Author Archives: Paul Bramhall

Taking Manhattan (1992) Review

"Taking Manhattan" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Kirk Wong Producer: Eric Tsang Cast: Carrie Ng, Lui Chi Yin, Andrew Chan Gwan, Jeff Lee Tak Wing, David Lea, Connie Cabret, Alana Jerins, Michael Lewis, Angelo Lopez, Jaclyn Ngai, Benny Nieves Running Time: 85 min. By Paul Bramhall It’s common knowledge that many Hong Kong directors have, in the past, tried their hand at making a movie in an English speaking country. Philip Ko brought Simon Yam to … Continue reading

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Switch (2013) Review

Director: Jay Sun Writer: Jay Sun Cast: Andy Lau, Tong Dawei, Zhang Jing Chu, Lin Chi-ling, Siqin Gaowa, Liu Yu Qi, Wu Xiu Bo Running Time: 122 min. By Paul Bramhall With China quickly becoming one of the biggest movie markets in the world, the temptation to appeal to the sizable Chinese box office has seen a lot of the studios adjusting their output for the audience there. Hollywood co-productions … Continue reading

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Divine Move, The (2014) Review

The Divine Move | Blu-ray & DVD (CJ Entertainment)

Director: Jo Beom-Goo Writer: Yu Seong-Hyeop Cast: Jeong Woo-Sung, Lee Bum-Soo, Ahn Seong-Gi, Kim In-Kwon, Lee Si-Young, Ahn Gil-Gang, Lee Do-Kyung, Choi Jin-Hyuk, Jeong Hae-Gyun, Ahn Seo-Hyun Running Time: 118 min. By Paul Bramhall The gambling genre seems to come in and out of fashion in Asian cinema. The early 80’s gave us Shaw Brothers gambling flicks such as Challenge of the Gamesters, by the early 90’s we had Chow … Continue reading

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Electric Boogaloo: The Wild, Untold Story of Cannon Films (2014) Review

"Electric Boogaloo: The Wild, Untold Story of Cannon Films" Theatrical Poster

Director: Mark Hartley Writer: Mark Hartley Cast: Olivia d’Abo, John G. Avildsen, Martine Beswick, Richard Chamberlain, Bo Derek, Lucinda Dickey, Michael Dudikoff, Robert Forster, Elliott Gould, Tobe Hooper, Dolph Lundgren, Franco Nero, Molly Ringwald, Robin Sherwood, Alex Winter, Franco Zeffirelli, Albert Pyun Running Time: 107 min. By Paul Bramhall As a child growing up in the 80’s, I have fond memories of my early movie watching days. Often the TV … Continue reading

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Future Hunters | aka Deadly Quest (1986) Review

"Future Hunters" VHS Cover

AKA: Spear of Destiny Director: Cirio H. Santiago Cast: Robert Patrick, Linda Carol, Ed Crick, Bob Schott, David Light, Paul Holmes, Peter Shilton, Ursula Marquez, Elizabeth Oropesa, Bruce Le (aka Huang Kin Long, Wong Kin Lung), Hwang Jang Lee, Richard Norton, Mike Abbott Running Time: 96 min. By Paul Bramhall There are some movies which simple defy normal comprehension, and even before reading any sort of synopsis, just by looking … Continue reading

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Our Top 15 Watched Movies of 2014

With 2014 coming to a close, it’s nice to look back and remember those moments that, especially for genre fans like ourselves, for every movie that made us bang our head against the nearest wall and accept that 2 hours of our lives have just been wasted, there’s also those movies that made us go, “Wow! What took me so long to watch this!?”, or if the movie is starring … Continue reading

Posted in Features, News |

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

Posted in Japanese, News, Reviews | Tagged , |

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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