New Releases for June 18 2024

INSTRUCTOR, THE (1981) 

The Instructor (played by real-life martial artist Bob Chaney) runs a local karate school where he spends his days training his students in the art of defense, including his best friend Thumper. Since discovering his wife dead under mysterious circumstances, The Instructor has vowed to only use his martial arts training for good in an attempt to overcome his desire for revenge. However, when a rival martial arts school run by the slimy Bud Hart begins engaging in crime and corruption, The Instructor finds himself struggling to contain his anger and is pushed to a breaking point when Hart sets his sights on The Instructor's students. After Thumper is mercilessly beaten in a locker room during a martial arts tournament, The Instructor can no longer suppress his anger and sets out to take revenge on his evil rival.

A regionally-shot action extravaganza, THE INSTRUCTOR was the only film made by director Don Bendell and lead actor Bob Chaney. In the vein of films such as Champagne and Bullets and Death Promise, THE INSTRUCTOR is a low-budget tour de force that will leave you absolutely stunned. (BLU-RAY)

ENTER THE CLONES OF BRUCE (2023) 

Within hours of his funeral, Hong Kong movie studios began to produce hundreds of unauthorized biopics, spin-offs and rip-offs starring a competing roster of Bruce Lee lookalikes. Over the next decade, 'Bruceploitation' would become a staple of global cinema. Director David Gregory - whose award-winning documentaries include LOST SOUL: THE DOOMED JOURNEY OF RICHARD STANLEY'S ISLAND OF DR. MOREAU and BLOOD & FLESH: THE REEL LIFE & GHASTLY DEATH OF AL ADAMSON - now examines this fascinating phenomenon via interviews with Bruce Li, Bruce Le, Bruce Liang and Dragon Lee; martial arts legends like Angela Mao, David Chiang, Phillip Ko and Sammo Hung; and the producers, directors, distributors and experts - along with copious clips from the films themselves - that for the first time reveal the history, controversy and legacy behind one of the most bizarre genres in movie history. (BLU-RAY)

CHINA O'BRIEN (1990) (2 DISKS)

Lori "China" O'Brien is a tough as nails big city cop. After having to use her weapon in the line of duty, China decides to give up her career as a police officer and move back to her hometown of Beaver Creek, Utah. Upon returning home, China discovers that her once quiet town is now being overrun by corruption and organized crime. When China's father - the local Sheriff - is killed, China vows to run for Sheriff herself in order to rid the town of corruption. With the help of her former boyfriend Matt, as well as a mysterious Native American biker named Dakota, China quickly goes into action cleaning up the streets of the town she once loved. (BLU-RAY + 4KULTRAHD)

LOVE LIES BLEEDING (2024)

Reclusive gym manager Lou (Kristen Stewart) falls hard for Jackie, an ambitious bodybuilder headed through town to Vegas in pursuit of her dream. But their love ignites violence, pulling them deep into the web of Lou’s criminal family. (BLU-RAY)

LIFELINE (1997) (2 DISKS) 

Yau Sui is an arrogant firefighter working at a tight-knit Hong Kong fire station where he and his fellow firefighters believe their station is cursed due to the constant hardships they must face. Yau Sui struggles with trying to rise in the ranks of his department and his skill as a leader becomes challenged when a new senior officer is transferred to their station. In the meantime, Yau Sui sparks a relationship with a troubled doctor and he, like the rest of his fellow firefighters, struggles to maintain a balance between his personal and professional life. However, the drama comes to a head when a catastrophic five-alarm fire in a chemical plant forces Yau Sui and the other firefighters to put aside their differences and work together in an attempt to break their station's curse.

LIFELINE, described by many as Hong Kong's answer to Backdraft, is masterfully directed by one of Hong Kong's most celebrated filmmakers, Johnnie To (The Heroic Trio, PTU). Focussing heavily on the personal lives of the characters, the film succeeds by not only being a strong study of the hardships firefighters must endure, but by also delivering intense stunt-filled action sequences, culminating in a nearly 45-minute non-stop climactic fire sequence.(BLU-RAY + 4KULTRAHD)