Category Archives: Chinese

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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Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires, The (1974) Review

AKA: Seven Brothers Meet Dracula Director: Roy Ward Baker Co-director: Chang Cheh Cast: Peter Cushing, John Forbes-Robertson, David Chiang, Robin Stewart, Julie Ege, Shih Szu, Chan Shen, Tino Wong Cheung, Fung Hak On, Lau Wai Ling, Lau Kar Wing, Wong Pau Gei, Lo Wai, James Ma Chim Si Running Time: 89 min. By Zach Nix The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires is a fun martial arts film co-produced by the … Continue reading

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Z Storm (2014) Review

"Z Storm" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: David Lam Cast: Louis Koo, Gordon Lam, Lo Hoi Pang, Liu Kai Chi, Michael Wong, Dada Chan Ching, Janelle Sing Kwan, Patrick Keung, Felix Lok Ying Kwan Running Time: 92 min. By Kelly Warner Slowly Hong Kong cinema seems to be making a comeback. Our favorite directors and stars keep giving us reasons to hope so, anyway. 2014’s Z Storm has the gloss and star power to inspire more confidence … Continue reading

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Dragon’s Snake Fist, The (1981) Review

"The Dragon's Snake Fist" Theatrical Poster

AKA: Iron Head Director: Kim Si Hyeon Cast: Dragon Lee (Mun Kyong-sok), Yuen Qiu, Chui Man Fooi, Gam Kei Chu, Bruce Lai, Kim Young Suk, Seo Jeong-Ah, Moon Jeong Kum, Gam Gei-Fan Running Time: 83 min. By Martin Sandison In the barren wasteland of UK DVD releases of classic kung fu films, one company has taken it upon themselves to be a beacon of light. The company called Terracotta has … Continue reading

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Monk’s Fight (1979) Review

Director: Yu Kong Writer: Yu Kong Producer: Kam Yuen Bo Cast: Lee Wing, Pearl Chang Ling, Casanova Wong, Choi Wang, Tien Feng, Chan Wai Lau, Chu Tiet Wo, Ho Pak Kwong, Ling Yun, Ching Ching, Chuen Yuen, Tung Li Running Time: 89 min. By Paul Bramhall Sporting one of the most generic titles you can come across in the vast landscape of kung fu movies, this 1979 production from Taiwan … Continue reading

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Magnificent Wonderman from Shaolin (1979) Review

"Magnificent Wonderman from Shaolin" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Golden Gate Director: Kim Seon-gyeong Cast: Casanova Wong (aka Ka Sat Fat), Eagle Han Ying, Gam Ching Lan, Elton Chong (aka Jeong Jin Hwa), Hyeon Kil-Su, Martin Chui Man-Fooi, Austin Wai Running Time: 91 min. By Paul Bramhall Magnificent Wonderman from Shaolin is a sure contender for having one of the greatest kung fu movie titles, and there’s plenty of competition out there. However as grand a title as … Continue reading

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