cityonfire.com | Movie News & Developments |
- June is a hot month for martial arts DVD and Blu-ray releases!
- New clip from Van Damme’s ‘Soldiers’ (aka ‘The Eagle Path’)
- Shaolin Mantis | aka Deadly Mantis (1978) Review
- Deal on Fire! Daimajin: Triple Feature | Blu-ray | Only $10.46 – Expires soon!
- The most memorable action scenes in movies are…
| June is a hot month for martial arts DVD and Blu-ray releases! Posted: 01 Jun 2014 09:11 AM PDT  Angela Mao Ying 5-Film Collection | DVD (Shout! Factory) For those of you looking to add a number of exciting Blu-ray & DVD titles to your collection, get ready for one hot list! The month of June is jam-packed with countless butt-kicking classics, a crazy Chinese comedy and a critically acclaimed Korean drama! Whether you’re looking for some old school kung fu action (The Angela Mao Ying Collection, The Great Impersonators, Way of the 5 Finger Death Strike) or prefer something newer (Gina Carano’s In The Blood, Brawl aka Fighting Fish), you’ll be pleased with the batch of titles coming out this month. For your convenience, we listed them by day of release. If you’re interested in purchasing the titles, we’re hoping you’ll click on our Amazon.com links to show your support towards cityonfire.com. In return, we’ll continue to highlight lesser-known martial arts/Asian cinema gems at the beginning of each month. As always, we appreciate your help. After all, it’s you, our visitors, that keeps us going. Thank you! In The Blood Bushido Man: Seven Deadly Battles Brawl | aka Fighting Fish Iron Fist Frenzy 100 Greatest Martial Arts Classics Collection Way of the 5 Finger Death Strike Angela Mao Ying 5-Film Collection The Great Impersonators The Attorney The Chef, the Actor, the Scoundrel Looking for new import releases? |
| New clip from Van Damme’s ‘Soldiers’ (aka ‘The Eagle Path’) Posted: 01 Jun 2014 12:03 AM PDT  "The Eagle Path" Teaser Poster If you’re a fan of Jean-Claude Van Damme, chances are you’ve heard of The Eagle Path (aka Full Love). The 2010 action drama is Van Damme’s first directorial effort since 1996′s The Quest and the movie he chose to make rather than appear in the first Expendables movie. The project was shot on a budget of about $5 million on location in Thailand and eventually screened out of competition at Cannes. Audiences at its 2010 screening offered a mixed reaction. There were even some critics who compared the film’s more ‘out there’ sequences to 2001: A Space Odyssey or Terrence Malick’s Tree of Life. Fans had to wonder: had Van Damme gone arthouse? Unfortunately, American audiences have been unable to discover The Eagle Path since Van Damme was reportedly unhappy with his final cut. Rumors suggested he wouldn’t release the movie in the West, even on DVD, until he was able to do another edit. According to Impact, producer Moshe Diamont (The Black Dahlia, Universal Soldier: Regeneration) came onboard to help initiate reshoots, which were meant to help clarify the story and characters for the audience and beef up the action sequences. Recently, Van Damme took to Facebook to assure fans of the status of the film: “The Eagle Path took longer than what I have expected but that is because I did some recent re-shooting with more ACTION scenes! The movie is going to be re-titled to SOLDIERS. Thank you for your patience… soon, wait for its huge première! — JCVD Updates: The Eagle Path, apparently now titled Soldiers, has been the most tumultuous film of Damme’s career – and hardly anyone has seen it yet. For whatever reason, this film is taking longer than usual to put together. However, we have long heard that this is one of Van Damme’s most personal projects. Bear in mind, JCVD helped finance Soldiers with his own money and wrote the screenplay, besides directing and starring in it. Regardless of the rumors and the long wait, it sounds like Van Damme is working on something that has the potential to be more than just another martial arts flick. Here’s some footage: 2010 trailer | Clips 01 | Clips o2 | Van Damme’s 2010 screening intro | Check out the latest clips (sorry, video has been removed), which feature new re-shoots and action sequences that look like they might have been inspired by Garath Evans’ The Raid. BREAKING NEWS: Here’s a brief on-screen clip from Soldiers (aka The Eagle Path). When will we finally get to see Soldiers? The word is it’s completed and fully edited. Now that Van Damme is done filming Pound of Flesh, he can put more focus on finally releasing Soldiers. Rest assured, City on Fire will keep Van Damme fans updated on the status of this long-in-development film. |
| Shaolin Mantis | aka Deadly Mantis (1978) Review Posted: 31 May 2014 10:07 PM PDT  "Shaolin Mantis" Theatrical Poster Director: Lau Kar Leung By Matthew Le-feuvre Throughout their careers as movie producers, the Shaw brothers were always confidently direct (especially the late Sir Run Run) when conveying their production targets: diversity was, naturally, their main aim to healthy box office returns via catering to the tastes of cinema-goers practically all over south-east Asia. While their contemporary thrillers or fantasy horrors tended to be modest or hokey respectively, the Shaws’ traditional/Wuxia features on the other hand were of a different calibre: savagely baroque, emotionally uplifting and fantastically stylized, yet behind these motifs there were/are hidden metaphors and politically charged statements (not always visible to Communist mainlanders) still relevant today as they were thirty or forty years ago. Usually under the watchful eye of in-house director, Chang Cheh and his former protege – fight choreographer turned film-maker, Liu Chia Liang – both chose to elucidate how harsh communism was (and continues to be!) using the backdrop of Kung Fu cinema as a conduit for self expression; although each had their own individual stamp, politically. ‘Oppression’ or battling ‘Class Oppression’ were major nuances that drove Chang Cheh’s subject matters, particularly through the unification of patriotic heroes whom seldom won against the machinations of a corrupt government, whereas Liang’s approach was always the singular or ‘loner’ facing insurmountable odds often winning by the application of piety and humanity: Cheh’s protagonists, however, invariably succumbed to bloody martyrdom. Shaolin Mantis, Liang’s fifth directing credit, was too take all these concepts one step further highlighting (the) Yin/Yang complexities in relationship to all things political, martial and spiritual. Otherwise known as Deadly Mantis in the states, the irrepressible talents of David Chiang are put to the test both characteristically and physically in a role often regarded as his second finest (Vengeance, naturally being the first); not that Chiang has ever given a bad performance. Here he was allowed a little more vulnerability than his general typecasting of grinning rogues or flighty swordsmen as Wei Feng – a Ching (Manchu) official ordered to investigate a wealthy family suspected of having pro ‘Han’ revolutionary connections. Posing as a wandering scholar, Feng manipulates his way into the Tien family household, primarily employed as a teacher to wayward granddaughter, GiGi (Huang Hsin-Hsui). There, Feng is introduced to each member who periodically tests him of any fighting abilities, which he conceals through feigning ignorance of the martial arts. Unintentionally Feng’s mission leads to romance and inevitably marriage to GiGi much too the consternation of her grandfather (Liu Chi Yung aka Lau kar Wing), who is convinced Feng is a Ching spy. Finding evidence needed to insure his position within the Ching administration, Feng influences GiGi into leaving the mansion on a whim of wanting to visit his parents; which in part, is the truth. The next two paragraphs contains spoilers: The Tien elder (Yung) otherwise has more severe designs in mind. During their escape, Feng reveals his martial arts prowess and finds himself, in tandem with GiGi , confronting a gauntlet of five opponents: these consist of (support) Hong Kong superstars, John Chang, Tsiu Siu Keung, Lily Li, Wilson Tong and aforementioned Liu Chia Yung. GiGi, however, is accidentally killed forcing Feng into hiding while the remainder of the Tiens’ believe he committed suicide by riding off a cliff. In reflective solitude, Feng contemplates his revenge, but knows his limited skills are no match for the elder Tien until inspiration occurs in the form of a praying mantis. Studying the insect under various conditions, Feng develops his own mantis fist style and returns to the Tien estate fully versed to counteract Grandpa Tien’s seemingly devastating Kung Fu techniques. The film concludes with an ambiguous narrative, posing numerous political afterthoughts as too the real meaning of patriotism; or be as it may, the duality or opposing values of patriotic/nationalistic duty. Importantly, Liang’s canvases have always been bold and versatile beneath the Shaws’ studio banner, deliberately asking questions in a subtle way without alienating audiences or hindering the continuity of fight choreography and/or – if critics truly observe – character development: an area of film-making Liang genuinely cared about as much as presenting distinct Kung Fu formats. Although Shaolin Mantis may not appeal to those interested in its contradictory political subtext, the flip side of this timeless classic is Chiang’s humanized performance and Liang’s fluid direction/choreography which more than compensates for any detectable flaws, technical or otherwise. Verdict: Poetic, ironic and totally breathtaking! Matthew Le-feuvre’s Rating: 10/10 |
| Deal on Fire! Daimajin: Triple Feature | Blu-ray | Only $10.46 – Expires soon! Posted: 31 May 2014 12:00 AM PDT  "Daimajin: Triple Feature" Blu-ray Cover Godzilla who? Today’s Deal on Fire is the Blu-ray for the Daimajin Triple Feature, a 2-Disc set which includes Kimiyoshi Yasuda’s Daimajin, Kenji Misumi’s Wrath of Daimajin and Kazuo Mori’s Return of Daimajin. In 1966, the respected Daiei Motion Picture Company – known for Akira Kurosawa’s Rashomon and Kenji Mizoguchi’s Ugetsu - released a series of Daimajin (aka Majin) films that combined elements of the daikaiju (giant monster) and jidaigeki (period drama) genres. Acclaimed for their serious tone and special effects, the Daimajin series present a unique take on a monster who is both savior and devil. Order the Daimajin: Triple Feature from Amazon.com today! |
| The most memorable action scenes in movies are… Posted: 31 May 2014 12:00 AM PDT  "The Raid 2" International Theatrical Poster Movies are often remembered for their action scenes, which can transform even the most pedestrian scripts. All movies want moments that viewers will retain in their memory, and the best action scenes are guaranteed to do that. Keep in mind that this list isn’t just about fight choreography, it’s also about stunt work. Here’s a handful that spring immediately to mind: Casino Royale (2006) There are many scenes in Casino Royale that capture the attention of the viewer. The movie sees Bond playing high stakes casino games to prevent terrorist attacks and the action scenes in this terrific movie signalled that Bond was back to its best. In one of the best action scenes; Bond, played by Daniel Craig, chases a Parkour-skilled bomb maker Mollaka through a building site in Madagascar. Fighting hundreds of feet up in the air, both men come within inches of falling to their deaths in this classic chase scene. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) Raiders of the Lost Ark is a film that, from its title, evokes memories of great action scenes. One of the best moments is the desert chase which sees Indiana Jones trying to keep pace with a Nazi convoy. Providing one of the most iconic images from the whole Indiana Jones series, this chase lasts approximately six minutes. The hero, on horseback, stays with the convoy despite being shot at, beaten and clinging onto vehicles for dear life. Most, who have seen the scene, will still be able to recall it many years on. Way of the Dragon (1972) Though this film has been criticised for the script and storyline, it has nevertheless attracted praise, notably for its action scenes. In particular, some of the fighting scenes are wonderfully choreographed, building up the tension and the intensity of the action perfectly. One of the best involves Bruce Lee fighting with Chuck Norris, while attempting to protect his family from a Roman mafia. The fight comes to a head in the coliseum and, though Norris gets the upper hand, Lee fights back brilliantly in a scene that keeps the tension right through to the end. The movie was made in 1972 and so, while some may feel that the martial arts fighting seems a little dated, it does see Bruce Lee at his best and is justifiably a martial arts classic. The Man with the Golden Gun (1974) James Bond is often featureed in lists of the top action sequences. Another Bond classic; this movie was derided by some for what they felt was an attempt to jump on the martial arts bandwagon, which was at its height in the early to mid 1970s when this movie was made and released. Featuring Roger Moore in his second film, it has a great car stunt owing something to Evel Knievel, who was also popular at this time. It was a stunt that Knievel would have been proud of with Bond driving towards a rickety looking wooden bridge at high speed, launching off and the car doing a somersault before landing perfectly on all four wheels on the other side. Tom Yum Goong (2006) Almost ten years later (has it really been that long?), fans of martial arts cinema still speak of Tony Jaa’s Tom Yum Goong (aka The Protector) with bated breath, particularly its infamous ‘one take’ fight scene. As Thai sensation Tony Jaa lays the smack down on a bunch of thugs in a black market restaurant, the camera fluidly follows Jaa – and all the bone-breaking action – without a single cut. This sequence remains a prime example of how a little daring behind the camera can enhance any fight scene! Wheels on Meals (1984) This 1984 film featuring the ‘Three Brothers’ – Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, and Yuen Biao – is generally regarded as their finest hour, in large part due to the action-packed finale. In this breathtaking conclusion, Jackie Chan faces off against American kick boxer Benny ‘the Jet’ Urquidez in a fight scene for the ages. The two opponents move at such blistering speeds, viewers will be surprised the camera can keep up with them. It’s hard to believe that the movie was nominated for Best Action Choreography at the ’84 Hong Kong Awards but did not win; then again, it lost to another movie featuring the Three Brothers, Winners and Sinners, proving that perhaps Jackie Chan and Sammo Hung’s only competition is themselves! The Raid: Redemption (2012) After Tony Jaa became a Bhuddist monk and momentarily left the acting world, many martial arts buffs were waiting for a new star to step onto the international scene. Their prayers were finally answered by Indonesian sensation Iko Uwais and his finest showcase yet, 2011′s The Raid: Redemption. Though the movie is stuffed to the gills with jaw-dropping Silat encounters, the finest in the film might just be its infamous three-way closing battle, in which Iko Uwais and his character’s brother square off against the indomitable ‘Mad Dog’ (played by Yayan Ruhian). Thanks in large part to the intricate choreography and director Gareth Evans’ stylish camerawork, The Raid’s finale delivered a bloody battle for the ages. The Raid 2: Berandal (2014) After the release of the The Raid: Redemption, audiences were were wondering if Gareth Evans and Iko Uwais would be able to top the fight scene mentioned below. As epic as it was, the odds were against them. In its sequel, The Raid 2: Berandal, Uwais goes toe-to-toe with “The Assassin” (played by Cecep Arif Rahman) – to most, this sequence not only matched the “Uwais and Brother vs. Ruhian” fight, it straight up dominated it. The scene goes on and on, and with each passing second, it gets more energetic and more insane! By the time the fight ends, you’ll feel so overwhelmed with satisfaction that there’s a possibility that you’ll never have to watch another action movie ever again… Fist of Legend (1994) Jet Li had already been making movies for over a decade at this point, but it was 1994′s Fist of Legend that cemented his status as a martial arts icon. The film is a remake of the classic Bruce Lee movie Fist of Fury and, really, you gotta hand it to Jet Li for having the stones to step into Bruce’s shoes. Regardless, Jet proved himself more than worthy of the role; the movie is consistently ranked among the best works of both Jet and his director/action choreographer Yuen Woo-ping. While Fist of Legend has plenty of fight scenes to recommend, it has to be Jet Li’s final encounter with the intimidating Billy Chow that steals the show. At nearly six feet tall, Chow towers over his opponent and counts as one of the few foes who’s given Jet Li a run for his money. Props must once again be given to Master Yuen Woo-ping: the duo’s fight rages for over ten minutes and there’s not a dull moment in the entire stretch! Kill Bill Vol. 1 (2003) Quentin Tarantino is highly noted for his hip dialogue, non-linear story lines and his extreme glorification of violence. In 2003, Tarantino proved that he also had the chops to be one of the best action film directors of our time. With the martial arts choreography guidance of Yuen Woo-ping (yep, same guy we mentioned above), the “House of Blue Leaves” fight sequence was born. It’s The Bride (Uma Thurman) vs. The Crazy 88 (one of them being Shaw Brothers legend, Gordon Liu), Gogo Yubari (Chiaki Kuriyama) and O-Ren (Lucy Liu). Intensified by Ennio Morricone’s Death Rides A Horse score – in addition to The Human Beinz’ cover of Nobody But Me – the “House of Blue Leaves” action scene is a natural high filled with visions of beauty, brutality and blood! Hard Boiled (1992) No “memorable action scenes” list is acceptable without a John Woo movie. If it's true that certain people "get off" on violence, then this movie is the equivalent of hardcore porn for the NRA. Of particular interest is the segment in which Chow Yun-Fat and Tony Leung, in a disgusting attempt to corrupt our children, blast their way through the hospital's hallways, opening fire on anything that moves. It has a certain DOOM (yes, the video game) quality to it that would make those fascist "concerned parents" groups sh*t their pants. There’s obviously about 50 more films that need to be in this list, but like I said, these films sprung to mind without a second of thought. Feel free to comment below for your suggestions. Until next time, thank you for reading! |
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