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on THESE GIRLS GOT BALLS! Watch the New Trailer for Stephen Chow’s ‘Kung Fu Soccer’The biggest hit for the summer in China, according to Variety. https://variet…
on THE PERFECT WEAPON IS BACK! Martial arts star Jeff Speakman talks about his comeback film ‘Lost Echoes’Jeff Speakman is undoubtedly one of the best martial artists of my lifetime.…
on Legends of the Condor Heroes: The Gallants (2025) ReviewThe movie should have been so much better. For me, the issue is really the ca…
on THE PERFECT WEAPON IS BACK! Martial arts star Jeff Speakman talks about his comeback film ‘Lost Echoes’This is great news... He is a great talent that due to politics we missed out…
on Phone, The (2015) RevewThe ending didn't make any sense. So he comes back from the future to save hu…
on Legends of the Condor Heroes: The Gallants (2025) ReviewI love this film. Saw it on an international flight and couldn’t wait to get…
on Chen Kuan-tai, martial artist and Shaw Brothers star of ‘Boxer from Shantung’ and ‘Flying Guillotine’, passes away at 80Absolute legend. Boxer from Shantung, Blood Brothers and Executioners of Shao…
on Chen Kuan-tai, martial artist and Shaw Brothers star of ‘Boxer from Shantung’ and ‘Flying Guillotine’, passes away at 80RIP to a legendary OG and one of my favorite Shaw Actors.
on This collection is FAT! Details and Trailers for Shout’s ‘Chow Yun-fat Collection’ on 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray‘Diary of a Big Man’ should be in any discerning HK cinema fans Chow Yun Fat…
on PERFECT!!! Watch the NEW action packed Trailer for Kitao Sakura’s star-studded ‘Street Fighter’ live-action filmOkay this new Trailer was cooking. I love it
on Limited Time Offer!!! Get a FREE Golden Harvest-Inspired Keychain with Any Order or Pre-order!Can't wait for these Keychains, want the SHAW BROTHERS, OCEAN SHORES & GO…
on This collection is FAT! Details and Trailers for Shout’s ‘Chow Yun-fat Collection’ on 4K Ultra HD + Blu-rayI’m pleased with Eighth Happiness and City War being included. I haven’t seen…
on I ain’t afraid of no ghosts! Watch the Trailers for Arrow’s ‘A Chinese Ghost Story’ Trilogy arriving on 4K UHD in OctoberI thought for sure I'd seen one of these in the past but even watching the tr…
on This collection is FAT! Details and Trailers for Shout’s ‘Chow Yun-fat Collection’ on 4K Ultra HD + Blu-rayIt's a real shame they seemingly can't get Chow to participate in any of thes…
on Scott Adkins vs. Kane Kosugi? Watch the explosive New Trailer for ‘One Last Shot’ also starring Dolph Lundgrensaw first one was bad and others wrote second was awful also. at least no man…
on The Bodyguard (2024) ReviewIt was a great watch, though the lighting could have been better. Could recom…
Author Archives: Paul Bramhall
Thunderbolt Fist, The (1972) Review
Director: Chang Il-ho Producer: Runme Shaw Cast: Chuen Yuen, Shih Szu, James Nam, Fang Mien, Tung Lam, Lee Ka Ting, Wong Chin Feng, Yukio Someno, Gam Kei Chu, Chan Feng Chen, Cheung Hei Running Time: 86 min. By Paul Bramhall In the history of kung fu cinema, 1972 was one of the most significant years. The Shaw Brothers studio had imported several experienced directors and martial artists from Korea, and in this particular year … Continue reading
Posted in All, Chinese, News, Reviews, Shaw Brothers
Tagged Chieh Yuan, Chuen Yuen, James Nam Gung Fan, Shih Szu
Single Rider, A (2016) Review
Director: Lee Zoo-young Cast: Lee Byung-hun, Gong Hyo-jin, Ahn So-hee, Jack Campbell, Yang Yoo-jin, Annika Whiteley, Kei Ekland, Baek Soo-jang, Choi Joon-young Running Time: 97 min. By Paul Bramhall If there was ever an example of an under the radar movie, then you’d be hard pressed to come across a better one than A Single Rider. Headlined by Korea’s most well-known actor, Lee Byung-hun, the low key production was his … Continue reading
Silent Assassins (1988) Review
Director: Lee Doo-Yong Cast: Sam Jones, Linda Blair, Jun Chong, Phillip Rhee, Mako, Bill Erwin, Gustav Vintas, Rebecca Ferratti, Bill Wallace, Alexis Rhee, Simon Rhee, Joanna Chong Running Time: 91 min. By Paul Bramhall Let’s be clear, there are only two kinds of people who should be checking out Silent Assassins. The first is the demographic that feels inexplicably drawn to a movie which would team up Flash Gordon with Regan from … Continue reading
Posted in All, Asian Related, News, Ninja, Reviews
Tagged Bill Wallace, Jun Chong, Mako, Phillip Rhee, Sam J. Jones, Simon Rhee
Showdown | aka Duel: Final Round (2016) Review
Director: Sin Dong-yeop Writer: Min Kyeong-geun Cast: Lee Joo-Seung, Oh Ji-Ho, Lee Jung-Jin, in Jung-Keun, Eun-Seo, Joo Suk-Tae, Kang Shin-Chul, Im Chang-Jung, Ahn Sol-Bin, Lee Se-rang, Cherrish Ramirez Running Time: 97 min. By Paul Bramhall There can be no denying that the classic kung fu movie trope of a martial arts master challenging fellow martial artists has been around for a long time. In the 70’s there was the black caped Kwan … Continue reading
Life Before Atomic Blonde: Female Action Leads in Mainstream Hollywood
With the recent release of the Charlize Theron starring Atomic Blonde, a disproportionate amount of mainstream press coverage has revolved around how refreshing it is to finally see a Hollywood movie with a female action lead. Understandably, many Asian cinema fans have been quick to point out how Hong Kong has delivered more butt kicking female leads than you can shake a stick at, dating back to the beginnings of … Continue reading
36 Chambers of Shaolin: The Final Confrontation | aka The Shaolin Drunken Monk (1981) Review
AKA: Drunk 8 Blows, Crazy 8 Blows Director:Lee Yeong Co-director: Ulysses Au-Yeung Jun Cast: Gordon Liu Chia-Hui, Chin Yuet-Sang, Eagle Han Ying, Wong Yat-Cho, Kwon Il-Soo, Hyeon Kil-Su, Choi Jeong-Il, Chang Mi-Hee, Kim Jeong-Jung, Kim Wuk, Kim Ki-Ju, Park Seong-sik, Kim Il-chung Running Time: 75/84 min. By Paul Bramhall Call me a masochist, but nothing beats trying to untangle the mystery of an obscure Korean kung fu movie. I’d like … Continue reading
Taxi Driver, A (2017) Review
Director: Jang Hoon Cast: Song Kang-Ho, Thomas Kretschmann, Yu Hae-Jin, Ryoo Joon-Yeol, Park Hyuk-Kwon, Choi Gwi-Hwa, Um Tae-Goo, Jeon Hye-Jin, Ko Chang-Seok, Kim Na-In Running Time: 137 min. By Paul Bramhall An interesting element of Korean cinema has always been how much the film industries output reflects the political climate of the time. When the nationalistic Park Geun-hye was elected in 2013, a slew of patriotic themed movies filled the theaters, … Continue reading
Buddhist Fist and Tiger Claws | aka Yong-ho’s Cousins (1981) Review
AKA: Yong-ho’s Cousins Director: Lee Hyeok-Su Cast: Charles Han Yong-Cheol, Hwang Jang-Lee, Nam Chung-Yat, Park Ae-Kyung, Han Kyung Running Time: 95 min. By Paul Bramhall Buddhist Fist and Tiger Claws is about as perfect an example of Godfrey Ho tampering that you’re likely to come across. A 1981 Korean production titled Yong-ho’s Cousins, directed by Lee Hyeok-su, it became one of the many Korean kung fu flicks that were picked … Continue reading
Vampire Cleanup Department (2017) Review
Director: Chiu Sin-Hang Co-director: Yan Pak-Wing Cast: BabyJohn Choi, Chin Siu-Ho, Lin Min-Chen, Richard Ng, Lo Meng, Yuen Cheung-Yan, Siu Yam-Yam, Bonnie Chiu, Jiro Lee, Eric Tsang, Jim Chim Sui-Man, Stephen Au Kam-Tong, Hana Tam Hang-Lam Running Time: 93 min. By Paul Bramhall In 2017 the hopping vampire genre continues to hang on by a thread. After being a mainstay of Hong Kong cinema during the 80’s, when you never … Continue reading
Posted in All, Chinese, News, Reviews
Tagged Chin Siu Ho, Eric Tsang, Lo Meng (Toad), Richard Ng
Dreaming the Reality (1991) Review
Director: Tony Liu Chun-Ku Producer: Chui Fat Cast: Moon Lee, Yukari Oshima, Sibelle Hu, Ben Lam Kwok Bun, Eddie Ko, Hsu Hsia, Lee Ho Kwan Running Time: 102 min. By Paul Bramhall The years spanning 1991 – 1993 burned the brightest for the Girls with Guns genre, a 3-year period in which an almost countless number of butt kicking femme fatales graced the screen. Names like Moon Lee, Yukari Oshima, … Continue reading
Posted in All, Chinese, News, Reviews
Tagged Eddy Ko Hung, Hsu Hsia, Moon Lee, Sibelle Hu, Tony Liu Jun Guk, Yukari Oshima
Journey to the West: The Demons Strike Back (2017) Review
Director: Tsui Hark Cast: Kris Wu, Kenny Lin, Yao Chen, Lin Yun, Mengke Bateer, Wang Likun, Yang Yiwei, Wang Duo, Bao Bei-Er, Cheng Si-Han, Da Peng, Yeung Lun, Shu Qi, Zhang Mei-E, Xu Cai-Xiang, Lai Kai-Keung, Anthony Wong, Zuo Jing-Bo Running Time: 108 min. By Paul Bramhall It’s only been 4 years since Stephen Chow helmed 2013’s Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons, the first movie in which he … Continue reading
Posted in All, Chinese, News, Reviews
Tagged Anthony Wong, Bao Beier, Shu Qi, Stephen Chow, Tsui Hark
Extraordinary Mission (2017) Review
Director: Fletcher Poon Co-director: Alan Mak Cast: Huang Xuan, Duan Yi-Hong, Zu Feng, Lang Yue-Ting, David Wang Yao-Qing, Xing Jia-Dong, Wang Yan-Hui, Ding Yongdai, Xiao Cong, Li Xiaochuan Running Time: 122 min. By Paul Bramhall Extraordinary Mission suffered extraordinarily bad timing in terms of when it was released. Hitting screens within months of popular director Dante Lam’s big budget spectacular Operation Mekong, many (including myself) glanced over the awkwardly titled production, in part … Continue reading
Samurai Cop 2: Deadly Vengeance (2015) Review
Director: Gregory Hatanaka Cast: Mathew Karedas, Mark Frazer, Bai Ling, Kayden Kross, Tommy Wiseau, Janis Farley, Cranston Komuro, Laurene Landon, Mel Novak, Gerald Okamura, Kristine DeBell, Melissa Moore, Joe Estevez, Lexi Belle, Melissa Moore, Nicole Bailey, Mindy Robinson, Thomas J. Churchill Running Time: 93 min. By Paul Bramhall The expression “so bad it’s good” gets thrown around a lot more than it deserves when it comes to cinema. In truth, … Continue reading
Posted in All, Asian Related, News, Reviews
Tagged Bai Ling, Gerald Okamura, Gregory Hatanaka, Mark Frazer, Mathew Karedas, Mel Novak
Foreigner, The (2017) Review
Director: Martin Campbell Cast: Jackie Chan, Pierce Brosnan, Michael McElhatton, Charlie Murphy, Liu Tao, Orla Brady, Katie Leung, Manolo Cardona, Simon Kunz, Pippa Bennett-Warner Running Time: 113 min. By Paul Bramhall The last time we saw Jackie Chan in London was 14 years ago, hanging from the clock face of Big Ben with Owen Wilson in Shanghai Knights. In 2017, he’s back in the British capital, but in a decidedly … Continue reading
Posted in All, Asian Related, Chinese, News, Other Movies, Reviews
Tagged Jackie Chan, Martin Campbell
Metro Manila (2013) Review
Director: Sean Ellis Cast: Jake Macapagal, Althea Vega, John Arcilla, Erin Panlilio, Iasha Aceio, Moises Mag Isa, Angelina Kanapi, JM Rodriguez, Ana Abad Santos, Reuben Uy Running Time: 114 min. By Paul Bramhall The well-worn tale of naïve country folk heading to the big city for brighter prospects is one that’s been used in cinema for almost as long as the medium has been around. It’s particularly prevalent in Asian … Continue reading
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