Author Archives: JJ Hatfield

About JJ Hatfield

i like movies

Lament | aka Elegy of the Earth (1997) Review

Posted on March 20, 2011 by JJ Hatfield
"Lament" Korean DVD Cover

AKA: Jisangmanga Director: Kim Hee-Cheol Cast: Shin Hyun-Joon, Lee Byung-Hun, Jeong Seon-Kyung, Choi Hak-Rak, Yeo-kyeong Kim Running Time: 87 min. BY JJ Hatfield When we first meet Lee Kwang Su (Shin Hyun Jun) he is in very bad shape. His entire life he has tried to forget and escape from a nightmare of a childhood. His only family is an older brother who is half insane. Kwang Su does his … Continue reading →

Posted in Korean, Reviews | Tagged , |

Millionaire’s Express | aka Shanghai Express (1986) Review

Posted on March 18, 2011 by JJ Hatfield
"Millionaire's Express" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Sammo Hung Cast: Sammo Hung, Yuen Biao, Olivia Cheng, Eric Tsang, Lam Ching-Ying, Kenny Bee (Chung Chun-To), Cynthia Rothrock, Richard Norton, Yukari Oshima, Wu Ma, Rosamund Kwan, Dick Wei, Richard Ng, Wang Lung-Wei, Yasuaki Kurata (Shoji Kurata), Emily Chu, Yuen Wah, Hwang Jang-Lee, Bolo Yeung Running Time: 98 min. By JJ Hatfield “Millionaire Express” is a film that combines martial arts, comedy and westerns. There are quite possibly more … Continue reading →

Posted in Chinese, Golden Harvest, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Alatriste (2006) Review

Posted on March 18, 2011 by JJ Hatfield

Director: Agustin Diaz Yanes Writer: Agustin Diaz Yanes, Arturo Perez-Reverte Producer: Alvaro Augustin, Antonio Cardenal Cast: Viggo Mortensen, Elena Anaya, Javier Camara, Unax Ugalde, Eduardo Fernandez Running Time: 145 min. By JJ Hatfield This is a great film! I was mesmerized by the story line, the cinematography and the acting. It cannot really be accurate to say it is an action film and yet there is no shortage of action. … Continue reading →

Posted in Other Movies, Reviews | Tagged |

My Young Auntie (1980) Review

Posted on March 10, 2011 by JJ Hatfield
"My Young Auntie" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Lau Kar-Leung Cast: Lau Kar Leung, Kara Hui, Hsiao Hou, Wang Lung Wei, Gordon Liu, Wilson Tong Wai-Shing, Kwan Yung-Moon, Walter Cho Tat-Wah, Yuen Tak, Robert Mak Tak-Law, Wang Ching-Ho, Wang Sha, Ngai Tung-Gwa Running Time: 119 min. By JJ Hatfield My Young Auntie is one of the best period pieces with Lau Kar Leung at the helm. His job was made a lot easier with a cast that … Continue reading →

Posted in Chinese, Reviews, Shaw Brothers | Tagged , , , , , , , |

Jade Warrior | aka Jadesoturi (2006) Review

Posted on March 8, 2011 by JJ Hatfield

Director: Antti-Jussi Annila Cast: Tommi Eronen, Zhang Jingchu, Krista Kosonen, Markku Peltola, Hao Dang, Taishen Cheng, Elle Kull, Liansheng Tong, Qiupu Tao, Xiaomei Tong Running Time: 110 min. By JJ Hatfield When most people think about martial arts they think of China, Japan, and places like Thailand.  Don’t leave out other countries or regions though. If martial arts are practiced in most countries we know of why wouldn’t every place … Continue reading →

Posted in Asian Related, Chinese, Reviews |

El Topo (1970) Review

Posted on March 5, 2011 by JJ Hatfield
"El Topo" Theatrical Poster

Director: Alejandro Jodorowsky Cast: Alejandro Jodorowsky, Brontis Jodorowsky, Mara Lorenzio, David Silva, Paula Romo Running Time: 125 min. By JJ Hatfield “El Topo” is not an easy film to review. For some it is not an easy film to watch. “El Topo” was made in 1968 and hitting the non -conventional movie theatres in 1970. This was the beginning of “midnight movies” that immediately garnered a fanatically devoted cult audience. … Continue reading →

Posted in Other Movies, Reviews |

Django (1966) Review

Posted on March 5, 2011 by JJ Hatfield
"Django" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Sergio Corbucci Cast: Franco Nero, Loredana Nusciak, José Bódalo, Ángel Álvarez, Eduardo Fajardo Running Time: 97 min. By JJ Hatfield “Django” (no not the jazz great) may be considered amongst the “spaghetti westerns” seeing that it was made in Italy and helmed by Sergio Corbucci, with Bruno Corbucci and made Franco Nero a name associated with stardom. “Django” (1966) should really be categorized as a sub genre, with movies … Continue reading →

Posted in Italian, Other Movies, Reviews | Tagged , |

Battle Royale (2000) Review

Posted on March 4, 2011 by JJ Hatfield
"Battle Royale” Japanese Movie Poster

Director: Kinji Fukasaku Cast: Tatsuya Fujiwara, Aki Maeda, Taro Yamamoto, Masanobu Ando, Takeshi Kitano, Kou Shibasaki, Chiaki Kuriyama, Yuko Miyamura, Yuuki Masuda, Sousuke Takaoka Running Time: 114 min. By JJ Hatfield “Battle Royale” is very interesting – interesting beyond the usual curiosity and opinions about books and films. What is most interesting is that those who have not read the book nor viewed the movies are the same ones who … Continue reading →

Posted in Japanese, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , |

Legendary Weapons of China | aka Legendary Weapons of Kung Fu (1982) Review

Posted on March 4, 2011 by JJ Hatfield

Director: Lau Kar-Leung Producer: Run Run Shaw Cast: Liu Chia-Liang, Liu Chia-Yung, Liu Chia-Hui, Hui Ying-Hung, Alexander Fu Sheng, Hsiao Hou Running Time: 107 min. By JJ Hatfield This film is truly a masterpiece and I do not idly toss about such high praise! The story is completely different but it ranks up there with the absolute best in the company of Eight Diagram Pole Fighter and Disciples of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Chinese, Reviews, Shaw Brothers | Tagged , , , , , |

Hero | aka Ma Wing Jing (1997) Review

Posted on March 2, 2011 by JJ Hatfield

Director: Corey Yuen Cast: Takeshi Kaneshiro, Yuen Biao, Valerie Chow, Yuen Wah, Yuen Tak, Jessica Hester, Corey Yuen Running Time: 97 min. By JJ Hatfield Mainland China in the 1920‘s was a time of social upheaval, staggering poverty and petty rulers who cared more about whispered promises from high ranking individuals than the citizens who were suffering horribly. It was a period of extreme drought and poverty that drives two … Continue reading →

Posted in Chinese, Reviews, Shaw Brothers | Tagged , , , , |

Kundun (1997) Review

Posted on March 2, 2011 by JJ Hatfield

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 →

Posted in Asian Related, Reviews | Tagged |

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

Posted on March 1, 2011 by JJ Hatfield
"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 →

Posted in Chinese, Reviews, Shaw Brothers | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , |
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