Category Archives: Reviews

True Legend (2010) Review

"True Legend" Blu-ray Cover

Director: Yuen Woo Ping Cast: Vincent Chiu Man Chuk, Zhou Xun, Andy On, Jay Chou Kit Lun, Michelle Yeoh, Leung Kar Yan, Jiang Lu Xia, Gordon Liu, David Carradine, Guo Xiao Dong, Feng Xiaogang, Jacky Heung Cho, Cung Le Running Time: 116 min. By HKFanatic Tell me again why Vincent Zhao never became as big as Jet Li? Despite starring in movies like Tsui Hark’s cult classic “The Blade” and … Continue reading

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Hong Kong Godfather (1985) Review

"Hong Kong Godfather" International DVD Cover

AKA: Hong Kong Godfathers Director: Wang Lung Wei Cast: Leung Kar Yan, Norman Chu Siu Keung, Pomson Shi, Richard Cheung Kuen, Shum Wai, Chui Suk Woon, Kong Lung, Paulo Tocha, Shih Kien, Huang Pa-Ching Running Time: 94 min. By HKFanatic Arriving in 1985, “Hong Kong Godfather” is one of the later era Shaw Brothers flick and it’s not necessarily one of their best either. However, this tale of Triad brothers … Continue reading

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Stoner | aka The Shrine of the Ultimate Bliss (1974) Review

"Stoner" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: A Man Called Stoner Director: Huang Feng Cast: George Lazenby, Angela Mao Ying, Betty Ting Pei, Sammo Hung, Joji Takagi, Wilson Tong, Yeung Wai, Nick Lam Wai Kei, Suen Lam, Wang In Sik Running Time: 107 min. By Jeff Bona When a tough Australian cop named Stoner (George Lazenby) discovers that his sister has overdosed on a deadly new drug called “The Happy Pill” (an aphrodisiac/hallucenogen mixture), he travels … Continue reading

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Shogun Assassin (1980) Review

"Shogun Assassin" Japanese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Lone Wolf and Cub Director: Kenji Misumi Co-director: Robert Houston Cast: Tomisaburo Wakayama, Kayo Matsuo, Minoru Ohki, Akiji Kobayashi, Shin Kishida Running Time: 89 min. By Joe909 Shogun Assassin is one of those films that demands a recounting of its history, before you can actually review it. In 1980, a pair of producers with ties to Roger Corman got hold of the first two films in the Japanese Baby … Continue reading

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Dream Home (2010) Review

Dream Home DVD (MPI)

Director: Pang Ho Cheung Cast: Josie Ho, Michelle Yip Suen, Eason Chan, Norman Chu Siu Keung, Lawrence Chou Jun Wai, Nina Pau Hei Ching, Derek Tsang Kwok Cheung, Lo Hoi Pang Running Time: 96 min. By HKFanatic “Dream Home” generated a great deal of controversy upon its 2010 Hong Kong release, due in large part to its graphic violence. Despite carrying a Category III rating (basically the equivalent to our … Continue reading

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Pulse | aka Kairo (2001) Review

AKA: The Circuit Director: Kiyoshi Kurosawa Cast: Haruhiko Kato, Kumiko Aso, Koyuki, Kurume Arisaka, Masatoshi Matsuo, Show Aikawa, Jun Fubuki, Shinji Takeda, Koji Yakusho, Shun Sugata Running Time: 119 min. By Numskull What Kairo sets out to do, it does superbly. However, not everyone will be happy with what it does, which is to sustain an eerie mood for two hours rather than simply tell a scary story. That’s not … Continue reading

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Die Hard 4.0 | aka Live Free or Die Hard (2007) Review

"Die Hard 4.0" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Len Wiseman Cast: Bruce Willis, Justin Long, Timothy Olyphant, Jonathan Sadowski, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Maggie Q, Cliff Curtis, Kevin Smith, Cyril Raffaelli Running Time: 129 min. By Ningen Ah, Die Hard-the movie ranked #1 action movie at Entertainment Weekly. The only one I didn’t see in the series was the second film, but, since I hear it doesn’t matter, I’ll assume the McTiernan versions should be enough to judge … Continue reading

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Drop (2009) Review

Director: Hiroshi Shinagawa Writer: Hiroshi Shinagawa Producer: Taiichi Inoue Cast: Hiroki Narimiya, Hiro Mizushima, Yuika Motokariya, Yusuke Kamiji, Noriko Nakagoshi, Kazuki Namioka, Junichi Komoto, Yuji Ayabe Running Time: 122 Min. By HKFanatic “Drop” is a live-action filmed based on the autobiographical novel by Japanese comedian Hiroshi Shinagawa. Shinagawa also stepped behind the camera for this, his directorial debut. I’m not sure how true-to-life this story is since the characters continually … Continue reading

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Devil’s Treasure, The (1973) Review

"The Devil's Treasure" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Jeong Chang Hwa Cast: Ko Chun Hsiung, Nora Miao Ke Hsiu, Sammo Hung Kam Bo, Lau Kar Wing, Wang In Sik, Yee Yuen, Yen Shi Kwan, Yeung Wai, Anthony Lau Wing Running Time: 96 min. By Jeff Bona Wang Chun (Ko Chun Hsiung) is a professional scuba diver who is contacted by a group of shady businessmen who want to locate a mysterious chest beneath the sea. After they … Continue reading

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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 Running Time: 96 mins. By HKFanatic Tonally, this film is all over the place even for a Shaw Brothers movie. The story opens … Continue reading

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