Author Archives: JJ Bona

High and Low Blu-ray (Criterion)

RELEASE DATE: Jul 26, 2011 First time on Blu-ray! High and Low (literally “Heaven and Hell”) is a 1963 film directed by Akira Kurosawa, starring Toshiro Mifune, Tatsuya Nakadai and Kyoko Kagawa. It was loosely based on King’s Ransom, an 87th Precinct police procedural by Ed McBain.

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

Damnation Alley Blu-ray/DVD (Shout!)

RELEASE DATE: July 12, 2011 Finally! One of those flicks you’ve seen on the tube many times as a child, but never knew its name. In an post-apocalyptic world, a group of survivors travel and find other settlements in huge custom designed all terrain vehicles. Damnation Alley is a 1977 film, directed by Jack Smight (Midway), loosely based on the novel of the same name by Roger Zelazny. It stars … Continue reading

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

Ninjas vs Vampires DVD (Vicious Circle)

RELEASE DATE: May 3, 2011 From Justin Timpane, director of Ninjas vs Zombies, comes Ninjas vs Vampires. Moments after down-on-his-luck Aaron is rejected by the girl of his dreams, they both are attacked by blood sucking vampires. Driven to save her, Aaron tracks down the mysterious NINJAS, who wage a nightly war against the forces of darkness. Check out the trailer at the official site.

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

The Steven Seagal DVD Collection (Fox)

RELEASE DATE: May 10, 2011 The name Steven Seagal is synonymous with adrenaline-charged, martial arts, edge-of-your-seat action. A hero’s hero, Seagal doesn’t let anything get in the way of doing what’s right. In four of his most action-packed films, Seagal is laser focused and at full throttle, as he stops at nothing to win the fight for justice. Set contains: Driven To Kill, The Keeper, Marked For Death and Mercenary … Continue reading

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

Hard Boiled (1992) Review

"Hard Boiled" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: John Woo Cast: Chow Yun Fat, Tony Leung, Anthony Wong, Philip Chan, Teresa Mo, Kwan Hoi San, Philip Kwok, Stephen Tung, Bowie Lam, Bobby Au-Yeung Jan Wa Running Time: 122 min. By Joseph Kuby As far as gun battles go, this is the best action film of all time! Cinematically speaking, it doesn’t hold a candle to Bullet In The Head or The Killer for that matter, but it … Continue reading

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Somewhere Blu-ray/DVD (Universal)

RELEASE DATE: April 19, 2011 Directed by Sofia Coppola (Virgin Suicides, Lost In Translation), “Somewhere” revolves around a hard-living Hollywood actor (Stephen Dorff) who re-examines his life after his 11-year-old daughter (Elle Fanning) surprises him with a visit. In case you guys don’t know, Sofia Coppola is the goddess of cinema.

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

R.I.P. Sidney Lumet

Legendary director Sidney Lumet has died at the age of 86. The New York Times reported early Saturday that Lumet, a four time Oscar nominee, died of lymphoma. He is best known for 12 Angry Men (1957), Serpico (1973), Dog Day Afternoon (1975), Network (1976) and The Verdict (1982). Just a few day ago, I received an email from the gZa saying: “Check out a film called NETWORK (Sidney Lumet, … Continue reading

Posted in News |

The Boondock Saints: Truth & Justice Edition Blu-ray (Fox)

RELEASE DATE: June 14, 2011 The Boondock Saints: Truth & Justice Edition! Irish brothers Connor and Murphy MacManus live and work in South Boston. After killing a Russian mobster in self-defense, the brothers believe they have found their calling from God ridding the earth of human evil. So they set out to complete their divine deed by ridding the streets of gangsters, criminals and lowlifes. Starring Willem Dafoe, Sean Patrick … Continue reading

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

My Kingdom poster revealed

Poster for My Kingdom (Da Wu Sheng), a martial arts films that takes place in Shanghai in the 1920s (maybe we’ll get another appearance from Chen Zhen?). It stars actor-singer Wu Chun (14 Blades), tarlet Barbie Hsu (Reign of Assassins) and Chinese pop music sensation Han Geng in his film debut. Also stars Hong Kong heavies, Yu Rong-Guang and Yuen Biao. My Kingdom is directed by Gao Xiaosong and written … Continue reading

Posted in News |

True Grit (Coen Brothers) Blu-ray/DVD

RELEASE DATE: June 7, 2011 True Grit is a powerful story of vengeance and valor set in an unforgiving and unpredictable frontier where justice is simple and mercy is rare. Starring Hailee Steinfeld, Josh Brolin, Jeff Bridges and Matt Damon. Directed by the Coen Brothers (Fargo), which is their take on the original 1969 John Wayne western.

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

Blow Out Blu-ray/DVD (Criterion)

RELEASE DATE: Apr 26, 2011 In the enthralling Blow Out, brilliantly crafted by Brian De Palma (Sisters, Carrie, Scarface), John Travolta (Saturday Night Fever, Pulp Fiction) gives one of his greatest performances (it’s Quentin Tarantino’s favorite Travolta movie), as Jack, a movie sound-effects man who believes he has accidentally recorded a political assassination. New, restored digital transfer, supervised by director Brian De Palma!

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

Deep Red Blu-ray/DVD (Blue Underground)

RELEASE DATE: May 17, 2011 Argento’s classic shocker has been newly transferred in stunning High Definition from its original camera negative. The DVD version is presented here in the Uncensored English Version for the first time ever! The Blu-ray version is presented in both the Uncensored English Version and Full-Length Italian Director’s Cut!

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

The Cat O’ Nine Tails Blu-ray (Blue Underground)

RELEASE DATE: May 31, 2011 This is the definitive version of Argento’s masterful second film, presented completely uncut and uncensored in a brand-new High Definition transfer from its original camera negative!

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

The Nesting Blu-ray/DVD (Blue Underground)

RELEASE DATE: June 28, 2011 Long unavailable on home video, THE NESTING has been newly transferred in blood-curdling High Definition from the original camera negative.

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

Twisted Desires: Three Pink Masterpieces DVD Set (Zeitgeist Films)

RELEASE DATE: May 17, 2011 Named ‘the King of Nikkatsu Roman Porno,’ and ‘the most important Japanese director to emerge during the 1970s,’ filmmaker Tatsumi Kumashiro (1927 – 1995) achieved unprecedented box office as well as critical success with his cinematically lavish and narratively extravagant tales of the Tokyo underworld. This three-disc box set includes remastered editions of Kumashiro’s 1970s Nikkatsu classics SAYURI ICHIJO: FOLLOWING DESIRE (1972), YAKUZA JUSTICE: EROTIC … Continue reading

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