Flower and Snake | Blu-ray (Impulse)

Posted on November 6, 2020 by JJ Bona
Flower and Snake | Blu-ray (Impulse)

Flower and Snake | Blu-ray (Impulse)

RELEASE DATE: March 16, 2021

On March 16, 2021, Impulse Pictures is releasing the Blu-ray & DVD for 1974’s Flower and Snake. Based on Oniroku Dan’s famous Japanese novel, the film is the first Nikkatsu erotic film to deal with the subject of sadomasochism (Sir Paul Bramhall recently reviewed a newer rendition of the film).

Makoto (Yasuhiko Ishizu) is a sexually suppressed man living with his mother Miyo (Hiroko Fuji) who owns an adult toy store. When he was a child, Makoto remembers shooting a soldier whom he found having sex with his mother. The elderly man who owns the company Makoto works for has an interest in BDSM and wants Makoto to kidnap and train his wife (Naomi Tani) to submit to him. With Makoto battling the demons of his past and unsure of the consequences of his own sexual awakening, what transpires is one of the most shocking, perverse and jaw-dropping Continue reading →

Posted in Asian Titles, DVD/Blu-ray New Releases, News |

Abduction (2019) Review

Posted on November 6, 2020 by Paul Bramhall
"Abduction" Theatrical Poster

“Abduction” Theatrical Poster

AKA: Twilight Zodiac
Director: Ernie Barbarash
Cast: Scott Adkins, Andy On, Truong Ngoc Anh, Lily Ji, Aki Aleong, Daniel Whyte, Mike Leeder, Tom Caserto, Brahim Chab, Philippe Joly, Semiquaver Iafeta, Jai Day
Running Time: 98 min.

By Paul Bramhall

I confess to having intentionally avoided the Scott Adkins vehicle Abduction in 2019. In a year which saw the British martial arts star either headline or feature in the likes of Avengement, Triple Threat, and Ip Man 4: The Finale, the Roger Corman produced sci-fi romp backed by China felt like it had a “we all have bills to pay” vibe written all over it. You know the ones that occasionally pop up in any actor’s filmography who isn’t regularly headlining big budget Hollywood productions – Incoming, Green Street 3: Never Back Down, Legendary, the list goes on. It had always remained a curiosity somewhere in the back of my mind though, so as 2020 draws to a close I decided to give it a go (I know, checking out a movie a year after it was released is no biggie, but Adkins cranks them out so fast that Abduction is already 7 movies ago).

The main draw behind Abduction is the reunion of Adkins and Andy On, 17 years after they went head to head in the Tsui Hark directed 2002 Hong Kong flick Black Mask 2: City of Masks, back when they were both starting out in the industry. In a word of warning, anyone hoping to see the pair in a slightly less out-there tale than what their first outing offered (in short – Adkins as a mad scientist mixing up the DNA of pro-wrestlers with animals) will be left disappointed. While there’s no pro-wrestlers Continue reading →

Posted in All, Asian Related, Chinese, News, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , |

Cobra Kai: Seasons 1 and 2 | DVD (Sony)

Posted on November 5, 2020 by JJ Bona
Cobra Kai: Seasons 1 and 2 | DVD (Sony)

Cobra Kai: Seasons 1 and 2 | DVD (Sony)

RELEASE DATE: November 24, 2020

On November 24, 2020, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is releasing Cobra Kai: Seasons 1 and 2 on DVD, which includes Seasons 1 and Season 2 of the Cobra Kai saga.

Read the official press release below:

In Cobra Kai, the highly-anticipated return of two iconic characters, the arch-rivals from the legendary The Karate Kid film series reunite over 30 years after the events of the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament. Now living in the affluent hills of Encino, Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) leads an enviable life. Meanwhile, his high school adversary, Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka), has taken a rocky turn, but seeks redemption by reopening the infamous Cobra Kai karate dojo. Their lives inevitably become intertwined and the rivalry is reignited, setting forth the next generation of “karate kids.”

Bonus material:

  • Bonus Scenes Saved from the Cutting Room Floor
  • Gag Reels
  • Easter Eggs: The cast and crew take you through their favorite Cobra Kai callbacks to the original The Karate Kid franchise
  • Fists & Fury: Fight Choreography: Learn about the training and rehearsal process for the biggest action scenes in Cobra Kai
  • Into the Dojo: The Characters: Discover more about your favorite characters from the first two seasons
  • Cast Chemistry Reads
  • Exploring the Musical Identities of Cobra Kai and Miyagi-Do with Composers
  • Musical Performances at the Whiskey a Go-Go with Guest William Zabka

Pre-order Cobra Kai from Amazon.com today! 

Posted in DVD/Blu-ray New Releases, Martial Arts Titles, News |

Here’s what’s streaming on Hi-YAH! for the month of November

Posted on November 5, 2020 by JJ Bona

Hi-YAH!, Well Go USA’s very own Asian/martial arts streaming channel has just announced their New Release line up for the month of November, which includes a New film added to Hi-YAH! every Friday! Some of the highlights include the all-star HK actioner Dragon Quad (cast includes Sammo Hung and the Terminator-killer himself, Michael Biehn) and a little bit of Bruceploiation on the side!

Continue reading for the full Continue reading →

Posted in News |

Fist of Fury Part II (1976) Review

Posted on November 4, 2020 by Ian Whittle
"Fist of Fury Part II" Theatrical Poster

“Fist of Fury Part II” Theatrical Poster

Director: Lee Tso Nam
Cast: Bruce Li (aka Ho Chung Tao, James Ho), Lo Lieh, Tien Feng, James Nam Gung Fan, Suen Lam, Philip Ko Fei, Cho Kin, Chan Wai Lau, Lee Kwan, Sit Hon, Jimmy Lee Fong, Shikamura Yasuyoshi, Robert Tai Chi Hsien, To Wai Wo
Running Time: 104 min.

By Ian Whittle

1976 saw director/producer Lo Wei locate to Taiwan to produce a sequel to his box-office smash Fist of Fury, which was also his second and final collaboration with Bruce Lee. A talky, 2 hour slog, which underused Lo’s new discovery, Jackie Chan, New Fist of Fury was an underwhelming attempt to rekindle past glories – this was made even more obvious by another Taiwanese sequel to Fist of Fury, produced the same year, which ended up feeling a lot more like the original than the sequel from the actual director of the original did!

Fist of Fury Part II follows on from the original at the funeral of Chen Zhen (Bruce Lee), represented by a photo of Lee from…Way of the Dragon. Since Lo Wei represented Bruce in New Fist of Fury with stills from Enter the Dragon, I suppose there must have been a lack of FOF photos, except this film has an opening montage of stills from the original. Since Nora Miao was off making New Fist of Fury, here her character is played by a double in mourning garb…who [ Spoiler Alert ] promptly Continue reading →

Posted in All, Bruceploitation, Chinese, News, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , |

Take ‘One Second’ and check out these New Posters for Zhang Yimou’s upcoming film ‘One Second’

Posted on November 4, 2020 by JJ Bona
"One Second" Teaser Poster

“One Second” Teaser Poster

Zhang Yimou, the acclaimed filmmaker of Hero, The Great Wall and Shadow, will soon be introducing his long-delayed film, One Second, to audiences all around the world.

The upcoming film stars Zhang Yi (Operation Red Sea), Liu Haocun (Impasse, A Little Red Flower), Fan Wei (Air Strike) and Yu Ailei (A Better Tomorrow 2018, Saving Mr. Wu).

One Second is co-written with Zou Jingzhi – Zhang’s screenwriter  for Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles and Coming Home – and is described as a “rural drama” (via AFS).

One Second is just one of three films Zhang Yimou has under his belt (the others being The Coldest Gun and Impasse). A Trailer Continue reading →

Posted in News |

Raining in the Mountain | Blu-ray & DVD (Film Movement)

Posted on November 3, 2020 by JJ Bona
Raining in the Mountain | Blu-ray (Film Movement)

Raining in the Mountain | Blu-ray (Film Movement)

RELEASE DATE: December 8, 2020

On December 8, 2020, Film Movement will be releasing the Blu-ray & DVD for Raining in the Mountain, a 1979 wu xia film from renown director King Hu (Come Drink with Me). The film stars Feng Hsu (To Kill with Intrigue), Yueh Sun (Police Force), Paul Chang (Millionaires Express), Tien Feng (Fists of Fury) and Suen Yuet (City on Fire).

Read the official details below:

During the Ming Dynasty, a Buddhist abbot charged with protecting the sacred scroll of Tripitaka prepares to name his successor. An aristocrat and a general arrive at his secluded mountaintop monastery promising to help in his search, but are in fact scheming to secure the scroll for themselves. As they set about recommending corrupt successors, rival bands of martial artists lie in wait to steal the precious artifact. Soon, the monastery is transformed into an epic battleground for the scroll, with each Continue reading →

Posted in Asian Titles, DVD/Blu-ray New Releases, Martial Arts Titles, News |

Jade Dynasty (2019) Review

Posted on November 2, 2020 by Paul Bramhall
"Jade Dynasty" Theatrical Poster

“Jade Dynasty” Theatrical Poster

Director: Ching Siu-Tung
Cast: Sean Xiao, Li Qin, Meng Mei Qi, Tina Tang, Qiu Xin Zhi, Cecilia Yip, John Chiang, Norman Tsui, Leung Kar-Yan, Hung Yan-Yan, Bao Xiaosong, Chen Liwei, Li Shen
Running Time: 101 min. 

By Paul Bramhall

The hyper-kinetic action and billowing silk of the early 90’s new wave wuxia genre may be a long time ago, but one of the directors whose name is indelibly linked with it is thankfully still around – Ching Siu-Tung. Siu-Tung’s distinctive choreography style of the era, defined by its bombastic wife-fu infused set pieces, can be found in the likes of New Dragon Inn, Holy Weapon, and Butterfly and Sword, as well as in the movies he sat in the director’s chair for himself, such as the Swordsman and Chinese Ghost Story trilogies. That era of Hong Kong cinema may be gone, however I confess that when Siu-Tung’s name is attached to a movie, I still get excited about it.

Admittedly as a director the post-millennium world hasn’t exactly been full of highlights. After the riotously fun Conman in Tokyo in 2000, the guilty pleasure (at least for me) of 2002’s Naked Weapon, and the 2003 Steven Seagal vehicle Belly of the Beast, it’d be another 5 years before he directed again. When he returned, it was to make An Empress and the Warriors, the movie that many consider to be the first blip in Donnie Yen’s filmography Continue reading →

Posted in All, Chinese, News, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , |

Impetigore | Blu-ray (Shudder)

Posted on November 2, 2020 by JJ Bona
Impetigore | Blu-ray (Shudder)

Impetigore | Blu-ray (Shudder)

RELEASE DATE: January 26, 2021

On January 26, 2021, Image Entertainment and Shudder is releasing the Blu-ray for 2019’s Impetigore, an Indonesian thriller from director Joko Anwar (Satan’s Slaves, Gundala).

Impetigore stars Tara Basro (Killers), Ario Bayu (Java Heat), Marissa Anita (Gundala), Christine Hakim (Merantau) and Asmara Abigail (Abracadabra).

After surviving a murder attempt in the city, Maya, a down-on-her-luck young woman, learns that she may inherit a house in her ancestral village. With her friend Dini, Maya returns to the village of her birth, unaware that the community there has been trying to locate and kill her to remove the curse that has plagued the village for years. As she begins to discover the complicated reality about her past, Maya finds herself in a fight for her life. Sundance 2020 Official Continue reading →

Posted in Asian Titles, DVD/Blu-ray New Releases, News |

Devil’s Express | Blu-ray (Code Red)

Posted on November 1, 2020 by JJ Bona
Devil's Express | Blu-ray (Code Red)

Devil’s Express | Blu-ray (Code Red)

RELEASE DATE: February 9, 2021

Back from the dead is Code Red’s Blu-ray for Devil’s Express (aka Gang Wars), which hits retail outlets on February 9, 2020. This 1976 martial arts/horror film is directed by Barry Rosen (The Yum Yum Girls) and starring Warhawk Tanzania (Black Force), Wilfredo Roldan (Velvet Smooth), Theodore Gottlieb (The Burbs) and David E. Durston (director of I Drink Your Blood).

Read the official details below:

New York Master Martial Artist Luke (Tanzania) goes to Hong Kong to earn his next level in the Martial Arts world and convinces his student Rodan (Roldan) to accompany him. Once they arrive, they come across an ancient burial site and find an amulet that holds a horrific demon creature in its power. Not knowing what the amulet was for, Rodan steals it and takes it back to gang infested New York Continue reading →

Posted in DVD/Blu-ray New Releases, Martial Arts Titles, News |

Mel Gibson is a badass Santa in the New Poster for ‘Fatman’

Posted on November 1, 2020 by JJ Bona
"Fatman" Theatrical Poster

“Fatman” Theatrical Poster

Even during his post-legendary Hollywood status, Mel Gibson has been consistently delivering the goods with films like Edge of Darkness, Get The Gringo, Blood Father, Dragged Across Concrete, and his directorial comeback, Hacksaw Ridge (we have yet to see The Professor and the Madman and Force of Nature). Now, Gibson is back with another catchy project titled Fatman.

Fatman centers on a rowdy, unorthodox Santa Claus (Gibson) who is fighting his business decline. Though billed as a comedy, the Trailer puts into play that it’s more of a dark comedy/actioner filled with gunfights and villainous children.

The film also stars Walton Goggins (The Hateful Eight, Justified) and Marianne Jean-Baptiste (Without a Trace, Blindspot), and is directed and written by Eshom Nelms and Ian Nelms, a pair who are perhaps best known for cult indie favorite Continue reading →

Posted in News |

First look at Li Weiran’s Live-action adaptation of ‘The Yinyang Master’ based on the popular Onmyoji mobile game

Posted on October 30, 2020 by JJ Bona
"The Yinyang Master" Theatrical Poster

“The Yinyang Master” Theatrical Poster

If Teddy Chen’s Double World didn’t quite suppress your mood for videogame-to-film adaptations, then get ready for CKF Pictures’ The Yinyang Master, an upcoming action/fantasy film based on the phenomenal mobile game, Onmyoji.

Directed by Li Weiran (Love Will Tear Us Apart), The Yinyang Master stars Chen Kun (Mojin: The Lost Legend), Zhou Xun (Painted Skin 2: The Resurrection), William Chan (As the Light Goes Out) and Wang Likun (Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons 2).

Description from IMDB: Captain of the City Guard Yuan Boya is stripped of rank after the imperial tribute he was guarding is stolen. Unwilling to let things lie, he searches for the thieves, only to end up entering a mystical world of demons. Along the way, he becomes mixed up in a feud between Yinyang Master Qing Ming and the human and demon Continue reading →

Posted in News |

Tony Jaa to star in English-language action trilogy from ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ producers

Posted on October 29, 2020 by JJ Bona
"Ong-Bak" International Teaser Poster

“Ong-Bak” International Teaser Poster

Martial arts wonder Tony Jaa (Ong-Bak, Triple Threat, Paradox, xXx: Return of Xander Cage) has been hitched to lead an English-language action trilogy from Starlight Entertainment (Midway, Crazy Rich Asians).

For the story, Muay Thai master Jaa will play a legendary assassin who disappeared three years ago and becomes the target of all criminal organizations and law enforcement agencies. According to producers, the story will unfold in an unconventional structure and as the manhunt accelerates, the mystery of the assassin’s identity is slowly unraveled (via Deadline).

Jaa will produce along with Peter Luo (Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, Midway) and Mike Selby (Skin Trade, Triple Threat).

Filming is slated to begin next year Continue reading →

Posted in News |

Man Standing Next, The (2020) Review

Posted on October 28, 2020 by Paul Bramhall
"The Man Standing Next" Theatrical Poster

“The Man Standing Next” Theatrical Poster

Director: Woo Min-Ho
Cast: Lee Byung-Hun, Lee Sung-Min, ak Do-Won, Lee Hee-Joon, Kim So-Jin, Seo Hyun-Woo, Ji Hyun-Joon, Park Sung-Geun, Park Ji-Il, Lee Tae-Hyeong, Kim Seung-Hoon
Running Time: 114 min.

By Paul Bramhall

South Korea has had a tumultuous history since its creation after the division of the peninsula in 1954, shortly after the Korean War ended, up to it achieving democracy in 1987. While it spent most of the 33 years under some form of authoritarian regime or another, the era which still causes controversy to this day is the time spent under the rule of Park Chung-hee, who came to power in 1962 following a military coup the year prior. As president Chung-hee kept himself in power up until his assassination in October 1979, and while he’s largely credited for the rapid modernisation of Korea, it’s a legacy which is stained by his autocratic style of ruling. The many restrictions on things like freedom of speech and the press, and the fact that his opponents frequently found themselves held without trial and subject to torture, gradually saw the tide of public opinion begin to turn against him by the late 70’s.

The subject of Chung-hee’s assassination has been covered before in the Korean film industry, notably in Im Sang-soo’s 2005 dark comedy The President’s Last Bang, which covered the 3 hours leading up to the assassination along with the immediate aftermath. 15 years later, the subject is back on the screen with director Woo Min-ho’s latest, The Man Standing Next. Decidedly different in both tone and scope than Sang-soo’s take on the subject, Min-ho has created a poker-faced Continue reading →

Posted in All, Korean, News, Reviews | Tagged , |

Devilman: Special Edition | Blu-ray & DVD (Media Blasters)

Posted on October 27, 2020 by JJ Bona
Devilman: Special Edition | Blu-ray & DVD (Media Blasters)

Devilman: Special Edition | Blu-ray & DVD (Media Blasters)

RELEASE DATE: December 15, 2020

On December 15, 2020, Media Blasters will release the Blu-ray & DVD for Devilman, is a live-action film directed by Hiroyuki Nasu (Be-Bop High School), based on the manga of the same name by Go Nagai.

Read the official details below:

First time on blu-ray! Best friends Akira and Ryo (played by real life twins Hisato and Yusuke Izaki) are your average high school students, that is, until they learn that Ryo s scientist father stationed in Antarctica has accidentally unleashed a horde of demons upon the earth! The demons spread like a virus throughout the world, possessing ordinary people and turning them violently against each other. (It sounds all too familiar in 2020!) When Akira becomes possessed, he becomes the one and only Devilman, an all-powerful demonic entity who somehow retains his humanity. It’s up to Continue reading →

Posted in Asian Titles, DVD/Blu-ray New Releases, News |
  1. Pages:
  3. 1
  4. ...
  5. 127
  6. 128
  7. 129
  8. 130
  9. 131
  10. 132
  11. 133
  12. 134
  13. 135
  14. 136
  15. 137
  16. ...
  17. 491