Blu-ray Review: ATTACK ON TITAN: PART 1 (2015)

ATTACK ON TITAN:  PART 1
Directed by  Shinji Higuchi
Distributed by Funimation

 I'll be honest, I don't know why this movie is not getting more accolades than it is.  I honestly haven't seen too many people discussing this one in the Facebook horror groups I am in, but they definitely should be!   The film is ATTACK ON TITAN and it is easily one of the best films I have seen this year.   Here is the basic plot synopsis courtesy of the Funimation website:

 When the Titans first attacked, life for mankind was forever changed. Fearing the massive man-eating humanoids, survivors constructed three enormous walls for protection. From that point on, humanity lived safely behind the walls for the time being. A century later, life is peaceful. Eren and his friends live inside the walls, yearning to explore beyond the borders they've always known. But the opportunity comes sooner than expected when a Colossal Titan appears above the wall. With a single kick the barricade is pierced, allowing a swarm of titans to pour in and devour their newly exposed prey. Witnessing the devastation, Eren and his friends vow to destroy the man-eating terrors. The future looks bleak, but there's more to Eren than meets the eye: he may be humanity's last hope against extinction.

 The first thing I wondered about this was if I'd enjoy it having not read any of the original manga that it is based on.  Well, the answer is a definite YES, so don't worry if you don't know anything about the ATTACK ON TITAN story.  I didn't know anything about it at all, and it did not keep me from liking this film one bit.  

  The film is shot beautifully, with some amazing cinematography and a wonderful blending of the practical and CGI effects. The Titan's are all CG, obviously, but they look great and are done extremely well.   The film is extremely entertaining with almost no slow parts at all.  It doesn't take long for the action to start with the arrival of the colossal Titan, and it never slows down from there.   The first part of the film feels like a GODZILLA type monster movie as the Titans destroy the village by stomping and pounding the buildings, and eating the townfolk.   Later the film turns into an all out bloodbath as a group of soldiers goes out to take on the Titans, who can only be killed by lopping off the skin at the base of their necks. 

 I honestly don't have anything negative to say about this film.  It was a fun film that has really made me want to go check out the original graphic novel and the animated series.   While more of an sci-fi action than a horror film, it still had tons of gore that even the biggest horror fan will appreciate and enjoy!  
 
  ATTACK ON TITAN:  PART 1 is available now on DVD and Blu-ray from Funimation.


CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to purchase the Blu-ray/DVD combo
CLICK HERE to purchase the DVD

Blu-ray Review: RIGOR MORTIS

RIGOR MORTIS
Directed by Juno Mak
Distributed by WELL GO USA

 I recently watched RIGOR MORTIS, not having any clue what to expect going into this film. The film has a first time director, and a crazy sounding plot, so I went into this completely blindfolded.  I came out of it, though, with my eyes wide open and looking forward to the next film from Juno Mak.   This film is a treat for your eyes with some of the most visually stunning effects I have seen in some time.  Before I go any further, here is the plot of the film courtesy of the Well Go USA website:

  A washed-up actor, desperate and suicidal, moves into a haunted apartment building where supernatural creatures, ghost hunters, Taoist exorcists, and the souls of the undead are among his neighbors

  The plot sounds pretty simple, yet the film was actually a little confusing to me at times.  Mainly because of the ghost aspect and not really knowing if who, or what, you are seeing is actually "real" or not.   The plot really is not that important though, when watching a film that is just this visually beautiful!   The effects and creepy imagery are the star of the show here and do not disappoint.  Throw in a healthy dose of some of the greatest martial arts action I have seen in quite some time, and you have one movie that will blow you away. 

  Turn down the lights, crank up the surround sound and get ready for a fun ride!  I have a big fan of RIGOR MORTIS and highly recommend it!   RIGOR MORTIS is out now on DVD and Blu-ray from Well Go USA Home Entertainment.


CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to purchase the Blu-ray or DVD

Blu-ray Review: BLOOD (2009)

BLOOD
Directed by: Ten Shimoyama
Distributed by: Well Go USA

First off, let me start by saying that I have never been a huge fan of the Vampire sub-genre of horror films.  I guess I was always more of a zombie kind of guy.   Those romantic vampire movies of late have not helped my opinion of vampire films in any way, that's for sure.  But..things are starting to change.  With last year's LET ME IN  ( a remake of the 2008 Swedish film LET THE RIGHT ONE IN), and now this film, the Japanese film BLOOD, I just might be on track to becoming a vampire fan after all!  Here is the plot of BLOOD from the Well Go USA website:

Police Detective Hoshino (Kanji Tsuda) investigates the murder of a maid at a mansion belonging to Miyako Rozmberk (Sugimoto), a seductive vampire mistress and "cougar" all in one. Ukyo Kuronuma (Jun Kaname), an Edo-era swordsman who was turned into a vampire by Miyako is fingered for the crime but before anything can be done about it Hoshino ends up under Miyako's spell as well. This leads Hoshino and Ukyo to battle one another for the privilege of staying with Miyako for eternity.

I am a huge fan of martial arts films, and love the new wave of martial arts/horror flicks we have seen lately  (MACHINE GIRL, TOKYO GORE POLICE, etc).  These films always have a ton of martial arts action and a ton of blood.  BLOOD is no exception.  This film is a full of awesome martial arts action, in fact, it starts of with an awesome sword fight set in the snow (more on this in a minute).  The fighting scenes in this film are as good as you will see in any other martial arts movie.  The fighting choreographed very well and looks extremely realistic.   While the martial arts action is an impressive part of this film, it is not the main part, so even if you aren't into martial arts films, you should still have plenty to like about this film from a horror fan's perspective.

The Cinematography in this movie is spectacular.  That is not something I really notice with most films, so when I do notice, I know that there is something special about it.  The camera work is amazing with some really cool camera shots and angles.

One of the main things I liked about this film was the use of color.  As stated before, the film opens with a sword fight in the snow.  This occurs at night and when blood is spilled, it is a bright red contrast against the otherwise dark blue and black colors that dominate the scene.  I noticed this a few times throughout the movie.  They blood really stands out against the muted background colors.

I thoroughly enjoyed BLOOD and highly recommend it.  If you've seen it already, leave a comment and let me know what you thought of the film!


CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to purchase the DVD or Blu-ray

DVD Review: HARD REVENGE MILLY / HARD REVENGE MILLY: BLOODY BATTLE [Double Feature]

------Review by contributing writer Scott Baker------

HARD REVENGE MILLY/ HARD REVENGE MILLY: BLOODY BATTLE (double feature)
Directed by Takanori Tsujimoto

Courtesy of Well Go USA, Inc.
Released: 2008 / 2009

Let me summarize my review of this double feature with a single sentence: these are two of the best Japanese action films I’ve seen in a long time.

I know that’s a bold statement to make, but I mean it whole-heartedly. Both films are amazing in every aspect. They grab you violently by the throat from the very beginning and don’t let go for well over an hour. I loved every minute of them.

Here is an overall plot summary of both films, from the back of the DVD:

HARD REVENGE MILLY

In post-apocalyptic Japan, Yokohama City has become an epicenter of violence ruled by a vicious gang. The worst of the new breed of criminals are “The Jack Brothers”. When The Jack Brothers viciously murder Milly’s husband and daughter, leaving her to die, she vows revenge. She learns the art of sword combat from a master swordsman named Jubei and eventually sets off to confront The Jack Brothers and fulfill her destiny.

HARD REVENGE MILLY: BLOODY BATTLE

After Milly eliminates The Jack Brothers to avenge her family, a beautiful girl named Haru approaches her for help avenging her own boyfriend. Milly initially brushes her off, but eventually recognizes her passion for vengeance and agrees to train her. Soon, an intense admirer of Jack’s named Ikki and his brother Hyuma arrive to take them on. Milly makes short work of their minions and neutralizes Hyuma, but the cyborg-armed Ikki manages to injure her severely. Will she be able to survive and help Haru exact revenge?

Although the plot has enough material to create an 8-hour mini-series, the films are surprisingly short. The first film clocks in at around 40 minutes, while the second runs a little longer, around an hour and 15 minutes or so. But while their combined length is about that of a standard Hollywood movie, the short lengths of time for each film are perfect. There’s no long, drawn out scenes that shouldn’t be there, but there’s nothing omitted from the storyline, either.

Visually, the films are shot very well. I love the cinematography in both films, especially in the fight scenes. While some of them are room-encompassing far away shots, many of the camera angles are turbulent, shaky shots that put your right in the middle of the action. And for those scenes with no fighting, the stark imagery that is used gives a surreal aspect to almost every shot, giving each an almost Kubrick-like feel.

And speaking of the fight scenes, there’s enough blood and gore in each battle to placate even the most die-hard of horror fans. Even the simplest of flesh-wounds bring forth a crimson fountain. Before long, the floor is so coated in blood and gore that some of the characters have a hard time keeping their footing! It’s truly awesome to watch.

Both films boast excellent casts as well, with actress Miki Mizuno portraying the titular character in each. Mizuno is superb as Milly, giving depth and emotion to a character that would stereotypically be viewed as cold and lifeless. I believe these movies could have floundered in obscurity as low-budget failures if the wrong woman had been cast as Milly. Thankfully, the casting team struck gold with Mizuno.

If I were forced to find a flaw with either movie, I don’t think I could. These films know exactly what they are and they don’t try to be anything but entertaining. And entertaining they certainly are! If you like martial-arts action and can stomach some serious bloodletting, then definitely give these two a go.

CLICK HERE to watch the trailer for HARD REVENGE MILLY

CLICK HERE to watch the trailer for HARD REVENGE MILLY: BLOODY BATTLE

CLICK HERE to purchase the DVD double feature