Saga Of The Phoenix

On December 16th, 88 Films proudly presents the North American Blu-ray debut of the Hong Kong spiritual fantasy cult classic, Saga of the Phoenix, in a limited edition release featuring a brand new 2K restoration from the original negative loaded with bonus content.  

The Holy Maiden of Hell, Ashura (Gloria Yip, The Cat), is sentenced to reside for eternity inside a statue of a reclined Buddha after being caught practicing magic on Earth. She refuses her banishment because she can’t exist without the Sun. Abbott Ji Ku (Shintarô Katsu, Zatoichi and the One-Armed Swordsman) and High Abbess (Yuko Natori, Crest of Betrayal) give her seven last days on Earth. Master Peacock (Yuen Biao, Project A), Lucky Fruit (Abe Hiroshi, Godzilla 2000), and others are sent to keep her from breaking her promise to return and serve her punishment. Ashura might not be their only problem.  

Hell’s Concubine (Ngai Suet, Ghost Ballroom) orders her demonic squad to Earth to kidnap Ashura so she can drain her rival’s spirit and control other devils. Saga of the Phoenix is steeped in underworld intrigue and high-flying martial arts choreography, combined with quirky comedic moments. 

Co-directed by Lam Nai Choi (Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky) and Lau Shut-Yue (Tales of the Flying Fox), Saga of the Phoenix is a unique mix of outrageous mystical fantasy and martial arts action. The characters trade blows that defy gravity, battle giant stone dogs, and unleash massive fireballs. And at the center of it all is a cartoonishly adorable genie who befriends Ashura, until the Hell’s Concubine twists him into a soul sucking creature, pushing the film’s fantasy into darker territory. 

The special features include the remastered original Cantonese monaural soundtrack; optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing; a limited edition rigid slip case; a 40 page perfect bound book; a limited edition premium artcard; audio commentary by Frank Djeng and F.J. Desanto; alternate Japanese footage; an image gallery; and the original
trailer. 

View the trailer for Saga of the Phoenix here: 

https://youtu.be/vhQBsRgtNNE?si=zZArKi2kzOIHmfeM 

Order Here:

https://mvd.cloud/share/sales/20251105111750.html

Did You Say Ex-Lax?

Celebrate This!
Margaret Cho

Margaret Cho has always been political. Have you seen her in action lately???

Well Ms. Cho is really ripping MAGA, bigots and assorted other cretins a new one on TikTok with graphic and demeaning commentary.

Hey, it's nothing they haven't done for others, she's simply serving them a taste of their own BS.

For example she takes Pete Hegseth down a few notches by uttering: "Pete Hegseth shut up queen" and refers to ICE agents as failures and wannabes who have never done anything with their lives. Accurate I would say.

She most recently posted a video in solidarity with Charlotte, NC servers who are actually giving ICE agents Ex-Lax instead of a chocolate at the end of their meal.

So if you're feeling frustrated, angry or powerless why not get a vicarious release and let Margaret say it for you? 

In the immortal words of Margaret "Shut up JK Rowling, you are a joke, that's why your name is JK"

That's all.

Margaret on TikTok -

https://www.tiktok.com/@themargaretcho?lang=en  

Michael's Musings

Just Step Into My Office
Michael Shinafelt

"I'll be your father figure

I drink that brown liquor
I can make deals with the devil because my dick's bigger" - Taylor Swift, Father Figure

Stop being scared of being disliked by losers, that's all

We are made of stardust, dreams and magic, the more you know

If you are truly wild at heart, you'll fight for your dreams 

We've seen Trump dance. We do not need a ballroom.

Started watching The Beast In Me on Netflix. I am up to episode 5. No spoilers please.

I'm going to start a band called "Torturous Sheriff Bitches" right here, right now

Welcome let's talk about Serial Killers shall we? We shall!

Seeing Wicked For Good this coming Wednesday in IMAX...can't wait!

Woman Crush of the Week - The amazing Cynthia Erivo! I'm looking forward to seeing her as Elphaba again in Wicked For Good.

I for one am intrigued by Sam Raimi's remake of Magic starring Anthony Hopkins and Ann-Margaret. It should be a banger!

"Quiet Piggy" should be on his tombstone

We've been having rain and cooler temperatures in Los Angeles of late. It's been a nice change of pace.

Stop oversharing just because someone was being nice to you, rinse and repeat

"I guess it's about trying to live a life where I'm not contributing to the cruelty in the world" - Jessica Chastain

Bend it like Jessica with me here -

https://www.instagram.com/michaelshinafelt/?hl=en

https://bsky.app/profile/michaelshinafelt.bsky.social

https://www.tiktok.com/@michaelshinafelt   

Hump Day & Chill

Bette Midler

Let's experience the divine and Hump Day & Chill with the Divine Miss M...Bette Midler!

For some reason this meme of her spouting one of the more known phrases in our culture has managed to captivate my attention on this Hump Day & Chill.

With the world as it is we do need to laugh more, yet so many things that others would have you believe are acceptable to laugh at aren't.

Me? I never really tell jokes I just say funny things. However let me illustrate with a corny joke that I saw online that amused me:

Q: What do you call a singer with a laptop on her head? 

A: A-Dell.

Here is something not funny: 

Donald Trump "Quiet, quiet, piggy" to Bloomberg correspondent Catherine Lucey after she asked  question about the unfolding Epstein scandal.

Know the difference, Bette and Myself do...

Hump Day & Chill Minions!

Bette on IG -

https://www.instagram.com/bettemidler/

The Question

The Question

“This power pop band should have been a household name. The Question is one of the best bands ever to come out of Los Angeles.”- Jack Rabid

Seminal LA mod trio The Question have officially released their landmark 1982 EP “Shall Be Love” to all major streaming platforms today via Oglio Records, kicking off a long-awaited archival series that will debut newly remixed, remastered, and previously unheard material throughout the coming months.

Stream 'Shall Be Love' here: https://lnk.to/QuestionShallBeLove

Formed in the 1980s and widely regarded as the first, and arguably most significant mod band ever to emerge from Los Angeles proper, The Question earned their reputation through explosive, unpredictable live shows and the sharp, melodic songwriting of Tony Rugolo—whose jazz-influenced chord progressions reflect the legacy of his father, the late Pete Rugolo, an award-winning composer and arranger. With Rugolo’s dynamic vocals, Phil Cusimano’s 60s-infused Rickenbacker tone, and the powerhouse drumming of David White, the band transcended the mod scene and built a devoted following that stretched well beyond the underground.

The Question’s official discography has historically been limited—two songs on the revered Warfrat Tales compilation and a pair of self-released 7-inch EPs (Distance Apart and Getting Through). But behind the scenes, the band had recorded far more than most fans ever realized.

Now, after years of remixing and remastering, The Question and Oglio Records will release the band’s complete archive of more than 20 songs, including many that have never been available in any format. “Shall Be Love” is the first release to emerge, with additional singles and deep cuts to follow.

The Question is currently active, playing live gigs and preparing to record a new album in 2026, marking their first new music in decades.

Follow The Question

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100070855116735

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/thequestionla

• Bandcamp: https://thequestionla.bandcamp.com/album/shall-be-love

World Without Exploitation

Epstein’s survivors just released a PSA that stops you in your tracks., Share it. Get it in front of every member of the House. Get it in front of every Trump supporter. This is one of those moments ... make this go viral.

https://www.worldwithoutexploitation.org/    

The Twilight Zone

All You Do Is Talk, Talk
Talky Tina & Telly Savalas

"Talky Tina, the doll that does everything, a lifelike creation of plastic and springs and painted smile. To Erich Streator, she is a most unwelcome addition to his household - but without her, he'd never enter The Twilight Zone" 

"My name is Talky Tina, and I am going to kill you.."

You have been warned...

The Twilight Zone "Living Doll" Season 5, Episode 6 

Starring Telly Savalas

It's a classic, that's all. 

"Living Doll" on Wikipedia -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Living_Doll_(The_Twilight_Zone)