Author Archives: Z Ravas

Donnie Yen’s ‘Dragon’ AKA ‘Wu Xia’ – new Donnie Yen interview!

A few days ago, we reported that The Weinstein Company were slating Peter Chan’s 2011 martial arts drama Dragon (AKA Wu Xia) for a Blu-ray and DVD release in February-March of next year. The film was universally loved by the staff here at the site for its smart blend of tense drama and expertly-choreographed fight scenes. Dragon features a stellar line-up of Chinese acting talent as well, including Donnie Yen, Takeshi … Continue reading

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Charlize Theron is out for blood in English remake of ‘Lady Vengeance’

Even as Spike Lee continues shooting on his Oldboy remake, another Korean film from director Chan-wook Park is receiving the English-language treatment. The production company behind this year’s critically acclaimed movies The Master and Killing Them Softly has announced a remake of Sympathy for Lady Vengeance A.K.A. Lady Vengeance. The original was the final installment in Chan-wook’s Vengeance trilogy, which included Sympathy For Mr. Vengeance (2002) and Oldboy (2003). The Americanized Lady … Continue reading

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Countdown to ‘Doomsday Book’ on Blu-ray and DVD this December 11th

Internationally-renowned Directors Kim Ji-woon (I Saw the Devil, The Good, The Bad, the Weird) and Yim Pil-sung (Hansel & Gretel) present three interpretations on an apocalyptic theme in the anthology film Doomsday Book, debuting on Blu-ray & DVD December 11th from Well Go USA Entertainment. In the first film, director Yim Pil-Sung opens with Brave New World, starring Ryoo Seung-bum (The Servant) as a young man trying to survive in a world … Continue reading

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Blu-ray and DVD Releases for 11/27/12

In the aftermath of Black Friday…it seems distributors are not looking to release much, as the only Asian-related products this week are anime. “Men in Black III” and “Lawless” are likely to move a few units, though. If you’re interested in any of these titles, you can support the site by ordering through our affiliate. We appreciate it! ASIAN CINEMA Berserk: The Golden Age Arc I – The Egg of the … Continue reading

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Thieves, The (2012) Review

"The Thieves" Korean Theatrical Poster

Director: Choi Dong-hun Producer: Ahn Soo-hyun Cast: Yun-seok Kim, Lee Jung-jae, Kim Hye-soo, Jun Ji-Hyun, Simon Yam, Angelica Lee, Derek Tsang Running Time: 136 min. By HKFanatic The easy marketing spin for “The Thieves” was to label the film as Korea’s answer to “Ocean’s Eleven.” I suppose that means we can add the movie to the list of other Korean blockbusters, like “Quick” or “Sector 7,” that feel slightly derivative … Continue reading

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Blu-ray and DVD Releases for 11/20/12

This Thanksgiving week, the turkeys may be stuffed but the Blu-ray and DVD releases are slim pickings. Still, there should be plenty for film buffs to enjoy, from “The Expendables 2” to the Korean mystery “Helpless.” If you’re interested in any of these titles, you can support the site by ordering through our affiliate. We appreciate it! Here are your Blu-ray and DVD releases for the week of 11/20/12: ASIAN CINEMA … Continue reading

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Who can kill a child? Fujiwara Tatsuya in ‘Shield of Straw’

Fresh off a turn in the dark cult drama I’m Flash, popular actor Fujiwara Tatsuya continues to tackle challenging roles. Although he’s most well known for his part in Battle Royale and Death Note, it appears that Tatsuya is looking to carve a name for himself as a serious thespian. His latest is titled Shield of Straw and arrives from none other than acclaimed director Takashi Miike. The grim drama … Continue reading

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Painted Skin 2: The Resurrection (2012) Review

Painted Skin: The Resurrection Blu-ray & DVD (Well Go USA)

Director: Wu Ershan Cast: Zhou Xun, Chen Kun, Vicky Zhao Wei, Yang Mi, Feng Shao Feng, Bei Cheung, Kris Phillips Running Time: 135 min. By HKFanatic “Painted Skin: The Resurrection” was an easy movie for sites like ours to cover since every trailer released for the film looked even more beautiful than the last. Yet I doubt many critics expected “Painted Skin 2” to go on to become the highest-grossing … Continue reading

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Blu-ray and DVD Releases for 11/13/12

This is one heck of an eclectic week, that sees a couple of high-profile Asian film releases, the Blu-ray edition of “Lawrence of Arabia,” numerous Blu-ray Triple Features, and more. If you’re interested in any of these titles, you can support the site by ordering through our affiliate. We appreciate it! Here are your Blu-ray and DVD releases for the week of 11/13/12: ASIAN CINEMA Painted Skin: The Resurrection (Blu-ray/DVD) – … Continue reading

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Chow Yun Fat leads ‘The Assassins’ to Blu-ray and DVD on January 8th, 2013

Cityonfire.com has received the following press release from Well Go USA: Martial Arts Superstar Chow Yun-Fat Returns THE ASSASSINS Yifei Liu and Hiroshi Tamaki Also Star in Director Linshan Zhao’s Historical Drama Debuting on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital January 8th Bonus Materials Include a Behind-the-Scenes Featurette Details: Legendary action hero Chow Yun-Fat (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Dragonball: Evolution) tackles his most demanding role yet in Director Linshan Zhao’s action-adventure film THE ASSASSINS, debuting … Continue reading

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Blu-ray and DVD Releases for 11/6/12

Autumn is upon us as we move into November. If you’re interested in any of these titles, you can support the site by ordering through our affiliate. We appreciate it! Here are your Blu-ray and DVD releases for the week of 11/6/12: ASIAN CINEMA Rashomon (Blu-ray/DVD) – Japanese director Akira Kurosawa gained international recognition with this 1950 samurai-era mystery, faithfully presented in hi-def by the Criterion Collection Eleven Samurai (DVD) – … Continue reading

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Outlaw Brothers (1990) Review

"Outlaw Brothers" American DVD Cover

Director: Frankie Chan Fan Kei Cast: Frankie Chan, Yukari Oshima, Max Mok Siu Chung, Michael Miu, Sharon Kwok, Sheila Chan Suk Lan, Michiko Nishiwaki, Jeff Falcon, Mark Houghton, Jonathan Isgar Running Time: 97 min. By HKFanatic “Outlaw Brothers” belongs to that most cherished of genres: the late 80’s/early 90’s Hong Kong martial arts movie. Released in 1990, this film directed by, and starring, frequent Jackie Chan collaborator Frankie Chan ticks … Continue reading

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Will Category III flick ‘Triad’ bring back the good old days of Hong Kong gangsters?

Online now is a trailer for Triad, a new Chinese movie that takes an in-depth look at the Hong Kong Triad. As of late, Chinese moviemakers have shied away from exploring modern organized crime in China and Hong Kong so as to not run afoul of censorship. Perhaps it won’t come as a surprise, then, that Triad is set in pre-1997 handover Hong Kong. The story follows a college-educated young man … Continue reading

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The latest on Lu Chuan’s ‘The Last Supper’ – new poster and release date

Chinese director Lu Chuan first made waves internationally with his 2009 film City of Life and Death, a movie praised for its stark depiction of the 1937 massacre of Nanking by the Japanese imperial army. Now Lu Chuan is prepping his latest endeavor, The Last Supper, which takes audiences farther back in history to the end of the Qin Dynasty. The story focuses on the famous Hongmen Banquet, which was … Continue reading

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5 Points Pictures throws a ‘Punch’ onto DVD this February 19th, 2013

Cityonfire.com has received the following press release from 5 Points Pictures: Film distributor 5 Points Pictures is pleased to announce the two-disc, special-edition DVD release of Punch, which will be available on February 19, 2013. A coming-of-age story with equal parts humor and humanity, Punch features direction by Lee Han (Lover’s Concerto, Almost Love) and standout performances from Yoo Ah-in (Sungkyunkwan Scandal, Antique) and Kim Yun-seok (The Thieves, The Chaser), along with … Continue reading

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