Yearly Archives: 2011

War | aka Rogue Assassin (2007) Review

"War" Japanese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Rogue Director: Philip Atwell Writer: Lee Anthony Smith, Gregory J. Bradley Cast: Jet Li, Jason Statham, Terry Chen, John Lone, Devon Aoki, Sung Kang, Ryo Ishibashi Running Time: 103 min. By JJ Hatfield War, uhhh yeah, what is it good for absolutely nothin’… sorry. The song is good. This movie is not. What comes across is rather two dimensional. I felt at times the characters were made of cardboard. … Continue reading

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Winners & Sinners | aka 5 Lucky Stars (1983) Review

"Winners & Sinners" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Sammo Hung Cast: Sammo Hung, Jackie Chan, Richard Ng, Ching Shung Lin, John Sham, Stanley Fung, James Tien, Lam Ching-Ying, Cecilia Yip Tung, Fung Hak-On Running Time: 95/106 min. By Numskull This is generally considered to be the first Lucky Stars film. It isn’t. It’s a blueprint; a not-quite-ripe-yet predecessor. Director/star Sammo Hung would later use many elements and cast members from this movie in “My Lucky Stars” and “Twinkle … Continue reading

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Invincible Eight, The (1971) Review

Director: Lo Wei Writer: Ni Kuang Producer: Raymond Chow Cast: Nora Miao, Billy Chan, Paul Chang Chung, Han Ying Chieh, Sammo Hung, Lam Ching Ying, Lee Kwan, Bruce Leung Siu Lung, Angela Mao Ying, Pai Ying, Lydia Shum, Tang Ching, James Tien, Patrick Tse, Lee Ka Ting Running Time: 95 min. By Jeff Bona A group of eight warriors (Nora Miao, Lee Kwan, Angela Mao, Lydia Shum, James Tien, Tang … Continue reading

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Lolita Blu-ray (Warner)

RELEASE DATE: May 31, 2011 First time on Blu-ray and an Amazon exclusive. Lolita is a 1962 comedy-drama film by Stanley Kubrick based on the classic novel of the same title by Vladimir Nabokov. The film stars James Mason as Humbert Humbert, Sue Lyon as Dolores Haze (Lolita) and Shelley Winters as Charlotte Haze with Peter Sellers as Clare Quilty. Due to the MPAA’s restrictions at the time, the film … Continue reading

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

American: The Bill Hicks Story Blu-ray/DVD (Warner)

RELEASE DATE: June 7, 2011 American: The Bill Hicks Story is a documentary on the life of comedian Bill Hicks. It features archival footage and interviews with family and friends, including Kevin Booth. The filmmakers used a cut-and-paste animation technique to add movement to a large collection of still pictures used to document events in Hicks’ life. Nominated for 2010 Grierson British Documentary Award for the “Most Entertaining Documentary” category. … Continue reading

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

Barry Lyndon Blu-ray (Warner)

RELEASE DATE: May 31, 2011 First time on Blu-ray and an Amazon exclusive. Barry Lyndon is a 1975 period film directed by Stanley Kubrick based on the 1844 novel The Luck of Barry Lyndon by William Makepeace Thackeray which recounts the exploits of an 18th century Irish adventurer. Ryan O’Neal stars as Barry Lyndon. This title will also be included in the upcoming Blu-ray/DVD set.

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

King Kong (1933) Review

"King Kong" American Theatrical Poster

Director: Merian C. Cooper Co-director: Ernest B. Schoedsack Cast: Fay Wray, Robert Armstrong, Bruce Cabot, Frank Reicher, Sam Hardy, Noble Johnson Running Time: 105 min. Review by JJ Hatfield The one thing that makes the original version fantastic is the special effects. That may sound a bit absurd considering the state of the art and ever evolving fx we have today however that just adds relevance to my comment. Willis … Continue reading

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Super (2010) Review

"Super" American Theatrical Poster

Director: James Gunn Cast: Rainn Wilson, Liv Tyler, Ellen Page, Kevin Bacon, Nathan Fillion, Gregg Henry, Michael Rooker, Andre Royo, Sean Gunn, Stephen Blackehart, Don Mac Running Time: 96 min. By Ningen Rainn Wilson plays a perpetual loser named Frank whose wife Sarah (Liv Tyler) gets taken in by a drug-lord named Jacques(Kevin Bacon), causing him to don a superhero persona and costume to match. As The Crimson Bolt, he … Continue reading

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Skinny Tiger & Fatty Dragon (1991) Review

"Skinny Tiger & Fatty Dragon" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Nutty Kickbox Cops Director: Lau Kar Wing Cast: Sammo Hung, Karl Maka, Carrie Ng, Wanda Yung, Lau Kar Wing, Lung Ming Yan, Wu Fung, Cutie Mui Siu Wai, Ni Kuang, Mark Houghton, Brad Kerner Running Time: 105 min. By JJ Hatfield The running time for this movie is 105 minutes, and you will feel each and every one, when fighting is not on the screen. Yes, Sammo is in … Continue reading

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Kingdom of War Part I & II aka King Naresuan (Magnolia)

RELEASE DATE: June 14, 2011 Kingdom of War (aka The Legend of King Naresuan) is a two-part 2007 Thai biographical historical drama film about King Naresuan the Great, who ruled Siam from 1590 until his death in 1605. The Nation calls Part I “a beautiful movie, planned to meticulous detail with the exotic designs and colors of the royal dresses, golden palaces and exotic temples.” Part II was the #1 … Continue reading

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Operation Scorpio | aka Scorpion King (1992) Review

"Operation Scorpio" French DVD Cover

Director: David Lai Cast: Chin Kar Lok, Lau Kar Leung, Kim Won Jin, Frankie Chin, May Lo, Wu Fung, Victor Hon Kwan, David Lo, Yuen Shun Yee, Yuen Tak, Fruit Chan Gor, Ricky Cheung, Lau Sek Yin, Tiffany Lau, Sai Gwa Paau, Sin Ho Ying Running Time: 96 min. By Yi-Long Life is unfair! Why, easy! In a fair world, Kim Won Jin would have been a household name around … Continue reading

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Heroes Shed No Tears (1983) Review

Director: John Woo Writer: John Woo Producer: Peter Chan Ho Sun Cast: Eddie Ko Hung, Lam Ching Ying, Chin Yuet Sang, Fung Lee, Lee Hoi Suk, Cécile Le Bailly, Philippe Loffredo, Tsang Choh Lam, Pang Yun Cheung, Bruce Cheung Mong, Chow Gam Kong, Lam Fai Wong Running Time: 84 min. By Numskull Hard to believe that John Woo had been a director for about a decade before this was produced. … Continue reading

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Bare-Footed Kid, The | aka Young Hero (1993) Review

Director: Johnnie To Kei Fung Cast: Aaron Kwok Fu Sing, Ti Lung, Maggie Cheung Man Yuk, Paul Chun Pui, Jacqueline Wu Chien Lien, Kenneth Tsang Kon, Eddie Cheung Siu Fai, Wong Yat Fei, Tin Ching, Chu Tiet Wo, Cheng Ka Sang, Johnny Cheung Yiu Wah, Hau Woon Ling, Benny Lai Keung Kuen, Leung Kai Chi, Ng Wui, Wong Sun, Yuen Ling To Running Time: 90 min. By JJ Hatfield If … Continue reading

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Jackie Chan Film 4-Film Series (Miramax Echo Bridge)

RELEASE DATE: May 2, 2011 Contains: Operation Condor, Operation Condor 2 (Armour of God), Dragon Lord and Twin Dragons. They can also be purchased individually at later dates (click for date details): Operation Condor, Operation Condor 2, Dragon Lord and Twin Dragons.

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

Project A Parts 1 & 2 DVDs (Miramax Echo Bridge)

RELEASE DATE: May 5, 2011 Project A is a 1983 Hong Kong martial arts action comedy film written and directed by Jackie Chan. Film stars Chan, Sammo Hung and Yuen Biao. Project A Part II in the 1987 sequel also directed by and starring Jackie Chan. Both will be re-issued (separately) on 5/10/11. Note: In regards to the audio tracks, please read this article. Read cityonfire.com’s reviews for Project A … Continue reading

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