Author Archives: Z Ravas

Chocolate | aka Fury (2008) Review

"Chocolate" Japanese DVD Cover

Director: Prachya Pinkaew Cast: Yanin Vismitananda, Hiroshi Abe, Pongpat Wachirabunjong, Taphon Phopwandee, Ammara Siripong, Dechawut Chuntakaro, Hirokazu “Hero” Sano, Sirimongkol Singwangcha, Su Jeong Lim Running Time: 92/100 min. By HKFanatic I thoroughly enjoyed the Thai action movie Chocolate when it first came out in 2008, but revisiting it a few weeks ago on blu-ray – with the sound cranked – I think I loved it even more. This is a … Continue reading

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Soo | aka Art of Revenge (2007) Review

"Soo" Korean Theatrical Poster

Director: Yoichi Sai Ji Jin-Hee, Kang Sung-Yeon, Moon Sung-Geun, Lee Ki-Young, Oh Man-Seok, Jo Kyeong-Hwan, Kim Jun-Bae, Choi Duk-Moon, Choi Jung-Woo, Lee Jae-Gu Running Time: 122 min. By HKFanatic Soo is not a movie I ever hear listed in the same breath as other Korean revenge flicks like Oldboy or A Bittersweet Life. In fact, it’s not a movie that I ever hear listed at all! It’s a shame this … Continue reading

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Pound of Flesh (2015) Review

Pound of Flesh | Blu-ray & DVD (Entertainment One)

AKA: Maximum Blood Director: Ernie Barbarash Cast: Jean-Claude Van Damme, Darren Shahlavi, Aki Aleong, John Ralston, Jason Tobin, Philippe Joly, Brahim Achabbakhe, Andrew Ng, Mike Leeder, Adele Baughan Running Time: 104 min. By HKFanatic About two minutes into Pound of Flesh, Jean-Claude Van Damme wakes up in a bathtub full of ice. His skin pallid, his eyes as sunken as a skull’s, he slowly becomes aware of his surroundings. Crawling … Continue reading

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Skin Trade (2014) Review

"Skin Trade" Theatrical Poster

Director: Ekachai Uekrongtham Producer: Craig Baumgarten, Dolph Lundgren, Mike Selby Cast: Dolph Lundgren, Tony Jaa, Ron Perlman, Michael Jai White, Celina Jade, Peter Weller, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, Conan Stevens, Mike Dopud, Tasya Teles, Leo Rano Running Time: 95 min. By HKFanatic Like many action stars of the Eighties, Dolph Lundgren has spent the last fifteen years starring in a reliable stream of direct-to-video titles. Except for a welcome appearance in The … Continue reading

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Typhoon (2005) Review

Director: Gwak Gyeong-Taek Writer: Gwak Gyeong-Taek Cast: Jang Dong-Gun, Lee Jeong-Jae, Lee Mi-Yeon, David McInnis, Chatthapong Pantanaunkul Running Time: 124 min. By HKFanatic From the opening of Typhoon, it’s clear that Korea is screwed. A rogue pirate named Sin (Dong-gun Jang) with a grudge against both the North and the South has amassed some weapons-grade plutonium. His big plan is to release it during a typhoon, when the high velocity … Continue reading

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Banquet, The | aka Legend of the Black Scorpion (2006) Review

"The Banquet" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: The Night Banquet Director: Feng Xiaogang Cast: Zhang Ziyi, Ge You, Daniel Wu, Zhou Xun, Huang Xiao Ming, Ma Jing Wu, Chun Hoi Liu, Fan Wei, Li Li, Max Zhang Jin, Aaron Shang, Zeng Qiusheng Running Time: 131 min. By HKFanatic Sometimes a film is less than the sum of its parts. The Legend of the Black Scorpion is a lavishly produced, visually sumptuous period film that brings the story of … Continue reading

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City War (1988) Review

"City War" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Sun Chung Cast: Chow Yun Fat, Ti Lung, Norman Chu, Tien Niu, Lee Ka Ting, Lo Lieh, Teresa Carpio, Michael Chow, Ricky Yi, Mary Hon Lut Lee, John Ladalski, Robin Shou Running Time: 92 min. By HKFanatic City War will likely always hold a fascination for Hong Kong movie buffs, as it’s a vintage heroic bloodshed films featuring the fan favorite pairing of Chow Yun Fat and Ti Lung, … Continue reading

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Graveyard of Honor (2002) Review

AKA: New Graveyard of Honor Director: Takashi Miike Cast: Narumi Arimori, Yoshiyuki Daichi, Hirotaro Honda, Harumi Inoue, Renji Ishibashi, Goro Kishitani, Takashi Miike, Ryosuke Miki, Yasukaze Motomiya, Mikio Osawa, Daisuke Ryu, Harumi Sone, Shun Sugata Running Time: 131 min. By HKFanatic “A Yakuza without honor isn’t worth sh*t.” So says a Yakuza Godfather towards the end of Graveyard of Honor, and the entire movie puts this notion to the test … Continue reading

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Wild Card | Blu-ray & DVD (Lionsgate)

RELEASE DATE: March 31, 2015 Lionsgate presents the Blu-ray & DVD for Wild Card, directed by Simon West (The Expendables 2) and starring Jason Statham. The film is a remake of the 1986 Burt Reynolds movie Heat (No relation to the 1995 Michael Mann movie). When a Las Vegas bodyguard with lethal skills and a gambling problem gets in trouble with the mob, he has one last play… and it’s all … Continue reading

Posted in DVD/Blu-ray New Releases, Martial Arts Titles |

Killers (2014) Review

"Killers" Theatrical Poster

Director: The Mo Brothers Cast: Kazuki Kitamura, Oka Antara, Rin Takanashi, Luna Maya, Ray Sahetapy, Ersya Aurelia, Epy Kusnandar, Mei Kurokawa, Denden, Motoki Fukami Running Time: 137 min. By HKFanatic Killers generated a great deal of buzz as soon as it was announced. Not only does the movie represent the first time the Indonesian and Japanese film industries have collaborated on a thriller, but movie also boasts a co-production credit from Gareth … Continue reading

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Angel Terminators (1990) Review

"Angel Terminators" Chinese DVD Cover

Director: Wai Lit Producer: Georges Lai Cast: Sharon Yeung Pan Pan, Kenneth Tsang, Carrie Ng, Michiko Nishiwaki, Alan Chui Chung San, Kara Hui Ying Hung, Cheng Yuen Man, Dick Wei Running Time: 91 min. By HKFanatic Here’s a full admission: I love “girls with guns” movies. Back in the late 80’s and 90’s, this sub-genre of Hong Kong action cinema saw women like Moon Lee and Cynthia Khan kicking and … Continue reading

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Falcon Rising (2014) Review

"Falcon Rising" Theatrical Poster

AKA: Favela Director: Ernie Barbarash Cast: Michael Jai White, Neal McDonough, Laila Ali, Lateef Crowder, Hazuki Kato, Millie Ruperto, Masashi Odate, Jimmy Navarro, Jazmín Caratini Running Time: 100 min. By HKFanatic Back in May of 2013, the producers of Falcon Rising boldly announced that the film – which hadn’t released a single image yet – would be the beginning of a series of action movies, with 1-2 entries planned for … Continue reading

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Beyond Outrage (2012) Review

"Beyond Outrage" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Takeshi Kitano Writer: Takeshi Kitano Cast: Beat Takeshi, Tomokazu Miura, Ryo Kase, Akira Nakao, Shigeru Koyama, Toshiyuki Nishida, Sansei Shiomi, Katsunori Takahashi, Fumiyo Kohinata, Yutaka Matsushige, Hideo Nakano, Kenta Kiritani, Hirofumi Arai, Tetsushi Tanaka Running Time: 112 min. By HKFanatic After delivering a modern update on the popular Zatoichi character in 2003, writer/director/actor Takeshi Kitano spent the rest of that decade on a detour into the world of avant … Continue reading

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Vigilante (1983) Review

"Vigilante" Theatrical Poster

AKA: Street Gang Director: William Lustig Cast: Robert Forster, Fred Williamson, Richard Bright, Rutanya Alda, Don Blakely, Joseph Carberry, Willie Colón, Joe Spinell, Carol Lynley, Woody Strode, Vincent Beck, Bo Rucker, Frank Pesce, Steve James, Randy Jurgensen Running Time: 90 min. By HKFanatic Vigilante opens with a scene of Fred Williamson (From Dusk Till Dawn, the original Inglorious Bastards) addressing a ‘neighborhood watch’-style meeting but more or less pointing his finger … Continue reading

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1990: The Bronx Warriors (1982) Review

Escape From the Bronx | Blu-ray & DVD (Blue Underground)

Director: Enzo G. Castellari Cast: Mark Gregory, Fred Williamson, Vic Morrow, Christopher Connelly, “Betty” Elisabetta Dessy, Stefania Girolami, Enzo G. Castellari, Carla Brait Running Time: 86 min. By HKFanatic By 1981, the Italian film industry was already showing signs that the bottom was about to fall out. Giallos, crime films, and spaghetti Westerns – once Italy’s filmic bread ‘n butter – had run their course with the public. Instead of innovating … Continue reading

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