7 Assassins | DVD (Lionsgate)
So here we are again, my favorite time of year, Christmas!
It’s a magical time of Santa, toys, trees, tinsel, elves, Rudolph, carols and turkey. “It was the night before Christmas” still sends thrills of delight to my heart as I think of my childhood waiting for Santa to come down the chimney.
But now I’m a wise adult and I realize that sh*t isn’t going to happen. So, I’m going to face reality by treating myself to some of my favorite films – rather than eating that re-gifted fruitcake that gets passed around – which brings us to this month’s Blu-ray & DVD release list, handpicked by cityonfire.com!
The month of December brings Brandon Lee, Live-action Anime, Shaw Brothers Classics, a Michael Dudikoff gem, old school Cheng Pei Pei flicks, a gritty South Korean crime thriller and a handful of great Hong Kong legends – all under one tree!
If you’re interested in purchasing any of the titles, we’re hoping you’ll click on our Amazon.com links to show your support towards cityonfire.com.
Cheng Pei Pei Double Feature: December 2, 2014
Shout! Factory presents the DVD for the Cheng Pei Pei Double Feature, which includes 1973’s Kung Fu Girl and 1974’s Whiplash. Directed by Lo Wei (Fists of Fury) and Ding Sin Saai (Furious Slaughter), respectively, these two Golden Harvest classics feature Cheng Pei Pei, who would gain mainstream recognition for her role as Jade Fox in 2000’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
Legacy of Rage: December 2, 2014
Shout! Factory presents the DVD for 1986’s Legacy of Rage, a Hong Kong revenge flick starring the late Brandon Lee (The Crow) and directed by Ronny Yu (The Bride with White Hair), who will be providing an informative audio commentary track. Legacy of Rage is more along the lines of a John Woo shoot ’em up, than a martial arts movie. Nonetheless, it was one heck of a debut for Brandon!
The film also stars Michael Wong (Knock-Off), Chan Wai-Man (Bruce Lee the Invincible), Regina Kent (A Better Tomorrow II), Bolo Yeung (Enter Three Dragons) and Mang Hoi (Heart of the Dragon).
Kite: December 2, 2014
Anchor Bay presents the Blu-ray & DVD for Kite. When her cop father is killed, a young woman tracks the murder with the apparent help of his ex-partner. Kite is said to have more “modern” approach to the material (based on the Anime by Yasuomi Umetsu), using our current economic problems as a backdrop for the story. Ralph Ziman’s (Gangster’s Paradise: Jerusalema) Kite stars India Eisley, Callan McAuliffe, Cleo Rinkwest, Samuel L. Jackson and Russel Savadier.
Hickey & Boggs: December 2, 2014
Is Bill Cosby innocent or guilty? Who cares! Kino Video presents the Blu-ray & DVD for 1972’s Hickey & Boggs, written by Walter Hill (The Warriors). I Spy stars, Cosby and Robert Culp (who also directed), are united again in this modern film noir about two detectives investigating a kidnapping and running into a gang of vicious criminals responsible for a string of murders. The film also stars James Woods (The Onion Field), Michael Moriarty (Q), Vincent Gardenia (Death Wish), Bill Hickman (Bullitt) and Ed Lauter (Breakheart Pass).
The Shadow Boxing: December 9, 2014
Well Go USA presents the DVD for 1979’s The Shadow Boxing (aka The Spiritual Boxer 2), not to be confused with 1974’s The Shadow Boxer, which was also released by Well Go USA in 2009. Now’s your chance to own this classic Shaw Brother’s gem! Directed by Lau Kar Leung (Drunken Master II), this kung fu “comedy” stars Wong Yu (Shaolin Executioner), Gordon Liu Chia Hui (Shaolin Mantis) and Lau Kar Wing (The Dragon Family).
Trail of the Broken Blade: December 9, 2014
Well Go USA presents the DVD for Trail of the Broken Blade, directed by Chang Cheng (Chinatown Kid, Five Element Ninjas), one of Shaw Brothers Studio’s best known and most prolific film directors! This 1967 classic stars Jimmy Wang Yu (Man Called Tiger), Chin Ping (Killer Darts), Lisa Chiao Chiao (Seven Warriors), Paul Wei Ping Ao (Way of the Dragon) and Wu Ma (White Vengeance).
Avenging Force: December 9, 2014
Kino Lorber presents the Blu-ray for 1986’s Avenging Force (aka Night Hunter), directed by Sam Firstenberg (Revenge of the Ninja) and starring Michael Dudikoff (American Ninja). Not many people are aware of this tidbit, but in this Cannon cult classic, Dudikoff portrays Matt Hunter, a character previously played by Chuck Norris in 1985’s Invasion U.S.A. So, Jack Ryan, eat your heart out! This newly remastered Blu-ray for Avenging Force will feature Audio commentary by Dudikoff and Firstenberg, plus interviews and the original theatrical trailer.
The Traffickers: December 23, 2014
Well Go USA presents the Blu-ray & DVD for Kim Hong-sun’s The Traffickers. This Award-winning South Korean crime thriller takes place in six hours on a passenger boat with an ongoing black-market organ-trafficking operation, and a desperate husband out to find his missing wife. The film stars Im Chang-jung, Choi Daniel, Oh Dal-su and Jo Yoon-hee. Watch the trailer.
7 Assassins: December 23, 2014
Lionsgate is set to release the DVD for Eric Tsang’s 7 Assassins on December 23rd. The Canadian-American entertainment company is marketing the 2013 Hong Kong production as “The story of brotherhood, loyalty, and the rise of the underdog intersect in this epic movie in the vein of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and 47 Ronin.”
Directed by both Tsang (who also stars) and Hung Yan Yan (action director), 7 Assassins features an all-star cast of old school action stars such as: Felix Wong, Ray Lui, Guo Tao, Kara Hu, Well Lee, Michael Wong, Fung Hak On, Waise Lee, Leung Kar Yan, Ken Lo, Mars, Jason Pai Piao, Ti Lung, Dick Wei, Simon Yam, Yu Rong Guang and many others!
Looking for new import releases?
If you’re looking for a new import release, please visit DDDhouse.com. The trusted retailer carries new and upcoming releases that are not yet available in North America.
1 Comment