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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →