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Dec 2005 - GO IMAGE! SHAW BROTHERS DVD DETAILS - original story here

Image Entertainment has shared with us 18 of the titles (probably the first ones they'll release) in their recent 30 film deal with Celestial to re-release the Shaw Brothers classics in the US.

INTIMATE CONFESSIONS OF A CHINESE COURTESAN
THE WATER MARGIN
THE MAGIC BLADE
LEGENDARY WEAPONS OF CHINA
VENGEANCE IS A GOLDEN BLADE
SHAOLIN INTRUDERS
THE WANDERING SWORDSMAN
THE DEADLY BREAKING SWORD
BELLS OF DEATH
SUPER INFRAMAN
BIG BROTHER CHENG
HEAVEN AND HELL
THE KILLER SNAKES
HUMAN LANTERNS
BLACK MAGIC
HAVE SWORD WILL TRAVEL
MONKEY GOES WEST
CAVE OF THE SILKEN WEB

The Image discs will (hopefully) start releasing in April 2006 and there will be two per month. April will probably see the release of SUPER INFRAMAN with the other title to be determined. Not only will each disc feature all the extras from the Celestial discs, but there will be new special features that Image is keeping mum about for the time being.

*** HKCinema notes: You will see a glaring absence of the big Shaw Brothers titles in this list as they were picked up by Miramax back in 2003 (and are currently collecting dust awaiting their US release). Several wuxia epics appear here such as Have Sword Will Travel and The Water Margin. There are a couple of Chor Yuen classics; Intimate Confessions and The Magic Blade. However, the highlight is clearly Legendary Weapons of China. The Lau Brothers fight-fest, is one of the best movies ever to come out of Shaws. (read our review - here)

We can only hope for a decent 16:9 presentation, with both subtitles and dubbed language tracks (fingers crossed). This is a great opportunity for Image Entertainment, let's hope they don't blow it! ***

06/01/04 - 2005 Schedule - Momentum Asia ( = Shaw Brothers)

21st Feb 2005

The Heroic Ones - A spectacular historical martial arts epic set during the decline of the Tang Dynasty. Boasting a talent pool that includes the "Iron Triangle" of director Chang Cheh and stars David Chiang and Ti Lung, THE HEROIC ONES is, perhaps, the quintessential Shaw Brothers film and one of the all-time classics of Hong Kong action cinema.

Heroes Two - A true landmark feature in kung fu film history from the Shaw Brothers Studio, HEROES TWO showcases the inimitable talents of director Chang Cheh, choreographer Lau Kar Leung and star Alexander Fu Sheng at the height of their powers. Of the dozens of great martial arts films made by the prolific Chang Cheh, HEROES TWO is considered one of his best thanks, in no small part, to the work of his two aforementioned collaborators.

The Spiritual Boxer - Fight choreographer Lau Kar Leung's astonishing directorial debut, the action-comedy THE SPIRITUAL BOXER stars Ti Lung, Jimmy Wang and Chan Koon Tai and concerns a pseudo-ghost catcher and apprentice to a spiritual boxing master, whose bogus ceremonies and demonstrations result in him falling foul of both his fellow townsfolk and the local gangsters. Severely lacking in the spiritual boxing skills necessary to invoke the gods and give him the power to withstand all weapons, he does, however, possess an awesome talent for kung fu fighting. It's a gift that proves to be more than essential when his seemingly small-time confidence tricks bring him more trouble than he bargained for.

21st March 2005

Casshern - The debut feature from acclaimed fashion photographer and music video director Kazuaki Kiriya, CASSHERN is a visually stunning science fiction epic based on a 35 episode anime series from 1973 entitled "Casshan: Robot Hunter". Set in an alternative, retro¬futuristic world polluted and ravaged by years of chemical, biological and nuclear war, the story begins with geneticist Dr. Azuma's attempts to rejuvenate and regenerate humankind. When his experiments go wrong, a race of mutant androids is unleashed and only Azuma's dead son, reincarnated as the legendary hero Casshern, has the power to lead the war against the super robots.

Scent of the Night Flower - One of the top grossing Thai films of 2003, SCENT OF THE NIGHT FLOWER (aka "Buppah Rahtree') is an insane horror comedy that combines the hilarity of "Scary Movie" with the shock factor of the likes of 7he Exorcist" and "Audition". Having already suffered abuse at the hands of her stepfather, a young student, Buppah Rahtree, is driven to suicide when she is left alone, pregnant and miserable by a rich playboy who only seduced her to win a bet. Returning from the dead as a horribly disfigured ghost, Buppah sets out to exact terrible revenge on all those who mistreated her in life. Featuring hard¬hitting social commentary, transvestite hairdressers, crazy psychics and graphic gore, SCENT OF THE NIGHT FLOWER is quite unlike anything you may have seen before.

25th April 2005

Death Duel (Shaw Brothers Collection) - Director Chor Yuen's bloody tale of chivalry is considered a classic of the swordplay genre. A master swordsman, tired of taking on all comers and pretenders to his throne, fakes his death in order to live a normal, quiet life. But his plans are disrupted when a cunning rival orchestrates a duel between the swordsman and the only fighter capable of beating him. Starring Derek Yee and Ling Yun, DEATH DUEL also features crowd

Human Lanterns (shaw Brothers Collection) - Directed by Suen Chung, HUMAN LANTERNS is a macabre and fantastic swordplay film with a strong horror element. The film stars Lau Wing, Lo Lieh, Chen Kuan tai and Lo Meng in the bizarre tale of an outcast swordsman who begins kidnapping the people closest to his rivals and using their skins to make lanterns.

The Magnificent Trio (Shaw Brothers Collection) - A group of farmers under the oppression of a local magistrate kidnap the magistrate's daughter and hold her as ransom in a bid to secure reform. In turn, the magistrate hires a group of bandits to challenge the farmers and rescue his daughter. But the farmers are aided by a trio of swordsmen determined to see justice done. Acclaimed director Chang Cheh's faithful and impressive remake of the Japanese film, "Three Outlaw Samurai" is a swashbuckling swordplay extravaganza starring Jimmy Wang Yu, Lo Lieh and Cheng Lui.

23rd May 2005

Born To Fight - The latest film from Panna Rittikrai, the co writer and fight choreographer of the acclaimed "Ong Bak", BORN TO FIGHT is a breathtaking remake of the director's own 1982 B movie 'Yerd Ma LuV'. The story concerns a group of Thai athletes on an aid mission to a remote village who get caught up in a violent tribal feud between the locals and an evil tyrant intent on terrorising the villagers. A highly anticipated film, thanks to its connections to "Ong Bak", BORN TO FIGHT is already becoming one of the most talked about Asian action features of the year, not least for the inclusion of a show stopping, no¬wires, CGI free sequence involving a truck that has to be seen to be believed.

13th June 2005

The Trail of the Broken Blade (Shaw Brothers Collection) - Director Chang Cheh applies his trademark theme of "chivalrous brotherhood" to a tragic romantic saga involving a swordsman who goes in search of a fugitive in order to reunite him with his lost lover. An early example of the classic swordplay genre, the film stars Jimmy Wang Yu, Wu Chong and Chin Ping and features a series of breathtaking swordfights and a suitably high bodycount!

The Master (Shaw Brothers Collection - Yuan Te, Jackie Chan's kung fu classmate and Sammo Hung's fight coordinator on his Hollywood hit "Martial Law", makes his acting debut in "The Master". Te stars as downtrodden kung fu student Ko Chien, who,saves the life of a kung fu master (Chen Kuan tai), who is being stalked by three killers. Te's impressive kung fu skills are fully exploited and show why Jet Li, would later choose Te as his fight choreographer for his Hollywood hits "Kiss of the Dragon" and "The One".

The Water Margin (Shaw Brothers Collection) - Cheng Cheh's epic of epics, THE WATER MARGIN is based on the classic novel and true legend, "All Men Are Brothers" which chronicles the exploits of 108 rebels who bravely fought against the invading Sung armies. Featuring just about every big Shaw Brothers star of the period, including David Chiang, Ti Lung and Chen Kuan tai, THE WATER MARGIN is one of the most dynamic kung fu films in the history of cinema. There are martial art epics and "brotherhood hero" films but none come even close to THE WATER MARGIN.

Silver Hawk - The spectacular action adventure, SILVER HAWK stars Asian cinema superstar Michelle Yeoh (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) as millionairess Lulu, whose motorbike riding, silver catsuit clad alter ego, Silver Hawk, comes up against a bionic armed villain with plans to take over the world by brainwashing the populace via their mobile phones. Co¬starring Michael Jai White (Spawn) and Luke Goss (Blade 11), SILVER HAWK is stylishly directed by Jingle Ma (Tokyo Raiders) with a unique visual flair and more than a touch a humour. Full of superb stunt work and kung fu fight sequences, it is a perfect showcase for the talents of the inimitable Ms. Yeoh.

July 2005

The Bodyguard - The directorial debut of "Ong Bak" star Petchai Wongkarnlau, THE BODYGUARD is a fast paced action comedy packed from start to finish with bone crunching fight sequences and stylised gunplay reminiscent of the best of John Woo's early work. Wongkarnlau himself stars as the eponymous bodyguard who is fired from his post when his boss is assassinated. But when his former boss' son also becomes a target for the killers, he finds himself back in a job and on the trail of the mysterious assassins. A must see for fans of the work of Jackie Chan and John Woo, THE BODYGUARD features an unmissable cameo by Wongkarnlau's "Ong Bak" co star, Phanom Yeerum (aka Tony Jaa).

August 2005

All Men Are Brothers (Shaw Brothers Collection) - The long awaited sequel to the martial arts blockbuster "The Water Margin", ALL MEN ARE BROTHERS is a true epic featuring a cast that has achieved celebrated status among Shaw Brothers devotees: Ti Lung, David Chiang, Chen Kuan tai, and Danny Lee. A hard edged feminine touch is provided by Lily Ho and Betty Chung Ling ling. The behind the camera line up is also of mythic proportions, with direction by Chang Cheh and no less than four martial arts choreographers, including Liu Chia liang (a.k.a. Lau Kar leung) and brother Liu Chia yung (a.k.a. Lau Kar wing).

Two Champions of Shaolin (Shaw Brothers Collection) - Legendary kung fu film director Chang Cheh presents another of his on going, action¬packed, internationally loved Wenom" cult classics, pitting anti Manchu Shaolin masters against devious Wutang warriors in a literal fight to the death. Cheh originally hit upon a winning formula by teaming three Taiwanese stars with a Korean kicker and a Chinese strongman in a super heroic series of ku ng fu filled adventures starting with the international cult favorite, "The Five Venoms" (a.k.a. "The Five Deadly Venoms'). TWO CHAMPIONS is of particular interest in that the fifth Wenom" worked behind the scenes while the other four strut their stuff all the more intently because of it.

Invincible Shaolin (Shaw Brothers Collection) - Director Chang Cheh, who gave Shaolin films international cinematic respect, is re¬united with the 7he Five Venoms" and continues his mission to bring Shaolin martial arts films to even more wondrous heights with INVINCIBLE SHAOLIN. Ching officials trick Northern and Southern Shaolin martial artists to fight against each other in the hope that they wipe each other out. The monks get wind of the plan... but is it too late?

05/01/04

*** Shaw Brothers - UK Releases ***

Shaw Brothers movies will be distributed by Momentum pictures, with the first batch scheduled for release on 21st Feb 2005 (£19.99)

Films:

•  Heroes Two

•  The Heroic Ones

•  The Spiritual Boxer

Press Release from Momentum Asia

Representing the last of the great and rarely seen classics of Hong Kong cinema, Momentum Asia's THE SHAW BROTHERS COLLECTION will feature no less than 30 films, all fully restored from their original masters and appearing on DVD in the UK for the first time ever. In many cases, this represents the first opportunity that many UK viewers will have had to experience some of the greatest action films ever made. The reputation of the Shaw Brothers as the Kings of Asian Cinema remains undisputed to this day. Their legacy virtually defined Hong Kong cinema as we now know it and has had an undeniable influence on modern-day Hollywood blockbusters.

Future titles in The Shaw Brothers Collection will include DEATH DUEL, HUMAN LANTERNS and THE MAGNIFICENT TRIO in April 2005, while June 2005 sees the release of THE TRAIL OF THE BROKEN BLADE, THE MASTER and THE WATER MARGIN, followed by ALL MEN ARE BROTHERS, TWO CHAMPIONS OF SHAOLIN and INVINCIBLE SHAOLIN in August 2005.

Announcing the launch of the Momentum Asia label, Jon Sadler, Head of Marketing for Momentum Pictures said, "Acknowledging the tremendous build up of interest in modern and vintage Asian cinema in the UK, Momentum Pictures has made a corporate decision to enter this market with the Momentum Asia label. It is not something we have done half-heartedly or simply to cash in on a trend. We have acquired, in the Shaw Brothers catalogue, some of the greatest, as yet unreleased, classic Hong Kong movies ever made. In addition we have sought out and continue to seek out new, cutting edge productions from throughout the whole of Asia for theatrical and DVD release in the future. With Momentum Asia, we have committed ourselves to this area of the market and aim to be a driving force in introducing UK audiences to the best in Asian cinema for some time to come."

04/04/03 - Shaw Brothers / Miramax Deal

Apparently a deal has been signed between Miramax and Celestial to distribute 50 films to North America, U.K, New Zealand and Australia. Plus there is an additional 'Video on Demand' deal with North America.

This will be greeted with grave concerns by many fans both old and new of Shaw Brothers. Miramax has lost the confidence of many fans of international cinema by its recent releases that have been accused of Americanisng and dumbing down the titles. Such films include Hero (Jet Li), Shaolin Soccer (Stephen Chow) and Accidental Spy (Jackie Chan).

Common Issues with Miramax / Dimension releases:

  • Film has been cut (e.g Hero was cut by 18 minutes after Miramax pressure)
  • New dubbed audio track (many viewers would like to have a subtitled alternative)
  • Re-titling of the film (e.g Fong Sai-Yuk became The Legend)
  • New musical score (most titles)
  • New opening titles
  • Limited extras
  • Delayed and limited cinema release

Further info on previous petition to Disney (inc. Miramax and Dimension)

http://www.petitiononline.com/warthkf/petition.html

Good FAQ on the Petition to Disney

http://alliance.hellninjacommando.net/faq.htm

please sign the petition if you find the arguments convincing

03/04/03

Delayed Shaw Titles - It seems the current Celestial release schedule has been amended. Although the April 10th titles seem to be going ahead as planned, there is no definite release date for the March titles:

  • Happiest Moment, The (R3) - Celestial - 13/03/03
  • When The Clouds Roll By (R3) - Celestial - 13/03/03
  • Mighty Peking Man, The (R3) - Celestial - 13/03/03
  • Buddha's Palm (R3) - Celestial - 13/03/03
  • Shaolin Temple (R3) - Celestial - 13/03/03
  • Duel Of Fist (R3) - Celestial - 27/03/03
  • Girlie Bar, The (R3) - Celestial - 27/03/03
  • Passing Flickers (R3) - Celestial - 27/03/03
  • Iron Bodyguard (R3) - Celestial - 27/03/03
  • Na Cha The Great (R3) - Celestial - 27/03/03

We are hoping for a release in the third week of April

02/04/03 - Interesting article on the Shaw Brothers remastering centre

Broadcast Engineering

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