Category Archives: Chinese

Ghostly Face, The (1973) Review

Posted on April 2, 2018 by Paul Bramhall
"The Ghostly Face" Theatrical Poster

Director: Yang Shih-Ching Cast: Polly Shang-Kuan, Chan Wai-Lau, Chan Bo-Leung, To Wai Wo, Lenny Marlina, To Man-Bo, Chan Chue Running Time: 85 min.  By Paul Bramhall There’s something undeniably alluring about stumbling across obscure slices of kung fu cinema from the past, and The Ghostly Face could easily be categorized as one such example. In the 1970’s the practice of Hong Kong and Taiwan filming (or in many cases co-producing) with their South East Asian neighbours … Continue reading →

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Wine War (2017) Review

Posted on March 25, 2018 by Paul Bramhall
"Wine War" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Leon Lai Writer: Succeed Be Cast: Leon Lai, Zhang Hanyu, Nan Fulong, Lily Ji Li, Du Juan, David Wang, Huang Shang-Ho Running Time: 80 min. By Paul Bramhall Out of the Four Heavenly Kings of Cantopop – Andy Lau, Aaron Kwok, Jacky Cheung, and Leon Lai – it’s always been youngest member Lai that’s had the most difficulty transitioning his onstage pop star charisma to the silver screen. Ladened with … Continue reading →

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Soul of Chiba | aka Soul of Bruce Lee (1977) Review

Posted on March 12, 2018 by Paul Bramhall
"Soul of Chiba" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Chan Tung-Man, Noda Yukio Cast: Sonny Chiba Shinichi, Luk Chuen, Shiomi Etsuko, Bolo Yeung Sze, Fong Yuen, Kong Chuen, Tadashi Yamashita, Lau Nga-Ying, Peter Chan Hoh-San, Krung Srivilai, Naowarat Yooktanun, Somjit Sapsamruey Running Time: 94 min. By Paul Bramhall At the risk of blacklisting myself from ever writing for an Asian cinema site again, I’ll admit I initially wasn’t very enamoured with Sonny Chiba. When I first got into … Continue reading →

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Brink, The (2017) Review

Posted on March 6, 2018 by Paul Bramhall
"The Brink" Theatrical Poster

Director: Jonathan Li Producer: Soi Cheang Pou Cast: Max Zhang Jin, Shawn Yu Man-Lok, Gordon Lam Ka-Tung, Janice Man Wing-San, Wu Yue, Yasuaki Kurata, Tai Bo, Cecilia So, Derek Tsang, Kumer So Running Time: 100 min. By Paul Bramhall Martial artist Max Zhang may have been showing off his stuff since the early 00’s, however it’s only in recent years that he registered on the radar of many kung fu cinema fans. With scene stealing … Continue reading →

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Operation Red Sea (2018) Review

Posted on March 2, 2018 by Paul Bramhall
"Operation Red Sea" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Dante Lam Cast: Zhang Yi, Huang Jingyu, Hai Qing, Du Jiang, Zhang Hanyu, Henry Prince Mak, Michelle Bai, Wang Qiang, Simon Yam Tat-wah, Wang Ian, Guo Jiahao Running Time: 138 min. By Paul Bramhall A couple of years after the successful Operation Mekong, in 2018 Operation Red Sea finds Dante Lam, one of Hong Kong’s brightest directors, sticking to his action guns. He may be sticking with the Mainland … Continue reading →

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Wings of Eagles (2016) Review

Posted on February 1, 2018 by Martin Sandison

AKA: The Last Race Director: Stephen Shin, Michael Parker Cast: Joseph Fiennes, Shawn Dou, Bruce Locke, Augusta Xu-Holland, Richard Sanderson, Jesse Kove, Elizabeth Arends, Simon Twu, Darren Grosvenor, Shigeo Kobayashi Running Time: 104 min.  By Martin Sandison The story of Eric Liddell is one as a Scotsman I have a lot of interest in. Liddell won the 400 metres race at the 1924 Olympics – the story of which is … Continue reading →

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Paradox (2017) Review

Posted on January 26, 2018 by Paul Bramhall
Paradox | Blu-ray & DVD (Well Go USA)

Director: Wilson Yip Cast: Louis Koo, Wu Yue, Tony Jaa, Chris Collins, Gordon Lam, Ken Lo, Jacky Choi Kit, Stephy Tang Lai-Yan, Chan Hon-Na, Vithaya Pansringarm, Wave Choo Running Time: 98 min.  By Paul Bramhall The hot topic of discussion leading up to the release of Paradox was the question of it was, in fact, SPL III, so it seems to make sense to begin a review by addressing it. … Continue reading →

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Bleeding Steel (2017) Review

Posted on January 12, 2018 by Paul Bramhall
"Bleeding Steel" Theatrical Poster

Director: Leo Zhang Cast: Jackie Chan, Show Lo, Nana Ou-Yang, Callan Mulvey, Tess Haubrich, Erica Xia-hou, Damien Garvey, Kaitlyn Boyé, Isabelle Wojciechowska, Olga Miller Running Time: 110 min. By Paul Bramhall To say that Jackie Chan has had a busy couple of years could well be construed as the understatement of the century. With starring roles in Skiptrace, Railroad Tigers, Kung Fu Yoga, The Foreigner, and now his latest with … Continue reading →

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Crazy Couple (1979) Review

Posted on January 10, 2018 by Martin Sandison
"Crazy Couple" Theatrical Poster

Director: Ricky Lau Writer: Raymond Wong Cast: Lau Kar Yung, Dean Shek, Lily Li Li Li, Eric Tsang, Peter Chan, Wong Ching, Fung Hak On, Ho Pak Kwong, Mars, Huang Ha, Chik Ngai Hung Running Time: 90 min.  By Martin Sandison The nephew of the Lau brothers, Lau Kar Yung, certainly did not achieve as much in the martial arts film genre as Lau Kar Leung and Lau Kar Wing. The former, … Continue reading →

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Thunderbolt Fist, The (1972) Review

Posted on December 14, 2017 by Paul Bramhall
"The Thunderbolt Fist" Chinese Theatrical Poster

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 →

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36 Chambers of Shaolin: The Final Confrontation | aka The Shaolin Drunken Monk (1981) Review

Posted on November 10, 2017 by Paul Bramhall
"36 Chambers of Shaolin: The Final Confrontation" Theatrical Poster

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 →

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Vampire Cleanup Department (2017) Review

Posted on October 28, 2017 by Paul Bramhall
"Vampire Cleanup Department" Chinese Theatrical Poster

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 →

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Dreaming the Reality (1991) Review

Posted on October 24, 2017 by Paul Bramhall
"Dreaming the Reality" Chinese Theatrical Poster

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 →

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Journey to the West: The Demons Strike Back (2017) Review

Posted on October 23, 2017 by Paul Bramhall

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 →

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Extraordinary Mission (2017) Review

Posted on October 20, 2017 by Paul Bramhall
"Extraordinary Mission" Blu-ray Cover

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 →

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