Category Archives: Reviews

Jade Warrior | aka Jadesoturi (2006) Review

Director: Antti-Jussi Annila Cast: Tommi Eronen, Zhang Jingchu, Krista Kosonen, Markku Peltola, Hao Dang, Taishen Cheng, Elle Kull, Liansheng Tong, Qiupu Tao, Xiaomei Tong Running Time: 110 min. By JJ Hatfield When most people think about martial arts they think of China, Japan, and places like Thailand.  Don’t leave out other countries or regions though. If martial arts are practiced in most countries we know of why wouldn’t every place … Continue reading

Posted in Asian Related, Chinese, Reviews |

Moment of Romance, A (1990) Review

"Moment of Romance" Korean Theatrical Poster

Director: Benny Chan Cast: Andy Lau Tak-Wah, Wu Chien-Lien, Ng Man-Tat, Tommy Wong Kwong-Leung, Leung Shan, Lau Kong, Sandra Lang, Wong Sa-Lei, Wong Man-Wai, Yuen Bun Running Time: 88 min. By Mighty Peking Man “Good girls always go for the bad boys”… I can definitely understand why and Benny Chan’s Moment of Romance makes me understand the line better. What we have here is a modern day Romeo and Juliet meets … Continue reading

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El Topo (1970) Review

"El Topo" Theatrical Poster

Director: Alejandro Jodorowsky Cast: Alejandro Jodorowsky, Brontis Jodorowsky, Mara Lorenzio, David Silva, Paula Romo Running Time: 125 min. By JJ Hatfield “El Topo” is not an easy film to review. For some it is not an easy film to watch. “El Topo” was made in 1968 and hitting the non -conventional movie theatres in 1970. This was the beginning of “midnight movies” that immediately garnered a fanatically devoted cult audience. … Continue reading

Posted in Other Movies, Reviews |

Django (1966) Review

"Django" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Sergio Corbucci Cast: Franco Nero, Loredana Nusciak, José Bódalo, Ángel Álvarez, Eduardo Fajardo Running Time: 97 min. By JJ Hatfield “Django” (no not the jazz great) may be considered amongst the “spaghetti westerns” seeing that it was made in Italy and helmed by Sergio Corbucci, with Bruno Corbucci and made Franco Nero a name associated with stardom. “Django” (1966) should really be categorized as a sub genre, with movies … Continue reading

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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

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

Hero | aka Ma Wing Jing (1997) Review

Director: Corey Yuen 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 of extreme drought and poverty that drives two … 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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