Category Archives: Chinese

Police Story 2013 | aka Police Story: Lockdown (2013) Review

"Police Story: Lockdown" Theatrical Poster

AKA: Police Story 6 Director: Ding Sheng Cast: Jackie Chan, Lau Yip, Sally Jing Tian, Huang Bo, Yu Rong-Guang, Wang Zhi Fei, Wu Yue, Andy Long Nguyen, Zhang Xiaoning, Ding Sheng, Bruce Law Running Time: 108 min. By Kelly Warner Jackie Chan’s changed. Off-screen his fervent nationalism has had the effect of alienating and upsetting some fans both at home and abroad. On-screen, the actor has had to come to … Continue reading

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Zhong Kui: Snow Girl and the Dark Crystal (2015) Review

Snow Girl and the Dark Crystal | Blu-ray & DVD (Well Go USA)

Director: Peter Pau Co-director: Zhao Tianyu Cast: Chen Kun, Li Bing Bing, Winston Chao, Bao Bei Er, Jike Junyi, Yang Zishan, Huan Huang, Wenbo Luo, Yidi Hou, Madina Memet, Zhiyi Ren, Peter Pau, Yam Giu Running Time: 118 min. By Kelly Warner There was a time, not long ago, when people would flock to the theatre to see a movie because of its special effects. CGI has forever changed our … Continue reading

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Hand of Death | aka Countdown in Kung Fu (1976) Review

"Hand of Death" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Shaolin Men Director: John Woo Cast: Dorian Tan, James Tien, Jackie Chan, Yeung Wai, Sammo Hung, Gam Kei Chu, John Woo, Ko Keung, Polly Shang-Kwan, Chu Ching, Wilson Tong, Yuen Wah, Chan Feng Chen, Chiu Chun, Lin Ke Ming, Yuen Biao Running Time: 92 min. By Zach Nix The Hand of Death (aka Countdown in Kung Fu) is an early John Woo film from his formative years as a … Continue reading

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Asia-Pol | aka Asiapol Secret Service (1967) Review

AKA: Asiapol Director: Ma Chi Ho Writer: Gan Yamazaki Producer: Kenzo Asada, Run Run Shaw Cast: Jimmy Wang Yu, Ryoriko Asaoka, Wong Hap, Cheung Pooi Saan, Yuen Sam, Jo Shishido, Takashina Kaku, Chan Sing, Gam Tin Chue Running Time: 97 min. By Matthew Le-feuvre When Sean Connery announced of his unexpected departure from the James Bond franchise in early ’67, and that You Only Live Twice would be his final … Continue reading

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SPL II: A Time for Consequences | aka Kill Zone 2 (2015) Review

"SPL II: A Time for Consequences" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Sha Po Lang 2, Kill Zone 2 Director: Soi Cheang Pou Soi Cast: Tony Jaa, Wu Jing, Louis Koo Tin-lok, Simon Yam Tat Wah, Max Zhang Jin, Ken Lo Hui Kwong, Dominic Lam Ka-wah, Baby John Choi Hon Yik, Ai Wai Running Time: 120 min. By Paul Bramhall It’s been 10 years since the original Sha Po Lang was released in 2005. Released at a time when many of … Continue reading

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Wild City (2015) Review

Wild City | Blu-ray & DVD (Well Go USA)

AKA: Hustle Director: Ringo Lam Cast: Louis Koo, Shawn Yue Man-lok, Joseph Chang, Tong Liya, Jack Kao, Sam Lee, Philip Ng, Dave Wong, Simon Yam, Phillip Keung, Alex Lam, Ken Law Running Time: 100 min. By Paul Bramhall Not taking into consideration the segment he directed for 2007’s Triangle, it’s been 12 long years since Ringo Lam directed a Hong Kong movie. Look to when he last directed one of … Continue reading

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Sifu vs. Vampire (2014) Review

Director: Daniel Chan Yee Hang Writer: Wong Jing Producer: Wong Jing Cast: Yuen Biao, Ronald Cheng, Michelle Hu Ran, Philip Ng, Kelvin Kwan Cho Yiu, Jiang Lu Xia, Tony Ho Wah Chiu, Winnie Leung, Ricky Yi Faan Wai, Patrick Keung Hiu Man Running Time: 95 min. By Paul Bramhall It’s a sad reflection of audiences expectations from Hong Kong cinema when news of a new hopping vampire (or geung si … Continue reading

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Eternal Fist | aka Fist of Steel (1992) Review

"Eternal Fist" Theatrical Poster

AKA: Death Zone Director: Teddy Chiu (aka Irvin Johnson) Producer: Andy Andico, Vivian Andico Cast: Dale ‘Apollo’ Cook, Don Nakaya Neilsen, Cynthia Khan, Alina Borkowski, Greg Douglas Running Time: 97 min By Paul Bramhall In 1989 a movie by the name of Cyborg unleashed a certain Belgian thespian upon the world in the form of Jean Claude Van Damme. The story, which took place in a dark post apocalyptic world … Continue reading

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Black Coal, Thin Ice (2014) Review

"Black Coal, Thin Ice" International Theatrical Poster

Director: Diao Yinan Cast: Liao Fan, Gwei Lun-Mei, Wang Xuebing, Wang Jingchun, Yu Ailei, Ni Jingyang Running Time: 106 min. By Paul Bramhall While the last decade has seen China become an important market in the film industry, the countries own output has had less success reaching beyond its own shores. Unlike the Hong Kong movies of yesteryear, which gained a dedicated following in the West thanks to their raucous … Continue reading

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From Vegas to Macau II (2015) Review

"From Vegas to Macau II" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: The Man from Macau II Director: Wong Jing Co-director: Aman Chang Cast: Chow Yun-fat, Nick Cheung, Carina Lau, Shawn Yue, Angela Wang, Michelle Hu, David Chiang, Kimmy Tong, Philip Keung, Wu Yue, Jin Qiaoqiao, Kenny Wong, Derek Tsang, Connie Man, Rebecca Zhu Running Time: 110 min. By Paul Bramhall The 2014 Lunar New Year movie From Vegas to Macau was far from perfect. It featured a droll performance by … Continue reading

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Monk Comes Down the Mountain (2015) Review

"Monk Comes Down the Mountain" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: The Monk Director: Chen Kaige Cast: Wang Bao Qiang, Aaron Kwok, Chang Chen, Lin Chi-ling, Fan Wei, Yuen Wah, Vanness Wu, Wang Xueqi, Danny Chan, Lam Suet, Dong Qi, Tiger Hu Chen Running Time: 123 min. By Paul Bramhall Up until recently Shaolin trained actor Wang Bao Qiang’s choice of roles did little to show off his physical talents, from his debut in the 2003 drama Blind Shaft, to … Continue reading

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Return of the Valuables (1975) Review

Director: Chui Dai-Gwan Writer: Gam Kim Producer: Chen Ching-Te Cast: Chen Tao, Joan Lin Feng-Chiao, Gary List, Lee Seung, Lam Chi, Miao Tian, Lan Yun, Gam Kim, Chen Chiu, Chan San-Yat, Tsang Ming-Cheong, Yeung Hung, Keung Hon, Wong Goon-Hung, Chui Lap, Cho Kin, Siu Wong-Lung, Lui Wan-Biu Running Time: 82 min. By Paul Bramhall Toby Russell should be a name that anyone who counts themselves as a fan of kung … Continue reading

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Cross | aka Smile for Me (2012) Review

Cross | DVD (Well Go USA)

Director: Daniel Chan Yee Hang Writer: Daniel Chan Yee Hang Cast: Simon Yam, Kenny Wong, Mimi Kung, Liu Kai-Chi, Evelyn Choi, Chen Ran, Nick Cheung, Pal Sinn, Zhu Guangxuan, Mo Tzu-Yi, September Zhang Running Time: 90 min. By Kelly Warner It took four directors over two years to complete Cross, a thriller that’s less than 80 minutes long with a good portion of that running time taken up by flashbacks. … Continue reading

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Master Killers | aka The Master Avenger (1980) Review

"Master Killers" Theatrical Poster

AKA: The Master Avenger Director: Wong Hung Cheung Cast: Casanova Wong, Blacky Ko, Philip Ko Fei, Bolo Yeung, Chiang Kam, Suen Kwok Ming Running Time: 92 min. By Paul Bramhall There’s an old romantic cliché that goes something along the lines of everyone has that someone out there who’s ‘the one’, and what a tragedy it would be if they never realize it. Comparatively, for a kung fu fan like myself, … Continue reading

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Daisy (2006) Review

"Daisy" Korean Theatrical Poster

Director: Andrew Lau Writer: Felix Chong Producer: Hoon-tak Jung Cast: Jeong Woo-Sung, Jun Ji-Hyun (Gianna Jun), Lee Sung-jae, Cheon Ho-Jin, Simon Yam Tat Wah, David Chiang Da Wei, Yu Sun-Cheol, Dion Lam Running Time: 110 min. By Paul Bramhall On paper Daisy reads like an Asian action thriller fan’s dream. A Korea and Hong Kong co-production (which translates to Korea being in-front of the camera and Hong Kong being behind … Continue reading

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