Author Archives: JJ Hatfield

About JJ Hatfield

i like movies

New Legend of Shaolin, The | aka The Legend of the Red Dragon (1994) Review

"The New Legend of Shaolin" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Wong Jing Cast: Jet Li, Chingmy Yau, Tse Miu, Deannie Yip, Yeung Wai, Johnny Wang, Chan Chung Yung, Adam Cheng, Damian Lau, Chu Ko, Ji Chun Hua, Jacqueline Ng, Corey Yuen, Chiu Gwok, Wong Jing Running Time: 94 min. By JJ Hatfield I watched this film a few years back and recalled thinking it would be a long time before I watched it again. So I checked some notes … Continue reading

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American Yakuza (1993) Review

"American Yakuza" American Promotion Poster

Director: Frank Cappello Cast: Viggo Mortensen, Ryo Ishibashi, Michael Nouri, Franklyn Ajaye, Yuji Okumoto, Anzu Lawson, Robert Forster, John Fujioka, Nicky Katt, James Taenaka, Saiko Isshiki, Fritz Mashimo, Jeff Bankert Running TIme: 95 min. By JJ Hatfield After a prisoner finishes a one year term in solitaire he is released and on his own. He had heard of a couple of places that would hire former convicts and he heads … Continue reading

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Protector, The (1985) Review

"The Protector" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: James Glickenhaus Cast: Jackie Chan, Danny Aiello, Roy Chiao Hung, Sally Yeh Tse Man, Moon Lee Choi Fong, Bill Wallace, Shum Wai, John Ladalski, Fung Hak On Running Time: 91 min. By JJ Hatfield This movie has two very different versions. The original version was made in the U.S. Jackie Chan made another attempt to break in to the movie market, even after “The Big Brawl” failed to find … Continue reading

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Bigger Than Life (1956) Review

Director: Nicholas Ray Writer: Berton Roueche, Cyril Hume, Richard Maibaum, James Mason, Nicholas Ray, Clifford Odets, Gavin Lambert Producer: James Mason Cast: James Mason, Barbara Rush, Walter Matthau, Robert F. Simon, Christopher Olsen, Roland Winter, Rusty Lane, Rachel Stephens, Kipp Hamilton Running Time: 95 min. By JJ Hatfield This film is a genuine masterpiece! It was created in 1956 and was turned into reality by Nicholas Ray, the director and … Continue reading

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Encounter of the Spooky Kind (1980) Review

"Encounter of the Spooky Kind" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Sammo Hung Producer: Raymond Chow Cast: Sammo Hung, Chung Fat, Peter Chan, Huang Ha, Lam Ching Ying, Wu Ma, Tai Bo, Billy Chan, Chin Lung, Cheung Ging Boh, Fung King Man, Fung Lee Running Time: 98 min. By JJ Hatfield The first time I saw this movie it was in the form of a very ancient and quite heavy dusty old VHS tape. The story was immensely confusing because … Continue reading

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War | aka Rogue Assassin (2007) Review

"War" Japanese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Rogue Director: Philip Atwell Writer: Lee Anthony Smith, Gregory J. Bradley Cast: Jet Li, Jason Statham, Terry Chen, John Lone, Devon Aoki, Sung Kang, Ryo Ishibashi Running Time: 103 min. By JJ Hatfield War, uhhh yeah, what is it good for absolutely nothin’… sorry. The song is good. This movie is not. What comes across is rather two dimensional. I felt at times the characters were made of cardboard. … Continue reading

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Winners & Sinners | aka 5 Lucky Stars (1983) Review

"Winners & Sinners" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Sammo Hung Cast: Sammo Hung, Jackie Chan, Richard Ng, Ching Shung Lin, John Sham, Stanley Fung, James Tien, Lam Ching-Ying, Cecilia Yip Tung, Fung Hak-On Running Time: 95/106 min. By Numskull This is generally considered to be the first Lucky Stars film. It isn’t. It’s a blueprint; a not-quite-ripe-yet predecessor. Director/star Sammo Hung would later use many elements and cast members from this movie in “My Lucky Stars” and “Twinkle … Continue reading

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King Kong (1933) Review

"King Kong" American Theatrical Poster

Director: Merian C. Cooper Co-director: Ernest B. Schoedsack Cast: Fay Wray, Robert Armstrong, Bruce Cabot, Frank Reicher, Sam Hardy, Noble Johnson Running Time: 105 min. Review by JJ Hatfield The one thing that makes the original version fantastic is the special effects. That may sound a bit absurd considering the state of the art and ever evolving fx we have today however that just adds relevance to my comment. Willis … Continue reading

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Skinny Tiger & Fatty Dragon (1991) Review

"Skinny Tiger & Fatty Dragon" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Nutty Kickbox Cops Director: Lau Kar Wing Cast: Sammo Hung, Karl Maka, Carrie Ng, Wanda Yung, Lau Kar Wing, Lung Ming Yan, Wu Fung, Cutie Mui Siu Wai, Ni Kuang, Mark Houghton, Brad Kerner Running Time: 105 min. By JJ Hatfield The running time for this movie is 105 minutes, and you will feel each and every one, when fighting is not on the screen. Yes, Sammo is in … Continue reading

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Bare-Footed Kid, The | aka Young Hero (1993) Review

Director: Johnnie To Kei Fung Cast: Aaron Kwok Fu Sing, Ti Lung, Maggie Cheung Man Yuk, Paul Chun Pui, Jacqueline Wu Chien Lien, Kenneth Tsang Kon, Eddie Cheung Siu Fai, Wong Yat Fei, Tin Ching, Chu Tiet Wo, Cheng Ka Sang, Johnny Cheung Yiu Wah, Hau Woon Ling, Benny Lai Keung Kuen, Leung Kai Chi, Ng Wui, Wong Sun, Yuen Ling To Running Time: 90 min. By JJ Hatfield If … Continue reading

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To Kill with Intrigue (1976) Review

"To Kill with Intrigue" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Lo Wei Cast: Jackie Chan, Hsu Feng, San Yat Lung, Yu Ling Lung, George Wang Jue, Tung Lam, Ma Kei, Kong Ching Ha, Chan Wai Lau, Lee Man Tai, Tsang Ming Cheong Running Time: 110 min. By JJ Hatfield This review will be brief as I have already wasted enough time watching the damned movie. Two martial arts families clash and one family is wiped out except for Jackie. … Continue reading

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Legend of the Tsunami Warrior (2008) Review

AKA: The Pirates of Langkasuka, The Tsunami Warrior, Queens of Langkasuka Director: Nonzee Nimibutr Writer: Winn Leawwarin Producer: Nonzee Nimibutr Cast: Sorapong Chatree, Ananda Everingham, Jesdaporn Pholdee, Chupong Changprung, Ake Oree, Jakrit Phanichphatikram, Jarunee Suksawas, Winai Kraibutr, Jaqueline Apithananon Running Time: 119 min. By JJ Hatfield I watched this film and looked at a few short notes I jotted down. Where should I begin with a review? I admit I … Continue reading

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Night of the Living Dead (1968) Review

Director: George A. Romero Writer: George A. Romero, John A. Russo Producer: Karl Hardman, Russell Streiner Cast: Duane Jones, Judith O’Dea, Karl Hardman, Marilyn Eastman, Keith Wayne, Judith Ridley, Kyra Schon Running Time: 96 min. By JJ Hatfield After a cataclysmic UFO event those who should be lying peacefully unaware in their coffins are brought to “life” and have only one goal. They are hungry. And they are everywhere. I … Continue reading

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Dragon Fight | aka Dragon Kickboxer (1988) Review

"Dragon Fight" Korean DVD Cover

AKA: The Defector Director: Billy Tang Cast: Jet Li, Dick Wei, Stephen Chow Sing Chi, Nina Li Chi, Steven Ho, Mark Williams Running Time: 98 min. By JJ Hatfield Viewed as a film, “Dragon Fight” is not very good. However, all is not lost if you are a Jet Li fan, or fond of martial arts films. This is a kind of blending of Jet the Chinese excellent citizen and … Continue reading

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Disciples of Shaolin | aka Invincible One (1975) Review

"Disciples of Shaolin" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: The Hung Boxing Kid, Royal Monks Director: Chang Cheh Cast: Alexander Fu Sheng, Chi Kuan Chun, Kong Do, Lo Dik, Stephen Yip Tin Hang, Chen Ming Li, Fung Hak On, Hon Kong, Lam Fai Wong, Jamie Luk Kim Ming Running Time: 102 min. By JJ Hatfield There are a lot of older movies especially from the Shaw Brothers studio that used the word “Shaolin” in the title or the … Continue reading

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