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The inaugural release of Shout! Factory’s new line of Hong Kong films long blocked from American distribution due to rights issues, The Jet Li Collection presents five of the martial arts star’s earliest and most beloved hits. Though Li had been a star in mainland China since his film debut in 1982’s Shaolin Temple, he found wider success a decade later with his lead role in Tsui Hark’s Once Upon a Time in China series. The films in this set all came out between 1993 and 1994, a super-concentration of hits that made the actor the new king of Hong Kong’s action scene.

Compared to Hong Kong mainstays like Jackie Chan and Yuen Biao, who blended serious technique with comedic timing, Li harked back to the era of stoic warriors like Bruce Lee and Jimmy Wang. That makes him an odd fit at first glance for Cory Yuen...

Oscar winner Ke Huy Quan addresses being mistaken for Jackie Chan. The Vietnam-born talent started his career as a child actor in the 1980s, getting his debut role as Short Round in 1984's Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. From there, Quan also had a prominent role playing Data in The Goonies before stepping out of the public eye for several years. His big comeback role was in Everything Everywhere All At Once, which won Best Picture and earned Quan a win for Best Supporting Actor.

In an interview with Wired, Quan discussed being mistaken for Chan. The question came about in a Wired "Autocomplete Interview," where he was in the hot seat to address commonly Googled questions about himself. One of the commonly Googled phrases said "Ke Huy Quan and Jackie Chan." Laughing, the actor explained how he is constantly mistaken for Chan. In a gracious response, Quan...

Sammo Hung has seen it all. From battling Bruce Lee on screen in “Enter the Dragon” (1973) to bossing Donnie Yen behind the camera as the action director of “Ip Man” (2008), the legendary martial artist now wields influence as jury president of this year’s Asian Film Awards. The man who helped define Hong Kong action cinema for generations is now evaluating its future.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

The 73-year-old action star, whose career spans over five decades, has transitioned seamlessly between acting, directing, and producing, crafting some of the most influential martial arts films in cinema history. When asked about the evolution of martial arts choreography from the classic Golden Harvest days to today’s spectacles, Hung remains philosophical. “I think there’s not much difference. It always evolves with time and evolves with trends,” Hung tells Variety.

Hung’s collaborations with Jackie Chan and Yuen Biao have produced countless iconic moments in action cinema.

Jackie Chan and Jet Li starred in 2008's The Forbidden Kingdom, their only action film together. Martial arts fans can now revisit their scenes in ultra-high definition from Lionsgate's special home release.

Lionsgate Home Entertainment is launching The Forbidden Kingdom in 4K HD Blu-Ray this February. Per Geek Vibes Nation, the special edition SteelBook is packed with special features including a Dolby Atmos audio track for a more immersive experience. Fans can revisit the film (and its deleted scenes) with full audio commentary from director Rob Minkoff and screenwriter John Fusco (The Highwaymen). The release also comes with a blooper reel, a post-credits staple of Jackie Chan films. The Forbidden Kingdom is a must-watch for martial arts fans; it's the only film that pits Chan and Jet Li in sparring scenes.

RelatedNetflix Users Can't Stop Watching This Jackie Chan Action Trilogy

One of Jackie Chan's most popular action trilogies...

Known primarily for their work in The Five Deadly Venoms, a group of five martial arts actors starred in a slew of entertaining kung fu flicks. Martial arts movies have a tendency to recreate actor pairings that studio already know can lead to success. Jackie Chan's Three Dragons movies with Yuen Biao and Sammo Hung are a perfect example of this. Also worth mentioning are the various partnerships between Ti Lung and David Chiang in classic Shaw Brothers movies, as well as the films that boast Jean-Claude Van Damme and Scott Adkins as co-stars.

The vast majority of these actor team-ups are duos and trios, but that's not the case for the Venom Mob. Taking their name from their Five Deadly Venoms movie from 1977, the Venom Mob consisted of five actors, all of whom being talented martial artists. A long list of great kung fu movies managed to pack...

In Cult Of Criterion, The A.V. Club highlights a new release from The Criterion Collection each month, examining the films entering an increasingly accessible film canon.

Only Sammo Hung could inject a grim Vietnam war movie with the kind of bouncy humor that always seems to accompany his regular troupe of acrobatic action heroes.

Like much of actor-choreographer-director Sammo Hung’s work behind the camera, 1987’s Eastern Condors is a collision of disparate tones held together through sheer force of will. During the Vietnam War, a group of Chinese prisoners get a chance at parole and American citizenship if they undertake a secret mission to destroy a cache of weapons before they can fall into the hands of the Viet Cong. This sets up a standard war movie abundant in heroic sacrifice, last-stand shootouts, and archetype characters, but Hung brings his martial arts expertise and propensity for slapstick to a film otherwise keyed to the tragic human waste of war.

Proof of the influence that Hung, who stars in the film as Tung Ming-sun, wielded within the Hong Kong industry, the members of the ad hoc suicide squad at the film’s center are played by a who’s-who of stars and character actors,...

Described by film scholar Andrew Willis as arguably the most recognizable film star in the world, Jackie Chan remains the most significant figure in action cinema over the past half-century. Working as an actor, director, writer, and action choreographer, Chan achieved mainstream success in both the Eastern and Western hemispheres. Fans have come to easily recognize his acrobatic, improvised martial arts fighting style, but there's more to his best films than just top-notch action sequences.

During the early 1970s, Bruce Lee played a substantial role in catapulting the Hong Kong film industry to the forefront of world cinema. Lee's premature death left a void that Jackie Chan ultimately filled. Chan's combination of slapstick humor with world-class action choreography helped to create some of cinema's greatest films.

Updated December 5, 2024, by Christopher Raley: As one of the most memorable action stars to hit the screen, Jackie Chan has starred in Chinese and Hollywood films.

Sammo Hung is a legend in martial arts and kung fu cinema, playing many different roles as an actor and also producing, directing, and choreographing fight sequences, setting the trend on many aspects of the genre overall. He was a pivotal figure in the Hong Kong New Wave movement, creating some of the best kung fu films of the 1980s, popularizing the kung fu genre to a larger, international audience with his focus on clever stories, dramatic narratives, and more Western-style action and special effects, as well as other technical aspects, like synchronous sound and filming movies on different locations.

Whether in front of the camera or behind it, Sammo has left his mark on the culture of martial arts cinema. Films like The Prodigal Son and Pedicab Driver are landmarks in their genre, with stand-out acting, storytelling, and fight scenes that are as iconic today as they were back then.

Jackie Chan had been an international star for the better part of a decade when he made 1983’s martial arts action comedy Project A, but it was with this film that he raised his profile to a global phenomenon. It was here that he first assembled the Jackie Chan Stunt Team and pushed his facility with both action choreography and precisely timed physical comedy into the extremes that defined many of his films throughout the 1980s and early ’90s.

Set at the end of the 19th century in a Hong Kong now fully consolidated as a British colony with the signing of a 99-year lease, the film follows Dragon Ma (Chan), a member of the maritime police who’s tasked with taking down a pirate ring responsible for smuggling weapons into the area. As Ma pursues his mission with chaotic zeal, he entangles himself in a rivalry with Hong (Yuen Biao...

Fans of the golden age of martial arts action is about to get a new exciting release from The Criterion Collection. The special preservation and remastering label has released Bruce Lee’s famous films in an amazingly crisp 4K restoration, as well as Jackie Chan‘s biggest films, including Police Story and Police Story 2. Fans of this era of Golden Harvest also have Sammo Hung’s My Lucky Stars, which also features Jackie, and Michelle Yeoh‘s Heroic Trio to view in incredible transfers.

Now, Criterion has announced that on December 17, Eastern Condors — Sammo Hung’s ode to The Dirty Dozen, which co-stars fellow Peking Opera performer Yuen Biao, will be available in an all-new 2K restoration with a new Blu-ray release. Criterion has also revealed all the special features that will be included with the release. You can pre-order the item here.

The description reads,

“Legendary actor-director Sammo...

Within the career of renowned Hong Kong director Tsui Hark, 1983 was quite an exciting and busy year with all in all five projects which he worked on, two of which he directed. One of those films he eventually helmed as director was an adaptation of a popular xianxia novel titled “Legend of the Swordsmen of the Mountains of Shu” written by Huanzhulouzhu, whose works served as the foundation of many TV series and movies over the years. In the hands of Hark and his team the film, which was consequently titled “Zu Warriors of the Magic Mountain”, became a blend of wuxia and fantasy, while its use of effects and genre-bending nature was significant for filmmakers in finding an international audience.

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While the country is at war with several factions fighting one another, soldier Dik Ming kei (Yuen Biao...

After yesterday’s rumors and confusion, we now know that Hong Kong director and cinematographer Corey Yuen has died. Interestingly, according to the Federation of Hong Kong Filmmakers, Yuen passed away in 2022, but the media kept his death a secret at the request of his family. While the Federation did not reveal a date of death, we know the Righting Wrongs, The Transporter, and Doa: Dead or Alive director died of complications from Covid-19. On Monday, news about Mr. Yuen’s death was revealed on Chinese-language social media by action legend Jackie Chan, who trained alongside Yuen under Sammo Hung Yuen Wah, Yuen Qiu, and Yuen Biao at the Peking Opera School.

Corey Yuen started as an actor, contributing to 114 projects and playing roles in films like The Jade Raksha, Long ya Jian, Ai Nu, Brutal Boxer, and more. He worked alongside cinema’s greatest martial artists, including Chan, Michelle Yeoh,...

Corey Yuen, the actor, action choreographer and director of “So Close” and “Doa: Dead or Alive,” died in 2022, the Federation of Hong Kong Filmmakers confirmed to Variety.

Local and English-language reports say that Yuen died of Covid-19 on an undisclosed date in Hong Kong. He was born on Feb. 15, 1951 as Ying Gang-ming.

His death was initially kept private at the request of his family. But on Monday, the news was revealed on Chinese-language social media by fellow action star Jackie Chan, who paid tribute to Yuen and others in the industry who had died.

Yuen and Chan were contemporaries and trained together with Sammo Hung Yuen Wah, Yuen Qiu and Yuen Biao at the Peking Opera School. Together, they were sometimes referred to as the Seven Little Fortunes or The Lucky Seven and made their mark during the heyday of Hong Kong cinema from the late 1970s to the early 1990s.

Jackie Chan's unique martial arts style set him apart as the greatest Kung Fu star of all time. Chan's commitment to intense stuntwork kept viewers glued to their seats in disbelief. With cross-generational appeal and philanthropic efforts, Chan is a true Kung Fu legend.

Kung Fu cinema has had plenty of incredible stars, but it must be admitted that the greatest of them all was Jackie Chan. While influential legends like Bruce Lee have earned their place among the best martial artists there ever were, when all metrics were considered, nobody was able to top the incredible achievement of Jackie Chan's vast and varied filmography. With intense fighting skills, a commitment to stunt work, and worldwide recognizability, Chan just ticked all the boxes.

Equally beloved across cultural and generational divides, Jackie Chans defining movies made him a legend. With experience in countless genres, a willingness to always try something new,...

Bruce Lee forever changed Kung Fu movies, leaving behind a legacy that influenced martial arts worldwide. Jackie Chan's comedic timing and dangerous stunts solidified his role as the greatest Kung Fu star ever. Lesser-known stars like Fung Hak-on and Yuen Biao made significant contributions to the genre as well.

There have been so many incredible Kung Fu movie stars who left their mark on the martial arts genre, but over the years, a select few stood out as the greatest of all time. Following the massive interest in Kung Fu that developed during the 1970s in the wake of Bruce Lees incredible success, there were plenty of other stars who made a name for themselves both in Hong Kong and Hollywood productions. With astounding acrobats, fantastic fights, and stunning stunt work, these stars truly stood as the best the world has ever seen.

With roles in action comedies, sword-fighting showdowns,...

It can feel that Robert Clouse must have made a faustian pact back when he helmed “Enter the Dragon”. For all of that film's iconic success, he seemed doomed to be forever searching to recapture it to slowly diminishing returns. From “Game of Death” to “The Battle Creek Brawl”, Golden Harvest would return to him frequently when co-producing stateside. So it was no surprise in 1990 that they would hire him one last time. Eureka Entertainment brings those final features to blu ray and once again Cynthia Rothrock throws down in “China O'Brien”.

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China (Cynthia Rothrock), city cop and martial arts teacher saves a student but unwittingly shoots a kid dead. Leaving the Force, she returns home to Beaver Creek where her Sheriff father John (David Blackwell) is finding law and order hard to maintain as local crime boss Sommers...

Impressive stunts in martial arts movies include intense fight sequences, incredible feats of human ingenuity, and death-defying helicopter stunts. Martial arts legends like Bruce Lee and Jet Li have showcased their skills with sword fights and acrobatic sequences in acclaimed films. Actors like Jackie Chan, Donnie Yen, and Michelle Yeoh have left their mark on the genre with jaw-dropping stunts that have become iconic in martial arts cinema.

Martial arts legend Jackie Chan was responsible for some of the greatest stuntwork that has ever been filmed, but he’s not the only star who has impressed audiences with incredible stunts. Throughout the history of martial arts cinema, there have been plenty of talented performers who have left their mark on the genre and have even matched Chan when it came to delivering awe-inspiringly impressive stunts. From screen icons like Bruce Lee to contemporary sensations such as Michelle Yeoh, there was...

The 1980s marked a golden era for kung fu movies with iconic actors like Jackie Chan and Sammo Hung redefining the genre. Female action stars like Cynthia Khan challenged gender stereotypes in films like In The Line Of Duty III, showcasing power and skill. From legendary films like Police Story to the classic Wheels On Meals, the 1980s produced a diverse array of kung fu movies that continue to inspire.

Every decade has seen the emergence of remarkable kung fu movies, and the 1980s stand out as a treasure trove of some of the genre's finest. This golden era of Hong Kong cinema showcased several movies featuring legendary actors like Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, and Yuen Biao, who redefined the genre with their innovative stunts, intricate choreography, and unparalleled martial arts skills. Films such as Police Story, Project A, and Wheels on Meals not only entertained audiences with their high-octane action sequences,...

Kung Fu Hustle

Kung Fu superstar Sammo Hung will deliver a masterclass on May 4 as part of the 12th Singapore Chinese Film Festival. He will also attend a mini-retrospective of his films. Hung studied under Peking Opera master Yu Jim Yuen at a young age and was the “big brother”’ to the China Drama Academy’s performance troupe known as the Seven Little Fortunes, whose members included Jackie Chan, Yuen Biao, Yuen Wah, Yuen Qiu and Corey Yuen. He starred in “Painted Faces” (1988), which was based on his time in the Seven Little Fortunes.

Hung’s career as an actor, action choreographer, director and producer spans some 60 years. His acting credits include action comedies “Dirty Tiger, Crazy Frog” and “Odd Couple,” paranormal horror comedies “Encounters of the Spooky Kind” and “The Dead and the Deadly,” comedy film series “Lucky Stars” and gangster action film “Shanghai, Shanghai.” In 1982, Hung won the...

Wuxia cinema used Ancient China to tell epic stories of battles, romance, and supernatural scenarios. Many martial arts movies set in Ancient China were known for their variety and countless tales. Movies like Mulan and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon opened up mainstream audiences to wuxia filmmaking.

Martial arts movies have always been intrinsically linked to an Ancient Chinese setting and wuxia cinema used this era to tell stories of epic historical battles, romantic encounters, and supernatural scenarios. Wuxia was a popular genre of martial arts movies in Asian filmmaking and through the decades these films have used this setting as the basis for countless kung-fu classics, fantasy fighting films, and wonderfully weird wuxia worlds. In movies made by production companies like the Shaw Brothers Studio, martial arts legends would star in thrilling films set in Ancient China.

From the action-packed adventures of deadly assassins to the ravishing romances of wayward warriors,...

Co-produced by Corey Yuen and Yuen Biao, with the two of them also function as action director, and the first being credited as the director and the second as the protagonist, “Righting Wrongs” is considered one of the best movies of the latter and has now reached the status of cult for a number of reasons.

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In that fashion, some trivia regarding the production are definitely interesting to mention. According to Rothrock, Golden Harvest originally signed her to play the villain opposite of Jackie Chan in Armour of God, but when production halted due to Chan's near-fatal filming accident, the studio reassigned Rothrock to Righting Wrongs with Biao. While practicing her moves for the film, she injured her right Acl; rather than take time off to undergo surgery, she proceeded to shoot her scenes using her left leg for her kicks.

Jackie Chan frequently collaborated with actors like Yuen Biao and Sammo Hung in many of his iconic movies. Chan also worked with stars like Michelle Yeoh and Anita Mui, building connections from his time as a stuntman. From Bruce Lee to Andy Lau, Chan's career is marked by numerous co-stars, creating a rich tapestry of martial arts cinema.

Jackie Chan was the most recognizable Hong Kong actor of all time and throughout his filmography, which included appearances in more than 150 movies, he has frequently collaborated with many of the same actors. A major reason for this was that the studio Golden Harvest, who played a major role in introducing Hong Kong action movies to the world, often relied on the same pool of actors that included Chan. This meant, Chan was often cast opposite the same performers, in particular his close collaborators Yuen Biao and Sammo Hung, who collectively became known as the Three Dragons.

Chow Yun-fat has appeared in approximately 115 movies, becoming a major success with Eastern and Western audiences alike. Jackie Chan, a global media personality, has appeared in approximately 150 movies, showcasing his slapstick fighting style. Sammo Hung, a martial arts legend, has worked both behind and in front of the camera, appearing in approximately 200 movies and choreographing fight scenes for Jackie Chan.

While there are plenty of martial arts stars who have been in numerous movies, there are very few who hold the honor of appearing in more than 100. As a fast-paced, action-packed genre, some martial arts stars worked as furiously hard as their own characters and didn't slow down for anything. With some martial arts stars maintaining careers over many decades, it only makes sense that there would be a committed few who have amassed filmography numbers in the hundreds.

While certain names like Jackie Chan and Andy Lau will be familiar to Western audiences,...

The Three Dragons, Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, and Yuen Biao, revolutionized the kung fu genre with their unique blend of talents and deep friendship. Their joint film ventures created some of the most famous on-screen fight sequences and cemented their status as iconic figures of martial arts cinema. While their films, such as "My Lucky Stars" and "Wheels on Meals," feature impressive action sequences and martial arts prowess, some of the humor feels dated and offensive, particularly towards female characters.

Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, and Yuen Biao were an iconic trio of kung fu actors known as the Three Dragons and they've made some incredible movies together. They starred together in six 1980s martial arts films, including Wheels on Meals and Project A. Trained together in kung fu from childhood, the trio forged a deep friendship. Their switch to acting was a decision that created some of the most famous...

One of Jackie Chan’s action masterpieces is 1983’s Project A. The film brought Chan together with his brothers from the China Drama Academy, Sammo Hung and Yuen Biao. Project A features Chan’s signature action with the famous set pieces that have been inspired by such classic silent-era performers as Harold Lloyd and Charlie Chaplin. Now, the home video distribution company 88 Films, which has released remastered Chan movies like Dragons Forever and the Police Story movies, will now be releasing Project A and Project A – Part II on 4K Blu-ray. Blu-ray.com has announced that the set will be available on April 23, 2024.

Special Features and Technical Specs include:

Dolby Vision/Hdr Presentation Of The Hong Kong Cut (106 min) Dolby Vision/Hdr Presentation Of The Taiwan Cut (115 min) Cantonese Dolby Atmos Track and Cantonese 1.0 and with newly translated subtitles + English Dub New Interview with Stuntman Mars (2024) Interview with Jackie...

In the mid-eighties, Jackie Chan was the biggest star in Asia. After failing to break out like Bruce Lee in the North American market, he focused on Asia, with his film Police Story making him one of the biggest box office draws of his day. At the same time, Chan was frequently working with two other action stars, Sammo Hung and Yuen Biao, with whom he had been raised at the brutal Peking Opera School. Their movies, Project A and Wheels on Meals, where big hits, but 1988’s Dragons Forever was the breaking point for their relationship, with them never again headlining a film together. What happened?

Part of it may have been jealousy and a heavy dose of ego. At the time, Chan was the biggest star to emerge from Hong Kong since Bruce Lee. While the late seventies and early eighties were good for him, leaving to a string of popular hits,...

Action-packed World War 2 thriller 3 Days in Malay is out now on digital in the UK and Ireland, and to celebrate, we’re giving two lucky winners the chance to win an iTunes voucher!

Based on true events, 3 Days in Malay is directed by and stars Louis Mandylor (Blindsided) alongside Donald Cerrone (The Commando) and wrestling superstar Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson (The A-Team) as outmanned soldiers defending a vital airstrip from a Japanese assault. Tense and action-packed in the tradition of Fury, 3 Days in Malay is a no-nonsense tale of against-the-odds courage and camaraderie in the face of the brutality of combat.

A small group of soldiers and medical staff must defend an airfield for three days against a Japanese assault during the fight for Malay during the Second World War.

3 Days in Malay is available now on digital platforms including Google, iTunes, Sky, Amazon, Ratuken and Virgin.

Inspirational teachers and action cinema always seems to recall “The Substitute” series of American movies back in the 1990's. It is an odd mix to combine from a storyline perspective with a high probability of being either preachy or exploitative. It does however offer a mix of dramatic possibilities. Which leads us to “Walid”, a Malaysian feature that aims to deliver just that whilst promoting the Silat martial art to a wider international audience.

“Walid” Opens in U.S. Theaters, July 28 at Cinema Village in NYC and August 11 at the Laemmle Glendale in LA, courtesy of Outsider Pictures

Walid (Megat Sharizal) gives his time teaching the underprivileged children in the village, extolling the virtues of how to live life through giving them the chance to read and write. One day, he notices Aisha (Putri Qaseh) a young girl from a neighboring village watching his class from the outside and intrigued by this,...

Also known as The Lady Dragon, Cynthia Rothrock first started acting in Hong Kong films in the 1980s following a very successful career as a competition martial artist. She holds 5 black belts and is ranked 8th Dan Grandmaster. She competed against men for a good part of her competition days due to there not always being a women’s category, where she won many times over. Her achievement in the martial arts world got her the first female cover of Karate Illustrated and her film career is filled with action and a bit of humor. Here are 5 of the best Cynthia Rothrock movies:

Yes, Madam (1985)

Her very first movie role, the part of Inspector Carrie Moss was designed for Rothrock and her skills, or so it would seem while watching the film. Directed by Corey Yuen and co-starring Michelle Yeoh, a woman who needs no introduction at this point, the...

Though I’m sure there are only approximately 2 people reading this who haven’t seen the original Mr Vampire, we have to set some context before we delve into Eureka’s two disc set of its sequels.

1985’s Mr Vampire (also on Blu-ray from Eureka) stars Lam Ching-Ying as a Taoist priest who, along with his students (Ricky Hui and Chin Siu-ho) has to fight off supernatural threats like a ghost that wants to seduce one of the students and the undead grandfather of Ting-Ting (Moon Lee), who they were supposed to rebury, but allowed to turn and escape. It’s great fun, narratively nonsense a lot of the time, but also somewhat rooted in real traditions and Chinese culture (the unique hopping vampires). For my money it earns its reputation as a classic, which brings us to this set.

The Films

Mr Vampire II

This film has almost nothing to do with Mr Vampire.

Jackie Chan could have starred in two more Three Dragons movies, but these plans never came to fruition. Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, and Yuen Biao were a trio of martial arts actors who made a string of movies together during the 1980s. Over time, they became known as the Three Dragons.

Trained in kung fu by the same martial arts master, the three actors have a storied friendship that dates back to their childhood. After all three transitioned into acting, they began working together and were eventually able to headline movies, with the three actors typically playing the protagonists. Some of their films, including Wheels on Meals and Jackie Chan's Project A, evolved into beloved kung fu classics, making them arguably one of the most popular acting teams in the martial arts movie genre. However, their partnership didn’t last long. The last Three Dragons movie was 1988’s Dragons Forever.

Winner of the 1999 Golden Horse Award for Best Visual Effects, Andrew Lau's “A Man Called Hero” is a genuine wuxia film, which doubles intensely though, as a drama, in a rather appealing package that also benefits the most by the impressive cast. The movie would be a huge commercial success, amassing more than 23 million Hk dollars upon its release.

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The script is loosely based on the manhua series Chinese Hero: Tales of the Blood Sword by Hong Kong artist Ma Wing-shing and begins in early Republican China. After passing a test, Hero Hua is accepted by Pride, a master swordsman, as his second apprentice. When he returns home, he is horrified to see that his parents have been murdered by foreigners for opposing the opium trade. That night, Hero breaks up the foreigners' party and kills them in revenge.

Several well-known martial arts stars have gone up against Bruce Lee in his movies. In spite of the actor completing only four martial arts movies, Lee is responsible for a long list of memorable movie fight scenes. Most are known just for Lee’s part in them, but a few also feature other famous kung fu movie actors.

Like so many other early entries in the kung fu movie genre, Lee’s films weren’t heavy on actors with martial arts experience. In movies like Enter the Dragon and Game of Death, he hired fellow martial artists like Bob Wall and Dan Inosanto to appear in his movies as his opponents, but the main roles were filled by key studio players, rather than high-profile martial arts stars. That’s not altogether surprising, though, considering that the genre was still young in the early 1970s when Lee’s movies were released.

When "John Wick" dropkicked its way into theaters in 2014, it raised the bar on U.S. action films but didn't quite feel like a total game changer at the time. Keanu Reeves as the sympathetic rogue assassin was undeniably cool and relatable without reaching instant icon status. The gun-fu interplay felt fresh and exciting with clear influences from Hong Kong cinema that most audiences were already at least somewhat familiar with. Director John Woo, for example, imported his unique blend of action and artistry with the shoot 'em up classics "The Killer" and "Hardboiled," introducing international audiences to a rebirth of cool in hitman movies that also had a soul.

Fast forward to "John Wick: Chapter 4." Reeves, director Chad Stahelski and the entire creative and technical teams have taken all of their influences from some of the greatest choreographers and martial artists to truly transcend the action genre. At nearly three hours long,...

Martial arts veteran Sammo Hung will be presented with a lifetime achievement honor at the Asian Film Awards.

The ceremony is back as an in-person event after a two-year absence and has shifted back to Hong Kong after previously being held in Hong Kong, Macau and Busan. Hung will accept the award on Sunday at the Hong Kong Palace Museum.

Hung’s career as an actor, action choreographer, director and producer spans some 60 years.

His acting credits include action comedies “Dirty Tiger, Crazy Frog” and “Odd Couple,” paranormal horror comedies “Encounters of the Spooky Kind” and “The Dead and the Deadly,” comedy film series “Lucky Stars” and gangster action film “Shanghai, Shanghai.” In 1982, Hung won the best actor prize at the second Hong Kong Film Awards for his directorial effort “Carry on Pickpocket,” as well as best action choreography for “The Prodigal Son,” which he also directed and starred in.

Eureka Entertainment are set to release Hopping Mad: The Mr Vampire Sequels, four more vampire-hopping films featuring a bevy of Hong Kong legends. Presented as part of the Eureka Classics range in their UK debuts on Blu-ray from stunning new restorations.

After the huge success of Mr. Vampire, Hong Kong audiences were desperate for more vampire-hopping action and the films’ producers were more than happy to oblige. A steady stream of jiangshi content was produced over the following years, and presented here are 4 of these classic titles from stunning new restorations.

In Mr Vampire II (aka Vampire Family) an archaeologist and his students unwittingly set free a family of hopping vampires who wreak havoc in 1980s Hong Kong. Mr Vampire III returns to a period setting and sees Lam Ching-ying’s Taoist priest battle an evil witch (a brilliant performance by veteran actress Pauline Yuk-Wan Wong). Mr Vampire IV (aka...

Arrow will be re-releasing Sammo Hung’s Knockabout, available on North American Blu-ray and their streaming service Arrow, on March 28, 2023. To celebrate the release, Arrow has a new trailer to debut. Blu-ray details are located here.

Having established himself as Hong Kong’s premier action choreographer throughout the 1970s, Sammo Hung ended the decade by directing a non-stop assault of kung fu classics for Golden Harvest, starting with the brutal The Iron-Fisted Monk. But it would be his 1979 directorial effort that would finally give his Peking Opera brother-in-arms, acrobatic ace Yuen Biao, his first chance at leading man status: Knockabout!

Brothers and partners-in-crime, Yipao (Biao) and Taipao (Warriors Two‘s “Beardy” Leung Kar-Yan), have made an up-and-down career out of being hustlers, conning everyone from bank tellers to casino dealers. One day, they push their luck with the wrong man, martial arts master Chia Wu Dao (legendary Shaw...

It is a brand new month and for the moment all you have to beware of in March are the Ides. When it comes to the lineup of programming that Arrow have in store for you there is nothing to fear. From documentaries about Dennis Hopper, Nicolas Roeg and the makings of Barbarella and The Mutilator.    There are collections of films celebrating horror icons Jeffrey Combs and Greek filmmaker Nico Mastorakis. Other collections include music and audio-based Arrow features in Death by Stereo and a currated list of titles put together by the Horror Movie Survival Guide podcast.   To cap off the month martial arts fans can watch Sammo Hung and Yuen Biao's Knockabout.   Arrow Offers Classic and Cutting Edge Cult Cinema March 2023 Lineup...

[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...

Coming 26th September from 88 Films in UK.

Lawyer Jason Chan (Yuen Biao), fed up with the failings of the justice system and the way it allows criminals off the hook, vows to take the law into his own hands after a key witness and his entire family are murdered. However, his plans are soon complicated when he finds hotshot detective Cindy-Si (Cynthia Rothrock) on his case.

Shot through with intrigue and action, this slick Hong Kong thriller rattles along magically in a satisfyingly explosive manner. In this Deluxe presentation, Righting Wrongs is a must for all serious collectors of martial arts mayhem.

Terracotta Blu-ray & Dvd Store

Hong Kong neon-noir police action, On The Run, is out in September via 88Films. This gritty, and sometimes brutal film, features Yuen Biao in a full-on action and dramatic role, a change from the comedy-action films he is known for. Yuen Biao plays a police officer, trying to solve the case of his wife’s murder, and slowly unravels the layers of who he can and can’t trust in his circle. Pre-order now at a special discounted price on the Terracotta store Here

Might as well go for the Yuen Biao double. Also released in September, Righting Wrongs is some straight up beat ’em up Hong Kong 80’s action cinema. Starring Yuen Biao and Cynthia Rothrock, this release comes packed full of extras and special features, again via 88Films Here

July Blu-ray Releases

Summer Time Machine Blues – hilarious Japanese time-travel comedy featuring student high-jinks and a broken air-conditioner.

Guest reviewer Lee Broughton returns with an assessment of Sammo Hung’s groundbreaking Hong Kong hit wherein comedy, horror and martial arts elements are brought together in a wholly successful way. This show has it all: kung fu action, duelling mystics, hopping vampires, hungry zombies, haunted mirrors and a sympathetic everyman whose danger-fraught narrative trajectory is littered with moments that are genuinely funny. Excellent production values complete this near perfect picture.

Encounter of the Spooky Kind

Region B Blu-ray

Eureka Entertainment

1980 / Color / 2.35 / 103 min. / Encounters of the Spooky Kind, Spooky Encounters, Gui da Gui / Street Date, 21 June 2021 / £17.99

Starring: Sammo Hung, Fat Chung, Lung Chan, Huang Ha, Suet-Mei Leung, Ching-Ying Lam, Biao Yuen.

Cinematography: Yu-Tang Li

Film Editor: Peter Cheung

Written by Sammo Hung, Ying Wong

Produced by Raymond Chow

Directed by Sammo Hung

“Fat Guts” Cheung (Sammo Hung) is a rickshaw driver in rural China. The “Fat Guts” moniker came about...

Guest reviewer Lee Broughton returns with a Region B review of Tsui Hark’s mystical tale of derring-do in ancient China. Hark revived a once popular variant of the wuxia film form — the Chinese shenguai wuxia films from the late 1920s — which paired chivalric martial arts with more overtly mystical and mythological elements. The groundbreaking and stylishly executed result is said to have been John Carpenter’s chief inspiration when making Big Trouble in Little China.

Zu Warriors from the Magic Mountain

Blu-ray

Eureka Entertainment

1983 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 98 min. / Shu Shan – Xin Shu shan jian ke / Street Date April 20, 2020 / £17.99

Starring: Adam Cheng, Brigitte Lin, Damian Lau, Biao Yuen, Hoi Mang, Moon Lee, Judy Ongg, Sammo Hung, Norman Chu, Corey Yuen.

Cinematography: Bill Wong

Film Editor: Peter Cheung

Original Music: Sing-Yau Kwan

Written by Cheuk-Hon Szeto

Produced by Raymond Chow

Directed by Tsui Hark

Reviewed by Lee Broughton

Ancient China: civil...

Eureka Entertainment to release “Wheels on Meals”, a spectacular, non-stop action comedy starring Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung and Yuen Biao, presented from a brand new 2K restoration for the first time ever on Blu-ray in the UK as part of the Eureka Classics range on 18 March 2019. Available with a Limited Edition slipcase and booklet [4000 copies Only].

From a brand new 2K restoration comes perhaps the greatest martial-arts comedy of all time, Sammo Hung’s “Wheels on Meals”, starring Hung, Jackie Chan, and Yuen Biao as the most exciting triple act in action movie history!

“Wheels on Meals”

Director: Sammo Kam-Bo Hung

Actors: Jackie Chan, Biao Yuen, Sammo Kam-Bo Hung, Benny Urquidez, Keith Vitali, Herb Edelma

Film Summary

Country: Hong Kong S.A.R., China

Language: Cantonese / English

Year: 1984

Runtime: 107

Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1

Certificate: 15

Subtitles: English (optional)

Genre: Action Comedy

Fast food chefs Thomas (Chan) and David (Biao) find themselves...

Donnie Yen is currently shooting his new film Iceman Cometh 3D, which is a remake of Yuen Biao and Yuen Wah's 1989 action flick. The story spans from China's Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644) to modern day Hong Kong. It is being shot in 3D and easily one of Donnie's most ambitious projects to date. The production has not been easy; however, as difficulties such as the failure to get government approval to film some scenes on Tsing Ma Bridge and challenges associated with shooting in 3D have led to a prolonged shoot and escalating production costs, with some reports saying the budget of the film has already doubled from what was initially planned. It appears that the part that is based in Hong Kong has finally been...

[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...

This is my top 10 favorite kickers in Kung Fu cinema. It is just my personal opinion as there are many great performers out there with amazing ability also. I hope everyone likes my top 10 and please feel free to leave comments at the bottom of the page.

10.Jean Claude Van Damme

Jean Claude is one of the best kickers i have seen out of the Asian movie market. His jumping spin kicks are brilliant, hitting with speed and power, which would take anyone’s head off. Van Damme was also a former member of the Belgium Team that won the European Championships in 1979 in Brussels.

Some of Van Dammes best kicking skills can be watched in movies such as No Retreat, No Surrender, Bloodsport, Kickboxer, Lionheart, Double Impact, The Quest and so on. He recently starred as the main villain in The Expendables 2, which he did a great job,...

Kung Fu megastar Donnie yen as just recently starting filming the remake of the 1989 Yuen Biao movie “The Iceman Cometh” which will be shot in 3D.

The movie will see Donnie take on the role that Yuen Biao did so well in 1989, which also starred Maggie Cheung and Yuen Wah, but the cast for the latest movie will include Simon yam, Wang Baoqiang and Eva Huang. A few months back the director of the movie claimed Yuen Biao will make a surprise cameo and also fight Donnie yen, but nothing was mentioned about this in the last few weeks.

The budget for the movie is $150 million (Us), so we should expect some big action sequences and great fight scenes and if the remake is anything like the original, then be ready for a great movie.

“The Iceman Cometh 3D” revolves around a Captain America-like character portrayed by Yen. The...

2013 promises to be filled with lots of Martial Art movies and i have to say 2012 wasn’t the best year for it. The list that we have here include some great movies and we have high expectations to see some great choreography. There might be more movies which we will add to this list, so if you know of any more, please leave a comment in the box at the bottom of the page.

Tom Yum Goong 2

Cast:Tony Jaa, Jeeja Yanin, Petchtai Wongkamlao, Marrese Crump

Kham is the last of a family line of guards who once watched over the King of Thailand’s war elephants. Traditionally, only the most perfect elephants could successfully defend the throne, and very great care was taken in raising them. After his harrowing quest to retrieve the elephants and his calf, Korn, Kham returns to his village to live in peace. But for...

Lam Ching Ying is my favorite star in any Horror movie, weather it be taking on hopping vampires or just plain old spirits, no one does it better than lam.

His roles in the Mr.Vampire movies show his skills as an actor, with great comic timing which goes well with his serious acting side, which we dont normally get to see on screen. This role would make him, not just a big star in Asia but also worldwide as the master of Vampire killers.

I hope you enjoy my top 10 list and please feel free to write your own favorites in the comments box at the bottom of the page.

10.Mr.Vampire 2 (1986)

Cast:Lam Ching Ying, Yuen Biao, Moon Lee, Chung Fat, Billy Lau

Mr.Vampire 2 as some good moments throughout the movie but doesn’t live up to the first one. Here Lam Ching Ying takes on Hopping...

Xu Huihui is relatively new to the Kung Fu world, recently starring in the Chinese TV Series ‘The Legend of Wing Chun’, she as also landed a part in the upcoming movie ‘Tai Chi Hero’, along side Tony Leung, Yuen Biao and many more.

www.jadexu.com

www.milosciaky.it

Xu Huihui was born on the 9th February 1986, she started learning in the art of Wu Shu at just the young age of 6 under her teacher and mother Xu Guan Guan. At the age of 9 she left China and went to live in Italy, not long after she won her first tournament and since that day, she as never looked back winning many tournaments and trophies along the way including National and International tournaments.

Her skills and life long practice of the Martial Arts have got her great roles so far and i feel she will only get better and...