Dredd 3D Blu-ray + Blu-ray 3D & DVD (Lionsgate)
RELEASE DATE: January 8, 2013
Lionsgate presents the 3D Blu-ray + Blu-ray 3D & DVD for Dredd. The ultimate Judge Dredd (Karl Urban) is tasked with ridding the city of its latest scourge -a dangerous drug and the sadistic prostitute turned drug pusher who is using it to take over the city.
"Helpless" Korean Theatrical Poster
This Thanksgiving week, the turkeys may be stuffed but the Blu-ray and DVD releases are slim pickings. Still, there should be plenty for film buffs to enjoy, from “The Expendables 2” to the Korean mystery “Helpless.” 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 11/20/12:
ASIAN CINEMA
Helpless (DVD) – this rain-soaked 2012 Korean mystery is based on a novel by the Japanese author known as the ‘Queen of Crime’
Eclipse Series 37: When Horror Came to Shochiku (The X from Outer Space; Goke, Body Snatcher from Hell; The Living Skeleton; Genocide) (DVD) – the Criterion Collection presents this 4-disc DVD set of late 60’s Japanese sci-fi oddities
Beijing Punk (DVD) – this 2010 documentary focuses on the burgeoning punk rock music scene in Communist China
Big Tits Zombie (DVD) – four exotic dancers unwittingly unleash an army of the dead in this 2010 Japanese splatterflick
My Heart Beats (DVD) – in this steamy 2009 Korean film, a repressed English professor dives deeper into the world of her private fantasies
MAINSTREAM
The Expendables 2 (Blu-ray/DVD) – Sly Stallone and his rowdy gang of mercenaries are back for a second helping of violence and mayhem in this 2012 action sequel from “Con Air” director Simon West
Heaven’s Gate (Blu-ray/DVD) – the Criterion Collection offers Michael Cimino’s controversial 1980 Western, which bankrupted United Artists but has since gone on to be viewed as an American classic
Tarantino XX 8-Film Collection (Blu-ray) – eight feature films either directed by Quentin Tarantino (“Pulp Fiction,” “Reservoir Dogs,” etc.) or penned by him (“True Romance”) are collected in this Blu-ray set
American Warships (Blu-ray/DVD) – in a first for Asylum Entertainment, many critics have been calling this “Battleship” knock-off superior to its Hollywood source material. Starring Mario Van Peebles and Carl Weathers, this week the film comes to 1-disc DVD and Blu-ray
Battle B-Boy (DVD) – this 2012 low-budget indie film is apparently about an underground competition that involves a mix of dancing and combat
Survival Games (DVD) – in this 2012 action/thriller, a group of campers are besieged by some angry mobsters who think something valuable has been stolen from them
ANIMATION
Grave of the Fireflies (Blu-ray) – this 1988 feature-length anime concerning the human suffering involved in World War II has been heralded as a classic of Japanese animation
CLASSICS
Ramrod (Blu-ray/DVD) – this 1947 Hollywood Western starring Joel McCrea and Veronica Lake has been classified by many film scholars as a ‘Frontier film noir’
Black Magic (DVD) – Orson Welles stars as a legendary hypnotist in this lavish 1949 period piece
The Trap (Blu-ray/DVD) – a 1959 color film noir starring Richard Widmark and Lee J. Cobb
HORROR
The Pete Walker Collection (House of Whipcord, Die Screaming Marianne, The Comeback, Schizo) (Blu-ray) – Redemption Films presents this 4-disc Blu-ray set of horror films from English director Peter Walker, who frequently combined horror with sexploitation
Schizo: Remastered Edition (DVD) – Redemption Films offers Peter Walker’s 1976 atmospheric chiller “Schizo” as a stand-alone Remastered DVD
Puppet Master II (DVD) – the cult horror series continues with a direct-to-video 1991 sequel
Puppet Master III: Toulon’s Revenge (Blu-ray) – the cult series continues with the Remastered version of this sequel, also released in 1991
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!
Jackie Chan Double Feature: Crime Story & The Protector Blu-ray & DVD (Shout! Factory)
Brace yourself for twice the action and twice the adrenaline rush with an action-packed double feature starring world renowned martial arts sensation Jackie Chan! On January 15, 2013, Shout! Factory will release Crime Story/The Protector Double Feature deluxe Blu-ray™ and DVD. This highly anticipated home entertainment collection contains insightful bonus features including deleted scenes, filmmaker interviews, trailers, behind-the-scenes featurette and more!
The deluxe Blu-ray edition contains a special bonus of Jackie Chan’s cut of The Protector, with additional scenes directed by Chan (in Cantonese with English subtitles – standard definition). This home entertainment release is a must-have for fans, collectors and movie enthusiasts, own two of popular Jackie Chan cult hits on Blu-ray at an attractive price of $19.93 SRP. The double feature DVD has a suggested retail price of $12.99.
Special Features for the Blu-ray Edition: For Crime Story: Interview with director Kirk Wong, deleted scenes and theatrical trailers. For The Protector: From New York to Hong Kong – Interview with director James Glickenhaus, Behind-the-scenes featurette, theatrical trailers and the Jackie Chan Cut of The Protector with additional scenes directed by Chan (In Cantonese with English Subtitles – Standard Definition)
Special Features for the DVD Edition: For Crime Story: Deleted scenes and theatrical trailers. For The Protector: From New York to Hong Kong – Interview with director James Glickenhaus and theatrical trailers.
Sansho the Bailiff Blu-ray (Criterion Collection)
RELEASE DATE: February 26, 2012
Criterion presents the Blu-ray for Kenji Mizoguchi’s Sansho the Bailiff. When an idealistic governor disobeys the reigning feudal lord, he is cast into exile, his wife and children left to fend for themselves and eventually separated by vicious slave traders. This classic Japanese story became one of cinema’s greatest masterpieces, a monumental, empathetic expression of human resilience in the face of evil. Watch the trailer.
The Ballad of Narayama Blu-ray & DVD (Criterion)
RELEASE DATE: February 5th, 2013
Criterion presents the Blu-ray & DVD for Keisuke Kinoshita’s The Ballad of Narayama. This haunting, kabuki-inflected version of a Japanese folk legend is set in a remote mountain village, where food is scarce and tradition dictates that citizens who have reached their seventieth year must be carried to the summit of Mount Narayama and left there to die. Watch the trailer.
"Hey Japanese!" Japanese Poster
RELEASE DATE: February 26, 2013
Vanguard Cinema presents the DVD for Ryotaro Muramatsu’s Hey Japanese! (aka Hey Japanese! Do You Believe Peace, Love and Understanding? 2008 or Heyjapa!). According to Nippon Cinema, this movie is a black comedy interweaving 6 concurrent stories occuring in a suburban area on the outskirts of Tokyo. Check out the trailer.
The Assassins Blu-ray & DVD (Well Go USA)
RELEASE DATE: January 8, 2013
Well Go USA presents the Blu-ray & DVD for Zhao Linshan’s The Assassins. This action film stars Chow Yun Fat and is written by the screenwriter behind Zhang Yimou’s Hero. The story focuses on Cao Cao in his old age, exploring the areas of military tactics, love, and the relationship between father and son. Watch the trailer.
"Shield of Straw" Teaser Poster
Fresh off a turn in the dark cult drama I’m Flash, popular actor Fujiwara Tatsuya continues to tackle challenging roles. Although he’s most well known for his part in Battle Royale and Death Note, it appears that Tatsuya is looking to carve a name for himself as a serious thespian. His latest is titled Shield of Straw and arrives from none other than acclaimed director Takashi Miike.
The grim drama follows a confessed child killer as he is being transported by police across the country for a trial. The only trouble is, one of his victim’s grandfathers has put out a $12 million bounty on Tatsuya’s head – kinda like the scene in The Dark Knight where the Joker tells Gotham City to take out that Wayne Enterprises employee before he reveals Batman’s identity.
Shield of Straw hits Japanese theaters in Spring 2013. In the meantime, hop on over to Twitch Film for the teaser trailer and a clip.
Bangkok Assassins DVD (Lionsgate)
RELEASE DATE: January 29, 2013
Lionsgate presents the DVD for Bangkok Assassins (aka Bangkok Kung Fu), featuring action choreography by Ong-bak’s Somchai Munma. Four young boys are kidnapped and forced to become beggars on the street they soon find refuge in a skillful Shaolin Kung Fu master who teaches them the art of his craft. Watch the trailer.
"Back to 1942" International Poster
China Lion Film Distribution will release the Feng Xiaogang epic Back to 1942 on November 30th throughout the U.S. and Canada, day-and-date with its planned Chinese Mainland release. The film, based on the bestselling Chinese novel Remembering 1942 by Liu Zhengyun, revolves around the devastating famine that ravaged the Henan province while Nationalists and Japanese troops fought during World War II. The film stars a cast of well-known Chinese stars including Xu Fan, Zhang Guoli, Chen Daoming, Zhang Mo and Zhang Hanyu as well as Academy Award winners Adrien Brody (The Piano) and Tim Robbins (Mystic River).
China Lion Film will initially release the film throughout the U.S. and Canada in limited release throughout major North American metro areas of Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Toronto, Washington, D.C., and Vancouver on November 30th. The film will open in Chicago and Seattle on the 7th of December, with future bookings to be announced.
China Lion Film is planning special advance screenings on November 27th in both Vancouver and Toronto for press and selected members of the public. Locations for special advance screenings in the U.S. will be announced. Watch the official trailer at Apple or Youtube.
Cityonfire.com received the above press release from China Lion on November 14th, 2012.
“Painted Skin 2: The Resurrection” Chinese Theatrical Poster
Director: Wu Ershan
Cast: Zhou Xun, Chen Kun, Vicky Zhao Wei, Yang Mi, Feng Shao Feng, Bei Cheung, Kris Phillips
Running Time: 135 min.
By HKFanatic
“Painted Skin: The Resurrection” was an easy movie for sites like ours to cover since every trailer released for the film looked even more beautiful than the last. Yet I doubt many critics expected “Painted Skin 2” to go on to become the highest-grossing movie of all time at the Chinese box office. Over there, “The Resurrection” was released in 3D; here in North America we’ll have to make due with its 2D iteration. Even without the added dimension, this is a sprawling, beautiful mess of a movie. The story unfolds with all the logic of a fever dream but it’s filled with as much eye candy as one too.
There’s been some speculation about whether or not Western audiences will be able to follow the plot of “The Resurrection” since it is very much rooted in Chinese folklore. This is a mythic tale where fox-demons feast on beating hearts and characters trade faces on a whim. While I’m not sure if I ‘followed’ the story, I thoroughly enjoyed myself the entire way through. After watching countless historical epics that strive for realism, it’s refreshing to see a Chinese-language film more reminiscent of the free-wheeling, special FX-infused Hong Kong staples like “A Chinese Ghost Story” or “Zu Warriors from the Magic Mountain.”
Director Wuershan is ably in command here, recovering from the scattershot nature of his directorial debut “The Butcher, The Chef and the Swordsman.” Wuershan’s comes from a background in TV commercials, which is perhaps why his first film made me feel like I was channel-surfing as I watched it. In “Painted Skin,” the filmmaker displays a much tighter control on the film’s visuals and mood. And during quieter moments, the camera actually settles down long enough to showcase Wuershan’s cast.
The scenes in which Zhou Xun (“Cloud Atlas”) and Wei Zhao (“So Close”) play opposite each other are particularly well-acted. Their relationship is at the heart of the movie and it’s not a simple antagonistic one. Rather, there is a subtle game of manipulation occurring here as these two lovely ladies vie for the other’s close-kept possessions: in Xun’s case it’s her beauty, in Zhao’s case it’s her mortal heart.
Viewers craving nonstop action may be disappointed by “Painted Skin 2” as fight sequences are memorable but occur infrequently. Regardless, “The Resurrection” features enough pastel-colored landscapes and gorgeous costumes to rival any Hollywood production. The computer effects are way above average for an Eastern fantasy, putting movies like “The Storm Warriors” to shame. Some renders may not look completely realistic, such as the giant black bear that attacks in a forest, but the story takes place in an abstract fantasy land – realism isn’t a necessity.
My eye was drawn in from the opening scene of Zhou Xun trapped in her icy blue prison. Legendary concept artist Yoshitaka Amano (“Final Fantasy” series) lent his designs to “Painted Skin” and there are times when the film looks like one of his drawings come to life. I honestly don’t think I could pay the movie, or director Wuershan, a higher compliment than that.
“The Resurrection” may be a bit scattershot from a narrative standpoint but it’s destined to go down as one of 2012’s most visually spectacular films. Wuershan’s pop-fantasy confection is likely to delight viewers in search of good old-fashioned escapism.
HKFanatic’s Rating: 8/10
Joshua Tree aka Army of One Blu-ray & DVD (Shout! Factory)
RELEASE DATE: February 26, 2013
Shout! Factory presents the Blu-ray & DVD for Vic Armstrong’s Joshua Tree (aka Army of One), starring Dolph Lundgren, George Segal and Kristian Alfonso. A framed prison escapee unknowingly kidnaps a female cop en-route to a rendezvous with the corrupt cop who put him behind bars. Shout!’s Joshua Tree will have both endings, audio commentary (with Vic and Andy Armstrong), and interviews (with Vic and Andy Armstrong; and Dolph Lundgren). Watch the trailer.
"Swelter" Teaser Poster
According to sources – including The Film Catalogue and the folks at vandammefan.net – Jean-Claude Van Damme is set to star in an action movie titled Swelter, which will be directed by Keith Parmer (Mob Rules). The film will also star Dermot Mulroney, Lennie James, Alfred Molina, Josh Henderson and Catalina Sandino Moreno.
Swelter centers on four violent escaped prisoners arriving in a dusty, small California town where the heat is unbearable and everyone knows each other’s business. The escaped convicts are in search of the fifth man who fled with over $10 million in cash.
According to imdb.com, many of the above cast members, including Van Damme, are not credited. But according to The Film Catalogue, Swelter is still on, currently in pre-production, and is set for release in 2013. Van Damme is currently wrapping up Enemies Closer, which reunites him with Peter Hyams (Time Cop).
Check back with cityonfire.com for more updates regarding this project.
The Resistance DVD (Xenon)
RELEASE DATE: February 12, 2013
Xenon presents the DVD for The Resistance, a new martial arts movie from director Li Zhang (Last Kung Fu Monk). The year is 1937. Japan begins their invasion of China by murdering over 300,000 people in the capital of Nanjing. At the same time, a masked killer decides to strike back and kill many Japanese soldiers. Watch the trailer.
Painted Skin: The Resurrection Blu-ray & DVD (Well Go USA)
This is one heck of an eclectic week, that sees a couple of high-profile Asian film releases, the Blu-ray edition of “Lawrence of Arabia,” numerous Blu-ray Triple Features, and more. 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 11/13/12:
ASIAN CINEMA
Painted Skin: The Resurrection (Blu-ray/DVD) – Well Go USA brings this 2012 visually lush Chinese fantasy to North America. Expect our review tomorrow
Silmido (The Basters) (DVD) – one of the most successful Korean films of all time finally sees a Region 1 DVD release. The 2003 film follows a group of North Korean infiltrators in the late 60’s tasked with assassinating the South Korean President
Big Tits Zombie (DVD) – with a title like that, what more can I say? This 2010 Japanese zombie splatterflick hits retail on Tuesday
Slave Ship (DVD) – the Japanese sexploitation continues with this 2012 effort about a S&M ‘pleasure’ cruise
FOREIGN CINEMA
Trilogy of Life (The Decameron, The Canterbury Tales, Arabian Nights) (Blu-ray/DVD) – the Criterion Collection presents this trilogy of films about premodern literature from legendary Italian filmmaker Pier Pasolini (director of “Salo”)
Weekend (Blu-ray/DVD) – your friends at the Criterion Collection give the hi-def treatment to director Jean-Luc Godard’s 1967 film, long considered one of his finest efforts
Zorro (Blu-ray/DVD) – French superstar Alain Delon brings the swashbuckling hero to life in this 1975 adaptation
A Burning Hot Summer (DVD) – two couples find their love tested to the extreme in this 2011 film anchored by French stars Monica Belluci and Louis Garrel
Asylum (AKA I Want to Be a Gangster) (DVD) – a 2008 independent, French-language gangster film, courtesy of Synapse Films
Offenbach’s Secret (DVD) – a 2012 German and French-language examination of composer Jacques Offenbach
Schoolgirl Report #9: Mature Before Graduation… (DVD) – Impulse Pictures presents a little German sexploitation with this 1975 film
MAINSTREAM
Savages (Blu-ray/DVD) – Oliver Stone tackles the drug trade in this gritty 2012 crime drama
Brave (Blu-ray/DVD) – the 2012 family-friendly adventure from Pixar animation, now on home formats
Empire of the Sun (Blu-ray) – a very young Christian Bale made his big screen debut in this 1987 film from Steven Spielberg
Watchmen Collector’s Edition: Ultimate Cut + Graphic Novel (Blu-ray) – receive Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ groundbreaking graphic novel as well as Zack Snyder’s feature film in its ‘Ultimate Cut’ form
Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure (Blu-ray) – the 1989 cult classic that helped launch the career of Keanu Reeves lands in hi-def
Snowmageddon (Blu-ray/DVD) – mysterious natural disasters begin to strike in Alaska in this 2011 flick starring Michael Hogan
Children Who Chase Lost Voices (Blu-ray/DVD) – a full-length anime feature from the acclaimed creator of “Voices Of a Distant Star” and “5 Centimeters Per Second”
Dark Horse (Blu-ray/DVD) – this 2012 unsettling indie drama is the latest from shock master Todd Solondz (“Welcome to the Doll House”)
RE-RELEASES
Ocean’s Eleven / Ocean’s Twelve / Ocean’s Thirteen (Triple Feature) (Blu-ray) – all of Steven Soderbergh’s star-studded pictures, together at an affordable $19.29 price point
Superman: The Movie / Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut / Superman Returns (Blu-ray) – Richard Donner’s first two Superman classics, alongside Bryan Singer’s revamp of the caped hero
American History X / A History of Violence / True Romance (Triple Feature) (Blu-ray) – an interesting mash-up of titles, together on Blu-ray
16 Blocks / Last Boy Scout / Last Man Standing (Blu-ray) – Bruce Willis headlines this Triple Feature of action flicks in hi-def
2001: A Space Odyssey / Clockwork Orange / Shining (Blu-ray) – three films directed by Stanley Kubrick on one Blu-ray disc
The Lost Boys / Lost Boys: The Tribe / Lost Boys: The Thirst (Blu-ray) – what do you know, the “Lost Boys” series actually spawned two sequels and here they are
House of Wax / Return to House on Haunted Hill/ Ghost Ship (Blu-ray) – three low-budget horror flicks on one Blu-ray
CLASSICS
Lawrence of Arabia (Restored Version) (Blu-ray/DVD) – director David Lean’s 1962 award-winning epic finally receives the hi-def treatment
Barbarian & the Geisha (Blu-ray + DVD combo) – John Wayne headlines this 1958 picture, directed by John Huston
Big Trail (Blu-ray) – a very young John Wayne stars in this 1930 epic, one of the few Widescreen films made at the dawn of ‘Talkies’
Twilight’s Last Gleaming (Blu-ray/DVD) – Burt Lancaster stars in this movie from the director of “The Dirty Dozen,” about a group of men who hold America hostage from a nuclear base
HORROR
The Fantasist (DVD) – Katrina’s Nightmare Theater presents this obscure 1986 horror flick from the director of the original “Wicker Man”
5 Dark Souls (15th Anniversary Special Edition) (DVD) – this 1996 horror movie chronicles a group of high school students who decide to murder someone on camera just to see what it feels like
The Definitive Document of the Dead (DVD) – Synapse Films presents this behind the scenes documentary of George R. Romero and his many zombie films
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!
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