Tag Archives: Jet Li

The Swordsman Trilogy on 4K and Blu-ray in March

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Cover art for 'The Swordsman Trilogy' featuring a group of martial artists holding swords, set against a bold red and yellow background.
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“The Swordsman Trilogy“ will be released in a 4K UHD Blu-ray / Blu-ray set on March 3rd via Hong Kong Cinema Classics (Shout! Studios).

The trilogy, all directed (or co-directed by) Siu-Tung Ching, includes these films:

  • “Swordsman” (1990) in 4K UHD and HD
  • “Swordsman II” (1992) in HD
  • “Swordsman III: The East is Red” (1993) in HD

EDITORIAL NOTE: Only the first film in this trilogy will be presented in 4K UHD. It will also include its Blu-ray Disc counterpart in HD. The sequels will be presented in HD on Blu-ray Discs.

The first movie was co-directed by King Hu, Raymond Lee, and Hark Tsui. The cast for the first movie included Samuel Hui, Cecilia Yip, Jacky Cheung, Sharla Cheung, Siu-Ming Lau, and Fennie Yuen. The second film’s cast included Jet Li, Brigitte Lin, Michelle Reis, Waise Lee, Rosamund Kwan, Shi-Kwan Yen, and Fennie Yuen. The cast for the third movie included Brigitte Lin, Joey Wang, Rongguang Yu, and Jean Wang.

The first movie received a 4K scan from the original camera negative. The tech specs for the first film include a 2160p video presentation in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio with Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible) form of high dynamic range and Cantonese [and English dubbed] lossless DTS-HD Master Audio Mono, with English subtitles. Tech specs for the other two films on Blu-ray (as well as the first) include a 1080p HD video presentation in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio, along with Cantonese & English DTS-HD MA Mono sound, with English subtitles.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray/Blu-ray set is now available for preorder at Amazon and GRUV. The full list of extras (supplemental materials) included with this 4-disc set is listed below, sorted by disc.

Disc 1 (4K UHD Blu-ray) “Swordsman” in 4K

Disc 2 (Blu-ray) “Swordsman” in HD:

  • NEW A Time of Legends: Interview with Co-Director Raymond Lee
  • NEW Cult of Personality: Interview with Actor Fennie Yuen
  • NEW David Wu: Proud Wanderer—A Career Retrospective with Editor David Wu
  • NEW Hark’s Dynasty: The Early Years of Film Workshop—Interview with General Manager/Executive Producer Terence Chang
  • NEW Hong Kong Confidential: Inside Wuxia with Author Grady Hendrix

Disc 3 (Blu-ray) “Swordsman II” in HD:

  • NEW Phoenix Rising: Interview with Actor Fennie Yuen
  • Trailer

Disc 4 (Blu-ray) “Swordsman III: The East is Red” in HD:

  • NEW A Return to Wuxia: Interview with Co-Director Raymond Lee
  • Trailer

The Jet Li Collection is coming to 4K in late July

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“The Jet Li Collection” comes to 4K UHD Blu-ray on July 29th via Hong Kong Cinema Classics, presented by Shout! Studios. The box set will feature 5 different films starring martial artist/actor Jet Li. Those films include:

  • “Fist of Legend” (1994) directed by Gordon Chan
  • “Tai Chi Master” (1993) directed by Yuen Woo-Ping
  • “Fong Sai Yuk” (1993) directed by Corey Yuen
  • “Fong Sai Yuk II” (1993) directed by Corey Yuen
  • “The Bodyguard from Beijing” (1994) directed by Corey Yuen

The five movies have all been scanned in 4K and feature matching tech specs. These include a 4K video presentation (for each) in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio with Dolby Vision or HDR10 form of high dynamic range. The audio (for each) will include the original Cantonese in lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono, featuring English subtitles. This 10-disc set will come as a “combo pack” with its Blu-ray Disc counterparts included for each film.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray set is now available for preorder at Amazon. You can preorder directly (with a bonus poster) via Shout! Factory’s website. The discs and bonus materials for each are listed further below, after the break, as it runs rather long.

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The 2008 film The Forbidden Kingdom on 4K SteelBook

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The 2008 film “The Forbidden Kingdom” will be released on 4K UHD Blu-ray SteelBook via Lionsgate on February 25th as an Amazon exclusive. It was directed by Rob Minkoff and starred Jackie Chan and Jet Li.

The tech specs for the release include a 2160p 4K video presentation in the 2.40:1 aspect ratio with Dolby Vision (or HDR10) form of high dynamic range and Dolby Atmos sound. The release will come as a “combo pack,” including its Blu-ray Disc counterpart and a digital copy. Below you can find a better glimpse at the packaging for this release.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray SteelBook is now available exclusively for preorder at Amazon. The following bonus materials are set to be included in the release.

  • Audio Commentary with Director Rob Minkoff and Writer John Fusco
  • The Kung Fu Dream Team
  • Dangerous Beauty
  • Discovering China
  • Filming in Chinawood
  • Monkey King and the Eight Immortals
  • Previsualization Featurette with Commentary by Rob Minkoff
  • Blooper Reel
  • Deleted Scenes with Commentary by Rob Minkoff and John Fusco

2020 film Mulan comes to 4K and Blu-ray on November 10

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The 2020 live-action film adaptation of “Mulan” is officially coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray and Blu-ray Disc on November 10th via Disney. Yes, that’s next week and comes with very little notice but that’s become expected of Disney. The film, directed by Niki Caro, starred Yifei Liu, Donnie Yen, Li Gong, Jet Li, Jason Scott Lee, Yoson An, Tzi Ma, and Rosalind Chao. The tech specs for the 4K UHD Blu-ray release include a 4K presentation in the 2.39:1 aspect ratio with HDR10 form of high dynamic range and Dolby Atmos sound. The tech specs for the Blu-ray release include a 1080p HD presentation in the 2.39:1 aspect ratio and DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 sound. Both releases will come in the form of a “combo pack” meaning that the 4K will include the Blu-ray Disc counterparts, the Blu-ray will include the DVD counterpart, and each will come with a digital code (copy) of the film. You will not likely be able to find this 4K UHD Blu-ray or Blu-ray release, from Disney, available over at Amazon but stay tuned for an update on that at a later point. In the meantime, you can now find the 4K UHD Blu-ray available for preorder over at retailers Best Buy, Target, and Walmart. The Blu-ray is also available for preorder now over at retailers Best Buy and Target. Speaking of retailers, it’s worth noting that Target will be getting an Exclusive Gallery Book packaging (pictured below) on 4K UHD Blu-ray which is now available for preorder.

Target 4K UHD Blu-ray Gallery Book

Also, retailer Best Buy will be getting an Exclusive 4K UHD Blu-ray SteelBook release (pictured below) which is now available for preorder.

Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook

Finally, the bonus materials set to be included on the 4K and Blu-ray releases are listed below.

Disney’s Live-Action “Mulan” 4K Ultra HD™ & Blu-ray™ Bonus Features

  • Featurettes:
    • Updating A Classic – Explore how filmmakers honored the original animated classic while creating an epic live-action adventure for a new generation.
    • Mulan by Another Name – Meet talented actor Yifei Liu and trace her journey to becoming Mulan, from audition screen test to on-screen warrior.
    • Being Bad – See actors Jason Scott Lee and Li Gong transform into the film’s evil duo through intense training, spectacular costumes and more.
    • Reflections of “Mulan” – Enter the studio and hear what inspired the film’s music and sound, then listen as Yifei Liu records “Mulan”‘s most iconic song.
    • The Original Mulan – Ming-Na Wen, who voiced Mulan in the original animated classic, reflects on that experience and her cameo in this film.
  • Deleted Scenes (some with commentary by Director Niki Caro):
    • Little Sister Sewing
    • Young to Old Mulan Sewing
    • Hawk and Mulan Meet in Forest
    • Mulan Underwater Rescued by Phoenix
    • Mulan Runs Over Rourans
    • Chancellor Turns Back to Witch
  • Music Videos:
    • “Reflection (2020)” Concept Video Performed by Christina Aguilera
    • “Reflection (2020)” Lyric Video Performed by Christina Aguilera
    • “Reflection” Music Video (Mandarin) Performed by Yifei Liu
    • “Reflection” Music Video (English) Performed by Yifei Liu
    • “Loyal Brave True” Concept Video (English) Performed by Christina Aguilera
    • “Loyal Brave True” Concept Video (Spanish) Performed by Christina Aguilera
    • “Loyal Brave True” Lyric Video (English) Performed by Christina Aguilera
    • “Loyal Brave True” Lyric Video (Spanish) Performed by Christina Aguilera

Below, after the break, you can find the official announcement trailer for the 4K UHD Blu-ray and Blu-ray releases over on YouTube.

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