Asian Drama

In the 1980s, troubled youth Chan Lok Kwun accidentally enters the Walled City, discovers the order amidst its chaos, and learns important life lessons along the way. In the Walled City, he becomes close friends with Shin, Twelfth Master and AV. Under the leadership of Tornado, they resist the invasion of the villain, Mr Big, in a series of fierce battles. Together, they vow to protect the safe haven that is Kowloon Walled City.

The story is set in the Ming Dynasty during the reign of the Jiajing Emperor. General Qi Jiguang enlists the help of Shaolin Monastery's warrior monks to defend China from the wokou (Japanese pirates) and other invaders.

A retired bodyguard who has settled into a corner of the world where China, Russia and North Korea meet as he suffers from early dementia finds a new friend in a young girl. When her life is threatened by her father's connection with a local crime lord, the bodyguard must call upon his long forgotten skills to save her.

The only son (Tony Leung Ka Fai) in a family of police officers marries Mina, an ambitious `half-breed' colleague (played by Joyce Godenzi), incurring the resentment of his four sisters, all policewomen, especially the eldest, Ling (Carina Lau). There is...

China's greatest literary classic Romance of the Three Kingdoms comes to the big screen in the period epic Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon. Though big-budget Chinese epics have become a mighty familiar sight in recent years, the Three Kingdoms era and its fabled lore is rarely tackled in cinema, making this latest blockbuster from Daniel Lee (Dragon Squad, A Fighter's Blues) a groundbreaking effort. Deftly hitting screens before John Woo's Three Kingdoms adaptation Red Cliff, Resurrection of the Dragon is based on Luo Guangzhong's 14th-century novel which romanticizes the heroic exploits of Shu King Liu Bei and his larger-than-life generals and advisor. Maintaining his Mandarin period blockbuster streak after A Battle of Wits and The Warlords, Andy Lau stars as legendary general Zhao Zilong (better known as Zhao Yun), immortalized in both Luo's novel and in popular culture as the paragon of courage, charisma, and strength. Starting off as a foot soldier, Zhao rises quickly in the ranks to become the top general under Liu Bei (Ngok Wah). He becomes a living legend in his time with his undefeated record and staggering feats, including single-handedly rescuing Liu's infant son from the grips of Wei King Cao Cao (Damian Lau). Through the many years of war, tides rise and ebb for the Kingdom of Shu and comrades fall one by one, leaving Zhao alone as the invincible general. With his legacy at stake, Zhao leads his final expedition against a Wei army now headed by Cao Cao's granddaughter Cao Ying (Maggie Q). Other than leading man Andy Lau and pan-Asian beauty Maggie Q (Mission: Impossible III), Resurrection of the Dragon features a stunning line-up of veteran actors including some of Hong Kong's greatest stars of yesteryear. Producer Sammo Hung serves as the narrator of the film in the role of Pingan, Zhao's ambitious friend of humble achievements. Damian Lau, Iron Monkey's Yu Rong Guang, and Shaw Brothers heroes Ngok Wah and Ti Lung light up the screen in welcome supporting appearances, while rising action stars Andy On and Vanness Wu lead the way for a new generation. Though it takes some liberal departures from history and the original novel, Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon hits the mark with its epic story, sweeping images, and fierce characterization, gallantly capturing the life and times of Three Kingdoms hero Zhao Zilong. www.yesasia.com

Encounters of the Spooky Kind is Hung's first stab at the martial arts/horror/comedy hybrid that became very popular in the 80s, and sees the talented actor/director starring as Bold Cheung, a fearless pedicab driver who is unaware that his wife has been having an affair with Mr. Tam, one of his clients. After narrowly avoiding being caught in the act, Mr. Tam decides that life would be easier with Cheung permanently out of the way, and so hires a warlock to try and dispose of the poor guy.

Ten years after illegally immigrating to America, Slim (Sammo Hung) returns to China to find his family. But he finds that his country has changed beyond recognition, and that he needs the help of a woman and her brother to find his way home. Acclaimed at film festivals the world over, Mabel Cheung's followup to An Autumn's Tale is a bittersweet comedy about the joys and sorrows of a homecoming. "Slim" Cheng (Samo Hung) fled from South China to the U.S.A. during the Cultural Revolution. Now he returns from New York to find his family. Guided by an old aquaintence, his journey is full of mishaps and misunderstandings. Despite everything, he begins to enjoy her company. His changing feelings come into focus when they arrive and he faces a family he now barely recognizes. But fate still has tricks to play on him.

The film begins with Teapot (Sammo Hung), attempting to rob the dormant homes of a wealthy neighborhood in Hong Kong. When attempting to rob one particular house, he is briefly mistaken for the guest of honor at a surprise birthday party, and is subsequently handed over to the police. The following day, four other petty criminals are apprehended - unruly civil rights leader Curly (John Shum), car washer Exhaust Pipe (Richard Ng) who steals vehicle parts, well-dressed thief Vaseline (Charlie Chin) who swindles jewelry shops' most expensive watches, and Rookie (Stanley Fung), a mysterious, and rude, stranger. The quintet unite in prison and promise to make their fortune together in every possible way upon their release. Rookie is the gang's leader, whilst Teapot is bullied by the others (in the later films, Roundhead, played by Eric Tsang, is the group's victim and Hung's character is the leader). Following their release, they team up with Curly's beautiful sister, Shirley (Cherie Chung), and form a cleaning company. A sixth convict, the wealthy Jack Tar (James Tien) is released on the same day. Upon his release, he returns to his mansion, his fleet of expensive vehicles and his dozens of bodyguards. Tar commences work on his next criminal project, trading counterfeit US and Hong Kong currency with another crime boss. When the deal takes place, a brave but careless cop CID 07 (Jackie Chan) attempts to recover the briefcase containing the phony money, but the case somehow ends up in the Five Stars Cleaning Co. van. While none of the workers realize this misfortune, Tar certainly does. Later, Teapot and his friends decide to attend Tar's high-class party, hoping to expand their business with the wealthy guests. Unluckily Tar recognizes Curly instantly, and interrogates him. A battle ensues, where Teapot's kung fu skills are heavily relied on. Finally, another Triad gang, led by Tar's rival, wants the printing plates as well. A climatic fight takes place at a warehouse, where both Tar and his rival, along with their goons, are finally defeated. At the end, Teapot receives a reward and marries Shirley.

The far east meets the old west in this fun-filled adventure about a lovable rogue (Sammo Hung) and an incorruptible sheriff (Yuen Biao) who come together to face an explosion of brawls, bandits and bordellos, before teaming up to save their town. Overview: Sammo plays a shady businessman who has plans to revive the town of Hanshui, in which he grew up in. Biao plays the law of the town who is not only suspicious of Sammo but must also catch some bank robbers. Speeding towards Hanshui is the Shanghai Express, a train containing many wealthy people. The train is not only the target of Sammo's plans but also a gang of train robbers. In the end the factions, including some Japanese, must combine together to stop the train robbers. An excellent film with many hilarious moments and some great fights including a fight between Sammo and Biao. Also included in the film are plenty of familiar faces which adds to this masterpiece.

During the early years of the Republic era, in the North-East region of China, the people are suffering from the power struggle among the local Warlords, bandits, and Japanese invaders. Warlord Lam (Sammo Hung), is not a leader of great vision, but having a patriotic heart, stands firm in his own beliefs, despite the several solicitations and temptations from Japan. The only ‘paradise’ within the region is ‘Lucky Town’, the one place where no one dared to attack. Rumors abound that this place is cursed, for whenever anyone attempted to invade Lucky Town, they would disappear and vanish without a trace. In reality, there are seven kung fu masters who have retreated into the shadows and resided here.

A recreation of sorts to the hit movie THE PRODIGAL SON, with both Sammo Hung and Yuen Biao returning in elder roles. Pop idol Nicholas Tse (THE PROMISE) stars in this megahit martial arts drama as Liang, the rebellious eldest son of Zan (Yuen Biao), master of Wing Chun Quan. But difficulties arise between father and son as Zan refuses to teach Liang martial arts because he finds him arrogant and naive. Meanwhile, Liang must master the skills of Wing Chun to beat his rival Ko, who is ruthless and has an eye for Liang's lover. Only a duel between Ko and Liang can settle the score once and for all. With amazing kung fu action, WING CHUN (aka Yong Chun) is one fabulous martial arts adventure that will leave you breathless!

An adaptation of the life of martial arts legend, Wong Fei Hung.

An orphan, whose father has been killed by dark power, attempts to bring justice back to the town.

SPL aka Saat Po Long/Sha Po Lang aka Kill Zone is the best Hong Kong actioner in years, featuring superb performances from Donnie Yen, Sammo Hung and Simon Yam and some seriously vicious I'm-not-showing-off-I-really-want-to-kill-you fight scenes. A successful serious crime investigation police unit, headed by articulate senior detective Chan (Simon Yam), tackles crime with three other detectives from different backgrounds. Martial arts expert Ma (Donnie Yen) is set to take over as head of the unit, replacing Chan who wants to have an early retirement. Ma is determined to put things right. Po (Sammo Hung), an upcoming figure in the underworld with interests in every kind of criminal activity, and Jack (Jing Wu) – Po’s right-hand man, is a reclusive cold-blooded 

A dZi bead from Tibet was on its way to Hong Kong for an exhibition, but was stolen by a mysterious gang with a possible link to a long-lost cult, the Gemini Clan. The guardian of the dZi bead Lucky and his adopted son Hey tried to solicit the help of the head of the Clan, the Principal, to track down the bead. Unwilling to come out of retirement, the Principal refused to get involved, but when Lucky was seriously wounded after another attack by the mysterious gang, the Principal reluctantly summoned the help of the Clan's former members - twins.

Wushu tells the story of Li Er - a talented teenage sanda fighter (Chinese kickboxing) who falls in love with a beautiful girl training in wushu (a martial arts form practiced by international action star, Jet Li). In order to woo her, Li Er goes against his coach's desire to make him the provincial sanda champion, and takes up wushu instead. Li Er struggles with losing his sanda champion status to becoming a no body in wushu competition, while at the same time he tries to get his girl to notice him and not getting kicked out of school for his poor marks.

When Interpol agent CK Long (Sammo Hung) busted a billion-dollar drug deal 15 years ago, the cartel swore revenge. Enter beautiful Phoenix (Jenn Tse), the enigmatic Madame Rose's loyal assassin, whom the cartel hires to kill Long's family. Little does Phoenix knows, years ago, in an act of revenge, Madame Rose kidnapped Phoenix when she was young, then brainwashed and trained her into a skilled assassin and that her father has been trying to find her ever since. There is no mission that Phoenix cannot complete. But her untarnished record may face an obstacle, because not only is her estranged father, Long, is the mission, Phoenix also gets caught in a love triangle of sorts Sam (Andy On) and Black Dragon (Phillip Ng). 

The movie is set in Shanghai in the early Republican era. Cheng Daqi, a young man working at a fruit stall, travels to Shanghai in search of a new life and he meets Hong Shouting, a police chief who is also a triad boss. Hong's wife, Ling Husheng, recognises Cheng's talent and successfully persuades her husband to let Cheng join them. Cheng gradually rises through the ranks in the criminal underworld of Shanghai and becomes an influential triad boss. He meets Bao, who falls in love with him, but Cheng's true love is actually his childhood friend Ye Zhiqiu, who has gone missing.

Many years later, a middle-aged Cheng has become one of the most notorious and powerful triad bosses in Shanghai, even surpassing his old boss Hong Shouting. However, he finds himself caught up in the struggle between the aggressive Empire of Japan, which is planning to invade China, and the local secret service led by the crafty Mao Zai, who saved his life many years ago. He also encounters his old flame Ye Zhiqiu again, but she is now married to another man.

During the late Ming Dynasty, the Chinese imperial court is plagued by corruption as eunuchs usurp state power and the reigning emperor is deemed incompetent. The Jinyi Wei (literally: Brocade-clad Guards) is the government's secret police, trained in clandestine combat since childhood, they are in charge of conducting missions to ensure peace and stability within the empire. They have the authority to prosecute anyone deemed as an enemy of the state and they devote their lives and lethal prowess to serving the emperor only. When the organization was first founded, the Jinyi Wei took orders directly from the emperor, but now they are under the control of the eunuch faction. The chief eunuch Jia Jingzhong is plotting with an exiled noble, Prince Qing, to rebel against the emperor and seize power. Jia orders Qinglong, the Jinyi Wei chief, to kill the Imperial Councilor Zhao Shenyan and take Zhao's safebox, which supposedly contains a list of names of traitors.

A well-meaning but unambitious scholar and painter Ku, lives with his mother near an abandoned fort, reputed to be haunted. One night, investigating strange noises he meets the beautiful Yang who is living there. She is being pursued by agents of an imperial noble who have murdered her family. Ku finds himself caught up in her struggle to survive, and many fierce battles take place before all is resolved.