Author Archives: JJ Bona

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

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

Evolution of Collecting Kung Fu & Asian Film

With the infinite amount of websites, eBay, and other online retailers; Asian/kung fu movie fanatics have it really good these days. Especially for the crowd who take advantage of bootlegs, DVD-R swapping and those sneaky forms of file sharing. This wasn’t exactly the case in the 1980s and throughout most of the 1990s; back then, Asian movies were obtainable, but they weren’t a click away. The Early-Mid 1980s: Rent it. … Continue reading

Posted in Features |

Prodigal Son, The (1982) Review

"The Prodigal Son" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Pull No Punches Director: Sammo Hung Cast: Yuen Biao, Frankie Chan, Lam Ching-Ying, Sammo Hung, Wei Pei, Peter Chan, Dick Wei, Wei Pei, Wu Ma, James Tien, Pang Yun-Cheung, Yuen Miu Running Time: 100 min. By Joe909 In my “Invincible Shaolin” review, I wrote that I’d never seen a New Wave Hong Kong movie that could hold a candle to a Shaw Brothers film. Well, I finally have, and … Continue reading

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

Righting Wrongs | aka Above the Law (1986) Review

"Righting Wrongs" International Theatrical Poster

Director: Corey Yuen Producer: Leonard Ho Cast: Yuen Biao, Cynthia Rothrock, Melvin Wong, Corey Yuen, Wu Ma, Fan Siu Wong, James Tien, Sandy Chan, Karen Sheperd, Lau Siu Ming, Baan Yun Sang, Stephen Chan, Cheng Siu Ping, Roy Chiao, Chin Yuet Sang, Peter Cunningham Running Time: 100 min. By Numskull I don’t know what to say. Did you know… DID, YOU, KNOW that the legal system protects the guilty, rather … Continue reading

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Anonymous Heroes (1971) Review

Director: Chang Cheh Producer: Sir Run Run Shaw Cast: David Chiang, Ti Lung, Cheng Li, Ku Feng, Wang Chung, Tong Dik, Yen Shi Kwan Running Time: 100 min. By Joe909 Most old school movies ask for a suspension of disbelief, but Anonymous Heroes asks you to abandon all concept of reality. If you buy into the film, you will be treated to a light-hearted (albeit violent) adventure, but if you … Continue reading

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

Game of Death (1978) Review

"Game of Death" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Robert Clouse Cast: Bruce Lee, Kim Tai-chung, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Colleen Camp, Gig Young, Dean Jagger, Sammo Hung, Bob Wall, Mel Novak, Hugh O’Brian, James Tien, Roy Chiao, Hon Tsoi Chi, Casanova Wong, Billy McGill Running Time: 92 min. By Joseph Kuby At best, this is a quintessential example of a good/bad movie. Brandon Lee was said to have hated this film with a passion! It’s funny, because even with the original footage, … Continue reading

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

Secret of the Urn DVD (Animego)

RELEASE DATE: April 12, 2011 After losing both an eye and an arm to treachery while on a mission for his clan, Samanosuke (Kinnosuke NAKAMURA) becomes a ronin who calls himself TANGE Sazen. When a stolen urn that contains the secret to a treasure worth a million gold coins falls into his one remaining hand, all sorts of villains, including a high-ranking Shogunate minister, plot to relieve him of his … Continue reading

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

Jet Li 3-Pack Blu-ray (Dragon Dynasty)

RELEASE DATE: May 24, 2011 Dragon Dynasty is releasing a special 3-pack Jet Li Blu-ray set. No word on what the titles will be, but since it’s it’s specially priced set, it will probably be the previously released (individually) Blu-ray titles: Fist of Legend, Tai Chi Master and The Legend (aka Legend of Fong Sai Yuk).

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

Young Master, The (1980) Review

"The Young Master" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Jackie Chan Cast: Jackie Chan, Wai Pak, Lily Li, Sek Kin, Yuen Biao, Tien Feng, Wang In Sik, Fung Hak On, Lee Hoi San, Chiang Kam, Fan Mei Sheng, Fung Fung, Ma Chao Running Time: 105 min. By Numskull Would it be considered heresey, sacrilege, blasphemy, etc., if I said that this movie is superior to Jackie’s most beloved ’70s kung fu comedy, Drunken Master? Well, it is, in … Continue reading

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Five Deadly Venoms Blu-ray (Dragon Dynasty)

RELEASE DATE: May 17, 2011 The Chang Cheh classic, as you’ve never seen in, in hi-def! The dying master of the powerful Poison Clan assigns his final martial arts student one last, epic quest find his 5 most mysterious and dangerous disciples, each trained in a different fighting style, and bring them together to root out a conspiracy that could divide and destroy the entire clan.

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

Fulltime Killer (2001) Review

"Fulltime Killer" Japanese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Full Time Killer Director: Johnnie To, Wai Ka Fai Cast: Andy Lau, Takashi Sorimachi, Kelly Lin, Simon Yam, Cherrie Ying, Lam Suet, Teddy Lin Wai Kin, Rocky Lai Keung Kun, Liu Chun Hung Running Time: 96 min. By Alexander Johnnie To hasn’t had the international success of Zhang Yimou (Hero, House of Flying Daggers); the critical acclaim of Wong Kar Wai (Chungking Express, In the Mood For Love); or … Continue reading

Posted in Chinese, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , |

Men Suddenly in Black (2003) Review

Director: Pang Ho Cheung Producer: Eric Tsang Cast: Eric Tsang, Jordan Chan, Chapman To, Gu Zong Chao, Teresa Mo, Candy Lo, Marsha Yuen, Tiffany Lee, Tony Leung Ka Fai, Maria Cordero Running Time: 99 min. By Equinox21 I’ve seen a number of parodies of Hong Kong crime movies, comedic plays on the ol’ cops vs. triad genre, but none so well done and funny as Men Suddenly In Black. This … Continue reading

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Anna Magdalena | aka Kissing You (1998) Review

Director: Yee Chung Man Writer: Ivy Ho Sai Hong Producer: Claudia Chung Chun Cast: Kelly Chen Wai Lam, Kaneshiro Takeshi, Leo Ku Kui Kei, Aaron Kwok Fu Sing, Wei Wei, Pauline Yeung Yung Lin, Jacky Cheung Hok Yau, Leslie Cheung Kwok, Josie Ho Chiu Yee, Eric Tsang Chi Wai, Anita Yuen Wing Yee Running Time: 98 min. By Vic Nguyen The UFO Film Group and Japan’s Amuse Entertainment collaborated to … Continue reading

Posted in Chinese, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , |

Whispering Corridors (1998) Review

AKA: Whispering Corridor Director: Park Gi-Hyeong Producer: Lee Chun-Yeon Cast: Park Jin-Hee, Lee Mi-Yeon, Kim Gyu-Ri, Choi Gang-Hee, Yun Ji-Hye, Park Yong-Su Running Time: 107 min. By Equinox21 Lovers of the 1999 hit Memento Mori take note, its prequel, Whispering Corridors, will definitely entertain. The stories both take place in an all-girl’s school, with some supernatural goings on. Memento Mori was the first Korean film I ever saw, and at … Continue reading

Posted in Korean, Reviews |