There’s a long history of the blind swordsman in storytelling, though the style of action-oriented martial arts films are often referred to as within the subgenre called “zatoichi,” itself a reference to the title character of a Kan Shimozawa story… Read More ›
China
“Crocodile Island” DVD Giveaway
Who says creature features are limited to just one period of the year? Not Well Go USA as they are set to release co-directors Xu Shixing and Simon Zhao’s Crocodile Island on home video November 21st. Thanks to Well Go, EoM… Read More ›
After cruising the festival circuit, filmmaker Tian Xiaopeng’s fantastical “Deep Sea” comes to berth in American waters.
“Animation to me is the purest form of art …” – Guillermo del Toro, director of Pinocchio There’s this strange perception of animation as lesser-than in terms of storytelling. Perhaps it’s due to generations of children who grew up with… Read More ›
“Ride On” Blu-ray Giveaway
This year, filmmaker Larry Yang released the charming Jackie Chan-led action dramedy Ride On, a story involving family and loyalty with an unexpectedly unique approach. Doesn’t hurt that the film works as both a Chan original and a tribute thanks… Read More ›
Stepping down doesn’t mean it’s over, especially when you can “Ride On.”
“Jumping down is easy. Stepping down is hard.” The stuntperson mantra, Ride On. In the featurette “Behind the Scenes,” writer/director Larry Yang (Adoring) discusses how his first thought went to Jackie Chan when the concept for Ride On arose. The… Read More ›
Wuershan’s “Creation of the Gods I: Kingdom of Storms” is a relentless and epic kick-off appropriate for a legendary tale.
In just about every culture on Earth there is a story involving the creation of existence. There are stories of emergence, of coming out of nothingness, of being born from chaos, and more. In each culture, these stories serve as… Read More ›
Huang Jianming’s animated fantasy adventure “Goodbye Monster” brings home an opportunity for families to have hard conversations.
In August 2022, director Huang Jianming (Bobby the Hedgehog) took audiences on an adventure on the island of Kunlun wherein a banished doctor tried to make things right. It’s a colorful tale featuring a collection of characters that seem inspired… Read More ›
“I Am T-Rex” Blu-ray Giveaway
Available for your family’s home viewing enjoyment is directing duo Cai Shangming and Chen Silin’s animated adventure I Am T-Rex, out on shelves as of June 20th. If you’re the sort that gets down with animated dinosaur tales, then rejoice in… Read More ›
While we await the upcoming sequel, enjoy Donnie Yen’s “Śakra” at home via Well Go USA.
Donnie Yen has been a staple of martial arts cinema for decades now. He’s battled drug dealers in In the Line of Duty IV (1989), immortals in Highlander: Endgame (2000), reluctantly alongside the daywalker in Blade II (2002), and just… Read More ›
“Young Ip Man” Blu-ray Giveaway
In the cinematic adventures of Ip Man, the notable real-life Chinese hero, he’s battled fellow masters, Japanese forces, corrupt businessmen, and more. Now, in a new story from director Li Liming, audiences watch as a young Ip Man tries to… Read More ›
Donnie Yen’s “Śakra” delivers the martial arts wuxia action you want.
In Buddhism, the word Śakra refers to a specific individual, a ruler of the Trāyastriṃśa Heaven who analyzes issues of morality with Buddha. Considering the depiction of the character Qiao Feng (Donnie Yen) in the Yen and Kam Ka Wai-directed… Read More ›
“New Gods: Yang Jian,” the fourth film in Light Chaser Animation’s Investiture of the Gods Universe, comes home via Shout! Factory and GKids Films.
The New Gods series from Light Chaser is a refreshing approach to cultural stories. Each one of their films, even if not listed with the New Gods label (White Snake and Green Snake) allows the audience to engage with the… Read More ›
“Code of the Assassins” Blu-ray Giveaway
Black Mask (1996) and Dragon Blade (2015) director Daniel Lee Yan-Kong released wuxia action drama Code of the Assassins (青面修罗) in 2022, with it landing on streamer Hi-YAH! at the start of March and on home video via Well GO USA toward… Read More ›
“The Grandmaster of Kung Fu” imagines Chinese historical figure Huo Yuanjin in a personal conflict during the first Sino-Japanese War.
Each country has their history and storytellers often find those histories ripe for the picking when trying to devise ways to entertain. In the U.S., for instance, audiences marveled at cinematic release The Patriot (2000) for its depiction of sacrifice… Read More ›
Shout! Factory’s “Jackie Chan Collection: Volume 1 (1976-1982)” showcases some of Chan’s early works.
When it comes to martial arts films, there are many great current actors who can pull off the action, but uncommon is the actor who can do so without the aid of a stunt double. Conversely, there are great martial… Read More ›
The “New Gods” cinematic universe expands with the visually stunning “Yang Jian.”
Animation studio Light Chaser Animation has released seven films with ones most likely known in North America being White Snake (2019), New Gods: Nezha Reborn (2021), and Green Snake (2021), the latter two likely because of their accessibility on Netflix…. Read More ›
“The Grandmaster of Kung Fu” Blu-ray Giveaway
There are plenty of films which have explored the life of legendary martial artist Ip Man, but few that do the same for creator of the Chin Woo Athletic Association, Master Huo Yuan Jia. Starring Du Yuhang (Kung Fu League)… Read More ›
Director Masaaki Yuasa’s “Inu-Oh” is more than an anachronistic jam session, it’s an exploration of the enduring power of stories.
Every story ever told really happened. Stories are where memories go when they’re forgotten. – Doctor Who, Season 9 Episode “Hell Bent” Adapted from novelist Hideo Furukawa’s “The Tale of the Heike: The Inu-Oh Chapters,” Inu-Oh is a tale of… Read More ›
88 Films issues the final Three Dragons film, “Dragons Forever,” in a worthy limited edition restoration release.
1988 is a significant year for martial arts fans as it’s the last time the trio known as the Three Dragons were captured on celluloid. The group comprised of Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, and Yuen Biao would make several films… Read More ›
“Dragons Forever” Blu-ray Giveaway
Originally released by 88 Films as part of their 88 Asia Collection in 2022, the 4K UHD restoration of Dragons Forever from directors Sammo Hung and Corey Yuen finally comes stateside January 10th, 2022. Due to the generosity of MVD… Read More ›