Well Go USA announces two Shaw Brothers classics coming in April: ‘Duel of Fists’ and ‘Swordsman and Enchantress’

Posted on January 26, 2012 by JJ Bona
"Swordsman and Enchantress" Chinese Theatrical Poster

"Swordsman and Enchantress" Chinese Theatrical Poster

On Facebook, Well Go USA posted: “Be on the lookout for Duel of Fists and also Swordsman and Enchantress – both coming on DVD in April.”

In the meantime, Well Go USA is keeping their Asian catalogue fresh with upcoming releases like Jackie Chan’s 1911 (Jan), Donnie Yen’s Flash Point (Jan), Jet Li’s Ocean Heaven (Feb), the Korean box office hit War of the Arrows (Feb), Tak Sakaguchi in Yakuza Weapon (Feb) and Blade of Kings aka The Twins Effect 2 (March), which features an appearance by Donnie Yen and Jackie Chan.

Update: You can now pre-order Duel of Fists and Swordsman and Enchantress.

Posted in News |

Private Eye DVD (Pathfinder)

Posted on January 25, 2012 by JJ Bona
Private Eye DVD (Pathfinder)

Private Eye DVD (Pathfinder)

RELEASE DATE: March 20, 2012

Is Park Dae-min’s Private Eye Korea’s answer to Sherlock Holmes? Maybe. 1900s, Seoul, Korean Empire. A Hong Jin-ho (Hwang Jung-min) is a down and out detective. Makes most of his catching cheating spouses. Until a corpse is discovered in the woods… Check out the trailer.

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

Mainland China embraces the horror genre

Posted on January 25, 2012 by Z Ravas
"Harpoon" Chinese Theatrical Poster

"Harpoon" Chinese Theatrical Poster

We’re not even a month into 2012 and already two gruesome, blood-splattered horror films are slated for release in…Mainland China?! Sure, Hong Kong has always be known for their goofy horror comedies and supernatural-tinged romances, but I for one never expected to see full-on “this is comparable to Saw“-style horror flicks coming out of the Mainland.

Over at Beyond Hollywood, you can check out the two posters and the Not Safe For Work trailer for the horror movie Harpoon, which promises to have as much sex and murder as any Friday the 13th flick and is already in Chinese theaters.

Meanwhile, 24 Frames Per Second has the poster and trailer for the humorously titled Nightclub School Hospital, slated to hit Chinese theaters in February. This film looks to have surprisingly slick production values and a supernatural-tinged plot. At a glance, I detected a slight influence from Silent Hill and Inception.

Considering that the Chinese censors have always abhorred supernatural elements and plots were the bad guys triumph, it’ll be interesting to see how Mainland filmmakers manage to explore the horror genre. Or perhaps films like this indicate a change in censorship policies?

Posted in News |

Lost on the Island aka Mapado 2: Back to the Island DVD (Pathfinder)

Posted on January 25, 2012 by JJ Bona
Lost on the Island aka Mapado 2: Back to the Island (Pathfinder)

Lost on the Island aka Mapado 2: Back to the Island (Pathfinder)

RELEASE DATE: March 20, 2012

Former detective Chung-su takes a secret mission from an aged millionaire who wants to see his first love again before he dies. He ventures out to a strange island where only a bunch of old grandmothers live. Directed by Lee Sang-hoon, Mapado 2: Back to the Island, is the sequel to the hot comedy Mapado. Check out the trailer.

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

A Bullet for the General Blu-ray (Blue Underground)

Posted on January 25, 2012 by JJ Bona
A Bullet for the General Blu-ray (Blue Underground)

A Bullet for the General Blu-ray (Blue Underground)

RELEASE DATE: May 22, 2012

Blue Underground presents A Bullet for the General, coming soon to Blu-ray! At the height of the Mexican revolution, a mysterious young American (Lou Castel) joins a gang of marauders led by El Chucho (Gian Maria Volonte) on a series of savage raids to steal guns for a powerful rebel general. But when the Gringo brings his own cold-blooded ideals to the bandits, El Chucho discovers that the real weapons of war belong to no army. In a land ravaged by poverty and violence, can true freedom be bought with a single bullet?

Klaus Kinski and Martine Beswick co-star in this legendary western directed by Damiano Damiani from a powerful screenplay co-written by Oscar-nominee Franco Solinas. Also know as QUIEN SABE?, this thrilling epic features some of the most surprising performances, radical politics and shocking violence of any ‘Spaghetti Western’ ever made. As with all of Blue Underground’s releases, expect a definitive presentation created from original Italian negative materials with all of its infamous scenes fully restored. There is currently a DVD version out right now. Check out the trailer.

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

Django, Kill… If You Live, Shoot! Blu-ray (Blue Underground)

Posted on January 25, 2012 by JJ Bona
Django, Kill... If You Live, Shoot! Blu-ray (Blue Underground)

Django, Kill... If You Live, Shoot! Blu-ray (Blue Underground)

RELEASE DATE: June 19, 2012

Blue Underground presents Django, Kill… If You Live, Shoot!, coming soon to Blu-ray! Tomas Milian stars as a half-breed bandit double-crossed and left for dead who rises from the grave to seek his revenge. But when his quest leads to a bizarre town called The Unhappy Place, he is plunged into an odyssey of gruesome torture, graphic violence and relentless sexual depravity. This is the landmark movie that fans and critics still consider to be the strangest and most controversial Spaghetti Western ever made. This is Django, Kill!

Director Giulio Questi (Death Laid an Egg) and co-writer/editor Franco Arcalli (co-writer of Once Upon A Time In America) shocked the world with this hallucinatory tale of greed, corruption, perversion and beyond. As with all of Blue Underground’s releases, expect a definitive presentation created from original Italian negative materials with all of its infamous scenes of savagery and slaughter now fully restored for the first time ever in America. There is currently a DVD version out right now.

Check out the original trailer and German trailer.

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

Redbelt (2008) Review

Posted on January 24, 2012 by JJ Hatfield
"Redbelt" American Theatrical Poster

“Redbelt” American Theatrical Poster

Director: David Mamet
Cast: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Tim Allen, Alice Braga, Rodrigo Santoro, Jose Pablo Cantillo, Randy Couture, Caroline de Souza Correa, Mike Goldberg, Damon Herriman, Dan Inosanto, Enson Inoue, Ricky Jay, John Machado, Ray Mancini, Joe Mantegna, Max Martini, Emily Mortimer, David Paymer
Running Time: 100 min.

By JJ Hatfield

Red Belt is truly an exceptional martial arts movie. It achieves this distinction by focusing on one quiet unassuming man and in doing so beautifully enlightens the viewer to the true art of Jiu-jitsu. However the lesson served up is not so much about mixed martial arts as it is regarding integrity, righteousness and most of all honor. This is not a film packed with bone crunching wall-to-wall brutal blood spattered beatings. If that is your only interest in martial arts then don’t bother watching Red Belt – the meaning will elude you.

Mike Terry (Chiwetel Ejiofor) is the owner of a Jiu-jitsu school on the not wealthy side of Los Angeles. It is here he trains his students not only in the martial arts and self-defense but also imparts the principles of the Samurai code. Mike is a unique individual who embodies the teachings of the art he has dedicated his life to learning and passing on to others. He is also a man who exemplifies virtue and decency.

The movie opens with three marbles being placed into an army issue cup. There are two white and one black. In a fight if you draw the black marble that means you are given a handicap. A black marble means you might be limited to using only one arm, no arms or be blindfolded. That sounds like an unfair advantage with the fighter who picks the black marble most likely to lose. However as Mike is quick to remind the two men who stand before him there is no situation you cannot turn to your advantage. As the fight continues Mike coaches – control your emotions; when you control yourself you control your opponent; a man distracted is a man defeated. It is abundantly clear these are not mere platitudes. Nor do they apply to only a physical battle. These and other teachings of Jiu-jitsu form the cornerstones of Mike Terry’s existence.

The Jiu-jitsu academy reflects the teacher, both are unpretentious. The students are quite loyal to Mike and believe in the Samurai code. However the school isn’t making much money so Mike’s wife Sondra (Alice Braga) is supporting them and the school with her fashion design business. After an encounter between a lawyer, Laura Black (Emily Mortimer) and a cop, Joe Collins (Max Martini) events inexorably become increasingly byzantine. When Mike becomes concerned about Joe he goes to a bar where he was employed. A fight breaks out and Mike comes to the defense of an over the hill action movie star named Chet Frank (Tim Allen). In gratitude Frank invites Mike and Sondra to his home for dinner. While Sondra and Frank’s wife Zena (Rebecca Pidgeon) discuss fashion and a potential business venture Frank queries Mike about Jiu-jitsu and more specifically regarding competitive fighting in the ring. Mike elaborates on the tenets of martial arts in general and in more detail Jiu-jitsu. He tells Frank that competition for money weakens the fighter and that he does not feel it is in harmony with the Samurai code. Before long Frank wants Mike to be co-producer of the war movie he is currently shooting. Life is good however soon complications arise. In order to keep up the good life Mike may have to compromise his principles and way of life by stepping into the fighting ring.

Red Belt is a multifaceted movie. It requires the viewer to pay attention to how the story unfolds. Seemingly simple conversations and actions have crucial significance. Even the way Mike Terry moves and speaks conveys much more than what is in the script. When someone asks Mike what is the best weapon in the world he responds – a flashlight so you can look deep into the other guy’s eyes. Perhaps not the most poetic turn of phrase however it speaks volumes about Mike’s character. He is a gentle spirit but doesn’t hesitate to step in when he sees an injustice. A noble warrior he personifies all that is good and virtuous. His ideals crash hard against the current day prevailing greed that threatens to completely overwhelm the art of mixed martial arts.

The origin of Jiu-jitsu is from the days of the Japanese Samurai. The actual creator of the martial art is unknown. One theory holds that it was designed for an unarmed individual who had to fight an armed opponent. It is highly likely that more than a few teachers added their own techniques and made changes along the way. A form that combined various aspects of Judo, Karate, and other martial arts Jiu-jitsu became popular in the Western world when it became all the rage in Brazil. The writer and director of Red Belt, David Mamet (The Postman Always Rings Twice, Glengarry Glenn Ross, Hannibal, Wag the Dog – screenplays) is not only highly skilled at writing and directing he is also a devote of Jiu-jitsu having studied it for five years. Mamet sought to bring the heart and soul of Jiu-jitsu to the screen and he triumphed! Red Belt is a success for several distinct reasons. Chiwetel Ejiofor (Dirty Pretty Things, American Gangster, Salt) who was nominated for Best Actor by Black Reel for his role as Mike Terry brought absolute perfection to the character. Not for a second was there any doubt that he embodied the physical grace and the spiritual attainment of a Master. Combined with Mamet’s dedication and his spot-on decision to use real fighters a truly special piece of film was achieved. The story builds deceptively slowly so that by the third act the intensity is almost overwhelming.

Red Belt is a fine film that will satisfy both martial artists and those desiring an excellent movie experience. And what of the Red Belt of the title? For the answer to that you must see this film, and you won’t be disappointed.

JJ Hatfield’s Rating: 9.5/10

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

Roadracers Blu-ray (Echo Bridge)

Posted on January 24, 2012 by JJ Bona
"Roadracers" Promo Poster

"Roadracers" Promo Poster

RELEASE DATE: April 17, 2012

After his 1992 debut, El Mariachi, Robert Rodriguez (Machete) made a Showtime movie called Roadracers. The film revolves around a rebel (David Arquette) who dreams of leaving his dead end small town and becoming a rockabilly star but gets caught up in a nasty feud with the town’s local sheriff. Salma Hayek co-stars. Check out the trailer.

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

Operation Condor 2: Armour of God Blu-ray (Echo Bridge)

Posted on January 24, 2012 by JJ Bona
"Armour of God" Japanese Theatrical Poster

"Armour of God" Japanese Theatrical Poster

RELEASE DATE: April 17, 2012

Echo Bridge is re-releasing Operation Condor 2: The Armourof God (aka Armour of God), this time as a standalone Blu-ray. With that said, not sure why someone would want to buy this instead of this. In any case, please be advised that this is the cut and and English dubbed version of the film. Check out the original Golden Harvest trailer.

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

Ocean Heaven Blu-ray & DVD (Well Go USA)

Posted on January 24, 2012 by JJ Bona
Ocean Heaven Blu-ray & DVD (Well Go USA) Jet Li

Ocean Heaven Blu-ray & DVD (Well Go USA) Jet Li

RELEASE DATE: February 14, 2012

Well GO USA presents Ocean Heaven, starring Jet Li as you’ve never seen him before. Ocean Heaven is about how a terminally ill father attempts to teach his autistic son the necessary life skills to survive on his own before he passes away. Also starring Kwai Lun-mei (The Stool Pigeon).

Check out the trailer.

Update: Oh, and the U.S. trailer.

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

Bandai Entertainment to cease new DVD and Blu-ray releases in North America

Posted on January 24, 2012 by JJ Bona

On January 3rd, the publisher of Bandai Entertainment is announcing that it will cease to release new DVD and Blu-ray releases in North America, effectively ending its 13-year run in the market. The majority of the division’s contractors and three of their five full-time staff members will be laid off, and all releases scheduled after the end of January have been cancelled. For more information, visit www.animenewsnetwork.com.

Update: Off the top of my head, the titles I can recommend worth checking out are Mobile Suit Gundam 0079 and Freedom Project. Though you might also be interested in the Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya. Plus, they also still have leftover copies of the Hideaki Anno Cutey Honey, which hopefully someone will unearth from COF vault hell.

Update: I forgot to add other recs. Lessee…It wasn’t one of my favorites, but if you want a decent samurai epic, check out Sword of the Stranger. Plus, they got the novel-based anime, Girl Who Leapt Through Time, which is not to be confused with the live-action film based on the same source material. Also, if you’re a fan of Cowboy Bebop, good luck on finding reasonably priced copies, but the team also worked on Wolf’s Rain. Anyone wanna name-drop any other favorites to check out, be sure to add to the comments section.

Update 1.5: How could I forget? They also have Akira on Blu-Ray!

Posted in News |

Blu-ray and DVD Releases for 1/24/12

Posted on January 23, 2012 by Z Ravas
Punished aka Abduction, Retribution DVD (Vivendi)

Punished aka Abduction, Retribution DVD (Vivendi)

Can you believe that January is almost over? Well, there are plenty of great titles to choose from this week, whether you want to see Donnie Yen kick ass in Flash Point or witness Johnnie To’s next crime movie masterpiece with Punished. So let’s get started. Here are your blu-ray and DVD releases for the week of 1/24/12:

ASIAN CINEMA

Punished (DVD) – this 2011 Hong Kong thriller about a kidnapping gone wrong was produced by Johnnie To and features a stellar cast including Anthony Wong, Richie Ren, and Maggie Cheung

Flash Point (blu-ray/DVD) – your friends at Well Go USA present this 2007 Donnie Yen film on blu-ray for the first time. If you love Hong Kong-style action, you won’t want to miss the final fight scene between Donnie Yen and Collin Chou (“The Matrix Reloaded”)

Godzilla (blu-ray/DVD) – this is it! The 1954 monster movie classic is remastered in high definition by the fine folks at the Criterion Collection

Time Traveler: The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (DVD) – this 2010 live-action Japanese film is based on the popular anime “The Girl Who Leapt Through Time”

The Beginning of the Great Revival (DVD) – a 2011 Chinese language-film about the rise of the Communist Party. Features an all-star cast, including Chow Yun Fat and Andy Lau, in ‘blink and you’ll miss them’ cameos

End Call (DVD) – Asian Crush presents this 2008 Japanese horror film on DVD. It turns out that the Devil has a phone number and if you call him at midnight, he will grant your wish…at a cost

Lust in Hell (DVD) – Asian Crush also releases this 2009 Japanese horror film about a woman who can speak with the dead and falls for a man who recently lost his lover in a car crash

FOREIGN CINEMA

Fascination (blu-ray/DVD) – the master of Euro lesbian vampire sleaze, Jean Rollin, sees his 1979 film land on blu-ray from Redemption Films

The Iron Rose (blu-ray/DVD) – more Jean Rollin on blu-ray with this 1973 film about two lovers locked in a cemetery overnight as their sanity deteriorates

Shiver of the Vampires (blu-ray/DVD) – Redemption Films keeps the Jean Rollin horror coming with this 1971 erotic vampire tale

The Nude Vampire (blu-ray/DVD) – judging by the title, would you believe that this is a 1970 Jean Rollin erotic horror film?

Lips of Blood (blu-ray/DVD) – lastly, we have this 1975 Jean Rollin film about a family’s long-kept vampiric secret

The Moment of Truth (blu-ray/DVD) – Criterion releases this 1964 film which is about Spanish bull-fighting but happens to be in Italian with English subtitles

MAINSTREAM

Real Steel (blu-ray/DVD) – the 2011 crowd-pleasing family film about robotic boxers arrives on home formats. Starring Hugh Jackman of “X-Men” fame

Annie Hall (blu-ray) – Woody Allen’s seminal 1977 film is now in hi-def

Manhattan (blu-ray) – this 1979 film is perhaps Woody Allen’s most beloved work and now it’s on blu-ray

Stripes (Extended Cut) (blu-ray) – the beloved 1981 comedy starring Bill Murray comes to blu-ray with an extended cut

The Confession (DVD) – Kiefer Sutherland and John Hurt star in this 2010 web series that’s now been packaged as a feature film on DVD

See No Evil, Hear No Evil (blu-ray) – the popular 1989 comedy starring Richard Pryor and Gene Wilder is now on blu-ray

Stir Crazy (blu-ray) – more fun with Richard Pryor and Gene Wilder in their 1980 comedy

The Adventures of Milo and Otis (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo) (blu-ray + DVD combo) – the beloved 1989 family adventure film featuring a pug and a cat on ridiculously dangerous adventures

INDIE

Restless (blu-ray/DVD) – Gus Van Sant’s latest picture is a 2011 tragic romance starring Henry Hopper (son of Dennis) and Mia Wasikowska

Essential Killing (DVD) – everybody’s favorite sleazy indie auteur, Vincent Gallo, stars in this 2010 arthouse action movie

Few Options (DVD) – this 2010 prison-set indie drama has a bunch of glowing reviews on Amazon and co-stars Brad Dourif, Michael Sheen, and Rainn Wilson

Dirty Little Trick (DVD) – Michael Madsen is back in this 2011 Tarantino-esque thriller co-starring Dean Cain

CULT

Roger Corman’s Cult Classic’s Lethal Ladies Collection, Vol. 2 (The Arena, Cover Girl Models, Fly Me) (DVD) – Shout! Factory presents more Roger Corman cult classics on DVD. The one review on Amazon gives this set 5 stars so you might want to check it out

Tales of the Ancient Empire (DVD) – director Albert Pyun is simultaneously one of the most respected and reviled b-movie autuers. Now he’s back with a sequel to his 1982 cult hit “The Sword and the Sorcerer.” This 2010 film stars Kevin Sorbo and Michael Pare

CLASSICS

Notorious (blu-ray) – more Alfred Hitchcock on blu-ray! It’s about time, wouldn’t ya say? This 1946 espionage thriller stars Cary Grant and Ingrid Gergman, and was pretty much the basis for “Mission: Impossible 2’s” plot

Rebecca (blu-ray) – the Hitchcock love continues with this 1940 tale of Gothic suspense

Spellbound (blu-ray) – Hitchcock’s 1945 film about amnesia starring Gregory Peck

Wings (blu-ray) – a 1927 silent film starring “It” girl Clara Bow. This is a “war in the air” movie set during World War I, now restored on blu-ray

HORROR

The Woman (blu-ray/DVD) – the massively controversial horror film from “May” director Lucky McKee arrives on blu-ray and DVD courtesy of Bloody Disgusting Selects

Paranormal Activity 3 (blu-ray/DVD) – another year, another entry in this found footage series about demonic possession

House on Sorority Row (Remastered Special 2-Disc Edition) (DVD) – just as the title says, this 1982 cult slasher film arrives remastered on DVD for your viewing pleasure

The Devil’s Men/Terror (DVD) – Katrina’s Nightmare Theater presents these two horror films, the first starring Peter Cushing and Donald Pleasance, uncut on DVD

Revenge (DVD) – Katrina’s Nightmare Theater offers this 1971 horror film starring Joan Collins

The Summer of Massacre (blu-ray/DVD) – delayed from last week, this 2011 films purports to be the slasher movie with the highest body count of all time

Head Case (DVD) – is this 2011 horror flick, edited to look like the home videos of a serial killer couple, truly “the most disturbing film in a decade” as the cover proclaims? I’ll let you be the judge!

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 |

Last Man Standing (1996) Review

Posted on January 21, 2012 by Z Ravas
"Last Man Standing" Danish Theatrical Poster

"Last Man Standing" Danish Theatrical Poster

Director: Walter Hill
Writer: Ryuzo Kikushima, Akira Kurosawa, Walter Hill
Producer: Walter Hill, Arthur M. Sarkissian
Cast: Bruce Willis, Christopher Walken, Alexandra Powers, David Patrick Kelly, Karina Lombard, Bruce Dern
Running Time: 101 min.

By HKFanatic

With a $67 million price tag, the box office failure of “Last Man Standing” in 1996 put a momentary end to Bruce Willis’ Hollywood clout and effectively derailed director Walter Hill’s career. It’s not too difficult to see why this film failed to connect with audiences: we’ve seen this story many times before. “Last Man Standing” is yet another variation on the Dashiel Hammett novel “Red Harvest,” previously brought to the screen by Akira Kurosawa in “Yojimbo” and Sergio Leone in “A Fistful of Dollars” – two stone cold classics.

In comparison, “Last Man Standing” doesn’t bring much new to the table other than Bruce Willis’ star power. Although the script credits Akira Kurosawa, the film is basically a direct remake of “A Fistful of Dollars,” only this time transporting the setting to 1930’s Texas. That said, I can’t help but hold “Last Man Standing” with fondness in my heart. If you’re a fan of Walter Hill’s particular brand of big-screen machismo (“The Warriors,” “Southern Comfort,” and more), then you’ll probably find something to enjoy about this flick too.

The screenplay, penned by Hill himself, posits Bruce Willis as a nameless, gun-slinging drifter who happens upon the town of Jericho, Texas on his way South of the border. Willis doesn’t expect to stay long in this ramshackle town but when he discovers a feud between petty factions of the Irish and Italian mafia, he figures he can make a quick buck by playing the two sides against each other. This should all sound exceedingly familiar but where “Last Man Standing” differentiates itself from its forebears is through Walter Hill’s kinetic action sequences.

It’s no exaggeration to say that this film features some of the most well-choreographed and bloody gun battles outside of a John Woo movie. In fact, I’d wager that “Last Man Standing” is the closest Hollywood has ever come to approximating the squib-bustin’, sweat-inducing, action movie nirvana of John Woo’s masterpieces like “The Killer” and “Hard Boiled.” Sure, the shoot-outs in this movie aren’t nearly as lengthy but they sure are memorable, with Bruce Willis emptying a seemingly infinite supply of bullets into bad guys who are then yanked backwards through the air by invisible wires, such is the sheer power of Willis’ smoking handguns. It is beautiful, man.

As director, Walter Hill brings an almost comic book-like sensibility to this film, combining the unconventional camera placement of someone like Sam Raimi (characters aim the barrel of a gun right at the lens) with Woo-inspired ultra-violence. The wind-swept desert terrain and superb production design place you in the period of the story, while Ry Cooder’s bottom end-heavy, discordant soundtrack propels the movie forward.

The real issue with “Last Man Standing” is the screenplay. Bruce Willis’ “John Smith” character is such an archetype that there’s no room for him to grow. We realize there’s nothing we’re going to learn about his character at the end of the film that we don’t already know during the opening credits. If we look to the supporting cast to fill in the drama, we’ll be disappointed by a roundtable of stereotypical gangsters.

Sure, the heavies are filled out by capable actors like Christopher Walken and David Patrick Kelly (“The Warriors,” TV’s “Twin Peaks), who do as much as they can with the material they’re given, but this is a story we’ve seen before and this particular version offers little surprises. As far as a love interest goes, well, Walter Hill explicitly makes men’s action pictures so the female characters don’t have much of a presence in the film, even when the men are waging war over them.

The pleasure of “Last Man Standing” is derived solely from the over the top action sequences and Bruce Willis’ beloved tough guy persona. A well-structured story or anything resembling character development, you won’t find here. More often than not, it defies belief that Bruce’s character doesn’t end up in a coffin before the second act is over, considering how brazenly he changes loyalty from gang to gang throughout the movie.

Just taking a glance at the budget, it’s clear that “Last Man Standing” was a troubled production. Back in 1996, you really shouldn’t have needed $67 million to tell the story of a massive gun battle in a rundown Texas town. It’s also purported online that the ending of the film – disappointing by any stretch of the imagination – is not the original ending planned. Another finale, which was actually filmed, had Bruce Willis’ character making a more decisive role in the villain’s fate and would have proved infinitely more satisfying than what we got. Unfortunately, it was probably one of those situations where Walter Hill, Willis, and studio executives all had an opinion on how the film should end. The result is decidedly muddled and unfulfilling.

Regardless of its limp conclusion, I have to admit “Last Man Standing” is a personal favorite of mine, at least as far as 90’s action movies go. Sure, it may not stand shoulder to shoulder with Walter Hill’s greatest films – but considering that he has “The Warriors” and “48 Hours” in his filmography, that’s not exactly an insult. For action buffs and Bruce Willis fans, “Last Man Standing” should qualify as a thoroughly entertaining 101 minutes. Sometimes it’s worth going around the wheel one more time with a well-worn story such as “Red Harvest,” particularly when someone like Walter Hill is behind the camera, adding his particular touch for tough guy machismo and breath-taking action sequences. Hill remains a master of this genre and it’s clear that in the dusty, blood-soaked world of “Last Man Standing,” he is in his element.

HKFanatic’s Rating: 8.5/10

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

True Story of a Woman In Jail: Sex Hell DVD (Impulse Pictures)

Posted on January 20, 2012 by JJ Bona
True Story of a Woman In Jail: Sex Hell DVD (Impulse Pictures)

True Story of a Woman In Jail: Sex Hell DVD (Impulse Pictures)

RELEASE DATE: April 10, 2012

In True Story of a Woman In Jail: Sex Hell, a group of young women is thrown into a horrible juvenile hall, due to their illegal acts. They soon wish they were back on the outside, as a gang of inmates subjects this fresh meat to the horrors of being locked up. This movie is a sleazy, sexually graphic and surprisingly violent entry in the women in prison genre. Bonus Features: Liner Notes From Jasper Sharp.

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

Debauchery DVD (Impulse Pictures)

Posted on January 20, 2012 by JJ Bona
Debauchery DVD (Impulse Pictures)

Debauchery DVD (Impulse Pictures)

RELEASE DATE: April 10, 2012

In Debauchery, Ryoko Watanabe stars as Ami, a jaded housewife who pitches herself, body and soul, into the Tokyo decadence of the decade in an attempt to pep up her marriage. She secretly joins the elite Madame Machiko Society Club to experiment with discrete sex games and the thrill of making love to anonymous men. Bonus Features: Original Trailer and Liner Notes from Jasper Sharp.

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