Category Archives: Chinese

Association, The (1975) Review

"The Association" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Cheng Chang Ho Cast: Tien Ni, Yue Bing Lung, Angela Mao, Zhao Lei, Suen Lam, Chiang Nan, Fang Mien, Sammo Hung, Wang In Sik, Chiu Hung, Lee Kwan, Wilson Tong, Carter Wong, Simon Yuen, Yuen Wah, Naomi Oka, Hung Sing Chung Running Time: 87 min. By Paul Bramhall The career of Korean director Cheng Chang-ho makes for an interesting read. Chang-ho made his directorial debut in 1951, and went … Continue reading

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Pirate, The (1974) Review

Director: Chang Cheh Co-Directors: Pao Hsueh Lieh, Wu Ma Writer: Ni Kuang Producer: Runme Shaw Cast: Ti Lung, David Chiang, Fan Mei Sheng, Bruce Tong, Yuen Man Tzu, Dean Shek, Tin Ching, Lau Gong, Wu Chih Ching, Yue Fung, Alan Chan Kwok Kuen, Chan Dik Hak Running Time: 96 min. By Matthew Le-feuvre Although Chang Cheh will be fondly remembered for his long association with the Shaw Brothers, there was … Continue reading

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Angels 2 | aka Iron Angels 2 (1988) Review

"Angels 2" Japanese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Angel 2, Fighting Madam 2 Director: Stanley Tong Cast: Alex Fong Chung-Sun, Moon Lee, Elaine Lui, Gary Siu Yuk Lung, Sin Ho Ying, Jackson Ng Yuk Su, Yuen Tak, Thomas Sin Ho-Ying, Chan Man-Ching Running Time: 90 min. By Paul Bramhall The ‘Girls with Guns’ genre is generally considered to have been kicked off by the 1985 Corey Yuen movie Yes, Madam!, which introduced us to the femme fatale … Continue reading

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From Vegas to Macau | aka The Man from Macau (2014) Review

"From Vegas To Macau" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Wong Jing Cast: Chow Yun Fat, Nicholas Tse, Sally Jing Tian, Kimmy Tong Fei, Chapman To, Max Zhang Jin, Philip Ng Wan Lung, Hui Siu Hung, Natalie Meng Yao, Gao Hu Running Time: 94 min. By oneleaf The Man from Macau (aka From Vegas to Macau) stars Chow Yun-Fat (The Monkey King) as “Magic Hands” Ken, a highly-skilled, legendary gambler (conman) with lightning fast hands and the ability to … Continue reading

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Dirty Tiger, Crazy Frog (1978) Review

"Dirty Tiger, Crazy Frog" Chinese DVD Cover

Director: Karl Maka Cast: Sammo Hung, Lau Kar Wing, Chin Yuet Sang, Huang Ha, Chung Fat, Lee Hoi San, Jason Pai Piao, Dean Shek Tien, Peter Chan Lung, To Siu Ming, Cheng Hong Yip Running Time: 97 min. By Matthew Le-feuvre It is no secret that portly legend, Sammo Hung has maintained a keen interest – even a preoccupation – with historical Chinese figures, particularly Leung Yee Tai, Leung Jan, … Continue reading

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Young Detective Dee: Rise of the Sea Dragon (2013) Review

"Young Detective Dee: Rise of the Sea Dragon" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Tsui Hark Cast: Mark Chao, Feng Shaofeng, Kenny Lin Geng Xin, Kim Bum, Angelababy, Deng Chao, Carina Lau Kar Ling, Hu Dong, Chen Kun, Sheng Jian, Ma Jing Jing Running Time: 133 min. By Paul Bramhall Tsui Hark has long been one of Hong Kong’s most prolific creative forces. He’s directed countless movies which are considered Hong Kong classics, from the excess of Zu: Warriors from Magic Mountain to … Continue reading

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Wrath of Vajra, The (2013) Review

"The Wrath of Vajra" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Law Wing-cheong Writer: Yang Zhenjian Cast: Xing Yu, Steve Yoo Seung Jun, Jiang Baocheng, Yasuaki Kurata, Hiroyuki Ikeuchi Running Time: 115 min. By oneleaf The Wrath of Vajra is a mainland Chinese action film helmed by Law Wing-cheong (Punished, Iceman) and starring Yu Xing (Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons), an ex-Shaolin monk turned martial arts actor. This is Yu Xing’s first starring role. The Temple of Hades is … Continue reading

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Legend of the Bat | aka Clans of Intrigue 2 (1978) Review

Director: Chor Yuen Writer: Chor Yuen Producer: Mona Fong Yat Wah, Yueh Hua, Cheng Li, Candice Yu On On, Derek Yee, Wang Chung, Cast: Ti Lung, Ling Yun, Cheng Miu, Yuen Wah, Norman Chu Running Time: 101 min. By JJ Hatfield This breathtakingly beautiful film is a rather unusual mix of martial arts, sword fighting, mystery and intrigue from the Shaw Brothers. Set in the Martial World, two longtime friends … Continue reading

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Seven Warriors (1989) Review

"Seven Warriors" DVD Cover

Director: Terry Tong Writer: Tsang Kan Cheung Producer: John Sham Cast: Chen Jing, Adam Cheng, Jacky Cheung, Lisa Chiao Chiao, Elaine Kam, Benz Kong, Philip Kwok, Ben Lam, Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Lo Lieh, Teresa Mo, Max Mok Siu Chung, Shing Fui On, Wu Ma, Sammo Hung Running Time: 94 min. By Paul Bramhall The sterling team over at Well Go USA recently released the little known Hong Kong movie … Continue reading

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Deadful Melody (1994) Review

"Deadful Melody" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Deadly Melody Director: Ng Min Kan Cast: Brigitte Lin, Yuen Biao, Carina Lau, Elvis Tsui, Wu Ma, David Lam, Peter Chan Lung, Chung Fat, Cheng Song, Siu Wing-Sang, Zheng Shuang, Lee Kin Running Time: 93 min. By Paul Bramhall Reading reviews for Deadful Melody is somewhat of a fun exercise in itself. Depending on if the reviewer thinks it’s a good or bad movie tends to depend of their … Continue reading

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Man of Tai Chi (2013) Review

"Man of Tai Chi" International Theatrical Poster

Director: Keanu Reeves Writer: Michael G. Cooney Cast: Tiger Chen, Keanu Reeves, Karen Mok, Simon Yam, Iko Uwais, Ye Qing, Chan Chi Chun, Sam Lee, Yu Hai, Steve Yoo Seung Jun, Michael Tong Running Time: 105 min. By Dirac I was really curious about this film, given that it’s Keanu Reeves’ directorial debut. The lead character, Chen Lin-Hu is portrayed by Tiger Hu Chen, an accomplished martial artist and stuntman. … Continue reading

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Special ID (2013) Review

"Special ID" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Clarence Ford Writer: Clarence Ford Cast: Donnie Yen, Andy On, Sally Jing Tian, Zhang Han Yu, Yang Kun, Qi Da Ji, Nina Pau, Frankie Ng, Collin Chou, Ken Lo, Rain Lau, Terence Yin Running Time: 99 min. By Paul Bramhall It seems that 2013 was the year for troubled productions to finally reach our screens. The Tony Jaa come-back vehicle Tom Yum Goong 2 finally got a release, after … Continue reading

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Firestorm (2013) Review

Firestorm | Blu-ray & DVD (Well Go USA)

Director: Alan Yuen Writer: Alan Yuen Cast: Andy Lau, Yao Chen, Gordon Lam, Hu Jun, Ray Lui, Kenny Wong Tak Bun, Michael Tong, Terence Yin Running Time: 109 min. By Sapo Wow. Did I have high hopes for this one. Andy “Infernal Affairs” Lau in a rock ’em, sock ’em thriller. I’m there. This was one I HAD to see. This was the one that would take the recent sour … Continue reading

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Unbeatable | aka MMA (2013) Review

"Unbeatable" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Dante Lam Cast: Nick Cheung, Eddie Peng, Mei Ting, Feier Li, Andy On, Patrick Keung, Wang Baoqiang, Liu Kim Wa, Awayne, Stephen Au Kam-Tong, Mo Lai-Yee Running Time: 122 min. By DiP Here’s a movie that I would say truly cements Dante Lam as one of the leading Hong Kong filmmakers at the moment and that will push his filming skills further if he’s given the right material and … Continue reading

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Monkey King, The (2014) Review

"The Monkey King" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Cheang Pou-soi Cast: Donnie Yen, Chow Yun-fat, Aaron Kwok, Joe Chen, Peter Ho, Kelly Chen, Zhang Zilin, Gigi Leung, Xia Zitong, Louis Fan, Cheang Pou-soi Running Time: 120 min. By DiP First things first, I’m not familiar with the Journey To The West novel nor am a fan of the screen adaptations. So whether the movie is faithful to the novel or not, I can’t comment on unfortunately. But … Continue reading

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