easternKicks.com – how do you get yours?

The first of Yukihiko Tsutsumi’s three-part adaption of Nakoi Urasawa’s 20 million copy selling 2oth Century Boys is released today – check it out! (Sorry, no English Subs!)

You can read our review of 2oth Century Boys here »

Next Monday quite possibly the best martial arts/kung fu film ever finally makes its way on to DVD in UK! (more…)

Director Shin-Yun Won’s darkly comic thriller, described as ‘A heady blend of Deliverance and Old Boy’ is showing at the ICA cinema, London. Click here for more details and to book screenings.

Bit slow bringing you this news, but the Tartan label – whose responsible Asia Extreme label was responsible for exposing many of us to Asian classics such as Ring, Audition and Happiness of the Katakuris – has closed as of the end of last month… (more…)

Wong Kar-wai returns to his 1994 classic to produce a definite version – but is it really any better…? (more…)

Asia House in partnership with Curzon Cinemas launches the inaugural Asia House Festival of Asian Film beginning 22 August. It will premiere films from Singapore, South Korea, Iran, Indonesia and China, including 881, Seven Days and Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon. The festival celebrates the best in Asian cinema, showcasing films that have been critically acclaimed at recent film festivals and providing the first and possibly only opportunity to see these films in the UK.

All screenings take place at 6.30pm at the RENOIR Cinema, The Brunswick in London. See www.asiahouse.org for more details »

Yes yes, surely we all know that by now? Could this be just another excuse to play our exclusive trailer intro by the lovely Jamie Chung?

(Ahem, well what do you think?)

Long regarded as one of the best examples of Anime, Blood: The Last Vampire is set to ignite screens alight with a whole new live-action version. Directed by Chris Nahon, responsible for the only decent Jet Li US vehicle Kiss Of The Dragon and featuring fight choreography by Li favourite Corey Yuen (So Close, Fong Sai Yuk), the film has a seriously good pedigree making it one of the most anticipated live-action adaptations of any anime ever produced.

Check out the trailer and see what you think!

More clips and trailers coming soon…!

From Su-chang Kong, director of the critically acclaimed Korean shocker R-Point, comes The Guard Post (aka GP506), a similarly genre-bending foray into the cinema of fear that further cements his reputation as one of the most original filmmakers working in Asian cinema today.

The Guard Post is released on Blu-ray in the UK on 28 December from Cine Asia.

Read our review here »

As the UK gears up for the release of Chocolate, Showbox / Cine-Asia have released a new clip where the filmmakers pay affectionate tribute to the icehouse scene in Bruce Lee’s The Big Boss. The film will make its official London theatrical debut on 24th October, before being launched on DVD and Blu-Ray on 3rd November.

You can read our review of Chocolate here »

At last! After the increasing interest in Thai action film Chocolate, starring martial arts star in the making JeeJa Yanin, is on limited release in London today at the ICA Cinema, ahead of the DVD and Blu-ray release on Monday 3 November. You can see details of the screenings and book here.

Read our review of Chocolate here »

The UK release for Ong-Bak director Prachya Pinkaew’s latest have finally been officially announced. Following a couple of festival engagements during the next few weeks, the film will make its official London theatrical debut on 24th October, before being launched on DVD and Blu-Ray on 3rd November.

Chocolate introduces the latest female Muay Thai sensation, JeeJa Yanin, and is a non-stop martial arts action extravaganza about a young girl whose uncanny ability to mimic the combat skills of her heroes Tony Jaa, Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee has made her an unlikely but awesome fighting force.

You can read our review of Chocolate here »

It’s been creating a buzz of anticipation since its production was first announced in late-2006, and now the Japanese movie event of the decade, 20TH CENTURY BOYS, is finally here.

Based on the hugely successful, award winning manga series created by Naoki Urasawa (Yawara; Monster), 20TH CENTURY BOYS is the first instalment of the mind-blowing, three-part live-action adaptation of the epic sci-fi fantasy adventure originally inspired by the T. Rex song of the same name.

Directed by Yukihiko Tsutsumi (Sushi King Goes To New York; Happily Ever After; Keizoku: The Movie) and starring Toshiaki Karasawa (Casshern), 20TH CENTURY BOYS’ epic storyline spans 50 years and several continents, factors that necessitated a budget of 6 billion yen for the trilogy – an unprecedented figure for the Japan film industry.

Japan, 1973. Elementary school kid Kenji Endo (Toshiaki Karasawa) and his small gang of young friends pass the long, boring summer days fantasizing about fighting world-threatening super villains and then recording their fictional crime-fighting exploits in their own ‘Book of Prophecies’.

Almost thirty years later, and now adults with families, jobs and responsibilities that have caused them to drift apart, their lives are turned upside down when one of the former friends dies mysteriously and an entire family from Kenji’s local neighbourhood goes missing. Further afield, a bizarre religious cult is growing in popularity and appears to be connected to a strange chain of catastrophic events that unbelievably appear to be duplicating the imaginary events recorded in the ‘Book of Prophecies’ decades earlier. Disturbed by what he initially believes could only be a coincidence, Kenji reunites the group of childhood friends and attempts to unravel the mystery. The investigation reveals a shocking and sinister conspiracy that seeks to fulfil a doomsday prophecy on the eve of the new millennium. As their renewed friendship is tested in a world gripped by global terrorism and hysteria, Kenji and his companions find themselves involved in a spectacular showdown as a giant robotic machine threatens the city of Shinjuku!

And that’s merely the start of the compelling three-part saga in what has become one of the most highly anticipated, must-see sci-fi movie trilogies since “The Matrix” series.

A national phenomenon in Japan and a huge hit internationally, Urasawa’s 24-volume sci-fi fantasy manga has sold over 20 million copies worldwide, with the film attaining similar success by becoming one of the country’s biggest box office hits of 2008.

20TH CENTURY BOYS (cert. 15) will open at selected UK cinemas on 20th February 2009.

Long regarded as one of the best examples of Anime, Blood: The Last Vampire is set to ignite screens alight with a whole new live-action version. Directed by Chris Nahon, responsible for the only decent Jet Li US vehicle Kiss Of The Dragon and featuring fight choreography by Li favourite Corey Yuen (So Close, Fong Sai Yuk), the film has a seriously good pedigree making it one of the most anticipated live-action adaptations of any anime ever produced.

Blood: The Last Vampire is released in UK cinemas on 26 June 2009 by Pathe.

Enter our cometition and win a DVD and t-shirt!

Dragonball: Evolution is the long-awaited, live-action motion picture based on the popular Japanese manga created by Akira Toriyama. Toriyama’s work spawned best selling graphic novels, videogames and a phenomenally successful television series.

The live action adventure centers on the heroic Goku (Justin Chatwin – War of the Worlds), a powerful warrior who discovers his inner strength and protects the Earth from an evil rogue bent on dominating the Universe and controlling the mystical objects from which the film takes its name.

Dragonball: Evolution will be released in cinemas around the UK on 8 April.

Nominated for Best Film at the 2008 Sitges International Fantasy Film Festival, Yim Phil-Sung’s Hansel And Gretel is a visually stunning and truly affecting fable about the destruction of childhood dreams, the loss of innocence and the power of the imagination to overcome life’s horrors will released by Terracotta Distribution at selected UK cinemas on 16th January 2008.

You can read our review here »

From Fumihiko Sori, the director of Vexille and Ping Pong, comes the period martial arts action saga, ICHI, a bold, gender-bending reimagining of the classic Zatoichi series of films and TV shows. Originally created by novelist Kan Shimozawa, the eponymous hero – a blind masseur and master swordsman – has traditionally been a male character (previously played by stars such as Shintaro Katsu, Takeshi Kitano and, in Blind Fury, by Rutger Hauer). In a refreshing break from tradition that adds an intriguing twist to the story, Sori’s ICHI stars actress Haruka Ayase (Hero) in the title role playing a young and beautiful blind musician who also happens to be an adept swordswoman.

Travelling the country in search of the blind swordsman who raised her as a child and passed on his fighting skills to her before mysteriously leaving her life, Ichi is constantly struggling to deal with those eager to take advantage of her disability. During her quest she encounters and is threatened by a brutal gang of bandits. Another passing wanderer, Toma (Takao Osawa), steps in to rescue Ichi but finds he is the one being saved when she reveals a samurai sword hidden inside her walking stick and effortlessly despatches their attackers. The slaying of the bandits brings the wrath of their leader, Banki (Shido Nakamura), down upon Ichi and Toma and they reluctantly become embroiled in a battle for control of a village between Banki’s gang and the local yakuza. However, Ichi’s initial feelings about her involvement changes when she discovers Banki may know the whereabouts of the man she is seeking.

Co-starring Shido Nakamura (Red Cliff; Letters From Iwo Jima), Yosuke Kubozuka (Ping Pong) and Takao Osawa (Sky High), and with fight choreography by Hiroshi Kuze (responsible for the amazing sword fights in many of Akira Kurosawa’s epics, including Ran) and a superb musical score by award winning composer Lisa Gerrard (Gladiator), ICHI is a sublime and welcome addition to the Zatoichi movie canon.

ICHI (cert. 15 tbc) is released by Manga Entertainment and opens at ICA London from 7 July, and selected UK cinemas on 10 July 2009.

UK cinema release, Optimum Releasing.

Wong Kar-wai’s first English language film, My Blueberry Nights, starring Norah Jones, gets a UK release on 22 February 2008.

The official site can be found here:
http://www.myblueberrynightsmovie.co.uk/

With a cast including Tony Leung, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Zhao Wei, Zhang Fengyi and Chen Chang, Red Cliff looks like a real return to form for director John Woo, whose last Chinese movie was Hard Boiled. Originally released in China as two movies, the Western version has been edited down into a more concise, two and a half hour version that hopefully gets rid of the slow start to the original without losing integral plots or characterisation (here’s hoping!).

Red Cliff is released by Entertainment Films at the Vue West End and nationwide around the UK on 12 June 2009.

The Forbidden Kingdom, starring Jakie Chan and Jet Li, is released in UK cinemas on 9 July* 2008 by Lionsgate.

(*Originally Friday, 11 July.)

Based on one of the most popular and most frequently adapted modern stories in Japanese literature (‘Paprika’ author Yasutaka Tsutsui’s 1965 novel ‘Toki o Kakeru Shojo’), the award winning, feature-length anime The Girl Who Leapt Through Time comes to the UK boasting an unrivalled pedigree of creative talent.

Produced by Madhouse Studio (Paprika; Millennium Actress; Perfect Blue), directed by Studio Ghibli veteran Mamoru Hosoda (director of Digimon: The Movie and the originally intended director of Howl’s Moving Castle before Hayao Miyazaki took the reins), with art direction by longtime Ghibli art director Nizou Yamamoto (Princess Mononoke; Little Nemo: Adventures In Slumberland) and character design by Yoshiyuki Sadamoto (Neon Genesis Evangelion), The Girl Who Leapt Through Time was the first ever recipient of the Japanese Academy’s newly formed Best Animation Film Award in 2007.

The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (cert. PG) is released by Manga Entertainment and will open at selected UK cinemas on 19th September 2008.

Kim Jee-woon’s fun-packed The Good, The Bad, The Weird – starring Song Kang-Ho, Lee Byung-Hun, Jung Woo-Sung and Uhm Ji-won – will be released in UK cinema’s on 6 February 2009.

You can read our review here »

Triangle, featuring the combined directing talents of Tsui Hark, Ringo Lam and Johnny To, is released Manga Entertainment at selected cinemas on 29 August.

Well done to three lucky entrants to our 2oth Century Boys competition are going to receive a fab prize in the post: the full limited edition 2-disc DVD, a poster AND t-shirt!

And if you’re jealous now – well, you gotta be in it to win it, as they used to say on those Lotto commercials. Stay tuned for some very exciting competitions coming soon…

Well done to Charlotte of Taunton, the poster is winging it’s way in the post to you now!

(Stay tuned for more competitions coming very soon!)

A satisfying conclusion to the Death Note series, but did we really need this exercise in tediousness to get there…? (more…)

Since 1999 Hong Kong Legends had released remastered versions of classics (relatively) old and new that had gained them an international reputation. But that wasn’t enough to keep them in business – why? (more…)

Derek Yee’s follow up to One Night in Mongkok, Protégé, is released on DVD today by Liberation Entertainment. You can read out review here »

And there’s still a chance to enter our giveaway competition to win one of three copies – but hurry, there’s just a few more days to go! Enter here »

Could this be why Chow Yun-fat could do Red Cliff? With a strong Asian cast including Eriko Tamura, Joon Park and Jamie Chung, the live action version of the popular manga, game and animation Dragonball looks set to be a big hit for Hollywood this Easter (in a The Forbidden Kingdom sort of a way).

Dragonball Evolution will be released in UK cinemas on 8 April.

Celebrated director Wong Kar-Wai revisits his 1994 film Ashes Of Time, the Hong Kong filmmaker’s only entry into the martial arts genre. Based on the novel by Louis Cha, this film follows a lone swordsman (Leslie Cheung) as time passes. Ashes Of Time Redux also stars Tony Leung Ka-fai, Brigitte Lin, and Tony Leung Chiu-wai, and it features an appearance by Maggie Cheung.

Ashes Of Time Redux is released by Artificial Eye on DVD and Blu-ray on 26 January 2009.

Kim Jee-Woon’s (A Tale Of Two Sisters, A Bittersweet Life) fantastic The Good, The Bad, The Weird, starring Song Kang-Ho, Lee Byung-Hun and Jung Woo-Sung, will be released on UK on DVD and Blu-Ray on 1 June by Icon Home Entertainment. A big-budget take on the Western genre set in the 1930s Manchurian desert, a search for a map brings together three very different men who seem to exemplify the characteristics of the title. In this Korean-language film, all of the actors – including the top-billed stars – performed their own stunts.

THE GOOD, THE BAD, THE WEIRD (SPECIAL EDITION) will be released as a two-disc DVD (£19.99) and single disc Blu-ray (£24.99) by Icon Home Entertainment on 15 June 2009. Special Features include: “Running Fast” – making of featurette; “The Good, The Bad, The Weird And The Vicious” (interview with the director and cast); “Analogue” (cinematography, lighting, action sequences, sound); “Space” (production design, costumes, set decoration); deleted scenes with optional director’s commentary; alternate endings (with multi angles); trailers.

The Good, The Bad, The Weird is released on Blu-Ray and two-disc DVD on 15 June (postponed from 1 June).

Action movie superstar Jackie Chan and Hong Kong director Stanley Tong reunite for their first collaboration in a decade since their double-whammy of “Rumble In The Bronx” and “Jackie Chan’s First Strike” in The Myth, the multi-period action-comedy that combines sci-fi, martial arts and historical fantasy in one spectacular adventure, released in the UK by Cine Asia on DVD and blu-ray on 4 May.

han stars as Jack, an intrepid and world-renowned archaeologist who has begun having dreams of a past life as a warrior in ancient China. When a fellow scientist asks for Jack’s help in locating the mausoleum of China’s first emperor, the past collides violently with the present as he discovers his amazing visions are based in fact.  When they discover an ancient sword and a magical gemstone that can defy the laws of gravity, the past collides violently with the present with often comical consequences.
Coming to DVD as a two-disc Ultimate Edition featuring over four hours of extras, the film sees Jackie Chan (playing dual roles) starring alongside fellow Hong Kong star Tony Leung (Election; New Dragon Gate Inn), Korean actress Hee-seon Kim (Bichunmoo) and Bollywood sex symbol Malika Sherawat (Murder).  Special Features;    Disc 1
;   Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 Stereo Cantonese and 5.1 English audio options; English subtitles
; ‘Making of
’ featurette; trailer and music videos gallery

.

Disc 2

;  Interviews 
with Jackie Chan, 
Tony Leung Ka Fai, 
Kim Hee Seon, 
Mallika Sherawat, 
Stanley Tong
, Sun Zhou and 
Choi Min Soo; 
deleted scenes; lost scenes
; behind the scenes (11 featurettes)
; Just For Laughs; HK Premiere; Easter Egg – Cannes Festival.

The Myth (cert. tbc) will be released on DVD (£15.99) and Blu-ray (£19.99) by Cine Asia on 4th May 2009.

Hot on the heels of John Woo’s Red Cliff comes Dragon Squad and Black Mask director Daniel Lee’s historical action epic Three Kingdoms: Resurrection Of The Dragon.

Based on the same source material as Red Cliff – Guanzhong Luo’s 700-year-old historical novel, Romance Of The Three Kingdoms (one of the most famous and important novel in Chinese literature) – and similarly capturing the spirit of such historical epics as Braveheart and The Last Samurai, Three Kingdoms: Resurrection Of The Dragon features a powerhouse cast that includes Andy Lau, Sammo Hung and, returning to her Asian cinema career roots following star turns in Hollywood action blockbusters Die Hard 4.0 and Mission: Impossible III, Maggie Q.

The Battle Of Red Cliff (the climax of Woo’s film) was a decisive battle at the end of the Han Dynasty (208/9) between the allied forces of the southern warlords Liu Bei and Sun Quan and the numerically superior forces of the northern warlord Cao Cao. The allied victory at Red Cliff ensured the survival of Liu Bei and Sun Quan, gave them control of the Yangtze and provided a line of defence that was the basis for the later creation of the two southern kingdoms of Shu Han and Eastern Wu.

Three Kingdoms takes up the story circa AD 220. With the Empire divided into three warring factions, the kingdoms of Wei, Shu and Wu are engaged in a fight for total control of the country. Within the Shu army emerges an unlikely warrior, Zhao Zilong (Andy Lau), a common man from the humblest of roots whose loyalty and bravery in battle quickly propel him to the rank of general. Following a daring solo mission in which he saves the life of his warlord’s son, Zhao is feted as a hero amongst his people and embarks on what results in a 20-year period during which he never loses a battle in which he fights. His unprecedented success on the battlefield becomes the stuff of legend and earns him the title, The Undefeated General.

However, as war rages on and the throne changes hands, age begins to take its toll on the seemingly invincible Zhao. Despite his advanced years, he perseveres in leading a final, bloody campaign aimed at overthrowing the Wei forces once and for all. But, hindered by treachery and betrayal from unexpected sources, Zhao is forced to question his motives for fighting a war that none seems able to win. Ultimately driven by his own righteousness and morality, the aged warrior plunges himself into a conflict that will crown his name in glory for all time.

A spectacular tale of undaunted heroism told on the grandest of scales, Three Kingdoms: Resurrection Of The Dragon is a gritty and powerful historical war movie boasting impressive action direction and choreography by star Sammo Hung and a remarkable central performance by one of Asian cinema’s biggest stars, Andy Lau.

Three Kingdoms: Resurrection Of The Dragon (cert. 15) will be released on DVD (£17.99) and Blu-ray (£24.99) by Icon Home Entertainment on 13th July 2009. Special Features include: The Making of Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon; interviews with Maggie Q, Andy Lau, Sammo Hung and Daniel Lee; trailers.

Following the huge critical and commercial success of the original five-episode mini-series, the fan-favourite anime “Afro Samurai” returns to DVD with the feature-length sequel, AFRO SAMURAI: RESURRECTION.

Presented as a two-disc Special Edition Director’s Cut, and including over 100 minutes of extra features, AFRO SAMURAI: RESURRECTION features the vocal talents of Academy Award nominee Samuel L. Jackson (Pulp Fiction), Mark Hamill (Star Wars) and Lucy Liu (Kill Bill Vol. 1), along with brand new original music by the Wu-Tang Clan’s the RZA.

The story picks up with Afro Samurai (Samuel L. Jackson) having avenged his father and found a life of peace. But a beautiful and deadly woman from his past emerges and forces the legendary master back into the game. The sparks of violence dropped along Afro’s bloody path now burn out of control, and nowhere are the flames of hatred more intense than in the eyes of Sio (Lucy Liu). Driven by revenge, she won’t quit until Afro is schooled in the brutal lessons he once dealt those who stood in his way.

With no such thing as final vengeance, the cycle of bloodshed spinning around the Number One Headband must roll on as the saga that began in the best-selling anime DVD of 2007 continues.

Special features include: Afro Samurai Game; Enter the RZA; Afro in Depth; Afro Samurai: Meets the West Part 1; Afro Samurai: Meets the West Part 2; Afro Samurai at San Diego Comic-Con 2008 and Part A Video Commentary.

AFRO SAMURAI: RESURRECTION (cert. tbc) will be released on DVD (£22.99) by Manga Entertainment on 27th April 2009.

It’s been creating a buzz of anticipation since its production was first announced in late-2006 and now 20TH CENTURY BOYS, the first instalment of the epic live-action trilogy adaptation of Naoki Urasawa’s hit manga series, is finally coming to DVD.

Directed by Yukihiko Tsutsumi (Sushi King Goes To New York; Happily Ever After; Keizoku: The Movie) and starring Toshiaki Karasawa (Casshern), 20TH CENTURY BOYS’ epic storyline spans 50 years and several continents, factors that necessitated a budget of 6 billion yen for the trilogy – an unprecedented figure for the Japan film industry.

Japan, 1973. Elementary school kid Kenji Endo (Toshiaki Karasawa) and his small gang of young friends pass the long, boring summer days fantasizing about fighting world-threatening super villains and then recording their fictional crime-fighting exploits in their own ‘Book of Prophecies’.

Almost thirty years later, and now adults with families, jobs and responsibilities that have caused them to drift apart, their lives are turned upside down when one of the former friends dies mysteriously and an entire family from Kenji’s local neighbourhood goes missing. Further afield, a bizarre religious cult is growing in popularity and appears to be connected to a strange chain of catastrophic events that unbelievably appear to be duplicating the imaginary events recorded in the ‘Book of Prophecies’ decades earlier. Disturbed by what he initially believes could only be a coincidence, Kenji reunites the group of childhood friends and attempts to unravel the mystery. The investigation reveals a shocking and sinister conspiracy that seeks to fulfil a doomsday prophecy on the eve of the new millennium. As their renewed friendship is tested in a world gripped by global terrorism and hysteria, Kenji and his companions find themselves involved in a spectacular showdown as a giant robotic machine threatens the city of Shinjuku!

And that’s merely the start of the compelling three-part saga in what has become one of the most highly anticipated, must-see sci-fi movie trilogies since “The Matrix” series.

A national phenomenon in Japan and a huge hit internationally, Urasawa’s 24-volume sci-fi fantasy manga has sold over 20 million copies worldwide, with the film attaining similar success by becoming one of the country’s biggest box office hits of 2008.

Special Features include: 24-page “Book of Prophecies”; Japan Premiere Documentary (64 mins approx); Paris Premiere Featurette (20 mins approx); Cast Interviews (22 mins approx); UK Trailer (2 mins approx); Japanese Trailers (5 mins approx).

20TH CENTURY BOYS (cert. 15) will be released on DVD (£19.99) by 4Digital Asia on 4th May 2009.

Veteran Hong Kong director Tony Siu-Tung Ching (director of classic “A Chinese Ghost Story” and the “Swordsman” trilogy and the action choreographer for “Curse Of The Golden Flower”, “Hero” and “House Of Flying Daggers”) makes a dazzling return to vintage form with the epic, AN EMPRESS AND THE WARRIORS, starring Donnie Yen (Flashpoint; Dragon Tiger Gate; Seven Swords; Hero), Kelly Chen (the Infernal Affairs trilogy; Tokyo Raiders) and Leon Lai (Seven Swords; Infernal Affairs 3). You can read our review here »

AN EMPRESS AND THE WARRIORS (cert. 15) will be released on DVD (£15.99) and Blu-ray (£19.99) by Cine Asia on 23rd March 2009. Special Features include: Making Of featurette; Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 Stereo audio options; theatrical trailer.

Black Kiss, directed by Tezka Macoto (Hakuchi: The Innocent) and starring Reika Hashimoto (Survive Style 5+), Masanobu Ando (Battle Royale) and Ken Mitsuishi (Audition), is released by 4Digital Asia on 22 September.

Cinematic guilty pleasures of the bubblegum-flavoured variety don’t come any more fun or satisfying than the superhero fantasy flick, CUTIE HONEY, in which the irresistible heroine of the popular Japanese manga and anime series is brought to vivid life in an effervescent eruption of exquisite eye candy.

Directed with enthusiastic verve by legendary anime director Hideaki Anno (Neon Genesis Evangelion) and starring model-turned-actress Eriko Sato (Funuke Show Some Love, You Losers!) and Mikako Ichikawa (Memories Of Matsuko), CUTIE HONEY is a shamelessly entertaining antidote to the recent spate of depressingly serious superhero flicks that have been gracing out screens lately (we’re looking at you, Dark Knight and Watchmen!).

Described as a “high energy Japanese adventure comedy” by the New York Times and as “damn good fun” by Asian Cinema Drifter, CUTIE HONEY’s cheeky combination of “Charlie’s Angels” attitude, “Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers” fantasy and “Austin Powers”-style comedy adds up to a fun and wacked out spectacle that is impossible to resist.

CUTIE HONEY (cert. tbc) will be released on DVD (£15.99) by MVM on 11th May 2009. Special Features include: Making of Cutie Honey; stills gallery; original trailers.

Hailed as “a new cult classic in the making” by Ain’t It Cool News, the latest movie from award winning Korean director Lee Je-yong (Untold Scandal), DASEPO NAUGHTY GIRLS is an eye-popping musical comedy about teenage sex, non-conformity and dysfunctional relationships set against the backdrop of the appropriately named “No Use High School”.

Based on the wildly popular, taboo-breaking Internet comic strip, “Multi-Cell Girl”, and starring Kim Ok-bin (Thirst) and Lee Won-jong (Kick The Moon), the film’s episodic storyline centres on the bizarre and comical sexual ambiguities and aberrations of a group of teenage students, all of whom are looking for their own kind of love.

Welcome to No Use High School, an educational institution where the student president and vice-present flaunt their taste for S&M, extracurricular studies and supplementary classes are done on homosexuality and transgenderism, and teachers and students alike leave school early due to outbreaks of sexually-transmitted diseases.

Amidst this environment are several students struggling to adapt to their unconventional situation. Among them is Poor Girl, who endeavours to make ends meet by selling her body but only attracts clients (including a butch transvestite gangster with a thing for school uniforms) who aren’t interested in actually having sex. Similarly troubled is the cyclopean One-Eye, the school’s only virgin. Further complications for this pair arise when Poor Girl falls for pretty boy Anthony, who secretly carries a torch for One-Eye’s sister, Two-Eyes, not knowing that the breathtakingly beautiful object of his desire is actually a boy awaiting a sex-change operation. But, as the usual sexual confusion reigns, a new problem begins to emerge. Students who have never shown an interest in anything but sex have suddenly given up dating and become emerged in studying!

Sumptuously shot in a riot of gaudy colours, with brilliantly staged music and dance numbers and boasting an irresistible charm, DASEPO NAUGHTY GIRLS is a musical teen comedy in a class of its own.

DASEPO NAUGHTY GIRLS (cert. 15) will be released on DVD (£14.99) by Third Window Films on 8th June 2009. Special Features include “Making of” featurette and theatrical trailer.