Author Archives: JJ Bona

The Last Samurai (1974) DVD (Neptune Media)

RELEASE DATE: June 26, 2012 Neptune Media presents the DVD for The Last Samurai, by Kenji Misumi, the director of Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman and the Lone Wolf and Cub films (aka Shogun Assassin). This 1974 classic features dazzling swordfights, elaborate battle sequences and a stirring score from internationally renowned composer Akira Ifukube (Godzilla series). Check out the trailer.

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

Kristen Stewart gets ultraviolent in Nick Cassavetes’ ‘Cali’

Snow White and the Huntsman’s Kristen Stewart has signed on to play the lead in Cali, an ultraviolet drama that’s reminiscent of films like True Romance and Bonnie and Clyde. According to Variety, the plot of Cali concerns a couple who decide to make a chunk of money by producing and selling a fake snuff film (a motion picture genre that depicts the actual murder of a person or people); of course, … Continue reading

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The Great Killing DVD (Animeigo)

RELEASE DATE: July 3, 2012 Animeigo presents the DVD for The Great Killing (aka The Great Duel). This 1964 samurai classic is about a group of revolutionaries who plan to ambush and assassinate a chancelor in an attempt to keep a corrupt, power-hungry minister from taking control of the Shogunate. Yes, it sounds very similar to The 13 Assassins (also directed by Eiichi Kudo’s), which isn’t a bad thing.

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

‘Put Up Your Dux: The Story of Frank Dux’ to screen at The X Fest (and you’re not attending)

Put Up Your Dux is a documentary about Frank W. Dux (pronounced “dukes”), an American martial artist who was the inspiration for the 1988 Jean-Claude Van Damme film, Bloodsport. Put Up Your Dux explores Dux’ controversial martial arts career (many believe he is nothing but a fraud), his undercover government agency rumors (he supposedly trained Navy Seals), and his legal battle with Van Damme (Dux demanded profits from 1996’s The Quest, claiming … Continue reading

Posted in News |

Is ‘The Raid’ director making ‘Bank’?

Gareth Evans’ The Raid: Redemption is already a cult classic and has received nothing but rave reviews from just about everyone who’s seen it. It ranks 7th place on imdb’s “most popular action feature films” chart and has raised the bar the same way films like Die Hard and Ong-bak did. Evans is currently in the process of making its highly anticipated sequel; and Hollywood producers are prepping up an English-language remake of the original. … Continue reading

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Zoom In: Sex Apartments DVD (Impulse Pictures)

RELEASE DATE: July 10, 2012 Impulse Pictures presents the DVD for Zoom In: Sex Apartments. This 1970’s Nikkatsu oddity combines genres to bring you a one-of-a-kind film about a sadistic killer who literally lights up the loins of his victims! The elaborately-orchestrated rapes and murders (set to a booming bass-heavy soundtrack) are an unmistakably deliberate homage to the giallo films of Italian master director, Dario Argento.

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

Bride with White Hair, The (1993) Review

"The Bride with White Hair" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Ronnie Yu Cast: Brigitte Lin, Leslie Cheung, Elaine Lui Siu-Ling, Yammie Nam Kit-Ying, Francis Ng, Law Lok-Lam, Pau Fong, Eddy Ko Hung, Joseph Cheng Running Time: 90 min. By Numskull Hmmm…well, not quite as banal as I expected, but still annoying in several respects. For starters, just about everything is blue. Also, the villainess is one of those Saturday morning cartoon types who laughs manically at two things: 1) … Continue reading

Posted in Chinese, Reviews | Tagged , , , , |

True Story of a Woman in Jail: Continues DVD (Impulse Pictures)

RELEASE DATE: July 10, 2012 Impulse Pictures presents the DVD for True Story of a Woman in Jail: Continues. In this sequel to True Story of a Woman in Jail: Sex Hell, Mayumi (from the first DVD) emerges from solitary confinement to find an all-new gang of bullies! Bath house attacks, lesbian sex scenes, rapist guards, violent abortions and even a transgender inmate add to the exploitation fun!

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

Jody Hill to reboot ‘Hazzard’ Sam Peckinpah-style?

The Collider reports that Jody Hill – the writer/director of The Foot Fist Way, Eastbound & Down and Observe and Report – has been tapped by Warner to remake/reboot a movie version of the classic TV show, The Dukes of Hazzard. The TV show itself was inspired by 1975’s Moonrunners (see trailer), a film about moonshine-running bootleggers who outran federal agents with fast cars. According to Cinema Blend, Jody Hill’s … Continue reading

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Lone Wolf McQuade Blu-ray (MGM)

RELEASE DATE: July 17, 2012 MGM presents the Blu-ray for 1983’s Lone Wolf McQuade, directed by The Arena’s Steve Carver. Think an edgier Walker, Texas Ranger with a clash of Spaghetti western (its memorable soundtrack was done by Italian composer Francesco De Masi). Also starring David Carradine’s gargoyle sweater and Barbara Carrera. Check out the trailer.

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

Tell Me Something (1999) Review

Director: Chang Yoon-hyun Cast: Han Seok-Kyu, Shim Eun-Ha, Ahn Suk-Hwan, Yu Jun-Sang, Jang Hang-Seon, Yum Jung-Ah, Kim Jung-Hak, Lee Dae-Ro, Maeng Bong-Hak, Kim Yong-Han Running Time: 116 min. By Numskull Tell ME something… why ruin a perfectly good suspense thriller with one of the most repetitive, redundant, unnecessary, and repetitive final shots in motion picture history? Perfectly good story, perfectly good ending, and they fuck it up with this really … Continue reading

Posted in Korean, Reviews | Tagged , |

Jessica Alba to make a Korean movie with Park Chan-wook?

Chosun.com reports that Sin City’s Jessica Alba, who was recently on vacation in South Korea, told a cable channel that she’s interested in making a Korean movie one day, particularly with Park Chan-wook, the director of Oldboy and Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance. She also stated that Park’s characters came to her “like music” and mentioned that she would probably faint if she met Park in person. Maybe someone should introduce Alba to the … Continue reading

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Mercenary for Justice Blu-ray (20th Century Fox)

RELEASE DATE: July 10, 2012 20th Century Fox presents the Blu-ray for Mercenary for Justice, directed by Don E. FauntLeRoy, who also teamed up with Steven Seagal in Today You Die and Urban Justice. Seagal plays John Seeger, a mercenary who gets involved in a mission that threatens the lives of his kin. Check out the trailer.

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

The Hidden Blade Blu-ray (Palisades Tartan)

RELEASE DATE: June 19, 2012 Palisades Tartan presents Yoji Yamada’s The Hidden Blade on Blu-ray. Like Yamada’s last film, The Twilight Samurai, it’s based on a short story by Shuhei Fujisawa. Starring Masatoshi Nagase, Takako Matsu and Yukiyoshi Ozawa. It is currently available on DVD. Check out the trailer.

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

Cradle 2 the Grave Blu-ray (Warner)

RELEASE DATE: August 14, 2012 First time on Blu-ray! Warner presents 2003’s Cradle 2 the Grave (aka Black Diamond), starring Jet Li, DMX and Mark Dacascos. Directed by Romeo Must Die’s Andrzej Bartkowiak, Cradle 2 the Grave has Jet Li and DMX teaming up to rescue a jewel thief’s daughter. Check out the trailer.

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