Recently there has been a spate of action movies centered around child trafficking/kidnapping. From Malaysia's “Walid” to Vietnam's “Foggy Mountain”, it's a subgenre taken directly from news headlines and provides plenty of opportunity for emotional drama amidst the carnage. With the imminent release in the west from Film Movement, we get an opportunity to take in another example but one with considerable pedigree. “578 Magnum” was the Vietnamese submission for the 95th Academy Awards for Best International Feature. So the question is, does it live up to the reputation?
578 Magnum is Premiering Via VOD, Digital & Film Movement Plus On February 23, 2024
Hung (Alexandre Nguyen) drives a truck,, accompanied by his daughter An. He leaves her at a school so can make his schedules only to find her taken by associates of Thai (Ngoc Tinh) when she tries to visit. Tracking Thai down, Hung kidnaps him in turn setting in motion a...
578 Magnum is Premiering Via VOD, Digital & Film Movement Plus On February 23, 2024
Hung (Alexandre Nguyen) drives a truck,, accompanied by his daughter An. He leaves her at a school so can make his schedules only to find her taken by associates of Thai (Ngoc Tinh) when she tries to visit. Tracking Thai down, Hung kidnaps him in turn setting in motion a...
- 2/19/2024
- by Ben Stykuc
- AsianMoviePulse
Stars: Bryan Manley Davis, Laura Dooling, Jennie Osterman, Jasmine Peck, Frank Wihbey, Adrienne King, Michael Schantz | Written and Directed by Kurtis Spieler
Let’s clear one thing up before we start, The Dead Girl in Apartment 03 is billed as being “From the director of New York Ninja”. But it’s directed not by John Liu who actually shot the footage. Instead, it’s the work of Kurtis Spieler, the man who oversaw the dubbing and assembled Liu’s footage into an actual film. So if you’re watching and expecting that film’s epic lunacy, you may be disappointed.
The film opens in an NYC police station with Christian being interrogated about the events that led to three dead bodies being found in an apartment and the disappearance of his ex-girlfriend Laura. He prefaces his story with “Do you believe in ghosts?” as the scene shifts to several hours...
Let’s clear one thing up before we start, The Dead Girl in Apartment 03 is billed as being “From the director of New York Ninja”. But it’s directed not by John Liu who actually shot the footage. Instead, it’s the work of Kurtis Spieler, the man who oversaw the dubbing and assembled Liu’s footage into an actual film. So if you’re watching and expecting that film’s epic lunacy, you may be disappointed.
The film opens in an NYC police station with Christian being interrogated about the events that led to three dead bodies being found in an apartment and the disappearance of his ex-girlfriend Laura. He prefaces his story with “Do you believe in ghosts?” as the scene shifts to several hours...
- 8/10/2022
- by Jim Morazzini
- Nerdly
It was probably the moment in New York Ninja in which the titular vigilante digs a bullet out of his chest with a custom engraved "N Y Ninja" throwing star that truly made me think, "Yeah, this is the good stuff," and if you aren't sold by that, I'm sorry friend, I don't wanna know you. With a backstory almost as amazing and perplexing as the story onscreen, John Liu/Kurtis Spieler's New York Ninja is an absurd, outré, completely unbelievable cult classic in the making. A vigilante ninja romp through classic grimy '80s New York written, directed by, and starring Liu, one of Hong Kong's king kickers, New York Ninja was an attempt to break through to the American audience in 1985, only to be...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 1/17/2022
- Screen Anarchy
Imagine for a second you are trapped like Malcom McDowell in “A Clockwork Orange” being subjected to watch a cinema screen with your eyes forced open unable to shut them to the horrors on screen. After the 90 minutes I endured watching “In Between loves” this is the movie I imagine playing if that nightmare were to ever happen to me. I get that in Hong Kong cinema genres blend, so a Horror\Comedy hybrid is to be expected. In fact, personally I feel that Hong Kong does these better than anybody. Yet every so often, we get examples of why this are difficult balancing acts. You could argue that this is the Ying to “Mr Vampire’s” yang. A balancing of the cinematic universe by making a movie so bad that you suspect its actually part of a “Producers” style scam.
on Amazon
Chang Hsin Lung (Alfred Cheung...
on Amazon
Chang Hsin Lung (Alfred Cheung...
- 11/29/2021
- by Ben Stykuc
- AsianMoviePulse
Stars: Don ‘The Dragon’ Wilson, John Liu, Leon Isaac Kennedy, Linnea Quigley, Ginger Lynn, Cynthia Rothrock, Michael Berryman | Directed by John Liu, Kurtis Spieler
The story behind New York Ninja is almost as incredible as the film itself. In 1984 Taiwanese martial artist and actor John Liu came to New York City with the intention of filming his latest movie there. While he did shoot it, he was so unimpressed by the results he abandoned the project and left the unedited footage in a vault and retired from filmmaking. An there it sat for thirty-five years later the footage came into the hands of film restoration specialists Vinegar Syndrome. They had the technology, they could rebuild it, all except for one critical element. The film’s soundtrack was missing, as was the script.
So they wrote a new one, not a spoof but authentic-sounding 80s style dialogue. And they hired a...
The story behind New York Ninja is almost as incredible as the film itself. In 1984 Taiwanese martial artist and actor John Liu came to New York City with the intention of filming his latest movie there. While he did shoot it, he was so unimpressed by the results he abandoned the project and left the unedited footage in a vault and retired from filmmaking. An there it sat for thirty-five years later the footage came into the hands of film restoration specialists Vinegar Syndrome. They had the technology, they could rebuild it, all except for one critical element. The film’s soundtrack was missing, as was the script.
So they wrote a new one, not a spoof but authentic-sounding 80s style dialogue. And they hired a...
- 11/9/2021
- by Jim Morazzini
- Nerdly
Originally filmed in 1984, John Liu’s “New York Ninja” was left unfinished as the martial arts standout lacked the resources to have the film completed, and shortly after decided to retire from show business all together. Cut to the current year, where Vinegar Syndrome was able to get a copy of the unfinished negatives and soon realized that the film was a hidden gem ripe for re release to the modern crowd of cinephiles who embrace the absurdity of 80s over-the-top schlock. In order to remaster the film required all new audio and soundtrack, and to best capture the aesthetic of the period, Vinegar Syndrome relied on the talents of cult icons like Don “The Dragon” Wilson, Linnea Quigley, Cynthia Rothrock, Ginger Lynn Allen and Michael Berryman, along with music by Voyag3r to breathe new life into the long-lost film. The result, a perfect midnight film that has the...
- 10/30/2021
- by Adam Symchuk
- AsianMoviePulse
They killed his pregnant wife. They assaulted his colleagues. They’re responsible for murder and mayhem on the streets. Now lowly sound technician John (John Liu) has had enough. Clad all in off-white and packing specially engraved throwing stars, he’s ready to deal out his own form of vigilante justice – as the New York Ninja!
If you don’t see the point in watching B-grade films rife with exploitation and paper-thin characterisation, you may as well read no further. If you have ever enjoyed anything of this sort, however, you’ll be gripped from the moment you hear the first notes of Voyag3r’s stunning synthesizer score. They signpost exactly what’s coming and the film never falls short of that initial promise.
If your first thought is that they don’t make ‘em like this anymore, you’re halfway right. This was originally shot on 35mm in...
If you don’t see the point in watching B-grade films rife with exploitation and paper-thin characterisation, you may as well read no further. If you have ever enjoyed anything of this sort, however, you’ll be gripped from the moment you hear the first notes of Voyag3r’s stunning synthesizer score. They signpost exactly what’s coming and the film never falls short of that initial promise.
If your first thought is that they don’t make ‘em like this anymore, you’re halfway right. This was originally shot on 35mm in...
- 10/29/2021
- by Jennie Kermode
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
It was probably the moment in New York Ninja in which the titular vigilante digs a bullet out of his chest with a custom engraved "N Y Ninja" throwing star that truly made me think, "Yeah, this is the good stuff", and if you aren't sold by that, I'm sorry friend, I don't wanna know you. With a backstory almost as amazing and perplexing as the story onscreen, John Liu/Kurtis Spieler's New York Ninja is an absurd, outré, completely unbelievable cult classic in the making. A vigilante ninja romp through classic grimy '80s New York written, directed by, and starring Liu, one of Hong Kong's king kickers, New York Ninja was an attempt to break through to the American audience in 1985, only to be...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 10/5/2021
- Screen Anarchy
"This city owes... justice." Vinegar Syndrome has unveiled the brand new trailer for a long lost 80s campy action film titled New York Ninja, which has been finished and is ready for release in 4K this year after a premiere at Beyond Fest. Originally directed by & starring martial arts actor John Liu in his only American production, New York Ninja was filmed entirely on 35mm in 1984, but the project was abandoned during production resulting in all original sound materials, scripts, and treatments going missing. 35 years later, Vinegar Syndrome acquired the original unedited negative and painstakingly completed the film. Now with the voices of Don "The Dragon" Wilson, Linnea Quigley, Michael Berryman, Vince Murdocco, Matt Mitler, Leon Isaac Kennedy, Ginger Lynn Allen, and Cynthia Rothrock. A sound technician for a news station becomes a vigilante ninja in NYC after his pregnant wife is murdered. Restored in 4K from the original camera elements,...
- 9/28/2021
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Julia Ducournau’s Titane, which earned the Palme d’Or in Cannes, will open the Beyond Fest in Los Angeles, with the French director attending in person.
The Los Angeles-based genre festival also unveiled a U.S. premiere for Halloween Kills, with director David Gordon Green and producer Jason Blum on hand for the screening, while a world premiere will be held for John Liu’s New York Ninja, with cast members Cynthia Rothrock, Leon Isaac and Adrienne Meltzer in attendance.
For its 2021 edition, Beyond Fest will screen 39 features, including eight world premieres and four U.S. premieres, as the genre event returns ...
The Los Angeles-based genre festival also unveiled a U.S. premiere for Halloween Kills, with director David Gordon Green and producer Jason Blum on hand for the screening, while a world premiere will be held for John Liu’s New York Ninja, with cast members Cynthia Rothrock, Leon Isaac and Adrienne Meltzer in attendance.
For its 2021 edition, Beyond Fest will screen 39 features, including eight world premieres and four U.S. premieres, as the genre event returns ...
- 9/16/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Julia Ducournau’s Titane, which earned the Palme d’Or in Cannes, will open the Beyond Fest in Los Angeles, with the French director attending in person.
The Los Angeles-based genre festival also unveiled a U.S. premiere for Halloween Kills, with director David Gordon Green and producer Jason Blum on hand for the screening, while a world premiere will be held for John Liu’s New York Ninja, with cast members Cynthia Rothrock, Leon Isaac and Adrienne Meltzer in attendance.
For its 2021 edition, Beyond Fest will screen 39 features, including eight world premieres and four U.S. premieres, as the genre event returns ...
The Los Angeles-based genre festival also unveiled a U.S. premiere for Halloween Kills, with director David Gordon Green and producer Jason Blum on hand for the screening, while a world premiere will be held for John Liu’s New York Ninja, with cast members Cynthia Rothrock, Leon Isaac and Adrienne Meltzer in attendance.
For its 2021 edition, Beyond Fest will screen 39 features, including eight world premieres and four U.S. premieres, as the genre event returns ...
- 9/16/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Update: Eric Adams has won the Democratic primary. The Associated Press declared the Brooklyn borough president the winner on July 6th after the Board of Election released results that included over 120,000 absentee ballots that had been outstanding. The new tally put Adams ahead of Kathryn Garcia by just over 8,400 votes, but with less than 1,000 ballots still outstanding, it’s enough to secure him the victory.
“While there are still some very small amounts of votes to be counted, the results are clear: An historic, diverse, five-borough coalition led by working-class...
“While there are still some very small amounts of votes to be counted, the results are clear: An historic, diverse, five-borough coalition led by working-class...
- 7/7/2021
- by Ryan Bort
- Rollingstone.com
This is a run down of my Top 40 kung fu movies of the 1970′s. There were so many great films in this era, that i just hope i do this list some justice. The movies chosen are just my personal choice, i understand others might have different views.
Any of the movies that make the Top 40 list must have something special to make it in the first place. So i hope you enjoy my Top 40 Kung Fu movies.
20.Invincible Armour (1977)
Starring: Hwang Jang Lee, John Liu, Philip Ko, Lee Hoi San, Yuen Biao
The Emperor’s Minister of State Cheng, an authoritarian ruler, arranges for Hu Lung, one of his old students to distract General Chow while he assassinates the leader of the Ming rebels. Chow hunts for Hu Lung, but must avoid the authorities since he is a suspect in the murder. He eventually finds Chow, but is thwarted by Hu Lung’s master,...
Any of the movies that make the Top 40 list must have something special to make it in the first place. So i hope you enjoy my Top 40 Kung Fu movies.
20.Invincible Armour (1977)
Starring: Hwang Jang Lee, John Liu, Philip Ko, Lee Hoi San, Yuen Biao
The Emperor’s Minister of State Cheng, an authoritarian ruler, arranges for Hu Lung, one of his old students to distract General Chow while he assassinates the leader of the Ming rebels. Chow hunts for Hu Lung, but must avoid the authorities since he is a suspect in the murder. He eventually finds Chow, but is thwarted by Hu Lung’s master,...
- 8/7/2012
- by kingofkungfu
- AsianMoviePulse
This is a run down of my Top 40 kung fu movies of the 1970′s. There were so many great films in this era, that i just hope i do this list some justice. The movies chosen are just my personal choice, i understand others might have different views.
Any of the movies that make the Top 40 list must have something special to make it in the first place. So i hope you enjoy my Top 40 Kung Fu movies.
30:Iron Fisted Monk
Starring: Sammo Hung, Fung Hak On, Chan Sing, James Tien
The Husker has a heart of gold although he is full of tricks. When he is a trainee at Shaolin Temple, he cuts so many corners and devises so many labor-saving ploys that he earns the open wrath and secret admiration of his holy elders. Monk Shan, the famous kung fu master, never lets his buddhist association stand in the way of wining,...
Any of the movies that make the Top 40 list must have something special to make it in the first place. So i hope you enjoy my Top 40 Kung Fu movies.
30:Iron Fisted Monk
Starring: Sammo Hung, Fung Hak On, Chan Sing, James Tien
The Husker has a heart of gold although he is full of tricks. When he is a trainee at Shaolin Temple, he cuts so many corners and devises so many labor-saving ploys that he earns the open wrath and secret admiration of his holy elders. Monk Shan, the famous kung fu master, never lets his buddhist association stand in the way of wining,...
- 7/31/2012
- by kingofkungfu
- AsianMoviePulse
Bloomberg News New York City Comptroller John Liu in 2010
A councilman from Queens, an Asian immigrant who’s traveled the striver’s path to success, rises to New York’s political heights with the support of a multicultural coalition of voters. His reformist zeal and unique ability to unite fragmented factions — blacks, Latinos, Asians and labor — make him a media darling and a serious contender for what some call the second-most powerful office in America: mayor of New York. But...
A councilman from Queens, an Asian immigrant who’s traveled the striver’s path to success, rises to New York’s political heights with the support of a multicultural coalition of voters. His reformist zeal and unique ability to unite fragmented factions — blacks, Latinos, Asians and labor — make him a media darling and a serious contender for what some call the second-most powerful office in America: mayor of New York. But...
- 11/25/2011
- by Jeff Yang
- Speakeasy/Wall Street Journal
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