cityonfire.com | Movie News & Developments |
- Mercenaries from Hong Kong (1982) Review
- Prequel to Tsui Hark’s ‘Taking of Tiger Mountain’ in the works
- ‘Falcon Rising’ producer to remake Van Damme’s ‘Lionheart’
- Brutal | DVD (Inception Media)
- Deal on Fire! Chinese Zodiac | Blu-ray | Only $7.88 – Expires soon!
| Mercenaries from Hong Kong (1982) Review Posted: 26 Apr 2016 10:43 AM PDT  "Mercenaries from Hong Kong" Chinese Theatrical Poster Director: Wong Jing By Matthew Le-feuvre Known for his affable personality as well as an eccentric reputation for having “fingers in many pies” pursuits, Wong Jing began his steadfast career at the Shaw Brothers’ prominent movie town enclosure, learning the logistics of a machination that was, essentially, built upon committment, self opportunity and the ability to present original concepts within a studio production collectively. And, like most of his peers, he excelled himself as a notable scriptwriter and 2nd unit director prior to being exclusively upgraded to a full directing credit with casino/gambling sensations: Challenge of the Gamesters (1981) and Winner Takes All (1982); both pictures – unreleased in the western hemisphere – featured the late, sorely missed Wong Yue; stalwart ‘Shaw’ contractee, Chen Kwan Tai; and the rather underrated, long redundant Patrick Wu, as principal stock players. In addition to producing or working over the years with highly ranked A-listers – such as Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Simon Yam and Michelle Yeoh – Jing maintained a collaborative and personal friendship with quirky funnyman, Lolento Chan (The Magic Crystal), himself a regular participant of whatever production Jing is currently involved in. However, no stranger to the art of performance – giggles aside – this spirited filmmaker has also delighted in gracing the jade screen with truly demented Hitchcockian-type cameos (ala Twin Dragons (1992), playing an inffectual faith healer), yet contemporary audiences are probably more familiar with Jing’s controversial and extremely viscreal 90′s features: The Naked Killer (1992) and The Last Blood (1991), although both City Hunter (1992) and the wire-fu laden Last Hero in China (1993) had been designedly toned down at a time when age restricted categories were systematically endorsed; these alternative, but no less enjoyable popcorn distractions, were/are still endulgent enough to satisfy even the most hardened of cynics. Indeed, Jing’s world of ‘make believe,’ often surrealist approach is ebulliently crafted in a way the great Tsui Hark or even the nihilistic John Woo may wince with envy or applaud with competitive enthusiasm. In equal designation, technically, these resourceful, gifted and innovative visionaries basically retain a similar celluloid style: multiple quick edits and an inordinate bodycount are two personalized touchstones that tends to inspire audience appreciation, but can simultaneously infuriate critics for lack of realism or originality. Nevertheless, after continued exposure absurdity becomes championed by escapism in its purest form, which is why a film like Mercenaries from Hong Kong might have struggled either commercially or (in) dealing with censorship issues if had it been released following the wake of John Woo’s A Better Tomorrow (1986) sequence or Ringo Lam’s City on Fire (1987). Mercenaries from Hong Kong is bloody, gritty and extremely fast-paced, as one would expect from a Hong Kong picture. Jing’s unappologetic third foray behind the camera dispenses with storyline subtleties or complexities from the outset. Either by choice or tactful administration, he also limits himself from using over elaborate production values, special effects or convoluted dialogue seemingly by steering directly to the crux without pretension or stylized self glorification as Mercenaries from Hong Kong opens to a rock orientated soundtrack and unusual close-up shots of a heavily tattooed enforcer Luo Li (Ti Lung), rigorously weight-training for a solo revenge assignment against a triad-linked drug dealer, who’d previously and intentionally hooked Li’s niece to heroin dependency. In a scene blatantly lifted from Andrew V. McClagen’s political action hybrid The Wild Geese (1979), featuring then-James Bond sensation, Roger Moore: Li force-feeds his target with his own narcotics, thus inducing death. Barely escaping, Li options (as anyone would do!) to go underground as he discovers a contract has been circulated for him, via a prevailing triad fraternity. Conveniently at this juncture, Li is approached by a mysterious lady named, Hei-Ying (Yvonne Yu), whose tycoon father had been murdered by an assassin, Na Wei (Philip Kao). Ying propersitions Li to (A): hunt down Wei, (B): kill him and (C): retrieve an audio tape containing top illicit business deals which is in Wei’s possession. In return for Li’s services, Ying offers the luxury of both money and freedom if he journeys to the treacherous jungles of Cambodia to fulfill his mission. Agreeing with her terms, Li assembles a special team of former army comrades comprising of Lei Tai (Lo Lieh), a sniper trained soldier who desperately needs capital for his daughter’s kidney transplant; Hong Fan (Wang Lung Wei), a driving ace; conman/cabaret nightclub performer, Curry (Wong Yue) and womanizing explosive expert, Blanche (Lo-Lanto Chan). Together, after confronting numerous obsticles, both in Hong Kong and Cambodia, the mercs reach their objective where Na Wei is being protected by a guerrilla army that discreetly trades opium for weapons or medical supplies. Posing as smugglers they gain entrance, capture Na Wei and learn all isn’t what it appears to be. Suspicion, dissension, duplicitousness and sacrifice ensues at an untold price. Verdict: Motifs of brotherhood, loyality and naturally, betrayal, are all quinessential elements which one favourably reconciles with, despite the fact of being proverbially generic, either erswhile or in contemporary terms. However, solid performances (especially from Ti Lung) and consummate fight choreography including very few explosive set pieces, otherwise reinforces Mercenaries from Hong Kong from plummeting into total obscurity. Although at intervals, reprehensible and horrifically violent, but never commonplace, this slice of exploitational cinema, perspectively, is an unique exploration into military bravado and criminal machiavellianism. Matthew Le-feuvre’s Rating: 8/10 |
| Prequel to Tsui Hark’s ‘Taking of Tiger Mountain’ in the works Posted: 26 Apr 2016 10:42 AM PDT  "The Taking of Tiger Mountain" Chinese Theatrical Poster A prequel to Tsui Hark’s The Taking of Tiger Mountain is currently in development. According to AFS, there’s a possibility that Hark is returning to the director’s chair. Casting details are in progress. 2014′s The Taking of Tiger Mountain (read our review), an action epic based on the real life story of an incident during the Chinese Civil War, involved a communist reconnaissance team soldier who disguises himself to infiltrate a local gang of bandits. The film starred Zhang Hanyu (Bodyguards and Assassins), Gao Hu (The Man From Macau), Tong Liya (Journey to the West), Kenny Lin (Young Detective Dee) and Han Geng. We’ll keep you posted as we hear more. |
| ‘Falcon Rising’ producer to remake Van Damme’s ‘Lionheart’ Posted: 25 Apr 2016 05:16 AM PDT  "Lionheart" Japanese Theatrical Poster Back in 2014, it was reported that Albert Pyun – filmmaker of cult classic films such as Cyborg (1989) and Nemesis (1992) – was approached about directing a remake of Jean-Claude Van Damme’s Lionheart (1990). But now, we have word that Pyun is no longer attached; nonetheless, a remake is still moving forward. Very forward. According to Impact’s Mike Leeder, Moonstone Entertainment and producer Etchie Stroh (Falcon Rising) have the Lionheart remake listed in pre-production and it’s scheduled to shoot before the end of the year. At this time, there is no information regarding the film’s potential cast or crew. The original Lionheart (also known as Leon, A.W.O.L. and Wrong Bet), directed by Sheldon Lettich (Double Impact), is considered a favorite amongst Van Damme fans because of its heartfelt plot laced with hard-hitting violence. The film follows a soldier (Van Damme) who deserts his assignment in the French Foreign Legion after he hears about the brutal murder of his brother. He then travels to the United States and competes in a series of illegal hand-to-hand fighting competitions to aid his widowed sister-in-law (Lisa Pelikan), who is now struggling to care for her daughter (Last of Us’ Ashley Johnson). In addition to Lionheart, many of Van Damme’s other titles – such as Bloodsport (1988) and Timecop (1994) – are currently being developed for a remake/reboot (read our article The Most 'Remade' Action Star in the World). Kickboxer Vengeance, a remake of Kickboxer (1989), is only months away from being released. We’ll keep you updated on the Lionheart remake as we hear more. Stay tuned. |
| Brutal | DVD (Inception Media) Posted: 25 Apr 2016 05:15 AM PDT  Brutal | DVD (Inception Media) RELEASE DATE: May 17, 2016 Inception Media presents the DVD for Donald Lawrence Flaherty and Colin Follenweider’s Brutal, an MMA flick with a clash of sci-fi and extreme gore! “Brutal combines some of the most balls-to-the-wall fight choreography you’ve ever seen. Benoit and Hatch’s bone-crunching fights are so realistic that they are simultaneously hard to watch and hard to turn away from.” – Bill Oberst Jr., Emmy Award-winning Actor and Horror Film Icon Brutal centers on Trevor (Morgan Benoit), abducted from his backyard at the age of fifteen by an unseen alien presence. Forced into nearly two decades of savage fights to the finish against other abductees inside an unearthly mixed martial arts arena, Trevor has evolved from an innocent boy into a brutal fighting machine. Derek, (Jeff Hatch) an ambulance-chasing lawer, is the latest lab-rat abductee forced to fight Trevor. As the two men exchange ever-increasing beatings over the course of weeeks and months, the brutality of their existence and the true nature of their humanity is slowly revealed. With elements of The Twilight Zone and The Prisoner, Brutal explores through science fiction, allegory and psychological drama, man’s violent nature and our propensity to commit unthinkable acts of violence against each other. Yet through this prism of brutality, our capacity to love one another, even in the worst of circumstances, is celebrated. | Watch the trailer. Pre-order Brutal from Amazon.com today! |
| Deal on Fire! Chinese Zodiac | Blu-ray | Only $7.88 – Expires soon! Posted: 25 Apr 2016 12:00 AM PDT  Chinese Zodiac | Armour of God III: CZ12 | Blu-ray & DVD (Universal) Today’s Deal on Fire is the Blu-ray for Chinese Zodiac (read our review), an action/adventure written, directed and starring Jackie Chan. Chan returns as Asian Hawk (his iconic character from Armour of God and Operation Condor) – this time scouring the globe for the bronze head statues of the 12 Chinese zodiac animals, which were sacked by the French and British armies! The film also stars Liao Fan (Black Coal, Thin Ice), Laura Weissbecker (France Boutique), Oliver Platt (Chef), Yao Xing Tong (Who Am I 2015) and Kwon Sang-woo (Once Upon a Time in High School) Order Chinese Zodiac from Amazon.com today! |
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