Author Archives: JJ Bona

One in the Chamber Blu-ray & DVD (Anchor Bay)

RELEASE DATE: August 21, 2012. Anchor Bay presents the Blu-ray & DVD for One in the Chamber (aka Last Bullet), starring Dolph Lundgren and Cuba Jr. Gooding. A seasoned assassin plays both sides in a Russian gang war and becomes the target of an unknown enemy. It’s directed by William Kaufman (Sinner & Saints), so this one might be worth checking out!

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

Wake of Death (2004) Review

"Wake of Death" Japanese DVD Cover

Director: Philippe Martinez Cast: Jean-Claude Van Damme, Simon Yam, Valerie Tan, Philip Tan, Tony Schiena, Claude Hernandez Running Time: 91 min. By Mighty Peking Man Archer (Jean-Claude Van Damme) is an ex-mobster who has discovered that his wife has been brutally murdered by a psychotic triad leader named Sun Quan (played by Hong Kong star Simon Yam). With the help of his old school gangster connections, Archer sets out for … Continue reading

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Freelancers Blu-ray & DVD (Lionsgate)

RELEASE DATE: August 21, 2012 Lionsgate presents the Blu-ray & DVD for Freelancers, starring Robert De Niro, Forest Whitaker and Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson. The son of a slain officer joins the force, where he falls in with his father’s former partner. His new boss, Sarcone, will see if he has what it takes. When the truth about his father’s death is revealed, revenge takes over him. Check out the trailer.

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

Just Heroes | aka Tragic Heroes (1987) Review

"Just Heroes" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: John Woo Co-director: Ng Ma Cast: David Chiang, Danny Lee, Chen Kuan Tai, Stephen Chow, Lo Lieh, Cally Kwong, Wu Ma, Shing Fui On, Zhao Lei, Tien Niu, Alan Chan, Fung Hak On, Philip Ko Fei Running Time: 97 min. By Numskull This is the John Woo “gun fu” movie that nobody has seen. It’s listed on the filmographies, but nothing much is ever said about it. It simply gets nestled … Continue reading

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‘God Bless America’ parades onto Blu-ray and DVD July 3rd

Cityonfire.com has received the following press release from Bender/Helper Impact on June 5th: Experience the takedown of American culture gone awry this Independence Day when God Bless America parades onto Blu-ray and DVD July 3 from Magnolia Home Entertainment Under the Magnet Label. Infamous black comedy director Bobcat Goldthwait (World’s Greatest Dad, Sleeping Dogs Lie) is bringing “something special” (eFilmCritic) to the picnic table this Independence Day. Starring Joel Murray (The Artist, Mad … Continue reading

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‘Wind Blast’ explodes on Blu-ray and DVD July 3rd

Cityonfire.com has received the following press release from Well Go USA on June 5th: Director Gao Qunshu follows up his breakout hit The Message with the action-packed martial arts western Wind Blast, debuting on Blu-ray & DVD July 3rd from Well Go USA Entertainment. Starring national wushu fighting champion Wu Jing (Kill Zone, Legendary Assassin), newcomer Zhang Li, Yihong Duan (The Message), and Francis Ng (Exiled, Infernal Affairs II), this fast … Continue reading

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‘Butterfly Swords’ slices onto DVD July 10th‏

Cityonfire.com has received the following press release from Well Go USA on June 5th: Hong Kong’s number one action star Donnie Yen (Ip Man) headlines an all-star cast in Butterfly Swords, on DVD July 10th from Well Go USA Entertainment. Donnie Yen, Michelle Yeoh (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) and Tony Leung (Infernal Affairs) combine amazing martial arts with high flying wire work as members of an elite group of assassins … Continue reading

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Blood Money Blu-ray & DVD (Anderson Merchandise)

RELEASE DATE: August 28, 2012 Anderson Merchandise presents the Blu-ray & DVD for Blood Money, which is also available in a special 2-Disc Blu-ray Set . Here’s an interesting one: An American-made martial arts movie starring Shaolin Warrior’s Zheng Liu, recording artist Pitbull and 36 Chamber of Shaolin’s Gordon Liu. It doesn’t look bad (doesn’t look great either). Check out the trailer. Plot Description: A powerful warrior from the Shaolin Dynasty in … Continue reading

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

Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale Blu-ray & DVD (Well Go USA)

RELEASE DATE: August 7, 2012 Well Go USA is proud to present the Blu-ray and DVD for Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale. Directed by Cape No. 7’s Wei Te-Sheng and produced by The Killer’s John Woo, this massive Taiwanese epic is about the Seediq tribe’s upraising against Japanese colonists some eighty years ago. Check out the trailer. The film stars Umin Boya, Masanobu Ando, Landy Wen, Irene Luo and Vivian Hsu. Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale is the … Continue reading

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

Find Yoji Yamada’s ‘The Hidden Blade’ on June 19th!

Cityonfire.com has received the following press release from Palisades Tartan on June 1st: Nominated for 12 Japanese Academy Awards, Yoji Yamada’s slow-burning, character driven samurai drama, The Hidden Blade, is being released for the first time on Blu-Ray in a special edition Blu-Ray/DVD Combo package. Based on a series of best-selling stories by Japan’s premier historical fiction writer, Shuhei Fujisawa, Yamada’s period study picks up right where his 2002 masterpiece, The … Continue reading

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The Sword Identity DVD (Lionsgate)

RELEASE DATE: August 14, 2012 Lionsgate presents the DVD for 2011’s The Sword Identity, starring Chang-Hui Yu. The film is written, directed and choreographed by Xu Hao Feng (the screenwriter of Wong Kar Wai’s upcoming flick, The Grandmasters). The Sword Identity is a quality film with action choreography that’s no-nonsense, realistic and wire-free. Check out the trailer.

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

‘Drive’ director up for a ‘Killing Game’ with DiCaprio?

After Drive’s Nicolas Winding Refn wraps up his his Thai boxing flick, Only God Forgives, the director’s next project may be The Killing Game for DreamWorks, which is based on a graphic novel called Button Man by Judge Dredd creator John Wagner and Arthur Ranson. According to Empire, “It’s Red meets The Hunger Games!” The plot of The Killing Game involves millionaires who pay former cops and mercenaries to hunt one another to … Continue reading

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‘Street Fight’ trailer promises Hong Kong-style fight scenes

Street Fight is a 70-minute martial arts film by the Aberdeen based, Noble Brothers Productions. The film follows the story of a young drug addict that wants to turn his life around. However, his plan involves entering a brutal fighting competition that puts him and all the people close to him in great danger. The film contains 12 gruelling fight scenes. Each fight is choreographed by the films editor, producer, … Continue reading

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Franklin returns to gritty crime in ‘City of Night’

Cityonfire.com has received the following press release on May 30th: Meyers Media Group and McDonald Entertainment have announced today that they will co-finance the thriller City of Night. The film, to be directed by award-winner Carl Franklin (One False Move), was written by David Chisholm (Kidnapped in Paradise) and will be produced by Brendan McDonald of McDonald Entertainment and Jesse B’Franklin, and executive produced by Lawrence Meyers (Unfaithful) and Randy Dannenberg … Continue reading

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Son of ‘Rambo’ brings us ‘Beyond the Black Rainbow’

THE MOVIE: Beyond the Black Rainbow is one of the most interesting trailers I’ve ever seen – it’s like a strange fever dream of 2001: A Space Odyssey, THX-1138, and Nicolas Winding Refn’s films. Set in the strange and oppressive emotional landscape of the year 1983, Beyond the Black Rainbow is a Reagan-era fever dream inspired by hazy childhood memories of midnight movies and Saturday morning cartoons. Beyond the Black Rainbow … Continue reading

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