The Boys in Company C Blu-ray (Hen’s Tooth)

The Boys in Company C Blu-ray (Hen's Tooth)

The Boys in Company C Blu-ray (Hen's Tooth)

RELEASE DATE: January 17, 2012

Raymond Chow’s Golden Harvest presents The Boys in Company C, one of the very first Vietnam war films appear after the Vietnam Era. This 1978 cult film follows the lives of five young Marine inductees from their training in boot camp in 1967 through a tour in Vietnam in 1968. Directed by Sidney J. Furie (Iron Eagle) and starring R. Lee Ermey (Full Metal Jacket), Stan Shaw and Andrew Stevens. Check out the trailer.

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

Warrior Blu-ray & DVD (Lionsgate)

Warrior Blu-ray & DVD (Lionsgate)

Warrior Blu-ray & DVD (Lionsgate)

RELEASE DATE: December 20, 2011

“Powerful, moving and brilliant!” – Dan Jolin, Empire

The youngest son (Tom Hardy) of an alcoholic former boxer (Nick Nolte) returns home, where he’s trained by his father for competition in a mixed martial arts tournament — a path that puts the fighter on a collision corner with his older brother (Joel Edgerton).

Warrior is directed by Gavin O’Connor (Pride and Glory) and stars Tom Hardy, Joel Edgerton, Nick Nolte and Jennifer Morrison.

Check out the trailer.

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

A Matter of Size DVD (Menemsha Films)

A Matter of Size DVD (Menemsha Films)

A Matter of Size DVD (Menemsha Films)

RELEASE DATE: December 6, 2011

A Matter of Size is fun-filled comedy from Israeli! Four overweight friends are fed up of dieting. When Herzl (155 kilos), the main protagonist, loses his job as a cook and starts working as a dishwasher in a Japanese restaurant, he discovers the world of Sumo where large people such as himself are honored and appreciated. Through Kitano, the restaurant owner and former Sumo coach – Herzl trains to become a Sumo wrestler himself! Check out the trailer.

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

Flash Point Blu-ray & DVD (Well Go USA)

Flash Point Blu-ray & DVD (Well Go USA)

Flash Point Blu-ray & DVD (Well Go USA)

RELEASE DATE: January 24, 2012

From actor Donnie Yen and Director Wilson Yip, the now-legendary duo behind Ip Man and Ip Man 2, comes the 2007 hit Flash Point.

Previously released on DVD by The Weinstein Company (as part of Dragon Dynasty’s collection), Flash Point is now in the hands of Well Go USA, in a newly presented Blu-ray and DVD edition.

Flash Point also stars Louis Koo, Collin Chou, Lui Leung-Wai, and Xing Yu.

Trailers: U.S. Trailer | Hong Kong Trailer

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

Bunraku (2009) Review

Bunraku DVD (ARC Entertainment)

“Bunraku” American Theatrical Poster

Director: Guy Moshe
Cast: Josh Hartnett, Woody Harrelson, Gackt Camui, Kevin McKidd, Ron Perlman, Demi Moore, Shun Sugata, Jordi Molla, Emily Kaiho, Mike Patton (voice)
Running Time: 118 min.

By HKFanatic

2009’s “Bunraku” is nothing if not ambitious. Shot in four weeks on soundstages in Romania for a minuscule (by Hollywood standards) budget of $20 million, the film tells the tale of a “cowboy without a gun” (Josh Hartnett) and a “samurai without a sword” (Japanese rock star Gackt) who team up to take down the “most powerful crime lord East of the Atlantic” (Ron Perlman). During its high points, the film recalls the dizzying blend of genres of movies like “Kill Bill” and “Sin City.” At its worst, the wooden dialogue and staged quality of “Bunraku” echoes Frank Miller’s other directorial effort, 2008’s much-maligned “The Spirit.”

“Bunraku” was written and directed by Guy Moshe, based on a story by Boaz Davidson. The film is clearly a labor of love for the Israel-born Moshe, who has stated he is keen on exploring a different genre with each project he does. The plot is set in a far-flung future after our war-torn civilization reached the brink of destruction and had to start over again. Now guns are outlawed, global cultures have meshed, and old-fashioned gangs rule the streets.

Creating an inventive new world is just one part of telling a story – you’ve got to be able to communicate your vision to the audience. Unfortunately, “Bunraku” relies on a near constant voice-over narration from alternative rocker Mike Patton during the first 30 minutes, doling out exposition faster than the viewer can process it. Screenplay conventions like “character motivation” are almost an annoyance to Moshe, who would prefer we learn just why these people are constantly fighting once all the fighting is over. The voice-over track is also over-bearing in its message that conflict is the natural state of mankind.

If you’re going to make a movie where the characters routinely engage in choreographed battles, you might as well hire the best; and Moshe managed to land choreographer Larnell Stovall, whose previous credits includes the fan favorite “Undisputed III” with Scott Adkins and the upcoming “Universal Soldier: A New Dimension.” Larnell himself actually gets in on the action, playing one of Ron Perlman’s trained killers, as do a few of his frequent collaborators. Keep an eye out for Fernando Chien, who starred in “Fast Five” and choreographed the action on Michael Jai White’s “Blood and Bone.” Also present is character actor Mark Ivanir, who played a key role in “Undisputed II” and “III.”

I wouldn’t say the fight scenes in “Bunraku” are as jaw-dropping as something like “Undisputed III” but most of the cast here are actors, not martial artists, and Larnell brings out their best. The film comes closest to greatness during a lengthy prison break sequence presented as one long camera take and a later close-quarters fight between Josh Hartnett and Razvan Gheorghiu, where the two actually punch each others’ fists in slow motion. Other highlights include a brawl on a trapeze net and a CGI car chase that utilizes pinball-like sound effects.

This is the kind of movie that asks a lot from its cast. You can almost sense Josh Hartnett and Gackt throwing caution to the wind and going along with Guy Moshe’s vision, trusting that it all will somehow come together in the editing bay. Fans of Gackt (I know there are many) will be happy to know the androgynous J-Rock god gets almost as much screentime as Hartnett. Surprisingly, Woody Harrelson ends up being the glue that holds the film together; his seasoned acting style creates chemistry with nearly everyone in the cast and he comes across as the down to earth voice of wisdom in the film, sort of a hipper version of Peter Parker’s Uncle Ben. He even gives a variation of the same “with great power comes great responsibility” speech.

Ron Perlman plays a dreadlocked and gravely-voiced bad guy, the kind of role he could do in his sleep, although his part is curiously overwritten. Perlman is saddled with a few long monologues that attempt to build sympathy for the character but just end up diluting his strength as a villain. He’s the kind of crime lord who’s become so powerful and constantly challenged, he can barely even leave his secret base. Thus, he’s been reduced to a life of boredom and regret.

Overall, “Bunraku” is a film that takes pleasure in shuffling its influences across the screen: Sergio Leone Westerns, samurai movies, “The Warriors,” video games, Dick Tracy, kung fu flicks, Spider-Man comic books, and more. I got the impression that if “Sin City” and “Kill Bill” hadn’t come before it, this movie might not even exist. But hey, there’s no law saying filmmakers can’t play with those same conventions, whether it be noir-ish voice over as the camera moves through a computer-generated cityscape or a bloody sword fight under a cherry blossom tree. And I applaud anyone who attempts to make a movie this epic in scope on such a limited budget.

But with its very stylized, exaggerated style of acting and dialogue that may or may not make sense, there’s a lot to “Bunraku” that leaves the viewer at arm’s length. You add a 125 minute run time to that and the film might just be asking too much of casual viewers. Frankly, Demi Moore’s entire role as Ron Perlman’s concubine could have been edited from the film with almost no bearing on the plot.

“Bunraku” attempts to be the next great genre mash-up, the kind of title that could unite lovers of both martial arts and genre cinema. It doesn’t quite succeed but it’s still worth a look as long as you have the patience for a movie where scenes and lines of dialogue don’t always hit the mark. Fans of action choreographer Larnell Stovall should find plenty to enjoy since Stovall actually gets to appear onscreen for once and exercise his fight design talent in a diverse range of set-pieces. Derivative but still entertaining, “Bunraku” is proof that sometimes it’s better to aim high and miss than merely sit on the fence.

HKFanatic’s Rating: 6.5/10

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

Tales of an Ancient Empire aka The Sword and the Sorcerer Sequel DVD (Lionsgate)

Tales of an Ancient Empire DVD (Lionsgate)

Tales of an Ancient Empire DVD (Lionsgate)

RELEASE DATE: January 24, 2012

Swords clash and destinies collide in this epic story of bloodlust and vengeance from Albert Pyun, the cult director of The Sword and the Sorcerer, Cyborg and Nemesis. Tales of an Ancient Empire stars Kevin Sorbo, Michael Pare, Sarah Ann Schultz and Whitney Able.

Check out the trailer.

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

Hunted By Night DVD (MTI)

Hunted By Night DVD (MTI)

Hunted By Night DVD (MTI)

RELEASE DATE: January 31, 2012

With its John Woo-inspired shoot-outs and bone-crunching martial arts sequences, Juan C. Bofill’s Hunted By Night seems to have what action film nuts are hungry for! Three men are hunting when an airplane drops bails of drugs in their vicinity. The men must decide whether to report the drugs or sell them for millions of dollars. Their decision to take the drugs leads them on a deadly confrontation with vicious drug dealers . Check out the trailer.

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

Well Go USA invites you to ‘A Better Tomorrow’ on November 8

"A Better Tomorrow" Korean Theatrical Poster

"A Better Tomorrow" Korean Theatrical Poster

“A remake that’s on the money.” – The Hollywood Reporter

“A classic unto itself.” – Film Critics United

Brothers.  Enemies.  Killers.

A BETTER TOMORROW

From Executive Producer John Woo Comes the Stylish Action Drama Starring Jin-mo Ju and Seung-heon Song.

The accent is on action when Jin-mo Ju (A Frozen Flower, The Warrior) and Seung-heon Song (So Close, Ghost) star in the remake of John Woo’s 1986 cult classic A Better Tomorrow, debuting on Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack and DVD November 8 from Well Go USA. Double-dealing among rival Thai and Korean mob syndicates provide the fuel for this fast-paced crime thriller that also stars Kang-woo Kim (Marine Boy) and Han Sun Jo. Bonus materials include deleted scenes, a photo gallery, behind-the-scenes interviews with director Hae-sung Song and the film’s actors, and a 30-minute interview with executive producer John Woo. A Better Tomorrow will be available in a Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack for $29.98 SRP and on DVD for $24.98 SRP.

Synopsis:

Kim Hyuk (Joo Jin-Mo) lives the fast life as a high ranking mobster in the port city of Busan, South Korea. His closet friend is fellow mobster Lee Young-Choon (Song Seung-Heon). Even though Kim Hyuk seems to be on top of the world, he is haunted by the memory of leaving behind his younger brother Kim Chul (Kim Kang-Woo) and mother as they attempted to flee into South Korea from North Korea. Kim Hyuk’s mother was beaten to death and Kim Chul imprisoned after they were caught by North Korean authorities.

Kim Hyuk then travels to Thailand with new gang recruit Jung Tae-Min (Jo Han-Seon) for a meeting with Thai gangsters. The meeting turns out to be a set-up, planned in part by Jung Tae-Min. Kim Hyuk is able to shoot his way out the meeting, but he is later caught by the Thai police and imprisoned. When good friend Lee Young-Choon hears of what happened to Kim Hyuk in Thailand, he goes to the Thai gang’s holdout in Pusan to kill their boss. During the shootout Jung Tae-Min is shot in the leg.

Three years later, Kim Hyuk is finally released from prison and travels back to Busan. He finds his close friend Lee Young-Choon washing cars now and has a limp leg. Jung Tae-Min, the man that betrayed him, has climbed up the mob ranks and is now a feared crime boss. Furthermore, Kim Hyuk’s younger brother Kim Chul has arrived in Busan and works for the Busan Police Department. Meanwhile, Kim Chul keeps close tabs on Jung Tae-Min as he attempts to take down their gang.

Bonus Features Include:

– 30 minute interview with John Woo
– Deleted Scenes
– Actor and Director interviews
– Theatrical Trailer
– Photo Gallery

A Better Tomorrow has a runtime of approximately 124 minutes and is not rated.

Posted in News |

Netflix Instant Asian Horror Spooktacular

"Vampire Girl vs. Frankenstein Girl" Japanese Theatrical Poster

"Vampire Girl vs. Frankenstein Girl" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Looking for a bloody good time? In the spirit of the Halloween season, we spotlight a few Asian horror movies now streaming on Netflix Instant:

Thirst (2009) – the director of “Oldboy,” Chan Wook-Park, presents his unconventional take on the vampire myth

Retribution (2006) – arguably the master of Asian horror, director Kiyoshi Kurosawa, weaves a bleak ghost story with apocalyptic ramifications

Infection (2005) – a fan-praised Japanese horror film set in a hospital where something is not quite right

Meatball Machine (2005) – a gruesome Japanese splatterpunk film in the tradition of “Tetsuo: The Iron Man” and “Versus”; a must-see for those who like their horror movies with a healthy heaping of gore

Noriko’s Dinner Table (2005) – acclaimed Japanese director Sion Sono presents this nearly three hour long prequel to his own “Suicide Club”

Three…Extremes (2005) – an Asian horror anthology featuring three distinct tales from Hong Kong director Fruit Chan, “Oldboy” filmmaker Chan Wook-Park, and the legendary Takashi Miike

Dumplings (2004) – Fruit Chan expands his “Three…Extremes” piece into a macabre full-length film

Tokyo Zombie (2005) – a zany zombie comedy based off the manga and starring Tadanobu Asano of “Ichi the Killer” fame

Ab-Normal Beauty (2004) – one half of the Pang Brothers directs this creepy Hong Kong horror movie starring Ekin Cheng

Spider Forest (2004) – this unsettling Korean horror film deals with the notion of a fractured mind a la “Fight Club” or “Memento”

Doppleganger (2003) – Kiyoshi Kurosawa directs this decidedly offbeat tale of a man who meets his evil double

Ju-On 2 (2003) – internationally acclaimed director Takashi Shimizu continues the “Ju-On” saga that made him famous

Visible Secret (2001) – Hong Kong critical darling Ann Hiu directs this rare horror outing, starring Eason Chan, Shu Qi, Anthony Wong, and Sam Lee

Barking Dogs Never Bite (2000) – a pitch black Korean comedy from Joon Ho Bong, the world-renown director of “The Host” and “Mother”

Demon Warriors (2007) – this dark Thai thriller is more of an action movie than a horror flick but it features plenty of blood ‘n gore. Imagine Clive Barker directing an X-Men movie and you’re halfway there

Hellavator: The Bottled Fools (2005) – an ultra low-budget sci-fi horror movie made by Japanese film students. What’s not to love?

Epitaph (2007) – a Korean horror anthology centered around a haunted, war-time hospital

Vampire Girl vs. Frankenstein Girl (2009) – from the director of “Tokyo Gore Police” comes this Japanese splatterfest that probably explains itself from the title [dubbed]

Goth (2008) – based on a popular manga, this Japanese horror movie follows two death-obsessed high school girls trying to track down a serial killer

The Machine Girl (2008) – the movie that started it all for the “Tokyo Gore Police” team and arguably still their best, it follows a teenage girl with a machine gun attachment looking to get revenge on the Yakuza [dubbed]

Robogeisha (2009) – another ultra-violent Japanese treat from the makers of “Tokyo Gore Police” [dubbed]

Tokyo Gore Police (2008) – a blood-splattered Japanese film set in a near future where mutants and other societal outcasts have run amok [dubbed]

Posted in News |

Blu-ray and DVD Releases for 11/1/11

Machete Maidens Unleashed DVD (MPI)

Machete Maidens Unleashed DVD (MPI)

Not a whole lot for Asian film buffs to choose from this week but martial arts fans will probably want to check out “Bunraku” and perhaps there’s an older catalog title you’d like to upgrade to blu-ray on. Alright, let’s get cracking!

ASIAN CINEMA

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan (blu-ray/DVD) – from Wayne Wang, the director of “Joy Luck Club,” comes this tale of lifelong friendship starring Li Bingbing, Gianna Jun, Vivian Wu, and Russell Wong

FOREIGN CINEMA

Going Places (blu-ray/DVD) – this 1974 French comedy features plenty of wanton sexuality and amoral living, and made an overnight star of actor Gerard Depardiu

CULT

Bunraku (blu-ray/DVD) – director Guy Moshe presents a dizzying blend of influences in this 2009 genre mash-up starring Josh Hartnett and Japanese rock god Gackt. Fans of martial arts movies and weird cult flicks should find plenty to enjoy here but, chances are, the average viewer will be left scratching their head

The Adventures of Prince Achmed (DVD) – this movie from 1926 is considered the oldest remaining animated film, made by Lotte Reiniger using her innovative silhouette technique

Survive! (DVD) – Amazon has this 1976 survivalist film arriving on DVD this week, delayed from several weeks ago

Machete Maidens Unleashed (DVD) – this documentary examines the crazy world of Filipino genre cinema in the 70’s and 80’s. Also streaming on Netflix Instant!

Darkening Sky (DVD) – an extremely low-budget alien abduction film starring Rider Strong of “Boy Meets World” and “Cabin Fever” fame

MAINSTREAM

Hook (blu-ray) – if you grew up with this 1991 Steven Spielberg film like I did, you probably love it. Anyone who saw this when they were older seems to hate it. Either way, it’s now on blu-ray!

Cop Land (blu-ray) – before he reinvented himself as a post-millennial action god, Sly Stallone stretched his acting chops for one last time in this 1997 dark cop drama. Now in hi-def!

Scrooged (blu-ray) – everybody loves Bill Muarry, so why not upgrade to the blu-ray version of his 1988 take on “A Christmas Carol”?

Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (blu-ray) – before “Moon” made him a household name, Sam Rockwell starred in this dark drama loosely based on a true story. Now on blu-ray

Trespass (blu-ray/DVD) – there are some who will tell you this 2011 Joel Schumacher film received a limited theatrical release but I still say this is Nicole Kidman’s first true direct-to-video flick. Hey, it happens to everyone. Nicolas Cage is also here for the paycheck

The Philadelphia Experiment (DVD) – this 1984 sci-fi adventure film starring Michael Pare (“Streets of Fire”) and Nancy Allen (“Dressed to Kill”) gets a DVD re-release, which is probably a good thing since the transfer on the previous DVD was supposedly terrible

Black Moon Rising (DVD) – a DVD re-release for this 1986 science fiction film, written by John Carpenter and starring Tommy Lee Jones and Linda Hamilton

HORROR

Phantom of the Opera (blu-ray) – the classic 1925 silent film starring Lon Chaney, still full of terror and awe, arrives on blu-ray for the first time

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 |

The Hellstrom Chronicle Blu-ray & DVD

The Hellstrom Chronicle Blu-ray & DVD

The Hellstrom Chronicle Blu-ray & DVD

RELEASE DATE: January 10, 2012

This 1971 movie combines elements of documentary and science fiction to present a gripping depiction of the Darwinian struggle for survival between humans and insects. Several cinematographers photographed this film using stop-motion photography with microscopic and telescopic lenses. The Hellstrom Chronicle’s trailer resembled an announcement for a science fiction movie.

The Hellstrom Chronicle took home an Academy Award (Best Documentary Feature), a Cannes Film Festival Grand Prize (Technical) and the BAFTA Award (Best Documentary feature).

If you’re not intrigued after watching this clip, then you’re not human and the insects will win!

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

Zen DVD (Festival Media)

Zen DVD (Festival Media)

Zen DVD (Festival Media)

RELEASE DATE: November 29, 2011

Zen is a biopic of Dogen Zenji, a Japanese Zen Buddhist teacher and the founder of the Soto school of Zen in Japan after travelling to China. Directed by Banmei Takahashi and starring Kantarou Nakamura, Yuki Uchida, Ryushin Tei, Jun Murakami and Tatsuya Fujiwara. Check out the trailer here.

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

Want to rent a hot new release from Netflix? Great, now wait 60 days

Netflix CEO Reed Hastings has issued an apology for the handling of a recent price hike that had Netflix subscribers in a lather and led to a number of subscriber cancellations and a drop in stock price. And he’s also announced that Netflix will split into two companies: Netflix for streaming and “Qwikster” for DVDs by mail. To read the full story and watch Hastings’ video statement, please click here.

UPDATE 1: In a shocking development, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings announced today that, well, there will be no Qwikster. Netflix will remain one service from which you can rent DVDs and stream movies, with only one charge to your credit card. Surely this kind of flip-flopping isn’t typically seen outside the political realm?

UPDATE 2: A company rep told the New York Times that it is still  “to be determined” if Netflix will move forward with a plan to rent out video games, a move that would provide serious competition for the games-by-mail service GameFly.

UPDATE 3: The Hollywood Reporter notes that several Hollywood studios are debating an extension on the 28-day delay that some new movie releases face before arriving Netflix and Redbox. This could mean that Netflix and Redbox users would have to wait up to 60 days after street date in order to rent new movies. All of this is an attempt from the major studios to increase flagging sales on retail DVDs.

Posted in News |

Dante Lam’s ‘The Stool Pigeon’ – now streaming on Netflix Instant

The Stool Pigeon Blu-ray/DVD (Well Go USA)

The Stool Pigeon Blu-ray/DVD (Well Go USA)

The Stool Pigeon is 2010 Hong Kong police thriller directed by Dante Lam (The Beast Stalker, Fire of Conscience) and starring Nicholas Tse, Nick Cheung and Kwai Lun-mei. The film explores the dangerous world of police informants and the lengths they must go to in order to maintain their cover. The Stool Pigeon is now streaming on Netflix Instant in HD. Watch it, then check out our review!

Posted in News |

Horror Express Blu-ray (MPI)

Horror Express Blu-ray (MPI)

Horror Express Blu-ray (MPI)

RELEASE DATE: November 29, 2011

First time on Blu-ray! An English anthropologist has discovered a frozen monster in the frozen wastes of Manchuria which he believes may be the Missing Link. He brings the creature back to Europe aboard a trans-Siberian express, but during the trip the monster thaws out and starts to butcher the passengers one by one.

This 1973 cult classic stars: Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing and Telly Savalas.

Check out the trailer here.

Features:

– Introduction by Fangoria editor Chris Alexander
– Murder On The Trans-Siberian Express interview with director Eugenio Martín
– Notes From The Blacklist feature with producer Bernard Gordon discussing the McCarthy Era
– 1973 audio interview with Peter Cushing
– Telly And Me interview with composer John Cacavas
– Theatrical trailer

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