Author Archives: JJ Hatfield

About JJ Hatfield

i like movies

Duel of Fists | aka Fist Attack (1971) Review

"Duel of Fists" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Chang Cheh Producer: Runme Shaw Cast: David Chiang, Ti Lung, Cheng Lee, Guk Fung, Chan Sing, Cheng Miu, Wong Chung, Yeung Chi Hing, Yuen Wo Ping, Yen Shi-Kwan, Yuen Shun-Yi, Yuen Cheung Yan, Chan Chuen, Lau Laan Ying, Tong Dik Running Time: 102 min. By JJ Hatfield In 1971 Chang Cheh took Ti Lung and David Chiang to Thailand to film a Muay Thai boxing tournament movie/travelogue. That may … Continue reading

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Deadly Breaking Sword, The (1979) Review

"The Deadly Breaking Sword" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Sun Chung Writer: Ni Kuang Cast: Ti Lung, Alexander Fu Sheng, Shih Szu, Ku Feng, Chan Wai Man, Lily Li Li Li, Ngaai Fei, Chan Shen, Kara Hui, Ha Ping, Alan Chan, Cheung Gwok, Chow Kin Ping, Gam Tin Chue, Hung Ling Ling, Keung Hon, Eddie Ko Hung Running Time: 101 min. By JJ Hatfield An arrogant assassin and an unlucky gambler are brought together by pride, greed and a captivating courtesan … Continue reading

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Heroic Ones, The (1970) Review

AKA: Shaolin Masters Director: Chang Cheh Writer: Chang Cheh, Ni Kuang Producer: Run Run Shaw Cast: David Chiang, Ti Lung, Chan Chuen, Lily Li Li Li, Chan Sing, Bolo Yeung, Ku Feng, Chin Han, Wang Chung, James Nam Gung Fan, Chan Feng Chen, Cheng Hong Yip Running Time: 121 min. By JJ Hatfield In a time when warring factions fought for a divided China, a powerful Mongol warlord and his … Continue reading

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Lady General Hua Mulan (1964) Review

"Lady General Hua Mulan" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Griffin Yueh Feng Producer: Run Run Shaw Cast: Ivy Ling Po, Chin Han, Chen Yan Yan, Cheung Kwong Chiu, Yeung Chi Hing, Wu Ma, Lee Kwan, Kok Lee Yan, Cheng Miu, Feng Yi, Han Ying Chieh Running Time: 106 min. By JJ Hatfield When the Mongols banded together with other nomadic tribes, they invaded China, beginning with the outlying border towns. The edict went out from the Emperor, reaching … Continue reading

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Restless, The (2006) Review

Director: Jo Dong-Oh Writer: Jo Dong-Oh Cast: Jung Woo-Sung, Kim Tae-Hee, Heo Jun-Ho, So E-Hyun, Park Sang-Wook, Kim Kwang-Il, Yu Ha-Jun Running Time: 105 min. By JJ Hatfield In 984 AD, the Kingdom of the United Shilla fell into chaos and ruin due to the corruption of the royal family who indulged themselves in luxury and excess as the people suffered and starved. Violence spread, revolts and war swept the … Continue reading

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Legend of the Bat | aka Clans of Intrigue 2 (1978) Review

Director: Chor Yuen Writer: Chor Yuen Producer: Mona Fong Yat Wah, Yueh Hua, Cheng Li, Candice Yu On On, Derek Yee, Wang Chung, Cast: Ti Lung, Ling Yun, Cheng Miu, Yuen Wah, Norman Chu Running Time: 101 min. By JJ Hatfield This breathtakingly beautiful film is a rather unusual mix of martial arts, sword fighting, mystery and intrigue from the Shaw Brothers. Set in the Martial World, two longtime friends … Continue reading

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Sword Stained with Royal Blood, The (1993) Review

Director: Cheung Hoi-ching Cast: Yuen Biao, Yip Chuen-chan, Sharla Cheung, Danny Lee, Anita Yuen, Elizabeth Lee, Ng Man-tat, Helen Ma, Wu Ma, Elvis Tsui, Pauline Wong, Melvin Wong Running Time: 95 min. By JJ Hatfield In a temple along the edge of a quiet river, men have gathered to mourn the tragic death of their beloved leader Marshall Yuen, and to swear vengeance upon all those who plotted his violent … Continue reading

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I Saw the Devil (2010) Review

Director: Kim Ji-woon Writer: Park Hoon-jung Cast: Lee Byung-Hun, Choi Min-Sik, Jeon Guk-Hwan, Cheon Ho-Jin, Oh San-Ha, Kim Yun-Seo, Choi Mu-Seong, Kim In-Seo, Jo Deok-Je, Han Cheol-Woo Running Time: 114 min. By JJ Hatfield I Saw The Devil is a stunning masterpiece of the macabre. A terrifying tale of horrific deeds done for sickening psychotic pleasures and unimaginable acts carried out for a promised justice. In the dark of night … Continue reading

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Redbelt (2008) Review

"Redbelt" American Theatrical Poster

Director: David Mamet Cast: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Tim Allen, Alice Braga, Rodrigo Santoro, Jose Pablo Cantillo, Randy Couture, Caroline de Souza Correa, Mike Goldberg, Damon Herriman, Dan Inosanto, Enson Inoue, Ricky Jay, John Machado, Ray Mancini, Joe Mantegna, Max Martini, Emily Mortimer, David Paymer Running Time: 100 min. By JJ Hatfield Red Belt is truly an exceptional martial arts movie. It achieves this distinction by focusing on one quiet unassuming man … Continue reading

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Dream of a Warrior (2001) Review

Director: Park Hee-Joon Producer: Kim Hyung-Joon Cast: Leon Lai Ming, Lee Na-Young, Park Eun-Hye, Yoon Tae-Young, Kim Ji-Moo Running Time: 84 min. By JJ Hatfield A tale of romance and time travel begins with action in a futuristic? form of Korea. Having a question mark in the first sentence should serve as a warning to the reader – there are many questionable aspects of this movie. This film is billed … Continue reading

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Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008) Review

Director: Guillermo del Toro Writer: Guillermo del Toro, Mike Mignola Cast: Ron Perlman, Selma Blair, Doug Jones, Jeffrey Tambor, Luke Goss, Anna Walton, John Hurt, Seth MacFarlane Running Time: 120 min. By JJ Hatfield In some ways Hellboy II: The Golden Army surpasses the first movie especially when it comes to creatures of all sizes and personalities. Director Guillermo del Toro deserves much of the credit for making the movie … Continue reading

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Flight of the Living Dead: Outbreak on a Plane (2007) Review

Director: Scott Thomas Writer: Sidney Iwanter, Mark Onspaugh, Scott Thomas Producer: David Shoshan Cast: David Chisum, Kristen Kerr, Kevin J. O’Connor, Derek Webster, Dale Midkiff, Erick Avari, Richard Tyson Running Time: 94 min. By JJ Hatfield In the mood for a scary flick instead of watching some of my perennial favorites I decided to catch up on some films I have purposely passed by. Flight Of The Living Dead happened … Continue reading

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Purple Storm (1999) Review

"Purple Storm" Japanese DVD Cover

Director: Teddy Chen Cast: Daniel Wu, Emil Chau, Kam Kwok Leung, Josie Ho, Joan Chen, Moses Chan, Patrick Tam, Eric Mo, Michael Tong, Brian Banowetz, Anthony Carpio, Theresa Lee Running Time: 114 min. By JJ Hatfield “Purple Storm” is an amazing action drama that won numerous awards and critical acclaim all over Asia but never seemed to find it’s way to the U.S. audiences. Fortunately one can now find full … Continue reading

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G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (2009) Review

Director: Stephen Sommers Cast: Channing Tatum, Sienna Miller, Christopher Eccleston, Karolina Kurkova, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Rachel Nichols, Marlon Wayans, Ray Park, Lee Byung-hun, Dennis Quaid, Jonathan Pryce, Gerald Okamura Running Time: 118 min. By JJ Hatfield The overall response to the newest “first” chapter of the “Joe” world seems to be mostly positive. In other words from the studio to the Hasbro company cranking out new and improved “Joe” items, everyone … Continue reading

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Kung Fu Genius (1979) Review

Director: Wilson Tong Wai Shing Producer: Alex Gouw Cast: Peter Chan Lung, Cheng Hong Yip, Ching Chu, Hsiao Ho, Hui Ying Ying, Lee Hoi San, Cliff Lok Kam Tung, San Sin, Wilson Tong Wai Shing, Tsang Choh Lam, Wong Yat Fei Running Time: 84 min. By JJ Hatfield This film is directed by Wilson Tong who should know enough about films at the time this was shot he could have … Continue reading

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