Pathfinders Pictures put themselves on the Martial Arts map when they acquired the Jimmy Wang Yu classic MASTER OF THE FLYING GUILLOTINE for limited theatrical release and the eventual DVD release. They recently re-released MOTG on DVD again, this time crammed with special features including an interview with the great one himself. Well if you are Pathfinder Pictures executives, how could you possibly top your efforts with this title. Simple, you go after the oldest and best Jimmy Wang Yu films you can acquire. 

Pathfinder Pictures announces the first home video release of the 1974 Jimmy Wang Yu film, KNIGHT ERRANT, directed by Ting Shan-Hsi, and co-starring Yasuaki Kurata! We don't know about the theatrical release of this one, but they have already announced a full fledge special edition (very similar to their MASTER OF THE FLYING GUILLOTINE release) for April 26, 2005. The disc will contain a transfer mastered from film with 16x9 anamorphic enhancement. KNIGHT ERRANT will be in Mandarin language only with English subtitles. Supplements include audio commentary, interviews, trailers, filmographies, still galleries, and other goodies! Let's hope that Pathfinder Pictures doesn't not stop here and continue to bring Jimmy Wang Yu classics to DVD where they belong!

e've noticed several posts on the forum lately pondering the lack of market activity from Crash Cinema. Perhaps many of you were wondering if they would be giving up their position in the classic Kung Fu genre in favor of their new Anime and Horror/Cult product lines. Whether you love them or hate them you have to respect them. for placing many an obscure, overlooked genre classic into the shelves of your local retailer. Well, Crash Cinema/Venom Mob are back with a bang. In addition to continuing the fan favorite Crash Masters series, they have announced a new, ongoing series of Ninja classics dubbed THE ULTIMATE NINJA COLLECTION. A good number of these DVDs will be a combination of Alexander Lo Rei films, Godfrey Ho exploitationers, and other low-budget Asian productions. The first four titles below are slated for release on February 15, 2005. Since we like surprises as much as anyone, click on the links below for titles and eye-catching artwork. Crash Cinema informs us that the cover art that you see below not be on the final product, but the artwork looks cool enough to us. Enjoy!

• THE ULTIMATE NINJA COLLECTION Wave 1
• THE ULTIMATE NINJA COLLECTION Wave 2
  

Crash Cinema has announced their next batch of martial arts classics on their primo Crash Masters series. As usual, these new entries in the Crash Masters collection are presented in widescreen from actual film prints and both will include trailers, liner notes, and other goodies. The two titles below will feature the original English dubs tracks; its unclear at this time if either of these titles come with the original Chinese languages with English subs (like on some of the others Crash Masters releases). Martial Arts fans should be very pleased with these two DVDs, as one film qualifies as a true cult classic and the other is an outstanding effort featuring Chen Kwan Tai and Yasuaki Kurata (perhaps their only pairing together?). 

• Crash Masters

ut still more from the Crash Cinema/Venom Mobs camp. In addition to their new ULTIMATE NINJA COLLECTION, this March the label will be debuting another new ongoing series called OLD SCHOOL KILLAZ. These first two titles are advertised to be in "CrashScope". We have to wonder what that is all about (but we are guessing they won't be widescreen!). Anyway, click the link below to get the scoop on these two inital titles in the OLD SCHOOL KILLAZ collection:

• Venom Mobs

MAY 1st 2004 UPDATE: Celestial Pictures has changed their 2004 schedule once again. For the latest titles and dates, check AsianDVDGuide.com. Remember, the dates below have all been changed.

February:

• LADY IS THE BOSS (Martial Arts)

• CHINATOWN KID (Martial Arts)

• NEW TALES OF THE FLYING FOX (Martial Arts)

• THE IMPOSTER (Action)

• MOONLIGHT SERENADE (Drama)

• THE FORBIDDEN PAST (Drama)

• LUST FOR LOVE OF A CHINESE COURTESAN (Erotic)

• MAID FROM HEAVEN (Drama)

March:

• 8 DIAGRAM POLE FIGHTER (Martial Arts)

• EXECUTIONER FROM SHAOLIN (Martial Arts)

• HEX AFTER HEX (Horror) 

• HEX VS. WITCHCRAFT (Horror)

• THE GENERATION GAP (Drama)

• REAR ENTRANCE (Drama)

• FALLEN PETALS (Drama)

• PLACE TO CALL HOME (Drama)

• MADAM SLENDER PLUM (Drama)

• SORROW OF THE GENTRY (Drama)

• YOUNG REBEL (Drama)

April:

• THE FLYING GUILLOTINE (Martial Arts)

• THE FLYING GUILLOTINE PART 2 (Martial Arts)

• THE RESCUE (Martial Arts)

• MAD MONKEY KUNG FU (Martial Arts)

• MY YOUNG AUNTIE (Martial Arts)

• THE VENGEFUL BEAUTY (Action)

• HEX (Horror) 

• BRIDE FROM HELL (Horror) 

• FRIEND FROM INNER SPACE (Comedy)

• 5 BILLION DOLLAR LEGACY (Thriller)

• HONG KONG 73 (Drama)

• SUMMER HEAT (Drama)

• AUNTIE LAN (Drama)

• MIST OVER DREAM LAKE (Drama)

• SINFUL CONFESSION (Erotic)

• THAT'S ADULTERY (Erotic)

• MAID FROM HEAVEN (Musical)

• DREAM OF THE RED CHAMBER (Musical)

• MR. FUNNYBONE (Comedy)

May:

• CHALLENGE OF THE MASTERS (Martial Arts)

• GOLDEN SWALLOW (Martial Arts)

• SHAOLIN MANTIS (Martial Arts)

• DRAGON SWAMP (Martial Arts)

• CRIPPLED AVENGERS (Martial Arts)

• BLACK FALCON (Action)

• GHOST EYES (Horror)

• CALL GIRLS (Drama)

• REAR ENTRANCE (Drama)

• THIRTEEN (Drama)

• APARTMENT FOR LADIES (Comedy)

• MAD WORLD OF FOOLS (Comedy)

• MR. FUNNYBONE STRIKES AGAIN (Comedy)

June:

• ONE ARMED SWORDSMAN (Martial Arts)

• SWORD OF SWORDS (Martial Arts)

• AVENGING EAGLE (Martial Arts)

• THUNDERING SWORD (Martial Arts)

• GUN BROTHERS (Action)

• A TIME FOR LOVE (Drama)

• THIRTEEN (Drama)

• LOVE SWINDLERS (Erotic)

• CRAZY SEX (Erotic)

• THAT FIERY GIRL (Comedy)

• THE WEST CHAMBER (Musical)

• SINGING THIEF (Musical)

July: 

• RETURN OF THE ONE-ARMED SWORDSMAN (Martial Arts)

• DUEL OF THE CENTURY (Martial Arts)

• SPIRITUAL BOXER (Martial Arts)

• DIRTY HO (Martial Arts)

• DEADLY DUO (Martial Arts)

• THE INFORMER (Thriller) 

• CROCODILE RIVER  (Thriller)

• DIAU CHARM (Drama)

• UNFINISHED MELODY (Drama)

• MY SON (Drama)

• MAYBE IT'S LOVE (Drama)

• AN AMOROUS WOMAN OF THE TANG DYNASTY (Erotic)

• DREAMS OF EROTICISM (Erotic)

August:

• CLAN OF THE AMAZONS (Martial Arts)

• SHAOLIN PRINCE (Martial Arts)

• THE ENCHANTRESS (Martial Arts)

• CASINO (Martial Arts)

• THE GHOST LOVERS (Horror) 

• ADULTERY CHINESE STYLE (Erotic)

• THE ENCHANTING GHOST (Drama)

• MY DREAM BOAT (Drama)

• DOUBLE BLISS (Drama)

• MIST OVER DREAM LAKE (Drama)

• LOVERS DESTINY (Drama)

• WINNERS TAKE ALL (Comedy)

September: 

• NEW ONE ARMED SWORDSMAN (Martial Arts)

• GOLDEN SWORD (Martial Arts)

• ANGEL WITH THE IRON FISTS (Martial Arts)

• HEROES OF THE EAST (Martial Arts)

• MONKEY KUNG FU (Martial Arts)

• THE LADY HERMIT (Martial Arts)

• THE SWORD MATES (Martial Arts)

• BAT WITHOUT WINGS (Martial Arts)

• LEGENDARY WEAPONS OF CHINA (Martial Arts)

• SPIRIT OF THE SWORD (Martial Arts)

• BATTLE WIZARD (Martial Arts)

• DESCENDANTS OF THE SUN (Martial Arts)

• THE ASSASSIN (Martial Arts)

• NAVAL COMMANDOES (Action)

• BLACK MAGIC 2 (Horror)

• LETS MAKE LAUGH 2 (Comedy)

• DREAM OF THE RED CHAMBER (Drama)

October:

• VENGEANCE OF THE GOLDEN BLADE (Martial Arts)

• SHAOLIN AVENGERS (Martial Arts)

• BRAVE ARCHER (Martial Arts)

• BRAVE ARCHER PART 2 (Martial Arts)

• SWORD STAINED WITH ROYAL BLOOD (Martial Arts)

• CLAN OF THE WHITE LOTUS (Martial Arts)

• TALES OF THE EUNICH (Martial Arts)

• GAMBLERS DELIGHT (Action)

• BATTLE FOR THE REPUBLIC OF CHINA (Drama) 

• THE LOTUS LAMP (Drama) 

November:

• LADY HERMIT (Martial Arts)

• CAT VS. RAT (Martial Arts)

• ROVING SWORDSMAN (Martial Arts)

• TALES OF EUNUCH (Martial Arts)

• BRAVE ARCHER PART 3 (Martial Arts)

• KILLERS FIVE (Martial Arts)

• ANGEL STRIKES AGAIN (Thriller)

• CORPSE MANIA (Horror)

• HAUNTED TALES (Horror)

• SUMMONS TO DEATH (Action)

• LOST SOULS (Erotic) 

• AMOROUS LOTUS PAN (Drama)

• FORBIDDEN TALES OF 2 CITIES (Comedy)

December:

• THE CHINESE BOXER (Martial Arts)

• TWIN BLADES OF DOOM (Martial Arts)

• THE MARTIAL CLUB (Martial Arts)

• KING BOXER (Martial Arts)

• BELLS OF DEATH (Martial Arts)

• BLACK BUTTERFLY (Martial Arts)

• THE SILENT SWORDSMAN (Martial Arts)

• SWEET IS REVENGE (Martial Arts)

• KILLER DARTS (Martial Arts)

• KING BOXER (Martial Arts)

• MARTIAL ARTS OF SHAOLIN (Martial Arts)

• TEMPTRESS OF A THOUSAND FACES (Action)

• FRIENDS (Action)

• DREAMS OF EROTICISM (Erotic)

• SINFUL ADULTRESS (Erotic)

We take a detailed look at one of the budget discs from Crash Cinema's evil twin, Venom Mob Films. The title has absolutely nothing to do with the movie, but DRESSED TO FIGHT features some noteworthy talents including Tien Piing, Lin Yun, and some adorably lethal lovelies like Doris Lung and Elsa Cheung. This violent mystical martial arts film has a few twists and surprises and is worth a look from those who appreciate low budget Taiwanese action flicks:

AsianDVDGuide.com has the specs and artwork for the forthcoming Celestial Pictures Shaw Brothers Region 3 DVD titles. These deluxe discs are available from your favorite on-line HK importer. We are highlighting the martial arts films only; if you want more info on the other titles, check out AsianDVDGuide.com

March 4:

• 16x9 Enhanced Letterboxed (2.35:1)
• Languages: Mandarin
• Subtitles: Chinese (Traditional), English, Chinese, Malaysia, Indonesia
• Coded for region 3
• Extras:
  • Three Styles of Hung Fist Featurette
  • Trailers, photo gallery, poster art, behind the scenes pictures, biographies/filmographies, and production notes.

THE CHINATOWN KID (1977) starring Kuo Chi, Sun Chien, Alexander Fu Sheng, Wang Lung Wei, Shirley Yu, Shaw Yin Yin.  Directed by Chang Cheh

• 16x9 Enhanced Letterboxed (2.35:1)
• Languages: Mandarin
• Subtitles: Chinese (Traditional), English, Chinese, Malaysia, Indonesia
• Coded for region 3
• Extras:
  • Three Styles of Hung Fist Featurette
  • Trailers, photo gallery, poster art, behind the scenes pictures, biographies/filmographies, and production notes.

Jan 24:

NEW TALES OF THE FLYING FOX (1984) starring Alex Wan Chi-Leung, Felix Wong, Tai Pei, Hui Ying-Hung, Chen Szu Chia.  Directed by Liu Shih Yu

• 16x9 Enhanced Letterboxed (2.35:1)
• Languages: Mandarin, Cantonese
• Subtitles: Chinese (Traditional), English, Chinese, Malaysia, Indonesia
• Coded for region 3
• Extras:
  • Trailers, photo gallery, poster art, behind the scenes pictures, biographies/filmographies, and production notes.

LADY IS THE BOSS (1982) starring Gordon Liu, Lau Kat Leung, Hui Ying Hung, Wang Yue, Chang Chen Pang.  Directed by Lau Kar Leung

• 16x9 Enhanced Letterboxed (2.35:1)
• Languages: Mandarin, Cantonese
• Subtitles: Chinese (Traditional), English, Chinese, Malaysia, Indonesia
• Coded for region 3
• Extras:
  • Trailers, photo gallery, poster art, behind the scenes pictures, biographies/filmographies, and production notes.

Jan 15:

FIVE SHAOLIN MASTERS (1974) starring David Chiang, Ti Lung, Alexander Fu Sheng, Chi Kwan Chun, Meng Fei.  Directed by Chang Cheh

• 16x9 Enhanced Letterboxed (2.35:1)
• Languages: Mandarin
• Subtitles: Chinese (Traditional), English, Chinese, Malaysia, Indonesia
• Coded for region 3
• Extras:
  • Trailers, photo gallery, poster art, behind the scenes pictures, biographies/filmographies, and production notes.

HOLY FLAME OF THE MARTIAL ARTS WORLD (1983) starring Jason Pai Pao, Kuo Chue, Liu Hsueh Hua, Mok Siu Chung, Liu Shao Chun  Directed by Lu Chin Ku

• 16x9 Enhanced Letterboxed (2.35:1)
• Languages: Mandarin, Cantonese
• Subtitles: Chinese (Traditional), English, Chinese, Malaysia, Indonesia
• Coded for region 3
• Extras:
  • Trailers, photo gallery, poster art, behind the scenes pictures, biographies/filmographies, and production notes.

THE SENTIMENTAL SWORDSMAN (1977) starring Ti Lung, Ching Lee, Yueh Hua, Derek Yee, Yu An-an.  Directed by Chu Yuan

• 16x9 Enhanced Letterboxed (2.35:1)
• Languages: Mandarin, Cantonese
• Subtitles: Chinese (Traditional), English, Chinese, Malaysia, Indonesia
• Coded for region 3
• Extras:
  • Trailers, photo gallery, poster art, behind the scenes pictures, biographies/filmographies, and production notes.

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