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ON THAT NIGHT…WHILE WE DREAM Brings Martial Arts Stardom Together In The First Official Shortfilm Trailer

Lee B. Golden III

At around this time next week, expect to hear more from the rumblings in China with Alibaba bigwig, Jack Ma, and his latest filmic musings with a kung fu line-up of big-name stars and athletes. We now have the first official trailer announcing On That Night…While We Dream, aptly hailed on poster art with the characters, Gong Shu Dao, a martial arts prose meaning Guard And Defense. A celebration of Chinese culture via martial arts is the reported goal of the new shortfilm project filmed in late Summer – a personal one at that for Ma, a disciple himself of a 19th generation Master descendant of Chens’ Taiji. That goal now reaches closer with a promo that highlights some of the work from our cast with footage from Gordon Chan’s Call Of Heroes, Donnie Yen as Ip Man, Tony Jaa in The Protector 2 and Ma’s Taijizen International founding partner […]

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GONG SHU DAO: Asian Film Giants Line-Up For A Celebration Of Kung Fu And Culture In The Latest Banner

Lee B. Golden III

It’s not everyday someone can get more than a handful of major Asian film stars and celebrated athletes in the same room to make movie history. Alibaba executive chairman and founder Jack Ma just happens to be the man who can do just that and the power he wields has since been on full display with the latest banner reveal for upcoming ten minute shortfilm, Gong Shou Dao. Action legend Jet Li forwarded the artwork via his official website and social media branches, featuring himself with Ma and a who’s who of film and sports headliners ahead of its promotion on November 11 during Alibaba’s Global Shopping Festival. The title itself (clearly advanced from its previous Master theme) takes its influences from Taiji, Kung Fu, and Martial Arts – the former notably being a paramount focus of Li’s own shared health and lifestyle platform with Ma at TaijiZen.com. “We all have […]

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GOD OF WAR: Win Yourself A Blu-Ray/DVD Combo Pack Today!

Lee B. Golden III

Gordon Chan’s latest Well Go USA arrival, God Of War is just days a way from its Blu-Ray combo pack release. If this is the first you’ve seen or heard of it, I’ll have you know that I fully attest to this one headlining Vincent Zhao and Sammo Hung together on screen with the likes of Kurata Yasuaki among its spawling cast and war epic narrative. 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 […]

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Kick Off Your Weekend With A Sammo Hung Supercut!

Lee B. Golden III

The weekend is ripe with moviegoers ready to take in some DCEU action and adventure in Patti Jenkins’s new movie, Wonder Woman. Our own Khalil Barnett will host his own review in due time, while apart from the superhero fanfare lies a little something fun for Asian cinephiles looking forward to Gordon Chan’s latest, God Of War which opens this weekend from Well Go USA. You’re more than welcome to read my review of the film which has actor Vincent Zhao starring among an ensemble cast that ceremonially includes action legend Sammo Hung. For this, Well Go USA has offered a little treat for Sammo fans in celebration of the release. Check it out below and check our local listings…and make it a double header this weekend to cover your bases!

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Review: Gordon Chan’s GOD OF WAR Unwavers With Dogma

Lee B. Golden III

It’s been a long time since I had seen a Gordon Chan film. Point in fact the last time I did was with The Medallion – demonstrably one of the lesser-impressive Jackie Chan films even for all his Hollywood hype at the time. Still we’re talking about the same guy who brought us the forever-immortalized Jet Li’s 1995-starrer, Fist Of Legend, showcasing a simplistic, clear-cut tale of wartime drama, murder mystery and intrigue, coupled with martial arts action cinema’s best and legendary in film fight scenery. No doubt though these that Chan can hold his own, apart from the complexities and advancements of film along with his own growth. While not entirely perfect, his newest epic, God Of War, offers a feasible and entertaining array of story and period cinema articulation with actor and martial artist Vincent Zhao in a starring role – something which I can wholly appreciate as […]

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GOD OF WAR: Watch The Newest Trailer For Gordon Chan’s Period War Actioner

Lee B. Golden III

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 […]

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Sammo Hung Hails THE RETURN OF THE LUCKY STARS At Filmart!

Lee B. Golden III

Having recently returned to the fray with his latest helmer, My Beloved Bodyguard and once more in front of the camera with the forthcoming God Of War among others, action legend Sammo Hung took to Filmart to announce his latest venture into international sales via Sammo Hung Films. The new banner includes a slate of exciting projects and the biggest of them currently stands with ensemble revival, The Return Of The Lucky Stars, according to news forwarded by AMP. The film series became a signature establishment in Hong Kong action movies hailing from Golden Harvest with Winners & Sinners at first with Hung starring as one of a ragtag group of ex-cons and a beautiful woman who open up a clean-up company and find themselves in the throes of gangsters. Hung topped the original crowd next to the likes of Richard Ng, John Sham, Charlie Chin and Stanley Fung for […]

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Review: CALL OF HEROES (2016) Fights And Flies Without Feigning

Lee B. Golden III

I sat down to Call Of Heroes eager to see the action direction from legendary film star Sammo Hung. And let it be a testament to bloated expectations that about twenty minutes in, I thought I was going to be disappointed. Allow me to explain. It’s the thing with wuxia for me, fantasy based martial arts that succeeds or fails like the extremes of a pendulum. It’s either choreographed so well that it’s awesome, or it reaches the level of standard and, sadly, you are made so uncomfortably aware of wires and post production work that the crew might as well be on camera in the scene. Call Of Heroes threatened, at first, to arrive like the infamous latter. I remember liking Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword Of Destiny much more than the first one (and probably because of the welcome absence of scenes like the tree “fight” notable much […]

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Cine Asia Takes Heed Of Benny Chan’s CALL OF HEROES For VoD, DVD & Blu-Ray In January

Lee B. Golden III

If there were ever an actor worthy of big screen appeal as a villain, instantly it would be actor Louis Koo as the heinous, murdering son of a General in Benny Chan’s latest home release prospect, Call Of Heroes. Action legend Sammo Hung himself directed the action headlining the riveting drama telling of a group of skilled warriors uniting against a coming threat with actors Eddie Peng, Wu Jing, Sean Lau and Liu Kai Chi delivering even more of the film’s best performances. My personal favorite action scene takes place in the second half which takes place on a bridge – a scene also exemplary of how to design action to permeate around the drama, lending further weight and credit to the film’s overall story and script. These are just a few points I’ll leave off here about the film for you to mull over while I’m more than pleased […]

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EXCLUSIVE – Tony Jaa, Wilson Yip And Sammo Hung To Seize Their FATE Starting In October

Lee B. Golden III

International action star, actor Tony Jaa drew huge attention when we broke the news of director Gary Mak’s ensemble Asian ‘Expendables’ style thriller, Makeshift Squad. The good news is that the film is still bound for production and so you need not worry there, while, and on even better terms, readers would be wise to keep an even closer eye on Jaa starting this week. As such, Film Combat Syndicate can exclusively report that a source close to the forthcoming Chinese co-production of the new action thriller, tentatively titled Fate, has cast Jaa in a yet undisclosed role. Wilson Yip, the director of the current Ip Man trilogy and other Donnie Yen vehicles in recent memory, will direct the film, thus reuniting with Jaa since serving as producer on Soi Cheang’s S.P.L. 2: A Time For Consequences (a.k.a. Kill Zone 2). In turn, Yip joins once more with SPL (2005) […]

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WellGo USA Nabs GOD OF WAR For English-Speaking Territories

Lee B. Golden III

Asian action star Vincent Zhou’s career is one that’s been on the low signal end of things for a few years now. Thankfully he’s one that’s popped up from time to time with recent titles like True Legend, Wu Dang, The Boundary and The White-Haired Witch Of Lunar Kingdom, as I’ve been a fan of his work since having spied a few of his earlier hits like Fong Sai Yuk 2, The Blacksheep Affair and Fist Power. Soon enough, he’ll be launching a full scale period epic assault on our senses with director Gordon Chan (2000 A.D., Legend Of The Fist: The Return Of Chen Zhen, The Four trilogy) for the new thriller, God Of War which opens in March of next year. Post production is underway for the film with news now out of Toronto from Variety that the film has officially been picked up for multiple English-speaking territories […]

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EXCLUSIVE: New Clip From THE BODYGUARD Shows Why You Should Never Force Yourself Into Sammo's Home

Lee B. Golden III

Action legend Sammo Hung’s latest, The Bodyguard, proved to be a bit of a hit-or-miss with some critics who’ve seen the film since its Asia release in Spring. You can read more on it in our own review courtesy of contributor Joey Min if it helps, though in fairness the buzz is still very much the same for fans still fond of the seasoned star and director here. At any rate, folks in North America can currently see the film on Digital HD as of last month. However, if physical media is more your speed, then Well Go USA have you covered with a release date officially slated for September 6 on DVD and Blu-Ray. Thus, here to help keep the buzz going is an exclusive clip featuring Hung in the lead role alongside young actress Jacqueline Chan who finds herself in a heap of trouble with a small band […]

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Review: Sammo Hung’s THE BODYGUARD (2016) Hits Hard And Fast, But Not Often

Ah geez… I really, really wanted to like this movie. Sammo Hung has been one of my greatest inspiration to pursue a career into action filmmaking. Prodigal Son, Shanghai Express, even his Martial Law series are some of the staple action movies and shows of my childhood; but sadly, The Bodyguard (a.k.a. My Beloved Bodyguard) falls in between a love and hate relationship for me. As I’ve said before, I wanted to like this movie. Right from the start, I was ready to have my heartstrings plucked with the idea of Ding (Sammo Hung) being an old soldier that lost his granddaughter, but it just sets up these forced, cutesy scenes with Cherry (Jacquelin Chan), the young daughter of his neighbor, Li (Andy Lau). When Li tries to erase the debt he has with the local gang, Ding has to protect Cherry, who becomes his atonement for not saving his own granddaughter, […]

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Watch The Newest Trailer For Benny Chan's CALL OF HEROES

Lee B. Golden III

There’s no mistake in asserting that director Benny Chan’s Call Of Heroes is one that fans will be clammoring for in the coming months. With action Sammo Hung directing the ferocious action sequences and a cast led by notable thesps like Sean Lau, Louis Koo, Wu Jing and Eddie Peng, what we currently see in the trailers looks all the more promising, making this moreso a matter of time than anything. August 18 is the date in Hong Kong when we will finally our heroes called upon as they defend their village against a tyrannical warlord amid the crimes of a murderous, unwanted visitor being jailed for his crimes. Check out the trailer below, and while you’re at it, be sure to snag a look at the various character posters beneath! View post on imgur.com

REVIEW: Rise Of The Legend (2016) – “…I CANNOT DIE.”

Lee B. Golden III

Wong Fei-hung has been the subject of over one hundred films and television series, and you’d be forgiven for assuming the he was a fictional character for the way his story, a historical rubric, has been so romantically portrayed. Notable martial arts film stars including Sammo Hung and Jet Li have appeared as Fei-hung onscreen, the former for a brief turn in 2004’s Around The World In 80 Days and the latter in the Once Upon A Time in China series (1991). The 1993 film Iron Monkey featured Angie Tsang as a young Wong Fei-hung, a folk hero who, if you know your wuxia history, will grow up to become Jackie Chan in Drunken Master (1978). Kwan Tak-hing would play him the following year in Magnificent Butcher, and again in 76 other films – making a career of it. “Kwan who, sucka? My name is Wong!” In a word, Wong […]

RISE OF THE LEGEND Comes Home On U.S. DVD And Blu-Ray On May 24

Lee B. Golden III

Expect some more coverage on director Roy Chow’s 2014 treatment, Rise Of The Legend. For this, Well Go USA is proudly releasing the film to home platforms on May 24 with a five-part behind-the-scenes featurette and more as per their newest announcent. The film truly is epic and I still carry high hopes that this will get a follow-up. It’s hugely deserved. My review is over HERE, but stay tuned for more updates and opinion. View post on imgur.com PLANO, TEXAS. (April 12, 2016) – Martial Arts legend Sammo Hung (Ip Man 2) takes on Eddie Peng (Unbeatable), pegged by The Hollywood Reporter as “a serious contender for Next Great Martial Arts Star,” in Director Chow Hin Yeung’s epic action drama RISE OF THE LEGEND, debuting on Blu-ray™ and DVD May 24 from Well Go USA Entertainment. The story follows a powerful martial arts master (Peng) returning to the town […]

The Noble Review: THE BODYGUARD (2016)

Lee B. Golden III

Sammo Hung plays Ding, a retired Beijing bodyguard, who is now living in a small town situated in the northeast of China on the border of Russia and North Korea. His character suffers from dementia and is plagued with guilt from a past experience. In this story, he befriends a young girl, Jacqueline Chen – the daughter of troubled Andy Lau. Thus, as Andy Lau gets in trouble with a lethal gang, Sammo has deep involvement through his special relationship with the young girl. Overall, The Bodyguard is a solid dramatic action film. It is the first time Sammo has directed a film for about twenty years, so it’s been a while coming. It is heavier on the drama than the action but for this film, this is a good film. The first hour of the film has very little in terms of fight sequences. This didn’t bother me. I […]

Sammo Hung And Andy Lau Lay Tracks In Two Music Videos For MY BELOVED BODYGUARD

Lee B. Golden III

Depending on what songs you listen to, action legend Sammo Hung’s new movie, My Beloved Bodyguard (a.k.a. The Bodyguard) can bode either as a fun and family-friendly flick or a poignant and brutal action thriller. On its face, however, is the insistence of both given the trailers we’ve seen and so there’s no doubt that the film will be a see-saw of emotion throughout, and that also comes in the wake of two music videos circulating online ahead of the film’s release Co-star, actor and singing sensation Andy Lau performs the first song titled “Forgive Me”, with second titled “Grandfather’s Love Letter”, as performed by Hung and young talent, Jessica Liu. My Beloved Bodyguard opens next week throughout Asia. (Hat tip to Said Chaou for contributing to this article)

Well Go USA Nabs Benny Chan's CALL OF HEROES

Lee B. Golden III

Louis Koo in “Call Of Heroes” Like clockwork and in a move that only makes sense to martial arts genre fans in the U.S. alike, word from Variety states that Well Go USA has snagged the rights to director Benny Chan’s Call Of Heroes which opens in China later this year. The film looks certainly worth celebrating as well with a cast headlined by Louis Koo who stars as the ultimate villain, specifically as the prisoner of a village now targeted by his warlord father. You can sample a little of this right now in the most recent trailer which glimmers with stunning period action and spectacle with fight choreography by none other than Sammo Hung. Joining Koo are Sean Lau, Eddie Peng, Sammy Hung, Wu Jing, actress Yuan Quan and actor Liu Kai-Chi. Nine other territories have also acquired the film, including Germany, Benelux, the U.K., Indonesia, Vietnam, Taiwan, […]

Sammo Hung's MY BELOVED BODYGUARD Gets A Thrilling New Trailer

Lee B. Golden III

Film multi-hyphenate Sammo Hung will be nobody’s fool on April 1 when it comes to laying a pure smackdown, as we’ve clearly seen him do in footage for the upcoming action thriller, My Beloved Bodyguard. Henceforth, China will have its chance to catch the film on April 1 with further releases pending in Hong Kong and Singapore, the U.S. and so on, and we now have a second trailer that delves further into the intensity of the story and fisticuffs that ensue. Not selling itself short on starpower though, you get Hung joined by a cast that includes Andy Lau, Hu Jun and Feng Jia-Yi, and a line-up of famous faces that include Yuen Wah, Yuen Biao, Dean Shek, Karl Maka and Tsui Hark to name a few. Of course, in dealing in all the action is Hung who stars as a retired soldier waining from age and dementia as […]