Flight of the Living Dead: Outbreak on a Plane (2007) Review

"Flight of the Living Dead: Outbreak on a Plane" American DVD Cover

"Flight of the Living Dead: Outbreak on a Plane" American DVD Cover

Director: Scott Thomas
Writer: Sidney Iwanter, Mark Onspaugh, Scott Thomas
Producer: David Shoshan
Cast: David Chisum, Kristen Kerr, Kevin J. O’Connor, Derek Webster, Dale Midkiff, Erick Avari, Richard Tyson
Running Time: 94 min.

By JJ Hatfield

In the mood for a scary flick instead of watching some of my perennial favorites I decided to catch up on some films I have purposely passed by. Flight Of The Living Dead happened to be one of those films. After watching approximately nine minutes I wished I had continued to pass this one by.

I had hoped that this might be one of those movies that is so bad it’s actually entertaining. However this was not to be. Flight of the Living Dead is not entertaining it is simply bad. How bad? Well let me tell you about the plot. Some sort of scientists and/or military creators of bigger and better weapons of nasty war toys devised an evil potion that had the potential to keep the enemy continually attacking their own or allow the good guys to fight on even after death. In other words zombies. Nifty, huh? Remember though this is a bad movie. And like all bad movies the writers launch into utter stupidity in a futile attempt to keep the audience engaged. Which brings us back to the plot. Someone sneaks an infected subject aboard an airplane bound for Paris. Paris, France. As the writers would have it during some turbulence shit happens and the infection starts to spread to the hapless unaware passengers aboard the plane.

As anyone familiar with zombies knows having them on board your plane flying at 35,000 feet is a bit more problematic than if you were on terra firma. And these are not typical zombies these are supercharged horrors that move quickly and easily over all obstacles. These are also not your typical passengers. They are slow dolts who seem to want to become victims of the zombies. Men and women, girls and boys, people from different cultures and different beliefs are all equal in their ineptitude. The passengers also share other similarities. They are unattractive physically and mentally. They also have in common wearing ugly apparel. And did I mention they are all idiots? For example when dealing with the evil zombie’s victims tend to stand or sit and scream or look  terrified instead of oh, I don’t know perhaps trying to fight or run away, at least as much as possible on a 747. When someone does fight back they do so with such tools such as explosives, handguns, machine guns and a couple of golf clubs. Now while it would take some pretty extreme effort to damage the shell of an aircraft with golf clubs the same cannot be said for explosives and guns. The basic principles of aerodynamics hint that piercing the skin of an aircraft while flying at high altitude would create a significant hazard to both passengers and craft. Nevertheless the fools merrily fire away at approaching zombies without a thought of merrily causing the aircraft to crash. Gunfire pierces the air but miraculously does not pierce the plane. No matter how many shots were fired only zombies and those who are about to become zombies are hit.

Unfortunately there are more problems with Flight of the Living Dead. Idiot behavior with guns and golf clubs has been covered but alas that is only the beginning. Not only do the zombies behave as if they are on speed and impossible to take out even if you take off most of their zombie bodies they simply do not look good. I don’t mean they look gross in fact just the opposite-they don’t look convincing at all. The makeup is shoddy the blood looks like cough syrup and they don’t look dead. This all makes for some pretty sad looking undead creatures. So much for the zombies.

The other glaring problem with Flight of the Living Dead is the wretched acting by all concerned. There are two or three who could be accused of over-acting but for the most part no one seems to care. Given the script this is completely understandable. However the so-called actors did know what they were getting into with Flight of the Living Dead. Unless a close family member or friend needed life saving surgery whatever salary was garnered wasn’t worth it. I predict the actors will not be seen in any grand production in the near future. So save your time and avoid a painful experience by avoiding this movie. If you really want to see a laugh out loud pseudo-scary flick they aren’t that hard to find… but then that’s another review.

JJ Hatfield’s Rating: 1/10

Posted in Other Movies, Reviews | Tagged |

The Dead Blu-ray & DVD (Anchor Bay)

The Dead Blu-ray & DVD (Anchor Bay)

The Dead Blu-ray & DVD (Anchor Bay)

RELEASE DATE: February 14, 2012

When the last flight out of war-torn Africa crashes off the coast, Lt. Brian Murphy (Rob Freeman) is the sole survivor in a land where the dead are returning to life and attacking the living. When he crosses paths with local solider Daniel Dembele (Prince David Osei), a man frantically searching for his son, they join forces. “The Best Zombie Movie of the Year” – Aintitcoolnews.com

Check out the trailer.

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

Chinese historical epic ‘The Warring States’ now on Netflix Instant

The Warring States aka Jin Gok DVD (New Video)

The Warring States aka Jin Gok DVD (New Video)

“The Warring States” is a 2010 Chinese historical epic, co-starring Francis Ng, that combines elements of romance, comedy, and action. The film just arrived on DVD last week but you can watch it streaming on Netflix Instant, along with a host of other Asian titles.

Recent additions to the Netflix streaming catalog include the 1990 Ultraman TV series and the Andy Lau/Anita Mui fantasy epic “Saviour of the Soul.” As always, you can check out our Netflix Instant Asian Film Roundup here.

Posted in News |

Mandrill Blu-ray & DVD (Magnolia)

Mandrill Blu-ray & DVD (Magnolia)

Mandrill Blu-ray & DVD (Magnolia)

RELEASE DATE: February 28, 2012

The tagline to Ernesto Díaz Espinoza’s (Kiltro) Mandrill is Cooler than Shaft, Hotter than Bond, Faster than Lee. Chilean action star Marko Zaror (Mirageman) plays Mandrill, a badass who gets revenge on a gang of thugs who murdered his parents. Judging from the trailer, this looks like a slick flick with a retro kick!

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

Well Go USA inks deal with upstart streaming service ‘Japan Flix’

"Negative Happy Chainsaw Edge" Japanese Theatrical Poster

"Negative Happy Chainsaw Edge" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Via Far East Films, Asian film distributor Well Go USA has signed a deal with upstart streaming website Japan Flix to make their catalog of Japanese films available on streaming. The first titles available will include the splatterpunk zombie movie “Helldriver” and the teen martial arts romance “Negative Happy Chainsaw Edge.”

This is a major boost for Japan Flix as Well Go USA is arguably the finest distributor of Asian cinema in the West. Expect more titles to be added in the coming months. Japan Flix is free to join and allows users to rent or purchase movies. Explore their website here.

Posted in News |

Legend is Born – Ip Man, The (2010) Review

"The Legend Is Born – Ip Man" Japanese Theatrical Poster

“The Legend Is Born – Ip Man” Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Herman Yau
Cast: Dennis To, Sammo Hung, Yuen Biao, Fan Siu-wong, Huang Yi, Ip Chun, Kenya Sawada, Betty Huang Yi, Bernice Liu Bik Yi, Lam Suet, Chen Zhi Hui, Kenya Sawada, Sire Ma Sai, Hins Cheung Ging Hin, Louis Cheung
Running Time: 100 min.

By HKFanatic

Viewers would be forgiven for thinking that “The Legend is Born” is a legitimate prequel to Donnie Yen’s “Ip Man” series. Not only was it erroneously marketed as “Ip Man Zero” in order to capitalize on the success of Yen’s films but it also stars Sammo Hueng and Fan Siu-Wong (“Ricky-Oh: The Story of Ricky“), who both had major roles in the “Ip Man” movies. However, “The Legend is Born” is not part of the same series.

The temptation, then, is to see this as a cash-in on the part of director Herman Yau, a way to make a profit off the newfound popularity of Bruce Lee’s mentor Yip Man; and this film is at least part of the reason why Donnie Yen has abandoned development on “Ip Man 3” for the time being. But after watching the film myself, I can say it’s actually pretty good. To put it another way: I doubt Sammo Hung and Yuen Biao, two martial arts legends in their own right, would have signed on for this movie if they thought it was crap.

I don’t envy any actor who has to fill Donnie Yen’s shoes. But that’s just what young martial artist and actor Dennis To has to do in “The Legend is Born,” as he steps into the role of a young Ip Man. Dennis acquits himself rather nicely in the film’s many fight scenes but his acting leaves something to be desired. He comes across as a bit flat and unemotional, but then again there’s a point in the movie where another character actually compares him to a wooden training dummy so perhaps his stiff manner was intentional. He simply lacks the charm and warmth of Donnie Yen in the role but I wouldn’t write this kid off just yet.

“The Legend is Born” traces another fictionalized arc in the Yip’s life, following his first journey to Hong Kong for educational purposes and the development of his Wing Chun skills. I’m not sure if the real Yip Man had a half-Japanese brother – probably not – but this angle is played up for maximum conflict. The real problem with the film’s screenplay is that it often feels like a montage of Ip Man’s early life, a ‘cliff notes’ take on its protagonist, whereas Donnie Yen’s films excelled at choosing a period in Ip Man’s life and telling a complete story from there. There are times when “The Legend is Born” feels entirely superficial in comparison to the first “Ip Man,” and the low production values certainly don’t help.

But fortunately “The Legend is Born” excels where it counts: the fight scenes. Despite a slow stretch towards the start of the third act, this film is fairly packed with action. The choreography is by Tony Leung Siu Hung, an underrated action director who has worked on many classic Hong Kong films and helmed the 90’s Gary Daniels flick “Bloodmoon.” Dennis To practiced Wing Chun for six years before his break into acting (he even had a brief appearance in “Ip Man 2“), while anyone who’s seen “The Story of Ricky” or the first “Ip Man” knows that Fong Sai Hung can kick ass. Toss in some fight scenes for Yuen Biao and a surprise cameo from the actual Yip Man’s real life son, Ip Chung, and “The Legend is Born” has the chance to win over even the most staunch Donnie Yen fan.

This is not the first movie about Ip Man and it won’t be the last – Wong Kar-Wai has his own take on Master Yip coming sometime next year. Donnie Yen’s achievements may tower over “The Legend is Born” but there’s enough about this would-be prequel to recommend. Even with a slightly un-involving performance from Dennis To, supporting turns from HK veterans like Sammo Hung and Yuen Biao help color the film, and the fight choreography from Tony Leung Siu Hung is topnotch. If you’re curious to learn more about the life of Ip Man, albeit in a highly fictionalized and exaggerated context, then “The Legend is Born” should prove enjoyable.

HKFanatic’s Rating: 7/10

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

Blu-Ray and DVD Releases for 11/22/11

Helldriver Blu-ray/DVD (Well Go USA)

Helldriver Blu-ray/DVD (Well Go USA)

Not a lot on the table this week but cinema buffs should still be able to find something to enjoy, whether you’re craving a gory Japanese flick or a Criterion Collection blu-ray. So here are your Asian and genre-related blu-ray and DVD releases for the week of 11/22/11:

ASIAN CINEMA

Helldriver (blu-ray/DVD) – a 2010 post-apocalyptic zombie road movie from the director of “Tokyo Gore Police.” For fans of Japanese splatterpunk!

Saki the Killer (DVD) – an art teacher to prison inmates takes on the Yakuza in this 2011 low-budget Japanese film. Tagline: “Her paint is her enemy’s blood!”

Street Battle Los Angeles (DVD) – an ex-Yakuza seeks peace in Los Angeles. What he finds is an all-out gang war between the Yakuza, Korean gangs, and the Mafia in this 2011 film

ANIMATION

Tekken: Blood Vengeance (DVD) – I don’t really understand the point of releasing a computer-generated film and not putting it on blu-ray, but you still may want to check out this 2011 animated feature based on the popular “Tekken” video game series

The Adventures of Tintin: Season One (DVD) – the early 90’s Tintin animated series is released on DVD, just in time for Steven Spielberg’s big screen adaptation

Coicent/Five Numbers (blu-ray/DVD) – two anime features on one disc from Sentai Filmworks. Total runtime: 60 minutes

CULT

Devil’s Double (blu-ray/DVD) – Dominic Cooper stars as the double for one of Sadam Hussein’s evil sons in this critically-acclaimed 2011 film that has drawn comparisons to “Scarface”

Rushmore (blu-ray) – the Criterion Collection releases Wes Anderson’s 1998 breakthrough hit on blu-ray, starring Jason Schwartzman and Bill Murray

MAINSTREAM

Super 8 (blu-ray/DVD) – J.J Abrams’ 2011 ‘kids and aliens’ thriller is an homage to the 80’s era of Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment

Conan the Barbarian (blu-ray/DVD) – the 2011 remake of the classic Arnold Schwarzenegger film didn’t exactly slay at the box office but now you can watch it on home formats

12 Angry Men (blu-ray) – the Criterion Collection releases this classic 1957 film on blu-ray, starring Henry Fonda

Three Amigos (blu-ray) – the beloved 1986 comedy starring Steve Martin, Chevy Chase, and Martin Short, now on blu-ray

Hollywood Man (DVD) – it’s a biker gang vs. the Hollywood mafia in this 1976 action flick

Carjacked (blu-ray/DVD) – Maria Bello (“A History of Violence”) and Stephen Dorff (“Blade”) headline this 2011 direct-to-video thriller from the director of “The Marine”

Jean Claude Van Damme 3 Pack (DVD) – need some more Van Dammage in your life? Now you can procure “Death Warrant,” “Double Impact,” and “Cyborg” in one DVD set

HORROR

Scream 4 (blu-ray) – Wes Craven’s 2011 horror film is now available as a standalone blu-ray disc instead of a combo pack

Naked Massacre (DVD) – a 1976 horror movie based on the Richard Speck murders

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 |

Donnie Yen to star in a heist film produced by Jackie Chan

Donnie Yen

Donnie Yen

Twitch Film is reporting that Donnie Yen is set to star and choreograph the actions sequences in an upcoming heist film called Ultimate Codebreak. The movie will be produced by Jackie Chan, who will have a small role in the film. Also starring is Wu Chen (14 Blades). A director has not been named at this time but shooting is already set to begin next month.

Posted in News |

World on a Wire Blu-ray & DVD (Criterion)

World on a Wire Blu-ray & DVD (Criterion)

World on a Wire Blu-ray & DVD (Criterion)

RELEASE DATE: February 21, 2012

World on a Wire is a gloriously paranoid, boundlessly inventive take on the future from German wunderkind Rainer Werner Fassbinder. With dashes of Stanley Kubrick, Kurt Vonnegut, and Philip K. Dick, as well as a flavor entirely his own, Fassbinder tells the noir-spiked tale of a reluctant action hero, Fred Stiller (Klaus Lowitsch), a cybernetics engineer who uncovers a massive corporate conspiracy. At risk? (Virtual) reality as we know it. Originally made for German television, this recently rediscovered, three-and-a-half-hour labyrinth is a satiric and surreal look at the weird world of tomorrow from one of cinema’s kinkiest geniuses.

Check out the trailer.

Features: New high-definition digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray edition; ; Fassbinder’s “World on a Wire”: Looking Ahead to Today, a fifty-minute documentary about the making of the film by Juliane Lorenz; New interview with German-film scholar Gerd Gemünden; New English subtitles; Trailer for the 2010 theatrical release; PLUS: A booklet featuring an essay by film critic Ed Halter

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

Ichi the Killer (2001) Review

"Ichi the Killer" Japanese Theatrical Poster

“Ichi the Killer” Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Takashi Miike
Cast: Tadanobu Asano, Nao Omori, Shinya Tsukamoto, Pauline Suen, Susumu Terajima, Toru Tezuka, Kee, Suzuki Matsuo, Jun Kunimura, Hiroyuki Tanaka, Yoshiki Arizono, Masataka Haji, Moro Morooka, Hideo Sako
Running Time: 115 min.

By Mighty Peking Man 

Up to this point, this is my third venture into the ultra-morbid world of director Takashi Miike (“Audition” and “Fudoh – The New Generation” being the other two films of his I’ve seen). This guy is F*CKING insane! His writers are F*CKING insane! Japan is F*CKING insane! Universe Laser & Video Co. is F*CKING insane! Excuse my language, but after sitting through a film like “Ichi The Killer”, words like “f*ck”, “sh*t”, “c*ck” and “p*ssy” become very “PG”. Bondage, decapitation, gore, rape, beatings, drug-use, torture…you name it (I surely won’t!), it’s all here, and there’s a lot to go around. And check this out, the version I saw has been cut by approximately 13 minutes. I scratch my head and ask myself, “What could have possibly been cut that’s more fucked up than what I’ve seen in this version?”. Why don’t we just say that the uncut version isn’t exactly on my must-see list. Seriously, I’m satisfied. I doubt seeing a few more minutes of a screaming, bloody prostitute being beaten and raped will change my opinion of the film.

As negative as the above paragraph may sound, it really isn’t. I love this shit. It’s all about guilty pleasure and pure, demented entertainment. A Takashi Miike film is definitely this kind of experience. It amazes me how this guy can put these kinds of situations and images on screen, take credit for it, and be proud of it. I, like every artistic mind out there, have had some pretty disgusting shit floating in my head BUT there is no way I’d share it or put it down on paper or film to share with others. Miike seems to live for it. Hell, I’d pay money to see his mother’s facial expressions while watching one of his films for the first time. It’s been exactly two days since I’ve seen “Ichi The Killer”, and I still can’t get it out of my mind.

Like “Fudoh – The New Generation”, “Ichi The Killer” resembles a live-Anime with it’s exaggerated violence and over-the-top, colorful characters.

Ichi himself is best described as an armored Power Ranger-type, especially with that big “1” embedded on his back. His main weapon is a big-ass blade that pops out of his boot. This weapon would easily give Wolverine’s Adamantium Claws a run for their money. During one scene, Ichi completely slices a guy in two pieces vertically and perfectly. The funniest thing about Ichi is the fact that he cries like a baby as he murders the “bullies”, which is reminiscent of the “Crying Freeman” manga. What’s even more bizarre, is he plays videogames and rides around on his bike when he’s not slaughtering his prey. Only in a Takashi Miike film.

Other characters include Kakihara, the weird looking guy with bleached hair who’d fit perfectly in a Marilyn Manson video. Not only is the guy an S&M freak, but he’s also a mutant. Not literally, he just about qualifies as one. How many guys do you know smoke out of their cheek? Better yet, how many people do you know unrelease piercings off their cheek that allow their mouth to open wide enough to engulf a whole hand Pac-Man style? Also by Kakihara’s side is Karen (played WONDERFULLY by Hong Kong’s Pauline Suen aka Alien Sun). Like Kakihara, she’s also into that S&M shit. She’s a hot slut that helps Kakihara track down Ichi. She also has a crush on Kakihara, despite his homosexual love for his boss. Only in a Takashi Miike film.

Like “Audition” and “Fudoh – The New Generation”, you have to see this movie to believe it. It won’t take long for your eyes to open wide either, cuz some of the sickest moments occur before the main title sequence ends.

Time for communion.

Mighty Peking Man’s Rating: 7.5/10

Posted in All, Japanese, News, Reviews | Tagged , , , |

Blue Velvet (1986) Review

"Blue Velvet" American Theatrical Poster

"Blue Velvet" American Theatrical Poster

Director: David Lynch
Writer: David Lynch
Producer: Fred Caruso
Cast: Kyle MacLachlan, Isabella Rossellini, Dennis Hopper, Laura Dern, Hope Lange, George Dickerson, Dean Stockwell
Runing Time: 120 min.

By HKFanatic

People who aren’t video or audiophiles will tell you that blu-ray isn’t much of an upgrade in quality and that they’re perfectly happy with their DVD collections. True AV geeks know the truth: that when enough care is put into a blu-ray transfer, it can be like watching the film again for the first time. I’m happy to report that the 25th anniversary edition blu-ray of David Lynch’s seminal film “Blue Velvet” is that kind of disc. The image is wonderfully detailed and highlights just how much care went into the lighting and production design on this film, particularly during the many scenes set in Isabelle Rossalini’s foreboding apartment. To put it another way: I don’t think I ever noticed that Kyle MacLachlan is wearing an earring in his left ear before.

The disc is also free of any trailers or adverts before the picture. Hell, there isn’t even a menu – after the usual legal warnings, the film just starts playing. Kudos to Fox for following David Lynch’s cinematic philosophy with this release, since Lynch believes movies are something to experience and not to be interrupted by commercials or cause you’re watching it on “your fucking telephone” (as Lynch put it). If future releases of Lynch’s films, like “Lost Highway” and “Mulholland Drive,” are dealt this much care on blu-ray then we fans are in for a real treat.

Although Lynch had already made three feature films before “Blue Velvet,” it was this film that introduced the themes and milieu that would seemingly become his obsession for several years. The opening scene is now synonymous with Lynch and his whole approach to middle America as the camera zooms in on a pristine suburban lawn and reveals the ugly, chattering insects that wait underneath. The message is clear: beneath the surface of things, something dark is lurking.

Lynch has long used film as a medium for his subconscious imagery but part of his genius is the way he roots his scripts in familiar storytelling tropes. At its heart, “Blue Velvet” is a detective story. No matter how bizarre proceedings become, the viewer can latch on to this simple fact, not to mention the usual genre staples of sex and violence. Like his peer David Cronenberg, Lynch was a master of making artistic films that still held commercial appeal.

Lynch would arguably perfect his ideas on Middle America with the “Twin Peaks” television series in the 90’s but “Blue Velvet” remains the touchstone for most of his work. It’s all here: a quaint logging community in the Northwest, conversations at diners, Kyle MacLachlan playing detective, and a battle between pure-hearted Good with a capital “G” and drug-fueled Evil. It’s rather amazing to think that  was produced by Dino De Laurentis of “Conan the Barbarian” fame and funded on a budget of just $2 million. Although De Laurentis’s outlandish style appears to be as far from Lynch’s aesthetic as you can get, he was keen to collaborate with Lynch again even after producing his box office failure “Dune.”

Considering how ‘out there’ the script becomes, it’s easy to imagine that “Blue Velvet” wouldn’t quite work if it didn’t have strong performances to anchor all the weirdness. Fortunately, the film is supported by at least four of the best performances of the 80’s: Kyle MacLachlan’s wide-eyed but possibly perverted junior detective; Laura Dern as the idealistic girl next door; Isabelle Rossalini’s tortured lounge singer; and Dennis Hopper as Frank Booth, one of the most terrifying villains ever brought to the silver screen. Despite his dimunitive frame, Hopper dominates every scene he’s in. Watching the film and relishing in Dennis Hopper’s over-the-top acting once again, it was hard for me to believe that the man is actually gone. Fortunately, “Blue Velvet” is the film that really gave a second wind to Hopper’s career and it’s a performance that has ensured his legacy.

The blu-ray arrives with over 50 minutes of deleted scenes, footage that was previously considered “lost.” Although these scenes will be of interest to fans, I didn’t find any of the sequences to be particularly revelatory. It’s fairly easy to see why these scenes were cut, even if Lynch was contractually obligated to deliver a two hour film. Most of the footage serves to illuminate Jeffrey’s (Kyle MacLachlan) dreary homelife; expect a lot of footage of him sitting at the dinner table with his mother and aunt. There is a worthwhile scene of Isabelle Rosselini attempting to commit suicide by throwing herself off her apartment building roof during an electrical storm; the way the lightning reflects off her pale face is exquisite.

We also learn that Jeffrey was a bit of a voyeur even when he was in school; an early scene has him observing an attempted rape at a college party and lingering a bit too long before he puts a stop to it. We also actually see his collegiate girlfriend and friends before he leaves for Lumberton. Although it is sometimes a worthwhile storytelling technique to tease or reveal a character’s tendencies before they are explored fully in the plot, in the case of “Blue Velvet” I think it’s more interesting to discover Jeffrey’s pervert/detective dichotomy once he starts tracking Isabelle Rosselini’s character.

The blu-ray of “Blue Velvet” is the kind of disc fans hope for when they hear their favorite film will be arriving in hi-def. One can’t help but admire the care that Fox put into this release. Whether you’re looking to experience David Lynch’s film with a superb new visual transfer or just dive into the lost footage and special features, this is an easy purchase to recommend. It almost goes without saying that the movie itself has aged tremendously well: I have no qualms about stating that “Blue Velvet” is probably the best American film of the 1980’s. If you haven’t seen it yet, prepare for your perceptions of suburbia to be turned upside down. “Blue Velvet” is about the dark secrets that lurk just on the other side of that white picket fence. Deep down, this country knows we have many.

HKFanatic’s Rating: 10/10

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

Poolboy: Drowning Out the Fury DVD (Screen Media)

Poolboy: Drowning Out the Fury DVD (Screen Media)

Poolboy: Drowning Out the Fury DVD (Screen Media)

RELEASE DATE: February 7, 2012

If anything, watch the trailer for this flick! A Vietnam Veteran Sal Bando (Kevin Sorbo), tortured by his past as a Poolboy returns home to Van Nuys, California, and a country he doesn’t recognize, in which it seems only Mexicans run pool-cleaning companies. Bando sets off on a brutal mission to reclaim his “rightful” vocation and enact revenge on the man (Danny Trejo) who killed his wife and son. Also starring Jason Mewes (of Jay and Silent Bob) and many others.

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

Left Handed DVD (Vanguard)

Left Handed DVD (Vanguard)

Left Handed DVD (Vanguard)

RELEASE DATE: February 21, 2012

Hiroshi, a disaffected teenage boy, is struggling at school and one day shuts himself away in his bedroom. For the next two years he refuses to come out or let anyone else in. Hiroshi’s parents are so ashamed by what has happened that they attempt to conceal his condition from friends and family. Inevitably, the household disintegrates. Brian Wilson, Howard Hughes… eat your heart out! Check out the trailer.

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

Farewell My Concubine (1993) Review

"Farewell My Concubine" Theatrical Poster

“Farewell My Concubine” Theatrical Poster

Director: Chen Kaige
Writer: Lilian, Lee Lu Wei
Cast: Leslie Cheung, Zhang Fengyi, Gong Li, Lu Qi, Ying Da, Yidi, Zhi Yitong, Lei Han, Li Chun
Running Time: 156 min.

By Ningen

I don’t know what it is about Peking Opera that looks appealing in martial arts films, but which comes off dull in arthouse flicks. While it’s true that this is only the second film of this genre I’ve actually managed to finish(the first being the borefest Peking Opera Blues, which I stopped after 30 minutes) , it’s just as tedious and anti-climactic as the former. I’d rather see Red Trousers and (if it ever comes on dvd) Painted Faces, than have to sit through another film which goes “behind-the-stage” instead of straight to the performances of the characters. Not that Farewell My Concubine doesn’t feature excellent performances from the great Leslie Cheung and Fengyi Xiaolu, but it just doesn’t have any direction. Is it a glimpse into the scenes of the Chinese poor and working class who are so hard up for money that they sell their own children into a Peking Opera school? Is it about the back-stabbing and back-rubbing that goes on to make a performance successful? Or is it merely an indictment against the Cultural Revolution in the way it ironically favors Japanese occupation over the PRC?

All I do know is that any positive image I might have about Peking Opera is ruined by the child abuse which goes on through half of the picture. This is sadly ironic, because Chen Kaige made it a point during his Q+A for the Promise that he felt that the Chinese needed to retain their heritage, rather than to just shed it and adapt Western values. But what’s so appealing about dumping your kids in a theater troupe where their limbs are pulled and twisted, and they’re scolded and beaten when they get their lines wrong? (Even Jackie and Sammo, who attribute their values from going to Peking Opera school, don’t have fond memories of these exercises.) Not to mention knowing your kid could be raped in exchange for sponsorship?! Then of course, there’s the issue of having to maintain an image of heterosexuality when you actually make it and seeing your fellow performer dating a hooker with very little heart of gold played by Gong Li. The leads then have to entertain Japanese imperialists at gunpoint, while later fighting the communist government accusations of treason. Yes, it’s hard out here for a Peking Opera performer, which I guess is supposed to make me feel more sympathetic for the main characters.

But this approach doesn’t quite succeed, mostly because the leads are as antagonistic as their peers.

Cheung, Xiaolu, and Gong Li’s characters are constantly bickering with each other over petty grievances. And they’re selfish to boot. If ill fate befalls one of them, it’s just an excuse to engage in schaudenfreude more than to show sympathy. Perhaps Kaige’s also trying to be subversive against the culture. But if that’s the case, then why go to this much trouble to maintain the authenticity of the setting?! Make up your mind, Chen!

Though what really annoys me is that the actual performances are probably only about a few seconds in length. Why spend all that time building sets and dolling the actors in make-up if they’re only given a brief time to shine? Seriously, this film is like the DBZ of Peking Opera at times.

Nonetheless, Farewell is a bold film with the potential to be a true epic, if it only knew what it wanted. I just wish that the actors weren’t wasted on such demeaning roles, and that the script wasn’t so lowbrow.The film feels more forced than shocking when it’s trying to be gritty and edgy. And it’s slightly dismaying that as times change, the main characters are stuck in a time-warp with no place to go. Where are the hopes and dreams? Where is the growth? And what’s the point?

Ningen’s Rating: 8/10 actors; 5.5/10 for story and dialogue; 6.5/10 for film in general

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Kung Fu Double Pack Vol. 1: True Game of Death & Incredible Kung Fu Mission DVD (Performance Syndicat)

Kung Fu Double Pack Vol. 1: True Game of Death & Incredible Kung Fu Mission DVD (Performance Syndicat)

Kung Fu Double Pack Vol. 1: True Game of Death & Incredible Kung Fu Mission DVD (Performance Syndicat)

RELEASE DATE: January 24, 2012

Performance Syndicat presents The Classic Kung Fu Double Pack Vol. 1, which includes True Game of Death, starring Bruce Hsao Lung; and Incredible Kung Fu Mission (aka Kung Fu Commandos), Alexander Lo. The cover art claims that both movies are digitally remastered and fully restored, yet there’s no mention of the movies being in widescreen. Sketchy if you ask me. Let’s hope Performance Syndicat proves us wrong. Clips/Trailers: True Game of Death | Incredible Kung Fu Mission

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