Film auteur John Woo’s latest return to the helm with action thriller, Manhunt, hasn’t been the most celebrated, critically. At best, the reviews are a mix and it’ll also be a neat viewing for loyal fans and completists still keen on his work or interested in seeing a multilingual thriller that promises something in some capacity. Zhang Hanyu and Fukuyama Masaharu star.
For now though, it’s Jonathan Li’s latest directotial debut that has taken shape with the anticipated theatrical release of The Brink, headlining Zhang and fellow star Shawn Yue in the story of a daring cop on a relentless mission to bring down a high seas gold smuggling operation. Wu Yue and Kurata Yasuaki and actresses Janice Man and Cecilia So also star for the film’s release on November 10 and with that, we have the newest trailer making the rounds and asserting in us a certifiable reminder that Zhang isn’t leaving us anytime soon no matter what color his hair is.
It’s a well-deserved feat to enjoy and one definitely worth not passing up ahead of its October 17 release. Of course, you don’t have to wait to purchase it, you can snag your own as of right now with our latest batch of giveaways. Just send us an e-mail to filmcombatsyndicate@gmail.com with GOD OF WAR in the subject header, and your name and address in the email body. For good measure, feel free to throw in a little bit about your favorite movie with either starring actor mentioned above.
Director and co-star Chapman To’s new feature drama, The Empty Hands, is warming up to a showing at the Hong Kong Asian Film Festival this month before opening in November. Trading in her pop idol image for that of a stoic, tempered athlete is lead actress Stephy Tang who plays an unwitting Karate school heiress looking to sell her late father’s school until she learns 51% of the business was left to one of his worst pupils.
Legendary actor Kurata Yasuaki makes his latest reunion with Chan here as the leader of the Matsura clan, Kumasawa, next to the Daimyo’s son, Yamagawa, played by Koide Keisuke. Kumasawa’s methods are of a matter of study from a long career of war with wisdom earned as a result, knowing not to underestimate his enemy unlike his cohorts, including Yamagawa who, despite his quiet resolve and stoic devotion to the samurai code, finds himself questioning Kumasawa’s logic to almost no avail.
I can’t speak too highly of what we’re sampling these days in director Gordon Chan’s new movie, God Of War. It looks pretty dull and unappealing and doesn’t really boast anything slick or eye-popping, although I suppose the additions of Vincent Zhao, Sammo Hung and Kurata Yasuaki for this 16th century tale of Chinese soldiers battling Japanese pirates helps with the much-needed fan service a bit.
The legend of the famous Chinese military general of the Ming dynasty, Qi Jiguang, who leads the Ming forces to defend the eastern coast of China from raids by the Japanese pirates. During the late Ming period, corruption within the local government and repeated invasions at the Chinese coast left soldiers in low morale and local villagers living in misery. General Qi, together with Yu Dayou, stepped in with their recruitment of three thousand Yiwu villagers. In just a few days of disciplined trainingby drilling, using advanced weapons and fine tactical deployment, came the first ever “special forces” – also known as the famous “Qi Army”.
The film is gearing up for a release in China on May 27 with other territories pending. Looking past all else, it’s great to see Zhao again as rare as we get to see him on camera these days and God Of War will hopefully service the masses much better in its delivery than at present.
Check out the new subtitled trailer below!
Martial arts legends Sammo Hung and Vincent Zhao (Once upon a Time in China IV &V,The Blade) team up in this period war action extravaganza about how Chinese general Qi Jiguang defeated Japanese pirates that proliferated along the Chinese coastline during the 16th century with unique stratagems and maverick tactics.
