Author Archives: Paul Bramhall

Legend of the Drunken Tiger (1991) Review

Director: Robert Tai Cast: Kara Hui, Chui Kei-Wai, Alexander Lo Rei, Cheung Kwok Keung, Ku Feng, Ho Pak Kwong, Man Siu, Wong Hap, Lee Lung Yam, Chan Yue-Ching Running Time: 98 min.  By Paul Bramhall The early 90’s was the peak era for the whole ”Legend of the….” title structure in Hong Kong cinema. Legend of the Dragon gave us Stephen Chow vs Jimmy White, Legend of the Liquid Sword … Continue reading

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Ninja in Ancient China (1993) Review

AKA: The Prowess Director: Chang Cheh Cast: Tung Chi-Wa, Mu Li-Xin, Lin Ying-Jun, Chen Die-Yi, Chan Yee-Gong, Cheng Ya-Lin, Du Yu-Ming Guo Jun, Wan Man-Ying, Chu Ka-Lung, Wu Tian-Yun Running Time: 92 min. By Paul Bramhall After spending almost 20 years working exclusively for the Shaw Brothers studio, director Chang Cheh had rightfully earned his moniker of the Godfather of the Kung Fu Film. In 1983 he made his final … Continue reading

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Attack of the Joyful Goddess (1983) Review

"Attack of the Joyful Goddess" DVD Cover

AKA: Attack of the Venoms Director: Chang Cheh Co-director: Chiang Sheng Co-director: Lu Feng Cast: Ricky Cheng Tien-Chi, Chiang Sheng, Lu Feng, Chui Chung-Fei, Lee Chung-Yat Running Time: 92 min. By Paul Bramhall By 1983 the Shaw Brothers studio as a movie making powerhouse was on its last legs, and within a couple of years would completely close up shop to focus purely on TV production. Compared to the cinema … Continue reading

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Eagle vs. Silver Fox | aka Flying Martial Arts (1980) Review

Director: Park Yun-Gyo Co-director: Godfrey Ho Cast: Hwang Jang-Lee, Gwak Mu-Seong, Sarah Sit Chi-Lin, Nam Chung-Il, Chiu Chun, Kim Yu-Haeng, Pok Chung-Sit, Choe Mu-Ung, Kim Gi-Jong Running Time: 95 min. By Paul Bramhall If there’s one aspect of the kung fu world that’s more deadly than any secret technique, it’s the IFD Films distributed kung fu movie. Virtually every readily available Korean kung fu movie from the 70’s and 80’s … Continue reading

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Thunder Run (1991) Review

Director: Hsu Hsia Cast: Ray Lui, Alex Fong Chung Sun, Ha Chi Jan, William Ho Ka Kui, Jason Pai Piao, Fung Hak On, Tony Liu Jun Guk, Ho Pak Kwong, Wan Seung Lam Running Time: 117 min.  By Paul Bramhall At the time of writing in 2021, Ray Lui returned to screens in (the ironically titled) Heroes Return, in which he plays a former soldier that ventures into the Thai … Continue reading

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Horrible High Heels (1996) Review

Director: Chow Cheung Co-director: Chen Wei-An Co-director: Mao Chiang-Pang Cast: Shing Fui-On, Dick Wei, Billy Chow Bei-Lei, Suen Tong, Chow Yuk-Ling, Yue Shut-Man, Lin Hsiao-Lu, Lam Chak-Ming, Hung Fung, Fu Kwai Running Time: 97 min. By  Paul Bramhall During the 1990’s the Hong Kong Category III rating practically became its own genre. The equivalent of a US R-rated movie or an 18 certificate in the UK, while in the west such … Continue reading

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7 Assassins | aka Glory Days (2013) Review

Director: Hung Yan Yan Cast: Felix Wong, Max Mok, Eric Tsang, Guo Tao, Ray Lui, Michael Wong, Benny Chan, Gigi Leung, Ni Hong Jie, Hung Yan Yan, Cherie Chan, Ellen Chan, Rose Chan, Ekin Cheng, Edward Chui, Fung Hak On, Kara Hui, Waise Lee Running Time: 102 min. By Paul Bramhall The glory days of the Shaw Brothers and Cathay Studio in the 60’s and early 70’s may be long … Continue reading

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Walk on Fire (1988) Review

Director: Norman Law Man Producer: Ng See-Yuen Cast: Andy Lau, Cherie Chung, Kent Cheng, Ray Lui, Dick Wei, Lau Siu-Ming, Maria Cordero, Shum Wai, Kam Hing-Yin, May Hoh Mei-Ting, Yung Wai-Man, Teddy Yip Wing-Cho Running Time: 104 min. By Paul Bramhall In 1987 iconic Hong Kong director Ringo Lam hit Hong Kong cinema screens with 2 of his bona fide classics, City on Fire and Prison on Fire, creating a … Continue reading

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Runaway Blues (1989) Review

Director: David Lai Dai-Wai Cast: Andy Lau Tak-Wah, Shirley Lui Sau-Ling, Ngok Ling, Sunny Fang Kang, Blacky Ko Shou-Liang, Kelvin Wong Siu, Tanny Tien Ni, Chang Shih, Chan Ging-Cheung Running Time: 91 min. By Paul Bramhall Say what you want about how in modern Hong Kong cinema Louis Koo is in just about everything, still nothing can compare to the omni-presence of Andy Lau in the mid to late eighties. … Continue reading

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Odd Family: Zombie On Sale, The (2019) Review

AKA: Zombie for Sale Director: Lee Min-Jae Cast: Jung Jae-Young, Kim Nam-Gil, Uhm Ji-Won, Lee Soo-Kyung, Jung Ga-Ram, Park In-Hwan, Shin Jung-Keun, Jeon Bae-Su, Oh Eui-Sik, Kim Ki-Cheon, Jo Eun-A Running Time: 112 min.  By Paul Bramhall Korea’s infatuation with the zombie genre may have come a few decades later than its western counterparts, but despite its relatively late-in-the-day appearance, that hasn’t stopped it from becoming a popular fixture on … Continue reading

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Space Sweepers (2021) Review

Director: Jo Sung-Hee Cast: Song Joong-Ki, Kim Tae-Ri, Jin Sun-Kyu, Yu Hae-Jin, Park Ye-Rin, Richard Armitage, Kim Moo-Yul, Oh Ji-Yul, Kim Hyang-Gi, Nas Brown, John D. Michaels Running Time: 136 min. By Paul Bramhall The marketing material for Space Sweepers proudly boasted the production to be “Korea’s first sci-fi film project”, a claim which does somewhat of a disservice to the film industries frequent dabbling with the genre during the … Continue reading

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Great Battle, The (2018) Review

Director: Kim Kwang-Sik Cast: Jo In-sung, Nam Joo-Hyuk, Park Sung-Woong, Bae Sung-Woo, Um Tae-Goo, Seol Hyun, Park Byung-Eun, Oh Dae-Hwan, Jung Eun-Chae, Sung Dong-Il, Jang Gwang, Stephanie Lee, Yeo Hoi-Hyeon, Jung In-Gyeom Running Time: 135 min. By Pau Bramhall The Korean historical blockbuster became particularly heavy handed under the years Park Geun-hye was president, with her policies and influence on the film industry resulting in a number of jingoistic productions … Continue reading

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When West Meets East: 25 Hollywood Stars in Asian Cinema

We all know there have been plenty of Asian stars who have tried their hand at Hollywood, with the likes of Jackie Chan, Lee Byung-hun, Ken Watanabe, and even Tony Jaa all having varying degrees of success in Tinseltown. But what about those Hollywood stars who attempted their hand at the Asian film market? Those who have ventured to the East have done so for reasons as broad as the … Continue reading

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Bloody Brotherhood (1989) Review

Director: Wang Lung Wei Cast: Andy Lau Tak Wah, Michael Chan Wai Man, Irene Wan Pik Ha, David Lam Wai, Shum Wai, Ku Feng, Dick Wei, Philip Ko Fei, Tin Ching, Wong Hap, Cheung Gwok Wa, Ken Lo Hui Kwong, Sham Chin Bo, Lee Sau Kei, Cho Wing Running Time: 95 min.  By Paul Bramhall While Wang Lung-Wei is perhaps most synonymous for his various villainous turns during his tenure at the … Continue reading

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Circus Kids (1994) Review

Director: Wu Ma Cast: Yuen Biao, Donnie Yen, Irene Wan Pik-Ha, Lily Lee Lee-Lee, Wu Ma, Lam Wai, Woo Ying-Man, Ken Lo Wai-Kwong, Bey Logan, Yuen Miu, Bei Lou-Kam, Yuen Miu Running Time: 109 min. By Paul Bramhall In 1994 Wu Ma brought together 3 of the best kickers of the era – Yuen Biao, Donnie Yen, and Ken Lo – to feature in the tale of a circus troupe that … Continue reading

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