Author Archives: Z Ravas

Tron (1982) Review

Director: Steven Lisberger Writer: Steven Lisberger, Bonnie MacBird Producer: Donald Kushner, Ron Miller Cast: Jeff Bridges, Bruce Boxleitner, David Warner, Cindy Morgan, Barnard Hughes, Dan Shor Running Time: 96 min. By HKFanatic In the months leading up to “Tron: Legacy’s” December 2010 release, consumers started reporting that the original “Tron” DVD was becoming increasingly difficult to find in stores. All of a sudden it wasn’t available to rent from Netflix. … Continue reading

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Shaolin | aka New Shaolin Temple (2011) Review

"Shaolin" Blu-ray Cover

Director: Benny Chan Cast: Andy Lau, Nicholas Tse, Fan Bing Bing, Wu Jing, Xing Yu, Yu Shao Qun, Hung Yan Yan Running Time: 131 min. By HKFanatic Andy Lau. Nicholas Tse. Jacky Wu. Jackie Chan. You can’t really ask for a bigger cast from a Hong Kong flick these days. With Benny Chan (“New Police Story”) behind the camera and handling production duties, “Shaolin” seemed prime to be a modern … Continue reading

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Blood and Bone (2009) Review

"Blood and Bone" American Theatrical Poster

Director: Ben Ramsey Writer: Michael Andrews Cast: Michael Jai White, Eamonn Walker, Dante Basco, Michelle Belegrin, Julian Sands, Matt Mullins, Ron Yuan, Bob Sapp, Nona Gaye, Dick Anthony Williams, Kimbo Slice, Gina Carano, Ernest “The Cat” Miller, Maurice Smith Running Time: 93 min. By HKFanatic If you’re a fan of direct-to-video action movies, you may have noticed a sea change within the genre over the past few years. The straight-to-DVD … Continue reading

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REC 2 | aka [REC] 2 (2009) Review

Director: Jaume Balagueró, Paco Plaza Writer: Jaume Balagueró, Manu Díez, Paco Plaza Producer: Julio Fernández Cast: Jonathan Mellor, Óscar Sánchez Zafra, Ariel Casas, Alejandro Casaseca, Pablo Rosso, Pep Molina, Andrea Ros, Ális Batllori, Pau Poch, Juli Fábregas, Nico Baixas, Javier Botet, Carlos Olalla, Manuela Velasco Running Time: 85 min. By HKFanatic I love the original [REC]. When I first saw the Spanish-language horror film about zombies in a quarantined apartment … Continue reading

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Enter the Void (2009) Review

AKA: Soudain le Vide Director: Gaspar Noé Writer: Gaspar Noé Cast: Nathaniel Brown, Paz de la Huerta, Cyril Roy, Olly Alexander, Masato Tanno, Ed Spear, Emily Alyn Lind, Jesse Kuhn, Nobu Imai, Sakiko Fukuhara, Janice Béliveau-Sicotte, Sara Stockbridge, Stuart Miller, Emi Takeuchi, Federico Aletta, Simon Chamberland, Edward L. Papazian Running Time: 161 min. By HKFanatic Lately it seems like certain controversial films are premiered at Cannes, creating outrage among French … Continue reading

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13 Assassins (2010) Review

"13 Assassins" Blu-ray Cover

Director: Takashi Miike Cast: Koji Yakusho, Takayuki Yamada, Yusuke Iseya, Goro Inagaki, Masachika Ichimura, Mikijiro Hira, Tsuyoshi Ihara, Hiroki Matsukata, Kazue Fukiishi Running Time: 114/126 min. By HKFanatic “13 Assassins” is one of those rare films that comes out of nowhere – at this point in his career, was anybody really expecting Takashi Miike to direct a traditional samurai flick with sky-high production values? – and immediately garners a critical … Continue reading

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Bad Blood | aka King of Triads (2010) Review

AKA: Mie Men, Mit Moon Director: Dennis Law Cast: Simon Yam, Andy On, Bernice Liu, Hung Yan Yan, Chris Lai Lok Yi, Pinky Cheung Man Chi, Jiang Lu Xia, Ken Lo, Chan Wai Man, Lam Suet, Eddie Cheung, Hau Woon Ling, Hon Chun, Amy Tan En Mei Running Time: 95 min. By HKFanatic Can I recommend a movie based solely on the strength of its fight scenes? If that were … Continue reading

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Hobo with a Shotgun (2011) Review

"Hobo with a Shotgun" International Theatrical Poster

Director: Jason Eisener Writer: John Davies Cast: Rutger Hauer, Gregory Smith, Molly Dunsworth, Brian Downey, Robb Wells, Nick Bateman, Peter Simas, Jeremy Akerman Running Time: 86 min. By HKFanatic One thing you can’t accuse “Hobo With a Shotgun” of is false advertising. No matter what happens during its unrated, 86-minute runtime, you will witness a shotgun-wielding hobo. The film’s content may shock and appall the religious right or anyone with … Continue reading

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Dynamite Warrior | aka Tabunfire (2006) Review

"Dynamite Warrior" Thai Theatrical Poster

AKA: Khon Fai Bin, Fire Warriors Director: Chalerm Wongpim Cast: Dan Chupong, Panna Rittikrai, Leo Putt, Puttipong Sriwat, Samart Tipthamai, Kanyapak Suwannakoot, Samart Payakarun, Kampanart Angsoongnern Running Time: 103 min. By HKFanatic Dan Chupong is a legitimate bad-ass. The stuntman/actor paid his dues with the famous Muay Thai Stunt team, performing stunts in “Ong Bak” (2003) before stepping in front of the camera to act in 2004’s “Born to Fight,” even … Continue reading

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Mercury Man (2006) Review

"Mercury Man" Thai Theatrical Poster

AKA: Ma noot lhek lai Director: Bhandit Thongdee Cast: Wasan Khantaau, Metinee Kingpayome, Arnon Saisangchan, Jinvipa Kheawkunya, Parinya Kiatbusaba, Darunee Khrittabhunyalai Running Time: 101 min. By HKFanatic Supposedly the director of “Mercury Man” was targeting foreign markets with this film. If that’s the case, he’s got a long ways to go before this movie would successful in the West. At first glance, it’s a cool enough idea: a Thai superhero … Continue reading

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SARS Wars: Bangkok Zombie Crisis (2004) Review

"SARS Wars: Bangkok Zombie Crisis" American DVD Cover

AKA: Khun krabii hiiroh Director: Taweewat Wantha Cast: Suthep Po-ngam, Supakorn Kitsuwon, Phintusuda Tunphairao, Lene Christensen, Somlek Sakdikul Running Time: 95 min. HKFanatic’s Review “SARs Wars: Bangkok Zombie Crisis” is the rare film that manages to live up to its outlandish title. For 90 minutes you’re treated to Thailand’s off the wall sense of humor and a parade of flesh-eating zombies, Asian schoolgirls, and exploding heads. This is not to … Continue reading

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Tetsuo: The Bullet Man | aka The Bulletman (2009) Review

Tetsuo: The Bullet Man DVD (IFC)

Director: Shinya Tsukamoto Cast: Eric Bossick, Akiko Mono, Shinya Tsukamoto, Stephen Sarrazin, Yuko Nakamura Running Time: 79 min. By HKFanatic As a die-hard fan of Shinya Tsukamoto (I even wrote a term paper on the guy), I’m honest enough to admit that “Tetsuo: Bullet Man” is not very good. Sadly, I don’t think many fans were expecting it to be. Not only is it yet another sequel to Tsukamoto’s “Tetsuo: … Continue reading

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Coweb | aka Combat Web (2009) Review

"Coweb" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Zhang Wu Shuang Director: Hung Yan Yan Cast: Jiang Lu Xia, Sam Lee, Eddie Cheung Siu Fai, Kane Kosugi, Mike Moeller, Edison Chen Running Time: 87 min. By HKFanatic Going at least as far back as Cheng Pei-pei in 1966′s “Come Drink With Me,” the martial arts genre has a long history of powerful women who can kick just as much ass as their male co-stars. Part of the appeal … Continue reading

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Tiger Blade, The (2005) Review

Director: Theeratorn Siriphunvaraporn Producer: Jirun Ratthanaviriyachai Cast: Atsadawut Luengsuntorn, Phimonrat Phisarayabud, Pongpat Wachirabunjong, Srungsuda Lawanprasert, Amornrit Sriphung, Chalad Na Songkhla, Annan Bunnak Running Time: 91 min. By HKFanatic Some guys have all the luck. At least that’s how I felt after watching this Thai action movie. I mean, not only does our hero carry the bad-ass codename of “Tiger Blade” but he’s a secret agent who answers to no one, … Continue reading

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Rebel, The (2007) Review

"The Rebel" Vietnamese Theatrical Poster

Director: Charlie Nguyen Cast: Johnny Tri Nguyen, Veronica Ngo, Dustin Nguyen, Chanh Tin Nguyen, Nguyen Thang Running Time: 103 min. By HKFanatic If you’ve heard of “The Rebel,” it’s probably for one of two reasons. (1.) Upon the time of its release in 2007, it was the most expensive Vietnamese production of all time, with a budget somewhere between 1.5 and 3 million US dollars. (2.) It stars Dustin Nguyen … Continue reading

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