CJ Entertainment brings Korean thriller ‘Helpless’ to North American theaters

"Helpless" Cast Photo

The film never ceases to compel. As the layers of deceit are peeled back, Byun seems in complete command of her material. Her narrative dexterity flaunts an audacious Chinatown-like clue to the missing woman’s whereabouts without pre-empting the climax. -Russell Edwards, Variety

Byun’s film uses [Miyabe Miyuki’s] book as a framework upon which to hang more current issues… Byun also floats questions of how much we can truly ‘know’ those closest to us. – Elizabeth Kerr, The Hollywood Reporter

A Hitchcock-ian, film noir –Andy Klein, FilmWeek on 89.3 KPCC

HELPLESS

Following a limited release at CGV Cinemas in Los Angeles, CJ Entertainment America is launching the moody Korean thriller Helpless on May 11, 2012 in select theatres across North America. The film was a critical darling and unexpected box office champion for two consecutive weeks when it was released in Korea earlier this year.

SYNOPSIS

In the blink of an eye, my fiancé vanished.

Mun-ho (LEE Sun-kyun) and Seon-yeong (KIM Min-hee) are a couple engaged to be married who pull over at a rest stop on their way to meeting Mun-ho’s parents. When Mun-ho returns to the car with coffee, he finds the car door flung open in the pouring rain with the engine still running – his fiancée is nowhere to be found. Frantic after discovering her apartment emptied out and that her previous workplaces don’t even exist, Mun-ho enlists his cousin and former police detective, Jong-geun, to help him find her. As they delve deeper, they discover that piecing together the shards of this woman’s puzzle produces a horrifying picture.

THE TALENT

Known for her sensual portrayal of female obsession in Ardor (2002), director BYUN Young-joo ends her eight year hiatus and returns to form with Helpless. Having audaciously founded her own production shingle Boim Pictures in her early twenties, BYUN has an impressive track record of films that bring previously silent voices to the screen. Byun was fascinated upon reading Kasha (火車), the novel of best-selling Japanese author Miyabe Miyuki, and almost immediately got in touch with the author to pursue a film adaptation. The result is a haunting picture of an incident that goes beyond the thriller genre and speaks to our modern society.

HELPLESS May 11 Theatre Release List

AMC Ridgefield Park (NY)
AMC Empire (NY)
AMC Showplace Niles (Chicago)
AMC Alderwood (Seattle)
Cineplex Silvercity Coquiltam (Vancouver)
AMC Yonge & Dundas (Toronto)

ONLINE

Visit the film’s website for trailers, clips, photos and more information: www.helpless2012.com

Posted in News |

Plucky Chinese kids try to unravel ‘The Zodiac Mystery’

"The Zodiac Mystery" Chinese Theatrical Poster

We may be at least a decade on from the heyday of Asian horror, but the genre is clearly alive and well. Far East Films has the teaser trailer for a new Chinese-language suspense film titled The Zodiac Mystery and, thankfully, it looks to avoid most of the genre’s cliches, with the trailer instead highlighting the slick cinematography and an attractive cast being menaced by the supernatural.

The plot concerns a group of friends who are dying off one after the other; the survivors must figure out how the deaths are linked to the victim’s zodiac signs before it’s too late. The Zodiac Mystery arrives from director Sheng Zhimin (2006’s Bliss). The cast includes Tong Dawei, Gan Wei, Qin Hao, Kimi Qiao, and Ada Liu. The film opens in China this July 2013.

Posted in News |

How far would you go for ‘The Taste of Money’?

"The Taste of Money" Korean Theatrical Poster

Far East Films has the first trailer for the new Korean-language film from Im Sang-Soo, the director of 2010’s critically acclaimed The Housemaid. His next project, titled The Taste of Money, is an erotic thriller about a young man hired by a wealthy family to take care of their business-related and private matters.

This being a thriller and all, it’s not long before the poor sap is pulled into a world of deception, lust, and murder. Be advised that the trailer is definitely NSFW. The film opens in Korea this May 2012.

Update: A new full-length (and still NSFW) trailer in preparation of the film’s premiere at Cannes. Sorry there’s no English subs, though. Thanks to 24 Frames Per Second for the story

Posted in News |

Let’s Go! (2011) Review

"Let's Go!" International Theatrical Poster

“Let’s Go!” International Theatrical Poster

Director: Wong Ching Po
Cast: Juno Mak Jun Lung, Jimmy Wang Yu, Pat Ha Man Jing, Stephy Tang Lai Yan, Gordon Lam, Chin Siu Ho, Ken Lo, Tony Ho Wah Chiu, Billy Ching Sau-Yat
Running Time: 96 min.

By HKFanatic

Mild pre-release buzz suggested that “Let’s Go!” was a Chinese martial arts romp inspired by 80’s Japanese superhero cartoons, and the trailer seemed to confirm this general notion. If I had realized this was the latest film from Ching-Po Wong, the director of the slick Triad drama “Jiang Hu” and a movie called “Revenge: A Love Story,” I probably would have altered my expectations. “Let’s Go!” is not a ‘romp’ in any sense of the word. Ching-Po Wong is a filmmaker with a strong sense of visual style, there’s no doubt about that – but he does not make brightly colored, optimistic, or generally humorous movies.

The majority of this film feels like a Johnnie To pastiche, with story bits and images culled from movies like “The Mission” and “Exiled.” Hong Kong singer Juno Mak stars in the lead role of a cartoon-loving kid who becomes an angsty young man after the death of his father. As luck would have it, he’s pretty damn good in a fight and it doesn’t take long before he’s hired by an ultra-exclusive bodyguard service that may or may not be in the pocket of a big time crime boss (the legendary Jimmy Wang Yu in a cameo role). An over the top, spaghetti Western-tinged score reminiscent of Ennio Morricone-esque adds to the Milkyway Image vibe.

Cross this gangster imagery with extended scenes of brutal violence – vicious dog attacks, people being filleted by steak knives – and a generally depressing story about how life loves to chew up and spit out ‘the little guy,’ and you can see why “Let’s Go!” is a bit of a mutt of a movie. If you’re expecting a rollicking Hong Kong fight flick that pays tribute to “Voltron” – like I was – you might end up feeling let down. “Let’s Go!” is kind of about that, sure, but it’s really about how those wide-eyed kids who idealized “Voltron” grow up to have the world crap on their dreams.

In the end, I’m still not entirely sure how I feel about this film. What action is here is good but there’s probably not enough of it to satisfy fight fans. The overall tone of the film is unrepentantly dark, which seems to be de facto for director Ching-Po Wong, but the material arguably called for something a bit more light and fun: a “Let’s Go!” that lived up to its excited title and provided proper homage to its Saturday morning inspirations. While this is not the film I thought it would be, I’d still say “Let’s Go!” is worth a watch for fans of violent Chinese action movies.

HKFanatic’s Rating: 7/10

Posted in Chinese, Reviews | Tagged , , , , |

Kristen Stewart gets ultraviolent in Nick Cassavetes’ ‘Cali’

Kristen Stewart

Kristen Stewart

Snow White and the Huntsman’s Kristen Stewart has signed on to play the lead in Cali, an ultraviolet drama that’s reminiscent of films like True Romance and Bonnie and Clyde.

According to Variety, the plot of Cali concerns a couple who decide to make a chunk of money by producing and selling a fake snuff film (a motion picture genre that depicts the actual murder of a person or people); of course, their plan backfires and before they know it, they find themselves mixed up with homicidal porn stars, dangerous businessmen, stoner vet techs and an unstoppable killing machine in a cowboy hat.

Cali comes from the mind of Michael Diliberti, a rising screenwriter responsible for writing 30 Minutes or Less. Diliberti has recently been hired by Todd Phillips (The Hangover II), Seth Gordon (The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters) and directing duo John Requa and Glenn Ficarra (Crazy Stupid Love) for screenwriting work. In addition, Diliberti has just sold his script for Little White Corvette, which Easy A’s Emma Stone is supposedly starring in.

BREAKING NEWS: Variety reports that Alpha Dog’s Nick Cassavetes will direct Cali.

Posted in News |

The Great Killing DVD (Animeigo)

The Great Killing (aka The Great Duel) DVD

The Great Killing (aka The Great Duel) DVD

RELEASE DATE: July 3, 2012

Animeigo presents the DVD for The Great Killing (aka The Great Duel). This 1964 samurai classic is about a group of revolutionaries who plan to ambush and assassinate a chancelor in an attempt to keep a corrupt, power-hungry minister from taking control of the Shogunate. Yes, it sounds very similar to The 13 Assassins (also directed by Eiichi Kudo’s), which isn’t a bad thing.

Posted in Asian Titles, DVD/Blu-ray New Releases, Martial Arts Titles |

A superhero sequel that might just ‘Kick-Ass’

"Kick-Ass" Korean Theatrical Poster

"Kick-Ass" Korean Theatrical Poster

Ain’t It Cool relays news via Deadline that Never Back Down director Jeff Wadlow has written a screenplay for Kick-Ass 2, which Universal Pictures might just greenlight and slot Wadlow to direct.

Despite the fact that director Matthew Vaughn and screenwriter Jane Goldman won’t be returning, Universal expects that principal cast-members Aaron Johnson (Kick-Ass), Chloe Moretz (Hit Girl), and Christopher Mintz-Plasse (Red Mist) will don the costumes for their respective characters once again. In fact, cameras could start rolling as early as this fall.

Posted in News |

Japanese high school delinquents grow up the hard way in ‘Blazing Famiglia’

"Blazing Famiglia" Japanese Theatrical Poster

"Blazing Famiglia" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Recent Japanese films like Drop and Takashi Miike’s Crows: Episode Zero have carved out their own little niche of bone-crushing movies about Japanese high school delinquents who like to drink, cuss, and get into brawls. A new film headed for Japnaese theaters this fall is attempting to put a fresh spin on this now well-worn subgenre.

Blazing Famiglia is all about what happens when those same delinquents grow up, get old, find working class jobs, and have snot-nosed teens of their own. The trailer for the film promises plenty of action and heavy dramatic content. The cast includes Yoshimi Tokui, Kento Hayashi, and Sadao Abe. Blazing Famiglia opens in Japan on September 8th, 2012.

Posted in News |

If you wanna live, ‘Don’t Click’ this link – new posters!

"Don't Click" Korean Theatrical Poster

It’s almost hard to believe it’s been over a decade since Japanese films like Ringu (1998) and Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s Kairo AKA Pulse (2001) explored the notion of the supernatural interacting with the living via technology, and did it so well. Even Takashi Miike’s 2003 film One Missed Call was a nice little update on this particular subgenre, though it didn’t seem to have quite the same influence.

Now here we are with the forthcoming Korean effort Don’t Click, about an internet video of a necromantic ritual that starts strangely affecting those who watch it. Watching the trailer, It’s hard not to wonder if the film will end up feeling a bit ‘been there, done that.’

Then again, technology continues to grow leaps and bounds, and the way we interact with other people has only become more impersonal since the early 00’s thanks to the advent of smartphones, tablets, and other gadgets. Perhaps the time is ripe for a new horror film to capitalize on this.

Don’t Click has purportedly been delayed for almost a year since its intended August 2011 release, but it should finally arrive in Korea on May 31, 2012. At the very least, I love the poster – which is probably why I’m posting about the movie in the first place.

Update: My goodness, we’ve got another full-length trailer for this movie. Looks spooky!

BREAKING NEWS: Three scary new posters for the movie over at Beyond Hollywood.

Posted in News |

Blu-ray and DVD Releases for 5/8/12

The Front Line Blu-ray & DVD (Well Go USA)

The Front Line Blu-ray & DVD (Well Go USA)

This week sees the release of two high profile Asian films and not much else, unless you’re a fan of the “Underworld” series. But hey, let’s get cracking. Here are your Blu-ray and DVD releases for the week of 5/8/12:

ASIAN CINEMA

The Front Line (Blu-ray/DVD) – Well Go USA brings this 2011 critically acclaimed Korean War-era drama to North America

Shock Labyrinth 3D (Blu-ray/DVD) – “Grudge” director Takashi Shimizu takes a detour into 3D with this 2009 tale of terror

FOREIGN CINEMA

Murder Obsession (Follia Omicida) (Blu-ray) – RaroVideo USA offers this 1981 giallo in hi-definition

La Haine (Blu-ray) – the Criterion Collection offers this 1995 film about life on the fringe in Paris, starring Vincent Cassel

Reykjavik to Rotterdam (DVD) – the 2008 Icelandic crime thriller that became the basis for the Mark Wahlberg flick “Contraband”

Naughty Teen (DVD) – a voyeuristic love triangle develops in this vintage Italian sex comedy

Amador (DVD) – a 2010 Spanish black comedy about a young caretaker who finds a way to keep working even after her client dies

Cry of the Heart (Le cir du coeur) (DVD) – a 1974 slice-of-life drama from France about a single mother in search of love

MAINSTREAM

Underworld: Awakening (Blu-ray/DVD) – Kate Beckinsale dons skintight black leather one last(?) time in the 2011 installment of the vampire vs. werewolf franchise

CULT

42nd Street Forever (Blu-ray) – Synapse Films presents three hours of trailers for the wildest and most out there grindhouse and exploitation movies

CLASSICS

Tora! Tora! Tora! (Blu-ray) – the 1970 film about the events leading up to Pearl Harbor, starring Joseph Cotten

HORROR

Ganja & Hess: Kino Classics Remastered Edition (Blu-ray/DVD) – a landmark 1973 “blaxploitation” film that deals with vampirism in a smart and allegorical way

Mother’s Day (Blu-ray/DVD) – a 2010 remake of the obscure 80’s Troma horror film, starring Rebecca De Mornay

Playback (Blu-ray/DVD) – Christian Slater co-stars in this 2012 horror flick about a group of high school students who uncover a dark secret via video tape

The Shrine (DVD) – a 2010 horror movie about cults and demonic possession that has garnered praise online

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!

Posted in News |

‘Put Up Your Dux: The Story of Frank Dux’ to screen at The X Fest (and you’re not attending)

"Put Up Your Dux" Theatrical Poster

"Put Up Your Dux" Theatrical Poster

Put Up Your Dux is a documentary about Frank W. Dux (pronounced “dukes”), an American martial artist who was the inspiration for the 1988 Jean-Claude Van Damme film, Bloodsport.

Put Up Your Dux explores Dux’ controversial martial arts career (many believe he is nothing but a fraud), his undercover government agency rumors (he supposedly trained Navy Seals), and his legal battle with Van Damme (Dux demanded profits from 1996’s The Quest, claiming it was similar to a manuscript he co-wrote called Enter the New Dragon).

Be sure and check out the trailer and an interview with the filmmakers. Still no word on a North American Blu-ray or DVD release.

Update: Put Up Your Dux will be showing at The 5th Annual X Fest on Sunday, May 13th. Unless you live in South Africa, forget about attending. Oddly enough, a German Blu-rayBlu-ray 3D and DVD have been available for sometime — yet, it’s currently screening at a festival in South Africa? This world makes no sense at all. And then they wonder why torrents and youtube uploads are so popular.

Posted in News |

Is ‘The Raid’ director making ‘Bank’?

"The Raid" Theatrical Poster

"The Raid" Theatrical Poster

Gareth Evans’ The Raid: Redemption is already a cult classic and has received nothing but rave reviews from just about everyone who’s seen it. It ranks 7th place on imdb’s “most popular action feature films” chart and has raised the bar the same way films like Die Hard and Ong-bak did. Evans is currently in the process of making its highly anticipated sequel; and Hollywood producers are prepping up an English-language remake of the original.

So after The Raid 2 (aka Berandal), what’s the next possible project for the Welsh filmmaker? Empire reports that Gareth is currently in negotiations to direct a heist flick for Universal called Breaking the Bank, which will be based on the true story of how a UFC brawler named “Lightning” Lee Murray put together the biggest cash robbery in England back in 2006.

On an interesting note, The Wrestler’s Darren Aronofsky was originally attached to Breaking the Bank, but chose to do Noah instead.

Considering Evans expertise is obviously martial arts/action films (if you haven’t seen 2009’s Merantau, it’s also a must-see), it’ll be interesting to see how he handles a straight-up heist flick; but then again, Breaking the Bank’s story does involve a UFC brawler, so maybe there’s enough room for some hard-hitting action Evans is known for. In the meantime, check out our review for The Raid: Redemption, so you can read what the fuss is all about.

Posted in News |

Rumors of Media Blasters’ demise may have been greatly exaggerated

Gamera the Brave Blu-ray (Tokyo Shock)

Gamera the Brave Blu-ray (Tokyo Shock)

Just what is going on over at Media Blasters? The distributor known for releasing anime and live-action Asian films in North America has been facing some tough times lately. Back in January of this year, they laid off 60% of their staff. A few days ago, trusted website Anime News Network reported a story that Media Blasters had been dissolved by the state of New York due to failing to file their taxes.

Today Media Blasters hit back at such claims on their Facebook page. Media Blasters says: “MB is not out of business or closing down its operation.” MB also alleges that Anime News Network didn’t bother to contact them before reporting the story – something that ANN denies.

Regardless, Media Blasters has delayed the release of several of their high profile discs in recent months. For instance, Gamera the Brave on Blu-ray and the Lady Ninja Kasumi DVD collection now won’t hit retail until September 25th, 2012. Stay tuned for more on the story as it develops.

Posted in News |

Zoom In: Sex Apartments DVD (Impulse Pictures)

Zoom In: Sex Apartments DVD (Impulse Pictures)

Zoom In: Sex Apartments DVD (Impulse Pictures)

RELEASE DATE: July 10, 2012

Impulse Pictures presents the DVD for Zoom In: Sex Apartments. This 1970’s Nikkatsu oddity combines genres to bring you a one-of-a-kind film about a sadistic killer who literally lights up the loins of his victims! The elaborately-orchestrated rapes and murders (set to a booming bass-heavy soundtrack) are an unmistakably deliberate homage to the giallo films of Italian master director, Dario Argento.

Posted in Asian Titles, DVD/Blu-ray New Releases |

Bride with White Hair, The (1993) Review

"The Bride with White Hair" Japanese Theatrical Poster

“The Bride with White Hair” Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Ronnie Yu
Cast: Brigitte Lin, Leslie Cheung, Elaine Lui Siu-Ling, Yammie Nam Kit-Ying, Francis Ng, Law Lok-Lam, Pau Fong, Eddy Ko Hung, Joseph Cheng
Running Time: 90 min.

By Numskull

Hmmm…well, not quite as banal as I expected, but still annoying in several respects.

For starters, just about everything is blue.

Also, the villainess is one of those Saturday morning cartoon types who laughs manically at two things: 1) nothing, and 2) everything. The action is preposterous, and not in a good way; in addition to the typical wire stuff, people get decapitated and chopped into pieces by a whip. That’s right, a whip. Worst of all, the “wolf girl” falls in love with the golden-hearted hero for no reason at all. She tries to off him twice, then they start lip-wrestling. He did save her life, but if she’s supposed to be such a stone-cold killing machine, where does her sense of gratitude come from?

I won’t say it’s totally worthless, though. The script is OK in parts, the conjoined twins were an interesting touch, Brigette Lin has a regal on-screen presence even when she’s getting beaten down by a hundred people at once, and there’s more polish here than in many other HK flicks. It’s definitely over-rated, though. If you feel you MUST see it, do so for a change of pace, not because of its cult status.

Numskull’s Rating: 4/10

Posted in Chinese, Reviews | Tagged , , , , |