Category Archives: Reviews

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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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