The Crow: Deluxe Edition Blu-ray (Lionsgate)
There’s some interesting releases this week, whether you’re a fan of foreign films, Japanese animation, or straight-up horror. So let’s get down to it! Here are some Asian and genre-related releases for 10/18/11:
ASIAN CINEMA
Kuroneka (blu-ray/DVD) – Criterion Collection releases this 1968 black-and-white Japanese horror fable
Harimaya Bridge (blu-ray + DVD combo) – Funimation offers this moving drama, produced and starring Danny Glover and featuring a host of Japanese talent
Dragon’s Dynasty Ultimate Kung Fu 4Pk Box Set (DVD) – this DVD box set features the latest batch of Shaw Brothers films released by Dragon Dynasty, including: Executioner From Shaolin, Martial Arts of Shaolin, Mad Monkey Kung Fu, and Five Shaolin Masters
Aftershock (DVD) – this disquieting Mandarin language drama from 2010 tells the story of those affected by a 1976 earthquake that hit Tangshan, China
49 Days (DVD) – a 2011 Korean TV drama about a young woman’s journey between life and death
FOREIGN CINEMA
The Last Circus (blu-ray/DVD) – catch this rave-reviewed 2011 Spanish language film about circus clowns gone bad
In a Glass Cage (blu-ray/DVD) – this notorious 1987 Spanish language shocker about a paralytic Nazi war criminal arrives in hi definition for the first time
The Robber (blu-ray/DVD) – this 2010 German language film tells the true story of a professional athlete who robbed banks in his spare time
Clowns (blu-ray) – RaroVideo USA releases this Federico Fellini 1970 made-for-television movie in hi-definition
Baaria (blu-ray/DVD) – this 2009 Italian film arrives from the acclaimed director of “Cinema Paradiso”
Sodium Babies (DVD) – this 2009 French language film offers a new spin on vampires as protagonist Dead Dog seeks to escape servitude to the Prince of Vampires
Murder Obsession (DVD) – RaroVideo USA releases this obscure 1981 Italian horror film
Death Will Have Your Eyes (DVD) – Mya Video releases this obscure 1974 Italian horror film. Unfortunately, Mya are notorious for releasing sub-VHS quality prints of their movies on DVD so buyer beware
R (DVD) – this 2010 Danish prison drama arrives from Olive Films
ANIMATION
Batman: Year One (blu-ray + DVD combo/DVD) – Frank Miller’s classic graphic novel is adapted into a 2011 animated feature from DC Animation
Demon City Shinjuku (DVD) – this classic 1988 anime, long since out of print, arrives on DVD once again to the delight of fans. Would you believe that Tsui Hark also made a live-action adaptation of this anime?
Robotech: The Complete Original Series (DVD) – A&E is putting out a box set that contains the entire “Robotech” series, which was actually three entirely separate Japanese anime recut and dubbed for American audiences
Dragonball Z Kai: Season One (blu-ray/DVD) – Funimation releases 625 minutes worth of “Dragonball Z Kai” action
MAINSTREAM
The Crow (blu-ray) – Lionsgate releases this cult classic, comic book-based 1994 film starring Brandon Lee on blu-ray
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (blu-ray/DVD) – the latest 2011 Pirates film starring Johnny Depp may have received mixed reviews in the US but overseas it was another box office smash for golden boy Depp
The Guns of Navarone (blu-ray) – the classic 1961 film starring Gregory Peck and David Niven arrives in hi-definition for the first time
The Goonies (blu-ray) – the classic children’s adventure film from 1985, now on blu-ray
Cape Fear (blu-ray) – Martin Scorsese’s underrated 1991 remake, starring Robert Deniro and Nick Nolte, is on blu-ray for the first time
Red State (blu-ray/DVD) – Kevin Smith’s controversial 2011 horror film is now available for viewing in the privacy of your own home
Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (DVD) – this is the 40th anniversary edition release of the classic 1971 children’s film
Captain America/Captain America II: Death Too Soon (DVD) – catch this pair of late 70’s TV movies starring Reb Brown as the Star-Spangled Avenger
Freerunner (blu-ray/DVD) – a low-budget 2011 action flick starring “Never Back Down’s” Sean Faris
Sucker Punch (DVD) – this 2008 low-budget flick from the UK is not to be confused with Zack Synder’s 2011 blockbuster starring all those really cute girls
HORROR
Zombie (blu-ray/DVD) – rejoice, Lucio Fulci’s grisly 1979 masterpiece is now in hi-definition thanks to Blue Underground
The House by the Cemetery (blu-ray/DVD) – my personal favorite Fulci film, released in 1981, arrives on blu-ray courtesy of Blue Underground
Grave Encounters (DVD) – this 2011 film played at the Tribeca Film Festival and pokes fun at those ‘ghost-hunting’ reality shows
Nothing But the Night (DVD) – this 1972 horror movie stars genre legends Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing
Zombie Apocalypse: Redemption (DVD) – this 2011 micro-budget zombie flick was shot in Michigan and features Fred “The Hammer” Williamson
Hellraiser: Revelations (blu-ray/DVD) – can Pinhead survive another dud with this 2011 direct-to-video sequel?
The Pyx (DVD) – a 1973 horror film starring Karen Black and Christopher Plummer
Subspecies: The Complete Collection (DVD) – five low-budget, direct-to-video vampire movies in one DVD set. What could go wrong?
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