Category Archives: Reviews

Kung Fu Genius (1979) Review

"Kung Fu Genius" UK DVD Cover

Director: Wilson Tong Wai Shing 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 made it a … 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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Sad Cafe, The (2011) Review

Director: Bennie Woodell Writer: Bennie Woodell Cast: Bradley Fowler, Katie Lanigan, John LaFlamboy, Matt Ukena, Walt Sloan, Liz Davis, George Gibson Running Time: 137 min. By Mighty Peking Man A killer-for-hire named Jack (Bradley Fowler) often visits a coffee house called “Cafe Olympic,” which is the only setting he’s able to relax and find peace while reflecting on his violent lifestyle. It’s also the place where he shares a mutual … Continue reading

Posted in Asian Related, Reviews |

Magic Blade, The (1976) Review

"The Magic Blade" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Chor Yuen Cast: Ti Lung, Lo Lieh, Guk Fung, Tang Ching, Cheng Lee, Lily Li Li-Li, Fan Mei Sheng, Chan Shen, Cheng Miu, Goo Goon Chung, Ha Ping, Lau Wai Ling, Norman Chu, Yuen Wah, Tim Lei, Wong Pau Gei, Alan Chui Chung San Running Time: 93 min. By Joe909 Magic Blade hits the ground running and doesn’t let up for its first hour. From the opening challenge between … Continue reading

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Tiger Blade, The (2005) Review

Director: Theeratorn Siriphunvaraporn Producer: Jirun Ratthanaviriyachai Cast: Atsadawut Luengsuntorn, Phimonrat Phisarayabud, Pongpat Wachirabunjong, Srungsuda Lawanprasert, Amornrit Sriphung, Chalad Na Songkhla, Annan Bunnak Running Time: 91 min. By HKFanatic Some guys have all the luck. At least that’s how I felt after watching this Thai action movie. I mean, not only does our hero carry the bad-ass codename of “Tiger Blade” but he’s a secret agent who answers to no one, … Continue reading

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Rebel, The (2007) Review

"The Rebel" Vietnamese Theatrical Poster

Director: Charlie Nguyen Cast: Johnny Tri Nguyen, Veronica Ngo, Dustin Nguyen, Chanh Tin Nguyen, Nguyen Thang Running Time: 103 min. By HKFanatic If you’ve heard of “The Rebel,” it’s probably for one of two reasons. (1.) Upon the time of its release in 2007, it was the most expensive Vietnamese production of all time, with a budget somewhere between 1.5 and 3 million US dollars. (2.) It stars Dustin Nguyen … Continue reading

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Fireball: Muay Thai Dunk | aka Fire Ball (2009) Review

Director: Thanakorn Pongsuwan Writer: Thanakorn Pongsuwan, Kiat Sansanandana, Taweewat Wantha, Adirek Wattaleela Cast: Preeti Barameeanat, Khanutra Chuchuaysuwan, Kumpanat Oungsoongnern, Phutharit Prombandal, 9 Million Sam, Arucha Tosawat Running Time: 97 min. By HKFanatic You just got out of prison only to find out that your twin brother is a coma, beaten half-to-death by the same thugs he borrowed money from to ensure your release. So what do you do? If it’s … Continue reading

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Yojimbo (1961) Review

Director: Akira Kurosawa Writer: Ryuzo Kikushima, Akira Kurosawa Cast: Toshiro Mifune, Tatsuya Nakadai, Yko Tsukasa, Isuzu Yamada, Daisuke Kat, Seizabur Kawazu, Takashi Shimura, Hiroshi Tachikawa, Yosuke Natsuki Running Time: 110 min. By Mairosu One day I’ll stop frenetically rewatching Kurosawa, but I’ve got to make the most of it right now. After Ikiru, Stray Dog and Throne of Blood (which I’ll review somewhere later), I got to this little story … Continue reading

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Cat vs. Rat (1982) Review

"Cat vs. Rat" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Cat Versus Rat Director: Lau Kar Leung Cast: Alexander Fu Sheng, Adam Cheng, Hsiao Ho, Kara Hui Ying Hung, Lau Kar Wing, Gordon Liu, Lydia Shum, Lam Fai Wong, Johnny Wang, Lung Tien Hsiang Running TIme: 92 min. By JJ Hatfield This is an unusual Shaw Brothers movie, especially considering the director was Lui Chia-Liang. The company apparently was looking at more comedy boosting the kung fu and old … Continue reading

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Mandingo (1975) Review

Director: Richard Fleischer Writer: Kyle Onstott, Norman Wexler Producer: Dino De Laurentiis Cast: James Mason, Susan George, Perry King, Lillian Hayman, Richard Ward, Brenda Sykes, Ken Norton Running Time: 127 min. By JJ Hatfield “Mandingo” is one of the most misunderstood movies in U.S. cinema. The first thing the viewer needs to know is that this is not an xploitation flick, at least not in the common usage. It is … Continue reading

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Rashomon (1950) Review

AKA: In the Wood Director: Akira Kurosawa Producer: Jingo Minoura Cast: Toshiro Mifune, Machiko Kyo, Masayuki Mori, Takashi Shimura, Minoru Chiaki, Kichijiro Ueda, Fumiko Honma Running Time: 88 min. By Alexander The Good: I’ve never been as captivated by the cinematography of a black and white film as I was with this one. There are only three locales in the entire movie, yet each (particularly the rain-ravaged temple ruins) are … Continue reading

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