Author Archives: JJ Bona

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

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

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

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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

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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 |

A Serbian Film Blu-ray/DVD (Invincible Pictures)

RELEASE DATE: October 25, 2011 Milos, a retired porn star, leads a normal family life with his wife Maria and six-year old son Petar in tumultuous Serbia, trying to make ends meet. A sudden call from his former colleague Layla will change everything… The film was released to great controversy in terms of its graphic and often sexually explicit violence. It’s currently banned in Spain, Norway, Brazil and my household. … Continue reading

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

Destroy All Monsters aka Charge of the Monsters Blu-ray/DVD (Tokyo Shock)

RELEASE DATE: October 25, 2011 Tokyo Shock presents Destroy All Monsters (1968), the 9th in Toho Studios’ Godzilla series. Directed by Ishirō Honda with special effects by Sadamasa Arikawa (supervised by Eiji Tsuburaya). The plot involves aliens who take control of Earth’s monsters and begin using them to destroy the human race. Check out the trailer here.

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

Lessons for an Assassin Blu-ray (1-2-3-4 GO)

RELEASE DATE: October 11, 2011 This 2003 action/martial arts movie stars Shannon Lee (Enter the Eagles, and daughter of you-know-who) and the fight sequences were directed by Koichi Sakamoto (Drive, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers). Most of the reviews for this movie have been negative, but that doesn’t mean you won’t have a good time watching it. Check out the trailer here.

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

The Butcher, the Chef and the Swordsman DVD (Fox)

RELEASE DATE: September 27, 2011 A tale of revenge, honor and greed follows a group of misfits that gets involved with a kitchen cleaver made from the top five swords of the martial arts world in this wild and brash action comedy. This Hong Kong/China/United States production is directed by Wuershan and stars Kitty Zhang (CJ7), Masanobu Ando (Sukiyaki Western: Django), You Benchang, Liu Xiaoye, Ashton Xu and many more. … Continue reading

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