Author Archives: JJ Bona

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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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

Posted in All, Asian Related, Reviews | Tagged |

City of Life and Death Blu-ray/DVD (Kino)

RELEASE DATE: October 25, 2011 Kino Video are preparing a Blu-ray release of Chinese director Lu Chuan’s powerful City of Life and Death. The film chronicles the notorious Nangking Massacre, during which approximately 300 000 soldiers and civilians were killed. In 2009, the film won Golden Seashell. Check out the trailer here.

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

Cape Fear Blu-ray (Universal)

RELEASE DATE: October 18, 2011 Universal Studios Home Entertainment has announced the Blu-ray release of Martin Scorsese’s Cape Fear. The 1991 thriller (a remake of the 1962 version) stars Robert De Niro, Nick Nolte, Jessica Lange and Juliette Lewis. Check out the trailer here.

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

Devil Dog: The Hound of Hell Blu-ray (Shriek Show)

RELEASE DATE: July 26, 2011 This eerie 70s horror gem pits a suburban family against a demonically possessed German shepherd whose hunger for human souls far exceeds that of the normal household pet. Although not above resorting to the usual throat mauling, the satanic psycho-pup s preferred method of attack is to supernaturally cause the deaths of various friends and neighbors, in a style reminiscent of The Omen. Check out … Continue reading

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Amer Blu-ray/DVD (Olive Films)

RELEASE DATE: October 4, 2011 An eroticized homage to 1970s Italian giallo horror films… Hélène Cattet and Bruno Forzani’s pastiche tour-de-force plays out a delirious, enigmatic, almost wordless death-dance of fear and desire. Three key moments, all of them sensual, define Ana’s life. Her carnal search sways between reality and colored fantasies becoming more and more oppressive. A black laced hand prevents her from screaming. The wind lifts her dress … Continue reading

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