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

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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.

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.

THE LEGEND OF TOMIRIS reviewed

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The Legend Of Tomiris

Directed by Alan Satayev 

Kazakhstan, 2019, 155 minutes

The Legend Of Tomiris is an epic drama about one of the world's first female warlords. It debuts on Digital, Blu-ray™ and DVD tomorrow, Tuesday, September 29th, from Well Go USA Entertainment. My review is based on watching the Blu-ray version.

Tomiris was a daughter of Spargap, the leader of the Massagetae, one of the pastoral-nomadic tribes in the steppe of Central Asia. He taught her to be brave, fearless, and smart when she was a young girl. These values would serve her well after two members of the tribe overthrew Spargap in a coup following a dispute over relations with another people.

Taken to safety by a group loyal to her father, Tomiris, continued to train as a warrior. As an adult (now played by actress Almira Tursyn), she joins the Savromat tribe, whose female warriors were sort of 6th century BCE Central Asian Amazonians. With their aid, she returns to avenge her father and family and to claim leadership of the Massagetae. Her skills as a uniter of the Scythian and Saka tribes and as a military strategist are tested to their fullest when Cyrus, the founder and first king of the Persian empire, brings his troops east to expand his empire

Western audiences are not often treated to films from Central Asia in general and Kazakhstan in particular. This film is a most welcome addition to that limited group. Aside from some iffy CGI during a hunt early on, it is well done and flows nicely during its over one-and-a-half-hour running time. There's plenty of action on hand, and for  the most part its fairly easy to tell who's fighting who.

As a fan of Zena: Warrior Princess, the television show that starred Lucy Lawless in the title role and that ran for six seasons from 1996 - 2002, I especially enjoyed this historical action-drama based on a real life warrior princess (and later Queen).

Disc Stats
-- Audio:
  -- Original Kazakh DTS HDMA 5.1
  -- Original Kazakh Stereo
-- Subtitles:
  -- English
  -- Off
-- Trailer
--  Previews:
  -- Samurai Marathon
  -- The First King
  -- The Great Battle

AsianCineFest Rating: 3.0 out of 4 stars; a solid historical action film from Cental Asia.

For the Wikipedia entry about Tomiris (spelled there as Tomyris, one of a number of alternate spellings), click here.

SAMURAI MARATHON reviewed

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Samurai Marathon / Samurai marason
Directed by Bernard Rose
Japan/UK, 2019, 103 minutes

Samurai Marathon, an unusual samurai jidaigeki film, recently became available as Digital On Demand, DVD and Blu-ray from Well Go USA. My review is based on watching the Blu-ray version.

The film is set in the 1850s. when the arrival of U.S. Commodore Matthew Perry (played here by Danny Huston) and his infamous "black ships" brought about the end of roughly 260 years of Japan's relative isolation from the rest of the world. Itakura Katsuakira, lord of the Annaka Domain, foresees problems for the the feudal system of Japan, the Tokugawa Shogunate and the samurai. Fearing that the long period of peace has made the samurai soft and vulnerable, he decides to test the mettle of all of his samurai and foot shoulders with a thirty-six mile footrace on steep hills and rough terrain, the winner to be granted a wish.

Unfortunately, a shogunate spy in Itakura's fiefdom, misinterprets his call for his men to assemble the next day -- when he plans to announce the race -- as a signal for rebellion and reports this to the shogunate, who of course send assassins. When the spy learns of his mistake, he tries to stop his messenger but is too late.

The tale is further complicated by Princess Yuki (Komatsu Nana), the 5th daughter of Kiakura. She is more open-minded then her father and is interested in the ships that have come to her land. She adopts male garb and the name Kumanosuke, and enters the race, hoping to sneak out of her father's fiefdom and get a look at the ships firsthand.

 

Also thrown into the mix is Tsujimura, a would-be suitor of Yuki, who will stop at nothing to win the race and use the wish his lord would then grant him to marry her. Then too, there is the elderly Mataemon Kurita, who's been forced to retire and who teaches the boy Isuke Fukumoto how to run.

There's amply skullduggery and traitorous action to keep things interesting during the film's running time. 

 

In addition to the fine cast, director Bernard Rose (known best perhaps for 1992s Candyman) deserves significant credit. He managed to produce a very Japanese feeling film, unlike, say, Edward Zick in his Tom Cruise starring vehicle The Last Samurai (2003), which has Hollywood written all over it. Rose's efforts perhaps were assisted by the multitude of Japanese producers, co-producers, executive producers, and associate producers, twenty-six in all according to IMDb!

Credit also must be shared with Ishizaka Takuro for cinematography, Kamitsuna Mako for film editing, and Philip Glass for yet another wonderful film score.

The film is based on a historical event. The Annaka clan's first race was in 1855. Twelve years later the era of the samaurai ended with the Meiji Restoration.

Disc Specs:
-- Audio
  -- Japanese DTS-HDMA 5.1
  -- Japanese Stereo
-- Subtitles
  -- English
  -- Off
-- Trailer
-- Previews
  -- Cut Throat City
  -- Ip Man 4: The Finale
  -- First Love

 

Before getting to my rating of the film, I must mention these three facts about Samurai Marathon and the 2019 New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF):

- The film had its North American Premiere as the Festival's Opening Film on June 28, 2019 

- An image from the film was used on the cover of the Festival brochure

- Komatsu Nana, who portrayed Princess Yuki, received the Festival's Screen International Rising Star award for an actress. (Ryu Jun-yeol, seen in the film Money, received this award for male actor.)

 

AsianCineFest Rating: 3.5 out of 4 stars; very highly recommended; well-worth owning.

IP MAN 4: THE FINALE reviewed

Well Go USA 

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IP Man 4: The Finale / Yip Man 4
Directed by Wilson Yip

Action Director - Yuen Woo-Ping
Hong Kong, 2019, 105 minutes

Donnie Yen reprises his role as the Wing Chun grandmaster in Ip Man 4: The Finale, the concluding film in this martial arts franchise. It is available as Digital On Demand, DVD, and Blu-ray + DVD Combo pack from Well Go USA Entertainment. I watched the Blu-ray version. [Note: Ip Man 4: The Finale, and the three previous Donnie Yen Ip Man films, as well as the spin-off Master Z: Ip Man Legacy, currently are available for Netflix Streaming subscribers.]

This time around, Ip Man travels to San Francisco to look for a school for his son Ip Ching, a sullen, defiant, disobedient and rebellious young man who would rather learn Wing Chun than go to school. Ip Man meets the martial arts members of the city's Chinese Benevolent Association, led by Tai Chi master Mr. Wan (Wu Yue). The CBA is upset with Ip Man's student Bruce Lee because Lee teaches Chinese martial arts to non-Chinese, a big no-no in their thinking. Wan withholds a letter of recommendation for Ip Man's son to the school that Wan's daughter Yonah (Vanda Margraf) attends because Ip Man refuses to lay down the law to his student.

Further complicating things are the anti-Chinese biases of almost every white American in the film. These include Becky, a fellow student of Yonah, who is bested by her in a cheer-leading tryout, Becky's mother and her father, who just happens to be an Immigration and Naturalization Service agent with considerable clout.

Most ominous however, is the attitude of two Marines at a nearby base: karate instructor Colin Frater (Chris Collins) and his superior, Gunnery Sergeant Barton Geddes (Scott Adkins). They are fanatical devotees of karate and have no respect whatsoever for Chinese martial arts. (This flies in the face of some facts about the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program, but this Ip Man series is not particularly big on being accurate where the historical facts are concerned.)

Their attitude would actually seem to be warranted insofar as Frater and Geddes easily overcome every single Chinese martial arts master in brutal encounters. But rest assured, Ip Man, though recently diagnosed with terminal cancer (!) is on hand to defend the honor of Chinese kung fu!

The numerous action scenes are very well done overall, which is to be expected in that Yuen Woo-Ping is again onboard, as he was on Ip Man 3, as Action Director.

Unfortunately, the story line and plot points leave a lot to be desired. So to do the characterizations of the white Americans, who are one-dimensional at best. Even the female head of the school that Ip Man goes to is a money-grubber, willing to forego the required letter of recommendation if he will make a very sizeable donation (read "bribe") to the school. This episode does at least give Donnie Yen a chance to deliver a very funny line in response to a comment by the school's principal.

I noted three things in the movie that did, for the most part, ring true:

-- Bruce Lee did have difficulties with Chinese martial arts leaders in the U.S. because he accepted non-Chinese students.

-- Lee did perform at the 1964 Long Beach International Karate Championships. (Long Beach is a city within the Los Angeles metropolitan area, not San Francisco, but let's call this cinematic poetic license.)

-- Ip Man did die on December 2, 1972 from laryngeal cancer.

But, after all, this is a martial arts themed action movie, not a reality grounded bio-pic drama.

Disc Stats:
— Audio:

  — Cantonese Dolby ATMOS in true HD
  — English HDMA 5.1
— Subtitles:
  — English
  —Traditional Chinese
  — Simplified Chinese
  — French
  — Off 

— Bonus: 

  — Making Of
  — The 10-Year Legend
  — The Story
  — Trailer A
  — Trailer B
  — U.S. Trailer
— Previews:
  —Cut Throat City
  — Enter the Fat Drago
  — Ne Zha (English Dub)

AsianCineFest Rating: 3 out of 4 stars; a decent enough action flick, if you can ignore, tolerate or perhaps laugh at the fanciful plot and the ridiculously stereotypical portrayal of pretty much all the white Americans.

Martial Arts Movie Channel Hi-YAH! Goes Mobile

 Hi-YAH! Features Commercial-Free

Martial Arts and Asian Action Movies

Available on Mobile and Connected TV Devices

Hi-YAH! (hiyahtv.com), the premier platform for streaming martial arts and Asian action movies in the U.S., today announced its official launch on mobile devices and connected TVs. As part of the launch, new users will be eligible for a 30-day free trial, after which a monthly subscription fee of only $3.99 will apply. Hi-YAH!—available through app stores for devices including iOS, Android, Roku and Amazon Fire TV—offers both exclusive and non-exclusive content that will be refreshed monthly.

Hi-YAH! currently provides subscribers with more than 500 hours of high-quality, commercial-free viewing of films featuring all-time favorite kung fu masters including Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, Donnie Yen and Tony Jaa, along with hits from acclaimed directors Johnnie To, Yuen Woo-Ping, Wilson Yip, Tsui Hark and more. As of today, subscribers can take advantage of Hi-YAH!’s exclusive streaming release of Takashi Miike’s 2019 twisty, hyper-violent yakuza romp FIRST LOVE, added as part of the “Miike Madness” collection featuring many of the classic and fan-favorite films from the iconic director.

“With the launch of the app, Hi-YAH! now allows action and martial arts fans unparalleled access to stream our content on any device,” said Jason Pfardrescher, EVP, Digital Distribution at Well Go USA Entertainment. “The app offers an exceptional entertainment experience and makes our extensive library of movies, TV series and exclusive content much more accessible to consumers.”

Subscribers can watch classic martial arts hits such as RISE OF THE LEGEND, FLASH POINT, and THE ASSASSIN as well as Asian action favorites like TRAIN TO BUSAN, THE MAN FROM NOWHERE, and DRUG WAR—all while anticipating the forthcoming additions of Donnie Yen as the Grandmaster in the complete IP MAN franchise and THE VILLAINESS, which inspired the unforgettable motorcycle fight scene in John Wick: Chapter 3.

NE ZHA returning to theaters on January 31st in honor of the Lunar New Year

Well Go USA

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Ne Zha / Nezha zhi motong jiangshi

Written and directed by Yang Yu

China, 2019, 110 minutes

In observance of the Chinese Lunar New Year, Well Go USA Entertainment will rerelease the Chinese box office hit animated-feature Ne Zha in select markets on January 31st.

With somber understanding that this is a very sensitive time for many in the Chinese community and with the cancellation of many Lunar New Year releases, Well Go USA wanted to give a Lunar New Year gift with an English dubbed Ne Zha.

The Lunar New Year is the Chinese festival launches on the new moon and celebrates the beginning of a new year on the traditional Chinese calendar. The first day of the Chinese New Year was Saturday, January 25th, initiating the Year of the Rat, which runs through February 8.

In addition, Well Go USA Entertainment has created an English-dub version of the trailer, now available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYSiEFeMbZ0

In Ne Zha, a young boy, Ne Zha, is born from a heavenly pearl by the Primeval Lord of Heaven, Yuanshi Tianzun. Born with unique powers, he finds himself as an outcast who is hated and feared. Destined by prophecy to bring destruction to the world, the young boy must choose between good and evil in order to break the shackles of fate and become the hero.

Produced by Beijing Enlight Pictures and written and directed by first time director Yang Yu (aka Jiao Zi), Ne Zha is currently the highest-grossing animated feature in China’s film history with box office gross presently at $535 million and over 100 million admissions. Ne Zha is on course to pass Wandering Earth and become China’s second-highest grossing film of all-time by the end of its theatrical run. Ne Zha is also the highest-grossing animated IMAX feature in China’s film history, and the second highest-grossing local language IMAX feature of all time in the market.

BATTLE OF JANGSARI reviewed; now available on home video

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presents

 Battle of Jangsari
 Directed by Kyung-taek Kwak

Starring: Kim Myung-Min, Minho Choi, George Eads, and Megan Fox

South Korea, 2019, 104 minutes

Battle of Jangsari, a fact-based Korean War film, has come to digital-on-demand, Blu-ray + DVD combo pack and DVD today, Tuesday, January 28th from Well Go USA Entertainment. I watched the Blu-ray version.

To support General MacArthur's planned landing at Inchon, several diversionary attacks were to take place elsewhere on the peninsula. One of these was at Jangsari in Yeongdeok, North Gyeongsang Province, on the eastern coast of the Korea peninsula. The attack was carried out by minimally-trained student soldiers who had not even been issued military service numbers. Basically they were being used as "cannon-fodder".

KIM Myung -Min portrays LEE Myung-Jun, the officer in charge of the attack. This character is based on Lt. LEE Myung-Heum, who spent years trying to get the student soldiers their well-deserved service numbers and recognition.

Megan Fox (Transformers, Jennifer's Body, and Prudence in a memorable episode of Two and a Half Men) portrays Maggie, a character inspired by Marguerite Higgins, an American reporter and war correspondent for the New York Herald Tribune, and, to a lesser extent, photographer Margaret Bourke-White. Fox does a decent enough job in her role, although she is perhaps a bit too eager and earnest in her portrayal.

George Eads has a small but significant role as an American general who does right by Maggie.

The film is well shot and edited. It makes effective use of Maggie's part of the story to occasionally take a break from the plight of the student soldiers. The Blu-ray version was visually stunning, a real godsend in immersing the viewer in the overall story, but especially in the combat sequences.

The Wikipedia entry for the film says that it is the second installment, after Operation Chromite,(a.k.a. Battle for Incheon: Operation Chromite), in a trilogy, though there's no source sited or information about the third film. Whether there actually is, or will be, a third film, Operation Chromite and Battle of Jangsari do make for a good home video double feature.

Disc Specs:
-- Audio
    -- Korean DTD-HDMA 5.1
    -- Korean Stereo
-- Subtitles
    -- English
    -- Off
-- Bonus
    -- "Making of" featurette
    -- Trailer A
    -- Trailer B
    -- U.S. Trailer
-- Trailers
    -- The Divine Fury
    -- T-34
    -- Swing Kids

AsianCineFest Rating: 3 out of 4 stars, good; a solid, interesting and well-made war film

THE KNIGHT OF SHADOWS reviewed; available today from Well Go USA

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The Knight of Shadows / Shen tan Pu Song Ling

Directed by Jia Yan (a.k.a. Vash)

China, 2019, 109 minutes

The Knight of Shadows (a.k.a. The Knight of Shadows: Between Yin and Yang), the newest action-comedy from Jackie Chan, debuts today on Digital, Blu-ray™ Combo Pack and DVD from Well Go USA Entertainment. I watched the Blu-ray version.

Chan stars as Pu Songling, a legendary demon hunter who tracks down beasts that enter the human dimension, assisted by a lawman protégé and a motley group of friendly monsters. Most specifically, Pu is asked to investigate the mysterious disappearances of young girls from a small village. When he discovers evil forces are kidnapping the girls to feast on their souls, he sets out to save humanity from the inhuman invasion journeying through hidden worlds and colorful dimensions in this fantastical martial arts action-comedy.

First off, I must say that I immensely appreciate Chan and his incredible contributions to Asian cinema, especially in terms of action and comedy. I had the great fortune of attending all three events at which he appeared in New York when he received the Star Asia Lifetime Achievement Award at the New York Asian Film Festival in June, 2013. He even signed my copy of his autobiography, I Am Jackie Chan: My Life in Action.

That aside, Jackie is nearing his 66th birthday, and simply can't do what he used to. And at times it shows in this film. I'm thinking, for example, of a set-piece in which he fights off a number of peace officers who are being controlled by a demon. There's the kind of moves using a chair that fans will be familiar with, but they're much less complex and vigorous then what we used to see, a shadow of their former selves. Others may not notice this, or care if they do, but I was saddened to see moves that I thought brought out when Chan used to be able to pull off but no longer can.

On the other side, some things do come off very well. Of lesser significance is Chan's face, which seems to have been digitally de-aged, somewhat like what was done to De Niro and others when they played younger versions of themselves in Scorsese's The Irishman. On the more positive side, there's a terrific scene in which Pu faces off against a female demon in a room filled with mirrors. It's snappy, well-edited and the effects are top notch.

Personally I hope that Jackie will continue to make action-comedies. Straight dramas have always been beyond his range and natural talents, and straight, heavy action films are now beyond his physical capabilities.

The Knight of Shadows is a period piece, and personally I prefer Chan's action-comedies set in contemporary times, such as Chinese Zodiac (2012) and Kung Fu Yoga (2017). While both Chan's period and his contemporary action-comedy films may have more faults and be less spectacular than earlier films made when Jackie was much more fit and able, I find them pretty much delightful.

Disc Specs:
-- Audio
    -- Mandarin DTS-HDMA 5.1
    -- Mandarin Stereo
    -- English DTS-HDMA 5.1
    -- English Stereo
-- Subtitles
    -- English
    -- Off
-- The Knight of Shadows trailers
    -- Teaser (English Dub)
    -- Trailer A (International Version)
    -- Trailer A (English Dub)
    -- Trailer B (International Version)
    -- Trailer B (English Dub)
-- Previews
    -- Kung Fu Monster
    -- Ne Zha
    -- Kung Fu League

All-in-all, The Knight of Shadows is a pleasant martial arts, action-comedy, most definitely worth watching.

AsianCineFest Rating: 3 out of 4 stars (good)

Martial arts comedy KUNG FU LEAGUE coming to Blu-ray, DVD and digital on September 17th

Well Go USA

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Kung Fu League / Gong fu lian meng

Directed by Jeffrey Lau

China, 2018, 103 minutes

Four legendary Kung Fu masters are summoned to help a shy man get the girl he loves in Kung Fu League, debuting on Blu-ray™ Combo, DVD and Digital September 17 from Well Go USA Entertainment. Directed by Jeffrey Lau (Kung Fu Hustle), the martial arts comedy Kung Fu League stars Yu-Hang To (Ip Man, Ip Man 2), Wenzhuo Zhao (The Unity of Heros, God of War), Jay Chou (The Green Hornet) and in his cinematic debut, Ashin.

Synopsis:
When his manager prevents Fei Ying Xiong from getting the girl he loves, he summons the help from four legendary Kung Fu masters to learn the highest level of martial arts from the best in history and to defeat his enemies who stand in the way of the things he wants most.

NE ZHA coming to North American IMAX® 3D theaters on August 29th; nationwide expansion to follow on September 6th

Well Go USA

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Ne Zha / Nezha zhi motong jiangshi

Written and directed by Yang Yu

China, 2019, 110 minutes

Well Go USA Entertainment will release the Chinese box office hit animated-feature NE ZHA exclusively in select IMAX® 3D theaters across North America on August 29th, followed by a nationwide expansion on September 6th.

Produced by Beijing Enlight Pictures and written and directed by first time director Yang Yu (aka Jiao Zi), Ne Zha is currently the highest-grossing animated feature in China’s film history with box office gross presently at $535 million and over 100 million admissions. Ne Zha is on course to pass Wandering Earth and become China’s second-highest grossing film of all-time by the end of its theatrical run. Ne Zha is also the highest-grossing animated IMAX feature in China’s film history, and the second highest-grossing local language IMAX feature of all time in the market.

Synopsis
A young boy, Ne Zha, is born from a heavenly pearl by the Primeval Lord of Heaven, Yuanshi Tianzun. Born with unique powers, he finds himself as an outcast who is hated and feared. Destined by prophecy to bring destruction to the world, the young boy must choose between good and evil in order to break the shackles of fate and become the hero. 

South Korean zombie horror film RAMPANT to debut on February 26th

Well Go USA

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Rampant / Chang-gwol

Directed by Kim Sung-Hoon

South Korea, 2018, 127 minutes

From the creators of Train to Busan, comes a fresh new take on the zombie-horror genre when Rampant debuts on digital, Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD February 26th from Well Go USA Entertainment.

Set in ancient Korea, the story follows Prince Ganglim, who after returning from a long imprisonment, discovers a bloody rampage spreading across the nation by murderous creatures known as Night Demons. He soon realizes that it will take the strength of his fellow countrymen to stop the Night Demons from overrunning the kingdom. Rampant was directed by Kim Sung-Hoon (Confidential Assignment) and stars Hyun-Bin (The Swinders), Jang Dong-Gun (The Warriors Way), Jo Woo-Jin (Inside Men), Man-Sik (Man of Will) and Kim Eui-Sung (Train to Busan). Bonus features include making-of and behind-the-scenes featurettes.

Synopsis:
A darkness looms over ancient Korea: murderous creatures known as Night Demons have overrun the country. Returning from a long imprisonment abroad, Prince Ganglim discovers that it will take the strength of his entire kingdom to stop the bloody rampage spreading across the nation in this fresh new take on zombie horror from the studios that brought you Train to Busan.

ICEMAN: THE TIME TRAVELER debuts on February 19th, 2019

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Iceman: The Time Traveler / Bing feng: Yong heng zhi men

Directed by Raymond Yip

Hong Kong/China, 2018, 88 minutes

Iconic action star Donnie Yen (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, IP Man franchise) gets defrosted for the sequel to the fantasy-adventure Iceman when Iceman: The Time Traveler debuts on digital, Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD February 19 from Well Go USA Entertainment.

Iceman: The Time Traveler tells the story of warriors from imperial China who after being buried alive and kept frozen in time for 400 years, are defrosted and must continue the battle they left behind. Directed by Raymond Yip (Bruce Lee My Brother) Iceman: The Time Traveler features a returning cast including Baoqiang Wang (Kung Fu Jungle), Shengyi Huang (Kung Fu Hustle), Kang Yu (Ip Man 3) and Simon Yam (Operation Red Sea) with the legendary Yasuaki Kurata (God of War) joining the sequel.

Synopsis:
During the Ming Dynasty, a palace guard, Ying (Donnie Yen), is buried and frozen in time by an avalanche during a fierce battle. Brought back to life in the present day, Ying embarks on a quest for the only thing that can correct the wrongs of history – The Golden Wheel of Time. Ying sets out on his dangerous journey, never knowing every step he takes is leading him closer to a deadly trap.

LEE Chang-dong's BURNING coming to digital on January 29th, Blu-ray Combo and DVD on March 5th

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Burning / Beoning

Directed by Lee Chang-dong

Starring Steven Yeun

South Korea, 2018, 148 minutes

One of the year’s most acclaimed films and South Korea’s official entry for Best Foreign Language Film for the 2019 Academy Awards®, Burning debuts on digital January 29 and on Blu-ray™ Combo Pack and DVD March 5 from Well Go USA Entertainment. (Burning was the first Korean film to make it to the Foreign Language Film shortlist, although it sadly did not make the final cut of five contenders.)

Based on the short story "Barn Burning" by Haruki Murakami, Burning is a psychological tale of all-consuming jealousy that tells the story of three individuals and a mystery that shows no one is truly as they seem. The film is certified fresh on Rotten Tomatoes with an impressive score of 95% and an average score of 8.7 from over 100 outlets. A special bonus is the behind-the-scenes featurette “About the Characters” where viewers will take a deep dive into the characters in Burning and the actors who portray them.

The film stars Steven Yeun (Okja, “The Walking Dead”), Ah-in Yoo (“Six Flying Dragons”) and Jong-seo Jun, making her big screen debut.

Synopsis:
Burning is the searing examination of an alienated young man, Jongsu (Ah-in Yoo), a frustrated introvert whose already difficult life is complicated by the appearance of two people into his orbit: first, Haemi (newcomer Jong-seo Jun), a spirited woman who offers romantic possibilities, and Ben (Steven Yeun, “The Walking Dead,” Sorry To Bother You), a wealthy and sophisticated young man who returns with her from a recent trip. When Jongsu learns of Ben’s mysterious hobby and Haemi suddenly disappears, his confusion and obsessions begin to mount, culminating in a stunning finale.

Addendum, January 31, 2019 - Burning, like each of LEE's previous films, has received several award wins and nominations. It received the Best Foreign Language Film Award from the French Union of Film Critics earlier this month. Info here.

GONJIAM: HAUNTED ASYLUM coming September 18th, 2018

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Entertainment

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Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum / Gon-ji-am

Directed by Jung Bum-Shik

South Korea, 2018, 93 minutes

Here's the info I have about this upcoming offering from Well Go USA:

The crew of a horror web series travels to an abandoned asylum for a live broadcast. They soon encounter much more than expected as they move deeper inside the nightmarish old building in the horror thriller Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum, terrorizing on digital, Blu-ray™ Combo Pack and DVD September 18th from Well Go USA Entertainment. An updated take on the “found footage” genre of thrillers, Director Jung Bum-Shik (Epitaph, Horror Stories) assembled a cast of mostly newcomers for Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum, including Wi Ha-Jun, Park Sung-Hun, Lee Seung-Wook, Oh Ah-Yeon, Park Ji-Hyun, Yoo Je-Yoon and Mun Ye-Won.

Synopsis:
Based on the local legends and stories of people who’ve visited the real-life abandoned hospital, GONJIAM: HAUNTED ASYLUM follows the crew of a horror web show who plan to stream live from inside the asylum. To attract more viewers, the show’s host arranges some scares for the team, but as they move further into the nightmarish old building, they begin to encounter much more than expected.

BROTHERS coming to Digital and DVD on September 4th, 2018

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Brothers

Directed by Kiefer Liu

China, 2016, 94 minutes

Here's what Well Go has to say about this upcoming release:

The close relationship between two brothers is ripped apart during the 1936 Chinese civil war when they end up on opposite sides of the conflict in the action drama Brothers, debuting on digital and DVD September 4 from Well Go USA Entertainment. Directed by Kiefer Liu (Don Quixote), the film fetures a striking visual look with black and white images interspersed with random flashes of color and pared-down CGI backgrounds. Brothers stars Ethan Li (The Blue Cornflower), Peter Ho (The Monkey King) and Xia Zitong (The Monkey King).

Synopsis:
Once a poor vagrant, Chen Tiejin has risen through the ranks of the Red Army and is now a brave and experienced company commander. During a dangerous rescue mission, Commander Tiejin and his Red Army troop are locked in heated battle with the Kuomintang soldiers. Raising his weapon to deliver the final blow, he stops dead – the solider is none other than his brother he lost five years before, now working alongside the enemy. In a time of hardship and war, can brotherly love bridge the divide to find peace? 

I've watched my review screener and will be posting my review on, or just before, the September 4th release date.

BELIEVER opening in select North American theaters on June 8, 2018

Well Go USA

Entertainment

presents

Believer

Written and Directed by Hae-young Lee

Starring Kim Joo-Hyuk, Cho Jin-woong, Ryu Jun-yeol,

Kim Sung-ryung, and Park Hae-joon

South Korea, 2018, 123 minutes

Believer, an action/crime/thriller from South Korea, follows an investigator who, in an effort to bring down the boss of Asia's biggest drug cartel, conspires with a lowly member of the gang seeking revenge against the boss.

Believer will be playing at the following theaters:

ATLANTA (LAWRENCEVILLE) AMC - Sugarloaf Mills 18
BOSTON - AMC Loews Boston Common
BUENA PARK, CA - CGV Cinemas Buena Park
CALGARY - Cineplex Westhills
CHICAGO (NILES) - AMC Showplace Niles 12 DALLAS AMC Grapevine Mills 30
DENVER - AMC Arapahoe Crossings 16
EDMONTON - Cineplex Movies 12
HONOLULU -  Consolidated Pearlridge 16
HOUSTON - AMC Studio 30
MONTGOMERY, AL - New Vision Chantilly 13
NEW YORK - AMC Bay Terrace 6
NEW YORK - AMC Empire 25
NYC (EDGEWATER) - National Amusements Edgewater Multiplex
NYC (RIDGEFIELD PARK, NJ) - AMC Starplex Ridgefield Park 12
PHILADELPHIA - AMC Plymouth Meeting 12
PHOENIX - Harkins Arizona Mills
SAN DIEGO - AMC Fashion Valley 18
SAN FRANCISCO - AMC Van Ness 14
SEATTLE (LYNNWOOD) - AMC Loews Alderwood Mall 16
SAN FRANCISCO (CUPERTINO) - AMC Mercado 20
TORONTO -  Cineplex Empress Walk
VANCOUVER - Cineplex Cinemas Coquitlam and VIP

Facebook: www.facebook.com/WellGoUSAhttps://www.facebook.com/WellGoUSA
Facebook: www.facebook.com/WellGoKoreanCinema
Trailer: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jopY1WkXKdo

KICKBOXER RETALIATION is coming to theaters and On Demand starting January 26th, 2018

Well Go USA

Entertainment

presents

Kickboxer Retaliation

Directed by Dimitri Logothetis

USA, 2018, 110 minutes

Starring Alain Moussi, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Christopher Lambert,

Mike Tyson, Sara Malakul Lane, Jessica Jann, Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson,

Steven Swadling, and Sam Medina 

In Theaters & On Demand January 26th 

Okay, this film is not specifically Asian, but it is a martial arts action flick, and so it's probably of interest to many AsianCineFest readers. It's a sequel to Kickboxer Vengeance (2016), which was directed by John Stockwell. (Sorry, but I'm not familiar with that film, so have nothing further to say about it.)

Synopsis:
One year after finding vengeance for his murdered brother, MMA champion Kurt Sloane finds himself back in Thailand kidnapped and imprisoned there by a powerful gangster (Christopher Lambert). His only shot at freedom is to win an underground death match against a 400lb killer enhanced with state - of the -art drugs (Game of Thrones' Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson). To make it out alive, he seeks training unlike anything he’s ever endured, with the help of the legendary Master Durand (Jean-Claude Van Damme) and fellow prisoner Briggs (Mike Tyson).

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KickboxerRetaliationOfficial

Official Site & Theaters: http://wellgousa.com/tw/theatrical/kickboxer-retaliation

WOLF WARRIOR II coming to theaters on July 28th

The H Collective

in partnership with

Well Go USA

presents

Wolf Warrior II

Directed by Wu Jing

Written by Wu Jing, Dong Qun, Liu Yi

Starring Wu Jing, Frank Grillo, Celina Jade, Wu Gang,

Hans Zhang, Ding Haifeng, and Chunyu Shanshan

China, 2017, 120 minutes

The H Collective, in partnership with Well Go USA, has announced that the Wolf Warrior is back, bigger and badder than ever, in this action-packed sequel to the 2015 blockbuster hit. With his career in tatters, China’s deadliest Special Forces operative has settled into a quiet life on the sea. But when he crosses paths with a sadistic band of mercenaries terrorizing innocent civilians, he must reaffirm his duty as a soldier and save the day once again.

Fists (and bullets, tanks, missiles and much more) will fly in this adrenaline-fueled tour de force of bravura action filmmaking, all culminating into a climactic battle between the Wolf Warrior and the mercenary leader (Frank Grillo, Captain America: The Winter Solider and Captain America: Civil War).

Wolf Warrior II will open in theaters on July 28th. Further information, including cities and theaters, is available at the film's official website.

Johnnie To's THREE coming to Blu-ray & DVD on April 4th

Well Go USA

Entertainment

presents

Three / San ren xing

Directed by Johnnie To

With  Louis Koo, Wei Zhao, and Wallace Chung

Hong Kong/China, 2016, 89 minutes

Tensions mounts and bullets fly in master filmmaker Johnnie To’s (Drug War, Exiled, Election) Three, his latest showdown between cops, robbers and everyone else caught in the crossfire. The action-packed thriller will become available on Blu-ray™ and DVD on April 4th from Well Go USA Entertainment. (It's been available on digital since March 7th.)

When a police sting goes bad, a cornered criminal (Wallace Chung, Drug War) makes a desperate choice: he shoots himself, forcing the officers to cease fire and rush him to the hospital. Once there, he refuses treatment, waiting for his cohorts to break him out. Caught between an obsessed cop (Louis Koo, Triad Election) and the dedicated surgeon assigned to save his life (Zhao Wei, Red Cliff), the hospital is now a battleground of deception, double-crosses and a coming onslaught of violence.

Synopsis:
When three disparate souls—a doctor desperate to redeem her reputation (Vicki Zhao), a policeman who will go to any length to seek out justice (Louis Koo), and a criminal with a gunshot wound to the head (Wallace Chung)—are thrown together in the hustle and bustle of an emergency room, a hospital descends from a pristine sanctuary to an explosive battleground.

Bonus Materials Include:
-- “Master Director Johnnie To” featurette
-- “Three Complex Characters” featurette