Category Archives: Reviews

Flying Swords of Dragon Gate (2011) Review

Posted on October 3, 2012 by Z Ravas
"Flying Swords of Dragon Gate" Japanese DVD Cover

Director: Tsui Hark Cast: Jet Li, Kwai Lun Mei, Chen Kun, Zhou Xun, Li Yu Chun, Mavis Fan Hiu Huen, Fan Siu Wong, Du Yiheng, Sun Jian Kui, Viann Zhang Xin Yu Running Time: 125 min. By HKFantic It was Jean-Claude Van Damme of all people who dubbed Tsui Hark ‘the George Lucas of Asia.’ Most likely because his 1983 fantasy film “Zu Warriors From the Magic Mountain” helped launch … Continue reading →

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

6 Bullets | aka The Butcher (2012) Review

Posted on September 20, 2012 by Z Ravas
"6 Bullets" German DVD Cover

Director: Ernie Barbarash Cast: Jean-Claude Van Damme, Joe Flanigan, Anna-Louise Plowman, Bianca Bree, Kristopher Van Varenberg, Terese Cilluffo, Charlotte Beaumont, Andrei Runcanu Running Time: 115 min. By HKFanatic 2011’s “Assassination Games” was anticipated as the beginning of a possible comeback for Jean-Claude Van Damme: it paired the aging action star with hot newcomer Scott Adkins and managed to secure decent theatrical distribution in the United States, a first for Van … Continue reading →

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

R2B: Return to Base (2012) Review

Posted on September 16, 2012 by Z Ravas

AKA: Back Eagle Director: Kim Dong-Won Writer: Ahn Sang-Hun, Kim Dong-Won Producer: Jang Tae-Gon, Kim Dong-Won Cast: Rain, Yu Jun-Sang, Shin Se-Kyung, Kim Sung-Soo, Lee Ha-Na, Lee Jong-Seok, Jeong Kyung-Ho, Baek Bong-Gi Running Time: 113 min. By HKFanatic Western audiences will most likely recognize actor Rain from Hollywood movies like “Speed Racer” and “Ninja Assassin.” But in his native South Korea, Rain is a bonafied superstar thanks to his pop … Continue reading →

Posted in Korean, Reviews | Tagged , |

So Close (2002) Review

Posted on September 16, 2012 by JJ Bona
"So Close" Theatrical Poster

Director: Corey Yuen Cast: Shu Qi, Vicky Zhao Wei, Karen Mok, Song Seung Heon, Ben Lam, Yasuaki Kurata, Deric Wan, Sek Sau, Jude Poyer, Ricardo Mamood, Michael Wei, Henry Fong, Gam Hing Yin, Wong So Bik, May Gwong Man Chun Running Time: 111 min By Reefer During the preposterous opening of Cory Yuen’s action thriller, So Close, I thought I was going to be treated to a half-assed rehashing of … Continue reading →

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White Vengeance (2011) Review

Posted on September 7, 2012 by Z Ravas
""White Vengeance" International Theatrical Poster

Director: Daniel Lee Cast: Leon Lai Ming, Zhang Han Yu, Anthony Wong Chau Sang, Jordan Chan Siu Chun, Crystal Liu Yi Fei, Fang Shao Feng, Andy On Chi Kit, Jia Qing, Wu Ma, Chen Kuan Tai, Chan Chi Fai, Ding Hai Feng, Du Yiheng, Xu Xiang Dong Running Time: 135 min. By HKFanatic Director Daniel Lee has long seemed to struggle to find his identity as a filmmaker in the … Continue reading →

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Dreadnaught (1981) Review

Posted on September 5, 2012 by JJ Bona
"Dreadnaught" Theatrical Poster

Director: Yuen Woo Ping Producer: Raymond Chow Cast: Yuen Biao, Leung Kar Yan, Kwan Tak Hing, Yuen Shun Yee, Philip Ko, Lily Li, Tong Jing, Fan Mei Sheng, Fung Hak On, Brandy Yuen, Cheung Chok Chow Running Time: 90 min. By Joe909 Dreadnaught is considered one of the “New Wave” HK movies that upped the bar for martial arts films, and Hong Kong cinema in general. Sure. But what most … Continue reading →

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

Quick (2011) Review

Posted on September 1, 2012 by Z Ravas

Director: Jo Beom-goo Writer: Park Su-jin Producer: Lee Sang-yong, Yun Je-gyun Cast: Lee Min-ki, Kang Ye-won, Kim In-kwon, Ko Chang-seok, Ju Jin-mo, Xu Fan, Yoon Je-kyoon Running Time: 115 min. By HKFanatic 2011’s “Quick” has frequently been billed as a Korean take on “The Fast and the Furious.” Truth be told, it’s more of a contemporary update on “Speed” – with Korean biker gangs thrown in for good measure – … Continue reading →

Posted in Korean, Reviews | Tagged |

Red Trousers: The Life of Hong Kong Stuntmen (2004) Review

Posted on August 30, 2012 by ningen31
"Red Trousers: The Life of Hong Kong Stuntmen" DVD Cover

Director: Robin Shou Writer: Robin Shou Cast: Beatrice Chia, Keith Cooke, Hakim Alston, Craig Reid, Sammo Hung, Mike Leeder, Lau Kar-leung, Wong Chi Man, Leung Chi Ming, Monique Marie Ozimkowshi, Jude Poyer, Ng Wing Sum, Ridley Tsui Running Time: 93 min. By Ningen This review is based on a special screening of Red Trousers: The Life of Hong Kong Stuntmen, where Robin Shou is the guest of honor. Before the screening … Continue reading →

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

Nightfall (2012) Review

Posted on August 25, 2012 by Z Ravas
Nightfall Blu-ray & DVD (Well Go USA)

Director: Roy Chow Cast: Nick Cheung Ka Fai, Simon Yam Tat Wah, Janice Man Wing San, Kay Tse On Kei, Michael Wong Man Tak, Gordon Liu Chia Hui, Ken Lo, Mike Leeder Running Time: 107 min. By HKFanatic “Nightfall” opens in a prison shower with actor Nick Cheung engaging in a brutal brawl – a sort of slow motion’d, abstractly-directed take on “Eastern Promise’s” infamous fight scene. The violent scuffle … Continue reading →

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Phantom: The Submarine (1999) Review

Posted on August 21, 2012 by JJ Bona
"Phantom: The Submarine" DVD Cover

Director: Min Byeong-Cheon Cast: Choi Min-Su, Jeong Wu-Seong, Yun Ju-Sang, Son Byeong-Ho, Go Dong-Up, Han Ban-Do, Park Gil-Su, Seol Gyeong-Gu, Jeong Eun-Pyo Running Time: 110 min.  By Equinox21 Well, Crimson Tide this ain’t. Phantom: The Submarine and Crimson Tide have very similar plots, with obvious major differences between them. They both take place on nuclear submarines where the Captain attempts to launch nuclear missiles. In Crimson Tide there’s good motivation … Continue reading →

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

Departed, The (2006) Review

Posted on August 11, 2012 by ningen31
"The Departed" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Martin Scorsese Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen, Vera Farmiga, Ray Winstone, Alec Baldwin, Kevin Corrigan Running Time: 151 min. By Ningen A remake of the Andrew Lau crime drama, Infernal Affairs, featuring Hong Kong acting god, Tony Leung, as well as Andy Lau, The Departed shifts the setting to Boston and decides to cram all three movies from the series into one story. … Continue reading →

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

Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale (2011) Review

Posted on August 8, 2012 by Z Ravas

Director: Wei Te-Sheng Cast: Umin Boya, Masanobu Ando, Landy Wen, Irene Luo, Vivian Hsu, Chi-Wei Cheng, Lin Ching-Tai, Da-Ching Running Time: 144 min. (Part 1) Running Time: 132 min. (Part 2) Running Time: 150 min. (single version) By HKFanatic “Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale” arrives from director Te Sheng-Wei and producer John Woo. The film is officially the most expensive Taiwanese production of all time and has been released … Continue reading →

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Magnificent Warriors (1987) Review

Posted on August 3, 2012 by JJ Bona

Director: David Chung Chi-Man Cast: Michelle Yeoh, Richard Ng, Derek Yee Tung Sing, Lowell Lo, Koon Ting, Cindy Lau Chin Dai, Tetsuya Matsui, Hwang Jang Lee, Chang Yi, Lo Meng, Ku Feng Running Time: 89 min.  By Numskull Very ’80s action flick that substitutes quantity for quality. There’s not much about it that could rightly be described as “magnificent” but that’s OK… this is a rainy day, nowhere to go, … Continue reading →

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Guilty of Romance (2011) Review

Posted on July 31, 2012 by Z Ravas
"Guilty of Romance" International Theatrical Poster

Director: Sion Sono Cast: Miki Mizuno, Makoto Togashi, Megumi Kagurazaka, Kazuya Kojima, Satoshi Nikaido, Ryuju Kobayashi, Shingo Gotsuji, Motoki Fukami Running Time: 113 min. By HKFanatic Sion Sono, the acclaimed director of “Suicide Club,” returns with the final installment of his so-called Hate Trilogy. Following up two modern classics like “Love Exposure” and “Cold Fish” couldn’t have been an easy task, and while “Guilty of Romance” is arguably the weakest … Continue reading →

Posted in Japanese, Reviews | Tagged |

Election 2 | aka Triad Election (2006) Review

Posted on July 14, 2012 by Z Ravas
"Election 2" French Theatrical Poster

Director: Johnnie To Cast: Louis Koo, Simon Yam, Nick Cheung, Gordon Lam, Lam Suet, Wong Tin Lam, Yau Yung, Eddie Cheung, Mark Cheng, Andy On, Cheung Wing Cheung Running Time: 92 min. By HKFanatic As much as I’ve disparaged Louis Koo’s acting in movies like “Triple Tap” and “Accident,” no one can take his performance in “Election 2” away from him. With this film, Koo found the role he was … Continue reading →

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