Author Archives: JJ Bona

Isabella (2006) Review

Posted on January 16, 2011 by JJ Bona

AKA: Isabela Director: Pang Ho Cheung Writer: Pang Ho Cheung, Derek Tsang, Jimmy Wan Cast: Isabella Leung, Chapman To, Derek Tsang Kwok Cheung, Meme Tian, J. J. Jia, Anthony Wong Chau Sang, Josie Ho Chiu Yee, Shawn Yue Man Lok, Jim Chim Sui Man, Steven Cheung Chi Hang Running Time: 91 min. By Mighty Peking Man After seeing this Isabella’s trailer I couldn’t wait to see the actual movie. Now … Continue reading →

Posted in Chinese, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , |

Awakening (1994) Review

Posted on January 16, 2011 by JJ Bona

Director: Cha Chuen Yee Writer: Chung Oi-Fan, Rico Chung Kai-Cheong, Lam Kee-To Producer: Cha Chuen-Yee, Rico Chung Kai-Cheong Cast: Anita Lee Yuen Wah, Carman Lee Yeuk Tung, Tam Suk Mui, Anthony Wong Chau Sang, Simon Yam Tat Wah Running Time: 92 min. By Gwailo Simon Yam is a man tormented by the past. He blames con man/feng shui master/sorcerer Anthony Wong for “dragging his wife and kid to death.” In … Continue reading →

Posted in Chinese, Reviews | Tagged , , , , |

Wild Card (2003) Review

Posted on January 16, 2011 by JJ Bona

Director: Kim Yu-Jin Writer: Lee Man-Hee Producer: Jang Yun-Hyeon Cast: Jeong Jin-Yeong, Yang Dong-Geun, Han Chae-Yeong, Gi Ju-Bong, Kim Myeong-Guk, Hwang Jun-Yeong, Yu Ha-Bok Running Time: 117 min. By Mighty Peking Man Four psychotic hoods are going around murdering and raping innocent people. Sometimes for money, and other times for pure pleasure… Now, a group of policemen are assigned to the case, particularly detectives Je-su (Dong-kun Yang of Bet On … Continue reading →

Posted in Korean, Reviews |

Replacement Killers, The (1998) Review

Posted on January 16, 2011 by JJ Bona
"The Replacement Killers" Blu-ray Cover

Director: Antoine Fuqua Cast: Chow Yun-Fat, Mira Sorvino, Michael Rooker, Kenneth Tsang, Jürgen Prochnow, Til Schweiger, Danny Trejo, Clifton Collins Jr., Randall Duk Kim Running Time: 87 min. By Numskull I refuse to give this movie a serious review. To do so would be to endow it with a sort of cinematic legitimacy which it does not deserve. The Replacement Killers very well may be the single worst film that Chow … Continue reading →

Posted in Asian Related, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , |

Anna and the King (1999) Review

Posted on January 16, 2011 by JJ Bona

AKA: Anna Director: Andy Tennant Writer: Anna Leonowens, Steve Meerson, Peter Krikes Producer: Lawrence Bender, Ed Elbert Cast: Jodie Foster, Chow Yun-Fat, Bai Ling, Tom Felton, Syed Alwi, Randall Duk Kim, Kay Siu Lim, Melissa Campbell, Deanna Yusoff, Mano Maniam Running Time: 140 min. By James H. When you walk into a film like “Anna & The King”, you expect nothing less than a grand Hollywood epic in the style … Continue reading →

Posted in Asian Related, Reviews | Tagged , , |

DOA: Dead or Alive (2006) Review

Posted on January 14, 2011 by JJ Bona
"DOA: Dead or Alive" American Theatrical Poster

AKA: DOA, Dead or Alive Director: Corey Yuen Cast: Jaime Pressly, Holly Valance, Sarah Carter, Eric Roberts, Devon Aoki, Natassia Malthe, Kane Kosugi, Colin Chou, Robin Shou, Silvio Simac, Matthew Marsden Running Time: 87 min. By Ningen There comes a time in your life when you find out your favorite mainstream director is a hack. For some, that director is James Cameron; for others, it might be Tony Scott; for … Continue reading →

Posted in Asian Related, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , |

Assassin, The (1993) Review

Posted on January 14, 2011 by JJ Bona
"The Assassin" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Billy Chung Siu Hung Cast: Rosamund Kwan Chi-Lam, Max Mok Siu Chung, Zhang Feng Yi, Zhao Jun, Ni Dahong, Cheung Chi Kwong, Diao Xiao-Xiao, Song Ge, Zhang Guang-Bei Running Time: 81 min. By Numskull Ho-hum. Once you’ve stopped flinching from the scene where the main character’s eyelids get sewn shut, you’re not likely to have a very strong reaction to anything else in this movie. And even if you … Continue reading →

Posted in Chinese, Reviews | Tagged , , |

Ashes of Time (1994) Review

Posted on January 14, 2011 by JJ Bona
"Ashes of Time" International Theatrical Poster

Director: Wong Kar Wai Cast: Leslie Cheung Kwok Wing, Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Brigitte Lin, Maggie Cheung, Tony Leung Ka Fai, Carina Lau, Jacky Cheung, Charlie Young, Siu Tak Foo, Bai Li, Collin Chou Siu Long, Lau Shun, Joey Wong Tsu Hsien Running Time: 91/93/98 min. By Numskull A very poetic multiple-storyline drama featuring a veritable cornucopia of mentally unbalanced and emotionally unstable characters who never make eye contact with … Continue reading →

Posted in Chinese, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , |

All of a Sudden (1996) Review

Posted on January 14, 2011 by JJ Bona
"All of a Sudden" Chinese DVD Cover

Director: Herman Yau Writer: Chau Ting Cast: Simon Yam, Irene Wan, Alfred Cheung, Dayo Wong Chi Wah, Fong Yue, Peter Ngor, Chang Yin, Lam Chiu Wing, Rico Chung Kai Cheong, Lee Ji-Kei Running Time: 97 min. By Numskull If you like movies that prominently feature leggy Chinese women with big, pointy nipples getting wet and taking their clothes off when they weren’t wearing much in the first place, have I … Continue reading →

Posted in Chinese, Reviews | Tagged , , |

One-Armed Boxer 2, The | aka Master of the Flying Guillotine (1976) Review

Posted on January 13, 2011 by JJ Bona
"The One-Armed Boxer 2" American Theatrical Poster

Director: Jimmy Wang Yu Cast: Jimmy Wang Yu, Kam Kong, Doris Lung Chung Erh, Sham Chin Bo, Lung Fei, Wong Wing Sang, Sit Hon, Lau Kar Wing, Wong Fei Lung, Chui Chung Hei Running Time: 93 min. By Reefer It’s collapsible design, small enough to fit in pocket, would make it the ideal weapon for self-defense, replacing mace and taser guns forever. Imagine. Your wife or mother never again feeling … Continue reading →

Posted in Chinese, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , |

99 Cycling Swords | aka Lung Wei Village (1978) Review

Posted on January 13, 2011 by JJ Bona
"99 Cycling Swords" American DVD Cover

Director: Tyrone Hsu Tien Yung Cast: Polly Shian Kuan, Yao Hwa, Lo Lieh, Hu Chin, Lung Tien Hsiang Running Time: 91 min. By Numskull I know when I’m beaten. I’ve tried my damnedest. I’ve made a dozen valiant efforts that have invariably ended in failure. I’ve turned it over and over in my head for ages and there’s just no getting around it: Dear reader, it is outside my ability…completely … Continue reading →

Posted in Chinese, Reviews | Tagged , , , , |

Seventh Curse, The (1986) Review

Posted on January 13, 2011 by JJ Bona

AKA: Doctor Yuen and Wisely Director: Nam Lai-Choi Cast: Chow Yun Fat, Maggie Cheung, Chin Siu Ho, Dick Wei, Sibelle Hu, Ti Wei, Joyce Godenzi, Yasuaki Kurata Running Time: 81 min. By Perkele The best mixture of martial arts, horror and fantasy since Sammo Hung’s masterpiece “Spooky Encounters”! The biggest difference between these two films is that “Seveth Curse” is set in modern times and so there’s also gun action … Continue reading →

Posted in Chinese, Golden Harvest, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , |

7-Man Army (1976) Review

Posted on January 13, 2011 by JJ Bona
"7-Man Army" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Seven Man Army Director: Chang Cheh Cast: David Chiang, Ti Lung, Alexander Fu Sheng, Gordon Liu, Chen Kuan Tai, Lee I Min, Chi Kuan Chun, Pai Ying, Ting Wa Chung, Leung Kar-Yan, Johnny Wang, Miu Tin, Fung Ngai, Chen Ming Li, Chan Wai Lau Running Time: 114 min. By Mighty Peking Man 7-Man Army tells the story of seven Chinese soldiers (Ti Lung, Alexander Fu Sheng, Chen Kuan-Tai, David … Continue reading →

Posted in Chinese, Reviews, Shaw Brothers | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , |

7 Grandmasters | aka Return of the Seven Secret Rivals (1978) Review

Posted on January 13, 2011 by JJ Bona
"7 Grandmasters" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Seven Grand Masters Director: Joseph Kuo Cast: Lee Yi Min, Lung Fei, Jack Long, Mark Long, Corey Yuen Kwai, Chin Yuet Sang, Alan Chui, Nancy Yen, Cheung Ching Fung, Lee Yan Wa, Yuen Sam, Ma Chin Ku, Chen Chiu, Chiu Chung Hing, Lee Siu Fei Running Time: 89 min. By Tyler I have to open my review by stating that this film is not groundbreaking stuff, but it is … Continue reading →

Posted in Chinese, Reviews | Tagged , , , |

Retribution Sight Unseen | aka 3 Days of a Blind Girl (1992) Review

Posted on January 13, 2011 by JJ Bona

Director: Chan Wing Chiu Producer: Alfred Cheung Kin-Ting Writer: So Man Sing Cast: Anthony Wong, Veronica Yip, Jamie Luk, Anthony Chan, Alfred Cheung Running Time: 83 min. By Gwailo The plot of Retribution Sight Unseen is lifted in part from the Michael Apted film Blink, with Madeline Stowe as the main afflicted and Terence Young’s, Wait Until Dark, with Audrey Hepburn as the tormented blind. This HK counterpart gives it … Continue reading →

Posted in Chinese, Reviews |
  1. Pages:
  3. 1
  4. ...
  5. 386
  6. 387
  7. 388
  8. 389
  9. 390
  10. 391
  11. 392
  12. 393
  13. 394
  14. 395
  15. 396
  16. 397
  17. 398
  18. 399