News

Wolf Warrior 2 has no equal in 2017. Absolutely none.

It’s pure adrenaline from the opening credits to the bloopers. Wu Jing is a triple threat when it comes to action films. Without fail, he continues to prove himself worthy of legendary status as a director, actor and writer.

Wu Jing in Wolf Warrior 2

Wu returns in Wolf Warrior 2 now far from his life as a member of China’s Elite Special Forces unit, the Wolf Warriors. Just as he becomes acclimated to a life of peace, war tears through the land he’s living in. If he wants to escape the turmoil, he’ll have to reawaken the warrior within.

Wu hands out beat downs like free meals, but his equally skilled opponents keep coming at him with bullets, tanks, and whatever else they can find. Moreover, they have a malicious disregard for human life. Now they...

Project based on the best-selling fantasy novel stars Liu Yifei and Yang Yang.

Im Global has picked up international rights to Alibaba Pictures’ fantasy romance Once Upon A Time, co-directed by Anthony Molinara and Zhao Xiaoding.

Starring Liu Yifei (White Vengeance) and Yang Yang (I Belonged To You), the film is based on best-selling fantasy novel To The Sky Kingdom and is the first Alibaba Pictures title handled by Im Global.

Zhao is an Oscar-nominated DoP with credits including Zhang Yimou’s House Of Flying Daggers, The Flowers Of War and The Great Wall. Molinara is a VFX supervisor who won an Oscar for his work on Spider-Man 2.

Im Global has also picked up South Korean action thriller Real, directed by Love Lee and starring Kim Soo Hyun (The Thieves), Sung Dong II (The Accidental Detective), Lee Sung Min (A Violent Prosecutor) and Choi Jin Ri (Fashion King).

Produced by Cove Pictures, Real follows...

Jackie Chan and John Cusack go to battle in the trailer for Chinese war epic Dragon Blade.

The film takes place in ancient China, as a Roman horde try to build their own city in opposition of the Han Dynasty.

The vile emperor Tiberius (Oscar winner Adrien Brody) begins a reign of terror along the silk road, but rebel leader Lucius (John Cusack) joins forces with local warrior Huo An (Jackie Chan) to fight back.

Dragon Blade was a smash when it opened just in time for the Chinese New Year in January.

The war epic was written and directed by Daniel Lee, who has had previous success with White Vengeance and 14 Blades.

Dragon Blade bows on September 4 in the Us. A UK release is yet to be set.

The first trailer is out for the historical action-thriller "Dragon Blade" starring Jackie Chan, John Cusack, Adrien Brody and Sharni Vinson. Scheduled for a Chinese New Year holiday release within China, the story is set in the Chinese Western Desert in 48 B.C.

Daniel Lee ("14 Blades," "White Vengeance") helms the story which sees Chan's framed former Chinese commander and Cusack's Roman general teaming up. No word yet on a domestic distributor for the film:...

The first trailer is out for the historical action-thriller "Dragon Blade" starring Jackie Chan, John Cusack, Adrien Brody and Sharni Vinson. Scheduled for a Chinese New Year holiday release within China, the story is set in the Chinese Western Desert in 48 B.C.

Daniel Lee ("14 Blades," "White Vengeance") helms the story which sees Chan's framed former Chinese commander and Cusack's Roman general teaming up. No word yet on a domestic distributor for the film:...

Jackie Chan leads an all-star cast including John Cusack and Adrien Brody in the first trailer for the upcoming action-thriller Dragon Blade. The film is set to open in China on February 19, 2015, to coincide with the Chinese New Year holiday, but a domestic distributor has not been set at this time, and it isn't known when the film may be released in North America. This historical thriller is set in the Chinese Western Desert in 48 Bce.

Huo An (Jackie Chan), the commander of the Protection Squad of the Western Regions, was framed by evil forces and becomes enslaved. On the other hand, a Roman general (John Cusack) escapes to China after rescuing the Prince. The heroic duo meet in the Western Desert and a thrilling story unfolds. Adrien Brody and Sharni Vinson also star, alongside Chinese actors such as Peng Lin, Si Won Choi and Benny Urquidez.

In addition to the trailer,...

Yowza.  This Dragon Blade trailer (and its accompanying images and character posters) looks insane.  I hope I'm not hurting anyone's feelings when I say that this simply isn't for me.  I can take schlock with the best of them, and I like the work of a lot of people involved in this movie, but the combination of it being a swords and sandals affair (not my bag) and awful looking is a devastating one-two punch against any personal interest I have in this.  But it exists, so if this kind of thing is in your wheelhouse, have at it! Hit the jump to check out the Dragon Blade trailer, images and character posters.  John Cusack, Adrien Brody and Jackie Chan star in this film about Roman soldiers who are lost in China.  Directed by Daniel Lee (White Vengeance), I'd expect to see this film hit sometime next year in the U.

From Director Wong Ching Po (Revenge: A Love Story) and acclaimed Action Director Yuen Wo Ping (The Grandmasters, Kill Bill Vol. 1 & 2, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) comes Once Upon A Time In Shanghai, debuting on Blu-ray™, DVD and Digital Jan. 13 from Well Go USA Entertainment. The modern action-packed fable features rising martial arts star Philip Ng (Young and Dangerous: Reloaded) as a country bumpkin who moves to 1930's Shanghai in the hope of becoming rich, but ends up honing his kung fu skills to become a lethal fighting machine. Once Upon A Time In Shanghai also stars the legendary Sammo Hung (Ip Man franchise), Andy On (As the Light Goes Out, White Vengeance), Michelle Hu (Mr. & Mrs. Player), Luxia Jiang (Ip Man: The Final Fight), Mao Junjie (Jackie Chan Presents: Wushu), Chan Koon-Tai (The Man with the Iron Fists), Yuen Cheung-Yan (Kung Fu Hustle, Charlie's Angels franchise) and Fung Hak-On (Tai Chi Zero...

A team of dedicated Hong Kong fire-fighters battle an out-of-control blaze that threatens to plunge the city into catastrophic darkness! Yes, As Light Goes Out is blazing (ehem) onto Us Blu-ray and DVD. Written and directed by Derek Kwok (Journey to the West), the action-packed suspense disaster flick stars Nicholas Tse (Shaolin, The Stool Pigeon), Shawn Yue (The Guillotines, Infernal Affairs trilogy), Simon Yam (Ip Man, Election), Hu Jun (Firestorm, Let the Bullets Fly), William Chan (Triad), Bai Bing (The Viral Factor, Shaolin), Andy On (Special ID, White Vengeance) and a cameo by the legendary Jackie Chan (Rush Hour franchise). As The Light Goes Out goes; digital, DVD and Blu...Nov. 18, from Well Go USA Entertainment. Synopsis: It's Christmas Eve in Hong Kong, and while the residents prepare to celebrate, a dedicated band of brothers - the fire-fighters of Pillar Point Division (Nicholas Tse, Shawn Yue, Andy On) – are dispatched to a warehouse fire.

Martial arts legend Donnie Yen discusses what fighting styles influenced his work in our exclusive featurette for Special ID, debuting on Blu-ray and DVD May 13 from Well Go USA. The actor portrays a Hong Kong undercover cop deep within a violent gang, whose leader is determined to find all of the traitors in his midst. Take a look at this featurette you can't find anywhere else, where Donnie Yen breaks down the various martial arts styles he has used over the years.

The cops can't control him. The mob wants him dead. And time is running out. Legendary action icon Donnie Yen (Ip Man, Hero) returns to contemporary Mma films as a deep undercover police officer in the action-packed mob drama Special ID, debuting on Blu-ray and DVD May 13th from Well Go USA Entertainment. Yen takes on the role of "Dragon" Chen, a Hong Kong undercover police officer deep...

Jackie Chan is set to star in Daniel Lee’s period action epic Dragon Blade, to be financed by start-up film fund Beijing Cultural Assets Chinese Film & Television Fund.

Investors in the film, which claims to have a budget that breaks records for China, also include China’s Sparkle Roll Cultural Media, Huayi Brothers Media and Shanghai Film Group.

Chan will play the commander of the ‘Protection Squad of the Western Regions’ in the Han Dynasty-set epic, inspired by historical records of the Romans in the western provinces of ancient China. The producers said an A-list Hollywood star would be cast in the role of a Roman general.

The film will be released in 3D IMAX in China and international markets on Feb 19, 2015, which is Chinese New Year’s Day. Second unit crews are currently shooting at Hengdian World Studios and will soon head to Dunhuang and the Gobi Desert.

Daniel Lee has previously...

The cops can’t control him. The mob wants him dead. And time is running out. Legendary action icon Donnie Yen (Ip Man, Hero) returns to contemporary films as a deep undercover police officer in the action-packed mob drama Special ID. In addition to Yen and Chou (The Matrix trilogy, Badges of Fury), Special ID also stars Tian Jing (Police Story 2013) and Hanyu Zhang (Back to 1942, White Vengeance) under the direction of Clarence Fok Yiu-leung (Snakeheads, Together). Bonus materials include a behind-the-scenes featurette and it hits Us Blu and DVD May 13th. Donnie-tastic indeed! Synopsis: Yen takes on the role of “Dragon” Chen, a Hong Kong undercover police officer deep within the ranks of one of China’s most ruthless underworld gangs. The leader of the gang, Xiong (Collin Chou), has made it his priority to weed out the government infiltrators in his midst. Struggling to keep his family together and his identity concealed,...

Legendary action director Tsui Hark (Flying Swords of Dragon Gate) international blockbuster Young Detective Dee: Rise Of The Sea Dragon is debuting on Blu-ray™, DVD and Digital from Well Go USA Entertainment. The action-packed, martial arts FX fest, follows Dee Renjie's beginnings in the Imperial police force. His very first case, investigating reports of a sea monster terrorizing the town, reveals a sinister conspiracy of treachery and betrayal, leading to the highest reaches of the Imperial family. The prequel to Hark's 2010 Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame stars Angelababy (Tai Chi Zero, Tai Chi Hero), Mark Chao (So Young, Caught in the Web), William Feng (White Vengeance, Tai Chi Hero), Carina Lau (Let the Bullets Fly), newcomer Lin Gengxin, Kim Beom (Fly High, The Gifted Hands), and Hu Dong (TV’s “Swordsman”). The date for your calendars, boys and girls, is February 11, 2014. Synopsis: The young Dee Renjie arrives in the Imperial Capital,...

The legendary Wing Chun master makes a return in the action-packed martial arts drama Ip Man: The Final Fight, which is coming to blu-ray and DVD from Well Go USA Entertainment on November 12th.

From director Herman Yau comes his sequel to The Legend is Born: Ip Man starring Anthony Wong (White Vengeance), Eric Tsang (Infernal Affairs), Jordan Chan (White Vengeance), Gillian Chung (The Midas Touch), Anita Yuen (Thunderbolt), Xiong Xin-xin (Tai Chi Zero), Wong Cho-lam (Beauty and the Seven Beasts), and newcomer Marvel Chow.

Ip Man: The Final Fight tells the story of the Wing Chun grandmaster Ip Man’s later life in postwar Hong Kong. It delves into his pursuit for romance with a young singer after his wife’s death despite the consternation of his disciples, his relationship with his eldest son, and his thoughts about his most celebrated student – Bruce Lee.

At the same time when...

We knew it was coming, and now we know the date we can all finally see it. Herman Yau’s version of the life story of Ip Man (Bruce Lees martial arts master) debuts on Blu-ray™ and DVD November 12th. The film depicts a realistic account of Ip Man’s later life in Hong Kong as he struggles against the vicissitudes of life: his pursuit of a romance with a young singer after his wife’s death (against the wishes of his disciples); his relationship with his elder son; and his thoughts on Bruce Lee, who would become his most celebrated student. Directed by Herman Yau (The Legend Is Born: Ip Man), IP Man: The Final Fight stars Anthony Wong (White Vengeance, Infernal Affairs), Eric Tsang (Infernal Affairs), Jordan Chan (White Vengeance), Gillian Chung (The Midas Touch), newcomer Marvel Chow, Anita Yuen (Thunderbolt), Xiong Xin-xin (Shaolin, Tai Chi Zero) and...

With big budget Chinese historical dramas and epics still proving incredibly popular, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that two films went into production around the same time about the Feast at Hong Gate, one of the most key and controversial event in the annals of the country’s history. Thankfully, the two films in question take very different approaches to the material, Daniel Lee’s reasonably enjoyable 2011 outing “White Vengeance” having focused mainly on the battles and personal rivalries. Now appearing somewhat later out of the gate is “The Last Supper”, arguably the more promising of the pair due to the presence of acclaimed director Lu Chuan, whose recent “City of Life and Death” still stands as one of the best Chinese films of the last decade. As expected, Lu’s offering is both more artistic and philosophically-minded, with Liu Ye (“City of Life and Death”), Daniel Wu...

Despite its name, “Back to 1942” isn’t in fact a time travel flick, but the latest blockbuster from top Chinese helmer Feng Xiaogang, responsible for recent hits such as “Aftershock” and “The Assembly”. Adapted from the book “Remembering 1942” by its author Liu Zhenyun, the film is a historical disaster epic following the fates of refugees during the drought and famine in Henan Province, which devastated the region and left millions dead. As well as acclaimed Chinese stars such as Zhang Guoli (“Foster Father”), Chen Daoming (“Aftershock”), Xu Fan (“Love in Space”), Zhang Hanyu (“White Vengeance”), Li Xuejian (“Love for Life”), the film is one of the few Asian productions to boast actual Western talent in the form of Academy Awards winners Adrien Brody (“The Piano”) and Tim Robbins (“The Shawshank Redemption”). Unsurprisingly set in 1942, the film takes place during a time of turmoil and conflict in China, with the Japanese...

Excuse us a moment whilst we take a moment to get over a quiver of fanboy excitement, but this great news! Press release alert....Based on the popular novel “The Four Detective Guards,” by Wen Ruian, Gordon Chan’s (The King of Fighters, Painted Skin, The Kung Fu Master) action-packed, fantasy epic The Four debuts on Blu-ray™, DVD and Digital April 9th. from Well Go USA. The first film in a planned trilogy, The Four stars Deng Chao (Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame) as Coldblood, Liu Yi Fei (The Assassins, White Vengeance) as Emotionless, Ronald Cheng (Legendary Assassin, Vulgaria) as Life Snatcher, and Collin Chou (The Matrix Reloaded, The Matrix Revolutions) as Iron Hands, four martial arts masters who dedicate their special skills to the service of Master Zhuge in solving crimes and apprehending powerful criminals. Bonus materials include the behind-the-scenes featurette “The Making of The Four” and deleted scenes.

Excuse us a moment whilst we take a moment to get over a quiver of fanboy excitement, but this great news! Press release alert....Based on the popular novel “The Four Detective Guards,” by Wen Ruian, Gordon Chan’s (The King of Fighters, Painted Skin, The Kung Fu Master) action-packed, fantasy epic The Four debuts on Blu-ray™, DVD and Digital April 9th. from Well Go USA. The first film in a planned trilogy, The Four stars Deng Chao (Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame) as Coldblood, Liu Yi Fei (The Assassins, White Vengeance) as Emotionless, Ronald Cheng (Legendary Assassin, Vulgaria) as Life Snatcher, and Collin Chou (The Matrix Reloaded, The Matrix Revolutions) as Iron Hands, four martial arts masters who dedicate their special skills to the service of Master Zhuge in solving crimes and apprehending powerful criminals. Bonus materials include the behind-the-scenes featurette “The Making of The Four” and deleted scenes.

Well Go USA has announced that the next historical Chinese epic to cross the Pacific will be Lin Shan Zhao's The Assassins, coming to Blu-ray and DVD. Chow Yun Fat stars alongside Yifei Liu (White Vengeance) and Hiroshi Tamaki (Heavenly Forest). Reviews of the film since it's release in China in October have been fairly middle of the road, but we think any time Chow Yun Fat appears onscreen, it's worth taking note.

Wu Ma is a legend when it comes to Kung Fu movies, starring in his first movie at the age of 14 in Lady General Hua Mulan and is still active till this day. Wu must be one of the most recognizable faces in the business, starring in movies such as Encounters Of The Spooky Kind, Dead And The Deadly, The Manchu Boxer, Iron Monkey and lots more. Wu Ma is still making movies to this day, this year he appeared in the movie Game Of Assassins, which also featured Leung Kar Yan and Chen Kuan Tai.

Selected Filmography

1977:Iron Monkey

1980:Encounters Of The Spooky Kind

1980:By Hook Or By Crook

1982:Dead And The Deadly

1986:Righting Wrongs

1987:Chinese Ghost Story

1990:Swordsman

1993:Kickboxer

2012:Game Of Assassins

Background

Wu was born Feng Hongyuan in Tianjin. At 16 he moved to Guangzhou and became a machinist before migrating to Hong Kong in 1960. In...

Director: Chen Kaige. Review: Chris Sawin. Viewing "Sacrifice" after "White Vengeance" was kind of interesting. Both were Chinese films with a lot of history and even though "Sacrifice" is more dramatic in comparison it seemed to keep you interested in the storyline from beginning to end and didn't drag unlike "White Vengeance," which was so incredibly slow at times. Downright comparing the two films is really unfair to both because they're pretty different overall. "Sacrifice" is more along the lines of what a Chinese epic should be. This is one of the most gestating forms of revenge to ever be filmed. The only comparison that comes to mind is when Beatrix Kiddo kills Vernita Green in front of her daughter Nikki in "Kill Bill." Beatrix then tells Nikki that she'll be waiting if Nikki wants to avenge her mother's death in the future. "Sacrifice" takes that brief moment, but stretches it into an entire film.

Tai Chi 0 and The Last Supper: Both films belong to "official" mainstream commercial production. Yet each in its way is a fascinating occasion to reflect upon Chinese neo-studio system.

Tai Chi 0 (Stephen Fung)

Yang Luchan (wushu champ Yuan Xiaochao), a young martial arts genius, desperately wants to learn the famous secret Tai Chi art of the Chen family. With the discrete help of the Grand Master (Tony Leung Kar-fai), and through repeated beatings from the villagers and the Master's daughter (Angelababy), he comes to master some of the Chen art and ends up helping destroying an evil British steam machine that could wipe out the village for the construction of a profitable railway line.

Tai Chi 0 (the first episode of a blockbuster-to-be trilogy) may well entertain foreign and local audiences: manga anime oriented, displaying a cast of top-models, pop icons and kung fu stars new and old,...

Director: Daniel Lee. Review: Chris Sawin. Nothing beats epic films done right; whether they’re historically based or more action oriented. "The Warlords," "Mongol," and "The Last Samurai" are some personal favorites. These epics usually make room for everything including standout performances from actors you love, incredible war sequences, breathtaking cinematography, and a solid screenplay to bridge everything together. It's almost worse when a film like this fails because it reminds you of what it could have been and it rubs salt in the wound in the process. There's something great at the heart of "White Vengeance," but it's just never fully able to showcase it properly. "White Vengeance" takes place during the fall of the Qin Dynasty. Liu Bang (Leon Lai) and Xiang Yu (Feng Shaofeng) now find themselves at each other's throats when they were once both on the same side. Now with the title of emperor at...

By Allen Gardner

Quadrophenia (Criterion) Franc Roddam’s 1979 film based on The Who’s classic rock opera tells the story of working class lad Jimmy (Phil Daniels) struggling to find his identity in a rapidly changing Britain, circa 1965. Jimmy is a “mod,” a youth movement dedicated to wearing snappy suits, driving Vespa motor scooters bedecked with side mirrors, popping amphetamines and obsessed with the new sound of bands like The Who and The Kinks. Their other pastime is engaging in bloody brawls with “rockers,” throwbacks to the 1950s, who listen to Elvis and Gene Vincent, wear leather biker gear, grease in their hair and drive massive motorcycles a la Marlon Brando in “The Wild One.” Often cited as a worthy successor to “Rebel Without a Cause” as the greatest angry youth picture ever made, it is that and more, including a first cousin to the “kitchen sink” dramas of scribes John Osborne,...

Well Go USA is releasing White Vengeance on Blu-ray and DVD September 4, director Daniel Lee's true-life tale about the fall of China's Qin Dynasty. We have a contest running where history buffs and action fans alike can take home this Blu-ray, starring Leon Lai and Shao-feng Feng as the soldiers who lead the rebellion. Continue reading for details on how you can win today!

Winners Receive:

White Vengeance Blu-ray

Here's How To Win!

Just "Like" (fan) the MovieWeb Facebook page (below) and then leave a comment below telling us why these prizes must be yours!

If you already "Like" MovieWeb, just leave a comment below telling us why these prizes must be yours!

White Vengeance tells the story of two brothers contending for supremacy during the fall of the Qin Dynasty. As rebels rose, the nation fell into chaos and commoners united to re-conquer the Middle Kingdom of Qin.

★★★☆☆ Director Daniel Lee's White Vengeance (2011) follows a long precession of Chinese period action epics which have been released in the UK with growing frequency. Yet, Lee's film represents a refreshing shift of focus - albeit a shift which may prove to alienate the target demographic - the casual chop-socky action fan seeking the mandatory martial arts mayhem may be left somewhat disappointed.

Read more »...

Last week saw the release of a handful of new international films, with Jo Nesbø’s Headhunters topping the list, and this week brings with it a rather different line-up, with Peter Berg’s Battleship being the biggest name amongst the new arrivals, opposite Kevin Macdonald’s critically acclaimed documentary, Marley.

My picks of the week:

Kevin Macdonald’s Marley & Daniel Lee’s White Vengeance.

Marley Iframe Embed for Youtube

DVD and Blu-ray (inc. Digital and UltraViolet Copies)

Oscar-winner Kevin Macdonald (The Last King of Scotland) returned this year with Marley, a documentary following on from his Life in a Day project last year, bringing us a portrait of one of the most iconic figures in music of the last century.

And we’ve currently got three copies of the film on Blu-ray to give away – click here to enter the competition.

“Marley is the definitive film about one of...

It’s Monday, so we all know what that means! Yes, it’s time for another rundown of DVDs and Blu-ray’s hitting stores online and offline this week. It’s a jam-packed week, with plenty of movies waiting to take you money, so let us breakdown the new releases and highlight what you should – and shouldn’t – be buying from today, August 20th 2012.

Pick Of The Week

Puppet Master (DVD/Blu-ray)

Alex Whittaker and three other gifted psychics are investigating rumors that the secret of life has been discovered by master puppeteer Andre Toulon. But the psychics quickly discover Toulon’s secret of death in the form of five killer puppets – each one uniquely qualified for murder and mayhem. Tunneler has a nasty habit of boring holes in people with his drill bit head. Ms. Leech regurgitates killer leaches that suck her victims dry. Pinhead strangles his enemies with his powerful vice-like hands.

Director: Daniel Lee. Review: Adam Wing. Daniel Lee’s best-known work before 2008 was Jet Li’s dated – yet brilliant – action adventure Black Mask. Since then he has made quite the niche for himself in the period action epic sub-genre. Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon was his first star-studded effort, and even though it will never be considered a classic, there’s a lot to recommend beyond the presence of Andy Lau and Maggie Q. What it does do it does very well, albeit in a solid, unspectacular, commercial kind of way. 14 Blades is the better picture, but then again, that might be down to my love of all things Donnie. Vicki Zhao, Donnie Yen and the former Miss Hong Kong sporting a metal whip – what it lacks in substance and depth, it makes up for in eye candy and action. A great man once sang, “A little less conversation,...

Daniel Lee’s (‘14 Blades,’ ‘Three Kingdoms’) big budget epic lands with a flurry of swordfights and martial arts action in the UK on August 20, but just in case you weren’t 100% sure it was worth a punt, they’ve released a spiffy new trailer that should well a truly seal the deal. Synopsis: White Vengeance tells the story of two brothers contending for supremacy during the fall of the Qin Dynasty. As rebels rose, the nation fell into chaos and commoners united to re-conquer the Middle Kingdom of Qin. Liu Bang (Leon Lai) and Xiang Yu (Feng Shaofeng), became sworn brothers in battle and leaders of the rebellious army tasked with overthrowing Lord Qin and seizing control of his vast empire. Yu and Bang both serve King Huai of Chu who uses their desire for a crown and a title to stir distrust between them. The ultimate betrayal and the...

Here’s the brand new UK trailer for White Vengeance which has been sent over to us by G2 Pictures. The movie is set for release on DVD and Blu-ray 20th August and has a real Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon feel mixed with a bit of The Last Samurai.

White Vengeance is directed by Daniel Lee (14 Blades and Three Kingdoms) and stars Shao-feng Feng, Leon Lai and Hanyu Zhang.

Two brothers contend for supremacy during the fall of the Qin Dynasty in Imperial China. Liu Bang (Leon Lai) and Xiang Yu (Feng Shaofeng), became leaders of a rebellious army, and also became sworn brothers in battle. King Huai states that whoever can subvert the Qin kingdom will be the Lord Qin, in order to benefit from the competition between Xiang Yu and Liu Bang. But who will emerge as the winner from this epic battle and survive to claim their path to the crown?...

We’ve always an eye for a bargain here at 24fps and today is a two-for-one type day for martial arts epics, with news that director Daniel Lee’s (‘14 Blades,’ ‘Three Kingdoms’) big budget show piece... White Vengeance is lining up for a release on both sides of the Atlantic, on DVD and Blu-ray. Based on a true period in Chinese history, Lee’s medieval war epic is debuting in the UK on August 20, then hop across the pond for its debut there on September 4. Extras wise there’s not a whole lot in it, so all you region (on DVD anyways) free folk, can take your pick! Synopsis: White Vengeance tells the story of two brothers contending for supremacy during the fall of the Qin Dynasty. As rebels rose, the nation fell into chaos and commoners united to re-conquer the Middle Kingdom of Qin. Liu Bang (Leon Lai) and...

A screen legend, a veteran film producer and talented fresh gems of Hong Kong film making, all brought together in London for the highly anticipated ‘Hong Kong 15 Film Festival’ from 2nd – 14th July 2012.

The Festival is thrilled to introduce new emerging talent, first-time and established filmmakers reflecting the vibrancy and energy of Hong Kong cinema. For this special occasion, world renowned star Jimmy Wang Yu and producer Roger Lee will be appearing in their respective film screenings, along with acclaimed directors Fung Chih Chiang and Jessey Tsang.

Famed in both Hong Kong and international film circles, Jimmy Wang Yu is widely credited as being the first Hong Kong Kung Fu star and this veteran of over 80 films has been a vital part of the evolution of Hong Kong action films since he joined Shaw Brothers studio in 1963.

He is still actively acting four decades later and ‘Hong Kong 15 Film Festival...

Hong Kong 15 Film Festival announces its much anticipated programme to mark the 15th Anniversary of the return of Hong Kong to Chinese sovereignty

1st July marks fifteen years since Hong Kong returned to Chinese sovereignty. To commemorate this special occasion, the Hong Kong Economic Trade Office, London, in association with Terracotta Festival, has put together an exciting film festival to showcase the best of current Hong Kong films as well as to look back on the last fifteen years and beyond.

When & Where

The ‘Hong Kong 15 Film Festival’ will take place at the Odeon Covent Garden, London, commencing 2nd July 2012 for a fortnight until 14th July. With guests in attendance and fifteen films carefully selected, the festival will pay tribute to the extraordinary story of this vibrant and energetic island city through the eyes of its film-makers.

The diversity of Hong Kong cinema will be represented through a panorama of...

By MoreHorror.com

Starting next week, on May 4th through May, 20th, Porto Alegre will be the Latin American Capital of Genre Cinema as Fantaspoa International Fantastic Film Festival 2012 unleashes.

Fantaspoa – International Fantastic Film Festival of Porto Alegre, the biggest genre film festival of Latin America will be back for its 8th edition, with 17 days of pure cinephilia, exhibiting 150 films – including 87 features from 32 countries: 5 having their world première, 12 in national première and 43 in their Latin America première. The festival will also bring more than 35 guests, including the duo that will be getting a Career Achievement Award: David Schmoeller and Stuart Gordon. Schmoeller, in the occasion, will also have the première of his first feature in 14 years: “Little Monsters”.

The festival will open and close with two world premières: “Nervo Craniano Zero”, directed by Paulo Biscaia Filho will open the festival and “Cell Count”, directed by Todd E. Freeman will close it.

Although its odd English title might suggest some kind of racially themed thriller, “White Vengeance” is actually Hong Kong director Daniel Lee latest Chinese historical epic, following up on “Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon” and Donnie Yen vehicle “14 Blades”. This time, Lee has chosen a weighty subject in the Hongmen Banquet, a landmark event which took place over 2000 years ago when various factions were vying for control after the fall of the Qin Dynasty. The prestigious blockbuster has a typically all-star cast, headlined by Leon Lai (“Bodyguards and Assassins”) and television star William Feng (“Palace”), with support from the legendary Anthony Wong (“The Untold Story”), Zhang Hanyu (“Assembly”), Jordon Chan (“Once a Gangster”), Andy On (“True Legend”) and actress Crystal Liu (recently in the “A Chinese Ghost Story” remake). The film begins in China during the last years of the Qin Dynasty, with the capture of the fallen...

Daniel Lee (14 Blades) is clearly working his way up on the budget tables. After years of operating in (elevated) B territory, White Vengeance is Lee's first true big budget feature. Those of you expecting an overpowering action-fest should take notice though, White Vengeance might look like it's filled to the brim with epic battle scenes, but the reality is quite different. Then again, the choice to cut back on action is one of this film's true perks.White Vengeance follows the same course that many other recent Chinese/Hong Kong historic war epics have been sailing. Sure enough there is massive warfare going on, with poor soldiers being clubbed, perforated and trashed to death. But battles are not decided by brute force and man power, instead...

Nominations for the 6th annual Asian Film Awards were announced in Hong Kong today:

Best Film

A Separation (Iran) Postcard (Japan) The Flowers of War (Mainland China) Flying Swords of Dragon Gate (Hong Kong/Mainland China) Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale (Taiwan) You Don’t Get Life a Second Time (India)

Best Director

Asghar Farhadi, A Separation Teddy Soeriaatmadja, Lovely Man Sono Sion, Guilty of Romance Tsui Hark, Flying Swords of Dragon Gate Wei Te-sheng, Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale Zhang Yimou, The Flowers of War

Best Actor

Chen Kun, Flying Swords of Dragon Gate Donny Damara, Lovely Man Andy Lau, A Simple Life Park Hae Il, War of the Arrows Yakusho Koji, Chronicle of My Mother

Best Actress

Vidya Balan, The Dirty Picture Michelle Chen, You Are the Apple of My Eye Eugene Domingo, The Woman in the Septic Tank Leila Hatami, A Separation Deanie Ip,...

The Flying Swords of Dragon Gate and the other nominations for the 2012 Asian Film Awards have been announced. The 6th Annual Asian Film Awards was presented by the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society (Hkiffs) “to recognize excellence of film professionals in the film industries of Asian cinema.” This year’s award ceremony will be held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on March 19, 2012.

The full listing of the 2012 Asian Film Awards nominations have been announced.

Best Film

A Separation (Iran)

Postcard (Japan)

The Flowers of War (Mainland China)

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Best Director

Asghar Farhadi, A Separation

Teddy Soeriaatmadja, Lovely Man

Sono Sion, Guilty of Romance

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If you’re in the mood for an action-packed epic, director Daniel Lee’s “White Vengeance” seems to be the cinematic menu item of choice. Everything I’ve seen thus far has been phenomenal, though looks can often be deceiving. Unless something goes wrong on a narrative level, I have a feeling this one’s going to be all sorts of badass. Mark my words. Or don’t. See if I care. Let’s being everyone up to speed with a synopsis: In the late Qin Dynasty, rebels rose and the nation fell into chaos. Liu Bang (Leon Lai) and Xiang Yu (Shaofeng Feng), serving under King Huai, were the leaders of the rebellious army. Liu Bang and Xiang Yu became sworn brothers in the battles. They had conquered the heartland of Qin Dynasty and caused its destruction. However, King Huai realized that Liu and Xiang were too powerful and he felt threatened by them.

After enjoying some early success in the action genre with Jet Li's Black Mask, writer-director Daniel Lee struggled to maintain any real momentum, which culminated in the truly ridiculous Dragon Squad in 2005. Since then he has moved into directing period wartime epics, firstly with the rather uninspiring Andy Lau/Sammo Hung vehicle Three Kingdoms: Ressurection Of The Dragon, followed by the notably better but still rather unexceptional 14 Blades, starring Donnie Yen. With his new film White Vengeance, Lee has been trusted with a bigger budget and a considerably larger canvas, for an epic story of loyalty, betrayal and the thirst for power.The film centres around a famous incident known as the Banquet of Hongmen, where opposing Generals Xiang Yu and Liu Bang met under...

White Vengeance is a movie brought to us by director Daniel Lee, who brought us recent movies such as “14 Blades and Three Kingdoms”. He must love making historical movies because this is another one, but once again i have to say it looks like it could be another hit.

The movie stars Leon Lai, Anthony Wong, Liu Yi-Fei, Jordan Chan and Zhang Han-Yu about the Banquet of Hongnam, a major event in the Chu-Han Contention, a major battle between the Han and Chu kingdoms in post Qin Dynasty.

Release Date: 24th November – Hong Kong

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Source:24framespersecond.net...