Category Archives: Reviews

From Vegas to Macau III (2016) Review

February 22, 2016 Martin Sandison
"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

February 19, 2016 Paul Bramhall
"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

February 16, 2016 Paul Bramhall

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

February 12, 2016 Kelly Warner

AKA: Red Quay Director: Toshio Masuda Cast: Yujiro Ishihara, Mie Kitahara, Masumi Okada, Sanae Nakahara, Shiro Osaka, Hiroshi Hijikata, Hideaki Nitani Running Time: 100 min. By Kelly 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 cool?” And with that, we … Continue reading →

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Challenger, The (1979) Review

February 10, 2016 Matthew Le-feuvre
"The Challenger" Chinese Theatrical Poster

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

February 9, 2016 Martin Sandison
"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

February 8, 2016 Paul Bramhall
"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

February 5, 2016 Zach Nix
“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

February 3, 2016 Paul Bramhall
"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

February 1, 2016 Paul Bramhall
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

January 30, 2016 Kelly Warner
"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

January 28, 2016 Kelly Warner
"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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Assassin, The | aka The Hidden Heroine (2015) Review

January 26, 2016 Kelly Warner
The Assassin | Blu-ray & DVD (Well Go USA)

AKA: The Lady From Tang Director: Hou Hsiao-hsien Cast: Shu Qi, Chang Chen, Satoshi Tsumabuki, Nikki Hsieh Hsin Ying, Chang Shao Huai, Zuo Xiao Qing, Ethan Ruan Jing Tian, Jiang Wen, Xu Fan, Zhou Yun Runing Time: 105 min. By Kelly Warner Hou Hsiao-hsien won Best Director at 2015’s Cannes Film Festival for his exquisitely filmed Tang Dynasty drama The Assassin. Since that time, the conversation about The Assassin has … Continue reading →

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Ip Man 3 (2015) Review

January 21, 2016 Zach Nix
"Ip Man 3" Blu-ray Cover

AKA: Ip Man 3D Director: Wilson Yip Cast: Donnie Yen, Zhang Jin, Lynn Hung, Patrick Tam, Karena Ng, Kent Cheng, Bryan Leung, Louis Cheung, Danny Chan, Mike Tyson, Lo Meng, Babyjohn Choi Running Time: 105 min. By Zach Nix When Wilson Yip’s Ip Man was released in 2008, it brought great attention to its titular real life martial arts master and kicked off a string of films based around Master … Continue reading →

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Fury in Shaolin Temple (1982) Review

January 19, 2016 Paul Bramhall
"Fury in Shaolin Temple" Chinese VHS Cover

AKA: Friendship Forged in Blood Director: Choe Hyeon-min Cast: Gordon Liu, Philip Ko Fei, Gam Kei Chu, Lee Fat Yuen, Bruce Lai, Jacky Chen, Lee Gang-jo Running Time: 83 min. By Paul Bramhall The image of Gordon Liu as a shaven headed monk is one that’s inextricably associated with the kung fu movie genre. Starring as the monk San Te in Lau Kar Leung’s 1978 picture The 36th Chamber of … Continue reading →

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