Category Archives: Reviews

JSA: Joint Security Area (2000) Review

"JSA: Joint Security Area" Korean Theatrical Poster

AKA: JSA Director: Park Chan-wook Cast: Lee Byung-Hun, Song Kang-Ho, Shin Ha-Kyun, Lee Young-Ae, Kim Tae-Woo, Gi Ju-Bong, Lee Han-Wi, Lee Dae-Yeon, Kim Myung-Soo, Kim Kwang-Il Running Time: 100 min. By Equinox21 J.S.A. has been my favorite Korean movie, my second favorite Asian movie (behind Chungking Express), and one of my top 5 favorite movies in general ever since I first saw it. Everything about it (save for one minor … Continue reading

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Five Element Ninjas | aka Chinese Super Ninjas (1982) Review

"Five Element Ninjas" Blu-ray Cover

AKA: Super Ninjas Director: Chang Cheh Cast: Ricky Cheng, Chan Wai Man, Chen Pei Hsi, Lo Meng, Wong Wai Tong, Lung Tien Hsiang, Wong Lik, Kwan Feng, Chui Tai Ping, Chu Ko, Chan Hung Running Time: 104 min. By Joe909 This isn’t a review, it’s a love letter. I first saw this movie on a local channel when I was a kid. It blew my mind and I knew I … Continue reading

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Tower of Death | aka Game of Death 2 (1981) Review

"Tower of Death" Korean Theatrical Poster

AKA: Game of Death II Director: Ng See Yuen Cast: Tai Chung Kim, Hwang Jang-lee, Roy Horan, Casanova Wong, Lee Chun Hwa, Lee Hoi San, Tiger Yeung, Roy Chiao, To Wai Wo, Bruce Lee (stock footage) Running Time: 90 min. By Joseph Kuby Game of Death 2 (or Tower of Death as it is otherwise known) is not only one of the most unique martial arts/Hong Kong films made from this … Continue reading

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Dragon Lives Again, The | aka Deadly Hands of Kung Fu (1976) Review

"The Dragon Lives Again" US Theatrical Poster

Director: Lo Ke Cast: Bruce Leong (aka Hsaio Liang or Siu-Lung Leung), Eric Tsang Chi Wai, Simon Yuen Siu Ting, Alexander Grand, Jenny, Sraina Sai, Chang Li Running Time: 90 min. By Mighty Peking Man “Dragon Lives Again” (not to be confused — or related to — the superior Bruce Li film, “The Dragon Lives”) is fantasy-comedy flick that takes place after Bruce Lee’s passing in 1973. The film starts … Continue reading

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Return of the Tiger | aka Silent Killer from Eternity (1979) Review

Director: Jimmy Shaw Writer: Wang Cheong, Chang Shun Yee Producer: Jimmy Shaw, R.P. Shah Cast: Bruce Li (aka Ho Chung Tao, James Ho), Paul Smith, Chang Yi, Angela Mao, Lung Fei, Hsieh Hsing, Cheng Fu-Hsiung, Hsueh Han, Wu Chia-Hsiang, Wang Yung-Hseng, Wang Fei, Ko Shou-Liang, Cheng Tien Chi Running Time: 92 min. By Perkele This amusing film begins perfecly with a big kung fu brawl, which has Angela Mao challenging … Continue reading

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Fists of Bruce Lee | aka Interpol (1978) Review

"Fists of Bruce Lee" US Theatrical Poster

Director: Ho Chung Tao  Producer: Chang Yon Har Cast: Bruce Li (Ho Chung Tao, James Ho), Chan Wai Lau, Lo Lieh, Wong Fei Lung, Wong Chi Sang, Paul Wei Ping Ao, Sham Chin-Bo, Chu Shao-Hwa, Robert Kerver Running Time: 94 min. By Joseph Kuby Semi Spy Spoof! The true title for this film is Interpol as the film has no real connection to Bruce Lee other than that the film’s star … Continue reading

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Gold Connection, The | aka The Iron Dragon Strikes Back (1979) Review

"The Iron Dragon Strikes Back" US Theatrical Poster

Director: Kuei Chih-Hung Producer: Alex Gouw Cast: Bruce Li (aka Ho Chung Tao, James Ho), Hon Gwok Choi, Lin Ke Ming, Philip Ko Fei, San Kuai, Wai Lit, Leung Gwing Wan, Lee Fat Yuen, Nick Lam Wai Kei, Shikamura Yasuyoshi, Chu Chi Ling, Li Chao, Sham Chin Bo Running Time: 87 min. By Joe909 Iron Dragon Strikes Back (aka The Gold Connection) kicks its way out of the typical tedium of … Continue reading

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Uninvited, The (2003) Review

Director: Lee So-Youn Cast: Jun Ji-Hyun (Chon Ji-Yeon, Jeon Ji-Hyeon, Joon Ji-Hyun, Gianna Jun), Park Shin-Yang, Kim Yeo-Jin Park, Won-Sang Jeong Wuk, Lee Ju-Sil Running Time: 128 min. By Mighty Peking Man One day Jung-Won (Park Shin-Yang) falls asleep on a subway train. Once his stop point comes, he awakens and gets off. Just as he steps out, he turns around and notices two little girls, abandoned, sleeping peacefully on … Continue reading

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La Belle (2000) Review

AKA: Mi In; Love Remembered By The Body Director: Yeo Kyun-Dong Writer: Lee Sang-woo, Yeo Kyun-Dong Producer: Yoo In-taek Cast: Lee Ji-hyun, Oh Ji-ho, Cho Kyeong-hwan, Cho Kyeong-uk Running Time: 91 min. By Alexander Get two models. Any two will do. Put them in a stylishly furnished loft with a gorgeous view. Lock the door. Encourage your “actors” to improvise their dialogue and fuck each other often. Refer occasionally to … Continue reading

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Il Mare (2000) Review

"Il Mare" Korean Theatrical Poster

Director: Lee Hyeon-Seung Producer: Cha Seung-Jae Cast: Lee Jeong-Jae, Jun Ji-Hyun (Chon Ji-Yeon, Jeon Ji-Hyeon, Joon Ji-Hyun, Gianna Jun) Running Time: 90 min. By Owlman Have you ever wondered what you would do if you discovered a device for time travel? Would you use it to discover what future lies ahead of you? Or would you use it to make changes in the past? Or better yet, would you use … Continue reading

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Host, The (2006) Review

"The Host" Korean Theatrical Poster

Director: Bong Joon-Ho Cast: Song Kang-ho, Byun Hee-bong, Park Hae-il, Bae Doona, Ko Ah-Sung, Kwon Byung-Gil Running Time: 120 min. By Ningen A subordinate Korean guy who probably works for Harvey Weinstein at his day-job listens to his white American supervisor scientist know-it-all guy and dumps some random chemicals into the sink, even though the pipe leads to the Han river. What the toxic mix creates is some sort of … Continue reading

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Sad Movie (2005) Review

"Sad Movie" Korean Theatrical Poster

Director: Kwon Jong-Gwan Cast: Jeong Woo-Sung (Jung Woo-Sung), Im Su-Jeong (Im Su-Jung), Cha Tae-Hyeon (Cha Tae-Hyun), Yeom Jung-A, Yeo Jin-Gu, Shin Min-A, Son Tae-Young Running Time: 108 min. By Mighty Peking Man Kwon Jong-Gwan’s Sad Movie is a damn near perfect piece of cinema. From start to finish, it keeps your attention. It’s a great looking movie that feels refreshing, vibrant and tight. There’s not a dull moment I can … Continue reading

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Asako in Ruby Shoes | aka Sunaebo (2000) Review

Director: E J-Yong Producer: Koo Bon-Han, Tsuchida Masaki, Iwata Hitoshi Cast: Lee Jeong-Jae, Misato Dachibana, Kim Gumija, Kim Min-Hee, Ren Osugi Running Time: 115 min. By Mlindber Asako in Ruby Shoes is another one of those great films from Korea in a genre you’d normally hate. You know the type. The movie is about a guy named U-in (Lee Jung-jae) from Korea, how much of a loser he is, and … Continue reading

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Anarchists, The (2000) Review

"The Anarchists" Korean Theatrical Poster

Director: Yu Yeong-Sik Cast: Jang Dong-Geon, Kim Sang-Jung, Jeong Jun-Ho, Lee Beom-Su, Kim In-Gweon, Ye Ji-Won, Jeong Won-Jung, Lee Chan-Yeong, Seo Ji-Won Running Time: 108 min. By Equinox21 When I heard that this movie was written by Park Chan-wook (writer and director of J.S.A. and Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance), I got really excited about seeing it. However, I then noticed the low rating it had on the Internet Movie Database, … Continue reading

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Afrika (2002) Review

"Afrika" Korean Theatrical Poster

Director: Shin Seung-Soo Writer: Shin Seung-Su Cast: Lee Yu-Won, Kim Min-Sun, Jo Eun-Ji, Lee Young-Jin, Sung Ji-Ru, Park Young-Gyu Running Time: 109 min. By Mighty Peking Man Lee Yu-Won (“Attack the Gas Station”), Kim Min-Sun (“Memento Mori”), Jo Eun-Ji (“Tears”) and Lee Young-Jin (also of “Memento Mori”) star in this colorful, light hearted, chick-flick that brings back fond memories of 1985’s “The Legend of Billie Jean.” It’s quite clear that … Continue reading

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