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    Photo courtesy of Radiance Films. ©Toei

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Radiance Films, MVD Entertainment Special Thanks to Derek Stubinski Photo courtesy of Radiance Films. ©Toei Toei's yakuza thriller THE RAPACIOUS JAILBREAKER (脱獄広島殺人囚, Datsugoku Hiroshima Satsujin-shū, 1974) will be released May 20th in a limited edition Blu-ray from Radiance Films. Directed by Sadao Nakajima (CRAZED BEAST), a master of the genre, and based on the real exploits of a seven-time prison escapee, this ranks as one of the rawest entries in the 1970s cycle of Japanese true-account crime films. THE RAPACIOUS JAILBREAKER is available for the first time on Blu-ray and loaded with extras. In the free-for-all chaos after World War II, black marketeer Ueda (Hiroki Matsukata, COPS VS THUGS) is robbed of a stash of morphine. He takes his brutal revenge, but is arrested for murder and sentenced to 20 years. He escapes and is caught, but no matter where they send him, Ueda won't let prison

    JUVENILE, the first film by director Takashi Yamazaki, will be screened in 4K at Chofu Cinema Festival 2025. Photo courtesy of Foundation for Promotion of Chofu City’s Culture and Community. ©2000 Juvenile Project

    Asian Cinema

    JUVENILE, the first film by director Takashi Yamazaki, will be screened in 4K at Chofu Cinema Festival 2025. Photo courtesy of Foundation for Promotion of Chofu City’s Culture and Community. ©2000 Juvenile Project GODZILLA MINUS ONE Screening and Talk Show Also Announced Source: Foundation for Promotion of Chofu City’s Culture and Community press release Official Site: https://chofucinemafestival.com/ (Japan)   Takashi Yamazaki. Photo courtesy of Foundation for Promotion of Chofu City’s Culture and Community. Chofu City, Tokyo, where many film and video-related companies are concentrated, will be holding the "Chofu Cinema Festival 2025" (映画のまち調布　シネマフェスティバル2025, Eiga no Machi Chōfu Shinema Fesutibaru 2025) from Friday, February 7 to Sunday, March 2, 2025. The festival will hold various events, such as the award ceremony for the "Chofu Film City Award" that honors filmmakers, screenings with talk shows by film production technical staff and directors, exhibitions, workshops, and

    Photo courtesy of Well Go USA.

    Asian Cinema

    Photo courtesy of Well Go USA.  Source: Well Go USA, LBHpr  Special Thanks to Leif Helland Photo courtesy of Well Go USA. In the terrifying footsteps of EXHUMA, THE WAILING, THE CLOSET, and DR. CHEON AND THE LOST TALISMAN​, the frightening new possession/exorcism thriller DEVIL’S STAY (사흘, Saheul, 2024) debuts on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital March 18 from Well Go USA Entertainment.  Written and Directed by Hyun Moon-seop (NIGHTMARE TEACHER), who “crafts a bloody, energized world replete with hot priests and scary, possessed young girls” (Dread Central), DEVIL’S STAY stars Park Shin-yang (THE BIG SWINDLE, MAN ON THE EDGE), Lee Min-ki (CRASH, MONSTER) and Lee Re (IT'S OKAY!, TRAIN TO BUSAN PRESENTS: PENINSULA)​.   Synopsis:       After the sudden tragic loss of his daughter following an exorcism, a renowned heart surgeon refuses to face the reality that his child has died,

    Photo courtesy of Arrow Films. ©Toei Co., Ltd.

    Asian Cinema

    Photo courtesy of Arrow Films. ©Toei Co., Ltd. Source: Arrow Films, MVD Entertainment Special Thanks to Derek Stubinski In 1989 legendary Japanese studio Toei launched their V-Cinema line of direct-to-video genre features. Filled with action, thrills and double-crosses, Arrow's V-CINEMA ESSENTIALS: BULLETS & BETRAYAL is a compendium of gems from the Japanese video underworld, presenting nine explosive titles representing some of the best the Japanese crime film has to offer. Photo courtesy of Arrow Films. ©Toei Co., Ltd. Fast-paced and action-packed, CRIME HUNTER: BULLETS OF RAGE (クライムハンター　怒りの銃弾, Kuraimuhanta Ikari no Judan, 1989) sees detective Joe Kawamura out for revenge against the men who gunned down his partner. Along the way he teams up with Lily, a gun-toting nun looking to get back five million dollars that was stolen from her church. Next up, NEO CHINPIRA: ZOOM GOES THE BULLET (ネオ チンピラ 鉄砲玉ぴゅ～, Neo Chinpira

    The cast of LAST SAMURAI STANDING. Photo courtesy of Netflix.

    Asian Cinema

    The cast of LAST SAMURAI STANDING. Photo courtesy of Netflix. Source: Netflix press releaseOfficial Site: https://www.netflix.com/lastsamuraistanding The pieces are coming together for LAST SAMURAI STANDING with the announcement of 14 top actors from Japan joining the cast. Set to premiere this November on Netflix, this gripping series promises an intense life-and-death game between samurai warriors, heralding a new era for Japanese dramas. Leading the cast is Junichi Okada (THE ETERNAL ZERO), who not only stars as the protagonist Shujiro Saga but also serves as the action choreographer and first-time producer. Joining him is Riho Yoshioka (FUKUSHIMA 50, FIRST KISS) as Shujiro's wife, Shino, and Yumia Fujisaki (THE GREATEST TEACHER) as Futaba Katsuki, a young girl caught in the desperate battle. Shujiro's sworn allies, Iroha Kinugasa, Shikura Adashino, and Sansuke Gion, are portrayed by Kaya Kiyohara (CHIHAYAFURU PART 3), Taichi Saotome (BLEACH, PROMARE), and Yuya

    TRILLION GAME protagonists Haru Tennoji (Ren Meguro) and Manabu Taira (Hayato Sano) make the jump from television to the big screen in the new movie adaptation of the popular series. Photo courtesy of Toho Co., Ltd. Ⓒ2025 TRILLION GAME Film Partners ⒸRiichiro Inagaki, Ryoichi Ikegami/Shogakukan

    Asian Cinema

    TRILLION GAME protagonists Haru Tennoji (Ren Meguro) and Manabu Taira (Hayato Sano) make the jump from television to the big screen in the new movie adaptation of the popular series. Photo courtesy of Toho Co., Ltd. Ⓒ2025 TRILLION GAME Film Partners ⒸRiichiro Inagaki, Ryoichi Ikegami/Shogakukan Source: Toho Co., Ltd.Official Site: https://trilliongame-movie.jp/ (Japan)   A SciFi JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Theatrical poster. Photo courtesy of Toho Co., Ltd. Ⓒ2025 TRILLION GAME Film Partners ⒸRiichiro Inagaki, Ryoichi Ikegami/Shogakukan SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details for an upcoming film. Toho Co., Ltd. has provided information and photos from their new movie TRILLION GAME (劇場版『トリリオンゲーム』, Gekijō-ban “Toririon Gēmu”), which opens in Japanese cinemas on February 14th.   INTRODUCTION Market capitalization of the world's largest company = 1 trillion dollars.Earn 1 trillion dollars and get everything in the world. The unbeatable buddy team of the

    Photo courtesy of Third Window Films. ©2024 Samurai Time Slipper. All Rights Reserved.

    Asian Cinema

    Photo courtesy of Third Window Films. ©2024 Samurai Time Slipper. All Rights Reserved. Source: Third Window Films press release Special Thanks to Adam Torel Third Window Films is pleased to announce the release of the smash hit A SAMURAI IN TIME (侍タイムスリッパー, Samurai Taimu Surippā, 2024). The movie will be available worldwide on Blu-ray and Digital on April 28th.   A SAMURAI IN TIME is a bona fide phenomenon in its native Japan. Junichi Yasuda, whose real job is that of a rice farmer who runs a ramen restaurant, took on the vast majority of crew roles (producing, financing, script, directing, cinematography, lighting, editing, VFX, etc) to make a period film completely independently. Despite having a tiny budget, just 10 crew members and opening on just 1 cinema screen, A SAMURAI IN TIME went on to be such a word-of-mouth success that it ended up

    Scene from THE MAGNIFICENT TRIO. Photo courtesy of Eureka Entertainment and MVD Entertainment.

    Asian Cinema

    Scene from THE MAGNIFICENT TRIO. Photo courtesy of Eureka Entertainment and MVD Entertainment. Source: MVD Entertainment press release Special Thanks to Derek Stubinski Photo courtesy of Eureka Entertainment and MVD Entertainment. Eureka Entertainment is proud to announce the release of THE MAGNIFICENT CHANG CHEH, two ‘magnificent’ films from the maestro of martial arts cinema. Available on Blu-ray as part of the Eureka Classics range from 29 April 2025 in North America. Presented in a Limited edition of 2000 copies (per territory) exclusively featuring an O-card slipcase and collector’s booklet.    One of the Shaw Brothers Studio’s most prolific directors, Chang Cheh – or the “Godfather of Hong Kong Cinema” – is the filmmaker behind FIVE DEADLY VENOMS, CHINATOWN KID, and BOXER REBELLION. Collected here are two films by this maestro of martial arts cinema that showcase his considerable talents at both ends of

    The live-action manga adaptation SUICIDE NOTES LAID ON THE TABLE is now playing in Japan. Photo courtesy of Shochiku Co., Ltd. ©2025 SUICIDE NOTES LAID ON THE TABLE Film Partners ©️ Toutarou Minami / SQUARE ENIX

    Asian Cinema

    The live-action manga adaptation SUICIDE NOTES LAID ON THE TABLE is now playing in Japan. Photo courtesy of Shochiku Co., Ltd. ©2025 SUICIDE NOTES LAID ON THE TABLE Film Partners ©️ Toutarou Minami / SQUARE ENIX Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd. Official Site: https://movies.shochiku.co.jp/ishokoukai-movie/ (Japan)   Shochiku has provided information and photos for their new film, SUICIDE NOTES LAID ON THE TABLE (遺書、公開。, Isho, Kōkai.), based on the manga of the same name by Toutarou Minami. The movie opened this weekend in Japan.   Photo courtesy of Shochiku Co., Ltd. ©2025 SUICIDE NOTES LAID ON THE TABLE Film Partners ©️ Toutarou Minami / SQUARE ENIX Introduction Rank...1. To arrange things in order. To line up in order. 2. An order arranged according to a set standard. A set order. This hierarchy, as described in the Japanese dictionary, is established in schools,

    Photo courtesy of Well Go USA.

    Asian Cinema

    Photo courtesy of Well Go USA.  Source: Well Go USA, LBHpr  Special Thanks to Leif Helland Photo courtesy of Well Go USA. Martial arts superstar Xie Miao (IP MAN: THE AWAKENING)​ returns as “Cheng Xiazi” and re-teams with writer/director Bingjia Liu for the action-packed sequel to the international box office hit EYE FOR AN EYE: THE BLIND SWORDSMAN, with this entry named EYE FOR AN EYE 2: BLIND VENGEANCE (目中無人2, Mùzhōngwúrén 2, 2024). This second installment kicks off with Cheng running into a young orphan (Yang Enyou) while both are running from the authorities. He reluctantly agrees to shelter her, leading to a series of violent battles featuring some of China’s finest martial arts in years.  EYE FOR AN EYE 2: BLIND VENGEANCE debuts on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital March 4 from Well Go USA Entertainment.  Bonus materials include an all-new English dub.  

    Photo courtesy of Third Window Films.

    Asian Cinema

    Photo courtesy of Third Window Films. Source: Third Window Films, Terracotta Special Thanks to Adam Torel   Directors Company is a Japanese film production company created in 1982 to provide a an environment outside the major studio system to nurture young proven filmmakers. The alumni of this collective of artistic film directors includes Kiyoshi Kurosawa (CURE, THE GUARD FROM UNDERGROUND) Sogo Ishii (CRAZY THUNDER ROAD) and Shinji Shomai (TYPHOON CLUB).   Third Window Films present the third set of a series of films from the legendary production company, all presented with brand new digital restorations. These films will be available worldwide on February 17, 2025 and can be pre-ordered at https://shop.terracottadistribution.com/collections/directors-company/.   Photo courtesy of Third Window Films. BUMPKIN SOUP (ドレミファ娘の血は騒ぐ, Doremifa Musume no Chi wa Sawagu, 1985) Directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa A wild & crazy pink film

    Photo courtesy of Toei. ©2025 UNDER THE BIG ONION Film Partners

    Asian Cinema

    Photo courtesy of Toei. ©2025 UNDER THE BIG ONION Film Partners Source: Toei Co., Ltd.Official Site: https://tamanegi-movie.jp/ (Japan)   Theatrical poster. Photo courtesy of Toei. ©2025 UNDER THE BIG ONION Film Partners A classic love story that spins a tale of "that love" that will stay in your heart forever! Toei has provided information and pics for their new love story, UNDER THE BIG ONION (大きな玉ねぎの下で, Ōkina Tamanegi no Shita de). The film opens in Japanese cinemas on February 7, 2025. The movie was inspired by a 1985 song of the same name by the Japanese rock band Bakufu Slump. A popular band in Japan during the 1980s and 90s, Bakufu Slump may be best known to tokusatsu fans in the west for their song "Myth" (神話, Shinwa), the theme song for GAMERA: THE GUARDIAN OF THE UNIVERSE (ガメラ 大怪獣空中決戦, Gamera: Daikaijū

    Photo courtesy of Lionsgate. ©2008 J & J Project LLC. TM & © 2025 Lions Gate Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    Asian Cinema

    Photo courtesy of Lionsgate. ©2008 J & J Project LLC. TM & © 2025 Lions Gate Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved. Source: Lionsgate, ddPR press release Special Thanks to Danny Duran Jackie Chan and Jet Li star in the martial arts action adventure THE FORBIDDEN KINGDOM (2008), arriving on SteelBook February 25 from Lionsgate. A discovery made by a kung fu-obsessed American teen sends him on an adventure to ancient China, where he joins up with a band of martial arts warriors in order to free the imprisoned Monkey King. THE FORBIDDEN KINGDOM will be available on 4K + Blu-ray SteelBook + Digital for the suggested retail price of $34.99.   SYNOPSIS    A MARTIAL ARTS EXPLOSION! Individually, they’ve starred in the most adrenaline-pumping martial arts adventures ever. Together for the first time, Jet Li and Jackie Chan join forces to create the greatest

    Low-level ninja Kuro Kumogakure (Kento Yamazaki) must save the day in UNDER NINJA. Photo courtesy of Toho Co., Ltd. ©Kengo Hanazawa/Kodansha ©2025 UNDER NINJA Film Partners

    Asian Cinema

    Low-level ninja Kuro Kumogakure (Kento Yamazaki) must save the day in UNDER NINJA. Photo courtesy of Toho Co., Ltd. ©Kengo Hanazawa/Kodansha ©2025 UNDER NINJA Film Partners Source: Toho Co., Ltd.Official Site: https://underninja-mv.com/ (Japan)   A SciFi JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Theatrical poster. Photo courtesy of Toho Co., Ltd. ©Kengo Hanazawa/Kodansha ©2025 UNDER NINJA Film Partners SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details for an upcoming film. Toho Co., Ltd. has provided information and photos from their new movie UNDER NINJA (アンダーニンジャ, Andā Ninja), which opens in Japanese cinemas on January 24th.   INTRODUCTION UNDER NINJA is based on the manga series of the same name by Kengo Hanazawa, which debuted July 23, 2018 in Weekly Young Magazine. It was previously adapted as a 12 episode anime which premiered in Japan in October 2023 and is available internationally on Crunchyroll. Directed

    Photo courtesy of Radiance Films. ©Shochiku

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Radiance Films, MVD Entertainment Special Thanks to Derek Stubinski Shochiku's acclaimed film THE EEL (うなぎ, Unagi, 1997) will be released March 25 in a limited edition Blu-ray from Radiance Films. From the star of PERFECT DAYS and the director of BLACK RAIN, THE EEL won the Palme d'Or, Independent Spirit Award, and over a dozen other international accolades. It is available for the first time on Blu-ray, 4K restored, and loaded with extras. Photo courtesy of Radiance Films. ©Shochiku After serving time in prison for murdering his unfaithful wife, Yamashita (Koji Yakusho, PERFECT DAYS, CURE) is released on parole, accompanied only by his pet eel. Hoping to stay out of trouble, he takes over a rural barber shop that quickly becomes a gathering point for the eccentric locals. However, the discovery of a woman's failed suicide starts a chain reaction that brings back past demons -

    Photo courtesy of Well Go USA.

    Asian Cinema

    Photo courtesy of Well Go USA.  Source: Well Go USA, LBHpr  Special Thanks to Leif Helland Photo courtesy of Well Go USA. The legend himself, Jackie Chan (RUSH HOUR franchise, A LEGEND), stars in PANDA PLAN (熊猫計劃, Xióngmāo jìhuà, 2024), the comedy-adventure-thriller loaded with martial arts action, debuting on Digital, Blu-ray and DVD February 18 from Well Go USA Entertainment. After Chan adopts a panda from the zoo, an international crime ring plots to kidnap his furry friend, leaving Chan to team up with his agent and the panda’s caretaker to outsmart—and outkick—the bad guys at every turn.  Directed by Zhang Luan (GIVE ME FIVE) with action choreography by Lü Shijia (POLICE STORY, THE FOREIGNER), PANDA PLAN also stars Wei Xiang (TOO COOL TO KILL), Shi Ce (ASH, A COOL FISH), and Han Yambo (GIVE ME FIVE).   Synopsis:       Soon

    Photo courtesy of the Criterion Collection. © KADOKAWA 1953

    Asian Cinema

    Photo courtesy of the Criterion Collection. © KADOKAWA 1953 Source: The Criterion Collection press release Special Thanks to Courtney Ott Cover by Michael Boland. Photo courtesy of the Criterion Collection. © KADOKAWA 1953 The Criterion Collection has announced the Kenji Mizoguchi's classic ghost film UGETSU (雨月物語, Ugetsu Monogatari, 1953) will be released April 1st in a 2-disc 4K UHD + Blu-ray set, as well as Blu-ray and DVD editions. By the time he made UGETSU, Kenji Mizoguchi was already an elder statesman of Japanese cinema, fiercely revered by Akira Kurosawa and other directors of a younger generation. And with this exquisite ghost story, a fatalistic wartime tragedy derived from stories by Akinari Ueda and Guy de Maupassant, he created a touchstone of his art, his long takes and sweeping camera guiding the viewer through a delirious narrative about two villagers whose pursuit of fame and

    Photo courtesy of Arrow Films. ©KADOKAWA CORPORATION 1970

    Asian Cinema

    Photo courtesy of Arrow Films. ©KADOKAWA CORPORATION 1970 Source: Arrow Films, MVD Entertainment Special Thanks to Derek Stubinski Daiei's crime drama PLAY IT COOL (でんきくらげ, Denki Kurage, 1970) from the director of BLIND BEAST, RED ANGEL, and AFRAID TO DIE will be released in March in a limited edition Blu-ray from Arrow Films. Photo courtesy of Arrow Films. ©KADOKAWA CORPORATION 1970 PLAY IT COOL is a chic and erotically charged drama starring popular Japanese singer of the day Mari Atsumi as a college girl negotiating her way through the male-dominated hierarchies of Tokyo's seductive but treacherous nightclub culture. Yumi (Mari Atsumi) is a pretty fashion student who shares a cramped home with her mother Tomi (Akemi Negishi, THE SAGA OF ANATAHAN) and good-for-nothing stepfather Ryoichi. Tomi works at a local hostess bar and hopes for a better fate for Yumi. When Ryoichi violently

    Photo courtesy of Well Go USA.

    Asian Cinema

    Photo courtesy of Well Go USA.  Source: Well Go USA, LBHpr  Special Thanks to Leif Helland Photo courtesy of Well Go USA. In volatile 1920s Tianjin, a clandestine martial arts circle arose to maintain peace between rival martial arts schools in the ultra-stylish old-school kung fu martial arts epic 100 YARDS (门前宝地, Mén qián bǎodì, 2024), debuting on Blu-ray and DVD February 18 from Well Go USA Entertainment. But when a renowned master dies, it ignites a power struggle that will bring the entire city to the brink of chaos. Co-directed by Xu Haofeng (THE HIDDEN SWORD, screenwriter of THE GRANDMASTER) and first-time director Xu Junfeng, 100 YARDS stars Jacky Heung (THE WARLORDS, FEARLESS), Andy On (NEW POLICE STORY, RIDE ON), Bea Hayden Kuo (KUNG FU MONSTER), Tang Shiyi, and Li Yuan (REMAIN SILENT) with “some of the year’s most satisfying fight choreography” (RogerEbert.com)

    Photo courtesy of Film Movement. © Toei

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Film Movement press releaseSpecial Thanks to Michael Krause In the 1960s Toei Studio was Yakuza Central and filmmaker Tai Kato was the chief exponent and innovator of this popular genre. American audiences equate the yakuza with the contemporary gangster, but the classic yakuza setting is more akin to the western, with swordplay more than gunplay, silk not seersucker, and honor not anarchy in the teeming gambling underworld. This allowed Kato to indulge his passion for historical drama, as well as for startling realism and audacious camerawork. In the low-budget quickies that were in demand during the second Golden Age of Japanese cinema, constraint was the mother of invention and personal style for Kato. Not only did he favor "the natural beauty of the face" over makeup, and gesture over genre codes, he created what some call a cinema of excess: one-shot sequences of extraordinary lyricism and power,

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