18th Jun2013

Donnie Yen News Update!

by kmiller

It’s no surprise that Donnie Yen is a crazy-busy man. He’s got projects filming while several others are wrapping up. Well, it’s time to shed some light on films that may (or may not) be happening.

Donnie

The first little bit of info is the fact that Ip Man 3 may not be dead quite yet. Edmond Wong (the screenwriter for the film) stated last week that the project is still happening and that it will start off with a young Bruce Lee. The casting for Lee has already started and Yen’s publicist claims that Donnie is in preliminary discussions with producer Raymond Wong.

What wasn’t listed was if Wilson Yip would be coming back. I really think this whole project hinges on that. If Wilson’s not on board, you can count Donnie out as well.

Donnie Special 2

Next up are some light details on the Special Identity. Even though we haven’t heard a lot about the film, it’s moving along well behind the scenes. Donnie spoke in a recent interview at  the Shanghai International Film Festival and said the film is slated for an October release. If that’s the case, we should be seeing a trailer soon to build up hype (if it can be built up any more.)

Monkey King Promo

Lastly, the teaser for Donnie Yen’s Monkey King just came out, but he’s already saying no to a sequel. It looks like being in that getup was really a troublesome experience for the star.

With all of the Monkey King films coming out, I can live without a sequel to this one. Personally, I’m most hyped for Special Identity and most skeptical about Ip Man 3. Which project would you guys like to see the most? Sound off in the comments!

Sources: HK Top Ten and News Infeeds

 

17th Jun2013

Trailer for Barrio Brawler

by kmiller

barrio-brawler Poster

I love to see a good indie film from time to time, and there are some films that just scream excellence. One example is Barrio Brawler, a new film coming from director Jose Montesinos that stars Marco Antonio Alvarez and Dennis Ruel. While the story to Barrio Brawler may not be anything revolutionary, it’s the action that really sells this film.

Barrio Brawler Trailer

I’ve seen how talented Dennis Ruel is thanks to his other works, and I can say for certain that this film is going to have some great action sequences. The film will have a limited release starting June 25th, and I can’t wait to see it myself. I get a very “undisputed” vibe from this film, and that’s not a bad thing at all. It’s real talent and real fights, just the way I like it!

Somehow, I have a feeling that this film is going to make Dennis Ruel’s directorial debut of Unlucky Stars that much harder of a wait. Great job to everyone involved!

16th Jun2013

Teaser for Donnie Yen’s Monkey King

by kmiller

Yen-Monkey-King

While there hasn’t been a word on the release of Special Identity, there is finally a teaser trailer that shows us what Donnie looks like as the Monkey King in motion. It’s a little different, so take a peek and see what you think first.

Monkey King Teaser

I’m not quite sure what I was expecting, but it wasn’t quite this. It’s clear that a lot of time was taken on the CG aspect of things, but it leaves a lot to be desired. Regardless of what you think, it’s easy to tell that Donnie is indeed the Monkey King. While it takes a while to get used to the look, I do like the fact that he can act differently than he does in most films.

I’m sure that Donnie’s choreo will shine through and that everyone will enjoy the Monkey King, but it wasn’t the trailer that blew everyone away, either. What do you guys think? Am I being too harsh on this trailer?

12th Jun2013

New Trailer for Man of Tai Chi

by kmiller

man-of-tai-chi-poster-2

Man of Tai Chi is at the top of my “must see” films for this year. With a strong team working on the film as well as an intricate camera system, I’m curious to see how Keanu Reeves makes it all work together. A new trailer was released with more details on the plot as well as the action. Check it out now!

Man of Tai Chi Trailer

It’s so exciting to see Iko exchanging blows with Tiger Chen. It was kinda weird to learn that Tiger’s name doesn’t change for the film, but that’s one very small gripe. On the plus side, I like the concept of having a “pure” man become jaded as he becomes overwhelmed by greed and desire. It’s not an original concept, but it’s one that has depth to it (as long as Tiger can carry that weight.)

I’m hoping that Man of Tai Chi comes stateside by the end of the year, but I will wait until it’s good and ready (as long as I get to see it in a proper theater.) The action looks very promising and this new trailer has made the wait that much more unbearable.

 

11th Jun2013

Kung Fu Panda 3 Will Pay Tribute to Chinese Culture

by kmiller

Kung Fu Panda

I’ll admit it, I’m a fan of the Kung Fu Panda films. While the next installment is a ways off, there is already a director chosen and early info regarding the film. Director of Kung Fu Panda 2 Jennifer Yuh Nelson will be returning, and Dreamworks will be joining forces with China in order to bring a more approachable atmosphere for the film.

Kung Fu Panda 3

“Chinese audiences will have a film that is set in China and a tribute to China. We certainly want to continue to do that. I’m hoping this will create a full circle in that it could actually come back to China, be made in China and also seen in China,”

The film will be made at both Dreamworks animation and Oriental Dreamworks, a Shanghai-based company that was just created in February. While none of the cast has been announced, I’m guessing that a lot of the voice talent will feature stars that are local to the area. Nelson had this to say about the casting:

Kung Fu Panda 2

“There’s a huge talent base here in China. We’re trying to get everybody involved and making movies like this…This is being made by people who love the history of China; these are people who love the appearance and the beauty of the culture of China. We want to show it to the world,”

Kung Fu Panda 3 won’t be out until 2015, but I think it’s a great way to get Chinese animation to a new level while promoting “new” talent that hasn’t been seen (or heard) in Hollywood before. Action stars like JCVD, Jackie Chan, and Michelle Yeoh have all been featured in the film. Who do you think should be next?

Source: Chinese Films

10th Jun2013

New Trailer for Seven Assassins

by kmiller

Seven Assassins Poster

Eric Tsang has been in a lot of films this year, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. After facing off against Anthony Wong in Ip Man: The Final Battle, he’s directing and playing a role in Seven Assassins. While it may not be a huge blockbuster, this new trailer shows that it’s got a fair share of action in it.

Seven Assassins Trailer

While I probably won’t go out of my way to see it, Seven Assassins looks decent enough. It’s great to see so many action films coming out this year, and it only helps with the wait for the bigger ones to come out.

Source: Far East Films

09th Jun2013

Johnny Nguyen’s Cho Lon Banned, Causing Backlash

by kmiller

Cho Lon B

This article is probably going to sting for most readers, but we need to tackle this issue head-on. Johny Nguyen’s latest film, Cho Lon has been banned by the Vietnam Film Department. This effectively prevents the film from being released anywhere, ever. There is no real chance that this film will become released as an “uncut” edition somewhere else in the world because the government won’t allow it, meaning that all that time, money, and effort has effectively gone to waste.

Johnny Nguyen issued one simple statement that summed it all up:

Chinatown 2

What’s more to be said? It’s like losing my son.

This news has not been received very well in Vietnam, both by the public and the industry as a whole. Many directors are speaking out against the Vietnam Film Department and taking a stand. Directors Tuan Nguyen Huu and Dung Nguyen Quang have both issued statement in response, both with sarcasm and anger.

However, it’s important to take a moment and look at what the Vietnam Film Department actually said in regards to Cho Lon:

Cho Lon A
Cho Lon violated the Law of Cinema when showing scenes of gangsters blatantly set in battle, chaotic fighting with knives, swords, machetes, with blood spilling everywhere … without the interference of government, polices, people or any other social forces.

Recently the producers sent the edited version of Cho Lon, which cut some violent scenes and inserted some appropriate scenes. But it’s still not repaired overall, so the Central Board of Film Evaluation of the Ministry of Culture Sports and Tourism shall not issue licenses for Cho Lon.

Cho Lon C

The key part I want everyone to focus on is not the violent aspect of the film, but the tail end of the first sentence. It’s the lack of government, police, or other social forces that is being a real sticking point. Now, let me put on my “Asian cap” for a moment and help out on this aspect. I don’t think that the violence alone is the reason why this film is being banned. Twitch seems to think that films like the Raid and SPL would be banned if they were made in Vietnam, but both of those films have police fighting thugs. Yes, it’s violent, but the criminals get their due justice, in a way.

Chinatown

See, Asian censors can be really picky like that. Even Korean music videos get banned for the most ridiculous reasons. Don’t believe me? Rain’s Love Song was taken down because it showed him running down the middle of the street (where you should be using a crosswalk) as well as a music video by Lee Hyori Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was banned because people were dancing on the bus and not wearing seat belts. I know, I’m mixing Asian cultures here, but I just wanted to help paint a better picture for everyone out there.

Now, the film’s director Charlie Nguyen did go to great lengths to add the presence of police officers in the film. Check out his statement here:

Charlie_Nguyen

“We edited the script for Cho Lon three times. The Vietnam Film Department wanted to change all the content, and the screenplay of Cho Lon, but it’s something we absolutely can not do because we must re-shoot many scenes but investment funds are limited. We have cut almost all the violent fighting scenes, and added some scenes with the police and I did everything I can do without changing the storyline.

If the production company continues to seek solutions and find the appropriate funding source, maybe the film can be re-shot and the storyline edited. But to be honest, I don’t know if I have any further interest and resources to do so.”

Cho Lon Poster

In the end, this is a battle between creative differences and public authority. One side wants to tell an exciting tale while the other seems to think this promotes gang warfare. Do I think this is ridiculous? Yes, of course, but it’s important to see things from both sides to get a clear perspective on everything.

It’s  a shame that Cho Lon won’t be released, and maybe the attention the film is getting will usher in a new era for Vietnamese films. It’s really upsetting as a filmmaker to put in all this hard work, only to have some organization tell you that you can’t release it.  For now, though, I can only respect Johnny and Charlie Nguyen for sticking to their guns and not compromising their ultimate image for what their film should be. A lot of respect is deserved for that.

Cho Lon D

So, what do you guys think about this whole issue? Did I miss the point? Feel free to sound off in the comments below!

Source: Twitch

09th Jun2013

New Images for Tom Yum Goong 2

by kmiller

TYG 2a

If you’re like most people, you’re chomping at the bit for more in regards to Tom Yum Goong 2. The film has finally wrapped and is scheduled to release this August in Thailand, though we don’t know when it will be released internationally. Thankfully, we have some new images that were posted on the TYG2 Facebook page that help make the wait a little more bearable.

TYG 2 B

TYG 2 C

The images seem to show that Jaa will be as hard-hitting and intense as usual. That chase sequence looks like it will be quite the scene, as well. I’m guessing that an official trailer should be coming out soon if the film is really coming out in August, and hopefully it shows something different than the one that was leaked online a while back. I’m curious to see what Tony Jaa is capable of, and I’m eager to see him back in action.

I’ll keep you guys posted as I learn more about this film and when we’ll be able to see it!

06th Jun2013

Well Go USA Gets Ip Man and Iceman Cometh

by kmiller

I love the dedication that Well Go USA has to the Asian film industry. Without them, there are dozens of films that would never see the light of day in the States, and that’s something to be thankful for. This is a company that keeps pushing forward in every genre (though especially martial arts) and these next 2 films prove it.

Ip Man final battle poster

First up is the acquisition of Ip Man: The Final Battle. This should come as no surprise since the company has released all of the other Ip Man films, including A Legend is Born. I’ve been curious about seeing Anthony Wong as Ip Man, and it looks like we’ll be able to see it on our shores on September 20th.

Iceman Poster

The other film that the company got isn’t out yet, but it’s getting a lot of talk. Donnie Yen’s remake of the Iceman Cometh will be seeing a release in the states, and that’s an awesome thing. It won’t be out until spring of 2014, but given the fact that it won’t be out anywhere until December, that’s understandable.

In case you haven’t seen them, here are the trailers for both movies:

Ip Man: The Final Fight Trailer

Iceman Cometh Trailer

I’m excited to see both of these films, and I’m happy to know what the films will be getting released here in the US. A huge pat on the back to the folks at Well Go USA, they deserve it for everything that they’ve done for us fans here in the states.

05th Jun2013

New Trailer for Badges of Fury

by kmiller

Badges of Fury Poster

Badges of Fury isn’t really a movie that I’m looking forward to. The trailers have been more focused on cheap laughs than action, but it looks like the marketing staff has heard our cries. Here is a brand new action trailer for you to check out:

Badges of Fury Trailer

While the trailer itself looks decent enough, but I’m afraid that each cool sequence will be countered by a quick joke. I’ll set the bar pretty low for this one, but I’m curious how you guys feel about this film. Do you think that it’s gonna be good, or a bomb? Feel free to sound off in the comments.

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