Category Archives: Filipino

Lethal Combat: Techno Warriors 2 | aka Digital Warriors (2000) Review

AKA: Digital Warriors  Director: Philip Ko Fei Cast: Darren Shahlavi, Lee Kwang-su, Yukari Oshima, Zoren Legaspi, Jimmy Ko, Man-Kei Lin, James Jim-Si Ha, Philip Ko Fei, Winston Ellis, Thorsten Nickel Running Time: 93 min. By Paul Bramhall Let’s address the elephant in the room – I’m convinced nobody was clamouring for a sequel to the 1997 sci-fi action mashup Techno Warriors. Philip Ko Fei’s incomprehensible Philippines shot action flick gave … Continue reading

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Day Zero (2022) Review

Director: Joey De Guzman Cast: ​Brandon Vera, Pepe Herrera, Mary Jean Lastimosa, Joey Marquez, Ricci Rivero, Freya Fury Montierro, Yohance Levi Buie, Jema Galanza, Jovit Moya Running Time: 82 min. By Paul Bramhall In the late 2010’s it began to feel like the Philippines film industry was finally stepping out of the insipid stupor it had spent most of the 21st century in, and was making a legitimate effort to produce some solid action … Continue reading

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White Force (1988) Review

Director: Eddie Romero Cast: Sam J. Jones, Kimberley Pistone, Tim Hughes, Raul Aragon, Jaime Fabregas, Vic Diaz, Ruben Rustia, Ken Metcalfe, Mike Monty, Tsing Tong Tsai, Anthony Ogunsanya, Eric Romero, John Falch, Mauricio Go Running Time: 90 min.  By Paul Bramhall The Philippines has always had a slightly different take on the action genre compared to its South East Asian counterparts. The western influence through being an American colony for … Continue reading

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Watch List (2019) Review

"Watch List" Theatrical Poster

Director: Ben Rekhi Cast: Alessandra de Rossi, Jake Macapagal, Arthur Acuna, Jess Mendoza, Angeli Bayani Running Time: 94 min.  By Paul Bramhall Before viewing Watch List it’s important to understand the very real backdrop that the production is set in. When Rodrigo Duterte was elected president of the Philippines in 2016 he launched the War on Drugs, encouraging both the police force and citizens alike to kill anyone they knew … Continue reading

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Maria (2019) Review

"Maria" Theatrical Poster

Director: Pedring Lopez Cast: Cristine Reyes, Germaine De Leon, KC Montero, Guji Lorenzana, Freddie Webb, Jennifer Lee, Cindy Miranda, L.A. Santos, Ronald Moreno, Ronnie Lazaro, Andrea Del Rosario, Johnny Revilla, Sonny Sison Running Time: 90 min. By Paul Bramhall Say what you want about Atomic Blonde, but one thing we do have the 2017 Charlize Theron actioner to thank for, is the resurgence of the female lead action flick. While … Continue reading

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BuyBust (2018) Review

"BuyBust" Theatrical Poster

Director: Erik Matti Cast: Anne Curtis, Brandon Vera, Victor Neri, Arjo Atayde, Levi Ignacio, Nonie Buencamino, Lao Rodriguez, Joross Gamboa, Sheenly Gener, Mara Lopez, AJ Muhlach, Tarek El Tayech, Maddie Martinez, Ricky Pascua Running Time: 126 min. By Samson Kwok Even though the year is only half way over, I already know that there is a very good chance that Filipino director Erik Matti’s BuyBust will be my favorite action … Continue reading

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Metro Manila (2013) Review

"Metro Manila" Theatrical Poster

Director: Sean Ellis Cast: Jake Macapagal, Althea Vega, John Arcilla, Erin Panlilio, Iasha Aceio, Moises Mag Isa, Angelina Kanapi, JM Rodriguez, Ana Abad Santos, Reuben Uy Running Time: 114 min. By Paul Bramhall The well-worn tale of naïve country folk heading to the big city for brighter prospects is one that’s been used in cinema for almost as long as the medium has been around. It’s particularly prevalent in Asian … Continue reading

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Search for Weng Weng, The (2013) Review

"The Search for Weng Weng" Promotional Poster

Director: Andrew Leavold Cast: Edgardo ‘Boy’ Vinarao, Don Gordon Bell, Rez Cortez, Imelda Marcos, Bobby A. Suarez, Marrie Lee, Imee Marco, Dolphy, Maria Isabel Lopez, Teddy Co Running Time: 92 min.  By Paul Bramhall I can’t speak for anyone else, but for me, my first exposure to the 007 styled Filipino midget action star, Weng Weng, was when home video label Mondo Macabro released his 1981 action movie For Your Height Only, packaged with the Bruce Le flick Challenge of the … Continue reading

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Nilalang | aka The Entity (2015) Review

"Nilalang" Theatrical Poster

AKA: Creature Director: Pedring Lopez Cast: Cesar Montano, Maria Ozawa, Meg Imperial, Yam Concepcion, Cholo Barretto, Dido de la Paz, Kiko Matos, Aubrey Miles, Alexandre Charlet, Sonny Sison Running Time: 90 min.  By Paul Bramhall After a long absence out of the spotlight, Filipino cinema has been making a quiet but assured comeback in recent years. Movies like Erik Matti’s On the Job, Sean Ellis’s Metro Manila, and Khavn de la … Continue reading

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Techno Warriors | aka Computer Hero (1997) Review

"Techno Warriors" Korean Theatrical Poster

AKA: The Cyber Warrior Director: Philip Ko Fei Cast: Philip Ko Fei, Tamara Guo, Darren Shahlavi, Winston Ellis, Monsour del Rosario, James Ha Chim Si, Thorsten Nickel, Alan Chan Yiu Lun, Niño Muhlach Running Time: 85 min. By Paul Bramhall The career of Philip Ko Fei is an interesting one to say the least, and one which has made me an unabashed fan of his work. If you were to … Continue reading

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Future Hunters | aka Deadly Quest (1986) Review

"Future Hunters" VHS Cover

AKA: Spear of Destiny Director: Cirio H. Santiago Cast: Robert Patrick, Linda Carol, Ed Crick, Bob Schott, David Light, Paul Holmes, Peter Shilton, Ursula Marquez, Elizabeth Oropesa, Bruce Le (aka Huang Kin Long, Wong Kin Lung), Hwang Jang Lee, Richard Norton, Mike Abbott Running Time: 96 min. By Paul Bramhall There are some movies which simple defy normal comprehension, and even before reading any sort of synopsis, just by looking … Continue reading

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Mission Terminate | aka Return of the Kickfighter (1987) Review

"Mission Terminate" Dutch VHS Cover

AKA: Revenge of the Kickfighter Director: Anthony Maharaj Writer: Joe Mari Avellana Cast: Richard Norton, Bruce Le (Huang Kin Long), Rex Cutter, Judy Greene, George E. Mahlberg, Nick Nicholson, Henry Strzalkowski, Dick Wei, Franco Guerrero Running Time: 90 min. By Paul Bramhall My journey that found me watching Mission Terminate was somewhat of an interesting one. Back in 2008, I’d stumbled across an old Tai Seng DVD of a movie … Continue reading

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On the Job (2013) Review

"On The Job" Theatrical Poster

Director: Erik Matti Cast: Piolo Pascual, Gerald Anderson, Joel Torre, Joey Marquez, Michael de Mesa, Leo Martinez, Angel Aquino, Vivian Velez, Niño Muhlach Running Time: 121 min. By Jeff Bona When I think of Filipino films, two things come to mind: goofy comedies and melodramas with overacting. My opinion comes from what I’ve seen on TV while vacationing in the Philippines and what I’ve witnessed while at my Aunt’s house … Continue reading

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Bruce and the Shaolin Bronzemen (1980) Review

"Bruce and the Shaolin Bronzemen" Finnish VHS Cover

AKA: King Boxer 2 Director: Joseph Kong Producer: Robert Jeffrey Cast: Bruce Le (aka Huang Kin Long, Wong Kin Lung), Chan Sing, Lita Vasquez, Chang Lee, Ruby Anna, Cloyd Robinson, Nona Herrera, Vivian Velasco, Ernie Ortega, Tsing Tong Tsai, Angel Confiado, Ruben Ramos, Jimmy Cruz, Romeo Blanco, Joe Canlas, Ely Rufuerzo, Ed Ramos, Nanding De La Cruz, Bill Feijoo Running Time: 78 min. By Joseph Kuby One film critic put … Continue reading

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