Asian Home Cinema

"Aftershock" Hong Kong Version DVD

2010-10-26T10:15:00.000-07:00

“Aftershock,” the long-awaited film by one of China’s more successful directors, Feng Xiaogang, grossed over RMB 100 million within three days of its release on July 22. That means it has beaten the record previously held by "The Founding of a Republic," which took three and a half days to earn RMB 100 million and went on to earn more than RMB 420 million in box office revenue in China. "Aftershock" also set a new box office record when it earned RMB 36.2 million on its first day, the most ever made by a locally made movie on opening day. “Aftershock,” with a budget of more than US$20 million, quite high by Chinese standards, is also the first Chinese-directed movie to be screened in IMAX theaters. Already the most successful film ever made in China, "Aftershock" has been chosen to compete for the nomination at the 83rd Academy Awards next February.

Based on the novel Aftershock by Zhang Ling, the film follows a family who fell victims in the Tangshan Earthquake. The father, Fang Daqiang (Zhang Guoqiang), was crushed dead while trying to rescue his children, Fang Deng and Fang Da, who were trapped in the house. Unable to save both kids, the mother, Li Yuanni (Xu Fan), is forced to sacrifice Fang Deng for her feeble younger brother Fang Da, a decision that proved agonizing for the entire family. It turns out that Fang Deng survived the quake and was adopted by a couple in the aftermath. Thirty-two years later (2008), the grown-up Fang Deng (Zhang Jingchu) would finally cross paths with Fang Da (Li Chen) in Wenchuan, Sichuan...

In a significantly distant pole with Hollywood production disaster flick like “2012”, “Aftershock” isn’t a special effects flaunt and even the earthquake sequence doesn't last for a long time (cause it doesn’t try to be China’s answer to that Emmerich’s film), but the arousing journey of the survivors set apart by a catastrophic event goes on for much longer. It might be fun to watch fictional disasters on the big screen, but watching the fictionalized effects of a real life disaster is just heartbreaking, a story that is as universal as the natural disaster itself. In this film, Feng follows a family that survives China’s most disastrous earthquake, the massive 7.8 temblor that flattened the entire city of Tangshan in the early hours of July 28, 1976. Adapted from Zhang Ling’s 2006 novel of the same title, “Aftershock” shows the raw human emotions of choices made in the heat of an emergency whose effects resonate throughout a lifetime.

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"71-Into the Fire" 2-Disc Korea Version DVD

2010-10-23T10:19:00.000-07:00

South Korean war film "71-Into the Fire" has been a great hit among critics and fans in South Korea upon it’s initial release. Commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the Korean War this year, the film had garnered much hype among the media even ahead of going into production due to its 4 A-list actors and the huge investment put to produce this high quality production (11 Billion Won). The movie is based on a true story where Kwon Sang-Woo (权相宇), Choi Seung-Hyun (a.k.a T.O.P, power rapper of Korea’s group BIG BANG) and others play 71 student soldiers who are outnumbered but fight valiantly to defend a strategic point against the advancing North Korean army led by Cha Seung-Won. Kim Seung Woo plays a middle ranking South Korean officer. "71-Into the Fire" is highly reviewed and referred to the “Saving Private Ryan” and “Letters of Iwo Jima” of the year. The movie attracted 114,131 people on its opening day, and has accumulated over 3.3 million admissions to date, making it the fastest movie this year to breach the one million mark. The film will be one of the title representing Korea to contend for Best Foreign Film in the Oscars next year.

In June 1950, a war between North and South Korea broke out, and it quickly engulfed the entire peninsula. A South Korean soldier (Kim Seung Woo) is ordered to take his troops to assist a group of young soldiers defend an area near the Nakdong River. The ragtag group of inexperienced soldiers, which includes criminal bad boy Gap Su (Kwon Sang Woo), is led by Jang Beom (T.O.P), the only one in the group with battle experience. After providing minimal training to the youth squadron, the expert soldiers go off to the Nakdong River to fight the North Koreans. However, the enemy battalion, led by General Park (Cha Seung Won), decided to take an alternate path in the direction of Jang Beom's squad.

Two-disc DVD Edition comes with audio commentary with screenwriter, director, and T.O.P., behind the scenes footage, interviews, press conference, and trailers. It also comes with four postcards.

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"The Stool Pigeon" Hong Kong Version Blu-ray

2010-10-20T10:15:00.000-07:00

Already having given us "Fire of Conscience" earlier this year, it seems that there is nothing stopping hot property of the moment Dante Lam, who had helmed hard hitting same genre movies such as "Sniper" and "Beast Stalker". Starring Nicholas Tse, Nick Cheung and Kwai Lun-mei, "The Stool Pigeon" is again another gripping action thriller from the director. Despite having much of the same cast of his previous hit film "Beast Stalker", Dante Lam said "The Stool Pigeon" is not a sequel. Dante stated that he "felt the pressure when I was working on the new movie because "The Beast Stalker" did so well and received a lot of positive feedback. I did not want the new film to live in its shadow because it is an entirely different movie, except with the same cast."

Synopsis:
Senior Inspector Don Lee (Cheung) relies heavily on the information provided by stool pigeons in his job. Barbarian is a painstakingly meticulous armed robber. Don needs an informant to infiltrate his gang so he recruits street-racer Guy (Tse). Guy provides information on Barbarian’s next job, but Don is unable to effectively act on them until the final moment. Since Barbarian has not left any evidence, Don is pressured to convince Guy to become a witness for the prosecution.
Don promises to provide Guy with a new identity in another country, but the departure is beset by accidents and Guy only barely makes it to safety. Haunted by his ruined relationships with his ex-wife and former stool pigeons, Don no longer wants to be part of a world that is one betrayal after another.

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"The Housemaid" 2-Disc Korea Version DVD

2010-10-18T10:45:00.000-07:00

THE HOUSEMAID is a sumptuous and erotic thriller set within the household of a beautiful and extremely wealthy family. The film is a remake of Kim Ki-young’s 1960 classic of the same name which was recently restored by Martin Scorsese. Invited to the Cannes and Berlin Film Festivals, the 2010 retelling of The Housemaid magnifies the lust, manipulation, and domestic power struggle of the original into a full-blown erotic psycho-thriller. While Kim Ki Young's Housemaid saw the unraveling of a middle-class family in the hands of a femme fatale maid, Im reverses and subverts the story by sending an innocent housemaid into the lion's lair and witnessing her abuse and transformation amid the cold and cavernous beauty of the palatial mansion.

Synopsis:
Award-winning actress Jeon Do Yeon stars as poor divorcee Eun Yi, who gladly signs on to work as a nanny and housemaid for a wealthy, upper-crust family. In her naive eyes, the rich and handsome Hoon (Lee Jung Jae, Typhoon), his pregnant wife Hae Ra (Seo Woo, Paju), and adorable daughter Hae Ra (Ahn Seo Hyun) make the picture-perfect family. But that myth is soon shattered when the domineering Hoon finds his way to her bed. Their torrid affair upsets the balance of the household, unleashing a cruel power struggle as Hae Ra, her mother (Park Ji Young), and the head housekeeper (Yoon Yeo Jung) all answer with their own calculated measures.

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Tetsuo - The Bullet Man DVD

2010-10-16T22:18:00.000-07:00

Tetsuo is the eponymous character from Shinya Tsukamoto's 1989 cyberpunk cult classic "Tetsuo: The Iron Man" and its 1992 sequel "Tetsuo II: The Body Hammer." For his first English-language film, the cult director returns to the character that established him on the international cinema scene. "Tetsuo: The Bullet Man" is the third entry in a series of films that established the Japanese cyberpunk genre. The project originally began as Quentin Tarantino asked Tsukamoto to do an English language version of Tetsuo for North America but Tsukamoto wasn’t so sure that Americans would really get it. Tsukamoto’s film explores Japanese anxieties relating to technology and the loss of humanity that is said to come with living in a technopolis like Tokyo.

Calm office worker Anthony, son of an American father and a Japanese mother, lives in Tokyo with his wife Yuriko and their little son Tom. Since Anthony's mother died of cancer, his scientist father has been overly fearful for their health and rigidly subjects Anthony and Tom to monthly physicals. Walking home, Tom is killed in a hit and run before Anthony's eyes. Losing their boy pushes Yuriko over the edge and triggers violent emotions in Anthony, whose body begins to transform. Little by little, his cells turn into iron. When the driver who killed Tom reappears and Anthony learns the truth about his father's past experiments on human guinea pigs and about his mother's death, Anthony mutates into a mass of metal - a human weapon fuelled by an uncontrollable rage.

The Japan DVD edition comes with a "multi-version" of the film, showing the viewers various production materials such as storyboards and production photos as the film plays. It also comes with a new version of the theme song, trailers, and more.

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"Blades of Blood" 2-Disc Korea Version DVD

2010-07-30T01:02:00.000-07:00

After the groundbreaking hits "King and The Clown", director Lee Joon Ik once again captures the Joseon era with the riveting period actioner "Blades of Blood". Based on a comic by Park Heung Yong, the film matches up two of Korea's most acclaimed and charismatic actors, Cha Seung Won (Secret) and Hwang Jung Min (A Man Who Was Superman), in a duel to the death. The DVD edition of this film includes audio commentary, pre-production, making of, character analysis, action featurette, dialogue with audience, music video, trailer, and other special features.

On the verge of the 16th-century Japanese invasion, the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910) is thrown into political and social chaos. The film throws up a lot of the laughs by featuring an irritable, and rather vapid, King Seonjo, and two opposing bicameral parties that are more concerned with gaining his favor than finding solutions: ``The Japanese are coming, please round up the army,’’ beseeches one group to the king, while the other group says nay just for the sake of disagreeing ``Are they really not coming?’’ asks one official, to which another responds, ``How should I know? Since they said the Japanese are coming, we should just say they aren’t.’’
Those dreaming of building a better world try to fight the foreign forces by forming their own political party, Daedonggye, but are forced to disband after being framed for treason.
Lee Mong-hak (Cha Seung-won), a descendent of the royal family, assumes leadership of the group and organizes a large-scale coup. Fueled by his ambition to claim the crown, he does not hesitate to ruthlessly kill friends and colleagues that get in his way.
As a sword-swinging rebellion grips the nation, Lee’s old friend, an uncanny blind swordsman named Hwang Jeong-hak (Hwang Jung-min), sets out to stop the bloody ordeal. Meanwhile, Gyeon-ja, a vengeful young man who lost his family to Lee’s coup (Baek Seong-hyeon), and Baek-ji, a beautiful ``gisaeng’’ whose heart was broken by Lee (Han Ji-hye plays the role of the concubine entertainer), join Jeong-hak to track down the notorious rebel.

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"Bandage" Japan Version Deluxe Edition DVD

2010-07-28T00:48:00.000-07:00

"Bandage" was a collaboration between writer-producer Shunji Iwai (All About Lily Chou-Chou) and director Ryhuei Kitamura (Versus), which story set in the early 90s, at a time when there was a huge boom of new rock bands flooding the Japanese indie scene. With lightness and elegance of style, creative potential of music, also full of inventive, sometimes touching, funny in others, the film has won the top of the twelfth edition of the Far East Film Festival.

Set in Japan in the 1990s, there's one rising band called LANDS, that is starting to find success amidst a flood of other bands.
Asako and Miharu are two Tokyo high school students. When Miharu gives Asako her favorite indie rock band; a LANDS CD, she becomes an overnight fan and sets her heart on the talented guitarist Yukiya.
When they go to see them in concert, they sneak their way into the backstage area and Asako gets acquainted with some of the band's members. Natsu, the vocalist, is immediately attracted to Asako and begins bringing her along to the band's practice sessions. Though Asako enjoys it, she proves to be a distraction to the other band members and is soon ejected from the session by Yukari, their manager. But Natsu is determined to keep her around, pulling strings to make Yukari and Asako to become friends, and eventually, helping Asako to become LANDS co-manager.
LANDS was formed among friends, but as the band begins to climb the ladder towards major stardom, they get in touch with the dark side of the music industry, discord surfaces, inevitable frictions emerge, and unrequited love strains their friendship, threatening to pull their bonds apart.

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"Meat Grinder" Uncut Edition DVD

2010-07-25T00:17:00.000-07:00

The ultra-violent Thai gorefest "Meat Grinder" has destined for cult status. Far from being a low budget shlockfest, the film boasts fine production values and a cast of proper actors, including actress Mai Charouenpura from “The Legend of Suriyothai” in the psychotic lead role.

MEAT GRINDER takes you to taste the bizarre horror of traditional noodle recipe cooked by Boot, a woman who owns a noodle stall, a unique noodle stall.

Boot has been living with tension and stress for all of her life, she works hard for her family as a noodle cook. Sometimes, she is controlled by a mysterious voice that suggests her to do or not to do things. One day, she encounters a chaos in town and is rescued by a guy named Attapol who later becomes her companion. That evening after the chaos, Bus surprisingly discovers a guy lying dead under her stall, she discreetly looks at him and comes up with her new recipe. Bus begins to slice his flesh, mix it with spices, and throw it into her noodle pot.

After her secret recipe is introduced, Boot gains so many customers and reputation of her delicious noodle. Meanwhile, the haunting voice still keeps talking to her, and tell her what to do. Boot tactfully starts to lure and murder people. The more she kills, the more of her dark side reveals. And when Attapol begins to suspect Boot's behavior, he stumbles on the evil of her as he is now the hunted.

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"Ip Man 2" Hong Kong Version Blu-ray & DVD

2010-06-26T23:40:00.000-07:00

“Ip Man 2” is a semi biographical martial arts film as well as the sequel to the thriving martial arts flick “Ip Man” back in 2008. Doubling the intensity, this sequel not only powered by Donnie Yen alone, but also legendary kung fu cinema great - Sammo Hung, the action director of both films which now participated too as one of Yip Man’s rival. In its theatrical run, "Ip Man 2" has become the highest grossing Chinese film so far in China this year at slightly over 200m yuan. The success of first “Ip Man” film, and now its sequel, is are down to the special style of kung fu it displays - Wing Chun, a technique made famous by Bruce Lee. Hong Kong megastar Donnie Yen once again showing his awesome talent as the historical figure Yip Man aka Ip Man, a Grandmaster of the marvelous kung fu style. Directed by Wilson Yip, the sequel, which is more martial arts oriented, sees Yen against with Sammo Hung in some of the most exciting martial arts sequences in the recent years. Now you can collect the blockbuster film cause it's available on the friendly home video formats.

Continuing from where the first film left off, Wing Chun master Ip Man and his family move to Hong Kong in the early 1950s after their escape from the Japanese. There, Ip Man plans to teach "Wing Chun" on the roof of a building owned by newspaper editor Kan Leung (Pierre Ngo). A young boxer by the name of Leung Wong (Xiaoming Huang) and his friends asks Ip Man to become their master and thus, Ip Man gained his first pupils in Hong Kong.
Ip Man's pupil Leung Wong is then kidnapped by bully Wai-Kei Cheng (Yu-Hang To). Ip rushes to a fish market to save Leung Wong and there he meets the bully's master Chun-nam Hung (Sammo Hung). Master Chun-nam Hung informs Ip Man that if he wishes to teach wushu in Hong Kong he must accept challenges from masters of all wushu types within the time of burning a joss stick.
Ip Man realized that he must fight these other masters and so took on the challenge. The last challenger to Ip Man was Master Chun-nam Hung. The two masters fought to a stand still by the time the joss stick finished burning. Master Hung admiring the skills of Ip Man and was now allowed open his own wushu institute.
Master Chun-nam Hung was involved in a King of Boxing Competition and invited Ip Man to the show. Ip Man brought his pupils to the King of Boxing Competition. At the King of Boxing Competition a ruthless foreign man named Twister (Darren Shahlavi) insults Master Chun-nam Hung and challenges him to a fight. Master Chun-nam Hung is beaten to death in the match. Ip Man unable to restrain himself anymore, steps onto the stage and fights the King of Boxing ...

Blu-ray and 2-disc DVD Editions come with:
● Making Of
● Cast and Crew Interviews
● Deleted Scenes
● Featurette on Four Major Scenes
● Shooting Diary
● Gala Premiere
● Photo Gallery
● Trailers

PURCHASE Ip Man 2 Blu-ray | DVD - Standard Edition / Special Edition from YESASIA.

"True Legend" Hong Kong Version DVD

2010-04-21T06:45:00.000-07:00

"True Legend" is regarded by critics as one of the most stunning flicks Yuen Woo-Ping has ever directed. Many of its scenes were shot in breathtakingly dangerous places, like the Hukou Waterfall at the Yellow River in North China's Shanxi Province. This latest film from the famous martial arts choreographer and director is about 19th-century hero Su Qi-Er whose stories were passed down as folk tales. He was originally a wealthy kung-fu amateur in the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), but after losing his fortune because of a conspiracy against him, he devoted himself to martial arts and eventually became a renowned master. One of the most memorable characters in martial arts film history, having been played by Simon Yuen Siu-Tin (Woo-Ping’s father) in DRUNKEN MASTER (1978) and in a comedic light, Stephen Chow in KING OF BEGGARS (1992). In this martial arts epic that sees Woo-Ping return to the director's chair he has vacated for 14 years, has mainland action star Vincent Zhao (Once Upon a Time in China series) as the legendary figure Beggar Su. Now you can check for yourself how rich are the martial arts scenes in this film by purchasing the special DVD edition via YESASIA.

Synopsis:
"True Legend" is the extraordinary journey of a man - a martial arts hero - whose greatest dream is to create a unique school of martial arts for the world to follow.

All his life, Su Can has been pursuing the summit in martial arts. There are two things he holds dearest to his heart – the dream of creating a unique kind of martial arts that will pass on to generations; and his beloved wife. Su has a happy family and his wife is the joy of his life. But owing to a turn of fate and his own stubbornness, Su falls helplessly into a quagmire and his family is destroyed.

After losing his wife, Su cannot live with himself and collapses totally. He is drunk all the time and becomes a crazy beggar in everyone’s eyes. Everyday, his young son ties him with a piece of rope and leads him through the streets, greeted by people’s curious and disdainful gazes.

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"Bangkok Traffic Love Story" Thailand Version DVD

2010-04-18T06:08:00.000-07:00

"Bangkok Traffic Love Story" (Rot Fai Faa Mah Ha Na Ter/I Ride the Skytrain to See You) by director Adisorn Tresirikasem (My Girl) and starred Kane Teeradeth, Cris Horwang, and Pat Ungsumalin (Hormones), surprisingly turned into the highest-grossing Thai film of 2009, surpassing the anticipated horror sequel "Phobia 2". The glossy blockbuster tugs all the right heartstrings for a photogenic and crowd-pleasing romantic comedy that plays out on the Bangkok Transit System skytrain. DVD version for the film now available at YESASIA but it still a Thailand version with no English Sub.

Synopsis: In 2009, traffic problems continue to be a major issue for Bangkok residence. Even with the construction of numerous roads, bridges, and tollways, all the roadways are still congested and cannot sufficiently meet the residence’s need. Bangkok’s roadway is like a hot guy with great personality; there’s so little of them and never enough to satisfy everyone’s needs.
Mey-Li (Cris) is a 30 year old woman who has one bad habit of getting drunk at her friend’s weddings. All because weddings seem to remind her of her single, man-less, lonely life. One day, as she is returning from sending her best friend off to her wedding night, she drove into a porridge stand in a night market, resulting in her dad selling off her car as a punishment.
With no man to pick her up and drop her off, Li has to venture into the Bangkok’s horrendous transportation system all alone. Each day, she must get on a motorcycle, taxi, bus, van, boat, etc. Her exhaustion from her method of travel is messing with her sleeping pattern.
One night, Li wakes up in the middle of the night and went up to the roof to drink beer alone. As luck would have it, she witnessed the taping of a pornographic movie, which became a big scandal that led her to meet Loong (Kane), a maintenance engineer of the BTS electric train system.
Meeting this strange innocent man without being drunk stirs something within Lee for the first time in all of her 30 years. Her head is filled with questions like, “What is a guy cool and good looking man like him hiding in a night job working with electric trains?”
Li feels as if Loong is a treasure that she stumbled upon. She felt like she won the lottery. If she does not do something and follow her heart, she might be the last living single woman in all of Bangkok.
Li decides to do something that every girl has thought about but never dares to do. Pursue a man!!
But pursuing a man is not so easy for someone with no experience in the art like Lee. Their schedules are so different that they may as well live in two different planets. On top of that, Pluen (Pat), the girl next door, decides to lose her love interest in her teacher and becomes Li’s competition.
No matter what obstacle she has to face, Li decides to never give up. This very last (electric) train ticket of love, Li will never ever let it slip away from her!
(From darathai.duayjai.net)

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"14 Blades" Blu-ray Hong Kong Version

2010-03-26T23:48:00.000-07:00

“14 Blades” is a mix of martial arts and espionage flick which Chinese title “Jinyiwei” means “The Brocaded Robe Guards” was a nickname to the Ming emperors' own version of the CIA. The organization was set up in the late 14th century by Ming dynasty founder Zhu Yuanzhang (Emperor Hongwu), first as his own personal guards numbering in the hundreds, and later gaining many more other responsibilities (including intelligence, of course), reaching their apex in the 16th century with a total force around the low six figures. “14 Blades” is the latest from Hong Kong director Daniel Lee, who made the brainless “Dragon Squad” and the much improved “Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon”. The film starred the most sought after Kung Fu star in Chinese cinema today, Donnie Yen, and also features a mix of new and veteran performers. Veteran genre actors who make appearances include Chen Kuan-tai, one of Shaw Brothers’ top kung fu stars of the 1970s who starred in cult Kung Fu classic “Flying Guillotine which are very similar in plot to this film, Wu Ma (The Dead and The Deadly), Sammo Hung (Martial Law, Resurrection of the Dragon), mainland wushu champion Xu Xiang-dong (“Wing Chun” TV series), Chen Zhi-hua (Ip Man), and Damian Lau (Duel to the Death). However, all of the young stars featured are idols rather than dedicated martial artists. Wu Chun is a member of Taiwanese boy band Fahrenheit and has starred in several TV series. Qi Yuwu is a former Star Search China winner from Singapore. As the leading lady is mainland actress Vicki Zhao Wei who made appearances in John Woo’s “Red Cliff” as well as “Mulan”, Chinese live version for the country’s legendary epic tale.

Set in the final years of China's Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644), the Imperial Guards are raised and trained to be ruthless killing machines since childhood, to execute whatever questionable orders from the Imperial Court or Emperor without questions, and Green Dragon (Yen), being the most highly skilled of them all, is no exception. Each of them possesses a chest containing 14 blades, and the Imperial Guards would use different weapons under different situations, with 8 being used for all forms of tortures, and another 5 for killings, and the last one for hara kiri. And they are also experts at psychological warfare, negotiating or weakening the enemies' minds in order to accomplish their missions. But deep within his heart, there's still an iota of conscience left in Green Dragon, who begins to question its motives and runs away from the organization while being hunted down, when he discovers a big conspiracy as an evil eunuch gains control of the Imperial Court and Imperial Guards. While on the run, Green Dragon becomes acquainted with Qiao Hua (Zhao), daughter of the chief of an Armed Escort Agency. Initially, like all Imperial Guards do, he's merely making use of her. However, he gradually falls for her while she finds out that she's being made use of.

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"Phobia 2" English Subtitled DVD

2010-01-07T07:45:00.000-08:00

Like watching episodes of The Twilight Zone, there are lots of different flavors packaged within “Phobia 2”. So that there is certainly something for everyone’s tastes and vulnerabilities to enjoy. Each bite-sized tale is a surprise and leaves you with a sick feeling in your gut when it’s over. Extends the four shorts in "4bia" (2008) with five fresh phobic ideas, "Phobia 2" is once again enjoyed a massive success when it was released at Asian cinemas last year. Had a record first-day opening of 15 million baht, this sequel absolutely shattered Thailand's box-office records once again. Now, the film is available in home cinema packages for your collection. YesAsia got it and they offered a nice Hong Kong version DVD with friendly English subtitle. So you should grab it and just enjoy this one of the best horrors of 2009 that will deliver the good scares right into your home.

By sequence, the stories are "Novice", "Ward", "Backpackers", “Salvage” and "In The End". Each runs about almost half an hour and you will find that they go straight to the point, without much hesitation and the unnecessary chitchat in between.

Novice – For fourteen year old Pey, the idea of ‘karma’ is completely irrelevant. Pey has committed a crime so his mom decides that he must get ordained to become a Buddhist novice to escape. Under the guise of a monk, Pey remains unnoticed as a criminal. However, something deep down inside is bothering him. Will Pey’s Karma catch up with him? As he searches for the answer, the grip of fear tightens as he realizes that ‘Karma’ has no friend or foe when deciding a man’s fate or fortune.
This is the segment by “Body #19” director Paween Purijitpunya and it stars young “Gao” Jirayu Laoonmanee as a novice monk who's on a scary solo pilgrimage. Combined the urban legend, Buddhist teachings and old school horror, “Novice” also has this great use of special effects especially in the last scene. “4bia” returnee director Purijitpanya already known for his visualization and CG characters, and the result here is effective also conceivably could be his best work yet.

Ward – Arthit, a playful teenager crashes his bike and break both legs. At the hospital, he is moved from the ER room to a shared room. In the room, there is an old man in a coma who has been waiting for almost a month for his family to decide to pull the plug on his oxygen. What happens that night will make Arthit realize that being alone is always better than being around bad company.
Starring singer “Dan” Worawech Danuwong, this is a segment by another newcomer to the franchise, Visute Poolvoralaks, a veteran producer who's making his directorial debut. This shortest of all the short segments goes pretty standard and lack of details. But while the story may seem pedestrian with an outcome that you can expect, it still provides some shocking moments.

Backpackers – Upon graduation, a young Japanese couple decides to travel around Thailand by backpacking. After failed attempts to hitchhike from Samui Island to Bangkok, the boyfriend waves a 1,000 Baht note in hopes to entice passing cars to pick them up. Finally, a truck driver pulls over and picks them. What is hiding inside that big trailer? Is there something deeper and darker that lurks behind the kind smiling face of the truck driver who lets them hop in? The answers to these questions will cause an adrenaline rush like no other.
Stars Charlie Trairat in what is possibly his darkest turn ever in a story involving "a road trip gone bad, human trafficking, and murder", this segment is also a pretty dark turn for the director -- Songyos Sugmakanan, who's new to the Phobia franchise. But he's done horror before, directing Charlie in "Dorm".

Salvage – Nuch is a car dealer. She makes her living by rebuilding severely damaged cars. But little do unsuspecting bargain hunters know, beneath the new upholstery and shiny repainted exteriors are cars with horrific pasts. One night after closing the car garage, she discovers her son is missing. Reviewing the security camera tapes, Nuch sees her son climb inside a car that she recently brought but nowhere on tape has him climbing out! “Cemetery Garage” where you drive off with more than you bargained for.
Directed by Parkpoom Wongpoom, half of the Shutter/Alone pair, it stars singer-actress Nicole Theriault (One Night Husband) in a story about a mysterious used car. Sometimes in Thai culture there is a stigma about buying second-hand cars or old houses, because of the spirits that might be involved.

In the End – Ter, Puak, Shin and Aey are the movie crew of an upcoming horror movie. They are shooting their last scene. On the last night, Puak is trying to be cool and tells one of the cast members that, “the show must go on”. So when that actress actually dies during filming, she makes sure to come back from the dead to finish her role. The four movie crews must shoot the movie that has a real ghost playing the role of a ghost in the end!
Stars Marsha Wattanapanich (Alone) who playing a caricature of herself, as a diva singer-actress on a film set where strange things start to happen. The segment is directed by Banjong Pisanthanakun, the other half of the Shutter/Alone duo. Again benefits tremendously from Banjong Pisanthanakun’s clever blend of humor and suspense like his previous “In the Middle” short in “4bia,” the plot of this last segment will make you laughing from start to finish. But there is also enough spooky haunting going on to give you the chills and thrills you would expect from this growing master of horror.

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"Possessed" 2-Disc Korea Version DVD

2009-12-16T07:19:00.000-08:00

While it's written and directed by first-time director Lee Yong Joo who previously assisted Bong Joon Ho's "Memories of Murder", but "Possessed" perhaps is one of the best horror films to come out of Korea in recent years. The film also has won "Best Original Screenplay" in the 30th Blue Dragon Film Awards currently. Although not entirely free from influences of the popular genre staples but it was strikingly original in its design and conception, and shrewdly restrained in its manipulation of the generic elements as well as audience expectations. Korean Starlet Nam Sang-Mi takes the lead, and even though her previous films roles seems to have mainly been action flicks and rom-coms, this film marks her returns to the horror genre since "The Ghost" five years ago. "Possessed" is now up for pre-order on DVD, just get it soon as one of the better addition for your Asian horror collection.

Synopsis: Hee-jin (Sang-mi Nam), a college student currently studying in Seoul, receives news that her 14-year-old sister So-jin (Eun-Kyeong Shim) has disappeared. Hee-jin then quickly returns home to look for her missing sister. Meanwhile, her mother prays obsessively for her daughter to return and asks Hee-jin to do so. Veteran detective Tae-hwan (Seung-yong Ryoo) becomes involved in the case, but at first doesn't take things as seriously, believing So-jin is a runaway. Then another person, Jeong-mi (Ji-eun Oh), falls down from a roof and discovers So-jin's note. The apartment's security guard Kwi-kap (Chang-jik Lee) and apartment resident Kyeong-ja (Hee-kyeong Moon) reveal that So-jin was possessed by a ghost. The detective and Hee-jin become confused with these news facts. Shortly later, Jeong-mi is found dead and Det. Tae-hwon learns that Jeong-mi attended the same church as the missing girl's mother. The security guard Kwi-kap is then found dead. Meanwhile the mother continues to pray silently, while Hee-jin sees dead people in her dreams ...

The Korean edition DVD of "Possessed" comes with audio commentary, making of, art and lighting featurette, sound design featurette, and trailer.
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"Five Senses of Eros" 2-Disc Korea Version DVD

2009-11-28T04:33:00.000-08:00

"Five Senses of Eros" DVD is about 5 different episodes of different peoples revealing the different senses of Eros. Each story of this omnibus flick not only depicting unique aspects of sensuality and sexuality, but also featuring a host of high-profile actors who provided moviegoers with a more colorful audiovisual experience. Five very different shorts written and directed by Hur Jin Ho (Happiness), Daniel Byun (The Scarlet Letter), Min Kyu Dong (Antique), Yu Young Sik (Anarchist), and Oh Ki Hwan (The Art of Seduction). Covering comedy, melodrama, fantasy, and teen drama, the omnibus boasts a who's who's lineup of top and rising stars, including Jang Hyuk (Volcano High), Cha Hyun Jung (Lovers of Six Years), Kim Kang Woo (Le Grand Chef, Rainbow Eyes), Cha Soo Yeon (Beautiful), Kim Min Sun (Portrait of a Beauty), Bae Jong Ok (Herb), Kim Su Ro (Our School E.T), Hwang Jung Ming (Private Eye), Uhm Jung Hwa (Insadong Scandal), Kim Hyo Jin (Mr. Wacky), Kim Dong Wook (Antique), Shin Se Kyung (Cinderella), and Jung Eui Chul (Do-Re-Mi-Pa-Sol-Ra-Si-Do).

Synopsis:
In this anthology film centered around the theme of "Eros," five seperate stories are presented by five top Korean directors. The main characters from each segment are connected with each other in one way or another.

His Concern:
A man is attracted by the women sitting across from him on a train ride to Busan. He then gets off the train after her, even though its not his stop. He is then able to get her phone number. A few days later the man plans to meet the woman for the second time.

I'm Here:
Hye-rim Ahn (planyed by Su-yeon Cha) awaits for her husband, while hiding, to give him a surprise. Hyeon-woo Kang (played by Kang-woo Kim) always worries about his wife being left alone. Hye-rim worries about Hyeon-woo because he will be left alone soon.

33rd Man:
On the set of a movie, fresh new actress Mi-jin Kim (played by Min-sun Kim) and her charismatic senior actress Hwa-ran Park (played by Chong-ok Bae) are having difficulties because of their stubborn & demanding director Jan-woon Bong (played by Su-ro Kim). In the end, the senior actress Hwa-ran transforms Mi-jin into a sexy vixen to seduce the director.

In my End is my Beginning:
Jeong-ha Lee (played by Jeong-hwa Eom) learns that her husband Jae-in Min (Jeong-min Hwang) has just died in a car accident while on a road trip. She then discovers that her husband was having an affair with her old high school friend Na-ru Kang (played by Hyo-jin Kim). After the car accident Na-ru comes to Jeong-ha and asks to live with her under the promise of her unconditional devotion.

Believe in the Moment:
Three couples (Ji-woon Han & Yun-jeong Lee, Sang-min Seo & Se-eun Jeong, Jae-hyeok Yu & Su-jeong Shin) are all high school students & close friends. None of the couples have strong convictions about their relationship. They then decide to exchange partners for 24 hours.

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"Thirst" US Version DVD

2009-11-14T07:57:00.000-08:00

Park Chan-wook has been so popular with his Vengeance trilogy which begins with “Sympathy For Mr. Vengeance” (2002), the film about the class conflict in his country and it divided the Korean public because of its extreme style, but became a cult classic at home and abroad, and a favorite on the international film festival circuit. Next from the director is a masterpiece opus “Oldboy” (2003), which won the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival and soon will be re-imagined by Hollywood filmmakers. After his last feature, the quirky romance “I'm a Cyborg But That's OK” which was not particularly well received, Park is tackling the vampire project which he has been talking about for years. “Thirst” (a.k.a. Bakjwi or Evil Live) is the title of the film that also written by Park himself. Universal Pictures and Focus Features have been invested and co-produced the film that was shot in Korea and Australia. In addition, Focus now distribute the film worldwide in its home entertainment version. After the film made good impact in its theatrical releases and some International film festivals including Cannes Film Festival, it's time to experience "Thirst" in your own home.

Plot: We are introduced to Sang-hyun (Song Kang-ho), a priest whose free time is spent volunteering at the local hospital and providing ministry to the patients. He is well respected for his unwavering faith and the dedicated service he provides to all those around him, but he secretly suffers from overwhelming feelings of doubt and sadness about living in a world that seems to be drowning in suffering and death. After getting fed up with the endless cycle of human suffering that the world offers, Sang-hyun volunteers to participate in an experiment to find a vaccine for the deadly F.I.V. virus with the hope of saving even one life, and heads off to Africa. Although the experiment fails disastrously and Sang-hyun is infected with a seemingly fatal disease, he makes a complete and rapid recovery. News of his marvelous recovery is quickly spread to the devout parishioners of Sang-hyun’s congregation, and they begin to believe that the man has a miraculous gift for healing. Soon, thousands more people flock to Sang-hyun’s services. Among the new churchgoers are Kang-woo (Ha-kyun Shin), Sang-hyun’s childhood friend, and his family. Later on, Kang-woo invites his old friend to join the weekly mahjong night at his house, and there Sang-hyun finds himself precariously drawn to Kang-woo’s wife (Kim Ok-bin), Tae-ju. Suddenly Sang-hyun relapses into his illness; he coughs up blood and passes away. The next day however, he opens his eyes in dire need of shelter from the sweltering sunlight; he has become a vampire. At first Sang-hyun feels a newfound vigor and is energized by his insistent bodily desires, but soon he is aghast to find himself sucking down blood from a comatose patient in the hospital. After attempting to kill himself, he finds that he is drawn back to the taste of human blood against his will. To make matters worse, the symptoms of F.I.V. have come roaring back. Desperately trying to avoid committing a murder, he resorts to stealing blood transfusion packs from the hospital. Tae-ju, now living with her ill husband and her over-protective mother-in-law, leads a dreary and unhappy life. She finds herself drawn to Sang-hyun and his odd new physicality, and his inability to resist his desires. The two begin an affair, but when Tae-ju first discovers the truth about Sang-hyun’s new lifestyle, she retreats in fear. When Sang-hyun pleads with her to run away with him she turns him down, suggesting that they kill her husband instead.

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"Chaw" 2-Disc Korea Version DVD

2009-10-29T08:06:00.000-07:00

Another creature film from South Korea entitled “Chaw,” is an action adventure/thriller about a small village being terrorized by a man-eating, mutant boar. The Korean title "Chaw" apparently has multiple meanings. It is a variant of the English word ‘chew’ and is defined as ‘to bite and grind with the teeth; to masticate’ while in the Korean dialect of Gyeonggi and Chungcheong provinces it also refers to ‘a trap’. The film is helmed by Shin Jung-won, director of "To Catch a Virgin Ghost," a horror-comedy hybrid that was moderately successful at the Korean box office. According to an interview with one Korean weekly movie magazine, Shin said that after his first feature he has received many comedy scripts, but none of which were funny enough to him. So he began writing “Chaw” to make ‘a funny movie’ by himself. The interview indicates that Shin’s definition of the word ‘funny’ is not what it traditionally means, and claims that his imagination is very twisted. He also said that he began making films after admitting that he enjoyed crashing clichés. Somehow, Idea for “Chaw” was came from a survey which shows that it was the boar that sat on the top of the food chain and periodically appeared all over the country leaving serious damages to farms and sometimes even attacked people in Korea. But strangely people took boars as one of the pig sorts as livestock not knowing their nature or having met them in real. Comes from this unexpected dual image, it has been developed to be a cannibal creature in the movie. In the end, this tall tale of horror and adventure proves to be a fine addition to the local stock of computer graphics-ridden monster flicks ― offering a believable, rather than realistic, experience that persuades the viewer with more than just flesh-gnawing gore. Now, you can also check the "Chaw" monster via your home entertainment set as YESASIA will release it on 2-Disc Special Edition DVD.

Mysterious, gruesome deaths plague Sammae-ri, a peaceful little village in the Jirisan National Park of South Korea, which boasting no criminal cases for 10 years. Some parts of dead body ripped off cruelly are discovered by ecologists who stayed in the mountain for studying wild animals. Among the victims is the granddaughter of Cheon Il-man (Jang Hang-seon), a native of Sammae-ri and a professional hunter. Police cannot find any clues and there is no progress in the investigation. Then Kim (Eom Tae-woong), a recently relegated police officer from Seoul who is now partnered with lead detective Shin (Pak Hyeok-kwon), finds out that the killer is none other than a wild boar. The news attracts many hunters from all over the Korean peninsula, but the situation quickly goes from bad to worse, causing counterattacks from the wild boar. In this chaos, Kim’s mother (who suffers from dementia) goes missing. Kim forms a team with Shin, Cheon, a hunter named Baek (Yoon Je-moon) and zoo-ecology researcher Soo-ryeon (Jeong Yu-mi) to track the wild boar’s hoofmarks and face the deadly beast on its home turf.

At a budget of 5 million US, “Chaw” actually requires a team of visual effects artist to create a fully CG generated giant boar, and like another CGI heavy South Korean film “Haeundae,” special effects of “Chaw” has been provided by The U.S.' Polygon Entertainment. Hans Uhlig, Polygon’s founder and CEO gave his own statement, “Although we were able to use a practical, full-scale model of the creature for some of the effects shots, the majority of these shots required computer-generated imagery. We assembled our own team of highly skilled and experienced artists who created a fully CG creature, and their work is truly amazing. Be prepared to see some really incredible and frightening visual effects!” Though set in Korea, this film is actually was shot in a forest outside San Francisco, just like a report that Uhlig, who also served as 2nd Unit Director, added in “Chaw” press release, “As the majority of the film takes place in a rural setting, we were able to shoot most of the principal photography right here in northern California.” One of the many reasons for filming in the U.S. is that it was much easier to get permission for shooting in the woods than would be the case in South Korea. And the San Fransisco area commands a striking view and looks similar to many counterpart locations in Korea.
Rising star Uhm Tae-woong (Birth of a Family, Forever the Moment) leads the cast in the battle against the carnivorous pigs with the help of Jang Hang-seon (Seven Days), Yoon Je-moon (The Show Must Go On), Jeong Yu-mi (Family Ties) and Park Hyeok-gwon (A Good Day For an Affair).

This 2-Disc Edition comes with the following special features:
# Audio Commentary by Director and Cast
# Attack of the Killer Boar
# Five Member Pursuit
# Horror vs. Comedy
# Deleted Scenes with Director's Commentary
# Premiere
# Poster Shoot
# Trailer

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A Blood Pledge 2-Disc Korea Version DVD

2009-10-10T05:29:00.000-07:00

The 2009 horror suspense "A Blood Pledge" is the fifth film in one of the most popular franchises in South Korean film industry which is “Whispering Corridors” a.k.a. “Yeogo Goedam” that literally means "Girls High School Ghost Story.” In a traditional Asian horror genre, the series takes the supernatural tale as its basis and locates the narrative within a contemporary girl’s high school. The first film smoothly combined the ancient horror genre and the more modern anxieties of Korean high school which struck a powerful chord in its young audience. It instantly became a box-office success and turn into a new franchise in the industry. Another great thing about the franchise is the many fresh young actresses who would make their debuts in the industry. During its 10-year run, the franchise has introduced many up-and-coming actresses, including Kim Ok-bin, who made her name known through her role in the fourth installment "Voice" and is now at the Cannes film festival for Park Chan-wook's vampire flick "Thirst." Now, in "A Blood Pledge", we also met with the five young and beautiful actresses who have so far appeared briefly on TV and in movies. Like the previous actresses who rose to stardom after appearing in "Whispering Corridors", these aspiring actresses have all it takes to gain recognition. At this instant, you can also watch their goods in the home cinema version of the film which you can purchase at YESASIA.

Takes place, of course, once again at an all-girls school, the story of "A Blood Pledge" began with strange rumors that start to spread at the catholic girls’ high school after a student Unjoo, committed suicide one night. Unjoo’s younger sister Jung-un who attends the same school gets suspicious about Unjoo’s death. After persistent investigation, Jung-un finds out that on the night of the incident, Soy, Eugene, Eun-young, Unjoo, the four of them had tried to
commit a joint suicide after making a vow on blood. But the three are still alive, and only Unjoo had died. The desire, jealousy, and lies behind the pledge of death between the four girls are revealed, along with the hidden truth behind Unjoo’s suicide.

This 2-Disc Limited Edition comes with audio commentary, making of, deleted scenes, promotion footage, soundtrack, music video, trailers, and other special features.

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Mother 2-Disc Special Korea Edition DVD

2009-10-04T06:52:00.000-07:00

Bong Joon-ho's previous films are two solid box office hits, "Memories of Murder” (2003) and "The Host" (2006). And this year he's back with another acclaimed film called "Mother". Moved from monster film, the director is return to crime drama thriller, but the lead character is not a detective instead a devoted and determined mom. It’s also absolutely differing from most thrillers which usually boasts a lineup of younger male actors, Korean veteran actress Kim Hye-Ja plays the role of a distressed mother, when her son is accused of a horrible murder in their neighborhood, her maternal instinct forces her to conduct her own investigation, one that will uncover dangerous secrets as she unravels the mysterious truth.
The 128-minute film, in Korean with English subtitles, received a standing ovation after premiering at this year's Cannes International Film Festival in May and also garnered attention at the Toronto International Film Festival. Through its South Korean theatrical run "Mother" sold a total of 3 million tickets (grossing 19.9 billion ₩) & staying in the top ten for 6 consecutive weeks. It also was chosen as Korea's submission to compete for the Best Foreign Language Film in the 82nd Academy Awards in 2010. The other candidates were "A Frozen Flower," "Thirst," "Breathless," "Old Partner," and "Lifting King Kong." Now, if you want to own the DVD version of this film, it will be available at YesAsia from November 5, 2009. So, let's pre-order now!

“Mother” tells a story about a mother who widowed for a long time and now lives alone with her only son. Her son is a 28 years old, shy and quiet young man, who’s also socially awkward, lacking the ability to deal gracefully with other people, always rubbing them the wrong way and getting into trouble around town.
One day there is a terrible murder, and the woman’s hopeless, helpless son become the prime suspect. There is no real evidence against him, but he is an outcast and the police groundlessly suspect him almost instantly. He is a convenient scapegoat, but the trouble is that there is no way he can easily prove his innocence, either.
Eager to close the case, the police are happy with their cursory investigation and they make their arrest. His defense attorney turns out to be incompetent and unreliable and a conviction seems inevitable. So, faced with no other choice, his mother gets involved, determined to prove her son’s innocence.
She knows that the real murderer is still out there, somewhere, hiding and watching while her son gets punished for a crime he didn’t commit, and so she vows to track him down. Racing into the darkness of the strange countryside her obsessive love for her only son burns in her breast, like an all-consuming flame, driving her into the darkness on her mad, futile quest, dragging up and cracking open the darkest secrets of her small town, one by one.

The 2-Disc Special Edition of "Mother" comes with audio commentary, making of, deleted scenes, interview with the cinematographer, location stills, trailers, and other special features. (PURCHASE "MOTHER" DVD AT YESASIA)

More "Memories of Murder” than "The Host", "Mother" finds Bong returning to the small-town whodunit, but where the earlier film dealt with a community grappling with the unthinkable, this one operates on a more intimate scale. Kim's maternal instinct to protect her son, intensified by his child-like deficiencies, takes Mother to increasingly nervy places, as she takes it upon herself to exonerate the boy. Like Noel, I think the film could be a bit tighter, but the third act pays off big time, with a pile-up of revelations that suggest both the breadth and the limits of her devotion. And Bong becomes a more confident stylist with each successive effort: He knows how to draw out suspense-some sequences here are almost Hitchcockian in their elegance-and he's not afraid to cut the somber proceedings with quick hits of slapstick and black comedy. South Korean films are known for their tonal schizophrenia, but Bong has more control than most; the mix of comedy, drama, and suspense in his work is not jarring, but responsive to the complexity of human life. It's a supreme compliment to say that at the end of Mother, you appreciate the many sides of the eponymous character while still finding her mysterious. (review by Scott - www.avclub.com)

Secret Couple 2-Discs Korea Version DVD

2009-09-21T07:18:00.000-07:00

Also known with the title "My Girlfriend is an Agent," this film billed as the South Korean "Mr & Mrs. Smith." Directed by Sin Tae-ra who previously bring us thriller "The Black House" and starred top stars Kim Ha-neul and Kang Ji-hwan, "Secret Couple" is a box office success. Following suit behind "Speedy Scandal", which drew over 8 million viewers, "Couple" has also struck a chord with viewers with its simple-hearted humor. This film is also the first action for melodramatic queen Kim Ha-neul who very well known after appeared in the popular comedy "My Tutor Friend" alongside Kwon Sang-woo. Meanwhile, Kang Ji-hwan has ample experience with action scenes after his fight scenes with So Ji-sub in "Rough Cut". Now, "Secret Couple" will be available in its home entertainment version with the release of 2-Discs First Press Limited Edition Korea Version DVD.

Synopsis: A Russian organized crime group is set out to steal an advanced chemical weapon from Korea and two secret agents are out to stop them. One is a veteran secret agent named AHN Soo-ji who is a master of all forms of martial arts and envied by her comrades. Another is a rookie named LEE Jae-joon who’s never been out on the field and always goofs up on the job. The two agents don’t know each other’s secret identity. All that they know is that they hate each other. As a couple that is... Soo-ji and Jae-joon were once a passionate couple until Jae-joon couldn’t take her lies anymore. But all Soo-ji was trying to do was hide her secret identity. Nonetheless, the two went on their separate ways and by coincidence bump into each other years later while out on the job. As the two work out their screwy relationship, they go behind each other’s backs to fulfill their mission to save the world.

The DVD comes with a bonus disc of special features:
# The Story
# Making Documentary
# Set on Fire
# Deleted Scenes
# CG Making
# Action Demo
# Promotion Data

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"Overheard" Hong Kong Version DVD

2009-09-13T08:07:00.000-07:00

With a star-studded cast and crew, the Hong Kong film "Overheard" has became one of the biggest Chinese blockbusters of 2009. "Overheard" shares the same cast and crew of the critical and popular film "Infernal Affairs." But in this one, there are no fights or bullets. The plot is concentrated on the challenge of gathering intelligence. The story unfolds through the performances of the A-list actors and actresses. Written and directed by Alan Mak and Felix Chong (the writers behind the "Infernal Affairs" trilogy), it's the first time for Lau Ching Wan, Louis Koo and Daniel Wu to appeared in the same film and all three play the bad guys. Daniel Wu marries a rich woman but is continuously looked down on by his father-in-law. Louis Koo gives an impressive performance in the role of a father who has cancer and four children to raise. And Lau Ching Wan plays the head of an information office who is consistently let down by life. Famous mainland actress Zhang Jingchu plays the wife of Lau in role that rarely shows up in a film led by men. The film was released theatrically in Hong Kong on 30 July 2009 and now it expected to release on DVD version on this September 30, 2009.

Plot: A major stock exchange in the world, Hong Kong attracts not only money but any who try to manipulate the market. At the Hong Kong Police Force Commercial Crime Bureau, an operation is underway to infiltrate a trading company, Feng Hua International where a man, nicknamed “Boss” is the chief suspect.
The team, led by Inspector Leung (Lau Ching Wan) together with Yeung (Louis Koo) and Lam (Daniel Wu) install interception devices to monitor the company’s communications. When a crucial information on a surging share was intercepted, a moment of greed led the team in a cross fire between the Bureau and the boss.

With producer Derek Yee acting as advisor, "Overheard" is easily the most morally ambiguous Hong Kong movie to get the thumbs up from the Mainland censors in recent memory. (The big lesson here? Don’t play hero if you’re busy breaking the law in the meantime.) As its three leads all contribute nuanced yet non-flashy performances, the film manages to morph its first half’s spontaneous humour and its final act’s abruptly efficient killings into a consistently engrossing whole. Unlike its famed predecessor, Overheard isn’t going to stand a chance in the pointing-a-gun-at-each-other-without-shooting contest; and it’s all the better for it.

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The Battle of the Warriors U.S. DVD

2009-07-25T21:13:00.000-07:00

It has announced that Dragon Dynasty will be releasing Jacob’s Cheung’s 2006 period war epic "A Battle Of Wits" on DVD September 8th under the name "Battle Of The Warriors." The film is a Hong Kong historical action drama film based upon a Japanese historical novel of the same name which was in turn inspired by Warring States history in China. The epic starring Andy Lau (Infernal Affairs, House Of Flying Daggers, Warlords), Fan Bingbing (Forbidden Kingdom, Shinjuku Incident), Ahn Sung-ki (The Divine Weapon), Wang Zhiwen, Nicky Wu, and newcomer Choi Siwon. Also based on the sensational Japanese manga series called "Bokko," "Battle of the Warriors" features a gritty, realistic style, with an incredible level of historical detail that highlights each of its unparalleled, ferocious battles.

Plot: The film is set in the Warring States Period of China. The state of Zhao invades the (fictional) city-state of Liang. Ge Li (Andy Lau), a Mohist, comes to Liang to help protect the city. He warns of the dangers of surrendering to an invading Zhao army that intends to conquer Liang. The king of Liang (Wang Zhiwen) worries about Ge Li inciting war amongst the public, but decides to allow him to temporarily aid in defending Liang.

Ge Li's creates a bulwark and various traps to slow down the invading army. The Prince (Choi Siwon) and Generals of Liang question his leadership and skills as a tactician, but time after time, his tactics proved successful. The Prince of Liang eventually develops a high level of respect for Ge Li's wisdom and experience. After Ge Li successfully defends the kingdom from superior numbers, he becomes highly revered by the local populace.

Feeling threatened by Ge Li's popularity, the king of Liang plots to have him be deposed of rank and executed on false charges. Ge Li returns from a scouting mission and is charged with starting a war under false pretenses. The Prince of Liang fakes a fight against Ge Li so that he can use himself as a hostage to help free Ge Li. The improved arrows that Ge Li used to help defend Liang were then ironically used against him. The Prince of Liang is killed in the incident. Ge Li's sympathizers are falsely accused of being part of a rebellion against Liang, and they are tortured and executed.

The King of Liang foolishly believes the Zhao army has already left, but the Zhao army raids the city in a surprise attack. Ge Li returns with a surviving group of the Liang army to restore power to the people of Liang. After the conflict, Ge Li leaves with some orphans of Liang to promote peace among kingdoms. The King of Liang would be killed five years later, and eventually the Qin army would unite China and became the Qin Dynasty.

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The Missing First Press Korea Edition DVD

2009-07-19T02:46:00.000-07:00

Last year, South Korea released a suspense thriller that became the year's surprise hit, "The Chaser." The film was not only popular at the box office but also critically acclaimed, won seven awards at the Korean Film Awards 2008, and had concluded agreements with Hollywood's major studio, Warner Bros. for a remake copyright. The idea to the thriller film is actually inspired by a true story of serial killing, a topic that’s quite common in Korean films recently like in "Our Town," "Seven Days", "Rainbow Eyes", "Black House", etc), and then it was made into a film noir with a serious message, but is entertaining despite being ridden with social criticism from beginning to end. How about this year, is there any South Korean thriller which can equal “The Chaser” which came as a pleasant surprise and garnered almost unanimous praise due to the movie's heart-pumping pace and air-tight storytelling? The expectation is come from “Missing” aka “Sil Jong” (literal translation “Disappeared”), and like the previous title it’s also based on a true story. The film is based on a media shocker about a 70 year old South Korean fisherman who killed four women between August & September, 2007 in Bosung, South Jeolla Province, South Korea. Getting fictionalized for the movie, in basic, the storyline of this big screen adaptation is that a girl comes to a small countryside town in a coincidence and meets a 60-year-old man at a restaurant. She is kidnapped and bondage in fear and horror. Now, "The Missing" is become available on home video shelf with its First Press Edition Korean Version DVD, you can purchase it via YesAsia.

Plot: Hyeon-jeong's sister is missing and she fears for the worst. Via her sister's cellphone, Hyeon-jeong learns that her sister stayed in a countryside vaillage. She goes to the village to find her sister and stops at the local police station for help. Because of the little evidence she has, the police refuse to offer help. Hyeong-jeong then finds a witness who thinks she saw her missing sister near the home of an elderly man Pan-kon. When Hyeong-jeong eventually arrives at the elderly man's home, her worst nightmares are to begin.

“The Missing” is helmed by Sung-Hong Kim, the man behind the hard gore thriller “Say Yes” (2001) which bares some similar plot points with 1986's “The Hitcher” but is not a re-make. The film was more of a revision of Robert Harmon's classic film and more reminiscent of the old HK thrillers with exploitational violence and disturbing twist and turn. Other than that, the director has long history of making thrillers, his works also including the nerve-wracking “Black Hole” (1997) and “Deep Scratch” (1994), as well as the comic/horror “The Opening” (1999). After several years, now he’s back with “The Missing.” Mainstay of 90s Korean cinema, actor Moon Seong-geun (Road to the Racetrack, Green Fish), grabs top billing actor in this film. Also appearing are Chu Ja-hyeon (Portrait of Beauty, Bloody Tie) and Jeon Se-hong (Temptation of Eve).

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More Than Blue 2-Disc Korea Version DVD

2009-07-13T07:18:00.000-07:00

As its title suggests, “More Than Blue” (a.k.a. A Story Sadder Than Sadness) is a film about heartbreaking, unrequited love. The main actor is kwon Sang-woo from the tearjerker TV soap "Stairway to Heaven", who returns to the romance genre after foraying comic or tough guy parts, such as in "Fate". The project also garnered interest for marking poet Won Tae-yeon's directorial debut. Also starring in the drama are Lee Bum Soo (Death Bell), and Lee Bo Young (Once Upon a Time in Seoul). Though featuring typical elements of the South Korean melodrama, "Blue" does not attempt to squeeze out tears from viewers. Rather, the director crafts a film that is poetically sparse, and also witty and hilarious as much as it is heartbreaking. “More Than Blue” is already available in a 2-Disc Korea Version DVD which you can purchase at YesAsia.

Plot: Having both lost their families at a young age, radio producer K (Kwon Sang Woo) and lyricist Cream (Lee Bo Young) complete each other's lives in ways that only they can understand. Sharing a home, they watch over each other like family, and give each other weird nicknames. K has silently loved Cream for many years, playing the supportive friend as she flits from one boyfriend to another. They know everything about each other, except for one thing: K has been diagnosed with terminal cancer and has less than 200 days to live. Worried that Cream will be alone after he leaves, K's final wish is that she can find a good husband. And it looks like they've found the right man in kind-hearted dentist Joo Hwan (Lee Bum Soo), who is already engaged but falls for Cream at first sight.As expected of a movie by a poet, it teems with imagery of time hanging still in the air and things are left simple. Even though the film's Korean title "A Story Sadder Than Sadness" is perhaps an overstatement, it allows the viewer to peruse not so much the abstract meaning of love but what it means to be in love and to care for someone.

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Shinjuku Incident Uncut Version DVD

2009-06-27T07:47:00.000-07:00

Directed by Derek Yee (Protege), the crime drama "Shinjuku Incident" marks a new turn in Jackie Chan's career as he begins to move away from the action and comedy-oriented fare that has largely defined his film career since his first notable break starring as a Bruce Lee clone in director Lo Wei's "New Fist of Fury" (1976). This film apparently features very little of Chan's trademark screen action and instead focuses largely on a dramatic story. The film also sports so many quality actors including Naoto Takenaka who is a three-time Japanese Academy Award winner. Then it has mainland Chinese talents Xu Jinglei (The Warlords) and Fan Bingbing (The Forbidden Kingdom), great character actors like Lam Suet (Exiled) and Paul Chun (Fist of Legend), and action veterans Chin Kar-lok, Ken Lo and Yasuaki Kurata (So Close). "Shinjuku Incident" was released in early April 2009 in many countries in Asia to favorable reviews eventhough it was banned in China for its unflattering portrayal of illegal Chinese immigrants and for its sexual themes and violence. Now, Chan's controversial and violent crime thriller will arrives on English friendly DVD and Blu-ray, and you can find the original uncut version DVD and Blu-ray via YesAsia.com.

The story of the film set in the early 1990s, a tractor mechanic from China nicknamed Steelhead, portrayed by Jackie Chan, enters Japan illegally in search of his girlfriend Xiu Xiu (Xu Jinglei). Steelhead and his friend, Jie (Daniel Wu) meet in the busy Shinjuku district of Tokyo and take manual labor jobs to earn money. When Steelhead finds out that Xiu Xiu has married a Japanese yakuza leader named Mr. Eguchi (Masaya Kato), he decides to remain in Japan. When Eguchi was targeted to be murdered, Steelhead saves his life. To consolidate power, Eguchi formes an alliance with Steelhead to carry out his revenge. Soon, Steelhead has become embroiled so deeply in the ways of the yakuza that there is no turning back..

DVD Specs:
Release Date: 2009-07-09
Language: Cantonese, Mandarin
Subtitles: English, Traditional Chinese
Country of Origin: Hong Kong
Picture Format: NTSC
Region Code: 3 - South East Asia (including Hong Kong, S. Korea and Taiwan)
Rating: III
Duration: 120 (mins)
Publisher: Joy Sales (HK)

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"Coming Soon" English Sub Hong Kong Version DVD

2009-06-14T03:45:00.000-07:00

“Coming Soon” is another Thai horror that has something to do with a haunted cinema, which quite similar with Thai horror flick, “The Screen”. Came along with the tagline, “The horror that you just saw is about to happen to you in real life!" the production company GTH surely put a big hope that this film will make a good deal on Halloween season, as they released the film on the cinema at 30th of October last year. Perhaps the biggest player in the country's horror genre currently, this studio also recently got their success with the anthology project “Phobia” that apparently quite good both in viewers and critics reception. For that film, they’ve already split the directing duo from “Shutter” and “Alone” triumph up for solo shot segments. And now, in "Coming Soon", it’s time for the co-writer of those two projects, Sophon Sakdaphisit to have his directorial promotion and utilize for more to capitalize on those films’ successes.
“Coming Soon” apparently deal with this concept: "What kind of scenes in a horror film scares you the most? When a ghost appears totally unexpectedly? When the main character does not see the ghost sneaking up behind him? When at the very end you find out that the main character was actually a ghost all along? But none of this compares to the feeling of arriving home alone and suddenly being stuck by a feeling of deja vu that you are reenacting the very same scenes in the horror movie you just saw! This movie had promised to scare the audiences from the second they step inside the movie theater. It will get you wondering if Something or Someone might be waiting for you to let your guard down. The horror movie that you just saw is about to happen to you in real life! Coming Soon."
The film has now up to pre-order at YesAsia, "Coming Soon" English subtitled Hong Kong version DVD set for release on this June 19th.

Plot & Review (from ThaiFilmJournal): "Coming Soon" is a movie about a movie. Set mostly in a Bangkok multiplex cinema, it's also a reminder of how unsettling those big places can be late at night, especially when you're directed to make your exit out the back staircase into a carpark where there is no escape from the exhaust fumes.

And as I watched the movie, I couldn't help but wonder what the employees of the theater were thinking when they were unfurling the huge banners and setting up the lobby standees for Coming Soon. The posters for the movie are in the movie, as are the realistically creepy standees of a woman hanging in a noose.

The movie within the movie is Vengeful Spirit (Winyarn Arkhad), about an insane old woman who kidnaps children and gouges their eyes out. A little girl's father leads villagers on a rescue mission, but he is too late. The villagers, enraged, lynch the woman.

Offscreen, in the cinema, we learn that the story is based on actual events. At the test screening, the director is sitting in the corridor, pensively chain smoking, wondering if he should re-edit the hanging scene.

The projectionist Shane, meanwhile, has been tasked by his boss Yod to swap out the reels and keep them for later, when they plan to videotape the movie and sell pirated copies of it before its release. Shane, it seems, has a gambling problem, and he needs money. He's not much of a hero. He used to be on drugs, and beat his ex-girlfriend Som (Worakan Rojanawat) -- a theater usher -- and pawned her watch. Somehow though, "Ter" Chantavit Dhanasevi plays a sympathetic character.

During the videotaping, Yod disappears. Shane finds the camera, and what he sees in the captured footage is darned peculiar and downright chilling. He keeps seeing things in the shadows. He tells Som he thinks the old woman from the movie might be a real ghost and she's haunting him. From there, Som forgives her abusive ex-boyfriend and pitches in with her computer skills to Google up more about the old woman and the hanging.

There aren't really many big scares -- they are mostly anti-climactic jumps of the don't-open-that-closet nature. The scraping of the high strings in the orchestral score work overtime, and it gets to be stomach churning.

But I loved Coming Soon for how it transcends the worlds of the cinema and the screen, both in the movie and in our world. I'm not sure it will work the same when it comes out on DVD. There's just something pretty special and weird about sitting in a big multiplex cinema, munching on popcorn, and watching people on the big screen do the same.

Coming Soon even goes behind the scenes of the movie within the movie, in a remarkable bit of self-reflection by first-time director Sophon Sakdaphisit. Could it be the co-writer of the GMM Tai Hub horror hits Shutter and Alone is having misgivings about his line of work? Hope not. Because audiences are depending on him.

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Scandal Makers First Press Limited Edition DVD

2009-06-05T09:47:00.000-07:00

No industry insiders or analysts would have predicted the comedian Cha Tae-hyeon’s latest film "Scandal Makers" would hit pay-dirt at the box office. Not only became the surprise hit in Korea last year, but through shrewd marketing and word of mouth from advanced screenings targeting specific demographics, the film has amassed a very impressive attendance figure. With a production budget of a modest $1.8 million, the comedy has collected over eight million admissions during its amazing run from December 2008 to spring 2009 to become one of Korea's biggest hits of all time. "Scandal Makers" also become Cha Tae-hyeon’s second biggest blockbuster after his widely popular “My Sassy Girl” several years ago. The film has categorized as a definitely must watch when it was released on cinemas, now "Scandal Makers" will make its way to the home entertainment shelf which absolutely turn it into a must have item. The 3-Disc First Press Limited Edition of "Scandal Makers," which will be release on June 10 this summer comes with the Soundtrack CD and lot of special features.

In this film, Cha Tae-hyeon stars as Hyun-Su, a former TV actor turned popular radio personality. Hyun-Su's ratings rise when he counsels a single mother over the airwaves to seek out her long-lost father and show up on his doorstep with her young son. Despite his advice, Hyun-Su pities the unsuspecting grandfather because he's an avowed player and happy with the single life. Too bad that he's actually the unsuspecting grandfather; single mother Jung-Nam (Park Bo-Young) is his daughter from his ninth grade affair with an older woman, and Jung-Nam was pretty young herself when she conceived her son Ki-Dong (Hwang Seok-hyeon ). Together, the combined age of the three generations barely cracks 60. Planned Parenthood would have a fit.Scandals can spell doom for popular personalities, and with his star currently on the rise, Hyun-Su would like to avoid bad publicity. However, Jung-Nam forces her way into his home and life, demanding shelter in exchange for her silence. Meanwhile, she pursues her dream of becoming a singer, and coincidentally Hyun-Su's radio show is hosting a singing competition. Jung-Nam soon shows up at Hyun-Su's studio to audition, while Hyun-Su fumes in the background and little Ki-Dong heads off to school. Hyun-Su lightens up a bit when he develops a crush on Ki-Dong's babelicious teacher (Hwangwoo Seulhae) and recruits young Ki-Dong to be his assistant matchmaker. Predictably, bonds develop between the three, but conflict isn't far off, either. Besides the omnipresent threat of scandal, there's the simple trial of adjustment. Can Hyun-Su finally give up his swinging bachelor ways for a three-generation household?

Beside Cha Tae-hyeon, the acting skills of bright 6 year-old boy Hwang Seok-hyeon also greatly praised. His bold acting surpassing many adult actors has already brought attention to him and the f ilm as soon as it was released! It's so hard to believe that this film is his first! The 6 year old actor has been picked out of 1000 competitors in the audition and has been trained for the scenario. His outer appearance best matched the character of the movie and of course, his great acting for such a young person has definitely put him to the spotlight. His adultlike ways in playing Korean card games, being perceptive, being rejected by his romance attempts in Kindergarten, and other funny faces have given much laughter and applaud from the viewers.

The 3-Disc First Press Limited Edition comes with the Soundtrack CD and the following special features:
• Audio Commentary
• Making Of
• Off the Record (with Commentary)
• Chee~! (Hwang Ki Dong Special Video)
• Their Own Scandal
• Interview with Music Director
• Poster Shoot
• Trailer
• Easter Egg

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Demon Warriors Region 1 English Sub DVD

2009-05-22T23:03:00.000-07:00

"Demon Warriors" a.k.a "Opapatika" when it was released at theaters across Thailand two years ago, is supernatural action thriller that based on Thailand myth. Magnolia Home Entertainment via Amazon will finally release the Region 1 DVD for the film with of course the friendly English subtitle on this August 4, 2009. Written and directed by Thanakorn Pongsuwan, the story shares a similarity with Thanakorn's enigmatic 2003 drama, "Fake", in that all the characters are drawn to a mysterious and ethereal. The story also channels the likes of "Night Watch", "Blade" and "Underworld", especially with the themes of immortality and a secret parallel world of supernatural beings. However, the high-concept story of "Demon Warrior" is quite compelling, plus a strong ensemble cast of young and veteran leading men makes it watchable.

Plot:
A man learns a powerful lesson about the price of immortality in this thriller from Thailand. The Opapatikas are a special breed of people who have died only to be resurrected and given special powers; they are invincible in combat, cannot be killed, and gain unique super-human skills.
According to Buddhist belief the evolution of birth can be divided into three forms:
* Sangsethaca: To be born amongst rot and decay, as a worm or maggot.
* Anthaca: To be born from an egg, in the various forms of birds.
* Chalaphucha: To be conceived in the womb as a human or other mammal.
Then there is a fourth form, Opapatika, which goes against Buddhist beliefs because it involves suicide: a class of supernatural beings who are born out of suicide. However, the powers that they gain also have a negative effect.

Thuwachit (Pongpat Wachirabanjong), the loyal mortal henchman for the elderly Sadok (Nirut Sirichanya), is an Opapatika who is quickly decaying and needs to feast on the flesh of other Opapatikas in order to sustain himself. Sadok sends him out to capture others. The four Opapatikas remain in Sadok's hunt are Paisol (Chakrit Yaemnam), a ruthless assassin who must bear all the scars and wounds of his victims, Jiras (Somchai Khemklad), an immortal Opapatika, and the most powerful of them all who considers his immortality a curse, Aruth (Ray MacDonald), an invincible fighter by night, but weak in the daylight, and Ramil (Athip Nana), an adrenaline-fueled daredevil who can project a monstrous, ghostly creature to do his bidding.

There is also Detective Techit (Putthipong Sriwat), a police investigator who has learned the secrets of the Opapatikas, and wants to join their underground fraternity; he approaches Opapatika master Mr. Sadok (Nirut Sirichanya) in hopes of turning this dream into reality. Sadok allows Techit to become a Opapatika after the detective takes his own life, but as Techit gains the ability to see into the future, he begins to gradually lose his mortal senses as he does ritual battle with others. Techit is teamed up with Thuwachit, who leads a vast paramilitary army against the four Opapatika. The four immortals are also mysteriously drawn to a woman, Pran (Khemupsorn Sirisukha).

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K-20: Legend of the Mask Deluxe Edition DVD

2009-05-16T07:25:00.000-07:00

"K-20: Legend of the mask" is considered a Japanese superhero movie although K-20 is not a superhero, he is more of Japanese robin hood but only more evil. The 2 billion yen movie has the realistic special effects that you rarely see in Japanese movies and its action scenes are breath-taking especially the acrobatic stunts and famous Takeshi Kaneshiro with good music.

Produced by Nippon Television Network (NTV), Robot Communications, and Toho, and stars Asian superstar Takeshi Kaneshiro (SWEET RAIN, RED CLIFF, RED CLIFF 2) as a circus acrobat who is framed by a mysterious Batman/Shadow-like villain. Toho is opening K-20 in theaters across Japan at December last year. Now, the film is already available in home entertainment packages. But still in Japan version, in YesAsia, I've found The Normal Edition DVD, The Deluxe Edition and also the Japan version Blu-ray.

The central figure in this thrilling story, Heikichi Endo, based on the novel by Soh Kitamura. Taking on the role is Takeshi Kaneshiro, an internationally recognized actor consistently cast in the biggest films produced in Asia. Playing heroine Duchess Yoko Hashiba is Takako Matsu, one of Japan’s most sophisticated and respected actresses. In the role of the cool antagonist is Toru Nakamura, an actor who commands audience attention. They are surrounded by a sterling cast of consummate performers, including Jun Kunimura, Reiko Takashima, Kanata Hongo, Yuki Imai, Toru Masuoka and Takeshi Kaga. "K-20: Legend of the mask" directed by the acclaimed writer-director Shimako Sato of who previous works include the UK/Japan co-production "TALE OF A VAMPIRE" (1992) which won the Avoriaz Prize at the Tokyo International Fantastic Film Festival.

The story set in the fictional Japanese capital of Teito, in 1949. World War II has been avoided. The system of “nobility” established in the Meiji Era (mid-late 19th century) continues, creating an extreme divide between the upper and lower classes. 90% of the country’s wealth is controlled by the upper members of society.
Teito has been gripped by the emergence of a phantom thief who steals priceless objects from the rich. He is known as “The Fiend (Kaijin) With Twenty Faces” or simply “K-20″.
There is Heikichi Endo, a circus acrobat who is deceived by K-20 and set up to take the fall for the phantom thief. Using his incredible physical dexterity, Heikichi wages war against K-20 to prove his innocence. He fights alongside K-20’s next wealthy target, Duchess Yoko Hashiba, and her husband-to-be, brilliant detective Kogoro Akechi. But what is the ultimate decision Heikichi has to make?
And so, Heikichi’s breathless pursuit begins, unfolding into an epic battle. Will falsely charged Heikichi finally be able to clear his name? You’re in for the most unpredictable shock at the end of the movie!

ORDER THE FILM AT YESASIA IN THE AVAILABLE VERSIONS BELOW:
- "K-20: Legend of the Mask (DVD) (Deluxe Edition) (Japan Version)"
- "K-20: Legend of the Mask (Blu-ray) (Japan Version)"
- "K-20: Legend of the Mask (DVD) (Normal Edition) (Japan Version)"

A Frozen Flower 2-Disc Uncut Director's Edition DVD

2009-05-03T01:55:00.000-07:00

Although they said it was based on a true story from Goryeo Dynasty Korea (918-1392), viewers should bear in mind that the story is purely fictional. "A Frozen Flower" the film which directed by Yoo Ha (A Dirty Carnival, Once Upon A Time In High School) has also taken its title from a song of that era which described the sexual relationships between men and women. But in a resemblance to Ang Lee’s acclaimed drama, “Brokeback Mountain,” this film is a melodrama that following a secreted homosexual love, which take place between King of Goryeo and his bodyguard. As Yoo Ha explained that the film was "a love story between men," the director wanted to make a change from his previous works by doing a historical film with this fifth feature film of his career, he said, "I always felt uncomfortable with the genre but I felt I should try to overcome those feelings. It is also a new challenge for me to focus on a melodrama". Previously, director Yoo Ha has been widely acclaimed by moviegoers and critics alike for bringing out violence and collectivity from deep within the human soul, as well as for his provocative view on conventional ideas.

When the movie was released on 30th Dec, 2008 in South Korea, it was sold 310,000 tickets in just one day and easily topped the box office chart. "A Frozen Flower" also took in over 1 million admissions in its first four days, setting an all time record for an adult-rated film. It seems Erotic movies, often with scenes of nudity, are now hugely popular in Korea. Ignited by "Lust, Caution", which drew 3 million viewers in 2007, the fervor continued throughout last year with "Portrait of a Beauty" attracting 2.5 million and this "A Frozen Flower" with 4 million viewers. For you who haven't seen how erotic is the film, now it available at YESASIA DVD shelf in its special 2 disc uncut directors edition package.

Synopsis: In the end of Goryeo era politically manipulated by the Yuan Dynasty, the ambitious King of the Goryeo Dynasty organizes Kunryongwe. Hong Lim, the commander of Kunryongwe, captivates the King of Goryeo, and the Queen keeps her eyes on the relationship between Hong Lim and the King with a reluctant view. Meanwhile, the bilateral relation between Goryeo and the Yuan gets worse as Yuan demands to install the cousin of the King in the Crown Prince of Goryeo with ascribing it to no son the King has. The King refuses it resolutely, so the high-ranking officials of Goryeo, who are in submission to Yuan, are discontented with the king. One day, the King gives Hong Lim a covert yet unobjectionable order to sleep with the Queen instead of himself to protect the independence of Goryeo from the Yuan by making a son, the successor to Goryeo throne.

Although sexuality and nudity are no longer a hush-hush issue in this traditionally Confucian country, the South Korean movie "Ssanghwajeom (A Frozen Flower)" made headlines long before it was released here on Dec. 30 for its blunt depictions of homo- and bi-sexuality. The sex scenes in this historical drama, the fifth film by South Korea's only poet-turned-director Yoo Ha, certainly live up to their reputation. But these scenes are not simply meant to titillate. They are critical in showing how the boy in the palace slowly turns into a man and fights to come to terms with his sexual identity. And growing up is far harsher and more brutal for him, as it is the queen to whom he is inexorably drawn.
"The essence is still all there," the soft-spoken director said in a recent interview with a local movie magazine. "But this movie was a new and a frightening challenge for me because I was to talk about two very difficult things: historical drama and sexuality." The two factors that agonized Yoo so much appear to be mere tools used to complete the director's long-struggling persona. Unlike the two male characters in Yoo's past works, Hong Lim musters up "enough guts" to put up a real fight with the king, who was the creator of his first world, a benevolent father and a protective lover all in one.

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"Ponyo on the Cliff" English Sub Japan Version DVD

2009-04-17T23:52:00.000-07:00

Hayao Miyazaki, a prominent filmmaker of many popular Japan animated feature films, is back with his new animation hits, "Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea" (Gake no Ue no Ponyo). It is Miyazaki's ninth film for Ghibli. The plot centers on a baby fish/mermaid in the sea named Ponyo who becomes a human girl. In pursuing her goal, she befriends a five-year-old human boy, Sōsuke. The film was released by Toho on July 19, 2008, in theatres across Japan on 481 screens—a record for a domestic film. The film's distributor Toho announced that, by 3pm, the first day box office earnings had already reached 83% of the opening day figure for "Spirited Away," which went on to gross a record-breaking ¥30.4 billion (US$284 million). In final result, "Ponyo" grossed ¥10 billion ($91 million) in its first month of release, and surpassed ten million viewers in its first 41 days, compared to 31 days for "Spirited Away," 44 days for "Howl's Moving Castle," and 66 days for "Princess Mononoke." Now, the animation film is ready for all home cinema collectors, the Japan version DVD with English sub is available for purchase at YESASIA.

Plot: Five year-old Sosuke lives high on a cliff overlooking the Inland Sea. One morning, while playing on the rocky beach below his house, he discovers a goldfish named Ponyo, her head stuck fast in a jam jar. Sosuke rescues her and keeps her in a green plastic pail.
Ponyo is fascinated by Sosuke. Sosuke feels the same about Ponyo. He tells her, Dont worry, Ill protect you and take care of you. But Ponyos father Fujimoto once human, now a sorcerer who lives deep under the sea forces her to return with him to the ocean depths.
I want to be human! Ponyo declares, and determined to become a little girl and make her way back to Sosuke, Ponyo escapes. But before she does, she empties the Water of Life, Fujimotos precious store of magical elixir, into the ocean.
The sea waters rise. Ponyos sisters are transformed into enormous fish-shaped tidal waves that climb as high as Sosukes house on the cliff. The chaos of the ocean world envelops Sosukes little town and it sinks beneath the waves.
A little girl and a little boy. Love and responsibility. The sea and life itself. In an age of nervous anxiety and uncertainty, "PONYO ON THE CLIFF BY THE SEA" is Hayao Miyazakis unreserved depiction of the story of a mother and her child.

The Japan Times gave the film four out of five stars, and praised the film's simple thematic elements and its visual scheme, and compared the film to Miyazaki's classic animation "My Neighbor Totoro."
Critics at the Venice International Film Festival generally had high praise. Wendy Ide on Times Online said Ponyo "is as chaotic and exuberant as a story told by a hyperactive toddler," and gave it 4 stars out of 5.
The movie was also rated #2 on Dentsu's list of "2008 Hit Products in Japan", after the Wii console.

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ALSO AVAILABLE:
- Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea (DVD) (Special Edition) (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version)

- Ponyo was produced like this - Hayao Miyazaki's Thinking Process (Making) (Blu-ray) (Japan Version)

Ong Bak 2 Hong Kong Version DVD

2009-03-26T06:41:00.000-07:00

After topped the local box office last December, fifteenth century Thai martial arts action film "Ong Bak 2" from actor-director Tony Jaa, now is ready to entertain you once again with its wider range of martial arts and perilous stunts in DVD version. “Ong Bak” is the film that launched Jaa glamorous career, where he’d demonstrated the amazing Thai-boxing with all of the stunning moves and acrobatics, and there’s all performed very naturally, there are no wires, no CGI, just perfectly skilled performers executing intentionally ferocious, graphic moves. Now, the Muay Thai fighter is back to the arena with the successor, “Ong Bak 2,” which actually not a direct sequel to the hugely popular first film. But in “Ong Bak 2,” Jaa was not only served as the leading actor here but also as the director for the first time of his career. "Ong-Bak 2" is the gigantic project features Tony Jaa as the captain who has developed his own screenplay, it also has become the most expensive Thai film ever made with the total budget 300 million baht, which is about three times what the studio Sahamongkol Film International wanted to spend.

In the film, Ting is a boy who aspires to grow up to be like his father, Lord Sihadecho (Santisuk Promsiri), a gallant and loyal warrior. The treacherous and power-craving Lord Rajasena (Saranyoo Wongkrajang) plots to seize total control of the country. He sends out vicious assassins do murder Lord Sihadecho's family and his loyal soldiers. The only survivor from this massacre is Ting, who manages to escape with deep vengeance in his heart. Ting is then captured and almost killed by slave traders before being saved by Chernang (Sorapong Chatree), leader of the renowned “Garuda's Wing” guerilla band, who takes Ting in as his adoptive son and raises him up as a bandit. Ting grows up excelling in all kinds of martial arts and war strategies including man-to-man fighting, boxing, incantation, and skills of such war weapons as sword, saber, club, and explosive.With all forms of martial arts instilled, Ting (Tony Jaa) eagers to vanquish the vengeance in his heart by killing Lord Rajasena with his own hands. But he must first get pass Rajasena's highly-skilled and vicious killers.The battle leads to the origin of the scar of vengeance that comes at a price of one's blood, flesh and soul. Only unwavering faith can save Ting’s life.

PURCHASE "ONG BAK 2" AT YESASIA

ALSO AVAILABLE: THAI VERSION DVD

Red Cliff 2 Hong Kong Version DVD

2009-03-17T07:11:00.000-07:00

The first part was the highest-grossing film shown in China last year, taking more than 300 million yuan across the country and 700 million yuan around the world, and it seems that the second part will do the same or more this year. “Red Cliff 2” which centers on the epic Battle of Red Cliff during China's Three Kingdoms period (220-265) is John Woo’s ambitious epic that has featured impressive battle scenes, including one in which 2,000 ships are burned. The second part movie also has rushed past the 100 million yuan ($14.6 million) threshold in its five-day opening weekend in China only. It was very clearly that this "M:I II" director wanted to make a Chinese-language blockbuster that rivaled the Hollywood productions he worked on. And the Hong Kong native filmmaker obviously succeeded to putting the "epic" in "historical epic" in the second installment of his two-part series based on the famous ancient Chinese battle of the same name. Following a legendary story about a fight between the imperial army and two allied warring states, which won because of their superior military strategy despite being outnumbered. Now, the epic historical film is ready to purchase on the DVD version, so get ready to re-experiencing the "Red Cliff" part 2 with its more battles, more drama, and even more jaw dropping action.The ambitious Prime Minister Cao Cao, by using the Emperor as his puppet, waged war on a kingdom in the west, Xu, ruled by the emperor’s uncle, Liu Bei. Cao Cao’s ultimate goal was to wipe out all the kingdoms and install himself as Emperor to a unified China. Liu Bei sent his military advisor Zhuge Liang as an envoy to the Wu Kingdom in the south, trying to persuade its ruler Sun Quan into joining forces. There he met Wu’s Viceroy Zhou Yu, and the two became friends amidst this uneasy alliance.
Enraged to learn that the two kingdoms have become allies, Cao Cao sent an army of eight hundred thousand soldiers and two thousand ships down south, hoping to kill two birds with one stone. Cao Cao’s army set up camp at Crow Forest, across the Yangtze River from Red Cliff, where the allies were stationed.
With the food supply running short, and the army vastly outnumbered by Cao Cao’s, the allies seemed doomed. Zhou Yu and Zhuge Liang had to rely on their combined wisdom to turn the tide of battle. Numerous battles of wits and forces, on land and on water, eventually culminated into the most famous battle in Chinese history, where two thousand ships were burned, and the course of China’s history was changed forever. That was the Battle of Red Cliff.

MOVIE CAFE REVIEW:

While the first part was inclined more on storytelling, launching and interlacing together a colorful cast of characters, in this sequel, it pointing the focus on the final showdown, the epical battle that showed off Woo's mastery of some of the largest and most complex scenes in modern Chinese cinema. The war scenes are as impressive in scale as in detail. It probably the biggest, the longest, and the most extended battle scene you have ever seen in a Chinese movie. One of the most entertaining parts in this film is also seeing some cunning tricks played by both opponents, including the famous 'Borrowing the arrows using the scarecrows', which was one of the main highlight in Three Kingdoms. It also showed the rebel soldiers making bombs by packing explosives into clay urns, and extracting the oil from fish to use as an accelerant.
With facilitate from California-based CGI company, The Orphanage, Woo captures the splendor of the combat sequences best known to Chinese audiences — like the rebels burning the imperial army's fleet and sending in boats staffed with straw dummies to attract a sea of arrows.The only pitfall is that the battle's dazzleness overshadows Woo's characters, executed by strong presentations by Cannes-winning Hong Kong actor Tony Leung Chiu-wai as the rebel leader Zhou Yu; China's Zhang Fengyi as the imperial prime minister Cao Cao; and Japanese-Taiwanese heartthrob Takeshi Kaneshiro as the rebel military strategist Zhuge Liang.
The director also shows a penchant for melodrama when he sends Zhou's wife, played by Taiwanese model Lin Chi-ling, to seduce Cao. But the side plot only serves to bog down the narrative and delay the spectacular climax.

In conclusion, everyone should give Red cliff a try. It is entertaining with the intensity in it. It also quite exceptional, somewhat different from other war films. Those, who had experienced the previous part, absolutely should watch this because you will see Woo’s signature stamped in a lot of action sequences, which were muffled somewhat in the first installment.

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Portrait of a Beauty 2-Disc First Press Limited Edition DVD

2009-03-08T06:05:00.000-07:00

Portrait of a Beauty is a 2008 South Korean film directed by Jeon Yoon-soo. Adapted from the novel Painter of the Wind by Lee Jeong-myeong, the film portrays Joseon-era painter Shin Yoon-bok (better known by his pen name, Hyewon) as a being a woman disguised as a man. Sin Yoon-bok is a painter from the 18th century who is famous for his erotic and satirical paintings. In particular, ‘Beauty Island’ or ‘Miindo’ is a representative Korean belle painting similar in its mystery to Leonardo Da Vinci’s ‘Mona Lisa’ and Vermeer’s ‘Girl with the Pearl Earring.’ However, except for a family pedigree, no documents relating to the painter's life exists in the present day. “Portrait of a Beauty” aka “Miindo,” is a film that was based on a fictional story about Shin Yoon-bok’s prohibited love affair with the model of the miindo, and the price he had to pay with the vindictive punishment he received and the destruction of his documents.

Born to a family of established court painters, seven-year-old Yun-jeong is a young girl gifted at painting. However, the pressure is on her brother to carry on the proud family tradition, as women aren’t allowed to become professional painters. While her brother trains to take his place in the court, Yun-jeong helps him out by secretly painting for him. The little girl’s life is turned upside down when her brother kills himself.

In order to preserve the family honor, she is forced to take her brother’s name and lives as a man. Yun-bok’s genius and talent captures the heart of another great master of the time, Kim Hong-do. But her daring depictions of women are condemned by the royal institute as obscene. Yun-bok meets Kang-mu and falls deeply in love. For the first time, she feels the strong desire to abandon everything she has built and simply be a woman in front of the man she loves. Kang-mu sacrifices all for his love as well. Kim Hong-do, who loved the genius of his best student, ends up loving everything about her, and Seol-hwa, a Gisaeng at the courtesan house, possesses a love for Hong-do that turns into fatal jealousy. The secret behind Shin Yun-bok’s masterpiece, Portrait of a Beauty, is finally revealed after 250 years of silence.

A major television network has also followed suit by launching a drama series of the same title based on the novel. Both the novel and the drama are based on a wild supposition that Hyewon was a woman disguised as a man. This film also will paint him as a woman who trying to hide as a man, as a way to overcome the discrimination in heavily Neo-Confucian Joseon. This recent trend that depicted this painter as a woman, might be the result of his girlish penname “Hyewon” which meaning “a garden full with orchids” and his frequent portrayals of women. “The Portrait of a Beauty" itself seems to be a latecomer in the Hyewon frenzy, but the director Jeon who well known with his blockbuster "Le Grand Chef" (2007) which sold about 3 million tickets, set about the project several months earlier than the television adaptation.

Some Special Features included in the disc:

- Making of
- Production Design Featurette
- Costume Design Featurette
- Deleted Scenes with Director Commentary
- Poster Shoot
- Music Video
- Trailer

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The Good, The Bad, The Weird Special Edition DVD

2009-03-02T06:22:00.000-08:00

Set in the 1930s where guns and knives were rampant on a train, a miniature version of the kaleidoscopic and lawless Manchurian desert with various different ethnic groups entangled, three Korean men struggling through the turbulent times encounter each other by fate.

Do-won (JUNG Woo-sung) is a hunter who hunts anything for money including criminals with rewards on their heads. Chang-yi (LEE Byung-hun) is the leader of a group of bandits. He cannot stand to be second best. Tae-goo (SONG Kang-ho) is a self-commando train robber with nine lives. The three strangers start off on a chase across the continent to take possession of the strange map Tae-goo discovers while robbing the train. With different speculations on a mysterious map, the Japanese army and bandits also end up joining in the chase. In the midst of a great, unpredictable, mixed-up battle, who will stand in the end as the winner?

This Korea's biggest film of 2008, acclaimed kimchi western "The Good, The Bad, The Weird" now comes to DVD with sky-high anticipation and buzz, almost nine months after the Kim Ji-Woon directed film conquered the Korean cinemas.
Kim Jee-woon, who has an impressive track record of having successfully tackled a wide range of genres, from sports comedy (The Foul King) to horror (A Tale of Two Sisters) and European-style film noir (A Bittersweet Life), now turns his sight on the western. As one can surmise from the title, the movie is intended as a conscious homage to Sergio Leone's Eastwood triptych.

There is a lot of action in this film and it is very stylish and well choreographed but it is incredibly over the top, it goes from believable to completely ludicrous without pausing but as long as you go with the flow it is immensely enjoyable to watch. That said some of the the action scenes are too long and well done as they are they get a bit boring with the film perhaps being over-long for what it contains. The humour is brilliant, mostly coming from the antics of The Weird, as you'd expect, and that character is what makes this a good film, when he isn't involved it starts to take itself seriously and becomes a little dead, too much style not enough substance. It isn't a comedy though, the humour is spaced out between the action and violence with the plot being developed in a few interesting ways along the way.

Special Features:
Special Edition of The Good, The Bad, The Weird DVD comes with both the Korean Theatrical Cut and International Cut of the film, plus 181 minutes of special features:
Disc 1
- The Good, The Bad, The Weird Korean Theatrical Cut (136min)
- Audio Commentary by Director, Cinematographer, Art Director
Disc 2
- The Good, The Bad, The Weird International Cut (129min)
- Audio Commentary by Director, Song Kang Ho, Lee Byung Hun, Jung Woo Sung
Disc 3
- Making Of
- Interview with Director & Cast
- Cinematography, Lighting, Action, and Sound Featurette
- Production Design, Costume, and Set Featurette
- Deleted Scenes with Audio Commentary
- Character Featurette
- Trailer

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Memory - Taiwan Version DVD

2009-02-16T06:00:00.000-08:00

You want to see Ananda Everingham in another horror film after got frightened with "The Coffin" and "Shutter"? So, I think I would recommend this full of suspense film titled "Memory."
Everingham is well-known as Thailands answer to Orlando Bloom, he is a very busy actor in Thailand with at least five movies that have been released on last year alone, including Nonzee Nimibutr's long-awaited epic fantasy "Queen of Langkasuka." Directed by Torpong Tunkamhang (Seven Days to Leave My Wife), "Memory." co-stars Mai Charoenpura and Parujee Khemsawad. This film can describe as a sexy, slick, psychological thriller with possibly some supernatural horrors in it.

Plot:
One night, a police department receives a call complaining about the screaming from a house. It seems like a sound of a little girl tortured by someone. From there the police investigation starts. The police found Ingorn (Mai Charoenpura), the 30-something land lady, just moving in with her 7 years old daughter, Pear. The daughter appears to have a mental condition; she has bruises all over her body, which is more likely to be a subject of abusive behavior. In the meantime, Ingorn insists on not letting her daughter have a thorough check-up at the hospital. Yet according to parental law, she has to allow her daughter to see a psychiatrist. This is the first time for Krid (Ananda Everingham) to meet with Ingorn and her daughter, Pear. Krid, at the same time, feel deeply sorry for a little girl as he sees fear and anxiety in her eyes. During the therapy, Ingorn mentions her daughter's paranoid delusion, while Pear claims that she is possessed by a spirit of a boy who haunts and hurt her. From the fact the Pear is in the same age as Krid's son, Krid feels a deep connection with her but the more he bonds with Ingorn's family, the more he senses something eerie about the house. Moreover, there's something unexplainably peculiar. Ingorn's mood swing, Pear's strange upbringing and the mysterious fingerprint mark on Pear's arm. All this bothers Krid in so many ways. But what cause this dilemma? Only Krid has an answer for this twisted story.

DVD Specifications:
Product Title: Memory (DVD) (Taiwan Version)
Release Date: 2009-02-10 (SAVE YOUR COPY)
Language: Thai
Subtitles: Traditional Chinese
Picture Format: NTSC
Aspect Ratio: 1.78 : 1
Sound Information: Dolby Digital 5.1
Region Code: 3 - South East Asia (including Hong Kong, S. Korea and Taiwan)
Duration: 93 (mins)

Ip Man 2 Disc Special Edition DVD

2009-02-09T05:28:00.000-08:00

If you like martial arts films, especially Kung Fu, you better watch “Ip Man” because you're gonna love it. And for everyone who don't have a time to watch this wonderful movie when it appear at the cinema, just don't worry, because it's now has packed for you in a collectible 2 Discs Special Edition DVD.
“Ip Man,” is a biography adaptation of the grand master of the Wing Chun style of kung fu and sifu (master) of legendary kung fu superstar Bruce Lee. To this date there have been neither movies nor publications about Ip Man, and this film has been the first essential testimony of the master’s days. Ip’s persistent devotion to Wing Chun is a classic example of the love and respect shown to wushu and the freedom and spirit it represents. This movie will see the making of a modern wushu master representative of Chinese people worldwide. Ip Man is a concept, a spirit, a way of thinking – and it represents a new peak in Hong Kong’s wushu movies. To re-presenting the form of the master, one of the most popular current Kung Fu stars, Donnie Yen, has chosen and he indicated that he’s taking a more down-to-earth approach in portraying on the screen the life of this legendary grandmaster of martial arts as well as his rich spiritual world, as well as presenting scintillating, fresh martial arts choreography. With the director seat has taken by Wilson Yip, it's mean this film has become the fourth collaboration between the "golden team" Wilson Yip and Donnie Yen. Together with his script writer, Yip would reflect the life of Ip Man from 1930s to 1940s, when he's in his prime, "Ip Man came from an affluent family and was deeply engrossed in the studies and research of martial arts. At this time, his family undergoes severe changes, losing all its wealth. He has no choice but to take part in resistance activities, stirring up the folks to rise up against invasion. How would he and his friends and families go through trials in life, all these are in the movie."In the 1930s, Foshan thrives as the hub of Chinese wushu, with various sects actively recruiting disciples. They often compete against each other to prove their strengths.
While Ip Man (Donnie Yen) is an accomplished martial artist, he is unassuming and keeps a low-profile, and doesn't run any martial arts school nor accept students. He only stays at home, quietly sparring with his compatriots in friendly competitions, swapping pointers with each other.
One day, Ip Man is challenged by Master Liao (Chen Zhi Hui), who just set up a wushu school, in a closed match. Yip Man's buddy Martial Zealot Lin (Xing Yu), who witnessed the entire fight, tells everyone about Master Liu losing. Seeing it as a public humiliation, Master Liao gets into disputes with Yip Man.
Henchmen of Jin Shan Zhao (Fan Siu Wong) are going around challenging various wushu schools in Foshan. In one fight, Martial Zealot Lin is mortally wounded. Ip Man comes to his rescue, only to be stopped by Jin Shan Zhao. Everyone gathers around to watch the match whereby Ip Man dispenses the latter with ease using four Wing Chun Forms: fist, footwork, blade and cudgel.
Ip Man becomes an instant hero and there develops a craze for Wing Chun in Foshan.
Following Japanese invasion in 1937, everyone's life is adversely affected. Ip Man's property is confiscated and his family is forced to live in a decrepit house. Being one with strong pride, Ip Man refuses charity from his wealthy friend Zhou Qing Quan (Simon Yam), owner of a cotton mill, opting instead to work as a coolie at a coal mine to sustain his family.
One day, General Miura (Hiroyuki Ikeuchi), together with his troops, arrives. As a fanatical practitioner in martial arts himself, he sets up an arena, offering rice as a reward. However, to another high-ranking Japanese officer Sato's (Shibuya Tenma) mind, they cannot afford to lose, they must preserve Japanese superiority and dignity.

Product Title: Ip Man (DVD) (2-Disc Special Edition) (Hong Kong Version)
Artist Name(s): Donnie Yen | Simon Yam | Gordon Lam | Fan Siu Wong | Ikeuchi Hiroyuki | Wong Yau Nam | Xing Yu
Director: Wilson Yip
Action Director: Sammo Hung
Release Date: 2009-02-13 (Save your Copy)
Language: Cantonese, Mandarin
Subtitles: English, Traditional Chinese
Country of Origin: Hong Kong
Picture Format: NTSC
Aspect Ratio: Widescreen
Close Caption: Yes
Sound Information: DTS Digital Surround, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital EX(TM) / THX Surround EX(TM)
Disc Format(s): DVD-9, DVD-5, DVD
Region Code: All Region
Duration: 107 (mins)
Publisher: Universe Laser (HK)
Other Information: 2DVDs

I think this movie is one of the best martial arts movie ever made, and probably the best and meaningful ones among all the Chinese movies I’ve watched. It even has surpassed “Fearless” as my previous favorite martial arts hero biopic. So, there I just recommend this amazing film, "Ip Man" which chronicles the Chinese wing chun legend who was master to Bruce Lee among others. This movie is a biopic of the martial arts founder, starring ass-kicking Donnie Yen ("Flash Point" "Dragon Tiger Gate", "Painted Skin") who also had flawlessly interpreted the title character. This movie also the first important record of the master's life, Ip's persistent devotion to Wing Chun is a classic example of the love and respect shown to wushu and the freedom and spirit it represents. Ip Man (not Internet Protocol Man) is a concept, a spirit, a way of thinking - and it exemplifies a new peak in Hong Kong's wushu movies. While the storyline of the movie is nothing sort of original, a local hero establishes his credentials as top martial artist for miles around, fights pretenders, bandits and smug colonizers to preserve the land’s (and therefore his own) honour and dignity. Nevertheless, the direction of the movie is implausible, there is never a moment where you hoped the movie was faster or slower. Even during the certain poignant scenes that were meant for character development, it was well done, making you feel for the characters involved. Also one surely thing about this film is that you absolutely gonna fall in love with the great choreography direction, it super fast and sharp move, I love every fight scene in this film. It’s something different from the other action movie that Donnie Yen plays, which usually is very fast, extreme, and powerful sometimes exaggerating movements, but in “Ip Man,” his movement are more on the ’softer’ side, small movements, multiple blows, awesome stances.

The Coffin Taiwan Version DVD

2009-01-27T05:22:00.000-08:00

Inspired by a true controversial ritual of lying in coffins to get rid of bad luck and prolong lives, Thai creepy story “The Coffin” has broken the record for Best Opening Day for all other Thai horror films previously held by 'Shutter'. It’s written and directed by Singapore-based Thai director Ekachai Uekrongtham (Beautiful Boxer, Pleasure Factory), the Karen Mok (Shaolin Soccer) and Ananda Everingham (Shutter) starrer has earlier topped the Box Office chart in Thailand when it opened in August last year. Described by Time Out Magazine as a "scream gem" and 8 Days Magazine as "a poised spine-tingler, 'The Coffin' tells a thrilling, mysterious and moving story of an architect and a dietician who decide to go through the ritual to cheat death only to be faced with a series of strange and terrifying incidents afterwards. Now, it’s up for your order in the DVD shelf, so you can watch this quite unique horror movie again which does not only give the spook factor, but to make us reflect and think about our life.
While “The Coffin” is not strictly a Thai film, but a co-production between Thailand's Live Inc. and NGR, Hong Kong's Global Entertainment Group and Singapore's Scorpio East Pictures, it once again showcased the unique style of Ekachai who’s quickly built a reputation as one of his country’s promised young director, thanks to his two previous films “Beautiful Boxer” and “Pleasure Factory”, a pair of films that combine sensational storylines - a transgender boxer in one, sex trade workers in the other - with sensitivity and serious dramatic chops.

The spine-chilling horror tells a story about a young man and a young woman who decide to go through the ritual in Thailand. Chris (Ananda Everingham), an architect who is extremely claustrophobic but with hope to lengthen his girlfriend’s (Aki Shibuya)life, Chris decides to overcome his fear by being in the coffin. Zoe (Karen Mok), a nutritionist, takes care of her health religiously. However, only 2 weeks before marrying her fiancé (Andrew Lin), Zoe finds out that she’s in the final stage of lung cancer. Zoe then runs away to Thailand and discovers the coffin ceremony and decides to participate in order to save her own life. Chris and Zoe are confronted by a series of paranormal and terrifying incidents. Both might have to sacrifice their lives to unfold the truth.

Product Title: The Coffin (DVD) (Taiwan Version)
Language: English, Thai, Chinese
Subtitles: Traditional Chinese
Picture Format: NTSC, 1.78 : 1
Region Code: 3 - South East Asia (including Hong Kong, S. Korea and Taiwan)
Release Date: 2009-01-26 (Save your copy)

Referred to in Thailand as "Non Loeng Sadorcro" which literally means Lie in Coffin, Rid of Bad Luck, the ritual involves participants lying in coffins while a group of monks perform death rites as if the participants are already dead. This is then followed by a chant of a new life. Many participants had said they felt as if they were reborn after the ritual with bad karma buried behind them. But this death rite for the living is not without its detractors. Some brand it as an occult practice while others consider it a bad omen to lie in a coffin when one is still alive.
Ekachai stumbled upon the idea for his new film after hearing about the mass funeral for the living where thousands turned up at a North Eastern temple in Thailand to lie in coffins and go through the ritual. "Personally, I find the ritual frightening yet intriguing", says Ekachai. "Can one really cheat death by confronting it? Can bad karma actually be reversed or gotten rid of by lying in a coffin?" Adds Ekachai, "The ritual became fodder for a story which deals with our fear of death – our own as well as the death of people we love." The film was shot over two months in Bangkok and five other provinces across Thailand. Filming locations include a 100-year-old Thai temple, an ancient meditation cave, actual cemeteries and inside active crematorium chambers.

The Divine Weapon: Korea Version DVD

2009-01-17T21:13:00.000-08:00

“The Divine Weapon” is another South Korean effort to have fun with risky historical fiction business and also a highly anticipated epic dramatization of the world's first multi-launch rocket system invented during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). It becomes one of the highest-grossing Korean films of 2008, fusion period epic "The Divine Weapon" conquered the box office with a spectacular tale of rousing battles and gritty heroics.
This war epic directed by Kim Yoo-Jin (Wild Card) will tell the story of an overmatched Korean army trying to develop an explosive arrow launcher to hold off the expansionist Ming Dynasty army. Now, the DVD version of the film is ready to purchase, available in 2 Discs English Sub First Press Limited Edition Korea Version DVD.
Have a promo screening at last Cannes Film Festival, “The Devine Weapon” has an all star cast of JUNG Jae-young, AHN Sung-ki, HUH Joon-ho, and HAN Eun-jung, the top actors on television also on the big screen. Set as a massive project that cost 10 billion won ($9.8 million) and took almost 6 years to produce, “Divine” somewhat will be more refreshing, particularly given that many people have stereotypes regarding the Joseon period. About the sophisticated military weapon that is not well known among Koreans, much less foreigners itself, it was called "singijeon," which means "ghost-like machine arrow" in Korean. Once out of the launcher, the fire-arrows were set to detonate automatically near the target area. Manufactured from the early 15th to mid-16th century, the singijeon was often used in the northern frontiers, and played a pivotal role in fending off invasions. The high-powered firearm was used in the southern provinces to keep the Japanese sea-borne marauders at bay. Historical documents show that the singijeon was capable of firing as many as 100 fire arrows or explosive grenades. Its long-range firepower tended to catch the enemy off-guard. The fire arrow contained a device equipped with gunpowder and shrapnel. Director Kim said the production team restored the original singijeon with the help of experts, but noticed that it was difficult to control the rocket-launcher system. "It was very challenging to run the restored rocket system, and my impression is that our forefathers had better technology in dealing with the timed detonation for the singijeon," Kim said.

Set in 1448, the 30th year of Sejong’s reign, the film begins when the Ming dynasty’s meddling into Joseon’s domestic affairs goes to extremes and Sejong secretly plans to develop Singijeon, a rocket weapon upgraded from Goryeo’s firearms technology. The Ming finds out and quickly dispatches assassins to attack the research lab, but CHOI Hae-san, the man in charge of the project, destroys himself along with the research materials to protect the weapon’s secret. His daughter Hong-li (HAN Eun-jung) barely escapes but loses the Chong-tong Records (Singijeon’s blueprints) to the Ming assassins. As the Ming’s diplomatic pressure increases on Joseon for making the Singijeon, Sejong commands Chang-gang, the chief royal guard warrior, to take the only person with the potential to complete the Singijeon, Hong-li, safely to Sul-ju (JUNG Jae-young), a peddler. The son of the top engineer of Hwa-tong-do-gam (place for making gunpowder and firearms–or a weapons factory in today’s language) at the end of Goryeo dynasty, Sul-ju is an exceedingly intelligent man with the top martial art skills in Joseon. He rejects Joseon as a descendant of Goryeo migrants and lives as the head of a merchant gang. He refuses Chang-gang’s command to help construct the Singijeon, but in order to save his gang from a fight with rivals, he is forced to join Hong-li in seeing the Singijeon completed. Desperate to understand the facts of Singijeon, the Ming sends an army disguised as a large envoy to intimidate Sejong and the court. Meanwhile, the Ming army sets out to find Sul-ju’s headquarters and completely destroy the slightest possibilities of developing Singijeon. After repeated failures in the project, Sul-ju risks his life to recover the Chong-tong Records for Hong-li. However, he starts to have second thoughts as his comrades are sacrificed in battles. At last, as they are moments away from the completion of Singijeon, the Ming and Yeo-jin alliance army of 100,000 heads for Eui-ju, Joseon. In order to stop the war, Sejong hands Hong-li and the Chong-tong Records to the Ming envoy and even Sul-ju is imprisoned by the court...

DVD Specifications:
Product Title: The Divine Weapon (DVD) (First Press Limited Edition) (Korea Version) (DVD)
Language: Korean
Subtitles: Korean, English
Screen Format: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35:1, NTSC
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital 5.1 & DTS
Region Code: 3 - South East Asia (including Hong Kong, S. Korea and Taiwan)
Special Features:
Disc 1 :
- Commentary
Disc 2 :
- Making of
- Action Space
- Divine Weapon
- Real Story
- Trailer
Release Date: 2009-01-24 (Save your copy)

Cape No. 7 Hong Kong Version DVD

2009-01-04T05:19:00.000-08:00

The film which has won 12 awards to date, including 6 at the 2008 Golden Horse Awards, and It will also be Taiwan's entry to compete in the 81st Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film, "Cape No. 7," now is up to purchase in a Hong Kong version with English sub DVD.
"Cape No. 7" is a last year Taiwanese romance comedic music-drama film which written and directed by Wei Te-Sheng as his first full-length motion picture, following his success with Seediq Bale, the tale of an indigenous Taiwanese hero.
Prior to this film, the two leading actors Van Fan and Chie Tanaka only had minor acting experience while some of the supporting roles were filled by non-actors. Even without a strong promotional campaign, the film had become so popular in Taiwan that on November 1, 2008 it became the 2nd top grossing film in the island's cinematic history, behind "Titanic" with final figure around NT$ 232 million. The film only made with a sizable NT$50 million budget and is one of only two Taiwanese entries into the International category. In fact, "Cape No. 7" just might be the highest grossing Chinese-language film ever in the Taiwanese box office (not adjusting for inflation, of course) -- higher that any film by Ang Lee, John Woo, Zhang Yimou, or Stephen Chow.
Critics attribute the film's box office success to its honest depiction of the rural southern Taiwan; the strong emotional resonance among older viewers; the humorous tone, optimistic characters, and musical performances.
The film also made its United States premiere on October 10, 2008 in Honolulu at the Hawaii International Film Festival, where it won the Halekulani Golden Orchid Award for Best Narrative.

The story set in the 1940s near the end of the Japanese occupation of Taiwan, an unnamed teacher (Kousuke Atari) dispatched to the southernmost town of Hengchun falls in love with a local girl with the Japanese name Kojima Tomoko (Rachel Liang). After the Surrender of Japan, the teacher is forced to return home as the Chinese has reoccupied Taiwan. On his trip home, he pens seven love letters to express his regret for leaving Kojima Tomoko, who originally planned to elope with him in Japan.More than 60 years after the teacher left Kojima Tomoko, Aga (Van Fan) is introduced as a struggling young Hengchun-native rock band singer who could not find success in Taipei. After returning to his hometown, Aga's step father (Ju-Lung Ma), the Town Council Representative, arranged a position for him as a postman, replacing the senile Uncle Mao (Johnny C.J. Lin), on leave after a motorcycle accident broke his leg. One day, Aga comes across an undeliverable piece of mail that was supposed to be returned to the post office; the daughter of the now deceased Japanese teacher has decided to mail the unsent love letters to Taiwan after discovering them. Aga unlawfully keeps and opens the package to discover its contents, but the old Japanese-style address Cape No. 7, Hengchun County, Takao Prefecture can no longer be found.

Meantime a local resort hotel inside Kenting National Park is organizing a beach concert featuring Japanese pop singer Kousuke Atari, but Aga's step father makes use of his official position to insist that the opening band be composed of locals. Tomoko (Chie Tanaka), an over-the-hill Mandarin-speaking Japanese fashion model dispatched to Hengchun, is assigned the difficult task of managing this hastily assembled band, led by Aga along with six other locals of rather particular backgrounds. After a frustrating trial period, Aga and Tomoko unexpectedly begin a relationship. With some assistance from hotel maid Mingchu (Shino Lin), who is revealed to be Kojima Tomoko's granddaughter, Tomoko helps Aga find the rightful recipient of the seven love letters. Tomoko then tells Aga that she plans on returning to Japan after the concert because of a job offering. After returning the seven love letters, a heartbroken but determined Aga returns to the beach resort and performs a highly successful concert with his local band alongside Kousuke Atari, during which he convinces Tomoko to stay.DVD Specifications:
Product Title: Cape No. 7 (DVD) (2-Disc Limited Edition) (English Subtitled) (Hong Kong Version)
Language: Mandarin
Subtitles: Traditional Chinese, English
Picture Format: NTSC
Sound Information: Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS-ES Discrete 6.1
Disc Format(s): DVD-9, DVD-5, DVD
Region Code: 3 - South East Asia (including Hong Kong, S. Korea and Taiwan)
Release Date: 2009-01-22 (Save your copy)

Movie Review (By John Li):

You know whether a film’s got heart when you watch it. You know whether the filmmakers have injected their hearts into the film when you watch it. And your heart knows the answer to this when a film so deeply moving touches you in ways you never would have imagined. Sure, you may have read about all the promotional campaigns in the media about this Taiwanese film (the most outrageous one being the leading actor going for a skinny dip in the ocean after the film reported success at the local box office), but it is a film you have to experience yourself to understand how it managed to touch so many people’s hearts in this bafflingly perplexing times we live in.Written and directed by up and coming filmmaker Wei Te-sheng, the well put together script narrates the stories of seven unlikely individuals who come together to form a local warm up band for a popular Japanese singer who will be arriving in the scenic town of Hengchun, Taipei, for a beach concert. Amongst them are interesting characters like a frustrated band singer, a Japanese model turned translator, a violent police officer and a talented, young but weird synthesizer player. There is also another storyline which involves seven unsent love letters from 60 years ago.

With a plot like that, we can already predict how romantic die-hards will be flocking to the theatres when the movie opens.

Imagine that it is the 1940s. There are seven penned but unsent love letters that expresses a Japanese man’s regret for leaving a Taiwanese woman, who originally planned to elope with him to Japan. Then picture magnificently filmed sequences at a ship dock where the two lovers are separated. Craning shots, romantic music, anxious expressions and a Japanese narration voiceover make these scenes feel atmospherically epic – How can anyone not be touched by them?

The above picturesque moments are nicely weaved in and contrasted with present day depictions of daily life where common folk go about their lives and have dreams. The hustle and bustle of a busy town, suddenly brought to life when a Japanese superstar announces that he will hold a concert, is vividly caught on lens in this film. Although there are many supporting characters along the way, you learn to care for them throughout the film’s 129 minute runtime. Each has a unique character which reminds you of someone you know, each has an aspiration that reminds you of what you want in life.

And this connectedness is possible because of the cast’s endearing and honest performances. Van Fan, who plays the angst ridden band leader, is a perfect personification of many young lost souls today. Chie Tanaka, who plays the Japanese correspondent, may appear unlikable at first with her feisty attitude, but the character grows on you gradually. The candid, sincere and entertaining portrayals of other characters by native Taiwanese artistes like Min-Hsiung, Ying Wei-min and Johnny C.J. Lin also add nice human touches to the film.

As the movie comes to a finale where music takes centre stage, you’ll be cheering the human spirit which celebrates love and hope.

Truck Korean Version DVD

2008-12-24T07:49:00.001-08:00

"Truck" is a Korean thriller directed by Kwon Hyeong-jin who has previously given us "For Horowitz" and the direct to video "MOB2025." Actor Yoo Hae-jin (Tazza, Kidnapping Granny K)takes the leading role for the first time, ever since he made his debut 11 years ago, in this movie. Other members of the cast include Jin Goo (Epitaph, Dirty Carnival), Ji Su-won (Vanishing Twin, Quiet Family) and Lee Chae-yeong.
Actor Jin Goo also changes his good boy image in "Truck" as a serial killer, through this movie, the actor shows the existence of good and evil in one person as he fights against the truck driver Cheol-min that acted by Hae-jin.

Chul-min (Yu Hae-jin) is a simple truck driver transporting liquor, vegetables and other necessities.
When his daughter is diagnosed with a congenital heart disease, he scrambles to borrow money from his friends to pay for for the operation but cannot raise the necessary amount. He follows a friend to a gambling house to raise the outstanding money, but luck deserts him and he loses everything. In a further bout of bad luck, he enters the wrong room in the gambling den only to witness a gang boss stabbing several victims to death in a murderous rage. After his friend begs for Chul-min's life, the gang boss sends him to a faraway province to dispose of the corpses.

Carrying the dead bodies in his truck, Chul-min listens to the radio for company on the nerve-racking journey. The news program is about extraordinary serial killer Young-ho (Jin Goo) who is under police escort to a mental asylum. As Chul-min passes a country lane, he spots a car that has fallen into the ditch. Inside, he finds the bodies of several murdered policemen. After some hesitation, he leaves to complete his duty to bury the corpses. However, a policeman unexpectedly flags his truck down and orders him to drive him to the exact province that he is heading to. As Chul-min unravels the real identity of his passenger, his nightmare really begins...

DVD Specifications:
Product Title: Truck (DVD) (Korea Version)
Language: Korean
Subtitles: Korean, English
Screen Format: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35:1, NTSC
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital 5.1 & 2.0
Region Code: 3 - South East Asia (including Hong Kong, S. Korea and Taiwan)
Publisher: Premier Entertainment
Disc Number: 2 Discs
Release Date: 2009-01-13 (Save your copy)

4 Bia Hong Kong Version DVD

2008-12-14T05:56:00.000-08:00

Finally, the English friendly subtitle DVD for the best Thailand this year, "Phobia" aka "4bia" is out. Becoming number one hit when it first released in many Asian countries, this horror film created by four acclaimed director of the country is totally one package that can't be miss out.

What happen when you watch a film that was made by three young masters in horror movie and one veteran director who can be called as the mentor to those three? Well, absolutely you can get a foursome chill and thrill just as what you are able to get in this four 25-minute horror segments that working together to create a package of “Crash”-a-like in a horror film. Come out from Thailand, the original title of the film is “See Prang” (literally "four crossroads"), but in English, this four-segment horror film is being promoted as 4bia, or “Phobia”. Each of the segments is directed by one of Thailand up-and-coming masters of modern horror movies which are Banjong Pisanthanakun and Parkpoom Wongpoom, the young Thai directors of the original version of “Shutter” and the currently being remade “Alone”, Paween Purijitpanya, who did the slick and bloody “Body #19”, and, for the first time tackling horror, veteran director (and a mentor to the three young filmmakers), Yongyoot Thongkongtoon, director of the international smash hit gay volleyball comedy, “Iron Ladies”. About Banjong and Parkpoom itself is what they’ve done this time is direct separately for the first time in their career, just as you can guess that each of them are contributing one segment to this four part Thai horror anthology. But unlike other Asian horror anthologies, such as “Three”, which was also initiated by Thai director Nonzee Nimibutr, with vastly different parts that compete against each other, the four segments of “Phobia” work together as a package, and even reference one another. Here's a look at each segment that will dealing with a different kind of fear.

Loneliness (by Youngyut Tongkontund)
An unemployed, broken-hearted, desperate young woman, Pin (Maneerat Kham-uan), has a broken leg and is left alone in her apartment on the top floor of a soiled building. Unable to move around, and with no friends nearby, she clings tightly to her pink Motorola flip phone and relies on SMS to communicate with the one apparent friend she has. She then receives an SMS from a stranger, who persists in sending her messages even though she at first ignores them. Lonely, she gives in to temptation and strikes up an SMS chat session with the person, who turns out to be a guy and also the one that she will be regret it after finding out who he is. The story begins to getting up its tense as the identity of the mysterious one is slowly revealed through a series of increasingly intimidating messages. “Loneliness” is somewhat success to pulling off a grand experiment that serves as a great beginning to the foursome of fear.

Deadly Charm (by Phavee Purijidpanya)
When a group of bullying youths have been busted for smoking pot, they blame a little kid for stealing on them. Some of the boys then bundle the kid and his bicycle into the back of their pickup and beat on him while they are going down the road. The violence escalates with horrible consequences. Only one of the kids, one of the two girls (Apinya Sakuljaroensuk), voices any concern. Then what turns out is, that the little kid who wants to take revenge on them is into black magic, and he has a cursed manuscript -- a diploma of death that if people read them, they will meet whatever grisly end is spelled out for them.

The Middle Man (by Banjong Pisanthanakun)
This is a tale of four best friends going camping in the remote jungle and they are bedded down for the night in their tent sharing ghost stories along the way. Their chitchat is self-referential, with one of the guys revealing himself to be a serial spoiler of movies, and right there he gives away the ending to “Shutter”. He also decries the horror films that all have female ghost with long black hair. "Can't they do something new?" he asks. They also argue over who gets to sleep in the middle of the tent. They have scared one another into believing that a ghost will haunt whoever sleeps on the end. To shut them up, the guy sleeping furthest away, Aye, says “If I die, I’ll come back and haunt who ever sleeps in the middle first.". The next day, while whitewater rafting, the boat overturns and Aye is the one who doesn't make it.

Last Fright (by Parkpoom Wongpoom)
Terror is waiting for one unlucky air hostesses, who will face this alone.
An airline is on a charter flight for the Princess of Khurkistan. What was supposed to be an ordinary flight turns into something tragically more turbulent when the princess dies due to an allergic reaction to something she ate. The royal house of Khurkistan requests that her body be sent back immediately for royal cremation. The airline schedules flight attendant Pim (Chermarn Boonyasak) for the flight, on which the only other passenger will be the corpse of the princess. This chapter presents the mixture of phobia. It’s an inappropriate flight for anyone with claustrophobia, nyctophobia, fear of noise, fear of air pressure, and fear of corpses.

DVD Specifications:
Product Title: 4 Bia (DVD) (Hong Kong Version)
Language: Thai, Cantonese
Subtitles: Traditional Chinese, English, Simplified Chinese
Picture Format: NTSC
Aspect Ratio: 1.78 : 1
Sound Information: Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS Digital Surround, DTS Extended Surround(TM) / DTS-ES(TM)
Region Code: 3 - South East Asia (including Hong Kong, S. Korea and Taiwan)
Duration: 111 (mins)
Publisher: Kam & Ronson Enterprises Co Ltd
Special Features:
- Behind the scenes
- Deleted scenes
- Music MV
- Trailer
Release Date: 2008-12-12(Save your copy)

Loner: Korea Version DVD

2008-12-10T06:14:00.000-08:00

Hikikomori is the Japanese term for "Those who isolate themselves," in English is call 'loner' which is a label for a person who does not actively seek, avoids, or is isolated from human interaction. There are many reasons for solitude, intentional or otherwise. Various mental illnesses, social difficulties and personal philosophies can be linked to reclusiveness; however no specific cause is implied by the term loner. The term loner is usually used with a negative connotation in the belief that humans are social creatures and those that do not participate are different. The label has often been applied pejoratively by the media to individuals deemed strange or pathetic. The loner may take pride in or be ashamed of his or her behavior.
With borrowing the phenomenon of social withdrawal, director Park Jae Sik made up his new movie and also added a terrifying twist in this thrilling debut feature "Loner" (a.k.a. Hikikomori and Orphaned). Popular young actress Ko Eun Ah (Swindler in My Mom's House) delivers an impressively unsettling performance as a normal, happy teenager who becomes a hikikomori in this unpredictable horror. Jung Yoo Suk (You Are My Sunshine) and Chae Min Seo (The Wig) co-star as Ko Eun Ah's uncle and psychologist who attempt to save her from the grasps of darkness. The home cinema version for the big screen thriller has already released now in the Korean version with English subtitle region 3 DVD.

Ko Eun-ah shares many experiences filming her new movie "Loner".Ko confessed that she practiced her role day and night without even washing and dragging her slippers around the house. "Loner" contains many thrilling and horrific scenes. However, the movie set among the staff and actors was bright and fun. Everyone had to concentrate deeply to get the mood of the story to come out.
The story of this triller highlights the horror that can be lurking inside even a tiny and lonely room. Su-na, once a bright and adorable girl, locks herself alone in her room after her best friend's suicide. She starts to talk and behave as if someone else exists in her room, but never opens the door to anyone. Finally, her uncle brings his fiance, Yun-mi, a psychologist specializing in hikikomori (people who isolate themselves from society), and she finds Su-na's trouble has something to do with the family's secret history.

DVD Specifications:
Product Title: Loner (DVD) (Korea Version)
Language: Korean
Subtitles: Korean, English
Disc Format(s): DVD
Screen Format : Anamorphic Widescreen
Sound Mix : Dolby 2.o & 5.1
Region Code: 3 - South East Asia (including Hong Kong, S. Korea and Taiwan)
Publisher: Fantom Korea
Disc number: 1 Disc
Special Features:
- Making Of
- Hikikomori
- Premiere Scenes
- Poster Shootings
- Trailer
- TV Spot
Release Date: 2008-12-05 (Save your copy)

Sweet Rain Hong Kong Version DVD

2008-11-26T05:26:00.000-08:00

Adapted from the bestselling novel by Kotaro Isaka “The Accuracy of Death”, “Sweet Rain” is proximately could become the Asian version to Brad Pitt’s “Meet Joe Black.” Why? Because both are equally playing in a narrative zone about a handsome Grim Reaper who meets a woman on earth and begins to understand human emotions and learns about life. In a substitute to Pitt, the pan-Asian heartthrob stars, Takeshi Kaneshiro playing as the God of Death in this film. This was his first Japanese role since 2002's “Returner,” the actor most recently could be seen in the Chinese historical epics “Red Cliff” and “The Warlords.” The Director is Masaya Kakei, whose unique style, mingling fantasy and humor, has made him one of the most-watched figures in Japanese film today. His picture “Bijokan” drew attention at the festivals to which it was invited in Japan and abroad. “Sweet Rain” is his first full-length feature which beautifully realized on screen with handsome photography and CG effects. In Japan itself, this is also the latest death god feature to appear, after the recently most popular “Death Note”. Though “Sweet Rain” is actually one of those three-story setups, but in three different time slots (past, present, future) – three unrelated stories, at least initially. But the hints of the links are all there and I don't think it is the director's intention to craft convoluted twists. The focus is on the mood, the characters and how they interact with the Grim Reaper. Co-starring in each stories are Konishi Manami (Angel's Egg), Mitsuishi Ken (Megane), and Fuji Sumiko (Hula Girls), and this sensitive and affecting drama explores the value of life and inevitability of death through these three seemingly separate lives, and the lonely death god who connects them together. Check it out completely in the DVD version of the film that already being releases in a friendly English sub Hong Kong version disc.As the story developed into three periods, 1985, 2007 and 2028, the characters in each scene are linked unexpectedly. Grim Reaper Chiba (Takeshi Kaneshiro) loves "music" and believes that it is the best invention by humankind. He is not interested in neither human life nor death but simply manages his task as a Grim Reaper. His task is to assess a targeted human being and to make him die... To be more accurate, it is to observe a target for seven days and then choose either "execution = death" or hold = life" (in most cases "execution" is chosen.) This time his target is Kazue Fujiki (Manami Konishi). She is an unfortunate woman because anyone whom she loves dies one after anther. Chiba would choose "execution" as usual. However, her certain talent moves Chiba and causes him to change his opinion toward human being....

DVD Specifications:
Product Title: Sweet Rain (AKA: Accuracy of Death) (DVD) (English Subtitled) (Hong Kong Version)
Language: Japanese
Subtitles: Traditional Chinese, English
Picture Format: NTSC, Widescreen Anamorphic 1.78 : 1
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1
Region Code: 3 - South East Asia (including Hong Kong, S. Korea and Taiwan)
Duration: 114 (mins)
Publisher: Panorama (HK)
Release Date: 2008-11-24 (Save your copy)Featured Reviews:

# Filmcritic.com, by Don Willmott
Accuracy of Death is delicate in stating its themes. It's beautifully shot, and it's charming throughout. Credit for much of the film's success goes to Kaneshiro, who is in every scene and never lets you forget why he is one of the world's most compelling big-screen stars. You simply can't take your eyes off him.

# movieXclusive.com, by John Li
Being a Japanese production, you can expect everything to be beautifully visualized on screen. The cinematography by Takahide Shibanushi showcases the melancholic showers, the gritty mafia showdowns and the withering sunflowers to great effect.

# Twitch, by Ard Vijn
"Accuracy of Death" is by no means a masterpiece and will not floor you with new stunning insights into human nature, yet it still manages to be quite a pleasant little movie. Takeshi Kaneshiro steals the show and is worth the price of admission all by himself.

# A Nutshell Review, by Stefan S
The first thing that comes screaming to your mind when you come to know of this movie, is MEET JOE BLACK, yes in caps, and a nagging feeling that it's a rip off / copycat coming some 10 years after that Hollywood movie. Although this is based on the Japanese novel by Kotaro Isaka, you can't help but to ponder upon the similarities between the two movies.

# The Brunei Times, by Pamela Samia, BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Watching this film, don't expect to shed buckets of tears or even have eureka-moment about our life beyond, and yet this movie is guaranteed to warm your heart.
It triumphs because it tells about life and death as we know it, "nothing special but important".

The Haunted Drum Region 1 DVD

2008-11-18T08:17:00.000-08:00

For everyone who is interested with Thai art and culture, period drama mystery “The Haunted Drum” is probably worth to be one of the recommendation films. It’s about a traditional Thai drum instrumental that wrapped by a romance mystery theme which included ancient curses and killer drums made from human skin in the story. Region 1 DVD is scheduled to release on this November 25 by Tai Seng entertainment. And below is the complete synopsis for the film.

In the year 1821, King Badin and professor Sau were obsessed with making the superb traditional Mohn hill-tribe drum. The story circled for a while that during the making of the drum the band broke up and King Badin’s child, Tip died of a strange illness. In time their story was forgotten. 60 years later, teacher Duang inherited the drum from King Badin. Many revered this drum as an instrument with a spirit that protects the musicians. If any musician pledge their allegiance to the spirit of the drum, they must honor their pledge or suffer ill fate. Ping, a young orphan was determine to study traditional art. He resigned from his government job and went to ask teacher Duang to accept him as her disciple. He was so eager to learn that he secretly practiced during the night. One night he met a young girl name Tip. She saw his determination and she started to teach him. They grew close and fall in love. Deputy Chief of the town wanted the drum for himself and sent some people to confiscate it. Duang fought them off but have to agree on drumming contest. She entered Ping and he won. But the Deputy Chief would not give up the drum so he tried to take it by force. That was a big mistake. Ping found out later that the drums are made out of Tip’s skin.

Have to say that this one is more to a love romantic movie than a horror one like what the title or its poster had hinted.
So, if you really prefer to the culture entries and the oldies love story, it still has something to look for.

DVD Specifications:
Format: Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
Language: Chinese, English
Subtitles: Chinese, English
Number of discs: 1
Run Time: 90 minutes
Studio: Tai Seng
DVD Release Date: November 25, 2008 (Save your copy)

Connected Hong Kong Version DVD

2008-11-08T01:37:00.000-08:00

If commonly it’s Hollywood that took ideas from Asian film, now it’s turn for Hong Kong to borrow from Hollywood. But from many good titles, why director Benny Chan has chosen to remake a mediocre film like “Cellular,” is probably something that can make us scratched our head a little. The original version was released on 2004 and starred Chris Evans, Kim Basinger and Jason Statham. For Asian audiences, the entertaining and suspenseful thrill ride has adapted to a title “Connected” with stars such as Louis Koo (Rob-B-Hood) who taken the everyman hero played in the Hollywood version by Chris Evans, Barbie Xu (Meteor Garden) in the role originated by the older Kim Basinger, Liu Ye (Blood Brothers), Nick Cheung (Exiled), Louis Fan (The Moss), Eddie Cheung (Election), TVB actor Wong Cho Lam and model Ankie Beilke in key supporting roles. The film has just opened in multiplexes around Asia last September, but now it’s already up for the DVD release that had scheduled on this December 4.

In the film, Bob (Louis Koo)’s life isn’t going well at all. A single father in a dead-end job as a debt collector, he’s trapped in a job that goes against his usual easy-going helpful nature and he’s under tremendous pressure to be a better dad, a better brother, a better worker, even a better person. While dealing with all this and his sister (Flora Chan)’s threat to move to China with his son to force him to clean up his act, Bob receives a call out of the blue. It’s a stranger called Grace(Barbie Hsu) who claims a mysterious kidnapper(Liu Ye) is keeping her against her will and begs him to save her and her young daughter. Is it just a heartless prank? The detective (Nick Cheung) he tried reporting the call to seem to think so but Bob’s instincts tell him that he may just be the only thing standing between them and a painful death. But does he have the mettle to rise above his own self-centered concerns and risk everything – including his own son – for two people he has never met and who may not even exist?

Like its original version, “Connected” is also just a fun and thrilling suspense ride that sometimes quite success to grab our attention. As a fun entertaining movie in the weekend, this one is still recommended.

DVD specifications:
Product Title: Connected (DVD) (Hong Kong Version)
Language: Mandarin, Cantonese
Subtitles: Traditional Chinese, English, Simplified Chinese
Picture Format: NTSC
Region Code: 3 - South East Asia (including Hong Kong, S. Korea and Taiwan)
Publisher: Joy Sales (HK)
Release Date: 2008-12-04 (Save your copy)

Death Bell Korean DVD

2008-11-02T05:17:00.000-08:00

Summer season was once the prime time for Korean horror films, but in the summer of 2008, Korean Cinema went horror-free and just saving for one big exception: “Death Bell” (a.k.a. Gosa). Proving that quality trumps quantity, the modest budgeted 'rookie' project “Death Bell accumulated over 1.2 million victims in cinemas during 18 days, according to its producer Go-eo Contents Media, and has become one of Korea's highest-grossing horror films ever. The feature debut of music video director Chang, the high school horror focuses on an already dreadful experience that students in Korea are all too familiar with - exams are hell - and takes it to a bloody, terrifying extreme. Acclaimed actor Lee Bum Soo leads a fresh cast that includes singer Nam Gyu Ri of SeeYa in her acting debut, up-and-coming actor Kim Bum (Hellcats), and TV actress Yoon Jung Hee (Love in Heaven). Now the first press Korean edition DVD for the horror thriller will arrives on the store at November 8th, just save one for your copy of this one of the rarely Korean horror movies.

In “Death Bell” 20 of the top students from Chang-ahn High School gather together on an inconspicuous Saturday. Some of whom are: Lee Na (Gyuri Nam) a loyal and sweet young person, Hyeon Kang (Ki-beom) the Don Juan of Chang-ahn and the rebel, Hye-yeong the girl obsessed with becoming the valedictorian, Ko-beol a student that suffers from schizophrenia, and Dong-hyeok the second highest ranked student and a chronic insomniac.
These students sit in a classroom eager to partake in lessons held by Chang-wook (Beom-su Lee) and 3 of his co-workers. During the middle of their Saturday afternoon class, music suddenly blares out of the speakers and the television turns on. The students become even more stunned when they see Hye-yeong on TV, submerged in a tank full of water. A voice then comes out and asks the students a question, the correct answer will save Hye-yeong’s life and the wrong answer will end her life. The students only have a limited to come up with their answer and there’s no escape for the 20 students assembled at Chang-ahn High School. Futhermore, more students disappear as more questions are asked. A bloody mid-term is in session.

DVD Specifications:
Product Title: Death Bell (AKA: Gosa) (DVD) (First Press Edition) (Korea Version)
Language: Korean
Subtitles: Korean, English
Video Format: Widescreen 1.85:1 (Anamorphic), NTSC
Audio Format: DD 5.1, DTS
Region Code: 3 - South East Asia (including Hong Kong, S. Korea and Taiwan)
Running Time: 85 Minutes
Publisher: Planis

Special Features:
Disc 1:
- Audio Commentary
- After Commentary
- Teaser
- Trailer
Disc 2
- Making of
- Making of costumes
- Making of Music
- Poster Shootings
- Premiere Scenes
- Music Videos

Release Date: 2008-11-08 (Save Your Copy)

Public Enemy Returns DVD

2008-10-27T07:55:00.000-07:00

The first Korean blockbuster of the summer, "Public Enemy Returns", opens June 19th, just in time to shake up the domestic box office that has been dominated by Hollywood fare for several weeks. Directed by Kang Woo-seok who brings forth his third installment in the successful franchise that began with "Public Enemy" in 2002. The film then attracted over 4 million spectators, just close behind another blockbuster of the year, “The Chaser” and the third Korean film to reach the 4 million mark this year. "Public Enemy Returns" is this time written by Jang Jin who fed it some of his characteristic humour. Seol Kyeong-gu ("Oasis") returns as a law enforcer, this time he battles a criminal played by Jeong Jae-yeong ("Someone Special"/Aneun Yoja). Now the film is up again for it DVD releasing, it’s time to see again how it works with the signature offbeat humor into the intense crime action thriller, and Seol Kyeong-gu brazenly exhibits his sixth sense for acting as the diehard detective. Cheol-jung does not let his boss - or the audience - down in this funny, street-smart sequel, which also raises some critical social issues.

With disheveled hair, an unwashed windbreaker and a scar here and there, Cheol-jung is always diving headfirst into crime scenes. After 15 years of close calls with death, he's seen and done it all. The most notorious criminals sheepishly surrender to this thug of a man, who recklessly beats men twice his size, referees duels between schoolboys and openly accepts small bribes. And of course, when a situation calls for good cop, bad cop tactics, we can guess the role Cheol-jung takes. But it's hard not to develop an affinity for this flawed man, who's seen getting seriously offended by a third grader's joke and submitting to his little daughter.In "Return", Cheol-jung is the same disheartened man. He decides to quit once and for all when he is unable to get a proper bank loan for his house. His boss, detective Um (Kang Shin-il), files away the resignation form with a dozen more such "whines" from Cheol-jung. But he's serious this time. However, a high school murder case draws Cheol-jung back into the task force - or more precisely, the promise of a retirement grant does. A 17-year-old boy, the head of a gang of troublemakers, is found dead in his classroom. What appears to have been a skirmish among juvenile delinquents, however, takes an unexpected twist when the dead boy's fingerprints match those found in an unsolved homicide
While investigating the dead boy's friends, Cheol-jung senses that their new boss, Geoseong Group CEO Lee Won-sul (Jeong Jae-yeong), may be involved. Cheol-jung learns that the convict-turned-businessman brainwashes schoolboys and molds them into little devilish tools of murder. Their underage status prevents their fingerprints in crime scenes from being detected, and when they do get caught, their zeal for Geoseong keeps them quiet. But Cheol-jung does not back down, and is determined to annihilate the public enemy. Continuing the tradition of the "Public Enemy" franchise, "Returns" eschews the cat-and-mouse game typical to the detective genre, and the battle between Cheol-jung and Won-sul is more like one between two dogs.The film is well crafted, with complex layers of narrative unfolding in an organic form, interjected with just the right amount of comic relief. Compared to its rather grave prequels, "Returns" is much more determined to make you laugh, particularly by downright making fun of the police.

DVD Specifications:
Product Title: Public Enemy Returns (DVD) (Limited Edition) (Korea Version)
Language: Korean
Subtitles: Korean, English
Screen Format : Anamorphic Widescreen, NTSC
Sound Mix : Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital 2.0
Region Code: 3 - South East Asia (including Hong Kong, S. Korea and Taiwan)
Publisher: CJ Entertainment
Number of Discs: 3
Release Date: 2008-10-24 (Save your copy!)

This three-disc set comes with both Public Enemy Returns and Public Enemy, plus a bonus disc of features:

Disc 1
• Feature Film Public Enemy Returns
• Audio Commentary with Kang Woo Suk, Sol Kyung Gu, Jung Jae Young, and Kang Shin Il
Disc 2
• Making Of
• Interview with Cast
• Character Featurettes
• Poster Shoot
• Gala Premiere
• Trailer
Disc 3
• Feature Film Public Enemy(Sources: YesAsia, DVDAsian)

Rule #1 Hong Kong Version DVD

2008-10-15T08:30:00.000-07:00

Kelvin Tong is the Singaporean filmmaker who’s best known for his award-winning horror thriller “The Maid,” which also was hailed as the first Singaporean horror film. After the film, he’s got involved with other titles like “1942” and “Men In White,” but these projects were unable to repeated his achievement with the maid’s horrific encounters that had broke Singapore’s box office record on its opening weekend. Now, Tong has become the first Singaporean director to make a feature film in Hong Kong with his favorite genre – a horror thriller. With title “Rule #1,” this time Tong’s film is revolving around supernatural crime drama. Being a Singaporean making a film in Hong Kong and using actors and crew from both countries, Tong has made somewhat of a hybrid film, with locations and settings shot entirely in Hong Kong, two of the most popular Hong Kong’s actors Shawn Yue (“Shamo”, “In Love With The Dead”) and Ekin Cheng are in the lead roles, also with Singaporean actress Fiona Xie. Tong said that he wrote the story back in 2003, but in Singapore cop movies where actors have to don police uniforms require police approval. “The answer I got was “no” because the police force doesn’t believe that ghosts exist. So, I had to look elsewhere.” Hong Kong’s Iconic landmarks such as Lingnan University, Hong Kong Plaza in Causeway Bay, a romantic beach-side bar in Repulse Bay and a disused water-filtration plant in Stanley which was featured in many Johnnie To films, then had served as the US$ 2 million movie’s locales. Now you are able to watch this polished latest work of Kevin Tong in Hong Kong version all region DVD that will release on this October 24th.

Every day, the Police Force receives 185 phone calls. 180 of them are about burglaries, murders, rapes and kidnappings. The remaining 5 begin with: “There is something strange in my house, can you please send someone over to take a look?”

For rookie Sergeant Lee (Shawn Yue), being a cop means running down crooks and upholding the law. Injured in a shoot-out, he finds out to his horror that he is reassigned to the dubious-sounding Miscellaneous Affairs Department (MAD). There, he is paired up with Inspector Wong (Ekin Cheng), a jaded and alcoholic veteran who explains that MAD’s role is to answer supernatural calls. A swimming pool caretaker calls the Police about strange noises at his workplace. Lee and Wong are dispatched to the scene. Lee seems to be on the brink of uncovering something sinister when Wong traces the source of the ghastly noise–a clogged-up water pump. Putting Lee down, Wong explains MAD’s rule number one–There are no ghosts. For every seemingly-inexplicable phenomenon, there is a corresponding scientific and rational explanation. When Lee and Wong arrive at a nursing home to investigate a bizarre TV that keeps turning itself on and off, the veteran cop immediately uncovers the culprit. A man in the opposite apartment is channel-surfing with a remote control that is of the same brand as the TV in the nursing home. Unconvinced by Wong’s easy explanations, Lee investigates on his own and finds himself confronted by the impossible. At the swimming pool, he is haunted by the ghost of a young girl who had drowned there. At the nursing home, he encounters the spirit of an old woman who enjoyed watching TV before she passed away. Confronted by Lee, Wong reveals the true mission of MAD. When members of the public call the Police about strange noises or ghostly shadows, MAD shows up and reassures the complainants with scientific and rational explanations. The truth must never be known or else society will descend into chaos. A firm believer of truth and justice, Lee cannot reconcile himself to MAD’s shady practices. As he rebels against the system, the young cop realizes that there is a grain of truth in Wong’s advice. Slowly, Lee is sucked into a world of deceit and cover-ups. His relationship with his girlfriend May (Fiona Xie) suffers as MAD begins investigating a string of bizarre teenage suicides. A girl is found to have hung herself from a height of five feet. Another girl is discovered to have drowned herself in a fish tank. Impossible suicides. Unless, the victims were possessed. As Lee and Wong follow the clues, they realize that something sinister is heading their way. A serial killer who was shot by Lee before his reassignment to MAD is back–as a ghost. He is moving from girl to girl, leaving a grisly trail of carnage in his wake. While Lee doggedly pursues this ancient feud, Wong has second thoughts about his flagging career at MAD. The veteran hooks up with his former wife Esther (Stephanie Che) and makes plans to quit the force. On Wong’s last day, Lee tracks the serial killer’s ghost down to a warehouse. A showdown ensues–in which nobody is let off. (Synopsis from kelvintong.wordpress.com)

Starts off very interestingly, “Rule #1” become one very well executed film of Kelvin Tong. There are some truly scary and disturbing images that will make you grab the edge of your seats. The sound effects and creepy music that help to thick the eerie atmosphere also perfectly executed. The thrilling ride is harmonized by proficient camera work. Filmed skillfully at several run-down but noticeably eye-catching locations in Hong Kong, this is definitely one of the better horror movies which allow its stunning visuals do the storytelling. Shawn Yue and Ekin Cheng, who play their roles of a rookie and a veteran cop were very comfortably with their act. Yue’s dynamism comes through adequately and Cheng’s world-weariness attaches a good human touch to the supernatural story. To say that this 95-minute is a straightforward horror thriller would be somewhat incorrect - this film is a human drama at heart as well.

Product Specifications:

Product Title: Rule#1 (DVD) (Hong Kong Version)
Release Date: October 24, 2008 (Save Your Copy)
Language: Mandarin, Cantonese
Subtitles: Traditional Chinese, English, Simplified Chinese
Picture Format: NTSC
Aspect Ratio: 1.78 : 1 (Anamorphic Widescreen)
Sounds: Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS Digital Surround
Disc Format(s): DVD-9, DVD All Region
Duration: 93 Minutes
Publisher: Joy Sales (HK)

The Spiritual World English Sub DVD

2008-10-05T04:42:00.000-07:00

Wanna spend your weekend with some nightmarish visions and story? Thus, Thai’s horrific film “The Spiritual World” that get nearer with the Region 3 DVD with English subtitle pack maybe appropriate to included as one of your options. Directed by Tharatap Thewsomboon, this atmospheric Thai horror will slowly get under the skin with the story of a troubled young woman being haunted by the ghosts of the past. Ever since she was a little girl, Ming (Nuttamonkan Srinikornchot) has been able to see ghosts. Wandering between the living and the dead, she encounters beckoning spirits and mysterious spectres no matter where she goes. For the past 15 years, Ming has constantly moved from one place to another in order to escape a ghost that has been following her. One day, childhood friend Buud (Anuchit Sapanpong) suddenly shows up, and asks for her help to find out the truth behind his father's death. Buud's appearance awakens Ming's buried memories, including vague recollections of the ghost that has been chasing after her.

As usually, don’t hope too much for a refreshing idea emerging from this film, concept about someone who’s able to seek ghost or something like that, actually has reminded us to “The Sixth Sense” in the first place. But what that could make this one become a quite decent ghost story are those disturbing scenes of spiritual world. Showing many shapes of creepy ghosts with several gory forms which pretty amusing those horror fans. The film also boasts of these above average production values that exposed with its reasonable detailed lighting, stylish cinematography, and also a number of fine visual effects. While in some sequences, it’s kind of depressing to watch Nuttamonkan’s hysterical acting that sometimes was over the top with expressing her frightfulness. But we also can’t put all the charge on her, cause a movie like this actually oblige such of expressions. Along with the twist that somewhat predictable enough, director Tharatap Thewsomboon knobs the genre pretty fit, carrying out the right moods and the appropriate scares at the acceptable minutes.

General Points: *** out of *****

DVD Specifications:
Product Title: The Spiritual World (DVD) (English Subtitled) (Taiwan Version)
Region Code: 3 - South East Asia (including Hong Kong, S. Korea and Taiwan)
Language: Thai
Subtitles: Traditional Chinese, English
Picture Format: NTSC
Aspect Ratio: 1.78 : 1
Sound: Dolby Digital 2.0
Duration: 102 minutes
Release Date: 2008-09-22 (Save your copy)

Jodhaa Akbar 3 Disc Collector Edition

2008-09-27T09:52:00.000-07:00

“Jodhaa Akbar,” a historical romance directed by Ashutosh Gowariker, is filmmaking on the grand scale of Cecil B. DeMille, with romance, stirring battles, a cast of thousands and enough elephants and gold to sink the Titanic. In this lengthy 209 minutes movie, the sequence of events, the drama, the romance, the war every aspect keeps you mesmerized despite it was a connoisseur's epic that relies more on character and dialogue than on big battles and teeming extras. A return to form by writer-director Ashutosh Gowariker ("Lagaan”), this cross-cultural big-budgeter about a legendary romance between a Muslim emperor and a feisty Hindu princess has received outstanding response at US and UK box-office. The film has grossed $1.3 million dollars in the first weekend in the North American box office. The film had a somewhat weak start at the Indian box office but thanks to good word of mouth publicity, it went on to do a business of Rs. 62 crore and has been declared a superhit. AOL India (Noyon Jyoti Parasara) gave it four stars, saying " Ashutosh Gowariker has proved that he is one of the best filmmakers we have today. While your heart goes for the love between the two protagonists, the film leaves you at such heights of emotions that you would literally be shaking with excitement! The film also comes at a very right time as Akbar indeed could be a role model for people and rulers today. The king not only had a secular vision, but also a will to know what the common man wanted, apart from being kind hearted and noble." Now, one of the most grandeur Indian films of this year is up to collector’s special edition DVD release. With 3 discs included, this edition would be very hefty not only with the long duration film but also with the special addition featurettes.Jodhaa Akbar is a sixteenth century love story about a marriage of alliance that gave birth to true love between a great Mughal emperor, Akbar, and a Rajput princess, Jodhaa.Political success knew no bounds for Emperor Akbar (Hrithik Roshan). After having secured the Hindu Kush, he furthered his realm by conquest until his empire extended from Afghanistan to the Bay of Bengal, and from the Himalayas to the Godavari River. Through a shrewd blend of diplomacy, intimidation and brute force, Akbar won the allegiance of the Rajputs. This allegiance was not universal. Maharana Pratap and many other rajputs always considered Akbar as a foreign invader. Maharana Pratap also banned inter marriages between rajputs who had given their daughters to the mughals and the ones who did not. But little did Akbar know that when he married Jodhaa (Aishwarya Rai Bachchan), a fiery Rajput princess, in order to further strengthen his relations with the Rajputs, he would in turn be embarking upon a new journey – the journey of true love.The daughter of King Bharmal of Amer, Jodhaa resented being reduced to a mere political pawn in this marriage of alliance, and Akbar’s biggest challenge now did not merely lie in winning battles, but in winning the love of Jodhaa – a love hidden deep below resentment and extreme prejudice. Jodhaa-Akbar is their untold love story.

Film Level: 7,5 stars out of 10
DVD Level: 8 stars out of 10

Product Specifications:
•Format: Anamorphic, Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, NTSC, Widescreen
•Language: English
•Region: All Regions
•Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
•Number of discs: 3
•Studio: Utv
•Run Time: 209 minutes
•ASIN: B0015B04EA (Save your copy)(Sources: Wikipedia, Amazon, Yahoo India Movies)

Dororo Region 1 DVD

2008-09-20T23:43:00.000-07:00

Back to the ancient Japan where fantasy version of Samurai walk the earth to kickin’ their enemy butts. And here is come martial arts fantasy with a little touch of horror, special FX heavy “Dororo”. Hit theaters in Japan last year, the film was soon became a major blockbuster of the year, it resonated well with hometown audiences young and old alike. Adapted from bestseller manga series of the same name created by Tezuka Osamu, the plot itself was revolves around the exploits of a truly unique and tragic hero, Hyakkimaru (literally "Hundred Demons") who was cursed from birth and born a living husk (faceless, organ-less, limbless and all but an empty torso). While the title was referred to “Dororo,” but actually the film has little to do with the character other than that she is Hyakimaru's sidekick, who also supplies some of the comedic relief from the one-dimensional character that Hyakimaru is. However, the comic version itself after episode 14 was renamed to “Dororo and Hyakkimaru.” The original story also actually takes places during the warring states of Japan, but in its manner way, the movie changes that as well as some minor parts here and there. With some unique and worth a look storytelling, characters, visuals and acting, “Dororo’ now embark on the region 1 DVD shipment. This home cinema version again will represents altogether Japanese style of cinematography and gives the western audience a chance to have a fine look on eastern mythology themes.Filmed in New Zealand and with two additional films are currently in production, and have been scheduled to hit Japan theaters in 2008 and 2009, respectively. The film's storyline has some major differences from that of the manga, most notably Dororo is played by a young woman instead of a little boy, though she does at times act as and refer to herself as a boy. Here is the plot of this first film: In the distant future of Japan, samurai Daigo Kagemitsu makes a deal with the 48 major demons known as majins. The 48 demons offer Daigo Kagemitsu the power to win all future battles and become the lord protector of Japan. In return Daigo Kagemitsu must allow the demons to take away 48 body parts of his future unborn son. Daigo Kagemitsu accepts the demons offer. The boy eventually is born but without 48 body parts. Daigo Kagemitsu wants to kill the son immediately but his mother manages to place the boy in a basket to float away in a river. The boy is then rescued by a magician who takes pity over the infant and takes him in as his own. The magician over the years devises prosthetic body parts for the boy who is now named Hyakki-Maru. When Hyakki-Maru reaches adulthood he embarks on a journey to kill the 48 demons and regain his natural body parts. Along the way he encounters a spunky young girl named Dororo who joins him on his quest to become "normal" again and accepted by the people.The action choreography was done by Hong Kong master Siu-Tung Ching, who worked also on such films as ”Hero”, “House of Flying Daggers”, and “Curse of the Golden Flower”. Offered some stylist action sequences that richen the film visualization. Also the New Zealand landscapes that offered a backdrop that was pleasing to the eye. But the FX somewhat came in with mixed result, it sometime fantastic but poor as well like we have seen in many low budget fantasy films or any episode of “Power Rangers”. Directed by Satoshi Tsumubaki whose well-know before as an indie director, his nervousness in directing the first big budget flick was really clear-cutted here. His character, Hyakki-Maru, was supposed to be a gloomy soul, devoid of inner peace because of his physical anomalies. Thus Hyakki-Maru was usually shown in a grim cold state. But all the involved actors somehow quite succeed to seize each of their parts here, they should have grabbed your attention immediately also. But still, it felt too long as a 138 minute epic fantasy piece, he first hour and twenty minutes were just an overly long prelude that should have been condensed in half the time.Product Specifications:
Product Title: Dororo Region 1 DVD
Actors: Mieko Harada, Yoshio Harada, Katsuo Nakamura, Kiichi Nakai, Tetta Sugimoto
Directors: Akihiko Shiota
Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
Language: Japanese
Subtitles: English
Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only)
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Number of discs: 1
Studio: Universal Studios
Run Time: 139 minutes
DVD Release Date: September 23, 2008 (Save Your Copy)

Thai Fighting Spirit On DVD

2008-09-13T08:40:00.000-07:00

Here are four films which are much and less had described those spirits of Thai fighting:

“Chocolate”

It’s not a sweet drama like we can imagine just how we read the title, but the main actress is somehow really sweet though. But with this film which also her first acting experience, Jija Yanin Vismitananda already stands peerless as Asian Cinema's next big female action star. Directed by Prachya Pinkaew and action director Panna Rittikrai, the tag team behind Thai action blockbuster “Ong Bak”, “Chocolate” is an explosive new blockbuster movie that all in all is a very entertaining film. This film also could remembering you with the 80’s HK cinema where it’s flooded with action heroines like Michelle Yeoh, Moon Lee, Sibelle Hu, Cynthia Rothrock and Michiko Nishiwaki who are among the many of them who could easily kick one’s ass hard.

The story is about a young autistic woman named Zen (Yanin Vismistananda) who has developed uncanny martial arts skills by watching television, and from living next door to a Muay Thai academy. The girl is the daughter of Zin (Ammara Siripong), the Thai wife of Yakuza boss Masashi (Hiroshi Abe). Zin was previously the girlfriend of Thai gangster No. 8 (Pongpat Wachirabunjong), who was jealous of her relationship with rival gangster Masashi. After Zin chose Masashi, he shot his own toe and forbids Zin from ever seeing him again. Zin asks Masashi to go back to Japan as they would not be able to be together safely. He begrudgingly leaves. Soon after Zin finds herself pregnant and moves into a new place to get away from No. 8. She has a daughter that she names Zen. Soon it is discovered that Zen suffers from Autism and will need special care. As Zen gets older, one day Zin decides to tell Masashi about his daughter by writing him a letter. No. 8 finds out that Zin is in contact with Masashi and is furious. He visits Zin and cuts off one of Zin's toes, to remind her she is forbidden from seeing Masashi. Zin is forced to move again to a house shared by a Muay Thai kickboxing school. Zen becomes infatuated with martial arts and begins to self-teach herself by mimicking the moves she sees as well as what she watches on television. One day when coming home from work Zin sees a poor little boy being picked on in the streets named Muum. Feeling sorry for his plight she takes him in. It is shown that Zen has uncanny reflexes and is able to catch balls thrown without even looking. Zin then falls ill with cancer, and does not have the money to pay for treatments. Zen and Muum attempt to make money to pay for these treatments by having people throw balls at her as a street performer. Unfortunately they are not able to earn enough to keep up with the treatments. One day, Muum discovers a list of debtors in an old notebook, from the days when Zin was a high-interest moneylender under No. 8. In order to get money to pay for her mother's cancer treatment, Zen and Muum decide to collect on the debts, which lead to confrontations with various criminal gangs and, eventually, No. 8.

The star of Chocolate, Yanin Vismistananda, was discovered by director Prachya Pinkaew in 2003 when the director was working on casting sessions for Panna Rittikrai's directorial effort, Born to Fight. Already experienced in taekwondo, Yanin underwent more training with Panna Rittikrai's stunt team. The script for Chocolate was then developed with Yanin in mind. The film was in production during 2006 and 2007, with promotional efforts including a cast appearance at the Bangkok Film Market during the 2007 Bangkok International Film Festival in July.

DVD Specifications:
Product Title: Chocolate (DVD) (Hong Kong Version)
Region Code: 3 - South East Asia (including Hong Kong, S. Korea and Taiwan)
Language: Thai
Subtitles: English, Traditional Chinese
Aspect Ratio: 1.78: 1 Anamorphic Widescreen
Sound Information: Dolby Digital 2.0, Dolby Digital 5.1
Duration: 110 minutes
Publisher: Kam & Ronson Enterprises Co Ltd
Release Date: June 3, 2008 (Save your copy)

“Muay Thai Chaiya”

Muay Chaiya is an ancient style of Thailand martial arts, Muay Thai. Historical records reveal the art to be at least 200 years old, but it is believed the art originated and has evolved along with the Kingdom of Siam (Thailand) some thousands of years ago. The art flourished most during the years of Muay Kad Chuek (Hemp bound fist fighting) where opponents were allowed to use any technique they see fit. Muay Chaiya originated within the royal compounds and was brought to the South by a warrior general-turned-monk named Tan Poh Ma. Thus, it can be said that Muay Chaiya actually a style of boxing as used by elite generals and warriors close to the royal family.

The movie takes place over the course of years during the late 1970s and early 1980s, an action drama film about two talented muay Thai boxers, boyhood friends whose lives take divergent paths after they arrive in Bangkok.
Growing up in Chaiya, Surat Thani Province, three boys, Piak, Pao and Samor, are followers of Pao's brother, Krang (Prawit Kittichanthira), a legendary muay Thai fighter who is taught by Pao's father, Tew (Samart Payakaroon). After an accident partially cripples Samor, Piak and Pao train as boxers under Tew, but the boxing school is broken up when Tew and Krang are recruited for a gym in Bangkok. Eventually, Piak and Pao go to Bangkok themselves, bringing along Samor, and Sripai, a nurse who is engaged to Piak, but whom Pao secretly loves. Piak's hot-headedness makes him a fierce fighter, but it is also a liability that costs him a fight and ends his career. He joins the world of underground bare-knuckles brawling, and he and Samor take on other jobs in the underworld as well, including helping out at go-go bar where the pretty Warn dances and seduces Piak. While working for the underworld, both of them ended up also doing dirty works for their boss. Pao, meanwhile, begins training with his father, and works his way up the ranks, is put forward as a top boxer in a match against a fierce farang, Diamond Sullivan, which places Pao at odds with the gangsters whom Piak and Samor work for.KRU PAIK. Sri pai later saw Piak in bed with Warn and went to find Pao. Pao and Sripan live together since while Piak took over the undergroun business once his boss was killed by another rival boss.

But although the fighting style displayed in the movie is attempting to portray the ancient style of Muay Thai Chaiya, it is not an accurate representation of the art. There are several discrepancies. The Taa Kruu posture shown with one knee raised is a fundamental aspect of Muay Thai Chaiya which most of the look mai (complementary techniques) progress from, this is not apparent in the movie however. The footwork of Muay Chaiya is also very complex and involves very metered lateral angles, and sophisticated leveling, which is not portrayed accurately. Muay Chaiya also placed a large importance on groundwork and takedowns, absent in the film. Finally, kicks in Muay Chaiya are not thrown with one arm down, as in modern stadium Muay Thai, but rather by turning the entire upper body in the direction of the kick, with both arms protecting the face, and body horizontal to the ground. It is fair to say that much of the stylistic interpretations of Muay Chaiya in this movie are more representative of stadium Muay Thai.

DVD Specifications:
Product Title: Muay Thai Chaiya (DVD) (Thailand Version)
Region Code: 3 - South East Asia (including Hong Kong, S. Korea and Taiwan)
Language: Thai
Subtitles: Thai
Aspect Ratio: 1.78: 1 Anamorphic Widescreen
Sound Information: Dolby Digital 2.0, Dolby Digital 5.1
Duration: 114 minutes
Publisher: Thai CD Online
Release Date: 2007-11-19 (Save your copy)

“Siyama: Village of Warriors”

This film is an action fantasy drama that tells a story about a village called Siyama and its people's struggle to defend their homeland. This wartime story occurs during the Ayudthaya period and narrates the heroic bravery and sacrifice of the great land's legend with Preecha Songsakul, a well-known commercial director,as the film's screenwriter and director. This film is also about a tale full of rich history that touches on issues of patriotism, ancient beliefs, and loyalty towards each other and of one's origin, connecting both values and points of view from the past and of the present.

Three young Thai girls from the present Ana (Thitima Maliwan), Gift (Nuttanan Juntarwet), and Bote (Boriboon Chanruang) are mysteriously destined to travel back in time through a portal to an old forgotten city. It is an era of civil war among the people of Siam where the fight is to protect the capital city of Ayuthaya from being conquered and overthrown. Bloodshed is about to unfold among the small group of villagers loyal to their land and prepared to battle to the death with the opposing military troops of Ong Mien, known for their cut throat, piercing swords. Siyama led by, Kru Jom, uses religious sorcery to protect his small village located amidst a ravine populated by only a mere one thousand villagers and two hundred rooftops.
By being the choice of passage towards the capital city of Ayuthaya, Siyama becomes a targeted obstacle for the gruesome military brigade of Ong Mien. Anna, Gif, and Bote from present day Bangkok are thrown into a gateway through time. They suddenly appear out of no where right at the onset of battle causing utter confusion and havoc among the soldiers. These girls are forced to put their learned history knowledge to the test to see if they can save Siyama from being utterly destroyed.

DVD Specifications:
Product Title: Siyama : Village of Warriors (DVD) (Thailand Version)
Region Code: 3 - South East Asia (including Hong Kong, S. Korea and Taiwan)
Language: Thai
Subtitles: English
Aspect Ratio: 1.78: 1 Anamorphic Widescreen
Sound Information: Dolby Digital 2.0, Dolby Digital 5.1
Publisher: Thai CD Online
Release Date: 2008-04-11 (Save your copy)

“Fighting Beat”

Still hot on the heels of “Ong-Bak”, “Tom Yum Goong” and “Muay Thai Chaiya,” this movie continues to raise the bar for Thai action flicks. Just as the predecessors, “Fighting Beat” recalls the best of the classic martial arts films of the 70s and 80s while tossing the genre kicking and screaming into the 21st century. The top-notch fight choreography is beautifully photographed - and performed by scantily-clad, easy-on-the-eyes bodies both male and female. Eye-popping in every sense of the word, “Fighting Beats” cements Thai cinema's claim as the reigning champion of martial arts movies.

It was an ordinary night on Phi Phi Island where the usual nightlife was loud and lively overflowing with foreigners at every street bar lined up on the island. KEM and a group of friends innocently fell victim to a group of doped-up foreign kickboxing fighters looking for trouble where ultimately, KEM’s father was killed on the scene. Now an orphan, KEM moved to live in a nearby temple where the head monk became his guardian. Often blaming himself for his father’s death, KEM would secretly learn Thai boxing at a local MUAY THAI bar belonging to his friend’s father, UNCLE PRAOW. Time passes on and KEM grows up in the Muay Thai fighting scene. Without his monk guardian’s acknowledgement, KEM learns to make a living off of rigged fighting matches where he fakes a defeat to his foreign Muay Thai opponents in exchange for their tips.
Uncle Praow’s Muay Thai fighting bar becomes the local attraction for visiting foreigners and word gets out to JOHN, a leader of a Muay Thai fighting team made up of foreigners called K-1. They travel to Phi Phi Island looking to buyout the bar using the facility to set up their own Muay Thai training camp, but Uncle Praow refuses to sell his property. Displeased, K-1 assaults Uncle Praow, Kem, and the employees of the bar.
In fear for KEM’s life and not wanting to repeat what happened to his father, Kem’s monk guardian takes him off the island to become a student of his friend, an old Muay Thai Master. It is here that Kem learns the disciplines of the ancient Thai boxing of Fighting Beat known for fighting bare-handedly dated back to a Thai history of battle where these techniques were used in combat distinguished by 4 different regional styles from the North, South, Central, and Eastern parts of Thailand with each style owning its uniqueness and strengths.
KEM returns to Phi Phi Island to find that Uncle Praow's bar had been forcefully taken over by K-1, the same group responsible for his father's death. Things turn violent when K-1 refuses to return the bar and KEM is forced to use his Muay Thai disciplines in order to protect himself and his friends. The deadliest street fight is set when the ancient disciplines of Fighting Beat Thai boxing (quick, reactive, fierce, and deadly) come face to face with a modern day adapted form of Thai kickboxing combat of K-1.
KEM is put to the test while caught up in this deadly street fight. Can he overcome his feelings of revenge and rage by practicing the disciplines he has learned of the art of Fighting Beat: Muay Thai Chaiya?.... “Victory does not mean a fight to the death of your opponent, but true victory is achieved when your opponent willingly accepts defeat.”

DVD Specifications:
Product Title: Fighting Beat (DVD) (Thailand Version)
Region Code: All Region
Language: Thai
Subtitles: English
Aspect Ratio: 1.78: 1 Anamorphic Widescreen
Sound Information: Dolby Digital 2.0, Dolby Digital 5.1
Publisher: Thai CD Online
Release Date: 2008-02-06 (Save your copy)
Special Features :
- Trailer
- Behind the Scenes
- EPK

(Source: YesAsia, Wikipedia)

Red Cliff 2 Disc Hong Kong DVD Edition

2008-09-04T08:29:00.000-07:00

After fifteen years in Hollywood, Asian legendary director John Woo (A Better Tomorrow, The Killer, Face/Off, Mission: Impossible 2) return to his root, China, and bringing alive one of the Chinese most valuable historical literatures, the “Chronicle of the Three Kingdoms”. Based on the Battle of Red Cliffs and events during the End of Han Dynasty and immediately prior to the period of the Three Kingdoms in ancient China, “Red Cliff” is also the most expensive Asian-financed film to date, with an estimated budget of US$80 million. This film is one of the two 2008 Three Kingdoms related films, the other being Daniel Lee's "Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon" which has already been released. With this massive budget, Woo has planned to take on every piece of the luxurious Chinese history to be an epic as the original battle itself. In result, “Red Cliff” currently has too much material to include in a single feature and the four-hour length of the film will therefore be divided into two episodes, with the first has been released on the cinema before the 2008 Summer Olympics, and the second only at the end of 2008. But now, this first episode had wrapped up and ready to toss on home cinema market. 2-Disc Edition Hong Kong Version DVD will be release soon, exactly on this September 10.

Be prepare to accept this luxurious and ambitious Asian epic in your home video, the film has without doubt been the Chinese film event of the year. With the groundbreaking financing, the budget immense, the fearsome length and the special effects which tipped to be awesome, it's probably no surprise that Woo claimed it's been the toughest film he's ever worked on. “‘Red Cliff' is the movie I've spent the most energy on, prepared for the longest, and is the most tiring since I started making movies," he told the Southern Daily newspaper. Re-teaming with Woo for the first time in the film since 1992's “Hard Boiled” is Tony Leung Chiu Wai, fresh from his Golden Horse Award-winning turn in Ang Lee’s “Lust, Caution.” Rounding out the all-star cast are Kaneshiro Takeshi (The Warlords), Chang Chen (The Go Master), Zhang Feng Yi (The Emperor and the Assassin), Vicki Zhao (Shaolin Soccer), Hu Jun (Infernal Affairs 2), Japanese actor Nakamura Shidou (Fearless), and in her debut performance, Taiwanese model Lin Chi Ling.

Director John Woo said in an interview with CCTV-6 that the film will use primarily the historical record Chronicle of the Three Kingdoms as a blueprint for the Battle of Red Cliffs, rather than the historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms. As such, traditionally vilified characters such as Cao Cao and Zhou Yu will be given a more historically accurate treatment in the film.
In the Imperial Court of the Han Dynasty in Xuchang in the summer AD 208, Prime Minister Cao Cao requests for the Emperor Xian's permission to launch a campaign against the warlords Liu Bei and Sun Quan in southern China, whom he considers rebels against the Han Dynasty.
The Emperor hesitates, but reluctantly agrees after Cao Cao speaks of his contributions and loyalty (rescuing the Emperor when he was in exile, uniting northern China). Court official Kong Rong openly challenges and denounces him as a traitor, with the intention of usurping the throne. Kong claims Liu Bei and Sun Quan have no intentions of rebelling, especially when the former is the Emperor's uncle. Subsequently, Kong Rong is executed and Cao Cao placed in command of the Imperial Army, setting forth his campaign.
Cao Cao's mighty army swiftly conquers the southern lands. Meanwhile, Liu Bei abandons the city of Xinye and leads his army and 100,000 civilians unwilling to be under Cao Cao's rule on an exodus. However, Cao Cao's calvary catches up with Liu Bei, igniting the Battle of Changban. Zhang Fei, sworn brother of Liu Bei, personally leads a small group of soldiers armed with reflective shields to hold off the enemy while buying time for the civilians to escape. As the enemy soldiers approached, Zhang's troops use their shields to reflect sunlight into the eyes of the enemy's horses, throwing them into chaos and seizing the preemptive attack.
At the same time, Zhao Yun is in search for Liu Bei's wives and son. He finds Lady Mi desperately trying to protect the infant Liu Shan from being seized by enemy soldiers. Severely wounded, she commits suicide by throwing herself in a well after entrusting Liu Shan to Zhao Yun. Zhao Yun fights bravely and manages to break out after being surrounded by the enemy.

Product Information:
Product Title: Red Cliff (DVD) (2-Disc Edition) (Hong Kong Version)
Region Code: All Region
Language: Mandarin
Subtitles: Traditional Chinese, English, Simplified Chinese
Video Format: Widescreen 1.78: 1 (Anamorphic), NTSC, DVD-9, DVD-5, DVD
Sound: DD 5.1, DTS
Disc Numbers: 2DVDs
Running Time: 140 Minutes
Publisher: Mei Ah (HK)
Release Date: 2008-09-10 (Save Your Copy)

Special Features:
- Trailer
- Photo Gallery
- Cast & Crew Interview: Tony Leung, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Zhang Feng Yi, Chang Chen, Zhao Wei, Hu Jun, Lin Chi Ling
- Hong Kong Gala Premiere
- Hong Kong Press Conference
- Synopsis
- Character Profiles

The Forbidden Kingdom Special Edition Two Disc DVD

2008-08-30T23:44:00.000-07:00

Jackie Chan and Jet Li have fulfilled their long-awaited on screen collaboration and “The Forbidden Kingdom” is pretty satisfying both of their fans, which could be seen from the result of the U.S domestic box office alone that has banked $52 million. With the rating that set on PG-13, their film also proved as a very family friendly movie compared to its lot of action-intense martial arts scenes. As everyone known, with only Jet Li and Jackie Chan have been paired for the first ever on one screen had made this film as a must see for everyone, but the director Rob Minkoff not just simply throw both of them together in this full martial arts film. He and the screenwriter John Fusco, also the fight choreographer Yuen Woo-ping from Crouching Tiger/Matrix trilogy, had crafted a magical moments in this film by using both of these Kung Fu Kings legendary reputations to telling a very entertaining, crowd-pleasing, action-fantasy fairy tale. Now, the film that a remade-up version to Chinese most legendaries folklore “Journey to the West” is accessible for your home cinema collection. “The Forbidden Kingdom” will release in two-disc special edition + digital copy DVD on September 9, 2008.

In the film, an immortal known as the Monkey King (Jet Li), is turned to stone by the malicious Jade Warlord (Collin Chou). Without his magic staff by itself, the Monkey King is destined to remain forever as the prisoner. A prophecy states that every 500 years someone is sent on a quest to return the prized pole and the story taking us back to our time where we were introduce to Jason (Michael Angarano), a friendless high school boy who really admired kung fu movies. He finds comfort hanging out in a Chinatown store browsing for forgotten martial arts films and chatting with its elderly, the shop owner (Jackie Chan). At the back of the old store, Jason finds an antique bowstaff which, when trouble starts, magically propels him back through time to an ancient, forgotten China where characters of myth and legend walk the Earth. Lost and out of his element, Jason meets two ancient fighting masters, a drunken Kung Fu master named Lu Yan (Jackie again) and a pious monk named Lan Cai He (Li again). Both of them, also with the help of the taciturn Golden Sparrow (Liu Yifei) who has a personal vendetta of her own, will take the white boy under their wing and guide him down a path which will not only returning the magic staff to its true owner and defeats the evil warlord, but also send him home. Needless to say, the Jade Warlord doesn't want Jason to deliver the staff, so he sends out his soldiers and three highly skilled fighters led by the wicked witch Ni Chang (Li Bingbing) to intercept it and make life miserable for everyone in the vicinity.

Product Configurations:
•Format: 2-Disc Keep Case, AC-3, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby Digital 5.1 EX, Special Edition, Widescreen Anamorphic, NTSC, Audio Track 2: Commentary by Rob Minkoff and John Fusco
•Language: English
•Subtitles: English, Spanish
•Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only)
•Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1
•Number of discs: 1
•Rating: PG-13
•Studio: Lions Gate
•DVD Release Date: September 9, 2008 (Save your Copy!)
•Run Time: 104 minutes

Hansel and Gretel First Press Limited DVD

2008-08-20T08:19:00.000-07:00

Being a fantasy-horror that (very) loosely based or also could be tagged as a reversal version of the Brother Grimm’s famous fairy tale with the same title, “Hansel and Gretel” is a very daring and imaginative creation of Yim Pil-seong, a director that raise his name with the 2005 debut film “Antarctic Journal”. With this film, he just twisted the fairy tale to modern day Korea and used the idea of strange forest and house to explore deep into the dark side of human psyche and imagination. Basely on its creeps aura and some grisly graphic sequences, so don’t be tricked with the sweet title or the cute faces of young actors on this film, because this movie absolutely not a children suited film but was made for a mature audiences. Director Yim has stated that the original idea for “Hansel & Gretel” came from the simple premise of “What if Hansel & Gretel couldn’t find their way out of the woods?” and this is also what he had explained about the children theme in this movie, “Children these days are prone to many dangers. Although the (violence) concerning the children may have been extreme, I wanted to portray (their) pain and circumstances.'' With the help of art director Ryoo Seong-hee who also in charge for the art of “Old Boy” and “The Host”, Seong had created every scene of “Hansel and Gretel” look like they just came out of a children’s book with mystery and illusion, but if you observes it more deeper then you can find an uncomfortable and horrifying ambiance that lied beneath its brightness and colorful appearance. This atmospheric and at times surreal fantasy horror is finally will available on DVD on September 3rd.The fairy tale began when a young man named Eun-soo (Chun Jeong-myoung – “Les Formidables”) get lost in the middle of nowhere after he has a car accident while arguing over the phone with his girlfriend. A mysterious girl found him and then led Eun-soo to her home, deep in the heart of a forest. She lives in a very beautiful house with her parents and two siblings, their rooms are filled with a myriad of colorful toys and lot of delicious cookies, somewhat of a children’s paradise, the house was seems like a very cozy place to live. But that’s one thing to imagine and another to actually live through, a strange crying sound that appears to come from the attic, the phone that doesn’t work and whenever Eun-soo tries to leave, the forest always brings him back to the “Happy Children’s Home.” He soon realizes there’s something wasn’t right with the cozy sanctuary and to make matters worse, the parents disappear one day and the kids give an unbelievable answer on their whereabouts. With all the strange facts, Eun-soo notice a mysterious secret exists with these children, the eldest, Man-seok (Eun Won-jae – “Happy Time”) who has a perilous temper out of shape for a child, his younger sister Yeong-hi (Sim Eun-kyung - “Hwang Jin Yi”) who has a bad habit of sleepwalk and the little one Jeong-sun (Jin Ji-hee) who repeatedly tortures her dolls. The Eun-soo’s fears increase as a few days later, an odd couple arrives at the children’s home and he becomes torn, having to guard the children from these unreliable strangers while watching out for his own life. When Eun-soo finally discovers a way to escape from his trapped which is written on a fairy tale book, but the book tells a story of none other than himself.

DVD Info:
Product Title: Hansel and Gretel (First Press Limited Edition DVD)
Region Code: 3 - South East Asia (including Hong Kong, S. Korea and Taiwan)
Language: Korean
Subtitles: Korean, English
Publisher: CJ Entertainment
Number of Discs: 2
Release Date: 2008-09-03 (Save your copy)

This edition comes with the following special features:
• Making Of Hansel and Gretel
• Making Of Art and Setting
• Deleted Scenes with Commentaries
• Interview with Musical Director Lee Byung Woo
• Computer Graphics
• Short Film Mobile starring Park Hye Il
• Sneak Preview and Theatrical Trailer(Source: YesAsia)