Super Blu-ray/DVD (IFC)

Super Blu-ray/DVD (IFC)

Super Blu-ray/DVD (IFC)

RELEASE DATE: August 9, 2011

Super is a 2010 American dark comedy written and directed by James Gunn, starring Rainn Wilson, Ellen Page, Liv Tyler, and Kevin Bacon. Footnote: Jean-Claude Van Damme turned down a role that ultimately went to Kevin Bacon. Check out the cityonfire.com review here. Check out the trailer here.

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

Assassins Creed: Lineage DVD (New Video Group)

Assassins Creed: Lineage DVD (New Video Group)

Assassins Creed: Lineage DVD (New Video Group)

RELEASE DATE: November 15, 2011

The story is a prequel to the video game Assassin’s Creed II. It centres around the father of the game’s main character Ezio Auditore de Firenze. Giovanni is an assassin living during the Renaissance in 15th century Italy. At this dawn of a new era, a conspiracy is being plotted by one corrupt family to overthrow the powerful Medici family and destroy a unified Italy. As an assassin, Giovanni must face this threat and bring justice. The story introduces the situation before Assassin’s Creed II, and the enemies of both characters. Check out the trailer here.

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

Basket Case Blu-ray (Image)

Basket Case Blu-ray (Image)

Basket Case Blu-ray (Image)

RELEASE DATE: September 27, 2011

First time on Blu-ray! With memorably gruesome scenes – such as the screaming woman with the scalpels stuck in her face – and some disturbing stop-motion animation, Frank Henenlotter’s Basket Case (1982) is one of the most beloved, cheerfully demented cult classicks of all time. So go ahead and open the basket… if you dare! Check out the trailer.

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

The Shaft aka Dixia De Tiankong DVD (Global Film Initiative)

The Shaft aka Dixia De Tiankong DVD (Global Film Initiative)

The Shaft aka Dixia De Tiankong DVD (Global Film Initiative)

RELEASE DATE: November 22, 2011

… the stark melancholia achieves a rare authenticity, perhaps most pointedly manifested in the objective correlative of the mineshaft itself, the dismal bowels of which we only see in two brief and uneventful scenes. The family doesn’t abhor mining because it’s hazardous or arduous, but because it represents their only career option: It’s a Plutonian symbol of universal resignation… The intermittent genius of director Zhang Chi resides in how he juxtaposes this social claustrophobia with scenes of refreshing but elegiac liberation. –Slant Magazine Check out the trailer here.

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

Mother’s Day Blu-ray/DVD (Troma)

Mother's Day Blu-ray/DVD (Troma)

Mother's Day Blu-ray/DVD (Troma)

RELEASE DATE: September 27, 2011

Mother’s Day is a 1980 horror film, directed by Charles Kaufman. In the UK, the film was rejected by the BBFC in 1980, banning it from sale. A remake of Mother’s Day has been completed and is currently set to release theatrically sometime in 2011. Check out the trailer here.

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

Dressed to Kill Blu-ray (MGM)

Dressed to Kill Blu-ray (MGM)

Dressed to Kill Blu-ray (MGM)

RELEASE DATE: September 6, 2011

First time on Blu-ray! To condemn 1980’s Dressed to Kill as a Hitchcock rip-off is to miss the sheer enjoyment of Brian De Palma’s delirious 1980 thriller. Hitchcockian homages run rampant through most of De Palma’s earlier films, and this one’s chock-full of visual quotes, mostly cribbed from Vertigo and Psycho. Check out the trailer here.

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

Addicted (2002) Review

"Addicted" Korean Theatrical Poster

"Addicted" Korean Theatrical Poster

AKA: Jungdok
Director: Park Young-hoon
Writer: Byun Won-mi
Producer: Lee Choon-Yeon
Cast: Lee Byung-hun, Lee Mi-yeon, Lee Ueol, Park Sun-young
Running Time: 114 min.

By JJ Hatfield

Life is good for the two brothers Ho-jin and Dae-jin. They are very close and good friends too. The two live together as they have no other family until Ho-jin marries. Their lives are peaceful and routine and that seems to suit them fine.

Ho-jin, the elder brother (Lee Eol) is an artist craftsman who works with wood and likes to make ordinary things become extraordinary. He is up and coming in his success and starts doing shows. The younger brother Dae-jin (Lee Byung-hun) likes being a carefree guy without responsibilities who loves to race cars. Ho-jin doesn’t like him racing because it is dangerous but he knows how much Dae-jin loves the life and he can’t talk him out of it.

In different locations but virtuality the same time both brothers are involved in serious car accidents. Both are near death with severe injuries. Rushed to the same hospital Ho-jin and Dae-jin are in coma and the prognosis is not good. Eun-soo does her best to care for them and check in on them at the hospital but as time passes so do her hopes of either of them recovering. There are times Eun-soo doesn’t say anything using body language instead to show how much she has suffered and is still suffering. Ho-jin was such a thoughtful husband, always cooking and giving her surprises. He built many things in their home and his garden. He was so much a part of her life, sending her love notes, so many little things he did for her. How could she live without him?

Hard at work one day Eun-soo receives a phone call that leaves her stunned. Dae-jin has awakened from the coma. As would be expected he is physically very weak and terribly confused. It has been nearly a year since the crash. Eun-soo is of course pleased Dae-jin is alive but no doubt some times she looks at him and for a moment she wishes it was Ho-jin. Of course she never would say anything to Dae-jin. He couldn’t help who got better and who didn’t.Somewhere along the way a note of uneasiness has moved into the story unnoticed.

After some time Dae-jin is told he is well enough to return home. Eun-soo does her best to accept the situation. Her husband gone and now she has his ill brother to care for too. Dae-jin’s recovery is rather miraculous but he has begun to take on habits and mannerisms of Ho-jin. Not as he used to be – he has even given up racing. Even more startling is Dae-jin says he is Ho-jin! This new revelation is tearing Eun-soo apart. One night she invites an old female friend and part of Dea-jin’s racing team to dinner. He does not seem to understand why she thinks he is Dae-jin. He cooks them dinner and both women are so stunned they can barely eat.

Eun-soo repeatedly consults doctors and researches people with similar injuries and even follows through with investigating a soul inhabiting the body of someone else. The poor woman has been through so much, and now the doctor says this? Well not exactly. But there are at least documented cases where a person believed they were another person. And as the doctor stated it is not something that can be tested for.

Dae jin moves, talks, walks like Ho- Jin. What he likes, dislikes. Eun-soo does not believe he is Ho-jin. But everything that happens point to just that. That creepy feeling grows even though nothing is happening. But what if something is about to happen? What will Dae-jin do as Ho-jin? It is a complete unknown, this mix of brothers. That unknown is what makes this movie grab and keep your attention. Ye-jin, Dae-jin’s old female buddy doesn’t believe Dae-jin has Ho-jins spirit. She tries to discover the truth by spending more time with him but she ends up uncertain.

In the meantime Dai-jin and Eun-soo spend more time together and Eun-soo finds herself more accepting of Dae-jin as Ho-jin. It isn’t rational. it’s not logical yet there are things he knows or acts he does that only Ho-jin could possibly know about. Little things only a lover would know.

Lee Byung-hun does a terrific job of being mysterious. When was the last time you saw a good movie with a character that pulled off “mysterious”? The viewer is not certain of his character but it’s played as slightly dangerous and the next scene is not a given. This role could not have been an easy one for him but he manages to pull off the transition from Dae-jin to Ho-jin masterfully.

Lee Eol as Ho-Jin puts in a wonderful performance. Though he is not on screen for the vast majority of the film, he uses what time he has to create the complete persona. If his acting was not strong enough there would really be no movie. It was imperative that he establish Ho-jin and all his mannerisms, likes, dislikes, even the way he moves or works with his furniture. His relationship with Eun-soo is all important.

Mi-yeon Lee as Eun-soo gives a truly award winning performance. Her being given the prestigious Grand Bell Awards, for Best Actress only makes it official the fine work she does in “Addicted”. She is believable as a person would be caught up in such a bizarre situation! So many twists and turns and a couple of heart stopping shocks. You feel them too. The film would fall apart with an actress of lesser skill.

This is an excellent film. It has a lot of mystery right to the end and leaves you with plenty to think about. Then later you will find yourself thinking about “Addicted” again, realizing you had to watch it again. It is perhaps too slow in development for some however they are missing part of the important stuff, such as dialog. Yes exposition is required. There are no bloody, gore filled, martial arts, guns, explosives and such. The action is supplied by the terrific performances of Lee Byung-hun and Lee Mi-yeon and Lee Eol.

Highly Recommended.

Grand Bell Awards 2003
Won Grand Bell Award: Best Actress Lee Mi-yeon

“Addicted” is a fine mystery drama.

JJ Hatfield’s Rating: 9/10

Posted in Korean, Reviews | Tagged , , |

Coweb | aka Combat Web (2009) Review

"Coweb" Chinese Theatrical Poster

“Coweb” Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Zhang Wu Shuang
Director: Hung Yan Yan
Cast: Jiang Lu Xia, Sam Lee, Eddie Cheung Siu Fai, Kane Kosugi, Mike Moeller, Edison Chen
Running Time: 87 min.

By HKFanatic

Going at least as far back as Cheng Pei-pei in 1966′s “Come Drink With Me,” the martial arts genre has a long history of powerful women who can kick just as much ass as their male co-stars. Part of the appeal of these films is watching a diminutive or unassuming-looking gal who is assailed by dozens of opponents, only to overpower them all with a with a flurry of martial arts moves.

However, there’s been something of a void in the action world for a tough-as-nails female star ever since Michelle Yeoh stopped riding motorcycles onto moving trains. That’s partially why the 2008 Thai action flick “Chocolate” and its pint-sized JeeJa Yanin made such a big splash.

Released a year later in 2009, “Coweb” feels very much like Hong Kong’s answer to “Chocolate.” It debuts a new female action star of its own: Jiang Luxia, who is similarly young, petite, and does most of her own stunts. As a national Wushu champ, Luxia is the real deal. She also made a name for herself via YouTube videos, was featured on Jackie Chan’s reality TV show in Hong Kong, and teaches female self-defense classes.

Luxia is cute, she can fight, and she isn’t afraid to be kicked out a window. What more could any action movie fan ask of a starlet? As such, I really wanted to like this movie. Unfortunately, “Coweb” disappoints on almost every critical levels.

There are numerous fight scenes from start to finish, but the choreography and stunts just aren’t hard-hitting compared to what we’ve seen come out of Thailand. An over-reliance on wirework and slow-motion detracts from some of the fights, which most people will probably say go on for too long anyway. It doesn’t help that the best fight might actually be the very first one: a protracted battle that sees Luxia fighting an enraged gweilo through a restaurant kitchen to the point where she’s whacking him with frying pans and tossing chili peppers.

“Coweb” was obviously a low-budget affair. Every scene in this movie that isn’t about fighting simply depicts Luxia sitting somewhere and talking, or walking somewhere and talking, with her co-star Sam Lee (remember him?). A good chunk of the story is revealed through text messages and web surfing, which is not visually interesting at all and another surefire sign that the “Coweb” filmmakers were strapped for cash.

At least the movie builds to a decent conclusion: a lengthy fight between Luxia Jang and Kane Kosugi. Diehard martial arts fans, or people who just like 80’s B-movies, might recognize the name Kane Kosugi from back in the day. When he was just a little kid, he was starring in his dad’s ninja exploitation flicks like “Revenge of the Ninja” and “Pray For Death.” Now he’s all grown up and a talented performer in his own right.

So “Coweb” is not a great movie; to be honest, I’m not sure it was meant to be. At most it’s a demo reel for Luxia to display what she’s capable of as martial artist and stuntwoman. In that regard, the film is a success since I can’t wait to see what she does next.

HKFanatic’s Rating: 6.5/10

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

Sad Cafe, The (2011) Review

"The Sad Cafe" Theatrical Poster

“The Sad Cafe” Theatrical Poster

Director: Bennie Woodell
Writer: Bennie Woodell
Cast: Bradley Fowler, Katie Lanigan, John LaFlamboy, Matt Ukena, Walt Sloan, Liz Davis, George Gibson
Running Time: 137 min.

By Mighty Peking Man

A killer-for-hire named Jack (Bradley Fowler) often visits a coffee house called “Cafe Olympic,” which is the only setting he’s able to relax and find peace while reflecting on his violent lifestyle. It’s also the place where he shares a mutual attraction with the cafe’s waitress, Rose (Katie Lanigan). Despite minimal communication between the two, a meaningful relationship slowly develops.

However, Jack realizes that his dark occupation isn’t compatible with his new found love. Matters get worse when his boss (Walt Sloan) sends him on a mission that makes Jack’s life a living hell.

There’s something in “The Sad Cafe” for everyone: Romance, love, drama, gangsters, twists, action (very well staged), gore and a catchy narration. Essentially, this is “Chungking Express” meets “Fallen Angels” meets “The Killer”.

Director/writer Bennie Woodell doesn’t hide the fact that “The Sad Cafe” is heavily influenced by Wong Kar Wai, a Hong Kong director who, himself, was influenced by the French New Wave films of Jean-Luc Godard and Francois Truffaut. In addition, Bennie’s love for Asian action cinema, as well some Martin Scorsese, are also evident.

It’s hard for me to watch “The Sad Cafe” and not think of it as a pretentious flick loaded with every cliche I’ve already seen by the films and filmmakers mentioned above. At the same time, there’s something about “The Sad Cafe” that sucks you in, which has to be a tough job for a low budget filmmaker to fulfill, especially when the typical audience would rather be be watching a studio movie with known talent.

Bennie Woodell may not have talent like Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Faye Wong or Chow Yun-Fat to work with; nor does he have access to a budget that equals a week’s catering bill for Wong Kar Wai’s last movie; what he does have is the ability to entertain you with a project that may not have an ounce of originality, but grabs you and keeps you seated because it’s paced just right. Most major studio titles playing in theaters have a hard time accomplishing this.

The cinematography and use of lighting are beautiful. The soundtrack, mostly reminiscent of the elegant music in “In The Mood For Love,” aids in the story-telling and adds to the atmosphere.

My biggest gripe in “The Sad Cafe”: One minute it’s classy and stylish, the next minute you’re thrown off by its extreme brutality. Don’t get me wrong, I live for violence in films. I don’t mean to come across like some great cinema aficionado, but if I’m watching an art house flick, the last thing I’m expecting is a bloody torture scene full of grunting and yelling. Deep stuff, no doubt, but the tone felt of place.

Also, I don’t need to see guys wearing Yin Yang necklaces while flipping around their balisong knives for more than 2 seconds; if this was an 1980’s action movie starring Michael Dudikoff, then I would understand.

The bottom line: “The Sad Cafe” is an engaging film full of passion and dedication, but noticeably low on originality.

“The Sad Cafe” will soon be hitting DVD and Netflix. When it does, give it a shot, because you might be pleasantly surprised. Until then, check out the trailer.

Mighty Peking Man’s Rating: 7/10

Posted in Asian Related, Reviews |

Magic Blade, The (1976) Review

"The Magic Blade" Chinese Theatrical Poster

“The Magic Blade” Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Chor Yuen
Cast: Ti Lung, Lo Lieh, Guk Fung, Tang Ching, Cheng Lee, Lily Li Li-Li, Fan Mei Sheng, Chan Shen, Cheng Miu, Goo Goon Chung, Ha Ping, Lau Wai Ling, Norman Chu, Yuen Wah, Tim Lei, Wong Pau Gei, Alan Chui Chung San
Running Time: 93 min.

By Joe909

Magic Blade hits the ground running and doesn’t let up for its first hour. From the opening challenge between Ti Lung and Lo Lieh, to the mortal combat between the duo and a legion of weird killers, to the swordfight-filled conclusion, this movie is action-packed to say the least. But around the one hour mark it lands in sappytown, and then struggles to righten itself.

Magic Blade is the beginning of a loose trilogy of films directed by Chor Yuen. Ti Lung’s Magic Blade character makes a brief appearance in Death Duel, a 1977 film that features Derek Yee as a master swordsman looking to become the greatest in the land. Death Duel also contains a brief appearance by Lo Lieh, as twisted killer Hang Tan, a role Lo first portrayed in 1976’s Killer Clans, which featured neither Ti Lung nor Derek Yee. So there’s your trilogy. Like I said, loose.

This is a swordplay film, so there isn’t much kung-fu acrobatics. Instead, there’s lots of flying around and other supernatural feats. But all of it’s done in an old school style, so there’s none of the fast-cut editing that distinguishes much of the gunk which makes up more recent swordplay films. The movie takes place squarely in the “martial world,” where fighters battle for prestige, not revenge or any other universal motive. Instead, everyone wants to be Number One, and will do whatever it takes to reach that goal. This is also one of those movies where everyone knows each other, either through reputation or legend; and just so we’re not left out of the party, every time someone new comes into the story, they’re accompanied by an on-screen credit. It does get annoying after a bit.

In fact, the multitude of characters is one of this film’s impediments. The first hour is a torrential flood of character after character who shows up long enough to challenge Ti Lung and Lo Lieh, and then get killed by one of them. Luckily these guys mostly don’t stick around very long; otherwise you’d need to keep a character list to keep track. Enemies who team up to discover who’s attempting to have them killed and capture the dreaded Peacock Dart, Lung and Lieh are Clint Eastwood and Lee Van Cleef respectively, and this movie is more Sergio Leone-influenced than any other Hong Kong movie I’ve seen. From the music to the shot angles to Lung’s twirling, tricked-out sword, the movie is a true Eastern Western.

The characters up against this pair are all “straight out of a comic book,” to quote Jim Kelly. In this aspect the movie reminds me of another Shaw Brothers production, Avenging Eagle, which also featured crazily-named villains who used even crazier styles and weapons. The Devil Grandma is probably the best representative of the villains in Magic Blade: a decrepit old witch who pushes around a cart that contains everything from dying captives to deadly swordsmen.

As mentioned, things get sappy around the hour mark. Lung and Lieh split up, and Lung runs into a starving woman who prostitutes herself for food. This sequence is so unnecessary it isn’t even funny, and really halts the flow of the movie. Things get back on track once Lung hooks up with Cheng Lee, who plays the daughter of the Peacock Dart’s owner. Cheng gets captured, and Lung must free her, battling several new (and old) foes.

The movie takes an interesting turn into the metaphysical toward the end, as Lung, victorious, is informed that the mysterious pursuer of the Peacock Dart, Yu, the man he has been hounded by throughout the movie, doesn’t exist. Instead, whoever rules the martial world becomes Yu. This is an interesting, Eastern twinge to the film, but then it’s ruined when the real Yu comes charging out and attacks Lung. The fight between he and Lung is great, and Lung dispatches the guy with a neat twist, but I would have preferred the more philosophical conclusion that was hinted at.

But what it all comes down to is the fighting. I’m happy to say that, even though I don’t love the swordplay genre, I thought the action scenes in this movie were very well done. Since Ti Lung is our main character, he does a lot more fancy footwork than actors like David Chiang or Wang Yu ever could. His opponents also come off very good, so the fights in this film are more protracted than other swordplay movies of the era, which generally were over in a few unsatisfying seconds. Since all of the characters are veritable martial gods, expect lots of inhuman feats, but they’re all pulled off impressively, and believably within the context of the film. The gore factor isn’t nearly as high as in a Chang Cheh movie, but blood does erupt from the occasional sword slash.

Since this is a Chor Yuen film, the sets are meticulously constructed and look fabulous. Costumes are also impressive across the board, with Ti Lung really sporting a Spaghetti Western look in his poncho. Lung is as usual excellent, though his character is a bit too superheroic for me. Lo Lieh is as evil as always, and Cheng Lee, though she doesn’t get as meaty a role as in Yuen’s Web of Death, is fine in a part that doesn’t ask for much but to look scared.

Joe909’s Rating: 8.5/10

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

Sector 7 Trailer: Korean Monster in 3D

"Sector 7" Teaser Poster

"Sector 7" Teaser Poster

Yoon Je-Gyun (director of “Haeundae” aka Tidal Wave/Tsunami) is back with another special effects extravaganza. This time, the plot involves an oil prospecting ship crew and their fight against a deadly monster -in 3D! “Sector 7,” which opens Summer 2011, was apparently pre-sold to four countries before its release, so expect a North American DVD/Blu-release soon. The film’s cast includes: Ha Ji-won (Haeundae), Ahn Seong-gi (Nowhere To Hide) and Oh Ji-ho (The Slave Hunters).

Judging from the trailer, it looks like a cross between “Aliens” and every copycat/knock off that followed. Check it out here.

Update: Second trailer is now available. – Thanks to One Armed Boxer

Posted in News |

Trailer: The Beast

"The Beast" Korean Theatrical Poster

"The Beast" Korean Theatrical Poster

Have you ever wondered what a guy would do if the grandmother that he lives with suddenly dies, then finds out that his sister has been kidnapped, and on top of all that learns that the kidnappers plan to make a pornographic movie with said sister, and post in on the internet by 10:00pm the next day? Check out the trailer here. – Thanks to One Armed Boxer

Directed by Hwang Yu-Sik and starring Jung Suk-Won (“White Christmas”), Jeon Se-Hong (“The Scary Girl”), Yoon Bong-Kil (“Are You Crazy”) and Lee Eung-Jae (“Beetles”).

Posted in News |

Chuck Norris DVD Set: Delta Force, Delta Force 2, Missing in Action, Missing in Action 2, Missing in Action 3 (Image)

Chuck Norris DVD Set: Delta Force, Delta Force 2, Missing in Action, Missing in Action 2, Missing in Action 3 (Image)

Chuck Norris DVD Set: Delta Force, Delta Force 2, Missing in Action, Missing in Action 2, Missing in Action 3 (Image)

RELEASE DATE: October 11, 2011

This new 5-feature DVD set includes: Delta Force 1 and 2, and Missing in Action 1, 2 and 3. The original Delta Force is very underrated and features a fine performance by Robert Forster!

Trailers: Delta Force | Delta Force 2 | Missing in Action | Missing in Action 2 | Missing in Action 3

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

Charles Bronson DVD Set: The Mechanic, Messenger of Death, Assassination (Image)

Charles Bronson DVD Set: The Mechanic, Messenger of Death, Assassination (Image)

Charles Bronson DVD Set: The Mechanic, Messenger of Death, Assassination (Image)

RELEASE DATE: October 11, 2011

This 3 feature set includes The Mechanic, Messenger of Death and Assassination. Assassination was directed by Peter H. Hunt, the director of the cult favorite James Bond movie, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.

Trailers: The Mechanic | Messenger of Death | Assassination

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

Charles Bronson DVD Set: 10 to Midnight, The Mechanic, Death Wish 2, Death Wish 3, Death Wish 4 (Image)

Charles Bronson DVD Set: 10 to Midnight, The Mechanic, Death Wish 2, Death Wish 3, Death Wish 4 (Image)

Charles Bronson DVD Set: 10 to Midnight, The Mechanic, Death Wish 2, Death Wish 3, Death Wish 4 (Image)

RELEASE DATE: October 11, 2011

This 5 feature set includes: 10 to Midnight, The Mechanic, Death Wish 2, Death Wish 3 and Death Wish 4. There’s nothing like seeing Charles Bronson – sporting a Members’ Only Jacket – killing the bad guys to synth music!

Trailers: 10 to Midnight | The Mechanic | Death Wish 2 | Death Wish 3 | Death Wish 4

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