Author Archives: Jeff Bona

Game of Death Redux (2022) Review

Director: Bruce Lee Produced & adapted by: Alan Canvan Cast: Bruce Lee, James Tien, Chieh Yuan, Dan Inosanto, Ji Han Jae, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Running Time: 34 min.  By Jeff Bona In 1972, Bruce Lee started filming Game of Death, a movie that would not only have been his 4th Hong Kong action feature, but also his sophomore directorial effort. During this time, Bruce filmed over 100 minutes of footage, most of … Continue reading

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City on Fire ranks Bruce Lee’s movies (from Worst to Best)

We were going to start off this introduction with the typical “Although Bruce Lee only made 5 movies, the impact of each can still be felt to this day,” but we’re going to save you the trouble and get right to the good stuff. But before we do, please note: Our choices of Bruce Lee’s “Worst to Best” are not based solely on writing, fight choreography, acting, budget, soundtrack or … Continue reading

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Fist of Fear, Touch of Death: Anniversary Edition (1980) Review

Fist of Feat, Touch of Death | Blu-ray (The Film Detective)

AKA: Dragon and the Cobra Director: Mathew Mallinson Producer: Terry Levene Cast: Aaron Banks, Adolph Caesar, Teruyuki Higa, Bill Louie, Fred Williamson, Ron Van Clief, Gail Turner, Hollywood Browde, Louis Neglia, Annette Bronson Running Time: 86 min. By Jeff Bona Whenever the discussion topic of “What’s the worst Bruceploitation movie ever made?” comes up, the answer 99.9% of the time will be Fist of Fear, Touch of Death. Is it really … Continue reading

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They Call ‘Em Bruce: People who played Bruce Lee

They Call Them Bruce People who have played Bruce Lee

The following feature is about the many actors who have portrayed Bruce Lee in movies, TV and advertisements. In an effort to put together the most comprehensive list, I’ve also included those who portrayed him in ways that I can’t explain. It should also be noted that the term “biopics” should be taken lightly, as ALL biopics listed are extremely sensationalized. Yes, even the ones endorsed, produced and blessed by The Bruce Lee Estate (controlled … Continue reading

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Black Scar Blues (2015) Review

"Black Scar Blues" Theatrical Poster

Director: Leroy Nguyen Cast: Leroy Nguyen, Edmond Shum, Jen Barnard, Donald Williams, Daniel Sim, Mahdi Eltigani Running Time: 80 min. By Jeff Bona Sorry folks, no Kris Wu lookalikes here. In other words, if you’re expecting skinny jeans, sleeve tattoos, DJ counter culture or any of that other now-pretentious bullshit, then Black Scar Blues is NOT the film for you. It’s more honest than that. It’s a film that goes against what Millennials would expect from … Continue reading

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Universal Soldier (1971) Review

"Universal Soldier" VHS Cover

Director: Cy Enfield Cast: George Lazenby, Ben Caruthers, Robin Hunter, Edward Judd, Alan Barnes, Cy Enfield, Germaine Greer, Rudolph Walker, Chrissie Townson, Guy Deghy Running Time: 94 min. By Jeff Bona While promoting 1969’s On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, model-turned-actor, George Lazenby, the film’s “New James Bond” star, was literally a signature away from playing Bond again, until his then-manager, Ronan O’Rahilly, convinced him not to take the deal: “Bond is [Sean] Connery’s gig,” O’Rahilly … Continue reading

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Queen’s Ransom, A | aka International Assassin (1976) Review

"A Queen's Ransom" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Ding Sin Saai Producer: Raymond Chow Cast: Jimmy Wang Yu, Angela Mao, George Lazenby, Ko Chun Hsiung, Tien Ni, Charles Heung, Cheung Pooi Saan, Dean Shek, Bolo Yeung, Peter Chan, Cheung Ging Boh, Chu Tiet Wo, Han Ying Chieh, Hon Yee Sang Running Time: 93 min. By Jeff Bona Three years after the passing of Bruce Lee, Hong Kong’s Golden Harvest Studios was still running around like a headless chicken in … Continue reading

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Bruce Lee: Tracking the Dragon (2016) Review

"Tracking the Dragon" DVD Cover

Director: John Little Writer: John Little Cast: John Little, Malisa Longo, Jon T. Benn, Anders Nelsson, Riccardo Billi, Chaplin Chang Running Time: 100 minutes By Jeff Bona Back in 2013, I reviewed a documentary titled In Pursuit of the Dragon, by noted Bruce Lee historian, John Little (A Warrior’s Journey). Unlike the most of the endless, oversaturated list of Bruce Lee documentaries – many of which featured the same tired footage, usual interview clips and other useless … Continue reading

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Lady Killer, The (1977) Review

"The Lady Killer" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Zhu Mu Producer: Raymond Chow Cast: Robert Lee, Sylvia Chang, Nick Lam Wai Kei, Shaw Yum Yum, Lee Kwan, Gam Dai Running Time: 86 min. By Jeff Bona Before Brandon and Shannon Lee stepped into the Hong Kong film industry to make Legacy of Rage (1986) and Enter the Eagles (1998) respectively; Robert Lee, Bruce Lee’s younger brother, was cast to appear in Lady Killer, an extremely bizarre 1977 film that also … Continue reading

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Martial Arts Kid, The (2015) Review

"The Martial Arts Kid" Theatrical Poster

Director: Michael Baumgarten Cast: Don “The Dragon” Wilson, Cynthia Rothrock, Jansen Panettiere, Kathryn Newton, Matthew Ziff, T.J. Storm, Brandon Tyler Russell, R. Marcos Taylor, Chuck Zito Running Time: 103 min. By Jeff Bona Don “The Dragon” Wilson (Bloodfist) and Cynthia Rothrock (Shanghai Express) are back to doing what they do best in The Martial Arts Kid, a coming of age, martial arts-themed tale directed by Michael Baumgarten (The Guest House). The Martial Arts Kid follows a rebellious teenager … Continue reading

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Wailing, The (2016) Review

"The Wailing" Korean Theatrical Poster

Director: Na Hong-jin Writer: Na Hong-jin Cast: Kwak Do-Won, Hwang Jeong-Min, Jun Kunimura, Chun Woo-Hee, Kim Hwan-Hee, Jang So-Yeon, Heo Jin, Jo Han-Chul, Son Kang-Kuk, Kim Do-Yoon Running Time: 115 min. By Jeff Bona Na Hong-jin, the fierce South Korean filmmaker behind Chaser (2008) and The Yellow Sea (2010), is once again unleashing hell with The Wailing – and let me tell you  – I’ve never been happier seeing a … Continue reading

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9 Deaths of the Ninja (1985) Review

"9 Deaths of the Ninja" Theatrical Poster

Director: Emmett Alston Cast: Sho Kosugi, Brent Huff, Emilia Crow, Blackie Dammett, Regina Richardson, Vijay Amritraj, Lisa Friedman, Kane Kosugi, Shane Kosugi, Ken Watanabe Running Time: 94 min. By Jeff Bona After a string of successful martial arts films for The Cannon Film Group (Enter the Ninja, Revenge of the Ninja and Ninja III: The Domination), Sho Kosugi, the main face of the 80s phenomenon known as the “ninja craze,” hooked … Continue reading

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Van Damme is the most ‘remade’ action star in the world!

Van Damme is the most ‘remade’ action star in the world!

Love him or hate him, there’s no denying that Jean-Claude Van Damme is a trendsetter when it comes to action and martial arts movies. He’s also a name that helped build franchises that gave birth to endless money-making sequels and prequels. In the late ’80s/early ’90s, films like Bloodsport and Kickboxer rejuvenated a genre that was practically in limbo during the final stages of the Chuck Norris and Ninja-craze era. … Continue reading

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Furious (1984) Review

"Furious" VHS Cover

Director: Tim Everitt Co-director: Tom Sartori Cast: Simon Rhee, Phillip Rhee, Arlene Montano, Howard Jackson, Loren Avedon, Mika Elkan Running Time: 73 min. By Jeff Bona In the 80s, walking into a video rental store’s martial arts section was like waiting in line for a rollercoaster: The anticipation was just as exciting as the ride itself. The movie that was finally decided on was always hit or miss, but it … Continue reading

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Hungry? Watch the newest ‘Jurassic World’ trailer!

THE MOVIE: The fourth installment in the Jurassic Park franchise is titled Jurassic World. Directing the film will be Colin Trevorrow (Safety Not Guaranteed). There are no plot details, but the film has a release date for June 12, 2015. So far, the cast includes Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Jake Johnson, Nick Robinson, Ty Simpkins and Irrfan Khan. Chances are his script will bear no resemblance to an earlier one … Continue reading

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