Pieta Blu-ray & DVD (Drafthouse Films)

Pieta, the acclaimed film from the celebrated and controversial Korean director Kim Ki-Duk (Bad Guy, 3-Iron), debuts on Blu-ray™ and DVD July 23rd from Drafthouse Films. An international box-office hit, Pieta has garnered numerous awards, including Best Picture trophies from 2012 Venice Film Festival, 2012 Blue Dragon Awards, 2013 Fantasporto Festival, and the 2012 Satellite Awards, and Best Director nods at the 2012 Dubai International Film Festival and a Jury Award at the South Korea’s 2012 Grand Bell Awards.

Lee Jung-jin (Wonderful Radio) stars as a loan shark forced to reconsider his violent lifestyle after the arrival of a mysterious woman claiming to be his long-lost mother. The mother is played by Cho Min-soo, who, in her film debut, won Best Actress awards at the 2012 Asia Pacific Screen Awards and South Korea’s Grand Bell Awards in 2012, as well as Favorite Actress at the 2012 Asian Film Awards.

Bonus Materials Include: Audio Commentary with Director Kim Ki-duk, Cho Min-soo and Lee Jung-jin; “God, Have Mercy On Us” Featurette – Interviews with Kim Ki-duk, Cho Min-soo and Lee Jung-jin; Winning the Golden Lion at the 69th Venice Film Festival; Behind the Scenes Featurettes; Filmography of Kim Ki-duk; 16-Page Booklet

Cityonfire.com received the above press release from Drafthouse Films/MPRM Communications.

"Poltergeist" Japanese Theatrical Poster

THE MOVIE: THR reports that Evil Dead’s Sam Raimi – along with Nathan Kahane, Roy Lee, and Robert Tapert – will produce a remake of 1982’s Poltergeist. The script is being written by Rabbit Hole’s David Lindsay-Abraire. Raimi will not be directing, but will play a crucial role in finding a filmmaker for the project.

Poltergeist’s on-screen credit lists Texas Chainsaw Massacres’s Tobe Hooper, but many believe that Steven Spielberg was in full control. Due to a clause in his contract while still working on E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial simultaneously, Spielberg could not make another film, hence giving Hooper director credit.

Updates: According to Fearnet.com, Rise of the Guardians screenwriter David Lindsay-Abaire will pen the script. | According to The Playlist, there’s a possibility that Sam Raimi might be directing the remake. This is coming from writer David Lindsay-Abaire himself. | So much for Sam Raimi directing. Collider reports that Gil Kenan (Monster House, City of Ember) will be directing the reboot.

BREAKING NEWS: EW reports that production is scheduled to begin this fall.

"Robotech: 2-Movie Collection" DVD Cover

The Robotech saga continues as the celebrated characters that gained world-wide popularity in the original series return in an exciting new adventure debuting as part of the Robotech: 2-Movie Collection. Arriving on DVD July 23 from Lionsgate Home Entertainment, under license from A+E Networks Consumer Products™, the Robotech: 2-Movie Collection DVD set includes the never-before-seen feature Love Live Alive as well as the timeless Robotech hit The Shadow Chronicles.

The Robotech chronicle continues with the unveiling of the all-new anime adventure Love Live Alive. Taking place during and after the events of Robotech: The New Generation (available in Robotech: The Complete Series from Lionsgate Home Entertainment), this thrilling installment in the Robotech saga follows the adventures of Lieutenant Lance “Lancer” Belmont as he recounts his journey from before his first encounter with Scott Bernard to the aftermath following Admiral Rick Hunter’s expedition to liberate the Earth from the mysterious Invid race. Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles continues the epic battle as Scott Bernard must once again face his tragic past as he joins the returning Robotech Expedition against new mechanized adversaries known as the Haydonites.

Robotech maintains its place as one of the most popular anime properties ever, the center of a massive media empire that includes comic books, toys and a major motion picture currently in development. Voted one of the “Top 50 Sci-Fi Properties of All Time” by IGN.com, Robotech remains a fan favorite. Pre-order today!

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES: (subject to change): Love Live Alive, Pre-production Gallery, The Shadow Chronicles, “Birth of a Sequel” featurette, Score Music Video, “Anime Selects” podcast coverage, “!Pon Anime” podcast interview, Robotech 3000 demo reel, Robotech 3000 motion capture sequences, Deleted scenes with optional commentary, Outtakes, Animatics with optional commentary, Trailers and Image Galleries.

BREAKING NEWS: Watch the newly released trailer.

Cityonfire.com received the above press release from Lionsgate and bhimpact.com.

"The Tiger Mask" Teaser Poster

The Tiger Mask is an upcoming live-action adapation of a Japanese manga series of the same name by Ikki Kajiwara. The series first appeared in the late 60s and by the early 70s, The Tiger Mask made its way onto TV, courtesy of Toei Animation.

According to Film Combat Syndicate, The Tiger Mask follows a highly feared and viciously skilled heel wrestler who changes his tune and chooses to become a symbol of heroism after a young boy approaches him and expresses that he wanted to be just as villainous as he was in the ring.

The Tiger Mask is directed by Ken Ochiai (Memory Sculptor) and stars Eiji Wentz, Natsuna and Sho Aikiwa. The film will premier at the Fantasia International Film Festival in Montreal this July, then will have a theatrical run in November 2013. Until then, check out the teaser trailer.

"Switch" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Filming has begun on Hong Kong superstar Andy Lau’s latest action blockbuster, Switch. This is a highly anticipated Mandarin-language film to be shot in Dubai, the same location as Tom Cruise’s now famous hotel-climbing stunt in Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, on a budget of about $20 million US dollars.

The producers are keen on recouping their investment so Switch will be later be dubbed in English and Arabic languages when released in those territories. Much like Tom Cruise’s latest blockbuster, this film will place an emphasis on spectacle: get ready for expensive cars and boats, over the top stunts, and a gorgeous view of Dubai. Switch is directed by Sun Jianjun and stars Andy Lau, Chiling Lin, and Jingchu Zhang.

As far as the plot is concerned, the story appears to revolve around the famous painting ‘Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains’ and will feature Andy Lau as a James Bond-like character. This is the first Chinese film to be shot internationally and select Hollywood talent will be working on the movie as well. A release date of October 1st is anticipated.

Updates: Film Business Asia reports that Andy Lau has recently been busy shooting the film. The budget is set at about $18 million. It’s likely that Media Asia Group will be looking to sell international rights to the film soon.

The first trailer for Switch has premiered at Cannes 2012. | Here’s a new teaser trailer, courtesy of Far East Films. The movie is looking action-packed! | Check out a new trailer for Switch. And don’t forget the first official poster is here, courtesy of Chinese Films. The film opens in China on November 2nd.

The film’s release in China has been postponed indefinitely. Apparently the soundtrack producer has come down with a “sudden disease” and is now hospitalized. This is actually the second lengthy post-production delay for Switch, as the film’s release was previously prolonged so it could be converted to 3D.

After a long delay, which included issues with the Chinese censors and the movie’s soundtrack, Switch will be hitting theaters soon. Here’s a new teaser trailer to celebrate. JayneStars has more info on the film. Director Jay Sun says: “…the movie is packed with action which includes suspenseful spy wars and a little love story thrown in.”

Why settle for James Bond when you could have Andy Lau? Check out the latest trailer for Switch. And don’t miss this snazzy new poster.

BREAKING NEWS: During a recent press conference for his upcoming thriller Blind Detective with director Johnnie To, star Andy Lau admitted that his spy movie Switch isn’t very good. The film has been received poorly by the public. Says Lau: “I sometimes think too highly of myself and tend to believe that whatever script have I have my hands on would end up being good.”

The Guillotines | Blu-ray & DVD (Well Go USA)

Director Andrew Lau (Infernal Affairs) teams up with China’s hottest rising action stars for the explosive, martial arts-filled film The Guillotines, debuting on Blu-ray™ and DVD August 13th from Well Go USA Entertainment.

A secret brotherhood of assassins – the Guillotines – once favored by the Emperor, are now a force of terror and oppression under a new regime. Exiled to a remote village and hunted by a squad of fighters with firearms that challenge their cold steel, the Guillotines must now outwit and outfight enemies from both sides. The film stars Xiaoming Huang (Ip Man 2: Legend of the Grandmaster), Ethan Juan (Mongo), Zhang Wen (The Sorcerer and the White Snake), Shawn Yue (Infernal Affairs), Yuchun Li (Flying Swords of Dragon Gate), and Boran Jing (The Bullet Vanishes). Watch the trailer.

Bonus Materials: “The Making of The Guillotines” Featurette, Interviews with Cast & Crew, Andrew Lau – Director, Dora Ng – Costume Designer, Huang Xiaoming, Ethan Juan, Shawn Yue, Boran Jing and Li Yuchun.

Cityonfire.com received the above press release from Well Go USA and MPRM Communications.