Author Archives: Z Ravas

Blu-Ray and DVD Releases for 10/25/11

There’s plenty to get excited about this week, especially if you’re a fan of giant monsters and dinosaurs. So without further adieu, let’s take a look at some Asian and genre-related blu-ray and DVD releases for 10/25/11: ASIAN CINEMA Shaolin (blu-ray/DVD) – Benny Chan’s 2011 ode to the Shaolin Temple features an all-star cast including Andy Lau, Nicolas Tse, Fan Bingbing, and Jackie Chan Fire of Conscience (DVD) – Dante … Continue reading

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Phase 7 | aka Faze 7 (2011) Review

Director: Nicolas Goldbart Writer: Nicolas Goldbart Producer: Sebastian Aloi Cast: Daniel Hendler, Jasmine Stuart, Yayo Guridi, Federico Luppi, Carlos Bermejo, Abian Vainstein Running Time: 95 min. By HKFanatic “Phase 7” is the latest in a string of viral outbreak films to land before horror moviegoer’s eyes, following the underrated “Carriers” with Chris Prine and the cult Spanish-language hit “[REC].” “Phase 7” is also in Spanish, though this time it arrives … Continue reading

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Fatal Move (2008) Review

Fatal Move DVD Cover.

AKA: Duo Shuai Director: Dennis Law Sau Yiu Cast: Sammo Hung, Simon Yam Tat Wah, Tien Niu, Danny Lee Sau Yin, Wu Jing, Eddie Cheung Siu Fai, Maggie Siu Mei Kei, Lam Suet, Ken Lo, Pinky Cheung Man Chi, Jacky Heung Cho, Fung Hak On, Hui Siu Hung Running Time: 116 min. By HKFanatic Dennis Law may just be the most incompetent director working in Hong Kong. And yet, much … Continue reading

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Unjust, The | aka Bad Deal (2010) Review

"The Unjust" Korean Theatrical Poster

Director: Ryoo Seung-wan Writer: Park Hun-Jeong Cast: Hwang Jeong-Min, Ryu Seung-Beom, Yu Hae-Jin, Cheon Ho-Jin, Ma Dong-Seok, Jo Young-Jin Running Time: 119 min. By HKFanatic When I sit down to watch a slick, commercial thriller, this is exactly what I want it to be. The director of “No Blood, No Tears” and “City of Violence” weaves an im-morality tale of police corruption, political maneuvering, and gangland-style justice with no discernible … Continue reading

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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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