well go usa

ALONG WITH THE GODS: Kim Yong-Hwa’s Two-Part Epic Takes To North America For Well Go USA

200 Pounds Beauty and Mr. Go helmer Kim Yong-Hwa’s latest is something of a mystery to me. I remember spotting a trailer online for the new film, Along With The Gods, earlier this month only to suddenly lose track of it after seeing it mysteriously disappear from my YouTube viewing history. Now all of a sudden reports are coming in via Variety as of a few days ago that Well Go USA have nabbed the rights to the film which turns out to be a two-part epic – the first of which is now branded Along With The Gods: The Two Worlds, and seeing the trailer here again has only inspired that same fascination and excitement I felt the first time around. Having died unexpectedly, firefighter Ja-hong is taken to the afterlife by 3 afterlife guardians. Only when he passes 7 trials over 49 days and proves he was innocent […]

RV: RESURRECTED VICTIMS Reanimates With A Killer U.S. Teaser

Lee B. Golden III

Though its taken nearly two years to release after finishing production in late 2015, Friend and Friend, The Great Legacy helmer Kwak Kyung-Taek’s new thriller, RV: Resurrected Victims, is finally on deck for a South Korean October release. That leaves room for planning over at Well Go USA with a U.S. rollout now preceded by a newly branded trailer for North American audiences. In the near future, murder victims have begun coming back to life with the sole purpose of avenging their deaths. Jin-hong (KIM Rae-won) is a cold-hearted prosecutor who’s obsessed with catching the man that killed his mother- but when she returns home, intent on killing him, he quickly becomes the lead suspect. Don’t miss the new trailer announcement below!

ICHI THE KILLER, Tadanobu Asano, Nao Omori, 2001, ©Media Blasters

ICHI THE KILLER Gets A Digitally Restored 4K Bloodbath From Well Go USA Starting This November

Lee B. Golden III

It was back in May ahead of the Cannes Film Festival that news broke of a forthcoming remastering and re-release of film auteur Miike Takashi’s manga adaptation hit, Ichi the Killer. The controversial ultra-violent crime horror scored a cult following after its 2001 and having only been shot on Betacam and only coverted 35mm film at the time, new technology now deems it possible for a more crisp and pristine finish. Restoration of the film was handled by L’Immagine Rittrovata Asia, the Hong Kong offices of Davide Pozzi’s Bologna, Italy-based film restoration lab which opened to a lucrative streak of restoring Asian film in the wake of bolstering online video demand. Since then, the long-awaited announcement of its acquisition news was made over the weekend with word that Well Go USA have officially acquired distribution rights to the new 4K restoration now dubbed Ichi The Killer: The Digitally Restored Director’s. […]

Na Hyun’s THE PRISON Release Date Pushed Back, Contest Extends Thru September 18!

Lee B. Golden III

Pre-Order THE PRISON [Blu-ray] Today! Well Go USA is presenting freshman director Na Hyun’s directorial debut, The Prison, in fine form for its U.S. Blu-Ray and VoD release. As far as dates go, the company is pushing back its previously announced September 12 date by another week on September 19, which is good news for folks who haven’t entered our contest yet. After a fatal accident, Yu-gon, a former police inspector, is sentenced to hard time in a prison he once helped fill. Once inside, he discovers the entire penitentiary is no longer controlled by the guards, but by a vicious crime syndicate that breaks out at night, using their prison sentences as the perfect alibi to commit intricate heists. Looking for revenge against the system that placed him inside, Yu-gon joins the syndicate… but with every man out for himself, how long can the perfect crime last? Pre-orders are […]

TRIPLE THREAT Sells To Multiple Territories Worldwide For Theatrical And Netflix Releases In 2018

Lee B. Golden III

July was a great month to be a martial arts fan with all the excuse in the world to repeat-watch the comic-con teaser trailer for the new martial arts thriller, Triple Threat. Of course, critical results are pending but the trailer ponies up everything you could want in a movie of its genre with Tony Jaa, Iko Uwais and Tiger Chen leading the cast and Savage Dog helmer Jesse V. Johnson directing. The movie opens in 2018 with plans for a sequel already underway and Well Go USA has already snagged first dibs on the upcoming ensemble action pic. That leaves off a number of territories to be accounted for which brings us to Screendaily‘s exclusive on Monday for the U.S. based company to release the film in the U.K. and Australia as well, in addition to the following locations: Germany (Koch), Latin America (Swen), Italy (Movies Inspired), Portugal (Cinemundo), […]

Enter To Win Your Copy Of Na Hyun’s THE PRISON From Well Go USA

Lee B. Golden III

Update: Check here for a new release date! Pre-Order THE PRISON [Blu-ray] Today! Well Go USA is presenting freshman director Na Hyun’s directorial debut, The Prison, in fine form for its Blu-Ray and VoD release on September 12. Pre-orders are up and running wherever movies are sold while none the more an opportune moment than now for folks reading this and looking to score a copy of their own for free. After a fatal accident, Yu-gon, a former police inspector, is sentenced to hard time in a prison he once helped fill. Once inside, he discovers the entire penitentiary is no longer controlled by the guards, but by a vicious crime syndicate that breaks out at night, using their prison sentences as the perfect alibi to commit intricate heists. Looking for revenge against the system that placed him inside, Yu-gon joins the syndicate… but with every man out for himself, […]

IRON PROTECTOR: Enter To Win Your Blu-Ray Copy Of Yue Song’s Latest Martial Arts Thriller From Well Go USA!

Lee B. Golden III

*This contest has expired. Pre-Order Iron Protector On Blu-ray Today! While flawed in some aspects, Yue Song’s 2013 action drama, The King Of The Streets, if nothing else, was a daring display of the fledgeling actor and director in his element as actor and martial artist. The hype never fell short in the three years that followed as Song’s sophmore effort, Super Bodyguard, began its campaign ahead of its festival screenings prior to, and after opening in China. The film even gained reception in New York City’s cult Asian festival scene last year – something I would’ve liked to have attended but ultimately couldn’t. Thankfully the film is getting a proper U.S. rollout promising Asian film fans something to treat themselves with this Fall, now branded with the title, Iron Protector, for its September 5 release on Blu-Ray and Digital HD from Well Go USA. After the death of his […]

Won Shin-Yeon’s MEMOIR OF A MURDERER Lands A U.S. Release Announcement From Well Go USA

Lee B. Golden III

The Suspect helmer Won Shin-Yeon is back and laying it on the line once more with his latest, Memoir Of A Murderer. The movie opens in Korea this September and headlines with an intense tale of a former serial killer suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease who finds himself pitted against another serial killer who happens to be dating his daughter. Crazy shit, eh? Well, crazy is compelling is intriguing is fascinating is good for Well Go USA’s bottom line when it comes to appealing to the sensibilities of Asian cinema fans. They’ve announced themselves a U.S. trailer up front with all the trimmings, featuring Silmido and The Merciless star Sol Kyung-Gu opposite fellow Public Enemy Returns cohort, actor Kim Nam-Gil, and Gangnam Blues actress Seol Hyun. Take a look and keep your eyes open for an official release date!

Well Go USA Announces LEGEND OF BRUCE LEE: VOLUME THREE

Lee B. Golden III

I won’t lie. I watched the pilot episode of Well Go USA’s latest release, Legend Of Bruce Lee, and it’s been weeks since I cared enough to look at the second episode and thereafter. The show runs enduringly high on drama and the dubbing is equally exasperating, but that doesn’t cancel out the fact that this show has an audience since its heyday in 2008. And Danny Chan? Well… he sells it, I suppose. Beyond that, if you’ve been watching the series and are keen on Well Go USA’s forthcoming third volume of the show, you’re more than welcome to set the date for October 3, 2017. I may just continue onward with it myself but I’m eager to hear your thoughts on the show myself, especially considering we’re just days away from the BH Tilt/WWE Studios release of Birth Of The Dragon. It’s a high time to be a […]

Fantasy Romance Epic, ONCE UPON A TIME, Opens In The U.S. On August 11

Lee B. Golden III

Putting together glossy and visually ambitious, sweeping epics are a daunting effort in Chinese cinema, but you have to give credit where it’s due. It’s especially the case where films like Once Upon A Time dare to be the example and with directing duo Zhao Xiaoding and Anthony LaMolinara at the helm, and actress Crystal Liu Yifei and actor Yang Yang leading the cast. Based on the best-selling fantasy novel Three Lives Three Worlds, Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms, ONCE UPON A TIME is a story of epic battles, deep passion, and the powerful forces that drive mortals and gods alike toward revenge, loyalty, and eternal love. Bai Qian, a goddess and monarch from the Heavenly Realms, is sent to the mortal world to undergo a trial to become a High Goddess. There, she meets Ye Hua, with whom she falls in love and marries. When an old enemy reappears […]

THE ADVENTURERS Lands At Well Go USA

Lee B. Golden III

To say that Well Go USA has been on a roll this year with Asian acquisitions is a certified understatement. I’m optimistic going into next year for that reason but for fans looking forward to the release of Stephen Fung’s latest nod to John Woo in The Adventurers, with any luck the wait won’t belong. The Adventurers tells the story of an ex-con/thief who steals two priceless jewelries at the Cannes Film Festival. After his recent release from prison, infamous thief Cheung Tan (Andy Lau) plots a heist with his partners Xiao Bao (Tony Yang) and Ye Hong (Shu Qi) to steal precious jewels in Europe, while French detective Pierre (Jean Reno), who has been hot on Cheung’s trails for many years, must capture this gang of thieves on one draft. The film is due for an August 11 release in China while it’s reasonable to believe that Well Go […]

Jung Byung-Gil’s THE VILLAINESS Lands An August 25 U.S. Release!

Lee B. Golden III

Director Jung Byung-Gil has come quite a ways since hitting theatrical and festival screens with his latest female driven action thriller, The Villainess. The film eventually earned the experienced stuntman-turned-filmmaker the Daniel E. Craft Award for Excellence in Action Cinema at the 16th New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF), and rewardingly in the days since the Japanese remake of his 2012 hit crime thriller, Confession Of Murder, became a hit with Irie Yu at the helm. The Villainess marks actress Kim Ok-Vin’s debut lead role following two months of intense training and a 70-day filming period – 63 of which included action shots in which she performed nearly all of her own stuntwork. Not for nothing either in that many a pull quote have rendered her performance as one of the best in the genre by far out of South Korea and proving she and Jung make a marketable pair […]

THE FINAL MASTER: Win A Copy Of Well Go USA’s Blu-Ray/DVD Combo Pack Release

Lee B. Golden III

UPDATE: This contest has expired. Perhaps one of the best martial arts moviegoing experiences ever brought overseas has to be Xu Haofeng’s newest home release, The Final Master. An adaptation of one of his written anthological works, the film shimmers with action and drama with pure wit and charm from its main cast led by actor Liao Fan and acclaimed choreography by Haofeng himself. Its central highlight of Wing Chun (for a release as timely as this one as it came out in theaters just months after Well Go USA released Ip Man 3) is certainly one that I had never seen before in any particular film of this genre centered on its style and it’s hosted with such intensity and focus – Being my first foray into Haofeng’s work, I get him. I understand him. I’m proud to say how much I love this movie and I couldn’t be […]

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 […]

Watch The North American Trailer For WOLF WARRIOR 2!

Lee B. Golden III

Action star and filmmkaer Wu Jing’s sophomore outing, Wolf Warrior 2 is getting a same-day theatrical release in the U.S. and China on July 28. I would say next to Well Go U.S.A.’s forthcoming release of The Villainess next to any number of hot titles on the way, this pretty much completes my summer. The Wolf Warrior is back, bigger and badder than ever, in this action-packed sequel to the 2015 blockbuster hit. With his career in tatters, China’s deadliest Special Forces operative has settled into a quiet life on the sea. But when he crosses paths with a sadistic band of mercenaries terrorizing innocent civilians, he must reaffirm his duty as a soldier and save the day once again. Fists (and bullets, tanks, missiles and much more) will fly in this adrenaline-fueled tour de force of bravura action filmmaking, all culminating into a climatic battle between the Wolf Warrior […]

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GINTAMA: Beetlehunting, Swashbuckling, And A Battle For The Ages In Three New Promos For The Live-Action Adaptation

Lee B. Golden III

With a Japan release on July 14 in tow, Fukuda Yuichi’s latest live-action manga/anime treatment, Gintama, will be having its world premiere at Fantasia Festival in Montreal a day earlier. The film stars actor Oguri Shun who has become a personal favorite of mine in the last fifteen years or more since seeing him opposite Ueto Aya in Kitamura Ryuhei’s Azumi and in Miike Takashi’s Crows Zero and subsequent sequel. Yes, I’m a fan, and not for nothing either with regards to Gintama; I first learned of this movie late last summer which eventually led me to start bingewatching all of well over 300 episodes (4 seasons) of the hit series and ultimately falling in love with the show overall. I still probably couldn’t give you every nook and cranny of what happens, but for the major arcs that occur in between, I would say there is plenty to build […]

Chinese Fantasy Romance Epic, ONCE UPON A TIME, Slates An August 3D North American Release

Lee B. Golden III

Acclaimed cinematographer Xiaoding Zhao (House of Flying Daggers, The Great Wall, The Flower of War, The City of Golden Armor) and decorated VFX wizard Anthony LaMolinara (Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2) will both be making a feature directorial debut this year partnering for the new fantasy romance epic, Once Upon A Time. The film takes its cues from Tang Qi’s popular novel, “Three Lives Three Worlds, Ten Miles Of Peach Blossoms”, which led to Gcoo Entertainment’s TV series succession, Eternal Love. ONCE UPON A TIME is a story of epic battles, deep passion, life-threatening evil, and the power of magic. Bai Qian, a goddess and monarch from the Heavenly Realms, is sent to the mortal world to undergo a trial to become a High Goddess. There, she meets Ye Hua with whom she falls in love and marries. However, when an old enemy reappears in her life, everything she holds dear becomes threatened. […]

Review: RESET Propels Sci-Fi Suspense In A Three-Way Race Against Time

Lee B. Golden III

I’m about as knowledgeable as the next person on who four-time filmmaker Chang is. There’s at least one other title still on my wish list at current with the 2014 Fred Cavayé remake nod, The Target, while his most recent endeavor, Reset, has taken a foothold in China with a release this summer. The film presents a kinetic sci-fi thriller with a nicely woven story that embraces the sort of usual subliminal and obvious messaging on time travel and the shortspan of human life in the course of everyday tasking and multitasking. Actress Yang Mi draws out the narrative for this as Xia Tian, a single mother who finds herself and her son swept into a death spiral when her company’s recent breakthroughs in particle teleportation are made known to its more nefarious rival company. Placed with the obligatory purpose of albeit successfully tugging at our heartstrings is young actor […]

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!

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 […]