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.
“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
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
Kung Fu Double Pack Vol. 2: Bloody Fight & Story in Temple Red Lily DVD (Performance Syndicat)
RELEASE DATE: January 24, 2012
Performance Syndicat presents The Classic Kung Fu Double Pack Vol. 2, which includes Bloody Fight and Temple Red Lily. 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.
Fistful of Bullets: Spaghetti Western DVD Collection (Mill Creek)
RELEASE DATE: January 10, 2012
Titles include Apache Blood, Between God, the Devil and a Winchester, Beyond the Law, Death Rides a Horse, The Fighting Fists of Shanghai Joe, Find a Place to Die, Fistful of Lead, God’s Gun, Grand Duel, Gunfight at Red Sands, It Can Be Done Amigo, Johnny Yuma, Sundance and the Kid, This Man Can’t Die, Trinity and Sartana & Twice a Judas! Just to get you in the mood, check out this trailer for Death Rides A Horse!
The Assailant aka Besouro DVD (Phase 4)
RELEASE DATE: February 14, 2012
Based on the life of a legendary capoeira (a Brazilian art form that combines elements of martial arts, sports, and music) fighter from Bahia, Besouro spins a fantastic tale of a young Brazilian man (Aílton Carmo) of African descent in search of his mission. Let’s hope it’s better than Rooftops. Check out the trailer.
Three Outlaw Samurai Blu-ray & DVD (Criterion)
RELEASE DATE: February 14, 2012
This first film by the legendary Hideo Gosha (Sword of the Beast) is among the most canonized chambara (sword-fighting) films. An origin-story offshoot of a Japanese television series phenomenon of the same name, Three Outlaw Samurai is a classic in its own right. In it, a wandering, seen-it-all ronin (Tetsuro Tamba) becomes entangled in the dangerous business of two other samurai (Isamu Nagato and Mikijiro Hira), hired to execute a band of peasants who have kidnapped the daughter of a corrupt magistrate. With remarkable storytelling economy and thrilling action scenes, this is an expertly mounted tale of revenge and loyalty.
Check out the trailer.
Features include: High-definition digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray edition; Trailer; New English subtitle translation; and a booklet featuring an essay by film critic Bilge Ebiri.
“Bullet Train” Theatrical Poster
Director: Junya Sato
Cast: Ken Takakura, Sonny Chiba, Kei Yamamoto, Eiji Go, Akira Oda, Raita Ryu, Masayo Utsunomiya, Yumi Takigawa, Etsuko Shihomi, Takashi Shimura, Fumio Watanabe, Mizuho Suzuki, Ken Utsui, Tetsuro Tamba
Running Time: 115 min.
By Sergio Martorelli
It’s official: american action films sucks mammoth balls, even the ones directed by HK masters like John Woo and Tsui Hark. And do you wanna know why? I’ll tell ya. It’s because they’re not about action anymore. They’re all about special effects and boosted egos. They’re about multi-digit budgets that look very impressive ’til we find out that a gem like Shiri was made for under $ 4 million. They’re about posters with huge pics of Well-Paid Star’s noggin with his name in bold letters on top, as if every actioner is now called “CRUISE” or something of the sort. They’re about Well-Paid Star braggin’ on Letterman about how he did his own stunts – or, to be more precise, how he valiantly posed in front of a bluescreen hung by wires that would be digitally removed in post. They’re about Well-Paid Star saving the world single-handedly, a formula already tired back when Sean Connery was still dancing with leprechauns. They’re about how Well-Paid Star is considering directing-writing-producing the next eleven sequels. Well, Mr. Well-Paid Star. you think you’re da shit, eh? Then go jump from a building like Jackie Chan did on “Rumble In the Bronx”, and maybe. I said MAYBE. you can earn my respect. Deal?
That brings us to this exciting japanese production from the 70’s, that served as the basis of “Speed”. Wait, I said basis? Ha! This one has a train instead of a bus, no Keanu and no Sandra. But apart from that, it’s exactly the same story. One of the last lines from “The Bullet Train” is “Kuramochi, there’s always somebody who will try this again”! Man, those japanese must have ESP powers beyond of the mere mortal men! If you saw “Speed” you kinda saw “The Bullet Train”. A terrorist mob, led by likeable villain Tetsuo (Takakura Ken), plants a bomb in the bowels of a shinkansen (that’s “bullet train” for you non-japanese speaking folks). If the train speed drops below 80 km/h, it will go kablooey and kill 1,500 commuters. Whoa. In “Speed”, the greatest danger was snuffing Cameron from “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”. But now comes the biggest difference: “The Bullet Train” is not flashy at all, but is a far better film. Instead of falling on the cliché of the “sole hero achieving what the entire police force was too incompetent to do”, director Junya Sato made almost everybody a hero in this one – including some passerbys who end up helping to catch one of the terrorists.
Crash Cinema put this DVD in its Sonny Chiba Collection, but Chiba isn’t the star at all. Even so, he does indeed saves lotsa asses doing what his character is supposed to: conducting a train. And not alone. Aiding him are the men in the control room, headed by Kuramochi (Utsui Ken), monitoring the trains that go back and forth and radio-ing precise orders to avoid accidents. Yeah, I can hear you go “yawn”. A bomb on a bus sounds more exciting cause they may run out of fuel or Sandra Bullock’s character, A DROP-OUT FROM THE DRIVING SCHOOL, can screw things up stepping on the wrong pedal. FYI, japanese shinkansen are controlled by computers that will automatically shut down the train if something weird is happening – like, if said train is going too fast and failing to stop on the stations. Making a quick left turn is easy even for a DROP-OUT FROM THE DRIVING SCHOOL, but how do you trick a computer, eh? What do you do, hotshot? What do you do?
The action isn’t limited to the insides of the train. Meanwhile, the police negotiates with the terrorists while the clock ticks, as nobody knows for sure where the bomb is or how to defuse it. I don’t know if you’re aware of this little piece of trivia, but a train is slighty longer than a bus. The way the investigators find out is more complicated and clever than removing a piece of the floor and looking under the vehicle. Oh, one more thing: buses can run around in circles, but train lines end. So there. Case in point: this is a hell of an exciting flick that MUST be watched by any self-respecting action afficionado. “But how’s the DVD quality, o Great Poombah?” you ask me so very politely. Well. it’s acceptable at best, with nice contrast but faded colours. You wouldn’t want to use this one to test your schmancy fancy Home Theater set-up. But then again, if the only thing you need is an anamorphically-enhaced image with DTS-EX sound so you can show off your widescreen TV and listen to choppers flying all over your room, then this kind of movie is not for you. Where you’re heading, you don’t need brains.
Sergio Martorelli’s Rating: 7/10
Infracells are up, mega thrusters are go and the legendary robot hero is ready to make his resurgence in Voltron: Defender of the Universe, scheduled for release in October on Xbox LIVE® Arcade and PlayStation®Network.
In this brand-new take on the classic Voltron animated adventure, players will find themselves teaming up to battle the evil forces of King Zarkon across the varied landscapes of Planet Arus. Interwoven with clips from the original animated television series, the new game from THQ promises a re-mastered adventure in stunning high-definition.
Voltron fans can finally relive some of the most defining moments from the classic series, or even introduce a new generation of young Space Explorers, as they command any of the individual Lions or even team up to form Voltron and wield his epic blazing sword.
Galactic peacekeepers may choose to play either online in seamless 1- to 5-player co-op or offline in 1- or 2-player co-op. Players will select a Lion based on a number of strengths, resistances and elemental attacks that they use to battle fierce Robeasts and a number of other familiar adversaries.
“We really wanted to create a game that’s exciting, true to the original series and challenging to play,” said Peter Armstrong, executive producer. “All of us here are big fans of classic Voltron, and we’re really proud of what we have created.”
See the game in action here!
Voltron: Defender of the Universe will be available on Xbox LIVE Arcade (800 Microsoft Points) and PlayStation Network ($9.99).
“Mortal Kombat: Legacy” American Poster
Director: Kevin Tancharoen
Cast: Michael Jai White, Jeri Ryan, Darren Shahlavi, Matt Mullins, Sam Tjhia, Jolene Tran, Ryan Robbins, Ian Anthony Dale, Kevan Ohtsji, Peter Shinkoda
Running Time: 100 min.
By HKFanatic
Back in 2010, a director named Kevin Tancharoen appeared out of nowhere with a short film titled “Mortal Kombat: Rebirth.” The film was a ‘proof of concept’ for Kevin’s vision of a Mortal Kombat relaunch, a way to gauge fan enthusiasm and see if Warner Brothers would greenlight a new movie to be helmed by Tancharoen. Starring martial arts heavies Michael Jai White (“Spawn”) and Matt Mullins (“Blood and Bone“), the short offered a different take on the Mortal Kombat franchise; jettisoning most of its more outlandish fantasy elements for a gritty real world flavor tinged with some mysticism. The project accomplished at least one of its goals: fan interest went through the roof. Warner Brothers didn’t say “yes” to a full-length movie based off the strength of the 8 minute video, which quickly went viral on YouTube, but they did allow Tancharoen to do a web series.
Now that the web series has run its course, all nine episodes of “Mortal Kombat: Legacy” are collected on a single disc blu-ray and DVD. Each episode takes a look at a particular character in the Mortal Kombat universe and typically explains their reasoning or motivation for partaking in an upcoming martial arts tournament. No previous knowledge of Mortal Kombat is necessary; this series ignores Paul W.S. Anderson’s 90’s guilty pleasure flick and its atrocious sequel. Since the game mythology itself has become increasingly convoluted and difficult to make sense of after nine entries, Tachnaroen wisely offers up a “Batman Begins”-style reboot of the entire franchise. “Legacy” starts over from scratch and presents the characters in a new, generally more realistic light.
“Legacy” is something of a dream project for action fans as Tachnaroen was able to bring together ace fight choreographer Larnell Stovall (“Undisputed 3,” “Bunraku“) with a host of top Western martial arts talent. Michael Jai White and Matt Mullins are back but this time so are Darren Shahlavi (the evil British boxer from “Ip Man 2“) and Ian Anthony Dale (Kazuya Mishima in the “Tekken” movie). Stovall’s choreography is hard-hitting and exciting, taking inspiration from the arcade game without being a slave to the characters’ move sets. The first two episodes are stand outs, especially when Stovall combines Michael Jai White’s hard-hitting combat skills with some bloody gunplay. Seeing White square off against Shahlavi, who has been an excellent bad guy since his days in Yuen Woo-Ping’s “Tai Chi II” and the Gary Daniels flick “Bloodmoon,” was one of my main interests in the project and their battle does not disappoint.
If anything, these first two Michael Jai White-filled episodes are so action-packed and exciting that they set the bar too high for the series; later episodes have their share of fighting but are far more plot-centric and focused on setting up Tachnaroen and his writing team’s interpretation of the Mortal Kombat universe. There are some definite highlights, though: Matt Mullins seems to relish the chance to play the cocky pretty boy Johnny Cage, who is portrayed as something like a parody of Jean Claude Van Damme during his ego-fueled 90’s era. I only wish they would have shown clips from Cage’s fictional movies rather than focusing on his botched attempts at a reality TV show since it doesn’t play out as humorously as it could have. I did appreciate the in-jokes about Johnny Cage’s Power Ranger past; a fun reference for fans seeing as how Matt Mullins starred in the TV show “Kamen Rider: Dragon Knight,” a Power Rangers-esque show.
Another highlight is the episode that focuses on Raiden, the God of Thunder, who is brilliantly brought to life by actor Ryan Robbins. This episode seems to crystallize Tancharoen’s unique approach to the Mortal Kombat series: just enough brutal realism tempered by dark fantasy. The final episode, focusing on the cyborg characters Cyrax and Sector, features Stovall’s most outlandish choreography yet as the motion-captured robots pummel each other like a bunch of crazed Iron Men in all their CG glory.
If this collection has any flaws, it’s that “Mortal Kombat: Legacy” leaves you wanting more. Most of the major plot threads are left unresolved; these episodes get the characters into position for the Mortal Kombat tournament but don’t actually delve into it. This is, essentially, a 104 minute teaser for a potential MK movie – I just hope that Tacnareon gets to make it and with this cast. All of the story set-up means that a few episodes fall flat, in particular the two-partner about Katana and Mileena, which has an almost constant voice-over track providing exposition. Quibbles aside, the series does a great job of re-introducing popular characters to a fresh audience, establishing their conflicts, and making the viewer hungry for more.
If you’ve only seen “Legacy” in a tiny box on YouTube, the blu-ray should be something of a revelation. On the big screen, detail is sharp and you notice just how much care when into lighting this series. It doesn’t look like a “web TV show” at all, with the production values outshining many prime time shows. Although Kevin Tancharoen’s previous credits include the glitzy remake of “Fame,” you get the sense that he’s always wanted to play in a universe as dark and bloody as Mortal Kombat. The blu-ray has some solid Special Features too, including an excellent behind-the-scenes look at Larnell Stovall’s fight choreography. Overall, this is a worthwhile purchase for fans of the Mortal Kombat license. It may be over too soon, with these nine short-ish episodes hopefully serving as a prelude to a film to come, but if you love your Outworld and your Fatalities you’d be hard pressed to find a more serious and faithful adaptation of Mortal Kombat.
HKFanatic’s Rating: 7/10
36 Styles: An all-new brand of Fashion Fu-Wear
Shaolin Chamber 36, Golden Swallow and Kung Fu Bob have collectively created something for the kung fu film fans: 36 Styles: An all-new brand of Fashion Fu-Wear.
Currently, there are 4 stylish types of t-shirts (featuring retro artwork from Snake in the Monkey’s Shadow, The Hot, The Cool, and The Vicious, Dance of the Drunk Mantis, and Invincible Armour) in various colors and sizes (M, L, XL). Please support your love for the genre by checking out the store.
Update: 36 Styles has just added an old school, “movie style” T-shirt featuring Master of the Flying Guillotine. Click here to check it out!
Catch .44 Blu-ray & DVD (Anchor Bay)
RELEASE DATE: December 20, 2011
Bruce Willis, Malin Akerman (Watchmen), Nikki Reed (The Twilight Saga), Deborah Ann Woll (True Blood) and Forest Whitaker (The Last King of Scotland) star in the tough, sexy story of three hit women sent to rural Louisiana to intercept a big money dope deal. Shea Whigham (‘Boardwalk Empire’) and Brad Dourif (One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest) co-star in this intense crime thriller with a killer twist. Catch .44 is written and directed by Aaron Harvey (The Evil Woods). Check out the trailer.
Infernal Affairs Blu-ray (Lionsgate)
A diverse range of titles will be available for purchase this Tuesday. A little something for everyone, as they say. So here are your Asian and genre-related blu-ray and DVD releases for the week of 11/15/11:
ASIAN CINEMA
Infernal Affairs (blu-ray) – ignore the gun-toting cover art and enjoy this 2002 Andrew Lau film starring Andy Lau and Tony Leung, now in glorious hi-def
Treasure Hunter (blu-ray/DVD) – a 2009 Taiwanese action-adventure film in the “Mummy” mold, starring Jay Chou of “The Green Hornet” fame and Eric Tsang. Released by Funimation
The Warring States (DVD) – a 2010 Chinese historical epic with a dash of romance and slapstick, co-starring the great Francis Ng
What Women Want (DVD) – it’s hard to believe Andy Lau would need magic powers to know what women want – he’s Andy Lau! – but that seems to be the case in this 2010 Chinese language remake of the American film, this time starring Lau and Gong Li
Ninja Triple Feature (DVD) – Switchblade Pictures presents three Japanese ninja’sploitation movies on one disc. Expect plenty of AV idols from the looks of it. Movies include: Ninja She-Devil, I Was a Teenage Ninja, and Ninjaken: the Naked Sword
FOREIGN CINEMA
Three Colors: Blue, White, Red (blu-ray/DVD) – Krzysztof Kieślowski’s trio of films, in French and Polish, starting from 1994 are released on blu-ray by the Criterion Collection
The Rules of the Game (blu-ray) – Jean Renoir’s classic 1939 black-and-white French film about class and social codes arrives on blu-ray from the Criterion Collection
CULT
Bellflower (blu-ray/DVD) – this controversial 2011 film that divided critics and viewers alike with its tale of love and homemade flame-throwers finally arrives on blu-ray and DVD
Giorgio Moroder Presents Metropolis: Special Edition (blu-ray/DVD) – the legendary composer and synth-pop pioneer presents his 1984 rock opera vision of Fritz Lang’s classic silent film “Metropolis,” now on blu-ray from Kino Video
Griff the Invisible (DVD) – your friends at Indomina release this charming 2010 indie superhero movie from Australia
Despair (blu-ray) – a 1978 adaptation of the novel by “Lolita” author Vladimir Nabakov, directed by Rainer Werner Fassbinder and now on blu-ray
Fist 2 Fist (DVD) – a 2011 low-budget fight movie starring Jino Kang and Bill Duff
Neverwhere (DVD) – the BBC presents the 15th Anniversary edition of this live-action adaptation of Nail Gaiman’s novel
Fading of the Cries (DVD) – a 2011 demon-slaying, vampire and zombie kind of low-budget flick, co-starring character actor Brad Dourif
Red 71 (DVD) – Variety says this 2008 film is “a highly stylized noir puzzle”
MAINSTREAM
The Big Lebowski (blu-ray) – previously only available as a deluxe limited edition package, you can the 1998 Coen Brothers film on single disc blu-ray this week
Gettysburg (blu-ray) – the director’s cut of this acclaimed 1993 Civil War film
Adrenalin – Fear the Rush (DVD) – a low-budget Miramax film starring Christopher Lambert and Natasha Henstridge
Warriors of Virtue – Return to Tao (DVD) – unbelievably enough, Miramax must have funded a low-budget, PG-rated sequel to Ronny Yu’s “Warriors of Virtue”
Best of the Best – Without Warning (DVD) – Miramax continues their string of low-budget releases this week with a sequel to the Eric Roberts “Best of the Best” series
CLASSICS
West Side Story (blu-ray) – the 50th Anniversary Edition of the 1961 classic musical
My Fair Lady (blu-ray) – the 1964 film starring Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison, now in hi-def
TELEVISION
Crime Story: The Complete Series (DVD) – we don’t usually cover TV releases on here but I figure this 1988 series deserves special mention as it was created by Michael Mann of “Heat” and “Public Enemies” fame
HORROR
Evil Dead 2 (blu-ray/DVD) – Sam Raimi’s 1987 horror-comedy classic is now available on blu-ray as a 25th Anniversary Edition
Prophecy (blu-ray) – the 1995 apocalyptic movie starring Christopher Walken and Viggo Mortensen, now on blu-ray
Humongous (DVD) – the Katrina’s Nightmare Theater imprint offers this 1982 slasher movie, rare and uncut on DVD
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!
Sinners and Saints Blu-ray & DVD (Anchor Bay)
RELEASE DATE: January 10, 2012
Serious buzz alert for action fans! Beleaguered Detective Sean Riley is trying to cope with the death of his young son and his failed marriage. Facing a probable suspension from the department, Riley is teamed with a young homicide Detective, Will Ganz, to help solve a series of brutal murders that have plunged the city into a major gang war. Sinners and Saints is directed by William Kaufman (The Hit List) and stars up and coming action star Johnny Strong (no relation to Arnold Strong). Check out the trailer here.
Helldriver Blu-ray/DVD (Well Go USA)
“Helldriver explodes with goodness!” – Cole Abaius, Film School Rejects
“Plenty of gore, comedy and carnage to go around!” – Colleen Wanglund, CinemaKnifeFight.com
Welcome to Zombie World!
HELLDRIVER
Japanese Splatter King Yoshihiro Nishimura
Delivers a Blood-Soaked Gore Fest
on Blu-ray™ + DVD Combo Pack and DVD November 22
Extensive Bonus Materials Include Three Spinoff Short Films Set Within the Helldriver Universe: Helldriver Dokata, Catch Me If You Can! and Bailout!
From director Yoshihiro Nishimura (Tokyo Gore Police, Vampire Girl Vs. Frankenstein Girl) comes the epic, apocalyptic Zombie-fighting road movie Helldriver, featuring non-stop, over-the-top splatter action debuting on Blu-ray™ + DVD Combo Pack and DVD November 22 from Well Go USA. The latest cult film from the prolific Japanese production company Sushi Typhoon, Helldriver takes place in a Japan where half the population has become not-so-sexy flesh eaters and the economy has gently withered away … until Kika (Yumiko Hara) arrives. A stunning high school girl armed with an artificial heart-powered chainsaw sword, she leads a motley crew of desperados on a secret mission into the zombie-infected wilds to exterminate zombie queen Rikka (Eihi Shiina, Tokyo Gore Police) and put an end to the plague of the living dead.
The extensive bonus features include three exclusive short films set within the Helldriver universe: Helldriver Dokata (directed by Helldriver First Assistant Director Jun Shiozaki), Catch Me If You Can! (directed by Lighting Director Hiroshi Ota), and Bailout! (directed by poster designer Yoshiki Takahashi). Additional added value includes an in-depth interview with the Japanese splatter king himself, Yoshihiro Nishimura and two behind-the-scenes featurettes: “The Making of Helldriver,” directed by Helldriver actor Demo Tanaka that not only details the making of the film, but also the literally hellish conditions under which the film was shot (two-week shooting schedule, bad weather) and “Sushi Typhoon: Tokyo Invasion!,” featuring interviews with many of the Sushi Typhoon team while launching the Sushi Typhoon festival, where four films were screened for a month in the Ginza area of Tokyo. Helldriver will be available in the Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack for $29.98 SRP and on DVD for $24.98 SRP.
Synopsis:
A meteorite crashes into Japan, releasing a toxic ash that turns inhabitants in the northern half of the country into bloodthirsty zombies. Some time later, with the north now walled off from the rest of Japan, a young woman (Yumiko Hara) is charged with leading a group of ragtag soldiers into the infected region to kill the “zombie queen” (Shiina) – who also happens to be her homicidal mother.
Bonus Features Include:
– Director Interview with Yoshihiro Nishimura
– “The Making of Helldriver” featurette
– “Sushi Typhoon: Tokyo Invasion!” featurette
– Short Films
o Helldriver Dokata
o Catch Me If You Can!
o Bailout!
– Trailers
Helldriver has a runtime of approximately 114 minutes and is not rated.
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on The final ‘Mission Impossible’ we reckon? Watch the action-packed Teaser for ‘Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’I agree. They need to stick to their martial arts garbage, which all looks th… on Netflix ‘n KILL! Streaming giant awakens the English-language remake of Kim Jee-woon’s 2005 hit ‘A Bittersweet Life’I would feel better about this if an auteur type of film maker or someone who…
on The final ‘Mission Impossible’ we reckon? Watch the action-packed Teaser for ‘Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’Tom Cruise is a Samurai... you forget ;) on Tony Jaa will make America great again! Well Go USA is giving ‘Striking Rescue’ a U.S. theatrical release in DecemberThere have been some pretty good, straight to streaming "low budget" movies.…
on The final ‘Mission Impossible’ we reckon? Watch the action-packed Teaser for ‘Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’This isn't an asian or martial arts film. COF not on fire. on High Forces (2024) ReviewNot imprtant! please focus on what's important!
on High Forces (2024) Reviewi honestly don't get the reference. only thing i find about DEI on the intern…
on Jackie Chan – Cameo Story: His Top 10 HK Cinema Cameos"I’d love to see 88 Films, Eureka or Arrow pump out a special edition of “Fea…
on Tony Jaa will make America great again! Well Go USA is giving ‘Striking Rescue’ a U.S. theatrical release in DecemberIn china, the movie go straight online, which mean it is low budget. Low budg… on Die Hard in a bar unit? Watch action scenes from Scott Adkins’ latest thriller ‘Take Cover’I rented Take Cover on Vudu a few days ago, and it’s decent. Certainly much b… on We always thought they looked alike! Scott Adkins joins Ben Affleck and Matt Damon in Joe Carnahan’s thriller ‘RIP’I hope Adkins has a sizable role. Affleck has to be familiar with his filmogr… on We always thought they looked alike! Scott Adkins joins Ben Affleck and Matt Damon in Joe Carnahan’s thriller ‘RIP’are you sure it's not Good Will Hunting 2? on Tai Chi Master, The (2022) ReviewI’m glad that Wu Yue and Zhang Kai are playing the same characters as in Woo-…
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