Author Archives: Paul Bramhall

Man on High Heels (2014) Review

"Man on High Heels" Korean Theatrical Poster

Director: Jang Jin Cast: Cha Seung-Won, Oh Jeong-Se, Lee Som, Go Kyung-Pyo, Shin Sung-Hun, Jo Bok-Rae Running Time: 125 min. By Paul Bramhall In many ways the gangster genre is to the Korean movie industry what the heroic bloodshed genre was to the Hong Kong movie industry of the 90’s. Ever since Korean cinema gained international recognition in the late 90’s, every year we can be guaranteed a hard hitting … Continue reading

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Lupin the Third (2014) Review

AKA: Lupin III Director: Ryuhei Kitamura Writer: Mataichiro Yamamoto, Monkey Punch Cast: Shun Oguri, Meisa Kuroki, Gou Ayano, Tadanobu Asano, Tetsuji Tamayama, Vithaya Pansringarm, Rhatha Phongam, Thanayong Wongtrakul, Kim Jun, Jerry Yan, Nirut Sirichanya, Nick Tate, Yoshiyuki Yamaguchi, Yuka Nakayama Running Time: 133 min. By Paul Bramhall When director Ryuhei Kitamura hit the scene in 2000 with his low budget zombie kung fu hybrid, Versus, critics were quick to announce … Continue reading

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No Tears for the Dead (2014) Review

"No Tears for the Dead" Korean Theatrical Poster

Director: Lee Jeong-beom Cast: Jang Dong-Gun, Kim Min-Hee, Kim Hee-Won, Kim Jun-Sung, Go Woo-Lim, Ju Young-Ho, Jang In-Seop, Lee Seung-Chan, Park Sang-Hun, Brian Tee Running Time: 116 min. By Paul Bramhaull Director and writer Lee Jeong-beom quickly came to the attention of action movie aficionado’s in 2010 with the release of The Man from Nowhere. A Korean movie starring Won Bin as a mopish pawn shop attendant with a tragic … Continue reading

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Prison Girl (2008) Review

Director: Naoyuki Tomomatsu Writer: Chisato Okawara Producer: Masaru Ikeda Cast: Asami, Yoko Satomi, Hiroaki Yanagi, Mari Yamaguchi, Yukiharu Inoue, Fumiaki Kato Running Time: 60 min. By Paul Bramhall Out of all the Japanese sub-genres, the Pink Eiga movie is perhaps the most confusing to try and explain. Literally translated to English as Pink Movie, the genre is different to that of AV, standing for Adult Video, which is most easily … Continue reading

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Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons (2013) Review

"Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons" Japanese Theatrical Poster

AKA: New Chinese Odyssey Director: Stephen Chow Co-director: Derek Kwok Cast: Wen Zhang, Shu Qi, Huang Bo, Chrissie Chow, Lee Sheung Ching, Eddie Yeung Lun, Tong Liya, Xing Yu, Tang Yixin, Fung Min-hun, Chiu Chi Ling Running Time: 110 min. By Paul Bramhall Hong Kong star Stephen Chow is undoubtedly one of the most recognizable names in the industry, having spent the decade that was the 90’s as the quintessential director, writer and … Continue reading

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Raw Force | aka Kung Fu Cannibals (1982) Review

"Raw Force" Blu-ray Cover

AKA: Shogun Island Director: Edward D. Murphy Cast: John Dresden, Cameron Mitchell, Hope Holiday, Jillian Kesner, Rey Malonzo, Geoffrey Binney, Jewel Shepard, Camille Keaton, Jennifer Holmes Running Time: 86 min. By Paul Bramhall It’s almost become somewhat of a trend amongst genre fans in the US of late to unearth previously forgotten about, or in many cases considered lost, 80’s and 90’s B-movies. Not only are titles dug up out of obscurity, they’re … Continue reading

Posted in Asian Related, Bruceploitation, News, Reviews |

Kung Fu Jungle | aka Kung Fu Killer (2014) Review

"Kung Fu Jungle" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Teddy Chen Cast: Donnie Yen, Bai Bing, Charlie Young, Wang Baoqiang, David Chiang, Alex Fong, Zhang Lan Xin, Stephen Tung Wei, Chin Kar Lok, Xing Yu, William Chan, Raymond Chow, Nicky Li, Deep Ng, Yuen Bun, Andrew Lau Wai-Keung Running Time: 100 min. By Paul Bramhall After initially being called Last of the Best, and then Kung Fu Killer, Donnie Yen’s fourth and final starring role of 2014 arrives … Continue reading

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Kung Fu Zombie (1981) Review

"Kung Fu Zombie" Theatrical Poster

AKA: Kung Fu Zombies Director: Wa Yat Wang Cast: Billy Chong Chun Lai (aka Willy Dozan), Kong Do, Kwan Yung Moon, Cheng Hong Yip, Chan Lau, Pak Sha Lik, Jeng Kei Ying, Woo Wai, Wong Yu Running Time: 80 min. By Paul Bramhall Thanks to the success of recent movies such as The Raid and its sequel, Indonesian action stars like Iko Uwais and Yayan Ruhian have quickly become familiar … Continue reading

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Mission Terminate | aka Return of the Kickfighter (1987) Review

"Mission Terminate" Dutch VHS Cover

AKA: Revenge of the Kickfighter Director: Anthony Maharaj Writer: Joe Mari Avellana Cast: Richard Norton, Bruce Le (Huang Kin Long), Rex Cutter, Judy Greene, George E. Mahlberg, Nick Nicholson, Henry Strzalkowski, Dick Wei, Franco Guerrero Running Time: 90 min. By Paul Bramhall My journey that found me watching Mission Terminate was somewhat of an interesting one. Back in 2008, I’d stumbled across an old Tai Seng DVD of a movie … Continue reading

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Zombie 108 (2012) Review

"Zombie 108" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Z-108 Director: Joe Chien Cast: Yung Cheung, Yvonne Yao, Tai Bo, Jack Kao Jie, Dennis To, Lena Lam, Cica Zhou Running Time: 87 min. By Paul Bramhall “The first genre movie combining apocalypse and zombie in Chinese film history” the tag-line for Zombie 108 proudly declares. Well, who doesn’t love a bit of zombie? And if it’s history making zombie, well, even better. The movie is the sophomore feature … Continue reading

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Exclusive: Interview with Hwang Jang Lee

Four decades ago, Hwang Jang Lee burst onto kung fu movie screens with his thunderous kicks, and for the next 20 years he didn’t stop kicking. There’s not too many Hong Kong legends that haven’t been on the receiving end of his boot at one point or another, and he himself is rightly considered a legend in the world of kung fu cinema, dubbed the King of Leg Fighters. In … Continue reading

Posted in Interviews, News |

Iceman 3D (2014) Review

"Ice Man" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Law Wing Cheong Cast: Donnie Yen, Wang Baoqiang, Eva Huang Sheng Yi, Simon Yam, Lo Hoi Pang, Jacqueline Chong, Lam Suet, Benny Chan, Mark Wu You Fai, Hu Ming, Lo Fan Running Time: 104 min. By Paul Bramhall 2014 has been a busy 12 months for Donnie Yen, with Special ID, The Monkey King, Kung Fu Jungle, and Iceman 3D all hitting cinema screens over the course of the … Continue reading

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Lucy (2014) Review

"Lucy" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Luc Besson Cast: Scarlett Johansson, Morgan Freeman, Choi Min-sik, Amr Waked, Julian Rhind-Tutt, Pilou Asbæk, Analeigh Tipton, Nicolas Phongpheth, Jan Oliver Schroeder Running Time: 89 min. By Paul Bramhall Back in the 1990’s Luc Besson was considered to be in the top tier of action directors, infusing his movies like La Femme Nikita, Leon: The Professional, and The Fifth Element with a distinctive European style and intelligence, while also … Continue reading

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Once Upon a Time in Shanghai (2014) Review

"Once Upon a Time in Shanghai" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Wong Ching Po Cast: Philip Ng, Andy On, Mao Jun Jie, Sammo Hung Kam Bo, Jiang Lu Xia, Chen Kuan Tai, Yuen Cheung Yan, Fung Hak On, Yolanda Yuan Quan Running Time: 95 min. By Paul Bramhall In a Hong Kong which continues to be starved of performers who can deliver screen presence, charisma, and kung-fu skills, the trend over recent years seem to be to push the talented … Continue reading

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Moebius (2013) Review

Director: Kim Ki-Duk Writer: Kim Ki-Duk Producer: Kim Ki-Duk, Kim Woo-Taek, Kim Soon-Mo Cast: Cho Jae-Hyu, Seo Young-Joo, Lee Eun-Woo, Lee Eun-Woo, Kim Jae-Rok and Kim Jae-Hong Running Time: 88 min. By Paul Bramhall Kim Ki-duk has remained one of Korea’s most discussed and controversial directors over the last 15 years. His movies usually portray the dark side of human nature with tales dictated by the sex and violence that … Continue reading

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