Category Archives: Reviews

Assassination (2015) Review

"Assassination" Korean Theatrical Poster

Director: Choi Dong-hun Cast: Jeon Ji-hyeon, Lee Jung-Jae, Ha Jung-Woo, Cho Jin-Woong, Choi Duk-Moon, Oh Dal-Su, Heo Ji-Won, Lee Kyoung-Young, Kim Eui-Sung, Park Byung-Eun Running Time: 139 min. By Paul Bramhall Director Choi Dong-hoon has built up an impressive resume since he burst onto the scene with the heist thriller The Big Swindle in 2003. With each successive movie, both the budget and the stakes have increased, with his last … Continue reading

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Z Storm (2014) Review

"Z Storm" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: David Lam Cast: Louis Koo, Gordon Lam, Lo Hoi Pang, Liu Kai Chi, Michael Wong, Dada Chan Ching, Janelle Sing Kwan, Patrick Keung, Felix Lok Ying Kwan Running Time: 92 min. By Kelly Warner Slowly Hong Kong cinema seems to be making a comeback. Our favorite directors and stars keep giving us reasons to hope so, anyway. 2014’s Z Storm has the gloss and star power to inspire more confidence … Continue reading

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Dragon’s Snake Fist, The (1981) Review

"The Dragon's Snake Fist" Theatrical Poster

AKA: Iron Head Director: Kim Si Hyeon Cast: Dragon Lee (Mun Kyong-sok), Yuen Qiu, Chui Man Fooi, Gam Kei Chu, Bruce Lai, Kim Young Suk, Seo Jeong-Ah, Moon Jeong Kum, Gam Gei-Fan Running Time: 83 min. By Martin Sandison In the barren wasteland of UK DVD releases of classic kung fu films, one company has taken it upon themselves to be a beacon of light. The company called Terracotta has … Continue reading

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Stray Cat Rock: Machine Animal (1970) Review

AKA: Alleycat Rock: Machine Animal Director: Yasuharu Hasebe Writer: Ryuzo Nakanishi Producer: Masami Kuzu Cast: Meiko Kaji, Tatsuya Fuji, Bunjaku Han, Jiro Okazaki, Toshiya Yamano, Eiji Go, Yasuhiro Kameyama By Kyle Warner The Stray Cat Rock series continues with the fourth entry, Machine Animal. Like the films that came before it, Machine Animal was a quick production, filmed over just two weeks and released a little over two months after … Continue reading

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Monk’s Fight (1979) Review

Director: Yu Kong Writer: Yu Kong Producer: Kam Yuen Bo Cast: Lee Wing, Pearl Chang Ling, Casanova Wong, Choi Wang, Tien Feng, Chan Wai Lau, Chu Tiet Wo, Ho Pak Kwong, Ling Yun, Ching Ching, Chuen Yuen, Tung Li Running Time: 89 min. By Paul Bramhall Sporting one of the most generic titles you can come across in the vast landscape of kung fu movies, this 1979 production from Taiwan … Continue reading

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Magnificent Wonderman from Shaolin (1979) Review

"Magnificent Wonderman from Shaolin" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Golden Gate Director: Kim Seon-gyeong Cast: Casanova Wong (aka Ka Sat Fat), Eagle Han Ying, Gam Ching Lan, Elton Chong (aka Jeong Jin Hwa), Hyeon Kil-Su, Martin Chui Man-Fooi, Austin Wai Running Time: 91 min. By Paul Bramhall Magnificent Wonderman from Shaolin is a sure contender for having one of the greatest kung fu movie titles, and there’s plenty of competition out there. However as grand a title as … Continue reading

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Police Story 2013 | aka Police Story: Lockdown (2013) Review

"Police Story: Lockdown" Theatrical Poster

AKA: Police Story 6 Director: Ding Sheng Cast: Jackie Chan, Lau Yip, Sally Jing Tian, Huang Bo, Yu Rong-Guang, Wang Zhi Fei, Wu Yue, Andy Long Nguyen, Zhang Xiaoning, Ding Sheng, Bruce Law Running Time: 108 min. By Kelly Warner Jackie Chan’s changed. Off-screen his fervent nationalism has had the effect of alienating and upsetting some fans both at home and abroad. On-screen, the actor has had to come to … Continue reading

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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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