Super Bitch aka Mafia Junction DVD (Apprehensive Films)
RELEASE DATE: May 22, 2012
Apprehensive Films is proud to present 1973’s Super Bitch (aka Mafia Junction) on DVD. This amazing piece of Italian crime-sploitation is full of hard violence, extreme car chases, naked women and enough machismo to give Dirty Harry a run for his money! Directed by Massimo Dallamano and starring Ivan Rassimov. Limited Edition to just 500 units! Each unit is hand numbered.
The Flowers of War Blu-ray & DVD (Lionsgate)
Today’s Deal on Fire is the Blu-ray for The Flowers of War (read our review), a 2011 film from acclaimed director Zhang Yimou (Hero, Shadow, The Great Wall).
The film, set during the Japanese invasion of China, is told from a young girl’s point of view, not as a history lesson, but as an intimate, elemental and paradoxically universal celebration of the human spirit. Bale stars as a dissolute Westerner who seeks refuge in a Catholic Church. There he meets a beautiful Chinese courtesan who helps him rescue a group of schoolgirls from a terrible fate at the hands of the Japanese. The film represents one of China’s most ambitious productions, involving the recreation of 1937 Nanking built from scratch over a one-year period and the collaboration of one of Hollywood’s most sought after leading men (Christian Bale).
Order The Flowers of War from Amazon.com today!
Late Spring aka Banshun Blu-ray (Criterion)
This week is a bit light on Asian releases but the other genres should offer something for everyone. Here are your Blu-ray and DVD releases for the week of 4/17/12:
ASIAN CINEMA
Late Spring (Blu-ray) – the Critertion Collection brings Japanese director Yasujiro Ozu’s 1949 black-and-white masterpiece to Blu-ray
After the Banquet (DVD) – Pathfinder Pictures presents this 2009 Korean romantic drama about a wedding disrupted by the appearance of a mysterious stranger
Relation of Face, Mind and Love (DVD) – Pathfinder also provides this 2010 Korean film offering a more serious take on the whole “Shallow Hal” dilemma
FOREIGN CINEMA
American Translation (DVD) – a dark and disturbing 2011 French film about a Bonny and Clyde-esque couple who get their kicks by murdering gay hustlers
Domain (DVD) – a 2012 French-language drama about a teenage boy dealing with his burgeoning sexuality and a complex relationship with his self-destructive aunt
Nowhere in Africa (DVD) – this 2002 German-language film won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Picture
Paan Singh Tomar (DVD) – a 2012 Hindi/Bollywood film about the life of Paan Singh, who went from champion at the Indian National Games to gun-slinging scourge of the underworld
MAINSTREAM
Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (Blu-ray/DVD) – the 2011 global box office sensation that successfully revitalized Tom Cruise’s career and established Brad Bird as a live-action director to watch – now on home formats!
The Divide (Blu-ray/DVD) – from the director of “Hitman” comes a 2012 post-apocalyptic thriller featuring Michael Biehn. This film has actually garnered some positive buzz online
High Road to China (Blu-ray/DVD) – Tom Selleck was perhaps never destined to be Indiana Jones, despite coming close to nabbing the role, but in 1983 he did the Indy thing with this forgotten Eighties action flick
7 Below (DVD) – Val Kilmer and Ving Rhames headline this 2012 direct-to-video supernatural thriller billed as “The Ring” meets “The Grudge”(!)
CULT/INDIE
Alambrista! (Blu-ray/DVD) – Criterion Collection presents this 1977 film set on the border of Mexico and California, a sterling example of American independent cinema
Shame (Blu-ray/DVD) – Michael Fassbender plays a sex addict struggling to cope in contemporary New York City in this 2011 indie drama
Roger Corman’s Cult Classics: The Nurses Collection (DVD) – in this set of Roger Corman-produced 1970’s nurseploitation movies, you receive: “Candy Stripe Nurses,” “Private Duty Nurses,” “Night Call Nurses,” and “Young Nurses”
Roadracers (Blu-ray) – delayed from a week or so ago, Robert Rodriguez’s made-for-Showtime movie stars David Arquette as a rebellious racer
The Amazing Bulk (DVD) – the Bulk is a purple monster with incredible strength so, chances are, you wouldn’t like him when he’s angry. Sound familiar? Then you have to watch the trailer for this zero-budget movie
HORROR
The Asphyx: Remastered Edition (Blu-ray) – this cult favorite 1973 horror film receives the hi-def treatment from Redemption Films. For fans of classy British horror
The Survivor (DVD) – Robert Powell stars in this 1981 chiller featuring one of the most realistic looking plane crashes of all time
Halloween: The Resurrection (Blu-ray) – the 2002 entry in the venerable “Halloween” franchise, now on Blu-ray
Aggressive Behavior (DVD) – four friends get more than bargained for when they party with two deadly strangers in a remote French farmhouse. Despite the locale, this 2009 horror film is in English
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!
The 31st Hong Kong Film Awards
The Hong Kong Film Awards will be held tomorrow, April 15th, at the Hong Kong Cultural Center. In preparation of the event, website Chinese Films has an article lamenting the fact that it is increasingly difficult for new talent to make waves in the Hong Kong film industry.
The article makes notice that many of the filmmakers nominated for the Best Director award – like Tsui Hark, Ann Hui, and Johnnie To – have been in the industry for decades. Andy Lau and Lau Ching-Wan, both up for the Best Actor award, have similarly been in the business a long time.
Kwok Chin-kin, director of the critically acclaimed Gallants, spoke about why it’s so difficult for new talent to break into movies in Hong Kong. Says Chin-kin: “The Hong Kong film industry is completely controlled by commercial interests. The investors are ultimately businessmen. Employing new actors may cost them less money, but the risk is very high, simply because box office revenues cannot be guaranteed.”
Ip Man producer Wong Bak-Ming puts it this way: “Presented with an audience of 1.3 billion people, mainly on the mainland, a film’s content should cater to mainland audiences. Bigger markets mean bigger film productions, which, normally only capable directors are able to manage. So, younger directors who have little experience have few chances to make an impact.”
As the years go by, it’s becoming increasingly apparent that Hong Kong cinema needs new talent in order to survive. The old guard of fan favorites, like director Tsui Hark and star Donnie Yen, continue to put out quality work but there is arguably a general lack of innovation and risk-taking in Hong Kong films today. Perhaps the industry needs to, in essence, return to its roots and give new filmmakers the opportunity to try and recapture the spark, the energy that dominated Hong Kong cinema during the 80’s and 90’s.
BREAKING NEWS: Lovehkfilm.com has the detailed list of nominees and winners at this year’s Hong Kong Film Awards.
“Raging Thunder” Japanese Theatrical Poster
Director: Corey Yuen
Cast: Loren Avedon, Matthias Hues, Max Thayer, Cynthia Rothrock, Hwang Jang Lee, Roy Horan, Patra Wanthivanond, Nirut Sirichanya, Chesda ‘Pop’ Smithsuth
Running Time: 97/104 min.
By Jeff Bona
If you think Jackie Chan and John Woo were the first (after Bruce Lee’s Enter the Dragon, of course) to introduce real Hong Kong action to mainstream moviegoers in America, think again.
In 1985, Hong Kong’s Seasonal Film Corporation, the company that was responsible for making Jackie Chan a star with 1978’s Drunken Master, started producing American productions that blew viewers away; particularly, those looking for the same type of inspiring action they saw in accessible Golden Harvest action films of the 1980’s. What started with 1985’s No Retreat, No Surrender – Corey Yuen’s English-language debut feature, and also the movie that put Jean-Claude Van Damme on the map – continued with 1987’s No Retreat, No Surrender 2 (aka Raging Thunder).
Corey Yuen, the director/action choreographer of the first No Retreat, No Surrender, was back in the director’s chair for Part 2. Back then, Yuen was known in Hong Kong for directing classics such as 1981’s Tower of Death, 1982’s Ninja in the Dragon’s Den, and 1985’s Yes, Madam! It wasn’t until 1998 that Yuen finally exploded in the Hollywood circuit, thanks to Richard Donner giving him full control over Jet Li’s action sequences in Lethal Weapon 4. Since then, he has directed 2002’s The Transporter and has choreographed a number of big Hollywood films, including 2001’s Kiss of the Dragon and 2010’s The Expendables.
In addition to Corey Yuen, both Kurt McKinney and Jean-Claude Van Damme were also supposed to return. According to screenwriter Keith W. Strandberg, neither McKinney or Van Damme showed up in Thailand for the first day of shooting. Apparently, Van Damme broke his contract and did Bloodsport instead; and rumor has it that McKinney rejected because he had just gotten married and his wife didn’t like the idea of him filming on the Cambodian border.
At this point, No Retreat, No Surrender 2 desperately needed a new leading man who could not only carry himself on camera, but also look good fighting on-screen. Producer Roy Horan (he’s the Charles Manson-looking guy who appeared in Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow and Tower of Death) turned to a 23-year-old Tae Kwon Do expert named Loren Avedon, who was chosen over 75 other candidates to replace McKinney. At the time, Avedon was a used car salesman whose only claim to fame was a bit part in 1985’s Ninja Turf. A week later, he was off to Thailand to begin filming his first starring film.
Filling in for Van Damme was newcomer Matthias Hues, a German bodybuilder who I personally describe as “Van Damme and Dolph Lundgren rolled into one,” in other words, Hues was the perfect choice to play the bad guy. International star power was added in the form of martial arts sensation Cynthia Rothrock, who had already made a name for herself in Hong Kong with 1985’s Yes, Madam! and 1986’s Millionaire’s Express. In addition, Iron Eagle’s Max Thayer and martial arts movie legend Hwang Jang Lee (Drunken Master) were also brought in.
Contrary to popular belief, No Retreat, No Surrender 2 was always intended to have an unrelated story (a sequel to the original, by name only). Even if McKinney and Van Damme returned, they would be playing two, totally different characters.
If No Retreat, No Surrender was Yuen’s answer to The Karate Kid, then No Retreat, No Surrender 2 was his answer to Rambo. The plot of Part 2 concerns a Tae Kwon Do expert named Scott Wyld (Loren Avedon), who visits his girlfriend (Patra Wanthivanond) in Thailand. Soon after the two meet up, she is kidnapped and held hostage in Cambodia. With the help of his friend Mac (Max Thayer) and Terry (Cynthia Rothrock), Scott travels to Cambodia in hopes of rescuing his girlfriend from Russian and Vietnamese troops, headed by a Russian general (Matthias Hues).
If you can get over the fact that Avedon isn’t exactly a graduate of The Birmingham School of Acting, then you’ll realize that No Retreat, No Surrender 2 is one of the best action movies of the 1980’s. Sure, the film has corny moments, cheesy one-liners and third rate acting; but once the brawling kicks in, you’re in action movie heaven. The fight sequences are swift, solid, tightly edited and very creative. Even the sound effects used are crisp and organic. Not all the action is a bunch of flips and kicks, there’s motorcycle stunts, shootouts, explosions and even Max Thayer drinking fresh snake blood (like, really drinking it, as shown in a one-take shot).
With a choreographer like Corey Yuen, almost anyone can look good fighting on screen; but with someone like Avedon under his command, the result is top notch. Till this day, I have yet to see a non-Chinese actor who can pull off Hong Kong choreography the way Avedon does; with that said, I consider him to be one of the most underrated names in the history of martial arts film. The bottom line is: Avedon is a natural when it comes to on-screen fighting. It’s no wonder The Seasonal Film Corporation had him sign a 3-picture deal before production of Part 2 even wrapped up.
Cynthia Rothrock is just as awesome – and this goes without saying – being the seasoned, butt-kicking babe that she is. Even Max Thayer gets down and dirty, although he is obviously body-doubled 95% of the time. Kung fu cinema fanatics will get a kick out of Hwang Jang Lee’s appearance; despite his non-speaking role, he has a chunky duel with Rothrock. Matthias Hues, who handles his action scenes like a champ, goes full force against Avedon during the film’s climactic battle.
During their release, I feel that No Retreat, No Surrender 1 and 2 were too ahead of their time to be fully appreciated. Or it could be that the excellence of both films were easily overshadowed by their cheese factor. Whatever the case, Corey Yuen and Seasonal Films were the first – since Bruce Lee and Golden Harvest – to bring real Hong Kong flavor in an American action movie. Not even Jackie Chan’s early U.S. films, like 1980’s The Big Brawl or 1985’s The Protector, showcased the action he was famous for (and we can blame the directors of those two films for that).
If you’re a fan of Hong Kong, martial arts or action movies in general, then No Retreat, No Surrender 2 is easily a must-see. Plain and simple.
Jeff Bona‘s Rating: 8/10
"Helpless" Cast Photo
The Korean film industry has been putting out game-changing thrillers on a regular basis, with no signs of slowing down. In Korean theaters this March is Helpless, a thriller based on the novel All She Was Worth by Japanese author Miyuki Miyabe, who is known as the Queen of Crime Fiction.
The story follows a detective who is approached by a man to help locate his missing fiance’. As the detective looks into the beautiful girl’s disappearance, he soon learns nothing about her is as it seems.
The film is directed by Byeon Yeong-joo (Flying Boys, Aldor) and Twitch has the trailer, which promises plenty of action and suspense.
Update: Helpless just opened in Korea two days ago on March 8th. If you’re interested in reading more background on the story, as well as a critical reaction to the movie, head on over to Film Business Asia’s review.
BREAKING NEWS: 24 Frames Per Second has word that Helpless is receiving a limited theatrical release in the United States. Los Angeles’ CGV Cinemas gets the film next week, with a wider release in early May.
"Aragami" and "2LDK" UK DVD
The Hollywood Reporter gives word that Gemma Arterton is close to starring in a new film called The Wright Girls from Relativity Media. The article pays mention that the film is a dark comedy “inspired” by the Japanese film 2LDK. So I guess you don’t have to pay for remake rights if you claim you’re only riffing on the source material?
This version of the 2LDK story comes from Easy A screenwriter Bert Royal. Andy Fickman (She’s the Man) is in talks to direct. Rumors circulated that Megan Fox might co-star but they appear to be unfounded.
Fans of Japanese cinema may recall that 2LDK followed two actresses sharing an apartment together and putting on a front of normalcy when, in reality, they hated each other’s guts. In fact, it didn’t take long for them to engage in a knockdown, drag-out brawl.
2003’s 2LDK was part of a cinematic ‘bet’ between director Yukihiko Tsutsumi and Versus filmmaker, Ryuhei Kitamura, to see if they could make a film with only two characters in one location. Kitamura’s offering was the samurai flick Aragami. 2LDK ended up gaining more notoriety and acclaim overall, but those looking for a good old-fashioned swordplay flick would be wise to seek out Aragami as well. – Thanks to Cityonfire.com alumni Ningen for the heads up
"Sadako 3D" Japanese Theatrical Poster
The static on your TV might not just be bad reception – that evil little girl from Ringu and The Ring is back. Based on the forthcoming novel from original Ringu author Koji Suzuki, Sadako 3D is a 3D horror film continuing the tragic tale of Sadako, the long-haired ghost with a penchant for climbing out of wells. Sadako 3D hits Japanese cinemas on May 15th but for now we have a teaser trailer.
The movie looks admittedly low-budget with some rough production values and an overbearing emphasis on the 3D effect but, hey. At least the producers are updating the formula for the 21st century: this time around it’s not a video tape that kills you after seven days, it’s an internet viral video. Then again, Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s Kairo (AKA Pulse) kinda did that whole thing to perfection way back in 2001.
Update: If you’re terrified every time your browser hits a dead link, this latest batch of images from Sadako 3D might just scare the pants off you! Here’s the full-length trailer.
BREAKING NEWS: A new batch of spooky images, courtesy of Beyond Hollywood.
The Girl from the Naked Eye DVD (First Look Pictures)
RELEASE DATE: July 24, 2012
First Look Pictures presents the DVD for The Girl from the Naked Eye, a dark revenge tale that has shades of Sin City combined with martial arts and stylized Hong Kong action. Starring Kung-Fu Magazine Hall of Fame member Jason Yee, Dominique Swain, Sasha Grey and Ron Yuan. Directed by David Ren (Shanghai Kiss). Check out the trailer.
Jaws: Universal's 100th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray & DVD (Universal)
RELEASE DATE: August 14, 2012
Steven Spielberg’s 1975 classic is better than ever! In addition to being fully restored on Blu-ray & DVD, this new edition is loaded with documentaries, deleted scenes, outtakes, archives and more! Not only was it the highest grossing film (at the time), but it’s also cited as one of the greatest films of all time. Starring Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw and Richard Dreyfuss. Check out the trailer.
All About Lily Chou-Chou | Blu-ray (Film Movement)
Director: Shunji Iwai
Writer: Shunji Iwai
Producer: Koko Maeda
Cast: Hayato Ichihara, Shugo Oshinari, Ayumi Ito, Takao Osawa, Miwako Ichikawa, Izumi Inamori
Running Time: 140 min.
By Alexander
As I sit here typing this review I’m still trying to figure out whether I like “All About Lily Chou Chou” or not.
On one hand, it’s a beautiful film, filled with gorgeous images of rural Japan. The shot of young Yuichi in his school uniform listening to his CD player in a field of tall green grass is haunting and gorgeous in its composition. It’s perfectly symbolic of the movie’s wayward, lawless and seemingly parentless teens who are tethered to the world around them only by the ethereal music of singer Lily Chou Chou.
The performances are wonderful across the board. Particularly impressive is Hayato Ichihara (who was only 12 when filming began on “All About Lily Chou Chou”) as Yûichi Hasumi, the quiet, slightly nerdy and often bullied Lily fan. He doesn’t have a ton of dialogue in the film, but he manages convey that array of emotions we all felt when we were 12- and 13-years old–those first pangs of arousal, angst, jealousy, fear, humility and anger. Shûgo Oshinari (“Battle Royale II”) is fantastic as well. He plays Shusuke Hoshino, whose ascent into young adulthood the movie also chronicles. His transition from often picked-on stellar student to being a brutal bully himself is one of the more tragic aspects of the film, yet also one of its most captivating.
And the music? Is incredible. As soon as the movie was finished I went online to track down its soundtrack (and in the process discovered that some of “Lily Chou Chou’s” score, by composer Takeshi Kobayashi, made its way into Quentin Tarantino’s “Kill Bill Vol. 1”). Both the faux pop songs by the fictional Lily and the haunting score are a delight. It’s easy to see why these kids would be so captivated by her music.
I also enjoyed the way “All About Lily Chou Chou” was shot. It’s very cinema verite in feel and I had to remind myself on ocassion that the movie wasn’t a documentary. The many scenes shot with handheld cameras made me feel like I was tagging along with these kids, whether on an ill-fated vacation to Okinawa or an assault on one of their classmates. The handhelds really did manage to draw me in further than I would have been otherwise. I felt like I was actual witness to some of the events in the movie, but was ultimately powerless–as Yuichi often is–to affect any of it.
On the OTHER hand, “All About Lily Chou Chou” is essentially plotless. The only constant throughout is the teen’s fascination with Lily and their anonymous online rants about what her music means to them. It’s a very tenuous thread, and the film’s climax is minimized to near-inconsequence by a myriad of other things going on. The climax isn’t really a climax at all, just another bump on these kids’ road to maturity and adulthood. It doesn’t have near the impact I’m guessing the filmakers wanted it to have. And be forewarned that the narrative jumps around A LOT, to the point of distraction. By the time I figured out I was watching a flashback, the flashback would be over and I’d struggle to stay apace of “Chou Chou’s” meandering “story.”
Of course, the jumpy narrative and the hodgepodge of events and the many other random goings on in the film could probably be explained away with some heavy commentary on the confusion and torment and fear surrounding that transition from preteen to teen. I’m positive that’s what writer and director Shunji Iwai was shooting for when he crafted “All About Lily Chou.” And on some levels it works. On some it doesn’t. You’re going to have to decide for yourself.
Alexander’s Rating: 7.5/10
"Suspiria" Japanese Theatrical Poster
Collider reports that The Sitter’s David Gordon Green is on board to direct a remake of Dario Argento’s most successful film, Suspiria. The 1977 Italian horror film is about an American dance student who transfers to an academy in Germany, only to discover that it’s dominated by witchcraft.
Director David Gordon Green doesn’t seem like a prime candidate for a horror film, especially since his name is widely associated with comedies like Your Highness and The Sitter – but what most people don’t know is he has as much experience making hard-hitting dramas like All the Real Girls and Snow Angels; and with 2004’s Undertow, he isn’t exactly a stranger to horror films either.
Be sure and check back for more updates. Until then, watch the trailer for the original Suspiria.
Let the Bullets Fly Blu-ray & DVD (Well Go USA)
Website Chinese Films reports that the China Film Directors’ Guild Awards recently took place on April 8th in Beijing. The action-comedy Let the Bullets Fly ended up making a big impression at the star-studded event. The 2011 film, starring Chow Yun Fat, earned director Jiang Wen a Best Director award. Chow Yun Fat’s co-star, Ge You, took home the Best Actor trophy.
Director Jiang Wen said, “I treasure this award very much. Other awards can be received by my hands, but this one I received with my heart and soul.” He also announced that his next project is underway and that Chow Yun Fat and Ge You will likely be involved. Don’t forget that Let the Bullets Fly is still slated for a April 24, 2012 release on Blu-ray and DVD from distributor Well Go USA.
Starlet Zhang Ziyi was on hand at the event and went home with the Best Actress award for her role in the HIV-themed drama Love For Life. The Directors’ Guild Award also selected the most anticipated Chinese films for the rest of 2012 and among them were several titles we’ve spotlighted here at Cityonfire.com, including: Guns N’ Roses, The Last Supper, Design of Death, and An Inaccurate Memoir.
“The Raid” International Theatrical Poster
Director: Gareth Evans
Cast: Iko Uwais, Joe Taslim, Donny Alamsyah, Yayan Ruhian, Pierre Gruno, Tegar Setrya, Ray Sahetapy, Eka “Piranha” Rahmadia, Verdi Solaiman, Iang Darmawan
Running Time: 101 min.
By HKFanatic
Like most martial arts buffs, I was a fan of writer/director Gareth Evans’ and star Iko Uwais’ first collaboration, 2009’s “Merauntau.” But as good as that movie was – and it certainly had its bone-breaking highlights – there was little in it to suggest that the duo were capable of something like “The Raid.”
This film arrives with what feels like a year’s worth of Internet buzz, ever since it premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2011. Sony has finally begun to trickle “The Raid” out into theaters nationwide, now with a soundtrack from Linkin Park member Mike Shinoda, and I’m pleased to report that “The Raid” lives up to the fever of hype surrounding it. This is the movie that we action fans didn’t even know we were craving.
Gareth Evans and company have managed to combine the relentless bloodsplatter of a vintage John Woo film like “Bullet to the Head” with the kind of intensely choreographed, exhausting-just-to-watch fight choreography we would expect after “Merantau.” But there is also a level of brutality here that is rarely found in a martial arts film, linking it with the likes of “Oldboy” and other Korean revenge pictures (I would not be surprised if the early appearance of a hammer is meant as an homage to Chan-wook Park’s film). Wrap all this around a simple but fun premise reminiscent of classic siege flicks like John Carpenter’s “Assault on Precinct 13” and you have a guaranteed fan favorite that we’ll still be talking about years from now. “The Raid” is perhaps the first fight flick to truly impress since Tony Jaa’s “Tom-Yum-Goong” back in 2005; in other words, the bar as been raised.
I’m not without a few nitpicks. Surprisingly, it’s easy to lose focus on Iko Uwais during the film’s first 30 minutes or so, as his character blurs into the background with the rest of his SWAT team. Several of his teammates could have stood for more characterization as well. Sure, most of them are cannon fodder – but what about the guy who holds his own and fights alongside Iko through the narcotics lab? He could have at least been granted a line of dialogue. Some part of me also longs for the days when blood and knife wounds were brought to life via make-up effects rather than computer trickery, but if digital effects allow Gareth Evans to make a film like this for only a million bucks then CG blood is a small price to pay. Regardless, picking apart “The Raid” is like criticizing the color of your parachute while sky-diving. You’re just plain missing the point.
At its heart, “The Raid” is a film that seeks to restore the communal aspect of theater going. See this movie with even a minimal amount of people at your screening and I guarantee no one will be texting or talking during it. Instead, they’ll be hollering, applauding, or gasping at least once every five minutes – and you’ll be right there with them. This film is a shot of adrenaline straight to the heart of any true martial arts or action junkie. Unlike other recent fight movies like “Bangkok Knockout,” “The Raid” comes across as more than just a glorified stunt reel thanks to the immersive cinematography that not only creates an atmosphere thick with mood but manages to capture kinetic action, like two opponents running at each other across a table, in a way that feels new and exciting. The bottom line: Hollywood has some catching up to do. “The Raid” is so adamant about entertaining its audience that it makes most other genre movies look like they’re not even trying.
HKFanatic’s Rating: 10/10
Female Convict Scorpion Blu-ray (Tokyo Shock)
Hopefully you have a taste for Japanese exploitation/grindhouse-style flicks as that’s mostly what’s on the agenda for this week. Without further adieu, here are your Blu-ray and DVD releases for the week of 4/10/12:
ASIAN CINEMA
Female Convict Scorpion (Blu-ray) – Tokyo Shock brings this 2008 Japanese exploitation flick to hi-def
True Story of a Women in Jail: Sex Hell (DVD) – well, that title kind of says it all, doesn’t it? Unrated Japanese eroticism for your viewing pleasure
Debauchery (DVD) – more Japanese pinku fun from Impulse Pictures. Talk about Tokyo decadence!
FOREIGN CINEMA
Don 2 (DVD) – the King is back! Shah Rukh Khan stars in the 2011 sequel to the Indian film “Don,” a globe-trotting action thriller. Shame that there’s no Blu-ray release for us Westerners, though
Conversation Piece / Gruppo Di Famiglia In Un Interno (Blu-ray) – RaroVideo USA brings this 1974 Italian film starring Burt Lancaster to Blu-ray
One Night Stand (Alibis) (DVD) – this 1977 British film about about an English man searching for meaning after his wife’s suicide was shot entirely in Hong Kong
King of Devil’s Island (DVD) – a 2011 film about a Norwegian boy’s correctional facility, starring Stellan Skarsgard
ANIMATION
Justice League: Doom (Blu-ray/DVD) – find out what happens when Batman’s own contingency plans for his Justice League teammates are used against them in this 2012 animated feature
MAINSTREAM
The Iron Lady (Blu-ray/DVD) – actress Meryl Streep stars as the famous British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in this 2011 biopic
The Darkest Hour (Blu-ray/DVD) – this 2011 American film about an alien invasion in Russia failed to make waves at the box office but perhaps it will find an audience on home video
Terrorists (Blu-ray/DVD) – Sean Connery stars as a hostage negotiator in this little known, tense 1975 thriller
Don Juan (Blu-ray) – Johnny Depp and Marlon Brando star in this 1995 quirky romantic comedy, with Depp as a man who thinks he’s the legendary lover Don Juan
The Veteran (DVD) – a young soldier returns to America from the conflict in Afghanistan and finds himself suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder in this bleak ‘n gritty 2011 film
CULT/INDEPENDENT
Thou Shalt Not Kill…Except (Blu-Ray) – the 1985 cult classic is on Blu-ray from Synapse Films. Director Sam Raimi stars as an evil, Charles Manson-like cult leader!
Sleeping Beauty (DVD) – Emily Browning of “Sucker Punch” fame stars as an unconventional sex worker in this controversial 2011 feature
Into the Abyss (Blu-ray/DVD) – Werner Herzog’s 2011 documentary examines life on death row
CLASSICS
A Trip to the Moon (Blu-ray) – it doesn’t get much more ‘classic’ than George Melies’ 1902 silent science-fiction film, now in hi-definition
A Streetcar Named Desire (Blu-ray) – Marlon Brando ignites the screen in this classic 1951 film, now on Blu-ray
Last of the Mohicans (DVD) – a 1936 retelling of James Fenimore Cooper’s classic novel
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!
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on High Forces (2024) ReviewBaby Assassins' Mahiro is also confirmed by director Yugo Sakamoto to have au… on High Forces (2024) ReviewPaul, I dunno how you looked at the editing in this film and didn't want to i… on High Forces (2024) ReviewThat’s kind of odd how the hero and villain are both bi-polar. What were the… on Enter Ke Huy Quan, the action star! Quan takes on Lionsgate’s ‘Fairytale In New York’ from ‘Sisu’ director Jalmari HelanderIf Ke Huy Quan is going to be killing bad guys as violently as they were in S…
on Panda Plan (2024) ReviewSo, I watched the films and my suspicions concerning the film's quality, due… on High Forces (2024) ReviewHey Kevin, in the credits Amy Lee is billed as the Action Team Co-ordinator,…
on High Forces (2024) ReviewI wonder who was the action director. This movie did the exact same business… on High Forces (2024) ReviewAndy Lau needs to be taken into a lab and studied. How is he still so handsom… on Street Fighter II-sploitation? Watch Eureka’s New Trailer for Wong Jing’s 1993 all-star Hong Kong actioner ‘Future Cops’I’ve finally watched this movie, and I’m glad I waited for a proper release.… on Bangkok Dog (2024) ReviewSounds like it would make a good double feature with Shadow Master. I can dea…
on Bangkok Dog (2024) ReviewI'm stoked to see this. I watched Shadow Master on Tubi a while back and was… on Baccarat – game explanation, strategy, and tips[…] cityonfire / ผู้เขียน JJ […]
on Cat III doesn’t get any more ‘horrible’ than this! Massacre Video’s ‘Horrible High Heels’ arriving on Blu-ray in Novemberhttps://asianmoviepulse.com/2021/03/film-review-horrible-high-heels-1996-by-c… on That woman deserves her revenge and we deserve 4K Ultra HD! ‘Kill Bill’ saga soon to be announced from LionsgateI’ve been holding off on joining the 4K club, but the 4 hour Kill Bill would… on Shadow Strays, The (2024) ReviewYes, sometimes the right line does the job, but I’m also a proponent of “show… on That woman deserves her revenge and we deserve 4K Ultra HD! ‘Kill Bill’ saga soon to be announced from LionsgateI've been waiting for an official bluray release of this since 2006/7. Theres…
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