Category Archives: Reviews

Last Hero in China | aka Deadly China Hero (1993) Review

"Last Hero in China" Theatrical Poster

Director: Wong Jing Cast: Jet Li, Nat Chan Pak Cheung, Alan Chui Chung San, Leung Kar Yan, Dicky Cheung, Chu Tiet Wo, Sharla Cheung Man, Gordon Liu, Anita Yuen, Chun Kwai Bo Running Time: 105 min. By Numskull First of all, I want to say that the World Video DVD for this movie has an unforgivable manufacturing defect. Although Cantonese and Mandarin both appear as language options, you can only … Continue reading

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Grandmaster, The (2013) Review

"The Grandmaster" Theatrical Poster

AKA: The Grandmasters Director: Wong Kar-wai Cast: Tony Leung, Zhang Ziyi, Chang Chen, Song Hye Kyo, Zhao Benshan, Max Zhang Jin, Cung Le, Chin Shih-Chieh, Yuen Wo-Ping, Lo Meng, Fang Cheng-Cheng Running TIme: 139 min. Review by Ghost Dragon Triad Wong Kar-Wai’s Ip Man biopic The Grandmaster is a fever dream of a film, a movie as much about the fleeting qualities of love and experience as it is about … Continue reading

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Gonin (1995) Review

AKA: The Five Director: Takashi Ishii Cast: Koichi Sato, Masahiro Motoki, Jinpachi Nezu, Kippei Shiina, Naoto Takenaka Running Time: 109 min. By Equinox21 In 1995, stylish director, Takashi Ishii, brought us a great crime/yakuza piece called Gonin (The Five). It revolved around a disco owner convincing 4 other guys to go along with him in a planned heist of the local Yakuza thugs for over 100 million yen (something like … Continue reading

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Once a Thief (1991) Review

"Once a Thief" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: John Woo Cast: Chow Yun-Fat, Leslie Cheung, Cherie Chung, Paul Chu Kong, Kenneth Tsang, Declan Wong, John Woo, David Wu Tai Wai, Patrick Hon Jun Running Time: 108 min. By Numskull You know what we got here? A John Woo chick flick. Well, sort of. It’s “more accessible” (read: less violent) than the heroic bloodshed work he’s known for, and there’s a ho-hum romantic subplot (“Well, sort of” again). But … Continue reading

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Last Supper, The (2012) Review

The Last Supper | Blu-ray & DVD (Random Media)

Director: Lu Chuan Cast: Liu Ye, Daniel Wu, Chang Chen, Qin Lan, Sha Yi, Nie Yuan, Huo Siyan, Zhao Xiang Running Time: 120 min. By HKFanatic Over the past decade, international audiences have been inundated with dozens of Chinese historical epics, from Zhang Yimou’s Hero to John Woo’s Red Cliff and back again, to the point where a sense of viewer fatigue has settled in. But chances are good you’ve never … Continue reading

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Save the Green Planet (2003) Review

'Save the Green Planet" Korean Theatrical Poster

Director: Jang Joon-Hwan Writer: Jang Joon-Hwan Cast: Shin Ha-Kyun, Baek Yoon-Sik, Hwang Jung-Min, Lee Jae-Yong, Lee Joo-Hyun Running Time: 117 min. By Alexander Leave it to South Korean filmmakers to provide us yet another wholly original, oft shocking, slickly produced, torture-filled revenge fantasy in the vain of Old Boy, Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance and The Isle–yet this time with a sci-fi twist. And like 3-Iron, Arahan, JSA and a host … Continue reading

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Armour of God III: Chinese Zodiac | aka CZ12 (2012) Review

"CZ12" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Jackie Chan Cast: Jackie Chan, Kwon Sang-woo, Liao Fan, Yao Xing Tong, Zhang Lan Xin, Laura Weissbecker, Ken Lo, Oliver Platt, Shu Qi, Daniel Wu, Kazu Patrick Tang Running Time: 123 min. By HKFanatic Shortly into the second act of Jackie Chan’s new film CZ12, one of the movie’s many hapless English-speaking characters tells Jackie and his team “You guys are amazing!” as they launch yet another one of … Continue reading

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Million Dollar Crocodile | aka Croczilla (2012) Review

Director: Lin Li Sheng Writer: Lin Li Sheng Producer: Li Rui Cast: Barbie Hsu Hsi Yuan, Guo Tao, Lam Suet, Shi Zhao Qi, Hung Yan Yan, Pu Ba Jia Running Time: 87 min. By HKFanatic These days, the monster movie has a bad rap. A once fun and thriving subgenre of horror as been relegated to an endless string of ‘SyFy’ Channel movies in which mutated variations of animals and … Continue reading

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Hard Romanticker (2011) Review

Director: Su-Yeon Gu Writer: Mitsunori Gu, Su-Yeon Gu Cast: Shota Matsuda, Kento Nagayama, Atsuro Watabe, Shido Nakamura, Tokio Emotom, Kaname Endo, Sei Ashina, Yoko Maki, Dai Watanabe, Claude Makik, Keiko Awaji Running Time: 109 min. By HKfanatic If there’s a ‘problem’ with the Yakuza genre these days, it’s that there are so many towering masterpieces in the genre it’s easy for some of the smaller films to go overlooked. One … Continue reading

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In the Line of Duty 4 (1989) Review

"In the Line of Duty 4" Chinese DVD Cover

AKA: Witness Director: Yuen Woo Ping Cast: Cynthia Khan Lai Ching, Michael Wong Man Tak, Donnie Yen Chi Tan, Yuen Yat Chor, Liu Kai Chi, Lisa Chiao Chiao, Yuen Shun Yee, Michael Woods, John Salvitti, Stephan Berwick, Farlie Ruth Kordica Running Time: 91 min. By Numskull We all know they don’t make ’em like this anymore, at least not in Hong Kong, so I’ll spare you the rant. I’ll spare … Continue reading

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Perfect Weapon, The (1991) Review

"The Perfect Weapon" Blu-ray Cover

Director: Mark DiSalle Cast: Jeff Speakman, John Dye, Mako, Mariska Hargitay, Charles Kalani, Jr., Dante Basco, James Hong, Mako Iwamatsu, Seth Sakai, Beau Starr, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, Professor Toru Tanaka, Clyde Kusatsu, Seth Sakai, Roger Yuan, James Lew Running Time: 87 min. By HKFanatic Jean-Claude Van Damme and Steven Seagal certainly had the action movie market cornered during the early 90’s, but martial arts fans would be wise not to pass … Continue reading

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South Shaolin Master, The (1984) Review

AKA: Red Dragons Of Shaolin Director: Siao Lung Cast: Yau Gin Gwok, Li Yan-Long, Zhong Xiao-Zhen, Suen Gen-Fa, Xu Xue-Yi, Dong Li, Li Zhong-Ru, Pan Wei-Xing, Ku Guo-Xing, Xu Qi-Cheng By Reefer The absolute best thing about being a movie fanatic is being surprised, caught off guard by something unexpectedly brilliant. Something you dug out of the bargain bin at your local movie store. Something you thought would be a … Continue reading

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Kunoichi: Lady Ninja (1998) Review

"Kunoichi: Lady Ninja" Theatrical Poster

Director: Hitoshi Ozawa Cast: Hitoshi Ozawa, Yuko Moriyama, Tomomi Kuribayashi, Kazuki Takeda, Yoshio Shima, Tomoroo Taguchi, Takekazu Shigehisa, Hidehiko Ishikura Running Time: 105 min. By Numskull ‘Ninja Magic: Energy Ball!’ A blazing, luminous sphere is conjured out of thin air by one of the Seven Beasts of Katoh, and with a murderous glint in his eyes, he directs it towards the imperiled Hori girls with deadly speed and accuracy! “But … Continue reading

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Bullet to the Head (2012) Review

"Bullet to the Head" Theatrical Poster

Director: Walter Hill Producer: Joel Silver Cast: Sylvester Stallone, Sung Kang, Sarah Shahi, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Christian Slater, Jason Momoa, Jon Seda, Holt McCallany Running Time: 91 min. By Mighty Peking Man Walter Hill, the acclaimed director of some of the most greatest, testerone-filled films (Warriors, 48 Hours and Last Man Standing) of our time returns with Bullet to the Head, his first theatrical release in over 10 years. Based on … Continue reading

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Bleak Night (2010) Review

"Bleak Night" American DVD Cover

Director: Yoon Sung-hyun Writer: Yoon Sung-hyun Cast: Lee Je-Hun, Seo Jun-Young, Park Jeong-Min, Jo Seong-Ha, Bae Jae-ki, Lee Cho-hee Running Time: 117 min. By HKFanatic Over the last decade, Korean cinema has made great strides into the Western market thanks to its tendency for big-budget commercial spectacle and ultra-violent revenge movies. “Bleak Night” is not one of those films. This nuanced and haunting story about three high school friends began … Continue reading

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