Windstalkers! John Woo directs WW II film?.

According to Tsui Hark + John Woo Action Web news in November 1998 John Woo would be making war film set on World War 2 after Mission Impossible. So if this is true King's Ransom would be delayed once again.

Scooped the following posting from the alt.asian-movies newsgroup:

"The following excerpt is from Reuters news: United Artists has emerged from its hibernation to pick up John Rice and Joe Batteer's WWII action/drama pitch "Windtalkers," which will be developed as a directing vehicle for John Woo."

It elaborated that "WINDTALKERS" will be set against the bombing of Pearl Harbour and filming will commence after MISSION IMPOSSIBLE 2 wraps up. As for the plot, the paper mentioned somthing about an American army officer instructed to protect a soldier of Navajo Indian descent who can use his native language to send coded messages to other American naval forces which the Japanese forces could not understand for nuts. When asked about the choice of cast, producer Terence Chang mentioned Nicolas Cage as a probable lead (after their good working relationship on FACE/OFF) but dismissed the possibility of John Travolta's involvement. A Japanese movie star may be considered for the film too.

As I mentioned already info is from Action Web, visit there to see Chow Yun-Fat when he speaks abot Corruptor on video interview clips (in mandarin).

John Woo posters for sale.

I found a big selection of John Woo film posters at H.K. Movie. Most of them are original Hong Kong posters, but they have also some Taiwan, Japan etc. versions. Prices are US$ 30-70 each. They have also many many other posters available. And if you don't want / can't buy them it is worth a visit anyway just to see the pictures. Check out HKMF poster selection as well. They don't have so many posters listed but who knows what you might find there.

Broken Arrow DVD, US version.

Broken Arrow US (Region 1) DVD will be released in March 9 1999. Currently Broken Arrow DVD is released in Japan, but it is Region 2 so it can't be viewed in US DVD players. Also it may be difficult to find and for sure it would be quite expensive.

Also John Woo's latest film, Blackjack, a TV feature starring Dolph Lundgren is released on DVD. Both Japanese and Hong Kong versions are available. Hong Kong version is much cheaper, coded for region 3 while Japan disc is coded for region 2. So none of them can be viewed in regular US players.

Once a Thief in Finland TV.

New TV Channel in Finland, Nelonen ('Channel 4') will show the original Once a Thief in February 16 1999. It will be part of the Love & Anarchy Serie, which presents films seen in Helsinkin Film Festivals. John Woo visited in Helsinki, Finland in 1993 and also many of his Hong Kong films were seen then.

Currently Once a Thief is not available on video in Finland, limited cinema release was rated K-16. It was classified in Finland in September 1997. Once A Thief / Zongheng sihai / HK 1991/ 16 / 2975 m / 109' / Cinema Mondo /Original title (Finnish title) / Country-Year /Rating / Length / Running time / Distributor Hopefully we could get other Woo films on video (and TV) as well. Hard Boiled is still totally banned here and The Killer and Bullet in the Head had theatrical release only.

TV Channel Nelonen can be seen in big part of (South) Finland. It also can be seen via Digital Satellite TV anywhere in Finland and big part of Europe (also cable-TV in some bigger cities in Finland). If interested the satellite Channel Nelonen comes from is Thor II.

China gives Hong Kong rights report.

GENEVA (AP) - China has delivered its first report on human rights in Hong Kong since the former British colony reverted to Chinese rule, a U.N. spokesman said Wednesday. The report was presented Monday and will be examined by the 18-member U.N. Human Rights Committee, said Jose Diaz, spokesman for the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights. Since taking over Hong Kong in July 1997, China has largely kept its promise to allow the territory to manage its own affairs. It has refrained from bringing pressure on the small band of human rights and democracy campaigners who refused to flee before British rule ended.
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(from Infobeat News 01/13/99)

New John Woo fan site.

I just found this new John Woo fansite called Killer Reload. I think you shoud check it because it is quite nice.

Woo Special Edition Lasers in France.

These Special Edition lasers were released in France, both are with original Cantonese soundtracks and subtitled in French. Of course these have no English but for real collector's these would be a treasure. Of course they are hard to find, especially Hard Boiled, because only 2000 box sets were pressed. But look at the extra listing! Posters and everything!

Info came from LEMONNIER 'Arioch' Christophe.

Bullet in the Head France LD, 3-sided, Special Edition Rating: Length(MINS): 136 min Aspect Ratio: 1.80:1 Sound: Digital mono Language: Cantonese Subtitles: - French Director: John Woo

Hard Boiled France LD, 3-sided, Special Edition Rating: Length(MINS): 129 min Aspect Ratio: 1.80:1 Sound: Digital mono Language: Cantonese Subtitles: - French Director: John Woo EXTRAS POSTER - A TOUTE EPREUVE (HARDBOILED) - UNE BALLE DANS LA TETE (BULLET IN THE HEAD) "SIGNE JOHN WOO" BOOKLET -SHORT BIOGRAPHY *- John Woo *- Chow Yun Fat *- Tony Leung *- Jackie Cheung *- Waise Lee - JOHN WOO'S INTERVIEW - SYNOPSIS AND JOHN WOO'S PRESENTATION OF *- A TOUTE EPREUVE (HARDBOILED) *- UNE BALLE DANS LA TETE (BULLET IN THE HEAD) - BOXED SET LIMITED AT 2000