Category Archives: Reviews

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny (2016) Review

"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Yuen Woo-ping Cast: Donnie Yen, Michelle Yeoh, Harry Shum, Jr., Jason Scott Lee, Roger Yuan, Woon Young Park, Eugenia Yuan, Ju Ju Chan, Natasha Liu Bordizzo, Veronica Ngo Running Time: 103 min. By Kelly Warner Considering the popularity and critical acclaim of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, a sequel probably seemed like a no-brainer. Well, it took 15 years and the evolution of a streaming service into a production company … Continue reading

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Edge of Darkness (2010) Review

"Edge of Darkness" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Martin Campbell Cast: Mel Gibson, Ray Winstone, Danny Huston, Bojana Novakovic, Shawn Roberts, Jay O. Sanders, Caterina Scorsone, Gbenga Akinnagbe, Denis O’Hare, Damian Young, David Aaron Baker, Caterina Scorsone, Frank Grillo, Wayne Duvall, Wayne Duvall, Gabrielle Popa, Paul Sparks Running Time: 117 min. By Zach Nix Martin Campbell is one of cinema’s underrated directors. Although he has only directed a small batch of films over the course of several … Continue reading

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Unlucky Stars (2015) Review

"Unlucky Stars" Theatrical Poster

Director: Dennis Ruel Writer: Dennis Ruel Cast: Dennis Ruel, Ken Quitugua, Sari Sabella, Vlad Rimburg, Jose Montesinos, Steven Yu, Giovannie Espiritu, Sam Hargrave, Emmanuel Manzanares, Roy Chen, Shawn Bernal, George Crayton, Ed Kahana, Troy Carbonel Running Time: 100 min. By Paul Bramhall The journey of Unlucky Stars, from when it began filming in 2010, to its eventual release on VOD in 2016, is indicative of just how much effort it … Continue reading

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From Vegas to Macau III (2016) Review

"From Vegas to Macau 3" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Andrew Lau Co-director: Wong Jing Co-director: Billy Chung Cast: Chow Yun-fat, Andy Lau, Nick Cheung, Li Yuchun, Jacky Cheung, Carina Lau, Charles Heung, Shawn Yue, Psy, Angela Wang, Jacky Heung, Michelle Hu, David Chiang, Law Kar-ying, Kimmy Tong, Yuen Qiu, Elena Kong Running Time: 112 min. By Martin Sandison The first two movies in the From Vegas to Macau trilogy were a revelation for Hong Kong cinema fans: immensely … Continue reading

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Golden Dragon, Silver Snake (1980) Review

"Golden Dragon, Silver Snake" Korean Theatrical Poster

AKA: A Fight at Hong Kong Ranch Director: Kim Si-hyun, Co-director: Godfrey Ho Cast: Johnny Chan (Wang Dae-wi), Dragon Lee (Mun Kyong-sok), Kong Do, Baak Wong Gei, Chui Man Fooi, Lee Ye Min, Bruce Lai (Chang Il-do), Gam Kei Chu, Cheung Lik, Samuel Walls, Lee Ju-hyeon, Hong Sung-young Running Time: 84 min. By Paul Bramhall Sometimes a kung fu movie will sound great on paper, but somehow turn out to … Continue reading

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Jian Bing Man (2015) Review

AKA: Pancake Man Director: Da Peng Cast: Da Peng, Mabel Yuan, Liu Yan, Sandra Ng, Eric Tsang, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Yue Yunpeng, Yi Yunhe, Liang Chao, Pan Binlong, Cui Zhijia, Qiao Shan, Deng Chao, Amber Kuo, Song Xiaobao, Liu Xiaoguang Running Time: 113 min. By Paul Bramhall A Chinese comedy that features Jean-Claude Van Damme sounds like an unlikely combination, but that’s exactly what Jian Bing Man gives us. Much … Continue reading

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Red Pier | aka Red Quay (1958) Review

AKA: Red Quay Director: Toshio Masuda Writer: Ichiro Ikeda, Toshio Masuda Cast: Yujiro Ishihara, Mie Kitahara, Masumi Okada, Sanae Nakahara, Shiro Osaka, Hiroshi Hijikata, Hideaki Nitani Running Time: 100 min. By Kyle Warner Dock worker Sugitaya steps off a boat to meet a man at the harbor. A crane swings low, crushes Sugitaya. Yujiro Ishihara’s gangster Jiro watches on, unimpressed. “Nasty way to go,” Jiro says. “Why can’t they be … Continue reading

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Challenger, The (1979) Review

AKA: Deadly Challenger Director: Eric Tsang Producer: Lo Wei Cast: David Chiang, Norman Chu, Lily Li Li Li, Philip Ko Fei, Eric Tsang, Huang Ha, Peter Chan Lung, Mars, Tai Bo, Alan Chan, Benny Lai, Chan Dik Hak, Chan Siu Gai Running Time: 87 min. By Matthew Le-feuvre When Hong Kong stalwart and one-time international star, David Chiang (Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires) re-negotiated his contract with the venerated … Continue reading

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Boxer from the Temple, The (1979) Review

"The Boxer from the Temple" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: John Lo Mar Cast: Ng Yuen Jun, Kwan Feng, Wong Mei Mei, Lau Fong Sai, Wang Sha, Lam Fai Wong, Lau Hok Nin, Keung Hon, Cheng Miu, Chiang Cheng, Baan Yun Sang, Chan Fai Kei, Cheung Hei, Chin Siu Ho, Chow Gam Kong, Chui Fat Running Time: 92 min. By Martin Sandison Being the two main choreographers of the classic Shaw Brothers output, Lau Kar Leung and Tang Chia’s … Continue reading

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One Million K(l)icks (2014) Review

"One Million Klicks" Theatrical Poster

AKA: One Million Klicks Director: Alex “The Z” Padrutt Cast: Mike Moeller, Martin Baden, Bartholomaeus Kowalski, Volkram Zschiesche, Sabine Steinbach, Li Yan-Long, Michael Bornhütter, Phong Giang Running Time: 98 min. By Paul Bramhall I have a confession, and it’s likely one that won’t be very popular. I’m not a fan of the many indie martial arts movies and shorts that crop up with an increasing frequency. Yes, I get it, … Continue reading

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Pray for Death (1985) Review

"Pray for Death" Theatrical Poster

Director: Gordon Hessler Writer: James Booth Cast: Sho Kosugi, Norman Burton, James Booth, Kane Kosugi, Shane Kosugi, Donna Kei Benz, Michael Constantine, Matthew Faison, Parley Baer, Robert Ito Running Time: 92 min. By Zach Nix Japanese martial arts actor Sho Kosugi is well known for starring and appearing in several action films of the 1980s that popularized the notion of the ‘ninja’ in American cinema and culture. After taking part in … Continue reading

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Piper, The (2015) Review

"The Piper" Korean Theatrical Poster

Director: Kim Gwang-tae Cast: Ryu Seung-ryong, Lee Sung-min, Chun Woo-hee, Lee Joon, Goo Seung-hyun, Jeong Kyeong-ho, Kim Jeong-yeong, Park Yoon-seok, Yoon Dae-yeol Running Time: 119 min. By Paul Bramhall The horror movie is an annual staple of commercial Korean cinema, as every summer the multiplexes become filled with largely uninspired and quickly forgotten tales of vengeful spirits and the like. 2015 however was a surprisingly good year for the horror … Continue reading

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Zombie Fight Club (2014) Review

Original "Zombie Fight Club" Artwork by Kung Fu Bob

AKA: Z.F.C. Director: Joe Chien Cast: Andy On, Jessica Cambensy, Jack Kao Jie, Philip Ng, Michael Wong, Terence Yin, Derek Tsang Kwok Cheung, Abby Feng, Gu Bao Ming Running Time: 95 min. By Paul Bramhall At the end of my review for Joe Chien’s 2012 production Zombie 108, I was so appalled at what was proudly billed as China’s first zombie movie that I wrote “if it’s Chien who’s going to … Continue reading

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Dragon Blade (2015) Review

"Dragon Blade" Japanese DVD Cover

Director: Daniel Lee Cast: Jackie Chan, John Cusack, Adrien Brody, Lin Peng, Mika Wang, Choi Siwon, Xiao Yang, Wang Taili, Sammy Hung, Yoo Seung-jun, Karena Lam, Li Shao-Ting Running Time: 103/127 min. By Kelly Warner The casting lineup of Jackie Chan, John Cusack, and Adrien Brody for a historical action movie sounds downright crazy – and also, I must admit, rather intriguing. Just ten years ago a movie headlined by … Continue reading

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Voice Without a Shadow (1958) Review

"Nikkatsu Diamond Guys Vol. 1" Blu-ray Cover

Director: Seijun Suzuki Cast: Hideaki Nitani, Yoko Minamida, Jo Shishido, Shinsuke Ashida, Kotoe Hatsui, Taketoshi Naito, Keisuke Noro, Toshio Takahara, Kaku Takashina, Kenjiro Uemura Runnning Time: 92 min. By Kelly Warner In the old days, a film studio would have its contract actors who appeared in multiple releases each year and there was very little cross-pollination of actors working on films for other studios. Of course the bigger stars headlined … Continue reading

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