Dragon Lives Again DVD (CFC Releasing)

Posted on January 2, 2012 by JJ Bona
Dragon Lives Again DVD (CFC Releasing)

Dragon Lives Again DVD (CFC Releasing)

RELEASE DATE: March 20, 2012

Dragon Lives Again (not to be confused — or related to — the superior Bruce Li film, The Dragon Lives) is fantasy-comedy flick that takes place after Bruce Lee’s passing in 1973. The film starts with “Bruce” (Bruce Leong) rising from his death and waking up in a mysterious after-life universe where people like James Bond, The Godfather, The Blind Swordsman and Popeye roam the streets. Read cityonfire.com’s review and check out the intro credits.

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

Blu-Ray and DVD Releases for 1/3/12

Posted on January 2, 2012 by Z Ravas
One-Armed Blade DVD Collection (First Look Pictures)

One-Armed Blade DVD Collection (First Look Pictures)

Welcome to the first week of the new year! As far as blu-ray and DVD retail goes, 2012 is off to a slow start, with just one Asian film on the slate for this week.

But hey, Warner Home Video is going crazy with a selection of 3-disc blu-ray sets, which combine three loosely related films in one package for only $22.49. Not too shabby. Just forgive me for repeating the price ad infinitum.

Without further adieu, here are your Asian and genre movie blu-ray and DVD releases for the week of 1/3/12:

ASIAN CINEMA

One Armed Blade Collection (DVD) – this two film set features 1976’s “One-Armed Swordsman” and “One Armed Swordsman Against Nine Killers,” which are unofficial entries in the One Armed Swordsman series but still star Jimmy Wang Yu and David Chiang. Mighty Peking Man says to view these two films as the “Never Say Never Again” of the OAS series

FOREIGN CINEMA

I’m Glad My Mother is Alive (DVD) – a 2011 French language film, based on the startling true story of a young man who becomes obsessed with tracking down his long lost birth mother

MAINSTREAM

Contagion (blu-ray/DVD) – Steven Soderbergh’s 2011 tale of a deadly virus makes its way to home formats

Puncture (blu-ray/DVD) – this 2011 legal thriller allows Captain America himself, Chris Evans, to stretch his acting chops as a drug-addicted lawyer

The Guard (blu-ray/DVD) – Brendan Gleeson and Don Cheadle try to make nice in this 2011 would-be buddy comedy

HORROR

Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark (blu-ray/DVD) – this 2011 chiller stars Guy Pearce and Katie Holmes, and was produced by “Pan’s Labyrinth” and “Blade 2” director Guillermo Del Toro

Shark Night (blu-ray/DVD) – looks like they dropped the “3D” from the title for the home format release, but this is still the same 2011 film where Bill Paxton’s daughter is terrorized by sharks in a lake bed. Unfortunately, this doesn’t appear to be an unrated cut

Red: Werewolf Hunter (DVD) – internet icon Felicia Day stars in this action-leaning 2010 update on the Red Riding Hood tale

Don’t Let Him In (DVD) – a 2011 indie horror film about a hitchhiker who might be something more than he seems

Attack of the Vegan Zombies (DVD) – this 2009 zombie spoof has surprisingly high ratings on Amazon

TRIPLE FEATURES

The Searchers/The Wild Bunch/How the West Was Won (Triple Feature) (blu-ray) – John Wayne and Sam Peckinpah are together at last, or at least they are in this set that combines three classic Westerns in one blu-ray package for only $22.49

Above the Law/Under Siege/Under Siege 2: Dark Territory (Triple Feature) (blu-ray) – arguably Steven Seagal’s most popular and endearing films – well, except for Dark Territory – are now collected in one blu-ray package for $22.49

Twister/Poseidon/The Perfect Storm (Triple Feature) (blu-ray) – get a triple dose of big screen disaster with these three movies where the elements are out to get you. They’re going for $22.49

Alexander Revisited/Troy/300 (Triple Feature) (blu-ray) – get your toga ready for this triple pack of swords-and-sandals epic, which goes for $22.49 on Amazon

Point of No Return/Domino/The Long Kiss Goodnight (Triple Feature) (blu-ray) – think women are the fairer gender? You might not after watching these three films featuring deadly lady assassins and bounty hunters. Again, this set retails for $22.49

V for Vendetta/Watchmen/Constantine (Triple Feature) (blu-ray) – your favorite Alan Moore graphic novel tales come to life in this triple film set. But if you’re one of those fans who think Hollywood butchered Moore’s work, I suppose you won’t want to pay $22.49 for them

Se7en/Copycat/Taking Lives (Triple Feature) (blu-ray) – a blu-ray triple feature for those who just love their dark and rainy serial killer movies, going for $22.49

Friday the 13th/A Nightmare on Elm Street/Freddy vs. Jason (Triple Feature) (blu-ray) – see where Jason and Freddy began, then watch them duke it out in this blu-ray set retailing for $22.49

Red Planet/2010/Contact (Triple Feature) (blu-ray) – this has to be the oddest match-up. They may all be sci-fi but I find it a stretch to combine the sequel to “2001: A Space Odyssey” with one of Val Kilmer’s last starring vehicles. Anyhow, no surprise it goes for $22.49

Friday/Menace II Society/Set It Off (Triple Feature) (blu-ray) – a triple pack of urban comedy and drama, for only $22.49

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 |

Frauleins in Uniform DVD aka She-Devils Of The S.S. (MVD)

Posted on January 1, 2012 by JJ Bona
Frauleins in Uniform DVD aka She-Devils Of The S.S.

Frauleins in Uniform DVD aka She-Devils Of The S.S.

RELEASE DATE: March 20, 2012

Erwin C. Dietrich Frauleins in Uniform’s (aka Fraulein Without a Uniform, The Cutthroats) is a landmark in the history of bad Nazi sexploitation films. Towards the end of World War II, women from throughout Germany begin volunteering to fulfill the sexual needs of Nazi soldiers serving on the Russian front. Now, the feisty frauleins begin turning the battlefield into their own nude playground. Don’t these babes know that there’s a war on? Not to be confused with Don Edmonds’s Ilsa: She Wolf of the S.S. or the Rob Zombie Grindhouse trailer Werewolf Women of the S.S.

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

Love Exposure (2008) Review

Posted on December 31, 2011 by Z Ravas
"Love Exposure" International Theatrical Poster

“Love Exposure” International Theatrical Poster

Director: Sion Sono
Writer: Sion Sono
Producer: Haruo Umekawa
Cast: Takahiro Nishijima, Hikari Mitsushima, Sakura Ando, Makiko Watanabe, Atsuro Watabe
Running Time: 237 min.

By HKFanatic

This is a film whose reputation precedes it – that of being one long-ass movie. “Love Exposure” is “Suicide Club” director Sion Sono’s four hour ode to love, Christianity, upskirt photography, and awkward erections. To be honest, I put “Love Exposure” into my DVD player rather late at night and didn’t expect to make it through the entire picture in one sitting. Even as a fan of Sono’s work, I had to figure that viewers were exaggerating when that said “Love Exposure’s” four hours flew right by. And yet my attention remained riveted to the screen for the movie’s entire runtime, which felt about half as long as it really was. This is simply the most immersive cinematic experience I’ve had since Gasper Noe’s “Enter the Void.” “Love Exposure” is very Japanese, potentially offensive, but also highly recommended to anyone with an interest in Asian film.

Much like “Enter the Void,” “Love Exposure” is one of the most novel-like films I’ve ever seen. The story unfolds in chapters and each one is typically narrated from a different character’s point-of-view. The title of the movie doesn’t actually flash across the screen until about 40 minutes into the picture. This opening act is fairly humorous at times, as our main protagonist Yu (Takahiro Nishijima) learns the ways of stealth upskirt photography, but it’s not until his love interest Yoko (Hikari Mitsushima) is introduced that the story really gets interesting. You see, Yu meets and falls in love with Yoko while he’s in drag – so Yoko develops a crush on the woman that she thinks Yu is. Things get even more complicated when an evil cult called the Zero Church tries to turn Yoko against Yu. Believe it or not, “Love Exposure” is based partially on the true account of Sion Sono’s friend, a worker in the pornography industry who was able to rescue a girl from a cult. Among other things, the film offers the sincere message that, hey, it’s okay to be a pervert. As Yu says, “Being a pervert is just another way to live one’s life.”

The story takes many twists and turns that are impossible to predict, and it’s to Sion Sono’s credit that the film rarely lags or feels slow-paced. With such a bizarre concept, “Love Exposure” is the kind of film that could have fallen flat on its face if the actors weren’t committed to the material. But the cast, in particular our two leads Takahiro Nishijima and Hikari Mitsushima, really sell you on the reality of the film. These kids believe in the material. And surely their expressive faces were meant for the cinema: Hikari Mutsushima is such a cutie, it’s not hard to believe that Takahiro’s character would become infatuated with her.

Surprisingly, Sion Sono managed to shoot “Love Exposure” is just a month’s time. The original cut was reportedly six hours before producers told Sono to edit it down. It’s a testament to this film’s quality that I would actually be interested in viewing an even longer cut. The budget was obviously low so don’t expect superb production values; “Love Exposure” isn’t much to look at but Sono made the most of what he had. The no-frills cinematography ends up putting the emphasis on the actors, which works in “Love Exposure’s” favor. Someday, though, someone is going to give Sono a halfway decent budget and the result will most likely blow our minds.

“Love Exposure” is undoubtedly one of the best Japanese films I’ve seen. The constant shots of Japanese’s girls panties, the occasional arterial spray and genital mutilation, and the brief detour into the sex industry mean that the film’s audience might be limited. But despite the somewhat perverted context for everything, “Love Exposure” comes across as a genuinely sweet and innocent-minded film. At its heart, “Love Exposure” is a simple teenage love story. Sion Sono has crafted an irreverent take on the Christian faith that by the end actually manages to confirm all of its tenets. It reminds us of the power of first love, and how deep down we want to believe that love triumphs over all, no matter what tragic turns life throws at us. To receive love, you must give love…and sometimes that means exposing yourself in the most vulnerable of ways. I think in this film, Yu would say it’s worth the risk.

HKFanatic’s Rating: 10/10

Posted in Japanese, Reviews | Tagged |

Bunraku stakes its claim on Netflix Instant

Posted on December 31, 2011 by Z Ravas

Bunraku DVD (ARC Entertainment)

"Bunraku" American Theatrical Poster

Bunraku is a one of a kind film, a genre mash-up that combines elements of the Western, the noir, and the classic kung fu movie. The 2009 film, directed by Guy Moshe and starring Josh Hartnett, Japanese rock god Gackt, Woody Harrelson, and Ron Pearlman, is now streaming on Netflix Instant in HD. Check out our review here and queue up the movie if you’re in the mood for a surreal cinematic experience.

Posted in News |

Zaat Blu-ray & DVD (Film Chest)

Posted on December 30, 2011 by JJ Bona
Zaat Blu-ray & DVD (Film Chest)

Zaat Blu-ray & DVD (Film Chest)

RELEASE DATE: February 21, 2012

Zaat, also known as Attack of the Swamp Creatures, Legend of the Zaat Monster or The Blood Waters of Dr. Z, Hydra, a mad scientist/ex-Nazi plans to transform himself into a mutated walking catfish, gain revenge on those who have spurned him, and kidnap nubile young women to similarly transform so that he can breed. Check out the trailer.

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

Corman’s World: Exploits of a Hollywood Rebel Blu-ray & DVD (Anchor Bay)

Posted on December 28, 2011 by JJ Bona
Corman's World: Exploits of a Hollywood Rebel Blu-ray & DVD (Anchor Bay)

Corman's World: Exploits of a Hollywood Rebel Blu-ray & DVD (Anchor Bay)

RELEASE DATE: March 27, 2012

Corman’s World: Exploits of a Hollywood Rebel is a tribute to Roger Corman, Hollywood’s most prolific writer-director producer, and seminal influencing force in modern moviemaking over the last 60 years.

Featuring interviews with Hollywood icons and cinematic luminaries, some who launched their careers within Corman’s unforgettable world of filmmaking, including Paul W.S. Anderson, Peter Bogdanovich, Robert De Niro, Peter Fonda, Pam Grier, Ron Howard, Eli Roth, Martin Scorsese, William Shatner and Jack Nicholson, along with many others, this documentary chronicles how Corman created his cult film empire, one low-budget success at a time, capitalizing on undiscovered talent, and pushing the boundaries of independent filmmaking. Check out the trailer.

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

Champions | aka Duo Biao (2008) Review

Posted on December 27, 2011 by JJ Bona
"Champions" Chinese Theatrical Poster

“Champions” Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Tsui Siu Ming
Writer: Tsui Siu Ming
Producer: Tom Cheung, Amy Lee, Tsui Siu Ming
Cast: Dicky Cheung Wai Kin, Tse Miu, Debbie Ng Tin Yu, Priscilla Wong Cuiru, Chui Heung Tung, Wai Chi Ho, Yu Rong Guang, Maria Cordero, Lee Fai
Running Time: 117 min.

By HKFanatic

If you thought “Ip Man 2” and “Jet Li’s Fearless” went a wee bit overboard with their jingoistic ‘ra ra China’ patriotism, then 2008’s “Champions” might just make your eyes roll permanently into the back of your head.

This film, made to commemorate China’s hosting of the ’08 Olympics, takes a look back at the first year the country took part in the celebrated games (1936). The result is an inspirational martial arts/sports drama that takes its national pride to such extremes that it will mostly likely prove comical to all but the most devoted. This is “Karate Kid” repurposed into “Kung Fu Nation”; a movie about how China can do anything it sets its mind to if its countrymen just put their selfishness aside and do what’s best for the collective. Don’t be surprised if phrases like “Let’s take China to the Olympics!” become an in-joke between you and anyone who watches the movie with you.

The thing about Chinese/Hong Kong cinema, though, is that they’ve always had the best martial arts sequences in the world. And “Champions” does not disappoint in that regard. During the first twenty minutes, I honestly thought the movie was going to be something like a Chinese version of “Newsies,” especially after the cast gave an extended acrobatic performance through the city streets. But it doesn’t take long for the film to ramp up the pace and give way to several lengthy fight sequences. Sure, there are a few blatant and distracting instances of wire-fu but, overall, the fight scenes are extremely well-choreographed and hard-hitting. If you can put up with the syrupy melodrama and the blatant propaganda of the rest of the movie, martial arts buffs should find “Champions” entertaining enough. Hey, if Michael Bay can turn the “Transformers” movies into thinly-veiled military recruitment ads, can’t China have their “Champions”?

The main character in the film is played by comedian Dicky Cheung, who reportedly spent months training in martial arts for the role. His work seems to have paid off as he looks believable in a fight but I wish I could say the same about his acting. LoveHKFilm describes Cheung as a “wannabe Steven Chow,” which seems dead-on to me. His self-satisfied and overly loud character not only feels incongruous with the period setting of the film, but he’s just plain grating to watch. Note to filmmakers: it doesn’t help your movie when the protagonist is an annoying showboat who never takes off his golf visor. I can’t say I ever really felt sympathy for the guy, despite the screenplay’s many ups and downs. Cheung may be enormously popular in China but as far as I’m concerned he can’t carry a movie.

Fortunately, the film is rounded out by able supporting players. You may not recognize Xie Miao but chances are you’ve seen him before: as a child, he played Jet Li’s son in not one but two movies, “My Father is a Hero” and “Legend of the Red Dragon.” Over a decade has passed since those those films but Xie Miao doesn’t appear to have missed a beat; he’s still a talented martial artist and a strong screen presence. His more straight-faced, level-headed character is a welcome antidote to Dicky Cheung’s over-acting. Also look for martial arts legend Yu Rong-Guang (“Iron Monkey,” “Shanghai Noon”), a graduate of the famous Peking Opera School, and Xu Xiang-Dong (“14 Blades,” “White Vengeance”), who manages to steal every seen he’s in as a bloodthirsty practitioner of the Eagle Claw kung fu style.

“Champions” is easy to poke fun at if you’re viewing the film as an outsider, someone not overcome with Chinese pride. But the truth is that it’s not a bad little kung fu flick and it’s great to see Xie Miao tearing up the screen once again. I find “Champions” easy to recommend to action fans with a high tolerance for syrupy melodrama. The fight scenes don’t disappoint and the music is appropriately melodic and over-the-top, complimenting the movie in a Disney-esque fashion. In fact, that’s what the whole movie rather feels like: the Chinese equivalent of a motivational Disney movie, just with a whole lot of ass-kicking.

HKFanatic’s Rating: 6.5/10

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

Killer’s Moon: Remastered Blu-ray & DVD (Redemption)

Posted on December 27, 2011 by JJ Bona
Killer's Moon: Remastered Blu-ray & DVD (Redemption)

Killer's Moon: Remastered Blu-ray & DVD (Redemption)

RELEASE DATE: March 13, 2012

Redemption presents Alan Birkinshaw’s 1978 cult classic Killer’s Moon! Four mental patients – who, due to unauthorized experiments, believe they’re living in a dream and have shed all moral imperatives – escape and find their way to the nearest bus-load of stranded schoolgirls. Check out the trailer!

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

Virgin Witch: Remastered Blu-ray & DVD (Redemption)

Posted on December 27, 2011 by JJ Bona
Virgin Witch: Remastered Blu-ray & DVD (Redemption)

Virgin Witch: Remastered Blu-ray & DVD (Redemption)

RELEASE DATE: March 13, 2012

British sirens Ann Michelle (House of Whipcord) and Vicki Michelle (‘Allo ‘Allo) star in this 1972 cult-classic! Christine gets her big chance at modelling when she applies at Sybil Waite’s agency. Together with Christine’s sister Betty, they go to a castle for the weekend for a photo shoot. Sybil has lured Christine to the castle for more than modelling: she’s recruiting a virgin for induction into a witches’ coven led by the owner of the castle, Gerald. To their surprise, Christine is more than eager to join the coven but begins her own secret battle for control! Check out the trailer!

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

Blu-Ray and DVD Releases for 12/27/11

Posted on December 27, 2011 by Z Ravas
City Under Siege Blu-ray & DVD (Funimation)

City Under Siege Blu-ray & DVD (Funimation)

The last week of 2011 is indeed a slow one. But if you’re a horror buff, take heart as there seems to be a surplus of scary flicks this Tuesday. Here are your Asian and genre movie blu-ray and DVD releases for the week of 12/27/11:

ASIAN CINEMA

City Under Siege (Blu-ray + DVD combo) – director Benny Chan’s special effects-laden 2010 film stars Aaron Kwok, Shu Qi, and a whole lot of angry mutants

Fish Story (DVD) – can an obscure Japanese punk rock song prevent the apocalypse? Find out in this critically-acclaimed 2009 Japanese film, also streaming on Netflix Instant

Killer Bride’s Perfect Crime (DVD) – this 2009 “bride on the run” tale from Japan adds murder to the usual formula

FOREIGN CINEMA

Love Crime (DVD) – Kristin Scott Thomas stars in this 2011 French language film about two corporate women engaged in a power battle

Tuesday, After Christmas (DVD) – a 2011 Romanian language film about a man who is forced to choose between his wife and his mistress

Brighton Rock (DVD) – Sam Riley and Helen Mirren headline this 2011 British film that adapts Graham Greene’s famous novel to the big screen

MAINSTREAM

In the Name of the King 2: Two Worlds (blu-ray/DVD) – this time around, Dolph Lundgren headlines Uwe Boll’s latest questionable direct-to-video endeavor with this 2011 fantasy film

Inside Out (blu-ray/DVD) – this 2011 direct-to-video effort stars Triple H as a reformed convict alongside Michael Rapaport, Parker Posey, and Bruce Dern. Gee, one of those names is not like the other

CULT

Sid & Nancy (blu-ray) – this classic 1986 film about punk love gone wrong stars Gary Oldman and is arriving in hi-def this week

HORROR

Final Destination 5 (blu-ray/DVD) – this 2011 entry in the venerable horror franchise arguably got the series back on track. If you enjoy clueless young people dying in the most gruesome and elaborate ways, you can’t go wrong here

Apollo 18 (blu-ray/DVD) – another one of those “found footage” horror films, this 2011 flick has the added novelty of being set in space, where no one can hear you…well, you know

Hostel: Part III (blu-ray/DVD) – since “Cabin Fever” got a direct-to-video sequel, I suppose “Hostel” deserves one too, although this 2011 entry is from director Steven Spiegel, a genuinely respected name in horror

Chop (DVD) – billed as a “horror comedy,” this 2010 film is being released by Bloody Disgusting Selects, who are usually right on with their releases. They’re the ones who put out “Cold Fish” over here, after all

Tunnel Movie (DVD) – this 2011 Aussie movie appears to be another “found footage”-style film, this time set in the subway tunnels of Sydney, where a strange creature lurks

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 |

‘Helldriver’ brings Japanese splatterpunk to Netflix Instant

Posted on December 24, 2011 by Z Ravas
Helldriver Blu-ray/DVD (Well Go USA)

Helldriver Blu-ray/DVD (Well Go USA)

If you enjoy Sushi Typhoon’s particular brand of gonzo Japanese cinema – think Machine Gun Girl and Tokyo Gore Police – then you’ll probably find something to enjoy in their latest splatterpunk epic, Helldriver. It’s a roadtrip movie set in a near-future Japan overrun by flesh-eating zombies. The good news is that it’s now streaming on Netflix Instant in HD. See the movie that Twitch Film says “blows all boundaries of decency, good taste and proper film making”!

Posted in News |

Dream of a Warrior (2001) Review

Posted on December 24, 2011 by JJ Hatfield
"Dream of a Warrior" Korean Theatrical Poster

"Dream of a Warrior" Korean Theatrical Poster

Director: Park Hee-Joon
Producer: Kim Hyung-Joon
Cast: Leon Lai Ming, Lee Na-Young, Park Eun-Hye, Yoon Tae-Young, Kim Ji-Moo
Running Time: 84 min.

By JJ Hatfield

A tale of romance and time travel begins with action in a futuristic? form of Korea. Having a question mark in the first sentence should serve as a warning to the reader – there are many questionable aspects of this movie.

This film is billed as a Hong Kong – South Korean collaboration apparently due to Leon Lai speaking odd sounding Korean, if it really is Leon speaking. Lai plays a police officer who is good at martial arts and who has also been having strange dreams about a woman who seems somewhat familiar. He is assigned an extremely bizarre and dangerous mission that involves what is referred to as time travel and past lives however it might be more accurate to describe it as a parallel existence universe. Actually there isn’t much that is accurate about this movie. I’m not sure who created the subtitles but I don’t think they spoke Korean nor did they understand the plot. Not understanding the plot can be forgiven. I have to admit I cannot honestly say that I understood plot. Even if you speak Korean that really doesn’t help considering there isn’t much talking going on by any character.

Park Hee – Joon directed this muddled mess which is unfortunately nearly as bad as his 2008 Mandate: Mission From The Gods (Maen-de-i-teu: Sin-i-Joo-sin Im-moo). As far as a coherent plot is concerned it may actually be worse. Which brings us back to Lai’s task. A brilliant? scientist named Jang has created a time travel device which he used to send his young daughter Nam-hong to a past life/parallel world/someplace else. Unfortunately she seems to have gotten stuck in this other place where she is known as Rose (Park Eun-hye). Jang decides that Lai, Dean in the other place world would be the perfect guy to rescue his daughter. I was unable to fathom why Jang would make that decision unless he knew about Lai’s dreams however that was not included in the script apparently. In order For Dean to save Jang’s daughter he must first re-experience his time with Rose? Not only is it necessary to re-live this parallel other something love life with Rose before he can save Nam-hong this medieval-science fiction-futuristic otherworldish um, stuff takes up 90% of the movie. And that is a lot considering this flick clocked in At 90 minutes. However the Internet Movie Database website lists Dream of A Warrior with a runtime of one hundred minutes. What happened to the rest of that time? Who knows. Perhaps it went to that parallel universe. Or to be more correct at least according to the subtitles to the city of Dilmoon. I don’t know quite what the movie was going for with this city, but the result was something akin to a nuclear plant meltdown with backdrop mattes of pseudo-Star Wars.

Although the movie tagline is something about “fighting for love” the swirly love part takes up the majority of the screen time. The fights are few and far between and they are simply not special. Weapons include swords and guns that sort of come out of nowhere. The costumes are a schizophrenic mix of King Arthur-ish Camelot and wannabe S&M leather attire. This isn’t however a movie that reaches to bridge opposites, it simply doesn’t know what it wants to be.

Dean is a man of expression. Exactly one expression which he wears throughout the entire film. While this seems consistent with the movie it is odd for Leon Lai. Although perhaps more well known for his long career as a top Hong Kong pop singer Lai has been in a number of movies including Seven Swords, Infernal Affairs 3, and a Golden Horse award winning performance in Three. Having viewed many of his films I can only assume Dream of a Warrior rendered him as unenthusiastic as the audience. The character of Rose is even less interesting. If you do watch the film keep your eyes on Sho Sho (Lee Na-yeong) a leather clad warrior who fights for Dean. Sho Sho is by far the most interesting character in the entire movie who unfortunately doesn’t last through the entire movie. Far too lame to be considered a nightmare this movie is like many dreams that leaves only a dim recollection of confusing images.

JJ Hatfield’s Rating: 2/10

By Equinox21

Ouch. Ok, having just now sat down to write this review some 5 months after watching the movie, it is still no less painful to think about. So as not to lose my dinner, I will keep this short. The movie seemed to have elements of some of sci-fi’s least respected movies, such as Dune (which I personally enjoyed, however I hear that it’s not very widely enjoyed), Highlander TWO (yes, that abysmal piece of work seems to have been part of the inspiration for DoaW), and time travel (any time travel film you’ve seen). To put it mildly, this is by far the WORST Asian film I’ve ever had the misfortune to lay my eyes on. I’d really like my hour and a half back.

Leon Lai, what the hell were you thinking? His acting was stiff and uninspired (perhaps he realized the movie was going to be horrendous from the get go and never gave much effort, at least that wouldn’t surprise me). I don’t remember the character’s name, but the actress on the cover of the DVD has only a BIT part in the movie (so what is she doing on the cover? She either slept with the producer or she’s famous, I don’t know which).

Anyway, avoid this waste of time, money and sanity at all costs. You’ll be better off for it.

Equinox21’s Rating: 1/10

Posted in Chinese, Korean, Reviews | Tagged , |

Monster Brawl Blu-ray & DVD (Image)

Posted on December 21, 2011 by JJ Bona
Monster Brawl Blu-ray & DVD (Image)

Monster Brawl Blu-ray & DVD (Image)

RELEASE DATE: March 27, 2012

Eight classic monsters (Cyclops, Swamp Gut, Frankenstein, Lady Vampire, Werewolf, Mummy, Witch Bitch and Zombie Man) fight to the death in an explosive, bloody wrestling tournament set inside an abandoned and cursed graveyard. Starring Dave Foley (A Bug’s Life), Art Hindle, Robert Maillet (300), WWE’s Kevin Nash, Lance Henriksen (The Terminator), WWE’s Jimmy Hart, MMA star Herb Dean and many others! Check out the trailer.

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

Confucius Blu-ray & DVD (Funimation)

Posted on December 21, 2011 by JJ Bona
Confucius Blu-ray & DVD (Funimation)

Confucius Blu-ray & DVD (Funimation)

RELEASE DATE: March 27, 2012

Confucius is written, produced and directed by Hu Mei (On The Other Side Of The Bridge) and stars Chow Yun-fat (The Corruptor) as the titular Chinese philosopher. The film also stars Zhou Xun (True Legend), Chen Jianbin (Driverless), Ren Quan (Panda Express), Lu Yi (Stool Pigeon) and Yao Lu (Detective Dee). If you think this bio pic will be nothing but a bunch of philosophical mumbo jumbo, think again; the film is said to have a more action-oriented take on the man. Check out the trailer here.

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