Movie Review: Dead Ball (2012, Blu-ray)

Well Go USA has given admirers of Asian cult cinema a myriad of films with the always growing variety of interesting flicks in their library. The films produced by Sushi Taiphoon are a personal favorite of mine because, well, most are just bat-shit crazy and usually fun to watch because they are so out there.  Director Yudai Yamaguchi has made a few films (Battlefield Baseball, Meatball Machine and Yakuza Weapon) that could very well be in the "bat-shit" variety. He takes a lot of what made his previous films enjoyable and rolled them into his own tasty, blood-drenched comedy/action/ horror flick in Dead Ball.

Baseball is without a doubt America’s number one pastime. It’s also right up there for the Japanese. Jubei is one of the many youths who love the sport. His father and him go out often to play – that is until Jubei cracks open his pop’s cranium with a devastating fast-ball that would make Randy Johnson quiver in his size 16 cleats. Jubei has a special gift in his 200 mph flaming pitches, he also has some anger issues that arise as he grows into a teen, but it isn't against the innocent - he takes it out on the slime of city.

Movie Review: Back to 1942 (aka Yi jiu si er, 2012)

Directed by Xiaogang Feng

Movie Review by Greg Goodsell

With the world officially plunged into war back the winter of 1942, a village in the Henan province in Mainland China decides to flee the grinding famine brought on by drought. While wealthy landlord Master Fan (Zhang Guoli) has enough to feed the village and his family, bandits arrive to burn everything down to the ground. Piling up his rickshaws with personal belongings, food and his daughter, wife and daughter-in-law, Fan joins a great exodus heading west. Things get worse and worse and worse, as their fellow travelers lash out and kill for a mouthful of food …

It’s been an interesting year for film criticism. We have had the Lianne Spiderbaby debacle, with her merrily cutting and pasting the works of Internet scribes who write for love, not money, for her own personal fame and fortune. There has also been the recent controversy concerning critical warhorse Rex Reed. Said persnickety critic was seen storming out of a screening of the anthology horror film V/H/S 2 to which he wrote a scathing review. People called him out on it, saying he had no right to condemn a film he hadn’t seen all the way through.

Horny Diver: Tight Shellfish and Story of White Coat: Indecent Acts Bring the Nikkatsu Sleaze!

TWO NEW THRILLERS IN THE NIKKATSU EROTIC FILMS COLLECTION!

Story of White Coat: Indecent Acts and Horny Diver: Tight Shellfish

JAPANESE EROTIC DELIGHTS — WITH AN EDGE!

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Story of White Coat: Indecent Acts 
will nurse you back to health!

Poor virginal Shinobu!  Her dream is to become a nurse and live a comfortable life, but that dream turns into a nightmare when she becomes the object of obsession for Junior, the sex crazed son of a major shareholder at the hospital where she works.  When Junior is admitted to the hospital with alcohol poisoning, no nurse is safe!  Will Shinobu escape Junior and his addiction to sex, or will she finally succumb to his amorous appetite?  Story of White Coat: Indecent Acts is loaded with beautiful women, naughty sex and gratuitous nurse nudity.  It may be just what the doctor ordered for your perverted sex fix!

Movie Review: Sex Hunter 1980 (1980, Nikkatsu/Impulse/Synapse)

...really gotta hand it to the folks over at the Nikkatsu Film Corporation, during their successful reign of what they have coined 'Roman Porno' (...that's 'romantic pornography'...though, this viewer originally assumed that the 'roman' moniker, referred to a flavor of Roman eroticism, which actually might be understandable, to some, in such an assumption). Most of their productions (...at least, the one's which this viewer has thus far partaken of) have allowed viewers to engage a rather compelling storyline, amidst the graphic sexcapades, which these films are normally known for. And these storylines are, for the most part, interesting enough to captivate and draw the unwary viewer in...until such point that the often graphic & fetish-flavored eroticism kicks in, and hits the viewer with a shock to the system, not unlike that of an ounce of everclear, instantly hitting the brain. And such is the case, once again, with a recently released episode from 1980, called "Sex Hunter"...a torrid tale, made exponentially all the more reflective of the imitable Nikkatsu storytelling style, in that the main character, herself, embraces a subtle innocence...a vulnerable and naive innocence, which is abruptly and shockingly made corrupt, through a trial of eroticism, most outrageous and forbidden...

Movie Review: Onna Harakiri Sakuhinshu (1990)

Written by Yuuri Sunohara

Starring Yuuri Sunohara

This was my first personal foray into the seedy underbelly of Japanese fetish cinema, aside from a vomit-fetish porn I stumbled across while looking for Harry Potter books online once. And I must confess, before viewing it I had no idea there was a whole and distinct sub-genre of horror dealing exclusively with ritualistic suicide, otherwise known as Harakiri. Just another reason why I love Japanese cinema, those crazy bastards just have no boundaries when it comes to inappropriate shit. I'll simply refer to it as “art house snuff”, that has a nice ring to it and gives it an air of integrity.

Movie Review: The Thieves (2012, Blu-ray)

Directed by Dong-hoo Choi

Movie Review by Greg Goodsell

Popie (Lee Jung-Jae), Yenicall (Gianna Jun), Chewingum (Kim Hae-Suk) and Zampano (Kim Soo-Hyun) are a group of highly sophisticated thieves working in South Korea. Utilizing a variety of James Bond-like stunts, their heists are all meticulously planned and executed. After they score a valuable antique vase, they hear from Macao Park (Kim Yun-Seok) in which he proposes a highly lucrative new job at his namesake, the super-gambling island Mecca of Macau. He even manages to recruit former cohort and lover Pepsee (Kim Hye-Soo) to join in, even if she took the fall for his bungled gold theft the years previously. Freshly released from prison, Pepsee then joins Macau and the others in Hong Kong where they team up with four local Hong Kong thieves Chen (Simon Yam), Andrew (Oh Dal-Su), Julie (Angelica Lee) and Johnny (Kwok Cheung Tsang).

Macao Park then lays out the plan. Their mission is to steal the "Tear of Sun" diamond currently in the possession of ruthless criminal Wei Yong, stashed in the suite room of a Macau casino & resort. Macao Park tells his crew that he can easily unload the diamond for $20 million dollars, insuring that all will be set for life if they are successful.

“Too many cooks spoil the broth,” as they say, and the gang of ten all have their own agendas. The plan to steal the diamond goes terribly, terribly wrong and some members of the gang wind up paying for it with their lives. The surviving gang members then plot to bring whoever is responsible to justice, but to quote another cliche -- is there truly "no honor among thieves?"

Japanese Erotic Delights Coming From Impulse Pictures!

IMPULSE PICTURES PRESENTS

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TWO NEW THRILLERS IN THE NIKKATSU EROTIC FILMS COLLECTION!

SHE CAT and FEMALE TEACHER HUNTING

JAPANESE EROTIC DELIGHTS — WITH AN EDGE!

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SHE CAT scratches and prowls!

Dr. “Cat” Kagami was hoping to leave her torrid past behind, but a failed assassination attempt has now put her square in the crosshairs of a team of brutal killers.  Now no one is safe, including her lesbian co-worker and a mysterious woman with a terrible secret that could bring down an entire Japanese company.  Cat must take the law into her own hands and enact her own special kind of revenge!

She Cat, directed by Shingo Yamashiro, is not only one of the more intricately plotted features in the Nikkatsu Erotic Films Collection, but it’s also one of the longest and sexiest entries.  Expert direction, the amazingly “ample” assets of lead actress Ai Saotome, steamy lesbian shower-sex scenes and an action-packed gun fight finale make this film a must see for all Japanese erotic film fans!

In FEMALE TEACHER HUNTING, a moonlight skinny-dipping session between two carefree high schoolers leads to a young boy being accused of a violent assault on his female classmate.  After throwing a teacher to the ground, he stomps out of the school gates and spends his summer break roaming a beachside town.  Falling down a rabbit hole into a dark, oppressive world of sex and violence, he is taken in by a bar-owner and his libidinous mistress. Meanwhile, the teacher he assaulted hunkers down in a rented villa in the same coastal resort, awaiting a secret tryst with her married lover.  What happens when student and teacher meet again?

A moody and dramatic from, with shocking scenes of sex and violence, FEMALE TEACHER HUNTING is deftly directed by one of the strongest of the final wave of Nikkatsu erotic film helmers, Junichi Suzuki.

Movie Review: The Coffin (2011)

by Peggy Christie


The Coffin is an interesting little flick out of Thailand. Apparently the Thai people believe that if you lie down in a coffin, have it sealed, and pray/wish/whatever for an undetermined length of time, you will be able to stave off bad luck and death. Seems if you are sick, a loved one is sick, or anything in your life needs a little extra oomph behind its success, this is a common ritual. And yeah, anything involving the living and coffins never seems to end well in the movies.

Movie Review: Doomsday Book (2012)

Korea has given us some interesting films in the past few years. Most notably, I Saw the Devil, which was brilliantly directed by Jee-woon Kim. Kim returns in this interesting anthology for the segment entitled "The Heavenly Creature." In this segment, we are asked whether or not a robot can reach full enlightenment and become Buddha. Interesting ideas like this and other what-ifs propel the three futuristic stories in Doomsday Book.

The other stories center around a possible cause for a zombie outbreak and an internet shopping venture gone wrong. These are all compelling concepts, but I'm not sure how to feel about the movie as a whole. I guess it would be best to take on each segment individually.

Movie Review: Tai Chi Zero (2012, Blu-ray)

Reviewed by Rob Sibley

“Tai Chi: Zero” is a film I’ve been looking forward to checking out for sometime. The mixture of crazy wire-fu martial arts with steam punk sounded like a fun mash up of genre’s. Having watched the film, I can say the trailers marketed the film very well. What you see is what you get and in this case that’s a very good thing.

Directed by Stephen Fung mostly known as an actor for the fun Gen X cops or to a lesser extent Gen-Y cops, is a solid and accomplished director as well. Having helmed the over the top kung-fu comedy House of Fury. One does get the impression watching this though that Mr. Fung tries a bit to hard in the humor department. You can tell the man idolizes the work of the great Stephen Chow and I wouldn’t be surprised if Chow’s modern day classic “Kung Fu Hustle” played a bit of an inspiration on this bad boy.

Nikkatsu on Blu-ray?? Fairy in a Cage and more coming this March from Impulse Pictures!!

A double-knotted chalkboard-scratching double feature from the masterminds of Nikkatsu!

During World War II, the tyrannical Judge Murayama uses his military power to imprison and torture innocent people.  Suspected of helping an anti-government movement, the lovely Namiji Kikushima (Naomi Tani) is captured, along with a local kabuki actor.  Helpless and unable to escape, the two are subjected to a grueling series of tortures including rope bondage and physical assault.  As the Judge and his evil assistant Kayo revel in their perverse fetishes, a new military recruit they’ve hired may be the key to prisoners’ freedom.  He loves Namiji and will do what he can to help her, even if it means betrayal to organize an escape!

Impulse Pictures is proud to present FAIRY IN A CAGE, one of the most controversial films of 1970’s Japanese cinema, in a brand-new high-definition transfer taken from the original 35mm camera negative.

Movie Review: The Assassins (Blu-ray, 2012)

Reviewed By: Rob Sibley

“The Assassins” is the directional debut of Linshan Zhao, starring Chow Yun Fat. Now before you get all excited this isn't a bullet ballet film like “A Better Tomorrow ”, “The Killer” or “Hard Boiled”. The Assassins is a Chinese period piece, a costume drama if you will. Set during The Three Kingdoms era of China. Quick note, if your interested in this time period be sure to check out John Woo's “Red Cliff” films and Daniel Lee's “Resurrection of the dragon”.

In The Assassins, Chow plays real life General Cao Cao ruler of Wu Kingdom. The title itself refers to a group of lovers played by the stunning Liu Yifei (White Vengeance) and Hiroshi Tamaki (Midnight Eagle). They play the lover assassins very well and you can tell from the very start that their relationship is doomed. With Tamaki being a eunuch and Yifei playing a concubine. Their story is truly an emotional one.

Best of 2012: Blu-ray and DVD

2012 was yet another banner year genre flicks on DVD and Blu-Ray. In the list below you get a little Hammer, a Raro rarity, a micro-budget surprise, a flock of Geese doing some ass-kicking on Blu-ray, a Bible camp that flows in the red stuff and some dandy Asian films among this list of must-have Blu-rays. Even the Silver Shamrock makes it's debut in High-Def. Grab these releases if you haven't yet! Happy New Year!! 

The Night Of The Devils  (Blu-ray, Raro Video)

Movie Review: Wu Dang (Blu-ray)

Reviewed By: Rob Sibley

Wu Dang is the latest offering from director Patrick Leung. A solid director in his own right. His films usually are either light hearted comedy's such as “Good Times, Bed Times “ or light hearted martial art fantasy epics, “Twin Effects II” comes to mind. If you're catching a theme the word is light hearted and that's one of the best ways to describe Wu Dang, a fun rollicking adventure/martial arts fantasy that's part Indiana Jones, part vintage Tsui Hark with maybe a little Doc Savage thrown in for good measure.

Now before I continue I must say Patrick Leung is a good director, but he cut his teeth working as John Woo's main man for second unit directing. He's collaborated with Woo on two of his best bullet ballet films The Killer & Hard Boiled. So you have Leung to thank almost as much as Mr. Woo for those classics. The years of working with Mr. Woo have obviously paid off. Their most recent collaboration was on John Woo's epic Red Cliff.

Movie Review: Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989, Blu Ray)

Directed by Kazuki Ohmori
Starring Kunihiko Mitamura, Yoshiko Tanaka and Masanobu Takashima
Run Time: 104 minutes

Dr. Shiragami has been genetically engineering a form of indestructible plant life using a rare supply of Godzilla cells. This experiment has brought a strange new form of plant life into existence: Biollante, massive yet peaceful in every way.....until Godzilla returns once again to wreak havoc upon Japan. It is only then that something within Biollante stirs and the plant must fight to save her creator and the land she loves. It’s the super-beast Battle of the Century when Godzilla and Biollante come face-to-face in an explosive fight to the finish.

More Nikkatsu Sleaze And Gangster Carnage Coming From Synapse Films and Impulse Pictures!

SYNAPSE AND IMPULSE FILMS PRESENT

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SEASON'S BEATINGS AND CHRISTMAS BLEEDINGS
THREE TITLES TO TRIM YOUR BLOODY TREE

ASYLUM (I WANT TO BE A GANGSTER)
SEX HUNTER: WET TARGET
I LOVE IT FROM BEHIND!

FRENCH GANGSTERS AND ASIAN BAD GIRLS. WOTTA COMBO!

FROM FRENCH DIRECTOR OLIVIER CHATEAU comes ASYLUM, a tough tale of tough men making tough choices. 
When a small-time crook wants to move up the hierarchy to be a big-time gangster, a deadly mistake almost costs him his life, and he gets that opportunity. Chained to a tree and left with no food nor water, he has to train his sharp wits to survive his horrible torture. Synapse Films' disc includes a making-of featurette, "Homer" short film by Chateau, and the original promotional trailer.

 ASYLUM Special Features:

•"Making of" Featurette
• "Homer" short film by Asylum director
• Original Promotional Trailer

Contest: Spread The Cheese for Godzilla!

 Spread The Cheese for Godzilla!

That time is here again, Cheesers! We're asking you to spread the word about  Cinema Head Cheese, and we have a great prize for those that do it! One random Cheese spreader will receive the first time blu-ray release of Godzilla vs. Biollante.

Here's How to Qualify:

Share our Facebook or Twitter pages to be entered. That's it! It's that easy. Everyone who shares gets entered. Winners will be announced in two weeks.

The contest ends on December 4, so get to it!

Movie Review: Lone Wolf and Cub (Blu-ray Collection)

AnimEigo has released some of the finest Samurai films from Japan over the past several years and lately have branched out to taking some of the most popular titles in their catalog and giving them some Hi-Def love on the Blu-ray format. So far we've seen them put out impressive releases of the original Shogun Assassin film and the five film collection of Shogun Assassin on Blu-ray. Now AnimEigo has taken the Lone Wolf and Cub series (the inspiration for Shogun Assassin) and made it available for those looking to upgrade on an already cool DVD set.

Before Shogun Assassin became the influential samurai "grindhouse" classic that it's so deservedly was crowned by critics and fans there were six films in the Baby Cart series directed by Kenji Misumi. All six of the features have been carefully assembled in a two-disc set form by Asian DVD powerhouse AnimEigo. The two films that were essentially the "highlight" reel that became Shogun Assassin, Sword of Vengeance and Baby Cart at the River of Styx kick off the set. The following four installments are also included Uncut and in their entirety – Baby Cart in Peril, Baby Cart to Hades, Baby at the River of Styx and finally White Heaven in Hell.

Movie Review: Sex Hell: True Story of a Woman in Jail (1975)

Directed by Koyu Ohara

Starring Hitomi Kozue, Meika Seri and Maya Hiromi

Here we have your typical “Women behind bars” movie. It has all the elements one would expect in this genre, plus it is done on the supposition that the jail in question is actually a juvenile hall. Implying that all the females involved are under-aged. As one would expect, in 1970's Japan this caused a bit of a stink. (Although all of the actresses involved are quite obviously of legal age.) For fans of this type of stuff, everything you want and need from your “woman behind bars” fix is included.

Movie Review: Madame O (1967, aka Zoku akutokui: Joi-hen)

Directed by Seiichi Fukuda

Michiko Sakyô plays the Madame O of the title, a highly successful female surgeon with issues. The frowning, matronly Sakyo is all business at the clinic, but come nightfall she paints on a smile and hits all of Tokyo ’s seediest gin joints to pick up men. After a roll in the hay, Madame O reaches for her lancet, marks her male prey and presses some syphilis-moistened swabs into their wounds as they sleep. Sakyo is lashing out at men after being gang raped on a beach as a teenager. She hates all men, and hates herself just a little bit more, as she mutilates her own genitalia sans anesthetic. A fellow male doctor (Akihiko Kaminara) catches her in the act and promptly falls head over heels in love with her! – YEEEEEEEEEEEcccccccccchhhhhhhhhhhh.

Buy Madame O on DVD