Monthly Archives: April 2011

New Legend of Shaolin, The | aka The Legend of the Red Dragon (1994) Review

"The New Legend of Shaolin" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Wong Jing Cast: Jet Li, Chingmy Yau, Tse Miu, Deannie Yip, Yeung Wai, Johnny Wang, Chan Chung Yung, Adam Cheng, Damian Lau, Chu Ko, Ji Chun Hua, Jacqueline Ng, Corey Yuen, Chiu Gwok, Wong Jing Running Time: 94 min. By JJ Hatfield I watched this film a few years back and recalled thinking it would be a long time before I watched it again. So I checked some notes … Continue reading

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

American Yakuza (1993) Review

"American Yakuza" American Promotion Poster

Director: Frank Cappello Cast: Viggo Mortensen, Ryo Ishibashi, Michael Nouri, Franklyn Ajaye, Yuji Okumoto, Anzu Lawson, Robert Forster, John Fujioka, Nicky Katt, James Taenaka Running TIme: 95 min. By JJ Hatfield After a prisoner finishes a one year term in solitaire he is released and on his own. He had heard of a couple of places that would hire former convicts and he heads out to find his way in … Continue reading

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The Boondock Saints: Truth & Justice Edition Blu-ray (Fox)

RELEASE DATE: June 14, 2011 The Boondock Saints: Truth & Justice Edition! Irish brothers Connor and Murphy MacManus live and work in South Boston. After killing a Russian mobster in self-defense, the brothers believe they have found their calling from God ridding the earth of human evil. So they set out to complete their divine deed by ridding the streets of gangsters, criminals and lowlifes. Starring Willem Dafoe, Sean Patrick … Continue reading

Posted in DVD/Blu-ray New Releases, Other Notable Titles |

My Kingdom poster revealed

Poster for My Kingdom (Da Wu Sheng), a martial arts films that takes place in Shanghai in the 1920s (maybe we’ll get another appearance from Chen Zhen?). It stars actor-singer Wu Chun (14 Blades), tarlet Barbie Hsu (Reign of Assassins) and Chinese pop music sensation Han Geng in his film debut. Also stars Hong Kong heavies, Yu Rong-Guang and Yuen Biao. My Kingdom is directed by Gao Xiaosong and written … Continue reading

Posted in News |

True Grit (Coen Brothers) Blu-ray/DVD

RELEASE DATE: June 7, 2011 True Grit is a powerful story of vengeance and valor set in an unforgiving and unpredictable frontier where justice is simple and mercy is rare. Starring Hailee Steinfeld, Josh Brolin, Jeff Bridges and Matt Damon. Directed by the Coen Brothers (Fargo), which is their take on the original 1969 John Wayne western.

Posted in DVD/Blu-ray New Releases, Other Notable Titles |

Blow Out Blu-ray/DVD (Criterion)

RELEASE DATE: Apr 26, 2011 In the enthralling Blow Out, brilliantly crafted by Brian De Palma (Sisters, Carrie, Scarface), John Travolta (Saturday Night Fever, Pulp Fiction) gives one of his greatest performances (it’s Quentin Tarantino’s favorite Travolta movie), as Jack, a movie sound-effects man who believes he has accidentally recorded a political assassination. New, restored digital transfer, supervised by director Brian De Palma!

Posted in DVD/Blu-ray New Releases, Other Notable Titles |

Deep Red Blu-ray/DVD (Blue Underground)

RELEASE DATE: May 17, 2011 Argento’s classic shocker has been newly transferred in stunning High Definition from its original camera negative. The DVD version is presented here in the Uncensored English Version for the first time ever! The Blu-ray version is presented in both the Uncensored English Version and Full-Length Italian Director’s Cut!

Posted in DVD/Blu-ray New Releases, Other Notable Titles |

The Cat O’ Nine Tails Blu-ray (Blue Underground)

RELEASE DATE: May 31, 2011 This is the definitive version of Argento’s masterful second film, presented completely uncut and uncensored in a brand-new High Definition transfer from its original camera negative!

Posted in DVD/Blu-ray New Releases, Other Notable Titles |

The Nesting Blu-ray/DVD (Blue Underground)

RELEASE DATE: June 28, 2011 Long unavailable on home video, THE NESTING has been newly transferred in blood-curdling High Definition from the original camera negative.

Posted in DVD/Blu-ray New Releases, Other Notable Titles |

Protector, The (1985) Review

"The Protector" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: James Glickenhaus Cast: Jackie Chan, Danny Aiello, Roy Chiao Hung, Sally Yeh Tse Man, Moon Lee Choi Fong, Bill Wallace, Shum Wai, John Ladalski, Fung Hak On Running Time: 91 min. By JJ Hatfield This movie has two very different versions. The original version was made in the U.S. Jackie Chan made another attempt to break in to the movie market, even after “The Big Brawl” failed to find … Continue reading

Posted in Asian Related, Chinese, Golden Harvest, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , |

Bigger Than Life (1956) Review

Director: Nicholas Ray Writer: Berton Roueche, Cyril Hume, Richard Maibaum, James Mason, Nicholas Ray, Clifford Odets, Gavin Lambert Producer: James Mason Cast: James Mason, Barbara Rush, Walter Matthau, Robert F. Simon, Christopher Olsen, Roland Winter, Rusty Lane, Rachel Stephens, Kipp Hamilton Running Time: 95 min. By JJ Hatfield This film is a genuine masterpiece! It was created in 1956 and was turned into reality by Nicholas Ray, the director and … Continue reading

Posted in Other Movies, Reviews |

Twisted Desires: Three Pink Masterpieces DVD Set (Zeitgeist Films)

RELEASE DATE: May 17, 2011 Named ‘the King of Nikkatsu Roman Porno,’ and ‘the most important Japanese director to emerge during the 1970s,’ filmmaker Tatsumi Kumashiro (1927 – 1995) achieved unprecedented box office as well as critical success with his cinematically lavish and narratively extravagant tales of the Tokyo underworld. This three-disc box set includes remastered editions of Kumashiro’s 1970s Nikkatsu classics SAYURI ICHIJO: FOLLOWING DESIRE (1972), YAKUZA JUSTICE: EROTIC … Continue reading

Posted in Asian Titles, DVD/Blu-ray New Releases |

Magnificent Butcher (1979) Review

"Magnificent Butcher" Hong Kong Theatrical Poster

Director: Yuen Woo-ping Cast: Sammo Hung, Kwan Tak-hing, Yuen Biao, Fung Hak On, Lam Ching-ying, Chung Fat, Wei Pei, Fan Mei Sheng, Lee Hoi San, Kwan Tak-hing, Yuen Mao, JoJo Chan Kei Kei, Chiang Kam, Tong Jing, Billy Chan Wui Ngai Running Time: 108 min. By Numskull Wong Jing penned this early Sammo Hung vehicle, but thankfully, someone else directed it. The fact that that someone else was Yuen Woo-Ping … Continue reading

Posted in Chinese, Golden Harvest, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , |

James Bond on Netflix: The Spy Who Streamed HD

When the HD James Bond Blu-rays were announced a few years ago, die-hard 007 fans went nuts. The pre-Daniel Craig classics (and a few not-so classics) starting hitting shelves one by one (and in sets): From Russia With Love, The World Is Not Enough, Goldfinger, Moonraker, Die Another Day, For Your Eyes Only, The Man With The Golden Gun, Dr. No, License To Kill, Thunderball and Live And Let Die … Continue reading

Posted in News |

Nowhere to Run Blu-ray (Image)

RELEASE DATE: July 19, 2011 Available for the first time on Blu-ray. Nowhere to Run is a 1993 American action film directed by Robert Harmon (The Hitcher). It stars Jean-Claude Van Damme, Rosanna Arquette (Pulp Fiction), Kieran Culkin (Scott Pilgrim vs. the World), Ted Levine (Shutter Island), and Joss Ackland (Lethal Weapon 2). Story by Joe Eszterhas (Basic Instinct).

Posted in DVD/Blu-ray New Releases, Martial Arts Titles |