Film - August 08

31st August

New poster for Swedish Vampire horror 'Let The Right One In'

It's a variation on a theme but they have just released a new poster for Tomas Alfredson's adaptation of the Swedish Vamp horror novel by John Ajvide Lindqvist, Let The Right One In. A story of young love and bloody revenge, Let was originally due to open in Sweden in March, but instead ended up touring the Festivals (Toronto After Dark 2008 next) circuit, where its been garnering excellent reviews. Magnet Releasing has picked up the U.S rights to the film, and surprise surprise there is already an American remake on the cards. Let The Right One In opens in Sweden in October.

Synopsis: "Oskar and Eli. In very different ways, were both victims. Which is why, against the odds, they became friends. And how they came to depend on one another, for life itself. Oskar is a 12 year old boy living with his mother on a dreary housing estate at the city's edge. He dreams about his absent father, gets bullied relentlessly at school and has a macabre fascination with murder. Eli is the young girl who moves in next door. She doesn't go to school and never leaves the flat by day. She is a 200 year old vampire, forever frozen in childhood, and condemned to live on a diet of fresh blood.

Let The Right One In Trailer

30th August

Synapse films announce an orgy of Aussie horror classics

Vampire supermen, sinister psychic powerbrokers, & a creepy telekinetic hospital patient. Indy distrubtion house Synapse Films have just announced an eclectic group of three classic Australian horror titles for their latest upcoming releases: THIRST, DARK FORCES and PATRICK.

These 3 little-seen Australian horror films are from the Golden Age of Aussie (The new documentary Not Quite Hollywood profiles this genre, and is due for wide release from Magnet Releasing this fall) exploitation Cinema.

THIRST (1979)
She was innocent, pure and unsuspecting…but now Kate Davis has been kidnapped by a bloodthirsty cult and taken to a remote village, and it is there that she will discover her unholy fate.

PATRICK (1978)
After violently murdering his mother and her lover, Patrick lays comatose in a private hospital. When a pretty young nurse begins working at the hospital, Patrick tries communicating with her, while others in her life are being hurt and killed in mysterious ways.

DARK FORCES (1980)
A modern-day politician is faced with an incomprehensible power in this startling, award-winning supernatural thriller. Senator Rast holds a powerful government position, but he’s no match for the extraordinary power of the enigmatic stranger who mysteriously comes to “visit” him.

Synapse Films

30th August

New teaser poster for Russian fright flick 'Phobos'

A quick update with a new teaser poster for Russian filmhouse Art Pictures Studios, upcoming horror pic Phobos.

The plot revolves around a group of people who are invited to the opening party of a new nightclub, housed in network of huge underground bomb shelters. As the last of the nights revelers arrives, huge blast doors slam shut, blocking all communication with the outside world. Then total darkness envelops them.

Trapped at a terrible party you think you'll never escape from. I think we've all been there. Phobos started shooting this month, with a release sometime in the New Year.

29th August

Korean horror 'Guard Post 506' (aka G.P.506) on R2 DVD!

Korean Zombie horror anyone? Yes please! Su-chang Kong’s (director of ‘R-Point’) new military based horror ‘G.P 506’ is set for R2 DVD through UK distributor Cine Asia. Starring Chun Ho-jin & Cho Hyun-jae, the film was one of very few Korean horror pics to be released last year and by all accounts, is a pretty gory ride. So far there's is no sign of anyone releasing it in the U.S. , so if you want to see it there, it could well be time to get that region free DVD player you've been promising yourself. G.P 506 is released on October 13th.

Synopsis: "A strange multiple murder case was just occurred. A squad of soldiers from guard point 506 has been brutally killed, all except one. Every body was either crushed, or had their heads cut from their neck. The only survivor is in coma and the case is a complete mystery. Military investigator (Chun Ho Jin) is dispatched. When he arrives it soon becomes apparent this is no ordinary investigation, he is confronted by the discovery that a strange virus is turning soldiers into Zombie like killers…!”

The Korea Times review of G.P 506

G.P 506 Full trailer

Pre-Order the DVD

28th August

New trailers for 'Burn'

Well we say “trailers,” but these new clips actually appear to be more like promo reels for upcoming Thai horror Burn. There are two versions of the reel, but they appear to be nigh on identical.

Burn Trailers 1 2

28th August

First 8 films announced for Toronto After Dark

The Toronto After Dark Film Festival announced the first 8 great films to screen at this years fest. Offering a mix of independent horror, sci-fi, fantasy films, Toronto After Dark is rapidly becoming the horror/genre event - and for the first time 24fps will be there bringing you the latest news and reviews. Details from the TADFF press release...

"Toronto After Dark Film Festival announce a selection of eight outstanding new horror, sci-fi, action and cult feature films that will have their Toronto Theatrical Premieres at the festival this October 17-24. The initial lineup includes a number of critically acclaimed and award-winning films from around the world including the much-anticipated new sci-fi horror musical REPO! THE GENETIC OPERA, Sundance selection revenge thriller RED based on Jack Ketchum’s novel, cult horror action movie TOKYO GORE POLICE, celebrated vampire feature LET THE RIGHT ONE IN which won Best Picture at the Tribeca Film Festival, and Oscar-nominated animator Bill Plympton’s dark and twisted modern fairytale, IDIOTS & ANGELS."

For more info on the event, the films, and how to get tickets, visit the Fests official site here.

28th August

Hellboy 2 - The Golden Army: Review

Posted by: Pete

“Hellboy II: The Golden Army” is the sequel to the affectionately-remembered, but largely underwhelming, “Hellboy”. Since “Hellboy”, of course, its director, Guillermo Del Toro has set the world on fire with “Pan’s Labyrinth”: the kind of film everyone knows about, even if they haven’t seen it. For me, the problem with all Del Toro’s films is that they sound better than they actually are. I really want to like “The Devil’s Backbone” and “Cronos” and “Blade II” but in the end, while I’m impressed by them, I can’t find anything in them that renders them more than just visually innovative and mildly diverting. As for “Pan’s Labyrinth”, well, it showed a potentially interesting future for Del Toro – fantasy films for grown-ups. Imagine my disappointment, then, when his next film is not an advance on his last one, but a huge step backwards. Displaying all the visual invention of “PL” but none of the class, “Hellboy II” is desperately unamusing, drearily “light-hearted” and instantly forgettable.

Ron Perlman is back as the eponymous hero, he of the red skin and sanded-down horns and cigar-chomping, Eastwood-lite under-acting. His girlfriend bursts into flames when she’s angry. His pal is a blue-skinned fish-thing who likes Barry Manilow. The bad guy is played by Luke “Bros” Goss. Various things happen. Various CGI baddies cause trouble for a while, and then get beaten by the good guys. But tell me, why is all of it so wearily, tiredly, exhaustingly well made?

Continue reading HELLBOY 2 review

27th August

UK release for 'The Chaser'

Oh you lucky Brits. Hit Korea Cop, serial killer thriller The Chaser is set for a UK theatrical release through local distributors “Metrodome.” The film was an absolute box office (and won best film, best director, and best cinematography at Koreas Grand Bell awards) smash in its home country and we’ve yet to read a bad review of the movie anywhere.

Marking his directorial and screenwriting debut, helmer Na Hong Jin apparently based his script on a real-life serial killer, who murdered more than twenty victims. Chasers stars Korean movie veteran Kim Yoon Seok (Tazza: The War of Flower) and Ha Jung Woo (Breath, Time). Here’s a very expansive synopsis from Metronomes website…..

Ex-detective pimp Jung-ho has a big problem on his hands. His girls keep disappearing without clearing their debts. One night, he gets a call from a customer and sends Mi-jin, one of his girls still remaining, while ignoring her refusal due to her bad cold. But when Mi-jin meets the customer against her will, Jung-ho realizes the phone number of the customer matches that of the calls the missing girls got last. As something smells fishy, he searches for her. During his search, Jung-ho dents a car in the alley. But surprisingly, the driver doesn’t want any compensation. When Jung-ho spots blood splattered on the man’s shirt, he senses the man, Young-min, to be the suspect. After an intense chase, Jung-ho finally catches Young-min, but because of Jung-ho’s pretense as a cop they are both taken to the police station. At the station, Young-min bluntly tells the policemen that he has killed the missing women, and the last girl, Mi-jin, may still be alive. Despite the confession, there is no evidence to imprison him. As the whole police force is obsessed with a random search for corpses, Jung-ho is the only one who believes Mi-jin is still alive. With only 12 hours left to detain the serial killer without a warrant, Jung-ho’s hunt begins, searching for Mi-jin trapped in a place nobody knows.

The Chaser opens in UK Cinemas, September 19th.

The Chaser UK official site (Not yet active)

The Chaser Trailer

27th August

NYKFF Review: 'Spare'

Posted by: Luis Muniz

The New York Korean Film Festival began its seventh edition with an impressive opening reception at "TheTimesCenter" in Manhattan. Not only did 24fps have access to the gathering and see one of Korea's super actors like Yoo Ji-Tae (Oldboy) with Hwang Jin-Yi director Chang Youn-hyun, but admission was also given to watch some of Korea's new films of 2008 that are showing throughout the festival.

On a Sunday afternoon in New York, I could hear someone murmur words "Could I get spare change?" while rushing to get to the Cinema Village Theater downtown and catch an international action flick premier titled "Spare" written and directed by Lee Seong-han who spares no expense (and I mean none) with very little CGI, no stuntmen and absolutely no wires. Jung Woo and Jun-il Lim (The City of Violence) along with Koga Mitsuki (Shinobi, Ichi) star in this mobster arts film with a chunk of comedy and some normal fight sequences that could probably be seen on a regular day in your neighborhood.

Synopsis: In a city occupied by mobsters, Gwang-tae (Jun-il Lim) has a serious debt to reimburse to an intolerant loan shark. With very little time on his hands, Gwang-tae makes an agreement with a member of Yakuza to sell his liver for a reasonable price that would settle things with Myung-soo (Kim Su-Hyeon) and save the life of a Yakuza boss that was targeted for assassination. Gwang-tae puts his trust to his would be friend Gil-do (Jung-woo) with the arrangement of the transaction. However, Gil-do deceives him and pays off his own debt only to continue with his everyday living having no guilt for what he has done. This leaves Gwang-tae in a bind having to deal with Yakuza associate Sato (Koga Mitsuki) still entitled to receive his half of the deal, clear up the debt to the impatient loan sharks and bestow vengeance on a pal who did him wrong.

The set up of the film got my adrenalin racing and Joon-il Lim (Gwang-tae) shows some interesting martial arts with some acrobatic skills giving the audience a great deal of proof that no stuntmen and no wires were needed. Only it's not nearly as fantastic like in many other action films, simply because the martial arts displayed seem to look like something that would possibly happen in a real situation. Aside from the low kicks and punches, the comedy elements transitioned with little CGI and some old-fashioned camera tricks were humorous to some extent, only it felt somewhat extended leaving one half of the audience giggling and the other half settling down having already laughed making them feel the funny side had carried on too much. On the other hand, the music score alone probably kept the audience attracted where the trouble-free story was already figured out half way threw the film, and not to mention the "off screen" voice-over in which wasn't of any help.

Spare (Official site)

26th August

The Coffin: Review

Fine purveyor of all things Thai, "Wise Kwai" has just reviewed Ananda Everingham's new frightener The Coffin - and you know what, we think he kinda liked it! You can read his full review from the link. We've included the link to the Korean website for the film, for the simple reason that the Thai one takes AGES to load.

Wise Kwai's review

The Coffin (Official Korean site)

25th August

'Dante 01' arrives on R2 DVD September 15th

High on the must see list around these parts, Maro Caro's dark sci-fi thriller Dante 01 streets on R2 DVD next month. His first solo project, Caro previously worked with Jean-Pierre Jeunet on the surreal and often visually breathtaking French films: City of Lost Children & Delicatessen. Made in just 40 days under a very tight budget of € 8 million, Dante 01 was scripted in collaboration with the novelist Pierre Bordage. The film also stars Linh Dan Pham, Dominique Pinon and François Levantal.

Synopsis: “Dante 01 is a space prison adrift in the suffocating upper atmosphere of the hostile planet Dante. Inside, six of the Galaxies most dangerous criminals are used as guinea pigs in obscure experiments. A resistance is organized against César (Dominique Pinon), a psychopath warden. But its authority it's called into question by the arrival of Saint-Georges (Lambert Wilson ‘Matrix Reloaded’) a mysterious prisoner possessed by a secret force which he will learn how to control, using it to face the hostility of his fellow prisoners and to release them from the toxic death trap of Dante 01.”

Dante 01 (Official site)

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24th August

English subtitled trailer for Thai-Taiwanese horror 'Fatality'

A first trailer has arrived for Thai and Taiwanese (studios Right Beyond and SkyFilms joined forces to produce the film) horror pic Fatality. Directed by Thiwa Meyathaisong (The Sisters) it has been hailed as the first co-production between the two countries - and from first impressions, it looks like they weren't wasting each others time. Fatality stars Pitchanart Sakhakorn and Kenji Wu, in a tale of death, reincarnation and retribution - A triple combo of good horror fodder. Originally due out in June, the flick has now been pushed back to November.

Synopsis: An unsuccessful man in Taipei commits suicide, only to wake up in the body of a coma victim in Bangkok. His new life is almost perfect - he now has a stable job, a healthy body and a beautiful wife, but as the two souls fight for control of the body they start developing supernatural powers over life and death itself, leaving havoc in their wake.

Fatality Trailer

23rd August

4Digital Asia release 'Yo-Yo Girl Cop' and 'Black Kiss' on R2 DVD

New UK distribution house 4DIGITAL have shown they have their eye firmly on the ball when it comes to making astute purchases for their 4DIGITAL ASIA label. They got off to a great start with the acquisition and release of Shusuke Kaneko’s Death Note series and now it looks like they are on a roll with the announcement of 2 more great titles: Yo Yo Girl Cop and Black Kiss. Both hit the shelves September 22nd.

Directed by Kenta Fukasaku (Battle Royale 2; X-Cross) and starring J-Pop starlet Aya Matsuura (The Blue Light), YO-YO GIRL COP is the latest movie incarnation of Shinji Wada's phenomenally popular 1970s manga series ‘Sukeban Deka' (Delinquent Girl Detective), which since its first publication has been adapted into three live-action TV series, an original video animation and two previous live-action movies. Special Features include: Making of Yo Yo Girl Cop; Original Japanese trailer; Press Conference; Premiere Press Conference; stars Aya Matsuura & Yuki Saito talk; Cast and Crew interviews.

Concerned by the contents of Enola Gay, an underground website aimed at teenagers, the Japanese authorities enrol a young undercover agent at the city's notorious Seisen Academy hoping she can track down some of the students who have been accessing the site for instructions on bomb-making and suicide techniques. Before the agent can complete her mission, she is killed in an explosion at the same time that a timer on the Enola Gay site begins counting down the seconds to an unknown but potentially catastrophic event due to occur one week later.

YoYo Girl Cop Trailer

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Order the R1 DVD

BLACK KISS, a chillingly atmospheric psycho-thriller written and directed by Tezka Macoto (Hakuchi: The Innocent) and starring Reika Hashimoto (Survive Style 5+), Masanobu Ando (Battle Royale) and Ken Mitsuishi (Audition).

Asuka (Reika Hashimoto) is an aspiring fashion model, recently arrived in Tokyo to pursue her career. Low on cash and job offers, and with nowhere to live, she shacks up in the heart of the city's red light district with newfound acquaintance and former model, Kasumi (Kaori Kawamura), a sullen young woman with a tragic past.

Alone in the apartment one night, Asuka witnesses a bizarre and gruesome murder taking place in the building across the street. The police arrive to find the victim flayed and disemboweled, with voodoo symbols carved into what is left of his skin and his remains displayed as a hideous work of art. Baffled by the seemingly ritualistic killing, the lack of evidence and the fact that the room was locked from the inside, the investigators begin to pursue the voodoo angle. But similar and strangely ‘coincidental' murders soon begin to stack up; all marked by what becomes known as the killer's calling card - a black lip print left on each corpse. And the similarities don't end there. Each victim is found to have had a previous connection to Kasumi and now it looks like Asuka could be next in line to receive the deadly caress of the Black Kiss.

Black Kiss Trailer

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23rd August

New posters for Taiwanese slasher 'Invitation Only'

Back on August 7th we turned up the first poster for Invitation Only - a film that local movie production house Three Dots are touting as "Taiwans first ever slasher horror." Now the boys at "KFCC" have just tagged 2 more, and my they're bloody.

Invitation Only Posters

22nd August

'Ashes Of Time: Redux' UK theatrical release

Wong Kar Wai's (2046, My Blueberry Nights) long planned "reworking" of his legendary, rarely seen and one and only martial arts epic Ashes of time is set for a UK theatrical release! The pic stars Leslie Cheung, Tony Leung, Brigitte Lin and also Maggie Cheung who is also credited with making a "special appearance." Repped by Fortissimo films at this years Cannes film festival, the film is to be distributed in the UK via Artificial Eye. Ashes of time: Redux opens at the Renoir Cinema in London on Sept 12th, followed by regional venues around the country. Eager to see it but your in the U.S? Fear not - Ashes of time: Redux opens Stateside in October.

Synopsis: Ancient China, on the edge of a vast desert, master swordsman Ouyang Feng (Leslie Cheung) lives the life of a vagabond, earning his livelihood by hiring others as assassins. Pitiless and cynical, his heart has long been wounded by a love he neglected then lost. But as the seasons come and go, and so do friends and enemies alike, he begins to reflect back upon the origin of his solitude?

Ashes Of Time: Redux (Official U.S site)

21st August

Synopsis for Thai horror 'Burn'

Further to our post on August 15th, we've managed to track down a plotline for the very promising Thai horror Burn...

Synopsis: Burn circles around the mystery of Spontaneous human combustion (SHC), the belief that the human body sometimes burns without an external source of ignition. The story follows the investigation of a female victim’s mysterious death caused by SHC. Mona, the daughter of the victim, is an ambitious lawyer who accidentally involves in the crime. She regrets the unfinished reconciliation between her and her mother. The incident brings her to Ploy, a nurse whose mother died from SCH as well. Both girls seek to find the truth behind their mother’s death. Kwan, a diehard journalist, follows her instinct to unveil the evil force behind the case. Can this be suicide, murder, accident, or a secret religious sacrifice? The mystery behind “deadly fire” needs to be revealed before fire erupts. Via

Burn Trailer

21st August

'Painted Skin' theatrical poster

Just released, a theatrical poster for Donnie Yen's big budget supernatural action pic Painted Skin gives us a first hint of "horror," with the two leading ladies Wei Zhao and Xun Zhou looking suitably macabre. One other quick point of note, the English language version of the site has just gone live. Go get it!

Painted Skin (Official site)

20th August

Better late than never. Its the U.S website for 'Sukiyaki Western Django'

With barely a week to go before its U.S theatrical release, the official American site for Takashi Miike’s Sukiyaki Western Django has finally limped (And U.S. distributors of Asian films wonder why their audience figures are often low?! Sheesh) into life. Not the best show of marketing support for a film from one the masters of Modern cinema. On the flip side - First Look Studios should at least get a few Brownie points for giving it a theatrical (albeit limited) release at all! Western Django opens in New York, August 29th. Go see it if you can!

Sukiyaki Western Django (Official U.S site)

19th August

'Hansel and Gretel' finally arrives on DVD

It's been a long time coming, but Yim Pil-sung's atmospheric and at times surreal fantasy horror Hansel & Gretel is finally available on DVD. Sung's latest work is a sinister tale which draws inspiration from those classic Brothers Grimm stories, but with a dark twist. Here it is adults rather than children who become lost in the woods. Hansel & Gretel is expected to be released, September 3rd.

Eun-su (Chun Jeong-myoung), while arguing over the phone with his girlfriend, has a car accident in the middle of nowhere. Deep in the heart of a forest, he finds sanctuary in a beautiful house, where a charming family of five greets him.Here, rooms are filled with a myriad of colorful toys, and sumptuous three-tier cakes and other cavity-causing sweets are served for breakfast. But that's one thing to imagine and another to actually live through, especially when you cant get away from it. Ever.

Hansel & Gretel Trailer

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19th August

Full trailer for 'The Truck'

Gone are the hand cam visuals from the teaser - The full trailer for Hyung-jin Kwon's serial killer thriller Truck is up, revealing that in actual fact the the film is shot conventionally. Not a bad thing - it's still looking like one hell of an intense ride none the less. As always, check it out from the link below. Truck opens in Korea September 25th.

Synopsis: Chul-min is a simple truck driver whose usual cargo is liquor, vegetables and other necessities. When his daughter is diagnosed with congenital heart disease, he scrambles to borrow money from friends to pay for the operation. Unable to raise the necessary funds, he tries his luck at gambling. When he loses everything, the gang boss who runs the gambling house gives him an unusual job: to deliver some freshly stabbed corpses to a faraway province. On his nerve-racking journey carrying dead bodies in his truck, Chul-min turns to the radio for company only to hear about a serial killer on the loose. After spotting a car that has fallen into a ditch, he is flagged down by a policeman who is heading to the same province. When Chul-min unravels the real identity of his passenger, his nightmare really begins...

Truck Trailer (Youtube)

Truck (Official site)

18th August

New York Korean Film Festival opens this week

A quick reminder to all New Yorkers out there who are fans of Asian Cinema. The New York Korean film festival kicks off this week with a fantastic selection of films, both old and new. 24fps very own "Luis" will be in attendance to review some of movies - including Lee Seong-han's new action pic Spare. For full details on the films on offer and the showtimes, check out the Fests official site.

New York Korean film festival

18th August

'Cold Prey 2 (aka Fritt Vilt 2)' gets a teaser trail!

Happy days. A teaser trail for Cold Prey 2 the sequel to one of our fave films of last year, has just hit the net on the films official site. The sequels story follows directly after the bloody events of the first movie and so far it looks like its living up to the promise, of being even more action packed than the first. Head to the links and let the screaming begin. Big thanks to "Wilson" for the heads up.

Cold Prey 2 (Official site)

Cold Prey 2 teaser (Hi-Def)

16th August

Official site for 'Connected'

The official site for HK action director Benny Chan's new thriller Connected has just come online and an added bonus there is already an English (dont you just love Hong Kong) language version of the site to explore. For more background/plot details on the flick, zip over to our previous story posted on July 20th

Connected (Official site)

15th August

Teaser posters and trailer for new Thai horror 'Burn'

First news in on a great looking new Thai horror, Burn. Info on the plot is a little sparse, but we do know that the story revolves around an "investigation into unexplained cases of Spontaneous Human Combustion and an evil corporate cover-up."

Directed by Peter Manus (who was also behind the 2002 Thai slasher "999-9999") the film stars Chalat Na Songkla, Bongkot Kongmalai and Prangthong Changdham. Sahamongkol Film are the company behind the flick so should be able to expect some pretty high end production values. Burn opens in Thailand in September. More as we get it.

Posters 1 2

Burn Trailer

14th August

'Painted Skin' website goes live!

The official website for Donnie Yen's supernatural action movie Painted Skin has just gone live, but still no theatrical trailer. On the plus side, there is plenty to see (including a ton of stills and concept art) over on the Sina page for the film here.

Painted Skin (Official site)

13th August

Willem Defoe Joins ‘Antichrist’

Willem Dafoe has been confirmed to star in Lars Von Trier’s (director of the mindbendingly strange TV series The Kingdom) Danish psychological thriller - that evolves into a horror film, ‘Antichrist.’ Dafoe is joined by British actress Charlotte Gainsbourg as couple who retreat to an isolated cabin in the woods following the death of their child. There, they soon start to encounter strange, terrifying occurrences. Obviously it’s too early for pics or media from the film, but we have turned up what appears to be concept art for the films title. Filming begins this month in Germany, with a release due around the middle of next year. Source

12th August

Kelvin Tong's 'Rule#1' gets Hong Kong theatrical release

It's been a long time coming but Kelvin Tong's new horror pic Rule #1 (sporting a spiffy new poster) is finally getting a Hong Kong theatrical release. The film was released in Tong's native Singapore back in March and we've been waiting for this news for quite a while. Why? An English friendly DVD release soon after, for one.

Rule #1 traces the chilling stories uncovered by the Police Force's emergency calls centre. Everyday the centre receives 185 phone calls, 180 of them are about felonies, murders, robberies and kidnappings. The other five begin with "there's something strange in my house.” Rule #1 opens in Hong Kong September 4th.

Synopsis: Rookie Sergeant Lee (Yue) is injured in a shoot-out and is assigned to the dubious- sounding Miscellaneous Affairs Department (MAD). There, he is paired up with Inspector Wong (Cheng), a jaded and alcoholic veteran who explains that MAD's role is to answer supernatural calls. Wong explains MAD's rule number one - there are no ghosts. For every seemingly-inexplicable phenomenon, there is a corresponding scientific and rational explanation. MAD begins investigating a string of bizarre teenage suicides... impossible suicides, unless the victims were possessed. As Lee and Wong follow the clues, they realize something sinister is heading their way.

Rule #1 trailer (Singapore Trailer)

11th August

More posters for 'Antoo Fighter'

Some new posters are out for Malaysian horror comedy 'Antoo fighter.' Ever so slightly (well lets be honest here, very) camp, it appears to be great cheesy fun none the less. Directed by Azizi Chunk (couldn't make that name up if you tried) it follows the adventures of super heroes the 'Antoo fighters,' as they fight to save the world from the evil Count Drakulat.

Synopsis; "A group of ghostly creatures from the past led by Drakulat Van Listerooy returns to the present time terrorizing and dominating the town after they had escaped from a group sworn to fight against evil spirits in the past. Drakulat and his sidekicks journey to Kuala Lumpur and conquered the KL Tower and make it their headquarters. There they began to destroy the city. The main objective of Drakulat is actually to free Lord Sharon, satan's spawn, so they could conquer and destroy the whole world together. In order to make it all happen he needs to locate the chosen girl, Delyla, who carries the blood line of having extraordinary powers and becoming the perfect sacrificial victim to Lord Sharon and freeing him into the world. The presence of Drakulat's clan is felt by Pak Din (one of the last Antoo fighters in the late 50's). Antoo fighter is a top secret group consisting of 5 chosen people on earth to protect the world from evil spirits every 60 years."

Still in post production Antoo fighter opens in November.

Posters 1 2 3

Antoo Fighter (Official site)

10th August

'Crows Zero' on English subtitled DVD

Takashi Miike’s Crows Zero is now up for order on English subtitled DVD. It’s still not that cheap, but on the plus side it's a two disc (extras disc may not be subtitled so check before purchase) special edition, and is less than the hefty $40 price tag, the non subbed Japanese release is wearing.

Delving into the hyper-stylized world of feuding high school gangs, Crows Zero actually takes place before the events of the manga (hence the title), setting up the origins & rivalries of the iconic characters.

Synopsis: Takaya Genji (Oguri Shun) has just transferred to Suzuran, a high school notorious for its gang violence. At Suzuran High, hallways are battle zones, bloody brawls are everyday occurrences, and student life is dominated by the political winds of the school's many factions. Genji didn't end up here by accident though. He's here to do what even his yakuza father (Kishitani Goro) couldn't accomplish years before - rule the school. Already stirring up a storm on the first day, Genji is determined to fight his way up the pecking order and unite the gangs. But not if alpha crow Serizawa Tamao (Yamada Takayuki) has anything to say about it.

Crows Zero (Official site)

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10th August

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9th August

New teaser for Japanese disaster flick '252'

Warner Japan has just updated the official site for their new big budget disaster movie 252 Survivors with a new teaser trail. Directed by Nobuo Mizuta and starring Hideaki Ito and Masaaki Uchino, the film is due out in Japan Dec 08. Check out the Typhoon type mayhem and carnage, from the link.

252 Survivors (Official site)

Via

9th August

Thai martial arts sensation 'Chocolate': Review #2

Chocolate (2008) Director - Prachya Pinkaew
Review by: Peter Higgins

Its unassuming title might lead you to think that “Chocolate” was going to be some kind of heart-warming, sentimental, family saga. And you’d be right. It is a heart-warming, sentimental, family saga… with fighting. Lots and lots of fighting. Yanin Vismitananda plays Zen, a young girl with standard-issue psychological problems, and equally standard-issue awesome combat skills. A close relative of River “Firefly” Tam, you might say (she even looks quite a bit like her). When her mother falls ill, it’s down to Zen and her trusty pal to raise money to pay for treatment. Luckily, ma used to be involved with a bunch of seriously repulsive gangsters, and there are lots of people who out there who owe her large amounts of cash. There are also quite a few people out there who want her dead. Some of the latter people appear to be drag-queens, for reasons which I never did work out.

Stir into this heady brew some genuinely moving mother-and-daughter stuff, some equally moving wife-and-estranged-husband stuff, and some, you know, ass-kicking, and you’re in for a great time. The director is Prachya Pinkaew, who gave the world “Ong-Bak”. Lots of people seemed to enjoy that, although I got bored after the first couple of hundred sequences in which people elbowed other people in the head. “Chocolate”, on the other fist, is thrillingly inventive in its fight choreography, with only a few moments when you find yourself thinking, to paraphrase Harrison Ford, “Why doesn’t someone just shoot the fucker?”

Incidentally, when the guns do eventually appear, it’s shocking and disturbing, making the earlier battles seem almost polite. But only almost. The film dashes along to its climax: a sequence that, disappointingly, owes a huge debt to “Kill Bill”. But the director is just toying with us. Call that a climax? That was just foreplay. And so we get our young heroine hanging off ledges and kicking-in windows while her hapless adversaries bounce off the walls, the floor, and each other. Once this sequence is over, and you’ve started to breath again, you’ll be aware that you’ve seen a real classic.

So many films in this genre concentrate just on the action, while others focus on bland sentiment and get the action all wrong. “Chocolate” gets it all just about right. The performances are above the average for this sort of movie, and Yanin Vismitananda, in particular, is superb as the troubled heroine. The music is excellent, as is the photography and direction. Whatever release this gets wherever you are, you should do whatever it takes to see it. And stick around for the closing credits: eye-watering stuff.

Chocolate (Official site)

Chocolate (Darren's Review)

8th August

Bloody (quite literally) Hell! New trailer for 'Tokyo Gore Police'

A new trailer for Yoshihiro Nishimura's fantastic shock splatter horror fest, Tokyo Gore Police is now online over on Youtube. Much of the footage has come before - but it does appear that there are a couple of new snippets of BLOOD drenched fun to be seen. Fan-bloody-gore -tastic!

Tokyo Gore Police Trailer

Read our review of Tokyo Gore Police

8th August

Korean hard core thriller 'Say Yes': Review

Say Yes (2001) Director - Kim Sung-Hong
Review by Luis Muniz

Say yes (and not another word about it) takes you on a journey of love, devotion and unexpected disaster with some hurtful stalking and stressful situations, however, the last quarter of the film makes a sudden turn to an unforgettable torture fest you'll think you've purchased two movies for the price of one. The not so well-known filmmaker Kim Sung-Hong (The Hole) combines suspense with surprisingly dynamic terror in this much or little like 1986's "The Hitcher" with leading Actor Park Joong-Hoon (Radio Star) giving a now and then fair-minded performance. It bears a sadistic series of events during the final stages of the film that would make you think the director decided to make it into a horror film, during the last moments of shooting.

Jeong-hyun, (Kim Ju-hyuk) a novelist finds employment and decides to celebrate by taking his significant other out on a road trip. To their surprise, a stranger makes his way into their lives without formally introducing himself. Yun-hie (Choo Sang-mi) senses tension tries to brush it off in hopes of avoiding conflict, but bad gets worst as the pair are forced to travel with the stranger labeled "M," who doesn't know the meaning of the "N" word... Continue reading "Say Yes" review

Say Yes Trailer

7th August

Teaser poster for Taiwanese slasher 'Invitation Only'

Hailed as Taiwans first ever slasher horror, movie house Three Dots Entertainment has just released a teaser poster for their latest scare-fest Invitation Only. The film stars "Adult" movie Siren Maria Ozawa in her first straight acting role as a super model. The movies plot apparently revolves around five friends who arrive at a party, fully unaware that the special night is just a cover for an evening of torture and murder. Invitation Only is due for release in Taiwan, in November.

Invitation Only Poster

6th August

'The Machine Girl': Review

The Machine Girl (2008) Director - Noboru Iguchi
Review by Luis Muniz

From the creators that will soon enough bring "Tokyo Gore Police" to your home theater, take a look at the already R1 DVD arrival of "The Machine Girl", a totally twisted and non-stop action flick that'll leave you flooded to a warp of laughter. Directed by Noboru Iguchi, this film packs a bloody punch while at the same time introducing a lovely Japanese gravure idol by the name of Minase Yashiro who guns down - Japanese equivalent to the mafia - Yakuza perpetrators for nothing more
and nothing less then indisputable retribution. Let us not forget Yoshihiro Nishimura for lending a hand with some outstanding pre-gore before his "Tokyo is Burning" sensation in the special effects division by slashing a finger or two along with body parts galore.

The bleeding saga revolves around a young and endearing schoolgirl name Ami Hyuga (Yashiro) who enjoys playing B-Ball and taking care of her younger brother Yu Hyuga while having to cope with deceased parent's no longer held accountable. During after school hours, Yu and his friend face off with the son of Yakuza's head chief Sho Kimura to further pay off a debt that's in need of clearing up....Continue reading "The Machine Girl" review

The Machine Girl (Official Site)

Order the R1 DVD

5th August

Noboru Iguchi’s ‘Sukeban Boy’ and Pang Brothers’ ‘Re-Cycle’ coming to R1 DVD

Posted by: Daniel

Following the apparent success of his explosive revenge film ‘Machine Girl’ in the US, one of Noboru Iguchi’s earlier, quirkier films, ‘Sukeban Boy’ is to be released on R1 DVD in October. Sukeban Boy recounts the story of a boy named Sukeban, who, due to continuous fights, and subsequent expulsions, is enrolled by his father into an all-girls school; conveniently so, in that Sukeban bears a strikingly feminine appearance. His school life grows stranger and stranger as the movie progresses, in the same manner that Iguchi’s own Machine Girl does, much to the delight of fans.

Don’t make any assumptions though; Sukeban Boy is very different to Machine Girl. Noboru Iguchi’s ‘unique’ directing style often results in a pornographic/fetishist setting, and Sukeban Boy is no exception. Those planning to indulge in Sukeban Boy can expect nipple clamps, transvestites, and an influx of scantily clad schoolgirl gang members, so heed warning that this film will most probably not be for everyone, and will most probably not cater to all fans of Iguchi’s Machine Girl. Regardless, Sukeban Boy has found its way to my ‘must-see’ list; let’s just hope that my girlfriend agrees to watch it with me (good luck – right guys? :P). Sukeban Boy arrives on R1 DVD on Oct 28.

Sukeban Boy Trailer

The Pang Brothers’ fantasy-horror masterpiece (and personal recommendation of mine) ‘Re-Cycle’ is finally making its way to the shores of us English speakers, coming to R1 DVD in late September. Re-Cycle is the story of Ting-yin, an author who is struggling to complete her new, announced (against her own will), supernatural-themed novel. Knuckling down, and facing her writer’s block, Ting-yin begins working on the novel, only to find that the ideas she puts text to begin happening in the real world (not in the same comical manner as Will Ferrell’s ‘Stranger Than Fiction’, but with a much more sinister and terrifying approach).

Petrified, she takes leave of her apartment, only to find herself in a post-disaster Earth – Crumbling buildings abound, and devoid of all humans, bar a horde of zombie-like figures. Soon it is revealed to Ting-yin that this world is not her own, but a world of the abandoned; a world in which discarded things reside, and are thereafter taken by an occurrence known only as ‘the Re-Cycle’. Ting-yin befriends a young girl along the way, who says that she will accompany her to ‘the Transit’, a place unseen by the girl, but of which she is sure exists. The Transit (Ting-yin’s only passage home) is difficult to reach however, and many-a-problem is encountered during the girls’ pilgrimage. The mind-blowing unexpected ending and spectacular visuals of this movie really set its bar high in terms of brilliance, being one of my most favoured films of recent times, and one that any fan of Asian cinema should endeavour to see. Re-Cycle is to be released on R1 DVD on September 23.

Re-Cycle trailer

Pre-order the DVD

Pre-order the Blu-ray

4th August

New trailers for Irish horror 'Dorothy'

Back on July 1st, we posted news on a great first trailer for the Irish possession horror pic, Dorothy. One small Beef was that although movie is in English, the trailer was French (it opens there, this week) dubbed? Now we can Beef no more as we've just turned up the English version - and in its original language it packs even more of a punch. Jenn Murray's performance as 'Dorothy' is stunning. In total there are 5 new clips to see, one of which "Extrait 4" we'd advise isnt work safe, unless watched on mute.

Dorothy Trailers

3rd August

Remastered 'Eraserhead' on DVD in October

October 20th 2008 sees the highly anticipated DVD release of the cleaned, restored and remastered version of David Lynch’s Eraserhead. Lynch’s first full-length feature film has delighted, disturbed and freaked out (us included) audiences in equal measure, during the three decades since its release in 1977.

For this new DVD release version, Lynch personally underwent the painstaking process of cleaning, restoring and remastering the film frame-by-frame in order to ‘obtain the best image and sound quality possible’. The result will be Eraserhead as you’ve never seen it before.

Starring Jack Nance (Lost Highway; Twin Peaks; Wild At Heart; Blue Velvet; Dune), Charlotte Stewart (Twin Peaks; Tremors), Allen Joseph (Raging Bull; Marathon Man), Jeanne Bates (Mulholland Drive; Grand Canyon) and Judith Roberts (Choke), Lynch's dystopian, nightmare vision was completed over a five year period between 1972 & 1976 and has been described by the director as ‘a dream of dark and troubling things'.

Eraserhead (cert. 18) will be released on DVD by Scanbox Entertainment on 20th October 2008. Extras include Stories: an interview with David Lynch about the making of Eraserhead. Even better - prior to the DVD release, on 12th September the film will begin a three-week run at London's ICA Cinema.

Eraserhead Trailer

2nd August

Behind the scenes footage from 'Painted Skin'

With just under 2 months to go before it opens, an actual trailer for Donnie Yen’s new supernatural horror Painted Skin is still proving as rare as those proverbial Hens teeth. So in the mean time, while we wait, here's some behind the scenes footage of the Don-meister in action - dealing some BIG sword death - on location.

Painted Skin Footage

2nd August

Third Windows Films picks up UK rights to Yosuke Fujita's 'Fine, Totally Fine'

UK Asian movie distributor Third Window Films have just announce their acquisition of Yosuke Fujita's surreal comedy 'Fine, Totally Fine', winner of the audience award at this years New York Asian Film Festival. The pic will have its UK premiere at the Raindance Film Festival in London during October, with hopefully a small theatrical run soon after.

Synopsis: Teruo, the eldest son of a used bookstore owner has a dream: to build the world scariest haunted house. About to reach his 30th birthday, Teruo is still idling away his life. One day, through the introduction of childhood friend Hisanobu, an extremely clumsy painter/artist comes to work at the bookstore. Meet Akari. A cute, attractive girl that both Teruo and Hisanobu soon fall for. This small bookstore could be in any town and becomes a refuge for these individuals that have fallen out of the mainstream society. What will become of this gentle, heartfelt love triangle?

Fine, Totally Fine Trailer

1st August

'Nightmare Detective 2' English subtitled Trailer

No idea where they got it, but someones uploaded a (English subtitled no less!) trailer for Shinya Tsukamoto's Nightmare Detective 2 onto youtube. Every once in a while "sample" comes up on screen, so we're assuming its a promo reel from the pics studio; Movie-Eye. Wherever it came from, its great to see. Check it out from the link.

Nightmare Detective 2 Trailer

Via

1st August

Curzon Midnight Movies Animation special

Well this is a real treat for UK Animation fans. On Friday August 29th, Curzon Cinemas Midnight Movies are offering you a chance to take a sneak preview of the London International Animation Festival. Screenings kick off with a specially selected short film followed by an amazing animated feature.

Choose between René Laloux’s mesmerising award-winning sci-fi with sumptuous soundtrack 'Fantastic Planet,' or 'Paprika,' the eye boggling Anime from director Satoshi Kon. LIAF director Nag Vladermersky will also be there as special guest host. As usual there is a DJ for the pre-screening party from 9:30pm, plus the chance for YOU to choose the tunes in the Plug 'n' Play set - So take your MP3 players! For more details, whiz over to the Curzon website. Link Below.

Curzon Midnight Movies