Category Archives: Chinese

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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Wild Panther | aka The Pursuit (1984) Review

"Wild Panther" Korean Theatrical Poster

Director: Lee Tso Nam Writer: Cheung San Yee Producer: Lim Kee Chye Cast: Chen Shan, Don Wong Tao, Eagle Han Ying, Ching Kuo Chung, Peng Kang, Ho Hing Nam Running Time: 90 min. By Paul Bramhall Taiwanese director Lee Tso Nam should be a name recognizable to anyone who considers themselves a fan of kung fu cinema. Active in the industry since the early 70’s, and still active today, he’s … Continue reading

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Dirty Kung Fu (1978) Review

"Dirty Kung Fu" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Lau Kar Wing Cast: Wong Yu, Cecilia Wong Hang Sau, Wilson Tong, Lau Kar Wing, Thompson Kao Kang, Karl Maka, Norman Chu, Fung Hak On, Cheng Hong Yip, Wong Shu Tong, Dean Shek, Billy Chan, Chan Dik Hak, Peter Chan Running Time: 90 min. By Matthew Le-feuvre Deftly defiant, and roguishly engaging with a persona that marginally capitalized on the edge of sardonic repose: a contradiction indeed! The late Wong … Continue reading

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Full Strike (2015) Review

"Full Strike" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Derek Kwok Co-director: Henry Wong Cast: Ronald Cheng Chung-kei, Josie Ho Chiu Yee, Ekin Cheng, Tse Kwan Ho, Edmond Leung, Shaw Yum Yum, Wilfred Lau, Andrew Lam, Grace Yip Pui Man Running Time: 108 min. By Paul Bramhall Movies about racquet sports hardly have the most successful track record, either at the box office or critically. Even thinking of one seems liken an unnecessarily difficult struggle. It took me … Continue reading

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Untold Story, The | aka Bunman (1993) Review

"The Untold Story" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Herman Yau Cast: Anthony Wong, Danny Lee, Emily Kwan, Lau Siu-Ming, Shing Fui-On, Parkman Wong Pak-Man, Yee Ka-Fat, Lam King-Kong, Julie Lee, Leung Hung-Wah Running Time: 96 min. By Martin Sandison One of the most notorious Category 3 Hong Kong films ever made, Bunman (what a title!) features everything that makes extreme HK cinema so unique: brutality, seriously dark comedy and insane energy that spills off the screen. Only … Continue reading

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Raid, The (1990) Review

"The Raid" Theatrical Poster

Director: Ching Siu Tung Co-director: Tsui Hark Cast: Dean Shek, Fennie Yuen, Jacky Cheung, Tony Leung, Joyce Godenzi, Paul Chu Kong, Corey Yuen, Lau Siu Ming, Kei Gwong Hung, Chiu Man Yan, Liu Fan Running Time: 100 min. By Kelly Warner Beyond a title that may confuse less-informed film fans interested in Asian cinema, The Raid has absolutely nothing in common with the Gareth Evans films of the same name. … Continue reading

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Bruce Strikes Back | aka The Ninja Strikes Back (1982) Review

"Bruce Strikes Back" Theatrical Poster

AKA: Eye of the Dragon Director: Joseph Kong, Bruce Le Co-director: Jean-Marie Pallardy Cast: Bruce Le (aka Huang Kin Long, Wong Kin Lung), Hwang Jang Lee, Casanova Wong, Harold Sakata, Bolo Yeung, Chick Norris, Fabienne Beze, Andre Koob, Monica Lam, Jean-Marie Pallardy, Dick Randall Running Time: 111 min. By Paul Bramhall American producer Dick Randall’s name is synonymous with the exploitation genre, having a career which spanned 3 decades, from … Continue reading

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Shanghai 13 | aka Heroic Ones from Shanghai (1984) Review

"Shanghai 13" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Chang Cheh Cast: Chiang Ming, Ti Lung, Cheng Tien Chi, David Chiang, Lee Chung Yat, Chi Kuan Chun, Wong Ching, Chiang Sheng, Leung Kar Yan, Lu Feng, Chai Kai, Chan Sing, Chen Kuan-tai, Cheung Taai Lun, Jue Hoi Ling, Andy Lau, Danny Lee, Jimmy Wang Yu, Wang Chung, Clement Yeh Running Time: 85 min. By Martin Sandison The great Chang Cheh – one of the most revered, prolific and … Continue reading

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Private Eyes, The | aka Mr. Boo (1976) Review

"The Private Eyes" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Michael Hui Co-director: John Woo Cast: Michael Hui, Sam Hui, Ricky Hui, Stanley Hui, Shih Kien, Angie Chiu, Chen Hung Lieh, Huang Ha, Tsang Choh Lam, Richard Ng, Billy Chan, Chan Laap Ban Running Time: 94 min. By Matthew Le-feuvre Hong Kong comedy veteran, Michael Hui, has, for veritable reasons, seemed to excel both artisitcally and commercially whenever he’s temporarily halted, taken stock and examined his lively career with … Continue reading

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Undeclared War (1990) Review

"Undeclared War" Chinese DVD Cover

Director: Ringo Lam Cast: Danny Lee Sau Yin, Tommy Wong Kwong Leung, Peter Liapis, Vernon Wells, Olivia Hussey, Rosamund Kwan, Louis Roth, Dean Harrington, Victor Hon Kwan, Mars, Jonathan Isgar, Brad Kerner, Mark King, Jameson Lam Running Time: 103 min. By Paul Bramhall In 1990 it seemed Ringo Lam could do no wrong. Having established himself as a director of realistic and gritty action thrillers with his …on Fire series … Continue reading

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Kickboxer | aka Once Upon a Chinese Hero (1993) Review

"Kickboxer" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Wu Ma Cast: Yuen Biao, Shirley Lui Sau Ling, Yuen Wah, Yen Shi Kwan, Sheila Chan Suk Lan, Wu Ma, Gam Sap Yee, Chen Shan, Tai Bo, Anthony Carpio, Chu Tau, Louis Roth, Yuen Mao, Corey Yuen, Max Kasimsky, Leung Kwan-Keung Running Time: 92 min. By Paul Bramhall There aren’t many people out there who would disagree that Jet Li being cast as Wong Fei Hung was an inspired choice. … Continue reading

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