True Story of a Woman in Jail: Continues DVD (Impulse Pictures)
RELEASE DATE: July 10, 2012
Impulse Pictures presents the DVD for True Story of a Woman in Jail: Continues. In this sequel to True Story of a Woman in Jail: Sex Hell, Mayumi (from the first DVD) emerges from solitary confinement to find an all-new gang of bullies! Bath house attacks, lesbian sex scenes, rapist guards, violent abortions and even a transgender inmate add to the exploitation fun!
"Wild Bunch" Japanese Theatrical Poster
The Collider reports that Jody Hill – the writer/director of The Foot Fist Way, Eastbound & Down and Observe and Report – has been tapped by Warner to remake/reboot a movie version of the classic TV show, The Dukes of Hazzard. The TV show itself was inspired by 1975’s Moonrunners (see trailer), a film about moonshine-running bootleggers who outran federal agents with fast cars.
According to Cinema Blend, Jody Hill’s version of The Dukes of Hazzard, which will take place during the 1970s in the South, will be more like a violent Sam Peckinpah-style shoot ’em up, a la The Wild Bunch.
In 2005, The Dukes of Hazzard was remade into comedy film by Super Troopers’ Jay Chandrasekhar. It starred Johnny Knoxville, Seann William Scott and Jessica Simpson. Chandrasekhar’s film was panned by most critics and fans alike. Richard Roeper named it the worst film of 2005.
As a big fan of Jody Hill’s work, I’m sure he can do some justice to the franchise, while putting his own spin to it. I personally don’t care if it’s related to The Dukes of Hazzard or not, but if the title makes it easier to get the picture green-lit, then I’m all for it. Just think: A Sam Peckinpah take on “The Duke Boys” directed by Jody Hill? I’m there.
Lone Wolf McQuade Blu-ray (MGM)
RELEASE DATE: July 17, 2012
MGM presents the Blu-ray for 1983’s Lone Wolf McQuade, directed by The Arena’s Steve Carver. Think an edgier Walker, Texas Ranger with a clash of Spaghetti western (its memorable soundtrack was done by Italian composer Francesco De Masi). Also starring David Carradine’s gargoyle sweater and Barbara Carrera. Check out the trailer.
“Tell Me Something” Korean Theatrical Poster
Director: Chang Yoon-hyun
Cast: Han Seok-Kyu, Shim Eun-Ha, Ahn Suk-Hwan, Yu Jun-Sang, Jang Hang-Seon, Yum Jung-Ah, Kim Jung-Hak, Lee Dae-Ro, Maeng Bong-Hak, Kim Yong-Han
Running Time: 116 min.
By Numskull
Tell ME something… why ruin a perfectly good suspense thriller with one of the most repetitive, redundant, unnecessary, and repetitive final shots in motion picture history? Perfectly good story, perfectly good ending, and they fuck it up with this really stupid final shot that says: “Here. Just in case you didn’t get it the first time, here it is again.” I mean, shit.
Maybe they were too busy worrying about whether or not the garbage bag scenes were bloody enough to notice that. Tell Me Something is not for the weak of heart, stomach, or mind; there are plenty of plot twists that will make the prospect of keeping up to speed a very unlikely one for inattentive viewers. Please note, however, that this doesn’t really make it any better than many other movies of the same type. Aside from the spiffy musical accompaniment, including a number of mood-setting piano pieces and an energized version of “Red Right Hand” by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, there’s not a whole lot here to set it apart from this suspense thriller over here or that suspense thriller over there (except maybe the amount of gore, but that’s not important).
Tell Me Something is solid, and functional, but not extraordinary. Those of you who normally take my reviews with a grain of salt might want to make it TWO grains for this one, as there is nothing “wrong” with the film; it just didn’t do a whole lot for me. (Hence, only three paragraphs. Sorry.)
Numskull’s Rating: 6/10
By Reefer
Don’t you just hate it when you are taking out the garbage and you accidentally rip the bag and make an ungodly mess? After watching Tell Me Something, you will understand that egg shells, banana peels, and assorted trash poured onto your floor would be a blessing compared to what could have happened. When Hefty bags get poked here, aside from gallons of blood, body parts come sliding out. Try and sop up that with a roll of Bounty!! Mysteriously, these bags of mismatched parts are popping up on elevators, basketball courts, inside of cars, and on the expressway.
While being investigated for corruption and mourning the recent death of his mother, Lieutenant Cho is suddenly assigned to this intriguing mystery. A mixture of macho stoicism and keen attention to detail, Cho makes an interesting movie cop. His scenes with dialogue seem limited. He’s more introspective than most big screen constables. At times, he almost vanishes into the scenery, but that is not to say he lacks screen presence. It is indeed an odd mixture.
One could label the majority of this film’s performances as cold or plain, but that would be too simple. I believe this to be purposeful. Director Chang Youn-hyun paints a world of subtle gloom where its inhabitants seem to have given up on hope. This bleakness may bother some.
Cho’s investigation eventually leads him to Chae, a lonely museum curator. As it happens, Chae has been romantically involved with each of the victims. Because Chae has seemly blocked out her past mentally, Cho chooses keep her under round-the-clock surveillance. Suspects begin to pop up everywhere as one murder scene leads to another. One of the real treats of this film is the logical way the narrative proceeds. Oh there are twists a’plenty, but there is always a path that leads to them.
Reminiscent of the American film Seven, Tell Me Something is eerily dark and methodically moves at its own pace. High on gore, low on action. TMS replaces gunplay with graphically amputated limbs and car chases with exploding garbage bags. Director Chang Youn-hyun tells his story with creepiness to spare. Like a two-hour episode of the X-Files, this film features plenty of flashlight and umbrella moments. Plus, the use of music and sudden sound FX creates more that a few uneasy pangs of dread.
It seems that the director understands this genre very well. He uses some of the serial killer cliches to lull the viewer into a false sense of security. Then during the last third of the film uses your own preconceptions to beat you senseless, dropping your jaw to the floor. But if you beat him and figure it out beforehand, you’ll still be rattled by the near flawless execution (so to speak) of plot, character, setting, and mood.
Twisty ties anyone?
Reefer’s Rating: 8/10
"Mysterious Fobber" Chinese Theatrical Poster
Not much is known about the forthcoming Chinese film Moonlight Savage but it sure looks intriguing, judging by the teaser poster over at 24 Frames Per Second. There are also a host of stills available from the film, which showcase a bunch of sober-faced and blood-stained actors holding guns.
Our best guess is that this is a period action movie of some kind. Stay tuned to Cityonfire.com for the trailer when it becomes available.
Updates: The title of the film has apparently been changed to Mysterious Fobber. We’re assuming it’s meant as ‘Mysterious Robber.’ A cryptic new trailer at 24 Frames Per Second makes the project look like an Asian horror movie. Just what the heck is Moonlight Savage/Mysterious Fobber about?
Chinese Films has the final poster. The website bills the film as a “suspense action movie,” however there are no new details on the plot. In fact, “none of the lead [actors] divulged any information regarding the identity of the mysterious man in the poster when questioned at the event by the press.” Guess we may have to wait until Mysterious Fobber premieres on May 4 to learn the secrets of the film.
BREAKING NEWS: A new trailer is online and sheds a bit more light on the film’s general plot and tone. Kind of. Sort of. But the film definitely looks cool.
Jessica Alba's "Machete" Character Poster
Chosun.com reports that Sin City’s Jessica Alba, who was recently on vacation in South Korea, told a cable channel that she’s interested in making a Korean movie one day, particularly with Park Chan-wook, the director of Oldboy and Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance. She also stated that Park’s characters came to her “like music” and mentioned that she would probably faint if she met Park in person.
Maybe someone should introduce Alba to the films of I Saw The Devil’s Kim Ji-woon and Chaser’s Na Hong-jin. Park Chan-wook is definitely a filmmaking genius, but there’s a lot more where he came from.
Mercenary for Justice Blu-ray (20th Century Fox)
RELEASE DATE: July 10, 2012
20th Century Fox presents the Blu-ray for Mercenary for Justice, directed by Don E. FauntLeRoy, who also teamed up with Steven Seagal in Today You Die and Urban Justice. Seagal plays John Seeger, a mercenary who gets involved in a mission that threatens the lives of his kin. Check out the trailer.
"Wild 7" Japanese DVD
Over at Far East Films, they’ve got the details on the release of Wild 7 on Japanese Blu-ray and DVD. This action-packed movie is based on the seminal manga by Mochizuki Mikiya, and follows a group of ass-kicking secret police who take to fighting the terrorists and criminals of Japan on motorcycles. Check out the stylish trailer.
If you’re anything like us, that trailer made you want to see the movie yesterday. The DVD will be Region 2 while the Blu-ray will be Region A (the latter playable on American Blu-ray players), but both will have English subtitles. Wild 7 hits the streets on May 23rd, 2012.
The Hidden Blade Blu-ray (Palisades Tartan)
RELEASE DATE: June 19, 2012
Palisades Tartan presents Yoji Yamada’s The Hidden Blade on Blu-ray. Like Yamada’s last film, The Twilight Samurai, it’s based on a short story by Shuhei Fujisawa. Starring Masatoshi Nagase, Takako Matsu and Yukiyoshi Ozawa. It is currently available on DVD. Check out the trailer.
“The Viral Factor” Chinese Theatrical Poster
Director: Dante Lam
Cast: Jay Chou, Nicholas Tse, Bai Bing, Lee Byung Hun, Lin Peng, Jung Woo-sung, Andy On Chi Kit, Carl Ng Ka Lung, Liu Kai Chi, Elaine Kam Yin Ling
Running Time: 120 min.
By HKFanatic
“The Viral Factor” is the latest blockbuster from Dante Lam, a man who has become one of Hong Kong’s premiere action director thanks to films like “Fire of Conscience” and “The Stool Pigeon“; it was also the first film to enter Lam into the One Hundred Million Yuan Club, for those filmmakers who earn over 100 Million Yuan at the Chinese box office. I wish I could say this was one of Lam’s better efforts. Despite a globe-hopping setting and plenty of explosions, “The Viral Factor” fails to deliver as a solid piece of action entertainment. The story just does not hold up to any kind of scrutiny.
The screenplay makes the crucial mistake of dolling out exposition to the viewer before the credits have barely finished rolling. We’re told why characters are important and why what they’re doing is important, but we’re never shown why they’re important. The film begins with a confusing series of scenes set in Jordan, as an international police force led by the Chinese (including Jay Chou) are transporting a key scientist to safety before his deadly strain of bird flu can be released to the public…or something like that.
It doesn’t take long for everything to go tits up, and here we get to see Dante Lam’s approximation of a “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare” video game battle in what is, in all honesty, probably the best set-piece in the entire movie. Questionable CG-fireballs aside, Dante Lam knows how to carefully maneuver his camera through action sequences that feel like barely controlled chaos. From there, Jay Chou heads off to Malaysia to track down his missing brother, played by bad boy actor Nichols Tse, and possibly get revenge on the team leader who betrayed him (an under-utilized Andy On). The story plays out in a confusing mix of English and Cantonese dialogue, a sure sign that the producers were trying too hard for a hit.
Dante Lam’s films have always been about his character’s personal lives and family melodrama as much as the action, but here he’s stuck with the borderline-catatonic Jay Chou in the lead, an actor who barely knows how to convey emotion. Let’s face it, Jay Chou is a Taiwanese pop idol; he’s not the kind of guy to headline a hard-hitting Hong Kong action movie. Nicholas Tse is forced to pick up the acting slack, which he does by sinking his teeth into scenes where he’s allowed to do nothing but cry or over-emote. Considering how many helicopters were likely blown up in the making of “The Viral Factor,” this is one touchy-feely movie.
I never thought I’d say a movie has too much action but the problem with “The Viral Factor” is that the screenplay doesn’t really know how to raise the stakes, so characters are always chasing after each other with little to no consequences. As I watched this movie, I felt a curious sense of detachment: actors raced around locales and tried to accomplish goals the movie had only barely communicated to me. I enjoy seeing Dante Lam playing on such a large scale, with this much production muscle behind him, but next time he needs to expend it all on a better script.
The story builds to a showdown aboard a large sea vessel, with a shootout occurring in-between shipping containers. Thanks but we’ve seen this before before in Tsui Hark’s “Knock-off” and that was staged with a hell of a lot more aplomb than what we get here. I still have nothing but respect for Dante Lam, but with “The Viral Factor” he simply went too mainstream. It was most likely a mistake to go for a story with this many characters and locations, and it was definitely a mistake to cast someone like Jay Chou in the lead. With no true hand-to-hand combat and most of the shoot-outs staged like video game cutscenes, “The Viral Factor” is missing that visceral touch that makes the best Hong Kong action movies so personal.
HKFanatic’s Rating: 5.5/10
Cradle 2 the Grave Blu-ray (Warner)
RELEASE DATE: August 14, 2012
First time on Blu-ray! Warner presents 2003’s Cradle 2 the Grave (aka Black Diamond), starring Jet Li, DMX and Mark Dacascos. Directed by Romeo Must Die’s Andrzej Bartkowiak, Cradle 2 the Grave has Jet Li and DMX teaming up to rescue a jewel thief’s daughter. Check out the trailer.
Fight the Fight aka Choy Lee Fut, The Speed of Light DVD (Lionsgate)
Unfortunately, it looks like the studios are using early May as a dumping ground for their cheap 3-pack Blu-ray sets. Oh well, maybe we’ll find a deal in here somewhere. Here are your Blu-ray and DVD releases for the week of 5/1/12:
ASIAN CINEMA
Fight the Fight (DVD) – Lionsgate brings the 2011 Chinese-language martial arts film known as “Choy Lee Fut” to Region 1 DVD. Starring Sammo Hung and Kane Kosugi! This is not the best reviewed kung fu movie out there but, knowing me, I’ll probably like it
FOREIGN CINEMA
Cirkus Columbia (DVD) – a 2010 Bosnian dark comedy about the fall of the communist regime in 1991
MAINSTREAM
Haywire (Blu-ray/DVD) – director Steven Soderbergh introduced MMA fighter Gina Carano to action movie fans worldwide with this 2011 espionage flick
Men in Black II (Blu-ray) – the 2002 sci-fi/comedy sequel starring Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones gets the upgrade to hi-def
Bullit/Cincinnati Kid/Getaway (Blu-ray) – three vintage Steve McQueen films in one 3-disc Blu-ray set for $20.99
Assassins/Cobra/The Specialist (Blu-ray) – I doubt anyone would call these their favorite Sylvester Stallone movies but now they’re together in one Blu-ray set. Hey, I’ll always like “Cobra.” The price is $19.99
eXistenZ/B Monkey/Malevolent (Blu-ray) – I gotta be honest, I haven’t heard of these other two films but 1999’s “eXistenZ” is a great offering from director David Cronenberg. Retail is set at $16.99
Executive Decision/Point Break/Swordfish (Blu-ray) – in this set you get “Point Break” and two other films that 1.) aren’t one of the greatest films of all time and 2.) don’t feature Keanu Reeves surfing. Price is $20.99
Deep Blue Sea/Long Kiss Goodnight/Snakes on a Plane (Blu-ray) – two films that are directed by Renny Harlin and one film that’s so preposterous it might as well have been directed by Renny Harlin. This will set you back $20.99
Body of Lies/Edge of Darkness/Pride and Glory (Blu-ray) – three contemporary action/thrillers starring notorious hotheads Russell Crowe, Mel Gibson, and Edward Norton. For $20.99
Cowboys/Green Berets/The Searchers (Blu-ray) – John Wayne rides onto Blu-ray in three movies for $20.99
Losers/Rock ‘N Rolla/Shoot ‘Em Up (Blu-ray) – “Shoot ‘Em Up,” now that’s an underrated movie. Get this three pack for, you guessed it, $20.99
Body Heat/L.A. Confidential/The Player (Blu-ray) – one of these movies is not like the other, but who am I to judge? Besides, “L.A. Confidential” is one of my favorite movies of all time. For $20.99
Beetlejuice/Charlie and the Chocolate Factory/Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride (Blu-ray) – got a niece or nephew who’s gone goth recently? This might be the perfect gift. Retails at $20.99
CLASSICS
The One That Got Away (DVD) – a 1957 film about the only German prisoner of war to ever escape from British soil during WWII
Jeremiah Johnson (Blu-ray) – Robert Redford is a rugged man of the wild in this 1972 feature, now in hi-def
Bird of Paradise: Kino Classics Edition (Blu-ray/DVD) – a 1932 classic from legendary director King Vidor (“War and Peace”)
HORROR
Wizard of Gore/The Gore Gore Girls (Blu-ray) – Herschell Gordon Lewis presents two early 70’s gore-tastic films on a Blu-ray Double Feature
Mimic 3-Film Set (Blu-ray/DVD) – did you know there was a “Mimic 2” and “Mimic 3”? Get all three films for about $20
Snow White: A Tale of Terror (DVD) – in time for “Mirror Mirror” and “Snow White and the Huntsmen,” this more horrific take on the story is re-released on DVD. Featuring Sigourney Weaver and Sam Neil
Phantoms/Darkness/Venom (Blu-ray) – three horror movies with one-word titles, but only one stars the Affleck. For $16.99
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!
Romeo Must Die Blu-ray (Warner)
RELEASE DATE: August 14, 2012
First time on Blu-ray! Warner presents 2000′s Romeo Must Die, starring Jet Li, Aaliyah, Delroy Lindo and Russell Wong. Directed by Cradle 2 the Grave’s Andrzej Bartkowiak, Romeo Must Die has Jet Li seeking out his brother’s killer; in the process, he falls for you-know-who (hint: not Delroy Lindo). Check out the trailer.
"El Gringo" Theatrical Poster
Ace martial artist and actor Scott Adkins has updated his website with a new photo gallery from his upcoming film El Gringo which he is currently filming in Baten Rouge. The film also stars Christian Slater (Broken Arrow) and is produced by Joel Silver’s After Dark Pictures, one of their first ventures into action cinema. Scott is looking bad-ass in these new pics!
Updates: After Dark Films’ new poster for El Gringo added. Also some new photos here. Beyond Hollywood has details that El Gringo will be released on VOD and in select theaters on May 11, 2012 as part of a new After Dark Action fest. Also releasing is the Cung Lu/Van Damme flick Dragon Eyes, and new films starring Dolph Lundgren and Jim Caviezel.
BREAKING NEWS: The red band trailer for El Gringo is now available. Also, check out the new poster.
"No Retreat, No Surrender" American Theatrical Poster
In 1985, Hong Kong film mogul Ng See Yuen handpicked an aspiring writer named Keith W. Strandberg to produce a screenplay to No Retreat, No Surrender, a film that went on to become a cult classic, spawned two sequels, introduced Corey Yuen’s groundbreaking choreography to Hollywood and jump-started the career of Jean-Claude Van Damme.
Keith also produced No Retreat, No Surrender 3: Blood Brothers, The King of the Kickboxers, American Shaolin, Superfights and Bloodmoon. In this in-depth interview, Keith talks the films’ stars, on-set incidents and much more! He even mentions a possible No Retreat, No Surrender remake.
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