Author Archives: JJ Bona

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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Generation Gap, The (1973) Review

Director: Chang Cheh Producer: Runme Shaw Writer: Chang Cheh Cast: David Chiang, Ti Lung, Agnes Chan, Kong Ling, Lo Dik, Yen Shi Kwan, Dean Shek Tien, Alexander Fu Sheng, Fung Hak On, Ricky Hui Kun Ying, Kong Do Running Time: 113 min. By Mighty Peking Man Generation Gap is about one man’s (David Chiang) long and winding journey to find happiness and freedom-of-choice in a world full of assholes, cunts … Continue reading

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House of Traps (1981) Review

"House of Traps" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Shaolin House of Traps Director: Chang Cheh Cast: Philip Kwok, Chin Siu Ho, Sun Chien, Ngaai Fei, Lu Feng, Lung Tien Hsiang, Chiang Sheng, Cheng Tien Chi, Wong Lik, Siao Yuk, Cheung Kwok Keung, Chu Ko, Chui Tai Ping, Lau Fong Sai, Ngai Tim Choi, Shum Lo Running Time: 91 min. By Joe909 There’s a lot of interest on the Web over House of Traps, as it was the … Continue reading

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Female Convict Scorpion DVD (Tokyo Shock)

RELEASE DATE: April 12, 2011 In the wake of a shocking crime, an ordinary worman is transformed into a fighting machine in this action-drama straight from Japan. Matsu, known to the prisoners as Scorpion, is locked away in the bowels of the prison as revenge for her disfiguring attack on the warden. Granted a one-day reprieve, she attacks the warden again, which leads to more brutal punishment and humiliation. But … Continue reading

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

Drug Addict, The (1973) Review

"The Drug Addicts" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: The Drug Addicts Director: David Chiang Cast: Ti Lung, Wong Chung (Wang Chung), Louise Lee (Si Kei), Paul Chun Pui (Paul Chin Pei), David Chiang, Lo Dik, Kong Do, Lee Hoi Sang, Tino Wong Cheung Running Time: 94 min. By Mighty Peking Man So why were Chang Cheh, David Chiang and Ti Lung given the pseudonym “The Iron Triangle”? Was it because of their long list of badass films … Continue reading

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Psycho Gothic Lolita DVD (Tokyo Shock)

RELEASE DATE: May 24, 2011 A new Japanese action/gore film “Psycho Gothic Lolita” (aka Gothic & Lolita Psycho) will be released by Tokyo Shock. Directed by Go Ohara (Geisha vs Ninjas) and tarring Rina Akiyama, Ruito Aoyagi, Minami Tsukui, and Yourei Yanagi. Makeup/gore effects were handled by Yoshihiro Nishimura (Tokyo Gore Police, Vampire Girl vs Frankenstein Girl).

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

Kung Fu Dunk DVD/Blu-ray (Well Go USA)

RELEASE DATE: May 3, 2011 Starring Green Hornet’s Jay Chou, Eric Tsang and Charlene Choi. Kung Fu Dunk, also known by its former title Slam Dunk, is a 2008 Chinese-language live-action film. It was directed by Taiwanese director Chu Yin-Ping. The film was previously titled Slam Dunk, but later the title has been changed to avoid confusion with the Slam Dunk manga and anime series[1] which it was roughly based … Continue reading

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Struggle Through Death | aka Dragon Fighter (1979) Review

"Struggle Through Death" US DVD Cover

Director: Cheung San Yee Cast: John Liu (Chung Liang), Ma Chiu-Ku, Wei Ping-Ao, Chui Chung Hei, Ma Cheung, Chin Lung, Yue Hang, Ma Yue Fung, Chai Hau Keung Running Time: 96 min. By Joseph Kuby A classic example of a Chinese Opera-seria. For those not familiar with this term, here is the meaning… Opera-seria: (esp. 18th-c. Italian) opera on a serious, usually classical or mythological theme. Thus the classical or … Continue reading

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Dragon the Master (2003) Review

Director: Ray Woo Writer: Ray Woo Producer: Joseph Lai, Ricky Wong, George Lai Cast: Dragon Sek, Karen Cheung, Roy Cheung, Edward So, Billy Chow Bei-Lei, Lily Chung, Huang Yang Running Time: 89 min. By Joseph Kuby OK but no point! Just to save you from watching this movie with no obvious preconception of what this movie is about, I’ll tell you the plot in a nutshell. I know it’s called … Continue reading

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Dangerous Encounters of the First Kind | aka Don’t Play With Fire (1980) Review

"Dangerous Encounters of the First Kind" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Tsui Hark Cast: Lin Chen Chi, Lo Lieh, Tse Bo-law, Lung Tin-sang, Ray Lui, Bruce Barron, Ronny Yu Yan-Tai Running Time: 91 min. By Mighty Peking Man Okay, I’m not sure what was running through Tsui Hark’s mind when when he made this flick, but it takes a twisted, LCD-induced individual to pump out something so bizarre, yet so entertaining. The best thing about Don’t Play With Fire is … Continue reading

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Delinquent, The (1973) Review

"The Delinquent" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Chang Cheh Co-director: Kuei Chih-Hung Cast: Wong Chung (Wang Chung), Lily Li Li-Li, Booi Dai (Betty Pei Ti), Fan Mei Sheng, Dean Shek, Lo Dik, Fung Hak On, Tung Lam, Wong Kwong Yue, Yen Shi Kwan Running Time: 101 min. By Joe909 I was a little hard on this movie, because I felt that Chang Cheh’s handling of the (mostly) same story, four years later in Chinatown Kid, was … Continue reading

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Avenging Eagle | aka Shaolin Hero (1978) Review

AKA: Shaolin Hero Director: Sun Chung Producer: Run Run Shaw, Mona Fong Cast: Ti Lung, Alexander Fu Sheng, Guk Fung, Si Si, Yue Wing, Johnny Wang, Dick Wei, Eddy Ko Hung, Peter Chan Lung, Yuen Bun, Yeung Chi Hing, Bruce Tong Running Time: 100 min. By Joe909 Sun Chung isn’t as well known as fellow Shaw Brothers kung-fu directors Chang Cheh and Liu Chia-Liang, but his films are equal to … Continue reading

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Memoirs of a Lady Ninja DVD (Tokyo Shock)

RELEASE DATE: May 17, 2011 Ninja are assassins with remarkable abilities, and that remains true for their female subset, the kunoichi. When one particular blue-eyed lady ninja discovers a secret scroll of immortality, she finds herself succumbing to the tragic fate of all those who work from the shadows. Memoirs of a Lady Ninja (Onmitsu Kunoichi Retsuden Himerareta Onna Shinobi) is a Japanese original video release written and directed by … Continue reading

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Malay Chronicles: Bloodlines DVD/Blu-ray (Image)

RELEASE DATE: August 9, 2011 Directed by Yusry Kru, The Malay Chronicles: Bloodlines (released in Malaysia as “Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa”) is an adventure feature film set against the backdrop of ancient Malay, Roman and Chinese civilizations. It tells the tale of the journey of Merong Mahawangsa escorting a Roman prince to wed a beautiful Chinese princess during the 2nd century. Featuring an international cast, The Malay Chronicles: Bloodlines combines elements … Continue reading

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

Pale Flower DVD/Blu-ray (Criterion)

RELEASE DATE: May 17, 2011 In this cool, seductive jewel of the Japanese New Wave, a yakuza, fresh out of prison, becomes entangled with a beautiful yet enigmatic gambling addict; what at first seems a redemptive relationship ends up leading him further down the criminal path. Bewitchingly shot and edited and laced with a fever-dream-like score by Toru Takemitsu (Woman in the Dunes, Ran), this breakthrough gangster romance from Masahiro … Continue reading

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