Film - May 08

31st May

Trailer for Chalart Sriwanna's 'The Box' impresses

We stumbled across a trailer for Thai first time director Chalart Sriwanna's the horror thriller 'The Box' yesterday and have to admit to being thoroughly impressed. Production values look exceptionally good for a first time Independent feature and we are stoked to see more. The pic stars Nirooth Sirijanya, Charin Sriwanna and Napakul Rattanakorn.

As yet we cant find a reference to it being release theatrically, but we have found that it has been submitted to screen at his years AFI festival, in October. Trailer below.

Synopsis: Jane, after giving away a wooden box that was left to her by her mother, has recurring nightmares of her long lost mother coming to her asking for the box. Jane tracks it down to a big house located in the suburbs. There she meets an old man who at first seems to be nice, but turns out to be a psychotic murderer, who killed his wife and hid her corpse in the box. In a bizarre twist, the victim turns out to be Jane’s estranged mother. Jane ends up being the old man’s prisoner, he treats her like a living doll and plans to make her his bride

The Box trailer

31st May

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31st May

New 'Hellboy 2' poster

U.K film site Empire have scored themselves a new exclusive (subtly watermarked) poster of Big Red and his main squeeze Liz. Hellboy 2 is released on July 11 in the US and August 22 in the UK. Guillermo del Toro tastic!

Hellboy 2 poster

Hellboy 2 Website

30th May

Hong Kong action fest ‘Invisible Target’ on R1 DVD

Happy days. Director Benny Chan’s fantastic Cop action pic ‘Invisible Target,’ is finally getting an R1 DVD release through the Dragon Dynasty label. The movie stars Nicholas Tse, Jaycee Chan, Shawn Yue, Andy On & Wu Jing.

Synopsis: “Loose cannon cop Chan Chun is perpetually on the edge, having lost his fiancée when she was killed during an armored car heist. Six months later, Chan finally gets a lead on the perps, a gang of vicious Mainland thieves. The thieves are looking for the mysterious person (or the "invisible target") who masterminded the original heist, and then took the money and betrayed their gang - and they're willing to take down as many cops as they need to gain their revenge.

Chan wants them caught, but he's not the only one out for justice; the tough and smartly-dressed Inspector Fong Yik Wei (Shawn Yue) also wants a piece of the action, and rookie cop Wai King Ho (Jaycee Chan) suspects that the thieves may have something to do with his brother, a missing undercover cop. Individually, the three cops can't stop these guys, but through teamwork, righteous determination, and plenty of head-busting, flying-fists action, they just might stand a chance.”

Invisible Target trailer

Order the DVD here

30th May

New trailer for 'Queens of Langkasuka'

Further to our post on May 23rd, a new full trailer for Nonzee Nimibutr’s fantasy epic 'Queen of Langkasuka’ has arrived. The previous clip, even with unfinished effects still looked great, but this, this is stunning! Check it out from the link below. Source

Queen of Langkasuka trailer

29th May

'Doomsday': Review

DOOMSDAY (2008) Director: Neil Marshall
Review: Peter Higgins

Neil Marshall’s new experiment in bat-shit craziness comes hot on the heels of his last two over-the-top action-horror wig-outs: the bat-shit crazy werewolf-fest Dog Soldiers and the bat-shit crazy women-in-a-cave-fighting-monsters romp The Descent. Fascinated for some reason by the letter D, Marshall has titled his latest offering Doomsday. He should have called it Derivative. Taking its inspiration from every film ever made in the last thirty years, Doomsday is so derivative that it feels more like a greatest hits compilation of other people’s work than it feels like an original movie.

The rip-offs are so frequent that I lost count, but here’s just some of the films this film – ahem – pays homage to: Escape from New York, Aliens, Mad Max I-III, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Lord of the Rings I-III, Gladiator, 28 Days Later, 28 Weeks Later, Children of Men. I’m sure there are a lot more. When originality does rear its ugly head, you wish it would just go away again: the scene with the Scottish cannibal-punks “dancing” to the Fine Young Cannibals (geddit?) before roasting Sean Pertwee and eating him was original, all right, but – Christ – it was dire.

The “plot” is the usual post-apocalyptic-virus-walled-off-city-but-there-are-some-survivors bollocks. The heroine goes into the city, finds that the survivors are big Thunderdome fans, and takes it from there. There is gore. There is running around. There is non-stop action. There is one of those scenes where baddies utilising motorised transport are unable to catch up with goodies who are fleeing on foot. There is a brand-new Bentley which in one scene is slower than a battered Rover 3500, but in another scene is able to drive through an armoured bus and emerge unscathed.

The IMDB advises: “When Eden Sinclair's partner gets his head shot off at the Docks the head is very clearly a dummy”. It’s that kind of film. Not unenjoyable, not without wit (the castle with the sign for a “Gift shop” still in place) but not exactly necessary or enlightening or memorable. Neil Marshall is a talented director, but not a very talented writer. He needs to concentrate on the former skill, and leave the latter to someone else.

Doomsday (Official site)

28th May

Filming wraps on Norwegian slasher sequel ‘Fritt Vilt 2’ (Cold Prey 2)

Kristian Sinkerud the producer of last years surprise horror hit, the Norwegian slasher ‘Cold Prey’ has dropped us an email with the great news that filming has just wrapped on the follow up pic ‘Cold Prey 2.’ The sequels story follows directly after the bloody events of the first movie and apprently promises to be even more action packed.

We loved the first movie and are looking forward to seeing this second installment big time - To see a trailer for Cold Prey 1 head over to the the official site. Now in post production, 'Cold Prey 2' is scheduled to premiere in Norway on Oct 10th.

Cold Prey (Official site)

27th May

Summer is the season for Thai horror in Korea?

Traditionally there’s nothing the Korean film-going public like doing more on a hot summers day, than going to see a scary movie. But this year with a distinctly woeful lack of any real home grown product available, Korean distributors have had to find to something to plug the gap. The answer, go and Cherry pick some of the best horror movies that Thailand has to offer.

The ideal would be that Korean studios got off their behinds & start make something new, exciting and horrifying for us all to see - But in the mean this does give us an excuse to revisit these 2 superb Thai frighteners. First up: Paween Purijitpanya's 'Body,' opens May 29th.

Synopsis: "A human being contains 5 liters of blood, 6 pounds of skin, 206 bones, 600 muscles, and 35 million glands. It takes a human body more than 25 years of life to grow such things. But one man actually believes he can rid himself of every single piece of human flesh by just using scissors and a small surgical blade. And he is going to prove it. Chon, a med student, starts seeing a psychotherapist after he dreams about a woman who he had only met once in a restaurant.

In his dreams, a mysterious man murders her, slices her body into pieces, and flushes them down a toilet one by one. The murderous dreams haunt him into his waking memory, and eventually he feels as if his own body is being dissected and carved up by the surgical knife. Slowly, the terrifying images take control of him. He comes to believe that the dead woman is sending him messages through these nightmares. But these are not messages for him, they are meant for her murderer. They speak of revenge, and say: "I am still here."

Body (Official Korean Site)

Second. Also with a great new poster: Wisit Sasanatieng's (Tears of the Black Tiger) creepy Ghost story 'The Unseeable,' opens June 19th.

Synopsis: 1946, a young pregnant rural girl, Nuan-chan enters the city of Bangkok to find her missing husband. She rents a boarding house where she meets several strange incidents, especially the widow, Madame Run-juan, who is the also owner of the house- It is rumoured that she still sleeps with her dead husband. In searching for her own husband, the desperate girl finds the connection between the widow's husband and her own. In discovering the truth, she will encounter something terrifying.

The Unseeable Trailer

26th May

Second teaser trailer for 'Babylon A.D.'

A second teaser trail has (and with a Hi-def version no less) arrived on the French site Allocine, for Vin Diesel’s sci-fi action pic ‘Babylon A.D.’ Helmed by Mathieu Kassovitz, the movie is based on a French science fiction novel by Maurice G. Dantec. Co-starring with Vin Diesel are some heavy hitting names, including: Gérard Depardieu, Michelle Yeoh and Charlotte Rampling.

‘Babylon A.D.’ is a futuristic tale about the ramifications of genetic experimentation. In a constantly changing world conflict, circa 2013, violent yet well-read Hugo Toorop (Diesel), a 20-year veteran of the Bosnian conflict, is offered a well payed new job by the Siberian mafia in Kazakhstan to transport a young girl named Marie to Montreal. But who is Marie, and what does she carry with her, that is so secret?

So far it's all looking very lush and after delays galore, the pic is now finally set to premiere in France in August.

Babylon A.D. trailer

26th May

Korean big budget actioner 'Typhoon' arrives on R1 DVD

A full year after its theatrical release in the U.S, Kwak Kyung-taek's 'Taepung’ aka 'Typhoon' is finally available to order on R1 DVD. Starring Jang Dong-kun, Jung-Jae Lee, Mi-yeon Lee, the film in its time was one of the most expensive made in Korea.

Synopsis:” A vessel is attacked by pirates 220 km northeast of Ji Long Port, Taiwan. The National Intelligence Service dispatches a secret agent after obtaining information that the vessel was carrying nuclear missile guidance kits stolen by a man named Sin. Sin has lived his entire life with one goal -- to destroy the Korean peninsula. With the missile guidance kits in his possession, he attempts to execute his plan. Twenty years ago, his family tried to defect to South Korea, only to be sent back to the North as the South Korean government turned its back on his family.

In the process of being handed over to the North Korean military, Sin witnesses the execution of his family followed by the separation from his only sister, Choi Myung-ju. As a result, Sin fosters deep-rooted hatred and fury. Meanwhile Naval Lieutenant Kang Se-jong is sent on a secret mission to find Sin, finally catching up with him in Russia and learns of the family's troubled history. Kang Se-jong meets Sin's elder sister Choi Myung-ju, now a prostitute in Russia and learns of the family's troubled history. During his pursuit, Kang Se-jong begins to feel compassion for Sin, but this does not hinder upon his mission to apprehend him”

The movie did pretty good business on its theatrical release in the U.S. and it will be interesting to see how it fairs on DVD. 'Typhoon' hits the shelves next week.

Typhoon Trailer

Order the DVD here

25th May

'Shaolin Girl' trailer with English subs

'Shaolin Girl,' the Japanese sequel to the 2001 hit action movie Shaolin Soccer,' which starred Stephen Chow opens in Hong Kong next week. What does that mean for us? Well a chance to see the trailer with English subtitles for one thing! The new pic features Kou Shibasaki in the lead as Rin, a young kung fu teacher who must take over her grandfather's dojo. In order to prepare herself, she make a journey to China for 3,000 days of grueling Shaolin kung fu training. Upon her return to Japan, she works to rebuild the dojo and joins her university Lacrosse club, putting her prowess to work for the team.

Though not in the film, Chow has apparently had a hand in the movies production, which should go a long way to ensure the sequel mirrors it's predecessors inventiveness, humor and kick ass action. 'Shaolin Girl' opens in Hong Kong May 29th, so we should be expecting an English subbed DVD release sometime around June/July.

Shaolin Girl trailer (Windows media)

25th May

'Heartbeat Detector': Review

Heartbeat Detector (2007) Director: Nicolas Klotz. Review by: Pete Higgins

Heartbeat Detector's original title is The Human Question. Very Graham Greene. Unfortunately the film is not very Graham Greene at all. It could have done with that film-fan's style and wit and profundity. Instead it settles for a stereotypical "art-house" self-indulgence which had, I thought, gone out of fashion long ago.

Not for Heartbeat Detector such banalities as plot, characterisation, pace and excitement. Oh, no. Save all that stuff for Hollywood and the lowest common denominator. What the intellectuals want is gloom, obfuscation, tedium and a Nazi atrocities guilt-trip that fatuously tries (and fails) to connect 1930s fascism with modern-day office-culture. For what it's worth, here's the plot...

Read the full review here

24th May

Release date slips for live action ‘Blood: The Last Vampire’

Bad bad news for those eagerly (us included) awaiting the release of Chris Nahon’s live action version of the Anime classic, ‘Blood: The Last Vampire.’ Originally due out this summer it now appears the release date has slipped. So how long a delay are we talking here. A month, four months? Try a YEAR!?

According to Pathé (the pics French co-producer) films website, the release date has been changed and is now set for June 2009. Whether or not this massive delay will be mirrored in it's Hong Kong release, is still to be seen - but a conspicuous lack of any new promotional material tends to make us think its going to be a long while before we’ll get to see this film. Boo!

To see some stills from the pic, you can check out several of our earlier stories on the film, posted on Sept 24th and Jan 21st.

23rd May

Noriko's Dinner Table on R1 DVD: Review

Another welcome is due to new contributor Daniel, who joins us from the land of Oz - with his review of Sion Sono's 'Noriko's Dinner Table,' on R1 DVD.

Noriko's Dinner Table, the sequel to cult classic Suicide Circle, is to be officially released on DVD in America, two whole years after it's Japanese theatrical release. If you like movies that make you think, then this one is for you.

Noriko's Dinner Table is the story of a 17 year old girl, Noriko, who runs away from home seeking a new life with her recently made internet friends at haikyo.com, a forum dedicated to the connection of people, and the discussion of life's tribulations. Feeling neglected by her own family, she seeks refuge with her online peers, and soon ventures to Tokyo, determined to track down the forum's owner, a user by the name of Ueno54. After an arranged meeting with Ueno54, or Kumiko, Noriko realises that Kumikos family is just what she had been looking for; the family she never had. But as in the original, Suicide Circle, not everything is as it seems (yay, my first clichéd line ), and as Noriko soon discovers, neither is Kumiko's family.

If you're after a gore-flick like the original, then I suggest that you stop reading now. Noriko's Dinner Table is much more drama than horror, a strange spin for director Sion Sono to take, but one that ultimately works well and leaves the viewer thinking long after the movie has finished. It's one of those movies that you'll feel like watching again, just to confirm that your understanding of what just happened is correct; for a movie, there is a lot to take in, and a lot for the viewer to interpret.

Fans of the original may be disappointed with Noriko's Dinner Table, but as a man of many genres, I found it engaging and almost controversially questioning as to what is acceptable in life and what is not. Noriko's Dinner Table will be released on DVD in the U.S May 27th.

Noriko's Dinner Table (Official site)

Order the DVD here

23rd May

New poster & release date for Nonzee Nimibutr’s 'Queens of Langkasuka'

Yet another new release date is on the cards for Nonzee Nimibutr’s mega budget fantasy epic 'Queen of Langkasuka.’ The film is tipped to be the biggest production in Thai movie history and involves CGI enhanced underwater fights, giant whales and deep-sea creatures, cannon battles between massive pirate ships and locations as disparate as sea gypsy villages and huge Golden palaces.

The film screened at the Cannes Film Festival to a full house, so it appears international interest in the movie is also sky high. ‘Langkasuka’ is now tipped for release August 12th 2008, when it will doubtless blow all previous Thai box office records out of the water. Cant wait!

Synopsis: "War rages on ... Princes of neighbouring dynasties have formed a coalition with rebel pirates, plotting to seize the powerful cannon from the Land of Langkasuka. The mass destruction juggernaut, capable of obliterating foes in a matter of seconds, is much coveted by any party seeking to tip the balance of power to their advantage. Artillery is deployed, the infantry is mobilized, the Doo Lam force is unleashed ... The clash is critical. The three princesses of the land of Langkasuka must at all costs protect their realm from the evil clutches of the ongoing wave of invaders - even if it means putting their own lives on the line."

Queens of Langkasuka Trailer

22nd May

'Kiltro' DVD giveaway winners

Our contest to give away 3 copies of Chilean martial arts blood fest 'Kiltro,' has come to an end and the winners have been drawn. Congratulations too: Anthony Berriman, Juhani Tyhtila and Ray Salem who each win a DVD. Didn't win this time? Keep em peeled; we have another great contest coming up!

Kiltro (Official site)

22nd May

Teaser poster for Russian horror 'Phobos'

Russian filmhouse Art Pictures Studios have just released a plotline summary and teaser poster for their new upcoming horror pic ‘Phobos.’

Details are still a little sketchy but the plot apparently revolves around a group of people who are invited to go to the opening party for a new nightclub, housed in a huge former underground bomb shelter. As the last of the revelers arrives, the huge blast doors slam shut, blocking all communication with the outside world. Then total darkness envelops them….

Looking at the poster its pretty clear that what happens next isn't going to be a surprise appearance by DJ Fatboy Slim.The film starts shooting in in August, with a release sometime in the New Year. More as we get it.

[source]

21st May

Cub Chien's omnibus horror 'Scare 2 Die' on English subbed DVD

Cub Chien's omnibus horror movie 'Scare 2 Die' is out on English subtitled DVD this week. Chien began his film career as an assistant director under the wing of the Kings of Hong Kong horror, the Pang brothers and Scare is his first feature in the big chair. Danny Pang also helped on the movie by (very handy for your first horror project as director) producing and the pic stars Sam Lee, Elanne Kwong, Tommy Yuen.

Down-on-his-luck gambler Kan Au (Sam Lee) owes a big sum of money, and needs to go on a winning streak soon or the loan sharks will take the interest from his hide. Luckily, Kan finds a blessed coin that allows him to draws the unbeatable "13 Unique Wonders" hand of mahjong on 13 consecutive nights, which should be enough for him to pay his debts. The problem: every time he uses the coin to win, somebody dies a gruesome, gory death. Meanwhile, fetching Luk Wing (Elanne Kwong) wakes up one morning to discover her family being eaten! Everyone around her has become a zombie, and Wing has to pick up an axe and fight back, or her heart will be come lunch for the living dead. Finally, slacker Chan (Tommy Yuen) signs up for "Scare 2 Die" a reality game show with a prize purse of $130,000. He's supposed to survive a haunted house, but for some reason, the game show's manufactured scares are following him everywhere - even to his apartment! Is "Scare 2 Die" trying to surprise Chan, or are real ghosts trying to take him out of the game early?

Scare 2 Die trailer

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20th May

Stephen Chow's CJ7: Review

Another new member joins 24fps today. Welcome to Darren Cenerini, with his first review - Stephen Chow's 'CJ7.'

CJ7 (2008) Director - Stephen Chow
Reviewed by: Darren Cenerini (Five Cars Productions)

From Stephen Chow, the man who showed us that Shaolin monks can indeed play soccer, comes his first forray into the science fiction world, and it comes to us courtesy of an extraterrestrial mutt called CJ7. It's been four years since his last film, Kung Fu Hustle, was released, so it was high time that he and his crew got together and made a new film. As any Stephen Chow fan probably knows by now, the film is a comedy that has elements of cultures from different parts of the world. In this case, Stephen Chow has made a film that resembles Steven Spielberg's E.T. in theme and plot description, but in truth is a very different film.

"We don't swear. We don't take what isn't ours, and we don't fight. We have our dignity". This is Ti's personal motto, which he has been teaching his only son Dicky since the day he was born. Ti is a poor construction worker, taking on the hardest jobs and the longest hours to provide food, housing and a good education for his son. Dicky (who is really the main character in the film, an odd change for a Stephen Chow film to not have himself as the main character) is generally fine with this, accepting that he has to wear shoddy sneakers his father has found for him in the local scrapyard, among other embarrassing quirks. However one day, the spoiled rich kid in Dicky's homeroom class brings CJ1, an advanced robot dog, to school..... Read the full review here.

CJ7 (Official Site)

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20th May

'The Cellar Door' on R2 DVD

Matt Zettell's horror thriller 'The Cellar Door' arrives on R2 DVD this week through Revolver Entertainment. The pic stars James DuMont, Michelle Tomlinson, Melina Bielefelt, Annie Coffey, Algernon D'Ammassa, Christina Reynolds & Heather Sconyers.

Synopsis: The girl next door, having coffee, lunch with a friend, shopping, unaware she is becoming an obsession. She has been chosen. A young woman wakes to find herself imprisoned in the basement of a serial killer. She is not the first to be entrapped in this diabolical torture chamber. She is not the first to captivate his perverse affection, Herman has been searching for the perfect girl, but all he's collected are pieces - a chunk of hair; a severed finger; a jar of blood - and now, the alluring and beautiful Rudy. Imprisoned in a wooden cage and yet refusing to play along in his twisted game, she has only her wits to use against his savage and murderous insanity. Will she win the desperate, hallucinatory game of cat and mouse and escape through the Cellar Door, or die trying?

The Cellar Door (Official Site)

19th May

International trailer for Thai horror 'Phobia'

'Phobia' the new four part horror film from Thai studio GTH now has an English subtitled trailer. Each of the four segments is directed by one of Thailands up-and-coming masters of modern horror movies: Banjong Pisanthanakun, Parkpoom Wongpoom (directors of Shutter and Alone), Phavee Purijidpanya (director Body), and Youngyut Tongkontund (The producer of Alone and Body). Each short had a 25-minute limit. Here is a synopsis for each, taken from Movieseer.

Loneliness (by Youngyut Tongkontund) Loneliness can cause a young girl to do stupid things. She’s lonely, unemployed and heartbroken. At this point, she’s on edge when receiving an unknown text message asking for her friendship. She starts communicating with the anonymous sender. Will she be regret it after finding out who he is?

Last Fright (by Parkpoom Wongpoom) This chapter presents the mixture of phobia. It’s an inappropriate flight for anyone with claustrophobia, nyctophobia, fear of noise, fear of air pressure, and fear of corpses. Terror is waiting for one unlucky air hostesses, who will face this alone.

Deadly Charm (by Phavee Purijidpanya) Imagine a childish payback like write a joke about your friend’s parents on the blackboard. Then imagine a payback of vocational schoolboys who curse people they hate on a deadly charm. Let’s see how excruciating these curses will bring to the table.

The Middle Man (by Banjong Pisanthanakun) A group of teenagers is camping in the woods. They think it’ll be fun to tell a scary story while mocking some of the stupid and formulaic rules, characters have to follow in horror movies. Unfortunately, the ghosts they will soon encounter are those that go against the grain of traditional rules in horror films.

You can watch the trailer on the pics official site, but it took an eternity to load for us. If you get the same, check out the alternate Youtube link.

Phobia (Official Site)

Phobia trailer (Youtube)

19th May

Cannes promo for Rico Ilarde’s 'Killdroid'

A big welcome to another new 24frames contributor, Danielle, who will be covering all that's weird and wonderful in the world of Cinema from the Philippines. First up, heres her take on Rico Maria Ilarde's cyber exploitation flick 'Killdroid.'

As far as my knowledge of Filipino movies is concerned, dark, surreal movies of the sex-drugs-and murder has always been a taboo in Filipino cinema
(unless you count the few wild ones done out of the mainstream). But thanks to DVD distributors extraordinaire Mondo Macabro, we are now given the pleasure of their latest foray KIIn collaboration with bizarro Filipino director Rico Maria Ilarde (Babaeng Putik aka Woman of Mud, 2001, and Z-Man), KILLDROID stars a Goth high school girl and an abandoned cyborg whom she brings back to life. The film breaks all kinds of conventions by creating a mechanical love affair involving the two.

SYNOPSIS: "A disturbed Goth schoolgirl who stumbles unwittingly across the remnants of a long abandoned military project designed to create an army of android killers from the processed bodies of dead soldiers. The girl takes on the mysteriously beautiful Killdroid as a lover, only to discover, too late, that its insatiable sexual appetite is inexorably linked with a need for slaughter."

It's a pretty decent storyline albeit a bit weird (ok, REALLY weird) but that's just the kinda thing that makes this movie worth anticipating. Killdroid is make an appearance at Cannes this year to help secure more financing. You can check out a promo trailer for the film via Twitch, by heading here.

18th May

'Vexille': Review

‘Vexille’ (2007). Director - Fumihiko Sori
Review by: Pete Higgins

Vexille, the latest Japanese animation to hit the UK art-house, has many virtues. Not the least of them is its relatively coherent storyline. Too often in this type of film, wild visions of the future and endless action are given prominence while plot and character-development, if they are present at all, are paid lip-service at best. With Vexille, however, something has gone wrong, and we are treated to eye-popping graphics in the service of the story, rather than the other way around. The (very interesting) plot concerns Japan in 2077. The country has cut itself off from the rest of the world. No outsider has entered in the last ten years. Rumours of illegal bio-technology have leaked out – what are those crazy guys up to? Time for US agency SWORD to see what can be done...... Read the full review here.

Vexille Official site

Order the R1 DVD

18th May

English subtitled trailer for The Good, The Bad, The Weird

Those busy boys over at QuietEarth have just picked up on a fantastic English subtitled trailer for Korean Oriental Western ‘The Good, The Bad and the Weird.’ Directed by Kim Jee-woon (A Tale of Two Sisters) it stars Jung Woo-sung, Lee Byung-hun and Song Kang-ho. GBW is set in Manchuria in 1930s and deals with three Korean men and their entanglement with the Japanese army, Chinese and Russian bandits. So far its all looking stunningly good. Fingers crossed its make its way over here soon!

Synopsis: With the Korean Peninsula under Japanese rule in 1930s, many Koreans flock to Manchuria for refuge. Some become bandits, some train robbers and yet others bounty hunters. While the Weird, a notorious train robber, is stealing from a Japanese train crossing the Manchurian plains, he discovers a treasure map. But the map is also sought after by the Bad, a merciless gang leader. Coincidentally, the Good, a bounty hunter, is on the train, and he is after the Bad. The three engage in a spectacular chase with the Japanese Army, the Korean independence fighters, and the Chinese bandits all looking to get their hands on the prized map.

The Good, The Bad trailer

17th May

New promo stills from Donnie Yen's horror pic 'Painted Skin'

New promotional pics have surface for Donnie Yen’s supernatural action horror ‘Painted Skin.’ Veteran director Gordon Chan is at the helm and cast along side the Don-Meister are Zhou Xun, Zhao Wei Vicki, Sun Li, Chen Kun and Qi Yu Wu. The films plot centre on a vampire-like woman who eats the skins and hearts of her lovers. Tasty! Pulled forward from October, 'Painted Skin' is now scheduled for release in September 2008. Source.

Stills 1 2 3

17th May

Tiger Far East Film Festival

An real event of note for UK fans of asian Cinema. The Tiger Far East Festival is to present a selection of 12 of the latest asian movies , across all genres, plus live music events and club nights. The 2008 festival sees the addition of the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) London as an official venue, along with the existing Duke of York’s Picturehouse, in Brighton.

Tetsuya Nakashima's 'Memories of Matsuko' will open the festival on 29th May 2008 at the ICA and the closing film will be Johnnie To’s Supernatural Police thriller 'Mad Detective.' Festival highlights will include screening of korean film Presidents Last Bang, followed by a Q&A with director Im Sang-Soo, plus Thai kickboxing biopic 'Chok Dee' with attendance by Dida Diafat. For full details of the festival events and screenings, check out the official site

16th May

[Rec] directors planning a sequel

Spanish directors Jaume Balaguero & Paco Plaza are planning a sequel to their highly original horror hit [REC]. Rec 2 will use the same filming style as the original, with the action being seen through a handheld camera lens. Cast, budget and shooting dates have yet to be announced.

It’s perhaps no surprise this is in the offing, considering the huge Spanish and international success of the first film. The question remains as to whether the sequel will contribute anything new and original. Or, is this going to be a bulk standard, gravy train cash-in? With Balaguero and Plaza back at the helm, we’d hope it’s the former.

[source]

16th May

Poster art for 'Ashes Of Time: Redux'

A first one sheet has appeared for 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.' 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 north American rights to the film have apparently already been snapped by Sony pictures classics. While theres no sign of a trailer for the new version of the film, you can watch a clip of the 1994 original, from the link below.

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 trailer

15th May

‘Girls Rebel Force Of Competitive Swimmers’ on English subtitled DVD

The title alone makes this worthy of a mention. Kôji Kawano's ‘The Girls Rebel Force of Competitive Swimmers’ (aka Undead Pool) is up for release on English subtitled DVD. This total orgy of J-horror fun stars AV idol Handa Sasa as a high school swimmer preparing for an upcoming competition.

She convinces her friends to join the team as well, but their trophy dreams are rudely interrupted by a virus that is quickly spreading through the school and a causing a series of mysterious events. Thrown into grave danger as the sinister truth is slowly revealed, the girls of the swim team decide to fight back with everything they've got......And Chainsaws.

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14th May

What would you ask George A. Romero?

Horror maestro George Romero’s new Zombie fest ‘Diary of the Dead’ is about he hit the DVD shelves, and to mark the event Zombie fans are to get chance to quiz the director on whatever they want to know. Fango are hosting the site where users can enter their questions, and those questions will be used in the interview with the great man himself. The Q&A will take place on May 19th, and the audio will be published online the following day. So you could hear your very own question answered. Want to give it a whirl? Head to the link below.

Romero interview page

14th May

Ananda Everingham's horror thriller 'Memory'

Ananda (star of hit Thai horror Shutter) Everingham, Thailands answer to Orlando Bloom has been a very busy lad lately. With at least five movies due out this year alone, his latest work the thriller (with horror overtones) ‘Memory’ opens in Thai theatres this week. Directed by Torpong Tunkamhang (Seven Days to Leave My Wife) the pic co-stars Mai Charoenpura and Parujee Khemsawad. Here is a very long synopsis for the film, taken from Thai film site Movieseer...

One night, a police department receives a call complaining about screaming coming from a house. It seems like a sound of a little girl tortured by someone. The police investigate the house and find Ingorn (Mai Charoenpura), the 30-something land lady, just moved in with her 7 years old daughter, Pear. The daughter appears to have a mental condition; she has bruises all over her body, which is more likely to be a subject of abusive behavior. In the meantime, Ingorn refuses to let her daughter have a check-up at the hospital. Yet according to parental law, she has to allow her daughter see a psychiatrist.

This is the first time for Krid (Ananda Everingham) to meet with Ingorn and her daughter, Pear. Krid, at the same time, feel deeply sorry for a little girl as he sees fear and anxiety in her eyes. During the therapy, Ingorn mentions her daughter's paranoid delusion, while Pear claims that she is possessed by a spirit of a boy who haunts and hurt her. From the fact the Pear is in the same age as Krid's son, Krid feels a deep connection with her but the more he bonds with Ingorn's family, the more he senses something eerie about the house. Moreover, there's something unexplainably peculiar. Ingorn's mood swings, Pear's strange upbringing and the mysterious fingerprint mark on Pear's arm. All this bothers Krid in so many ways. But what cause this dilemma? Only Krid has an answer for this twisted story.

Memory (Official Site)

13th May

Teaser trailer for Indonesian horror 'Karma'

Further to our post back on April 28th, a first teaser trailer has appeared on the official site for Indonesian horror 'Karma.' So far its looking like it was worth the wait. Production values all appear way higher than your average run of the mill Indonesian flick, and we're intrigued to see more. Check out the trailer from the link below.

Karma (Official Site)

12th May

Out of the Blue: Review

A warm welcome to our first new member of the team Pete, who jumps straight in, to give us his take on director Robert Sarkies "Out of the Blue". N-Zealand 2006. UK Release: 14th March 2008. Review by Peter Higgins.

"Out of the Blue" belongs in the same grim mini-genre as "United 93". They're both films you wish didn't exist - the events that inspired them shouldn't have happened. But they did happen, and here we are. Does "United 93" make the world a better place? Does watching it help us "deal" with September 11th, 2001? Similarly, does turning the lower-profile (but equally shattering for those involved) Aramoana massacre into
"entertainment" help anyone?

In November, 1990, Aramoana, a small town in New Zealand, was suddenly turned into a battlefield by the actions of the town loner and gun-nut, David Gray. Played by Matthew Sunderland, Gray is taciturn and repressed and paranoid: an outrage waiting to happen. His neighbours are getting on with their lives, the way people do. The first part of the film takes its time in letting us get to know these people. They are almost ridiculously "normal". The film's aesthetic, all bleaching sunlight and back-yards and long grass goes out of its way to make this seaside town and its residents live in our minds, as opposed to being just a picture-postcard, or a film-set....

Out of the Blue Trailer

Read the full review here

9th May

'Three Kingdoms: Resurrection Of The Dragon' up for pre-order on English subtitled DVD

This definitely seems the week for news on big Chinese period epics arriving on DVD. Next to hit the shelves in June is Daniel Lee’s (Dragon Squad) ‘Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon.’ Sporting a huge all star cast including Andy Lau (The warlords), Maggie Q (Mission: Impossible III) and Hong Kong veteran Sammo Hung, the film is based on the sprawling 14th-century novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

Synopsis: His country torn asunder by civil war, Zhao (Andy Lau), a commoner, heeds the call of duty. From the humblest of roots, he rises through the ranks on wings of courage to command an army charged with liberating the land from an evil warlord. Inspired by action, honour and a dream of unifying his divided nation, Zhao's heroism becomes a legend. But as the years pass and the throne changes hands, the war still rages on. When the newly enthroned king decides peace can only be achieved by defeating all the warlords once and for all, Zhao embarks on his last & greatest campaign - a road to adventure that will crown his name in glory for all time.

Three Kingdoms (Official site)

Pre-order the DVD

8th May

First trailer for Dante Lam's 'Sniper'

A first trailer is out for Dante Lam’s newest cop thriller 'Sniper' with a pleasing and somewhat unexpected bonus, of it being English subtitled! 'Sniper' assembles some of the top names from mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan including: Richie Jen, Huang Xiaoming and Edison Chen. So far its all looking, well....rather good! Lam definitely knows what the paying public want - Gunplay and stunts galore.

Synopsis: Ming (Richie Jen) is renowned as the top shooter in the police force. However things get complicated after the release of his former teammate and superb marksman Ching (Huang Xiao Ming) from prison. With only vengeance on his mind, Ching wants to take on Ming and the police, believing that they are the ones who put him in jail. When a mysterious sniper sabotages a high-security prisoner transfer and a convict escapes, Ming and his team are despatched to profile the suspect. Believing that Ming had withheld key evidence that could free him, Ching decides to lure his target in by holding Ming’s daughter as hostage and re-enacting that fateful day. It is the ultimate showdown amongst three expert snipers in the Hong Kong cityscape…

Sniper trailer (Youtube)

8th May

Teaser poster for horror splatter fest 'Tokyo Gore Police'

Grady Hendrix at Kaijushakedown has gone & found himself a teaser poster for the fantastic looking - shock splatter horror, 'Tokyo Gore Police.' As well as the very cool poster, you can check out some blood drenched footage from the film, over on Youtube. Goretastic.

Tokyo Gore Police trailer

7th May

'Friend' DVD winners

Our contest to give away 4 copies of Korean gangster thriller 'Friend ' has come to an end, and the winners have been drawn. Congratulations are due too: Evrim Ersoy, D.J. Gaier, Danielle King and Candice Ruiz. Didn’t win this time around? Then why not try for our latest giveaway, with a chance to win a copy of Chilean martial arts action pic 'Kiltro.'

6th May

'An Empress and the Warriors' on DVD

Cantonese Pop icon Kelly Chen dons her armour to take the lead in Tony Ching Siu Tung's BIG budget epic 'An Empress and the Warriors.' Tung who previously handled the action for Zhang Yimou's Hero and House of Flying Daggers manages to create a lavish old school action (with a touch of romance) pic, that is a true feast for the eyes. Chen's co-stars include Leon Lai and action superstar Donnie Yen.

Yan Feier (Kelly Chen) is thrust into the role of empress when her father the King is viciously murdered by his own nephew, Wu Ba (Guo Xiao Dong). His treachery unknown to Feier, Wu Ba plots to gain control of the kingdom for himself. Meanwhile, Feier turns to legendary warrior Brother Hu (Donnie Yen) to instruct her in the ways of warfare. But Wu sends assassins after Feier, and she's poisoned by an assassin's dart before being lost in the woods. Her absence throws the kingdom into chaos, and Brother Hu must maintain morale, all the while carrying a hidden love for his missing empress. Meanwhile, Feier is found and nursed back to health by Duan Lanquan (Leon Lai), a doctor who lives in a secluded forest treehouse. Lanquan awakens the woman within the warrior's armor, and given the alternative of a peaceful life without war, Feier must eventually make a difficult choice. Should she choose love, and remain just a woman? Or should she choose her kingdom, and return to being an Empress?

An Empress and the Warriors (Official site)

Order the DVD

6th May

English subtitled trailer for 'Gegege no Kitaro 2'

Further to our story back on March 1st, we have now turned up an English subtitled version of the trailer for 'Gegege no Kitaro 2: The millennium Curse.’ Based on the hugely popular Manga by Shigeru Mizuki, the sequel sees much of the original cast back for more monster fun, and the pic is directed by returning helmer Katsuhide Motoki.

Synopsis: Half human, half Yokai (demon) hero Kitaro and his friends, investigate a series of mysterious disappearance and finds out that it is somehow related to the curse caused by "forbidden love," which occurred 1,000 years ago. Behind these incidents, was the conspiracy plotted by the evil Yokai and his followers. Kitaro and his friends must collect 5 treasures to stop the curse & fight the evil to bring the vicious cycle to and end.

Gegege no Kitaro 2 trailer

5th May

DVD Giveaway: Win a copy of Chilean hard core martial arts movie ‘KILTRO’!

No sooner does our last DVD giveaway end, we start another! Next up to win is ‘Kiltro.’ Chile’s first ever martial arts action movie is being released through Revolver films, and we have 3 copies to give away. The giveaway is open to all, but please be aware that these are region 2 discs. Not in R2? Why not enter anyway. If you win, it would be a great reason to buy that multi-region code free DVD player you've been promising yourself.

‘Kiltro’ stars legendary stuntman Marko Zaror, as Zamir, a two-fisted street fighter who is in love with the beautiful Kim (Caterina Jadresic), whom he once saved from a brutal assault. When Kim’s father, who runs a local Tae Kwon Do school, is confronted by a villain from his past, Zamir vows to protect his beloved and her father.

Hell yes. Ultra violent, fast-paced action from South America, laced with the spirit of Spaghetti Westerns. Doesn’t get much better than that. The comp runs until May 19th, after which 3 winners names will be picked at random. Want to win? Then send us an email to the address on our contact page, with your name and the title "KILTRO DVD" in the subject field.

Kiltro (Official site)

4th May

Theatrical trailer for Tatsuya Fujiwara’s 'Chameleon'

The official site for Tatsuya Fujiwara’s (Death Note) new thriller ‘Chameleon’ has just been updated with a the theatrical trailer for the film. We knew this was going to be a revenge pic, but Judging by the clip its apparent now this is going to be one hell of a mad and very bloody revenge pic.

Fujiwara plays a member of a group of young con artists who witness a kidnapping. As a mysterious organization starts killing members of the gang off, Fujiwara's character decides to take revenge into his own hands. Directed by Sakamoto Junji, the movie also stars Masato Hagiwara, Shun Shioya, Kei Tani and Kosuke Toyohara. ‘Chameleon’ opens in Japan, July 5th.

Chameleon (Official site)

3rd May

First still from 'The Coffin'

A first still has appeared online for upcoming Thai Horror 'The Coffin.' It’s not much, but its the first sign of anything new on a film that we have been itching to see more of it - since we first found a teaser poster well over a year ago.

Directed by Ekachai Uekrongtham (Beautiful Boxer), the film stars Karen Mok (So Close) and Ananda Everingham the male lead of the Thai international horror hit, ‘Shutter.’ Inspired by a true Thai ritual of lying in coffins to cheat death and get rid of bad luck, ‘The Coffin’ is a upernatural thriller about a man and woman who are confronted by a series of paranormal and terrifying incidents after going through the bizarre ritual. Currently in post-production, U.S distributor Arclight will apparently be screening the movie at this years Cannes film fest.

Synopsis: “Chris is an average Thai-Chinese guy living in Sydney. Following the Thai custom to cheat death and rid oneself of bad luck he agrees to a bizarre dare at a party, to lie in a coffin for a whole night. As the lid is nailed shut and claustrophobia strikes he soon feels short of breathe, But as the Coffin suddenly shakes violently he soon realizes that claustrophobia is the least of the terrors awaiting him.”

2nd May

24framespersecond wants YOU!

24framespersecond has been loitering around the internet for just over 2 years and we’re now at a stage where we feel its time to expand our small but merry band of contributors to our Asian, Horror and all things genre website. Be it to add regular content to our movie news or reviews sections, we are looking for like minded film fans to join the team.

The only qualifications you’ll need are a passion for movies and the ability to write about them well. The job doesn't really pay (although there may be free DVDs and movie screenings along the way), but this is a chance to get your film finds and thoughts out into the big wide world. So, if you feel you fit the bill and want to join in the fun, drop us a line via our contact page.

Del (Editor)
24fps

1st May

Trailer finally arrives for Wesley Snipes 'GallowWalker'

In limbo for months, a trailer for Wesley Snipes Supernatural Undead horror Western ‘Gallow Walker’ has suddenly appeared on the pics official site. It’s perhaps no surprise that this has happened now. The film has been ready for quite some time and considering Snipes has just been sentenced to 3 years in prison for Tax evasion, the studio may have decided there’s no point in hanging around any longer to start promoting the film. Alongside Snipes, the film stars, Riley Smith and Kevin Howarth.

Synopsis: Aman is a gun-fighter who knows too well the ways of vengeance. Fast and furious, he has killed every man who ever crossed him. But his gift with a gun comes with terrible a curse. All those who die by his hand will return to seek their revenge. [source]

Gallow Walker (Official site)

1st May

Last call on ‘Friend’ DVD giveaway

Last call is going out for entries to our latest DVD givaway. You could win one of four copies of Kyung-Taek Kwak’s hard hitting Korean Gangster thriller 'Friend.' To enter send us an email to the address on our contact page, with "Friend DVD" in the subject field. Entry closes May 3rd. These are R2 discs.

'Friends' follows four friends from their formative years in 1970s Korea tuntil adulthood. Though each of the four came from different family backgrounds, they stayed together through the tough economic times of those years. However, as they mature into adults, the boys' lifelong friendship is broken when two of the group turn to crime to make their living. Soon, this once close quartet has split into two rival factions, turning old friends into bitter enemies whose differences erupt into violence.

Friend trailer (Youtube)