Now available is Radiance Films’ release for The Bounty Hunter Trilogy collection on Blu-ray (Region A/B), which includes 1969’s Killer’s Mission and The Fort of Death, as well as 1972’s Eight Men to Kill.
Before he made his name in Lone Wolf and Cub Tomisaburo Wakayama starred in this triptych of violent samurai spectacles that draw on James Bond and Spaghetti Westerns for inspiration yet feature the familiar style and Continue reading
“Baby Assassins 2” Poster
AKA: Baby Assassins: 2 Babies
Director: Yugo Sakamoto
Cast: Akari Takaishi, Saori Izawa, Joey Iwanaga, Tatsuomi Hamada, Atomu Mizuishi
Running Time: 101 min.
By Paul Bramhall
I confess I wasn’t the biggest fan of Yugo Sakamoto’s Baby Assassins, concluding that the 2021 production “will likely only appeal to those action fans who are willing to wait (or perhaps skip forward) to see Masanori Mimoto unleash under the choreography of Kensuke Somomura.” However I’m all for giving 2nd chances, and there was just enough potential in the first instalment to make me curious enough to come back for more.
Sakamoto certainly hasn’t been resting on his laurels in the short timeframe between the original and the sequels release, with his seeming ambition to create an assassin’s universe of movies and shorts continuing to grow. Since the release of Baby Assassins he expanded his short The Legend of the Strongest Hitman: Kunioka into a feature length production, and the end result was an entertainingly meta-take on the genre. The story sees Sakamoto cast a fictional version of himself, one who decides to find inspiration to help finish the script for Baby Assassins by following around a real hitman, and the chaos that ensues. Blurring the lines further, 2022’s Green Bullet focuses Continue reading
Born to Fly | Blu-ray (Well Go USA)
On March 26, 2024, Well Go USA is releasing the Blu-ray for Born to Fly. This Top Gun-style Chinese production is directed by Liu Xiaoshi and stars Wang Yibo (Hidden Blade).
After an unforeseen threat arises mid-air, a talented young air force test pilot (Wang Yibo) is forced to test not only the capabilities of his top-secret aircraft, but also his own physical and psychological limits, in order to survive.
Born to Fly also stars Hu Jun (Firestorm), Yu Shi (Die Now), Zhou Dongyu (The Thousand Faces of Dunjia), Zhuangzhuang Tian (Gone with the Light) and Binlong Pan (The Monkey King 3).
Watch Continue reading
Red Peony Gambler 1 – 3 | Blu-ray (Eureka)
RELEASE DATE: June 17, 2024
On June 17, 2024, Eureka is releasing the Blu-ray (Region B) set for the Red Peony Gambler series, which will include 1968’s Red Peony Gambler and Red Peony Gambler 2: Gambler’s Obligation, as well as Red Peony Gambler 3: The Flower Cards Game.
Originally released between 1968 and 1972, the Red Peony Gambler series is a cornerstone of the ninkyo eiga genre and a clear influence on such cult favourites such as Lady Snowblood and Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill. The Masters of Cinema series is proud to present the first three Red Peony Gambler films, starring Sumiko Fuji (13 Assassins) and directed by three titans of Japanese genre cinema in Kōsaku Yamashita, Norifumi Suzuki and Tai Katō.
Set during the Meiji era, Red Peony Gambler stars Fuji as Ryuko Yano, the daughter Continue reading
“Monkey Man” Theatrical Poster
John Wick, move over! On April 5, 2024, Universal is releasing Dev Patel’s (Slumdog Millionaire) martial arts-infused action thriller, Monkey Man (read our review), a Jordan Peele-produced film that Patel not only directs, but stars in.
In the film, a recently released ex-felon (Patel) living in India struggles to adjust to a world of corporate greed and eroding spiritual values.
Monkey Man also stars Sharlto Copley (Hardcore Henry), Pitobash Vipin (Mirch), Sharma Sikandar Kher (Contract), Sobhita Dhulipala (Major) and Ashwini Kalsekar (Fu Bai Fu).
And also watch out for fight choreography by Brahim Chab (Vanguard), who is perhaps best known for his Continue reading
Polar Rescue | Blu-ray (Well Go USA)
On March 26, 2024, Well Go USA will be releasing the Blu-ray for Polar Rescue (read our review), a snow-filled thriller from director Law Chi Leung (The Bullet Vanishes) and martial arts superstar Donnie Yen (Raging Fire, Ip Man 4: The Finale, Big Brother).
The upcoming film also stars stars Cecilia Han (The Golden Doll) and Jia Bing (The Eleventh Chapter)
Comeback Home is being described as “a father-and-son rescue drama.” Probably not the plot description you’ve been hoping for, especially given that it’s a film headlined by one of Asia’s top action stars.
Judging from what we’ve seen in the trailer, Comeback Home has elements Continue reading
The World of Kanako | Blu-ray & DVD (Drafthouse Films)
RELEASE DATE: July 9, 2024
On July 9, 2024, Drafthouse Films is releasing a new Blu-ray for Tetsuya Nakashima’s 2014 uncompromising thriller, The World of Kanako (read our review).
The World of Kanako is a nonstop visual and emotional assault to the senses as it follows ex-detective Akikazu on the hunt for his daughter, Kanako. What he discovers is a web of depravity surrounding both Kanako and himself. As he stumbles along a shocking trail of drugs, sex and violence, he finds himself unprepared for the shocking revelations.
The film stars Koji Yakusho (13 Assassins), Nana Komatsu (Silence), Satoshi Tsumabuki (Rage) and Fumi Continue reading
Revenge of the Ninja | Blu-ray (Kino Lorber)
RELEASE DATE: May 21, 2024
On May 21, 2024, Kino Lorber is releasing an new Blu-ray for Revenge the Ninja, a 1983 martial arts actioner from director Sam Firstenberg (American Ninja).
The Ninja are back! Brandishing swords and fists, leaping and kicking, wielding blow darts and explosives, they know a thousand ways to kill. Martial arts legend Sho Kosugi (9 Deaths of the Ninja, Rage of Honor) delivers a heart-pounding display of strength, speed and lethal Ninja know-how in this action-packed thriller that takes us back to the good old days of the kung fu extravaganza.
When a band of Ninja assassins slaughters the family of Cho Osaki (Kosugi), he flees to America in the hope of building a new life. A former Ninja himself, Osaki tries to escape his deadly past but soon discovers he has become the pawn of a ruthless drug trafficker—an American Continue reading
“Road House” Prime Poster
Director Doug Liman (The Bourne Identity) and Jake Gyllenhaal (Night Crawler) team up for Road House, a remake of Rowdy Herrington’s 1989 actioner of the same name, which starred Patrick Swayze.
In the remake, an ex-UFC middleweight fighter (Gyllenhaal) ends up working at a rowdy bar in the Florida Keys where things are not as they seem.
Road House also stars Daniela Melchior (Assassin Club, Billy Magnussen (No Time to Die), MMA/boxing star, Conor McGregor and also features cult martial arts star, Matt Mullins (Death Fighter).
Road House will make its premiere at South by Southwest, followed by a streaming Continue reading
“Replicant” Blu-ray Cover
Today’s Deal on Fire is the Blu-ray for 2001’s Replicant, directed by the late Ringo Lam (Sky on Fire, Wild City).
Unable to catch a serial killer by conventional methods, a secret government agency and a police detective team up to find the killer (Van Damme) and stop him once and for all. Using DNA obtained from the killer, a clone (Van Damme) is created to help get inside the mind of the real killer in a race against time. And yes, you read that right… Jean-Claude Van Damme (Kill ’em All) squares off against his deadliest opponent yet – himself!
Replicant also stars Michael Rooker (The Walking Dead, The Replacement Killers), Catherine Dent (The Shield), Pam Hyatt (Restoration) and Ian Continue reading
“Parasyte: The Grey” Netflix Poster
On April 5, 2024, Netflix will stream Parasyte: The Grey, the latest from writer/director Yeon Sang Ho (Psychokinesis), the visionary filmmaker behind the 2016 hit Train to Busan and its 2020 follow up Peninsula.
The upcoming series is based on Hitoshi Iwaaki’s best-selling Japanese manga Parasyte (Kiseiju) and will star Jeon So-nee (Jo Pil-Ho: The Dawning Rage), Koo Kyo-hwan (Escape from Mogadishu), Lee Jung-hyun (Peninsula), Kwon Hae-Hyo (Tazza: One Eyed Jack) and Kim In-Kwon (Revenger).
When unidentified parasites violently take over human hosts and gain power, humanity must rise to combat the growing threat.
Watch the Continue reading
“Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” Theatrical Poster
George Miller’s follow-up to the action packed, post-apocalyptic franchise is now in high gear with Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (aka Furiosa), a direct prequel/spinoff to 2015’s Mad Max: Fury Road, that hits theaters in 2024.
The film is headlined by Anya Taylor-Joy (Split), Chris Hemsworth (Thor) and Tom Burke (Mank).
As the world fell, young Furiosa (Taylor-Joy) is snatched from the Green Place of Many Mothers and falls into the hands of a great Biker Horde led by the Warlord Dementus. Sweeping through the Wasteland, they come across the Citadel presided over by The Immortan Joe. While the two Tyrants war for dominance, Furiosa must survive many trials as she puts together the means to find her way Continue reading
“The Wild” Theatrical Poster
Director: Kim Bong-han
Cast: Park Sung-woong, Oh Dae-hwan, Seo Ji-hye, Joo Suk-tae, Oh Dal-soo, Hwang Se-In
Running Time: 110 min.
By Paul Bramhall
When Korean cinema broke out internationally in the early 2000’s it was the countries gangster genre that quickly gained a favourable reputation, defined by an aesthetic that never shone away from brutal violence, and populated by memorable characters who were usually lucky to make it to the end credits. By the time the 2010’s hit the genre was at its peak, and as with any genre that achieves a certain level of commercial success, countless derivative productions began to populate the screen, lazily recycling the tropes of the movies that influenced them. It wasn’t even halfway through the decade that the sharp suited, stab happy gangster movie that was once synonymous with the Korean film industry had all but disappeared.
Since 2017 the Korean gangster genre has evolved to be almost exclusively defined by the Ma Dong-seok brand of punching people in the face, swapping out the stern-faced machismo of yesteryears gangster beatdowns for a slightly lighter, more humorous approach. However the 2020’s have seen an unexpected revival of the 2000’s era gangster – sharp suited, foul mouthed, and stab happy – with productions like Paid in Blood and Hot Blooded hedging their bets on harking back to an earlier time. The budgets may not be as big as they Continue reading
“Exhuma” Theatrical Poster
Director: Jang Jae-Hyon
Cast: Choi Min-sik, Yoo Hae-jin, Kim Go-eun, Lee Do-hyun, Jeon Jin-Ki, Kim Jae-cheol, Hong Seo-jun
Running Time: 134 min.
By Paul Bramhall
While many directors in the Korean film industry tend to gravitate between different genres, there’s something admirable about how director and writer Jang Jae-hyeon has carved out a niche for himself helming supernatural horror mysteries. After making his feature length debut with The Priests in 2015 (an expansion of his own 2014 short film 12th Assistant Deacon), he’d write the script for Im Dae-woong’s House of the Disappeared the following year, before delivering his sophomore feature with 2019’s Svaha: The Sixth Finger. Across just 3 productions Jae-hyeon has already established his own distinctive style, and with his latest Exhuma he delves deeper into the world of Korean shamanism and its practices.
After a wealthy Korean family living in L.A. become convinced there’s a curse on them, one that’s now affecting the new-born baby of the current patriarch, they call in a well reputed shaman played by Kim Go-eun (Coin Locker Girl, Memories of the Sword) to investigate. Travelling to the U.S. with her disciple, played by popular K-drama actor Lee Do-hyun, the pair believe the family are being afflicted by the spirit of a departed ancestor, and once back on Korean soil enlist the assistance of a geomancer specialising in feng shui and his undertaker Continue reading
RELEASE DATE: June 11, 2024
On June 11, 2024, MPI Home Video is releasing a SteelBook for The Last Kumite on 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray. The highly-anticipated actioner features cult martial arts icons Cynthia Rothrock (No Retreat, No Surrender 2), Kurt McKinney (No Retreat, No Surrender), Matthias Hues (Ultimate Justice), Michel Qissi (Kickboxer) and Billy Blanks (King of the Kickboxers).
The Last Kumite centers around Mathis Landwehr (Lasko) who takes part in the kumite for one final battle – for the life of his daughter.
The film also stars Abdel Qissi (Lionheart), David “Bolo Jr” Yeung (Painted Faces), Aurelia Agel (John Wick 4), Emilien De Falco (Undisputed 4) and YouTuber Continue reading
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on A Legend (2024) ReviewThis was so boring. Panda Plan was much better than this (I enjoyed that) on Windtalkers (2002) ReviewFree to watch on YouTube for a limited time.
on A Legend (2024) ReviewThe one positive here (and it’s a minor one for sure) is that the final fight… on Happy Holidays from Cityonfire.com!https://www.instagram.com/reel/DD-Z_ngyt9L/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
on The bad boy of Indie action films is back! Watch the gritty New Trailer for Leroy Nguyen’s ‘The Brokenhearted’[…] 3 wins international film festivals. Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.co… on Special ID (2013) Review[…] Zhao a démontré ses compétences dans d’innombrables projets d… on True Legend (2010) Review[…] traditionnel et de l’action moderne, et bien que The Blade , … on Vincent Zhao returns as Huo Yuan Jia in ‘Fearless’ TV series[…] le 28 janvier 2019 par Big Mike […]
on A Legend (2024) ReviewThanks for the kind advice gents, I definitely plan to follow it. Never thoug…
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on A Legend (2024) ReviewSince Kung Fu Yoga, Stanley Tong kills Jackie Chan movie. Panda Plan is much…
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on Two branches. One tree. Watch the Trailer for Jackie Chan, Ralph Macchio and Ben Wang’s upcoming ‘Karate Kid’ movieI will agree with you. I hope it hints my theory but also even if it doesn't… on Panda Plan (2024) ReviewWatch the potty mouth.
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on Details for the 4K Ultra HD SteelBook editions for Tarantino’s ‘Kill Bill Vol 1-2’, ‘Jackie Brown’ and ‘Reservoir Dogs’I will keep that in mind next time I watch it.
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