-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Newest Comments
on This you can trust: Cameras set to roll in 2027 for ‘King Conan’ starring Arnold SchwarzeneggerAgree. And use Basil Poledouris’ original score as well.
on This you can trust: Cameras set to roll in 2027 for ‘King Conan’ starring Arnold Schwarzenegger“McQuarrie to write”. Please can I make this clear to y’all. JUST USE THE FRI…
on ‘Rush Hour 4’ is moving ahead as director Brett Ratner hitches a ride with President Trump to scout filming locations in Chinathis is just the first step. After Rush Hour 4, Ellison and Trump are going t…
on ‘Rush Hour 4’ is moving ahead as director Brett Ratner hitches a ride with President Trump to scout filming locations in ChinaThat was then…this is now
on Tiger on the Beat 2 (1990) ReviewNot as good as the first film, but it's gained an unfairly bad rep for some r…
on The Ip Man saga continues WITHOUT Donnie Yen? Dennis To in ‘Ip Man: Kung Fu Legend’ coming soon from Well Go USAI love The Legend is Born. I watch it just as much as the Donnie Yen films. I…
on Tiger on the Beat 2 (1990) Reviewif ever I get my hands on either the Shout or eventual Arrow versions I need…
on Return to the living dead! New Poster for Well Go USA’s ‘Colony’ from ‘Train to Busan’ director Yeon Sang HoColony is making its debut in New York. https://deadline.com/2026/05/gianna-j…
on The Ip Man saga continues WITHOUT Donnie Yen? Dennis To in ‘Ip Man: Kung Fu Legend’ coming soon from Well Go USADennis To is the epitome of wasted potential. I really enjoyed his outing in…
on Donald Gibb, the larger than life actor known for ‘Revenge of the Nerds’ and ‘Bloodsport’, dies at 71Rest in peace Donald Gibb You were awesome as Jackson in Bloodsport
on Demon Dancer: Sua/Nara (2026) ReviewThank you! We are very excited to release the finished version!
on Demon Dancer: Sua/Nara (2026) ReviewAny idea when/how this will be released in the US?
on Demon Dancer: Sua/Nara (2026) ReviewGreat and detailed review! Just a single note — we developed the script for D…
on Ready for ultimate kung fu bliss? George Lazenby and Angela Mao’s ‘Stoner’ arriving on Blu-ray from 88 FilmsI remember all these Mao Ying films only available on VCD, still have a bunch…
Author Archives: JJ Bona
Lady Snowblood: Blizzard from the Netherworld (1973) Review
AKA: Blood Snow, Shurayukihime Director: Toshiya Fujito 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 tribute Kill Bill. I guess I should … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Reviews
Tagged Meiko Kaji
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
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
Exclusive: Interview with Loren Avedon
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
Returner | aka The Returner (2002) Review
Director: Takashi Yamazaki Producer: Toru Horibe Cast: Takeshi Kaneshiro, Ann Suzuki, Kirin Kiki, Goro Kishitani, Yukiko Okamoto, Mitsuru Murata Running Time: 117 min. By Equinox21 Say you are a Japanese film-maker, how do you make an extremely cool sci-fi action movie? Here’s the recipe; start with an alien invasion (ala ID4), sprinkle in a healthy dose of Terminator (humanity’s last hope is to send someone back in time to stop … Continue reading
Zatoichi | aka The Blind Swordsman Zatoichi (2003) Review
Director: Takeshi Kitano Cast: Takeshi Kitano, Tadanobu Asano, Yui Natsukawa, Michiyo Ookusu, Gadarukanaru Taka, Yuuko Daike, Daigor Tachibana, Ittoku Kishibe, Saburo Ishikura Running Time: 116 min. By Equinox21 I’m very pleased to say that Zatoichi did not let me down. I was afraid that not having any previous knowledge about the franchise and seeing a Kitano movie that didn’t involve yakuza vs. cops would make it a less enjoyable experience … Continue reading
Getting Any? (1995) Review
Director: Takeshi Kitano Writer: Takeshi Kitano Producer: Masayuki Mori, Hisao Nabeshima, Takio Yoshida Cast: Moeko Ezawa, Hakuryu, Tokie Hidari, Yojin Hino, Minoru Iizuka, Takeshi Kitano, Akiji Kobayashi, Yuuji Minakata, Masumi Okada, Ren Osugi, Shintaro Takado, Susumu Terajima, Kanji Tsuda, Yuurei Yanagi, Tetsuya Yuuki Running Time: 105 Min. By Mairosu It’s often said that the western world doesn’t know real Beat Takeshi. To us, the mention of his name is usually … Continue reading
Fireworks | aka Hana-Bi (1997) Review
Director: Takeshi Kitano Cast: Takeshi Kitano, Kayoko Kishimoto, Ren Osugi, Susumu Terajima, Tetsu Watanabe, Hakuryu, Yasuei Yakushiji, Taro Istumi, Kenichi Yajima, Makoto Ashikaw Running Time: 103 min. By Equinox21 Hana-bi was the first Takeshi Kitano film (directed) I’d seen. I really wish I’d waited until I’d seen some of his others first, because none of the others even compare. As much as I love all his films, Hana-bi was heads … Continue reading
Sonatine (1993) Review
Director: Takeshi Kitano Writer: Takeshi Kitano Cast: Takeshi Kitano, Aya Kikumai, Tetsu Watanabe, Masanobu Katsumura, Susumu Terajima, Ren Ohsugi, Eiji Minakata, Rome Kanda, Houka Kinoshita Running Time: 90 min. By Len One word: Genius. I could write 400 words on how much I love this film and it still wouldn’t be enough. To me, this represents all that is good in Kitano’s cinema. Kitano plays Murakawa, a respected leader of … Continue reading
Shaolin Temple 2: The Kids from Shaolin (1984) Review
Director: Cheung Sing Yim Cast: Jet Li, Huang Qiu-Yan, Yu Hai, Yu Cheng-Hui, Ding Lan, Ji Chun-Hua, Hu Jian-Qiang Running Time: 99 min. By Numskull This is a sequel to Shaolin Temple in name only; there is no continuation of the first film. In fact, it barely has anything to do with the Shaolin temple. It would probably be better off, were this not the case. The film is about … Continue reading
Shaolin Temple (1982) Review
Director: Cheung Sing Yim Cast: Jet Li, Yu Cheng Wai, Yu Hai, Din Nan, Chang Jien Wun, Ji Chuan Wah, Hu Chien Keung, Wong Kwang Chuan, Sun Jien Hwu, Yin Tee Wah Running Time: 95 min. By Numskull Watch enough modern-day cop stories and Americanized Hong Kong films, and a straight-out chop socky flick like this almost seems new and innovative. Shaolin Temple is an above average kung fu movie, … Continue reading
Iceman Cometh, The | aka Time Warrors (1989) Review
Director: Clarence Ford Cast: Yuen Biao, Maggie Cheung, Yuen Wah, Sarah Lee, Tai Bo, Lam Chung, Alvina Kong, Ann Mui, Tan Lap Man, Frankie Ng, Chen Jing, Stanley Fung, Lai Yin Saan, Lam Siu Lau, Helena Law, Liu Wai Hung, Jackson Ng, Walter Tso, Elvis Tsui, Anthony Wong, Wong Jing, Corey Yuen Running Time: 114 min. By Reefer Two opposing Ming Dynasty warriors fall into an ice crevice and are … Continue reading
Posted in Chinese, Golden Harvest, Reviews
Tagged Clarence Ford, Corey Yuen, Elvis Tsui, Maggie Cheung, Stanley Fung Shui-Fan, Wong Jing, Yuen Biao, Yuen Wah
Not Scared to Die | aka Fist of Anger (1973) Review
AKA: In Eagle Shadow Fist Director: Zhu Mu Cast: Wong Ching, Alex Lung Ji Fei, Lee Man Tai, Yam Ho, Kok Lee Yan, Yuen Qiu, Yuen Cheung Yan, Lau Kar Wing, Jackie Chan, Chiang Nan, Fung Hak On Running Time: 85 min. By Numskull Let’s see here. Multiple alternate titles: check. Evil Japanese invaders incessantly harassing the women and old folks: check. Jackie Chan, before anyone knew who he was: … Continue reading
Posted in Chinese, Reviews
Tagged Brandy Yuen Chun-Yeung, Fung Hak On, Jackie Chan, Lau Kar Wing, Yuen Qiu, Yuen Shun Yee, Zhu Mu
Exclusive: Interview with Bob Wall
Oharra! That’s right. The one, the only: Bob Wall, who has appeared in 2 1/2 films with Bruce Lee. His treachery has disgraced us and always will 🙂 – MPM, April 1999 MPM: I’ve been a Bruce Lee fan since as long as I can remember. Seeing you in ‘Way of the Dragon’, ‘Enter the Dragon’, and ‘Game of Death’… Bob Wall: He’s (Bruce) a hell of a guy. MPM: … Continue reading
Posted in Interviews
Drive (1997) Review
Director: Steve Wang Writer: Scott Phillips Cast: Mark Dacascos, Kadeem Hardison, John Pyper-Ferguson, Brittany Murphy, Tracey Walter, James Shigeta, Masaya Kato, Dom Magwili, Ron Winston Yuan Running Time: 100 min. By Joe909 Like most, I first saw Drive in its edited, HBO version, which is 16 minutes shorter than the Director’s Cut. For everyone out there in the US (or other Region 1 countries) who likes this movie and wants … Continue reading
1 Comment