Category Archives: Reviews

Speed Racer (2008) Review

"Speed Racer" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: The Wachowskis Cast: Emile Hirsch, Christina Ricci, John Goodman, Susan Sarandon, Matthew Fox, Roger Allam, Benno Fürmann, Hiroyuki Sanada, Rain, Richard Roundtree Running Time: 135 min.  By Ningen Emile Hirsch plays a one-dimensional guy named Speed Racer who teams up with a random Korean guy played by Rain and a myterious racer named X played by Matthew Fox to take down The Man (aka Royalton) through competitive car racing. … Continue reading

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Godzilla | aka Gojira (1954) Review

"Godzilla" Japanese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Godzilla: King of the Monsters Director: Ishiro Honda Cast: Akira Takarada, Momoko Kochi, Takashi Shimura, Fuyuki Murakami, Sachio Sakai, Ren Yamamoto, Toyoaki Suzuki Running Time: 96 min. By Woody Ishiro Honda was a great director. As Akira Kurosawa’s assistant director and right hand man, Honda no doubt learned a lot from the man, and it shows, particularly in this 1954 effort. Gojira is a stark and uncompromising film, filled with nightmarish imagery, but, … Continue reading

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Wu Xia | aka Dragon (2011) Review

Dragon (aka Wu Xia) Blu-ray & DVD (Anchor Bay)

AKA: Dragon, Swordsmen Director: Peter Chan Writer: Aubrey Lam Cast: Donnie Yen Chi Tan, Kaneshiro Takeshi, Jimmy Wang Yu, Tang Wei, Kara Hui, Yin Zhusheng Running Time: 115 min. By DiP Donnie Yen is back with another film! Ever since his big breakthrough playing wing chun master Yip Man in Ip Man back in 2008, we have experienced a streak of movies that he starred in. These films were as … Continue reading

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Dead and the Deadly, The (1982) Review

"The Dead and the Deadly" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Wu Ma Writer: Sammo Hung, Barry Wong Cast: Sammo Hung Kam-bo, Lam Ching-ying, Cherie Chung, Fat Chung, Ricky Lau, Wu Ma, Peter Chan Lung, Billy Chan Wui Ngai, Kwan Yung Moon Running Time: 94 min. By Numskull Another supernatural comedy from Sammo Hung, star and director of Encounters of the Spooky Kind (God, how I hate that title) and its sequel (which is available neither on DVD nor VCD…bloody … Continue reading

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My Heart is that Eternal Rose (1989) Review

"My Heart is that Eternal Rose" Chinese DVD Cover

Director: Patrick Tam Kar Ming Producer: John Sham Kein Cast: Kenny Bee, Joey Wong Tsu Hsien, Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Michael Chan Wai Man, Gordon Liu Chia Hui, Kwan Hoi San, Ng Man Tat, Cheung Tat Ming Running Time: 90 min. By HKFanatic For ‘heroic bloodshed’ fans outside of Hong Kong, “My Heart is That Eternal Rose” is something of a holy grail: an elusive and hard to come by … Continue reading

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Long Arm of the Law 3 | aka Escape from Hong Kong (1989) Review

Director: Michael Mak Cast: Andy Lau, Elizabeth Lee, Elvis Tsui, Max Mok Siu Chung, Kirk Wong Chi Keung, John Ladalski, Hon Yee Sang, Ken Boyle, Mai Kei, Ng Hong Ning, Stephen Chan Tak Gwong, Cheung Chi Gin, Lam Kai Wing, Robin Shou Running Time: 107 min. By HKFanatic “Long Arm of the Law 3” is an easy film to overlook. It’s the second sequel in a series of films only … Continue reading

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Long Arm of the Law 2 (1987) Review

"Long Arm of the Law 2" Theatrical Poster

Director: Michael Mak Tong Kit Cast: Stephen Chan Tak Gwong, Hon Yee Sang, Ben Lam Kwok Bun, Alex Man Chi Leung, Elvis Tsui Kam Kong, Pauline Wong Siu Fung, Yuen Yat Chor, Mama Hung Running Time: 86 min. By HKFanatic This dark, gritty crime flick is another minor masterpiece from late 80’s Hong Kong. Although the first entry in the “Long Arm of the Law” series is still the most … Continue reading

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Tai Chi Master | aka Twin Warriors (1993) Review

"Tai Chi Master" Chinese DVD Cover

AKA: Tai Chi Director: Yuen Woo Ping Cast: Jet Li, Chin Siu Ho, Michelle Yeoh, Fennie Yuen Kit-Ying, Yuen Cheung Yan, Lau Shun, Yu Hai, Sun Jian Kui, Chow Gam-Kong, Yu Yan-Kai Running Time: 94 min. By Numskull Note to Yuen Wo Ping: Stop renting out your justly famous talent as a fight choreographer to other directors and make more of your own movies. They may not be as polished … Continue reading

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My Father is a Hero | aka The Enforcer (1994) Review

"My Father is a Hero" Japanese DVD Cover

AKA: Letter to Daddy Director: Corey Yuen Writer: Wong Jing Cast: Jet Li, Anita Mui, Tse Miu, Blacky Ko, Bonnie Fu Yuk Jing, Yu Rong Guang, Ken Lo, Damian Lau, Thorsten Nickel, Paul Rapovski, Henry Fong Ping, Corey Yuen Running Time: 100/105 min. By Numskull You know, for someone whose fame is based on his martial arts skills, I’m not seeing a whole lot of martial arts in Jet Li’s … Continue reading

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Project S | aka Supercop 2 (1993) Review

Director: Stanley Tong Producer: Barbie Tung Cast: Michelle Yeoh, Yu Rong Guang, Emil Chau, Fan Siu Wong, Dick Wei, Athena Chu, Bill Tung Biu, Bowie Lam, Alain Guernier, Ailen Sit Chun Wai, Chan Man Ching, Joe Cheung, Mars, Yukari Oshima, Jackie Chan, Eric Tsang Running Time: 98 min. By Numskull It seems that “they”… whoever they are… really don’t want us North American types to see this movie. The DVD … Continue reading

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PTU | aka Police Tactical Unit (2003) Review

"PTU" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Johnnie To Cast: Simon Yam Tat Wah, Lam Suet, Ruby Wong Cheuk Ling, Raymond Wong Ho Yin, Maggie Siu Mei Kei, Eddie Ko Hung, Wong Wa Wo, Lo Hoi Pang Running Time: 88 min. By Alexander PTU certainly isn’t one of Johnnie To’s best efforts, but it does manage to offer up a few surprises, and another excellent performance by Simon Yam (Bullet in the Head). The film meanders … Continue reading

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Flaming Brothers, The | aka Dragon and Tiger Fight (1987) Review

"The Flaming Brothers" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Joe Cheung Writer: Wong Kar Wai Cast: Chow Yun Fat, Alan Tang, Pat Ha Man Jing, Jenny Tseng Yan Lei, Patrick Tse, Philip Chan, James Yi Lui, Norman Chu, Fong Yau, Cheung Chok Chow, Chan Laap Ban Running Time: 101 min. By HKFanatic Chow Yun Fat made this heroic bloodshed film in 1987, smackdab in the middle of “A Better Tomorrow” and “A Better Tomorrow II.” That fact alone … Continue reading

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Dragon Family, The (1988) Review

"The Dragon Family" Chinese DVD Cover

Director: Lau Kar Wing Cast: Alan Tam, Andy Lau, Max Mok Siu Chung, Ken Tong Chun Yip, Norman Chu, Michael Miu Kiu Wai, William Ho Ka Kui, Lisa Chiao Chiao, Stanley Fung, Kent Cheng, Ku Feng, Lau Kar Wing, Shing Fui On, Philip Ko Fei, Wayne Archer, Charlie Cho, Kara Hui Ying Hung, Blacky Ko Running Time: 88 min. By HKFanatic Andy Lau and Alan Tam must have had a … Continue reading

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Negative Happy Chainsaw Edge (2008) Review

Director: Takuji Kitamura Writer: Tatsuhiko Takimoto, Hirotoshi Kobayashi Cast: Megumi Seki, Hayato Ichihara, Yosuke Asari, Itsuji Itao, Haruma Miura, Maho Nonami, Hiromi Shinjo, Aya Kiguchi Running Time: 109 min. By HKFanatic Don’t let the title fool you: “Negative Happy Chainsaw Edge” is not a film that would fit in with the Sushi Typhoon catalog. There’s no blood, no gore, no strangely appendaged women. The second coming of “Machine Gun Girl” … Continue reading

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Reservoir Dogs (1992) Review

Director: Quentin Tarantino Writer: Quentin Tarantino Producer: Lawrence Bender Cast: Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Chris Penn, Steve Buscemi, Lawrence Tierney, Michael Madsen, Quentin Tarantino, Randy Brooks, Kirk Baltz, Lawrence Bender, Steven Wright Running Time: 99 min. By Ningen While it’s not a legal or officially acknowledged remake of City on Fire, Reservoir Dogs has (unfairly) achieved so much attention, that it’d be impossible to ignore reviewing it. A number of … Continue reading

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