An Autumn's Tale – 88 Films (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Hong Kong, 1987
Director: Mabel Cheung
Writer: Alex Law
Cast: Chow Yun-fat, Cherie Chung, Danny Chan, Cindy Ou, Arthur Fulbright, Gigi Wong

Release Date: July 29th, 2024
Approximate Running Time: 99 Minutes 14 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: 15 (UK)
Sound: DTS-HD Mono Cantonese, DTS-HD 5.1 Cantonese
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region B
Retail Price: £14.99 (UK)

"Set in New York, this bitter-sweet drama stars Chow Yun-Fat as Sam, a cool, and charismatic waiter who takes his naïve and heart-broken NYU student cousin, Jennifer (Cherie Chung) under his wing. Their friendship grows as he shows this innocent youngster all that life in the Big Apple has to offer." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 5/5

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "Presented by Fortune Star Media Limited, the restoration of the film was carried out from the original 35mm picture and optical soundtrack negative, repaired and scanned at L'Immagine Ritrovata Asia. The restoration work was performed in 4K resolution at  L'Immagine Ritrovata in Bologna, Italy and the color correction and Cantonese audio track restoration were completed with supervision from the director, Mabel Cheung."

An Autumn's Tale comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 42.1 GB

Feature: 29.9 GB

The source looks excellent; colors look correct, image clarity, black levels, and compression are solid, and the image retains an organic look.

Audio: 5/5 (DTS-HD Mono Cantonese), 4.5/5 (DTS-HD 5.1 Cantonese)

This release comes with two audio options, a DTS-HD mono mix in Cantonese and a DTS-HD 5.1 mix in Cantonese. There is some dialog in English. Both audio tracks are in excellent shape; dialog comes through clearly, and everything sounds balanced and robust when it should. That said, though the 5.1 audio track does a great job opening up the soundtrack, the clear winner is the mono audio track. Included are removable English subtitles.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a stills gallery with music from the film playing in the background, a theatrical trailer (4 minutes 29 seconds, DTS-HD mono Cantonese with removable English subtitles), an interview with screenwriter Alex Law (21 minutes 46 seconds, DTS-HD stereo Cantonese with removable English subtitles), an interview with director Mabel Cheung (17 minutes 46 seconds, DTS-HD stereo Cantonese with removable English subtitles), reversible cover art, a clear plastic O-Ring (limited to the first pressing), and a 28-page booklet (limited to the first pressing) with cast & crew information, an essay titled A Hong Kong Romance In/Via New York: An Autumn's Tale written by Tom Cunliffe, and archival images.

Summary:

An Autumn's Tale is the second of three films directed by Mabel Cheung that make up a collection of films known as the Migration Trilogy; the other two films are The Illegal Immigrant and Eight Taels of Gold.

A young woman from China goes to New York to be with her boyfriend, who's attending school there. Shortly after her arrival, she discovers her boyfriend is seeing another woman. Her cousin helps her get over her heartbreak and adjust to living in New York.

An Autumn's Tale is a unique Hong Kong film that places its story in an unfamiliar setting: New York City. An Autumn's Tale is also a fish-out-of-water scenario in which its protagonist, Jennifer, finds herself in a place that is far removed from where she grew up in China. She is trying to fit in and adjust after learning of her boyfriend's betrayal. Her main support is her cousin Vincent; he lives in the moment and does not let others influence him. Over time these two characters change, forming an inseparable bond.

The heart and soul of An Autumn's Tale are its two lead performances: Chow Yun-fat (The Killer), who portrays Vincent, and Cherie Chung (Maybe It's Love), who portrays Jennifer. Vincent is someone who does not care about what others think about him, while Jennifer is someone who overly values what others think. In all, Chow Yun-fat and Cherie Chung worked together in nine films, so it is not a surprise how strong their onscreen chemistry is. When it comes to the rest of the cast, their performances do a superb job supporting the two leads.

When discussing An Autumn's Tale, one cannot overlook director Mabel Cheung’s contributions. Though the visuals let the performances be the focal point, there are a handful of stylish moments that heighten the mood. One area where the visuals really excel is how they take advantage of the New York locations.

From a production standpoint, An Autumn's Tale is a film where everything perfectly falls into place. A well-executed narrative does a phenomenal job building momentum to a gut-punch finale, and key moments are given an ample amount of time to resonate. Another strength is Lowell Lo’s (Naked Killer) exemplary score, which does an excellent job of reinforcing the mood. Ultimately, An Autumn's Tale is a poignant melodrama about appreciating what you have before it slips away.

An Autumn's Tale gets an excellent release from 88 Films that comes with a solid audio/video presentation and a trio of insightful extras, highly recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer

Prague Nights: Standard Edition – Deaf Crocodile (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Czechoslovakia, 1969
Directors: Jirí Brdecka, Milos Makovec, Evald Schorm
Writers: Jirí Brdecka, Milos Makovec, Evald Schorm, Vratislav Blazek, Frantisek Uldrich
Cast: Milena Dvorská, Milos Kopecký, Jirí Hrzán, Milena Zahrynowska, Josef Bláha, Kveta Fialová, Natasa Gollová, Milan Nedela, Zdenek Díte, Jirí Tomek, Martin Ruzek, Jan Klusák, Lucie Novotná, Václav Mares, Viktor Maurer, Jan Libícek, Václav Kotva, Vladimír Valenta, Frantisek Velecký, Václav Trégl

Release Date: March 11th, 2025
Approximate Running Time: 99 Minutes 14 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1 Aspect Ratio / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: NR
Sound: LPCM Mono Czech
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region A
Retail Price: $29.95

"A stuffy middle-aged foreigner, a businessman named Fabricius (Miloš Kopecký), lonely and looking for a night's diversion, finds it in the form of a mysterious blonde, Zuzana (Milena Dvorská). In an abandoned cemetery, she tells him three tales involving black magic and erotic obsession." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.5/5

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "New restoration from the original 35mm picture and sound elements by Národní filmový archiv and Craig Rogers for Deaf Crocodile."

Prague Nights comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 35.7 GB

Feature: 23.5 GB

The source looks excellent; this is another solid encode from Fidelity In Motion. Flesh tones look healthy, colors are nicely saturated, image clarity and compression are solid, black levels are strong, and there are no issues with digital noise reduction.

Audio: 4.5/5

This release comes with one audio option, a LPCM mono mix in Czech with removable English subtitles. There is some dialog in English. The audio sounds clean, clear, and balanced, and range-wise, things sound great.

Extras:

Extras for this release include two animated short films directed byJiří Brdečka; Revenge (14 minutes 4 seconds, 1.33:1 aspect ratio, LPCM mono Czech with removable English subtitles), and There Was a Miller On a River (10 minutes 58 seconds, 1.33:1 aspect ratio, LPCM mono Czech with removable English subtitles), an  interview with Czech film critic and screenwriter Tereza Brdečka on her father, Jiří Brdečka (co-director and co-writer of Prague Nights), covering his famed career as a filmmaker, animator & screenwriter, moderated by Dennis Bartok (47 minutes 39 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an audio commentary with Tereza Brdečka and Czech film expert Irena Kovarova of Comeback, and a 12-page booklet with an essay titled The Eternal Mystery of Prague Nights written by Tereza Brdečka.

Summary:

Prague Nights is an anthology fantasy film with three stories that are connected by wraparound segments. The wraparound segments revolve around a businessman on a trip, who's bored and looking for a good time. While wandering through Prague, the businessman meets a mysterious woman to whom he becomes attached. She warns him about dangerous women before telling him three tales of the macabre.

The three stories are titled The Last Golem, Breaded Shoes, and Poisoned Grass. The first story revolves around two rabbi’s who create their own Golem’s. One rabbi creates his own Golem that deceives the other one and leads to their downfall. The second story revolves around a woman whose decadent lifestyle gets her just deserts from the many men whose lives she ruined. The third story revolves around a woman who poisons rich suitors, robs them, and disposes of their bodies.

Women who destroy men is what connects the three stories and wraparound segments. In all of these stories and wraparound segments, women use deception to lure men into a trap. Also, the three stories that the mysterious woman is telling to the businessman foretell his own future.

Though linked thematically, each of the three stories has a distinctive look and vibe. The filmmakers shot the wraparound segments in black and white, offering a stark contrast to the color stories. Of the three stories, the strongest is The Last Golem, while the weakest is Poisoned Grass. In the case of the latter, it is a dialog-free story where the only words come via songs.

From a production standpoint, there is no area where Prague Nights is lacking. Though there are four separate stories, the narrative does a great job when it comes to momentum. Other strengths are exemplary production design and a mostly classical score that does a superb job of reinforcing the mood. Ultimately, Prague Nights is a very satisfying mix of fantasy, melodrama, and subversive humor.

Prague Nights gets an excellent release from Deaf Crocodile that comes with a solid audio/video presentation, two short films, and insightful extras; highly recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer

Nomad + My Heart Is That Eternal Rose: Limited Edition – Radiance Films (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Dates: Hong Kong, 1982 (Nomad), Hong Kong, 1989 (My Heart Is That Eternal Rose)
Director: Patrick Tam (Both Films)
Cast: Leslie Cheung, Pat Ha, Kent Tong, Cecilia Yip, Yip Ha-lei, Yung Sai-Kit (Nomad), Kenny Bee, Joey Wong, Tony Leung Chiu-Wai, Chan Wai-Man, Cheung Tat-ming, Gam Lui, Kwan Hoi-Shan, Chia-Hui Liu (Gordon Liu), Ng Man-tat (My Heart Is That Eternal Rose)

Release Date: February 24th, 2025
Approximate Running Times: 96 Minutes 42 Seconds (Nomad), 90 Minutes 58 Seconds (My Heart Is That Eternal Rose)
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC (Nomad), 1.78:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC (My Heart Is That Eternal Rose)
Rating: 15,18 (UK)
Sound: LPCM Mono Cantonese (Both Films), LPCM Mono Mandarin (My Heart Is That Eternal Rose)
Subtitles: English (Both Films)
Region Coding: Region B
Retail Price: £24.99 (UK)

"In Nomad two couples, equal parts rich and working class, bond and experience the frolics of youth. The arrival of a Red Army deserter brings violence and disruption prompting incredible plot twists and inspired set-pieces.

My Heart is That Eternal Rose finds Tam in the more familiar Heroic Bloodshed genre. A young couple are torn apart by a botched Triad job that forces Rick to relocate to the Philippines and Lap to become a gangster’s moll. Six years later they meet again but their reunion only reignites the danger that drove them apart." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 3.5/5 (Nomad), 5/5 (My Heart is That Eternal Rose)

Here’s the information provided about Nomad's transfer, "Nomad was restored in 4K resolution by Mei Ah, a process overseen by director Patrick Tam. In the process of the restoration, Tam also re-edited the film to match his initial vision, as it was heavily censored on release, resulting in this 'Director's Cut'. The master was supplied as a high-definition file, and grading was carried out by Radiance Films.

The master for Nomad contains numerous instances of digital noise reduction (DNR) and similiar digital artifacts, which have resulted in the artificial removal of film grain, fine detail and textures, among other issues. Every effort was made to minimize the effect of these techniques, but some sequences throughout the film are still affected."

Nomad comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 42.5 GB

Feature: 25.2 GB

The information provided about the transfer gives you a clear idea of what to expect. That said, color saturation is very good, and compression is solid.

Here’s the information provided about My Heart Is That Eternal Rose's transfer, "My Heart Is That Eternal Rose was restored in 2K resolution by Mei Ah, and was scanned from the original 35mm color negative. The master was supplied to Radiance Films as a high-definition file, and grading was carried out by Radiance Films."

My Heart Is That Eternal Rose comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 39.6 GB

Feature: 28 GB

Though this release from Radiance Films uses the same source Kani used, Radiance did their own color grading. That said, the source looks excellent.

Audio: 5/5 (DTS-HD Mono Cantonese - My Heart Is That Eternal Rose), 4.5/5 (DTS-HD Mono Mandarin), 4.25/5 (DTS-HD Mono Cantonese - Nomad)

Nomad comes with one audio option, a LPCM mono mix in Cantonese with removable English subtitles. The audio sounds clean, clear, and balanced, and range-wise, things sound very good.

My Heart Is That Eternal Rose comes with two audio options, a LPCM mono mix in Cantonese and a LPCM mono mix in Mandarin. The audio, like the video, is comparable to Kani’s release. Both audio tracks sound clean, clear, balanced, and robust when they should. The Cantonese language track is the stronger of these two audio tracks. Included are removable English subtitles for the Cantonese language track.

Extras:

Extras on the disc with Nomad include an interview with Nomad producer Dennis Yu (12 minutes 20 seconds, LPCM stereo English, no subtitles), an interview with assistant director Stanley Kwan (7 minutes 55 seconds, LPCM stereo English, no subtitles), an interview with film critic Tony Rayns (37 minutes 56 seconds, LPCM stereo English, no subtitles), and an episode from CID Season 1, Episode 3 titled Two Teddy Girls (50 minutes 35 seconds, LPCM mono Cantonese with removable English subtitles),

Extras on the disc with My Heart Is That Eternal Rose include a theatrical trailer for My Heart Is That Eternal Rose (1 minute 45 seconds, LPCM mono with English and Cantonese text), an interview with producer John Sham (9 minutes 3 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), a visual essay by author David Desser titled Patrick Tam: Forgotten New Wave Auteur (16 minutes 59 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an audio commentary with Frank Djeng for My Heart Is That Eternal Rose, and an episode from CID Season 1, Episode 14 titled Dawn Noon Dusk Night (50 minutes 24 seconds, LPCM mono Cantonese with removable English subtitles).

Other extras include reversible cover art, removable OBI strip leaving packaging free of certificates and markings and a 36-page booklet (limited to 3000 copies) cast & crew information for both films, an essay titled Two Tales of One City written by Kambole Campbell, an archival career-spanning interview with Patrick Tam by Arnaud Lanuque, and information about the transfers.

Summary:

Patrick Tam directed Nomad and My Heart Is That Eternal Rose. He is also known for directing The sword, Love Massacre and After this our Exile. Besides directing, he worked as an editor on these films: Days of Being Wild, Ashes of Time, and Election. Christopher Doyle, one of the two cinematographers who worked on My Heart Is That Eternal Rose, is known for his numerous collaborations with Wong Kar-wai.

Nomad: Two couples with partners from different worlds, working class and wealthy, form an inseparable bond.

Though Hong Kong cinema is known for blending genres, the way in which things shift in Nomad is jarring. What starts off as a drama about a troubled youth who sleeps with another youth, causing trouble for his family, slowly transforms into a whimsical story about two couples enjoying life. One of the women's old boyfriends arrives and needs her help, interrupting their carefree life. His arrival forever changes the course of these two couples' lives as the finale takes on an especially dark turn. That said, though there is a looseness to the narrative, that is not to say that it does not always hold your attention.

From its opening moments, the narrative does a superb job building up the four main characters. These well-defined characters are further enhanced by exceptional performances from the four actors who portray them. Leslie Cheung (A Better Tomorrow) and Pat Ha (On the Run) portray cousins Louis and Kathy, who come from an affluent background, which allows them to live an extravagant lifestyle. Louis is effeminate and often plays a passive role in the story that unfolds, while Kathy is assertive, and her decisions often lead to trouble. Rounding out this foursome are Kent Tong (Police Story) and Cecilia Yip (Hong Kong 1941), who portray the two cousins' love interests who come from poverty.

As outstanding as the performances are, it is ultimately Patrick Tam’s direction that takes Nomad to another level. Patrick Tam, who was part of Hong Kong cinema’s new wave, has a distinctive style that sets him apart from his contemporaries. Besides infusing Hong Kong culture into his cinema, a film like Nomad is clearly influenced by the French New Wave, specifically the films of Jean-Luc Godard. Also, though his direction gives the actors the room they need to create, visually there are some stylish moments throughout Nomad. A few of these moments include two sex scenes, one of which takes place on a bus, and a bloody finale whose tonal shift is in contrast to all that came before it. Ultimately, Nomad is a one-of-a-kind cinema experience whose gut-punch finale stays with you.

My Heart Is That Eternal Rose: A woman named Lap has her life turned upside down in the aftermath of a crime boss’s son's death. Wanting to protect her father and boyfriend who are blamed for the death, she makes a deal with another crime boss. Years later, a fateful event will bring her ex-boyfriend back into her life, giving her a chance to get back what she lost.

The opening moments do a superb job introducing the characters. Also, during the opening moments, there are a handful of moments that teeter between romance and comedy. That said, these moments are not representative of the rest of the narrative, which takes on a much darker and, at times, melancholy tone.

The shift in tone occurs when Lap's father agrees to do a favor for a crime boss who is an old friend; from there on out, there is a bleakness to the events that unfold. And though the plan to get the crime boss’s son out of mainland China appears to be on track, things quickly spiral out of control when one of the men helping Lap’s father gets greedy, and his actions lead to the death of the crime boss’s son. That said, the remainder of the narrative is a straight-up crime film like one has come to expect from late 1980s Hong Kong cinema.

At its core, it is Lap and her boyfriend Rick's love story that anchor My Heart Is That Eternal Rose. That said, the narrative very effectively introduces another man into the mix, a character named Cheung whose job is to protect Lap. Though Cheung’s relationship with Lap starts off as a protector, over time he develops romantic feelings. This forms a love triangle between these three characters, and instead of viewing Cheung as a rival, Rick forms his own close bond with him.

The cast is filled with faces that anyone familiar with 1970s and 80s Hong Kong cinema is sure to recognize. And when it comes to the performances, the entire cast is excellent. That said, the most memorable performance is Chia-Hui Liu (Gordon Liu), who is most known for the 36th Chamber films series. In My Heart Is That Eternal Rose he portrays a crime boss’s deviant henchmen. Also, his character wears a ridiculous wig, which provides some unintentional humor. Despite his limited screen time, Chia-Hui Liu (Gordon Liu) takes full advantage by delivering what is easily the most mean-spirited one he has ever portrayed.

The strongest performances are Joey Wang (City Hunter) in the role of Lap and Kenny Bee (100 Ways to Murder Your Wife) in the role of Rick. Though both are tremendous on their own, their strong onscreen chemistry makes the moments they share even more potent. Also, the light moments that they share at the beginning of the narrative offer a perfect contrast to the turmoil that follows. Tony Leung Chiu-Wai’s (Bullet in the Head) portrayal of Cheung is another standout performance. Despite his character being one of the crime boss’s henchmen, he does not share their same enthusiasm for random acts of violence.

From a production standpoint, My Heart Is That Eternal Rose is a film where everything perfectly lines up. A well-constructed narrative moves at a good pace, the key moments are given ample time to resonate, and a carnage-filled heroic bloodshed finale provides an exemplary finale. Visually, My Heart Is That Eternal Rose delivers, and then some of the visuals do an exceptional job heightening the mood. Though My Heart Is That Eternal Rose was made during a time when crime and action films in Hong Kong were filled with wall-to-wall shootouts. The end result is a more drama-driven film that still retains the essence of a heroic bloodshed film.

Nomad and My Heart Is That Eternal Rose get a solid release from Radiance Films, highly recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer

Play It Cool: Limited Edition – Arrow Video (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Japan, 1970
Director: Yasuzô Masumura
Writers: Yoshihiro Ishimatsu, Yasuzô Masumura, Masayuki Tôyama
Cast: Mari Atsumi, Yûsuke Kawazu, Akemi Negishi, Kô Nishimura, Ryôichi Tamagawa, Sanae Nakahara, Tomo'o Nagai, Reiko Kasahara, Tomoko Mayama, Sei Hiraizumi

Release Date: March 3rd, 2025 (UK), March 4th, 2025 (USA)
Approximate Running Time: 92 Minutes 27 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: 18 (UK), NR (USA)
Sound: LPCM Mono Japanese
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region A,B
Retail Price: £24.99 (UK), $39.95 (USA)

"Yumi (Mari Atsumi) is a pretty fashion student who shares a cramped home with her mother Tomi (Akemi Negishi, The Saga of Anatahan) and good-for-nothing stepfather Ryoichi. Tomi works at a local hostess bar and hopes for a better fate for Yumi. When Ryoichi violently forces himself upon her blossoming daughter, Tomi is not afraid to take action to protect her, an act which lands her in jail. Left to fend for herself, Yumi is taken in by her mother's former place of employment, where she finds herself fighting off the unwanted attentions of the men who swarm around her. Then one day, a rescue by handsome former lawyer Nozawa (Yusuke Kawazu, Cruel Story of Youth) from a vicious gangster seems to offer an escape into an altogether glitzier world, albeit one that turns out fraught with similar dangers." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 3.5/5

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "The high definition master was provided by Kadokawa."

Play It Cool comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 41.6 GB

Feature: 26.6 GB

Though the source looks clean, free of debris, it looks dated. Colors look very good, image clarity is strong, black levels look grayish, and there are no issues with compression.

Audio: 3.75/5

This release comes with one audio option, a LPCM mono mix in Japanese and included with this release are removable English subtitles. Though limited range-wise, dialog always comes through clearly, and everything sounds balanced.

Extras:

Extras for this release include an image gallery (7 images - posters/stills), a theatrical trailer (2 minutes 7 seconds, LPCM mono Japanese with removable English subtitles), a video essay by Japanese film scholar Mark Roberts titled Too Cool for School, he discusses Play it Cool and the career of writer-director Yasuzō Masumura (46 minutes 7 seconds, LPCM stereo English, no subtitles), an audio commentary with film critic and Japanese cinema specialist Jasper Sharp and professor and Japanese literature specialist Anne McKnight, reversible cover art, a slipcover (limited to the first pressing), and a 24-page booklet (limited to the first pressing) with cast & crew information, an essay titled Yasuzō Masumura’s Femme Vitale written by Earl Jackson, and information about the transfer.

Summary:

Yasuzô Masumura is one of the most gifted and diverse filmmakers that Japan has ever produced. He worked in just about every genre imaginable and along the way he made films that defied all genre conventions. His notable films include, Red Angel, Manji, Giants and Toys, Afraid to Die and Vixen. With his masterpiece Blind Beast, a film that flawlessly sums up all that’s great about Yasuzô Masumura as a filmmaker.

A young woman who was born to a teenage mother who wanted a better life for her daughter becomes an escort.

Though Play It Cool has elements that are associated with Pinku eiga, it is not the first film by Yasuzô Masumura to deal with sexuality in such a direct way. Earlier examples of this type of film from Yasuzô Masumura are Manji, Irezumi, and Blind Beast. That said, despite there being flesh on display, Play It Cool is restrained when compared to other similarly themed Japanese films from this era.

No matter what genre Yasuzô Masumura worked in, most of his films relied on melodrama. And when it comes to crafting arresting moments of melodrama, few filmmakers are on par with Yasuzô Masumura. Though there are many such moments, none are more potent than a scene where the protagonist's stepfather rapes her, and when her mother finds out, she kills him.

The protagonist Yumi goes from a naive young woman to someone who quickly learns how to manipulate others for personal gain. She follows in her mother's footsteps, despite going against her wishes. She becomes attached to a man she works with, despite being focused on being an escort. Because of this relationship and her success, she becomes the target of the other women she works with.

All around, the cast is great in their roles, especially Mari Atsumi (Bodyguard Kiba), who portrays Yumi. She delivers an utterly convincing performance that perfectly captures Yumi’s transformation. Play It Cool was the first of two films she made with Yasuzô Masumura, the other being The Hot Little Girl. The other performance of note is Akemi Negishi (Lady Snowblood), who portrays Yumi’s mother. Though her character has limited screen time, her presence looms large.

Through all of Yumi’s ups and downs, the one constant in her life is a bond with her mother. Once again, Yasuzô Masumura’s direction is superlative; he crafts a well-executed narrative that does a phenomenal job holding your attention. Ultimately, Play It Cool is a bittersweet melodrama of a broken soul jaded by her experiences.

Play It Cool gets a first-rate release from Arrow Video that comes with a serviceable audio/video presentation and a trio of insightful extras, recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer

The Daredevils and Ode to Gallantry: Two Venom Mob Films: Limited Edition – Eureka Video (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Dates: Hong Kong, 1978 (The Daredevils), Hong Kong, 1982 (Ode to Gallantry)
Director: Chang Cheh (Both Films)
Cast: Lo Mang, Chiang Sheng, Wong Lik, Sun Chien, Lu Feng, Philip Kwok (The Daredevils), Philip Kwok, Tang Ching, Lau Wai-ling, Wong Lik, Sun Chien, Candy Wen, Yau Chui-ling, Chiang Sheng, Chu Ko, Ricky Cheng (Ode to Gallantry)

Release Date: March 24th, 2025 (UK), March 25th, 2025 (USA)
Approximate Running Times: 108 Minutes 19 Seconds (The Daredevils), 100 Minutes 47 Seconds (Ode to Gallantry)
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC (Both Films)
Rating: 15 (UK), NR (USA)
Sound: LPCM Mono Mandarin (Both Films), LPCM Mono English (The Daredevils)
Subtitles: English (All Films)
Region Coding: Region A,B
Retail Price: £19.99 (UK), $39.95 (USA)

"Set in Republic era China, The Daredevils follows Yang Ta-ying (Lo Mang) as he sets out to avenge his father, a military commander who was murdered in cold blood by Han Pei-tsang (Wong Lik), a thief-turned-soldier who killed Yang's father - along with the rest of his family - to take control of his estate and his army. With the help of his friends Chen Feng (Chiang Sheng), Fu Quanyi (Lu Feng), and Xin Zheng (Sun Chien), he sets out for justice. Then, in Ode to Gallantry, a lone martial artist nicknamed "Mongrel" is continually drawn into an intense struggle between several warring martial arts clans after he stumbles across the Black Iron Token, which entitles the owner to have any wish granted by Xie Yanke (Wong Lik), a brutal kung fu master." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4/5 (The Daredevils, Ode to Gallantry)

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfers, "1080p HD presentations on Blu-ray from masters supplied by Celestial Pictures."

The Daredevils and Ode to Gallantry come on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 44.8 GB

Feature: 24 GB (The Daredevils), 18.4 GB (Ode to Gallantry)

Both films are in great shape; flesh tones look correct, colors look very good, image clarity and black levels are strong, and compression is solid.

Audio: 4.25/5 (All Audio Tracks)

The Daredevils comes with two audio options, a LPCM mono mix in Mandarin and a LPCM mono mix in English.

Included are removable English subtitles for the Mandarin language track and removable English subtitles for Mandarin text when watching with the English language track.

Ode to Gallantry comes with one audio option, a LPCM mono mix in Mandarin with removable English subtitles.

All of the audio tracks are in great shape; there are no issues with distortion, dialog comes through clearly, everything sounds balanced, and action sequences sound robust.

Extras:

Extras for this release include an interview with Hong Kong cinema scholar Wayne Wong on the Venom Mob titled Deadly Venoms (18 minutes 10 seconds, LPCM stereo English, no subtitles), an audio commentary with East Asian film expert Frank Djeng (NY Asian Film Festival) and martial artist and filmmaker Michael Worth for The Daredevils, an audio commentary with action cinema experts Mike Leeder and Arne Venema for The Daredevils, an audio commentary with Frank Djeng and Michael Worth for Ode to Gallantry, an audio commentary with Mike Leeder and Arne Venema for Ode to Gallantry, reversible cover art, a slipcover (limited to 2,000 copies), and a booklet (limited to 2,000 copies) with cast & crew information for both films, an essay titled Chang Cheh and The Venom Mob written by James Oliver, and information about the transfer titled Notes on Viewing.

Summary:

Chang Cheh directed The Daredevils and Ode to Gallantry. He is known for One-Armed Swordsman, Golden Swallow, The Boxer From Shantung, The Water Margin, and Five Venoms. The Daredevils and Ode to Gallantry are two of nineteen films that are connected to a collective group of actors named the Venom Mob. Besides actors, the other main contributor to these films is director Chang Cheh, who directed eighteen of the nineteen films.

The Daredevils: When a man looking to avenge the murder of his father is also killed, his friends vow to kill the man responsible for both deaths.

Though the Daredevils take on the all-too-familiar revenge scenario, it does put an intriguing twist on it. Where most revenge-themed martial arts films feature a protagonist who is on a mission to avenge the murder of someone close to them, The Daredevils pulls a twist like Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho and replaces its protagonist with his friends who continue the original quest for revenge. That said, the doubling of the revenge adds potency to the hero’s quest.

Acrobatics are central to the story that unfolds; the group of friends who are avenging their murdered friend use them to further their quest. Besides posing as acrobats, they use their acrobatic skills to help them get into well-guarded places like a warehouse with military weapons. Also, acrobatics play a significant role in many action sequences. That said, when it comes to stunts, action, and training sequences, all of these are exemplary.

Despite being action-heavy, the narrative really has no glaring issues. There is just the right amount of exposition, and things move quickly. Also, the narrative does a superb job building momentum to a lengthy bloody finale filled with heroic deaths. When it comes to the performances, the members of the Venom Mob show why they are the main attraction. Ultimately, though, The Daredevils is not one of Chang Cheh and the Venom Mob’s stronger collaborations; it is a film that is always a lot of fun.

Ode to Gallantry: A wanderer who looks like another man is drawn into a battle between two clans.

Though two men outwardly appear indistinguishable, inwardly they could not be more different. Where one man is carefree and virtuous, the other man is selfless and often gets into trouble because of his wicked deeds. That said, martial arts films frequently feature mistaken identity, and Ode to Gallantry executes it superbly.

While the protagonist tries to avoid being mistaken for any man, there is a battle between two clans who are both trying to obtain the Black Iron Token. When the protagonist accidentally comes into possession of the Black Iron Token, he’s granted a wish by Xie, an unbeatable martial artist who punishes those who are wicked. Instead of capitalizing on his newfound power, the protagonist refuses to make a wish, which angers Xie, who forces him to learn martial arts.

As great as all of the performances are, the standout performance is Philip Kwok (Five Deadly Venoms), who portrays the protagonist with a doppelganger. The scenes involving mistaken identity are mostly lighthearted moments, and they provide most of the humor. Another performance of note is Wong Lik’s (The Flag of Iron) menacing portrayal of Xie. His character's fighting skills are unmatched, and all characters fear his wrath.

The well-constructed narrative moves briskly, and there are an ample amount of well-timed twists. The stunts, action, and training sequences are all exceptional, saving its biggest and best action set piece for the finale. Ultimately, Ode to Gallantry is an exemplary martial arts film and one of the Shaw Brothers better post-1970s films.

Eureka Video’s The Daredevils and Ode to Gallantry: Two Venom Mob Films brings together two films, gives them strong audio/video presentations, and includes informative extras, highly recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer