Author Archives: JJ Bona

12 Gold Medallions, The (1970) Review

"The 12 Gold Medallions" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Ching Gong Producer: Run Run Shaw Cast: Yueh Hua, Chin Ping, Wong Chung Shun, Lisa Chiao Chiao, Wong Hap, Cheng Miu, Lee Kwan, Yeung Chi Hing, Ku Feng, Goo Man Chung Running Time: 102 min. By Mighty Peking Man General Yao Fei and his brave army have successfully held back Tarters, who are trying to invade China. But now, Prime Minister Chin Hui, an evil traitor, has another idea. … Continue reading

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

JCVD (2008) Review

AKA: J.C.V.D. Director: Mabrouk El Mechri Cast: Jean-Claude Van Damme, François Damiens, Zinedine Soualem, Karim Belkhadra, Jean-François Wolff, Anne Paulicevich, Saskia Flanders Running Time: 96 min. By Mighty Peking Man Back in 1988, I remember walking into a video rental store and taking a chance with an unknown, newly-released movie called Bloodsport. Not only did the catchy title of the movie interest me, but so did the odd image of … Continue reading

Posted in Asian Related, Other Movies, Reviews | Tagged , |

Karate Kid, The | aka Kung Fu Kid (2010) Review

AKA: Kung Fu Kid Director: Harald Zwart Cast: Jackie Chan, Jaden Smith, Taraji P. Henson, Yu Rong-Guang, Wenwen Han, Zhenwei Wang Running Time: 139 min. By Ningen An updated Karate Kid which should technically be more of a remake of the second film than the first film, it’s about a kid (duh) named Dre who moves to China, runs into some punks, gets beaten down by ’em, and then, with … Continue reading

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Corruptor, The (1999) Review

"The Corruptor" US Theatrical Poster

AKA: N.Y.P.D. 15 Director: James Foley Cast: Chow Yun-Fat, Mark Wahlberg, Ric Young, Paul Ben-Victor, Jon Kit Lee, Andrew Pang, Brian Cox, Elizabeth Lindsey, Byron Mann, Bill MacDonald Running Time: 110 min. By Numskull After seeing this movie, I breathed a huge sigh of relief. While not spectacular, it’s very solid in every way that counts, and after the abysmal Replacement Killers, Chow Yun-Fat was in dire need of a … Continue reading

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Bermuda Depths, The (1978) Review

Director: Tsugunobu Kotani (billed as Tom Kotani) Writer: William Overgard (screenplay), Arthur Rankin, Jr. (story) Cast: Leigh McCloskey, Carl Weathers, Burl Ives, Connie Sellecca, Julie Woodson, Ruth Attaway Running Time: 97 min. By Alvin George A live-action TV movie from Rankin/Bass Productions (the same company that put out the cartoon “Thundercats” and that deathless stop-motion classic “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”), “The Bermuda Depths” has acquired a significant cult following over … Continue reading

Posted in Asian Related, Reviews |

Year of the Dragon (1985) Review

"Year of the Dragon" French Theatrical Poster

Director: Michael Cimino Producer: Dino De Laurentiis Cast: Mickey Rourke, John Lone, Ariane, Leonard Termo, Raymond J. Barry, Caroline Kava, Eddie Jones, Joey Chin, Victor Wong, Fan Mei Sheng, Mark Hammer Running Time: 134 min. By James H. Stanley White is a man obsessed. He is a Vietnam veteran, and a New York cop assigned to Chinatown. Moreover, he is a racist. His experiences in ‘Nam have left him jaded … Continue reading

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Tears of the Black Tiger (2000) Review

Director: Wisit Sasanatieng Writer: Wisit Sasanatieng Cast: Chartchai Ngamsan, Stella Malucchi, Supakorn Kitsuwon, Sombat Metanee Running Time: 110 min. By Mighty Peking Man Bravo, Wisit Sasanatieng!!! Tears of the Black Tiger is a Thai Western flick, a romance-drama and an ultra violent spectacle all rolled into one; But here’s the kicker – it was filmed in black and white, then artificially colored, tinted and tweaked to make it look like … Continue reading

Posted in Reviews, Thai | Tagged |

13 Beloved | aka 13: Game of Death (2006) Review

"13: Game of Death" UK DVD Cover

AKA: 13 Beloved, 13 Game Sayong Director: Chookiat Sakveerakul Cast: Krissada Sukosol, Sarunyoo Wongkrachang, Achita Sikamana, Nattapong Arunnate, Namfon Pakdee, Piyapan Choopech, Philip Wilson Running Time: 109 min. By Mighty Peking Man Chit is a young salesman who is experiencing rough times: His girlfriend just left him, he’s in serious debt and his car has just been repossessed because of late payments. To make matters worse, he comes into work … Continue reading

Posted in Reviews, Thai | Tagged |

Crazy Thunder Road (1980) Review

Director: Sogo Ishii Producer: Mitsuhiko Akita, Hiroshi Kobayashi Cast: Tatsuo Yamada, Hiroshi Kaiya, Masamitsu Daichi, Yōsuke Nakajima, Tadashi Kamiya, Akihiro Kimura, Hiroyuki Kiyosue, Katsunori Hirose, Masahiro Ōzeki, Nenji Kobayashi, Masashi Kojima, Koji Nanjō, Michiko Kitahara, Naoto Ōmori, Masahiro Yoshiwara, Akemi Morimura Running Time: 90 min. By Joe909 As of this writing, I’m 27 years old, and I’ve realized through the wisdom of age that one shouldn’t get too excited to … Continue reading

Posted in Japanese, Reviews |

Kamui Gaiden | aka Kamui The Lone Ninja (2009) Review

"Kamui Gaiden" Japanese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Kamui Director: Yoichi Sai Cast: Ken ichi Matsuyama, Koyuki Koyuki, Kaoru Kobayashi, Koichi Sato, Hideaki Ito Running Time: 120 min. By Mighty Peking Man “Kamui Gaiden” is the story of a Kamui (Ken’ichi Matsuyama), an ex-evil ninja who turns his back on his evil ways to pursue a peaceful lifestyle. However, everywhere he goes, he is followed and attacked by his former ninja clan, who now consider him a … Continue reading

Posted in Japanese, Ninja, Reviews | Tagged , , , |

Bruce Lee: The Man, The Myth (1976) Review

"Bruce Lee: The Man, The Myth" US Theatrical Poster

AKA: Bruce Lee – True Story Director: Ng See Yuen Cast: Bruce Li (aka Ho Chung Tao, James Ho), Unicorn Chan, Chu Chi Ling. Fung King Man, Alan Chui Chung San, Sham Chin Bo, Mars, Fung Hak On, Lee Hoi San, Carl Scott, Chung Chaan Chi, Fong Yuen, Gam Tin Chue, Lau Kwok Shing, Leung Siu Chung, Wong Mei, Yip Chun Running Time: 85/90 min. By Joseph Kuby Fun Filler! … Continue reading

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

Merantau | aka Merantau Warrior (2009) Review

"Merantau" International Theatrical Poster

Director: Gareth Evans Producer: Ario Sagantoro Cast: Iko Uwais, Sisca Jessica, Christine Hakim, Donny Alamsyah, Yusuf Aulia, Laurent Buson, Alex Abbad, Mads Koudal, Yayan Ruhian, Rahyma Yanii Running Time: 135 min. By Mighty Peking Man Young Yuda (Iko Uwais) has reached the point in his life where he must leave his hometown, prove his manhood, and find success on his own. It’s his way of following a family tradition known … Continue reading

Posted in All, Indonesian, Reviews | Tagged , , |

Bruce Lee: A Dragon Story | aka Dragon Dies Hard (1974) Review

"Bruce Lee: A Dragon Story" US Theatrical Poster

Director: Shut Dik Writer: Lui Ban-Chung Cast: Bruce Li (Ho Chung Tao, James Ho), Na Yan-Sau, Tang Pei, Cheung Tai-Wai, Gam Wing-Cheung, Chu Sing-Yat, Cheng Fu-Hung, Si Wai, Ngai Yat-Ping, Kong Kwok-Ping, Ann Winston, Chow Jun Shih Ting-Ken Running Time: 90 min. By Mighty Peking Man Made in 1974, about a year after Bruce Lee’s death, “Bruce Lee: A Dragon Story” is possibly the first bio-pic on Bruce Lee. It’s … Continue reading

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

Bruce and the Shaolin Bronzemen (1980) Review

"Bruce and the Shaolin Bronzemen" Finnish VHS Cover

AKA: King Boxer 2 Director: Joseph Kong Producer: Robert Jeffrey Cast: Bruce Le (aka Huang Kin Long, Wong Kin Lung), Chan Sing, Lita Vasquez, Chang Lee, Ruby Anna, Cloyd Robinson, Nona Herrera, Vivian Velasco, Ernie Ortega, Tsing Tong Tsai, Angel Confiado, Ruben Ramos, Jimmy Cruz, Romeo Blanco, Joe Canlas, Ely Rufuerzo, Ed Ramos, Nanding De La Cruz, Bill Feijoo Running Time: 78 min. By Joseph Kuby One film critic put … Continue reading

Posted in Bruceploitation, Chinese, Filipino, Reviews | Tagged , , |

Better Tomorrow, A III: Love and Death in Saigon (1989) Review

AKA: A Better Tomorrow 3 Director: Tsui Hark Producer: Tsui Hark Cast: Chow Yun Fat, Tony Leung Ka Fai, Anita Mui Yim Fong, Sek Kin, Nam Yin, Maggie Cheung Ho Yee, Saburo Tokito, Andrew Kam, Wong Chi Wai Running Time: 125 min. By Joseph Kuby Aplomb-filled Saga! A Better Tomorrow 3 is a prequel to the first film. It’s set in war-torn Vietnam and was directed by Tsui Hark. Despite … Continue reading

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