Category Archives: Chinese

Lost Kung Fu Secrets, The (1979) Review

"The Lost Kung Fu Secrets" DVD Cover

Director: Joe Law Cast: David Chiang Da-Wei, Hsu Feng, Choi Wang, Hu Chin, Wong Hap, Paul Chun Pui, Sun Jung Chi, Weng Hsiao Hu, Yuen Sam, Chiang Han, Wang Man Chuen Running Time: 91 min. By Numskull  The Lost Kung Fu Secrets (abbreviated hereafter as “Lost”) is not just an exercise in pointlessness, it’s a full-blown workout. I’m talking three consecutive Richard Simmons videos, here. The…ah, “plot” begins as a … Continue reading

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Tokyo Raiders (2000) Review

Director: Jingle Ma Writer: Chan Suk-yin, Chong Man-keung Cast: Tony Leung Chiu-Wai, Ekin Cheng, Kelly Chen Wai Lam, Cecilia Cheung, Toru Nakamura, Ken Abe, Maiyu Ozawa, Kumiko Endo, Sirakawa Minani Running Time: 101 min. By Numskull The problem with movies in the “mindless fun” category is that too many of them forget the “fun” part. Happily, Tokyo Raiders does not suffer from this problem and is readily available in unbutchered … Continue reading

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Prison on Fire II (1991) Review

Director: Ringo Lam Producer: Ringo Lam, Karl Maka Cast: Chan Chung Yung, Chow Yun Fat, Victor Hon Kwan, Frankie Ng Chi Hung, Elvis Tsui Kam Kong, Tommy Wong Kwong Leung, Yu Li, Ng Kwok Kin, Roy Cheung You Yeung, Vincent Wan Yeung Ming Running Time: 109 min. By Numskull This here sequel reunites director Ringo Lam, writer Nam Yin, star Chow Yun-Fat, and a few supporting actors in another episode … Continue reading

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Prison on Fire (1987) Review

"Prison on Fire" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Ring Lam Writer: Nam Yin Cast: Chow Yun Fat, Tony Leung Ka Fai, Roy Cheung Yiu Yeung, William Ho Ka Kui, Victor Hon Kwan, Tommy Wong Kwong Leung, Frankie Ng Chi Hun Running Time: 98 min. By Numksull Lots of directors out there could learn a valuable lesson from Ringo Lam. No artsy-fartsy cinematic snobbery to be found in his films, for better or for worse. He and screenwriter … Continue reading

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Woman Knight of Mirror Lake, The (2011) Review

"The Woman Knight of Mirror Lake" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Herman Yau Cast: Betty Huang Yi, Dennis To Yue Hong, Anthony Wong Chau Sang, Kevin Cheng Ga Wing, Rose Chan Ka Wun, Pat Ha Man Jing, Hung Yan Yan, Lam Suet, Lau Siu Ming, Chui Tien You, Wong You Nam, Mia Yam Running Time: 115 min. By HKFanatic Former b-movie auteur Herman Yau (“Ebola Syndrome,” “Troublesome Night”) has successfully re-invigorated his career as of late, refashioning himself as a … Continue reading

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Return to a Better Tomorrow (1994) Review

"Return to a Better Tomorrow" French Theatrical Poster

Director: Wong Jing Cast: Lau Ching-Wan, Ekin Cheng, Michael Wong, Chingmy Yau, Ben Lam Kwok Bun, James Wong Jim, Paul Chun Pui, Lee Siu-Kei, Lo Meng, Collin Chou, Ernest Mauser Running Time: 104 min. By Joseph Kuby Underrated Heroic Bloodshed Gem! Return To A Better Tomorrow is usually looked down upon just because it’s directed by Wong Jing (who receives some fairly biased reviews and is an extremely underrated director – … Continue reading

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Running on Karma (2003) Review

"Running on Karma" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Johnnie To Co-director: Wai Ka Fai Cast: Andy Lau Tak Wah, Cecilia Cheung, Cheung Siu Fai, Karen Tong Bo Yue, Chun Wong Running Time: 93 min. By Equinox21 Johnny To and Wai Ka Fai’s Running on Karma is one of the strangest yet ultimately fulfilling Hong Kong movies I’ve ever seen. It’s a difficult movie to explain as so much happens in a 90 minute package. The direction the … Continue reading

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Accident (2009) Review

"Accident" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Soi Cheang Pou Soi Cast: Louis Koo, Richie Ren, Michelle Yip Suen, Stanley Fung Shui Fan, Lam Suet, Monica Mok Siu Kei, Alexander Chan Mong Wa, Han Yuqin, Lai Cheung Wing Running Time: 83 min. By HKFanatic “Accident” is a slick Hong Kong thriller in the Milkyway Image tradition. If you’ve seen recent thrillers like “Eye in the Sky” and “Punished,” you’ll have some idea of what to expect. … Continue reading

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King of Comedy (1999) Review

"King of Comedy"Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Stephen Chow Cast: Stephen Chow, Cecilia Cheung, Ng Man Tat, Karen Mok, Jackie Chan, Bobby Yip, Bruce Law Running Time: 99 min. By Vic Nguyen Stephen Chow Sing-chi has long been considered the undisputed box office king of Hong Kong Cinema (not discounting Jackie Chan or Chow Yun-fat in their heydays), beginning with the remarkable success of the the Jeff Lau helmed All for the Winners. Ever since then, he … Continue reading

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Zu: Warriors from Magic Mountain (1983) Review

"Zu: Warriors From Magic Mountain" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Tsui Hark Producer: Leonard Ho Cast: Yuen Biao, Mang Hoi, Adam Cheng, Damian Lau, Sammo Hung, Moon Lee, Brigitte Lin, Norman Chu, Randy Man, Ha Kwong-Li, Tsui Hark Running Time: 98 min. By Numskull An unrestrained martial arts fantasy extravaganza with ample tongue-in-cheek humor delivered with a smug “ain’t I a genius?” attitude by overpraised director Tsui Hark. This sugar rush of a movie bombards the audience with one … Continue reading

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Full Alert (1997) Review

"Full Alert" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Ringo Lam Producer: Ringo Lam Cast: Lau Ching-Wan, Francis Ng Chun-yu, Peter Yung Kam-Cheung, Chin Kar-Lok, Monica Chan Running Time: 98 min. By Barey Gusey After making his Hollywood debut in Jean-Claude Van Damme’s Maximum Risk (which was heavily tampered with by the studio), director Ringo Lam (City on Fire) returned to his native Hong Kong to film Full Alert, a dark, superbly written crime drama. Other than a very … Continue reading

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Just Heroes | aka Tragic Heroes (1987) Review

"Just Heroes" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: John Woo Co-director: Ng Ma Cast: David Chiang, Danny Lee, Chen Kuan Tai, Stephen Chow, Lo Lieh, Cally Kwong, Wu Ma, Shing Fui On, Zhao Lei, Tien Niu, Alan Chan, Fung Hak On, Philip Ko Fei Running Time: 97 min. By Numskull This is the John Woo “gun fu” movie that nobody has seen. It’s listed on the filmographies, but nothing much is ever said about it. It simply gets nestled … Continue reading

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Lost Bladesman, The (2011) Review

The Lost Bladesman | DVD (Anchor Bay)

Director: Felix Chong Co-director: Alan Mak Cast: Donnie Yen, Jiang Wen, Chin Siu Ho, Andy On Chi Kit, Betty Sun Li, Dong Yong, Alex Fong Chung Sun, Calvin Li Zong Han, Shao Bing, Wang Bo Chieh, Nie Yuan Running Time: 107 min. By HKFanatic Hong Kong’s biggest superstar Donnie Yen teams up with the filmmaking duo behind the “Infernal Affairs” sequels, Felix Chong and Alan Mak, for this Three Kingdoms-era … Continue reading

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Choy Lee Fut | aka Fight the Fight (2011) Review

"Choy Lee Fut: The Speed of Light" (aka Fight the Fight) American DVD Cover

Director: Tommy Law Co-director: Sam Wong Cast: Sammo Hung, Sammy Hung, Kane Kosugi, Lau Kar Wing, Yuen Wah, Sam Wong Ming Sing, Sam Wong Ming Sing, Sam Wong Ming Sing, Ian Powers Running Time: 92 min. By HKFanatic As far as I can tell, “Choy Lee Fut” was produced for two reasons: 1.) to serve as the debut starring vehicle of Sammo Hung’s son, Sammy Hung and 2.) to introduce … Continue reading

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Let’s Go! (2011) Review

"Let's Go!" International Theatrical Poster

Director: Wong Ching Po Cast: Juno Mak Jun Lung, Jimmy Wang Yu, Pat Ha Man Jing, Stephy Tang Lai Yan, Gordon Lam, Chin Siu Ho, Ken Lo, Tony Ho Wah Chiu, Billy Ching Sau-Yat Running Time: 96 min. By HKFanatic Mild pre-release buzz suggested that “Let’s Go!” was a Chinese martial arts romp inspired by 80’s Japanese superhero cartoons, and the trailer seemed to confirm this general notion. If I … Continue reading

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