Category Archives: Reviews

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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Sword of the Assassin | aka Blood Letter (2012) Review

"Sword of the Assassin" Theatrical Poster

Director: Victor Vu Cast: Huynh Dong, Midu, Van Trang, Khuong Ngoc, Van Anh, Minh Thuan, Jaivee Mai Running Time: 100 min. By oneleaf Sword of the Assassin, aka Blood Letter (2012), a Vietnamese language epic period drama/action starring Huynh Dong, Midu, Kim Hien, Khuong Ngoc, and Minh Thuan is directed by Vietnamese film maker and script writer Victor Vu. The film won a number of awards at the 2012 Golden … Continue reading

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Welcome to the Jungle (2013) Review

"Welcome to the Jungle" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Rob Meltzer Writer: Jeff Kauffman Cast: Adam Brody, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Rob Huebel, Kristen Schaal, Megan Boone, Dennis Haysbert, Aaron Takahashi, Dennis Haysbert, Juan C. Defendini, Kristopher Varenberg, Bianca Bree Running Time: 95 min. By Jeff Bona There are two facts you should know about Welcome to the Jungle before you dive in: 1) It’s not a Jean-Claude Van Damme movie. If you’re expecting something like Kickboxer, you’re in for … Continue reading

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Sword Stained with Royal Blood, The (1993) Review

"The Sword Stained with Royal Blood" Theatrical Poster

Director: Larry Cheung Cast: Yuen Biao, Yip Chuen-chan, Sharla Cheung, Danny Lee, Anita Yuen, Elizabeth Lee, Ng Man-tat, Helen Ma, Wu Ma, Elvis Tsui, Pauline Wong, Melvin Wong Running Time: 95 min. By JJ Hatfield In a temple along the edge of a quiet river, men have gathered to mourn the tragic death of their beloved leader Marshall Yuen, and to swear vengeance upon all those who plotted his violent … Continue reading

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Bruce Lee: In Pursuit of the Dragon (2009) Review

Bruce Lee: A Warrior's Journey & Pursuit of the Dragon | DVD (MVD Entertainment)

Director: John Little Writer: John Little Cast: John Little, Bruce Lee, Malisa Longo, Jon T. Benn, Anders Nelsson, Riccardo Billi, Chaplin Chang Running Time: 90 minutes By Jeff Bona If you’re a die hard Bruce Lee fanatic and you’re sick and tired of all the countless Bruce Lee documentaries that contain the same footage, usual interview clips and a bunch of other “talking heads,” then John Little’s In Pursuit of the Dragon is … Continue reading

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Fudoh: The New Generation (1996) Review

"Fudoh - The New Generation" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Takashi Miike Cast: Shosuke Tanihara, Kenji Takano, Marie Jinno, Tamaki Kenmochi, Toru Minegishi, Miho Nomoto, Riki Takeuchi, Takeshi Caesar, Yuichi Minato, Mickey Curtis Running Time: 100 min.  By Woody Pussy fart darts. Pre-teen assassins. Riki Takeuchi putting out a cigarette on Mickey Curtis’ severed head. A giant member of Riki’s gang kicking a severed head, splattering it into pieces, no doubt angering the young children using it for a game of soccer. … Continue reading

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