Author Archives: Z Ravas

Blu-ray and DVD Releases for 10/18/11

There’s some interesting releases this week, whether you’re a fan of foreign films, Japanese animation, or straight-up horror. So let’s get down to it! Here are some Asian and genre-related releases for 10/18/11: ASIAN CINEMA Kuroneka (blu-ray/DVD) – Criterion Collection releases this 1968 black-and-white Japanese horror fable Harimaya Bridge (blu-ray + DVD combo) – Funimation offers this moving drama, produced and starring Danny Glover and featuring a host of Japanese … Continue reading

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My Heart is that Eternal Rose (1989) Review

"My Heart is that Eternal Rose" Chinese DVD Cover

Director: Patrick Tam Kar Ming Producer: John Sham Kein Cast: Kenny Bee, Joey Wong Tsu Hsien, Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Michael Chan Wai Man, Gordon Liu Chia Hui, Kwan Hoi San, Ng Man Tat, Cheung Tat Ming Running Time: 90 min. By HKFanatic For ‘heroic bloodshed’ fans outside of Hong Kong, “My Heart is That Eternal Rose” is something of a holy grail: an elusive and hard to come by … Continue reading

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Blu-Ray and DVD Releases for 10/11/11

We’re back with this week’s list of noteworthy Asian and genre-related blu-ray and DVD releases. It’s October, which means it’s horror movie time. Expect a glut of Asian horror releases in the next few weeks if 10/11/11 is anything to go by. Let’s get cracking! ASIAN CINEMA Death Bell-Bloody Camp (DVD) – Tokyo Shock presents this 2010 Korean film about a group of students at a prestigious academy who find … Continue reading

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Long Arm of the Law 3 | aka Escape from Hong Kong (1989) Review

Director: Michael Mak Cast: Andy Lau, Elizabeth Lee, Elvis Tsui, Max Mok Siu Chung, Kirk Wong Chi Keung, John Ladalski, Hon Yee Sang, Ken Boyle, Mai Kei, Ng Hong Ning, Stephen Chan Tak Gwong, Cheung Chi Gin, Lam Kai Wing, Robin Shou Running Time: 107 min. By HKFanatic “Long Arm of the Law 3” is an easy film to overlook. It’s the second sequel in a series of films only … Continue reading

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Long Arm of the Law 2 (1987) Review

"Long Arm of the Law 2" Theatrical Poster

Director: Michael Mak Tong Kit Cast: Stephen Chan Tak Gwong, Hon Yee Sang, Ben Lam Kwok Bun, Alex Man Chi Leung, Elvis Tsui Kam Kong, Pauline Wong Siu Fung, Yuen Yat Chor, Mama Hung Running Time: 86 min. By HKFanatic This dark, gritty crime flick is another minor masterpiece from late 80’s Hong Kong. Although the first entry in the “Long Arm of the Law” series is still the most … Continue reading

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Blu-Ray and DVD Releases for 10/4/11

And we’re back! Check out our handy list of Blu-ray and DVD releases for the coming week of 10/4/11. Be advised that a few of the titles on this list are Imports but we have labeled what Region they are whenever possible. Most of you guys have All-Region players anyway, right? ASIAN CINEMA Once Upon a Time in China & America (blu-ray) – a hi-def release for Sammo Hung’s 1997 … Continue reading

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Flaming Brothers, The | aka Dragon and Tiger Fight (1987) Review

"The Flaming Brothers" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Joe Cheung Writer: Wong Kar Wai Cast: Chow Yun Fat, Alan Tang, Pat Ha Man Jing, Jenny Tseng Yan Lei, Patrick Tse, Philip Chan, James Yi Lui, Norman Chu, Fong Yau, Cheung Chok Chow, Chan Laap Ban Running Time: 101 min. By HKFanatic Chow Yun Fat made this heroic bloodshed film in 1987, smackdab in the middle of “A Better Tomorrow” and “A Better Tomorrow II.” That fact alone … Continue reading

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Dragon Family, The (1988) Review

"The Dragon Family" Chinese DVD Cover

Director: Lau Kar Wing Cast: Alan Tam, Andy Lau, Max Mok Siu Chung, Ken Tong Chun Yip, Norman Chu, Michael Miu Kiu Wai, William Ho Ka Kui, Lisa Chiao Chiao, Stanley Fung, Kent Cheng, Ku Feng, Lau Kar Wing, Shing Fui On, Philip Ko Fei, Wayne Archer, Charlie Cho, Kara Hui Ying Hung, Blacky Ko Running Time: 88 min. By HKFanatic Andy Lau and Alan Tam must have had a … Continue reading

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Netflix Instant Asian Film Archive

Here’s a look at select Asian titles streaming on Netflix Instant. Be advised that a few of these films are only available on streaming [dubbed] in English and that earlier movies on this list may have expired: 11/4/12 White Vengeance (2011) – a Chinese historical epic from the director of “Black Mask,” Daniel Lee. Streaming in HD The Viral Factor (2012) – Dante Lam directs this explosive Hong Kong action … Continue reading

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Blu-Ray and DVD Releases for 9/27/11

Each week, City on Fire does our best to spotlight the Asian and genre-related blu-ray and DVD releases that we suspect our readers might be interested in. Here’s the handy list of releases for 9/27/11: ASIAN CINEMA The Stool Pigeon (blu-ray/DVD) – Dante Lam’s 2010 crime thriller arrives on blu-ray and DVD courtesy of Well Go USA. The film stars Nicolas Tse and Nick Cheung. Read CoF’s review here Riki-Oh: … Continue reading

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Negative Happy Chainsaw Edge (2008) Review

Director: Takuji Kitamura Writer: Tatsuhiko Takimoto, Hirotoshi Kobayashi Cast: Megumi Seki, Hayato Ichihara, Yosuke Asari, Itsuji Itao, Haruma Miura, Maho Nonami, Hiromi Shinjo, Aya Kiguchi Running Time: 109 min. By HKFanatic Don’t let the title fool you: “Negative Happy Chainsaw Edge” is not a film that would fit in with the Sushi Typhoon catalog. There’s no blood, no gore, no strangely appendaged women. The second coming of “Machine Gun Girl” … Continue reading

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Stool Pigeon, The | aka Informer (2010) Review

Director: Dante Lam Chiu Yin Writer: Jack Ng Wai Lun Cast: Nick Cheung, Nicholas Tse, Chin Kar Lok, Miao Pu, Liu Kai Chi, Lu Yi, Sherman Chung Shu Man, Gwei Lun-Mei, Deep Ng Ho Hong, Derek Kwok Jing Hung Running Time: 113 min. By HKFanatic For the creative team behind “The Stool Pigeon,” making this film must have been a no-brainer. Director Dante Lam previously collaborated with actors Nick Cheung … Continue reading

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Collin Chou and Andy On have the makings of a ‘Five Star General’

Currently filming in Thailand is “Wu Xing Shang Jiang,” loosely translated into English as “Five Star General.” This film is a co-production between Thailand and China, and features several big names from Hong Kong. What little is known about the plot involves some female mercenaries active in the jungle, with the producers drawing influence from movies like “Tomb Raider” and “Avatar.” Not surprisingly, the film will be released in 3D … Continue reading

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Last Blood, The | aka Hard Boiled II (1991) Review

"The Last Blood" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: 12 Hours of Terror Director: Wong Jing Cast: Alan Tam, Andy Lau, Eric Tsang, Leung Kar Yan, May Lo, Jackson Lau, Nat Chan Pak Cheung Running Time: 89 min. By HKFanatic When I told Mighty Peking Man I’d watched this film, he recalled how back in the early 90’s “The Last Blood” was frequently marketed as “Hard Boiled II” by shady video distributors. Considering that “The Last Blood” was … Continue reading

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Prachya Pinkaew readies ‘The Kick’ with ‘Chocolate’ star JeeJa Yanin

The trailer for the new film from “Ong Bak” director Prachya Pinkaew, the Thai martial arts film “The Kick,” should arrive any day now. In the meantime, Twitch Film has a look at the poster art and some new promotional photos. “The Kick” follows a Korean family of Tae Kwon Do experts who run a martial arts gym in Bangkok, Thailand and encounter all sorts of trouble with some treasure … Continue reading

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