Category Archives: Chinese

Bride with White Hair, The (1993) Review

"The Bride with White Hair" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Ronnie Yu Cast: Brigitte Lin, Leslie Cheung, Elaine Lui Siu-Ling, Yammie Nam Kit-Ying, Francis Ng, Law Lok-Lam, Pau Fong, Eddy Ko Hung, Joseph Cheng Running Time: 90 min. By Numskull Hmmm…well, not quite as banal as I expected, but still annoying in several respects. For starters, just about everything is blue. Also, the villainess is one of those Saturday morning cartoon types who laughs manically at two things: 1) … Continue reading

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Viral Factor, The (2012) Review

The Viral Factor Blu-ray & DVD (Well Go USA)

Director: Dante Lam Cast: Jay Chou, Nicholas Tse, Bai Bing, Lee Byung Hun, Lin Peng, Jung Woo-sung, Andy On Chi Kit, Carl Ng Ka Lung, Liu Kai Chi, Elaine Kam Yin Ling Running Time: 120 min. By HKFanatic “The Viral Factor” is the latest blockbuster from Dante Lam, a man who has become one of Hong Kong’s premiere action director thanks to films like “Fire of Conscience” and “The Stool … Continue reading

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Punished (2011) Review

Punished aka Abduction, Retribution DVD (Vivendi)

Director: Law Wing Cheong Cast: Anthony Wong Chau Sang, Janice Man Wing San, Maggie Cheung Ho Yee, Richie Ren Yin Chi, Candy Lo Hau Yam, Charlie Cho Cha Lei, Wong Yat-Yat Running Time: 94 min. By HKFanatic Revenge has become a de facto theme for Asian films over the last decade, perhaps ever since 2003’s “Oldboy.” Johnnie To, the producer on “Punished,” even helmed a movie called “Vengeance” just a … Continue reading

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Let the Bullets Fly (2010) Review

"Let the Bullets Fly" American Theatrical Poster

Director: Jiang Wen Cast: Jiang Wen, Chow Yun Fat, Ge You, Carina Lau Kar Ling, Hu Jun, Chen Kun, Liao Fan, Zhou Yun, Feng Xiaogang, Shao Bing, Bai Bing, Du Yiheng, Hu Ming, Jiang Wu, Ma Ke, Miao Pu, Wei Xiao, Yang Qiyu, Yao Lu Running Time: 132 min. By HKFanatic “Let the Bullets Fly” became a breakout hit at the Chinese box office in 2010 and, just a week … Continue reading

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In the Line of Duty 3 (1988) Review

"In the Line of Duty 3" Chinese DVD Cover

Director: Arthur Wong Co-director: Brandy Yuen Cast: Cynthia Khan, Hiroshi Fujioka, Stuart Ong, Michiko Nishiwaki, Dick Wei, Paul Chun, Yueh Hua, Sandra Ng, Melvin Wong, Robin Shou, Stephan Berwick, Law Ching Ho, Chris Lee, Season Ma Si San, Bennett Pang, Mandy Chan, Stanley Fung, Richard Ng, Eric Tsang Running Time: 83 min. By HKFanatic 80’s action girl Cynthia Khan has long had the reputation of being a ‘replacement’ for Michelle … Continue reading

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No Retreat, No Surrender II | aka Raging Thunder (1987) Review

"No Retreat, No Surrender 2" American VHS Cover

Director: Corey Yuen Cast: Loren Avedon, Matthias Hues, Max Thayer, Cynthia Rothrock, Hwang Jang Lee, Roy Horan, Patra Wanthivanond, Nirut Sirichanya, Chesda ‘Pop’ Smithsuth Running Time: 97/104 min. By Jeff Bona If you think Jackie Chan and John Woo were the first (after Bruce Lee’s Enter the Dragon, of course) to introduce real Hong Kong action to mainstream moviegoers in America, think again. In 1985, Hong Kong’s Seasonal Film Corporation, … Continue reading

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Naked Killer (1992) Review

"Naked Killer" Chinese DVD Cover

Director: Clarence Ford Writer: Wong Jing Cast: Changmy Yau, Simon Yam, Kelly Yao, Carrie Ng, Madoka Sugawara, Hui Siu Hung, Ken Lo, Dick Lau Dik Ji, Yu Kwok Lok, Sung Boon Chung, Louis Roth Running Time: 88/93 min. By Alexander The image of a gun-wielding, nearly nude Chingmy Yau is undoubtedly burned into the collective conscious of drooling Hong Kong cinema fanboys everywhere. Low budget periodicals like “Asian Cult Cinema”, … Continue reading

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Tiger on the Beat (1988) Review

"Tiger on the Beat" Chinese DVD Cover

Director: Lau Kar Leung Cast: Chow Yun Fat, Conan Lee, Nina Li Chi, Shirley Ng, Norman Chu, Gordon Liu, David Chiang, Philip Ko Fei, James Wong, Wayne Archer, Lau Kar Wing, Shing Fui On, Lydia Shum, Ti Lung, Wilson Tong, Wu Shih, Bill Lui Tak-Wai Running Time: 89 min. By Joseph Kuby More watchable than Lethal Weapon 3 and 4 combined! Although this irreverent film should really be compared to … Continue reading

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Flash Point (2007) Review

"Flash Point" Blu-ray Cover

Director: Wilson Yip Cast: Donnie Yen, Louis Koo, Collin Chou, Ray Lui, Xing Yu, Fan Bing Bing, Kent Cheng, Xu Qing, Ben Lam, Ha Ping, Ai Wai, Tony Ho Wah Chiu, Timmy Hung Tin Ming, Helena Law, John Salvitti, Kenji Tanigaki, Austin Wai Running Time: 85 min. By HKFanatic Even as a huge fan of Donnie Yen, I wouldn’t try to argue that “Flash Point” is a great ‘film’ in … Continue reading

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Ninja in the Deadly Trap | aka Hero Defeating Japs (1981) Review

"Ninja in the Deadly Trap" DVD Cover

AKA: Ninja Kung Fu Director: Philip Kwok Cast: Ti Lung, Lu Feng, Philip Kwok, Yasuaki Kurata, Chiang Sheng, Cheung Paang, Wong Yeuk Ping, July Chu Lai, Han Yu, Ma Chin Ku, Cheung Chung Kwai, Cho Boon Feng, Mau Ging Shun, Ma Chin-Ku, Han Yu Running Time: 92 min. By Numskull Philip Kwok (aka Guo Juei, aka Kuo Choi) pulls triple duty as director, actor, and martial arts choreographer in this … Continue reading

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Ninja: The Final Duel (1986) Review

"Ninja: The Final Duel" Theatrical Poster

AKA: Ninja’s Final Duel Director: Robert Tai Cast: Alexander Lo Rei, Alice Tseng, Lee I Min, Alan Lee Hoi Hing, Richard Tseng, Wong Chi Sang, William Yen, Wong Hap, Eugene Thomas, Ahmed Najja Running Time: 89 min. By Sergio Martorelli NAKED KUNG FU BABES! Got your attention? Good. Now let’s get down to business. Ninja: The Final Duel is a colorful, ultra-kinetic, gore-drenched and delightfully zany Taiwanese production that’s been … Continue reading

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Mad Detective (2007) Review

"Mad Detective" Theatrical Poster

Director: Johnnie To Co-director: Wai Ka-Fai Cast: Lau Ching-Wan, Andy On Chi-Kit, Gordon Lam Ka-Tung, Kelly Lin Hsi-Lei, Lee Kwok-Lun, Karen Lee, Flora Chan Wai-Shan, Eddy Ko Hung, Lam Suet Running Time: 91 min. By Mighty Peking Man Johnny To is usually a hit or miss with me, but I respect the guy. After all, he makes a shit load of movies (usually 2 a year, not counting ones he … Continue reading

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Fong Sai-yuk II | aka Legend of Fong Sai-yuk 2 (1993) Review

"Fong Sai-yuk II" DVD Cover

Director: Corey Yuen  Cast: Jet Li, Josephine Siao, Michelle Reis, Adam Cheng, Corey Yuen, Peter Chan Lung Running Time: 96 min.  By Numskull Not many wire fu movies deliver the goods as well as Fong Sai Yuk does, and not many sequels match up to the original as well as Fong Sai Yuk 2. Jet Li, Michelle Reis, and Josephine Siao all return as the title character, his puppy-dog eyed fiancee … Continue reading

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Fong Sai-yuk | The Legend of Fong Sai-yuk (1993) Review

"The Legend of Fong Sai-yuk" DVD Cover

Director: Corey Yuen  Cast: Jet Li, Josephine Siao, Michelle Reis, Sibelle Hu, Peter Chan Lung, Paul Chu Kong  Running Time: 100 min.  By Numskull Ah, the days when duels to the death (or at least to the severe bruising) were fought in public at the drop of a hat and ripe, buxom young women were offered as prizes to the most skilled combatants. Fling all the synonyms for “barbaric” you … Continue reading

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Infatuation (1995) Review

Director: Jimmy Sin Chi-Wai Writer: Choi Ting-Ting Producer: Chow Yiu-Shan Cast: Francoise Yip, Wong Chung-Kwan, Money Lo Man-Yee, Simon Lui Yu-Yeung, Donna Chu Git-Yee, Hugo Ng Doi-Yung Running Time: 92 min. By Brmanuk Ken (Wong Chung Kwan) has a drunken one night stand with his secretary, Maggie (Francoise Yip Fong Wah), whilst separated from his wife May (Money Lo Man Yee). When Ken and May reconcile, Maggie, who wrongly believes … Continue reading

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