Category Archives: Reviews

Thirst (2009) Review

Thirst | Blu-ray (Kino Lorber)

Director: Park Chan-wook Producer: Park Chan-wook Cast: Song Kang-Ho, Kim Ok-Vin, Shin Ha-Kyun, Kim Hae-Sook, Park In-Hwan, Song Young-Chang Running Time: 134/145 min. By JJ Hatfield When I first heard of this film, it was presented as a vampire movie. The last thing I felt the world needed was yet another vampire (or zombie) flick. However, knowing that Song Kang-ho was the lead role and the director was Park Chan-wook, … Continue reading

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Mr. Vampire (1985) Review

"Mr. Vampire" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Ricky Lau Producer: Sammo Hung Cast: Lam Ching-Ying, Chin Siu Ho, Ricky Hui, Moon Lee, Pauline Wong, Yuen Wah, Billy Lau, Choi Fung-Li, Wu Ma, Yuen Wah, Anthony Chan Running Time: 98 min. By Numskull I sat down to watch Mr. Vampire at least half-expecting to see a Chinese Night of the Living Dead acid-trip shitfest, and to say that I was pleasantly surprised would be a big understatement. … Continue reading

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Storm Riders, The (1998) Review

"The Stormriders" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: The Stormriders Director: Andrew Lau Cast: Ekin Cheng, Aaron Kwok, Sonny Chiba, Kristy Yeung, Michael Tse, Lawrence Cheng, Wayne Lai, Roy Cheung, Shu Qi, Jason Chu, Alex Fong, Anthony Wong Running Time: 128 min. By Sergio Martorelli Lord Conquer (Sonny Chiba) leads the greatest clan of medieval China, the creatively named Conquer Clan. He collects rare, funny-named swords like a kid amasses Pokémon cards, and only wants two things … Continue reading

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Project A | aka Pirate Patrol (1983) Review

"Project A" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Jackie Chan Producer: Raymond Chow Cast: Jackie Chan, Yuen Biao, Sammo Hung, Dick Wei, Kwan Hoi San, Law Ho Kai, John Cheung, Kwan Yung, Lee Wan Faat, Chan Chi Fai, Chan Ling Wai, Cheng Hong Yip, Cheung Chok Chow, Chin Kar Lok, Chang Seng-Kwong Running Time: 105 min. By JJ Hatfield Damn it’s good to see Jackie in his prime! Everyone looks terrific in this movie directed by Jackie … Continue reading

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Iron Fisted Monk, The (1977) Review

"The Iron Fisted Monk" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Sammo Hung Producer: Raymond Chow Cast: Sammo Hung Kam-bo, Chan Sing, Lo Hoi Pang, Fung Hak On, James Tien, Dean Shek, Chiu Hung, Wong Hap, Chin Yuet Sang, Chu Ching, Casanova Wong, Hsiao Ho, Meng Hoi, Eric Tsang, Wu Ma Running Time: 90 min. By Perkele Sammo’s directorial debut, The Iron Fisted Monk is somewhat of a very impressive start for his directing career. Even though it’s his first time, he … Continue reading

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Hapkido | aka Lady Kung Fu (1972) Review

"Hapkido" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Huang Feng Producer: Raymond Chow Cast: Angela Mao, Sammo Hung, Carter Wong, Wang In Sik, Pai Ying, Teruo Yamane, Nancy Sit Kar Yin, Bruce Leung, Paul Wei, Gam Dai, Ji Han Jae, Suen Lam, Jackie Chan, Lam Ching Ying, Yen Shi Kwan, Yuen Wah Running Time: 92 min. By Lawgiver You don’t get much more old school than this one. Tons of fights, with tons of people. The plot … Continue reading

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Odd Couple | aka Eternal Conflict (1979) Review

"Odd Couple" Chinese DVD Cover

Director: Lau Kar Wing Cast: Sammo Hung, Lau Kar Wing, Leung Kar Yan, Mars, Lee Hoi San, Dean Shek Tien, Yeung Sai Gwan, Karl Maka, Billy Chan Wui Ngai, Peter Chan Lung, Benny Lai Keung Kuen, Lam Ching Ying, To Wai Wo Running Time: 97 min. By Numskull Another of Sammo Hung’s comedic period kung fu films, this time with him and Lau Kar Wing each playing two of the … Continue reading

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Dragon Inn (1992) Review

"New Dragon Inn'" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: New Dragon Gate Inn Director: Raymond Lee Co-director: Tsui Hark Co-director: Ching Siu-tung Cast: Brigitte Lin, Maggie Cheung, Tony Leung Ka-Fai, Donnie Yen, Hung Yan-yan, Yuen Bun, Ng Kai-wah, Lan Tun, Yam Sai-Kwoon, Yuen Cheung-Yan Running Time: 88/99 min. By Numskull While I wouldn’t refer to this movie as an “epic” it does have a wide narrative and visual scope that places it head and shoulders over many other … Continue reading

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Blade, The (1995) Review

"The Blade" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Tsui Hark Cast: Vincent Zhao, Hung Yan-Yan, Song Lei, Moses Chan, Austin Wai, Valerie Chow, Jason Chu Wing-Tong, Michael Tse, Ngai Sing, Yuen Bun Running Time: 100 min. By Iuxion Call me crazy, but I’ve always liked movies like The Blade, you know, wuxia movies with tight choreography and lots of swords. However, recently all that wire-fu with The Matrix, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, etc. etc. has been getting … Continue reading

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Legend of Zu, The (2001) Review

"The Legend of Zu" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Zu Warriors Director: Tsui Hark Cast: Zhang Ziyi, Sammo Hung Kam-Bo , Ekin Cheng Yee-Kin, Cecilia Cheung, Wu Jing, Louis Koo Tin-Lok, Kelly Lin, Patrick Tam Yiu-Man, Wu Yue Running Time: 104 min. By Numskull You know what sucks? When you expect a movie to be really, really bad… and it turns out to be really, really, REALLY bad. Tsui Hark’s follow up to his 1983 hit Zu: Warriors … Continue reading

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Time and Tide (2001) Review

"Time and Tide" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Tsui Hark Cast: Nicholas Tse, Wu Bai, Candy Lo, Cathy Chui, Joventino Couto Remotigue, Anthony Wong, Jack Kao Jie, Kenji Tanigaki, Frankie Chin Chi Leung Running Time: 113 min. By Sergio Martorelli Hark, the herald angels sing, is back in the Hizzouz!!! After two years in Hollywood helming Jean-Claude Van Damme’s crapfests “Double Team” and “Knock Off”, the main man of action returned to Hong Kong and did “Time … Continue reading

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Tale of Two Sisters, A (2003) Review

"A Tale of Two Sisters" Korean Theatrical Poster

Director: Kim Ji Woon Writer: Kim Ji Woon Cast: Im Su-Jeong, Mun Geun-Yeong, Yeom Jeong-A, Kim Gap-Su, Park Mi-Hyeon, Wu Gi-Hong Running Time: 115 min. By JJ Hatfield A Tale of Two Sisters is a finely crafted work of art from the skilled hands of Kim Jee-woon. Kim not only directed the film but wrote the screen play as well. This is beautiful and imaginative in a very subdued fashion. … Continue reading

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One-Armed Swordsman, The (1967) Review

"The One-Armed Swordsman" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Chang Cheh Producer: Runme Shaw Cast: Jimmy Wang Yu, Pan Yingzi, Chiao Chiao, Wong Chung Shun, Tin Fung, Guk Fung, Liu Chia Liang, Yeung Chi Hing, Chen Yan Yan, Fan Mei Sheng, Wong Kwong Yue, Tong Gaai, Gai Yuen, Cliff Lok, Yen Shi-Kwan Running Time: 110 min. By JJ Hatfield When I first saw this film I was certain it would be bad. Absolutely terrible. I have seen enough … Continue reading

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Teahouse, The | aka The Tea House (1974) Review

Director: Kuei Chih Hung Writer: Sze To On Producer: Runme Shaw Cast: Chen Kuan Tai, Yeung Chi Hing, Lee Sau Kei, Karen Yip Ling Chi, Ha Ping, Cheung Chok Chow, Shum Lo, Fung King Man, Chung Chaan Chi, Yeung Chak Lam, Wong Yu, Chan Laap Ban, Chan Mei Hua, Chan Shen, Ching Gong, Fan Mei Sheng Running Time: 96 min. By JJ Hatfield “The Teahouse” is a story on film … Continue reading

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Spiritual Kung Fu | aka Karate Bomber (1978) Review

AKA: Karate Ghostbuster Director: Lo Wei Writer: Poon Lui Producer: Lo Wei Cast: Jackie Chan, James Tien Chun, Mo Man Sau, Lee Tung Chun, Lee Kwan, Dean Shek Tien, Ko Keung, Lee Hoi Lung, Lee Man Tai, Wong Kwong Yue, Yuen Biao Running Time: 91 min. By JJ Hatfield Spiritual Kung Fu is an odd mix of virtually no plot, infantile Lo Wei humor and some fantastic action. Whether or … Continue reading

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