Category Archives: Reviews

Why Don’t You Play in Hell? (2013) Review

"Why Don't You Play In Hell?" Theatrical Poster

Director: Sion Sono Writer: Sion Sono Cast: Jun Kunimura, Shinichi Tsutsumi, Fumi Nikaido, Hiroki Hasegawa, Gen Hoshino, Tomochika, Tak Sakaguchi, Itsuji Itao, Hiroyuki Onoue, Tetsu Watanabe, Tasuku Nagaoka, Akihiro Kitamura, Motoki Fukami Running Time: 129 min. By Kelly Warner Sion Sono is my kind of madman. In recent years Sono has made some of the zaniest, most singularly inventive films in the world. Love Exposure was a strangely lovable four … Continue reading

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Prison Girl (2008) Review

Director: Naoyuki Tomomatsu Writer: Chisato Okawara Producer: Masaru Ikeda Cast: Asami, Yoko Satomi, Hiroaki Yanagi, Mari Yamaguchi, Yukiharu Inoue, Fumiaki Kato Running Time: 60 min. By Paul Bramhall Out of all the Japanese sub-genres, the Pink Eiga movie is perhaps the most confusing to try and explain. Literally translated to English as Pink Movie, the genre is different to that of AV, standing for Adult Video, which is most easily … Continue reading

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Guest, The (2014) Review

"The Guest" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Adam Wingard Writer: Simon Barrett Cast: Dan Stevens, Maika Monroe, Brendan Meyer, Sheila Kelley, Leland Orser, Lance Reddick, Chase Williamson, Jesse Luken, Ethan Embry, Joel David Moore Running Time: 99 min. By Jeff Bona “Don’t overrate someone, unless you want to harm him/her.” ― Abdullah Muhammad Farabi When I think of You’re Next (2011), I think of the French film, Them (2006) and its “unofficial” U.S. remake, The Strangers (2008). … Continue reading

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Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons (2013) Review

"Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons" Japanese Theatrical Poster

AKA: New Chinese Odyssey Director: Stephen Chow Co-director: Derek Kwok Cast: Wen Zhang, Shu Qi, Huang Bo, Chrissie Chow, Lee Sheung Ching, Eddie Yeung Lun, Tong Liya, Xing Yu, Tang Yixin, Fung Min-hun, Chiu Chi Ling Running Time: 110 min. By Paul Bramhall Hong Kong star Stephen Chow is undoubtedly one of the most recognizable names in the industry, having spent the decade that was the 90’s as the quintessential director, writer and … Continue reading

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Die Fighting (2014) Review

AKA: The Price of Success Director: Fabien Garcia Cast: Fabien Garcia, Laurent Buson, Didier Buson, Jess Allen, Dave Vescio, Adelyne Liu, Xin Sarith Wuku, Jose Rosete, Gray Michael Sallies, Davis Chong, Michael Antonio, Aoni Ma, Xango Henry, Marcus Natividad, Nico Johns Running Time: 110 min. By Kelly Warner Found footage films quickly went from being the hot new idea to being the same old thing. This is largely thanks to … Continue reading

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Legend of Wisely, The (1987) Review

"The Legend of Wisely" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Legend of the Golden Pearl Director: Teddy Robin Kwan Cast: Sam Hui, Ti Lung, Joey Wong, Teddy Robin Kwan, Bruce Baron, Blacky Ko, Heidi Makinen, Alan Kuo Yau Lun, Alan Lee, Kim Fan Running Time: 86 min. By Matthew Le-feuvre With an unambiguous career spanning back to the infant days of Golden Harvest, Sam Hui – younger brother of Michael and Ricky – is probably better known internationally for … Continue reading

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Raw Force | aka Kung Fu Cannibals (1982) Review

"Raw Force" Blu-ray Cover

AKA: Shogun Island Director: Edward D. Murphy Cast: John Dresden, Cameron Mitchell, Hope Holiday, Jillian Kesner, Rey Malonzo, Geoffrey Binney, Jewel Shepard, Camille Keaton, Jennifer Holmes Running Time: 86 min. By Paul Bramhall It’s almost become somewhat of a trend amongst genre fans in the US of late to unearth previously forgotten about, or in many cases considered lost, 80’s and 90’s B-movies. Not only are titles dug up out of obscurity, they’re … Continue reading

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As the Light Goes Out (2014) Review

"As the Light Goes Out" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Derek Kwok Cast: Nicholas Tse, Shawn Yue, Simon Yam, Hu Jun, Patrick Tam, Liu Kai Chi, Andy On, Bai Bing Running Time: 116 min. By Kyle Warner There seems to be a shared belief among most filmgoers that firefighter dramas have nothing new to say or do. And while it’s true that As the Light Goes Out does occasionally tread on some familiar ground, it also proves that there … Continue reading

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Kung Fu Jungle | aka Kung Fu Killer (2014) Review

"Kung Fu Jungle" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Teddy Chen Cast: Donnie Yen, Bai Bing, Charlie Young, Wang Baoqiang, David Chiang, Alex Fong, Zhang Lan Xin, Stephen Tung Wei, Chin Kar Lok, Xing Yu, William Chan, Raymond Chow, Nicky Li, Deep Ng, Yuen Bun, Andrew Lau Wai-Keung Running Time: 100 min. By Paul Bramhall After initially being called Last of the Best, and then Kung Fu Killer, Donnie Yen’s fourth and final starring role of 2014 arrives … Continue reading

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Kung Fu Zombie (1981) Review

"Kung Fu Zombie" Theatrical Poster

AKA: Kung Fu Zombies Director: Wa Yat Wang Cast: Billy Chong Chun Lai (aka Willy Dozan), Kong Do, Kwan Yung Moon, Cheng Hong Yip, Chan Lau, Pak Sha Lik, Jeng Kei Ying, Woo Wai, Wong Yu Running Time: 80 min. By Paul Bramhall Thanks to the success of recent movies such as The Raid and its sequel, Indonesian action stars like Iko Uwais and Yayan Ruhian have quickly become familiar … Continue reading

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My Rebellious Son (1982) Review

"My Rebellious Son" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Sun Chung Cast: Alexander Fu Sheng, Ku Feng, Cecilia Wong Hang Sau, Michael Chan Wai Man, John Ladalski, Johnny Wang Lung Wei, Ngaai Fei, Tang Ching, Walter Tso Tat Wah, Tin Ching, Yuen Bun, Yuen Wah Running Time: 93 min. By Matthew Le-feuvre It’s difficult to embrace that it has been well over three decades since box office idol Alexander Fu Sheng’s tragic death. In just ten years, this … Continue reading

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Kundo: Age of the Rampant (2014) Review

Director: Yun Jong-Bin Cast: Ha Jung-Woo, Kang Dong-Won, Lee Kyung-Young, Lee Sung-Min, Jo Jin-Woong, Ma Dong-Seok, Yun Ji-Hye, Ju Jin-Mo, Song Young-Chang, Jeong Man-Sik, Kim Byung-Ok, Kim Jong-Gu, Kim Seong-Gyun Running Time: 137 min. By Kelly Warner I went into Kundo: Age of the Rampant expecting something like a Korean take on the Robin Hood tale. What I got was a Tarantino-infused post-modern historical action movie that tries to be … Continue reading

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John Wick (2014) Review

"John Wick" Theatrical Poster

Director: David Leitch Co-director: Chad Stahelski Cast: Keanu Reeves, Michael Nyqvist, Alfie Allen, Adrianne Palicki, Bridget Moynahan, Dean Winters, Ian McShane, John Leguizamo, Willem Dafoe, Daniel Bernhardt, Bridget Regan, Lance Reddick, Keith Jardine Running Time: 96 min. By Jeff Bona If there’s one Hollywood superstar who’s maintained a solid connection with the martial arts film genre, it’s Keanu Reeves. Reeves first made this connection in 1999/2003 with the Matrix trilogy, … Continue reading

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Swelter (2014) Review

"Swelter" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Keith Parmer Writer: Keith Parmer Cast: Jean-Claude Van Damme, Josh Henderson, Brad Carter, Alfred Molina, Lennie James Running Time: 120 min. By Kyle Warner Okay, this one’s kind of silly, but I’m not gonna lie, I enjoyed it. The film begins with a Vegas casino robbery. Four members of a five man crew are captured before they can make off with the loot. The fifth man takes a bullet … Continue reading

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Mission Terminate | aka Return of the Kickfighter (1987) Review

"Mission Terminate" Dutch VHS Cover

AKA: Revenge of the Kickfighter Director: Anthony Maharaj Writer: Joe Mari Avellana Cast: Richard Norton, Bruce Le (Huang Kin Long), Rex Cutter, Judy Greene, George E. Mahlberg, Nick Nicholson, Henry Strzalkowski, Dick Wei, Franco Guerrero Running Time: 90 min. By Paul Bramhall My journey that found me watching Mission Terminate was somewhat of an interesting one. Back in 2008, I’d stumbled across an old Tai Seng DVD of a movie … Continue reading

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