Bond 50: James Bond Complete Blu-ray Box Set (MGM) with Limited Edition Hardcover Book
RELEASE DATE: September 25, 2012
All 22 James Bond films will be available in the massive Bond 50 Blu-ray Box Set (also available on DVD) due this fall. Update: It also comes with a Limited Edition Hardcover Book. Amazon has the pre-order for $199.99. Details about the supplemental features can be found here.
“Helpless” Korean Theatrical Poster
Director: Byun Young-Joo
Cast: Lee Seon-Gyun, Kim Min-Hee, Jo Seong-Ha, Kim Byul, Choi Deok-Mun, Lee Hee-Jun, Kim Min-Jae, Kim Tae-In, Choi Il-Hwa, Bae Min-Hee, Park Sang-Woo
Running Time: 117 min.
By HKFanatic
“Helpless” is the latest in a string of recent Korean films based on Japanese novels (see also: “Howling,” “White Night”). The source material here is a book by Miyabe Miyuki, who is known in Japan as the Queen of Crime. Filmmaker Byun Young-joo has taken her twisty, pulp-y story and applied the kind of handsome production values and intense melodrama viewers have come to expect from contemporary Korean cinema. Although the film has been marketed as a thriller, “Helpless” is more of a drama. This rain-soaked, melancholy tale ultimately drives home the terrifying message that we can never really know those who are closest to us.
“Helpless” rarely devolves into typical thriller territory, which is both a strength and weakness. While the story is unpredictable, it’s advanced largely via interviews conducted by the protagonist and his cousin, who are on the search for Lee Seon-gyun’s missing fiance. The cinematography is superb but there’s no getting around that “Helpless” is two hours of a lot of talking heads. There are few scenes where the characters are actually in physical peril and no real setpieces to speak of. A last minute bout of horror almost feels like a tribute to Japanese provocateurs Sion Sono or Takashi Miike, but it comes late in the game and the violence is more disturbing for what is implied than shown. “Helpless” is something of a cold movie; the story could have benefitted from a bit more of a pulse.
Fortunately, the actors are damn good and the plight of their characters is sympathetic. Lee Seon-gyun is known mostly for starring in romantic films. Here, he’s a tragic figure who happens to be very much in love with a woman who may or may not be who she says she is. Throughout the movie’s runtime, there are a few moments where the pressure becomes too much for Lee Seon-gyun’s character and he lets out some primal, anguished screams. His acting is a bit over the top at times but feels appropriate for a mild-mannered veterinarian who suddenly finds his life turned upside down.
The screenplay could have gone to greater lengths to illuminate Lee Seon-gyun’s background, seeing as how he’s the protagonist of the story, but most of the movie is focused specifically on unraveling the mystery of Kim Min-hee. Even relegated to flashbacks, the actress does a wonderful job bringing this complicated woman to life. Meanwhile, Jo Sung-ha plays a rumpled, disgraced ex-cop and manages to put a fresh spin on what could have easily been a stock character.
“Helpless” should satisfy anyone who is looking for a twisty, thorn-ridden mystery. But what makes this film most affecting is that, by the time the credits roll, it’s readily apparent that director Byun Young-joo is less concerned with dense plotting and more interested in hitting the audience with an emotional wallop.
HKFanatic’s Rating: 7/10
Butterfly Swords DVD (Well Go USA)
RELEASE DATE: July 10, 2012
Well Go USA is releasing 1993’s Butterfly Swords (aka Butterfly and Sword) on DVD. Directed by Sex and Zen’s Michael Mak, Butterfly Swords stars Michelle Yeoh as a loyalist who attempts to keep the King’s empire from being overthrown by a revolutionary group. Also starring Donnie Yen, Joey Wong, Jimmy Lin and Tony Leung Chiu Wai. Check out the original Chinese trailer.
Accident Blu-ray & DVD (Shout! Factory)
Your friends at Shout! Factory are prepping to release the Johnnie To-produced Hong Kong thriller Accident on Blu-ray and DVD this June 12, 2012. In the meantime, they’ve released a new trailer for the movie.
In Accident, Louis Koo digs deep to offer one of the most compelling performances of his career as an assassin who choreographs elaborate ‘accidents’ to off his assignments. After one of his plans goes horribly wrong, he begins to suspect that he himself has been targeted for an accident.
Learn more about the film via our in-depth press release provided by Shout! Factory and stay stuned for Cityonfire.com’s review.
Hijacked Blu-ray & DVD (Anchor Bay) Randy Couture
RELEASE DATE: July 31, 2012
Anchor Bay presents the Blu-ray & DVD for Hijacked. This action movie stars Randy Couture, Dominic Purcell, Vinnie Jones and Craig Fairbrass. Special Agent Ross’s (Randy Couture) plans to reconcile with his ex-fiance are ruined when she boards a private jet that is targeted by hijackers! Directed by The Last Resort’s Brandon Nutt.
"The Dark Knight Returns #1" (1986) Cover Art
THR reports that Warner Premiere is moving forward with an animated adaptation of Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns (1986), which will be split into a two parts. The Dark Knight Returns Part 1 is due to hit stores this fall and Part 2 will be released early 2013.
Warner Premiere also announced that Robocop’s Peter Weller will voice Batman/Bruce Wayne, and Modern Family’s Ariel Winter, will voice Robin. In addition, Falcon Crest’s David Selby, Prison Break’s Wade Williams and This Is Spinal Tap’s Michael McKean have also signed on as voice actors. Man of Steel’s Jay Oliva will be directing off a script by Warehouse 13’s Bob Goodman.
Until its release, we highly recommend the seminal graphic novel.
My Way Blu-ray & DVD (Well Go USA)
RELEASE DATE: July 24, 2012
Well Go USA presents the Blu-ray and DVD for My Way, by Kang Je-gyu, the director of Shiri and Taegukgi. Starring Azumi’s Odagiri Joe, Nowhere to Hide’s Jang Dong-gun, and Shaolin’s Fan Bingbing. Billed as the most expensive Korean film ever made, My Way is the story of two childhood friends — one Korean, one Japanese — whose fate is intertwined with that of the war. Check out the trailer.
The Sword Identity DVD (Lionsgate)
Lionsgate presents 2011’s The Sword Identity, starring Chang-Hui Yu, Yang Song and Yuanyuan Zhao. The film is written, directed and choreographed by Xu Hao Feng (the screenwriter of Wong Kar Wai’s upcoming flick, The Grandmasters).
Unlike the typical martial arts releases that Lionsgate imports, The Sword Identity is supposed to be a quality film with action choreography that’s no-nonsense, realistic and wire-free. This time around, Lionsgate didn’t bother to slap on a new title (i.e. Choy Lee Fut became Fight the Fight), which is probably due to the film’s noted acclaim. Look for it on DVD on August 14th. Until then, check out the trailer.
Christopher Nolan Director's Collection Blu-ray Set (Warner)
RELEASE DATE: June 26, 2012
Warner presents The Christopher Nolan Director’s Collection Blu-ray set, which contains, Memento: 10th Anniversary Edition, Insomnia, Batman Begins, The Dark Knight and Inception. Also included is a 40-page book; 10 collectible photo cards and a Movie Cash voucher good for $8 off the cost of a Dark Knight Rises ticket.
"Death Wish 3" Japanese Theatrical Poster
MGM and 20th Century Fox Entertainment are proud to announce three Charles Bronson classics on Blu-ray: 1982’s Death Wish 2, 1985’s Death Wish 3 and 1987’s Death Wish 4: The Crackdown. All three titles will be available for purchase on August 14th.
Not surprisingly, 1974’s Death Wish, which is owned by Paramount, has no Blu-ray release date at this time. In addition, 1994’s Death Wish V: The Face of Death – which was put out by the now-dufunct Trimark Pictures (in 2000, they merged with Lionsgate) – is also up in the air.
MGM and 20th Century Fox are definitely on a roll with their Cannon action films. Cityonfire.com previously announced their collection of Chuck Norris films coming to Blu-ray in June and July.
"Miss Conspirator" Korean Theatrical Poster
The first trailer for Korean film Miss Conspirator has hit the web and if the film ends up halfway as entertaining as the trailer, then we’re in for something good. It’s difficult to nail down just what genre Miss Conspirator belongs to as the trailer promises a blend of suspense, comedy, romance, and action, but that will probably end up being part of the charm of this film.
The cast includes Yu Hae-Jin, the co-star of one of my favorite Korean movies called The Unjust. He’s back playing, what else, but a gangster. Miss Conspirator also stars Ko Hyun-Jung, Ko Chang-Seok, Sung Dong-Il, Lee Mun-Shik, and Park Shin-Yang.
Hop on over to Beyond Hollywood to check out the trailer. Enjoy a sexy new poster and teaser trailer.
Update: A new trailer and several character posters. The film is in Korean theaters this June.
"Project A Series" Blu-ray Set
The Project A series remains one of Jackie Chan’s most beloved cinematic ventures, due in large part to the 1984 original that managed to perfect Chan’s Buster Keaton-esque physical comedy and play off of the chemistry of the Three Brothers – Jackie, Sammo Hung, and Yuen Biao. Jackie went solo for 1987’s Project A 2 but it still contains several memorable fight scenes and set pieces.
Fans eager to see Jackie Chan’s catalog released in hi-def need wait no more. Trusted retailer DDDHouse is offering the Project A Series Blu-ray Box Set at a special promo price of $33.97. This includes both films in the series on Region A Blu-rays, which are viewable on all American Blu-ray players. In widescreen and full 1080p, with English subtitles.
"Guilty of Romance" Theatrical Poster
From Sion Sono, the acclaimed director of Suicide Club and Love Exposure, comes a terrifying new vision of sexual depravity and murder.
The Red Light District of Shibuya, Japan, is infamous for offering patrons a window into an underworld of desire. But when a woman is savagely murdered, her head and limbs replaced with a mannequin’s, it’s up to detective Kazuko (Miki Mizumo) to piece together the clues before the killer strikes again.
Sion Sono’s 2012 film Guilty of Romance arrives on Import Blu-ray and DVD this June 7th, 2012 from trusted retailer DDDHouse. The Region A Blu-ray will play on any American Blu-ray player and is going for only $17.31. The Region 3 DVD retails for $13.85. Both discs feature English subtitles.
Once again as in Cold Fish, Sion Sono finds inspiration from shocking real life crimes. This critically-acclaimed film is sure to both intrigue and horrify audiences looking for their next fix of Japanese extreme cinema.
Mutant Girls Squad Blu-ray/DVD Combo (Well Go USA)
May, we barely knew you and now you’re almost gone. This week is slim pickings as far as Asian cinema is concerned but hopefully we can all find something to enjoy. Here are your Blu-ray and DVD releases for the week of 5/22/12:
ASIAN CINEMA
Mutant Girl Squad (Blu-ray/DVD) – the latest and greatest in Japanese splatterpunk from Sushi Typhoon. This 2010 film receives a belated North American release courtesy of your friends at Well Go USA
Whisper of the Heart (Blu-ray + DVD combo) – Disney releases in hi-def this cherished 1995 Japanese animated film from Studio Ghibli
The Secret World of Arrietty (Blu-ray + DVD) – this 2012 anime is a Japanese take on “The Borrowers,” penned by the legendary Hayao Miyazaki
Castle in the Sky (Blu-ray + DVD combo) – Disney inundates anime fans with another Studio Ghibli Blu-ray. Originally released in 1986, this was Hayao Miyazaki’s third film
PlanZet (Blu-ray/DVD) – a 2010 short, computer-generated film from Japan that deals with giant mechs in a post-apocalyptic landscape
FOREIGN CINEMA
Certified Copy (Blu-ray/DVD) – Criterion Collection presents this 2010 film starring Juliet Binoche. This beguiling story from Iranian director Abbas Kiarostami will make viewers question if what they’re seeing is real
Plot of Fear (DVD) – RaroVideo USA presents this 1976 Italian murder mystery about a decadent sex party that goes horrifically wrong when several guests end up dead
SuperBitch (DVD) – a 1973 Italian crime exploitation flick. Hard violence, fast cars, and even faster women. No mention on Amazon if this will have an original Italian language track or not
First Beautiful Thing (Blu-ray/DVD) – Palisades Tartan releases this 2010 Italian film about a single mother raising two children and trying to appreciate the simple things in life
All Inclusive (Todo Incluido) (DVD) – a 2008 Spanish-language film about a dysfunctional family whose tropical vacation brings out the best and worst in them
ACTION
Lethal Weapon: The Complete Collection (Blu-ray) – all four “Lethal Weapon” films on Blu-ray. For action buffs, doesn’t get much better than this. Which one is your favorite? I’m going to go against the grain and say Part 2
Black Cobra (DVD) – Lionsgate releases this 2012 martial arts film starring T.J. Storm (“Punisher: War Zone”) as a man on a mission. Could T.J. become our next action icon?
Red Tails (Blu-ray/DVD) – George Lucas produced this 2012 film about the first African-American combat unit to serve in World War II
This Means War (Blu-ray/DVD) – Tom Hardy and Chris Pine headline this 2012 romantic action-comedy (no, they’re not in love with each other, they’re fighting over Reese Witherspoon) that failed to light up the box office
Beyond (Blu-ray/DVD) – Jon Voight plays a grizzled detective in this 2011 direct-to-video feature that marries the police procedural with a supernatural thriller
American Warships (Blu-ray/DVD) – finally, someone had the stones to unite Carl Weathers and Mario Van Peebles for this Asylum Entertainment “Battleship” knockoff
The Kane Files (DVD) – a low budget direct-to-video feature from 2010 that seems to have some positive reviews on Amazon. Co-starring William Devane (“Rolling Thunder”)
DRAMA
Perfect Sense (Blu-ray/DVD) – a global epidemic causes people around to the world to lose their senses right as Eva Green and Ewan McGregor fall in love in this 2011 drama
Uncle Kent (DVD) – the king of mumblecore, director Joe Swanberg, is back with this 2011 indie drama about a cartoonist trying to make the moves on his houseguest
CULT
A Bullet for the General (Blu-ray) – Blue Underground releases this 1967 spaghetti Western in hi-def. Starring Klaus Kinski
HORROR
The Woman in Black (Blu-ray/DVD) – Hammer Horror returns with this 2012 ghost story starring Daniel Radcliffe of “Harry Potter” fame
A Serbian Film UNCUT (DVD) – the sickest and most depraved movie of our generation? Time for you to decide as 2010’s “A Serbian Film” is finally released in uncut form
Ilsa, the Wicked Warden (DVD) – Ilsa, the She-Wolf of the SS, is back in this 1977 exploitation flick where the Nazi mistress runs a mental asylum for women
Footsteps (DVD) – before Gareth Evans became one of the top action directors in the world with “The Raid,” he made this 2006 Welsh film about a man on a violent downward spiral
Game Over (DVD) – this 2010 horror film is directed by Timo Rose, who the DVD cover art claims is “Germany’s undisputed godfather of gore.” Who am I to argue with that?
Hack Job (DVD) – a 2011 horror anthology that claims to be derived from a script by the Devil himself, featuring Lloyd Kaufman of Troma fame and GWAR’s Oderus Urangus
Deadly Detour: The Goat Man Murders (DVD) – the title probably speaks for itself but this 2011 film is intended as a throwback to 80’s slasher movies
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!
"Double Trouble" Theatrical Poster
The Hong Kong Film & International TV Market is going on this week and one of the films being shopped at the event is a new action comedy called Double Trouble, starring none other than Jackie Chan’s son, Jaycee Chan.
In the film, Jaycee plays a security guard from Beijing who must team up with a female security guard from Taipei, Taiwan, in order to track down a stolen painting. No doubt a culture clash ensues but it’s humorous to note that Andy Lau’s upcoming film, Switch, has a similar premise, missing painting and all.
Double Trouble arrives courtesy of first time director David Chang and co-stars members of Taiwan’s girl pop group, Hey Girls, namely Jessica C and Shoko.
The good news is that action choreography is being handled by Nicky Li, who has built an impressive resume with films like Fatal Move and King of Triads. Read more about the film and its sales event at Film Business Asia.
Update: The first trailer for Double Trouble is now online but if you’re expecting Jackie’s son to follow in his footsteps with a hard-hitting Police Story-esque action movie, you may be disappointed. It looks like Double Trouble is emphasizing broad comedy and computer effects-driven action scenes.
BREAKING NEWS: A new trailer is more aimed at English audiences since the film is receiving a limited theatrical release in the States on June 8th.
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