| DVD Review - Ping Pong |
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Unfortunately labelled as Japan's answer to Shaolin Soccer, this subtle and engaging drama sees a boyhood friends confront their demons in the crazy world of competitive Ping Pong.
This review is for the Panorama Region 3 (NTSC) DVD, as the Region 2 release from ICA is a disgrace!
Ping Pong DVD Review - click here
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| Kung Fu Hustle Hits UK Screens! (review to follow shortly)... |
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This Friday, Stephen Chow's madcap Kung Fu Hustle goes on general release in the UK. Fortunately Miramax are not distributing this one, but rather Sony pictures. You can expect a subtitled and uncut version rather than the normal Mira'Axe' offering!
Set in 1940s Shanghai, Chow's kung fu comedy features choreography from Sammo Hung and Yuen Woo Ping combined with a hilarious blend of slapstick and CGI. It decimated all competition at the HK box office last year (biggest ever film @ HK $60m) and dominated the HK Film Awards as well!
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| Tai Seng UK Preview - Running Out of Time |
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The major title coming from the Tai Seng label this Summer will be Johnnie To's Running Out of Time. In many ways a forerunner for the Infernal Affairs series, this late nineties production gives a fine lesson in delivering thrills without the usual addiction to guns and explosions.
Running Out of Time review - click here
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| Site Update - Top 10 |
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A new batch of favourite actors / films and fights have been added to the Top 10 section for Hong Kong Cinema
Top 10 Stars - click here
Top 10 Films - click here
Top 10 Fights - click here
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| News - Tai Seng UK launch website |
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New UK label Tai Seng have now launched a UK website for news on:
- New Releases
- News on invite only screenings and other events
- Trailers
Tai Seng UK - click here
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| Interview - Simon Loui |
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Prolific Hong Kong performer Simon Loui gave Hong Kong Cinema an interview to celebrate the launch of his 2004 comedy Escape from Hong Kong Island. Simon's directorial debut proved to be a stylish and alternative production featuring regular screen buddy and Hong Kong hard-man Jordan Chan
Hong Kong Cinema Interview with Simon Loui - click here
Escape from Hong Kong Island review - click here
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| Release News - Tai Seng new releases |
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| Release News - Project A Box-Set |
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13th June will see Hong Kong Legends releasing an action-packed box set containing two of Jackie Chan's most celebrated works. The Project A series follows the adventures of Dragon Ma, a 19th Century Coastguard who battles against pirates and pretty much any authority figure who crosses his path.
The three-disc box set will include restored anamorphic widescreen prints, DD5.1, dual language options (both subbed and dubbed) with a host of extras on both movies!!!
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| Release News - Artsmagic |
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Artsmagic have revised their US release schedule
May: Another Lonely Hitman
June: Embalming
July: The Fire Within
August: Wild Life
September: Mobsters Confessions
October: The Guard From The Underground
November: An Obsession
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| DVD Review - Fighter in the Wind |
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Korea has produced some of the most exciting films to hit the world stage in recent years. This work by director Yang Yun-ho is no exception. Fighter in the Wind tracks the real-life story of Choi Bae-Dal, a modern hero in the world of Japanese martial arts.
Fighter in the Wind is available on 30 May 2005 under the Optimum Asia label
Fighter in the Wind Review - click here
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| DVD Review - Drunken Master 3 |
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After falling out with Jackie Chan on the set of Drunken Master 2, Lau Kar Leung decided to launch straight into the third installment in the much-esteemed series. Boasting an exceptional cast, the only question mark is over whether newbie Willie Chi can fill the boots of the Drunken Master?
Drunken Master 3 is now available in the UK under the Optimum Asia label
Drunken Master 3 Review - click here
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| DVD Review - Drunken Master |
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In 1978, Jackie Chan become king of Hong Kong box office with his consecutive hits Snake in the Eagle's Shadow and Drunken Master. Under the tutelage of Yuen Woo Ping, this film propelled him into three decades of box office dominance.
Read our review of the Hong Kong Legends DVD by reviewer Matt Brown
Drunken Master Review - click here
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| DVD Review - My Young Auntie |
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The living legend Lau Kar Leung directs and stars in this clash of cultures kung fu comedy. Featuring the acrobatics and grace of Hsiao Ho and Kara Hui, this work came during the final years of the great Shaw Brothers studio. The Region 3 IVL disc beautifully restores the film to all its former glory.
My Young Auntie is available as a Region 3 import DVD from IVL (Hong Kong)
My Young Auntie Review - click here
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| News - Upcoming DVD and Film Releases |
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Ong-Bak - The Muay Thai fightfest will have a limited general release on 13th May in the UK. This all-action film stars Tong Jaa, which features full on combat without wires or CGI. It took four years to complete and was the highest grossing Thai film on 2003, plus taking $4.5m at the US box office this year.
To view the trailer - click here
To go to Ong-Bak website (inc cinema info) - click here
Other Box Office Highlights:
6th June - Steamboy
10th June - Kung Fu Hustle
10th June - Unleashed
16th September - Ghost in a Shell 2: Innocence
Hong Kong Legends have announced the releases of Millionaire's Express on 16th May - Sammo Hung and Yuen Biao star in this madcap adventure
Shaw Brothers classics, Magnificent Trio, Human Lanterns and Death Duel will be released by the Momentum Asia on 23rd May
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| DVD Review - Fight Back to School |
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Stephen Chow smashed Hong Kong box office records in 1991 with this mad-cap 'Fight Back to School' comedy. Served at a manic pace, this still remains one of Chow's most loved works. Produced by Wong Jing and directed by Gordon Chan.
Fight Back to School Review - click here
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| Competition - City on Fire Collector's Edition! |
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Contender Entertainment have announced the UK DVD release for Ringo Lam's classic City on Fire - 25 April 05. The inspiration behind Quentin Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs, this bullet-packed thriller stars Chow Yun Fat, Danny Lee and Carrie Ng.
The Collector's Edition Disc will feature interviews with Andrew Lau and Roy Cheung, along with the Bey Logan commentary, dual language format and remastered print.
Competition to win one of five copies! - click here
Trailers: Windows - 30k - 100k - 300k Real Time - 30k - 100k - 300k
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| New Edition of Vengeance Now Available (Vol 2. No.3) |
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Vengeance is back with a whole new look and things will never be the same again... Are you an unshockable 'X-Treme' movie addict? If so get ready to discover films and celebrities beyond your wildest imagination; prepare to visit the dark side of your scariest nightmares; but most importantly buckle up for the full throttle ride of your life!
Skull crushing, ball busting martial arts; ballistic bad-ass action; hardcore horror guts and gore; cool classic cult exploitation; wild weird and wacky B-movies; and mind numbing red hot erotica! What more could you ask for...
Visit the official website of Vengeance - The X-Treme Movie Magazine for further information now!!! www.vengeancemagazine.co.uk
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| Vengeance - Daniel Wu Interview |
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For those who enjoyed my interview with Daniel Wu this year. Vengeance contains the full interview, including him talking about his career to date and plans for the future. Also in Vengeance are my articles on Jet Li's Unleashed and the Shaw Brothers releases by Momentum Asia
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| DVD Review - Escape from Hong Kong Island (Tai Seng UK) |
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Tai Seng are soon to release 2004's Escape from Hong Kong Island. This quirky caper features an unfamiliar lead for Jordan Chan and marks a promising directorial debut for horror maestro Simon Loui.
Escape from Hong Kong Island Review - click here
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| DVD Review - Another Lonely Hitman (Artsmagic) |
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We've managed to review the latest Yakuza film from the increasingly impressive Artsmagic label. Director Rokuro Mochizuki delivers and bleak and powerful message in 1995's Another Lonely Hitman (release date May 2005)
Another Lonely Hitman Review - click here
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| Competition Winners - The Ring |
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Congratulations to the winners of the Ring Competition. All three lucky winners will be receiving a Collector's Edition DVD of The Ring.
Winners: Nga from London, Annette from Norwich and Emma from London
Bad luck to all other entrants, but keep an eye out for forthcoming releases!
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| More news on The Ring - Collector's Edition |
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| New Releases - Month of April! |
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Tai Seng will be releasing Simon Loui's Escape from Hong Kong Island
HKL will be releasing Duel to the Death and City on Fire (the inspiration behind QT's Reservoir Dogs)
Momentum's next three Shaw Brothers releases are Death Duel, Human Lanterns and Magnificent Trio
Finally, Wong Kar Wai's critically acclaimed 2046 gets a release from Tartan
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| Hard Boiled Winners |
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Congratulations to Marci, Levi and David for winning copies of the recent Prism release of Hard Boiled
As most people correctly guessed, John Woo directed Mission Impossible 2 and Chow Yun Fat starred in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Keep an eye on the site for future competitions!
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For old news - please visit the NEWS ARCHIVE
Jan - March 2005
April - December 2004 January - March - 2004
July - December - 2003
April - June - 2003
January - March 2003
October - December 2002
July - September 2002
April - June 2002
January - March 2002
October - December 2001 |
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All the content on this site may not be reproduced or borrowed without the owner's permission
If any of the images on this site are considered in breach of copyright please email us and we shall investigate.
For further queries email: webmaster@hkcinema.co.uk |
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