Scent of a Spell | Blu-ray (Third Window Films)

RELEASE DATE: February 17, 2025

On February 17, 2025, Third Window Films is releasing a Blu-ray for Scent of a Spell, a 1985 thriller from Toshiharu Ikeda (Evil Dead Trap) that stars Johnny Okura (Boiling Point) and Mari Amachi (Aitte nandaro).

While a young man (Johnny Okura) is on his way home from a bar in a torrential downpour, he comes across a woman (Mari Amachi) trying to kill herself by jumping off a bridge. Without thinking, he jumps in to rescue her and save her from drowning. After taking Continue reading

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All aboard!? ‘Shin Godzilla’ co-director Shinji Higuchi to remake 1975’s ‘Bullet Train’ for Netflix! Watch a Teaser…

"Bullet Train" Theatrical Poster

“Bullet Train” Theatrical Poster

Shinji Higuch (Shin Ultraman), the co-director of 2016’s Shin Godzilla, is set to helm Netflix’ Bullet Train Explosion, a remake of Junya Sato’s 1975 disaster thriller, Bullet Train (neither have no relation to David Leitch’s 2022 actioner of the same name).

The original starred Ken Takakura (Golgo 13) as a mad bomber who plants a device on a high-speed Japanese train, programmed to detonate if the train’s speed drops below 80 kilometres per hour. The trains conductor (Sonny Chiba, Soul of Chiba) must keep the train moving whilst the police track the madman down (via Eureka). The film was the inspiration for the 1994 Hollywood blockbuster, Speed.

We’ll keep you updated on Bullet Train Explosion as we learn more. Until then, here’s Netflix Japan’s Announcement Teaser for the film, which Continue reading

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A little something for the ninja crazed! Error_4444 to bring on Lee Tso Nam’s ‘The Challenge of the Lady Ninja’ to Blu-ray

The Challenge of the Lady Ninja | Blu-ray (Error_4444)

In 2025, Error_4444 is releasing a Blu-ray for The Challenge of the Lady Ninja (aka Chinese Super Ninjas 2), a 1983 martial arts thriller from Lee Tso Nam (Phantom Kung Fu) that stars Elsa Yeung Wai San (Pink Force Commando), and Chen Kuan Tai (Death Ring).

During WWII’s Japanese occupation of Shanghai, a woman trains in covert arts. Arriving in Hong Kong, she learns her brother aids the Japanese. She assembles female warriors to stop him.

We’ll keep you Continue reading

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Error_4444 delivering Blu-ray for the bloody revenge thriller ‘Mermaid Legend’ from ‘Evil Dead Trap’ director

In 2025, Error_4444 is releasing a Blu-ray for Mermaid Legend, a 1984 revenge thriller from Toshiharu Ikeda (Evil Dead Trap) that stars Mari Shirato and Jun Etō. In the film, a woman avenges the death of her husband in this slightly supernatural drama.

We’ll keep you Continue reading

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Error_4444 announces Blu-ray for Banjong Pisanthanakun and Parkpoom Wongpoom’s Thai-thriller ‘Alone’

Alone | Blu-ray (Error_4444)In 2025, Error_4444 is releasing a Blu-ray for Alone, a 2007 thriller from Banjong Pisanthanakun (The Medium) and Parkpoom Wongpoom (Homestay), a directing duo known for 2004’s Shutter.

Pim (Marsha Wattanapanich) is a Thai woman living in Korea with her husband Wee. At her birthday a friend reads her fortune with a deck of cards and informs that something she has lost will soon return to her. But some lost things are better off staying lost.

We’ll keep you Continue reading

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How Online Games Drive the Entertainment Industry Forward

The entertainment industry is in transformation, and the future is online games. Interactive technological experiences combined fun with elements of technology, gave immersive engagement to hundreds of millions, redefining the reception of entertainment.

Casual or hardcore gamers—a swift increase is witnessed in the demand for an online game. The question now is what impact does an online game create on the larger entertainment spectrum? Let’s understand that.

Increased Global Reach

Online games transcend geographical boundaries. They have united people from various regions and countries to form entertainment platforms. Players link themselves, compete, and interact, thus forming societies that cross borders.

This accessibility has made gaming a dominant force in the digital age. For instance, exclusive games on 111win cater to diverse interests with more than 10,000 online games. Users can choose numerous such options, which makes gaming not only fun but an opportunity to earn money as well. Such portals reflect the diversity of entertainment that online games bring with effortless access to all.

Interactive Storytelling and Immersion

Unlike other entertainment mediums, online games take the form of interactive storytelling. Gamers are not just users; they are the narrative. Either by role play or even multi-player battles, such engaging stories engage users for hours on end.

The interactivity is the key reason games have sky-rocketed so fast. The market is not competing against movies or music but instead is an added way of accessing stories.

Monetization and New Revenue Streams

Online games have a novel revenue model, such as microtransactions, subscriptions, and in-game purchases, that brings in billions every year. Modern platforms emphasize rewarding users as yet another revenue-generating channel. Encouraging them to play more makes games profitable.

The model inspired some entertainment sectors to reassess their strategies. It showcases how gaming impacts not only behavior but also the economics of entertainment.

Entertainment Meets Technology

Games are significant in the testing phase of new technologies. Virtual reality, augmented reality, and cloud gaming have changed the way people play within the digital space.

The same technology effects spread into other entertainment. Movies, music, and even live performances take in new features through gaming technology to attract more audiences.

Revolutionizing Social Interaction

Online games have changed socialization among people today. It not only entertains but also forms an online platform through which players connect, share thoughts, team up to reach their goals, and even participate in international tournaments.

Other social features will also be features of chats that will facilitate the possibility of real-time communication between people with common interests. The interaction contributes toward a more enjoyable gaming experience.

Conclusion

Online games hold much more than just a fun activity; they shape entertainment. For anyone looking to try different things and reap rewards, platforms like Basant Club showcase how the gaming industry is breaking all the new standards. It is growing every day and promises that the gaming industry will be the cornerstone of entertainment.

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All-star MA actioner ‘Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In’ now on Blu-ray, DVD and 4K Ultra HD from Well Go USA

Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In | 4K Ultra HD (Well Go USA)

Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In | 4K Ultra HD (Well Go USA)

Now on Blu-ray, DVD and 4K Ultra HD from Well Go USA is Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In, the latest martial arts actioner from director Soi Cheang Pou Soi (SPL II: A Time for Consequences, The Monkey King) – and producers Wilson Yip (Paradox, Ip Man Franchise) and John Chong (The Invincible Dragon).

This all-star martial arts actioner (read our review), stars Louis Koo (Organized Crime and Triad Bureau), Sammo Hung (King Swindler), Richie Jen (Trivisa), Raymond Lam (Line Walker) and Philip Ng (Undercover Punch and Gun), and with action by Kenji Tanigaki (Enter the Fat Dragon).

Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In is an adaptation of the cult manhua (Chinese comicbook) series City of Darkness by Andy Seto. Set in the eighties inside the dangerous and enigmatic Kowloon Continue reading

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Deal on Fire! Fearless Hyena Part II | Blu-ray | Only $21.99 – Expires soon!

Fearless Hyena 2 | Blu-ray (88 Films)

Fearless Hyena 2 | Blu-ray (88 Films)

Today’s Deal on Fire is the Blu-ray (Region B) for Fearless Hyena Part II, a 1983 “Jackie Chan film” directed by Chan Chuen (Energetic 21) for Lo Wei Motion Pictures.

Fearless Hyena Part II was the film responsible for Jackie’s breach of contract with Lo Wei’s production company. Due to “creative differences”, Jackie, along with producer Willie Chan, left production of this film, resulting in both men terminating their own partnership with Lo Wei for a fresh career with Raymond Chow’s Golden Harvest (proven right choice!). The film was eventually released in 1983, but the production was stitched together using body doubles and archival footage of Jackie from his other films (a la Bruce Lee’s Game of Death).

Depending on your Continue reading

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Secret Executioners | aka Trouble-Solving Broker (1982) Review

"Secret Executioners" Theatrical Poster

“Secret Executioners” Theatrical Poster

Director: Lee Doo-Yong
Co-director: Godfrey Ho
Cast: Shin Woo-chul, Hwang Jang Lee, Jim Norris, Kwon Il-soo, Min Bok-gi, Park Dong-ryong
Running Time: 90 min.

By Paul Bramhall

It remains one of the greatest travesties in Korean cinema that director Lee Doo-yong’s The Trouble-Solving Broker is referenced in 99% of English language content as “another one of those Godfrey Ho cut and paste jobs.” The real tragedy is that it’s also true, with (as of the time of writing in 2024) no known surviving prints of Doo-yong’s original version in its native Korea, making the re-named Secret Executioners Filmark version that has Godfrey Ho’s name slapped on it as director a double-edged sword. On the one hand its a horrendously modified version of the original – clocking it at 90 minutes compared to the original runtime of 108, which when you factor in the newly inserted gweilo fight footage means there’s likely close to 30 minutes missing. On the other, it’s also the only available way to watch it. The perils of attempting to watch many of the entries in Korea’s taekwon-action genre!

In my feature Fists, Kicks, & Kimchi, I’d stated that “if it’s possible to choose one title which could be interpreted as the last of the ‘pure’ taekwon-action movies, then it would likely be The Trouble-Solving Broker.” Made during an era when the taekwon-action style was increasingly being incorporated into more traditional kung-fu themed settings thanks to the success of 1978’s Drunken Master, Secret Executioners acts as a kind of snapshot of the other direction the genre could have gone in. The 1980’s in general are considered a grim period for Korean Continue reading

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A hunk, a hunk of ‘Burning Blood’! ‘Young and Dangerous’ stars Jordan Chan, Michael Tse and Jerry Lamb fire it up!

"Burning Blood" Theatrical Poster

“Burning Blood” Theatrical Poster

A Young and Dangerous reunion? Not quite, but close! Director Wilson Chin (Special Female Force) is back with Burning Blood, an upcoming actioner about an anti-narcotics team and their mission to bring a drug lord to justice.

Much like 2018’s Golden Job, Burning Blood banks in on the nostalgia of bringing the original stars of the Young and Dangerous franchise: Jordan Chan (Foolish Plan), Michael Tse (Wild City), Jerry Lamb (Enter the Fat Dragon) and Jason Chu (The Blade). Unfortunately, Ekin Cheng (Twins Effect) is noticeably absent.

Back before Infernal Affairs became a global success and spawned an award-winning Hollywood remake, the Young and Dangerous series was arguably the most popular franchise to come out Continue reading

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Deal on Fire! Legacy of Rage | Blu-ray | Only $26.99 – Expires soon!

Legacy of Rage | Blu-ray (88 Films)

Legacy of Rage | Blu-ray (88 Films)

Today’s Deal on Fire is the Deluxe Blu-ray (Region B) for Legacy of Rage, a 1986 revenge thriller from noted Hong Kong director Ronny Yu (The Bride with the White Hair) and star, Brandon Lee (The Crow).

Ronny Yu is doing what he does best here, delivering a breath-taking, action-packed, fist-flying tale of vengeance which stars Brandon Lee. Hardworking Brandon Ma (Lee) is loving life with his girlfriend May (Regina Kent) but his drug dealing best friend Michael (Michael Wong) has sights on May and sets Brandon up for murder. Soon Brandon is on the hunt to save his girl and exact brutal revenge in this stylish flick which is packed with stunning fight choreography and cool dialogue.

The film also stars Continue reading

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James Bond-sploitation meets Shaw Brothers? Eureka’s Blu-ray for ‘Super Spies and Secret Lies’ out next week!

 Super Spies and Secret Lies | Blu-ray (Eureka)

Super Spies and Secret Lies | Blu-ray (Eureka)

On November 18, 2024, Goodie Emporium will be releasing the Blu-ray (Region A/B) for Super Spies and Secret Lies, which will include 1966’s The Golden Buddha, 1967’s Angel with the Iron Fists and 1969’s The Singing Thief.

Following the enormous international success of Dr. No and From Russia with Love, Bondmania swept the globe and initiated a cycle of Bondsploitation movies. Studios all over the world sought to capitalise on James Bond and the concept of the super-spy – including Hong Kong’s venerable Shaw Brothers, who began producing tales of intrigue, espionage, and grand theft in the mid-1960s. Eureka Classics presents three of their best in this special-edition set: The Golden BuddhaAngel with the Iron Fists and The Singing Thief.

In The Golden Buddha, businessman Paul (Paul Chang Chung, Police Story) finds Continue reading

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Film Safari Ghana (2024) Review

"Fim Safari Ghana" Theatrical Poster

“Fim Safari Ghana” Theatrical Poster

Director: Andrew Leavold
Cast: Andrew Leavold, Samuel K. Nkansah (aka Ninja), Joseph Osei, Emmanuel Afriyie 
Running Time: 86 min.

By Paul Bramhall

While in his native Australia Andrew Leavold may be known for many things – former cult video store owner, punk band frontman, Filipino cinema historian, sometime actor, and documentary filmmaker – internationally he’s likely to be remembered as the guy who directed 2013’s The Search for Weng Weng. A feature length documentary that chronicled Leavold’s 7-year odyssey to uncover the fate of the Philippines shortest action star, his audacity and enthusiasm to shed light on a corner of the Pinoy film industry that had been all but forgotten about was as endearing as it was revelatory. While we continue to wait for Leavold’s next passion project on Filipino cinema, a history of the bomba genre titled The Most Beautiful Creatures on the Skin of the Earth, it turns out another corner of the planet had caught his attention in recent years – Ghana.

Specifically, a director by the name of Samuel Nkansah, or as he’s more popularly known – Ninja. While Nigeria’s Nollywood film industry and Uganda’s infamous Wakaliwood studio may have been heard of by film aficionados with a taste for the more obscure (and were both part of Leavold’s own movie “mash-up”, Flying Baptists Over Nollywood), less is known about Ghana’s film output, or at least it was until Ninja came along. In the early 2010’s Ninja’s DIY approach to making out-there action movies caught the attention of Conan O’Brien, when the trailer Continue reading

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Netflix ‘n KILL! Streaming giant awakens the English-language remake of Kim Jee-woon’s 2005 hit ‘A Bittersweet Life’

"A Bittersweet Life" Korean Theatrical Poster

“A Bittersweet Life” Korean Theatrical Poster

Back in 2012, it was reported that Albert Hughes, one half of the Hughes Brothers (Book of Eli), was tapped by Fox to do an English-language remake of Kim Jee-woon’s 2005 Korean film A Bittersweet Life.

In 2017, the studio shifted to Jennifer Yuh Nelson (Kung Fu Panda 2-3) helming the remake with Michael B. Jordan (Creed) attached to star. These plans, also fizzled.

Now, nearly 8 years later, the remake is back in motion, this time with Netflix and Chernin Entertainment steering the ship. Deadline reports that Kevin McMullin has been tapped to script a remake of A Bittersweet Life. The writer is perhaps best known for his short story Bomb, which 20th Century Fox is adapting into a Ridley Scott film. There is currently no director or stars attached Continue reading

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Deal on Fire! Casino Raiders | Blu-ray | Only $15.99 – Expires soon!

Casino Raiders | Blu-ray (Eureka)

Casino Raiders | Blu-ray (Eureka)

Today’s Deal on Fire is the Blu-ray (Region B) for Casino Raiders, an early entry in the Hong Kong gambling film cycle of the ‘80s and ‘90s that injects the genre with a dose of bloody mayhem courtesy of directors Jimmy Heung and Wong Jing.

Con-artist/gambler Crab (Andy Lau) gets out of prison and joins his childhood friend and partner Sam (Alan Tam) to work for a casino magnate to expose a group of Japanese card-players who have cheated their way to a fortune. The pair find themselves in the cross-hairs of the Yakuza, leading to a series of escalating acts of violence that test the bonds of loyalty to their limit. When their luck runs out, they make one final gamble: a game of poker with the highest of stakes.

Filled with surprises Continue reading

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