Category Archives: News

Trailer for Pen-Ek Ratanaruang’s Headshot

Twitch has posted a trailer for Pen-Ek Ratanaruang’s Headshot (not to be confused with the upcoming Stallone film). Along with Wisit Sasanatieng (Tears of the Black Tiger) and Apichatpong Weerasethakul (Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives), Pen-Ek Ratanaruang is considered one of Thai cinema’s leading “new wave” auteurs. He is best known for his 2003 film Last Life in the Universe. For the trailer please visit Twitch. Also check out … Continue reading

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Hindsight (aka Blue Salt) Trailer

Directed by Lee Hyeon-Seung (Il Mare) and starring Song Kang-ho (The Good, The Bad, The Weird) and Shin Se-kyung (Five Senses of Eros). Hindsight is about a former gangster who now wants to live a quiet life while hoping to run a restaurant of his own. One day, he meets a daring and spunky young girl in his cooking class, and finds himself drawn to her. She turns out to … Continue reading

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My Sassy Girl director to make blockbuster starring Fan Bingning and Chow Yun-fat

“My Sassy Girl” director Kwak Jae-yong has been hired by China Film Group to direct a movie potentially starring two of China’s biggest celebrities, Chow Yun-fat and Fan Bingbing. This is the first time for a Korean director to helm a Chinese blockbuster. The movie, named “Yang Guifei,” is scheduled to be released next year. Filming is due to begin in October and around 30 Korean staff, including the lighting … Continue reading

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Oasis (2002) Review

Director: Lee Chang-Dong Cast: Sol Kyung-Gu, Moon So-Ri, Ahn Nae-Sang, Ryoo Seung-Wan, Chu Kwi-Jung, Son Byung-Ho, Yoon Ga-Hyun, Park Myung-Shin, Park Kyung-Geun Running Time: 132 Min. By Raging Gaijin “Oasis” is a difficult film to watch, let alone review. The story is deceptively simple, as the plot synopsis above describes, but from it grows one of the most unlikely and captivating relationships in cinema history. Writer/director Lee Chang-Dong has crafted … Continue reading

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Well Go USA to release two films from Grudge director Takashi Shimizu

Well Go USA has preemptively acquired all North American distribution rights including theatrical, DVD, Digital, VOD and Television to the upcoming 3D horror thriller TORMENTED from Hong Kong/Netherlands-based Fortissimo Films.  They have simultaneously also acquired all rights to the 2010 horror classic THE SHOCK LABYRINTH. Both films were directed by edgy auteur Takashi Shimizu, best known for the original 2002 Japanese hit The Grudge (Juon) and the 2003 sequel The … Continue reading

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Dr. Wai in the Scripture Without Words (1996) Review

"Dr. Wai in the Scripture Without Words" Theatrical Poster

Director: Ching Siu-tung Cast: Jet Li, Rosamund Kwan, Charlie Young, Kaneshiro Takeshi, Law Kar Ying, Billy Chow Bei Lei, Collin Chou, Johnnie Kong Yeuk Sing Running Time: 91 min.  By Numskull Holy crap, what a waste. Of time, of money, of energy, of potential. This could have been a remarkable action-adventure with a scope the width of which is rarely seen in Hong Kong cinema. Instead, it’s just ninety yawn-inducing … Continue reading

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Hitman | aka Contract Killers (1998) Review

Director: Stephen Tung Wai Cast: Jet Li, Eric Tsang, Simon Yam, Gigi Leung, Keiji Sato, Paul Ropovshi, Frankie Ng, Jude Poyer, Deon Lam Dik On, Sam Wong Shum, John Ching Tung Running Time: 104 min. By Numskull A very welcome change of pace for Jet Li, Hitman features no flying around on wires or other stupid Hong Kong action tricks, unless you count the bad guy who blinds people with light from … Continue reading

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Street Fighters 4 Film DVD Set (Image)

RELEASE DATE: November 8, 2011 These titles have been released before by various budget labels. Bruce Lee Fights Back from the Grave, The Crippled Masters, The 36 Crazy Fists, Kung Fu the Punch of Death. Please note that these films are most likely full screen, and not 16×9 enhanced. Trailers/Clips: Bruce Lee Fights Back from the Grave | The Crippled Masters | The 36 Crazy Fists | Kung Fu the … Continue reading

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Metrodome’s Brave DVD: From the action team behind Ong-Bak

The Metrodome Group (UK) is releasing Brave on September 11th. Brave stars Michael B, the key stuntman on the acclaimed Ong Bak. Brave unleashes explosive martial arts scenes from the original experts of Muay Thai. Michael B leads as hard-headed fighter Pairote- blackmailed by a powerful mafia gang who hold his brother hostage. To free his brother, Pairote must break into a natioanl credit card company and steal client details. … Continue reading

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September 6, discover A Horrible Way to Die

Forget everything you’ve ever seen in a serial killer movie and get ready for the chiller that stunned festival audiences around the world. Officially selected by such prestigious film festivals as Sitges, the Toronto International Film Festival, and Fanatastic Fest.Named one of Movieline’s Most Anticipated Films of 2011, Anchor Bay Films releases the atmospheric thriller A Horrible Way to Die September 6th on blu-ray and DVD. Officially selected by such … Continue reading

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Waikiki Brothers (2001) Review

"Waikiki Brothers" Theatrical Poster

Director: Yim Soonrye Cast: Lee Eol, Park Won-Sang, Ryu Seung-Beom, Hwang Jung-Min, Oh Ji-Hye, Park Hae-Il Running Time: 140 mins. By Equinox21 Waikiki Brothers is a mildly depressing film about a band of the same name, with Sung-woo as the lead member. The band loses members for a number of reasons, one being that they bring in less and less money, and people simply can’t afford to play music in … Continue reading

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Legendary East gets funding boost

Another piece of financing has come together for Thomas Tull’s Legendary East banner, with Hong Kong’s Paul Y. Engineering Group agreeing to invest $220.5 million in the company for a 50% stake. In addition, Legendary said it will also establish a credit facility to fund film productions and operations. Legendary East is the Asia arm of Legendary Pictures, with a focus on developing English-language pics that tap into Chinese culture. … Continue reading

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Hot, the Cool and the Vicious, The (1976) Review

"The Hot, the Cool and the Vicious" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Lee Tso Nam Writer: Cheung San Yee Cast: Tan Tao Liang, Don Wong Tao, Philip Ko Fei, Jimmy Lee Fong, Suen Ga Lam, George Wang Jue, Lau Yin Seung, Tommy Lee, Chai Kai, Sit Hon, Man Chung San, Sit Cheung Man, Tan Tao Kung, To Wai Wo Running Time: 89 min. By Numskull Straight from the Tai Seng DVD package: “Flashy leg combats highlight this superb action adventure, considered … Continue reading

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Dusting off cinematic oddities on Netflix Instant

The New York Times has a great article about the obscure cinematic curiosities that hardcore cinephiles may want to dig up on Netflix Instant and Hulu, including the 105-minute cut of Edgar G. Ulmer’s 1949 film noir “Ruthless” and Richard Sale’s 1955 “Gentlemen Marry Brunettes” (in HD, no less). Read the article here.

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Michael Jai White delivers The Beatdown on September 13

Featuring more thrilling and jaw dropping fight sequences than the original; Never Back Down 2: The Beatdown hits Unrated DVD September 13th from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. Starring America’s number one martial arts action star Michael Jai White (Black Dynamite, Blood and Bone) in his directorial debut, Never Back Down 2: The Beatdown returns to the adrenaline-pumped underground world of MMA fighting, as a group of four college-aged fighters must … Continue reading

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