News

Gifted Shijiazhuang, Hebei-born Qin Peng Fei was a Wushu athlete before entering the world of cinema. After transitioning into the industry, he worked as a stuntman and action choreographer on productions such as John Woo‘s “Red Cliff” and Gordon Chan’s “God of War.” Qin directed his first movie, “Run Amuck” (2019), but it was “Fight Against Evil” (2021) that truly established him as an action director to watch. Since then, he has been remarkably prolific, directing four action features in 2024 alone—each for local streaming platforms.

The wuxia action title “Blade of Fury” follows bounty hunter Pei Xing, nicknamed the Jackal. He is an emotionless loner who travels the land wherever there’s a bounty to claim. However, a recent case involving a fugitive mother and her baby unexpectedly stirs his sense of justice. He decides to stand against the powerful and wicked forces who prey on the weak. Now,...

The home video distributor Shout Factory is collaborating with Hong Kong Film Archives to bring you the 4K remastering of the most coveted of Chinese action film classics. The films will include works by Jet Li, Chow Yun-Fat, John Woo, Ringo Lam and Tsui Hark. The digital titles will include A Better Tomorrow in 4K, A Better Tomorrow II in 4K, and A Better Tomorrow III in 4K, Tsui Hark’s Peking Opera Blues in 4K, John Woo’s The Killer in 4K, Tony Ching’s A Chinese Ghost Story (starring Leslie Cheung, Joey Wang), A Chinese Ghost Story II (starring Leslie Cheung, Joey Wang), and A Chinese Ghost Story III (starring Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Joey Wang) and John Woo’s Bullet In The Head in 4K (starring Tony Leung Chiu-wai).

However, the first two big releases are the Chow Yun-Fat films Hard Boiled and City on Fire. The descriptions...

Yesterday it was revealed that Shout Factory is bringing a plethora of Hong Kong action titles to 4K with new Ultra HD Blu-rays. Among these releases were the Chow Yun-Fat classics, Hard Boiled, The Killer, City on Fire and the A Better Tomorrow trilogy. Blu-ray.com now has the details of special features and specs on the Jet Li Collection that was also announced. The collection is due to hit retailers on July 29.

“For the upcoming Hong Kong Cinema Classics releases, Shout! Studios, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Film Archives, has been working diligently to remaster and restore several prized hits, all scanned in stunning 4K from the original camera negatives. The video and audio have been restored, and the subtitles have been newly translated. With fans in mind, Shout! Studios is currently producing a variety of bonus content for each physical media release for this numbered and deluxe home entertainment series.

Shout! Studios is punching Monday in the face with brass knuckles by announcing an outstanding action film initiative with Hong Kong Cinema Classics! The celebration of Hong Kong action classics includes 4K presentations on Digital and physical media featuring iconic filmmakers, time-honored films, and many of the action genre’s legendary badasses of the silver screen.

The Hong Kong Cinema Classics collection brings films like Hard Boiled, City on Fire, A Better Tomorrow, The Killer, Bullet in the Head, Fist of Legend, Peking Opera Blues, and more to the stage!

Per today’s press release from Shout! Studios:

Hong Kong cinema in the ’80s and ’90s, renowned for its thrilling action choreography, distinctive visual styles, and emotional storytelling, represents a remarkable era in cinematic history, whose crime thrillers, martial arts classics, and action films, in particular, have left an indelible mark on Hollywood, profoundly influencing everything from Quentin Tarantino’s...

Shout! Studios has unveiled Hong Kong Cinema Classics Line, “a new entertainment label spotlighting a treasure trove of Hong Kong’s most captivating and cinematic masterpieces on digital entertainment platforms in 4K and definitive-edition physical releases (Uhd and Blu-ray) for collectors’ home entertainment shelves,” according to the official release. The first titles will be released this summer.

The home video company “in collaboration with the Hong Kong Film Archives, has been working diligently to remaster and restore several prized hits, all scanned in stunning 4K from the original camera negatives. The video and audio have been restored, and the subtitles have been newly translated. With fans in mind, Shout! Studios is currently producing a variety of bonus content for each physical media release for this numbered and deluxe home entertainment series.”

Many of these titles have long been out-of-print or unavailable in the west, so to have them with brand-new...

Hong Kong cinema in the ’80s and ’90s, renowned for its thrilling action choreography, distinctive visual styles, and emotional storytelling, represents a remarkable era in cinematic history, whose crime thrillers, martial arts classics, and action films, in particular, have left an indelible mark on Hollywood, profoundly influencing everything from Quentin Tarantino’s movies to the iconic Matrix and John Wick franchises. Among these are many acclaimed and popular early works by renowned filmmakers John Woo, Ringo Lam, Tsui Hark, Corey Yuen, Gordon Chan, Johnnie To, and internationally renowned actors Jet Li, Michelle Yeoh, Chow Yun-Fat, Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Leslie Cheung, and Tony Leung Ka-fai. Many of these highly sought-after movies from Shout!’s Golden Princess library and seminal Hong Kong classics have been dormant and out–of–print for decades outside of Asia.

For the upcoming Hong Kong Cinema Classics releases, Shout! Studios, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Film Archives,...

Jet Li was one of the most prolific action stars of the 1990s, making a slew of brilliant martial arts and action films back-to-back with great directors. Now, some of his best (and also more difficult to find) films of the era are getting a 4K reissue on digital platforms thanks to Shout! Studios. The five Jet Li classics being re-released are: Tai Chi Master (1993), The Legend (1993), The Legend 2 (1993), Fist of Legend (1994), and The Bodyguard from Beijing (1994). The films become available in 4K on Feb. 18, 2025, through the usual digital platforms. They will also be available together in a digital bundle for the first time on Apple TV and Fandango at Home. The press release from Shout! Studios states:

"The cinema of Hong Kong in the ’80s and ’90s, particularly Jet Li’s martial arts films, is renowned for its thrilling action choreography, unique visual styles, and engaging storytelling. Behold...

Early Hong Kong classics from Jet Li, including works from celebrated filmmakers Gordon Chan, Yuen Woo-ping (perhaps best known by western audiences for his work on “The Matrix”) and Corey Yuen will finally arrive on digital 4K on Feb. 18, courtesy of Shout! Studios in collaboration with Li.

The releases include 1994’s “Fist of Legend,” 1993’s “Tai Chi Master,” “The Legend” and “The Legend 2,” and 1994’s “The Bodyguard From Beijing.” These are the movies that made Li an international superstar and paved the way for him to appear in western blockbusters like “Lethal Weapon 4,” “Romeo Must Die,” “The One” and “The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor,” along with Sylvester Stallone’s “Expendables” franchise.

“Thanks to our new partner Shout! Studios, movie fans can now easily enjoy these entertaining films in stunning 4K on various digital platforms. I hope a new generation of audiences will be introduced to these...

The cinema of Hong Kong in the ’80s and ’90s, particularly Jet Li’s martial arts films, is renowned for its thrilling action choreography, unique visual styles, and engaging storytelling. Behold the spectacular Hk action classics from prolific actor, martial artist, and producer Jet Li and early works by celebrated filmmakers Gordon Chan, Woo-Ping Yuen, and Corey Yuen when Fist Of Legend (1994), Tai Chi Master (1993), The Legend (1993), The Legend 2 (1993), and The Bodyguard From Beijing (1994) are set to unleash on Digital in 4K on February 18, 2025 by Shout! Studios, in collaboration with Jet Li.

“Thanks to our new partner Shout! Studios. Movie fans can now easily enjoy these entertaining films in stunning 4K on various digital platforms. I hope a new generation of audiences will be introduced to these action classics that give a glimpse to the talent of directors, writers, actors, stunt people, and crew that come from the rich history of Hong Kong cinema,...

Jackie Chan is a legend, the actor has forged his career mastering the genre of action comedy making his way into Hollywood. However, the actor also has faced certain roadblocks in some of his movies as they were not so impressive both at the box office and critical perspective.

Jackie Chan’s The Medallion

It is hard to walk past bumpy roads, Chan’s The Medallion faced a similar fate but it was primarily due to the director, Gordon Chan failing to recognize one fatal mistake. So, despite Chan being on board, the movie met with fatal doom.

The Reason Why Jackie Chan’s The Medallion Failed

Jackie Chan in The Medallion

Jackie Chan is certainly one of the greatest action stars currently working in the industry. The actor started his acting journey in the 1960s and appeared in over 150 films in his illustrious career with his celebrated titles including Who Am I?...

In Shantou in the 1930s, Wang Liwen (Wang Qianyuan) is on the job when he accidentally reunites with an old friend Chen Jiadong (William Chan). They team up to investigate a secret mission, but the appearance of a mysterious man foils their original plan. As the investigation deepens, the tug of war between the two sworn brothers becomes more apparent with each passing day. The storm has arrived, and everyone in the vortex is trying their best to get back into the game… (Sources: Translated from Douban and Far East Films)

This action thriller will be released in China on April 14, 2023 and is helmed by Hong Kong director Gordon Chan known for his diverse filmography which ranges from romcom Tempting Hearts (2021) to historical war movie God of War (2017) as well as Liaozai (Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio) adaptations Painted Skin (2008) and Mural (2011).

After 1997, Hong Kong Cinema was in a state of flux. Many of the top tier talent had moved to America and the future looked bleak. Yet where there is a gap, there is opportunity and “Beast Cops” exploded into the cinemas in 1998, breathing new life into a genre that was struggling. Providing Michael Wong with the role of his career, it also highlighted the talent of Anthony Wong, elevating him from Category III villainy to true leading man status. Tt’s time to look back and revisit one of the final great films of the 1990s.

on Amazon by clicking on the image below

Tung (Anthony Wong) is a policeman that is comfortably playing both sides to maintain an easy life. His friendship with Fei (Roy Cheung) is part of this, with Tung eager to avoid any conflict or confrontation where possible. This all changes with the...

Making a remake of a beloved classic is always risky business, no matter what genre we are talking about, but in the case of a Bruce-Lee-movie, there is always the obstacle of the leading actor having to compete with the martial-arts legend. Consequently, Jet Li, despite his status within the Chinese film industry and impressive filmography at that point, was hesitant when he was approached to star in a new version of “Fist of Fury”, a feature which cemented the reputation of Lee as one of the major forces within the genre. In an interview with Hong Kong Cinemagic director Gordon Chan explains that, even though he knew about the risks, he always felt the script was something of a weakness of the original, painting a “black-and-white” image of the conflict between Japanese and Chinese. In the end, “Fist of Legend” does a lot more than re-tell the familiar story...

Hong Kong director Alan Mak has brought together award-winning actors Francis Ng (“Drifting”) and Aaron Kwok in new Hong Kong crime thriller “Insider,” 22-years after the two shared the big screen together.

Produced by Tenky Tin for Emperor Motion Picture, the film also stars Simon Yam and Niki Chow. A start of production ceremony took place on Monday, attended by Emp supremo Albert Yeung. Kwok also uploaded images to his Instagram account. International sales are yet to be announced.

Ng and Kwok last worked together in Gordon Chan-directed action thriller “2000 Ad” (2000).

In “Insider,” Ng plays a police officer, who rubs up against a lawyer played by Kwok. But the two later became friends and collaborators to fight against the antagonist. The filming will involve large amounts of action and gunfight scenes.

The announcement of the new production also marks what could be a sign of recovery of the local film industry,...

Years after escaping, Lü Bu has no memory of his hellish early life as a test subject for a ruthless imperial sorceress. Now, he is feared across the land as the conquering general under warlord Dong Zhuo, for whom he has blazed a trail of victories on the battlefield. But when a woman arrives at the palace claiming to be his long-lost love, the facade begins to fade, and he begins to realize that his closest allies may yet be his most dangerous foes.

This follow-up to Gordon Chan’s 2017 movie, God of War, is directed by Cai Cong and stars Charles Lin (The Outsiders), Liu Yuxi (Legend of the Phoenix) and David Wu. US distributor Well Go USA has released the Blu-ray on September 21, 2021.

Disney’s “Cruella” strut into China on Sunday with a $1.78 million opening day, coming in sixth in a slow weekend behind reigning box office champ “F9,” according to data from Maoyan.

Day one China figures for “Cruella” were less than a fourth of the $7.7 million the film grossed on its May 28 opening day in North America, where it premiered in theaters and on Disney Plus via a $30 fee. It went on to gross $26.5 million over the Memorial Day weekend, making it the third highest North American debut since the pandemic began.

Although local reception of the Emma Stone-starring title was likely dampened by its unusual Sunday release, its gross nonetheless marks Disney’s second strongest China opening day since the start of the pandemic. It falls behind Mulan’s $8.5 million opening day in September but ahead of debuts for “Raya and the Last Dragon” ($1.4 million) and “Soul”.

Sales for...

Chinese streaming giant iQIYI reports that it has started production on “Fox Volant of the Snowy Mountain,” a film adapted from the classic novel of the same name by Louis Cha (aka Jin Yong), a renowned Hong Kong novelist who was one of the most read Chinese-language authors of the 20th century.

Cha, who also co-founded the Ming Pao newspaper, and directed two films, is best known for his wuxia (chivalric martial arts) novels that with one exception stretch in time from the 11th to the 18th century. He died in October 2018 and received a celebrity memorial with Alibaba founder Jack Ma in attendance.

An estimated 90 films and TV series have been made as adaptations of Cha’s 15 wuxia novels, though iQIYI says that “Fox Volant of the Snowy Mountain” is not one of them. Its “Fox Volant” film is pitched as a fantasy adventure that tells a tale of...

Hong Kong director Wong Kar-wai is among the leading filmmakers to boost the region’s movie industry with a five-tier plan that totals $33.5 million U.S. dollars in funds. He’s joined by Derek Yee (“Drink-Drank-Drunk”) and Peter Chan Ho-sun (“The Warlords”) and more who support a government-funded revival initiative in response to political unrest, as well as the Hong Kong film industry’s erosion due to coronavirus and the shuttering of theaters.

Via the Directors’ Succession Scheme with funds from the Hong Kong Film Development Fund, the directors will pair up with one or two promising filmmakers to make a movie using $1.2 million. The filmmakers will also be joined by directors Gordon Chan, Mabel Cheung, and Alex Law, with the goal of turning out between 10 and 12 projects altogether.

The plan arrives just as the region was forced to close its theaters once again in the wake of a new...

The eyes of the world were pointed at Donnie Yen after the end of the spectacular “Ip Man” saga. His choice of an action comedy as a follow-up might be seen as a bit of a surprise, but “Enter the Fat Dragon” blends the well-known elements, like the breath-taking, laws-of-physics-defying action, humor, references and a bit of covert social commentary into an efficient time-killer about the good cops, bad cops and even worse gangsters in Hong Kong and Tokyo. It premiered in the Chinese New Year slot earlier this year, but its theatrical run was impaired by the Covid-19 pandemic. However, this type of film is equally suitable for video formats, where we also caught it.

The title is taken from the cult Sammo Hung’s 1978 action-comedy about an overweight Bruce Lee fan getting involved in a fight with a gang of thugs that threaten his family,...

No deal announcements. No talk of the Chinese film industry’s ongoing winter of discontent. Instead the parade of talent on stage Wednesday night at Shanghai’s Wanda Reign hotel put their troubles aside for a moment and celebrated the 20th anniversary of producer-distributor-exhibition company Bona Film Group.

At regular intervals, Bona’s founder and chairman Yu Dong called on stage close friends and strategic partners – including film-maker Huang Jianxin and EastWest Bank chairman Dominic Ng – for multiple rounds of reminiscence, and toasts to the future. Bona executives past and present Nansun Shi, Jeffrey Chan, and Nick Qi also shared the spotlight.

Talent and film makers on hand at one of the most lavish events of the Shanghai International Film Festival week, included Roland Emmerich (“Midway”), producer-director Fruit Chan (“Bride Wars”), Dante Lam (“Operation Mekong”), Andrew Lau (“The Chinese Pilot”), Raymond Wong Bak-ming, Wong Jing (“Chasing The Dragon”), Gordon Chan,...

The Hong Kong-based company is best known for The Infernal Affairs trilogy.

Renowned Hong Kong producer John Chong has rejoined Media Asia, the Hong Kong-based company he co-founded and best known for The Infernal Affairs trilogy on which Martin Scorsese’s The Departed was based.

Chong has taken up a new role as special advisor to the chairman Peter Lam since August 1. His responsibilities include greenlighting scripts and investment for production as well as approving the final cut during post production.

He is one of the seven original founders of Media Asia when it was established in 1994. He is also...

Contemporary Chinese Cinema is a column devoted to exploring contemporary Chinese-language cinema primarily as it is revealed to us at North American multiplexes.Over the last few years it has become increasingly easy to see mainstream Asian films in North America at the same time they are released in their home countries. Thanks to partnerships with small, international distributors, the major multiplex chains (AMC, Cinemark, Regal) have devoted a handful of screens in major markets to showing new releases from India, Korea, China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Most of these titles fall under the radar of both critics and audiences outside the diasporic communities to which they are targeted. They play for a week or two and then disappear, outside of a handful of breakout titles. Last year Stephen Chow’s The Mermaid made headlines for its high per-screen averages in North America as it shattered domestic box office records in China.

God Of War directed by Gordon Chan and Starring Vincent Zhao & Sammo Hung will be available on Digital, Blu-ray Combo Pack & DVD October 17th

“God of War could be the best Asian historical epic since John Woo’s Red Cliff.”

~ Daniel Eagan, Film Journal International

“Chan maintains his dexterous footing whether choreographing the colorful large-scale battle sequences or the stripped-down, hand-to-hand matchups that boil the conflict down to its most basic — and personal — essence.” ~ Michael Rechtshaffen, Los Angeles Times

A maverick commander and a young general join forces to battle pirates who pillage small villages in 16th-century China in the epic historical action drama God Of War, debuting on digital, Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD October 17 from Well Go USA Entertainment. Directed by Gordon Chan (Painted Skin, Fist of Legend), God Of War stars Vincent Zhao (The White Haired Witch of Lunar Kingdom), Sammo Hung (Ip Man 2...

The 74th Venice International Film Festival (August 30 – September 9) has just announced the world premiere of John Woo’s action thriller Manhunt as part of its Out of Competition roster. The film is hotly anticipated as it marks the return of the Hong Kong director to the police thriller genre 25 years after his classic Hard Boiled, starring Chow Yun-fat, Tony Leung and Anthony Wong.

Set in Japan, Manhunt is the story of a Chinese man wrongly convicted for rape and multiple murders. He becomes the target of a manhunt by the local Japanese police, while he sets out himself to find the real killers.

The film has Chinese star Zhang Hanyu (The Great Wall, Operation Mekong) and Japanese actor-musician Masaharu Fukuyama (Suspect X, Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends) in the lead roles. The predominantly Japanese supporting cast includes Yasuaki Kurata, Jun Kunimura, Hiroyuki Ikeuchi, Nanami Sakuraba, Naoto Takenaka and Tao Okamoto.

From the outset, “God of War” had all the collateral of being a great film, starting with the big budget, continuing with the historic/epic/based-on-actual-events setting, and finishing with the collaboration of three legends of Asian cinema, Sammo Hung, Yasuaki Kurata and Gordon Chan, plus the already iconic Vincent Zhao. Furthermore, and contrary to the usual outcome of films that seem to have it all, which usually end up as complete blunders, “God of War” succeeds in every aspect.

“God of War” is part of the Asian selection at Fantasia International Film Festival

The story takes place in 1557 China, a place that suffers from political turmoil, but also from the attacks of Japanese pirates, a group consisting of samurai, ronin and local allies, who pillage along the coastline. Eventually, the pirates realize that the Chinese army cannot provide much resistance, and pass on to the land, capturing a fortress...

By David Kozlowski | 14 July 2017

Welcome to Issue #4 of The Lrm Weekend, a weekly column highlighting cool and unique videos about film, TV, comics, Star Wars, Marvel, DC, animation, and anime. We also want to hear from you, our awesome Lrm community! Share your favorite videos to: @LRM_Weekend and we'll post your Tweets below!

Last Issue: 7.7.17

Why do we love superheroes, martial arts, fantasy, and sci-fi? The big fight scenes, of course. Every week we'll bring you an epic brawl from the recent or distant past -- we want to hear from you, so share your favorite fights with us!

Jet Li's Fist of Legend (1994) Bonus: Rare Jet Li Interview (English w/ French subtitles)

The original Chinese language movie poster from 1994!

What Is It?

Fist of Legend is a Hong Kong martial arts film directed by Gordon Chan, featuring action choreography by the legendary Yuen Woo-ping (Drunken Master, The...

Vincent Zhao stars as the eponymous military tactician in Gordon Chan’s sweeping action epic, following the efforts of the Ming army to keep a fleet of fearsome Japanese pirates at bay in 16th century China. Sammo Hung, Wan Qian and Yasuaki Kurata also star in this uneven, yet respectful tale of strategy and courage. As the East coast of China is repeatedly plundered by marauding pirates from Japan, Ming army Commander Yu Dayou (Sammo Hung) turns to renowned tactician General Qi Jiguang (Vincent Zhao) for help and guidance. Qi believes he would be of more use away from the front, training the army in newly devised techniques, but he is persuaded into fulfilling those orders on the road, leading a modest force in a...

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

Strategy's the star in God of War, Gordon Chan's historical action film about a Ming Dynasty commander intent on beating a superior force of pirates led by Japanese samurai. Vincent Zhao is well cast as a stiff, duty-driven warrior who steps into the shoes of a General (Sammo Hung, known in the U.S. as Jackie Chan's frequent co-star) whose long campaign against the pirates bore no fruit. Competent on all fronts but never dazzling, it should please genre devotees but won't cross over to a broader audience.

Zhao is General Qi, who with Hung's General Yu has been mounting a...

God of War, the epic new period adventure from Hong Kong filmmaker Gordon Chan (Fist of Legend, The Four) stars Vincent Zhao (True Legend), as General Qi, a master military tactician in an ongoing war against marauding Japanese pirates in 16th century China. Sammo Hung also stars, alongside Wan Qian, Keisuke Koide and Yasukaki Kurata. God of War opens in North America this Friday (2 June) courtesy of Well Go USA, two weeks before it debuts in Hong Kong. We have an exclusive clip, in which Qi's men lay siege to a crucial pirate stronghold, to whet your appetites for the action to come. Check it out below:...

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

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...

Miriam Yeung and Shawn Yue star in third entry in Pang Ho-cheung’s film series.

Hong Kong stars Miriam Yeung and Shawn Yue are reuniting for Love Off The Cuff, the third installment in Pang Ho-cheung’s hit series about a star-crossed couple.

Pang and Subi Liang’s Making Film Productions is again producing for Media Asia, which is launching sales on the film here at Afm.

The first two films in the series won awards and were hits across Asia. Love In A Puff (2010) introduced the couple Cherie and Jimmy who meet over a cigarette in the street after Hong Kong has banned indoor smoking. The follow-up, Love In The Buff (2012, pictured), sees the couple break up and reunite in Beijing.

The third installment follows the couple to Taiwan and sees their relationship tested when Jimmy’s childhood friend asks him to donate sperm for her artificial insemination. Paul Chun Pui also stars as Cherie’s estranged...

Media Asia pre-sells period action movie about Chinese general who defeated Japanese pirates in 16th Century.

Hong Kong’s Media Asia has pre-sold Gordon Chan’s God Of War to Well Go USA for North America, UK, Australia and New Zealand.

The deal, concluded at the on-going Toronto International Film Festival, was negotiated by Media Asia general manager and head of sales and international co-productions Fred Tsui and Well Go USA president and CEO Doris Pfardrescher.

Media Asia has also sold the film to Cdc (Latin America), Sky Films (Taiwan), Clover (Singapore), MM2 (Malaysia), Wanda Vietnam Media (Vietnam), Sookie Pictures (South Korea), Golden Yellow Tree (Myanmar) and Eim (airlines).

Starring Sammo Hung and Vincent Zhao, the film tells the story of Chinese general Qi Jiguang, who defeated Japanese pirates along the Chinese coastline during the 16th Century with maverick tactics.

Currently in post-production, the film is tentatively scheduled for release in March/April 2017.

John Woo, the celebrated Hong Kong director behind such action masterpieces as A Better Tomorrow, The Killer and Hard Boiled, has begun prinicpal photography on Manhunt in Osaka, Japan. The Us$40 million Media Asia production is a remake of the 1976 film starring Ken Takakura, which itself was adapted from the novel by Kimi yo Funnu no Kawa o Watare by Juko Nishimura.  Woo's international cast includes mainland star Zhang Hanyu (The Taking of Tiger Mountain), Japanese actors Masaharu Fukuyama (Like Father, Like Son), Jun Kunimura and Tao Okamoto, South Korean actress Ha Ji-won (Duelist) and Mandopop star Qi Wei. The crew behind Manhunt is also an impressive mix of Chinese and Japanese talent, including producer Gordon Chan and cinematographer Takuro Ishizaka.   "Manhunt tells the...

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

Production has started on John Woo’s highly-anticipated action thriller Manhunt, starring Zhang Hanyu and Masaharu Fukuyama, in Osaka, Japan.

Korean actress Ha Ji-won and Chinese actress Qi Wei have also joined the cast of the $40m film, produced by Gordon Chan and Chan Hing-kai and backed by Hong Kong’s Media Asia.

The film’s ensemble cast also includes veteran and upcoming Japanese actors such as Yasuaki Kurata, Jun Kunimura, Hiroyuki Ikeuchi, Nanami Sakuraba, Naoto Takenaka and Tao Okamoto.

Japanese crew have also been tapped for the film, including art director Yohei Taneda and cinematographer Takuro Ishizaka.

The cast and crew held a traditional Japanese kagami biraki ceremony to mark the start of production, also attended by local government officials. Osaka prefecture and the Japanese rail transit corporation are both supporting the shooting of the film.

Based on a novel by Juko Nishimura, about a lawyer wrongly accused of murder, the project...

Sales outfit has also closed deals on two Johnny To titles.

Hong Kong’s Media Asia Films has sold Gordon Chan’s God Of War [pictured] and Jazz Boon’s Line Walker to Sky Films in Taiwan, Clover Films in Singapore and MM2 in Malaysia.

Sky Films and Clover Films have also acquired Johnnie To’s Three and Trivisa, produced by To and directed by Frank Hui, Vicky Wong and Jevons Au.

Currently in post-production, God Of War is a period action film about Chinese general Qi Jiguang who fought Japanese pirates along the Chinese coast in the 16th Century. Sammo Hung and Vincent Zhao head the cast of the film, which is tentatively scheduled for Chinese release in the first week of October.

Also in post-production Line Walker is a crime action thriller starring Louis Koo, Nick Cheung and Francis Ng. Chinese release is tentatively scheduled for the second week of August.

Exclusive: Chinese star Zhang Hanyu and Japan’s Masaharu Fukuyama have been confirmed as the first leading cast for John Woo’s upcoming action thriller Manhunt.

Backed by Hong Kong’s Media Asia, the film is based on Japanese novel Hot Pursuit, from pulp fiction writer Juko Nishimura, about a prosecutor who is framed for robbery and rape and sets out on a mission to clear his name.

It was first adapted into a 1976 Japanese film, titled Kimi yo fundo no kawa wo watare, starring Ken Takakura.

Woo is directing the reboot from a script written by Chan Hing Kai (A Better Tomorrow) and Gordon Chan (Painted Skin). A third major cast member will be announced soon and production is set to begin at the end of May.

Zhang has starred in Chinese hits such as The Taking Of Tiger Mountain and Bodyguards And Assassins and will also appear in Zhang Yimou’s upcoming co-production The Great Wall, alongside...

Exclusive: Chinese star Zhang Hanyu and Japan’s Masaharu Fukuyama have been confirmed as the first leading cast for John Woo’s upcoming action thriller Manhunt.

Backed by Hong Kong’s Media Asia, the film is based on Japanese novel Hot Pursuit, from pulp fiction writer Juko Nishimura, about a prosecutor who is framed for robbery and rape and sets out on a mission to clear his name.

It was first adapted into a 1976 Japanese film, titled Kimi yo fundo no kawa wo watare, starring Ken Takakura.

Woo is directing the reboot from a script written by Chan Hing Kai (A Better Tomorrow) and Gordon Chan (Painted Skin). A third major cast member will be announced soon and production is set to begin at the end of May.

Zhang has starred in Chinese hits such as The Taking Of Tiger Mountain and Bodyguards And Assassins and will also appear in Zhang Yimou’s upcoming co-production The Great Wall, alongside...

Sammo Hung has been involved in Martial Arts since childhood and even at the ripe old age of 64, he doesn’t seem to be slowing down (Thank god). It was great to see Sammo back in big movies over the past few years, which includes Rise Of The Legend and Once Upon A Time In Shanghai, both made in 2014.

Here are three upcoming Sammo Hung movies to look forward too this year and fingers crossed he works one more time with Peking opera brothers Jackie Chan and Yuen Biao, before they retire.

*Jackie Chan was set to play the lead role in My Beloved Bodyguard, but due to filming Dragon Blade he couldn’t make the movie. Andy Lau stepped in the role later on.

War God Qi Jiguang

Release Date: 1st October 2016

Director: Gordon Chan

Cast: Vincent Zhao, Wang Ban, Yasuaki Kurata, Regina Wan, Timmy Hung

Ming Qi Jiguang...

Exclusive: Hong Kong outfit also introduces Jia Zhangke martial arts project to buyers.

Hong Kong’s Media Asia Films is launching sales on two high-profile action titles at the Efm – Gordon Chan’s God Of War [pictured] and the first martial arts project from Chinese auteur Jia Zhangke.

Jia’s as-yet-untitled project has Johnnie To on board as producer. Set at the end of the Qing Dynasty, it explores the turbulence amongst scholars, bandits and local officials following the abolition of the imperial examination system.

“The script touches on social and geopolitical issues, as Jia Zhangke’s films usually do, but he’s also a huge fan of Hong Kong-style action so this will be a martial arts genre title,” said Media Asia general manager and head of sales and international co-productions Fred Tsui.

Backed by Media Asia Films, the project is expected to start shooting in the second half of this year.

Meanwhile, [link...

Similar to something you'd see in The Governor-led town of Woodbury, Zombie Fight Club pits humans against the living dead in a sinister sport. Fists fly and teeth gnash in the film's official trailer.

Scream Factory will release Zombie Fight Club on Blu-ray and DVD beginning February 2nd:

Previous Press Release: Brace yourself for a gritty, zombie apocalypse action film that delivers non-stop action, edge-of-your-seat thrills, bloody violence and gore in equal measure. On February 2, 2016, Scream Factory™ is proud to unleash Zombie Fight Club on Blu-ray and DVD, as well as being made available on digital entertainment platforms. This much-anticipated film premiered overseas and at numerous film festivals to great audience enthusiasm. Zombie Fight Club is a must-have for action movie fans, zombie terror enthusiasts and movie collectors.

Pre-order now at:

http://www.amazon.com/Zombie-Fight-Blu-ray-Jessica-Cambensy/dp/B0182YFYRY/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1451939090&sr=1-1&keywords=zombie...

Sometimes the best weapon a person can utilize against the living dead is their martial arts training. Viewers can expect to see fists of fury going up against rotted flesh in Zombie Fight Club, and with the new action-horror film hitting home media February 2nd from Scream Factory, we have a look at its cover art and list of special features:

Press Release: Brace yourself for a gritty, zombie apocalypse action film that delivers non-stop action, edge-of-your-seat thrills, bloody violence and gore in equal measure. On February 2, 2016, Scream Factory™ is proud to unleash Zombie Fight Club on Blu-ray and DVD, as well as being made available on digital entertainment platforms. This much-anticipated film premiered overseas and at numerous film festivals to great audience enthusiasm. Zombie Fight Club is a must-have for action movie fans, zombie terror enthusiasts and movie collectors.

Pre-order now at:

http://www.amazon.com/Zombie-Fight-Blu-ray-Jessica-Cambensy/dp/B...

China’s Bona Film Group has unveiled an ambitious 26-picture slate to celebrate the company’s 15th anniversary, along with a strategic cooperation with Huaxia Film Distribution.

Bona Film Group founder and CEO Yu Dong said he expected the slate would gross a combined $1.6bn (RMB10bn) at the China box office. The slate announcement came just days after it emerged that Bona is trying to delist from the Nasdaq.

Speaking at the Siff Forum on Monday, Yu Dong said it wasn’t surprising that he wanted to take his company private again because “my audience and customers are in China – coming home is the wish of all our investors and partners.”

Bona, which floated on New York’s Nasdaq exchange in 2010, currently has investors including Studio 8 backer Fosun International and private equity company Sequoia.

The company’s new slate includes Ang Lee’s previously announced Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk, which Bona is...

Sound on Sight undertook a massive project, compiling ranked lists of the most influential, unforgettable, and exciting action scenes in all of cinema. There were hundreds of nominees spread across ten different categories and a multi-week voting process from 11 of our writers. The results: 100 essential set pieces, sequences, and scenes from blockbusters to cult classics to arthouse obscurities.

A good fight scene is built into the fabric of an action film such that you can sense it coming like a storm on the horizon. It’s in the details of the opponents: the cracking of knuckles, the puffing of chests, the staredowns that say, “It’s about to go down.” A good fight scene makes you want to cover your eyes yet is impossible to look away from. You get tingly waiting for the violence to erupt, and if it’s done its job, you come away dizzy, invigorated, or even nauseated.

Exclusive: Hong Kong’s Mei Ah Entertainment will unveil several projects at Filmart today, including a co-production with Wong Kar Wai’s Jet Tone Productions titled Drive Me Crazy, and a Boyhood-inspired drama, Growing Up, which will be shot over a period of 15 years.

Drive Me Crazy, a $12m romantic drama scripted by Zhou Jingzhi (The Grandmaster), tells the story of a jilted bride who pays a stranger to take her on a road trip from Beijing to Yunnan.

Chen Chang and Luodan Wang (The Continent) will head the cast of the film, which is currently in pre-production. The director has yet to be confirmed.

Produced by Manfred Wong and directed by Yu Zhong, Growing Up will follow a group of child actors as they grow up in Beijing – with the aim of capturing the growth of the city and China as a country, as well as the children.

In addition, Gordon Chan and [link...

Exclusive: Distribution Workshop sales chief Virginia Leung has been made a director of the company, now majority owned by co-founders Nansun Shi and Jeffrey Chan.

Leung has been given a seat on the board along with Shi and Chan, who recently increased their joint shareholding in the Hong Kong-based sales company to 60%, while previous majority shareholder, Beijing-based studio Bona Film Group, holds 40%.

Leung started her sales career with Media Asia in 1995 and has also worked at Universe Films Distribution and Mandarin Films. She joined Distribution Workshop when the company was launched in 2008.

Following the ownership changes at Dw, the company plans to move into production and financing with an eye on international markets and possibly English-language films. “We’ll be ‘bridging the dragon’ between China and international territories,” said Chan.

Chan is continuing in his role as Bona Film Group COO and Dw will continue to handle sales on Bona-produced films.

Dw’s Filmart...

4th Update, 2:33 Pm Pt: Universal, Sony and Lionsgate have weighed in, so we have nine more titles reporting (see below for final numbers on all films).

3Rd Update, 12:45 Pm Pt: Actuals are coming in for the international weekend with Disney, Paramount, Fox and Warner Bros reporting. There were no major discrepancies, although Guardians Of The Galaxy jumped from an estimated $20.7M to $21.3M for the weekend. In the reverse, Sin City: A Dame To Kill For was less sexy than predicted in Russia with $3.35M versus an initial estimate of $4.7M. Fox is releasing there on behalf of A Company Russia. Figures have been updated for the films above as well as How To Train Your Dragon 2, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Into The Storm, Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes, Hercules, Transformers: Age Of Extinction, The Fault In Our Stars, Relatos Salvajes, Let’s Be Cops,...

Hong Kong veteran Gordon Chan is the quintessential journeyman director. He doesn't deliver high art but he knows what he likes and he knows how to deliver it. And what he likes most of all is crowd pleasing spectacle. Cue up the third and final entry in his The Four trilogy, a trio of martial arts fantasy films that in many ways merges the sort of story telling that drives superhero efforts here in the west with more traditional Chinese elements.Want to see Anthony Wong deliver a palm blast? You're in the right place here and with the finale effort hitting screens in August they're not holding much back with the theatrical trailer. Check it out - English subtitles included - below....

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

The Divine Constabulary are back in the awkwardly titled “The Four 2”, with director Gordon Chan serving up more fantasy martial arts and mystery in the second part of a planned trilogy based on the novels by Wen Ruian. Like its predecessor, the film is a big budget blockbuster, shot in 3D and featuring an avalanche of special effects and computer enhanced action, continuing the story of Emotionless (Crystal Liu Yifei, “The Assassins”), Iron Hands (Collin Chou, “Special ID”), Life Snatcher (Ronald Cheng, “Vulgaria”) and Cold Blood (Deng Chao, “American Dreams in China”) as they come up against new and old foes and confront their own troubled pasts. Led by Master Zhuge (the legendary Anthony Wong), the Divine Constabulary are called in to investigate a series of murders and massacres, with links to the slaughter of Emotionless’ own family some 15 years back. Butting heads again with Department Six, they find their...

Hong Kong’s Media Asia has unveiled a slate of new productions at Filmart, including Lawrence Cheng’s romantic comedy Break Up 100 and a big screen adaptation of hit TV series Triumph In The Sky.

Co-directed by Wilson Yip and Matt Chow, Triumph In The Sky is produced by Tommy Leung and will star Julian Cheung, Francis Ng and Louis Koo.

Starring Ekin Cheng and Chrissie Chau, Break Up 100 tells the story of couple who try to run a business together after breaking up and reuniting 99 times.

The slate also includes Johnnie To’s Don’t Go Breaking My Heart 2, starring Koo, Miriam Yeung and Vic Chou, along with romantic drama She Remembers, He Forgets, directed by Adam Wong (The Way We Dance) and produced by Teddy Robin and Saville Chan.

In addition, Leon Lai is making his directorial debut for Media Asia with action drama Wine War, in which he also stars. Lai is also...

Like millions of you around the world, i love Kung Fu movies. It is the only real genre that keeps me going back for more and that is why i will always love Kung Fu movies.

I know many of you have probably seen many of the movies i will post about, but this is also for anyone new to the genre of Kung Fu and even Swordplay and looking for other movies to enjoy. I hope you enjoy the movies i have listed and please feel free to comment about any of the movies.

The Skyhawk (1974)

Studio: Golden Harvest

Director: Jeong Chang Hwa

Cast: Kwan Tak Hing, Sammo Hung, Carter Wong, Wang In Sik, Nora Miao

Action Director(s): Sammo Hung

 

Legendary Weapons of China (1982)

Studio: Shaw Brothers

Director: Lau Kar Leung

Cast: Hsiao Ho, Lau Kar Leung, Kara Hui, Gordon Liu, Lau Kar Wing, Fu Sheng

Action...