New on home video, August 30-September 5

DRAGONBALL EVOLUTION (Blu-ray/DVD – 20th Century Fox UK)

Reviled by critics and Dragonball fans alike, James Wong’s fantasy actioner DRAGONBALL EVOLUTION comes to the U.K. on Blu-ray and DVD courtesy of 20th Century Fox. Justin Chatwin stars as Goku, a young warrior on a quest to collect magical orbs while facing the threat of the vengeful Lord Piccolo (James Marsters). Once great Hong Kong actor Chow Yun-fat makes another bad career move by portraying Goku’s mentor Master Roshi. The good news is that since the film bombed at the box office it’s highly unlikely we’ll see a sequel to add to bargain bins that will expectantly be filled soon with clearance-priced DRAGONBALL EVOLUTION DVDs.

FATAL MOVE (DVD – Showbox UK)

Wushu-trained actor Wu Jing goes head-to-head with martial arts movie legend Sammo Hung in this violent crime actioner. “In the ultra-violent world of Hong Kong’s Triad societies, one wrong move can be fatal. When a drug deal goes wrong, a simple kidnap turns to murder and a secret mission becomes a savage massacre, one of Hong Kong’s most ruthless Triad gangs is on the verge of self-destruction. It’s riddled with greed, ambition and pursued by enemies on both sides of the law. Only its legendary leader, Lin Ho Lung (Sammo Hung) can save it by re-asserting his authority and destroying everyone who stands in his way.” The film is directed by Dennis Law who previously helmed another similarly titled Wu Jing actioner, FATAL CONTACT. Like all of Wu Jing’s films since SPL, it’s had a lukewarm reception suggesting that Hong Kong filmmakers are still struggling to find the right star-making vehicle for the physically-skilled Wu Jing to establish himself as the next Jet Li or Donnie Yen.

HOLY FLAME OF THE MARTIAL WORLD (DVD – Well Go USA)

Well Go USA released this fantasy wuxia film last week in their Shaw Brothers Collection II box set and this week it arrives on its own. The film, which features Jason Pai Piao and Philip Kwok among an ensemble cast, is a crazy, fast-paced fantasy actioner in the tradition of BUDDHA’S PALM and NA CHA THE GREAT. It concerns a brother and sister who seek revenge for the deaths of their parents by attempting to acquire a supremely powerful weapon known as the “Holy Flame.” Well Go USA’s DVD includes the original Mandarin and English dub tracks, along with a re-mastered print from Celestial Pictures.

HOMEBOY (DVD – Lionsgate)

Mickey Rourke stars in this boxing drama that he also wrote. Rourke portrays Johnny Walker, a washed up boxer looking for the big fight of his life. As a bonus, movie icon Christopher Walken co-stars as a high-stakes promoter. The film is the sole directing gig for cinematographer Michael Seresin who recently shot HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN and STEP UP.

Next Week:

• BATTLE OF THE WARRIORS (DVD – Dragon Dynasty)
• CATWOMAN (Blu-ray – Warner Home Video)
• CHANBARA BEAUTY (DVD – Manga Entertainment UK)
• CRANK 2: HIGH VOLTAGE (Blu-ray/DVD – Lionsgate)
• DORORO (DVD – MVM UK)
• DRAGON TIGER GATE (Blu-ray – Showbox UK)
• ENTER THE DRAGON (DVD – Warner Home Video)
• GLADIATOR (Blu-ray – Universal UK)
• LADY NINJA KAEDE 2 (DVD – Anime Works)
• MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE (DVD – Warner Home Video)
• PRODIGAL (DVD – Maverick Entertainment)
• SANDOKAN THE GREAT (DVD – Televista UK)