Author Archives: Paul Bramhall

#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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Long Day’s Journey Into Night, A (2018) Review

"Long Day's Journey Into Night" Theatrical Poster

Director: Bi Gan Cast: Tang Wei, Huang Jue, Sylvia Chang, Lee Hong-chi, Chloe Maayan, Ming Dao, Xie Li-Xun Running Time: 138 min. By Paul Bramhall Once in a while a movie comes along that transcends genres and conventions, the type of movie that lingers in the mind long after the credits have rolled, and results in many a late-night conversation. Movies like Lee Chang-dong’s Burning and Takeshi Kitano’s Hana-Bi both … Continue reading

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Enter the Fat Dragon (2020) Review

Director: Tanigaki Kenji Cast: Donnie Yen, Niki Chow, Teresa Mo, Wong Jing, Louis Cheung Kai-Chung, Jessica Jann, Takenaka Naoto, Tetsuya Watanabe, Wong Cho-Lam, Lawrence Chou, Jerry Lamb, Yan Hua, Anthony Chan, Philip Ng Running Time: 96 min. By Paul Bramhall I guess any review of Enter the Fat Dragon should begin by addressing its existence (it’s as good a place to start as any!). First up, yes, the production was conceived all thanks to a … Continue reading

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Once Upon a Time in China IV (1993) Review

"Once Upon a Time in China IV" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Yuen Bun Producer: Ng See Yuen, Tsui Hark Cast: Vincent Chiu Man Chuk, Jean Wong Ching Ying, Hung Yan Yan, Max Mok Siu Chung, Lau Shun, Billy Chow, Chin Kar Lok, Elaine Lui Siu Ling, Louis Roth Running Time: 101 min. By Paul Bramhall Hot on the heels of Once Upon a Time in China III, otherwise known as “the one with all the lion dancing”, director Tsui Hark felt … Continue reading

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Bring Me Home (2019) Review

Director: Kim Seung-Woo Cast: Lee Young-Ae, Yoo Jae-Myung, Park Hae-Joon, Lee Won-Geun, Kim Yi-Kyeong, Park Kyung-Hye, Ha Yun-Hui, Choi Hyung, Baek Joo-Hee, Kim Tae-Yul Running Time: 108 min. By Paul Bramhall In 2005 director Park Chan-wook would conclude his Vengeance Trilogy with Sympathy for Lady Vengeance, a title which I often refer to as my favorite of the 3 (the others being Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance and Oldboy), depending on which … Continue reading

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Incredible Shaolin Thunderkick (1982) Review

AKA: Water Retailer of Shantung Director: Kim Seon-Gyeong Cast: Benny Tsui, Eagle Han Ying, Chae Eun-hui, Nam Po-Dong, Choe Myeong-hui, Jang Cheol Running Time: 78 min. By Paul Bramhall There can be no denying that the old-school Korean kung fu movie comes with a bad reputation, one which in my humble opinion isn’t entirely warranted. Sure they have a lot going against them, number one being that almost all were … Continue reading

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Miss Baek (2018) Review

Director: Lee Ji-won Cast: Han Ji-Min, Kim Shi-A, Lee Hee-Joon, Kwon So-Hyun, Baek Soo-Jang, Jang Young-Nam, Kim Sun-Young, Lee Joo-Young, Jung Kyung-Ho Running Time: 98 min. By Paul Bramhall While many argue that Korean cinema has lost the gritty edge that drew selected audiences to it in the first place, what can’t be argued is that in the 10’s, some of the best examples of uncompromising cinema came from women … Continue reading

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