Author Archives: JJ Bona

Sinners and Saints Blu-ray & DVD (Anchor Bay)

RELEASE DATE: January 10, 2012 Serious buzz alert for action fans! Beleaguered Detective Sean Riley is trying to cope with the death of his young son and his failed marriage. Facing a probable suspension from the department, Riley is teamed with a young homicide Detective, Will Ganz, to help solve a series of brutal murders that have plunged the city into a major gang war. Sinners and Saints is directed … Continue reading

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

Azumi (2003) Review

"Azumi" Korean Theatrical Poster

Director: Ryuhei Kitamura Cast: Aya Ueto, Shun Oguri, Hiroki Narimiya, Kenji Kohashi, Takatoshi Kaneko, Yuma Ishigaki, Tak Sakaguchi, Yoshio Harada, Kazuya Shimizu Running Time: 124 min. By Alexander Strip the Power Rangers of the space-age outfits and crappy-looking rubber-suited monsters and place them in say, feudal Japan, and what you’re left with is the swordplay epic-lite Azumi. Because like their weekday afternoon brethren, the kids in Azumi say things like … Continue reading

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R.I.P. Ricky Hui

Ricky Hui Koon-Ying died of a heart attack on November 8, 2011 at the age of 65. Ricky Hui often acted with his brothers Michael and Sam (the trio were dubbed “The Hui Brothers”). He and his brothers made several comedy blockbusters in the 1970s and 1980s, their most famous title being 1976’s Private Eyes.

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Punished aka Abduction, Retribution DVD (Vivendi)

RELEASE DATE: January 24, 2012 When a tycoon’s daughter is found dead of a cocaine overdose after being rescued from abduction, he will stop at nothing to avenge her death! Another quality Milkyway Image film from producer Johnnie To (Fulltime Killer). Punished stars Anthony Wong and Richie Ren. Check out the trailer. Also, be sure and check out DiP’s review.

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

Straw Dogs 2011 Remake Blu-ray & DVD (Sony)

RELEASE DATE: December 20, 2011 A Hollywood screenwriter (James Marsden) and his actress wife (Kate Bosworth), return to her small hometown in the deep South to prepare the family home for sale after her father’s death. Once there, tensions build in their marriage and old conflicts re-emerge with the locals, including Amy’s ex-boyfriend Charlie (Alexander Skarsgard), leading to a violent confrontation. Straw Dogs is a remake of Sam Peckinpah’s 1971 … Continue reading

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

Caterpillar DVD (Lorber)

RELEASE DATE: January 17, 2012 A masterpiece. — The Hollywood Reporter — Set during the time of the Second Sino-Japanese War, Caterpillar tells the story of a Japanese soldier who returns home horrifically mutilated. Liutenant Kurokawa is literally nothing but a human torso: he has lost both his arms and legs, and with burns covering half his face, he is also unable to speak. From acclaimed director Koji Wakamatsu (United … Continue reading

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

United Red Army DVD (Lorber)

RELEASE DATE: January 17, 2012 One of the best films of the decade! – Sight & Sound – Koji Wakamatsu’s (Caterpillar) epic docudrama United Red Army explores the political unrest of 1960’s Japan, when mass student uprisings coincided with the beginnings of the far-left United Red Army group, which tortured and murdered its ”deviant” members during a 1972 training session. An uncompromising piece of filmmaking from one of Japan’s most … Continue reading

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

Killer Bride’s Perfect Crime DVD (Pathfinder)

RELEASE DATE: December 27, 2011 Goro Kishitani’s Killer Bride’s Perfect Crime is a killer comedy about very bad things. Hiroko spent 25 years failing at everything, but for the first time, luck is on her side. She’s about to marry the man of her dreams: the rich, handsome and charming Kenichi. However, on the day before her wedding, she ends up accidentally killing her landlord. Determined to go through with her … Continue reading

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

Nude Nuns with Big Guns Blu-ray & DVD (Image)

RELEASE DATE: February 14, 2012 Who says nunsploitation is dead? After deciding to take her vows at a convent, Sister Sarah becomes enslaved and victimized by the drug-pushing predators within the church walls and, on the verge of death, receives a divine message – to seek revenge! Packed with sex, violence, and wall-to-wall mayhem, this outrageous modern cult favorite in the tradition of the greatest drive-in action classics proves that … Continue reading

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

Azumi 2: Death or Love (2005) Review

"Azumi 2: Death or Love" Theatrical Poster

Director: Shusuke Kaneko Cast: Aya Ueto, Yuma Ishigaki, Chiaki Kuriyama, Shun Oguri, Kenichi Endo, Kai Shishido, Eugene Nomura, Tak Sakaguchi, Shoichiro Masumoto Running Time: 102 min. By Equinox21 While Azumi 2 wasn’t as good as its predecessor, it was still enjoyable. It certainly didn’t add anything new or interesting to the samurai-era film genre, and it almost seemed like a simple play off the original’s success. The strangest parts were … Continue reading

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Former John Woo collaborator brings home ‘Cold Steel’ for the Holidays

A new action drama directed by former John Woo collaborator David Wu and starring Tony Leung Ka-Fai, Peter Ho, Song Jia, Angeles Woo (John Woo’s daughter) and Yu Rong-Guang. The film is going to utilize lots of sniper rifles and other firearms in the action scenes, which will make this one of the most action-packed Chinese films this year. Release date is set to December 2. David Wu is a … Continue reading

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Gurozuka DVD (Synapse)

RELEASE DATE: January 10, 2012 Synapse Films is proud to present Yoichi Nishiyama’s Gurozuka! A fun getaway turns into a journey to Hell for some teenage girls visiting an isolated house to rehearse and perform a play for their private movie club. Taking the trip with an adult chaperone, the girls learn that a previous club member supposedly went missing in the house, and another went insane! Shortly after they … Continue reading

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The Town: Ultimate Collector’s Edition Blu-ray & DVD (Warner)

RELEASE DATE: February 7, 2012 The Town: Ultimate Collector’s Edition is a 3-disc Blu-ray/DVD/UltraViolet Digital Copy combo pack. It contains all three versions of the film – the theatrical cut, the extended cut, and an additional extended cut with a never-before-seen alternate ending. Special features include: The Town: A Director’s Journey documentary; Commentary with Ben Affleck on the theatrical version, extended cut, and extended cut with alternate ending; Six behind-the-scenes … Continue reading

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

Asian DVD retailer SensAsian.com closes its doors

SensAsian.com, a Malaysia-based online retailer that specialized in Asian movies is closing its doors after 10 years of business. This marks the second time a well-known online “Asian” DVD retailer has shut down operations. Earlier this year, HKFlix.com also closed their doors. From SensAsian.com’s website: Dear Valued Customers, We inform you, with great regret that SensAsian.com will be ceasing operations. It has been a great decade or so and we … Continue reading

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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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