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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

Long for the days when Dario Argento was unleashing his atmospherically-colored Italian terrors like Suspiria and Inferno onto the world? Well, you’re not alone, but Argentinean director Javier Diment may have us covered. Twitch Film has the full-length trailer for his new film La Memoria Del Muerto and it looks like a promising throwback to the glory days of the giallo. Unfortunately, not much is known about the plot or … Continue reading →

This Thursday, April 19th, the Cannes Film Festival announces its official lineup for 2012. A few days later, the film selection at the independent Directors’ Fortnight will be revealed. Website Film Business Asia speculates whether the new curator, Edouard Waintrop, will showcase any Mainland Chinese films at the Directors’ Fortnight. The article laments the fact that, in the past, the Cannes Film Festival has favored independent Chinese cinema to the … Continue reading →