Category Archives: Reviews

I’m a Cyborg, But That’s OK (2006) Review

Director: Park Chan-wook Cast: Lim Soo-Jung, Rain, Oh Dal-Su, Park Jun-Myun, Choi Hee-Jin, Kim Byung-Ok, Lee Yong-Nyeo, Yoo Ho-Jeong, Park Byeong-Eun, Kim Do-Yeon, Son Young-Soon Running Time: 105 min. By Paul Bramhall In 2005 director Park Chan-wook wrapped up his Vengeance Trilogy with the release of Sympathy for Lady Vengeance, concluding 3 of the most iconic movies of the 21st century (and which, to this day, I find my answer … Continue reading

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Revenge: A Love Story (2010) Review

Director: Wong Ching-Po Cast: Juno Mak Jun Lung, Sora Aoi, Chin Siu Ho, Anthony Lau Wing, Ken Lo Hui Kwong, Tony Ho Running Time: 111 min. By Paul Bramhall Most Hong Kong cinema fans hold a special place in their heart for the territories Cat III output that populated the 90’s. A heady concoction usually consisting of graphic violence, ample nudity, and a manic energy which made it impossible to … Continue reading

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Port of Call: Director’s Cut (2015) Review

"Port of Call" Theatrical Poster

Director: Philip Yung Cast: Aaron Kwok, Elaine Jin, Patrick Tam, Jessie Li, Michael Ning, Jackie Cai, Maggie Shiu, Eddie Chan, Hatou Yeung, Ellen Li, Don Li, Ronny Yuen, Tam Ping-man Running Time: 120 min. By Paul Bramhall Port of Call is something of an anomaly for the year in which it was made, being a Category III Hong Kong production which received no financing from the Mainland. The end product … Continue reading

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One-Armed Swordsmen, The (1976) Review

Director: Jimmy Wang Yu Co-director: David Chiang Cast: Jimmy Wang Yu, David Chiang, Lo Lieh, Chang Yi, Liu Meng Yan, Han Ying Chieh, Lung Fei Running Time: 109 min.  By Ian Whittle Given Jimmy Wang Yu’s legendary bad behaviour on sets, and David Chiang’s long feud with Ti Lung, I’d love to have been on the set of this Wang/Chiang team-up, which they produced, directed and starred in. The plot, … Continue reading

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#Alive (2020) Review

Director: Cho Il-hyeong Cast: Yoo Ah-In, Park Shin-Hye, Jeon Bae-Su, Lee Hyun-Wook, Jin So-Yeon, Oh Hye-Won, Lee Chae-Kyung, Jeon Woon-Jong, Lee Kyu-Ho, Son Kyoung-Won Running Time: 98 min. By Paul Bramhall Since 2016’s Train to Busan the zombie genre has continued to attract filmmakers in South Korea, eager to catch up on a genre that for many countries has been a mainstay of horror filmmaking since the 70’s. Whether it … Continue reading

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Jiu Jitsu (2020) Review

Director: Dimitri Logothetis Cast: Alain Moussi, Frank Grillo, JuJu Chan, Tony Jaa, Nicolas Cage, Marie Avgeropoulos, Rick Yune, Marrese Crump, Eddie Steeples, Tommy Walker, Ryan Tarran Running Time: 102 min. By Martin Sandison From the soaring glories of the most fun David Lynch movie Wild at Heart and John Woo’s exceptionally exciting Face/Off, to the doldrums of the hilariously bad Wicker Man remake, Nicolas Cage just keeps on keepin’ on. … Continue reading

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Vanguard (2020) Review

Director: Stanley Tong Cast: Jackie Chan, Jackson Lau Hok-Yin, Ai Lun, Yang Yang, Miya Muqi, Zhu Zhengting, Fady Zaky, Xu Ruo Han, Eyad Hourani, Brahim Achabbakhe, Tomer Oz Running Time: 108 min. By Paul Bramhall After reuniting for Kung Fu Yoga, the 2017 promotional video focusing on China-India relations, the ageing action star and director pairing of Jackie Chan and Stanley Tong are back in 2020 with Vanguard! Of course … Continue reading

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Flowers of War, The (2011) Review

"Flowers of War" Theatrical Poster

Director: Zhang Yimou Writer: Liu Heng, Geling Yan Cast: Christian Bale, Ni Ni, Zhang Xinyi, Tong Dawei, Atsuro Watabe, Shigeo Kobayashi, Cao Kefan Running Time: 146 min. By Jacob Walker Zhang Yimou’s underrated war film; 2011’s The Flowers of War, provides a timely reminder that even though we are living through uncertain times, as a species we have experienced and survived much worse. Through urban warfare, the 20th century represented … Continue reading

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Flower and Snake: Zero (2014) Review

"Flower and Snake: Zero" Theatrical Poster

Director: Hajime Hashimoto Cast: Maiko Amano, Noriko Hamada, Rina Sakuragi, Kanji Tsuda, Naoki Kawano, Hideo Sakaki  Running Time: 113 min. By Paul Bramhall Spend enough time in the world of Asian cinema, and somewhere along the line, you’re likely to stumble across the Japanese SM (sadomasochism) genre. At least, that’s what I’ve been telling myself for as long as I can remember. Not that I’ve seen that many of them, … Continue reading

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Abduction (2019) Review

"Abduction" Theatrical Poster

AKA: Twilight Zodiac Director: Ernie Barbarash Cast: Scott Adkins, Andy On, Truong Ngoc Anh, Lily Ji, Aki Aleong, Daniel Whyte, Mike Leeder, Tom Caserto, Brahim Chab, Philippe Joly, Semiquaver Iafeta, Jai Day Running Time: 98 min. By Paul Bramhall I confess to having intentionally avoided the Scott Adkins vehicle Abduction in 2019. In a year which saw the British martial arts star either headline or feature in the likes of … Continue reading

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Fist of Fury Part II (1976) Review

"Fist of Fury Part II" Theatrical Poster

Director: Lee Tso Nam Cast: Bruce Li (aka Ho Chung Tao, James Ho), Lo Lieh, Tien Feng, James Nam Gung Fan, Suen Lam, Philip Ko Fei, Cho Kin, Chan Wai Lau, Lee Kwan, Sit Hon, Jimmy Lee Fong, Shikamura Yasuyoshi, Robert Tai Chi Hsien, To Wai Wo Running Time: 104 min. By Ian Whittle 1976 saw director/producer Lo Wei locate to Taiwan to produce a sequel to his box-office smash … Continue reading

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Jade Dynasty (2019) Review

Director: Ching Siu-Tung Cast: Sean Xiao, Li Qin, Meng Mei Qi, Tina Tang, Qiu Xin Zhi, Cecilia Yip, John Chiang, Norman Tsui, Leung Kar-Yan, Hung Yan-Yan, Bao Xiaosong, Chen Liwei, Li Shen Running Time: 101 min.  By Paul Bramhall The hyper-kinetic action and billowing silk of the early 90’s new wave wuxia genre may be a long time ago, but one of the directors whose name is indelibly linked with … Continue reading

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Man Standing Next, The (2020) Review

"The Man Standing Next" Theatrical Poster

Director: Woo Min-Ho Cast: Lee Byung-Hun, Lee Sung-Min, ak Do-Won, Lee Hee-Joon, Kim So-Jin, Seo Hyun-Woo, Ji Hyun-Joon, Park Sung-Geun, Park Ji-Il, Lee Tae-Hyeong, Kim Seung-Hoon Running Time: 114 min. By Paul Bramhall South Korea has had a tumultuous history since its creation after the division of the peninsula in 1954, shortly after the Korean War ended, up to it achieving democracy in 1987. While it spent most of the … Continue reading

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Dead Reckoning (2020) Review

"Dead Reckoning" Theatrical Poster

AKA: Altar Rock Director: Andrzej Bartkowiak Cast: India Eisley, K.J. Apa, Scott Adkins, James Remar, Ellie Cornell, Sydney Park, Phuong Diep Running Time: 91 min. By Paul Bramhall 2020 has been a good year for the discerning Scott Adkins fan. He returned as French in Jesse V. Johnson’s Debt Collectors, re-teamed with Isaac Florentine for Seized, took the lead in espionage thriller Legacy of Lies, and plays a Muslim terrorist … Continue reading

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Dragon’s Claws (1979) Review

"Dragon’s Claws" Promotional Poster

Director: Joseph Kuo Cast: Lau Kar Yung, Hwang Jang Lee, Wong Biu Chan, Yuen Qiu, Hon Gwok Choi, Chan Lau, Chu Tiet Wo, Lau Hok Nin, Sham Chin Bo, Wong Chi Wai, Got Ping Running Time: 91 min. By Paul Bramhall The kung fu genre had a pretty tough act to follow in 1979, following a year which gave us such timeless classics as Drunken Master, Warriors Two, and Heroes … Continue reading

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