Category Archives: Action

The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare: dull WWII spy romp

Posted on April 18, 2024 by admin

Every now and then Guy Ritchie makes a film in a crisp, focused style that can be utterly beguiling. The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare is not one of them. Filled with snark, bombast, and empty violence, this WWII actioner is … Continue reading →

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The plight of test pilots in Born to Run

Posted on March 24, 2024 by admin

Released theatrically last year, Born to Fly follows pilots undergoing rigorous training in order to test mainland China’s experimental stealth fighter jet. Deeply patriotic and extremely silly, it’s propaganda devoid of suspense, humor, and credible characterizations. The screenplay by Gui … Continue reading →

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Tak Sakaguchi is the One-Percenter

Posted on March 19, 2024 by admin

For several years Well Go USA has been one of the best distributors of genre films in the country. But the company finds itself in a bind with One-Percent Warrior (aka One-Percenter), a martial arts adventure starring Tak Sakaguchi. Sakaguchi … Continue reading →

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Jason Statham back in business as The Beekeeper

Posted on January 10, 2024 by admin

Action icon Jason Statham stars as the titular Beekeeper, an assassin retired from a top-secret, off-the-books branch of government designed to eliminate threats when all else fails. Statham keeps his bees at retired teacher Phylicia Rashad’s farm. When evil scammers … Continue reading →

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Andy Lau stars in I Did It My Way

Posted on January 10, 2024 by admin

Andy Lau continues his remarkable resurgence in the crime thriller I Did It My Way, yet another variation on Infernal Affairs. Lau plays George Lam, lawyer for a drug ring so powerful it has evaded legal consequences for its crimes. … Continue reading →

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Life is a cage fight in Rumble Through the Dark

Posted on November 3, 2023 by admin

You don’t expect a dark, gritty boxing drama from Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, but that’s exactly what Rumble Through the Dark is. Set in a grim world of fight clubs, liquor stores, traveling carnivals, and orphanages, the film … Continue reading →

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Shah Rukh Khan’s Jawan: Blockbuster is the latest stage in his comeback

Posted on November 1, 2023 by admin

Shah Rukh Khan is the whole show in Jawan, his second blockbuster adventure in less than a year. Despite a strong supporting cast, Khan dominates the film, performing the kind of over-the-top heroics that have made him a box-office favorite. … Continue reading →

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Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant: a war story with consequences

Posted on April 21, 2023 by admin

It makes sense to approach Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant cautiously. The execrable Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre is a glaring example of how lazy and listless the director’s output can be. Don’t worry. GRTC is worth your time. It’s another … Continue reading →

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Donnie Yen’s Sakra: a wuxia epic

Posted on April 17, 2023 by admin

A passion project from one of cinema’s greatest martial artists, Sakra is a wuxia of epic proportions. Adapted from Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils, the film unfolds on a tremendous scale, with towering sets, scores of extras, and phenomenal action set pieces. … Continue reading →

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Ride On: a new Jackie Chan film

Posted on April 13, 2023 by admin

Thirty years ago Jackie Chan was the biggest movie star in the world. Films like Police Story, Project A, and Supercop were international blockbusters. They changed the face of action films everywhere. Now pushing 69 (I only know because we … Continue reading →

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