Category Archives: Chinese

Mission, The (1999) Review

"The Mission" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Johnnie To Writer: Nai-Hoi Yau Cast: Anthony Wong Chau-Sang, Francis Ng Chun-Yu, Jackie Lui Chung-yin, Roy Cheung, Suet Lam, Simon Yam, Tin Lam Wong, Eddy Ko-Hung Running Time: 88 min. By Woody “The Mission” concerns a rich businessman hiring a diverse group of men, including Anthony Wong, Lam Suet, and Francis Ng, to protect him from killers trying to take him out. After they have successfully completed their mission, … Continue reading

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Shaolin Soccer (2001) Review

"Shaolin Soccer" Japanese DVD Cover

Director: Stephen Chow Co-director: Lik-Chi Lee Cast: Stephen Chow, Lee Wai, Vicki Zhao, Ng Man-Tat, Cecilia Cheung, Cheung Ming Ming, Law Kar-Ying, Karen Mok, Karen Morris, Alan Tam, Patrick Tse Running Time: 112 min. By Vic Nguyen Overtaking From Beijing With Love as the best introduction to the work of Stephen Chow to western audiences, this big budget, FX laden production more than lives up to the hype, injecting enough … Continue reading

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Legend is Born – Ip Man, The (2010) Review

"The Legend Is Born – Ip Man" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Herman Yau Cast: Dennis To, Sammo Hung, Yuen Biao, Fan Siu-wong, Huang Yi, Ip Chun, Kenya Sawada, Betty Huang Yi, Bernice Liu Bik Yi, Lam Suet, Chen Zhi Hui, Kenya Sawada, Sire Ma Sai, Hins Cheung Ging Hin, Louis Cheung Running Time: 100 min. By HKFanatic Viewers would be forgiven for thinking that “The Legend is Born” is a legitimate prequel to Donnie Yen’s “Ip Man” series. Not only … Continue reading

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Farewell My Concubine (1993) Review

Director: Chen Kaige Writer: Lilian, Lee Lu Wei Cast: Leslie Cheung, Zhang Fengyi, Gong Li, Lu Qi, Ying Da, Yidi, Zhi Yitong, Lei Han, Li Chun Running Time: 156 min. By Ningen I don’t know what it is about Peking Opera that looks appealing in martial arts films, but which comes off dull in arthouse flicks. While it’s true that this is only the second film of this genre I’ve … Continue reading

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Duel, The (2000) Review

"The Duel" Theatrical Poster

Director: Andrew Lau Cast: Ekin Cheng, Nick Cheung Ka Fai, Andy Lau, Norman Chu, Jerry Lamb, Kristy Yeung, Wu Tine Hsin, Zao Wei, Patrick Tam, Wong Yat Fei, Lau Wai Running Time: 105 min. By Alexander The Duel is a pleasant diversion featuring an interesting blend of swordplay, martial arts, humor, drama, mystery and a pairing of Hong Kong pop superstars Andy Lau and Ekin Cheng as master swordsmen. The … Continue reading

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Man Called Hero, A (1999) Review

"A Man Called Hero" Theatrical Poster

Director: Andrew Lau Cast: Ekin Cheng, Nic Tse, Kristy Yeung, Francis Ng, Shu Qi, Yuen Biao, Anthony Wong, Jerry Lamb, Elvis Tsui, Ken Lo, Jordan Chan, Mark Cheng, Cheng Pei Pei, Ronnie Cheung, Sam Lee, Frankie Ng, Jude Poyer, Grace Yip Running Time: 102 min. By Sergio Martorelli Here’s a classic case of “the title says it all”. This is a story about a man. Said man is called (ta-daaa!) … Continue reading

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Mr. Vampire 2 (1986) Review

"Mr. Vampire 2" Theatrical Poster

Director: Ricky Lau Cast: Lam Ching-Ying, Yuen Biao, Chung Fat, Moon Lee, Pauline Wong, Billy Lau, Wong Yuk Waan, Wu Ma, Stanley Fung Shui Fan, Hsiao Ho, James Tien Running Time: 91 min. By Numskull “If you can keep your expectations tiny You’ll go through life without being so whiny.” -Matt Groening, “Life in Hell” One of the keys to living a happy life is to expect the worst. When … Continue reading

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She Shoots Straight (1989) Review

"She Shoots Straight" Theatrical Poster

Director: Corey Yuen Cast: Joyce Godenzi, Carina Lau, Tony Leung Ka Fai, Sandra Ng, Sammo Hung, Chi-Wing Lau, Pik-Wan Tang, Yuen Wah, Agnes Aurelio, Bill Tung, Bruce Fontaine Running Time: 87 min By Numskull She shoots, but does she score? Yes and no. This film benefits from some good ass kickin’ and fairly impressive stunts (many performed by women, others performed by stuntmen with wigs), and suffers from a soapy … Continue reading

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Fire of Conscience | aka Fire Dragon (2010) Review

Director: Dante Lam Chiu Yin Cast: Leon Lai, Richie Ren, Liu Kai Chi, Wang Bao Qiang, Michelle Yip Suen, Pinky Cheung, Vivian Hsu, Wilfred Lau Ho Lung, Chen Kuan Tai, Vanessa Yeung Jung, Adam Chan Chung Tai, Chan Hung, Ringo Chan Ka Leung Running Time: 106 min. By HKFanatic “If you don’t have faith, you’re not alive.” So says Leon Lai’s beleaguered detective in Dante Lam’s 2010 film “Fire of … Continue reading

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Hero of Tomorrow (1988) Review

Director: Poon Man Kit Writer: Clarence Yip Wai Chung Cast: Michael Miu, Max Mok, William Ho, Cheung Wing Jing, Gam Siu Mooi, Joan Tong, Lung Ming Yan, Fong Ming Git, Ku Feng, Chan Chung Yung, Mak Wai Cheung, Jackson Ng, Sham Chin Bo, Sin Ho Ying, Wang Yao, Philip Chan, Chen Jing, Ho Pak Kwong, Blacky Ko, Philip Kwok, Lam Chung, James Tien, Tommy Wong Running Time: 86 min. By … Continue reading

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Fatal Move (2008) Review

AKA: Duo Shuai Director: Dennis Law Sau Yiu Cast: Sammo Hung, Simon Yam Tat Wah, Tien Niu, Danny Lee Sau Yin, Wu Jing, Eddie Cheung Siu Fai, Maggie Siu Mei Kei, Lam Suet, Ken Lo, Pinky Cheung Man Chi, Jacky Heung Cho, Fung Hak On, Hui Siu Hung Running Time: 116 min. By HKFanatic Dennis Law may just be the most incompetent director working in Hong Kong. And yet, much … Continue reading

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Wu Xia | aka Dragon (2011) Review

Dragon (aka Wu Xia) Blu-ray & DVD (Anchor Bay)

AKA: Dragon, Swordsmen Director: Peter Chan Writer: Aubrey Lam Cast: Donnie Yen Chi Tan, Kaneshiro Takeshi, Jimmy Wang Yu, Tang Wei, Kara Hui, Yin Zhusheng Running Time: 115 min. By DiP Donnie Yen is back with another film! Ever since his big breakthrough playing wing chun master Yip Man in Ip Man back in 2008, we have experienced a streak of movies that he starred in. These films were as … Continue reading

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Dead and the Deadly, The (1982) Review

"The Dead and the Deadly" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Wu Ma Writer: Sammo Hung, Barry Wong Cast: Sammo Hung Kam-bo, Lam Ching-ying, Cherie Chung, Fat Chung, Ricky Lau, Wu Ma, Peter Chan Lung, Billy Chan Wui Ngai, Kwan Yung Moon Running Time: 94 min. By Numskull Another supernatural comedy from Sammo Hung, star and director of Encounters of the Spooky Kind (God, how I hate that title) and its sequel (which is available neither on DVD nor VCD…bloody … Continue reading

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My Heart is that Eternal Rose (1989) Review

"My Heart is that Eternal Rose" Chinese DVD Cover

Director: Patrick Tam Kar Ming Producer: John Sham Kein Cast: Kenny Bee, Joey Wong Tsu Hsien, Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Michael Chan Wai Man, Gordon Liu Chia Hui, Kwan Hoi San, Ng Man Tat, Cheung Tat Ming Running Time: 90 min. By HKFanatic For ‘heroic bloodshed’ fans outside of Hong Kong, “My Heart is That Eternal Rose” is something of a holy grail: an elusive and hard to come by … Continue reading

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Long Arm of the Law 3 | aka Escape from Hong Kong (1989) Review

Director: Michael Mak Cast: Andy Lau, Elizabeth Lee, Elvis Tsui, Max Mok Siu Chung, Kirk Wong Chi Keung, John Ladalski, Hon Yee Sang, Ken Boyle, Mai Kei, Ng Hong Ning, Stephen Chan Tak Gwong, Cheung Chi Gin, Lam Kai Wing, Robin Shou Running Time: 107 min. By HKFanatic “Long Arm of the Law 3” is an easy film to overlook. It’s the second sequel in a series of films only … Continue reading

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