Arrow Video strikes back with SHAWSCOPE VOLUME 3 (review)

From Shaw Brothers who brought the wuxia genre back to Hong Kong and Chinese screens are a selection of fourteen major and rare titles from their library including the ONE ARMED SWORDSMAN trilogy, THE LADY HERMIT, INTIMATE CONFESSIONS OF A CHINESE COURTESAN, THE 14 AMAZONS, KILLER CONSTABLE, and more along with commentaries, interviews, and even alternate versions.

REVIEW LINK: Arrow Video (US/UK) Region A/B Blu-ray (DVDCompare)

SHAWSCOPE VOLUME 3 Blu-ray specs:

• Disc One - The One Armed Swordsman:
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.35:1 Widescreen 
• Mandarin and English LPCM 1.0 
• Optional English (for Mandarin) and English SDH (for English dub) Subtitles 
• Audio Commentary by David West, author of "Chasing Dragons: An Introduction to the Martial Arts Film" 
• Appreciation by film critic and historian Tony Rayns 
• "One Armed Superstar" interview with actor Wang Yu 
• "Chiao Chiao: A Shaw Career" interview with actress Chiao Chiao 
• "Ku Feng on Chang Cheh" interview with actor Ku Feng 
• "Sam Ho on Chang Cheh" appreciation of director Chang Cheh's work by film historian Sam Ho 
• "Daniel Lee on ONE ARMED SWORDSMAN" 2004 interview with Daniel Lee, director of the remake "What Price Survival" 
• "One-Armed Side Hustles" video essay by film historian Brandon Bentley on actor Wang Yu 
• Trailer Gallery: 
• Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer (Mandarin) 
• Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer (English) 
• Chang Cheh Trailer Reel
• Disc Two:
• Return of the One Armed Swordsman: 
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.35:1 Widescreen 
• Mandarin and English LPCM 1.0 Mono 
• Optional English (for Mandarin) and English SDH (for English) Subtitles 
• Audio Commentary by critic Samm Deighan 
• Theatrical Trailers: 
• Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer (Mandarin) 
• Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer (English) 
• The New One Armed Swordsman: 
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.35:1 Widescreen 
• Mandarin and English LPCM 1.0 Mono 
• Optional English (for Mandarin) and English SDH (for English) Subtitles 
• Audio Commentary by martial arts cinema expert Brian Bankston 
• Theatrical Trailers: 
• Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer (Mandarin) 
• Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer (English) 
• German Theatrical Trailer 
• "Triple Irons" U.S. Theatrical Trailer 
• "Triple Irons" U.S. TV Spots
• Disc Three:
• The Lady Hermit: 
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.35:1 Widescreen 
• Mandarin and English LPCM 1.0 Mono 
• Optional English (for Mandarin) and English SDH (for English) Subtitles 
• Audio Commentary by critic James Mudge
• Theatrical Trailers:
• Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer (Mandarin)
• Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer (English)
• Intimate Confessions of a Chinese Courtesan:
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.35:1 Widescreen 
• Mandarin and English LPCM 1.0 Mono 
• Optional English (for Mandarin) and English SDH (for English) Subtitles 
• Audio Commentary by film critic and historian Tony Rayns 
• Audio Commentary by critic Samm Deighan 
• Alternate English Export Credits 
• Theatrical Trailers: 
• Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer (Mandarin) 
• Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer (English)
• Disc Four - 14 Amazons:
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.35:1 Widescreen 
• Mandarin and English LPCM 1.0 Mono 
• Optional English (for Mandarin) and English SDH (for English) Subtitles 
• Audio Commentary by Jonathan Clements, author of "A Brief History of China" 
• Interview with stuntwoman Sharon Yeung 
• Interview with film historian Bede Chang 
• Interview with film critic Law Kar 
• Theatrical Trailers: 
• Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer (Mandarin #1) 
• Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer (Mandarin #2) 
• Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer (English)
• Disc Five:
• The Magic Blade: 
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.35:1 Widescreen 
• Mandarin and English LPCM 1.0 Mono 
• Optional English (for Mandarin) and English SDH (for English) Subtitles 
• Audio Commentary by critic Samm Deighan 
• Theatrical Trailers: 
• Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer (Mandarin) 
• Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer (English) 
• Clans of Intrigue: 
• Theatrical Version: 
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.35:1 Widescreen 
• Mandarin and Cantonese LPCM 1.0 Mono 
• Optional English (for Mandarin) and English (for Cantonese) Subtitles 
• Audio Commentary by critic James Mudge 
• Uncensored Version: 
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.35:1 Widescreen 
• Mandarin and Cantonese LPCM 1.0 Mono 
• Optional English (for Mandarin) and English (for Cantonese) Subtitles 
• Theatrical Trailers: 
• Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer (Mandarin #1) 
• Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer (Mandarin #2) 
• Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer (Cantonese)
• Disc Six:
• Jade Tiger: 
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.35:1 Widescreen 
• Mandarin LPCM 1.0 Mono 
• Optional English Subtitles 
• Audio Commentary by critic Ian Jane 
• Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer 
• The Sentimental Swordsman: 
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.35:1 Widescreen 
• Mandarin and Cantonese LPCM 1.0 Mono 
• Optional English (for Mandarin) and English (for Cantonese) Subtitles 
• Audio Commentary by David West, author of "Chasing Dragons: An Introduction to the Martial Arts Film" 
• Theatrical Trailers: 
• Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer (Mandarin #1) 
• Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer (Mandarin #2) 
• Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer (Cantonese)
• Disc Seven:
• Avenging Eagle:
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.35:1 Widescreen 
• Mandarin, Cantonese, and English LPCM 1.0 Mono 
• Optional English (for Mandarin), English (for Cantonese), and English SDH (for English) Subtitles 
• Audio Commentary by martial arts cinema expert Frank Djeng 
• Alternate English Export Credits 
• Theatrical Trailers: 
• Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer (Cantonese) 
• Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer (English #1) 
• Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer (English #2)
• Killer Constable: 
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.35:1 Widescreen 
• Mandarin and English LPCM 1.0 Mono 
• Optional English (for Mandarin) and English SDH (for English) Subtitles 
• Audio Commentary by film critic and historian Tony Rayns 
• Audio Commentary by martial arts cinema expert Frank Djeng 
• Audio Commentary by martial arts cinema expert Brian Bankston 
• Additional and Alternate Scenes from the South Korean Version 
• Alternate "Lightning Kung Fu" English Credits 
• Theatrical Trailers: 
• Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer (Mandarin #1) 
• Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer (Mandarin #2) 
• Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer (English)
• Disc Eight:
• Buddha's Palm: 
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.35:1 Widescreen 
• Mandarin, Cantonese, and English LPCM 1.0 Mono 
• Optional English (for Mandarin), English (for Cantonese), and English SDH (for English) Subtitles 
• Audio Commentary by critic and translator Dylan Cheung 
• Alternate "Raiders of the Magic Palm" English Credits 
• Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer 
• Bastard Swordsman: 
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.35:1 Widescreen 
• Mandarin LPCM 1.0 Mono 
• Optional English Subtitles 
• Audio Commentary by martial arts cinema expert Frank Djeng 
• Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer
• Disc Nine - Bonus Content:
• Killer Constable - South Korean Version: 
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.35:1 Widescreen (with standard definition inserts) 
• Korean LPCM 1.0 Mono 
• Optional English Subtitles 
• Appreciation of director Chor Yuen by film critic and historian Tony Rayns 
• Intimate Confessions of a Chinese Courtesan: 
• "Confessions of a Stunt Woman" interview with stunt woman Sharon Yeung 
• "Theories on Intimate Confessions" appreciation by academic Sze Man-hung, musician Kwan King-chung, and filmmaker Clarence Fok 
• Magic Blade: 
• Audio interview with actor Ti Lung 
• Interview with director Chor Yuen 
• Interview with actor Yuen Wah 
• Interview with actor Li Ching 
• "Sam Ho on Chor Yuen" appreciation by film historian Sam Ho 
• "The Scriptwriter" interview with screenwriter Sze-to
• Avenging Eagle: 
• "The Eagle Chief" interview with actor Ku Feng 
• "The Blue Eagle" interview with actor Eddy Ko
• Disc Ten - CD Soundtrack:
• Thirty-five tracks from the De Wolfe Music Library (79 minutes)
  
• Housed in a digibook in a slipcase with an illustrated 60-page collectors' booklet featuring new writing by David West, Jonathan Clements and Dylan Cheung, plus cast and crew listings and notes on each film by Ian Jane.

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Second Run grants THREE WISHES FOR CINDERELLA (review)

A Czech/East German co-production based on the Czech version of "Cinderella" with feminist undertones THREE WISHES FOR CINDERELLA remains a Christmas favorite throughout Europe.

REVIEW LINK: Second Run (UK) Region ALL Blu-ray (DVDCompare)

THREE WISHES FOR CINDERELLA Blu-ray specs:

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.37:1 Pillarboxed Fullscreen
• Czech LPCM 2.0 Mono
• Optional English Subtitles
• An Appreciation by film historian Michael Brooke
• "Popelka" 1929 Silent Film Adaptation
• "Střevíček" 1937 Animated Film
• Theatrical Trailer
• Restoration Trailer
• Comes with a booklet by Video Watchdog's Tim Lucas
   

Acorn Media investigates THE BROKENWOOD MYSTERIES: SERIES 10 (review)

Quirky city detective Mike Shepard and his local team Kristen Sims, Daniel Chalmers, and coroner Gina investigate bizarre murders in the New Zealand backwoods town of Brokenwood.

REVIEW LINK: Acorn Media (UK) Region 0 PAL DVD (DVDCompare)

THE BROKENWOOD MYSTERIES: SERIES 10 DVD specs:

• Six feature-length episodes on three dual-layer DVDs
• 16:9 anamorphic 1.78:1 Widescreen (PAL)
• English Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
• Optional English HoH Subtitles
• The Making of Series 10
  

Second Run harvests THE HOP-PICKERS (review)

Where else would you find a widescreen, color musical comedy about harvesting hops than Communist Czechoslovakia with this story of star-crossed lovers stylistically-indebted to Robert Wise's film of WEST SIDE STORY.

REVIEW LINK: Second Run Region ALL Blu-ray (DVDCompare) 

THE HOP-PICKERS Blu-ray specs:

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.55:1 Widescreen
• Czech DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and LPCM 2.0 Stereo
• Optional English Subtitles
• Short Films:
• Comes with a 24-page booklet by author Jonathan Owen.
  

MVD Visual hunts COP KILLERS (review)

A drug deal gone wrong results in a shootout and two Rolls Royce-driving criminals on the run with a hostage in this seventies grindhouse flick from the makers of FLESH GORDON.

REVIEW LINK: MVD Visual (US) Region ALL Blu-ray (DVDCompare)

COP KILLERS Blu-ray specs:

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.78:1 Widescreen
• English LPCM 2.0 Mono
• Optional English SDH Subtitles
• Audio Commentary by actor Jason Williams, moderated by Adam Trash
• "Confessions of a Cop Killer" interview with actor Jason Williams
• Theatrical Trailer

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88 Films spies on THE WATCHER IN THE ATTIC (review)

A landlord spies on the tenants of his boarding house through holes in the attic.  When he sees beautiful Minako strangle her lover with her thighs, he realizes he has found a soulmate in pleasure and murder in this Nikkatsu adaptation of a story by Edogawa Rampo, the Japanese Poe.

REVIEW LINK: 88 Films (UK) Region B Blu-ray (DVDCompare)

THE WATCHER IN THE ATTIC Blu-ray/DVD combo specs:

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.46:1 Widescreen
• Japanese LPCM 2.0 Mono
• Optional English Subtitles
• Audio Commentary by Japanese cinema experts Jasper Sharp and Amber T.
• "Who's Watching Who?" interview with filmmaker Hisayasu Sato
• Still Gallery
• Theatrical Trailer
• The limited edition first pressing includes a DVD copy, OBI strip, and booklet by Earl Jackson.
   

88 Films peruses SWEDEN PORNO: BLONDE ANIMAL (review)

Besides their own homegrown erotica, Japanese studio Nikkatsu went to Scandinavia to exploit "Swedish Sin" with the SWEDEN PORNO series and this entry BLONDE ANIMAL about a pair of innocent young lovers who get entangled with a pair of American swingers.

REVIEW LINK: 88 Films (UK) Region B Blu-ray/Region 2 PAL DVD (DVDCompare)

SWEDEN PORNO: BLONDE ANIMAL Blu-ray/DVD Combo specs:

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.37:1 Pillarboxed Fullscreen
• Japanese LPCM 2.0 Mono
• Optional English Subtitles
• Audio Commentary by Japanese cinema experts Rickard Gramfors and Jasper Sharp 
• "Swedish Sin - Johan Nordström on Nikkatsu's 'Sweden Porno' Line" 2024 video essay 
• Stills Gallery 
• Theatrical Trailer
• DVD Copy
• Comes with an OBI strip and booklet with an essay by David Flint.