Category Archives: Chinese

Sadness, The (2021) Review

Director: Rob Jabbaz Cast: Berant Zhu, Regina Lei, Tzu-Chiang Wang, Emerson Tsai, Wei-Hua Lan, Ralf Chiu, Ying-Ru Chen Running Time: 99 min. By Paul Bramhall  Taiwan may not be the first country that you think of when discussing the zombie genre, but it has thrown its hat into the ring a couple of times in recent years. In 2012 director Joe Chien made his debut with Zombie 108, a low … Continue reading

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Blonde Fury, The | aka Lady Reporter (1989) Review

Director: Meng Hoi Cast: Cynthia Rothrock, Chin Siu Ho, Meng Hoi, Elizabeth Lee Mei Fung, Roy Chiao, Billy Chow, Ronny Yu Yan Tai, Jeff Falcon, Vincent Lyn, Chung Fat, Tai Bo, Melvin Wong Gam San, Wu Ma, Hsiao Ho, Kwan Yung, James Tien Chun Running Time: 90 min. By Martin Sandison In 1995, when I was 13, I visited my local video shop. Ah, those were the days. How I … Continue reading

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White Storm 2: Drug Lords, The (2019) Review

Director: Herman Yau Cast: Andy Lau, Louis Koo, Michael Miu, Karena Lam, Kent Cheng, Gordon Lam, Chrissie Chau, Cherrie Ying, Michelle Wai, MC Jin (Jin Au-Yeung), Ben Yuen  Running Time: 100 min. By Paul Bramhall In 2013 the late Benny Chan unleashed The White Storm, one of the most divisive Hong Kong action movies in recent memory. While some hailed it is a glorious throwback to the heroic bloodshed era, … Continue reading

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Super Ninja, The | aka Killers Untouchable (1984) Review

Director: James Wu Cast: Alexander Lo Rei, Eugene Thomas, Jack Long Shi-Chia, William Yen, Bruce Lai (Chang Il-do), Tong Lung, Yang Hsiung, Yu Kam-Po, Kim Gi-Jong, Lo Mei Running Time: 91 min. By Paul Bramhall  Amongst the many ninja flicks that Taiwan cranked out in the 1980’s, perhaps none stand out more than director James Wu’s unintended ninja trilogy. Kicking off with his directorial debut in 1984 with The Super … Continue reading

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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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Death Ring (1984) Review

Director: Chang Cheh Co-director: Lu Feng Cast: Chen Kuan Tai, Lee Chung Yat, Ti Lung, Chan Sing, Lu Feng, Lau Fong Sai, Keung Hon Running Time: 90 min. By Paul Bramhall Director Chang Cheh was rightfully known as the Godfather of Hong Kong action cinema, and after the Shaw Brothers studio wound down its movie production, he still managed to crank out a further 11 in Taiwan and Mainland China. … Continue reading

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Foolish Plan (2016) Review

Director: Sen Dao Cast: Jordan Chan Siu-Chun, Deng Jia-Jia, Jiro Wang Dong-Cheng, Lee Beom-Su, Lawrence Ng Kai-Wah, Zhang Xiao-Jue, Xu Ou-Yi, Piao Wen-Xi Running Time: 88 min.  By Paul Bramhall  Before the relationship between China and South Korea deteriorated in 2017, which resulted in China imposing an unofficial ban on all things South Korean – including importing Korean movies and all things K-pop – China enjoyed using Korea as a … Continue reading

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Wind Blast (2010) Review

Director Gao Qun-Shu Cast: Duan Yi-Hong, Ni Da-Hong, Jacky Wu Jing, Zhang Li, Francis Ng Chun-Yu, Yu Nan, Xia Yu, Charlie Yeung, He Tiehong, Wang Shuang-Bao, Chi Qiang Running Time: 114 min.  By Paul Bramhall  If any movie is representative of Chinese mainstream cinema being at a crossroads, then the case for Wind Blast being it is a strong one. Made in 2010, it was a time when China’s rapid … Continue reading

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Coffin Homes (2021) Review

Director: Fruit Chan Cast: Siu Yam-Yam, Paul Che, Tai Bo, Rachel Lee Lai-Chun, Cheung Tat-Ming, Wong Yau-Nam, Peter Chan Charm-Man, Candy Wen Xue-Er, Ai Wai Running Time: 91 min. By Paul Bramhall As a director, Fruit Chan has always had the ability to take what appears to be standard genre fare, and give it his own unique off-kilter twist. This was on display in efforts as early as 1993’s Finale … Continue reading

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Tattooed Dragon, The (1973) Review

Director: Lo Wei Cast: Jimmy Wang Yu, Sylvia Chang Ai Chi, Sam Hui Koon Kit, James Tien Chun, Dorian Tan Tao Liang, Lee Kwan, Tong Tin Hei, Pipop Pupinyo, Nai Jia Running Time: 94 min. By Ian Whittle After two less than stellar features lensed in Japan, A Man Called Tiger and Seaman No.7, the Lo Wei/Jimmy Wang Yu/Golden Harvest team finally achieve some success with their third collaboration. In … Continue reading

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A Touch of Sin (2013) Review

Director: Jia Zhang-Ke Cast: Jiang Wu, Wang Bao-Qiang, Zhao Tao, Luo Lan-Shan, Zhang Jia-Yi, Vivien Li Meng Running Time: 130 min. By Henry McKeand At its most extreme, cinematic violence can serve either as a satisfying catharsis or a stark reminder of real-world suffering. The bloodshed in Jia Zhangke’s A Touch of Sin accomplishes each, sometimes simultaneously. The film is both a seething commentary on exploitation in present-day China and … Continue reading

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Dynamite Shaolin Heroes, The (1977) Review

Director: Lee Hyeok-Su Co-director: Godfrey Ho Cast: Lo Lieh, Kim Young-In, Choi Sung-Kyu, Kim Ki-Bum, Choe Bong, Kwan Yung-Moon, Roman Lee Kang-Jo, Kwon Il-Soo, Kim Wang-Kuk, Kim Min-Jeong Running Time: 77 min.  By Henry McKeand It’s not always easy to find behind-the-scenes information on the more obscure martial arts flicks from the 70s, but it’s almost impossible when Godfrey Ho is involved. Ho is perhaps best known for his low-budget … Continue reading

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All U Need is Love (2021) Review

Director: Vincent Kok Cast: Louis Koo, Tony Leung, Eric Tsang, Francis Ng, Gordon Lam, Philip Keung, Julian Cheung, Louis Cheung, Fiona Sit, Alex Fong, Cecilia So, Cheung Tat-ming, Michael Hui, Chin Kar-lok, Jackie Chan, Yuen Qiu Running Time: 102 min.  By Paul Bramhall If there are 2 movies that show the differences between Mainland China and Hong Kong cinema, then it has to be Chinese Doctors and All U Need … Continue reading

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Pink Force Commando (1982) Review

Director: Chu Yen Ping  Cast: Brigitte Lin Ching-Hsia, Elsa Yang Hui-Shan, Sally Yeh Chian-Wen, Hilda Liu Hao-Yi, Blacky Ko Shou-Liang, Alan Liu Te-Kai, Hsu Pu-Liao, Sylvia Peng Hsueh-Fen, Teresa Tsui Jun-Jun, Wang Kuan-Hsiung, Yu Kam-Po Running Time: 87 min.  By Paul Bramhall I may well have swindled myself by watching Pink Force Commando. At the time of writing I’m in the latter stages of a 12-month detox from madcap Taiwanese … Continue reading

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Shaolin Intruders (1983) Review

AKA: Battle for Shaolin Director: Tang Chia Cast: Derek Yee Tung Sing, Lau Yuk Pok, Jason Pai Piao, Elvis Tsui Kam Kong, Chan Shen, Kwan Feng, Lee Hoi San, Philip Ko Fei, Ku Feng, Alan Chan Kwok Kuen Running Time: 95 min.  By Chris Hatcher It’s not every day a good detective mystery shows up in the midst of a great old school kung fu flick. So when a gem like … Continue reading

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