Category Archives: Reviews

Violent Cop (1989) Review

Director: Takeshi Kitano Writer: Takeshi Kitano Cast: Takeshi Kitano, Maiko Kawakami, Makoto Ashikawa, Shiro Sano, Shigeru Hiraizumi, Mikiko Otonashi, Hakuryu, Ittoku Kishibe, Ken Yoshizawa, Hiroyuki Katsube, Noboru Hamada, Yuuki Kawai, Ritsuko Amano, Taro Ishida, Katsuki Muramatsu Running Time: 103 min. By Len Flawed but promising would be the two adjectives I’d use to describe Takeshi Kitano’s directing debut. While watching this film, some characteristics that we have gotten used to … Continue reading

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Shaolin Temple 2: The Kids from Shaolin (1984) Review

"Shaolin Temple 2" International Theatrical Poster

Director: Cheung Sing Yim Cast: Jet Li, Huang Qiu-Yan, Yu Hai, Yu Cheng-Hui, Ding Lan, Ji Chun-Hua, Hu Jian-Qiang Running Time: 99 min. By Numskull This is a sequel to Shaolin Temple in name only; there is no continuation of the first film. In fact, it barely has anything to do with the Shaolin temple. It would probably be better off, were this not the case. The film is about … Continue reading

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Shaolin Temple (1982) Review

"The Shaolin Temple" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Cheung Sing Yim Cast: Jet Li, Yu Cheng Wai, Yu Hai, Din Nan, Chang Jien Wun, Ji Chuan Wah, Hu Chien Keung, Wong Kwang Chuan, Sun Jien Hwu, Yin Tee Wah Running Time: 95 min. By Numskull Watch enough modern-day cop stories and Americanized Hong Kong films, and a straight-out chop socky flick like this almost seems new and innovative. Shaolin Temple is an above average kung fu movie, … Continue reading

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Iceman Cometh, The | aka Time Warrors (1989) Review

Director: Clarence Ford Cast: Yuen Biao, Maggie Cheung, Yuen Wah, Sarah Lee, Tai Bo, Lam Chung, Alvina Kong, Ann Mui, Tan Lap Man, Frankie Ng, Chen Jing, Stanley Fung, Lai Yin Saan, Lam Siu Lau, Helena Law, Liu Wai Hung, Jackson Ng, Walter Tso, Elvis Tsui, Anthony Wong, Wong Jing, Corey Yuen Running Time: 114 min. By Reefer Two opposing Ming Dynasty warriors fall into an ice crevice and are … Continue reading

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Not Scared to Die | aka Fist of Anger (1973) Review

AKA: In Eagle Shadow Fist Director: Zhu Mu Cast: Wong Ching, Alex Lung Ji Fei, Lee Man Tai, Yam Ho, Kok Lee Yan, Yuen Qiu, Yuen Cheung Yan, Lau Kar Wing, Jackie Chan, Chiang Nan, Fung Hak On Running Time: 85 min. By Numskull Let’s see here. Multiple alternate titles: check. Evil Japanese invaders incessantly harassing the women and old folks: check. Jackie Chan, before anyone knew who he was: … Continue reading

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Drive (1997) Review

"Drive" UK DVD Cover

Director: Steve Wang Writer: Scott Phillips Cast: Mark Dacascos, Kadeem Hardison, John Pyper-Ferguson, Brittany Murphy, Tracey Walter, James Shigeta, Masaya Kato, Dom Magwili, Ron Winston Yuan Running Time: 100 min. By Joe909 Like most, I first saw Drive in its edited, HBO version, which is 16 minutes shorter than the Director’s Cut. For everyone out there in the US (or other Region 1 countries) who likes this movie and wants … Continue reading

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Shanghai Affairs (1998) Review

"Shanghai Affairs" Chinese DVD Cover

Director: Donnie Yen Cast: Donnie Yen, Athena Chu, Yu Rong Guang, Woody Chan, Kenji Tanigaki, Yan Yi Shek Running Time: 90 min. By Bentley Siu-Lung Well, I wanted to get this film as I noticed the chinese symbols on the box proclaimed this as the new version of “The Big Boss” (XIN Tang Shan Da Xiong). However, there are very few similarities between the two movies. It is hard to … Continue reading

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No Retreat, No Surrender (1985) Review

"No Retreat, No Surrender" American Theatrical Poster

Director: Corey Yuen Producer: Ng See-Yuen Cast: Kurt McKinney, Jean-Claude Van Damme, J.W. Fails, Kathie Sileno, Kim Tai-chung, Kent Lipham, Ron Pohnel, Dale Jacoby, Peter “Sugarfoot” Cunningham, Tim Baker Running TIme: 79/85/95 min. By James H. We’ve all been there. We’ve all been at the video store at 9:00 p.m. on a Saturday night, looking up and down the aisles for movies that have all been rented hours ago. We’ve … Continue reading

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Secret Ninja, Roaring Tiger (1982) Review

"Secret Ninja Roaring Tiger" US DVD Cover

AKA: Justice Of The Ninja Director: Godfrey Ho Cast: Dragon Lee (Mun Kyong-sok), Hwang Jang Lee, Jack Lam, Winnie Lui, Petty Suh, Kon Yit So, Henry Chan, Ku Wah, Liu On Fai, Johnny Kam Running Time: 80 min. By Joseph Kuby One of the best ninja movies of all time! Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying it’s on par with Ninja In The Dragon’s Den and it certainly doesn’t … Continue reading

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Ballistic Kiss (1998) Review

“Ballistic Kiss” Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Donnie Yen Writer: Bey Logan Cast: Donnie Yen, Annie Wu, James Wong Ka-Lok, Simon Lui Yu-Yeung, Yu Rong-Guang, Karen Tong Bo-Yu, Michael Woods, Vincent Kok Tak-Chiu, Andrew Chan Chi-Ho Running Time: 90 min. By Numskull I’m tempted to say “nice try”. If John Woo had only half an ass, he might make a film like this. Cat is a lonesome, depressed assassin who wears goofy-looking sunglasses with rectangular frames. … Continue reading

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Killing Machine, The (1975) Review

"The Killing Machine" Theatrical Poster

Director: Norifumi Suzuki Cast: Sonny Chiba, Yutaka Nakajima, Makoto Sato, Naoya Makoto, Sanae Kitabayashi, Akiko Mori, Akira Oizumi, Hosei Komatsu, Kyoichi Sato, Genji Kawai Running Time: 85 min. By Slaxor The Killing Machine is a fun little Chiba flick. Probably one of my favorites of his and much much better then the overrated chore to sit through that is The Street Fighter. In the movie, Sonny Chiba very loosely portrays … Continue reading

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Mr. Nice Guy | aka Mister Cool (1997) Review

AKA: Superchef Director: Sammo Hung Producer: Chua Lam Cast: Jackie Chan, Miki Lee, Richard Norton, David No, Bradley James Allan, Andy Cheng, Paul Andreovski, Jonathan Isgar, Joe Sayah, Glen Chin, Emil Chau Wa Kin, Joyce Mina Godenzi, Sammo Hung Running Time: 94 min. By Numskull First of all, not since Ronald Reagan left office has there been an action movie with a plot this feeble. Second of all, Sammo Hung: … Continue reading

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Fist of Legend (1994) Review

"Fist of Legend" French DVD Cover

Director: Gordon Chan Cast: Jet Li, Shinobu Nakayama, Chin Siu Ho, Yasuaki Kurata, Paul Chun, Billy Chow, Ada Choi, Yuen Cheung Yan, Jackson Lau, Wong Sun, Derek Cheung Running Time: 98 min. By Dan-O Hyperkinetic. That’s what they’ll call it. Know what I call it? You don’t wanna know what I call it. And I call “IT” the same thing I call remakes. “Who ya gonna call?”. Sorry, I… had … Continue reading

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Black Mask 2: City of Masks (2002) Review

"Black Mask 2: City of Masks" International Theatrical Poster

Director: Tsui Hark Cast: Andy On, Teresa Maria Herrera, Scott Adkins, Tobin Bell, Sean Marquette, Michael Bailey Smith, Tracy Lords, Blacky Ko Sau Leung, Terence Yin Chi Wai, Rob Van Dam, Silvio Simac, Nicola Berwick, Oris Erhuero Running Time: 101 min. By Reefer While searching for a scientist to help him deal with his own genetically-enhanced condition, Black Mask (Andy On) stumbles upon some more rejects of science that come … Continue reading

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Black Mask (1996) Review

"Black Mask" American Theatrical Poster

Director: Daniel Lee Cast: Jet Li, Lau Ching Wan, Karen Mok, Patrick Lung Kong, Françoise Yip, Anthony Wong, Moses Chan Ho, Winston Ellis, Russ Price, Henry Fong Ping, Lawrence Ah Mon, Chung Ging Fai, Hung Yan Yan, Kwan Yung, Deon Lam Dik On, Michael Ian Lambert, Ken Lok, Shut Mei Yee Running Time: 95 min. By Numskull Let it be known, dear reader, that this review is for the uncut … Continue reading

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