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DVD Collection - CDWOW's Wong Kar Wai collection |
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Wong Kar Wai is one of Hong Kong's most internationally acclaimed directors and for those keen to complete their collection, CDWOW have pulled together a set of DVDs on their site - Wong Kar Wai Collection
Recommendations include; In the Mood for Love, As Tears Go By and Chungking Express
Wong Kar Wai Collection - click here |
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DVD Release - Ong Bak 2: The Beginning (released 15th Feb) |
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Was Ong Bak 2 (OB2) the most anticipated martial arts movie in the last decade? – almost certainly YES!
The original Ong Bak was a genre defining launch-pad for martial artist Tony Jaa and the Thai action-movie scene. It gained worldwide distribution and remains a hugely successful DVD release. OB2 was an even more ambitious project both in terms of scale and for Tony Jaa in particular, who took on the directing reins in this period epic. Before OB2 reached the studio there had been several years of delay, confusion, breakdowns on TV (by Tony) and rumours of triad meddling; so it came as a relief to everyone when it eventually hit the screens in the latter part of 2009.
Ong Bak 2: The Beginning Review - click here |
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DVD Release - Ashes of Time Redux (released 3rd March) |
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From director Wong Kar Wai comes ASHES OF TIME REDUX, the definitive, re-stored version with score by Yo-Yo Ma, on DVD March 3rd!
Ashes of Time, is an epic martial arts masterpiece of larger-than-life characters, breathtaking landscapes and exquisite fight scenes. The story centers on a heartbroken and cynical man who spends his days alone in the desert, connecting expert swordsmen with those seeking revenge and willing to pay for it. As Ouyang narrates his tale, interweaving the stories of his unusual clients, old friends and future foes, he begins to realize the mistakes of his own past, and how his fear of rejection may have led him to a life of exile.
SPECIAL FEATURES: Born From the Ashes: The Making of Ashes of Time Redux
View Trailer - Click Here |
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DVD Release - Shaw Brothers back in the UK! - released on 23rd March |
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After a period of several years with no Shaw Brothers releases from Momentum Pictures they are now in the process of introducing Dragon Dynasty discs to the UK. The first two titles from the legendary Shaw Brothers stable are obvious choices, both 36th Chamber of Shaolin and King Boxer are genre classics that will no doubt sell like hot cakes!
  
Both will be part of the fantastically remastered Celestial collection and packed with loads of extras (including a Tarantino commentary on King Boxer). These titles are not to be missed.
To see some clips of the picture quality - check out the Dragon Dynasty promo |
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DVD Release - Sukiyaki Western Django (released 2nd Feb) |
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Fancy something a bit crazy - well Takashi Miike's lastest film "Sukiyaki Western Django" may just do the trick!!!
SUKIYAKI WESTERN DJANGO (cert. 15) will be released on DVD by Contender Home Entertainment on 2nd February 2009. Special Features include: deleted scenes; Q&A with Quentin Tarantino; English 5.1, Stereo and DTS audio options.
View Trailer - Click Here |
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Website Resource- Shaw Brothers Resource |
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Happy New Year to everyone! To the observant people among us, you will notice some degree of a facelift for the site. We have now plenty more news, essays and resources on the legendary Shaw Brothers - enjoy!!!
Shaw Brothers History / DVD Guide / Release Schedule |
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Film Preview - The Warlords (2008) - Jet Li and Andy Lau |
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Featuring a stellar cast (Jet Li, Andy Lau and Takeshi Kaneshiro), Peter Chan's epic is a big budget remake of Chang Cheh's classic feature - Blood Brothers:
The Warlords is in UK Cinemas from 07 November 2008
Trailers - Windows Media Player - Quick Time |
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DVD Review - Chocolate (2007) - Thai Martial Arts |
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What better way to finish off the weekend, than by read up on one of the most talked about Thai films since Tom Yum Goong (Warrior King).
Showcasing the talents of emerging martial arts heroine Jeeja Yanin!
Paul takes a look at the Cine Asia single disc Region 2 DVD (3rd Nov 2008)
Chocolate Review - click here |
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DVD Review - Mad Detective (2007) - More Modern Johnnie To! |
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Johnnie To remains the most exciting Hong Kong action director of the modern era. Mad Detective is his latest work, with many familiar faces featuring in this predictably stylish production
Ross takes a look at the Masters of Cinema Theatrical Release and single disc Region 2 DVD (out of November 3rd 2008)
Mad Detective Review - click here |
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CD Review - Kung Fu Super Sounds (2008) - Shaw Brothers Soundtracks! |
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Compiled and produced Joel Martin (Dawn of the Dead, Quiet Village), Lovely Jon (Jigoku) and Cherrystones (Cherrystones Rocks, Jigoku and more), Kung Fu Super Sounds: Unreleased Soundtracks from the De Wolfe Music Library as Featured in the Shaw Brothers Martial Arts Movies 1976-1984 brings together for the very first time a wild selection of music as used in those classic 70s and 80s Shaw Brothers Martial Arts Movies - all of which originated from the De Wolfe Music library.
Out on CD in November - more info here |
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DVD Review - Pulse (2001) - Modern Japanese Horror! |
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Japanese horror is currently hot property on the film market after the success of The Ring, The Eye and The Grudge series (both Japanese versions and international remakes). Pulse is another entry in this genre from 2001, the big question is whether this horror is good enought to set the Pulse racing!!!
Ross takes a look at the Optimum Asia single disc Region 2 DVD
Pulse DVD Review - click here |
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DVD Review - Typhoon (2005) - Modern Korean Action! |
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Mention the latest Korean hit and you'll have an international DVD distributor go weak at the knees. The land that brought us Brotherhood, Old Boy and Arahan continues to impress at the box office. Typhoon represents an ambitious action fest (somewhere between Bourne series and John Woo), but does it really take off?
Paul takes a look at the Premier Asia (HKL) doulbe disc Region 2 DVD
Typhoon DVD Review - click here |
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Book Release - Hong Kong New Wave Cinema (1978–2000) |
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Hong Kong New Wave Cinema by Pak Tong Cheuk maps the birth and eventual decline of celebrated 'New Wave' Hong Kong Cinema. Tong relates the movement to a wider historical context of the developing society and culture of Hong Kong at that time. His study of the celebrated golden age of Hong Kong film contextualises 'New Wave' and describes its wide-reaching effects upon contemporary cinema in Hong Kong, the greater China region and far beyond.
This title has been recently published by Intellect in the UK
Hong Kong New Wave Cinema (1978–2000) - click here |
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Jet Li Biography - The last great martial arts hero? |
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Jet Li's performances over the past three decades have left an impact on the genre that is beyond question. Even though his career has stalled on several occasions Jet has successfully reinvented himself in a number of guises. Whilst shunning the media spotlight when others have embraced it, he has still developed a legacy as the last great martial arts movie star!
Paul provides a career retrospective on Jet Li
Jet Li Biography - click here |
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DVD Review - Divergence (2005) - Modern Hong Kong Action! |
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Divergence is another outing for some of Hong Kong's most ubiquitous pin-ups of the past decade, starring the trinity of Aaron Kwok, Ekin Cheng and Daniel Wu. Directed by family friendly action man Benny Chan, Divergence is a modern Hong Kong 'action-drama' trying to deliver more than just bullets and bloodshed!
Ross takes a look at the Momentum Pictures single disc Region 2 DVD
Divergence DVD Review - click here |
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DVD Review - Premonition (2004) - New Age Japanese Horror! |
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Premonition is a title aimed at fans of modern Japanese Horror (The Ring, Dark Water, The Grudge). Directed by Norio Tsuruta, this is one film to watch with the lights on!
Ross takes a look at the Tartan Asia single disc Region 2 DVD
Premonition DVD Review - click here |
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DVD Review - Exiled (2006) - Johnnie To |
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Exiled is a loose sequel to Johnnie To's breakthrough classic, The Mission. Exiled takes his Western inspired heroes (inc Anthony Wong, Simon Lam, Franics Ng and Nick Cheung) to Macau for plenty more bullet play and an equal dose of macho posturing!
Ross takes a look at the Optimum Asia single disc Region 2 DVD
Exiled DVD Review - click here |
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Magazine Info - Screen
Power & Jade Screen become one!!! |
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The quarterly publication is now 2 mags rolled
into one with half the mag and front cover Screen Power (100% Jackie Chan)
and the remainder Jade Screen with its own front cover (100% Hong Kong
Movies)
The March edition is now available for purchase at - Screen Power
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DVD Review - Dead or Alive - Takashi Miike |
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Tartan Extreme released Dead or Alive in 2002, which is the opening entry in Takashi Miike's ambitious triology. As can be expected, Miike treats us to another uncompromising and original work exploring the violent excess of Yakuza society.
Ross takes a look at the Tartan Pictures single disc Region 2 DVD
Dead or Alive DVD Review - click here
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Biography - Gordon Liu - The Original Master Killer! |
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Gordon Liu has recently been basking in the limelight after his film-stealing antics in Tarantino's Kill Bill. He first rose to fame as Shaolin monk 'San Te' four decades earlier. Few would begrudge Gordon Liu his place in the hall of fame and many will be surprised by his versatility beyond the Shaw Brothers stable. The original Master Killer has a bright future with a renewed demand for his services, plus many of his classics receiving five-star remastering treatment from Celestial Pictures.
Read Full Biography - Click Here
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DVD Review - Royston Tan's Fifteen (15) - 2003 |
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HAPPY NEW YEAR to all Hong Kong Cinema visitors!!!
To kick off the new year in style we look to the much smaller world of Singaporean cinema, with Royston Tan's often shocking portrayal of male adolescence. This film was released in the UK by the relatively unknown Peccadillo pictures in 2005.
Ross takes a look at the Peccadillo Pictures single disc DVD
Fifteen (15) DVD Review - click here
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DVD Review - Johnnie To's Election - 2005 |
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We here at Hong Kong Cinema always take pride in 'doing things properly', so after reviewing the sequel to Johnnie To's landmark hit 'Election' we thought we should get our act together and also review the original!
Paul takes a look at the Panorama R3 disc
Election DVD Review - click here
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DVD Review - Johnnie To's Election 2 - 2006 |
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Johnnie To's Election 2 is the 2006 sequel to his triad classic, mixing more intrigue and dirty dealing as the next election is due.
Ross takes a look at the Optimum Asia R2 disc (released 22 Oct 07)
Election 2 Review (R2 PAL DVD) - click here
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DVD Review - Johnnie To's PTU - 2003 |
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Johnnie To's PTU (Police Tactical Unit) has just been released by Third Window Films in the UK. Featuring Lam Suet, Simon Yam and Raymond Wong, this is one night in Hong Kong that none of them will forget!
Congrats to James from Durham for winning the competition!
Paul's PTU Review (R2 PAL DVD) - click here
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DVD Review - The One Armed Swordsman - 40th Anniversary |
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Forty years ago, Chang Cheh cast a young Jimmy Wang Yu as the titular crippled hero in The One Armed Swordsman. After the delxue remastering treatment by Celestial you can relive the raw excitement of the revenge classic four decades on!
Paul looks at the Celestial R3 Disc, part of the Triolgy Box Set
One Armed Swordsman review - click here
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Third Window Films (UK Distibutor) |
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Third Window Films are a modern UK based label bringing a range of Eastern cinema to Western Audiences. To learn more about them, visit their website, and you can pick up some of their early titles on the cheap at amazon (under £6)
Third Window Films website - click here
Amazon Sale - click here
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Review - The Young Hero of Shaolin - 1984 |
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The Young Hero of Shaolin is the 1984 story of Fong Sai-yuk, the legendary Wu Shu master. The Young Hero of Shaolin is out to buy from Soulblade from 12 Aug 07
Paul reviews the Soulblade R2 PAL DVD
The Young Hero of Shaolin review - click here
ps. The Winner of our competition was John from Hebburn
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DVD Review - Golgo 13 - 1977 |
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What time is it? It's Chiba time...
Catch Sonny Chiba as a hitman in this late seventies manga adaptation. As ever, he's one cool customer, but this time he has a sniper rifle.
Ross takes a look at the Optimum Asia R2 disc (released 19 Sep 05)
Golgo 13 review - click here
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DVD Review - The Protector (Jackie Chan) 1985 |
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Following the success of his martial arts break-through in the late seventies, Jackie Chan crossed the pond to complete a number of movies - Cannonball Run 1 & 2, Battle Creek Brawl and The Protector. The latter of the four was the most convential movie and in some ways a prototype for his fantastic Police Story series.
Ross takes a look at the remastered HKL R2 disc (released 12 Mar 07)
The Protector review - click here
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