Author Archives: JJ Bona

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) Review

Director: Ang Lee Cast: Zhang Ziyi, Michelle Yeoh, Chow Yun Fat, Chang Chen, Cheng Pei Pei, Lung Sihung Running Time: 115 min. By Numskull Pretty much everything that has been said about this movie is true. The cast is superb. Chow Yun-Fat, who gets top billing, turns in a fine performance as usual but actually has a smaller role than his female co-stars, Michelle Yeoh and Zhang Ziyi. Yeoh is … Continue reading

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Happy Together | aka Buenos Aires Affair (1997) Review

"Happy Together" American DVD Cover

Director: Wong Kar Wai Producer: Chan Yee Gan Cast: Leslie Cheung, Tony Leung, Chang Chen, Shirley Gwan Suet Lai, Linda Wong Hing Ping Running Time: 97 min. By Woody Ignore your homophobia for an hour and a half and watch this film. It is a brilliant meditation on a failing relationship, and will definitely strike a chord with anyone who has been in a relationship nearing it’s end. “Happy Together” … Continue reading

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Fallen Angels (1995) Review

"Fallen Angels" German Theatrical Poster

Director: Wong Kar Wai Cast: Leon Lai Ming, Michelle Reis, Kaneshiro Takeshi, Charlie Young Choi Nei, Karen Mok Man Wai, Chan Man Lei, Chan Fai Hung, Benz Kong To Hoi, Saito Toru Running Time: 96 min. By Alexander “Fallen Angels,” Wong Kar-Wai’s follow-up to “Chungking Express,” is as stark a movie as “Chungking” is bright and airy. Notable, really, only for Takeshi Kaneshiro’s inspired performance as an amicable, mute “thug,” … Continue reading

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Chungking Express (1994) Review

"Chungking Express" French Theatrical Poster

AKA: Chung King Express Director: Wong Kar Wai Writer: Wong Kar Wai Cast: Brigitte Lin, Kaneshiro Takeshi, Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Faye Wong, Valerie Chow Kar Ling Running Time: 102 min. By Lady Tequila Wong Kar-Wai’s Hong Kong is an offbeat, stylised, slow-motion blur of colours, sounds, tastes and smells which roll off the screen with the vividness of a dream. The ever-present, streaking neon of the city night is … Continue reading

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Beast Stalker, The (2008) Review

"The Beast Stalker" UK DVD Cover

AKA: Beaststalker Director: Dante Lam Writer: Jack Ng Cast: Nicholas Tse Ting Fung, Nick Cheung Ka Fai, Sherman Chung Shu Man, Derek Kwok Jing Hung, Ringo Chan Ka Leung, Joe Cheung Tung Cho Running Time: 111 min. By Mighty Peking Man I just realized it’s been years since I’ve seen a Dante Lam flick (last one I saw was 1998’s Beast Cops), let alone any Hong Kong movie. I have … Continue reading

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Beast Cops (1998) Review

"Beast Cops" Danish DVD Cover

Director: Gordon Chan Co-director: Dante Lam Cast: Anthony Wong, Michael Wong, Stephanie Che Yuen Yuen, Kathy Chow, Sam Lee, Patrick Tam, Roy Cheung, Arthur Wong, Raven Choi, Michael Lui Running Time: 104 min. By Tequila Beast Cops, for me, was the best film out in 1998, just beating Milkyway’s fantastic and even more seedy The Longest Nite at the post. Why? Well, the acting (from award winners Anthony Wong and … Continue reading

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Treasure Hunt | aka American Shaolin (1994) Review

"Treasure Hunt" Chinese DVD Cover

Director: Jeff Lau Cast: Chow Yun Fat, Wu Chien Lien, Gordon Liu, Philip Kwok, Chin Han, Choi Yue, Roy Chiao, Michael Wong, Giorgio Pasotti, Jun Kunimura, Jeff Lau Running Time: 105 min. By Numskull “Lag.” Verb. To fall behind; to straggle; to fail to keep pace. In other words, to proceed at an inadequate rate. Treasure Hunt lags. Boy, does it EVER lag. It lags so much, it sets a … Continue reading

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Twin Dragons (1992) Review

"Twin Dragons" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Ringo Lam Co-director: Tsui Hark Cast: Jackie Chan, Maggie Cheung, Nina Li Chi, Teddy Robin Kwan, Johnny Wang, Guy Lai Ying Chau, David Chiang, Jamie Luk Kim Ming, Kirk Wong Running Time: 100 min. By Numskull One thing you have to admit about Jackie Chan, whether you like him or not, is that he’s not afraid to admit it when one of his movies is a disappointment. Besides the … Continue reading

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Thunderbolt | aka Dead Heat (1995) Review

"Thunderbolt" International Theatrical Poster

Director: Gordon Chan Cast: Jackie Chan, Anita Yuen, Michael Wong, Thorsten Nickel, Ken Lo, Chu Yuan, Yuzo Kayama, Annie Man, Daisy Woo, Chin Kar Lok, Hon Chun, Michael Ian Lambert, Bruce Law, Michael Lui, Eguro Mari, Kenya Sawada Running Time: 107 min. By Raging Gaijin “Thunderbolt” is the only Jackie Chan film from the 90’s that never saw wide release in the US, whether on DVD or at the theatre. … Continue reading

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Sleepless Town | aka Fuyajo (1998) Review

"Sleepless Town" Chinese DVD Cover

Director: Lee Chi Ngai Cast: Kaneshiro Takeshi, Mirai Yamamoto, Lung Sihung, Eric Tsang, Kathy Chow, Seijun Suzuki Running Time: 122 min. By Alexander “Now it all makes sense,” says Kenichi, Takeshi Kaneshiro’s character near the end of the noir-ish thriller “Sleepless Town”. Well, not quite. This meandering, slick and very Wong Kar Wai-like film is so confusing, you’ll instantly ignore the deluge of plot twists amidst a huge cast of … Continue reading

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Shaolin Wooden Men | aka 36 Wooden Men (1976) Review

"Shaolin Wooden Men" Japanese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Shaolin Chamber of Death Director: Chan Chi Hwa Cast: Jackie Chan, Kam Kong, Doris Lung, Chiang Kam, Miu Tak San, Liu Ping, Li Min Lang, Miu Tin, To Wai Wo, Weng Hsiao Hu, Chang I Fei, Lam Fai, Lee Siu Chung, Luk Yat Lung, So Kwok Leung, Yuen Biao, Hwang Jang Lee Running Time: 103 min. By David Bell Lou Anne came into the Bistro and threw her lug … Continue reading

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Heart of the Dragon | aka The First Mission (1985) Review

"Heart of the Dragon" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Sammo Hung Producer: Leonard Ho Cast: Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, Emily Chu, Lam Ching Ying, Meng Hoi, Peter Chan, Yuen Wah, Chin Kar Lok, Melvin Wong, James Tien, Anthony Chan, Billy Chan, Chan Chuen, Billy Ching, Chow Kong, Chu Chi Ling, Chung Fat, Fung Hak On, Fung King Man, Huang Ha, Teddy Yip Wing-Cho, Lee Hoi-Sang Running Time: 89 min. By Vic Nguyen This is the first film that I … Continue reading

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Sexy and Dangerous | aka Sexy Undercover Angels (1996) Review

Director: Billy Tang Writer: Philip Kwok Producer: Wong Jing Cast: Mariane Chan, Mimi Chu Mi Mi, Maria Cordero, Vincent Kok, Deon Lam Dik On, Michael Lam, Spencer Lam Seung Yi, Lee Kin Yan, Rachel Lee, Lee Siu Kei, Teresa Mak, Karen Mok, Francis Ng, Ng Sui Ting, Shing Fui On, Michael Tong, Johnny Wang, Wong Wa Wo, Wong Yat Fei Running Time: 92 min. By Alexander I picked up this … Continue reading

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All in the Family | aka It’s All in the Family (1975) Review

Director: Zhu Mu Writer: Yeung Hua Producer: Raymond Chow Cast: Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung Kam Bo, Dean Shek Tien, James Tien Chun, Tien Ni, Carter Wong Ka Tat Running Time: 97 min. By Vic Nguyen A Japanese girl’s dream film. If you want to see Jackie’s ass doing something other than for the purpose of comedy, this is the film to see. The plot has something to do with a … Continue reading

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Shanghai Grand (1996) Review

Director: Poon Man Kit Writer: Poon Man Kit, Matt Chow Hoi Kwong, Sandy Shaw Producer: Tsui Hark Cast: Andy Lau Tak Wah, Leslie Cheung, Ning Jing, William Ho Ka Kui, Amanda Lee Wai Man, Wu Hsing Kuo, Lau Shun, Almen Wong Pui Ha, Lee Kin Yan, Sam Wong Ming Sing, Jeong Wu Seong, Tommy Leung Ka Chun, Yip Chun Running Time: 91 min. By Mairosu Ding Lik (Andy Lau) is … Continue reading

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