Asian Home Cinema

"Five Senses of Eros" 2-Disc Korea Version DVD

2009-11-28T04:33:00.000-08:00

"Five Senses of Eros" DVD is about 5 different episodes of different peoples revealing the different senses of Eros. Each story of this omnibus flick not only depicting unique aspects of sensuality and sexuality, but also featuring a host of high-profile actors who provided moviegoers with a more colorful audiovisual experience. Five very different shorts written and directed by Hur Jin Ho (Happiness), Daniel Byun (The Scarlet Letter), Min Kyu Dong (Antique), Yu Young Sik (Anarchist), and Oh Ki Hwan (The Art of Seduction). Covering comedy, melodrama, fantasy, and teen drama, the omnibus boasts a who's who's lineup of top and rising stars, including Jang Hyuk (Volcano High), Cha Hyun Jung (Lovers of Six Years), Kim Kang Woo (Le Grand Chef, Rainbow Eyes), Cha Soo Yeon (Beautiful), Kim Min Sun (Portrait of a Beauty), Bae Jong Ok (Herb), Kim Su Ro (Our School E.T), Hwang Jung Ming (Private Eye), Uhm Jung Hwa (Insadong Scandal), Kim Hyo Jin (Mr. Wacky), Kim Dong Wook (Antique), Shin Se Kyung (Cinderella), and Jung Eui Chul (Do-Re-Mi-Pa-Sol-Ra-Si-Do).

Synopsis:
In this anthology film centered around the theme of "Eros," five seperate stories are presented by five top Korean directors. The main characters from each segment are connected with each other in one way or another.

His Concern:
A man is attracted by the women sitting across from him on a train ride to Busan. He then gets off the train after her, even though its not his stop. He is then able to get her phone number. A few days later the man plans to meet the woman for the second time.

I'm Here:
Hye-rim Ahn (planyed by Su-yeon Cha) awaits for her husband, while hiding, to give him a surprise. Hyeon-woo Kang (played by Kang-woo Kim) always worries about his wife being left alone. Hye-rim worries about Hyeon-woo because he will be left alone soon.

33rd Man:
On the set of a movie, fresh new actress Mi-jin Kim (played by Min-sun Kim) and her charismatic senior actress Hwa-ran Park (played by Chong-ok Bae) are having difficulties because of their stubborn & demanding director Jan-woon Bong (played by Su-ro Kim). In the end, the senior actress Hwa-ran transforms Mi-jin into a sexy vixen to seduce the director.

In my End is my Beginning:
Jeong-ha Lee (played by Jeong-hwa Eom) learns that her husband Jae-in Min (Jeong-min Hwang) has just died in a car accident while on a road trip. She then discovers that her husband was having an affair with her old high school friend Na-ru Kang (played by Hyo-jin Kim). After the car accident Na-ru comes to Jeong-ha and asks to live with her under the promise of her unconditional devotion.

Believe in the Moment:
Three couples (Ji-woon Han & Yun-jeong Lee, Sang-min Seo & Se-eun Jeong, Jae-hyeok Yu & Su-jeong Shin) are all high school students & close friends. None of the couples have strong convictions about their relationship. They then decide to exchange partners for 24 hours.

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"Thirst" US Version DVD

2009-11-14T07:57:00.000-08:00

Park Chan-wook has been so popular with his Vengeance trilogy which begins with “Sympathy For Mr. Vengeance” (2002), the film about the class conflict in his country and it divided the Korean public because of its extreme style, but became a cult classic at home and abroad, and a favorite on the international film festival circuit. Next from the director is a masterpiece opus “Oldboy” (2003), which won the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival and soon will be re-imagined by Hollywood filmmakers. After his last feature, the quirky romance “I'm a Cyborg But That's OK” which was not particularly well received, Park is tackling the vampire project which he has been talking about for years. “Thirst” (a.k.a. Bakjwi or Evil Live) is the title of the film that also written by Park himself. Universal Pictures and Focus Features have been invested and co-produced the film that was shot in Korea and Australia. In addition, Focus now distribute the film worldwide in its home entertainment version. After the film made good impact in its theatrical releases and some International film festivals including Cannes Film Festival, it's time to experience "Thirst" in your own home.

Plot: We are introduced to Sang-hyun (Song Kang-ho), a priest whose free time is spent volunteering at the local hospital and providing ministry to the patients. He is well respected for his unwavering faith and the dedicated service he provides to all those around him, but he secretly suffers from overwhelming feelings of doubt and sadness about living in a world that seems to be drowning in suffering and death. After getting fed up with the endless cycle of human suffering that the world offers, Sang-hyun volunteers to participate in an experiment to find a vaccine for the deadly F.I.V. virus with the hope of saving even one life, and heads off to Africa. Although the experiment fails disastrously and Sang-hyun is infected with a seemingly fatal disease, he makes a complete and rapid recovery. News of his marvelous recovery is quickly spread to the devout parishioners of Sang-hyun’s congregation, and they begin to believe that the man has a miraculous gift for healing. Soon, thousands more people flock to Sang-hyun’s services. Among the new churchgoers are Kang-woo (Ha-kyun Shin), Sang-hyun’s childhood friend, and his family. Later on, Kang-woo invites his old friend to join the weekly mahjong night at his house, and there Sang-hyun finds himself precariously drawn to Kang-woo’s wife (Kim Ok-bin), Tae-ju. Suddenly Sang-hyun relapses into his illness; he coughs up blood and passes away. The next day however, he opens his eyes in dire need of shelter from the sweltering sunlight; he has become a vampire. At first Sang-hyun feels a newfound vigor and is energized by his insistent bodily desires, but soon he is aghast to find himself sucking down blood from a comatose patient in the hospital. After attempting to kill himself, he finds that he is drawn back to the taste of human blood against his will. To make matters worse, the symptoms of F.I.V. have come roaring back. Desperately trying to avoid committing a murder, he resorts to stealing blood transfusion packs from the hospital. Tae-ju, now living with her ill husband and her over-protective mother-in-law, leads a dreary and unhappy life. She finds herself drawn to Sang-hyun and his odd new physicality, and his inability to resist his desires. The two begin an affair, but when Tae-ju first discovers the truth about Sang-hyun’s new lifestyle, she retreats in fear. When Sang-hyun pleads with her to run away with him she turns him down, suggesting that they kill her husband instead.

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"Chaw" 2-Disc Korea Version DVD

2009-10-29T08:06:00.000-07:00

Another creature film from South Korea entitled “Chaw,” is an action adventure/thriller about a small village being terrorized by a man-eating, mutant boar. The Korean title "Chaw" apparently has multiple meanings. It is a variant of the English word ‘chew’ and is defined as ‘to bite and grind with the teeth; to masticate’ while in the Korean dialect of Gyeonggi and Chungcheong provinces it also refers to ‘a trap’. The film is helmed by Shin Jung-won, director of "To Catch a Virgin Ghost," a horror-comedy hybrid that was moderately successful at the Korean box office. According to an interview with one Korean weekly movie magazine, Shin said that after his first feature he has received many comedy scripts, but none of which were funny enough to him. So he began writing “Chaw” to make ‘a funny movie’ by himself. The interview indicates that Shin’s definition of the word ‘funny’ is not what it traditionally means, and claims that his imagination is very twisted. He also said that he began making films after admitting that he enjoyed crashing clichés. Somehow, Idea for “Chaw” was came from a survey which shows that it was the boar that sat on the top of the food chain and periodically appeared all over the country leaving serious damages to farms and sometimes even attacked people in Korea. But strangely people took boars as one of the pig sorts as livestock not knowing their nature or having met them in real. Comes from this unexpected dual image, it has been developed to be a cannibal creature in the movie. In the end, this tall tale of horror and adventure proves to be a fine addition to the local stock of computer graphics-ridden monster flicks ― offering a believable, rather than realistic, experience that persuades the viewer with more than just flesh-gnawing gore. Now, you can also check the "Chaw" monster via your home entertainment set as YESASIA will release it on 2-Disc Special Edition DVD.

Mysterious, gruesome deaths plague Sammae-ri, a peaceful little village in the Jirisan National Park of South Korea, which boasting no criminal cases for 10 years. Some parts of dead body ripped off cruelly are discovered by ecologists who stayed in the mountain for studying wild animals. Among the victims is the granddaughter of Cheon Il-man (Jang Hang-seon), a native of Sammae-ri and a professional hunter. Police cannot find any clues and there is no progress in the investigation. Then Kim (Eom Tae-woong), a recently relegated police officer from Seoul who is now partnered with lead detective Shin (Pak Hyeok-kwon), finds out that the killer is none other than a wild boar. The news attracts many hunters from all over the Korean peninsula, but the situation quickly goes from bad to worse, causing counterattacks from the wild boar. In this chaos, Kim’s mother (who suffers from dementia) goes missing. Kim forms a team with Shin, Cheon, a hunter named Baek (Yoon Je-moon) and zoo-ecology researcher Soo-ryeon (Jeong Yu-mi) to track the wild boar’s hoofmarks and face the deadly beast on its home turf.

At a budget of 5 million US, “Chaw” actually requires a team of visual effects artist to create a fully CG generated giant boar, and like another CGI heavy South Korean film “Haeundae,” special effects of “Chaw” has been provided by The U.S.' Polygon Entertainment. Hans Uhlig, Polygon’s founder and CEO gave his own statement, “Although we were able to use a practical, full-scale model of the creature for some of the effects shots, the majority of these shots required computer-generated imagery. We assembled our own team of highly skilled and experienced artists who created a fully CG creature, and their work is truly amazing. Be prepared to see some really incredible and frightening visual effects!” Though set in Korea, this film is actually was shot in a forest outside San Francisco, just like a report that Uhlig, who also served as 2nd Unit Director, added in “Chaw” press release, “As the majority of the film takes place in a rural setting, we were able to shoot most of the principal photography right here in northern California.” One of the many reasons for filming in the U.S. is that it was much easier to get permission for shooting in the woods than would be the case in South Korea. And the San Fransisco area commands a striking view and looks similar to many counterpart locations in Korea.
Rising star Uhm Tae-woong (Birth of a Family, Forever the Moment) leads the cast in the battle against the carnivorous pigs with the help of Jang Hang-seon (Seven Days), Yoon Je-moon (The Show Must Go On), Jeong Yu-mi (Family Ties) and Park Hyeok-gwon (A Good Day For an Affair).

This 2-Disc Edition comes with the following special features:
# Audio Commentary by Director and Cast
# Attack of the Killer Boar
# Five Member Pursuit
# Horror vs. Comedy
# Deleted Scenes with Director's Commentary
# Premiere
# Poster Shoot
# Trailer

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A Blood Pledge 2-Disc Korea Version DVD

2009-10-10T05:29:00.000-07:00

The 2009 horror suspense "A Blood Pledge" is the fifth film in one of the most popular franchises in South Korean film industry which is “Whispering Corridors” a.k.a. “Yeogo Goedam” that literally means "Girls High School Ghost Story.” In a traditional Asian horror genre, the series takes the supernatural tale as its basis and locates the narrative within a contemporary girl’s high school. The first film smoothly combined the ancient horror genre and the more modern anxieties of Korean high school which struck a powerful chord in its young audience. It instantly became a box-office success and turn into a new franchise in the industry. Another great thing about the franchise is the many fresh young actresses who would make their debuts in the industry. During its 10-year run, the franchise has introduced many up-and-coming actresses, including Kim Ok-bin, who made her name known through her role in the fourth installment "Voice" and is now at the Cannes film festival for Park Chan-wook's vampire flick "Thirst." Now, in "A Blood Pledge", we also met with the five young and beautiful actresses who have so far appeared briefly on TV and in movies. Like the previous actresses who rose to stardom after appearing in "Whispering Corridors", these aspiring actresses have all it takes to gain recognition. At this instant, you can also watch their goods in the home cinema version of the film which you can purchase at YESASIA.

Takes place, of course, once again at an all-girls school, the story of "A Blood Pledge" began with strange rumors that start to spread at the catholic girls’ high school after a student Unjoo, committed suicide one night. Unjoo’s younger sister Jung-un who attends the same school gets suspicious about Unjoo’s death. After persistent investigation, Jung-un finds out that on the night of the incident, Soy, Eugene, Eun-young, Unjoo, the four of them had tried to
commit a joint suicide after making a vow on blood. But the three are still alive, and only Unjoo had died. The desire, jealousy, and lies behind the pledge of death between the four girls are revealed, along with the hidden truth behind Unjoo’s suicide.

This 2-Disc Limited Edition comes with audio commentary, making of, deleted scenes, promotion footage, soundtrack, music video, trailers, and other special features.

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Mother 2-Disc Special Korea Edition DVD

2009-10-04T06:52:00.000-07:00

Bong Joon-ho's previous films are two solid box office hits, "Memories of Murder” (2003) and "The Host" (2006). And this year he's back with another acclaimed film called "Mother". Moved from monster film, the director is return to crime drama thriller, but the lead character is not a detective instead a devoted and determined mom. It’s also absolutely differing from most thrillers which usually boasts a lineup of younger male actors, Korean veteran actress Kim Hye-Ja plays the role of a distressed mother, when her son is accused of a horrible murder in their neighborhood, her maternal instinct forces her to conduct her own investigation, one that will uncover dangerous secrets as she unravels the mysterious truth.
The 128-minute film, in Korean with English subtitles, received a standing ovation after premiering at this year's Cannes International Film Festival in May and also garnered attention at the Toronto International Film Festival. Through its South Korean theatrical run "Mother" sold a total of 3 million tickets (grossing 19.9 billion ₩) & staying in the top ten for 6 consecutive weeks. It also was chosen as Korea's submission to compete for the Best Foreign Language Film in the 82nd Academy Awards in 2010. The other candidates were "A Frozen Flower," "Thirst," "Breathless," "Old Partner," and "Lifting King Kong." Now, if you want to own the DVD version of this film, it will be available at YesAsia from November 5, 2009. So, let's pre-order now!

“Mother” tells a story about a mother who widowed for a long time and now lives alone with her only son. Her son is a 28 years old, shy and quiet young man, who’s also socially awkward, lacking the ability to deal gracefully with other people, always rubbing them the wrong way and getting into trouble around town.
One day there is a terrible murder, and the woman’s hopeless, helpless son become the prime suspect. There is no real evidence against him, but he is an outcast and the police groundlessly suspect him almost instantly. He is a convenient scapegoat, but the trouble is that there is no way he can easily prove his innocence, either.
Eager to close the case, the police are happy with their cursory investigation and they make their arrest. His defense attorney turns out to be incompetent and unreliable and a conviction seems inevitable. So, faced with no other choice, his mother gets involved, determined to prove her son’s innocence.
She knows that the real murderer is still out there, somewhere, hiding and watching while her son gets punished for a crime he didn’t commit, and so she vows to track him down. Racing into the darkness of the strange countryside her obsessive love for her only son burns in her breast, like an all-consuming flame, driving her into the darkness on her mad, futile quest, dragging up and cracking open the darkest secrets of her small town, one by one.

The 2-Disc Special Edition of "Mother" comes with audio commentary, making of, deleted scenes, interview with the cinematographer, location stills, trailers, and other special features. (PURCHASE "MOTHER" DVD AT YESASIA)

More "Memories of Murder” than "The Host", "Mother" finds Bong returning to the small-town whodunit, but where the earlier film dealt with a community grappling with the unthinkable, this one operates on a more intimate scale. Kim's maternal instinct to protect her son, intensified by his child-like deficiencies, takes Mother to increasingly nervy places, as she takes it upon herself to exonerate the boy. Like Noel, I think the film could be a bit tighter, but the third act pays off big time, with a pile-up of revelations that suggest both the breadth and the limits of her devotion. And Bong becomes a more confident stylist with each successive effort: He knows how to draw out suspense-some sequences here are almost Hitchcockian in their elegance-and he's not afraid to cut the somber proceedings with quick hits of slapstick and black comedy. South Korean films are known for their tonal schizophrenia, but Bong has more control than most; the mix of comedy, drama, and suspense in his work is not jarring, but responsive to the complexity of human life. It's a supreme compliment to say that at the end of Mother, you appreciate the many sides of the eponymous character while still finding her mysterious. (review by Scott - www.avclub.com)

Secret Couple 2-Discs Korea Version DVD

2009-09-21T07:18:00.000-07:00

Also known with the title "My Girlfriend is an Agent," this film billed as the South Korean "Mr & Mrs. Smith." Directed by Sin Tae-ra who previously bring us thriller "The Black House" and starred top stars Kim Ha-neul and Kang Ji-hwan, "Secret Couple" is a box office success. Following suit behind "Speedy Scandal", which drew over 8 million viewers, "Couple" has also struck a chord with viewers with its simple-hearted humor. This film is also the first action for melodramatic queen Kim Ha-neul who very well known after appeared in the popular comedy "My Tutor Friend" alongside Kwon Sang-woo. Meanwhile, Kang Ji-hwan has ample experience with action scenes after his fight scenes with So Ji-sub in "Rough Cut". Now, "Secret Couple" will be available in its home entertainment version with the release of 2-Discs First Press Limited Edition Korea Version DVD.

Synopsis: A Russian organized crime group is set out to steal an advanced chemical weapon from Korea and two secret agents are out to stop them. One is a veteran secret agent named AHN Soo-ji who is a master of all forms of martial arts and envied by her comrades. Another is a rookie named LEE Jae-joon who’s never been out on the field and always goofs up on the job. The two agents don’t know each other’s secret identity. All that they know is that they hate each other. As a couple that is... Soo-ji and Jae-joon were once a passionate couple until Jae-joon couldn’t take her lies anymore. But all Soo-ji was trying to do was hide her secret identity. Nonetheless, the two went on their separate ways and by coincidence bump into each other years later while out on the job. As the two work out their screwy relationship, they go behind each other’s backs to fulfill their mission to save the world.

The DVD comes with a bonus disc of special features:
# The Story
# Making Documentary
# Set on Fire
# Deleted Scenes
# CG Making
# Action Demo
# Promotion Data

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"Overheard" Hong Kong Version DVD

2009-09-13T08:07:00.000-07:00

With a star-studded cast and crew, the Hong Kong film "Overheard" has became one of the biggest Chinese blockbusters of 2009. "Overheard" shares the same cast and crew of the critical and popular film "Infernal Affairs." But in this one, there are no fights or bullets. The plot is concentrated on the challenge of gathering intelligence. The story unfolds through the performances of the A-list actors and actresses. Written and directed by Alan Mak and Felix Chong (the writers behind the "Infernal Affairs" trilogy), it's the first time for Lau Ching Wan, Louis Koo and Daniel Wu to appeared in the same film and all three play the bad guys. Daniel Wu marries a rich woman but is continuously looked down on by his father-in-law. Louis Koo gives an impressive performance in the role of a father who has cancer and four children to raise. And Lau Ching Wan plays the head of an information office who is consistently let down by life. Famous mainland actress Zhang Jingchu plays the wife of Lau in role that rarely shows up in a film led by men. The film was released theatrically in Hong Kong on 30 July 2009 and now it expected to release on DVD version on this September 30, 2009.

Plot: A major stock exchange in the world, Hong Kong attracts not only money but any who try to manipulate the market. At the Hong Kong Police Force Commercial Crime Bureau, an operation is underway to infiltrate a trading company, Feng Hua International where a man, nicknamed “Boss” is the chief suspect.
The team, led by Inspector Leung (Lau Ching Wan) together with Yeung (Louis Koo) and Lam (Daniel Wu) install interception devices to monitor the company’s communications. When a crucial information on a surging share was intercepted, a moment of greed led the team in a cross fire between the Bureau and the boss.

With producer Derek Yee acting as advisor, "Overheard" is easily the most morally ambiguous Hong Kong movie to get the thumbs up from the Mainland censors in recent memory. (The big lesson here? Don’t play hero if you’re busy breaking the law in the meantime.) As its three leads all contribute nuanced yet non-flashy performances, the film manages to morph its first half’s spontaneous humour and its final act’s abruptly efficient killings into a consistently engrossing whole. Unlike its famed predecessor, Overheard isn’t going to stand a chance in the pointing-a-gun-at-each-other-without-shooting contest; and it’s all the better for it.

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The Battle of the Warriors U.S. DVD

2009-07-25T21:13:00.000-07:00

It has announced that Dragon Dynasty will be releasing Jacob’s Cheung’s 2006 period war epic "A Battle Of Wits" on DVD September 8th under the name "Battle Of The Warriors." The film is a Hong Kong historical action drama film based upon a Japanese historical novel of the same name which was in turn inspired by Warring States history in China. The epic starring Andy Lau (Infernal Affairs, House Of Flying Daggers, Warlords), Fan Bingbing (Forbidden Kingdom, Shinjuku Incident), Ahn Sung-ki (The Divine Weapon), Wang Zhiwen, Nicky Wu, and newcomer Choi Siwon. Also based on the sensational Japanese manga series called "Bokko," "Battle of the Warriors" features a gritty, realistic style, with an incredible level of historical detail that highlights each of its unparalleled, ferocious battles.

Plot: The film is set in the Warring States Period of China. The state of Zhao invades the (fictional) city-state of Liang. Ge Li (Andy Lau), a Mohist, comes to Liang to help protect the city. He warns of the dangers of surrendering to an invading Zhao army that intends to conquer Liang. The king of Liang (Wang Zhiwen) worries about Ge Li inciting war amongst the public, but decides to allow him to temporarily aid in defending Liang.

Ge Li's creates a bulwark and various traps to slow down the invading army. The Prince (Choi Siwon) and Generals of Liang question his leadership and skills as a tactician, but time after time, his tactics proved successful. The Prince of Liang eventually develops a high level of respect for Ge Li's wisdom and experience. After Ge Li successfully defends the kingdom from superior numbers, he becomes highly revered by the local populace.

Feeling threatened by Ge Li's popularity, the king of Liang plots to have him be deposed of rank and executed on false charges. Ge Li returns from a scouting mission and is charged with starting a war under false pretenses. The Prince of Liang fakes a fight against Ge Li so that he can use himself as a hostage to help free Ge Li. The improved arrows that Ge Li used to help defend Liang were then ironically used against him. The Prince of Liang is killed in the incident. Ge Li's sympathizers are falsely accused of being part of a rebellion against Liang, and they are tortured and executed.

The King of Liang foolishly believes the Zhao army has already left, but the Zhao army raids the city in a surprise attack. Ge Li returns with a surviving group of the Liang army to restore power to the people of Liang. After the conflict, Ge Li leaves with some orphans of Liang to promote peace among kingdoms. The King of Liang would be killed five years later, and eventually the Qin army would unite China and became the Qin Dynasty.

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The Missing First Press Korea Edition DVD

2009-07-19T02:46:00.000-07:00

Last year, South Korea released a suspense thriller that became the year's surprise hit, "The Chaser." The film was not only popular at the box office but also critically acclaimed, won seven awards at the Korean Film Awards 2008, and had concluded agreements with Hollywood's major studio, Warner Bros. for a remake copyright. The idea to the thriller film is actually inspired by a true story of serial killing, a topic that’s quite common in Korean films recently like in "Our Town," "Seven Days", "Rainbow Eyes", "Black House", etc), and then it was made into a film noir with a serious message, but is entertaining despite being ridden with social criticism from beginning to end. How about this year, is there any South Korean thriller which can equal “The Chaser” which came as a pleasant surprise and garnered almost unanimous praise due to the movie's heart-pumping pace and air-tight storytelling? The expectation is come from “Missing” aka “Sil Jong” (literal translation “Disappeared”), and like the previous title it’s also based on a true story. The film is based on a media shocker about a 70 year old South Korean fisherman who killed four women between August & September, 2007 in Bosung, South Jeolla Province, South Korea. Getting fictionalized for the movie, in basic, the storyline of this big screen adaptation is that a girl comes to a small countryside town in a coincidence and meets a 60-year-old man at a restaurant. She is kidnapped and bondage in fear and horror. Now, "The Missing" is become available on home video shelf with its First Press Edition Korean Version DVD, you can purchase it via YesAsia.

Plot: Hyeon-jeong's sister is missing and she fears for the worst. Via her sister's cellphone, Hyeon-jeong learns that her sister stayed in a countryside vaillage. She goes to the village to find her sister and stops at the local police station for help. Because of the little evidence she has, the police refuse to offer help. Hyeong-jeong then finds a witness who thinks she saw her missing sister near the home of an elderly man Pan-kon. When Hyeong-jeong eventually arrives at the elderly man's home, her worst nightmares are to begin.

“The Missing” is helmed by Sung-Hong Kim, the man behind the hard gore thriller “Say Yes” (2001) which bares some similar plot points with 1986's “The Hitcher” but is not a re-make. The film was more of a revision of Robert Harmon's classic film and more reminiscent of the old HK thrillers with exploitational violence and disturbing twist and turn. Other than that, the director has long history of making thrillers, his works also including the nerve-wracking “Black Hole” (1997) and “Deep Scratch” (1994), as well as the comic/horror “The Opening” (1999). After several years, now he’s back with “The Missing.” Mainstay of 90s Korean cinema, actor Moon Seong-geun (Road to the Racetrack, Green Fish), grabs top billing actor in this film. Also appearing are Chu Ja-hyeon (Portrait of Beauty, Bloody Tie) and Jeon Se-hong (Temptation of Eve).

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More Than Blue 2-Disc Korea Version DVD

2009-07-13T07:18:00.000-07:00

As its title suggests, “More Than Blue” (a.k.a. A Story Sadder Than Sadness) is a film about heartbreaking, unrequited love. The main actor is kwon Sang-woo from the tearjerker TV soap "Stairway to Heaven", who returns to the romance genre after foraying comic or tough guy parts, such as in "Fate". The project also garnered interest for marking poet Won Tae-yeon's directorial debut. Also starring in the drama are Lee Bum Soo (Death Bell), and Lee Bo Young (Once Upon a Time in Seoul). Though featuring typical elements of the South Korean melodrama, "Blue" does not attempt to squeeze out tears from viewers. Rather, the director crafts a film that is poetically sparse, and also witty and hilarious as much as it is heartbreaking. “More Than Blue” is already available in a 2-Disc Korea Version DVD which you can purchase at YesAsia.

Plot: Having both lost their families at a young age, radio producer K (Kwon Sang Woo) and lyricist Cream (Lee Bo Young) complete each other's lives in ways that only they can understand. Sharing a home, they watch over each other like family, and give each other weird nicknames. K has silently loved Cream for many years, playing the supportive friend as she flits from one boyfriend to another. They know everything about each other, except for one thing: K has been diagnosed with terminal cancer and has less than 200 days to live. Worried that Cream will be alone after he leaves, K's final wish is that she can find a good husband. And it looks like they've found the right man in kind-hearted dentist Joo Hwan (Lee Bum Soo), who is already engaged but falls for Cream at first sight.As expected of a movie by a poet, it teems with imagery of time hanging still in the air and things are left simple. Even though the film's Korean title "A Story Sadder Than Sadness" is perhaps an overstatement, it allows the viewer to peruse not so much the abstract meaning of love but what it means to be in love and to care for someone.

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Shinjuku Incident Uncut Version DVD

2009-06-27T07:47:00.000-07:00

Directed by Derek Yee (Protege), the crime drama "Shinjuku Incident" marks a new turn in Jackie Chan's career as he begins to move away from the action and comedy-oriented fare that has largely defined his film career since his first notable break starring as a Bruce Lee clone in director Lo Wei's "New Fist of Fury" (1976). This film apparently features very little of Chan's trademark screen action and instead focuses largely on a dramatic story. The film also sports so many quality actors including Naoto Takenaka who is a three-time Japanese Academy Award winner. Then it has mainland Chinese talents Xu Jinglei (The Warlords) and Fan Bingbing (The Forbidden Kingdom), great character actors like Lam Suet (Exiled) and Paul Chun (Fist of Legend), and action veterans Chin Kar-lok, Ken Lo and Yasuaki Kurata (So Close). "Shinjuku Incident" was released in early April 2009 in many countries in Asia to favorable reviews eventhough it was banned in China for its unflattering portrayal of illegal Chinese immigrants and for its sexual themes and violence. Now, Chan's controversial and violent crime thriller will arrives on English friendly DVD and Blu-ray, and you can find the original uncut version DVD and Blu-ray via YesAsia.com.

The story of the film set in the early 1990s, a tractor mechanic from China nicknamed Steelhead, portrayed by Jackie Chan, enters Japan illegally in search of his girlfriend Xiu Xiu (Xu Jinglei). Steelhead and his friend, Jie (Daniel Wu) meet in the busy Shinjuku district of Tokyo and take manual labor jobs to earn money. When Steelhead finds out that Xiu Xiu has married a Japanese yakuza leader named Mr. Eguchi (Masaya Kato), he decides to remain in Japan. When Eguchi was targeted to be murdered, Steelhead saves his life. To consolidate power, Eguchi formes an alliance with Steelhead to carry out his revenge. Soon, Steelhead has become embroiled so deeply in the ways of the yakuza that there is no turning back..

DVD Specs:
Release Date: 2009-07-09
Language: Cantonese, Mandarin
Subtitles: English, Traditional Chinese
Country of Origin: Hong Kong
Picture Format: NTSC
Region Code: 3 - South East Asia (including Hong Kong, S. Korea and Taiwan)
Rating: III
Duration: 120 (mins)
Publisher: Joy Sales (HK)

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"Coming Soon" English Sub Hong Kong Version DVD

2009-06-14T03:45:00.000-07:00

“Coming Soon” is another Thai horror that has something to do with a haunted cinema, which quite similar with Thai horror flick, “The Screen”. Came along with the tagline, “The horror that you just saw is about to happen to you in real life!" the production company GTH surely put a big hope that this film will make a good deal on Halloween season, as they released the film on the cinema at 30th of October last year. Perhaps the biggest player in the country's horror genre currently, this studio also recently got their success with the anthology project “Phobia” that apparently quite good both in viewers and critics reception. For that film, they’ve already split the directing duo from “Shutter” and “Alone” triumph up for solo shot segments. And now, in "Coming Soon", it’s time for the co-writer of those two projects, Sophon Sakdaphisit to have his directorial promotion and utilize for more to capitalize on those films’ successes.
“Coming Soon” apparently deal with this concept: "What kind of scenes in a horror film scares you the most? When a ghost appears totally unexpectedly? When the main character does not see the ghost sneaking up behind him? When at the very end you find out that the main character was actually a ghost all along? But none of this compares to the feeling of arriving home alone and suddenly being stuck by a feeling of deja vu that you are reenacting the very same scenes in the horror movie you just saw! This movie had promised to scare the audiences from the second they step inside the movie theater. It will get you wondering if Something or Someone might be waiting for you to let your guard down. The horror movie that you just saw is about to happen to you in real life! Coming Soon."
The film has now up to pre-order at YesAsia, "Coming Soon" English subtitled Hong Kong version DVD set for release on this June 19th.

Plot & Review (from ThaiFilmJournal): "Coming Soon" is a movie about a movie. Set mostly in a Bangkok multiplex cinema, it's also a reminder of how unsettling those big places can be late at night, especially when you're directed to make your exit out the back staircase into a carpark where there is no escape from the exhaust fumes.

And as I watched the movie, I couldn't help but wonder what the employees of the theater were thinking when they were unfurling the huge banners and setting up the lobby standees for Coming Soon. The posters for the movie are in the movie, as are the realistically creepy standees of a woman hanging in a noose.

The movie within the movie is Vengeful Spirit (Winyarn Arkhad), about an insane old woman who kidnaps children and gouges their eyes out. A little girl's father leads villagers on a rescue mission, but he is too late. The villagers, enraged, lynch the woman.

Offscreen, in the cinema, we learn that the story is based on actual events. At the test screening, the director is sitting in the corridor, pensively chain smoking, wondering if he should re-edit the hanging scene.

The projectionist Shane, meanwhile, has been tasked by his boss Yod to swap out the reels and keep them for later, when they plan to videotape the movie and sell pirated copies of it before its release. Shane, it seems, has a gambling problem, and he needs money. He's not much of a hero. He used to be on drugs, and beat his ex-girlfriend Som (Worakan Rojanawat) -- a theater usher -- and pawned her watch. Somehow though, "Ter" Chantavit Dhanasevi plays a sympathetic character.

During the videotaping, Yod disappears. Shane finds the camera, and what he sees in the captured footage is darned peculiar and downright chilling. He keeps seeing things in the shadows. He tells Som he thinks the old woman from the movie might be a real ghost and she's haunting him. From there, Som forgives her abusive ex-boyfriend and pitches in with her computer skills to Google up more about the old woman and the hanging.

There aren't really many big scares -- they are mostly anti-climactic jumps of the don't-open-that-closet nature. The scraping of the high strings in the orchestral score work overtime, and it gets to be stomach churning.

But I loved Coming Soon for how it transcends the worlds of the cinema and the screen, both in the movie and in our world. I'm not sure it will work the same when it comes out on DVD. There's just something pretty special and weird about sitting in a big multiplex cinema, munching on popcorn, and watching people on the big screen do the same.

Coming Soon even goes behind the scenes of the movie within the movie, in a remarkable bit of self-reflection by first-time director Sophon Sakdaphisit. Could it be the co-writer of the GMM Tai Hub horror hits Shutter and Alone is having misgivings about his line of work? Hope not. Because audiences are depending on him.

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Scandal Makers First Press Limited Edition DVD

2009-06-05T09:47:00.000-07:00

No industry insiders or analysts would have predicted the comedian Cha Tae-hyeon’s latest film "Scandal Makers" would hit pay-dirt at the box office. Not only became the surprise hit in Korea last year, but through shrewd marketing and word of mouth from advanced screenings targeting specific demographics, the film has amassed a very impressive attendance figure. With a production budget of a modest $1.8 million, the comedy has collected over eight million admissions during its amazing run from December 2008 to spring 2009 to become one of Korea's biggest hits of all time. "Scandal Makers" also become Cha Tae-hyeon’s second biggest blockbuster after his widely popular “My Sassy Girl” several years ago. The film has categorized as a definitely must watch when it was released on cinemas, now "Scandal Makers" will make its way to the home entertainment shelf which absolutely turn it into a must have item. The 3-Disc First Press Limited Edition of "Scandal Makers," which will be release on June 10 this summer comes with the Soundtrack CD and lot of special features.

In this film, Cha Tae-hyeon stars as Hyun-Su, a former TV actor turned popular radio personality. Hyun-Su's ratings rise when he counsels a single mother over the airwaves to seek out her long-lost father and show up on his doorstep with her young son. Despite his advice, Hyun-Su pities the unsuspecting grandfather because he's an avowed player and happy with the single life. Too bad that he's actually the unsuspecting grandfather; single mother Jung-Nam (Park Bo-Young) is his daughter from his ninth grade affair with an older woman, and Jung-Nam was pretty young herself when she conceived her son Ki-Dong (Hwang Seok-hyeon ). Together, the combined age of the three generations barely cracks 60. Planned Parenthood would have a fit.Scandals can spell doom for popular personalities, and with his star currently on the rise, Hyun-Su would like to avoid bad publicity. However, Jung-Nam forces her way into his home and life, demanding shelter in exchange for her silence. Meanwhile, she pursues her dream of becoming a singer, and coincidentally Hyun-Su's radio show is hosting a singing competition. Jung-Nam soon shows up at Hyun-Su's studio to audition, while Hyun-Su fumes in the background and little Ki-Dong heads off to school. Hyun-Su lightens up a bit when he develops a crush on Ki-Dong's babelicious teacher (Hwangwoo Seulhae) and recruits young Ki-Dong to be his assistant matchmaker. Predictably, bonds develop between the three, but conflict isn't far off, either. Besides the omnipresent threat of scandal, there's the simple trial of adjustment. Can Hyun-Su finally give up his swinging bachelor ways for a three-generation household?

Beside Cha Tae-hyeon, the acting skills of bright 6 year-old boy Hwang Seok-hyeon also greatly praised. His bold acting surpassing many adult actors has already brought attention to him and the f ilm as soon as it was released! It's so hard to believe that this film is his first! The 6 year old actor has been picked out of 1000 competitors in the audition and has been trained for the scenario. His outer appearance best matched the character of the movie and of course, his great acting for such a young person has definitely put him to the spotlight. His adultlike ways in playing Korean card games, being perceptive, being rejected by his romance attempts in Kindergarten, and other funny faces have given much laughter and applaud from the viewers.

The 3-Disc First Press Limited Edition comes with the Soundtrack CD and the following special features:
• Audio Commentary
• Making Of
• Off the Record (with Commentary)
• Chee~! (Hwang Ki Dong Special Video)
• Their Own Scandal
• Interview with Music Director
• Poster Shoot
• Trailer
• Easter Egg

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Demon Warriors Region 1 English Sub DVD

2009-05-22T23:03:00.000-07:00

"Demon Warriors" a.k.a "Opapatika" when it was released at theaters across Thailand two years ago, is supernatural action thriller that based on Thailand myth. Magnolia Home Entertainment via Amazon will finally release the Region 1 DVD for the film with of course the friendly English subtitle on this August 4, 2009. Written and directed by Thanakorn Pongsuwan, the story shares a similarity with Thanakorn's enigmatic 2003 drama, "Fake", in that all the characters are drawn to a mysterious and ethereal. The story also channels the likes of "Night Watch", "Blade" and "Underworld", especially with the themes of immortality and a secret parallel world of supernatural beings. However, the high-concept story of "Demon Warrior" is quite compelling, plus a strong ensemble cast of young and veteran leading men makes it watchable.

Plot:
A man learns a powerful lesson about the price of immortality in this thriller from Thailand. The Opapatikas are a special breed of people who have died only to be resurrected and given special powers; they are invincible in combat, cannot be killed, and gain unique super-human skills.
According to Buddhist belief the evolution of birth can be divided into three forms:
* Sangsethaca: To be born amongst rot and decay, as a worm or maggot.
* Anthaca: To be born from an egg, in the various forms of birds.
* Chalaphucha: To be conceived in the womb as a human or other mammal.
Then there is a fourth form, Opapatika, which goes against Buddhist beliefs because it involves suicide: a class of supernatural beings who are born out of suicide. However, the powers that they gain also have a negative effect.

Thuwachit (Pongpat Wachirabanjong), the loyal mortal henchman for the elderly Sadok (Nirut Sirichanya), is an Opapatika who is quickly decaying and needs to feast on the flesh of other Opapatikas in order to sustain himself. Sadok sends him out to capture others. The four Opapatikas remain in Sadok's hunt are Paisol (Chakrit Yaemnam), a ruthless assassin who must bear all the scars and wounds of his victims, Jiras (Somchai Khemklad), an immortal Opapatika, and the most powerful of them all who considers his immortality a curse, Aruth (Ray MacDonald), an invincible fighter by night, but weak in the daylight, and Ramil (Athip Nana), an adrenaline-fueled daredevil who can project a monstrous, ghostly creature to do his bidding.

There is also Detective Techit (Putthipong Sriwat), a police investigator who has learned the secrets of the Opapatikas, and wants to join their underground fraternity; he approaches Opapatika master Mr. Sadok (Nirut Sirichanya) in hopes of turning this dream into reality. Sadok allows Techit to become a Opapatika after the detective takes his own life, but as Techit gains the ability to see into the future, he begins to gradually lose his mortal senses as he does ritual battle with others. Techit is teamed up with Thuwachit, who leads a vast paramilitary army against the four Opapatika. The four immortals are also mysteriously drawn to a woman, Pran (Khemupsorn Sirisukha).

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K-20: Legend of the Mask Deluxe Edition DVD

2009-05-16T07:25:00.000-07:00

"K-20: Legend of the mask" is considered a Japanese superhero movie although K-20 is not a superhero, he is more of Japanese robin hood but only more evil. The 2 billion yen movie has the realistic special effects that you rarely see in Japanese movies and its action scenes are breath-taking especially the acrobatic stunts and famous Takeshi Kaneshiro with good music.

Produced by Nippon Television Network (NTV), Robot Communications, and Toho, and stars Asian superstar Takeshi Kaneshiro (SWEET RAIN, RED CLIFF, RED CLIFF 2) as a circus acrobat who is framed by a mysterious Batman/Shadow-like villain. Toho is opening K-20 in theaters across Japan at December last year. Now, the film is already available in home entertainment packages. But still in Japan version, in YesAsia, I've found The Normal Edition DVD, The Deluxe Edition and also the Japan version Blu-ray.

The central figure in this thrilling story, Heikichi Endo, based on the novel by Soh Kitamura. Taking on the role is Takeshi Kaneshiro, an internationally recognized actor consistently cast in the biggest films produced in Asia. Playing heroine Duchess Yoko Hashiba is Takako Matsu, one of Japan’s most sophisticated and respected actresses. In the role of the cool antagonist is Toru Nakamura, an actor who commands audience attention. They are surrounded by a sterling cast of consummate performers, including Jun Kunimura, Reiko Takashima, Kanata Hongo, Yuki Imai, Toru Masuoka and Takeshi Kaga. "K-20: Legend of the mask" directed by the acclaimed writer-director Shimako Sato of who previous works include the UK/Japan co-production "TALE OF A VAMPIRE" (1992) which won the Avoriaz Prize at the Tokyo International Fantastic Film Festival.

The story set in the fictional Japanese capital of Teito, in 1949. World War II has been avoided. The system of “nobility” established in the Meiji Era (mid-late 19th century) continues, creating an extreme divide between the upper and lower classes. 90% of the country’s wealth is controlled by the upper members of society.
Teito has been gripped by the emergence of a phantom thief who steals priceless objects from the rich. He is known as “The Fiend (Kaijin) With Twenty Faces” or simply “K-20″.
There is Heikichi Endo, a circus acrobat who is deceived by K-20 and set up to take the fall for the phantom thief. Using his incredible physical dexterity, Heikichi wages war against K-20 to prove his innocence. He fights alongside K-20’s next wealthy target, Duchess Yoko Hashiba, and her husband-to-be, brilliant detective Kogoro Akechi. But what is the ultimate decision Heikichi has to make?
And so, Heikichi’s breathless pursuit begins, unfolding into an epic battle. Will falsely charged Heikichi finally be able to clear his name? You’re in for the most unpredictable shock at the end of the movie!

ORDER THE FILM AT YESASIA IN THE AVAILABLE VERSIONS BELOW:
- "K-20: Legend of the Mask (DVD) (Deluxe Edition) (Japan Version)"
- "K-20: Legend of the Mask (Blu-ray) (Japan Version)"
- "K-20: Legend of the Mask (DVD) (Normal Edition) (Japan Version)"

A Frozen Flower 2-Disc Uncut Director's Edition DVD

2009-05-03T01:55:00.000-07:00

Although they said it was based on a true story from Goryeo Dynasty Korea (918-1392), viewers should bear in mind that the story is purely fictional. "A Frozen Flower" the film which directed by Yoo Ha (A Dirty Carnival, Once Upon A Time In High School) has also taken its title from a song of that era which described the sexual relationships between men and women. But in a resemblance to Ang Lee’s acclaimed drama, “Brokeback Mountain,” this film is a melodrama that following a secreted homosexual love, which take place between King of Goryeo and his bodyguard. As Yoo Ha explained that the film was "a love story between men," the director wanted to make a change from his previous works by doing a historical film with this fifth feature film of his career, he said, "I always felt uncomfortable with the genre but I felt I should try to overcome those feelings. It is also a new challenge for me to focus on a melodrama". Previously, director Yoo Ha has been widely acclaimed by moviegoers and critics alike for bringing out violence and collectivity from deep within the human soul, as well as for his provocative view on conventional ideas.

When the movie was released on 30th Dec, 2008 in South Korea, it was sold 310,000 tickets in just one day and easily topped the box office chart. "A Frozen Flower" also took in over 1 million admissions in its first four days, setting an all time record for an adult-rated film. It seems Erotic movies, often with scenes of nudity, are now hugely popular in Korea. Ignited by "Lust, Caution", which drew 3 million viewers in 2007, the fervor continued throughout last year with "Portrait of a Beauty" attracting 2.5 million and this "A Frozen Flower" with 4 million viewers. For you who haven't seen how erotic is the film, now it available at YESASIA DVD shelf in its special 2 disc uncut directors edition package.

Synopsis: In the end of Goryeo era politically manipulated by the Yuan Dynasty, the ambitious King of the Goryeo Dynasty organizes Kunryongwe. Hong Lim, the commander of Kunryongwe, captivates the King of Goryeo, and the Queen keeps her eyes on the relationship between Hong Lim and the King with a reluctant view. Meanwhile, the bilateral relation between Goryeo and the Yuan gets worse as Yuan demands to install the cousin of the King in the Crown Prince of Goryeo with ascribing it to no son the King has. The King refuses it resolutely, so the high-ranking officials of Goryeo, who are in submission to Yuan, are discontented with the king. One day, the King gives Hong Lim a covert yet unobjectionable order to sleep with the Queen instead of himself to protect the independence of Goryeo from the Yuan by making a son, the successor to Goryeo throne.

Although sexuality and nudity are no longer a hush-hush issue in this traditionally Confucian country, the South Korean movie "Ssanghwajeom (A Frozen Flower)" made headlines long before it was released here on Dec. 30 for its blunt depictions of homo- and bi-sexuality. The sex scenes in this historical drama, the fifth film by South Korea's only poet-turned-director Yoo Ha, certainly live up to their reputation. But these scenes are not simply meant to titillate. They are critical in showing how the boy in the palace slowly turns into a man and fights to come to terms with his sexual identity. And growing up is far harsher and more brutal for him, as it is the queen to whom he is inexorably drawn.
"The essence is still all there," the soft-spoken director said in a recent interview with a local movie magazine. "But this movie was a new and a frightening challenge for me because I was to talk about two very difficult things: historical drama and sexuality." The two factors that agonized Yoo so much appear to be mere tools used to complete the director's long-struggling persona. Unlike the two male characters in Yoo's past works, Hong Lim musters up "enough guts" to put up a real fight with the king, who was the creator of his first world, a benevolent father and a protective lover all in one.

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"Ponyo on the Cliff" English Sub Japan Version DVD

2009-04-17T23:52:00.000-07:00

Hayao Miyazaki, a prominent filmmaker of many popular Japan animated feature films, is back with his new animation hits, "Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea" (Gake no Ue no Ponyo). It is Miyazaki's ninth film for Ghibli. The plot centers on a baby fish/mermaid in the sea named Ponyo who becomes a human girl. In pursuing her goal, she befriends a five-year-old human boy, Sōsuke. The film was released by Toho on July 19, 2008, in theatres across Japan on 481 screens—a record for a domestic film. The film's distributor Toho announced that, by 3pm, the first day box office earnings had already reached 83% of the opening day figure for "Spirited Away," which went on to gross a record-breaking ¥30.4 billion (US$284 million). In final result, "Ponyo" grossed ¥10 billion ($91 million) in its first month of release, and surpassed ten million viewers in its first 41 days, compared to 31 days for "Spirited Away," 44 days for "Howl's Moving Castle," and 66 days for "Princess Mononoke." Now, the animation film is ready for all home cinema collectors, the Japan version DVD with English sub is available for purchase at YESASIA.

Plot: Five year-old Sosuke lives high on a cliff overlooking the Inland Sea. One morning, while playing on the rocky beach below his house, he discovers a goldfish named Ponyo, her head stuck fast in a jam jar. Sosuke rescues her and keeps her in a green plastic pail.
Ponyo is fascinated by Sosuke. Sosuke feels the same about Ponyo. He tells her, Dont worry, Ill protect you and take care of you. But Ponyos father Fujimoto once human, now a sorcerer who lives deep under the sea forces her to return with him to the ocean depths.
I want to be human! Ponyo declares, and determined to become a little girl and make her way back to Sosuke, Ponyo escapes. But before she does, she empties the Water of Life, Fujimotos precious store of magical elixir, into the ocean.
The sea waters rise. Ponyos sisters are transformed into enormous fish-shaped tidal waves that climb as high as Sosukes house on the cliff. The chaos of the ocean world envelops Sosukes little town and it sinks beneath the waves.
A little girl and a little boy. Love and responsibility. The sea and life itself. In an age of nervous anxiety and uncertainty, "PONYO ON THE CLIFF BY THE SEA" is Hayao Miyazakis unreserved depiction of the story of a mother and her child.

The Japan Times gave the film four out of five stars, and praised the film's simple thematic elements and its visual scheme, and compared the film to Miyazaki's classic animation "My Neighbor Totoro."
Critics at the Venice International Film Festival generally had high praise. Wendy Ide on Times Online said Ponyo "is as chaotic and exuberant as a story told by a hyperactive toddler," and gave it 4 stars out of 5.
The movie was also rated #2 on Dentsu's list of "2008 Hit Products in Japan", after the Wii console.

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ALSO AVAILABLE:
- Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea (DVD) (Special Edition) (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version)

- Ponyo was produced like this - Hayao Miyazaki's Thinking Process (Making) (Blu-ray) (Japan Version)

Ong Bak 2 Hong Kong Version DVD

2009-03-26T06:41:00.000-07:00

After topped the local box office last December, fifteenth century Thai martial arts action film "Ong Bak 2" from actor-director Tony Jaa, now is ready to entertain you once again with its wider range of martial arts and perilous stunts in DVD version. “Ong Bak” is the film that launched Jaa glamorous career, where he’d demonstrated the amazing Thai-boxing with all of the stunning moves and acrobatics, and there’s all performed very naturally, there are no wires, no CGI, just perfectly skilled performers executing intentionally ferocious, graphic moves. Now, the Muay Thai fighter is back to the arena with the successor, “Ong Bak 2,” which actually not a direct sequel to the hugely popular first film. But in “Ong Bak 2,” Jaa was not only served as the leading actor here but also as the director for the first time of his career. "Ong-Bak 2" is the gigantic project features Tony Jaa as the captain who has developed his own screenplay, it also has become the most expensive Thai film ever made with the total budget 300 million baht, which is about three times what the studio Sahamongkol Film International wanted to spend.

In the film, Ting is a boy who aspires to grow up to be like his father, Lord Sihadecho (Santisuk Promsiri), a gallant and loyal warrior. The treacherous and power-craving Lord Rajasena (Saranyoo Wongkrajang) plots to seize total control of the country. He sends out vicious assassins do murder Lord Sihadecho's family and his loyal soldiers. The only survivor from this massacre is Ting, who manages to escape with deep vengeance in his heart. Ting is then captured and almost killed by slave traders before being saved by Chernang (Sorapong Chatree), leader of the renowned “Garuda's Wing” guerilla band, who takes Ting in as his adoptive son and raises him up as a bandit. Ting grows up excelling in all kinds of martial arts and war strategies including man-to-man fighting, boxing, incantation, and skills of such war weapons as sword, saber, club, and explosive.With all forms of martial arts instilled, Ting (Tony Jaa) eagers to vanquish the vengeance in his heart by killing Lord Rajasena with his own hands. But he must first get pass Rajasena's highly-skilled and vicious killers.The battle leads to the origin of the scar of vengeance that comes at a price of one's blood, flesh and soul. Only unwavering faith can save Ting’s life.

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ALSO AVAILABLE: THAI VERSION DVD

Red Cliff 2 Hong Kong Version DVD

2009-03-17T07:11:00.000-07:00

The first part was the highest-grossing film shown in China last year, taking more than 300 million yuan across the country and 700 million yuan around the world, and it seems that the second part will do the same or more this year. “Red Cliff 2” which centers on the epic Battle of Red Cliff during China's Three Kingdoms period (220-265) is John Woo’s ambitious epic that has featured impressive battle scenes, including one in which 2,000 ships are burned. The second part movie also has rushed past the 100 million yuan ($14.6 million) threshold in its five-day opening weekend in China only. It was very clearly that this "M:I II" director wanted to make a Chinese-language blockbuster that rivaled the Hollywood productions he worked on. And the Hong Kong native filmmaker obviously succeeded to putting the "epic" in "historical epic" in the second installment of his two-part series based on the famous ancient Chinese battle of the same name. Following a legendary story about a fight between the imperial army and two allied warring states, which won because of their superior military strategy despite being outnumbered. Now, the epic historical film is ready to purchase on the DVD version, so get ready to re-experiencing the "Red Cliff" part 2 with its more battles, more drama, and even more jaw dropping action.The ambitious Prime Minister Cao Cao, by using the Emperor as his puppet, waged war on a kingdom in the west, Xu, ruled by the emperor’s uncle, Liu Bei. Cao Cao’s ultimate goal was to wipe out all the kingdoms and install himself as Emperor to a unified China. Liu Bei sent his military advisor Zhuge Liang as an envoy to the Wu Kingdom in the south, trying to persuade its ruler Sun Quan into joining forces. There he met Wu’s Viceroy Zhou Yu, and the two became friends amidst this uneasy alliance.
Enraged to learn that the two kingdoms have become allies, Cao Cao sent an army of eight hundred thousand soldiers and two thousand ships down south, hoping to kill two birds with one stone. Cao Cao’s army set up camp at Crow Forest, across the Yangtze River from Red Cliff, where the allies were stationed.
With the food supply running short, and the army vastly outnumbered by Cao Cao’s, the allies seemed doomed. Zhou Yu and Zhuge Liang had to rely on their combined wisdom to turn the tide of battle. Numerous battles of wits and forces, on land and on water, eventually culminated into the most famous battle in Chinese history, where two thousand ships were burned, and the course of China’s history was changed forever. That was the Battle of Red Cliff.

MOVIE CAFE REVIEW:

While the first part was inclined more on storytelling, launching and interlacing together a colorful cast of characters, in this sequel, it pointing the focus on the final showdown, the epical battle that showed off Woo's mastery of some of the largest and most complex scenes in modern Chinese cinema. The war scenes are as impressive in scale as in detail. It probably the biggest, the longest, and the most extended battle scene you have ever seen in a Chinese movie. One of the most entertaining parts in this film is also seeing some cunning tricks played by both opponents, including the famous 'Borrowing the arrows using the scarecrows', which was one of the main highlight in Three Kingdoms. It also showed the rebel soldiers making bombs by packing explosives into clay urns, and extracting the oil from fish to use as an accelerant.
With facilitate from California-based CGI company, The Orphanage, Woo captures the splendor of the combat sequences best known to Chinese audiences — like the rebels burning the imperial army's fleet and sending in boats staffed with straw dummies to attract a sea of arrows.The only pitfall is that the battle's dazzleness overshadows Woo's characters, executed by strong presentations by Cannes-winning Hong Kong actor Tony Leung Chiu-wai as the rebel leader Zhou Yu; China's Zhang Fengyi as the imperial prime minister Cao Cao; and Japanese-Taiwanese heartthrob Takeshi Kaneshiro as the rebel military strategist Zhuge Liang.
The director also shows a penchant for melodrama when he sends Zhou's wife, played by Taiwanese model Lin Chi-ling, to seduce Cao. But the side plot only serves to bog down the narrative and delay the spectacular climax.

In conclusion, everyone should give Red cliff a try. It is entertaining with the intensity in it. It also quite exceptional, somewhat different from other war films. Those, who had experienced the previous part, absolutely should watch this because you will see Woo’s signature stamped in a lot of action sequences, which were muffled somewhat in the first installment.

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Portrait of a Beauty 2-Disc First Press Limited Edition DVD

2009-03-08T06:05:00.000-07:00

Portrait of a Beauty is a 2008 South Korean film directed by Jeon Yoon-soo. Adapted from the novel Painter of the Wind by Lee Jeong-myeong, the film portrays Joseon-era painter Shin Yoon-bok (better known by his pen name, Hyewon) as a being a woman disguised as a man. Sin Yoon-bok is a painter from the 18th century who is famous for his erotic and satirical paintings. In particular, ‘Beauty Island’ or ‘Miindo’ is a representative Korean belle painting similar in its mystery to Leonardo Da Vinci’s ‘Mona Lisa’ and Vermeer’s ‘Girl with the Pearl Earring.’ However, except for a family pedigree, no documents relating to the painter's life exists in the present day. “Portrait of a Beauty” aka “Miindo,” is a film that was based on a fictional story about Shin Yoon-bok’s prohibited love affair with the model of the miindo, and the price he had to pay with the vindictive punishment he received and the destruction of his documents.

Born to a family of established court painters, seven-year-old Yun-jeong is a young girl gifted at painting. However, the pressure is on her brother to carry on the proud family tradition, as women aren’t allowed to become professional painters. While her brother trains to take his place in the court, Yun-jeong helps him out by secretly painting for him. The little girl’s life is turned upside down when her brother kills himself.

In order to preserve the family honor, she is forced to take her brother’s name and lives as a man. Yun-bok’s genius and talent captures the heart of another great master of the time, Kim Hong-do. But her daring depictions of women are condemned by the royal institute as obscene. Yun-bok meets Kang-mu and falls deeply in love. For the first time, she feels the strong desire to abandon everything she has built and simply be a woman in front of the man she loves. Kang-mu sacrifices all for his love as well. Kim Hong-do, who loved the genius of his best student, ends up loving everything about her, and Seol-hwa, a Gisaeng at the courtesan house, possesses a love for Hong-do that turns into fatal jealousy. The secret behind Shin Yun-bok’s masterpiece, Portrait of a Beauty, is finally revealed after 250 years of silence.

A major television network has also followed suit by launching a drama series of the same title based on the novel. Both the novel and the drama are based on a wild supposition that Hyewon was a woman disguised as a man. This film also will paint him as a woman who trying to hide as a man, as a way to overcome the discrimination in heavily Neo-Confucian Joseon. This recent trend that depicted this painter as a woman, might be the result of his girlish penname “Hyewon” which meaning “a garden full with orchids” and his frequent portrayals of women. “The Portrait of a Beauty" itself seems to be a latecomer in the Hyewon frenzy, but the director Jeon who well known with his blockbuster "Le Grand Chef" (2007) which sold about 3 million tickets, set about the project several months earlier than the television adaptation.

Some Special Features included in the disc:

- Making of
- Production Design Featurette
- Costume Design Featurette
- Deleted Scenes with Director Commentary
- Poster Shoot
- Music Video
- Trailer

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The Good, The Bad, The Weird Special Edition DVD

2009-03-02T06:22:00.000-08:00

Set in the 1930s where guns and knives were rampant on a train, a miniature version of the kaleidoscopic and lawless Manchurian desert with various different ethnic groups entangled, three Korean men struggling through the turbulent times encounter each other by fate.

Do-won (JUNG Woo-sung) is a hunter who hunts anything for money including criminals with rewards on their heads. Chang-yi (LEE Byung-hun) is the leader of a group of bandits. He cannot stand to be second best. Tae-goo (SONG Kang-ho) is a self-commando train robber with nine lives. The three strangers start off on a chase across the continent to take possession of the strange map Tae-goo discovers while robbing the train. With different speculations on a mysterious map, the Japanese army and bandits also end up joining in the chase. In the midst of a great, unpredictable, mixed-up battle, who will stand in the end as the winner?

This Korea's biggest film of 2008, acclaimed kimchi western "The Good, The Bad, The Weird" now comes to DVD with sky-high anticipation and buzz, almost nine months after the Kim Ji-Woon directed film conquered the Korean cinemas.
Kim Jee-woon, who has an impressive track record of having successfully tackled a wide range of genres, from sports comedy (The Foul King) to horror (A Tale of Two Sisters) and European-style film noir (A Bittersweet Life), now turns his sight on the western. As one can surmise from the title, the movie is intended as a conscious homage to Sergio Leone's Eastwood triptych.

There is a lot of action in this film and it is very stylish and well choreographed but it is incredibly over the top, it goes from believable to completely ludicrous without pausing but as long as you go with the flow it is immensely enjoyable to watch. That said some of the the action scenes are too long and well done as they are they get a bit boring with the film perhaps being over-long for what it contains. The humour is brilliant, mostly coming from the antics of The Weird, as you'd expect, and that character is what makes this a good film, when he isn't involved it starts to take itself seriously and becomes a little dead, too much style not enough substance. It isn't a comedy though, the humour is spaced out between the action and violence with the plot being developed in a few interesting ways along the way.

Special Features:
Special Edition of The Good, The Bad, The Weird DVD comes with both the Korean Theatrical Cut and International Cut of the film, plus 181 minutes of special features:
Disc 1
- The Good, The Bad, The Weird Korean Theatrical Cut (136min)
- Audio Commentary by Director, Cinematographer, Art Director
Disc 2
- The Good, The Bad, The Weird International Cut (129min)
- Audio Commentary by Director, Song Kang Ho, Lee Byung Hun, Jung Woo Sung
Disc 3
- Making Of
- Interview with Director & Cast
- Cinematography, Lighting, Action, and Sound Featurette
- Production Design, Costume, and Set Featurette
- Deleted Scenes with Audio Commentary
- Character Featurette
- Trailer

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Memory - Taiwan Version DVD

2009-02-16T06:00:00.000-08:00

You want to see Ananda Everingham in another horror film after got frightened with "The Coffin" and "Shutter"? So, I think I would recommend this full of suspense film titled "Memory."
Everingham is well-known as Thailands answer to Orlando Bloom, he is a very busy actor in Thailand with at least five movies that have been released on last year alone, including Nonzee Nimibutr's long-awaited epic fantasy "Queen of Langkasuka." Directed by Torpong Tunkamhang (Seven Days to Leave My Wife), "Memory." co-stars Mai Charoenpura and Parujee Khemsawad. This film can describe as a sexy, slick, psychological thriller with possibly some supernatural horrors in it.

Plot:
One night, a police department receives a call complaining about the screaming from a house. It seems like a sound of a little girl tortured by someone. From there the police investigation starts. The police found Ingorn (Mai Charoenpura), the 30-something land lady, just moving in with her 7 years old daughter, Pear. The daughter appears to have a mental condition; she has bruises all over her body, which is more likely to be a subject of abusive behavior. In the meantime, Ingorn insists on not letting her daughter have a thorough check-up at the hospital. Yet according to parental law, she has to allow her daughter to see a psychiatrist. This is the first time for Krid (Ananda Everingham) to meet with Ingorn and her daughter, Pear. Krid, at the same time, feel deeply sorry for a little girl as he sees fear and anxiety in her eyes. During the therapy, Ingorn mentions her daughter's paranoid delusion, while Pear claims that she is possessed by a spirit of a boy who haunts and hurt her. From the fact the Pear is in the same age as Krid's son, Krid feels a deep connection with her but the more he bonds with Ingorn's family, the more he senses something eerie about the house. Moreover, there's something unexplainably peculiar. Ingorn's mood swing, Pear's strange upbringing and the mysterious fingerprint mark on Pear's arm. All this bothers Krid in so many ways. But what cause this dilemma? Only Krid has an answer for this twisted story.

DVD Specifications:
Product Title: Memory (DVD) (Taiwan Version)
Release Date: 2009-02-10 (SAVE YOUR COPY)
Language: Thai
Subtitles: Traditional Chinese
Picture Format: NTSC
Aspect Ratio: 1.78 : 1
Sound Information: Dolby Digital 5.1
Region Code: 3 - South East Asia (including Hong Kong, S. Korea and Taiwan)
Duration: 93 (mins)

Ip Man 2 Disc Special Edition DVD

2009-02-09T05:28:00.000-08:00

If you like martial arts films, especially Kung Fu, you better watch “Ip Man” because you're gonna love it. And for everyone who don't have a time to watch this wonderful movie when it appear at the cinema, just don't worry, because it's now has packed for you in a collectible 2 Discs Special Edition DVD.
“Ip Man,” is a biography adaptation of the grand master of the Wing Chun style of kung fu and sifu (master) of legendary kung fu superstar Bruce Lee. To this date there have been neither movies nor publications about Ip Man, and this film has been the first essential testimony of the master’s days. Ip’s persistent devotion to Wing Chun is a classic example of the love and respect shown to wushu and the freedom and spirit it represents. This movie will see the making of a modern wushu master representative of Chinese people worldwide. Ip Man is a concept, a spirit, a way of thinking – and it represents a new peak in Hong Kong’s wushu movies. To re-presenting the form of the master, one of the most popular current Kung Fu stars, Donnie Yen, has chosen and he indicated that he’s taking a more down-to-earth approach in portraying on the screen the life of this legendary grandmaster of martial arts as well as his rich spiritual world, as well as presenting scintillating, fresh martial arts choreography. With the director seat has taken by Wilson Yip, it's mean this film has become the fourth collaboration between the "golden team" Wilson Yip and Donnie Yen. Together with his script writer, Yip would reflect the life of Ip Man from 1930s to 1940s, when he's in his prime, "Ip Man came from an affluent family and was deeply engrossed in the studies and research of martial arts. At this time, his family undergoes severe changes, losing all its wealth. He has no choice but to take part in resistance activities, stirring up the folks to rise up against invasion. How would he and his friends and families go through trials in life, all these are in the movie."In the 1930s, Foshan thrives as the hub of Chinese wushu, with various sects actively recruiting disciples. They often compete against each other to prove their strengths.
While Ip Man (Donnie Yen) is an accomplished martial artist, he is unassuming and keeps a low-profile, and doesn't run any martial arts school nor accept students. He only stays at home, quietly sparring with his compatriots in friendly competitions, swapping pointers with each other.
One day, Ip Man is challenged by Master Liao (Chen Zhi Hui), who just set up a wushu school, in a closed match. Yip Man's buddy Martial Zealot Lin (Xing Yu), who witnessed the entire fight, tells everyone about Master Liu losing. Seeing it as a public humiliation, Master Liao gets into disputes with Yip Man.
Henchmen of Jin Shan Zhao (Fan Siu Wong) are going around challenging various wushu schools in Foshan. In one fight, Martial Zealot Lin is mortally wounded. Ip Man comes to his rescue, only to be stopped by Jin Shan Zhao. Everyone gathers around to watch the match whereby Ip Man dispenses the latter with ease using four Wing Chun Forms: fist, footwork, blade and cudgel.
Ip Man becomes an instant hero and there develops a craze for Wing Chun in Foshan.
Following Japanese invasion in 1937, everyone's life is adversely affected. Ip Man's property is confiscated and his family is forced to live in a decrepit house. Being one with strong pride, Ip Man refuses charity from his wealthy friend Zhou Qing Quan (Simon Yam), owner of a cotton mill, opting instead to work as a coolie at a coal mine to sustain his family.
One day, General Miura (Hiroyuki Ikeuchi), together with his troops, arrives. As a fanatical practitioner in martial arts himself, he sets up an arena, offering rice as a reward. However, to another high-ranking Japanese officer Sato's (Shibuya Tenma) mind, they cannot afford to lose, they must preserve Japanese superiority and dignity.

Product Title: Ip Man (DVD) (2-Disc Special Edition) (Hong Kong Version)
Artist Name(s): Donnie Yen | Simon Yam | Gordon Lam | Fan Siu Wong | Ikeuchi Hiroyuki | Wong Yau Nam | Xing Yu
Director: Wilson Yip
Action Director: Sammo Hung
Release Date: 2009-02-13 (Save your Copy)
Language: Cantonese, Mandarin
Subtitles: English, Traditional Chinese
Country of Origin: Hong Kong
Picture Format: NTSC
Aspect Ratio: Widescreen
Close Caption: Yes
Sound Information: DTS Digital Surround, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital EX(TM) / THX Surround EX(TM)
Disc Format(s): DVD-9, DVD-5, DVD
Region Code: All Region
Duration: 107 (mins)
Publisher: Universe Laser (HK)
Other Information: 2DVDs

I think this movie is one of the best martial arts movie ever made, and probably the best and meaningful ones among all the Chinese movies I’ve watched. It even has surpassed “Fearless” as my previous favorite martial arts hero biopic. So, there I just recommend this amazing film, "Ip Man" which chronicles the Chinese wing chun legend who was master to Bruce Lee among others. This movie is a biopic of the martial arts founder, starring ass-kicking Donnie Yen ("Flash Point" "Dragon Tiger Gate", "Painted Skin") who also had flawlessly interpreted the title character. This movie also the first important record of the master's life, Ip's persistent devotion to Wing Chun is a classic example of the love and respect shown to wushu and the freedom and spirit it represents. Ip Man (not Internet Protocol Man) is a concept, a spirit, a way of thinking - and it exemplifies a new peak in Hong Kong's wushu movies. While the storyline of the movie is nothing sort of original, a local hero establishes his credentials as top martial artist for miles around, fights pretenders, bandits and smug colonizers to preserve the land’s (and therefore his own) honour and dignity. Nevertheless, the direction of the movie is implausible, there is never a moment where you hoped the movie was faster or slower. Even during the certain poignant scenes that were meant for character development, it was well done, making you feel for the characters involved. Also one surely thing about this film is that you absolutely gonna fall in love with the great choreography direction, it super fast and sharp move, I love every fight scene in this film. It’s something different from the other action movie that Donnie Yen plays, which usually is very fast, extreme, and powerful sometimes exaggerating movements, but in “Ip Man,” his movement are more on the ’softer’ side, small movements, multiple blows, awesome stances.

The Coffin Taiwan Version DVD

2009-01-27T05:22:00.000-08:00

Inspired by a true controversial ritual of lying in coffins to get rid of bad luck and prolong lives, Thai creepy story “The Coffin” has broken the record for Best Opening Day for all other Thai horror films previously held by 'Shutter'. It’s written and directed by Singapore-based Thai director Ekachai Uekrongtham (Beautiful Boxer, Pleasure Factory), the Karen Mok (Shaolin Soccer) and Ananda Everingham (Shutter) starrer has earlier topped the Box Office chart in Thailand when it opened in August last year. Described by Time Out Magazine as a "scream gem" and 8 Days Magazine as "a poised spine-tingler, 'The Coffin' tells a thrilling, mysterious and moving story of an architect and a dietician who decide to go through the ritual to cheat death only to be faced with a series of strange and terrifying incidents afterwards. Now, it’s up for your order in the DVD shelf, so you can watch this quite unique horror movie again which does not only give the spook factor, but to make us reflect and think about our life.
While “The Coffin” is not strictly a Thai film, but a co-production between Thailand's Live Inc. and NGR, Hong Kong's Global Entertainment Group and Singapore's Scorpio East Pictures, it once again showcased the unique style of Ekachai who’s quickly built a reputation as one of his country’s promised young director, thanks to his two previous films “Beautiful Boxer” and “Pleasure Factory”, a pair of films that combine sensational storylines - a transgender boxer in one, sex trade workers in the other - with sensitivity and serious dramatic chops.

The spine-chilling horror tells a story about a young man and a young woman who decide to go through the ritual in Thailand. Chris (Ananda Everingham), an architect who is extremely claustrophobic but with hope to lengthen his girlfriend’s (Aki Shibuya)life, Chris decides to overcome his fear by being in the coffin. Zoe (Karen Mok), a nutritionist, takes care of her health religiously. However, only 2 weeks before marrying her fiancé (Andrew Lin), Zoe finds out that she’s in the final stage of lung cancer. Zoe then runs away to Thailand and discovers the coffin ceremony and decides to participate in order to save her own life. Chris and Zoe are confronted by a series of paranormal and terrifying incidents. Both might have to sacrifice their lives to unfold the truth.

Product Title: The Coffin (DVD) (Taiwan Version)
Language: English, Thai, Chinese
Subtitles: Traditional Chinese
Picture Format: NTSC, 1.78 : 1
Region Code: 3 - South East Asia (including Hong Kong, S. Korea and Taiwan)
Release Date: 2009-01-26 (Save your copy)

Referred to in Thailand as "Non Loeng Sadorcro" which literally means Lie in Coffin, Rid of Bad Luck, the ritual involves participants lying in coffins while a group of monks perform death rites as if the participants are already dead. This is then followed by a chant of a new life. Many participants had said they felt as if they were reborn after the ritual with bad karma buried behind them. But this death rite for the living is not without its detractors. Some brand it as an occult practice while others consider it a bad omen to lie in a coffin when one is still alive.
Ekachai stumbled upon the idea for his new film after hearing about the mass funeral for the living where thousands turned up at a North Eastern temple in Thailand to lie in coffins and go through the ritual. "Personally, I find the ritual frightening yet intriguing", says Ekachai. "Can one really cheat death by confronting it? Can bad karma actually be reversed or gotten rid of by lying in a coffin?" Adds Ekachai, "The ritual became fodder for a story which deals with our fear of death – our own as well as the death of people we love." The film was shot over two months in Bangkok and five other provinces across Thailand. Filming locations include a 100-year-old Thai temple, an ancient meditation cave, actual cemeteries and inside active crematorium chambers.

The Divine Weapon: Korea Version DVD

2009-01-17T21:13:00.000-08:00

“The Divine Weapon” is another South Korean effort to have fun with risky historical fiction business and also a highly anticipated epic dramatization of the world's first multi-launch rocket system invented during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). It becomes one of the highest-grossing Korean films of 2008, fusion period epic "The Divine Weapon" conquered the box office with a spectacular tale of rousing battles and gritty heroics.
This war epic directed by Kim Yoo-Jin (Wild Card) will tell the story of an overmatched Korean army trying to develop an explosive arrow launcher to hold off the expansionist Ming Dynasty army. Now, the DVD version of the film is ready to purchase, available in 2 Discs English Sub First Press Limited Edition Korea Version DVD.
Have a promo screening at last Cannes Film Festival, “The Devine Weapon” has an all star cast of JUNG Jae-young, AHN Sung-ki, HUH Joon-ho, and HAN Eun-jung, the top actors on television also on the big screen. Set as a massive project that cost 10 billion won ($9.8 million) and took almost 6 years to produce, “Divine” somewhat will be more refreshing, particularly given that many people have stereotypes regarding the Joseon period. About the sophisticated military weapon that is not well known among Koreans, much less foreigners itself, it was called "singijeon," which means "ghost-like machine arrow" in Korean. Once out of the launcher, the fire-arrows were set to detonate automatically near the target area. Manufactured from the early 15th to mid-16th century, the singijeon was often used in the northern frontiers, and played a pivotal role in fending off invasions. The high-powered firearm was used in the southern provinces to keep the Japanese sea-borne marauders at bay. Historical documents show that the singijeon was capable of firing as many as 100 fire arrows or explosive grenades. Its long-range firepower tended to catch the enemy off-guard. The fire arrow contained a device equipped with gunpowder and shrapnel. Director Kim said the production team restored the original singijeon with the help of experts, but noticed that it was difficult to control the rocket-launcher system. "It was very challenging to run the restored rocket system, and my impression is that our forefathers had better technology in dealing with the timed detonation for the singijeon," Kim said.

Set in 1448, the 30th year of Sejong’s reign, the film begins when the Ming dynasty’s meddling into Joseon’s domestic affairs goes to extremes and Sejong secretly plans to develop Singijeon, a rocket weapon upgraded from Goryeo’s firearms technology. The Ming finds out and quickly dispatches assassins to attack the research lab, but CHOI Hae-san, the man in charge of the project, destroys himself along with the research materials to protect the weapon’s secret. His daughter Hong-li (HAN Eun-jung) barely escapes but loses the Chong-tong Records (Singijeon’s blueprints) to the Ming assassins. As the Ming’s diplomatic pressure increases on Joseon for making the Singijeon, Sejong commands Chang-gang, the chief royal guard warrior, to take the only person with the potential to complete the Singijeon, Hong-li, safely to Sul-ju (JUNG Jae-young), a peddler. The son of the top engineer of Hwa-tong-do-gam (place for making gunpowder and firearms–or a weapons factory in today’s language) at the end of Goryeo dynasty, Sul-ju is an exceedingly intelligent man with the top martial art skills in Joseon. He rejects Joseon as a descendant of Goryeo migrants and lives as the head of a merchant gang. He refuses Chang-gang’s command to help construct the Singijeon, but in order to save his gang from a fight with rivals, he is forced to join Hong-li in seeing the Singijeon completed. Desperate to understand the facts of Singijeon, the Ming sends an army disguised as a large envoy to intimidate Sejong and the court. Meanwhile, the Ming army sets out to find Sul-ju’s headquarters and completely destroy the slightest possibilities of developing Singijeon. After repeated failures in the project, Sul-ju risks his life to recover the Chong-tong Records for Hong-li. However, he starts to have second thoughts as his comrades are sacrificed in battles. At last, as they are moments away from the completion of Singijeon, the Ming and Yeo-jin alliance army of 100,000 heads for Eui-ju, Joseon. In order to stop the war, Sejong hands Hong-li and the Chong-tong Records to the Ming envoy and even Sul-ju is imprisoned by the court...

DVD Specifications:
Product Title: The Divine Weapon (DVD) (First Press Limited Edition) (Korea Version) (DVD)
Language: Korean
Subtitles: Korean, English
Screen Format: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35:1, NTSC
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital 5.1 & DTS
Region Code: 3 - South East Asia (including Hong Kong, S. Korea and Taiwan)
Special Features:
Disc 1 :
- Commentary
Disc 2 :
- Making of
- Action Space
- Divine Weapon
- Real Story
- Trailer
Release Date: 2009-01-24 (Save your copy)