Revenge of Dr. X, The (1967) Review

"The Revenge of Dr. X" Theatrical Poster

“The Revenge of Dr. X” Theatrical Poster

AKA: Body of the Prey
Director: Norman Thomson
Cast: James Craig, James Yagi, Atsuko Rome, Lawrence O’Neill, Al Ricketts, John Stanley
Running Time: 94 min. 

By Ian Whittle

Well, this is a head-scratcher. An Ed Wood written 50s monster movie script, Venus Fly-Trap, produced in 60s Japan as Body of the Prey by a former Orson Welles associate…with funds and possibly a monster suit likely supplied by Toei, who denies all acknowledge! The Japanese title translates as The Devil’s Garden, but due to a mis-translation became known as Double Garden! And by the time the film finally saw the light of day in the mid-80s, courtesy of Regal Home Video (a furniture company subsidiary), the lack of any opening credits on their source wasn’t a hindrance. They simply took the credits from The Revenge of Dr. X, a re-issue version of 60s Filipino gore-shocker Mad Doctor of Blood Island. So apologies to any John Ashley or Angelique Pettyjohn fans…they ain’t in the movie!

Whew!

James Craig (formally the star of classics such as The Devil and Daniel Webster, so a very long way from grace here) plays perennially cheesed-off NASA rocket scientist Dr. Bragan. Following one set-back too many, the raging Bragan receives a suggestion from his long-suffering assistant (James Yagi, formally one of the stars of the atrocious new American scenes inserted into King Kong vs. Godzilla, so this is probably a step-up) to take a vacation in Japan. Bragan travels Continue reading

Posted in All, Asian Related, Japanese, News, Other Movies, Reviews |

Aaron Kwok, Richie Ren and Gordon Lam ‘Rob and Roll’ in the Trailer for Albert Mak’s heist action comedy

"Rob and Roll" Theatrical Poster

“Rob and Roll” Theatrical Poster

After a 10+ year hiatus, Albert Mak (Play with Strangers, Fear Factors, Without Words) – a filmmaker who is perhaps best-known for his assistant director credits for Johnny To-produced films such as Beyond Hypothermia, Running on Karma and Triangle – is prepping Rob and Roll (aka Temporary Robbery)

The upcoming heist-thriller features an all-star cast that includes Aaron Kwok (Port of Call: Director’s Cut), Richie Ren (Legendary Amazons, Bodies at Rest), Gordon Lam (The Brink, Limbo), Stephy Tang (Invincible Dragon, The Empty Hands), Lam Suet (Three, Undercover Punch and Gun), Paulyn Sun (Project Gutenberg) and Maggie Cheung Ho Yee (Punished).

Earlier reports suggest that Andy On (Kung Fu League, Abduction) and Continue reading

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Forced Vengeance | Blu-ray (Shout!)

Forced Vengeance | Blu-ray (Shout!)

Forced Vengeance | Blu-ray (Shout!)

RELEASE DATE: January 2, 2024

On January 2, 2024, Shout! Factory is releasing the Blu-ray for Forced Vengeance, 1982 actioner directed by James Fargo (Every Which Way But Loose, The Enforcer) that stars martial arts legend Chuck Norris (Code of Silence, Slaughter in San Francisco).

Lady Luck has fled Hong Kong’s Lucky Dragon Casino. Its manager has squandered the profits and the owner has been killed by the mob. The heir to the casino is in hiding. But Lucky Dragon still holds one last ace: security expert Josh Randall (Norris). Determined to find the underworld boss behind the death of his friend and boss, Randall goes on the hunt. Trouble will soon follow.

Local mobsters should cash in their chips when Norris is on the case in this alive-and-kicking action Continue reading

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

Making Payments with PayID Bankwest: All You Should Know

How to Use PayID with Bankwest – A Step-By-Step Process for Australians

(Source)

Being part of the NPP (New Payments Platform), Bankwest PayID facilitates and simplifies the process of receiving and sending payments in Australia. Connecting PayID to your bank account will make your experience in daily payments several times more accessible and quicker. 

But how do you use PayID with Bankwest? Why is it a preferred option? And what does the whole process of transferring funds via PayID look like? We are going to address all these questions. So, get comfortable, and let’s begin.

What is PayID and How Does It Work

To put it simply, PayID is a one-of-a-kind identifier in the form of your phone number or email address linked to your bank account. Only one mobile ID and up to five email IDs can be registered by one user. To receive transfers, you are required to share your PayID. 

To eliminate any mistakes, Most importantly, PayID displays the registered user’s name. What’s more, Bankwest, in turn, guarantees reimbursement of funds in case of any unauthorized transactions that were made using the online platforms of the bank.

Other features PayID provides include instant money transfers available 24/7 and easy access, as there is no need to remember complex bank details.

Setting Up PayID Bankwest

(Source)

Even though it may seem like a challenging task to set up PayID Bankwest, in reality, it is pretty simple and takes only several minutes of your time. Just follow these detailed instructions below to understand how the whole process works and the order of steps you need to take.

#1 Registering Your PayID 

When it comes to Bankwest, you can register your PayID using either Bankwest Online Banking or the Bankwest App. 

If you prefer to register using the Bankwest Online Banking

  1. Open the Menu from the main page and click the “Self-Service button.”
  2. From the available options, choose PayID and press “Add a PayID.”
  3. Fill in all necessary details and complete the registration.

If you want to register through the App

  1. Head to the Menu section and click the More button.
  2. Then, choose PayIDs and click “Add a PayID.”
  3. Enter all required information and complete the process.

All set! This is as simple as it is.

#2 Sending Funds Through PayID Bankwest

After you set up your PayID, you can send or receive funds whenever you want. To transfer money through PayID Bankwest, follow the steps below.

  1. Head to your preferred online platform and fill in the account details of the user to whom you want to send funds.
  2. Before you press Send, PayID will show you the name of the registered business or person for security purposes. Check it carefully, and then confirm the transfer.

As we mentioned, PayID is a part of the NPP; thus, your funds will be delivered instantly. 

However, if it’s your first time sending funds to a new PayID, security checks will likely be delayed.

#3 Receiving Payments

If you want to get transfers through PayID, you must first share your ID with the sender. For that

  1. Open your Bankwest App, and from the main menu, choose “More> PayIDs.”
  2. Next, pick the PayID you wish to share.
  3. In the prompted window, choose the platform and recipient to whom the information will be sent.

One good thing about the Bankwest App is that it allows users to share their PayIDs on multiple platforms, including WhatsApp, Messenger, and Facebook, as well as text messages. Right after the sender gets your ID, they just need to plug it into their bank app and click Send. Once done, you will instantly get your expected payment.

Limits for Bankwest PayID 

(Source)

All payments made to registered PayID users proceed nearly instantly and thus come under Bankwest’s Faster Payments. The limit for such transactions is A$1,000 per payment, with a default daily limit of A$5,000. 

These limits are true for PayID casinos as well, so when playing your favorite pokies recommended by PayID-Casinos.com, you can make fast and safe transfers without any complications.

 

Posted in News |

Lion Girl (2023) Review

Lion-Girl | Blu-ray (Cleopatra)

Lion-Girl | Blu-ray (Cleopatra)

Director: Kurando Mitsutake
Cast: Tori Griffiths, David Sakurai, Katarina Leigh Waters, Derek Mears, Stefanie Estes, Julie Burrise, Erin Marie Hogan, Shelby Lee Parks, Hidetoshi Imura, Kirk Geiger, Akihiro Kitamura, Wes Armstrong, Taishi Tamaki
Running Time: 121 min.

By Paul Bramhall

It’s fair to say that for most of the 2020’s audiences have grown fatigued to the endless superhero fodder that’s dominated cinema screens for the past 15 years, with reboots, sequels, retcons, and just about any other word that connects franchises together being released at a relentless pace. So it may seem like a risky move for director Kurando Mitsutake to make his newest movie exactly that – a superhero movie – but then, Mitsutake can hardly be described as just being any old director.

Since his debut with 2009’s Samurai Avenger: The Blind Wolf, the California based Mitsutake has consistently proven himself to be the 21st century version of the kind of Japanese filmmaker that existed exclusively in the 1970’s – dabbling in obsolete genres like pinky violence and karate exploitation like they never went out of fashion. Hopefully nobody bothers to tell him that they did, otherwise we wouldn’t have titles like Gun Woman, Karate Kill, or Maniac Driver to enjoy, and the cinematic world would be a duller place for it.

Lion Girl is the latest production to find Mitsutake in the director’s chair, 3 years after his pink eiga Maniac Driver, and it proves to be his most ambitious work to date, for the first time clocking in over the 2-hour mark (even if it is just by 1 minute). For fans of manga Continue reading

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

Nicholas Tse and Andy Lau now shooting Derek Kwok’s ‘Raging Fire’ follow-up ‘The Unleashed Blaze’

"Raging Havoc" Teaser Poster

“Raging Havoc” Teaser Poster

A thematic sequel to Benny Chan’s 2021 actioner Raging Fire is currently in production from director Derek Kwok, who is perhaps best known for helming 2014’s As the Light Goes Out, 2015’s Full Strike, and the recent 2021 film, Schemes in Antiques.

The follow-up, titled The Unleashed Blaze (aka Raging Havoc), is headlined by Nicholas Tse (The Bullet Vanishes), who starred in the original Raging Fire (opposite Donnie Yen). This time around, Hong Kong heavy Andy Lau (White Storm 2: The Drug Lords) fills the space previously filled by Yen. Ray Liu (Raging Fire, Operation Bangkok) also returns, not to mention the addition of rising star Xie Miao (My Father is a Hero, Eye for an Eye: The Blind Swordsman, Ip Man: The Awakening).

The original Continue reading

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Henry Cavill to re-immortalize ‘Highlander’ for ‘John Wick’ director Chad Stahelski

"Highlander" Japanese Theatrical Poster

“Highlander” Japanese Theatrical Poster

Looks like Chad Stahelski, 1/2 of the directing duo responsible for 2014’s John Wick, is stepping up to the plate for Lionsgate’s reboot/remake of the action-fantasy film, Highlander – and the Man of Steel himself, Henry Cavill, will lead the film.

The new movie will be based on the 1986 original, which starred Christopher Lambert, Sean Connery and Clancy Brown as immortal beings, hunting down one another and collecting more power. The time-jumping film — with its “There can be only one” tagline — spawned four sequels and three TV series including the popular USA series starring Adrian Paul. Queen memorably provided the soundtrack for the original movie. (via Deadline).

“Such great themes of immortality, love, and identity are all wrapped up in such colorful mythology. I can’t think of a better property that gives Continue reading

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The Fragrance of Luxury: Why Is Perfume So Expensive?

The Fragrance of Luxury: Why Is Perfume So Expensive?

Its ethereal nature, captured in an ornate bottle, tells a story that’s both intimate and world-spanning, reflecting histories, cultures, and personal tales. But ever so often, as you glance at the price tag of your favorite fragrance, you might wonder, why is it so costly?

The Art of Perfumery

When it comes to crafting perfumes, it’s more than just mixing scents; it’s an art form. Imagine for a moment, a maestro guiding a symphony. Similarly, seasoned noses work to combine elements, ensuring that each note unfolds at just the right moment, creating a harmonious blend. It’s a dance of olfactory delight, precision, and depth. An example of such intricacy in scent crafting is often seen in sought-after fragrances like love by kilian don’t be shy dupe. Beyond the skill, the selection of ingredients plays a pivotal role. Many of these ingredients are not only rare but sourced from the farthest corners of the Earth, adding to the cost.

Ingredient Costs

Just as a gourmet dish is prized for its authentic ingredients, the price of perfume is often reflective of its components. Many perfumes contain ingredients like Oud, harvested from the rare Aquilaria tree, or Ambergris, a unique substance regurgitated by sperm whales. These materials are rare, difficult to source, and hence, quite expensive. Moreover, the quality of these ingredients significantly affects the final product. Using a higher quality ingredient ensures a scent that is richer, lasts longer, and unfolds beautifully on the skin.

Perfume Production Process

Behind every bottle of perfume is a meticulous process, often spanning years. From initial ideation to the final product, making a perfume is labor-intensive. Expert perfumers, often referred to as ‘noses’ for their extraordinary olfactory senses, work diligently. These skilled artisans often spend years training, and their expertise is essential to craft the perfect scent, which, in turn, justifies the high prices attached to these fragrances.

Brand Prestige

Branding plays a significant role in many luxury items, and perfume is no exception. Houses like Chanel, Dior, or Tom Ford have spent decades, if not longer, building their reputation. This prestige translates to trust in quality, longevity, and a unique scent profile. Such an established reputation and the desire to own a piece of this luxury contribute to the high price point.

Packaging and Presentation

Lifting the lid off a perfume box reveals more than just a bottle; it’s an experience. The intricate designs, heavy glass, and often handcrafted details elevate the perfume bottle to a piece of art. Packaging often mirrors the essence of the fragrance inside, and its costs are undeniably woven into the total price.

Marketing and Advertising

The world of luxury perfume isn’t just about the scent. It’s a narrative, portrayed through grand advertisements, celebrity endorsements, and cinematic campaigns. The costs associated with these promotional activities, which aim to entice and captivate, form a significant chunk of the perfume’s price.

Limited Editions and Exclusivity

Sometimes, the allure of a perfume is in its rarity. Limited edition releases or scents available only at particular locations feed into the human desire for exclusivity. Owning something scarce often comes with a heftier price tag, which many are willing to pay.

Research and Development

Behind every iconic scent is an exhaustive phase of research and development. Perfumeries invest in exploring unique scent combinations, undergoing multiple iterations. Each trial and refinement drives up the cost, but it ensures a distinct and memorable fragrance.

Regulation and Quality Control

Perfumes undergo rigorous quality control standards. Every meticulous step taken ensures that each bottle that reaches the consumer is not only perfect in scent but also adheres to safety standards. From ingredient sourcing to the final formulation, consistency across batches is imperative. The intricate dance of complying with international regulations, combined with the dedication to maintaining consistent high-quality throughout production stages, undeniably amplifies the production costs.

Historical Significance

Tracing back through the annals of history, perfume has always stood out as a shimmering symbol of luxury and affluence. From the intoxicating courts of Cleopatra to the opulent palaces of Europe, fragrances have signified more than just scent; they represented status, power, and an undeniable allure. This rich and evocative historical context not only paints a vivid picture but also enriches the narrative of modern perfumery, firmly reaffirming its esteemed position as a treasured luxury item.

Conclusion

In the delicate ballet of luxury perfumes, a multitude of factors dance together, justifying the price tag. Whether it’s the craftsmanship of expert noses, the pursuit of rare ingredients, the tale of branding, or the allure of exclusivity, each element contributes. As you mist yourself with your chosen fragrance, remember you’re not just wearing a scent; you’re wearing history, art, and a testament to luxury.

Posted in News |

Samurai Wolf & Samurai Wolf II | Blu-ray (Eureka)

Samurai Wolf & Samurai Wolf II | Blu-ray (Eureka)

Samurai Wolf & Samurai Wolf II | Blu-ray (Eureka)

RELEASE DATE: January 29, 2024

On January 29, 2024, Eureka is releasing the Blu-ray for Samurai Wolf and Samurai Wolf II, a duo of chanbara masterpieces from one of the genre’s greatest directors, Hideo Gosha!

Official details:

Out of a desire to make what he felt was a truly no-holds-barred sword-fighting film, Gosha took inspiration from the samurai films of Akira Kurosawa as well as the spaghetti Western sub-genre they had inspired. Working with a low-budget to free himself from the restrictive oversight of his producers, the result was Samurai Wolf and Samurai Wolf II, the story of a charismatic ronin named Kiba (played by Isao Natsuyagi).

In the first film, Kiba wanders into a small town and ends up ensnared in a local conflict that’s more than meets the eye, and in Samurai Wolf II Kiba gets Continue reading

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

Deal on Fire! Train to Busan & Peninsula | Blu-ray | Only $12.99 – Expires soon!

Train to Busan & Peninsula | Blu-ray (Well Go USA)

Train to Busan & Peninsula | Blu-ray (Well Go USA)

Today’s Deal on Fire is for a 2-movie Blu-ray collection that includes 2016’s Train to Busan and its 2020 follow up, PeninsulaBoth films captivated audiences worldwide, thanks to acclaimed South Korean director, Yeon Sang-Ho (Jung_E).

Train to Busan follows a group of terrified passengers fighting their way through a countrywide viral outbreak, trapped on a suspicion-filled, blood-drenched bullet train ride to the Safe Zone…which may or may not still be there.

Train to Busan stars Gong Yoo (The Suspect), Ma Dong-Seok (Veteran), Jung Yu-Mi  (A Bittersweet Life), Choi Woo-Sik (Big Match), Kim Soo-Ahn (The Net) and Ahn So-Hee (Hellcats).

Four years after Continue reading

Posted in Deals on Fire!, News |

Return of the 18 Bronzemen, The (1976) Review

"The Return of the 18 Bronzemen" Theatrical Poster

“The Return of the 18 Bronzemen” Theatrical Poster

Director: Joseph Kuo
Cast: Carter Wong, Polly Shang-Kuan, Tien Peng, Ko Yu-Min, Yuen Sam, Wong Fei Lung, Lau Lap Cho, O Yau Man, Chiu Ting, Shaw Luo Hui, Chen Chiu
Running Time: 96 min.

By Paul Bramhall

Following the success of the previous years 18 Bronzemen, director Joseph Kuo realised that he still had a few tubs of bronze paint leftover, so got the gang back together for a sequel, Return of the 18 Bronzemen, that made its debut less than 8 months later. The trio of Carter Wong, Polly Shang-Kuan, and Tien Peng all return, as does Ko Yu-Min as the shaolin abbot. However Yu-Min is the only actor reprising his role from the original, with everyone else stepping into different parts. The approach makes sense when considering how 18 Bronzemen ended (and indeed the concept as a whole – why would anyone want to go through the bronzemen test twice!?), so this time around Carter Wong takes centre stage as the villainous 4th son (and master of Muslim kung-fu!) of the recently deceased emperor, who through some will altering shenanigans quickly ascends himself to the emperor’s throne.

While the original shared top billing between the Wong, Shang-Kuan, and Peng, here it’s very much the Carter Wong show. Shang-Kuan is severely underused, although whenever she is onscreen it’s a delight, and Peng clocks in little more than a cameo as the shaolin trained boyfriend of a girl Wong has his eye on. The decision is an understandable one though, exuding charisma as the constantly seething emperor, Wong delivers a performance full of intense stares Continue reading

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

Beach of the War Gods (1973) Review

"Beach of the War Gods" Theatrical Poster

“Beach of the War Gods” Theatrical Poster

Director: Jimmy Wang Yu
Cast: Jimmy Wang Yu, Lung Fei, Tin Yau, Sit Hon, Shan Mao, Choi Wang, Kwan Hung, Cheung Yee Kwai, Su Chen Ping, Hsieh Hsing, Cho Kin, Blacky Ko Sau Leung, Jack Long Sai Ga, Lui Jun, Man Man, O Yau Man
Running Time: 97 min.

By Will McGuire

There’s a delightful contradiction between form and content at the heart of Beach of the War Gods: formally the film stands as a love letter to the action cinema of Japan, particularly the work of Akira Kurosawa but all of that love is deployed in a story that is built on the pain and shame of the Japanese occupation during World War 2. It’s as if someone wrote a play in a perfect pastiche of Shakespeare’s blank verse about the Easter Rising.

There’s been a recent reappraisal of Jimmy Wang Yu in the time since I’ve been learning about Eastern cinema. When I began collecting, it was en vogue to highlight his shortcomings and personal warts and praise was handed out sparingly; as if there were a danger should he get too much. Thankfully, things seemed to have swung back in the other direction, and new attention is being paid to his merits, not just as a performer, but as a filmmaker. That’s why it’s so important Continue reading

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

Eureka’s Blu-ray for Stephen Chow’s 1994 James Bond spoof ‘From Beijing With Love’ now shipping

From Beijing With Love | Blu-ray (Eureka)

From Beijing With Love | Blu-ray (Eureka)

On October 23, 2023, Eureka is releasing the Blu-ray (Region B) for 1994’s From Beijing With Love. Hong Kong’s King of Comedy Stephen Chow (Shaolin Soccer, Kung Fu Hustle) directs and stars in this hilarious spoof of the James Bond franchise.

Martini swilling butcher (and disgraced former spy) Ling Ling Chat is dispatched to recover a stolen dinosaur skull from a golden-gun wielding supervillain. Equipped with the latest gadgets, our hero dons his tuxedo and swaggers into a world of danger, beautiful women, and metal mouthed assassins. Sound familiar?

Co-stars include Anita Yuen (Handsome Siblings), Law Kar Ying (Shaolin Soccer), Pauline Chan Bo Lin (Hong Kong Showgirls), Joe Cheng Continue reading

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Jade Raksha, The (1968) Review

"The Jade Raksha" Theatrical Poster

“The Jade Raksha” Theatrical Poster

Director: Ho Meng-Hua
Cast: Cheng Pei-pei, Tang Ching, Wong Ching Wan, Ku Feng, Yeung Chi Hing, Fan Mei Sheng
Running Time: 91 min.

By Will McGuire

In the midst of the current avalanche of Shaw Brothers titles getting top-shelf physical releases in America, it’s only natural that fans will look for hidden gems in the enormous Shaw catalog. As publishers get deeper into the backlog, and more obscure films begin to compete for your hard-earned dollar, fans want to know where the real classics are, and which titles are more fantastic than formulaic.

The Jade Raksha is what you’re looking for.

This 1968 wuxia film was totally unknown to me just a few months ago, but the beautiful photography, strong central performances from Cheng Pei-pei (Come Drink With Me), Tang Ching (Bat Without Wings) and Ku Feng (The Avenging Eagle), along with a healthy dose of swordplay and surreal violence mark this along with The One-Armed Swordsman as one of the gems of early Shaw wuxia.

The story begins conventionally before introducing a number of interesting complications to the typical formula: Cheng plays the Jade Raksha, a beautiful swordswoman traveling as a man and seeking vengeance for her dead family. Overcome with rage, she’s beheading any man with the surname Yan because she doesn’t know which member of the family betrayed her clan. Tang Ching plays a fellow swordsman out for vengeance named Xu Ying Hao Continue reading

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

Jackie Chan’s latest martial arts actioner ‘Ride On’ hits Blu-ray, DVD and Digital from Well Go USA on October 24

Ride On | Blu-ray (Well Go USA)

Ride On | Blu-ray (Well Go USA)

Jackie Chan teams up with writer/director Larry Yang (Another Shot) for the light-hearted action film titled Ride On (read our review), which was released on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital on October 24, 2023 from Well Go USA.

After two debt collectors attempt to seize a stunt horse belonging to washed-up stuntman Luo (Jackie Chan), video of the ensuing confrontation―and the dynamic duo’s narrow acrobatic escape―goes viral on social media. Furious, humiliated and out for revenge, the vicious debt collectors return, so Luo and his horse Red Hare engage in several hilarious action-packed stunts and antics that outdo the most daring acts from their glory days to outmaneuver and outsmart the bad guys.

The film also stars Continue reading

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