Author Archives: JJ Bona

Bruce Lee My Brother | aka Young Bruce Lee (2010) Review

"Bruce Lee My Brother" Hong Kong Theatrical Poster

Director: Raymond Yip Co-director: Manfred Wong Cast: Aarif Lee, Tony Leung Ka-fai, Christy Chung, Jennifer Tse, Michelle Ye, Jin Au-yeung, Angela Gong Mi, Wilfred Lau, Lawrence Cheng, Candice Yu, Chin Kar-lok, Frankie Ng, Andrew Nelson, Ken Lo, Kristy Yang, Charles Ying Running Time: 130 min. By Mighty Peking Man Directed by Raymond Yip (The Warlords) and Manfred Wong (prolific writer/producer of hundreds of popular titles), Bruce Lee, My Brother is … Continue reading

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Green Hornet, The (2011) Review

Director: Michel Gondry Cast: Seth Rogen, Jay Chou, Christoph Waltz, Cameron Diaz, Edward James Olmos, Tom Wilkinson, Edward Furlong, Jill Remez, Joe O’Connor, Morgan Rusler Running Time: 110 min. By Ningen Britt Reid’s a goof-off son of a media mogul-played by Seth Rogen-whose dad passes away unexpectedly. After becoming newly acquainted with his dad’s ex-servant, Kato-played by Jay Chou-Britt discovers that Kato’s not just good with making coffee, but also … Continue reading

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2011 Hardest Men in Town: Yakuza Chronicles of Sin, Sex & Violence, March 9-19

This season, Japan Society is proud to present the new Globus Film Series, Hardest Men in Town: Yakuza Chronicles of Sin, Sex & Violence. From March 9 to 19, Japan Society will be screening a series of 15 yakuza films, from 1960s productions featuring chivalrous kimono-clad, sword-wielding gangsters to today’s ruthless gun-toting villains dealing in debt, dark trades and deeds. Featuring films by internationally acclaimed directors such as Takeshi Kitano, … Continue reading

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Longest Nite, The (1998) Review

"The Longest Nite" Theatrical Poster

AKA: The Longest Night Director: Patrick Yau Tat-Chi Cast: Tony Leung Chiu-Wai, Lau Ching-Wan, Maggie Siu Mei-Kei, Lung Fong, Mark Cheng Running Time: 84 min. By Joe909 I’ve read several articles and interviews where HK actors who have come to Hollywood say that they look forward to working over here, because they’ll be able to do more complex movies. Each of them have said that HK audiences are sometimes not … Continue reading

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Hero Never Dies, A (1998) Review

"A Hero Never Dies" Japanese DVD Cover

Director: Johnnie To Cast: Leon Lai Ming, Lau Ching-Wan, Fiona Leung Ngai-Ling, Yoyo Mung Ka-Wai, Henry Fong Ping, Yam Saikoon, Keiji Sato, Michael Lam Wai-Leung, Yen Shi Kwan, Lam Suet, Yuen Bun, Philip Keung Hiu-Man Running Time: 98 min. By Numskull When are people gonna learn that crime doesn’t pay unless you’re O.J. Simpson? In this corner, we have Jack, devoted servant of Mr. Yam, a gang lord who consults … Continue reading

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Revenge DVD (Animeigo)

RELEASE DATE: May 17, 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 … Continue reading

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

Bangkok Dangerous | aka Rain (1999) Review

"Bangkok Dangerous" Japanese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Rain Director: Oxide Pang Co-director: Danny Pang Cast: Pawalit Mongkolpisit, Premsinee Ratanasopha, Patharawarin Timkul, Pisek Intrakanchit Running Time: 105 min. By Woody I’m really drunk right now, so excuse any glaring grammatical errors. “Bangkok Dangerous” is a really awesome low-budget flick. If you were to take Chow Yun Fat out of “The Killer” and replace him with Takeshi Kaneshiro’s character from “Fallen Angels”, you’d have a pretty shitty movie, … Continue reading

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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

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

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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