Category Archives: Reviews

One-Armed Boxer, The | aka The Chinese Professionals (1971) Review

"The One-Armed Boxer" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Jimmy Wang Yu Cast: Jimmy Wang Yu, Lung Fei, Blacky Ko Sau Leung, Tin Yau, Sit Hon, Chan San Yat, Wong Wing Sang, To Wai Wo, Hsieh Hsing, Kwan Hung, Cheung Yee Kwai, Choi Wang, Hau Pak Wai, Lui Jun, Ma Chin Ku Running Time: 89 min. By T. J. Gushiniere Warning: The following review may contain spoilers. Combine the “Dirty Dozen” with the “Magnificent Seven” and you have … Continue reading

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

Duel of the 7 Tigers | aka Shadow of the Tigers (1979) Review

"Duel of the 7 Tigers" Theatrical Poster

AKA: Return of Scorpion Director: Yeung Kuen Cast: Cliff Lok Kam Tung, Sharon Yeung Pan Pan, Philip Ko Fei, Charlie Chan Yiu Lam, Han Ying Chieh, Pomson Shi, Chu Chi Ling, Chan Sau Chung Running Time: 92 min. By Joseph Kuby A valiant effort to put a Chinese spin on Seven Samurai if not coming quite as close as Seven Swords. This film is the third remake of Kurosawa’s most … Continue reading

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

Ong-Bak 2: The Beginning (2008) Review

Director: Tony Jaa, Panna Rittikrai Cast: Tony Jaa, Nirut Sirichanya, Sorapong Chatree, Sarunyoo Wongkrachang, Santisuk Promsiri, Primorata Dejudom, Natdanai Kongthong, Prarinya Karmkeaw, Patthama Panthong, Petchtai Wongkamlao, Dan Chupong, Tim Man Running Time: 92 min. By JJ Hatfield Five hundred ninety years ago in a place known as Siam struggle for power was tearing the country apart. Violence of immense proportions seized the land, from both royalty and bandits. The citizens … Continue reading

Posted in Reviews, Thai | Tagged , , , , , |

Born to Fight (2004) Review

"Born to Fight" German Theatrical Poster

Director: Prachya Pinkaew Cast: Dan Chupong, Noppol Gomarachun, Suntisuk Phromsiri, Piyapong Pue-On, Somluck Kamsing, Amornthep Waewsaeng, Suebsak Phunsueb, Nantaway Wongwanichsilp, Kessarin Ektawatkul, Rattanaporn Khemtong Running Time: 91 min. By JJ Hatfield This movie was made right after the original Ong Bak. It is essentially the same team minus Tony Jaa replaced with Dan Chupong. The writer and director is Prachya Pinkaew, this being only his second time directing with Ong … Continue reading

Posted in Reviews, Thai | Tagged , , , |

Ong-Bak: The Thai Warrior (2003) Review

AKA: Daredevil Director: Prachya Pinkaew Cast: Tony Jaa, Petchtai Wongkamlao, Pumwaree Yodkamol, Chattapong Pantana-Angkul, Pumwaree Yodkamol, Suchao Pongwilai, Wannakit Sirioput, Chumphorn Thepphithak, Rungrawee Barijindakul, Cheathavuth Watcharakhun, Dan Chupong, Panna Rittikrai Running Time: 105 min. Jesse’s Review I’m going to start this review out by saying that I might seem a bit biased when discussing this movie because I am a huge Jackie Chan fan, and have seen many of his … Continue reading

Posted in Reviews, Thai | Tagged , , , , |

Shinjuku Incident (2008) Review

"Shinjuku Incident" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Derek Yee Cast: Jackie Chan, Daniel Wu, Masaya Kato, Xu Jing Lei, Fan Bing Bing, Kenya Sawada, Chin Kar Lok, Jack Kao Jie, Yasuaki Kurata, Ringo Chan, Paul Chun Pui, Fung Hiu Si, Hayama Go, Lam Suet, Teddy Lin, Ken Lo, Ken Watanabe, Hiroyuki Nagato, Wai-Fai Wong, Leyla, Marianna Tushkanova Running Time: 119 min. By Jeff Bona I can’t believe I waited this long to watch this movie… An … Continue reading

Posted in Chinese, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

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

Posted in Chinese, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , |

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

Posted in All, Japanese, News, Reviews |

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"The 14 Amazons" Chinese Theatrical Poster

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

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

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

Posted in Chinese, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , |

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

Posted in Chinese, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , |

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

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