Category Archives: Chinese

From Vegas to Macau III (2016) Review

"From Vegas to Macau 3" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Andrew Lau Co-director: Wong Jing Co-director: Billy Chung Cast: Chow Yun-fat, Andy Lau, Nick Cheung, Li Yuchun, Jacky Cheung, Carina Lau, Charles Heung, Shawn Yue, Psy, Angela Wang, Jacky Heung, Michelle Hu, David Chiang, Law Kar-ying, Kimmy Tong, Yuen Qiu, Elena Kong Running Time: 112 min. By Martin Sandison The first two movies in the From Vegas to Macau trilogy were a revelation for Hong Kong cinema fans: immensely … Continue reading

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Golden Dragon, Silver Snake (1980) Review

"Golden Dragon, Silver Snake" Korean Theatrical Poster

AKA: A Fight at Hong Kong Ranch Director: Kim Si-hyun, Co-director: Godfrey Ho Cast: Johnny Chan (Wang Dae-wi), Dragon Lee (Mun Kyong-sok), Kong Do, Baak Wong Gei, Chui Man Fooi, Lee Ye Min, Bruce Lai (Chang Il-do), Gam Kei Chu, Cheung Lik, Samuel Walls, Lee Ju-hyeon, Hong Sung-young Running Time: 84 min. By Paul Bramhall Sometimes a kung fu movie will sound great on paper, but somehow turn out to … Continue reading

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Jian Bing Man (2015) Review

AKA: Pancake Man Director: Da Peng Cast: Da Peng, Mabel Yuan, Liu Yan, Sandra Ng, Eric Tsang, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Yue Yunpeng, Yi Yunhe, Liang Chao, Pan Binlong, Cui Zhijia, Qiao Shan, Deng Chao, Amber Kuo, Song Xiaobao, Liu Xiaoguang Running Time: 113 min. By Paul Bramhall A Chinese comedy that features Jean-Claude Van Damme sounds like an unlikely combination, but that’s exactly what Jian Bing Man gives us. Much … Continue reading

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Challenger, The (1979) Review

AKA: Deadly Challenger Director: Eric Tsang Producer: Lo Wei Cast: David Chiang, Norman Chu, Lily Li Li Li, Philip Ko Fei, Eric Tsang, Huang Ha, Peter Chan Lung, Mars, Tai Bo, Alan Chan, Benny Lai, Chan Dik Hak, Chan Siu Gai Running Time: 87 min. By Matthew Le-feuvre When Hong Kong stalwart and one-time international star, David Chiang (Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires) re-negotiated his contract with the venerated … Continue reading

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Boxer from the Temple, The (1979) Review

"The Boxer from the Temple" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: John Lo Mar Cast: Ng Yuen Jun, Kwan Feng, Wong Mei Mei, Lau Fong Sai, Wang Sha, Lam Fai Wong, Lau Hok Nin, Keung Hon, Cheng Miu, Chiang Cheng, Baan Yun Sang, Chan Fai Kei, Cheung Hei, Chin Siu Ho, Chow Gam Kong, Chui Fat Running Time: 92 min. By Martin Sandison Being the two main choreographers of the classic Shaw Brothers output, Lau Kar Leung and Tang Chia’s … Continue reading

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Zombie Fight Club (2014) Review

Original "Zombie Fight Club" Artwork by Kung Fu Bob

AKA: Z.F.C. Director: Joe Chien Cast: Andy On, Jessica Cambensy, Jack Kao Jie, Philip Ng, Michael Wong, Terence Yin, Derek Tsang Kwok Cheung, Abby Feng, Gu Bao Ming Running Time: 95 min. By Paul Bramhall At the end of my review for Joe Chien’s 2012 production Zombie 108, I was so appalled at what was proudly billed as China’s first zombie movie that I wrote “if it’s Chien who’s going to … Continue reading

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Dragon Blade (2015) Review

"Dragon Blade" Japanese DVD Cover

Director: Daniel Lee Cast: Jackie Chan, John Cusack, Adrien Brody, Lin Peng, Mika Wang, Choi Siwon, Xiao Yang, Wang Taili, Sammy Hung, Yoo Seung-jun, Karena Lam, Li Shao-Ting Running Time: 103/127 min. By Kelly Warner The casting lineup of Jackie Chan, John Cusack, and Adrien Brody for a historical action movie sounds downright crazy – and also, I must admit, rather intriguing. Just ten years ago a movie headlined by … Continue reading

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Assassin, The | aka The Hidden Heroine (2015) Review

The Assassin | Blu-ray & DVD (Well Go USA)

AKA: The Lady From Tang Director: Hou Hsiao-hsien Cast: Shu Qi, Chang Chen, Satoshi Tsumabuki, Nikki Hsieh Hsin Ying, Chang Shao Huai, Zuo Xiao Qing, Ethan Ruan Jing Tian, Jiang Wen, Xu Fan, Zhou Yun Runing Time: 105 min. By Kelly Warner Hou Hsiao-hsien won Best Director at 2015’s Cannes Film Festival for his exquisitely filmed Tang Dynasty drama The Assassin. Since that time, the conversation about The Assassin has … Continue reading

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Ip Man 3 (2015) Review

"Ip Man 3" Blu-ray Cover

AKA: Ip Man 3D Director: Wilson Yip Cast: Donnie Yen, Zhang Jin, Lynn Hung, Patrick Tam, Karena Ng, Kent Cheng, Bryan Leung, Louis Cheung, Danny Chan, Mike Tyson, Lo Meng, Babyjohn Choi Running Time: 105 min. By Zach Nix When Wilson Yip’s Ip Man was released in 2008, it brought great attention to its titular real life martial arts master and kicked off a string of films based around Master … Continue reading

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Fury in Shaolin Temple (1982) Review

"Fury in Shaolin Temple" Chinese VHS Cover

AKA: Friendship Forged in Blood Director: Choe Hyeon-min Cast: Gordon Liu, Philip Ko Fei, Gam Kei Chu, Lee Fat Yuen, Bruce Lai, Jacky Chen, Lee Gang-jo Running Time: 83 min. By Paul Bramhall The image of Gordon Liu as a shaven headed monk is one that’s inextricably associated with the kung fu movie genre. Starring as the monk San Te in Lau Kar Leung’s 1978 picture The 36th Chamber of … Continue reading

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Mojin: The Lost Legend (2015) Review

"Mojin: The Lost Legend" Theatrical Poster

AKA: The Ghouls Director: Wu Ershan Cast: Chen Kun, Huang Bo, Shu Qi, Angelababy, Xia Yu, Liu Xiaoqing, Cherry Ngan, Ng Man Tat Running Time: 125 min. By Paul Bramhall The Mainland Chinese blockbuster is becoming a more and more common sight in recent years, as the local industry looks to satisfy a population that increasingly enjoys going to the cinema with its own big budget movies, rather than having … Continue reading

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White Storm, The | aka Cartel War (2013) Review

"The White Storm" Theatrical Poster

AKA: Metamorphosis Director: Benny Chan Cast: Louis Koo, Nick Cheung, Lau Ching Wan, Yolanda Yuan Quan, Lo Hoi Pang, Alex Fong Lik Sun, Berg Ng Ting Yip, Hou Yong, Elanne Kong, Ken Lo Running Time: 140 min. By HKFanatic It might sound hard to believe now, but there was a time when director Benny Chan was considered a great hope for Hong Kong cinema. Halfway through the Nineties, when other … Continue reading

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Shaolin: The Blood Mission | aka The Fourth Largest Shaolin Temple (1984) Review

"Shaolin: The Blood Mission" Korean Theatrical Poster

Director: Park Woo-sang Writer: Hong Chi-Yun Cast: Hwang Jang Lee, Ho Kei Cheong, Suen Kwok Ming, Poon Cheung, Luo Hua-Sheng, Olivia Hung, Park Dong-yeol, Lee Jin-Yeong, Kim Ki-Bum Running Time: 85 min. By Paul Bramhall The name of Korean director Park Woo-sang may not be immediately familiar to many, and understandably so. However once the filmmaker immigrated to America, he continued to direct under a different name – Richard Park – … Continue reading

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Enter the Invincible Hero | aka Secret Bandit of Black Leopard (1981) Review

"Enter the Invincible Hero" Korean Theatrical Poster

Director: Kim Si-hyun Cast: Dragon Lee (Mun Kyong-sok), Casanova Wong, Chui Man Fooi, Lee Ye Min, Cheung Ching Kwok, Gam Hei Wang, Seo Jeong Ah, Chen Shao Lung Running Time: 100 min. By Paul Bramhall Deciphering who directed what and when in the old school Korean kung fu genre is a head scratching exercise at the best of times. It’s common knowledge that many of the countries’ contributions to the … Continue reading

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King of Fists and Dollars, The (1979) Review

AKA: Challenge of the Shaolin Disciples Director: Chen Ming-Hua Writer: Chen Ming-Hua Cast: Michael Chan Wai Man, Pearl Chang Ling, Cheng Lui, David Chiang Da Wei, Chiu Hung, Choi Wang, Fang Mien, Danny Lee Sau Yin, Li Chao, Mark Long Kwan Wu, Ma Cheung, Siu Foo Dau, Weng Hsiao Hu, Kong Yeung Running Time: 97 min. By Martin Sandison In the late 70’s Taiwanese kung fu movies were going strong, … Continue reading

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