The first of a two-part column where I cover the rest of my Asian Cinema bounty for this year. »»
Plus Vampire Hunters, Karate Fighters, Peasant Soldiers, and Tony Jaa news! »»
All the Upcoming Bad Ass Asian Films on the Horizon! »»
Ong-Bak hits Blu-ray so hard it might break your player! »»
We wrap this list up, talk a little Shutter Island, and crown February's Bad Ass of the Month! »»
Want to see someone fight Ninjas, Pirates, Elephants, Crocodiles, and Vampires all in the same movie? Have I got something for you! »»
Starting with Tony Jaa’s breakout vehicles Ong Bak: Thai Warrior and The Protector, Director Prachya Pinkaew has managed to make himself the new big director of Martial Arts cinema. Throwing away the copious amounts of wirework and CGI that have plagued Hong Kong recently, the director has instead let the stunt work of his stars be all the special effects he would ever need. This would go especially for Jaa, who has managed the rare feat of combining Bruce Lee’s brutality with the physicality of classic Jackie Chan. With his newfound prominence in tow, Pinkaew’s new film, Chocolate, is his most ambitious effort yet, trying not only to fill the screen with as many fights as possible, but also trying to weave into his new film an odd family drama, all of which combines to form an oddly satisfying treat. »»
