Category Archives: Reviews

All About Lily Chou-Chou (2001) Review

Posted on April 10, 2012 by JJ Bona

Director: Shunji Iwai Writer: Shunji Iwai Producer: Koko Maeda Cast: Hayato Ichihara, Shugo Oshinari, Ayumi Ito, Takao Osawa, Miwako Ichikawa, Izumi Inamori Running Time: 140 min. By Alexander As I sit here typing this review I’m still trying to figure out whether I like “All About Lily Chou Chou” or not. On one hand, it’s a beautiful film, filled with gorgeous images of rural Japan. The shot of young Yuichi … Continue reading →

Posted in All, Japanese, News, Reviews |

Raid, The (2011) Review

Posted on April 8, 2012 by Z Ravas
Raid: Redemption Blu-ray & DVD (Sony Pictures)

Director: Gareth Evans Cast: Iko Uwais, Joe Taslim, Donny Alamsyah, Yayan Ruhian, Pierre Gruno, Tegar Setrya, Ray Sahetapy, Eka “Piranha” Rahmadia, Verdi Solaiman, Iang Darmawan Running Time: 101 min. By HKFanatic Like most martial arts buffs, I was a fan of writer/director Gareth Evans’ and star Iko Uwais’ first collaboration, 2009’s “Merauntau.” But as good as that movie was – and it certainly had its bone-breaking highlights – there was little … Continue reading →

Posted in Indonesian, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , |

Rolling Thunder (1977) Review

Posted on April 3, 2012 by Jeff Bona

Director: John Flynn Cast: William Devane, Tommy Lee Jones, Linda Haynes, James Best, Dabney Coleman, Luke Askew Running Time: 95 min. By Jeff Bona Being the film nut that I am, I feel like I should have seen this movie years ago. Even its title explodes with coolness. When I think of Rolling Thunder, two things come to mind: The first is an unrelated 1986 video game called Rolling Thunder, a … Continue reading →

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

Final Impact (1991) Review

Posted on March 21, 2012 by Retter
"Final Impact" UK DVD Cover

Director: Joseph Merhi Cast: Lorenzo Lamas, Jeff Langton, Mimi Lesseos, Kathleen Kinmont, Michael Worth, Frank Rivera, Gary Daniels, Antoinette Steen, James M. Williams Running Time: 101 min. By Retter The genre of kickboxing and punch fighting movies could easily fill an entire video store (or more). The post-Van Damme video era of the 80’s and 90’s coincided with an explosion in home video. This new market in home entertainment was … Continue reading →

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

Memento Mori | aka Whispering Corridors 2 (1999) Review

Posted on March 19, 2012 by JJ Bona
"Memento Mori" Theatrical Poster

Director: Kim Tae-Yong Co-director: Min Kyu-Dong Cast: Park Ye Jin, Kim Gyu Ri, Lee Young Jin, Kim Jae In, Lee Eon Jung, Baek Jong Hak Running Time: 97 min. By Numskull I watched this noted Korean film for free (thanks, Netflix!) in glorious pan & scan (NO thanks, Mei Ah!). And I don’t regret it. Watched it twice, I did. Damn good movie. But…”masterpiece”? I dunno about that. The setting … Continue reading →

Posted in All, Korean, News, Reviews |

Best of the Best (1989) Review

Posted on March 16, 2012 by Z Ravas
"Best of the Best" American DVD Cover

Director: Robert Radler Cast: James Earl Jones, Eric Roberts, Phillip Rhee, Chris Penn, John Dye, David Agresta, Tom Everett, Sally Kirkland, Hee Il Cho, Simon Rhee, James Lew, Ken Nagayama, Ho Sik Pak, Edan Gross, Louise Fletcher Running Time: 97 min. By HKFanatic I put off watching “Best of the Best” for years – to the point where most people’s reaction became “I can’t believe you haven’t seen that movie!” … Continue reading →

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Naked Killer (1992) Review

Posted on March 8, 2012 by JJ Bona
"Naked Killer" Chinese DVD Cover

Director: Clarence Ford Writer: Wong Jing Cast: Changmy Yau, Simon Yam, Kelly Yao, Carrie Ng, Madoka Sugawara, Hui Siu Hung, Ken Lo, Dick Lau Dik Ji, Yu Kwok Lok, Sung Boon Chung, Louis Roth Running Time: 88/93 min. By Alexander The image of a gun-wielding, nearly nude Chingmy Yau is undoubtedly burned into the collective conscious of drooling Hong Kong cinema fanboys everywhere. Low budget periodicals like “Asian Cult Cinema”, … Continue reading →

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

Gantz II: Perfect Answer (2011) Review

Posted on March 5, 2012 by Z Ravas

Director: Shinsuke Sato Writer: Hiroya Oku, Yusuke Watanabe Cast: Kazunari Ninomiya, Ken’ichi Matsuyama, Yuriko Yoshitaka, Takayuki Yamada, Gou Ayano, Kanata Hongo, Ayumi Ito, Tomorowo Taguchi Running Time: 141 min. “Perfect Answer” picks up right where the first live-action “Gantz” movie left off and does exactly what you’d hope a sequel would do. The plot is denser, the stakes are raised for our heroes, and the action is even more violent … Continue reading →

Posted in Japanese, Reviews | Tagged |

I Saw the Devil (2010) Review

Posted on February 25, 2012 by JJ Hatfield

Director: Kim Ji-woon Writer: Park Hoon-jung Cast: Lee Byung-Hun, Choi Min-Sik, Jeon Guk-Hwan, Cheon Ho-Jin, Oh San-Ha, Kim Yun-Seo, Choi Mu-Seong, Kim In-Seo, Jo Deok-Je, Han Cheol-Woo Running Time: 114 min. By JJ Hatfield I Saw The Devil is a stunning masterpiece of the macabre. A terrifying tale of horrific deeds done for sickening psychotic pleasures and unimaginable acts carried out for a promised justice. In the dark of night … Continue reading →

Posted in Korean, Reviews | Tagged , , |

Throne of Blood | aka Spider’s Web Castle (1957) Review

Posted on February 23, 2012 by JJ Bona
"Throne of Blood" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Akira Kurosawa Cast: Toshiro Mifune, Isuza Yamada, Takashi Shimura, Akira Kubo, Hiroshi Tachikawa, Minoru Chiaki, Takamaru Sasaki, Kokuten KodoUeda Kichijiro Running Time: 109 min. By Mairosu Guess what dear readers if there are any, it’s a fortification doubleheader! First, I saw Hidden Fortress today, the film which allegedly inspired George Lucas to make Star Wars (turns out it just inspired some moments of Star Wars rather than the whole … Continue reading →

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

War of the Arrows (2011) Review

Posted on February 21, 2012 by Z Ravas
"War of the Arrows" Korean Theatrical Poster

Director: Kim Han-Min Cast: Park Hae-Il, Ryu Seung-Ryong, Moon Chae-Won, Kim Moo-Yeol, Park Gi-Woong, Lee Han-Wi, Lee Kyung-Young, Park Ki-Woong, Ryohei Otani, Kim Ku-Taek Running Time: 122 min. By HKFanatic “War of the Arrows” is a blockbuster Korean film set during the Second Manchu invasion of Korea in the mid-17th century. Our hero, Nam-Yi, is the best archer in all the land – but his father was murdered when he … Continue reading →

Posted in Korean, Reviews | Tagged , |

Gantz (2010) Review

Posted on February 17, 2012 by Z Ravas

Director: Shinsuke Sato Writer: Hiroya Oku, Yusuke Watanabe Cast: Kazunari Ninomiya, Ken’ichi Matsuyama, Yuriko Yoshitaka, Kanata Hongo, Natsuna Watanabe Running Time: 130 min. By HKFanatic Much like “Death Note,” 2010’s “Gantz” is a two-part live-action adaptation of a popular and long-running manga/anime. While “Death Note” sticks closely to the realm of the supernatural, “Gantz” is pure science-fiction. At times it feels like a cross between “The Matrix” and “Men in … Continue reading →

Posted in Japanese, Reviews | Tagged |

Tiger on the Beat (1988) Review

Posted on February 15, 2012 by JJ Bona
"Tiger on the Beat" Chinese DVD Cover

Director: Lau Kar Leung Cast: Chow Yun Fat, Conan Lee, Nina Li Chi, Shirley Ng, Norman Chu, Gordon Liu, David Chiang, Philip Ko Fei, James Wong, Wayne Archer, Lau Kar Wing, Shing Fui On, Lydia Shum, Ti Lung, Wilson Tong, Wu Shih Running Time: 89 min. By Joseph Kuby More watchable than Lethal Weapon 3 and 4 combined! Although this irreverent film should really be compared to the overlooked classic … Continue reading →

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

Flash Point (2007) Review

Posted on February 11, 2012 by Z Ravas
"Flash Point" Blu-ray Cover

Director: Wilson Yip Cast: Donnie Yen, Louis Koo, Collin Chou, Ray Lui, Xing Yu, Fan Bing Bing, Kent Cheng, Xu Qing, Ben Lam, Ha Ping, Ai Wai, Tony Ho Wah Chiu, Timmy Hung Tin Ming, Helena Law, John Salvitti, Kenji Tanigaki, Austin Wai Running Time: 85 min. By HKFanatic Even as a huge fan of Donnie Yen, I wouldn’t try to argue that “Flash Point” is a great ‘film’ in … Continue reading →

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

Ninja in the Deadly Trap | aka Hero Defeating Japs (1981) Review

Posted on February 7, 2012 by JJ Bona
"Ninja in the Deadly Trap" DVD Cover

AKA: Ninja Kung Fu Director: Philip Kwok Cast: Ti Lung, Lu Feng, Philip Kwok, Yasuaki Kurata, Chiang Sheng, Cheung Paang, Wong Yeuk Ping, July Chu Lai, Han Yu, Ma Chin Ku, Cheung Chung Kwai, Cho Boon Feng, Mau Ging Shun, Ma Chin-Ku, Han Yu Running Time: 92 min. By Numskull Philip Kwok (aka Guo Juei, aka Kuo Choi) pulls triple duty as director, actor, and martial arts choreographer in this … Continue reading →

Posted in All, Chinese, News, Ninja, Reviews | Tagged , , , , |
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