Author Archives: JJ Bona

Real Fiction (2000) Review

Director: Kim Ki-Duk Writer: Kim Ki-Duk Producer: Harry Lee, Seung-Soo Shin Cast: Jin-mo Ju, Jin-ah Kim, Min-seok Son, Je-rak Lee, Ki-yeon Kim, Sun-mi Myeong Running Time: 83 min. By Mighty Peking Man I’m currently on a “Ki-du Kim” natural high. I love his unorthodox style of filmmaking, his morbid approach to storytelling and his fascination with toying with viewers’ minds using uncanny visuals. Ki-duk Kim is definitely on the verge … Continue reading

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Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter… and Spring (2003) Review

Director: Kim Ki-duk Writer: Kim Ki-duk Producer: Lee Seung-Jae Cast: Oh Yeong-Su, Kim Jong-Ho, Seo Jae-Gyeong, Kim Yeong-Min, Ha Yeo-Jin, Kim Ki-duk Running Time: 106 min. By Slaxor “Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter…And Spring” tells the story of a monk from childhood to his adult years. Well this may be the most visually beautiful movie I have ever seen. If you told me tomorrow I could be living on the floating … Continue reading

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Samaria | aka Samaritan Girl (2003) Review

Director: Kim Ki-duk Writer: Kim Ki-duk Producer: Kim Ki-duk, Jeong-min Bae, Jeong-min Baek Cast: Gwak Ji-Min, Seo Min-Jeong, Lee Eol Running Time: 95 min. By Equinox21 Kim Ki-duk’s newest movie, Samaria, takes on the problem of child prostitution in a way only Kim Ki-duk can present it. In what could have been a tremendously risqué and dangerous film to make, he takes on the subject in such a way that … Continue reading

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Isle, The (2000) Review

Director: Kim Ki-Duk Writer: Kim Ki-Duk Producer: Lee Eun Cast: Seo Jeong, Kim Yu-seok, Park Seong-hee, Cho Jae-hyeon, Chang Hang-seon Running Time: 100 min. By Alexander The only thing that saved this exploitive and pretentious piece of trash from a 0/10 is the gorgeous cinematography. The people responsible for The Isle may not know how to engender audience sympathy, write dialogue, use lighting or tell a story, but they sure … Continue reading

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Bow, The | aka Arrow (2005) Review

Director: Kim Ki-Duk Writer: Kim Ki-Duk Producer: Kim Ki-Duk Cast: Jeon Seong-Hwan, Han Yeo-Reum, Seo Ji-Seok By Equinox21 I thought it would be really difficult for me to be disappointed with a Kim Ki-Duk movie, but after seeing The Bow, I realize it’s not that tough at all. The Bow’s not a terrible movie, and it does have a lot going for it, it’s just that after seeing many KKD … Continue reading

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Birdcage Inn (1998) Review

Director: Kim Ki-Duk Producer: Lee Kwang-Min, Yoo Hee-Suk Cast: Lee Ji-Eun, Lee Hye-Eun, Ahn Jae-Mo, Jeong Hyeong-Gi, Son Min-Seok, Jang Dong-Jik, Lee In-Ok, Jang Hang-Seon, Bang Eun-Jin, Seo Won Running Time: 103 min. By Mighty Peking Man From the lurid-mind of director Kim Ki-Duk comes yet another film exploring the gritty world of sex-for-sale. I haven’t seen all of his films, but I have seen enough to make the simple … Continue reading

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Bad Guy (2000) Review

Director: Kim Ki-Duk Writer: Kim Ki-Duk Producer: Lee Seung-Jai Cast: Cho Je-Hyun, Seo Won, Kim Yoon-Tae, Choi Duk-Moon, Choi Yoon-Young, Shin Yoo-Jin, Kim Jung-Young Running Time: 100 min. By Mighty Peking Man A vigorous-looking man (Cho Je-Hyun) notices a beautiful college girl (Seo Won) waiting for her boyfriend to pick her up. The man walks up and sits besides the girl, turns his head and just stairs at her – … Continue reading

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Art Museum by the Zoo (1999) Review

Art Museum By The Zoo (1999) Director: Lee Jeong-Hyang Producer: Lee Chun-Yeon Cast: Ahn Seong-Ki, Shim Eun-Ha, Lee Seong-Jae, Song Seon-Mi Running Time: 109 min. By Mlindber I think the most enjoyable experiences I’ve had while watching any Korean films are the times when I’m confronted with a genre that I don’t particularly like and manage to come out really enjoying the film. I never liked the romantic comedy in … Continue reading

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Fearless Hyena II, The | aka Crazy Monkey 2 (1983) Review

Director: Chan Chuen Producer: Lo Wei Cast: Jackie Chan, Dean Shek, Yen Shi Kwan, Kwan Yung Moon, James Tien, Chan Wai Lau, Austin Wai, Hon Gwok Choi, Pearl Lin, Chan Chuen, Gam Man Hei, Ma Cheung, Mai Kei, Peng Kang, Wong Chi Sang, Wong Chi Wai Running Time: 87 min. By Numskull Here we have one of several finalists in the Worst Jackie Chan Movie Of All Time competition. Reasons … Continue reading

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Fearless Hyena, The | aka Crazy Monkey (1979) Review

"The Fearless Hyena" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Jackie Chan Producer: Hsu Li Hwa Cast: Jackie Chan, Peng Kang, James Tien, Dean Shek Tien, Yen Shi Kwan, Lee Kwan, Chan Wai Lau, Cheng Fu Hung, Ma Cheung, Wang Yao, Ricky Cheng Tien Chi, Chu Siu Wa, Gam Sai Yuk, Eagle Han Ying Running Time: 92 min. By Numskull Career milestone or not, I don’t like this movie at all. Frankly, I don’t think it’s any more amusing … Continue reading

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Burning Paradise | aka Rape of the Red Temple (1994) Review

Burning Paradise | Blu-ray (Vinegar Syndrome)

AKA: Burning Paradise in Hell Director: Ringo Lam Producer: Tsui Hark Cast: Willie Chi Tin Sang, Carman Lee Yeuk Tung, Wong Kam Kong, John Ching Tung, Yuen Fai Running Time: 104 min. By Numskull Holy crap, did Ringo Lam REALLY direct this?!? It’s a VERY far cry from what one would expect of the man who brought us Full Contact and the various “On Fire” movies (let’s not mention Van … Continue reading

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Big Brawl, The | aka Battle Creek Brawl (1980) Review

"The Big Brawl" American Theatrical Poster

Director: Robert Clouse Cast: Jackie Chan, Jose Ferrer, Kristine DeBell, Mako, Rosalind Chao, Pat Johnson, Chao-Li Chi, David Sheiner, Lenny Montana, Mary Ellen O’Neill, H.B. Haggerty, Joycelyne Lew, Peter Marc Jacobson, Gene LeBell Running Time: 95 min. By James H. Music is a very key element in films. I think everyone can agree with that statement. If you don’t believe me, just think about it. What would “Superman” be like … Continue reading

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Rumble in the Bronx | aka Red Bronx (1995) Review

Rumble in the Bronx | Blu-ray (Warner)

AKA: Death Benefit Director: Stanley Tong Cast: Jackie Chan, Anita Mui, Bill Tung, Françoise Yip Fong Wah, Marc Akerstream, Ailen Sit, Chan Man Ching, Jamie Luk, Yueh Hua, Emil Chau, Alex To Running Time: 85/110 min. By Stockton22 If you saw this flick once and wrote it off as an inferior Jackie vehicle, I strongly urge that you check it out again (Thomas Weisser, I’m looking in your direction). While … Continue reading

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Secret Rivals 2, The | aka Silver Fox Rivals 2 (1977) Review

"Secret Rivals 2" DVD Cover

AKA: Revenge of the Gold Fox Director: Ng See Yuen Producer: Ng See Yuen Cast: Tino Wong Cheung, John Liu (Chung Liang), Hwang Jang Lee, Blacky Ko Sau-Leung, Charlie Chan (Yiu Lam), Corey Yuen Kwai, Hsu Hsia, Chui Chung Hei Running Time: 88 min. By Milkcan Ng See Yuen has somewhat redeemed himself for his sloppy 1976 film The Secret Rivals with this sequel that almost achieves a “recommended” status … Continue reading

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Secret Rivals, The | aka Silver Fox Rivals (1976) Review

"The Secret Rivals" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Enter the Silver Fox Director: Ng See Yuen Cast: Don Wong, John Liu (Chung Liang), Hwang Jang Lee, James Nam, Lui Sau Ching, Yuen Biao Running Time: 87 min. By Milkcan Here is a film that has the right ingredients for a good action flick, but is partnered with a chef that doesn’t know how to prepare them. The Secret Rivals has an obviously talented cast of martial artists, … Continue reading

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