UNWELCOME (2022) (Well Go USA Blu-ray Review)

UNWELCOME (2022) 

Label: Well Go USA 

Region Code: A

Rating: R

Duration: 101 Minutes 

Audio: English DTS-HD MA 5.1, 2.0 with Optional English Subtitles 

Video: 1080p HD Widescreen (2.39:1) 

Director: Jon Wright 

Cast: Hannah John-Kamen, Douglas Booth, Colm Meaney, Kristian Nairn, Niamh Cusack, Jamie-Lee O'Donnell, Chris Wa1ley

The latest from Irish filmmaker Jon Wright (Grabbers) is the folkloric creature-feature Unwelcome (2002) wherein a young pregnant couple, Maya (Hannah John-Kamen, Ready Player One) and Jamie (Douglas Booth, The Dirt), move from big-city life in London to rural Ireland after a harrowing home invasion trauma. It's a quaint cottage they've inherited from Jamie's mysterious late great-aunt, the locals seem quite welcoming, though an elderly neighbor (Niamh Cusack, The Ghoul) does warn the couple that they should continue to leave blood offerings for the far darrig, the Irish fairy folk said to inhabit the woods behind their garden. The woodland creatures are also known as Redcaps due to their signature hooded attire. While the couple attempt to settle in and get comfy their both suffering still suffering with PTSD following the home-invasion back in London, with Jamie feeling particularly emasculated about it. Unfortunately the couple run afoul of a local psychopathic family via contractor Whelan (Colm Meaney, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine) and his trio of adult vicious children; Eoin (Kristian Nairn, Game of Thrones), Aisling (Jamie-Lee O'Donnell) and Killian (Chris Wa1ley, 1917), when one of the Whelan's kids loses his head with some help from the fairy folk who have come to Maya's aid when she is attacked in the woods, with the venomous patriarch and his surviving kids showing up in the late of night looking for answers, but what they don't expect is an all out assault from the bloodthirsty Redcaps. 

It sounds all very dire and desperate but if you've seen Wright's Grabbers you know he infuses his horror with comedy and there's a wonderfully indelicate balance between the harrowing, horror and hearty laughs happening throughout. The tone is a bit all over the place and that's alright by me - I'm a moody guy and my emotions can run all over the pace, I typically don't fault a film for the same unless it just doesn't work, but it works for me. 

The film is well shot with some great looking fairytale-esque woodlands, with scenes that look to have been shot on a sound stage giving the Irish woodlands setting a dark fairytale quality along the lines of Legend or Company of Wolves, only with a much lower budget. The Redcaps themselves don't get a proper introduction for quite some time, though their presence is felt early on through POV, but we do not get a proper look-see until late in the film. However, once they do appear it's never disappointing, created with a blend of what looks to be digital VFX, puppetry and perhaps some live-action actors is quite wonderful. The look of the dark fairy folk is quite creepy and should delight fans of pint-sized terrors like Gremlins, Ghoulies, Troll and the Puppet Master franchise, it certainly did me. There's also quite a bit of gore during the finals third of the film with throats slashed, guts are spilled, there's no shortage of the gore, some of it quite shocking, those little fairy fuckers are an brutal bunch!

Audio/Video: Unwelcome (2022) arrives on Blu-ray from Well Go USA in 1080p HD (2.39:1) with English DTS-HD MA 5.1 with optional English Subtitles. It's a great looking indie feature shot digitally and colors, contrast and black levels are solid throughout. Extras include a pair of behind-the0scenes featurettes and a trailer for the film. The single-disc release arrives in a standard keepcase with a single-sided sleeve of artwork. 

Special Features: 

- Behind The Scenes (13 min)

- Making The Redcaps (5 min)

- Original Trailer (2 min)

 

Severin Films announce INFERNO ROSSO: JOE D'AMATO ON THE ROAD OF EXCESS and SCANDALOUS EMANUELLE (also available in THE SENSUAL WORLD OF BLACK EMANUELLE box set) for Blu-ray release!

INFERNO ROSSO: JOE D'AMATO ON THE ROAD OF EXCESS and SCANDALOUS EMANUELLE (also available in THE SENSUAL WORLD OF BLACK EMANUELLE box set)

Aristide Massaccesi – better known by his nom de cinéma Joe D’Amato – was the wildly prolific producer/director of the most extreme genre films in history, from horror jaw-droppers that include ANTHROPOPHAGUS and BEYOND THE DARKNESS to erotic taboo-blasters like CALIGULA: THE UNTOLD STORY and his BLACK EMANUELLE collaborations with Laura Gemser. Documentarians Manlio Gomarasca and Massimiliano Zanin now reveal the whole story of D’Amato’s remarkable life and career featuring an in-depth interview with the late filmmaker, new and archival insights by colleagues, family, friends and fans Michele Soavi, Luigi Montefiori, Jess Franco, Eli Roth, Tinto Brass, Roger Corman, Luigi Cozzi, Luc Merenda, Bruno Mattei, Al Cliver, Claudio Fragasso and more, plus explicit clips from dozens of D’Amato’s most infamous films. Also included is D’Amato’s sumptuously sexy 1986 period drama SCANDALOUS EMANUELLE – aka PEEP SHOW – starring Gemser, Jenny Tamburi (THE PSYCHIC), and Lilly Carati (THE ALCOVE).

Inferno Rosso Special Features:

*Introduction By Nicolas Winding Refn For Venice Film Festival Premiere

*Two Of A Kind: Talking About Joe – Director Manlio Gomarasca And Giona A. Nazzaro (Artistic Director, Locarno Film Festival) In Conversation

*Outtakes

*Trailer

Scandalous Emanuelle Special Features:

*Scandalous Christina – Interview With Actress Jenny Tamburi

*Peeping Lilli – Interview With Actress Lilli Carati

*Trailer

Disc Specs:

*Aspect ratio: 1.78:1 (Inferno) / 1.85:1 (Scandalous)

*Audio: Italian 5.1, Italian Stereo (Inferno) / Italian Mono (Scandalous)

*Closed Captions, English Subtitles (Inferno) / Closed Captions (Scandalous)

*Region A

*Run time: 164 mins (total)

Pre-order now: https://severinfilms.com/collections/pre-order/products/copy-of-inferno-rosso-joe-damato-on-the-road-of-excess-blu-ray-pre-order

Severin Films announce massive 24-film THE SENSUAL WORLD OF BLACK EMANUELLE box set!

THE SENSUAL WORLD OF BLACK EMANUELLE 

She was the pleasure-seeking photojournalist – forever embodied by the exquisite Indonesian actress Laura Gemser, most frequently in collaboration with writer/director Joe D’Amato – who would uncover an increasingly lurid world of sex cults, snuff films, cannibal jungles, women’s prisons, white slavers, depraved convents, and beyond to become the premier feminist icon in genre history. This landmark collection produced by award-winning writer/director Kier-La Janisse now brings together 21 BLACK EMANUELLE films, 2 adjacent titles starring EuroCult heroine Ajita Wilson, and the D’Amato documentary INFERNO ROSSO, most newly scanned, restored, and on Blu-ray for the first time in America. The journey continues with 2 soundtrack CDs curated exclusively for this release encompassing music by Nico Fidenco and more, the lavishly illustrated 356-page THE BLACK EMANUELLE BIBLE designed by Luke Insect and featuring new writings by noted film scholars and historians as well as Laura Gemser’s in-depth 1996 Nocturno Magazine interview, and over 40 hours of Special Features that include alternate versions, audio commentaries, video essays, a documentary on Gemser’s husband/co-star Gabriele Tinti, the ‘80s Gemser workout video Looking Good, and much more.

Disc 1: BLACK EMANUELLE (1975) / BLACK EMANUELLE 2 (1976)

Black Emanuelle Special Features:

*XXX Inserts

*Audio Commentary With Film Programmer Jazmyne Moreno

*Exoticizing Blackness And Erotic Sovereignty In BLACK EMANUELLE – Interview With Adult Film Historian Mireille Miller-Young 

*I Am Your Black Queen – Audio Interview With Actress Laura Gemser 

*The Reluctant Icon – A Tribute To Laura Gemser By Film Historians Kier-La Janisse, Stephen Broomer And Manlio Gomarasca, With Animation By Leslie Supnet And Ashley Thorpe 

*Black Emanuelle’s Groove – Interview With Composer Nico Fidenco 

*Trailer

Black Emanuelle Disc Specs:

*Aspect ratio: 1.85:1

*Audio: English Mono / Italian Mono

*Closed Captions

*Region A

*Run time: 96 mins

Black Emanuelle 2 Special Features:

*XXX Inserts

*Adalberto AKA Bitto – Interview With Film Historian Davide Pulici 

*Diva '70 – Interview With Dagmar Lassander 

*Trailer

Black Emanuelle 2 Disc Specs:

*Aspect ratio: 1.85:1

*Audio: English Mono / Italian Mono

*Closed Captions

*Region A

*Run time: 91 mins

Disc 2: EMANUELLE IN BANGKOK (1976) / EMANUELLE IN AMERICA (1976)

*Emanuelle in Bangkok Special Features:

*Audio Commentary With Professor Of Film Aaron AuBuchon

*A Reflection Of The Times – Interview With Actress Debra Berger 

*Ivan The Terrible – Actor Ivan Rassimov Discusses EMANUELLE IN BANGKOK And EMANUELLE AROUND THE WORLD

*Trailer

Emanuelle in Bangkok Disc Specs:

*Aspect ratio: 1.85:1

*Audio: English Mono / Italian Mono

*Closed Captions

*Region A

*Run time: 94 mins

Emanuelle in America Special Features:

*Audio Commentary With Film Historian Kat Ellinger

*Archival Audio Commentary With Film Historians Bruce Holecheck And Nathaniel Thompson

*The Danish Man – Interview With Actor Lars Bloch 

*The Confessions Of Diana Smith – Interview With Actress Maria Piera Regoli 

*The Art Of Sexy & Gore – Interview With Art Director Marco Dentici 

*The Cutting Of The Flesh – Interview With FX Artist Giannetto De Rossi 

*The Devil’s Trick – Interview With Makeup Artist Maurizio Trani 

*The Journalist – Maria Pia Fusco And Piero Vivarelli On The Origins Of D’Amato’s Emanuelle 

*The Naked City: Emanuelle In New York – A Location Tour With Journalist Michael Gingold 

*Trailer

Emanuelle in America Disc Specs:

*Aspect ratio: 1.85:1

*Audio: English Mono / Italian Mono

*Closed Captions

*Region A

*Run time: 100 mins

Disc 3: EMANUELLE AROUND THE WORLD (1977) / EMANUELLE AND THE LAST CANNIBALS (1977)

Emanuelle Around the World Special Features:

*Around The World With Emanuelle – Interview With Film Historian Stephen Thrower 

*I’m Not A Guru – Interview With Actor Luigi Montefiori 

*The Beautiful One – Interview With Actor Gianni Macchia 

*A Tribute To Karin Schubert: The ‘Nackedei’ Actress – Video *Essay By Kier-La Janisse And Stephen Broomer, Written By Jean-Luc Marret, Author Of Pornification: Vie De Karin Schubert 

*Trailer

Emanuelle Around the World Disc Specs:

*Aspect ratio: 1.85:1

*Audio: English Mono / Italian Mono

*Closed Captions

*Region A

*Run time: 102 mins (Unrated Cut) / 88 mins (Theatrical Cut)

Emanuelle and the Last Cannibals Special Features:

*Audio Commentary By Film Historian Stephen Thrower

*The World Of Nico Fidenco – An Interview With Composer Nico Fidenco 

*A Nun Among The Cannibals – Interview With Actress Annamaria Clementi 

*Dr. O’Brien M.D. – Interview With Actor Donald O’Brien 

*From Switzerland To Mato Grosso – Interview With Actress Monica Zanchi 

*Dressed To Eat – Interview With Costume Designer Silvana Scandariato 

*Theatrical Trailer

Emanuelle and the Last Cannibals Disc Specs:

*Aspect ratio: 1.85:1

*Audio: English Mono / Italian Mono

*Closed Captions / English Subtitles

*Region A

*Run time: 93 mins

Disc 4: PORNO NIGHTS OF THE WORLD (1977) / EMANUELLE AND THE PORNO NIGHTS OF THE WORLD (1978)

Porno Nights of the World Special Features:

*Master Of The World – Interview With Co-Director Bruno Mattei 

*At The Dining Table – Interview With Producer Franco Gaudenzi 

*The Naked Eye: Sex And The Mondo Film – Documentary With Film Historians Elizabeth Purchell, Mark Goodall And Joe Rubin 

*English Opening Credit Sequence

*Trailer

Porno Nights of the World Disc Specs:

*Aspect ratio: 1.85:1

*Audio: English Mono / Italian Mono

*Closed Captions

*Region A

*Run time: 88 mins

Emanuelle and the Porno Nights of the World Special Features:

*Crazy, Crazy World – Interview With Makeup Artist Pietro Tenoglio 

*After Hours With Joe D’Amato – Interview With Director Joe D’Amato 

*Trailer

Emanuelle and the Porno Nights of the World Disc Specs:

*Aspect ratio: 1.85:1

*Audio: English Mono / Italian Mono

*Closed Captions

*Region A

*Run time: 85 mins

Disc 5: SISTER EMANUELLE (1977) / EMANUELLE AND THE WHITE SLAVE TRADE (1978)

Sister Emaneulle Special Features:

*Audio Commentary With Film Scholar Lindsay Hallam

*Trailer

Sister Emanuelle Disc Specs:

*Aspect ratio: 1.85:1

*Audio: English Mono / Italian Mono

*Closed Captions

*Region A

*Run time: 93 mins

Emanuelle and the White Slave Trade Special Features:

*Audio Commentary With Film Programmer Lars Nilsen

*The Bohemian – Interview With Actor Venantino Venantini 

*Come In Un Film: La Vera Storia Di Gabriele (Gastone) Tinti – 2016 Documentary By Riccardo Marchesini 

*Trailer

Emanuelle and the White Slave Trade Disc Specs:

*Aspect ratio: 1.85:1

*Audio: English Mono / Italian Mono

*Closed Captions

*Region A

*Run time: 88 mins

Disc 6: VIOLENCE IN A WOMEN'S PRISON (1982) / EMANUELLE IN PRISON (1985)

Violence in a Women's Prison Special Features:

*Archival Interview With Director Bruno Mattei 

*Brawl In Women’s Block – Interview With Writers Claudio Fragasso And Rossella Drudi 

*Two For One – Interview With Producer Roberto Di Girolamo 

*Radio Spot

*Trailer

Violence in a Women's Prison Disc Specs:

*Aspect ratio: 1.78:1

*Audio: English Mono / Italian Mono

*Closed Captions

*Region A

*Run time: 98 mins

Emanuelle in Prison Special Features:

*Audio Commentary With Author And Critic Annie Choi And Film Editor Perri Pivovar

*Jailhouse Rock – Interview With Composer Luigi Ceccarelli 

*Razor Blade Smile – Interview With Actor Pietro Angelo Pozzato 

*Franca Stoppi: Matron Of Hell – Video Essay Written And *Narrated By Film Critic Rachael Nisbet 

*Trailer

Emanuelle in Prison Disc Specs:

*Aspect ratio: 1.85:1

*Audio: English Mono

*Closed Captions

*Region A

*Run time: 88 mins

Disc 7: BLACK COBRA (1976) / BLACK VELVET (1976)

Black Cobra Special Features:

*Audio Commentary With Film Critic Samm Deighan

*From Prague To Hong Kong – Interview With Actress Michele Starck 

*Joe D’Amato At Eurofest

Black Cobra Disc Specs:

*Aspect ratio: 1.85:1

*Audio: English Mono / Italian Mono

*Closed Captions

*Region A

*Run time: 96 mins

Black Velvet Special Features:

*Black Velvet – Interviews With Stars Annie Belle And Al Cliver 

*The Roots Of Evil – Biographer Alberto Pezzotta On Director Brunello Rondi 

*A Relationship Of Confusion – Film Critic Joseph Fahim On VELLUTO NERO

*English Opening Credit Sequence

*Italian Theatrical Trailer

*English Theatrical Trailer

Black Velvet Disc Specs:

*Aspect ratio: 2.35:1

*Audio: Partial English Mono / Italian Mono

*Closed Captions / English Subtitles

*Region A

*Run time: 96 mins

Disc 8: EMANUELLE'S PERVERSE OUTBURST (1983) / PORNO ESOTIC LOVE (1980)

Emanuelle's Perverse Outburst Special Feature:

*Audio Commentary With Author Bryan Connolly And Film Programmer Amber Adams

Emanuelle's Perverse Outburst Disc Specs:

*Aspect ratio: 1.85:1

*Audio: French Mono

*English Subtitles

*Region A

*Run time: 97 mins

Porno Esotic Love Special Features:

*The Lovemaker – Interview With Actor Mark Shannon 

*Trailer

Porno Esotic Love Disc Specs:

*Aspect ratio: 1.85:1

*Audio: English Mono / Italian Mono

*Closed Captions

*Region A

*Run time: 103 mins

Disc 9: DIVINE EMANUELLE (1981)

Divine Emanuelle Special Features:

*Includes FANATICO...WHEN THE GODDESS CALLS (Workprint of Christian Anders' Director's Cut)

*Deleted Scenes

*Trailer

Divine Emanuelle Disc Specs:

*Aspect ratio: 1.66:1

*Audio: English Mono / French Mono (Divine Emanuelle Only)

*Closed Captions

*Region Free

*Run time: 99 mins (Divine) / 104 mins (Fanatico)

Disc 10: EMANUELLE: QUEEN OF THE DESERT (1982) 

Emanuelle: Queen of the Desert Special Features:

*Includes THE DIRTY SEVEN (Longer Alternate Cut Of The Film Under Its Original Title)

*Violent Cyprus – Interview With Actor Giovanni Brusatori 

*Sunlight And Violence – Interview With Cinematographer Nino Celeste 

*Trailer

*LOOKING GOOD – Workout Video Hosted By Laura Gemser 

*Audio Commentary With Film And Television Historian Amanda Reyes And Podcaster Erik Threlfall

Emanuelle: Queen of the Desert Disc Specs:

*Aspect ratio: 1.66:1

*Audio: English Mono

*Closed Captions

*Region Free

*Run time: 89 mins

Disc 11: AMORE LIBERO - FREE LOVE (1974) / EMANUELLE - A WOMAN FROM A HOT COUNTRY (1978)

Amore Libero - Free Love Disc Specs:

Aspect ratio: 1.85:1

Audio: English Mono, Italian Mono (TBC)

English Subtitles (TBC)

Region A

Run time: 86 mins (TBC)

Emanuelle - A Woman From a Hot Country Disc Specs:

*Aspect ratio: 1.85:1

*Audio: English Mono / Spanish Mono

*Closed Captions

*Region A

*Run time: 87 mins

Disc 12: BLACK DEEP THROAT (1977) / PORNO NIGHTS OF THE WORLD N.2 (1978)

Black Deep Throat Special Feature:

*Ajita Wilson: An Elusive Icon – Video Essay By Film And Gender Studies Scholar Matt Richardson

Black Deep Throat Disc Specs:

*Aspect ratio: 2.35:1

*Audio: English Mono

*Closed Captions

*Region Free

*Run time: 87 mins

Porno Nights of the World N.2 Disc Specs:

*Aspect ratio: 1.85:1

*Audio: English Mono / Italian Mono

*Closed Captions

*Region Free

*Run time: 94 mins

Disc 13: INFERNO ROSSO: JOE D'AMATO ON THE ROAD OF EXCESS (2021) / SCANDALOUS EMANUELLE (1986)

Inferno Rosso: Joe D'Amato on the Road of Excess Special Features:

*Introduction By Nicolas Winding Refn For Venice Film Festival Premiere 

*Two Of A Kind: Talking About Joe – Director Manlio Gomarasca And Giona A. Nazzaro (Artistic Director, Locarno Film Festival) In Conversation 

*Outtakes

*Trailer

Inferno Rosso: Joe D'Amato on the Road of Excess Disc Specs:

*Aspect ratio: 1.78:1

*Audio: English 5.1 / Italian Stereo

*Closed Captions / English Subtitles

*Region A

*Run time: 73 mins

Scandalous Emanuelle Special Features:

*Scandalous Christina – Interview With Actress Jenny Tamburi 

*Peeping Lilli – Interview With Actress Lilli Carati 

*Trailer

Scandalous Emanuelle Disc Specs:

*Aspect ratio: 1.85:1

*Audio: English Mono

*Closed Captions

*Region A

*Run time: 91 mins

Disc 14: NICO FIDENCO’S GROOVE CD

Disc 15: BLACK EMANUELLE’S RARITIES AND B-SIDES CD

THE BLACK EMANUELLE BIBLE: Designed by Luke Insect with a cover illustration by Kim Thompson, this fully illustrated 356-page book is the most substantial collection of writing ever devoted to the series, with essays by Kevin John Bozelka, Costas Constandinides, Rachel Harrison, Alexandra Heller-Nicholas, Kier-La Janisse, Jennifer Moorman, Xavier Aldana Reyes, Jorge Rivera-Gutiérrez and Erin Wiegand; additional capsule reviews by Bryan Connolly and Craig Ledbetter; and archival interviews with actress Laura Gemser and screenwriter Maria Pia Fusco. 

Get your orders in now: https://severinfilms.com/collections/pre-order/products/sensual-black-emanuelle-box

IN THE LINE OF DUTY I - IV (1986) (88 Films Blu-ray Review)

IN THE LINE OF DUTY I - IV (1986-1989) 

In the Line of Duty (皇家師姐) is a series of very loosely connected  'girls with guns' action films produced by Hong Kong movie studio D & B Films; the first two star Michelle Yeoh with the sequels starring the equally ass-kicking Cynthia Khan as Hong Kong Police Force Officers kicking crime's ass. This was not a series that was initially planned or even filmed as a connected series of films, with the third film in the series being the first to have used the 'In the Line of Duty' title, and it was only then retroactively applied to the first two Michelle Yeoh films. There are actually five more In the Line of Duty films starring Khan from the 90's, but this set from 88 Films collects the first four with some terrific extras and alternate viewing and listening options options, in addition to some killer packaging. 

ROYAL WARRIORS (1986)

aka In the Line of Duty 

aka Police Assassins 

Label: 88 Films

Duration: 96 Minutes 

Region Code: A

Audio: Cantonese DTS-HD MA 2.0 Mono Alternate Mix, Cantonese DTS-HD MA 2.0 Theatrical Mix English Dub DTS-HD MA 5.1,  Classic English Dub DTS-HD MA 2.0 with Optional English Subtitles 

Video: 1080p HD Widescreen (1.85:1) 

Directors: David Chung

Cast: Michelle Yeoh, Henry Sanada, Michael Wong, Pai Ying, Michael Chan, Lam Wai

In the David Chung directed Royal Warriors (1986), aka In The Line of Duty aka Police Assassins, the lovely Michelle Yeoh (Everything Everywhere All At Once) stars as as Inspector Yip. While returning from a vacation in Japan has to kick some ass on a plane, alongside airport security guard Michael Wong (played by Michael Wong, The Vineyard), and Japanese cop Yamamoto (Henry Sanada, The Wolverine) to stop the mid-air hijacking aimed at springing a high profile Hong Kong mobster being extradited for trial. During the in-flight kung fu kerfuffle the mob boss and the would-be hijacker are killed, but the trio of cops become targeted by the mobster's blood brother who is out for revenge at any price. It's a dizzying kick-ass slice of Hong Kong action with some crazy set-pieces' we get chainsaw battles, a fantastic nightclub fight sequence, loads of shattered glass, explosions, and some seriously impactful fight sequences that dazzle. The film has no qualms about the death of innocents with loads civilian casualties of people just in the wrong place at the wrong time, even one of the main characters wives a young kid are offed in a car explosion. I love seeing Yeoh do her ass-kicking cop lady thing, she's a force to be reckoned while also being quite charming, she's certainly the star of the flick and it's no wonder this film put on the worldwide map. The film has some decent character moments that build the bond between the three law enforcement main characters, which deepens the drama when casualties start mounting, some of them quite affecting. I also love that the baddies lure the cops for a final showdown by grave robbing a dead cops corpse from the cemetery and leaving a VHS taped message for them, plus there's a late in the game arrival of an experimental armored car because why the Hell not? 

Special Features: 

- 2.0 Cantonese Mono Theatrical Mix

- 2.0 Cantonese Alternate Mix

- 2.0 Classic English Dub

- 5.1 New English Dub

- Newly translated English subtitles

- Audio Commentary by Hong Kong Film Expert Frank Djeng

- Missing Aeroplane Inserts (29 sec) 

- Cantonese Trailer (4 min 38 sec) 

- English Trailer (3 min 47 sec) 

- English In the Line of Duty Titles (2 min 57 sec) 

YES, MADAM! (1985) 

aka In The Line of Duty 2: The Super Cops

aka Police Assassins 2 

Label: 88 Films

Duration: 93 Minutes 

Region Code: A

Audio: Cantonese DTS-HD MA 2.0 Dual-Mono Home Video Mix, Cantonese DTS-HD MA 2.0 Dual-Mono Theatrical  Mix, English Dub DTS-HD MA 5.1 with Optional English Subtitles 

Video: 1080p HD Widescreen (1.85:1)

Directors: Corey Yuen 

Cast: Michelle Yeoh, John SHum, CYnthia Rothrock, Mang Hoi, Tsui Hark, Sammo Hung 

In the "sequel" directed by Corey Yuen Yes, Madam! (1985), Michelle Yeoh (Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon) stars as Hong Kong Inspector Ng, who teams up with Scottish Investigator Carrie Morris (Cynthia Rothrock, Top Squad) to retrieve microfilm that has been unwittingly stolen by a pair of two-bit thieves Aspirin (Hoi Mang, Righting Wrongs) and Strepsil (John Sham, New Police Story) and their quirky counterfeiter associate Panadol (Tsui Hark, The Mermaid). Unbeknownst to the low-level criminals the microfiche could put a powerful triad boss in the slammer for life and he's sent a professional hitman (Dick Wei, Five Deadly Venoms) to retrieve the evidence, which ends up resulting in both the hitman as well as cops. This one is way more a comedy than the first film, while still being chock full of stunning fight choreography and dangerous stunt work, it's a wonderful combination and the fast-paced action , kick-ass kung fu and slapstick humor was delightful. This is easily my favorite of the four films here, Yeoh and Rothrock are dynamite here, the finale features some terrific fights with both, and I loved the comedy brought to the table by out trio of comic criminals

.

Special Features: 

- Hong Kong Cut featuring: Cantonese Original Theatrical Mix Mono & Cantonese (Home Video Mix) Mono Original Effects

5.1 New English Dub 

- Export Version with classic English Dub in 2.0 Dolby Digital Mono (87 min 57 sec) 

- Audio Commentary by Frank Djeng (HK Version)

- A Team Player - Cynthia Rothrock on Yes, Madam! (17 min 50 sec) 

- Select Scene Commentary with Cynthia Rothrock and Frank Djeng (4 min 30 sec) 

- Ladies First - Men Hoi on Yes, Madam! (13 min 46 sec) 

- Archival Interview with Michelle Yeoh (15 min 5 sec) 

- Archival Battling Babes Featurette (10 min 23 sec) 

- Hong Kong Trailer (4 min 22 sec) 

IN THE LINE OF DUTY III (1988) 

aka Force of the Dragon

aka yes Madam 2 

Label: 88 Films

Duration:  90 Minutes 

Region Code: A

Audio: Cantonese DTS-HD MA 2.0 Dual-Mono, English Dub DTS-HD MA 2.0 Dual-Mono with Optional English Subtitles 

Video: 1080p HD Widescreen (1.85:1)

Directors: Arthur Wong, Brandy Yuen

Cast:  Cynthia Khan, Hiroshi Fujioka, Stuart Ong, Michiko Nishiwaki, Yueh Hua, Paul Chun, Dick Wei, Melvin Wong

In the Line of Duty III loses Yeoh and Rothrock, and the comedy-bent that I loved from the last outing, but it stars Cynthia Khan (Super Lady Cop) as Hong Kong Detective Rachel Yeung, who assigned with tracking down a pair of Red Army connected terrorists (Stuart Ong, Die Another Day) & Michiko Nishiwaki (Magic Cop)) who, after a bloody Tokyo fashion show heist, have fled to Hong Kong, only to realize their silent third party has betrayed them with fake diamonds. While the comedy is toned down there's still a lot to love about this third entry. Yeung is joined in HK by Japanese detective (Hiroshi Fujioka, Ghost Warrior) who is hell-bent on revenging the death of his partner who the terrorist thief's gunned down in Tokyo, and he's quite fond of breaking the rules and getting on the wrong side of the law in order to achieve that goal. While the comedy is gone (for the most part) this entry is ultra-violent and goes for the throat, the thieves vow to track down their silent partner who double-crossed them. The emphasis her is on action and not character development, so it comes at you fast and it's pretty breathtaking the amount of violence and ass-kicking squeezed in here, just don't expect much dramatic impact, almost to the point that I was just watching this for the ass-kicking and not really paying attention to character stuff or plot. This one is quite stylish and slick looking, with some terrific set pieces that are quite entertaining, including a explosives-laden RC helicopter attack on a hospital, but it is a bit too grim and violent for it's own good at times, I missed the humor and quirky character moments from the first two entries.  

Special Features: 

- 2.0 Cantonese Mono with English Subtitles

- 2.0 English Mono

- Audio Commentary by Frank Djeng and Michael Worth

- Interview with John Sham by Frederic Ambroisine (25 min 41 sec min) 

- Hong Kong Trailer (3 min 12 sec) 

- English Trailer 1 (3 min 10 sec) 

- English Trailer 2 (3 min 27 sec) 

- English Credits (2 min 20 sec) 

IN THE LINE OF DUTY IV (`1989) 

aka In the Line of Duty 

aka Yes Madam 4

aka Witness

Label: 88 Films

Duration: 95 Minutes 24 Seconds 

Region Code: A

Audio: Cantonese DTS-HD MA 2.0 Dual-Mono, English Dub DTS-HD MA 2.0 Dual-Mono with Optional English Subtitles 

Video: 1080p HD Widescreen (1.85:1)

Directors: Woo-Ping Yuen

Cast: Cynthia Khan, Donnie Yen, Michael Wong, Yat Chor Yuen, Lisa Chiao, Liu Kai-chi

In the Line of Duty IV (1989), directed by Woo-Ping Yuen (Drunken Master), again stars Cynthia Kahn, this time as Seattle-based Detective Yeung, who's hot on the trail on a drug dealer, with the help of Inspectors Yan (Donnie Yen, Ip Man) and Inspector Wong (Michael Wong) she infiltrates the port where the cocaine is being unloaded, where she encounter Chinese immigrant dock work Luk Wan-ting (Yat Chor Yuen, Tiger Cage). When she is discovered by the dealer Luk Wang-ting provides her with an alibi, and later she helps defend the dock workers brother Ming (Liu Kai-chi, Infernal Affairs II) from this he owes a large sum of money two. Afterward Luk witnesses a corrupt CIA agent gin down the coke dealer at a warehouse and becomes entangled in Yeung's case when the dying cop gives him a roll of undeveloped film that would incriminate the CIA agent. Through a series of unlucky events Luk is taken into custody but escapes and returns to Honk Kong, with  Kahn, Yan and Wong following him. There while attempting to apprehend Luk Wan-ting the cops become entangled in a web of corrupt cops, drug dealers and a group of ex-military baddies that make for an action-packed watch with more heart and character that the third film but still chock full of top-notch action. My favorite parts of this film actually revolve around the dock worker played by Yat Chor Yuen, his comic but spry ass-kicking presence was quite entertaining, the perfect foil to the cops and for me is the heart of the film. 

Special Features: 

- 2.0 Cantonese Mono with English Subtitles

- 2.0 English Mono

- Audio Commentary by Frank Djeng and Michael Worth

- Interview with John Sham by Frederic Ambroisine

- Hong Kong cut, featuring Cantonese or Japanese DTS-HD MA 2.0 Dual-Mono with Optional English Subtitles 

- Export Version of the film featuring the Classic English Dub (Dolby Digital) 2.0 (95 min 3 sec) HD 

- Audio Commentary with Frank Djeng and F.J. DeSanto (HK Cut)

- Archive Interview with Donnie Yen (29 min 20 sec) 

- Hong Kong Trailer (4 min 26 sec) 

- English Trailer (5 min 30 sec) 

Audio/Video: All four film are advertised as being "stunning new 2K restorations" presented in 1080p HD widescreen framed in 1.85:1. from 88 Films. I thought they all looked quite nice with good color and skin tones, and the sources material is in great shape. Audio for all four films features both English dub and Cantonese, some with alternate home video and theatrical mixes. 

Extras include Audio Commentaries by Hong Kong Film Expert Frank Djeng and associates on all four films, plus both Hong Kong and Export versions of the second and fourth films, hours of new and archival interviews and featurettes, and loads of trailers. 

The 4-film set arrives in a gorgeous side-loading slipbox adorned with eye catching artwork by Sean Longmore on the front and back, inside the 4-films are housed in individual black keepcases, each with reversible sleeves of artwork featuring both the original Hong Kong artworks plus new Sean Longmore illustrations. The discs inside feature unique artworks by Longmore. That's not all, we also get a 100-page illustrated book by Matthew Edwards featuring interviews with Shan Tam, Michael Parker, Stephan Berwick & Michael Woods, plus tons of artwork, and cast & crew information, plus a pair of double-sided fold-out posters featuring both the original Hong Kong and Longmore artworks. 

These Hong Kong 'girls with guns flicks' were all first time watches for me, and they absolutely kicked ass on all fronts. 88 Films offers a terrific 4-film set with desirable limited edition packaging, solid A/V presentations and a nice array of audio options, alternate cuts, multiple languages and bountiful extras. 

OPPOSING FORCE (1986) (Scorpion Releasing Blu-ray Review)

OPPOSING FORCE  (1986) 

Label: Scorpion Releasing 

Region Code: A

Rating: R

Duration: 98 Minutes 

Audio: English DTS-HD MA 2.0 with Optional English Subtitles 

Video: 1080p HD Widescreen (1.78:1) 

Director: Eric Karson

Cast: Tom Skerritt, Anthony Zerbe, Richard Roundtree, Lisa Eichhorn, Robert Wightman, Ken Wright, George Cheung

In this 80's actioner female soldier Casey (Lisa Eichhorn, Cutter's Way) is the only woman pilot to sign-up for an elite experimental military program designed to simulate extreme POW torture conditions, among the other enlisted men are senior ranking officer Logan (Tom Skerritt, Poltergeist III), Ripkin (Paul Joynt, Echoes), Botts (Robert Wightman, Stepfather III), and Conway (Ken Wright, Prince of Darkness). Parachuted behind enemy lines in teams of two they land on the tropical island with the mission to evade capture by simulated enemy forces as long as they can. Once captured the amount of force and brutality used against them is a bit surprising for all involved, the soldiers are puzzled if this is just meant to be ultra-realistic or has the POW camp commanding officer Becker (Anthony Zerbe, The Dead Zone) gone off the deep-end. Becker's second in command Stafford (Richard Roundtree, Night Visitor) is more level-headed, but the forces under Becker, including his go-to henchman Taun (George Cheung, The Exterminator), are only too happy to engage in humiliation, brutality and use deadly force if directed to do so.

The pilots are really put through the wringer at the simulated POW camp, forced at gunpoint to endure being stripped nude and deloused, put to hard labor and grueling tortures designed to wear them down, thrown in bamboo cages and beaten on the regular. At a certain point Becker steps over the lines and rapes Casey, that's when the seasoned Logan has had just about enough, and starts a rebellion on the island resulting in a pretty large body count. 

Directed by Eric Karson (Black Eagle) this Orion Pictures produced actioner has some great looking locations and set pieces shot in the Philippines during the Marcos regime, it looks and feels like a P.O.W. camp. The direction is good enough but not particularly punchy or show-off, but it gets the job done well enough, and things blow-up real nice from time to time. The main cast is pretty terrific as well, especially Skerritt, Eichhorn, Zerbe and Roundtree, but the lack of atmosphere and tension brings it down a notch for me, it just lacks the weight, and there are some moments that should have a weight to them and it just doesn't. 

Audio/Video: Opposing Force (1986) lands on Blu-ray from Scorpion Releasing via Ronin Flix in 1080p HD widescreen (1.78:1) sourced from the same 2019 master as the previous Scorpion Films Blu-ray. It's a sharp looking presentation with solid depth and clarity, the greens of the jungle fauna are vibrant throughout. Audio comes by way of English DTS-HD MA 2.0 with optional English subtitles. The track is clean and well-balanced, free of any hiss or distortion. Extras come by way of an Audio Commentary With Director Eric Karson plus a much longer 6-min Alternate Ending. 

Special Features: 

- Audio Commentary With Director Eric Karson

- Alternate Ending (6 min 30 sec) 

I probably looked at the cover art for Opposing Force at the VHS rental store hundreds of times as a kid but never picked it up, I just wasn't a huge Missing in Action-style military-action film fan. I did enjoy this one though, I just didn't love it, but it is well-staged and the action elements are entertaining, and the main cast is quite good. It brought to mind stuff like Missing In Action 2 and Turkey Shoot, it doesn't really bring anything new to the table, but the novel twist of an American run P.O.W. simulation gone wrong has a fun Stanford Prison Experiment vibe to it and I loved seeing Zerbe play another slimeball, he's so great at it!

Screenshots from the Scorpion Releasing Blu-ray: