Category Archives: Reviews

Crippled Avengers | aka Mortal Combat (1978) Review

"Crippled Avengers" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Crippled Heroes Director: Chang Cheh Cast: Chen Kuan Tai, Lu Feng, Philip Kwok, Johnny Wang, Lo Meng, Chiang Sheng, Sun Chien, Dick Wei, Jamie Luk Kim Ming, Cheng Miu, Helen Poon Bing Seung, Chan Hung, Chow Kin Ping, Chui Tai Ping, Ha Kwok Wing Running Time: 99 min. By Joe909 This is often considered the Venoms’ best movie, though I prefer a few others to it. It has action, … Continue reading

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Generation Gap, The (1973) Review

Director: Chang Cheh Producer: Runme Shaw Writer: Chang Cheh Cast: David Chiang, Ti Lung, Agnes Chan, Kong Ling, Lo Dik, Yen Shi Kwan, Dean Shek Tien, Alexander Fu Sheng, Fung Hak On, Ricky Hui Kun Ying, Kong Do Running Time: 113 min. By Mighty Peking Man Generation Gap is about one man’s (David Chiang) long and winding journey to find happiness and freedom-of-choice in a world full of assholes, cunts … Continue reading

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House of Traps (1981) Review

"House of Traps" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Shaolin House of Traps Director: Chang Cheh Cast: Philip Kwok, Chin Siu Ho, Sun Chien, Ngaai Fei, Lu Feng, Lung Tien Hsiang, Chiang Sheng, Cheng Tien Chi, Wong Lik, Siao Yuk, Cheung Kwok Keung, Chu Ko, Chui Tai Ping, Lau Fong Sai, Ngai Tim Choi, Shum Lo Running Time: 91 min. By Joe909 There’s a lot of interest on the Web over House of Traps, as it was the … Continue reading

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Drug Addict, The (1973) Review

"The Drug Addicts" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: The Drug Addicts Director: David Chiang Cast: Ti Lung, Wong Chung (Wang Chung), Louise Lee (Si Kei), Paul Chun Pui (Paul Chin Pei), David Chiang, Lo Dik, Kong Do, Lee Hoi Sang, Tino Wong Cheung Running Time: 94 min. By Mighty Peking Man So why were Chang Cheh, David Chiang and Ti Lung given the pseudonym “The Iron Triangle”? Was it because of their long list of badass films … Continue reading

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Struggle Through Death | aka Dragon Fighter (1979) Review

"Struggle Through Death" US DVD Cover

Director: Cheung San Yee Cast: John Liu (Chung Liang), Ma Chiu-Ku, Wei Ping-Ao, Chui Chung Hei, Ma Cheung, Chin Lung, Yue Hang, Ma Yue Fung, Chai Hau Keung Running Time: 96 min. By Joseph Kuby A classic example of a Chinese Opera-seria. For those not familiar with this term, here is the meaning… Opera-seria: (esp. 18th-c. Italian) opera on a serious, usually classical or mythological theme. Thus the classical or … Continue reading

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Dragon the Master (2003) Review

Director: Ray Woo Writer: Ray Woo Producer: Joseph Lai, Ricky Wong, George Lai Cast: Dragon Sek, Karen Cheung, Roy Cheung, Edward So, Billy Chow Bei-Lei, Lily Chung, Huang Yang Running Time: 89 min. By Joseph Kuby OK but no point! Just to save you from watching this movie with no obvious preconception of what this movie is about, I’ll tell you the plot in a nutshell. I know it’s called … Continue reading

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Dangerous Encounters of the First Kind | aka Don’t Play With Fire (1980) Review

"Dangerous Encounters of the First Kind" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Tsui Hark Cast: Lin Chen Chi, Lo Lieh, Tse Bo-law, Lung Tin-sang, Ray Lui, Bruce Barron, Ronny Yu Yan-Tai Running Time: 91 min. By Mighty Peking Man Okay, I’m not sure what was running through Tsui Hark’s mind when when he made this flick, but it takes a twisted, LCD-induced individual to pump out something so bizarre, yet so entertaining. The best thing about Don’t Play With Fire is … Continue reading

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Delinquent, The (1973) Review

"The Delinquent" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Chang Cheh Co-director: Kuei Chih-Hung Cast: Wong Chung (Wang Chung), Lily Li Li-Li, Booi Dai (Betty Pei Ti), Fan Mei Sheng, Dean Shek, Lo Dik, Fung Hak On, Tung Lam, Wong Kwong Yue, Yen Shi Kwan Running Time: 101 min. By Joe909 I was a little hard on this movie, because I felt that Chang Cheh’s handling of the (mostly) same story, four years later in Chinatown Kid, was … Continue reading

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Avenging Eagle | aka Shaolin Hero (1978) Review

"Avenging Eagle" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Shaolin Hero Director: Sun Chung Producer: Run Run Shaw, Mona Fong Cast: Ti Lung, Alexander Fu Sheng, Guk Fung, Si Si, Yue Wing, Johnny Wang, Dick Wei, Eddy Ko Hung, Peter Chan Lung, Yuen Bun, Yeung Chi Hing, Bruce Tong Running Time: 100 min. By Joe909 Sun Chung isn’t as well known as fellow Shaw Brothers kung-fu directors Chang Cheh and Liu Chia-Liang, but his films are equal to … Continue reading

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Prodigal Son, The (1982) Review

"The Prodigal Son" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Pull No Punches Director: Sammo Hung Cast: Yuen Biao, Frankie Chan, Lam Ching-Ying, Sammo Hung, Wei Pei, Peter Chan, Dick Wei, Wei Pei, Wu Ma, James Tien, Pang Yun-Cheung, Yuen Miu Running Time: 100 min. By Joe909 In my “Invincible Shaolin” review, I wrote that I’d never seen a New Wave Hong Kong movie that could hold a candle to a Shaw Brothers film. Well, I finally have, and … Continue reading

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Righting Wrongs | aka Above the Law (1986) Review

"Righting Wrongs" International Theatrical Poster

Director: Corey Yuen Producer: Leonard Ho Cast: Yuen Biao, Cynthia Rothrock, Melvin Wong, Corey Yuen, Wu Ma, Fan Siu Wong, James Tien, Sandy Chan, Karen Sheperd, Lau Siu Ming, Baan Yun Sang, Stephen Chan, Cheng Siu Ping, Roy Chiao, Chin Yuet Sang, Peter Cunningham Running Time: 100 min. By Numskull I don’t know what to say. Did you know… DID, YOU, KNOW that the legal system protects the guilty, rather … Continue reading

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Anonymous Heroes (1971) Review

Director: Chang Cheh Producer: Sir Run Run Shaw Cast: David Chiang, Ti Lung, Cheng Li, Ku Feng, Wang Chung, Tong Dik, Yen Shi Kwan Running Time: 100 min. By Joe909 Most old school movies ask for a suspension of disbelief, but Anonymous Heroes asks you to abandon all concept of reality. If you buy into the film, you will be treated to a light-hearted (albeit violent) adventure, but if you … Continue reading

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Game of Death (1978) Review

"Game of Death" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Robert Clouse Cast: Bruce Lee, Kim Tai-chung, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Colleen Camp, Gig Young, Dean Jagger, Sammo Hung, Bob Wall, Mel Novak, Hugh O’Brian, James Tien, Roy Chiao, Hon Tsoi Chi, Casanova Wong, Billy McGill Running Time: 92 min. By Joseph Kuby At best, this is a quintessential example of a good/bad movie. Brandon Lee was said to have hated this film with a passion! It’s funny, because even with the original footage, … Continue reading

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Beauty Investigator (1993) Review

Director: Lee Tso Nam Producer: Cheung Bo-Wing Cast: Moon Lee Choi-Fung, Yukari Oshima (Oshima Yukari), Gam Chi-Gei, Chui Jing-Yat, Sophia M Crawford, Melvin Wong Gam-San, Billy Ching Sau-Yat, Peter Yang Kwan, Billy Chow Bei-Lei, Shum Wai, Chung Faat, Tai Bo, Jackson Ng, Ng Ming-Choi, Dang Taai-Woh, Kei Ho-Chiu Running Time: 90 min. By Brmanuk Two bickering partners are ordered to go undercover at a hostess club in order to capture … Continue reading

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Young Master, The (1980) Review

"The Young Master" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Jackie Chan Cast: Jackie Chan, Wai Pak, Lily Li, Sek Kin, Yuen Biao, Tien Feng, Wang In Sik, Fung Hak On, Lee Hoi San, Chiang Kam, Fan Mei Sheng, Fung Fung, Ma Chao Running Time: 105 min. By Numskull Would it be considered heresey, sacrilege, blasphemy, etc., if I said that this movie is superior to Jackie’s most beloved ’70s kung fu comedy, Drunken Master? Well, it is, in … Continue reading

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