"V/H/S" Theatrical Poster
RELEASE DATE: December 4, 2012
Magnolia presents the Blu-ray & DVD for V/H/S, a found footage thriller about a group of misfits who are hired by an unknown third party to burglarize a desolate house and acquire a rare VHS tape. They discover more found footage than they bargained for. Check out the trailer.
My Heart Beats DVD (Asian Media Rights)
RELEASE DATE: November 20, 2012
Asian Media Rights presents the DVD for My Heart Beats. 37-year-old Yoo Jo-Ri is an english professor. She also likes to watch pornography. It seems the only way she can escape from her boring life is by watching those videos. One day, she watches an odd erotic video and feels herself wanting to experience similar emotions. Check out the trailer.
Slave Ship DVD (Switchblade Pictures)
RELEASE DATE: November 13, 2012
Switchblade Pictures presents the DVD for Slave Ship. Onimata Kan is famous for two things: a successful career writing S&M erotica, and hosting the erotic gatherings aboard what has come to be known as the Slave Ship, where the main attraction is the auctioning of sexual partners willing to fulfill any desire. You’ll have to determine the truth for yourself, once you’ve booked passage aboard the Slave Ship!
"Motorway" Chinese Theatrical Poster
Cheang Pou-soi is a filmmaker who seems to try on a new genre with each movie he makes, from the nihilistic underground fighting of Dog Bite Dog to the romantic drama-meets crime story Love Battlefield. His latest effort, produced by Johnnie To, is an action-packed look at the Hong Kong police’s Invisible Squad – an elite vehicular unit tasked with stopping illegal street racers and other dangerous drivers.
Sean Yue (Infernal Affairs II) co-stars alongside Hong Kong veteran Anthony Wong in a film that is equal parts Fast and Furious flick and sleek Michael Mann crime picture. With a premise this action-packed, it’s no surprise that a Western company has jumped at the chance to distribute Motorway.
Hot off the heels of the film’s premiere at the Toronto Film Festival, Lionsgate has acquired exclusive distribution rights to Motorway in North America.
Of course, if you’re eager to see the movie right away – and why wouldn’t you be? – you can head on over to DDDHouse to snag it on Region A Blu-ray or Region 3 DVD. Expect our review later this week!
"Tarantino XX: 8-Film Collection" Blu-ray Set
RELEASE DATE: November 20, 2012
Lionsgate presents the Tarantino XX 8-film Blu-ray Collection. The set includes Reservoir Dogs, True Romance, Pulp Fiction, Jackie Brown, Kill Bill Vol. 1, Kill Bill Vol. 2, Death Proof, Inglourious Basterds and two discs with five hours of all-new bonus material.
"Kairo" Japanese Theatrical Poster
Kiyoshi Kurosawa made a name for himself on the international scene with skin-crawling thrillers like Cure and Kairo (AKA Pulse). As of late, the director has branched out from the horror genre with the domestic drama Tokyo Sonata and the TV mini-series Penance.
Now word arrives that Kurosawa is looking to team up with acclaimed Hong Kong actor Tony Leung Chiu-Wai (In the Mood For Love, The Grandmasters) for an international project titled 1905.
In the film, Tony Leung will play a Chinese loan shark sent to Japan during 1905 to collect the debt of some anti-Manchu revolutionaries. While there, he interacts with the locals, which will include Japanese actresses Shota Matsuda and Atsuko Maeda.
Interestingly enough, the setting of Yokohama, Japan circia 1905 will be recreated in Taiwan, with about 90% of the film’s dialogue recorded in Chinese, which should pose an interesting challenge for Kurosawa.
Thanks to Twitch Film for the story. However, there is some rumor that Tony Leung’s involvement in the project has been put on hold due to rising tensions between Japan and China over the island dispute.
"Oldboy" Japanese Theatrical Poster
News has hit the web that Korean director Chan-wook Park (Oldboy, Sympathy For Mr. Vengeance) is circling his next English-language project now that his Western debut Stoker is set for release in March of 2013. Park has set his sights on Corsica ’72, a screenplay with a strong pedigree.
The script arrives from Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, who have penned most of the Bond films of the past 12 years. The story even found itself on the 2009 Black List – Hollywood’s official list for the best unproduced scripts.
Corsica ’72 tells a tragic tale of two childhood friends growing up on the island of Corsica in the early 70’s. One of them falls in with the Mafia, the other settles down with his true love – but eventually fate puts them on course for a violent confrontation.
The film will be brought to the big screen by the same production company that delivered The Grey, this year’s survivalist thriller starring Liam Neeson.
Daimajin Triple Feature Blu-ray: Daimajin, Wrath of Daimajin, Return of Daimajin (Mill Creek Entertainment)
Giant monsters attack! Indiana Jones on Blu-ray! No matter your filmic interests, there’s plenty to get excited about this week. So let’s get started, shall we? Here are your Blu-ray and DVD releases for the week of 9/18/12:
ASIAN CINEMA
Daimajin – Triple Feature Collector’s Edition (Blu-ray) – starting in 1966, the Daiei Motion Picture Co. released a series of films that combined elements of the giant monster movie with the period drama. This set offers three of those films: “Daimajin,” “Return of Daimajin,” “Daimajin Strikes Again”
Love Exposure (Blu-ray) – “Suicide Club” director Sion Sono’s ground-breaking 2008 magnum opus about love, religion, and upskirt photography is released in hi-def
Silenced (DVD) – this heartbreaking 2011 drama based on the true story of abuse at a school for the deaf was a success at the South Korean box office
Tazza: The High Rollers (DVD) – this 2006 Korean film follows a group of grifters involved in a high-stakes card game
FOREIGN CINEMA
The Devil, Probably (DVD) – director Robert Bresson’s landmark 1977 French film about disaffected youth living in modern Paris
Children of Paradise (Blu-ray/DVD) – this 1945 tragic French-language romance is brought to hi-def courtesy of the Criterion Collection
Chico & Rita (Blu-ray/DVD) – the Academy Award-nominated 2010 Spanish-language animated film about a pair of Cuban musicians seeking fame and fortune in the late 1940’s
Les visiteurs du soir (Blu-ray/DVD) – the Criterion Collection offers this 1942 fantasy film set in Medieval times from the French director of “Children of Paris”
Oslo, August 31st (DVD) – a recovering drug addict heads to Oslo for a job interview and tries to figure out where his life went wrong in this 2011 Norwegian drama
The Salt of Life (DVD) – a 2012 bittersweet Italian-language comedy about a middle-aged retiree seeking an extracurricular love affair
Police (DVD) – Gerard Depardieu stars as a burnt-out cop who might take his job a little too seriously in this 1985 French film
MAINSTREAM
Bait 3D (Blu-ray/DVD) – from executive producer Russel Mulcahy (director of “Highlander”) comes this 2012 Australian horror flick about a group of people trapped in a super market with a killer shark after a tsunami
Savage Streets (DVD) – Linda Blair (“The Exorcist”) has a ‘death wish’ against her friend’s attackers in this gritty 1984 exploitation flick
Detachment (DVD) – Adrian Brody stars as a beleaguered teacher in this 2011 drama from the director of “American History X”)
Encounter: Paradise Lost (Blu-ray/DVD) – martial arts icon Gary Daniels (“City Hunter,” “Bloodmoon”) co-stars in this faith-based family film about a drug dealer’s encounter with a man claiming to be Jesus Chris himself
Brawler (Blu-ray/DVD) – in this 2011 fight flick set in the world of underground combat, it’s brother against brother – to the death
NEW TO BLU-RAY
Indiana Jones: The Complete Adventures (Blu-ray) – at last, Indiana Jones comes to Blu-ray as all four Indy films are packed together in one set. Advanced reviews suggest the picture transfers are nothing short of revelatory
The Game (Blu-ray/DVD) – the Criterion Collection brings director David Fincher’s underrated “Twilight Zone”-esque 1997 thriller starring Michael Douglas to hi-def
Ed Wood (Blu-ray) – Tim Burton and Johnny Depp paired up for this acclaimed 1994 film about the dogged B-movie filmmaker
Judge Dredd (Blu-ray) – just in time for the upcoming 3D reboot, the 1995 iteration starring Sylvester Stallone arrives in hi-def
The Devil’s Advocate (Blu-ray) – Al Pacino and Keanu Reeves match wits (huh?) in this 1997 Satanic-themed thriller
Queen of the Damned (Blu-ray) – the 2002 vampire film that serves as a loose sequel to “Interview With the Vampire,” starring the late r&B singer Aliyah (“Romeo Must Die”)
Puppet Master III: Toulon’s Revenge (Blu-ray) – the 1991 entry in the cult horror series is remastered for Blu-ray
Night of the Demons (Blu-ray/DVD) – the 2009 remake of the Eighties cult classic, starring Edward Furlong (“Terminator 2”) and Shannon Elizabeth (“American Pie”)
CLASSICS
Macbeth (Blu-ray/DVD) – director/star Orson Welles brings Shakespeare’s play to life in this 1945 film
A Double Life (Blu-ray) – this Academy Award-winning 1947 film starring Ronald Colman is vintage Hollywood noir
The Most Dangerous Game (DVD) – a 1932 adaptation of the classic short story
HORROR
Cabin in the Woods (Blu-ray/DVD) – co-writer Joss Whedon delivers this 2012 clever send-up of the horror genre
The Victim (Blu-ray/DVD) – Michael Biehn (“The Terminator,” “Aliens”) directs and stars in this 2011 horror/thriller
Revenant (Blu-ray/DVD) – a 2009 horror-comedy that is said to mix “Kick-Ass” with “Night of the Living Dead”
Halloween II (Collector’s Edition) (Blu-ray/DVD) – Scream Factory, a new division of Shout! Factory, delivers the 1981 sequel to John Carpenter’s horror classic
Halloween III: Season of the Witch (Collector’s Edition) (Blu-ray/DVD) – this 1982 sequel is the only entry in the series to not feature Michael Meyers, which may explain why it’s developed a cult following
Black Sunday: Remastered Edition (Blu-ray/DVD) – director Mario Bava’s landmark 1960 Gothic horror film is presented in hi-definition, courtesy of Kino Films
Lisa and The Devil / The House of Exorcism: Remastered Edition (Blu-ray/DVD) – the 1973 chiller from director Mario Bavo, starring Telly Savalas (“On Her Majesty’s Secret Service”)
Hatchet For the Honeymoon: Remastered Edition (Blu-ray/DVD) – this 1970 Italian horror film is an unapologetic slasher from legendary director Mario Bava
Dracula Blows His Cool (DVD) – in this 1979 horror flick, a young man inherits Dracula’s castle and decides to turn it into a discotheque – but unbeknownst to him, Dracula is still living in the basement
Puppet Master (DVD) – the 1989 film that launched an entire horror series about killer puppets
Puppet Master II (DVD) – the vicious puppets are back in this 1991 direct-to-video sequel to “Puppet Master”
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!
"R2B: Return to Base" Korean Theatrical Poster
AKA: Back Eagle
Director: Kim Dong-Won
Writer: Ahn Sang-Hun, Kim Dong-Won
Producer: Jang Tae-Gon, Kim Dong-Won
Cast: Rain, Yu Jun-Sang, Shin Se-Kyung, Kim Sung-Soo, Lee Ha-Na, Lee Jong-Seok, Jeong Kyung-Ho, Baek Bong-Gi
Running Time: 113 min.
By HKFanatic
Western audiences will most likely recognize actor Rain from Hollywood movies like “Speed Racer” and “Ninja Assassin.” But in his native South Korea, Rain is a bonafied superstar thanks to his pop music and acting career. 2012’s “R2B: Return to Base” holds the distinction of being the last project Rain selected before beginning his mandatory 21 month military service. Fitting enough, “R2B” is a fist-pumping, patriotic action film designed to make South Korea’s military look as cool as humanly possible. Thanks to its big emotions and top-notch special effects, the movie should be an easy sell in foreign territories as well.
Like other recent Korean blockbusters such as “Tidal Wave” and “Sector 7,” this film spends its opening hour establishing characters and creating melodrama – with nary an action set-piece in sight. Some of these scenes feel like they only exist to pad the screentime, especially since a few of our supporting characters – like the bumbling mechanic duo – have absolutely no bearing on the third act of the movie. The story itself is essentially a Korean riff on “Top Gun” with Rain starring as a hotshot pilot whose, well, maverick tendencies see him kicked out of an air show unit and land in the Korean military.
Rain plays the kind of protagonist who’s so damn cocky and convinced of his skill that the screenwriters seem to have forgotten they needed to make him likable too. In fact, many of our peripheral characters – like a fresh-faced rookie who bonds with the Search & Rescue team, or the single dad who’s trying to be a good father as well as an air force pilot – are much more engaging and could have served as better main characters for “R2B.” Rain is certainly an actor with screen presence but his character, as written, is not very sympathetic.
But, of course, Rain’s rebellious pilot is skilled in the skies – and those skills will come in handy when a military coup late in the film leads to a rogue North Korean military jet firing its weapons in downtown Seoul. What follows is some of the most impressive aerial dog fights ever seen in a movie, with special effects that easily hold their own among Hollywood’s best. These are the moments of immense property damage and daring aerial maneuvers that were used to sell “R2B” in the film’s trailer – and they do not disappoint.
Sure, “Return to Base” isn’t the most original film around, as the screenplay feels populated by stock characters and sculpted from the Tom Cruise Eighties playbook. But the plot hits the right notes, the actors are charismatic, and the third act packs in enough action and collateral damage for several other movies. “R2B” is for fans of Rain – of course – but also for anyone who enjoys the slick, commercial side of Korean filmmaking.
HKFanatic’s Rating: 7/10
The Definitive Document of the Dead: Limited Edition Blu-ray & DVD (Synapse Films)
RELEASE DATE: November 13, 2012
Synapse Films presents the Blu-ray & DVD for Roy Frumkes’ The Definitive Document of the Dead: Limited Edition, an in-depth documentary about George A. Romero’s films, with a behind scenes look at Dawn of the Dead. The documentary features interviews George A. Romero, Tom Savini, Roy Frumkes, Richard Rubinstein and many more.
This release will be limited to 1500 units and sold exclusively via the label’s web site. Check out its original Japanese promotional video.
“So Close” Theatrical Poster
Director: Corey Yuen
Cast: Shu Qi, Vicky Zhao Wei, Karen Mok, Song Seung Heon, Ben Lam, Yasuaki Kurata, Deric Wan, Sek Sau, Jude Poyer, Ricardo Mamood, Michael Wei, Henry Fong, Gam Hing Yin, Wong So Bik, May Gwong Man Chun
Running Time: 111 min
By Reefer
During the preposterous opening of Cory Yuen’s action thriller, So Close, I thought I was going to be treated to a half-assed rehashing of the Charlie’s Angels movie from a few years back. After all, watching Shu Qui, dressed in a white designer outfit, sashay into a skyscraper, armed with only her wits, a pair of high heels, and some sunglasses, only to bust some Matrix-influenced moves and smirk confidently at the resulting chaos, instantly leads one to draw those parallels. Moreover, scattered throughout are enough bra and panty scenes, bath tub settings, and skimpy outfits to satisfy a legion of stalkers. Obviously, Corey did not want to ignore the most devout demographic.
But I am happy to report that So Close is better than that. Even though, it often sticks too closely to the ‘Hitman movie’ cookbook. You know, a regretful killer, a die hard cop. Two sides of the same coin stuff. Much of what unfolds could easily be misconstrued as a feminine version of John Woo’s The Killer. But those comparisons end when the film concentrates on Zhou Wen’s sister role. Her impressive portrayal as the impetuous, computer savvy sister serves as a counterpoint to Shu Qui’s relentless killer. Karen Mok is equally enthralling as the very butch forensics cop hot on their trail.
Unlike many other male-dominated action pics, all three female leads are well fleshed out characters. Cory Yuen seemed comfortable letting the women open up. Maybe that is the advantage of leading an estrogen-fueled production. There are many scenes that are clearly meant to be emotional. Some of those scenes work but some unfortunately do not. Most importantly, So Close seems to care as much about what’s going on in the characters’ lives and their motivations as it is in the employment of stunt doubles, setting up car chases, and unleashing fire power.
Hey, lets talk about the fire power, while we are at it. After establishing the level of reality that the film will fearlessly take on with the rather fanciful opening sequence, the film settles into a nice sustained level of mayhem. There are about three or four very large scale action set pieces, before the finale, that are quite thrilling, warranting several taps on the rewind/reverse button. The only thing not working for the action scenes is Shu Qui herself. As graceful as she appears, she fails to convince me of her character’s skills. When she throws a kick, she looks like a ballerina not Bruce Lee. When she points a gun, it might as well be a hair dryer because there doesn’t seem to be enough intensity behind it. These criticisms might be a little harsh, mind you, but she will ultimately be compared to some of the best actresses of the ‘Girls With Guns’ genre. Unfortunately, in those comparisons, she will come up pretty weak because of this. The other two actresses fair much better in this respect.
The grand finale is really something special. Featuring the blade work of none other than Yasuaki Kurata, this is a future fight classic, employing the best choreography I have seen in a long time. Makes me want to check out more of Kurata’s work. Ferocious, acrobatic, and intense, do not miss the end fight to this film. That is really all I can say about it without spoiling the fun.
Though The Transporter doesn’t support this theory, I think Corey Yuen has become more of a complete filmmaker, less prone to the excess of his cinematic past. Soon, he will no longer be known as the guy who choreographs Jet Li’s American films. Part of me would like to see him try something more psychological than physical next. Nonetheless, I am excited to see the next phase of his career.
Reefer’s Rating: 8/10
Painted Skin: The Resurrection Blu-ray & DVD (Well Go USA)
RELEASE DATE: November 13, 2012
Well Go USA presents the Blu-ray & DVD for Painted Skin: The Resurrection, directed by Wuershan of The Butcher, the Chef and the Swordsman fame. This 2012 Chinese action and fantasy film stars Chen Kun, Zhao Wei, Zhou Xun, Yang Mi, Feng Shaofeng, Fei Xiang and Chen Tingjia. Check out the trailer.
Silmido DVD (Pathfinder Home Entertainment)
RELEASE DATE: November 13, 2012
Pathfinder Home Entertainment presents the DVD for Silmido. Directed by Kang Woo-suk, Silmido is based on the 1968 true story of Unit 684 (a team of North Korean commandos infiltrated South Korea in a failed mission to assassinate President Park Chung-hee). Silmido was both a critical and financial success, and was the first film in South Korea to attract a box office audience of over 10 million viewers. Check out the trailer.
Gone in 60 Seconds (1974) Blu-ray & DVD (Anderson Merchandise)
RELEASE DATE: October 16, 2012
Anderson Merchandise presents the Blu-ray & DVD for 1974’s Gone in 60 Seconds. It defined the genre and became an instant classic among action movie fans. Buckle-up as master car thief Pace and Eleanor slams through 5 cities, cop after cop can’t touch them… wrecking over 93 cars in the spectacular 40 minute Chase-scene making their escape! Check out the trailer.
Fire With Fire Blu-ray & DVD (Lionsgate)
RELEASE DATE: November 6, 2012
Lionsgate presents the Blu-ray & DVD for Fire With Fire. A fireman takes an unexpected course of action when a man whom he’s been ordered to testify against, after being held up at a local convenience store, threatens him. Oh, boy. This new action movie stars Bruce Willis, Josh Duhamel, Rosario Dawson, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson and Vincent D’Onofrio. Check out the trailer.
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