Author Archives: JJ Bona

Water Margin, The | aka 7 Blows of the Dragon (1972) Review

"The Water Margin" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Chang Cheh Co-director: Wu Ma Co-director: Pao Hsueh Lieh Cast: David Chiang, Ti Lung, Lily Ho, Yueh Hua, Chin Feng, Guk Fung, Cheng Miu, Chen Kuan Tai, Danny Lee Sau-Yin, Tetsuro Tamba, Paul Chun Pui, Yuen Shun-Yi, Yuen Cheung Yan, Wong Chung, Wu Ma, Fan Mei Sheng Running Time: 120 min. By Joe909 These days when we think of old school kung fu movies, we think of Five Deadly … Continue reading

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12 Nights (2000) Review

"12 Nights" Chinese DVD Cover

Director: Aubrey Lam Cast: Cecilia Cheung, Eason Chan Yick-shunn, Candy Lo, Nicola Cheung Sam-Yuet, Sue Au Suk-Jing, GC Goo Bi, Siu Ye Jim, Nicholas Tse, Stephen Fung Running Time: 90 min. By Woody When I first heard about Aubrey Lam’s “12 Nights”, it was being mentioned as being a must-see for those of us who have been dumped, right up there with “Swingers” and “Chungking Express”. On November 3rd, 2002, … Continue reading

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2002 (2002) Review

Director: Wilson Yip Cast: Nicholas Tse (Ting Fung), Stephen Fung Tak-Lun, Law Kar-Ying, Sam Lee Chan-Sam, Danielle Graham, Rain Li (Choi Wah), Alex Fong (Nik Sun), Anya Running Time: 96 min. By Ben Poppel Do you want to watch a movie about ghouls and goblins? Well maybe more like ghosts. Whatever the case, this is not your traditional actioner. Sure it’s got fighting, shooting and chases. But it also has … Continue reading

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9413 (1998) Review

Director: Francis Ng Chun-Yu Producer: Herman Yau Lai To, Ng Ga Bo Writer: Sandy Siu Cast: Francis Ng Chun-Yu, Christine Eng Wing Mei, Amanda Lee Wai Man, Mo Jun Fai Running Time: 90 min. By Ben Poppel Lan, a police officer, relies on Carmen, a hypnotist, to cure his amnesia. As Lan gradually regains his memories, it dawns on him that he may be the famous cop murderer. Things escalate … Continue reading

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10 Brothers of Shaolin | aka Warriors of the Sacred Temple (1979) Review

"10 Brothers of Shaolin" American DVD Cover

AKA: Ten Brothers of Shaolin Director: Ting Chung Cast: Chia Ling, Don Wong Tao, Chang Yi, Wong Fei Lung, Lau Lap Cho, Phillip Ko Fei, Leung Kar Yan, Stephen Tung Wai, Luk Yat Lung, O Yau Man, Chen Chiu, Ga Hoi, Shaw Luo Hui, Au Lap Bo, Yim Chung, Woo Gwong, Man Man, Lung Fong, Lam Mong Nam Running Time: 86 min. By Milkcan Wang Tao stars as a disciple … Continue reading

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2000 A.D. (2000) Review

"2000 AD" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Gordon Chan Cast: Aaron Kwok, Daniel Wu, Gigi Choi, Phyllis Quek, Ray Lui, Francis Ng, Andrew Lien, Ken Lo, Tony Ho Running Time: 104 min. By Raging Gaijin Everything about this film suggests it was tailor made to be a big pan-Asian hit: it has a nondescript millennial title, a big budget put to use with some questionable CGI, locations around the continent, popstar Aaron Kwok in the lead … Continue reading

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Stranger and the Gunfighter, The | aka Bloody Money (1975) Review

Director: Antonio Margheriti Writers: Miguel De Echarri, Barth Jules Sussman Cast: Lee Van Cleef, Lo Lieh, Wong Hap, Chan Shen, Cheng Miu, Yen Shi Kwan, Patty Shepard, Femi Benussi, Karen Yeh, Julián Ugarte, Erika Blanc Running Time: 96 min. By Joseph Kuby One of the original Eastern Westerns! Going by the trailer I saw somewhere, I was expecting an American quality film if not exactly a combo mix of Chang Cheh … Continue reading

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Two Champions of Shaolin (1980) Review

"Two Champions of Shaolin" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: 2 Champions of Death Director: Chang Cheh Cast: Lo Meng, Chiang Sheng, Candy Wen, Lu Feng, Chin Siu Ho, Yeung Hung, Lam Chi Tai, Sun Chien, Chui Tai Ping, Yeung Jing Jing, Chan Hon Kwong, Chan Hung, Chan Shu Kei, Choi Kwok Keung, Ha Kwok Wing, Ha Kwok-Wing Running Time: 101 min. By Joe909 Back in Spring semester of 1994, my friends and I started up a weekly kung-fu … Continue reading

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Five Deadly Venoms, The (1978) Review

"The Five Deadly Venoms" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: 5 Venoms of Death Director: Chang Cheh Cast: Chiang Sheng, Sun Chien, Philip Kwok, Lo Meng, Lu Feng, Wai Pak, Dick Wei, Johnny Wang Lung Wei, Suen Shu Pau, Ku Feng, Chan Hung Running Time: 96 min. By Joe909 I was lucky when I first saw Five Venoms: I’d never seen a Venoms movie, and so I was actually held in suspense throughout. I was also young, which helped. … Continue reading

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Arahan (2004) Review

Director: Ryoo Seung-wan Cast: Ryoo Seung-Bum, oon So-Yi, Ahn Sung-Ki, Jung Doo-Hong, Yun Ju-Sang, Kim Ji-Young, Kim Yeong-In, Baek Chan-Ki, Kwon Bum-Taek, Park Yoon-Bae Running Time: 114 min. By Alexander FINALLY. I’ve FINALLY seen a FUN Asian film. YAY! No live squids being eaten here. No rapes. No severed Achilles tendons. No punctured jugulars. No cannibal babies. Just a lot of comedy, some fantastic martial arts action, a virtuosic performance … Continue reading

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Antarctic Journal (2005) Review

"Antarctic Journal" Korean Theatrical Poster

Director: Yim Pil-sung Producer: Cha Seung-Jae Cast: Song Gang-Ho, Yu Ji-Tae, Kim Gyeong-Ik, Park Hee-Sun, Yun Je-Mun, Choi Deok-Mun Running Time: 115 min. By Owlman I have to admit something here. I got suckered into buying Antarctic Journal from the selling line at YesAsia – “Suspense and danger lurk everywhere, even at the South Pole!” The premise of a team of explorers trekking through the Antarctic seemed very interesting at … Continue reading

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Lady Snowblood: Blizzard from the Netherworld (1973) Review

AKA: Blood Snow, Shurayukihime Director: Toshiya Fujito Writer: Osada Norio, Koike Kazuo, Kamimura Kazuo Cast: Meiko Kaji, Toshio Kurosawa, Masaaki Daimon, Miyoko Akaza, Noboru Nakaya, Takeo Chii, Yoshiko Nakada, Kaoru Kashiwada, Akemi Negishi, Sanae Nakahara Running Time: 97 min. By Reefer It is unfortunate that Fugita Toshiya’s Lady Snowblood might be remembered most only for it serving as the main source material for Quentin Tarantino’s 2003 hit and Asian cinema … Continue reading

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Failan (2001) Review

Director: Song Hae-Seong Cast: Choi Min-Sik, Cecilia Cheung Pak-Chi, Kong Hyung-Jin, Jeong Dae-Hun, Son Byung-Ho, Hae-gon Kim, Ji Dae-Han, Kim Soo-Hyun, Kim Ji-Yeong Running Time: 116 min. By Klotera This is a very unique film. At a very general level, one would call it a drama. But, it is more like a character based gangster film put together with a romance film that has no romance. Yes, it sounds strange, … Continue reading

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Green Fish (2001) Review

Director: Lee Chang-Dong Writer: Oh Seung-Wuk Cast: Han Seok-Kyu, Shim Hye-Jin, Moon Seong-Keun, Myeong Kye-Nam, Kim Yong-Man, Lee Ho-Seong, Han Seon-Kyu, Oh Ji-Hye, Sohn Young-Sun Running Time: 111 min. By Equinox21 The story of a guy who can’t find a job so he ends up involved in gangs is nothing new, but don’t let that dissuade you from seeing this one. There is plenty to keep your interest, even if … Continue reading

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Exclusive: Interview with Loren Avedon

Loren Avedon with "Manhattan Chase" crew

If you were in contact with martial arts films in the early 90’s, you probably know Loren Avedon. While Van Damme and Seagal were breaking box office records on the big screens, Loren was nearly breaking every bone in his body delivering “Hong Kong-style” action films to our local video stores. Starring in classics such as Corey Yuen’s “No Retreat No Surrender II” and Lucas Lo’s “King of the Kickboxers,” … Continue reading

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