easternKicks.com – how do you get yours?

It was my great uncle’s funeral this weekend. I know I must have met him a few times, but only fleetingly. The last time must easily have been 20 years ago or more. Families are funny things at the best of times, and my direct family has always been a bit too insular for it’s own good.

It was a touching ceremony on such beautiful sunny day – which my UK based readers will realise how lucky we were! – so it seemed a fitting send off. But a real surprise was finding out one of the things that lightened up his later years, other than endless CSI repeats, was Jackie Chan films! From all accounts they’d have him roaring with laughter.

Who knew?

Well, I wish I had. For one thing, I could have been keeping him supplied with all the latest. Maybe he could even have done the odd review for the site? Perhaps there’s something in our genetic make up, pulling us towards Jackie’s on-screen antics. Or maybe he just knew quality when he saw it?

So Bud, this one’s for you…

…well, you will if you pop down to the shops and pick up this DVD!

Yep, Cine Asia release their budget DVD on Monday, including the feature length Jackie Chan movie The Myth, trailers of just about every film they’ve put out and that Introduction documentary featuring contributions from critics and pundits such as Kim Newman, Jessica Mellor, and yes, me! Look, there’s my face and everything…! This is just a clip of me in action.

There’s been lots of opportunities to interview actors and directors recently, but if I’m really honest it’s still the chance to chat to some of Hong Kong stars who got me here in the first place, Donnie Yen and Sammo Hung. So any excuse to rabbit on about ‘em.

Surely the BBC Four series can only be a matter of time now…?

The Introduction to Cine-Asia DVD is released on Monday, 28 February, and available from HMV, Amazon, Play.com and other popular stockists. And it’s real cheap too… did I mention that? Go on, you know you want to…

It’s not even due to be out till May, and already I’m getting excited about the UK theatrical release of Kim Jee-Woon’s I Saw The Devil… (more…)

…but I’ve just been filmed for the upcoming Cine Asia release, An Introduction to Cine Asia, a low-price documentary and film DVD coming to a shop near you soon. And starring, well, me… (maybe!)… (more…)

…what do you think you’re doing? No, you are not Chow Yun-fat in John Woo’s classic action epic Hard Boiled, so what is this about…? (more…)