Sunday, November 10, 2024

Facets of Love – 88 Films (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Hong Kong, 1973
Director: Li Han-hsiang
Writer: Li Han-hsiang
Cast: Lily Ho, Yu Feng, Yueh Hua, Hu Chin, Teresa Ha Ping, Cheng Kang-Yeh, Su Hsiang, Jackie Chan

Release Date: October 28th, 2024 (UK), November 12th, 2024 (USA)
Approximate Running Time: 98 Minutes 37 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVCC
Rating: 15 (UK), NR (USA)
Sound: LPCM Mono Mandarin
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region A,B
Retail Price: £16.99 (UK), $34.95 (USA)

"A costume drama like no other, Facets of Love tells the stories of the Shanghai brothel in the early years of the 20th century: of its devious owners, of the unhappy innocents that have been tricked into toiling there and of the entitled men who visit, the ordinary and the illustrious." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.25/5

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, "HD transfer from the original negative".

Facets of Love comes on a 25 GB single layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 24.7 GB

Feature: 23.3 GB

The source is in excellent shape; it is one of 88 Films best-looking Shaw Brothers releases. Flesh tones are healthy, colors look correct, black levels are strong, image clarity and compression are solid and there are no issues with digital noise reduction. 

Audio: 3.75/5

This release comes with one audio option, a LPCM mono mix in Mandarin with removable English subtitles. Though dialog comes through clearly and everything sounds balanced, there are some sibilance issues.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a stills gallery with music from the film playing in the background, a trailer (1 minute 23 seconds, LPCM stereo Mandarin with removable English subtitles), reversible cover art, 4 collector’s art cards (limited to the first pressing), and a slipcase (limited to the first pressing).

Summary:

Li Han-hsiang directed Facets of Love. He is also known for Beauty of Beauties, The Golden Lotus, The Enchanting Shadow, The Magnificent Concubine, and Empress Wu Tse-Tien.

A devious brothel owner tricks women into signing contracts that make them her property.

Though the Shaw Brothers are most known for their martial arts films, they made films in every genre. And like most film companies, they adapted with the times, going with whatever trend was popular. In the 1970s, they would venture into the erotica genre as more provocative cinema became the norm. Their film Intimate Confessions Of A Chinese Courtesan set a template that other films followed, and it can be seen as a precursor to films like Sex & Zen and Erotic Ghost Story.

Things get off to a strong start as the opening moments do a superb job laying the foundation for what follows. In these early moments, it explicitly lays out how the brothel procured the women, and failure to submit to their new life carries a specific consequence. That said, the narrative is actually three stories: a character named Da-Qin, who refuses to accept her fate, and two subplots about former emperors who were former clients of the brothel.

All of the performances are very good, especially Yu Feng’s (Delightful Forest) portrayal of Da-Qin. She perfectly captures her character's hopelessness and defiance to the bitter end. The most memorable performance is Lily Ho’s (The Lady Professional) menacing portrayal of Miss Ho, a brothel madame with a sadistic streak. The most notable cast member is Jackie Chan (Drunken Master) in the early role as a waiter.

Though sex is the main element that runs throughout Facets of Love, it does not shy away from brutal moments of torture. Some of the things done to characters include viciously whipping them and putting a hot iron on their flesh. That said, there is an ample amount of nudity, and the moments of erotica are all well done.

One area where Facets of Love does not come out unscathed would be its narrative structure. Despite being joined thematically, the two later stories have a lighter tone than Da-Qin's story, which is bleak. That said, the moments with Da-Qin drive the narrative, while the other stories tend to drag.

Facets of Love gets a strong audio/video presentation from 88 Films, recommended despite its lack of contextual extras.











Written by Michael Den Boer

Saturday, November 9, 2024

Kid From Kwang Tung – 88 Films (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Hong Kong, 1982
Director: Hsia Hsu
Writer: Keith Li
Cast: Wong Yu, Yuen Tak, Chiang Kam, Yeung Pan-Pan, Kwan Hoi-San, Yen Shi-Kwan, Hwang Jeong-Ri, Ku Kuan-Chung, Lau Kar-Yung

Release Date: October 28th, 2024 (UK), November 12th, 2024 (USA)
Approximate Running Time: 98 Minutes 53 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVCC
Rating: 15 (UK), NR (USA)
Sound: LPCM Mono Cantonese, LPCM Mono English
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region A,B
Retail Price: £16.99 (UK), $34.95 (USA)

"after an evil martial arts master (played by the very great Hwang Jang-li (Snake in the Eagle's Shadow) kills their own teacher, Wong Yu (The Shadow Boxing) and Chiang Kam (The Young Master) realize that they're next. But can the squabbling duo put their differences aside long enough to defeat him?" - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4/5

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, "HD transfer from the original negative".

Kid From Kwang Tung comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 26.7 GB

Feature: 25 GB

The source looks excellent; flesh tones look correct, colors are nicely saturated, image clarity and black levels are strong, compression is solid and there are no issues with digital noise reduction. 

Audio: 4/5 (LPCM Mono Cantonese, LPCM Mono English)

This release comes with two audio options, an LPCM mono mix in Cantonese and an LPCM mono mix in English. The differences between these two audio tracks are minor; dialog comes through clearly, everything sounds balanced, and range-wise they sound very good. Included are removable English subtitles for the Cantonese language track.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a stills gallery with music from the film playing in the background, a trailer (1 minute 13 seconds, LPCM stereo Cantonese with removable English subtitles), reversible cover art, 4 collector’s art cards (limited to the first pressing), and a slipcase (limited to the first pressing).

Summary:

When an evil master of the arts kills their teacher, two students put aside their differences in their quest to avenge their murdered teacher.

By the mid-1980s, the Shaw Brothers output had slowed down considerably. Content wise, Kid From Kwang Tung is typical of Shaw Brothers films from the 1980s. During this era, there was a shift to humor in martial arts cinema. This brings us to Kid From Kwang Tung, a film filled with mischievous characters in which humor plays a significant role.

Kid From Kwang Tung is a tale about revenge and redemption. Characters at odds with each other must work together and eliminate the man who killed their master before he kills them. Over the course of the narrative, the two students at odds revolve their differences and become a formidable force.

When it comes to the performances, they suit the story that unfolds well. The most memorable performance is Wong Yue (He Has Nothing But Kung Fu), who portrays one of the two mischievous students. His comedic timing is pitch-perfect, and when it comes to action sequences, he more than holds his own.

Besides humor, another popular 1980s element that Kid From Kwang Tung features is Jiangshi (Chinese hopping vampire). Despite bringing nothing new to the table, the result is a film that is always entertaining and never boring. Another asset is its briskly paced narrative, which culminates with a knockdown, drag-out finale. Ultimately, Kid From Kwang Tung is a highly entertaining film that effectively mixes comedy, action, and horror.

Kid From Kwang Tung gets a strong audio/video presentation from 88 Films, recommended despite its lack of contextual extras.








Written by Michael Den Boer

The Kung Fu Instructor – 88 Films (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Hong Kong, 1979
Director: Sun Chung
Writer: Ni Kuang
Cast: Ku Feng, Ti Lung, Wang Yu, Wong Yue, Angie Chiu, Wang Lung-Wei

Release Date: October 28th, 2024 (UK), November 12th, 2024 (USA)
Approximate Running Time: 104 Minutes 18 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVCC
Rating: 12 (UK), NR (USA)
Sound: LPCM Mono Mandarin, LPCM Mono English
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region A,B
Retail Price: £16.99 (UK), $34.95 (USA)

"In this bitterly divided town, there's no middle ground; you're either with one side or the other – cross the line and face dire consequences. One clan hires a kung fu master – played by the great Ti Lung (A Better Tomorrow) – to break the stalemate, but he's nobody's servant and his loyalties can’t be bought so easily..." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4/5

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, "HD transfer from the original negative".

The Kung Fu Instructor comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 27.9 GB

Feature: 26.4 GB

The source looks excellent; flesh tones look correct, colors are nicely saturated, image clarity and black levels are strong, compression is solid and there are no issues with digital noise reduction. 

Audio: 4/5 (LPCM Mono Mandarin, LPCM Mono English)

This release comes with two audio options, an LPCM mono mix in Mandarin and an LPCM mono mix in English. The differences between these two audio tracks are minor; dialog comes through clearly, everything sounds balanced, and range-wise they sound very good. Included are removable English subtitles for the Mandarin language track

Extras:

Extras for this release include a stills gallery with music from the film playing in the background, a trailer (1 minute 23 seconds, LPCM stereo Mandarin with removable English subtitles), reversible cover art, 4 collector’s art cards (limited to the first pressing), and a slipcase (limited to the first pressing).

Summary:

Sun Chung directed the film To Kill a Mastermind. His other notable films are Big Bad Sis, The Avenging Eagle, The Deadly Breaking Sword, To Kill a Mastermind, Human Lanterns, and City War.

A Kung Fu instructor finds himself in the middle of a feud between two rival clans.

If the above synopsis sounds familiar, it's another take on Akira Kurosawa Yojimbo, a film that’s inspired numerous films, notably A Fistful of Dollars. That said, despite using the same premise, the result is a film that’s far removed from its inspiration. The most noticeable difference between Yojimbo and The Kung Fu Instructor is its protagonist's motivation. Where most films inspired by Yojimbo have a protagonist who works both sides, in The Kung Fu Instructor he only aids the other side when blackmailed by them.

It becomes clear very early on that the action sequences are the focal point. Though the narrative takes a backseat to the action sequences; that is not to say that a sufficient amount of time is not spent building backstory. That said, when it comes to most characters, there’s no gray area; it's clear where they stand.

The Shaw Brothers, like Hollywood, had their stars, and The Kung Fu Instructor’s leading man, Ti Lung (The Deadly Duo), was one of their biggest. He’s cast in the role of Wang Yang, a kung fu master whose skills are unrivaled. He delivers another solid performance in the role of the hero. Another performance of note is Wong Yue (He Has Nothing But Kung Fu), who portrays Zhou Ping, a mischievous character who is always at the center of trouble. The scenes where Ti Lung and Wong Yue share are the most memorable, especially the training sequences where their characters come up with a way to combine their fighting skills.

Though some films venture outside of the well-treated scenarios, during this era of Hong Kong cinema, the narratives are overly formulaic. That said, in martial arts cinema, it's not surprising that so much is devoted to the action sequences, as they are the main draw. No matter how many hundreds of martial arts films I have seen, it is always amazing how inventive the fight sequences are. The Kung Fu Instructor's fight sequences have a lot of impressive martial arts on display. Ultimately, despite covering familiar ground, The Kung Fu Instructor succeeds because of its excellent martial arts sequences.

The Kung Fu Instructor gets a strong audio/video presentation from 88 Films, recommended despite its lack of contextual extras.









Written by Michael Den Boer

Friday, November 8, 2024

I Am a Nymphomaniac / I Am Frigid… Why? – Mondo Macabro (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Dates: France, 1971 (I Am a Nymphomaniac), France, 1972 (I Am Frigid… Why?)
Director: Max Pécas (Both Films)
Cast: Sandra Julien, Janine Reynaud, Yves Vincent, Patrick Verde, Michel Lemoine, Alain Hitier, Bob Ingarao, Michel Charrel, Michel Vocoret (I Am a Nymphomaniac), Sandra Julien, Marie-Georges Pascal, Jean-Luc Terrade, Anne Kerylen, Thierry Murzeau, Virginie Vignon, Catherine Wagener, Robert Lombard, Arlette Poirier, Frédérique Aubrée, Joëlle Coeur (I Am Frigid… Why?)

Release Date: November 12th, 2024
Approximate Running Times: 95 Minutes 20 Seconds (I Am a Nymphomaniac), 100 Minutes 38 Seconds (I Am Frigid… Why?)
Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC (Both Films)
Rating: NR
Sound: DTS-HD Mono French, DTS-HD Mono English (Both Films)
Subtitles: English (Both Films)
Retail Price: $29.95

I Am a Nymphomaniac: "Carole is an ordinary girl leading an ordinary life. Then one day it happens. She has an accident and falls down a lift shaft. Miraculously, she survives. But after she recovers in the hospital, she finds herself obsessed with her body, sex and sin. Will she ever be free from the torment of her passionate desires?" - synopsis provided by the distributor

I Am Frigid… Why?: "Her search leads from her convent school to 1970’s Paris, where she falls in with an outrageous theatre group, finally ending up as a high-class call girl in a house run by a lesbian dominatrix.  A riot of lava lamps, garish fashions and deliciously daft dialogue." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4/5 (I Am a Nymphomaniac), 3.75/5 (I Am Frigid… Why?)

I Am a Nymphomaniac and I Am Frigid… Why? come on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 40 GB

Feature: 17.4 GB (I Am a Nymphomaniac), 18.7 GB (I Am Frigid… Why?)

Both films have source debris; image clarity is strong, black levels fare well, compression is very good, and grain remains intact. That said, there are moments where colors are not as vibrant.

Audio: 4/5 (DTS-HD Mono French - Both Films), 3.75/5 (DTS-HD Mono English - Both Films)

Both films come with two audio options, a DTS-HD mono mix in French and a DTS-HD mono mix in English. The main difference between these audio tracks is that the French language tracks sound cleaner than the two English language audio tracks, which have background hiss. That said, all audio tracks sound balanced, and dialog comes through clearly. Included are removable English subtitles for the French language tracks.

Extras:

Extras for this release include an Episode of the Eurotika TV series about Max Pécas (24 minutes 35 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo French and English with burnt in English subtitles for French), and I Am Frigid… Why? deleted scenes from the U.S. version released by Radley Metzger (13 minutes 18 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles).

Summary:

I Am a Nymphomaniac and I Am Frigid… Why? were directed by Max Pécas, a filmmaker who began his career mostly directing thrillers before making a name for himself in the erotic film genre.

I Am a Nymphomaniac: A traumatic event turns a sexually repressed woman into a nymphomaniac.

Max Pécas, Jean Rollin, and Jess Franco were a trio of filmmakers who thrived in 1970s French erotic cinema. Though all three made erotic cinema, the way they each approached it could not be further apart. Of these three, Jess Franco was the most graphic, pushing boundaries, Jean Rollin was the most artistic, and Max Pécas fell in the middle.

I Am a Nymphomaniac is a psychological melodrama about a woman having a sexual awakening. Her transformation from sexually repressed to nymphomaniac is not within her control. Instead of receiving help from those in her life, they take advantage of her, forcing her to embrace her own carnal desires.

The main attraction of I Am a Nymphomaniac is Sandra Julien (The Shiver of the Vampires), who portrays the protagonist, a woman named Carole. Physically, she has the assets that make her believable as an object of desire, while performance-wise, she’s able to pull off a naivety that perfectly captures her character's state of mind. During the first half of the 1970s, Sandra Julien's career was sizzling hot in the erotic cinema industry. However, when erotic cinema gave way to hardcore pornography, she chose to leave the industry.

The rest of the cast are actually very good, especially Janine Reynaud (Succubus), who portrays a woman who takes Carole in after her family rejects her. Janine Reynaud, like Sandra Julien, was an actress whose career was all too brief. Her portrayal of a sex-crazed manipulator in I Am a Nymphomaniac is arguably one of her best. Another cast member of note is Michel Lemoine (Seven Women for Satan); he was married to Janine Reynaud at that time.

Despite being an erotic film, the sex scenes in I Am a Nymphomaniac are brief and not that salacious. Fortunately, this works in this film’s favor, since its premise is well-executed and the narrative does a superb job maintaining momentum. An interesting tidbit about the music cue that plays whenever the protagonist becomes aroused is that it sounds like a variation of the James Bond theme.

When discussing I Am a Nymphomaniac, one should not overlook the role that the visuals play. Striking imagery and effective use of juxtaposition create a fusion that heightens the mood. The two most memorable moments are a merry-go-round dream sequence and an orgy finale. Ultimately, fans of the arthouse erotic films that Radley Metzger made should enjoy I Am a Nymphomaniac.

I Am Frigid… Why?: A trauma from her past prevents a woman from experiencing sexual fulfillment.

Max Pécas follows up I Am a Nymphomaniac with another film that revolves around a traumatized protagonist. The protagonist now recoils at the slightest sign of affection instead of undergoing a sexual awakening. Also, where her sickness was exploited in I Am a Nymphomaniac, characters now work with the protagonist to help her overcome her sexual repression.

Once again, Sandra Julien (Ravishing Dany) is the heart and soul. She portrays Doris, a gardener's daughter who is raped by an incestuous brother and sister. She delivers an utterly believable performance that perfectly captures her character's fractured state of mind. The rest of the cast gives good performances, but hers overshadows them.

Though erotica is prominent throughout, psychological elements play a significant role. One of the key characters on Doris’ journey is an older woman who teaches her to use her fragility as a positive instead of a negative. That said, in order to truly overcome her fragility, she must go back to where her trauma began.

This time around, Max Pécas foregoes the arthouse aesthetics and amps up the exploitation elements. Nowhere is this clearer than when it comes to the moments of erotica, especially a rape scene and a subplot about incestuous siblings. The narrative superbly executes the premise and moves things forward effectively. Another strength are the visuals, which take full advantage of the scenic landscapes. Ultimately, I Am Frigid… Why? is a well-made psychological/erotica film that's a must-see for fans of Sandra Julien.

Mondo Macabro gives I Am a Nymphomaniac, and I Am Frigid... Why? their best home media release to date, highly recommended.



















Written by Michael Den Boer

Thursday, November 7, 2024

Slap the Monster on Page One: Limited Edition – Radiance Films (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Italy, 1972
Director: Marco Bellocchio
Writers: Sergio Donati, Goffredo Fofi
Cast: Gian Maria Volontè, Fabio Garriba, Carla Tatò, Jacques Herlin, John Steiner, Michel Bardinet, Jean Rougeul, Corrado Solari, Laura Betti

Release Date: November 18th, 2024 (UK), November 19th, 2024 (USA)
Approximate running time: 87 minutes 15 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: 15 (UK), NR (USA)
Sound: LPCM Mono Italian
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region A,B
Retail Price: £14.99 (UK), $39.95 (USA)

"Days before a general election a young girl is raped and murdered. Bizanti (Gian Maria Volonté, The Working Class Goes to Heaven), the editor of a right-wing newspaper uses the story to help the conservative candidate his paper supports. The tumultuous time of Italy’s ‘Years of Lead’ are captured in Marco Bellocchio’s powerful political drama which directly addressed topics of its day and even prefigured the creation of the right-wing paper Il giornale, which came into being two years after this film.” – Synopsis provided by the Distributor

Video: 5/5

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, “Slap the Monster on Page One was restored in 4K resolution from the original negative by Cineteca di Bologna in collaboration with Surf Film and Kavac Film, under the supervision of director Marco Bellocchio.”

Slap the Monster on Page One comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 33.1 GB

Feature: 25.2 GB

The opening moments of the film use what appears to be stock footage. The opening moments are not representative of the rest of the film, which looks excellent. Colors look correct, black levels are strong, image clarity and compression are solid, and the image retains an organic look.

Audio: 5/5

This release comes with one audio option, a LPCM mono mix in Italian with removable English subtitles. This audio track sounds great; dialog always comes through clearly, everything sounds balanced, and the score sounds appropriately robust.

Extras:

Extras for this release include an appreciation by filmmaker Alex Cox (9 minutes 53 seconds, LPCM stereo English, no subtitles), an interview with critic and author Mario Sesti (24 minutes 47 seconds, LPCM stereo Italian with removable English subtitles), an archival interview with director Marco Bellocchio (19 minutes 39 seconds, LPCM stereo Italian with removable English subtitles), reversible cover art, removable OBI strip leaving packaging free of certificates and markings and a 20-page booklet (limited to 3000 copies) cast & crew information, an essay titled Say ‘Yes’ to the Freedom of Order: Fake News in The Years of Lead written by Wesley Sharer, and information about the transfer.

Summary:

Marco Bellocchio directed the film Slap the Monster on Page One. His other notable films are Fist in the Pocket and Devil in the Flesh.

During an election, a right-wing newspaper editor uses the rape and murder of a young girl to further his agenda.

Slap the Monster on Page One is a perfect example of a film being more relevant than ever. It is a film that takes place during a tumultuous election; there is political unrest, excessive force by the police, and political corruption. At the center of all of these things is the media, who are manipulating the news to the outcome they desire.

Though some believe that media manipulation is a modern phenomenon, it is something that has always existed. There was a time when they were good at hiding their agenda; now it's not so much a search for truth as it is crafting a story. That said, a lot is put into crafting a headline, since many readers put a lot of effort into reading beyond it.

Though a young woman’s death is at the center of Slap the Monster on Page One, getting to the truth about what happened to her is not where most of the characters focus. Those in power exploit her death to further their worldview. And when confronted with the truth, they turn a blind eye because they have already dug in with the reality they created.

The entire cast is outstanding, especially Gian Maria Volontè’s (Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion) portrayal of a new editor, Giancarlo Bizanti, a ruthless, cold-hearted manipulator. Though Gian Maria Volontè's character does not have any of the loud outbursts he’s so great at delivering, he’s always had a menacing quality about him, even when he’s restrained. That said, Gian Maria Volontè's performance elvates what is already compelling subject matter.

From its opening moments there is an intensity that builds to a fever pitch by its unforgettable finale. The narrative executes effectively; we give key moments sufficient time to resonate and maintain a flawless pacing. Another strength is composer Nicola Piovani’s (The Perfume of the Lady in Black) exceptional mood-reinforcing score.

Propaganda is all around us, and when perfectly executed, it often goes unnoticed. It is fitting that Slap the Monster on Page One, a film about propaganda, also has its own slant. Its director, Marco Bellocchio, infused his left-wing ideology throughout his filmography. Fortunately, Marco Bellocchio's political leanings never impede the story being told. Ultimately, Slap the Monster on Page One is a powerful film no matter where you line up politically.

Slap the Monster on Page One gets an excellent release from Radiance Films that comes with a solid audio/video presentation and insightful extras, highly recommended.









Written by Michael Den Boer

Facets of Love – 88 Films (Blu-ray) Theatrical Release Date:  Hong Kong, 1973 Director:  Li Han-hsiang Writer:  Li Han-hsiang Cast:  Lily Ho...