"Oh here she comes
Watch out boy she'll cut you up"
Don't mess with a chick that's fights with blades. That's a hard lesson the thugs learned in the film Come Drink With Me. If they didn't wind up dead, they were scarred by the blade-
wielding girl known as "Golden Swallow". This film, that apparently inspired movies like Kill Bill and Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, is another classic film re-released on DVD by The Weinstein Company, Celestial Pictures and Genius Products. What's great about this film is that even though it was released in 1966, the fighting scenes are just as good here (if not better) than some recent films. The things that Golden Swallow pulls off in the film are ridiculous. But then, that's the point of watching a film like this. You get to escape the sometimes dull world we live in, and travel to a place where a lady can wipe out 10 or more thugs all by herself. As it defies conventional rules of fighting, Come Drink With Me can still stand up to any film in the Kung Fu genre today. This is one film that was definitely way ahead of it's time.
Come Drink With Me is out now on DVD.
Heroes of the East
What happens when Chinese and Japanese martial arts clash? The answer is in the classic film Heroes of the East. Just released on DVD courtesy of The Weinstein Company, Celestial Pictures and Genius Products, this film is about a Chinese man (played by Gordon Liu) who marries a Japanese lady, and finds out she's no ordinary housewife. You see, she's a woman who practices martial arts and is extremely proud of her native style. So proud that she boastfully claims her Japanese style is better than the husband's Chinese style! Conflicts arise between the couple, and eventually the wife leaves to go back home to Japan. Back in China, the husband sends her a letter, which her family receives and takes as an insult to them. This causes the family to pack up and head to China to defend their pride. The funny 
thing is that the letter wasn't intended as an insult to them. So now the Chinese husband is put in a position to duel with seven Japanese ninjas! What follows is some of the best martial arts fighting scenes recorded on film. For any fan of kung fu films, this is definitely a must have.
Special Features on the DVD include:
- Feature Commentary With Hong Kong Cinema Expert Bey Logan
- Spotlight On A Legend: A Tribute To Celebrated Martial Arts Icon, Lau Kar-Lueng
- Hero of Shaolin: An Exclusive Interview With Leading Man Gordon Liu
- Shaolin Vs. Ninja: An Exploration Of The Legendary Martial Arts Weapons Forms Of China And Japan
Diary Of The Dead
The "dead series" continues...
Following up on my last review of Night Of The Living Dead, I want to cover George Romero's latest addition to the "dead series", Diary Of The Dead. While out making a movie,
a group of student filmmakers suddenly find themselves running for their lives after they cross paths with killer zombies. Just like the other "dead" films, the zombies multiply at an unbelievable rate, and the only way to kill them is by shooting them in the head. What makes this zombie film unique is that the events are recorded on video by the characters, so people will know what really happened. Since Diary Of The Dead is presented in first person style, it brings you in to make you feel like you are in the story. Romero uses this style of filmmaking to try and creep you out in a different way, since the only view you have is what the characters see. There appears to be some subtle themes in the film that deal with mankind's nature. After all hell breaks loose, the people still alive show their nasty side. From the way the zombies keep wiping out the humans, the future doesn't look too bright for humans. As they fight to stay alive, and after seeing how people are to each other in a crisis, one of the characters at the end of the film asks, "Are we worth saving?" That's an interesting question indeed.Diary Of The Dead is out now on DVD.
Night Of The Living Dead 40th Anniversary Edition
The classic horror film Night Of The Living Dead was just brought back to life with a 40th Anniversary DVD released by Dimension Extreme. The flesh eating zombies that creeped people out 40 years ago are back and remastered on this special edition. After being bombarded with films like the Japanese horror and Saw series, you become numb to the effect that an older horror movie can give. If you saw the ones I mentioned, you pretty much have seen it all. But watching Night Of The Living Dead again, I realized that this horror film was way ahead of it's time. I assume it was probably scary as hell back in 1968 when it was released. And you know what? It still gave me a few chills while watching it again. The idea that some radiation was causing dead bodies to come back to life and eat humans is disturbing. And disturbing is the exact feeling this film gives as you watch the zombies trying to get the people trapped inside a home. With a chilling story and some really haunting sound effects, Night Of The Living Dead is still one of the most important horror films ever made. Special features included on the DVD are:- Audio Commentary by Writer/Director George A. Romero, Producer/Actor Karl Hardman, Actress Marilyn Eastman and Writer John A. Russo
- Audio Commentary by Producer Russel W. Streiner, Production Manager Vince Survinski, Judith O’Dea, Actor Bill Hinzman, Actress Kyra Schon and Actor Keith Wayne
- One For The Fire: The Legacy of Night Of The Living Dead
- Duane Jones” Final Interview
- Speak To The Dead
- Night Of The Living Dead Trailer
- Still Gallery
- Original Script DVD-ROM
R.E.M.
Accelerate
Ok, so not ALL bands making a comeback album are in it just because it's become trendy. I'm talking about the trend where every band that has been asleep the last 10 to 20 years is getting back together for a reunion. And yes, New Kids On The Block is one of them (No, I'm not joking). So everyone is coming out of retirement and headlining new tours and the merchandise is being pushed at high speed. The cynical side of me almost held me back from getting the new R.E.M album. After listening to a copy, I'm happy to say that Accelerate is one that'll wake up any dormant R.E.M. fan out there. On here, the veteran rockers sharpen their swords and put out a more aggressive sound than before. This is a much different sound than previous hits like Stand, Shiny Happy People, and Losing My Religion. Lead singer Michael Stipe's contributing vocals sound a little raspier here, which is understandable after years of singing. It's still his trademark voice though. As the title suggests, their style "accelerates" as they show that they are not to be counted out of the scene just yet. This album definitely goes down as one of the year's best so far.
Oban Star Racers Volumes 1 and 2
After watching the first couple episodes of the French/Japanese animated show Oban Star Racers, I was hooked. I got restless waiting to see how the story would end. Oban Star Racers Volumes 1 and 2, which was recently released on DVD, is an amazing series that combines sci-fi, fantasy, and drama with Japanese style animation. In Oban, which has as many twists and turns in the plot as there are high-speed races, we watch a team of humans who carry the responsibility of saving the Earth. And this team is led by a 15-year-old racer known as Molly! To save the planet, they must participate in a race where the winner gets any wish they want. The problem is that one of the race's contestants, known as the Crog Imperium, wants to annihilate the planet Earth. So obviously you can see what's at stake here. Oban Star Racers has one of the best stories I've seen in an animated series. It covers loyalty, family issues, courage, and taking risks while chasing your dreams. Also worth mentioning is that it has some really awesome high-speed races. This 2-disc set is definitely worth checking out. It'll keep you on the edge of your seat as you follow the saga's beginning all the way to the dramatic final race.
For more info, click here and here...
Nothing But The BestWhen it comes to musical tastes, mine fly all over the place. I can get into just about any style, except for country. Having said that, there are certain figures I can't ignore when it comes to recognizing good music. One of those would have to be Frank Sinatra. If you look all the great music during the 20th century, you can't ignore the impact Frank Sinatra had on it. Also known as "Ol' Blue Eyes", this cultural icon entertained people for six decades. When compilation albums are put together for artists like him, it's hard to pin down exactly what songs to include, since there are so many good ones to choose. However, I think they nailed it down on the latest compilation CD Nothing But The Best. This album literally contains "the best" when it comes to Sinatra. From the beginning of the album to the last track, you get 22 of Ol' Blue Eyes finest songs. If you are looking to get familiar with Sinatra, I would definitely start with this ultimate collection. Track Listing for the album:1. Come Fly With Me
2. The Best Is Yet To Come
3. The Way You Look Tonight
4. Luck Be A Lady
5. Bewitched
6. The Good Life
7. The Girl From Ipanema
8. Fly Me To The Moon (In Other Words)
9. Summer Wind
10. Strangers In The Night
11. Call Me Irresponsible
12. Somethin' Stupid
13. My Kind of Town
14. It Was A Very Good Year
15. That's Life
16. Moonlight Serenade
17. Nothing But The Best
18. Drinking Again
19. All My Tomorrows
20. My Way
21. Theme From New York, New York
22. Body And SoulFor more info, click here.
wielding girl known as "Golden Swallow". This film, that apparently inspired movies like Kill Bill and Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, is another classic film re-released on DVD by The Weinstein Company, Celestial Pictures and Genius Products. What's great about this film is that even though it was released in 1966, the fighting scenes are just as good here (if not better) than some recent films. The things that Golden Swallow pulls off in the film are ridiculous. But then, that's the point of watching a film like this. You get to escape the sometimes dull world we live in, and travel to a place where a lady can wipe out 10 or more thugs all by herself. As it defies conventional rules of fighting, Come Drink With Me can still stand up to any film in the Kung Fu genre today. This is one film that was definitely way ahead of it's time.
