Author Archives: JJ Bona

King of Boxers | aka The Screaming Tiger (1973) Review

"King of Boxers" American Theatrical Poster

AKA: 10 Fingers of Steel Director: Kim Lung Cast: Jimmy Wang Yu, Cheung Ching Ching, Lung Fei, Liu Ping, Chi Laan, Shan Mao, Got Siu Bo, Ma Kei, Cheng Fu Hung, Hong Hoi, Chang I Fei, Chiu Hung, Choi Wang, Goo Gwan, Law Bun, Lui Ming, Ng Tung Kiu, Sit Hon Running Time: 75 min. By Jesse Some have said “The Godfather.” Others, “Citizen Kane.” But I will tell you … Continue reading

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Away with Words | aka Kujaku (1999) Review

Director: Christopher Doyle Writer: Christopher Doyle, Tony Rayns Producer: Hiro Tokimori Cast: Tadanobu Asano, Kevin Sherlock, Mavis Xu, Georgina Hobson, Christa Hughes, Takanori Kubo Running Time: 86 min. By Mighty Peking Man A dispirited young man (Tadanobu Asano of “Ichi The Killer”) who has had it with the noisy stressful life in Japan heads to Hong Kong to find the peace he’s been lacking since his early childhood. Oddly, he … Continue reading

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Baroness (2000) Review

Director: Anthony Lau Wing, Johnny Wang Lung Wei Producer: Lau Kei Cast: Anthony Wong Chau Sang, Chin Kar Lok, Anthony Lau Wing Running Time: 89 min. By TheFrankEinstein According to the DVD case, Baroness has three selling points: Anthony Wong, exploding cars, and a naked woman. Well, it delivers on the exploding cars. But why did I buy this movie? Because I assumed that if Anthony Wong was in it, … Continue reading

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Sukiyaki Western Django (2007) Review

Director: Takashi Miike Cast: Hideaki Ito, Masanobu Ando, Koichi Sato, Kaori Momoi, Yusuke Iseya, Renji Ishibashi, Quentin Tarantino, Yutaka Matsushige, Yoshino Kimura Running Time: 120 min. By Mighty Peking Man For years, a small town named Yuda has been dominated by two rival gangs: The Heike Reds and the Genji Whites (one group sports white, the other wears red). The two sides have pretty much taken refuge in Yuda, due … Continue reading

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City on Fire (1987) Review

"City on Fire" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Ringo Lam Writer: Shum Sai-Sing Cast: Chow Yun-Fat, Danny Lee Sau Yin, Sun Yueh, Carrie Ng, Roy Cheung, Lau Kong, Mark Cheng Ho Nam, Wu Ma, Maria Cordero, Parkman Wong Pak Man Running Time: 105 min. By Retter No frills raw undercover cop story This is a no frills undercover cop story directed by Ringo Lam. With an average budget the film tells its story quite tightly with fine … Continue reading

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Game of Death: Game Over!

I had the chance to interview Joe Kenney (author of the Best-Selling “The American Sound”) at a recent book convention in Dallas, Texas. He was there promoting his soon-to-be-released Bruce Lee book, “Game Over.” The book revolves around Bruce Lee’s unfinished film, “Game of Death,” offering new insight about the myths, rumors & facts surrounding the movie. I was happy to have brought a tape recorder with me, because this … Continue reading

Posted in Features |

Shaolin Monk Fights Back, The | aka The Wandering Monk (1980) Review

AKA: Roaming Monk Director: Cheung Wang Gei Cast: Ching Ching, Choi Wang, Chui Chung Hei, Lee Bing Hung, Lin Hsiao Hu, Yee Yuen Running Time: 85 min. By Milkcan Do not wander into this movie expecting a Kwai Chang Caine. The filmmakers have done a great job at deceiving the audience by using this title, as the movie is barely about a wandering monk, but is instead about a young … Continue reading

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Warriors Two (1978) Review

"Warriors Two" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Sammo Hung Co-director: Choe Dong-Joon Producer: Raymond Chow Cast: Casanova Wong, Leung Kar Yan, Sammo Hung, Fung Hak On, Lee Hoi San, Tiger Yeung, Dean Shek Tien, Yeung Wai, Lau Kar Wing, Eric Tsang, Billy Chan, Peter Chan Lung, Wellson Chin Sing Wai, Chin Yuet Sang, Lam Ching Ying Running Time: 90 min. By Joe909 Warriors Two is usually discussed alongside its “companion” film, the better-known “Prodigal Son.” Both … Continue reading

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Matching Escort | aka Wolfen Ninja (1982) Review

AKA: Wolf Devil Woman 2, Venus the Ninja Director: Pearl Chang Ling Cast: Pearl Chang Ling, Meng Fei, Wong Hap, Peng Kang, Sek Fung, Chui Chung Hei, Chan Gwan Biu, Ho Hing Nam, Chai Hau Keung, Philip So Yuen Fung, Wong Kwok Fai Running Time: 94 min. By Milkcan “Matching Escort” is one part a comedy, one part a revenge story, and one part about teamwork (and on the side … Continue reading

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