Category Archives: Chinese

Dream Home (2010) Review

Dream Home DVD (MPI)

Director: Pang Ho Cheung Cast: Josie Ho, Michelle Yip Suen, Eason Chan, Norman Chu Siu Keung, Lawrence Chou Jun Wai, Nina Pau Hei Ching, Derek Tsang Kwok Cheung, Lo Hoi Pang Running Time: 96 min. By HKFanatic “Dream Home” generated a great deal of controversy upon its 2010 Hong Kong release, due in large part to its graphic violence. Despite carrying a Category III rating (basically the equivalent to our … Continue reading

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Devil’s Treasure, The (1973) Review

Director: Jeong Chang Hwa Writer: Jeong Chang Hwa Producer: Raymond Chow Cast: Ko Chun Hsiung, Nora Miao Ke Hsiu, Sammo Hung Kam Bo, Lau Kar Wing, Wang In Sik, Yee Yuen, Yen Shi Kwan, Yeung Wai, Anthony Lau Wing Running Time: 96 min. By Jeff Bona Wang Chun (Ko Chun Hsiung) is a professional scuba diver who is contacted by a group of shady businessmen who want to locate a … Continue reading

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Five Shaolin Masters | aka 5 Masters of Death (1974) Review

"Five Shaolin Masters" Hong Kong Theatrical Poster

Director: Chang Cheh Writer: Ni Kuang Cast: David Chiang, Ti Lung, Alexander Fu Sheng, Chi Kuan Chun, Meng Fei, Leung Kar Yan, Fung Hak On, Kong Do, Choi Wang, Johnny Wang, Chan Dik Hak, Chan Sam Lam, Chen Chin, Cheung Yee Kwai, Chik Ngai Hung, Chui Chung, Chui Fat, Dang Tak Cheung Running Time: 105 min. By HKFanatic Most action films, even martial arts ones, are scenes of dialogue interrupted … Continue reading

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Executioners from Shaolin | aka Shaolin Executioner (1977) Review

"Executioners from Shaolin" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Executioners of Death Director: Lau Kar-leung Cast: Chen Kuan Tai, Lo Lieh, Lily Li Li Li, Wong Yu, Kong Do, Hsiao Ho, Cheng Hong Yip, John Cheung, Shum Lo, Gordon Liu, Fung Hak On, Fung Ming, John Cheung, Wilson Tong, Peter Chan Lung, Lam Ching Ying, Lau Kar Leung, Lee Hoi San, Meng Hoi, Eric Tsang Running Time: 96 mins. By HKFanatic Tonally, this film is all over the … Continue reading

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Mad Monkey Kung Fu (1979) Review

"Mad Monkey Kung Fu" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Liu Chia Liang Writer: I Kuang Cast: Hsiao Ho, Lau Kar Leung, Lo Lieh, Kara Hui, Ching Chu, San Sin, Lam Fai Wong, Lin Ke Ming, Chan Ling Wai, Wong Ching Ho, Cham Siu Hung Running Time: 116 min. By HKFanatic This 1979 kung fu film starring Hsiao Ho and Lau Kar-leung is another minor masterpiece from the Shaw Brothers. At nearly two hours long, this movie stuffs in … Continue reading

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Shaolin Temple 3 | aka Martial Arts of Shaolin (1986) Review

"Martial Arts of Shaolin" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Shaolin North & South Director: Lau Kar-leung Cast: Jet Li, Wong Chau Yin, Hu Jian Qiang, Yu Cheng Hui, Yu Hai, Sun Jian Kui, Ji Chun Hua, Mak Wai Cheung, Wong Kwong-Kuen, Hu Mei-Jie Running Time: 89 min. By HKFanatic Released in 1986, “Martial Arts of Shaolin” is the latest era Shaw Brothers film I’ve yet to see. I’m not an expert on the Shaw Brothers like many City … Continue reading

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Dr. Wai in the Scripture Without Words (1996) Review

"Dr. Wai in the Scripture Without Words" Theatrical Poster

Director: Ching Siu-tung Cast: Jet Li, Rosamund Kwan, Charlie Young, Kaneshiro Takeshi, Law Kar Ying, Billy Chow Bei Lei, Collin Chou, Johnnie Kong Yeuk Sing Running Time: 91 min.  By Numskull Holy crap, what a waste. Of time, of money, of energy, of potential. This could have been a remarkable action-adventure with a scope the width of which is rarely seen in Hong Kong cinema. Instead, it’s just ninety yawn-inducing … Continue reading

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Hitman | aka Contract Killers (1998) Review

Director: Stephen Tung Wai Cast: Jet Li, Eric Tsang, Simon Yam, Gigi Leung, Keiji Sato, Paul Ropovshi, Frankie Ng, Jude Poyer, Deon Lam Dik On, Sam Wong Shum, John Ching Tung Running Time: 104 min. By Numskull A very welcome change of pace for Jet Li, Hitman features no flying around on wires or other stupid Hong Kong action tricks, unless you count the bad guy who blinds people with light from … Continue reading

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Little Big Soldier (2010) Review

"Little Big Soldier" Blu-ray Cover

Director: Ding Sheng Writer: Jackie Chan Cast: Jackie Chan, Xu Dongmei, Wang Lee Hom, Steve Yoo Seung Jun, Lin Peng, Yu Rong-Guang, Ken Lo Wai-Kwong, Song Jin, Du Yuming, Yuen Woo-ping, Wu Yue Running Time: 96 min. By Jeff Bona In the tradition of Lee Marvin and Toshiro Mifune in Hell in the Pacific (1968); Dennis Quaid and Louis Gossett Jr. in Enemy Mine (1985); and Lau Ching Wan and Leon … Continue reading

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Hot, the Cool and the Vicious, The (1976) Review

"The Hot, the Cool and the Vicious" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Lee Tso Nam Writer: Cheung San Yee Cast: Tan Tao Liang, Don Wong Tao, Philip Ko Fei, Jimmy Lee Fong, Suen Ga Lam, George Wang Jue, Lau Yin Seung, Tommy Lee, Chai Kai, Sit Hon, Man Chung San, Sit Cheung Man, Tan Tao Kung, To Wai Wo Running Time: 89 min. By Numskull Straight from the Tai Seng DVD package: “Flashy leg combats highlight this superb action adventure, considered … Continue reading

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Enter Three Dragons | aka Dragon on Fire (1981) Review

"Enter Three Dragons" American Theatrical Poster

Director: Joseph Kong Co-director: Godfrey Ho Cast: Dragon Lee, Bruce Lai, Bruce Thai, Cheung Lik, Samuel Walls, Bolo Yeung Tze, Philip Ko Fei, Fong Yau, Tiger Yeung Cheng Wu, To Siu Ming, Kong Do, Alexander Grand Running Time: 90 min. By Jeff Bona When a small time hood named Sammy (Samuel Walls) gets himself mixed up with deadly gangsters, he enlists the help of a kung fu master named Dragon … Continue reading

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Carry On Pickpocket (1982) Review

"Carry On Pickpocket" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Sammo Hung Cast: Sammo Hung, Frankie Chan, Lau Hak Suen, Deannie Yip Tak Han, Didi Pang Sau Ha, Peter Chan Lung, Richard Ng Yiu Hon, Dick Wei, James Tien Chun, Paul Wong Kwan, Liu Wai Hung, Billy Chan Wui Ngai, Chan Chik Waai, Chan Dik Hak, Cheung Gwok Wa, Johnny Cheung Yiu Wah Running Time: 102 min. By HKFanatic As a Sammo Hung fan, there comes a time when … Continue reading

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Knockabout (1979) Review

"Knockabout" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Sammo Hung Cast: Yuen Biao, Lau Kar Wing, Sammo Hung, Leung Kar Yan, Lee Hoi San, Mars, Wong Kwong Yue, Karl Maka, Peter Chan, Ho Pak Kwong, Billy Chan, Johnny Cheung Running Time: 104 min. By HKFanatic 1979’s “Knockabout” represents the first starring role for one of the Three Dragons, Yuen Biao. The opening credits even state “Introducing Yuen Biao.” Behind the camera, Sammo Hung – one of Yuen’s … Continue reading

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Bodyguards & Assassins | aka Dark October (2009) Review

Bodyguards and Assassins DVD (Indomina)

Director: Teddy Chen Cast: Donnie Yen, Leon Lai, Nicholas Tse, Tony Leung Ka Fai, Hu Jun, Edison Wang, Fan Bing Bing, Eric Tsang, Simon Yam, Wang Xue Qi, Zhou Yun, Mengke Bateer, Che Kim Fai, Jacky Chung, Cung Le, Li Yu Chun, Gary Mak, Philip Ng, Michelle Reis, John Sham, Dennis To Running Time: 139 min. By HKFanatic Donnie Yen continues his quest to remind global audiences that Hong Kong … Continue reading

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Shaolin | aka New Shaolin Temple (2011) Review

"Shaolin" Blu-ray Cover

Director: Benny Chan Cast: Andy Lau, Nicholas Tse, Fan Bing Bing, Wu Jing, Xing Yu, Yu Shao Qun, Hung Yan Yan Running Time: 131 min. By HKFanatic Andy Lau. Nicholas Tse. Jacky Wu. Jackie Chan. You can’t really ask for a bigger cast from a Hong Kong flick these days. With Benny Chan (“New Police Story”) behind the camera and handling production duties, “Shaolin” seemed prime to be a modern … Continue reading

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