Category Archives: Reviews

Tell Me Something (1999) Review

Director: Chang Yoon-hyun Cast: Han Seok-Kyu, Shim Eun-Ha, Ahn Suk-Hwan, Yu Jun-Sang, Jang Hang-Seon, Yum Jung-Ah, Kim Jung-Hak, Lee Dae-Ro, Maeng Bong-Hak, Kim Yong-Han Running Time: 116 min. By Numskull Tell ME something… why ruin a perfectly good suspense thriller with one of the most repetitive, redundant, unnecessary, and repetitive final shots in motion picture history? Perfectly good story, perfectly good ending, and they fuck it up with this really … Continue reading

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Viral Factor, The (2012) Review

The Viral Factor Blu-ray & DVD (Well Go USA)

Director: Dante Lam Cast: Jay Chou, Nicholas Tse, Bai Bing, Lee Byung Hun, Lin Peng, Jung Woo-sung, Andy On Chi Kit, Carl Ng Ka Lung, Liu Kai Chi, Elaine Kam Yin Ling Running Time: 120 min. By HKFanatic “The Viral Factor” is the latest blockbuster from Dante Lam, a man who has become one of Hong Kong’s premiere action director thanks to films like “Fire of Conscience” and “The Stool … Continue reading

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Punished (2011) Review

Punished aka Abduction, Retribution DVD (Vivendi)

Director: Law Wing Cheong Cast: Anthony Wong Chau Sang, Janice Man Wing San, Maggie Cheung Ho Yee, Richie Ren Yin Chi, Candy Lo Hau Yam, Charlie Cho Cha Lei, Wong Yat-Yat Running Time: 94 min. By HKFanatic Revenge has become a de facto theme for Asian films over the last decade, perhaps ever since 2003’s “Oldboy.” Johnnie To, the producer on “Punished,” even helmed a movie called “Vengeance” just a … Continue reading

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Let the Bullets Fly (2010) Review

"Let the Bullets Fly" American Theatrical Poster

Director: Jiang Wen Cast: Jiang Wen, Chow Yun Fat, Ge You, Carina Lau Kar Ling, Hu Jun, Chen Kun, Liao Fan, Zhou Yun, Feng Xiaogang, Shao Bing, Bai Bing, Du Yiheng, Hu Ming, Jiang Wu, Ma Ke, Miao Pu, Wei Xiao, Yang Qiyu, Yao Lu Running Time: 132 min. By HKFanatic “Let the Bullets Fly” became a breakout hit at the Chinese box office in 2010 and, just a week … Continue reading

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In the Line of Duty 3 (1988) Review

"In the Line of Duty 3" Chinese DVD Cover

Director: Arthur Wong Co-director: Brandy Yuen Cast: Cynthia Khan, Hiroshi Fujioka, Stuart Ong, Michiko Nishiwaki, Dick Wei, Paul Chun, Yueh Hua, Sandra Ng, Melvin Wong, Robin Shou, Stephan Berwick, Law Ching Ho, Chris Lee, Season Ma Si San, Bennett Pang, Mandy Chan, Stanley Fung, Richard Ng, Eric Tsang Running Time: 83 min. By HKFanatic 80’s action girl Cynthia Khan has long had the reputation of being a ‘replacement’ for Michelle … Continue reading

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No Retreat, No Surrender II | aka Raging Thunder (1987) Review

"No Retreat, No Surrender 2" American VHS Cover

Director: Corey Yuen Cast: Loren Avedon, Matthias Hues, Max Thayer, Cynthia Rothrock, Hwang Jang Lee, Roy Horan, Patra Wanthivanond, Nirut Sirichanya, Chesda ‘Pop’ Smithsuth Running Time: 97/104 min. By Jeff Bona If you think Jackie Chan and John Woo were the first (after Bruce Lee’s Enter the Dragon, of course) to introduce real Hong Kong action to mainstream moviegoers in America, think again. In 1985, Hong Kong’s Seasonal Film Corporation, … Continue reading

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All About Lily Chou-Chou (2001) Review

Director: Shunji Iwai Writer: Shunji Iwai Producer: Koko Maeda Cast: Hayato Ichihara, Shugo Oshinari, Ayumi Ito, Takao Osawa, Miwako Ichikawa, Izumi Inamori Running Time: 140 min. By Alexander As I sit here typing this review I’m still trying to figure out whether I like “All About Lily Chou Chou” or not. On one hand, it’s a beautiful film, filled with gorgeous images of rural Japan. The shot of young Yuichi … Continue reading

Posted in All, Japanese, News, Reviews |

Raid, The (2011) Review

Raid: Redemption Blu-ray & DVD (Sony Pictures)

Director: Gareth Evans Cast: Iko Uwais, Joe Taslim, Donny Alamsyah, Yayan Ruhian, Pierre Gruno, Tegar Setrya, Ray Sahetapy, Eka “Piranha” Rahmadia, Verdi Solaiman, Iang Darmawan Running Time: 101 min. By HKFanatic Like most martial arts buffs, I was a fan of writer/director Gareth Evans’ and star Iko Uwais’ first collaboration, 2009’s “Merauntau.” But as good as that movie was – and it certainly had its bone-breaking highlights – there was little … Continue reading

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Rolling Thunder (1977) Review

Director: John Flynn Cast: William Devane, Tommy Lee Jones, Linda Haynes, James Best, Dabney Coleman, Luke Askew Running Time: 95 min. By Jeff Bona Being the film nut that I am, I feel like I should have seen this movie years ago. Even its title explodes with coolness. When I think of Rolling Thunder, two things come to mind: The first is an unrelated 1986 video game called Rolling Thunder, a … Continue reading

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Final Impact (1991) Review

"Final Impact" UK DVD Cover

Director: Joseph Merhi Cast: Lorenzo Lamas, Jeff Langton, Mimi Lesseos, Kathleen Kinmont, Michael Worth, Frank Rivera, Gary Daniels, Antoinette Steen, James M. Williams Running Time: 101 min. By Retter The genre of kickboxing and punch fighting movies could easily fill an entire video store (or more). The post-Van Damme video era of the 80’s and 90’s coincided with an explosion in home video. This new market in home entertainment was … Continue reading

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Memento Mori | aka Whispering Corridors 2 (1999) Review

"Memento Mori" Theatrical Poster

Director: Kim Tae-Yong Co-director: Min Kyu-Dong Cast: Park Ye Jin, Kim Gyu Ri, Lee Young Jin, Kim Jae In, Lee Eon Jung, Baek Jong Hak Running Time: 97 min. By Numskull I watched this noted Korean film for free (thanks, Netflix!) in glorious pan & scan (NO thanks, Mei Ah!). And I don’t regret it. Watched it twice, I did. Damn good movie. But…”masterpiece”? I dunno about that. The setting … Continue reading

Posted in All, Korean, News, Reviews |

Best of the Best (1989) Review

"Best of the Best" American DVD Cover

Director: Robert Radler Cast: James Earl Jones, Eric Roberts, Phillip Rhee, Chris Penn, John Dye, David Agresta, Tom Everett, Sally Kirkland, Hee Il Cho, Simon Rhee, James Lew, Ken Nagayama, Ho Sik Pak, Edan Gross, Louise Fletcher Running Time: 97 min. By HKFanatic I put off watching “Best of the Best” for years – to the point where most people’s reaction became “I can’t believe you haven’t seen that movie!” … Continue reading

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Naked Killer (1992) Review

"Naked Killer" Chinese DVD Cover

Director: Clarence Ford Writer: Wong Jing Cast: Changmy Yau, Simon Yam, Kelly Yao, Carrie Ng, Madoka Sugawara, Hui Siu Hung, Ken Lo, Dick Lau Dik Ji, Yu Kwok Lok, Sung Boon Chung, Louis Roth Running Time: 88/93 min. By Alexander The image of a gun-wielding, nearly nude Chingmy Yau is undoubtedly burned into the collective conscious of drooling Hong Kong cinema fanboys everywhere. Low budget periodicals like “Asian Cult Cinema”, … Continue reading

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Gantz II: Perfect Answer (2011) Review

Director: Shinsuke Sato Writer: Hiroya Oku, Yusuke Watanabe Cast: Kazunari Ninomiya, Ken’ichi Matsuyama, Yuriko Yoshitaka, Takayuki Yamada, Gou Ayano, Kanata Hongo, Ayumi Ito, Tomorowo Taguchi Running Time: 141 min. “Perfect Answer” picks up right where the first live-action “Gantz” movie left off and does exactly what you’d hope a sequel would do. The plot is denser, the stakes are raised for our heroes, and the action is even more violent … Continue reading

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I Saw the Devil (2010) Review

Director: Kim Ji-woon Writer: Park Hoon-jung Cast: Lee Byung-Hun, Choi Min-Sik, Jeon Guk-Hwan, Cheon Ho-Jin, Oh San-Ha, Kim Yun-Seo, Choi Mu-Seong, Kim In-Seo, Jo Deok-Je, Han Cheol-Woo Running Time: 114 min. By JJ Hatfield I Saw The Devil is a stunning masterpiece of the macabre. A terrifying tale of horrific deeds done for sickening psychotic pleasures and unimaginable acts carried out for a promised justice. In the dark of night … Continue reading

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