Topic: Asian DVDs

[xage]

Dr. Lamb



Running Time 89 Minutes
Country: Hong Kong
Distributor: Winson
Regional Coding: All
Format: NTSC
Screen: Aspect Ratio of 1.85:1

Sound: Cantonese DD2.0, Cantonese DD5.1 , Mandarin DD2.0, Mandarin DD5.1
Subtitles: Traditional Chinese,Simplified Chinese,English

Basic Chapter Selection

Note:

This is a barebone DVD but highly recommended for viewing! As far as the DVD casing, well I should say the very first of its kind (IMO) to make use of a smaller white version of a DVD keepcase

Note: this film is not for the weak of heart!


My short review of the film is found on this link:
Horror Films Thread

[siriusblack]

nice reviews xage.  plan to get me some of the titles you reviewed.  

Btw, my wife and I are big Stephen Chow fans, we have God of Cookery, King of Beggars, and Shaolin Soccer.  What I wanted to ask was what do you think of his films Royal Tramp 1 and 2?

[xage]

Hi Siriusblack,

Wow, what an excellent Stephen Chow films you have!

As for your query, sorry but I have not yet seen these films.

I hope the following links below can help

Movie info
Royal Tramp I movie info
Royal Tramp II movie info

Reviews:
Royal Tramp I review
Royal Tramp II review

[siriusblack]

thanks for the help xage.  

[xage]

Freeze Me DVD -  A Suspense/Thriller Japanese Film by director, Takashi Ishii (The director of the dark film, The Audition).

Release Now on Region 3 Coding under Edko Distributor

While its US date/Region 1 release would be on 6/25/2002 under Media Blasters Distibutor

And its Region 2 release on May 20

[Battousai]

Yo, Xage!
I heard from a DVD supplier that a region 1 Shaolin Soccer might be released. Any mews kung totoo ito? Thanks.
How about a RING review( if youve got a copy na, that is )

[xage]

Yo, Xage!
I heard from a DVD supplier that a region 1 Shaolin Soccer might be released. Any mews kung totoo ito? Thanks.

So far, There is only one DVD released for Shaolin Soccer and that is distributed under "Universe" Video. The region coding for that is ALL

The reason why there are no upcoming Region 1 release for it is because Disney halted all transcaction(sales,trade and public viewing) in North American region due to its upcoming theatrical release sometime in early 2003 under the title Kung Fu Soccer

So if there is anyone selling it now better get it. Because if I am not mistaken this is the only copy which is uncut/DTS/widescreen.

How about a RING review( if youve got a copy na, that is )

Wala pa, since the DVD release is only in UK, PAL and region2.

If I obtaine one, I will immediately post my findings

thanks

[sardaukar]

Wow, what a hot thread. Over 500 views a day!

[xage]

Wow, what a hot thread. Over 500 views a day!

Hi, Thanks for the info. However, I am interested to know how were you able to obtain the figures?

thanks

[xage]

Bio Zombie




Running Time 94 Minutes
Country: Hong Kong
Distributor: Mei-Ah
Regional Coding: All
Format: NTSC
Screen: Letterbox with aspect Ratio of 1.85:1


Special Features:
* Selectable Icon Menu
- Sound: Cantonese DD2.0, Mandarin DD2.0
- Subtitles: Traditional Chinese,Simplified Chinese,English
- Trailers:
     - Nude Fear
     - Bio Zombie
     - Rumble Ages
- Alternate Dark Ending



Note: This is a a dark-comedy film by HK director Wilson Yip. The DVD is by so-far the best Mei-Ah released DVD on the market.

[xage]

nice reviews xage.  plan to get me some of the titles you reviewed.  

Btw, my wife and I are big Stephen Chow fans, we have God of Cookery, King of Beggars, and Shaolin Soccer.  What I wanted to ask was what do you think of his films Royal Tramp 1 and 2?

Hi Siriusblack,

Another DVD I suggest is the King of Comedy.

A lot of HK movie spoofs were blended into this Stephen Chow Film!

A must!! (even I would get the DVD-*since I only viewed it in vcd format)

[siriusblack]

snip

Hi Siriusblack,

Another DVD I suggest is the King of Comedy.

A lot of HK movie spoofs were blended into this Stephen Chow Film!

A must!! (even I would get the DVD-*since I only viewed it in vcd format)

got to watched this awhile back... medyo subdued yung comedy ng movie na ito... very much different from what fans of Stephen Chow is used to.  

Pero since its a Stepehn Chow release, will definitely order a copy too  

[downtown]

Guys,
I've got some suggestions for you:
La Brassierie - 2 guys are hired to design "The Ultimate Bra"
Running out of Time 2

[xage]

Guys,
I've got some suggestions for you:
La Brassierie - 2 guys are hired to design "The Ultimate Bra"
Running out of Time 2

Hi

Thanks for the suggestion, however what I got what was the La Brassiere DVD details.


LA BRASSIERE


DVD Details:

Distributor: China Star
Running Time: 111 mins.


Features:
- Language(s): Cantonese, Mandarin
- Subtitles: English, Chinese
- Anamorphic Letterboxed 1.78:1
- Deleted Scenes
- "Making Of" Featurette
- Cast & Crew Information
- Theatrical Trailer


Film Overview

Samantha (Carina Lau), the president of a renowned bra company, breaks the tradition of an all-girl firm and hires two guys, Johnny (Lau Ching Wan) and Wayne (Louis Koo), as bra designers, and requires them to submit an ultimate design in 3 months. Lena (Gigi Leung) is discontent with this decision and deliberately makes things difficult for them. The two male newcomers thus end up looking like buffoons. As Samantha's deadline approaches, will the two men be able to devise the "ultimate bra"?  

[xage]

As for Running out of Time 2 below are the related links that could help

Running Out of Time Movie Review

Running Out of Time Movie DVD Review

[xage]

This is the cover of the korean Film Summertime

http://www.asiandb.com/data/poster/org/663.jpg

Sidenote:

This is pretty much a barebone DVD and coded at region3

Note:
The reason why I aqcuired this DVD is basaically because the film is a remake of Scorpio Nights. unfortunately upon viewing and aqcuiring it , all I can say is this Film/DVD id not recommended.

[xage]

This Week's Asian DVD releases


Partners (released 2002)

http://www.asiandvdguide.com/weekly8467/dts6083.jpg

Released by Universe Video
Country: Hong Kong

Features:
- Letterboxed
- Cantonese (DTS), Cantonese (DD 5.1), and Mandarin (DD 5.1)
- Chinese (Traditional), English, and Chinese (Simplified)subtitles
- No region coding

Green Dragon (released 2001)

Released by Universe Video
Country: Vietnam

Features
- Letterboxed and 16x9 enhanced
- Vietnamese/English (DD 5.1) and Vietnamese/English (Stereo)
- Chinese (Traditional) and English subtitles (removable)
- Coded for region 3

[xage]

Recently release Korean DVDs

Bad Guy



One of 2002's weirdest Korean movies. A pimp meets a beautiful college girl on the street, and falls in fatal love with her. But he then decides to turn her as a street girl. irl.

Director: Kim Ki Duk
Cast: Jo Jae Hyun
Sub: Korean, English (removable)
Ratio: Anamorphic 1.85:1
Audio: Korean Dolby Digital Surround 5.1, Stereo 2.0
Running Time: 100 min.
Region: 3
Company: CJ Entertainment
Special Features: Cast & Crew Info, Production Notes, Kim Ki-duk's
17 Analects, Interviews, Still Gallery & Original Soundtrack, Making of Bad Guy,
Trailer, Easter Egg, Director's Commentary audio track

========================================

My Boss, My Hero



Another Jopok comedy, My Boss, My Hero tells the story of a middle boss who got angry because other people disregard him due to withdrawal from high School when he was young. So he decided to finish his high school at a late age, but the school is now even worse than in the JoPok's area, and he gets in fights all over again.

Director: Yoon Jae Gyun
Cast: Jung Jun Ho, Jung Woong In, Jung Woon Taek
Sub: Korean, English (removable)
Ratio: Anamorphic 1.85:1
Audio: Korean Dolby Digital Surround 5.1, Dolby Digital Surround Running Time : 98 min.
Region: All
Company: Ivision/Cinexus
Special Features: (2 DVD+OST) 2 Trailers, 3 TV spots, Music Video, Deleted
Scenes with Director's Commentary, including alternate ending, Cast Introduction with
Interviews and Photo Galleries, Poster Image Gallery, Screenplay, My Boss, My Hero game, Discussion with Director and Cast.

[xage]

Hi, I am posting a mini FAQ on HK ratings which I hope to be helpful in buying HK/Asian DVDs from HongKong.

When some Hong Kong/Asian Movie Fans try to take some video tapes from Hong Kong, they will find that there is a circle, square or triangle representing category I, II and III. However, what are these representations actually means?


Introduction of Categorization System

The division of categories was first introduced in the Film Censorship Ordinance in 1988. Under the Film Censorship Ordinance, all the movies have to be censored before these movies can be showing in Hong Kong. In addition, all the movies showing in Hong Kong will be divided into three categories -- Category I, Category II and Category III according to the natures, scenes and meanings or the movies.

The spirit of the categorization is to act as a label for us to understand the levels of the movies in dirty stuff and parents to choose for their children. The new system also provides a larger limit for movies showing in Hong Kong. Some movies cannot be showing in Hong Kong but now they can be showing as Category III movies. Movies showing before 1988 did not divide into categories.

The Ordinance was revised in 1995. The Ordinance remains the basics and the criteria for categorization. The only tiny change is to sub-divide Category II movies into Category II A and II B. The meanings of all Categories are as follows:

Category I -- Suitable for All Ages

Category I is represented by a symbol of a happy circle in black and a white vertical bar in the middle. The category means all movies in Category I are suitable for all ages. The main criteria is that Category I movies should not contain any stuff that involves violence, sex or impressions that are not healthy for children.

Due to the strict criteria of Category I, very few proportion of movies showing in Hong Kong as Category I and most audiences will consider Category I as a category without any excitement.


Examples for Category I:
Summer Snow (1995)
Umbrella Story, The (1995)
Lost and Found (1996)
Up for the Rising Sun (1997)
Ah Fai, the Dumb (1997).

Category II A -- Not Suitable for Children

Both Category II A and II B are represented by a Symbol of a less friendly square in black. Category II A will have "II A" character in white in the square. Under Category II A, the movie can contain scenes of violence and sex. However, these stuff should not be too heavy. Parental Guidance is expected for Category II A movies. This category is similar to "PG-13" in the States and "12" in UK.

Category II A is a category which is not concerned by the filmmakers since they only consider whether their films can be divided as Category I or Category II B since these are more critical to them.


Examples for Category II A:
First Strike (1996)
Forbidden City Cop (1996)
Log, The (1996)
Comrades, almost a Love Story (1996)
Once Upon a Time in China and America (1997)
Mad Phoenix (1997).

Category II B -- Not Suitable for Young Persons and Children

The symbol of Category II B is very similar to that of Category II A, except that "B" replaces the "A" character. As the same as Category II A, Cat. II B movies can contain scenes of violence and sex. In addition, they may be not suitable in nature due to reasons like political and foul languages. Parental Guidance is also expected for Category II B movies. This category is similar to "R" in the States and "15" in UK.

When compared with Category II B, the filmmakers will be more concerned at this category. Some movies like "Young and Dangerous" series would try their best to be divided as Category II B even if some of the scenes have to be cut. The reason is that Category II B is the last category that everyone can see. Movies classified as Category III will lose all audiences below 18. This is also the category with lots of arguments and appeals.


Examples for Category II B:
Somebody Up There Likes Me (1996)
Young and Dangerous (1996)
Storm Riders (1998)
Shaolin Soccer (2001)
Cairo/Pulse (2001)

Category III -- Aged 18 or Above

Category III is represented by a dangerous black triangle and with three vertical bars inside the triangle. Unlike Category I, II A and II B. Category III movies are restricted for audiences aged 18 or above only. Audiences may have to show the proof of their ages before they can get into the auditorium. Everyone can get access to Category II B movies even though it is labeled as "Not Suitable for Young Persons and Children". This category is similar to "NC-17" in the States.

Some of the reasons for a movie being classified as Category III are:


-The movie contains lots of violence.
-The movie has got some sex scenes which should be showed to adults only.
-The movie contains dialogues with foul languages or languages that involves the jargons of triad society.
-The movie contains stuff which is political sensitive.
-The movie is not suitable for immature persons in nature.

Examples for Category III:
If I Were Real (1988)
Naked Killer (1992)
Dr Lamb (1993)
Viva Erotica (1996)
Battle Royale (1999)


OAT II

We can see that Category III movies will have a narrower base for audiences. Most of movies classified as Category III are pornographic movies. Hence, some people may link Category III as a category for porns, though it is not the fact.

If Pornography material is concern, the rating use rather than the usual X/XX/XXX in HongKong they made use of OAT II

[xage]

Jackie Chan as the Prisoner



Running time: 1Hr38min
Distributor: Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment
Country: Hong Kong
Region: 1
Rating: R (Violence)
Aspect Ratio: Widescreen (1.85:1)


Languages : English (Dolby Digital 5.1)
Subtitles : English, Spanish

Special Features:
- Audio Commentary by Phillip Ree - Martial Arts Expert
- Original Theatrical Trailer

Note:

I bought this DVD expecting a Jackie Chan Movie. Instead I bought a Jackie Chan Small Role Movie. Do not be fooled (like I do) with the title. One interesting thing upon watching it even though it was uncredited is the final action sequence. Which was filmed in the Phillipines.

And unique thing about it was Jackie was killed! Yes, he was to the orders of shoot to kill by no other than Suba Herrero. Not a must for JC collectors but fair enough.

*Jackie as the Prisoner was the North American Title release while its original title was Island on Fire.

[xage]

Tartan have just re-release the superb 'Battle Royale' and this is teh news that should thrill our US readers in particular...

Tartan Video has taken the challenge of the latest home entertainment innovation and has produced its first DVD to utilise NTSC progressive scan technology, currently a unique feature of NTSC players, now available in the UK. Progressive scan technology substantially enhances picture quality and the viewing experience as a whole, but while it remains a feature of NTSC DVD players only, this added value cannot be offered by DVDs made in the PAL format. Further enhanced features available on this NTSC release are the new Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack and the newly created digital subtitles which Tartan Video was unable to access for its original PAL release.

Just last  May 27th it was released.

However some viewpoints were raised by DVD reviewers concerning this.
 
related topic below---> Tartan confuse with Battle Royale Progressive Scan

[xage]

This week Hong Kong Released DVDs

Inner Senses (2002)
Letterboxed
Cantonese (DTS), Cantonese (DD 5.1), Cantonese (Stereo), and Mandarin (DD 5.1)
Chinese (Traditional), English, and Chinese (Simplified) subtitles
No region coding

My Note: Ala Sixth Sense but not-so-good plot and low budget effects


Tiramisu (2002)
Letterboxed
Cantonese (DTS), Cantonese (DD 5.1), Cantonese (Stereo), and Mandarin (DD 5.1)
Chinese (Traditional), English, and Chinese (Simplified) subtitles
No region coding

My Note: A romantic ghost story

[xage]

Over the past months  have been buying HK DVDS I have notice that the among the numbers of purchased DVD I made. The better set always comes from Universe Laser released DVDs.

Why:

1. Among other HK DVD producers, Universe laser is the consistent one in releasing new titles under DTS track
2. Most of their new DVDs are jampacked with Special Features
3. DVD keepcase is excellent since it houses to DVDs. If you to search for dual DVD case just buy  a Universe release DVD.
4. Subtitles can be clearly viewed/read.
5. Price is affordable

[xage]

BROTHER



Running Time 113 Minutes
Country: Japan
Distributor: Universe
Regional Coding: 3
Format: NTSC
Screen: Letterbox with aspect Ratio of 1.85:1


Special Features:

Sound:
   - Japanese/English (DTS)
   - Japanese/English (DD 5.1)
   - Japanese/English (DD 2.0)

Subtitles:
   - Traditional Chinese
   - Simplified Chinese
   - English

Filmography of Takeshi Kitano


My Note:

Excellent DTS soundtrack for a bulelt ballet style Japan drama/action film. Although no amount of extras to be seen, this DVD is highlighted by a great menu matching it with violent short scenes.

Around 10$ (including shipping) a sure bargain price for a such a good film (In my view). Recommended for "Beat" Takeshi fans and those who love Gangster films (I mean like Yakuza/Cholos[mexicans]/Blacks/Mafia)

For those who do not know "Beat" Takeshi - he is the terror teacher in the popular Japanese film "Battle Royale" and if you can still recall,  he is the bigboss/owner on the TV show "Takeshi's Castle" which was played locally by Smokey and Anjo.

For some reviews check out this IMDB link

Brother IMDB Info

[xage]

To Region 1 collectors, here is a look of the "Audition" Region 1 release.

http://www.dvdshrine.com/story.shtml?id=12458&cat=current

[xage]

Unearthed Films upcoming US DVD release of Japenese Gore Horrors

Devils Experiment/Android of Notre Dame Double Feature - June 5
Mermaid in a Manhole/ He Never Dies Double Feature - Septemeber 5
Flower of Flesh and Blood/ Making of Guinea Pig - November 5
Devil Dr. Woman/ Making of Devil Dr. Woman - Decemeber 23

Suggested Retail will be $34.95 per disc

The DVD's will have removable subtitles, Dolby Digital Stereo and Split Menu's. The Disc's will be NTSC, Non-Region and digitally enhanced. Also, Junk and Evil Dead Trap 2 are on their upcoming DVD release.

[xage]

John Woo's The Killer


Running time: 111 mins
Distributor: Universe Video
Country: Hong Kong
Region: ALL
Rating: II

Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1

Special Features:

- Chapter Selection
- Subtitles:
   Chinese (Traditional)
   English
   Chinese (Simplified)
   Japanese
   Korean
   Bahasa (Indonesia)
   Bahasa (Malaysia)
   Thai
   Vietnamese
   French
- Cast (Danny Lee and Chow Yun Fat) Biography
- Trailer of the Movie


My Short Note:

What Can I say? Its a John Woo Masterpiece! From story to hard-hitting action. This DVD is a must for fans of Bullet-Ballet/John Woo films

For an average price of $5.5 (Excluding shipping) on online HK stores. This DVD is a bargain!

[xage]

The Fruit is Swelling 97'
(The Fruit is Ripe II)



Running time: 90 mins
Distributor: Mei Ah Video
Country: Hong Kong
Region: ALL
Rating: III

Screen: Letterboxed at a ratio of 1.85 to 1

Sound:
Cantonese (DD 2.0)
Mandarin (DD 2.0)

Special Features:

- Chapter Selection
- Subtitles:
   -Traditional Chinese
   -English
   -Japanese
   -Korean
   -Bahasa (doesn't indicate whether its Indonesian or Malaysian)


My Short Note:

On the technical end: While viewing I never knew until I reached the chapter that there was a multiangle feature within it (A suprise easter egg!). Here is the details:

-  Choose Chapter #11, if you use the chapter menu
-  Or forward to Chapter #13, if you punch it in while watching the film (This is because the film starts at Chapter 3)
- The scene involves 4 selectable camera angle

On the movie review end: If you love Big (yes, the Tom Hanks Film) then you'll definitely love this one (ofcourse because of the the added sexy stuff)


Related link (As this was recently released in theatres here and the reason Why I buy)

Rating in Philippine Cinema

[Titanium]

Asian DVD's with english dialog
 
hi everybody,

I would like to start buying Asian DVD's such as Hongkong films, Malaysian, Thai etc, but I want them to have English dialogs, certainly not english sub-titles alone. Can you list down known asian DVD's with english dialogs? thanks.

[green_archer]

Hey Xage,

Maybe you can recommend some "nice" Hsu Chi films to me. The ones where she actually starred and not just to support some action star. A category III rating will be much appreciated. he-he.