Author Archives: JJ Bona

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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Once Upon a Time in China (1990) Review

"Once Upon a Time in China" American Theatrical Poster

Director: Tsui Hark Cast: Jet Li, Yuen Biao, Rosamund Kwan, Kent Cheng, Yen Shi Kwan, Jacky Cheung, Yuen Fai, Karel Wong, Jonathan Isgar, Yuen Cheung Yan, Hung Yan Yan, Mark King, Lau Shun, Leung Kam Shan, Sham Chin Bo, Steve Tartalia, To Wai Wo, Wang Yu, Yau Gin Gwok, Anthony Carpio, Bruce Fontaine, Mike Leeder, Wu Ma, Hui Sze-Man Running Time: 128 min. By James H. I wonder if Tsui … Continue reading

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Who Am I? | aka Nobody (1998) Review

"Who Am I?" Japanese DVD Cover

Director: Benny Chan Cast: Jackie Chan, Michelle Ferre, Mirai Yamamoto, Ron Smerczak, Kwan Yung, Ron Smoorenburg, Michael Ian Lambert, Steve Brettingham, Kane Kosugi, Ken Lo Running Time: 108 min. By Vic Nguyen Hot on the heels of the lackluster Mr. Nice Guy, Jackie churns out this little wonder that recalls some of the good ole days. Jackie plays his usual self named character who goes on a secret mission, but … Continue reading

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Iron Monkey | aka The Young Wong Fei Hong (1993) Review

"Iron Monkey" Chinese DVD Cover

Director: Yuen Woo Ping Producer: Tsui Hark Cast: Donnie Yen Chi Tan, Yu Rong Guang, Tsang Sze Man, Jean Wong Ching Ying, Yen Shi Kwan, Yuen Shun Yee, Lee Fai, Mandy Chan Chi Man, Hsiao Ho, James Wong Jim, Chan Siu Wah, Derek Cheung Running Time: 89 min. By Reefer This Yuen Woo Ping directed prequel to Once Upon A Time In China is about as wire-fu-crazy as a film … Continue reading

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Armour of God II: Operation Condor (1991) Review

"Armour of God II: Operation Condor" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Jackie Chan Cast: Jackie Chan, Carol Cheng, Eva Cobo De Garcia, Ikeda Shoko, Vincent Lyn, Jonathan Isgar, Ken Goodman, Bruce Fontaine, Ken Lo, Aldo Sambrell, Wayne Archer, Nick Brandon, Chan Chi Hwa, Condee, Mark King, Dan Mintz, Bozidar Smiljanic, Steve Tartalia Running Time: 107 min. By Ro Jackie’s Indiana Jones type character is back, but they changed his nickname from ‘The Asian Hawk’ to ‘Condor’ (thus the title) and … Continue reading

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Armour of God (1986) Review

"Armour of God" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Jackie Chan Co-director: Eric Tsang Producer: Leonard Ho Cast: Jackie Chan, Alan Tam, Lola Forner, Rosamund Kwan, Ken Boyle, John Ladalski, Bozidar Smiljanic, Wayne Archer, Kenny Bee, Anthony Chan Yau Running Time: 98 min. By James H. I see this movie (along with “First Strike”) as kind of a ‘what if’ movie. I can see the big producers sitting around their conference table and someone probably said, “What if … Continue reading

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Dragon Tamers, The | aka Belles of Taekwondo (1975) Review

"The Dragon Tamers" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: John Woo Cast: Ji Han Jae, James Tien, Carter Wong Ka Tat, Yeung Wai, Chan Chuen, Gam Kei Chu, Hsu Hsia, Yuen Wah, Chui Man Fooi, Yue Yin Ching Running Time: 107 min. By Alvin George Long before he was a master of “heroic bloodshed” gangster films, John Woo was just another young director struggling to make it in the Hong Kong film industry. The chop-socky thriller known as … Continue reading

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Kick-Ass (2010) Review

"Kick-Ass" Korean Theatrical Poster

Director: Matthew Vaughn Cast: Aaron Johnson, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Mark Strong, Chloe Grace Moretz, Nicolas Cage Running Time: 117 min. By Mighty Peking Man Dave Lizewski (Aaron Johnson), a not-so-average comic book dork, has had enough of watching innocent people – including himself – be victimized by the scum of society; he orders a cool wetsuit-like costume from amazon.com, arms himself with a pair of batons and begins training (which mostly … Continue reading

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Tattoo Connection, The | aka Black Belt Jones 2 (1978) Review

"The Tattoo Connection" Theatrical Poster

AKA: Hong Kong Connection Director: Lee Tso Nam Cast: Chan Lau, Chan Sing, Cheng Fu Hung, Jim Kelly, Kong Do, Tony Leung Siu Hung, Sham Chin Bo, Tan Tao Liang, Wan Faat, Bolo Yeung, Lee Hoi San Running Time: 90 min. By Joseph Kuby Disclaimer: The real title for the film is ‘The Tattoo Connection’ though the UK DVD is called Black Belt Jones 2, even the original theatrical trailers … Continue reading

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Avenging Boxer | aka Method Man (1979) Review

AKA: Fearless Young Boxer Director: Jimmy Shaw Feng Producer: Jimmy Shaw Feng Cast: Peter Chang, Casanova Wong, Hwa Ling, Chan Wai Lau, Lee Kwan, Chai Kai, Lung Fei, Ma Chin Ku, Wang Man Chuen, Su Chen Ping, Au Lap Bo, Boon Saam, Geung Yee Gwan, Hui Lap, Philip So Yuen Fung, Wong Gwok Chue, Wong Wing Sang, Woo Hon Cheung, Yuen Sam Running Time: 92 min. By Joseph Kuby This … Continue reading

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Accident, The (1998) Review

Director: Katie Kwan Co-director: Julian Lee Chi Chiu Cast: Gigi Lai Chi, Andrew Lin Hoi, Ben Ng Ngai Cheung, Patrick Tse Yin, Almen Wong Pui Ha, Wong Hei, Christine Ng Wing Meim, Joey Yung Cho Yee Running Time: 83 min. By Gwailo Ponderous 1 hr. 23 min. film by director Julien Lee weaves together stories of lives affected by a train accident. Head scratcher of a film doesn’t seem to … Continue reading

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Now you can get Revenge with Animeigo’s help

Coming April 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 by Tadashi … Continue reading

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Body Jumper (2001) Review

AKA: Porp Weed Sayong Director: Haeman Chatemee Cast: Danai Samutkochorn, Angie Grant, Chompunoot Piyapane, Chatewut Watcharakhun, Chaicharn Nimpulsawasdi, Napatsanun Thaweekitthavorn Running Time: 98 min. By Numskull Body Jumper is a horror-comedy that has but two settings: “Knowingly Campy” for the former aspect and “Gleefully Lowbrow” for the latter. It’s good fun, but there are no genuine scares to be had, and at some point even the most thick-headed viewer will … Continue reading

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