic villain in the form of Billy Chow. Availaiable on both Blu-Ray and 4K UHD. To Kill Wih Intrigue (TBD) – While a date hasn’t been set in stone for this one, most people are leaning […]

Terror Vision Gives Kung Fu Cinema Lovers A Rare Gift – AN OLD KUNG FU MASTER On Blu Ray!

Shaun Williams

Terror Vision is doing the Lord’s work. Not only are they releasing a steady stream of rare horror gems; they’ve well and truly dipped their toes into kung fu cinema. Two months ago they released the quirky Barry Chan flick, Game of Killers, and this month we get a Blu Ray of the Yuen Siu Tien (Drunken Master, Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow) starring old school gem, AN OLD KUNG FU MASTER. In full remastered glory, no less. Those that don’t know Yuen Siu Tien may have head of one of his sons – legendary direction and fight choreographer, Yuen Woo Ping (The Matrix, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Drgon). In fact, all of his sons are established names in Hong Kong action cinema and, collectively, are known as the Yuen Clan. Yuen Siu Tien starred in almost 350 films during his lengthy career, including countless kung fu classics. Sadly, An Old Kung Fu Master was the […]

Film Masters Release The Controversial Kung Fu Classic, THE CRIPPLED MASTERS, This July

Shaun Williams

Controversy isn’t really something one might associate with the kung fu cinema genre. The infamous “Cantonese comedy” found in the classics of yesteryear may be a little on the distasteful side, but it’s easy to say “It’s a product of its time” and move on with your day. However, one martial arts film sticks out like a sore thumb when it comes to distastefulness – 1980’s THE CRIPPLED MASTERS. Over the years, this one’s only been accessible on VHS and DVD’s that were basically shoddy VHS rips, but now, for the the first time, it gets a crisp, remastered Blu Ray from Film Masters. Why the controversy? The Crippled Masters stars Frankie Shum (Shun Chung-Chuen) and Jack Conn (Thomas Hong Chiu-Ming), two disabled martial artists as the titular “masters” and focuses heavily on their impairments. Whether the film celebrates inclusivity or not is purely up to the viewer, but it’s safe to […]

The FU FOR THOUGHT Podcast Schedule – A Mega Mix of Martial Arts Mayhem!

Shaun Williams

One of the perks of writing for a website is that I get to promore my YouTube channel to our wonderful readers. If you don’t know already, I host a podcast called Fu for Thought (see what I did there?). Fu for Thought is a bi-weekly – that’s one every two weeks and not twice a week – martial arts cinema concept where I sit down with my wife, Devan, and my best bud, Cyrus, and we review a martial arts movie. The original aim of the podcast was to get the two of them into the genre. They’re both absolute philistines when it comes to wonderful world of Shaw Brothers, Golden Harvest etc. One hundred and thirty one episodes in and…well…it’s been an interesting journey. I semi-won one of them other. The other, not so much. That means I continue my quest… Oe of my tasks as main host, (kinda) producer and (not […]

Anticipation Grows As Soi Cheang’s TWILIGHT OF THE WARRIORS: WALLED IN Teaser Drops

Shaun Williams

To say Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In has martial arts cinema fans champing at the bit would be an understatement. The film, directed by Soi Cheang (Limbo), and starring Raymond Lam (Saving General Yang), Richie Jen (Seoul Raiders), Louis Koo (Paradox), Sammo Hung (Ip Man 2) and Philip Ng (Once Upon a Time in Shanghai) was met with immediate anticipation as soon as it was announced back in 2021. In fact, the film garnered buzz as far back as 2013 when Donnie Yen was rumored to star. Fast forward a decade and here we are, finally getting a taste of what we might see from legendary Action Director, Kenji Tanigaki. I think I can comfortably say that fans won’t be disappointed! While a few snaps of Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In‘s FILMART promo poster made it to Instagram yesterday, Chinese website and newspaper, Ming Pao, posted this teaser late in the […]

Hey NYC! Celebrate VENGEANCE IS HIS: CHANG CHEH’S MARTIAL LORE At Quad Cinema Beginning May 23!

Lee B. Golden III

Further signaling the justice done by the American Genre Film Archive, New York City residents and kung fu fanatics will have the opportunity to endulge in a week-long entree of classic delights at the Quad Cinema for Vengeance is His: Chang Cheh’s Martial Lore. Co-presented by the New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF), the seven-day festivities kick off on May 23 through 29 with a list of up to 14 classic titles embodying the film life and legend of the celebrated filmmaker during his tenure at the iconic film studio. As the storied Shaw Brothers began to transform the Hong Kong film industry in the 1950s, a new golden age was on the horizon. At the vanguard of it was director Chang Cheh. The martial arts action in his movies was awe-inspiring—and so too was his career. “Prolific” barely does justice to a director who averaged a half-dozen movies annually during […]

AGFA, Shaw Bros. To Re-Release Old School Kung Fu Titles Theatrically In 2018

Lee B. Golden III

Some of us haven’t had the experience of enjoying old school kung fu in a theatrical setting. I’m an 80s baby myself and my own fandom didn’t take shape until I was old enough to go to video stores or bear witness Dimension’s crossover releases in the 90s. Fast forward to present day America and with what’s reportedly set to commence this year courtesy of the American Genre Film Archive in its latest partnership with Hong Kong-based Shaw Brothers Studios for the theatrical rollout of thrity 35mm restorations this year. Variety reported the exclusive last week listing titles such as: The 36th Chamber of Shaolin The Avenging Eagle Bastard Swordsman Black Magic 2 Blood Brothers The Boxer’s Omen The Brave Archer Buddha’s Palm Come Drink With Me Crippled Avengers Dirty Ho The Duel The Eight Diagram Pole Fighter The Five Venoms Golden Swallow The Heroic Ones Holy Flame of the […]

Well Go USA: Hi-YAH! Is Coming! Ya Herrrrrd???

Lee B. Golden III

Well Go USA is more than happy to oblige anyone with an affinity toward films of the Asian and action variety. Such is their speciality with their resumé including imports like the Police Story: Lockdown, Flash Point, Kundo, the upcoming home releases of Mojin: The Lost Legend and Roy Chow’s refurbished Wong Fei-Hung origin epic, Rise Of The Legend and this weekend’s release of Ip Man 3 to name a few. I don’t know about you but I would love to see these titles expanded on television, and there are several channels and networks partaking in that affect. Well, you can now add another to the list with Well Go bringing their latest efforts together on January 26 with Hi-YAH, for Playstation owners via cloud-based VUE service as per the new era of cord-cutting for online consumers.The following press release has more: Plano, TX (January 23, 2016) – Well Go USA […]

Terracotta Distribution Releases HERO OF SHAOLIN On DVD Next Week

Lee B. Golden III

If you’re familiar with Terracotta, then you might be more familiar with the company’s place in the UK’s Asian Cinema niche as hosts to Terracotta Far East Film Festival, reportedly the biggest event of its kind in London. As of next week however, Terracotta will be stepping forward next week with distribution of its fresh new line of classic 80’s kung fu features in pristine high quality video with English dub with the release of the 1984 film, Hero Of Shaolin, starring Alexander Lo Rei. SYNOPSIS: A troop of monks from the Shaolin Temple embark on a mission to get the Golden Sutra to Tibet after the Shaolin Abbot is killed by their traitorous teacher. They are joined on their quest by a beautiful, female warrior – with aims to avenge her father’s death. They traverse forests and mountains on their mission, all the while fighting off deadly ninja assassins, […]

Celebrate An Evening With JIMMY WONG YU In New York City Next Month!

Lee B. Golden III

The enduring spirit of kung fu cinema will be revisited next month when Subway Cinema and The Film Society of Lincoln Center gathers the community for an evening celebration in honor of legendary award-winning actor Jimmy Wong Yu. The actor, best known for his breakout role in the One-Armed Swordsman franchise among other films, hails from the vintage Shaw Brothers era as one of the most integral and influential people in the genre, and with New York City often home for these kinds of star-studded events, if you’re in the area, now would be a good time to take notice! The Film Society of LINCOLN Center and Subway Cinema, in association with Taipei Cultural Center of TECO in New York, announce An Evening with Jimmy Wong Yu on November 11 at the Walter Reade Theater. The legendary Taiwanese actor will be presented with the New York Asian Film Festival’s esteemed […]

IRON MONK Crowdfunding Campaign Heads To INDIEGOGO!

Lee B. Golden III

Actor and producer Jason Ninh Cao is working hard and heavy these days to help push his latest crowdfunder for the new film Iron Monk, his latest contemporary action drama spiritual paying tribute to the classic kung fu films of yesteryear. The film marks a first for Cao whose longstanding friendship with 34th generation martial arts master and Shaolin monk, Shifu Yanzi Shi, has become the central driving force to bring a new face kung fu cinema, in conjunction with a wholesome message; You can read much more about what Cao had to say on the eve of this year’s Shaolin Cultural Festival in our latest interview by CLICKING HERE. As of Tuesday though, the Iron Monk crowdfunding campaign platform has since been transferred to Indiegogo from its initial Kickstarter page. Crowdsourcing is never easy for virtually anyone, especially for independent filmmakers and producers in this economic climate where new […]

Get Ready For Iron Dragon TV In September!

Lee B. Golden III

Martial arts action cinema is currently getting another revival as of next month. Multi-faceted actress, stunt professional and media mogul Janell Smith, acting CEO of Iron Dragon Productions is leveling up this September for the launch of a new television network. The new network purports the longstanding brand she has carried since her early start in personal fitness. On top of being a film fan and her on-set experience, Smith herself is also a purveyor of several martial arts styles, including Tukong Moosul – based on its roots in South Korean military commando training. And with her growing credentials in entertainment, it’s clear to see how deserving she is of this opportunity, and I look forward to seeing what happens with her future endeavors with Iron Dragon TV. SAN JOSE, Calif.– (BUSINESS WIRE) — NanoTech Entertainment (OTC Pink:NTEK), a pioneer in bringing state-of-the-art television experiences to consumers, announced today that […]