new donnie yen flick-14 blades

[GeneChing]

It's Donnie Yen vs. Jackie Chan vs. Yuan Woo Ping for 2010 in Asia.

ENTERTAINMENT: Striking a balance
2010/02/22

WENDY WONG
It may be a martial arts movie but 14 Blades also focuses on other factors, especially human ones, writes WENDY WONG.
FILMED at the Hengdian World Film Studio and in the NingXia desert in China, the Chinese martial arts film 14 Blades (now playing in cinemas nationwide) took 2½ months to film. Director Daniel Lee said the biggest challenge in making the movie was finding a suitable location. “Not many locations in China still have the ancient city look,” he said during an interview in Kuala Lumpur recently, where he was joined by his main star Wu Chun (a member of Taiwanese pop group Fahrenheit) to promote the movie.

The movie was released by RAM Entertainment and PMP Entertainment in conjunction with Chinese New Year and is available in Mandarin and Cantonese.

“A big part of the budget went to re-creating the locations,” Lee said, adding that he heard of the story when he was young and did a lot of research into it.

To Lee, the film is a “world movie” because the characters travel from one place to another, starting from Peking. To stay true to the story, he cast different nationalities as extras. “This is a movie, not a documentary. I want to bring the essence of other issues especially human factors into the story. I believe I have managed to strike a balance here. If you dwell too much into the facts and history, it will become more like a documentary,” said Lee.

When asked about the rationale of promoting this movie as a Chinese New Year movie despite its blood and gore elements, Lee said: “In this movie, Donnie Yen is a bad guy who turns good. Sure, we show a lot of blood but it is a story about hope. We must accept that there is still justice in the world and the action sequence is just a small element in bringing out the essence of human factor.” What's next for him? Lee said he wanted to do another action film. “The market is not that bad, so I would love to do another movie like this one, something entertaining that also allows me to share my point of view on the beauty of humanity.” Meanwhile, 14 Blades is likely to be released in Korea and Japan with subsequent distributing deals being negotiated to have it released in Germany, England, France, Australia “and hopefully America”.

“I play a character known as the Judge (Pan Guan). As a child, he watched his parents being killed by the ‘Jinyiwei’ (Brocade-Clad Guard). These guards can kill innocent people on instruction and the only rule they follow is from the Emperor. So to look for a better world, he ended up helping Donnie Yen (Qing Long) fight for righteousness, said Wu Chun.

When asked if he did the stunts himself, Wu Chun said: “Almost 100 per cent — I was injured many times!” One action sequence almost left Chun with a serious injury. “I was so close to being hurt. I was supposed to shoot an arrow laden with explosives but it exploded before the scheduled seven seconds, right before my eyes!" He said the most difficult part of the movie was the fight scenes in the desert. “It was very hot and windy and when the wind blew, the sand got into my eyes and mouth." However, on the whole, Chun was thankful for the experience. “It was a very good stepping stone and valuable experience for me. I would love to act in similar movies in future because it allows me to portray a different side of my real self.” How did he prepare for the role? “Lee and I went through the script many times so that we could study the character. I also had to undergo two months of martial arts training.” When asked about the fight scenes with Donnie Yen, Chun said: “I felt pressured and excited at the same time. We rehearsed many times before the actual shooting.” Some critics draw comparison of his character to that of Johnny Depp’s Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean.

“I have not seen that movie. I think it was not Lee’s intention to copy the character,” he said, adding that he enjoys acting in martial arts movies and romantic dramas.

Qi feels the passion in 14 Blades
Updated 10:52 AM Feb 04, 2010
SINGAPORE - Loyalty, chivalry and brotherhood are the themes found in the blockbuster movie 14 Blades, which opens today in Singapore and China.

The movie is MediaCorp's Raintree Pictures second co-production in China after last year's Painted Skin. It features Hong Kong actor Donnie Yen in the lead, as well as MediaCorp artiste Qi Yu Wu.

To prepare for his role, Mr Qi went to Hengdian in China for three weeks before production started.

There he did "action training" as well as horse-riding.

Mr Qi said the movie was a very good experience because he was working with a lot of passionate people.

"I feel everyone is trying their best and (co stars) Donnie, Zhao Wei and Wu Chun ... are very passionate. They want to do 110 per cent to 120 per cent, so I needed to push myself to be the best."

Mr Qi also acted alongside Yen in Painted Skin.

A movie showcasing martial arts, 14 Blades is set in the Ming Dynasty and tells the story of a secret agent in ancient China. It was shot in Hengdian in Zhejiang province as well as in Ningxia province.

The title refers to the blades bodyguards used to kill their victims - eight for torturing, five for killing and the last for suicide should their mission fail.

It had a budget of almost US$15 million ($21 million) and was helmed by Hong Kong director Daniel Lee.

The hope is that 14 Blades will be able to reap in more than US$30 million in takings in China. Glenda Chong

[SPJ]

bought the DVD.

do not like yen's tattoo

but like the rest.

especially the gadgets box of blades and somthing to pull himself up to the roof--


a loner and zhao wei warmed him up.---

[GeneChing]

Donnie, Donnie, Donnie....

Sat, Feb 13, 2010
The Daily Chilli
Donnie Yen: I'm good in bedroom kungfu
By Noorsila Abd Majid

You heard it from the horse's mouth. Hunkalicious Hong Kong kungfu star, Donnie Yen told top Taiwanese TV host, Matilda Tao -- in a tongue-in-cheek interview -- that he's better in bed than in kungfu.

Oh yes, his missus couldn't agree more.

"I dare not call myself the king of kungfu," Donnie said humbly about his mastery kungfu skills. "But I am the king of bedroom kungfu."

The 47-year-old wu shu and tai chi exponent, who trained under Jet Li's kungfu master, Wu Bin, is currently riding high on his latest martial arts flick, 14 Blades. (The period drama also stars Vicky Zhao Wei and Wu Chun)

Well, Donnie's wife, Cissy Wang, who was with him during the interview attested to his statement. "No complaints," the model gave her personal assurance.

It turns out that Donnie prefers to rest on his wife whenever he sustains any injury on his film set. How romantic.

"My wife is the best pillow for me," the cheeky actor/martial arts choreographer revealed. "I tend to hurt myself a lot as a martial arts artiste. But all my pain is gone when I'm with her."

[doug maverick]

idk....donnie tends to exagerate just like he said that garbage excuse for a park kour running scene in B&A was better then the scene in casino royal. so to donnie i say

[GeneChing]

SPJ - did you watch that DVD? How was it? No spoilers now...

14 Blades -- Film Review
By Maggie Lee, March 22, 2010 03:42 ET
"14 Blades"
Bottom Line: A traditional martial arts thriller beefed up by gimmicky weaponry.
HONG KONG -- After playing fast and loose with literature and history in "Three Kingdoms -- Resurrection of the Dragon," Daniel Lee's "14 Blades" is more grounded in the traditions of Hong Kong swordplay films. The subject is familiar to fans of this genre -- the mysterious Ming Dynasty secret service and one renegade member's fate. Its stylishly retro touch and flashy sets and stunts makes a nice package for Asian release and action-specialist DVD labels.

The prologue gives chilling explanation of Jingyiwei, or Brocade Guards, formed in the Ming Dynasty as the Emperor's personal henchmen. Its chief, Qinglong (Donnie Yen), is framed by Head Eunuch Jia in a conspiracy to steal the Imperial Seal and usurp the throne. Hounded by his brethren, led by ruthless junior Xuan Wu (Qi Yu Wu), Qinglong goes on the run and hires civilian guards to escort him to the border. On the way, he gets intimate with Qiao Hua (Vicky Zhao), a guard whom he takes hostage, and bonds with Judge (Chun Wu) and his bandit gang. For honor's sake, he faces down Tuo Tuo (Kate Tsui), the exotic striptease assassin.

Drawing on the prowess of Donnie Yen, the first 35 minutes of gimmick-free martial arts revives the sinewy action aesthetics of '70s Shaw Brothers classics. The swarthy, under-lit interiors, ornate but black or navy costumes and grainy, yellowish image texture evoke a secretive, ominous atmosphere that channels the political intrigue in King Hu's works. Supporting roles by '80s action heavyweights Sammo Hung, Wu Ma and Chu Tiet Wo enhance the nostalgic flavor.

The cat-and-mouse chase begins to lose its grip as the conspiracy gets too convoluted and gratuitous attempts to supplement direct combat with technical gimmicks like explosions and Western firearms. The switch to a desert location and the appearance of boy band idol Wu's cartoon-like Judge, in costumes copied from "Pirates of the Caribbean," threatens to dispel the menacing air and degenerate into a silly chow-mien Western.

It would have ended a mediocre film if not for the inventively designed and utilized weaponry (especially the titular 14 blades with different functions) -- a cool homage to action master Chang Cheh's Freundian, fetishistic use of weapons.

More Filmart coverage
A duel between Xuan Wu and two bare-chested Jinyiwei who brandish giant, rectangular blades while being chained to posts, is shot with stark, savage manliness. Conversely, the mirage effect of Tuo Tuo's undressing her seven-layered robe and swinging her snake-like whip evokes risque femininity.

The backbone of the story is Qinglong's tragedy of growing up with no individual identity except as a body weapon, exacerbated by his sense of betrayal by the organization that paradoxically endowed him with a sense of honor. This is handled convincingly both by Lee's consistent characterization, and Yen's solemn performance. Seldom expressive in his acting, Yen's stiff and steely demeanor actually works to his role's favor. The love interest with Qiaohua is lame, especially with Zhao sleepwalking through another typecast role as playful, tomboyish heroine.

Opened: Hong Kong, Feb. 11
Production: Visualizer Film Prods., Shanghai Film Group Corporation, Desen International Media Co Ltd.
Cast: Donnie Yen, Vicky Zhao, Kate Tsui, Chun Woo, Qi Yu Wu
Director-screenwriter-production designer: Daniel Lee
Screenwriter: Abe Kwong
Producer: Susanna Tsang
Director of photography: Tong Cheung Tung Leung
Music: Henry Lai
Sales: Panasia Films Limited (Hong Kong distribution)
No rating, 113 minutes

[ghostexorcist]

I just recently bought it on DVD via Ebay. I would have gotten it sooner, but I totally forgot about the movie until last week.

Overall, it was an ok movie. It went really fast in the beginning and was a tad bit hard to follow. Then it went really slow from the middle till the end. It got really cheesy with the introduction of the Heavenly Eagle bandits. They reminded me of something that would appear in manga with their stand out look and weapons from the rest of everybody else. For instance, the leader--the "Judge of the desert"--was a girlish-looking fellow with a half buttoned shirt (at the top), dreadlocks, and twin scimitars that he could join together to make a sort of Krull-like boomerang. There was even the typical big character forever resting a large saber on his shoulder.

Tou Tou, the adopted daughter of the Imperial Uncle was by far the most annoying character. She was able to defeat even the greatest fighters by shedding off layers of her clothing that magically danced in the air as she ran around the room whipping them with a snake-like whip that could turn rigid into a spear. I will admit, though, she was a delicious little thing.

Vicki Zhao, as always, looked cute as a button. It's been a while since I've seen her in anything. I noticed that she had her teeth done. They are very straight and blazing white.

Donnie Yen was his usual badass self. I loved the parts where he would fight the newer Jinyiwei military police recruits and then snicker when they attacked him with the very same formations that he had created as the former captain and trainer of their organization. I definitely liked the idea of the the box full of 14 blades. All Donnie had to do was slap it and a blade would pop out for him to literally twirl around like a lawn mower blade (and that is exactly what he did, mow people down). It even had wires that shot out, which allowed him to scale cities walls in a second.

Now that I think about it, the sword in the box thing reminds me of the "Golden Snake Man" character from the Sword Stained with Royal Blood movie with Yuen Biao. I'm pretty sure that was an adaption of one of Jin Yong's novels.

[SPJ]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ts3t...eature=related

some of characters are cheezy.

the theme song is not my liking either.

I am in good terms with several chinese bookstores locally.

they usually give me a ring whenever a new CMA movie arrives from Taiwan or China.

I have tons of CMA movies vcd/DVD in my garage.

[SPJ]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpyP4...eature=related

house of flying daggers

there is much better music.

the costumes are more accurate to the time

sui tang dynasties that is.

si mian mai fu is a classic in so many ways.

[SPJ]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hLQ3...eature=related

opera grade.

[GeneChing]

I still haven't seen this film. I saw a few scenes at Legends of Kung Fu from a DVD vendor who was showing clips and it looked interesting.

Teng's 'OMG culprit' is kung-fu movie character
Thu, 12 Aug 2010 17:51
By Teoh El Sen

PETALING JAYA: Who is the man in the "OMG! Real culprit freed" tweet? Selangor state legislative assembly speaker Teng Chang Khim revealed that it was a character in a "kung fu" movie.

Teng told this to the DAP disciplinary committee hearing.

After the 45-minutes hearing, Teng told reporters that the committee had accepted his explanation.

"It was a coincidence; unfortunately it fit well with the situation at the time," he said at the DAP headquarters here today.

Explaining, Teng said he told the committee that the "culprit" in his tweet was a villain in the Chinese movie "14 blades".

The villain, a guard played by Qi Yuwu, had apparently betrayed the main character, a chief imperial "jin yi wei" guard, played by Donnie Yen.

Teng said on the night of July 31, he had watched parts of the movie in his car during a long journey travelling between two events.

He posted the tweet about his disappointment that the "bad guy" got away after watching the movie half-way.

"Anti-climatic, right? Don't hold me responsible on what the media has written. It's not my fault that you have speculated so much. It's your fault," Teng said.

'We are comrades'

To confirm his story, Teng brought written testimonials from four witnesses, including his driver and the people who saw him at the two PKR and DAP functions in Batu Pahat and Yong Peng respectively.

Asked if he knew about the Tee Boon Hock verdict when he tweeted, he said he knew but added that he could not expect to know that people would misinterpret his tweet.

(Tee, Selangor DAP secretary, was sacked for allegedly issuing several letters of support using Ronnie Liu's letterhead.)

Asked why he took so long to reveal the truth, Teng said he had no choice as the disciplinary committee had called him.

On his subsequent tweet hinting the end of his political career, Teng said he was referring to the "letter of support" episode and not his tweet, which was a "small matter".

Asked of his relationship with Tan Kok Wai (the disciplinary committee chairman), Teng said he had arguments with Tan but on issues.

On allegations of his rocky relationship with Liu, Teng said:"I think that's common knowledge. To say our relationship is very good, I'd be lying. But for leaders to not see eye to eye because of our different styles is normal. If I agree with everyone, I am not fit to be a leader. But we are comrades and we work together."

At Press time, the DAP disciplinary committee had not heard from Liu.

[jethro]

I was disappointed with this. It starts off ultra dark and I was really into it, but after about 10 minutes it starts to let down. The fight with Chen Kuan tai was pretty cool. Actually that whole scene was nice, but not really any other stand out scenes for me. I didn't like the main female villain. She's super hot, but I hate the way her fight scenes look. The final fight was a major letdown. I was glad when it was over.

Not a terrible movie, but I give it a 6/10 rating at best.

[GeneChing]

An opulent wuxia, great sets, great costumes, great real and CGI landscapes. Cameos from Sammo Hung and Chan Koon Tai. Donnie is a cold-blooded assassin, trained from birth, who carries around a box like Legendary Weapons of Kung Fu. This box is a mechanized box o' blades: swords, daggers, darts with lines, spring-loaded quarrels. Zhao Wei looks like an anime heroine with those huge eyes - and there are plenty of scenes where she demonstrates her uncanny ability to tear up those peepers with complete control of her ducts to deliver maximum impact. What can I say? I've been crushing on Zhao Wei since she was the goalie in Shaolin Soccer. There's another actor who I have to look up that wields double scimitars that attached together at the pommels for an S-shaped boomerang. He rocks a Capt. Jack Sparrow bandana with cornrows and dreadlocks. And there's a great villainess, who I also must look up, who has metal coiled into her braids like medusa and wields this weird bladed chain whip weapon. She does this weird hypno-trick when she fights where she slips out of her clothes, leaving her opponents to stab empty floating robes - it's a nice CGI effect, although not titillating in the way one might anticipate. There are plenty other colorful swordsmen too, plenty more to get minced up by Donnie and his box of blades. Which brings me to the main point here. Sword fights, sword fights, sword fights. Lots of 'em. This film serves them up hot and keeps them coming. Fun ones too, with lots of flying about, crazy cuts, and chopping through thick wood support columns. Very satisfying in the sword fight dept.

[doug maverick]

finally finished watching it, i gotta say i liked it...i mean in a way it was typical fanfare wuxia. but what made me really like it was the box with swords, very desperado. i remember when i was in film school i did a short film about a hit man who had a coffin filled with assorted weapons...i still have the footage in my freezer actually, so there was some nostalgia!! i had a donnie yen marathon i watched this, wuxia and lost bladesmen...wuxia was on another level...lost bladesmen im having a hard time getting through.