Category Archives: Chinese

Crazy Shaolin Disciples | aka Enter the 36th Chamber of Shaolin (1985) Review

Director: Yau Fung Hung Cast: Wong Yu, Chin Siu Ho, Gordon Liu Chia Hui, Lo Meng, Lo Lieh, May Cheung Choi Mei, Chun Wong, Philip Kwok Chung Fung, Yuen Qiu, Lee Hoi San Running Time: 87 min. By JJ Hatfield I would prefer to primarily review only good films. However there are times a viewer warning should be advised when movies pretend to be something they are not. This is … Continue reading

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Touch of Zen, A (1971) Review

"A Touch of Zen" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: King Hu Writer: King Hu Cast: Hsu Feng, Shih Chun, Pai Ying, Tin Peng, Roy Chiao Hung, Sit Hon, Cho Kin, Go Ming, Miu Tin, Melvin Cheung Wan Man, Liu Chu, Cheung Bing Yuk Running Time: 180 min. By JJ Hatfield A Touch of Zen (Xia nu) is an amazing film. Generally overlooked as just another “chop socky” movie most of the western world has never seen this piece … Continue reading

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Disciples of the 36th Chamber | aka Disciples of the Master Killer (1985) Review

AKA: Master Killer 3 Director: Lau Kar Leung Producer: Mona Fong Yat Wah Cast: Hsiao Ho, Gordon Liu Chia Hui, Lily Li Li Li, Jason Pai Piao, Lau Kar Leung, Lee Hoi San, Yeung Sai Gwan, Shum Lo, Lau Siu Kwan, Yeung Chi Hing Running Time: 89 min. By JJ Hatfield “Disciples Of The 36th Chamber” is one of the all time best films of the genre! This was essentially … Continue reading

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Return to the 36th Chamber | aka Return of the Master Killer (1980) Review

AKA: Master Killer 2 Director: Lau Kar Leung Writer: Ni Kuang Producer: Run Run Shaw Cast: Gordon Liu Chia Hui, Johnny Wang Lung Wei, Hsiao Ho, Kong Do, Kwan Yung Moon, Ching Chu, Kara Hui Ying Hung, Bruce Lai, Yeung Jing Jing, Wong Ching Ho Running Time: 99 min. By JJ Hatfield After the astounding success of The 36th Chamber of Shaolin there were two sequels planned by the Shaw … Continue reading

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36th Chamber of Shaolin | aka Master Killer (1978) Review

"36th Chamber of Shaolin" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Lau Kar-Leung Writer: Ni Kuang Cast: Gordon Liu, Lo Lieh, Lau Kar Wing, Wilson Tong, Wong Yu, Lee Hoi San, Henry Yu, Hon Gwok Choi, Wai Wang, Austin Wai, Aai Dung Gwa, Billy Chan, Peter Chan, Chan Shen, Chan Si Gaai, Cheung Chok Chow Running Time: 115 min. By JJ Hatfield This film is far more than just another Shaolin monk tale. Several things combined to propel this movie … Continue reading

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In the Mood For Love (2000) Review

"In the Mood for Love" Theatrical Poster

Director: Wong Kar-wai Cast: Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Maggie Cheung, Lai Chen, Lai Chin, Rebecca Pan, Joe Cheung Running Time: 127 min. By Alexander Exquisite. From the lush hues of the set design, to Maggie Cheung’s seemingly infinite supply of cheongsams, to Shigeru Umegayashi’s haunting music, to Tony Leung’s performance, to Wong Kar Wai’s direction–everything about “In the Mood For Love” is exquisite. And while I’ve praised the beauty of a … Continue reading

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One-Armed Boxer, The | aka The Chinese Professionals (1971) Review

"The One-Armed Boxer" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Jimmy Wang Yu Cast: Jimmy Wang Yu, Lung Fei, Blacky Ko Sau Leung, Tin Yau, Sit Hon, Chan San Yat, Wong Wing Sang, To Wai Wo, Hsieh Hsing, Kwan Hung, Cheung Yee Kwai, Choi Wang, Hau Pak Wai, Lui Jun, Ma Chin Ku Running Time: 89 min. By T. J. Gushiniere Warning: The following review may contain spoilers. Combine the “Dirty Dozen” with the “Magnificent Seven” and you have … Continue reading

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Duel of the 7 Tigers | aka Shadow of the Tigers (1979) Review

"Duel of the 7 Tigers" Theatrical Poster

AKA: Return of Scorpion Director: Yeung Kuen Cast: Cliff Lok Kam Tung, Sharon Yeung Pan Pan, Philip Ko Fei, Charlie Chan Yiu Lam, Han Ying Chieh, Pomson Shi, Chu Chi Ling, Chan Sau Chung Running Time: 92 min. By Joseph Kuby A valiant effort to put a Chinese spin on Seven Samurai if not coming quite as close as Seven Swords. This film is the third remake of Kurosawa’s most … Continue reading

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Shinjuku Incident (2008) Review

"Shinjuku Incident" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Derek Yee Cast: Jackie Chan, Daniel Wu, Masaya Kato, Xu Jing Lei, Fan Bing Bing, Kenya Sawada, Chin Kar Lok, Jack Kao Jie, Yasuaki Kurata, Ringo Chan, Paul Chun Pui, Fung Hiu Si, Hayama Go, Lam Suet, Teddy Lin, Ken Lo, Ken Watanabe, Hiroyuki Nagato, Wai-Fai Wong, Leyla, Marianna Tushkanova Running Time: 119 min. By Jeff Bona I can’t believe I waited this long to watch this movie… An … Continue reading

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Snake and Crane Arts of Shaolin (1978) Review

"Snake and Crane Arts of Shaolin" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Chan Chi Hwa Producer: Lo Wei Cast: Jackie Chan, Nora Miao Ke Hsiu, Kam Kong, Gam Ching Lan, Lau Nga Ying, Miu Tin, Lee Man Tai, Miu Tak San, Tung Lam, Wong Gwan, Chiu Chun Running Time: 96 min. By JJ Hatfield Although Chan Chi Hwa directed the movie, this is another film Lo Wei credits himself for; however it was all Jacky (as spelled in the Simitar DVD) … Continue reading

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Running Out of Time 2 (2001) Review

"Running Out of Time 2" DVD Cover

Director: Johnnie To Co-director: Law Wing Cheong Cast: Lau Ching-Wan, Ekin Cheng, Kelly Lin Hsi-Lei, Hui Siu-Hung, Lam Suet, Ruby Wong Running Time: 95 min. By Ben Poppel About ten minutes into this film you realize. Wait, a minute, I have witnessed this scenario before. Then you recognize you are watching the follow-up to the blockbuster film Running Out of Time. And what about the sequel? Does it live up … Continue reading

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Running Out of Time (1999) Review

"Running Out of Time" Theatrical Poster

Director: Johnnie To Cast: Andy Lau, Lau Ching Wan, Yoyo Mung, Waise Lee, Lam Suet, Ruby Wong, Shiu Hung Hui Running Time: 89 min. By Joe909 A very stylish, slick movie in which Andy Lau finds out that he’s soon to die from cancer, and decides to get even with the gangster who killed his dad (Waise Lee), while at the same time using Lau Ching-Wan as a guinea pig. … Continue reading

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Enter the Dragon | aka Blood and Steel (1973) Review

"Enter the Dragon" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Robert Clouse Cast: Bruce Lee, Jim Kelly, John Saxon, Sek Kin, Ahna Capri, Bob Wall, Bolo Yeung, Betty Chung, Angela Mao Ying, Sammo Hung, Kok Lee Yan, Anthony Lau, Tung Wei, Wilson Tong, Pat Johnson, Meng Hoi Running Time: 110 min. By Tgushiniere The best martial arts film to be produced by an American film company (Warner Brothers). It was made with the association of Raymond Chow (founder of … Continue reading

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14 Amazons, The | aka The Fourteen Amazons (1972) Review

"The 14 Amazons" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Cheng Kang Co-director: Charles Tung Cast: Lily Ho Li Li, Ivy Ling Po, Li Ching, Yueh Hua, Lisa Lu Yan, Tina Chin Fei, Karen Yip Ling Chi, Wong Ping, Ha Ping, Lam Jing, Chan Shen, Chen Yan Yan Running Time: 117 min. By JJ Hatfield This is a wonderful old school film from the Shaw Brothers. Truly an epic, the plot and characters are a small part of the … Continue reading

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Dragon Fist (1978) Review

"Dragon Fist" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Lo Wei Producer: Hsu Li Hwa Cast: Jackie Chan, Nora Miao, James Tien, Pearl Lin Yin Zhu, Yen Shi Kwan, Ko Keung, Hsu Hsia, Ou-Yang Sha Fei, Chui Yuen, Wong Kwong Yue, Chui Fat, Eagle Han Ying, Wang Yao, Wong Ching, Lam Ching Ying Running Time: 92 min By JJ Hatfield This is one of Jackie Chan’s early films. It is also one of a handful or so produced … Continue reading

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