Author Archives: JJ Bona

In a Glass Cage aka Tras el cristal Blu-ray (Cult Epics)

RELEASE DATE: October 18, 2011 First time on Blu-ray! Tras el cristal (English: In a Glass Cage) is a 1987 Spanish art house horror film written and directed by Agustí Villaronga and starring Günter Meisner, Marisa Paredes and David Sust. The film was inspired by the history of Gilles de Rais. With its theme mixing Nazism, pedophilia, torture and homosexuality, the film was highly controversial. Check out the trailer here.

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

Radley Metzger’s Erotica Psychedelica Blu-ray Set: Camille 2000, The Lickerish Quartet, Score (Cult Epics)

RELEASE DATE: August 30, 2011 Plunge into the world of Erotica Psychedelica, the ’70s cinematic sexual revolution! This box set features restored HD transfers made from the original 35mm negatives of the original theatrical versions of CAMILLE 2000 (1969) , THE LICKERISH QUARTET (1970) and SCORE (1972), along with many new Bonus Features, including never before seen On the Set footage and an exclusive Soundtrack CD. Limited numbered edition of … Continue reading

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Ju-On 2 (2003) Review

"Ju-On 2" Promotional Poster

Director: Takashi Shimizu Cast: Shin’ya Egawa, Takashige Ichise, Kunio Kawakami, Yoshinori Kumazawa, Hiroki Numata Running Time: 95 min. By Mighty Peking Man They should have called this movie Ju-On II: Overkill – not only would this title sound cool, but it’s one hell of a double-pun. Like most people, I never expect sequels to be as good as their originals, but Ju-On 2 is too much of the same sh*t, … Continue reading

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Ju-On (2002) Review

"Ju-On" Japanese DVD Cover

AKA: Ju-On: The Grudge Director: Takashi Shimizu Cast: Megumi Okina, Misaki Ito, Misa Uehara, Yui Ichikawa, Tomomi Kobayashi, Takashi Matsuyama Running Time: 92 min. By Mighty Peking Man Imagine waking up in the middle of the night and the first thing you see standing over your bed is Linda Blair’s character from The Exorcist staring right at you and coming closer and closer – that’s how creepy this damn film … Continue reading

Posted in All, Japanese, Reviews | Tagged |

Trailer: Johnnie To/Lau Ching Wan in “Life Without Principle”

The plot involves three ordinary people, a loan shark and $10 million bucks. Directed by Johnnie To and starring Lau Ching Wan (“Running Out of Time”), Richie Jen (“Accident”), and Denise Ho (“Merry-Go-Round”). The film is also known as “Death of a Hostage”. Check it out the trailer here. Update: Looks like shooting has finally wrapped. – Thanks to DiP for the heads up!

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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.

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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

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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…

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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.

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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.

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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

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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

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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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