Author Archives: Z Ravas

Bad news: we may not be alone on this ‘Desert Island’

The Chinese film industry continues its love affair with the horror genre with the forthcoming movie, Desert Island. Find out what happens when a group of old college friends stage their reunion on a yacht, only to have it shipwrecked on a remote island. Not only do they have to deal with dwindling food supply and tensions within the group, but it looks like someone may be stalking them on … Continue reading

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The director who gave audiences ‘No Mercy’ now offers ‘The Scent’ of danger

Forgive the convoluted headline. It just means that Kim Hyeong-joon-I, the director of No Mercy – a 2010 Korean thriller currently streaming on Netflix Instant in HD – is back with a new film. Titled The Scent, the movie is about a private investigator who faces a personal and professional crisis when his wife wants to leave him for another man and he’s framed for a murder he didn’t commit. … Continue reading

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Blu-ray and DVD Releases for 3/20/12

We’re totally on time and kicking ass with this week’s new releases list. Get ready for “Battle Royale,” Bruce’sploitation, and more serial killers than you can shake a stick at. Are you ready? Here are your Blu-ray and DVD new releases for the week of 3/20/12: ASIAN CINEMA Battle Royale: The Complete Collection (Blu-ray/DVD) – the director’s cuts and theatrical cuts of both “Battle Royale” and “Battle Royale II,” in … Continue reading

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Blu-ray and DVD Releases for 3/13/12

I’m terribly late on this one but hopefully still helpful in some fashion. If you love foreign movies, this is your week. Steven Seagal fans are accounted for as well. So, without further adieu, here are your Asian and genre movie Blu-ray and DVD new releases for the week of 3/13/12: ASIAN CINEMA Triad Trilogy (Blu-ray/DVD) – Palisades Tartan presents Johnnie To’s “Election” and “Triad Election,” as well as the … Continue reading

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Best of the Best (1989) Review

"Best of the Best" American DVD Cover

Director: Robert Radler Cast: James Earl Jones, Eric Roberts, Phillip Rhee, Chris Penn, John Dye, David Agresta, Tom Everett, Sally Kirkland, Hee Il Cho, Simon Rhee, James Lew, Ken Nagayama, Ho Sik Pak, Edan Gross, Louise Fletcher Running Time: 97 min. By HKFanatic I put off watching “Best of the Best” for years – to the point where most people’s reaction became “I can’t believe you haven’t seen that movie!” … Continue reading

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‘I Am Bruce Lee’ examines an icon

THE MOVIE: I Am Bruce Lee is a documentary that examines the legendary actor and martial arts icon, Bruce Lee. Director Pete McCormack has assembled a vast array of individuals, from those who knew Bruce intimately to modern celebrities who have been influenced by him, to discuss the life and times of Bruce Lee. In the documentary you can expect commentary from actor Mickey Rourke, MMA fighter and actor Cung … Continue reading

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From producer Johnnie To, ‘Accident’ hits Blu-ray and DVD on June 12

From Internationally Renowned Action Filmmaker & Producer Johnnie To ACCIDENT Starring Acclaimed Actors Louis Koo and Richie Jen A Film Directed by Soi Cheang DEBUTS IN STORES NATIONWIDE ON BLU-RAY™ and DVD OWN IT ON JUNE 12, 2012 FROM SHOUT! FACTORY Not all accidents are caused by fate! This summer, get ready for a new breed of action suspense thriller that plumbs and exposes the weaknesses of the human psyche. … Continue reading

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5 Points Pictures to distribute live-action Asian cinema in North America

Distributor Right Stuf, Inc. has long been known for their high quality anime releases. Today they announced the creation of a new division for live-action Asian films, titled 5 Points Pictures. Through a partnership with CJ Entertainment, one of Korea’s top production houses, 5 Points Pictures will distribute several live-action Korean films on home video in North America starting in Summer 2012. The list of initial titles includes: Bleak Night … Continue reading

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French hostage drama ‘The Assault’ gets a limited U.S. release

Over at Beyond Hollywood, you can scope out the U.S. trailer for The Assault, the tense French hostage drama from Chrysalis director Julien Leclercq. Looks pretty bad-ass, doesn’t it? Rest assured that American audiences will have the chance to see the movie as Screen Media Films is offering The Assault a limited release stateside on April 6, 2012. The film is based on true events: on Christmas Eve, 1994, armed … Continue reading

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‘Zombie 108’ is Taiwan’s ultra-violent, low-budget answer to the zombie genre

A night on the town in Taipei turns into a bloodbath when a group of young friends discover they’ve been infected with a new strain of influenza that turns people into…zombies. That’s the premise behind the forthcoming Taiwanese horror flick Zombie 108. Over at 24 Frames Per Second, you can enjoy the trailer. Today brings word that the film will be released on April 13, 2012. The trailer looks almost … Continue reading

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Asian horror takes to the skies with ‘Dark Flight 407’

Dark Flight 407 is Thailand’s first 3D horror film. Judging by the trailer, it was probably pitched as something like “Ringu on a plane.” But hey, the production values look solid and, who knows, it might just scare our pants off. The story follows a flight stewardess who miraculously survived a plane crash 10 years ago and who must now return to work after a decade of psychotherapy. Only trouble … Continue reading

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Dante Lam’s ‘The Viral Factor’ locks and loads onto Import Blu-ray and DVD

After a limited theatrical run in the States, director Dante Lam’s The Viral Factor is making its way to Hong Kong Blu-ray and DVD. This international action blockbuster stars Nicholas Tse (The Stool Pigeon) and Jay Chou (The Green Hornet) as two brothers on opposite sides of the law. Now you can pre-order the film from trusted retailer DDDHouse. The Region A Blu-ray contains English subtitles and is going for … Continue reading

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The director of ‘My Sassy Girl’ leaves Chinese-Japanese co-production

Here’s some shocking news: director Kwak Jae-yong (My Sassy Girl) has left the set of his latest movie, Yang Gui Fei, during its sixth week of filming. The project is a Chinese-Japanese co-production based on the life of Yang Gui Fei, who is known as one of the Four Beauties of Ancient China and who served as a beloved consort to Emperor Xuanzong until her tragic death in 756 A.D. … Continue reading

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It’s a nice night for a ‘Bloody Marriage’

China continues their newfound love affair with the horror genre with The Bloody Marriage, in theaters on March 23. The trailer is now available on Far East Films. The film certainly looks to have some nice production values. Based on the trailer alone, I was going to guess that the plot was about a newlywed couple who accidentally strike an older woman with their car. When they don’t stop to … Continue reading

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Where do bad folks go when they die? Apparently the ‘Soul Transfer Station’

The last thing I’d expect out of Chinese cinema right now is a special effects-laden, supernatural thriller set in modern times and dealing with what happens after we die. But that’s exactly what we’re getting with Soul Transfer Station! This movie just opened nationwide in China on March 1st. Check out the trailer over at Far East Films. There are no English subtitles for the trailer but you can still … Continue reading

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