Author Archives: Matthew Le-feuvre

Young Lovers on Flying Wheels (1974) Review

"Young Lovers on Flying Wheels" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: The Motorcycle Director: Ti Lung Cast: Ti Lung, Ching Hoh Wai, Got Dik Wa, Dean Shek Tien, Lee Man Tai, Lam Fai Wong, Gam Gwan, Lee Hoi San, Chiang Nan, Lo Wai, Wu Ma, John Woo Running Time: 99 min. By Matthew Le-feuvre Although, in part, influenced by the ‘biker’ B-flicks of 60’s Americana. This interesting ‘variation on the theme’ was a radical departure for matinee idol, Ti Lung; … Continue reading

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Miracle Fighters, The (1982) Review

"Miracle Fighters" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Diretor: Yuen Woo-ping Cast: Yuen Yat Chor, Leung Kar Yan, Yuen Cheung Yan, Brandy Yuen Jan Yeung, Eddie Ko Hung, Yuen Shun Yee, Yuen Woo Ping, Tino Wong Cheung, Huang Ha, Chan Tien Lung, Simon Yuen Siu Tien, Lam Moon-Wa Running Time: 95 min. By Matthew Le-feuvre Following the runaway successes of both Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow (1977) and its semi-sequel The Drunken Master (1978), it has always been fervently rumoured that … Continue reading

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Fists, the Kicks and the Evil, The (1978) Review

"The Fists, the Kicks and the Evil" DVD Cover

AKA: Fists, Kicks and the Evils Director: To Lo Po Cast: Bruce Leung Siu Lung, Philip Ko Fei, Bolo Yeung Tze, Chiang Cheng, Ku Feng, Lau Hok Nin, Ma Chao, Chan Lau, Lin Ke Ming, Kei Ho Chiu, Ricky Wong Running Time: 84 min. By Matthew Le-feuvre In that rare and exclusive echelon of celebrated kicking tactic­ians, Leung Siu Liang – otherwise known in international circles as Bruce Leung – seemed to … Continue reading

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Jim Kelly: “Man, you come right out of a comic book!”

Jim Kelly was a singular individual… period. Although for some – particularly critic – he was just another standard action contractee of the Blaxploitation era recalled in idle conversat­ions notably for his co-starring credit opposite the late Bruce Lee in Enter the Dragon (1973), and a vernacular of deadpan, cynically delivered one-liners. Is this the only legacy Jim Kelly bequeathed to a united nation of grieving fans and ageing film Historians; nostalgically pining … Continue reading

Posted in Features, News |

Swift Knight, The (1971) Review

"The Swift Knight" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Jeong Chang Hwa Producer: Runme Shaw Cast: Lo Lieh, Yau Lung, Chan Shen, Wong Hap, Margaret Hsing Hui, Chin Han, Fang Mien, Chai No, Tung Lam, Wong Chung Shun, Fan Mei Sheng, Hsu Yu, Mama Hung, Lau Kar Wing, Lee Pang Fei, Ou-Yang Sha Fei, Shum Lo Running Time: 81 min. By Matthew Le-feuvre Up to his much lamented death in 2002 from heart failure, former stalwart, international cult … Continue reading

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Mercenaries from Hong Kong (1982) Review

"Mercenaries from Hong Kong" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Wong Jing Cast: Ti Lung, Chan Wai Man, Candice Yu On On, Nat Chan Pak Cheung, Lo Lieh, Ngaai Fei, Philip Ko Fei, Wong Yu, Johnny Wang, Yuen Wah, Lee Hoi San, Aai Dung Gwa, Cheng Miu, Cheung Gwok Wa, To Wai Wo Running Time: 90 min. By Matthew Le-feuvre Known for his affable personality as well as an eccentric reputation for having “fingers in many pies” pursuits, Wong … Continue reading

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Challenger, The (1979) Review

AKA: Deadly Challenger Director: Eric Tsang Producer: Lo Wei Cast: David Chiang, Norman Chu, Lily Li Li Li, Philip Ko Fei, Eric Tsang, Huang Ha, Peter Chan Lung, Mars, Tai Bo, Alan Chan, Benny Lai, Chan Dik Hak, Chan Siu Gai Running Time: 87 min. By Matthew Le-feuvre When Hong Kong stalwart and one-time international star, David Chiang (Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires) re-negotiated his contract with the venerated … Continue reading

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Dirty Kung Fu (1978) Review

"Dirty Kung Fu" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Lau Kar Wing Cast: Wong Yu, Cecilia Wong Hang Sau, Wilson Tong, Lau Kar Wing, Thompson Kao Kang, Karl Maka, Norman Chu, Fung Hak On, Cheng Hong Yip, Wong Shu Tong, Dean Shek, Billy Chan, Chan Dik Hak, Peter Chan Running Time: 90 min. By Matthew Le-feuvre Deftly defiant, and roguishly engaging with a persona that marginally capitalized on the edge of sardonic repose: a contradiction indeed! The late Wong … Continue reading

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Private Eyes, The | aka Mr. Boo (1976) Review

"The Private Eyes" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Michael Hui Co-director: John Woo Cast: Michael Hui, Sam Hui, Ricky Hui, Stanley Hui, Shih Kien, Angie Chiu, Chen Hung Lieh, Huang Ha, Tsang Choh Lam, Richard Ng, Billy Chan, Chan Laap Ban Running Time: 94 min. By Matthew Le-feuvre Hong Kong comedy veteran, Michael Hui, has, for veritable reasons, seemed to excel both artisitcally and commercially whenever he’s temporarily halted, taken stock and examined his lively career with … Continue reading

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Asia-Pol | aka Asiapol Secret Service (1967) Review

AKA: Asiapol Director: Ma Chi Ho Writer: Gan Yamazaki Producer: Kenzo Asada, Run Run Shaw Cast: Jimmy Wang Yu, Ryoriko Asaoka, Wong Hap, Cheung Pooi Saan, Yuen Sam, Jo Shishido, Takashina Kaku, Chan Sing, Gam Tin Chue Running Time: 97 min. By Matthew Le-feuvre When Sean Connery announced of his unexpected departure from the James Bond franchise in early ’67, and that You Only Live Twice would be his final … Continue reading

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Stray Dog (1949) Review

Director: Akira Kurosawa Writer: Akira Kurosawa, Ryuzo Kikushima Producer: Sojiro Motoki Cast: Toshiro Mifune, Takashi Shimura, Keiko Awaji, Eiko Miyoshi, Noriko Honma, Isao Kimura, Minoru Chiaki, Ichiro Sugai, Gen Shimizu, Noriko Sengoku Running Time: 122 min. By Matthew Le-feuvre At a time when social or political ambivalence wasn’t an option to explore or express through art – or by any other visual medium – acclaimed Japanese filmmaker, Akira Kurosawa, then … Continue reading

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Invincible Armour (1977) Review

"The Invincible Armour" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Ng See Yuen Producer: Chor Yuen Cast: John Liu Chung Liang, Hwang Jang Lee, Tino Wong Cheung, Lee Hoi San, Philip Ko Fei, Corey Yuen Kwai, Yuen Shun Yee, Yuen Biao, Hsu Hsia Running Time: 101 min. By Matthew Le-feuvre The collaborative effort in reuniting two of the world’s most celebrated kicking technicians was no light work for independent producer, Ng See Yuen. His previous trendsetter The Secret Rivals … Continue reading

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Killer Constable | aka Lightning Kung Fu (1980) Review

"Killer Constable" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Karate Exterminators Director: Kuei Chih-Hung Cast: Chen Kuan Tai, Gam Biu, Ha Ping, Keung Hon, Kong Do, Ku Feng, Kwan Yung Moon, Lam Wai, Lee Chun Hwa, Jason Pai Piao, Walter Tso, Dick Wei, Yuen Wah Running Time: 92 min. By Matthew Le-feuvre Released in the closing years of the Shaw Brothers reign, Kuen Chia Hung’s arresting socio-politically charged actioner confidently reintroduced the interesting, if not debatable, abstraction of … Continue reading

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Bruce’s Deadly Fingers (1976) Review

"Bruce's Deadly Fingers" Chinese Poster

AKA: Bruce’s Fingers Director: Joseph Kong Cast: Bruce Le, Michael Chan Wai Man, Lo Lieh, Nora Miao Ke Hsiu, Cheung Lik, Chu Chi Ling, Bolo Yeung Tze, Kong Do, Tong Tin Hei, Li Chao, Kok Lee Yan Running Time: 90 min. By Matthew Le-feuvre The “MacGuffin” or “suspension of disbelief” (a reference term coined by Sharon Stone’s femme fatale character from Basic Instinct) has neither been a celluloid problem for the … Continue reading

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Legend of Wisely, The (1987) Review

"The Legend of Wisely" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Legend of the Golden Pearl Director: Teddy Robin Kwan Cast: Sam Hui, Ti Lung, Joey Wong, Teddy Robin Kwan, Bruce Baron, Blacky Ko, Heidi Makinen, Alan Kuo Yau Lun, Alan Lee, Kim Fan Running Time: 86 min. By Matthew Le-feuvre With an unambiguous career spanning back to the infant days of Golden Harvest, Sam Hui – younger brother of Michael and Ricky – is probably better known internationally for … Continue reading

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