Martial Arts Thriller "Reign of Assassins" Hits DVD

Anchor Bay Entertainment and Radius recently send us over information for their upcoming DVD release of "Reign of Assassins". The film stars Michelle Yeoh (Babylon A.D., Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend), Jung Woo-Sung (The Good, The Bad, The Weird; A Moment to Remember, The Warrior) and Xueqi Wang (Iron Man 3, Bodyguards and Assassins, Warriors of Heaven and Earth).

No special features were announced.

"Reign of Assassins" hits retail on November 1st.

Press Release:

Michelle Yeoh (Babylon A.D., Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend), Jung Woo-Sung (The Good, The Bad, The Weird; A Moment to Remember, The Warrior) and Xueqi Wang (Iron Man 3, Bodyguards and Assassins, Warriors of Heaven and Earth) star in Reign of Assassins, the exciting martial arts thriller produced by the legendary John Woo (Mission Impossible: II, Face/Off, The Killer), arriving on Digital HD & On Demand and on DVD from Anchor Bay Entertainment November 1.

Directed by Su Chao-Pin, Reign of Assassins is the winner of two Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards including Best Director & Film of Merit, and also received 11 Hong Kong Film Award nominations, including a Best Picture nomination. Reign of Assassins will be available for the suggested retail price of $19.98.

Synopsis:
Produced by John Woo and Terence Chang, this epic martial arts action thriller promises to be FACE/OFF meets MR. AND MRS. SMITH. Set in ancient China, the film stars Michelle Yeoh as a skilled assassin who is on a mission to return the remains of a mystical Buddhist monk to their resting place. The remains are believed to hold a powerful secret. Along the way, she falls in love with a man named Jiang, whose father was killed by her gang. Unaware that he also is a trained martial artist, their love blossoms but tensions arise as the truth of her past unravels. Soon, a lethal triangle surfaces between her, Jiang and the team of assassins that are after the monk’s remains.

"The Lost Bladesman" Fights its Way to DVD

Anchor Bay Entertainment and Radius recently send us over information for their upcoming DVD release of "The Lost Bladesman". The film stars Donnie Yen (Ip Man series, Hero, 14 Blades, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend), Wen Jiang (Warriors of Heaven and Earth, Let the Bullets Fly, The Sun Also Rises), Sun Li (Empresses of the Palace, Painted Skin) and Andy On (Mad Detective, True Legend, Blackhat).

No special features were announced.

"The Lost Bladesman" hits retail on November 1st.

Press Release

International superstar Donnie Yen (Ip Man series, Hero, 14 Blades, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend) leads an epic cast in The Lost Bladesman, loosely based on Luo Guanzhong's historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, arriving on Digital HD & On Demand and on DVD from Anchor Bay Entertainment November 1. Also starring in the action-packed, gorgeously shot film are Wen Jiang (Warriors of Heaven and Earth, Let the Bullets Fly, The Sun Also Rises), Sun Li (Empresses of the Palace, Painted Skin) and Andy On (Mad Detective, True Legend, Blackhat).

Written and directed by critically acclaimed filmmakers Alan Mak and Felix Chong – creators of the successful Infernal Affairs trilogy, The Lost Bladesman won several Golden Lotus awards at the 2011 Macau International Movie Festival including Best Film, Best Director for Mak and Chong, and Best Actor for Donnie Yen. Wen Jiang also won the Best Actor award from the Shanghai Film Critics for his performance in the film. The Lost Bladesman will be available on DVD November 1 for the suggested retail price of $19.98.

Synopsis:
During the warring period of the three kingdoms, ancient China is in turmoil. To unify the country, General Cao Cao (Wen Jiang), the real power behind the emperor, enlists the aid of the greatest warrior in the land Guan Yu (Donnie Yen). However, Guan Yu is a loyal friend of Cao Cao's enemy Liu Bei (Alex Fong). To persuade the peerless warrior to fight, Cao Cao takes his beloved Qi Lan (Betty Sun) hostage. After leading Cao Cao's forces to victory, Guan Yu sets out with Qi Lan to rejoin Liu Bei. But now Cao Cao has deemed him too great a threat to live, and on the journey he must face all the forces at the emperor's command sent to destroy him.

Official Trailer for the Upcoming Documentary "A LEGO Brickumentary"

Radius-TWC recently released the official trailer for their upcoming released "A LEGO Brickumentary". The film has played at such film festivals as Tribeca Film Festival and Seattle International Film Festival.

"A LEGO Brickumentary" hits theaters in limited release on July 31st.

For more information on this film, you can visit the film's official Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/ALegoBrickumentary

Plot Synopsis:

Oscar-winning Director Daniel Junge and Oscar-nominated Director Kief Davidson take us on a journey through the LEGO universe like you have never seen before. They explore the brick that has captured imaginations for generations and look at the fundamental question...is it a toy or something more? A LEGO® BRICKUMENTARY delves into the extraordinary impact of the LEGO brick and the innovative uses for it that have sprung up all over the world. From art galleries full of LEGO creations, to the workshops of Master Builders, into the world of LEGO therapy, and to encounters with AFOLS (Adult Fans of LEGO), each with amazing stories to tell. A LEGO® BRICKUMENTARY explores the essential nature of human creativity and the ways we seek to build and understand our world.

"A LEGO Brickumentary": Official Trailer

Official Stills for the Upcoming Comedy "Adult Beginners"

Radius-TWC recently released stills for their upcoming film "Adult Beginners". The film stars Rose Byrne (Spy), Nick Kroll (The League), Bobby Cannavale (Annie), Joel McHale(Community), Jane Krakowski (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt) and Bobby Moynihan (Saturday Night Live).

"Adult Beginners" hits theaters in limited release and VOD on April 24th.

Plot Synopsis:

A young, hipster entrepreneur (Nick Kroll) crashes and burns on the eve of his company’s big launch. With his entire life in disarray, he leaves Manhattan to move in with his estranged pregnant sister (Rose Byrne), brother-in-law (Bobby Cannavale) and three year-old nephew in the suburbs — only to become their manny. Faced with real responsibility, he may finally have to grow up — but not without some bad behavior first.

"It Follows" Review - Written by Tim Hellman

'IT FOLLOWS': Five Stars (Out of Five)

Critically acclaimed indie horror flick about a young woman who's constantly followed by a mysterious unknown entity, which is trying to kill her. It was written and directed by David Robert Mitchell and filmed on a budget of just $2 million. The film stars Maika Monroe, Keir Gilchrist, Lili Sepe, Daniel Zovatto, Jake Weary and Olivia Luccardi. It's a classic horror film, in every way, and it definitely lives up to all of it's hype!

Jay (Monroe) is a nineteen-year-old college student with a crush on a 21-year-old guy, named Hugh (Weary), she just met. The two go out on a couple of dates and then have sex together, in Hugh's car. Hugh then knocks her out, with chloroform. When Jay wakes up, Hugh informs her that he's transferred a curse to her, by sleeping with her, and she'll now be followed by a mysterious unknown force, that will constantly try to kill her. He explains that the only way she can get rid of the curse is to sleep with someone else, as he did with her. Jay spends the rest of the film frantically trying to elude the deadly entity, that's now following her, with the help of her friends.

The film appears to be set in the 70s or 80s, most of the time, but the characters also use cell phones and other modern devices, at other times. Still it has that classic 70s, or 80s, horror movie feel to it; and the timelessness of the film's setting is part of it's magical charm (Monroe also starred in the retro 80's action flick 'THE GUEST', just last year). The score, by the electronic musician known as Disasterpeace, is strikingly haunting and very reminiscent of the popular slasher flicks of yesteryear. The whole movie just has that classic horror genre movie feel to it; like those directed by John Carpenter or George A. Romero. It feels a lot like a very haunting, and quite disturbing, nightmare; which is what Mitchell says he based the premise for the movie on (his own recurring bad dreams, about something constantly following him). There's of course a lot of unexplained mystery to it, and several aspects of the story that don't seem to always make sense, at all, but that's part of the movie's charm as well. I think 'IT FOLLOWS' will go down in history, as one of the truly great horror movie classics; just like all the ones that seem to have inspired it!

"My Life Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn" Review - Written by Tim Hellman

Documentary film about the making of the controversial 2013 crime drama flick 'ONLY GOD FORGIVES'; which was written and directed by Nicols Winding Refn. It was directed and filmed by first time feature filmmaker Liv Corfixen; Refn's wife. It features appearances by Refn, Corfixen, their two daughters, Ryan Gosling (the star of 'ONLY GOD FORGIVES' and 'DRIVE'; which was also helmed by Refn) and another equally popular cult filmmaker; Alejandro Jodorowsky. Refn previously appeared in the 2013 documentary film 'JODOROWSKY'S DUNE'; which was about Jodorowksy's failed attempts to make his own ambitious version of the popular science fiction novel 'Dune'. I found this documentary feature to be extremely insightful, oddly interesting and equally emotionally involving.

The film takes place during the six-month shoot of 'ONLY GOD FORGIVES', in Bangkok, from the beginning of the filming process till it's premier; at the Cannes Film Festival. Corfixen follows her husband around (with a camera) as he obsessively contemplates every individual step, and unique decision, of the making of that critically polarized film. Refn constantly questions whether the movie will be good enough, and if it's unique and different enough; from his universally praised 2011 masterpiece 'DRIVE'. Corfixen also talks to Gosling, Jodorowsky and their two kids about what they think of Refn and his insane filmmaking process.

The movie really delves deep into how the success of 'DRIVE' has caused Refn just as much stress, and self doubt, as it has joy. He constantly compares his new film to his last (very popular) feature. It does a great job of showing the madness that critical praise, and Box Office success, can cause a skilled and talented filmmaker; such as Refn. The documentary is only 60 minutes long and, while it could have been just a special feature on the 'ONLY GOD FORGIVES' video release, I think the short running length makes it that much more enjoyable. We see just enough of Refn's life, during the filming of that movie, to get a good feel and understanding of the mental state he was in. I actually like 'ONLY GOD GORGIVES' better than 'DRIVE' and I think this is a unique masterpiece, in its own right, too. Seeing how mentally unstable Refn was (during the making of this documentary) actually makes me feel like I'm not as crazy as I sometimes think I am; or at least I'm not alone in my obsessive mental illness!

Alamo Drafthouse Sets Advance Screening for the Upcoming Horror Film "It Follows"

The Alamo Drafthouse recently added the upcoming Radius-TWC release "It Follows" to its Drafthouse Recommends program. To celebrate this they will have an advance screening of the film of Feburary 28th in Austin,TX with director David Robert Mitchell there for the screening. Showtime is at 7PM.

"It Follows" hits theaters in limited release on March 27th. 

The Alamo Drafthouse is excited to announce David Robert Mitchell's IT FOLLOWS as the latest Drafthouse Recommends title. Drafthouse Recommends spotlights first-run films with the Alamo stamp of approval, indicating, simply, that we love it and want everyone to go see it. The goal is to highlight groundbreaking, innovative and intelligent films we believe deserve to be seen by as many people as possible.

Director Mitchell's follow up to his widely acclaimed 2010 debut, THE MYTH OF THE AMERICAN SLEEPOVER, IT FOLLOWS takes some of choicest genre influences -- Spielberg's JAWS, Carpenter's HALLOWEEN, Nakata's RINGU, Cronenberg's THEY CAME FROM WITHIN, to name a few - and builds something entirely new. The result is an assured, pulse-pounding second outing for the director that easily stands alongside its influences and is sure to leave horror fans buzzing.

Video of Tim League talking about IT FOLLOWS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gzH-cdokaw

To kick off this Drafthouse Recommends selection, Alamo is presenting a special advance screening in Austin of IT FOLLOWS on Saturday, Feb 28, with director David Robert Mitchell in person.

Official Stills for the Upcoming Documentary "My Life Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn"

Radius-TWC recently send us over stills for the upcoming documentary "My Life Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn". The film follows director Nicolas Winding Refn as he tries to finish his controversial film "Only God Forgives".

"My Life Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn" opens in NY, LA and VOD February 27th.

Plot Synopsis:

In the tradition of HEARTS OF DARKNESS, director Liv Corfixen reveals an impossibly personal portrait of her husband, auteur Nicolas Winding Refn, as he struggles to complete the controversial and polarizing ONLY GOD FORGIVES.

Horrorpalooza 2014: "Horns" Review - Written by Jim Herling

Horns is a great novel written by Joe Hill, son of the legendary Stephen King. Unfortunately when it comes to the film adaption, as is so often the case, that greatness is lost in translation.

The mystery of a man, possibly wrongly accused of killing the love of his life, who wakes up one day suddenly in possession of surprising supernatural abilities that can help him discover the truth of his lover's death, Horns as a novel is an amazing dark comedy about love, revenge, and the horrors hidden within the human soul. And Alexandre Aja's movie, screenplay by Keith Bunin, does cover all those bases. It couldn't help but be dark, what with the main character Ig, played by Daniel Radcliffe, slowly transforming into a devil who can manipulate people's sins. And Radcliffe is absolutely captivating; he plays Ig with a perfect combination of desperation, anger, and horror, and when he wakes up and spontaneously sprouts horns, he is absolutely hysterical as people start spilling their secret sins and desires to him.

The problem is that other than Ig, all the other characters in what should really be a story with four leads get shorted when it comes to characterization. Joe Anderson is great as Ig's brother Joe, but we get nothing about him other than he's a drug-addled musician. Max Minghella is awful and one-note as Ig's best friend Lee, but even his monotone performance is made worse by characterization no deeper than "best friend and lawyer." Juno Temple, meanwhile, is positively luminous as Merrin, the deceased girlfriend who obviously only appears in pictures. But even she gets the short end of the characterization stick; all we learn about her in flashbacks can be summed up by "dead mother, Ig's girlfriend, deceased." And it's absolutely astounding that that's all we get from those flashbacks, considering they take up half the movie, to the detriment of all the other characters and what's going on in the present. Without being given enough to go on to care about the characters and what happens to them, the emotional beats of the story, rushed as they are, fall flat.

I won't go into specifics to avoid spoilers, but even Ig's transformation is rushed, which is a shame, because his transformation is key to the whole story. It's a shame. Horns is a dark, funny, beautiful love story about darkness, vengeance, and redemption, and it had the potential to be a great movie. I'd been looking forward to it for quite some time, but what we got instead was a story of stilted characters going through a fairly boring plot, the whole thing only slightly enjoyable because of Radcliffe's performance. It's for him alone and how awesome he looked in those Horns that I'm generously giving those movie 2 out of 5 stars.

Horns is available on VOD now and opens in theaters on Halloween, October 31st.

Horrorpalooza 2014: Dark Stills for the Upcoming Alexandre Aja Film "Horns"

Radius-TWC recently release stills for the upcoming fantasy/horror film "Horns". The upcoming film is the latest from director Alexandre Aja (High Tension, Piranha 3D) and stars Daniel Radcliffe (The Woman in Black), Juno Temple (Sin City: A Dame to Kill), Max Minghella (The Social Network)and Joe Anderson (Hercules). "Horns" is currently available on ITunes and hits VOD and theaters in limited release on October 31t.

For more information on this film, you can visit the film's Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/hornsfilm

Plot Synopsis:

Blamed for the murder of his girlfriend and ostracized by everyone he knows, a small-town guy (Daniel Radcliffe) awakens one morning to find he’s grown a pair of horns. Armed with the supernatural powers they possess, he sets out to find the true killer.

"The One I Love" Review - Written by Tim Hellman

'THE ONE I LOVE': Four Stars (Out of Five)

Mark Duplass and Elisabeth Moss costar in this indie romantic comedy flick about a married couple, struggling to stay together, who go on a weekend getaway in an attempt to work things out. It was directed by first-time feature filmmaker Charlie McDowell and written by first-time feature film writer Justin Lade. Ted Danson costars in the movie as the couple's therapist. The film is funny, and bizarrely entertaining, due to a pretty clever script.

Duplass plays Ethan and Moss plays Sophie. The two have been married for some time but things have become difficult for them, recently, due to some infidelity. At the advice of their therapist (Danson) the couple decides to go stay at a secluded vacation house for the weekend; in an effort to try to reconcile their differences and rekindle their love. After the two get high, on the first night, things get really strange (and it's not because of the weed).

Without giving away too much of the movie, there are some pretty unique twists and turns; which make it very interesting to watch. It's funny, because of it's bizarreness, but it's also a thoughtful examination on love and relationships. Duplass and Moss are both great in the leads and Lade's script is brilliant. McDowell's directing is pretty decent, for a first-time filmmaker, but the movie overall is a tad too dark and depressing. The ending has some optimism though and it also leaves you with another great twist. I think 4 stars (out of 5) is fair.