Author Archives: Paul Bramhall

Call, The (2020) Review

"The Call" Korean Theatrical Poster

Director: Lee Choong-Hyun Writer: Lee Choong-Hyun Cast: Park Shin-Hye, Jun Jong-Seo, Kim Sung-Ryoung, Lee El, Park Ho-San, Lee Dong-Hwi Running Time: 114 min. By Paul Bramhall Korean cinema has had a longstanding fascination with the concept of two characters interacting with each other from different moments in time. From the 2000 Korean Wave classic Il Mare, which sees a love story play out between a man and a woman living … Continue reading

Posted in All, Korean, News, Reviews | Tagged |

Max Cloud (2020) Review

Director: Martin Owen Cast: Scott Adkins, John Hannah, Lashana Lynch, Elliot James Langridge, Tommy Flanagan, Franz Drameh, Sam Hazeldine, Isabelle Allen, Lois Amber Toole Running Time: 89 min. By Paul Bramhall British action star Scott Adkins has been doing his best to throw his fans off-guard in 2020. Sure, we’ve had the traditional Adkins action vehicles like Legacy of Lies, The Debt Collectors, and Seized, but there’s also been a … Continue reading

Posted in All, Asian Related, News, Reviews | Tagged |

Bodies at Rest (2019) Review

Director: Renny Harlin  Cast: Nick Cheung Ka-Fai, Richie Ren Xian-Qi, Yang Zi, Feng Jia-Yi, Carlos Chan Ka-Lok, Ma Shu-Liang, Ou-Yang Ching, Roger Kwok Chun-On, Ron Ng Cheuk-Hai Running Time: 94 min. By Paul Bramhall Back in the 90’s it seemed like Renny Harlin was destined to become one of the great action movie directors working in Hollywood. Die Hard 2, Cliffhanger, and The Long Kiss Goodnight all deserve a mention … Continue reading

Posted in All, Chinese, News, Reviews | Tagged , , |

I’m a Cyborg, But That’s OK (2006) Review

Director: Park Chan-wook Cast: Lim Soo-Jung, Rain, Oh Dal-Su, Park Jun-Myun, Choi Hee-Jin, Kim Byung-Ok, Lee Yong-Nyeo, Yoo Ho-Jeong, Park Byeong-Eun, Kim Do-Yeon, Son Young-Soon Running Time: 105 min. By Paul Bramhall In 2005 director Park Chan-wook wrapped up his Vengeance Trilogy with the release of Sympathy for Lady Vengeance, concluding 3 of the most iconic movies of the 21st century (and which, to this day, I find my answer … Continue reading

Posted in All, Korean, News, Reviews | Tagged , , |

Revenge: A Love Story (2010) Review

Director: Wong Ching-Po Cast: Juno Mak Jun Lung, Sora Aoi, Chin Siu Ho, Anthony Lau Wing, Ken Lo Hui Kwong, Tony Ho Running Time: 111 min. By Paul Bramhall Most Hong Kong cinema fans hold a special place in their heart for the territories Cat III output that populated the 90’s. A heady concoction usually consisting of graphic violence, ample nudity, and a manic energy which made it impossible to … Continue reading

Posted in All, Chinese, News, Reviews | Tagged , , , |

Port of Call: Director’s Cut (2015) Review

"Port of Call" Theatrical Poster

Director: Philip Yung Cast: Aaron Kwok, Elaine Jin, Patrick Tam, Jessie Li, Michael Ning, Jackie Cai, Maggie Shiu, Eddie Chan, Hatou Yeung, Ellen Li, Don Li, Ronny Yuen, Tam Ping-man Running Time: 120 min. By Paul Bramhall Port of Call is something of an anomaly for the year in which it was made, being a Category III Hong Kong production which received no financing from the Mainland. The end product … Continue reading

Posted in All, Chinese, News, Reviews | Tagged , , |

#Alive (2020) Review

Director: Cho Il-hyeong Cast: Yoo Ah-In, Park Shin-Hye, Jeon Bae-Su, Lee Hyun-Wook, Jin So-Yeon, Oh Hye-Won, Lee Chae-Kyung, Jeon Woon-Jong, Lee Kyu-Ho, Son Kyoung-Won Running Time: 98 min. By Paul Bramhall Since 2016’s Train to Busan the zombie genre has continued to attract filmmakers in South Korea, eager to catch up on a genre that for many countries has been a mainstay of horror filmmaking since the 70’s. Whether it … Continue reading

Posted in All, Korean, News, Reviews | Tagged |

Vanguard (2020) Review

Director: Stanley Tong Cast: Jackie Chan, Jackson Lau Hok-Yin, Ai Lun, Yang Yang, Miya Muqi, Zhu Zhengting, Fady Zaky, Xu Ruo Han, Eyad Hourani, Brahim Achabbakhe, Tomer Oz Running Time: 108 min. By Paul Bramhall After reuniting for Kung Fu Yoga, the 2017 promotional video focusing on China-India relations, the ageing action star and director pairing of Jackie Chan and Stanley Tong are back in 2020 with Vanguard! Of course … Continue reading

Posted in All, Chinese, News, Reviews | Tagged , |

The Head Hunter (1982) Review

Director: Lau Shing-hon Cast: Chow Yun Fat, Rosamund Kwan, Philip Chan Yan Kin, Flora Cheung Tien Oy, O Chun Hung, Tang Ching, Wan Chi Keung, Melvin Wong Gam San, Lo Wai Running Time: 98 min. By Paul Bramhall The early 80’s was an exciting time for Hong Kong cinema, as the collective new blood of directorial talent began to reshape the cinematic landscape, and would produce a number of movies … Continue reading

Posted in News | Tagged , , |

Flower and Snake: Zero (2014) Review

"Flower and Snake: Zero" Theatrical Poster

Director: Hajime Hashimoto Cast: Maiko Amano, Noriko Hamada, Rina Sakuragi, Kanji Tsuda, Naoki Kawano, Hideo Sakaki  Running Time: 113 min. By Paul Bramhall Spend enough time in the world of Asian cinema, and somewhere along the line, you’re likely to stumble across the Japanese SM (sadomasochism) genre. At least, that’s what I’ve been telling myself for as long as I can remember. Not that I’ve seen that many of them, … Continue reading

Posted in All, Japanese, News, Reviews |

Abduction (2019) Review

"Abduction" Theatrical Poster

AKA: Twilight Zodiac Director: Ernie Barbarash Cast: Scott Adkins, Andy On, Truong Ngoc Anh, Lily Ji, Aki Aleong, Daniel Whyte, Mike Leeder, Tom Caserto, Brahim Chab, Philippe Joly, Semiquaver Iafeta, Jai Day Running Time: 98 min. By Paul Bramhall I confess to having intentionally avoided the Scott Adkins vehicle Abduction in 2019. In a year which saw the British martial arts star either headline or feature in the likes of … Continue reading

Posted in All, Asian Related, Chinese, News, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , |

Jade Dynasty (2019) Review

Director: Ching Siu-Tung Cast: Sean Xiao, Li Qin, Meng Mei Qi, Tina Tang, Qiu Xin Zhi, Cecilia Yip, John Chiang, Norman Tsui, Leung Kar-Yan, Hung Yan-Yan, Bao Xiaosong, Chen Liwei, Li Shen Running Time: 101 min.  By Paul Bramhall The hyper-kinetic action and billowing silk of the early 90’s new wave wuxia genre may be a long time ago, but one of the directors whose name is indelibly linked with … Continue reading

Posted in All, Chinese, News, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , |

Man Standing Next, The (2020) Review

"The Man Standing Next" Theatrical Poster

Director: Woo Min-Ho Cast: Lee Byung-Hun, Lee Sung-Min, ak Do-Won, Lee Hee-Joon, Kim So-Jin, Seo Hyun-Woo, Ji Hyun-Joon, Park Sung-Geun, Park Ji-Il, Lee Tae-Hyeong, Kim Seung-Hoon Running Time: 114 min. By Paul Bramhall South Korea has had a tumultuous history since its creation after the division of the peninsula in 1954, shortly after the Korean War ended, up to it achieving democracy in 1987. While it spent most of the … Continue reading

Posted in All, Korean, News, Reviews | Tagged , |

Dead Reckoning (2020) Review

"Dead Reckoning" Theatrical Poster

AKA: Altar Rock Director: Andrzej Bartkowiak Cast: India Eisley, K.J. Apa, Scott Adkins, James Remar, Ellie Cornell, Sydney Park, Phuong Diep Running Time: 91 min. By Paul Bramhall 2020 has been a good year for the discerning Scott Adkins fan. He returned as French in Jesse V. Johnson’s Debt Collectors, re-teamed with Isaac Florentine for Seized, took the lead in espionage thriller Legacy of Lies, and plays a Muslim terrorist … Continue reading

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

Dragon’s Claws (1979) Review

"Dragon’s Claws" Promotional Poster

Director: Joseph Kuo Cast: Lau Kar Yung, Hwang Jang Lee, Wong Biu Chan, Yuen Qiu, Hon Gwok Choi, Chan Lau, Chu Tiet Wo, Lau Hok Nin, Sham Chin Bo, Wong Chi Wai, Got Ping Running Time: 91 min. By Paul Bramhall The kung fu genre had a pretty tough act to follow in 1979, following a year which gave us such timeless classics as Drunken Master, Warriors Two, and Heroes … Continue reading

Posted in All, Chinese, News, Reviews | Tagged , , , , |