Author Archives: JJ Bona

In the Mood For Love (2000) Review

"In the Mood for Love" Theatrical Poster

Director: Wong Kar-wai Cast: Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Maggie Cheung, Lai Chen, Lai Chin, Rebecca Pan, Joe Cheung Running Time: 127 min. By Alexander Exquisite. From the lush hues of the set design, to Maggie Cheung’s seemingly infinite supply of cheongsams, to Shigeru Umegayashi’s haunting music, to Tony Leung’s performance, to Wong Kar Wai’s direction–everything about “In the Mood For Love” is exquisite. And while I’ve praised the beauty of a … Continue reading

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Gantz Blu-ray/DVD (Warner)

RELEASE DATE: August 30, 2011 Kei Kurono and his childhood friend Masaru Kato attempt to save a man who has fallen onto the train tracks but are run down by an oncoming train. However, rather than finding themselves dead, they are transported to a strange apartment in which they find a mysterious black orb known as Gantz. Along with others there, they are provided weaponry and sent on missions to … Continue reading

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

Citizen Kane 70th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray/DVD (Warner)

RELEASE DATE: TBA A psychological study of Charles Foster Kane, a powerful newspaper tycoon whose idealism was corrupted as he rose to enourmous wealth and power. The story unfolds as a mystery: when Mr. Kane dies uttering cryptic last words, a magazine reporter interviews the tycoon’s friends in an effort to uncover the significance of the word “Rosebud.” Directed by Orson Welles, Citizen Kane is considered the greatest film of … Continue reading

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

Duel of the 7 Tigers | aka Shadow of the Tigers (1979) Review

"Duel of the 7 Tigers" Theatrical Poster

AKA: Return of Scorpion Director: Yeung Kuen Cast: Cliff Lok Kam Tung, Sharon Yeung Pan Pan, Philip Ko Fei, Charlie Chan Yiu Lam, Han Ying Chieh, Pomson Shi, Chu Chi Ling, Chan Sau Chung Running Time: 92 min. By Joseph Kuby A valiant effort to put a Chinese spin on Seven Samurai if not coming quite as close as Seven Swords. This film is the third remake of Kurosawa’s most … Continue reading

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Conan the Barbarian/Conan the Destroyer Blu-ray (Universal)

RELEASE DATE: August 2, 2011 First time on Blu-ray: Conan the Barbarian, a 1982 action-adventure film by director John Milius and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. The film is loosely based on the Conan the Barbarian stories by Robert E. Howard and was written by Oliver Stone and John Milius. Also available is the less-acclaimed Conan the Destroyer. Trailers: Conan the Barbarian | Conan the Destroyer

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

Sword and Sorcery Collection: Deathstalker, Deathstalker II, The Warrior and the Sorceress & Barbarian Queen DVD (Shout!)

RELEASE DATE: August 23, 2011 Shout! presents another round of Roger Corman’s Cult Classics: Sword and Sorcery Collection: Deathstalker, Deathstalker II, The Warrior and the Sorceress & Barbarian Queen. Just in time to exploit the release of the new Conan movie (just as they did when the original Conan movie came out!) Trailers: Deathstalker | Deathstalker II | Barbarian Queen | The Warrior and the Sorceress

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

Streetwalkin’ DVD (Shout!)

RELEASE DATE: August 2, 2011 Roger Corman’s Cult Classics presents: Streetwalkin’! The title says it all. Starring Melissa Leo, Dale Midkiff, Julie Newmar, Antonio Fargas, Leon Robinson. Directed by Joan Freeman (Satisfaction). Okay, this is probably where I start to lose COF visitors one-by-one… Check out the trailer here.

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

Clash aka Bay Rong DVD (Indomina)

DATE: August 9, 2011 From the producers of the The Rebel! Trinh, a mercenary, must complete a series of organized crime jobs for her boss in order to win the release of her kidnapped daughter. Starring Veronica Ngo and Johnny Nguyen. Check out our review here. Check out the trailer here.

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

Machete Maidens Unleashed DVD (MPI)

RELEASE DATE: July 26, 2011 Karate-kickin’ midgets! Paper-mache monsters! Busty babes with blades! Filipino genre films of the ’70s and ’80s had it all. Boasting cheap labour, exotic scenery and non-existent health and safety regulations, the Philippines was a dreamland for exploitation filmmakers whose renegade productions were soon engulfing drive-in screens around the globe like a tidal schlock-wave! At last, the all-too-often overlooked world of drive-in filler from Manila gets … Continue reading

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

Van Damme as villain in Expendables 2?

Twitch reports: Sheldon Lettich – the writer of both Bloodsport and Rambo III and a long time associate of Van Damme – has told JCVD fan site VanDammeFan.net that the Belgian star has accepted a role in The Expendables 2 and that he will be playing one of the principal villains. Which could very easily mean that we will see Van Damme squaring off head to head with Sylvester Stallone … Continue reading

Posted in News |

Women in Cages DVD/Blu-ray Collection: Big Doll House, Women in Cages, The Big Bird (Shout!)

RELEASE DATE: June 21, 2011 (DVD); August 23, 2011 (Blu-ray) A collection of exploitation, chicks and chains! The Big Bird Cage (view trailer): Guerrillas and girls, revolution and sex all combine in an over-the-top jail-break flick. Big Doll House (view trailer): Six women locked in a brutal and sadistic prison take hostages in a desperate escape attempt. Women In Cages (view trailer): Lust meets betrayal when four women decide to … Continue reading

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

The Clone Returns Home DVD (Animeigo)

RELEASE DATE: July 26, 2011 An astronaut dies on a mission, but never fear — he’s got a clone, which has been imprinted with his memories. Unfortunately, the clone malfunctions, and fixates on a tragic memory from the dead astronaut’s youth. The clone runs away to find answers and solace from his burdensome memories, much to the dismay of his wife and the clone company. Directed by Kanji Nakajima and … Continue reading

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

kenhisu: To Kill with One Blow DVD (ASC Productions)

RELEASE DATE: May 4, 2011 Directed by LaMard J Wingster and starring Amy Chang. kenhisu: To Kill with One Blow is an ultra low budget martial arts film about a Ninja Assassin who avenges her family against the Mob. This movie may be decent, or it may be god awful; but I guarantee you it’s better than “Battle: Los Angeles.” Check out the trailer here.

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

Sands of the Kalahari Blu-ray/DVD (Olive Films)

Release Date: August 2, 2011. Sands of the Kalahari is a 1965 film British adventure/drama about a disparate and desperate group of plane crash survivors thrust into a savage environment in Africa. Starring Stuart Whitman, Stanley Baker, Susannah York, and Theodore Bikel, based on the novel by William Mulvihill. Directed by Cy Endfield, who directed Universal Soldier (1971).

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

Ong-Bak: The Thai Warrior (2003) Review

AKA: Daredevil Director: Prachya Pinkaew Cast: Tony Jaa, Petchtai Wongkamlao, Pumwaree Yodkamol, Chattapong Pantana-Angkul, Pumwaree Yodkamol, Suchao Pongwilai, Wannakit Sirioput, Chumphorn Thepphithak, Rungrawee Barijindakul, Cheathavuth Watcharakhun, Dan Chupong, Panna Rittikrai Running Time: 105 min. Jesse’s Review I’m going to start this review out by saying that I might seem a bit biased when discussing this movie because I am a huge Jackie Chan fan, and have seen many of his … Continue reading

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