Author Archives: Z Ravas

Plucky Chinese kids try to unravel ‘The Zodiac Mystery’

We may be at least a decade on from the heyday of Asian horror, but the genre is clearly alive and well. Far East Films has the teaser trailer for a new Chinese-language suspense film titled The Zodiac Mystery and, thankfully, it looks to avoid most of the genre’s cliches, with the trailer instead highlighting the slick cinematography and an attractive cast being menaced by the supernatural. The plot concerns a group of … Continue reading

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How far would you go for ‘The Taste of Money’?

Far East Films has the first trailer for the new Korean-language film from Im Sang-Soo, the director of 2010’s critically acclaimed The Housemaid. His next project, titled The Taste of Money, is an erotic thriller about a young man hired by a wealthy family to take care of their business-related and private matters. This being a thriller and all, it’s not long before the poor sap is pulled into a world of … Continue reading

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Let’s Go! (2011) Review

"Let's Go!" International Theatrical Poster

Director: Wong Ching Po Cast: Juno Mak Jun Lung, Jimmy Wang Yu, Pat Ha Man Jing, Stephy Tang Lai Yan, Gordon Lam, Chin Siu Ho, Ken Lo, Tony Ho Wah Chiu, Billy Ching Sau-Yat Running Time: 96 min. By HKFanatic Mild pre-release buzz suggested that “Let’s Go!” was a Chinese martial arts romp inspired by 80’s Japanese superhero cartoons, and the trailer seemed to confirm this general notion. If I … Continue reading

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A superhero sequel that might just ‘Kick-Ass’

Ain’t It Cool relays news via Deadline that Never Back Down director Jeff Wadlow has written a screenplay for Kick-Ass 2, which Universal Pictures might just greenlight and slot Wadlow to direct. Despite the fact that director Matthew Vaughn and screenwriter Jane Goldman won’t be returning, Universal expects that principal cast-members Aaron Johnson (Kick-Ass), Chloe Moretz (Hit Girl), and Christopher Mintz-Plasse (Red Mist) will don the costumes for their respective … Continue reading

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Japanese high school delinquents grow up the hard way in ‘Blazing Famiglia’

Recent Japanese films like Drop and Takashi Miike’s Crows: Episode Zero have carved out their own little niche of bone-crushing movies about Japanese high school delinquents who like to drink, cuss, and get into brawls. A new film headed for Japnaese theaters this fall is attempting to put a fresh spin on this now well-worn subgenre. Blazing Famiglia is all about what happens when those same delinquents grow up, get … Continue reading

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If you wanna live, ‘Don’t Click’ this link – new posters!

It’s almost hard to believe it’s been over a decade since Japanese films like Ringu (1998) and Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s Kairo AKA Pulse (2001) explored the notion of the supernatural interacting with the living via technology, and did it so well. Even Takashi Miike’s 2003 film One Missed Call was a nice little update on this particular subgenre, though it didn’t seem to have quite the same influence. Now here we are … Continue reading

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Blu-ray and DVD Releases for 5/8/12

This week sees the release of two high profile Asian films and not much else, unless you’re a fan of the “Underworld” series. But hey, let’s get cracking. Here are your Blu-ray and DVD releases for the week of 5/8/12: ASIAN CINEMA The Front Line (Blu-ray/DVD) – Well Go USA brings this 2011 critically acclaimed Korean War-era drama to North America Shock Labyrinth 3D (Blu-ray/DVD) – “Grudge” director Takashi Shimizu takes … Continue reading

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Rumors of Media Blasters’ demise may have been greatly exaggerated

Just what is going on over at Media Blasters? The distributor known for releasing anime and live-action Asian films in North America has been facing some tough times lately. Back in January of this year, they laid off 60% of their staff. A few days ago, trusted website Anime News Network reported a story that Media Blasters had been dissolved by the state of New York due to failing to … Continue reading

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Who is the ‘Mysterious Fobber’? Find out in the new trailer

Not much is known about the forthcoming Chinese film Moonlight Savage but it sure looks intriguing, judging by the teaser poster over at 24 Frames Per Second. There are also a host of stills available from the film, which showcase a bunch of sober-faced and blood-stained actors holding guns. Our best guess is that this is a period action movie of some kind. Stay tuned to Cityonfire.com for the trailer … Continue reading

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The ‘Wild 7’ fight terrorists with motorcycles

Over at Far East Films, they’ve got the details on the release of Wild 7 on Japanese Blu-ray and DVD. This action-packed movie is based on the seminal manga by Mochizuki Mikiya, and follows a group of ass-kicking secret police who take to fighting the terrorists and criminals of Japan on motorcycles. Check out the stylish trailer. If you’re anything like us, that trailer made you want to see the … Continue reading

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Viral Factor, The (2012) Review

The Viral Factor Blu-ray & DVD (Well Go USA)

Director: Dante Lam Cast: Jay Chou, Nicholas Tse, Bai Bing, Lee Byung Hun, Lin Peng, Jung Woo-sung, Andy On Chi Kit, Carl Ng Ka Lung, Liu Kai Chi, Elaine Kam Yin Ling Running Time: 120 min. By HKFanatic “The Viral Factor” is the latest blockbuster from Dante Lam, a man who has become one of Hong Kong’s premiere action director thanks to films like “Fire of Conscience” and “The Stool … Continue reading

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Blu-ray and DVD Releases for 5/1/12

Unfortunately, it looks like the studios are using early May as a dumping ground for their cheap 3-pack Blu-ray sets. Oh well, maybe we’ll find a deal in here somewhere. Here are your Blu-ray and DVD releases for the week of 5/1/12: ASIAN CINEMA Fight the Fight (DVD) – Lionsgate brings the 2011 Chinese-language martial arts film known as “Choy Lee Fut” to Region 1 DVD. Starring Sammo Hung and … Continue reading

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See Scott Adkins in ‘El Gringo’ – Trailer now available!

Ace martial artist and actor Scott Adkins has updated his website with a new photo gallery from his upcoming film El Gringo which he is currently filming in Baten Rouge. The film also stars Christian Slater (Broken Arrow) and is produced by Joel Silver’s After Dark Pictures, one of their first ventures into action cinema. Scott is looking bad-ass in these new pics! Updates: After Dark Films’ new poster for … Continue reading

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The IMAX format finds success in Mainland China

The 3D release of James Camerons’ Titanic didn’t exactly make waves in the United States, but over in China it earned a whopping $58 million US dollars its first weekend back in theaters. The IMAX 3D re-release of the Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet-starring movie underscores just how well the IMAX format is doing in China. Although only 12 films were released in Chinese IMAX theaters this year, it is … Continue reading

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Punished (2011) Review

Punished aka Abduction, Retribution DVD (Vivendi)

Director: Law Wing Cheong Cast: Anthony Wong Chau Sang, Janice Man Wing San, Maggie Cheung Ho Yee, Richie Ren Yin Chi, Candy Lo Hau Yam, Charlie Cho Cha Lei, Wong Yat-Yat Running Time: 94 min. By HKFanatic Revenge has become a de facto theme for Asian films over the last decade, perhaps ever since 2003’s “Oldboy.” Johnnie To, the producer on “Punished,” even helmed a movie called “Vengeance” just a … Continue reading

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