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Yep, Kazuaki Kiriya’s (Casshern) latest and arguably far more enjoyable Goemon is released today, along with Tokyo Gore School and 14 Blades.

Something of a bumper day then!

Director Daniel Lee is back, this time with Donnie Yen and Vicky Zhao in tow – thank god this is an improvement on Three Kingdoms then… (more…)

The lovely Vicky Zhao stars in this fine live-action version of the famous Mulan legend – so why is there such an overwhelming feeling of Déjà vu…? (more…)

Gosh! Has someone got it in for Disney or what? No sooner does Hayao Miyazaki’s Ponyo finally get a UK release, loosely based on the same Hans Christian Anderson that gave us The Little Mermaid, than a live-action version of the Chinese legend that inspired their film Mulan gets a UK release too.

(Okay, so Pixar/Disney chief John Lasseter executively produced the English version… you’re not gonna tell me he didn’t have fun with that?)

This new live-action version stars the lovely Vicky Zhao in the lead – an actress who I’m never really convinced by in period settings, but always keen to give a chance – with co-stars Jaycee Chan and Jun Hu, and directed by cinematographer turned director Jingle Ma, responsible for the highly enjoyable Tokyo Raiders and the highly rubbish follow-up Seoul Raiders.

Will it be any good? Let’s hope so… these historical dramas seem so hit-and-miss nowadays. (And we’ll let you know soon…!)

Mulan (cert. 15) will be released as a two-disc Ultimate Edition DVD  and as a single disc Ultimate Edition Blu-ray  by Cine Asia on 21June 2010.

AN EPIC, LIVE-ACTION RETELLING OF THE STORY OF THE LEGENDARY CHINESE FOLK HEROINE.

“Braveheart” meets “An Empress And The Warriors” in Mulan, a lavish, live-action period epic that breathes vibrant new life into the inspirational Chinese legend made internationally famous by Disney’s classic 1998 animated feature of the same name.

Directed by Jingle Ma (Seoul Raiders, Silver Hawk, Tokyo Raiders) and starring Vicki Zhao (Red Cliff, 14 Blades, Shaolin Soccer) and Jaycee Chan (Twins Effect 2, Invisible Target), the son of martial arts legend Jackie Chan, Mulan is an extravagant, action-packed spectacle that tells a story of unequalled heroism and undying love set against the thrilling backdrop of a bloody war fought between rival warrior tribes and dynasties.
When the emperor issues a decree that all families in the Northern Province must defend their homeland against the barbarian Rouran hordes, Mulan, a young girl from a military family without a male heir, disguises herself as a male soldier and enlists in the army rather than expose her aging father to the horrors of the battlefield.

As the conflict develops and the invading armies close in, Mulan’s remarkable courage and insights into the art of war see her elevated through the ranks until she is promoted to the position of general, establishing herself as a true military leader willing to sacrifice everything to defend her nation and bring honour to her family. Her only weakness is her affection for one of her comrades, Wentei (Chen Kun), a fellow general who realises that their mutual emotional attachment could lead to their downfall on the battlefield.

Awe-inspiring, compelling and filled with astonishing action-sequences, Mulan is both a moving romance and an exhilarating and brutal action-adventure of epic proportions.

Mulan (cert. 15) will be released as a two disc Ultimate Edition DVD (£17.99) and as a single disc Ultimate Edition Blu-ray (£24.99) by Cine Asia on 21st June 2010. Special Features include: ‘Making Of’ featurette; ‘Behind The Scenes’ featurette; interview gallery; Dolby Digital Mandarin 2.0 and 5.1 audio options (DVD); TS HD Master Audio Japanese 5.1 and Dolby Digital Mandarin 2.0 audio options (Blu-ray); English subtitles; original trailer.

Out in cinemas across the UK today, not one but two major releases for Asian film fans. Ong Bak: The Beginning, courtesy of Revolver Entertainment, and Thirst, courtesy of Metrodome/Palisades Tartan.

Here’s just a taster of that epic finale scene Ong Bak: The Beginning to keep you going…

Tony Jaa’s back with one heck of a finale fight scene – but will this film finally put him back on the martial arts map? (more…)

Easily the most palatable Chinese historical drama in ages, John Woo’s Red Cliff comes to UK DVD and Blu-ray today courtesy of Entertainment in Video. Oh, and it’s the best film he’s done in a long time too, so if you’ve yet to catch it, this is a must!

(Shame it’s not all four hours plus??)

Ping Pong director Fumihiko Sori’s enjoyable, if a little long, take on the Zatoichi character get’s released on DVD and Blu-ray today by Manga Enertainment.

»You can read our full review here…

Just time for a quick round-up of other notable releases to look out for in the UK in the next few months:

Wilson Yip and Donnie Yen’s latest collaboration – following S.P.L., Flashpoint and Dragon Tiger Gate –Ip Man, gets released in selected cinemas from 5 October. Celebrating the life of the Wing Chun master who taught a young Bruce Lee his first kun fu lessons, the impressive action choerography by Sammo Hung follows the close-range fighting particular to the style. Look out for a review and, hopefully, interviews soon…

John Woo’s fab return to form, Red Cliff, makes its way onto DVD and Blu-ray on 5 October courtesy of Entertainment In Video. Out the following week, 12 October, comes the DVD and Blu-ray release of the live-action version Blood: The Last Vampire.

Yukihiko Tsutsumi’s second film in his live-action adaption of 20th Century Boys, Chapter 2, also makes its way on to UK DVD, but be prepared for the wait – it’s not until 31 December 2009!

John Woo’s superb return to form Red Cliff, makes its way to UK DVD and Blu-ray on 5 October, released by Entertainment in Video.

From the same novel that spawned John Woo’s Red Cliff comes Three Kingdoms, surrounding the legend of Zhao Zilong who became known as The Undefeated General. But do we need another hysterical – I mean historical – drama…? (more…)

On release today at selected cinemas around the UK, Fumihiko Sori’s enteraining revamp of blind swordsman Zatoichi, Ichi, starring Haruka Ayase…

» Read our full review of Ichi here…

Novelist Kan Shimozawa’s famous blind swordsman Zatoichi, recently brought to the screen by Beat Takeshi, gets a feminine makeover courtesy Fumihiko Sori, director of Ping Pong and the Anime Vexille… (more…)

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 on DVD by Manga Entertainment on 24 August 2009.

Here’s a clip from the new Fumihiko Sori (director of Ping Pong and Vexille) reimaging of the infamous Zatoichi character, this time as a female blind musician who also happens to be a master swordsman. Haruka Ayase (Hero) stars in the title role, with support from Shido Nakamura (Red Cliff; Letters From Iwo Jima), Yosuke Kubozuka (Ping Pong) and Takao Osawa (Sky High). Fight choreography is by Hiroshi Kuze, resonsible swords fights on many of Akira Kurosawa’s later films, including Ran, so expect some old school action.

Ichi will be released by Manga Entertainment and opens at ICA London from 7 July, and selected UK cinemas on 10th July 2009.