The Asian DVD Guide

Friday, 2/24/2006

Universe February 23 Releases

Great Yokai War, The (2005) Director: Takashi Miike Cast: Ryunosuke Kamiki, Etsushi Toyokawa, Naoto Takenaka, Chiaki Kuriyama Synopsis Now, all over Japan, children begin to disappear, and terrifying monsters start attacking people. This is the work of evil spirits antipathetic to the realm of human existence. Their villainy also extends to the ancient sprits of Japan, who begin one by one to fall victim. This is following the story of one of the Japanese Tales. The country's ancient spirits, Shojo, the Kirin Herald, Kawahime, the River Princess, Kawataro, the Kappa River Sprite, the Azuki-Bean Washer and the others, join with Tadashi, the Kirin Rider in a battle to the finish with the Yomotsumono, the cursed evil army. Tadashi's adventure promises to be full of surprises! This journey is more exciting and modern than the Legend Japanese Cartoon Gegege no Kitarou. Special Edition (2 Discs) Disc 1 - Film Letterboxed and 16x9 enhanced Japanese (DTS 5.1), Cantonese (DTS 5.1) Chinese (Traditional), English, and Chinese (Simplified) subtitles Region 3 DVD-9 Disc 2 - Extras Another Story of Kawataro (Yokai) 2005 Yokai Conference Short Drama of Yokai Making of Yokai Movie Interview with Main Casts Visual Records of Promotion Documentary of Ryunosuke Kamiki (Lead Actor) The Introduction of Yokai (Picture Only) Regular Edition (1 Disc) Letterboxed and 16x9 enhanced Japanese (DTS 5.1), Cantonese (DTS 5.1) Chinese (Traditional), English, and Chinese (Simplified) subtitles Region 3 DVD-9

Edko February 28 Releases

Tom Yum Goong (2005) Director: Prachya Pinkaew Cast: Tony Jaa Synopsis Kham grew up with his father and two elephants in a quiet village in Thailand. At leisure time, he learned from his father the ancient weaponry and Muay Thai of Jaturnugkabart, the traditional Thai royal soldier. Before the Thai Water Festival, Kham and his father are so excited that their beloved elephants will be presented to the King. However, unbeknownst to them, the village headman is heavily involved with smuggling endangered animals overseas. The headman cheated the Khams and sent their elephants to Australia. Burning with rage, Kham goes to Sydney, a strange city for him, in search of the elephants, while the dangers ahead may cost his life... Disc 1 - Film Letterboxed and 16x9 enhanced Thai (DTS ES), Thai (DD Surround EX), Cantonese (DD Surround EX) Chinese (Traditional) subtitles Region 3 Disc 2 - Extras Theatrical Trailer Behind The Scenes Promotional Events In Hong Kong TV Spot Photo Gallery Cast/Crew Filmographies

Edko February 23 Releases

Gift, The (2005) Director: Kiyoshi Sasabe Cast: Hidetaka Yoshioka, Yuriko Ishida Synopsis Sitting at the grand piano is young Chiori, who can play any piece of music after one hearing. Her guardian and teacher, Keisuke Kisaragi, once claimed as the most-promising piano performer, lost his hand when he saved Chiori from a gunman. Keisuke then discovers Chiori's talent for music and finds an extension of his dreams through her. Social worker Mariko Iwamura invites them to perform at a hospice. After Chiori gives a moving performance, she and Mariko run off to frolic outdoors. A sudden electrical storm crashes a windmill. Mariko dives on top of Chiori to protect her. Mariko lies unconscious in a hospital bed while Chiori awakens and brings a miracle... Letterboxed and 16x9 enhanced Japanese (Stereo) Chinese (Traditional) and English subtitles Extras: Theatrical trailer, photo gallery, and cast/crew filmographies. Region 3

Edko January 26 Releases

Innocent Steps (2005) Director: Park Young-hun Cast: Moon Geun-yeong, Park Geon-hyeong Synopsis Young-sae was once acclaimed as the most-promising dancer. Losing his partner and lover, he lost his enthusiasm in sports dancing for two years. Now, he decides to make a comeback at the Championships held in Seoul three months later. His new partner is a girl lives in China and won in a dance contest. It is then discovered that Chae-ryn has come in place of her sister and she knows nothing about dancing! Young-sae wants to send her back at first. When he sees Chae-ryn's determination to become a dancer, he starts to train her with the hardest lessons. Step by step, their dancing starts to sparkle, so as their relationship. Letterboxed and 16x9 enhanced Korean (DTS ES), Korean (DD Surround EX), Cantonese (Stereo) Chinese (Traditional) and English subtitles Extras: Theatrical trailer, music video, TV spot, photo gallery, and cast/crew filmographies. Region 3

Thursday, 2/16/2006

Mei Ah February 25 Releases
Moonlight Express (1999) (Remastered) Letterboxed and 16x9 enhanced Cantonese, Mandarin Chinese (Traditional), English, and Chinese (Simplified) subtitles
Bichunmu [TV Series] Letterboxed Cantonese, Mandarin Chinese (Traditional) and Chinese (Simplified) subtitles

IVL February 23 Shaw Brothers Releases

DVD/VCD
Five Tough Guys (1974) Director: Pao Hsueh-li Cast: Chen Kuan-tai, Ling Yun, Lily Ho, Frankie Wei Genre: Action Synopsis The team of real-life kung-fu champion Chen Kuan-tai and director Pao Hsueh-li was a productive one, resulting in such classic hits as The Boxer From Shantung, Man Of Iron and Iron Bodyguard. This powerful saga is one of their last together, as well as one of their most sweeping. It tells of the battle between a usurper of the throne and the patriots, led by Chen, who backs a Yunnan Governor just after the revolution. Letterboxed and 16x9 enhanced Mandarin (DD 5.1) Chinese (Traditional) and English subtitles Region 3 Extras: Trailers, picture gallery, poster art, behind the scenes pictures, biographies/filmographies, and production notes.
Kung-fu Instructor, The (1979) Director: Sun Chung Cast: Ti Lung, Wang Yu, Ku Feng, Chiu Ya-chi Genre: Martial Arts Synopsis The Kung-fu Instructor was director Sun Chung's loose homage to Akira Kurosawa's Yojimbo where unlike hero Sanjuro being a gruff, snarling, drunk swordsman looking for a drink, beloved actor Ti Lung plays an upright, righteous, weapon instructor looking to keep his limbs. Sun became the first Shaw Brothers' director to use a Steadicam giving the action a unique brand of tension and rhythm. Celebrated martial arts choreographer Tang Chia did wonders with the pole fights. Letterboxed and 16x9 enhanced Mandarin (DD 5.1) Chinese (Traditional) and English subtitles Region 3 Extras: Trailers, picture gallery, poster art, behind the scenes pictures, biographies/filmographies, and production notes.
Long Road To Gallantry (1984) Director: Lung Yi-sheng Cast: Hui Ying-hung, Ho Chia-chin, Kuan Tzu-lin, Pai Piao Genre: Martial Arts Synopsis Newly crowned queen of kung-fu films Hui Ying-hung, stars in Long Road To Gallantry, a rivetting swordswoman spectacle. Shaw Brothers' actress Lily Li teams up with one time kung-fu wonder boy Chen Kuan-tai in a quest to find a missing martial arts manual. It's new wave heroic bloodshed with new wave talent such as the upcoming Rosamund Kwan who went on to star in six Jet Li films. Letterboxed and 16x9 enhanced Mandarin (DD 5.1) Chinese (Traditional) and English subtitles Region 3 Extras: Trailers, picture gallery, poster art, biographies/filmographies, and production notes.
Naval Commandos, The (1977) Director: Chang Cheh Cast: Liu Yung, Ti Lung, Alexander Fu Sheng, David Chiang, Shih Szu Genre: Action Synopsis The "Godfather Of The Kung-Fu Film" created this rousing epic of a seemingly suicidal mission to destroy the Japanese Navy's flagship in 1937, featuring many great actors he had worked with over the years. Their courageous and desperate attempts to do just that comprise the remarkable action in this rousing epic, featuring some of the greatest actors Chang had ever made, was making, and would ever make famous. Letterboxed and 16x9 enhanced Mandarin (Mono) Chinese (Traditional) and English subtitles Region 3 Extras: Trailers, picture gallery, poster art, biographies/filmographies, and production notes.
That Man In Chang-an (1966) Director: Yen Chun Cast: Yen Chun, Fang Yin, Alison Chang Yen, Park No-sik Genre: Martial Arts Synopsis Yen Chuan began his film acting career in 1938. He started directing films in 1953. So he was a seasoned and popular filmmaker when he helmed and appeared in this romantic Han Dynasty adventure epic of a dying Emperor, an Evil Queen, a beautiful Princess, a dastardly royal nephew, and a masked hero. There's plot and counterplots galore, complete with cliffhangers and last second rescues…not to mention secret agents, secret identities, secret treasure, Mongolian generals, and even master alchemists. Letterboxed and 16x9 enhanced Mandarin (Mono) Chinese (Traditional) and English subtitles Region 3 Extras: Trailers, picture gallery, poster art, biographies/filmographies, and production notes.
VCD Only
Pursuit Of A Killer (1985) Director: Taylor Wong Cast: Lo Mang, Pai Piao, Tso Yin-ling, Sun Chien Genre: Action Synopsis With Hong Kong's fate of being handed over to Mainland China rapidly approaching, Hong Kong films began having Mainland Chinese characters getting caught up in Hong Kong life. The charm of Pursuit Of A Killer lies in the long awaited reunion of two Five Venoms; Lo Meng, who plays a mainland Chinese criminal escaping to Hong Kong in search of a better life, and Sun Chien, the cop who helps him adjust to Hong Kong life while tracking down his mysterious killer. Mandarin, Cantonese Chinese (Traditional) and English subtitles

Shaw Brothers Photo Galleries
January 5 14 Amazons, The (1972) Ambitious Kung Fu Girl (1981) Empress Wu (1960) Shepherd Girl, The (1963) Songfest (1963) [not available] December 22 Blue Skies (1967) Demon Of The Lute (1983) Magnificent Concubine, The (1960) Magnificent Wanderers (1976) Tragic Commitment (1995) [not available]
The galleries will be deleted after one week.

2006 Shaw Brothers Releases

The 2006 Shaw Brothers release schedule (through August) is now available: Shaw Brothers 2006 Release Schedule