DVD/Blu-ray & TV News: Jackie Chan News

August is a great time to be a Jackie Chan fan, well, okay so anytime is a great time to be a Jackie Chan fan, but this month there is some great news regarding the release of his recent film Chinese Zodiac and also for fans of Police Story III: Supercop who have yet to see it in its original uncut glory.

Firstly, Chinese Zodiac, the third in the Armour of God series saw its release on August 11th 2014 and as many of you may know by now, but for those of you who do not, this release DOES contain the original uncut Chinese version of the film. If you were unaware, there was an edited version which removed approximately 20 minutes of footage after criticism of the films running time of just over 2 hours, this was the version everybody assumed would be released outside of China but thankfully Universal Pictures have given us the uncut version with both Chinese and English audio as well as a 58 minute behind-the-scenes look.

With a cracking picture quality/sound and a whole lotta fun to be had, I do recommend Chinese Zodiac which is now available on DVD and Blu-ray.

For the Chinese Zodiac trailer and a music video of singer/actor Wang Leehom’s 12 Zodiacs, please see below:

 

Uploaded to YouTube by MOVIES Coming Soon

 

Uploaded to YouTube by Wang Leehom

For our second piece of Jackie Chan news, this Friday 29th August 2014 at 11:05pm Film4 will be having a rare screening of the uncut version of Police Story III: Supercop starring Jackie Chan and the goddesses Maggie Cheung and Michelle Yeoh. This will be in its original language, with subtitles and also in HD. Previously Channel 4 did have a screening in the late 90’s following a comedy segment about the film called Vids (I remember those days), and recently Sony Movie Channel did show the edited US version of the film titled Supercop.

Hopefully this now means the films rights have reverted back to the Chinese distributors and are now longer owned by Miramax, and you never know we may see an uncut DVD and Blu-ray release of the film in the UK soon. The film has only had a VHS release in the UK.

For the trailer for Police Story III: Supercop, please see below:

Uploaded to YouTube by ChopSockyCinema

REMINDER – Upcoming Screenings!

Hi, hopefully you are enjoying the Bank Holiday weekend. I thought it was time for a little reminder that our next two film screenings at Baddesley Village Hall will be taking place next weekend, for further details please click on the links below.

Film Night Poster Captain America – The Winter Soldier

Junior Film Zone Poster Muppets Most Wanted

Hopefully we’ll see you there and if you are enjoying the Essential Cinema posts, please keep checking back for Part 3 which will be coming soon.

Essential Cinema – Part 2

Welcome back to our continuing journey into the film world to uncover Essential Cinema; and as I said in Part 1, this list is of my own opinion and if you wish to share your film picks or opinions on the films below then please leave a comment.

Once again we encounter a varied mix of films, spanning different genres and countries; I hope that you see something that captures your imagination.

• A Clockwork Orange (1971)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0066921/?ref_=nv_sr_1

• Police Story (1985)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089374/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2

• Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion (1997)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0169858/?ref_=nv_sr_2

• Perfect Blue (1997)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0156887/?ref_=nv_sr_1

• The Exorcist (1973)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070047/?ref_=nv_sr_1

• Confessions (2010)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1590089/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

• Man of Steel (2013)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0770828/?ref_=nv_sr_1

• Love Exposure (2008)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1128075/?ref_=nv_sr_1

• Suicide Club (2001)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0312843/?ref_=nv_sr_4

• Audition (1999)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0235198/?ref_=nv_sr_1

Part 2 has now come to an end and Part 3 will be coming soon, so please keep checking back. If you missed Part 1 you can either scroll down the page or alternatively click on this link: https://baddesleyfilmclub.wordpress.com/2014/08/10/essential-cinema-part-1/

Posted by M D

Robin Williams (1951 – 2014)

This week a star in the sky dimmed, this was due to the passing of the incredible actor Robin Williams. An actor who had a diverse career and was loved and respected the whole world over by his fellow actors, filmmakers and fans. So let us enjoy, laugh and cry at the legacy he leaves behind and let me just remind you that the star in the sky only dimmed, it did not extinguish as we will always have the memories of such a man who brought an incredible amount to the world.

My thoughts go out to Mr Williams’ family and loved ones.

Robin Williams (1951 – 2014) R.I.P.

Essential Cinema – Part 1

I thought that it might be nice to take the blog in a different direction, other than just providing details of upcoming screenings and the odd review, how about we have a look at films that I like to consider Essential Cinema, those films that have to be seen, even if it’s just once. Though clearly this will be more than a one-off post, I would like to share with you my enthusiasm for the upcoming selection of films and the ones to appear over the coming months. Hopefully you will find films you have yet to discover, ones you may re-discover and are willing to give one more chance or some truly great hidden gems. This is of my own opinion and these films are considered Essential Cinema because I think they absolutely deserve the honour, you may even have your own list. The list isn’t in a specific order but I will admit that these early posts will features some of my absolute top films. I hope that you find something in this first part and the future subsequent volumes that will make you curious or even rush out to buy a title. I won’t be providing opinion or commentary because all you need to know is that there on the list because they are very special films in my opinion, instead an IMDB (Internet Movie Database) link will be included for each film and also the trailer so that you can discover more about each film.

So let’s get started. Here. We. Go.

• Batman Begins (2005)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0372784/?ref_=nv_sr_2

 

• The Dark Knight (2008)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0468569/?ref_=nv_sr_2

 

• The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1345836/?ref_=nv_sr_1

 

• Inception (2010)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1375666/?ref_=nv_sr_1

 

• The Prestige (2006)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0482571/?ref_=nv_sr_1

 

• RoboCop (1987)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093870/?ref_=nv_sr_2

 

• Battle Royale (2000)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0266308/?ref_=nv_sr_1

 

• Nighthawks (1981)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082817/?ref_=nv_sr_1

 

• Gojira (1954)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0047034/?ref_=nv_sr_1

 

• Akira (1988)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094625/?ref_=nv_sr_1

 

I hope you enjoyed the first part of our journey and please look forward to Part 2 which is coming soon. And if you wish to leave a comment or opinion on any of the films, please do so.

Posted by M D

Upcoming Screenings – Late August!

Hi there. Please click on the links below for further details on our upcoming screenings on the last weekend of the month:

Film Night Poster Captain America – The Winter Soldier

Junior Film Zone Poster Muppets Most Wanted

We hope to see you there and please continue to check back as there are some exciting posts coming to the blog over the next few weeks.

Upcoming Screenings This August!

Please find below further details on our two screenings this weekend at the Baddesley Village Hall:

Film Night Poster Philomena

Junior Film Zone Poster The Lego Movie

And keep checking back for more exciting posts over the coming weeks.