Batman: The Complete TV Series | Blu-ray & DVD (Warner)

Batman: The Complete TV Series | Blu-ray (Warner)

Batman: The Complete TV Series | Blu-ray (Warner)

RELEASE DATE: November 11, 2014

Warner presents the Batman: The Complete TV Series (1966–1968) on Blu-ray & DVD (see photo). Wealthy entrepreneur Bruce Wayne (Adam West) and his ward Dick Grayson (Burt Ward) lead a double life: they are actually the crime fighting duo Batman and Robin. A secret Batpole in the Wayne mansion leads to the Batcave, where Police Commissioner Gordon often calls the Bat-duo with the latest emergency threatening Gotham City!

Also included are the Batman/The Green Hornet cross-over episodes, featuring Bruce Lee and Van Williams (details here).

Pre-order the Batman: The Complete TV Series from Amazon.com today!

Posted in DVD/Blu-ray New Releases, Other Notable Titles |

Meteor | Blu-ray & DVD (Kino Lorber)

Meteor | Blu-ray & DVD (Kino Lorber)

Meteor | Blu-ray & DVD (Kino Lorber)

RELEASE DATE: September 16, 2014

Kino Lorber presents the Blu-ray & DVD for 1979’s Meteor, directed by Ronald Neame (The Poseidon Adventure). Sean Connery (Goldfinger) leads a team of asteroid-battling astronomers in Meteor, one of the last and most unusual examples of the disaster movie craze of the 70s. In this one, a killer asteroid named Orpheus threatens to collide with the Earth, and Connery must come up with a plan to stop it.

Meteor also stars Karl Malden, Martin Landau, Natalie Wood, Richard Dysart, Henry Fonda, Hank Fonda and Trevor Howard. Watch the trailer.

Pre-order Meteor from Amazon.com today!

Posted in DVD/Blu-ray New Releases, Other Notable Titles |

Space Raiders | DVD (Scorpion Releasing)

Space Raiders | DVD (Scorpion Releasing)

Space Raiders | DVD (Scorpion Releasing)

RELEASE DATE: September 2, 2014

Scorpion Releasing presents the DVD for 1983’s Space Raiders, directed by Howard R. Cohen (Deathstalker IV: Match of Titans). If you need something to hold you down while waiting for Star Wars: Episode VII, I have two words for you: Space Raiders!

This entertaining cult/sci fi flick features recycled footage, special effects from music from 1980’s Battle Beyond the Stars. Hey, at least they were being resourceful, right? Watch the trailer.

Pre-order Space Raiders from Amazon.com today!

Posted in DVD/Blu-ray New Releases, Other Notable Titles |

Osaka Badass | aka Snake of Violence | DVD (Pathfinder)

Osaka Badass | DVD (Pathfinder Home Entertainment)

Osaka Badass | DVD (Pathfinder Home Entertainment)

RELEASE DATE: September 30, 2014

Pathfinder Home Entertainment presents the DVD for Takahiro Ishihara’s Osaka Badass (aka Snake of Violence).

This crime-filled epic revolves around three troubled youth and their intense history with the Yakuza. Elitsi calls Osaka Badass “A higher class of cinema.”

Osaka Badass (read our review) stars Tak Sakaguchi (Versus), Takashi Nishina, Kanade Matsuzaki, Takaya Yamaki, Arata Yamanaka and Nanako Kodama. Watch the trailer.

Pre-order Osaka Badass from Amazon.com today!

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

Osaka Violence | DVD (Pathfinder Home Entertainment)

Osaka Violence | DVD (Pathfinder Home Entertainment)

Osaka Violence | DVD (Pathfinder Home Entertainment)

RELEASE DATE: September 30, 2014

Pathfinder Home Entertainment presents the DVD for Takahiro Ishihara’s Osaka Violence. After witnessing a gang murder, 12 year old Masashi asks his father what he’d do if he were killed by a Yakuza. Exact vengeance his father promptly replies. The next day, in an unfortunate turn of fate, Masashi’s father is hospitalized with serious injuries, leaving Masashi on his own. Osaka Violence stars Ryosuke Kimura, Shouji Oomiya, Yuusuke Mizuno, Taro Saba and Hisashi Ueno. Watch the trailer.

Pre-order Osaka Violence from Amazon.com today!

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

Moebius | DVD (RAM Releasing) Kim Ki-duk

Moebius | DVD (RAM Releasing)

Moebius | DVD (RAM Releasing)

RELEASE DATE: October 28, 2014

RAM Releasing presents the DVD for Kim Ki-duk’s Moebius. A father driven into desire, a son coveting that of his father’s, and the sorrowful maternity that hovers them into tragedy. Moebius stars Jo Jae-hyun (The Isle), Seo Young-joo (Juvenile Offender) and Lee Eun-woo (A Ghosts Story). Watch the trailer.

“Not for the faint at hearts! A gruesome tale of a bloody, vicious circle of sexual frenzy, jealousy and outrageous violence.” – Dan Fainaru, Screen Daily

Pre-order Moebius from Amazon.com today!

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

New TV Spot for ‘Ninja Turtles’ reveals fresh footage!

"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" Theatrical Poster

"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" Theatrical Poster

THE MOVIE: Aliens invade Earth and inadvertently spawn a quartet of mutated reptilian warriors, the Ninja Turtles, who rise up against them to defend the world. Jonathan Liebesman (Battle: Los Angeles) is directing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The film stars Megan Fox, William Fichtner, Alan Ritchson, Will Arnett and Whoopi Goldberg. Expect a August 8, 2014 release date.

Updates: AICN reports that Michael Bay has spoken after fans judged him for changing the origins of the turtles from radioactive Amphibians to an an alien race. | AICN has a quote from director Jonathan Liebesman, who states that the expansion of the story (changing the origins of the turtles from radioactive Amphibians) is not Michael Bay’s idea; it’s actually from creator Kevin Eastman’s head.

The title of the film has been shortened to Ninja Turtles. | Despite Paramount pulling out of the project, Kevin Eastman, co-creator of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, recently told MTV: “From what I’ve seen, it’s easily the best Turtle movie yet, we’re talking Raid: Redemption-style fight scenes; we’re talking about epic Rise of the Planet of the Apes sort of effects.”

Collider has posted the first photos of Megan Fox as April O’Neil. | Film Combat Syndicate for some photos of the turtles in their pre-CGI renditions. | In an interview with Huffpost TV, William Fichtner revealed that he will be playing Shredder in the reboot.

In a story from Collider, William Fichtner says, “It’s not like any Mutant Ninja Turtles thing you’ve ever seen before. It’s freaky, they’re cool, and they’re mutants and they look awesome. It’s tough and it’s going to be really, really great.” | Want to see what the Turtles and Shredder will look like? Click here.

Sorry folks, nothing sexy, but here is the first image of Megan Fox as April O-Neil, together with and her cameraman, Vernon Fenwick, played by Will Arnett. | First trailer. | Set of teaser posters. | New TV spot, which features a glimpse of Splinter, courtesy of IGN. | Latest trailer. | New photos of Megan Fox and Will Arnett. | Head over to Collider for some new photos Shredder, Splinter, April O’Neil and more. |  5 new illustrated posters: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 characters posters for Michelangelo, Leonardo, Donatello and Raphael. Also watch the newest trailer!

BREAKING NEWS: Watch the new TV Spot, which reveals fresh footage!

Posted in News |

Stunt Squad | aka Elimination Force (Raro Video USA)

Stunt Squad | aka Elimination Force (Raro Video USA)

Stunt Squad | aka Elimination Force (Raro Video USA)

RELEASE DATE: September 30, 2014

Raro Video USA presents the Blu-ray & DVD for 1977’s Stunt Squad, directed by Domenico Paolella (Hercules and the Tyrants of Babylon). Also known as Elimination Force or La polizia è sconfitta, this poliziottesco film stars Marcel Bozzuffi, Vittorio Mezzogiorno, Riccardo Salvino and Claudia Giannotti. The character of Mezzogiorno is described as “perhaps the most gruesome and ruthless villain of the Italian crime cinema.” Watch the trailer.

Pre-order Stunt Squad from Amazon.com today!

Posted in DVD/Blu-ray New Releases, Other Notable Titles |

The Squad | Blu-ray & DVD (Shout! Factory)

The Squad | Blu-ray & DVD (Shout! Factory)

The Squad | Blu-ray & DVD (Shout! Factory)

RELEASE DATE: October 21, 2014

Shout! Factory presents the Blu-ray & DVD for The Squad, a 2011 Colombian action-horror film directed by Jaime Osorio Marquez. When contact is lost with a military base set deep in the desolate plains of Colombia, a special high mountain command unit is sent to check things out. On arrival they find only one person alive and gradually the isolation and inability to communicate with the outside world takes its toll on their sanity. Watch the trailer.

Pre-order The Squad from Amazon.com today!

Posted in DVD/Blu-ray New Releases, Other Notable Titles |

That Demon Within | aka Demon Cop (2013) Review

"That Demon Within" Chinese Theatrical Poster

“That Demon Within” Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Dante Lam
Cast: Nick Cheung, Daniel Wu, Andy On, Ken Wong, Deep Ng Ho Hong, Christie Chen Si-Xuan
Running Time: 111 min.

By oneleaf

Hong Kong action auteur, Dante Lam (Unbeatable), is back in the director’s chair with That Demon Within, which he also co-wrote. Very early on in the film, the audience is treated to an extended shootout sequence in the middle of the afternoon, between deity-masked wearing robbers and the Hong Kong police.

With his trademark ballet of bullets and slow motion close up shots, there is no mistaking this is a Dante Lam uber-violent action flick. That Demon Within, however, is not Lam’s usual action drama. It is a taut psychological crime drama that is very different from what we have come to expect from Lam.

Daniel Wu (The Last Supper), the Berkeley born Chinese-American architect turned mega-popular Hong actor, stars as Dave Wong. Wong is a psychologically imbalanced, self-flagellating beat cop wracked by guilt after inadvertently saving a hard core criminal Hon Kong (Nick Cheung of Nightfall).

Wu, normally a clean-cut, suave and dapper protagonist in most of his earlier films is drably attired and carries a dull demeanor throughout most of the film in keeping with his character. As Wong’s psyche slowly unravels, dark circles and a semi-menacing glare begins to appear as he crosses over from a straight and narrow, law enforcing police officer to a vigilante-mindset hell bent on justice at which time the lighting hue and mood turns dramatically darker.

Tormented by guilt and shunned by most of his colleagues as he slowly disintegrates psychologically. Wu’s catatonic-like characterization of Wong is believable, effective, and somewhat creepy. It is interesting to note that to date Wu (who does not read Chinese) has to have his whole script read to him in Cantonese by his assistant where he would practice enunciating and pronouncing some of the dialogue while making personal notes.

Cheung, as Hon Kong, is equally excellent as the soul-less antagonist to Wong. He is never better as the ever-smiling, charming, and sadistic criminal who kills at the slightest provocation. Lam, at a press conference for the film early this February in Berlin, called Cheung a “devil actor”. That was meant as a compliment as to why he casted Cheung, a frequent collaborator in many of his previous films (credit jones). Cheung has the charisma and the “devilish” look of a villain, according to Lam, in reference to the non-handsome visage of Cheung. Cheung had previously worked with Lam way back in 2005 on The Beast Stalker and won his first Best Actor Award. Not a bad collaboration over the years for both parties!

The veteran supporting casts are also very good. Standouts are veterans Ka Chi Liu and Kuan-Chun Chi. Ka Chi Liu (The Viral Factor) portrays Broker, the conniving shady funeral home owner and criminal with no loyalty or conscience as he readily betrays friends or foes, is a joy to watch as he goes about his devious schemes.

The charismatic Kuan-Chuan Chi (Five Shaolin Masters), the Hung Gar martial arts expert and frequent collaborator with legendary Shaw Brothers director Chang Cheh in many classic kung fu films from the heydays of the 70s and 80s, does an excellent turn as Wong’s father. Chi, however, does not get to flex his muscles in this movie, but serves as a conscience barometer for the ever-vacillating and confused Wong.

And then there is the very busy and ubiquitous Andy On (Special ID) continuing his streak as a bad guy. On is spot on as the soft-spoken, innocent looking officer, always ready to lend a hand but he is not who he appears to be. Lam misfired here. On deserves more screen time.

Cinematographer Kenny Tse does an excellent job of making the film look very good. The lighting, sound, directing is top notch. The bright and colorful lighting changes, as the mood progressively got darker. Lam’s directing and pacing is good.

The script, however, at times gets very confusing and convoluted with the frequent use of flashbacks. The multi-layered film sometimes gets mired in too many details and Lam seems to be going off tangent trying to deal with too many elements and not being able to stay focused on the main plot and characters. A revision or two of the screenplay would have been nice. Plot and script weakness aside, Wu and Cheung’s acting makes up for it.

A Dante Lam movie wouldn’t be complete without the requisite pyrotechnics and explosions seen in the final sequence of the film. In spectacular fashion, several vehicles are engulfed in flames as a gas station blows up in smoke, taking along a couple of light poles with it.

That Demon Within is quite intense, dark and doesn’t let up until the last few frames of the movie. The violence is quite extreme and carnage depicted in the beginning sequence and may turn some people off, but it serves to set the mood for what is to follow. The audience is pulled into a quasi-parable of good vs. evil, yet ironically, good is a gradient of gray and not pure white as embodied by Wong, who possesses both virtues of good and the vice of evil as he succumbs to the dark side.

The film is highly entertaining if you are willing to overlook some plot holes and plausibility issues. Recommended.

oneleaf’s Rating: 7/10

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

Baby Blues | Blu-ray & DVD (Well Go USA)

Baby Blues | Blu-ray & DVD (Well Go USA)

Baby Blues | Blu-ray & DVD (Well Go USA)

RELEASE DATE: September 2, 2014

Well Go USA presents the Blu-ray & DVD for Baby Blues, directed by Leong Po Chih (Hong Kong 1941). When a young couple moves into a home, they find a doll that changes their lives forever (and not in a good way). Originally released in 3D during its 2013 theatrical release, Baby Blues is bound to please The Ring and The Conjuring fans.

Baby Blues stars Raymond Lam (Saving General Yang), Kate Tsui (14 Blades), Karena Ng (Hotel Deluxe), Lo Hoi Pang (Rigor Mortis) and Janelle Sing Kwan (Z Storm). Watch the trailer.

Pre-order Baby Blues from Amazon.com today!

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

Found | DVD (Xlrator)

Found | DVD (Xlrator)

Found | DVD (Xlrator)

RELEASE DATE: September 23, 2014

Xlrator presents the DVD for Scott Schirmer’s Found. Marty is the ideal fifth grader. He gets good grades, listens to his teachers, and doesn’t start trouble in class. But a darkness is beginning to fall over his life. Classmates won’t stop picking on him, his parents don’t understand him, and now Marty must grapple with a terrible secret that threatens to destroy life as he knows it — his big brother is a serial killer!  Found is known of its gore and disturbing subject matter. Nevertheless, it’s critically acclaimed for being a work of cinematic art! Watch the trailer.

Pre-order Found from Amazon.com today!

Posted in DVD/Blu-ray New Releases, Other Notable Titles |

You don’t want to miss our new Blu-ray/DVD list for July!!!

Once Upon a Time in Vietnam | DVD (Lionsgate)

Once Upon a Time in Vietnam | DVD (Lionsgate)

Summer is officially in full force! After a scorching long day in the sun, there’s no better way to cool off than to lounge on your sofa, switch on the A/C, and catch up on some new movies! For those of you looking to add a number of exciting Blu-ray & DVD titles to your collection, get ready for our latest list of new releases handpicked by cityonfire.com!

The month of July is one of the HOTTEST months ever for Asian action, Martial Arts, Kkaiju and other cult gems/classics that are just waiting to be discovered!

Titles include The Raid 2, Protector 2 aka Tom Yum Goong 2, The Suspect, Rigor Mortis, Destroy All Monsters, Deadly Eyes, Southern Comfort and many more! These titles are just the tip of the iceberg, so be sure to scroll down so you don’t miss anything!

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.

Once Upon a Time in Vietnam: July 1, 2014

Lionsgate presents the DVD for Once Upon a Time in Vietnam (aka Lua Phat), directed, written by and starring Dustin Nguyen (The Rebel). On a mission to retrieve fugitives from the Emperor in Vietnam, Dao, a commander in the Emperor’s army, is assigned to protect a peaceful small town from being taken over by a crime boss. Soon, Dao’s past catches up with him, threatening to destroy the town and the woman he has come to love. This vietnamese martial arts film also stars Thanh Van Ngo (Clash) and Roger Yuan (The Perfect Weapon).

Escape to Athena: July 1, 2014

Henstooth Video presents the DVD for 1979’s Escape to Athena, directed by George P. Cosmatos (Rambo: First Blood Part II). Roger Moore took a break from the James Bond franchise (between 1977’s The Spy Who Loved Me and 1979’s Moonraker) to film this action gem about a group of World War II POWs who plan to escape from their Nazi captors and retrieve valuable stolen art at the same time. Escape to Athena also stars Telly Savalas, Stefanie Powers, Claudia Cardinale, Richard Roundtree, Sonny Bono and Elliott Gould. Still not sold? Then watch the trailer!

Southern Comfort: July 8, 2014

Shout! Facory presents the Blu-ray & DVD for 1981’s Southern Comfort, directed by Walter Hill (The Warriors). When nine National Guardsmen enter the Louisiana swamp for routine training, they come across some angry Cajuns who know the territory like the backs of their hands. Armed with a precious few bullets, and confused by the dimly lit, moss-covered maze into which they ve stumbled, the innocent guardsmen know they’ll be picked off one-by-one. Starring Keith Carradine, Powers Boothe and Peter Coyote.

Rigor Mortis: July 8, 2014

Well Go USA presents the Blu-ray & DVD for Rigor Mortis, directed by Juno Mak (Dream Home). This atmospheric horror film from Hong Kong revolves around a public housing tenement that’s plunged into a dark storm of supernatural chaos. Rigor Mortis is a nod to the Mr. Vampire series. In fact, it features many actors from that classic title: Chin Siu-ho, Anthony Chan, Billy Lau and Richard Ng. The film also stars Chin Siu-ho, Anthony Chan, Kara Hui, Lo Hoi-pang and Paw Hee-ching.

The Raid 2: July 8, 2014

Sony Pictures presents the Blu-ray & DVD for Gareth Evans’ The Raid 2 (read our review). This action-packed martial arts epic will include the following bonus features: “Gang War” Deleted Scene, Ready for a Fight: On Location; Violent Ballet: Behind the Choreography; English dub and original language version of the film, director commentary with Gareth Huw Evans; The Next Chapter: Shooting a Sequel; Cinefamily Foundation Q&A with Gareth Huw Evans, Iko Uwais and Joe Trapanese.

Deadly Eyes: July 15, 2014

Shout! Factory presents the Blu-ray & DVD for 1982’s Deadly Eyes (aka The Rats), directed by Robert Clouse (Enter the Dragon). Hong Kong’s Golden Harvest studios teams up with Warner Bros. to produce this cult thriller about a scientist who genetically alters a colony of super rats. As they breed and multiply, they must seek ever increasing amounts of food. They soon find a new source of nourishment – human flesh. Deadly Eyes features a memorable scene where the deadly rats attack a movie theater while a Bruce Lee film is being shown.

Action Adventure Movie Marathon: July 15, 2014

Shout! Factory presents the Action Adventure Movie Marathon. These sets bring back the good ol’ memories of going to a video rental store; only now you can see these obscure titles without adjusting your tracking. The Blu-ray version includes 1973’s I Escaped from Devil’s Island and 1982’s The Final Option (aka Who Dares Wins); in addition to the films just mentioned, the DVD version also includes 1959’s Shake Hands with the Devil and 1983’s Treasure of the Four Crowns. As the trailer states, it’s more groundbreaking than Star Wars and Raiders of the Lost Arc combined.

James Clavell’s Shogun: July 22, 2014

Paramount Pictures presents the Blu-ray for James Clavell’s Shogun. This 1980 mini-series (on 6 Blu-ray discs) focuses on John Blackthorne (Richard Chamberlain), an English ship pilot, whose vessel wrecked upon the Japanese coast in the early 17th century. He is thrown in the midst of a war between Toranaga (Toshiro Mifune) and Ishido (Nobuo Kaneko), who struggle for the title of Shogun which will give ultimate power to the one who possesses it. By no means is Shogun a martial arts adventure, but it does have snippets of chanbara bloodshed within its beautiful plot structure!

Destroy All Monsters: July 22, 2014

Tokyo Shock presents the Blu-ray for 1968’s Destroy All Monsters (aka Charge of the Monsters), the 9th in Toho Studios’ Godzilla series. Directed by Ishirō Honda with special effects by Sadamasa Arikawa (supervised by Eiji Tsuburaya). The plot involves aliens who take control of Earth’s monsters and begin using them to destroy the human race.

Godzilla vs. Megalon: July 22, 2014

Tokyo Shock presents the Blu-ray for 1973’s Godzilla vs. Megalon, directed by Jun Fukuda (Godzilla vs. Gigan). Godzilla vs. Megalon is the first and only Godzilla film to feature Megalon and Jet Jaguar, star of the Godzilla video games. Considered the most elusive and sought-after Godzilla film. Features never-before-seen extras including trailer and gallery.

The Suspect: July 22, 2014

Well Go USA presents the Blu-ray & DVD for The Suspect. Directed by Won Shin-yun (Seven Days, A Bloody Aria), this high-octane Korean film follows a North Korean secret agent who is betrayed by his government. On a mission of revenge, he heads to the South and cuts a warpath through deadly assassins and rival agents, all the while trying to unravel the conspiracy he’s found himself in the middle of. The film stars Gong Yoo and Park Hee-soon.

Destroy All Monsters: July 22, 2014

Tokyo Shock presents the Blu-ray for 1968’s Destroy All Monsters (aka Charge of the Monsters), the 9th in Toho Studios’ Godzilla series. Directed by Ishirō Honda with special effects by Sadamasa Arikawa (supervised by Eiji Tsuburaya). The plot involves aliens who take control of Earth’s monsters and begin using them to destroy the human race.

Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance: Ultimate Revenge Edition: July 22, 2014

Palisades Tartan presents the Blu-ray for Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance: Ultimate Revenge Edition. Directed by Park Chan-wook (Oldboy), Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance is not an easy film to watch, but it’s well-crafted masterpiece! The film follows a recently laid off factory worker (Shin Ha-kyun) who kidnaps his former boss’ daughter, hoping to use the ransom money to pay for his sister’s kidney transplant. His plan goes haywire and unleashes a series of savage events. Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance also stars Song Kang-ho (Snowpiercer) and Bae Doona (Cloud Atlas).

Ong-Bak Trilogy: July 29, 2014

Magnolia presents the Blu-ray & DVD for Tony Jaa’s Ong-Bak Trilogy. This collection includes 2003’s Ong-Bak, 2008’s Ong-Bak 2: The Beginning and 2010’s Ong-Bak 3. The original Ong-Bak broke new ground when it was released in 2003. According to filmmaker Garath Evans (The Raid 2): “Tony Jaa is a phenomenal talent. Ong Bak was a major announcement to the industry and to audiences that the martial arts genre was back.” Magnolia is also re-releasing the original Ong-Bak as a standalone Blu-ray or DVD.

Dragonwolf: July 29, 2014

Well Go USA presents the Blu-ray & DVD for Dragonwolf, directed by Raimund Huber (Bangkok Adrenaline). The Devil’s Cauldron, a city where violence has forged a society in which only the lethal and can survive, two young men who possess the intellect and ferocity to flourish, carve a name for themselves as unstoppable hit men. But when a woman mysteriously enters their lives, she turns them against each other, resulting in a battle that threatens to bring the city to the brink of destruction. The film stars Kazu Patrick Tang, Johan Kirsten and Macha Polivka.

Protector 2 | aka Tom Yum Goong 2: July 29, 2014

Magnolia presents the Blu-ray & DVD for Prachya Pinkaew’s Protector 2 (aka Tom Yum Goong 2). Once again, Kham’s pet elephant (Tony Jaa) has been abducted and he must fight anyone in his way to find him. Protector 2 features amazing choreography by Panna Rittikrai (Ong Bak). Also starring is RZA (Man with the Iron Fists), Mum Jokmok (Ong Bak), Yanin Vismitananda (Chocolate), Petchtai Wongkamlao (The Protector), Marrese Crump (G.I. Joe: Battle for the Serpent Stone).

Legendary: Tomb of the Dragon: July 29, 2014

Lionsgate presents the DVD for Legendary (aka Legendary: Tomb of the Dragon). Travis Preston (Scott Adkins) assembles his team for an expedition to a remote region in China’s hinterland, where a wild animal that the locals believe to be a primeval monster they call the “Shocate” is said to roam free. Travis’s nemesis Jim Harker (Dolph Lundgren), a merciless trophy hunter, has already set up camp. A race against time ensues, and Travis and his team will have to pool all their resources if they want to capture this legendary creature alive. Note: Even though Adkins stars, be aware that this is not a martial arts movie.

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

New U.S. trailer for Van Damme’s heist flick ‘Swelter’

Swelter | Blu-ray & DVD (Well Go USA)

Swelter | Blu-ray & DVD (Well Go USA)

THE MOVIE: In Keith Parmer’s (Mob Rules) action-thriller Swelter, Jean-Claude Van Damme plays a member of a bank robbing gang that manages to steal a cool $100 million before some of them are apprehended by the police. In the vein of the brutal heist drama Reservoir Dogs, the modern crime thriller A History of ViolenceSwelter is a violent story of greed and retribution. Also starring Josh Henderson, Brad Carter, Alfred Molina and Lennie James.

Updates: Expendables Premiere once again has some official stills. In addition, they have an interview with the film’s writer/director Keith Parmer. Parmer suggests that one of his next projects could be a ‘Taken by way of Hitchcock’ movie with Van Damme, titled Remember Paris.

Scope out the new official poster for Swelter, which seems to confirm that Jean-Claude will plays a supporting role rather than a major one in the film. | Cew behind-the-scenes featurette. Thanks to Expendables Premiere for the heads up. | Well Go USA has acquired North American film rights for Swelter. | Watch the newly released French trailer for Swelter (beware of possible spoilers).

BREAKING NEWS: Watch the new U.S. trailer, thanks to Film Combat Syndicate. And don’t forget, Amazon.com has an August 12, 2014 pre-order for the Blu-ray or DVD.

Posted in News |

Association, The (1975) Review

"The Association" Chinese Theatrical Poster

“The Association” Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Cheng Chang Ho
Cast: Tien Ni, Yue Bing Lung, Angela Mao, Zhao Lei, Suen Lam, Chiang Nan, Fang Mien, Sammo Hung, Wang In Sik, Chiu Hung, Lee Kwan, Wilson Tong, Carter Wong, Simon Yuen, Yuen Wah, Naomi Oka, Hung Sing Chung
Running Time: 87 min.

By Paul Bramhall

The career of Korean director Cheng Chang-ho makes for an interesting read. Chang-ho made his directorial debut in 1951, and went on to make movies for several decades in his native Korea, including winning best director for the movie A Horizon. However on an international scale, most people only know his work from the nine year period spanning 1969 – 1977, when thanks to being signed up by the famous Shaw Brothers studio, he began making movies in Hong Kong.

During this relatively short period he cranked out a total of 11 movies, some of which would instantly become landmarks of the kung-fu cinema genre. In 1972 he made King Boxer with Lo Lieh, which is generally considered to be the first kung-fu movie to break out into the international market. In 1974 he directed The Skyhawk, which featured Kwan Tak Hing take on the role of Wong Fei Hung. Tak Hing had played Fei Hung in over 100 movies since the mid-1940s, before stepping down in 1970, however The Skyhawk proved so popular it became somewhat of a comeback vehicle, and he’d reprise the role of Fei Hung for several movies over the coming years. Chang-ho’s last movie in Hong Kong was Broken Oath, an Angela Mao starring re-telling of the Japanese movie Lady Snowblood, and the movie that a lot of Mao fans sight as her best.

Amongst all these classics, we have The Association, which is essentially the elephant in the room. Having switched from Shaw Brothers to fledging movie studio Golden Harvest, Chang-ho seemed to turn his attention to directing gritty crime thrillers, such as The Devil’s Treasure and The Double Crossers. The Association was made between these movies, and was originally intended to be a two part crime epic, teaming him up with his fellow countrymen Byong Yu and Hwang In-shik, both masters in the Korean art of Hapkido, as well as being shot in Korea.

Sadly, things went wrong along the way. The story, which focuses on a welfare agency for young women actually being a cover-up for a prostitution and abortion (not necessarily in that order) ring, features a fairly heavy dose of exploitation, which comes in the form of liberal helpings of female nudity. Byong Yu, who as it would turn out would make his first and last screen appearance in The Association, despite being the main character, wasn’t entirely comfortable with the more sleazy elements of the production, and ultimately would buy out what was planned to be the first part, preventing it from being released. So The Association is in fact the second part to what was originally a much bigger tale, patched together so that it runs as coherently as possible.

So, what exactly is left? Well, as the movie opens we’re given a credits sequence which features exploding skulls, so straight away it had my favor just for putting a smile on my face. Who wouldn’t want exploding skulls in the opening credits, especially when they have exactly zero relevance to the next 90 minutes. Before long we have Angela Mao and Byong Yu throwing down against each other, which happens to take place in the exact same patch of cleared forest Casanova Wong and Leung Kar Yan would square off 3 years later during the opening credits of Warriors Two.

Things aren’t as well as they seem though, Mao and Yu are actually a loved up couple, and the fight is just playful sparring, but alas it’s just a flashback. In present day, Yu, an upstanding police officer, has had to arrest Mao for killing an official, and we’re introduced to him tying her to a pole for execution via a death squad. Before going on her way, she is kind enough to confide in him that there’s no hard feelings, he did what he had to do, but she assures him that the official she killed was corrupt, and part of something much bigger. Yu, confident his girlfriend who he’s about to have shot is telling the truth, promises her he’ll get to the bottom of it, so at least her death won’t be in vain.

This somewhat bizarre tone permeates throughout the rest of the movie, as it becomes increasingly clear that The Association is in fact not a kung-fu movie at all, but rather it shares much more in common with the sleazy European exploitation movies of the same period. The only difference is this one just happens to have some A grade martial artists busting out the moves at infrequent intervals during its runtime. This is perhaps no more obvious than when Yu, sent on a mission to protect the wealthy Tien Ni who’s become a target for some marauding thieves, explains he’ll sleep in the closet of her bedroom for the next month until they decide to attack. Because in The Association, this type of thinking makes perfect sense. Taken with this approach, there is enjoyment to be found. It’s not enjoyment that the film-makers intended, and it’s certainly not enjoyment from the fights, however taken as a piece of “so bad it’s good” cinema, there are laughs to be had.

There’s probably no other movie out there which features martial arts legends Sammo Hung and Hwang In-shik sharing the same screen with a tied up woman being interrogated by having electric voltage conductors being pinched to her nipples. But The Association has it. There’s probably no other movie out there which features a dark and foreboding abortion ceremony, with a naked woman laying on a table surrounded by black hooded figures, in a scene which is juxtaposed by the camera constantly cutting away to so close they’re almost blurry shots of the woman’s breasts. But The Association has it. There’s probably no other movie out there that would dare to be so bold as to, in the exact same scene, suddenly change the soundtrack to a several minutes long (literally) go-go dance tune, and have the evil blonde haired western actress, adorned in see through lingerie, proceed to energetically dance around the naked patient for no reason whatsoever. But you guessed it, The Association has it.

It’s a movie filled with such scenes, each one of them generating an equal amount of head scratching and laughter, and complimented with some sort of alcoholic beverage, the movie is a lot of fun. On the flip side, for the martial arts fan, people expecting to see the amazing skill of Byong Yu in his only movie appearance, the ferocious kicks of Hwang In-shik, or the talents of Sammo Hung and Angela Mao, will probably be left reaching for an alcoholic beverage for entirely different reasons.

The Association is not without fight scenes, Yu and In-shik go toe-to-toe on a couple of occasions, and there’s a satisfying opening fight with Mao, which has some nice use of slow motion that captures the intensity of those famous facial expressions of hers in a way which I haven’t seen previously. However there’s nothing outstanding here, and it’s worth pointing out that the movie lacks any kind of final fight, in part due to the rather left of field exit of Yu’s character (it made me wonder if this was filmed after Yu bought out the first part, so was done as an act of revenge by Chang-ho). For some cheap thrills though, The Association is worth a look.

Paul Bramhall’s Rating: 6/10

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