"Ninja Masters" DVD Cover

Lionsgate Home Entertainment brings the kick-ass martial arts film Ninja Masters (aka Coweb) to DVD, Digital Download and Video on Demand June 11. Ninja Masters features Kane Kosugi (Ninja 2), Luxia Jiang (King of Triads), Sam Lee (Beast Cops) and Eddie Cheung (Kings of Triads).

Ninja Masters follows the story of a newly recruited bodyguard who fights her way to find the kidnapped couple she protects. The Ninja Masters DVD includes a “making of” featurette and will be available for the suggested retail price of $26.98.

A martial arts instructor is recruited as a bodyguard for an extremely powerful couple. On her first day of duty, her employers are kidnapped. As she searches for the couple, cryptic messages from the kidnappers lead her into a deadly world of underground fighting.

As the culprits put her in the ring, her martial arts skills are tested, and she gets steps closer to freeing her clients. The next opponent that enters her ring will have her facing the ultimate challenge with hopes of getting out alive! Click here to Pre-order the DVD.

Cityonfire.com received the above press release from Lionsgate.

"Resident Evil: Retribution 3D" Teaser Poster

Some movie franchises continue to generate large amounts of cash for their prospective studios, no matter how many fans and critics complain about it online. Case in point: Resident Evil: Retribution, the latest entry in Paul W.S. Anderson’s Resident Evil movie saga, grossed a solid $221 million worldwide. While the RE films have received poor reviews and diminishing box office returns in the States, they continue to do bank overseas.

So it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that Resident Evil 6 has been given a September 12th, 2014 release date. It’s speculated that Paul W.S. Anderson may not return to the director’s chair since he’s preparing to film the big-budget disaster flick Pompeii. However, the last word from Anderson’s mouth was that he had several ideas in mind for a sixth entry in the RE series and that this might just be the movie to close out the entire franchise.

Update: Reportedly, Chinese actress Li Bingbing will reprise her role as the popular game character Ada Wong. And this time around, her character will be granted more screentime to appease gamers.

The Great Magician Blu-ray & DVD (Well Go USA)

This week is reltiavely light on releases but nearly every title is a heavy hitter, from “The Great Magician” to Hollywood films like “Zero Dark Thirty” and “The Hobbit.” If you’re interested in any of these titles, you can support the site by ordering through our affiliate. We appreciate it!

Here are your Blu-ray and DVD releases for the week of 3/19/13:

ASIAN CINEMA

The Great Magician (Blu-ray/DVD) – distributor Well Go USA presents this crowdpleasing 2011 Chinese adventure, featuring superstars Tony Leung Chu Wai (“In the Mood For Love”), Zhou Xun (“Painted Skin: The Resurrection”), and Lau Ching Wan (“The Bullet Vanishes”)

Jackie Chan: Beginnings – The Killer Meteors / New Fist Of Fury (DVD) – Shout! Factory offers a double feature of early Jackie Chan kung fu, including Jackie’s rare turn as a bad guy in 1976’s “The Killer Meteors” and the would-be sequel to Bruce Lee’s “Fist of Fury” from the same year

The Suicide Forecast (DVD) – a 2011 quirky Korean dramedy, starring Ryu Seung-beom (“Arahan,” “The Unjust”) as an insurance salesman with a powerful streak of bad luck

FOREIGN

Rust and Bone (Blu-ray/DVD) – Marion Cotillard of “The Dark Knight Rises” and “Public Enemies” fame takes the spotlight in this dark but powerful 2012 French drama

The Big Picture (Blu-ray/DVD) – this 2010 French character drama is said to be full of impossible-to-predict plot twists and turns

Other Son (Blu-ray/DVD) – in this provocative 2012 drama filmed on in Israel and the West Bank, two boys from Israel and Pakistan discover they were switched at birth

MAINSTREAM

Zero Dark Thirty (Blu-ray/DVD) – this pulse-pounding 2012 thriller from director Kathryn Bigelow follows the real world manhunt for Osama Bin Laden

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (3D Blu-ray + Blu-ray/DVD) – Peter Jackson’s 2012 blockbuster fantasy is the first in a new trilogy based around J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic novel

Les Misérables (Blu-ray/DVD) – the 2012 blockbuster musical arrives on home formats, with Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway in tow

Badlands (Blu-ray) – your friends at the Criterion Collection present acclaimed director Terrence Malick’s 1973 debut in hi-def. Starring Martin Sheen and Sissy Spacek

Action Packed Movie Marathon (DVD) – Shout! Factory presents 360 minutes of Eighties exploitation/action fun with Garey Busey and more, featuring the films “Cyclone,” “Alienator,” “Eye Of The Tiger,” and “Exterminator 2”

The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp (Blu-ray/DVD) – the Criterion Collection also inducts this critically praised 1943 film from the directors of “The Red Shoes”

Price Check (DVD) – Parker Posey stars in this 2012 dark comedy set in the world of supermarket pricing

CULT

Gorgo (Blu-ray/DVD) – check out the UK’s spin on the “Godzilla”-style genre of giant monster movies with this 1961 B-Movie romp

The Jitters (DVD) – James Wong of “Big Trouble in Little China” fame co-stars in this forgotten 1989 film that tried to bring the Hong Kong style of ‘hopping vampires’ to Hollywood

Timerider: The Adventure of Lyle Swann (Blu-ray) – Fred Ward stars in this 1982 time travel adventure movie, in hi-definition from Shout! Factory

Zeta One (AKA The Love Factor): Remastered Edition (Blu-ray) – Redemption Films presents this 1969 sci-fi sex romp in the tradition of “Barbarella”

Creepy Creature 1 (DVD) – a low-priced double feature containing the old-school, low-budget monster movies “Creature From the Ocean Floor” and “Serpent Island”

Creepy Creature 2 (DVD) – another slice of low-budget monster movie fun with “The Crawling Hand” and “The Slime People”

HORROR

Schoolgirl Hitchhikers (Blu-ray) – experience director Jean Rollin’s unique brand of exploitation cinema with with this 1973 effort, full of nudity and mild torture sequences

Edgar Wallace Collection Vol.1 : Mad Executioners (DVD) – this double feature of German horror films is based off the work of prolific writer Edgar Wallace. The set includes 1963’s “The Mad Executioners” and 1959’s “Fellowship of the Frog”

Edgar Wallace Collection Vol.2: Curse of the Yellow Snake (DVD) – the madness continues with another double feature of German chillers, 1964’s “The Phantom of Soho” and 1963’s “The Curse of the Yellow Snake”

Grave of the Vampire (DVD) – this 1972 horror film starring William Smith (“Maniac Cop,” “Red Dawn”) has been remastered in anamorphic widescreen

Shadow People (Blu-ray/DVD) – Anchor Bay releases this 2012 horror flick about a sleep study that goes horribly wrong when the volunteers begin to see mysterious ‘shadow people’

Interested in any of these movies? If so, we hope that you’ll consider ordering from our affiliate to help support this site. Thank you!

"Conspirators" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Against all odds, Oxide Pang – one half of The Eye filmmakers The Pang Brothers – has managed to turn his 2007 Aaron Kwok vehicle The Detective into something of a franchise. While the original film was released Stateside by Tai Seng, the 2011 sequel saw no such release. Perhaps things will change for The Detective 3 AKA Conspirators, which adds some big name talent by pairing Aaron Kwok with Nick Cheung (The Stool Pigeon, Nightfall).

In the latest entry in the series, Aaron Kwok is investigating his parents’ mysterious death when he himself becomes the suspect in a murder case. Nick Cheung’s detective might be the only one who can clear his name. At least, that’s what we’re assuming from the first trailer for the film. You can hop on over to Far East Films for the detailed plot synopsis.

Update: Chinese Films has some new posters from the film, including this one. Conspirators opens in China on April 4th, 2013.

"Ong-Bak 3" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Now that Tom Yum Goong 2 is complete, the rumor mill is beginning to churn about future projects for Tony Jaa. Reportedly, Ong-Bak 2 and 3 director Panna Rittikrai has been in India, scouting locations for Ong-Bak 4. Shooting could begin as early as November of this year.

In order to cement the film’s international appeal, the crew is also interested in having Bollywood martial artist Vidyut Jamwal join the cast. Jamwal is currently set to rock Indian theaters next month with his highly anticipated action movie Commando: One Man Army. Check out the trailer for that movie here.

It’s probably best to take these rumors with a grain of salt but after many fans were left disappointed by Ong Bak 3, perhaps it’s time for Tony Jaa to redeem the series?

Motorway DVD (Lionsgate)

This week is so jam-packed with new releases, I better just zip my lips and get down to work.

If you’re interested in any of these titles, you can support the site by ordering through our affiliate. We appreciate it!

Here are your Blu-ray and DVD releases for the week of 3/12/13:

ASIAN CINEMA

Motorway (DVD) – Lionsgate presents one of 2012’s most riveting Hong Kong action films. Shawn Yue and Anthony Wong are behind the wheel for this cops ‘n crooks film with plenty of car chases

Black Eagle (DVD) – also known as “Return 2 Base” and “Soar Into the Sun,” this 2012 Korean action-blockbuster stars Rain (“Ninja Assassin”) as an ace fighter pilot. Be sure to read our review

Fairy in a Cage (Blu-ray/DVD) – this 1977 Japanese erotic shocker is infamous for its brutal torture scenes and condemnation of Japan’s imperial past

Punch (DVD) – Kim Yun-Seok of “The Chaser” and “The Thieves” fame stars in this smash hit 2011 Korean coming-of-age dramedy. On 2-disc Special Edition from 5 Points Pictures

Death Penalty.com / Death Penalty.com: A New Beginning (DVD) – it’s a Double Feature of the spooky Japanese horror series “Death Penalty.com.” In Japanese with English subtitles

Female Teacher: In Front Of The Students (DVD) – the Nikkatsu Erotic Film colleciton continues with this Japanese ‘pink’ movie

MARTIAL ARTS/ACTION

Indomina Martial Arts Triple Feature (DVD) – Indomina may be getting out of the distribution game, but their legacy lives in with great films like the ones in this Triple Feature, for only $12.99. See Johnny Tri Nguyen in “Clash”; Johnnie To’s masterful financial thriller “Life Without Principle”; and Dante Lam’s explosive action flick “Fire of Conscience”

Icons of Action: 4 Film Set (Blu-ray/DVD) – in this set, you can watch Jason Statham in “Blitz”; Sylvester Stallone in “Eye See You”; Jean-Claude Van Damme in “In Hell”; and Dolph Lundgren in “Direct Contact,” for only $7.99

Warrior Triple Feature (DVD) – the Weinstien Company presents Jim Caviezel in the sci-fi/action flick “Outlander”; the Russian fantasy film “Wolfhound”; and Mark Dacascos in the swords ‘n sandals epic “Nomad”

FOREIGN

Tristana (Blu-ray/DVD) – Catherine Denueve stars in this 1970 Spanish-language film, a newly restored and rediscovered classic from surrealist master Luis Buñuel (“The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie”)

This is Not a Film (DVD) – the acclaimed 2011 feature from Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi, who was banned from cinema for 20 years by Tehran

Hemel (DVD) – Artsploitation Films presents this 2012 Dutch-language film about a young woman who uses random sexual encounters to mask her loneliness

Mystikal (DVD) – this 2010 Spanish-language film is a adventure in the tradition of “Legend,” full of fairies and other fantasy creatures

Dabangg 2 (Blu-ray) – the 2012 Bollywood blockbuster sequel is released in hi-definition this week

MAINSTREAM

Life of Pi (3D Blu-ray/Blu-ray/DVD) – Ang Lee’s Academy-Award winning survival adventure film, based on the acclaimed book, arrives on home formats

Hitchcock (Blu-ray/DVD) – Anthony Hopkins portrays the legendary suspense director during the making of “Psycho” in this 2012 drama

This Must Be the Place (Blu-ray/DVD) – Sean Penn stars as a Robert Smith-esque former rock singer who tries to track down his father’s killer – a Nazi war criminal – in this 2012 drama

Smashed (Blu-ray/DVD) – Mary Elizabeth Winstead (“Scott Pilgrim vs. The World”) and Aaron Paul (TV’s “Breaking Bad”) star as a young married couple who come to the realization that they’re alcoholics

The Devil’s in the Details (Blu-ray/DVD) – Ray Liotta stars in this 2012 direct-to-video action/thriller about a veteran soldier forced to work for a drug smuggler when his family is kidnapped

Pressed (DVD) – Luke Goss (“Interview With a Hitman,” “Blade II”) headlines this thriller about a former executive who dabbles in the drug trade to try and make some easy money. Naturally, everything that could go wrong, does

Killer Biker Chicks (DVD) – in the middle of Nevada desert, you’ll find plenty of sex, drugs, and rock ‘n roll in this 2009 indie exploitation flick

NEW TO BLU-RAY

Willow (Blu-ray) – Ron Howard directs this fan favorite 1988 fantasy adventure film, based on a story by George Lucas and starring Warwick Davis and Val Kilmer

The Blob (Blu-ray) – movie icon Steve McQueen stars in this classic 1958 monster movie, in hi-definition from the Criterion Collection

Who Framed Roger Rabbit (Blu-ray + DVD) – Disney’s 1988 box office smash, a fluid blend of traditional animation with live-action, is now on Blu for its 25th anniversary

Zulu Dawn (Blu-ray) – Burt Lancaster and Peter O’Toole star in this 1979 adventure film, a prequel to the popular “Zulu”

Blade Runner: The Final Cut (Blu-ray) – the Final Cut of Ridley Scott’s classic 1982 sci-fi film is released as a stand-alone Blu-ray for a reduced price

ANIMATION

Rise of the Guardians (Blu-ray/DVD) – this 2012 film is the latest computer-generated kid’s film from Dreamworks Animation

Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman (Blu-ray) – a 2003 direct-to-video animated film done in the style of Bruce Timm and Paul Dini’s “Batman: The Animated Series”

Superman: Brainiac Attacks (Blu-ray) – a 2006 direct-to-video spin-off of “Superman: The Animated Series,” but it does not share the same continuity as the TV series and has a less than stellar reputation among fans

Mulan + Mulan II (Blu-ray + DVD) – Disney presents their underrated 1998 animated film on Blu-ray with its direct-to-video sequel

The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Blu-ray + DVD) – Disney’s 1996 animated film is noted for being one of their darkest and most mature efforts. Now in hi-def

BLU-RAY DOUBLE FEATURES

Troy/Gladitor (Blu-ray) –  the popular swords ‘n sandals Hollywood films are paired together on a Blu-ray Double Feature for only $14.99

Shooter/Four Brothers (Blu-ray) – Mark Wahlberg headlines both the action/revenge films in this Blu-ray Double Feature

Green Mile / Forest Gump (Blu-ray) – Tom Hanks takes the spotlight in this Blu-ray Double Feature

Clash of the Titans 2010 / Clash of the Titans 1981 (Blu-ray) – compare and contrast the two versions of the Greek mythology tale with this Blu-ray Double Feature

Losers & Jonah Hex (Blu-ray) – it’s two recent comic book adaptations in this Blu-ray Double Feature

Saturday Night Fever / Grease (Blu-ray) – get plenty of John Travolta thrusting his hips in this hi-def Double Feature

Disclosure / Fatal Attraction (Blu-ray) – it’s a Double Feature of director Adrian Lyne’s late 80’s/early 90’s erotic thrillers

Time to Kill & the Pelican Brief (Blu-ray) – a Double Feature of 90’s legal thrillers

CLASSICS

Ministry of Fear (Blu-ray/DVD) – the Criterion Collection presents this 1944 feature from “M” director Fritz Lang, based on a novel by Graham Greene (“The Third Man”)

Samson & Delilah (DVD) – legendary Hollywood director Cecil B. DeMille’s 1949 take on the enduring Biblical story

Casablanca / The African Queen (Blu-ray) – get a double dose of Humphrey Bogart in this classic film Double Feature

Ben Hur / Ten Commandments (Blu-ray) – two Biblically-themed epics for the price of one in this Blu-ray Double Feature

Dirty Dozen / Green Berets (Blu-ray) – you can’t get much more manly than Lee Marvin and John Wayne in this military-themed Blu-ray Double Feature

CULT

Expectations + Confessions (DVD) – distributor Vinegar Syndrome presents two 70’s-era erotic films about housewives dabbling in extracurricular sexual activities

HORROR

Storage 24 (Blu-ray/DVD) – Magnet Releasing offers this 2012 British horror flick that’s described as “Aliens” meets “Shaun of the Dead”

Savage Water + Death By Invitation (DVD) – distributor Vinegar Syndrome presents two obscure 70’s-era low-budget horror films

Grave Encounters 2 (Blu-ray/DVD) – the 2012 sequel to the surprise indie horror hit that makes fun of ‘Ghost Hunter’-type paranormal investigation shows

In Their Skin (DVD) – James D’Arcy (“Cloud Atlas”) and Selma Blair (“Hellboy”) star in this 2012 horror/thriller about a pair of suburban neighbors with sinister intentions

Curandero: Dawn Of The Demon (DVD) – Robert Rodriguez presents this 2005 horror film that’s set in the bowels of the Mexican underworld

The Taint (Blu-ray/DVD) – Troma releases this 2010 exploitation flick about tainted water that turns people into raging misogynists

Spiders (3D Blu-ray/DVD) – a 2013 giant spider flick, available in 3D. The Amazon reviews stress caution before purchase, though…

Interested in any of these movies? If so, we hope that you’ll consider ordering from our affiliate to help support this site. Thank you!

"Mad Max Trilogy" Tin Blu-ray Cover

Mad Max, the sci-fi franchise that introduced Mel Gibson to the world, will come together for the first time as a Blu-ray collection (limited edition, premium tin packaging) when Warner Bros. debuts the Mad Max Trilogy on June 4th.

The three films – Mad Max (1979), Mad Max: Road Warrior (1982) and Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985) – are all set in the near-future in Australia. From the very first film, Oscar® winner George Miller proved a master at creating the gritty, bleak dystopian world and staging the incredible car stunts and crashes in the era when stuntmen, not computers, achieved the effects. All three movies starred Mel Gibson, virtually unknown until after the second film, as Max Rockatansky, a highway cop traveling through the Outback in a society descending into chaos.

This must-own collection for action fans is available in limited premium tin packaging and makes a perfect gift for Father’s Day. The collection will sell for $49.99 SRP on Blu-ray Disc™. Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, which is making its Blu-ray debut, will also be available as a single along with Mad Max: Road Warrior. Order due date for all is April 30th.

Cityonfire.com received the above press release from Warner Bros. Don’t forget to read about the upcoming Mad Max 4: Fury Road, which coincides with the release of the Mad Max Trilogy on Blu-ray.

Update: Added a photo of the tin set (the standard slipcase version is packaged inside). Still no word on the extra features.

"Tekken" Italian Theatrical Poster

The other day we heard about a potential action movie called The B-Team, which would reunite some of our favorite action stars of yesteryear like Michael Dudikoff and Cynthia Rothrock. Today comes word of another action project in development, this one titled Soldier Girls. The film is billed as ‘The Expendables meets G.I. Jane‘ and is set to star newcomer Kat Morgan, Natasha Malthe (D.O.A.: Dead or Alive), and LeeAnn Liebenberg (stuntwork in Jean-Claude Van Damme’s Wake of Death).

If the project secures enough funding and the actors’ schedules are aligned, martial arts buffs can also look forward to Gary Daniels (City Hunter) and Jon Foo (Bangkok Revenge) joining the cast. The duo were last seen together in the live-action Tekken movie.

Producer/director Gary Mandry is currently shoring up the appropriate budget to film in South Africa. You can read more on Soldier Girls at Film Combat Syndicate.