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Hk cinema had a tendency to employ many people during a film production, but “The Swordsman” must be a unique case. King Hu, Ching Siu-Tung, Tsui Hark, Raymond Lee, Ann Hui and Andrew Kam are referred as directors and Wong Ying, Edward leung, Tai Foo-ho, Lam Kee-to, Lau Tai-muk and Kwan Man-leung as scriptwriters. Btw, this is not an omnibus, just a compact movie based on a novel by Louis Cha titled “The Smiling, Proud Wanderer”. Of course, there is a story here, since King Hu was originally credited as the director, but allegedly left the project midway, and the film was completed by a team led by producer Tsui Hark. Ann Hui was also part of the team, although uncredited, and since we tend to be completionists here at Amp, we decided to include “The Swordsman” in her project.

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A scene from Hong Kong action crime film Customs Frontline. Courtesy of Well Go USA Entertainment

In Customs Frontline, Hong Kong delivers plenty of high-octane, large-scale action in this subtitled contemporary cop adventure. The protagonists are the city’s harbor patrol, charged with stopping maritime smuggling. They learn a major international arms dealer that no one in law enforcement has ever seen may be routing heavy-duty weaponry through their waters. The case begins with their boarding an inbound ship with all its crew having been murdered. The retirement benefits for employees in that “industry” seem severely lacking. No union? No perks.

The harbor police teams with reps from Interpol in the pursuit. Our heroes are two guys leading the way. Cheung (Jacky Cheung) is the grizzled veteran. Lai (Nicholas Tse) is his adoring disciple. The story is complex, with scenes occurring in multiple countries, on land and sea, keeping lots of balls in the air,...

Ann Hui’s eclectic films are united by a consideration of the relationship between public and private worlds, of how the weight of history can be brought to bear on even the most intimate personal developments. The director’s beautiful 2002 drama July Rhapsody, now receiving its first stateside theatrical run courtesy of Cheng Cheng Films, both follows this thread and pulls it in a uniquely tender and thoughtful direction. Unlike much of her previous work, the histories excavated by the film are strictly personal, but they contribute to a far more wide-ranging treatise on the resonance of artistic expression across time and generations.

Another thread through Hui’s work is its kinship with Chinese literature, from the filmmaker’s three adaptations of Eileen Chang novels to last year’s Elegies, a documentary on Hong Kong poetry. That affinity is deeply felt in July Rhapsody, which follows a meek, middle-aged Chinese...

"In the fires of war, no one is a bystander." Well Go USA has revealed an international teaser trailer for a Hong Kong action thriller film called Customs Frontline, made by filmmaker Herman Yau. This recently premiered at the 2024 Far East Film Festival in Italy, and will open in China & Hk later in June. It's set to arrive in US theaters a few weeks later in July - for anyone who wants to catch this. Hong Kong customs officers discover an illegal weapons cache on a cargo ship and trace them back to an international conflict. Elite agents go undercover, and uncover a dangerous operation with roots closer to home. A container ship appears in Hong Kong waters and the customs officers board to inspect it. The team, which includes hotshot Chow Ching-lai soon discovers the crew dead and a huge pile of weapons, including an extremely valuable compass suitable for piloting a submarine.

Directed by Ann Hui and written by Ivy Ho, who actually won a number of awards for her work, “July Rhapsody” presents a portrait of middle life crisis, by additionally including a rather interesting back story that finds its parallels in the present.

July Rhapsody will be screening in Canada and the US starting May 11th, while it will be coming out on home video in September, courtesy of Cheng Cheng Films

Lam and Ching have been married for 20 years and have two sons. While their relationship is smooth, Lam feels that his friends, who have found financial success in the entertainment and business sectors, are more accomplished than him, and their belittling every time they meet does not help. Lam is a teacher of classic Chinese literature at an elite school, and is happy with his job actually, but there is an issue there too. A rather beautiful, smart,...

Synopsis

Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department's Chow Ching-Lai (Nicholas Tse) and his boss Cheung Yun-Nam (Jacky Cheung) are like mentor and disciple. In the process of investigating an arms smuggling case, the pair encounter violent attacks from overseas forces and are assigned to participate in a joint Interpol operation involving foreign arms trading. Ching-Lai is fearless and isn't afraid to put his life on the line to track down the truth, but the mystery he uncovers is more difficult for him to accept.

I was lucky to see the new restoration of July Rhapsody, an oft-forgotten 2002 drama that represents a murderer’s row of Hong Kong cinema: directed by Ann Hui (Boat People), scripted by Ivy Ho (Comrades: Almost a Love Story), and starring Jacky Cheung and, in her final performance, Anita Mui. There’s little reason for the film to toil in obscurity, making essential Cheng Cheng Films’ theatrical release this summer––July 19 at Film Forum, July 26 at LA’s Laemmle Theaters, and expanding elsewhere. Ahead of this, we’re pleased to exclusively debut the restoration’s trailer.

Here’s the synopsis: “Brimming with unspeakable serene beauty, July Rhapsody by Hong Kong director Ann Hui (A Simple Life) and scriptwriter Ivy Ho (Comrades Almost a Love Story) is a profound and soothing tale about how one paddles through life’s chaos as many seemingly eternal inspiration sources of times, like the Yangtze river,...

In 1987, Yoshiaki Kawajiri released one of the most seminal anime ever in “Wicked City,” a celebrated tale of the fragile existence between humans and demons, featuring a series of imaginative concepts to enhance a spectacular storyline. In 1992, Hong Kong filmmaker Tsui Hark brought about a live-action version of the film with the same general story but several key differences to make for a wholly intriguing remake.

Both “Wicked City” Titles are screening at Hong Kong Arts Centre, as part of the Late Night Series-Art X program

Working in a futuristic version of Hong Kong, agents Ken (Jacky Cheung) and Taki (Leon Lai) are among a team tasked with trying to keep order between humans and Rapters. The Rapters are a race of superpowered beings that live in harmony despite some outliers like Shudo (Roy Cheung) and Orchid (Carmen Lee) playing both sides against each other. After a series of incidents...

13 April 2024 (Saturday) @ Louis Koo Cinema, Hong Kong Arts Centre Individual tickets and ticket packages are available on Popticket

The Hong Kong Arts Centre (Hkac)'s signature programme, Late Night Series – Art X, with the theme of Japanese yokai this year, presents a journey with diverse arts and culture on 13 April, 2024 (Saturday). To complement the exhibition, Yokai Parade: Supernatural Monsters from Japan, at the Pao Galleries of the Hong Kong Arts Centre, moving image programme, Wicked Cities: Hong Kong x Tokyo, presents a double bill of the Japanese classic Ova (original video animation), Wicked City (1987), directed by animation master Kawajiri Yoshiaki; and another live-action adaptation of the titular novel, The Wicked City (1992), produced by legendary Hong Kong director, Tsui Hark, and directed by Hong Kong's multi-talented Peter Mak Tai-kit, who just passed away last year in 2023.

Following the screening of The Wicked City (1992), there will be an after-screening talk, Yokai in Urban Sci-fi,...

Hong Kong multihyphenate Andy Lau may just be ready to star in a Hollywood movie after long being a box office king and pop star in Asia. But only if the major studios will meet him on his terms.

“I’m ready for Hollywood, as long as Hollywood is ready for me,” Lau said during an informal conversation at the Toronto International Film Festival on Saturday after a more than four-decade career stopping short of following his contemporaries and heading to Hollywood.

In Toronto to receive a special tribute award ahead of the Sept. 15 world premiere of Ning Hao’s The Movie Emperor, Lau said he always enjoyed playing the bad guy in movies as a change of pace early in his career. “I don’t know why in the beginning, everyone saw me as the good guy,” he insisted.

Lau, who sits near the top of China’s A-list...

Tony Leung Chiu Wai is one of the most recognizable Asian actors in the world, chiefly through his collaborations with a number of master filmmakers, including Ang Lee, Hou Hsiao Hsien, John Woo and Wong Kar Wai. Leung, who also has a career as a pop singer, has been praised by audiences and critics for his ability to wonderfully portray a plethora of different roles, a skill stressed by the fact that he can fluently speak Cantonese, English and Spanish.

His career reached its apogee from the end of the 80s, and Leung never actually deteriorated, with the astonishing parts coming one of the other. It is by no surprise then, that this year, he was presented with the Venice Film Festival lifetime achievement award

1. A City of Sadness

The script depicts the experiences of the Lin family during the upheaval that occurred after 1945, when Japanese forces withdrew from Taiwan after 51 years,...

Jacky Cheung has been absent from the silver screen for a while now, with his last leading role coming in 2016 with “Heaven in the Dark” and his last action film coming a year before that with “Helios”. On the other hand, if there's one thing the late, great Benny Chan's swansong “Raging Fire” did, it rekindled Nicholas Tse's interest in action films. Both Cheung and Tse are back with action and will be seen in Herman Yau's upcoming “Customs Frontline”.

Plot details are still under wraps but the trailer promises an exciting narrative revolving around illegal arms smuggling that promises fists, guns and lots of explosives.

The stacked star-cast also includes Francis Ng, Karena Lam and Cya Liu. No official release date has been announced yet but it can be expected to release in the 2nd half of 2023.

In the year 2043, notorious crime boss General has been arrested and will be sentenced in seven days. With the presiding judge Yu Tin Hung known for being incorruptible, General has little hope of escaping the law – in the present day. Instead, General’s lackeys led by Kent (Ekin Cheng) time-travel back to 1993 when Yu Tin Hung was still in high school. Their plan is to brainwash teenaged Yu Tin Hung into releasing General 50 years later. Future cops Ti Man (Andy Lau), Broom Man (Jacky Cheung) and Ah Sing (Simon Yam) also go back in time with the mission of finding and protecting Yu Ting Hung.

Jet Li tries to steady Jackie Chan-inspired character Frankie Lone while filming a stunt. Screenshot: Accented Cinema Filmmaker Wong Jing, a prominent figure in the ‘80s and ‘90s Hong Kong cinema boom, worked with Jackie Chan on the 1993 live action adaptation of City Hunter. The movie was released and...

Much like the Prom Night series, or in martial arts cinema the later additions to the Police Story franchise, the Tiger Cage films don’t feature ongoing characters or tell linked stories. The only real tie is that they share cast members and are all martial arts cop movies directed by Yuen Woo-Ping.

The Films

Tiger Cage is about an anti-drug team in the Hong Kong Police force in which there may be corruption, with potentially several of the task force members working with and supplying dealers. Simon Yam plays the head of the unit, while Jacky Cheung, Carol ‘DoDo’ Cheng, Bryan Leung and Donnie Yen are among the detectives he commands. The tone is largely quite serious, and that’s the film’s main downfall, because it’s not something that Yuen Woo-Ping does especially well. In particular, he’s prone to letting his cast overact. They’re having fun,...

After working together in the live-action version of “City Hunter”, Jackie Chan and Wong Jing had a falling out in which Chan went on to disown the film as well as attack Wong through the press. In return Wong, had a go at Chan through this action comedy starring Jacky Cheung as a fraud who is a cowardly womanizing action star dressed in a yellow jumpsuit. In addition, he also had a field day spoofing just about most if not all of the Hollywood’s action films imaginable.

on Amazon

The film kicks off with a bunch of school kids trapped inside a bus with a time bomb ticking away, while Kit Li (Jet Li) is trying desperately to disarm it. Although he manages to cut the right wire, the bomb still goes off a few seconds later killing all the kids including his wife and son.

Hong Kong director Alan Mak has brought together award-winning actors Francis Ng (“Drifting”) and Aaron Kwok in new Hong Kong crime thriller “Insider,” 22-years after the two shared the big screen together.

Produced by Tenky Tin for Emperor Motion Picture, the film also stars Simon Yam and Niki Chow. A start of production ceremony took place on Monday, attended by Emp supremo Albert Yeung. Kwok also uploaded images to his Instagram account. International sales are yet to be announced.

Ng and Kwok last worked together in Gordon Chan-directed action thriller “2000 Ad” (2000).

In “Insider,” Ng plays a police officer, who rubs up against a lawyer played by Kwok. But the two later became friends and collaborators to fight against the antagonist. The filming will involve large amounts of action and gunfight scenes.

The announcement of the new production also marks what could be a sign of recovery of the local film industry,...

Veteran Hong Kong director Herman Yau has assembled a top-notch cast for “War Customised,” a high-octane action thriller that is one of the highest-profile commercial productions to emerge from the territory in the past couple of years.

The cast is headed by Jacky Cheung and Nicholas Tse, along with Karena Lam and Francis Ng.

The supporting cast includes Liu Yase (“Limbo”), Michelle Wai, Angus Yeung (“Raging Fire”), Melvin Wong (“Above the Law”), Ben Yuen, Amanda Strang (“Final Romance”), and Brahim Chab as the villain of the piece.

Production, now underway, is by Emperor Motion Pictures, with principal Albert Yeung named as producer. Emperor is also handling international rights licensing.

The “War Customised” screenplay is by Erica Li. Plot details have been withheld.

In addition to playing the lead, Tse will also act as the film’s action choreographer.

Yau is a veteran of the action, martial arts and comedy genres...

Further titles include Herman Yau’s War Customised and Alan Mak’s Insider.

Hong Kong’s Emperor Motion Pictures (Emp) has unveiled a slate of 12 upcoming films, including a sequel to Zhang Yimou’s box office hit Cliff Walkers and new all-star features from Herman Yau and Alan Mak.

It has also released the first images of Felix Chong’s The Goldfinger, which reunites Infernal Affairs stars Tony Leung and Andy Lau for the first time in nearly 20 years (see below).

The 12 titles, along with two projects in development, equate to an investment of $191.7m (Hk$1.5b), representing the company...

Filmmaking is an unpredictable commodity. You have the ingredients but never quite know how the end product will turn out. Take “Bullet for Hire”. Action movies were popular at the time so take two stars and throw in a bit of heroic bloodshed, a reliable supporting cast, and decent box office returns should follow. As for the quality of the film, well that’s an entirely different story. When all the ingredients were put in the blender the script might have been forgotten here.

on Amazon

Ngok (Lo Lieh) and Hon (Simon Yam) are professional hitmen under the service of Mr Dick (Dick Wei). Hon lives aware that the life of a hitman is short, whilst Ngok is more circumspect with age. Hon is assigned a new partner Shan (Jacky Cheung) a novice from the rural areas who had fought in Vietnam. This pairing struggle to gel...

A project by producer Tsui Hark and director King Hu and a story taken from the wuxia novel “Xiao Ao Jiang Hu” which roughly translates as “Smiling Proudly in the Martial World” written by Jin Yong (Louis Cha). Anyhow, be it creative differences or sickness, Hu left the production and it was the ensemble of Ching Siu Tung, Raymond Lee, Tsui Hark himself and Ann Hui (uncredited) working together as acting directors to finish the job. However, as seen in the opening credits, Hu was the only one listed as the original director nonetheless.

on Amazon

Although “Swordsman” has a plot which involves masses of characters, basically it’s about a happy-go-lucky young swordsman Ling Hu Chung (Sam Hu) from the Wah Mountain Clan who gets caught up in the pursuit of retaining a Sacred Scroll, wanted by numerous clans including his own greedy Master, Yue Bu...

When it comes to Hong Kong cinema, there is very little question about the international significance of the works, which, besides being artistic accomplishment, made worldwide audiences notice the level of quality within the cinematic landscape of the director’s home country. Starting with one of his first directorial efforts, the 1988 action-drama “As Tears Go By”, you notice the way the filmmaker weaved together a story of two brothers, about betrayal, loyalty and growing up, while also maintaining a unique audiovisual approach, influenced by the works of film noir as well as the diversity of Hong Kong and its citizens. The movie proved to be a formidable commercial success too, and remained Wong Kar-wai’s most lucrative feature until it was overtaken by “The Grandmaster”.

“As Tears Go By” Will Screen at Five Flavours Asian Film Festival

In the streets of Hong Kong, two brothers, Wah (Andy Lau) and Fly...

The title “Carry on Hotel” to an Englishman like myself brings back memories of the classic film series of the same name. These “Carry On” films were full of toilet humour and sexual innuendos and were considered icons of the British Film Industry. Hong Kong cinema equally has a frequent confrontation with the idea of taste; again toilet humour and obsession with sex are frequent features. Having experienced both of these styles over the years it would be inevitable that my interest would be piqued. So with curiosity (and a certain amount of trepidation) I decided to sit down and watch this and see if it lived up (or down) to my expectations.

Two adulterers attempt to make out only to find that their room is full of security cameras. As a pop group finds their television connected to the security feed they watch with interest as...

When it comes to Hong Kong cinema, there is very little question about the international significance of the works, which, besides being artistic accomplishment, made worldwide audiences notice the level of quality within the cinematic landscape of the director’s home country. Starting with one of his first directorial efforts, the 1988 action-drama “As Tears Go By”, you notice the way the filmmaker weaved together a story of two brothers, about betrayal, loyalty and growing up, while also maintaining a unique audiovisual approach, influenced by the works of film noir as well as the diversity of Hong Kong and its citizens. The movie proved to be a formidable commercial success too, and remained Wong Kar-wai’s most lucrative feature until it was overtaken by “The Grandmaster”.

In the streets of Hong Kong, two brothers, Wah (Andy Lau) and Fly (Jacky Cheung), try to make a living working for the mob.

Andy Lau is on the phone, alone in a crowded bar, shoulders to the camera, palms cupped on the handset. We’re halfway through Wong Kar-wai’s first film, As Tears Go By (1988), and his Wah, a small-time gangster, is trying to reach Ngor (Maggie Cheung), a cousin he once hosted in his flat but has long since lost touch with. There was undeniable attraction between the two, but neither was brave enough to act upon it: Ngor returned to Lantau island to help in the family's restaurant, and Wah resumed his duties in the underworld. She’s not around, a woman tells him on the other end; he hangs up, reaches for a cigarette.And this is when it happens. The bar goes quiet for a second or two, until a jukebox starts singing a Cantonese rendition of Berlin’s 1986 hit “Take My Breath Away”, which catapults Wah into a bus,...

The festival of Yulan (Eating Ghosts) is a perfect backdrop in which to set a Horror film. “The Haunted Cop Shop” is one such movie and brings the combination of slapstick horror that only Hong Kong Cinema seems to be able to consistently nail down.

On the eve of the Festival of Yulan, Sneaky Ming (Billy Lau) is brought in for questioning about a stolen crucifix. After being tricked by Man (Ricky Hui) and Kam (Jacky Cheung) he is placed in a cell only to be freed by ghosts who lure him into releasing the spirit of a long dead Japanese General. As things start to get out of hand, Man, Kam and their new boss Fanny Ho (Kitty Chan) find investigating spirits not easy to prove and increasingly more dangerous.

The paradox between modern culture and adherence to traditional ways has always made Hong Kong a fertile area for horror.

With early finales littering the schedule of late, we're going to offer other fun things to consider far off the beaten path.

From one-time concerts to streaming shows we think you need to see and a whole lot more, we're guiding the remainder of your Covid-19 quarantine time with a bunch of best bets.

And this is another reminder that this is a curated list and not a repeat of the TV Guide. Yes, there are a lot of other things to watch, but we're not pointing them out here. So, let's get started!

Dishing with Julia (PBS Streaming)

Let's start small. Well, if you consider the magic of Julia Child small. And if you do, you'll surely reconsider once you check out Dishing with Julia Child on PBS.

All six episodes of this delightful series are currently streaming on PBS through your local PBS affiliate.

So what is it?...

Global Citizen has announced a second round of artists for its “One World: Together At Home” global broadcast Saturday night, with Taylor Swift, Celine Dion, Shawn Mendes, Camila Cabello, Jennifer Lopez, Alicia Keys, Sam Smith, Usher and Pharrell Williams among the musicians newly set to join the telecast.

Other personalities coming on board include Oprah Winfrey, Ellen DeGeneres, Awkwafina, Amy Poehler, LL Cool J, Lupita Nyong’o, Matthew McConaughey and Victoria Beckham.

That’s just the beginning of the volume of names included in the announcement, as Global Citizen has also set a a six-hour streaming event to precede the televised two-hour special, with about 80 singers and actors taking part in that. Among the high-profile artists participating in the live-stream pre-telecast are John Legend, Jennifer Hudson, Sheryl Crow, Luis Fonsi, the Killers, Lang Lang, Lady Antebellum, Charlie Puth, Ben Platt, Hozier, Jack Johnson, Juanes, Maren Morris, Michael Buble, Adam Lambert, Annie Lennox and Common.

In the late 1980’s into the early 90’s, the short lived D&b Films made a series of kinetic action movies that caught the attention of fans of the genre globally. As Hong Kong action cinema gravitated to a more modern style, the mixture of martial arts and gunplay these films displayed were far in advance of anything the west was producing.

An anti drug squad headed by Brother Lung (Leung Kar Yan) succeeds in taking out most of a drug syndicate in an explosive shoot out and only narrowly failing to capture the main trafficker Swatow Hung (Wong Lung Wei). Lung is about to retire and marry fellow cop Shirley Ho (Carol Cheng). After a party attended by friends and teammates, Fan Chun-yau (Jackie Cheung), Terry (Donnie Yen), and Uncle Tat (Ng Man-tat), Lung is killed by Hung outside his house. Seeking revenge, the rest of...

“Bullet in the Head” is a 1990 action drama directed by John Woo. Originally planned as a prequel to the successful “A Better Tomorrow” film, the movie became a stand-alone story after Woo’s falling out with his long-time collaborator Tsui Hark (who went on to make his own “A Better Tomorrow III: Love and Death in Saigon”). Does “Bullet in the Head” live up to being “John Woo’s most emotionally powerful film?” Let’s find out together.

The movie tells the story of three friends: Ben (Tony Leung Chiu-wai), Frank (Jacky Cheung), and Paul (Waise Lee), who regularly brawl with gang members in Hong Kong during the 1960s. Unfortunately, Frank accidentally kills one of the mobsters and the friends decide to flee Hong Kong. They go to Saigon, in order to work as smugglers in the ravaged by war Vietnam. However, things do not go as...

Camera Japan Festival has just announced this year’s full programme. The festival will be held in Rotterdam (LantarenVenster & Worm) from the 25th to the 29th of September, before moving to Kriterion in Amsterdam (from the 3rd to the 6th of October). Besides offering a rich variety of Japanese films, the festival also includes several cultural and culinary workshops, two photo exhibitions, a Camera Japan quiz and the yearly film brunch.

Film programme Camera Japan

The 14th edition of the Camera Japan Festival will open with the international premiere of “Little Miss Period” by Shinada Shunsuke. Other highlights of the 2019 selection are “Vision”, by the renowned filmmaker Kawase Naomi, “Jam” by Sabu and Melancholic, the prize-winning debut of Tanaka Seiji. The programme also includes a special screening of the classic 1932 silent film “I Was Born But…” by Ozu Yasujiro, which will be accompanied by a Live soundtrack. Anime fans can...

“Hot Summer Days” is the first Chinese-language film produced by 20th Century Fox in its then seventy-five-year history. Packed with stars hailing from Hong Kong, Mainland China, and Taiwan, it’s the kind of ensemble romantic comedy that American audiences have been eating up for decades. Nevertheless, this Chinese take on the genre possesses just enough redeeming qualities to elevate it—albeit only slightly— above the pack of formulaic rom coms churned out by movie studios around the world. Gorgeously shot with several excellent performances, “Hot Summer Days” is a date movie of epic proportions, as we’re treated to a whole stable of good-looking actors— often glistening with sweat—as they try to find love in the sweltering heat of summer.

In Hong Kong, we meet Wai (Nicholas Tse), whose air conditioning repair shop is experiencing a much-needed boom in business during the oppressive heat wave.

Disney’s The Lion King will take pride of place this weekend in China where it’s bowing ahead of the rest of the world. With anticipation and a clear runway for the opening, the CGI/live-action adaptation of the 1994 classic is poised for a $50 million-$60 million three-day bow, per industry projections. The Middle Kingdom debut could notch higher, depending on where the social scores land.

Previews began tonight local time with about $500,000. As this isn’t seen as a front-loaded picture, the numbers are not indicative of the full frame which is likely to skew to families. Again, a lot depends on word of mouth.

The original Lion King (which has a 9 on reviews aggregator Douban) was the highest-grossing animated film for some years in the Middle Kingdom, having made just $5M through its run. There is high awareness for the upcoming title and reaction to the trailers has been positive.

Exclusive: Chinese property developer Js Group is launching an La-based movie investment business and looking to follow in the footsteps of Chinese peer Starlight Media, backers of Chadwick Boseman drama Marshall.

The property developer and asset management firm, which has offices in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Malaysia and Melbourne, plans to open an La office in Beverly Hills this year which will have a focus on film, real estate and wine.

Details are thin on the ground but the firm has made it clear that it wants to replicate the model of property developer turned film financier Starlight, which has made film investments and backed individuals via development funds, by “signing major directors to create new intellectual property.”

Starlight operates under the leadership of CEO Peter Luo, and has struck deals with Aquaman director James Wan, F. Gary Gray, Roland Emmerich and Jon M. Chu, and also backed Thurgood Marshall biopic Marshall.

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching. So, for all you lovebirds out there who just want a staycation date, grab a bowl of popcorn and watch these Asian romantic comedies this weekend that will give you all the feels.

Secret (2007)

Secret stars Jay Chou as piano major student Ye Xianglu and Gwei Lun-mei as time traveling heroine Lu Xiaoyu.

My Girlfriend is a Cyborg aka Cyborg She (2008)

Kwak Jae-yong, director of My Sassy Girl, had a comeback in this mix of romance, comedy, and science fiction. My Girlfriend is a Cyborg stars Keisuke Koide as Jiro Kitamura, a lonely man from Tokyo, while Haruka Ayase plays the Cyborg he falls in love with. The Cyborg was created by an older Jiro after a girl he met in his past and sent her to the past to protect him after a devastating earthquake in Tokyo.

What Women Want (2011)

What Women Want...

Exclusive: Hong Kong Film Awards-nominated drama stars Karena Lam and Jacky Cheung.

Hong Kong’s Emperor Motion Pictures (Emp) is launching sales on sexual harrassment drama Heaven In The Dark, starring Karena Lam and Jacky Cheung.

Adapted from the play French Kiss by Candace Chong, the film tells the story of a woman who shares a kiss with a pastor and then files sexual harrassment charges against him. The pastor ends up losing his faith as a consequence of her actions, while the woman tries to find salvation in religion.

The film, which is scheduled for a Hong Kong release on March 24, marks the directorial debut of Lam’s husband Yuen Kim-wai, an established commercials and music video director.

Although not yet released, the film has already picked up best actress (Lam) and best actor (Cheung) nominations at this year’s Hong Kong Film Awards, which take place on April 3. It has also been selected as the...

Hong Kong director Wong Jing has teamed up with Chow Yun Fat, Andy Lau and Charles Heung from the original God Of Gamblers movies for the latest film in his popular From Vegas To Macau franchise. Jacky Cheung, Nick Cheung and Carina Lau are also part of the all-star cast.Thanks to Australian distributor Magnum Films, we have Five double passes for the film to give away to our readers. For a chance to win, all you have to do is to follow these two steps:1) Like the Magnum Film Facebook page, and2) Email your name and postal address to me at: hugo[at]twitchfilm.netFrom Vegas To Macau 3 will open in Australian cinemas on February 5, and this competition will close at 3pm on February 4. -- Good...

[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...

Everything is set for the return of an all-star cast with the release of the third installment of the action-comedy film ‘From Vegas to Macau III’ next week. Fans will once again see Chow Yun-fat, Nick Cheung, Carina Lau, and other Hong Kong superstars reunited on the big screen with the return of the hit movie.

‘From Vegas to Macau’ will not only reunite the brightest stars from Hong Kong, but also long-time film collaborators Andrew Lau and Wong Jing who have acted either as producers, directors, or writers for the three movie installments. Nick Cheung and Carina Lau will also reprise their roles as Mark and Molly respectively.

South Korean popstar Psy is set to make a special cameo as seen from the film’s teaser trailer via Youtube. His wacky and surprising appearance on the film will surely delight many film and music fans.

Andy Lau will make an appearance as Michael Chan,...

Hong Kong-based Celestial Tiger Entertainment (Cte) has renewed its exclusive, multi-year output deals with Hong Kong studios Emperor Motion Pictures (Emp), Mega-Vision Project Workshop (Mvpw) and Universe Entertainment.

Under the terms of the deals, Cte has secured first and exclusive pay-tv rights, as well as pay-per-view (PPV), video-on-demand (VOD) and over-the-top (Ott) rights, to each studio’s upcoming slate of movies for Cte’s Celestial Movies channel in Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia.

Upcoming Emp productions include Heaven In The Dark, a drama reuniting Jacky Cheung and Karena Lam who both starred in July Rhapsody in 2002; Fruit Chan’s suspense thriller Kill Time, starring Ethan Ruan and Angelababy; and The Mobfathers, starring Anthony Wong and Chapman To.

Mvpw’s slate includes the third installment of blockbuster franchise From Vegas To Macau, which will star Andy Lau in addition to Chow Yun Fat and Nick Cheung. Mvpw is also in pre-production on The Invincible 12, which marks the 100th film from...

When it comes to making features like this one, i love the idea of coming up with my own personal “100 Great Kung Fu Movies” of all time. It is tough choosing just 100 because you know there are many more great Kung Fu movies that are not on the list.

I have decided that to make the list, a movie must have a few hand to hand moments during fight scenes in the movies chosen. If for example its mainly sword play with one fight scene hand to hand it won’t make the list. Its old school “style” Kung Fu movies, not modern day settings.

I understand everyone will have their own personal favorites and some may not agree with my list and that’s fine because it’s nice to have different opinions on this genre which keeps it fresh and alive when having good debates.

Anyway, thank you...

Helios is the new film from Sunny Luk and Longmond Leung, the directing duo behind Cold War (Aaron Kwok, Tony Leung Ka Fai), which was the top grossing local film at the Hong Kong box office in 2012. It is a high-octane thriller that stars Jacky Cheung and Nick Cheung, and has a support cast that includes actors from Hong Kong, China and Korea. Thanks to its distributor Magnum Films, we have Five double passes to give away to our readers. For a chance to win, all you have to do is to follow these two steps: 1) Like the Magnum Film Facebook page, and 2) Email your name and postal address to me at: hugo[at]twitchfilm.net Helios will open in Australian cinemas on April 30,...

[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...

Cast:

Jacky Cheung

Nick Cheung

Chang Chen

Shawn Yue

Wang Xueqi

Helios is the upcoming movie directed by Leung Lok-Man/Sunny Luk and stars Jacky Cheung, Nick Cheung and Chang Chen. Helios is a Action/Thriller about a wanted criminal who has weapons of mass destruction.

The action choreographer for the movie is veteran Chin Kar Lok, who has worked on many movies over the years (In-front and behind the camera), such as Millionaire’s Express, Dragons Forever, Eastern Condors, Operation Scorpio and many more. Helios has a Hk$200 million budget and is being released by many companies, one being Media Asia Films.

Plot:

Number one wanted criminal “Helios” (Chang Chen) and his assistant (Janice Man) stole a quantity of uranium and plan to produce weapons of mass destruction. They are planning to trade with a terrorist organization in Hong Kong. Chief Inspector Lee Yin-ming (Nick Cheung) and Inspector Fan...

Yuen Biao is one of the greatest screen performers of all time. He exploded onto our screens when Sammo Hung cast him in the amazing movie Knockabout and he has never looked back since.

This list will be familiar with most fans around the world, but this list is also for people who are new to this genre and want to check out some great flicks. I have added a few movies, which are a bit low budget but does contain some nice action.

I know there are still many Yuen Biao movies i could have named in this list, some i shall give a mention to at the bottom of the feature. So i hope you like the movies i have listed, if your new to Yuen Biao please check out some of these great flicks.

1.Dreadnaught (1981)

Directed By: Yuen Woo Ping

Cast: Kwan Tak Hing, Leung Kar Yan,...

First of all, we would like to say Happy New Year to all our readers at Asian Movie Pulse. many thanks for the years of continuous support and we hope 2015 is a great year for you all.

This is part 1 for upcoming movies in 2015 to watch out for, if you feel a movie deserves to make part 2, please comment at bottom of the page.

Dragon Blade

Cast: Jackie Chan, Adrien Brody, John Cusack, Choi Siwon, Lin Peng

Director: Daniel Lee

The Bodyguard

Cast: Sammo Hung, Andy Lau, Deng Chao, Wang Xuebing, Tian Liang

Director: Sammo Hung

Sha Po Lang 2

Cast: Tony Jaa, Wu Jing, Simon Yam, Zhang Jin, Louis Koo

Director: Cheang Pou-soi

The Challenge Letter

Cast: Robert Chen, Nobuaki Shimamoto, Ingrid Yin Hu

Director: Robert Chen, Nathan Colquhoun

Skintrade

Cast: Tony Jaa, Dolph Lundgren, Michael Jai White, Ron Perlman

Director: Ekachai Uekrongtham

Detective K: Secret of the Lost Island

Cast: Kim Myung Min,...

Media Asia Films has signed a deal with South Korea’s Jong Film to remake Johnnie To’s Drug War into a Korean-language feature.

The Hong Kong-based studio has also sold Korean rights to action thriller Helios to Pan Cinema, following a bidding war among Korean buyers.

Released in Hong Kong and China in 2012, Drug War tells the story of a drug cartel boss who is arrested in a raid and coerced into betraying his former accomplices in an undercover operation. Louis Koo and Sun Honglei head the cast.

Media Asia is also in talks to sell the English-language remake rights to Drug War, and expects to close a deal soon.

Co-directed by Sunny Luk and Longman Leung (Cold War), Helios revolves around a criminal who uses uranium stolen from Korea to make a nuclear bomb, which is scheduled to change hands in Hong Kong. The cast includes Hong Kong’s Jacky Cheung and Nick Cheung and Korea...

Media Asia Films has signed a deal with South Korea’s Jong Film to remake Johnnie To’s Drug War into a Korean-language feature.

The Hong Kong-based studio has also sold Korean rights to action thriller Helios to Pan Cinema, following a bidding war among Korean buyers.

Released in Hong Kong and China in 2012, Drug War tells the story of a drug cartel boss who is arrested in a raid and coerced into betraying his former accomplices in an undercover operation. Louis Koo and Sun Honglei head the cast.

Media Asia is also in talks to sell the English-language remake rights to Drug War, and expects to close a deal soon.

Co-directed by Sunny Luk and Longman Leung (Cold War), Helios revolves around a criminal who uses uranium stolen from Korea to make a nuclear bomb, which is scheduled to change hands in Hong Kong. The cast includes Hong Kong’s Jacky Cheung and Nick Cheung and Korea...

Hong Kong’s Media Asia has sold Johnnie To’s romantic comedy Don’t Go Breaking My Heart 2 to Magnum Films for North America.

Starring Louis Koo, Miriam Yeung and Gao Yuanyuan, the film is a sequel to To’s 2011 hit Don’t Go Breaking My Heart. Magnum also picked up two other Media Asia titles as part of a package – To’s Romancing In Thin Air and Gary Mak’s Sdu: Sex Duties Unit.

Media Asia has also sold animated feature Monkey King Reloaded to Turkey’s Saran Media and Myanmar’s Golden Yellow Tree, which also acquired action thriller Helios.

Directed by Sunny Lok and Longman Leung, Helios stars a pan-Asian cast including Jacky Cheung, Nick Cheng and Korea’s Ji Jin-hee and Choi Si-won. Media Asia has already received several offers from Korea for the film and expects to close a deal during Cannes.

Edko Films will be launching sales on Cheuk Wan Chi’s Temporary Family, a romantic comedy starring Nick Cheung, Sammi Cheng and Angelababy, at the upcoming Filmart content market in Hong Kong.

Produced by Hong Kong’s Irresistible Films, the film takes a sly dig at Hong Kong’s over-heated property market, through the story of a real estate agent and three investors in a luxury penthouse apartment who end up living together in the property when their plans to make a fast profit go awry.

Cheung plays the agent while Cheng plays a recent divorcee in need of a new place to live and Angelababy plays the agent’s stepdaughter. The cast also includes Oho Ou as a mainland rich kid. The young singer became an idol in China after appearing on a Hunan satellite TV talent show.

The film will also feature cameos from actors and directors such as Jacky Cheung, Ivana Wong and [link...

Like millions of you around the world, i love Kung Fu movies. It is the only real genre that keeps me going back for more and that is why i will always love Kung Fu movies.

I know many of you have probably seen many of the movies i will post about, but this is also for anyone new to the genre of Kung Fu and even Swordplay and looking for other movies to enjoy. I hope you enjoy the movies i have listed and please feel free to comment about any of the movies.

36th Chamber Of Shaolin (1978)

Studio: Shaw Brothers

Director: Lau Kar Leung

Cast: Gordon Liu, Lau Kar Wing, Lo Lieh, Wilson Tong, Lee Hoi San

Action Director(s): Lau Kar Leung

Invincible Armour (1977)

Studio: Lai Wah Film Company

Director: Ng See Yuen

Cast:John Liu, Hwang Jang Lee, Philip Ko, Tino Wong, Yuen Biao

Action Director(s): Corey Yuen,...

As one monthly theme begins, another ends. The former is, of course, Sound on Sight’s monthlong dedication to all films that scare, terrify, or spook us in conjunction with October being the scariest month of the year. (That’s a scientific fact, folks.) The latter is our look at the works of Wong Kar-Wai, inspired by his latest film, The Grandmaster. Though September’s just now ended, a handful of your intrepid Sound on Sight contributors, as well as our benevolent editor-in-chief/overlord, came together to vote on Wong Kar-Wai’s best films, his worst, and everything in between. What follows are capsule reviews of each of his films, listed in order based on the Sound on Sight’s staffwide vote. What’s our favorite Wong Kar-Wai film? Well, read on through the entire list, and you’ll find out. Enjoy!

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10. My Blueberry Nights

Stylistically at odds with itself,...