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on Cliff Booth vs Bruce Lee again? Doubt it, but David Fincher is directing a ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’ sequelTotally agree with you there. People can't take anything these days.
on Richard Norton, ‘Gymkata’ and ‘City Hunter’ actor, martial artist, trainer and stunt performer, dies at 75"Painful?" Definitely, yes. :(
on Cliff Booth vs Bruce Lee again? Doubt it, but David Fincher is directing a ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’ sequelIt’s funny and sad how people are bitching about this. Very few people have a…
on Prosecutor, The (2024) ReviewI like that movie a lot. But I have to admit that the only parts that I find…
on Hong Kong’s Heaven’s Gate? Juno Mak’s anticipated thriller ‘Sons of the Neon Night’ to finally shine this yearThey’ve opened an Instagram for the movie. Looks like they’re getting ready f…
on STOP… Hammer time! 4K Ultra HD Limited Edition for the Hammer Film/Shaw Brothers classic ‘Shatter’ arriving in MayI will Support Hammer with this one hoping better is on it's way, also Becaus…
on You know, like Caine in ‘Kung Fu’? Martial arts star Donnie Yen to star and direct untitled ‘John Wick’ spin-offPersonally I find Donnie's directing uneven - Legend of the wolf was a mess,…
on STOP… Hammer time! 4K Ultra HD Limited Edition for the Hammer Film/Shaw Brothers classic ‘Shatter’ arriving in MayHammer doesn't own that many of their own films - most are owned by whichever…
on Feeling triggered? Future pressings of the ‘Bruceploitation Collection Vol. 1’ have you covered!This is the one that gets me today, this?! 😭
on STOP… Hammer time! 4K Ultra HD Limited Edition for the Hammer Film/Shaw Brothers classic ‘Shatter’ arriving in MayWhy? Giving Shatter this kind of 4K special treatment makes about as much sen…
on Karate and Kung Fu collide in the New Trailer for Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio’s upcoming ‘Karate Kid’ movieAm I the only one who thinks it's more of the same that you saw in the first…
on ‘Passenger 57’, move over! Andy Lau’s hijack thriller ‘High Forces’ is getting a U.S. release from China LionHigh Forces has been released on Blu-ray in the US - 25 March 2025 - by Bayvi…
Category Archives: Reviews
Rebel, The (2007) Review
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
Posted in Reviews, Vietnamese
Tagged Charlie Nguyen, Dustin Nguyen, Johnny Tri Nguyen, Veronica Ngo (Ngo Thanh Van)
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
Yojimbo (1961) Review
Director: Akira Kurosawa Writer: Ryuzo Kikushima, Akira Kurosawa Cast: Toshiro Mifune, Tatsuya Nakadai, Yko 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
Cat vs. Rat (1982) Review
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
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
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
Muay Thai Giant | aka Somtum (2008) Review
Director: Nonthakorn Thaveesuk Cast: Nathan Jones, Nawarat Techaratanaprasert, Sasisa Jindamanee, Chupong Changprung Running Time: 99 min. By HKFanatic “Somtum” is something of a novelty film, a Thai action movie that I suspect a lot of people are either going to love or think is the corniest thing ever. Personally, I got a kick out of this movie. It’s the first headlining vehicle for Nathan Jones, a guy that you’ve probably … Continue reading
Posted in Reviews, Thai
Tagged Dan Chupong, Nathan Jones, Nonthakorn Thaveesuk, Panna Rittikrai, Prachya Pinkaew
Vengeance | aka Ekdikisi (2006) Review
AKA: Phairii Phinaat Paa Mawrana Director: Pleo Sirisuwan Cast: Nattanun Jantarawetch, Chalad Na Songkhla, Sorachai Sang-aakaat, Watchara Tangkaprasert, Nattaree Wiboonlert, Chirapat Wongpaisanlux Running Time: 90 min. By HKFanatic “Vengeance” is a slick, commercial flick from Thailand with a decent plot hook: some dangerous bandits have escaped from prison (though we never actually see their big breakout) and headed into a mystical forest. A steely-eyed cop with a dark past is … Continue reading
Sanctuary, The | aka The Warrior’s Path (2009) Review
AKA: Sam Pan Boke Director: Thanapon Maliwan Writer: Thanapon Maliwan, Anuwat Kaewsopark Cast: Michael B., Russell Wong, Intira Jaroenpura, Patharawarin Timkul, Erik Markus Schuetz, Winston Sefu, Lak-Khet Waslikachart Running TIme: 86 min. By HKFanatic As a stuntman for Tony Jaa (“Ong Bak”), Mike B. probably had to learn to take a few hits. Unfortunately, he brings that same philosophy to his own starring vehicle, the Thai martial arts flick “The … Continue reading
God of Gamblers Returns (1994) Review
AKA: God of Gamblers 2 Director: Wong Jing Producer: Charles Heung, Wong Jing, Jimmy Heung Cast: Chow Yun Fat, Tony Leung Ka Fai, Jacqueline Wu Chien Lien, Chingmy Yau, Elvis Tsui Kam Kong, Charles Heung, Tse Miu, Blacky Ko Sau Leung, Ken Lo, Baau Hon Lam, Bobby Yip Kin Sang, Yuen Bun Running Time: 125 min. By Numskull Saying that Wong Jing has consistency is like saying “Miramax has integrity” … Continue reading
Posted in Chinese, Reviews
Tagged Blacky Ko Sau Leung, Chingmy Yau, Chow Yun-fat, Elvis Tsui, Ken Lo, Tony Leung Ka-fai, Wong Jing, Wu Chien-Lien, Yuen Bun
God of Gamblers (1989) Review
Director: Wong Jing Cast: Chow Yun Fat, Andy Lau Tak-Wah, Joey Wong, Sharla Cheung Man, Charles Heung, Ronald Wong Pan, Jimmy Lee Fong, Shing Fui On, Yeung Chak Lam Running Time: 125 min. By Numskull This highly revered Chow Yun-Fat vehicle is credited as the inspiration for a host of gambling-themed films in much the same way as Corey Yuen’s Yes, Madam! kick-started the “girls with guns” genre and Ricky … Continue reading
Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen (2010) Review
Director: Andrew Lau Cast: Donnie Yen, Shu Qi, Anthony Wong, Huang Bo, Kohata Ryu, Yasuaki Kurata, Zhou Yang, Huo Siyan, Shawn Yue, Ma Yue, Ma Su, Chen Jiajia Running Time: 106 min. By HKFanatic The premise for “Legend of the Fist” sounds like a surefire hit: Donnie Yen (he’s so hot right now!) teams up with “Infernal Affairs” director Andrew Lau to return to the role of Chen Zhen, which … Continue reading
Posted in Bruceploitation, Chinese, Reviews
Tagged Andrew Lau Wai-Keung, Anthony Wong, Donnie Yen, Shu Qi, Yasuaki Kurata
Thirst (2009) Review
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
Mr. Vampire (1985) Review
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
Storm Riders, The (1998) Review
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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