Author Archives: JJ Bona

‘The Villainess’ director Jung Byung-gil brings some ‘Havoc’

Filmmaker Jung Byung-gil – known for his films Confession of Murder and fan favorite The Villainess – is stepping into Hollywood for Monarch Media’s Havoc (not related to Gareth Evans’ planned film of the same name), a thriller written by Eric Tipton, off an original idea by Steve Barnett (300) and Daniel Myrick (The Blair Witch Project). Inspired by actual events, Havoc tells the story of a U.S. helicopter crashing on … Continue reading

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Best Hong Kong Movie Locations

When you hear about Hong Kong, the first thing that comes into your mind is beautiful sceneries, Chinese culture, and even place of excellent movies. Hong Kongers are known for their commitments to their work in the world. Whether you’re planning to visit Hong Kong to have the adventure of excellent movies or even enjoy the entertainment, prepare yourself to step in Hong Kong Tower, Repulse Bay Beach, and Ten Thousand … Continue reading

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A ‘Battle Royale’ ripoff has been ‘Triggered’ in this New Trailer

"Triggered" Theatrical Poster

Looking for another round of Kinji Fukasaku’s Battle Royale? If so, look no further (kinda, sorta). Director Alastair Orr (House on Willow Street) has teamed up with writer David D. Jones (The Stem) for Trigger, which releases on November 6 from Samuel Goldwyn Films. Nine friends, all harboring a dark secret, go camping in the woods. After a wild night of partying, they wake up with suicide bombs strapped to their … Continue reading

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The Black Dragon & Enforcer from Death Row | Blu-ray (Dark Force)

The Black Dragon & Enforcer from Death Row | Blu-ray (Dark Force)

RELEASE DATE: January 19, 2021 On January 19, 2021, Dark Force Entertainment is releasing the Blu-ray Drive-in Double Feature for Ron van Clief’s The Black Dragon (aka Tough Guy) and Leo Fong’s Enforcer from Death Row (aka Ninja Assassin). Made from the only known existing 35mm print with extensive scene by scene color correction, 1974’s The Black Dragon stars Ron van Clief (Fist of Fear, Touch of Death), Jason Pai Piao (Shaolin Prince), Thompson Kao … Continue reading

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

Deal on Fire! I Saw The Devil | Blu-ray | Only $8.99 – Expires soon!

"I Saw the Devil" Theatrical Poster

Today’s Deal on Fire is the Blu-ray for I Saw The Devil (read our review), a 2010 action-thriller directed by Kim Ji-woon (Age of Shadows, The Good, the Bad, the Weird) and stars Choi Min-sik (New World, Old Boy) and Lee Byung-hun (A Bittersweet Life). The embodiment of pure evil, Kyung-chul is a dangerous psychopath who kills for pleasure. On a freezing, snowy night, his latest victim is the beautiful Juyeon, daughter of … Continue reading

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Blade | 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital (Warner)

Blade | 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital (Warner)

RELEASE DATE: December 1, 2020 On December 1, 2020, Warner Home Video will be releasing Blade on 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital. This 1999 cult actioner stars Wesley Snipes (Passenger 57), Stephen Dorff (Somewhere) and Kris Kristofferson (Payback). Awakened to consciousness – and pain – before birth by the bite of the undead vampire that kills his mother, a young boy grows into a mythical warrior (Snipes) bearing a … Continue reading

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

Michael Jai White actioner ‘Welcome to Sudden Death’ welcomes itself to Netflix and DVD

Welcome to Sudden Death | DVD (Universal)

Welcome to Sudden Death (aka Sudden Death 2), a sequel/remake (mostly by name) to Jean-Claude Van Damme’s 1995 actioner, Sudden Death (proving our 2015 article Van Damme is the most ‘remade’ action star in the world was spot on) has finally arrived to DVD and Netflix. Filling in Van Damme’s shoes is cult martial arts star Michael Jai White (Triple Threat, Accident Man). Co-stars include comedian Gary Owen (Ride Along), Gillian White (Never Back Down: … Continue reading

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‘Furie’ and ‘Rebel’ action star Veronica Ngo teases Vietnamese superhero film ‘Vinaman’

"Furie" Vietnamese Theatrical Poster

Ever rising Vietnamese star Veronica Ngo (House in the Alley, Furie) has taken to social media to tease Vinaman, an upcoming superhero flick produced by Studio68, Ngo’s own production company. “The world has Iron Man, Spider Man and Superman. So what does Vietnam have?” says Ngo, in a lengthy post on social media on Monday. She later adds “…Young people need a hero. And Vietnam needs a representative face.” (via FCS) … Continue reading

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Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon 4K SteelBook Edition | Blu-ray (Sony)

RELEASE DATE: December 1, 2020 On December 1, 2020, Sony Home Entertainment is releasing the 2-Disc Blu-ray for the Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon 4K SteelBook Edition. Two master warriors (Chow Yun Fat and Michelle Yeoh) are faced with their greatest challenge when the treasured Green Destiny sword is stolen. A young aristocrat (Zhang Ziyi) prepares for an arranged marriage, but soon reveals her superior fighting talents and her deeply romantic past. … Continue reading

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New Explosive Trailer for Herman Yau’s ‘Shock Wave 2’

"Shock Wave 2" Teaser Poster

A sequel to Herman Yau’s 2017 box office hit Shock Wave (read our review) is on the verge of being released to either streaming platforms or in theaters this December. In the upcoming Shock Wave 2 (read our review), Hong Kong superstar Andy Lau (Switch) is back in place. Philip Keung (Chasing the Dragon), who appeared in the first film, also returns. New cast members include Lau Ching-wan (Integrity) and Ni Ni (The Warrior’s Gate). Shock Wave … Continue reading

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Korean Thriller ‘Door Lock’ is getting a Chinese remake

"Door Lock" Teaser Poster

The trend of Asian films remade from other Asian films (as noted in our article Made (& Remade) in Asia) continue with Door Lock, a Chinese remake of the 2018 Korean thriller of the same name (which itself was based on the 2011 Spanish film, Sleep Tight). The Chinese remake of Door Lock is directed by Wu Bai (The Big Shot) and stars Bai Baihe (Monster Hunt), Wang Zixuan (The Golden Years), Bai Ke … Continue reading

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Live-action adaptation of ‘Yakuza’ videogame in-the-works

Following Sega’s unexpected success of their film adaptation of Sonic the Hedgehog (the 3rd highest-grossing film of 2020, after The Eight Hundred and Bad Boys for Life), the videogame company is developing a Live-action adaptation of Yakuza with 1212 Entertainment and Wild Sheep Content. The first game in the Yakuza franchise, which has been widely praised for its story and character-driven plot, follows the story of Kazuma Kiryu being released from a … Continue reading

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Wong Kar-Wai to write (and possibly direct) a sequel to his 1994 masterpiece ‘Chungking Express’

"Chungking Express" French Theatrical Poster

Renowned Hong Kong filmmaker Wong Kar-Wai (The Grandmaster, Ashes of Time) is writing a sequel to what’s arguably his most popular film, Chungking Express. China’s National Film Bureau has officially approved Wong Kar-Wai’s new project to shoot tentatively-titled Chungking Express 2020. The sequel will take place in 2036, with Wong Kar-Wai attached as the screenwriter. It remains unclear whether he will return as the director or any of the original … Continue reading

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Survivor Ballads: Three Films by Shohei Imamura | Blu-ray (Arrow Films)

RELEASE DATE: December 8, 2020 On December 8, 2020, Arrow Films/Arrow Academy will be releasing the Blu-ray collection for Survivor Ballads: Three Films by Shohei Imamura, which will include The Ballad of Narayama, Zegen and Black Rain. Read the official details below: Throughout the 1980s, Shohei Imamura (The Pornographers, Profound Desires of the Gods), a leading figure of the Japanese New Wave era of the 1960s, cemented his international reputation as … Continue reading

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The Untold Story | Blu-ray & DVD (Unearthed Films)

The Untold Story | Blu-ray (Unearthed Films)

RELEASE DATE: October 13, 2020 On October 13, 2020, Unearthed Films is releasing the Blu-ray & DVD for The Untold Story (aka Bunman), a 1993 Hong Kong film from cult director Herman Yau (Shock Wave, Ebola Syndrome) that stars Danny Lee (Run and Kill) and Anthony Wong (Still Human). In 1978 in Hong Kong, a grisly murder takes place. Eight years later, on a Macao beach, kids discover the severed … Continue reading

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