Category Archives: Chinese

Saviour Monk, The (1975) Review

Director: Leung Chit Foo Producer: Chang Yan-Tao Cast: Doris Lung Chung Erh, Tong Wai, Philip Ko Fei, Chin Chi Min, Ma Cheung, Yuen Sam, Lee Ying, Tit Mang Chau Running Time: 87 min. By Paul Bramhall The Saviour Monk is a tricky movie to review – it looks, feels, and sounds like an old school kung fu movie. It has a cast which includes familiar old school faces like Doris … Continue reading

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Tiger Over Wall (1980) Review

"Tiger Over Wall" Theatrical Poster

Director: Tony Liu Jun Guk Producer: Alex Gouw Cast: Philip Ko Fei, Kong Do, Chu Tiet Wo, Hwang Jang Lee, Cheung Lik, Candy Wen, Chan Lau Running Time: 91 min. By Paul Bramhall There’s a certain familiarity to watching an old school kung fu movie, in that you tend to know exactly what you’re going to get. A villain has killed a teacher, and the student vows to get revenge. … Continue reading

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Dragon, The Hero, The | aka Dragon on Fire (1979) Review

"The Dragon, The Hero" Theatrical Poster

Director: Godfrey Ho Writer: Sze To On Cast: John Liu, Dragon Lee, Tino Wong Cheung, Chung Liang, Philip Ko Fei, Chiang Kam, Chan Lau, Alexander Grand, Mars, David Wu Tai Wai, Lee Hang, Mars Running Time: 87 min. By Martin Sandison In the 1990’s one distribution company released some of the greatest old school kung ku movies ever made: Eastern Heroes. As a young kid in my mid teens growing up in the … Continue reading

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Banquet, The | aka Legend of the Black Scorpion (2006) Review

"The Banquet" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: The Night Banquet Director: Feng Xiaogang Cast: Zhang Ziyi, Ge You, Daniel Wu, Zhou Xun, Huang Xiao Ming, Ma Jing Wu, Chun Hoi Liu, Fan Wei, Li Li, Max Zhang Jin, Aaron Shang, Zeng Qiusheng Running Time: 131 min. By HKFanatic Sometimes a film is less than the sum of its parts. The Legend of the Black Scorpion is a lavishly produced, visually sumptuous period film that brings the story of … Continue reading

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Heroic Ones, The (1970) Review

AKA: Shaolin Masters Director: Chang Cheh Writer: Chang Cheh, Ni Kuang Producer: Run Run Shaw Cast: David Chiang, Ti Lung, Chan Chuen, Lily Li Li Li, Chan Sing, Bolo Yeung, Ku Feng, Chin Han, Wang Chung, James Nam Gung Fan, Chan Feng Chen, Cheng Hong Yip Running Time: 121 min. By JJ Hatfield In a time when warring factions fought for a divided China, a powerful Mongol warlord and his … Continue reading

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Cyprus Tigers (1990) Review

"Cyprus Tigers" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Philip Ko Fei Producer: Philip Ko Fei Cast: Simon Yam, Conan Lee, Philip Ko Fei, Collin Cheung Chi Tak, Robin Shou, Joey Wong, Shikamura Yasuyoshi, Winston Ellis, Sophia Crawford, John Ladalski Running Time: 87 min. By Martin Sandison Ask a Kung Fu movie fan about the greatest actors to come out of the golden age and the name Phillip Ko will surely arise. One of the most prolific and … Continue reading

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White Haired Witch of Lunar Kingdom, The (2014) Review

The White Haired Witch of Lunar Kingdom | Blu-ray & DVD (Well Go USA)

AKA: The White Haired Witch Director: Jacob Cheung Cast: Fan Bing Bing, Huang Xiao Ming, Vincent Chiu, Shera Li Xin Ru, Wang Xuebing, Du Yiheng, Nicholas Tse, Yin Zhusheng, Wang De-Shun, Dong Zi-Wu Running Time: 103 min. By Kyle Warner Liang Yusheng’s popular wuxia novel Baifa Monu Zhuan has been adapted for television and film multiple times since its debut in the 1950s. The adaptation you’re most likely familiar with … Continue reading

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Killer Constable | aka Lightning Kung Fu (1980) Review

"Killer Constable" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Karate Exterminators Director: Kuei Chih-Hung Cast: Chen Kuan Tai, Gam Biu, Ha Ping, Keung Hon, Kong Do, Ku Feng, Kwan Yung Moon, Lam Wai, Lee Chun Hwa, Jason Pai Piao, Walter Tso, Dick Wei, Yuen Wah Running Time: 92 min. By Matthew Le-feuvre Released in the closing years of the Shaw Brothers reign, Kuen Chia Hung’s arresting socio-politically charged actioner confidently reintroduced the interesting, if not debatable, abstraction of … Continue reading

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Rise of the Legend (2014) Review

"Rise of the Legend" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Roy Chow Writer: Christine To Cast: Eddie Peng, May Wang, Tony Leung Ka Fai, Sammo Hung, Jing Boran, Wong Cho Lam, Simon Yam, Max Zhang Jin, AngelaBaby, Feng Jia Yi, Byron Mann Running Time: 131 min. By oneleaf 19th Century China was a time of turmoil. The majority of the populace suffered from extreme poverty and Western imperialist pressure was slowly rearing its ugly head in major cities all … Continue reading

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Buddha’s Palm and Dragon Fist | aka Roving Heroes (1980) Review

"Buddha’s Palm and Dragon Fist" DVD Cover

AKA: Roving Heroes Director: Got Si Ho Cast: Chi Kuan Chun, Lee I Min, Suen Shu Pau, Wong Chi Sang, Eva Lin Yi Wa, Ma Cheung, Ma Chin Ku, Shih Ting Ken, Ching Kuo Chung, Chiu Chung Hing Running Time:85 min. By Martin Sandison By the mid to late 70’s Taiwanese made kung fu films were exploding, with movies such as The Hot, The Cool and the Vicious leading the … Continue reading

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City War (1988) Review

"City War" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Sun Chung Cast: Chow Yun Fat, Ti Lung, Norman Chu, Tien Niu, Lee Ka Ting, Lo Lieh, Teresa Carpio, Michael Chow, Ricky Yi, Mary Hon Lut Lee, John Ladalski, Robin Shou Running Time: 92 min. By HKFanatic City War will likely always hold a fascination for Hong Kong movie buffs, as it’s a vintage heroic bloodshed films featuring the fan favorite pairing of Chow Yun Fat and Ti Lung, … Continue reading

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Hungry Ghost Ritual (2014) Review

"Hungry Ghost Ritual" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: The Ghost Festival Director: Nick Cheung Cast: Nick Cheung Ka Fai, Annie Liu, Carrie Ng Ka-Lai, Cathryn Lee, Lin Wei, Eric Chen Running Time: 82 min. By oneleaf One of the most recognized names in Hong Kong cinema today is Nick Cheung (That Demon Within), an award winning actor with a chameleon-like ability that’s applied to any role thrown at him. It’s not surprising that one day Cheung would … Continue reading

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Slaughter in Xian (1989) Review

"Slaughter in Xian" Chinese Poster

AKA: Xian Massacre Director: Chang Cheh Cast: Tung Chi Hwa, Cecilia Wong Hang Sau, Du Yu Ming, Jia Kang Xi, Ku Wing Chuen, Wong Heung Wai Running Time: 100 min. By Paul Bramhall Director Chang Cheh is commonly referred to as ‘the Godfather of Hong Kong action cinema’, and it’s a title well deserved. In 1967 he cast Jimmy Wang Yu in The-One Armed Swordsman at a time when most … Continue reading

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Brotherhood of Blades (2014) Review

"Brotherhood of Blades" Theatrical Poster

Director: Lu Yang Cast: Chang Chen, Cecilia Liu, Wang Qianyuan, Ethan Li, Nie Yuan, Chin Shih-chieh, Ye Qing, Zhou Yiwei, Zhu Dan, Zhao Lixin, Ye Xiang Ming Running Time: 106 min. By Kelly Warner There’s a line in Jean Renoir’s The Rules of the Game that goes a little something like, “The awful thing about life is this: everyone has their reasons.” It’s a simple concept, but so true, and … Continue reading

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Angel Terminators (1990) Review

"Angel Terminators" Chinese DVD Cover

Director: Wai Lit Producer: Georges Lai Cast: Sharon Yeung Pan Pan, Kenneth Tsang, Carrie Ng, Michiko Nishiwaki, Alan Chui Chung San, Kara Hui Ying Hung, Cheng Yuen Man, Dick Wei Running Time: 91 min. By HKFanatic Here’s a full admission: I love “girls with guns” movies. Back in the late 80’s and 90’s, this sub-genre of Hong Kong action cinema saw women like Moon Lee and Cynthia Khan kicking and … Continue reading

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