cityonfire.com | Movie News & Developments |
- Pirate, The (1974) Review
- Tak Sakaguchi out of retirement for the action film ‘Re:Born’
- New trailer for Lee Suk-Hoon’s swashbuckling flick ‘The Pirates’
- Deal on Fire! The Road Warrior | Blu-ray | Only $7.99 – Expires soon!
- Korean cinematic bad boy Kim Ki-duk is back with the disturbing ‘Moebius’
| Posted: 02 Jul 2014 03:14 AM PDT  "The Pirate" Chinese Theatrical Poster Director: Chang Cheh By Matthew Le-feuvre Although Chang Cheh will be fondly remembered for his long association with the Shaw Brothers, there was always more to this film-making zeitgeist than geysering blood, decapitations, disembowelment or torturous imagery. In addition to his prolificacy, Cheh’s alternative meditations occasionally embraced social commentary, usually with concerns about modern youth or the impact of organised crime and how each reflected on urban domesticity: these issues were candidly explored in a handful of films like, The Generation Gap, Young People and The Singing Killer – all starring the iconic David Chiang. However overtly sandwiched between [these] historical romps and contemporary expositions, Cheh often delved into ‘escapist’ theatre, the idea being to steer audiences away from apathy at times when looming social or economic shifts threatened stability in south-east Asia, particularly in Hong Kong. In any case, this strategy worked; mellowing the masses and even inducing the most hardened of critics. Economics aside, in the advent of Cheh’s most popular, though at intervals ‘ contrived ‘ masterpieces: The One Armed Swordsman, Have Sword Will Travel, Vengeance and The Duel by example, the premiere of The Pirate did not really stir much enthusiasm or controversy upon its initial release back in 1973. Understandably, the general populace were more interested about the circumstances behind Bruce Lee’s demise than in box office ratings or forthcoming attractions. In fact, it was considered something of a commercial distraction than a celebration which Hong Kong audiences widely perceive a movie should represent. Anyhow, retrospectively, The Pirate was a slightly pallid expression of high adventure, drawing inspiration no doubt from the familiar archetypes of Robin Hood, The Sea Hawk and The Buccaneers, cross-bred and extravagantly moulded to adhere with Cheh’s signature pastiche for male bonding, a raised fist against the establishment as well as the obligatory betrayer whom the central protagonist has too contend with. Although these components were laxed, there is still enough tension, brutality and innovation to an otherwise enjoyable and dazzling cult rediscovery that, to a point, doesn’t take itself too seriously; yet beneath the surface, Cheh’s palpable hatred of despotism is all too customary, even from the picture’s outset. Featuring an explosive opening sea channel battle between British Imperialists and indigenous pirates, led by the debonair Chang Pao Chai (Ti Lung). The complex screenplay acts much like the ocean itself, unpredictable one minute and sedate in the next, echoing filmic parallels from Akira Kurosawa to Sam Peckinpah as our deeply flawed anti-hero begins an impromptu journey from the leaking bowels of his vessel to the nearby shoreline of southern china where – masquerading as a rich trader – he becomes unintentionally embroiled with a group of local villagers/ fishermen, whose struggle against exploitation and corruption has forced them into destitution. To quicken repairs, Pao Chai sympathetically agrees to expedite funds for the villagers using currency and jewels plundered from invading colonists. Returning to his anchored ship/junk, Pao Chai discovers that a vengeful former crew member, Hue er-Dao (Fan Mei Sheng); an escaped convict, has appropriated not only his damaged vessel, but goods and an undisciplined crew. This situation compromises him to take refuge in a gambling house. There he collides with General Wu (David Chiang), a disillusioned loyalist dispatched to apprehend Pao Chai – dead or alive. However as their friendship develops, Wu becomes aware of Pao Chai’s chivalrous nature and, intermittently, begins to question his own moral servitude: what consequences will eventuate? Will Pao Chui retrieve his junk and capital to deliver the villagers from an uncertain fate? Or will Wu conform to his civic duty and arrest Pao Chai? Verdict: In spite of its somewhat intoxicating artificiality, forty-one years on The Pirate remains a lesser recognized, yet interesting cinematic experience that doesn’t solely rely on political subtleties, trademark cinematography or protracted duels for personal entertainment. On the contrary, the defining novelty of both Ti Lung and David Chiang spearheading their eighteenth collaboration for an indelible saga of obligation, revenge and misguided loyalties, is itself a landmark achievement even by Hollywood conventions. Matthew Le-feuvre’s Rating: 8/10 |
| Tak Sakaguchi out of retirement for the action film ‘Re:Born’ Posted: 02 Jul 2014 01:01 AM PDT  "Versus" Japanese Theatrical Poster Tak Sakaguchi rose to fame with the 2001 cult favorite Versus, a movie that managed to combine the low-budget charms of Evil Dead-like horror with blistering martial arts and gunplay. The actor later scored another cult hit with Battlefield Baseball, but has most recently hitched his wagon to the Sushi Typhoon production company. In April of 2013, new broke out that Tak was retiring from acting, which left an unknown fate for his recently announced role in Death Trance II, not to mention a long-rumored sequel to Versus. Cityonfire.com was recently contacted by director Yuji Shimomura (Death Trance) with breaking news that Tak was out of retirement to make Re:Born, which the actor calls his “very last” and “most superb” action movie: “After I retired, I found myself having a passion for action that was still smoldering inside of me. After a conversation with action director Yuji Shimomura, I wanted to thrive one more time and create the very last and most superb action movie with my utmost power and passion for the sake of a closure to my entire career. I am convinced that I have to give my very best one last time. That is how I feel about this project. I didn't realize how many people chose to support a person like myself until after I retired. I hope this movie will be satisfying enough for them to feel absolutely alright for me to go. This is for them.” Re:Born doesn’t start shooting until 2015. Until then, Shimomura provided us with an “audition” video for Re:Born featuring Tak in some intense sparring action. Enjoy! Updates: Here is more video footage of Sakaguchi getting in shape for Re:Born. – Thanks Takuma! |
| New trailer for Lee Suk-Hoon’s swashbuckling flick ‘The Pirates’ Posted: 02 Jul 2014 12:00 AM PDT  "The Pirates" Teaser Poster South Korean filmmaker Lee Suk-Hoon is known for directing lighthearted comedies such as Two Faces of My Girlfriend and Dancing Queen, but for his 4th upcoming feature, he’s officially entering action-adventure territory in the upcoming flick, The Pirates. The movie is set in the Joseon Dynasty period and tells the story of rival pirates who have the common goal of capturing a gray whale that has swallowed a precious royal stamp. The Pirates stars Kim Nam-Gil (Public Enemy Returns), Son Ye-Jin (The Tower), Sulli (Punch Lady), Lee Kyoung-Young (A Company Man), Yu Hae-Jin (The Unjust) and Oh Dal-Su (Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance). The Pirates releases domestically this summer. According to Film Combat Syndicate, the movie struck gold at Cannes, selling up to 15 countries including North America. With that said, we can expect a U.S. release in the future from Well Go USA. Until then, be sure to catch the trailer. BREAKING NEWS: Watch the new trailer! - Thanks to Film Combat Syndicate! |
| Deal on Fire! The Road Warrior | Blu-ray | Only $7.99 – Expires soon! Posted: 01 Jul 2014 12:00 AM PDT  "The Road Warrior" Blu-ray Cover Today’s Deal on Fire is the Blu-ray for 1981′s The Road Warrior (aka Mad Max 2), directed by George Miller (Mad Max). In the post-apocalyptic Australian wasteland, a drifter (Mel Gibson) agrees to help a gasoline rich, community escape a band of bandits. Miller and crew do the impossible by making a high octane sequel that outruns the classic original in every way possible. The fact that he accomplished the amazing action pieces in a pre-CG era is a miracle! I have my fingers crossed for Mad Max: Fury Road - if it’s even half as good as The Road Warrior, I’ll be surprised! Order The Road Warrior from Amazon.com today! |
| Korean cinematic bad boy Kim Ki-duk is back with the disturbing ‘Moebius’ Posted: 30 Jun 2014 07:22 PM PDT  "Moebius" North American Theatrical Poster Ever since 2000′s The Isle caught the attention of the international cinema scene, director Kim Ki-duk has been known as an iconoclast and provocateur of Korean cinema. Although his 2012 effort Pieta earned him the coveted Golden Lion at that year’s Venice International Film Festival, the controversial filmmaker hasn’t decided to play it safe. His upcoming film Moebius is set to land in select North American theaters this August 15th, followed by an On Demand release on August 29th. The movie’s tagline is ‘Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned’ and the new trailer promises a violent and disturbing tale of infidelity, castration, and catharsis. Moebius proved so disturbing, in fact, that it was initially banned in South Korea before their ratings board reviewed film a second time and changed their mind. Needless to say, fans of ‘extreme Asian cinema’ will want to check out the newly released North American trailer and prepare to have their worlds properly rocked by Kim Ki-duk next month. |
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