Category Archives: Chinese

Protector, The (1985) Review

"The Protector" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: James Glickenhaus Cast: Jackie Chan, Danny Aiello, Roy Chiao Hung, Sally Yeh Tse Man, Moon Lee Choi Fong, Bill Wallace, Shum Wai, John Ladalski, Fung Hak On Running Time: 91 min. By JJ Hatfield This movie has two very different versions. The original version was made in the U.S. Jackie Chan made another attempt to break in to the movie market, even after “The Big Brawl” failed to find … Continue reading

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Magnificent Butcher (1979) Review

"Magnificent Butcher" Hong Kong Theatrical Poster

Director: Yuen Woo-ping Cast: Sammo Hung, Kwan Tak-hing, Yuen Biao, Fung Hak On, Lam Ching-ying, Chung Fat, Wei Pei, Fan Mei Sheng, Lee Hoi San, Kwan Tak-hing, Yuen Mao, JoJo Chan Kei Kei, Chiang Kam, Tong Jing, Billy Chan Wui Ngai Running Time: 108 min. By Numskull Wong Jing penned this early Sammo Hung vehicle, but thankfully, someone else directed it. The fact that that someone else was Yuen Woo-Ping … Continue reading

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Twinkle Twinkle Lucky Stars | aka The Target (1985) Review

"Twinkle Twinkle Lucky Stars" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Sammo Hung Cast: Sammo Hung, Richard Ng, Stanley Fung, Eric Tsang, Michael Miu, John Sham, Jackie Chan, Yuen Biao, Rosamund Kwan, Sibelle Hu, Chung Fat, Yasuaki Kurata, Richard Norton, Philip Ko, Andy Lau, Lau Kar Wing, Dick Wei, Anthony Chan, Charlie Chin, Chin Kar Lok, Kara Hui, Chin Siu-Ho Running Time: 90 min. By Numskull More of the same, but a little better. I’m a little annoyed that I … Continue reading

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My Lucky Stars (1985) Review

"My Lucky Stars" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Sammo Hung Producer: Leonard Ho Cast: Sammo Hung, Yuen Biao, Sibelle Hu, Jackie Chan, Richard Ng, Eric Tsang, Andy Lau, Michiko Nishikawa, Charlie Ching, Stanley Fung, Lam Ching-Ying, Bolo Yeung, James Tien, Yuen Wah, Fruit Chan Gor Running Time: 84/99 min. By Numskull How many people, like myself, saw the Arena Home Video release of this movie in the martial arts section at Media Play and shelled out eight … Continue reading

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Encounter of the Spooky Kind (1980) Review

"Encounter of the Spooky Kind" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Sammo Hung Producer: Raymond Chow Cast: Sammo Hung, Chung Fat, Peter Chan, Huang Ha, Lam Ching Ying, Wu Ma, Tai Bo, Billy Chan, Chin Lung, Cheung Ging Boh, Fung King Man, Fung Lee Running Time: 98 min. By JJ Hatfield The first time I saw this movie it was in the form of a very ancient and quite heavy dusty old VHS tape. The story was immensely confusing because … Continue reading

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Winners & Sinners | aka 5 Lucky Stars (1983) Review

"Winners & Sinners" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Sammo Hung Cast: Sammo Hung, Jackie Chan, Richard Ng, Ching Shung Lin, John Sham, Stanley Fung, James Tien, Lam Ching-Ying, Cecilia Yip Tung, Fung Hak-On Running Time: 95/106 min. By Numskull This is generally considered to be the first Lucky Stars film. It isn’t. It’s a blueprint; a not-quite-ripe-yet predecessor. Director/star Sammo Hung would later use many elements and cast members from this movie in “My Lucky Stars” and “Twinkle … Continue reading

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Invincible Eight, The (1971) Review

Director: Lo Wei Writer: Ni Kuang Producer: Raymond Chow Cast: Nora Miao, Billy Chan, Paul Chang Chung, Han Ying Chieh, Sammo Hung, Lam Ching Ying, Lee Kwan, Bruce Leung Siu Lung, Angela Mao Ying, Pai Ying, Lydia Shum, Tang Ching, James Tien, Patrick Tse, Lee Ka Ting Running Time: 95 min. By Jeff Bona A group of eight warriors (Nora Miao, Lee Kwan, Angela Mao, Lydia Shum, James Tien, Tang … Continue reading

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Skinny Tiger & Fatty Dragon (1991) Review

"Skinny Tiger & Fatty Dragon" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Nutty Kickbox Cops Director: Lau Kar Wing Cast: Sammo Hung, Karl Maka, Carrie Ng, Wanda Yung, Lau Kar Wing, Lung Ming Yan, Wu Fung, Cutie Mui Siu Wai, Ni Kuang, Mark Houghton, Brad Kerner Running Time: 105 min. By JJ Hatfield The running time for this movie is 105 minutes, and you will feel each and every one, when fighting is not on the screen. Yes, Sammo is in … Continue reading

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Operation Scorpio | aka Scorpion King (1992) Review

"Operation Scorpio" French DVD Cover

Director: David Lai Cast: Chin Kar Lok, Lau Kar Leung, Kim Won Jin, Frankie Chin, May Lo, Wu Fung, Victor Hon Kwan, David Lo, Yuen Shun Yee, Yuen Tak, Fruit Chan Gor, Ricky Cheung, Lau Sek Yin, Tiffany Lau, Sai Gwa Paau, Sin Ho Ying Running Time: 96 min. By Yi-Long Life is unfair! Why, easy! In a fair world, Kim Won Jin would have been a household name around … Continue reading

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Heroes Shed No Tears (1983) Review

Director: John Woo Cast: Eddie Ko Hung, Lam Ching Ying, Chin Yuet Sang, Fung Lee, Lee Hoi Suk, Cécile Le Bailly, Philippe Loffredo, Tsang Choh Lam, Pang Yun Cheung, Bruce Cheung Mong, Chow Gam Kong, Lam Fai Wong Running Time: 84 min. By Numskull Hard to believe that John Woo had been a director for about a decade before this was produced. Heroes Shed No Tears is reasonably entertaining and … Continue reading

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Bare-Footed Kid, The | aka Young Hero (1993) Review

Director: Johnnie To Kei Fung Cast: Aaron Kwok Fu Sing, Ti Lung, Maggie Cheung Man Yuk, Paul Chun Pui, Jacqueline Wu Chien Lien, Kenneth Tsang Kon, Eddie Cheung Siu Fai, Wong Yat Fei, Tin Ching, Chu Tiet Wo, Cheng Ka Sang, Johnny Cheung Yiu Wah, Hau Woon Ling, Benny Lai Keung Kuen, Leung Kai Chi, Ng Wui, Wong Sun, Yuen Ling To Running Time: 90 min. By JJ Hatfield If … Continue reading

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To Kill with Intrigue (1976) Review

"To Kill with Intrigue" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Lo Wei Cast: Jackie Chan, Hsu Feng, San Yat Lung, Yu Ling Lung, George Wang Jue, Tung Lam, Ma Kei, Kong Ching Ha, Chan Wai Lau, Lee Man Tai, Tsang Ming Cheong Running Time: 110 min. By JJ Hatfield This review will be brief as I have already wasted enough time watching the damned movie. Two martial arts families clash and one family is wiped out except for Jackie. … Continue reading

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Gorgeous | aka Glass Bottle (1999) Review

"Gorgeous" Japanese DVD Cover

Director: Vincent Kok Cast: Jackie Chan, Shu Qi, Tony Leung, Emil Chow, Richie Ren, Elaine Jin, Bradley Allan, Vincent Kok, Sandra Ng, Sam Lee, Stephen Chow, Stephen Fung Running Time: 121 min. By Vic Nguyen Lovelorn daydreamer Bu (Hsu Chi), on a typical day in her Taiwanese village, finds a mysterious message in a bottle. The contents read, “I’m waiting for you”, signed Albert from Hong Kong. Thinking that this might … Continue reading

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Hard To Kill | aka Interpol Connection (1992) Review

AKA: Hard To Kill Director: Philip Ko Writer: Cindy Chow Producer: Philip Ko Cast: Robin Shou, Yukari Oshima (aka Cynthia Luster), King Kong, Simon Kim, Philip Ko, Iwanabeo Leung, Romulo Grabiel, Jose Babida, Jess Babida, Simon Yam Running Time: 87 min. By Numskull Co Chi Pang (Robin Shou) is a Hong Kong narcotics officer assigned to bring an international heroin dealer named Lo Tak to justice. He is assisted by … Continue reading

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Infernal Affairs 2 (2003) Review

"Infernal Affairs 2" Korean Theatrical Poster

Director Andrew Lau Co-director: Alan Mak Cast: Anthony Wong, Eric Tsang, Francis Ng, Carina Lau, Edison Chen, Shawn Yu, Andrew Lin, Roy Cheung, Teddy Chan, Arthur Wong, Henry Fong Ping, Chapman To Running Time: 119 min. By Owlman Let me begin by saying that the synopsis is not a spoiler. Being a prequel to the first IA, the ending of IA2 is a foregone conclusion – we know that Sam … Continue reading

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