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on Black Storm (2024) ReviewSpeaking of co-finnancing from China, I felt the urge to rewatch The Edge of…
on Black Storm (2024) Review"And constraints don’t have to be a hindrance to great art" This reminds me o…
on Shadow’s Edge, The (2025) ReviewYou're right - I've never thought about Maggie but now that you mention it, i…
Author Archives: Martin Sandison
Golgo 13 (1973) Review
Director: Junya Sato Cast: Ken Takakura, Mohsen Sohrabi, Jaleh Sam, Yadolla Shirandami, Jalal Pishvaian, Arezu, Siamak Atlassi, Arash Taj, Dariush Asadzade, Ezatallah Ramezanifar Running Time: 104 min. By Martin Sandison A couple of nights after the screening of Lone Wolf and Cub: Sword of Vengeance, a real rarity was presented at the 70th Edinburgh International Film Festival: The 1973 version of Golgo 13, starring the legendary Ken Takakura (The Yakuza). Never … Continue reading
Posted in All, Japanese, News, Reviews
Tagged Ken Takakura
Lone Wolf and Cub: Sword of Vengeance (1972) Review
Director: Kenji Misumi Producer: Shintaro Katsu Cast: Tomisaburo Wakayama, Akihiro Tomikawa, Tomoko Mayama, Fumio Watanabe, Keiko Fujita, Reiko Kasahara, Yunosuke Ito, Shun’ya Wazaki Running Time: 83 min. By Martin Sandison In February of this year, I attended a drinks function for the Edinburgh Film Festival, which takes place in June. I bumped into an acquaintance I’d known for many years, an actor and senior programmer called Niall Fulton, who the previous … Continue reading
Exclusive: Interview with the visionary Nobuhiko Obayashi
Nobuhiko Obayashi’s film House is rightfully regarded as one of the craziest and most singular films ever made, and I would say no other movie comes close to its beyond-surreal vision. Obayashi’s debut, made in 1977, would kickstart a career of eccentric, hilarious and visually wild films. Obayashi was present at the Udine Far East Film Festival where they screened four of his films: House, Exchange Students, School in the Crosshairs … Continue reading
Posted in Interviews, News
House (1977) Review
Director: Nobuhiko Obayashi Cast: Kimiko Ikegami, Miki Jinbo, Ai Matubara, Kumiko Oba, Mieko Sato, Eriko Tanaka, Masayo Miyako, Yoko Minamida, Kiyohiko Ozaki, Saho Sasazawa Running Time: 88 min. By Martin Sandison Ten years ago my knowledge of Japanese cult cinema was lacking to say the least. Then the best cinema in Scotland, The Filmhouse, put on a season where I caught 11 movies in two weeks. The titles I watched … Continue reading
Exclusive: Interview with martial arts star Sammo Hung
If you were to ask me who I thought was the ultimate kung fu filmmaker, one name would instantly spring to my mind: Sammo Hung. During my childhood, his movies – such as Prodigal Son, Warriors Two, Magnificent Butcher and many others – stoked a fire in my imagination and helped me through some dark times. When I heard he was appearing at the Udine Far East Film Festival in … Continue reading
Posted in Interviews, News
Master, The | aka The Final Master (2015) Review
Director: Xu Haofeng Writer: Xu Haofeng Cast: Fan Liao, Xiao Song Jia, Jiang Wenli, Huang Jue, Jin Shijie, Zhang Aoyue, Song Yang, Dong Xiaosong, Leon Dai, Chen Kuan-tai, Xiong Xin-Xin Running Time: 109 min. By Martin Sandison Now that the old guard of Hong Kong martial arts stars are getting on in age, the eyes of the kung fu movie-loving public have turned to Mainland China. With big money behind … Continue reading
Posted in All, Chinese, News, Reviews
Tagged Chen Kuan-tai, Huang Jue, Liao Fan, Xu Haofeng
Bodyguard, The (2016) Review
AKA: My Beloved Bodyguard Director: Sammo Hung Cast: Sammo Hung, Jaqueline Chan, Andy Lau Tak-Wah, Zhu Yuchen, Jack Feng, Li Qin Qin, Yuen Biao, Yuen Wah, Tsui Hark, Karl Maka, Dean Shek, James Lee Guy, Tomer Oz, Yuen Qiu, Feng Shaofeng, Hu Jun, Eddie Peng Running Time: 99 min. By Martin Sandison The Bodyguard is Sammo Hung’s first directorial feature since 1997’s Once Upon a Time in China and America, which … Continue reading
Posted in All, Chinese, News, Reviews
Tagged Andy Lau Tak-Wah, Dean Shek, Eddie Peng, Hu Jun, Karl Maka, Sammo Hung, Tsui Hark, William Feng, Yuen Biao, Yuen Qiu, Yuen Wah
Pilferer’s Progress, The | aka Money Crazy (1977) Review
Director: John Woo Producer: Raymond Chow Cast: Richard Ng, Ricky Hui, Lee Hoi San, Angie Chiu, Cheung Ying, Lam Ching Ying, Mars, Billy Chan, Tai San, Fung Hak On, Fung King Man, Gam Gwan, Helena Law Lan, Lin Ke Ming, Eric Tsang, Yu Ming, Dai Sai Aan, Kok Lee Yan, Lee Pang Fei Running Time: 98 min. By Martin Sandison John Woo is my favourite director. His run of movies … Continue reading
Posted in All, Chinese, Golden Harvest, News, Reviews
Tagged Billy Chan Wui Ngai, Eric Tsang, Fung Hak On, John Woo, Lam Ching-ying, Lee Hoi-Sang, Mars (Cheung Wing Fat), Richard Ng, Ricky Hui Kun Ying
Creepy (2016) Review
Director: Kiyoshi Kurosawa Cast: Hidetoshi Nishijima, Yuko Takeuchi, Haruna Kawaguchi, Masahiro Higashide, Teruyuki Kagawa, Ryoko Fujino, Masahiro Toda, Toru Baba Misaki Saisho, Takashi Sasano Running Time: 130 min. By Martin Sandison An established Japanese film company called Shochiku, which celebrated its 120th anniversary last year, has left an enduring legacy. From Yasujiro Ozu masterpieces such as Tokyo Story to more recent output such as Casshern, the diversity of movies the company … Continue reading
Office | aka Design for Living (2015) Review
Director: Johnnie To Writer: Sylvia Chang Cast: Chow Yun-fat, Sylvia Chang, Eason Chan, Tang Wei, Wang Ziyi, Lang Yue-Ting, Cheung Siu-Fai, Tien Hsin, Wallace Chung Hon-Leung, Stephanie Che Yuen-Yuen, Timmy Hung Tin-Ming, Mickey Chu Kin-Kwan Running Time: 117 min. By Martin Sandison Just after the Berlin Film Festival finished, the Glasgow Film Festival began. In 2012, the highly reputable Glasgow event screened a sold out show of The Raid that … Continue reading
Posted in All, Chinese, News, Reviews
Tagged Chow Yun-fat, Eason Chan, Johnnie To, Sylvia Chang, Tang Wei
Trivisa (2016) Review
Director: Frank Hui Co-director: Jevons Au Co-director: Vicky Wongi Cast: Jordan Chan, Richie Ren, Gordon Lam, Lam Suet, Kwong Leung Wong, Yueh Hua Running Time: 97 min. By Martin Sandison Berlin Film Festival, now in its 66th year, has the biggest audience attendance for any film festival in the world. The diversity of films showing can be overwhelming, but from an Asian perspective there was plenty to enjoy this year. … Continue reading
Posted in All, Chinese, News, Reviews
Tagged Gordon Lam, Johnnie To, Jordan Chan Siu Chun, Lam Suet, Richie Ren Yin Chi, Yueh Hua
From Vegas to Macau III (2016) Review
Director: Andrew Lau Co-director: Wong Jing Co-director: Billy Chung Cast: Chow Yun-fat, Andy Lau, Nick Cheung, Li Yuchun, Jacky Cheung, Carina Lau, Charles Heung, Shawn Yue, Psy, Angela Wang, Jacky Heung, Michelle Hu, David Chiang, Law Kar-ying, Kimmy Tong, Yuen Qiu, Elena Kong Running Time: 112 min. By Martin Sandison The first two movies in the From Vegas to Macau trilogy were a revelation for Hong Kong cinema fans: immensely … Continue reading
Boxer from the Temple, The (1979) Review
Director: John Lo Mar Cast: Ng Yuen Jun, Kwan Feng, Wong Mei Mei, Lau Fong Sai, Wang Sha, Lam Fai Wong, Lau Hok Nin, Keung Hon, Cheng Miu, Chiang Cheng, Baan Yun Sang, Chan Fai Kei, Cheung Hei, Chin Siu Ho, Chow Gam Kong, Chui Fat Running Time: 92 min. By Martin Sandison Being the two main choreographers of the classic Shaw Brothers output, Lau Kar Leung and Tang Chia’s … Continue reading
Posted in All, Chinese, News, Reviews, Shaw Brothers
Tagged Chin Siu Ho, John Lo Mar
Untold Story, The | aka Bunman (1993) Review
Director: Herman Yau Cast: Anthony Wong, Danny Lee, Emily Kwan, Lau Siu-Ming, Shing Fui-On, Parkman Wong Pak-Man, Yee Ka-Fat, Lam King-Kong, Julie Lee, Leung Hung-Wah Running Time: 96 min. By Martin Sandison One of the most notorious Category 3 Hong Kong films ever made, Bunman (what a title!) features everything that makes extreme HK cinema so unique: brutality, seriously dark comedy and insane energy that spills off the screen. Only … Continue reading
Posted in Chinese, News, Reviews
Tagged Anthony Wong, Danny Lee Sau Yin, Herman Yau, Shing Fui On
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