Author Archives: JJ Bona

Fists of Bruce Lee | aka Interpol (1978) Review

"Fists of Bruce Lee" US Theatrical Poster

Director: Ho Chung Tao  Producer: Chang Yon Har Cast: Bruce Li (Ho Chung Tao, James Ho), Chan Wai Lau, Lo Lieh, Wong Fei Lung, Wong Chi Sang, Paul Wei Ping Ao, Sham Chin-Bo, Chu Shao-Hwa, Robert Kerver Running Time: 94 min. By Joseph Kuby Semi Spy Spoof! The true title for this film is Interpol as the film has no real connection to Bruce Lee other than that the film’s star … Continue reading

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

Gold Connection, The | aka The Iron Dragon Strikes Back (1979) Review

"The Iron Dragon Strikes Back" US Theatrical Poster

Director: Kuei Chih-Hung Producer: Alex Gouw Cast: Bruce Li (aka Ho Chung Tao, James Ho), Hon Gwok Choi, Lin Ke Ming, Philip Ko Fei, San Kuai, Wai Lit, Leung Gwing Wan, Lee Fat Yuen, Nick Lam Wai Kei, Shikamura Yasuyoshi, Chu Chi Ling, Li Chao, Sham Chin Bo Running Time: 87 min. By Joe909 Iron Dragon Strikes Back (aka The Gold Connection) kicks its way out of the typical tedium of … Continue reading

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Uninvited, The (2003) Review

Director: Lee So-Youn Cast: Jun Ji-Hyun (Chon Ji-Yeon, Jeon Ji-Hyeon, Joon Ji-Hyun, Gianna Jun), Park Shin-Yang, Kim Yeo-Jin Park, Won-Sang Jeong Wuk, Lee Ju-Sil Running Time: 128 min. By Mighty Peking Man One day Jung-Won (Park Shin-Yang) falls asleep on a subway train. Once his stop point comes, he awakens and gets off. Just as he steps out, he turns around and notices two little girls, abandoned, sleeping peacefully on … Continue reading

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La Belle (2000) Review

AKA: Mi In; Love Remembered By The Body Director: Yeo Kyun-Dong Writer: Lee Sang-woo, Yeo Kyun-Dong Producer: Yoo In-taek Cast: Lee Ji-hyun, Oh Ji-ho, Cho Kyeong-hwan, Cho Kyeong-uk Running Time: 91 min. By Alexander Get two models. Any two will do. Put them in a stylishly furnished loft with a gorgeous view. Lock the door. Encourage your “actors” to improvise their dialogue and fuck each other often. Refer occasionally to … Continue reading

Posted in Korean, Reviews |

Il Mare (2000) Review

"Il Mare" Korean Theatrical Poster

Director: Lee Hyeon-Seung Producer: Cha Seung-Jae Cast: Lee Jeong-Jae, Jun Ji-Hyun (Chon Ji-Yeon, Jeon Ji-Hyeon, Joon Ji-Hyun, Gianna Jun) Running Time: 90 min. By Owlman Have you ever wondered what you would do if you discovered a device for time travel? Would you use it to discover what future lies ahead of you? Or would you use it to make changes in the past? Or better yet, would you use … Continue reading

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Sad Movie (2005) Review

"Sad Movie" Korean Theatrical Poster

Director: Kwon Jong-Gwan Cast: Jeong Woo-Sung (Jung Woo-Sung), Im Su-Jeong (Im Su-Jung), Cha Tae-Hyeon (Cha Tae-Hyun), Yeom Jung-A, Yeo Jin-Gu, Shin Min-A, Son Tae-Young Running Time: 108 min. By Mighty Peking Man Kwon Jong-Gwan’s Sad Movie is a damn near perfect piece of cinema. From start to finish, it keeps your attention. It’s a great looking movie that feels refreshing, vibrant and tight. There’s not a dull moment I can … Continue reading

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Asako in Ruby Shoes | aka Sunaebo (2000) Review

Director: E J-Yong Producer: Koo Bon-Han, Tsuchida Masaki, Iwata Hitoshi Cast: Lee Jeong-Jae, Misato Dachibana, Kim Gumija, Kim Min-Hee, Ren Osugi Running Time: 115 min. By Mlindber Asako in Ruby Shoes is another one of those great films from Korea in a genre you’d normally hate. You know the type. The movie is about a guy named U-in (Lee Jung-jae) from Korea, how much of a loser he is, and … Continue reading

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Anarchists, The (2000) Review

"The Anarchists" Korean Theatrical Poster

Director: Yu Yeong-Sik Cast: Jang Dong-Geon, Kim Sang-Jung, Jeong Jun-Ho, Lee Beom-Su, Kim In-Gweon, Ye Ji-Won, Jeong Won-Jung, Lee Chan-Yeong, Seo Ji-Won Running Time: 108 min. By Equinox21 When I heard that this movie was written by Park Chan-wook (writer and director of J.S.A. and Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance), I got really excited about seeing it. However, I then noticed the low rating it had on the Internet Movie Database, … Continue reading

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Afrika (2002) Review

"Afrika" Korean Theatrical Poster

Director: Shin Seung-Soo Writer: Shin Seung-Su Cast: Lee Yu-Won, Kim Min-Sun, Jo Eun-Ji, Lee Young-Jin, Sung Ji-Ru, Park Young-Gyu Running Time: 109 min. By Mighty Peking Man Lee Yu-Won (“Attack the Gas Station”), Kim Min-Sun (“Memento Mori”), Jo Eun-Ji (“Tears”) and Lee Young-Jin (also of “Memento Mori”) star in this colorful, light hearted, chick-flick that brings back fond memories of 1985’s “The Legend of Billie Jean.” It’s quite clear that … Continue reading

Posted in Korean, Reviews |

3-Iron (2004) Review

Director: Kim Ki-Duk Writer: Kim Ki-Duk Producer: Kim Ki-Duk Cast: Lee Seung-Yeon, Jae Hee, Kwon Hyeok-Ho Running Time: 90 min. By Alexander Albeit difficult, it’s possible to tell a compelling story without the use of dialogue. While I’m fond of movies that balance exciting imagery with snappy conversation–like Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction, Sofia Coppola’s Lost in Translation, Pedro Amaldovar’s Talk to Her and William Golding’s Princess Bride, to name a … Continue reading

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301 302 (1995) Review

Director: Park Chul-soo Writer: Lee Seo-Gun Producer: Park Chul-soo Cast: Bang Eun-Jin (Pang Eun-Jin), Hwang Shin-Hye, Kim Chu-Ryun Running Time: 94 Min. By Equinox21 The Korean movie 301 302 was one of the strangest I’ve seen in a while. It wasn’t hard to follow at all, nor was it as disturbing as other Asian movies I’ve seen, but it did seem to spark a mixture of feelings that I’d gotten … Continue reading

Posted in Korean, Reviews |

Old Boy (2003) Review

"Oldboy" Japanese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Oldboy Director: Park Chan-wook Cast: Choi Min-Sik, Yu Ji-Tae, Kang Hye-Jeong, Ji Dae-Han, Oh Dal-Su, Kim Byeong-Ok, Kim Su-Hyeon, Park Myeong-Sin, Lee Dae-Yeon, Yun Jin-Seo Running Time: 120 min. By Owlman Oldboy is one of those films that prove difficult to review. Not because it wasn’t entertaining (it very much was). Nor was the storyline and character development lacking (storyline was very engaging, character development was strong). No, it’s … Continue reading

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Foul King, The (2000) Review

"Foul King" Korean Theatrical Poster

AKA: Foul King Director: Kim Ji Woon (Kim Ji Wun) Cast: Song Kang-Ho, Jang Jin-Young, Park Sang-Myeon, Jang Hang-Seon, Jung Woong-In Running Time: 111 min. By Equinox21 The Foul King is the story of Im Dae-ho (Song Kang-ho), a pitiful bank teller with an utter lack of self-confidence. Everyone, from his boss to the gang on the street, beats him up. No one gives him any respect, especially his father … Continue reading

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Fighter in the Wind (2004) Review

"Fighter in the Wind" Korean Theatrical Poster

Director: Yang Yun-Ho Producer: Jeon Ho-Jin Cast: Yang Dong-Geun, Aya Hirayama, Masaya Kato, Jung Tae-Woo, Jung Doo-Hong, Lee Han-Gal Running Time: 120 min. By Owlman I really enjoyed Fighter in the Wind. However, it should be noted that I’ve come to the recent realization that I’m a sucker for “underdog” movies – stories where somebody goes up against seemingly insurmountable odds and triumphs. Films about sports are built around derivatives … Continue reading

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2009 Lost Memories (2001) Review

Director: Lee Si-Myung Producer: Stanley Kim Cast: Jang Dong-Kun, Toru Nakamura, Masaaki Daimon, Shohei Imamura, Nobuyuki Katsube Running Time: 136 min. By Joe909 Do you like well-made action movies? Do you like wholesale scenes of carnage and destruction, complete with explosions, fistfights, and high-tech firearms? Do you thrill to the sight of fully-outfitted SWAT teams, armed to the gills and glaring through red-tinted visors? Do you enjoy the occasional romantic … Continue reading

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