Category Archives: Reviews

Pulse | aka Kairo (2001) Review

Posted on September 9, 2011 by JJ Bona
"Pulse" Japanese Theatrical Poster

AKA: The Circuit Director: Kiyoshi Kurosawa Cast: Haruhiko Kato, Kumiko Aso, Koyuki, Kurume Arisaka, Masatoshi Matsuo, Show Aikawa, Jun Fubuki, Shinji Takeda, Koji Yakusho, Shun Sugata Running Time: 119 min. By Numskull What Kairo sets out to do, it does superbly. However, not everyone will be happy with what it does, which is to sustain an eerie mood for two hours rather than simply tell a scary story. That’s not … Continue reading →

Posted in All, Japanese, News, Reviews | Tagged |

Die Hard 4.0 | aka Live Free or Die Hard (2007) Review

Posted on September 7, 2011 by ningen31
"Die Hard 4.0" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Len Wiseman Cast: Bruce Willis, Justin Long, Timothy Olyphant, Jonathan Sadowski, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Maggie Q, Cliff Curtis, Kevin Smith, Cyril Raffaelli Running Time: 129 min. By Ningen Ah, Die Hard-the movie ranked #1 action movie at Entertainment Weekly. The only one I didn’t see in the series was the second film, but, since I hear it doesn’t matter, I’ll assume the McTiernan versions should be enough to judge … Continue reading →

Posted in Asian Related, Other Movies, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , |

Drop (2009) Review

Posted on September 7, 2011 by Z Ravas

Director: Hiroshi Shinagawa Writer: Hiroshi Shinagawa Producer: Taiichi Inoue Cast: Hiroki Narimiya, Hiro Mizushima, Yuika Motokariya, Yusuke Kamiji, Noriko Nakagoshi, Kazuki Namioka, Junichi Komoto, Yuji Ayabe Running Time: 122 Min. By HKFanatic “Drop” is a live-action filmed based on the autobiographical novel by Japanese comedian Hiroshi Shinagawa. Shinagawa also stepped behind the camera for this, his directorial debut. I’m not sure how true-to-life this story is since the characters continually … Continue reading →

Posted in Japanese, Reviews | Tagged |

Devil’s Treasure, The (1973) Review

Posted on September 5, 2011 by Jeff Bona
"The Devil's Treasure" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Jeong Chang Hwa Cast: Ko Chun Hsiung, Nora Miao Ke Hsiu, Sammo Hung Kam Bo, Lau Kar Wing, Wang In Sik, Yee Yuen, Yen Shi Kwan, Yeung Wai, Anthony Lau Wing Running Time: 96 min. By Jeff Bona Wang Chun (Ko Chun Hsiung) is a professional scuba diver who is contacted by a group of shady businessmen who want to locate a mysterious chest beneath the sea. After they … Continue reading →

Posted in Chinese, Golden Harvest, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , |

Clash | aka Bay Rong (2009) Review

Posted on September 3, 2011 by Z Ravas
"Clash" International Theatrical Poster

Director: Le Thanh Son Cast: Johnny Tri Nguyen, Veronica Ngo, Hieu Hien, Hoang Phuc Nguyen, Lam Minh Thang Running Time: 100 min. By HKFanatic Hot on the heels of their 2007 martial arts hit “The Rebel,” still the highest grossing Vietnamese film of all time, the creative team behind that movie reunite for another high-octane action film, “Clash.” This time the plot is set in modern day Saigon rather than … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews, Vietnamese | Tagged , , |

Oasis (2002) Review

Posted on September 2, 2011 by JJ Bona

Director: Lee Chang-Dong Cast: Sol Kyung-Gu, Moon So-Ri, Ahn Nae-Sang, Ryoo Seung-Wan, Chu Kwi-Jung, Son Byung-Ho, Yoon Ga-Hyun, Park Myung-Shin, Park Kyung-Geun Running Time: 132 Min. By Raging Gaijin “Oasis” is a difficult film to watch, let alone review. The story is deceptively simple, as the plot synopsis above describes, but from it grows one of the most unlikely and captivating relationships in cinema history. Writer/director Lee Chang-Dong has crafted … Continue reading →

Posted in All, Korean, News, Reviews | Tagged |

Five Shaolin Masters | aka 5 Masters of Death (1974) Review

Posted on September 2, 2011 by Z Ravas
"Five Shaolin Masters" Hong Kong Theatrical Poster

Director: Chang Cheh Writer: Ni Kuang Cast: David Chiang, Ti Lung, Alexander Fu Sheng, Chi Kuan Chun, Meng Fei, Leung Kar Yan, Fung Hak On, Kong Do, Choi Wang, Johnny Wang, Chan Dik Hak, Chan Sam Lam, Chen Chin, Cheung Yee Kwai, Chik Ngai Hung, Chui Chung, Chui Fat, Dang Tak Cheung Running Time: 105 min. By HKFanatic Most action films, even martial arts ones, are scenes of dialogue interrupted … Continue reading →

Posted in Chinese, Reviews, Shaw Brothers | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

BKO: Bangkok Knockout (2010) Review

Posted on September 1, 2011 by Z Ravas
"BKO: Bangkok Knockout" International Theatrical Poster

Director: Panna Rittikrai Cast: Gitabak Agohjit, Speedy Arnold, Supakson Chaimongkol, Sorapong Chatree, Virat Kemgrad Running Time: 105 min. By HKFanatic Director and fight choreographer Panna Rittikrai has stated his goal in cinema is to push the human body to its limit. “BKO: Bangkok Knockout,” then, is his magnum opus. Panna builds on style of his 2004 free-for-all stunt spectacular “Born to Fight” and unleashes a film that either pays tribute … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews, Thai | Tagged , , |

Rammbock: Berlin Undead | aka Siege of the Dead (2010) Review

Posted on August 30, 2011 by Z Ravas

Director: Marvin Kren Writer: Benjamin Hessler Producer: Sigrid Hoerner Cast: Michael Fuith, Theo Trebs, Anka Graczyk, Brigitte Kren, Emily Cox Running Time: 64 min. By HKFanatic “Rammbock” is a 2010 German-language zombie film that takes its cues from “28 Days Later”: the dead aren’t coming back to life, it’s the living that are being infected by a virus that turns them into rabid flesh-eaters. The filmmakers obviously didn’t have access … Continue reading →

Posted in Other Movies, Reviews | Tagged |

Executioners from Shaolin | aka Shaolin Executioner (1977) Review

Posted on August 29, 2011 by Z Ravas
"Executioners from Shaolin" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Executioners of Death Director: Lau Kar-leung Cast: Chen Kuan Tai, Lo Lieh, Lily Li Li Li, Wong Yu, Kong Do, Hsiao Ho, Cheng Hong Yip, John Cheung, Shum Lo, Gordon Liu, Fung Hak On, Fung Ming, John Cheung, Wilson Tong, Peter Chan Lung, Lam Ching Ying Running Time: 96 mins. By HKFanatic Tonally, this film is all over the place even for a Shaw Brothers movie. The story opens … Continue reading →

Posted in Chinese, Reviews, Shaw Brothers | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Mad Monkey Kung Fu (1979) Review

Posted on August 27, 2011 by Z Ravas
"Mad Monkey Kung Fu" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Liu Chia Liang Writer: I Kuang Cast: Hsiao Ho, Lau Kar Leung, Lo Lieh, Kara Hui, Ching Chu, San Sin, Lam Fai Wong, Lin Ke Ming, Chan Ling Wai, Wong Ching Ho, Cham Siu Hung Running Time: 116 min. By HKFanatic This 1979 kung fu film starring Hsiao Ho and Lau Kar-leung is another minor masterpiece from the Shaw Brothers. At nearly two hours long, this movie stuffs in … Continue reading →

Posted in Chinese, Reviews, Shaw Brothers | Tagged , , , |

Tactical Force (2011) Review

Posted on August 25, 2011 by Z Ravas
"Tactical Force" Japanese DVD Cover

Director: Adamo Paolo Cultraro Cast: “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Michael Jai White, Candace Elaine, Lexa Doig, Steve Bacic, Michael Shanks, Michael Eklund, Darren Shahlavi Running Time: 90 min. By HKFanatic If you rent a movie with “Stone Cold” Steven Austin dead center on the cover, you probably know what you’re in for. There’s gonna be low production values, Stone Cold is gonna spout off a few one-liners like “You can … Continue reading →

Posted in Asian Related, Reviews | Tagged , , , |

Shaolin Temple 3 | aka Martial Arts of Shaolin (1986) Review

Posted on August 25, 2011 by Z Ravas
"Martial Arts of Shaolin" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Shaolin North & South Director: Lau Kar-leung Cast: Jet Li, Wong Chau Yin, Hu Jian Qiang, Yu Cheng Hui, Yu Hai, Sun Jian Kui, Ji Chun Hua, Mak Wai Cheung, Wong Kwong-Kuen, Hu Mei-Jie Running Time: 89 min. By HKFanatic Released in 1986, “Martial Arts of Shaolin” is the latest era Shaw Brothers film I’ve yet to see. I’m not an expert on the Shaw Brothers like many City … Continue reading →

Posted in Chinese, Reviews, Shaw Brothers | Tagged , , |

Dr. Wai in the Scripture Without Words (1996) Review

Posted on August 24, 2011 by JJ Bona
"Dr. Wai in the Scripture Without Words" Theatrical Poster

Director: Ching Siu-tung Cast: Jet Li, Rosamund Kwan, Charlie Young, Kaneshiro Takeshi, Law Kar Ying, Billy Chow Bei Lei, Collin Chou, Johnnie Kong Yeuk Sing Running Time: 91 min.  By Numskull Holy crap, what a waste. Of time, of money, of energy, of potential. This could have been a remarkable action-adventure with a scope the width of which is rarely seen in Hong Kong cinema. Instead, it’s just ninety yawn-inducing … Continue reading →

Posted in All, Chinese, News, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , |

Hitman | aka Contract Killers (1998) Review

Posted on August 23, 2011 by JJ Bona

Director: Stephen Tung Wai Cast: Jet Li, Eric Tsang, Simon Yam, Gigi Leung, Keiji Sato, Paul Ropovshi, Frankie Ng, Jude Poyer, Deon Lam Dik On, Sam Wong Shum, John Ching Tung Running Time: 104 min. By Numskull A very welcome change of pace for Jet Li, Hitman features no flying around on wires or other stupid Hong Kong action tricks, unless you count the bad guy who blinds people with light from … Continue reading →

Posted in All, Chinese, News, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , |
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