Movie Review: Legend of the Red Dragon

Hung and Ting share a father-son moment.

Movie Review: Legend of the Red Dragon (1994) directed by Jing Wong Hung Hei Kwun (Jet Li) and his fellow villagers oppose the oppressive Manchu government. One night, Hung returns from a journey to find that the village has been massacred. As it happens, the only survivor is his toddler son Ting (Miu Tse). Hung allows… Continue reading Movie Review: Legend of the Red Dragon

Comic Book Review: Essential Luke Cage, Power Man Vol. 2

Comic Book Review: Essential Luke Cage, Power Man Vol. 2 by various creators. Carl Lucas, a juvenile delinquent, straightened himself out and was trying to become a respectable citizen when he was framed for heroin possession. An unruly prisoner, he eventually ended up at Seagate Prison, where he volunteered for medical experiments conducted by Dr.… Continue reading Comic Book Review: Essential Luke Cage, Power Man Vol. 2

Manga Review: Ratman, Vol. 3

Rio Kizaki is the cover feature character for this volume.

Manga Review: Ratman, Vol. 3 by Sekihiko Inui On an alternate Earth, methods have been found to give ordinary humans superpowers, and “superhero” is a profession. However, the processes involved are very expensive and out of range for the average working person. So most superheroes are sponsored by businesses and act as mascots for them.… Continue reading Manga Review: Ratman, Vol. 3

Anime Review: Saint Seiya: Knights of the Zodiac

From left: Dragon, Pegasus, Andromeda and Cygnus

Anime Review: Saint Seiya: Knights of the Zodiac The Greek gods are real. Well, kind of. They’re actually energy beings that periodically reincarnate in human bodies. Athena in particular is important, since her servants (called “Saints”) help her defend humanity against the more malevolent gods. Except that this time, the rebirth of Athena was accompanied… Continue reading Anime Review: Saint Seiya: Knights of the Zodiac

Movie Review: The Avenging Eagle

Chi Ming-Sing tries to sort out his feelings about Homeless.

Movie Review: The Avenging Eagle (1978) directed by Chung Sun Homeless (Sheng Fu) sees a man dying of thirst in the desert, and stops to give him water. This man, Rover (Ti Lung), repays Homeless by stealing his horse and supplies. Fortunately, it turns out there is an oasis not too far away, and when Homeless… Continue reading Movie Review: The Avenging Eagle

Movie Review: Supercop

Officers Chan and Yang decide on their next move.

Movie Review: Supercop (1992) directed by Stanley Tong After two spectacularly successful cases, Chan Kar Kui (Jackie Chan, “Kevin” in the dub) has acquired the nickname “Supercop.” And now there’s a new dangerous assignment on the horizon. His superiors trick him into volunteering by letting overhear a conversation about how they feel the case is too… Continue reading Movie Review: Supercop

Movie Review: The Big Boss

Cheng takes a snack break before the final battle.

Movie Review: The Big Boss (1971) directed by Wei Lo Cheng Chao-An (Bruce Lee) is from an impoverished farming village in China. His kung fu skills are top-notch so he could probably make good money as a professional fighter, but his mother has made him swear on her jade pendant not to fight any more. Instead,… Continue reading Movie Review: The Big Boss

Movie Review: Project A 2

How is Sergeant Ma going to get out of this one?

Movie Review: Project A 2 (1987) directed by Jackie Chan Sergeant “Dragon” Ma (Jackie Chan) may have smashed the pirate fleet menacing Hong Kong a few weeks ago, but a policeman’s lot is not a happy one. It seems that Superintendant Chun (David Lam)is suspected of being heavily corrupt. Organized crime in his district operates freely,… Continue reading Movie Review: Project A 2

Movie Review: Summer Wars

The clan gathers around the family computer.

Movie Review: Summer Wars (2009) directed by Mamoru Hosoda High schooler Kenji Koiso is a math whiz who almost qualified for Team Japan in the Math Olympics. But almost won’t get you a good summer job, so he’s a low level maintenance admin for the OZ online service. OZ is the most popular online virtual world,… Continue reading Movie Review: Summer Wars

Book Review: Kaiju Rising: Age of Monsters

Book Review: Kaiju Rising: Age of Monsters edited by Tim Marquitz & N.X. Sharps Like many a Godzilla fan, I have a fondness for movies where gigantic monsters rampage across the landscape. The fandom has more or less adopted the Japanese term for such monsters, kaiju. While the big critters have been a staples of… Continue reading Book Review: Kaiju Rising: Age of Monsters