Saturday, March 14, 2026

SHE SHOOTS STRAIGHT (1990) 88 Films Blu-ray Review

SHE SHOOTS STRAIGHT (1990) 

Label: 88 Films
Region Code: Region-Free
Rating: Unrated 
Duration: 92 Minutes 
Audio: Remastered Cantonese DTS-HD MA 2.0 Dual-Mono, 2.0 Stereo, English-Dub 2.0 Stereo and 5.1 Surround  with Newly Translated Optional English Subtitles 
Video: 1080p HD Widescreen (1.85:1) 
Director: Corey Yuen
Cast: Sammo Hung, Tony Leung, Joyce Godenzi, Carina Lau, Sandra Ng, Wah Yuen, Pik-Wan Tang, Agnes Aurelio

Here we go, another ass-kicking slice of HK girls-with-gun action courtesy of 88 Films, this time it's She Shoots Straight (1990), directed by Corey Yuen (Fist of Fury). in it female cop Inspector Mina (Joyce Godenzi, The Ghost Snatchers) has just married her supervisor Inspector Huang Tsung-pao (Tony Leung Ka-fai, Prison on Fire), who comes from a family of dedicated police officers who are not easy to impress, in particular her sister-in-law Huang Chia-Ling (Carina Lau, Project A 2), When Vietnamese gang lead by Yuan Hua (Yuen Wah, Mr. Vampire) executes a risky robbery they are thwarted by the cops, but Hua swears vengeance. Later the risk-taking and rule breaking Chia-Ling goes after the gang leader and fund herself in a sticky situation, with Mina and Huang arriving to save her bacon, but Huang is killed in the line of duty, with Mina , Chia-Ling and the other sister-in-laws teaming up to get avenge his death.  

The film also features Sammo Hung as Superintendent Hung, in a small role but he still gets to kick some ass, and the flick is chock full of kinetic martial arts and fight sequences, the finale it a bast, which includes the lethal ladies storming a freighter, followed by a motorcycle chase with Mina pursuing Hua and his sister Ying (Agnes Aurelio, JFK), the final boss battle is terrific knock-down drag-out fight between Mina and Ying who give it their all! The film is well-paced, well-shot, and the fight sequences and action are absolutely electric, and at 92-minutes it flies by at a breakneck pace.  

Audio/Video: She Shoots Straights (1990) arrives on region-A locked Blu-ray from 88 Films, presented in 1080p HD widescreen (1.85:1). The image looks solid, sourced from a new 2K restoration for the OCN, print damage is quite minimal with only a few white specks, grain is unmolested by excessive DNR, texture and detail in the close-ups of fabrics and faces are appreciable, but not exactly a strength, it's tad soft, but colors are warm and the black levels are solid. Audio comes by way of post-dubbed Cantonese DTS-HD MA 2.0 dual-mono and 2.0 stereo, as well as an uncompressed English-dub in 2.0 stereo and 5.1 surround with newly translated optional English subtitles. The tracks are fine, both tracks are post-dubbed, the Cantonese options sounding more emotionally authentic, but if you're adverse to reading subtitles and do not speak Cantonese the English dubs are fine.   

Extras include an Audio Commentary with Asian Cinema Expert Frank Djeng, whom if you're familiar with you know he's gonna knock it out of the park, and he did, plus we get a 16-min Interview with Screenwriter Yuen Kai-Chi, a 2-min Alternate English Credits Sequence, 2-min Image Gallery, and a 3-min Original Hong Kong Trailer

The single-disc release arrives in a black keepcase with a Reversible Wrap featuring both a new Sean Longmore artwork that kicks all sorts of ass, plus the original HK artwork. The first-pressing includes a Limited Edition O-Ring Slipcase with a textured glossy finish also featuring the  Sean Longmore artwork with super-saturated colors, and it just pops so nice!  

Special Features: 
- Audio Commentary with Asian Cinema Expert Frank Djeng
- Interview with Screenwriter Yuen Kai-Chi (15:46)
- Alternate English Credits (2:23) 
- Image Gallery (2:20) 
- Original Hong Kong Trailer (2:37) 
- Reversible Wrap 
- O-Ring Slipcase with New artwork by Sean Longmore 

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FORCE: FIVE (1981) MVD Rewind Collector's Edition Blu-ray Review + Screenshots

FORCE: FIVE (1981) 
Collector's Edition

Label: MVD Rewind 
Region Code: A
Rating: Unrated 
Duration: 96 Minutes 37 Seconds 
Audio: English LPCM 2.0 Dual-Mono with Optional English Subtitles 
Video: 1080p HD Widescreen (1.85:1) 
Director: Robert Clouse 
Cast: Joe Lewis, Bong Soo Han, Sonny Barnes, Richard Norton, Amanda Wyss, Benny Urquidez, Robert Clouse

Force-Five (1981) is a low-rent Enter the Dragon riff that combines that kung-fi island action of that film with a death-cult strand, which makes for a very entertaining fisticuffs romp. They even got Enter the Dragon director Robert Clouse to direct, making this one right before his killer-rat flick Deadly Eyes (1982)! In it Reverend Rhee (Bong Soo Han, The Kentucky Fried Movie) operates a death-cult disguised as a peace, love and tranquility retreat, recruiting the naive children of wealthy elites and enrapturing them with the promise of eternal tranquility, then getting them to sign over their inheritances, before sending them down into his labyrinth where they are chased and gored to death by a bull! 

When wealthy senator William Stark's (Michael Prince, Death Wish IIdaughter Cynthia ( Amanda Wyss, A Nightmare on Elm Street) is recruited by the cult he sends a would-be assassin (Mel Novak, Game of Death) to retrieve her, but he gets caught and is given some painful nerve-shredding acupuncture before being sent to the subterranean labyrinth to meet his maker. Undeterred, Stark recruits martial arts expert Jim Martin (World Karate Champion Joe Lewis, Jaguar Lives!) to assemble a team of bad-asses to storm the island and infiltrate the cult. Our "Force: Five" include Billy Ortega (Benny Urquidez, Grosse Pointe Blank), Ezekiel (Richard Norton, Mad Max: Fury Road), the hulking Lockjaw (Sonny Barnes, Cleopatra Jones), helicopter pilot Willard (Ron Hayden, TV movie Six Against the Rock) and fatale-female Laurie (Pam Huntington, They Call Me Bruce?). To get to the island they arrive under the guise of an entourage accompanying Senator Forrester (Peter MacLean, Squirm), who is an agent himself, but they are quickly outed when Rhee's henchman Carl (Bob Schott, Vamp) recognizes Miller from past encounters. Things get a bit hairy and Cynthia does not want to leave, but when she finds a roomful of dead bodies she realizes the truth, but can they get off the island in one piece?

It's no action classic but this is a fun low-rent action flick with some recognizable named in front and behind the camera, the fight sequences are decent, and the bull-in-the-labyrinth stuff is wild, especially the explosive finale, chef's kiss for that one. Also keep an eye out for Tom Villard from Popcorn as a goofy cultists! Notable behind the camera include cinematographer Gil Hubbs (Flowers in the Attic), composer William Goldstein, Shocker), and produced by Fred Weintraub (The Pack, Enter the Dragon)

Audio/Video: Force: Five (1981) arrives on region-free Blu-ray from MVD Rewind Collection in 1080p HD framed in 1.85:1 widescreen. The source is in terrific shape, it has that early 80s gauzy look to it that always looks somewhat soft, but generally colors are strong, and grain levels look good. Perhaps die to the filtered lensing detail and textures are not overly sharp, but still a solid looking Blu-ray. Audio comes by way of English DTS-HD MA 2.0 dual-mono with optional English subtitles. The track is clean, dialogue sounds fine and the score and fight sound effects of blows landing and gunfire have some nice snap to it. 

There are no newly produced extras for this one but we do get a smattering of archival stuff, starting off with the 50-min Archival Interview with actor Joe Lewis, who speaks quite a bit about training under Bruce Lee, plus we get a 9-min Archival Interview with Benny Urquidez wherein he shows proper hands-wrapping techniques, and a 7-min 
Archival 'Benny Urquidez Fight' featurette, as well as the Original Theatrical Trailer

The single-disc release arrives in a clear keepcase with a Reversible Wrap featuring the original illustrated artwork, and inside there is a Collectible Mini-Poster, plus a 
Limited Edition Slipcover (First Pressing Only) that looks well-worn and sun-bleached, like it sat in the front window of a VHS store for too long, complete with creases, water and grease stains, and rental stickers, The artwork on the wrap is free of any faux damage with nicely saturated color, and no rental stickers. 


Special Features: 
- High Definition (1080p) presentation of the main feature in 1.85:1 aspect ratio
- LPCM 2.0 Mono Audio
- Optional English Subtitles
- Archival Interview with actor Joe Lewis (50:08)
- Archival Interview with Benny Urquidez (8:59)
- Archival 'Benny Urquidez Fight' featurette (6:41)
- Original Theatrical Trailer (2:19) 
- Reversible Wrap 
- Collectible Mini-Poster
- Limited Edition Slipcover (First Pressing Only)

Screenshots from the MVD Rewind Collection Blu-ray: 
































Extras: 




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SAKURAN (2007) 88 Films Blu-ray Review


SAKURAN (2007) 

Label: 88 Films 
Region Code: A,B
Rating: Unrated 
Duration: 111 Minutes 
Audio: Japanese 2.0 Stereo, 5.1 Surround with Optional English Subtitles 
Video: 1080p HD Widescreen (1.85:1) 
Director: Mika Ninagawa
Cast: Anna Tsuchiya, Kippei Shîna, Yoshino Kimura, Hiroki Narimiya, Miho Kanno, Masatoshi Nagase, Masanobu Andô, Minami, Kyôko Koizumi, Sabu

Sakuran (2007) is directed by Mika Ninagawa (Helter Skelter) and is based on a popular manga by Moyoco Anno. It is set during the Ancient Edo period in the Yoshiwara red-light district, and tells the tale of a young girl named Kiyoha (Anna Tsuchiya, Kamikaze Girls) who is sold to a brothel at a young age to be trained as a courtesan, however her rebellious spirit and stunning beauty provoke jealous rivalries with the other geisha and her mentor, but she preservers and rises to the rank of a top mistress, achieving success and the mastery of her craft, but at what price? She feels hollow and empty and craves freedom and love, and when the opportunity arises to have both, with Sōjirō (Hiroki Narimiya), can she muster the courage to defy societal norms to make her dreams come true? 

Honestly this is almost formulaic in regard to other geisha films of its type, but what sets it apart is the  opulent visuals which are rich and deeply saturated with vivid eye-searing candy-colors imagery that leap of the screen, the bold use of color nearly overwhelms the story, it's a period set film but is infused with a post-modern style that is truly breathtaking, but because of the contemporary soundtrack and modern cinematic style detracts from the period setting buy-in, but it's so stylish, well-acted and cool that I don't think you'll be disappointed by this sex-worker looking to escape the confines of her station melodrama. 

Audio/Video: The Sakuran Blu-ray from 88 Films looks stunning, the source is immaculate, colors are vibrant and glossy, the candy-colored image just pops beautifully, with warm skin tones and the terrific texture and detail evident throughout. Audio comes by way of Japanese 2.0 stereo and a newly created 5.1 surround, both tracks are clean and well-balanced, the sharper moments and quieter passage fare well, as does the score by J-Pop sensation Shiina Ringo.

Disc extras on the 88 Films release include a new Audio Commentary by Josh Slater-Williams, a 23-min Newly Filmed Introduction by Amber T, 3-min Stills Gallery, 3-min of Teaser Trailers, and the 2-min Theatrical Trailer

The single-disc release arrives in a clear keepcase with a Reversible Wrap with both the original and newly commissioned artwork by Luke Insect, a removable Obo Strip, plus a 24-page Illustrated Booklet with writing on the film by Jasper Sharp. 

Special Features: 
- Audio Commentary by Josh Slater-Williams
- Brand New Filmed Introduction by Amber T. (22:59)
- Stills Gallery (2:53) 
- Teaser Trailers (2:35) 
- Theatrical Trailer (2:27)
- 24 Page Illustrated Booklet with Essay by Jasper Sharp 
- Original and Newly Commissioned Artwork by Luke Insect 

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THE FINAL PROGRAMME (1973) Severin Films Blu-ray Review

 

THE FINAL PROGRAMME (1973) 

Label: Severin Films
Region Code: Region-Free (UHD), A (Blu-ray) 
Rating: Unrated 
Duration: 89 Minutes 36 Seconds 
Audio: English DTS-HD MA 2.0 Dual-Mono with Optional English Subtitles 
Video: 2160p Ultra HD Widescreen (1.85:1), 1080p HD Widescreen (1.85:1)  
Director: Robert Fuest
Cast: Jon Finch, Jenny Runacre, Sterling Hayden, Harry Andrews

For more than 50 years, it’s been called “endlessly inventive” (The Guardian), “audaciously bonkers” (Frame Rated) and “unlike any movie you’ve ever seen” (B&S About Movies). Now experience the “weird gem that needs to be celebrated” (Mondo Bizarro) in UHD for the first time ever: In this premier adaptation of a Michael Moorcock novel, writer/director/production designer Robert Fuest (THE ABOMINABLE DR. PHIBES, THE DEVIL’S RAIN) unleashes Moorcock’s lethal dandy genius Jerry Cornelius (Jon Finch of Hitchcock’s FRENZY and Polanski’s MACBETH) into a mind-melting conspiracy of mad scientists, pinball nuns and immortal ambisexuals bent on world domination. Jenny Runacre (THE PASSENGER), Sterling Hayden (THE KILLING) and Harry Andrews (THE NIGHTCOMERS) co-star in this “stylish acid comedy” (Boston Phoenix) – also known as LAST DAYS OF MAN ON EARTH – now scanned in 4K from the original camera negative by StudioCanal, with 6+ hours of Special Features that include audio commentaries, video essays and a revealing new on-camera interview with Michael Moorcock.

Special Features:
UHD:
- Audio Commentary With Andrew Nette, Co-Editor Of Dangerous Visions And New Worlds: Radical Science Fiction, 1950 To 1985
- Archival Audio Commentary With Director Robert Fuest And Actress Jenny Runacre, Moderated By Author/Film Historian Jonathan Sothcott
- Trailer
Blu-ray:
- Audio Commentary With Andrew Nette, Co-Editor Of Dangerous Visions And New Worlds: Radical Science Fiction, 1950 To 1985
- Archival Audio Commentary With Director Robert Fuest And Actress Jenny Runacre, Moderated By Author/Film Historian Jonathan Sothcott
- A Brighter Apocalypse – Michael Moorcock On Jerry Cornelius And The Final Programme (33:20)
- Performance Independent – Interview With Producer Sanford Lieberson (30:43) 
- From Pythons To Programmes – A Conversation With Producer John Goldstone (25:02) 
- Programmer Of Immortality – Jenny Runacre In Conversation With Kier-La Janisse, Author Of House Of Psychotic Women (21:18)
- Dark Moons And New Worlds – Interview With James Riley, Author Of The Bad Trip: Dark Omens, New Worlds And The End Of The Sixties (36:42) -
- Androgynous Android – Video Essay By Costume Historian Elissa Rose (12:44) 
- Archival Interview With Jenny Runacre (11:10) 
- A Feast Of Fuest With Kim Newman, Author Of Nightmare Movies (14:10) 
- Italian Title Sequence a(2:23) 
- Trailer (2:43) 
- TV Spot (0:33) 

Screenshots from the Severin Films Blu-ray: 

































Extras: 






















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