I’ve been writing about martial arts movies for 31 years and have seen 10,000+ films (collected 7000+), and the one thing I’ve discovered is that every film has its moments. Though a movie might not be a game-crashing carnival, if there’s a few instances of glorious genius, then that film is a worthy watch just […]
Silat Warriors: Deed of Death – One Fight Away From Being a Collector’s Item
Their bodies move like snakes, monkeys, bleloks (South East Asian wading birds) and tigers; supple, mischievous, preening and ripping. I’m referring to the heroes of the Areel Abu Bakar directed Silat Warriors: Deed of Death (aka Geran), brother Ali (Khoharullah Majid) and sister Fatimah (Faiyna Tajudin) who live with their father Nayan. The siblings are […]
MADE IN CHINATOWN: Finding Love, Culture and Heritage
What’s crazier than sending your horse to audition for The Godfather, wackier than two parrots saying, “Are you talking to me?” in a Mexican pet shop that are on sale for two deniros and wilder than when after Oz’s Scarecrow introduced Toto to the Wizard by stating, “Say hello to my little friend,” he become […]
Time Passages of Veneration Survives, SDAFF’s 20th Anniversary Celebration Arrives: Kent Lee
As the 2019 San Diego Asian Film Festival (SDAFF) speeds toward the horizon, their 20th anniversary partnership with the city of San Diego shines with the bright light of cinematic delight where like any successful marriage…it isn’t always about looking at each other, but looking in the same direction. One of those directions that is […]
SHADOW: Zhang Yimou’s Brolly Blades In Ancient China
In Zhang Yimou’s latest wu xia drama set during China’s Three Kingdom Period (AD 220-280), Shadow (mandarin Ying, translation Shadow), Zhang’s palace intrigue twisted tale of lies, deceit, power plays, doppelgangers and a wonky love triangle, features two purposely chosen kung fu weapons, da dao (a long handled big sword blade) and umbrellas that makes […]
BIG BROTHER DONNIE YEN (大師兄): School is in Session, Bullies and Abusers Be Aware
By Dr. Craig D. Reid Donnie Yen’s latest film, Big Brother, is a Hong Kong drama that deals with social and racial issues in an inner city school. Sound familiar? It’s a film influenced by To Sir, with Love (1967), which was directed by James Clavell, who is mostly known in Asia for his literary […]