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.
"A Muse" Korean Theatrical Poster
Be sure and check out the trailer for the new South Korean film A Muse. According to The Chonsunilbo, A Muse is an adaptation of celebrated author Park Bum-shin’s sensational novel Eun-gyo. It follows a 70-year-old poet (Park Hae-il) who has an affair with a high school student (Kim Go-eun) and is inspired to write a book about her. But his star student (Kim Mu-yeol), who is jealous of the relationship, steals his literary work.
A Muse is directed by Jung Ji-woo, who is mostly known for screenwriting work. The film stars Memories of Murder’s Park Hae-il, War of the Arrows’ Kim Mu-yeol and newcomer Kim Go-eun, who met director Jung Ji-woo through a circle of friends and was not even aware that auditions for the film were being held.
It’s hard to watch the trailer and not think of the 1962 Stanley Kubrick movie, Adrian Lyne’s 1997 remake or Vladimir Nabokov’s 1955 novel for Lolita. I have to admit, I’m totally looking forward to this flick (I swear I’m not an old pervert!).
Devilman DVD (Tokyo Shock)
RELEASE DATE: June 12, 2012
Tokyo Shock presents the DVD for Devilman, which is based on the popular manga by Go Nagai. Best friends Akira and Ryo (played by real-life twins Hisato & Yusuke Izaki) are just your average high school students until they receive word that Ryo’s father has accidentally unleashed a horde of demons while conducting experiments in Antarctica. Check out the trailer.
My Tutor Friend 2 DVD (Pathfinder Home Entertainment)
RELEASE DATE: June 12, 2012
Pathfinder Home Entertainment presents the DVD for My Tutor Friend 2. Japanese-Korean girl Junko travels to Seoul as an exchange student in hopes of seeing a Korean student whom she had fallen in love with in Japan. Instead, fate leads her to a guy named Jong Man. Starring The Good, the Bad, and the Weird’s Lee Chung-ah and War of the Arrows’ Park Ki-woong.
Barbarella Blu-ray (Paramount)
RELEASE DATE: July 3, 2012
Barbarella is finally making its way on Blu-ray! In the far future, a highly sexual woman is tasked with finding and stopping the evil Durand-Durand. Along the way she encounters various unusual people. Based on Jean-Claude Forrest’s French Barbarella comics, this 1968 classic is bound to satisfy you in more ways than one. Check out the trailer (you won’t be sorry!).
Chinese audiences enjoying a 3D Film
The 3D release of James Camerons’ Titanic didn’t exactly make waves in the United States, but over in China it earned a whopping $58 million US dollars its first weekend back in theaters. The IMAX 3D re-release of the Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet-starring movie underscores just how well the IMAX format is doing in China. Although only 12 films were released in Chinese IMAX theaters this year, it is swiftly becoming the ideal way to see a film for many movie-goers.
Website Chinese Films quotes Brian Didier, a professor at Beijing Foreign Studies University, who echoes the sentiments of many with his statement: “The regular theatre is okay if they have a good sound system, but the IMAX, you know, you just have that peripheral vision that is also putting you into the screen.”
Right now the only detriment to seeing more IMAX theaters in China is the cost – the cost of building such expansive theaters and the price of real estate. However, there is a strong feeling that costs will be driven down soon enough by rising technology. The end result is that IMAX is here to stay, in America and abroad.
Paradise DVD (Pathfinder Home Entertainment)
RELEASE DATE: June 12, 2012
Pathfinder Home Entertainment presents the DVD for Paradise, directed by Stairway to Heaven’s Lee Jang Soo and written by Bambino’s Okada Yoshikazu. A woman (Kim Ha Neul) recently released from prison gets on a boat to an island called Paradise. She meets a kind-hearted teacher (Ji Jin Hee), who accepts her for who she is despite knowing her past.
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