"The Departed" Theatrical Poster

The latest news out of the Berlin International Film Festival is that Martin Scorsese will serve as executive producer on Andrew Lau’s next film, called Revenge of the Green Dragons. Our readers probably don’t need reminding that Scorsese’s hit film The Departed was an English-language remake of Andrew Lau’s Infernal Affairs – but, hey, Scorsese did thank Lau when he won the Oscar for Best Picture.

Production is scheduled to begin on Revenge of the Green Dragons in April. The film will presumably be shot in English; this isn’t Andrew Lau’s first American endeavor as he helmed the little-seen 2007 serial killer thriller The Flock, starring Richard Gere. Green Dragons is based on a New Yorker article and will follow two Chinese immigrants who arrive in the States only to become embroiled in the New York crime world.

"Real" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Kiyoshi Kurosawa was once one of the foremost genre filmmakers in Japan, thanks to his unique brand of unsettling horror as witnessed in films like Kairo (AKA Pulse) and Curse. To this day, Kairo remains arguably the finest example of ‘J-horror.’ In 2008, Kurosawa took a break from scaring audiences with the acclaimed drama Tokyo Sonata, which even won accolades at Cannes.

After that Kurosawa dabbled in the world of Japanese television to direct the 5-episode mini-series Penance, which would explain why we haven’t heard from the director in North America for awhile. That changes with the impending release of Real. While this film isn’t a return to horror for Kurosawa, the film appears to be a psychologically gripping, sci-fi influenced story.

In Real, a young woman is sent into a coma after a failed suicide attempt. Her devoted boyfriend utilizes an experimental form of technology to dive into her comatose mind and try to uncover the reasons for her depression, which stem from an event during childhood. Could this be Inception by way of The Cell, with a uniquely Kiyoshi Kurosawa twist?

Check out the first trailer for Real here. The film is slated for theatrical release in Japan on June 1st, 2013.

Shin Ha-Gyoon is the "Running Man"

A new Korean action-comedy titled Running Man is slated for release in theaters over there this April 2013 – but it’s not what you think. No, this isn’t a remake of the popular 80’s Arnold Schwarzenegger vehicle. Instead it’s a completely new story about a man (Shin Ha-Gyoon) who is wrongly accused of murder and decides to walk/run/drive as far away from the police as he can, turning himself into a fugitive. Actor Shin Ha-Gyoon is likely best known for his role in Sympathy For Mr. Vengeance.

Helmer Jo Dong-Oh’s sole previous directing credit was 2006’s martial arts fantasy The Restless, which did actually receive a North American release courtesy of Genius Products. The teaser trailer for Running Man is online with English subtitles and it looks to offer non-stop chase sequences and auto destruction in the vein of that other Korean hit, Quick. Thanks to Far East Films for the heads up.

"The Berlin File" Korean Theatrical Poster

Film Business Asia offers news that Ryoo Seung-wan, the director of hard-hitting Korean action/dramas like No Blood, No Tears and The Unjust, is heading to Berlin next month to begin production on his latest movie.

This new film, recently retitled The Berlin File, begins shooting in Germany on May 1st and has a budget of $9 million. Ryoo Seung-wan and crew will film for two weeks in Berlin before heading back to South Korea for the rest of the production. Although The Berlin File is an entirely Korean-financed project, German co-production and services will be provided by Film Base, the company that recently co-produced the Bollywood action blockbuster Don 2.

The premise behind The Berlin File involves a secret agent who is framed for a crime he did not commit, and who must also protect the lives of his wife and unborn child.

Despite the action-heavy premise, Ryoo Seung-wan says the focus is more on the human drama.

Update: Trust us, you won’t want to miss the jaw-dropping, action-packed first trailer! Twitch has Trailer #2 as well as some Character Spotlight trailers and a Behind the Scenes video.

The Berlin File is loaded and ready to hit select North American theaters on February 15th, 2013. This website should be updated with theater locations very soon. In the meantime, here’s quote from director Ryoo Seung-wan: “It’s said that during the Cold War, 6 out of 10 people walking the streets of Berlin were spies. Although that crushing period has passed, I sense that tragic history still hanging in the air. I wanted to tell a story about human beings who are defined by dangerous secrets bigger than their own lives.”

BREAKING NEWS: Check out a second full-length trailer for the film online now.

"The Thieves" Blu-ray Cover

There are plenty of films to cover this week, so let’s get started. 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 release dates for the week of 2/12/13:

ASIAN CINEMA

The Thieves (Blu-ray/DVD) – one of the most successful Korean films of all time, this heist thriller in the “Ocean’s 11” vein stars Gianna Jun (“My Sassy Girl”) and Kim Yoon-seok (“The Chaser”)

Dangerous Liaisons (Blu-ray/DVD) – this adaptation of the famous French novel is a Korean/Chinese co-production, featuring Hong Kong starlets Zhang Ziyi and Cecilia Cheung alongside Korean sensation Dong-gun Jang (“My Way”)

Croczilla (DVD) – Barbie Hsu (“Reign of Assassins”) stars in this 2012 Chinese creature feature, also known as “Million Dollar Crocodile.” Be advised that Screen Media Films’ release of this film is [dubbed] in English

Sleepy Eyes of Death: Collector’s Set 3 (DVD) – AnimEigo presents the next 4-disc volume in this cult favorite 60’s samurai film series

Planet of Snail (DVD) – this acclaimed 2011 Korean documentary follows a famous poet who can no longer see or hear

Chanbara Beauty: Movie Vortex (DVD) – Tokyo Shock presents the 2009 entry in this popular series about bikini-clad zombie-slaying gals, which is based on a video game

FOREIGN

The Kid With a Bike (Blu-ray/DVD) – the Criterion Collection presents this 2011 French-language effort from festival favorites the Dardenne Brothers, an unsentimental story about a young orphan looking for someone to care for him

Black’s Game (DVD) – explore the dark underworld of Iceland’s drug trade in this 2012 action/thriller

Teddy Bear (DVD) – a 2012 Danish drama about a hulking but shy bodybuilder in search of true love

MAINSTREAM

Skyfall (Blu-ray/DVD) – the 2012 box office smash following 007 James Bond arrives on home formats

The Man With the Iron Fists (Blu-ray/DVD) – rapper turned actor RZA directs and stars in this 2012 homage to old-school kung fu movies

Silent Hill: Revelation (Blu-ray/DVD) – the 2012 sequel to the horror film series based on the Playstation video game

The Perks of Being a Wallflower (Blu-ray/DVD) – this 2012 teen drama adapts the popular young adult novel to the big screen

Robot & Frank (Blu-ray/DVD) – Frank Langella (“Superman Returns”) headlines this quirky sci-fi comedy about an older man and his service robot

The Resistance (DVD) – this 2011 martial arts action film is set during the Japanese occupation of China during World War II, but was shot in English by the director of “The Last Kung Fu Monk”

NEW TO BLU-RAY

Several James Bond movies previously only available in the 007 Blu-ray box set are being released as standalone Blu-ray discs this week. The titles include: You Only Live Twice (1967), On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969), Diamonds Are Forever (1971), The Spy Who Loved Me (1977), Octopussy (1983), The Living Daylights (1987), Goldeneye (1995), and Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)

HORROR

Die Screaming, Marianne: Remastered Edition (Blu-ray/DVD) – Redemption Films presents this 1971 swingin’ horror flick, the first such genre effort from British exploitation director Pete Walker

House of Whipchord: Remastered Edition (Blu-ray/DVD) – Redemption presents a hi-def release for Pete Walker’s acclaimed 1974 cult horror film about a secret torture chamber where ‘immoral women’ are punished

Schizo: Remastered Edition (Blu-ray/DVD) – Pete Walker’s 1976 effort is on Blu-ray and DVD, courtesy of Redemption Films. This film is a British attempt at the ‘giallo’ style of horror

The Comeback: Remastered Edition (Blu-ray/DVD) – a washed-up American singer moves into a secluded house in the English countryside. All manner of supernatural mayhem ensues in this 1978 chiller from director Pete Walker

Euro-Sleaze Collection (DVD) – Severin Films presents 278 minutes of the sleaziest Eurohorror films for only $30. The 3-disc set includes: “The Sister of Ursula,” “The Sinful Dwarf,” and “Hanna D: The Girl From Vondel Park”

Rise of the Zombies (Blu-ray/DVD) – Machete himself, Danny Trejo, headlines this 2012 zombie flick set in San Francisco

Smiley (DVD) – the internet urban legend of a serial killer named ‘Smiley’ comes to life in this 2012 horror flick

Dracula vs. Frankenstein (DVD) – the titular monsters square off in this 1971 horror film, although reviews warn the cover art is the best part of the movie

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!

"Library Wars" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Preposterous but interesting – such is the premise for Library Wars, the new film from the acclaimed director of the live-action Gantz films and Princess Blade. This Japanese-language movie is based on a popular novel that ended up spawning a manga and anime series.

Taking a page from Ray Bradbury’s classic novel Fahrenheit 451, the movie is set in the near future in which Japan’s government organizes an armed military unit who are allowed to find and destroy any offensive publications. A rogue group known as the Library Force rises up to stop them in the name of free speech and creative expression. The teaser trailer for Sato Shinsuke’s Library Wars is online now.

Update: Here’s the new full-length trailer!

"Dead Shadows" Theatrical Poster

Shout! Factory secured extensive rights to David Cholewa’s French horror action thriller Dead Shadows. “This highly entertaining feature is a perfect addition to our ever-growing horror and world cinema library; and we look forward to present this film to movie fans and reach new audiences through a variety of distribution platforms,” stated Shout! Factory’s founders in a joint statement.

David Cholewa’s first feature film Dead Shadows (trailer) tells the story about a young man, whose parents were brutally killed 11 years ago, on the same day that the comet of Haley could be seen from earth. Tonight, a new comet is going to appear and everyone in his building are getting ready to celebrate the event. Little do they know, they’re in for some terrifying surprises.