“A TENSE AND RIVETING PIECE OF ACTION CINEMA… IMPRESSIVE FIGHT SEQUENCES… BONE-CRUSHING VIOLENCE.” – TWITCH.
Winner of eight honours at the prestigious Hong Kong Film Awards ceremony, including Best Film, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor, Best Action Choreography, Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction, Best Costume and Make-up Design and Best Original Film Score, and the winner of the Best Actor (Wang Xueqi) and Best Supporting Actor (Nicholas Tse) prizes at this year’s Asian Film Awards, the epic, period action movie Bodyguards And Assassins is a dramatic fictionalized retelling of the suspenseful events of 1906 that eventually led to the 1911 Xinhai Revolution and the founding of the Republic of China.
Directed by Teddy Chan (The Accidental Spy) and featuring an impressive cast of Hong Kong and China’s biggest stars, including Donnie Yen (Ip Man; Kill Zone), Leon Lai (An Empress And The Warriors; Seven Swords), Xueqi Wang (Forever Enthralled; Warriors Of Heaven And Earth; The Red Suit), Tony Leung Ka Fai (Missing; The Myth), Nicholas Tse (Dragon Tiger Gate; New Police Story; The Medallion) and Simon Yam (Ip Man; Triangle), Bodyguards And Assassins is a sumptuously staged, action-packed blockbuster, full of political intrigue, tragedy and drama that will appeal as much to lovers of quality cinema as it will to martial arts aficionados.
On October 15th 1906, the man destined to become the Father of Modern China, Dr. Sun Yat-sen, is due to arrive in the British Colony of Hong Kong to discuss plans to overthrow the corrupt Qing Dynasty with a group of leading anti-Qing revolutionaries. Aware of Sun’s intentions, the Qing Court dispatches an elite army of assassins to the port where Sun is due to arrive, with orders to see to it that he never makes it to his appointment and does not leave the colony alive.
Receiving news of the proposed assassination, a newspaper editor and a local tycoon, both sympathetic supporters of the revolution, take it upon themselves to protect Dr. Sun at any cost. To help ensure his safety they recruit a motley band of fellow sympathisers, friends and acquaintances, all skilled in martial arts combat to act as Sun’s bodyguards. Additionally, they devise a risky plan to secretly replace the assassins’ target with a human decoy in an attempt to lead the killers away from their quarry.
As Sun arrives on the fateful day, the stage is set for a bloody confrontation in which a small group of selflessly courageous men and women will risk their lives fighting against hundreds of adversaries in a conflict that will determine the fate of millions.
Cleverly taking his time to establish his characters, their back-stories, motives and sub-plots in the deliberately paced first half of the film, director Chan expertly unleashes a barrage of non-stop, action set-pieces in a final hour that will leave viewers breathless.
Among the many standout sequences in a film that manages to be as emotionally involving and moving as it is exciting are a brilliantly directed sequence that echoes Brian De Palma’s homage (from “The Untouchables”) to Eisenstein’s famous Odessa Steps sequence from “Battleship Potemkin”, an extended free-running duel involving Donnie Yen and Cung Le, and a ‘man versus horse’ confrontation that is nothing short of jaw-dropping.
Bodyguards And Assassins will be released on DVD (£12.99) and Blu-ray (£19.99) by E1 Entertainment on 31st May 2010.
Each year, more than 51 million school hours are lost as a result of problems related to tooth decay, the most common chronic childhood disease in America.1 Yet according to a recent survey by Trident®, more than eight in 10 (84%) American parents don’t realize this.2 That is why Trident, in partnership with Oral Health America’s Smiles Across America® program (SAA), and actor Chris O’Donnell announced today in Los Angeles that they are teaming up to help fight cavities among the nation’s youth and address the need for oral disease prevention services.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/trident/45632/
What do Channelview, TX; Costa Mesa, CA; and Rio, WI have in common? They’re home to the winners of teen retailer Aéropostale’s 2010 Real Teens Campaign, a nationwide online search for teenagers held earlier this year. “These eight remarkable young men and women define what it means to be a real teen,” says Scott Birnbaum, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Aéropostale, Inc. “They exude compassion and integrity while making a difference in their communities, all in unique ways. Aéropostale is excited to celebrate them and give them this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/aeropostale/45987/
As kids hit their “tween” years, they begin to develop their own personal style in clothes, music, food, hobbies—even their oral care. That is why Crest® and Oral-B® are proud to announce the launch of Pro-Health FOR ME™: the FIRST AND ONLY complete line of oral care products for tweens (kids eight and up), created to protect the areas dentists check in kids—in the flavors and designs older children will like.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/crestoralbtween/44584/
One thousand women die daily due to pregnancy related causes and the majority of Americans (75%) believe that reducing these deaths should be a priority of President Obama and his Administration, according to a study just released by Americans for UNFPA, conducted by Harris Interactive². Further, over eight in ten agree that lack of adequate healthcare is one of the most serious global issues facing women (82%).
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/harrisinteractive/44730/
Crystals at CityCenter, the exquisite shopping, dining and entertainment experience on the Las Vegas Strip, is upping the ante on holiday shopping this season with incredible décor, live music and the opening of eight coveted luxury fashion boutiques. Prada, Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Balenciaga, Stella McCartney, Donna Karan, Emilio Pucci and Harry Winston are opening in time to celebrate the holidays, offering unrivaled collections and many items exclusive to Crystals.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/mgm/47564/
Even the panel of “odor specialists” resisted the urge to cover their noses as pungent smells emanated from the most offensive sneakers in this year’s Annual National Odor-Eaters Rotten Sneaker Contest. Ready to be judged, eight kids, ages seven to thirteen, from across the country have arrived in Montpelier today, selected as national finalists, wearing the decrepit and odorous rubber-soles that won them regional recognition.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/odor-eaters/48413/
Nu Skin’s (NYSE: NUS) revolutionary anti-aging product lineup — ageLOC Transformation daily skin care, including ageLOC Future Serum — is used by more than 50,000 people every day to enjoy a more youthful appearance. The new skin care products were launched in 2010 and are clinically proven to reveal a more youthful appearance in eight key areas beginning after just seven days of use.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/nuskin/42697/
That’s When I Talk to God is a sweet story that will deepen the prayer lives of children four to eight. This charmingly illustrated tale steps beyond explaining prayer and models constant communication with God. Learn more about this book here, http://bit.ly/h8Cd9p and its author here, http://bit.ly/ea0Ddq Children’s Christian Fiction
Whyte & Mackay has successfully recreated the century-old whisky buried under the Antarctic ice by famous explorer Ernest Shackleton.
The company’s master blender Richard Paterson spent a painstaking eight weeks marrying and blending a range of malts to get an exact replica of the 100-year-old Mackinlay’s liquid.
And according to one independent expert, he has got the copy exactly right.
Renowned whisky writer Dave Broom is the only other person in the world to taste both the original whisky and Whyte & Mackay’s new liquid.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/prne/whytemackay/48896/
Pat “Deep Dish” Bertoletti claimed victory for the fourth time at the fifth annual La Costeña “Feel the Heat” Jalapeño Eating Championship Challenge. Bertoletti, currently the second world ranked competitive eater in the sanctioned sport of Major League Eating (MLE), ate 275 whole jalapeños in eight minutes. The fifth annual challenge was a highly anticipated rematch between the reigning champ and his fiery arch nemesis: five-foot-tall, 100-pound Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas. Thomas is the only other competitive eater, besides Bertoletti, who has won La Costeña’s grueling competition.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/lacostena/49875/
