The Asian DVD Guide  

  Friday, 10/27/2006

Asia Video November 10 Releases
          

Stormy Night (2005)
 Director: Gisaburo Sugii
Cast: Hiroki Narimiya, Shido Nakamura
Cantonese Dub: Jerry Lamb, Eric Kot

Synopsis
A little goat, Mei, wanders into a dark mountain cabin, seeking shelter from a storm. There he finds a fellow refugee. Huddled together through the night, fighting off terrible colds, the companions can neither see nor smell each other, but there's nothing to keep them from talking. Over the course of the night, the strangers become friends and they promise to meet each other again, using the password, "Stormy Night." The following day, whom should meet Mei for a picnic but... a wolf!

  • Disc 1 - Film
    • Letterboxed and 16x9 enhanced
    • Audio
      • Japanese (DTS ES)
      • Japanese (Dolby Digital EX)
      • Cantonese (Dolby Digital EX)
    • Subtitles
      • Traditional Chinese
      • English
    • Region 3
    • DVD-9

  • Disc 2 - Extras (50 mins)
    • Making Of
    • Premiere Footage
      • Tokyo International Film Festival
      • Japanese Opening Day
    • Trailers
      • Teaser (x3)
      • Theatrical Trailer (x2)
      • TV Spot (x6)
      • Cantonese Dub Trailer
 


  Thursday, 10/26/2006

Panorama October 26 Releases
Cathay
First Sword, The (1967)
 Director: Tu Kwang-chi
Cast: Melinda Chen, Zhao Lei, Charlie Chin

Synopsis
The First Sword is a "Class A" Cathay film with many first achievements. Based on a popular martial arts novel in the same title by Tu Kwang-chi, a well-known film director and media veteran, this was his first showcase of his directorship since he joined Cathay. The martial art female lead Melinda Chen plays her very first xia nu role (the feminine swordsperson) in it. Charlie Chin, later a famous actor in Taiwan melodramas, just graduated from the First Cathay Acting Training Course, made his film debut as a loyal member of the Golden Dragon School.
  • Mandarin
  • Chinese (Traditional), English, and Chinese (Simplified) subtitles
  • Extras:
    • Director's & Lead Actor's Biography and Filmography
Cathay Release Schedule

Devilman (2004)
 Director: Hiroyuki Nasu
Cast: Hisato Izaki, Ayana Sakai, Asuka Shibuya, Yusuke Izaki

Synopsis
Taken into the care of the Makimura family after the death of his parents, Akira Fudo is leading the life of a high-school student when, upon the death of the father of his good friend, Ryo Asuka, he undergoes fusion with a demon, but through strength of will retains his human spirit to become 'Devilman'. Having the power of a demon, Akira shoulders his destiny of 'battle' to protect Miki, the girl he loves, and to save humanity. Taking possession of human all over the world and engaging in wholesale slaughter, the demons increase in power and influence. However, the people Akira should be protecting form so-called 'demon squads' who begin killing fellow humans. And then Akira sees none other than the one he should be fighting alongside, his friend Ryo, now becomes the demon 'Satan'.
  • Letterboxed and 16x9 enhanced
  • Japanese
  • Chinese and English subtitles
  • Region 3


Helen, The Baby Fox (2006)
 Director: Keita Kono
Cast: Takao Osawa, Yasuko Matsuyuki, Arashi Fukasawa, Ryoko Kobayashi
Cantonese Dub: Eason Chan, Charlie Yeung, Fiona Sit

Synopsis
Early spring in Hokkaido, northern Japan. Taichi, a young boy who tends to be a dreamer, has just arrived from the big city. He discovers a 'northern fox' puppy crouching near the side of the road and despite the objections of those around him, decides to take care of the charming creature...

The story is based on an incident actually experienced by TAKETAZU Minoru, who is involved in wildlife conservation in Hokkaido. This charming animal story is deeply moving... perhaps to the point of tears.
  • Letterboxed and 16x9 enhanced
  • Japanese, Cantonese
  • Chinese and English subtitles
  • Region 3


Tora-san's Island Encounter (1985)
 Director: Yoji Yamada
Cast: Kiyoshi Atsumi, Chieko Baisho, Jun Miho, Komaki Kurihara

Synopsis
The 36rd instalment in the Tora-san series. Suggested by Keisuke Kinoshita's famous film Twenty-Four Eyes (Nijushi no hitomi, 1954), this film finds Tora-san helping runaway neighbor Akemi (Miho Jun), who left Shibamata to work as a bar hostess in Shimoda. Together they travel to Shikine Island, where they meet eleven elementary students and where Tora-san falls in love with their beautiful teacher (Kurihara Komaki). When the teacher stops in Shibamata on the way to visit her sick father, Tora-san's hopes of a lasting love are raised and dashed once again.
  • Japanese
  • Chinese and English subtitles
  • Region 3



  Tuesday, 10/24/2006

Mega Star November 1 Golden Collection Series Releases
 
Stephen Chow - A Chinese Odyssey DVD Box Set
          
The box set will contain:

Specs
  • HD Restored & Remastered
  • Letterboxed and 16x9 enhanced
  • Audio
    • Cantonese (DTS 5.1)
    • Cantonese (DD 5.1)
    • Mandarin (DD 5.1)
  • Subtitles
    • Traditional Chinese
    • Simplified Chinese
    • English
    • Japanese
    • Korean
  • Extras
    • A Chinese Odyssey (Part I) DVD
      • Interview With Director Jeff Lau (Part I) [10 minutes]
    • A Chinese Odyssey (Part II) DVD
      • Interview With Director Jeff Lau (Part II) [10 minutes]

Gifts
  • Hard Cover Photo Book (64 pages)

Photo Book

     

     


Mega Star November 4 Releases
          
The Banquet (2006)
Director: Feng Xiaogeng
Cast: Ziyi Zhang, Ge You, Daniel Wu, Zhou Xun

Synopsis
"The Banquet" is set in ancient China during the Period of Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms (907-960 AD), when dynasties succeed each other rapidly in the north and a dozen of independent states vie with one another in the south. Meanwhile, the neighboring Khitan Empire is on the prowl in Manchuria, ready to conquer China when the moment arises.

Against this background of internal turmoil and external threat lives a legendary queen. As beautiful as she is young, and as limber as she is smart, Empress Wan (Ziyi Zhang) can launch a thousand ships with her charm and fight a hundred soldiers with her sword. But something is lacking in her life. Unfulfilled in her royal boudoir, she harbors forbidden desires for her stepson Prince Wu Luan (Daniel Wu), an introverted and melancholic young man four months her senior, who shies away from the palace to indulge in the ancient art of music and dance.

When the Emperor dies all of a sudden and his virile younger brother Li (Ge You) takes over the throne, Wan shocks everyone by agreeing to marry Li, convinced that this is the only way to protect Wu Luan while sealing her own position in the court. But Li is no fool, however infatuated he might be with his sister-in-law, he only pretends to buy into her scheme to consummate his lust. Oblivious to Wan, he has dispatched his guards to kill his nephew.

Already devastated by his father’s death and stunned by his stepmother’s impending wedding with his uncle, Wu Luan is pushed to the end of his tether when he realizes his own life is being threatened. After warding off the assassination attempt in a ferocious fight scene, he determines to return to the palace and revenge himself by killing his uncle, whom he believes has murdered his father.

No sooner has Wu Luan returned to the palace than he finds himself inextricably trapped in a double love triangle: on the one hand, there is Wan, on the other, Qing Nu (Zhou Xun), the daughter of the conniving Grand Marshall. As pure as snow, Qing Nu is head over heels in love with Wu Luan, and she is ready to sacrifice her life for him.

When Emperor Li proclaims that a big banquet will be held for his ministers, Wu Luan realizes it is the time to strike. Meanwhile, Empress Wan and the Grand Marshall also have their own plans to hatch...

Specs
  • Disc 1 - Film
    • Letterboxed and 16x9 enhanced
    • Audio
      • Mandarin (DTS 96/24)
      • Mandarin (DD 5.1)
    • Subtitles
      • Traditional Chinese
      • Simplified Chinese
      • English

  • Disc 2 - Extras
    • Making Of (15 minutes)
    • Interviews
      • Ziyi Zhang (Part 1)
      • Ziyi Zhang (Part 2)
      • Ziyi Zhang (Part 3)
      • Daniel Wu
      • Zhou Xun
      • Ge You
      • Yuen Wo-ping
      • Feng Xiaogang
    • Behind The Scenes #1
    • Behind The Scenes #2 (40 minutes)
    • Trailers
      • Cannes Promo Trailer (7 minutes)
      • Teaser Trailer
    • TV Spots
      • TV Spot #1 (15 seconds)
      • TV Spot #2 (30 seconds)
      • TV Spot #3 (1 minute)
    • Poster And Promotion Materials
    • Photo Gallery (20 photos)

The Special Edition comes with both discs listed above plus a photo book, a script, and a calendar.

Photo Book

     


  Monday, 10/23/2006 (Second Update)

More Information On The Bullet In The Head DVD

The Joy Sales' Bullet In The Head DVD will have 3 options on Disc 1:

  1. Watch the film with the original ending
  2. Watch the film with the alternative ending
  3. Watch the film with the deleted scenes and the original ending

original ending = "car chase" ending
alternative ending = "boardroom" ending

The deleted scenes are from the long version (aka "director's cut" aka "festival print") and will include the infamous "piss drinking" scene.

Disc 2 will have the deleted scenes, boardroom ending, and a Waise Lee interview.

Visit the forum for more information on this upcoming release:
http://adg.invisionzone.com/index.php?showtopic=1408


  Monday, 10/23/2006 (First Update)

Joy Sales November 9 Fortune Star Digitally Remastered Releases


     
Bullet In The Head (1990) [2 Disc Collector's Edition]
Director: John Woo
Cast: Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Jacky Cheung, Waise Lee, Simon Yam Tat-Wah, Yolinda Yan Choh-Sin

Synopsis
Three childhood friends Ben (Tony Leung, Hero, in the mood for Love), Frank (Jacky Cheung) and Paul (Waise Lee) fight to prove their places in two riotous worlds - the uprising ridden Hong Kong and Viet Cong-infested Saigon in the 1960's. They run into bloody troubles with ruthless gangs, corrupt militia and eventually against each other.

DVD Specs

  • Disc 1 - Film (DVD-9)
    • Digitally Remastered
    • Letterboxed and 16x9 enhanced
    • Audio
      • Cantonese (DTS)
      • Mandarin (DD 5.1)
      • Cantonese (DD 2.0)
    • Subtitles
      • Traditional Chinese
      • Simplified Chinese
      • English
    • Extras: Play Film With Alternate Ending And Deleted Scenes
    • All Region

  • Disc 2 - Extras (DVD-5)
    • Deleted Scenes
    • Special Program: Codes of Bullets V: Guns Mean Power/Gone With The Wind
    • Original Movie Trailer
    • New Edited Movie Trailer
    • Photo Galleries
    • Interview With Waise Lee


  Friday, 10/20/2006

Mei Ah October 28 Releases
Men Suddenly In Black 2 (2006)
  • Letterboxed and 16x9 enhanced
  • Cantonese, Mandarin (DTS + Dolby Digital)
  • Chinese (Traditional), English, and Chinese (Simplified) subtitles
  • DVD-9
Heroic Legend Of The Chin Dynasty [TV Series]
  • Letterboxed
  • Cantonese, Mandarin
  • Chinese (Traditional) and Chinese (Simplified) subtitles
  • DVD-9


  Thursday, 10/19/2006 (Second Update)

IVL October 24 Releases

The Ring Complete DVD Box Set

Ring (1998)
Synopsis
After the death of her cousin Tomoko, reporter Reiko (Nanako Matsushima) hears stories of a videotape that kills everyone who sees it exactly one week after viewing. At first she discounts the rumors, but when she learns that Tomoko's friend (who watched the video with her) died at exactly the same time, she begins to investigate. After viewing the tape herself, strange things start happening, and so she teams up with her ex-husband Ryuji (Hiroyuki Sanada) to try to stop the death clock that has once again begun ticking.
  • Japanese
  • Chinese (Traditional), English, and Chinese (Simplified) subtitles
  • 95 minutes
  • Region 3

Ring 0 (2000)
Synopsis
The prequel to the horror film Ring. Sadako (Yukie Nakama), a somewhat withdrawn student in a drama club. The director thinks she has talent, but some of the other performers start to get jealous. Meanwhile, a reporter investigating Sadako's spiritualist mother thinks there's something very suspicious about the young woman, and arrives on campus to confront Sadako just as a series of strange deaths start sweeping through the drama club.
  • Japanese
  • Chinese (Traditional), English, and Chinese (Simplified) subtitles
  • 99 minutes
  • Region 3

Ring 2 (1999)
Synopsis
Mai Takano (Miki Nakatane) is trying to learn more about the death of her boyfriend, Ryuji (Hiroyuki Sanada). She soon hears stories about a videotape haunted by the spirit of a girl named Sadako, who died many years earlier. After some investigating, she learns that Ryuji's son, Youichi, is developing the same psychic powers that Sadako had when she was alive. Mai must now find some way to keep Yuuichi and herself from becoming Sadako's next victims.
  • Japanese
  • Chinese (Traditional), English, and Chinese (Simplified) subtitles
  • Region 3
  • 95 minutes
IVL/Kadokawa Release Schedule


  Thursday, 10/19/2006 (First Update)

Edko October 19 Releases
Song Of The Stork (2001)
 Director: Jonathan Foo, Nguyen Phan Quang Binh
Cast: Hai Yen

Synopsis
It is autumn in Amsterdam...

Based on true people and incidents, SONG OF THE STORK tells the story of five young men served in the North Vietnamese army during their war with the United States. Manh claims he is older than he is in order to enlist into the Army, and his cheerful friend May signs up with him. Van, the romantic dreamer, marries his girlfriend before he goes to the front-line. Lam is trained in espionage, which makes him question how he stands on the war.

Friendship and betrayal, love and loss, life and death, the many facets of living through a war of uneven odds.
  • Letterboxed and 16x9 enhanced
  • Vietnamese (Stereo)
  • Chinese (Traditional) and English subtitles
  • Extras: Photo gallery.
  • Region 3

Asia Video October 27 Releases

Ghost Game (2006)
 Director: Sarawut Wichiensarn
Cast: Pachornpol Jantieng, Thanyanan Mahapirun, Phongsak Rattanapong

Synopsis
In "Ghost Game", 11 participants are locked up inside a former-prison-turned-memorial for a 24-hour reality-TV hit show. The concept of the game is that the contestants must provoke the wrath of all the vengeful spirits inhabiting the faded walls of the former prison where thousands suffered and perished years before. The contestant who manages to endure the nerve-rattling atmosphere the longest walks away with Bt5 million.

But as usual, the best laid plans never goes the way it should as they find that the ghosts are far more violent than they had expected.
  • Letterboxed and 16x9 enhanced
  • Thai (DTS ES), Thai (Dolby Digital EX), Thai (Stereo)
  • Chinese (Traditional) subtitles
  • Region 3
  • DVD-9
 


Universe October 26 Releases

The Neighbor No. 13 (2005)
 Director: Yasuo Inoue
Cast: Shido Nakamura, Shun Oguri, Yumi Yoshimura, Takashi Miike

Synopsis
Led by the sadistic Akai, young Juzo suffered from all kinds of abuses from his classmates. Years later, Juzo is hired at a company where Akai is employed and lives in an apartment right below his. Number 13, Juzo's terrifying alter ego, soon appears to put an end to the culprits and everyone else that crosses his path. Featuring Takashi Miike (Director: Ichi The Killer, Visitor Q & IZO) and Yumi Yoshimura (Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi).
  • Letterboxed and 16x9 enhanced
  • Japanese, Cantonese
  • Chinese (Traditional), English, and Chinese (Simplified) subtitles
  • Region 3


Universe October 19 Releases

On the Edge (2006)
 Director: Herman Yau
Cast: Cheung Ka Fai, Anthony Wong, Francis Ng, Rain Lee

Synopsis
Arresting his gangster head, Hoi San finally resumes to a policeman and receives his bravery award after 8 years undercover duties. However, walking out from the dark side and having his real life is not easy for Hoi San as he is being disliked and repelled by his new police colleague, he is being detested by his past gangster buddy. The most miserable thing is his lover for 8 years also wants to leave him...

One day, Hoi meets Ton, one of his gangster buddies in his undercover days. Though Hoi refuses to team up with Ton, he is still being suspect for criminal cooperation with the triad society. Unable to make any explanation, Hoi then snatches the police car to run away...How should Hoi deal when fate plays tricks on him?
  • Letterboxed and 16x9 enhanced
  • Cantonese (DTS 5.1), Cantonese (DD 5.1), Mandarin (DD 5.1)
  • Chinese (Traditional), English, and Chinese (Simplified) subtitles
  • Extras: Making Of
  • DVD-9


  Monday, 10/16/2006

Universe October 12 Releases

Holiday (2006)
 Director: Yang Yoon Ho
Cast: Lee Sung Jae, Choi Min Soo

Synopsis
Based on a real-life incident from 1980s Korea, Ji Kang-heon saw how his good friend Joo-hwan was shot to die in a demonstration against the Korea Gov. In a latter time, while Kan-heong was in prison, he found out that An-seok, the new prison in charge was the guy who killed his best friend. Due to the conflict between the two before, An-seok tortured Kang-heon continually and finally made him accompany his friends-in-prison to run away from the prison for a holiday of 9 days...
  • Letterboxed and 16x9 enhanced
  • Korean (DD 5.1), Cantonese (Stereo)
  • Chinese (Traditional), English, and Chinese (Simplified) subtitles
  • Region 3
  • DVD-9

Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah (1991)
 Director: Kazuki Omori
Cast: Anna Nakagawa, Kosuke Toyohara, Megumi Odaka, Kiwako Harada

Synopsis
Fully one thousand days after King Godzilla was buried, America's deadly Bikini nuclear blast mutates three harmless animals which are brought to the Bering Sea by one of the twenty-third century crew. They mutate into a titanic three-head monster - King Ghidorah which raids Japan. Godzilla is then brought to life to destroy the King Ghidorah control system. But human is not able to stop Godzilla from raiding Japan again.
  • Letterboxed
  • Japanese (Mono), Cantonese (Mono)
  • Chinese (Traditional), Chinese (Traditional)+English, and Chinese (Simplified) subtitles
  • Region 3

Godzilla vs. Mothra (1992)
 Director: Takao Okawara
Cast: Tetsuya Bessho, Satomi Kobayashi, Takehiro Murata, Makoto Otake

Synopsis
The first civilized population - Shobijin lived in the earth 15,000 years far before human race beigns is being destroyed by Two King Mosters Battra and Mothra. On a far-off island, a large egg of Mothra is unearthed in a storm. With Godzilla erupting from a volcano, the three monsters began a vicious melee. Joining forces with Battra, Mothra and Battra manage to defeat and trap Godzilla underwater... But there is another disaster following the battle - a huge asteroid is heading towards the earth...
  • Letterboxed and 16x9 enhanced
  • Japanese (Stereo), Cantonese (Stereo)
  • Chinese (Traditional), Chinese (Traditional)+English, and Chinese (Simplified) subtitles
  • Region 3


Universe Recent Releases

Re-cycle (2006)
 Director: Pang Brothers
Cast: Angelica Lee

Synopsis
Chu Xun is a young writer whose first novel has become the best seller in South East Asia. "Re-cycle" is her next book, it deals with the supernatural forces. Every reader anticipates the publication of her new book "Re-cycle" since all of them believe that her writings can bring impact to them.

Ever since she starts writing "Re-cycle" various weird incidents emerge. Later on, she finds out that the heroine of her new book has come out of the fictional world into the real world.

One night, Chu decides to follow the heroine into the other world...in which she has the experience of real and pure horror!
  • Letterboxed and 16x9 enhanced
  • Cantonese (DTS 5.1), Cantonese (DD 5.1), Mandarin (DD 5.1)
  • Chinese (Traditional), English, and Chinese (Simplified) subtitles
  • Extras: Director commentary, making of, deleted scenes, sketches, extra CG shots, highlights, and soundtrack.
  • Region 3
  • DVD-9

Yamato (2005)
 Director: Junya Sato
Cast: Takashi Sorimachi, Shido Nakamura

Synopsis
During Late World War II, the Japanese Army starts losing in the battle. Special junior officers including Kamio (Kenichi Matsuyama) board Yamato and meet the officer Moriwaki (Takashi Sorimachi) and Uchida (Shidou Nakamura). However, this battle marks the virtual end of the Combined Fleet of the Imperial Japanese Navy. Then in April 1945, Yamato is ordered to carry out a suicide mission and sets out to the waters of Okinawa...
  • Letterboxed and 16x9 enhanced
  • Japanese (DTS 5.1), Japanese (DD 5.1), Cantonese (DD 5.1)
  • Chinese (Traditional), English, and Chinese (Simplified) subtitles
  • Extras: Trailer, deleted scenes, and photo gallery.
  • Region 3
  • DVD-9

Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989)
 Director: Kazuki Omori
Cast: Kunihiko Mitamura, Yoshiko Tanaka, Masanobu Takashima

Synopsis
Scientist Miki has located Godzilla which was dormant in a volcano crater off Tokyo Bay. A volcano eruption brings the king monster Godzilla back to life and lumbers ashore in Osaka and heads for Wakasa Bay, destroying everything on route. To eliminate this great disaster, the last resort is to make use of bacterial anti-nuclear energy developed that may neutralize the nuclear tic power of Godzilla.
  • Letterboxed and 16x9 enhanced
  • Japanese (Stereo), Cantonese (Stereo)
  • Chinese (Traditional), Chinese (Traditional)+English, and Chinese (Simplified) subtitles
  • Region 3
  • DVD-5

The Return Of Godzilla (1984)
 Director: Koji Hashimoto
Cast: Keiju Kobayashi, Yasuko Sawaguchi, Tetsuya Takeda, Yosuke Natsuki

Synopsis
A volcanic eruption woke up, Godzilla, the giant monster that raided Tokyo 30 years ago from underground. Godzilla lands on Tokyo and wreaks havoc, buildings crumble and streets burst into flames. A bioscientist Hayashida finds out that Godzilla responds to the supersonic waves emitted from migrant birds. He then plans to lure Godzilla to a volcano and bury it in the crater.
  • Letterboxed
  • Japanese (Mono), Cantonese (Mono)
  • Chinese (Traditional), Chinese (Traditional)+English, and Chinese (Simplified) subtitles
  • Region 3
  • DVD-5

Dead Run (2005)
 Director: Sabu
Cast: Yuya Tegoshi, Hanae Kan, Miki Nakatani, Ren Osugi

Synopsis
SHUJI - A high school kid is struggling to find happiness when he finds himself is intolerable to his boring life that everything is being controlled and dominated by his family and society. Encountered and Experienced the humanity of Violence, Bully, Alienation from society, Sex, Loneliness in the age of 15 make Shuji know and experience more of the REAL WORLD...
  • Letterboxed and 16x9 enhanced
  • Japanese (Stereo)
  • Chinese (Traditional), English, and Chinese (Simplified) subtitles
  • Region 3
  • DVD-9

Under The Same Moon (2005)
 Director: Kenta Fukasaku
Cast: Yosuke Kubozuka, Meisa Kuroki, Edison Chen

Synopsis
Ever since Tetsuya met Emi at the age of 10, he has wanted to become a doctor to cure Emi's heart disease and marry her. Just before their wedding, their childhood best friend Don, a special man that has unique powers to see inside the hearts of others and was jailed as an arsonist in a mountain fire seven years ago which caused the death of Emi's father, has escaped from prison and wanted to see Emi again…

Since Tetsuya is terrified that Don's reappearance in their lives will destroy his nearly perfect life, and perhaps reading both of his former friend's hearts, Don disappears again…

The three people encounter again in a fire, will their relationship go back like what was used to?
  • Letterboxed and 16x9 enhanced
  • Japanese (DD 5.1), Cantonese (Stereo)
  • Chinese (Traditional), English, and Chinese (Simplified) subtitles
  • Region 3
  • DVD-9

Strange Circus (2005)
 Director: Sion Sono
Cast: Masumi Miyazaki

Synopsis
Preteen schoolgirl Mitsuko was rapped by his fathers and became psychologically confused for this forbidden sex. Discovering this secret relationship between the two, Sayri, was only able to save the love with her Husband - Gozo by having more and more sex with him and began to envy Mitsuko as the other woman…As the abnormal psyche became more and more serious, Gozo forced Sayri and Misuko watching his sex with the other alternatively. This twisted relationship, forbidden sex and disgusting feelings finally makes...
  • Letterboxed
  • Japanese (Stereo)
  • Chinese (Traditional), English, and Chinese (Simplified) subtitles
  • Region 3
  • DVD-5

Wet Hot Sake (1996)
 Director: Youichi Nishiyama
Cast: Toshiya Fujita, Mamoru Watanabe, Misa Jouno

Synopsis
The best must be the fresh...

The best sake also follows the same principal to brew in which it needs the best and fresh raw materials, and also the fresh virgin to make it?

Visiting one of a Japanese pub that seems to offer the best warm sake, Mononobe tries to follow the steps to reproduce the same flavor. However, he suddenly found out that the those flavor is actually the combine taste of sake, sweat, and other bodily secrets of a virgin. As his only daughter is not a virgin anymore, the only way to make the best sake without a pure virgin is...
  • Letterboxed
  • Japanese (Stereo)
  • Chinese (Traditional), English, and Chinese (Simplified) subtitles
  • Region 3
  • DVD-5

Nobita's Dorabian Nights (1991)
  • Full Screen
  • Cantonese (Mono)
  • Chinese (Traditional) and Chinese (Simplified) subtitles
  • Region 3
  • DVD-5

Doraemon TV Collection DVD Box Set 3 - Volume 7-9
  • Full Screen
  • Cantonese
  • Chinese (Traditional) and Chinese (Simplified) subtitles
  • Region 3

Pokemon: Destiny Deoxys (2005)
Synopsis
A strange meteorite which carries a powerful secret crashed to earth ice sheet and made a large icestorm. At the meantime Deoxys and Rayquaza, the two legendary Pokemon exist in this disaster with special mission. When a spectacular battle between Deoxys and Rayquaza begins, more than just Ash and Pikachu will be need to stop it. It will take everyone! Charged with big surprises, nonstop action, and heroic adventure, Pokemon: Destiny Deoxys is packed with out-of-this world thrills!
  • Letterboxed and 16x9 enhanced
  • Japanese (DTS 5.1), Japanese (DD 5.1), Cantonese (Stereo)
  • Chinese (Traditional), English, and Chinese (Simplified) subtitles
  • Region 3
  • DVD-9

Nobita In The Wan-Nyan Space-Time Odyssey (2004)
Synopsis
Nobita has adopted a new puppy Ahye and find a place for it with the other abandoned cats and dogs to live in 3 million year ago. In a time travel to meet Ahye again, Nobita and his friends intruded into an unknown civilized and advanced Kingdom - The Kingdom of Cats and Dogs where Doraemon finds his real love.
  • Letterboxed and 16x9 enhanced
  • Cantonese (DD 5.1)
  • Chinese (Traditional) and Chinese (Simplified) subtitles
  • Region 3
  • DVD-5

A Millionaire's First Love (2006)
 Director: Kim Tae Gyun
Cast: Hyun Bin, Lee Yeon Hee

Synopsis
An arrogant high school student who stands to inherit a fortune when he is 18 suddenly discovers the clause in his grandfather's will that he most graduate from a small high school in rural Kangwon Province. In this new school life, he finally meets a girl that he will love to...
  • Letterboxed and 16x9 enhanced
  • Korean (DD 5.1), Cantonese (Stereo)
  • Chinese (Traditional), English, and Chinese (Simplified) subtitles
  • Region 3
  • DVD-5


Panorama October 12 Releases

Dragnet Girl (1933)
 Director: Yasujiro Ozu
Cast: Kinuyo Tanaka, Joji Oka, Sumiko Mizukubo, Koji Mitsui

Synopsis
Ozu followers might find it difficult to believe, but this suspenseful and emotionally powerful gangster thriller is one of the high points in Ozu's oeuvre in the silent era. Shot with stylistic flourishes such as tracking shots and sweeping chiaroscuro, Ozu has made a moody expressionist potboiler in the noir tradition a la Sternberg. Like Walk Cheerfully, Ozu's ealier gangster film, a one-time champion boxer turned small-time ringleader finds himself moodily torn between the affections of a vamp and an innocent maiden. The climactic sequence (involving the single gunshot fired in the entire existing Ozu canon) is as powerful as any silent film you'll ever see.
  • Japanese
  • Chinese and English subtitles



Panorama October 5 Releases

Tora-san, The Expert (1982)
 Director: Yoji Yamada
Cast: Kiyoshi Atsumi, Chieko Baisho, Kenji Sawada, Yuko Tanaka

Synopsis
The 30th instalment in the Tora-san series. This is one of the most commercially successful films of the Tora-san series because of the two major stars involved in this production. Sawada Kenji was one of the most popular singers/actors in Japan at the time, and Tanaka Yuko will become famous through the TV series "Oshin". Yamada Yoji freely adapts Cyrano de Bergerac for this Tora-san movie. At the Yuhira Hot Springs in Oita, Tora-san helps a shy but handsome zookeeper (pop star/actor Sawada Kenji) after both fall in love with a pretty department store worker (Tanaka Yuko). In real life, Sawada and Tanaka began dating during production and eventually married in 1989.
  • Japanese
  • Chinese and English subtitles


Panda-Z The Robonimation (Episodes 16-30)

Synopsis
"Panda-Z The Robonimation" chronicles the misadventures of Pan-Taron and his giant robot Panda-Z, as they battle the evil Skull Panda and his Warunimal forces.

Robominal World is under attack from the Warunimal Empire. Now, wearing the scarf left to him by his father, Pan-Taron takes flight in Panda-Z, the undefeatable robot built by his grandfather. So no matter how strong the enemy, the forces of good will always prevail!
  • Full Screen
  • Japanese
  • Chinese and English subtitles
  • Extras
    • Interview with the Creator
    • Extended Sequences
    • 3D Animation
  • Region 3



  Friday, 10/13/2006

IVL October 26 Shaw Brothers Releases

DVD/VCD
Clan Feuds (1981)
 Director: Chang Peng-yi
Cast: Ti Lung, Lo Meng, Chen Szu-chia, Liu Li-ling
Genre: Martial Arts

Synopsis
Like legendary director Chu Yuan did so often and so successfully, Chang Peng-yi adapted this film from a story by Ku Lung. And like the equally legendary Chang Cheh, he cast the majestic Ti Lung, along with "Venoms" Lo Meng and Sun Chien (not to mention master action actors Ai Fei, Pai Piao, and the "queen of Shaw kung-fu," Lily Li) for a spectacular showcase of mystical "Martial Arts World" intrigue and consummate kung-fu.
  • Letterboxed and 16x9 enhanced
  • Mandarin
  • Chinese (Traditional) and English subtitles
  • Region 3
  • Extras:
    • Trailers, picture gallery, poster art, biographies/filmographies, and production notes.
Iron Buddha, The (1970)
 Director: Yen Chuan
Cast: Fang Ying, Ling Yun, Yu Hui, Chen Hung-lieh
Genre: Martial Arts

Synopsis
Veteran filmmakers unite for one last blow-out before they make way for the new talent. Director Yen Chuan started acting in 1949 and directing in 1953, scripter Soong Shiao-waung started writing in the 1950's, star Ling Yun started acting in the 1960's. They all combine their proven talents for this tale of the Dragon Sword and the evil Security Agency guards, sensual swordswomen, and notorious bandits who want it.
  • Letterboxed and 16x9 enhanced
  • Mandarin
  • Chinese (Traditional) and English subtitles
  • Region 3
  • Extras:
    • Trailers, picture gallery, poster art, biographies/filmographies, and production notes.
Love On Delivery (1994)
 Director: Li Lik-chi
Cast: Stephen Chow, Christy Chung, Ng Man-tat
Genre: Comedy

Synopsis
Stephen Chow takes on the role of delivery boy for a fast food joint, and Hong Kong's comedy diet is never quite the same. A top blockbuster of 1994, Love On Delivery delivers laughs, romance, and kung-fu as only Chow can. He's a combination of Charlie Chaplin and Bruce Lee when, under the tutelage of sidekick Ng Man-tat, the mild mannered delivery boy becomes a Chinese boxing ace.
  • Letterboxed and 16x9 enhanced
  • Mandarin, Cantonese
  • Chinese (Traditional) and English subtitles
  • Region 3
  • Extras:
    • Trailers, picture gallery, poster art, behind the scenes pictures, biographies/filmographies, and production notes.
Out Of The Dark (1995)
 Director: Jeff Lau
Cast: Stephen Chow, Karen Mok, Huang Yi-fei
Genre: Comedy

Synopsis
When this amazing movie premiered, Stephen Chow was already one of Hong Kong's biggest stars and a comic icon. Having already lampooned such subjects as gambling, kung-fu, the justice system, the educational system, James Bond, and even Chinese mythology, Chow and a great cast of new faces as well as old favorites take on ghostbusting. There are thrills and laughs galore in this Chow winner, who is now taking his rightful place as an international comic genius.
  • Letterboxed and 16x9 enhanced
  • Mandarin, Cantonese
  • Chinese (Traditional) and English subtitles
  • Region 3
  • Extras:
    • Trailers, picture gallery, poster art, behind the scenes pictures, biographies/filmographies, and production notes.
VCD Only
Take Care, Your Majesty! (1983)
 Director: Li Han-hsiang
Cast: Liu Hui-ling, Ku Feng, Chen Ping, Wang Yu
Genre: Erotic

Synopsis
In the vein of Creepshow, soft-porn director Li Han-hsiang replaces horror with sex in Take Care, Your Majesty, an anthology of three erotic bedtime stories revealing the consequences for a man's deviant sexual behavior toward women. Women In The Sacks shows that sex slavery and alcohol don't mix; Through The Telescope instills that when it comes to rape, what goes around, comes around and in Take Care, Your Majesty, indulgent prostitution pleasures can have deadly consequences.
  • Cantonese
  • Chinese (Traditional) and English subtitles
2006 Shaw Brothers Schedule


IVL October 26 Releases


Masayuki Suo DVD Box Set

               
Shall We Dance (1996)
Director: Masayuki Suo
Cast: Koji Yakusyo, Tamiyo Kusakari

Synopsis
13 Japanese Academy Awards Including Best Director, Best Picture, Best Actor/ Actress & Best Screenplay

A businessman Syohei (Koji Yakusyo) is living in a comfortable life but he feels something is missing. One day, he sees a beautiful lady (Tamiyo Kusakari) looking pensively from a ballroom dance studio. Intrigued, and looking for a way to meet her, he begins to take lessons at the studio and finds something he does not expect...
  • Letterboxed
  • Japanese
  • Chinese (Traditional), English, and Chinese (Simplified) subtitles
  • 137 minutes
  • Region 3
  • Extras
    • Interviews of Hiromasa Taguchi, Naoto Takenaka, Tamiyo Kusakari
    • American Video Diary
    • Artwork Gallery
    • Trailers

     

     


Sumo Do, Sumo Don't (1992)
Director: Masayuki Suo
Cast: Akira Emoto, Naoto Takenaka, Misa Shimizu, Masahiro Motoki

Synopsis
A heart-warming, touching and humorous story, "Sumo Do, Sumo Don't" depicts the dilemma faced by a college student Shusei. Shusei has a fine job waiting for him before his graduation. However, he is blackmailed by a professor into joining the nearly terminated sumo team. He is aided by a group of misfits who must team together to defeat their rivals or face disgrace and the disbandment of the sumo club. How does Shusei work hard to beat odds and graduate on schedule?
  • Full Screen
  • Japanese
  • Chinese (Traditional), English, and Chinese (Simplified) subtitles
  • 103 minutes
  • Region 3
  • Extras
    • Interview With Hiromasa Taguchi
    • Interview With Naoto Takenaka
    • Trailer

     

     

     


Fancy Dance (1989)
Director: Masayuki Suo
Cast: Naoto Takenaka, Masahiro Motoki, Honami Suzuki, Nobuko Miyamoto, Ken Osawa

Synopsis
Yohei, a punk rocker, has to struggle between the appeal of modern life in Tokyo and his obligation as an eldest son to take over his father's position as abbot of a rural Zen temple. Though initially rebelling against the tough monastic discipline, Yohei learns to adjust. However his girlfriend shows up, enticing him to return to his rock 'n' roll roots...How can the Zen monk successfully adapt an age-old tradition to his modern life?
  • Full Screen
  • Japanese
  • Chinese (Traditional), English, and Chinese (Simplified) subtitles
  • Region 3
  • 101 minutes
  • Extras
    • Interview With Naoto Takenaka
    • Interview With Hiromasa Taguchi
    • Highlights Of Fancy Dance That The Director Describe
    • Trailer

     

     

     

IVL/Kadokawa Release Schedule


  Thursday, 10/12/2006

Joy Sales October 19 Releases


My Name Is Fame (2006)
Director: Lawrence Lau Kwok-Cheung
Cast: Lau Ching-Wan, Huo Siyan
  • An entertaining and intelligent movie, a fun portrait of the local film industry
  • Depict the reality of entertainment industry: brutality, entices, and the unknown process of being famous.
  • High recommendation by media and movie criticizers
  • Lawrence Lau Kwok-Cheung - A director who excels at Practical movies
  • A super casting term with Lau Ching-Wan, Huo Siyan, Candy Yu On-On, Lai Yiu-Cheung, Ekin Cheng Yee-Kin, Tony Leung Ka-Fai, Fiona Sit Hoi-Kei, Fruit Chan Gor, Derek Tsang Kwok-Cheung, Niki Chow Lai-Kei, Guk Fung, Gordon Chan Car-Seung, Ann Hui On-Wah etc
Synopsis
Pn Ka Fai had reached the summit of his career in his 20s - he was awarded the best new male actor academy award. Fai believed that his success was a result of his own efforts and expertise. He became more and more fastidious and pertinacious, As a result, Fai's career and popularity declined, Fai was very depressed. He then became the leader for temporary actors, and coincidentally, he met Ng Hiu Fei (Fei), a girl who was very devoted to acting. Fei was willing to try and take up every opportunity, and she was not afraid of suffering. He decided to teach her his secret acting techniques. Fai was influenced by Fei and had rebuild his devotion for acting, by which he marketed himself to film directors for taking a role in their films.

When Fai realized he fell in love with Fei, Fei has to leave Fai to go to Japan to start her journey to a superstar…

Specs:

  • Letterboxed and 16x9 enhanced
  • Audio
    • Cantonese (DTS)
    • Cantonese (DD 5.1)
    • Mandarin (DD 5.1)
  • Subtitles
    • Traditional Chinese
    • Simplified Chinese
    • English
  • Extras
    • Deleted Scenes (23 mins)
    • Making Of (15 mins)
    • Trailers
  • DVD-9


Joy Sales October 18 Releases


Dog Bite Dog (2006)
Director: Soi Cheang
Cast: Edison Chen, Sam Lee

Synopsis
"Only a beast can smell the tracks of its own kind."

Pang Jr., a young killer from Cambodia, arrived Hong Kong to assassinate. At the same time, cop Sam and his team of detectives got their orders to investigate the crime. Wai soon found Pang with his intuition and started pursuit. Terrified, Pang fled to a refuse dump in the countryside, where he accidentally met Yue. Yue was raped by her step- father. Pang killed her step-father and promised Yue that he would take her to Cambodia and start a new and happy life together.

By this time, Wai and his colleagues tracked down the couple. Pang, like an injured beast, and killed Wai's colleagues one by one and escaped to Cambodia. Wai swear that he would kill Pang himself even if they were at the ends of the Earth. The two men became like two wild dogs to attack each other, neither one wanting to stop until the other side fell!

Specs:

  • Disc 1 - Film
    • Letterboxed and 16x9 enhanced
    • Audio
      • Cantonese (DTS)
      • Cantonese (DD 5.1)
      • Mandarin (DD 5.1)
    • Subtitles (for film)
      • Traditional Chinese
      • Simplified Chinese
      • English
    • Subtitles (for audio commentary)
      • Traditional Chinese
      • Simplified Chinese
      • English
    • DVD-9

  • Disc 2 - Extras (120 minutes)
    • Deleted Scenes
    • Outtakes
    • Behind The Scenes Video
    • Interviews
    • Trailers
    • Photo Gallery
    • DVD-5


Panorama September 28 Releases
Cathay
Darling, Stay At Home (1968)
 Director: Wang Tianlin
Cast: Betty Le Di, Zhang Yang

Synopsis
Darling Stay At Home was the only modern film starring Betty Le Di since she joined MP&GI. She played a housewife who refused to let her talents abandoned at home and played a trick on her stubborn, old-fashioned husband (Zhang Yang). Her success not only changed her husband's mentality but also represented a strong declaration of women's capabilities at a time when many women were still made to stay at home. For many years Betty was honoured as the "Classic Beauty" for her countless portraits of classic beauties in the wangmeidiao genre. But in Darling Stay At Home, Betty demonstrated her remarkable acting skills through her successful portraits of a submissive housewife and a capable working lady, which extended her reputation to being far more than just a "Classic Beauty".
  • Mandarin
  • Chinese (Traditional), English, and Chinese (Simplified) subtitles
  • Extras:
    • Director's & Lead Actor's Biography and Filmography
Cathay Release Schedule

Panda-Z The Robonimation (Episodes 1-15)

Synopsis
"Panda-Z The Robonimation" chronicles the misadventures of Pan-Taron and his giant robot Panda-Z, as they battle the evil Skull Panda and his Warunimal forces.

Robominal World is under attack from the Warunimal Empire. Now, wearing the scarf left to him by his father, Pan-Taron takes flight in Panda-Z, the undefeatable robot built by his grandfather. So no matter how strong the enemy, the forces of good will always prevail!
  • Full Screen
  • Japanese
  • Chinese and English subtitles
  • Extras
    • Interview with the Creator
    • Extended Sequences
    • 3D Animation
    • Opening Song (without credits)
  • Region 3