Author Archives: JJ Bona

Magnificent Butcher (1979) Review

"Magnificent Butcher" Hong Kong Theatrical Poster

Director: Yuen Woo-ping Cast: Sammo Hung, Kwan Tak-hing, Yuen Biao, Fung Hak On, Lam Ching-ying, Chung Fat, Wei Pei, Fan Mei Sheng, Lee Hoi San, Kwan Tak-hing, Yuen Mao, JoJo Chan Kei Kei, Chiang Kam, Tong Jing, Billy Chan Wui Ngai Running Time: 108 min. By Numskull Wong Jing penned this early Sammo Hung vehicle, but thankfully, someone else directed it. The fact that that someone else was Yuen Woo-Ping … Continue reading

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James Bond on Netflix: The Spy Who Streamed HD

When the HD James Bond Blu-rays were announced a few years ago, die-hard 007 fans went nuts. The pre-Daniel Craig classics (and a few not-so classics) starting hitting shelves one by one (and in sets): From Russia With Love, The World Is Not Enough, Goldfinger, Moonraker, Die Another Day, For Your Eyes Only, The Man With The Golden Gun, Dr. No, License To Kill, Thunderball and Live And Let Die … Continue reading

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Nowhere to Run Blu-ray (Image)

RELEASE DATE: July 19, 2011 Available for the first time on Blu-ray. Nowhere to Run is a 1993 American action film directed by Robert Harmon (The Hitcher). It stars Jean-Claude Van Damme, Rosanna Arquette (Pulp Fiction), Kieran Culkin (Scott Pilgrim vs. the World), Ted Levine (Shutter Island), and Joss Ackland (Lethal Weapon 2). Story by Joe Eszterhas (Basic Instinct).

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

Tetsuo: The Bullet Man DVD (IFC)

RELEASE DATE: June 28, 2011 Tetsuo the Bullet Man is a 2009 Japanese movie directed by Shinya Tsukamoto (Bullet Ballet). It is the third Tetsuo film Tsukamoto has done, but the first to star an American-born actor, Eric Bossick (Silent Hill 4: The Room). Read the cityonfire.com review. Check out the trailer here.

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

From Dusk Till Dawn 1 & 2 Double Feature Blu-ray (Echo Bridge)

STREET DATE: May 15, 2011 Finally on Blu-ray! From Dusk till Dawn is a 1996 horror film directed by Robert Rodriguez and written by Quentin Tarantino. The movie stars Harvey Keitel, George Clooney, Quentin Tarantino and Juliette Lewis. Back to back with the original is the straight to video sequel, From Dusk Till Dawn 2: Texas Blood Money, starring the T-1000. Rather have From Dusk Till Dawn on its own?

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

Twinkle Twinkle Lucky Stars | aka The Target (1985) Review

"Twinkle Twinkle Lucky Stars" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Sammo Hung Cast: Sammo Hung, Richard Ng, Stanley Fung, Eric Tsang, Michael Miu, John Sham, Jackie Chan, Yuen Biao, Rosamund Kwan, Sibelle Hu, Chung Fat, Yasuaki Kurata, Richard Norton, Philip Ko, Andy Lau, Lau Kar Wing, Dick Wei, Anthony Chan, Charlie Chin, Chin Kar Lok, Kara Hui, Chin Siu-Ho Running Time: 90 min. By Numskull More of the same, but a little better. I’m a little annoyed that I … Continue reading

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My Lucky Stars (1985) Review

"My Lucky Stars" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Sammo Hung Producer: Leonard Ho Cast: Sammo Hung, Yuen Biao, Sibelle Hu, Jackie Chan, Richard Ng, Eric Tsang, Andy Lau, Michiko Nishikawa, Charlie Ching, Stanley Fung, Lam Ching-Ying, Bolo Yeung, James Tien, Yuen Wah, Fruit Chan Gor Running Time: 84/99 min. By Numskull How many people, like myself, saw the Arena Home Video release of this movie in the martial arts section at Media Play and shelled out eight … Continue reading

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The Superman Motion Picture Anthology Blu-ray (Warner)

RELEASE DATE: June 7, 2011 The 8-disc collection features all five Superman movies (Superman: The Movie, Superman II (also includes Richard Donner’s cut), Superman III, Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (Christopher Reeve), and Superman Returns (Brandon Routh) with 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio sound (Stereo for Superman IV). It’s also Packed with over 20 hours of bonus features. Includes: Deleted scenes, The Cinematic Saga of Superman, Look, Up in the … Continue reading

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

Lolita Blu-ray (Warner)

RELEASE DATE: May 31, 2011 First time on Blu-ray and an Amazon exclusive. Lolita is a 1962 comedy-drama film by Stanley Kubrick based on the classic novel of the same title by Vladimir Nabokov. The film stars James Mason as Humbert Humbert, Sue Lyon as Dolores Haze (Lolita) and Shelley Winters as Charlotte Haze with Peter Sellers as Clare Quilty. Due to the MPAA’s restrictions at the time, the film … Continue reading

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

American: The Bill Hicks Story Blu-ray/DVD (Warner)

RELEASE DATE: June 7, 2011 American: The Bill Hicks Story is a documentary on the life of comedian Bill Hicks. It features archival footage and interviews with family and friends, including Kevin Booth. The filmmakers used a cut-and-paste animation technique to add movement to a large collection of still pictures used to document events in Hicks’ life. Nominated for 2010 Grierson British Documentary Award for the “Most Entertaining Documentary” category. … Continue reading

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

Barry Lyndon Blu-ray (Warner)

RELEASE DATE: May 31, 2011 First time on Blu-ray and an Amazon exclusive. Barry Lyndon is a 1975 period film directed by Stanley Kubrick based on the 1844 novel The Luck of Barry Lyndon by William Makepeace Thackeray which recounts the exploits of an 18th century Irish adventurer. Ryan O’Neal stars as Barry Lyndon. This title will also be included in the upcoming Blu-ray/DVD set.

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

Kingdom of War Part I & II aka King Naresuan (Magnolia)

RELEASE DATE: June 14, 2011 Kingdom of War (aka The Legend of King Naresuan) is a two-part 2007 Thai biographical historical drama film about King Naresuan the Great, who ruled Siam from 1590 until his death in 1605. The Nation calls Part I “a beautiful movie, planned to meticulous detail with the exotic designs and colors of the royal dresses, golden palaces and exotic temples.” Part II was the #1 … Continue reading

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

Operation Scorpio | aka Scorpion King (1992) Review

"Operation Scorpio" French DVD Cover

Director: David Lai Cast: Chin Kar Lok, Lau Kar Leung, Kim Won Jin, Frankie Chin, May Lo, Wu Fung, Victor Hon Kwan, David Lo, Yuen Shun Yee, Yuen Tak, Fruit Chan Gor, Ricky Cheung, Lau Sek Yin, Tiffany Lau, Sai Gwa Paau, Sin Ho Ying Running Time: 96 min. By Yi-Long Life is unfair! Why, easy! In a fair world, Kim Won Jin would have been a household name around … Continue reading

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Heroes Shed No Tears (1983) Review

Director: John Woo Writer: John Woo Producer: Peter Chan Ho Sun Cast: Eddie Ko Hung, Lam Ching Ying, Chin Yuet Sang, Fung Lee, Lee Hoi Suk, Cécile Le Bailly, Philippe Loffredo, Tsang Choh Lam, Pang Yun Cheung, Bruce Cheung Mong, Chow Gam Kong, Lam Fai Wong Running Time: 84 min. By Numskull Hard to believe that John Woo had been a director for about a decade before this was produced. … Continue reading

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Jackie Chan Film 4-Film Series (Miramax Echo Bridge)

RELEASE DATE: May 2, 2011 Contains: Operation Condor, Operation Condor 2 (Armour of God), Dragon Lord and Twin Dragons. They can also be purchased individually at later dates (click for date details): Operation Condor, Operation Condor 2, Dragon Lord and Twin Dragons.

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