ACF 1267: Debut screening of award-winning vampire short Bloodtraffick in Hong Kong this weekend

International Award-Winning Vampire Short Bloodtraffick announces its

Debut Asian Screening at Music & Arts Festival Clockenflap 2011

Hong Kong action short starring The Man with the Iron Fists’ Grace Huang

Basking in its recent wins for Best Short, Best Editing and Best Cinematography at the 2011 Salty Horror International Film Festival, Bloodtraffick continues to rule the film festival circuit. After garnering multiple awards abroad, the highly anticipated short Bloodtraffick will be screened on Asian soil for the first time at Hong Kong’s Music & Arts Festival Clockenflap 2011. The festival is taking place December 10h and 11th in West Kowloon from 12 PM to 10 Pm.

Shot in Hong Kong and starring rising Asia artiste Grace Huang – who won Best Actress for Bloodtraffick at the HollyShorts 2011 Film Festival in August – and directed by award-nominated American director Jennifer Thym, the short is currently being produced into a full length feature film with the same title.

Set in a war torn world with vampires pitted against angels, a human vigilante (Ava, played by Grace Huang) – on the hunt for her missing sisters – is lured into the den of a vampire where she faces both a formidable opponent and her darkest fears.

“Bloodtraffick is a kick-ass short that flawlessly combines an intense storyline of good versus evil with brutal action, breath-taking cinematography and an epic original soundtrack. Bloodtraffick gives audiences a unique taste of the dark, gritty side of Hong Kong cinema,” said Grace Huang, Bloodtraffick's lead actress. Director Jennifer Thym goes on to say, “This film represents the Hong Kong film industry’s untapped potential and further enhances the city’s reputation as a hotbed for original movie ideas and talent. We felt that Clockenflap was a perfect venue to offer the diverse grassroots creative community in Hong Kong a taste of the work that is being produced right here and is currently receiving International accolades.”
  

Bloodtraffick premiered at the world renowned Gen Con Indy 2011, followed by screenings at the HollyShorts 2011 Film Festival, the 12th San Diego Asian Film Festival and The 2011 Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival. Clockenflap 2011 marks its debut screening on the same soil it was shot on.

For more information on Bloodtraffick, visit bloodtraffick.com.

ACF 1258: Meeting Ric Meyers

As I was walking through the aisles of New York Comic Con last month, I noticed the Media Blasters booth and ambled over. I'd recently participated in my first gig as the new co-host on the VCinema Show Podcast. Episode 35. Exte: Hair Extensions was the movie host "Coffin" Jon Jung, co-host Josh Samford and I had discussed. I'd suggested the film for review and had mentioned the fine two-disc edition that Media Blasters puts out on its live-action Tokyo Shock label. I felt that they'd like to know that I'd done this, and it would be a good way for me to re-establish contact with them.

There were several people manning the booth, but I was drawn to one fellow standing by himself in the back on one side. He looked rather familiar.

After introducing myself, he said something along the lines of, "Stan, it's me, Ric Meyers." I quickly realized why he looked familiar: I'd recently seen him in a YouTube clip pertaining to actor/director/co-writer Ara Palaya's recent film The Suppressor, in which Ric appears as the evil Claude Santos, a character whose name is a spoof on his resemblance to jolly old Saint Nic. (You can access the clip here.)

I've known about Ric since I started reading Asian Cult Cinema magazine in the mid-to-late '90s. I still feel honored when I recall learning that I'd been made the third columnist at the magazine, joining "elder brothers" Ric and Max Allan Collins, both of whom were far more knowledgeable than I.

It's pretty much impossible to overstate Ric's importance in promoting awareness and appreciation of Asian martial arts movies in the West. His first book Martial Arts Movies: From Bruce Lee to the Ninjas (a.k.a. From Bruce Lee to the Ninjas: Martial Arts Movies in its trade paperback form) came out in 1985! It was updated in 2001 and given the new title Great Martial Arts Movies; From Bruce Lee To Jackie Chan And More. In addition to writing for Asian Cult Cinema, Ric also wrote about films for Inside Kung Fu magazine. (He has consolidated and continued his Inside Kung Fu and Asian Cult Cinema columns on his website, ricmeyers.com.)

Ric was at The Con primarily to promote his two recent books, Films of Fury: The Kung Fu Movie Book and For One Week Only: The World Of Exploitation Films. I bought Films of Fury (For One Week Only is on my wish list) and I'll be reviewing it in the near future. The book came about because Lux Digital Pictures asked Ric to write a kung fu film documentary. Entitled Films of Fury: The Kung Fu Movie Movie, it became available on video-on-demand (VOD) earlier this month on the Cox, Comcast, Cablevision, and Insight cable systems. You can read about it here.

Though we'd both been columnists for Asian Cult Cinema, we'd never had any sort of contact with one another. It was wonderful to finally meet him. We had a great chat, exchanged email addresses and wished each other well.

Oh, and before I moved on, I did remember to tell the Media Blasters staff about that mention of their Exte DVD on the VCinema podcast. They were glad to hear of it, but not nearly as happy as I was to have met Ric.

ACF 1255: FLYING GUILLOTINE 1 and 2 coming at you on Tuesday

Arc Entertainment & Dragon Dynasty are releasing two more classic Shaw Brothers films that represent the absolute cream of the crop of Kung Fu cinema. FLYING GUILLOTINE and FLYING GUILLOTINE II hit retail stores this coming Tuesday, November 29th and will be available at Wal Mart, on Amazon and from other retailers. Both films have been beautifully re-mastered and include both Chinese and English audio tracks. 

These are the last two of 10 Shaw Brothers classics released by Arc/Dragon Dynasty this year, which also included AVENGING EAGLE, BLOOD BROTHERS, EXECUTIONERS FROM SHAOLIN, FIVE SHAOLIN MASTERS, GOLDEN SWALLOW, KILLER CLAN, MAD MONKEY KUNG FU and MARTIAL ARTS OF SHAOLIN. 

FLYING GUILLOTINE
"The wonderfully outlandish title weapon is irresistible...” -Hong Kong Digital
"Pure camp fun" -City on Fire 

The film that started it all! Hong Kong kung fu cinema is filled with all types of inventive weaponry, but few are as original, iconic or over-the-top as THE FLYING GUILLOTINE, and this was the first film to use it. The corrupt Emperor wants to dispatch of subordinates who dare disagree with his evil rule. Unable to publicly execute popular and decent officials, he commissions a new deadly weapon to clandestinely carry out these killings.

Enter the Flying Guillotine and the elite squad trained to use the new, seemingly invincible weapon. When top squad member Ma Teng (Chen Kuan Tai, EXECUTIONERS FROM SHAOLIN) can no longer stomach these immoral killings, he goes on the run, pursued by his former comrades. Now our hero must protect his family and create a counter-weapon that can defeat THE FLYING GUILLOTINE! 

FLYING GUILLOTINE 2
“FLYING GUILLOTINE 2 is one sequel worthy of its predecessor” –Kung Fu Cinema 

Few sequels match the original, especially one that brought us a weapon as iconic as THE FLYING GUILLOTINE, but FLYING GUILLOTINE 2 ramps up the action to a new level. The heroic Ma Teng (Ti Lung, AVENGING EAGLE) has developed a counter to the Flying Guillotines attack, but when word reaches The Emperor, who is more bloodthirsty than ever, he creates a new deadlier version and trains a squad of female assassins to use it!

Now Ma must help the gang of rebels trying to overthrow the evil tyrant and create a new counter-weapon to defeat the improved Guillotine. With frantic martial arts action and weapons that “...would be the envy of James Bond for their ingenuity” (KungFuCinema.com). FLYING GUILLOTINE 2 is bloody good fun for kung fu fans!

ACF 1239: DEVILS ON THE DOORSTEP and THE EYE at MOMA

After a one day hiatus, the film series In Focus: Fortissimo Films will return to New York's Museum of Modern Art tomorrow with two fine Asian films.

Devils on the Doorstep / Guizi lai le

Directed by Jiang Wen

Screenplay by You Fengwei, Shi Jianquan, Shu Ping, Jiang Wen.

With Jiang Wen, Jiang Hongbo, Kagawa Teruyuki, Yuan Ding

China, 2000, 140 minutes

In Mandarin, Japanese; English subtitles

Wednesday, November 16, 2011, 4:00 p.m., Theater 2, T2

Synopsis: To the average Chinese peasant, foreigners have long been “devils”—potentially dangerous outsiders who arrive with dubious motives and nefarious intent. That was especially true of the Japanese soldiers who invaded China in the 1930s. Despite having to give a percentage of the grain harvest to the Japanese, Ma Dasan and his neighbors in a small northern Chinese village coexist with them peacefully—until the night two prisoners are dumped on Ma Dasan’s doorstep, one a Japanese soldier, the other a Chinese collaborator. Director Jiang Wen, the most famous actor of his generation thanks to the TV series A Beijinger in New York, brings great emotional weight to the role of Ma Dasan. Courtesy Fortissimo Films.

ACF Comments: At the 2000 Cannes Film Festival, Devils on the Doorstep won the Grand Prize of the Jury (though not the Palme d'Or for which it was nominated. It has been banned in China, for which various explanations have been offered.  In any case, it's a truly great film with spot on performances and exquisite black-and-white cinematography.

ACF Rating: 3.5 out of 4 stars; highly recommended

For those unable to make this, the second and final screening at this film series, Devils on the Doorstep is available with some nice extras on DVD from Home Vision, which became part of  Entertainment/Image Entertainment in 2005.

The Eye / Jian Gui

Directed by Oxide Pang, Danny Pang
Written by Oxide Pang, Danny Pang, Jo Jo Hui, Yuet Chun

With Lee Sin-jie, Lawrence Chow, So Yut Lai.

Hong Kong/Thailand, 2001, 98 minutes

In Cantonese, Mandarin, Thai, English; English subtitles

Wednesday, November 16, 2011, 7:00 p.m., Theater 2, T2 

Synopsis: A cornea transplant restores a young musician’s vision, but a series of inexplicable events leads her to believe that her restored sight involves “more than meets the eye.” Her new eyes foresee disasters that only she can stop, but will she have the courage to change the future? The American remake, starring Jessica Alba, was a dud, but the original shook audiences around the world and spawned a string of successful sequels from the Pang Brothers. Courtesy Palm Pictures.

ACF Comments: As has been the case (usually unfortunately) with numerous recent Asian horror films, The Eye was remade by Hollywood. The 2008 U.S. version stars Jessica Alba and was directed by David Moreau and Xavier Palud. Definitely stick with the original Pang brothers film.

ACF 1228: TEARS OF THE TIGER and HAPPY TOGETHER to screen at MoMA on Friday, November 11th

Featuring 10 Asian and 1 non-Asian films, In Focus: Fortissimo Films begins at MoMA tonight with a screening of Warriors of the Rainbow. (Read about it at ACF 1225.) Two other terrific films will be shown tomorrow, Friday, November 11th:

 

Tears of the Black Tiger / Fata Lai Jone 

Written and directed by Wisit Sasanatieng

With Chartchai Ngamsan, Stella Malucchi, Supakorn Kitsuwon 

Thailand, 2000, 104 minutes
In Thai; English subtitles 
Friday, November 11, 2011, 4:30 p.m., Theater 1, T1 

Inspired by classic Westerns and romantic dramas, this Thai-spiced “Spaghetti” Western, about the impossible love of a governor’s daughter for the bandit nicknamed the Black Tiger, adds a gorgeous soundtrack to the requisite shoot-outs, broken-hearted cowboys, and beautiful women. The film’s faux-hand-tinted, supersaturated palette emphasizes the nostalgic atmosphere, in a unique homage to the larger-than-life Thai Western genre. For my review of the film last June, when it scrteened at Asia Society, click here.

Happy Together / Cheun gwong tsa sit 

Written and directed by Wong Kar-wai

With Leslie Cheung Kwong-wing, Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Chang Chen

Hong Kong, 1997, 96 minutes

Friday, November 11, 2011, 8:00 p.m., Theater 1, T1

Lovers who are happy together are all the same. Lovers whose relationships fall apart are all different, unique in the ways they inflict emotional torture on themselves and each other. Lai Yiu-fai and Ho Po-wing are in love when they arrive in Argentina from Hong Kong, but something goes wrong as they travel south in search of adventure. Poetic, inventive, and heartbreakingly honest, Happy Together garnered several major awards and cemented Wong Kar-wai’s status as one of contemporary cinema’s preeminent talents. Courtesy Kino Lorber. In Cantonese, Mandarin, Spanish; English subtitles. 96 min.

The film will be introduced by renowned cinematographer Christopher Doyle!!!!!

 

ACF 1143: Nationwide theatrical release of Tsui Hark's "Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame" begins today!

                                                                                             Indomina Releasing

The nationwide theatrical release of Tsui Hark's Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame, a huge hit at this summer's New York Asian Film Festival, begins today, courtesy of Indomina Releasing. (Read what the good folks of Subway Cinema, presenters of the annual New York Asian Film Festival, had to say about Tsui Hark and Detective Dee here.)

The schedule of when Detective Dee will begin playing in various U.S. cities over the course of September is:

September 2
New York
   - Regal E- Walk
   - Angelika Film Center
Los Angeles - The Landmark

September 16
San Francisco - Landmark Embarcadero Center Cinema
San Francisco (East Bay) - Landmark Shattuck
San Francisco (Peninsula) - Landmark Aquarius

September 23
Chicago - Landmark Century Centre Cinema
Washington DC - Landmark Bethesda Row Cinema
Seattle - Landmark Varsity Theatre
Boston - Landmark Kendall Square Cinema
Honolulu - Consolidated Pearlridge
Dallas - Landmark Inwood Theatre
Philadelphia - Landmark Ritz 5
Minneapolis - Landmark Uptown Theatre
Denver - Landmark Mayan Theatre
Detroit - Landmark Maple Art Theatre
Toronto - Scotiabank Theatre
Toronto - Eglinton Town Centre
Vancouver - International Village Cinemas

September 30
Phoenix - Harkins Camelview
Austin - Alamo South Lamar

For more information at Indomina Releasing's Detective Dee website, click here.

ACf 1034: NY Asian Film Festival set to delight Asian Film fans first 2 Weeks in July

At Lincoln Center (July 1 - 14) and Japan Society (July 7 - 10)

Below is complete, up-to date information from the wonderful folk at Subway Cinema about the 2011 New York Asian Film Festival. Not surprisingly, it looks like a fantastic fest is again in the offing.

The New York Asian Film Festival is ten years old! And we have presents for you! A Takashi Miike World Premiere! The long-awaited animated epic based on Osamu Tezuka’s life of Buddha! The International Premiere of the new movie from Johnnie To! Rare Filipino exploitation! An avalanche of retro screenings to celebrate our tenth birthday! And special guests Tsui Hark, Ryoo Seung-Wan, Su Chao-pin, Takayuki Yamada, Tak Sakaguchi and many more!

The New York Asian Film Festival is presented in association with the Film Society of Lincoln Center and Japan Society's Japan Cuts: Festival of New Japanese Film.

We’re deeply grateful for the support of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office New York, the Korean Cultural Service New York and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York.

Keep up with the latest festival news at the Subway Cinema News blog.

The Line-Up!!!!

Official Opening Night Film
MILOCRORZE: A LOVE STORY (Japan, 2011, North American Premiere, 90 minutes)
Truly trippy, this bizarro musical/variety/samurai/love story from Japan is one solid slab of psychedelia from Yoshimasa Ishibashi, the mad genius behind the Fuccon Family.
***The movie’s director, Yoshimasa Ishibashi, and star, Takayuki Yamada,
will be at the screenings
Presented with Japan Cuts: Festival of Contemporary Japanese Cinema

Centerpiece Presentation
SHAOLIN (Hong Kong, 2011, North American Premiere, 131 minutes)
- It doesn’t get any bigger than this. Superstar Andy Lau, Nic Tse and Jackie Chan all star in this swank, blockbuster retelling of the primal martial arts story: the destruction of Shaolin Temple, which is the birthplace of martial arts. It’s a movie that’s been made many times (hence the alternate title NEW SHAOLIN TEMPLE) but never before has it been this massive, this lavish and this chock full o’action.
***The movie’s director, Benny Chan, will be at the screening

Centerpiece Presentation
NINJA KIDS!!! (Japan, 2011, World Premiere, 100 minutes)

- Takashi Miike has been impressing critics with 13 ASSASSINS and his 3D remake of HARA KIRI that just played Cannes. Whatever. We’ve got the World Premiere of his insane new kid’s flick about feuding ninja schools. People wonder where all the craziness went from Miike’s two new films? He put it all in here. Your jaw will drop like an elevator with a snapped cable. We love you, Takashi Miike!!!
Presented with Japan Cuts: Festival of Contemporary Japanese Cinema

Official Closing Night Film
THE YELLOW SEA (Korea, 2010, New York Premiere, 156 minutes)

- From the director of THE CHASER, and fresh out of Cannes, this is the Korean action movie in excelsis. A North Korean immigrant is sent to Seoul to perform a hit. Soon the Chinese mafia, the Korean mafia and the cops, are after him and hatchets are deployed, trucks are flipped and all hell breaks loose. ***The movie’s director, Na Hong-Jin will be at the screening

The 2011 Star Asia Awards will go to:

Star Asia Rising Star Award
Takayuki Yamada - Japan’s most versatile young actor has gone from being a TV heartthrob to a TRAIN MAN (his breakthrough role) to one of Takashi Miike’s 13 ASSASSINS. And in this year’s Opening Night selection, MILOCRORZE: A LOVE STORY, he plays every single male part.

Star Asia Lifetime Achievement Award
Tsui Hark - One of our first events was a retrospective of Hong Kong’s veteran filmmaker and award-winning director, Tsui Hark, way back in 2001. We figured it was time to bring him to the festival and recognize his extraordinary, lifelong contributions to Hong Kong cinema, especially after his latest film, DETECTIVE DEE AND THE MYSTERY OF THE PHANTOM FLAME, was a huge box office hit and won “Best Director” at the Hong Kong Film Awards 2011.

Three special focuses:
WU XIA: HONG KONG’S FLYING SWORDSMEN
Presented with the support of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office New York of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, this special focus is on Hong Kong’s wu xia (literally “martial arts”) films. It’s a genre that’s unique to Hong Kong and while it’s all about showcasing the Chinese martial arts tradition it’s come to refer specifically to that brain-expanding genre of Hong Kong movies that use the cutting edge of cinematography and the best special effects of the time to paint a world full of flying swordsmen, deadly female warriors, legendary blades and more than a touch of fantasy.

This line-up will include:
DETECTIVE DEE AND THE MYSTERY OF THE PHANTOM FLAME (Hong Kong, 2010, 122 minutes)
- Tsui Hark’s return to greatness is a Holmes-ian fantasia about spontaneous combustion and kung fu deer. An exiled detective is returned to favor in the Imperial court to solve a series of mysterious deaths that delay the inauguration of the Empress Wu, played by Carina Lau, who won “Best Actress” at the Hong Kong Film Awards 2011 for her performance. The movie also won top prizes in Art Direction, Costume and Make-up Design as well as in Sound Design and Visual Effects.
***The movie’s director, Tsui Hark, will be at the screening

THE BLADE (Hong Kong, 1995, 100 minutes)
- A rare screening of Tsui Hark’s martial masterpiece, this is one of the towering achievements of Chinese cinema. In a rare 35mm print.
***The movie’s director, Tsui Hark, will be at the screening

DUEL TO THE DEATH (Hong Kong, 1983, 83 minutes)
- Ching Siu-tung’s directorial debut deploys ninjas, poisoned blades and some of the world’s most innovative choreography to create a movie that’s one part martial arts film, one part exploitation shocker and one part ballet. Screening on a rare 35mm print!

DRAGON INN (Hong Kong, 1992, 109 minutes) - two of Hong Kong’s greatest actresses, Maggie Cheung and Brigitte Lin, take on Donnie Yen’s bloodless eunuch in this Tsui Hark-produced swordplay romance. Directed by Raymond Lee, it’s a remake of King Hu’s 1967 masterpiece. A brand new print of this classic film, struck specially for the New York Asian Film Festival.
***The movie’s producer, Tsui Hark, will be at the screening

ZU: WARRIORS FROM THE MAGIC MOUNTAIN (Hong Kong, 1983, 94 minutes)
- The movie that launched a thousand wu xia, Tsui Hark’s surreal phantasmagoria will blow your mind. Recruiting Hollywood special effects technicians just off Star Wars and Star Trek the Motion Picture, Tsui Hark’s film reinvented a genre and kickstarted Hong Kong’s entire special effects industry. This is a rare chance to see a 35mm print of this movie in all its big screen glory.
***The movie’s director, Tsui Hark, will be at the screening

Special focus 2:
SEA OF REVENGE: NEW KOREAN THRILLERS
In 2008, when the Korean film industry was at its lowest point, Na Hong-Jin released the word-of-mouth hit, THE CHASER, launching a wave of twisty thrillers focused on intense action and ace performances. In this special focus, presented in association with the Korean Cultural Service New York, we show you the best of what THE CHASER has wrought.

This line-up will include:
THE YELLOW SEA (Korea, 2010, New York Premiere, 156 minutes)
- Na Hong-Jin reunites with his stars from THE CHASER to make this big, relentless follow-up. We’ve got it fresh from its Cannes screening as part of Un Certain Regard
***The movie’s director, Na Hong-Jin, will be at the screening

THE UNJUST (Korea, 2010, New York Premiere, 119 minutes)
- Longtime festival favorite, action director Ryoo Seung-Wan, turns in this epic, sprawling corruption saga that recalls Sidney Lumet back in his PRINCE OF THE CITY days.
***The movie’s director, Ryoo Seung-Wan, will be at the screening

BEDEVILLED (Korea, 2010, New York Premiere, 115 minutes)
- This time, the ladies are doing it. An all-female version of DELIVERANCE, where a city slicker goes to an insular rural community where she’s not wanted. Possibly the greatest women vs. men movie ever made, lead actress Seo Young-Hee took home six “Best Actress” awards for her performance here.

THE CHASER (Korea, 2008, 125 minutes)
- The thriller that saved the Korean film industry, this mega-hit is what you’d get if you cross-bred Alfred Hitchcock with a pit bull.
***The movie’s director, Na Hong-Jin, will be at the screening

HAUNTERS (Korea, 2010, New York Premiere, 114 minutes)
- 50% superhero movie, 50% horror movie and 100% Korean thriller, this bigtime commercial hit is about a troubled kid who can control minds and the simple guy, immune to his ability, who’s out to stop him.

THE MAN FROM NOWHERE (Korea, 2010, 119 minutes)
- One part Batman, one part Bourne, Korean mega-star, Won Bin, revamped his image as a hard man of action with this movie about a spy coming out of retirement to take on a ring of organ harvesters. The number one movie at the Korean box office in 2010 (beating INCEPTION and IRON MAN 2), it took home SIXTEEN film awards!

TROUBLESHOOTER (Korea, 2010, New York Premiere, 99 minutes)
- Produced by Ryoo Seung-Wan, this is a classic “wrong man” movie, only this time the wrong man is a hardcore ex-cop (Sol Kyung-Gu from the highly successful PUBLIC ENEMY series) and it’s got the black, bleak sense of absurdist humor most thrillers lack.
***The movie’s producer, Ryoo Seung-Wan, and director, Kwok Hyeok-Jae, will be at the screening

Special focus 3:
SU CHAO-PIN: TAIWAN’S KING OF ENTERTAINMENT
In the US, we think of Taiwanese movies as an endless stream of art films. But with the support of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York, makes blockbuster hits that actual real live people go to see: Su Chao-pin!

This line-up will include:
REIGN OF ASSASSINS (Hong Kong/Taiwan/China, 2010, 117 minutes, New York Premiere)
- co-directed with John Woo, starring Michelle Yeoh and Korean star Jung Woo-Sung, this massive martial arts hit gives the genre a beating, bleeding, romantic heart.
***The movie’s director and writer, Su Chao-pin, will be at the screening

THE CABBIE (Taiwan, 2000, 94 minutes)
- Su’s first movie set new trends in Taiwan for actually being entertaining. He wrote this flick based on his experiences driving a cab, and it’s a fast-paced black comedy about a cabbie in love with a traffic cop.
***The movie’s writer, Su Chao-pin, will be at the screening

BTS: BETTER THAN SEX (Taiwan, 2002, 92 minutes)
- One of the most hyperactive, funniest movies about sex you’ll ever see. Pity this poor teenage porn-addict who just wants to find a real girl. Way ahead of its time, this movie manages to be all about sex without feeling pervy.
***The movie’s director and writer, Su Chao-pin, will be at the screening

Below is the full line-up!

CHINA
BUDDHA MOUNTAIN (China, 2010, North American Premiere, 105 minutes)
- Gobbling up festival awards around the world, Sylvia Chang stars as a suicidal landlady who rents an apartment to three irritating young hipsters in this transcendent drama from Li Yu (LOST IN BEIJING) one of the only female directors working in China. Popular actress, Fan Bingbing (SHAOLIN), stars as one of the hipsters, but it’s Sylvia Chang, the most important woman in Chinese show business in the 70’s and 80’s, who owns this movie.

OCEAN HEAVEN (China/Hong Kong, 2010, New York Premiere, 96 minutes)
- Directed by another female director, this movie sees Jet Li team up with cinematographer Christopher Doyle and composer Joe Hisaishi to make a restrained, heartbreaking movie about a dad (Jet Li) trying to teach his autistic son how to live on his own. Beautifully shot, scored, acted and observed, it’s got no action, all heartbreak.

HONG KONG
THE BLADE (Hong Kong, 1995, 100 minutes)
- Part of Wu Xia focus.
***The movie’s director, Tsui Hark, will be at the screening

DETECTIVE DEE AND THE MYSTERY OF THE PHANTOM FLAME (Hong Kong, 2010, 122 minutes)
- Part of Wu Xia focus.
***The movie’s director, Tsui Hark, will be at the screening

DRAGON INN (Hong Kong, 1992, 109 minutes)
- Part of Wu Xia focus. Brand new print!
***The movie’s producer, Tsui Hark, will be at the screening

DUEL TO THE DEATH (Hong Kong, 1983, 83 minutes)
- Part of Wu Xia focus.

PUNISHED (Hong Kong, 2011, International Premiere, 94 minutes) - the latest movie produced by Johnnie To, this is a hardcore revenge drama featuring a powerhouse turn by Anthony Wong as a real estate billonaire whose wild child daughter has been kidnapped. Bullet-to-the-head action the way Hong Kong used to do it.

SHAOLIN (Hong Kong/China, 2011, North American Premiere, 131 minutes)
- Centerpiece Presentation
***The movie’s director, Benny Chan, will be at the screening

RIKI-OH: THE STORY OF RICKY (Hong Kong, 1991, 91 minutes)
- The classic Hong Kong midnight action movie about prison privatization and monsters who strangle you with their guts. Rarely seen on the big screen, this is a full-on, ridiculously crazy mind-melter full of crucifixion, flaying, classic kung fu combat and prison wardens who keep breath mints in their glass eyeballs.

ZU: WARRIORS FROM THE MAGIC MOUNTAIN (Hong Kong, 1983 94 minutes)
- Part of Wu Xia focus.
***The movie’s director, Tsui Hark, will be at the screening

JAPAN
13 ASSASSINS: DIRECTOR'S CUT (Japan, 2010, 141 minutes, New York Premiere)
- the complete UNCUT version of Takashi Miike’s samurai masterpiece. With 17 minutes of original footage restored.
***One of the movie’s stars, Takayuki Yamada, will be at the screening

ABRAXAS (Japan, 2010, New York Premiere, 113 minutes) - straight outta Sundance comes this movie about a punk rocker turned Buddhist monk who still
yearns to rock out.

BATTLE ROYALE (Japan, 2000, 114 minutes) - a celebratory screening of Kinji Fukasaku’s masterpiece now that it finally - after 10 years!!!! - has a new distributor who wants people to actually see it.
Presented with Japan Cuts: Festival of Contemporary Japanese Cinema

A BOY AND HIS SAMURAI (Japan, 2010, North American Premiere, 109 minutes)
- the director of FISH STORY and GOLDEN SLUMBER returns to the festival with this family film about a samurai who winds up in the modern era. Surprisingly, it then becomes an exceptional food movie! This is the father-son movie you’ve been looking for.

DARK ON DARK (Japan, 2011, International Premiere, 17 minutes)
- This short film is the directorial debut from Makoto Ohtake, a well-known Japanese comedian and actor since the 80’s (he’s worked extensively with Takeshi Kitano and the popular City Boys troupe). It’s all about a two-bit talent manager and his outrageously endowed adult video talent bringing peace into the world via their various “gifts.” Screens with HORNY HOUSE OF HORROR.

GANTZ and GANTZ: PERFECT ANSWER (Japan, 2011, 130 minutes & 150 minutes)
- presented back-to-back it’s the uncut, subtitled, live action movies based on Japan’s existential sci fi action manga. It’s the New York Premiere of the subtitled GANTZ and the North American Premiere of the subtitled GANTZ: PERFECT ANSWER.
Presented with Japan Cuts: Festival of Contemporary Japanese Cinema

HEAVENS STORY (Japan, 2010, North American Premiere, 278 minutes)
- “King of Pink Films” Takahisa Zeze spent almost two years shooting this 4 hour movie about two random murders and the heartbreak, trauma and healing that spills out from them over the next two decades. Monumental and strange, passionate and philosophical, this is an epic in every sense of the word and a towering achievement in film.
Presented with Japan Cuts: Festival of Contemporary Japanese Cinema

HORNY HOUSE OF HORROR (Japan, 2010, North American Premiere, 75 minutes)
¬ Japan does the violent porno horror thing better than anyone else and this oddity features butt-walls, wiener-eating and demon hookers. This is the directorial debut from the writer of MUTANT GIRLS SQUAD, and it’s firmly in the vein of that film and ROBO GEISHA. Only, you know, set in a horny house that’s full of horror.
Preceded by: DARK ON DARK (see above, 17 minutes)

KARATE-ROBO ZABORGAR (Japan, 2011, New York Premiere, 106 minutes)
¬ Noboru Iguchi (Robo Geisha) makes his best film yet. Not just that, but this is the best-looking flick from label, Sushi Typhoon, yet. Slick, big budget and almost family friendly, it’s based on an obscure TV show from the 70’s about a young, bright-eyed police officer and his karate robot (who transforms into a motorcycle) fighting crime. But in Iguchi’s version, the two split up and have to reunite years later after middle-age has taken its toll.

THE LAST DAYS OF THE WORLD (Japan, 2011, World Premiere, 96 minutes)
- A return to the trippy, socially-engaged, blackly comic, ridiculously violent revolutionary movies of Japan’s 60’s. A high school student has a vision that the world is ending and so, faced with no consequences, he abducts a fellow student and goes on a crime spree.

LOVE AND LOATHING AND LULU AND AYANO (Japan, 2010, North American Premiere, 105 minutes)
- Based on a book of interviews with porn film dayworkers, this exuberant, anime-influenced movie about life on the bottom rungs of the adult film business treats life in the porno business as a chance for some actors to escape their humdrum, everyday existences.
Presented with Japan Cuts: Festival of Contemporary Japanese Cinema

MILOCRORZE: A LOVE STORY (Japan, 2011, North American Premiere, 90 minutes)
- Opening Night Movie
***The movie’s director, Yoshimasa Ishibashi, and star, Takayuki Yamada, will be at the screenings
Presented with Japan Cuts: Festival of Contemporary Japanese Cinema

NINJA KIDS!!! (Japan, 2011, World Premiere, 100 minutes)
- Centerpiece Presentation
Presented with Japan Cuts: Festival of Contemporary Japanese Cinema

OSAMU TEZUKA'S BUDDHA: THE GREAT DEPARTURE (Japan, 2011, North American Premiere, 111 minutes) - the much-anticipated animated epic based on Osamu Tezuka’s landmark life of the Buddha.
Presented with Japan Cuts: Festival of New Japanese Film

RINGING IN THEIR EARS (Japan, 2011, International Premiere, 89 minutes)
- Yu Irie (8000 MILES 1 & 2) returns with this ambitious flick about an upcoming concert by a reclusive rock group and the managers, obsessed fans, shut-ins, single moms and kindergarten teachers who are affected by it. A true tribute to the healing power of rock and roll.
Presented with Japan Cuts: Festival of Contemporary Japanese Cinema

VERSUS (Japan, 2000, 120 minutes)
- A tenth-anniversary celebration of the Japanese zombie action film that launched a thousand horror/splatter/action flicks.
***Star and action choreographer, Tak Sakaguchi, and writer, Yudai Yamaguchi, will be at the screening.

YAKUZA WEAPON (Japan, 2011, New York Premiere, 105 minutes)
- Stuntman-turned-director, Tak Sakaguchi, turns in a high calibre, action-heavy riff on Robocop all about a robot yakuza out to put his fist through the skulls of the bad guys. From Sushi Typhoon, purveyor of movies like Vampire Girl vs Frankenstein Girl.
***The movie’s director and star, Tak Sakaguchi, and co-director and writer, Yudai Yamaguchi, will be at the screening
Presented with Japan Cuts: Festival of Contemporary Japanese Cinema

KOREA
BATTLEFIELD HEROES (Korea, 2011, New York Premiere, 118 minutes)
- An absurdist satire about war, this movie from Lee Joon-Ik (director of KING AND CLOWN, the highest-grossing Korean film of all time) is like a Terry Gilliam movie gone Korean as a farmer too poor to even have a name gets drafted into one of medieval Korea’s eternal wars.
***The movie’s director, Lee Joon-Ik, will be at the screening.

BEDEVILLED (Korea, 2010, New York Premiere, 115 minutes)
- Part of Sea of Revenge focus.

THE CHASER (Korean, 2008, 125 minutes)
- Part of Sea of Revenge focus.

CITY OF VIOLENCE (Korea, 2006, 92 minutes)
- An encore presentation of the best all-out action film from Ryoo Seung-Wan (THE UNJUST). Like a less ironic version of KILL BILL.
***The movie’s director, Ryoo Seung-Wan, will be at the screening

FOXY FESTIVAL (Korea, 2010, North American Premiere, 110 minutes)
- A “Making Our Neighborhoods Safe & Happy” festival has the vice cops working overtime in this multi-character comedy that’s like a Robert Altman flick about fetishes. Love - and handcuffs, and nipple clamps - all conspire to save the day from the forces of conformity.

HAUNTERS (Korea, 2010, New York Premiere, 114 minutes)
- Part of Sea of Revenge focus.

THE MAN FROM NOWHERE (Korea, 2010, 119 minutes)
- Part of Sea of Revenge focus.

MSFF SHORTS (Korea, 2010)
- Korea’s best directors assemble two selections of that country’s best short horror, action and comedy movies just for you.

THE RECIPE (Korea, 2010, New York Premiere, 107 minutes)
- a serial killer escapes from prison but is recaptured when he stops to eat a bowl of stew that’s so good he loses track of time. What is the secret behind the stew? Korea finally delivers its best food film with this kitchen romance.

TROUBLESHOOTER (Korea, 2010, New York Premiere, 99 minutes)
- Part of Sea of Revenge focus.
***The movie’s producer, Ryoo Seung-Wan, and director, Kwok Hyeok-Jae, will be at the screening

THE UNJUST (Korea, 2010, New York Premiere, 119 minutes)
- Part of Sea of Vengeance focus.
***The movie’s director, Ryoo Seung-Wan, will be at the screening

THE YELLOW SEA (Korea, 2010, New York Premiere, 156 minutes)
- Closing Night Movie
- Part of Sea of Revenge focus.
***The movie’s director, Na Hong-Jin, will be at the screening

MALAYSIA
SELL OUT (Malaysia, 2008, New York Premiere, 110 minutes) - one of the best, smartest and funniest movies ever made in Malaysia finally escapes from the clutches of its evil distributor and it was worth the wait. A musical about money, creativity and a reality show focusing on those who are about to die, this is like nothing else in our line-up except (maybe) MILOCRORZE.

PHILIPPINES
MACHETE MAIDENS UNLEASHED (Australia, 2010, New York Premiere, 84 minutes) - from the people who made Not Quite Hollywood, comes this definitive documentary about the Filipino exploitation film bonanza that erupted in the 70’s and 80’s.

RAW FORCE (Philippines/USA, 1982, 86 minutes) - one of the strangest Filipino/US co-productions from the 80’s, this rarely-screened exploitation fever dream is better known by its other title Kung Fu Cannibals. With zombies, ninjas, samurai, kung fu, and evil monks, this is the entire 1980’s exploitation industry fired into your eyes via firehose.

TAIWAN
BETTER THAN SEX (Taiwan, 2002, 92 minutes)
- Part of Su Chao-pin focus.
***The movie’s director, Su Chao-pin, will be at the screening

THE CABBIE (Taiwan, 2000, 94 minutes)
- Part of Su Chao-pin focus
***The movie’s writer, Su Chao-pin, will be at the screening

REIGN OF ASSASSINS (Hong Kong/Taiwan/China, 2010, 117 minutes)
- Part of Su Chao-pin focus.
***The movie’s co-director and writer, Su Chao-pin, will be at the screening

THAILAND
BKO: BANGKOK KNOCKOUT (Thailand, 2010, New York Premiere, 105 minutes) - Tony Jaa’s mentor, Panna Rittikrai, will school you now. This exploitation stunt-tacular features all his best stuntmen and women unleashing muay thai, capoeira, dirt bike fu, shovel beatdowns, fights on fire, fights in the water, fights under trucks, fights in mid-air, and two back-to-back climactic smackdowns that have to be seen to be believed.

Prepare yourselves for the best New York Asian Film Festival yet!!!

ACF 972: Happy Birthday, Jackie Chan!

Jackie Chan was born 57 years ago today in Victoria Peak, Hong Kong. As a young child he was apprenticed to the same Chinese opera school, where Sammo Hung was an "elder brother" and which Yuen Biao also attended. The three later starred together in several movies, such as My Lucky Stars (1985) and Dragons Forever (1988). At the school Jackie learned acrobatics, singing, and martial arts.

Rumble in the Bronx (1995)

Based on his ability to perform amazing stunts and to portray likeable characters in Hong Kong action and action/comedy films, Jackie became one of the most popular stars of international cinema. For many years he unsuccesfully tried to break into the U.S. mainstream. His earliest attempt was in Battle Creek Brawl (1980), also known as The Big Brawl. He finally achieved success in this regard with Rush Hour (1998) and again with Shanghai Noon (2000).

Mr. Nice Guy(1997)

Last year, he co-starred with Jaden Smith in the remake of The Karate Kid, which I thought was a fine re-imagining of the 1984 original that starrd Pat Morita and Ralph Macchio. (Of course, it more correctly should have been titled "The Kung Fu Kid," but I believe there were issues that necessitated keeping the same title in the remake.)

Jackie Chan's First Strike (1996)

His succeess in English-language films has not precluded him from making continuing to make Asian films as well. While he's getting a bit "long in the tooth" for some of the more demanding stunts for which he became famous, he still has the capacity to please, entertain, and amaze, both in live-action films and in doing voice overs for such films as Kung Fu Panda and its sequel, which is due out this year.

So, Happy Birthday, Jackie, and many, many, many happy returns to the big screen!

ACF 940: Happy Birthday, Simon Yam!

Simon Yam in PTU: Police Tactical Unit

Veteran Hong Kong actor Simon Yam was born in that city on March 19th, 1955. His IMDb filmography lists 172 films and TV appearances, going back to 1977. He's played a wide variety of roles on both sides of the law. (Interestingly, his father and elder brother Peter Yam Tat-Wing were both law-enforcement officers.)

Yam as the serial killer in Dr Lamb

Some of his films that are better known in the West include:

Bullet in the Head (1990)

Once Upon a Time in China (1991)

Dr. Lamb (1992)

Full Contact (1993)

The Mission (1999)

PTU (2003)

Breaking News (2004)

Election (2005)

Kill Zone, a.k.a. S.P.L. (2005)

Election 2 (2006)

Exiled (2006)

Sparrow (2008)

Yip Man 2 (2010)

So, Happy 56th Birthday, Simon Yam, and may there be many happy returns of you to the screen in years to come

ACF 835: Another year, another ACF Happy Birthday wish for Sammo Hung

Sammo squares off against Bruce Lee at the beginning
of Enter the Dragon (1973)

Sammo Hung (a.k.a. Samo Hung, Sammo Hung Kam-Bo, etc.) was born in Hong Kong on January 7, 1952. Remarkably fast and flexible despite his ample girth, he has made his mark as an actor (over 149 movies at IMDb.com and counting), director (37 films), producer (26), and as a stunt and/or action director or coordinator. Oh, and I got to meet him in person at the 2010 New York Asian Film Festival, as evidenced by the periodic presence of the banner picture of the two of us taken at Lincoln Center. What an honor, what a thrill!

Sammo and his sifu enjoy a rare light moment
in Close Encounters of the Spooky Kind (1980)

Some of my fondest memories are of his work as the title character of the Martial Law TV series (44 episodes, 1998-2000), which also featured Kelly Hu. The first episodes were fantastic, featuring sub-titles (on prime time American network television!) and outtakes during the end credits.

My recollection is that, not satisfied with a surprise success, the suits at the network (CBS) and/or the producers decided to make it a smash hit by tinkering with the cast. Apparently thinking that what worked for Jackie Chan in Rush Hour would do the same for Sammo, they introduced a black man to be the star's sidekick. Unfortunately they picked Arsenio Hall (!?) and the show promptly started to go into the toilet.

The second season (1999-2000) found only Sammo, Kelly and Arsenio returning and the thrill was gone. If Sammo was as bitter as I recall reading that he was, he certainly had a right to be. Something wonderful was ruined 'cause some fools couldn't leave well enough alone.

Sammo and Donnie Yen square off in S.P.L., a.k.a. Kill Zone (2005)
(The two can soon be seen again engaging in martial arts mayhem
in IP MAN 2, scheduled to open in NYC and LA on January 28th!)

Still we have lots of Sammo on DVD to be thankful for and hopefully many more years of being amazed, entertained, and blown-away by him. Happy Birthday, big guy!!!!!

ACF 627: Reminder - Free screening of Tokyo Taxi tonight!

Just a reminder that Korean Cultural Service NY's next KOREAN MOVIE NIGHT series begins tonight with a free screening of:

TOKYO TAXI
South Korea, 2010, 76 minutes
New York Premiere

Showtime: Tuesday, July 13 @ 7pm (doors open at 6:30)

Where: Tribeca Cinemas, 54 Varick Street, on the corner of Canal Street, one block from the A, C, E and 1 train Canal Street stops

All seating is first come, first serve.

Description:
Award-winning, arthouse darling, director Kim Tae-Sik (DRIVING WITH MY WIFE’S LOVER), made this TV movie that was so acclaimed it went on to do the film festival rounds. Ryo (Masashi Yamada) is going to ruin everything. His band has been invited to a play a concert in Seoul, but he’s terrified of flying and so he cowers in Tokyo. But in a burst of inspiration he hails a taxi and demands that it honor its pledge to take him to any destination, in this case, Seoul. And so begins an epic odyssey of passenger and driver across hundreds of miles and two countries in this wry, sharply-observed comedy. One of the best and most ambitious of the made-for-TV movies, it helped launch the career of Yu Hana, who plays an Asiana stewardess and Ryo’s unobtainable object of desire.

Korean Cultural Service Korean Movie Night Series Three: TV Party:
In America, Korea is famous for its movies, but across most of the world it’s famous for its TV. Korean drama series have sparked what’s known as the Hallyu Wave, which has seen Korean television score everywhere in Asia, from China to Japan. Some Korean TV stars are even more popular overseas than they are at home. Korean television dramas have been so popular in Malaysia that kimchi imports to that country jumped 150% after the airing of several series, and Korean TV series are part of primetime programming both in Cambodia and Iran.

ACF 598: The Storm Warriors - a NYAFF 2010 Preview Review

The Storm Warriors
Directed by The Pang Brothers (Oxide and Danny Pang)

Starring Ekin Cheng, Aaron Kwok, Simon Yam, Nicholas Tse
Hong Kong, 2009, 110 minutes
In Cantonese with English subtitles
U.S. Premiere

At the Film Society of Lincoln Center's Walter Reade Theater:
- Sunday, June 27th at 12:00 noon (Simon Yam is scheduled to be at this screening)
- Thursday, July 1st at 9:00 PM

As I sometimes like to do with films I'm reviewing (as opposed to one's I'm just putting out the word on), first I'll present the publicity statement, then my own take on the film. I especially feel the need to do this here to be as fair as possible. You'll understand when you read my review comments at the end of the post.

Here's what SubwayCinema.com had to say:

In 1998 the Hong Kong film business was in danger of disappearing, but out of nowhere came THE STORM RIDERS, a special effects extravaganza based on a popular comic book and directed by Andrew Lau (INFERNAL AFFAIRS). A massive hit across Asia, it single-handedly saved the Hong Kong film industry. Now, 12 years later, comes THE STORM WARRIORS, based on the same Ma Wing-shing comic and with some of the same cast, but otherwise a standalone flick that is the closest cinema has ever come to putting Chinese martial arts comic books, with all of their surreal techniques and freaky superpowers, on the silver screen.

From the very first frame the choirs are wailing like a death metal concept album times infinity, and every shot is a blast-beat drum solo, every edit is a power chord and when the characters fight it's like two planets smashing into each another. Cloud (pop star gone supernova, Aaron Kwok) has been captured by Lord Godless (Simon Yam, playing an evil Japanese warlord) along with his master, Nameless (Kenny Ho, playing one of the original comic's most popular characters). Their armies are destroyed, their powers have been stripped and things look grim. Suddenly, Wind (Cheng) swoops to the rescue and the good guys take to the hills. Nameless informs Cloud and Wind that they're going to have to level up to defeat Lord Godless, and while he helps Cloud invent a new style of sword-fu, Wind is sent off to learn Evil Power from Lord Wicked.

With special effects layered so heavily they transform battles into dreamy, psychedelic abstractions, even the actors are digitally enhanced as Evil Power turns Wind into a brooding goth dreamboat that not even TWILIGHT's Edward Cullen can rival. Swords are so powerful they cut the weather in half, ultimate weapons are made from the spinal columns of dead gods and everything ends on a note of rock opera tragedy. What other summer blockbuster concludes with the hero traumatized and wounded, raving "Why didn't you kill me?!?" A happy ending? Happy endings are for sissies.

Won the 2009 Hong Kong Film Award for "Best Visual Effects."

AsianCineFest Review:

First, a couple of positive thoughts. There will certainly be those who'll really enjoy this supernatural martial arts fantasy which is based on the hit Hong Kong comic series Storm Riders by Wing Shing Ma. And many of the special CG effects are indeed top-notch.

On the other hand, I myself didn't care for the film much at all. The "story line"is really thin, even for this sort of fare, from which one doesn't tend to expect much. The directing is uninspired, which seems to be the way the Pang Brothers have been going lately, as in 2008's Bangkok Dangerous.

For me there wasn't any evidence of actual "acting" by anyone on the screen. And we all know that even when doing a film based on a comic book (or a video game, for that matter), and even when working in front of a green screen, it's still possible to "emote." I just didn't see any evidence of it here.

So overall I really can't recommend the film, which is a successor to 1998's The Storm Riders. (There's a Storm Warriors III currently in production, for which I don't hold out much hope of redemption.) But if supernatural martial art films are your thing, or if you simply can't miss seeing Aaron Kwok (Cloud) or Ekin Cheng (Wind), feel free to give it a try. You very well may enjoy it.

ACF 503: Happy Birthday, Simon Yam!

Simon Yam in PTU: Police Tactical Unit

Veteran Hong Kong actor Simon Yam was born in that city on March 19th, 1955. His IMDb filmography lists 172 films and TV appearances, going back to 1977. He's played a wide variety of roles on both sides of the law. (Interestingly, his father and elder brother Peter Yam Tat-Wing were both law-enforcement officers.)

Yam as the serial killer in Dr Lamb

Some of his films that are better known in the West include:

Bullet in the Head (1990)

Once Upon a Time in China (1991)

Dr. Lamb (1992)

Full Contact (1993)

The Mission (1999)

PTU (2003)

Breaking News (2004)

Election (2005)

Kill Zone, a.k.a. S.P.L. (2005)

Election 2 (2006)

Exiled (2006)

Sparrow (2008)

Yip Man 2 (2010)

So, Happy 55th Birthday, Simon Yam, and may there be many happy returns of you to the screen in years to come

ACf 446: Happy Birthday, Sammo Hung!

Sammo squares off against Bruce Lee at the beginning
of Enter the Dragon (1973)

Sammo Hung (a.k.a. Samo Hung, Sammo Hung Kam-Bo, etc.) was born in Hong Kong on January 7, 1952. Remarkably fast and flexible despite his ample girth, he has made his mark as an actor (149 movies at IMDb.com and counting), director (37 films), producer (26), and as a stunt and/or action director or coordinator.

Sammo and his sifu enjoy a rare light moment
in Close Encounters of the Spooky Kind (1980)

Some of my fondest memories are of his work as the title character of the Martial Law TV series (44 episodes, 1998-2000), which also featured Kelly Hu. The first episodes were fantastic, featuring sub-titles (on prime time American network television!) and outtakes during the end credits.

My recollection is that, not satisfied with a surprise success, the suits at the network (CBS) and/or the producers decided to make it a smash hit by tinkering with the cast. Apparently thinking that what worked for Jackie Chan in Rush Hour would do the same for Sammo, they introduced a black man to be the star's sidekick. Unfortunately they picked Arsenio Hall (!?) and the show promptly started to go into the toilet.

The second season (1999-2000) found only Sammo, Kelly and Arsenio returning and the thrill was gone. If Sammo was as bitter as I recall reading that he was, he certainly had a right to be. Something wonderful was ruined 'cause some fools couldn't leave well enough alone.

Sammo and Donnie Yen square off in S.P.L., a.k.a. Kill Zone (2005)
(They'll be going at it again in Ip Man 2, due out later this year.)

Still we have lots of Sammo on DVD to be thankful for and hopefully many more years of being amazed, entertained, and blown-away by him. Happy Birthday, big guy!!!!!

ACF 313: Ip Man - a NYAFF preview review

Ip Man
Directed by Wilson Yip
Starring Donnie Yen, Simon Yam
Hong Kong, 2008 , 106 min

North American Premiere

Got a screener of this very fine, old school martial arts actioner that'll be shown at the New York Asian Film Festival, which starts in just two weeks. (Yeah!!!)

Director Yip (SLP, Flashpoint) does a fine job telling the story of Ip Man (played with great dignity by action vet Donnie Yen). Ip Man was a master of Wing Chun and is probably best known for being Bruce Lee's teacher.

The movie opens in 1935 in the town of Fushan where Ip Man is happily married with one young son, obviously is financially secure, and is far and away the greatest martial arts master around. He demonstrates his skill against both an honorable teacher and a crude dude from the sticks who wants to set up shop in Fushan, but gets his come-uppance instead.

Then the Japanese move in , and life in Fushan goes all to hell. Ip Man ultimately has to perform menial labor so that he and his family can survive. And of course, there's the inevitable face-off with a Japanese officer.

Sammo Hung served as action director and Tony Leung Siu Hung was the martial arts coodinator. Both did terrific jobs. Kenneth Mak did the art direction, and I can only assume that he deserves the credit for the magnificent set designs and decoration. If not him, kudos to whoever was responsible.

Ip Man is not quite as virulently anti-Japanese as Bruce Lee's Jing wu men (Fist of Fury is its Hong Kong English title, although it was released in the U.S. as The Chinese Connection) or Jet Li's Jing wu ying xiong (Fist of Legend). The ranking Japanese officer,for example, is not particularly vilified, although the same cannot be said for his second-in-command or for the despicable way the Japanese occupiers treated the Chinese.

The bottom line is that Ip Man is a terrific action movie, one of Hong Kong's best in some time. It's definitely one you should see at the festival if you can. Check back here or at the Subway Cinema website for info about the festival schedule.

And if you can't see it at the NYAFF, keep the title in mind. Hopefully, someone will at least pick it up for distribution on DVD, if not wider theatrical release.

ACF 234: Protege DVD from Dragon Dynasty due to street February 24, 2009

Protege / Moon to
Directed by Derek Yee
Hong Kong, 2007, 106 min.

Protege is set to street tomorrow, Tuesday, February 24, 2009 in a single disc edition from Dragon Dynasty. It'll carry a $19.97 suggested retail price.

Daniel Wu (Legend of the Black Scorpion, One Night in Mongkok, Naked Weapon) plays Nick, an undercover cop who's spent seven years rising to a position of trust within the gang that controls half the local heroin supply in Hong Kong.

Andy Lau (House of Flying Daggers, Infernal Affairs and Infernal Affairs 3) is Lin Quinn, the boss who's brough Nick along as his protege and eventual successor. Quinn looks upon the heroin trade as pure business and has no regard for the impact of the drug on the lives of its users, nor for the users themselves. In an interesting ironic touch, he is suffering from kidney failure as a result of his diabetes. Although he needs a transplant, he remains as unable to quit his addiction to sweets as his customers are to stop using heroin.

Lin Quinn (Andy Lau, left with gun) checks Nick's (Daniel Wu) story

As if working long-term undercover wasn't enough, Nick's life is further complicated by his attachment to Jane (Zhang Jingchu from Seven Swords and Rush Hour 3). She lives in a neighboring apartment with her adorable young daughter. She's also trying to kick her dependence on horse. The situation gets even more complex when Jane's addict husband (Louis Koo from Flash Point, Election, Election II, and Robin-B-Hood) shows up.

The film is pretty much a straight drama. There's some action, but not much. It's perhaps a bit too earnest in its depiction of the devastating effects of heroin addiction, and doesn't devote as much time or energy as it should to really engaging the viewer. For example, with the exception of one particular scene, there's little or no sense of Nick being apprehensive about being discovered as a plant.

My impression is that the film probably played better to Hong Kong and Asian audiences than it will to U.S. audiences. Still, while it's perhaps not the most compellingly told story, the acting by the four principals is very good. Andy Lau won 2007 Hong Kong Golden Horse Film Festival Award for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Quinn. And Derek Yee proves himself to be a quite competent director.

Jane (Zhang Jing Chu) and her adorable daughter

The DVD offers both the original Cantonese and a dubbed English soundtrack, as well as English, Spanish, and English SDH subtitles.

It has the assortment of extras that are typical for a single disc release from Dragon Dynasty:
- a feature-length commentary by Bey Logan
- a making of featurette
- three separate interviews with Daniel Wu, Zhang Jing Chu, and produceer Peter Chan
- an original theatrical trailer

Protege is decent, if not inspired piece of film-making. It's not remotely close to the original Infernal Affairs, which also dealt with undercover operatives, but it's a fairly good watch, which translates to a 2.5 out of 4 star ACF rating.

Andy Lau won 2007 Hong Kong Golden Horse Film Festival Award for Best Supporting Actor

Louis Koo - Jane's husband - Flash Point, Election, Election II, Robin-B-Hood

ACF 232: Protege DVD from Dragon Dynasty streets next Tuesday

Here's some news about Protege, the next DVD release coming from Dragon Dynasty:

Genius Products is proud to present the award-winning Protégé on DVD Tuesday, February 24th from the Dragon Dynasty label. Featuring Andy Lau and garnering nine Hong Kong Award nominations, the fine line between right and wrong is tested beyond its limits in this saga based on true stories of undercover police agents.

With a cast of Asian cinema superstars including Andy Lau (House of Flying Daggers), Daniel Wu (Legend of the Black Scorpion), Louis Koo (Flash Point) and Jingchu Zhang (Seven Swords), PROTÉGÉ earned Lau a 2007 Hong Kong Award for Best Supporting Actor and received nine Hong Kong Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Actress (Zhang) and Best Supporting Actor (Koo).

Based on true stories of undercover agents on the police force, PROTÉGÉ follows their story among the clandestine drug world, as they struggle to balance both justice and crime. Packed with extensive all-new bonus features (see details below), the PROTÉGÉ DVD will be available for the suggested retail price of $19.97.

Synopsis
Protégé is the saga of a young cop infiltrating the deepest levels of a secret drug ring. He survives seven years of violent, nail-biting close calls, as he works his way from dealer to heir apparent. Every step consolidates his power and reveals another piece of his boss’s operations, bringing him closer to destroying a brutal heroin empire…or inheriting it.

Special Features
Commentary By Hong Kong Cinema Expert Bey Logan
The Making Of Protégé
Undercover & Over The Edge: An Exclusive interview With Leading Man Daniel Wu
Chasing The Dragon: An Exclusive interview With Leading Lady Zhang Jing-chu
The Dealer: An Exclusive Interview With Producer Peter Cha
Original Theatrical Trailer

Basics
Price: $19.97
Street Date: February 24, 2009
Catalog Number: 81703
Rating: NR
Run Time: 108 minutes
Languages: English Dolby 5.1 and Cantonese Dolby 5
Subtitles: English, Spanish, English SDH
Closed Captioned

Here's a link provided by Dragon Dynasty if you want to pre-order from amazon.com.