The Asian DVD Guide

Tuesday, 10/30/2001

Upcoming Japanese DVDs With English Subtitles
Here are some more upcoming Japanese DVDs with English subtitles...

Taki On 12/21/2001, Taki will release Hiroyuki Nakano's Stereo Future (2000). Here are the specs: Catalog #: THD-11021 Price: 4800 Yen Letterboxed Japanese (Stereo) Japanese and English subtitles Extras: A "making of" documentary, theatrical trailer, interview with director Hiroyuki Nakano, alternate ending, and deleted scenes. Region 2 NTSC Official Website: http://www.stereofuture.com/ Trailer (Real Video): http://www.walkerplus.com/yokohama/latestmovie/mo0687.smi Toho On 1/25/2002, Toho will release Koki Mitani's Minna No Ie (2001). Here are the specs: Catalog #: TDV2634D Price: 6000 Yen Letterboxed Japanese (DTS), Japanese (DD 5.1), Japanese (Stereo) Japanese and English subtitles Extras: Deleted scenes, trailers, TV spots, TV special (40 min), a 3D model of Iijima's house, various information on the contruction of Iijima's house, character guide, and cast/crew biographies. Region 2 NTSC Official Website (not currently working): http://www.minnanoie.net/ Trailer (Real Video or Windows Media): http://www.cinema-imagica.com/MOVIES2/doc2/movie_image.asp?MOVIE_ID=267

Christy Chung DVD
This week Panorama will release Christy Chung's Feel Photo Album DVD. Click on the picture below for a larger image. Thanks to Panorama for sending the picture.

Saturday, 10/27/2001

This Week's Universe Releases
Here are this week's Universe releases. Click on the picture below for a larger image. Thanks to Universe for sending the pictures.

Hong Kong Films Another Chance For Love Dragon And Phoenix Full Screen Cantonese (Mono) Chinese (Traditional) and Chinese (Simplified) subtitles Full Screen Cantonese (Mono) Chinese (Traditional) and Chinese (Simplified) subtitles Japanese Films U.S. Films Perfect Education 2 - 40 Days Of Love (2001) Blowback (1999) Letterboxed and 16x9 enhanced Japanese (Stereo) and Mandarin (Stereo) Chinese (Traditional), English, and Chinese (Simplified) subtitles Official Website: http://www.emovie.ne.jp/movie/shiiku/ Trailer: http://www.emovie.ne.jp/movie/shiiku/trailer.html Full Screen English (Stereo) and Mandarin (Stereo) Chinese (Traditional) and Chinese (Simplified) subtitles

Friday, 10/26/2001

January Japanese Mega Star Releases
Spike have announced nine Mega Star releases for January. They will not be region coded. All are priced at 3800 Yen and are scheduled to be released on 1/10/2002.

ABRD-052	Fractured Follies (1988) Letterboxed Cantonese (DD 5.1) and Mandarin (DD 5.1) Chinese (Traditional), English, Chinese (Simplified), Japanese, and Korean subtitles
ABRD-053	Girls Without Tomorrow (1988) The 1988 version, not the 1992 version. Letterboxed Cantonese (DD 5.1) and Mandarin (DD 5.1) Chinese (Traditional), English, Chinese (Simplified), Japanese, and Korean subtitles
ABRD-054	Flying (1986) aka Dream To Believe Not a Hong Kong film. Starring Keanu Reeves. Full Screen English (DD 5.1) Chinese (Traditional), English, Chinese (Simplified), Japanese, and Korean subtitles
ABRD-055	Sex And Zen (1991) Letterboxed Cantonese (DD 5.1) Chinese (Traditional), English, Chinese (Simplified), Japanese, and Korean subtitles
ABRD-056	Haunted Cop Shop, The (1987) Letterboxed Cantonese (DD 5.1) Chinese (Traditional), English, Chinese (Simplified), Japanese, and Korean subtitles
ABRD-057	Unfaithfully Yours (1989) Letterboxed Cantonese (DD 5.1) and Mandarin (DD 5.1) Chinese (Traditional), English, Chinese (Simplified), Japanese, and Korean subtitles
ABRD-058	Final Test, The (1987) Letterboxed Cantonese (DD 5.1), Mandarin (DD 5.1) and English (DD 5.1) Chinese (Traditional), English, Chinese (Simplified), Japanese, and Korean subtitles
ABRD-059	Paper Marriage (1988) Letterboxed Cantonese (DD 5.1), Mandarin (DD 5.1), and English (DD 5.1) Chinese (Traditional), English, Chinese (Simplified), Japanese, and Korean subtitles
ABRD-060	Mary From Beijing (1992) Letterboxed Cantonese (DD 5.1) and Mandarin (DD 5.1) Chinese (Traditional), English, Chinese (Simplified), Japanese, and Korean subtitles

Titles not released by Universe in Hong Kong (Haunted Cop Shop, Mary From Beijing, etc) should be released in Hong Kong by Mega Star. Who knows when since Mega Star still haven't got around to releasing the On The Run, Happy Ghost, and Will Of Iron DVDs in Hong Kong.

November Spike/Mega Star Releases
Here are the confirmed English titles for the Mega Star DVDs being released by Spike in Japan on 11/29/2001. They will have removable English subtitles and will not be region coded.

ABRD-041	Protector, The (1985)
ABRD-042	Eighth Happiness, The (1988)
ABRD-043	Games Gamblers Play (1974)
ABRD-044	Life After Life (1982)
ABRD-045	Brotherhood (1986)
ABRD-046	China O'Brien 2 (1991)
ABRD-047	Happy Ghost 3 (1986)
ABRD-048	Robotrix (1991)
ABRD-049	Happy Bigamist (1987)
ABRD-050	City Hero (1985)

Thursday, 10/25/2001

A Better Tomorrow 3 Long Version
I recently purchased WA's A Better Tomorrow 3 DVD and much to my surprise, it contains the longer Taiwanese version. I have wrote a quick review of the DVD.

I have also gotten several emails from people saying that WA's DVD of Jackie Chan's Miracles contains the longer Taiwanese version. I don't own the DVD so I can't confirm it.

Also, according to a post in the forum, the Taiwanese version of John Woo's The Killer that is included on the French 2 DVD set is cut.

Monday, 10/22/2001

Last Week's Universe Releases
Here are last week's Universe releases. Click on the picture below for a larger image. Thanks to Universe for sending the pictures.

Asian Films Non-Asian Films King And Queen Driven (2001) Full Screen Cantonese (Mono) Chinese (Traditional) and Chinese (Simplified) subtitles Letterboxed and 16x9 enhanced English (DTS), English (DD 5.1) and English (Stereo) Chinese (Traditional) and Chinese (Simplified) subtitles Coded for region 3   The Base 2 - Guilty As Charged (2000) Full Screen English (Stereo) and Mandarin (Stereo) Chinese (Traditional) and Chinese (Simplified) subtitles

Friday, 10/19/2001

This Week's and Next Week's Mei Ah Releases
Here are the covers for this week's and next week's Mei Ah releases. Older Master Cute 3 was actually released last week. Click on the pictures below for a larger image. Thanks to Mei Ah for sending the pictures.

Gambler's Story, A (2001) Horror Hotline...Big Head Monster (2001) Shaolin Kung Fu (1981) Close Escape (1989) Older Master Cute 3 (1983)

More Thai DVDs With English Subtitles
Mikael has once again sent scans of four more English subtitled Thai DVDs (see below) and detailed specs. They can be bought from ThaiNetCity. The DVDs are PAL so make sure you can play PAL DVDs.

A Miracle Of Oam + Somwung (1998) 18-80 Puen See Mai Mee Sua (1997) Extreme Game (1996) Jenny (1996)

Thanks to Mikael for the information and scans.
English Subtitles On French The Killer DVD
According to a post by Coup Fatal in the forum, one of the DVDs in the French 2 DVD set of John Woo's The Killer has English subtitles. The French 2 DVD set released by Christophe Gans' HK Video label contains both the Hong Kong version and the longer Taiwanese version.

While the Hong Kong version doesn't have English subtitles, the longer Taiwanese version has removable French subtitles that cover the original burnt English/Chinese subtitles on the print. According to Coup Fatal, you can remove the French subtitles and watch the longer Taiwanese version with the original burnt English/Chinese subtitles. Naturally, the Taiwanese version is Mandarin language only.

The Criterion DVD has some (but not all) of the extra scenes from the longer Taiwanese version. They are included as supplements on the DVD.

This Week's Deltamac Releases
This week Deltamac released My School Mate, The Barbarian (2001) aka Fighting To Learn. Once again, Deltamac sent the VCD cover instead of the DVD cover. Click on the picture below for a larger image. Thanks to Deltamac.

Wednesday, 10/17/2001

Next Batch Of Mega Star DVDs Delayed
Mega Star have now told me that they will not have any DVD releases in Hong Kong this month because they are currently concentrating on the 10 DVDs that they make for Spike each month.

Monday, 10/15/2001

Nowhere To Hide HK DVD
Last week, Panorama released the Korean film Nowhere To Hide on DVD in Hong Kong. Click on the picture below for a larger image. Thanks to Panorama for sending the pictures.

Nowhere To Hide Korean (DD 5.1) Chinese (Traditional) and English subtitles (removable) Coded for regions 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5

This Week's Winson Releases
This week Winson will release the Japanese film Scoutman (2000). For some reason, Winson sent the VCD cover and a leaflet instead of the DVD cover. Click on the picture below for a larger image. Thanks to Winson for sending the pictures.

Last Week's Universe Releases
Here are last week's Universe releases. Click on the picture below for a larger image. Thanks to Universe for sending the pictures.

Asian Films Non-Asian Films Laughing Kaleidoscope Hitman's Run (1999) Full Screen Cantonese (Mono) Chinese (Traditional) and Chinese (Simplified) subtitles Full Screen English (Stereo) and Mandarin (Stereo) Chinese (Traditional) and Chinese (Simplified) subtitles

Art Museum By The Zoo HK DVD Cover
Here is the cover for Edko's Art Museum By The Zoo DVD released last week. Click on the picture below for a larger image. Thanks to Edko for sending the picture.

Upcoming Japanese DVDs With English Subtitles
Here are some upcoming Japanese DVDs with English subtitles...

Tokuma Tokuma have announced they will be releasing the Daimajin trilogy with English subtitles on 12/5/2001. They will be available individually or as a box set. The box set will priced at 15000 Yen and the individual DVDs will be priced at 4700 Yen. Daimajin (1966) aka Majin [TKBU-5089] Return Of Daimajin (1966) aka The Return Of The Giant Majin [TKBU-5090] Wrath Of Daimajin (1966) aka Majin Strikes Again [TKBU-5091] Daimajin Box Set [TKBU-5092] (Daimajin, Return Of Daimajin, and Wrath Of Daimajin) The DVDs will have the same specs: Letterboxed and 16x9 enhanced Japanese (Mono) English subtitles (removable) Coded for region 2 NTSC Bandai On 11/25/2001, Bandai will release Jun Ichikawa's Tokyo Marigold (2001) starring Rena Tanaka. Here are the specs: Letterboxed and 16x9 enhanced Japanese (Mono) Japanese and English subtitles (removable) Coded for region 2 NTSC Extras: Theatrical trailer, a "making of" documentary, a message from Rena Tanaka, Rena Tanaka's Tokyo location map, and a collection of Ajinomoto commercials starring Rena Tanaka. Official Website: http://j.movie-eye.tv/ Trailer: http://www.excite.co.jp/cinema/marigold_3.dcg SPO SPO have announced they will be releasing two DVDs of Haruo Mizuno's Siberian Express (1996) on 11/23/2001. The regular edition will be priced at 4800 Yen and the limited edition will be priced at 7800 Yen. Regular Edition [OPSD-S055]: Letterboxed and 16x9 enhanced Japanese/English (Stereo) Japanese and English subtitles (removable) Coded for region 2 NTSC Contains 2 versions of the film 156 minutes total Limited Edition [OPSD-S054]: Letterboxed and 16x9 enhanced Japanese/English (Stereo) Japanese and English subtitles (removable) Coded for region 2 NTSC Contains 3 versions of the film Extras: Theatrical trailer, "making of" documentary, NG footage (outtakes), and a picture gallery. 253 minutes total SPO's official website for the DVD releases: http://www.spo-k2.co.jp/title/siberian/index.htm

Covers For Japanese Gamera DVDs
Daiei has posted the cover art for the last four Gamera DVDs due on 11/28/2001. Remember that all except Space Monster Gamera (1980) will have English subtitles.

Gamera Vs. Guiron (1969) [TKBU-5076]
http://www.gamera.gr.jp/html/news/dvd_05.html

Gamera Vs. Jiger (1970) [TKBU-5077]
http://www.gamera.gr.jp/html/news/dvd_06.html

Gamera Vs. Zigra (1971) [TKBU-5078]
http://www.gamera.gr.jp/html/news/dvd_07.html

Space Monster Gamera (1980) [TKBU-5079]
http://www.gamera.gr.jp/html/news/dvd_08.html

Thursday, 10/11/2001

Art Museum By The Zoo HK DVD
This week Edko will release the Korean film Art Museum By The Zoo on DVD in Hong Kong. Here are the specs:

Letterboxed

Korean AC3 2.0

Chinese and English subtitles (removable)

Coded for region 3

NTSC

Extras: Trailer, music video, photo gallery, and cast/crew filmographies.

Last Week's Winson Releases
Here are the covers for last week's Winson releases. Click on the picture below for a larger image. Thanks to Winson for sending the picture.

Tuesday, 10/9/2001

Last Week's Universe Releases
Here are the covers for last week's Universe releases. Click on the pictures below for a larger image. Thanks to Universe for sending the pictures.

Judge Goes To Pieces, The Full Screen Cantonese (Mono) Chinese (Traditional) and Chinese (Simplified) subtitles

Last Week's Mei Ah Releases
There were no Mei Ah DVD releases last week because Mei Ah was taking inventory of their VCD stock.

Monday, 10/8/2001

This Week's Mei Ah Releases
Here are the covers for this week's Mei Ah releases. Click on the pictures below for a larger image. Thanks to Mei Ah for sending the pictures.

Point Of No Return (1991) Blazing Temple, The (1976)

Wednesday, 10/3/2001

Thai DVDs With English Subtitles
Recently a number of Thai films have been released in Thailand with English subtitles. Mikael has sent scans of four of the DVDs (see below) and detailed specs.

There's more English subtitled DVDs listed at ThaiNetCity. The DVDs are PAL so make sure you can play PAL DVDs.

Friendship Breakdown (1999) Elephant Keeper (1987) Directed By Chatrichalerm Yukol Gunman (1983) Directed By Chatrichalerm Yukol Salween (1991) aka Gunman 2 Directed By Chatrichalerm Yukol

Thanks to Mikael for the information, scans, and links.

Universe Battle Royale DVD Is Region 3
Despite an earlier report that Universe's Battle Royale might not be region coded, it is indeed coded for region 3. Here are a few posts confirming this:
-Asian DVD Guide forum (Furious)
-MHVF forum (Michael)

Monday, 10/1/2001

Joint Security Area Japanese DVD Announced
On 11/22/2001, Amuse will release a DVD of the Korean film Joint Security Area aka JSA. Here are the specs:

Catalog #: ASBY-1967

Price: 4800 Yen

Korean (DTS), Korean (DD 5.1), Japanese (DD 5.1)

Letterboxed and 16x9 enhanced

Japanese subtitles only

Coded for Region 2

NTSC

Extras:

Korean theatrical trailer

Japanese theatrical trailer

"Making Of" documentary

Interviews with Song Kang-ho, Lee Byung-heon, and Lee Young-ae

Kim Kwang-seok music video