Category Archives: Reviews

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

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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

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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

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Hobo with a Shotgun (2011) Review

"Hobo with a Shotgun" International Theatrical Poster

Director: Jason Eisener Writer: John Davies Cast: Rutger Hauer, Gregory Smith, Molly Dunsworth, Brian Downey, Robb Wells, Nick Bateman, Peter Simas, Jeremy Akerman Running Time: 86 min. By HKFanatic One thing you can’t accuse “Hobo With a Shotgun” of is false advertising. No matter what happens during its unrated, 86-minute runtime, you will witness a shotgun-wielding hobo. The film’s content may shock and appall the religious right or anyone with … Continue reading

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G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (2009) Review

Director: Stephen Sommers Cast: Channing Tatum, Sienna Miller, Christopher Eccleston, Karolina Kurkova, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Rachel Nichols, Marlon Wayans, Ray Park, Lee Byung-hun, Dennis Quaid, Jonathan Pryce, Gerald Okamura Running Time: 118 min. By JJ Hatfield The overall response to the newest “first” chapter of the “Joe” world seems to be mostly positive. In other words from the studio to the Hasbro company cranking out new and improved “Joe” items, everyone … Continue reading

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Tragic Hero | aka Rich and Famous II (1987) Review

Director: Taylor Wong, David Lai Cast: Chow Yun Fat, Andy Lau, Alex Man Chi Leung, Carina Lau, Shing Fui On, Pauline Wong Siu Fung, Lam Chung, Peter Yang, Elvis Tsui Kam Kong, O Chun Hung, Danny Lee, Ng Hoi Tin, Ng Hong Ning, Wong Chi Keung Running Time: 97 min. By Joseph Kuby Succeedingly Surprising! This is the sequel to Rich and Famous, even though it apparently was filmed simultaneously; … Continue reading

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Rich and Famous | aka Black Vengeance (1987) Review

"Rich and Famous" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Taylor Wong Tai Loy Cast: Chow Yun Fat, Andy Lau Tak Wah, Alex Man Chi Leung, O Chun Hung, Alan Tam Wing Lun, Lam Chung, Shing Fui On, Carina Lau Kar Ling, Wong Chi Keung, Pauline Wong Siu Fung, Fan Mei Sheng, Danny Lee Sau Yin Running Time: 104 min. By Joseph Kuby Hollywood inspired crime thriller! Rich and Famous, according to author Stephen Teo (of Hong Kong Cinema: … Continue reading

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Brother’s Justice | aka Jung Guns (2010) Review

Director: David Palmer, Dax Shepard Writer: Dax Shepard Producer: Nate Tuck Cast: Dax Shepard, Nate Tuck, Tom Arnold, Bradley Cooper, Jon Favreau, Ashton Kutcher, James Feldman, David Koechner, David Palmer, Michael Rosenbaum, Jess Rowland, Rome Shadanloo, Josh Temple Running Time: 85 min. By Laser Beahm Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t get the Mockumentary genre. Am I supposed to take it seriously, is it supposed to be funny, if … Continue reading

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Dynamite Warrior | aka Tabunfire (2006) Review

"Dynamite Warrior" Thai Theatrical Poster

AKA: Khon Fai Bin, Fire Warriors Director: Chalerm Wongpim Cast: Dan Chupong, Panna Rittikrai, Leo Putt, Puttipong Sriwat, Samart Tipthamai, Kanyapak Suwannakoot, Samart Payakarun, Kampanart Angsoongnern Running Time: 103 min. By HKFanatic Dan Chupong is a legitimate bad-ass. The stuntman/actor paid his dues with the famous Muay Thai Stunt team, performing stunts in “Ong Bak” (2003) before stepping in front of the camera to act in 2004’s “Born to Fight,” even … Continue reading

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Kung Fu Genius (1979) Review

Director: Wilson Tong Wai Shing Producer: Alex Gouw Cast: Peter Chan Lung, Cheng Hong Yip, Ching Chu, Hsiao Ho, Hui Ying Ying, Lee Hoi San, Cliff Lok Kam Tung, San Sin, Wilson Tong Wai Shing, Tsang Choh Lam, Wong Yat Fei Running Time: 84 min. By JJ Hatfield This film is directed by Wilson Tong who should know enough about films at the time this was shot he could have … Continue reading

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Mercury Man (2006) Review

"Mercury Man" Thai Theatrical Poster

AKA: Ma noot lhek lai Director: Bhandit Thongdee Cast: Wasan Khantaau, Metinee Kingpayome, Arnon Saisangchan, Jinvipa Kheawkunya, Parinya Kiatbusaba, Darunee Khrittabhunyalai Running Time: 101 min. By HKFanatic Supposedly the director of “Mercury Man” was targeting foreign markets with this film. If that’s the case, he’s got a long ways to go before this movie would successful in the West. At first glance, it’s a cool enough idea: a Thai superhero … Continue reading

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SARS Wars: Bangkok Zombie Crisis (2004) Review

"SARS Wars: Bangkok Zombie Crisis" American DVD Cover

AKA: Khun krabii hiiroh Director: Taweewat Wantha Cast: Suthep Po-ngam, Supakorn Kitsuwon, Phintusuda Tunphairao, Lene Christensen, Somlek Sakdikul Running Time: 95 min. HKFanatic’s Review “SARs Wars: Bangkok Zombie Crisis” is the rare film that manages to live up to its outlandish title. For 90 minutes you’re treated to Thailand’s off the wall sense of humor and a parade of flesh-eating zombies, Asian schoolgirls, and exploding heads. This is not to … Continue reading

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Tetsuo: The Bullet Man | aka The Bulletman (2009) Review

Tetsuo: The Bullet Man DVD (IFC)

Director: Shinya Tsukamoto Cast: Eric Bossick, Akiko Mono, Shinya Tsukamoto, Stephen Sarrazin, Yuko Nakamura Running Time: 79 min. By HKFanatic As a die-hard fan of Shinya Tsukamoto (I even wrote a term paper on the guy), I’m honest enough to admit that “Tetsuo: Bullet Man” is not very good. Sadly, I don’t think many fans were expecting it to be. Not only is it yet another sequel to Tsukamoto’s “Tetsuo: … Continue reading

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Addicted (2002) Review

AKA: Jungdok Director: Park Young-hoon Writer: Byun Won-mi Producer: Lee Choon-Yeon Cast: Lee Byung-hun, Lee Mi-yeon, Lee Ueol, Park Sun-young Running Time: 114 min. By JJ Hatfield Life is good for the two brothers Ho-jin and Dae-jin. They are very close and good friends too. The two live together as they have no other family until Ho-jin marries. Their lives are peaceful and routine and that seems to suit them … Continue reading

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Coweb | aka Combat Web (2009) Review

"Coweb" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Zhang Wu Shuang Director: Hung Yan Yan Cast: Jiang Lu Xia, Sam Lee, Eddie Cheung Siu Fai, Kane Kosugi, Mike Moeller, Edison Chen Running Time: 87 min. By HKFanatic Going at least as far back as Cheng Pei-pei in 1966′s “Come Drink With Me,” the martial arts genre has a long history of powerful women who can kick just as much ass as their male co-stars. Part of the appeal … Continue reading

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