Category Archives: Chinese

Ip Man (2008) Review

"Ip Man" US Theatrical Poster

Director: Wilson Yip Cast: Donnie Yen, Simon Yam, Fan Siu Wong, Lynn Hung, Hiroyuki Ikeuchi, Gordon Lam Ka-tung, Xing Yu, Wong You Nam, Tenma Shibuya, Chen Zhi Hui Running Time: 107 min. By Barey Gusey I spent most of my Asian movie-watching life staying away from Donnie Yen’s films. I think Drunken Tai-Chi (his first major role, directed by Yuen Woo Ping) was the first of his that I tried; … Continue reading

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12 Gold Medallions, The (1970) Review

"The 12 Gold Medallions" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Ching Gong Producer: Run Run Shaw Cast: Yueh Hua, Chin Ping, Wong Chung Shun, Lisa Chiao Chiao, Wong Hap, Cheng Miu, Lee Kwan, Yeung Chi Hing, Ku Feng, Goo Man Chung Running Time: 102 min. By Mighty Peking Man General Yao Fei and his brave army have successfully held back Tarters, who are trying to invade China. But now, Prime Minister Chin Hui, an evil traitor, has another idea. … Continue reading

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Bruce Lee: The Man, The Myth (1976) Review

"Bruce Lee: The Man, The Myth" US Theatrical Poster

AKA: Bruce Lee – True Story Director: Ng See Yuen Cast: Bruce Li (aka Ho Chung Tao, James Ho), Unicorn Chan, Chu Chi Ling. Fung King Man, Alan Chui Chung San, Sham Chin Bo, Mars, Fung Hak On, Lee Hoi San, Carl Scott, Chung Chaan Chi, Fong Yuen, Gam Tin Chue, Lau Kwok Shing, Leung Siu Chung, Wong Mei, Yip Chun Running Time: 85/90 min. By Joseph Kuby Fun Filler! … Continue reading

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Bruce Lee: A Dragon Story | aka Dragon Dies Hard (1974) Review

"Bruce Lee: A Dragon Story" US Theatrical Poster

Director: Shut Dik Writer: Lui Ban-Chung Cast: Bruce Li (Ho Chung Tao, James Ho), Na Yan-Sau, Tang Pei, Cheung Tai-Wai, Gam Wing-Cheung, Chu Sing-Yat, Cheng Fu-Hung, Si Wai, Ngai Yat-Ping, Kong Kwok-Ping, Ann Winston, Chow Jun Shih Ting-Ken Running Time: 90 min. By Mighty Peking Man Made in 1974, about a year after Bruce Lee’s death, “Bruce Lee: A Dragon Story” is possibly the first bio-pic on Bruce Lee. It’s … Continue reading

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Bruce and the Shaolin Bronzemen (1980) Review

"Bruce and the Shaolin Bronzemen" Finnish VHS Cover

AKA: King Boxer 2 Director: Joseph Kong Producer: Robert Jeffrey Cast: Bruce Le (aka Huang Kin Long, Wong Kin Lung), Chan Sing, Lita Vasquez, Chang Lee, Ruby Anna, Cloyd Robinson, Nona Herrera, Vivian Velasco, Ernie Ortega, Tsing Tong Tsai, Angel Confiado, Ruben Ramos, Jimmy Cruz, Romeo Blanco, Joe Canlas, Ely Rufuerzo, Ed Ramos, Nanding De La Cruz, Bill Feijoo Running Time: 78 min. By Joseph Kuby One film critic put … Continue reading

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Better Tomorrow, A III: Love and Death in Saigon (1989) Review

AKA: A Better Tomorrow 3 Director: Tsui Hark Producer: Tsui Hark Cast: Chow Yun Fat, Tony Leung Ka Fai, Anita Mui Yim Fong, Sek Kin, Nam Yin, Maggie Cheung Ho Yee, Saburo Tokito, Andrew Kam, Wong Chi Wai Running Time: 125 min. By Joseph Kuby Aplomb-filled Saga! A Better Tomorrow 3 is a prequel to the first film. It’s set in war-torn Vietnam and was directed by Tsui Hark. Despite … Continue reading

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Better Tomorrow II, A (1987) Review

"A Better Tomorrow II" Korean Theatrical Poster

Director: John Woo Producer: Tsui Hark Cast: Chow Yun-Fat, Ti Lung, Leslie Cheung, Dean Shek, Emily Chu, Kenneth Tsang, Regina Kent, Kwan San, Chindy Lau, Dean Harrington, Mark King Running Time: 103 min. By Joseph Kuby Awesomely Ace Addition! A lot of people hate this movie, like as if Wong Jing had bought the rights to the series and messed things up. To be honest, I think the problems that … Continue reading

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Better Tomorrow, A (1986) Review

"A Better Tomorrow" International Theatrical Poster

Director: John Woo Producer: Tsui Hark Cast: Chow Yun-Fat, Ti Lung, Leslie Cheung, Waise Lee, Emily Chu, Kenneth Tsang, Shek Yin-Chi, Tien Feng, Kam Hing-Yin, Wong Hap, John Woo, Shing Fui-On Running Time: 95 min. By Joseph Kuby Definitely worth the hype! This film is slightly melodramatic (due to Chow Yun Fat but more particularly Leslie Cheung) though the film has a strong emotional undercurrent running through it which beats … Continue reading

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Legacy of Rage | aka Fire Dragon (1986) Review

Director: Ronnie Yu Yan-Tai Cast: Brandon Lee, Michael Wong Man-Tak, Michael Chan Wai-Man, Regina Kent, Bolo Yeung, Ng Man-Tat, Mang Hoi, Tanya George, Louis Roth, Stuart Smith Running Time: 86 min. By Joe909 You know you’re in for trouble when even the opening theme song is half-assed; it sounds like someone turning on a cheap Casio keyboard and goofing off with a few keys. Probably the most depressing movie I’ve … Continue reading

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Big Boss, The | aka Fists of Fury (1971) Review

"The Big Boss" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Lo Wei Producer: Raymond Chow Cast: Bruce Lee, Maria Yi, James Tien Chun, Han Ying Chieh, Nora Miao, Lee Kwan, Anthony Lau, Lam Ching Ying, Billy Chan Wui Ngai, Peter Yang Kwan Running Time: 115 min. By James H. There are movies with low production values and then there are movies with Lo Wei production values. This movie was made for $100,000, and it looks like it was made … Continue reading

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Way of the Dragon | aka Return of the Dragon (1972) Review

"Way of the Dragon" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Bruce Lee Producer: Raymond Chow Cast: Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris, Gam Dai, Unicorn Chan, Tony Liu, Nora Miao, Wang In Sik, Paul Wei, Bob Wall, Jon Benn, Anders Nelsson, Riccardo Billi, Alexander Grand, Malisa Longo, Andre Morgan, Russell Cawthorne Running Time: 96 min. By Jesse Bruce Lee’s 1973 film Return of the Dragon (which was also written and directed by Lee) tells the tale of a young farmboy from … Continue reading

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Clan of the White Lotus | aka Fist of the White Lotus (1980) Review

Director: Lo Lieh Cast: Gordon Liu, Lo Lieh, Kara Hui, Johnny Wang Lung Wei, Hsiao Ho, Yeung Jing Jing, Cheng Miu, Ching Chu, Lam Fai Wong, Wilson Tong, Cham Siu Hung, Ho Kei Cheong, Lin Ke Ming, Ng Git Keung, San Sin Running Time: 95 mins. By Mighty Peking Man Let’s get one thing straight: Fist of the White Lotus isn’t a remake or a sequel to 1977’s Executioners From … Continue reading

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Hong Kong Playboys (1983) Review

Director: Wong Jing Writer: Wong Jing Producer: Lawrence Wong Cast: Alexander Fu Sheng, Patrick Tse Yin, Nat Chan (Pak Cheung), Cherie Chung (Cho Hung), Lau Suet Wa (Liu Hsueh-Hua), Lee Heung Kam, Fong Ping, Chan Laap Ban, Lam Fai Wong, Lau Yat Fan, Sek Kin, Tam Tin Nam, To Siu Ming, Chin Wai Yee Time: 94 min By Mighty Peking Man Hong Kong Playboys stars the late Alexander Fu Sheng … Continue reading

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Mighty Peking Man | aka Colossus of Congo (1977) Review

AKA: Goliathon Director: Ho Meng-Hua Cast: Danny Lee, Evelyne Kraft, Hang-Sheng Wu, Hsu Shao-Chiang, Ku Feng, Lin Wei-Tu, Chen Cheng-Feng, Alexander Grand, Lee Sau Kei, Wong Pau Gei Running Time: 86 min. By Gwailo It’s a must-see oddity from the Shaw Brothers, starring a young Danny Lee, made around the same time as his equally campy Ultraman. A direct rip-off of the King Kong/Godzilla genre gone totally berserk. Now that … Continue reading

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Legend of the Fox (1980) Review

"Legend of the Fox" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Chang Cheh Cast: Philip Kwok, Chin Siu Ho, Chiang Sheng, Helen Poon, Choh Seung Wan, Wong Lik, Chui Tai Ping, Wang Han Chen, Lau Fong Sai, Chan Hon Kwong, Chan Hung, Chan Shu Kei, Choi Kwok Keung, Chow Kin Ping, Ha Kwok Wing, Hung Fung, Hung San Nam Running Time: 122 min. By Joe909 When the kung-fu boom was on the wane, the Venoms and Chang Cheh began experimenting … Continue reading

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