Goodie Emporium now has 88 Films’ Blu-ray (Region A/B) for 1983’s The Lady is the Boss. Directed by and starring the great Lau Kar-leung (Shaolin Mantis), The Lady is the Boss blends fun and fighting as only he could – and those fights are some of the very best of his illustrious career.
A culture-clash comedy – with kung fu! A thoroughly Americanised young woman (Kara Hui, The 8 Diagram Pole Fighter) returns to Hong Kong to visit the martial arts Continue reading
The Daredevils and Ode to Gallantry | Blu-ray (Eureka)
Now available from Goodie Emporium is a Blu-ray (Region A/B) collection that includes two films directed by Chang Cheh: 1979’s The Daredevils and 1982’s Ode to Gallantry.
During his long and industrious career, the “Godfather of Hong Kong Cinema” Chang Cheh made several films with the celebrated “Venom Mob,” a group of skilled martial arts performers – including Lu Feng, Chiang Sheng, Philip Kwok, Sun Chien, Lo Mang, and Wai Pak – who rose to fame as the stars of his own Five Deadly Venoms. Here, Eureka Classics presents two of the Venom Mob’s best: The Daredevils and Ode to Gallantry.
Set in Republic era China, The Daredevils follows Yang Ta-ying (Lo Mang) as he sets out to avenge his father, a military commander who was Continue reading
“A Working Man” Theatrical Poster
Steven Seagal was just a cook in Under Siege. Daisy Ridley was just a window cleaner in Cleaner. Jean-Claude Van Damme was just a gardener in The Gardener. Now, Jason Statham (The Meg, Redemption, The Expendables) is just a construction worker in MGM’s A Working Man.
Formerly known as Levon’s Trade, this upcoming actioner – written by Sylvester Stallone (its plot is dangerously similar to Rambo: Last Blood) – reunites Statham with The Beekeeper director, David Ayer (End of Watch, Suicide Squad).
Joining Statham is David Harbour (Extraction), Michael Peña (Narcos: Mexico), Jason Flemyng (The Iron Mask) and Arianna Rivas (The Harvest). Daren Nop, who served as fight coordinator Continue reading
“Kung Fu Rookie” Theatrical Poster
Director: Aman Ergaziyev
Cast: Timur Baktybayev, Irina Azhmukhamedova, Kuat Khamitov, Erkebulan Toktar, Riskul Konakbaev, Janelle Sergazina, Talgat Duisenov, Kuandyk Shakyrzhanov
Running Time: 79 min.
By Z Ravas
2023’s Kung Fu Rookie (AKA “Timuchin”) has a problem. No, it’s not the production values — the film looks sharp for a low-budget project out of Kazakhstan — nor is it the script necessarily, as this action/comedy has more than a few jokes and gags that land. No, it’s the fact that the whole movie is built around the idea that lead actor Timur Baktybayev is a walking, talking tribute to Jackie Chan… except instead of fighting like Jackie Chan, he moves like your best buddy with the beer paunch who says, “Hey, watch this” and then pretends to do a martial arts kick in your kitchen, nearly splitting his groin in the process.
Okay, okay, maybe I’m being a little harsh: Kung Fu Rookie proves it’s hard to pull off a compelling fight scene on camera, and you can tell the cast and crew here are trying. Let’s not forget that Kazakhstan isn’t exactly known for its thriving international action scene. And the setup is adequate for this kind of movie, as Timur Baktybayev’s character visits his uncle in the big city with the intention of joining the local police force. Before long, his uncle’s fruit stall draws Continue reading
“Raiders of Buddhist Kung Fu” Theatrical Poster
Director: Godfrey Ho
Cast: Gordon Liu, Wang Ryong, Kim Ki-Joo, Seol Ji-Yeon, Kwak Eun-Gyung, Baek Hwang-Gi, John Kelly, Choe Moo-Woong, Lung Ho-Yu, Park Hui-Jin, Lee Hwa-Jin
Running Time: 90 min.
By Ian Whittle
So I picked up the DVD assuming from the cover still of Gordon Liu in his usual monk attire that this was going to be another “Gordon from Shaolin” by way of a Korea flick, but once again I have been fooled… here Gordon is the villain! A warlord in what may be Republic era China, but it’s not very clear. And I don’t think Shaolin came into it at all!
So my thoughts on this mess….
On March 28, the “Samurai Vs Ninja” YouTube channel (if you’ve never heard of it, think Hi-YAH, only their focus is Japanese action) will be debuting Shogun’s Ninja (no relation to the 1980 classic of the same name that starred Hiroyuki Sanada and Sonny Chiba).
Shogun’s Ninja is helmed by Koichi Sakamoto (Power Rangers, Kamen Rider), who also handles the film’s action direction. The film stars Himena Continue reading
“Seek” Theatrical Poster
Shane Kosugi (9 Deaths of the Ninja, Pray for Death) will be making a directorial debut with Seek, an upcoming martial arts actioner that stars Kansuke Asano (Barashi Fight), as well as Shane’s brother, Kane Kosugi (Tekken 2: Kazuya’s Revenge, Zero Tolerance).
(For those who are not familiar with the Kosugi name, Shane and Kane’s father is the legendary Sho Kosugi, who became the main face of the 80s phenomenon known as the “ninja craze,” after a string of successful ninja movies for The Cannon Film Group, which included Enter the Ninja, Revenge of the Ninja and Ninja III: The Domination.)
In Seek, Kyohei Aizawa (Asano), an assassin for a covert non-governmental espionage group in Japan called “SEEK”, is grieving over the Continue reading
“Sons of the Neon Night” Teaser Poster
Filmmaker Juno Mak (Revenge: A Love Story, Dream Home), the actor/director of 2013’s Rigor Mortis, is finally putting his finishing touches on One Cool Film Productions’ Sons of the Neon Night, an upcoming gangster epic that was completed back in 2018.
The highly-anticipated film features an all-star cast that includes Takeshi Kaneshiro (Wu Xia), Louis Koo (Three), Ritchie Ren (Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In), Tony Leung Ka Fai (League of Gods), Lau Ching-wan (The White Storm 3), Kara Hui (Mrs K), Gao Yuanyuan (Robin-B-Hood), Michelle Wai (As The Light Goes Out) and Conan Lee (Aces Go Places V: The Terracotta Hit).
With a production budget of over $50 million, Asian sales and production firm Distribution Workshop is using the Busan International Film Continue reading
“The Old Woman With the Knife” Teaser Poster
Writer/director Min Kyu Dong (Her Story) – who is perhaps best-known for co-directing 1999’s Memento Mori – is back with The Old Woman with the Knife, a revenge-thriller based on the novel of the same name by Gu Byeong-mo.
The upcoming film stars Lee Hye-young (No Blood, No Tears), Shin Si-ah (The Witch: Part 2. The Other One), Kim Sung-cheol (The Battle of Jangsari), Kim Moo-yeol (War of the Arrows) and Yeon Woo-jin (Special Delivery).
Hornclaw is a legendary assassin in her sixties who specialises in eliminating the scum of the earth. Her mundane but bloody life takes an unexpected turn when she meets Bullfight, a promising young killer who wants to work by her side. But an incident from their past casts a dark shadow on their collaboration, even when Bullfight reveals that he remembers her as the first person to ever show him Continue reading
“Ballerina” Theatrical Poster
If you’ve seen Ana de Armas’ butt-kicking capabilities in No Time To Die or Ghosted, you know she’s capable of of more than just beauty. With that said, De Armas (Knives Out) is teaming up with Live Free or Die Hard director Len Wiseman for Lionsgate’s Ballerina, a spinoff of the expanding John Wick franchise.
Franchise stars including John Wick himself, Keanu Reeves, as well as Ian McShane (John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum), Anjelica Huston (John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum) and Lance Reddick (John Wick: Chapter 2) will have appearances as their respective roles from the previous films.
New co-stars include Norman Reedus (Walking Dead), Catalina Sandino Moreno (Maria Full of Grace), Gabriel Byrne (The Usual Suspects), Togo Continue reading
“Raging Havoc” Theatrical Poster
A thematic sequel to Benny Chan’s 2021 actioner Raging Fire is currently being prepped by director Derek Kwok, who is perhaps best known for helming 2014’s As the Light Goes Out, 2015’s Full Strike, and the recent 2021 film, Schemes in Antiques.
The follow-up, titled Raging Havoc (aka The Unleashed Blaze), is headlined by Nicholas Tse (The Bullet Vanishes), who starred in the original Raging Fire (opposite Donnie Yen).
This time around, Hong Kong heavy Andy Lau (White Storm 2: The Drug Lords) fills the space previously filled by Yen. Ray Liu (Raging Fire, Operation Bangkok) also returns, not to mention the addition Continue reading
“Fallen” Theatrical Poster
Director: Lee Jung-sub
Cast: Yang Ji, Jang Tae Young, Han Sung Min, Kim Ga Hyun, Lim Jung Min, Lee Ji Yong, Hwang Se On, Yun Ha Bin, Ju Seo Eun, Oh Ji Young, Kwon Ip Sae
Running Time: 110 min.
By Paul Bramhall
In the 2019 Korean production Fallen a famous sci-fi author played by Yang Ji, previously only seen in small bit roles in late 2000’s/early 2010’s productions like I Came from Busan and Mr. Idol, is having a bad day. Opening with her as the subject of an on-camera interview for TV, despite it supposedly being about her latest work, it seems the interviewer is more interested in asking about the leaked sex tape she’s featured in, and the fact her mother is a convicted serial killer. Her publicist isn’t much help, insisting she joins him to a local bar considering she’s holed herself up at home for so long, where he suggests that the best thing she can do is to apologise to the public for appearing in the tape. Things go from bad to worse when she wakes up kidnapped, zip tied and stuffed in a drum in an unknown location, her fate in the hands of whoever has taken her captive.
Based on the above description, on paper Fallen probably sounds like it fits the mould of similar female in peril 2010’s era Korean movies like Midnight FM or Manhole, however that would be before taking into account that it’s the directorial debut of screenwriter and producer Lee Jung-sub. Also responsible for scripting 2017’s psychological neo-noir action flick Real, often unfairly Continue reading
Next week, Eureka is releasing the Blu-ray (Region B) for Shaolin Boxers. Directed by Ta Huang (Chinese Hercules) and released at the height of the 1970s kung fu craze, Shaolin Boxers offers a rare leading role to James Tien – who more often played supporting roles in films such as Fist of Fury, The Iron-Fisted Monk and The Magnificent Bodyguards – in an action-packed narrative that charges him with rescuing innocents from forces of corruption and evil.
In the village of Fukien, the people are terrified of the local security squad – led by Ho Yung (Chu Mu, The Invincible Iron Palm), who gained his position by bribing the referee in the village’s annual martial arts tournament. In order to wrestle control from this band of tyrants, Chuan Tai (Tien) – the master of the local Shaolin school – enters the competition to prove Continue reading
“Mortal Kombat II” Teaser Poster
A sequel to the James Wan-produced reboot of Mortal Kombat, a martial arts-thriller based on the highly-successful video game franchise of the same name, is currently being prepped for release at New Line. And Simon McQuoid, who directed the original reboot, is back in the director’s chair!
New Line has enlisted the writing skills of Jeremy Slater, who is best known for penning Marvel/Disney+ series Moon Knight (via Deadline). The first film was written by Greg Russo (the upcoming Category 6), Dave Callaham (Wonder Woman 1984), with a story by Oren Uziel (The Cloverfield Paradox).
The first film followed a MMA fighter who seeks out Earth’s greatest champions in order to stand against the enemies of Outworld in a high Continue reading
“Holy Night: Demon Hunters” Theatrical Poster
Ma Dong-seok, aka Don Lee (Derailed, Roundup: Punishment) co-stars with Seohyun (Seeking the King) and David Lee (Svaha: The Sixth Finger) in Holy Night: Demon Hunters, an upcoming action-thriller from first time director, Im Dae-Hee, who co-wrote the film with Ma.
Holy Night: Demon Hunters sees Seoul descend into chaos as a devil-worshipping criminal network takes control. In a desperate plea for salvation, the police are forced to enlist “Holy Night”, a trio of demon hunters – played by aforementioned trio – who are armed with supernatural powers (via Variety).
Holy Night: Demon Hunters also stars Kyung Soo-Jin (The Vanished) and Jung Ji-So (Parasite).
The film will be released in the U.S. by Capelight Pictures later this year. Watch Continue reading
on Kung Fu Rookie (2023) Review& just like that, Z Ravas reappeared after 5 years in the wilderness, the sam…
on Hong Kong’s Heaven’s Gate? Juno Mak’s anticipated thriller ‘Sons of the Neon Night’ to finally shine this yearThere was apparently a 15 minute preview screening at Hong Kong's FILMART con…
on The Kosugi ninja empire lives on! Watch the Trailer for Shane Kosugi’s ‘Seek’ starring Kansuke Asano and Kane KosugiHaters gonna hate, I suppose. 
Oh well.
on Hong Kong’s Heaven’s Gate? Juno Mak’s anticipated thriller ‘Sons of the Neon Night’ to finally shine this yearWhen the film public screening ?
on Raiders of Buddhist Kung Fu (1981) Reviewthanks, I couldn't get my old KOFA link to work. Someone needs to update the… on War of the God Monsters | aka The Flying Monster (1985) ReviewSo does this mean 'Space Monster Wangmagwi' is now on me? on Raiders of Buddhist Kung Fu (1981) ReviewLike most of the Korean productions IFD purchased the international distribut…
on Raiders of Buddhist Kung Fu (1981) ReviewMost, if not all, of Godfrey Ho's movies are on Tubi, including this. Imagine…
on The Kosugi ninja empire lives on! Watch the Trailer for Shane Kosugi’s ‘Seek’ starring Kansuke Asano and Kane KosugiPaul: Where is your source ? FCS: My source is that I made it the FUCK up ! x… on The Kosugi ninja empire lives on! Watch the Trailer for Shane Kosugi’s ‘Seek’ starring Kansuke Asano and Kane Kosugi"...upcoming third edition of the International Motion Picture Film Festival…
on 964 Pinocchio | Blu-ray (88 Films)Limited number of copies, too. https://www.instagram.com/p/DHWYAMKPbKK/?utm_s…
on Mickey 17 (2025) Review"not only became a box office hit, but also became the first non-English lang…
on Glitter, sex and violence! More on ‘Drive’ director Nicolas Winding Refn’s thriller ‘The Avenging Silence’Refn is such an amazing and unique director! I just love his is dark and gorg…
on Demon City (2025) ReviewI felt a little bit of that. I liked the way Ikuta had to figure out techniqu…
on Demon City (2025) ReviewReally expected you to like this one more because of the originality at play…
on Demon City (2025) Reviewi don't think there's any actual supernatural element: the story about the de… on Scott Adkins doesn’t give a SHIRT! World War II actioner ‘Death March’ gets retitled to ‘Prisoner of War’Does Scott Adkins ever sleep? How many movies a year does he make at this poi…
on Demon City (2025) ReviewThe action was solid. But overall, the story was disappointing. I kept hoping…
on Demon City (2025) ReviewGot some decent action but the movie still looks cheap. Most movies that go t… on Glitter, sex and violence! More on ‘Drive’ director Nicolas Winding Refn’s thriller ‘The Avenging Silence’"European spy who accepts a mission from a Japanese businessman to take down… on Demon City (2025) ReviewInteresting points. I assumed the yakuza bosses didn’t kill Ikuta earlier bec… on Kiss of the Dragon (2001) ReviewFree on YouTube.
on Jade (2025) ReviewLooks great to me. And she is gorgeous.
on Clarence Fok, director of ‘Iceman Cometh’, ‘Naked Killer’ and ‘Special ID’ dies at 68Naked Killer needs a blu ray release. RIP
on Mickey 17 (2025) ReviewGreat review. My son saw this and liked it a lot, but a cinephile friend was…
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