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In the early 1970s, Kinji Fukasaku revolutionized Japanese crime cinema with a saga that tore down the romantic codes of the traditional yakuza genre. Known collectively as the “Yakuza Papers” or “Battles Without Honor and Humanity” series, these five films chart the rise and fall of post-war gangsters in Hiroshima with unflinching realism. Fukasaku’s jittery handheld camerawork, fragmented editing, and focus on betrayal over loyalty gave birth to the jitsuroku eiga (true record films), setting a new standard for gritty, politically charged storytelling. Together, they remain a cornerstone of Japanese cinema and a touchstone for crime narratives worldwide.

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The concept of action movies starring female protagonists was quite prevalent in East Asian cinema during the 70s and 80s but toned significantly down after that. However, lately, and as the epicenter of action movies moved towards Asean countries, it surfaced once more, as the fact that women can also can add an element of sex appeal to the action worked for a number of filmmakers. At the same time, the concept was not restricted to action movies, but also extended to art ones, as a couple of the movies in the following list will eloquently highlight.

Without further ado, here are 40 Asian movies where the action mostly derives from women, in chronological order.

1. Come Drink With Me

That also comes from the story storyline. Co-written by director Hu and Ting Shan-hsi, ‘Come Drink’ includes poignant drama into the mix as well as the action. Each of the characters has...

In a packed edition of Horror Highlights, we have a clip from Crystal Eyes, details on the To Your Last Death Blu-ray release, info on The Year Without Halloween book, the short film We Got a Monkey's Paw, details on Joe Bob Brigg's drive-in event, and the trailer for Chop Chop!

Watch a Clip from Crystal Eyes: September's Arrow Video Channel offerings bolster the already great lineup with an eclectic mix of titles that include Crystal Eyes, Graveyard of Honor, Return of the Killer Tomatoes, and more. Here's a look at a clip from Crystal Eyes and more details on Arrow's September lineup:

"London, UK - Arrow Video is excited to announce the September slate of titles on their subscription-based Arrow Video Channel, including the Argentinian giallo homage Crystal Eyes, Fukasaku's Graveyard of Honor, and Miike's 2002 remake. The stylish slasher Crystal Eyes, Fukasaku's classic crime thriller Graveyard of Honor...

With a seemingly endless amount of streaming options — not only the titles at our disposal, but services themselves — we’ve taken it upon ourselves to highlight the titles that have recently hit platforms. Every week, one will be able to see the cream of the crop (or perhaps some simply interesting picks) of streaming titles (new and old) across platforms such as Netflix, iTunes, Amazon, and more (note: U.S. only). Check out our rundown for this week’s selections below.

Aquarius (Kleber Mendonça Filho)

The staggeringly accomplished debut feature by Brazilian critic-turned-director Kleber Mendonça Filho, Neighboring Sounds, announced the arrival of a remarkable new talent in international cinema. Clearly recognizable as the work of the same director, Mendonça’s equally assertive follow-up, Aquarius, establishes his authorial voice as well as his place as one of the most eloquent filmic commentators on the contemporary state of Brazilian society. – Giovanni M.

In this episode of Off The Shelf, Ryan and Brian take a look at the new DVD and Blu-ray releases for the week of August 9th, 2016.

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Links to Amazon 11.22.63 Canadian Pacific The Cariboo Trail Cat On A Hot Tin Roof Charlie Chan and the Curse of the Dragon Queen Female Prisoner Scorpion: The Complete Collection The Golden Age of Musicals Scooby-Doo and WWE: Curse of the Speed Supergirl: Season 1 The Yakuza Papers: Battles Without Honor and Humanity The Yakuza Papers: Final Episode The Yakuza Papers: Hiroshima Death Match The Yakuza Papers: Police Tactics The Count Yorga Collection Solaris Credits Ryan Gallagher (Twitter / Website / Wish List) Brian Saur (Twitter / Website / Instagram / Wish List)

Music for the show is from Fatboy Roberts’ Geek Remixed project.

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Bloody havoc reigns! Kinji Fukasaku's no-holds-barred vision of ugly violence and uglier politics on the streets of Hiroshima is a five-film Yakuza epic that spans generations. The film amounts to an alternate history of postwar Japan, that puts an end to the glorification of the Yakuza code. The enormous cast includes Bunta Sugawara, Tetsuro Tanba, Sonny Chiba and Jo Shishido. Battles without Honor and Humanity Blu-ray + DVD Arrow Video 1973-74 / Color / 2:35 widescreen / 760 min. / Limited Edition Boxed Set Street Date December 8, 2015 / 149.95 Starring Bunta Sugawara, Hiroki Matsukata, Tetsuro Tanba, Kunie Tanaka, Eiko Nakamura, Sonny Chiba, Meiko Kaji, Akira Kobayashi, Tsunehiko Watase, Reiko Ike, Jo Shishido Cinematography Sadaji Yoshida Production Designer Takatoshi Suzuki Original Music Toshiaki Tsushima Written by Koichi Iiboshi, Kazuo Kasahara Directed by Kinji Fukasaku

Reviewed by Glenn Erickson

In the 1990s the American Cinematheque was headquartered in various places, but settled for a few years in a large...

When a series of films are described as “Japan’s answer to The Godfather” that is a big statement to make. Kinji Fukasaku’s Battles Without Honour and Humanity though (also known as The Yakuza Papers) lives up to that statement though. Now released in a box set by Arrow Video, this is the perfect chance to watch the story in full…

The Battles Without Honour and Humanity is made up of five movies: Battle Without Honour and Humanity, Hiroshima Death Match, Proxy War, Police Tactics, and Final Episode. The Limited Edition boxset also includes The Complete Saga which pulls together first four films into one 224-minute compilation edition.

The films which are said to be an inspiration to Quentin Tarantino and Takashi Miike, is a violent Yakuza Saga which takes the story of the gangsters and gives it a Shakespearean like story. Born out of the society at the...