Author Archives: Z Ravas

Blu-ray and DVD Releases for 10/16/12

It’s slim pickings this week. Studios are using this time to dump 3D Blu-rays on us, but let’s not overlook some of the quality foreign films and hi-def horror releases coming out as well. 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 10/16/12: ASIAN CINEMA Legendary Amazons … Continue reading

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Bullet Vanishes, The (2012) Review

"The Bullet Vanishes" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Law Chi Leung Cast: Lau Ching Wan, Nicholas Tse Ting Fung, Yang Mi, Jing Boran, Wu Gang, Liu Kai Chi, Jiang Yiyan, Gao Hu, Yumiko Cheng Hei Yi, Chin Kar Lok Running Time: 100 min. By HKFanatic Ever since the first trailer for “The Bullet Vanishes” hit the web, the film has been labeled a Chinese take on Guy Ritchie’s 2009 “Sherlock Holmes” film. While the movies do share … Continue reading

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Tony Leung fights ‘The Silent War’ on Import Blu-ray and DVD

Coming to Import Blu-ray and DVD this Friday, October 12th, is the Chinese-language espionage thriller The Silent War. And you couldn’t ask for a better pedigree than the team behind this movie. Directed by Alan Mak and Felix Chong, the filmmaking duo who brought us Infernal Affairs II and the Donnie Yen action epic The Lost Bladesman, the film stars Tony Leung Chiu Wai – one of the most respected actors in … Continue reading

Posted in Asian Import Titles, News |

Alfred ‘Hitchcock’ Presents…the story behind Psycho

In theaters this November 23rd, 2012 is Hitchcock, a film highly anticipated by movie buffs as it stars Anthony Hopkins as Alfred Hitchcock – probably the most famous film director of all time – in a behind the scenes looking at the making of Psycho. Academy Award-winner Helen Mirren co-stars as Hitchcock’s loyal wife Alma Reville, and you can also look for Scarlett Johansson as actress Janet Leigh and Jessica … Continue reading

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Kim Ki-duk’s ‘Pieta’ is coming to North America

Iconoclast director and all around Korean filmmaking ‘bad boy’ Kim Ki-duk has begun shooting his next film, titled Pieta. This is his 18th movie. Reportedly, the idea for Pieta arose because Kim Ki-duk wanted to delve into the theme of evil, and whether or not “human beings have evilness as one of their innate qualities.” The plot follows a heartless man whose job is to go around and harass people … Continue reading

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Bedevilled (2010) Review

Bedevilled Blu-ray & DVD (Well Go USA)

Director: Jang Chul-Soo Writer: Choi Kwang-young Cast: Seo Young-hee, Ji Seong-won, Park Jeong-hak, Baek Su-ryun, Lee Ji-Eun, Je-Min Running Time: 115 min. By HKFanatic Well Go USA’s cover art for “Bedevilled” features a quote proclaiming ‘A must-see for anyone brave enough!’ For once, the implication that viewers must steel their nerves for a movie is not empty hype. This 2010 Korean revenge film might just become the next litmus test … Continue reading

Posted in Korean, Reviews |

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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