Author Archives: JJ Bona

Duel, The (2000) Review

"The Duel" Theatrical Poster

Director: Andrew Lau Cast: Ekin Cheng, Nick Cheung Ka Fai, Andy Lau, Norman Chu, Jerry Lamb, Kristy Yeung, Wu Tine Hsin, Zao Wei, Patrick Tam, Wong Yat Fei, Lau Wai Running Time: 105 min. By Alexander The Duel is a pleasant diversion featuring an interesting blend of swordplay, martial arts, humor, drama, mystery and a pairing of Hong Kong pop superstars Andy Lau and Ekin Cheng as master swordsmen. The … Continue reading

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Man Called Hero, A (1999) Review

"A Man Called Hero" Theatrical Poster

Director: Andrew Lau Cast: Ekin Cheng, Nic Tse, Kristy Yeung, Francis Ng, Shu Qi, Yuen Biao, Anthony Wong, Jerry Lamb, Elvis Tsui, Ken Lo, Jordan Chan, Mark Cheng, Cheng Pei Pei, Ronnie Cheung, Sam Lee, Frankie Ng, Jude Poyer, Grace Yip Running Time: 102 min. By Sergio Martorelli Here’s a classic case of “the title says it all”. This is a story about a man. Said man is called (ta-daaa!) … Continue reading

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Mr. Vampire 2 (1986) Review

"Mr. Vampire 2" Theatrical Poster

Director: Ricky Lau Cast: Lam Ching-Ying, Yuen Biao, Chung Fat, Moon Lee, Pauline Wong, Billy Lau, Wong Yuk Waan, Wu Ma, Stanley Fung Shui Fan, Hsiao Ho, James Tien Running Time: 91 min. By Numskull “If you can keep your expectations tiny You’ll go through life without being so whiny.” -Matt Groening, “Life in Hell” One of the keys to living a happy life is to expect the worst. When … Continue reading

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She Shoots Straight (1989) Review

"She Shoots Straight" Theatrical Poster

Director: Corey Yuen Cast: Joyce Godenzi, Carina Lau, Tony Leung Ka Fai, Sandra Ng, Sammo Hung, Chi-Wing Lau, Pik-Wan Tang, Yuen Wah, Agnes Aurelio, Bill Tung, Bruce Fontaine Running Time: 87 min By Numskull She shoots, but does she score? Yes and no. This film benefits from some good ass kickin’ and fairly impressive stunts (many performed by women, others performed by stuntmen with wigs), and suffers from a soapy … Continue reading

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Baba Yaga aka Kiss Me Kill Me, The Devil Witch Blu-ray (Blue Underground)

RELEASE DATE: February 28, 2012 Legendary sex symbol Carroll Baker (Baby Doll, The Watcher in the Woods) stars as a mysterious sorceress with an undying hunger for sensual ecstasy and unspeakable torture. But when she casts a spell over a beautiful young fashion photographer (the gorgeous Isabelle De Funes), Milan’s most luscious models are sucked into a nightmare world of lesbian seduction and shocking sadism. Are these carnal crimes the … Continue reading

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The Boys in Company C Blu-ray (Hen’s Tooth)

RELEASE DATE: January 17, 2012 Raymond Chow’s Golden Harvest presents The Boys in Company C, one of the very first Vietnam war films appear after the Vietnam Era. This 1978 cult film follows the lives of five young Marine inductees from their training in boot camp in 1967 through a tour in Vietnam in 1968. Directed by Sidney J. Furie (Iron Eagle) and starring R. Lee Ermey (Full Metal Jacket), … Continue reading

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

Warrior Blu-ray & DVD (Lionsgate)

RELEASE DATE: December 20, 2011 “Powerful, moving and brilliant!” – Dan Jolin, Empire The youngest son (Tom Hardy) of an alcoholic former boxer (Nick Nolte) returns home, where he’s trained by his father for competition in a mixed martial arts tournament — a path that puts the fighter on a collision corner with his older brother (Joel Edgerton). Warrior is directed by Gavin O’Connor (Pride and Glory) and stars Tom … Continue reading

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

A Matter of Size DVD (Menemsha Films)

RELEASE DATE: December 6, 2011 A Matter of Size is fun-filled comedy from Israeli! Four overweight friends are fed up of dieting. When Herzl (155 kilos), the main protagonist, loses his job as a cook and starts working as a dishwasher in a Japanese restaurant, he discovers the world of Sumo where large people such as himself are honored and appreciated. Through Kitano, the restaurant owner and former Sumo coach … Continue reading

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Flash Point Blu-ray & DVD (Well Go USA)

RELEASE DATE: January 24, 2012 From actor Donnie Yen and Director Wilson Yip, the now-legendary duo behind Ip Man and Ip Man 2, comes the 2007 hit Flash Point. Previously released on DVD by The Weinstein Company (as part of Dragon Dynasty’s collection), Flash Point is now in the hands of Well Go USA, in a newly presented Blu-ray and DVD edition. Flash Point also stars Louis Koo, Collin Chou, … Continue reading

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

Tales of an Ancient Empire aka The Sword and the Sorcerer Sequel DVD (Lionsgate)

RELEASE DATE: January 24, 2012 Swords clash and destinies collide in this epic story of bloodlust and vengeance from Albert Pyun, the cult director of The Sword and the Sorcerer, Cyborg and Nemesis. Tales of an Ancient Empire stars Kevin Sorbo, Michael Pare, Sarah Ann Schultz and Whitney Able. Check out the trailer.

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Hunted By Night DVD (MTI)

RELEASE DATE: January 31, 2012 With its John Woo-inspired shoot-outs and bone-crunching martial arts sequences, Juan C. Bofill’s Hunted By Night seems to have what action film nuts are hungry for! Three men are hunting when an airplane drops bails of drugs in their vicinity. The men must decide whether to report the drugs or sell them for millions of dollars. Their decision to take the drugs leads them on … Continue reading

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

The Hellstrom Chronicle Blu-ray & DVD

RELEASE DATE: January 10, 2012 This 1971 movie combines elements of documentary and science fiction to present a gripping depiction of the Darwinian struggle for survival between humans and insects. Several cinematographers photographed this film using stop-motion photography with microscopic and telescopic lenses. The Hellstrom Chronicle’s trailer resembled an announcement for a science fiction movie. The Hellstrom Chronicle took home an Academy Award (Best Documentary Feature), a Cannes Film Festival … Continue reading

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Zen DVD (Festival Media)

RELEASE DATE: November 29, 2011 Zen is a biopic of Dogen Zenji, a Japanese Zen Buddhist teacher and the founder of the Soto school of Zen in Japan after travelling to China. Directed by Banmei Takahashi and starring Kantarou Nakamura, Yuki Uchida, Ryushin Tei, Jun Murakami and Tatsuya Fujiwara. Check out the trailer here.

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

Want to rent a hot new release from Netflix? Great, now wait 60 days

Netflix CEO Reed Hastings has issued an apology for the handling of a recent price hike that had Netflix subscribers in a lather and led to a number of subscriber cancellations and a drop in stock price. And he’s also announced that Netflix will split into two companies: Netflix for streaming and “Qwikster” for DVDs by mail. To read the full story and watch Hastings’ video statement, please click here. … Continue reading

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Horror Express Blu-ray (MPI)

RELEASE DATE: November 29, 2011 First time on Blu-ray! An English anthropologist has discovered a frozen monster in the frozen wastes of Manchuria which he believes may be the Missing Link. He brings the creature back to Europe aboard a trans-Siberian express, but during the trip the monster thaws out and starts to butcher the passengers one by one. This 1973 cult classic stars: Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing and Telly … Continue reading

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