Category Archives: Chinese

To Be Number One (1991) Review

"To Be Number One" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Poon Man-Kit Writer: Johnny Mak Cast: Ray Lui, Cecilia Yip, Kent Cheng, Waise Lee, Amy Yip Chi May, Frankie Chin, Elvis Tsui, Tommy Wong, Kenneth Tsang, Lo Lieh, Paul Chu Kong, Mark Houghton Running Time: 136 min By Paul Bramhall The tale of real life gangster Ng Sik-Ho, more commonly known as Crippled Ho, has experienced a resurgence of late thanks to Donnie Yen’s take on the character in 2017’s Chasing … Continue reading

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Angry Ranger (1991) Review

"Angry Ranger" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Wang Lung Wei Producer: Jackie Chan Cast: Ben Lam Kwok Bun, Jackie Lui Chung Yin, Sun Chien, Leung Yuen Jing, Mai Kei, Edward Mok Ga Yiu, Benny Lai Keung Kuen, Danny Chow Yun Kin, Johnny Cheung Yiu Wah, Anthony Carpio, Christopher Chan Sai-Tang, Mai Kei Running Time: 87 min. By Martin Sandison Once one of the premier members of the Jackie Chan stunt team, whose greatest role in a … Continue reading

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Master Z: The Ip Man Legacy (2018) Review

Master Z: Ip Man Legacy | Blu-ray (Well Go USA)

Director: Yuen Woo-ping Cast: Max Zhang, Dave Bautista, Liu Yan, Michelle Yeoh, Tony Jaa, Kevin Cheng, Chrissie Chau, Patrick Tam, Philip Keung, Anthony Ho, Xing Yu, Adam Pak Running Time: 137 min. By Paul Bramhall While anticipation builds for the 2019 release of Ip Man 4, with all of its furore around the inclusion of Bruce and Boyka, it shouldn’t be forgotten that 2018 isn’t going to let us get … Continue reading

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Run and Kill (1993) Review

"Run and Kill" Theatrical Poster

Director: Billy Tang Writer: Bryan Chang Cast: Kent Cheng, Simon Yam, Esther Kwan, Danny Lee, Melvin Wong, Johnny Wang Lung Wei Running Time: 91 min. By Paul Bramhall The best Category III movies usually come with a reputation that precedes them, and Run and Kill certainly fits that criteria. Multiple versions in existence because of cuts made to secure distribution in various territories? Check. A particular scene known for its shocking … Continue reading

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Europe Raiders (2018) Review

"Europe Raiders" Teaser Poster

Director: Jingle Ma Cast: Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Kris Wu, Tiffany Tang, Du Juan, George Lam, Jija Yanin, Cung Le Running Time: 100 min.  By Paul Bramhall It’s fair to say that perhaps the biggest fan of cinematographer turned director Jingle Ma’s …….. Raiders series, is Ma himself. The first (and I’m sure many considered last) entry in the series was 2000’s Tokyo Raiders, which was a fun but slight slice of action … Continue reading

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Unity of Heroes (2018) Review

"Unity of Heroes" Teaser Poster

Director: Lin Zhen-Hao Cast: Vincent Chiu Man Chuk, Wei Ni, Michael Tong, Li Lubing, Li Yuan, Chen Chen, Xu Zhengguo, Wei Xiaohuan, Zhang Lei, Chen Chao, Zhou Jianhua Running Time: 104 min.  By Paul Bramhall I believe it was Morgan Freeman in The Shawshank Redemption that said “hope is a dangerous thing my friend”, but even knowing this, I couldn’t help but feel optimistic when news broke that Vincent Zhao would … Continue reading

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Once Upon a Time in China V (1994) Review

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

Director: Tsui Hark Cast: Vincent Chiu, Rosamund Kwan, Jean Wong, Kent Cheng, Hung Yan Yan, Mok Siu Chung, Lau Shun, Elaine Lui, Gwok Chun On, Stephen Tung Wei Running Time: 101 min. By Paul Bramhall Remember that time Tsui Hark decided to make his own version of Project A, but film it in the style of John Woo? If not, then it likely means you’ve never seen Once Upon a … Continue reading

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Crippled Kung Fu Boxer | aka Ninja Supremo (1981) Review

"Crippled Kung Fu Boxer" Theatrical Poster

AKA: Kung Fu Boxer Director: Lee Chiu Cast: Cliff Lok, Tsai Hung, Yueh Hua, Sun Yueh, Goo Chang, Lee Chiu, Chu Siu-Wa, Ma Chin-Ku, Wynn Lau Chun-Fai, Danny Chow Yun-Kin, Chen Shu-Chu Running Time: 77 min. By Martin Sandison Those who know the name Cliff Lok usually worship at the alter of old school kung fu. It’s really a shame he was not a bigger star, as he has the … Continue reading

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Keep Calm and Be a Superstar (2018) Review

"Keep Calm and Be a Superstar" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Vincent Kok Cast: Eason Chan Yick-shun, Li Rong-Hao, Cui Zhi-Jia, Li Yi-Tong, Zheng Ji-Feng, Danny Chan Kwok-kwan, Wilfred Lau Ho-Lung, Hui Siu-Hung, Chris Collins, Vincent Kok Tak-chiu , Edward Ma, Lam Tze-Chung, Steven Fung Running Time: 98 min. By Paul Bramhall Most fans of Hong Kong cinema will be familiar with Jackie Chan and Wong Jing’s reported inability to get along while making City Hunter in 1993. As a … Continue reading

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Gambling for Head (1975) Review

Director: Jimmy Nam Writer: Jimmy Shaw Cast: James Nam, Shao-Hung Chan, Kuen Cheung, Nan Chiang, Shao-Lin Chiang, Chi Chu Chin, Chun Erh, Yi Feng, Tsan-Hsiung Ku, Hok Nin Lau, Ke Ming Lin, John Patton, Travador Ramos, Fui-On Shing Running Time: 86 min. By Jay Dune Revenge plots are classic tropes that we see in martial arts movies all the time. Heck, even Western Action movies maintain that notion of revenge. … Continue reading

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Big Brother (2018) Review

Big Brother | Blu-ray & DVD (Well Go USA)

Director: Kam Ka-Wai Cast: Donnie Yen, Joe Chen, Yu Kang, Brahim Achabbakhe, Tom Caserto, Alfred Cheung, Ye Fan, Semiquaver Iafeta, Tin-Lung Koo, Gladys Li, Ka Wah Lam, Mike Leeder, Jess Liaudin, Billy Lau Nam-Kwong, Fung Lee, Brahim Chab Running Time: 101 min.  By Paul Bramhall In the last 3 years alone Donnie Yen has played a kung fu master, a wandering swordsman, a sci-fi version of Zatoichi, a kick ass … Continue reading

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Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings (2018) Review

"Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Tsui Hark Writer: Chang Chia-lu Cast: Mark Chao, William Feng Shaofeng, Kenny Lin Gengxin, Carina Lau, Ethan Juan, Sandra Ma, Ma Sichun, Chien Sheng, Yang Yiwei Running Time: 132 min. By Paul Bramhall Before you express concern, don’t panic, the latest entry in the Detective Dee series has nothing to do with the wily sleuth investigating a crime spree instigated by Andy Lau, Aaron Kwok, Jacky Cheung, and Leon Lai. With that … Continue reading

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Super Powerful Man | aka The Story of Ricky 2: Dint King Inside King (2004) Review

Director: Muk Baak-Ji Producer: Chow Pei Hok Cast: Fan Siu Wong, Leung Kar-Yan, Carisa Yan Wing-San, Ricky Ng Kwok-Sing, Hoh Hung-Kwan Running Time: 93 min. By Paul Bramhall Director Lam Nai-Choi’s 1991 splatter fest, The Story of Ricky, is one of the movies that got me into the wilder side of Hong Kong cinema. An almost relentless barrage of eye ball popping, intestine strangling, stomach exploding goodness, it quickly achieved cult status in … Continue reading

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Duel of Fists | aka Fist Attack (1971) Review

"Duel of Fists" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Chang Cheh Producer: Runme Shaw Cast: David Chiang, Ti Lung, Cheng Lee, Guk Fung, Chan Sing, Cheng Miu, Wong Chung, Yeung Chi Hing, Yuen Wo Ping, Yen Shi-Kwan, Yuen Shun-Yi, Yuen Cheung Yan, Chan Chuen, Lau Laan Ying, Tong Dik Running Time: 102 min. By JJ Hatfield In 1971 Chang Cheh took Ti Lung and David Chiang to Thailand to film a Muay Thai boxing tournament movie/travelogue. That may … Continue reading

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Thousand Faces of Dunjia, The (2017) Review

Thousand Faces of Dunjia | Blu-ray & DVD (Well Go USA)

Director: Yuen Woo-ping Writer: Tsui Hark Cast: Da Peng, Ni Ni, Aarif Lee Chi-Ting, Zhou Dong-Yu, Wu Bai, Ada Liu Yan, Tiger Xu, Yang Yiwei, Mo Tse, Xu Ming-Hu, Sun Mingming, Zhang Yiqian Running Time: 110 min. By Paul Bramhall In 2015 it was announced that master choreographer Yuen Woo-Ping would be teaming up with visionary auteur Tsui Hark to remake The Miracle Fighters, Woo-Ping’s madcap fantasy from 1982, that … Continue reading

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