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Only a few films managed to gross the $2 billion mark worldwide. Most of them were from Hollywood, but 2025 brought a surprise hit: Ne Zha 2.

The Chinese animated fantasy action film is a direct sequel to 2019's Ne Zha. Based on the Chinese mythological character of the same name and Xu Zhonglin's 16th-century novel Investiture of the Gods, the animated film features enthusiastic reviews and has become the highest-grossing animated film. Ahead of its upcoming debut in theaters in the U.S. and Canada on Aug. 22,Ne Zha 2 has debuted the first trailer, which can be seen below.

Ne Zha 2 premiered in theaters in China on Jan. 29, 2025, which coincided with the first day of the Chinese New Year. While it was released on different dates around the world, the animated fantasy adventure sequel will head to the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand on Aug. 22. A24...

Gambling has always been a great technique to tell stories, especially in Asian movies where the stakes are often as high emotionally as they are financially. Asian filmmakers have mastered the genre, making everything from gritty vengeance thrillers to sleek action comedy. They mix high drama, suspense, and fascinating characters into movies that people love to see, even when they’re not at the casino.

This selection is for you if you like movies that mix luck, talent, trickery, and psychological warfare. We’ve put together a list of some of the top Asian gambling movies that highlight how risky and rewarding the casino business can be. These movies have been graded or acclaimed on IMDb.

And if you want to test your luck after the credits roll, make sure to visit the best rated casino sites for a safe and exciting online gaming experience.

1. God of Gamblers (1989) – IMDb 7.2

Director:...

Released on the streaming platforms in China on Lunar New Year’s Eve, January 28th 2025, “Invincible Swordsman” is a product of Wong Jing and mainland director Luo Yi Wei. Adapted very loosely from the wuxia novel “The Smiling, Proud Wanderer” written by Louis Cha, or Jin Yong, this is basically a straight remake of Ching Siu Tung and Tsui Hark’s “Swordsman II” (1992) starring Brigitte Lin and Jet Li.

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The film kicks off with Ren Wo Xing (Yin Zi Wai) the leader of the Sun Moon Holy Cult practicing his “Cosmic Absorbing Power” on the Blackwoods Cliff. Out of nowhere, a self-castrated man with supreme kung fu powers, calling himself Dong Feng Bu Bai or Invincible East (Kitty Zhang Yu Qi) appears to challenge him. During their fierce battle, Dong easily defeats Ren, blinds him in one eye, declares himself as the new leader and imprisons...

“An Eye for an Eye 2: Blind Vengeance” is, as the title clearly suggests, the sequel to a film from 2022. The Chinese action superstar Xie Miao played “the blind swordsman”, a fighter named Cheng Xiazi who earns his money as a bounty hunter. He meets a young woman named Yan Ni (Gao Weiman), whose entire family has fallen victim to a brutal attack. Cheng is only reluctantly persuaded to help her with her mission, which is of course revenge. The film lasts 77 minutes and is a flagship product of the bustling Chinese streaming service iQIYI. iQIYI, it seems, produces new films and series practically around the clock. These are now also finding fans in the West. As different as the quality of these products might be – the output of iQIYI alone is impressive.

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This might surprise you, but Jet Li's Western films -- ones shot primarily in English -- have grossed basically the same amount as Jackie Chan's (not counting Chan's voiceover work in animated films). Each of them have brought in just over two billion dollars with their English-language releases, but the odds are pretty good that regular moviegoers will recognize Chan far more often than they do Li. Why? That's a good question, and the answer probably has something to do with Chan's ubiquitous presence and those aforementioned family-friendly animated films.

Longtime action fans know that Li has delivered just as many absolute bangers as Chan, but while the latter made his name with comedy and a creative use of his environment, Li secured a spot in the action hall of fame based almost solely on his blisteringly fast skills. A fantastic fighter and athlete, as at home on...

The Hong Kong box office took $3.9m (Hk$30.6m) over five days from January 28-February 1, down 37.1% on the same five-day Lunar New Year period in 2024 and 59.3% down on pre-Covid 2019.

The Hong Kong Box Office, which released the data, said that the results were disappointing and hoped that more people would go to the cinemas to support Chinese New Year releases.

Two Hong Kong comedies took the top two places. Hit N Fun topped the chart with $959,715 (Hk$7.47m) from Tuesday to Saturday, while My Best Bet ranked second with $744,693 (Hk$5.8m).

Hit N Fun follows a boxing trainer who helps...

Tsukasa Hojo’s City Hunter started its serialization in the Weekly Shonen Jump in 1985 and is immensely popular among veteran anime enthusiasts. Since then, the manga has been adapted into various mediums, including an anime adaptation, numerous films, spin-offs, and a Jackie Chan starrer live-action film. All the different formats that City Hunter is available in give their own spin to the narrative, and the same is true for the live-action adaptation.

Jackie Chan as Ryo Saeba in Wong Jing’s City Hunter (1993) | Credits: Golden Harvest

The movie has found its fanbase, who appreciate it for what it is, but Chan doesn’t seem to be too fond of it. Given the film’s controversial humor and over-the-top elements, this shouldn’t be a surprise. However, there is more to the story. Here’s why the actor hates the movie and why it’s not surprising at all!

Jackie Chan...

Some of the most beloved martial arts films are those that go all out with their storytelling. Over-the-top martial arts films have an exaggerated display of either comedy, violence, or martial arts skills or all three at the same time. However, when done right, these heightened elements don't make it appear as though a film is trying too hard. The over-the-top antics are often grounded by the strong performances of a film's cast and the innovative approaches to fight choreography.

Jackie Chan is a familiar face in plenty of over-the-top martial arts films, as his career is largely defined by those with risky, extravagant stunts regularly paired with slapstick humor. However, as previously mentioned, humor and death-defying stunts aren't the only ways for films to be considered over-the-top. Riki-Oh and Shaolin Soccer are two films that feature absurd amounts of violence and superhuman martial arts skills, respectively, delivering an entertaining...

The stories of Shaolin monks have long been a classic component of martial arts movies and have served as the basis for countless classic fighting films. As a discipline that combined Zen philosophy and martial arts with a rich 1500-year history based around the Shaolin Temple in Henan, China, the tales of Shaolin monks relate directly to legendary stories in Chinese folklore. With rich, incredible real-life inspirations to draw from, its no surprise Shaolin monks have consistently been a major tenet of martial arts cinema.

Many of the best Shaw Brothers productions were related to the intense training and unique skillset of Shaolin monks. With movies from legendary stars like Gordon Liu, Lo Lieh, and perhaps the greatest Kung Fu star of modern times Jackie Chan, Shaolin monks were seen in all-time classics like Shaolin Temple and The 36th Chamber of Shaolin. For those looking for engaging martial arts movies that blend philosophy,...

In a somewhat unusual production from Shaw Brothers, at least compared with the style that made them rather successful, “Brothers of the Walled City” seems an effort to make a movie that is more realistic, additionally including melodramatic elements. Perhaps this was an effort to move towards the Hk New Wave that was taking place at the time, but the result, nevertheless, was one of the most violent movies ever to be released by the studio.

Initially set in the walled city of Kowloon, the story revolves around two brothers, younger Xiao De and older Da De, sons of Chan Yuan Loong, a gambling boss whose ethics made him a well respected individual within the area. The two kids were up to shenanigans since school, with their father frequently having to admonish them, usually through violence. When he dies however, stabbed by a junkie, the two are left with his best friend,...

Yuichi Sato's energetic flick “City Hunter” is loud, explosive, and in your face. Yet, it knows that, embracing it in a wildly entertaining experience. While many recent Netflix manga/anime adaptations have missed the mark, this movie does Tsukasa Hojo's source material justice, while taking a few creative liberties to tweak aspects for a modern audience. The film has garnered a positive reception from longtime fans of the “City Hunter” franchise, as well as newcomers, being highlighted as the definitive live-action adaptation next to the French version “Nicky Larson et le parfum de Cupidon” by Philippe Lacheau. It is funny to consider it took this long for Japan to adapt Hojo's work for non-animated media, with many prior renditions primarily coming from Hong Kong, the most famous being Wong Jing's “City Hunter” starring Jackie Chan.

If you like City Hunter, check our coverage of Netflix content by clicking...

Director Nao Hing and Hong Kong mega-star Andy Lau Tak-wah reunite after 18 years (when Lau produced Hing's “Crazy Stone”) to bring to life a rather funny Hong Kong (and not only) film industry satire, with “The Movie Emperor”. Inappropriately labelled as a Chinese New Year movie and following its triumphant premiere at the Toronto Film Festival in September and the Pingyao International Film Festival in October 2023, the film's theatrical release during Chinese New Year 2024 proved unexpectedly disappointing, grossing just 83 million yuan, probably obscured by more classical and joke-filled comedies, as expected in those festivities.

The Movie Emperor was screened at Udine Far East Film Festival

Dany Lau (Andy Lau) is a veteran megastar with a large fan base, who has been around long enough to start thinking he needs and/or deserves a lifetime achievement award, something like an Oscar. Shortlisted for the Best Actor prize at the Hong Kong Film Awards,...

City Hunter is an action comedy film directed by Yûichi Satô from a screenplay by Tsukasa Hôjô and Tatsuro Mishima. Based on a popular manga series of the same name by Tsukasa Hojo, the Netflix film follows the story of a private investigator as he teams up with his late partner’s sister to solve his mysterious murder which is connected to a deadly conspiracy. So, if you loved the style, humor, action, and philandering ways of Ryo Saeba in City Hunter, here are some similar films you could watch next.

City Hunter Credit – Golden Harvest

31 years before Suzuki Ryohei took on the role of the philandering Ryo Saeba, the legendary Jackie Chan also starred as the main character in another adaptation of the popular manga by Tsukasa Hojo. Directed by Jing Wong, the 1993 film follows the story of a lustful private investigator who is searching for a missing girl...

The first live-action film adapted from the comic book “Teddy Boy” and written by Man Kai Ming, “Young and Dangerous” was a huge success and incredibly, within a few short months, its sequel hit the big screens. Again it became a massive hit which continued to generate more sequels and spin-offs.

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By intercutting a series of flashbacks into the opening credits, director Lau is able to make his storyline flow smoothly and thus keeping his audiences up to date. Also by morphing the film's freeze frame image into the original comic, he ties in the storyline smoothly. What follows next also works as a prequel detailing Hung Hing society's “Chicken” Chiu's exile in Taiwan and how he becomes a branch triad leader of the local San Luen society.

The story then switches back to Hong Kong where the young...

Asian cinema is under a global spotlight right now. Thanks to the success of movies like Parasite and the rising profile of Asian actors and TV shows, east Asian productions are surging in popularity with mainstream and arthouse audiences alike. While recent hits such as Past Lives and Tainted Love are garnering plenty of attention, and we eagerly wait for Lulu Wang’s Expats to drop, here are four seriously underrated East Asian movies to check out in 2024.

Breathless (2009)

Director: Yang Ik-june

Directed by and featuring Yang Ik-june in a lead role, 2009’s Breathless is a great example of Korean cinema that’s very much a hidden gem. Exploring the unlikely friendship between a hard-nosed debt collector and a student, the movie delivers an unflinching portrayal of the harsh realities of life.

The narrative unfolds as Sang-hoon (Ik-june) and Yeon-hee (Kim Kkobbi), two strangers from different ends of the spectrum dealing with great personal distress,...

The mid-nineties were a period of transition for Jet Li. Having made his name in period martial arts pieces during the aftermath of the new wave, the saturation point had been reached and stepping into the modern action movie was inevitable. Initial forays had been limited in their success (Dragon Fight & The Master) and it wasn't until the shameless “The Bodyguard” rip-off “Bodyguard from Beijing” in 1994 that he began to get accepted in this genre. “The Enforcer” to give “My Father is a Hero” its generic western release title was a reunion of star and director, only this time with added familial drama with a script co-written by Wong Jing. As Eureka Entertainment releases its “Heroes and Villain's” box set, it's time to revisit this transitional period of the star and see how it holds up today.

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Undercover cop...

One of director Wong Jing's most under-appreciated films is this wuxia extravaganza based on Jin Yong's The Heaven Sword And Dragon Saber.

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While warring martial arts sects fight over a pair of mythical swords that grant great power, Zhang Wuji (Jet Li) goes on a quest to become a great martial artist and end the conflict.

Presented from a new restoration of the original film elements, Eureka Classics presents Kung Fu Cult Master for the first time ever on Blu-ray.

Special Blu-ray Edition Features:

Limited Edition O-Card slipcase featuring new artwork by Darren Wheeling | 1080p HD presentation on Blu-ray of the original Hong Kong theatrical cut from a new restoration of the original film elements | Original Cantonese mono audio | Optional English Subtitles | Brand new feature-length audio commentary by Asian film expert Frank Djeng | Archival Interview with Sammo Hung...

As meta as it gets, The Movie Emperor (Hong Tan Xian Sheng) stars Hong Kong superstar Andy Lau as superstar Dany Lau, a box-office hero desperate to validate his career with critics. When “Jackie Chen” wins a Hong Kong film award for portraying a peasant farmer, Lau decides to put together his own epic about rural poverty and “fatherly love” as his ticket to film-festival success. Yes, Lau is essentially playing himself in this complex comedy, the closing title at this year’s Busan International Film Festival. What’s more, Lin Hao, the director of the project, is played by the actual Movie Emperor director Ning Hao, whose Crazy Stone helped set a new direction for mainland Chinese comedies back in 2006.

Real-life celebrities (e.g. Tony Leung Ka-fai and Wong Jing) are sprinkled throughout. It’s one of the ways Ning Hao erases boundaries between the real and fake Lau.

Luck is an elusive and intangible force that has been a subject of fascination and intrigue for humanity across cultures and time. Asian cinema, with its rich storytelling and cultural nuances, has explored the theme of luck in various intriguing and thought-provoking ways. From heartwarming tales to thrilling adventures, here are seven Asian movies that delve into the enigmatic concept of luck.

1. Kung Fu Hustle (2004)

Stephen Chow’s “Kung Fu Hustle” is a comedic martial arts masterpiece that weaves humor and action with elements of luck. Set in 1940s China, the film follows Sing, a small-time hustler who dreams of becoming a notorious gangster. However, his plans take an unexpected turn when he inadvertently stumbles upon a conflict between two legendary Kung Fu masters. Through a series of fortunate (or unfortunate) events, Sing discovers hidden powers within himself, transforming his luck and destiny.

2. God of Gamblers (1989)

This Hong Kong action-comedy,...

Michelle Yeoh's action films consistently showcase her signature skills and make them worth watching for her stunts alone. While some of her films are better than others, Yeoh's performances bring a level of skill and dedication that elevate the action sequences. Yeoh's breakout moment came in the 1985 film Yes, Madam, where her inventive and gripping action sequences established her as a top-notch performer from the start of her career.

Very few actors have been synonymous with the action genre for as long as screen legend and history-making Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh. Although she trained to become a professional dancer, an injury early in her fledgling career pushed Yeoh to pursue choreography and drama. In the '80s, Yeoh made a name for herself in the Hong Kong cinema scene, appearing in martial arts films. Adept at performing her own stunts, Yeoh secured the starring role in her third-ever picture,...

During the early nineties in Hong Kong, the prolific screenwriter, producer, director and sometime actor Wong Jing made quite a number of crowd-pleasing action comedies which was a highly popular genre back then. Although wacky and action packed in nature, his films like “Tricky Brains”, “Royal Tramp”, “Legend of the Liquid Sword”, “Flying Dagger”, “Holy Weapon” and so on were commercially successful productions. Fast forward to 2011 and with a bigger Mainland budget, plus the help of two award-winning actors, Wong ws back and doing pretty much the same old thing. Set in White Horse Town, ancient China, “Treasure Inn” revolves around young Master Kung (Nicholas Tse) and Lo Pa (Nick Cheung), two lowly and underappreciated constables who work in the courthouse kitchen and laundry instead of doing proper investigating duties.

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One day, some thieves break into the Zhang family mansion,...

The prolific filmmaker Wong Jing directed and starred in “I Corrupt All Cops” (2009), a film about the establishment of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) by the Governor of Hong Kong to fight against corruption in the early 70s. Interestingly, the film's English initials clearly spelled out as Icac whereas its Chinese title means “Money Empire”. Twelfth years later, Wong, the master of remakes, was back with yet another spin on Icac this time with the help of four Hong Kong's finest actors. A sequel by name only with an interesting Chinese title, “Money Empire: Chasing Tiger, Capturing Dragon”.

In this new but fabricated crime drama yarn, we are back in British Hong Kong of the early 70s in which corruption and bribery rule big time under the watch of the greedy Chief Detective Chui Lok (Francis Ng) of the police force, who is in bed with local crime lord Wu Shi Hao,...

Sakra, a big-budget martial arts fantasy directed and starring Donnie Yen, is heading for a North American theatrical and digital release.

Rights to the film were acquired by WellGo USA which is a major stateside purveyor of Chinese and other Asian titles.

The company has set dates in April for a theatrical outing, shortly followed by a release to digital platforms, according to an emailed conversation with its president and CEO Doris Pfardrescher. Other details of its release and marketing campaign have yet to be finalized.

The film, a mainland China-Hong co-venture, was released in theaters in several territories in Southeast Asia in late January in time for the Lunar New Year holiday peak season. In China, it did not join the New Year scramble for screens and instead was released straight to streaming.

Yen previously described “Sakra” as the most authentic film he had ever made and came at...

Period action adventure led by ‘Ip Man’ star Donnie Yen.

Well Go USA Entertainment has acquired North America distribution rights to Sakra, the latest wuxia action feature led by martial arts star Donnie Yen.

Well Go, which has previously distributed Yen’s hit Ip Man films, plans to release Sakra in select theatres this spring. The deal was struck with Mandarin Motion Pictures on behalf of the filmmakers.

Based on the classic wuxia novel Demi-Gods And Semi-Devils by Louis Cha (known worldwide by his pen name Jin Yong), it marks the first time Yen has stepped back into a directorial role in nearly two decades.

Gambling films make for an exciting viewing experience, complete with high rollers, risky bets, crowded poker tables, and fast-paced storylines. Like online resources such as this one www.gambleonlineaustralia.com/, they are an excellent place to learn gambling strategies and see different casino plays in action. But gambling films are not limited to Hollywood. In fact, there seems to be a movie with some aspect of casino life in just about every country. Below, we review the top gambling films from the Asian continent.

God of Gamblers (1989)

God of Gamblers features some humor, which surprisingly works well with the gambling theme. The 1989 classic follows pro-gambler Ko Chun, who is so good at gambling he is considered the “god of gamblers.” Chun, like any man, has eccentricities, his being that he enjoys a piece of chocolate in every game he plays. He beats another master gambler, Tanaka, beginning a series of humorous and engaging events.

Titles include ‘A Guilty Conscience’, ‘Everything Under Control’ and ‘Say I Do To Me’.

In Hong Kong, local films A Guilty Conscience and Everything Under Control are set to open tomorrow (January 21) on the eve of Chinese New Year while Donnie Yen’s Sakra and Kiwi Chow’s Say I Do To Me are also joining the festive race.

It marks the first year since 2020 that Hong Kong cinemas can open for business during the lucrative holiday period, following two consecutive years of blackout due to the Covid pandemic that led to cancellations both in the city and overseas markets that scheduled day-and-date releases.

During the Northern Song Dynasty, Qiao Feng (Donnie Yen) is the leader of the Beggars’ Sect who is forced to confront the dilemma of his fate and life experience. In the martial arts world, he relies on his formidable willpower to fight with all his might in the glint and flash of daggers and swords. This is a story of his journey of self-discovery as he gradually transforms into the most powerful and chivalrous hero. (Source: Translated from Douban)

After almost twenty years since his comedy feature Protégé de la Rose Noire (2004), kung-fu legend Donnie Yen is back in the director’s chair for Śakra. This time not only is he directing the wuxia epic, he’s also lead actor and co-producer with his longtime collaborator, Wong Jing (Chasing the Dragon).

This big-budget action blockbuster is adapted from the classic novel, Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils, by master wuxia novelist Jin Yong.

By the end of the first film, while carrying on his apprenticeship as an eunuch in the Palace, the quick-witted and cunning undercover agent for the Heaven and Earth Society, Wai Siu Bo (Stephen Chow) soon earned the trust of the Emperor, after foiling a couple of schemes by rivals who tried to overthrow the Qing Dynasty. Furthermore, the forever lusty Princess Jian Ning (Chingmy Yau) is more than keen to share her chamber with Wai, the “Duke of Deer Cauldron” the highest position which he finally achieved apart from fame and fortunes.

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Essentially a straight follow-up to the first film, the plot thickens and continues with the Empress Dowager impersonator Lung Er (Sharla Cheung Man) returning to the Dragon Sect headquarters after blowing her over and expecting severe punishment. Her dying Master made her the new leader instead...

Adapted from a novel “The Dear and the Cauldron” written by Jin Yong/ Louis Chia, this madcap kung fu comedy from Wong Jing has Stephen Chow doing what he does best and winning the hearts and souls of cinema goers not only in his native land but all over Asia. Furthermore, it went on to become one of the top five grossing films in Hong Kong in 1992, starring the great man himself in the lead.

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Set at a time of turmoil during the Qing Dynasty, the story is about the struggle between the Han Chinese and the invading Manchurians. Chow, the master of the “Mo Lei Tao” (makes no sense) style of film making, plays Wai Siu Bo, a witty and sly man who lives in a brothel; incidentally he is also well known for regularly getting out of...

The best sports movies explore characters whose lives revolve around athletics, highlight their dedication to training for big games, and capture the thrill of victory and agony of defeat.

Check out this website if you are a football fanatic. Whether you are a football fanatic or just love an underdog story, we’ve got something for you.

There has been an explosion in movies about sports from various cultures in the past decade or so. So if you want to dive into this exciting world again, here are the top best Asian sports films of all time:

The Last Game

The Last Game is a Japanese drama film directed by Hiroshi Hasebe. The film follows a Japanese baseball team, which is trying to overcome the effects of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. The team is preparing for the championship game in the national high school baseball tournament.

The team is...

When “Naked Killer” starring Chingmy Yau came out in 1992 and became a cult favorite, producer and scripter Wong Jing followed it up with “Naked Weapon” in 2002 ten years later starring Maggie Q. Fast forward another ten years, the prolific filmmaker Wong resurfaced with another installment of his erotic girls-with-guns thriller “Naked Soldier” this time starring Jennifer Tse and Sammo Hung in the lead.

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The film kicks off with Interpol Agent Ck Lung (Sammo Hung) leading his men to a mansion which ends with a huge drug bust and making headlines everywhere. Next up we see him cooking Christmas dinner for his whole family but before they have a chance to eat, a group of gunmen fronted by Madame Rose (Ellen Chan) storms in and shoots at everyone. Lung fights hard with his enemies and gets shot in the chest.

A city enjoying a spectacular growth spur and a metropolis dying out as we speak. A star looking for a way out from a deadly trap and a teenager determined to have a say in her own future. Japanese feel-good movies and terrifying horrors. As always, Five Flavours offers a full spectrum of moods, emotions, and themes. We announce the complete program of the Festival and kick off tickets sales!

Five Flavours Asian Film Festival is the annual review of the best cinema from East, Southeast, and South Asia organized in Poland. Since 2006, it presents the premieres of the newest, carefully selected films from the region, the classics from Asian archives, retrospectives of selected filmmakers, and reviews of national cinemas.

This year’s selection includes 39 meticulously chosen films, 30 of which will be available online, on the territory of Poland only. After the success of last year’s hybrid edition, Five...

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Donnie Yen is among the exceedingly few actors of his generation to have worked at the highest levels of both Hollywood and the Chinese film industry. These days, though, he says he’s putting all his focus in the singular project of elevating Chinese commercial cinema’s reputation on the world stage.

Yen made his breakthrough way back in 1992 in Tsui Hark’s Wuxia classic Once Upon a Time in China II thanks to a memorable fight scene against the film’s hero, played by Jet Li. Scores of roles in Hong Kong, Chinese and Hollywood cinema have followed, including parts in Zhang Yimou’s Hero, Wilson Yip’s brutal crime flicks Spl: Sha Po Lang and Flash Point, Chinese tentpoles like The Monkey King 3D and Raging Fire, and most memorably as the star of the semi-biographical Ip Man movie series, which...

Bengaluru, Sep 11 (Ians) Australia beat defending champions China 81-55 in the final of the Fiba U-18 Women’s Asian Championship here on Sunday.

In their first appearance in the tournament’s final, Australia shot 47.9 from the field and outperformed China 56-26 in rebounds.

Isla Juffermans led Australia with a double-double of 26 points and 15 rebounds. Dallas Loughridge and Nyadiew Puoch helped with 17 and 14 points, respectively.

Juffermans scored eight points to move Australia ahead 22-14 by the end of the first quarter.

Wang Jing scored five straight points to help China pull the game back 21-26 early in the second quarter, but Juffermans continued her scoring output by contributing eight of Australia’s 10 points to open the period.

Australia made the most of late 3-pointers from Sophie Burrows and Tess Heal to establish a 44-30 advantage at halftime.

China’s efforts to increase the game tempo after the interval failed to come to fruition,...

Action and casino movies are two of the most popular movie genres in the world. And while there are plenty of great action and casino movies from North America and Europe, Asia has its own fair share of excellent films in these genres. In this blog post, we will take a look at some of the best Asian action and casino movies. These films are sure to get your heart racing and your adrenaline pumping!

Why are these films so popular?

There are many reasons why action and casino movies are so popular. For one, they are usually packed with non-stop action and excitement. They often have larger-than-life characters and plots that keep you on the edge of your seat. Additionally, these films usually have amazing production values, with some of the best stunt work and special effects in the business.

With the casino genre, there have been many films...

Jet Li tries to steady Jackie Chan-inspired character Frankie Lone while filming a stunt. Screenshot: Accented Cinema Filmmaker Wong Jing, a prominent figure in the ‘80s and ‘90s Hong Kong cinema boom, worked with Jackie Chan on the 1993 live action adaptation of City Hunter. The movie was released and...

Last year, Ben Stykuc wrote in his review of “Three Days of a Blind Girl”: “In retrospect, Anthony Wong is the only actor I know that could outNicolasCage Nicolas Cage”, and his comment could not have been more spot on. Having build his career with secondary roles and first roles in Cat III films, Wong eventually managed to become one of the most respected character actors in the industry with a string of awards and outstanding performances to his credit. Just his presence is frequently enough by itself to elevate the films he participates in, with him portraying rather different characters throughout his career, with equal artistry and much gusto. To celebrate this wonderful actor, we present 16 of his best performances, in alphabetical order, focusing on a diversity of roles that have him play from a a priest to rapist, from a cop to a sadistic killer, and anything between.

Featuring some of the most iconic Shaw Bros’ actors in the faces of Ti Lung, Lo Lieh, Wong Yu, Wang Lung-wei, Chan Wai-man and Philip Ko, “Mercenaries from Hong Kong” is also very much a Wong Jing vehicle, with the distinct combination of brutal action, slapstick humor and incoherence resulting in another rather entertaining title.

“Mercenaries from Hong Kong” is screening on Fantasia International Film Festival

The movie begins with a sequence that paves the way for what is about to follow as Luo Li is attempting to assassinate a man who exploited his niece, ending up feeding him his own drugs, before escaping and realizing that there is now a contract to his name by the triads. Around that time, he is approached by a mysterious lady named Hei-ying, who is proven to be the daughter of the richest family in Hong Kong, and whose father has been recently murdered by an assassin,...

After working together in the live-action version of “City Hunter”, Jackie Chan and Wong Jing had a falling out in which Chan went on to disown the film as well as attack Wong through the press. In return Wong, had a go at Chan through this action comedy starring Jacky Cheung as a fraud who is a cowardly womanizing action star dressed in a yellow jumpsuit. In addition, he also had a field day spoofing just about most if not all of the Hollywood’s action films imaginable.

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The film kicks off with a bunch of school kids trapped inside a bus with a time bomb ticking away, while Kit Li (Jet Li) is trying desperately to disarm it. Although he manages to cut the right wire, the bomb still goes off a few seconds later killing all the kids including his wife and son.

Gambling is known to be one of the hot topics included in movies. It can be seen that movies on this topic have attracted a huge number of players. If you are also looking for a movie on this topic, you can immediately refer to the list of movies below.

God Of Gamblers (1989)

One of the best gambling movies of all time is certainly no stranger to all gambling movie lovers and is named God Of Gamblers. Currently, bettors can easily play at online casinos such as Betway casino. However, at the time this movie came out, online casinos were not popular in Asia, and bettors had to go to land-based casinos to place their bets. Chow Yun-fat’s version of the movie God Of Gamblers is a version that has been around for quite a while and is a top favorite among viewers.

This movie revolves around the life...

A notorious assassin (Philip Ko of Boxer’S Omen) must be eliminated at all costs! A band of mercenaries in Hong Kong are hired by a mysterious tycoon’s young daughter for this special mission, and the payoff is more wealth than they can imagine. Armed with major firepower, they journey into the jungles of Cambodia. The main target is secured inside a heavily guarded camp. The dirty half-dozen plan the mission carefully and are ready to assault the camp. But the mission might become impossible—it’s been booby-trapped with nasty surprises that may have been set up by their own employer!

Lock and load for an avalanche of non-stop gunfire, explosions, lunatic motorcycle stunts, tasteless humor and barrels of bloody excitement from director Wong Jing, ’80s style! The same director who rejuvenated the gambling genre with God Of Gamblers and elevated some of Stephen Chow’s crazy classics with even more ludicrous cleverness,...

A new trailer for Enter the Fat Dragon has been released by Well Go USA. This movie stars martial arts icon Donnie Yen and serves as a remake of a 1978 movie of the same name. A lot has changed in the ensuing decades since the original was released, and Yen didn't undergo a real, dramatic body transformation for the leading role, the way Christian Bale has several times for roles in the past. Instead, he is using makeup, prosthetics and a body-transforming suit to pull off the look, which is certainly a unique choice, to put it lightly.

The trailer showcases Donnie Yen as a cop who is sent on a mission that requires taking out copious amounts of bad guys in various locations. Yen is displaying his usual amount of impressive skill. There is a ton of action, attempted bits of comedy and lots of crazy set-pieces. Overall, it looks like a well-made movie,...

"From now on, we're the kings of Hong Kong." Well Go USA has dropped another new trailer for the Hong Kong action/crime film Chasing the Dragon, from directors Jason Kwan & Jing Wong. This true story is about a drug lord in the 1960s, who snuck into British-ruled Hong Kong as an illegal immigrant. Donnie Yen stars as "Crippled Ho", who uses his combat skills to get deep into the underground world before being physically destroyed. He eventually works under the control of Chief Detective Sergeant, Lee Rock, played Andy Lau, until the Independent Commission Against Corruption (aka Icac) in 1974. The cast includes Philip Keung, Kang Yu, Kent Cheng, and Bryan Larkin. This film already first opened in September this year, but this is another trailer for the upcoming DVD/VOD release this January, in case you missed it. Here's the second trailer (+ poster) for Jason Kwan & Jing Wong's Chasing the Dragon,...

As Hong Kong’s premier schlockmeister, Wong Jing has never been shy about mining his own legacy to depletion. This is the man, after all, who managed to drain whatever fun there was left in his own trademark gambling comedies with his recent From Vegas to Macau franchise. With Chasing the Dragon (Jui Lung), Wong and co-director Jason Kwan offer a pale reboot of the mobster-biopic genre Wong helped make a cornerstone of Hong Kong cinema in the 1990s. Revisiting the characters and stories from two classics of that era — Lawrence Ah Mon’s Lee Rock, which Wong himself produced, and Poon...

Hong Kong superstars Andy Lau and Donnie Yen face off in director Wong Jing's upcoming 1970's set crime thriller Chasing The Dragon. And, yes, if the trailer is to be believed then fans of both stars should be very, very happy with the results. A remake of 1991's To Be Number One the film stars Lau reprising his role as police officer Lee Rock, a role last taken on in a pair of films carrying the character's  name from 1991. As for Yen, he plays a gangster known as Crippled Ho - reportedly based on an actual figure - who arrives illegally from Mainland China and climbs to top position in the drug trade. The scale here is impressively large and the action looks glossy...

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"Whatever I get in the future, you will get half." Well Go USA has unveiled two official trailers for the Hong Kong action film Chasing the Dragon, from directors Jason Kwan & Jing Wong. This true story is about a drug lord in the 1960s, who snuck into British-ruled Hong Kong as an illegal immigrant. Donnie Yen stars as "Crippled Ho", who uses his combat skills to get deep into the underground world before being physically ruined. He eventually works under the control of Chief Detective Sergeant, Lee Rock, played Andy Lau, until the Independent Commission Against Corruption (aka the Icac) in 1974. The full cast includes Philip Keung, Kang Yu, Kent Cheng, and Bryan Larkin. This looks cool but also totally crazy, almost like a parody more than a drama. It also seems like there might be a few badass action scenes hidden in this film. Here's the Us trailers (+ intl.

Unlike previous spin off Once Upon a Time in Triad Society (1996), Portland Street Blues (1998) is an official part of the franchise, involving a number of series stalwarts such as writer/producer Manfred Wong and executive producer Wong Jing. It also features cameos from the likes of Francs Ng, Ekin Cheng and Jerry Lamb portraying the roles they made famous in the main Young and Dangerous series. What sets Portland Street Blues apart from the main series is not only that it is one of the superior entries of the series, but that the main focus is on a female character in a usually male dominated genre. Portland Street Blues main focus is on the life of bisexual Triad member Sister 13 (Sandra Ng), who...

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There is a thrilling selection of Chinese-language titles at Filmart this year. Liz Shackleton picks out some of the most promising.

With very few Hong Kong or mainland Chinese sellers making the journey to this year’s European Film Market in Berlin, Filmart offers a chance for buyers to catch up with the Chinese-language titles that will be rolled out in the region for the rest of the year.

After serving up the biggest film of the Chinese New Year holiday — Kung Fu Yoga, starring Jackie Chan and directed by Stanley Tong — China’s Sparkle Roll Media has launched a Hong Kong-based sales arm that is selling Ding Sheng’s reboot of the A Better Tomorrow series.

Other high-profile action titles new to market include Distribution Workshop’s Extraordinary Mission, from the creative teams behind the Infernal Affairs and Overheard series, and Huayi Brothers’ crime drama Explosion, starring Duan Yihong.

Previously announced...

A Sheng is a Taiwanese factory owner, who has remarried and settled in Beijing. His two daughters, one from each wedding, are living in the same apartment in Taiwan. When the youngest one dies, during a scuba dive with her sister, Shin, and the leader of the swimming team of their school, who is also Shin’s boyfriend, A Sheng is forced to return to Taiwan. Furthermore, the police press charges against Shin for her sister’s death. A Sheng now has to face his estranged daughter, his ex-wife, the death of his youngest, and the rage of his current wife, who is convinced that Shin is responsible and is willing to go to extremes to make her pay.

Chen Yu-jie, in his debut, directs and pens a film that revolves around a very dysfunctional family. According to him, though, the parents are to blame for all of the family...

Hot off the success of last year’s box office record-setting smash The Mermaid, Stephen Chow brought us a sequel this Lunar New Year to his 2013 film Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons. While it set an opening day record in China, and was initially released in North America on roughly twice as many screens, it has thus far failed to match The Mermaid’s financial success. I have no idea why that is, anyone who claims to understand what makes the difference between a hit and a super-hit is a liar or a fool, but I can theorize that the film’s somewhat mixed critical response is a response to its weird hybrid nature. Not just in the ways Chow situates a sincere appreciation for religion within a goofy pop context, but in the film’s dual authorship between Chow, who co-wrote and produced, and Tsui Hark, who directed.