Author Archives: JJ Bona

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

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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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Another Public Enemy | aka Public Enemy 2 (2005) Review

Director: Kang Wu-Seok Cast: Seol Gyeong-Gu, Jeong Jun-Ho, Kang Sin-Il, Park Sang-Wuk, Uhm Tae-Wung, Im Seung-Dae, Park Geun-Hyeong, Byeon Hee-Bong, Jeong Gyu-Su Running Time: 148 min. By Equinox21 Like its prequel, Another Public Enemy focuses on a man of the law named Kang Chul-jung. However, instead of being a corrupt detective, this time the character is a straight as an arrow prosecutor. Even though the character name is the same, … Continue reading

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Public Enemy (2002) Review

"Public Enemy" Korean Theatrical Poster

Director: Kang Woo-Suk Cast: Seol Kyung-Gu, Lee Sung-Jae, Kang Shin-Il, Kim Jeong-Hak, Do Yong-Gu, Ahn Nae-Sang Running Time: 138 min. By Equinox21 In this suspense movie a serial killer is pursued by a bitter, burnt-out, cynical detective. Unlike most suspense/mystery movies, however, the viewer already knows who the murderer is from the moment the crimes are committed, as it’s all shown on screen. But don’t worry, this doesn’t make the … Continue reading

Posted in Korean, Reviews |

Deadly Strike | aka Wanted! Bruce Li, Dead or Alive (1978) Review

AKA: Bruce Lee’s Deadly Strike Director: Huang Lung Producer: Tsai Hsien Action Director: Huang Lung Cast: Bruce Li (aka Ho Chung Tao), Chen Sing, Tang Wei, Lung Fei, Choy Hung, Sze Chung Tien, Chu Li, Su Chin Ping, Li Min Liong, Tsang Chiu, Zheng Fu Xiong, Lee Keung Running Time: 87 min. By Mighty Peking Man The opening credit sequence of Deadly Strike, which sports a Spaghetti Western-feel, hints that … Continue reading

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New Game of Death | aka Goodbye Bruce Lee: His Last Game of Death (1975) Review

"New Game of Death" US Theatrical Poster

Director: Lin Pin Cast: Bruce Li (aka Ho Chung Tao, James Ho), Lung Fei, Shan Mao, Choi Wang, Lee Keung, Ma Cheung, Cheung Yee Kwai, Hau Pak Wai, Ho Wai Hung Running Time: 84 min. By Joseph Kuby Funky, funny, fight-filled fun! I read a few reviews indicating that this film was not only bad but an utterly terrible mess; however even though this is a Bruceploitation movie and one that … Continue reading

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Real Bruce Lee, The (1979) Review

"The Real Bruce Lee" US Theatrical Poster

Director: Jim Markovic Writer: Lerry Dolchin Cast: Bruce Li (Ho Chung Tao, James Ho), Dragon Lee (Mun Kyong-sok, Keo Ryong, Guh Ryong) Running Time: 120 min. By Joseph Kuby Subtle Bruceploitation! Despite the opening sequence (which contains a nice montage of images along with an uber cool 70s tune), this “documentary” as it were is really just an excuse to give the audience lots of Bruceploitation action in the form … Continue reading

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Power Force | aka Dragon Force (1982) Review

"Power Force" American VHS Cover

Director: Michael Mak Dong Git Producer: Terence Chang Cast: Bruce Barron, Bruce Li (aka Ho Chung Tao, James Ho), Mandy Moore, Frances Wong, Olivia Jeng, James Barnett, Randy Channel, Raichard Lau, Molo, Sam Sorono Running Time: 90 min. By Perkele I expected this to be some lame-ass American karate romp, but it turned out to be a fast-paced Hong Kong martial arts spectacle! Right at the beginning, when you see … Continue reading

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New Fist of Fury (1976) Review

"New Fist of Fury" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Lo Wei Cast: Jackie Chan, Nora Miao, Chan Sing, Yim Chung, Lo Wei, Han Ying Chieh, Chiang Kam, Luk Yat Lung, Hon Siu, Lau Ming, Chan Jan, Suen Lam, Cheng Siu Siu, Liu Ping Running Time: 120 min. By Joseph Kuby New Fist of Fury is also known as Fists To Fight. People refer to this as his first starring role when, in fact, it’s actually his first complete … Continue reading

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Young Tiger | aka Little Tiger (1971) Review

"Young Tiger" US DVD Cover

Director: Wu Ma Producer: Cheung Ying Cast: Mang Fei, Maggie Lee (Lam Lam), Stanley Fung (Sui Faan), Chen Yan Yan, Dean Shek Tin, Wong Pau Gei, Lau Kar Wing, Mars, Wong San, Fung Hak On, Ho Pak Kwong, Yeung Hung, Yip Wing Cho, Wu Ma, Law Keung Running Time: 87 min. By Joe909 I have to thank MPM for telling me about this movie; a few months ago, he and … Continue reading

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