With Dada Chen at NYAFF 2013

With Dada Chen at NYAFF 2013
With Dada Chen at NYAFF 2013

Tuesday, December 14, 2021

Subway Cinema's THE HONG-KONG-A-THON PART III: HONG KONG NEVER DIES! coming to Anthology Film Archives on January 8, 2022

SUBWAY CINEMA PRESENTS:
THE HONG-KONG-A-THON PART III: HONG KONG NEVER DIES!
When: Saturday, January 8, 2022
Screenings begin at 12:30 p.m.
Where: Anthology Film Archives, NYC
32 Second Avenue New York, NY 10003

They said it was over. They said it couldn’t happen again. But just when you thought it was safe to go back into movie theaters…the Hong-Kong-a-Thon returns! Six movies! All on 35mm! Almost 12 hours of some of the gnarliest, scariest, weirdest, wildest movies from Hong Kong, flying through your eyes and giving your brain a deep tissue massage…with their fists! The titles won't be announced until they appear on screen because it’s more fun that way.

The wonderful folk at Subway Cinema dug deep and found prints for some lost classics that never made it onto DVD or Blu-ray. In fact, some of these movies are only available on VHS, and it seems that three of them haven't been projected since their release dates. Made between 1987 and 1993, these movies are out to hurt you, and you’re going to love every second of it! More info at www.subwaycinema.com.

All tickets will be $30.

CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS NOW!

Friday, December 10, 2021

Joseph Kuo's 7 Grandmasters reviewed; screens tomorrow in NY

Courtesy of Mei An Entertainment Group Ltd.
7 Grandmasters / Jue quan
Directed by Joseph Kuo
Taiwan, 1977, 89 minutes

7 Grandmasters, one of the best kung fu films from Taiwan director Joseph Kuo, will be screened this coming Sunday, December 12th at 1:00 p.m. at New York's Museum of the Moving Image. It is being shown as part of the 9th Old School Kung Fu Fest: Joseph Kuo Edition, which is being presented by the Museum of the Moving Image and Subway Cinema in association with the Taipei Cultural Center in New York, Ministry of Culture, Republic of China (Taiwan). 

In this tale, Shangguang Zheng (also spelled Sang Kuan-chun), grandmaster of the Bai Mei strike technique, puts off his retirement and travels with his daughter and three male disciples to challenge seven other grandmasters to prove his worthiness of receiving an accolade from the imperial court. Along the way they are joined by Sha Shaoyiang, who fervently desires to also become a disciple, despite Zheng's insistence that he is not taking on any new students as he's on the verge of retiring.

As you can imagine, what with seven grandmasters to face, the film is packed with high-octane action sequences that have been choreographed by Corey Yuen and Yuen Cheung-yan. Throw in subplots featuring the traditional themes of "you killed my master" and "you killed my father" as well as a sneak attack of black-cad would be assassins, and even the most demanding of old school kung fu fans will be more than satisfied.

AsianCineFest Rating: 3.5 out of 4 stars, very highly rated.

Buy tickets for 7 Grandmasters here.

Learn more about Joseph Kuo at Subway Cinema’s website.

Monday, November 29, 2021

Flash Forward: Debut Works and Recent Films by Notable Japanese Directors to be presented by Japan Society NY from December 3-23


Moonlight Whispers (Directed by Akihiko Shiota, 1999. 97 minutes)

Flash Forward: Debut Works and Recent Films by Notable Japanese Directors kicks off this Friday, Dec. 3rd. With 18 films available for nationwide streaming, plus two exclusive in-person screenings in Japan Society NY's auditorium, the series compiles must-see works from six of Japan's best-known directors: Naomi Kawase, Miwa Nishikawa, Shuichi Okita, Junji Sakamoto, Akihiko Shiota and Masayuki Suo.

Running from Dec. 3 to Dec. 23, Flash Forward presents two distinct facets of each filmmaker’s career, pairing their respective debuts with more recent works.

In addition to online screenings available for nationwide streaming, Japan Society present two new 4K restorations of films by master filmmaker Sadao Yamanaka in its auditorium. Plus: Free to stream—six films from filmmakers on the rise.

In-Person Screenings:
- Tickets: $15 / $10 members
- Tickets for In-Person Screenings are on sale now.

Online Screenings:
- Rentals: $10 for 3-day rental
- On-Sale Date: December 3

All-Access Pass: $55 for all online films (Available for purchase now through December 2nd only)

Members receive 20% off online rentals and the all-access pass. Not a member? Join today to receive exclusive benefits for the whole family.

Learn more about the films here.

Sunday, November 28, 2021

9th Old School Kung Fu Fest: Joseph Kuo Edition coming December 6-13

Museum of the Moving Image and Subway Cinema
In association with
Taipei Cultural Center in New York, Ministry of Culture, Republic of China (Taiwan)
Present
9th Old School Kung Fu Fest: Joseph Kuo Edition!
December 6-13, 2021

The Old School Kung Fu Fest is back, and this time Museum of the Moving Image and Subway Cinema will co-present eight newly restored films and one fan favorite classic by Kuo on glorious 35mm — four titles available exclusively online, December 6–13, and another five films for in-person big-screen viewing at MoMI, December 10–12.

Whether you know his name or not, when someone says “Old School Kung Fu” the first image that flashes across your brain is probably from a Joseph Kuo movie. Taiwan’s ultimate independent filmmaker, Kuo put his stamp on the Seventies as his own boss, writing, producing, and directing dozens of movies through his production company, Hong Hwa International Films, which he founded in 1973.

Kuo’s credo was simple: “I cannot let down the person who buys my works.” He learned to deliver maximum impact on minimum budgets, taking the latest trends of the day and turning them into hard-hitting spectacles boasting unlimited mayhem. To make his movies rock the hardest on the smallest of budgets he assembled a rotating cast of charismatic action stars that included Wen Chiang-lung (who looks like Bruce Lee after a Cantopop makeover), the musclebound Carter Huang, the puckish Li Yi-Min, the underrated female fighter, Jeanie Chang, the versatile Jack Long and Mark Long. Working with action choreographers like Corey Yuen, one of the Seven Little Fortunes, and Yuen Cheung-yan, brother of Yuen Wo-ping, his flicks feature wall-to-wall fight scenes, and in an attempt to please every single audience member these fight scenes go on, and on, and on, continually changing location and upping the stakes, so that just when you think you’ve seen every possible variation on two guys standing in a field kicking the stuffing out of each other, Kuo takes it to another level.

Full of funky editing tricks that momentarily turn his movies into experimental flicks, Kuo hooks eyeballs with convoluted storytelling structures packed with frenetic flashbacks that force viewers to pay close attention. Everyone is related to everyone else, everyone has a secret identity, there’s almost always a last minute revelation popping up out of nowhere, usually with evil laughter on its lips, and every movie single revolves around revenge. While the first half hour of any Joseph Kuo film takes some patience while he clears his throat and gets down to business, once things kick off it’s a non-stop roller coaster ride that ends in an apocalyptic beatdown that leaves the main characters doling out a galaxy-shattering finishing movie before confronting the futility of vengeance. Delivering martial arts mayhem and a moving moral message in 90 minutes or less, Joseph Kuo gets in, delivers the goods, makes his point, then gets out, leaving you hungry for more. And in this year’s Old School Kung Fu Fest we’re offering plenty more.

For complete information about the 9th Old School Kung Fu Fest: Joseph Kuo EditionI, click here.

Saturday, November 27, 2021

Subway Cinema's new website is up; past write-ups being added


Subway Cinema Inc. is a New York-based 501(c)(3) not-for-profit volunteer-run organization dedicated to the exhibition and appreciation of Asian popular cinema and preservation of America’s Asian film exhibition heritage

Founded in 1999 in New York City as a labor of love for five film fans (Paul Kazee, Grady Hendrix, Brian Naas, Nat Olson, and Goran Topalovic), the organization has played a key role in nurturing the growth of Asian film culture in the U.S. by championing the works of Johnnie To, Tsui Hark, Park Chan-wook, Bong Joon-ho, Takashi Miike, Kim Jee-woon, Ryoo Seung-wan, Seijin Suzuki, Sion Sono, and other notable directors.

The organization recently got its new website up and running and is gradually adding all of its past write-ups. Check out the website, including information about the organization's 9th Old School Kung Fu Fest: Joseph Kuo Edition! (December 6-13, 2021)  at https://www.subwaycinema.com/.

Friday, November 26, 2021

ONCE UPON A TIME IN CHINA 2 to screen on Sunday, November 28th

 

The Criterion Collection recently released a Once Upon a Time in China box set and to celebrate, Subway Cinema scheduled screenings of the 4K restorations of ONCE UPON A TIME IN CHINA 1 & 2!!!!

The organization  screened Part 1 last Sunday and had a huge crowd that rocked the room with cheers and applause from the moment the Golden Harvest logo appeared until the last bad guy got done in.

Now, Subway Cinema is doing it again with OUATIC Part 2 screening at the Nitehawk Prospect Park on Sunday, 11/28 at noon. No familiarity with Part 1 is required.

Tickets for Part 2 are on sale now

Founded in 1999 in New York City, Subway Cinema is a not-for-profit volunteer-run organization dedicated to the exhibition and appreciation of Asian popular cinema and preservation of America’s Asian film exhibition heritage.

Friday, November 12, 2021

The Monkey King: Reborn is coming to digital, Blu-ray™ & DVD on December 7th, 2021

Well Go USA Entertainment
presents
The Monkey King: Reborn
Directed by Wang Yun Fei
China, 2021, 96 minutes

Following on the heels of recent groundbreaking animated films from China (including Ne Zha, 2020 & Jiang Ziya, 2021) comes an all-new anime action-adventure fantasy, The Monkey King: Reborn, landing on digital, Blu-ray™ and DVD December 7th, 2021 from Well Go USA Entertainment.
 
Playing off the three hugely popular Monkey King live action films,  The Monkey King: Reborn follows the trickster after he is insulted while visiting a temple with his master Tang Monk. Outraged, he destroys a magical tree and accidentally releases the ancient King of Demons, who kidnaps Tang Monk as revenge for his long imprisonment. Now, Monkey King and his fellow disciples must rescue their master within three days, before the demon king regains his full power and unleashes his armies to destroy the earth.

Directed by Wang Yun Fei (4-film Yugo & Lala franchise),  The Monkey King: Reborn features an all-new English dub for this release.

Synopsis:
After short-tempered trickster Monkey King is insulted while visiting a temple with his master Tang Monk, he destroys a magical tree and accidentally releases the ancient King of Demons, who kidnaps Tang Monk as revenge for his long imprisonment. Now, Monkey King and his fellow disciples must rescue their master within three days, before the Demon King regains his full power and unleashes his armies to destroy the earth.

Monday, July 05, 2021

SILAT WARRIORS: DEED OF DEATH reviewed; coming to digital, Blu-ray & DVD today, Tuesday, July 6th

Well Go USA
Entertainment
Presents
Silat Warriors: Deed of Death / Geran
Directed by Areel Abu Bakar
Malaysia, 2019, 102 minutes

Silat Warriors: Deed of Death (a.k.a. simply as The Deed of Death) is an action-packed martial arts film from Malaysia that arrives on digital, Blu-ray™ and DVD today, Tuesday, July 6th from Well Go USA Entertainment. This review is based on my watching the Blu-ray version.

Mat Arip (actor Fad Anuar) is a young man and an inveterate gambler who wages — and most often loses — money and other possessions on illegal betting, drag racing, or street fights. When he puts up the deed to his family’s home and, his widowed father, older brother Mohammad Arip Bin Nayan (single monikered actor Namron) and his sister Fatima (Feiyna Tajudin) must confront the gang that shows up to collect on his debt. Fortunately, both of his siblings are formidable martial artists.

(Silat, for those not familiar with the term, is the collective name for various martial arts practiced in Malaysia, Indonesia, and other areas of Southeast Asia. There are many different styles (aliran) and schools (perguruan), but they tend to focus either on strikes, joint manipulation, weaponry, or some combination thereof.)

Silat Warriors: Deed of Death marks the feature film debut of director Ariel Abu Bakar. He’s assembled much of the talent from Malaysian martial art schools and training facilities and put them to good use. The movie is chock full of extended action sequences. The last is a “one-against-many” fight that pits Nayan against the numerous members of the gang that have kidnapped Mat Arip. It is most certainly because of these sequences that Silat Warriors: Deed of Death won the Daniel A. Craft Award for Excellence in Action Cinema at the 2020 New York Asian Film Festival, the first Malaysian film to win the award.

Stick around through the beginning of the end credits for a brief coda that will bring you face-to-face with an important character for the first time and which clearly seems to indicate that a sequel is in the works. 

Disc Specs:
-- Audio
   -- Malaysian DTS-HDMA 5.1
   -- Malaysian Stereo
-- Subtitles
   -- English
   -- Off
-- Trailer
-- Previews
   -- Raging Fire (teaser)
   -- The Paper Tigers
   -- The Fatal Raid

AsianCineFest Rating - 2.5 out of 4 stars. Certainly a decent enough actioner, but not much to offer in the way of plot or character development. So my 2.5 overall rating is the average of 3 stars for the action and 2 for the story.

Monday, June 21, 2021

THE PAPER TIGERS reviewed; available tomorrow on Blu-ray and DVD

Well Go USA
Entertainment
Presents
The Paper Tigers
Written and directed by Tran Quoc Bao
Starring Alain Uy (True Detective), Ron Yuan (Mulan), 
and Mykel Shannon Jenkins (Undisputed III),
USA, 2020, 108 minutes
 
The Paper Tigers is a very fine martial arts action comedy that puts some interesting twists on the traditional "You killed my master!" revenge tale. It will be available on Blu-ray and DVD starting tomorrow, Tuesday, June 22nd.
 
Jim (Mykel Shannon Jenkins), Danny (Alain Uy), and Hing (Ron Yuan)

When they were teenagers, Danny, Hing and Jim were  the only disciples of their kung fu master. Twenty-five years later, now in their forties, they have grown apart and are no longer practitioners of the martial art they once loved so much. They pretty much have changed into washed-up middle-aged men dealing with such issues as weekend visitation with their teen-age kid, bad knees, annoying former classmates, and middle aged spread.
 
Upon learning that their elderly master has been murdered, Hing reestablishes contact with Danny and the two of them then seek out Jim. Determined to avenge their sifu, they have to muster all the skill and bravado they can in an effort to identify the assassin and exact retribution.

Disc Specs:
  -- Audio
    -- DTS-HDMA 5.1
    -- Stereo
  -- Subtitles
    -- Off
    -- English SDH
    -- Korean
    -- Traditional Chinese
    -- Simplified Chinese
    -- Vietnamese
  -- Bonus
    -- Behind the Scenes
      -- A Look Behind the Film
      -- Tai Tung Restaurant
      -- Production Design
    -- Deleted Scenes
    -- Bloopers
    -- Trailer
  -- Previews
    -- Silat Warriors: Deed of Death
    -- Undercover Punch & Gun
    -- Deliver Us from Evil

Watch the trailer here.

AsianCineFest Rating: 3.5 out of 4 stars; very highly recommended, a film that's very well worth seeing.

Monday, May 31, 2021

UNDERCOVER PUNCH & GUN available on Digital, Blu-ray™ & DVD June 8th with an all-new English dub

Well Go USA
Entertainment
Presents
Undercover Punch & Gun / Wo hu qian long
Co-directed by Lui Koon Nam and Frankie Tam
Hong Kong, 2019, 91 minutes
 
An undercover cop’s daring plan to infiltrate a notorious drug ring is severely compromised when a rival agency attacks mid-trade and kills the gang’s leader in the action-packed MMA thriller Undercover Punch & Gun (a.k.a. Undercover vs. Undercover). Their cover blown, both teams are forced to unite and take to the high seas in an attempt to overthrow the ruthless smuggler behind it all. Undercover Punch & Gun wil be coming to Digital, Blu-ray™ and DVD on June 8 with an all-new English dub from Well Go USA Entertainment.

First-time co-directors Lui Koon Nam and Frankie Tam assembled an exciting cast – including Philip Ng (Enter the Fat Dragon, Chasing the Dragon), Van Ness Wu (Ip Man 4, Dragon Blade), and Andy On (Special ID, Once Upon a Time in Shanghai) – for this MMA extravaganza with the explosive action fight sequences choreographed by Philip Ng, “…one of the best action directors working today.” (Asian Film Strike)

Synopsis:
While an elite cop is working undercover to infiltrate a notorious drug ring, his plan is compromised when a rival agency with a grudge attacks during a trade, killing the gang’s leader. Their cover blown, both teams are forced to unite and take to the high seas in an attempt to overthrow the ruthless smuggler behind it all.

Sunday, May 30, 2021

SILAT WARRIORS: DEED OF DEATH debuts on Hi-YAH! on June 4th; coming to Blu-ray & DVD on July 6th

Well Go USA
Entertainment
Presents

Silat Warriors: Deed of Death / Geran
Directed by Areel Abu Bakar
Malaysia, 2019, 101 minutes

When their younger brother brings a ruthless criminal gang to their door, a family must fight together against the threat in the action-packed martial arts epic Silat Warriors: Deed of Death (a.k.a. simply as The Deed of Death), which will debut exclusively on the martial arts streaming service Hi-YAH! on June 4th, before hitting Digital, Blu-ray™ and DVD July 6th from Well Go USA Entertainment.

In addition to actors Namron (One Two Jaga, Dukun, Redha) and Fad Anuar (Dollah Superstar, TV’s “KL Gangster: Underworld”), first-time film director Areel Abu Bakar selected much of the talent from martial arts training facilities and competitions in order to give a sense of realism the exciting action sequences. His first-time actors include Khoharullah Majid, Feiyna Tajudin, Taiyuddin Bakar, Megat Shahrizal and Azlan Komeng.

Silat Warriors: Deed of Death won the Daniel A. Craft Award for Excellence in Action Cinema at the 2020 New York Asian Film Festival, the first Malaysian film to win the award.

Synopsis:
When a reckless young gambler’s wild lifestyle of illegal gambling, drag racing, and betting on brutal street fights pits him against a ruthless criminal betting ring, his luck finally runs out. The gang shows up at his family’s home to collect on the debt, forcing his family to fight in order to save their land and his life—before their limited time runs out.

Tuesday, May 25, 2021

DELIVER US FROM EVIL reviewed

Well Go USA
Entertainment
Presents
Deliver Us from Evil / Daman akeseo guhasoseo
Directed by Hong Won-chan
South Korea, 2020, 109 minutes

Deliver Us from Evil is a high octane action, crime thriller from South Korea. It debuts on digital & Blu-ray today, May 25th from Well Go USA Entertainment.
 
Synopsis:
After the shocking kidnapping of a little girl in Thailand, Kim In-nam (Hwang Jung-min), a mercenary with a murky past as a government black ops agent, is forced to re-emerge from the shadows when he learns the incident is closely connected to him. With the help of expat Yui (Park Jeong-min) he flies to Thailand and begins tracking the girl’s whereabouts, moving ever closer to the notorious child trafficking ring responsible for her abduction. However, when an infamous gangster nicknamed The Butcher (Lee Jung-jae) learns just who has entered the country and is finally within his grasp, he goes on a bloody rampage to thwart the ex-agent’s rescue mission as retaliation for a killing that he will never be able to forget—or forgive. 
 
There's no shortage of exciting action sequences in this thriller. Fists, feet, knives, guns, etc. all come into play at one time or another. 
 
Disc Specs:
-- Audio
  -- Korean DTS-HDMA 5.1
  -- Korean Stereo
-- Subtitles
  -- Full English
  -- English
  -- Off
-- Bonus
  -- Making Of
  -- Filming Location
  -- Teaser
  -- International Trailer
  -- U.S. Trailer
-- Previews
  -- The Paper Tigers
  -- The Swordsman
  -- Train to Busan Presents: Peninsula
 
AsianCineFest Rating of Deliver Us from Evil: 3.5 out of 4 stars, very highly recommended; a highly entertaining actioner.

Friday, May 21, 2021

CHICAGO JAPAN FILM COLLECTIVE festival is coming May 25th - 31st

Japanese Film Festival Comes to the Midwest
Chicago Japan Film Collective | May 25th – 31st, 2021

Coyote Sun Productions and Mar Creation announced the inaugural Chicago Japanese Film Collective, the first ever Japanese film festival to be held in the Midwest. The virtual festival will feature nine films (seven narrative features and two documentaries), including two North American premieres.

Organized by SAKAMOTO Yuki (President of Coyote Sun Productions) and KONO Hiroshi (President of Mar Creation), the Chicago Japanese Film Collective will take place from May 25th – 31st, 2021.

“We’re excited to bring the best of contemporary Japanese cinema to the Midwest,” said Sakamoto, adding that “Our festival is designed to bring the American Midwest into conversation with Japanese culture.”

Supported by CATCH US Performing Arts (CUPA) and the Japan Foundation New York, the festival will use the Eventive platform for ticketing and screenings and is intended to spark conversations about culture and to facilitate understanding between Japan and the Midwest region.

According to Kono Hiroshi, “With the ongoing pandemic, we hope the Chicago Japanese Film Collective can provide a space where people from diverse backgrounds come together to appreciate art and to focus on our shared humanity.”

Among the festival's highlights is Hayashi Kaizo’s BOLT, a drama about the immediate aftermath of the earthquake that rocked Japan and resulted in the Fukushima nuclear disaster starring Nagade Masatoshi. Also, All About Chiaki Mayumura (provisional), a genre-bending drama about a musical celebrity who is much more than meets the eye. Other films include VIDEOPHOBIA, a black and white cyber thriller; Yan, shot on location in Japan and in Taiwan; The House of Seasons, a family drama about a teenager who overcomes her mental health challenges; and The Manga Master, a film about the life of manga artist pioneer Kitazawa Rakuten. In documentaries, the festival will feature Alone Again in Fukushima, a deeply human story about a man who stayed in the evacuation zone in order to care for animals left behind following the Fukushima nuclear disaster, and Prison Circle, which provides an intimate look into one of Japan’s most notorious prisons.

The Chicago Japan Film Collective introduces the best in contemporary Japanese films—that would otherwise be inaccessible—to Midwestern audiences. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the inaugural edition will be held virtually, however plans are in motion to hold future festivals in person.

Details:
- Tuesday, May 25, 2021 - Monday, May 31, 2021, 23:59 (Central Time, USA)
- Virtual screening U.S. nationwide
- Watchsite Registration Fee: May 5th, 2021 on sale
- Early Bird: US $13 for all access, US$8 for one film (May 5th - 15th)
- Regular: US $15 for all access, US$10 for one film (May 16th - 31st)
- Student discount codes and promotional discount code are available
- Film Festival Platform: EVENTIVE
- Official Website: https://www.cjfc.us
- Audience Award: Votes for the Audience Award will be cast through Eventive and the award will be announced at the conclusion of the festival.


THE PAPERS TIGERS is coming to Blu-ray and DVD on June 22nd

Well Go USA
Entertainment
Presents
The Paper Tigers
Directed by Tran Quoc Bao
U.S./2020/11 minutes

Certified “Fresh” on Rotten Tomatoes and critically-acclaimed around the world, The Paper Tigers , an homage to feel-good martial arts films like The Karate Kid, debuts on Blu-ray™ and DVD June 22 from Well Go USA Entertainment. The audience-pleasing film shows how three dedicated kung fu disciples grew into washed-up, middle-aged men—now one kick away from pulling their hamstrings. But when their master is murdered, they must juggle their dead-end jobs, dad duties, and old grudges to avenge his death. The award-winning feature film debut of Director Tran Quoc Bao, The Paper Tigers stars Alain Uy (“Helstrom,” “True Detective”), Ron Yuan (Mulan, “Marco Polo”), and Mykel Shannon Jenkins (The Gods, Undisputed III: Redemption). The film is currently available to watch in theaters and on digital.

Following its world premiere at the Fantasia Film Festival, The Paper Tigers played numerous festivals around the world, winning the Audience Award for Best Narrative Film at the Boston Asian American Film Festival and the Grand Jury Prize for Best Feature Film at the Seattle Asian American Film Festival.

Bonus Content Includes Behind-the-Scenes Material, Deleted Scenes & Bloopers.

Synopsis:
As teenagers, kung fu disciples Danny (Alain Uy), Hing (Ron Yuan) and Jim (Mykel Shannon Jenkins) were inseparable. Fast forward 25 years, and each has grown into a washed-up middle-aged man seemingly one kick away from pulling a hamstring—and not at all preoccupied with thoughts of martial arts or childhood best friends. But when their old master is murdered, the trio reunites, soon learning that avenging their sifu will require conquering old grudges (and a dangerous hitman still armed with ample knee cartilage) if they are to honorably defend his legacy.

Thursday, May 06, 2021

THE PAPER TIGERS reviewed; in theaters, virtual cinema & on demand today, Friday, May 7th

Well Go USA
Entertainment
Presents
The Paper Tigers
Written and directed by Tran Quoc Bao
Starring Alain Uy (True Detective), Ron Yuan (Mulan), 
and Mykel Shannon Jenkins (Undisputed III),
USA, 2020, 108 minutes
 
The Paper Tigers is a very fine martial arts action comedy that puts some interesting twists on the traditional "You killed my master!" revenge tale.
 
Jim (Mykel Shannon Jenkins), Danny (Alain Uy), and Hing (Ron Yuan)

When they were teenagers, Danny, Hing and Jim were  the only disciples of their kung fu master. Twenty-five years later, now in their forties, they have grown apart and are no longer practitioners of the martial art they once loved so much. They pretty much have changed into washed-up middle-aged men dealing with such issues as weekend visitation with their teen-age kid, bad knees, annoying former classmates, and middle aged spread.
 
Upon learning that their elderly master has been murdered, Hing reestablishes contact with Danny and the two of them then seek out Jim. Determined to avenge their sifu, they have to muster all the skill and bravado they can in an effort to identify the assassin and exact retribution.
 
 
Find tickets by clicking here to go to the film's official Well Go USA Entertainment webpage, then scroll down a bit.

Watch the trailer here.

AsianCineFest Rating: 3.5 out of 4 stars; highly recommended, a film that's very well worth seeing.

Saturday, April 03, 2021

IRON GIRL: FINAL WARS reviewed; streets April 6th

Iron Girl:Final Wars / Aian gâru Final Wars
Directed by Ken'ichi Fujiwara
Japan, 2019, 90 minutes
Language: Japanese with English Subtitles
Format: BD
SRP: $19.98

Iron Girl: Final Wars is the third, and apparently final, film in the post-apocalyptic action series that began with Iron Girl (2012) and its sequel Iron Girl: Ultimate Weapon (2015). All three films star Kirara Asuka as a lovely and well-endowed young woman named Chris who transforms into the titular role of sexy-suited kick-ass babe.

This time round, Chris is again involved with the resistance against the evil organizaton that seeks to totally dominate the post-apocalyptic world. One of the resistance leaders is Joe, whose former girlfriend Diana has left the resistance and become an enhanced altered soldier whose main target is Iron Girl. Further complicating matters is the fact that a mysterious young girl named Sara has been having dreams calling to Chris for help… even though the two of them have never met!

The action is decent enough, as was the case in the first two films in the trilogy. Sadly there isn't as much tittilating nudity as in the previous two films. Still, it's a worthwhile watch that brings Iron Girl's tale to a satisfying conclusion. Or maybe not, as the film's coda suggests that the series might carry on.

AsianCineFest Rating: 2.5 out of 4 stars

Iron Girl: Final Wars is published by Switchblade Pictures and distributed by Section23 Films.

Tuesday, March 16, 2021

THE PAPER TIGERS arrives May 7th

Well Go USA
Entertainment
Presents
The Paper Tigers
Written and directed by Tran Quoc Bao
Starring Alain Uy (True Detective), Ron Yuan (Mulan), 
and Mykel Shannon Jenkins (Undisputed III),
USA, 2020, 108 minutes

In Theaters & On Demand May 7th

As teenagers, kung fu disciples Danny (Alain Uy), Hing (Ron Yuan) and Jim (Mykel Shannon Jenkins) were inseparable. Fast forward 25 years, and each has grown into a washed-up middle-aged man seemingly one kick away from pulling a hamstring—and not at all preoccupied with thoughts of martial arts or childhood best friends. But when their old master is murdered, the trio reunites, soon learning that avenging their sifu will require conquering old grudges (and a dangerous hitman still armed with ample knee cartilage) if they are to honorably defend his legacy.

Watch the trailer here.

Saturday, January 30, 2021

SECTION23 FILMS announces its April 2021 slate of releases

Home video distributor Section23 Films has announced its April slate of releases, which includes Sentai Filmworks action packed series, HERO MASK!, available on Blu-ray April 27th.

Product details in order of release:

Title: ELFEN LIED
Published by: Sentai Filmworks
Distributed by: Section23 Films
Run Time: 350 min.
Street Date: 4/6/2021
Format: BD
Language: English & Japanese with English Subtitles
SRP: $49.98

SYNOPSIS: Critics have described Elfen Lied as "weird," (Anime Planet), "surprisingly sadistic," (Gamers Edge), and "addictive"(Animesou). No wonder, when you consider what makes this series hum! Lucy, a beautiful young mutant, is bred by the military to be the ultimate weapon. Now, with government killers on her trail, the disposition of a five year old, and a hair trigger for ultraviolence, Lucy and her young friends must unravel the dark secret of her legacy before it's too late.


Title: IRON GIRL: FINAL WARS
Published by: Switchblade Pictures
Distributed by: Section23 Films
Run Time: 90 min.
Street Date: 4/6/2021
Format: BD
Language: Japanese with English Subtitles
SRP: $19.98

SYNOPSIS: Chris may have survived the Apocalypse, but there are still plenty of threats from the past lurking in the ruins of civilization… and now one of them is actively looking for her! At least, that's how it seems when she encounters Joe, a member of the resistance who is trying to discover why the artificial intelligence known as JUDA has been sending out murderous cyborgs with a certain heroine as their target! Even more unnerving is the fact that a mysterious young girl Sara has been having dreams calling to Chris for help… even though the two of them have never met! And if killer cyborgs alone aren't terrifying enough, JUDA has doubled their lethality by equipping their resurrected warriors with the latest in sword technology in IRON GIRL: FINAL WARS!


Title: SUNDAY WITHOUT GOD
Published by: Sentai Filmworks
Distributed by: Section23 Films
Run Time: 325 min.
Street Date: 4/6/2021
Format: BD
Language: English & Japanese with English Subtitles
SRP: $59.98

SYNOPSIS: In a world abandoned by God, the bodies of the dead will continue to walk unless they are buried by one of the mysterious Gravekeepers. Ai, one of the last children in a world where no more can be born, becomes her small village's Gravekeeper when her mother, the previous Gravekeeper, passes on… but the arrival of a pale gun-wielding stranger destroys her village and what little remained of Ai's old existence. Is this seemingly immortal man possibly an important figure from Ai's past? Uncertain of what else to do, Ai finds herself compelled to set forth on a mission to learn the secrets of this strange world without proper death, unravel the mysteries of her own past, and, hopefully, find a way to put the dead permanently to rest in SUNDAY WITHOUT GOD!


Title: KIDS ON THE SLOPE
Published by: Sentai Filmworks
Distributed by: Section23 Films
Run Time: 300 min.
Street Date: 4/13/2021
Format: BD
Language: English & Japanese with English Subtitles
SRP: $59.98

SYNOPSIS: Kaoru Nishimi has spent his life on the move, always struggling to fit in to new schools and having to push on just when he'd started to set down roots. But when he comes to stay with his extended family in seaside Kyushu, things will be different. Kaoru wanders through high school, meeting friends who change his life forever, and discovers a new kind of music that affects him like nothing ever has before.Ritsuko, the girl whose family owns the music store, and Sentaro, the high school delinquent, both set in motion Kaoru's fascination with this amazing thing called Jazz. Fashions may change and fads come and go, but when you put a couple of musically obsessed teens together and let them follow their muse, magic is sure to happen in THE KIDS ON THE SLOPE!


Title: LAIDBACKERS
Published by: Sentai Filmworks
Distributed by: Section23 Films
Run Time: 60 min.
Street Date: 4/13/2021
Format: BD
Language: Japanese with English Subtitles
SRP: $29.98

SYNOPSIS: A funny thing happened to Kumi when she moved to Kyoto to take over her grandmother's sweet shop. While she does find a store that sells cheap snacks, the supposedly empty adjoining residence is instead inhabited by three other girls: Harami, Mai, and K, plus a dog, who claim to be legendary heroes reincarnated into our world! However, that's not as exciting as it sounds, as the Demon Lord they were seeking never showed up, so they've just been hanging out, waiting for something interesting to happen. That's when ANOTHER cute young girl, Ran, shows up, and it seems that she WAS the Demon Lord, but botched up her own resurrection and now wants to make amends for the things that she did in the past. But in order to do that, she's going to need a little demon-hunting help from the LAIDBACKERS!


Title: KAIJI
Published by: Sentai Filmworks
Distributed by: Section23 Films
Run Time: 1250 min.
Street Date: 4/20/2021
Format: BD
Language: Japanese with English Subtitles
SRP: $99.98

SYNOPSIS: Unemployed degenerate Kaiji Ito spent his time drinking, gambling, and racking up bills, and was sure that his life had hit rock bottom. Then that bottom fell out when Endo the Loan Shark arrived to inform him of a friend's default on a loan that Kaiji foolishly co-signed, making Kaiji responsible for a soul crushing 3,000,000 yen! But there is one possible way out; if Kaiji goes to a secret gambling ship and plays successfully for one night, his debt could be absolved. It's a trick, of course, but what choice does Kaiji have? Trapped into playing a series of increasingly ruthless contests that are hopelessly rigged against the players, Kaiji finds himself a pawn in a competition where the game pieces aren't expected to survive… and the real players are all actively betting against KAIJI!


Title: ASSASSINS PRIDE STEELBOOK
Published by: Sentai Filmworks
Distributed by: Section23 Films
Run Time: 300 min.
Street Date: 4/27/2021
Format: BD
Language: English & Japanese with English Subtitles
SRP: $99.98

SYNOPSIS: Against the savage monsters that lurk outside the glass walls of Flandore, the last remnants of humanity have only one defense: the mana magic wielded only by members of the Noble class. When Melida, heiress to House of Angel, fails to manifest her magic upon reaching majority, the half-vampire Kufa is sent with orders from her own Grandfather to resolve the issue… and if Melida cannot manifest mana, Kufa is to execute her for the crime of impure blood. But when Melida fails the test, Kufa can't bring himself to kill the spirited young woman whose only fault was to have an adulterous mother. And so, instead, he commits the crime of giving Melida some of his own mana. Now, bound by magic and a deadly secret, the two must work together in order to stay alive in ASSASSINS PRIDE!


Title: HERO MASK
Published by: Sentai Filmworks
Distributed by: Section23 Films
Run Time: 600 min.
Street Date: 4/27/2021
Format: BD
Language: English & Japanese with English Subtitles
SRP: $89.98

SYNOPSIS: Are a series of bombings and the murder of a high-ranking government official linked to the actions of the huge international pharmaceutical company LIVE? Ordered to investigate, Detective James Blood of the Special Service of Crime quickly discovers far more than just a conspiracy. There's a new technology on the street: masks as thin as paper that completely alter the appearance of the wearer's face while also granting amazing strength and agility… at the cost of years off their users' lives! Together with assistant attorney/murder witness Sarah Sinclair, Blood must unearth the secrets behind the masks and their connection to LIVE's mysterious founder. But the clock is ticking down and James and Sarah may already be living on borrowed time. Because when the ultimate disguise powers the ultimate human killing machines, death can be lurking anywhere in HERO=MASK!