simon yam

Streaming Sleepers: Killers And Killer Gimmicks Run Amuck In Chris Huo’s THE COMEBACK

The Comeback is currently streaming on Hi-YAH!, and is available on Digital from Well Go USA. Mainland action titles tend to fall by the wayside for me. This is mainly because I don’t have an iQIYI account like some of my mutuals do, and so I rely on the good will and economic viability of a streamer like Hi-YAH! to obtain these kinds of titles for their output to the niche Asian film crowd which I’m a part of. Alas, we get The Comeback, which marks the most recent reteaming of director Chris Huo and his Blind War star Andy On, who takes a seat here as antagonist to lead thespian Simon Yam. The streamer’s logline would have you thinking differently as it cites Yam’s role as Mr. Hua, a revered antique dealer in a small village who helps fight back against a violent gang trying to seize the properties. […]

Boston Underground 2024 Review: FATAL TERMINATION, Andrew Kam’s Formulaic Crime Flick Underscores The Bygone Perils Of Hong Kong Action

Lee B. Golden III

The heydays of Hong Kong cinema are no more. Instead, it is through physical media and receptive film festivals that the renowned genre will stand the test of time, recounting the surmounting efforts of directors capturing the industry’s envelope-pushing style of action and stunts, oftentimes to degrees that would never be accepted today. 1990 action thriller Fatal Termination is no exception, marking director Andrew Kam’s solo directorial outing after sharing the helm twice prior with The Enigmatic Case, and 1988’s The Big Heat. Kam directs from a script by Jimmy Pang, with a relatively simple story that pales about halfway. Simon Yam plays Jimmy, an inspector tasked with looking into a what he suspects is a potential haul of weapons and ammunition heading to the Middle East via Hong Kong. Front and center is co-star Robin Shou in the role of Wai, the corrupt head of customs sought by elusive […]

NYAFF XXII Review: Anastasia Tsang’s A LIGHT NEVER GOES OUT, A Figurative And Fond Hands-On Love Story

Lee B. Golden III

I grew up with a number of hobbies and passions. Between drawing, music and even acting, I was certain I was going to take up one of these. Don’t ask me how I got here instead or we’ll be here until the bar closes… Indeed though, if you’ve ever taken up the arts or any kind of artisan work, chances are you can identify with films that hinge on craftsmanship as a crucial element to drive a story forward. The emotional journey a character goes through to maintain what feels in large part like a dying art is certainly what takes shape when looking at Anastasia Tsang’s feature directing debut, A Light Never Goes Out. Grief and loss are added to the mix in Tsang’s freshman feature, taking centerstage as Mei-hsiang (Sylvia Chang) is still struggling to cope with the untimely passing of her husband, Bill (Simon Yam), six weeks […]

DISCONNECT’D: Aaron Kwok Hacks The Digisphere In The First Teaser (a.k.a. CYBERHEIST)

Lee B. Golden III

Depending on where you are between Hong Kong SAR or the mainland, I’m Livin’ It director Danny Wong is back with superstar Aaron Kwok headlining the new techno crime thriller titled, Disconnect’d (a.k.a. Cyberheist), which now has a teaser ahead of its late 2022 release. A cyber security engineer develops an AI program that could bring down the entire network with catastrophic effects. He must prevent it from falling into the wrong hands and causing irreversible disaster. Kwok rejoins Soi Cheang (The Monkey King trilogy) who produces, with a cast that also includes Gordon Lam and Simon Yam. The film opens in mainland cinemas September 9.

MAN ON THE EDGE: CMC Pictures Slates Sam Wong’s New Crime Thriller In North America, New Zealand And Australia This Month

Lee B. Golden III

CMC Pictures is extending the reach of Sam Wong’s new crime thriller, Man On The Edge. The film, starring Richie Jen and Simon Yam will release in the Chinese mainland on April 15, as it will now in select theaters in North America, Australia and New Zealand. In order to investigate the truth behind the gang’s drug trafficking, the undercover policeman Luo sir is caught in the whirlpool of gang competition and police conspiracy. He fights bravely with the hidden forces, and eventually reveals a shocking political conspiracy. Also starring are Patrick Tam, Alex Fong and Ron Ng, with appearances by Danny Chan, Karena Lamb, Jerry Lamb and Sammo Hung.

MAN ON THE EDGE: Don’t Miss The Official Trailer For Sam Wong’s New Crime Thriller

Lee B. Golden III

With a teaser currently circulating, an official trailer is now making the rounds for Man On The Edge, directed by Sam Wong and starring Richie Jen, Alex Fong, Simon Yam and Patrick Tam for its April 15 release. In order to investigate the truth behind the gang’s drug trafficking, the undercover policeman Luo sir is caught in the whirlpool of gang competition and police conspiracy. He fights bravely with the hidden forces, and eventually reveals a shocking political conspiracy.

MAN’S CREED Gets An Official Trailer For Simon Yam’s Latest Return To Action

Lee B. Golden III

Read enough about actor Simon Yam and you’ll find he’s led quite a life. Just looking him up this morning I was today years old when I learned he survived a knife attack just a few years ago – I’m not really sure if any western outlets forwarded this update, otherwise I think I might have known about it. 2019 was also a pretty crazy year for me too. I was going through… well…. stuff. At any rate though, any day is a good day if you’re a longstanding fan of Hong Kong film entertainment and you’ve followed Yam’s career just as amply. He was just in Benny Chan’s Raging Fire for a cameo opposite Donnie Yen, and also appears in crime thriller Sheep Without A Shephed 2, and he’s back once more, leading his newest outing in Richard Lin’s latest explosive affair, Man’s Creed, a story set in the […]

CHASING THE DRAGON 2: WILD WILD BUNCH Official Trailer: Tony Leung Is The New Face Of Crime

Lee B. Golden III

Transplanting from the 70s and into the 90s millieu, Jing Wong and Jason Kwan’s latest spiritual sequel follow-up, Chasing the Dragon II: Wild Wild Bunch, is finally out with an official trailer for its Hong Kong release. Mega-Vision Project Workshop Limited will undoubtedly be on hand at the various market places for buyers for the new crime thriller packaging a robust ensemble in actors Louis Koo, Gordon Lam, Tony Leung and Simon Yam. Jing Wong produced the film which sees Koo in the role of an undercover Hong Kong detective infiltrating the seedy network of an elusive mastermind behind a spate of ransomed kidnappings and million dollar extortions. Wong also penned the script with screenwriter Phillip Lui. A release in Hong Kong and China is due for June 6. Peep the trailer above and look out for more news on this title in the coming weeks.

Orlando Bloom’s S.M.A.R.T. Chase Gives Way In The U.S. On August 31!

Lee B. Golden III

Action thriller S.M.A.R.T. Chase joins Orlando Bloom along with Lynn Hung, Simon Yan and more later this month!

THE SHANGHAI JOB: Orlando Bloom Takes Charge In The Latest U.K. Trailer

Lee B. Golden III

Going for a much more commercial approach, UK outlet Signature is tackling the early 2018 rollout of Charles Martin’s latest action thriller now titled The Shanghai Job. Flickering Myth premiered an official trailer this week for the Orlando Bloom headliner which also has Ip Man 1 and 2 cohorts Lynn Xiong, Simon Yam and Xing Yu starring. Washed-up private security agent Danny Stratton has been reduced to low level bodyguarding operations, after a botched job when a Van Gogh painting in his care was stolen. He gets a chance to restore his reputation when he’s given the rare opportunity to escort a valuable Chinese antique out of Shanghai. In the course of the mission he is ambushed, and, with the safety of the woman he loves in jeopardy, Danny has to work with his team of experts to save her, whilst also outsmarting the devious mastermind behind the heist. UK […]

MRS. K Gets A New Trailer And Poster For Its Malaysia Release

Lee B. Golden III

Writer/producer/director Ho Yuhang’s newest thriller, Mrs. K, is running high just off of a film festival mile with locations like Shanghai, Busan, Slovakia, Osaka and Taipei as well as events throughout the U.K., Australia and the U.S.. Now poised for an official release in Malaysia, a new trailer has already begun making the rounds with none other than award-winning actress Kara Wai hailing in what’s been said to be her final action film role along with actors Wu Bai, Simon Yam and Faizal Hussein. Mrs K is a housewife who lives in a quiet suburban neighborhood with her husband Mr K and their daughter Lil’ K. One day, a stranger shows up to blackmail Mrs K. He’s an ex-cop who knows about her unseemly past. But he doesn’t seem to pose much threat and she punishes him, hoping that he would back off. That is only a prelude to the […]

LEGEND OF THE NAGA PEARLS Scores A U.S. Release On August 25

Lee B. Golden III

August 25 is priming to be a truly loaded day at the movies for Asian cinema. As it stands with WWE and Blumhouse’s Birth Of The Dragon, Well Go USA will be competing against itself on this date with at least two releases – one being award-winning director Jung Byung-Gil’s The Villainess. The other: Legend Of The Naga Pearls, hailing from Yang Lei in his sweeping pivot from TV drama directing to a full-fledged feature debut at the helm with a cast that has Railroad Tigers actor Darren Wang and actress Tianai Zhang leading the cast with beloved screen favorite, actor Simon Yam and martial arts exponent Xing Yu also starring. If straight up fantasy action and adventure are your thing later this month, all well and good. Other than that, good luck choosing! After being defeated by humans centuries ago, the Winged Tribe has lost their ability to fly. Seeking vengeance, […]

COLOUR OF THE GAME: Catch The Latest Trailer For Wong Jing's Crime Saga Finale

Lee B. Golden III

Looking to culmimate his longstanding epic Color crime trilogy which began in 2003, producer Wong Jing is back and sharing the director’s chair for Colour Of The Game which opens this Fall. Ka Wai Kam sits at the helm for the new thriller which centers on a triad member and his protégé who befall a deadly consipiracy amid a mission of vengeance for a mob boss. Actors Simon Yam, Jordan Chan, Philip Ng, Eddie Cheung and Lam Suet, actress Sabrina, and actor Eric Tsang comprise the cast of those headlining for the film’s opening date on September 14. The newest trailer is now live courtesy of Mega-Vision Pictures Ltd. Take a look!

Well Go USA Announces LEGEND OF THE NAGA PEARLS For Release In August!

Lee B. Golden III

Lei Yang’s directorial debut, Legend Of The Naga Pearls, is just a few weeks away from its China release. As for stateside, Well Go U.S.A. is obliging its Asian cinema fanbase with a date now slated for an August 25 outing and they’ve since presented their own official trailer for good measure. After being defeated by humans centuries ago, the Winged Tribe has lost their ability to fly. Seeking vengeance, a royal descendant of the tribe has begun searching for the magical Naga Pearls, which he plans to use to destroy the humans. When the legendary pearls fall into – and out of – the hands of Heiyu, a wily human street punk, he must join a team of unlikely heroes as they race to prevent the destruction of their people in this magical fantasy adventure. Starring are Darren Wang, Simon Yam, Xing Yu, Tianai Zhang , Guansen Sheng. Catch […]

S.M.A.R.T. CHASE: Orlando Bloom Hunts Down Stolen Art In The First Official Teaser

Lee B. Golden III

Pirates of the Caribbean and Lord of the Rings franchise co-star, actor Orlando Bloom’s most recent starring and producing venture with heist/retrieval action thriller, S.M.A.R.T. Chase, hit an unfortunate legal stumble last year with production company Das Films. It’s never a fun gig to endure with a production being the launchpad of a new banner but it’s still one that BlissBloom Productions is counting on as a good first push and legal matters aside, the casting here will be a likely huge sell for moviegoers next to its action and spectacle. The film itself hails from Night Fare helmer Julien Seri who flexes his share of muscle behind the lens for Bloom as he leads the cast in the role of Danny Stratton, an underdog private security agent whose team, S.M.A.R.T., is propelled into a high-speed chase throughout Shanghai for a valuable Chinese antique in lieu of a deadly conspiracy […]

Cam’s Eye Review: PHANTOM OF THE THEATRE (2016)

“Making a film is like being in a dream. I never want to stop dreaming,” says director Gu WeiBang (Tony Yang), a young man fresh from being in Paris studying filmmaking, coming back to Shanghai in the 1930s to work on his new script, a ghost/love story. He tries to enlist a newly crowned Queen of the Cinema to star in his film and she refuses but then comes across the co-winner of the award, the mysterious Meng SiFan (Ruby Lin) and she is cast in the role. The young man also decides to film in an allegedly haunted old theatre where 13 people from a performance troupe were brutally murdered in a fire and supposedly haunts the building. When a thief accidentally runs inside to escape police, the police balk at going in to pursue. But when he winds up dead, burned from the inside out, that puzzle falls […]

Julien Seri's SMART CHASE: FIRE AND EARTH Filming, Adds Six More To Cast

Lee B. Golden III

Currently underway is the production of Night Fare helmer Julien Seri’s latest production, Smart Chase: Fire And Earth. The film subsequently marks the start of a producing venture for its lead star, actor Orlando Bloom in China via his BlissBloom Productions banner following the film’s announcement back in June. Elephant White (2011) scribe Kevin Bernhardt provides the logline which reads of a washed-up private security agent who gets ambushed as he attempts to escort a pricey Chinese antique out of Shanghai. Special ID (2013) and The Great Wall (2016) co-star Jing Tian was also announced to star in the film next to actors Leo Wu, Cao Kefan and up-and-comer Liu Enyou, while Asian Film Strike confirms the presences of Hong Kong actor Simon Yam and South Korean actor Lee Jung-jae (Assassination, Operation Chromite) in his second stint in a Chinese production since starring in Li Jun’s summer thriller, Tik Tok. […]

Ringo Lam's SKY ON FIRE Lights Up With A Slick, Explosive New Teaser

Lee B. Golden III

AMC’s Into The Badlands star, actor Daniel Wu has a few things happening this week. His latest co-starring role in Duncan Jones’s Warfcraft is officially out in theaters, and he’s also making the rounds with his latest crowning achievement for which he’s been very vocal on social media since last year. For this, we look to his first-ever pairing with action auteur Ringo Lam’s on the new thriller, Sky On Fire. Here, Wu starring as a security agent on a mission to protect a scientist amid stunning new research on “super stem cells” which could lead to new life-saving drugs, and our guess is that the baddies here have a more nefarious purpose for them. Hence, guns ablazing, fisticuffs and explosions, all a great formula for fans of Lam and his work. The teaser is pretty short and sweet, but the beats are tuned accordingly to help sell a solid […]

KILL ZONE 2 Gets A U.S. Trailer

Lee B. Golden III

Close to a year since the film’s release at home, Soi Cheang’s thematic sequel crime thriller, SPL 2: A Time For Consequences, has already marked itself high enough for the prospects of a third film in the weeks and months to come. With that all said and done and following an announcement several weeks ago, Well Go USA is moving forward with its release as Kill Zone 2, a new trailer for the film’s limited theatrical and VoD opening on May 13. SYNOPSIS: When an undercover cop gets too close to revealing the mastermind of a drug syndicate, his cover is blown. Double-crossed and under a false identity, he’s thrown into a Thai prison, where a guard discovers the inmate – claiming he’s a cop – is a bone marrow match for his dying daughter…and his warden may have an even deadlier operation hidden within the prison walls. In this […]

Chung Siu-Hing’s NEW ETERNAL WAVE Remake In Production Starring Aaron Kwok

Lee B. Golden III

Director Peng Wang is said to have left a mark in history with the release of his 1958 espionage flick, The Eternal Wave. That mark was eventually still felt when a ceremonious announcent was made early last year for the upcoming remake, New Eternal Wave, now underway as of last December. Beijing’s Nanhai Films is producing the remake with The Assassin (1993) and Mark Of Youth (2013) helmer Billy Chung Siu-Hung, whose version will reportedly differ in some aspects compared to the original. The film forsees the story, set in 1930, of two Communist Party of China agents who orchestrate fake a marriage in order to rebuild communications in the wake of Japan’s occupation of Shanghai at the time. Actor Aaron Kwok, following his latest rewarding performance in The Monkey King 2 3D, will be joined by Zhao Li-Ying, Zhang Lanxin, Simon Yam and Zhang Han with Ching Siu-Tung (Kung […]