Category Archives: Reviews

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

Posted in Japanese, Reviews | Tagged |

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

Posted in All, Chinese, News, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , |

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

Posted in Asian Related, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , |

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

Posted in All, Chinese, News, Reviews | Tagged , |

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

Posted in All, Japanese, News, Ninja, Reviews | Tagged |

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

Posted in Other Movies, Reviews | Tagged , , , , |

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

Posted in Korean, Reviews | Tagged , , |

Jackie Chan Double Feature: Crime Story & The Protector (1993, 1985) Review

Jackie Chan Double Feature: Crime Story & The Protector Blu-ray & DVD (Shout! Factory)

The following review is for Shout! Factory’s Jackie Chan Double Feature, which contains 1993’s Crime Story & 1985’s The Protector. To see detailed credits for each title, as well as additional reviews, please click on the links provided within the review below. By HKFanatic THE PROTECTOR When Jackie Chan finally made it big in the United States with 1995’s “Rumble in the Bronx“, it stands to reason that he did … Continue reading

Posted in Chinese, Golden Harvest, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Assassins, The (2012) Review

Director: Zhao Linshan Cast: Chow Yun Fat, Crystal Liu Yi Fei, Tamaki Hiroshi, Alec Su You Peng, Annie Yi Neng Jing, Ni Dahong, Yan Ni, Wu Xiu Bo, Yao Lu, Nie Yuan, Roy Cheung Yiu Yeung, Law Kar Ying, Tong Chun Chung, Ken Tong Chun Yip Running Time: 107 min. By HKFanatic While Chow Yun-fat never really left the world of acting, it’s fair to say he’s been making a … Continue reading

Posted in Chinese, Reviews | Tagged , , |

Doomsday Book (2012) Review

"Doomsday Book" Korean Theatrical Poster

Director: Kim Ji-woon, Yim Pil-sung Writer: Kim Ji-woon, Yim Pil-sung Cast: Ryu Seung-beom, Kim Kang-woo, Song Sae-byok, Song Young-Chang, Kim Gyu-Ri Running Time: 115 min. By HKFanatic “Doomsday Book” is an occasionally awkward mish-mash of off-kilter comedy and big sci-fi ideas; its anthology format tells three stories in total. In development since 2006, the film represents a collaboration between two of South Korea’s most creative directors: “Hansel & Gretel’s” Yim … Continue reading

Posted in Korean, Reviews | Tagged , , |

Dead or Alive 3: Final (2002) Review

"Dead or Alive 3: Final" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Takashi Miike Cast: Sho Aikawa, Riki Takeuchi, Richard Chen, Terence Yin, Josie Ho, Maria Chen, Hiroyoshi Komuro Running Time: 86 Min. By SlaXor Well, the first thing I’d like to get out of the way is that people may wonder why someone would start with a review for the third and final installment in this excellent trilogy. The reason is that parts one and two of the Dead or … Continue reading

Posted in All, Japanese, News, Reviews | Tagged , , , , |

Dead or Alive (1999) Review

"Dead or Alive" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Takashi Miike Cast: Riki Takeuchi, Sho Aikawa, Renji Ishibashi, Hitoshi Ozawa, Shingo Tsurumi, Kaoru Sugita, Hirotaro Honda, Minoru Iizuka, Michisuke Kashiwaya, Mizuho Koga, Ren Oosugi, Tomoro Taguchi Running Time: 105 min. By Mairosu And so finally, I rent a Miike Takashi film. After hearing countless stories about him, seeing numerous trailers for his shock-fests such as Ichi the Killer, Audition or Fudoh, I finally took a chance on one … Continue reading

Posted in All, Japanese, News, Reviews | Tagged , , , |

Wu Dang (2012) Review

"Wu Dang" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Patrick Leung Pak Kin Cast: Yang Mi, Vincent Chiu Man Chuk, Fan Siu Wong, Xu Jiao, Dennis To Yue Hong, Nina Pau Hei Ching Running Time: 101 min. By HKFanatic ‘Vincent Zhao and the Treasure of the Wu Dang Mountains’ – I guess that title is a bit of a mouthful, but it would have likely given viewers a better idea of what to expect from this movie than … Continue reading

Posted in Chinese, Reviews | Tagged , , , , |

Madam City Hunter | aka Lady Hunter (1993) Review

"Madam City Hunter" Theatrical Poster

Director: Johnnie Kong Yeuk Sing Cast: Cynthia Khan, Anthony Wong Chau-Sang, Sheila Chan Suk Laan, Kara Hui Ying-Hung, Tommy Wong Kwong-Leung, Wu Fung, Yau Gin Gwok, Dang Wai Ho Running Time: 95 min. By Numskull A somewhat tepid but reasonably enjoyable “femme fatale” vehicle that has Cynthia Khan trying to eliminate the threat of the Five Finger Gang (with names like Thumb and Middle), mean and nasty bad guys who … Continue reading

Posted in All, Chinese, News, Reviews | Tagged , , , |

Heroes Among Heroes | aka Fist of the Red Dragon (1993) Review

"Heroes Among Heroes" Theatrical Poster

Director: Yuen Wo-Ping Co-director: Chan Chin Chung Cast: Donnie Yen, Wong Gok, Fennie Yuen Kit-Ying, Ng Man Tat, Kwan Hoi San, Sheila Chan Suk Laan, Lee Ga Sing, Hung Yan Yan, Bao Fang, Lau Yue Ching Running Time: 91 min. By Numskull A sluggish misfire from acclaimed director and martial arts choreographer Yuen Wo-Ping (with the, uh, assistance of Chan Chin Chung) dealing with fine, upstanding Chinese trying to put … Continue reading

Posted in All, Chinese, News, Reviews | Tagged , , , , |