Author Archives: JJ Bona

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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Breaking News (2004) Review

Director: Johnnie To Cast: Richie Ren, Kelly Chen, Nick Cheung, Eddie Cheung, Hui Siu Hung, Lam Suet, Yau Yung, Ding Hai Feng, Li Hai Tao, Alan Chui, Ho Hon Chau, Wong Chi Wai, Victy Wong Yin Keung, Wong Wa Wo, Maggie Siu, Simon Yam Running Time: 91 min. By Equinox21 Breaking News, one of Johnny To’s best this ain’t, but it’s certainly FAR from his worst. Coming on the heels … Continue reading

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Bomb Disposal Officer: Baby Bomb (1994) Review

Director: Jamie Luk Writer: Gumby Law, Tony Leung Producer: Tony Leung Cast: Anthony Wong, Lau Ching Wan, Esther Kwan, Alexander Chan, Joe Cheung, Stephen Chang, Parkman Wong Pak Man, Lung Tin Sang, Lam King Kong, Kirk Wong, Lee Diy Yue, Jamie Luk Kim Ming, Wong Wa Wo Running Time: 94 min. By Equinox21 I was quite shocked to be perusing the list of available films on my regular online Asian … Continue reading

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Bodyguard from Beijing, The | aka The Defender (1994) Review

"The Bodyguard from Beijing" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Corey Yuen Cast: Jet Li, Christy Chung Lai Tai, Collin Chou Siu Long, Kent Cheng Jak Si, Joey Leung Wing Chung, Ng Wai Gwok, William Chu Wai Lim, Wong Kam Kong, Chun Kwai Bo, Mike Miller, Corey Yuen Kwai Running Time: 92 min. By Numskull Bitches. Who needs ’em? Certainly not Jet Li, who plays a stoic, disciplined bodyguard (betcha didn’t see that comin’) in this plodding action movie … Continue reading

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New Police Story | aka Police Story 5 (2004) Review

"New Police Story" Blu-ray Cover

Director: Benny Chan Cast: Jackie Chan, Nicholas Tse, Charlie Young, Daniel Wu, Dave Wong Kit, Andy On, Yu Rong Guang, Charlene Choi, Terence Yin, Philip Ng, Ken Lo, Wu Bai Running Time: 124 min. By Mairosu Right movie. Wrong people. That’s a two-sentence short summary of Jackie Chan’s comeback effort, first movie he decided to do after ditching Hollywood and playing the mandatory goofy kung-fu sidekick to the proverbial white … Continue reading

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Police Story 4: First Strike (1996) Review

"Police Story 4: First Strike" Japanese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Police Story IV: Simple Mission Director: Stanley Tong Cast: Jackie Chan, Annie Wu, Jackson Lau Hok Yin, Bill Tung, Ailen Sit Chun Wai, Rocky Lai, William Tuan Wai Lun, Ken, Lo Hui Kwong, Chan Man Ching Running Time: 85/110 min. By GHCO I didn’t enjoy this movie very much. This is supposed to be part of the Police Story series, but I don’t see the connection. In the Chinese … Continue reading

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Police Story 3: Supercop (1992) Review

"Police Story 3" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Stanley Tong Cast: Jackie Chan, Michelle Yeoh, Yuen Wah, Maggie Cheung Man Yuk, Kenneth Tsang, Josephine Koo, Bill Tung, Philip Chan Yan Kin, Mars, Ken Lo Wai-Kwong Running Time: 90/95 min. By Numskull This is a review for Police Story 3. Not “Supercop.” FUCK “Supercop.” Police Story 3. Yeah, baby. Jackie Chan, director of the first two Police Story films, passes the reins to Stanley Tong and shares the … Continue reading

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Police Story 2 (1988) Review

"Police Story 2" Japanese DVD Cover

AKA: Police Force 2 Director: Jackie Chan Cast: Jackie Chan, Maggie Cheung, Lam Gwok Hung, Bill Tung Biu, Benny Lai, John Cheung, Ben Lam Kwok Bun, Mars, Charlie Cho Cha Lei, Chu Yuan Running Time: 100 min. By Ro I liked this movie even more than the first. The plot and characters are more developed than in Part I, and the humor is less broad. Jackie’s been demoted (due to … Continue reading

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Police Story (1985) Review

"Police Story" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Police Force Director: Jackie Chan Producer: Leonard Ho Cast: Jackie Chan, Brigitte Lin, Maggie Cheung, Lam Gwok Hung, Mars, Bill Tung, Chu Yuan, Fung Hak On, Charlie Cho, Tai Bo, Paul Wong Kwan, Benny Lai Keung-Kuen Running Time: 85/94 min. By Alexander First of all, if you want to read a kick-ass review of this film, scroll down to Vic Nguyen’s below. And since every second of Police Story … Continue reading

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Sympathy for Lady Vengeance (2005) Review

"Sympathy for Lady Vengeance" Korean Theatrical Poster

Director: Park Chan-wook Cast: Lee Young-Ae, Choi Min-Sik, Kwon Ye-Young, Kim Shi-Hoo, Oh Dal-Su, Lee Seung-Shin, Ko Su-Hee, Kim Byung-Ok, Ra Mi-Ran, Seo Young-Ju, Kim Bu-Seon Running Time: 112 min. By Mighty Peking Man Watching a Park Chan-Wook film is like listening to a new Radiohead album; at first, you’re not exactly sure what to think, but your initial reaction to the production is positive. To simply put it, a … Continue reading

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Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (2002) Review

"Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance" Korean Theatrical Poster

AKA: Myboksu Director: Park Chan-wook Cast: Song Gang-Ho, Shin Ha-Gyun, Bae Doo-Na, Im Ji-Eun, Han Bo-Bae, Kim Se-Dong, Lee Dae-Yeon Running Time: 175 min. By Owlman While watching SFMV, I couldn’t help recalling my own bitter memories of a tragic moment several years ago. A very dear female friend of mine was found stabbed to death and her body dumped in a hockey equipment bag behind a hotel. While her … Continue reading

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Hitman in the Hand of Buddha (1981) Review

"Hitman in the Hand of Buddha" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Hwang Jang Lee Cast: Hwang Jang Lee, Fan Mei Sheng, Eddie Ko, Tino Wong Cheung, Meng Hoi, Corey Yuen, To Siu Ming, Yeung Wai, Bruce Cheung Mong, Kim Yu-Haeng Running Time: 90 min. By Perkele Wong Jing and his brother work in a rice trading company but their competitors discover that they are cheating the public. These competitors hire a top fighter to deal with the brothers. A rare … Continue reading

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