Gemma Arterton to star in unofficial remake of Japanese film ‘2LDK’?

Posted on April 12, 2012 by Z Ravas

"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

Posted in News |

‘The Ring’ enters the third dimension with ‘Sadako 3D’ – new pictures!

Posted on April 12, 2012 by Z Ravas

"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.

Posted in News |

The Girl from the Naked Eye DVD (First Look Pictures)

Posted on April 11, 2012 by JJ Bona
The Girl from the Naked Eye DVD (First Look Pictures)

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.

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

Jaws: Universal’s 100th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray & DVD (Universal)

Posted on April 11, 2012 by JJ Bona
Jaws: Universal's 100th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray & DVD (Universal)

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.

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

All About Lily Chou-Chou (2001) Review

Posted on April 10, 2012 by JJ Bona
All About Lily Chou-Chou | Blu-ray (Film Movement)

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

Posted in All, Japanese, News, Reviews |

Argento’s ‘Suspiria’ to be remade by ‘Pineapple Express’ director

Posted on April 10, 2012 by JJ Bona
"Suspiria" Japanese Theatrical Poster

"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.

Posted in News |

‘Let the Bullets Fly’ cleans up at the China Film Directors’ Guild Awards

Posted on April 9, 2012 by Z Ravas
Let the Bullets Fly Blu-ray & DVD (Well Go USA)

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.

Posted in News |

Raid, The (2011) Review

Posted on April 8, 2012 by Z Ravas
"The Raid" International Theatrical Poster

“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

Posted in Indonesian, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , |

Blu-ray and DVD Releases for 4/10/12

Posted on April 8, 2012 by Z Ravas
Female Convict Scorpion Blu-ray (Tokyo Shock)

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!

Posted in News |

‘Sleepless Night’ promises ‘Die Hard in a nightclub’

Posted on April 8, 2012 by Z Ravas

"Sleepless Night" American Theatrical Poster

The 2011 French action-thriller Sleepless Night has garnered rave reviews online, with some critics even dubbing it ‘Die Hard in a nightclub.’ The film follows a disgraced police detective out to save his young son’s life by returning some stolen drugs to a mob boss. The drug deal is set to take place in the boss’ swank club but everything that can go wrong, does go wrong and it ends up becoming a, well, sleepless night for all parties involved.

Written and directed by Frederic Jardin, the film’s action sequences have already drawn comparisons to the Bourne movies and 24. You can check out the trailer courtesy of Apple Quicktime. Sleepless Night will be available on iTunes and other On Demand services starting April 17th, with a limited theatrical release set to follow on May 11th.

Posted in News |

Chinese box office is no sleeping dragon

Posted on April 6, 2012 by Z Ravas

"Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol" Chinese Theatrical Poster

The first three months of 2012 set a new record for box office earnings in China, according to the website Chinese Films. Domestic titles like Tony Leung’s The Magician and the romantic comedy LOVE earned high grosses, however no Chinese films managed to reach 200 million yuan in sales.

In comparison, the Hollywood blockbuster Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol has bagged a whopping 647 million yaun – and is still being screened in China.  In fact, 46% of the box office in China this year belongs to American films, which are proving to be stiff competition for homegrown features. Read more at the link.

Posted in News |

New UK trailer for Cecilia Cheung’s ‘Legendary Amazons’

Posted on April 6, 2012 by JJ Bona
"Legendary Amazons" Teaser Poster

"Legendary Amazons" Teaser Poster

The poster for the upcoming action-drama Legendary Amazons has been revealed. Director Frankie Chan Fun Kei (who is famous for his endless line of Hong Kong film scores) says that he added the romance involving Mu Guiying (Cecilia Cheung) and Yang Zongbao (Richie Jen), so that the movie had more to offer than just the brutality of war. He also pointed out that even Big Brother Jackie Chan was touched after seeing a rough cut of the film.

To read full story, please visit the source.

Updates: Asian Cult Cinema has your first look at the trailer for the film. TheGoldenRock of LoveHKFilm reports via Twitter that Legendary Amazons has made only HK$210k from 20 screens over 4 days. It’s not likely the film will even achieve HK$1 million. This has fueled some speculation that Cecilia Cheung has become box office poison.

BREAKING NEWS: Legendary Amazons may be old news at the Chinese box office but it’s only about to be released in the UK on May 14, 2012. You can scope out a new UK trailer at Beyond Hollywood. Meanwhile, your friends at online retailer DDDHouse offer Legendary Amazons on All-Region DVD.

Posted in Asian Import Titles, News |

Rolling Thunder (1977) Review

Posted on April 3, 2012 by Jeff Bona
"Rolling Thunder" Japanese Theatrical Poster

“Rolling Thunder” Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: John Flynn
Cast: William Devane, Tommy Lee Jones, Linda Haynes, James Best, Dabney Coleman, Luke Askew
Running Time: 95 min.

By Jeff Bona

Being the film nut that I am, I feel like I should have seen this movie years ago. Even its title explodes with coolness. When I think of Rolling Thunder, two things come to mind: The first is an unrelated 1986 video game called Rolling Thunder, a side-scrolling classic by Namco. Not to get into geek mode, but this quarter-eater is a childhood favorite of mine. The second is Rolling Thunder Pictures, Quentin Tarantino’s now-defunct film label that specialized in independent, cult and foreign films like Wong Kar Wai’s Chungking Express, Takeshi Kitano’s Sonatine and the grindhouse flick, Switchblade Sisters.

It should come by no surprise that Tarantino named the film label after 1977’s Rolling Thunder, which obviously means it’s one of his all-time favorite movies.

Directed by John Flynn (Lock Up) and written by Paul Schrader (Taxi Driver), Rolling Thunder is about a traumatized war veteran named Major Charles Rane (William Devane), who has just returned to his Texas hometown and reunited with his family. To celebrate his heroic duty, the state of Texas presents him with a new Cadillac and a suitcase full of silver dollars. Little does Rane know that a band of outlaws are secretly plotting to take the silver dollars away from him, using whatever force necessary.

If you read between the lines, you can figure out that Rolling Thunder gets ugly (notice the film’s Japanese poster which clearly shows that William Devane’s character has a ‘hook’ for a hand). The first half is a painful melodrama that’s difficult to watch. The second half shifts more towards a traditional action movie, showcasing the kind of ultra-violence that would make Sam Peckinpah proud. The film’s finale is reminiscent of John Woo’s The Killer (1989) and John Flynn’s own, Out for Justice (1991), which makes Rolling Thunder way ahead of its time.

Due to its obscurity, Rolling Thunder rarely gets the credit it deserves. The movie has been out-of-print for years, making it difficult to find, unless you were able to snag an original VHS copy or fortunate enough to catch it on cable TV.

You don’t have to be the world’s biggest William Devane fan to appreciate Rolling Thunder. Other than his memorable appearance in 1999’s Payback, I don’t think I’ve seen him in anything else. He’s actually full of charisma and charm. I should also mention that Tommy Lee Jones co-stars; even back then, the guy lit up the screen. It’s not surprising that he would become the respected actor he is today.

If you’re a fan of gritty 1970s cinema – particularly violent titles like Taxi Driver, Straw Dogs and Death Wish – then Rolling Thunder is an absolute must see.

Jeff Bona‘s Rating: 8/10

Posted in Other Movies, Reviews | Tagged , , , |

Red Scorpion Blu-ray & DVD (Synapse Films)

Posted on April 3, 2012 by JJ Bona
Red Scorpion Blu-ray & DVD (Synapse Films)

Red Scorpion Blu-ray & DVD (Synapse Films)

RELEASE DATE: June 12, 2012

Synapse Films presents the Blu-ray for 1989’s Red Scorpion, directed by Invasion U.S.A.’s Joseph Zito and starring the one and only Dolph Lundgren. The plot centers around a Russian KGB agent is sent to Africa to kill an anti-Communist black revolutionary, but his plans come to halt when he finds out what the real dealio is. Let the Expendables 2 cash-in begin! Check out the trailer.

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

The latest on ‘Dragon Eyes’ starring Cung Le and Van Damme – see it on May 11, 2012

Posted on April 2, 2012 by JJ Bona
"Dragon Eyes" UK Blu-ray Cover

"Dragon Eyes" UK Blu-ray Cover

THE MOVIE: In New Orleans, a mysterious man looks to unite two warring gangs against the lawmen who have been using them to advance their corrupt agenda. Directed by Universal Soldier: Regeneration’s John Hyams and starring Cung Le, Jean-Claude Van Damme and Peter Weller.

Updates: Check out an interview with Cung Le here. In addition to horror, After Dark is now producing action films in collaboration with Joel Silver’s Dark Castle Entertainment. One of the titles announced will be Dragon Eyes, which is scheduled to be released later this year. Cung Le uploaded a documentary to YouTube which is mostly about him training for his UFC fights but if you fast forward to about 21:58, you can see some new footage from Dragon Eyes. Teaser poster, courtesy of impawards. To me, it sorta looks like a fan made poster. Whatever the case, it will do for now.

The UK Blu-ray/DVD is coming April 09, 2012. UK trailer is now available. It looks like May 11, 2012 will be American audiences’ first chance to see Dragon Eyes via Video On Demand or in select theaters. The film will be part of After Dark’s new Action fest, the details of which you can read over at Beyond Hollywood. Other films to look forward to include Scott Adkins in El Gringo and a Dolph Lundgren thriller called Stash House.

BREAKING NEWS: New extended trailer.

Posted in News |
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