Exclusive: Hong Kong-based producer Tsui Hark has boarded the ship as partner and co-producer of the Chinese pirate epic Shih, Queen of the Sea. Hark will partner with Anthony McCarten, Dakota Group and Facing East.
McCarten, whose biopic scripts range from Bohemian Rhapsody to The Theory of Everything, The Two Popes, Darkest Hour and numerous others, has here written the script about Shih Yang, aka Cheng I Sao, who dominated the South China Sea during the Qing Dynasty. Born into poverty, she worked on a “flower boat” brothel where she met the notorious pirate leader Cheng Yi, joining him at sea. Upon his death in 1807, she assumed full command of the fearsome Red Flag Fleet, commanding over 1,800 pirate ships and an estimated 80,000 pirates. By comparison, Blackbeard commanded four ships and 300 pirates within the same century. Shih instigated sweeping reforms to the rules of piracy, ordering execution for rape or marital...
McCarten, whose biopic scripts range from Bohemian Rhapsody to The Theory of Everything, The Two Popes, Darkest Hour and numerous others, has here written the script about Shih Yang, aka Cheng I Sao, who dominated the South China Sea during the Qing Dynasty. Born into poverty, she worked on a “flower boat” brothel where she met the notorious pirate leader Cheng Yi, joining him at sea. Upon his death in 1807, she assumed full command of the fearsome Red Flag Fleet, commanding over 1,800 pirate ships and an estimated 80,000 pirates. By comparison, Blackbeard commanded four ships and 300 pirates within the same century. Shih instigated sweeping reforms to the rules of piracy, ordering execution for rape or marital...
- 8/23/2023
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
The same year which would see the release of Tsui Hark's much celebrated wuxia outing “Zu Warriors from the Magic Mountain” coincided with Chang Pang-yee's “The Night Orchid” arriving in cinemas. Even though the former is more known among cinephiles, both movies share a similar approach to their stories, a blend of martial arts and sword fighting, spiced with humour and fantasy. Also known as “Demon Fighter” or “Faster Blade Poisonous Darts”, the latter is an adaptation of Gu Long's novel of the same title, and typical for the kind of genre features the Taiwanese movie industry had been known for at the time. While Chang Peng-yi does not divert from the formula too much, perhaps “The Night Orchid” is worthwhile due to its visuals, which often border on being surreal or even going into horror territory.
The Night Orchid is screening at Old School Kung Fu Fest...
The Night Orchid is screening at Old School Kung Fu Fest...
- 4/16/2023
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
The career of Yuen Biao is a curious one. One of the more recognizable names of the golden era of Hong Kong cinema, yet on the surface never reaching the heights of his counterparts Jackie Chan and Sammo Hung. His most immediately recognisable roles are those where featured alongside the other two. Yet he did carve out a solid solo career and during the late 80’s found a niche in fantasy movies. In 1988 he appeared in two adaptations of the Japanese manga “Peacock King”. The initial one reviewed here and its sequel “Saga of the Phoenix”.
Ashura (Gloria Yip), the daughter of the Hell King is awoken from her slumber by one of his minions Raga (Pauline Wong) as she holds the key to his imprisonment. Peacock (Yuen Biao) is sent to Toyko by his master (Eddie Ko) to try and prevent the opening of the Hell gate there.
Ashura (Gloria Yip), the daughter of the Hell King is awoken from her slumber by one of his minions Raga (Pauline Wong) as she holds the key to his imprisonment. Peacock (Yuen Biao) is sent to Toyko by his master (Eddie Ko) to try and prevent the opening of the Hell gate there.
- 2/23/2021
- by Ben Stykuc
- AsianMoviePulse
The first entry in the Taiwanese Peach Kid trilogy, “Child of Peach” is directed by Chen Chun-liang and Chao Chung-hsing. The film is a loose adaptation of the Japanese story of Momotaro, a popular hero of folklore who was born from a giant peach and triumphed over demons alongside animal comrades. Unapologetically whacky, energetic, and colourful, the movie is a delight to behold, with even its shortcomings adding to its charm.
During an attack on their home by the evil King Devil (Huang Chung-yu), desperate parents stash their son Tao Tai-lang (Lin Hsiao-lao) inside a giant peach that carries him away to safety. It’s not long before the peach and its cargo are discovered by an elderly couple who have been praying for a child. They name the boy Peach Kid and oversee his rapid growth as he begins to display superhuman abilities. However, when King Devil raises an...
During an attack on their home by the evil King Devil (Huang Chung-yu), desperate parents stash their son Tao Tai-lang (Lin Hsiao-lao) inside a giant peach that carries him away to safety. It’s not long before the peach and its cargo are discovered by an elderly couple who have been praying for a child. They name the boy Peach Kid and oversee his rapid growth as he begins to display superhuman abilities. However, when King Devil raises an...
- 2/20/2021
- by Tom Wilmot
- AsianMoviePulse
Within the career of renowned Hong Kong director Tsui Hark, 1983 was quite an exciting and busy year with all in all five projects which he worked on, two of which he directed. One of those films he eventually helmed as director was an adaptation of a popular xianxia novel titled “Legend of the Swordsmen of the Mountains of Shu” written by Huanzhulouzhu, whose works served as the foundation of many TV series and movies over the years. In the hands of Hark and his team the film, which was consequently titled “Zu Warriors of the Magic Mountain”, became a blend of wuxia and fantasy, while its use of effects and genre-bending nature was significant for filmmakers in finding an international audience.
Zu Warriors from the Magic Mountain is streaming on Focus Hong Kong
While the country is at war with several factions fighting one another, soldier Dik Ming kei (Yuen...
Zu Warriors from the Magic Mountain is streaming on Focus Hong Kong
While the country is at war with several factions fighting one another, soldier Dik Ming kei (Yuen...
- 2/7/2021
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
Lee Broughton returns with a critique of Hong Kong filmmaker Ronny Yu’s magical, mystical and martial arts-laden reimagining of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Relocating the Bard’s tale to ancient China results in our star-crossed lovers from warring clans being suitably redrawn: one is a super warrior while the other is a deadly assassin. Stylish cinematography, grand looking sets, stylised interludes, good fight choreography and an abundance of excellent wire work effects result in a very classy looking period action piece.
The Bride with White Hair
Region B Blu-ray
Eureka Entertainment
1993 / Color / 2.35: 1 / 89 min. / Bak fat moh lui zyun / Street Date, 9 November 2020 / Available from Amazon UK / £22.99
Starring: Leslie Cheung, Brigitte Lin, Francis Ng, Elaine Lui, Yammie Lam, Joseph Tay, Eddy Ko, Fong Pau, Leila Tong.
Cinematography: Peter Pau
Film Editor: David Wu
Production Designer: Eddie Ma
Original Music: Richard Yuen
Written by David Wu, Jason Lam Kee-To,...
The Bride with White Hair
Region B Blu-ray
Eureka Entertainment
1993 / Color / 2.35: 1 / 89 min. / Bak fat moh lui zyun / Street Date, 9 November 2020 / Available from Amazon UK / £22.99
Starring: Leslie Cheung, Brigitte Lin, Francis Ng, Elaine Lui, Yammie Lam, Joseph Tay, Eddy Ko, Fong Pau, Leila Tong.
Cinematography: Peter Pau
Film Editor: David Wu
Production Designer: Eddie Ma
Original Music: Richard Yuen
Written by David Wu, Jason Lam Kee-To,...
- 1/23/2021
- by Lee Broughton
- Trailers from Hell
Guest reviewer Lee Broughton returns with a Region B review of Tsui Hark’s mystical tale of derring-do in ancient China. Hark revived a once popular variant of the wuxia film form — the Chinese shenguai wuxia films from the late 1920s — which paired chivalric martial arts with more overtly mystical and mythological elements. The groundbreaking and stylishly executed result is said to have been John Carpenter’s chief inspiration when making Big Trouble in Little China.
Zu Warriors from the Magic Mountain
Blu-ray
Eureka Entertainment
1983 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 98 min. / Shu Shan – Xin Shu shan jian ke / Street Date April 20, 2020 / £17.99
Starring: Adam Cheng, Brigitte Lin, Damian Lau, Biao Yuen, Hoi Mang, Moon Lee, Judy Ongg, Sammo Hung, Norman Chu, Corey Yuen.
Cinematography: Bill Wong
Film Editor: Peter Cheung
Original Music: Sing-Yau Kwan
Written by Cheuk-Hon Szeto
Produced by Raymond Chow
Directed by Tsui Hark
Reviewed by Lee Broughton
Ancient China: civil...
Zu Warriors from the Magic Mountain
Blu-ray
Eureka Entertainment
1983 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 98 min. / Shu Shan – Xin Shu shan jian ke / Street Date April 20, 2020 / £17.99
Starring: Adam Cheng, Brigitte Lin, Damian Lau, Biao Yuen, Hoi Mang, Moon Lee, Judy Ongg, Sammo Hung, Norman Chu, Corey Yuen.
Cinematography: Bill Wong
Film Editor: Peter Cheung
Original Music: Sing-Yau Kwan
Written by Cheuk-Hon Szeto
Produced by Raymond Chow
Directed by Tsui Hark
Reviewed by Lee Broughton
Ancient China: civil...
- 5/12/2020
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Within the career of renowned Hong Kong director Tsui Hark, 1983 was quite an exciting and busy year with all in all five projects which he worked on, two of which he directed. One of those films he eventually helmed as director was an adaptation of a popular xianxia novel titled “Legend of the Swordsmen of the Mountains of Shu” written by Huanzhulouzhu, whose works served as the foundation of many TV series and movies over the years. In the hands of Hark and his team the film, which was consequently titled “Zu Warriors of the Magic Mountain”, became a blend of wuxia and fantasy, while its use of effects and genre-bending nature was significant for filmmakers in finding an international audience.
While the country is at war with several factions fighting one another, soldier Dik Ming kei (Yuen Biao) deserts from his unit after his own commander...
While the country is at war with several factions fighting one another, soldier Dik Ming kei (Yuen Biao) deserts from his unit after his own commander...
- 4/11/2020
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
Synopsis
One of the most important cinematic achievements in Hong Kong cinema, Tsui Hark’s “Zu Warriors from the Magic Mountain” birthed the modern-day special effects industry in Hong Kong, and influenced filmmakers around the world, including John Carpenter (who credited the film as the inspiration for “Big Trouble in Little China”).
Featuring an all-star cast led by Yuen Biao as young soldier Dik Ming-kei, currently caught in a war between two rival armies during Tang Dynasty. Taking sanctuary in a cave within the ominous Zu Mountain, he becomes entangled in a battle with supernatural forces beyond his comprehension.
Featuring breath-taking art design, stunning cinematography, and groundbreaking special effects, Eureka Classics is extremely proud to present “Zu Warriors from the Magic Mountain” from a brand new 2K restoration making its worldwide debut on Blu-ray.
Special Features
Limited Edition O-card with new artwork by Darren Wheeling [2000 units]
Limited Edition...
One of the most important cinematic achievements in Hong Kong cinema, Tsui Hark’s “Zu Warriors from the Magic Mountain” birthed the modern-day special effects industry in Hong Kong, and influenced filmmakers around the world, including John Carpenter (who credited the film as the inspiration for “Big Trouble in Little China”).
Featuring an all-star cast led by Yuen Biao as young soldier Dik Ming-kei, currently caught in a war between two rival armies during Tang Dynasty. Taking sanctuary in a cave within the ominous Zu Mountain, he becomes entangled in a battle with supernatural forces beyond his comprehension.
Featuring breath-taking art design, stunning cinematography, and groundbreaking special effects, Eureka Classics is extremely proud to present “Zu Warriors from the Magic Mountain” from a brand new 2K restoration making its worldwide debut on Blu-ray.
Special Features
Limited Edition O-card with new artwork by Darren Wheeling [2000 units]
Limited Edition...
- 3/6/2020
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
Craig Lines Jun 7, 2017
Our latest delve into martial arts cinema looks at the movie that inspired a John Carpenter favourite...
I've had a few comments here on my martial arts features asking "Where's the best place to start with martial arts films?" and I always find myself struggling to answer. The genre's so broad that it's hard to know what to recommend - different people will respond to different films, of course - and yet all this time, the perfect answer for Den Of Geek readers has been staring me in the face. If you've grown up on the geek diet of comic books, Star Wars, Lord Of The Rings, and the Diy SFX of Doctor Who, then the ideal martial arts starter movie for you is Zu: Warriors From The Magic Mountain (1983).
Zu was a significant film for the Hong Kong 'New Wave' movement that revolutionised the industry in the late 70s.
Our latest delve into martial arts cinema looks at the movie that inspired a John Carpenter favourite...
I've had a few comments here on my martial arts features asking "Where's the best place to start with martial arts films?" and I always find myself struggling to answer. The genre's so broad that it's hard to know what to recommend - different people will respond to different films, of course - and yet all this time, the perfect answer for Den Of Geek readers has been staring me in the face. If you've grown up on the geek diet of comic books, Star Wars, Lord Of The Rings, and the Diy SFX of Doctor Who, then the ideal martial arts starter movie for you is Zu: Warriors From The Magic Mountain (1983).
Zu was a significant film for the Hong Kong 'New Wave' movement that revolutionised the industry in the late 70s.
- 6/5/2017
- Den of Geek
Hot off the success of last year’s box office record-setting smash The Mermaid, Stephen Chow brought us a sequel this Lunar New Year to his 2013 film Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons. While it set an opening day record in China, and was initially released in North America on roughly twice as many screens, it has thus far failed to match The Mermaid’s financial success. I have no idea why that is, anyone who claims to understand what makes the difference between a hit and a super-hit is a liar or a fool, but I can theorize that the film’s somewhat mixed critical response is a response to its weird hybrid nature. Not just in the ways Chow situates a sincere appreciation for religion within a goofy pop context, but in the film’s dual authorship between Chow, who co-wrote and produced, and Tsui Hark, who directed.
- 2/8/2017
- MUBI
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