Category Archives: All

Azumi 2: Death or Love (2005) Review

"Azumi 2: Death or Love" Theatrical Poster

Director: Shusuke Kaneko Cast: Aya Ueto, Yuma Ishigaki, Chiaki Kuriyama, Shun Oguri, Kenichi Endo, Kai Shishido, Eugene Nomura, Tak Sakaguchi, Shoichiro Masumoto Running Time: 102 min. By Equinox21 While Azumi 2 wasn’t as good as its predecessor, it was still enjoyable. It certainly didn’t add anything new or interesting to the samurai-era film genre, and it almost seemed like a simple play off the original’s success. The strangest parts were … Continue reading

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Duel, The (2000) Review

"The Duel" Theatrical Poster

Director: Andrew Lau Cast: Ekin Cheng, Nick Cheung Ka Fai, Andy Lau, Norman Chu, Jerry Lamb, Kristy Yeung, Wu Tine Hsin, Zao Wei, Patrick Tam, Wong Yat Fei, Lau Wai Running Time: 105 min. By Alexander The Duel is a pleasant diversion featuring an interesting blend of swordplay, martial arts, humor, drama, mystery and a pairing of Hong Kong pop superstars Andy Lau and Ekin Cheng as master swordsmen. The … Continue reading

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Man Called Hero, A (1999) Review

"A Man Called Hero" Theatrical Poster

Director: Andrew Lau Cast: Ekin Cheng, Nic Tse, Kristy Yeung, Francis Ng, Shu Qi, Yuen Biao, Anthony Wong, Jerry Lamb, Elvis Tsui, Ken Lo, Jordan Chan, Mark Cheng, Cheng Pei Pei, Ronnie Cheung, Sam Lee, Frankie Ng, Jude Poyer, Grace Yip Running Time: 102 min. By Sergio Martorelli Here’s a classic case of “the title says it all”. This is a story about a man. Said man is called (ta-daaa!) … Continue reading

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Mr. Vampire 2 (1986) Review

"Mr. Vampire 2" Theatrical Poster

Director: Ricky Lau Cast: Lam Ching-Ying, Yuen Biao, Chung Fat, Moon Lee, Pauline Wong, Billy Lau, Wong Yuk Waan, Wu Ma, Stanley Fung Shui Fan, Hsiao Ho, James Tien Running Time: 91 min. By Numskull “If you can keep your expectations tiny You’ll go through life without being so whiny.” -Matt Groening, “Life in Hell” One of the keys to living a happy life is to expect the worst. When … Continue reading

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She Shoots Straight (1989) Review

"She Shoots Straight" Theatrical Poster

Director: Corey Yuen Cast: Joyce Godenzi, Carina Lau, Tony Leung Ka Fai, Sandra Ng, Sammo Hung, Chi-Wing Lau, Pik-Wan Tang, Yuen Wah, Agnes Aurelio, Bill Tung, Bruce Fontaine Running Time: 87 min By Numskull She shoots, but does she score? Yes and no. This film benefits from some good ass kickin’ and fairly impressive stunts (many performed by women, others performed by stuntmen with wigs), and suffers from a soapy … Continue reading

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Hidden Fortress, The (1958) Review

Director: Akira Kurosawa Producer: Sanezumi Fujimoto, Akira Kurosawa Cast: Toshiro Mifune, Minoru Chiaki, Kamatari Fujiwara, Misa Uehara, Susumu Fujita, Takashi Shimura, Misa Uehara, Eiko Miyoshi, Toshiko Higuchi, Yu Fujiki, Yoshio Tsuchiya Running Time: 139 min. By Numskull The titular location isn’t much of a “fortress”… more like a couple of shacks tucked away in a canyon… but the adventure that stops there along the way is highly entertaining. This Akira … Continue reading

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Speed Racer (2008) Review

"Speed Racer" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: The Wachowskis Cast: Emile Hirsch, Christina Ricci, John Goodman, Susan Sarandon, Matthew Fox, Roger Allam, Benno Fürmann, Hiroyuki Sanada, Rain, Richard Roundtree Running Time: 135 min.  By Ningen Emile Hirsch plays a one-dimensional guy named Speed Racer who teams up with a random Korean guy played by Rain and a myterious racer named X played by Matthew Fox to take down The Man (aka Royalton) through competitive car racing. … Continue reading

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Godzilla | aka Gojira (1954) Review

"Godzilla" Japanese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Godzilla: King of the Monsters Director: Ishiro Honda Cast: Akira Takarada, Momoko Kochi, Takashi Shimura, Fuyuki Murakami, Sachio Sakai, Ren Yamamoto, Toyoaki Suzuki Running Time: 96 min. By Woody Ishiro Honda was a great director. As Akira Kurosawa’s assistant director and right hand man, Honda no doubt learned a lot from the man, and it shows, particularly in this 1954 effort. Gojira is a stark and uncompromising film, filled with nightmarish imagery, but, … Continue reading

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Dead and the Deadly, The (1982) Review

"The Dead and the Deadly" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Wu Ma Writer: Sammo Hung, Barry Wong Cast: Sammo Hung Kam-bo, Lam Ching-ying, Cherie Chung, Fat Chung, Ricky Lau, Wu Ma, Peter Chan Lung, Billy Chan Wui Ngai, Kwan Yung Moon Running Time: 94 min. By Numskull Another supernatural comedy from Sammo Hung, star and director of Encounters of the Spooky Kind (God, how I hate that title) and its sequel (which is available neither on DVD nor VCD…bloody … Continue reading

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Tai Chi Master | aka Twin Warriors (1993) Review

"Tai Chi Master" Chinese DVD Cover

AKA: Tai Chi Director: Yuen Woo Ping Cast: Jet Li, Chin Siu Ho, Michelle Yeoh, Fennie Yuen Kit-Ying, Yuen Cheung Yan, Lau Shun, Yu Hai, Sun Jian Kui, Chow Gam-Kong, Yu Yan-Kai Running Time: 94 min. By Numskull Note to Yuen Wo Ping: Stop renting out your justly famous talent as a fight choreographer to other directors and make more of your own movies. They may not be as polished … Continue reading

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My Father is a Hero | aka The Enforcer (1994) Review

"My Father is a Hero" Japanese DVD Cover

AKA: Letter to Daddy Director: Corey Yuen Writer: Wong Jing Cast: Jet Li, Anita Mui, Tse Miu, Blacky Ko, Bonnie Fu Yuk Jing, Yu Rong Guang, Ken Lo, Damian Lau, Thorsten Nickel, Paul Rapovski, Henry Fong Ping, Corey Yuen Running Time: 100/105 min. By Numskull You know, for someone whose fame is based on his martial arts skills, I’m not seeing a whole lot of martial arts in Jet Li’s … Continue reading

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Project S | aka Supercop 2 (1993) Review

Director: Stanley Tong Producer: Barbie Tung Cast: Michelle Yeoh, Yu Rong Guang, Emil Chau, Fan Siu Wong, Dick Wei, Athena Chu, Bill Tung Biu, Bowie Lam, Alain Guernier, Ailen Sit Chun Wai, Chan Man Ching, Joe Cheung, Mars, Yukari Oshima, Jackie Chan, Eric Tsang Running Time: 98 min. By Numskull It seems that “they”… whoever they are… really don’t want us North American types to see this movie. The DVD … Continue reading

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PTU | aka Police Tactical Unit (2003) Review

"PTU" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Johnnie To Cast: Simon Yam Tat Wah, Lam Suet, Ruby Wong Cheuk Ling, Raymond Wong Ho Yin, Maggie Siu Mei Kei, Eddie Ko Hung, Wong Wa Wo, Lo Hoi Pang Running Time: 88 min. By Alexander PTU certainly isn’t one of Johnnie To’s best efforts, but it does manage to offer up a few surprises, and another excellent performance by Simon Yam (Bullet in the Head). The film meanders … Continue reading

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Police Woman | aka Young Tiger (1973) Review

AKA: Rumble in Hong Kong Director: Zhu Mu Cast: Yuen Qiu, Charlie Ching, Jackie Chan, Chiang Nan, Hu Chin, Betty Pei Dee, John Cheung Ng Long, Feng Yi, Lee Man Tai, Helena Law Lan Running Time: 90 min By Alvin George I bought this movie for three bucks from Circuit City, hoping it would be better than the other ’70s Jackie Chan movies I’ve seen due to its modern (1970s) … Continue reading

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Thundering Mantis | aka Mantis Fist Fighter (1980) Review

AKA: Mantis Fist Fighter Director: Yip Wing Cho Cast: Leung Kar Yan, Eddie Ko Hung, Wong Yat Lung, Chin Yuet Sang, Lee Kwan, Fang Mien, Ma Chin Ku, Suen Lam, Shih Ting Ken, Au Lap Bo Running Time: 90 min. By Joseph Kuby Cannibalistic Cult Classic! Thundering Mantis (a.k.a. ‘The Mantis Fist Fighter’ or ‘Crazy Mantis’) is a film that has garnered quite a notorious reputation over the years for … Continue reading

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