Author Archives: JJ Bona

Medallion, The | aka Highbinders (2003) Review

"The Medallion" Korean Theatrical Poster

Director: Gordon Chan Cast: Jackie Chan, Claire Forlani, Lee Evans, Julian Sands, Alexander Bao, Anthony Wong, Christy Chung, Johann Myers, John Rhys-Davies, Scott Adkins, Paul Andreovski, Nicola Berwick, Anthony Carpio Running Time: 88 min. By Reefer Jackie Chan’s The Medallion is rare film. Rare, because its Jackie’s most CGI-enhanced film to date. Rare, because he actually has a make-out scene with his lovely co-star. And finally rare, because it suffers … Continue reading

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Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow (1978) Review

"Snake in the Eagle's Shadow" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Yuen Woo Ping Producer: Ng See Yuen Cast: Jackie Chan, Chiang Kam, Simon Yuen, Hwang Jang Lee, Hsu Hsia, Dean Shek, Charlie Chan, Peter Chan, Chu Chi Ling, Fung King Man, Roy Horan Running Time: 98 min. By Ro This one opens with Jackie performing an incredible kata. For the uninitiated – a kata is a series of kicks, blocks and punches aimed at invisible opponents. It’s carefully choreographed, … Continue reading

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Drunken Master III (1994) Review

"Drunken Master III" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Drunken Master Killer Director: Lau Kar Leung Cast: Willie Chi Tin Sang, Michelle Reis, Lau Kar Leung, Gordon Liu Chia Hui, Adam Cheng Siu Chow, Andy Lau Tak Wah, William Ho Ka Kui, Giorgio Pasotti, Lau Kar Yung, Bradley James Allan, Simon Yam Running Time: 91 min. By Reefer The beautiful, but bratty, Michelle Li was about to become a princess. She received the jade ring from an evil … Continue reading

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Drunken Master II (1994) Review

"Drunken Master II" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Jackie Chan Co-director: Lau Kar Leung Cast: Jackie Chan, Anita Mui, Ti Lung, Lau Kar Leung, Felix Wong, Chin Kar Lok, Ho Sung Pak, Ken Lo, Suki Kwan, Lau Siu Ming, Bao Fang, Chan Daat Gong, Cheung Chi Kwong, Mark King, Johnny Cheung, Ho Pak Kwong, Mark Houghton Running Time: 95/102 min. By TheFrankEinstein Jackie Chan is THE MAN. If there was any doubt in your silly little head … Continue reading

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Drunken Master (1978) Review

"Drunken Master" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Yuen Woo Ping Producer: Ng See Yuen Cast: Jackie Chan, Simon Yuen, Hwang Jang Lee, Lam Kau, Dean Shek, Hsu Hsia, Linda Lin Jing, Tino Wong Cheung, San Kuai, Lee Chun Hwa, Chiang Kam, Fung King Man, Ho Tin Shing, Huang Ha, Max Lee Running Time: 106 min. By Mairosu Is there any genre in this world more prolific than the Hong Kong martial arts one? For decades already … Continue reading

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Magnificent Bodyguards (1978) Review

AKA: Magnificent Guardsmen Director: Lo Wei Writer: Gu Long Cast: Jackie Chan, James Tien, Bruce Leung, Wong Ping, Lau Ming, Wong Gwan, Lee Man Tai, Chui Yuen, Fang Fang, Ching Kuo Chung, Chu Siu Wa, Ko Keung, Mau Ging Shun, Shikamura Yasuyoshi, Wong Ching, Yau Pang Sang Running Time: 78 min. By Numskull Another corny kung fu melodrama from the cinematic mastermind who brought us Killer Meteors and To Kill … Continue reading

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Bio-Cops | aka Bio Cops (2000) Review

Director: Steve Cheng Wai Man Writer: Szeto Cheuk Hon Producer: Steve Cheng Wai Man Cast: Alice Chan Wai, Chin Kar Lok, Lilian Chin Wai Ming, Stephen Fung Tak Lun, Hui Siu Hung, Benny Lai Chun, Sam Lee Chan Sam, Samuel Leung Cheuk Moon, Frankie Ng Chi Hung, Jude Poyer, Ronald Wong Pan Running Time: 88 min. By T-Style Whoa, look at the cover, Stephen Fung and Sam Lee… can’t be … Continue reading

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Bio-Zombie | aka Bio Zombie (1998) Review

"Bio-Zombie" American DVD Cover

Director: Wilson Yip Producer: Joe Ma Cast: Jordan Chan Siu Chun, Emotion Cheung Kam Ching, Frankie Chin Chi Leung, Matt Chow Hoi Kwong, Bonnie Lai Suk Yin, Sam Lee Chan Sam, Ken Lok Tat Wah, Tam Suk Mui, Angela Tong Ying Ying Running Time: 94 min. By Alexander Thank god for Angela Tong. Had she not been so damn pleasant to look at I might have ripped Bio Zombie from … Continue reading

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Big Heat, The (1988) Review

"The Big Heat" Chinese DVD Cover

Director: Andrew Kam Co-director: Johnnie To Co-director: Tsui Hark Cast: Waise Lee, Paul Chu Kong, Philip Kwok, Joey Wong, Stuart Ong, Michael Chow, Ken Boyle, Kirk Wong, Gordon Chan, Roy Cheung, Gwaan Gaam Ming, Kong Long, Peter Lai, Robin Shou, Tsui Hark Running Time: 92 min. By Numskull The first half of The Big Heat is a big snore, and even when the story picks up, you’ll still be yawning … Continue reading

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Born to Defend | aka Final Fight (1990) Review

"Born to Defend" Movie Poster

AKA: Born to Defense Director: Jet Li Cast: Jet Li, Paulo Tocha, Cho Wing, Dean Harrington, Mark King, Deon Lam Dik On, Dan Mintz Running Time: 90 min. By Numskull Jet Li’s directorial debut is better than some of his other films with more accomplished and recognized directors, but don’t be too quick to chalk that up to an abundance of talent on his part. When “some of his other … Continue reading

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Big Bullet | aka EU Strike Force (1996) Review

"Big Bullet" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Benny Chan Cast: Lau Ching Wan, Jordan Chan, Spencer Lam Seung Yi, Theresa Lee, Woody Chan Chin Pang, Francis Ng Chun Yu, Anthony Wong, Yu Rong Guang, Berg Ng Ting Yip, William Tuan Wai Lun, Steve Brettingham, Bruce Fontaine, Vincent Kok, Michael Ian Lambert Running Time: 91 min. By Reefer Cop roles are like assholes, every actor has at least one. Lau Ching Wan has certainly had his share. … Continue reading

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Peace Hotel (1995) Review

Director: Wai Ka Fai Writer: Wai Ka Fai Producer: John Woo Cast: Chow Yun Fat, Cecilia Yip Tung, Chin Ho, Lau Shun, Annabelle Lau Hiu Tung, Liu Fan, Mai Kei, Joe Cheng Cho, Lee Siu Kei, Victor Hon Kwan, Terrence Fok, Patrick Hon Jun, Gary Mak Wing Lun, Nam Yin, Sung Boon Chung, Four Tse Liu Shut, Bobby Yip Kin Sang, Wu Chien Lien Running Time: 89 min. By Numskull … Continue reading

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Occupant, The (1984) Review

"The Occupant" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Ronny Yu Cast: Chow Yun Fat, Raymond Wong, Sally Yeh, Lo Lieh, Mak Git Man, Mama Hung, Kenny Ho, Wellington Fung Wing, Leung Ga Git, Yiu Yau Hung, Melvin Wong Running Time: 95 min. By Numskull One paragraph is all I’m writing for The Occupant, because that’s all it deserves. It’s a painfully dull ghost story starring Chow Yun-Fat (shortly before A Better Tomorrow made his ass famous) and … Continue reading

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Once Upon a Time in China and America (1997) Review

"Once Upon a Time in China and America" International Theatrical Poster

AKA: Once Upon a Time in China 6 Director: Sammo Hung Cast: Jet Li, Rosamund Kwan, Hung Yan Yan, Benny Chan, Patrick Lung, Johnny Koo, Jeff Wolfe, Joe Sayah, Jean Wong Ching Ying, Roger Yuan, Richard Ng Running Time: 99 min. By Reefer Once Upon A Time in China & America is a departure from the other five entries in Tsui Hark’s series based on the adventures of real-life historical … Continue reading

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Once Upon a Time in China II (1992) Review

"Once Upon a Time in China II" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Tsui Hark Cast: Jet Li, Donnie Yen, Rosamund Kwan Chi Lam, David Chiang, Max Mok Siu Chung, Hung Yan Yan, Zhang Tie Lin, Paul Fonoroff, William Ho Ka Kui, Yen Shi Kwan, Deon Lam Dik On, Ernest Mauser, Mike Miller, Mike Leeder Running Time: 112 min. By James H. We all know the rule of the sequels. We all know they match the original. However, there are a few … Continue reading

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