Author Archives: JJ Bona

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

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

Better Tomorrow II, A (1987) Review

"A Better Tomorrow II" Korean Theatrical Poster

Director: John Woo Producer: Tsui Hark Cast: Chow Yun-Fat, Ti Lung, Leslie Cheung, Dean Shek, Emily Chu, Kenneth Tsang, Regina Kent, Kwan San, Chindy Lau, Dean Harrington, Mark King Running Time: 103 min. By Joseph Kuby Awesomely Ace Addition! A lot of people hate this movie, like as if Wong Jing had bought the rights to the series and messed things up. To be honest, I think the problems that … Continue reading

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

Better Tomorrow, A (1986) Review

"A Better Tomorrow" International Theatrical Poster

Director: John Woo Producer: Tsui Hark Cast: Chow Yun-Fat, Ti Lung, Leslie Cheung, Waise Lee, Emily Chu, Kenneth Tsang, Shek Yin-Chi, Tien Feng, Kam Hing-Yin, Wong Hap, John Woo, Shing Fui-On Running Time: 95 min. By Joseph Kuby Definitely worth the hype! This film is slightly melodramatic (due to Chow Yun Fat but more particularly Leslie Cheung) though the film has a strong emotional undercurrent running through it which beats … Continue reading

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

White Valentine (1999) Review

"White Valentine" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Yang Yun-Ho Cast: Park Sin-Yang, Jeon Ji-Hyeon, Jeon Mu-Song, Kim Se-Jun, Kim Young-Ok, Yang Dong-Keun, Kang Jin-Wu, Jang Myeong-Cheol, Park Mi-Rae Running Time: 89 min. By Mighty Peking Man Jung-min (Jeon Ji-Hyeon) is a young woman who drops out of school to pursue her love for “art,” a pastime she wants to make her career. She mysteriously lost her parents when she was very young, and now, lives and … Continue reading

Posted in Korean, Reviews | Tagged , |

Windstruck (2004) Review

"Windstruck" Korean Theatrical Poster

Director: Kwak Jae-yong Cast: Jeon Ji-hyun, Jang Hyuk, Kim Jung-Tae, Kim Su-Ro, Lee Ki-Woo, Lim Ye-Jin, Cha Tae-Hyun Running Time: 123 min. By Owlman Kyung-Jin (Jeong Ji-Hyun) is a young police officer. She meets Myung-Woo (Jang Hy-Yuk), a schoolteacher, in the most unusual circumstances. They fall in love. Tragedy ensues. Lots of tears and, as a testament to the title of the film, lots and lots of wind. More tears. … Continue reading

Posted in Korean, Reviews | Tagged , , |

Last Samurai, The (2003) Review

Director: Edward Zwick Writer: John Logan, Edward Zwick, Marshall Herskovitz Cast: Tom Cruise, Ken Watanabe, Billy Connolly, Koyuki, Tony Goldwyn, Seizo Fukomoto, Timothy Spall, Hiroyuki Sanada, Masato Harada, Sosuke Ikematsu, Shin Koyamada, Aoi Minato, Shichinosuke Nakamura, Shun Sugata Plot: Epic Action Drama. Set in Japan during the 1870s, The Last Samurai tells the story of Capt. Nathan Algren (Tom Cruise), a respected American military officer hired by the Emperor of … Continue reading

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

Legacy of Rage | aka Fire Dragon (1986) Review

Literally: Dragon All Over the Country Director: Ronnie Yu Yan-Tai Producer: Dickson Poon Dik-Sun Writer: Clifton Ko Chi-Sum, Raymond Fung Cast: Brandon Lee, Michael Wong Man-Tak, Michael Chan Wai-Man, Regina Kent, Bolo Yeung, Ng Man-Tat, Mang Hoi, Tanya George, Louis Roth, Stuart Smith Running Time: 86 min. By Joe909 You know you’re in for trouble when even the opening theme song is half-assed; it sounds like someone turning on a … Continue reading

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Crow, The (1994) Review

Director: Alex Proyas Producer: Edward R. Pressman Cast: Brandon Lee, Ernie Hudson, Michael Wincott, David Patrick Kelly, Angel David, Rochelle Davis, Bai Ling, Laurence Mason, Michael Massee, Bill Raymond, Sofia Shinas, Anna Levine, Tony Todd, Jon Polito Running Time: 100 min. By Numskull The Crow is a movie full of rare things. It’s rare for a person to get killed during production, especially the lead actor. But, as I’m sure … Continue reading

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

Rapid Fire | aka Moving Target (1992) Review

Director: Dwight H. Little Cast: Brandon Lee, Powers Boothe, Nick Mancuso, Raymond J. Barry, Kate Hodge, Tzi Ma, Tony Longo, Michael Paul Chan, Dustin Nguyen, Brigitta Stenberg, Basil Wallace, Al Leong, François Chau, Quentin O’Brien Running Time: 95 min. By Numskull A VHS copy of the last movie Brandon Lee completed can probably be found in the bargain bin of your local Blockbuster or Walmart (North America only), and though … Continue reading

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