The Unjust DVD (Pathfinder Home Entertainment)
RELEASE DATE: December 11, 2012
Pathfinder Home Entertainment presents the DVD for Ryu Seung-Wan’s The Unjust, a movie about corruption in the South Korean justice system. A critical and commercial success, this one has shades of Infernal Affairs, and obviously The Departed. Be sure and read our review. Check out the trailer.
“The Bullet Vanishes” Chinese Theatrical Poster
Director: Law Chi Leung
Cast: Lau Ching Wan, Nicholas Tse Ting Fung, Yang Mi, Jing Boran, Wu Gang, Liu Kai Chi, Jiang Yiyan, Gao Hu, Yumiko Cheng Hei Yi, Chin Kar Lok
Running Time: 100 min.
By HKFanatic
Ever since the first trailer for “The Bullet Vanishes” hit the web, the film has been labeled a Chinese take on Guy Ritchie’s 2009 “Sherlock Holmes” film. While the movies do share some superficial similarities – mostly in the realm of musical score and production design – “The Bullet Vanishes” is its own beast. Well, to be fair, director Chi-Leung Law (“Koma”) does lift a slow-motion explosion from Ritchie’s movie…but the comparisons stop there.
After all, “The Bullet Vanishes” gives us not one but two ace detectives trying to solve a most perplexing case. That’s right, Nicholas Tse and Lau Ching-Wan aren’t so much an ‘Eastern Sherlock and Watson’ as they are a Sherlock and Sherlock duo.
Although Nicholas Tse receives top billing, Lau Ching-Wan feels like the lead here and he exudes confidence while steering the movie. The veteran actor spent a few years taking a detour into the realm of romantic comedies, but as of late Lau Ching-Wan seems to be returning to genre territory with films like “Mad Detective” and “Fairy Tale Killer.” If you’re a fan of Wan’s past work in Milkyway flicks like “The Longest Nite” and “A Hero Never Dies,” then you’ll agree that it’s damn good to have him back. He’s an actor capable of displaying cunning intelligence and subtle compassion, both of which his role in “The Bullet Vanishes” calls for.
In the film, a series of murders at a weapons factory spins the surrounding area of Shanghai into turmoil. A prison superintendent recently promoted to detective, Lau Ching Wan travels to the area to work with local cop Nicholas Tse on the case. What’s most puzzling about the murders is that no bullets were found in the bodies, even though the victims were clearly killed by gunfire. During their investigation, our sleuthing duo will have to contend with a factory owner who isn’t afraid to let his tommy gun do the talking; assorted gangsters; and crime scenes that are most reluctant to give up clues.
The production values on “The Bullet Vanishes” are strong, with a slick, big-budget look – almost too slick since the camera is always perched to show off the gigantic sets that are conspicuously empty, driving home the fact that they are merely sets. One particularly creative touch from director Chi-Leung Law is an expository scene that plays out like a black & white silent movie of the era.
On the downside: while the female members of the cast are invariably gorgeous, particularly Nicholas Tse’s love interest Yang Mi, their characters seem like a mere afterthought in the script. The obligatory love scene between Nicholas and his beau comes out of nowhere. And while the filmmakers manage to wrap up their twisty plot in a manner that is satisfactory and neat, they must have thought it was too neat – a last minute game-changing plot twist comes out of nowhere just before the credits roll. Viewers may find they have to twist their brain in knots to make sense of this late-in-the-game revelation, but I’m pretty sure it makes sense. Mostly sure.
“The Bullet Vanishes” is in keeping with the current trend of Chinese moviemaking: a commercial premise with high production values and big name actors. However, the film is not so mass assembled that it lacks personality. Fans of the actors or mystery/thrillers in general should be entertained for the movie’s entire duration. Nicholas Tse continues to age gracefully, not shying away from complex roles, and Chinese genre movies are just plain better off now that Lau Ching-Wan is back.
HKFanatic’s Rating: 7/10
"The Silent War" Chinese Theatrical Poster
Coming to Import Blu-ray and DVD this Friday, October 12th, is the Chinese-language espionage thriller The Silent War. And you couldn’t ask for a better pedigree than the team behind this movie. Directed by Alan Mak and Felix Chong, the filmmaking duo who brought us Infernal Affairs II and the Donnie Yen action epic The Lost Bladesman, the film stars Tony Leung Chiu Wai – one of the most respected actors in Hong Kong – alongside the lovely Xhou Zun (Painted Skin – The Resurrection).
Courtesy of trusted retailer DDDHouse, The Silent War sneaks onto Region A Blu-ray for only $18.97. A Region A Blu-ray will play on any North American Blu-ray player. Or snag the Region 3 DVD for only $12.18. But a Region 3 DVD will require an Import player. Both discs contain English subtitles.
Set in the 1950’s, the film follows Tony Leung as a blind piano tuner who is recruited by the Chinese military due to his exceptional hearing. Zhou Xun plays Leung’s handler and, in a nice reversal of traditional gender roles, she is the one who must defend him in hand-to-hand combat on occasion. The Silent War continues Alan Mak and Felix Chong’s hot streak of well-made, lavishly produced commercial thrillers.
"Hitchcock" American Theatrical Poster
In theaters this November 23rd, 2012 is Hitchcock, a film highly anticipated by movie buffs as it stars Anthony Hopkins as Alfred Hitchcock – probably the most famous film director of all time – in a behind the scenes looking at the making of Psycho. Academy Award-winner Helen Mirren co-stars as Hitchcock’s loyal wife Alma Reville, and you can also look for Scarlett Johansson as actress Janet Leigh and Jessica Biel as Vera Miles.
Apple premiered the trailer today in glorious Quicktime. The rest of the high-profile cast includes Danny Huston, Toni Colette, and James D’Arcy. We shall have to wait and see if Hitchcock develops any Oscar buzz of its own. Hollywood tends to love movies about Hollywood, although the trailer doesn’t exactly portray the movie studios of the late 1950’s in a favorable light – apparently Mr. Hitchcock was forced to mortgage his own house in order to finance Psycho.
"Pieta" Korean Theatrical Poster
Iconoclast director and all around Korean filmmaking ‘bad boy’ Kim Ki-duk has begun shooting his next film, titled Pieta. This is his 18th movie. Reportedly, the idea for Pieta arose because Kim Ki-duk wanted to delve into the theme of evil, and whether or not “human beings have evilness as one of their innate qualities.”
The plot follows a heartless man whose job is to go around and harass people to pay back their debtors. He has no family to speak of until one day a middle-aged woman randomly appears and claims to be his biological mother. Thanks to Asian Movie Pulse for the scoop
Update: Here’s the first trailer for the film.
BREAKING NEWS: You may have heard that Pieta won the Golden Lion award for Best Film at this year’s Venice International Film Festival. Not only that, but South Korea has made it their official submission for Best Foreign Picture at this year’s Academy Awards. Hot off this success, Kim Ki-duk’s Pieta has been picked up by Drafthouse Pictures for a Video On Demand and limited theatrical release in North America sometime in 2013.
James Sallis' "Driven"
In 2011, James Sallis’ book Drive was brought to the big screen by Nicolas Winding Refn and Ryan Gosling. Upon its premier at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival, the movie received a standing ovation and Refn was awarded “Best Director.” Since then, Drive has become an instant cult classic, securing Refn as one of Hollywood’s hottest directors and officially proving Gosling as a lead tough guy.
Two months ago, Sallis released Driven, a sequel to his 2005 novel, which takes place seven years after Drive ends: “He is trying to suppress the violence – but the sequel shows the process of him accepting that this is who he is. He tries to become a normal person and re-invents himself,” says Sallis.
Sallis says that movie producers are loving Driven and that it’s definitely in the movie pipeline. The big question: Will Refn return to the director’s chair? After all, it was his blend of neo-noir, ultra violence and ’80s film-influence that made the original a unique experience. If Refn does return, we know that Gosling will be back; after all, the two have been inseparable since teaming up in the original Drive (the two are currently working on Only God Forgives and a Logan’s Run remake). Be sure and read the full interview with Sallis, courtesy of The Independent. Beware of spoilers regarding Driven. Also, be sure and check out our review for Drive.
Updates: According to Evening Standard. (via The Citizen), this is what Nicolas Winding Refn said about a Drive sequel: “That is never going to happen. But the character of The Driver might return in another film. We’re playing with that idea. We’ll see what happens.”
Dragon (aka Wu Xia) Blu-ray & DVD (Anchor Bay)
RELEASE DATE: April 16, 2013
Anchor Bay presents the Blu-ray & DVD for Dragon (aka Wu Xia). Liu (Donnie Yen) is a villager whose quiet life is shattered when he saves a man from two notorious gangsters. He comes under investigation by a detective (Takeshi Kaneshiro), who is curious on how Liu single-handenly took on the gangsters. Watch the trailer. If you can’t wait, Dragon is currently available to stream. Read our review.
"The Expendables 2" Blu-ray Cover
The Expendables are back and this time it is personal! The biggest action-adventure superstars from around the world reunite in the next chapter. The Expendables 2, exploding into homes on Blu-ray Disc (plus Digital Copy plus UV), DVD (plus Digital Copy plus UV), Digital Download, On Demand and Pay-Per-View November 20 from Lionsgate Home Entertainment.
In addition to Sylvester Stallone, The Expendables 2 features an all-star team of the most bad-ass classic action stars of all time including Jason Statham (Safe), Jet Li (Hero), Dolph Lundgren (Rocky IV), Terry Crews (Terminator Salvation), Randy Couture (Setup) with Bruce Willis (Die Hard) and Arnold Schwarzenegger (The Terminator) and newest cast members Chuck Norris (The Delta Force), Liam Hemsworth (The Hunger Games), Scott Adkins (The Bourne Ultimatum) also Jean-Claude Van Damme (Timecop) and the first female Expendable Yu Nan (In Love We Trust). Based on characters created by David Callaham; story by Ken Kaufman & David Agosto and Richard Wenk; with a screenplay by Richard Wenk and Sylvester Stallone; directed by Simon West.
The action-packed Blu-ray Disc and DVD are filled with kick-ass bonus features including behind-the-scenes featurettes along with audio commentary with the director, a gag reel and deleted scenes. The Expendables 2 Blu-ray Disc and DVD will be available for the suggested retail price of $39.99 and $29.95, respectively.
Features Include: Deleted Scenes, Gag Reel, Gods of War: Assembling Earth’s Mightiest Antiheroes, On the Assault: The real-life weaponry of The Expendables, Big Guns, Bigger Heroes: The 1980s and the rise of the action film, Guns for Hire: The real Expendables and Audio commentary with director Simon West.
“Bedevilled” Korean Theatrical Poster
Director: Jang Chul-Soo
Writer: Choi Kwang-young
Cast: Seo Young-hee, Ji Seong-won, Park Jeong-hak, Baek Su-ryun, Lee Ji-Eun, Je-Min
Running Time: 115 min.
By HKFanatic
Well Go USA’s cover art for “Bedevilled” features a quote proclaiming ‘A must-see for anyone brave enough!’ For once, the implication that viewers must steel their nerves for a movie is not empty hype. This 2010 Korean revenge film might just become the next litmus test for fans of extreme Asian cinema. Although “Bedevilled” isn’t as graphic or gore-soaked as some of its contemporaries like “Oldboy” or “I Saw the Devil,” the film’s relentless violence against women and suggested pedophilia should test even the most jaded viewers.
The first 10 minutes of “Bedevilled” are actually most reminiscent of Sam Raimi’s “Drag Me to Hell,” with our blank clerk protagonist (played by Seong-won Ji) denying an elderly woman a loan. Before a supernatural gypsy curse can be placed on her, Seong-won receives some much-needed time off. She decides to take a retreat from the hustle and bustle of Seoul, back to the small island community where her grandfather lived. It’s there she reunites with her childhood friend, played by Yeong-hie Seo (“The Chaser“) in the film’s breakout performance.
Before long, Seong-won learns that her friend has spent the past 15 years enduring hell on the island, as her and her daughter are mistreated and abused by the locals on a daily basis. Seong-won will ultimately come to realize that it was her indifference, in part, that prolonged Yeong-hie’s pain…but not before Yeong-hie decides to have revenge against her tormentors. After a slow start, the film settles in to become something like “The Wicker Man,” with its claustrophobic island setting and demented locals, crossed with the feminine revenge of “I Spit on Your Grave.”
It’s up to the viewer to decide if “Bedevilled” is a simple horror movie or a commentary on women’s roles in South Korean society. At its core, the film tackles issues of personal responsibility. It’s easy to become so absorbed in our own day-to-day struggles that we overlook or ignore the tragedies of others. At what point, then, does our inaction make us a complicit in someone else’s suffering?
The disc from Well Go USA is light on Special Features but does include a trailer and behind the scenes video. The behind the scenes footage isn’t narrated or edited in a linear manner, but it features subtitles and offers an intimate look at the how some of the film’s crucial scenes were shot. It’s interesting to note how the island’s uneven topography appears to have made camera placement difficult at times for the crew.
“Bedevilled’s” story is a bit too grueling to call the movie ‘entertainment,’ but it will likely qualify as a must-see for viewers who prefer their Asian films to be pitch dark. There’s no denying the filmmakers effectively turn the movie’s island setting into an absurd, misogynistic nightmare. There are moments in the film that create an almost physical reaction in the viewer, ensuring that we want revenge just as much as Yeong-hie Seo. And the fact that “Bedevilled” ends on one of the most visually striking dissolve shots in years means that the film is, if nothing else, a memorable experience.
HKFanatic’s Rating: 7/10
Donnie Yen in "Together"
Prepping a romantic comedy with big name stars for a Valentine’s Day release is not just a Hollywood strategy. The Chinese-language romantic film Together is set to hit theaters overseas in time for the February holiday. The movie features young actors Ko Chen Tung and Michelle Chen, who made a box office splash in 2011’s You Are the Apple of My Eye. The big surprise? Donnie Yen also plays a part in Together and he won’t be busting out his famous martial arts moves for the role.
Donnie’s transition to romantic leading man shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise. In 2011’s All’s Well Ends Well 2011, Yen stretched his comedic chops by making fun of his tough guy persona. The film was reviewed as your typical slapstick Hong Kong comedy but most critics singled out Yen’s self-deprecating performance as a highlight.
Donnie has made no secret of the fact that he’s nearing his 50th birthday and won’t be making stunt-filled action pictures forever. By emphasizing the dramatic content as much as the action in recent films like Wu Xia, and dabbling in comedies and romantic pictures such as Together, Donnie is likely trying to branch out of his action star image and age gracefully into other kinds of roles. Only time will tell if audiences are willing to accept Donnie Yen in movies where he doesn’t have to fight ten opponents at once.
""The Thieves" Korean Theatrical Poster
Over at Beyond Hollywood, Todd Rigney has posted the teaser poster and plot synopsis for the upcoming Korean film The Thieves, marketed as Korea’s answer to the popular Ocean’s 11 films. This heist flick features a group of thieves with names like Popeye and Pepsi competing against their Chinese rivals for the possession of a diamond known as the ‘Tear of the Sun.’
Not only that but veteran Hong Kong actor Simon Yam is among the cast. Sounds like this isn’t a movie to take seriously but it could also be a lot of fun. We anxiously await the trailer. The Thieves arrives in Korean theaters this summer.
Update: Hop on over to Beyond Hollywood for a stylish new poster and picture from the film.
A 57-second teaser has hit YouTube. This movie looks like a hell of a lot of fun and the cast is star-studded, to say the least. Thanks to Asian Movie Pulse for the story. A new full-length trailer for the film. Sorry, no English subs yet!
According to Variety, Well Go USA has acquired all North American rights to actioner The Thieves and has been set for a theatrical release on Oct. 12. Check out an English-subbed trailer.
BREAKING NEWS: AICN has three exclusive character posters for the film. The Thieves opens this Friday in New York, California, Texas, Georgia, Illinois, and Washington. Well Go USA will expand the movie to more theaters in the coming weeks.
"Million Dollar Crocodile" Chinese Theatrical Poster
Fooled you with that headline, huh? It’s really just the plot of the upcoming Chinese-language film Million Dollar Crocodile. Fans of ‘creatures features’ (like me) might want to keep an eye on this movie as the plot literally involves a giant-ass crocodile on the attack in Beijing. The film is directed by Lin Lisheng and stars Barbie Hsu and Guo Tao.
Despite the monster-on-the-rampage plot, it is said that the film has a strong humorous bent with Barbie Hsu revealing her comedic side for the first time. Let’s just hope this isn’t a Lake Placid redux.
Website Chinese Films has the sharp-toothed poster and more details here. And don’t miss the amazing trailer, featuring extensive footage of the computer-generated croc terrorizing people. Million Dollar Crocodile doesn’t have a release date yet but we’ll keep you posted.
Update: Be warned, I’m gonna keep readers updated on this movie until it comes out because I love me some foreign monster movies. Today Chinese Films has some cool new stills and word that the film will be released in Chinese theaters in early June.
Four new stills from the movie. Chinese Films expresses doubt that the movie is a comedy, although that remains the producers’ line. Also, we now know the croc is 8-meters long! A brand new poster for the film. Wait, are you telling me that there’s more than one crocodile in this movie?! Thanks to Chinese Films.
The final trailer is online and ready to take a bite out of ya.
Enjoy a new poster at Chinese Films alongside the trailer in case you missed it, and then marvel at this ridiculously cool poster featuring Barbie Hsu.
BREAKING NEWS: You probably thought you’d heard the last of Million Dollar Crocodile, eh? But 24 Frames Per Second relays news that Screen Media has bought North American distribution rights to the creature comedy, with plans to bring the film to America in early 2013.
"Enter the Dragon" Chinese Theatrical Poster
Next year marks the 40th Anniversary of the Bruce Lee classic Enter the Dragon and William Friedkin’s The Exorcist. To celebrate, Warner Bros. is putting out 40th Anniversary Editions of both of these titles on Blu-ray and DVD. According to Warner’s 2013 Calendar of Events, Enter the Dragon: 40th Anniversary Edition and The Exorcist: 40th Anniversary Edition will be released in the 2nd and 3rd quarter of 2013, respectively.
Also of note is the release of the Mad Max Blu-ray Collection, which is also due in the 2nd quarter. The first two Mad Max films are currently available on Blu-ray and DVD. Mad Max 3: Beyond Thunderdome has yet to see a Blu-ray release. The Max Max Blu-ray Collection, which I assume will be all three films, will obviously coincide with the upcoming Mad Max: Fury Road (aka Mad Max 4), which is due for a 2013 release.
If you’re wondering what to expect from any of the above titles – as far as versions, deleted scenes, extras – keep on wondering, because there’s still no official press release. I wouldn’t hold your breath for any groundbreaking supplemental material (especially for Enter), other than what we’ve seen in previous editions. Hope Warner Bros. proves me wrong.
Update: Here is a minor update regarding the Mad Mad Trilogy on Blu-ray, which will be released in a limited edition, premium tin packaging collection on June 4th.
"Haywire" Japanese Theatrical Poster
Adi Shankar, the producer behind The Grey and Dredd 3D, apparently has written a script for a “female version” of The Expendables and he wants Haywire’s Gina Carano to headline the project. Shankar explains to Variety why Carano is essential to the movie: “I don’t know how I’m supposed to make a movie that is supposed to be the female version of The Expendables without Gina Carano in it. It would be like making Twix without caramel or Jamba Juice without jamba,” he said.
As of yet, there are no other names attached to the “female version” of The Expendables. Websites like The Playlist mention names like Milla Jovovich, Kate Beckinsale and Michelle Rodriguez. As for Carano, she is currently working on the John Stockwell action-thriller In The Blood, and to our knowledge, she has not given any official response to Shankar’s proposal. Judging from the success of both The Expendables movies, cityonfire.com believes that she will be interested in the project.
Updates: According to The Playlist, Adi Shankar wants Battlestar Galactica’s Katee Sackhoff in the untitled “female version” of The Expendables. Other actresses tied to the film are Linda Hamilton (Terminator), Pam Grier (Coffy) and Sharni Vinson (You’re Next).
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