Category Archives: Reviews

Constable, The (2013) Review

"The Constable" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Dennis Law Cast: Simon Yam, Lam Suet, Maggie Siu, Sam Lee, Lo Hoi Pang, Ken Lo, Niu Meng Meng, Maggie Li, Nick Zy Yi, Mia Chan Jing Yi, Eddie Cheung Siu Fai Running Time: 96 min. By Paul Bramhall Everyone who’s a Hong Kong movie fan remembers the golden age of the 1980s. The decade was almost like a storm in a teacup, a relatively small area of land … Continue reading

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That Demon Within | aka Demon Cop (2013) Review

"That Demon Within" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Dante Lam Cast: Nick Cheung, Daniel Wu, Andy On, Ken Wong, Deep Ng Ho Hong, Christie Chen Si-Xuan Running Time: 111 min. By oneleaf Hong Kong action auteur, Dante Lam (Unbeatable), is back in the director’s chair with That Demon Within, which he also co-wrote. Very early on in the film, the audience is treated to an extended shootout sequence in the middle of the afternoon, between deity-masked wearing … Continue reading

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Association, The (1975) Review

"The Association" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Cheng Chang Ho Cast: Tien Ni, Yue Bing Lung, Angela Mao, Zhao Lei, Suen Lam, Chiang Nan, Fang Mien, Sammo Hung, Wang In Sik, Chiu Hung, Lee Kwan, Wilson Tong, Carter Wong, Simon Yuen, Yuen Wah, Naomi Oka, Hung Sing Chung Running Time: 87 min. By Paul Bramhall The career of Korean director Cheng Chang-ho makes for an interesting read. Chang-ho made his directorial debut in 1951, and went … Continue reading

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Restless, The (2006) Review

Director: Jo Dong-Oh Writer: Jo Dong-Oh Cast: Jung Woo-Sung, Kim Tae-Hee, Heo Jun-Ho, So E-Hyun, Park Sang-Wook, Kim Kwang-Il, Yu Ha-Jun Running Time: 105 min. By JJ Hatfield In 984 AD, the Kingdom of the United Shilla fell into chaos and ruin due to the corruption of the royal family who indulged themselves in luxury and excess as the people suffered and starved. Violence spread, revolts and war swept the … Continue reading

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Pirate, The (1974) Review

Director: Chang Cheh Co-Directors: Pao Hsueh Lieh, Wu Ma Writer: Ni Kuang Producer: Runme Shaw Cast: Ti Lung, David Chiang, Fan Mei Sheng, Bruce Tong, Yuen Man Tzu, Dean Shek, Tin Ching, Lau Gong, Wu Chih Ching, Yue Fung, Alan Chan Kwok Kuen, Chan Dik Hak Running Time: 96 min. By Matthew Le-feuvre Although Chang Cheh will be fondly remembered for his long association with the Shaw Brothers, there was … Continue reading

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Angels 2 | aka Iron Angels 2 (1988) Review

"Angels 2" Japanese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Angel 2, Fighting Madam 2 Director: Stanley Tong Cast: Alex Fong Chung-Sun, Moon Lee, Elaine Lui, Gary Siu Yuk Lung, Sin Ho Ying, Jackson Ng Yuk Su, Yuen Tak, Thomas Sin Ho-Ying, Chan Man-Ching Running Time: 90 min. By Paul Bramhall The ‘Girls with Guns’ genre is generally considered to have been kicked off by the 1985 Corey Yuen movie Yes, Madam!, which introduced us to the femme fatale … Continue reading

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From Vegas to Macau | aka The Man from Macau (2014) Review

"From Vegas To Macau" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Wong Jing Cast: Chow Yun Fat, Nicholas Tse, Sally Jing Tian, Kimmy Tong Fei, Chapman To, Max Zhang Jin, Philip Ng Wan Lung, Hui Siu Hung, Natalie Meng Yao, Gao Hu Running Time: 94 min. By oneleaf The Man from Macau (aka From Vegas to Macau) stars Chow Yun-Fat (The Monkey King) as “Magic Hands” Ken, a highly-skilled, legendary gambler (conman) with lightning fast hands and the ability to … Continue reading

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Once Upon a Time in Vietnam | aka Lua Phat (2013) Review

"Once Upon a Time in Vietnam" Vietnamese Theatrical Poster

Director: Dustin Nguyen Writer: Dustin Nguyen Cast: Dustin Nguyen, Roger Yuan, Veronica Ngo, Thai Hoa, Nguyen Hoang Quan, Xuan Phat, Hieu Hien, Dinh Ngoc Diep Running Time: 104 min. By Jeff Bona Since Dragon Dynasty’s U.S. release of 2006’s The Rebel, Asian movie enthusiasts have had a major hard-on for Vietnamese action films. The Rebel, with its snappy fight choreography and rich storyline, proved that a Vietnamese production could hold its … Continue reading

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Dirty Tiger, Crazy Frog (1978) Review

"Dirty Tiger, Crazy Frog" Chinese DVD Cover

Director: Karl Maka Cast: Sammo Hung, Lau Kar Wing, Chin Yuet Sang, Huang Ha, Chung Fat, Lee Hoi San, Jason Pai Piao, Dean Shek Tien, Peter Chan Lung, To Siu Ming, Cheng Hong Yip Running Time: 97 min. By Matthew Le-feuvre It is no secret that portly legend, Sammo Hung has maintained a keen interest – even a preoccupation – with historical Chinese figures, particularly Leung Yee Tai, Leung Jan, … Continue reading

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Young Detective Dee: Rise of the Sea Dragon (2013) Review

"Young Detective Dee: Rise of the Sea Dragon" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Tsui Hark Cast: Mark Chao, Feng Shaofeng, Kenny Lin Geng Xin, Kim Bum, Angelababy, Deng Chao, Carina Lau Kar Ling, Hu Dong, Chen Kun, Sheng Jian, Ma Jing Jing Running Time: 133 min. By Paul Bramhall Tsui Hark has long been one of Hong Kong’s most prolific creative forces. He’s directed countless movies which are considered Hong Kong classics, from the excess of Zu: Warriors from Magic Mountain to … Continue reading

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Wrath of Vajra, The (2013) Review

"The Wrath of Vajra" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Law Wing-cheong Writer: Yang Zhenjian Cast: Xing Yu, Steve Yoo Seung Jun, Jiang Baocheng, Yasuaki Kurata, Hiroyuki Ikeuchi Running Time: 115 min. By oneleaf The Wrath of Vajra is a mainland Chinese action film helmed by Law Wing-cheong (Punished, Iceman) and starring Yu Xing (Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons), an ex-Shaolin monk turned martial arts actor. This is Yu Xing’s first starring role. The Temple of Hades is … Continue reading

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Shaolin Mantis | aka Deadly Mantis (1978) Review

Director: Lau Kar Leung Cast: David Chiang, Cecilia Wong, Lily Li Li Li, Lau Kar Wing, Wai Wang, Wilson Tong, John Cheung, Wong Ching Ho, Cheng Miu, Norman Chu, Gordon Liu, Meng Hoi, Lee Hoi San Running Time: 96 min. By Matthew Le-feuvre Throughout their careers as movie producers, the Shaw brothers were always confidently direct (especially the late Sir Run Run) when conveying their production targets: diversity was, naturally, … Continue reading

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Fists of Legend (2013) Review

Director: Kang Woo-Suk Writer: Jang Min-Suk Producer: Son Jung-Woo, Jung Sun-Young Cast: Hwang Jung-Min, Yu Jun-Sang, Yoon Je-Moon, Jung Woong-In, Park Jung-Min, Gu Won, Park Doo-Sik, Lee Jung-Hyuk, Lee Yo-Won, Sung Ji-Ru, Ji-Woo, Kang Shin-Il, Kang Sung-Jin, Seo Beom-sik Running Time: 153 min. By oneleaf Fists of Legend is a Korean action-drama directed by mega hit-maker Woo Suk-Kang (Glove, Silmido, Moss, Public Enemy) and scripted by Min-Seok Jang (Secret Reunion, … Continue reading

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Legend of the Bat | aka Clans of Intrigue 2 (1978) Review

Director: Chor Yuen Writer: Chor Yuen Producer: Mona Fong Yat Wah, Yueh Hua, Cheng Li, Candice Yu On On, Derek Yee, Wang Chung, Cast: Ti Lung, Ling Yun, Cheng Miu, Yuen Wah, Norman Chu Running Time: 101 min. By JJ Hatfield This breathtakingly beautiful film is a rather unusual mix of martial arts, sword fighting, mystery and intrigue from the Shaw Brothers. Set in the Martial World, two longtime friends … Continue reading

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Seven Warriors (1989) Review

"Seven Warriors" DVD Cover

Director: Terry Tong Writer: Tsang Kan Cheung Producer: John Sham Cast: Chen Jing, Adam Cheng, Jacky Cheung, Lisa Chiao Chiao, Elaine Kam, Benz Kong, Philip Kwok, Ben Lam, Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Lo Lieh, Teresa Mo, Max Mok Siu Chung, Shing Fui On, Wu Ma, Sammo Hung Running Time: 94 min. By Paul Bramhall The sterling team over at Well Go USA recently released the little known Hong Kong movie … Continue reading

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