Joy Sales Dog Bite Dog Correction
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The English subtitles for the audio commentary will only be available on the Two Disc Edition, not the Single Disc Edition. |
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| Thursday, 9/28/2006 |
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Joy Sales Dog Bite Dog Correction
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The English subtitles for the audio commentary will only be available on the Two Disc Edition, not the Single Disc Edition. |
| Wednesday, 9/27/2006 |
Mei Ah September 28 Releases
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Comfort Women (1994) Director: Chen Guo Jun Cast: Wang Hong, Wang Xi, Li Lian Yi, Zhu Jing Fang, Liu Dan, Xing Ji Tian, Shi Bin
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| Monday, 9/25/2006 |
Asia Video September 22 Releases
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A Bite Of Love (2006) Director: Siwaporn Pongsuwan Cast: Nawarat Techarathanaprasert, Patcharasri Benjamas, Chaleumpol Tikumpornteerawong, Darunee Khrittabhunyalai Synopsis Kao Niew, an 8 year old girl, was sent away by her mother to live with distant relatives. Life became lonely and bleak for the young girl until one day she came across a young puppy. There was an immediate connection between them. Kao Niew decided to call the young pup Moo Bing (literally means barbecue pork). Life for Kao Niew was beginning to look up until her overbearing relatives finally found out that Kao Niew was secretly taking care of the dog. The heartless family immediately threw Moo Bing out onto the street. Kao Niew was distraught and alone once more. Would Kao Niew and Moo Bing meet again?
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Joy Sales September 29 Releases
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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! Single Disc Edition (Release Date: September 29)
Two Disc Edition (Release Date: October 10)
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Joy Sales September 28 Fortune Star Digitally Remastered Releases
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Zu: Warriors From The Magic Mountain (1983) Director: Tsui Hark Cast: Sammo Hung, Yuen Biao, Adam Cheng, Brigitte Lin Synopsis An army deserter Di Ming Qi (Yuen Biao), who was chased by vampires in the mountain of Zu. He was rescued by Master Ding Yin (Adam Cheng) and became his pupil. When they were ambushed by the Blood Devil, devil chaser Xiao Ru (Damian Lau) and his pupil Yi Zhen (Mang Hoi) came to their assistance. With the help of Master Chang Mei (Sammo Hung), ehy managed to hold off the Blood Devil but they need to fin the Dual Swords to destroy it. Master Ding took the wounded Xiao Ru to Celestial Fort and sought help from the Mistress (Brigitte Lin), but was in turned poisoned by the Blood Devil and he surrendered to the Dark Force. Will Di and Yi Chen find the Dual Swords and destroy the Blood Devil? DVD Specs
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Joy Sales September 28 Fortune Star Non-Digitally Remastered Releases
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The City War and Triads: The Inside Story DVDs will have text supplements: City War The DVD will have a text supplement that provides background information on the Hong Kong police:
Triads The Inside Story The DVD will have a text supplement that provides background information on the Hong Kong triads:
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IVL September 28 Releases
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Crazy Stone (2006) Director: Ning Hao Voices: Guo Tao, Liu Gang, Huang Bo Synopsis What do you get when you have a precious jewel, a group of bumbling thieves intent on getting their hands on it, the mob wanting a piece of the action and a loyal but mischievous security guard all thrown in together? Crazy Stone. It's a fast-paced, wisecracking caper comedy that will have you engaged and entertained from the word go. This is China's answer to Ocean's Eleven, with many comic twists and turns thrown in for good. Specs:
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| Wednesday, 9/20/2006 |
Mega Star September 21 Releases
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Cell Phone (2003) Director: Feng Xiaogang Cast: Ge You, Xu Fan, Zhang Guoli, Fan Bingbing Synopsis How much damage can a single "Mobile Phone" cause? A lot if you are talking about Feng Xiaogang's same-titled suspense thriller! In this masterpiece movie that is filled with excellent black humor the moderator of a TV show is driven to the brink of insanity after his wife discovers his mobile which he tragically forgot to take along with him. Watch out for all the dramatic results that are amusing and terrifying at the same time! Specs
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Final Justice (1996) Director: Derek Chiu Cast: Lau Ching Wan, Carman Lee, Eric Tsang, Almen Wong Synopsis Father Lee (Lau Ching Wan) is young and unconventional. He fell into temptation and was sued by Donna (Almen Wong), who accuses him of rape. Lee faces a lawsuit and abandonment by his church and his followers. Gangster Mr. Gum (Eric Tsang) is willing to help and has hired Ku (Carman Lee) as his defending lawyer. Mr. Gum believes in silence by violence, while Ku would rather try false witnesses. But Lee refuses to attack Donna in court for fear of hurting her again. In the end, Lee proved to Mr. Gum and Ku that conscience does in fact exist in this corrupt world ruled by power and material desire. Specs
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Fortune Code (1990) Director: Kent Cheng Cast: Alan Tam, Andy Lau, Samo Hung, Anita Mui, Miu Kiu Wai, Eric Tsang Synopsis During World War II, China was still under Japanese control. To save the Chinese in the mainland, some outboard and rich Chinese set up a charity. They opened an account at a Swiss Bank with a secret code. Unfortunately, "Mammon", the only person who knows the code, is arrested by the Japanese. The Chinese spies try all means to save "Mammon" but only find that he has died. When all becomes despair, new clues are found. Specs
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Maiden Rose (1995) Director: Xie Yang Cast: Zhou Xun, Gui Yah Leh, Josephine Ko Synopsis To celebrate his newborn baby girl, an old wine brewer made a bottle of Maiden Rose for her future marriage. Eighteen years later, the girl was already a beautiful woman and fell in love with a youngster. However, her father was unhappy with their romance, though she had been pregnant. Fifty years passed by, three women of three generations finally had a chance to drink that bottle of Maiden Rose. Specs
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| Monday, 9/18/2006 (Second Update) |
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Joy Sales September 21 Fortune Star Digitally Remastered Releases
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The Canton Godfather (1989) aka Miracles aka Mr. Canton And Lady Rose Director: Jackie Chan Cast: Jackie Chan, Bill Tung, Anita Mui, Gua Ah Lei, Wu Ma Synopsis Wah (Jackie Chan) is a country kid who rescues a mafia boss. When he takes over the mafia, he believes it is Lady Rose's (Gua Ah Lei) roses that bring him good luck, so he buys one from her every day outside his nightclub. But Wah and his singer girlfriend Ming (Anita Mui) need a lot more than luck when they find our that Lady Rose is in a jam: Her daughter Belle (Gloria Yip) who is engaged to a millionaire's son, will be in Hong Kong to discuss wedding plans and to meet with Lady Rose, who has been lying about being part of Hong Kong's high society. It is up to Wah and Ming and all the help they can round up to turn Lady Rose into a real lady. While preparing for the engagement party, Police Inspector Ho (Richard Ng) suspects they're up to no good and starts an investigation. Can Wah and Ming battle the police and a rival gang while planning for a party? Awards
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Hong Kong 1941 (1983) Director: Leong Po-Chih Cast: Chow Yun Fat, Ku Feng, Paul Chu, Shih Kien, Alex Man, Wu Ma, Cecilia Yip, Yu Chien Synopsis Fei (Chow Yun Fat) is a young man who's trying to scrape up enough money to catch a boat to the U.S. He befriends Keung (Alex Man), who comes from a wealthy family, but is now a coolie working for a successful rice merchant. Keung's childhood friend, Nam (Cecilia Yip), is betrothed to a man by her politically ambitious father. The trio decide to make a run for the boat. But on the day of their planned escape, they awoke to the Japanese attack on the city and were forced to stay behind. Fei signed up to work for the Japanese to help Keung and Nam in their next attempt to excape... Awards
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Joy Sales September 28 Fortune Star Non-Digitally Remastered Releases
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City War (1988) Director: Chung Sun Cast: Chow Yun Fat, Ti Lung, Tien Niu, Chui Siu Keung Synopsis Dick Lee (Chow Yun Fat) and Ken Chow (Ti Lung) are cops with deep friendship for many years. Ken and his partner captured drug dealer Ted Yiu (Chui Siu Keung) ten years ago. Ted takes revenge on Ken's partner once he release from prison. Meanwhile, Ken not only suffers the disciplinary sanction, but also ambushed by killer. Even though Ken fortunately survives, his family members are all dead. At first, Dick wants to settle the quarrel between Ken and Ted. However, when he realizes the revenge Ted takes on Ken and his love Penny (Tien Niu) is in fact Ted's girlfriend, he understands that benevolence is for someone kind-hearted but not Ted. Dick and Ken eventually decide to retaliate.
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Heart To Hearts (1988) Director: Stephen Shin Cast: George Lam, Do Do Cheng, Vivian Chow, Rosamund Kwan Synopsis Advertising professional Alex, played by George Lam, just breaks up with his model girlfriend Peggy, played by Rosamund Kwan. In order to release Alex's anxiety, his friend invites him to be the part time director of a choir. Alex meets Vivian, acted by Vivian Chow, in the choir. However, Vivian's mother Chu Lai Ngo, acted by Do Do Cheng, is a divorced woman who dislikes Alex at the first sight. When Alex and Chu are getting closer and closer, they imperceptibly fall in love with each other. At this moment, Peggy suddenly comes back to Alex asking for being together once again...
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Heart Into Hearts (1990) Director: Stephen Shin Cast: George Lam, Do Do Cheng, Vivian Chow, Maggie Cheung Synopsis Advertising professional Alex, played by George Lam, has been living with Chu Lai Ngo and her daughter Vivian, played by Do Do Cheng and Vivian Chow, in harmony. Alex has to go to Paris with director Joe, acted by the multiple awards winner Maggie Cheung, for ad production. Due to the suspicion of Alex's fidelity, Chu and Vivian follow Alex to marry her once they return to Hong Kong. Otherwise, she will marry Alex's cousin and go to Canada...
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Heart Against Hearts (1992) Director: Stephen Shin Cast: George Lam, Do Do Cheng, Vivian Chow Synopsis Advertising professional Alex and Chu Lai Ngo, Played by George Lam and Do Do Cheng, finally get married and live with Chu's daughter Vivian, played by Vivian Chow. Since the owner of the advertising company migrates, Alex starts to take control of the company. However, the company is forced to close down due to the banker goes bankrupt. Besides, Chu and Vivian both join a financial investment company owned by Alex's old classmate ET, acted by Paul Chun. Chu is promoted to be the Assistant of General Manager in a short period of time. Nevertheless, it is a fraud for Chu...
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Triads: The Inside Story (1989) Director: Taylor Wong Cast: Chow Yun Fat, Roy Cheung, Chan Wai Man, Mak Kit Man, Kenneth Tsang, Shing Fui On Synopsis Li Man Ho (Chow Yun Fat) lives in the United States because he is angry with his father being the leader of a triad - Hung Hing. Since his father is ambushed and killed, Li comes back to Hong Kong for the funeral. Furthermore, Li is recommended by the crowd to be the leader of the triad Hung Hing. Li rejects and passes the leadership to Shing (Chan Wai Man). Yeung Kong (Roy Cheung) is very unhappy for this arrangement.Hung Hing is so messed up since Li's father died. Meanwhile, other triads are targeting to capture the business of Hung Hing. Li eventually takes over Hung Hing and saves Yeung from a trap. Yeung appreciates and coordinates with Li to fight back.
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| Joy Sales/Fortune Star Release Schedule | |
| Monday, 9/18/2006 (First Update) |
Deltamac September 21 Releases
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Dragon Tiger Gate (2006) Director: Wilson Yip Cast: Donnie Yen, Nicholas Tse, Shawn Yu Synopsis This story is based on a noble by Wang Shuo. A young couple have got together from first meet to marriage. DaoJi, she is very sensitive to her feeling and filled with aspiration to succeed and love.......after honeymoon, they begin to go shopping at an agricultural market with basket as others. Jealousy, arguments are a relief of tedium in their insipid life. Conflicts, run away and frenzy are only ripples in dead pond. |  |
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Deltamac September 14 Releases
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A Unique Schooling (2004) aka The Story Of Xiaoyan Director: Fang Gangliang Cast: Wu Xu Synopsis Unable to afford the 24.8 Yuan tuition fee, Xiaoyan (13 years old) decides to make some money to pay her tuition during the summer vacation. Her journey of collecting tuition fee starts with 10 eggs: she steals some eggs from home and sells them for 3 Yuan and buys a pen from a little boy. Wang (her teacher), who wants help Xiaoyan to continue her education, pays a higher price for the pen. Afterwards, she tries to earn more money by raising lambs, but unfortunately, her two baby brothers spoil her plan. The path to dreams is always bumpy! Eventually on the first day of the new semester, Xiaoyan goes to school punctually, holding exactly 24.8 Yuan in hand. The money is already soaked by sweat... |  |
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Deltamac August 24 Releases
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Typhoon (2005) Director: Kwak Kyung-taek Cast: Jang Dong-kun, Lee Jung-jae, Lee Mi-yeon Synopsis July 2004: In the waters of South Asia, pirates board an American ship and steal its secret cargo of satellite guidance receiver systems - the kind used by nuclear missiles. Intelligence services around the region are up-in-arms about the daring and deadly theft. But due to the sensitive and illegal nature of the cargo, the United States cannot get directly involved. When it is discovered that the pirate originally came from North Korea, the South Koreans send in special agent Gang Se-jong (Lee Jung-jae). Gang Se-jong chases the Sin (Jang Dong-kun) all over the region, as he frantically tries to piece together what happened and get the guidance systems back. Along the way, Gang learns about Sin's wretched story - how he fled North Korea with his family, but were all killed in China except for his sister. Blaming North and South Korea for his family's deaths, Sin has dedicated himself to destroying both countries. In a ship in the Yellow Sea, between Korea and China, Sin is planning a treacherous scheme that will painfully kill millions all across the Korean Peninsula. Now, with two typhoons converging and Sin's ship of death ready to launch its terrible secret, only Gang Se-jong has a chance of preventing this cataclysmic act of terror. The fate of both Koreas hangs in the balance. |  |
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Loving You, Mama Director: Chi Fei Cast: Chi Peng, Chen Youwang, Tian Dudu, Zhao Jia Synopsis The extraordinary sacrifice that an ordinary mother can make is unveiled at last through the persistent investigation of a journalist... A single mother who struggles against all odds to put two daughters through school. In the poverty stricken mountains of rural China, elementary and secondary schooling is a luxury for most families. Crippled by illness, mother has to force one of the daughters to give up school. Who is it going to be? She loves them both dearly and is torn to make a choice, any choice. At last she leaves it to fate, which is, by her definition, a draw of a piece of grass. The girl who draws the longer piece of grass gets to continue schooling while the other one joins the work force to support the family. Out of love for the younger sibling, the elder sister snaps the longer piece that she draws into two and gives up her chance. Fate takes a more miserable turn for the three women when the elder sister is led to believe that she is not the biological daughter of her mother... |  |
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Panorama September 14 Releases
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Magic Lamp, The (1964) Director: Wang Tianlin, Evan Yang (Yi Wen), Tang Huang, Wu Jiaxiang, Luo Wei Cast: Grace Chang, Lucilla You Min, Jeannette Lin Chui Synopsis To commemorate its 10th anniversary, MP&GI devoted all of its resources to produce The Magic Lamp. With MP&GI's much-acclaimed stars, script writers, producers and directors at its helm, The Magic Lamp is undoubtedly one of the most memorable pictures in MP&GI's history. Adapted from one of China's most well-known fairy tales, the Goddess of Mount Hua (Grace Chang in her unusual ancient costume role) falls in love with a young mortal scholar Liu Yanchang (Lucilla You Min) and gives birth to a baby son, Chenxiang. When Chenxiang (Jeannette Lin Chui) grows up, he seeks to unravel the mystery surrounding his mother whom he has never met.
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| Cathay Release Schedule | |
Hiruko, The Goblin (1990) Director: Shinya Tsukamoto Cast: Kenji Sawada, Naoto Takenaka Synopsis An acheologist named Hieda, who has virtually been ousted from the academy for his radical ideas, receives a letter from Yabe, a junior high school teacher, who writes that he has discovered an ancient mound built by a people who believed in evil spirits. Imagining that working on exploring the mound might reinstate him in the academy, Hieda leaves immediately to visit Yabe, only to find him missing together with a coed named Reiko.
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Asia Video September 1 Releases
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Reincarnation (2005) Director: Takashi Shimizu Cast: Yuka, Kippei Shiina, Karina Synopsis When a young actress gets a role in a film based on a series of grisly murders in the 1970s, she begins to experience the killings as if they are happening in front of her. When she discovers an 8mm camera that appears to contain footage of the murders, she decides to develop the film, with terrifying consequences.
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| Tuesday, 9/12/2006 |
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Joy Sales August 25 Releases
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 Love Asia: The True Beauty Of Asia (2006) Photographer: Leslie Kee Models: Maggie Q, Mayuko, Queenie, Chi-Ling, Kae, Yo, Grace, Jacqueline, Aysha, Almen Synopsis A tropical isle...sundrenched beaches...and 10 of the most gorgeous girls in Asia (Maggie Q, Chi-Ling and more). From the stunning backgrounds of Langkawi Island to the hustle and bustle of Kuala Lumpur, these sexy, sultry and sensuous models bare their souls to you. Watch them as they work and play, and listen in as they share their deepest, sexiest secrets and their darkest inner desires. Discover the blazing fires that burn beneath their cool, steely exteriors. Watch them as they let their hair down and sizzle on the dance floors. They're hot. They're daring. They're exquisitely divine. And they are all yours on LOVE ASIA. Are you cool enough to handle it?
  
  
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IVL September 26 Releases
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Keroro: The Movie (2006) Director: Yusuke Yamamoto Voices: Kumiko Watanabe Synopsis Keroro is a frog-like alien sent from his home planet on a mission to conquer The Earth. When he lives with Hinata, he spends his time in assembling Gundam model kits and doing chores! One day, KERORO accidentally released the terrifying secret weapon KIRURU that the world got bogged down in crisis. MIRARA, as a savior against the evil, meets up with KERORO teams to fight for the peace! Specs:
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IVL September 28 Shaw Brothers Releases
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Rebel Intruders, The (1980) Director: Chang Cheh Cast: Kuo Chue, Lo Meng, Chiang Sheng, Lu Feng Genre: Martial Arts Synopsis The "Venoms" are back in action again! After creating an international sensation in The Five Venoms, Taiwanese Opera artists Kuo Chue, Chiang Sheng and Lu Feng reteamed with Chinese muscleman Lo Meng and superkicker Sun Chien for this politically charged thriller. Set in the early Republican years, some skilled refugees run afoul of a powerful traitor, and from then on it's one amazing battle after another.
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Savage Five, The (1974) Director: Chang Cheh Cast: David Chiang, Ti Lung, Chen Kuan-tai, Danny Lee, Wang Chung Genre: Martial Arts Synopsis The heroes are savage because the villains are brutal, cruel, and vicious. At first, a gang just wants the village locksmith to open a stolen safe, but it soon escalates into wholesale torment. Though reminiscent of The Seven Samurai, the director and his revered action choreographers, Liu Chia-liang and Tang Chia, design each of the many struggles with gritty depravity and desperate power. The result is an especially realistic, even grueling, exercise in suspense.
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Snake Prince, The (1976) Director: Lo Chen Cast: Ti Lung, Lin Chen-chi, Wang Yu, Lin Wei-tu Genre: Horror Synopsis In the 1993, international audiences were fascinated by director Tsui Hark's Green Snake, which told of two serpents who turn into beautiful women. But seventeen years prior, versatile director Lo Chen and majestic star Ti Lung teamed to make the male variation in this remarkable fantasy/horror epic. Attracted by the sensual rain dance performed by three glorious tribeswomen, the Snake Prince and his brothers set into motion an extraordinary tale of romance, greed, insanity, envy, lust, murder, and tragedy.
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Story Of My Son, The (1990) Director: Damian Lau Cast: Damian Lau, Huang Kun-hsuan, Cheng Pak-lam, Ng Man-tat Genre: Drama Synopsis The Story Of My Son is an early collaboration between directing duo Johnnie To and Wei Chia-hui. In a new take of the Italian screen classic Incompreso, the story centers on the misunderstanding between the father and his two sons, while reflecting the ruthlessness of the Hong Kong loan sharks: Li Tzu-liang (Damian Lau) is newly widowed and leading an impoverished life with two young sons (Huang Kun-hsuan and Cheng Pak-lam). He attempts to make a fortune at the horse-racing track but is debt-laden, while his sons are harassed by debt collectors. More heart-wrenching events begins to unfold.
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IVL September 14 Shaw Brothers Releases
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Golden Knight, The (1969) Director: Yueh Feng Cast: Lily Ho, Kao Yuen, Shu Pei-pei, Wang Hsia Genre: Martial Arts Synopsis Respected veteran Yueh Feng made this "Martial Arts World" saga of a masked master of the "Black Sand Hand Technique," while Lily Ho, the star of Princess Iron Fan and Angel With The Iron Fists, excels in a delightful dual leading role. When she teams up with Shu Pei-pei as a fellow swordswoman to vanquish a murdering robber, the comparisons to Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon are obvious, even though it came three decades later.
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Magnificent Swordsman, The (1968) Director: Yueh Feng, Cheng Kang Cast: Shu Pei-pei, Huang Tsung-shun, Tien Feng, Ching Miao Genre: Martial Arts Synopsis Like many of the swordsman films of the sixties, The Magnificent Swordsman centers on the hero vowing vengeance against evil bandits that killed his family when he was a child. Influenced by Akira Kurosawa's The Seven Samurai, the hero (played by Huang Tsung-shun who starred in Bruce Lee's Fist Of Fury), recruits several friends to help peasants rid their village of marauding bandits, the leader of course being the man that killed his family.
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Stud And The Nympho, The (1980) Director: Lu Chi Cast: Ai Ti, Tang Ching, Shaw Yin-yin, Frankie Wei Hung, Ling Tai Genre: Erotic Synopsis Two of director/writer Lu Chi's favorite stars, beautiful Ai Ti and handsome Frankie Wei Hung, join him in this flesh-filled walk on the wild side. The stud may be sued for divorce by his wife and cheated on by his mistress, but the nympho may be in even more trouble if she trusts someone who is actually a murderous lunatic. The ending of this carnal cautionary tale may not be pretty, but the ribald ride is fun while it lasts.
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Susanna (1967) Director: Ho Meng-hua Cast: Li Ching, Diana Chang Chung-wen, Kwan Shan, Alison Chang Yen Genre: Drama Awards
Synopsis Get out your handkerchiefs for this award-winning drama. Nineteen-year-old Li Ching, nicknamed the "Baby Queen" of Shaw Brothers, scored a major success playing the title character, Susanna. Li's youthful exuberance is given free rein in a role that embraces rebellion, love, betrayal, tragedy, and ultimately, redemption. The all-star cast includes Diana Chang Chung-wen (known as "the most beautiful creature in Free China") and Kwan Shan (father of present-day superstar Rosamund Kwan) as Susanna's parents.
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Taste Of Cold Steel, A (1970) Director: Yueh Feng Cast: Chang I, Chen Hung-lieh, Shu Pei-pei, Essie Lin Chia Genre: Martial Arts Synopsis It's a no-holds-barred battle to the death for possession of the invaluable Purple Sword. Assistant director Wang Po-yi also wrote this entertaining and exciting adventure which could have also been called "The Five Tigers" since there's no doubt that this quintet is the highlight of the action. Huang Tsung-shun is "Fierce Tiger," Hung Liu is "Drunk Tiger," Hsu Erh-niu is "Lame Tiger," award-winning actor Ku Feng is "One-eyed Tiger" and respected director/actor Wu Ma is "Sick Tiger" in a tangle of tussles and thrills.
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| 2006 Shaw Brothers Schedule | |
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Panorama Recent Releases
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Swallowtail Butterfly (1996) Director: Shunji Iwai Cast: Hiroshi Mikami, Chara Synopsis Long, long ago, when the yen was the strongest currency in the world, there was a city called "Yen Town" by the immigrants. The Japanese residents resented the name and discriminated against the immigrants, calling them "Yen Thieves". This is the story about the "Yen Thieves" who believed yen would help their dreams come true and came to the capital to realize their dreams. It is a rhapsody of anarchy, seen through the eyes of Ageha (=Swallowtail), a young girl living in Yen Town.
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Chloe (2001) Director: Go Riju Cast: Masatoshi Nagase, Rie Tomosaka, Shinya Tsukamoto Synopsis When Kotaro meets Kuroe, it is love at first sight. They resolve to spend the rest of their lives together. But one day, Kuroe collapses and X-rays reveal something resembling a flower budding in her lung. She refuses surgery and goes home with Kotaro, unable to drink water, lest the bud blooms. When Kotaro discovers that other flowers in the room cause the first water lily to shrivel up, so he fills the house with fresh flowers. Kotaro loses his job, but is more than ever desperate to meet the expense of fresh flowers for Kuroe. Kotaro is finally offered a job with the florist. The house literally shrinks around Kuroe, as the flower blooms inside her and she fades away.
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Flower And Snake (2004) Director: Takashi Ishii Cast: Aya Sugimoto Synopsis Extreme Japanese filmmaker Takashi Ishii (Gonin, Freeze Me) directs this adaptation of erotica author Dan Oniroku's novel. Shizuko, the dancer wife of a wealthy businessman, is ignored by her husband due to his high-pressure job. As a result, she begins to have a series of disturbing, masochistic fantasies. But her husband's many debts lead to those fantasies becoming reality, whether Shizuko wants them to or not, when Mr. Tashiro, a powerful crime boss, kidnaps her as payment. He submits her to a series of sexual tortures for his own pleasure, but doesn't realize that she may be enjoying the experience as well.
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A Mother Should Be Loved (1934) Director: Yasujiro Ozu Cast: Mitsuko Yoshikawa, Den Obinata Synopsis The only surviving print lacks the first and last reels, set eight years before and three years after the main story. So it now focuses on the troubled relationship between two boys who discover they are only step-brothers. After her husband dies of a heart attack, widowed Chieko selflessly devotes herself to the raising of son and stepson Sadao. Her unconscious refusal to deal with Sadao as strictly as her own son causes resentment in both. When, as a college student, Sadao finally uncovers the secret of his parentage, he tries to quit the family and live on his own. The prologue, in which the father dies at the office, showed their former happy domestic life and the epilogue is the reconciliation with mother after the traumatic central section.
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Tora-san, The Go-between (1985) Director: Yoji Yamada Cast: Kiyoshi Atsumi, Chieko Baisho, Kanako Higuchi, Mitsuru Hirata Synopsis The 35rd instalment in the Tora-san series. On the Goto Islands, Tora-san rescues an old lady (Kotoe Hatsue) and befriends her. She then dies all of a sudden and at her Christian funeral, he meets the old woman's granddaughter (Higuchi Kanako), who lives alone in Tokyo. Back in Shibamata, Tora-san looks her up, and finds that a young man (Hirata Mitsuru), who is studying to be a lawyer, is secretly having a crush on her. However, this young man is too shy to express his love. In order to help this pair of lovebirds, Tora-san acts as a go-between by matching her up with the young man.
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Four Toes (2002) Director: Gye Yun-Sik Cast: Park Jun-Gyu, Lee Chang-Hun, Gweon Byeong-Jun, Hur Jun-Ho Synopsis Being well-known as tough guys, Audi, Haitai, Lecaf and Gak-Grandeur are high school classmates who took a pledge of brotherhood. Lecaf, who is good at studying goes to Seoul right after high school graduation, while his "brothers" gradually build up their power in the gang and get a chance to go to Seoul finally. At Seoul, they are all having stable gangster lives and everything seems to be calm and peaceful. But one day they participate in a gangster's meeting where all the gangsters attend, and get the news that one of the gangsters who conspire with Japanese Yakuza came to Seoul...
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Blackjack (1997) Director: Jeong Ji-young Cast: Choi Min-su, Kang Soo-yeon, Park Seon-yeong Synopsis As he encounters Jang Eun-Young who is not satisfied with her marriage, Oh Se-Keun, an inspector, displays a love game like a gamble. However Oh Se-Keun gets to be sucked into a maze plotted by Jang Eun-Young under the good name of love and even he commits a murder. Since then Oh Se-Keun's accuracy to smooth down the murder strongly beats the screen but Jang Eun-Young's clumsiness drives him to the corner ingeniously. While he is chased by his fellows, Oh Se-Keun ends up falling in an accident when Jang Eun-Young reappears like an angel and he asks her help. But as his subtle smile changes to enraged look, the situation is dramatically reversed. Due to Jang Eun-Young who tells him not to believe her.
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| Edko September 12 Releases | |
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All For Love (2005) Director: Min Kyu-dong Cast: Uhm Jung-hwa, Hwang Jung-min Synopsis Tough Detective Nah and sexy psychiatrist Yoojeong meet on a TV show and begin an unexpected relationship; To the poor couple Changhoo and Sunae, the only thing that matters is love, although love cannot bring them food; Former basketball player Seongwon vows that there is no word 'love' in his vocabulary, but a cute stalker appears in front of him and calls him daddy; Sookyung wishes to be a nun, but when she is left alone with super idol Jeonghoon in a hospital room, she finds her heart throbbing, Sookyung needs to make the choice, either the man or God… This 7-day story about people in love hits you with laughter and tears.
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ERA August 11 Releases
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A Heartful Of Love (2005) Director: Akihiko Shiota Cast: Chieko Baisho, Mimura Synopsis What in your past would you do differently if you could? We all have our regrets, but what if you found yourself back in the moment you most regret… A Heartful of Love portrays a group of characters that return to such moments and find the chance to alter the past. Hiroshi, a 30-year-old businessman, has traveled back in time 20 years...
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| Friday, 9/8/2006 |
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IVL September 21 Releases
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| Batch #2 in IVL's new DVD series devoted to the classic films of Kadokawa/Daiei... | |
Masayuki Suo DVD Box Set    
Shall We Dance (1996) | |
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Kekkon Annai Mystery (1985) Director: Yoshikuni Matsunaga Cast: Noriko Watanabe, Ken Watanabe Synopsis A 19-year-old girl Hiroko Terasawa working in a matching agency promises her client Masakazu Sekine that she'll pose as his fiance for a remarkable cash reward. Hiroko moves to Sekine's mansion and prepares to attend the family's meeting. However, this only turns out to be a prelude of a bloody fight over the family's legacy… A university student Hitomi falls in love with a middle-aged man Okawa, who was the lover of her deceased mother. Hitomi's feelings shift back and forth as she is not sure whether it is true love or just a realization of her mother's romantic dream…
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The Inugami Family (1976) Director: Kon Ichikawa Cast: Koji Ishizaka, Mieko Takamine Synopsis Based on Seishi Yokomizo's masterpiece mystery novel, "Inugami Family" is the hugely successful classic horror film directed by Kon Ichikawa. It tells a story of a strange will left by a wealthy man which reveals a peculiarly twisted set of relationships and triggers four deaths and several other murder attempts.
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Suicide Club (2002) Director: Sion Sono Cast: Ryo Ishibashi, Masatoshi Nagase, Yoko Kamon, Kimiko Yo Synopsis A wave of unexplainable suicides sweeps across Tokyo after 54 smiling high school girls join hands and throw themselves from a subway platform into an oncoming train. Detective Kuroda (Ryo Ishibashi) and the rest of the police force are baffled as the bloodbath triggers a wave of suicides across the city. When a cryptic phone call tips off police to a strange website that appears to be tracking the suicides before they happen, the question becomes, are they really suicides at all?
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| IVL/Kadokawa Release Schedule | |
