Author Archives: JJ Bona

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

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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

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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 |

Taxi Driver Blu-ray (Sony)

RELEASE DATE: April 5, 2011 Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has officially announced Taxi Driver for Blu-ray release on April 5, in a 35th Anniversary edition. This gritty urban drama, written by Paul Schrader, directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Robert De Niro as a man driven to violence by loneliness and desperation, won the 1976 Palme d’Or at Cannes and was nominated to four Academy Awards. In a welcome initiative, … Continue reading

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

5 Pattern Dragon Claws | aka Thundering Fist (1983) Review

"5 Pattern Dragon Claws" UK DVD Cover

AKA: 5 Pattern Dragon Claws Director: Godfrey Ho Co-director: Kim Si-Hyeon Cast: Hwang Jang Lee (Wong Cheng Li), Dragon Lee (aka Mun Kyong-sok, Keo Ryong, Guh Ryong), Philip Chan, Kitty Chui, Chris Yung, David Ding Running Time: 86 min. By Joseph Kuby Average Kung Fu movie with few good moments! This is really mediocre stuff when held in comparison to most genre efforts yet I found it watchable (and even … Continue reading

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

Exit the Dragon, Enter the Tiger (1976) Review

"Exit the Dragon, Enter the Tiger" US Theatrical Poster

Director: Lee Tso Nam Writer: Chang Shun Yee Cast: Bruce Li (aka Ho Chung Tao, James Ho), Lung Fei, Ma Chi Chiang, San Moo, An Ping, Kou Shao Po, Ban Kwok Leung, Chin Lu, Chang Sing Yei Running Time: 84 min. By Joseph Kuby Hollywood Class Bruceploitation Actioner! Exit The Dragon, Enter The Tiger is a unique film in the realm of Hong Kong cinema (especially in the 70s) in … Continue reading

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Broken Arrow (1996) Review

Director: John Woo Producer: Terence Chang Cast: John Travolta, Christian Slater, Samantha Mathis, Delroy Lindo, Frank Whaley, Howie Long Running Time: 108 min. By Numskull The John Woo Movie That Is Not A John Woo Movie. The maestro of mayhem served as director and is credited as such, but he had to provie he could turn out a commercially viable, no-frills action flick without getting too violent or stylish for … Continue reading

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Shaolin Prince | aka Death Mask of the Ninja (1983) Review

AKA: Iron Fingers of Death Director: Tong Gaai Producer: Mona Fong Yat Wah Cast: Ti Lung, Derek Yee, Jason Pai Piao, Alan Chan, Ku Feng, Ma Chao, Lam Fai Wong, Kong Do, Yuen Bun, Lee Hoi San, Chan Shen, Cheung Chok Chow, Cheung Gwok Wa, Chui Fat, Goo Goon Chung, Kwan Feng, Lee Fat Yuen, Lee Hang, Ma Hon Yuen, Ngaai Fei, Shum Lo Running Time: 89 min. By Joe909 … Continue reading

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Born to Raise Hell DVD/Blu-ray (Paramount)

RELEASE DATE: April 19, 2011 Paramount Home Entertainment has announced the DVD/Blu-ray release of Born to Raise Hell. This action movie stars Steven Seagal (and yes, it’s direct-to-video) as an cop bent on avenging the death of one of his men, killed while investigating drug trafficking in Eastern Europe. The film is directed by Lauro Chartrand (TV’s Southern Justice, also with Seagal), who also has experience working and fighting with … Continue reading

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

Muay Thai Giant DVD (Magnolia)

RELEASE DATE: April 26, 2011 Magnolia Entertainment will be releasing the martial arts action film “Muay Thai Giant” on DVD and Blu-ray on 4/26/11. It stars Dan Chupong (Born to Fight), Nathan Jones (Tom-Yum-Goong), Kessarin Ektawatkul (Dangerous Flowers).

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

Once Upon a Time in High School | aka The Spirit of Jeet Kune Do (2004) Review

"Once Upon a Time in High School" Korean Theatrical Poster

Director: Yu Ha Cast: Kwon Sang-Woo, Han Ga-In, Lee Jeong-Jin, Kim In-Gweon, Lee Jong-Hyeok, Kim Bu-Seon Running Time: 116 min. By Equinox21 Never have I seen a movie that struck so close to home. Maybe it’s the fact that I’m pining for a girl who is interested in someone else at the moment, in much the same way the main character of OUATIHS is, but I felt the frustration of … Continue reading

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Tekken UK DVD (Optimum)

RELEASE DATE: April 4, 2011 Namco’s Tekken videogame comes to life from director Dwight H. Little (“Rapid Fire”) in this sci-fi action film for Crystal Sky Entertainment. The story surrounds a hero’s quest for freedom as he battles through a space-age martial arts tournament. THE MARINE’s Alan B. McElroy provides the script.

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

Black Dynamite (2009) Review

"Black Dynamite" French Theatrical Poster

Director: Scott Sanders Cast: Michael Jai White, Salli Richardson, Arsenio Hall, Kevin Chapman, Tommy Davidson Running Time: 90 min. By Ningen Black Dynamite’s an ex-CIA agent and Vietnam vet who returns to the force when he finds out his brother OD’ed. He teams up with pimps, hustlers, and Black Panthers to take down the local mob dumping a type of heroin into the black community. What he finds out is … Continue reading

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