Greenhouse (2023) Review

"Greenhouse" Poster

“Greenhouse” Poster

Whether it’s a stereotype or not, there can be a tendency to lump Korean indie features from debut directors together as being rather depressive affairs. Usually gritty character driven dramas centred around those on the bottom rungs of society and their daily struggles, the genre is an understandable go-to, able to be executed on a small to mid-budget while still being able to pack a powerful emotional punch.

Director Lee Sol-hui’s feature length debut Greenhouse shows all the classic signs of falling into similar genre territory. Opening with the image of a woman sat on the edge of her bed shot from behind, the first thing we’re witness to is her violently slapping herself repeatedly, immediately setting a somewhat harrowing tone. The woman is played by Kim Seo-hyung (The Villainess, The Berlin File), a character living on the fringes of society – both figuratively and literally, being that her homebase is an isolated greenhouse in the middle of a field.

We learn that Seo-hyung is a divorcee whose teenage son is incarcerated in a juvenile detention centre. Soon to be released, once he’s out she hopes they’ll be able to live together, rather than him going back to live with his uncle as he’d done before. With the clock ticking to find a place and ensure she has enough for the deposit, Seo-hyung has been saving up by working as a carer for an elderly couple. The wife, played by Shin Yun-sook (The Liar, A Blood Pledge), has advanced dementia and is convinced Seo-hyung has plans to kill her, subjecting Continue reading

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One Nora Miao is great. Two are even better! Arrow’s ‘Blade Spares None’ and ‘Hurricane’ hit Blu-ray in November

On November 9, 2026, Arrow is releasing the Blu-ray set for 1971’s The Blade Spares None and 1972’s The Hurricane, two Golden Harvest martial arts classics starring Nora Miao (The Skyhawk).

Directed by Teddy Yip Wing-Cho (Walk on Fire), The Blade Spares None that revolves around Ho Li Chun, a skilled swordswoman (Miao) who enters a fighting Continue reading

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Arrow gains some street cred! ‘Street Gangs of Hong Kong’ Shaw Brothers set arrives on Blu-ray in November

On November 23, 2026, Arrow Video is releasing the Shawscope Presents: Street Gangs of Hong Kong Blu-ray collection, which includes 1973’s The Delinquent, 1974’s The Teahouse, 1975’s Big Brother Cheng, 1976’s Big Bad Sis, 1975’s The Big Holdup, 1980’s The Convict Killer and 1979’s The Brothers.

In the wake of Bruce Lee’s contemporary-set kung fu films, legendary studio Shaw Brothers would start their own wave of socially charged martial arts Continue reading

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Karate meets Goodfellas? First look at Pete Davidson as Tommy ‘Karate Guy’ Pitera in Justin Chon’s ‘Tommy Karate’

Justin Chon, star, director and writer, known for 2014’s Revenge of the Green Dragons, 2017’s Gook and 2021’s Blue Bayou, is back in director’s chair for Tommy Karate, a factual thriller starring Paul Walter Hauser (The Luckiest Man in America) and Pete Davidson (The Suicide Squad), who is also credited as co-writer, along with Chon.

Based on Philip Carlo’s true crime novel The Butcher: Anatomy of a Mafia Psychopath, the film follows DEA Agent Jim Hunt’s (Hauser) pursuit and capture of notorious mobster and serial killer Tommy “The Karate Guy” Pitera (Davidson), who was suspected Continue reading

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Vengeance, Japanese style! Blu-ray for Hiroyuki Sanada and Sonny Chiba’s ‘Roaring Fire’ now shipping

Now shipping from Goodie Emporium is Toy Robot Video’s Blu-ray (Region A/B) for Roaring Fire. Directed by Norifumi Suzuki (The Killing Machine), this 1981 martial arts film stars Hiroyuki Sanada (John Wick 4) and Sonny Chiba (Wolf Guy: Enraged Lycanthrope).

Emmy© Award winner Hiroyuki Sanada (Royal Warriors) stars in this wild, action-packed comedy thriller, available for the first time Continue reading

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The only man who can beat up Bruce Lee (besides Michael Jai White) is back in ‘The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth’

A Netflix sequel to Quentin Tarantino’s 2019 film Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood – titled The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth (formerly known as The Continuing Adventures of Cliff Booth) – is currently in post-production with David Fincher (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button) directing a script written by Tarantino.

Frequent Fincher/Tarantino collaborator Brad Pitt (Fight Club, Inglorious Basterds) is reprising his role as Cliff Booth, the tough-guy Hollywood Continue reading

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OH MY GOD-ZILLA! Watch a New Featurette for Takashi Yamazaki’s ‘Godzilla Minus Zero’

"Godzilla Minus Zero" Poster

“Godzilla Minus Zero” Poster

Godzilla Minus Zero, the highly-anticipated follow-up to Toho’s 2023 mega hit Godzilla Minus One, hits theaters in November.

Returning to the director’s chair, Takashi Yamazaki (The Fighter Pilot, Godzilla Minus One) once again takes on writing duties and VFX work, just as he did with the first film.

Following the devastation of Godzilla’s initial rampage, Kōichi Shikishima (Ryunosuke Kamiki) tries to rebuild a quiet life with Noriko (Minami Hamabe) and young Akiko, hoping to leave behind the trauma of war and monsters, but peace proves fleeting when Godzilla returns, fully regenerated, larger, and more ferocious, as a second ancient force awakens beneath Aokigahara near Mount Fuji. With Japan once again on the brink, Kōichi is forced out of retirement, reuniting with old comrades and joining U.S. and Japan Continue reading

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Jackie Chan and Tony Leung Ka Fai return for Round 2! ‘The Shadow’s Edge II’ to begin filming in October

After the massive success of 2025’s The Shadow’s Edge, which dominated the Chinese box office for four straight weekends, it’s no surprise that a sequel is already in motion. Larry Yang (Ride On) returns to direct, with Victoria Hon (Mountain Cry) once again producing after the pair’s successful collaboration on the original.

Returning stars for the sequel include Jackie Chan (Panda Plan: The Magical Tribe), Tony Leung Ka Fai (Blades of the Guardians), Ci Sha (Creation of the Gods I: Kingdom of Storms), Zhang Zifeng (High Forces) and Moon Continue reading

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ALWAYS BET ON BLACK! Wesley Snipes’ hijack actioner ‘Passenger 57’ coming soon to 4K Ultra HD

"Passenger 57" Poster

“Passenger 57” Poster

Arriving soon from Toy Robot Video (a new sub-label of Arrow Video) is the 4K Ultra HD for Passenger 57, a 1992 actioner from director Kevin Hooks (Strictly Business).

Former police officer and airline security specialist John Cutter (Wesley Snipes, Demolition Man), finally returning to the job after his wife’s death, finds himself in the middle of a deadly plane hijacking by terrorists, led by notorious international criminal Charles Rane (Bruce Payne, Highlander: Endgame).

Trapped on the plane with several innocent passengers, Cutter must rely on his combat skills, intelligence, and determination to stop the terrorists. His next move is clear. Do. Or be done to.

Newly scanned in 4K by Toy Robot Video, Passenger 57 helped launch Wesley Snipes as a true 90s action star and features Continue reading

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WTF? Watch the blood-soaked U.S. Trailer for Joko Anwar’s Indonesian martial arts-horror-comedy ‘Ghost in the Cell’

"Ghost in the Cell" Poster

“Ghost in the Cell” Poster

Joko Anwar, the writer and director behind films such as 2019’s Impetigore and Gundala, returns with Ghost in the Cell, an Indonesian horror-comedy (with a bit of martial arts) hitting theaters October 2 from Well Go USA!

Inside a notorious prison, an unseen force begins slaughtering inmates in brutal fashion, forcing rival gangs and corrupt guards to unite in a desperate fight to survive the escalating bloodshed.

The film features an ensemble cast that includes Abimana Aryasatya (The Big 4), Bront Palarae (Belukar), Danang Suryonegoro (Risky Business 2), Lukman Sardi (212 Warrior), Morgan Oey (The Night Comes for Us) and Mike Lucock (Dara).

🔥 Footnote: Despite being sub-labeled a comedy, this one looks absolutely Continue reading

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James Lew, martial artist, actor and stuntman in films such as ‘Big Trouble in Little China’ and ‘Timecop’, passes away at 73

James Jene Fae Lew, a martial artist, actor, stuntman, and fight coordinator, has passed away at the age of 73. His cause of death has not been publicly disclosed at this time.

Also known as The Dragonmaster (a nickname reflecting his martial arts skills), Lew leaves behind an extraordinary career spanning more than five decades. After beginning his martial arts training at age 14, he broke into the entertainment Continue reading

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COPS vs ALIENS! ‘Hope’ from acclaimed ‘Chaser’ director Na Hong-Jin hits theaters on September 9th

"Hope" Poster

“Hope” Poster

After a 10-year hiatus, critically acclaimed director Na Hong-Jin returns to the director’s chair with Hope, an upcoming sci-fi thriller heading to U.S. theaters on September 9th from Neon.

If you’re not familiar with Na Hong-Jin, maybe you’re familiar with his work. In 2008, the South Korean filmmaker shook the world with his debut feature film, The Chaser. In 2010, he showed us that he wasn’t a one-hit wonder with The Yellow Sea. Then in 2016 came The Wailing, where Na proved his cinematic prowess while tackling the occult subgenre.

The Wailing was the last full length feature we saw from the director, with only brief reminders of his work since. He later produced and co wrote the 2021 Thai horror film The Medium, and Continue reading

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HEAD’d your way! Jimmy Wang Yu’s kung fu classic ‘Master of the Flying Guillotine’ arrives newly restored on Blu-ray

Arriving in December from Severin Films is the Blu-ray for Master of the Flying Guillotine (aka One Armed Boxer 2 or One-armed Boxer vs. the Flying Guillotine), a 1976 cult kung fu classic from director, writer and star, Jimmy Wang Yu (The Beheaded 1000, The One-Armed Swordsman).

A one-armed martial arts master (Wang Yu) is being stalked by an Imperial assassin, the master of two fighters killed in the previous film (1971’s One-Armed Boxer). When the One-Armed Boxer is invited to attend a martial arts tournament, his efforts Continue reading

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‘Lone Wolf and Cub’ star shines bright! Watch the Trailers for the ‘Wicked Priest’ collection arriving on Blu-ray in September

On September 13, 2026, Arrow Video is releasing a Limited Edition 3-Disc Blu-ray (Region B) release for the Wicked Priest Collection, which includes Wicked Priest, Wicked Priest 2: Ballad of Murder, Wicked Priest 3: A Killer’s Pilgrimage, Wicked Priest 4: The Killer Priest Comes Back and Wicked Priest 5: Blood on the Commandments – all produced by in the years 1968 through 1971.

Most famous for his role as the stoic Ogami Itto in the legendary Lone Wolf and Cub series, Tomisaburo Wakayama shows a different side in the ebullient martial arts comedy series Wicked Priest, where a devout man of the cloth doesn’t let a little thing Continue reading

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The Bodyguard (2024) Review

"The Bodyguard" Poster

“The Bodyguard” Poster

In 2024 director Qin Pengfei seemed to be channelling the work ethic of Chang Cheh at his most productive, cranking out an impressive 6 productions spanning everything from period kung-fu flick, to wuxia styled swordplay, to contemporary actioner. It’s hardly a surprise that in the following year he’d take a break, before returning in 2026 with Wings of Dread, offering up the enticing prospect of Ashton Chen versus Iko Uwais. It was ironic then, that the inflight bathroom brawl between femme fatales Hong Shuang and Qu Jingjing turned out to be the scene stealing highlight, and it was one of Pengfei’s earlier 2024 productions that gave Jingjing her own action vehicle with The Bodyguard.

Jingjing cut her teeth starring in web movie versions of bigger budgeted productions like 2023’s Ocean Rescue, as well as appearing in the soccer drama curiosity Magic Seven (also from 2023), which featured Manchester United legend Eric Cantona in the main role playing himself (and could be prime for re-discovery for those unimpressed with Stephen Chow’s Kung Fu Soccer). Pengfei would get a taste of her talents when she clocked in a supporting role in Blade of Fury, which was all that was needed to have an action vehicle be crafted in which she’d play the lead.

In The Bodyguard Jingjing’s ex-SWAT team member turned quiet fish monger is hyped up to gratuitous levels – multiple martial arts champion, exemplary sergeant in the police force, best at what she did during her SWAT era, the list goes on. However after a 9-year-old hostage took a bullet during one of her last missions she’s now ridden with guilt – or at least, we’ll assume she is, since the breezy runtimes web movies come with have no time to spend with Continue reading

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