Category Archives: Reviews

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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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Ninja: The Final Duel (1986) Review

Posted on February 7, 2012 by JJ Bona
"Ninja: The Final Duel" Theatrical Poster

AKA: Ninja’s Final Duel Director: Robert Tai Cast: Alexander Lo Rei, Alice Tseng, Lee I Min, Alan Lee Hoi Hing, Richard Tseng, Wong Chi Sang, William Yen, Wong Hap, Eugene Thomas, Ahmed Najja Running Time: 89 min. By Sergio Martorelli NAKED KUNG FU BABES! Got your attention? Good. Now let’s get down to business. Ninja: The Final Duel is a colorful, ultra-kinetic, gore-drenched and delightfully zany Taiwanese production that’s been … Continue reading →

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

Yellow Sea, The (2010) Review

Posted on February 6, 2012 by Jeff Bona
Na Hong-Jin's "The Yellow Sea"

AKA: The Murderer Director: Na Hong-jin Cast: Ha Jung-Woo, Kim Yun-Seok, Chul-Min Lee, Seong-Ha Cho, Jae-hwa Kim, Kwak Do-Won Running Time: 140 min. By Jeff Bona The director of 2008’s The Chaser returns with The Yellow Sea, a down and dirty thriller that doesn’t exactly have the most catchiest title – personally, I would have titled it The Chaser Part II: Even More F*cked Up, which is pretty much the … Continue reading →

Posted in Korean, Reviews | Tagged , , , , |

Drive (2011) Review

Posted on February 4, 2012 by Z Ravas

Director: Nicolas Winding Refn Writer: Hossein Amini, James Sallis Cast: Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, Bryan Cranston, Christina Hendricks, Ron Perlman, Oscar Isaac, Albert Brooks, Kaden Leos, Jeff Wolfe, James Biberi Running Time: 100 min. By HKFanatic When a director has good taste in music, or at least makes the right selections on the soundtrack, it can change the viewer’s entire perception of a film. Nicolas Winding Refn added an unexpected … Continue reading →

Posted in Other Movies, Reviews | Tagged , , |

Outrage (2010) Review

Posted on January 31, 2012 by Z Ravas
Outrage: Way of the Yakuza Blu-ray & DVD (Magnolia)

Director: Takeshi Kitano Writer: Takeshi Kitano Cast: Takeshi Kitano, Kippei Shiina, Ryo Kase, Tomokazu Miura, Jun Kunimura, Tetta Sugimoto, Takashi Tsukamoto, Hideo Nakano, Renji Ishibashi, Fumiyo Kohinata Running Time: 109 min. By HKFanatic “Outrage” is Takeshi ‘Beat’ Kitano’s first Yakuza film in ten years (since 2000’s “Brother“). Kitano himself admitted he designed the film from the ground up to be a commercial crowd-pleaser, a goal that seems well within his … Continue reading →

Posted in Japanese, Reviews | Tagged |

Redbelt (2008) Review

Posted on January 24, 2012 by JJ Hatfield
"Redbelt" American Theatrical Poster

Director: David Mamet Cast: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Tim Allen, Alice Braga, Rodrigo Santoro, Jose Pablo Cantillo, Randy Couture, Caroline de Souza Correa, Mike Goldberg, Damon Herriman, Dan Inosanto, Enson Inoue, Ricky Jay, John Machado, Ray Mancini, Joe Mantegna, Max Martini, Emily Mortimer, David Paymer Running Time: 100 min. By JJ Hatfield Red Belt is truly an exceptional martial arts movie. It achieves this distinction by focusing on one quiet unassuming man … Continue reading →

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

Last Man Standing (1996) Review

Posted on January 21, 2012 by Z Ravas

Director: Walter Hill Writer: Ryuzo Kikushima, Akira Kurosawa, Walter Hill Producer: Walter Hill, Arthur M. Sarkissian Cast: Bruce Willis, Christopher Walken, Alexandra Powers, David Patrick Kelly, Karina Lombard, Bruce Dern Running Time: 101 min. By HKFanatic With a $67 million price tag, the box office failure of “Last Man Standing” in 1996 put a momentary end to Bruce Willis’ Hollywood clout and effectively derailed director Walter Hill’s career. It’s not … Continue reading →

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Mad Detective (2007) Review

Posted on January 14, 2012 by JJ Bona
"Mad Detective" Theatrical Poster

Director: Johnnie To Co-director: Wai Ka-Fai Cast: Lau Ching-Wan, Andy On Chi-Kit, Gordon Lam Ka-Tung, Kelly Lin Hsi-Lei, Lee Kwok-Lun, Karen Lee, Flora Chan Wai-Shan, Eddy Ko Hung, Lam Suet Running Time: 91 min. By Mighty Peking Man Johnny To is usually a hit or miss with me, but I respect the guy. After all, he makes a shit load of movies (usually 2 a year, not counting ones he … Continue reading →

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Fong Sai-yuk II | aka Legend of Fong Sai-yuk 2 (1993) Review

Posted on January 13, 2012 by JJ Bona
"Fong Sai-yuk II" DVD Cover

Director: Corey Yuen  Cast: Jet Li, Josephine Siao, Michelle Reis, Adam Cheng, Corey Yuen, Peter Chan Lung Running Time: 96 min.  By Numskull Not many wire fu movies deliver the goods as well as Fong Sai Yuk does, and not many sequels match up to the original as well as Fong Sai Yuk 2. Jet Li, Michelle Reis, and Josephine Siao all return as the title character, his puppy-dog eyed fiancee … Continue reading →

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Fong Sai-yuk | The Legend of Fong Sai-yuk (1993) Review

Posted on January 13, 2012 by JJ Bona
"The Legend of Fong Sai-yuk" DVD Cover

Director: Corey Yuen  Cast: Jet Li, Josephine Siao, Michelle Reis, Sibelle Hu, Peter Chan Lung, Paul Chu Kong  Running Time: 100 min.  By Numskull Ah, the days when duels to the death (or at least to the severe bruising) were fought in public at the drop of a hat and ripe, buxom young women were offered as prizes to the most skilled combatants. Fling all the synonyms for “barbaric” you … Continue reading →

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