The Asian DVD Guide

Wednesday, 5/30/2007

Asia Video June 8 Releases
Christmas On July 24th Avenue (2006) Director: Shosuke Murakami Cast: Takao Osawa, Miki Nakatani Synopsis "I have no interest in love affairs," says Sayuri,"least of love, Christmas!" She refuses to take things as they are, for she fancies her harbor town of Nagasaki as Lisbon, Portugal. But on Christmas, encouraged by the season of romance, she tried to materialize her once-in-a-lifetime love with the man of her dreams. A brand new romantic comedy made by the staff of the "Train Man" fame. 4:3 Japanese (Stereo) Chinese (Traditional) and English subtitles Region 3 DVD-5 Running Time: 108 minutes
Eat, Money, Man, Woman And The Importance Of Being Vulgar (2002) [Stage Play] 4:3 Cantonese (Stereo) Chinese (Traditional) subtitles DVD-5 Running Time: 111 minutes

IVL June 7 Shaw Brothers Releases

DVD/VCD
Dragon Missile, The (1976) Director: Ho Meng-hua Cast: Lo Lieh, Liu Yung, Yen Nan-hsi Genre: Martial Arts Synopsis The many fans of the internationally popular "Flying Guillotine" films and international star Lo Lieh (King Boxer) will love this movie, featuring some of the most exciting martial arts machinery ever conceived. Everybody's fighting for a special elixir and the title tool -- an ultra-cool flying boomerang with blades. There are double crosses and ambushes galore before the culminating clash of sizzling steel that has to be seen to be believed. Letterboxed and 16x9 enhanced (2.35:1) Mandarin (Mono) Chinese (Traditional) and English subtitles Extras: Trailers, picture gallery, poster art, biographies/filmographies, and production notes. Region 3 Running Time: 82 minutes
Killer Constable (1980) Director: Kuei Chih-hung Cast: Chen Kuan-tai, Ku Feng, Pai Piao, Yu Tsui-ling Genre: Martial Arts Synopsis Kuei Chih-hung was famous for his modern day crime thrillers, his horror flicks, and even his comedies, but many feel this was his best kung-fu film. Many also consider this real life martial arts champion Chen Kuan-tai's best performance. As a deeply, even obsessively, dedicated Chief Court Constable, he illuminates the screen with fighting skill and emotional passion. Award winning actor Ku Feng is his equal, playing an especially homicidal robber-chief who thinks nothing of throwing all his men at their relentless pursuer. Letterboxed and 16x9 enhanced (2.35:1) Mandarin (Mono) Chinese (Traditional) and English subtitles Extras: Trailers, picture gallery, poster art, biographies/filmographies, and production notes. Region 3 Running Time: 92 minutes
Loving You (1995) Director: Johnnie To Cast: Lau Ching-wan, Carman Lee, Tuo Zhong-hua Genre: Action Synopsis The topnotch pair of Johnnie To and Lau Ching-wan teams up again in this tale of a man re-evaluating his life and being given a second chance. Lau plays Liu Chen-hai, a cop whose personality leaves much to be desired. His neglect pushes his wife (Carman Lee) to an affair. When Liu is shot by a gang boss, his wife - pregnant with her lover's child - comes back to his side to nurse him. Liu is forced to do some soul-searching. Letterboxed and 16x9 enhanced (1.85:1) Cantonese (Mono), Mandarin (Mono) Chinese (Traditional) and English subtitles Extras: Trailers, picture gallery, poster art, biographies/filmographies, and production notes. Region 3 Running Time: 79 minutes
Six Assassins (1970) Director: Cheng Chang-ho Cast: Ling Yun, Hsia Fan, Lily Li, Nan-kung Hsun Genre: Martial Arts Synopsis A year before he was to direct King Boxer -- the first Hong Kong kung-fu film ever to break into the international market -- Cheng Chang-ho both wrote and directed this powerful martial arts movie. Ling Yun, of Gun Brothers and Hellgate (among many others), ably plays a magician-warrior who initially protects the villain from an ambush by the title heroes. But after his wife's and friend's deaths, he must fight to set things right. Letterboxed and 16x9 enhanced (2.35:1) Mandarin (Mono) Chinese (Traditional) and English subtitles Extras: Trailers, picture gallery, poster art, biographies/filmographies, and production notes. Region 3 Running Time: 80 minutes
Tales Of Larceny (1973) Director: Li Han-hsiang, Ching Kong Cast: Li Ching, Ching Kong, Tsung Hua, Hsia Ping, Liu Tan Genre: Comedy Synopsis In "The Scholar and The Soldier", Major Fang is obsessed with Yu Zhen by chance, knowing that she is the daughter of scholar Xu, he decided to enter their house in disguise with his page, and however, Yu Zhen's cousin comes back for the pre-arranged marriage at the same time. Li Han-hsiang both scripted and helmed "Tales of Larceny" about the scams cons worked and the games people played during the corrupt Chinese Warlord era, featuring a cast filled with the best of Shaw's exceptional character actors. Letterboxed and 16x9 enhanced (2.35:1) Mandarin (Mono) Chinese (Traditional) and English subtitles Extras: Trailers, picture gallery, poster art, biographies/filmographies, and production notes. Region 3 Running Time: 77 minutes

IVL May 22 Shaw Brothers Releases

DVD/VCD
Crimson Palm, The (1963) Director: Chen E-hsin Cast: Ivy Ling Po, Chin Ping, Li Ching Genre: Huangmei Opera Synopsis The seminal Huangmei Opera adaptation from Shaw, The Crimson Palm features the unforgettable film song "Country Road" by Ivy Ling Po. The story evolves around Lin Shao-teh, a poor student who was engaged to Chien-king (Chin Ping), the daughter of billionaire Wang Chun (Yu Kuan-chao). To support her lover for the exam, Chien-king offered gold as Lin's traveling expenses and asked to meet him at midnight. When Lin arrived as scheduled, all he could find was the bloody corpse of Chien-king's maid (Li Ching)! Letterboxed and 16x9 enhanced (2.35:1) Mandarin (Mono) Chinese (Traditional) and English subtitles Extras: Trailers, picture gallery, poster art, biographies/filmographies, and production notes. Region 3 Running Time: 77 minutes
Forever And Ever (1966) Director: Lo Wei Cast: Ivy Ling Po, Ling Yu, Lo Wei, Ouyang Sha-fei Genre: Huangmei Opera Synopsis The incredible talents of Ivy Ling Po have no better showcase than this melodramatic musical. Huangmei Opera's number one queen plays a young scholar who is manipulated into marrying a nobleman's reluctant daughter. After marrying, he soon discovers the reason for her hesitation. She is stricken with a contagious disease. But, true love prevails as it always does. Skillfully helming this poetic romance is Lo Wei, a protegee of kung-fu master Chang Cheh. Letterboxed and 16x9 enhanced (2.35:1) Mandarin (Mono) Chinese (Traditional) and English subtitles Extras: Trailers, picture gallery, poster art, biographies/filmographies, and production notes. Region 3 Running Time: 96 minutes
Masked Avengers (1981) Director: Chang Cheh Cast: Chiang Sheng, Chu Ke, Chien Hsiao-hou, Lu Feng, Kuo Chue Genre: Martial Arts Synopsis The "godfather of the kung-fu film," Chang Cheh, started a winning streak by making the internationally renowned The Five Venoms. He followed that hit with many more high-flying "bloody good" entertainments featuring the same cast in new roles. But of all the "Venom" movies, this one stands out as perhaps the most chilling. Masked killers are wreaking havoc and instilling terror with their vicious weapons of choice: razor-sharp, gut-shattering tridents. Only three fearless fighters dare investigate, leading to mass murder and magnificent martial arts. Letterboxed and 16x9 enhanced (2.35:1) Mandarin (Mono) Chinese (Traditional) and English subtitles Extras: Trailers, picture gallery, poster art, biographies/filmographies, and production notes. Region 3 Running Time: 87 minutes
Shaolin Abbot (1979) Director: Ho Meng-hua Cast: David Chiang, Lo Lieh, Lily Li, Hsu Shao-chiang Genre: Martial Arts Synopsis While international favorite David Chiang was best known for his roles as a grinning, streetwise, fighter in many Chang Cheh-directed classics, he rarely played a noble warrior monk. But here he portrays the great Chih Shim, the monk who saved the Southern Shaolin Temple. Making this production all the more notable is Lo Lieh, Shaws' first international star, who returns to a role he also made famous - that of Shaolin renegade Pai Mei. This, and even more, makes for a true martial arts epic of the first order. Letterboxed and 16x9 enhanced (2.35:1) Mandarin (Mono) Chinese (Traditional) and English subtitles Extras: Trailers, picture gallery, poster art, biographies/filmographies, and production notes. Region 3 Running Time: 79 minutes

Mei Ah May 30 Releases
Romantic Fool, The (2007) Letterboxed and 16x9 enhanced Cantonese, Mandarin (DTS + Dolby Digital) Chinese (Traditional), English, and Chinese (Simplified) subtitles DVD-9

Edko May 10 Releases

Eternal Summer (2006) Director: Leste Chen Cast: Bryant Chang, Joseph Chang, Kate Yeung Synopsis The lovely and temperate summertime. Only You and me. Are we the best friends? Or can we be something more? Shane and Jonathan first met at a primary school by the sea. Shane was the troublemaker, while Jonathan was the class monitor. One day, the teacher paired up them, wishing the good would help out the bad. This starts an awkward friendship that gradually evolves into forbidden love... One day, Carrie, a lonely girl, enters their lives. Like a fast-burning comet, she brings hope, beauty, happiness, and sorrow. Returning to the seaside they grew up, their secrets are about to unlash. Letterboxed and 16x9 enhanced Mandarin (Stereo) Chinese (Traditional) and English subtitles Extras: Theatrical trailer, photo gallery, and cast/crew filmographies. Region 3

Universe May 18 Releases
Postmodern Life Of My Aunt, The (2006) Director: Ann Hui Cast: Siqin Gaowa, Chow Yun Fat, Zhao Wei Cantonese, Mandarin Chinese (Traditional), English, and Chinese (Simplified) subtitles
Hammerboy (2003) English, Cantonese Chinese (Traditional), English, and Chinese (Simplified) subtitles

Universe May 10 Releases
Forest Of Death (2007) Director: Danny Pang Cast: Shu Qi, Ekin Cheng, Rain Li, Lawrence Chou Cantonese, Mandarin Chinese (Traditional), English, and Chinese (Simplified) subtitles
Little Cars In The Great Race 2, The (2006) English, Cantonese Chinese (Traditional), English, and Chinese (Simplified) subtitles

Wednesday, 5/15/2007

IVL May 29 RTHK Releases

RTHK Superstars Series: Faces And Places Box Set The first-time ever collectible box set of RTHK Superstars series starred by Hong Kong superstars at their early years of career. Andy Lau and Cherie Chung will show up in the first batch of titles.

Faces And Places: Till We Meet Again Synopsis Ah Lung (Played by Andy Lau) is a good-looking but idle man who relies on women to earn a living. He pretends that the loan sharks are forcing him to repay his debt in order to lure his girl friend Ah Bo to work as a prostitute. Ah Bo is willing to do anything for love so she is devastated when she finds out about Ah Lung's disloyalty. Her confrontation with his other girlfriends results in irreversible tragedy. Faces And Places: Till We Meet Again is the maiden television drama of superstar Andy Lau. He appears in tattoos on screen for the first time in this drama.

Faces And Places: Floating Clouds Synopsis Flora (played by Cherie Chung) is from a wealthy family who has studied overseas. She has not held any steady jobs after returning to Hong Kong and her long-time boyfriend is constantly pressing her to marry him. She feels lost about both her career and love life. Her ex-boyfriend Michael suddenly returns to Hong Kong one day and this brings new clashes to her life.

A 2 Disc DVD Box Set Cantonese Chinese (Traditional), English, and Chinese (Simplified) subtitles

Joy Sales May 4 Fortune Star Digitally Remastered Releases

A Chinese Ghost Story Trilogy Box Set Director: Ching Siu Tung Cast: Lesile Cheung, Joey Wang, Wu Ma Digitally Remastered Letterboxed and 16x9 enhanced Audio Cantonese (DTS-ES Matrix 6.1) Cantonese (Dolby Digital 6.1) Mandarin (Dolby Digital 6.1) Subtitles Chinese (Traditional) Chinese (Simplified) English Extras An Interview With James Wong An Interview With Yuen Bun

Joy Sales May 11 Fortune Star Non-Digitally Remastered Releases
Fatal Love (1988) Director: Pochih Leung Cast: Leslie Cheung, Cherie Chung Synopsis Chi Ken Wing (Leslie Cheung) was a young and presentable creative director of an advertising agency. His assistant Ann (Ann Bridgewater) was very fond of him. One night, Chi drove his car back home and almost knocked down Ah Hung (Cherie Chung). He loved her at the first sight so he started to seek her. Eventually he found her but she deceived him because she was suffering as the mistress of Sam (Melvin Wong) - the head of a triad society. Chi wanted to rescue her but Sam knew it and secretly hired a Thai Killer to assassinate Chi. Tick Mann (Cheung Choi Mei) who was a good friend of Hung helped them to leave Hong Kong. Hung finally could not escape from her bad luck, she died in Chi's arm, and Sam was killed... Letterboxed and 16x9 enhanced Cantonese (DD 2.0), Mandarin (DD 2.0) Chinese (Traditional), English, and Chinese (Simplified) subtitles DVD-5
Greatest Lover, The (1988) Director: Clarence Fok Cast: Chow Yun Fat, Anita Mui, Eric Tsang, Wong Ching, Elizabeth Lee, Nina Li, Pauline Wong, Sandra Ng, Shing Fui On Synopsis Chow Chin Chun (Chow Yun Fat), Tall Wai (Eric Tsang) and Silly Chick (Shing Fui On) separate when they illegally sneak into Hong Kong. Chow accidentally meets millionaire Big Mouth Sze (Wong Ching) who is just teased by Lychee (Nina Li) and Fei Fung (Pauline Wong). Sze invites Chow to pretend a passionate gentleman, fabricated by Image Profession Anita (Anita Mui), to retaliate to Lychee and Fei. During the transformation process of Chow, Anita and he gradually fall in love with each other. On the other hand, Sze has been going after, the daughter of Shipping Magnate, Fiona (Elizabeth Lee). However, Fiona is attracted by Chow and rejects Sze. Sze brings Wai and Chick to expose Chow's fraud in the public. Chow admits it, turns Fiona down and goes to find Anita. Letterboxed and 16x9 enhanced Cantonese (DD 2.0), Mandarin (DD 2.0) Chinese (Traditional), English, and Chinese (Simplified) subtitles DVD-5
Zodiac Killers (1991) Director: Ann Hui Cast: Andy Lau, Cherie Chung Synopsis Three young Chinese- Ben, Ming and Cheung with different view to life come to Japan for study. Ben doesn't like studying and Cheung only wants to find back his girlfriend who disappeared in Japan. Ming wants to get a social status so he marries Yuroko, sister of mafia gang's godfather Ishikawa. Ben falls in love with Tit Lan, however she loves a Japanese guy, Asano, who's been taking care by Ishikawa. Later Asano killed the godfather of Ishikawa's enemy gang so leads himself under arrest of police. Years later Asano comes back to Japan but is killed by Ishikawa because Ishikawa has joined forces with the rival gang. Before Asano's death, he gives the evidence to Tit Lan and tells her to expose Ishikawa on Matsuda. Tit Lan asks help from Ben but she's got killed by the gang. Now it's Ben turns to be exterminated... Letterboxed and 16x9 enhanced Cantonese (DD 2.0), Mandarin (DD 2.0) Chinese (Traditional), English, and Chinese (Simplified) subtitles DVD-5
Joy Sales/Fortune Star Release Schedule

IVL May 10 Shaw Brothers Releases

DVD/VCD
Black Tavern, The (1972) Director: Yeh Yung-tsu Cast: Shih Szu, Kang Hua, Ku Feng Genre: Martial Arts Synopsis Yeh Yung-tsu only directed a precious few films, making each all the more distinguished. This is one of his first, a sword-filled thriller centering on the title location - an inn where the down and dirty meet to plot nefarious doings. Award winning actor Ku Feng stars as the "Whip Devil," while the luminous and lethal Shih Szu plays "The Lady Hermit" who has a surprise in store for all the double-crossing masters of mayhem. Letterboxed and 16x9 enhanced (2.35:1) Mandarin (Mono) Chinese (Traditional) and English subtitles Extras: Trailers, picture gallery, poster art, biographies/filmographies, and production notes. Region 3 Running Time: 83 minutes
Pursuit Of Vengeance (1977) Director: Chu Yuan Cast: Ti Lung, Liu Yung, Shih Szu, Lo Lieh Genre: Martial Arts Synopsis The lovely Li Hsiang-chun stars as a poor beauty who is drugged, ravished, lied to, locked in a burning store room, left to drown, and chased by sword-wielding ruffians, among other things. Her only hope is her betrayer's new wife, played by the strong and sensual Ivy Ling Po. Dawn may come, but the questions is: will it be too late? Director/writer Kao Li shows both restraint and sadism in this historical melodramatic tearjerker. Letterboxed and 16x9 enhanced (2.35:1) Mandarin (Mono) Chinese (Traditional) and English subtitles Extras: Trailers, picture gallery, poster art, biographies/filmographies, and production notes. Region 3 Running Time: 89 minutes
Valley Of The Fangs (1970) Director: Cheng Chang-ho Cast: Li Ching, Lo Lieh, Wang Hsia Genre: Martial Arts Synopsis The team of director Cheng Chang-ho and star Lo Lieh would become well known for King Boxer - the first internationally successful kung-fu film. This stirring saga of the "Martial Arts World" helped them prepare for that breakthrough. Lo Lieh plays a righteous swordsman, trying to protect another hero's wife and daughter from a corrupt minister's murderous plans. Cheng Chang-ho films it all in his customary sumptuous style, making it a fascinating companion piece to his subsequent worldwide phenomenon. Letterboxed and 16x9 enhanced (2.35:1) Mandarin (Mono) Chinese (Traditional) and English subtitles Extras: Trailers, picture gallery, poster art, biographies/filmographies, and production notes. Region 3 Running Time: 87 minutes
2007 Shaw Brothers Release Schedule