[This story contains major spoilers from the season finale of FX’s Shōgun.]
It’s easy to picture Japanese actor Hiroyuki Sanada gazing toward the horizon with a beatific sense of satisfaction over everything he has achieved with FX’s smash-hit miniseries Shōgun. His character, Lord Yoshii Toranaga, enjoys several such moments in the show’s 10th and last episode, A Dream of a Dream, as his patient, masterful strategizing finally yields precisely the outcome he desires: absolute power for himself and peace for all of Japan.
Sanada’s moment of career triumph is not dissimilar in its decade-spanning tirelessness (at least, in entertainment industry terms). He began performing nearly 60 years ago as a child in Japan, apprenticing under the legendary actor Sonny Chiba on the way to becoming a major local star, before breaking into Hollywood with roles in projects like The Last Samurai, Lost, The Wolverine, Avengers: Endgame, Bullet Train, John Wick: Chapter 4 and many others.
But now,...
It’s easy to picture Japanese actor Hiroyuki Sanada gazing toward the horizon with a beatific sense of satisfaction over everything he has achieved with FX’s smash-hit miniseries Shōgun. His character, Lord Yoshii Toranaga, enjoys several such moments in the show’s 10th and last episode, A Dream of a Dream, as his patient, masterful strategizing finally yields precisely the outcome he desires: absolute power for himself and peace for all of Japan.
Sanada’s moment of career triumph is not dissimilar in its decade-spanning tirelessness (at least, in entertainment industry terms). He began performing nearly 60 years ago as a child in Japan, apprenticing under the legendary actor Sonny Chiba on the way to becoming a major local star, before breaking into Hollywood with roles in projects like The Last Samurai, Lost, The Wolverine, Avengers: Endgame, Bullet Train, John Wick: Chapter 4 and many others.
But now,...
- 4/26/2024
- by Patrick Brzeski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Cinematic language can be universal. Visual images and styles can be reused and interpreted for different audiences quite easily with film fans quick to pick up on the influences. Take for example the Western. John Ford influenced Akira Kurosawa; Kurosawa influenced Sergio Leone who in turn inspired a number of Italian filmmakers in creating the whole Spaghetti Western genre. This visual language then proceeded to be imported across the globe. “Yakuza Wolf” is one such beneficiary of this transnational use of cinematic language. A blending of Yakuza action with a western flourish it's now available through “Eureka Entertainment” on Blu-ray. With its lead Sonny Chiba being rediscovered we have an opportunity to look back at a role that set him on course for bigger stardom.
on Amazon by clicking on the image below
Gosuke Himuro (Sonny Chiba) is out for revenge. His father is dead and his sister Kyoko (Yayoi Watanabe) kidnapped.
on Amazon by clicking on the image below
Gosuke Himuro (Sonny Chiba) is out for revenge. His father is dead and his sister Kyoko (Yayoi Watanabe) kidnapped.
- 3/15/2024
- by Ben Stykuc
- AsianMoviePulse
Beyond the fact that both films star Sonny Chiba taking revenge against the Yakuza, Yakuza Wolf 2: Extend My Condolences (Ôkami Yakuza: Tomurai Ha Ore Ga Dasu) has almost nothing to do with Yakuza Wolf 1: I Perform Murder.
While imprisoned, Ibuki (Chiba) befriends Goro Yuki (Tatsuya Fuji). Ibuki and his new buddy plot escape and a heist that will avenge his betrayal by the Yakuza. On the cusp of the prison break the pair are comically and unexpectedly released. Shortly after gaining their freedom, they are saved from assassination by an old friend. Undeterred, they go about putting together a crew for the heist.
As a movie, Yakuza Wolf 2 feels somewhat confused as to what it is. Is it a buddy comedy, a crime caper or a WW2 style men on a mission film? It tries to cram in a bit of everything. The film's construction is also a.
While imprisoned, Ibuki (Chiba) befriends Goro Yuki (Tatsuya Fuji). Ibuki and his new buddy plot escape and a heist that will avenge his betrayal by the Yakuza. On the cusp of the prison break the pair are comically and unexpectedly released. Shortly after gaining their freedom, they are saved from assassination by an old friend. Undeterred, they go about putting together a crew for the heist.
As a movie, Yakuza Wolf 2 feels somewhat confused as to what it is. Is it a buddy comedy, a crime caper or a WW2 style men on a mission film? It tries to cram in a bit of everything. The film's construction is also a.
- 2/21/2024
- by Donald Munro
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Stars: Frank Grillo, Mekhi Phifer, Amaury Nolasco, Dermot Mulroney, Jaime King, Paul Sloan, Donald Cerrone, Erica Peeples | Written by Chad Law, Garry Charles, Brandon Burrows | Directed by Christian Sesma
Michael ‘Duffy’ Duffield was a soldier, now he’s a drifter, dealing with Ptsd and living on the move. As Lights Out begins, he gets off a bus, and it’s not even five minutes before he finds himself in a card game and accused of cheating. The ease with which he dispatches the other players and takes his money catches the eye of Max Bomer.
Max is just out of jail and looking for a way to make some money, and he sees Duffy’s skill with his fists as the way to do it. He just has to convince him to take part in some illegal underground fight clubs like the one run by Fosco. And, since Duffy could use some cash himself,...
Michael ‘Duffy’ Duffield was a soldier, now he’s a drifter, dealing with Ptsd and living on the move. As Lights Out begins, he gets off a bus, and it’s not even five minutes before he finds himself in a card game and accused of cheating. The ease with which he dispatches the other players and takes his money catches the eye of Max Bomer.
Max is just out of jail and looking for a way to make some money, and he sees Duffy’s skill with his fists as the way to do it. He just has to convince him to take part in some illegal underground fight clubs like the one run by Fosco. And, since Duffy could use some cash himself,...
- 2/19/2024
- by Jim Morazzini
- Nerdly
Yakuza Wolf 1: I Perform Murder is a 1970s Japanese action film staring Sonny Chiba as Gosuke Himuro. The film is a rip of of Django which is a rip off of A Fistful Of Dollars which is a rip off of Yojimbo which is a licensed remake of The Glass Key (1942). Seeking revenge for his murdered father and kidnapped sister, Gosuke Himuro pits two rival Yakuza factions against each other. The filmmakers steal from other films with abandon. If it's not nailed to a solid slab of copyright law, it's filched. This is your intellectual property? You must have drooped it somewhere.
Yakuza Wolf opens with Gosuke Himuro performing a black gloved giallo murder of a couple in coitus. It could have come straight out of Bava's Blood And Black Lace. The colour palette is Argento. Chiba wears...
Yakuza Wolf opens with Gosuke Himuro performing a black gloved giallo murder of a couple in coitus. It could have come straight out of Bava's Blood And Black Lace. The colour palette is Argento. Chiba wears...
- 2/18/2024
- by Donald Munro
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
“Only ignorant fools say ‘ninja.’” So claims Taki, the mysterious matron of the Tawara family, as she sternly corrects her grandson in the old ways. Played by veteran actress Nobuko Miyamoto, there’s much more to Grandma Taki than meets the eye. Such is the way of the world in Netflix’s new series, House of Ninjas. The proper term is “shinobi.” It’s what was used historically.
House of Ninjas is a new action dramedy that follows a modern-day shinobi family who has forsaken the lethal trade of their ancestors for a “normal” life. And like in every dramedy, the Tawaras are comically and tragically dysfunctional. The family patriarch, Soichi (Yosuke Eguchi) struggles to maintain a low-key profile whilst his wife Yoko (Tae Kimura) and daughter Nagi (Aju Makita) succumb to their old devious habits, stealing stuff just for the rush. Their thievery goes from grocery store shoplifting to museum art object theft.
House of Ninjas is a new action dramedy that follows a modern-day shinobi family who has forsaken the lethal trade of their ancestors for a “normal” life. And like in every dramedy, the Tawaras are comically and tragically dysfunctional. The family patriarch, Soichi (Yosuke Eguchi) struggles to maintain a low-key profile whilst his wife Yoko (Tae Kimura) and daughter Nagi (Aju Makita) succumb to their old devious habits, stealing stuff just for the rush. Their thievery goes from grocery store shoplifting to museum art object theft.
- 2/15/2024
- by Alec Bojalad
- Den of Geek
It can’t be denied that as far as martial arts movies go, the best ones come from Asia, particularly Hong Kong during their action heyday, which was arguably the 70s, 80s and first half of the ’90s. That said, martial arts movies were also making a foothold in the States at the time, thanks mainly to Bruce Lee-mania following the release of Enter the Dragon. Before that movie, very few actors in Hollywood seemed like they were credible martial artists, except maybe James Coburn, a student of Lee’s, who pulled off some pretty good-looking moves in the otherwise silly Our Man Flint movies. Steve McQueen also had training but didn’t use martial arts on screen.
Up to then, though, the most notable uses of martial arts in movies usually revolved around Judo, with James Cagney showing off some good moves in the film Blood on the Sun,...
Up to then, though, the most notable uses of martial arts in movies usually revolved around Judo, with James Cagney showing off some good moves in the film Blood on the Sun,...
- 2/4/2024
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
Stars: Julia Nagano, Yuichi Nakamura, Kohshu Kirano, Shun Nishime, Kanon Miyahara | Written by Junichiro Ashiki | Directed by Kôichi Sakamoto
With a title like Ninja vs Shark you might think this is another Mark Polonia film along the lines of Sharkula or Shark Encounters of the Third Kind. Or maybe one of the more bizarre Chinese kaiju films such as Land Shark. But you’d be wrong, it’s actually a Japanese film written by Junichiro Ashiki and directed by Kôichi Sakamoto.
During Japan’s Edo Period, Sayo, a pearl diver from the village of Okitsu, swims back to shore only to find the remains of one of her fellow divers washed up on the beach. This has been happening a lot since Lord Koshiro Mizuchi of the Crimson Devil Clan demanded the villagers hand over their pearls to him. When they refused he used sorcery to turn the sharks into living weapons.
With a title like Ninja vs Shark you might think this is another Mark Polonia film along the lines of Sharkula or Shark Encounters of the Third Kind. Or maybe one of the more bizarre Chinese kaiju films such as Land Shark. But you’d be wrong, it’s actually a Japanese film written by Junichiro Ashiki and directed by Kôichi Sakamoto.
During Japan’s Edo Period, Sayo, a pearl diver from the village of Okitsu, swims back to shore only to find the remains of one of her fellow divers washed up on the beach. This has been happening a lot since Lord Koshiro Mizuchi of the Crimson Devil Clan demanded the villagers hand over their pearls to him. When they refused he used sorcery to turn the sharks into living weapons.
- 1/23/2024
- by Jim Morazzini
- Nerdly
Pictures: Universal Pictures
Netflix kickstarted the year as normal by rotating its library of movies. Among the movies that came to Netflix on December 31st and January 1st were 15 movies from the 1970s considered classics. Here’s a rundown of all those movies that dropped.
The movies seem to come to Netflix through a range of different distributors, including Paramount and Universal Pictures. It comes as Netflix has seemingly been getting greater access to some of the biggest Hollywood studios’ back library of IPs as of late. We’ve seen almost all providers step up their licensing to Netflix in various forms, whether that be through licensing newer movies, older movies like the ones below, or titles from their vast TV catalog.
In alphabetical order, then, here’s a rundown of all the new movies that recently touched down that were first released in the 1970s. Descriptions of each movie...
Netflix kickstarted the year as normal by rotating its library of movies. Among the movies that came to Netflix on December 31st and January 1st were 15 movies from the 1970s considered classics. Here’s a rundown of all those movies that dropped.
The movies seem to come to Netflix through a range of different distributors, including Paramount and Universal Pictures. It comes as Netflix has seemingly been getting greater access to some of the biggest Hollywood studios’ back library of IPs as of late. We’ve seen almost all providers step up their licensing to Netflix in various forms, whether that be through licensing newer movies, older movies like the ones below, or titles from their vast TV catalog.
In alphabetical order, then, here’s a rundown of all the new movies that recently touched down that were first released in the 1970s. Descriptions of each movie...
- 1/3/2024
- by Kasey Moore
- Whats-on-Netflix
Arrow Video is excited to announce the January 2024 lineup of their subscription-based Arrow platform, available to subscribers in the US, Canada, the UK and Ireland.
Arrow kicks off the New Year on January 5 with a deep dive, courtesy of the star of The Stylist and After Midnight as well as the director of 12 Hr Shift and Torn Hearts.
Brea Grant Selects (UK/ Ire/ US/CA): “I am thrilled to be teaming up with Arrow to share some of my all-time favorite horror movies with you. From the delightful to the horrifying, these movies remind me of why I wanted to make movies in the first place.”
Titles Include: Ringu, The Stylist, The Leech.
Also on January 5, audiences in every territory can discover a new short homage to the Spaghetti Westerns of years gone by.
They Call It… Red Cemetery (UK/Ire/US/Can): Among the crosses of an old cemetery,...
Arrow kicks off the New Year on January 5 with a deep dive, courtesy of the star of The Stylist and After Midnight as well as the director of 12 Hr Shift and Torn Hearts.
Brea Grant Selects (UK/ Ire/ US/CA): “I am thrilled to be teaming up with Arrow to share some of my all-time favorite horror movies with you. From the delightful to the horrifying, these movies remind me of why I wanted to make movies in the first place.”
Titles Include: Ringu, The Stylist, The Leech.
Also on January 5, audiences in every territory can discover a new short homage to the Spaghetti Westerns of years gone by.
They Call It… Red Cemetery (UK/Ire/US/Can): Among the crosses of an old cemetery,...
- 1/3/2024
- by Peter 'Witchfinder' Hopkins
- Horror Asylum
Sadao Nakajima passed away from pneumonia on 11th June, 2023. He was 88 years old. Active as a director until just four years before his passing, Nakajima left behind legacy of work that most directors would dream of. Alongside Kinji Fukasaku and Junya Sato, he is credited as being one of the main names to define the Yakuza genre, with some of his greatest works coming within that genre for Toei Studios, showcasing a range of styles and narrative complexities while at it. Outside of the yakuza genre as well though, Nakajima made a number of terrific features, mixing a range of genres and filmmaking styles effectively over an illustrious career that lasted a little under 60 years, starting from his debut in 1964 all the way until his swansong in 2019.
Without further ado, we list 12 essential films by Sadao Nakajima that are not in the Yakuza genre, in chronological order.
1. Female Ninja Magic...
Without further ado, we list 12 essential films by Sadao Nakajima that are not in the Yakuza genre, in chronological order.
1. Female Ninja Magic...
- 7/11/2023
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
The Film
When Battle Royale came out in 2000, I was 19 and just really getting into foreign language films. Like many of my generation of cinephiles, it was an early part of my DVD collection. While I enjoyed it though, I have to confess that I’ve not been back to it for over 15 years, and I never used it as a jumping off point to discover more of its director Kinji Fukasaku’s work. On this evidence, that was an error.
After a failed rebellion in which 37,000 Christians are massacred, their leader Amakusa Shiro (Kenji Sawada) returns from the dead, pledges his soul to the Devil and becomes a demon who can resurrect others to join him in his quest for vengeance. This is an interesting jumping off point for the film, because for much of the opening half hour, as Shiro gathers his band of demons (including swordmaster Miyamoto Musashi...
When Battle Royale came out in 2000, I was 19 and just really getting into foreign language films. Like many of my generation of cinephiles, it was an early part of my DVD collection. While I enjoyed it though, I have to confess that I’ve not been back to it for over 15 years, and I never used it as a jumping off point to discover more of its director Kinji Fukasaku’s work. On this evidence, that was an error.
After a failed rebellion in which 37,000 Christians are massacred, their leader Amakusa Shiro (Kenji Sawada) returns from the dead, pledges his soul to the Devil and becomes a demon who can resurrect others to join him in his quest for vengeance. This is an interesting jumping off point for the film, because for much of the opening half hour, as Shiro gathers his band of demons (including swordmaster Miyamoto Musashi...
- 6/21/2023
- by Sam Inglis
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Sadao Nakajima passed away from pneumonia on 11th June, 2023. He was 88 years old. Active as a director until just four years before his passing, Nakajima left behind legacy of work that most directors would dream of. Alongside Kinji Fukasaku and Junya Sato, he is credited as being one of the main names to define the Yakuza genre, with some of his greatest works coming within that genre, showcasing a range of styles and narrative complexities while at it. Having joined Toei Studio in 1959, he worked primarily at Toei's Kyoto studio, despite running his contract out and going independent in 1967. In fact, the majority of the titles we list here are productions from after he left Toei as a contracted director and yet continued to work for the Studio as a freelancer, likely because of the freedom it provided him and his relationship with their existing roster of actors and crew,...
- 6/21/2023
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
Stream Asian cinema on your Android TV
Search “Terracotta” under apps on your Android TV, or Google Chromecast device, and install their Android TV app dedicated solely to Asian films.
Choose between subscription or pay-per-film options, or take advantage of the promo “annual subscription at 10 months cost”.
(Note: not all films are available on the subscription tier).
The app comes with better navigation – browse by Genre, Country, Director and Detailed Genre (horror comes in different flavours!).
New films being added regularly.
If you don’t have an Android TV, you can use their web browser version which has the same content and you can view the films on your laptop, desktop, mobile, tablet: https://stream.terracottadistribution.com
Available in UK and Eire only.
Terracotta Blu Ray & DVD Store
The Skyhawk (Eureka Entertainment)
Jump into an epic martial arts adventure with The Skyhawk, a 1974 version of the Wong Fei Hung story.
Search “Terracotta” under apps on your Android TV, or Google Chromecast device, and install their Android TV app dedicated solely to Asian films.
Choose between subscription or pay-per-film options, or take advantage of the promo “annual subscription at 10 months cost”.
(Note: not all films are available on the subscription tier).
The app comes with better navigation – browse by Genre, Country, Director and Detailed Genre (horror comes in different flavours!).
New films being added regularly.
If you don’t have an Android TV, you can use their web browser version which has the same content and you can view the films on your laptop, desktop, mobile, tablet: https://stream.terracottadistribution.com
Available in UK and Eire only.
Terracotta Blu Ray & DVD Store
The Skyhawk (Eureka Entertainment)
Jump into an epic martial arts adventure with The Skyhawk, a 1974 version of the Wong Fei Hung story.
- 6/3/2023
- by Suzie Cho
- AsianMoviePulse
By Earl Jackson
In 1939, Sadaho Maeda was born in Fukuoka, the third of five children to an Imperial Army pilot and a retired track-and field runner. While still a toddler, the family moved to Chiba Prefecture where Sadaho grew up. Perhaps that location was the inspiration of the publicity people at Toei in 1960 to rename this “new face” – Shin'ichi Chiba. He became a teen favorite as a “funky hat” detective in a series directed by Kinji Fukasaku, and then gained another fan base with his pursuit of serious martial arts training. Chiba was already a powerhouse by the time the three “Street Fighter” films in 1974 introduced him to the world as Sonny Chiba.
If the world had granted him more time, Toru Murakawa's “Game Trilogy” in 1978-1979, might have done the same for Yusaku Matsuda. Although it was always already too late for Matsuda, we now have time to...
In 1939, Sadaho Maeda was born in Fukuoka, the third of five children to an Imperial Army pilot and a retired track-and field runner. While still a toddler, the family moved to Chiba Prefecture where Sadaho grew up. Perhaps that location was the inspiration of the publicity people at Toei in 1960 to rename this “new face” – Shin'ichi Chiba. He became a teen favorite as a “funky hat” detective in a series directed by Kinji Fukasaku, and then gained another fan base with his pursuit of serious martial arts training. Chiba was already a powerhouse by the time the three “Street Fighter” films in 1974 introduced him to the world as Sonny Chiba.
If the world had granted him more time, Toru Murakawa's “Game Trilogy” in 1978-1979, might have done the same for Yusaku Matsuda. Although it was always already too late for Matsuda, we now have time to...
- 5/26/2023
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Major Spoilers For Fast X In The Article Below!
Proceed At Your OWN Discretion
.
.
.
It’s amazing how The Fast and the Furious franchise has essentially become its own version of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The globe-trotting, high-octane, ensemble action films that originated from a street racing movie has developed a lore throughout the series and each sequel attaches some connected tissue to a former character or plot in one way or another. Fast X is now in theaters and the plot involves a figure from the past in the form of Jason Momoa. Momoa is a character who is retconned as the son of the villainous Reyes from Fast Five.
With a series as long as this one, it’s natural to have a revolving door of characters played by both known or upcoming actors at the time. This series has featured the likes of Eva Mendes, Sonny Chiba,...
Proceed At Your OWN Discretion
.
.
.
It’s amazing how The Fast and the Furious franchise has essentially become its own version of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The globe-trotting, high-octane, ensemble action films that originated from a street racing movie has developed a lore throughout the series and each sequel attaches some connected tissue to a former character or plot in one way or another. Fast X is now in theaters and the plot involves a figure from the past in the form of Jason Momoa. Momoa is a character who is retconned as the son of the villainous Reyes from Fast Five.
With a series as long as this one, it’s natural to have a revolving door of characters played by both known or upcoming actors at the time. This series has featured the likes of Eva Mendes, Sonny Chiba,...
- 5/19/2023
- by EJ Tangonan
- JoBlo.com
By Earl Jackson
For a long time, Japanese cinema of the 1980s was a closed book to me. I just could not engage with the soft-focus, candy-pastel dreamscapes, the ubiquitous permed hair for both sexes, the relentless innocence of the idols who seemed to have learned acting from hostage ransom videos, and the ramshackle macho veneer concocted with crayons and a bullhorn. But in 2004 I attended an immense and beautifully curated 1980s retrospective sponsored by the Japan Foundation held in an upscale shopping mall in Seoul. That intense exposure was a real education which included an introduction to the almost preternatural, haunting countercharm of Yusaku Matsuda, amplified by the devoted Korean Matsuda fans I met there.
In recent years, international attention to the work of Shinji Somai and Nobuhiko Obayashi has filled in vital pieces of the 1980s, however Matsuda's cult status in Japan has yet to spread beyond domestic screens.
For a long time, Japanese cinema of the 1980s was a closed book to me. I just could not engage with the soft-focus, candy-pastel dreamscapes, the ubiquitous permed hair for both sexes, the relentless innocence of the idols who seemed to have learned acting from hostage ransom videos, and the ramshackle macho veneer concocted with crayons and a bullhorn. But in 2004 I attended an immense and beautifully curated 1980s retrospective sponsored by the Japan Foundation held in an upscale shopping mall in Seoul. That intense exposure was a real education which included an introduction to the almost preternatural, haunting countercharm of Yusaku Matsuda, amplified by the devoted Korean Matsuda fans I met there.
In recent years, international attention to the work of Shinji Somai and Nobuhiko Obayashi has filled in vital pieces of the 1980s, however Matsuda's cult status in Japan has yet to spread beyond domestic screens.
- 5/16/2023
- by Guest Writer
- AsianMoviePulse
Plot: When a goddess of war reincarnates in the body of a young girl, street orphan Seiya discovers that he is destined to protect her and save the world. But only if he can face his own past and become a Knight of the Zodiac.
Review: Live-action adaptations of anime films and series have succeeded in Japan, but few have overcome the transition to Hollywood. For every Alita Battle Angel, there is a Ghost in the Shell, Dragon Ball Evolution, and Death Note. The cultural barrier aside, there has never been the right balance between ambition and execution. Sony’s Knights of the Zodiac is a valiant attempt to bring the Saint Seiya anime to life with a modest budget and recognizable actors just below the A-list. The result is a visually impressive movie with some franchise potential that ends up being squandered by a bland screenplay that barely scratches...
Review: Live-action adaptations of anime films and series have succeeded in Japan, but few have overcome the transition to Hollywood. For every Alita Battle Angel, there is a Ghost in the Shell, Dragon Ball Evolution, and Death Note. The cultural barrier aside, there has never been the right balance between ambition and execution. Sony’s Knights of the Zodiac is a valiant attempt to bring the Saint Seiya anime to life with a modest budget and recognizable actors just below the A-list. The result is a visually impressive movie with some franchise potential that ends up being squandered by a bland screenplay that barely scratches...
- 5/11/2023
- by Alex Maidy
- JoBlo.com
A few new titles open this weekend, some quite moderately, in the hopes of offering something unique to rival “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.” Remember, it’s Mother’s Day on Sunday, where the moms get to pick the movie for once. Read on for Gold Derby’s box office preview.
Regardless of the number of new entries this weekend, Marvel’s “Guardians,” directed by James Gunn, will remain above the rest with a second weekend of around $50 million or more, capitalizing on positive word-of-mouth from audiences from its opening.
Released by Focus Features into 3,000 theaters is the comedy sequel “Book Club: The Next Chapter,” once again starring Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda, Candace Bergen and Mary Steenburgen, along with Andy Garcia, Don Johnson and Craig T. Nelson. In the movie, once again written and directed by Bill Holderman and Erin Simms, Bergen’s Sharon is getting married, and her...
Regardless of the number of new entries this weekend, Marvel’s “Guardians,” directed by James Gunn, will remain above the rest with a second weekend of around $50 million or more, capitalizing on positive word-of-mouth from audiences from its opening.
Released by Focus Features into 3,000 theaters is the comedy sequel “Book Club: The Next Chapter,” once again starring Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda, Candace Bergen and Mary Steenburgen, along with Andy Garcia, Don Johnson and Craig T. Nelson. In the movie, once again written and directed by Bill Holderman and Erin Simms, Bergen’s Sharon is getting married, and her...
- 5/10/2023
- by Edward Douglas
- Gold Derby
The concept of action movies starring female protagonists was quite prevalent in East Asian cinema during the 70s and 80s but toned significantly down after that. However, lately, and as the epicenter of action movies moved towards Asean countries, it surfaced once more, as the fact that women can also can add an element of sex appeal to the action worked for a number of filmmakers. At the same time, the concept was not restricted to action movies, but also extended to art ones, as a couple of the movies in the following list will eloquently highlight.
Without further ado, here are 40 Asian movies where the action mostly derives from women, in chronological order.
1. Come Drink With Me
That also comes from the story storyline. Co-written by director Hu and Ting Shan-hsi, ‘Come Drink’ includes poignant drama into the mix as well as the action. Each of the characters has...
Without further ado, here are 40 Asian movies where the action mostly derives from women, in chronological order.
1. Come Drink With Me
That also comes from the story storyline. Co-written by director Hu and Ting Shan-hsi, ‘Come Drink’ includes poignant drama into the mix as well as the action. Each of the characters has...
- 5/10/2023
- by AMP Group
- AsianMoviePulse
The Film
I’m trying to remember the title of a movie. There’s a bomber, who puts a device on public transport. If it registers a speed over… ah I forget what the exact marker was, but anyway, that arms the bomb, then if it goes below that speed…Boom! So the cops have to figure out who this guy is, and how to disarm the bomb. I think it was called “The bus that couldn’t slow down”, but it might have been a bit snappier than that.
That aside, 1975’s The Bullet Train definitely bears some striking similarities to, you know, that bus movie. Ken Takahara plays Okita, he’s 40, has lost his company in a bankruptcy and is recently divorced. Recruiting two friends (Kei Yamamoto and Akira Oda) to help set it up, he develops a plan to hold a bullet train with approximately 1500 passengers to...
I’m trying to remember the title of a movie. There’s a bomber, who puts a device on public transport. If it registers a speed over… ah I forget what the exact marker was, but anyway, that arms the bomb, then if it goes below that speed…Boom! So the cops have to figure out who this guy is, and how to disarm the bomb. I think it was called “The bus that couldn’t slow down”, but it might have been a bit snappier than that.
That aside, 1975’s The Bullet Train definitely bears some striking similarities to, you know, that bus movie. Ken Takahara plays Okita, he’s 40, has lost his company in a bankruptcy and is recently divorced. Recruiting two friends (Kei Yamamoto and Akira Oda) to help set it up, he develops a plan to hold a bullet train with approximately 1500 passengers to...
- 4/27/2023
- by Sam Inglis
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Despite amassing a rather significant amount at the 1998 Hong Kong box office, reaching more than 41 million Hk$ in revenue, “The Storm Riders” was essentially a flop, since its budget was more than double that amount. This, however, did not prevent the movie from achieving cult status later on, particularly for its over-the-top action scenes and the imposing presence of Sonny Chiba.
by clicking on the image below
Based on the manhua series Fung Wan by artist Ma Wing-shing, the story begins when the evil Lord Conqueror, head of Conqueror's Clan, is given a prophecy by Mud Buddha when questioned about his delayed duel with Sword Saint. The prophecy states that if Conqueror finds two young children by the name of Wind and Cloud, he will have good fortune. Mud Buddha provides the birth charts of these two and gives him a puzzle box stating that finding Wind...
by clicking on the image below
Based on the manhua series Fung Wan by artist Ma Wing-shing, the story begins when the evil Lord Conqueror, head of Conqueror's Clan, is given a prophecy by Mud Buddha when questioned about his delayed duel with Sword Saint. The prophecy states that if Conqueror finds two young children by the name of Wind and Cloud, he will have good fortune. Mud Buddha provides the birth charts of these two and gives him a puzzle box stating that finding Wind...
- 4/16/2023
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Quentin Tarantino has said his next film will be his last. Concerned about diminishing his legacy, the popular director plans to go out with a bang. His final movie is said to be called “The Movie Critic.” If you’d like to look back at his rapid-fire dialogue, unexpected gore, and iconic characters, The Streamable is tracking where you can see all his films.
Tarantino’s filmography is notoriously difficult to stream because he rarely works for major studios. You’ll often see his movies bounce from platform to platform. Be sure to bookmark this page and we’ll update each film, no matter where it goes.
Reservoir Dogs September 2, 1992
Tarantino’s breakout directing debut features many of his calling cards audiences would come to love. A group of highly opinionated criminals, a heist gone wrong, a classic soundtrack, and unexpected bloodshed. The film was once ranked #97 in Empire Magazine...
Tarantino’s filmography is notoriously difficult to stream because he rarely works for major studios. You’ll often see his movies bounce from platform to platform. Be sure to bookmark this page and we’ll update each film, no matter where it goes.
Reservoir Dogs September 2, 1992
Tarantino’s breakout directing debut features many of his calling cards audiences would come to love. A group of highly opinionated criminals, a heist gone wrong, a classic soundtrack, and unexpected bloodshed. The film was once ranked #97 in Empire Magazine...
- 4/7/2023
- by Ben Bowman
- The Streamable
Samurai Reincarnation [Makai TENSHŌ] (Masters of Cinema) Special Edition Blu-ray is available to Pre-order now from the Eureka Store http://bit.ly/42x5ua2
In the aftermath of a failed rebellion, Amakusa Shiro (Kenji Sawada) is crucified, but returns as a vengeance-filled demon with the power to resurrect the dead. Shiro uses his power to assemble a team of undead warriors—including legendary swordsman Miyamoto Musashi (Ken Ogata)—and the only one who can stop them is the wandering samurai, Yagyu Jubei (Sonny Chiba).
A spectacular chanbara fantasy epic from Kinji Fukasaku (Battle Royale), Samurai Reincarnation makes its UK debut from a stunning 2K restoration as part of the Masters of Cinema series.
Special Edition Blu-ray Features:*
Limited Edition Slipcase (First print run of 2000 copies) featuring artwork by Takato Yamamato | 1080p presentation on Blu-ray from a 2K restoration of the original film elements | Uncompressed original Japanese mono audio | Alternate English dubbed audio...
In the aftermath of a failed rebellion, Amakusa Shiro (Kenji Sawada) is crucified, but returns as a vengeance-filled demon with the power to resurrect the dead. Shiro uses his power to assemble a team of undead warriors—including legendary swordsman Miyamoto Musashi (Ken Ogata)—and the only one who can stop them is the wandering samurai, Yagyu Jubei (Sonny Chiba).
A spectacular chanbara fantasy epic from Kinji Fukasaku (Battle Royale), Samurai Reincarnation makes its UK debut from a stunning 2K restoration as part of the Masters of Cinema series.
Special Edition Blu-ray Features:*
Limited Edition Slipcase (First print run of 2000 copies) featuring artwork by Takato Yamamato | 1080p presentation on Blu-ray from a 2K restoration of the original film elements | Uncompressed original Japanese mono audio | Alternate English dubbed audio...
- 3/31/2023
- by Don Anelli
- AsianMoviePulse
Creating the fight choreography and stunts for a "John Wick" flick is a pretty massive responsibility. The films hinge on the fierce and frenetic fight scenes: People flock to theaters to see John Wick (Keanu Reeves) fight in both hand-to-hand combat and various kinds of gun-fu with a whole host of baddies. For "John Wick: Chapter 4," the latest and greatest sequel in the franchise, stunt coordinators Stephen Dunlevy and Scott Rogers really had their work cut out for them, creating fight scenes between Reeves and martial arts legends like Donnie Yen and Hiroyuki Sonata. Look, this is a franchise that was created by a stuntman (series creator and director Chad Stahelski), so these stunts have to be immaculate.
In an upcoming exclusive interview with /Film's Vanessa Armstrong, Dunlevy and Rogers shared the stories behind bringing a brutal "ballet of violence" to life onscreen. When you're working with performers as dedicated as Reeves,...
In an upcoming exclusive interview with /Film's Vanessa Armstrong, Dunlevy and Rogers shared the stories behind bringing a brutal "ballet of violence" to life onscreen. When you're working with performers as dedicated as Reeves,...
- 3/23/2023
- by Danielle Ryan
- Slash Film
Some brotherhoods may span across lifetimes after all.
If anyone believes Shimazu Koji (Hiroyuki Sanada) and John Wick (Keanu Reeves) of "John Wick: Chapter 4" are reincarnations of their characters in 2013's "47 Ronin," Ōishi and Kai, no one would hold that against you. Even when the world of both men is less feudal-mystical and more assassins in ballistic chic and consecrated killer hotels, they again assume their prior positions as rescuer and rescuee. With Wick's fight against The High Table, our very tired protagonist is in desperate need of rest, and thankfully, the Osaka branch of The Continental Hotel are willing to oblige him. For the moment, anyway.
The presence of the seasoned actor, martial arts practitioner, and Sonny Chiba's protégé is just one of many crucial Japanese elements in Chad Stahelski's globe-hopping, stunt-filled, and clubbing-aplenty franchise. In fact, the full title of "John Wick: Chapter 4" reportedly...
If anyone believes Shimazu Koji (Hiroyuki Sanada) and John Wick (Keanu Reeves) of "John Wick: Chapter 4" are reincarnations of their characters in 2013's "47 Ronin," Ōishi and Kai, no one would hold that against you. Even when the world of both men is less feudal-mystical and more assassins in ballistic chic and consecrated killer hotels, they again assume their prior positions as rescuer and rescuee. With Wick's fight against The High Table, our very tired protagonist is in desperate need of rest, and thankfully, the Osaka branch of The Continental Hotel are willing to oblige him. For the moment, anyway.
The presence of the seasoned actor, martial arts practitioner, and Sonny Chiba's protégé is just one of many crucial Japanese elements in Chad Stahelski's globe-hopping, stunt-filled, and clubbing-aplenty franchise. In fact, the full title of "John Wick: Chapter 4" reportedly...
- 3/22/2023
- by Nguyen Le
- Slash Film
It's tempting to look at the "Kill Bill" movies as just one big film split in two, because they sort of are. Neither of them quite work on their own, and they both tell the singular story of how Beatrix (Uma Thurman) went about her quest for revenge against her former boss and lover Bill (David Carradine). The decision to split the movie wasn't solely due to the length, however: the volumes also have two distinct tones and structures.
"One of the big differences between Volume 1 and Volume 2," director Quentin Tarantino explained in a 2004 interview, "is that if you remember Sonny Chiba's little speech that he gives at the very, very end where he goes, 'Revenge is never a straight line, it's a forest. It's easy to get lost and forget where you came in.' Well, Volume 1 is the straight line."
Sure enough, Volume 1 is remarkably simple by Tarantino's standards.
"One of the big differences between Volume 1 and Volume 2," director Quentin Tarantino explained in a 2004 interview, "is that if you remember Sonny Chiba's little speech that he gives at the very, very end where he goes, 'Revenge is never a straight line, it's a forest. It's easy to get lost and forget where you came in.' Well, Volume 1 is the straight line."
Sure enough, Volume 1 is remarkably simple by Tarantino's standards.
- 2/16/2023
- by Michael Boyle
- Slash Film
This month’s installment of Deep Cuts Rising features a variety of horror movies. Some selections reflect a specific day or event in February, and others were chosen at random.
Regardless of how they came to be here, or what they’re about, these past movies can generally be considered overlooked, forgotten or unknown.
From a killer bear to a man-eating demon, here are five hidden horror gems and deep cuts that you can check out in February 2023.
Trapped (1973)
Directed by Frank De Felitta.
In this offering from ABC Movie of the Week, James Brolin plays a divorced father looking for a certain gift for his daughter. Had he not tried to thwart a mugging, though, his character might have been able to deliver the gift on time. Instead, the protagonist is rendered unconscious until he wakes up alone in the mall. Well, not completely alone because the grounds are...
Regardless of how they came to be here, or what they’re about, these past movies can generally be considered overlooked, forgotten or unknown.
From a killer bear to a man-eating demon, here are five hidden horror gems and deep cuts that you can check out in February 2023.
Trapped (1973)
Directed by Frank De Felitta.
In this offering from ABC Movie of the Week, James Brolin plays a divorced father looking for a certain gift for his daughter. Had he not tried to thwart a mugging, though, his character might have been able to deliver the gift on time. Instead, the protagonist is rendered unconscious until he wakes up alone in the mall. Well, not completely alone because the grounds are...
- 2/14/2023
- by Paul Lê
- bloody-disgusting.com
When a filmmaker writes and directs their own script, they run the risk of comparing their strengths and weaknesses. Take Zack Snyder — few would say he can wield a pen as well as he can a camera. On the flip side, there's Joss Whedon; his writing has shaped pop culture, for better or worse, but his visual craftsmanship never grew beyond 1990s network TV.
Quentin Tarantino is aware of this dichotomy and it has motivated him to push himself as an artist. In the wake of his breakout run in the 1990s, "Reservoir Dogs," "Pulp Fiction," and "Jackie Brown," Tarantino was especially praised for his dialogue. With conversations littered with pop culture ephemera, Tarantino's characters don't sound much like real people, but they certainly argue like them. Unlike many other writers famous for stylized dialogue (see the aforementioned Whedon), he gives all of his characters distinct voices too.
But Tarantino...
Quentin Tarantino is aware of this dichotomy and it has motivated him to push himself as an artist. In the wake of his breakout run in the 1990s, "Reservoir Dogs," "Pulp Fiction," and "Jackie Brown," Tarantino was especially praised for his dialogue. With conversations littered with pop culture ephemera, Tarantino's characters don't sound much like real people, but they certainly argue like them. Unlike many other writers famous for stylized dialogue (see the aforementioned Whedon), he gives all of his characters distinct voices too.
But Tarantino...
- 2/5/2023
- by Devin Meenan
- Slash Film
This article contains Fast and Furious franchise spoilers
Coinciding with its “bigger and louder” trend, The Fast and the Furious franchise significantly upped its villain game as the series progressed. Bad guys in the early entries are forgettably bland, but the latter films feature some incredible villains.
In this ranking, we’ve excluded characters who were antagonists but not true villains, heroes briefly coerced into turning heel, and garden variety henchmen. The caveat to this is the Shaw brothers, who were the villains of the sixth and seventh films but eventually allied with the heroes (we can only assume they were redeemed by the sheer power of Family). But since they were villains, they remain on the list.
14. Johnny Tran
The first The Fast and the Furious villain is also the worst one. Johnny Tran (Rick Yune) is an amalgamation of every high school bully ever put to film. He’s forgettable,...
Coinciding with its “bigger and louder” trend, The Fast and the Furious franchise significantly upped its villain game as the series progressed. Bad guys in the early entries are forgettably bland, but the latter films feature some incredible villains.
In this ranking, we’ve excluded characters who were antagonists but not true villains, heroes briefly coerced into turning heel, and garden variety henchmen. The caveat to this is the Shaw brothers, who were the villains of the sixth and seventh films but eventually allied with the heroes (we can only assume they were redeemed by the sheer power of Family). But since they were villains, they remain on the list.
14. Johnny Tran
The first The Fast and the Furious villain is also the worst one. Johnny Tran (Rick Yune) is an amalgamation of every high school bully ever put to film. He’s forgettable,...
- 1/30/2023
- by Kirsten Howard
- Den of Geek
Despite any longevity and adaptability they may have, every artist is inevitably forever associated with a particular time. In terms of movie directors, there exists an association between, for instance, Jean-Luc Godard and the 1960s, or Steven Spielberg and the 1980s, and so on.
In that way, Quentin Tarantino is inexorably tied to the 1990s, with his films "Reservoir Dogs" and "Pulp Fiction" impacting pop culture on a seismic level. As these things usually happen, this was entirely by chance and not design; one of the joys of Tarantino's work as a filmmaker is that his numerous references to other films, TV shows and music are purely based around his own likes rather than some attempt to be hip and up-to-the-minute.
That wasn't always the case, however. One of the two screenplays the struggling young writer first wrote was "True Romance," a script that featured as many character quirks...
In that way, Quentin Tarantino is inexorably tied to the 1990s, with his films "Reservoir Dogs" and "Pulp Fiction" impacting pop culture on a seismic level. As these things usually happen, this was entirely by chance and not design; one of the joys of Tarantino's work as a filmmaker is that his numerous references to other films, TV shows and music are purely based around his own likes rather than some attempt to be hip and up-to-the-minute.
That wasn't always the case, however. One of the two screenplays the struggling young writer first wrote was "True Romance," a script that featured as many character quirks...
- 12/28/2022
- by Bill Bria
- Slash Film
2021 was one of the best years in recent memory for Asian films on physical media, with a number of boutique, established and newer labels realising the market for it and trying to capitalise on it, giving us consumers and collectors plenty to spend our money on and lots of Asian cinemas to watch. And if it seemed hard to top, most labels one-upped themselves by giving us even more releases, giving fan favourites, classics as well as hidden gems on stacked blu-ray and 4K Uhd releases.
Without further ado, we list here 30 Best Asian DVD and Blu-ray releases of 2022, in no particular order.
1. Ptu (Spectrum Films)
French Spectrum has been investing heavily in the “Golden Era” of Hong Kong cinema with a number of titles, but the Johnnie To’s “Ptu” is definitely one of the releases that truly stand out. The six (!) discs of the collection are filled...
Without further ado, we list here 30 Best Asian DVD and Blu-ray releases of 2022, in no particular order.
1. Ptu (Spectrum Films)
French Spectrum has been investing heavily in the “Golden Era” of Hong Kong cinema with a number of titles, but the Johnnie To’s “Ptu” is definitely one of the releases that truly stand out. The six (!) discs of the collection are filled...
- 12/24/2022
- by AMP Group
- AsianMoviePulse
"Never meet your heroes" is one piece of advice Quentin Tarantino has never listened to. His first feature "Reservoir Dogs" starred Harvey Keitel, his "favorite actor in the world." "Jackie Brown" was a vehicle for Pam Grier, star of 1970s blaxploitation films like "Coffy" which Tarantino loves. "Kill Bill," a samurai film love letter, featured Japanese genre star Sonny Chiba as sword-smith Hattori Hanzō.
There's another collaboration between Tarantino and one of his personal acting icons, one we haven't gotten to see. Who's the icon in question? Hong Kong star Maggie Cheung, who played a character cut from "Inglourious Basterds."
The hero of said film is not one of the titular Nazi-killing squad. No, it's Shosanna Dreyfus (Melanie Laurent), a young Jewish girl in Nazi-occupied France. The sole survivor of her family's massacre, she now poses as a Gentile cinema owner named "Emmanuelle Mimieux." When "Emmanuelle" comes face-to-face with Nazi...
There's another collaboration between Tarantino and one of his personal acting icons, one we haven't gotten to see. Who's the icon in question? Hong Kong star Maggie Cheung, who played a character cut from "Inglourious Basterds."
The hero of said film is not one of the titular Nazi-killing squad. No, it's Shosanna Dreyfus (Melanie Laurent), a young Jewish girl in Nazi-occupied France. The sole survivor of her family's massacre, she now poses as a Gentile cinema owner named "Emmanuelle Mimieux." When "Emmanuelle" comes face-to-face with Nazi...
- 12/17/2022
- by Devin Meenan
- Slash Film
Produced in 1980, Kinji Fukasaku’s apocalyptic downer peers into the distant future of 1982 to imagine a virus wiping out the earth’s population. A number of civilians and military stationed in Antarctica survive—the plague can’t operate in cold temperatures. Fukasaku’s movie boasts a cast worthy of an Irwin Allen disaster movie, toplined by Sonny Chiba, Glenn Ford, and Chuck Conners. The American cut features a pessimistic finale while the Japanese version concludes on a more hopeful note.
The post Virus appeared first on Trailers From Hell.
The post Virus appeared first on Trailers From Hell.
- 12/5/2022
- by Charlie Largent
- Trailers from Hell
It's hard to believe, but there was a shockingly extended stretch of time when Quentin Tarantino was scrambling creatively.
His dry spell set in after the release of 1997's "Jackie Brown." Though his adaptation of Elmore Leonard's "Rum Punch" is now considered one of his finest efforts, the film was a commercial and critical comedown after the medium-altering sensation of "Pulp Fiction." It received one Academy Award nomination (Best Supporting Actor for Robert Forster) and faded from view.
Had the video-store wunderkind run out of tricks? Was he nothing more than the sum of his pop culture references and penchant for extreme, grindhouse violence?
The truth is that Tarantino knew what he wanted to do next. He just needed to step back, recalibrate, and prepare himself for an arduous, physically audacious shoot, unlike anything he'd attempted in the past. He needed to acquire a new skill set so he...
His dry spell set in after the release of 1997's "Jackie Brown." Though his adaptation of Elmore Leonard's "Rum Punch" is now considered one of his finest efforts, the film was a commercial and critical comedown after the medium-altering sensation of "Pulp Fiction." It received one Academy Award nomination (Best Supporting Actor for Robert Forster) and faded from view.
Had the video-store wunderkind run out of tricks? Was he nothing more than the sum of his pop culture references and penchant for extreme, grindhouse violence?
The truth is that Tarantino knew what he wanted to do next. He just needed to step back, recalibrate, and prepare himself for an arduous, physically audacious shoot, unlike anything he'd attempted in the past. He needed to acquire a new skill set so he...
- 11/3/2022
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
It seems that high profile werewolf movies are in short supply these days, doesn’t it? When you’re talking horror movies, there’s plenty of zombies to be had, vampires aren’t going anywhere, and slasher films will always come back into fashion.
But werewolves? They’re not so lucky. Maybe it’s because they seem to require a little more of a budget, and some proper special effects wizardry to make those transformations really pop. CGI werewolves just won’t cut it. And then there’s always the question of just how different you can really make any given werewolf story from the classics of yore. Marvel’s Werewolf by Night just did something really cool, but that’s a TV special and not really a feature film.
There have been a few signs of furry life recently, with fare like Wolfcop, Late Phases, and Werewolves Within starting...
But werewolves? They’re not so lucky. Maybe it’s because they seem to require a little more of a budget, and some proper special effects wizardry to make those transformations really pop. CGI werewolves just won’t cut it. And then there’s always the question of just how different you can really make any given werewolf story from the classics of yore. Marvel’s Werewolf by Night just did something really cool, but that’s a TV special and not really a feature film.
There have been a few signs of furry life recently, with fare like Wolfcop, Late Phases, and Werewolves Within starting...
- 10/18/2022
- by Mike Cecchini
- Den of Geek
Shout! Select Presents The Sonny Chiba Collection Seven Of The Legendary Martial Arts Icon’S Best Films In An Extraordinary 4-disc Blu-ray™ Set Yakuza Wolf – I Perform Murder · Yakuza Wolf 2 – Extend My Condolences · Bodyguard Kiba · Bodyguard Kiba 2 · Shogun’s Shadow · Samurai Reincarnation · Swords Of Vengeance Available To OWN On …
The post The Sonny Chiba Collection 4-Disc Blu-ray Set Hits November 15 appeared first on Horror News | Hnn.
The post The Sonny Chiba Collection 4-Disc Blu-ray Set Hits November 15 appeared first on Horror News | Hnn.
- 10/7/2022
- by Adrian Halen
- Horror News
Exploitation cinema is filled with titles that can lead to expectations of how a film will play out, only to be frequently let down due to a lack of budget or just plain chicanery from the producers. “The Korean Connection”, to give this feature its United States distribution title, sounds very bland and is a rip off from one of Bruce Lee’s features “The Chinese Connection (1972) which is better known to audiences as “Way of the Dragon”. That inevitably leads to certain expectations of Kung Fu Korean style. That doesn’t sound so bad and there is every possibility it will deliver. Now in Korea it was released as “He Who Returned with One Leg” or in the version I saw “Return of Single Legged Man”. Now this is a completely different expectation all together. A one-legged Taekwondo exponent? We’ve had one armed boxers and swordsmen but a...
- 9/6/2022
- by Ben Stykuc
- AsianMoviePulse
Best known for his successful five-part “Battle Without Honor and Humanity” or “The Yakuza Papers” film series from 1973 to 1974 directed by Kinji Fukasaku in which he played the real-life gangster Shozo Hirono, Bunta Sugawara is certainly no stranger when it comes to yakuza films. Nevertheless, inspired by Raoul Walsh’s gangster film “White Heat” (1949) starring James Cagney, Sugawara and Toei Company came up with their very own machine-gun blazing Japanese version in 1976.
During one rainy night, three gangsters wearing monster masks steal a bag of drugs worth one and a half million yen from some members of the Mutsumi Clan after gunning them down. While making their getaway, gang leader Ryuta Yabuki (Bunta Sugarwara) kills one of his masked partners because of his injury. Interestingly, the remaining member, a female driver, turns out to be his own mother, Masa (Aiko Mimasu). After hiding their loot in a sewer, the pair...
During one rainy night, three gangsters wearing monster masks steal a bag of drugs worth one and a half million yen from some members of the Mutsumi Clan after gunning them down. While making their getaway, gang leader Ryuta Yabuki (Bunta Sugarwara) kills one of his masked partners because of his injury. Interestingly, the remaining member, a female driver, turns out to be his own mother, Masa (Aiko Mimasu). After hiding their loot in a sewer, the pair...
- 8/3/2022
- by David Chew
- AsianMoviePulse
Hello, everyone! As we get ready to bid the month of June adieu, we have one last round of home media releases to look forward to before we make our way into July. In terms of recent horror, the new Firestarter adaptation is getting a Collector’s Edition release this Tuesday and Rlje Films is set to release both See For Me and Mosquito State this week as well.
As far as older titles go, Tony Scott’s True Romance is getting the 4K treatment from Arrow Video, and both Game of Survival and Hey, Stop Stabbing Me are being resurrected on Blu-ray, too. Other releases for June 28th include Where the Scary Things Are, The Devil Within and The Haunting of Pendle Hill.
Firestarter (2022): Collector’s Edition
Blumhouse reignites Firestarter with this explosive adaptation of the classic Stephen King thriller. Protected by her parents, Charlie has lived her...
As far as older titles go, Tony Scott’s True Romance is getting the 4K treatment from Arrow Video, and both Game of Survival and Hey, Stop Stabbing Me are being resurrected on Blu-ray, too. Other releases for June 28th include Where the Scary Things Are, The Devil Within and The Haunting of Pendle Hill.
Firestarter (2022): Collector’s Edition
Blumhouse reignites Firestarter with this explosive adaptation of the classic Stephen King thriller. Protected by her parents, Charlie has lived her...
- 6/27/2022
- by Heather Wixson
- DailyDead
The edgy screenplay for this flashy, rough-edged ‘lovers, drugs & guns’ saga served to jump-start Quentin Tarantino’s movie career; he’s identified it as his most autobiographical work. Tony Scott slicked up the visuals and ironed out the nonlinear narrative but it’s still a Qt epic through and through. And that cast of suspects is phenomenal: Christian Slater, Patricia Arquette, Dennis Hopper, Val Kilmer, Gary Oldman, Brad Pitt, Christopher Walken, Bronson Pinchot, Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Rapaport, Saul Rubinek, Conchata Ferrell & James Gandolfini.
True Romance 4K
4K Ultra HD
Arrow Video
1992 / Color / 2:35 widescreen / 119, 121 min. / Limited Edition / Street Date June 28, 2022 / Available from Amazon / 59.95
Starring: Christian Slater, Patricia Arquette, Dennis Hopper, Val Kilmer, Gary Oldman, Brad Pitt, Christopher Walken, Bronson Pinchot, Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Rapaport, Saul Rubinek, Conchata Ferrell, James Gandolfini.
Cinematography: Jeffrey L. Kimball
Production Designer: Benjamin Fernández
Film Editors: Michael Tronick, Christian Wagner
Original Music: Hans Zimmer...
True Romance 4K
4K Ultra HD
Arrow Video
1992 / Color / 2:35 widescreen / 119, 121 min. / Limited Edition / Street Date June 28, 2022 / Available from Amazon / 59.95
Starring: Christian Slater, Patricia Arquette, Dennis Hopper, Val Kilmer, Gary Oldman, Brad Pitt, Christopher Walken, Bronson Pinchot, Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Rapaport, Saul Rubinek, Conchata Ferrell, James Gandolfini.
Cinematography: Jeffrey L. Kimball
Production Designer: Benjamin Fernández
Film Editors: Michael Tronick, Christian Wagner
Original Music: Hans Zimmer...
- 6/14/2022
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Shinichi “Sonny” Chiba, the Japanese action movie icon and martial artist who also starred in Hollywood films like Kill Bill and The Fast and The Furious: Tokyo Drift, has died. He was 82.
Nhk, Japan’s state broadcaster, said late Thursday that he died after complications related to Covid-19.
An enduringly popular figure in Japanese cinema since the 1960s, Chiba rose to prominence for his extreme violence martial arts movies that became cult favorites in the west with devotees such as Quentin Tarantino and Keanu Reeves.
Born in Sadaho Maeda, Fukuoka prefecture in 1939, he first made his mark in TV and ...
Nhk, Japan’s state broadcaster, said late Thursday that he died after complications related to Covid-19.
An enduringly popular figure in Japanese cinema since the 1960s, Chiba rose to prominence for his extreme violence martial arts movies that became cult favorites in the west with devotees such as Quentin Tarantino and Keanu Reeves.
Born in Sadaho Maeda, Fukuoka prefecture in 1939, he first made his mark in TV and ...
- 8/20/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Sonny Chiba, the Japanese actor and martial artist known internationally for appearing in the Kill Bill films and The Fast and the Furious, died of Covid complications, his agent confirmed to Deadline. He was 82.
“He was a great friend and an awesome client. Such a humble, caring and friendly man. I will surely miss him,” said the actor’s agent Timothy Beal.
Chiba was a prolific actor in Japanese film and TV, racking up more than 125 credits for the famed Toei studios, and was also a noted stunt choreographer. In his later career, he attracted attention internationally by playing the sushi chef and retired samurai Hattori Hanzo in Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill: Volume 1 and Volume 2. Tarantino was a noted fan of Chiba; in his screenplay for True Romance, Christian Slater’s character is a fan of the actor.
After being talent spotted by the famed Toei film studio in the 1960s,...
“He was a great friend and an awesome client. Such a humble, caring and friendly man. I will surely miss him,” said the actor’s agent Timothy Beal.
Chiba was a prolific actor in Japanese film and TV, racking up more than 125 credits for the famed Toei studios, and was also a noted stunt choreographer. In his later career, he attracted attention internationally by playing the sushi chef and retired samurai Hattori Hanzo in Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill: Volume 1 and Volume 2. Tarantino was a noted fan of Chiba; in his screenplay for True Romance, Christian Slater’s character is a fan of the actor.
After being talent spotted by the famed Toei film studio in the 1960s,...
- 8/19/2021
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
Shinichi “Sonny” Chiba, the Japanese actor and martial arts legend who had roles in American films like “Kill Bill” and “The Fast and The Furious: Tokyo Drift,” died on Thursday, his agent confirmed to Variety. He was 82.
Chiba’s career in film and television spanned from the 1960s through the 2010s, and he appeared in countless Japanese titles, in addition to some popular American films. In many of his projects, he showcased his expert martial arts skills, and he went on to choreograph fight scenes later in his career.
Born Sadaho Maeda in Fukuoka, Japan, on January 22, 1939, he began learning martial arts while at the Nippon Sports Science University in 1957. He studied under karate master Masutatsu “Mas” Oyama and earned a first-degree black belt in 1965. He later played Oyama in a trilogy of films, “Champion of Death,” “Karate Bearfighter” and “Karate for Life,” in the late 1970s. In 1984, he received a fourth-degree black belt.
Chiba’s career in film and television spanned from the 1960s through the 2010s, and he appeared in countless Japanese titles, in addition to some popular American films. In many of his projects, he showcased his expert martial arts skills, and he went on to choreograph fight scenes later in his career.
Born Sadaho Maeda in Fukuoka, Japan, on January 22, 1939, he began learning martial arts while at the Nippon Sports Science University in 1957. He studied under karate master Masutatsu “Mas” Oyama and earned a first-degree black belt in 1965. He later played Oyama in a trilogy of films, “Champion of Death,” “Karate Bearfighter” and “Karate for Life,” in the late 1970s. In 1984, he received a fourth-degree black belt.
- 8/19/2021
- by Jordan Moreau
- Variety Film + TV
Sonny Chiba is an actor, singer, and martial artist from Japan who has done a fair amount of film direction and film production over the full course of his legendary career. In total, Chiba has appeared in more than 125 movies which are in addition to the various other ways in which he has been involved with the Japanese film industry, so it should come as no surprise to learn that he continues to be a figure of considerable influence in his chosen profession. Here are five things that you may or may not have known about Sonny Chiba: Was
Five Things You Didn’t Know about Sonny Chiba...
Five Things You Didn’t Know about Sonny Chiba...
- 11/30/2017
- by Nat Berman
- TVovermind.com
By Salim Garami
What's good? Apologies because I don't have much to say or talk about this week, except remark on how I'm still in a pretty pleasant mood moving out of Thanksgiving weekend and into the holiday season.
And part of what prolonged my pleasant mood was to find an admittedly 2-year-old video of movie star Keanu Reeves on promotional tour promoting John Wick in Japan discussing his admiration for martial arts film legend Sonny Chiba (of The Street Fighter or Kill Bill fame), influencing his physical choreography and style. Lo and behold, Chiba was in the studio ready to meet with Keanu and the Matrix star is suddenly starstruck to meet him and begins waxing rhapsodic over Chiba's work. Seeing such a household star in the industry be taken aback by the presence of figure that certainly isn't as well-known internationally as Reeves brought a smile to my face.
What's good? Apologies because I don't have much to say or talk about this week, except remark on how I'm still in a pretty pleasant mood moving out of Thanksgiving weekend and into the holiday season.
And part of what prolonged my pleasant mood was to find an admittedly 2-year-old video of movie star Keanu Reeves on promotional tour promoting John Wick in Japan discussing his admiration for martial arts film legend Sonny Chiba (of The Street Fighter or Kill Bill fame), influencing his physical choreography and style. Lo and behold, Chiba was in the studio ready to meet with Keanu and the Matrix star is suddenly starstruck to meet him and begins waxing rhapsodic over Chiba's work. Seeing such a household star in the industry be taken aback by the presence of figure that certainly isn't as well-known internationally as Reeves brought a smile to my face.
- 11/29/2017
- by Salim Garami
- FilmExperience
Look out! Gamma Gamma Hey! It’s the attack of screaming, arm-waving green goober monsters from a rogue planetoid, here to bring joy to the hearts of bad-movie fans everywhere. Just make sure your partner is agreeably inclined before you make it a date movie — this show has ended many a good relationship, even before the immortal words, “We’ll never make it chief, it’s coming too fast!”
The Green Slime
Blu-ray
Warner Archive Collection
1969 / Color / 2:35 widescreen / 90 min. / Gamma sango uchu daisakusen / Street Date October 3, 2017 / available through the WBshop / 21.99
Starring: Robert Horton, Luciana Paluzzi, Richard Jaeckel, Bud Widom, Robert Dunham.
Cinematography: Yoshikazu Yamasawa
Film Editor: Osamu Tanaka
Original Music: Charles Fox, Toshiaki Tsushima
Written by Bill Finger, Ivan Reiner, Tom Rowe, Charles Sinclair
Produced by Walter Manley, Ivan Reiner
Directed by Kinji Fukasaku
It’s a summer evening in 1969. Unable to get into a showing of Butch Cassidy...
The Green Slime
Blu-ray
Warner Archive Collection
1969 / Color / 2:35 widescreen / 90 min. / Gamma sango uchu daisakusen / Street Date October 3, 2017 / available through the WBshop / 21.99
Starring: Robert Horton, Luciana Paluzzi, Richard Jaeckel, Bud Widom, Robert Dunham.
Cinematography: Yoshikazu Yamasawa
Film Editor: Osamu Tanaka
Original Music: Charles Fox, Toshiaki Tsushima
Written by Bill Finger, Ivan Reiner, Tom Rowe, Charles Sinclair
Produced by Walter Manley, Ivan Reiner
Directed by Kinji Fukasaku
It’s a summer evening in 1969. Unable to get into a showing of Butch Cassidy...
- 11/4/2017
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Martial arts movies are true guilty pleasures -- one of the more overlooked and undervalued of all the film genres. I was raised on a steady diet of Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, Sonny Chiba, and Chuck Norris films. Later, I got to know Jet Li, Donnie Yen, Jean Claude-Van Damme, Steven Seagal for -- for the better or (sometimes) worse. These amazing fighters led the way for more recent talents, like Tony Jaa and Iko Uwais.
The '70s and '80s were arguably The greatest decades of martial arts movies (Enter the Dragon, Drunken Master, The Octagon, Bloodsport)... sure, you had to squint at times to get past bad acting and absurd plots, but we reveled in the pure visceral insanity of two (or more) trained fighters going toe-to-toe. Karate vs. Kung Fu, Tae Kwon Do vs. Muay Thai -- for martial arts junkies, it's incredible to watch...
The '70s and '80s were arguably The greatest decades of martial arts movies (Enter the Dragon, Drunken Master, The Octagon, Bloodsport)... sure, you had to squint at times to get past bad acting and absurd plots, but we reveled in the pure visceral insanity of two (or more) trained fighters going toe-to-toe. Karate vs. Kung Fu, Tae Kwon Do vs. Muay Thai -- for martial arts junkies, it's incredible to watch...
- 7/26/2017
- by David Kozlowski
- LRMonline.com
Stars: Hayate, Asami, Kirk Geiger, Mana Sakura, Noriaki Kamata, Katrina Leigh Waters, David Sakurai | Written and Directed by Kurando Mitsutake
Kurando Mitsutake is not a name that will spring to mind of many an action movie fan, yet he has helmed a number of films that not only push the envelope of action but of exploitation. His most famous movie, until now, was undoubtedly Gun Woman, a crazy tale of a woman turned into an assassin against her will- complete with gun parts sew Inside her body (to evade a pat down obviously). Now Mitsutake gives us his take on that most old-school of action movie themes… revenge!
When Karate master Kenji’s (Hayate) young sister (Mana Sakura) is kidnapped by a dangerous cult, and taken to the U.S. he will stop at nothing to find her. Partnered with a mysterious shot-gun toting partner, Kenji must use his mastery...
Kurando Mitsutake is not a name that will spring to mind of many an action movie fan, yet he has helmed a number of films that not only push the envelope of action but of exploitation. His most famous movie, until now, was undoubtedly Gun Woman, a crazy tale of a woman turned into an assassin against her will- complete with gun parts sew Inside her body (to evade a pat down obviously). Now Mitsutake gives us his take on that most old-school of action movie themes… revenge!
When Karate master Kenji’s (Hayate) young sister (Mana Sakura) is kidnapped by a dangerous cult, and taken to the U.S. he will stop at nothing to find her. Partnered with a mysterious shot-gun toting partner, Kenji must use his mastery...
- 7/26/2017
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
Doberman Cop Starring Sonny Chiba will be Available on Blu-ray and DVD on July 4th From Arrow Video
Released just as the popularity of yakuza movies was waning in Japan, and as the country’s film industry was undergoing some fundamental shifts, Doberman Cop is a unique entry in the career of director Kinji Fukasaku (Battles Without Honor and Humanity, Cops vs Thugs), and reunited him with star Shinichi “Sonny” Chiba (The Street Fighter, Wolf Guy) in an American-style crime movie that mixes gunplay and pulp fiction with martial arts and lowbrow comedy to create one of their most entertaining films.
Based on a popular manga by “Buronson” (creator of Fist of the North Star), Doberman Cop follows the fish-out-of-water adventures of Joji Kano (Chiba), a tough-as-nails police officer from Okinawa who arrives in Tokyo’s Kabuki-cho nightlife district to investigate the savage murder and mutilation of an island girl...
Released just as the popularity of yakuza movies was waning in Japan, and as the country’s film industry was undergoing some fundamental shifts, Doberman Cop is a unique entry in the career of director Kinji Fukasaku (Battles Without Honor and Humanity, Cops vs Thugs), and reunited him with star Shinichi “Sonny” Chiba (The Street Fighter, Wolf Guy) in an American-style crime movie that mixes gunplay and pulp fiction with martial arts and lowbrow comedy to create one of their most entertaining films.
Based on a popular manga by “Buronson” (creator of Fist of the North Star), Doberman Cop follows the fish-out-of-water adventures of Joji Kano (Chiba), a tough-as-nails police officer from Okinawa who arrives in Tokyo’s Kabuki-cho nightlife district to investigate the savage murder and mutilation of an island girl...
- 6/27/2017
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.