Author Archives: Z Ravas

Source Code (2011) Review

Director: Duncan Jones Writer: Ben Ripley Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Monaghan, Vera Farmiga, Jeffrey Wright, Cas Anvar, Russell Peters, Michael Arden, Scott Bakula, Craig Thomas Running Time: 93 min. By HKFanatic Director Duncan Jones made a sizable impact in 2009 with his film “Moon” – an intelligent science-fiction thriller for an era that hasn’t seen very many of them, featuring practical production design that harkened back to the work of Stanley … Continue reading

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August 9th brings 4 New Shaw Brothers DVD titles from Dragon Dynasty

Can’t get enough old-school Shaw Brothers action? Have no fear, Dragon Dynasty/Celestial Pictures are releasing four Shaw Brothers catalog titles on DVD today, August 9th. One of them even stars Jet Li! If you’re wondering how these movies stack up against the rest of the Shaw Brothers’ filmography, we’ve got you covered with our reviews: Martial Arts of Shaolin Review Mad Monkey Kung Fu Review Five Shaolin Masters Review Executioner … Continue reading

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Sucker Punch | aka Angel Wars (2011) Review

Director: Zack Snyder Writer: Zack Snyder, Steve Shibuya Producer: Deborah Snyder, Zack Snyder Cast: Emily Browning, Abbie Cornish, Jena Malone, Vanessa Hudgens, Jamie Chung, Carla Gugino, Oscar Isaac, Jon Hamm, Scott Glenn, Gerard Plunkett Running Time: 110 min. By HKFanatic NOTE: This is a review of the Theatrical Cut. “Sucker Punch” is the rare film that falls under the banner of ‘Asian Related’ not because the production team featured any … Continue reading

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Live Like a Cop, Die Like a Man (1976) Review

"Live Like a Cop, Die Like a Man" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Ruggero Deodato Cast: Marc Porel, Ray Lovelock, Adolfo Celi, Franco Citti, Silvia Dionisio , Marino Masé , Renato Salvatori, Sergio Ammirata , Bruno Corazzari, Daniele Dublino Running Time: 100 min. By HKFanatic “Live Like a Cop, Die Like a Man” – let’s just take a moment to reflect on how awesome that title is. During its opening minutes, the film seems like it’s actually going to live up its … Continue reading

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Assassination Games | aka Weapon (2011) Review

"Assassination Games" Theatrical Poster

Director: Ernie Barbarash Cast: Jean-Claude Van Damme, Scott Adkins, Kevin Chapman, Ivan Kaye, Valentin Teodosiu, Alin Panc, Serban Celea, Michael Higgs, Kristopher Van Varenberg, Marija Karan, Bianca Van Varenberg, Andrew French, Marioara Sterian Running Time: 95 min. By HKFanatic For many Jean Claude Van Damme fans in the United States, the limited release of “Assassination Games” this summer means the first chance to see their hero on the big screen … Continue reading

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Warrior’s Way, The | aka The Warrior (2010) Review

"The Warrior's Way" UK Theatrical Poster

Director: Sngmoo Lee Cast: Jang Dong Gun, Geoffrey Rush, Kate Bosworth, Danny Huston, Tony Cox, Ti Lung Running Time: 100 min. By HKFanatic I’m going to have to be the dissenting opinion here because I didn’t enjoy “The Warrior’s Way” nearly as much as Mighty Peking Man. I thought the film had potential, but overall the sluggish pacing and artificial-looking digital world didn’t do much for me. If you have … Continue reading

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Tekken (2010) Review

"Tekken" Italian Theatrical Poster

Director: Dwight H. Little Cast: Jon Foo, Kelly Overton, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, Ian Anthony Dale, Tamlyn Tomita, Candice Hillebrand, Luke Goss, Gary Daniels, Mircea Monroe, Cung Le, Marian Zapico, Darrin Dewitt Henson Running Time: 92 min. By HKFanatic Video game to movie adaptations have something of a dirty reputation. I mean, I’ve lost count of how many times director Paul W. Anderson has suckered audiences (myself included) into spending money on … Continue reading

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Black Water (2007) Review

Director: Andrew Traucki, David Nerlich Writer: Andrew Traucki, David Nerlich Producer: Michael Robertson Cast: Diana Glenn, Maeve Dermody, Andy Rodoreda, Ben Oxenbould, Fiona Press Running Time: 88 min. By HKFanatic “Black Water” opens with an ominous message. To paraphrase: “The Saltwater Crocodile population of Northern Australia is increasing.” Pause. “So is the human population.” Even with the knowledge that the film received funding from the Australian Film Commission, you probably … Continue reading

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Carry On Pickpocket (1982) Review

"Carry On Pickpocket" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Sammo Hung Cast: Sammo Hung, Frankie Chan, Lau Hak Suen, Deannie Yip Tak Han, Didi Pang Sau Ha, Peter Chan Lung, Richard Ng Yiu Hon, Dick Wei, James Tien Chun, Paul Wong Kwan, Liu Wai Hung, Billy Chan Wui Ngai, Chan Chik Waai, Chan Dik Hak, Cheung Gwok Wa, Johnny Cheung Yiu Wah Running Time: 102 min. By HKFanatic As a Sammo Hung fan, there comes a time when … Continue reading

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Knockabout (1979) Review

"Knockabout" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Sammo Hung Cast: Yuen Biao, Lau Kar Wing, Sammo Hung, Leung Kar Yan, Lee Hoi San, Mars, Wong Kwong Yue, Karl Maka, Peter Chan, Ho Pak Kwong, Billy Chan, Johnny Cheung Running Time: 104 min. By HKFanatic 1979’s “Knockabout” represents the first starring role for one of the Three Dragons, Yuen Biao. The opening credits even state “Introducing Yuen Biao.” Behind the camera, Sammo Hung – one of Yuen’s … Continue reading

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

Bodyguards & Assassins | aka Dark October (2009) Review

Bodyguards and Assassins DVD (Indomina)

Director: Teddy Chen Cast: Donnie Yen, Leon Lai, Nicholas Tse, Tony Leung Ka Fai, Hu Jun, Edison Wang, Fan Bing Bing, Eric Tsang, Simon Yam, Wang Xue Qi, Zhou Yun, Mengke Bateer, Che Kim Fai, Jacky Chung, Cung Le, Li Yu Chun, Gary Mak, Philip Ng, Michelle Reis, John Sham, Dennis To Running Time: 139 min. By HKFanatic Donnie Yen continues his quest to remind global audiences that Hong Kong … Continue reading

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Demon Warriors (2007) Review

"Demon Warriors" Thai Theatrical Poster

AKA: Opapatika Director: Thanakorn Pongsuwan Cast: Somchai Kemglad, Shahkrit Yamnarm, Leo Putt, Athip Nana, Ray MacDonald, Kemapsorn Sirisukha, Nirut Sirichanya, Pongpat Wachirabunjong Running Time: 106 min. By HKFanatic This is a movie I held off watching, largely because the DVD cover didn’t inspire much confidence. The cover blurb declared the movie was something like a “darker X-Men” but I figured it was just another cheesy Thai action flick in the … Continue reading

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Alien vs. Ninja | aka AVN (2010) Review

"Alien vs. Ninja" American Theatrical Poster

Director: Seiji Chiba Cast: Shuji Kashiwabara, Ben Hiura, Mika Hijii, Donpei Tsuchihira, Masanori Mimoto Running Time: 83 min. By HKFanatic “Alien vs. Ninja” arrived on Western shelves just in time to capitalize on the DVD/blu-ray release of 2010’s “Predators.” And glancing at the title and box art, you’d think this movie was a cheap knock-off of the “Aliens vs. Predator” franchise. I know that was my first impression. Turns out … Continue reading

Posted in Japanese, Ninja, Reviews | Tagged |

Chawz | aka Chaw (2009) Review

"Chawz" Korean Theatrical Poster

Director: Shin Jeong-Won Cast: Uhm Tae-Woong, Jeong Yu-Mi, Jang Hang-Seon, Yun Je-Mun, Park Hyuk-Kwon, Kim Gi-Cheon, Lee Sang-Hee, Jeong Yun-Min, Mun Jong-Hun Running Time: 121 min. By HKFanatic Now for something totally different. “Chawz” is a South Korean horror/comedy that attempts to do the whole ‘small town terrorized by a big monster’ shtick like “Jaws,” except with dollops of goofy humor. And, you know what, it pretty much works. This … Continue reading

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Above the Law | aka Nico (1988) Review

"Above the Law" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Andrew Davis Cast: Steven Seagal, Pam Grier, Sharon Stone, Daniel Faraldo, Henry Silva, Ron Dean, Miguel Nino, Nicholas Kusenko, Joe Greco, Chelcie Ross, Gregory Alan Williams, Jack Wallace, Metta Davis, Joseph F. Kosala Running Time: 99 min. By HKFanatic The man, the myth, the mystique that is Steven Seagal begins here, with 1988’s “Above the Law.” Many wonder how a virtual no-name like Seagal was able to secure a … Continue reading

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