Brian T

ROBOTRIX is a blast, and one of the more enjoyable Category III movies just for being so knowingly gonzo. Hong Kong may have produced a lot of fantasy movies over the years, but few actual sci-fi movies, and I think they knew they couldn't compete with serious sci-fi from the west, so they just went all in on the martial arts and boobs. There are some rape scenes because Billy Chow's evil robot has to do that, but the over-the-top nature of the film tends to soften their brutality, such as it is (or as compared, say, to really seedy rape-revenge thrillers like DAUGHTER OF DARKNESS or WOMEN ON THE RUN).

Trailer NSFW (unless you're working from home, of course):

dex14

ytrez

Shit, I may have to pick up Riki-Oh.

rocket1312

Watched my copy of Double Team the other night. First time watch. I was in high school when it came out and a huge Bulls fan, so I'm not really sure why I didn't see this at the time. Holy crap this movie is nuts. I don't even know where to start. It immediately shoots up my list of favorite "bad" movies.

Packaging aside, the 88 release seems like it's more or less identical to the US disc aside from the new commentary. It's basically a fan commentary (with one of the two guys being a sports fan who hadn't seen the movie in years), but the little bit I listened to was fairly engaging. Probably not worth the premium when you can get the US disc for under $10, but I love the work 88 had been doing and am happy to support them.

dex14

Their first US release.
https://mvdshop.com/products/the-ges...t-orgy-blu-ray

dex14

***NEW TITLE ANNOUNCEMENT***
Coming to Blu-ray 11/9 from 88 Films US

The Chinese Boxer (1970)

Bonus Materials
High Definition (1080p) Presentation in 2.35:1 Aspect Ratio
2.0 DTS-HD MA English Soundtrack
2.0 DTS-HD MA Mandarin Soundtrack with newly translated English Subtitles
Audio Commentary by Critic and Author Samm Deighan
Interview with Wong Ching
Open Hand Combat - David West on The Chinese Boxer
US 'Hammer of God' TV Spot

Complete and Uncut
Includes the English dub and the original Mandarin soundtracks.

dex14

***ARTWORK REVEAL***EXTRAS UPDATE***
27th September
Robotrix - DELUXE COLLECTOR'S EDITION

AMAZON

ZAVVI
https://www.zavvi.com/blu-ray/robotrix/13043342.html

HMV
https://store.hmv.com/store/film-tv/blu-ray/robotrix

From the heady days of early 90s Hong Kong exploitation cinema comes Robotrix, a hi-octane, fast, and furious science fiction romp, packed with glorious action sequences and bonkers plotlines. When evil inventor Ryuichi Sakamoto (Chung Lin) transfers his mind into that of a powerful cyborg, he becomes a murderer and rapist. But when one of his victims, Police officer Selena Lin (Chikako Aoyama) becomes super robot Eve-27, she teams up with android sidekick Ann (Amy Yip) and together they seek to bring the criminally insane scientist to justice.

Like a crazy mix of The Terminator (1981), The Power Rangers, and of course, Robocop (1987) Robotrix, combines the mad doctor movie with extreme martial arts to deliver a sexy, seductive, bionic tale of lust and violence given a uniquely Asian futuristic spin.

FEATURES
Rigid slipcase with brand new artwork by R.P. “Kung Fu Bob” O’Brien
Double-Sided Foldout Poster featuring new artwork and original HK poster
6 Replica Lobby Cards
80-page perfect-bound book including an interview with director Jamie Luk, an interview Robotrix actor Vincent Lyn, Robotrix versus censorship by Matthew Edwards, and VHS Cat III Cinema boom of the 90s by Tim Murray
Video Introduction with Director Jamie Luk
English LPCM Mono 2.0
Cantonese LPCM Mono 2.0 with English Subtitles
Cantonese LPCM Mono 2.0 with English SDH
Audio Commentary with Mike Leeder and Arne Venema
Scenes From the Alternative Version
English Language Titles
Hong Kong Trailer
English Trailer




27th September
Our Cat III Collection continues in September with Riki-oh Story of Ricky - DELUXE COLLECTOR'S EDITION

AMAZON

ZAVVI
https://www.zavvi.com/blu-ray/story-...ductsuggestion

HMV
https://store.hmv.com/store/film-tv/...story-of-ricky

Director Lam Ngai Kai (Erotic Ghost Story/Saga of the Phoenix), brings us a tour de force story of incarceration and injustice laced with super charged action sequences and mounting prison-based tension. Set in the year 2001, where all correctional facilities have been privatised, martial artist Ricky finds himself victim to the corrupt system when he is found guilty of the manslaughter of an infamous crime boss. Once in jail he must fight for his own survival when he is thrown into a world of enemies vying for his blood.

Based on the Japanese Manga by Masahiko Takajo and Tetsuya Saruwatari, this cinematic adaptation also follows closely in the footsteps of a host brutal prison dramas like Brute Force (1947), Escape from Alcatraz (1979) and Scum (1979) but of course it’s all delivered with a distinctive Hong Kong style powerhouse punch

FEATURES INCLUDE
RIGID BOX with Brand New art by Kung Fu Bob
Artcards
Double-Sided Foldout Poster
40 Page Perfect bound Booklet
2.0 Cantonese LPCM Mono (Theatrical Mix)
2.0 Cantonese LPCM Mono (Home Video Mix)
Remastered English Subtitles
2.0 English LPCM Mono
5.1 English DTS-HD Master Audio
Audio Commentary with Kim Newman and Sean Hogan
Audio Commentary with Mike Leeder and Arne Venema
Audio Commentary with Frank Djeng
Audio Commentary with Audi Sorlie and Chris Ling
Interview with Fan Sui-wong
Hong Kong Trailer
English Trailer

LorenzoL

My poor wallet! More Shaws here in North America in October.

rocket1312

Oh wow. I saw the tweet but didn't even register that behind Chinese Boxer there were a whole bunch of others! Some we knew about, but some are brand new surprises which I figured Arrow might have locked up for their volume 2.

I see:

Shaolin Mantis
Human Lanterns
Legendary Weapons of China
Martial Club
Disciples of Shaolin
Monkey Kung Fu
Flying Guillotine
Flags of Iron

I don't know what that last one is, but those are some good ones. Still none of the early 70's Chang Cheh Iron Triangle films that I'd really like, but Arrow's volume 2 set coming next year is suddenly a lot less predictable. I figured Shaolin Mantis and in particular Legendary Weapons and Martial Club were strong candidates for that set.

Brian T

It's Corey Yuen Kwai's HERO from 1997, with Takeshi Kaneshiro. It's a remake of Chang Cheh's BOXER FROM SHANTUNG and was Shaw's first 'comeback' film after several years making television shows.

rocket1312

Yeah, I should have known since the poster was clearly more modern. Never seen it. Any good?

Brian T

7/10 for me. Pretty solid for its time with plenty of inventive action scenes, which shouldn't surprise with so many Yuen 'brothers' (Biao, Tak, Wah and Kwai) appearing on screen. Yuen Biao has one of his strongest roles in this, as does Valerie Chow. It sags more than it should in the middle, though. My only other beefs were with the shortness of the final fight between Yuen Biao and Yuen Tak, and the anachronistic on-screen use of mambo and swing music in 1898 (although the whole film has a 'timeless' stylization to it). I believe it was cut in some markets for violence, so presumably 88 Films will have an unedited version.

For those so inclined (like me!), here's Anita Mui's theme song:


By the way, are all ten Blu-rays pictured in that tweet actually coming out in October? It seemed to me like Chinese Boxer was coming in October – thus the pre-order availability at various sites – and the rest later on. Anyone know for sure?

rocket1312

I don't think they've said for sure, but the assumption by most is that they're not all coming in October.

dex14

Brian T

I assume DISCIPLES OF SHAOLIN is a UK only release, for now?

dex14

It says Region A and B on Amazon UK... but I don't see anything about a release over here yet.

dex14

Armour of God Deluxe Edition available for pre-order on Amazon UK

dex14

*** 88 USA & UK ANNOUNCEMENT ***
*** SHAW BROTHERS ***

The Flag of Iron
PLUS
Legendary Weapons of China

Both coming on the 25th OCTOBER in the UK and across the Pond. Pre-orders are up on Amazon right now in the UK. Overseas orders will be going live soon.

Keep checking back for our updates on extras and new artwork being created by KUNG FU BOB!

LorenzoL

dex14

Brian T

The STORY OF RICKY limited edition sold out 3000 copies blazingly – and suspiciously – fast, garnering 88 Films a lot of negative reaction on their social media channels (especially among those that apparently took the company's advice to buy it from their own website despite not actually making it available until literally the last minute, at which point it was gone in about 20 minutes). To make up for the gaffe, they're producing 2000 more copies, which will hopefully supply anyone else who wants one. You can order via their website, which no longer says sold out, and presumably from other retailers, to avoid the gouging that's already going on via the secondary market. One eBay seller is asking over $90 with shipping, clearly hoping some sucker won't be aware of the additional run.

dex14

Brian T

Another nice package, but these multiple commentaries are becoming a chore. I think the relevant scholarship spread across four of them on STORY OF RICKY (for example) could've easily been imparted on one track, maybe two. This one has three, including one from "Eastern Film Fans Forever" which appears to be yet another bunch of podcasters jumping on the commentary bandwagon. I'm sure they know their stuff, but podcaster tracks (just like their actual podcasts) are often so loaded with personal stories and opinion – rather than essential production information – that I've grown tired of most of them over the last couple of years. Oh well, the abundance of other extras will probably offset any complaints.

Just hope 88 doesn't under-estimate demand the way they did with RICKY. I don't imagine they'll be doing a US release for this one anytime soon, either. Aren't the rights to a bunch of these Golden Harvest films still tied up over here?

Adam Tyner

March 22nd!


I had this on VHS and used to watch it endlessly, but I haven't seen it in more than 25 years. Very excited about experiencing it in high-def!

dex14

I can't wait to get my hands on that Armour of God set. It looks so great. I would've ordered it directly from 88, but it was more cost-effective for me to order it from zavvi mixed in with stuff from the Arrow sale. Hopefully, it ships soon.