Do you remember your first love? Sieger and Marc are part of an all-boys athletics club, training hard for the relay championships. During their lakeside summer days, an innocent friendship develops into something deeper, but coming to terms with these new emotions is a hurdle they have to overcome. At first, Sieger denies his attraction to Marc. But then, they kiss.
From the golden age of the miniseries comes Shogun, the 10-hour, Golden Globe-winning saga based on James Clavell's bestselling epic novel. In his award-winning performance, Richard Chamberlain stars as John Blackthorne, the 17th-century English navigator on a Dutch trading ship. A storm runs the ship aground off the coast of Japan, a "torn and cruelly divided country" locked in a power struggle between Toranaga (the venerable Toshiro Mifune) and Ishido, two warlords who would be Shogun. Blackthorne gets over his initial culture shock ("I piss on you and your country", he defiantly proclaims to his samurai captors, which to his humiliation turns out to be an unfortunate choice of words) to become a trusted ally of Toranaga and the lover of the beautiful interpreter Lady Mariko (Yoko Shimada). Their forbidden, ill-fated romance--and Blackthorne's total assimilation into Japanese culture--is set against political intrigue as Toranaga prepares for the inevitable showdown with Ishido, and Blackthorne's growing influence threatens the local Jesuits who had built up a lucrative trade monopoly. Shogun was a production blessed with good karma, and it remains an awesome achievement from a bygone era when the miniseries was king. --Donald Liebenson
A chilling psychological horror film from Hong Kong about a blind girl, who soon regrets her corrective corneal surgery operation as she starts to see images which are not her own...
Among the most praised and sought-after titles in all contemporary film, this singular masterpiece of Taiwanese cinema, directed by EDWARD YANG (Yi Yi), finally comes to Blu-ray. Set in the early sixties in Taiwan, A Brighter Summer Day is based on the true story of a crime that rocked the nation. A film of both sprawling scope and tender intimacy, this novelistic, patiently observed epic centres on the gradual, inexorable fall of a young teenager (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon's CHEN CHANG, in his first role) from innocence to juvenile delinquency, and is set against a simmering backdrop of restless youth, rock and roll, and political turmoil. Special Features: New 4K digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack New audio commentary featuring critic Tony Rayns New interview with actor Chen Chang Our Time, Our Story, a 117-minute documentary from 2002 about the New Taiwan Cinema movement, featuring interviews with Yang and filmmakers Hou Hsiao-hsien and Tsai Ming-liang, among others Videotaped performance of director Edward Yang's 1992 play Likely Consequence New English subtitle translation PLUS: An essay by critic Godfrey Cheshire and a 1991 director's statement by Yang Click Images to Enlarge
A newly unemployed cellist takes a job preparing the dead for funerals.
This fantasy monster movie sees a family battling to save their little girl from a terrifying creature.
Kiyoshi Kurosawa — the hugely acclaimed Japanese director famous for his groundbreaking, existential horror films such as Cure and Kairo [Pulse] — set Cannes alight in 2008 with this highly topical film: an eerie, poignant reflection on the mass uncertainty sweeping the world. When Ryuhei Sasaki (played by Teruyuki Kagawa) is unceremoniously dumped from his ‘safe’ company job, his family's happy, humdrum life is put at risk. Unwilling to accept the shame of unemployment, the loyal salaryman decides not to tell anyone, instead leaving home each morning in suit and tie with briefcase, spending his days searching for work and lining up for soup with the homeless. Outstanding performances; serene, elegant direction; and Kurosawa's trademark chills are evident as he ratchets up the unsettling atmosphere and the grim hopelessness of Sasaki's unemployment. Special Dual Format Edition includes: 1080p Blu-Ray transfer in the original aspect ratio Making of documentary Q&A, Tokyo, September 2008 Premiere footage, Tokyo, September 2008 DVD discussion UK Trailer 28 page colour booklet
Seriously weird as only the best, completely-barking-mad kung fu flicks can be, The Thundering Mantis is the story of Ah Chi, a martial artist who hooks up with a kid sidekick. However, an old grudge resurfaces, with the result that the boy's uncle is murdered and the boy himself kidnapped. So far so Arnie-in-Commando, but it's at this point we're reminded that indigenous martial arts movies are something else again, as Ah Chi's rescue attempt goes disastrously wrong and the boy is tortured to death before his eyes. Apparently driven to insanity by this experience, Ah Chi goes berserk, breaking free and systematically trashing everything and everyone in sight. End of movie. Devotees will absolutely want this in their collections, but those who have yet to progress beyond the Jackie Chan/Jet Li school of Americanised martial arts films will need to leave their preconceptions at the door. There's a nice touch to the dubbed English soundtrack, where the voiceover artists seem to have taken it upon themselves to imitate various British character actors: listen out for Wilfred Brambell, Kenneth Connor and so on. On the DVD: The Thundering Mantis has no extras on the widescreen DVD other than a one-screen guide to other titles in the Kung Fu Connection series. --Roger Thomas
The Thai government hires a group of Chinese mercenaries to capture a powerful drug lord from the Golden Triangle.
The Miracle Fighters is a comedic tale of taoist magic directed by the martial arts maestro behind Drunken Master, The Magnificent Butcher and Iron Monkey - the legendary Yuen Woo-ping! During the Quing dynasty, marriage between Manchu and Han people is outlawed. When it is discovered that high-ranking official Kao Hsiung (Eddy Ko) has taken a Han wife, the Emperor informs him that he will be forgiven - but only if he kills his beloved before the court. When he refuses, Kao Hsiung is marked for death by the powerful Sorcerer Bat (Yuen Shun-yee) and forced to watch as his wife is slain before his eyes. Kao Hsiung flees, kidnapping the Crown Prince during his escape - but soon the prince is dead, and Kao Hsiung is forced to silently replace him with another young boy. In adulthood, that innocent child - Shu Gut (Yuen Yat-chor) - finds himself relentlessly pursued by Sorcerer Bat, and turns to two quarrelling taoist priests in the hope of protecting himself with their magic. Made in the same mould as its contemporaries Encounter of the Spooky Kind and The Dead and the Deadly, this riotous kung fu fantasy was followed by two equally entertaining thematic sequels in Shaolin Drunkard and Taoism Drunkard. Eureka Classics is proud to present The Miracle Fighters on Blu-ray from a brand new 2K restoration. Extras: Limited edition O-card slipcase featuring new artwork by Darren Wheeling [First print run of 2000 copies only] | 1080p HD presentation on Blu-ray of the original Hong Kong theatrical cut from a brand new 2K restoration | Original Cantonese mono audio and optional classic English dub | Optional English subtitles, newly translated for this release | Brand new audio commentary on the Hong Kong theatrical version by Asian film expert Frank Djeng (NY Asian Film Festival) | Brand new audio commentary on the export version by action cinema experts Mike Leeder and Arne Venema | Action Master: An Interview with Yuen Woo-ping - archival interview by Frédéric Ambroisine | John Kreng on Yuen Woo-ping - brand new documentary featurette by Michael Worth | Reversible sleeve featuring original poster artwork | Trailer | PLUS: A limited edition collector's booklet featuring new writing on the film by James Oliver [First print run of 2000 copies only]
In Tokyo, a mysterious radioactive liquid is dissolving people into slimy, sentient, seemingly indestructible, blobs of destruction! Part-Japanese gangster noir, part-gooey body melting horror, The H-Man (Bijo to Ekitai-ningen Beauty and the Liquid People') is one of the most unique sci-fi films of the 1950s. A series of mysterious catastrophes sweep the globe, causing the world's scientists to conclude that beings from another planet are attacking Earth, and the world must unite to defend itself in a gigantic battle in outer space! With wonderful special effects sequences by Eiji Tsuburaya (Godzilla, Ultraman), and a rousing score by Akira Ifukube (Godzilla), Battle in Outer Space is a glorious sci-fi extravaganza. The Masters of Cinema Series is proud to present two classics of Japanese sci-fi cinema, both directed by the great IshirÅ Honda, for the first time ever on home video in the UK. Special Features: Limited Edition O-Card Slipcase (First Print Run of 2000 copies ONLY) featuring new artwork by Darren Wheeling Includes both Japanese and English versions of each film, presented across two Blu-ray discs Original mono audio presentations English subtitles (for Japanese versions) and English SDH (for English versions) The H-Man: Brand new audio commentary with authors and Japanese sci-fi historians Steve Ryfle and Ed Godziszewski The H-Man: Brand new audio commentary with film historian and writer David Kalat Battle in Outer Space: Audio commentary with authors and Japanese sci-fi historians Steve Ryfle and Ed Godziszewski Battle in Outer Space: Brand new audio commentary with film historian and writer David Kalat Stills Galleries PLUS: A collector's booklet featuring essays by Christopher Stewardson and Japanese cinema expert Jasper Sharp (Midnight Eye)
A plot to kill the Queen of England as cover for the world's most dramatic gold heist!Eureka Entertainment to release A QUEEN'S RANSOM, an explosive action-thriller starring George Lazenby, Angela Mao, and the legendary Jimmy Wang Yu. Presented for the first time ever on Blu-ray from a brand new 2K restoration. Available from 27 May 2024 as part of the Eureka Classics range, the first print run of 2000 copies only will feature an O-card slipcase and collector's booklet.Perhaps even God can't save the Queen in Golden Harvest's A Queen's Ransom (also known as International Assassin), an explosive action-thriller starring George Lazenby (The Man from Hong Kong), Angela Mao (Lady Whirlwind) and the legendary Jimmy Wang Yu (The One-Armed Swordsman).As Queen Elizabeth II arrives in Hong Kong for a state visit, a band of skilled mercenaries plan her assassination. Contracted by an Irish Republican (Lazenby), the international group of hired killers includes a Japanese explosives expert (Chang Pei-shan), a Thai boxer (Bolo Yeung), a Filipino sniper (Peter Chan Lung) and a veteran of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam (Wang Yu). As the conspirators move to carry out their plot, two police officials (Ko Chun-Hsiung and Charles Heung) work with a young socialite (Tanny Tien Ni) in a race against time to save the Monarch's head while also trying to manage a crisis that has brought a huge number of refugees to Hong Kong, including a young Cambodian princess (Mao).Written and directed by Ting Shan-hsi (Rebel Boxer), A Queen's Ransom was Golden Harvest's attempt to capitalise on the popular success of the political thriller in the wake of The Day of the Jackal. Eureka Classics is proud to present the film for the first time ever on Blu-ray from a brand new 2K restoration.Extras:Stars George Lazenby (On Her Majesty's Secret Service, The Man from Hong Kong), Angela Mao (Lady Whirlwind) and the legendary Jimmy Wang Yu (The One-Armed Swordsman) | Written and directed by Ting Shan-hsi (Rebel Boxer) | First time ever on Blu-ray from a brand new 2K restoration | Limited edition O-card slipcase and collector's booklet [First print run of 2000 copies only]
This semi-comic 1961 film by legendary director Akira Kurosawa (Rashomon, Ran) was inspired by the American Western genre. Kurosawa mainstay Toshirô Mifune (Seven Samurai) is cast as a drifting samurai for hire who plays both ends against the middle with two warring factions, surviving on his wits and his ability to outrun his own bad luck. Eventually the samurai seeks to eliminate both sides for his own gain and to define his own sense of honour. Yojimbo is striking for its unorthodox treatment of violence and morality, reserving judgment on the actions of its main character and instead presenting an entertaining tale with humour and much visual excitement. One of the inspirations for the "spaghetti westerns" of director Sergio Leone and later surfacing as a remake as Last Man Standing with Bruce Willis, this film offers insight into a director who influenced American films even as he was influenced by them. --Robert Lane, Amazon.com
When fate confronts Ryo Saeba, the final chapter of City Hunter begins! Angel Dust is an evil technology that turns its users into superhuman soldiers. Assassins arrive in Tokyo to get hold of the Angel Dust's latest model. The struggle over the forbidden invention that once took the life of Hideyuki Makimura, Ryo's former partner, leads Ryo and his partner Kaori into a fateful battle...! Ryo Saeba's destined battle begins!
Love samurai films? Wish they were... dirtier? Welcome to Hanzo the Razor'sderanged world of crazy swordplay and sexploitation set to a 1970s funk soundtrack. Uncut for the first time ever in the UK this cult 1970s Japanese pinku trilogy was seemingly influenced by Dirty Harry and Shaft but there's no doubt who has the 'longer arm of the law'! Shintaro Katsu (best known as the blind swordsman in the original Zatoichi) stars as Hanzo - a rebellious yet obsessively moral samurai police officer who slashes his way through the backbone of crime uncovers corruption at higher levels and tortures relentlessly using his own unique techniques. Shocking audiences even today the hardest man in Edo regularly unleashes his special weapon in the form of his oversized penis which he uses to 'interrogate' female suspects into pleasured compliance. Despite the knuckle-biting graphic violence there is an underlying social commentary testifying to the noble honour of the samurai and emphasising Hanzo's status as the people's champion. In Sword of Justice Hanzo overturns his own gutless superiors; in The Snare he breaks into a temple used by local magistrates for the sadistic torture of young girls. In Who's Got the Gold? the shogunate treasury is being looted by its own officials. From the creator of the Lone Wolf and Cub series (used as the basis for Shogun Assassin and a direct influence on Tarantino's Kill Bill) the Hanzo the Razor trilogy is presented here for the first time in the UK complete and uncut.
The kids of Third Year Class-B Shiroiwa Junior High School are back, in a 4K restoration of the classic cult shocker adapted from the controversial novel by Koushun Takami. Presenting an alternate dystopian vision of turn-of-the-millennium Japan, Battle Royale follows the 42 junior high school students selected to take part in the government's annual Battle Royale programme, established as an extreme method of addressing concerns about juvenile delinquency. Dispatched to a remote island, they are each given individual weapons (ranging from Uzis and machetes to pan lids and binoculars), food and water, and the order to go out and kill each other. Every player is fitted with an explosive collar around their neck, imposing a strict three-day time limit on the deadly games in which there can only be one survivor. Overseeing the carnage is Beat' Takeshi Kitano (Sonatine, Hana-bi, Zatoichi) as the teacher pushed to the edge by his unruly charges. Playing like a turbo-charged hybrid of Lord of the Flies and The Most Dangerous Game, the final completed work by veteran yakuza-film director Kinji Fukasaku (Battles without Honor and Humanity, Graveyard of Honor) helped launch a new wave of appreciation for Asian cinema in the 21st century. 4K Ultra-HD Special Edition Contents 4K restoration of the Original Theatrical Version and Special Edition Director's Cut of Battle Royale from the original camera negative by Arrow Films, approved by Kenta Fukasaku 4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray presentation of both versions in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible) Original 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio and 2.0 stereo audio on both cuts ¢ Optional English subtitles on both cuts Illustrated collector's booklet featuring essays by Matt Alt and Anne Billson Disc One Battle Royale: Original Theatrical Version Audio commentary by critics Tom Mes and Jasper Sharp Coming of Age: Battle Royale at 20, a 42-minute documentary about the legacy of Battle Royale Bloody Education: Kenta Fukasaku on Battle Royale, an interview with the film's producer and screenwriter The Making of Battle Royale: The Experience of 42 High School Students, documentary featuring footage from the shooting of the film and cast and crew discussions The Slaughter of 42 High School Students, a look behind the scenes of the shoot Behind the scenes footage with comments from the cast and crew Filming on Set, a look at the shooting of key scenes from the film Conducting Battle Royale with the Warsaw National Philharmonic, archive footage of Masamichi Amano conducting the soundtrack rehearsal Disc Two Battle Royale: Special Edition Director's Cut Shooting the Special Edition, on-location featurette with footage of the cast and crew reuniting for the shoot of the Special Edition Royale Rehearsals, featurette on Kinji Fukasaku directing the film's young cast Masamichi Amano Conducts Battle Royale, archive featurette Takeshi Kitano Interview, filmed on location with the Japanese star The Correct Way to Fight in Battle Royale, instructional video explaining the rules of the game The Correct Way to Make Battle Royale': Birthday Version, a new version of the original instructional video made to celebrate Kinji Fukasaku's birthday Premiere Press Conference, preceding the film's first public screening Tokyo International Film Festival Presentation, With footage from the gala screening at the Tokyo International Film Festival Opening Day at the Marunouchi Toei Movie Theatre, archive footage of the Japanese opening Special Effects Comparison showing how the film's violent killings were created Original Trailers and TV spots Kinji Fukasaku trailer reel, a collection of original trailers for Fukasaku's classic yakuza films from the 70s Image gallery
FROM THE DIRECTOR OF NINJA SCROLL AND MADHOUSE STUDIO (DEATH NOTE, ONE PUNCH MAN) The anime cult classic, Wicked City and its notorious sequel, Demon City Shinjuku contained in one epic double feature, remastered in HD for the very first time! It's not unusual for lady-killer Renzaburo Taki to share a night with a woman. When that woman can turn into a demonic spider, however, it's just a little worrying. The demons are on the move, and as a member of the Black Guard, Taki's job, his real job, is to protect the human world from the demon world. And his work is just beginning! A fragile peace exists between the two worlds, brokered by a treaty. In order for the renewal of that treaty to go smoothly, Taki has to protect Giuseppi Mayart, a two hundred year old man with immense spiritual power, from an extremist faction of demons seeking to bring chaos to the two worlds. Worst of all, Taki's assigned a partner for the mission: the unnaturally beautiful Makie, a fellow Black Guard member... and herself a demon! The two will have to go all out to protect the old man, as not only are the demons going to extreme lengths to kill him, but Mayart seems oddly unconcerned for his own safety. Is there more going on than Taki and Makie realise? Director Yoshiaki Kawajiri (Ninja Scroll) blends stylish eroticism, graphic horror and pulse-pounding action as these two race to consummate the peace treaty in time.
'Visitor Q' presents a harrowing absurdist take on the reality TV phenomenon depicting the chilling disintegration of a dysfunctional family and seals Miike's reputation as one of world cinema's most daring and dangerous cinematic visionaries. In Miike Takashi's outrageous taboo-busting satire Vistor Q shamed reporter Kiyoshi Yamazaki visits one of Japan's many comfort houses to make a documentary about sex and violence amongst the nation's youth and is surprised to encounter h
This fantasy monster movie sees a family battling to save their little girl from a terrifying creature.
One of the most iconic Japanese kaiju (films featuring giant monsters), Mothra has appeared in over a dozen feature films. Presented here is her debut, a gloriously vibrant piece of filmmaking that forever changed how kaiju eiga would be produced in Japan. Following reports of human life on Infant Island, the supposedly deserted site of atomic bomb tests, an international expedition to the heavily-radiated island discovers a native tribe and tiny twin female fairies called Shobijin who guard a sacred egg. The overzealous expedition leader kidnaps the Shobijin to exhibit in a Tokyo stage show but soon they summon their protector, hatching the egg and releasing a giant caterpillar. When Mothra arrives in Japan and transforms into her final form, the nation and its people face their destruction. Psychedelically colourful, with an intelligent, benevolent protector as its lead kaiju, Mothra was radically different to every other monster movie that had come before it, and it remains a classic of the genre to this day. The Masters of Cinema Series is proud to present IshirÅ Honda's Mothra on Blu-ray for the first time on home video in the UK. Extras: Hardbound Slipcase Reversible poster featuring the film's original US and Japanese poster artwork Includes both Japanese and English versions of each film (101 mins & 90 mins respectively) Original mono audio presentations (LPCM) English subtitles (Japanese version) and English SDH (English version) Brand new audio commentary with film historian and writer David Kalat Audio commentary with authors and Japanese sci-fi historians Steve Ryfle and Ed Godziszewski Kim Newman on Mothra' an interview with film critic and author Kim Newman on the history and legacy of Mothra Mothra: 1974 Champion Festival Version [61 mins] a special version of the film edited by IshirÅ Honda for the 1974 Toho Champion Festival (INCLUSION TBC) Stills Galleries featuring rare archival stills and ephemera PLUS: A Perfect Bound 60-PAGE Collector's Booklet featuring essays by Christopher Stewardson and Japanese cinema expert Jasper Sharp (Midnight Eye); a new interview with Scott Chambliss (production designer on 2019's Godzilla: King of the Monsters); an extract from Steve Ryfle and Ed Godziszewski's IshirÅ Honda biography; and archival reviews and stills.
Please wait. Loading...
This site uses cookies.
More details in our privacy policy