The Roundup: Punishment (2024) Review

“The Roundup: Punishment” Teaser Poster

“The Roundup: Punishment” Teaser Poster

Director: Heo Myung-haeng
Cast: Ma Dong-Seok, Kim Moo-Yul, Lee Dong-Hwi, Park Ji-Hwan, Lee Beom-Soo, Kim Min-Jae, Lee Ji-Hoon, Lee Joo-Bin, Park Bo-kyung, Derek Chouinard
Running Time: 109 min. 

By Paul Bramhall

In a world where it’s perfectly normal to wait a couple of years for a sequel to land, The Roundup rebranded follow-ups to 2017’s The Outlaws have looked to buck the trend. Audiences only had to wait 11 months between the release of 2022’s The Roundup and 2023’s The Roundup: No Way Out, and in my review for the latter I’d expressed that “I hope we’ll get a little more breathing space before the next round.” Such hopes were futile though, as barely 11 months later the 4th instalment has already hit the screens in the form of The Roundup: Punishment, which sees everyone’s favourite burly bruiser Ma Dong-seok return to the role he was born to play.

The directorial reigns have been handed over to Heo Myeong-haeng for the 4th outing (replacing Lee Sang-yong who directed both of the previous entries), a veteran stuntman and action director who made his directorial debut earlier in the same year with the Concrete Utopia spin-off Badland Hunters. His debut also featured Ma Dong-seok as the lead, with the pairs working relationship going back as far as 2014’s Kundo: Age of the Rampant, after which they’d go on to collaborate on over 10 productions in the capacity of action director and actor. While Badland Hunters was essentially a straight-to-streaming taster for Myeong-haeng’s talents Continue reading

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‘Enter the Fat Dragon’ helmer rounds up Xie Miao, Joe Taslim, Jeeja Yanin and Yayan Ruhian for ‘The Furious’

"The Furious" Teaser Poster

“The Furious” Teaser Poster

Martial arts stars Xie Miao (My Father is A Hero, Eye for an Eye: The Blind Swordsman), Joe Taslim (The Raid, The Night Comes for Us), Jeeja Yanin (Chocolate, Triple Threat) and Yayan Ruhian (The Raid, Beyond Skyline) are teaming up for the Edko/XYZ Films English-language actioner, The Furious.

Out of all the aforementioned names, lead star Xie Miao is most likely the one most are unfamiliar with. For fans of Hong Kong action cinema, Miao will most likely always be remembered for his co-starring turns as a child martial arts prodigy in the Jet Li outings The New Legend of Shaolin and My Father is a Hero during the mid-1990’s. While he largely stayed off the radar in the succeeding years, he made a comeback in 2008 with the Tsui Siu-Ming directed Champions, a rousing tale set during the 1936 Olympics that was Continue reading

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Choi Dong-hoon’s time travelling sci-fi actioner ‘Alienoid: The Return to the Future’ warps to Digital in April

"Alienoid: The Return to the Future" Theatrical Poster

“Alienoid: The Return to the Future” Theatrical Poster

Get ready to warp into the sequel for 2022’s Alienoid, a South Korean sci-fi/fantasy action film once again directed by Choi Dong-hoon, who is perhaps best known for 2012’s The Thieves and 2015’s Assassination.

Returning stars in Alienoid: The Return to the Future (aka Alienoid: Part 2) include Ryoo Joon-Yeol (Believer), Kim Woo-Bin (Friend 2) and Kim Tae-Ri (Space Sweepers).

The film series (read our review for Alienoid) are a tale of two eras that follow two Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392) gurus seeking a legendary, time-bending blade as they unexpectedly cross paths with modern-era people hunting down a dangerous alien concealed inside a human’s body.

Alienoid: The Return to the Future (read our review), releases on Digital on April 30 before Continue reading

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Virtual Recall (2010) Review

"Virtual Recall" Theatrical Poster

“Virtual Recall” Theatrical Poster

Director: Larry Cheung
Cast: Stephen Fung, Cherrie Ying Choi Yi, Tang Yi Fei, Samuel Pang King Chi, Sammul Chan Kin Fung, Lemon Zhang Meng, Mandy Chiang Nga Man, Simon Lui Yue Yeung, Astrid Chan Chi Ching, Tin Kai Man, Li Hui
Running Time: 95 min.

By Paul Bramhall

Back in the late 2000’s it kind of felt like director Roy Chow’s 2009 production Murderer placed an exclamation mark on the Hong Kong cinematic output of the decade. The Aaron Kwok starring murder mystery is best remembered for its oblivious descent into levels of ridiculousness and absurdity that audiences (and likely a few filmmakers as well) weren’t even aware existed until that point. I bring up Murderer, because I have a theory that the then long-retired director Larry Cheung was one of those filmmakers, and it woke something inside him that said – “You have a Murderer inside you too, let it out!”

The result was 2010’s Virtual Recall, which saw Cheung return to the directors chair for only the third time in his career, with the previous time being for 1993’s entertainingly unhinged wuxia The Sword Stained with Royal Blood. Here Cheung does away with the period setting, instead choosing contemporary Hong Kong for a tale of parallel universes and characters floating through space in bubbles. The moment the opening credits appear onscreen, which look like they’re based on a late night 1980’s infomercial, there’s already a sense that the next 90 minutes are going Continue reading

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Star Wars-ploitation? Eureka announces Blu-ray for Kinji Fukasaku’s sci-fi action adventure ‘Message From Space’

Message From Space | Blu-ray (Eureka)

Message From Space | Blu-ray (Eureka)

On July 22, 2024, Eureka will be releasing the Blu-ray (Region B) for Message From Space, a 1978 sci-fi thriller from Kinji Fukasaku (Battle Royale, New Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Last Days of the Boss) that’s basically Toei Company’s answer to the barnstorming box-office success that was Star Wars.

The film features an all-star cast that includes Sonny Chiba (Wolf Guy: Enraged Lycanthrope), Vic Morrow (Twilight Zone: The Movie), Etsuko Shihomi (Soul of Chiba) and many more!

Somewhere in a far flung galaxy lies the planet of Jillucia. Once a peaceful utopia, it has now fallen under the control of the Gavanas Empire, a warlike race ruled by the ruthless Emperor Rockseia (Mikio Narita). Desperate for help, the leader of the Continue reading

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Eureka announces Blu-ray for Jeong Chang-hwa’s obscure Golden Harvest classic actioner ‘The Double Crossers’

The Double Crossers | Blu-ray (Eureka)

The Double Crossers | Blu-ray (Eureka)

On July 22, 2024, Eureka is releasing the Blu-ray (Region A/B) for The Double Crossers, a 1976 Golden Harvest actioner from director Jeong Chang-hwa (The Devil’s Treasure, King Boxer) that stars South Korean martial artist Shin Il-ryong (The Dragon Lives Again) and featuring the legendary Sammo Hung (The Magnificent Butcher).

Following his late father’s murder, police officer Detective Lung (Shin) discovers that both of his parents were involved in a smuggling ring – and that his father was killed by its leader, a violent criminal now living in Hong Kong under the name Wang (Chao Hsiung, The One-Armed Swordsman). Determined to avenge his father’s death, Lung resigns from the police force to take matters into his own hands. Teaming up with a smuggler who was once a close friend and partner-in-crime to his Continue reading

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Superhero flick the Takashi Miike way! Media Blasters Blu-ray for ‘Zebraman: Ultimate Z-Pack’ arriving in June 🦓

Zebraman: Ultimate Z-Pack | Blu-ray (Media Blasters)

Zebraman: Ultimate Z-Pack | Blu-ray (Media Blasters)

On June 11, 2024, Media Blasters is releasing the Blu-ray set for Zebraman: Ultimate Z-Pack, from cult director Takashi Miike (First Love, Blade of the Immortal). The set contains 2004’s Zebraman and 2010’s Zebraman 2: Attack on Zebra City.

Zebraman – It’s 2010 and Shinichi (Sho Aikawa, Rainy Dog) is a down-trodden third-grade teacher who gets little respect from his own family let alone from his wise-ass students. Back in 1978 he became obsessed with a TV superhero named Zebraman, a show that was cancelled after only a few episodes. Since the Zebraman show was set in 2010, Shinichi decides the time is right to make a crude Zebraman costume and slink around the city at night to fulfill his childhood fantasy. His seemingly harmless escapism takes Continue reading

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It’s ON! Hong Kong stars Andy On and Waise Lee collide in ‘Blind War’ arriving on Blu-ray in June from Well Go USA

Blind War | Blu-ray (Well Go USA)

Blind War | Blu-ray (Well Go USA)

On June 11, 2024, Well Go USA will be releasing the Blu-ray and DVD for Blind War (read our review), a 2022 martial arts actioner headlined by Hong Kong action stars Andy On (Kung Fu League, Undercover Punch and Gun) and Waise Lee (To Be Number One, The Big Heat).

Directed by Suiqiang Huo (The Nine Talisman Tower), Blind War tells the story of the former SWAT captain Dong Gu, permanently injured during a failed mission for which he took responsibility. After gradually getting out of the haze, his old enemy reappeared and threatens his daughter.

The film also stars Jane Wu (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows) and Vincent Matile (The Eight Hundred).

If you haven’t already, don’t Continue reading

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Who’s ready to rock? Rothrock, that is! ‘China O’Brien’ Parts 1 and 2 hits 4K UHD and Blu-ray next week from Eureka

China O’Brien 1 & 2 | 4K UHD (Eureka)

China O’Brien 1 & 2 | 4K UHD (Eureka)

Releasing next week is Eureka’s 4K Ultra HD & Blu-ray (Region B) for 1990’s China O’Brien and 1991’s China O’Brien, two Golden Harvest cult martial arts classics starring the one, the only Cynthia Rothrock (Manhattan Chase, Blonde Fury).

The inimitable martial arts superstar Cynthia Rothrock stars in two of the most gloriously entertaining films of her career!

In China O’Brien, city cop and formidable martial artist Lori “China” O’Brien (Rothrock) is forced to resign from the force and return home to a small Utah town after her involvement in an accidental death. But upon arrival in Beaver Creek, she finds that her lawman father – Sheriff John O’Brien (David Blackwell) – is desperately trying to bring down local crime boss Edwin Continue reading

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Kato who? Eureka’s Blu-ray for Jet Li’s sci-fi actioner ‘Black Mask’ now available from Eureka Entertainment

Black Mask | Blu-ray (Eureka)

Black Mask | Blu-ray (Eureka)

On April 22, 2024, Eureka will be releasing a Blu-ray (Region A/B) for Black Mask, 1996 sci fi actioner directed by Daniel Lee (Code of the Assassins, Dragon Blade) that stars Jet Li (League of Gods, Last Hero in China).

Jet Li stars in an action-packed superhero spectacle produced by the legendary Tsui Hark!

Tsui Chik (Li) is a librarian who leads a quiet, unassuming life – or, at least, that’s what he wants people to believe. In truth, he was once a member of the 701 Squad, a group of elite combatants produced by a failed super-soldier project. In kind with his former comrades, his central nervous system has been altered to render him impervious to pain. When several of his fellow test subjects resurface and embark on a crimewave under the leadership Continue reading

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Lethal Combat: Techno Warriors 2 | aka Digital Warriors (2000) Review

"Lethal Combat: Techno Warriors 2" Theatrical Poster

“Lethal Combat: Techno Warriors 2” Filipino Poster

AKA: Digital Warriors 
Director: Philip Ko Fei
Cast: Darren Shahlavi, Lee Kwang-su, Yukari Oshima, Zoren Legaspi, Jimmy Ko, Man-Kei Lin, James Jim-Si Ha, Philip Ko Fei, Winston Ellis, Thorsten Nickel
Running Time: 93 min.

By Paul Bramhall

Let’s address the elephant in the room – I’m convinced nobody was clamouring for a sequel to the 1997 sci-fi action mashup Techno Warriors. Philip Ko Fei’s incomprehensible Philippines shot action flick gave us a dystopian future (set in 2020!), where a villain called the Black Ninja escapes from the Cyber World into the real world, and cops from both worlds team up to stand a chance of taking him down. What Techno Warriors lacked in narrative cohesion it did make up for in its energetic pacing and high kicking action sequences, so much of which were shot Ko Fei decided to make a follow-up, ensuring the scenes that were left on the cutting room floor didn’t go to waste. The result would come 3 years later in the form of Lethal Combat: Techno Warriors 2 (or as it was released in some territories, Digital Warriors).

In my review for Techno Warriors I complained that “Explaining the plot…could easily be described as headache inducing”, however compared to Lethal Combat I can safely take that back, as almost nothing make sense from the first scene. Essentially a thematic sequel rather than a direct continuation (even though characters names remain the same, and scenes from Techno Warriors are frequently shown in flashback, albeit in a different context to how they first appeared!), Lethal Combat opens with returning cops Darren Shahlavi and Lee Kwang-su. Neither Tamara Continue reading

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Deal on Fire! The Foreigner | Blu-ray | Only $9.98 – Expires soon!

The Foreigner | Blu-ray & DVD (Universal)

The Foreigner | Blu-ray & DVD (Universal)

Today’s Deal on Fire is the Blu-ray for The Foreigner (read our review), starring Jackie Chan (Bleeding Steel).

Jackie Chan and Pierce Brosnan star in The Foreigner , a timely action thriller from director Martin Campbell of Casino Royale and Goldeneye.

Chan stars as humble London businessman Quan, whose long-buried past erupts in a revenge-fueled vendetta when the only person left for him to love — his teenage daughter — is taken from him in a senseless act of politically-motivated terrorism. In his relentless search for the identity of the terrorists, Quan is forced into a cat- and-mouse conflict with a British government official (Pierce Brosnan), whose own past may hold clues Continue reading

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John Travolta and Nicolas Cage to return for a sequel to John Woo’s ‘Face/Off’?

"Face/Off" Japanese Theatrical Poster

“Face/Off” Japanese Theatrical Poster

It was originally planned as as reboot, but now a sequel to John Woo’s 1997 actioner Face/Off is currently in-development from Paramount Pictures.

The original film centered on an FBI agent (John Travolta) who undergoes a facial transplant surgery to take on the physical appearance of a terrorist (Nicolas Cage). According to CBR, there are some solid rumors within the industry that Travolta and Cage will be returning, as their respective characters, for the sequel.

Adam Wingard – of Death Note, The Guest and You’re Next – is attached to direct, with his frequent collaborator, Simon Barrett, to write. The film will be produced Continue reading

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Acclaimed ‘Versus’ filmmaker Ryuhei Kitamura is getting into the amusement park business with ‘Thrill Ride’

"Versus" Korean Theatrical Poster

“Versus” Korean Theatrical Poster

Action filmmaker Ryuhei Kitamura (Versus, The Doorman, Downrange) will be directing Thrill Ride, an upcoming rollercoaster thriller from writers Chad Law and Christopher Jolley, who previously worked with Kitamura on Lights Out and Remember Be, respectively

The English-language film – spearheaded by Film Bridge International – will tell the story of a group of people, including two young women, who are trapped upside down on a roller coaster taken over by a mysterious saboteur threatening to drop them all one-by-one to their deaths (via Deadline).

The same source adds: “As a hardcore rollercoaster fan since I was young, I immediately fell in love with this script filled with suspense, action, crazy ups and downs, turns, loops, and corkscrews at maximum Continue reading

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Lama Avenger, The | aka The Three Avengers (1979) Review

"The Lama Avenger" Theatrical Poster

“The Lama Avenger” Theatrical Poster

Director: Wong Wa-Kei
Cast: Bruce Li (Ho Chung Tao), Chin Yuet Sang, Michael Winston, Chui Fat, Lee Hoi San, Baan Yun Sang, Ching Chu, Sham Chin Bo, Austin Wai 
Running Time: 85 min.

By Paul Bramhall

Looking back at the careers of the Bruceploitation genres big three – Bruce Li, Bruce Le, and Dragon Lee – eventually all of them would step out of the Little Dragon’s shadow, admirably pushing for their own onscreen identities to come to the fore. However it was Bruce Li who took the initiative first, and understandably so, since he holds the record for how many times he’d portray Bruce Lee onscreen in numerous biopics of varying quality (if you’re wondering, the one worth tracking down is 1976’s Bruce Lee: The Man, The Myth). By the late 70’s Li had seemingly had enough of the Bruce Lee association, and started appearing in productions billed using his actual name of Ho Chung Tao, headlining a number of gritty contemporary kung-fu flicks (and even venturing into some Jackiesploitation territory with the Drunken Master inspired Blind Fist of Bruce).

The evolution of Chung Tao as a kung-fu leading man is one of determination and learning on the fly. The difference from the stiff and uninspired performance he’d clock in for his debut lead role in 1974’s Super Dragon (unsurprisingly playing Bruce Lee, in what many consider to be the first Bruceploitation movie), to 5 years later when he’d transformed into a performer who fully understood how to convey power and intensity onscreen, is like night and day. Chung Tao would headline Continue reading

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