Category Archives: Chinese

Special ID (2013) Review

"Special ID" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Clarence Ford Writer: Clarence Ford Cast: Donnie Yen, Andy On, Sally Jing Tian, Zhang Han Yu, Yang Kun, Qi Da Ji, Nina Pau, Frankie Ng, Collin Chou, Ken Lo, Rain Lau, Terence Yin Running Time: 99 min. By Paul Bramhall It seems that 2013 was the year for troubled productions to finally reach our screens. The Tony Jaa come-back vehicle Tom Yum Goong 2 finally got a release, after … Continue reading

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Firestorm (2013) Review

Firestorm | Blu-ray & DVD (Well Go USA)

Director: Alan Yuen Writer: Alan Yuen Cast: Andy Lau, Yao Chen, Gordon Lam, Hu Jun, Ray Lui, Kenny Wong Tak Bun, Michael Tong, Terence Yin Running Time: 109 min. By Sapo Wow. Did I have high hopes for this one. Andy “Infernal Affairs” Lau in a rock ’em, sock ’em thriller. I’m there. This was one I HAD to see. This was the one that would take the recent sour … Continue reading

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Unbeatable | aka MMA (2013) Review

"Unbeatable" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Dante Lam Cast: Nick Cheung, Eddie Peng, Mei Ting, Feier Li, Andy On, Patrick Keung, Wang Baoqiang, Liu Kim Wa, Awayne, Stephen Au Kam-Tong, Mo Lai-Yee Running Time: 122 min. By DiP Here’s a movie that I would say truly cements Dante Lam as one of the leading Hong Kong filmmakers at the moment and that will push his filming skills further if he’s given the right material and … Continue reading

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Monkey King, The (2014) Review

"The Monkey King" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Cheang Pou-soi Cast: Donnie Yen, Chow Yun-fat, Aaron Kwok, Joe Chen, Peter Ho, Kelly Chen, Zhang Zilin, Gigi Leung, Xia Zitong, Louis Fan, Cheang Pou-soi Running Time: 120 min. By DiP First things first, I’m not familiar with the Journey To The West novel nor am a fan of the screen adaptations. So whether the movie is faithful to the novel or not, I can’t comment on unfortunately. But … Continue reading

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Sword Stained with Royal Blood, The (1993) Review

Director: Cheung Hoi-ching Cast: Yuen Biao, Yip Chuen-chan, Sharla Cheung, Danny Lee, Anita Yuen, Elizabeth Lee, Ng Man-tat, Helen Ma, Wu Ma, Elvis Tsui, Pauline Wong, Melvin Wong Running Time: 95 min. By JJ Hatfield In a temple along the edge of a quiet river, men have gathered to mourn the tragic death of their beloved leader Marshall Yuen, and to swear vengeance upon all those who plotted his violent … Continue reading

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Bruce Lee: In Pursuit of the Dragon (2009) Review

Bruce Lee: A Warrior's Journey & Pursuit of the Dragon | DVD (MVD Entertainment)

Director: John Little Writer: John Little Cast: John Little, Bruce Lee, Malisa Longo, Jon T. Benn, Anders Nelsson, Riccardo Billi, Chaplin Chang Running Time: 90 minutes By Jeff Bona If you’re a die hard Bruce Lee fanatic and you’re sick and tired of all the countless Bruce Lee documentaries that contain the same footage, usual interview clips and a bunch of other “talking heads,” then John Little’s In Pursuit of the Dragon is … Continue reading

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Last Hero in China | aka Deadly China Hero (1993) Review

"Last Hero in China" Theatrical Poster

Director: Wong Jing Cast: Jet Li, Nat Chan Pak Cheung, Alan Chui Chung San, Leung Kar Yan, Dicky Cheung, Chu Tiet Wo, Sharla Cheung Man, Gordon Liu, Anita Yuen, Chun Kwai Bo Running Time: 105 min. By Numskull First of all, I want to say that the World Video DVD for this movie has an unforgivable manufacturing defect. Although Cantonese and Mandarin both appear as language options, you can only … Continue reading

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Grandmaster, The (2013) Review

"The Grandmaster" Theatrical Poster

AKA: The Grandmasters Director: Wong Kar-wai Cast: Tony Leung, Zhang Ziyi, Chang Chen, Song Hye Kyo, Zhao Benshan, Max Zhang Jin, Cung Le, Chin Shih-Chieh, Yuen Wo-Ping, Lo Meng, Fang Cheng-Cheng Running TIme: 139 min. Review by Ghost Dragon Triad Wong Kar-Wai’s Ip Man biopic The Grandmaster is a fever dream of a film, a movie as much about the fleeting qualities of love and experience as it is about … Continue reading

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Once a Thief (1991) Review

"Once a Thief" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: John Woo Cast: Chow Yun-Fat, Leslie Cheung, Cherie Chung, Paul Chu Kong, Kenneth Tsang, Declan Wong, John Woo, David Wu Tai Wai, Patrick Hon Jun Running Time: 108 min. By Numskull You know what we got here? A John Woo chick flick. Well, sort of. It’s “more accessible” (read: less violent) than the heroic bloodshed work he’s known for, and there’s a ho-hum romantic subplot (“Well, sort of” again). But … Continue reading

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Last Supper, The (2012) Review

The Last Supper | Blu-ray & DVD (Random Media)

Director: Lu Chuan Cast: Liu Ye, Daniel Wu, Chang Chen, Qin Lan, Sha Yi, Nie Yuan, Huo Siyan, Zhao Xiang Running Time: 120 min. By HKFanatic Over the past decade, international audiences have been inundated with dozens of Chinese historical epics, from Zhang Yimou’s Hero to John Woo’s Red Cliff and back again, to the point where a sense of viewer fatigue has settled in. But chances are good you’ve never … Continue reading

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Armour of God III: Chinese Zodiac | aka CZ12 (2012) Review

"CZ12" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Jackie Chan Cast: Jackie Chan, Kwon Sang-woo, Liao Fan, Yao Xing Tong, Zhang Lan Xin, Laura Weissbecker, Ken Lo, Oliver Platt, Shu Qi, Daniel Wu, Kazu Patrick Tang Running Time: 123 min. By HKFanatic Shortly into the second act of Jackie Chan’s new film CZ12, one of the movie’s many hapless English-speaking characters tells Jackie and his team “You guys are amazing!” as they launch yet another one of … Continue reading

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Million Dollar Crocodile | aka Croczilla (2012) Review

Director: Lin Li Sheng Writer: Lin Li Sheng Producer: Li Rui Cast: Barbie Hsu Hsi Yuan, Guo Tao, Lam Suet, Shi Zhao Qi, Hung Yan Yan, Pu Ba Jia Running Time: 87 min. By HKFanatic These days, the monster movie has a bad rap. A once fun and thriving subgenre of horror as been relegated to an endless string of ‘SyFy’ Channel movies in which mutated variations of animals and … Continue reading

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In the Line of Duty 4 (1989) Review

"In the Line of Duty 4" Chinese DVD Cover

AKA: Witness Director: Yuen Woo Ping Cast: Cynthia Khan Lai Ching, Michael Wong Man Tak, Donnie Yen Chi Tan, Yuen Yat Chor, Liu Kai Chi, Lisa Chiao Chiao, Yuen Shun Yee, Michael Woods, John Salvitti, Stephan Berwick, Farlie Ruth Kordica Running Time: 91 min. By Numskull We all know they don’t make ’em like this anymore, at least not in Hong Kong, so I’ll spare you the rant. I’ll spare … Continue reading

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South Shaolin Master, The (1984) Review

AKA: Red Dragons Of Shaolin Director: Siao Lung Cast: Yau Gin Gwok, Li Yan-Long, Zhong Xiao-Zhen, Suen Gen-Fa, Xu Xue-Yi, Dong Li, Li Zhong-Ru, Pan Wei-Xing, Ku Guo-Xing, Xu Qi-Cheng By Reefer The absolute best thing about being a movie fanatic is being surprised, caught off guard by something unexpectedly brilliant. Something you dug out of the bargain bin at your local movie store. Something you thought would be a … Continue reading

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Jackie Chan Double Feature: Crime Story & The Protector (1993, 1985) Review

Jackie Chan Double Feature: Crime Story & The Protector Blu-ray & DVD (Shout! Factory)

The following review is for Shout! Factory’s Jackie Chan Double Feature, which contains 1993’s Crime Story & 1985’s The Protector. To see detailed credits for each title, as well as additional reviews, please click on the links provided within the review below. By HKFanatic THE PROTECTOR When Jackie Chan finally made it big in the United States with 1995’s “Rumble in the Bronx“, it stands to reason that he did … Continue reading

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