Making a remake of a beloved classic is always risky business, no matter what genre we are talking about, but in the case of a Bruce-Lee-movie, there is always the obstacle of the leading actor having to compete with the martial-arts legend. Consequently, Jet Li, despite his status within the Chinese film industry and impressive filmography at that point, was hesitant when he was approached to star in a new version of “Fist of Fury”, a feature which cemented the reputation of Lee as one of the major forces within the genre. In an interview with Hong Kong Cinemagic director Gordon Chan explains that, even though he knew about the risks, he always felt the script was something of a weakness of the original, painting a “black-and-white” image of the conflict between Japanese and Chinese. In the end, “Fist of Legend” does a lot more than re-tell the familiar story...
- 7/2/2022
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
With the rebranded franchise in full swing, director Shusuke Kaneko decided to take his time with offering up the final chapter to the critically and culturally well-received series. Taking a full three years to get the entry out to the masses after the rushed schedules of the first two films, this captivating installment, which concludes the beloved Heisei Gamera trilogy, is included in the massive box-set of the entire franchise released by Arrow Video.
Living in a rural part of Japan, high-schooler Ayana (Ai Maeda) grows up resentful of the fact that her parents were killed on Gamera’s defense of Tokyo against Gyaos several years earlier. When a neighborhood prank causes her to come into contact with a strange egg in a local cave, she takes it home and cares for it. After realizing that there are more Gyaos lurking in the wild, ornithologist Mayumi Nagamine...
Living in a rural part of Japan, high-schooler Ayana (Ai Maeda) grows up resentful of the fact that her parents were killed on Gamera’s defense of Tokyo against Gyaos several years earlier. When a neighborhood prank causes her to come into contact with a strange egg in a local cave, she takes it home and cares for it. After realizing that there are more Gyaos lurking in the wild, ornithologist Mayumi Nagamine...
- 8/30/2020
- by Don Anelli
- AsianMoviePulse
The original hero in a half-shell returns! For the first time ever worldwide, all twelve tales of the adventures of everyone’s favourite titanic terrapin are collected together in one deluxe Blu-ray boxset.
This limited edition collectors’ set traces the decades-long evolution of Gamera, from the “friend of all children” in his more light-hearted earlier films to the Guardian of the Universe in the groundbreaking 1990s reboot series, often hailed as three of the best kaiju films ever made.
Limited Edition Contents
• Limited collectors’ edition packaging, housed in a large-format rigid box, fully illustrated by Matt Frank
• All twelve uncut original Japanese versions of the films in high definition, with lossless Japanese and English audio
• 4K restorations of the critically acclaimed Heisei trilogy
• Hours of new and archive bonus features, expert commentaries, interviews with cast and crew, and the worldwide Blu-ray premiere of Gammera The Invincible (the American theatrical version...
This limited edition collectors’ set traces the decades-long evolution of Gamera, from the “friend of all children” in his more light-hearted earlier films to the Guardian of the Universe in the groundbreaking 1990s reboot series, often hailed as three of the best kaiju films ever made.
Limited Edition Contents
• Limited collectors’ edition packaging, housed in a large-format rigid box, fully illustrated by Matt Frank
• All twelve uncut original Japanese versions of the films in high definition, with lossless Japanese and English audio
• 4K restorations of the critically acclaimed Heisei trilogy
• Hours of new and archive bonus features, expert commentaries, interviews with cast and crew, and the worldwide Blu-ray premiere of Gammera The Invincible (the American theatrical version...
- 2/23/2020
- by Don Anelli
- AsianMoviePulse
Okay, we’re cheating this week. This isn’t a Hollywood film; it’s from Japan. So why are we breaking the rules? Because we can! (These are Our rules.) This week, Cinelinx looks at Gamera: Guardian of the Universe.
The first Gamera film was produced by Daiei Studios in 1965. It was clearly meant to cash in on the success of the popular Godzilla film franchise. The concept of a giant turtle that defends Earth from monsters may seem like a dopey idea—and truthfully, it is—but it’s so much fun, and Gamera is one of the best creations of the Kaiju genre.
Gamera: Guardian of the Universe (1995), which was released 30 years later, is a reboot of the franchise (inspired by the well-received Godzilla reboot series of the late 80s-Early 90s) However, it’s not so much a remake of the first 1965 Gamera film as it is a...
The first Gamera film was produced by Daiei Studios in 1965. It was clearly meant to cash in on the success of the popular Godzilla film franchise. The concept of a giant turtle that defends Earth from monsters may seem like a dopey idea—and truthfully, it is—but it’s so much fun, and Gamera is one of the best creations of the Kaiju genre.
Gamera: Guardian of the Universe (1995), which was released 30 years later, is a reboot of the franchise (inspired by the well-received Godzilla reboot series of the late 80s-Early 90s) However, it’s not so much a remake of the first 1965 Gamera film as it is a...
- 5/23/2016
- by feeds@cinelinx.com (Rob Young)
- Cinelinx
What we lack more and more these days are epic fight scenes in the final part of kung Fu/Martial Art movies. We have seen less and less one on one fight scenes in the final battle over the past 15-20 years, which is a shame but we have seen recently a few flicks bringing that winning formula back.
I want to name a few of my favorite end fight scenes and please feel free to comment below, your favorite fight scenes and maybe they will be added to the future features.
Hitman In The Hand Of Buddha
1.Hitman In The Hand Of Buddha (1981)
Cast:Hwang Jang Lee, Eddie Ko, Tino Wong Cheung, Meng Hoi, Fan Mei Sheng, Corey Yuen
Fight Choreographer:Meng Hoi, Corey Yuen, Chin Yuet Sang
Fist Of legend
2.Fist of Legend (1994)
Cast:Jet Li, Chin Siu Ho, Billy Chow, Yasuaki Kurata, Shinobu Nakayama
Fight Choreographer: Yuen Woo Ping
Kickboxer
3.Kickboxer (1993)
Cast:Yuen Biao,...
I want to name a few of my favorite end fight scenes and please feel free to comment below, your favorite fight scenes and maybe they will be added to the future features.
Hitman In The Hand Of Buddha
1.Hitman In The Hand Of Buddha (1981)
Cast:Hwang Jang Lee, Eddie Ko, Tino Wong Cheung, Meng Hoi, Fan Mei Sheng, Corey Yuen
Fight Choreographer:Meng Hoi, Corey Yuen, Chin Yuet Sang
Fist Of legend
2.Fist of Legend (1994)
Cast:Jet Li, Chin Siu Ho, Billy Chow, Yasuaki Kurata, Shinobu Nakayama
Fight Choreographer: Yuen Woo Ping
Kickboxer
3.Kickboxer (1993)
Cast:Yuen Biao,...
- 4/9/2015
- by kingofkungfu
- AsianMoviePulse
Like millions of you around the world, i love Kung Fu movies. It is the only real genre that keeps me going back for more and that is why i will always love Kung Fu movies.
I know many of you have probably seen many of the movies i will post about, but this is also for anyone new to the genre of Kung Fu and even Swordplay and looking for other movies to enjoy. I hope you enjoy the movies i have listed and please feel free to comment about any of the movies.
The Skyhawk (1974)
Studio: Golden Harvest
Director: Jeong Chang Hwa
Cast: Kwan Tak Hing, Sammo Hung, Carter Wong, Wang In Sik, Nora Miao
Action Director(s): Sammo Hung
Legendary Weapons of China (1982)
Studio: Shaw Brothers
Director: Lau Kar Leung
Cast: Hsiao Ho, Lau Kar Leung, Kara Hui, Gordon Liu, Lau Kar Wing, Fu Sheng
Action...
I know many of you have probably seen many of the movies i will post about, but this is also for anyone new to the genre of Kung Fu and even Swordplay and looking for other movies to enjoy. I hope you enjoy the movies i have listed and please feel free to comment about any of the movies.
The Skyhawk (1974)
Studio: Golden Harvest
Director: Jeong Chang Hwa
Cast: Kwan Tak Hing, Sammo Hung, Carter Wong, Wang In Sik, Nora Miao
Action Director(s): Sammo Hung
Legendary Weapons of China (1982)
Studio: Shaw Brothers
Director: Lau Kar Leung
Cast: Hsiao Ho, Lau Kar Leung, Kara Hui, Gordon Liu, Lau Kar Wing, Fu Sheng
Action...
- 3/6/2014
- by kingofkungfu
- AsianMoviePulse
Based on the 1,000-year-old "The Tale of Genji", written by a court woman in Kyoto during Japan's Heian Dynasty, Toei Co.'s cinematic version of a famous literary classic is an expensive but disappointing costume epic.
Opening in December in Japan, "Genji -- A Thousand Year Love" marks the feature film debut of veteran TV director Tonko Horikawa. Unlikely to stir up much international interest beyond foreign festival engagements, the film is often beautiful and parts of the episodic storytelling achieve the universal romantic appeal the filmmakers strove for.
But even a 2-hour-and-20-minute movie is bound to cut a lot of corners in attempting to adapt the lengthy original. Indeed, Viking just published a two-volume, 1,200-page English translation of "The Tale of Genji".
Credited to veteran Akira Hayasaka, the screenplay of "Genji" strives to present the best-known characters from what some have called the world's first novel.
But it also attempts to weave in the story of author Murasaki Shikibu (Sayuri Yoshinaga). The daughter of a scholar, Murasaki is already famous for her writing when she's employed to tutor the daughter (Takami Mizuhashi) of a statesman (Ken Watanabe). Hoping to have his daughter marry the emperor, Murasaki's employer enourages the telling of stories about Genji. An idealized "beautiful man" who has many loves, Genji is played with elegance and muted charisma by a woman, Yuki Amami.
The film moves back and forth between Murasaki's world and the romantic realms that her creation Genji exists in. Son of the emperor but destined not to rule, Genji falls seriously in love with his father's new wife, the Empress Fujitsubo (Reiko Takashima), and gets her pregnant. This misstep leads the lovesick hero to essentially kidnap a girl that he raises to be a "perfect woman" (Takako Tokiwa).
But over the years Genji dallies with many other ladies, including his wife (Shinobu Nakayama) who he was married to as a teenager. He eventually builds a mansion with four pavilions themed after the seasons. But not all his true loves are thrilled to take up residence.
The rights of women in the mostly peaceful world depicted are strangely skewed or non-exsistent. Murasaki's lusty, tragic tale causes her charge to question the fate that destines her to become one of many women beholden to one powerful man.
While one doesn't exactly feel transported to the 11th Century, "Genji" tries hard with pretty locations and historically accurate kimonos to make the material a memorable encounter with ancient Japanese culture. Special effects are even part of the package, including spooky sequences with spirits. Alas, the long running time results in a movie that stumbles to a decidedly less than earthmoving conclusion.
GENJI -- A THOUSAND YEAR LOVE
Toei Co.
Director: Tonko Horikawa
Screenwriter: Akira Hayasaka
Producers: Yusuke Okada, Hiroshi Hayakawa, Sadashi Iida, Sumio Kiga, Hisashi
Yamauchi
Executive producer: Tan Takaiwa
Director of photography: Tatsuo Suzuki
Production designer: Yoshinobu Nishioka
Music: Isao Tomita
Color/stereo
Cast:
Murasaki Shikibu: Sayuri Yoshinaga
Hikaru Genji: Yuki Amami
Shoshi: Takami Mizuhashi
Murasakinoue: Takako Tokiwa
Empress Fujitsubo/Lady Kiritsubo: Reiko Takashima
Lady Aoi: Shinobu Nakayama
Michinaga: Ken Watanabe
Running time -- 142 minutes
No MPAA Rating...
Opening in December in Japan, "Genji -- A Thousand Year Love" marks the feature film debut of veteran TV director Tonko Horikawa. Unlikely to stir up much international interest beyond foreign festival engagements, the film is often beautiful and parts of the episodic storytelling achieve the universal romantic appeal the filmmakers strove for.
But even a 2-hour-and-20-minute movie is bound to cut a lot of corners in attempting to adapt the lengthy original. Indeed, Viking just published a two-volume, 1,200-page English translation of "The Tale of Genji".
Credited to veteran Akira Hayasaka, the screenplay of "Genji" strives to present the best-known characters from what some have called the world's first novel.
But it also attempts to weave in the story of author Murasaki Shikibu (Sayuri Yoshinaga). The daughter of a scholar, Murasaki is already famous for her writing when she's employed to tutor the daughter (Takami Mizuhashi) of a statesman (Ken Watanabe). Hoping to have his daughter marry the emperor, Murasaki's employer enourages the telling of stories about Genji. An idealized "beautiful man" who has many loves, Genji is played with elegance and muted charisma by a woman, Yuki Amami.
The film moves back and forth between Murasaki's world and the romantic realms that her creation Genji exists in. Son of the emperor but destined not to rule, Genji falls seriously in love with his father's new wife, the Empress Fujitsubo (Reiko Takashima), and gets her pregnant. This misstep leads the lovesick hero to essentially kidnap a girl that he raises to be a "perfect woman" (Takako Tokiwa).
But over the years Genji dallies with many other ladies, including his wife (Shinobu Nakayama) who he was married to as a teenager. He eventually builds a mansion with four pavilions themed after the seasons. But not all his true loves are thrilled to take up residence.
The rights of women in the mostly peaceful world depicted are strangely skewed or non-exsistent. Murasaki's lusty, tragic tale causes her charge to question the fate that destines her to become one of many women beholden to one powerful man.
While one doesn't exactly feel transported to the 11th Century, "Genji" tries hard with pretty locations and historically accurate kimonos to make the material a memorable encounter with ancient Japanese culture. Special effects are even part of the package, including spooky sequences with spirits. Alas, the long running time results in a movie that stumbles to a decidedly less than earthmoving conclusion.
GENJI -- A THOUSAND YEAR LOVE
Toei Co.
Director: Tonko Horikawa
Screenwriter: Akira Hayasaka
Producers: Yusuke Okada, Hiroshi Hayakawa, Sadashi Iida, Sumio Kiga, Hisashi
Yamauchi
Executive producer: Tan Takaiwa
Director of photography: Tatsuo Suzuki
Production designer: Yoshinobu Nishioka
Music: Isao Tomita
Color/stereo
Cast:
Murasaki Shikibu: Sayuri Yoshinaga
Hikaru Genji: Yuki Amami
Shoshi: Takami Mizuhashi
Murasakinoue: Takako Tokiwa
Empress Fujitsubo/Lady Kiritsubo: Reiko Takashima
Lady Aoi: Shinobu Nakayama
Michinaga: Ken Watanabe
Running time -- 142 minutes
No MPAA Rating...
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