GREAT ORIENTAL EPICS TO CONCLUDE THE YEAR

LEGENDARY AMAZONS

“Legendary Amazons” which was formerly titled “Lady Generals of The Yang Family”, is based on a famous Chinese opera set in the Song Dynasty. When the men of the Yang Clan were massacred in battle, the women, from elderly grandmother to little sisters, put on armor and led the army to victory. A Yang family daughter-in-law, Mu Guiying, is a celebrated woman warrior in Chinese folklore. Directing the movie will be Frankie Chan (The prodigal Son, Outlaw Brothers) who has also worked on a few Jackie Chan movies back in the day, also Jackie is producing this movie. Plays Mu Guiying is Hong Kong actress Cecilia Cheung while

WATCH MORE >>>

DISCOVER HOW FAR ADVENTURE WILL TAKE YOU WITH TINTIN

Inventiveness of the animation genre is expected from the collaboration between Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson who teamed up for the first entry in a planned trilogy of films adapted from the famous Belgian comics “The Adventures of Tintin” by Georges "Hergé" Remi. The series is one of the most popular European comics of the 20th century, with translations published in more than 80 languages and more than 350 million copies of the books sold to date. Its popularity around the world has been attributed to its "universal appeal" and its ability to transcend "time, language and culture." Set

WATCH MORE >>>

GET READY FOR SOME ASIAN FALL MOVIE RELEASES

SEEDIQ BALE

Director Wei Te-sheng's epic “Seediq bale" aka "Warriors of the Rainbow” will represent Taiwan in the foreign-language film category at the 84th Academy Awards, and the most expensive film in Taiwan's history, which portray a 1930 uprising by aboriginal Seediq warriors against the Japanese when Taiwan was colonized, has just been premiered at Venice Film Festival.
The film, set in 1930s Formosa (now Taiwan) tells the true story of the Wushe Incident in which Seediq tribe warrior Mouna Rudo led his people to rebel against the Japanese occupation.

During the Japanese rule of Taiwan, the Seediq were

WATCH MORE >>>

IT’S TIME FOR THE IMMORTALS TO FIGHT FOR GREEK EPICS IMMORTALITY

A hyper-stylized R-rated action film with bold speeches, beautiful women, angry men, angrier Gods and a whole lot of violence, “Immortals”, is ready to bring the latest epic war between ancient Greek Gods at theaters everywhere this fall. Looks like it falls between “300” and “Clash of the Titans”, which can be a good thing, the film was directed by Tarsem Singh who is most well known for his fantastic visual style in his two previous features—“The Cell” and “The Fall”—music videos, and commercial work. Visually, Tarsem says the film will be

WATCH MORE >>>

Witness the Tragic Love and Incredible Life of The Lady

Shot under a veil of secrecy due to the sensitive nature of its subject, "The Lady," an inspiring drama based on the life of the Burmese pro-democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi, has finally finished filming and is ready to premiere at the Toronto Film Festival next month, also expected to be screened at a number of international film festivals in the fall before widely release in theaters everywhere. Inspired by one of the greatest love stories set against a background of political turmoil that still continues to this day, “The Lady” is the extraordinary story of how Aung San Suu Kyi and her husband Michael Aris gave up their happiness at great cost when the wife's country called upon her. Yet despite

WATCH MORE >>>

These Horrors are Hungrier Than the Hungriest Ghosts

Scary movies may come in many different forms, but our most favorite here is the supernatural one, a creepy atmospheric ghost story pepper with a little pleasant touch of gothic ambiance. Therefore, here are some that likely meet the criteria in our list of upcoming horror flicks that you (probably) never heard of before, another horrific addition to the “August Bloody Wicked Month of Horror”:

23:59

Coming out in October this year, just in time to celebrate the Halloween, is Singapore

WATCH MORE >>>

Summer Reviews: August Movie Recaps

Rise of the Planet of the Apes



When Fox decided to bring back the franchise about ape revolutions made famous by “Planet of the Apes” released in 1968 and its four sequels, it was Tim Burton’s revamped movie with the same name that did make a boatload of money but critically was far from success. So, the studio thought it’s best to shelve the apes once again and freeing them a decade later with a new concept that reboot the entire franchise in “Rise of the Planet of the Apes”. Sure the title they’ve chosen sound quite silly but

WATCH MORE >>>

August is the Bloody Wicked Month of Horrors

If in the west horror festival is usually fall on, or around, October the tenth month, but in the East, regarding to the Chinese calendar and tradition, the 15th night of the seventh lunar month (regularly fall on August of the Western calendar) is always consider as the most horrifying time of the year. The entire seventh month of the Chinese calendar is even called the Ghost Month, a month in which ghosts and spirits are believed to emerge out from the lower world to visit earth. Celebrated mostly in South China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and especially in Singapore and Malaysia, The Ghost Festival is the

WATCH MORE >>>

Rattle Up to the Mythical World of The Sorcerer and the White Snake

Asia is rich of folklores from its many different cultures, heritage and environment which are more than worth lavish cinematic treatments. But rather than introducing some worldwidely unfamiliar ones, movie producers are still thinking it’s better to remake some those have been adapted countless times and just furnish them with the advanced special effect technology. So, then we get a list of renewing, repolishing, reproducting like “Monkey King”, “Chinese Ghost Story”, “Mulan”, and “White Snake Legend”, that has since a long long time become a major subject of myriad Chinese opera, films and television series. “White Snake Legend”, which existed as oral traditions before any written compilation, has became

WATCH MORE >>>

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part Two: An Outstanding Final

After a decade of amazing adventure, ultimately this summer is the actual bystander of how epic is the showdown between light and dark, good and evil when ‘The Boy Who Lived’ comes face to face with ‘He Who Shall Not Be Named’. As the series evolves from Chris Columbus' fanciful kiddie-like dreamworld to something much more dark and complex, and this is where the climax that the entire movies have built towards finally plays out. One of the most successful film franchises in history finally draws to its emotional close, also suddenly reminding us of quite how lovingly constructed the franchise's four directors have crafted its on-screen presence over the years. And wrapped

WATCH MORE >>>

WU XIA: Smart, Fresh, Stylistic Martial Arts Spectacle

In the very first stage of production of his new film, “Wu Xia”, director Peter Chan Ho-sun has claimed that he aims to rejuvenate the martial arts genre with the project, create something unique to the choreography by injecting medical and scientific elements into it. In some ways, the final result has showed that Chan has succeeded in fusing together the elements that appeal to international audiences with some of the best martial arts sensibilities. In his first directorial outing since the

WATCH MORE >>>

A Reflection on the Great Value of Friendship from The Front Line

Towards the end of the Korean War an uneasy ceasefire is ordered, but out on the Eastern front line of the Aerok Hills fierce fighting continues. A race to capture a strategic point to determine a new border between the two Koreas is the ultimate prize. A bullet is then found in the body of dead company commander of the South Korean army. The bullet that killed the company commander belongs to the

WATCH MORE >>>

The Historical Account of Arrow, The Ultimate Weapon

South Korean filmmakers really like to portrait the era of Joseon (Chosun) Dinasty, the final ruling dynasty of Korea that lasting from 1392 until 1910, into both big screen feature and television series. Perhaps because the history of this dynasty is relatively better documented than those of older kingdoms, and Joseon is especially important in Korean history since it is the period when the Korean alphabet - Hangeul - was created. Joseon was also excellent in

WATCH MORE >>>

Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark! Now Let’s Turn All the Lights Off!

On October 10, 1973, just in time for Halloween, television audiences were treated to a spooky offering from the ABC network that stayed with them long after they watched it. Following a young couple who inherit an old mansion, a demon-infested old mansion, as the hellish occupants attempt to take the wife for their own, it didn’t rely on outward gross-out violence, like many modern horror films, but “Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark” has remained a staple late-night creep-fest for over the

WATCH MORE >>>

Commemorate the Centenary of Jackie Chan and Xinhai Revolution

Jackie Chan movies are often characterized by three things: Exciting martial arts fights, stunts that are not for the faint of heart, and comedy. The world’s most famous martial arts actor, director and stuntman, he is famous for doing most of his own stunts as well as acting in and producing some of the best martial arts action films of all time. Since began his film career as a stuntman in the Bruce Lee films “Fist of Fury” (1972) and “Enter the Dragon” (1973) to “Drunken Master” that finally propelled him to mainstream success, Chan has both directed and starred in a string of international hits, delivered to

WATCH MORE >>>

Summer Reviews: Super 8, Ladda Land, Hangover 2

Super 8
Score: 8/10

With “Super 8”, J.J. Abrams has captured the spirit of growing up and flawlessly unified it with a gripping, action-packed, science-fiction excitement that pays homage to the early works of Steven Spielberg and films like “Stand By Me” and “The Goonies” without ever losing its spark of originality. As the movie is dated back to 1979, Abrams has just presented it perfectly with the set up and costumes, all reflecting the 1970’s. Besides, mystery, action and coming of age drama there is also a perfect sense of humor in the movie. And while there are exciting action sequences and perfectly crafted special effects to complement them, there is also a rather sweet and sad side story that stays just on the

WATCH MORE >>>

The Epic Conclusion for the Journey Beyond Imagination

With Part 1 has already set up the grand finale, fans of worldwide phenomenal series “Harry Potter” will now have an even more impatient wait for the conclusion. Those who read the book certainly know how “Deathly Hallows” will end, but they are anxious to see if the movie version maintains that power. The first part released last fall has also generated a range of reactions from critics. Some were really excited for the extravagance ending that will cap the series off, while others expected it would redeem the slow pace of the setup. “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” was an

WATCH MORE >>>

Summer Reviews: The Lost Bladesman & Thor

The Lost Bladesman
Score: 7/10

Guan Yu, one of the most valued heroes and generals in Chinese history, lived from about AD160 to AD220 during the final years of the Han dynasty in eastern China. With magnificent fighting skill, bravery, loyalty and righteousness, he even became a deity that worshipped in Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism. His titles include Prince, Duke, Marquis and finally the posthumous title of "Saintly Emperor Guan the Great God who Subdues Demons of the Three Worlds and Whose Awe Spreads Far and Moves Heaven". This title was later shortened to "Saint of War" and there is said to be a statue of him in both police stations and triad member gathering places, as Guan Yu represents the values that

WATCH MORE >>>

Review Mix: A Chinese Fairy Tale & Mindfulness and Murder

A Chinese Fairy Tale
Score: 6/10

The success of 1987 Hong Kong classic “A Chinese Ghost Story” lies in its mix of genres and the appeal of its stars. As the most well-known version to the original tale, written by 17th century Chinese author Pu Song Ling, the film has everything that makes Chinese fantasy films so much fun, and has it in spades. Even more than two decades later, it still remains one of the finest examples of its genre—a sumptuous, breathtaking masterpiece that brilliantly blends horror, comedy, fantasy and romance. So, it does gonna be a very bold move for any filmmaker to try bringing their new reinterpretation of it. But director Wilson Yip who just had the most successful years in his directing career with “Ip Man” films is bravely enough to go and waking the monsters of Black Mountain. Not only that, Yip also changes a lot of the details of the familiar tale. Instead of a straight-forward

WATCH MORE >>>

Some Thing Within the Super 8 Has Found Us

Two of the most marvelous writers in blogosphere, Matthew Vanacore from wonderful movie blog Filmmatic and JL from the fantastic Couch Potato Club, have awarded the café with Versatile Blogger Awards recently. Thank you so much, buddies! And talking about versatile, I think J.J. Abrams is one of the very versatile as a writer/producer/director. Between a variety of different action and sci-fi movies and shows that includes Felicity, Lost, Mission Impossible 3, Cloverfield, Star Trek, and Fringe, all were just drastically different from one another. He has successfully brought "Star Trek" back to life in an ambitious reboot of the classic franchise that

WATCH MORE >>>