True Legend (2010) Review

Posted on September 16, 2011 by Z Ravas
"True Legend" American Theatrical Poster

“True Legend” American Theatrical Poster

Director: Yuen Woo Ping
Cast: Vincent Chiu Man Chuk, Zhou Xun, Andy On, Jay Chou Kit Lun, Michelle Yeoh, Leung Kar Yan, Jiang Lu Xia, Gordon Liu, David Carradine, Guo Xiao Dong, Feng Xiaogang, Jacky Heung Cho, Cung Le
Running Time: 116 min.

By HKFanatic

Tell me again why Vincent Zhao never became as big as Jet Li? Despite starring in movies like Tsui Hark’s cult classic “The Blade” and the underrated martial arts flick “Fist Power,” Vincent Zhao’s star never really shined as bright as many of his peers. Yuen Woo-Ping’s latest film, the 2010 mystical kung fu epic “True Legend,” then, is Zhao’s chance to steal the spotlight: the movie is 2 hours of Zhao doing nothing but kicking ass and taking names.

The film actually features several great onscreen martial artists: Andy On (“Bad Blood“), Cung Le (“Bodyguards & Assassins“), Luxia Jiang (“Coweb“), Jay Chou. Well, I thought Jay Chou (Kato in the latest “Green Hornet” film) was just a singer-turned-actor but Yuen Woo-Ping saw fit to cast him as “The God of Wushu” so Ping must know something I don’t. To be fair, this is probably my favorite role of Chou’s.

Since the story is essentially an homage to classic Shaw Brothers movies, we also get a few cameos from old-school greats like Gordon Liu (“36th Chamber of Shaolin“) and Leung Kar Yan (“Five Shaolin Masters“). Rounding out the all-star cast is Michelle Yeoh and David Carradine in walk-on roles. It’s nice to have them in the film but I bet their paychecks were embarrassingly large for what amounts to less than 5 minutes of screentime.

Like any kung fu movie worth its salt, “True Legend” spins a twisted tale of revenge and redemption. Vincent Zhao plays a great military general during the waning years of the Qing Dynasty. He retires to a quiet life of teaching Wushu and lets his brother-in-law (Andy On), who’s always felt he was in Zhao’s shadow, take up position as governor. The years pass and Andy On returns, now infused with the dark power of the Five Venom Fists, his skin turned a ghastly Dracula white as a result. Andy still holds a grudge against Zhao and decides to take what he believes is rightfully his – and a bloody battle ensues. If you’re getting the hunch that Vincent Zhao is going to have to train for years and years to find a way to defeat the Five Venom Fists, then you’ve seen your share of martial arts movies too.

Had Yuen Woo-Ping stuck with this storyline and expanded on it a bit – explained why Andy On’s character became so evil and explored his tragic childhood with Vincent Zhao – I might have even given “True Legend” a solid 10/10. For better or worse, the film pulls an “Ip Man 2” towards the end and tacks on an extended third act in which Chinese martial artists must defend their pride against burly Westerners. It’s the scene where Jet Li fought Nathan Jones in “Fearless,” extrapolated to thirty minutes. The action here is still fun to watch but it’s not like seeing Vincent Zhao fight Andy On in a life or death battle at the one hour mark – two immensely skilled opponents fighting with lethal precision. Their extended fight scene is definitely the highlight of the film and a showcase for Yuen Woo-Ping’s ace choreography. The final 30 minutes don’t quite match that thrill; “True Legend’s” one glaring flaw is that it doesn’t quit when the going’s good.

Regardless, the entire film is full of excellent, wire-assisted martial arts battles. The emphasis here is on R-rated blows to the head and lethal stabbings rather than balletic, dance-like moves. The performances are decent, even if the script tends to rush through anything resembling character development. Actress Zhou Xun is almost unbearably gorgeous as Vincent Zhao’s loyal wife; it’s the kind of role usually reserved for Fan Bingbing but Xun is given much more to do here than just dote on her husband. Computer-generated backgrounds are a frequent eyesore – perhaps Yuen Woo-Ping was going for the whole “300” digital backdrop feel – but they’re easy enough to overlook.

What makes “True Legend” so enjoyable is that doesn’t feel like a 2010 film at all. At its heart, it’s a throwback to the classic Shaw Brothers films, with their tales of deadly techniques and treebark-smashing punches, and a celebration of Yuen Woo-Ping’s fight choreography. If you can tolerate some less than stellar special effects and a disjointed third act, “True Legend” is a damn good time at the movies. With any luck, it will lead to more high profile projects for underdog Vincent Zhao. This is a martial arts flick for people who love martial arts flicks.

HKFanatic’s Rating: 8.5/10

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

Branded to Kill Blu-ray & DVD (Criterion)

Posted on September 15, 2011 by JJ Bona
Branded to Kill Blu-ray & DVD (Criterion)

Branded to Kill Blu-ray & DVD (Criterion)

RELEASE DATE: December 13, 2011

When Japanese New Wave bad boy Seijun Suzuki delivered this brutal, hilarious, and visually inspired masterpiece to the executives at his studio, he was promptly fired.

Branded to Kill tells the ecstatically bent story of a yakuza assassin (chipmunk-cheeked superstar Joe Shishido) with a fetish for sniffing boiled rice who botches a job and ends up a target himself.

This is Suzuki at his most extreme—the flabbergasting pinnacle of his sixties pop-art aesthetic. Black and white Japanese cinema has never been this colorful!

Check out the trailer.

– New high-definition digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray edition
– Video piece featuring new interviews with director Seijun Suzuki and assistant director Masami Kuzuu
– Interview with Suzuki from 1997
– New interview with actor Joe Shishido
– Original theatrical trailer
– New and improved English subtitle translation
– PLUS: A booklet featuring an essay by critic and historian Tony Rayns, author of Branded to Thrill: The Delirious Cinema of Suzuki Seijun, and a state­ment by the film’s art director, Sukezo Kawahara

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

Tokyo Drifter Blu-ray & DVD (Criterion)

Posted on September 15, 2011 by JJ Bona
Tokyo Drifter Blu-ray & DVD (Criterion)

Tokyo Drifter Blu-ray & DVD (Criterion)

RELEASE DATE: December 13, 2011

In this jazzy gangster film, reformed killer Phoenix Tetsu’s attempt to go straight is squashed when his former cohorts call him back to Tokyo to help battle a rival gang.

This onslaught of stylized violence and trippy colors got director Seijun Suzuki in trouble with Nikkatsu studio heads, who were put off by his anything-goes, in-your-face aesthetic, equal parts Russ Meyer, Samuel Fuller, and Nagisa Oshima.

Tokyo Drifter is a delirious highlight of the brilliantly excessive Japanese cinema of the sixties. Check out the trailer.

– New high-definition digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray edition
– Video piece featuring new interviews with director Seijun Suzuki and assistant director Masami Kuzuu
– Interview with Suzuki from 1997
– Original theatrical trailer
– New and improved English subtitle translation
– PLUS: A booklet featuring an essay by film critic Howard Hampton

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

Night Train Murders Blu-ray (Blue Underground)

Posted on September 15, 2011 by JJ Bona
Night Train Murders aka Second House on the Left Blu-ray (Blue Underground)

Night Train Murders aka Second House on the Left Blu-ray (Blue Underground)

RELEASE DATE: January 31, 2012

It was released as Second House on the Left, New House on the Left and Torture Train. The ads screamed, “Most movies last less than two hours! This is one of everlasting torment! It remains one of the most graphically fiendish films in exploitation history, the story of two teenage girls traveling through Europe, forced into a nightmare of sexual assault and sadistic violence. Irene Miracle (Midnight Express), Flavio Bucci (Suspira), Macha Meril (Deep Red),and Marina Berti (What Have They Done To Our Daughters’s) star in this depraved shocker directed by Aldo Lado (Who Saw Her Die?) and featuring a haunting score by Ennio Morricone. Check out the trailer.

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

13 aka 13 Tzameti Remake, Russian Roulette, Blu-ray/DVD (Anchor Bay)

Posted on September 15, 2011 by JJ Bona
13 aka 13 Tzameti Remake, Russian Roulette, Blu-ray/DVD (Anchor Bay)

13 aka 13 Tzameti Remake, Russian Roulette, Blu-ray/DVD (Anchor Bay)

RELEASE DATE: November 8, 2011

13 is a remake of the 2005 French film 13 Tzameti. It’s directed and written by Géla Babluani, who directed and wrote the original film. A naive young man assumes a dead man’s identity and finds himself embroiled in an underground world of power, violence, and chance where men gamble behind closed doors on the lives of other men. Starring Jason Statham (“Blitz“), Alexander Skarsgard (“Straw Dogs”), 50 Cent (“Righteous Kill”) and Mickey Rourke (“The Expendables“). Check out the trailer here.

Update: TheMovieBox.net has a working trailer and also notes the film’s getting a limited theatrical release date this October 28.

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

Hong Kong Godfather (1985) Review

Posted on September 15, 2011 by Z Ravas
"Hong Kong Godfather" International DVD Cover

“Hong Kong Godfather” International DVD Cover

AKA: Hong Kong Godfathers
Director: Wang Lung Wei
Cast: Leung Kar Yan, Norman Chu Siu Keung, Pomson Shi, Richard Cheung Kuen, Shum Wai, Chui Suk Woon, Kong Lung, Paulo Tocha, Shih Kien, Huang Pa-Ching
Running Time: 94 min.

By HKFanatic

Arriving in 1985, “Hong Kong Godfather” is one of the later era Shaw Brothers flick and it’s not necessarily one of their best either. However, this tale of Triad brothers has a certain sleazy energy to it, with way more sex and violence than one is accustomed to in a Shaw Brothers film, that makes it a compelling watch. Everything builds to the heroic bloodshed ending where our three heroes take on about fifty guys with nothing but meat cleavers. This lengthy action sequence occurs in a closed office complex – security guards fall over railings and hit the ground several stories down, blood paints the walls of stairwells, and office furniture is crushed as though it were made out of paper. It’s outstanding.

This epic finale came out just a year before “A Better Tomorrow“; while it lacks the poetry-in-motion style of John Woo, you’ve got to give the Shaw Brothers credit for getting there first. They were trying to innovate and stay relevant circa ’85 but they simply couldn’t compete with Golden Harvest boys like Jackie Chan and Sammo Hung or the approaching onslaught of Tsui Hark’s Film Workshop productions.

“Hong Kong Godfather” is your typical Triad revenge movie, except it had the disadvantage of being made before filmmakers like John Woo invented the iconography of the genre. Thus, the characters don’t actually use guns that often, instead they stick to knives or machetes, and many scenes are taken up by lengthy dinners or social events. In true Coppola “The Godfather” fashion, the main protagonists are introduced via an extended birthday party scene. The rest of the movie gives way to corny melodrama, betrayal that you can see coming from a mile away, and oaths of vengeance. Surprisingly, it still holds up fairly well – probably because when the action does come, it arrives fast and furious, courtesy of director Lung Wei Wang.

Shek Kin stars as the big Triad boss; in contrast with his role in “Enter the Dragon,” Shek plays about the most kind and gentle Triad boss you could imagine. In a cute homage to Bruce Lee, his young grandson swipes his nose and performs a few kung-fu kicks on the patio. “Where’d you learn those moves?” Shek asks, a bit bewildered.

Shek Kin’s right hand man is played by Norman Chu, who is saddled with one of the worst haircuts in 80’s cinema history. He’s got this little spit-curl perm that looks like something John Oates would have worn during the Me Decade, with a gross little rat tail at the end that Chu runs his comb through. Norman is a good actor but it’s hard to take him seriously for most of the movie.

Faring much better is Sammo Hung’s buddy, Ka-Yan Leung AKA “Beardy.” He doesn’t get to show off his martial arts skill as much as he does in his Golden Harvest films, but he’s still a bad-ass in “Hong Kong Godfather.” Retired from the Triad business ever since his wife died, he now lives in the country with two cute dogs until circumstances intervene and he’s pulled back in to the underworld. Shum Wai plays the pot-bellied traitor who is obviously evil from his introductory scene where he arches his eyebrow like a Bond villain.

Watching this film, I got the impression that the Shaw Brothers were trying desperately to score a hit so they over-loaded the movie with more nudity and violence than in any of their previous films, almost putting “Hong Kong Godfather” in exploitation territory. The story is alright, if predictable, but the ending is what really puts a ribbon on things. It’s brutal, bloody, well-choreographed – just a satisfying conclusion in the grand tradition of Hong Kong tragic hero finales. If you’re a big fan of heroic bloodshed or simply curious about seeing a Shaw Brothers film set during modern times, “Hong Kong Godfather” is worth a look. You just might want to take a shower afterwards to wash off the grime.

HKFanatic’s Rating: 7/10

By JJ Hatfield

Hong Kong, 1985. One man rules over the Triad world – Godfather Szetu Han. Now a violent new gang wants to get their share by any means they can and that includes taking over Han’s influence. Han decides to offer up a business deal. That’s how things are done. Unfortunately the new guys in town are not interested in getting a share they want it all!

This film is almost textbook triad/brothers/revenge courtesy of the Shaw Brothers. There are the fairly typical roles and plot that don’t need much exposition as the acts speak louder than words. Johnny Wang Lung-Wei directed, wrote and choreographed this second film for the Shaw studio. He also makes a brief appearance in the movie. All of the Triad elements are in good supply. Basic structure of story, not much plot, a traitor, bad asses and badder bad asses, loyalty, brotherhood and blood.

Despite this being an older film the story still holds up to current times. Unfortunately it has been overlooked by many people who would probably find it a very entertaining Triad piece. The film was not given much of a promotion budget and it wasn’t up to the style of some of the slick newer Triad films. Too bad – because this is a f**king fantastic flick!

Han (Sek Kin) is probably the nicest Godfather you will ever see on screen. His word is always a guarantee. He’s honest and doesn’t really like to order any sort of violence. But a Godfather has got to do what a Godfather has to do and he does have people who probably aren’t considered nice on those occasions. Drugs are one thing he is not interested in profiting from and he cares about those in the “family”. He considers three men as “sons”. Playboy Lung (Norman Chu), Sergeant Wen (Richard Kuen) and Mad – Dog Wei (Leung Kar-Yan). Han is such a good guy and family man he allows Mad-Dog to “leave the business” to care for his daughter after her mother dies. Everyone loves and respects the Godfather. With the exception of Lan, the scuzzbag leader of the gang that wants Han to give up territory or get out of their way.

Lan is too inept and too lazy to work his way up in the syndicate, he prefers brute force. Han refuses his demands and suddenly there are attacks, ambushes and Lan is behind it. Han’s three “sons” race to his side just like the old days!

The movie starts with action, the hook to catch your interest. Then the viewer is given the back story on the main characters. During this time do not expect machete mania. It would have been better perhaps to have a couple of tight fights during this time or maybe it is there to give you a chance to prepare for the all out slashing and slaughter to come. If the viewer is tempted to just FF through the non – action – don’t do it. You will lose a lot of the importance of the characters. The patient viewer will be well rewarded.

Between blood baths the viewer will recognize and enjoy the 80‘s thing happening. Funky style clothes – check. Bad hair – check. Shades – check. Cheesy music – check. “Brothers” humor – check. Machete hits that should cut off limbs, at least on the first blow but don’t – check. Triads – check. Revenge – check.

It really is not paced as well as it could be but you need something besides bloody fights! Not to worry action seekers the last twenty or so minutes is nothing but serious ass kicking and lots and lots of machetes and big knives being used by everyone. This isn’t a guns flick, these guys are the originals and that means machetes! Brutal, bloody and barbaric and it just keeps getting more intense. More people, more machetes, more bodies, more blood spilled and splattered in the name of revenge! Everyone is fair game if they are the new guys who caused so much bloodshed. Gangsters, other gangsters,some good guys, bad guys and even bystanders and the cops are taken down in fever pitch revenge.

Don’t look for any really artistic martial arts or “pretty” fighting. This is balls to the wall, take no prisoners, hard hitting, blood spurting, down and dirty fighting on a level rarely seen. Each fight is more bloody and full of gore than the last. There are some fight scenes that could more accurately be called stunts. Everyone who enjoys Hong Kong type action and Triad stories should have this movie in their collection!

JJ Hatfield’s Rating: 8/10

Posted in Chinese, Reviews, Shaw Brothers | Tagged , , , , , , |

The Six Million Dollar Man 6-DVD Set: Season 1 (Universal)

Posted on September 14, 2011 by JJ Bona
The Six Million Dollar Man: Season 1 DVD (Universal)

The Six Million Dollar Man: Season 1 DVD (Universal)

RELEASE DATE: November 29, 2011

After an astronaut is practically left in pieces when his aircraft crashes, a secret organization rebuilds him and now he’s a bionic badass with unbelievable powers! This classic TV series has one of the coolest credit/pre-credit sequences ever. It also has a cool character with a cool name (Steve Austin), played by a cool actor with an even cooler name (Lee Majors). Formerly only available as a $300+ complete set. Check out the intro here.

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

Akira Kurosawa’s Dreams: Archive Collection DVD (Warner)

Posted on September 14, 2011 by JJ Bona
Akira Kurosawa's Dreams: Archive Collection DVD (Warner)

Akira Kurosawa's Dreams: Archive Collection DVD (Warner)

RELEASE DATE: October 18, 2011

Academy Award-winning director Akira Kurosawa (“The Seven Samurai,” “Ran”), whose cinematic genius has inspired such classic films as “Star Wars” and “The Magnificent Seven,” presents his 28th, and most personal, film. Visually splendid, Kurosawa’s film consists of eight powerful vignettes, one of which features acclaimed director Martin Scorsese as painter Vincent Van Gogh. “Breathtaking… dazzling,” says The New York Times.

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

Stoner | aka The Shrine of the Ultimate Bliss (1974) Review

Posted on September 14, 2011 by Jeff Bona
"Stoner" Chinese Theatrical Poster

“Stoner” Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: A Man Called Stoner
Director: Huang Feng
Cast: George Lazenby, Angela Mao Ying, Betty Ting Pei, Sammo Hung, Joji Takagi, Wilson Tong, Yeung Wai, Nick Lam Wai Kei, Suen Lam, Wang In Sik
Running Time: 107 min.

By Jeff Bona

When a tough Australian cop named Stoner (George Lazenby) discovers that his sister has overdosed on a deadly new drug called “The Happy Pill” (an aphrodisiac/hallucenogen mixture), he travels to Hong Kong to track down its creators. Along the way, he meets up with a beautiful secret agent (Angela Mao) who’s on her own mission to investigate the same drug ring.

The two learn that the force behind the “The Happy Pill” is a SPECTRE-like organization that has enough power to distribute the drug all over the world. Now, it’s up to them to keep that from ever happening!

Rumor has it that Stoner (aka The Shrine of the Ultimate Bliss) was intended to be Bruce Lee’s next movie after Game of Death. The plan was to team Bruce with an all-star international cast including: one-time James Bond Australian actor George Lazenby (On Her Majesty’s Secret Service); Japanese action star Sonny Chiba (The Street Fighter); and well-known Shaw Brothers actress, Betty Ting Pei (The Fourteen Amazons). The film even had a working tagline ready: It’s Lee, It’s Lazenby, It’s Bruce vs. Bond. The film was on its way to be the most expensive Hong Kong/U.S. co-production ever made.

Unfortunately, after Bruce’s sudden death, all the big plans for Stoner were changed and Golden Harvest cut the film’s budget to shreds. What was leftover of the project went to director Huang Feng (When Taekwondo Strikes). George Lazenby and Betty Ting Pei were the only original members who were locked in. Angela Mao Ying (Invincible Eight) filled in for Bruce. Either Japanese actor Joji Takagi (Zatoichi in Desperation) or Korean hapkido master Hwang In-Shik (The Devil’s Treasure) most likely replaced Sonny Chiba. The rest is history…

Not sure how Stoner would have turned out if Bruce had lived to make it, but I’m pretty sure it would have been filmed with a more mainstream approach. As it stands, Stoner is as 1970’s exploitation as you can get: Orgies, nudity, drug use, pornstaches, sexual innuendos, funky music, psychedelic set design, white people who look like members of the Manson family (including Golden Harvest’ own Andre Morgan) and of course, a double dose of bell-bottom fury.

Say what you want about George Lazenby’s decision to give up his Bond career, but don’t underestimate how much of a badass he is. This guy can fight. I swear, the way Lazenby brawls on camera is far more intense and entertaining than what most kung fu films – especially of time – had to offer. It’s no wonder why Bruce Lee handpicked him to appear in Game of Death.

I haven’t seen a whole lot of Angela Mao’s films, but her appearance in Stoner marks the first time I realized how cute she is. Even though Lazenby has his share of heavy ass-kicking, it’s Angela who gets the main event with Hwang In-Shik. Angela’s brutal fight with Hwang ends with a series of flame-broiled explosions. At one point, you can clearly see her clothes on fire, which she puts out with her bare hands.

Sammo Hung fans will be pleased. He gets a lot of quality screen time. Not only does he play one of the main henchmen, but he also serves as film’s action choreographer. Also present is Wilson Tong and many other familiar faces in the Golden Harvest circuit: Feng Yi (Fist of Fury), Suen Lam (The New Fist of Fury) and Han Ying Chieh (The Big Boss).

Betty Ting Pei also stars as a seductive villainess. It’s hard to watch her and not think of what she’s mostly known for: the woman who last saw Bruce Lee alive – in her own bedroom of all places! It doesn’t help that there’s a scene where she lets an injured Lazenby rest on her bed as she “comforts” him. Somehow, I doubt this scene was a coincidence. The visuals – apartment, bedroom, a half dead man laying on a bed, etc. – can almost qualify as a reenactment of Bruce’s final hours. Stoner was made only months after Bruce’s demise, so the filmmakers were walking on “too soon” territory with this one.

Stoner is a film few people will love: James Bond/Lazenby admirers will be interested, but they’ll be disappointed when they find out their hero isn’t all clean cut and suave; kung fu film fans would rather see their usual Chinese lead, not some funny-looking white guy with a big ass mustache; people who love Angela Mao will get what they want, but they’ll only want more.

As for me? I loved every sleazy minute of it. It’s a one-of-a-kind oddity that I can’t recommend enough.

Jeff Bona‘s Rating: 8/10

Posted in Chinese, Golden Harvest, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , |

The return of Hong Kong action films

Posted on September 13, 2011 by JJ Bona
Danny Lee and Chow Yun-Fat in John Woo's 1989 classic "The Killer"

Danny Lee and Chow Yun-Fat in John Woo's 1989 classic "The Killer"

In the mid-90s, the Hong Kong film industry ate itself alive. In 1993, it had produced a record 238 films and its doyen director, John Woo, was about to dive, twin guns aflame, through Hollywood’s doors. Six years later, production had crashed to just 40 films a year and not even the local triad gangs could prevent their own films from being pirated: there were bootlegs VCDs on sale everywhere of Casino, a gangster pic about and financed by the notorious Macau hoodlum, “Broken Tooth” Koi. Read the full story at The Guardian. – Thanks to DiP for the tip!

Posted in News |

Well Go USA obtains the rights to two new Korean films

Posted on September 12, 2011 by Z Ravas

These dinos play for keeps

Deadline Hollywood reports that Well Go USA, one of the premiere distributors of global cinema in the United States, has obtained the rights to two new Korean films.  They include the South Korean War drama “My Way” from the director of the popular “Brotherhood of War.” “My Way” has reportedly grossed more than $64 million in Korea alone.

Well Go USA also acquired the rights to the 3D-animated dinosaur movie, “Tarbosaurus.”

The teaser for “My Way” is here

The trailer for “Tarbosaurus” is here

Posted in News |

Blu-ray and DVD Releases for 9/13/11

Posted on September 12, 2011 by Z Ravas
Golden Swallow aka Girl with the Thunderbolt Kick DVD (ARC Entertainment)

Golden Swallow aka Girl with the Thunderbolt Kick DVD (ARC Entertainment)

If you’re curious about what relevant Asian and genre-related movies are coming out on blu-ray/DVD this week, but you don’t want to sift through a bunch of romantic comedies or weepy dramas to get to the good stuff – we’ve got you covered.

MARTIAL ARTS

Never Back Down 2: The Beatdown (DVD) – Michael Jai White’s 2011 Mixed Martial Arts fight flick is finally here on DVD! The film is White’s directorial debut so be sure to support it with a purchase so we can see more quality direct-to-video movies in the future

True Legend (blu-ray/DVD) – Yuen Woo-Ping’s latest kung fu masterpiece gets a blu-ray release this Tuesday. The 2010 film stars Andy On, Vincent Zhao, and Michelle Yeoh

Golden Swallow (DVD) – Dragon Dynasty presents this 1968 classic Shaw Brothers film, directed by Chang Cheh, on DVD with a restored picture

Avenging Eagle (DVD) – another Shaw Brothers favorite from 1978, courtesy of Dragon Dynasty and Celestial Pictures

Blood Brothers (DVD) – a Shaw Brothers film directed by Chang Cheh, released in 1973. Do we really need any other reason to watch this?

Killer Clan (DVD) – the Shaw Brothers goodness just keeps coming! This one was released in 1976 and concerns an underworld organization

OTHER ASIAN

The Recipe (DVD) – this 2010 Korean drama concerns a man on death row who wishes to taste a spicy Korean bean dish before his execution

X-Cross (blu-ray) – this underrated 2007 Japanese horror flick from the director of “Battle Royale II” features comedy, horror, martial arts, and a gothic lolita with a giant pair of scissors

CULT

Exterminator (blu-ray) – Synapse Films releases this 1980 flame-throwin’ cult classic on blu-ray for the first time in an unrated director’s cut

The 10th Victim (blu-ray) – Blue Underground presents a hi-def release of this 1965 Italian film about a legalized game of murder (Battle Royale?), starring the original Bond girl Ursalla Andress

MAINSTREAM

Star Wars: The Complete Saga (blu-ray) – a little series of films you may have heard of, George Lucas’ “Star Wars” saga is hitting blu-ray for the first time on Friday, September 16th rather than this Tuesday

Thor (blu-ray/DVD/3D blu-ray) – Paramount’s 2011 adaption of the Marvel Comics’ Norse superhero is hitting a multitude of formats

Robocop 2 (blu-ray) – the underrated 1990 sequel was helmed by “Empire Strikes Back” director Irvin Kershner, now on blu-ray

Trainspotting (blu-ray) – Danny Boyle’s 1996 film about heroin addicts is getting the hi-def treatment this week

Citizen Kane (blu-ray) – Orson Welles’ 1941 classic of American cinema is getting a “70th Anniversary Ultimate Collector’s Edition” blu-ray

INDIE

Hesher (blu-ray/DVD) – this quirky 2011 Sundance hit about a “guardian angel” from hell stars Joseph Gordon Levitt, Natalie Portman, and Rainn Wilson

ANIMATION

Dragonball Z Kai: Season 1 – Part 6 (blu-ray/DVD) – Funimation’s popular recut of the Dragonball Z anime releases another installment

HORROR

Manhunter (blu-ray) – many fans and critic consider Michael Mann’s 1986 tale of Hannibal Lecter to be superior to “Silence of the Limbs”

Halloween II (blu-ray) – not to be confused with the Rob Zombie sequel, John Carpenter’s 1981 follow-up to the original “Halloween” is coming home on blu-ray

The Silent House (DVD) – a 2010 “found footage” horror film from Spain that is presented as one long camera take for 78 minutes. An American remake is already on the way

The Return of the Living Dead (blu-ray) – this 1985 zombie comedy classic gets the Blu-Ray + DVD combo pack treatment

Poltergeist II (blu-ray) – Poltergeist II: The Other Side, the 1986 sequel with much of the returning cast, gets a blu-ray release this week

The Frighteners (blu-ray) – this 1996 ghoulish thriller from “Lord of the Rings” director Peter Jackson remains an underrated flick; it hits blu-ray for the first time this Tuesday

The Hills Have Eyes: Unrated (blu-ray) – the 2006 remake from the director of “High Tension” gets the unrated blu-ray treatment on Tuesday

Buffy the Vampire Slayer (blu-ray) – Joss Whedon’s famous heroine made her debut in this 1992 horror comedy starring Kristy Swanson and Luke Perry

Bad Dreams/Visiting Hours: Double Feature (DVD) – Shout Factory! presents two 80’s horror flicks for the price of one

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 |

Shogun Assassin (1980) Review

Posted on September 11, 2011 by JJ Bona
"Shogun Assassin" Japanese Theatrical Poster

“Shogun Assassin” Japanese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Lone Wolf and Cub
Director: Kenji Misumi
Co-director: Robert Houston
Cast: Tomisaburo Wakayama, Kayo Matsuo, Minoru Ohki, Akiji Kobayashi, Shin Kishida
Running Time: 89 min.

By Joe909

Shogun Assassin is one of those films that demands a recounting of its history, before you can actually review it. In 1980, a pair of producers with ties to Roger Corman got hold of the first two films in the Japanese Baby Cart series, both of which had been made in 1972. And in a move that will forever piss off film “purists” and delight fans of straight-up action flicks, these guys cut out the “Japanese” parts of the films (aka, the boring, static scenes), combined both movies into one, added a bizarre soundtrack of synthesizer music, and had a team of American voice actors (Sandra Bernhardt among them) re-dub the movie. The result became an underground hit, and is, despite the “meddling” on the part of the American producers, one hell of a martial arts/swordplay flick.

I’ve never seen the Japanese originals, and don’t plan to. Why bother? There’s no way they could appeal to my chop-sockey pleasure zones like Shogun Assassin has. With dubbed lines like “To have my own neck cut like that is ridiculous!” and “Come, boy: chose life or death,” you can’t get much better. Plus there’s the odd bit of nudity and a big hunk of gory violence. Readings on the Web have informed me that the Japanese films suffer from a typically-plodding pace, the first especially (only twenty minutes of the first film is present in Shogun Assassin). Life is just too short to sit through another tedious Japanese movie. So even though it’s like a “greatest hits” compilation of a movie, Shogun Assassin is perfect for me.

The Baby Cart series is based on the long-running Japanse comic book Lone Wolf and Cub, which apparently ran from 1970 to 1994. The manga was episodic and violent, and the films follow suit. Itto Ogami, the Shogun’s chief executor, is framed by his rival Lord Yagyu; Itto’s wife is murdered and he’s cast out of his noble position. Bringing his toddler of a son Daigoro along (in a great scene, Itto makes the kid chose either a ball or a sword: choosing the ball means death, choosing the sword means life), father and son wander feudal Japan, going from one bloody adventure to the next.

The original Japanese films follow this storyline, but Shogun Assassin has a few minor differences. For example, Lord Yagyu is portrayed as the Shogun himself, which doesn’t seem right for those who know Japanese history. I mean, I don’t think the Shogun of Japan would be running around by himself on errands of vengeance, with no personal guards following along. But other than that, everything’s basically the same.

Shogun Assassin starts off with a twenty minute recap provided by child Daigoroh (a brilliant move on the part of the US producers, having the kid narrate the movie. In the Japanese movies, Daigoroh never speaks. His narrating the film gives it an extra, surreal edge), which shows Itto losing his job, discovering his murdered wife, killing a ninja in a field (by splitting his head open), and killing one of the “Shogun’s” sons in a duel as the Shogun looks on.

Next, Lone Wolf and Cub arrive in a small village, where Itto is hired by the villagers to kill another of the Shogun’s sons, an evil Lord who is soon to be escorted to the village. The villagers want this cruel man, who’s caused them much torment, dead, and Itto’s their man. At the same time as this, the Shogun himself has hired a crew of assassins to kill Itto: a group of female ninjas. In a scene as twisted as any I’ve seen, the women prove their worth by mercilessly butchering one of the Shogun’s best ninjas. They cut this guy apart from head to toe; fingers go flying, his nose gets lopped off, the works.

With all this set-up, it’s always a let-down when Itto takes on his enemies. Like most other samurai flicks, Shogun Assassin portrays its hero as too invincible. Itto goes through the film barely breaking a sweat. That’s why I’ll always prefer kung-fu movies, where the heroes will at least go blow-for-blow with their rivals (sometimes too much so, of course). But regardless, the sword fights in this film, though quick, are very well shot, and very violent. Mind you, it’s that old-school violence where the blood looks like red paint, but when virtual geysers of it are gushing out of some chump’s head, you could really care less.

Probably the coolest characters in the movie are the Masters of Death, three ninja who have been hired to escort the Shogun’s son; the same son Itto has been hired to kill. Of course, Itto takes on this crew at the end, in the best fight in the movie. These Masters of Death come straight out of a high-grade kung-fu movie. Not only are they true badasses, but in pure kung-fu movie style, each of them specializes in a different weapon. One uses Wolverine-type claws, the other uses “mailed fists,” and the third uses a mace. These guys wreak havoc wherever they go. In one memorable scene they take out the harmless passengers of a ship, and just tear them apart. The damage done by the clawed guy is very gory; if only The X-Men had given us such an accurate depiction of what claws like Wolverine’s would really do to human flesh.

All told, Shogun Assassin rises above the usual Japanese cinematic fare and into the realm of a really good, old-school swordplay flick. Visually, the film looks great. It’s an Eastern Western all the way; you could almost think Sergio Leonne’s behind some of the shots. I recommend the movie to all those who want 80 minutes of pure entertainment. Sure, it isn’t the most coherent of movies, what with the edit job that was done to it, but it’s a lot of bang for your buck. I’ll be sure to seek out the sequel, Lupine Wolf, which is a dubbed version of the third film in the Baby Cart series.

Joe909’s Rating: 9/10

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

Dream Home (2010) Review

Posted on September 10, 2011 by Z Ravas
"Dream Home" International Theatrical Poster

“Dream Home” International Theatrical Poster

Director: Pang Ho Cheung
Cast: Josie Ho, Michelle Yip Suen, Eason Chan, Norman Chu Siu Keung, Lawrence Chou Jun Wai, Nina Pau Hei Ching, Derek Tsang Kwok Cheung, Lo Hoi Pang
Running Time: 96 min.

By HKFanatic

“Dream Home” generated a great deal of controversy upon its 2010 Hong Kong release, due in large part to its graphic violence. Despite carrying a Category III rating (basically the equivalent to our NC-17), the Hong Kong DVD is censored. In a move that doesn’t make much sense, the cut footage is still available on the DVD but only as “deleted scenes.” So these sequences were too violent for Hong Kong audiences to view as part of the film but it’s okay to jump straight to them on a separate DVD menu? Regardless, “Dream Home” has been released uncut in the United States from MPI Home Video and it is indeed one gory, gory movie.

At its heart, “Dream Home” is nothing more than a slasher movie with slick production values, its plot spun around the recent housing crisis in order to give it an aura of social relevancy. A Category III film for the arthouse set, if you will. Director Pang Ho-cheung has been making unconventional films in Hong Kong since 2001, with scripts that often riff on HK cinema cliches but spin them in a different light. His first film “You Shoot, I Shoot” was about a hitman forced to hire a would-be filmmaker to help him video tape his kills and increase business in tough economic times. In 2010, Pang achieved HK box office success with “Love in a  Puff,” a romantic comedy about the smoking ban in Hong Kong.

Released the same year, “Dream Home” is Pang’s way of combining the horror movie with elements of comedy, all while taking a (somewhat) serious look at the housing crisis and high cost of living in Hong Kong circa 2007. In the lead role is Josie Ho, a stunning actress who previous worked with Pang Ho-cheung on “Isabella” and “Exiled.” IMDB tells me she played a character called Cantana in “Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun Li” but, as beautiful as Josie Ho is, you couldn’t pay me to watch that flick. If “Dream Home” works at all, it’s because of Josie. She plays a character who could be all too easy to view as loathsome and irredeemable, and yet Josie has you caring about her the entire movie.

Josie stars as a young woman just trying to make it in Hong Kong’s unforgiving economic climate. She’s working two part-time jobs, something that leaves her little room for a social life. She’s resigned herself to late night rendezvous with a married man, played by Eason Chan, while she works her ass off to raise enough money to move into her ‘dream home’: an expensive apartment with a great view of the Hong Kong harbor. Lengthy flashbacks are woven into the structure of the film, admittedly killing some of its tension and forward momentum, but these scenes go a long way towards developing Josie’s background. Her family history also has a little something to do with her present state of mind, which is fragile to say the least.

It turns out Josie’s dream home might be a little too expensive for her, even though she’s been saving money for years. But what if someone went around killing off tenants in a spectacularly violent fashion? That might just drive the price of real estate down. So when we’re not exploring Josie’s past via flashback, we’re watching hapless or unlikable characters get brutally dispatched just like in any “Friday the 13th” movie. Whether it’s cheating spouses or a bunch of sex-crazed stoners, it’s difficult to really care about the fate of these victims. The gore is intense and I have no qualms about stating that “Dream Home” is one of the most violent films I’ve seen in a lifetime of watching horror movies.

That said, the impact of the gore is often lessened by the fact that the filmmakers rely on CG rather than practical effects. The violence tends to look to “clean” and intangible; you may be staring at someone with a gaping knife wound on their face but you can tell the knife wound was added by some dude clicking on his mouse at a computer screen. It’s an issue with many horror movies these days and it may or may not bother viewers.

The realism of the onscreen violence is also lessened by the reaction of the victims, who sometimes flail in their death throes for an extended period of time; sit calmly smoking a cigarette while their intestines hang out of their body; or come back to life even with a wooden plank sticking out of their mouth. Moments like these felt so exaggerated I was almost expecting an “American Psycho”-style twist where the murders were all in our protagonist’s head.

In the end, it’s difficult to pinpoint just why I enjoyed “Dream Home,” other than the fact that Josie Ho is a very watchable actress. I will say the film has a decent message beyond the topical relevancy of the real estate crash, and the ending encourages the viewer to ponder what happens next. A voice on the radio promises “The worst has yet to come.” Could it really get any more graphic than this?

“Dream Home” pushes the limits of onscreen depictions of sex and violence way beyond your average Hong Kong movie, and just about any American horror film too (“Hostel” director Eli Roth may want to retire after watching this). Due to its sterile, computerized look, the violence may not have the impact that the filmmakers intended but Josie Ho certainly does. “Dream Home” is recommended for fans of extreme horror films; it is now streaming in HD on Netflix Instant.

HKFanatic’s Rating: 7/10

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

Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame Blu-ray & DVD (Indomina)

Posted on September 10, 2011 by JJ Bona
Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame Blu-ray & DVD (Indomina)

Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame Blu-ray & DVD (Indomina)

RELEASE DATE: December 13, 2011

Tsui Hark’s (Knock-Off) epic mystery film Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame swept the 30th Hong Kong Film Awards for Best Director, Best Actress (Carina Lau), Best Costume Design, Best Production Design, Best Sound Effects, and Best Visual Effects. Nominations include: Best Film, Best Action Cherography (Sammo Hung), Best Original Score (Peter Kam), Best Supporting Actor (Tony Leung, Deng Chao), Best Cinematography (Chan Chi-ying, Chan Chor-keung) and Best Editing (Yau Chi-wai). Check out the trailer.

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