Author Archives: JJ Bona

Infernal Affairs (2002) Review

"Infernal Affairs" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Andrew Lau Co-director: Alan Mak Cast: Andy Lau, Tony Leung Chiu-Wai, Anthony Wong, Eric Tsang Chi-Wai, Sammi Cheng Sau-Man, Kelly Chan, Edison Chen, Shawn Yu Man-Lok, Elva Hsiao Ah-Hin, Chapman To, Gordon Lam, Ng Ting Yip, Wan Chi Keung Running Time: 100 min. By Alexander Fellow City on Fire reviewer Raging Gaijin had this to say in a recent review: “Now I know the whole ‘the good, the bad, … Continue reading

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Rapper’s delight: Scarface Blu-ray announced

The Scarface Blu-ray release is coming on September 6. Features: “newly-restored” print and 7.1 audio; and of course, a pack of extra features. It will come in a limited-edition BD with SteelBook packaging, ten exclusive art cards, a digital copy of the film and a DVD of the original 1932 Scarface. The studio is also holding a national Scarface fan art contest (Visit Scarface page on Facebook for more details). … Continue reading

Posted in News |

Double Edge | aka American Dragons (1998) Review

"Double Edge" VHS Cover

Director: Ralph Hemecker Cast: Michael Biehn, Park Joong-hoon, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, Don Stark, Byron Mann Running Time: 91 min. By Mighty Peking Man Double Edge is one of those titles you’d see at your local video rental store and say: “Oh God…what the hell is this, another straight-to-video piece of shit?” or “Who the hell is that asian guy standing next to Michael Biehn, a wannabe Jackie Chan?” Well, I can’t … Continue reading

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On The Run (1988) Review

"On the Run" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Alfred Cheung Producer: Sammo Hung Cast: Yuen Biao, Pat Ha Man Jing, Charlie Chin, Chan Cheuk Yan, Idy Chan, Lee Heung Kam, Lo Lieh, Yuen Wah, Philip Ko Fei, Alex To, Peter Pau Tak-Hai, Yau Kam-Hung Running Time: 88 min. By Reefer On The Run is as dark and violent as any film I have seen. Imagine an alternate version of Righting Wrongs minus all the kung fu action … Continue reading

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Victim, The | aka Lightning Kung Fu (1980) Review

AKA: Sacrifice Director: Sammo Hung Cast: Sammo Hung, Leung Kar Yan, Fanny Wang, Chang Yi, Peter Chan Lung, Wilson Tong, Yuen Mao, Cheung Ging Boh, Fung Lee, Karl Maka, To Siu Ming Running Time: 90 min. By Reefer According to the Ric Meyers/Bobby Samuels audio commentary track on the DVD, The Victim marks Sammo Hung’s first directing effort, but originally released 3 or 4 years later. I am not sure … Continue reading

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Victim (1999) Review

"Victim" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Ringo Lam Cast: Tony Leung Ka-Fai, Lau Ching-wan, Amy Kwok, Hui Siu Hung, Emily Kwan, Ma Tak Chung Running Time: 100 min. By Mighty Peking Man Ringo Lam steps into the horror-genre with this wickedly-dark film starring Lau Ching-wan and Tony Leung Ka-Fai. There has been endless debate on the film’s plot which leaves the viewer asking themselves: “How much of it is supernatural,” “How much if it is … Continue reading

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Full Contact (1992) Review

"Full Contact" International Theatrical Poster

Director: Ringo Lam Writer: Nam Yin Cast: Chow Yun-fat, Simon Yam, Anthony Wong, Ann Bridewater, Bonnie Fu, Chan Chi Leung Running Time: 99 min. By Joe909 Finally, after reading about it for years, I got to see Full Contact. To say the least, it’s a movie experience. A Hong Kong remake of John Boorman’s ’60s existential action flick Point Blank (also remade recently as the sub par Mel Gibson Payback), … Continue reading

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The Ultimate Fight DVD (Lions Gate)

RELEASE DATE: June 7, 2011 Ready for some adobo? This 1998 re-release is directed by and starring Ernie Reyes Jr. (The Last Dragon, Red Sonja), Corin Nemec, Ernie Reyes Sr. and Shishir Inocalla. When martial arts champion Pinoy (Shishir Inocalla) travels to America, his fighting skills are put to the test when he finds himself in the middle of a violent gang war. Check out a clip.

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

Once Upon A Time In The West Blu-ray (Paramount)

RELEASE DATE: May 31, 2011 First time on Blu-ray! A recently married woman arrives to her ranch out west to find her husband has been killed by a band of outlaws who want the railroad-valuable land. A brooding, young cowboy steps in to stop them. Starring Henry Fonda, Jason Robards, Claudia Cardinale and Charles Bronson. Directed by the God of Cinema, Sergio Leone.

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

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy: Extended Editions Blu-ray (New Line)

RELEASE DATE: June 28, 2011 This Blu-ray release includes the following titles: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Blu-ray Extended Edition; The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Blu-ray Extended Edition; and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Blu-ray Extended Edition.

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

Raymond Chow receives Lifetime Achievement award

According to kungfucinema.com, movie mogul Raymond Chow will be given a Lifetime Achievement award. Raymond Chow is one of the prime movers of Golden Harvest Studios, which he founded in 1970 with Leonard Ho. Some of the biggest names of Hong Kong cinema were launched (and still are) associated with the studio: Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, Yuen Biao, John Woo and Jet Li – just to name a … Continue reading

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The Best of Global Lens: China DVD Set (First Run)

RELEASE DATE: May 17, 2011 Dam Street — by Li Yu During a time of rigid moral code in China, a sixteen year old girl living in a small riverside town discovers she is pregnant. The community is stunned, her family loses face and she and her boyfriend are expelled from their school; in the aftermath, her boyfriend leaves her, and she is forced to put her child up for … Continue reading

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

Prachya Pinkaew’s Elephant White Blu-ray/DVD (Millennium)

RELEASE DATE: May 17, 2011 Directed by Prachya Pinkaew (Ong Bak, Tom Yum Goong), Elephant White revolves around an assassin who is hired by a businessman to avenge the murder of his daughter by white slave traders in Thailand. It stars Kevin Bacon (Death Sentence), Djimon Hounsou (Blood Diamond) and Jirantanin Pitakporntrakul. This is Prachya Pinkaew’s first U.S. produced film; it’s supposedly action packed, though who knows how much of … Continue reading

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

Princess Blade 2-Disc DVD (Eastern Star)

RELEASE DATE: April 19, 2011 Princess Blade 2-Disc DVD (Eastern Star) is a re-release. Raised by assassins, Yuki is the last of the Takemikazuchi royal bloodline. A deadly weapon in her own right, she learns the gruesome truth about the death of her beloved mother. Turning her back on the assassins that betrayed her, she joins forces with a mysterious rebel leader and discovers compassion; still, she is driven only … Continue reading

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

My Girlfriend is a Gumiho DVD (Ya Entertainment)

RELEASE DATE: April 26, 2011 YA Entertainment presents My Girlfriend is a Gumiho! Wannabe movie star Dae-woong (Lee Seung-Gi, Brilliant Legacy) learns that a gumiho isn t so evil after all when he accidentally frees 500-year-old Mi-ho (Shin Min-Ah) into the human world. Naïve, inquisitive, and beautiful, Mi-ho just wants to hang out with Dae-woong and eat beef every day, bringing barrels of unexpected troubles into his life. Mi-ho learns … Continue reading

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