Author Archives: Z Ravas

Chinese heist flick is not just for fans of ‘Guns N’Roses’

Guns N’Roses is a curious title for a movie, no doubt about that, but when the action looks this fierce we can give the filmmakers a break. The alternate title for director Ning Hao’s upcoming Chinese heist movie is A Big Gold Robbery. The film is set in the 1930’s, when the Japanese army had set up a puppet state in Manchukuo, and follows a ragtag group who plans to … Continue reading

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Is ‘Black Cobra’ the next evolution in direct-to-video ass-kicking?

If your day needs a little pick me up, hop on over to Beyond Hollywood for the (NSFW) trailer to Lionsgate’s forthcoming direct-to-DVD action flick Black Cobra. The film stars three time “Martial Arts Hall of Fame” inductee T.J. Storm (Punisher: War Zone) as a man out to raise enough cash to get his father out of prison before the old man is murdered by gangs. In the process T.J. … Continue reading

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Blu-ray and DVD Releases for 3/27/12

It’s a bit of a light week but there are plenty of highlights, whether it’s Van Damme on Blu-ray, Chow Yun Fat stepping into the shoes of Confucius, or a slick action flick all the way from France. Here are your Blu-ray and DVD releases for the week of 3/27/12: ASIAN CINEMA Confucius (Blu-ray/DVD) – Chow Yun Fat stars as the famous philosopher in a more action-packed kind of biopic, … Continue reading

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Watch this new Korean movie trailer ‘Over My Dead Body’

There are no English subtitles in this new trailer for the forthcoming Korean crime thriller, Over My Dead Body. But guess what? I don’t need a translation to know that this looks like one wild and interesting film. It also stars one of my favorite Korean actors, Ryu Seung-beom (The Unjust, No Mercy). He’s the kind of guy who doesn’t even know how to turn in a bad performance. The … Continue reading

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Bad news: we may not be alone on this ‘Desert Island’

The Chinese film industry continues its love affair with the horror genre with the forthcoming movie, Desert Island. Find out what happens when a group of old college friends stage their reunion on a yacht, only to have it shipwrecked on a remote island. Not only do they have to deal with dwindling food supply and tensions within the group, but it looks like someone may be stalking them on … Continue reading

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The director who gave audiences ‘No Mercy’ now offers ‘The Scent’ of danger

Forgive the convoluted headline. It just means that Kim Hyeong-joon-I, the director of No Mercy – a 2010 Korean thriller currently streaming on Netflix Instant in HD – is back with a new film. Titled The Scent, the movie is about a private investigator who faces a personal and professional crisis when his wife wants to leave him for another man and he’s framed for a murder he didn’t commit. … Continue reading

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Blu-ray and DVD Releases for 3/20/12

We’re totally on time and kicking ass with this week’s new releases list. Get ready for “Battle Royale,” Bruce’sploitation, and more serial killers than you can shake a stick at. Are you ready? Here are your Blu-ray and DVD new releases for the week of 3/20/12: ASIAN CINEMA Battle Royale: The Complete Collection (Blu-ray/DVD) – the director’s cuts and theatrical cuts of both “Battle Royale” and “Battle Royale II,” in … Continue reading

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Blu-ray and DVD Releases for 3/13/12

I’m terribly late on this one but hopefully still helpful in some fashion. If you love foreign movies, this is your week. Steven Seagal fans are accounted for as well. So, without further adieu, here are your Asian and genre movie Blu-ray and DVD new releases for the week of 3/13/12: ASIAN CINEMA Triad Trilogy (Blu-ray/DVD) – Palisades Tartan presents Johnnie To’s “Election” and “Triad Election,” as well as the … Continue reading

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Best of the Best (1989) Review

"Best of the Best" American DVD Cover

Director: Robert Radler Cast: James Earl Jones, Eric Roberts, Phillip Rhee, Chris Penn, John Dye, David Agresta, Tom Everett, Sally Kirkland, Hee Il Cho, Simon Rhee, James Lew, Ken Nagayama, Ho Sik Pak, Edan Gross, Louise Fletcher Running Time: 97 min. By HKFanatic I put off watching “Best of the Best” for years – to the point where most people’s reaction became “I can’t believe you haven’t seen that movie!” … Continue reading

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‘I Am Bruce Lee’ examines an icon

THE MOVIE: I Am Bruce Lee is a documentary that examines the legendary actor and martial arts icon, Bruce Lee. Director Pete McCormack has assembled a vast array of individuals, from those who knew Bruce intimately to modern celebrities who have been influenced by him, to discuss the life and times of Bruce Lee. In the documentary you can expect commentary from actor Mickey Rourke, MMA fighter and actor Cung … Continue reading

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From producer Johnnie To, ‘Accident’ hits Blu-ray and DVD on June 12

From Internationally Renowned Action Filmmaker & Producer Johnnie To ACCIDENT Starring Acclaimed Actors Louis Koo and Richie Jen A Film Directed by Soi Cheang DEBUTS IN STORES NATIONWIDE ON BLU-RAY™ and DVD OWN IT ON JUNE 12, 2012 FROM SHOUT! FACTORY Not all accidents are caused by fate! This summer, get ready for a new breed of action suspense thriller that plumbs and exposes the weaknesses of the human psyche. … Continue reading

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5 Points Pictures to distribute live-action Asian cinema in North America

Distributor Right Stuf, Inc. has long been known for their high quality anime releases. Today they announced the creation of a new division for live-action Asian films, titled 5 Points Pictures. Through a partnership with CJ Entertainment, one of Korea’s top production houses, 5 Points Pictures will distribute several live-action Korean films on home video in North America starting in Summer 2012. The list of initial titles includes: Bleak Night … Continue reading

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French hostage drama ‘The Assault’ gets a limited U.S. release

Over at Beyond Hollywood, you can scope out the U.S. trailer for The Assault, the tense French hostage drama from Chrysalis director Julien Leclercq. Looks pretty bad-ass, doesn’t it? Rest assured that American audiences will have the chance to see the movie as Screen Media Films is offering The Assault a limited release stateside on April 6, 2012. The film is based on true events: on Christmas Eve, 1994, armed … Continue reading

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‘Zombie 108’ is Taiwan’s ultra-violent, low-budget answer to the zombie genre

A night on the town in Taipei turns into a bloodbath when a group of young friends discover they’ve been infected with a new strain of influenza that turns people into…zombies. That’s the premise behind the forthcoming Taiwanese horror flick Zombie 108. Over at 24 Frames Per Second, you can enjoy the trailer. Today brings word that the film will be released on April 13, 2012. The trailer looks almost … Continue reading

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Asian horror takes to the skies with ‘Dark Flight 407’

Dark Flight 407 is Thailand’s first 3D horror film. Judging by the trailer, it was probably pitched as something like “Ringu on a plane.” But hey, the production values look solid and, who knows, it might just scare our pants off. The story follows a flight stewardess who miraculously survived a plane crash 10 years ago and who must now return to work after a decade of psychotherapy. Only trouble … Continue reading

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