Hong Kong Legends releases & reviews [merged / updated]

[Steve-W]

Anyone into HK films will be glad to know that Hong Kong Legends are set to release some classics very soon. The Jet Li films 'Once Upon A Time In China' and 'OUATIC and America' are available for pre-order at play247 (http://www.play247.com) with the folowing 2, 'OUATIC2/3' set to follow. Also they have the Bruce Lee film 'The Big Boss' (Fists of Fury in US) for pre-order with 'Way of the Dragon', 'Fist of Fury' and 'Game of Death' to follow.
These are going to be the best available versions going i.e anamorphic and restored, given HKL previous form, and they are apparantly going to be uncut!!.

[Cornfed]

Does anyone have a schedule with HKL release dates through 2002? Their website is kinda nutty lately.

[Damfino]

Like Criterion their release dates frequently slip, but they are always worth the wait. These seem to be set...

Red Wolf (Feb 25)
Police Assassins {aka Yes Madam} (Feb 25)

Ninja in the Dragon's Den (March 25)
Police Story 2 (March 25)

Mr. Vampire (April 8)
Naked Killer (April 22)

[thalion]

can be found on their Dutch pages ... http://www.hongkonglegends.nl/pages/rellijst2002.html

[Cornfed]

Originally posted by thalion
can be found on their Dutch pages ... http://www.hongkonglegends.nl/pages/rellijst2002.html

Welcome to the forum. Thanks for the link as it helped clarify a few things for me. While the UK HKL site is nutty at the moment, they are supposed to be back up in another week or two with all their press releases, news, and online ordering.

[axolotls return]

IIRC. The dutch HKL has a different release schedule than the UK HKL. I have a print-out of both, but not with me.

[Cornfed]

Get a taste of the re-launched site http://195.224.70.182/medusa/hk/promo.asp

Looks like its still under a lot of construction.

[Cornfed]

There are a few interesting newsbits on the updated site:


We can now confirm that Naked Killer and The Story Of Ricky have been passed Uncut Certificate 18 by the BBFC.

I had no idea they were working on Story of Ricky; I'm also not sure if I want to put any more money into the movie.


After an in-depth commercial analysis and consultation with our retail trading partners,I have decided not to release Naked Killer as a Platinum Edition, but as a Special Collector's Edition instead. I realise this may be disappointing for some collectors of the range, but don't worry, I have plans to give another high-profile title the Platinum treatment in the near future. I know you won't be disappointed. Trust Me.


The specs of the DVD still look good to me. What's in a name?

Their online ordering seems somewhat useless. They don't seem to ship to the U.S. and they are more expensive than UK etailers like play.com.

[axolotls return]

Originally posted by Damfino
Like Criterion their release dates frequently slip, but they are always worth the wait. These seem to be set...

Red Wolf (Feb 25)
Police Assassins {aka Yes Madam} (Feb 25)

Ninja in the Dragon's Den (March 25)
Police Story 2 (March 25)

Mr. Vampire (April 8)
Naked Killer (April 22)

For CORNFED (amended above list):

Operation Scorpion - Scorpion King - August 2002
Avenging Fist (Fight Zone) - TBA
Project A - May 2002
Project A Part 2 - 2002
Tai Chi Boxer - May 2002
Zu: Warriors of the Magic Mountain
Prodigal Son
Young Master
Swordsman
Winner & Sinners - 2002
Warriors Two
Iceman Cometh
Skinny Tiger, Fat Dragon
Dragon from Russia
Dragon Lord
First Option
My Lucky Stars - 2002
The Odd Couple
Story of Ricky
The Snuff Bottle Connection (?)
The Shaolin Plot (?)
Knockabouts (?)
Secret Rivals (?)
Dance of the Drunken Mantis (?)
Outlaw Brothers (?)

[Cornfed]

Originally posted by axolotls return


For CORNFED (amended above list):

Operation Scorpion - Scorpion King - August 2002
Avenging Fist (Fight Zone) - TBA
Project A - May 2002
Project A Part 2 - 2002
Tai Chi Boxer - May 2002
Zu: Warriors of the Magic Mountain
Prodigal Son
Young Master
Swordsman
Winner & Sinners - 2002
Warriors Two
Iceman Cometh
Skinny Tiger, Fat Dragon
Dragon from Russia
Dragon Lord
First Option
My Lucky Stars - 2002
The Odd Couple
Story of Ricky
The Snuff Bottle Connection (?)
The Shaolin Plot (?)
Knockabouts (?)
Secret Rivals (?)
Dance of the Drunken Mantis (?)
Outlaw Brothers (?)

Thanks. By the way, I watched Hitman the other night - loved it.

I'm really looking forward to the Snuff Bottle Connection, Prodigal Son and Warriors Two. And let's hope they take all the time they need to get The Killer right.

[ScreachingWeasel]

I didn't see this posted anywhere yet. New news from HKL today although the Zu Warriors thing was on DVD times a few days ago.

"Fan favourite Waise Lee was kind enough to appear in front of the HKL cameras yesterday and deliver a fascinating interview on such forthcoming projects as "Bullet in the Head" and hardhitting crime drama "The Big Heat". "

and

"Hong Kong filmmaking Legend Tsui Hark rode shotgun earlier this week with the irrepressible Bey Logan to record a worldbeating audio commentary for his cult-classic "Zu Warriors from the Magic Mountain"

The famed director was also kind enough to give us a detailed and fascinating interview on a number of forthcoming titles.

Check out his first contribution on "Zu Warriors from the Magic Mountain" on general release from May 27th!! "

[ScreachingWeasel]

Dvd Times have the next 2 titles on their site here is the link.

http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/index.cgi?page=News&id=3094

[slymer]

Thanks for the heads up Screaching Weasel! I'm still waiting for my HKL Magnificient Warriors to arrive from Bensons.

[ScreachingWeasel]

Originally posted by slymer
Thanks for the heads up Screaching Weasel! I'm still waiting for my HKL Magnificient Warriors to arrive from Bensons.

Well are you going to pick them up? While you're waiting for Magnificient Warriors you should order some more discs like maybe Spooky Encounters. Ya got it Punk?

[roseart]

Already have my Media Blasters Ricky up on Ebay awaiting the HKL release...

[slymer]

Originally posted by ScreachingWeasel


Well are you going to pick them up? While you're waiting for Magnificient Warriors you should order some more discs like maybe Spooky Encounters. Ya got it Punk?


Dude, I gotta cut back on the disc buying. Time to save for a new TV. My 25" Zenith just doesn't cut it anymore.

[ScreachingWeasel]

Originally posted by slymer



Dude, I gotta cut back on the disc buying. Time to save for a new TV. My 25" Zenith just doesn't cut it anymore.

I guess it's time to move up to the 27 inch model now right?

[slymer]

Originally posted by ScreachingWeasel


I guess it's time to move up to the 27 inch model now right?




Shooooot!!!!!!

[roseart]

Originally posted by ScreachingWeasel


I guess it's time to move up to the 27 inch model now right?
rotfl

[Pennywise]

Can anybody give me reviews of any of the Kong Kong Legends DVDs or their opinions as to which are the best to get?

thanks for any help

[stingo]

This thread (http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=202208) might help answer your question better, but the HKL DVD's I've gotten so far have been quite good. Once Upon a Time in China (OUATIC) was outstanding - so much so I just got (OUATIC 2). I also have Jackie Chan's Armor of God, which did not fare as well in the transfer as OUATIC but my gut feeling is that it has more to do with the source elements than the transfer process. Iron Monkey is another to get - along with OUATIC it's one of my new favorite martial arts films, and films in general even. You can get more info at the HKL website (http://www.hongkonglegends.com) too. Happy hunting!

[Trigger]

You can also try www.asiandvdguide.com and look up DVDs by studio - there are typically at least 2 or 3 reviews for each DVD.

[Slumbering Fist]

I always try to post reviews when I get a HKL disc, but I'm a little behind. So far I have...

Encounters of the Spooky Kind (http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/read.php?ID=3506)
Mister Vampire (http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/read.php?ID=3836)
Miracles (http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/read.php?ID=3869)

I have four of five more I havent gotten around to finishing (the reviews, not the movies) since they are older releases like Legend of a Fighter and Police Story and such. Havent been buying newer stuff, like Project A, until I hear if its in the right ratio.

[asianmoviefiend]

Hi,

Some movies I consider classics and I would recommend are:

Bride with White Hair (Leslie Cheung and Brigitte Lin)
Twin Warriors /Tai Chi Master (Jet Li and Michelle Yeoh)
Fist of Legend (Jet Li)
Swordsman 2 (Jet Li and Brigitte Lin)
Storm Riders (Aaron Kwok and Ekin Cheng)
Supercop (Jackie Chan and Michelle Yeoh)
Chung King Express (Brigitte Lin and Tony Leung)

I usually check the HK Flix site (www.hkflix.com) for their synopsis and I think they have a good recommedations. I also look over the reviews by the YesAsia customers at the YesAsia site (www.yesasia.com). Also if there is a movie I am interested in sometimes I just search the title on Yahoo.

Have fun,

[axolotls return]

Originally posted by asianmoviefiend
[B]Hi,

Some movies I consider classics and I would recommend are:

Bride with White Hair (Leslie Cheung and Brigitte Lin)
Twin Warriors /Tai Chi Master (Jet Li and Michelle Yeoh)
Fist of Legend (Jet Li)
Swordsman 2 (Jet Li and Brigitte Lin)
Storm Riders (Aaron Kwok and Ekin Cheng)
Supercop (Jackie Chan and Michelle Yeoh)
Chung King Express (Brigitte Lin and Tony Leung)

None of them are currently released by HKL.

[asianmoviefiend]

Sorry - Guess I am not as up on movies as I would like to think.
:( :)

[pwong5]

I've found www.bulletsnbabesdvds.com and www.dvddebate.com to have the most useful reviews for HKL releases.

I have the following all of which are quality transfers and contain good to excellent extras:
Iron Monkey
Drive
Hitman
Once Upon a Time in China (1 + 2)
Fist of Fury
Miracles
The Big Boss
City Hunter
Way of the Dragon
Armour of God

[Trigger]

Originally posted by asianmoviefiend
I also look over the reviews by the YesAsia customers at the YesAsia site (www.yesasia.com).Welcome to the forum... I only check yesasia reviews for a laugh... "I thought movie not as funny but Aaron Kwok is soooooo cute!"

[ScreachingWeasel]

I saw this on dvd times about the September dvd's.

http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/index.cgi?page=News&id=3369

[axolotls return]

Hitman is definitely worth it (but it doesn't have any extras that are included with the original release)

My Lucky Stars :)

Avenging Fist - Stay far far away from this stinker. I predict this will be one of the worst selling HKL DVDs of all time. The HK DVD is dts and really is a smashing presentation of this crap-out-of-a- bag movie. Such a waste of talent :( :(

[codefree]

Cool! I was wondering what happened with My Lucky Stars. On an old list of projected release dates HKL had planned to release it this past May. I hope the sequel isn't far behind either. On a side note, has anyone noticed how poor HKL's 5.1 remixes are? The surrounds barely get any use. :(

[RichardW]

Cool, another Mega Star DVD I can retire.

I'm surprised the Introduction to Hong Kong Legends DVD just doesn't show a scene from each movie they've released. Maybe rights issues would prevent that.

From what I've heard, Avenging Fist is bad, so I won't be buying it. I just hope it doesn't delay My Lucky Stars like the article alluded to.

[axolotls return]

They sent me a list through 9/9/02 and these were the only ones listed.

7/22/02 Prodigal Son
8/19/02 Avenging Fist

HKL have a habit of pushing releases back.

Some of their DVDs have a lot of trailers on them, so it wouldn't be necessary to show a scene from each movie released.

Avenging Fist used to be a Platinum Edition 2- Disc set, until HKL started hearing that the movie was really really really horrible and a disgrace to those who wanted to see Sammo and Yuen Biao together again.

[ntuc]

Avenging Fist is on my buying list.

[Matt Stevens]

On a side note, has anyone noticed how poor HKL's 5.1 remixes are? The surrounds barely get any use. Well, duh, these were mono films to begin with. Rather than do fake sounding, nasty crapola remixes like Media Evil, HKL will do a remix that expands the front soundtrage, without going nuts. The remix is used, for the most part, to make the audio acceptable by modern standards. I applaud them for that, but wish they would stick with the original mono only.

[Slumbering Fist]

Hmmmnnn, not too crazy about those titles, they certainly have much better stuff on thier list of aquired films. The "sampler" DVD idea is interesting though, a nice cheap way to promote yourself, too bad they chose Hitman as the included film but I guess theres worse.