Author Archives: JJ Bona

US network to develop a ‘Battle Royale’ TV series? – “We’re not planning to do anything that we cannot get on the air”

Due to the success of The Hunger Games (2012), which was similar to – and – helped popularize Kinji Fukasaku’s Battle Royale (2000) in America, The CW Network is currently in discussion to remake Battle Royale as an English-language TV series. If a deal is reached, the TV series will source off Koushun Takami’s original novel and the story will be expanded into a series of hour long episodes. LA Times reports: When … Continue reading

Posted in News |

Many Wars Ago DVD (Raro Video USA)

RELEASE DATE: October 16, 2012 Raro Video USA presents the DVD for 1970’s Many Wars Ago. On the Italian/Austrian front during World War I, a disastrous Italian attack upon the Austrian positions leads to a mutiny among the decimated Italian troops. Directed by Francesco Rossi (Hands Over the City) and starring Mark Frechette, Alain Cuny and Gian Maria Volonté.

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

Soldiers of Fortune DVD (MGM)

RELEASE DATE: September 25, 2012 MGM presents the DVD for Soldiers of Fortune. Expendables, move over! Five super-rich thrill-seekers have paid a premium to have themselves inserted into a real-life military mission: delivering weapons to the besieged rebels of an island stronghold. But when the plan backfires and all hell breaks loose. Starring Christian Slater, Sean Bean, Ving Rhames and Dominic Monaghan. Check out the trailer.

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

Athena: Goddess of War Blu-ray & DVD (Funimation)

RELEASE DATE: October 23, 2012 Funimation presents the Blu-ray & DVD for Athena: Goddess of War, a film branched off the TV show Iris, about secret organizations fighting terrorist factions engaged in nuclear proliferation. Starring Jung Woo-sung, Cha Seung-won, Soo Ae and Lee Ji-ah. Check out the trailer here.

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

Iron Sky Blu-ray & DVD (Entertainment One)

RELEASE DATE: October 2, 2012 Entertainment One presents the Blu-ray & DVD for Iron Sky, a Finland/Germany/Australia co-production, revolves around how the Nazis set up a secret base on the moon back in 1945; now it’s 2018 and they’re going to continue where Hitler left off. Check out the trailer here.

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

White Vengeance Blu-ray & DVD (Well Go USA)

RELEASE DATE: September 4, 2012 Well Go USA presents the Blu-ray and DVD for White Vengeance, starring Leon Lai, Jordan Chan, Anthony Wong, Andy On, Crystal Liu and Zhang Hanyu. Directed by Daniel Lee (14 Blades), White Vengeance centers on the Feast at Hong Gate/Hongmen Banquet, one of the important events in the Chu–Han Contention. Check out the trailer.

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

Sacrifice DVD (Indomina)

RELEASE DATE: September 4, 2012 Indomina presents the DVD for Sacrifice, a story of epic revenge, written and directed by Chen Kaige (Farewell My Concubine), focuses on a power hungry general who wipes out his rival along with his entire family, save for one newborn. The infant is protected by the doctor who delivered him and raises him as his own, hoping to mold him into his own instrument of … Continue reading

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

Headshot Blu-ray & DVD (Lorber Films)

RELEASE DATE: October 2, 2012 Lorber Films presents the Blu-ray & DVD for Pen-Ek Ratanaruang’s action-thriller Headshot. Along with Wisit Sasanatieng (Tears of the Black Tiger) and Apichatpong Weerasethakul, Ratanaruang is considered one of Thai cinema’s leading “new wave” auteurs. He is best known for his 2003 film Last Life in the Universe. Check out the trailer.

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

At the end of ‘The Day’ how much post-apocalyptic action can you really handle?

There’s been a lot of good buzz circulating around Douglas Aarniokoski’s The Day, a post-apocalyptic action-thriller that recently premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). According to imdb, the capsule plot is as follows: Open war against humanity rages. 5 survivors; lost and on the run. The pursuit is relentless, the bullets are dwindling and the battle is everywhere. This is a 24hr look into their lives. Fight or die. The Day … Continue reading

Posted in News |

Man of Vendetta DVD (Cinema Asia Releasing)

RELEASE DATE: September 25, 2012 Cinema Asia Releasing presents the DVD for Man of Vendetta (aka Broken Man). Joo Young-soo is a well-respected minister. One day, his life is shattered to pieces when his five-year old daughter is kidnapped. The minister and his wife cling onto God with desperate prayers but she never returns. Feeling betrayed and distraught with anguish, Joo renounces his faith and turns to a completely secular … Continue reading

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

The Outlaw DVD (Cinema Asia Releasing)

RELEASE DATE: September 25, 2012 Cinema Asia Releasing presents the DVD for The Outlaw. Detective Jung-soo constantly comes face to face with victims of brutal, senseless murders, which makes him outraged. During one investigation, he meets Ji-hyun, a victim that survived a brutal attack. Eventually, she and Jung-soo are married and sh*t goes down. Check out the trailer.

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

Resident Evil: Damnation Blu-ray & DVD (Sony Pictures)

RELEASE DATE: September 25, 2012 Sony Entertainment presents the Blu-ray & DVD for Resident Evil: Damnation (aka Biohazard: Damnation). In this sequel to Resident Evil: Degeneration, Damnation will revolve around bio-organic weapons used in the European war zone, with the return of Leon S. Kennedy as the protagonist. Check out the trailer.

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

In the Mood for Love Blu-ray (Criterion)

RELEASE DATE: October 2, 2012 Criterion presents the Blu-ray for Wong Kar-wai’s In the Mood for Love. With its aching musical soundtrack and its exquisitely abstract cinematography by Christopher Doyle and Mark Lee Ping-bin, this film has been a major stylistic influence on the past decade of cinema, as well as a milestone in Wong’s redoubtable career. Starring Tony Leung Chiu-wai Maggie Cheung Man-yuk. Check out the trailer.

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

Rosemary’s Baby Blu-ray & DVD (Criterion)

RELEASE DATE: October 30, 2012 Criterion presents the Blu-ray & DVD for Roman Polanski’s Rosemary’s Baby. Mia Farrow stars as a young mother-to-be who grows suspicious that her elderly neighbors and self-involved husband (John Cassavetes) are hatching a satanic plot against her and her baby. In the decades of occult cinema Polanski’s ungodly masterpiece has spawned, it’s never been outdone for sheer psychological terror. Check out the trailer.

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

Blade Runner: 30th Anniversary 4-Disc Collector’s Edition Blu-ray & DVD Set || Blade Runner: 30th Anniversary 3-Disc Blu-ray Digibook (Warner)

RELEASE DATE: October 23, 2012 Warner presents the Blu-ray/DVD/UV Blade Runner 30th Anniversary Collector’s Edition set (a standalone 3-Disc Blu-ray Digibook version will also be available – see artwork here). The gift set version features an all new concept spinner car for your collection, action Lenticular and a 72-page art production book with never-before-seen Ridley sketches, poster art and photos from the set. Additional Features: Over 10 hours of bonus content; Final Cut … Continue reading

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