On August 18, 2025, Eureka will be releasing the Blu-ray (Region A/B) for Martial Law: Lo Wei’s Wuxia World, a 3-film collection that will include 1960’s The Black Butterfly, 1968’s Death Valley and 1971’s Vengeance of a Snow Girl.

A prolific writer and director, Lo Wei found fame in the 1970s following the enormous international success of The Big Boss and Fist of Fury, his collaborations with the inimitable Bruce Lee. In the years before he kickstarted a kung fu revolution, though, he had been working on an accomplished series of wuxia pian for Shaw Brothers. Presented here are three standout films drawn from Lo Wei’s wuxia world: The Black Butterfly, Death Valley and Vengeance of a Snow Girl.

In The Black Butterfly, a good-hearted thief acts as the Robin Hood of the martial world, robbing from the rich to give to the poor – and they begin by stealing a fortune in gold from a group of five ruthless bandits holed up at Five Devils Rock. Then, in Death Valley, the Lord of Chao Manor (Lo Wei) is murdered by his niece (Angela Yu Chien), leading to a bitter fight to claim his land and a clash between a hired swordsman (Chen Hung-lieh) and the Lord’s heir apparent (Yueh Hua). Finally, in Vengeance of a Snow Girl, a young woman (Li Ching) takes revenge for her murdered parents, who were killed in a dispute over the legendary Tsui Feng sword – leading to a final showdown on frozen ground.

Lo Wei’s The Black Butterfly, Death Valley and Vengeance of a Snow Girl are three of the finest wuxia films produced in the years before Bruce Lee’s meteoric rise to fame would cause a tectonic shift in the Hong Kong film industry, as the era of kung fu loomed on the horizon. Eureka Classics is proud to present all three films on Blu-ray for the first time in the UK.

Features:

• Limited Edition [2000 copies]
• Limited edition O-card slipcase featuring new artwork by Grégory Sacré (Gokaiju)
• Limited edition collector’s booklet featuring new writing on all three films in this set by Hong Kong cinema expert Camille Zaurin
• 1080p HD presentations of all three films on Blu-ray
• Optional English subtitles, newly revised for this release
• New audio commentaries on all three features by action cinema experts Mike Leeder and Arne Venema
• Hong Kong Hustle – new interview with Hong Kong cinema scholar Wayne Wong on the life and work of Lo Wei

This title will soon be available at The Goodie Emporium, a U.S.-based online store that currently has many Import Shaw Brothers/Golden Harvest/martial arts DVD/Blu-ray movies in-stock – with New titles being added regularly!

Watch Eureka’s Trailer for the collection below:

The post Eureka declares ‘Martial Law’! Lo Wei’s ‘Black Butterfly’, ‘Death Valley’ and ‘Vengeance of a Snow Girl’ arriving soon first appeared on cityonfire.com.

Execution in Autumn | Blu-ray (Eureka)

Today’s Deal on Fire is the Blu-ray (Region B) for Lee Hsing’s 1972 film, Execution in Autumn.

Referred to as “the godfather of Taiwanese cinema”, the films of director Lee Hsing (who passed away in 2021 at the age of 91) combined Western realism with the neo-Confucian ideals advocated by the nationalist government in Taiwan. Director of a number of masterpieces, presented here is the film he considered his personal favourite of all his films — and certainly his most successful — Execution in Autumn.

Since his childhood, Pei Gang (Ou Wei) has been spoiled by his rich grandmother who raised him after the death of his parents. Unable to control himself, in a fit of rage, Gang kills a pregnant woman – who indicated him as the father of her unborn child – and her cousins; for this he is sentenced to death, and will be beheaded in autumn, the traditional season for executions. His grandmother tries to save him, but this proves to be a task beyond her means. So, she makes him marry the young Lian (Tang Pao-yun), an orphan raised within the family, in prison, so that the Pei line does not die out.

Featuring a screenplay by Chang Yung-hsiang (who also wrote another Lee Hsing masterwork, Beautiful Duckling), Execution in Autumn comes to Blu-ray (from a 2K restoration) for the first time ever as part of the Masters of Cinema series, in time for its 50th anniversary.

Features:

• Limited Edition O-card slipcase (2000 copies only)
• 1080p presentation on Blu-ray from a stunning 2K restoration of the original film elements undertaken by the Taiwan Film Institute
• Original Mandarin audio (uncompressed LPCM)
• Optional English subtitles, newly revised for this release
• New video piece by film critic Tony Rayns
• PLUS: A Collector’s Booklet featuring new and archival writing

Order today from Goodie Emporium!

The post Deal on Fire! Execution in Autum | Blu-ray | Only $15.99 – Expires soon! first appeared on cityonfire.com.

Now available for pre-order exclusively from Goodie Emporium is Rising Tiger’s Limited Edition Blu-ray and DVD for The Brokenhearted, an award-winning indie thriller from writer, director and star, Leroy Nguyen (of the acclaimed Black Scar Blues).

Supplies are extremely limited, given its small production on physical media. As a bonus, the first 25 copies of The Brokenhearted will be hand-signed by the director himself.

So few legitimate independent, DIY-action feature films have been made (zero budget) by just calling in favors from friends to act. The Brokenhearted is true guerrilla-style filmmaking from one of the most acclaimed talents in the indie game!

A weary, small-time hoodlum (Nguyen) attempts to quell the escalating conflict between two of his childhood friends-one a struggling martial artist whose school fails after he takes out a loan, and the other a vicious loan shark intent on collecting the debt. The film also stars Samuel Joon Lee, Jackie Kim, Travis Davis, Gene Rush and Alex Au.

Limited Edition Features:

• Signed by writer, director and star, Leroy Nguyen (first 25 copies only)
• Collector’s card Signed by Leroy Nguyen (first 25 copies only)
• We had the dojang: The making of The Brokenhearted
• Trailer

The Blu-ray and DVD for The Brokenhearted will ship in the beginning of September. Secure your signed copy today exclusively at Goodie Emporium.

Watch the film’s Newest Trailer below:

The post The bad boy of Indie action is back! Leroy Nguyen’s award-winning ‘The Brokenhearted’ is now available for Pre-order first appeared on cityonfire.com.

“Yadang: The Snitch” Theatrical Poster

On Digital, Blu-ray and DVD on September 9th is Hwang Byeong-gug’s Yadang: The Snitch, the latest South Korean import from Well Go USA.

Framed and left for dead by the ruthless prosecutor he once served, Kang-su — a cunning drug informant — finds himself crippled and locked away. Years later, freed but broken, he teams up with a disillusioned detective to take down the corrupt power structure that betrayed him. Fueled by vengeance and a fierce will to reclaim his life, Kang-su’s fight for justice blurs the line between hero and villain. Ya Dang The Snitch — a gritty tale of betrayal and redemption.

Yadang: The Snitch stars Kang Ha-neul (Dongju: The Portrait of a Poet), Yoo Hae-jin (Confidential Assignment), Park Hae-joon (Heart Blackened), Ryu Kyung-soo (Broker) and Chae Won-bin (Doubt).

Don’t miss the film’s Trailer below:

The post A licky boom boom down! ‘Yadang: The Snitch’ arriving on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital September 9 from Well Go USA first appeared on cityonfire.com.

On October 28, 2025, Shout! Factory is releasing A Chinese Ghost Story Trilogy, a 6 film collection. Read the official details below…

Romance, comedy, and extraordinary fantasy collide in the sumptuous A Chinese Ghost Story Trilogy. This acclaimed and influential series sparked a wave of ghostly films in Hong Kong, and bolstered the stardom of many of its cast and crew.

Produced by Tsui Hark (Once Upon A Time In China) and featuring performances by Leslie Cheung (Farewell My Concubine), Joey Wang (Casino Tycoon), Jacky Cheung (Bullet In The Head), and Tony Leung (Hard Boiled), A Chinese Ghost Story Trilogy is a must-have for your collection of Hong Kong Cinema Classics.

A CHINESE GHOST STORY (1080p High-Definition Widescreen (1.85:1) / Cantonese & English DTS-HD Master Audio Mono / 96 min.)

In this beloved cult classic fantasy, a traveling tax collector (Leslie Cheung) short on funds opts to take shelter in a seemingly abandoned temple. He is surprised to discover a beautiful maiden (Joey Wang) there, and instantly falls for her beauty and grace. While every romance has its challenges, the tax collector gets more than he bargained for when he learns that the maiden is in fact a ghost forced into servitude by a demon. With the help of a brave warrior, the tax collector must brave the perils of a supernatural world in order to free his newfound love.

A CHINESE GHOST STORY II (1080p High-Definition Widescreen (1.85:1) / Cantonese & English DTS-HD Master Audio Mono / 103 min.)

This vibrant sequel to the 1987 original A Chinese Ghost Story finds our innocent tax collector hero (Leslie Cheung) falsely imprisoned. Upon escaping, he crosses paths with a pair of rebellious women (Joey Wang and Michelle Reis). Though mourning the loss of his ghostly love, his broken heart must heal in a hurry in order to face a new series of paranormal encounters and adventures.

A CHINESE GHOST STORY III (1080p High-Definition Widescreen (1.85:1) / Cantonese DTS-HD Master Audio Mono / 109 min.)

The A Chinese Ghost Story Trilogy concludes with this third installment. In many ways a retelling of the original film’s story, A Chinese Ghost Story III sees Joey Wang reprising her role from the 1987 classic as a stunning and supernatural spirit. A hundred years after the events of A Chinese Ghost Story, the demon who held the gorgeous ghost under its spell has reawakened to reclaim her.

Bonus Features for Blu-ray

DISC ONE: A CHINESE GHOST STORY (1987)

• NEW 4K Scan From the Original Camera Negative
• Audio: Cantonese DTS-HD Master Audio Mono
• NEW Optional English Subtitles Newly Translated For This Release
• NEW Audio Commentary With James Mudge, Hong Kong Film Critic At easternKicks
• NEW “A Leslie Cheung Story: Hong Kong’s Eternal Icon” – A Feature Length Documentary On The Cantopop And “A Chinese Ghost Story” Sensation Leslie Cheung – Featuring Interviews With A Chinese Ghost Story Cinematographer Ray Wong, Composer Richard Yuen, Musical Collaborator Chris Babida, Stunt Actors Mars And Chu Ko, Academics Victor Fan And Chen-Yu Lin, And Film Critics James Mudge And David West
• Theatrical Trailer
• Image Gallery

DISC TWO: A CHINESE GHOST STORY II (1990)

• NEW 4K Scan From the Original Camera Negative
• Audio: Cantonese DTS-HD Master Audio Mono, English DTS-HD Master Audio Mono
• NEW Optional English Subtitles Newly Translated For This Release
• NEW Audio Commentary With James Mudge, Hong Kong Film Critic At easternKicks
• NEW “Story Of A Sequel” – An Interview With Author And Critic David West
• Archival Interview With Composer James Wong
• Theatrical Trailer
• Image Gallery

DISC THREE: A CHINESE GHOST STORY III (1991)

• NEW 4K Scan From the Original Camera Negative
• Audio: Cantonese DTS-HD Master Audio Mono
• NEW Optional English Subtitles Newly Translated For This Release
• NEW Audio Commentary With James Mudge, Hong Kong Film Critic At easternKicks
• NEW “Third Time Lucky” – Interview With Author And Critic David West
• Archival Interview With Composer James Wong
• Archival Interview With Martial Arts Director Yuen Bun
• Theatrical Trailer
• Image Gallery

The post I ain’t afraid of no ghosts! Shout announces Blu-ray collection for ‘A Chinese Ghost Story Trilogy’ arriving in October first appeared on cityonfire.com.

“Hostile Takeover” Theatrical Poster

Next month, Michael Jai White (Triple Threat, Accident Man) will tear up the joint in Hostile Takeover, the latest from cult filmmaker Michael Hamilton-Wright (The Mangler 2).

This upcoming action-comedy follows Pete (White), a professional hitman, as he faces a group of assassins after the boss of a crime syndicate suspects disloyalty due to his attendance at Workaholics Anonymous meetings.

The film also stars Aimee Stolte (Magalodon), Dawn Olivieri (Bright), Aleks Paunovic (War of the Planet of the Apes), Alex Mallari Jr. (Dark Matter) and Damon Runyan (Star Trek: Discovery).

Hostile Takeover hits select theaters and on VOD on August 8 from Quiver. Watch the Trailer below:

The post The man who can beat up Bruce Lee (in real life) is back! Trailer for ‘Hostile Takeover’ starring Michael Jai White first appeared on cityonfire.com.

“Highest 2 Lowest” Teaser Poster

In 2013, noted filmmaker Spike Lee (Do the Right Thing) remade Park Chan-wook’s 2003 masterpiece, Old Boy. Now, the award-winning director is back with Highest 2 Lowest, a remake of Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 thriller, High and Low.

The original High and Low centered on an executive (Toshiro Mifune) of a Yokohama shoe company becomes a victim of extortion when his chauffeur’s son is kidnapped by mistake and held for ransom.

In the remake – now played out on the mean streets of modern day New York City – a titan music mogul (Denzel Washington) is targeted with a ransom plot, and ends up jammed up in a life-or-death moral dilemma.

Highest 2 Lowest also stars A$AP Rocky, Ilfenesh Hadera, Jeffrey Wright, Dean Winters, John Douglas Thompson and rapper Ice Spice.

A24 is releasing the film theatrically on August 15, 2025, followed by a streaming release on September 5, 2025. Don’t miss the New Trailer below:

The post Can Spike Lee take Kurosawa higher? New Trailer for ‘Highest 2 Lowest’ starring Denzel Washington and Jeffrey Wright first appeared on cityonfire.com.

On September 30, 2025, Shout! Factory is releasing Hong Kong Gamblers & Gangsters, a 6 film collection. Read the official details below…

Celebrating the popular gambling and crime drama subgenres of Asian cinema, Hong Kong Gamblers & Gangsters presents six films that deal out intrigue and thrills in equal measure. Taking viewers from the glitz and glamor of the casino floors to the seedy underbelly of the city streets, this collection is one you won’t want to bet against.

CASINO TYCOON (1080p High-Definition Widescreen (1.85:1) / Cantonese DTS-HD Master Audio Mono / 130 min.)

Benny Ho San, a refugee (Andy Lau, Infernal Affairs) with luck, charm, and skills to spare rises to the top of the thrilling world of gambling.

CASINO TYCOON II (1080p High-Definition Widescreen (1.85:1) / Cantonese DTS-HD Master Audio Mono / 112 min.)

Andy Lau doubles down in this sequel, reprising his role as Benny Ho San. Now a casino boss, his power is tested by forces from without and within.

CHALLENGE OF THE GAMESTERS (1080p High-Definition Widescreen (2.35:1) / Cantonese DTS-HD Master Audio Mono / 104 min.)

The money and the mahjong tiles fly in this precursor to the New Wave of Hong Kong gambling films, from acclaimed director Wong Jing.

DESTINY’S CHAMPION (1080p High-Definition Widescreen (1.85:1) / Cantonese DTS-HD Master Audio Mono / 101 min.)

When an aging fighter crosses paths with a streetwise kid, the boxer finds himself reliving his own violent past and the mistakes he made along the way.

GODFATHER FROM CANTON (1080p High-Definition Widescreen (1.85:1) / Cantonese DTS-HD Master Audio Mono / 85 min.)

After saving a government official, a man is offered a job as a policeman. Through treachery and corruption, he rises through the ranks of the police, then becomes a brutal gangster.

LOVING YOU (1080p High-Definition Widescreen (1.85:1) / Cantonese DTS-HD Master Audio Mono / 83 min.)

Struggling in a loveless marriage, a hard-drinking workaholic cop finds a chance at redemption after a fateful accident leaves him wounded.

The post Shout… shout… let it all out! Blu-ray for ‘Hong Kong Gamblers & Gangsters’ collection arriving in September first appeared on cityonfire.com.

On November 25, 2025, 88 Films is releasing the Blu-ray (Region A/B) for Rosa, a 1986 Hong Kong action film directed by Joe Cheung (The Flaming Brothers).

Starring Yuen Biao (The Hunted Hunter) and Lowell Lo (Magnificent Warriors), Rosa follows two ambitious graduates of the police academy bumble their way through their first big case.

The film also stars Kara Hui (Burning Ambition), Paul Chun (Return to a Better Tomorrow), James Tien (Lady Reporter), Charlie Cho (Police Story 2), Dick Wei (Final Run) and Chung Fat (Deadful Melody).

Features:

• Limited Edition rigid slip case with new artwork by Sean Longmore
• Limited Edition 40-page perfect bound book
• Limited Edition premium artcard
• Brand new 2K restoration from the original negative
• Remastered original Cantonese monaural soundtrack
• Newly translated English subtitles
• Audio commentary by David West
• Image gallery
• Original trailer
• More info TBA

This title will be available at The Goodie Emporium, a U.S.-based online store that currently has many Import Shaw Brothers/Golden Harvest/martial arts DVD/Blu-ray movies in-stock – with New titles being added regularly!

Watch the Trailer below:

The post Ready for another Yuen Biao Golden Harvest presentation? 88 Films releasing a Blu-ray for Joe Cheung’s ‘Rosa’ first appeared on cityonfire.com.

Hi-YAH!, Well Go USA’s very own Asian/martial arts streaming channel has just announced their New Releases for the month of August.

If you want to give Hi-YAH! a go, visitors of this site can use the promo code “CITYONFIRE” for a FREE 30 Day trial!

Read on for the full list of New and Exclusive titles:

8/1/25 | The Witch 2: The Other One

There’s an inescapable feeling while watching The Witch: Part 2. The Other One that what we have is an entertainingly schlocky B-movie, that somehow accidentally got dressed in an epic big budget productions clothes. For those that enjoyed the original, and not just for Kim Da-mi’s performance, there could well be something to enjoy here, since it essentially offers more of the same. | Read our full review.

8/1/25 | A Fist Within Four Walls (Season 1/Episode 24)

Looking for more action that revolves around the infamous Kowloon Walled City? Before 2024’s Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In, there was the 2016 TVB series, A Fist Within Four Walls.

Chor Au-Kuen (Ruco Chan) bears the grief of the loss of his family and returns to the walled city in hopes of finding his long lost sister, only to find out that the place he grew up in has become a lawless no man’s land…

A Fist Within Four Walls also stars Nancy Wu (Men on the Dragon), Benjamin Yuen (Infernal Affairs), Yuen Qiu (Kung Fu Hustle) and Philip Ng (Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In).

8/8/25 | The Ghost Station

The Ghost Station is not going to be the next The Grudge. The overall lack of original images pretty much ensures that it won’t have the same impact on the genre as its forebears. However, those of us who pine for a return to the turn-of-the-century golden age of Eastern horror aren’t necessarily looking to see the wheel reinvented in real time. In fact, a well-made, fun throwback like The Ghost Station might be just what the doctor ordered. | Read our review.

8/8/25 | A Fist Within Four Walls (Season 1/Episode 25)

The continuing saga of the 2016 TVB series, A Fist Within Four Walls that stars Ruco Chan (The Righteous Fists), Nancy Wu (Men on the Dragon), Benjamin Yuen (Infernal Affairs), Yuen Qiu (Kung Fu Hustle) and Philip Ng (Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In).

8/15/25 | The Childe

With a welcome streak of humor, and zero compromise on his typically violent approach to storytelling, I’d be willing to say The Childe is the best work Hoon-jung has done since his sophomore feature with 2013’s The New World. The fact that it’s under 2 hours and features a scene stealing performance from Kim Seon-ho is just the icing on the cake. | Read our review.

8/15/25 | A Fist Within Four Walls (Season 1/Episode 26)

The continuing saga of the 2016 TVB series, A Fist Within Four Walls that stars Ruco Chan (The Righteous Fists), Nancy Wu (Men on the Dragon), Benjamin Yuen (Infernal Affairs), Yuen Qiu (Kung Fu Hustle) and Philip Ng (Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In).

8/22/25 | Bangkok Dog (Hi-YAH! Exclusive)

Taken from the perspective of Bangkok Dog being the modern equivalent of a DTV action flick, there’s enough brutal knees and flying kicks delivered to satisfy anyone looking for a throwback to Thai action cinemas glory days. At one point Sao’s superior asks him “Do you always have to go kung-fu on every mission!?” To which Sao replies with a smirk, “It works.” The same question could just as well be applied to Bangkok Dog itself, as without the kung-fu it’d be a pretty lamentable excuse for a movie, but with it, well, it works. | Read our review.

8/22/25 | A Fist Within Four Walls (Season 1/Episode 27)

The continuing saga of the 2016 TVB series, A Fist Within Four Walls that stars Ruco Chan (The Righteous Fists), Nancy Wu (Men on the Dragon), Benjamin Yuen (Infernal Affairs), Yuen Qiu (Kung Fu Hustle) and Philip Ng (Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In).

8/29/25 | Noryang: Deadly Sea

Filmmaker Kim Han-Min (War of the Arrows) is back at the wheel with Noryang: Deadly Sea, the third part of the saga that started with 2014’s The Admiral: Roaring Currents and 2022’s Hansan: Rising Dragon.

The seven-year Imjin War nears an end as Admiral Yi Sun-shin leads an allied fleet against the Wae army to fight his last valiant battle at Noryang Strait.

The film stars Kim Yun-Seok (The Chaser), Baek Yoon-Sik (Inside Men), Jung Jae-Young (Carter), Heo Jun-Ho (Escape from Mogadishu), Ahn Bo-Hyun (Hiya), Kim Sung-Kyu (The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil).

8/29/25 | A Fist Within Four Walls (Season 1/Episode 28)

The continuing saga of the 2016 TVB series, A Fist Within Four Walls that stars Ruco Chan (The Righteous Fists), Nancy Wu (Men on the Dragon), Benjamin Yuen (Infernal Affairs), Yuen Qiu (Kung Fu Hustle) and Philip Ng (Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In).

The post Witches, Dogs, Ghosts and a half Korean-Filipino boxer! Here’s what’s streaming on Hi-YAH for the month of August first appeared on cityonfire.com.

Project Silence | 4K Ultra HD (Capelight)

Today’s Deal on Fire is the 4K Ultra HD SteelBook for Project Silence, a South Korean disaster thriller from writer/director Kim Tae-Gon (Familyhood, Sunshine Boys).

The film stars the late Lee Sun-Kyun (Parasite, Kingmaker) and Ju Ji-Hoon (Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days).

Co-written by Kim Yong-Hwa of Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds and Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days, Project Silence follows an accident that occurs on a foggy bridge and, as a result, an unknown beast is unleashed.

Project Silence also stars Kim Hee-Won (The Divine Move 2: The Wrathful), Moon Sung-Geun (Burning), Ye Soo-Jung (The Hunt), Kim Tae-Woo (Rampant), Park Hee-Von (Will You Be There?), Park Ju-Hyun (Seoul Vibe) and Kim Soo-Ahn (The Mimic).

Order today from Goodie Emporium!

The post Project Silence | 4K Ultra HD | Only $18.99 – Expires soon! first appeared on cityonfire.com.

Gritty poker tables, Vibrant Vegas lights and smooth operators who never sweat a bet—filmmakers have really played a massive role in defining how gambling looks and plays today.

While more and more go online, the silver screen really still makes its mark. From style to suspense, films long predated casino culture’s impact.

Scenes of Casinos That Last Forever

Films have long enjoyed a scene set in a casino. Chip clatter, spinning roulette, eyeball lock across a poker table – it’s terrific theater for cinema.

Films like Casino, Rounders and Ocean’s Eleven didn’t just show gambling. They gave it style. These scenes turned betting into a performance — sharp suits, perfect lines and all the risk in the world.

Since betting is being done over the internet, those very same pictures have not disappeared. They’ve just transferred to cyberspace. The vast majority of casino websites have that same smooth, film-like appearance.

Even games like the Aviator bet reflect this. It’s simple but intense. The longer the multiplier rises, the more the tension builds — like in a slow-burning movie scene before a big payoff.

Movies Gave Gambling Its Swagger

It wasn’t that old movies featured poker-faced poker players. They did so with a certain flair—in loose, effortless style. The player wasn’t so much shuffling cards; he was reading the room, noting every glance, every flinch, every breath. In The Cincinnati Kid with Steve McQueen or The Sting with Paul Newman, the player wasn’t so much a man sitting by a table. He was the hero. He won or lost with style.

It wasn’t luck. It was being present. It was calm. It was reading people and staying calm, taking calculated risks where they mattered. Those were educated guesses, not wild ones. The gambler wasn’t reckless—he was in control.

This image resonated with us. It categorized how poker was perceived to that date. Some come to a poker game with a sense of Hollywood glamour and that same cool. Some make a sporting bet as if it’s a next-scene plot development from a personal script. There’s a story being written and they’re dictating things.

It’s a filmic confidence that doesn’t stem from swagger. From technique. From stacking chips to reading odds, small rituals within games are reminiscent of shots from those old movies. From suit-cut to pre-bluff pause, every moment feels choreographed—because it’s been, over decades, film.

Those old motion picture personalities set the pattern. Players still do, though unconsciously, not just for tactics but also for attitude. Because where film and gambling are involved, style outweighs the end.

Internet Casinos, Movie Style

When casino games went online, they did not lose their dramatic sensibility. They embraced it.

Slot machines even have whole storylines and cinematic-looking visuals. The table games have dark lighting and silky smooth camera transitions, similar to a television crime series.

The aviator bet embodies film tension. It’s neither flashy nor necessarily needs to be. It constructively ramps tension with every passing second — a suspenseful action film countdown sequence. Too early and there’s guilt. Too late and it’s all coming down.

That payoff and risk balance? Pure cinema.

Even the looks and feel of betting platforms and programs borrow from films. Fonts, colors and sonic effects also reference the noir look of old gambling scenes.

Movie Style, Global Popularity

The power of film doesn’t stop where a language stops. Casino action plays just as well in Paris, Los Angeles or Tokyo. Tension doesn’t have a culture and style doesn’t either.

That’s why casino games, by inference, now look global. Everyone knows what a high-limit table should be. Everyone knows the slow pace beyond a bustling casino floor.

Websites reflect that communal imagination. Even something so new and transitory as an airplane bet seems related to those old-time moments—waiting, watching, holding one’s breath.

It’s no longer about winning or losing. It’s about the experience and that experience is defined by decades of cinema.

When the Story Comes Full Circle

Movies impact bets. But bets also impact movies nowadays.

In contemporary movies, one can see depictions of internet betting; the characters gamble on sports using their phones. They are playing poker virtually and the boundaries between virtual and real life are being tested.

These kinds of games, such as the aviator bet — quick, crisp, high-tension — are just right for this new fashion. They seem to be plucked from a high-style robbery film and played that way.

This loop never stops. Everyone looks at movies and then seeks to find that emotion within games. Game developers see that and make games that recreate the atmosphere from a monitor.

It’s not just about mechanics anymore. It’s about the story.

The Closing Scene

The games of casinos have evolved but movie magic, though, never disappeared.

From Vegas floors to phone screens, the suspense really really still attracts players. The movies provided a face to gambling — suave, savvy, a bit reckless. That image stuck.

These days, when one opens up a betting platform or tries an aviator, they’re stepping into that same world. The lights are virtual. The table is digital. But the feeling? Very raw cinema still. It’s all about the moment, just as with movies. The moment just before victory. The moment just before destruction. And that’s what makes them repeat customers — to get their dose thereof, their fix, their tale worth watching.

The post The Cinematic Allure of Casino Gaming first appeared on cityonfire.com.

“Tempest” Hulu Poster

South Korean superstar Gianna Jun (My Sassy Girl, Assassination) is back with a vengeance in Tempest, an upcoming series that will premier exclusively on Disney+ worldwide and on Hulu in the U.S.

Tempest features an all-star cast that includes Gang Dongwon (Broker, Peninsula), John Cho (Harold & Kumar), Lee Mi-Sook (An Affair), Park Hae-Joon (Yadang: The Snitch), Kim Hae-Sook (Tunnel), Oh Jung-Se (Hi-Five), Lee Sang-Hee (The Beast), Joo Jong-Hyuk (Because I Hate Korea) and Won Ji-An (A Year-End Medley).

Set in Korea, the series follows Seo Munju, a former United Nations Ambassador whose life gets flipped on its head when her husband, a presidential candidate, is assassinated in front of her. To discover the truth behind the attack, Munju takes up her husband’s role, becoming the party’s presidential candidate. With her life constantly in danger, Sanho, a mysterious mercenary will step up to keep her safe. However, with little known about him, can Munju really trust him?

Tempest is directed by Kim Hee-Won (Queen of Tears, Little Women) off a script by Chung Seokyung (Decision to Leave). Despite being a heavy in K-drama, you can expect some decent action pieces, since the series is co-directed by Heo Myunghaeng (Badland Hunters, Roundup: Punishment).

Tempest will premier exclusively on Disney+ worldwide and on Hulu in the U.S on September 10, 2025. Watch the series Trailer below:

The post My Sassy Spy? Watch the New Trailer for Hulu’s ‘Tempest’ starring Gianna Jun, Gang Dongwon and John Cho first appeared on cityonfire.com.

A sequel to Quentin Tarantino’s 2019 film Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood – titled The Continuing Adventures of Cliff Booth – is brewing with David Fincher (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button) directing a script written by Tarantino.

Frequent Fincher/Tarantino collaborator Brad Pitt (Fight Club, Inglorious Basterds) will reprise his role as Cliff Booth, the tough-guy Hollywood stuntman portrayed in the first movie.

For the sequel, it’s the late 70’s, and Cliff has transitioned from stuntman to “Hollywood studio fixer”. As a “fixer,” Booth would be the guy studios call when something—anything—needs to quietly disappear. Scandals, blackmail, problematic stars, even bodies. He operates in the shadows, loyal, unshakable, and totally unfazed by the dirt beneath Hollywood’s golden surface. It’s a natural evolution for a character already written as a war hero, stuntman, and possibly even a murderer (via World of Reel).

Co-starring alongside Pitt are Elizabeth Debicki (The Crown, Tenet), Scott Caan (Hawaii Five-0), Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (The Trial of the Chicago 7), Carla Gugino (American Gangster) and Corey Fogelmanis (I Wish You All the Best).

The latest actor to join the film is JB Tadena (CW’s Kung Fu) who is presumed to take on the role of Bill Vergara, a Filipino mobster and film financier (via World of Reel).

There was some talk about Leonardo DiCaprio returning as Rick Dalton, but according to The Hot Mic, Netflix offered him $3M for one day of shooting, but DiCaprio reportedly rejected the offer.

Speaking on The Big Picture podcast, Sean Fennessey, who is a friend of Tarantino’s, had the following to say: “This probably should not be thought of as a sequel. It should be thought of as a follow-up that is connected to, but not the same as — the example that was cited to me was, think about how The Big Sleep, the Raymond Chandler adaptation starring Humphrey Bogart, is in the same world as Farewell, My Lovely, the 1975 Robert Mitchum movie, because they play the same character in that movie. But it’s different actors, different directors, and a different time in the storyline. They’re different… This will be like the further adventures of Cliff Booth, is my understanding of it. The only other important information that I’ve learned, that I think is confirmed, is that the movie takes place in 1977, which is roughly eight years after the events of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. So a different time in Cliff Booth’s life.”

The original film caused controversy with a scene that involved Cliff Booth’s (Pitt) interaction with Bruce Lee (played by Mike Moh). Shannon Lee, Bruce’s daughter, who runs the official Bruce Lee businesses and foundation, reportedly lodged a complaint with the Chinese film authorities demanding two scenes in which her late father is portrayed in a confrontation with Pitt’s stuntman character be excised, because they made the iconic Kung Fu star look arrogant. Her demands were supposedly the reason the movie was pulled from Chinese theaters one week before its release date (via LA Times).

With that said, we can only hope Mike Moh reprises his role as Bruce so the two can go for another round. After all, it’s just a movie, right?

The Continuing Adventures of Cliff Booth is currently in production.

We’ll keep you updated as we hear more. Until then, here’s a behind-the-scenes look at Brad Pitt in the film (via Just Jarod), followed by the Trailer to the original:

The post The stuntman who destroyed Bruce Lee is back! First look at Brad Pitt in Fincher’s ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’ sequel first appeared on cityonfire.com.

“The Shadow’s Edge” Theatrical Poster

Legendary action superstar Jackie Chan has re-teamed with writer/director Larry Yang (Ride On) for The Shadow’s Edge (aka Catching the Wind and Chasing the Shadow).

The anticipated film also reunites Jackie with his Island on Fire and The Myth co-star, Tony Leung Ka-fai (League of Gods).

In The Shadow’s Edge, Jackie Chan stars as a retired surveillance expert from the Macau Police Service, who is rehired by the Police Force to collaborate with a team of elite young detectives to help capture a group of cunning thieves. In a tense confrontation between traditional tracking techniques and state-of-the-art technology, the police and criminals engage in a battle of wits, setting the stage for a cat-and-mouse showdown between good and evil (via Deadline).

Other co-stars include Wen Junhui (My Mother, The Legend Is Born: Ip Man), Zhang Zifeng (Aftershock, High Forces), Ci Sha (Raging Havoc, Creation of the Gods I: Kingdom of Storms), Broňo Bajtala (100 Yards) and Lee Huang (Kung Fu Yoga).

Golden Network Asia has sold rights to the film to SPI International for Eastern Europe, ATV for Turkey, Great Movies for Latin America, Shanghai Pictures for Malaysia, Prima Cinema for Indonesia, Shaw Renters for Singapore, Eagle International for Taiwan, Abnormal Studios for Cambodia & Myanmar and Izagur Media for Mongolia. Negotiations are also underway for CIS, Ukraine, Benelux and other territories (via Deadline).

The Shadow’s Edge will be released domestically on August 16, 2025. A U.S. release date is still pending. Until then, watch the Newest Teaser below, followed by a recent Trailer:

The post Jackie Chan rounds up the team in the New Teaser for ‘The Shadow’s Edge’ also starring Tony Leung first appeared on cityonfire.com.

“By 6am” Theatrical Poster

Rina Takeda (High Kick Girl!, Attack on Titan: Part 1, Re:Born), cult martial arts actress known for her real-life karate skills, is back with By 6am, an upcoming actioner from director Munetoshi Mukai (Color of Songs).

In the film, Takeda plays a family woman whose prior experience as a Special Assault Team member comes in handy when she’s called back into action to investigate a criminal organization.

By 6am also stars Rin Marumoto (GARO: Versus Road), Taro Suruga (One-Percent Warrior), Masato Hagiwara, Chie Tsuji (Tamatsuki no Yume), Kinari Hirano (Rurouni Kenshin: Final Chapter Part II – The Beginning), Masaya Kato (Shinjuku Incident), Ryuto (Boy’s Abyss) and Naomasa Musaka (Tetsuo: The Iron Man).

By 6am releases in Japan on October 3, 2025. A U.S. release has yet to be announced. For now, you can check out its Trailer below:

The post Set your alarm! Watch the Trailer for ‘By 6am’ starring Rina Takeda of ‘High Kick Girl’ and ‘Karate Girl’ first appeared on cityonfire.com.

On October 7, 2025, Arrow is releasing the 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray for 1997’s Spawn. Based on Todd McFarlane’s groundbreaking comic, Spawn is a visually explosive cult classic that blends horror, action, and gothic fantasy, available for the first time in a fiery new 4K restoration that breathes new life into Hell’s most iconic warrior.

From the producers of Blade and The Crow comes Spawn, a dark, action-packed supernatural thriller that redefined the comic book movie with cutting-edge visual effects and a haunting origin story of vengeance, damnation, and redemption.

Al Simmons (Michael Jai White) is a top-tier Black Ops agent, ruthlessly efficient and fiercely loyal-until he’s doublecrossed and executed by his commanding officer, Jason Wynn (Martin Sheen). But Simmons is resurrected by the devil Malebolgia and becomes Spawn, a demonic antihero with terrifying powers. Caught between Earth and the Underworld, Spawn is determined to exact bloody revenge on Wynn, and must choose to serve his new infernal masters or fight for the salvation of his immortal soul.

4K ULTRA HD LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS

• 4K restorations of both the Director’s Cut and Theatrical Cut of the film from the original camera negatives by Arrow Films
• Reversible sleeve featuring two original artwork options
• Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by John Torrani
• Double-sided foldout poster featuring two original artwork options

DISC 1 – DIRECTOR’S CUT

• 4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
• Original DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround audio and lossless stereo audio options
• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• Brand new audio commentary with comic book expert and podcast host Dave Baxter
• Audio commentary with Todd McFarlane, Mark A.Z. Dippé, Clint Goldman, and Steve Williams (1998)
• Hell’s Perfect Son, a brand new interview with actor Michael Jai White
• Spawn Support, a brand new interview with actors Melinda Clarke and D.B. Sweeney
• The Devil’s in the Details, a brand new interview with animatronic creature and special makeup effects artists Howard Berger and Greg Nicotero
• The Devil’s Music, a brand new interview with music supervisor Happy Walters
• Order Out of Chaos, a brand new interview with editor Michael Knue
• Todd McFarlane: Chapter & Verse, an archival featurette from 1998 in which Spawn creator Todd McFarlane reflects on how the film adaptation stacks up against his original comic book vision
• The Making of Spawn, archival behind-the-scenes featurette
• Preview: Todd McFarlane’s Spawn – The Animated Movie
• Theatrical trailer
• Scene-to-storyboard comparisons
• Original Todd McFarlane sketches
• Spawn concept and sketch gallery

DISC 2 – THEATRICAL CUT

• 4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
• Original DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround audio and lossless stereo audio options
• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing

This title will be available at The Goodie Emporium, a U.S.-based online store that currently has many Import Shaw Brothers/Golden Harvest/martial arts DVD/Blu-ray movies in-stock – with New titles being added regularly!

Watch the Trailer below:

The post Spawn of the dead! Todd McFarlane’s ‘Spawn’ starring Michael Jai White arriving on 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray first appeared on cityonfire.com.

The Problem with “Prestige-First” Programming

Prestige functions as both a shortcut and a safety net in the decision-making process. Film selectors, under pressure to deliver acclaimed lineups or justify funding decisions, often rely on a filmmaker’s résumé or festival pedigree rather than the content itself. A director who has previously screened at Cannes or Berlin enjoys an outsized advantage when applying for the next opportunity, regardless of the merits of their current project.

This bias isn’t always malicious; it is deeply embedded in how reputations are built and maintained. A known name is seen as less risky. Their work is assumed to be “festival-worthy” or “culturally important” without the same level of scrutiny applied to unknown creators. This creates a cycle in which already-recognized filmmakers continue to be elevated, while newer voices struggle for visibility.

Case Studies: When Prestige Wins, Innovation Waits

Many major festivals and labs feature the same names in rotation. A comparative analysis of participants in high-profile European labs such as TorinoFilmLab or Jerusalem Film Lab reveals that several directors are recurring figures, some with as many as three or four projects developed through different institutional programs.

Meanwhile, highly innovative films often get lost in the shuffle. In one notable example, a debut feature with a radically experimental structure was passed over by three major festivals, only to be praised by critics at a smaller, less prestigious event. When asked about the earlier rejections, one programmer admitted the film “didn’t have the backing or context we look for.” This “context” often means a known producer, a film school credential, or previous awards.

The Structural Consequences

This emphasis on prestige leads to systemic consequences. First, it limits diversity not only in terms of identity, but in terms of aesthetic and narrative experimentation. New voices, especially from underrepresented regions or working-class backgrounds, often lack access to the cultural capital needed to build prestige. If a director hasn’t attended a top festival, received prior institutional support, or built relationships with industry mentors, their work is frequently dismissed or overlooked.

Second, it narrows the cultural discourse. By platforming the same types of stories from the same social and geographic circles, festivals, and funds risk becoming repetitive and predictable. Instead of being launchpads for discovery, they may serve as showcases for polished but safe cinema.

The Psychology of Selection: Safe Choices Over Bold Risks

Festival programmers and fund selectors are not immune to psychological biases. The “halo effect” means that someone previously recognized is more likely to be evaluated positively in the future. Groupthink can also play a role, particularly in selection committees where consensus tends to favor inoffensive or pre-approved narratives.

Innovation often involves risk, and risk is hard to justify when reputations, partnerships, and financial outcomes are at stake. For some institutions, selecting an unknown filmmaker who delivers a groundbreaking but divisive film is less attractive than supporting a known name with a moderately compelling script.

A Closed Circuit of Influence

 Beyond formal structures, the film industry is shaped by tacit agreements and long-standing personal relationships that often operate behind the scenes. It’s not uncommon for producers, festival programmers, and jury members to share overlapping interests—professional, financial, or social. These informal alliances can significantly influence which projects receive exposure and which are quietly dismissed.

One platform actively investigating these patterns is Film Industry Watch’s reporting on toxic relationships and unspoken industry deals. Dedicated to uncovering the ethical blind spots of global cinema, the site explores how favoritism, conflicts of interest, and opaque decision-making often shape funding outcomes and festival selections. With a focus on accountability, the platform compiles whistleblower insights, analyzes festival politics, and brings visibility to the structural barriers that keep new and diverse voices from being heard.

The Impact on Filmmakers

For emerging filmmakers, this dynamic can be demoralizing. It’s not just a matter of artistic rejection; it’s a systemic barrier that suggests merit alone is not enough. Many report burnout, disillusionment, or feeling forced to abandon experimental approaches in favor of safer, more “fundable” scripts. Some abandon the field entirely, unable to break into a system that favors reputation over originality.

Even for mid-career filmmakers, the lesson becomes clear: cultivate connections, follow institutional paths, and tailor creative choices to what is known to “work.” This can result in a subtle form of creative compromise that ultimately dulls innovation across the industry.

Possible Solutions: Rebalancing the Scales

While it’s unrealistic to eliminate all prestige-based evaluation, there are measures that institutions can adopt to ensure innovation isn’t buried under reputation. These include:

• Anonymous selection processes, especially in early stages, should focus purely on the material.
• Rotating juries and programmers to avoid entrenched networks and groupthink.
• Quotas or dedicated slots for debut films or projects from non-traditional backgrounds.
• More transparency about selection criteria and decision-making structures.

Importantly, institutions must recognize that true innovation often comes from the margins, not from within existing hierarchies. Funding bold, untested ideas might be risky, but it’s also essential to the cultural evolution of cinema.

Conclusion

When prestige consistently trumps innovation, the film world stagnates. While festivals and funding bodies claim to seek originality, their practices often say otherwise. The challenge ahead is not simply to celebrate new voices when they break through, but to build structures that allow them to be heard in the first place. Until then, many of the most daring cinematic visions may remain unseen not because they aren’t good enough, but because they aren’t known enough.

The post How Prestige and Recognition Often Overshadow Innovation in Film Selection first appeared on cityonfire.com.

“Prisoner of War” Theatrical Poster

This September, the Prisoner of War (aka Death March) is coming home! The film is the latest actioner from martial arts sensation Scott Adkins (John Wick 4, Ip Man 4, Triple Threat).

Directed by and co-starring Louis Mandylor (The Debt Collector, The Doorman), Prisoner of War takes place during WWII and centers on a British officer (Adkins) who is captured and forced to fight in a Japanese internment camp.

Inspired by real World War II events, British RAF Wing Commander James Wright is shot down during the Battle of Bataan and captured by the Japanese. Thrown into a prisoner-of-war camp, he is forced into the ring to fight for survival in brutal hand-to-hand combat against skilled opponents. However, the soldiers get more than they bargained for when Wright’s years of training in Hong Kong prove him to be a formidable adversary.

The film also stars Peter Shinkoda (Mortal Kombat: Legacy), Gabbi Garcia (Unbreak My Heart), Michael Copon (The Scorpion King 2: Rise of a Warrior), Donald Cerrone (Lights Out), Gary Cairns (Day Labor), Shane Kosugi (9 Deaths of the Ninja), Atsuki Kashio (Black Swindler), Kansuke Yokoi (The Locked Room) and Sol Eugenio (1521: The Quest for Love and Freedom)

Although it hasn’t been confirmed, we suspect that Masanori Mimoto (Hydra, Baby Assassins), who also stars, may play a role in the film’s action choreography. Additionally, Stephen Renney, who has worked on stunts in films such as Monkey Man and Renfield, is also contributing to the film’s action department.

Well Go USA is releasing Prisoner of War on September 19, 2025. UK audiences can expect a September 22, 2025 Blu-ray release from Kaleidoscope Home Entertainment.

Watch Well Go USA’s Trailer below:

The post Watch Scott Adkins eat Japanese for dinner in Well Go USA’s New Trailer for Louis Mandylor’s ‘Prisoner of War’ first appeared on cityonfire.com.

“Affinity” Teaser Poster

We’ll soon see Chilean martial arts star Marko Zaror (John Wick 4, Redeemer, Kiltro) kick some sci-fi ass in Affinity, an upcoming actioner from director Brandon Slagle (Arena Wars, Breakout).

In the film, a PTSD-afflicted ex-SEAL rescues and falls for a woman only to lose her to mysterious kidnappers. He gathers an elite team to retrieve her but soon discovers the shocking truth: she’s been bio-engineered by a scientist grieving his wife.

Affinity also stars Louis Mandylor (Debt Collectors), Brooke Ence (Justice League), Jane Mirro (ON i Ona) and Brahim Chab (Customs Frontline). In addition to starring, Zaror also serves as action director and co-writer.

Affinity will be showcased year’s The Big Bad Film Fest on August 22-24, 2025. We expect a Trailer to hit soon. Until then, here’s a look at a classic action scene from Zaror’s Kiltro:

The post Marko Zaror to kick some sci-fi ass in ‘Affinity’ also starring Louis Mandylor, Brooke Ence and Brahim Chab first appeared on cityonfire.com.

Source: https://www.pexels.com/photo/people-at-theater-713149/

Wolverine Wore Tap Shoes

Hugh Jackman might be best known for slicing up villains with adamantium claws, but long before there were X-Men films, he charmed audiences with musicals on stage. He had groundwork on stage, especially with musicals like The Boy from Oz, that prepared him with something beyond sheer singing range. He honed his sense of playing to emotional cadence and of physically dominating scenes, traits that enrich his fight scenes rather than just making them explosive. That control and theatre-born instinct make even his wildest action scenes feel personal, not just polished.

Shakespeare Behind The Science Fiction

Patrick Stewart’s on-screen presence as Captain Picard or Professor X did not just happen overnight. It resulted from years of classical training with the Royal Shakespeare Company. When he gazes at a baddie or delivers a peaceful but powerful line, that stage training is emerging to the surface. Each movement, each pause, everything’s been refined by thousands of performances in front of live human beings. His calm authority isn’t accidental, and it doesn’t come from special effects; it’s earned.

Did The Rock Attend Theatre Classes?

Hard to fathom, but Dwayne Johnson never quite sought blockbuster superstardom from the beginning. During college, he began studying theatre to build up confidence. The early training he got in timing, movement, and appeal to audiences still reappears in his performances to this day, in scenes where he swings himself off of tall skyscrapers, for one. Performing live helped him develop a sense of timing, presence, and audience connection that still shapes the way he delivers high-intensity roles today.

Why It Matters

When actors start on stage, they absorb instincts that can’t always be taught on set. The play calls for concentration, endurance, and intimate interaction with spectators. There isn’t a “cut!” if things go wrong. That kind of training stays with them, and it affects how they perform under maximum stress, multimillion-dollar film roles.

It also helps to explain why there are action stars who can do scenes with a touch of humanity. They are not necessarily acting, but responding. They had to read audiences live, work with timing live, and carry an entire physique to every performance. You can’t fake that. That kind of preparation gives a scene life, even when the plot calls for chaos.

Where To Learn More

Should you be curious as to which stars of yours came from the stage, or are just curious as to how film and stage converge, broadway.com is a most surprising place to turn to. Though most are linked to ticket sales and coverage of shows, it carries actor profiles and career-building as well, helping fans to more easily note similarities between stage and screen.

The Surprising Edge

Next time you’re seeing a tense stand-off or sobby soliloquy as part of an action movie, remember this: that performance started years earlier under hot lamps and velvet curtains. The stage training did not just involve line work. Presence, patience, and room command were instructed, whether that room is stocked with bullets, smoke, or a sea of applause.

The post Action Stars Who Surprisingly Started in Theatre first appeared on cityonfire.com.

On October 20, 2025, Arrow is releasing the 4K Ultra HD for 2021’s The Sadness. Dragging extreme cinema screaming into the post-pandemic age, Rob Jabbaz’s controversial and incredibly gory The Sadness burst onto the genre scene at the tail-end of the COVID epidemic, winning the New Flesh Award for Best First Feature at the Fantasia International Film Festival.

When a deadly virus spontaneously mutates in Taiwan it suddenly gives rise to a fast-acting, mind-altering plague. The streets erupt into violence and depravity, as those infected are driven to enact the most sadistic and ghastly acts they can think of. Amidst the carnage, a young couple, Jim (Berant Zhu) and Kat (Regina Lei), is pushed to the limits of sanity as they try and reunite across town amidst the chaos. The age of civility and order is no more. There is only “The Sadness”.

Inspired in part by Garth Ennis’ brutal graphic novel Crossed, The Sadness is a vicious satire of the darkest depths of humanity and an apocalyptic powerhouse of an action-based horror film, packed with incredible practical special effects, guaranteed to make even the most hardened gore-hound squirm.

4K ULTRA HD LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS

• 4K (2160p) Ultra HD Blu-ray presentation in High Dynamic Range
• Original DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround audio
• Optional English subtitles
• Brand new audio commentary with writer/director Rob Jabbaz and cinematographer Bai Jie-Li
• Two archival audio commentaries with writer/director Rob Jabbaz, one with composers Tzechar and one with medical advisor Shu
• Five behind-the-scenes featurettes: The Director, The Business Man, The Special Effects, The Art Department and The Production
• Colour Grading Comparison with Colourist Paul Hanrahan
• Two short films directed by Rob Jabbaz: Fiendish Funnies (2013) and Clearwater (2020)
• North American premiere introduction and post-screening Q&A at the 2021 Fantasia International Film Festival
• Reversible sleeve featuring newly commissioned artwork by Johnny Ryan
• Illustrated collectors’ booklet featuring selections of Rob Jabbaz’s storyboards and gore guides, plus new writing on the film by Michelle Kisner and Josh Hurtado

This title will be available at The Goodie Emporium, a U.S.-based online store that currently has many Import Shaw Brothers/Golden Harvest/martial arts DVD/Blu-ray movies in-stock – with New titles being added regularly!

Watch the Trailer below:

The post Here’s something to cheer you up! Arrow is releasing a 4K Ultra HD for the zombie thriller ‘The Sadness’ first appeared on cityonfire.com.

On October 21, 2025, Arrow Video is releasing the Blu-ray (Region A/B) for 2002’s Three and 2004’s Three Extremes. 

A trio of ghostly tales of terror, each from a different country, form the anthology Three. Initiated by acclaimed Hong Kong producer and director Peter Ho-Sun Chan, the film would prove highly influential in its innovative approach to pan-Asian horror, and lead to the shockingly compelling sequel, Three… Extremes. Dive into the ultimate omnibus of horror with both films lavishly restored and featuring a wealth of new and archival extras.

Korean genre maestro Kim Jee-woon (A Tale of Two Sisters) opens Three with “Memories”, where a husband and wife with no memory of how they fell apart discover the terrifying truth behind their separation. In Thai filmmaker Nonzee Nimibutr’s (Nang Nak) tale of guilt and jealousy, “The Wheel”, a puppeteer fears his marionettes are possessed by the spirits of those he has wronged. Finally, in Peter Ho-Sun Chan’s “Going Home”, a widowed police officer and his young son move into a new apartment and uncover the chilling secret behind their new neighbor and his seemingly comatose wife.

Three… Extremes’ unforgettable first story, “Dumplings”, directed by celebrated filmmaker Fruit Chan (Made in Hong Kong), sees an aging actor discover that the dumplings she’s been eating for their miraculous rejuvenating benefits contain an unsavory secret ingredient. Next, in Korean legend Park Chan-wook’s (Oldboy) segment “Cut”, a wealthy filmmaker is caught in a twisted game when a vindictive actor takes his wife hostage. Finally, Japanese Master of Horror Takashi Miike’s (Audition) segment, “Box”, sees a novelist plagued by nightmares of her past as a child circus performer with her long-lost twin sister, until she receives a mysterious invitation to return to the site of her old circus.

LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS

• Brand new 2K restorations of both films by Arrow Films
• High Definition (1080p) Blu-ray presentation of both films
• Original 5.1 DTS-HD MA surround audio and lossless stereo audio on both films
• Optional English subtitles for both films
• Reversible sleeve featuring newly commissioned artwork for both films by Xinmei Liu
• Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the films by Stacie Ponder and David Desser
• Double-sided foldout poster featuring newly commissioned artwork by Xinmei Liu

DISC ONE: THREE

• Cross-Pollination Horror Part 1, a brand new interview with producer and “Going Home” director Peter Ho-Sun Chan
• Recalling Memories, a brand new interview with “Memories” director Kim Jee-woon
• Making Memories, a brand new interview with “Memories” cinematographer Hong Kyoung-pyo
• Terror Without Borders, a newly edited interview with Peter Ho-Sun Chan, filmed in 2005 by Frédéric Ambroisine
• Between Life and Death, a newly edited interview with “Going Home” star Eugenia Yuan, filmed in 2004 by Frédéric Ambroisine
• Peter Ho-Sun Chan: Cinema Without Borders, an archival interview
• Kim Jee-woon: Memories from Beyond the Grave, an archival interview
• Making-of featurette
• Original theatrical trailer

DISC TWO: THREE… EXTREMES

• Audio commentary on the segment “Box” by director Takashi Miike
• Cross-Pollination Horror Part 2, a brand new interview with producer Peter Ho-Sun Chan
• Cooking Dumplings, a brand new interview with “Dumplings” director Fruit Chan
• Something a Little More Beautiful, a brand new interview with Takashi Miike
• Taste, Taboo and Truth, a newly edited interview with Fruit Chan, filmed in 2004 by Frédéric Ambroisine
• More That Skin Deep, a newly edited interview with “Dumplings” star Bai Ling, filmed in 2005 by Frédéric Ambroisine
• Making-of featurettes for each segment
• Trailers for Three… Extremes and the feature-length version of Dumplings

This title will be available at The Goodie Emporium, a U.S.-based online store that currently has many Import Shaw Brothers/Golden Harvest/martial arts DVD/Blu-ray movies in-stock – with New titles being added regularly!

Watch the Trailer below:

The post Killing is as easy as one, two, THREE! Arrow announces Blu-ray collection for ‘Three’ and ‘Three Extremes’ first appeared on cityonfire.com.

On October 13, 2025, Eureka is releasing the Blu-ray (Region A/B) for 1985’s The Island. Perhaps the most accomplished genre picture directed by British-Chinese filmmaker Po-Chih Leong (Hong Kong 1941), The Island is Hong Kong’s answer to the likes of Deliverance, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, The Hills Have Eyes and Motel Hell – a film that transports the visceral survival horror so popular in the 1970s and 1980s from the backwoods of America to a remote island in East Asia.

At the height of summer, teacher Mr Cheung (John Sham) takes a small group of his students on an excursion to explore a rural island that he assumes is uninhabited. But upon arrival, Cheung and his class discover that they are not alone – the island is, in fact, home to three deranged brothers and their equally deranged mother. And when one of Cheung’s students refuses a marriage proposal from the youngest – and perhaps most disturbed – member of this deeply strange family, both the teacher and the young people in his care soon come to wish that they had stayed at home.

Following in the footsteps of its Western predecessors, The Island plays out a pointed class conflict as it pits its educated urbanites against the violent members of an isolated rural community – but never loses the unique qualities of a Hong Kong horror movie. The Masters of Cinema series is proud to present the film on Blu-ray for the first time anywhere outside of Asia.

Features:

• Limited Edition [2000 copies]
• Limited edition O-card slipcase featuring new artwork by Ilan Shead
• Limited edition collector’s booklet featuring an interview with Po-Chih Leong and revised introduction notes on The Island by film writer, producer and film festival executive Roger Garcia
• 1080p HD presentation from a brand new 2K restoration
• Original Cantonese mono
• Optional English subtitles, newly translated for this release
• New audio commentary with East Asian cinema expert Frank Djeng (NY Asian Film Festival)
• New audio commentary with genre cinema experts Mike Leeder and Arne Venema
• Surviving the Shoot – interview with director Po-Chih Leong from 2023 courtesy of Frédéric Ambroisine
• Trailer

This title will soon be available at The Goodie Emporium, a U.S.-based online store that currently has many Import Shaw Brothers/Golden Harvest/martial arts DVD/Blu-ray movies in-stock – with New titles being added regularly!

Watch the Trailer below:

The post More dangerous than Han’s island? Eureka announces Blu-ray for the 1985 Hong Kong horror rarity ‘The Island’ first appeared on cityonfire.com.

Hulk Hogan (born Terry Gene Bollea) – known best for transforming professional wrestling into a family entertainment phenomenon – has passed away at age 71 due to cardiac arrest.

Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to his family and loved ones.

The post Hulk Hogan, wrestling legend and actor, passes away at 71 first appeared on cityonfire.com.