Category Archives: Reviews

Put Up Your Dux: The Story of Frank Dux (2010) Review

"Put Up Your Dux: The Story of Frank Dux Documentary" Theatrical Poster

AKA: The True Story of JCVD Bloodsport Director: Jesse Barrett-Mills Co-director: Daniel Gallai Cast: Frank Dux, Joe Fiorentino, Jeff Langton, Sheldon Lettich, Brian Thompson, Vic Moore Running Time: 70 min. By Jeff Bona If you’re a fan of 1988’s Bloodsport, then you might be familiar with the name Frank Dux. If not – or if you’ve forgotten – here’s a refresher: In Bloodsport, the name of the character Jean-Claude Van … Continue reading

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Deadful Melody (1994) Review

"Deadful Melody" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Deadly Melody Director: Ng Min Kan Cast: Brigitte Lin, Yuen Biao, Carina Lau, Elvis Tsui, Wu Ma, David Lam, Peter Chan Lung, Chung Fat, Cheng Song, Siu Wing-Sang, Zheng Shuang, Lee Kin Running Time: 93 min. By Paul Bramhall Reading reviews for Deadful Melody is somewhat of a fun exercise in itself. Depending on if the reviewer thinks it’s a good or bad movie tends to depend of their … Continue reading

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Man of Tai Chi (2013) Review

"Man of Tai Chi" International Theatrical Poster

Director: Keanu Reeves Writer: Michael G. Cooney Cast: Tiger Chen, Keanu Reeves, Karen Mok, Simon Yam, Iko Uwais, Ye Qing, Chan Chi Chun, Sam Lee, Yu Hai, Steve Yoo Seung Jun, Michael Tong Running Time: 105 min. By Dirac I was really curious about this film, given that it’s Keanu Reeves’ directorial debut. The lead character, Chen Lin-Hu is portrayed by Tiger Hu Chen, an accomplished martial artist and stuntman. … Continue reading

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Commitment (2013) Review

Director: Park Hong-Soo Writer: Kim Soo-young Cast: Seung-Hyun Choi, Han Ye-Ri, Kim You-Jung, Yoon Je-Moon, Cho Seong-Ha, Park Sung-Woong, Lee Ju-Sil, Jung Ho-Bin, Kim Sun-Kyung, Park Ji-Il Running Time: 113 min. By oneleaf Seung-Hyun Choi, more popularly known as T.O.P, the power rapper of the K-Pop super group Big Bang, stars as 19 year-old Myung-Hon Ri in Commitment. His previous film roles include Iris: The Movie (2010) and 71: Into … Continue reading

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Weapon of Choice (2014) Review

AKA: Fist 2 Fist 2 Director: Jino Kang, Tony Urgo Writer: Jino Kang, Tony Urgo Cast: Jino Kang, Douglas Olsson, Katherine Celio, Artem Mishin, Kelly Lou Dennis, Don Williams, John Carney, Steven Menasche, Robert D. Parham, William Armando Running Time: 103 min. By Jeff Bona If you’re willing to take a break from all the mundane action movies playing in theaters, look no further than Jino Kang’s latest revenge thriller, Weapon … Continue reading

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Special ID (2013) Review

"Special ID" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Clarence Ford Writer: Clarence Ford Cast: Donnie Yen, Andy On, Sally Jing Tian, Zhang Han Yu, Yang Kun, Qi Da Ji, Nina Pau, Frankie Ng, Collin Chou, Ken Lo, Rain Lau, Terence Yin Running Time: 99 min. By Paul Bramhall It seems that 2013 was the year for troubled productions to finally reach our screens. The Tony Jaa come-back vehicle Tom Yum Goong 2 finally got a release, after … Continue reading

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Macabre | aka Rumah Dara (2009) Review

"Macabre" Indonesian" Theatrical Poster

Director: The Mo Brothers Cast: Julie Estelle, Shareefa Daanish, Imelda Therinne, Arifin Putra, Ruli Lubis, Ario Bayu, Sigi Wimala, Daniel Mananta, Mike Lucock, Dendy Subangil Running Time: 95 min. By Jeff Bona Thanks to Gareth Evans’ The Raid and The Raid 2, the exciting new wave of Indonesian cinema has found its way to a whole new audience. Although Evans is somewhat of the spokesman, it’s movies like 2009’s Macabre (aka Rumah … Continue reading

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Tom Yum Goong 2 | aka The Protector 2 (2013) Review

"Tom Yum Goong 2" Theatrical Poster

Director: Prachya Pinkaew Cast: Tony Jaa, RZA, Mum Jokmok, Yanin Vismitananda, Petchtai Wongkamlao, Marrese Crump, Rhatha Phongam, Vince Makiling, Ujal Thapa, Jawed El Berni Running Time: 103 minutes By Paul Bramhall Tony Jaa has had somewhat of a fall from grace since he was widely heralded as action cinemas shining saviour with the arrival of Ong Bak and Tom Yum Goong, released in 2003 and 2005 respectively. After an eventful … Continue reading

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Confession of Murder (2012) Review

Confession of Murder | Blu-ray & DVD (Well Go USA)

Director: Jeong Byeong-gil Writer: Jeong Byeong-gil Cast: Jung Jae-young, Park Si-hoo, Jeong Hae-gyoon, Kim Young-ae, Choi Won-young, Jo Eun-ji Running Time: 119 min. By Paul Bramhall As a huge fan of Asian action cinema, I found the 2008 documentary Action Boys, which followed the lives of a group of stuntmen in the Seoul Action School, to be hugely enjoyable. Such was my enjoyment that I visited the school in the … Continue reading

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Raid 2, The: Berandal (2014) Review

"The Raid 2" International Theatrical Poster

Director: Gareth Evans Cast: Iko Uwais, Arifin Putra, Oka Antara, Tio Pakusadewo, Alex Abbad, Julie Estelle, Ryuhei Matsuda, Kenichi Endo, Kazuki Kitamura, Cecep Arif Rahman, Cok Simbara, Yayan Ruhian, Very Tri Yulisman, Donny Alamsyah, Epy Kusnandar, Roy Marten, Zack Lee, Fikha Effendi, Deddy Sutomo Running Time: 150 min. By Paul Bramhall It’s hard to believe but 2009 is already five years ago, the year that saw the release of Merentau. It … Continue reading

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Firestorm (2013) Review

Firestorm | Blu-ray & DVD (Well Go USA)

Director: Alan Yuen Writer: Alan Yuen Cast: Andy Lau, Yao Chen, Gordon Lam, Hu Jun, Ray Lui, Kenny Wong Tak Bun, Michael Tong, Terence Yin Running Time: 109 min. By Sapo Wow. Did I have high hopes for this one. Andy “Infernal Affairs” Lau in a rock ’em, sock ’em thriller. I’m there. This was one I HAD to see. This was the one that would take the recent sour … Continue reading

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Enemies Closer (2013) Review

"Enemies Closer" Japanese DVD Cover

AKA: Maximum Soldier Director: Peter Hyams Cast: Jean-Claude Van Damme, Tom Everett Scott, Orlando Jones, Kristopher Van Varenberg Running Time: 95 min. By Jeff Bona It’s been nearly 20 years since Jean-Claude Van Damme and director Peter Hyams (2010: The Year We Make Contact) made a film together. Hyams first directed Van Damme during the action star’s career-peak in 1994’s Timecop, then again in 1995’s Sudden Death. The duo’s collaboration … Continue reading

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Unbeatable | aka MMA (2013) Review

"Unbeatable" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Dante Lam Cast: Nick Cheung, Eddie Peng, Mei Ting, Feier Li, Andy On, Patrick Keung, Wang Baoqiang, Liu Kim Wa, Awayne, Stephen Au Kam-Tong, Mo Lai-Yee Running Time: 122 min. By DiP Here’s a movie that I would say truly cements Dante Lam as one of the leading Hong Kong filmmakers at the moment and that will push his filming skills further if he’s given the right material and … Continue reading

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Monkey King, The (2014) Review

"The Monkey King" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Cheang Pou-soi Cast: Donnie Yen, Chow Yun-fat, Aaron Kwok, Joe Chen, Peter Ho, Kelly Chen, Zhang Zilin, Gigi Leung, Xia Zitong, Louis Fan, Cheang Pou-soi Running Time: 120 min. By DiP First things first, I’m not familiar with the Journey To The West novel nor am a fan of the screen adaptations. So whether the movie is faithful to the novel or not, I can’t comment on unfortunately. But … Continue reading

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On the Job (2013) Review

"On The Job" Theatrical Poster

Director: Erik Matti Cast: Piolo Pascual, Gerald Anderson, Joel Torre, Joey Marquez, Michael de Mesa, Leo Martinez, Angel Aquino, Vivian Velez, Niño Muhlach Running Time: 121 min. By Jeff Bona When I think of Filipino films, two things come to mind: goofy comedies and melodramas with overacting. My opinion comes from what I’ve seen on TV while vacationing in the Philippines and what I’ve witnessed while at my Aunt’s house … Continue reading

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