Category Archives: Reviews

Vengeance of an Assassin (2014) Review

"Vengeance of an Assassin" Theatrical Poster

Director: Panna Rittikrai Writer: Wichit Wattananont Cast: Changprung Chupong, Nantawooti Boonrapsap, Ping Lumprapleng, Ooi Teik Huat Running Time: 99 min By oneleaf Natee (Changprung Chupong) and Than (Nantawooti Boornrapsap) are orphans raised by their parent’s friend (Ping Lumprapleng). Never knowing their parents or how they died, the two boys had always wondered who was responsible for their murder. The pursuit of vengeance is the centerpiece of Vengeance of an Assassin, … Continue reading

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White Haired Witch of Lunar Kingdom, The (2014) Review

The White Haired Witch of Lunar Kingdom | Blu-ray & DVD (Well Go USA)

AKA: The White Haired Witch Director: Jacob Cheung Cast: Fan Bing Bing, Huang Xiao Ming, Vincent Chiu, Shera Li Xin Ru, Wang Xuebing, Du Yiheng, Nicholas Tse, Yin Zhusheng, Wang De-Shun, Dong Zi-Wu Running Time: 103 min. By Kyle Warner Liang Yusheng’s popular wuxia novel Baifa Monu Zhuan has been adapted for television and film multiple times since its debut in the 1950s. The adaptation you’re most likely familiar with … Continue reading

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Girl at My Door, A (2014) Review

"A Girl at My Door" Korean Theatrical Poster

Director: Jeong Joo-ri Producer: Lee Jun-Dong Cast: Bae Doo-Na, Kim Sae-Ron, Song Sae-Byuk, Kim Jin-Gu, Son Jong-Hak, Na Jong-Min Running Time: 119 min. By Paul Bramhall Korea has arguably been producing the best movies to come out of Asia for the last 15 years, however one criticism of the industry has always been the lack of lead roles for women, outside of romantic comedies and flower vase roles in male … Continue reading

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Killer Constable | aka Lightning Kung Fu (1980) Review

"Killer Constable" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Karate Exterminators Director: Kuei Chih-Hung Cast: Chen Kuan Tai, Gam Biu, Ha Ping, Keung Hon, Kong Do, Ku Feng, Kwan Yung Moon, Lam Wai, Lee Chun Hwa, Jason Pai Piao, Walter Tso, Dick Wei, Yuen Wah Running Time: 92 min. By Matthew Le-feuvre Released in the closing years of the Shaw Brothers reign, Kuen Chia Hung’s arresting socio-politically charged actioner confidently reintroduced the interesting, if not debatable, abstraction of … Continue reading

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Bushido Man: Seven Deadly Battles (2013) Review

"Bushido Man" International DVD Cover

Director: Takanori Tsujimoto Writer: Takanori Tsujimoto Cast: Mitsuki Koga, Yoshiyuki Yamaguchi, Masanori Mimoto, Kentaro Shimazu, Kazuki Tsujimoto, Ema, Kensuke Sonomura, Masaki Suzumura, Naohiro Kawamoto, Marc Walkow, Yasutaka Yuuki, Takashi Tanimoto Running Time: 88 min. By Kelly Warner Bushido Man: Seven Deadly Battles kind of surprised me. I wasn’t expecting much from the film — the average ratings are weak, the title is silly, and the plot description is somewhat generic. … Continue reading

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Ace Attorney (2012) Review

"Ace Attorney" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Takashi Miike Cast: Hiroki Narimiya, Takumi Saito, Mirei Kiritani, Akiyoshi Nakao, Shunsuke Daito, Akira Emoto, Rei Dan, Mitsuki Tanimura, Takehiro Hira, Eisuke Sasai Running Time: 135 min. By Paul Bramhall Anyone with even a passing interest in Asian cinema will most likely be familiar with the name of director Takashi Miike. From the early-90’s, all the way up to the mid-2000’s, Miike was responsible for some of the most … Continue reading

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Rise of the Legend (2014) Review

"Rise of the Legend" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Roy Chow Writer: Christine To Cast: Eddie Peng, May Wang, Tony Leung Ka Fai, Sammo Hung, Jing Boran, Wong Cho Lam, Simon Yam, Max Zhang Jin, AngelaBaby, Feng Jia Yi, Byron Mann Running Time: 131 min. By oneleaf 19th Century China was a time of turmoil. The majority of the populace suffered from extreme poverty and Western imperialist pressure was slowly rearing its ugly head in major cities all … Continue reading

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Buddha’s Palm and Dragon Fist | aka Roving Heroes (1980) Review

"Buddha’s Palm and Dragon Fist" DVD Cover

AKA: Roving Heroes Director: Got Si Ho Cast: Chi Kuan Chun, Lee I Min, Suen Shu Pau, Wong Chi Sang, Eva Lin Yi Wa, Ma Cheung, Ma Chin Ku, Shih Ting Ken, Ching Kuo Chung, Chiu Chung Hing Running Time:85 min. By Martin Sandison By the mid to late 70’s Taiwanese made kung fu films were exploding, with movies such as The Hot, The Cool and the Vicious leading the … Continue reading

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Colt is My Passport, A (1967) Review

Director: Takashi Nomura Cast: Jo Shishido, Chitose Kobayashi, Jerry Fujio, Akiyoshi Fukae, Zenji Yamada, Hideaki Esumi, Jun Hongo, Akio Miyabe, Toyoko Takechi, Kojiro Kusanagi, Ryotaro Sugi, Takamaru Sasaki, Asao Uchida, Zeko Nakamura Running Time: 84 min. By Kelly Warner In the 1960s, the Japanese studio Nikkatsu was cranking out action films at a rapid pace. They were often made fast and cheap, but they were also wildly inventive, and gave … Continue reading

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City War (1988) Review

"City War" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Sun Chung Cast: Chow Yun Fat, Ti Lung, Norman Chu, Tien Niu, Lee Ka Ting, Lo Lieh, Teresa Carpio, Michael Chow, Ricky Yi, Mary Hon Lut Lee, John Ladalski, Robin Shou Running Time: 92 min. By HKFanatic City War will likely always hold a fascination for Hong Kong movie buffs, as it’s a vintage heroic bloodshed films featuring the fan favorite pairing of Chow Yun Fat and Ti Lung, … Continue reading

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Hungry Ghost Ritual (2014) Review

"Hungry Ghost Ritual" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: The Ghost Festival Director: Nick Cheung Cast: Nick Cheung Ka Fai, Annie Liu, Carrie Ng Ka-Lai, Cathryn Lee, Lin Wei, Eric Chen Running Time: 82 min. By oneleaf One of the most recognized names in Hong Kong cinema today is Nick Cheung (That Demon Within), an award winning actor with a chameleon-like ability that’s applied to any role thrown at him. It’s not surprising that one day Cheung would … Continue reading

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Graveyard of Honor (2002) Review

"Graveyard of Honor" DVD Cover

AKA: New Graveyard of Honor Director: Takashi Miike Cast: Narumi Arimori, Yoshiyuki Daichi, Hirotaro Honda, Harumi Inoue, Renji Ishibashi, Goro Kishitani, Takashi Miike, Ryosuke Miki, Yasukaze Motomiya, Mikio Osawa, Daisuke Ryu, Harumi Sone, Shun Sugata Running Time: 131 min. By HKFanatic “A Yakuza without honor isn’t worth sh*t.” So says a Yakuza Godfather towards the end of Graveyard of Honor, and the entire movie puts this notion to the test … Continue reading

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Genghis Khan: To the Ends of the Earth and Sea (2007) Review

"Genghis Khan: To the Ends of the Earth and Sea" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Shinichiro Sawai Cast: Takashi Sorimachi, Rei Kikukawa, Mayumi Wakamura, Ken’ichi Matsuyama, Yoshihiko Hakamada, Eugene Nomura, Go Ara, Takahiro Araki, Kachiwo Endo, Yusuke Hirayama, Naoki Hosaka, Sosuke Ikematsu Running Time: 136 min. By Kelly Warner Thirty minutes into Genghis Khan: To the Ends of the Earth and Sea I came to realize that I was not watching a historical epic. Instead, this movie is a biopic about a man who … Continue reading

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Slaughter in Xian (1989) Review

"Slaughter in Xian" Chinese Poster

AKA: Xian Massacre Director: Chang Cheh Cast: Tung Chi Hwa, Cecilia Wong Hang Sau, Du Yu Ming, Jia Kang Xi, Ku Wing Chuen, Wong Heung Wai Running Time: 100 min. By Paul Bramhall Director Chang Cheh is commonly referred to as ‘the Godfather of Hong Kong action cinema’, and it’s a title well deserved. In 1967 he cast Jimmy Wang Yu in The-One Armed Swordsman at a time when most … Continue reading

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Killers (2014) Review

"Killers" Theatrical Poster

Director: The Mo Brothers Cast: Kazuki Kitamura, Oka Antara, Rin Takanashi, Luna Maya, Ray Sahetapy, Ersya Aurelia, Epy Kusnandar, Mei Kurokawa, Denden, Motoki Fukami Running Time: 137 min. By HKFanatic Killers generated a great deal of buzz as soon as it was announced. Not only does the movie represent the first time the Indonesian and Japanese film industries have collaborated on a thriller, but movie also boasts a co-production credit from Gareth … Continue reading

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