Category Archives: Reviews

Godzilla: Final Wars (2004) Review

"Godzilla: Final Wars" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Ryuhei Kitamura Cast: Masahiro Matsuoka, Rei Kikukawa, Akira Takarada, Kane Kosugi, Kazuki Kitamura, Maki Mizuno, Masami Nagasawa, Chihiro Otsuka, Don Frye Running Time: 125 min. By Ningen Note that the only previous film of Ryuhei Kitamura’s I’ve seen was Versus. I haven’t seen Azumi and didn’t even play that MGS remake for the GC in which he was involved. Anyway, while it was supposed to be a sequel to the … Continue reading

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Battle Royale (2000) Review

"Battle Royale” Japanese Movie Poster

Director: Kinji Fukasaku Cast: Tatsuya Fujiwara, Aki Maeda, Taro Yamamoto, Masanobu Ando, Takeshi Kitano, Kou Shibasaki, Chiaki Kuriyama, Yuko Miyamura, Yuuki Masuda, Sousuke Takaoka Running Time: 114 min. By JJ Hatfield “Battle Royale” is very interesting – interesting beyond the usual curiosity and opinions about books and films. What is most interesting is that those who have not read the book nor viewed the movies are the same ones who … Continue reading

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Legendary Weapons of China | aka Legendary Weapons of Kung Fu (1982) Review

Director: Lau Kar-Leung Producer: Run Run Shaw Cast: Liu Chia-Liang, Liu Chia-Yung, Liu Chia-Hui, Hui Ying-Hung, Alexander Fu Sheng, Hsiao Hou Running Time: 107 min. By JJ Hatfield This film is truly a masterpiece and I do not idly toss about such high praise! The story is completely different but it ranks up there with the absolute best in the company of Eight Diagram Pole Fighter and Disciples of the … Continue reading

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Hero | aka Ma Wing Jing (1997) Review

Director: Corey Yuen Writer: Jeff Lau, Corey Yuen Producer: Mona Fong Cast: Takeshi Kaneshiro, Yuen Biao, Valerie Chow, Yuen Wah, Yuen Tak, Jessica Hester, Corey Yuen Running Time: 97 min. By JJ Hatfield Mainland China in the 1920‘s was a time of social upheaval, staggering poverty and petty rulers who cared more about whispered promises from high ranking individuals than the citizens who were suffering horribly. It was a period … Continue reading

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Kundun (1997) Review

Director: Martin Scorsese Writer: Melissa Mathison Producer: Barbara De Fina Cast: Henry Yuk, Tenzin Thuthob Tsarong, Gyurme Tethong, Tulku Jamyang Kunga Tenzin, Tenzin Yeshi Paichang Running Time: 134 min. By JJ Hatfield “Kundun” is the fascinating true story of the life and challenges of the ruler of Tibet during times of extreme turmoil. The 14th Kundun is known to most of the world as the Dalai Lama. This excellent film … Continue reading

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Eight Diagram Pole Fighter | aka Invincible Pole Fighter (1983) Review

"Eight Diagram Pole Fighter" Hong Kong Theatrical Poster

Director: Liu Chia-Liang Writer: Liu Chia-Liang Cast: Gordon Liu Chia Hui, Alexander Fu Sheng, Kara Hui Ying Hung, Lily Li Li Li, Philip Ko Fei, Lin Ke Ming, Johnny Wang Lung Wei, Chu Tiet Wo Running Time: 99 min. By JJ Hatfield Eight Diagram Pole Fighter is truly a magnificent film! The cast and crew performed wonderfully in this most heartbreaking, disturbing, vicious and bloody film Lau Kar Leung and … Continue reading

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True Game of Death (1981) Review

"True Game of Death" US Theatrical Poster

Director: Steve Harries Co-director: Chen Ten Tai Cast: Bruce Hsao Lung (aka Lung Tien-Hsiang), Alice Meyer, George Stephens (George Steve), Kim Sing, Michiyama Ichiro, Bruce Lee (stock footage) Running Time: 90 min. By Jeff Bona True Game of Death is a blatant rip-off of Robert Clouse’s 1978 Game of Death. Both movies revolve around martial arts superstars (substitute Tai Chung Kim’s Billy Lo for Shou Lung) who get hassled by … Continue reading

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Bruce Lee My Brother | aka Young Bruce Lee (2010) Review

"Bruce Lee My Brother" Hong Kong Theatrical Poster

Director: Raymond Yip Co-director: Manfred Wong Cast: Aarif Lee, Tony Leung Ka-fai, Christy Chung, Jennifer Tse, Michelle Ye, Jin Au-yeung, Angela Gong Mi, Wilfred Lau, Lawrence Cheng, Candice Yu, Chin Kar-lok, Frankie Ng, Andrew Nelson, Ken Lo, Kristy Yang, Charles Ying Running Time: 130 min. By Mighty Peking Man Directed by Raymond Yip (The Warlords) and Manfred Wong (prolific writer/producer of hundreds of popular titles), Bruce Lee, My Brother is … Continue reading

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Man Called Tiger, The (1973) Review

"The Man Called Tiger" Hong Kong Theatrical Poster

Director: Lo Wei Producer: Raymond Chow Cast: Jimmy Wang Yu, Okada Kawai, Maria Yi, James Tien, Han Ying Chieh, Lee Kwan, Tien Feng, Lo Wei, Lam Ching Ying, Shikamura Yasuyoshi Running Time: 76 min. By Jeff Bona The Man Called Tiger is the story of a no-nonsense tough guy (Jimmy Wang Yu) who infiltrates the local Yakuza to investigate the truth behind his father’s death. Teaming up with a fellow Chinaman (James … Continue reading

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Green Hornet, The (2011) Review

Director: Michel Gondry Cast: Seth Rogen, Jay Chou, Christoph Waltz, Cameron Diaz, Edward James Olmos, Tom Wilkinson, Edward Furlong, Jill Remez, Joe O’Connor, Morgan Rusler Running Time: 110 min. By Ningen Britt Reid’s a goof-off son of a media mogul-played by Seth Rogen-whose dad passes away unexpectedly. After becoming newly acquainted with his dad’s ex-servant, Kato-played by Jay Chou-Britt discovers that Kato’s not just good with making coffee, but also … Continue reading

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Edge of Fury (1978) Review

"Edge of Fury" US Theatrical Poster

Director: Lee Tso Nam Writer: Ding Sin Saai Cast: Bruce Li (Ho Chung Tao), Dana Tsen (Danna), Tommy Lee, Yasuaki Kurata, Michelle Mai Suet, Wai Lit, Kao Yuan, Pak Man Biu, David Cheng Dai Wai Running Time: 84 min. By Jeff Bona  A wealthy business man is arrested and sentenced to death for drug smuggling, and it’s up to his trustworthy chauffer, Fang Pao (Bruce Li), to unravel the mystery … Continue reading

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Longest Nite, The (1998) Review

"The Longest Nite" Theatrical Poster

AKA: The Longest Night Director: Patrick Yau Tat-Chi Cast: Tony Leung Chiu-Wai, Lau Ching-Wan, Maggie Siu Mei-Kei, Lung Fong, Mark Cheng Running Time: 84 min. By Joe909 I’ve read several articles and interviews where HK actors who have come to Hollywood say that they look forward to working over here, because they’ll be able to do more complex movies. Each of them have said that HK audiences are sometimes not … Continue reading

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Hero Never Dies, A (1998) Review

"A Hero Never Dies" Japanese DVD Cover

Director: Johnnie To Cast: Leon Lai Ming, Lau Ching-Wan, Fiona Leung Ngai-Ling, Yoyo Mung Ka-Wai, Henry Fong Ping, Yam Saikoon, Keiji Sato, Michael Lam Wai-Leung, Yen Shi Kwan, Lam Suet, Yuen Bun, Philip Keung Hiu-Man Running Time: 98 min. By Numskull When are people gonna learn that crime doesn’t pay unless you’re O.J. Simpson? In this corner, we have Jack, devoted servant of Mr. Yam, a gang lord who consults … Continue reading

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Bangkok Dangerous | aka Rain (1999) Review

"Bangkok Dangerous" Japanese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Rain Director: Oxide Pang Co-director: Danny Pang Cast: Pawalit Mongkolpisit, Premsinee Ratanasopha, Patharawarin Timkul, Pisek Intrakanchit Running Time: 105 min. By Woody I’m really drunk right now, so excuse any glaring grammatical errors. “Bangkok Dangerous” is a really awesome low-budget flick. If you were to take Chow Yun Fat out of “The Killer” and replace him with Takeshi Kaneshiro’s character from “Fallen Angels”, you’d have a pretty shitty movie, … Continue reading

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Beautiful Boxer (2004) Review

"Beautiful Boxer" International Theatrical Poster

Director: Ekachai Uekrongtham Cast: Asanee Suwan, Sorapong Chatree, Orn-Anong Panyawong, Kyoko Inoue, Yuka Hyodo Running Time: 114 min. By Ningen An arthouse alternative to Ong Bak, Beautiful Boxer is a powerful, emotional, and riveting saga of an ordinary person named Nong Toom who takes up Muy Thai in order to fight in tournaments and get the money needed for a sex change operation. Raised in a poor nomadic family, Toom … Continue reading

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