Category Archives: Chinese

Return of the Valuables (1975) Review

Director: Chui Dai-Gwan Writer: Gam Kim Producer: Chen Ching-Te Cast: Chen Tao, Joan Lin Feng-Chiao, Gary List, Lee Seung, Lam Chi, Miao Tian, Lan Yun, Gam Kim, Chen Chiu, Chan San-Yat, Tsang Ming-Cheong, Yeung Hung, Keung Hon, Wong Goon-Hung, Chui Lap, Cho Kin, Siu Wong-Lung, Lui Wan-Biu Running Time: 82 min. By Paul Bramhall Toby Russell should be a name that anyone who counts themselves as a fan of kung … Continue reading

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Cross | aka Smile for Me (2012) Review

Cross | DVD (Well Go USA)

Director: Daniel Chan Yee Hang Writer: Daniel Chan Yee Hang Cast: Simon Yam, Kenny Wong, Mimi Kung, Liu Kai-Chi, Evelyn Choi, Chen Ran, Nick Cheung, Pal Sinn, Zhu Guangxuan, Mo Tzu-Yi, September Zhang Running Time: 90 min. By Kelly Warner It took four directors over two years to complete Cross, a thriller that’s less than 80 minutes long with a good portion of that running time taken up by flashbacks. … Continue reading

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Master Killers | aka The Master Avenger (1980) Review

"Master Killers" Theatrical Poster

AKA: The Master Avenger Director: Wong Hung Cheung Cast: Casanova Wong, Blacky Ko, Philip Ko Fei, Bolo Yeung, Chiang Kam, Suen Kwok Ming Running Time: 92 min. By Paul Bramhall There’s an old romantic cliché that goes something along the lines of everyone has that someone out there who’s ‘the one’, and what a tragedy it would be if they never realize it. Comparatively, for a kung fu fan like myself, … Continue reading

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Daisy (2006) Review

"Daisy" Korean Theatrical Poster

Director: Andrew Lau Writer: Felix Chong Producer: Hoon-tak Jung Cast: Jeong Woo-Sung, Jun Ji-Hyun (Gianna Jun), Lee Sung-jae, Cheon Ho-Jin, Simon Yam Tat Wah, David Chiang Da Wei, Yu Sun-Cheol, Dion Lam Running Time: 110 min. By Paul Bramhall On paper Daisy reads like an Asian action thriller fan’s dream. A Korea and Hong Kong co-production (which translates to Korea being in-front of the camera and Hong Kong being behind … Continue reading

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Outcast (2014) Review

Director: Nick Powell Writer: James Dormer Cast: Hayden Christensen, Nicolas Cage, Liu Yifei, Ji Ke Jun Yi, Andy On, Wang Bozhao, Fernando Chien Running Time: 99 min. By Kyle Warner When a successful Hollywood star decides to star in a Chinese production, I see it as an interesting career choice. Maybe the script drew them in, maybe it was the chance to work on a new sort of film set, … Continue reading

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Eight Escorts, The (1980) Review

AKA: Eight Peerless Treasures Director: Pao Hsueh Lieh Writer: Katy Chin, Ni Kuang Cast: Hsu Feng, Au Lap Bo, Michael Chan Wai Man, Choi Wang, Fang Mien, Goo Chang, Ko Keung, Danny Lee Sau Yin, Lily Li Li Li, Ling Yun, Mau Ging Shun, Stewart Tam Tin, Dorian Tan Tao Liang, Wong Ching, Wang Chung, Wu Ma Running Time: 90 min. By Martin Sandison In 1972 director Pao Hsieh Li and … Continue reading

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Master Strikes, The (1980) Review

Director: Kao Pao Shu Writer: Kao Pao Shu Cast: Meng Yuen Man, Tony Ching Siu Tung, Casanova Wong, Yen Shi Kwan, Eddie Ko Hung, Wong Mei Mei, Max Lee Chiu Jun, Meg Lam Kin Ming, Sham Chin Bo Running Time: 85/91 min. By Paul Bramhall The Master Strikes is one of those movies that seems to split audiences down the middle. Some fans praise it as being the movie in … Continue reading

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Taking of Tiger Mountain, The (2014) Review

"The Taking of Tiger Mountain" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Tsui Hark Cast: Zhang Hanyu, Tony Leung Ka-fai, Lin Gengxin, Yu Nan, Tong Liya, Kenny Lin, Gao Hu, Zhou Dong Yu, Han Geng, Chen Xiao, Mo Tse, Zha Ka, Li Bing-Yuan Running Time: 141 min. By Kelly Warner Adapted from Qu Bo’s 1957 novel Tracks in the Snowy Forest, which is itself based on a true story, Tsui Hark’s The Taking of Tiger Mountain takes what sounds like another drama … Continue reading

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Fox Hunter (1995) Review

"Fox Hunter" Chinese DVD Cover

AKA: Hunting Fox Director: Stephen Tung Wai Cast: Jade Leung, Jordan Chan, Yu Rong Guang, Ching Fung, Guy Lai, Ng Git Keung, Roger Lee Running Time: 92 min. By Paul Bramhall Fox Hunter was the second of only 4 movies that legendary Hong Kong action choreographer Stephen Tung Wei would direct, as well as taking on action duties. To his credit, with each movie he did something a little different … Continue reading

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Helios | aka Equator (2015) Review

"Helios" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Sunny Luk Co-director: Longman Leung Cast: Jacky Cheung, Nick Cheung, Chang Chen, Shawn Yue, Janice Man, Wang Xue Qi, Ji Jin-Hee, Choi Si-Won, Yoon Jin-Yi, Lee Tae-Ran, Kim Hae-Sook, Mike Leeder Running Time: 119 min. By Paul Bramhall Directors Sunny Luk and Longman Leung team up once more for their sophomore effort, Helios. Looking to match the success of their surprisingly taut 2012 bureaucratic thriller Cold War, here they’re … Continue reading

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Invincible Armour (1977) Review

"The Invincible Armour" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Ng See Yuen Producer: Chor Yuen Cast: John Liu Chung Liang, Hwang Jang Lee, Tino Wong Cheung, Lee Hoi San, Philip Ko Fei, Corey Yuen Kwai, Yuen Shun Yee, Yuen Biao, Hsu Hsia Running Time: 101 min. By Matthew Le-feuvre The collaborative effort in reuniting two of the world’s most celebrated kicking technicians was no light work for independent producer, Ng See Yuen. His previous trendsetter The Secret Rivals … Continue reading

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Shadowguard | aka The Blood Bond (2011) Review

AKA: The Blood Bond Director: Michael Biehn, Bey Logan Cast: Michael Biehn, Simon Yam, Phoenix Chou, Emma Pei, Jennifer Blanc, Xiao Keng Ye, Thomas Ho, Kenny Lo, Ridwan Amir, Michael Wong Mun-Tak Running Time: 86 min. By Paul Bramhall With the dawn of the DVD era, Hong Kong cinema expert Bey Logan quickly became known for his informative and knowledgeable audio commentaries, recorded for the Hong Kong Legends and Dragon … Continue reading

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Postman Strikes Back, The (1982) Review

"The Postman Strikes Back" DVD Cover

AKA: The Postman Fights Back Director: Ronny Yu Cast: Leung Kar Yan, Chow Yun Fat, Yuen Yat Chor, Fan Mei Sheng, Cherie Chung, Eddie Ko Hung, Brandy Yuen Jan Yeung, Chiang Cheng, Lee Fat Yuen Running Time: 88 min. By Paul Bramhall Postman Strikes Back is a unique entry in the Hong Kong action genre for a number of reasons. Set in 1913, it’s a movie which brings together elements … Continue reading

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Wolf Warrior (2015) Review

Wolf Warrior | Blu-ray & DVD (Well Go USA)

Director: Wu Jing Cast: Wu Jing, Yu Nan, Scott Adkins, Kyle Shapiro, Ni Dahong, Zhou Xiaoou, Shi Zhaoqi, Deng Ziyi, Tian Miaomiao, Ma Qiang, Chris Collins, Shan Jiachen Running Time: 90 min. By Paul Bramhall After the lukewarm reception of Wu Jing’s 2008 directorial debut Legendary Assassin, 7 years on and 2015 sees him returning to the directors chair for his second feature, Wolf Warrior. While Legendary Assassin was very much … Continue reading

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Saviour Monk, The (1975) Review

Director: Leung Chit Foo Producer: Chang Yan-Tao Cast: Doris Lung Chung Erh, Tong Wai, Philip Ko Fei, Chin Chi Min, Ma Cheung, Yuen Sam, Lee Ying, Tit Mang Chau Running Time: 87 min. By Paul Bramhall The Saviour Monk is a tricky movie to review – it looks, feels, and sounds like an old school kung fu movie. It has a cast which includes familiar old school faces like Doris … Continue reading

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