Author Archives: JJ Bona

The Child’s Eye DVD (Lionsgate)

RELEASE DATE: October 11, 2011 From award-winning directors The Pang Brothers (Oxide Pang Chun and Danny Pang), who brought you BANGKOK DANGEROUS, THE MESSENGERS and the original THE EYE, comes the fourth installment of the EYE franchise! Starring Shawn Yue, Ka Tung Lam, Lawrence Chou. Check out the trailer here.

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

Memories of Murder (2003) Review

"Memories of Murder" Korean Theatrical Poster

Director: Bong Jun-Ho Producer: Cha Seung-Jae Cast: Song Kang-Ho, Kim Sang-Kyung, Kim Roe-Ha, Song Jae-Ho, Byun Hee-Bong, Ko Seo-Hee, Jeon Mi-Sun, Park No-Shik, Park Hae-Il, Seo Yeong-Hwa Running Time: 127 min. By Raging Gaijin “Memories of Murder” was a blockbuster hit in South Korea in 2003 and it’s just now finally seeing a DVD release in the US. The film is the chilling tale of South Korea’s first recorded case … Continue reading

Posted in Korean, News, Reviews | Tagged , |

Dazed and Confused Blu-ray/DVD (Criterion)

RELEASE DATE: October 25, 2011 America, 1976. The last day of school. Bongs blaze, bell-bottoms ring, and rock and roll rocks. Among the best teen films ever made, Richard Linklater’s Dazed and Confused eavesdrops on a group of seniors-to-be and incoming freshmen. A launching pad for a number of future stars, Linklater’s first studio effort also features endlessly quotable dialogue and a blasting, stadium-ready soundtrack. Sidestepping nostalgia, Dazed and Confused … Continue reading

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

Kuroneko Blu-ray/DVD (Criterion)

RELEASE DATE: October 18, 2011 In this poetic and atmospheric horror fable, set in a village in war-torn medieval Japan, a malevolent spirit has been ripping out the throats of itinerant samurai. When a military hero is sent to dispatch the unseen force, he finds that he must struggle with his own personal demons as well. From Kaneto Shindo, director of the terror classic Onibaba, Kuroneko (Black Cat) is a … Continue reading

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

Harakiri Blu-ray (Criterion)

RELEASE DATE: October 4, 2011 Following the collapse of his clan, an unemployed samurai (Tatsuya Nakadai) arrives at the manor of Lord Iyi, begging to be allowed to commit ritual suicide on the property. Iyi’s clansmen, believing the desperate ronin is merely angling for a new position, try to force his hand and get him to eviscerate himself—but they have underestimated his beliefs and his personal brand of honor. Winner … Continue reading

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

Aftershock DVD (New Video Group)

RELEASE DATE: October 18, 2011 Also known as “Tangshan Great Earthquake” is a 2010 Chinese drama film depicting the aftermath of the 1976 Tangshan earthquake directed by Feng Xiaogang. The film stars Xu Fan and Zhang Jingchu, with a supporting cast including Li Chen. It was released in China on July 22, 2010, and is the first “big commercial film” IMAX film created outside the US. Check out the trailer … Continue reading

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

Netflix does an asshole move: 60% price increase

Netflix was awesome 24 hours ago. I was currently paying $9.99 a month for a plan that included Unlimited Streaming and Unlimited DVDs (1 out at-a-time). Now, starting September 1st, if I want to continue, it’ll be $15.98 instead of $9.99. They call this inscrease a “split into 2 distinct plans,” I call it an asshole move. Check out the email they’ve been sending to all their members: Dear Mighty … Continue reading

Posted in News |

Scorsese’s George Harrison documentary on HBO

Paste Magazine reports: After acquiring the North American television rights to Martin Scorsese’s George Harrison: Living in the Material World, HBO will air the documentary in October. The film will give viewers a rare glimpse to the world of this much-beloved musician. The Oscar-winning director traces Harrison’s life from his Liverpool origins and through his journey as one of the world’s most influential musicians. The documentary combines never-before-seen footage with … Continue reading

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Dead Alive aka Braindead Blu-ray (Lionsgate)

RELEASE DATE: October 4, 2011 Throw out all your preconceptions about the limits of horror! A new standard has been set with DEAD ALIVE- The Mother of All Horror Films. A young man’s mother is bitten by a Sumatran rat-monkey. She gets sick and dies, at which time she comes back to life, killing and eating dogs, nurses, friends, and neighbors. Dead Alive is dripping with state-of-the-art special effects that … Continue reading

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

Confessions of a Dangerous Mind Blu-ray (Lionsgate)

RELEASE DATE: November 1, 2011 Another underrated gem! George Clooney (Ocean’s Eleven), Drew Barrymore (Charlie’s Angels:Full Throttle) and Sam Rockwell (The Green Mile) star in the comedy thriller that poses and irresistable question: what would happen if a wildly successful TV Producer was also a top secret CIA assassin? Starring Sam Rockewell, Drew Barrymore, George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Rutger Hauer and directed by George Clooney. Check out the trailer here. … Continue reading

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

Cop Land aka Copland Blu-ray (Lionsgate)

STREET DATE: November 1, 2011 Very underrated movie! One of the best of the 90s! The sheriff of a suburban New Jersey community populated by New York City policeman slowly discovers the town is a front for mob connections and corruption. Directed by James Mangold (“3:10 to Yuma”) and starring Sylvester Stallone, Robert De Niro, Harvey Keitel, Ray Liotta, Michael Rapaport and Robert Patrick. Check out the trailer. Specs: No. … Continue reading

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

Tragic Hero | aka Rich and Famous II (1987) Review

Director: Taylor Wong, David Lai Cast: Chow Yun Fat, Andy Lau, Alex Man Chi Leung, Carina Lau, Shing Fui On, Pauline Wong Siu Fung, Lam Chung, Peter Yang, Elvis Tsui Kam Kong, O Chun Hung, Danny Lee, Ng Hoi Tin, Ng Hong Ning, Wong Chi Keung Running Time: 97 min. By Joseph Kuby Succeedingly Surprising! This is the sequel to Rich and Famous, even though it apparently was filmed simultaneously; … Continue reading

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

Rich and Famous | aka Black Vengeance (1987) Review

"Rich and Famous" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Taylor Wong Tai Loy Cast: Chow Yun Fat, Andy Lau Tak Wah, Alex Man Chi Leung, O Chun Hung, Alan Tam Wing Lun, Lam Chung, Shing Fui On, Carina Lau Kar Ling, Wong Chi Keung, Pauline Wong Siu Fung, Fan Mei Sheng, Danny Lee Sau Yin Running Time: 104 min. By Joseph Kuby Hollywood inspired crime thriller! Rich and Famous, according to author Stephen Teo (of Hong Kong Cinema: … Continue reading

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Cinema Paradiso Blu-ray (Lionsgate)

RELEASE DATE: October 14, 2011 First time on Blu-ray in North America! A famous Italian filmmaker, haunted by the memories of his first love, returns to his hometown after an absence of 30 years. Upon his return, he reconnects with the community and remembers the highlights and tragedies that shaped his life and inspired him to follow his dream of becoming a filmmaker. For those who have never seen it … Continue reading

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

Metrodome’s Blood Fighter DVD

The Metrodome Group (UK) is releasing Blood Fighter on August 15th, 2011. The violent adventures of a deadly fighter who rises to face his most ferocious battle yet, Blood Fighter features brutal, jaw-dropping martial arts moves and raw combat action. Following the senseless killing of his father by a brutal gang, a young boy is taken in by a Muay Thai boxing master who trains him in the ancient, deadly … Continue reading

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