Author Archives: JJ Bona

Carved: The Slit-Mouthed Woman DVD (Palisades Tartan)

RELEASE DATE: October 11, 2011 Palisades Tartan (I guess they’re back?) is re-releasing Koji Shiraishi’s (Grotesque) “Carved: The Slit-Mouthed Woman” on October 11th. This Japanese cult favorite revolves around the myth [More like an urban legend. -Ningen] of a masked woman, whose face has been mutilated; she goes around asking “Am I Pretty?” Whatever her victims’ answer is, it’ll be the last question they ever hear! Check out the trailer!

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

Hot, the Cool and the Vicious, The (1976) Review

"The Hot, the Cool and the Vicious" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Lee Tso Nam Writer: Cheung San Yee Cast: Tan Tao Liang, Don Wong Tao, Philip Ko Fei, Jimmy Lee Fong, Suen Ga Lam, George Wang Jue, Lau Yin Seung, Tommy Lee, Chai Kai, Sit Hon, Man Chung San, Sit Cheung Man, Tan Tao Kung, To Wai Wo Running Time: 89 min. By Numskull Straight from the Tai Seng DVD package: “Flashy leg combats highlight this superb action adventure, considered … Continue reading

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The Taking of Pelham One Two Three aka Pelham 1-2-3 Blu-ray (MGM)

RELEASE DATE: November 1, 2011 Don’t let Tony Scott’s glossy remake scare you away from the gritty 1974 original. The plot is about a group of armed men who highjack a New York City subway train and hold it and its passengers for ransom. It’s up there with some of the best 1970’s crime movies ever made. Directed by Joseph Sargent and starring Walter Matthau, Robert Shaw and Hector Elizondo. … Continue reading

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

The Treasure Hunter Blu-ray & DVD (Funimation)

RELEASE DATE: November 15, 2011 Directed by Chu Yin-Ping (“Kung Fu Dunk“), Treasure Hunter is a 2009 Taiwanese action/adventure film. It stars Jay Chou (“The Green Hornet“), Lin Chi-ling and Eric Tsang (“Bodyguards & Assassins“); with action by Ching Siu-tung (“Duel to the Death“). Check out the trailer here.

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

The Chaser aka Chugyeogja Blu-ray (IFC)

RELEASE DATE: TBA One of my top 20 movies of all time! The Chaser is about an ex-cop turned pimp (Yun-seok Kim) who realizes his “bitches” are sporadically disappearing one by one. He backtracks through his paperwork and figures out that the latest missing girl was sent to the same guy (Jung-woo Ha) the previous missing victim was sent to. Check out the trailer, which does the movie no justice!

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

Helldriver Blu-ray/DVD (Well Go USA)

RELEASE DATE: November 22, 2011 Well Go USA presents Helldriver, a Japanese splatter film directed by Yoshihiro Nishimura (Tokyo Gore Police). It stars Yumiko Hara and Eihi Shiina, and was written by Nishimura and Daichi Nagisa. Check out the trailer here.

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

A Better Tomorrow (Korean remake) Blu-ray/DVD (Well Go USA)

RELEASE DATE: November 8, 2011 Well Go USA’s newest release is a Korean remake of one of the most influential movies to come out of Hong Kong. This new film stars Kim Gang-Woo’s (Marine Boy), Joo Jin-Mo’s (Musa) and Jo Han-Seon and directed by Song Hae-Seong (Failan). Check out the trailer and read our review. Note: Despite what the Amazon links say, this is the remake and not John Woo’s … Continue reading

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

Twilight Samurai (2002) Review

"Twilight Samurai" Theatrical Poster

Director: Yoji Yamada Cast: Hiroyuki Sanada, Rie Miyazawa, Min Tanaka, Nenji Kobayashi, Ren Osugi, Mitsuru Fukikoshi, Keiko Kishi, Tetsuro Tanba, Takako Miyashima Running Time: 129 min. By Alexander This isn’t your traditional samurai action flick. There’s only a couple of fight scenes, and while both are well-filmed and suspenseful, they’re short and with only a fraction of blood you would expect from a movie with the word “samurai” in the … Continue reading

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Nowhere to Hide (2000) Review

Director: Lee Myung-sae Writer: Lee Myung-sae Cast: Joong-Hoon Park (Woo), Dong-Kun Jang, Ji-Woo Choi, Sung-kee Ahn, Sang Myun Park Running Time: 112 min. By Joe909 A mish-mash of style and substance, Nowhere to Hide is more focused than most other Korean movies I’ve seen. Which is to say, it doesn’t clock in at an epic running time. The shorter length doesn’t prevent flaws, though. As MPM points out, the opening … Continue reading

Posted in All, Korean, News, Reviews | Tagged , |

Shiri | aka Swiri (1999) Review

Director: Kang Je-Gyu Producer: Kang Je-Kyu Cast: Han Seok-Kyu, Song Kang-Ho, Choi Min-Shik, Kim Yun-Jin, Yun Ju-Sang, Park Yong-Woo Running Time: 125 min. By Numskull Normally, I hate it when people talk about movies “sending messages.” The blocs of suburban yuppie mommies (better known as “soccer moms”) that currently hold a disproportionately large amount of dominion over American life have hijacked the word “message” and imposed upon it a definition … Continue reading

Posted in All, Korean, News, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , |

Assassination Games aka Weapon DVD (Sony)

RELEASE DATE: September 6, 2011 Van Damme is back! And he’s teaming up with Scott Adkins (“Ninja”) in his most highly anticipated movie since J.C.V.D. Check out the cityonfire.com review here. Check out the trailer here.

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

Zombie aka Zombie Flesh Eaters 2-Disc Ultimate Edition Blu-ray/DVD (Blue Underground)

RELEASE DATE: October 25, 2011 In Italy, it was considered the ‘unofficial sequel’ to DAWN OF THE DEAD. In England, it was known as ZOMBIE FLESH EATERS and banned as obscene. In America, it was called ZOMBIE. Blue Underground is proud to present ZOMBIE in a new 2K High Definition transfer from the original uncut and uncensored camera negative. Now fully-loaded with hours of brand new Extras, this is the … Continue reading

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

The Vineyard DVD (Image)

RELEASE DATE: September 20, 2011 Directed by and starring James Hong (best known as David Lo Pan from Big Trouble in Little China). Dr. Elson Po (James Hong) is a man obsessed with the forbidden secrets of immortality. An expert in black magic, he poses as a film producer to lure young victims to his remote island. Also starring Hong Kong’s Michael Fitzgerald Wong (Beast Cops). Check out a clip … Continue reading

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

The Hills Have Eyes Unrated Collection: Parts 1 and 2 Blu-ray (Fox)

RELEASE DATE: September 13, 2011 I’m not one for remakes, but I’m down for anything with French director Alexandre Aja’s (“High Tension” aka “Haute Tension”) name in the credits. Aja’s 2010 “Piranha 3D” remake hit the spot, but there’s nothing like his version of “Hills Have Eyes”. Talk about pulling no punches. I can only speak for the 1st one (I have yet to see Part 2, which wasn’t directed … Continue reading

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

Biker Collection Volume 1: Angels Die Hard/Black Angels (Entertainment One)

RELEASE DATE: October 11, 2011 An all out “hate war” towards humanity! A carousing biker gang “The Angels” live on the edge leading to a classic confrontation with angered towns folk! A story of brutal attacks, beatings and seemingly mindless violence! Includes a remarkable 70’s hybrid Blaxploitation soundtrack and features the underground cult classic The Cigarette Song! Trailers/Clips: Angels Die Hard | Cigarette Song from The Black Angels

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