Cinemaniac Mark

  Now on Blu-ray from 88 Films is ROSA (1986), a Hong Kong buddy cop action comedy with Yuen Biao and Lowell Lo protecting the girlfriend of a mob witness, with baddies Dick Wei and James Tien out to silence any who know of their dastardly deeds! Features two kick-ass fight melees and a bit of non-PC Hong Kong farce. Currently 35% off at Amazon: https://amzn.to/490oZvz (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.) Full review here:

  88 Films brings the sequel to THE PEACOCK KING (1988) to Blu-ray, SAGA OF THE PHOENIX (1989), starring Yuen Biao, Abe Hiroshi, Gloria Yip, and a Salacious Crumb-looking muppet, in a tale of otherworldly supernatural forces engaging in fireball-shooting, palm energy beams, Kung Fu, and frolicking through fields. It's pretty nutty. Currently 30% off at Amazon: https://amzn.to/3L26KOk (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.) Full review here:

  Eureka Entertainment delivers three times the Sammo with TRIPLE THREAT: THREE FILMS WITH SAMMO HUNG, featuring three lesser-known Golden Harvest films from one of the icons of Hong Kong action cinema. In THE MANCHU BOXER (1974), Sammo has the smallest role of the three films on the set, as a thug hired by a Kung Fu master with poor sportsmanship ideals, who hires Mr. Hung and another thug to take out contestants in a rural martial arts tournament. Old-school Kung Fu with some nice choreography by Sammo. In PAPER MARRIAGE (1988), Sammo co-stars with Maggie Cheung as an average Hong Kong guy, living in the U.S. (really Canada), who agrees to a sham Green Card marriage with Maggie in order to make some money that will allow him to avoid a beating by debt collectors and not have to fall back on his skills as an underground kickboxer. Pleasant mismatched romantic comedy that saves the majority of its action for a wild last 10 minutes, set in a giant mall with a pirate ship and waters...

  Eureka Entertainment brings to Blu-ray a little-discussed 80s Hong Kong survival horror film, THE ISLAND (1985), wherein a group of college students and their professor plan a 3 hour tour of a remote island for sight-seeing, and wind up the prey of a demented family with sinister intentions. Think HILLS HAVE EYES and MOTHER'S DAY, Hong Kong style. Get your copy now from Amazon at: https://amzn.to/4hEdrSK (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.) Full review here:

  Eureka Entertainment brings the 80s Hong Kong heroic bloodshed action melodrama FLAMING BROTHERS (1986) to Blu-ray in a fantastic transfer, bringing to light an underseen gem in the Hong Kong action filmography, starring Chow-Yun Fat and Alan Tang. Get your copy now from Amazon at: https://amzn.to/4psu8Ek (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.) Full review here:

88 Films brings the Shaw Brothers melodrama HONG KONG, HONG KONG (1983) to Blu-ray, an interesting change of pace from the martial arts mayhem usually associated with the studio. Get your copy now from Amazon at: https://amzn.to/42fvyXP (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases) Full review here:

  If you're hankering for a solid 80s Hong Kong female asskicker of a Kung Fu comedy, look no further than THE LADY IS THE BOSS (1983), a high-spirited Shaw Brothers entry from star and director Lau Kar-Leung, out on Blu-ray from 88 Films. What happens when a down-on-its-luck Hong Kong martial arts school welcomes their esteemed leader back from abroad, only to find he sent his twentysomething, hip daughter instead? As many ribs are tickled as cracked in this culture clash comedy with expert fight choreography that includes dance club and BMX Fu! Get your copy now from Amazon at: https://amzn.to/3FAEsaD (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.) Full review here:

  A young Jackie Chan is featured in the 1973 Shaw Brothers erotic/comedic/dramatic/supernatural semi-anthology film FACETS OF LOVE, about the various goings-on over the years in a Chinese brothel. 88 Films' transfer is top-notch as usual, looking like the film was shot yesterday. Light extras, but nice to have a rarity like this in such a nice presentation. Get your copy now from Amazon at: https://amzn.to/40215MU (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.) Full review here:

  From 88 Films comes the 1979 YOJIMBO-inspired martial arts ass-kicker THE KUNG FU INSTRUCTOR, with Ti Lung as a master of "Shaolin Pole" (ahem), who flees his village after the delicate balance between warring clans is upset, with the evil victors hot on his trail to learn his powerful technique. Another great transfer and killer Fu to be found in this one. Get your copy now from Amazon at: https://amzn.to/3ZsMhpm (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.) Full review here:

  Eureka Entertainment brings Angela Mao's final film for Golden Harvest to Blu-ray, the ass-kicking, face-fisting, scorpion-tossing BROKEN OATH (1977), a Hong Kong remake of Japan's LADY SNOWBLOOD, in which Mao seeks revenge on those who brought her parents to a dark fate. Mao is outstanding in acting and action here, the transfer looks great, and a LOT of scorpions are flung. Get your copy now from Amazon at: https://amzn.to/4g80tuM (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.) Full review here:

88 Films continues to wow fans of classic Hong Kong action cinema with their new 4K+Blu-ray edtion of two 80s 成龍 Jackie Chan classics, THE PROJECT A COLLECTION. The films look amazing, presented in various international edits and dubs, and contain action that set helped set a standard that's rarely been matched since. See Jackie, Sammo Hung, and Yuen Biao fight pirates in PROJECT A (1983), and Jackie go solo against corrupt cops and MORE pirates, along with Maggie Cheung and Rosamund Kwan in PROJECT A II (1987), then get comfy for hours of extras old and new, and a hefty (and heavily illustrated) booklet. Toss the bootlegs and previous editions, this one's the keeper. Get your copy now from Amazon at: https://amzn.to/4epm3t1 (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.) Full review here:

  A quick pre-review look at upcoming October 22nd - November 26th, 2024 releases (with Amazon links for full specs and purchasing):  BROKEN OATH (1977), starring Angela Mao, on Blu-ray from Eureka! Entertainment (Street Date: 10/22/24):  https://amzn.to/3zKevCY   KUNG FU RASCALS (1992) on Blu-ray from Visual Vengeance (Street Date: 10/22/24):  https://amzn.to/3XPQwdM   HOLLYWOOD 90028 (1973) on Blu-ray from Grindhouse Releasing (Street Date: 11/26/24):  https://amzn.to/4dwdlsH   Reviews coming soon! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

  At long last! Here's my deep dive into the amazing Severin Films boxed set THE GAME OF CLONES BRUCEPLOITATION COLLECTION VOL. 1, an essential masterclass on the bizarre sub-genre of Bruce Lee knockoff films. Bruce Le, Bruce Li, Dragon Lee and more assemble to fend of fierce foes with furious fists and dragonly deeds! 14 films (16 if you grab the limited edition set with the bonus disc before it's gone), insightful and entertaining extras, badass fu and some unforgettable films (I'm looking at you, THE DRAGON LIVES AGAIN...) make this essential for fans of martial arts and cult cinema. Can't wait for Volume 2! Get your copy now from Amazon at: https://amzn.to/4d086RE (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.) Full review here:

  Eureka Entertainment brings the Hong Kong action/trickster drama THE DOUBLE CROSSERS (1976) to Blu-ray, looking great and filled with enlightening extras. What do you do when criminal baddies kill your father? Get together with an old pal and work your way up the mob pagoda with your fits, wits, and confidence schemes! Get your copy now from Amazon at: https://amzn.to/3WSQ5i2 (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.) Full review here:

  88 Films releases 1986's Hong Kong action explosion ROYAL WARRIORS to Blu-ray as a stand-alone disc, previously part of their IN THE LINE OF DUTY series boxed set. Michelle Yeoh joins forces with Michael Wong and Hiroyuki Sanada to foil an assassination attempt on a plane, only to find themselves the targets of old army buddies of the assassin they just took out. Crazy action and everything you want in a Hong Kong flick of this era. Get your copy now from Amazon at: https://amzn.to/4dv0Jmy (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.) Full review here:

  88 Films wraps up the original IN THE LINE OF DUTY series of Hong Kong action extravaganzas with Cynthia Khan returning as a Hong Kong cop, joining forces with US lawmen Donnie Yen and Michael Wong, attempting to secure a witness to murder who's being hunted by people on both sides of the law. Stunning action, with a pinch of Chan-esque choreography to lighten the mood here and there. Get your copy now from Amazon at: https://amzn.to/3YC7lur (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.) Full review here:

88 Films continues their stand-alone releases of the IN THE LINE OF DUTY series (initially released as a boxed set) with IN THE LINE OF DUTY III (1988) on Blu-ray. Cynthia Khan stars as a cop on the trail of a male/female jewel heist team, and crazy chaotic carnage ensues, with jaw-dropping and must-rewind action throughout.Get your copy now from Amazon at: https://amzn.to/3YGTW4F (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.) Full review here:

  88 Films brings the final film in the INSPECTOR WEARS SKIRTS series to Blu-ray with THE INSPECTOR WEARS SKIRTS 4 (1992), this time finding the S.K.I.R.T.S. team on the brink of being disbanded, with original team members being brought back to train a new squad and deal with a hostage crisis. Perhaps the goofiest entry in the series, with a hilarious gross-out final freeze-frame. I loved it! Get your copy now from Amazon at: https://amzn.to/3RR5gqD (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.) Full review here:

  88 Films continues their series of restorations of the Hong Kong answer to the POLICE ACADEMY series with THE INSPECTOR WEARS SKIRTS 3, another action-filled ribald romp with the S.K.I.R.T.S. team, an all-female elite division of the police force, this time hitting the high seas to take out the baddies on a floating casino. Goofy comedy and great action in a series that to me, keeps getting better. With Sandra Ng, Amy Yip, Sibelle Hu, Kara Wai, Stanly Sui-Fan Fung, and Fui-On Shing. Available on Blu-ray now. Get your copy now from Amazon at: https://amzn.to/4buDhUo (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Full review here:

88 Films goes back to the Hong Kong police academy with their Blu-ray release of THE INSPECTOR WEARS SKIRTS 2 (1989), a star-studded action comedy with the female members of the S.K.I.R.T.S. team training a new batch of recruits including Amy Yip, as they go toe to toe with their male counterparts over which team is tops. Featuring stunts by the Jackie Chan Stunt Team. Get your copy now from Amazon at: https://amzn.to/3J0Uc5q (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.) Full review here: