Category Archives: Reviews

Farewell My Concubine (1993) Review

Director: Chen Kaige Writer: Lilian, Lee Lu Wei Cast: Leslie Cheung, Zhang Fengyi, Gong Li, Lu Qi, Ying Da, Yidi, Zhi Yitong, Lei Han, Li Chun Running Time: 156 min. By Ningen I don’t know what it is about Peking Opera that looks appealing in martial arts films, but which comes off dull in arthouse flicks. While it’s true that this is only the second film of this genre I’ve … Continue reading

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Bullet Train (1975) Review

"Bullet Train" Theatrical Poster

Director: Junya Sato Cast: Ken Takakura, Sonny Chiba, Kei Yamamoto, Eiji Go, Akira Oda, Raita Ryu, Masayo Utsunomiya, Yumi Takigawa, Etsuko Shihomi, Takashi Shimura, Fumio Watanabe, Mizuho Suzuki, Ken Utsui, Tetsuro Tamba Running Time: 115 min.  By Sergio Martorelli It’s official: american action films sucks mammoth balls, even the ones directed by HK masters like John Woo and Tsui Hark. And do you wanna know why? I’ll tell ya. It’s … Continue reading

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Mortal Kombat: Legacy (2011) Review

Mortal Kombat: Legacy Blu-ray (Warner)

Director: Kevin Tancharoen Cast: Michael Jai White, Jeri Ryan, Darren Shahlavi, Matt Mullins, Sam Tjhia, Jolene Tran, Ryan Robbins, Ian Anthony Dale, Kevan Ohtsji, Peter Shinkoda Running Time: 100 min. By HKFanatic Back in 2010, a director named Kevin Tancharoen appeared out of nowhere with a short film titled “Mortal Kombat: Rebirth.” The film was a ‘proof of concept’ for Kevin’s vision of a Mortal Kombat relaunch, a way to … Continue reading

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Who Saw Her Die? | aka The Child (1972) Review

"Who Saw Her Die?" Italian Theatrical Poster

AKA: Chi l’ha vista morire? Director: Aldo Lado Cast: George Lazenby, Anita Strindberg, Adolfo Celi, Dominique Boschero, Peter Chatel, Piero Vida, José Quaglio, Alessandro Haber, Nicoletta Elmi Running Time: 90 min. By HKFanatic “Who Saw Her Die?” is a 1972 giallo from director Alan Aldo that stars George Lazenby in a rare post-James Bond leading role. Unfortunately, Lazenby looks quite unflattering here, with a thick handlebar mustache and a gaunt, … Continue reading

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Azumi (2003) Review

"Azumi" Korean Theatrical Poster

Director: Ryuhei Kitamura Cast: Aya Ueto, Shun Oguri, Hiroki Narimiya, Kenji Kohashi, Takatoshi Kaneko, Yuma Ishigaki, Tak Sakaguchi, Yoshio Harada, Kazuya Shimizu Running Time: 124 min. By Alexander Strip the Power Rangers of the space-age outfits and crappy-looking rubber-suited monsters and place them in say, feudal Japan, and what you’re left with is the swordplay epic-lite Azumi. Because like their weekday afternoon brethren, the kids in Azumi say things like … Continue reading

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Azumi 2: Death or Love (2005) Review

"Azumi 2: Death or Love" Theatrical Poster

Director: Shusuke Kaneko Cast: Aya Ueto, Yuma Ishigaki, Chiaki Kuriyama, Shun Oguri, Kenichi Endo, Kai Shishido, Eugene Nomura, Tak Sakaguchi, Shoichiro Masumoto Running Time: 102 min. By Equinox21 While Azumi 2 wasn’t as good as its predecessor, it was still enjoyable. It certainly didn’t add anything new or interesting to the samurai-era film genre, and it almost seemed like a simple play off the original’s success. The strangest parts were … Continue reading

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Duel, The (2000) Review

"The Duel" Theatrical Poster

Director: Andrew Lau Cast: Ekin Cheng, Nick Cheung Ka Fai, Andy Lau, Norman Chu, Jerry Lamb, Kristy Yeung, Wu Tine Hsin, Zao Wei, Patrick Tam, Wong Yat Fei, Lau Wai Running Time: 105 min. By Alexander The Duel is a pleasant diversion featuring an interesting blend of swordplay, martial arts, humor, drama, mystery and a pairing of Hong Kong pop superstars Andy Lau and Ekin Cheng as master swordsmen. The … Continue reading

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Man Called Hero, A (1999) Review

"A Man Called Hero" Theatrical Poster

Director: Andrew Lau Cast: Ekin Cheng, Nic Tse, Kristy Yeung, Francis Ng, Shu Qi, Yuen Biao, Anthony Wong, Jerry Lamb, Elvis Tsui, Ken Lo, Jordan Chan, Mark Cheng, Cheng Pei Pei, Ronnie Cheung, Sam Lee, Frankie Ng, Jude Poyer, Grace Yip Running Time: 102 min. By Sergio Martorelli Here’s a classic case of “the title says it all”. This is a story about a man. Said man is called (ta-daaa!) … Continue reading

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Mr. Vampire 2 (1986) Review

"Mr. Vampire 2" Theatrical Poster

Director: Ricky Lau Cast: Lam Ching-Ying, Yuen Biao, Chung Fat, Moon Lee, Pauline Wong, Billy Lau, Wong Yuk Waan, Wu Ma, Stanley Fung Shui Fan, Hsiao Ho, James Tien Running Time: 91 min. By Numskull “If you can keep your expectations tiny You’ll go through life without being so whiny.” -Matt Groening, “Life in Hell” One of the keys to living a happy life is to expect the worst. When … Continue reading

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She Shoots Straight (1989) Review

"She Shoots Straight" Theatrical Poster

Director: Corey Yuen Cast: Joyce Godenzi, Carina Lau, Tony Leung Ka Fai, Sandra Ng, Sammo Hung, Chi-Wing Lau, Pik-Wan Tang, Yuen Wah, Agnes Aurelio, Bill Tung, Bruce Fontaine Running Time: 87 min By Numskull She shoots, but does she score? Yes and no. This film benefits from some good ass kickin’ and fairly impressive stunts (many performed by women, others performed by stuntmen with wigs), and suffers from a soapy … Continue reading

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Gamera Trilogy (1995-1999) Review

Director: Shusuke Kaneko Cast: Shinobu Nakayama, Ayako Fujitani, Yukijiro Hotaru, Ai Maeda, Toshiyuki Nagashima Running Time: 100/100/108 min. By HKFanatic In the mid-90’s, director Shusuke Kaneko (later responsible for the live-action “Death Note” films) was tasked with rebooting the “Gamera” franchise. Gamera originally appeared in the 1960’s as a giant monster, or kaiju, to rival Godzilla: a space turtle who was known as “The Friend of All Children.” Although Gamera … Continue reading

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Bunraku (2009) Review

"Bunraku" Blu-ray Cover

Director: Guy Moshe Cast: Josh Hartnett, Woody Harrelson, Gackt Camui, Kevin McKidd, Ron Perlman, Demi Moore, Shun Sugata, Jordi Molla, Emily Kaiho, Mike Patton (voice) Running Time: 118 min. By HKFanatic 2009’s “Bunraku” is nothing if not ambitious. Shot in four weeks on soundstages in Romania for a minuscule (by Hollywood standards) budget of $20 million, the film tells the tale of a “cowboy without a gun” (Josh Hartnett) and … Continue reading

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Fire of Conscience | aka Fire Dragon (2010) Review

Director: Dante Lam Chiu Yin Cast: Leon Lai, Richie Ren, Liu Kai Chi, Wang Bao Qiang, Michelle Yip Suen, Pinky Cheung, Vivian Hsu, Wilfred Lau Ho Lung, Chen Kuan Tai, Vanessa Yeung Jung, Adam Chan Chung Tai, Chan Hung, Ringo Chan Ka Leung Running Time: 106 min. By HKFanatic “If you don’t have faith, you’re not alive.” So says Leon Lai’s beleaguered detective in Dante Lam’s 2010 film “Fire of … Continue reading

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Hero of Tomorrow (1988) Review

Director: Poon Man Kit Writer: Clarence Yip Wai Chung Cast: Michael Miu, Max Mok, William Ho, Cheung Wing Jing, Gam Siu Mooi, Joan Tong, Lung Ming Yan, Fong Ming Git, Ku Feng, Chan Chung Yung, Mak Wai Cheung, Jackson Ng, Sham Chin Bo, Sin Ho Ying, Wang Yao, Philip Chan, Chen Jing, Ho Pak Kwong, Blacky Ko, Philip Kwok, Lam Chung, James Tien, Tommy Wong Running Time: 86 min. By … Continue reading

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Phase 7 | aka Faze 7 (2011) Review

Director: Nicolas Goldbart Writer: Nicolas Goldbart Producer: Sebastian Aloi Cast: Daniel Hendler, Jasmine Stuart, Yayo Guridi, Federico Luppi, Carlos Bermejo, Abian Vainstein Running Time: 95 min. By HKFanatic “Phase 7” is the latest in a string of viral outbreak films to land before horror moviegoer’s eyes, following the underrated “Carriers” with Chris Prine and the cult Spanish-language hit “[REC].” “Phase 7” is also in Spanish, though this time it arrives … Continue reading

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