Author Archives: JJ Bona

Matrix, The (1999) Review

January 31, 2011 JJ Bona
"The Matrix" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: The Wachowskis Writer: The Wachowskis Producer: Joel Silver Cast: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving, Gloria Foster, Joe Pantoliano, Marcus Chong, Anthony Ray Parker, Julian Arahanga Running Time: 136 min. By Numskull “Unfortunately…no one…can describe…what the Matrix…really is.” The Matrix…the movie, not the thing that no one can describe…is a rare thing indeed: a film that got widespread success, a franchise deal (two sequels in the works) … Continue reading →

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

Last Hurrah for Chivalry (1979) Review

January 31, 2011 JJ Bona
"Last Hurrah for Chivalry" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: John Woo Cast: Damian Lau, Wai Pai, Lau Kong, Lee Hoi San, Hsu Hsia, Fung Hak On, Chin Yuet Sang, Ngai Chau Wah, Cheng Lui, Huang Ha, Baan Yun Sang, Chan Dik Hak, Chan Siu Gai, Cheung Ging, Johnny Cheung Running Time: 107 min. By Raging Gaijin “Last Hurrah for Chivalry” has all the elements of a John Woo film: abundant use of slow motion, expertly choreographed action sequences, … Continue reading →

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

Cheetah on Fire (1993) Review

January 31, 2011 JJ Bona
"Cheetah on Fire" Tai Seng VHS Cover

Director: Chui Fat Cast: Donnie Yen, Carrie Ng, Sharla Cheung Man, Gordon Liu Chia Hui, Ken Lo Hui Kwong, Fujimi Nadeki, Michael Woods, John Salvitti, Eddie Ko, Shing Fui On Running Time: 87 min. By Tyler In Cheetah on Fire, “Long Hair” (Gordon Liu) leads a violent gang in pursuit of a stolen missile guidance control chip. Donnie Yen and Nadeki Fujimi play CIA agents who are assisted by the … Continue reading →

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

Bichunmoo | aka Flying Warriors (2000) Review

January 31, 2011 JJ Bona
"Bichunmoo" Korean Theatrical Poster

Director: Kim Young-jun Cast: Shin Hyun-joon, Kim Hee-sun, Jeong Jin-young, Jang Dong-jik, Choi Yoo-jung, Gi Ju-bong Running Time: 118 min. By Alexander Bichunmoo is essentially a series of set pieces featuring beautiful people, gorgeous costumes and rousing music periodically interspersed with imaginative fight scenes that blend arcade-style action and wire-fu (and the occasional exploding torso and severed head). But despite the thin story (it’s all about the revenge-amins…again), implausible plot … Continue reading →

Posted in Korean, Reviews | Tagged , , |

Beat (1997) Review

January 31, 2011 JJ Bona

Director: Kim Sung-su Producer: Cha Seung-Jae Cast: Jung Woo-Sung, Ko So-Young , Kim Bu-Seon, Lim Chang Jung , Yu Oh-Seong, Lee Mun-Shik, Sa Hyeon-Jin, Jang Dong-Jik, Do Ki-Seok, Kim Seong-Su, Park Kyeong-Hwan, Kwon Tae-Won, Jin Bong-Jin, Lee Suk, Kim Yang-Woo Running Time: 113 min. By Mighty Peking Man “Beat” is the story involving a few hoods who lived fast and suffered the consequences of their violent, crime-filled lifestyle. It stars … Continue reading →

Posted in Korean, Reviews | Tagged , |

Barking Dogs Never Bite (2000) Review

January 31, 2011 JJ Bona
"Barking Dogs Never Bite" Korean Theatrical Poster

AKA: Dog of Flanders Director: Bong Joon-ho Cast: Lee Seong-Jae, Bae Doo-Na, Byeon Hee-Bong, Miriam Yeung Chin Running Time: 106 min. By Mighty Peking Man The first time I saw Bae Doo-Na in Park Chan-Uk’s Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance, I knew for a fact I would develop an interest in her right there and then. Not since Faye Wong’s presence in Wong Kar-Wai’s Chungking Express has there been a single … Continue reading →

Posted in Korean, Reviews | Tagged , |

Vengeance is a Golden Blade (1969) Review

January 31, 2011 JJ Bona

Director: Ho Meng Hua Writer: Ho Meng Hua, Tu Yun Chih Producer: Run Run Shaw Cast: Chin Ping, Yueh Hua, Goo Man Chung, Tang Ching, Li Peng-Fei, Go Bo Shu, Paul Wei Ping Ao Running Time: 103 min. By Mighty Peking Man Li Zhi Shan (Tang Ching), a swordsman in the security business, arrives home to find that a rival company – headed by the evil Long Brothers – is … Continue reading →

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

Dare You Touch Me | aka Bruce Takes Dragon Town (1974) Review

January 31, 2011 JJ Bona

AKA: Bruce Takes the Dragon Director: Liu Hung Sheng Producer: Chen Wei Ling Cast: Yuen Si Wo, Chiang Sheng, Lung Fei, Suen Yuet, Lee Keung, Chou Tai-Sheng Running Time: 90 min. By Mighty Peking Man This movie sucks AND here are the reasons why: 1.) The words “Bruce” and “Le” are not a selling point, but that didn’t stop the designer of the video box to use his name when … Continue reading →

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

Bruce Le’s Greatest Revenge (1978) Review

January 31, 2011 JJ Bona
"Bruce Le's Greatest Revenge" US VHS Cover

AKA: Way of the Dragon 2 Director: To Lo Po Cast: Bruce Le (aka Huang Kin Long, Wong Kin Lung), Bolo Yeung, San Kuai, Tong Yim Chaan, Lee I Min, Hon Gwok Choi, Michelle Lai, To Siu Ming, Ku Feng Running Time: 94 min. By Goldenfist The official plot, at least according to Amazon’s description, goes like this: “Bruce Le’s Greatest Revenge stars action artist Bruce Le as a man … Continue reading →

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

Bruce Lee’s Secret | aka Story of the Dragon (1976) Review

January 31, 2011 JJ Bona
"Bruce Lee's Secret" US DVD Cover

Director: Chan Wa Co-director: William Cheung Kei Cast: Bruce Li (aka Ho Chung Tao, James Ho), Carter Wong Ka-tat, Hwang Jang-lee, Robert Kerver, Roy Horan, Chin Chi-min, Ng Yin, Lin Hsiao-hu min Running Time: 90 min. By Joseph Kuby A nice slice of friendly Bruceploitation! While this has been viewed as a biographical picture detailing Bruce Lee’s stay in the West, in actuality it’s really more of a spin-off of … Continue reading →

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

My Sassy Girl (2001) Review

January 31, 2011 JJ Bona
"My Sassy Girl" Korean Theatrical Poster

AKA: Yupgi Girl; Bizarre Girl Director: Kwak Jae-yong Cast: Jun Ji-Hyun (Chon Ji-Yeon, Jeon Ji-Hyeon, Joon Ji-Hyun, Gianna Jun), Cha Tae Hyun Running Time: 137 min. By Alexander Gyeon-woo, the main character in “My Sassy Girl,” is a slack-jawed, pink sweater-garbed, whiny little bitch. He falls in love with a rubber-faced, knobby-kneed bully who spends much of the film torturing this hapless loser and making decisions that are so bizarre … Continue reading →

Posted in Korean, Reviews | Tagged , , |

Loving You (1995) Review

January 30, 2011 JJ Bona
"Loving You" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Cop Story Director: Johnnie To Cast: Lau Ching Wan, Lee Chung Ling, Carman Lee Yeuk Tung, Tok Chung Wa, Yuen Bun, Wong Wa Wo, Ruby Wong Cheuk Ling, Wong Jan Fai, Chiu Chi Shing, Alan Mak Siu Fai, So Wai Naam, Lam Suet Running TIme: 83 min. By Mighty Peking Man Directed by Johnny To and starring Lau Ching Wan and Carmen Lee… Okay, STOP: Knowing these three things, … Continue reading →

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

Enter the Game of Death | aka The King of Kung Fu (1978/1981) Review

January 30, 2011 JJ Bona
"Enter the Game of Death" Korean Theatrical Poster

Director: Joseph Kong Co-director: Lee Tso Nam Cast: Bruce Le (aka Huang Kin Long, Wong Kin Lung), Bolo Yeung, Li Hai Sheng, Lee Hoi San, James Nam, Chu Chi Ling, Kim Wang Kuk, Samuel Walls Running Time: 90 min. By Joseph Kuby Guilty Exploitation Pleasure! Enter The Game of Death (a.k.a. King of Kung Fu) is really a bad film though one that’s highly enjoyable for Bruce Lee/martial arts/action/Hong Kong … Continue reading →

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

Bruce Lee Fights Back from the Grave | aka The Stranger (1976) Review

January 30, 2011 JJ Bona
"Bruce Lee Fights Back from the Grave" US Theatrical Poster

AKA: Visitor in America Director: Lee Doo-Yong Cast: Jun Chong (aka Bruce K. L. Lea), Deborah Chaplin, Anthony Bronson, Steve Mak, Jack Houston, Charlie Chow, Philip Kennedy, Jimmy Sato, Sho Kosugi Running Time: 85 min. By Mighty Peking Man Next to Fist of Fear, Touch of Death and Clones of Bruce Lee, this film is right up there as one of the biggest oddballs of the Bruceploitation genre. The funny thing … Continue reading →

Posted in Asian Related, Bruceploitation, Italian, Korean, Reviews | Tagged , , |

Dragon Missile, The (1976) Review

January 30, 2011 JJ Bona
"The Dragon Missile" Hong Kong DVD Cover

AKA: The Guillotine Director: Ho Meng Hua Producer: Runme Shaw Cast: Lo Lieh, Nancy Yen, Lau Wing, Ku Feng, Kong Yeung, Lau Wai-Yue, Lee Sau-Kei, Ouyang Shafei, Norman Chu, Yeung Chi-Hing, Fan Mei-Sheng, Chan Mei-Hua, Kok Lee-Yan, Lai Man, Wang Han-Chen, Ko Hung Running Time: 82 min. By Mighty Peking Man It’s been over a year since I’ve watched The Dragon Missile, so instead of writing a review based on … Continue reading →

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