Author Archives: JJ Bona

Shaolin Fox Conspiracy | aka Jade Dagger Ninja (1982) Review

"Shaolin Fox Conspiracy" International Theatrical Poster

AKA: Forest Due, Ninja Jade Dragon Director: Li Chao Yung Cast: Tin Peng, Chung Wa, Doris Lung Chung Erh, Rose Gua Ah Leh, Wong Hap, Nancy Yen Nan Hs, Chin Meng, Tin Yau, Kam Kong, Chen Chin Hai, Ma Cheung, Mau Ging Shun, Shut Chung Tin, Wong Chi Sang, Yun Zhong Yue Running Time: 75 min. By Joe909 This one may not be very well known, but it’s a gem … Continue reading

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SPL: Sha Po Lang | aka Kill Zone (2005) Review

"Kill Zone" International DVD Cover

Director: Wilson Yip Cast: Donnie Yen, Sammo Hung, Simon Yam, Wu Jing, Liu Kai Chi, Timmy Hung Tin Ming, Austin Wai Tin Chi, Kenji Tanigaki, Ken Cheung Chi Yiu, Au Hin Wai Running Time: 93 min. By Cobak When I saw this film I was starving, not just for dinner (which I actually was) but for some good Hong Kong cinema. HK cinema fans have been waiting since 2001’s Fulltime … Continue reading

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Crystal Hunt (1991) Review

"Crystal Hunt" American DVD Cover

Director: Hsu Hsia Producer: Chui Fat Cast: Donnie Yen Chi Tan, Carrie Ng Kar Lai, Ken Lo Hui Kwong, Sibelle Hu Hui Zhong, Fujimi Nadeki, John Salvitti, Tin Ching, William Ho Ka Kui, Hsu Hsia, Chu Tiet Wo, Chui Fat, Leung Kar Yan, Gordon Liu Chia Hui Running Time: 90 min. By Tyler After some great work with Yuen Woo Ping in films like Tiger Cage and Iron Monkey, there … Continue reading

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Legend of the Wolf | aka The New Big Boss (1997) Review

"Legend of the Wolf" American DVD Cover

Director: Donnie Yen Producer: Donnie Yen Cast: Donnie Yen, Dayo Wong, Carman Lee, Ben Lam Kwok Bun, Edmond Leung, Mak Wai Cheung, Bonnie Lai, Tony Tam, Kenji Tanigaki, Mandy Chan Running Time: 90 min. By Joe909 Ah, Donnie Yen: the Dolph Lundgren of Hong Kong cinema. The Boston-bred brat finally proves himself with this one, an old-school type kung-fu flick with a modern edge. Donnie goes the full mile, producing, … Continue reading

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Gymkata (1985) Review

Director: Robert Clouse Writer: Dan Tyler Moore, Charles Robert Carnes Producer: Fred Weintraub Cast: Kurt Thomas, Tetchie Agbayani, Richard Norton, Edward Bell, John Gilbert Barrett, Conan Lee, Bob Schott, Buck Kartalian Running Time: 90 min. By American Ninja Man I’m not sure how the meeting went for these coke sniffing, green lighters; but we do know that someway, somehow, someone figured that the next heir to the Bruce Lee throne … Continue reading

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Universal Soldier: Regeneration (2009) Review

"Universal Soldier: Regeneration" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: John Hyams Cast: Jean-Claude Van Damme, Dolph Lundgren, Andrei Arlovski, Zahary Baharov, Garry Cooper, Mike Pyle, Corey Johnson, Emily Joyce, Aki Avni, Kristopher Van Varenberg, Yonko Dimitrov, Jon Foo Running Time: 97 min. By Mighty Peking Man A group of terrorists kidnap the Russian prime minister’s children, demanding the release of their comrades. In addition, they have taken over a nuclear power plant and threaten to detonate it if … Continue reading

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Kill Bill Vol. 2 (2004) Review

Kill Bill: Volume 2 Blu-ray (Miramax)

Director: Quentin Tarantino Cast: Uma Thurman, David Carradine, Darryl Hannah, Michael Madsen, Lucy Lui, Vivica Fox, Sonny Chiba, Julie Dreyfus, Gordon Liu, Michael Parks, Bo Svenson, Samuel L. Jackson, Helen Kim, Michael Jai White (cut) Running Time: 138 min. By Dave Bell I think most people are going to compare Vol. I and Vol. II and they shouldn’t. These are two totally different movies, each touching on the same subject, … Continue reading

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Kill Bill Vol. 1 (2003) Review

"Kill Bill Vol. I" American Theatrical Poster

Director: Quentin Tarantino Cast: Uma Thurman, David Carradine, Darryl Hannah, Michael Madsen, Lucy Lui, Vivica Fox, Sonny Chiba, Julie Dreyfus, Gordon Liu, Chiaki Kuriyama, Michael Parks, Jun Kunimura, Kazuki Kitamura Running Time: 112 min. By Joe909 This is my first review for City On Fire in a long time, and it will probably be my last. The reason is simple. What was once a cool site is now a haven … Continue reading

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Obsessed, The (1975) Review

Director: Mak Pang Chin Cast: Nora Miao Ke Hsiu, Kwan Sang, Ko Keung, Lee Keung, Guan Shan Running Time: 90 min. By Mighty Peking Man A newlywed couple’s (Kwan Sang and Nora Miao) relationship turns into a nightmare when they start to witness paranormal activity. A “spiritualist” (Ko Keung) is hired to investigate the strange phenomenon, and discovers a deep, dark secret within the marriage that’s bringing back a vengeful … Continue reading

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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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