Yearly Archives: 2011

Kundun (1997) Review

Director: Martin Scorsese Writer: Melissa Mathison Producer: Barbara De Fina Cast: Henry Yuk, Tenzin Thuthob Tsarong, Gyurme Tethong, Tulku Jamyang Kunga Tenzin, Tenzin Yeshi Paichang Running Time: 134 min. By JJ Hatfield “Kundun” is the fascinating true story of the life and challenges of the ruler of Tibet during times of extreme turmoil. The 14th Kundun is known to most of the world as the Dalai Lama. This excellent film … Continue reading

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Eight Diagram Pole Fighter | aka Invincible Pole Fighter (1983) Review

"Eight Diagram Pole Fighter" Hong Kong Theatrical Poster

Director: Liu Chia-Liang Writer: Liu Chia-Liang Cast: Gordon Liu Chia Hui, Alexander Fu Sheng, Kara Hui Ying Hung, Lily Li Li Li, Philip Ko Fei, Lin Ke Ming, Johnny Wang Lung Wei, Chu Tiet Wo Running Time: 99 min. By JJ Hatfield Eight Diagram Pole Fighter is truly a magnificent film! The cast and crew performed wonderfully in this most heartbreaking, disturbing, vicious and bloody film Lau Kar Leung and … Continue reading

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Goemon Blu-ray/DVD (Funimation)

RELEASE DATE: April 19, 2011 From the director of Cassher (Kazuaki Kiriya) comes Goemon, a 2009 Japanese historical fantasy film directed and written by Kazuaki Kiriya. It is loosely based on the story of Ishikawa Goemon, a legendary ninja bandit hero who stole valuables from the rich and gave them to the poor. Crafted with over 2500 visual effects, the director of Casshern, Kazuaki Kiriya, weaves action with Japanese history … Continue reading

Posted in Asian Titles, DVD/Blu-ray New Releases, Martial Arts Titles |

True Game of Death (1981) Review

"True Game of Death" US Theatrical Poster

Director: Steve Harries Co-director: Chen Ten Tai Cast: Bruce Hsao Lung (aka Lung Tien-Hsiang), Alice Meyer, George Stephens (George Steve), Kim Sing, Michiyama Ichiro, Bruce Lee (stock footage) Running Time: 90 min. By Jeff Bona True Game of Death is a blatant rip-off of Robert Clouse’s 1978 Game of Death. Both movies revolve around martial arts superstars (substitute Tai Chung Kim’s Billy Lo for Shou Lung) who get hassled by … Continue reading

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Bruce Lee My Brother | aka Young Bruce Lee (2010) Review

"Bruce Lee My Brother" Hong Kong Theatrical Poster

Director: Raymond Yip Co-director: Manfred Wong Cast: Aarif Lee, Tony Leung Ka-fai, Christy Chung, Jennifer Tse, Michelle Ye, Jin Au-yeung, Angela Gong Mi, Wilfred Lau, Lawrence Cheng, Candice Yu, Chin Kar-lok, Frankie Ng, Andrew Nelson, Ken Lo, Kristy Yang, Charles Ying Running Time: 130 min. By Mighty Peking Man Directed by Raymond Yip (The Warlords) and Manfred Wong (prolific writer/producer of hundreds of popular titles), Bruce Lee, My Brother is … Continue reading

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Man Called Tiger, The (1973) Review

"The Man Called Tiger" Hong Kong Theatrical Poster

Director: Lo Wei Producer: Raymond Chow Cast: Jimmy Wang Yu, Okada Kawai, Maria Yi, James Tien, Han Ying Chieh, Lee Kwan, Tien Feng, Lo Wei, Lam Ching Ying, Shikamura Yasuyoshi Running Time: 76 min. By Jeff Bona The Man Called Tiger is the story of a no-nonsense tough guy (Jimmy Wang Yu) who infiltrates the local Yakuza to investigate the truth behind his father’s death. Teaming up with a fellow Chinaman (James … Continue reading

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Green Hornet, The (2011) Review

Director: Michel Gondry Cast: Seth Rogen, Jay Chou, Christoph Waltz, Cameron Diaz, Edward James Olmos, Tom Wilkinson, Edward Furlong, Jill Remez, Joe O’Connor, Morgan Rusler Running Time: 110 min. By Ningen Britt Reid’s a goof-off son of a media mogul-played by Seth Rogen-whose dad passes away unexpectedly. After becoming newly acquainted with his dad’s ex-servant, Kato-played by Jay Chou-Britt discovers that Kato’s not just good with making coffee, but also … Continue reading

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2011 Hardest Men in Town: Yakuza Chronicles of Sin, Sex & Violence, March 9-19

This season, Japan Society is proud to present the new Globus Film Series, Hardest Men in Town: Yakuza Chronicles of Sin, Sex & Violence. From March 9 to 19, Japan Society will be screening a series of 15 yakuza films, from 1960s productions featuring chivalrous kimono-clad, sword-wielding gangsters to today’s ruthless gun-toting villains dealing in debt, dark trades and deeds. Featuring films by internationally acclaimed directors such as Takeshi Kitano, … Continue reading

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Edge of Fury (1978) Review

"Edge of Fury" US Theatrical Poster

Director: Lee Tso Nam Writer: Ding Sin Saai Cast: Bruce Li (Ho Chung Tao), Dana Tsen (Danna), Tommy Lee, Yasuaki Kurata, Michelle Mai Suet, Wai Lit, Kao Yuan, Pak Man Biu, David Cheng Dai Wai Running Time: 84 min. By Jeff Bona  A wealthy business man is arrested and sentenced to death for drug smuggling, and it’s up to his trustworthy chauffer, Fang Pao (Bruce Li), to unravel the mystery … Continue reading

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Longest Nite, The (1998) Review

"The Longest Nite" Theatrical Poster

AKA: The Longest Night Director: Patrick Yau Tat-Chi Cast: Tony Leung Chiu-Wai, Lau Ching-Wan, Maggie Siu Mei-Kei, Lung Fong, Mark Cheng Running Time: 84 min. By Joe909 I’ve read several articles and interviews where HK actors who have come to Hollywood say that they look forward to working over here, because they’ll be able to do more complex movies. Each of them have said that HK audiences are sometimes not … Continue reading

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Hero Never Dies, A (1998) Review

"A Hero Never Dies" Japanese DVD Cover

Director: Johnnie To Cast: Leon Lai Ming, Lau Ching-Wan, Fiona Leung Ngai-Ling, Yoyo Mung Ka-Wai, Henry Fong Ping, Yam Saikoon, Keiji Sato, Michael Lam Wai-Leung, Yen Shi Kwan, Lam Suet, Yuen Bun, Philip Keung Hiu-Man Running Time: 98 min. By Numskull When are people gonna learn that crime doesn’t pay unless you’re O.J. Simpson? In this corner, we have Jack, devoted servant of Mr. Yam, a gang lord who consults … Continue reading

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Revenge DVD (Animeigo)

RELEASE DATE: May 17, 2011 A minor quarrel escalates into a duel. A death creates a debt of honor. The demands of honor outweigh the demands of justice, and force friends to spill each other’s blood. And the need for victory requires the sacrifice of honor. One simple argument spawns death, madness, and a final confrontation that will leave the sandy soil soaked with blood. Starring Kinnosuke Nakamura, and directed … Continue reading

Posted in Asian Titles, DVD/Blu-ray New Releases, Martial Arts Titles |

Bangkok Dangerous | aka Rain (1999) Review

"Bangkok Dangerous" Japanese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Rain Director: Oxide Pang Co-director: Danny Pang Cast: Pawalit Mongkolpisit, Premsinee Ratanasopha, Patharawarin Timkul, Pisek Intrakanchit Running Time: 105 min. By Woody I’m really drunk right now, so excuse any glaring grammatical errors. “Bangkok Dangerous” is a really awesome low-budget flick. If you were to take Chow Yun Fat out of “The Killer” and replace him with Takeshi Kaneshiro’s character from “Fallen Angels”, you’d have a pretty shitty movie, … Continue reading

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Beautiful Boxer (2004) Review

"Beautiful Boxer" International Theatrical Poster

Director: Ekachai Uekrongtham Cast: Asanee Suwan, Sorapong Chatree, Orn-Anong Panyawong, Kyoko Inoue, Yuka Hyodo Running Time: 114 min. By Ningen An arthouse alternative to Ong Bak, Beautiful Boxer is a powerful, emotional, and riveting saga of an ordinary person named Nong Toom who takes up Muy Thai in order to fight in tournaments and get the money needed for a sex change operation. Raised in a poor nomadic family, Toom … Continue reading

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Crippled Avengers | aka Mortal Combat (1978) Review

"Crippled Avengers" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Crippled Heroes Director: Chang Cheh Cast: Chen Kuan Tai, Lu Feng, Philip Kwok, Johnny Wang, Lo Meng, Chiang Sheng, Sun Chien, Dick Wei, Jamie Luk Kim Ming, Cheng Miu, Helen Poon Bing Seung, Chan Hung, Chow Kin Ping, Chui Tai Ping, Ha Kwok Wing Running Time: 99 min. By Joe909 This is often considered the Venoms’ best movie, though I prefer a few others to it. It has action, … Continue reading

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