America’s Film Legacy
America’s Film Legacy 2009-2010
Category Archives: Asian
Kill Boksoon: Jeon Do-yeon showcase treads familiar territory
Style trumps substance in Kill Boksoon, a thriller set in a John Wick universe of corporate killers. Jeon Do-yeon stars as Boksoon, at home a single mom struggling to connect with her teen daughter Gae-yon. On the job she’s a … Continue reading
Posted in Action, Asian, Film Festivals
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Hidden Blade: Wartime intrigue in Shanghai
Shanghai in World War II was a viper’s nest of competing interests. Occupying Japanese forces had to deal with Chinese fighters who were themselves splitting under two leaders, Communist and Nationalist. French and British nationals along with Shanghai natives were … Continue reading
Posted in Asian, Drama, New Releases
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The Wandering Earth II: sci-fi prequel from Frant Gwo
Just in time for the Lunar New Year, Well Go USA opens a prequel to the 2019 blockbuster hit, The Wandering Earth II (or EartII, as the poster has it) expands on the original, building a thoroughly convincing sci-fi future … Continue reading
Posted in Action, Asian, New Releases, Special effects
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Restored Infernal Affairs trilogy: Film at Lincoln Center
You may know Infernal Affairs even if you’ve never seen it. The plot to the 2002 Hong Kong movie formed the basis for The Departed, to date Martin Scorsese’s only directing Oscar. Recently restored by L’Immagine Ritrovata, all three entries … Continue reading
Posted in Asian, Restorations
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Review: Beneath the Banyan Tree
Sensitive to a fault, Beneath the Banyan Tree explores an uprooted Chinese family trying to find its way in Los Angeles. Anchored by strong performances, the movie overcomes script and pacing problems to reach emotional moments that will resonate with … Continue reading
Posted in Asian, Drama, New Releases
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Donnie Yen and Nicholas Tse in Benny Chan’s Raging Fire
A first-rate action thriller, Raging Fire pits dedicated cop Donnie Yen against Nicholas Tse’s gang of killers in a story of betrayal and revenge. It’s sadly the last film from director Benny Chan, who died of cancer in 2020. Raging … Continue reading
Posted in Action, Asian, Uncategorized
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The Fatal Raid review: Old-school gunplay
Released in 2019, The Fatal Raid was originally intended as a sequel to 2016’s Special Female Force. A couple of that film’s performers reappear, notably Jade Leung as Wong, an undercover cop. But The Fatal Raid is essentially a standalone … Continue reading
Posted in Action, Asian, Streaming
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Review: Looking for a Lady with Fangs and a Moustache
Told he will die in a week, a young entrepreneur recalibrates his life. That premise, or ones just like it, has driven countless narratives of spiritual quests, from to Journey to the West to Ben-Hur to Dark Victory and Ikiru. … Continue reading
Posted in Asian, Cinematography, Film Festivals, Streaming
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Dante Lam’s action spectacle The Rescue: review
Director Dante Lam built his reputation on gritty action films like Beast Cops and The Viral Factor, works marked by relentless drive and exceptional action sequences. His last two films, Operation Mekong and Operation Red Sea, were huge hits in … Continue reading
Posted in Action, Asian, New Releases
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Jackie Chan returns in Vanguard: review
Thirty years ago Jackie Chan was the biggest movie star in the world. After conquering Asian markets, he embraced Hollywood in vehicles that tried to reproduce the action and humor of his Hong Kong movies. In recent years he has … Continue reading
Posted in Action, Asian, New Releases, Streaming
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