Pluto TV, Paramount’s free streaming service, has revealed its May highlights. The Pluto TV May 2024 schedule includes Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month programming, more anime content, new channels, and new film additions.
Pluto TV is the leading free streaming television service, delivering hundreds of live linear channels and thousands of titles on-demand to a global audience.
The Emmy Award-winning service curates a diverse lineup of channels in partnership with hundreds of international media companies. It offers a wide array of genres, languages, and categories featuring movies, television series, sports, news, lifestyle, kids, and much more.
Pluto TV can be easily accessed and streamed across mobile, web, and connected TV devices. Headquartered in Los Angeles, Pluto TV’s growing international footprint extends across three continents and over 35 markets.
Pluto TV May 2024 Programming
Asian American, Native Hawaiian, And Pacific Islander Heritage Month
To pay tribute, Pluto TV...
Pluto TV is the leading free streaming television service, delivering hundreds of live linear channels and thousands of titles on-demand to a global audience.
The Emmy Award-winning service curates a diverse lineup of channels in partnership with hundreds of international media companies. It offers a wide array of genres, languages, and categories featuring movies, television series, sports, news, lifestyle, kids, and much more.
Pluto TV can be easily accessed and streamed across mobile, web, and connected TV devices. Headquartered in Los Angeles, Pluto TV’s growing international footprint extends across three continents and over 35 markets.
Pluto TV May 2024 Programming
Asian American, Native Hawaiian, And Pacific Islander Heritage Month
To pay tribute, Pluto TV...
- 4/29/2024
- by Mirko Parlevliet
- Vital Thrills
A surprise hit after its release on various streaming platforms, director and writer Yang's short online wuxia film “Eye for an Eye: The Blind Swordsman” (2023) starring Xie Miao as the protagonist went on to generate a fair amount of attention both in Mainland China and overseas. Therefore it is inevitable that a sequel soon follows with both Yang and Xie returning. Though scheduled for a wilder cinema release, the much anticipated and a longer follow-up still ended up streaming on iQIYI.
Watch Eye for An Eye 2 on iQIYI
This second installment kicks off in Youzhou during the Tang Dynasty. Believing that five fugitives are hiding in a gambling den, blind swordsman Cheng Xia Zi shows up to arrest them. Naturally, they try to fight their way out but of course they are no match for the lethal bounty hunter. Apparently, Cheng is trying to make as much money as...
Watch Eye for An Eye 2 on iQIYI
This second installment kicks off in Youzhou during the Tang Dynasty. Believing that five fugitives are hiding in a gambling den, blind swordsman Cheng Xia Zi shows up to arrest them. Naturally, they try to fight their way out but of course they are no match for the lethal bounty hunter. Apparently, Cheng is trying to make as much money as...
- 4/26/2024
- by David Chew
- AsianMoviePulse
Taiwanese screenwriter and director Su Chao Bin wrote this Ming Dynasty wuxia drama primarily for Michelle Yeoh to star in. According to Su and producer Terence Chang, the approach was to do a story in the style of Gu Long's wuxia, populated with multiple characters plus a touch of suspense and mystery. Producer John Woo's input is mainly as an adviser, but he did direct one action scene which featured his daughter and thereby also credited as co-director. Su won the Best Director award for his effort at the 17th Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards.
on Amazon by clicking on the image below
The story starts off with an interesting animated prologue detailing the arrival of Monk Bodhi from India some eight hundred years ago. He spent his early years preaching in the Palace and then retired to Mt Jinhua where he trained and...
on Amazon by clicking on the image below
The story starts off with an interesting animated prologue detailing the arrival of Monk Bodhi from India some eight hundred years ago. He spent his early years preaching in the Palace and then retired to Mt Jinhua where he trained and...
- 10/27/2023
- by David Chew
- AsianMoviePulse
The social and economic pressures felt by China’s “leftover women” — referring to those older than 26 and unmarried — are examined in “Send Me to the Clouds,” a rewarding dramedy about a 30-ish journalist seeking financial reward and sexual fulfillment after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Bold by mainland standards for presenting a positive portrayal of a woman who’s chosen neither motherhood nor marriage, “Clouds” marks an impressive feature debut for female writer-director Teng Congcong, whose editing credits include “Reign of Assassins.” Starring and co-produced by popular actress Yao Chen (“Journey to the West: The Demon Strikes Back”), this timely pro-feminist tale grossed a respectable $4 million in limited domestic release in August, and has the warm heart and wry humor to attract art-house audiences when it opens theatrically in North America on Sept. 20.
Following similarly themed documentaries such as “Leftover Women” and 2019 Sundance prize winner “One Child Nation,” From the...
Following similarly themed documentaries such as “Leftover Women” and 2019 Sundance prize winner “One Child Nation,” From the...
- 9/17/2019
- by Richard Kuipers
- Variety Film + TV
An above-average action thriller set in the snow-covered environs of Baekdu Mountain on the China-North Korea border, “Savage” marks a confident directing debut for Chinese screenwriter Cui Siwei (“The Island”). This no-nonsense affair about a dogged detective squaring off with a trio of vicious crooks packs plenty of excitement and visual splendor into a familiar scenario, and is well performed by a top-notch cast including Chang Chen (“The Assassin”) and Liao Fan. Another example of China’s increasing ability to produce slick commercial fare with broad international appeal, “Savage” opened strongly in local cinemas on April 30 and ought to perform credibly in North America when released by Well Go USA on May 3.
Produced by veteran hitmaker and frequent John Woo collaborator Terence Chang, “Savage” shared the New Currents Award (given to best first or second film) at Busan with the South Korean psychodrama “Clean Up” — a notable feat considering Cui...
Produced by veteran hitmaker and frequent John Woo collaborator Terence Chang, “Savage” shared the New Currents Award (given to best first or second film) at Busan with the South Korean psychodrama “Clean Up” — a notable feat considering Cui...
- 5/3/2019
- by Richard Kuipers
- Variety Film + TV
After working on historical epics for more than a decade, John Woo has returned to the present day with “Manhunt.” The “Hard Boiled,” “Face/Off” and “The Killer” director’s latest just screened in Toronto, where the conspiracy thriller earned favorable reviews. Watch the trailer below.
Read More:‘The Wife’ Review: Glenn Close is Exquisite In This Literary Drama — Tiff
Here’s the synopsis, courtesy of Tiff: “Du Qiu (Zhang Hanyu) is a successful international lawyer from China who has long been working for Tenjin, a powerful Japanese pharmaceutical company. On the very night he announces his break with the company — at its lavish 65th-anniversary party — he is assaulted in his home, knocked unconscious, and wakes the next morning with a knife in his hand and a murdered employee of Tenjin in his bed. Pursued by authorities, including a police captain who begins to suspect his innocence (Masaharu Fukuyama), Du...
Read More:‘The Wife’ Review: Glenn Close is Exquisite In This Literary Drama — Tiff
Here’s the synopsis, courtesy of Tiff: “Du Qiu (Zhang Hanyu) is a successful international lawyer from China who has long been working for Tenjin, a powerful Japanese pharmaceutical company. On the very night he announces his break with the company — at its lavish 65th-anniversary party — he is assaulted in his home, knocked unconscious, and wakes the next morning with a knife in his hand and a murdered employee of Tenjin in his bed. Pursued by authorities, including a police captain who begins to suspect his innocence (Masaharu Fukuyama), Du...
- 9/17/2017
- by Michael Nordine
- Indiewire
Cine Asia & Cmc Pictures Presents: Wukong
Directed By: Derek Kwok
Main Cast: Eddie Peng
Other Cast: Ni Ni, Shawn Yue, Ou Hao
Production: New Classics Media
Language: Mandarin with Chinese & English Subtitles
From Director Derek Kwok (Co director of ‘Journey To The West’), Wukong delivers an exciting new vision on the classic Monkey King tale. Starring Eddie Peng (Call of Heroes, Operation Mekong) as the Legendary Sun WuKong, alongside rising stars Ni Ni (Flowers of War) and Shawn Yue (Reign of Assassins).
Synopsis:
Three powers collide. Long ago, Sun Wukong, was born in Huaguo Mountain with a heart of stone. Ji Hua, a powerful general from the heaven planned to terminate him. However Wukong was rescued by Bodhi and became his pupil. Jian Yang, is a being who was given an opportunity to become a strong god, but for this he needs to kill Zixia, the daughter of the Heaven Emperor’s rival,...
Directed By: Derek Kwok
Main Cast: Eddie Peng
Other Cast: Ni Ni, Shawn Yue, Ou Hao
Production: New Classics Media
Language: Mandarin with Chinese & English Subtitles
From Director Derek Kwok (Co director of ‘Journey To The West’), Wukong delivers an exciting new vision on the classic Monkey King tale. Starring Eddie Peng (Call of Heroes, Operation Mekong) as the Legendary Sun WuKong, alongside rising stars Ni Ni (Flowers of War) and Shawn Yue (Reign of Assassins).
Synopsis:
Three powers collide. Long ago, Sun Wukong, was born in Huaguo Mountain with a heart of stone. Ji Hua, a powerful general from the heaven planned to terminate him. However Wukong was rescued by Bodhi and became his pupil. Jian Yang, is a being who was given an opportunity to become a strong god, but for this he needs to kill Zixia, the daughter of the Heaven Emperor’s rival,...
- 7/12/2017
- by kingofkungfu
- AsianMoviePulse
Superstars Jung Woo-sung and Kwak Do-won are teaming up for the dramatic spy epic “Steel Rain”.
The film follows Jung as Eom Chul-woo, a former agent from the North Korean intelligence and Kwak as Kwak Chul-woo, a senior member of the South Korean security services. The two band together on a top-secret mission to prevent the breakout of the Korean War.
“Steel Rain” marks the second time Jung Woo-sung and Kwak Do-won are sharing the screen. They were recently seen in 2016’s hit crime film “Asura: The City of Madness.” Fans are highly anticipating the reunion, since both Jung and Kwak are known for delivering stellar performances.
Jung Woo-sung
Jung Woo-sung is an actor, model, director, and producer known for his versatile work from crime films such as “Cold Eyes” (2013) to erotic thrillers such as “Scarlet Innocence” (2014) and from melodramas like “Don’t Forget Me” (2015) to martial arts epics like...
The film follows Jung as Eom Chul-woo, a former agent from the North Korean intelligence and Kwak as Kwak Chul-woo, a senior member of the South Korean security services. The two band together on a top-secret mission to prevent the breakout of the Korean War.
“Steel Rain” marks the second time Jung Woo-sung and Kwak Do-won are sharing the screen. They were recently seen in 2016’s hit crime film “Asura: The City of Madness.” Fans are highly anticipating the reunion, since both Jung and Kwak are known for delivering stellar performances.
Jung Woo-sung
Jung Woo-sung is an actor, model, director, and producer known for his versatile work from crime films such as “Cold Eyes” (2013) to erotic thrillers such as “Scarlet Innocence” (2014) and from melodramas like “Don’t Forget Me” (2015) to martial arts epics like...
- 1/4/2017
- by Ella Palileo
- AsianMoviePulse
As usual, two of the most dependable martial arts action stars do not disappoint. The newest DVD release of Anchor Bay Entertainment’s The Lost Bladesman starring Donnie Yen and Reign of Assassins with the lovely Michelle Yeoh are both hypnotizing and chalked full of heart pounding action. The Lost Bladesman
The Lost Bladesman takes place during tumultuous times when the three kingdoms of ancient China were drowning in warfare. It’s a daring and gripping story peppered with heroic battles. In a struggle for power, only one can obtain it. The strength of one man’s blade would decide it all then deliver him into an unyielding fate.
Even though his character is an unstoppable force, Donnie’s humbling approach to Guan Yuanchan (Guan Yuan) truly defined “a wolf with the soul of a lamb.” He is masterful with the blade. Though not without compassion as only his enemies experience its fatal wrath.
The Lost Bladesman takes place during tumultuous times when the three kingdoms of ancient China were drowning in warfare. It’s a daring and gripping story peppered with heroic battles. In a struggle for power, only one can obtain it. The strength of one man’s blade would decide it all then deliver him into an unyielding fate.
Even though his character is an unstoppable force, Donnie’s humbling approach to Guan Yuanchan (Guan Yuan) truly defined “a wolf with the soul of a lamb.” He is masterful with the blade. Though not without compassion as only his enemies experience its fatal wrath.
- 11/10/2016
- by CoolHappyMe P
- AsianMoviePulse
Two exciting, action-packed Martial Arts movie debut on DVD this week from Anchor Bay Entertainment and The Weinstein Company: Reign Of Assassins and The Lost Bladesman.
“‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’ relocate to ancient China in the dazzling martial-arts epic “Reign Of Assassins”
–The Hollywood Reporter
Reign Of Assassins is an epic Mma Battle Produced by John Woo & Directed by Su Chao-Pin and Starring Michelle Yeoh. It arrives on DVD, Digital HD & On Demand November 1
Michelle Yeoh (Babylon A.D., Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend), Jung Woo-Sung (The Good, The Bad, The Weird; A Moment to Remember, The Warrior) and Xueqi Wang (Iron Man 3, Bodyguards and Assassins, Warriors of Heaven and Earth) star in Reign of Assassins, the exciting martial arts thriller produced by the legendary John Woo (Mission Impossible: II, Face/Off, The Killer), arriving on Digital HD & On Demand and on DVD from...
“‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’ relocate to ancient China in the dazzling martial-arts epic “Reign Of Assassins”
–The Hollywood Reporter
Reign Of Assassins is an epic Mma Battle Produced by John Woo & Directed by Su Chao-Pin and Starring Michelle Yeoh. It arrives on DVD, Digital HD & On Demand November 1
Michelle Yeoh (Babylon A.D., Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend), Jung Woo-Sung (The Good, The Bad, The Weird; A Moment to Remember, The Warrior) and Xueqi Wang (Iron Man 3, Bodyguards and Assassins, Warriors of Heaven and Earth) star in Reign of Assassins, the exciting martial arts thriller produced by the legendary John Woo (Mission Impossible: II, Face/Off, The Killer), arriving on Digital HD & On Demand and on DVD from...
- 10/30/2016
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Former Bond girl Michelle Yeoh isn't arm candy any longer.
The 53-year-old, who joined Netflix's Marco Polo's second season this year, has her own leading role and continues to kick butt on screen.
Yeoh tells People her role involves a lot of stunts, which she "loves every moment of."
"In the past, the action sequences that we do, we work very closely with the stunt people," she says. "It was fabulous because I had some amazing stunt people from China, of course, and all the Mongolian stunt people, from Germany, from Kazakhstan. It was fascinating to be part of...
The 53-year-old, who joined Netflix's Marco Polo's second season this year, has her own leading role and continues to kick butt on screen.
Yeoh tells People her role involves a lot of stunts, which she "loves every moment of."
"In the past, the action sequences that we do, we work very closely with the stunt people," she says. "It was fabulous because I had some amazing stunt people from China, of course, and all the Mongolian stunt people, from Germany, from Kazakhstan. It was fascinating to be part of...
- 7/22/2016
- by Jessica Fecteau, @jessfect
- People.com - TV Watch
Former Bond girl Michelle Yeoh isn't arm candy any longer. The 53-year-old, who joined Netflix's Marco Polo's second season this year, has her own leading role and continues to kick butt on screen. Yeoh tells People her role involves a lot of stunts, which she "loves every moment of." "In the past, the action sequences that we do, we work very closely with the stunt people," she says. "It was fabulous because I had some amazing stunt people from China, of course, and all the Mongolian stunt people, from Germany, from Kazakhstan. It was fascinating to be part of...
- 7/22/2016
- by Jessica Fecteau, @jessfect
- PEOPLE.com
Korean smash hit [pictured] sells to Germany, Latin American and Italy, among others.
Korean distributor Cj Entertainment has sold all-time local hit Roaring Currents to a slew of territories including Germany (Ksm), Latin America (Alebrije) and Italy (Minerva).
Starring Choi Min-shik, the historical naval battle drama also sold to Benelux and Scandinavia (Splendid), Taiwan (Movie Cloud), India (Visual Reality), Turkey (Medyavizyon) and Mongolia (Bloomsbury). Pay TV rights for Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and Vietnam went to Popcorn, and in-flight rights to Emphasis.
At Afm, Cj is screening a newly edited international version of the film, 20 minutes shorter to pick up the pace. Cj says this edit was originally started for mainland China censors but was judged to be better for other overseas audiences’ understanding of the film as well. The market premiere screening is on Nov 7.
The company reports Roaring Currents has opened in the Us, Vietnam, Indonesia, Australia and Thailand, becoming the biggest...
Korean distributor Cj Entertainment has sold all-time local hit Roaring Currents to a slew of territories including Germany (Ksm), Latin America (Alebrije) and Italy (Minerva).
Starring Choi Min-shik, the historical naval battle drama also sold to Benelux and Scandinavia (Splendid), Taiwan (Movie Cloud), India (Visual Reality), Turkey (Medyavizyon) and Mongolia (Bloomsbury). Pay TV rights for Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and Vietnam went to Popcorn, and in-flight rights to Emphasis.
At Afm, Cj is screening a newly edited international version of the film, 20 minutes shorter to pick up the pace. Cj says this edit was originally started for mainland China censors but was judged to be better for other overseas audiences’ understanding of the film as well. The market premiere screening is on Nov 7.
The company reports Roaring Currents has opened in the Us, Vietnam, Indonesia, Australia and Thailand, becoming the biggest...
- 11/5/2014
- by hjnoh2007@gmail.com (Jean Noh)
- ScreenDaily
John Woo's last film, the sprawling epic Red Cliff, was an amazing visual spectacle set 1800 years ago featuring all sorts of massive battle sequences the director is best known for. The almost five hour film was split into two parts which are well worth the time if you are so inclined. While Woo did co-direct a film in 2010 (Reign Of Assassins), The Crossing is his first solo film in almost six years. Another epic historical drama, The Crossing is set during 1949 and follows three couples...
- 9/22/2014
- by Alex Maidy
- JoBlo.com
Ever since 2003’s awful “Paycheck,” John Woo has stayed away from Hollywood, returning to China to helm the two-part historical epic “Red Cliff” and co-directing the 2010 wuxia film “Reign of Assassins.” Later this year, he’s set to drop the first half of his latest sweeping period film “The Crossing,” and the film’s first featurette/trailer has arrived online. Starring Zhang Ziyi, Huang Xiamoing and Song Hye-kyo among many others, the two-part film was written by “Lust, Caution” screenwriter Wang Hui-ling and centers on three couples and their intertwining love stories set in 1940s Taiwan and Shanghai and will involve the tragic 1949 sinking of the ship Taiping and warfare. So, John Woo's "Titanic"? Lasting under three-and-a-half minutes, the trailer features a lot of impressive footage —war scenes, sinking boats, swooning scenes between lovers— from the two-part film cut alongside an Epk-style interview with Woo...
- 9/11/2014
- by Cain Rodriguez
- The Playlist
This one might be worth keeping an eye on. Jo Bum-Gu is the man in charge of bringing The Divine Move to life on the big screen. Tae-Seok's (Jung Woo-Sung) life as a professional Go player spirals downhill fast, reaching an all time low when he is framed for the murder of his own brother. Tae-Seok vows to exact revenge on the people that framed him. Movie title Shinui Hansoo (God's One Move) refers to a winning move in the board game of Baduk - known in the West as Go - when the opponent is unable to counter and loses. The new film, starring Jung Woo-Sung (Reign of Assassins), Lee Beom-Soo (Death Bell) and Ahn Sung-Ki (The Divine Weapon) is set for release in South Korea this July.
- 5/14/2014
- 24framespersecond.net
★★★☆☆ Chao-Bin Su's Reign of Assassins (Jianyu, 2010) is a Chinese martial arts movie that, whilst formulaic in places, still manages to exceed the expectations of even the most staid of genre enthusiasts. Drizzle (played by the ever youthful Michelle Yeoh), a former assassin, has stolen the remains of a mystic monk, and a band of deadly assassins are after her. While the premise is a tired one, Reign of Assassins works hard to avoid the tropes and clichés of the contemporary martial arts film, and to its credit, generally succeeds. What does impress throughout is the expertly choreographed action scenes, with Su aided by veteran action maestro John Woo.
Read more »...
Read more »...
- 2/14/2013
- by CineVue UK
- CineVue
Venice -- Director John Woo became the first Chinese recipient of the Venice Film Festival's honorary Golden Lion for career achievement Friday.
Woo, who co-directed "Jianyu" (Reign of Assassins), which premiered Friday on the Venice Lido out of competition, returned to China two years ago after directing Hollywood films for 16 years, including Broken Arrow," "Face/Off" and "Mission Impossible 2." "Jianyu" is his third film since his return.
Venice artistic director Marco Mueller praised Woo in a press briefing before the award was officially presented.
"I don't feel we are bestowing an honor here," Mueller said. "The prize was simply there waiting for him."
For his part, Woo said he did not expect such an honor.
"When Marco called me, my first reaction was shock," Woo said. "Then I thought he might be joking. Then I felt emotional, and finally I was just grateful."
The festival declared Friday was John Woo Day on the Lido.
Woo, who co-directed "Jianyu" (Reign of Assassins), which premiered Friday on the Venice Lido out of competition, returned to China two years ago after directing Hollywood films for 16 years, including Broken Arrow," "Face/Off" and "Mission Impossible 2." "Jianyu" is his third film since his return.
Venice artistic director Marco Mueller praised Woo in a press briefing before the award was officially presented.
"I don't feel we are bestowing an honor here," Mueller said. "The prize was simply there waiting for him."
For his part, Woo said he did not expect such an honor.
"When Marco called me, my first reaction was shock," Woo said. "Then I thought he might be joking. Then I felt emotional, and finally I was just grateful."
The festival declared Friday was John Woo Day on the Lido.
- 9/3/2010
- by By Eric J. Lyman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
I’ll be honest with you, I don’t know if this is really good news or bad news. On the one hand, the Weinstein Company acquiring the John Woo-produced “Reign of Assassins” (directed by Su Chao-Pin, though the press release below seems to insist John Woo is a co-director, and starring Michelle Yeoh) is good news, because it means we’ll get it in R1 faster than usual. On the other hand, TWC has been known to, how shall I put it, really Fubar an Asian film’s release. Let’s hope they won’t be so destructive with “Reign of Assassins”. On the bright side, they couldn’t possibly change the title to something more “action-y”, as they are wont to do. Press Release: Fortissimo Films Chairman Michael J. Werner and The Weinstein Company’s Bob and Harvey Weinstein jointly announced that The Weinstein Company has pre-bought...
- 6/11/2010
- by Nix
- Beyond Hollywood
By Brent Lang
The Weinstein Company has acquired North American and South African rights to John Woo's "Reign of Assassins (Jianyu Jianghu)," the studio announced on Friday.
The news that they have picked up rights to the "Face-Off" director's new film follows a busy week that also saw the studio acquiring domestic rights to Julian Schnabel's "Miral"
The martial arts film was produced by Woo and Terence Chang through their Lion Rock Production bann...
The Weinstein Company has acquired North American and South African rights to John Woo's "Reign of Assassins (Jianyu Jianghu)," the studio announced on Friday.
The news that they have picked up rights to the "Face-Off" director's new film follows a busy week that also saw the studio acquiring domestic rights to Julian Schnabel's "Miral"
The martial arts film was produced by Woo and Terence Chang through their Lion Rock Production bann...
- 6/11/2010
- by Brent Lang
- The Wrap
Shanghai, June 11, 2010: On the eve of the Shanghai Film Festival, Fortissimo Films Chairman Michael J. Werner and The Weinstein Company’s Bob and Harvey Weinstein jointly announced that The Weinstein Company has pre-bought North American and South African rights to Fortissimo’s Reign Of Assassins (Jianyu Jianghu). The film was produced by John Woo (Face/Off, Mission Impossible II) and Terence Chang (Face/Off, Mission Impossible II) through their Lion Rock Production banner along with Galloping Horse and Media Asia. Su Chao-Pin (Silk, Better Than Sex) and Woo directed the martial arts epic which is a fast-paced action thriller set in the [...]...
- 6/11/2010
- by Nikki Finke
- Deadline Hollywood
Fortissimo Films Chairman Michael J. Werner and The Weinstein Company's Bob and Harvey Weinstein jointly announced that The Weinstein Company has pre-bought North American and South African rights to Fortissimo's Reign of Assassins ("Jianyu Jianghu"). The film was produced by John Woo ( Face/Off , Mission: Impossible II ) and Terence Chang ( Face/Off , Mission: Impossible II ) through their Lion Rock Production banner along with Galloping Horse and Media Asia. Su Chao-Pin ( Silk , Better Than Sex ) and Woo directed the martial arts epic which is a fast-paced action thriller set in the Ming Dynasty and stars Michelle Yeoh ( Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon , Sunshine ), as a skilled assassin who falls in love with the son of a man who was killed by her gang. Unaware that...
- 6/11/2010
- Comingsoon.net
Now is the time to look at the upcoming festivals and what films are tipped for Venice, Toronto and Rome. Some fresh films and some left over from Cannes are listed below. This will be an ongoing list until titles are confirmed. Tipped for the fall festivals by Daily Variety: Reign of Assassins by John Woo. Isa: Fortissimo Death Of A Hostage aka Shares aka Life Without Principles by Johnnie To (Hong Kong) Isa: Media Asia (Si) (previously tipped for Cannes) The American starring Geroge Clooney by Anton Corbjin (U.S.) Isa: Focus Features Barney's Version starring Dustin Hoffman by Richard…...
- 6/1/2010
- Sydney's Buzz
As much as I hate to admit it, John Woo's tenure directing American films can only be described as a massive failure. With far more misses than hits, he was just never quite able to adapt his style and visual flair to American productions, with the results usually ending up poorly executed. While Broken Arrow and Face/Off entertained audiences when they came out, re-visiting them shows them to be pretty weak films. And his bad films (Mission: Impossible 2, Hard Target) are really bad. Which is a shame, because his earlier work in Hong Kong (The Killer, A Better Tomorrow and Hard Boiled being excellent examples) are far superior.
He's recently gone back to China and to making Chinese-language films, and he's hit his stride once again. 2008's Red Cliff was adored by our fearless Prisco, who said,"there wasn't a single moment that felt anything less than poetic.
He's recently gone back to China and to making Chinese-language films, and he's hit his stride once again. 2008's Red Cliff was adored by our fearless Prisco, who said,"there wasn't a single moment that felt anything less than poetic.
- 4/22/2010
- by TK
This promo reel for “Reign of Assassins” (aka “Jianyu Jianghu”) has John Woo’s name all over the place, and it even claims Woo is a “co-director”, though honestly, who knows if that’s really true, and I’d have to see the finished film to know for sure if there are any Woo trademarks in there. For now, the official credit belongs to Chao-Bin Su as writer and director, with Woo producing. The film stars Michelle Yeoh, Kelly Lin, and South Korean actor Woo-sung Jung (last seen in “The Good, the Bad, the Weird”). Here’s the promo reel/trailer and somewhat spoilerific synopsis courtesy of Twitch (via MichelleYeoh.info). 428Ad, Bodhi, a Southern India prince became a Buddhist monk and set off for China, earning a hallowed reputation as a mystical martial artist. Following his death, his remains mysteriously disappeared. Hundreds of years later, Zhang, a high-ranking court official,...
- 4/20/2010
- by Nix
- Beyond Hollywood
Our first clear look at the actual footage for John Woo & Su Chao-pin's wuxia film Reign of Assassins (Chinese title: Jianyu Jianghu, English translation: Rain of Swords in the Martial Arts World) has surfaced online in the form of a promo reel. The cast include Michelle Yeoh, Jung Woo-sung, Barbie Hsu, Kelly Lin, Shawn Yue, Angeles Woo and Wang Xueqi. Here's a detailed synopsis (spoiler alert):
In 428Ad, Bodhi, a Southern India prince became a Buddhist monk and set off for China, earning a hallowed reputation as a mystical martial artist. Following his death, his remains mysteriously disappeared.
Hundreds of years later, Zhang, a high-ranking court official, is assassinated by Drizzle. Zhang's son Jingxiu, whilst mourning his father's death, is assailed by a group assassins. They leave him for dead, but somehow he survives and escapes their clutches.
Drizzle, a talented warrior herself, finds herself in possession of Bodhi's remains,...
In 428Ad, Bodhi, a Southern India prince became a Buddhist monk and set off for China, earning a hallowed reputation as a mystical martial artist. Following his death, his remains mysteriously disappeared.
Hundreds of years later, Zhang, a high-ranking court official, is assassinated by Drizzle. Zhang's son Jingxiu, whilst mourning his father's death, is assailed by a group assassins. They leave him for dead, but somehow he survives and escapes their clutches.
Drizzle, a talented warrior herself, finds herself in possession of Bodhi's remains,...
- 4/20/2010
- Screen Anarchy
After helming the war epic Red Cliff, it looks like John Woo’s next project will tackle wuxia, the martial arts/fantasy genre that inspired Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and House of Flying Daggers.
The new film, currently in production, is entitled Reign of Assassins. A promotional reel has made its way to Twitch — which you can also check out using the player below — and based on what we’ve seen, the new film co-helmed by Woo and Su Chao-pin combines drama, romance, and a few action set-pieces reminiscent of Crouching Tiger. It also stars Michelle Yeoh, who gained international fame in Ang Lee’s 2000 movie.
Yeoh plays Drizzle, a talented warrior in possession of the remains of Bodhi, a renowned mystical martial artist. Her character is on a quest to bring the ashes to their rightful resting place; however, a team of deadly assassins called The Black Stone are after her,...
The new film, currently in production, is entitled Reign of Assassins. A promotional reel has made its way to Twitch — which you can also check out using the player below — and based on what we’ve seen, the new film co-helmed by Woo and Su Chao-pin combines drama, romance, and a few action set-pieces reminiscent of Crouching Tiger. It also stars Michelle Yeoh, who gained international fame in Ang Lee’s 2000 movie.
Yeoh plays Drizzle, a talented warrior in possession of the remains of Bodhi, a renowned mystical martial artist. Her character is on a quest to bring the ashes to their rightful resting place; however, a team of deadly assassins called The Black Stone are after her,...
- 4/20/2010
- CinemaSpy
It doesn't look like John Woo will be returning to Hollywood anytime soon. After a string of not-so-great Western films, Woo returned to China and delivered the massive two-part epic Red Cliff. I've only seen the first film of the Chinese release (haven't yet seen the condensed most other countries got), and while it certainly isn't perfect, it towers above anything Woo delivered while in Hollywood. Now we have a first look at his next project, Jianyu Jianghu (also known for now as Rain of Swords In The Pugilistic World), which stars Michelle Yeoh. Woo will be co-directing the film with Su Chao-Bin (Silk, Better Than Sex). They'll be joined by longtime producer bud Terrence Chang. The cast also includes Chang Chen, Kelly Lin, and Barbie Hsu. There's no official English title yet, but I suspect they'll run with something similar to Rain of Swords. It's apparently a wuxia film...
- 12/3/2009
- by Devindra Hardawar
- Slash Film
Be still my skeptical heart. After years of being disappointed first by the films that iconic Hong Kong director was announcing as his next projects and then being further disappointed by the fact that he never seemed to actually make anything it would now appear that the post-Paycheck years are now well and truly behind him and the move back to China has done him good. Yes, he had a big hit with Three Kingdoms and now Woo is following that up - promptly! - with Jianyu Jianghu, also known in english as Rain of Swords In The Pugilistic World though I expect that to change soon. A return to full out wuxia film also designed to help launch Michelle Yeoh back into the spotlight this one hasn't just been announced, it's not just being sold, it's actually being made.
428Ad, Bodhi, a Southern India prince became a Buddhist monk and set off for China,...
428Ad, Bodhi, a Southern India prince became a Buddhist monk and set off for China,...
- 11/30/2009
- Screen Anarchy
"Sounds great, but will it actually get made?" That was the first thought that ran through my head when I first heard that John Woo had cast Michelle Yeoh for a hopefully triumphant comeback as the lead in his Jianyu Jianghu - or, Rain Of Swords In A Pugilistic World. How could I not be more excited about Woo making his first full-on wuxia picture in what seems like forever and doing so with Michelle Yeoh in the lead? Pretty simple: For the past ten years or so Woo has had a less than encouraging record of announcing films the never get made. But it looks like this one is really happening. Or, at the very least, sales agents Fortissimo Films are certainly behaving as if it is, having produced that spiffy sales flyer to the left. And you know what they like to put on the back of these flyers?...
- 11/27/2009
- Screen Anarchy
The good folks over at Wu-Jing.org have found the first (a bit bland and generic) poster and a detailed plot description from the upcoming wuxia film Rain of Swords in The Pugilistic World (Jianyu Jianghu).
Rain of Swords is currently under production by John Woo and Terence Chang with Su Chao Bin directing. It stars Michelle Yeoh, Jung Woo Sung, Barbie Hsu, Paw Hee Ching, Wang Xue Qi and Shawn Yue, and will be released in Summer 2010.
428Ad, Bodhi, a Southern India prince became a Buddhist monk and set off for China, earning a hallowed reputation as a mystical martial artist. Following his death, his remains mysteriously disappeared.
Hundreds of years later, Zhang, a high-ranking court official, is assassinated by Drizzle. Zhang’s son Jingxiu, whilst mourning his father’s death, is assailed by a group assassins. They leave him for dead, but somehow he survives and escapes their clutches.
Rain of Swords is currently under production by John Woo and Terence Chang with Su Chao Bin directing. It stars Michelle Yeoh, Jung Woo Sung, Barbie Hsu, Paw Hee Ching, Wang Xue Qi and Shawn Yue, and will be released in Summer 2010.
428Ad, Bodhi, a Southern India prince became a Buddhist monk and set off for China, earning a hallowed reputation as a mystical martial artist. Following his death, his remains mysteriously disappeared.
Hundreds of years later, Zhang, a high-ranking court official, is assassinated by Drizzle. Zhang’s son Jingxiu, whilst mourning his father’s death, is assailed by a group assassins. They leave him for dead, but somehow he survives and escapes their clutches.
- 11/27/2009
- by Ulrik
- Affenheimtheater
Hong Kong -- On his just-completed swing through some of the Confucian parts of Asia -- China, Japan, Singapore and South Korea -- President Obama faced issues with which the film industry in this part of the world already is familiar.
These include issues of market access, a China that is pushing ahead as a regional superpower but already wants to play on a global stage and a string of Asian economies that largely have pulled out of recession and are out of step with a lumbering U.S.
Precisely how Asia's film industries deal with the rise of China and the new local balance of power isn't clear. It won't be without its bumps, but the biggest surprise might be how easily the rest of Asia falls in line.
"We could be entering an era of interdependence within Asian cinema," says Lee Joo-ick, a Korean producer who recently completed "The Warrior's Way,...
These include issues of market access, a China that is pushing ahead as a regional superpower but already wants to play on a global stage and a string of Asian economies that largely have pulled out of recession and are out of step with a lumbering U.S.
Precisely how Asia's film industries deal with the rise of China and the new local balance of power isn't clear. It won't be without its bumps, but the biggest surprise might be how easily the rest of Asia falls in line.
"We could be entering an era of interdependence within Asian cinema," says Lee Joo-ick, a Korean producer who recently completed "The Warrior's Way,...
- 11/23/2009
- by By Patrick Frater
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Hong Kong -- Asia's film executives can be forgiven for arriving in Santa Monica a little exhausted, and it's not just the 16-hour jetlag.
Many recently have trekked from Pusan to the Tokyo festival and market, and some even added a few days at last week's China Film Group-organized Beijing Screenings. Despite that, most arriving at the American Film Market are expecting to do business.
Pusan and Tokyo's Tiffcom effectively were warm-up events before the main show, and both were better attended than last fall, when the severity of the global financial meltdown was making itself felt.
Since then, Asian economies have largely recovered, boxoffice has proved resilient and local and regional films have shown themselves capable of being financed and prebought within the region. Further intra-Asian business is definitely on the Afm agenda this week.
Still, Pusan and Tokyo essentially were regional events, whereas this week's...
Many recently have trekked from Pusan to the Tokyo festival and market, and some even added a few days at last week's China Film Group-organized Beijing Screenings. Despite that, most arriving at the American Film Market are expecting to do business.
Pusan and Tokyo's Tiffcom effectively were warm-up events before the main show, and both were better attended than last fall, when the severity of the global financial meltdown was making itself felt.
Since then, Asian economies have largely recovered, boxoffice has proved resilient and local and regional films have shown themselves capable of being financed and prebought within the region. Further intra-Asian business is definitely on the Afm agenda this week.
Still, Pusan and Tokyo essentially were regional events, whereas this week's...
- 11/3/2009
- by By Patrick Frater
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
ScreenDaily is reporting that Fortissimo Films has acquired the international rights to the upcoming martial arts romance Jianyu Jianghu, starring Michelle Yeoh and Korean superstar Woo-sung Jung (The Good, The Bad & The Weird). The film, which begins shooting at the end of this month, is written and will be directed by Chao-bin Su (Silk) and is being produced by John Woo and Terence Chang. According to Sd, the film has a budget of $12 million and is expected to be released sometime late next year.
- 10/20/2009
- 24framespersecond.net
Who Me?
Best known in the U.S. for her role in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, actress Michelle Yeoh will once again be combining her ballet training and martial arts moves as an assassin in a new kung fu romance thriller.
Jianyu Jianghu, which loosely translates to “Rain of Swords in the Martial Arts World,”tells the story of Yeoh’s assassin character who falls in love with the son of a man whose father was killed by her gang. Needless to say, their fledgling love faces strain as the past is revealed.
The film, which producer Terrence Chang describes as “‘Face/Off’ meets ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’ set in the Ming Dynasty,” is to be directed by Su Chaopin and produced as a joint project between Beijing Galloping Horse Prods., Media Asia of Hong Kong and two publicly traded media companies in Taiwan.
Jianyu Jianghu is set to be filmed in Shanghai and Taiwan,...
Best known in the U.S. for her role in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, actress Michelle Yeoh will once again be combining her ballet training and martial arts moves as an assassin in a new kung fu romance thriller.
Jianyu Jianghu, which loosely translates to “Rain of Swords in the Martial Arts World,”tells the story of Yeoh’s assassin character who falls in love with the son of a man whose father was killed by her gang. Needless to say, their fledgling love faces strain as the past is revealed.
The film, which producer Terrence Chang describes as “‘Face/Off’ meets ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’ set in the Ming Dynasty,” is to be directed by Su Chaopin and produced as a joint project between Beijing Galloping Horse Prods., Media Asia of Hong Kong and two publicly traded media companies in Taiwan.
Jianyu Jianghu is set to be filmed in Shanghai and Taiwan,...
- 10/20/2009
- by Carly
- Atomic Popcorn
“Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” star Michelle Yeoh in a kung fu movie described as “‘Face/Off’ meets ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’ set in the Ming Dynasty”? Oh hell yeah. I’m a fan of Yeoh, and in the right movies, she’s quite the “do everything” action heroine. She’s also got honest to goodness acting chops, which should come in handy when it’s time to do all that filler character stuff in her new movie, the John Woo-produced “Jianyu Jianghu”, which is set to commence production at the end of this month under the direction of Su Chaopin (”Silk”). The film, budgeted at $12 million, will find Yeoh playing an assassin who falls in love with the son of a man whose father was killed by her gang. South Korean actor Jung Woo-Song (”The Good, the Bad, the Weird”) will play her love interest, whose character is also is a trained martial artist.
- 10/20/2009
- by Nix
- Beyond Hollywood
John Woo hasn't made an English-language film since 2003's Paycheck. Arguably he's made only one good (or only one truly entertaining) film in America, Face/Off, though the Nic Cage war film Windtalkers does have defenders. Leaving the studio system seems like it was the best option for Woo, and in addition to his completed film opus Red Cliff he's got Jianyu Jianghu (The Swordsman's World) going now with Michelle Yeoh. But Woo continues to flirt with the idea of making another movie in America, as his lengthy list of attachments shown on IMDb can attest. Now he says there are really two projects he's interested in making here, and they're after the jump. Movieline reports on the two projects. The first seems wholly superfluous, which means it'll probably the one the gets made. That's a straight-up remake of Jean-Pierre Melville's amazing pseudo-gangster movie Le Samouraï. The film, which...
- 10/8/2009
- by Russ Fischer
- Slash Film
Just because he hasn't made a film in America since 2003, "It doesn't mean I have given up on Hollywood," John Woo told me this morning in a discussion about his latest film Red Cliff. That film, like his next project Jianyu Jianghu (with Michelle Yeoh) are both Chinese-language, but Woo has still been linked to many Hollywood projects in development. In fact, Woo's IMDb profile is overflowing with films he's been attached to, but as he revealed to me, the two English-language movies he's most interested in directing have never been announced until now.
- 10/7/2009
- Movieline
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