Category Archives: Reviews

Clash | aka Bay Rong (2009) Review

"Clash" International Theatrical Poster

Director: Le Thanh Son Cast: Johnny Tri Nguyen, Veronica Ngo, Hieu Hien, Hoang Phuc Nguyen, Lam Minh Thang Running Time: 100 min. By HKFanatic Hot on the heels of their 2007 martial arts hit “The Rebel,” still the highest grossing Vietnamese film of all time, the creative team behind that movie reunite for another high-octane action film, “Clash.” This time the plot is set in modern day Saigon rather than … Continue reading

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Oasis (2002) Review

Director: Lee Chang-Dong Cast: Sol Kyung-Gu, Moon So-Ri, Ahn Nae-Sang, Ryoo Seung-Wan, Chu Kwi-Jung, Son Byung-Ho, Yoon Ga-Hyun, Park Myung-Shin, Park Kyung-Geun Running Time: 132 Min. By Raging Gaijin “Oasis” is a difficult film to watch, let alone review. The story is deceptively simple, as the plot synopsis above describes, but from it grows one of the most unlikely and captivating relationships in cinema history. Writer/director Lee Chang-Dong has crafted … Continue reading

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Five Shaolin Masters | aka 5 Masters of Death (1974) Review

"Five Shaolin Masters" Hong Kong Theatrical Poster

Director: Chang Cheh Writer: Ni Kuang Cast: David Chiang, Ti Lung, Alexander Fu Sheng, Chi Kuan Chun, Meng Fei, Leung Kar Yan, Fung Hak On, Kong Do, Choi Wang, Johnny Wang, Chan Dik Hak, Chan Sam Lam, Chen Chin, Cheung Yee Kwai, Chik Ngai Hung, Chui Chung, Chui Fat, Dang Tak Cheung Running Time: 105 min. By HKFanatic Most action films, even martial arts ones, are scenes of dialogue interrupted … Continue reading

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BKO: Bangkok Knockout (2010) Review

"BKO: Bangkok Knockout" International Theatrical Poster

Director: Panna Rittikrai Cast: Gitabak Agohjit, Speedy Arnold, Supakson Chaimongkol, Sorapong Chatree, Virat Kemgrad Running Time: 105 min. By HKFanatic Director and fight choreographer Panna Rittikrai has stated his goal in cinema is to push the human body to its limit. “BKO: Bangkok Knockout,” then, is his magnum opus. Panna builds on style of his 2004 free-for-all stunt spectacular “Born to Fight” and unleashes a film that either pays tribute … Continue reading

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Rammbock: Berlin Undead | aka Siege of the Dead (2010) Review

Director: Marvin Kren Writer: Benjamin Hessler Producer: Sigrid Hoerner Cast: Michael Fuith, Theo Trebs, Anka Graczyk, Brigitte Kren, Emily Cox Running Time: 64 min. By HKFanatic “Rammbock” is a 2010 German-language zombie film that takes its cues from “28 Days Later”: the dead aren’t coming back to life, it’s the living that are being infected by a virus that turns them into rabid flesh-eaters. The filmmakers obviously didn’t have access … Continue reading

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Executioners from Shaolin | aka Shaolin Executioner (1977) Review

"Executioners from Shaolin" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Executioners of Death Director: Lau Kar-leung Cast: Chen Kuan Tai, Lo Lieh, Lily Li Li Li, Wong Yu, Kong Do, Hsiao Ho, Cheng Hong Yip, John Cheung, Shum Lo, Gordon Liu, Fung Hak On, Fung Ming, John Cheung, Wilson Tong, Peter Chan Lung, Lam Ching Ying, Lau Kar Leung, Lee Hoi San, Meng Hoi, Eric Tsang Running Time: 96 mins. By HKFanatic Tonally, this film is all over the … Continue reading

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Mad Monkey Kung Fu (1979) Review

"Mad Monkey Kung Fu" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Liu Chia Liang Writer: I Kuang Cast: Hsiao Ho, Lau Kar Leung, Lo Lieh, Kara Hui, Ching Chu, San Sin, Lam Fai Wong, Lin Ke Ming, Chan Ling Wai, Wong Ching Ho, Cham Siu Hung Running Time: 116 min. By HKFanatic This 1979 kung fu film starring Hsiao Ho and Lau Kar-leung is another minor masterpiece from the Shaw Brothers. At nearly two hours long, this movie stuffs in … Continue reading

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Tactical Force (2011) Review

"Tactical Force" Japanese DVD Cover

Director: Adamo Paolo Cultraro Cast: “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Michael Jai White, Candace Elaine, Lexa Doig, Steve Bacic, Michael Shanks, Michael Eklund, Darren Shahlavi Running Time: 90 min. By HKFanatic If you rent a movie with “Stone Cold” Steven Austin dead center on the cover, you probably know what you’re in for. There’s gonna be low production values, Stone Cold is gonna spout off a few one-liners like “You can … Continue reading

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Shaolin Temple 3 | aka Martial Arts of Shaolin (1986) Review

"Martial Arts of Shaolin" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Shaolin North & South Director: Lau Kar-leung Cast: Jet Li, Wong Chau Yin, Hu Jian Qiang, Yu Cheng Hui, Yu Hai, Sun Jian Kui, Ji Chun Hua, Mak Wai Cheung, Wong Kwong-Kuen, Hu Mei-Jie Running Time: 89 min. By HKFanatic Released in 1986, “Martial Arts of Shaolin” is the latest era Shaw Brothers film I’ve yet to see. I’m not an expert on the Shaw Brothers like many City … Continue reading

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Dr. Wai in the Scripture Without Words (1996) Review

"Dr. Wai in the Scripture Without Words" Theatrical Poster

Director: Ching Siu-tung Cast: Jet Li, Rosamund Kwan, Charlie Young, Kaneshiro Takeshi, Law Kar Ying, Billy Chow Bei Lei, Collin Chou, Johnnie Kong Yeuk Sing Running Time: 91 min.  By Numskull Holy crap, what a waste. Of time, of money, of energy, of potential. This could have been a remarkable action-adventure with a scope the width of which is rarely seen in Hong Kong cinema. Instead, it’s just ninety yawn-inducing … Continue reading

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Hitman | aka Contract Killers (1998) Review

Director: Stephen Tung Wai Cast: Jet Li, Eric Tsang, Simon Yam, Gigi Leung, Keiji Sato, Paul Ropovshi, Frankie Ng, Jude Poyer, Deon Lam Dik On, Sam Wong Shum, John Ching Tung Running Time: 104 min. By Numskull A very welcome change of pace for Jet Li, Hitman features no flying around on wires or other stupid Hong Kong action tricks, unless you count the bad guy who blinds people with light from … Continue reading

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Only the Brave (2005) Review

"Only the Brave" American Theatrical Poster

Director: Lane Nishikawa Cast: Lane Nishikawa, Jason Scott Lee, Mark Dacascos, Yuji Okumoto, Tamlyn Tomita, Pat Morita, Jeff Fahey, Guy Ecker, Greg Watanabe Running Time: 96 min. By Ningen This war flick was so indie, the producer originally had to sell the dvd off an official site, because no studio wanted to distribute it! Based on a true story of former Japanese-American internment camp dwellers who joined the U.S. Armed … Continue reading

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Little Big Soldier (2010) Review

"Little Big Soldier" Blu-ray Cover

Director: Ding Sheng Writer: Jackie Chan Cast: Jackie Chan, Xu Dongmei, Wang Lee Hom, Steve Yoo Seung Jun, Lin Peng, Yu Rong-Guang, Ken Lo Wai-Kwong, Song Jin, Du Yuming, Yuen Woo-ping, Wu Yue Running Time: 96 min. By Jeff Bona In the tradition of Lee Marvin and Toshiro Mifune in Hell in the Pacific (1968); Dennis Quaid and Louis Gossett Jr. in Enemy Mine (1985); and Lau Ching Wan and Leon … Continue reading

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Magnificent Seven, The (1960) Review

Director: John Sturges Writer: William Roberts, Walter Newman, Walter Bernstein Producer: John Sturges Cast: Yul Brynner, Eli Wallach, Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson, Robert Vaughn, James Coburn, Brad Dexter, Horst Buchholz Running Time: 128 min. By HKFanatic Even now, 50 years later, the debate rages on: “Seven Samurai” or “The Magnificent Seven”? Of course, there’s no reason that film fans can’t enjoy both. But I say if you’re a red-blooded American … Continue reading

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Waikiki Brothers (2001) Review

"Waikiki Brothers" Theatrical Poster

Director: Yim Soonrye Cast: Lee Eol, Park Won-Sang, Ryu Seung-Beom, Hwang Jung-Min, Oh Ji-Hye, Park Hae-Il Running Time: 140 mins. By Equinox21 Waikiki Brothers is a mildly depressing film about a band of the same name, with Sung-woo as the lead member. The band loses members for a number of reasons, one being that they bring in less and less money, and people simply can’t afford to play music in … Continue reading

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