Author Archives: JJ Hatfield

About JJ Hatfield

i like movies

Addicted (2002) Review

AKA: Jungdok Director: Park Young-hoon Writer: Byun Won-mi Producer: Lee Choon-Yeon Cast: Lee Byung-hun, Lee Mi-yeon, Lee Ueol, Park Sun-young Running Time: 114 min. By JJ Hatfield Life is good for the two brothers Ho-jin and Dae-jin. They are very close and good friends too. The two live together as they have no other family until Ho-jin marries. Their lives are peaceful and routine and that seems to suit them … Continue reading

Posted in Korean, Reviews | Tagged , , |

Cat vs. Rat (1982) Review

"Cat vs. Rat" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Cat Versus Rat Director: Lau Kar Leung Cast: Alexander Fu Sheng, Adam Cheng, Hsiao Ho, Kara Hui Ying Hung, Lau Kar Wing, Gordon Liu, Lydia Shum, Lam Fai Wong, Johnny Wang, Lung Tien Hsiang Running TIme: 92 min. By JJ Hatfield This is an unusual Shaw Brothers movie, especially considering the director was Lui Chia-Liang. The company apparently was looking at more comedy boosting the kung fu and old … Continue reading

Posted in Chinese, Reviews, Shaw Brothers | Tagged , , , , , , , , , |

Mandingo (1975) Review

Director: Richard Fleischer Writer: Kyle Onstott, Norman Wexler Producer: Dino De Laurentiis Cast: James Mason, Susan George, Perry King, Lillian Hayman, Richard Ward, Brenda Sykes, Ken Norton Running Time: 127 min. By JJ Hatfield “Mandingo” is one of the most misunderstood movies in U.S. cinema. The first thing the viewer needs to know is that this is not an xploitation flick, at least not in the common usage. It is … Continue reading

Posted in Other Movies, Reviews | Tagged , , |

Thirst (2009) Review

Thirst | Blu-ray (Kino Lorber)

Director: Park Chan-wook Producer: Park Chan-wook Cast: Song Kang-Ho, Kim Ok-Vin, Shin Ha-Kyun, Kim Hae-Sook, Park In-Hwan, Song Young-Chang Running Time: 134/145 min. By JJ Hatfield When I first heard of this film, it was presented as a vampire movie. The last thing I felt the world needed was yet another vampire (or zombie) flick. However, knowing that Song Kang-ho was the lead role and the director was Park Chan-wook, … Continue reading

Posted in Korean, Reviews | Tagged , |

Project A | aka Pirate Patrol (1983) Review

"Project A" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Jackie Chan Producer: Raymond Chow Cast: Jackie Chan, Yuen Biao, Sammo Hung, Dick Wei, Kwan Hoi San, Law Ho Kai, John Cheung, Kwan Yung, Lee Wan Faat, Chan Chi Fai, Chan Ling Wai, Cheng Hong Yip, Cheung Chok Chow, Chin Kar Lok, Chang Seng-Kwong Running Time: 105 min. By JJ Hatfield Damn it’s good to see Jackie in his prime! Everyone looks terrific in this movie directed by Jackie … Continue reading

Posted in Chinese, Golden Harvest, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , |

Tale of Two Sisters, A (2003) Review

"A Tale of Two Sisters" Korean Theatrical Poster

Director: Kim Ji Woon Writer: Kim Ji Woon Cast: Im Su-Jeong, Mun Geun-Yeong, Yeom Jeong-A, Kim Gap-Su, Park Mi-Hyeon, Wu Gi-Hong Running Time: 115 min. By JJ Hatfield A Tale of Two Sisters is a finely crafted work of art from the skilled hands of Kim Jee-woon. Kim not only directed the film but wrote the screen play as well. This is beautiful and imaginative in a very subdued fashion. … Continue reading

Posted in Korean, Reviews | Tagged , |

One-Armed Swordsman, The (1967) Review

"The One-Armed Swordsman" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Chang Cheh Producer: Runme Shaw Cast: Jimmy Wang Yu, Pan Yingzi, Chiao Chiao, Wong Chung Shun, Tin Fung, Guk Fung, Liu Chia Liang, Yeung Chi Hing, Chen Yan Yan, Fan Mei Sheng, Wong Kwong Yue, Tong Gaai, Gai Yuen, Cliff Lok, Yen Shi-Kwan Running Time: 110 min. By JJ Hatfield When I first saw this film I was certain it would be bad. Absolutely terrible. I have seen enough … Continue reading

Posted in Chinese, Reviews, Shaw Brothers | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Teahouse, The | aka The Tea House (1974) Review

Director: Kuei Chih Hung Writer: Sze To On Producer: Runme Shaw Cast: Chen Kuan Tai, Yeung Chi Hing, Lee Sau Kei, Karen Yip Ling Chi, Ha Ping, Cheung Chok Chow, Shum Lo, Fung King Man, Chung Chaan Chi, Yeung Chak Lam, Wong Yu, Chan Laap Ban, Chan Mei Hua, Chan Shen, Ching Gong, Fan Mei Sheng Running Time: 96 min. By JJ Hatfield “The Teahouse” is a story on film … Continue reading

Posted in Chinese, Reviews, Shaw Brothers | Tagged , , , |

Spiritual Kung Fu | aka Karate Bomber (1978) Review

AKA: Karate Ghostbuster Director: Lo Wei Writer: Poon Lui Producer: Lo Wei Cast: Jackie Chan, James Tien Chun, Mo Man Sau, Lee Tung Chun, Lee Kwan, Dean Shek Tien, Ko Keung, Lee Hoi Lung, Lee Man Tai, Wong Kwong Yue, Yuen Biao Running Time: 91 min. By JJ Hatfield Spiritual Kung Fu is an odd mix of virtually no plot, infantile Lo Wei humor and some fantastic action. Whether or … Continue reading

Posted in Chinese, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , |

Half a Loaf of Kung Fu (1978) Review

"Half a Loaf of Kung Fu" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Chan Chi Hwa Cast: Jackie Chan, James Tien Chun, Doris Lung Chung Erh, Gam Ching Lan, Kam Kong, Lee Hoi Lung, Miu Tin, Dean Shek Tien, Julie Lee Chi Lun, Che Dei Running Time: 92 min. By Stockton22 And so the debate rages on. Is this movie a flawed but entertaining transition film, or a completely forgettable mess? Well, I have to say that with a starting point of … Continue reading

Posted in Chinese, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , |

Crazy Shaolin Disciples | aka Enter the 36th Chamber of Shaolin (1985) Review

Director: Yau Fung Hung Cast: Wong Yu, Chin Siu Ho, Gordon Liu Chia Hui, Lo Meng, Lo Lieh, May Cheung Choi Mei, Chun Wong, Philip Kwok Chung Fung, Yuen Qiu, Lee Hoi San Running Time: 87 min. By JJ Hatfield I would prefer to primarily review only good films. However there are times a viewer warning should be advised when movies pretend to be something they are not. This is … Continue reading

Posted in Chinese, Reviews, Shaw Brothers | Tagged , , , , , , , , |

Touch of Zen, A (1971) Review

"A Touch of Zen" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: King Hu Writer: King Hu Cast: Hsu Feng, Shih Chun, Pai Ying, Tin Peng, Roy Chiao Hung, Sit Hon, Cho Kin, Go Ming, Miu Tin, Melvin Cheung Wan Man, Liu Chu, Cheung Bing Yuk Running Time: 180 min. By JJ Hatfield A Touch of Zen (Xia nu) is an amazing film. Generally overlooked as just another “chop socky” movie most of the western world has never seen this piece … Continue reading

Posted in Chinese, Reviews | Tagged , , , , |

Invincible Kung Fu Guy, The (1994) Review

Director: Will Martin Writer: Will Martin Cast: Elise Beller, Dee Chilcote, Randy Foster, Rohana Kenin, Ralf Langenheim, Will Martin, Dave Matucha, Rip Reed, Nick Ridge, Ethan Schutz, David Swagerty, Julie Yoon Running Time: 23 min. By JJ Hatfield Everyone who has seen old school martial art movies must see this film! In fact the more old movies you have watched you will find this very funny or fall down laughing. … Continue reading

Posted in Asian Related, Reviews | Tagged |

Disciples of the 36th Chamber | aka Disciples of the Master Killer (1985) Review

AKA: Master Killer 3 Director: Lau Kar Leung Producer: Mona Fong Yat Wah Cast: Hsiao Ho, Gordon Liu Chia Hui, Lily Li Li Li, Jason Pai Piao, Lau Kar Leung, Lee Hoi San, Yeung Sai Gwan, Shum Lo, Lau Siu Kwan, Yeung Chi Hing Running Time: 89 min. By JJ Hatfield “Disciples Of The 36th Chamber” is one of the all time best films of the genre! This was essentially … Continue reading

Posted in Chinese, Reviews, Shaw Brothers | Tagged , , , , , |

Return to the 36th Chamber | aka Return of the Master Killer (1980) Review

AKA: Master Killer 2 Director: Lau Kar Leung Writer: Ni Kuang Producer: Run Run Shaw Cast: Gordon Liu Chia Hui, Johnny Wang Lung Wei, Hsiao Ho, Kong Do, Kwan Yung Moon, Ching Chu, Kara Hui Ying Hung, Bruce Lai, Yeung Jing Jing, Wong Ching Ho Running Time: 99 min. By JJ Hatfield After the astounding success of The 36th Chamber of Shaolin there were two sequels planned by the Shaw … Continue reading

Posted in Chinese, Reviews, Shaw Brothers | Tagged , , , , , , , |