Author Archives: Z Ravas

Jet Li fights for your soul in ‘The Sorcerer and the White Snake’ on Import Blu-ray and DVD

It’s not an easy being a monk. You’ve got to abstain from earthly pleasures and stay focused on the holy path. And sometimes you’re called upon to kick demon ass. At least that’s what happens to Jet Li in The Sorcerer and the White Snake, the 2011 Chinese-language CG-infused blockbuster from acclaimed director Ching Siu Tung (Duel to the Death, Dr. Wai in the Scriptures With No Words). The film … Continue reading

Posted in Asian Import Titles, News |

‘Tetsuo’-style psycho-sexual body horror returns with ‘Henge’

The trailer for director Hajime Ohata’s upcoming film Henge is one of the most interesting trailers I’ve seen in ages. The film is about a husband and wife who must deal with the fallout when the husband is mysterious attacked and grows a strange, insect-like appendage as a result. As a fan of director Shinya Tsukamoto and his Tetsuo: The Iron Man films, the premise feels immediately familiar. It will … Continue reading

Posted in News |

Korean monster movie ‘Sector 7’ on Import 3D Blu-ray and DVD

Monster movie Sector 7 didn’t exactly earn glowing reviews last year but it did go on to become the highest-grossing Korean-language film of all time in China. How can you go wrong with a crew of workers trapped on an oil rig and besieged by a slimy, tentacled monster? That’s a golden premise. Trusted retailer DDDHouse is now accepting pre-orders on the 3D Region A Blu-ray for $28.85. The disc … Continue reading

Posted in Asian Import Titles, News |

New York Korean Film Festival 2012 is coming

Need another reason to pack up your belongings, cash a life insurance policy, and move to the Big Apple? The 10th Annual New York Korean Film Festival is fast approaching. On February 24th through the 26th, the Festival will play host to a slew of promising new Korean films. Asian Movie Pulse has the full line-up but some of the highlights include the fast ‘n furious-looking Quick; mob love story … Continue reading

Posted in News |

Blu-ray and DVD Releases for 2/14/12

This Tuesday happens to be Valentine’s Day. What better way to celebrate than with a Criterion samurai film or a Jeff Speakman flick on Blu-ray, right? Here are your Asian and genre movie releases for the week of 2/14/12: ASIAN CINEMA Three Outlaw Samurai (Blu-ray/DVD) – the Criterion Collection presents director Hideo Gosha’s 1964 samurai film in hi-definition Sword of Desperation (DVD) – AnimEigo offers this 2010 samurai film, which … Continue reading

Posted in News |

Flash Point (2007) Review

"Flash Point" Blu-ray Cover

Director: Wilson Yip Cast: Donnie Yen, Louis Koo, Collin Chou, Ray Lui, Xing Yu, Fan Bing Bing, Kent Cheng, Xu Qing, Ben Lam, Ha Ping, Ai Wai, Tony Ho Wah Chiu, Timmy Hung Tin Ming, Helena Law, John Salvitti, Kenji Tanigaki, Austin Wai Running Time: 85 min. By HKFanatic Even as a huge fan of Donnie Yen, I wouldn’t try to argue that “Flash Point” is a great ‘film’ in … Continue reading

Posted in Chinese, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , |

From the director of supernatural military thriller ‘R-Point’ comes ‘GP506’ on Import Blu-ray and DVD

Back in 2004, the supernatural military thriller R-Point was a hit at both the Korean domestic box office and in the States as part of Tartan’s beloved “Asia Extreme” DVD line. Now the director of that film, Su-chang Kong, is back with a new tale of terror, GP506 (also known as The Guard Post). On February 13, this 2008 film will arrive on Region A blu-ray for only $16.03 at … Continue reading

Posted in Asian Import Titles, News |

This movie could be a ‘Turning Point’ in your life – ‘Turning Point 2’ on Import Blu-ray and DVD

Since retiring from the film business, the Shaw Brothers have transformed into a successful television production studio known as TVB. One of their biggest hits was a series called Lives of Omission starring Michael Tse. That show was actually a spin-off of another franchise – confused yet? – but the link between all of them was the popularity of Michael Tse’s character, known as Laughing Gor. This character, a tough … Continue reading

Posted in Asian Import Titles, News |

From the director of ‘Fist of Legend’ – Chinese fantasy film ‘Mural’ now on Import DVD

Twitch has your first look at the trailer for Fist of Legend director Gordan Chan’s next film, the stylish fantasy-action-romance Mural. The project began as a proposed sequel to 2008’s Painted Skin but soon became its own entity. The story concerns two bandits who are swept into an alternate world populated by beautiful women and creepy foes. Somehow this gives way to plenty of special FX-assisted battles and a cameo … Continue reading

Posted in Asian Import Titles, News |

‘The Sword Identity’ slices into Chinese theaters on February 24th

Wong Kar-Wai is notorious for taking his own sweet time in delivering a completed movie to theaters. Case in point: apparently the screenwriter for Kar-Wai’s next film, The Grandmasters, has gone and made his own film while we’re still waiting for The Grandmasters to reach completion. Xu Haofeng’s 2011 period actioner The Sword Identity made the rounds at several high profile festivals last year but only now does it have … Continue reading

Posted in News |

Blu-ray and DVD Releases for 2/7/12

I’ll be honest, it’s a bit of a slow week this week but, hey, that gives our wallets a breather. Or maybe you’ll want to snatch up one of the many triple features and Dolph Lundgren double-packs available this week. Either way, here are your Asian and genre movie releases on blu-ray and DVD for the week of 2/7/12: ASIAN CINEMA Yakuza Weapon (blu-ray/DVD) – this 2010 film starring Tak … Continue reading

Posted in News |

Drive (2011) Review

Director: Nicolas Winding Refn Writer: Hossein Amini, James Sallis Cast: Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, Bryan Cranston, Christina Hendricks, Ron Perlman, Oscar Isaac, Albert Brooks, Kaden Leos, Jeff Wolfe, James Biberi Running Time: 100 min. By HKFanatic When a director has good taste in music, or at least makes the right selections on the soundtrack, it can change the viewer’s entire perception of a film. Nicolas Winding Refn added an unexpected … Continue reading

Posted in Other Movies, Reviews | Tagged , , |

‘Yakuza Weapon’ to leave a trail of bodies in its wake on February 7th

“Yakuza Weapon is literally a blast” – Fangoria “Slapstick comedy with tightly choreographed action and outrageous special effects, Yakuza Weapon is a riotously entertaining ride” – Twitch The Team Who Brought You VERSUS Have Returned with Another Hard-Edged Battle Royale Featuring Tough Gangsters, Deadly Women and Cybernetic Penis Implants! YAKUZA WEAPON The Latest Blood-Soaked Gore Fest From Japanese Production House Sushi Typhoon Debuts on Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack February … Continue reading

Posted in News |

Dante Lam’s ‘The Sniper’ reloads onto UK DVD

Thanks to hit action-thrillers like Fire of Conscience and The Viral Factor, Dante Lam is arguably the biggest director in Hong Kong cinema right now. That might lead you to believe that all of his recent films would be readily available on Region 1 DVD, but sadly that’s not the case. His 2009 film The Sniper, starring Richie Ren and Edison Chen, has still not seen a release in the … Continue reading

Posted in Asian Import Titles, News |

Enlist in ‘SIU’ on Korean DVD

SIU is a high-octane police thriller from the booming Korean film industry. The plot concerns two cops with differing methods who are tasked with investigating a drug-related murder. It doesn’t take long for the trail of corruption to lead to their own department. The film’s trailer promises pulse-pounding suspense, slick cinematography, and plenty of chase scenes. SIU will arrive on Korean DVD on February 14th. It was directed by Hwang … Continue reading

Posted in Asian Import Titles, News |