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36th Chamber Of Shaolin: on UK DVD at last!

Wednesday, March 18th, 2009

Next Monday quite possibly the best martial arts/kung fu film ever finally makes its way on to DVD in UK! (more…)

Posted in Hong Kong, News, Releases, UK, _Clips and trailers | No Comments »

Blood: The Last Vampire – exclusive trailer

Friday, March 6th, 2009

Long regarded as one of the best examples of Anime, Blood: The Last Vampire is set to ignite screens alight with a whole new live-action version. Directed by Chris Nahon, responsible for the only decent Jet Li US vehicle Kiss Of The Dragon and featuring fight choreography by Li favourite Corey Yuen (So Close, Fong Sai Yuk), the film has a seriously good pedigree making it one of the most anticipated live-action adaptations of any anime ever produced.

Check out the trailer and see what you think!

Posted in News, Premieres, Releases, UK, USA | No Comments »

Blood: The Last Vampire – opening clip

Thursday, June 25th, 2009

We were just talking about that subway scene from the original Anime, weren’t we? And here is the new version – the opening clip from Chris Nahon’s live-action remake starring Gianna Jun. As you can’t have missed, Blood: The Last Vampire opens in UK cinemas tomorrow… Check it out, pretty close, but with a new twist. Enjoy!

(I promise – next week I won’t mention Blood. Not once…honest!)

But don’t forget the DVD and t-shirt Competition!

Posted in News, Releases, _Clips and trailers | No Comments »

Blood: The Last Vampire – UK poster artwork released

Friday, March 27th, 2009

More clips and trailers coming soon…!

Posted in News, Releases, UK, USA | No Comments »

Bruce’s Legacy

Wednesday, March 15th, 2006

More than 30 years after his death, the ‘Little Dragon’ has never been more popular – but isn’t it time we left his memory alone? (more…)

Posted in Actors, Editorials, Features, Hong Kong | No Comments »

Cinema: Blood: The Last Vampire

Wednesday, May 27th, 2009

Long regarded as one of the best examples of Anime, Blood: The Last Vampire is set to ignite screens alight with a whole new live-action version. Directed by Chris Nahon, responsible for the only decent Jet Li US vehicle Kiss Of The Dragon and featuring fight choreography by Li favourite Corey Yuen (So Close, Fong Sai Yuk), the film has a seriously good pedigree making it one of the most anticipated live-action adaptations of any anime ever produced.

Blood: The Last Vampire is released in UK cinemas on 26 June 2009 by Pathe.

Enter our cometition and win a DVD and t-shirt!

Posted in Calendar, News, Releases, UK, _Clips and trailers | No Comments »

Cinema: The Forbidden Kingdom

Wednesday, April 16th, 2008

The Forbidden Kingdom, starring Jakie Chan and Jet Li, is released in UK cinemas on 9 July* 2008 by Lionsgate.

(*Originally Friday, 11 July.)

Posted in Calendar, News, Releases, UK, USA | No Comments »

Cinema: The Wardlords

Friday, October 10th, 2008

Peter Chan’s The Warlords, which premieres at this years London Film Festival on Monday 20 October, will be released by Metrodome in UK cinemas on 7 November. The film stars Jet Li and Andy Lau.

Posted in Calendar, Festivals, News, Releases | No Comments »

Coming soon: Jackie Chan gets serious (and more from Cine Asia!)

Thursday, February 11th, 2010

Sill causing a stir with it’s Asian release, Jackie Chan’s dark, dramatic The Shinjuku Incident (banned in China!) is released on Blu-ray and two-disc DVD on 22 February by Cine Asia. Provocative, compelling and underscored with hard-hitting action, the pulse-pounding thriller, The Shinjuku Incident explodes with tension and delivers a career-defining performance from international action-superstar, Jackie Chan.

Further ahead, Cine Asia will also be releasing – through their new distribution deal with Weinstein’s US Dragon Dynasty (move over Momentum, that lasted long!) – the Jet Li classic Fist Of Legend, at last! The holy gail of Jet Li’s movies, previously unavailable in the UK outside of the (dreadful!) English dubbed release by Dimension, debuts on Blu-ray and Two-disc DVD on 22 March. Yay!!!

The new tie-up with Dragon Dynasty will also FINALLY see the release of S.P.L. aka Kill Zone – the first and undoubtedly best of the collaborations between director Wilson Yip and star/action choreographer Donnie Yen. This debuts on UK Blu-ray and two-disc DVD on 8 March.

Posted in Hong Kong, News, Releases, UK | 1 Comment »

Congratulations to our Blood: The Last Vampire prize winners!

Thursday, July 23rd, 2009

comp_bloodlastvampWell done to everyone who entered our Blood: The Last Vampire competition. Five lucky entrants will be winning a t-shirt and DVD of the original Anime, with five other entrants geting just the t-shirt. You’ll be receiving your prizes in the post soon…

For those that missed out, don’t fear, we’ll have another competition soon – so stay tuned!

Posted in Competitions, News | No Comments »

Congratulations to the winners of The Forbidden Kingdom giveaway!

Thursday, July 24th, 2008

The competition is now over and the winners will be receiving their package in the post soon. Thanks to everyone else that entered, we’ll be hosting other competitions in the future so you might be luckier next time!

Posted in Competitions, News, Releases | No Comments »

Death Of A Legend

Thursday, January 17th, 2008

Since 1999 Hong Kong Legends had released remastered versions of classics (relatively) old and new that had gained them an international reputation. But that wasn’t enough to keep them in business – why? (more…)

Posted in Distributors / companies, Editorials, Features, Hong Kong, UK | 1 Comment »

Dragon Tiger Gate

Saturday, May 5th, 2007

With brilliant fight scenes has Donnie Yen’s time in the spotlight finally come?… (more…)

Posted in Films, Hong Kong, Martial arts, Reviews, Sci Fi / Fantasy | No Comments »

Dreadnaught

Monday, March 24th, 2008

Yuen Biao makes a martial art out of doing the laundry, but this mashup of genres goes too far for anyone to come out clean… (more…)

Posted in Films, Hong Kong, Martial arts, Reviews | No Comments »

DVD/Blu-ray: Blood: The Last Vampire

Friday, July 31st, 2009

Chris Nahon’s live-action remake of anime Blood: The Last Vampire comes to DVD and Blu-ray on 12 October 2009, released by Manga. Detalis TBC.

Posted in Calendar, News, Releases, UK | No Comments »

DVD/Blu-ray: Fist Of Legend

Thursday, February 4th, 2010

Directed by Gordon Chan (The Medallion; Beast Cops) and starring martial arts superstar Jet Li (The Mummy: Tomb Of The Dragon Emperor; The Forbidden Kingdom; Fearless; Hero), Fist Of Legend gets the Ultimate Edition treatment courtesy of Cine Asia with an extra features-packed Blu-ray and two-disc DVD release on 22nd March 2010.

A stunning reinvention of Bruce Lee’s timeless 1972 classic, ‘Fist of Fury’, Fist Of Legend delivers scene upon scene of intense and magnificently composed martial arts action for what is now considered by many to be the greatest kung fu movie of all time.

In the most electrifying performance of his celebrated career, international superstar Jet Li plays Chen Zhen, the matchless number-one student of China’s preeminent kung fu master, Fok Yun-gap. Upon returning home to Shanghai after a period of study abroad, he discovers that his homeland has been devastated by a brutal Japanese occupation and that his once proud martial arts academy has fallen into disarray following the untimely demise of his beloved Master, allegedly in a challenge match with a member of the Japanese Black Dragon Clan.

Disgusted by the official verdict on his teacher’s death, Chen embarks on a heroic and uncompromising one-man quest to uncover the true killer and restore dignity to his fallen people – a journey that will bring him into deadly confrontation with Japan’s most formidable fighters.

Showcasing exceptional action-choreography from ace martial arts director, Yuen Woo-ping (The Matrix Trilogy and Kill Bill), Fist Of Legend is a brilliant martial arts masterpiece that justifiably has been awarded iconic status by fans and critics worldwide.

Fist Of Legend (cert. tbc) will be released on DVD (£17.99) and Blu-ray (£24.99) by Cine Asia on 22nd March 2010.

Special Features include: audio commentary by Hong Kong Cinema expert Bey Logan; ‘The Man Behind The Legend’ – an exclusive interview with director Gordon Chan; ‘Brothers In Arms’ – an exclusive interview with kung fu impresario Chin Siu-ho; ‘The Way Of The Warrior’ – an exclusive interview with Japanese action legend Kurata Yasuaki; ‘The School Of Hard Knocks’ – a screen fighting seminar at the celebrated Kurata Action School; a look at ‘Fist Of Legend’ with director Brett Ratner and critic Elvis Mitchell; deleted scenes gallery; trailer gallery; DTS HD MA English 5.1 audio (Blu-ray); Dolby Digital Cantonese 2.0 Stereo, Mandarin 2.0 Stereo and English 5.1 audio options (DVD); optional English subtitles.

Posted in Calendar, Hong Kong, News, Releases, UK | No Comments »

DVD/Blu-ray: Kill Zone

Thursday, February 4th, 2010

Winner of the Best Action Choreography Award at the 2006 Hong Kong Film Awards and hailed by Variety as “a must see” for martial arts and action movie fans, the action-thriller Kill Zone comes to Blu-ray and DVD (as a two-disc Ultimate Edition) in March packed with special features that include behind the scenes featurettes, plus exclusive interviews with the stars and filmmakers.

Directed by Wilson Yip and featuring the work of many of the creative talents who helped him in bringing ‘Ip Man’, ‘Flashpoint’ and ‘Dragon Tiger Gate’ to the screen, Kill Zone stars Donnie Yen (Ip Man; An Empress And The Warriors), Simon Yam (Ip Man; Triangle), Sammo Hung (Three Kingdoms; Kung Fu Hustle; The Medallion) and Jacky Wu (Invisible Target; Fatal Contact) and combines hard-hitting martial arts action with gritty police thriller conventions.

Finally apprehended by veteran detective Chan Kwok Chung (Yam) after years of ruling the Hong Kong underworld, brutal gangster Wong Po (Hung) manages to escape justice by arranging the execution of the prosecuting attorney and the witnesses who could have sealed his fate and kept him behind bars. As Po walks free, the soon-to-retire Chan is diagnosed with terminal cancer and, with nothing left to lose, persuades his team of detectives to bring down their nemesis no matter what the cost.

However, their plans to operate outside the law are uncovered by Chan’s future replacement, Ma Kwun (Yen), a cop with a fearsome reputation who suddenly finds himself at odds with both the criminals he is trying to catch and the men he needs to trust. But Ma’s ethics are brought into question when Po hires a deadly assassin (Wu) to kill Chan’s men with ruthless efficiency and he is forced to join forces with his predecessor in order to wage bloody war on Po and his henchmen.

Climaxing in a long-awaited, extended screen showdown between martial arts legends Sammo Hung and Donnie Yen and featuring a breathtaking mano-a-mano face-off between Yen and Jacky Wu, Kill Zone is an electrifying and suspenseful thriller guaranteed to keep action fans on the edge of their seats from start to finish.

Kill Zone (cert. tbc) will be released on DVD (£17.99) and Blu-ray (£24.99) by Cine Asia on 8th March 2010.

Posted in Calendar, Hong Kong, News, Releases, UK | No Comments »

DVD/Blu-ray: The Shinjuku Incident

Thursday, February 4th, 2010
Hundreds of Chinese refugees wash up on Japan’s Wakasa Bay. Each has a dream of a better life, but most will encounter only prejudice and oppression. One, a law-abiding farm-worker known as Steelhead (Jackie Chan), has come to find the woman (Xu Jinglei) he has loved since childhood, but his quest ends in bitter rejection when he discovers she has married Yakuza underboss, Eguchi (Masaya Kato).
Heartbroken, his life descends into darkness and petty crime quickly escalates to murder. With blood on his hands, he will risk everything to secure a future for his people, as they face an increasingly brutal onslaught from a criminal empire protected by a secret code. However, ancient traditions will not be broken and his defiance will lead to all-out war as both factions fight for control of the infamous Shinjuku district in the heart of Japan’s greatest city.
Ultimately pursued by forces on both sides of the law, Steelhead must fight for redemption and the survival of those he loves in the darkest night he has ever known…
Provocative, compelling and underscored with hard-hitting action, the pulse-pounding thriller, The Shinjuku Incident explodes with tension and delivers a career-defining performance from international action-superstar, Jackie Chan.
 Coming to Blu-ray and to DVD as a two-disc Ultimate Edition featuring a host of extras, including behind the scenes featurettes, cast interviews and deleted scenes, this is a must-have for Jackie Chan fans and lovers of action cinema.
Special Features include: Making of; behind the scenes featurettes; extended and deleted scenes; trailer gallery; interview gallery (Jackie Chan, Daniel Wu, Xu Jinglei, Masaya Kato, Naoto Takenata, Chin Kar Lok, Pater Kam Pau-Tat); Dolby Digital original language 2.0 and 5.1, plus English 5.1 audio tracks (DVD); DTS HD Master Audio 5.1 original language and 5.1 English, plus Dolby Digital original language 2.0 audio tracks (Blu-ray).
THE SHINJUKU INCIDENT (18)  is radical, uncompromising cinema with the most unforgettable finale of any Jackie Chan film to date! Released on two-disc DVD (£17.99) and single disc Blu-ray (£24.99) by Cine Asia on February 22.

Posted in Calendar, Hong Kong, News, Releases, UK | No Comments »

Everybody was kung fu fighting ‘08

Friday, August 8th, 2008

There’s something in the air all right… but Beijing Olympics or not, haven’t we seen it all before? (more…)

Posted in China, Distributors / companies, Editorials, Features, UK | No Comments »

Exclusive interview: Chris Nahon

Monday, June 22nd, 2009

We talk exclusively to Chris Nahon, director of Kiss Of The Dragon and the new live-action version of Blood: The Last Vampire, released Friday… (more…)

Posted in Directors, Features, Filmmakers, France, Interviews, UK | 1 Comment »

Exclusive interview: Gianna Jun

Wednesday, June 24th, 2009

We chat to Gianna Jun, who plays the lead Saya in the new version of Blood: The Last Vampire, released this Friday… (more…)

Posted in Actors, Features, Interviews, South Korea, UK | No Comments »

Fatal Contact

Friday, July 18th, 2008

Just a small town boy trying to make it big – oh, why have I got Bronski Beat playing in my head, it’s not like that at all!… (more…)

Posted in Action / Thrillers, Films, Hong Kong, Martial arts, Reviews | No Comments »

Fist Of Fury

Tuesday, March 8th, 2005

Bruce Lee’s landmark movie gets another outing – but what does the new double-disc DVD release add the existing UK version?… (more…)

Posted in Films, Hong Kong, Martial arts, Reviews | No Comments »

Fong Sai Yuk

Wednesday, December 1st, 2004

Bizarre, inspired fight scenes and farcical fun, Corey Yuen directs Jet Li in a silly but highly enjoyable movie… (more…)

Posted in Cinema Club – The finest in Asian film, Comedy, Films, Hong Kong, Hong Kong classics, Martial arts, Reviews | No Comments »

Hero

Wednesday, December 1st, 2004

Nominated for an Oscar, Jet Li stars in director Zhang Yimou’s (Raise The Red Lantern, Not One Less) first foray into the swordplay genre, and it’s one of the most beautiful and offbeat yet… (more…)

Posted in China, Chinese classics, Cinema Club – The finest in Asian film, Films, Hong Kong, Reviews, Wuxia / Swordplay | No Comments »

High Risk aka Meltdown

Wednesday, December 1st, 2004

A martial arts movie star famous for his stunts? Now who could Wong Jing be lampooning in this Jet Li vehicle?… (more…)

Posted in Action / Thrillers, Films, Hong Kong, Martial arts, Reviews | No Comments »

I Am Jackie Chan: My Life In Action

Wednesday, December 1st, 2004

An insightful look into the life of Asia’s biggest superstar, as likable and endearing as the man himself… (more…)

Posted in Biographies, Books, Hong Kong, Reviews | 1 Comment »

Jet Li versus…

Thursday, September 20th, 2007

To celebrate the release of Jet Li latest action yarn, War, we pick out five of our favourite fights from 25 years of his movies. And offer you the chance to submit your own to our list… (more…)

Posted in Actors, Editorials, Features | 1 Comment »

John Who?

Thursday, January 1st, 2004

Sorry, I thought you were someone else. You know, that fella that made The Killer and Hard Boiled? What, you are? Then what is all this business with that Ben Affleck geezer, a man who could take acting lessons from the cast of Thunderbirds, his acting’s so wooden? (more…)

Posted in Directors, Editorials, Features, Filmmakers, Hong Kong | No Comments »

LFF: The Warlords

Monday, October 27th, 2008

Peter Chan’s take on the historical wuxia drama is far grittier and more grounded than we’re used to, with a fine performance by Jet Li that will surprise his critics – but do we really need another film like this? (more…)

Posted in China, Drama, Festivals, Films, Hong Kong, Martial arts, Reviews, Wuxia / Swordplay | No Comments »

London Film Festival programme released

Monday, September 15th, 2008

The programme for the 52nd London Film Festival has been released, and this years has plenty of Asian films on show from China, South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Philippines and India. In fact, only Hong Kong seems absent, even if you count Peter Chan’s epic The Warlords, starring Jet Li and Andy Lau.

Other highlights include Kim Jee-woon’s (Ji-woon) The Good, The Bad, The Weird, Jia Zhangke’s 24 City, Yim Phil-Sung’s take on fairy tale Hansel and Gretel, Li Hongqi’s Routine Holiday, Hong Sang-So’s Night And Day, Nandita Das’ Firaaq, the fun spoof Quick Gun Murugan by Shashank Ghosh, and of course the latest obligatory Takeshi Kitano film, Achilles And The Tortoise.

The festival runs from 15 – 30 October, with non-BFI members able to book from 27 September. For more information see the BFI’s site »

Posted in Festivals, Filmmakers, News, Premieres, Releases, UK | No Comments »

Monkey Magic

Wednesday, February 18th, 2009

The funkiest Monkey is back, in a whole new adventure with Tripitaka, Pigsy and Sandy… (more…)

Posted in Films, Japan, Reviews, Sci Fi / Fantasy, Wuxia / Swordplay | No Comments »

Monkey Magic released on DVD

Monday, February 23rd, 2009

The fantastic new update to the classic 70s series is released today – you can read our review here »

Posted in Japan, News, Releases, UK, _Clips and trailers | No Comments »

On DVD and Blu-ray today: The Forbidden Kingdom

Monday, November 17th, 2008

Okay, sure it’s Hollywood! Sure it’s a kids movie! But this Rob Minkoff (Stuart Little, The Lion King) movie starring Jet Li and Jackie Chan – together for the first time ever – is a whole lot better than you’d expect! And with action scenes directed by Yuen Woo-ping, there’s plenty for adults too, so if you missed this at the cinema it’s well worth catching up on…

You can read our review here »

Posted in News, Releases, UK | No Comments »

On DVD today: The Warlords

Monday, March 2nd, 2009

Peter Chan’s The Warlords, starring Jet Li, Andy Lau and Takeshi Kineshiro, is released in the UK on two-disc DVD and Blu-ray today by Metronome.

You can read our review here »

Posted in News, Releases, UK, _Clips and trailers | No Comments »

So Close

Wednesday, December 1st, 2004

Three ass kicking babes in some of the best action sequences in ages – Charlies Angels eat your heart out… (more…)

Posted in Action / Thrillers, Films, Hong Kong, Reviews | No Comments »

Swordsman III: The East Is Red

Wednesday, February 13th, 2008

The bizarre and often baffling follow up to Swordsman II sees Brigette Lin reprising her role as Asia the Invincible… (more…)

Posted in Films, Hong Kong, Reviews, Wuxia / Swordplay | No Comments »

The 36th Chamber Of Shaolin

Friday, December 16th, 2005

Gordon Liu (Kill Bill Volume 1 and 2) stars in a kung fu classic that is so much more than your average revenge movie… (more…)

Posted in Films, Hong Kong, Martial arts, Reviews | No Comments »

The Forbidden Kingdom at opens UK cinemas today

Wednesday, July 9th, 2008

The Forbidden Kingdom, the first film to star both Jet Li and Jackie Chan, opens in UK cinemas today – just in time for the summer break!

Read our review here »

Posted in News, Releases, UK | No Comments »

The Forbidden Kingdom goodie bag giveaway!

Wednesday, July 2nd, 2008

To celebrate the upcoming release of The Forbidden Kingdom, starring Jet Li and Jackie Chan together for the first time, we have three goodie bags to giveaway – each containing a poster, t-shirt, a War DVD and some sumo men! (more…)

Posted in Competitions, News, Releases | No Comments »
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