Category Archives: Reviews

Snake and Crane Arts of Shaolin (1978) Review

"Snake and Crane Arts of Shaolin" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Chan Chi Hwa Producer: Lo Wei Cast: Jackie Chan, Nora Miao Ke Hsiu, Kam Kong, Gam Ching Lan, Lau Nga Ying, Miu Tin, Lee Man Tai, Miu Tak San, Tung Lam, Wong Gwan, Chiu Chun Running Time: 96 min. By JJ Hatfield Although Chan Chi Hwa directed the movie, this is another film Lo Wei credits himself for; however it was all Jacky (as spelled in the Simitar DVD) … Continue reading

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Evil Dead Trap (1988) Review

"Evil Dead Trap" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Toshiharu Ikeda Cast: Miyuki Ono, Aya Katsuragi, Hitomi Kobayashi, Eriko Nakagawa, Masahiko Abe Running Time: 105 min. By Woody Ikeda’s “Evil Dead Trap” is a very entertaining mix of the giallo (slasher) films of Italy’s Dario Argento, that rushing camera trick from Raimi’s “Evil Dead” films, and the “body horror” of David Cronenberg. Stylistically, this is reminiscent of an Argento film…bright colors, creative murders, a never-still camera, the unseen … Continue reading

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Running Out of Time 2 (2001) Review

"Running Out of Time 2" DVD Cover

Director: Johnnie To Co-director: Law Wing Cheong Cast: Lau Ching-Wan, Ekin Cheng, Kelly Lin Hsi-Lei, Hui Siu-Hung, Lam Suet, Ruby Wong Running Time: 95 min. By Ben Poppel About ten minutes into this film you realize. Wait, a minute, I have witnessed this scenario before. Then you recognize you are watching the follow-up to the blockbuster film Running Out of Time. And what about the sequel? Does it live up … Continue reading

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Running Out of Time (1999) Review

"Running Out of Time" Theatrical Poster

Director: Johnnie To Cast: Andy Lau, Lau Ching Wan, Yoyo Mung, Waise Lee, Lam Suet, Ruby Wong, Shiu Hung Hui Running Time: 89 min. By Joe909 A very stylish, slick movie in which Andy Lau finds out that he’s soon to die from cancer, and decides to get even with the gangster who killed his dad (Waise Lee), while at the same time using Lau Ching-Wan as a guinea pig. … Continue reading

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Enter the Dragon | aka Blood and Steel (1973) Review

"Enter the Dragon" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Robert Clouse Cast: Bruce Lee, Jim Kelly, John Saxon, Sek Kin, Ahna Capri, Bob Wall, Bolo Yeung, Betty Chung, Angela Mao Ying, Sammo Hung, Kok Lee Yan, Anthony Lau, Tung Wei, Wilson Tong, Pat Johnson, Meng Hoi Running Time: 110 min. By Tgushiniere The best martial arts film to be produced by an American film company (Warner Brothers). It was made with the association of Raymond Chow (founder of … Continue reading

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14 Amazons, The | aka The Fourteen Amazons (1972) Review

Director: Cheng Kang Co-director: Charles Tung Cast: Lily Ho Li Li, Ivy Ling Po, Li Ching, Yueh Hua, Lisa Lu Yan, Tina Chin Fei, Karen Yip Ling Chi, Wong Ping, Ha Ping, Lam Jing, Chan Shen, Chen Yan Yan Running Time: 117 min. By JJ Hatfield This is a wonderful old school film from the Shaw Brothers. Truly an epic, the plot and characters are a small part of the … Continue reading

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Dragon Fist (1978) Review

"Dragon Fist" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Lo Wei Producer: Hsu Li Hwa Cast: Jackie Chan, Nora Miao, James Tien, Pearl Lin Yin Zhu, Yen Shi Kwan, Ko Keung, Hsu Hsia, Ou-Yang Sha Fei, Chui Yuen, Wong Kwong Yue, Chui Fat, Eagle Han Ying, Wang Yao, Wong Ching, Lam Ching Ying Running Time: 92 min By JJ Hatfield This is one of Jackie Chan’s early films. It is also one of a handful or so produced … Continue reading

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Kung Fu Dunk | aka Slam Dunk (2008) Review

"Kung Fu Dunk" American DVD Cover

AKA: Shaolin Basket Director: Chu Yen Ping Cast: Jay Chou, Eric Tsang Chi-wai, Wilson Chen, Charlene Choi, Ng Man Tat, Wang Gang, Huang Bo, Will Liu Keng Hung, Leung Kar Yan, Eddie Ko Running Time: 98 min. By Mighty Peking Man From Chu Yen Ping (aka Kevin Chu), the director of Fantasy Mission Force (1982) comes Kung Fu Dunk… Since when did Chu Yen Ping become a hot shot director … Continue reading

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Chinatown Kid (1977) Review

"Chinatown Kid" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Chang Cheh Producer: Run Run Shaw Cast: Alexander Fu Sheng, Shirley Yu, Siu Yam Yam, Philip Kwok, Lo Meng, Chiang Sheng, Sun Chien, Jenny Tseng, Wong Lik, Johnny Wang, Jamie Luk Running Time: 120 min. By Jeff Bona After getting into trouble with both the Hong Kong police and the local crime syndicate (headed by Johnny Wang Lung-Wei), Tang Dong (Alexander Fu Sheng) heads to San Francisco to hide … Continue reading

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Saga of the Phoenix (1990) Review

Director: Lau Shut Yue, Nam Nai Choi Cast: Yuen Biao, Gloria Yip Wan Yi, Rachel Lee Lai Chun, Shintaro Katsu, Jacqueline Ng Suet Man, Lau Sek Yin, Pauline Wong Siu Fung Running Time: 93 min. By JJ Hatfield Saga of the Phoenix is a sequel to Peacock King. Ashura, Hell’s virgin really wants to visit outside Hell. She wants to feel the sunshine and smell the flowers. Peacock and his … Continue reading

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Hero of Swallow, The (1996) Review

Director: Siu Sang Writer: Siu Sang Studio Producer: Cheung Chung Ping, Hu Chin, Allen Lan Hai Han Cast: Yuen Biao, Athena Chu Yan, Eddie Ko Hung, Lily Chung Suk Wai, Ma Chung Tak, Elvis Tsui Kam Kong, Yvonne Yung Hung, Allen Lan Hai Han Running Time: 96 min. By JJ Hatfield “The Hero Of Swallow” is set in pre – WWII China. There is a tremendous amount of misery caused … Continue reading

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Picture of a Nymph (1988) Review

AKA: Painting of a Nymph Director: Wu Ma Writer: Wu Ma, Chan Kam Cheong Producer: Sammo Hung Kam Bo Cast: Yuen Biao, Joey Wong, Wu Ma, Lawrence Ng Kai Wah, Elizabeth Lee Mei Fung, May Lo Mei Mei, Fanny Sit Chi Lun, Yuen Wah, David Lam Wai Running Time: 95 min. By JJ Hatfield Tsui Hark has done a simply wonderful film with “A Chinese Gho…” Wait. My apologies but … Continue reading

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Frozen Flower, A (2008) Review

"A Frozen Flower" Korean Theatrical Poster

Director: Yu Ha Cast: Jo In-seong, Joo Jin-Mo, Song Ji-hyo, Shim Ji-Ho, Im Ju-Hwan, Yeo Wook-Hwan, Song Joong-Gi, No Min-Woo, Do Ye-Seong, Jang Ji-Won, Lee Jong-Gu Running Time: 133 min. By JJ Hatfield A Frozen Flower is a fictional drama set sometime near the end of the Goryeo Dynasty, 918 – 1392. The region is under control of the King (Jin-mo Ju) however it is always being watched by China. … Continue reading

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Fantasy Mission Force (1982) Review

"Fantasy Mission Force" Japanese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Fire Dragon Director: Chu Yen Ping Cast: Jackie Chan, Brigitte Lin, Jimmy Wang Yu, Adam Cheng Siu Chow, Pearl Chang Ling, Paul Chang Chung, Chen Hung Lieh, Suen Yuet, Hui Bat Liu, Gam Dai, Cheng Fu Hung, Fong Ching, Fong Ching, Lee Kwan Running Time: 90 min. By Numskull Mere words cannot express how bad this movie is (I call it Fantasy Mission FARCE). It has something to do … Continue reading

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King Boxer | aka 5 Fingers of Death (1972) Review

"King Boxer" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Invincible Boxer, Iron Palm Director: Jeong Chang Hwa Cast: Lo Lieh, Tung Lam, James Nam Gung Fan, Fang Mien, Wong Chin Feng, Wong Ping, Tien Feng, Chiu Hung, Goo Man Chung, Chan Shen, Chan Chuen Running Time: 102 min. By Joe909 I love cityonfire.com, but I’ve noticed there’s just a widespread disrespect for old-school martial arts movies on this site. Spoiled by “New Wave” slickness and stuntman Jackie Chan’s … Continue reading

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