Category Archives: Reviews

Antarctic Journal (2005) Review

Posted on January 13, 2011 by JJ Bona
"Antarctic Journal" Korean Theatrical Poster

Director: Yim Pil-sung Producer: Cha Seung-Jae Cast: Song Gang-Ho, Yu Ji-Tae, Kim Gyeong-Ik, Park Hee-Sun, Yun Je-Mun, Choi Deok-Mun Running Time: 115 min. By Owlman I have to admit something here. I got suckered into buying Antarctic Journal from the selling line at YesAsia – “Suspense and danger lurk everywhere, even at the South Pole!” The premise of a team of explorers trekking through the Antarctic seemed very interesting at … Continue reading →

Posted in Korean, Reviews | Tagged , |

Lady Snowblood: Blizzard from the Netherworld (1973) Review

Posted on January 13, 2011 by JJ Bona
"Lady Snowblood: Blizzard from the Netherworld" UK DVD Cover

AKA: Blood Snow, Shurayukihime Director: Toshiya Fujito Cast: Meiko Kaji, Toshio Kurosawa, Masaaki Daimon, Miyoko Akaza, Noboru Nakaya, Takeo Chii, Yoshiko Nakada, Kaoru Kashiwada, Akemi Negishi, Sanae Nakahara Running Time: 97 min. By Reefer It is unfortunate that Fugita Toshiya’s Lady Snowblood might be remembered most only for it serving as the main source material for Quentin Tarantino’s 2003 hit and Asian cinema tribute Kill Bill. I guess I should … Continue reading →

Posted in Japanese, Reviews | Tagged |

Failan (2001) Review

Posted on January 13, 2011 by JJ Bona

Director: Song Hae-Seong Cast: Choi Min-Sik, Cecilia Cheung Pak-Chi, Kong Hyung-Jin, Jeong Dae-Hun, Son Byung-Ho, Hae-gon Kim, Ji Dae-Han, Kim Soo-Hyun, Kim Ji-Yeong Running Time: 116 min. By Klotera This is a very unique film. At a very general level, one would call it a drama. But, it is more like a character based gangster film put together with a romance film that has no romance. Yes, it sounds strange, … Continue reading →

Posted in Korean, Reviews | Tagged , , |

Green Fish (2001) Review

Posted on January 13, 2011 by JJ Bona

Director: Lee Chang-Dong Writer: Oh Seung-Wuk Cast: Han Seok-Kyu, Shim Hye-Jin, Moon Seong-Keun, Myeong Kye-Nam, Kim Yong-Man, Lee Ho-Seong, Han Seon-Kyu, Oh Ji-Hye, Sohn Young-Sun Running Time: 111 min. By Equinox21 The story of a guy who can’t find a job so he ends up involved in gangs is nothing new, but don’t let that dissuade you from seeing this one. There is plenty to keep your interest, even if … Continue reading →

Posted in Korean, Reviews | Tagged , |

Returner | aka The Returner (2002) Review

Posted on January 11, 2011 by JJ Bona

Director: Takashi Yamazaki Producer: Toru Horibe Cast: Takeshi Kaneshiro, Ann Suzuki, Kirin Kiki, Goro Kishitani, Yukiko Okamoto, Mitsuru Murata Running Time: 117 min. By Equinox21 Say you are a Japanese film-maker, how do you make an extremely cool sci-fi action movie? Here’s the recipe; start with an alien invasion (ala ID4), sprinkle in a healthy dose of Terminator (humanity’s last hope is to send someone back in time to stop … Continue reading →

Posted in Japanese, Reviews | Tagged , |

Casshern (2004) Review

Posted on January 11, 2011 by ningen31

Director: Kazuaki Kiriya Cast: Yusuke Iseya, Kumiko Aso, Akira Terao, Kanako Higuchi, Fumiyo Kohinata, Hiroyuki Miyasako, Jun Kaname, Hidetoshi Nishijima, Mitsuhiro Oikawa, Susumu Terajima, Hideji Otaki, Tatsuya Mihashi, Toshiaki Karasawa Running Time: 140 min. By Ningen A scientist can’t get funding for artificial organs which he hopes to use to save his ailing wife. He gives in to an offer from a general to fund his project, but the general’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Japanese, Reviews | Tagged |

Zatoichi | aka The Blind Swordsman Zatoichi (2003) Review

Posted on January 11, 2011 by JJ Bona
"Zatoichi" American Theatrical Poster

Director: Takeshi Kitano Cast: Takeshi Kitano, Tadanobu Asano, Yui Natsukawa, Michiyo Ookusu, Gadarukanaru Taka, Yuuko Daike, Daigor Tachibana, Ittoku Kishibe, Saburo Ishikura Running Time: 116 min. By Equinox21 I’m very pleased to say that Zatoichi did not let me down. I was afraid that not having any previous knowledge about the franchise and seeing a Kitano movie that didn’t involve yakuza vs. cops would make it a less enjoyable experience … Continue reading →

Posted in Japanese, Reviews | Tagged |

Getting Any? (1995) Review

Posted on January 11, 2011 by JJ Bona

Director: Takeshi Kitano Writer: Takeshi Kitano Producer: Masayuki Mori, Hisao Nabeshima, Takio Yoshida Cast: Moeko Ezawa, Hakuryu, Tokie Hidari, Yojin Hino, Minoru Iizuka, Takeshi Kitano, Akiji Kobayashi, Yuuji Minakata, Masumi Okada, Ren Osugi, Shintaro Takado, Susumu Terajima, Kanji Tsuda, Yuurei Yanagi, Tetsuya Yuuki Running Time: 105 Min. By Mairosu It’s often said that the western world doesn’t know real Beat Takeshi. To us, the mention of his name is usually … Continue reading →

Posted in Japanese, Reviews | Tagged |

Fireworks | aka Hana-Bi (1997) Review

Posted on January 11, 2011 by JJ Bona
"Fireworks" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Takeshi Kitano Cast: Takeshi Kitano, Kayoko Kishimoto, Ren Osugi, Susumu Terajima, Tetsu Watanabe, Hakuryu, Yasuei Yakushiji, Taro Istumi, Kenichi Yajima, Makoto Ashikaw Running Time: 103 min. By Equinox21 Hana-bi was the first Takeshi Kitano film (directed) I’d seen. I really wish I’d waited until I’d seen some of his others first, because none of the others even compare. As much as I love all his films, Hana-bi was heads … Continue reading →

Posted in Japanese, Reviews | Tagged |

Sonatine (1993) Review

Posted on January 11, 2011 by JJ Bona
"Sonatine" American Theatrical Poster

Director: Takeshi Kitano Writer: Takeshi Kitano Cast: Takeshi Kitano, Aya Kikumai, Tetsu Watanabe, Masanobu Katsumura, Susumu Terajima, Ren Ohsugi, Eiji Minakata, Rome Kanda, Houka Kinoshita Running Time: 90 min. By Len One word: Genius. I could write 400 words on how much I love this film and it still wouldn’t be enough. To me, this represents all that is good in Kitano’s cinema. Kitano plays Murakawa, a respected leader of … Continue reading →

Posted in Japanese, Reviews | Tagged |

Violent Cop (1989) Review

Posted on January 11, 2011 by Brmanuk

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 →

Posted in Japanese, Reviews | Tagged |

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

Posted on January 11, 2011 by JJ Bona
"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 →

Posted in Chinese, News, Reviews | Tagged , , |

Shaolin Temple (1982) Review

Posted on January 11, 2011 by JJ Bona
"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 →

Posted in Chinese, Reviews | Tagged , , |

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

Posted on January 11, 2011 by JJ Bona

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 →

Posted in Chinese, Golden Harvest, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , |

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

Posted on January 11, 2011 by JJ Bona

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 →

Posted in Chinese, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , |
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