Category Archives: Reviews

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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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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