cityonfire.com | Movie News & Developments |
- Dirty Tiger, Crazy Frog (1978) Review
- Friend 2: The Legacy | DVD (Inception Media)
- The lead star of Stephen Fung’s ‘Kickboxer’ remake speaks out!
- Hot new Asian titles streaming on Netflix
| Dirty Tiger, Crazy Frog (1978) Review Posted: 19 Jun 2014 12:49 AM PDT  "Dirty Tiger, Crazy Frog" Chinese DVD Cover Director: Karl Maka By Matthew Le-feuvre It is no secret that portly legend, Sammo Hung has maintained a keen interest – even a preoccupation – with historical Chinese figures, particularly Leung Yee Tai, Leung Jan, Wong Fei Hung and recently, Yip Man: not solely for their distinct and revered fighting methodologies; but, in addition to character traits commonly inherent often expressing morality, a patriotic code as well a high degree of social upstanding. It was these attributes which prompted Hung too ask questions, to explore what cultivated the inner motivations of a hero (or an anti-hero for that matter); an integral facet he noticed was constantly absent from the Hong Kong film industry as opposed to exacting vengeance on a scale so enormous, believability was abandoned while empathetic audiences cheered loudly at what imagery they viewed without really understanding the core objective or the reasons for their collective enthusiasm. Hung, like Bruce Lee, hoped to change this perspective. Although it took many years to accomplish, Hung’s eventual desire for flexibility first surfaced in his directorial debut, The Iron Fisted Monk (1977) where drama (or comedy) and graphic violence seemingly walked hand-in-hand, thus the ‘vengeance’ elements were reduced to a secondary (script) unit; a template he was able too replicate time and again for future successes, such as Warriors Two and The Prodigal Son, twin examples of excellent character development in unison with the accurate depiction of Wing Chun Kung Fu. However, Hung wasn’t just interested in acting, choreography or direction; he was also a pivotal influence in cross-breeding genres: something he easily acclimatized too even if the layman didn’t originally grasp the nature of his cinematic cocktail, blending slapstick comedy with balletic kung fu arrangements and/or fantasy horror. Both, by definition, became the backbone of his repertoire throughout a decade which was slowly waning in terms of box office appeal. Ironically, the cause; in part, was still due to Bruce Lee’s death. Despite this ripple effect, Hung forged much of his best work during the late 70′s/early 80′s, before a recession collapse: in this instance it was Dirty Tiger, Crazy Frog – an underrated cult oddity which initially saw the triumvirate talents of Hung, Lau kar Wing and actor/director, Karl Maka amalgamating dynamism under their own ‘Gar-Bo’ motion picture standard for an inventive, wacky co-production written by Eric Tsang (Blockhead from the Lucky Stars series), who himself would become an important tour-de-force producer/film-maker after toiling for many years as an unlikely, yet efficient, stuntman. Indeed, a radical departure from playing formulaic minor supports (Hapkido) or obnoxious villains (Shaolin Plot), Hung stars opposite Wing as the second [of] titular character. Ostensibly, he was more than happy to be a celluloid victim, counterbalancing Wing’s laconic and devious bounty hunter, Tiger – who from the outset is hired by Frog’s elderly domineering spouse to recapture her toyboy husband after he deliberately absconds (to live a lucrative lifestyle) with a priceless heirloom – the invincible armour. Basically, a chain-mail vest designed to withstand blades and spears. Once the two main protagonist are introduced via a sequence of hilarious set pieces, the madcap premise divertingly focuses on the invincible armour, which itself transforms from being a superficial accoutrement into as much a screen fixture as Tiger and Frog’s inimical relationship or Hung’s trademark self mockery – notably in reference to his weight. Soon everyone from opportunists to lowly criminals (the obligatory Dean Shek in brain damaged overdrive ) desire the armour for their own agenda – including a con woman (Meg Lam) with detachable limbs that has to be seen for pure entertainment value – until the real antagonist, White Crab (Li Hoi San), intercedes ownership of the armour with intentions of subjugating the martial arts world. This scenario forces an uneasy alliance between Tiger and Frog, each creating tactics to disarm Crab of his prized possession… Who will win?! In spite of harsh criticism, both locally and internationally: Dirty Tiger, Crazy Frog was at the time, a picture that surprisingly took the mickey out of the whole martial arts genre; an alternative angle Maka personally liked to dally around with, especially being NYU educated. His favoured motifs was to parody the contrasts between each characters’ situations in such an opaque manner, the end results always looked refreshing and original even though Maka was directly inspired by western paradigms, not generally recognized nor understood in the east, which is probably why much of his work often appears out of place from the traditional mindset. Nevertheless, ‘bravado’ – an ingredient Chinese audiences were more attuned to in the 70′s, had no relative importance throughout Maka’s sustained idiosyncratic career. It was all about ‘banter’ before ‘brawling’: a nonconformist attitude that attracted both Wing and Hung in consequence to a steady workload of blood, gore and protracted fight choreography. Verdict: Unlike its follow-up successor The Odd Couple (1979), a weapons-laden masterpiece pre-dating Liu Chia Liang’s Legendary Weapons of Kung Fu (1983): Dirty Tiger, Crazy Frog is a highly imaginative distraction conglomerating Laurel & Hardy-type humour with Three Stooges-influenced physicality. Matthew Le-feuvre’s Rating: 8/10 |
| Friend 2: The Legacy | DVD (Inception Media) Posted: 19 Jun 2014 12:00 AM PDT  "Friend 2" Korean Theatrical Poster RELEASE DATE: September 16, 2014 Inception Media presents the DVD for Friend 2: The Legacy. Directed by Kwak Kyung-taek, Friend 2 (aka Chingu 2) is an upcoming South Korean film about three generations of gangsters, starring Yu Oh-seong (Friend), Joo Jin-mo (A Better Tomorrow) and Kim Woo-bin (Runway Cop). It’s the sequel to the 2001 box-office hit Friend, which was also directed by Kwak Kyung-taek. Watch the trailer for Friend 2: The Legacy with english subtitles. Pre-order Friend 2: The Legacy from Amazon.com today! |
| The lead star of Stephen Fung’s ‘Kickboxer’ remake speaks out! Posted: 18 Jun 2014 07:30 AM PDT  "Kickboxer" Japanese DVD Cover Radar Pictures is rebooting 1990′s Kickboxer with Hong Kong action director Stephen Fung (Tai Chi Zero) at the helm. The original - which starred Jean-Claude Van Damme and Michel Qissi - was directed by Mark DiSalle (The Perfect Weapon) and David Worth (Lady Dragon). The Kickboxer reboot is being written by Jim McGrath (1990′s Elvis TV series) and Dimitri Logothetis (Wings of the Dragon). Casting is currently underway with a 2014 production start. Kickboxer isn’t the only Van Damme film that is in the process of being remade. Remakes for both Bloodsport and Timecop are currently in development. Update: In a recent interview with Timeout.com.hk (via M.A.A.C.), Stephen Fung has spilled some details about his upcoming Kickboxer remake. The script for the remake is complete and casting should commence shortly. Much like the Van Damme original, Fung’s movie will be called Kickboxer, be shot in English, and take place in Thailand. If you’re holding your breath for a Van Damme cameo… you may be in luck (when asked about a Van Damme cameo, Fung replied: “Maybe… nothing is confirmed just quite yet.”). Fung also seems to be interested in finding some Hollywood investors, and he promises that the film will boast more of a gritty tone than his previous work, the “family-friendly” (in his words) Tai Chi Hero. THR reports that Alain Moussi (see his photo) will be starring in Stephen Fung’s Kickboxer remake. Moussi is known for his stunt work in films like Immortals and Pacific Rim. Kickboxer marks the first time he will be starring in his own film. In addition, WWE star Dave Bautista (The Man with the Iron Fists) and UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre (Captain America: The Winter Soldier) have also joined the cast. Here’s the remake’s official plot: Kickboxer tells the story of David and Kurt Sloan, the descendants of a well-known Venice, Calif., fighting dynasty. When David wins the Karate World Championship, a promoter lures him to Hong Kong, despite his brother’s protestations that the man is a crook. When Kurt travels to Thailand to meet his brother, he discovers he has died, and seeks his revenge. BREAKING NEWS: In a recent interview, Alain Moussi talks a little about the Kickboxer remake: “I'm a crazy fan of the original; I actually started practising martial arts right after I watched Kickboxer and Bloodsport… I was a HUGE Van Damme fan and still am. So I've been following his career since I was a kid so to actually be involved in a remake of Kickboxer is like a dream come true; it's amazing.” Read the full interview at Action Elite, but before reading, please note: Moussi’s mentioning of J.J. Perry (Haywire) as Kickboxer’s fight choreographer is false; it’s actually Larnell Stovall (Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning) who will be choreographing the fight sequences, which has been confirmed by Film Combat Syndicate. |
| Hot new Asian titles streaming on Netflix Posted: 18 Jun 2014 07:29 AM PDT  "Oldboy" Theatrical Poster Got a Netflix subscription? If so, you’ve got a gateway to some of the latest and greatest in Asian cinema, as well as related martial arts titles. Let’s take a look at some of the titles that have found their way to Netflix’s streaming service in the last month or two. Oldboy (2013) – this English-language remake from director Spike Lee caused controversy when it hit theaters; not so much for its violent content as the fact that Hollywood would dare to touch the Korean modern classic! Confession of Murder (2012) – fan favorite distributor Well Go USA presents this dark and gritty Korean action/thriller The Detective (2007) and The Detective 2 (2011) – Hong Kong actor Aaron Kwok is front and center in these two quirky crime thrillers from director Oxide Pang (The Eye) Fairy Tale Killer (2o12) – genre veteran Lau Ching-wan (A Hero Never Dies) stars in this serial killer thriller directed by the other Pang brother, Danny Pang Sleepwalker (2011) – we hope you’re not tired of the Pang Brothers yet since Oxide Pang directs this supernatural thriller starring Angelica Lee (The Eye) Iron Monkey (1993) – martial arts superstar Donnie Yen appears in the dubbed version of this wuxia classic from director Yuen Woo-ping Lady Vengeance (2005) – from Oldboy director Chan Wook-park comes the final, thrilling installment in his ‘vengeance trilogy’ Oldboy (2003) – the original Korean-language thriller from director Chan Wook-park! A film that needs no introduction Puncture Wounds (2014) – MMA sensation Cung Le stars alongside Expendables Dolph Ludgren in this martial arts actioner The Replacement Killers (1998) – Hong Kong acting legend Chow Yun-fat transitioned to Hollywood cinema with this 90′s actioner Ring of Curse (2011) – Asian horror is alive and well in this J-horror film about a group of school girls who find themselves cursed and dying off, one by one Sympathy For Mr. Vengeance (2002) – arguably the finest effort in Chan-wook Park’s ‘vengeance trilogy’ – shhh, don’t tell fans of Oldboy Caught in the Web (2012) – from the director of Farewell My Concubine comes this thriller about internet culture and cyber witch hunts Machete Kills (2013) – the latest entry in the Grindhouse-esque series features appearances by ‘Mad Max’ himself, Mel Gibson, as well as international martial arts star Marko Zaror (Undisputed III) The Wrath of Vajra (2013) – a good old-fashioned martial arts actioner in the Bloodsport vein, featuring fight choreography by Sammo Hung Commitment (2013) – this Korean action/thriller follows a young North Korean spy manipulated by his own government |
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