Author Archives: JJ Bona

Blu-ray Joseph Kuo’s ‘Swordsman of All Swordsmen’ and ‘Mystery of Chess Boxing’ arriving in March from Eureka

"Swordsman of All Swordsmen" Theatrical Poster

On March 18, 2024, Eureka is releasing the Blu-ray (Region B) for Swordsman of All Swordsmen, a 1968 Taiwanese swordsplay actioner from Joseph Kuo (Shaolin Kids, The Old Master) that stars Tien Peng (The Ghost Hill) and Polly Shang-Kwan (The Return of the 18 Bronzemen). A tale of honour and revenge by a celebrated master of wuxia cinema, Joseph Kuo! Having witnessed the brutal slaying of his entire family as a small child, … Continue reading

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Eureka sets a March Blu-ray release for Ryuichi Takamori’s ‘Bodyguard Kiba 1 and 2’ starring Sonny Chiba

"The Bodyguard" Theatrical Poster

On March 18, 2024, Eureka is releasing the Blu-ray (Region B) for Bodyguard Kiba 1 and 2 (aka The Bodyguard 1 & 2), a a pair of 1973 martial arts thrillers from Ryuichi Takamori (North Sea Chivalry) that star Sonny Chiba (Doberman Cop). A double bill of Japanese martial arts mayhem starring action superstar Sonny Chiba! Based upon the manga by celebrated writer Ikki Kajiwara, Bodyguard Kiba follows the eponymous karate master … Continue reading

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Jeong Yong-ki’s ‘The Ghost Station’ Blu-ray is dead on arrival on December 19th from Well Go USA

The Ghost Station | Blu-ray (Well Go USA)

On December 19, 2023, Well Go USA is releasing the Blu-ray for The Ghost Station (read our review), a 2022 South Korean horror film directed by Jeong Yong-ki (Once Upon a Time, Return of the Mafia). After a young reporter covers a suspicious accident, she learns from police that her source was supposedly already dead at the time of their interview. As more mysterious deaths occur, she and her partner … Continue reading

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A Student’s Guide: How to Submit to Film Festivals

Welcome to the vibrant world of film festivals! You might wonder, “What is a film festival?” Simply put, these events are much more than just screenings; they’re a dynamic gateway to the larger universe of cinema for student filmmakers. Film festivals offer unique opportunities to showcase your creativity, network with industry professionals, and gain invaluable exposure. Whether you’re crafting short films in your dorm room or majoring in film studies, … Continue reading

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Deal on Fire! The Doorman | Blu-ray | Only $9.87 – Expires soon!

The Doorman | Blu-ray & DVD (Lionsgate)

Today’s Deal on Fire is the Blu-ray for The Doorman, the latest action-thriller from Ryuhei Kitamura (Versus, Lupin the Third). A former Marine (Ruby Rose, John Wick: Chapter 2) turned doorman at a luxury New York City high-rise must outsmart and battle a group of art thieves and their ruthless leader (Jean Reno, Léon: The Professional, The Adventurers) — while struggling to protect her sister’s family. As the thieves become increasingly desperate … Continue reading

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Artwork revealed for 88 Films’ Blu-ray for Li Han-Hsiang’s 1965 historical epic ‘Hsi Shih Beauty of Beauties’ arriving in March

Beauty of Beauties | Blu-ray (88 Films)

In March of 2024, 88 Films is releasing the Blu-ray (Region A/B) for Hsi Shih Beauty of Beauties, a 1965 Taiwanese historical epic directed by Li Han-Hsiang (The Ghost Story, The Enchanting Shadow, The Magnificent Concubine). Director Li Han-Hsiang was King Hu’s mentor and friend. He directed almost 90 films between the 50s and 90s – most of them – Shaw Brothers productions. A feature-length documentary is currently in the … Continue reading

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Deal on Fire! Ip Man: SteelBook | Blu-ray | Only $11.99 – Expires soon!

Ip Man SteelBook | Blu-ray (Well Go USA)

Today’s Deal on Fire is the SteelBook Blu-ray edition of Ip Man, the 2008 martial arts classic starring Donnie Yen (Sakra) with director Wilson Yip (Bio Zombie) at the helm. Behind every great martial artist lies a teacher. Ip Man, starring Donnie Yen, is the award-winning film adaptation about the life story of Ip Man, grandmaster of Wing Chun and mentor to legendary kung fu superstar Bruce Lee. Set in … Continue reading

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Here’s a look at 88 Films’ sexy Blu-ray for Ryu Murakami’s ‘Tokyo Decadence’ coming (no pun intended) in January

Tokyo Decadence | Blu-ray (88 Films)

In January of 2024, 88 Films is releasing the Blu-ray (Region B) for Tokyo Decadence, a 1992 “erotic” Japanese film from writer/director Ryu Murakami (Kyoko). A submissive hooker goes about her trade, suffering abuse at the hands of Japanese salarymen and Yakuza types. She’s unhappy about her work, and is apparently trying to find some sort of appeasement for the fact that her lover has married. The film stars Miho … Continue reading

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Immersive Soundscapes: Audio Design in Interactive Story Telling

Source: Pexels For a long time, music has been used in different settings to tell stories. As Bernard Herrmann suggested, music helps to propel a narrative and helps to envelop an audience into a single experience. People tend to be stimulated by stories that captivate most of their senses, and music can be an excellent tool for achieving this. Studies have proved that using music in storytelling enhances the reception … Continue reading

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Flashback to Your Favorite Movies: Characters Who Are Exceptional Bluffers

If you think about it, bluffing has always been a part of television programs. No matter if you’re watching a movie or TV show, somewhere along the lines, characters come across scenarios where they feel the need to pull off a bluff. These types of scenes can be seen in some fan favorites. Take, for example, Chis Nolan’s The Dark Knight. In the opening bank robbery scene, the Joker bluffs … Continue reading

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Fist of Fury Soul, Swords, Beggars, Dune Devils and Female Thieves: Here’s what’s on Hi-YAH for the month of December

Hi-YAH!, Well Go USA’s very own Asian/martial arts streaming channel has just announced their New Release line up for the month of December, which includes a New title added to Hi-YAH! every Friday. If you want to give Hi-YAH! a go, visitors of this site can use the promo code “CITYONFIRE” for a FREE 30 Day trial! Read on for the full list of New and Exclusive

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Martial arts legend Don “The Dragon Wilson” teams up with Alan Delabie for upcoming actioner ‘The Shepherd Code’

"The Shepherd Code" Theatrical Poster

11-time World Kickboxing Champion Don “The Dragon” Wilson (Death Fighter, Diamond Cartel) is teaming up with Alan Delabie (Denard Anatomy of An Antihero), Silvio Simac (DOA: Dead or Alive) and Jeff Langton (Lionheart) for The Shepherd Code, an upcoming actioner Delabie also co-directed with Lh Chambat. Official details: Alex Lapierre (Alan Delabie), a professional assassin nicknamed “the Shepherd,” decides to put away his gun and start a new life. However, … Continue reading

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Watch the English ‘Moving’ Trailer for Hulu’s South Korean all-star sci-fi actioner starring Ryoo Seung-Ryong

"Moving" Hulu Poster

Introducing Moving, a South Korean series by Park In-Je (The Mayor) that stars Ryu Seungryong (Seven Years of Night), Han Hyojoo (The Pirates: The Last Royal Treasure), Zo Insung (Escape from Mogadishu), Cha Tae-Hyun (My Sassy Girl) and Ryoo Seung-Bum (Doomsday Book). Hailed as “a superhero story with an emotional core” by Forbes, “the next breakout hit from Asia” by Variety, and “surprising and powerful” by IGN — Moving. Now … Continue reading

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John Woo is back! Watch violent scenes from the legend’s dialogue-free actioner ‘Silent Night’ starring Joel Kinnaman

John Woo (Face/Off, Manhunt), the noted Hong Kong filmmaker behind classics such as A Better Tomorrow, The Killer and Hard Boiled, is currently putting finishing touches on Silent Night (read our review, which will be his first Hollywood film since the 2003 Ben Affleck actioner, Paycheck. The film – starring Joel Kinnaman (RoboCop remake, Suicide Squad) and Kid Cudi (Don’t Look Up) –  is described as “a loud action tale, without a word of dialogue”. … Continue reading

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Well Go USA’s blind warrior actioner ‘Eye for an Eye: The Blind Swordsman’ starring Miu Tse now on Blu-ray

Now on Blu-ray from Well Go USA is 2023’s Eye for an Eye: The Blind Swordsman (read our review). Directed by Yang Bing Jia (Fight Against Evil), this martial arts actioner stars Miu Tse (Great God Monkey), Gao Wei Wan (Exorcist) and Zhang Di (The Dragon Lady). Blind Cheng, a registered bounty hunter of board of punishments, meets Ni Yan, a restaurant daughter who suffered family massacre and personal rape. Onlooking … Continue reading

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