Author Archives: Z Ravas

New concept art for ‘Superman Lives’ toyline reveals we really dodged a bullet

If you need further proof that a Superman movie directed by Tim Burton and starring Nicolas Cage would have been a disaster of epic proportions during the late 90’s, look no further than this recently released concept art from Hasbro. The preliminary designs for their Superman Lives toyline reveal a gaunt-faced Superman with a receding hairline. This is one comic book movie that fanboys can be happy was never made. … Continue reading

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Expendables, The: Extended Director’s Cut (2010) Review

"The Expendables: Extended Director's Cut" Blu-ray Cover

Director: Sylvester Stallone Cast: Sylvester Stallone, Jet Li, Jason Statham, Dolph Lundgren, Randy Couture, Steve Austin, Terry Crews, Mickey Rourke, Bruce Willis, Eric Roberts, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Gary Daniels, David Zayas Running Time: 113 min. By HKFanatic “Double dipping” is a fairly common practice for studios these days. If a film you love comes out on blu-ray and has a weak visual transfer, you can pretty much hold your breath until … Continue reading

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‘Triple Tap’ reloads onto Netflix Instant

Triple Tap is the latest Hong Kong thriller from acclaimed director Derek Yee (Shinjuku Incident, One Night in Mongkok). The film stars two of Hong Kong’s most popular actors in Louis Koo and Daniel Wu, as well as Li Bingbing (from the upcoming Resident Evil: Retribution) and Charlene Choi of The Twins Effect fame. Action fans can expect a plot full of twists and turns, credible performances, and a whole … Continue reading

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Blu-Ray and DVD Releases for 1/3/12

Welcome to the first week of the new year! As far as blu-ray and DVD retail goes, 2012 is off to a slow start, with just one Asian film on the slate for this week. But hey, Warner Home Video is going crazy with a selection of 3-disc blu-ray sets, which combine three loosely related films in one package for only $22.49. Not too shabby. Just forgive me for repeating … Continue reading

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Love Exposure (2008) Review

"Love Exposure" International Theatrical Poster

Director: Sion Sono Writer: Sion Sono Producer: Haruo Umekawa Cast: Takahiro Nishijima, Hikari Mitsushima, Sakura Ando, Makiko Watanabe, Atsuro Watabe Running Time: 237 min. By HKFanatic This is a film whose reputation precedes it – that of being one long-ass movie. “Love Exposure” is “Suicide Club” director Sion Sono’s four hour ode to love, Christianity, upskirt photography, and awkward erections. To be honest, I put “Love Exposure” into my DVD … Continue reading

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Bunraku stakes its claim on Netflix Instant

Bunraku is a one of a kind film, a genre mash-up that combines elements of the Western, the noir, and the classic kung fu movie. The 2009 film, directed by Guy Moshe and starring Josh Hartnett, Japanese rock god Gackt, Woody Harrelson, and Ron Pearlman, is now streaming on Netflix Instant in HD. Check out our review here and queue up the movie if you’re in the mood for a … Continue reading

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Blu-Ray and DVD Releases for 12/27/11

The last week of 2011 is indeed a slow one. But if you’re a horror buff, take heart as there seems to be a surplus of scary flicks this Tuesday. Here are your Asian and genre movie blu-ray and DVD releases for the week of 12/27/11: ASIAN CINEMA City Under Siege (Blu-ray + DVD combo) – director Benny Chan’s special effects-laden 2010 film stars Aaron Kwok, Shu Qi, and a … Continue reading

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‘Helldriver’ brings Japanese splatterpunk to Netflix Instant

If you enjoy Sushi Typhoon’s particular brand of gonzo Japanese cinema – think Machine Gun Girl and Tokyo Gore Police – then you’ll probably find something to enjoy in their latest splatterpunk epic, Helldriver. It’s a roadtrip movie set in a near-future Japan overrun by flesh-eating zombies. The good news is that it’s now streaming on Netflix Instant in HD. See the movie that Twitch Film says “blows all boundaries … Continue reading

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Detective Dee & the Mystery of the Phantom Flame (2010) Review

"Detective Dee & the Mystery of the Phantom Flame" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Tsui Hark Cast: Andy Lau Tak Wah, Tony Leung Ka Fai, Carina Lau Kar Ling, Li Bing Bing, Deng Chao, Richard Ng Yiu Hon, Du Yiheng, Yao Lu, Teddy Robin Kwan Running Time: 123 min. By HKFanatic As a longtime Tsui Hark fan, it’s great to see the master director return with a film that’s easier for audiences to latch on to. “Detective Dee & the Mystery of the … Continue reading

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Blu-Ray and DVD Releases for 12/20/11

The releases are slowing down a bit this week, perhaps in preparation of the holiday, but there’s still plenty to enjoy. I imagine Asian film fans will be most excited about “Love Exposure” finally making its way to American shores. I know I am! Here are your Asian and genre movie blu-ray and DVD releases for the week of 12/20/11: ASIAN CINEMA Love Exposure (DVD) – it’s finally here! From … Continue reading

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Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol | aka M:I-4 (2011) Review

"Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Brad Bird Cast: Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg, Paula Patton, Michael Nyqvist, Vladimir Mashkov, Samuli Edelmann, Anil Kapoor, Josh Holloway, Léa Seydoux, Tom Wilkinson, Ving Rhames, Ivan Shvedoff, Pavel Kríz Running Time: 132 min. By HKFanatic Defying age and box office results, Tom Cruise is back with another entry in his venerable “Mission: Impossible” series. Although the second installment threatened to turn the franchise into a Cruise vanity … Continue reading

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Sion Sono’s Asian horror masterpiece ‘Cold Fish’ arrives on Netflix Instant

From Sion Sono, the acclaimed director of Suicide Club, comes a new vision of Asian horror. Cold Fish is a dark, disturbing, and strangely humorous look at one dysfunctional Japanese family and the lengths they will go to in order to make their tropical fish shop successful. The film is now streaming on Netflix Instant in HD and comes highly recommended from City on Fire. Check out our review here, … Continue reading

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Lost World, The: Jurassic Park (1997) Review

Director: Steven Spielberg Writer: David Koepp Producer: Kathleen Kennedy, Gerald R. Molen, Colin Wilson Cast: Jeff Goldblum, Julianne Moore, Vanessa Lee Chester, Pete Postlethwaite, Arliss Howard Running Time: 129 min. By HKFanatic When we’re first introduced to Jeff Goldblum’s character in “The Lost World: Jurassic Park,” he’s yawning in front of a fake painted backdrop. Clearly something is amiss: if the acclaimed thespian can’t even muster any excitement for this … Continue reading

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Blu-Ray and DVD Releases for 12/13/11

This week is jam-packed with releases leading up to the holidays so let’s get cracking. Here are your Asian and genre movie blu-ray and DVD releases for the week of 12/13/11: ASIAN CINEMA The Legend is Born – Ip Man (blu-ray/DVD) – this 2010 martial arts film, sometimes erroneously marketed as a prequel to Donnie Yen’s “Ip Man” series, isn’t the lazy cash-in you might expect. It’s actually pretty good! … Continue reading

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Man from Nowhere, The (2010) Review

"The Man from Nowhere" International Theatrical Poster

AKA: Ajeossi Director: Lee Jeong-beom Writer: Lee Jeong-beom Cast: Won Bin, Kim Sae-ron, Kim Tae-hoon, Kim Hee-won, Kim Sung-oh, Thanayong Wongtrakul Running Time: 119 min. By HKFanatic “The Man From Nowhere” is probably the best blind buy I’ve ever made. I decided to pick it up during release week based on the little positive word-of-mouth I’d read online. I figured: hey, it’s a new gritty Korean revenge movie, it has … Continue reading

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