Some Awesome News,My Seven Swords Review and a Few More New and Upcoming Movies

First a Bit of Great News:

Legendary Kung Fu Trio to Reunite After 18 Years



"The famous martial-arts trio of Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung and Yuen Biao will reunite in a new movie as early as this month, Jackie Chan said yesterday.

I did write the script for the new film myself, but it is likely to be directed by someone else, said Chan without unveiling the title of the new movie, during an interview with Yonhap News Agency. It’s going to be a quite unique comedy film, which nobody has ever seen before.

The world famous action star added that the new film is about a big comedy surrounding a baby in Hong Kong and said he is considering casting a Korean actor.

In the 1980s, the three action heroes starred in several kung fu comedy hits produced by Hong Kong’s Golden Harvest, including Project A (1983), Wheels on Meals (1984) and Dragon Forever (1987)."

Source:Korea Times Article


Hoo-Freakin-Ray is all I have to say about this great news. This is as good as it gets as far as HK movie news goes, unless Bruce Lee returns from the grave.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Movie Review: Seven Swords

Director: Tsui Hark

Starring:
Donnie Yen
Leon Lai
Charlie Yeung
Lau Kar Leung

Synopsis : (from hkfilmart.com)Adapted from renowned writer Liang Yu-shen's timeless classic, Seven Swords tells the story of seven unlikely heroes gathered together to save a village from the massacre of a general that is seeking a fortune through killing

Website: http://www.sevenswordsthefilm.com/

Trailer: HK: Seven Swords Cantonese Trailer
Seven Swords Mandarin Trailer

My Review:

Plot: I understand that this film has been cut from the original 4 hour run time, that director Tsui Hark had originally intended for it, to just over 2 1/2 hours. This makes total sense to me after watching the movie. While the main plot is quite simple and feels complete there are some backstories and subplots which felt incomplete. I am quite looking forward to seeing the 4 hour cut when(hopefully) it is released. That being said even with taking this into account I felt the story was pretty good despite its drawings on some obvious inspiration from other films. overall, the plot was simple but effective and I enjoyed the pacing of the film as well as the direction the story took.
Score: 7

Acting: There seems to be some animosity towards Leon Lai which I don't understand but since I'm aware of it I will first say that his performance was decent and didn't detract from the movie at all. In fact, I want to see the 4 hour cut to learn more about his character because there were some obvious omissions. Everyone elses performance falls on the spectrum from good to very good. and, Even though I felt that Charlie Yeung seemed out of place in this movie she still turned in a good performance. Performances of note include Donnie Yen who was both cool and awesome at the same time, and Kim So-Young who was quite good in her role as a Korean Slave. Also, look for a special cameo appearance by Mr. Michael Wong that comes out of freaking nowhere.
Score: 8

Action/Entertainment: Here's where the movie shines, the action scenes were really nicely done in my opinion. I had read earlier reviews that there weren't enough action scenes or that they were badly edited but I was quite satisfied with the ones in the film. The unique swords used by every character were really cool and the scenes which display their special abilities are especially enjoyable. I had read beforehand about there being bad editing during the fight scenes but it didn't seem that way to me at all which makes me wonder what is causing the confusion. All I can say is that as far as I can tell there is nothing wrong with the editing. Fight scenes were really enjoyable. Great stuff.
Score: 9

Overall: I don't understand the polarized opinions this film seems to generate. I don't think Leon Lai is to blame. I've read numerous reviews and they are all either very positive or very negative. and well, as far as The Gonz is concerned this movie is great. I can't wait for the 4 hour cut and the sequel, keep the "Seven Swords" coming Tsui Hark.
Score: 8.5

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

More New & Upcoming Films:

Japan:


Shinobi(2005): Release Date(JP): Currently Showing, Release Date(US): Unknown

Director: Ten Shimoyama

Starring:
Yukie Nakama
Joe Odagiri
Renji Ishibashi
Tomoka Kurotani
Kippei Shiina

Synopsis:The film takes place in 1614, with Japan finally at peace after long decades of internal strife. Yukie Nakama plays Oboro, a ninja of the Iga clan, who falls in love with Gennosuke (Joe Odagiri), the son of the rival Koga clan's leader. Living in the remote mountains, these two clans have perfected the ninja arts, called "shinobi," far beyond the reach of mere mortals.Seeking to consolidate the shogun's rule - and seeing the two clans as a threat to it, a powerful priest and shogunal advisor (Renji Ishibashi) schemes to set them against each other. The clans are commanded to each select five champions who will battle to the death. The reward for the survivor: rank and power.Both Oboro and Gennosuke are chosen as champions, but Gennosuke doubts the shogunate's intentions - and refuses to take part in the contest. He is forced into action when his comrades begin to fall, though he cannot bring himself to battle one Iga warrior: Oboro. Source:Mark Schilling in Tokyo

Webiste: http://www.shinobi-movie.com/

Trailer:Shinobi Trailer

South Korea:

Typhoon(South Korea 2005/6) Release Date:December 2005/January 2006
Director:Kwak Kyeong-taek

Starring:
Jang Dong-gun
Lee Jung-jae
Lee Mi-Yeon

Synopsis: Exiled from North Korea, but with a fanatic hatred for South Korea, Jang's character, Myeong-shin, turns to piracy but his plans for revenge could result in deaths across both Koreas. Lee Jung-jae plays Se-jong, a navy seal who must stop the pirate from turning terrorist.

Website: http://www.typhoonthemovie.com/

Trailer: None Yet, Will Update


Hong Kong:


All About Love(HK 2005); Hk Release Date: Mid-October 2005; US Release: Unknown

Director:Daniel Yu
Starring:
Andy Lau
Charlene Choi
Charlie Yeung

Synopsis: Andy Lau takes two roles in the movie and the two of him is in love with Charlie Yeung and Charlene Choi respectively. Andy Lau plays one of the role as Doctor Gao Yuen. Doctor Gao is a very dedicated professional and tends to be careless about his home life to give way to work. Six years ago, Doctor Gao's wife (starred by Charlene Choi) died of a traffic accident and this created deep guilt in his heart. Because of this, Gao transfers to become an ambulance assistance out of the blue. Gao's life since becomes routine and dull but he remains a very disciplined professional. Gao comes to the rescue of the wounded Sam(starred by Charlie Yeung during one of his duty shift. The incident created a ripple on the ceaseless heart of Gao and he finds himself slowly drawn to Sam. After a while, Gao discovered that Sam's husband Derek(another role played by Andy Lau)disappeared on Sam a few years ago and is still missing to the day. Derek was once a very famous hair stylist in town, he is also a very good looking guy. Derek was also the hard working type that turned his full attention to work and thus overlook his relationship with Sam. As their love and passion was gradually worn out to the element of time, Derek finally took off after a roll with Sam and never returned. Gao further discovers that Derek actually looks a lot like the six-years-ago himself. He thus sneaks into the couple's apartment and plays the part of Derek, manipulating bit and pieces of their home to bring the feeling of sweet yesterday. This inevitably brings some warmth back to the pitiful life of Sam. Gao learns that Sam has a serious illness and will not last long. He is determined to find the where about of Derek and hopes that Derek will return to the side of Sam.
Source: http://www.hkfilmart.com/

Website: http://www.allaboutlovethemovie.com/

Trailer:All About Love Trailer




Dragon Squad(HK 2005); Hk Release Date: October 2005(I Think); U.S Release: Unknown

Director: Daniel Lee


Starring:
Michael Biehn, Vanessa Wu
Shawn Yue, Sammo Hung
Eva Huang, Simon Yam
Maggie Q, Li Bing Bing



Synopsis: A team of young Interpol agents arrive in Hong Kong to give testimony at the trial of local crime lord 'Tiger' Duen. Among them are American agent Andy Hui (Derek Chou), Taiwanese lawman Vanness Chang (Vanness Wu), mainland Chinese sharpshooter Cheung (Derek Chou) and local cops Lok (Shawn Yue) and Suet (Eva Huang). They are greeted by Hong Kong police commander Hon Sun (Simon Yam). The heavily armed convoy taking Tiger to court is attacked by a ruthless team of North Korean agents, led by international terrorist Petros Davinci (Michael Biehn). Petros is seeking revenge for his brother in arms, who was killed by Puma and his brother, 'Tiger' Duen. At Petros' side is his fierce enforcer, the former Korean special forces officer Ko (Huh Joon-ho) and a lethal lady sniper, Song (Maggie Q).After Tiger is snatched, the Interpol team insists on tracking down Petros themselves. Hon Sun rejects their request and places the team in the care of veteran police officer Kong Long (Sammo Hung).A burned out cop who has never come to terms with either his personal or professional history, Long Kong is reluctant to get involved. Finally, inspired by his young charges, he rises to the occasion, and leads the Interpol team on their quest for Petros and his team. Petros uses every available weapon, including Tiger Duen's girlfriend, Ching (Li Bing Bing), to outmaneuver his foes. The mean streets of Hong Kong form a backdrop for a battle of wills, wits, and urban warfare.



Website:http://www.dragonsquad.hk/

Trailer:Dragon Squad Trailer