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on Feeling triggered? Future pressings of the ‘Bruceploitation Collection Vol. 1’ have you covered!This is the one that gets me today, this?! 😭
on STOP… Hammer time! 4K Ultra HD Limited Edition for the Hammer Film/Shaw Brothers classic ‘Shatter’ arriving in MayWhy? Giving Shatter this kind of 4K special treatment makes about as much sen…
on Karate and Kung Fu collide in the New Trailer for Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio’s upcoming ‘Karate Kid’ movieAm I the only one who thinks it's more of the same that you saw in the first…
on ‘Passenger 57’, move over! Andy Lau’s hijack thriller ‘High Forces’ is getting a U.S. release from China LionHigh Forces has been released on Blu-ray in the US - 25 March 2025 - by Bayvi…
on Richard Norton, ‘Gymkata’ and ‘City Hunter’ actor, martial artist, trainer and stunt performer, dies at 75My favorites with him are Twinkle Twinkle, and Magic Crystal. It’s interestin…
on Looking for some spear-slicing action? Donnie Yen’s ‘The Lost Bladesman’ arrives on Blu-ray from ImprintVery underrated Donnie Yen gem. The movie, along with Sakra, has arguably the…
on Wild, The (2023) ReviewThis review does a great job of breaking down the strengths and weaknesses of…
on Don’t fight what you can’t see! Arrow announces Blu-ray for Yoshiyuki Kuroda’s 1970 actioner ‘The Invisible Swordsman’Dear Arrow... Let "old" Asian cinema to 88 Films, Eureka, BFI n' Co.
on Leopard Fist Ninja (1982) ReviewYeah, the little girl turning into the hero certainly threw me too.
on Kung Fu Rookie (2023) Review& just like that, Z Ravas reappeared after 5 years in the wilderness, the sam…
on Hong Kong’s Heaven’s Gate? Juno Mak’s anticipated thriller ‘Sons of the Neon Night’ to finally shine this yearThere was apparently a 15 minute preview screening at Hong Kong's FILMART con…
on The Kosugi ninja empire lives on! Watch the Trailer for Shane Kosugi’s ‘Seek’ starring Kansuke Asano and Kane KosugiHaters gonna hate, I suppose. 🥱 Oh well.
Author Archives: Paul Bramhall
Me and Me (2020) Review
Director: Jung Jin-Young Cast: Cho Jin-Woong, Bae Soo-Bin, Cha Soo-Yeon, Jung Hae-Kyun, Jang Won-Young, No Kang-Min Running Time: 105 min. By Paul Bramhall It’s always interesting when an actor decides to try their hand at directing, and in the Korean film industry there’s been no shortage of examples. From Ha Jung-woo’s Airplane! styled comedy Fasten Your Seatbelt in 2013, to Cho Jae-hyun’s rather Hong Sang-soo-esque take on the folly of … Continue reading
Gingko Bed, The (1995) Review
Director: Kang Je-Gyu Cast: Han Suk-Kyu, Jin Hee-Kyung, Kim Sun-Kyung, Lee Beom-Soo, Shim Hye-Jin, Shin Hyeon-Jun, Kim Myeong-Kuk, Kim Hak-Cheol, Choi Hak-Rak, Yoo Yeon-Soo Running Time: 88 min. By Paul Bramhall The Gingko Bed is often spoken about in the context of it being the first Korean production to make significant use of CGI. It wasn’t the first, that honor belongs to The Fox with Nine Tails from the previous … Continue reading
Posted in All, Korean, News, Reviews
Tagged Han Seok-Kyu, Kang Je-Gyu, Lee Beom-su
Nessun Dorma (2016) Review
Director: Herman Yau Cast: Gordon Lam Ka-Tung, Janice Man Wing-San, Andy Hui, Candice Yu On-On, Jacky Choi Kit, Wilfred Lau Ho-Lung, Tarah Chan Yi-Lam, Phat Chan Fei Running Time: 94 min. By Paul Bramhall Out of all the Hong Kong directors who started out during the territory’s cinematic heyday, it’s only Herman Yau who continues to be as prolific today as he was during his 90’s peak. While Yau’s expansive … Continue reading
Evil Instinct (1996) Review
Director: Barry Chu Cast: Carrie Ng Ka-Lai, Diana Pang Dan, Bowie Lam Bo-Yi, Evergreen Mak Cheung-Ching, Stuart Ong, Chung Sau-Han, Le Rong-Rong, Yeung Ging-Shing Running Time: 96 min. By Paul Bramhall In 1996 the golden era of the Category III genre had already past its peak, with the excess of the early 90’s classics like Naked Killer and The Untold Story subsiding to the uncertainty of the HK handover the … Continue reading
Divine Move 2: The Wrathful, The (2019) Review
Director: Khan Lee Cast: Kwon Sang-Woo, Kim Hee-Won, Kim Sung-Kyun, Heo Sung-Tae, Woo Do-Hwan, Won Hyun-Joon, Park Sang-Hoon, Jung In-Gyeom, Stephanie Lee Running Time: 106 min. By Paul Bramhall Since Korean cinema started to gain international recognition in the late 90’s and early 00’s, sequels have never really been a part of the industries repertoire, and when they have, they’ve mostly felt unneeded. It’s safe to say nobody was really … Continue reading
Call, The (2020) Review
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
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
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 Nick Cheung Ka Fai, Renny Harlin, Richie Ren Yin Chi
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 Im Su-Jeong, Park Chan-wook (Park Chan-uk), Rain
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 Juno Mak Jun Lung, Ken Lo, Tony Liu (Anthony Lau Wing), Wong Ching Po
Port of Call: Director’s Cut (2015) Review
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
#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
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
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
Flower and Snake: Zero (2014) Review
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
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