Author Archives: JJ Bona

Demon Pond | 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray (Criterion)

Demon Pond | 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray (Criterion)

RELEASE DATE: October 15, 2024 On October 15, 2024, Criterion is releasing 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray for Demon Pond, a 1979 film from  Japanese New Wave renegade Masahiro Shinoda (Ballad of Orin), who transforms a classic Kabuki tale with his own extravagant visual style in this dimension-shattering folk-horror fantasia. When a lone traveler (Tsutomu Yamazaki) stumbles upon a remote, drought-stricken village, he finds himself engulfed in a whirlpool of … Continue reading

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3 Movie Tropes That Keep Us Coming Back For More

When you watch a narrative unfold on the screen, you’re going to see some recurring tropes in action. It’s a fact of fiction – tropes make stories and stories need to use tropes to create tension, drama, and (hopefully) a satisfying ending! And sure, some tropes are overplayed and downright boring by now, but some are fun and enjoyable and keep us coming back for more. Indeed, we’ve listed three … Continue reading

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A train ride John Wick wouldn’t want to Raid! Peak at the 4K Ultra HD SteelBook for the Hindi-language actioner ‘Kill’

Lionsgate continues to pump out John Wick-like/The Raid-esque product with Kill, a Hindi-language martial arts actioner from director Nikhil Nagesh Bhat (Hurdang) that’s headlined by Lakshya (Haseena). According to Korean Film Expert Paul Bramhall, some of the film’s action was choreographed by Oh Se-young, whose notable work includes Bollywood films such as Tiger 3 and War, as well as stunts for Snowpiercer and War of the Arrows. When army commando … Continue reading

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Daiei Gothic: Japanese Ghost Stories | Blu-ray (Radiance)

RELEASE DATE: October 28, 2024 On October 28, 2024, Radiance Films is releasing the 3-Film Blu-ray (Region A/B) set for Daiei Gothic – Japanese Ghost Stories, which includes 1959’s The Ghost of Yotsuya, 1968’s The Snow Woman, and 1968’s The Bride from Hades. A collection of three of Japan’s most famous ghost stories that have haunted people for centuries. Kenji Misumi (Lone Wolf and Cub) directs The Ghost of Yotsuya, in … Continue reading

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Avenging Force | Blu-ray (Kino Lorber)

Avenging Force | Blu-ray (Kino Lorber)

RELEASE DATE: September 10, 2024 On September 10, 2024, Kino Lorber will be re-releasing the Blu-ray for Avenging Force (aka Night Hunter), a 1986 Cannon Films’ actioner directed by Sam Firstenberg (Revenge of the Ninja) and starring Michael Dudikoff (American Ninja). Dudikoff portrays Matt Hunter  – a character previously portrayed by Chuck Norris in 1985’s Invasion U.S.A. – an ex-secret service agent trying to protect his best friend from a … Continue reading

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

Deal on Fire! Maximum Conviction | Blu-ray | Only $11.48 – Expires soon!

Maximum Conviction | Blu-ray (Lionsgate)

Today’s Deal on Fire is the Blu-ray for Maximum Conviction, a 2012 thriller from action director Keoni Waxman (Contract to Kill, End of a Gun) When former black ops operative Steele (Steven Seagal, Above the Law) and Manning (Steve Austin, Tactical Force) are assigned to decommission an old prison, they must oversee the arrival of two mysterious female prisoners. Before long, an elite force of mercenaries assault the prison in … Continue reading

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Uncut Cat III Donnie Yen flick on Blu-ray? ‘Holy Virgin Versus the Evil Dead’ with Ken Lo and Sibelle Hu now available!

Now shipping from Goodie Emporium is 88 Films’ Blu-ray (All Region) for The Holy Virgin Versus the Evil Dead, a 1991 action fantasy directed by Tony Lou Chun-Ku (Killer Angels, Holy Flame of the Martial World) that stars Donnie Yen (Raging Fire, Ip Man 4: The Finale, Big Brother). Professor Shiang’s female students are chewed apart by the moon monster. At first, Shiang is a police suspect, but as the … Continue reading

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They call him Bruce! ‘Revenger’ star Bruce Khan returns in martial arts prison flick ‘Purgatory: Zone of Murderers’

"Purgatory: Zone of Murderers" Theatrical Poster

Looking to see a new martial arts classic as much as you’re looking to win some money off BetWinner CI? Martial artist, actor and stuntman, Bruce Khan – who is perhaps best known for starring in 2018’s Revenger and co-starring in 2022’s The Killer – is currently prepping Purgatory: Zone of Murderers, an upcoming actioner he’s co-directing along with Jonathan Hyun Myoung Lee. As Khan did with Revenger, he’s also … Continue reading

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What’s your ‘New Normal’? Watch the Trailer for the latest thriller from the director of ‘Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum’

"New Normal" Theatrical Poster

Arriving on Digital on July 2, 2024 from Well Go USA is New Normal, the latest thriller from writer/director Jung Bum-Sik (Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum). Six strangers in a world where loneliness breeds unimaginable horror. New Normal is a captured record of 4 days in Seoul, 2022, which is a time of chaos that all the mankind never have been experienced before in entire human history. It depicts the unexpected risks … Continue reading

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Deal on Fire! 47 Ronin | Blu-ray | Only $8.98 – Expires soon!

"47 Ronin" Blu-ray Cover

Today’s Deal on Fire is the Blu-ray for Carl Rinsch’s 47 Ronin, starring Keanu Reeves (John Wick, John Wick: Chapter 2, John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum) After a treacherous warlord kills their master and banishes their kind, 47 leaderless samurai vow to seek vengeance and reclaim their honor. This band of ronin must seek help from Kai (Reeves) — an enslaved half-breed they once rejected — in their ultimate fight for redemption in … Continue reading

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Happy 4th of July! 🇺🇸 👊💥

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Not looking for a quiet place? Then don’t miss the New Trailer for the South Korean disaster thriller ‘Project Silence’

2024’s answer to Train to Busan? Get ready for Project Silence, an upcoming South Korean disaster thriller from writer/director Kim Tae-Gon (Familyhood, Sunshine Boys), which will be hitting domestic theaters on July 12, 2024, with a soon-to-be-announced U.S. date. The film stars the late Lee Sun-Kyun (Parasite, Kingmaker) and Ju Ji-Hoon (Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days). Co-written by Kim Yong-Hwa of Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds … Continue reading

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How Casino Entertainment Complements Martial Arts Films

Casino entertainment and martial arts films may seem worlds apart but they share more similarities than you might think. Both offer thrilling experiences that keep audiences on the edge of their seats. Exploring how these two forms of entertainment complement each other can provide a deeper appreciation for both genres. In recent years, the intersection of casino entertainment and martial arts films has become increasingly apparent. These two distinct worlds … Continue reading

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The force awakens! Watch the sexy Trailer for the remake of ‘Emmanuelle’ featuring Hong Kong star Anthony Wong

"Emmanuelle" Theatrical Poster

We’ll soon be seeing Hong Kong star Anthony Wong (Untold Story, Untold Story 2, Visible Secret) appear in Emmanuelle, an erotic thriller from director Audrey Diwan (Happening). Emmanuelle follows a woman and the series of erotic fantasies that she entertains. Wong appears alongside an all-star cast that’s headlined by Noémie Merlant (Portrait of a Lady on Fire) and Naomi Watts (Boss Level, The Ring), with co-stars Will Sharpe (The White Lotus), Jamie … Continue reading

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A licky boom boom down! Huang Xuan turns informer in the Trailer for ‘Life Hotel’ hitting U.S. theaters on July 12th

"Life Hotel" Theatrical Poster

On July 12, 2024, China Lion is releasing Life Hotel to Canadian and U.S. theaters. This action-comedy is directed by Liu Bo Wen (The Fraud Love Group) and stars Huang Xuan (Extraordinary Mission). Newly released from prison, an ex-con (Huang Xuan) is provided with an opportunity by his past underworld colleagues: take a position at a “Life Hotel” and inform on the owner. With pressing family obligations, he takes the … Continue reading

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