Category Archives: Reviews

Zhong Kui: Snow Girl and the Dark Crystal (2015) Review

Snow Girl and the Dark Crystal | Blu-ray & DVD (Well Go USA)

Director: Peter Pau Co-director: Zhao Tianyu Cast: Chen Kun, Li Bing Bing, Winston Chao, Bao Bei Er, Jike Junyi, Yang Zishan, Huan Huang, Wenbo Luo, Yidi Hou, Madina Memet, Zhiyi Ren, Peter Pau, Yam Giu Running Time: 118 min. By Kelly Warner There was a time, not long ago, when people would flock to the theatre to see a movie because of its special effects. CGI has forever changed our … Continue reading

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Hand of Death | aka Countdown in Kung Fu (1976) Review

"Hand of Death" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Shaolin Men Director: John Woo Cast: Dorian Tan, James Tien, Jackie Chan, Yeung Wai, Sammo Hung, Gam Kei Chu, John Woo, Ko Keung, Polly Shang-Kwan, Chu Ching, Wilson Tong, Yuen Wah, Chan Feng Chen, Chiu Chun, Lin Ke Ming, Yuen Biao Running Time: 92 min. By Zach Nix The Hand of Death (aka Countdown in Kung Fu) is an early John Woo film from his formative years as a … Continue reading

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Asia-Pol | aka Asiapol Secret Service (1967) Review

AKA: Asiapol Director: Ma Chi Ho Writer: Gan Yamazaki Producer: Kenzo Asada, Run Run Shaw Cast: Jimmy Wang Yu, Ryoriko Asaoka, Wong Hap, Cheung Pooi Saan, Yuen Sam, Jo Shishido, Takashina Kaku, Chan Sing, Gam Tin Chue Running Time: 97 min. By Matthew Le-feuvre When Sean Connery announced of his unexpected departure from the James Bond franchise in early ’67, and that You Only Live Twice would be his final … Continue reading

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SPL II: A Time for Consequences | aka Kill Zone 2 (2015) Review

"SPL II: A Time for Consequences" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Sha Po Lang 2, Kill Zone 2 Director: Soi Cheang Pou Soi Cast: Tony Jaa, Wu Jing, Louis Koo Tin-lok, Simon Yam Tat Wah, Max Zhang Jin, Ken Lo Hui Kwong, Dominic Lam Ka-wah, Baby John Choi Hon Yik, Ai Wai Running Time: 120 min. By Paul Bramhall It’s been 10 years since the original Sha Po Lang was released in 2005. Released at a time when many of … Continue reading

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Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015) Review

"Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Christopher McQuarrie Writer: Christopher McQuarrie Cast: Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, Ving Rhames, Sean Harris, Alec Baldwin, Zhang Jing Chu, Simon McBurney, Tom Hollander Running Time: 131 min. By Paul Bramhall It’s been almost 20 years since Tom Cruise remade the Mission: Impossible TV series into his own one man show, with Brian De Palma’s 1996 production of the same name. Perhaps no less significantly, 2015 … Continue reading

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Redeemer (2014) Review

"Redeemer" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Ernesto Díaz Espinoza Cast: Marko Zaror, Noah Segan, Loreto Aravena, Otilio Castro, Smirnow Boris, José Luís Mósca, Nuñez Nelson, Mauricio Raab Sanz, Pablo Raab Sanz Running Time: 90 min. By Martin Sandison For my money, the end fight in Undisputed 3 – one of the best martial arts flicks of recent years, which pits Scott Adkins’ iconic Boyka against Marko Zaror’s extravagant villain Dolor – is one of the … Continue reading

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Wild City (2015) Review

Wild City | Blu-ray & DVD (Well Go USA)

AKA: Hustle Director: Ringo Lam Cast: Louis Koo, Shawn Yue Man-lok, Joseph Chang, Tong Liya, Jack Kao, Sam Lee, Philip Ng, Dave Wong, Simon Yam, Phillip Keung, Alex Lam, Ken Law Running Time: 100 min. By Paul Bramhall Not taking into consideration the segment he directed for 2007’s Triangle, it’s been 12 long years since Ringo Lam directed a Hong Kong movie. Look to when he last directed one of … Continue reading

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Sifu vs. Vampire (2014) Review

Director: Daniel Chan Yee Hang Writer: Wong Jing Producer: Wong Jing Cast: Yuen Biao, Ronald Cheng, Michelle Hu Ran, Philip Ng, Kelvin Kwan Cho Yiu, Jiang Lu Xia, Tony Ho Wah Chiu, Winnie Leung, Ricky Yi Faan Wai, Patrick Keung Hiu Man Running Time: 95 min. By Paul Bramhall It’s a sad reflection of audiences expectations from Hong Kong cinema when news of a new hopping vampire (or geung si … Continue reading

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Stray Cat Rock: Sex Hunter (1970) Review

AKA: Alleycat Rock: Sex Hunter Director: Yasuharu Hasebe Producer: Masayuki Takagi Cast: Meiko Kaji, Rikiya Yasuoka, Tatsuya Fuji, Jiro Okazaki, Yuki Arikawa, Tomoko Aki, Yoko Takagi, Akemi Nara Running Time: 93 min. By Kyle Warner I first saw Stray Cat Rock: Sex Hunter almost a decade ago. At the time, I was totally unaware that it belonged to a series of films (Part 3 of 5, in fact). When I … Continue reading

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Eternal Fist | aka Fist of Steel (1992) Review

"Eternal Fist" Theatrical Poster

AKA: Death Zone Director: Teddy Chiu (aka Irvin Johnson) Producer: Andy Andico, Vivian Andico Cast: Dale ‘Apollo’ Cook, Don Nakaya Neilsen, Cynthia Khan, Alina Borkowski, Greg Douglas Running Time: 97 min By Paul Bramhall In 1989 a movie by the name of Cyborg unleashed a certain Belgian thespian upon the world in the form of Jean Claude Van Damme. The story, which took place in a dark post apocalyptic world … Continue reading

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Furious (1984) Review

"Furious" VHS Cover

Director: Tim Everitt Co-director: Tom Sartori Cast: Simon Rhee, Phillip Rhee, Arlene Montano, Howard Jackson, Loren Avedon, Mika Elkan Running Time: 73 min. By Jeff Bona In the 80s, walking into a video rental store’s martial arts section was like waiting in line for a rollercoaster: The anticipation was just as exciting as the ride itself. The movie that was finally decided on was always hit or miss, but it … Continue reading

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Stray Cat Rock: Wild Jumbo (1970) Review

AKA: Alleycat Rock: Wild Jumbo Director: Toshiya Fujita Producer: Toshiya Fujita, Shuichi Nagahara Cast: Meiko Kaji, Bunjaku Han, Takeo Chii, Tatsuya Fuji, Yusuke Natsu, Soichiro Maeno, Akiko Wada Running Time: 94 min. By Kyle Warner After the success of Stray Cat Rock: Delinquent Girl Boss, a follow-up film was rushed into production and released just three months later. Stray Cat Rock: Wild Jumbo is a messier, cheaper looking film than … Continue reading

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Black Coal, Thin Ice (2014) Review

"Black Coal, Thin Ice" International Theatrical Poster

Director: Diao Yinan Cast: Liao Fan, Gwei Lun-Mei, Wang Xuebing, Wang Jingchun, Yu Ailei, Ni Jingyang Running Time: 106 min. By Paul Bramhall While the last decade has seen China become an important market in the film industry, the countries own output has had less success reaching beyond its own shores. Unlike the Hong Kong movies of yesteryear, which gained a dedicated following in the West thanks to their raucous … Continue reading

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From Vegas to Macau II (2015) Review

"From Vegas to Macau II" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: The Man from Macau II Director: Wong Jing Co-director: Aman Chang Cast: Chow Yun-fat, Nick Cheung, Carina Lau, Shawn Yue, Angela Wang, Michelle Hu, David Chiang, Kimmy Tong, Philip Keung, Wu Yue, Jin Qiaoqiao, Kenny Wong, Derek Tsang, Connie Man, Rebecca Zhu Running Time: 110 min. By Paul Bramhall The 2014 Lunar New Year movie From Vegas to Macau was far from perfect. It featured a droll performance by … Continue reading

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Monk Comes Down the Mountain (2015) Review

"Monk Comes Down the Mountain" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: The Monk Director: Chen Kaige Cast: Wang Bao Qiang, Aaron Kwok, Chang Chen, Lin Chi-ling, Fan Wei, Yuen Wah, Vanness Wu, Wang Xueqi, Danny Chan, Lam Suet, Dong Qi, Tiger Hu Chen Running Time: 123 min. By Paul Bramhall Up until recently Shaolin trained actor Wang Bao Qiang’s choice of roles did little to show off his physical talents, from his debut in the 2003 drama Blind Shaft, to … Continue reading

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