Author Archives: JJ Bona

Young People (1972) Review

Director: Chang Cheh Cast: David Chiang, Ti Lung, Chen Kuan Tai, Agnes Chen Mei-Ling (Agnes Chan Mei Ling), Irene Chen I-Ling (Chan Yi Ling), Bolo Yeung (Yang Sze), Yen Shi Kwan Running Time: 118 min. By Mighty Peking Man Young People is a story of active college kids who are divided into three groups, with each one having a leader: David Chiang’s consists of musicians, singers and dancers. Ti Lung’s … Continue reading

Posted in Chinese, Reviews, Shaw Brothers | Tagged , , , , , , , , |

Web of Death (1976) Review

Literally: Five Poison Web Director: Chor Yuen Cast: Yueh Hua, Cheng Lee (Ching Li), Lo Lieh, Guk Fung (Ku Feng), Wong Hap (Wang Hsia), Lily Li Li-Li, Wong Chung (Wang Chung), Angela Yu Chien, Ngaai Fei, Yen Shi Kwan Running Time: 87 min. By Joe909 I’ve loved these old school Shaw Brothers movies since I was a kid, and figured I knew a little about them. But I had never … Continue reading

Posted in Chinese, Reviews, Shaw Brothers | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Angry Guest, The | aka Duel of Fists 2 (1972) Review

"The Angry Guest" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Kung Fu Killers Director: Chang Cheh Cast: David Chiang, Ti Lung, Chang Cheh, Chan Sing, Yasuaki Kurata, Bolo Yeung, Cheng Lee, Woo Wai, Gam Kei Chu, Lee Pang-Fei, Yen Shi Kwan Running Time: 93 min. By Mighty Peking Man Fan Ke (David Chiang) and Wenlie (Ti Lung) are back, and this time they’re up against a powerful Japanese crime syndicate (headed by director Chang Cheh, himself). Not only that, … Continue reading

Posted in Chinese, Reviews, Shaw Brothers | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , |

Shaolin Rescuers | aka Avenging Warriors of Shaolin (1978) Review

"Shaolin Rescuers" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Chang Cheh Cast: Jason Pai Piao, Lu Feng, Lo Meng, Philip Kwok Chung Fung, Chiang Sheng, Sun Chien, Chiang Nan, Walter Tso Tat Wah, Yeung Chi Hing, Wong Ching Ho, Chan Fai Kei, Chan Shen, Cheng Miu, Cheung Hei, Chow Kin Ping Running Time: 110 min. By Joe909 Despite the fact that the opening credits feature San Te (the character featured in “36th Chamber of Shaolin”), Fong Sai-Yuk (featured … Continue reading

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

Bells of Death, The (1968) Review

Director: Griffin Yueh Feng Cast: Chin Ping, Chang Yi, Chiu Sam Yin (Chao Hsin Yen), Lam Kau (Lin Chia), Tien Sheng, Guk Fung (Ku Feng), Paul Chun Pui, Yeung Chi Hing, Wu Ma Running Time: 84 min. By Mighty Peking Man Bells of Death is the story of Wei (Chang Yi) , a young man who seeks revenge on the three bandits responsible for slaughtering his family and kidnapping his … Continue reading

Posted in Chinese, Reviews, Shaw Brothers | Tagged , , , , , |

Cheap Killers (1998) Review

"Cheap Killers" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Clarence Ford Writer: Wong Jing Cast: Sunny Chan, Kathy Chow, Alex Fong Chung Sun, Henry Fong Ping, Stephen Fung Tak Lun, Lilian Ho Ka Lei, Ku Feng, Michael Ian Lambert Running Time: 94 min. By Raging Caijin “Cheap Killers” springs forth, guns blazing, from the twisted imagination of writer/producer Wong Jing. It’s a sweaty ode to machismo and bullets that at times plays out like “Happy Together” with guns. … Continue reading

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

Kiss of the Dragon (2001) Review

"Kiss of the Dragon" American Theatrical Poster

Director: Chris Nahon Cast: Jet Li, Bridget Fonda, Tcheky Karyo, Laurence Ashley, Burt Kwouk, John Forgeham, Colin Prince, Max Ryan, Cyril Raffaelli, Didier Azoulay, Vincent Glo, Ric Young, Vincent Wong Running Time: 98 min. By Mairosu Liu Jian (Jet Li) is a top drawer Chinese cop, and also a master acupuncturist (yes, sounds silly, I know). He is summoned from China to help the local DEA bust a Chinese drug … Continue reading

Posted in Asian Related, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , |

Maximum Risk | aka Bloodstone (1996) Review

"Maximum Risk" Japanese DVD Cover

AKA: The Exchange Director: Ringo Lam Cast: Jean-Claude Van Damme, Natasha Henstridge, Jean-Hugues Anglade, Zach Grenier, Paul Ben-Victor, Frank Senger, Stefanos Miltsakakis, Frank Van Keeken, David Hemblen, Stéphane Audran Running Time: 100 min. By James H. I swear, Van Damme must have a curse on him. This curse gives bad luck to all involved with his movies. This curse has struck acclaimed Hong Kong film director Ringo Lam. It happened … Continue reading

Posted in Asian Related, Reviews | Tagged , , |

One, The (2001) Review

"The One" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: James Wong Cast: Jet Li, Delroy Lindo, Carla Gugino, Jason Statham, James Morrison, Dylan Bruno, Richard Steinmetz, Dean Norris, Harriet Sansom Harris, Archie Kao Running Time: 96 min. By Joe909 Basically this movie is nothing more than “The Highlander” meets your basic comic book/parallel universe plot. The acting’s stiff at times and there’s no character development to speak of, but still, I had a good time watching it. The … Continue reading

Posted in Asian Related, Reviews | Tagged , , |

Romeo Must Die (2000) Review

"Romeo Must Die" American Theatrical Poster

Director: Andrzej Bartkowiak Cast: Jet Li, Aaliyah, Isaiah Washington, Russell Wong, DMX, Delroy Lindo, Henry O, D.B. Woodside, Jon Kit Lee, Anthony Anderson, Francoise Yip Running Time: 115 min. By Numskull Once upon a time (though presumably not in China), someone said, “Let’s take someone who has sold a lot of records but has never starred in a movie and team her up with the bad guy from Lethal Weapon … Continue reading

Posted in Asian Related, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , |

Cradle 2 the Grave (2003) Review

"Cradle 2 the Grave" Blu-ray Cover

Director: Andrzej Bartkowiak Producer: Joel Silver Cast: Jet Li, DMX, Gabrielle Union, Tom Arnold, Anthony Anderson, Mark Dacascos, Kelly Hu, Drag-On, Paige Hurd, Johnny Tri Nguyen, Ron Yuan, Michael Jace, Daniel Dae Kim, Arnold Chon Running Time: 100 By Numskull I’m one of those people who stays in the theater after the closing credits start rolling. I want to see if they put in some little scene at the end. Usually, … Continue reading

Posted in Asian Related, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , |

Paycheck (2003) Review

"Paycheck" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: John Woo Cast: Ben Affleck, Uma Thurman, Aaron Eckhart, Paul Giamatti, Colm Feore, Michael C. Hall, Peter Friedman, Kathryn Morris, Ivana Milicevic, John Cassini Running Time: 110 Min. By Numskull Paycheck. It’s so bad, the bank won’t cash it. John Woo, apparently still desperate to show the world that he can direct stuff other than straightforward action films (Windtalkers didn’t get it out of his system), does a sucky … Continue reading

Posted in Asian Related, Reviews | Tagged , , , |

Young Avenger, The (1980) Review

Director: Wilson Tong Wai Shing Producer: Raymond Keung Cast: Wong Yu, Wilson Tong Wai Shing, Norman Chu Siu Keung, Chu Tiet Wo, Cecilia Wong Hang Sau, Cheng Hong Yip, Kong Do, Fung King Man, Tong Kam Tong, Ching Chu Running Time: 83 min. By Numskull I see little point in describing this movie in any great detail; I would just end up repeating myself. It’s a fairly typical chop socky … Continue reading

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

Yellow River Fighter | aka The Fourth Disciple (1988) Review

"Yellow River Fighter" American DVD Cover

AKA: Swordsman of the Yellow River Director: Cheung Sing Yim Cast: Yu Cheng Hui, Yu Hai, Sun Jian Kui, Hu Jian Qiang, Ji Chun Hua, Hung Yan Yan Running Time: 93 min. By Numskull No, it’s not a movie about a guy who fights people by shooting torrents of urine at them; it’s a period martial arts film from mainland China which chronicles the exploits of one Ma Yi, badass … Continue reading

Posted in Chinese, Reviews | Tagged , , |

Yes, Madam | aka Police Assassins (1985) Review

Director: Corey Yuen Cast: Michelle Yeoh, Cynthia Rothrock, John Sham Kein, Meng Hoi, Tsui Hark, James Tien, Dick Wei, Tai Bo, Fung Lee, Chung Fat, Dennis Chan, Fruit Chan Gor Running Time: 93 min. By Numskull Less than one minute into Yes, Madam, Michelle Yeoh slams a hardcover book shut on a man’s exposed genitals. At that point I knew I would be watching something a little…different. And I was … Continue reading

Posted in Chinese, Golden Harvest, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |