PAGODA FILMS COLLECTION Round 2

If you read our forum section (and who in this business doesn't?) then you are aware of Crash Cinema's second wave of Pagoda Films Collection DVD due this December. This week we take a gander at the new releases and check out the artwork for these three underrated genre efforts presented with pristine widescreen prints and plenty of extras. 

From the Official Crash Cinema Press Release:

"It didn’t take long for Crash Cinema (in association with Video Transfer Incorporated) to rock the international DVD world with some of the highest quality action packed martial arts films ever released. From the very moment the first releases of the Pagoda Films Premium Collection started jump-kicking off the shelves, they have been hailed from London, Rio De Janeiro, to New York, and everywhere in between as films that set the standard with added features and kick-ass quality! Building on that momentum, Crash Cinema is proud to present round two of the Pagoda Films Premium Collection with three more classics from the golden age of martial arts action film making. Avid aficionados and novices alike can look forward to adding the three more absolutely "must have" titles of AMSTERDAM CONNECTION, SHAOLIN TIGER CLAW, and STORY IN TEMPLE RED LILY to their collections. These well known films are guaranteed to please even the toughest and most discerning fan of martial arts action, delivering everything from, buxom babes and bullets, to big-house brawls, and even bloodthirsty barons of medieval China!

Fans certainly know that the most exciting aspect of the Pagoda Films Premium Collection is the film quality. All of the films in this series are newly digitally remastered from the finest 35mm prints available and will be shown in their respective widescreen aspect ratios. Add to the mix, special features and tons of cool extras like, Cast Biographies, Bonus Fights, Film Gallery, Trailers, Interactive Menu Screens, and Filmographies, and you’ve got the greatest hard hitting, fast kicking, fist flying action ever packed into one collection! Once you've experienced the Pagoda Films Premium Collection, your DVD player will thank you, and give you a Boot To Da Head if you try to go back to those other low quality DVDs from who-knows-where. 

Get ready, because The Pagoda Films Premium Collection will smash through the old standards of Martial Arts Action (and the competition) like a Shaolin monk's fist through pine boards! "We are very proud to be able to bring out the only martial arts DVDs truly worthy of a home theater," said Chris Parente, President of Crash Cinema Inc. And for any of the remaining non-believers out there, you don’t have to take our word for it, just check out what Movie Maker magazine had to say: "Marital arts discs which are finally capable of withstanding quality comparison to mainstream DVDs… wonderfully crisp and letterboxed transfers, extra features… highly enjoyable."

Jason Pai Piao (DEATH MASK OF THE NINJA) and Wong Yuen San (TEN TIGER’S OF SHAOLIN) are two young martial artists who become good friends, until a woman’s affections drive them apart. Jason Pai Piao joins a gang run by Bolo Yeung (Enter the Dragon), and Wong Yuen San ends up in a rival gang of drug smugglers commanded by Fan Mei Sheng. The action begins in the streets of modern day Hong Kong, and shifts to Amsterdam when Fan Mei Sheng concocts a plan to use prostitutes for smuggling drugs back into Hong Kong. When the gang kidnaps the same woman who ruined their friendship, Jason Pai Piao and Wong Yuen San must put aside their differences to free her. Throw Hong Kong bad boy Chen Sing (Bloody Fists) into the mix and you know action, intrigue, corruption, and betrayal will follow. Starring Jason Pai Piao, Bolo Yeung, Chen Sing, Wong Yuen San. 

DVD Catalog # PFD-579 SRP $19.95

THE STORY IN TEMPLE RED LILY

THE STORY IN TEMPLE RED LILY is based upon ancient Chinese folklore about the corruption of the Shaolin Temple. Legend has it during the Sung Dynasty, the Temple Red Lily was briefly occupied by usurpers to the Throne. This rare Kung Fu movie reunites classic stars of the Hong Kong film industry, including the legendary boot master, Tan Tao Liang (THE HOT, THE COOL, THE VICIOUS), the graceful Chia Ling (LADY CONSTABLES), the hard-working Lung Fei (ONE ARMED BOXER), and martial arts bad boy Lung Ti. THE STORY IN TEMPLE RED LILY features a large supporting cast of film veterans who bring this complex tale of treachery and intrigue to the screen. Most notable is the film’s use of swordplay in the action direction; every scene is filled with slashing sword combat that is guaranteed to take your breath away! Starring Tan Tao Ling, Chia Ling, Lung Fei, Lung Ti.

DVD Catalog # PFD-679 SRP $19.95

SHAOLIN TIGER CLAW is the story of one mans struggle (Cliff Lok) for self-discovery, as it leads him on an odyssey across the continent to prove he is the best fighter in the land. His journey leads him to the Tiger, the most notorious fighter alive. Only one problem the Tiger is in jail, so Yu must first trick his way in to jail to challenge the Tiger. Can the Tiger be beaten? Watch and find out. The action never stops in this Old School slugfest. Starring Cliff Lok, Shek Kin.

DVD Catalog # PFD-479 SRP $19.95

Click Here to View the Artwork for the Pagoda Films Premium Collection

We have some exclusive announcements for you from Ground Zero Entertainment. Coming soon in December from GZE are another installment of their Eastern Heroes Collection. At press time we do not have the cover art or the additional material that may be on the discs, we only have the titles right now:

• IRON NECK LI
• LONG STEP MANTIS
• TAI CHI SHADOW BOXING
• SHAOLIN DRUNKEN FIGHT
• MATCHING ESCORT 

We will post the artwork and specs for these titles here when we receive them. 

Brentwood Communications, those masters of the budget box set (God bless em), are back with two more collections consisting of old and new releases. This November, you can expect the Tough Guys of Kung Fu box set, containing 10 (!) of their best titles for a low price of $19.99. Here's what you'll get:

• THE TATTOO CONNECTION
• GOLDEN DRAGON, SILVER SNAKE
• FISTS OF BRUCE LEE
• THE DEADLY KICK
• NINJA TURF
• MILITANT EAGLE
• CRIPPLED MASTERS
• RAGE OF THE DRAGON
• KILLING MACHINE
• DRAGON ON FIRE

Brentwood also has a double disc set coming out in November called Immortal Kung Fu. This set includes 4 films from their last 10 disc set earlier this year:

• HERO'S BLOOD 
• FIGHTING ACE
• SHAOLIN VS. MANCHU
• THOUSAND MILE ESCORT