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14 BLADES on DVD and Blu-ray!

Attention all you Donnie Yen, Wuxia, martial arts fans. Dig out those wallets and draw those debits/credits cards in readiness. Action movie master Daniel Daniel Lee's period epic '14 Blades' is up to order on DVD. Along with the Don-meiseter, Blades hosts a parade of top name supporting stars including; Vicki Zhao, Wu Chun and even squeezes in a cameo from Hong Kong veteran Sammo Hung.

Those keen as mustard to see some old school martial arts mayhem - including tea house showdowns, forest brawls and desert duels aplenty - but are lagging behind a little in the multi region DVD/Blu-ray players dept, won’t be left out in the cold this time. The movie is set to be released region free on both formats! 14 Blades goes on sale April 15th. 

Synopsis: in the final years of Ming dynasty, the Jinyi wei has come under the control of power-hungry eunuch Jia Jingzhong. Secretly conspiring with an exiled prince to rebel against the emperor, the corrupt eunuch frames the Jinyi wei captain Qinglong (Donnie Yen) for treason and orders his death. With his fellow Jinyi wei agents, and the deadly assassin Tuotuo after him, the beleaguered fugitive fights his way out and is joined on his run by Qiao Hua, the daughter of a security agency leader. Together, they set out to stop Jia's conspiracy with help from a powerful bandit king.

Pre-order your copy here

14 Blades official site

UK theatrical release for Mamoru Oshii’s THE SKY CRAWLERS

Most UK fans of that all round genius of contemporary Anime, Mamoru Oshii ('Ghost in the Shell'), will probably have already picked up a copy of his latest opus The Sky Crawlers when it hit US R1 DVD last year. But if you have yet to see it (or want to again), nows your chance to take in his stunning blend of 2-D and 3-D animation on the BIG screen.

Manga UK in their infinite wisdom have finally decided to give Sky Crawlers a UK theatrical release. Those less familiar with his work should take note. Yes theres hi-tech airplane battles, but if you went into it this thinking this is an all out action fest, you'd be sorely disappointed. Oshii always deals in subtlety first, and action second. Sky Crawlers opens in UK Cinemas on April 23rd, with a DVD release following on May 31st. Go see it if you can!

Synopsis: Another 'possible' modern age. A group of eternally young fighter pilots known as “Kildren” battle each other in astonishing dogfights above the clouds - But their warfare serves only as entertainment for the masses. With his only childhood memory consisting of intense flight training, the fearless teenage pilot Yuichi's dogfights coexist with his struggle to find his missing past. When his beautiful, young female commander Suito is reluctant to discuss the fate of the pilot that Yuichi is replacing - or the strangely perfect condition of that pilot's former aircraft - Yuichi's curiosity becomes heightened.

Sky Crawlers trailer    

Thai teaser for ONG BAK 3

The bad (ish) news, the release date of Tony Jaa's Ong-Bak 3 has slipped by a month to May. The good....a new official Thai teaser trail has just been released for Tony Jaa's fight fest, and the action is viewable right now in all its hi-def 1080p glory!

 

 

 

Ong Bak 3 teaser

Via WiseKwai

 

THE GRUDGE: WHITE GHOST/BLACK GHOST on R2 DVD

The latest instalments in one of the most successful J-horror series of all time is heading to the UK, with the news that the newest in the The Grudge series; “Ju-On: White Ghost “ and ”Ju-On: Black Ghost” are set for release there on DVD, via 4Digital Asia. This double bill of cursed retribution and horror was directed by Ryuta Miyake and Mari Asato respectively, and whilst the mastermind of the original Ju-on series Takashi Shimizu wasn’t directly involved in the filming, he apparently supervised the production of both. Two Grudges for the price of one, are released on April 19th.

Ju-on: White Ghost A son brutally and methodically murders all five of his family members after failing the bar exam. He then hangs himself. At the moment of his death, he made a cassette tape recording in which he can be heard saying “I'll go, I'll go soon.” On the same tape can also be heard the eerie sound of a young girl's voice. It is the voice of Mirai, who was a friend of Akane, whilst at primary school. Mirai was a victim of the mass family slaughter incident. Akane, who is now a senior high school student, has had a strong ESP since childhood. Suddenly, one day Mirai appears in front of her, wearing the yellow cap and red backpack of a primary school student. The terror is just about to begin...

Ju-on: Black Ghost Nurse Yuko is left in charge of a young girl called Fukie, and begins to experience strange things. Medical examinations reveal that there is a "cyst" in Fukie's body. The cyst is actually an unborn one that is full of hatred for mankind and curses everyone around her. Yuko's neighbour is taken by a girl in black, and Fukie's father commits a murder and goes insane. Fukie's mother has to rely on the special psychic powers of Fukie's younger sister to help drive out the evil spirit. However, the exorcism catastrophically fails, and the worst grudge yet begins.

White Ghost/Back Ghost English subtitled trailer

BODYGUARDS AND ASSASSINS: DVD Review

Director: Teddy Chan. Review: Adam Wing.

Judging by the trailer, you might think that Bodyguards and Assassins is Donnie Yen’s latest testosterone heavy action blockbuster. Think again, the phrase ‘a game of two halves’ has never felt so fitting; instead Teddy Chan successfully blends period drama with action city sensibilities. Bodyguards and Assassins brings together an all-star cast for a retelling of significant events in modern Chinese history. Westerners probably wont be familiar with it but that’s not really a problem, the assassination attempt on Sun Yat-sen's life in 1906 is given plenty of room to breathe. Donnie Yen, Leon Lai, Tony Leung Ka Fai, Nicholas Tse and NBA basketball player Mengke Bateer are just some of the big name cast along for the ride, Hu Jun plays the leader of the Qing assassins, while Eric Tsang, Simon Yam, and Fan Bingbing take supporting roles. Then there’s Zhang Hanyu, Jacky Cheung, and Michelle Reis who make cameo appearances. Hong Kong films don’t get much bigger than this.

Exiled Chinese revolutionary Sun Yat-sen is returning to the British colony to meet with alliance leaders about upcoming plans of insurrection against the Qing imperial government. In China, the Qing send out official Xiao Guo (Hu Jun) to spearhead Sun's assassination; in Hong Kong, activist Xiao Bai (Tony Leung) and businessman Li (Wang Xueqi) gather bodyguards to protect Sun. The basic premise is relatively straightforward then, and Teddy Chan spends the best part of an hour building up his characters, with the seemingly less significant characters making the biggest impact. Crooked cop Chung Yang (Donnie Yen), rickshaw driver Ah Shi (Nicholas Tse), beggar Lau (Leon Lai), Shaolin monk Stinky Tofu (Mengke Bateer), and Li's son Chung Guang (Wang Bo Chieh) add depth to the multi-layered drama before laying down their lives in aid of a common cause. That would be the Tung Wai-choreographed action finale then, which plays out in almost real time through an impressive set that recreates early 1900s Hong Kong Central District in spectacular fashion...Continue reading review here.

Bodyguards trailer

Hong Kong horror DREAM HOME premieres at Udine film fest

In case you’re wondering, the colour we are now is the green of envy. Those Asian film fans supremely lucky to be attending the Udine Far East film festival in Italy this April, are in for an extra bloody treat. Dream Home - hailed as Hong Kong’s first ever slash horror - is to have its world premiere at the events opening night. Directed by Pang Ho-cheung (‘Exodus,’ ‘Isabella’), Dream Home stars Josie Ho as a woman who will resort to any means, to get the luxury apartment of her dreams. No. 1 Victoria Bay.

Those of us not attending the Festival will have to wait a little longer to see it, but the film is due out later this year. To check out our previous Dream Home coverage head, here, here and here. Plus there’s a teaser trailer to be seen, on the movies official site.

Dream Home official site

Udine Asian film festival

Poster for GOTHIC & LOLITA PSYCHO

Further to our story back in December, we have a quick update on Go Ohara’s (“Geisha vs Ninja”) latest foray into splatter horror, Gothic & Lolita Psycho. Out of the blue the Ohara bros have dropped us an email with a first look at the films poster, and very intriguing it is too. We’ve also been told a trailer is on the way, so as soon as we get it, you will!

Synopsis: Gothic and Lolita…the fashion reflects her dark and childish mental state. YUKI, the heroine, saw her mother killed by cruel gangs. Now she vows revenge! Knock off the enemies with her transformable umbrella. So gorgeous and so savage…Who killed mother? What the hell are the gangs? What is the truth and purpose that father knows? Her coming terrible destiny is going to littered with the dead.

New english subbed trailer for Russian horror PHOBOS

With some variations on what’s come before - plus a few new action scenes thrown in for good measure - it’s a second English subtitled (someone really wants some international sales) trailer for Russian horror Phobos. We originally thought this was your usual madman on the loose hack n slash horror, but the more we see of it the more it looks like there’s something unnatural in the dark, waiting to heap a whole lotta nastiness on our plucky 20 somethings. Phobos opens in Russia at the end of March.

Synopsis : A rainy summer evening…Young people are arriving at the new trendy club named Phobos, built inside a huge reconstructed underground bomb shelter. At first nothing wrong, but as the last of the revellers arrives, the huge blast door slams shut, blocking ALL communication with the outside world. Then total darkness envelops them….

 

 

Phobos trailer

The end is nigh! 20TH CENTURY BOYS: Chapter 3 on DVD

One of the most ambitious and expensive film series in Japanese movie making history, Yukihiko Tsutsumi’s blockbuster live action adaptation of Urasawa Naoki's acclaimed Manga “20th Century Boys” finally draws to a conclusion (for those of us outside Japan, waiting on a huge cliff-hanger from chapter 2!) with the third and final chapter heading for English subtitled DVD. The all-star cast return for the final showdown between the resistance fighters and the enigmatic and fanatical cult leader ‘Friend,’ who is out to end the world.

Synopsis: The year is 2017, and Friend's spell over Japan is stronger than ever. With Tokyo under quarantine because of the spread of a deadly virus, Friend announces that on August 12 all will be destroyed except for those who believe in Friend. Ocho, Yoshitsune, Yukiji, Kanna and other resistance fighters are still battling the government from underground, but Kanna has split from the group to pursue more radical means. As the sun sets over a divided Tokyo, and the clock ticks is ticking towards an apocalyptic end. Kenji appears again...

 

Order the DVD here

20th Century Boys official site

MULAN: Review

Director: Jingle Ma. Review: Adam Wing.

Otherwise known as ‘the one without the red dragon’, Mulan is directed by Jingle Ma (Butterfly Lovers) with Vicki Zhao taking centre stage as the gender-bending heroine Hua Mulan, the filial daughter who famously adopts male guise to take her father's place on the battlefield. Mulan grows into a great warrior while working hard to keep her true identity secret, Aloys Chen (Painted Skin) plays the token love interest and Hu Jun brings pantomime sensibilities to the table as a ruthless leader. Jaycee Chan makes up the numbers as a free-spirited soldier, with CJ7 child actress Xu Jiao, Korean-American Mando-pop singer Nicky Lee, and Russian singer Vitas offering diverse supporting turns with mixed results.

I’ve always been a big fan of Vicky Zhao, and she’s probably my first choice of leading lady for this 2009 update. Well, other than Hilary Swank, but I really don’t think that ones going to happen unless they’re planning on producing a Hollywood remake. Stranger things have happened. Vicky Zhao fits the mould perfectly though, if anybody can pull off a role of this nature then she can, her physical attributes combined with her shameless use of charm are more than enough to keep the most jaded of film fans glued to their seats. She’s quite handy with a sword too, coping adequately with Stephen Tung Wai’s action sequences. Word of the day I guess, adequately, because Mulan is an adequate action epic that makes for an adequate waste of time. No more, no less. Harmless commercial fodder that gets enough things right but never truly shines; Mulan is Saturday night escapism of the purest kind...Continue review here.

Mulan trailer

Japan gets a trailer for TETSUO:THE BULLET MAN

We’ve had a teaser trailer, an international trailer and now Japan takes a turn at showcasing Shinya Tsukamoto’s return (and his English language movie debut) to the deranged, extreme cyberpunk world of Tetsuo...with Tetsuo: The Bullet Man. This is by far the best of the three attempts at a trailer and has done its job very well. Even after the fact that it received quite lukewarm reviews at its premiere at the Venice film festival last year, we really want to see this now. The Bullet Man opens in Japan in May, with a U.S release planned later this year.

 

 

Bullet Man Japanese trailer

No MACHETE for April?

We added a question mark to the title, but with the current April opening date racing towards us, its becoming painfully obvious that Robert Rodriguez much anticipated feature length Machete movie spin off - from the Grindhouse trailers - is not going to be showing in a local theatre near you soon. No trailer, no PR, no posters, no website…Lets face it, the release has slipped again. Boo!

Fox recently took over the US rights to the flick, which probably explains the unwelcome delay. A new distributor equals a new schedule, new marketing strategy, and new later release date. Speculation about when it will now be puts it anywhere between June to autumn (which is what we’d put the money on), but be sure we’ll keep you posted. While we wait, lets remind ourselves what funs in store, with another look at the original (very not safe for work) Grindhouse trailer.

Synopsis: The highly skilled Federale Machete is hired by some unsavoury types to assassinate a senator. But just as he's about to take the shot, he notices someone aiming at him and realizes he's been set up. He barely survives the sniper's bullet, and is soon out for revenge on his former employers, with the reluctant assistance of his old friend Cheech Marin, who has become a priest and taken a vow of non-violence. If you hire him to take out the bad guys, make sure the bad guys aren't you.

Machete trailer

NY Zatoichi season continues with ZATOICHI: ON THE ROAD

A quick reminder to all NY Zatoichi fans, the Japan Society’s monthly screenings continue on March 20th with the next instalment of the exploits of the blind sword master “Zatoichi on the Road,” Starring Shintaro Katsu and Raizo Ichikawa.

In chapter five of the Blind Swordsman saga, Zatoichi encounters a dying man who asks him to deliver the maiden O-Mitsu to her family. Feeling honour-bound to fulfil the request, the cane sword-wielding masseur goes on a perilous journey and soon finds himself between a rock and a hard place as rival gangs compete to kidnap his beautiful protégée for a ransom. There will be blood indeed!

For more info on all the screenings and events are available at the New York Japan Society, check out their website.

Blind Swordsman clip

The GEISHA ASSASSIN slices her way onto R2 DVD

British fans of cheesy, exploitative and down right campy action movies take note, Gô Ohara’s (‘Death trance’) debut movie as a director - the martial arts revenge flick Geisha Assassin (aka Geisha vs. Ninja) - will be slashing its way onto UK R2 DVD next month. They’ve done a better job on the artwork than they did for the US release, but the signature Kimono clad heroin from the original cover, is still conspicuously missing from the sleeve. She is a Geisha with a big f*ck off sword killing Ninjas for petes sake, surely that’s half the fun of it all. Niggles to one side, at least it'll be out there in all its low budget glory. Head down to see a trailer full of slice n dice…and yes of course...cue the overly sickly J-pop.

Synopsis: As a young child, Kotono (Minami Tsukui) witnesses the slaying of her father, a master swordsman, by one of his most gifted pupils. Already trained in swordsmanship from an early age, she continues her studies and inherits her father’s skills and his legendary weapon. Now, fully grown and adopting the persona of a beautiful geisha, Kotono sets out to avenge her father’s death by confronting the man who killed him. But, the path to completing her quest is an obstructed one. To reach her goal, she must first conquer a succession of adversaries including deadly female ninjas, murderous monks, fantastical demons and ruthless assassins.

Geisha Assassin trailer

Trailer for Korean chiller BEST SELLER

A first trailer has dropped for Pop starlet and actress Uhm jung-hwa’s latest foray into film, the debut thriller (with a hint of the supernatural?) Best Seller, from first time director Lee Jung Ho. Whilst the plot doesn't sound the most original ("The Shining" Anyone?) of premises, it looks suitably atmospheric with more than a touch of creepiness, and Ms Uhm has thrown herself into the role - of a women on the edge - with gusto. Best Seller opens in Korea next month.

Synopsis: Top novelist Baek Hee-soo who had been accused of plagiarism in the past, and works toward making a grand comeback to overcome that stigma. However, when she writes a new novel after being inspired by a story her daughter tells, she once again gets caught up in plagiarism charges. Divorcing from her husband, she chooses an out-of-the-way vacation house in the countryside to write her book. There she starts to feel dread, sensing a frightening, unseen presence watching over her, with whom her young daughter starts to converse.

Best Seller trailer

Plotline via DramaBeans

THE STORM WARRIORS: Review

Director: The Pang Brothers. Review: Adam Wing.

The Storm Riders was one of the first Asian movies I fell in love with, based on Ma Wing Shing's best-selling comic, Andrew Lau’s fantasy adventure opened my eyes to a brave new world of cinematic wonder. Boasting the best special effects ever seen in a Hong Kong film at the time, the film went on to break box office records with its blend of comic book adventure, wuxia mythology, overblown action and larger than life characters. Ten years later and The Storm Riders are back, this time directed by The Pang Brothers, two of my favourite Asian directors. Ekin Cheng and Aaron Kwok reprise their roles as Wind and Cloud, taking on Simon Yam and Nicholas Tse as the villains of the piece. Kenny Ho makes an appearance as Nameless, while the effortlessly adorable Charlene Choi takes over from Shu Qi as chief eye candy (that’s not actually her character name though).

Lord Godless (Simon Yam) and his son Heart (Nicholas Tse) are trying to take over the martial arts world, well it is a day that ends in ‘y’ after all. Our three heroes aren’t strong enough to defeat Godless and his impenetrable body armour, so they seek the help of Lord Wicked (Wong Tak Bun), who convinces Wind that harnessing evil is the only way forward. Godless has other plans though, forcing the Emperor (Patrick Tam) to reveal the location of the powerful Dragon Bone relic. Will Wind be able to control his newfound powers, or will he lose himself to the dark side? What will become of Cloud, and why does the entire movie appear to be set in a cave? Storm Warriors could be the film we have all been waiting for, it could also be the next Ong-Bak sequel (I wonder if it’s the same cave); The Pang Brothers had better not mess this up…Continue reading review here.

Storm Warriors official site

TRON: LEGACY trailer goes live

Cue the fan boy ecstasy, the first teaser trailer for Tron: Legacy has arrived. Whizz through the obligatory plastic..Hollywood..pretty boy leads preamble, stop for a moment to cheer at the fact that Bruce Boxleitner is in it, then head for to the money shots. It looks absolutely stunning, we just hope that the plot matches the quality of the visuals. The 1982 original 'Tron' holds a warm fuzzy place in many a cult movie geeks heart. So please Disney, don’t let the storyline for this suck. Hi-res eye popping goodness at the link.

 

 

 

Tron Legacy trailer

First footage for Malay epic THE CHRONICLES OF MERONG

It was way back in November 2008 that we first covered news of the upcoming big budget Malaysia epic The Chronicles of Merong. Even then we thought Malay movie execs were looking to follow in the footsteps of Thailand’s swathe of blockbuster historical/fantasy epics - including ‘King Naresuan’ and ‘Queen of Langkasuka’ - and now a first promo reel for the movie has arrived, it seems we were bang on the money.

Merong will have huge war scenes, swashbuckling sea battles, and martial arts showdowns featuring a mixture of silat (Malay martial arts), kungfu and sword-figthing, choreographed by martial arts experts from the Jackie Chan team in Hong Kong. All this is being directed by Yusry Abdul Halim, backed by an international cast that includes Stephen Rahman Hughes, Gavin Rees StenHouse, mainland Chinese actress Jing Lusi, Craig Fong, Deborah Henry, Datuk Rahim Razali and Khir Rahman. Surprisingly the movies dialogue will be mainly in English, with only 30% in classic Malay. Now, here’s some blurb and full synopsis from the production companies site…..

“Based loosely on the 16th century historical document entitled ‘The Malay Annals’, ’The Chronicles of Merong Mahawangsa’ is an action-packed epic feature film, with mythical characters, magical moments and dazzling visual-effects sequences. Merong Mahawangsa was a descendant of Alexander the Great, a renowned naval captain and traveller who came to Asia several hundred years ago. The year is 120 AD… a time when the Roman Empire is at the height of its power, during the reign of Hadrian – one of the Five Good Emperors. Meanwhile in China, the Han Dynasty is firmly cemented as the ruling empire and is expanding into Central Asia… one hundred years before the period of the Three Kingdoms. As the Roman fleet made their repairs and traded in Goa, they asked Merong Mahawangsa to escort a Roman prince to Southeast Asia, to wed a beautiful Chinese princess from the Han Dynasty. The Chinese princess and the Roman prince are supposed to meet halfway and be married on neutral ground. However, the pirate nation of Geruda had other plans. They decided t kidnap the princess and use her as ransom. En route to the Straits of Melaka, Mahawangsa’s fleet was attacked by Geruda’s forces while stopping at a small island to replenish supplies. Will Merong be able to rescue the Princess and re-unite her with her betrothed in a marriage that is set to bring together two great civilizations from the East and West?”

KRU Studios have already pre-sold the film in 25 countries, including the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Russia and the Middle East, with Universal Studios holding an option to take the flick for North American distro, once filming is completed. Now onto (do your best to ignore the terrible Mr.Voiceover narration) the trailer. If this is just the promo reel we can’t wait to see the finished article!  Chronicles of Merong is due to open In December.

Chronicles of Merong promo

Cast details via Daily Chilli

Dennis Law’s Triad revenge flick BAD BLOOD on DVD

Fatal Move director Dennis Law’s latest triad-themed offering Bad Blood is up for purchase on DVD. Much of the main cast of ‘Fatal Move’ including Simon Yam, Eddie Cheung, Pinky Cheung, and Lam Suet, returned for this latest offering of gangland violence, chock full of martial arts action stars. A hard core gangster who-dunnit, about bloody infighting within a triad clan, on DVD and its region free! It would be rude not to.

Synopsis: Crime lord Lok Cheung runs a smuggling ring in Hong Kong. He gets caught during a failed counterfeit money operation in Mainland China and is executed. After he's gone, a deadly struggle for power breaks out within the gang, with a series of murders and assassinations aimed at members of the Lok clan. One by one, the various sons and daughters, wives and mistresses, brothers and cousins fall as they turn on each other in paranoia. The overbearing Funky (Simon Yam), the seemingly benign Audrey (Bernice Liu), the crippled Calf (Andy On), or the mysterious mute girl Dumby (Jiang Luxia) - any of them could be the mastermind behind all the ruthless killings - or his/her next victim.

Bad Blood trailer

Bad Blood official site

Order the DVD here

Full trailer for French horror thriller IN THEIR SLEEP

We’ve had some good looking clips, now its full trailer time for Anne Parillaud’s (‘La femme Nikita’) latest, the horror thriller In Their Sleep (aka “Dans ton sommeil”). Co-produced by BR Films, who turned out the superb French shockers ‘À l'intérieur’ (Inside) and ‘Frontieres,’ so it would be fair to say we expect good things. In Their Sleep opens in France March 24th. Trailer at the link.

Synopsis: One year after her teenage son's death, Sarah's life is in pieces. Then late one night, her car accidentally hits Arthur, a young man the same age as her boy, who suddenly emerges out of the forest and onto the road. Wounded and frightened, he is running from a mysterious assailant, hunting him down after Arthur caught him red handed in the act of burglary. Sarah sympathizes with him, taking him in, only to be tracked down by the burglar whose murderous rage towards Arthur forces her to take action. Unbeknownst to Sarah, things aren't quite the way they seem...but by the time she finally realizes, it is too late to turn back...

In Their Sleep trailer

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