Category Archives: Reviews

Alien vs. Ninja | aka AVN (2010) Review

"Alien vs. Ninja" American Theatrical Poster

Director: Seiji Chiba Cast: Shuji Kashiwabara, Ben Hiura, Mika Hijii, Donpei Tsuchihira, Masanori Mimoto Running Time: 83 min. By HKFanatic “Alien vs. Ninja” arrived on Western shelves just in time to capitalize on the DVD/blu-ray release of 2010’s “Predators.” And glancing at the title and box art, you’d think this movie was a cheap knock-off of the “Aliens vs. Predator” franchise. I know that was my first impression. Turns out … Continue reading

Posted in Japanese, Ninja, Reviews | Tagged |

Chawz | aka Chaw (2009) Review

"Chawz" Korean Theatrical Poster

Director: Shin Jeong-Won Cast: Uhm Tae-Woong, Jeong Yu-Mi, Jang Hang-Seon, Yun Je-Mun, Park Hyuk-Kwon, Kim Gi-Cheon, Lee Sang-Hee, Jeong Yun-Min, Mun Jong-Hun Running Time: 121 min. By HKFanatic Now for something totally different. “Chawz” is a South Korean horror/comedy that attempts to do the whole ‘small town terrorized by a big monster’ shtick like “Jaws,” except with dollops of goofy humor. And, you know what, it pretty much works. This … Continue reading

Posted in Korean, Reviews | Tagged , |

Dark Water (2002) Review

Director: Hideo Nakata Writer: Koji Suzuki (novel) Cast: Hitomi Kuroki, Mirei Oguchi, Rio Kanno, Shigemitsu Ogi, Fumiyo Kohinata, Yu Tokui, Isao Yatsu, Asami Mizukawa Running Time: 102 min. By Numskull Director Hideo Nakata and novelist Koji Suzuki follow their success on Ring and Spiral with this collaboration about a mother and daughter living in an apartment building with a dark mystery, a leaky ceiling, a lazy janitor, and a very … Continue reading

Posted in All, Japanese, Reviews | Tagged |

Above the Law | aka Nico (1988) Review

"Above the Law" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Andrew Davis Cast: Steven Seagal, Pam Grier, Sharon Stone, Daniel Faraldo, Henry Silva, Ron Dean, Miguel Nino, Nicholas Kusenko, Joe Greco, Chelcie Ross, Gregory Alan Williams, Jack Wallace, Metta Davis, Joseph F. Kosala Running Time: 99 min. By HKFanatic The man, the myth, the mystique that is Steven Seagal begins here, with 1988’s “Above the Law.” Many wonder how a virtual no-name like Seagal was able to secure a … Continue reading

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

Tron (1982) Review

Director: Steven Lisberger Writer: Steven Lisberger, Bonnie MacBird Producer: Donald Kushner, Ron Miller Cast: Jeff Bridges, Bruce Boxleitner, David Warner, Cindy Morgan, Barnard Hughes, Dan Shor Running Time: 96 min. By HKFanatic In the months leading up to “Tron: Legacy’s” December 2010 release, consumers started reporting that the original “Tron” DVD was becoming increasingly difficult to find in stores. All of a sudden it wasn’t available to rent from Netflix. … Continue reading

Posted in Other Movies, Reviews | Tagged , , |

Shaolin | aka New Shaolin Temple (2011) Review

"Shaolin" Blu-ray Cover

Director: Benny Chan Cast: Andy Lau, Nicholas Tse, Fan Bing Bing, Wu Jing, Xing Yu, Yu Shao Qun, Hung Yan Yan Running Time: 131 min. By HKFanatic Andy Lau. Nicholas Tse. Jacky Wu. Jackie Chan. You can’t really ask for a bigger cast from a Hong Kong flick these days. With Benny Chan (“New Police Story”) behind the camera and handling production duties, “Shaolin” seemed prime to be a modern … Continue reading

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

Blood and Bone (2009) Review

"Blood and Bone" American Theatrical Poster

Director: Ben Ramsey Writer: Michael Andrews Cast: Michael Jai White, Eamonn Walker, Dante Basco, Michelle Belegrin, Julian Sands, Matt Mullins, Ron Yuan, Bob Sapp, Nona Gaye, Dick Anthony Williams, Kimbo Slice, Gina Carano, Ernest “The Cat” Miller, Maurice Smith Running Time: 93 min. By HKFanatic If you’re a fan of direct-to-video action movies, you may have noticed a sea change within the genre over the past few years. The straight-to-DVD … Continue reading

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

L.A. Streetfighters | aka Ninja Turf (1985) Review

"L.A. Streetfighters" Theatrical Poster

AKA: China Town Director: Park Woo-sang Cast: Jun Chong, Phillip Rhee, James Lew, Rosanna King, Bill Wallace, Ken Nagayama, Frank Marmolejo, Dorin Mukama, Mark Hicks, Loren Avedon Running Time: 85 min. By Barey Gusey As a child of the 80s, I was a victim of the ninja craze. It was all about buying martial arts magazines and flipping to the mail order pages to check out the latest ninja gear. … Continue reading

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

Purple Storm (1999) Review

"Purple Storm" Japanese DVD Cover

Director: Teddy Chen Cast: Daniel Wu, Emil Chau, Kam Kwok Leung, Josie Ho, Joan Chen, Moses Chan, Patrick Tam, Eric Mo, Michael Tong, Brian Banowetz, Anthony Carpio, Theresa Lee Running Time: 114 min. By JJ Hatfield “Purple Storm” is an amazing action drama that won numerous awards and critical acclaim all over Asia but never seemed to find it’s way to the U.S. audiences. Fortunately one can now find full … Continue reading

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

REC 2 | aka [REC] 2 (2009) Review

Director: Jaume Balagueró, Paco Plaza Writer: Jaume Balagueró, Manu Díez, Paco Plaza Producer: Julio Fernández Cast: Jonathan Mellor, Óscar Sánchez Zafra, Ariel Casas, Alejandro Casaseca, Pablo Rosso, Pep Molina, Andrea Ros, Ális Batllori, Pau Poch, Juli Fábregas, Nico Baixas, Javier Botet, Carlos Olalla, Manuela Velasco Running Time: 85 min. By HKFanatic I love the original [REC]. When I first saw the Spanish-language horror film about zombies in a quarantined apartment … Continue reading

Posted in Other Movies, Reviews | Tagged , |

Enter the Void (2009) Review

AKA: Soudain le Vide Director: Gaspar Noé Writer: Gaspar Noé Cast: Nathaniel Brown, Paz de la Huerta, Cyril Roy, Olly Alexander, Masato Tanno, Ed Spear, Emily Alyn Lind, Jesse Kuhn, Nobu Imai, Sakiko Fukuhara, Janice Béliveau-Sicotte, Sara Stockbridge, Stuart Miller, Emi Takeuchi, Federico Aletta, Simon Chamberland, Edward L. Papazian Running Time: 161 min. By HKFanatic Lately it seems like certain controversial films are premiered at Cannes, creating outrage among French … Continue reading

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

13 Assassins (2010) Review

"13 Assassins" Blu-ray Cover

Director: Takashi Miike Cast: Koji Yakusho, Takayuki Yamada, Yusuke Iseya, Goro Inagaki, Masachika Ichimura, Mikijiro Hira, Tsuyoshi Ihara, Hiroki Matsukata, Kazue Fukiishi Running Time: 114/126 min. By HKFanatic “13 Assassins” is one of those rare films that comes out of nowhere – at this point in his career, was anybody really expecting Takashi Miike to direct a traditional samurai flick with sky-high production values? – and immediately garners a critical … Continue reading

Posted in Japanese, Reviews | Tagged |

Memories of Murder (2003) Review

"Memories of Murder" Korean Theatrical Poster

Director: Bong Jun-Ho Producer: Cha Seung-Jae Cast: Song Kang-Ho, Kim Sang-Kyung, Kim Roe-Ha, Song Jae-Ho, Byun Hee-Bong, Ko Seo-Hee, Jeon Mi-Sun, Park No-Shik, Park Hae-Il, Seo Yeong-Hwa Running Time: 127 min. By Raging Gaijin “Memories of Murder” was a blockbuster hit in South Korea in 2003 and it’s just now finally seeing a DVD release in the US. The film is the chilling tale of South Korea’s first recorded case … Continue reading

Posted in Korean, News, Reviews | Tagged , |

Bad Blood | aka King of Triads (2010) Review

AKA: Mie Men, Mit Moon Director: Dennis Law Cast: Simon Yam, Andy On, Bernice Liu, Hung Yan Yan, Chris Lai Lok Yi, Pinky Cheung Man Chi, Jiang Lu Xia, Ken Lo, Chan Wai Man, Lam Suet, Eddie Cheung, Hau Woon Ling, Hon Chun, Amy Tan En Mei Running Time: 95 min. By HKFanatic Can I recommend a movie based solely on the strength of its fight scenes? If that were … Continue reading

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

Princess Madam | aka Under Police Protection (1989) Review

"Princess Madam" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Godfrey Ho Cast: Sharon Yeung, Moon Lee, Michiko Nishiwaki, Anthony Tang, Liu Kai Chi, Yueh Hua, Kenneth Tsang, Cheng Yuen Man, Mark Houghton, Steve Tartalia, James Ha Chim Si, John Ladalski, Lau Shung Fung, Lee Chun Hwa Running Time: 92 min. By Brmanuk Directed by the king of cut-and-paste Godfrey Ho, ‘girls and guns’ flick Princess Madam is actually one of the director’s better efforts. When a secretary agrees … Continue reading

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