Author Archives: Z Ravas

Donnie Yen turns on the romance in ‘Together’

Prepping a romantic comedy with big name stars for a Valentine’s Day release is not just a Hollywood strategy. The Chinese-language romantic film Together is set to hit theaters overseas in time for the February holiday. The movie features young actors Ko Chen Tung and Michelle Chen, who made a box office splash in 2011’s You Are the Apple of My Eye. The big surprise? Donnie Yen also plays a … Continue reading

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Korean heist film ‘The Thieves’ hits US theaters this Friday

Over at Beyond Hollywood, Todd Rigney has posted the teaser poster and plot synopsis for the upcoming Korean film The Thieves, marketed as Korea’s answer to the popular Ocean’s 11 films. This heist flick features a group of thieves with names like Popeye and Pepsi competing against their Chinese rivals for the possession of a diamond known as the ‘Tear of the Sun.’ Not only that but veteran Hong Kong … Continue reading

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A ‘Million Dollar Crocodile’ is coming to America

Fooled you with that headline, huh? It’s really just the plot of the upcoming Chinese-language film Million Dollar Crocodile. Fans of ‘creatures features’ (like me) might want to keep an eye on this movie as the plot literally involves a giant-ass crocodile on the attack in Beijing. The film is directed by Lin Lisheng and stars Barbie Hsu and Guo Tao. Despite the monster-on-the-rampage plot, it is said that the … Continue reading

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Blu-ray and DVD Releases for 10/9/12

This week we’re literally buried under a pile of budget-priced re-issues and triple packs, but don’t let that dissuade you from checking out movies like “A Chinese Odyssey” or “Prometheus.” Here are your Blu-ray and DVD releases for the week of 10/9/12: ASIAN CINEMA Bedevilled (Blu-ray/DVD) – distributor Well Go USA brings this pitch-black 2010 Korean revenge tale to home formats. Look for our review tomorrow A Chinese Odyssey 1 … Continue reading

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Anthony Wong leads ‘The Four’ onto Import Blu-ray and DVD

Gordon Chan, director of the 90’s martial arts classic Fist of Legend, is back with a special effects-infused Chinese wuxia. The Four stars Anthony Wong, Deng Chao, Ronald Cheng, Collin Chou, and Crystal Liu. A plot to overthrow the Chinese government begins with a surplus of counterfeit money. That’s when four constables with mystical powers are sent in to investigate. The crazy tale that follows involves forbidden love, double crosses, … Continue reading

Posted in Asian Import Titles, News |

Flying Swords of Dragon Gate (2011) Review

"Flying Swords of Dragon Gate" Japanese DVD Cover

Director: Tsui Hark Cast: Jet Li, Kwai Lun Mei, Chen Kun, Zhou Xun, Li Yu Chun, Mavis Fan Hiu Huen, Fan Siu Wong, Du Yiheng, Sun Jian Kui, Viann Zhang Xin Yu Running Time: 125 min. By HKFantic It was Jean-Claude Van Damme of all people who dubbed Tsui Hark ‘the George Lucas of Asia.’ Most likely because his 1983 fantasy film “Zu Warriors From the Magic Mountain” helped launch … Continue reading

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Blu-ray and DVD Releases for 10/2/12

Welcome to October! Get ready for a 3D Tsui Hark movie and Wong Kar-Wai in hi-def. Here are your Blu-ray and DVD releases for the week of 10/2/12: ASIAN CINEMA Flying Swords of Dragon Gate (Blu-ray/DVD) – Jet Li headlines this 2011 special FX-infused wuxia from legendary director Tsui Hark. The film is also available in 3D on Blu if you have a 3D capable TV set In the Mood … Continue reading

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Well Go USA is bringing Chow Yun Fat and his ‘Assassins’ to North America

Film Business Asia reports that premiere distributor Well Go USA has pre-bought North American rights to the upcoming Chinese historical action film, The Assassins. The film stars Chow Yun Fat and is written by the screenwriter behind Zhang Yimou’s Hero and House of Flying Daggers. Directed by newcomer Zhao Linshan, The Assassins is currently in post-production. The rights to the film are being sold by Arclight Films, a sales agency … Continue reading

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Blu-ray and DVD Releases for 9/25/12

It’s the end of September and there are plenty of great new releases on Blu-ray and DVD to look forward to, from Lone Wolf and Cub to Bond, James Bond. So let’s get started. Here are your Blu-ray and DVD releases for the week of 9/25/12: ASIAN CINEMA Lone Wolf and Cub Complete (Blu-ray) – AnimEigo presents the entire 6-film “Lone Wolf and Cub” series, uncut and subtitled in hi-definition … Continue reading

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6 Bullets | aka The Butcher (2012) Review

"6 Bullets" German DVD Cover

Director: Ernie Barbarash Cast: Jean-Claude Van Damme, Joe Flanigan, Anna-Louise Plowman, Bianca Bree, Kristopher Van Varenberg, Terese Cilluffo, Charlotte Beaumont, Andrei Runcanu Running Time: 115 min. By HKFanatic 2011’s “Assassination Games” was anticipated as the beginning of a possible comeback for Jean-Claude Van Damme: it paired the aging action star with hot newcomer Scott Adkins and managed to secure decent theatrical distribution in the United States, a first for Van … Continue reading

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Lionsgate takes ‘Motorway’ to the finish line

Cheang Pou-soi is a filmmaker who seems to try on a new genre with each movie he makes, from the nihilistic underground fighting of Dog Bite Dog to the romantic drama-meets crime story Love Battlefield. His latest effort, produced by Johnnie To, is an action-packed look at the Hong Kong police’s Invisible Squad – an elite vehicular unit tasked with stopping illegal street racers and other dangerous drivers. Sean Yue … Continue reading

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Kiyoshi Kurosawa to direct Tony Leung Chiu-Wai in ‘1905’

Kiyoshi Kurosawa made a name for himself on the international scene with skin-crawling thrillers like Cure and Kairo (AKA Pulse). As of late, the director has branched out from the horror genre with the domestic drama Tokyo Sonata and the TV mini-series Penance. Now word arrives that Kurosawa is looking to team up with acclaimed Hong Kong actor Tony Leung Chiu-Wai (In the Mood For Love, The Grandmasters) for an … Continue reading

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‘Oldboy’ director Chan-wook Park to direct a bloody Mafia tale

News has hit the web that Korean director Chan-wook Park (Oldboy, Sympathy For Mr. Vengeance) is circling his next English-language project now that his Western debut Stoker is set for release in March of 2013. Park has set his sights on Corsica ’72, a screenplay with a strong pedigree. The script arrives from Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, who have penned most of the Bond films of the past 12 … Continue reading

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Blu-ray and DVD Releases for 9/18/12

Giant monsters attack! Indiana Jones on Blu-ray! No matter your filmic interests, there’s plenty to get excited about this week. So let’s get started, shall we? Here are your Blu-ray and DVD releases for the week of 9/18/12: ASIAN CINEMA Daimajin – Triple Feature Collector’s Edition (Blu-ray) – starting in 1966, the Daiei Motion Picture Co. released a series of films that combined elements of the giant monster movie with the … Continue reading

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R2B: Return to Base (2012) Review

AKA: Back Eagle Director: Kim Dong-Won Writer: Ahn Sang-Hun, Kim Dong-Won Producer: Jang Tae-Gon, Kim Dong-Won Cast: Rain, Yu Jun-Sang, Shin Se-Kyung, Kim Sung-Soo, Lee Ha-Na, Lee Jong-Seok, Jeong Kyung-Ho, Baek Bong-Gi Running Time: 113 min. By HKFanatic Western audiences will most likely recognize actor Rain from Hollywood movies like “Speed Racer” and “Ninja Assassin.” But in his native South Korea, Rain is a bonafied superstar thanks to his pop … Continue reading

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