Author Archives: JJ Bona

Manhunter Blu-ray (MGM)

RELEASE DATE September 13, 2011 Michael Mann’s 1986 thriller Manhunter is nearly as good as The Silence of the Lambs, and in some respects it’s arguably even better. Based on Thomas Harris’s novel Red Dragon, which introduced the world to the nefarious killer Hannibal “the Cannibal” Lecter. ment to track down a serial killer who has thwarted the authorities at every turn. Starring William Petersen (“To Live and Die in … Continue reading

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

The People vs. George Lucas DVD (Lionsgate)

RELEASE DATE: October 25, 2011 They gave him their love, their money and their online parodies. He gave them… the prequels. The passion the original STAR WARS trilogy inspires in its fans is unparalleled; but when it comes to George Lucas himself, many have found their ardor has cooled into a complicated love-hate relationship. This hilarious, heartfelt documentary delves deep into Lucas’s cultural legacy. Check out the trailer here.

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

The Conversation Blu-ray (Lionsgate)

RELEASE DATE: October 25, 2011 First time on Blu-ray! Francis Ford Coppola’s 1974 provoking mystery-thriller stars Gene Hackman as Harry Caul, an expert surveillance man. A routine wiretapping job turns into a nightmare when Harry hears something disturbing in his recording of a young couple in a park. His investigation of the tape and how it might be used sends Harry spiraling into a web of secrecy, murder and paranoia. … Continue reading

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

Maria’s B-Movie Mayhem: Love Me Deadly/The Curious Case of the Campus Corpse DVD (Code Red)

RELEASE DATE: September 13, 2011 1973’s “Love Me Deadly” is a film about, well, why don’t we just say that judging from its trailer, it lives up to its title. 1977’s “Curious Case of the Campus Corpse” (aka “The Hazing”, “Here Come the Delts”) revolves around a college freshman who rushes a fraternity and witnesses another pledge’s death during a hazing ritual…

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

Maria’s B-Movie Mayhem: Scream/Barn of Naked Dead aka Nightmare Circus DVD (Code Red)

RELEASE DATE: September 27, 2011 In 1974’s “Barn of the Naked Dead,” three showgirls on their way to Las Vegas have car trouble and are stuck all night out in the desert… what happens to them next isn’t a good thing. In 1981’s “Scream,” agroup of friends on a rafting trip are killed off one by one by a mysterious killer. Sorry, no trailers.

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

Maria’s B-Movie Mayhem: Mardi Gras Massacre DVD (Code Red)

RELEASE DATE: September 27, 2011 Mardi Gras Massacre is a 1978 horror film written and directed by Jack Weis. It is a semi-remake of the 1963 film Blood Feast. The film was on the UK Government’s list of Video Nasties in the 1980s and has not been resubmitted to the BBFC for a certificate since. Check out the trailer here.

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

Maria’s B-Movie Mayhem: Haunted DVD (Code Red)

RELEASE DATE: September 20, 2011 It began the day they installed that telephone booth in the Cemetery! They dared defy the curse of a hundred years! This 1977 flick will make you never want to use a pay phone again! Sorry, no trailer.

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

Warner Japan builds local niche

Variety reports that the Studio arm finds success in film production. In June, Warner Japan released its 10th local production to pass the ¥1 billion mark, “Paradise Kiss.” Based on a hit comic by Ai Yazawa about an exam-stressed high school girl who finds a new life and romance with a crowd of teen fashionistas, the pic is forecast to finish with $18.5 million. “Films in development have been rewritten … Continue reading

Posted in News |

Joe Lewis expected to have complete recovery following brain tumor

On July 18th Joe Lewis had an operation to remove a brain tumor from his left temporal lobe. He is expected to have a complete recovery but will go through a normal rehabilitation period. Joe Lewis gained fame for his karate matches in the 1960s and 1970s. He has twice been voted the greatest fighter in karate history, and has attained the titles of “United States Heavyweight Kickboxing Champion,” “World … Continue reading

Posted in News |

Straw Dogs Blu-ray (MGM)

RELEASE DATE: September 6, 2011 Before you see the remake, see the original classic on Blu-ray! An American mathematician, disturbed by the predominance of violence in American society, moves with his wife to an isolated Cornish village. He finds that primitive savagery exists beneath the most peaceful surface. After his wife is raped, Hoffman’s character seeks revenge. Directed by Sam Peckinpah (“Wild Bunch”) and starring Dustin Hoffman (“Straight Time”) and … Continue reading

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Robotech: The Complete Series Deluxe Collector’s Set/First War, Second War, Third War individual DVD sets (A&E)

RELEASE DATE: October 18, 2011 There’s two kinds of people in this world: those who like “Robotech” (The U.S. adaptation of “Macross”) and those who like “The Super Dimension Fortress Macross” (original Japanese language series) – I happen to love them both equally. I’ll take Hikaru Ichijyo or Rick Hunter, I don’t care. Both versions had an enormous impact on my childhood and my appreciation for this series still holds … Continue reading

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Ring 2 | aka Ringu 2 (1998) Review

AKA: Ringu 2 Director: Hideo Nakata Writer: Hiroshi Takahashi, Koji Suzuki Cast: Daisuke Ban, Kyoko Fukada, Kenjiro Ishimaru, Nanako Matsushima, Katsumi Muramatsu, Miki Nakatani Running Time: 95 min. By Numskull STOP!!! Read this review ONLY if you have already seen Ring 2, if you have seen Ring and want to know more about the sequel before you see it (or decide whether or not to see it), OR if you … Continue reading

Posted in All, Japanese, Reviews | Tagged |

Ring 0 | aka Ringu 0 (2000) Review

AKA: Ringu 0: Happy Birthday Director: Norio Tsuruta Writer: Koji Suzuki Cast: Yuki Nakama, Kumiko Aso, Daisuke Ban, Chinami Furuya, Masami Hashimoto, Kazue Kadokae Running Time: 99 min. By Numskull Here we have both the last and the first installment of the highly successful Ring sequence, rewritten for the screen by creator/novelist Koji Suzuki and directed by Norio Tsuruta, a newcomer to the series. Taking place three decades before the … Continue reading

Posted in All, Japanese, Reviews |

Ring | aka Ringu (1998) Review

"The Ring" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Hideo Nakata Cast: Nanako Matsushima, Hiroyuki Sanada, Rikiya Otaka, Miki Nakatani, Yuko Takeuchi, Hitomi Sato, Rie Ino, Masako, Yoichi Numata, Yutaka Matsushige Running Time: 91 min. By Numskull “Frolic in brine, goblins be thine.” Doesn’t make much sense sitting up there all by itself, does it? Well, it may not make much sense after watching the movie, either, but it’s still kinda catchy, I think. Certainly not the only … Continue reading

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Ring, The (2002) Review

Director: Gore Verbinski Cast: Naomi Watts, Martin Henderson, David Dorfman, Brian Cox, Jane Alexander, Lindsay Frost, Amber Tamblyn, Rachael Bella, Daveigh Chase, Shannon Cochran Running Time: 115 min. By Numskull This is a remake. Hence, the source material should be taken into consideration before it is discussed. Go read my review for Ring in the Japanese section if you haven’t done so already. I’ll wait. Hmm hm hm hm hmmm… … Continue reading

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