easternkicks.com » Actors

A brief guide to Takeshi Kitano

Andrew Heskins — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 10:00:04 +0000

With Takeshis’ finally on a limited release in the UK (we originally reviewed it back at the 2005 London Film Festival!) Guardian writer David Thompson recently posted a brief guide to the man himself, Takeshi Kitano. (But it may leave you wanting to know much more!)…

Of course, we rather slammed Takeshis’ on it’s original release as self-indulgent (though it had as much to do with that films immaturity). But was that fair? Kitano is hardly the first or last filmmaker to take their own fame or profession and exploit it as the subject of a movie. Take Pedro Almodovar’s recent Broken Embraces. (The difference being Pedro had Penelope Cruz to distract us!)

So what do you think about some of Kitano’s more recent work? Has he lost the plot completely, or is it okay for a director’s output to become self-indulgent, even when arguably it isn’t appealing to anyone else?

Drop us a line using the comment box below…

Read David Thompson’s Takeshi Kitano Guide on the Guardian online »

More success for Breathless

Andrew Heskins — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 10:00:20 +0000

Something of a reduced service here at easternKicks, while I move house and wait an eternity to get my broadband sorted out, but time to highlight the success of Breathless, the debut film by Korean actor turned director Yang Ik-June, at this years Tokyo Filmex, walking off with both the Grand Prize and Audience Award.

Already the recipient of numerous international film awards, the film is an accomplished first work, brutal and uncompromising in its portrayal of the caise and effect of domestic violence, it’s also poetic, funny, and surprisingly uplifting. On paper, a strange mix, but on screen easily one of the best Asian films of the year. The film opens in selected cinemas around the UK on 29 January 2010, distributed by Terracotta Distribution, and is a must-see.

We’ll be bringing you an exclusive interview with Yang Ik-June, who also stars, wrote and edited Breathless, and happens to be a lot more affable in real life than you might expect from his role, as well as a review of the film itself.

Shih Kien, Bruce Lee co-star dies at 96

Andrew Heskins — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 14:00:50 +0000

Just a few days after the death of David Carradine, star of the Bruce Lee conceived Kung Fu, was announced, now the death of Lee’s co-star in Enter The Dragon has been announced.

Shih Kien (also known as Sek Kin) may be best remembered as Lee’s one-handed arch-rival in Enter The Dragon, but with a career stretching back to 1940 appeared in hundreds of movies. These included appearing alongside Chow Yun-fat in A Better Tomorrow III, and many Shaw Brothers productions including Buddha’s Palm.

Shih died on Wednesday at a Hong Kong hospital with his children by his side, the Ming Pao Daily News reported.

David Carradine found dead

Andrew Heskins — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 08:00:42 +0000

The 72 year-old star of Kung Fu and Kill Bill, David Carradine, was found dead in his hotel room in Thailand on Thursday. Found naked in a wardrobe by a hotel maid, he is said to have had cord wrapped around his neck and other parts of his body, though the cause of death has yet to be established.

Part of an acting dynasty begun by his father, John Carradine, David became best known for his role as Kwai Chang Caine (or Grasshopper) in the hit tv series Kung Fu. Though his career later veared into B-movies, including the original Death Race 2000, and straight-to-video productions, it was revived in 2003 when he appeared in Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill series.

More recently he appeared in tv production the White Crane Cronicles and a Chinese mobster in Crank: High Voltage.

Come on Jackie Chan, uh uh uh oh oh (#2,067!)

Andrew Heskins — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 09:00:43 +0000

Yep, Asia’s biggest star has had another foot in mouth moment. Seemingly endorsing China’s strict censorship policy, Jackie Chan told an audience of business leaders at a high-profile conference that the ‘Chinese need to be controlled’. Unsurprisingly his comments have sparked anger, particularly in Hong Kong and Taiwan, where legislator Huang Wei-cher said: “He himself has enjoyed freedom and democracy and has reaped the economic benefits of capitalism. But he has yet to grasp the true meaning of freedom and democracy.”

Oh boy, here we go again…

Read the full story on the Guardian Online »

Storm in South Korea over Jang Ja-yeon’s suicide

Andrew Heskins — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 09:30:40 +0000

A letter written seven days before Jang Ja-yeon’s death, an actress in popular soap opera Boys Over Flowers, has caused a national outcry in South Korea, with the media focusing on ’slave’ entertainment contracts. It’s opened up the less-than-salubrious side to KoreanTV.

Read the full story on Guardian Online »

Rare appearance for Brigitte Lin at 3rd Hong Kong International Film Festival

Andrew Heskins — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 08:30:47 +0000

The 33rd Hong Kong International Film Festival is now in full swing, after a gala premiere of Ashes Of Time Redux (yes, I know – well after the rest of the world?). There was a rare public appearance from Brigitte Lin Ching-hsia, long retired from the film industry. Director Wong Kar-wai also attended, with Tony Leung and his wife Carina Lau, and Charlie Yueng.

Elsewhere, John Woo and Tsui Hark celebrated the 25th anniversary of the production company they set up, Film Workshop, best known for 80s classics A Better Tomorrow and Zu: Warriors From The Magic Mountain.

See the official 33rd HKIFF site »

Confucius? You will be…

Andrew Heskins — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 10:00:39 +0000

Chow Yun-fat, star of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, The Killer and the upcoming live-action Dragonball: Evolution, is set to bring the historical character of Confucius to the screen, according to Times Online. (Well, he has rather become the Asian version of Morgan Freeman of late – the father stroke God figure dishing out advice and wisdom to the lead characters, hasn’t he?)

You can read the full article here, which also includes some pearls of wisdom from both men. (Including “Why do hot dogs come in packages of ten, but hot dog buns only come in packages of just eight?” from Chow Yun-Fat in Bulletproof Monk…

Wax on, wax off: Jackie Chan to play Miyagi in Karate Kid remake

Andrew Heskins — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 10:00:04 +0000

Jackie Chan is set to play the role of Mr Miyagi in the remake of 80s classic The Karate Kid. Originally played by TV favourite Pat Morita, he even won an oscar nomination for his role in the original movie.

The Karate Kid will be played by Will Smith’s son, Jaden. Will Smith confirmed his son will be appearing with Chan this morning on BBC’s Breakfast programme.

The original Karate Kid was played by Ralph Macchio, but people often to forget that two time Oscar-winner Hilary Swank made her cinematic debut in The Next Karate Kid.

Bruce Lee home to become museum

Andrew Heskins — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 10:00:03 +0000

The Hong Kong townhouse that was once home to Bruce Lee and had since become a downmarket love motel has been donated to the city to become a museum.

easternkicks.com » Actors

A brief guide to Takeshi Kitano

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More success for Breathless

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Shih Kien, Bruce Lee co-star dies at 96

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Rare appearance for Brigitte Lin at 3rd Hong Kong International Film Festival

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