Category Archives: Chinese

Legend of Zu, The (2001) Review

"The Legend of Zu" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Zu Warriors Director: Tsui Hark Cast: Zhang Ziyi, Sammo Hung Kam-Bo , Ekin Cheng Yee-Kin, Cecilia Cheung, Wu Jing, Louis Koo Tin-Lok, Kelly Lin, Patrick Tam Yiu-Man, Wu Yue Running Time: 104 min. By Numskull You know what sucks? When you expect a movie to be really, really bad… and it turns out to be really, really, REALLY bad. Tsui Hark’s follow up to his 1983 hit Zu: Warriors … Continue reading

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Time and Tide (2001) Review

"Time and Tide" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Tsui Hark Cast: Nicholas Tse, Wu Bai, Candy Lo, Cathy Chui, Joventino Couto Remotigue, Anthony Wong, Jack Kao Jie, Kenji Tanigaki, Frankie Chin Chi Leung Running Time: 113 min. By Sergio Martorelli Hark, the herald angels sing, is back in the Hizzouz!!! After two years in Hollywood helming Jean-Claude Van Damme’s crapfests “Double Team” and “Knock Off”, the main man of action returned to Hong Kong and did “Time … Continue reading

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One-Armed Swordsman, The (1967) Review

"The One-Armed Swordsman" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Chang Cheh Producer: Runme Shaw Cast: Jimmy Wang Yu, Pan Yingzi, Chiao Chiao, Wong Chung Shun, Tin Fung, Guk Fung, Liu Chia Liang, Yeung Chi Hing, Chen Yan Yan, Fan Mei Sheng, Wong Kwong Yue, Tong Gaai, Gai Yuen, Cliff Lok, Yen Shi-Kwan Running Time: 110 min. By JJ Hatfield When I first saw this film I was certain it would be bad. Absolutely terrible. I have seen enough … Continue reading

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Teahouse, The | aka The Tea House (1974) Review

Director: Kuei Chih Hung Writer: Sze To On Producer: Runme Shaw Cast: Chen Kuan Tai, Yeung Chi Hing, Lee Sau Kei, Karen Yip Ling Chi, Ha Ping, Cheung Chok Chow, Shum Lo, Fung King Man, Chung Chaan Chi, Yeung Chak Lam, Wong Yu, Chan Laap Ban, Chan Mei Hua, Chan Shen, Ching Gong, Fan Mei Sheng Running Time: 96 min. By JJ Hatfield “The Teahouse” is a story on film … Continue reading

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Spiritual Kung Fu | aka Karate Bomber (1978) Review

AKA: Karate Ghostbuster Director: Lo Wei Writer: Poon Lui Producer: Lo Wei Cast: Jackie Chan, James Tien Chun, Mo Man Sau, Lee Tung Chun, Lee Kwan, Dean Shek Tien, Ko Keung, Lee Hoi Lung, Lee Man Tai, Wong Kwong Yue, Yuen Biao Running Time: 91 min. By JJ Hatfield Spiritual Kung Fu is an odd mix of virtually no plot, infantile Lo Wei humor and some fantastic action. Whether or … Continue reading

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Half a Loaf of Kung Fu (1978) Review

"Half a Loaf of Kung Fu" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Chan Chi Hwa Cast: Jackie Chan, James Tien Chun, Doris Lung Chung Erh, Gam Ching Lan, Kam Kong, Lee Hoi Lung, Miu Tin, Dean Shek Tien, Julie Lee Chi Lun, Che Dei Running Time: 92 min. By Stockton22 And so the debate rages on. Is this movie a flawed but entertaining transition film, or a completely forgettable mess? Well, I have to say that with a starting point of … Continue reading

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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

"Disciples of the 36th Chamber" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Master Killer 3 Director: Lau Kar Leung 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 the last of the fantastic … 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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