Category Archives: Reviews

House (1977) Review

"House" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Nobuhiko Obayashi Cast: Kimiko Ikegami, Miki Jinbo, Ai Matubara, Kumiko Oba, Mieko Sato, Eriko Tanaka, Masayo Miyako, Yoko Minamida, Kiyohiko Ozaki, Saho Sasazawa Running Time: 88 min. By Martin Sandison Ten years ago my knowledge of Japanese cult cinema was lacking to say the least. Then the best cinema in Scotland, The Filmhouse, put on a season where I caught 11 movies in two weeks. The titles I watched … Continue reading

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Until Death (2007) Review

"Until Death" Japanese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Detective Director: Simon Fellows Cast: Jean-Claude Van Damme, Gary Beadle, Stephen Rea, Mark Dymond, Selina Giles, Rachel O’Meara, William Ash, Stephen Lord, Wes Robinson Running Time: 101 min. By Kyle Warner In the decade since Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans, the American film industry has found a second home in the city. After (and in some cases before) cleanup crews made the city pristine again, new tax credits brought … Continue reading

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Keeper of Darkness (2015) Review

"Keeper of Darkness" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Nick Cheung Writer: Yeung Sin-ling Cast: Nick Cheung, Amber Kuo, Louis Cheung, Sisley Choi, Xing Yu, Philip Keung, Karena Lam Running Time: 103 min. By Paul Bramhall Nick Cheung has been a presence within the Hong Kong movie industry for over 25 years, but it’s his recent collaborations with director Dante Lam that really brought him to the fore. With scene stealing turns in Beast Stalker, Stool Pigeon, Unbeatable, … Continue reading

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Midnight After, The (2014) Review

The Midnight After | DVD (Well Go USA)

Director: Fruit Chan Cast: Wong You Nam, Janice Man Wing San, Kara Hui Ying Hung, Simon Yam, Sam Lee, Chui Tien You, Lam Suet, Vincci Cheuk Wan Chi, Fiona Sit Hoi Kei Running Time: 124 min. By Kelly Warner I haven’t seen a whole lot of director Fruit Chan’s work, but I’ve seen enough to know that the man doesn’t pull punches and is fully capable of shocking an entire audience full of people. … Continue reading

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Inside Men: The Original (2015) Review

"Inside Men: The Original" Theatrical Poster

Director: Woo Min-Ho Cast: Lee Byung-Hun, Cho Seung-Woo, Baek Yoon-Sik, Lee Kyoung-Young, Kim Hong-Fa, Jo Jae-Yun, Bae Sung-Woo, Kim Dae-Myung, Jo Woo-Jin, Yoo Jae-Myung Running Time: 180 min. By Paul Bramhall Based on a web-comic by Yoon Tae-ho, who was also responsible for the web-comic behind the excellent Moss, when Inside Men hit Korean cinema screens in 2015, its tale of political corruption strongly resonated with audiences, making it one … Continue reading

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Swift Knight, The (1971) Review

"The Swift Knight" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Jeong Chang Hwa Producer: Runme Shaw Cast: Lo Lieh, Yau Lung, Chan Shen, Wong Hap, Margaret Hsing Hui, Chin Han, Fang Mien, Chai No, Tung Lam, Wong Chung Shun, Fan Mei Sheng, Hsu Yu, Mama Hung, Lau Kar Wing, Lee Pang Fei, Ou-Yang Sha Fei, Shum Lo Running Time: 81 min. By Matthew Le-feuvre Up to his much lamented death in 2002 from heart failure, former stalwart, international cult … Continue reading

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Redemption | aka Hummingbird (2013) Review

"Redemption" Japanese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Hummingbird Director: Steven Knight Cast: Jason Statham, Agata Buzek, Vicky McClure, Benedict Wong, Ger Ryan, Youssef Kerkour, Anthony Morris, Victoria Bewick, Danny Webb, Sang Lui Running Time: 100 min. By Zach Nix British actor Jason Statham is mainly recognized as an action star in cinematic circles due to his appearances in such action franchises as the Transporter series, the Crank series, The Expendables series, and even standalone films like … Continue reading

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Murder Unincorporated (1965) Review

Director: Haruyasu Noguchi Cast: Jo Shishido, Yoko Yamamoto, Kon Omura, Yumiko Nogawa, Eiji Go, Daizaburo Hirata, Hiroshi Cho, E.H. Eric, Kanbi Fujiyama, Tonpei Hidari, Hiroshi Hijikata Running Time: 85 min. By Kyle Warner Before the Nikkatsu logo even hits the screen, one of Murder Unincorporated’s characters directly addresses the audience. “Hey, you!” he shouts with a snarl. “If you don’t laugh when you see this movie, I’m going to execute you!” … Continue reading

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Mozu: The Movie (2015) Review

Director: Eiichiro Hasumi Writer: Go Osaka, Kosuke Nishi Producer: Mamoru Inoue, Akira Morii Cast: Hidetoshi Nishijima, Takeshi Kitano, Teruyuki Kagawa, Yoko Maki, Yusuke Iseya, Tori Matsuzaka, Hiroki Hasegawa, Fumiyo Kohinata, Sosuke Ikematsu, Atsushi Ito Running Time: 116 min. By Paul Bramhall Takeshi ‘Beat’ Kitano is easily one of the most recognizable faces in Japanese cinema, directing a number of movies that are rightfully considered masterpieces. When he acts, it’s usually … Continue reading

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Danger Pays (1962) Review

AKA: Danger Paws Director: Ko Nakahira Cast: Joe Shishido, Ruriko Asaoka, Hiroyuki Nagato, Arihiro Fujimura, Eiji Go, Bokuzen Hidari, Kojiro Kusanagi, Torahiko Hamada, Daizaburo Hirata, Toyoko Takechi, Zenji Yamada Running Time: 82 min. By Kyle Warner Danger Pays is an odd little movie. It shifts from wacky comedy to violent action at the drop of a hat. You wouldn’t know it at first, but the opening credits theme song is … Continue reading

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Blood Child | aka Five Fingers of Steel (1982) Review

"Blood Child" DVD Cover

AKA: 5 Fingers of Steel Director: Vincent Leung Cast: Hwang Jang Lee, Yen Shi Kwan, Kwan Yung Moon, Lee Yi Yi, Yuen Mao, Chu Tiet Wo, Chan Lau Running Time: 87 min. By Paul Bramhall While Blood Child without doubt belongs in the category of being an old-school kung fu movie, there’s also a few elements to it that undeniably set it apart from being just another cookie cutter fight … Continue reading

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Stranger from Shaolin | aka Fist of Flying Tiger (1977) Review

"Stranger from Shaolin" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Wing Chun Warriors Director: Tony Liu Jun Guk Cast: Cecilia Wong Hang Sau, Sun Jung Chi, Thompson Kao Kang, Bruce Lai (Chang Il-do), Tony Liu Jun Guk, Chan Lau, Lee Ye Min, Wong Kwok Leung, Bruce Cheung Mong, Baak Wong Gei, Kwon Il-Soo, Baek Hwang-Ki Running Time: 94 min. By Matija Makotoichi Tomic The name Tony Liu Jun Guk should be well known and celebrated among the fans of kung … Continue reading

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Tokyo Mighty Guy (1960) Review

"Tokyo Mighty Guy" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Buichi Saito Cast: Akira Kobayashi, Ruriko Asaoka, Sanae Nakahara, Arihiro Fujimura, Hiroshi Kondo, Shoichi Ozawa, Toranosuke Ogawa, Shin Morikawa, Hisao Toake, Masao Mishima, Kyosuke Aihara, Yoko Kosono, Fudeko Tanaka Running Time: 79 min. By Kelly Warner I don’t know about you, but when I think about Nikkatsu, I immediately think of their action movies (if your first thought is of Nikkatsu’s Roman Pornos, then you and I have very different … Continue reading

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El Gringo (2012) Review

"El Gringo" Japanese DVD Cover

AKA: Bad Yankee Director: Eduardo Rodriguez Writer: Jonathan W. Stokes Cast: Scott Adkins, Yvette Yates, Christian Slater, Israel Islas, Erando Gonzalez, Sofia Sisniega Running Time: 102 min. By Zack Nix British martial arts action star Scott Adkins is the saving grace of modern direct to video and low budget action. After breaking out onto the scene with Isaac Florentine’s Special Forces, which finally gave him the screen time necessary to … Continue reading

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Ghost Warrior | aka Swordkill (1984) Review

"Ghost Warrior" Theatrical Poster

AKA: Swordkill Director: J. Larry Carroll Cast: Hiroshi Fujioka, John Calvin, Janet Julian, Charles Lampkin, Frank Schuller, Bill Morey, Andy Wood, Robert Kino, Joan Foley, Peter Liapis, Mieko Kobayashi, Toshishiro Obata Running Time: 81 min. By Kelly Warner One of Ghost Warrior’s poster taglines was, ‘100 Years Ago, He Was a Living Legend… Today, He’s a Living Hell.’ You can almost hear the trailer voice guy reading that, can’t you? … Continue reading

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