James-Hong Movie Reviews

I Love this movie my favorite scene is at the end when he is sitting in the Hospital Waiting room he is hooked to an IV he looked like he was actually Sick in the scene that he had to be like he was really Ill. If you haven't seen this one I would rent it.

An epidemiologist has to cope with a cholera outbreak, track down a drug dealer who is a carrier, track down all the people he has come into contact with and deal with hundreds of patients. Then it gets personal. She discovers her husband and step-children are lost in the woods and her husband is infected with cholera. She begins a race against time to track them down while battling against her own demons and lack of sleep. In the end her step-children treat her with a new found respect.

This is one of the first classic 50's movies concerning the relationships,war and turmoil in Vietnam also featuring the reknowned singer Nat King Cole.It's a must see!!

Among lower-budget "action" films, this is certainly several steps above most. The story itself, of course, is simple and lightweight.

Giant corporations wage huge sums of money on televised to-the-death battles between professional gladiators. The silent, brooding Cowboy Warrior "Falchion" (Paul Coufos) decides he is tired of killing for the sake of other people, and tries to leave the War Zone. Howling, laughing Medieval Warrior "Lochaber" (Robert Z'Dar) baits Falchion back into the fight by killing every innocent person who crosses his path--with his battle-ax!

Set in the beautiful Arizona desert, it is obvious extra dollars were spent on this film. The photography is clear and artful. The sound is crisp and the soundtrack music is "big screen" quality.

The actors, most of whom are familiar, are all good enough. Fawna MacLaren is mesmerizing as a "Dark Servant" with a stunning figure. And Robert Z'Dar, often racing up sundrenched hills in chain mail, is as we love to see him--cunning, fit and strong!

Among lower-budget "action" films, this is certainly several steps above most. The story itself, of course, is simple and lightweight.

Giant corporations wage huge sums of money on televised to-the-death battles between professional gladiators. The silent, brooding Cowboy Warrior "Falchion" (Paul Coufos) decides he is tired of killing for the sake of other people, and tries to leave the War Zone. Howling, laughing Medieval Warrior "Lochaber" (Robert Z'Dar) baits Falchion back into the fight by killing every innocent person who crosses his path--with his battle-ax!

Set in the beautiful Arizona desert, it is obvious extra dollars were spent on this film. The photography is clear and artful. The sound is crisp and the soundtrack music is "big screen" quality.

The actors, most of whom are familiar, are all good enough. Fawna MacLaren is mesmerizing as a "Dark Servant" with a stunning figure. And Robert Z'Dar, often racing up sundrenched hills in chain mail, is as we love to see him--cunning, fit and strong!

What can be said, really, about James Hong's The Vineyard? I mean, really. This film defies description but for label's sake, we'll call it horror. In brief, The Vineyard is the story of a mad "doctor" (Hong) who lures people to his secluded island vineyard in order to salvage their bodies to make the wine that keeps him forever young. And he has an army of zombie assistants he keeps covered in hay in the vineyard. oh yeah, and a dungeon of half-dressed women chained to the walls. What else does he need, you ask. If you guessed true love, you've got it. Well, anyway, the dialouge is freakin hilarious, the music even more deserving of praise, and all in all, a pretty cheesy slasher-like flick made in 1989, so the subject matter is somewhat forgivable, considering the era. I love it. I've watched it 4 times and i laugh uncontrollably whenever i see it. i show it to everyone i know. if you like cheesy eighties horror flicks that really don't make much sense, the Vineyard is for you.

One of the better post-Vietnam War movies. The other's Bat-21. Based on a little-known novel called "Incident at Muc Wa", it's set in Vietnam in 1964. Burt Lancaster's a tough-as-nails U.S. military advisor. He and his men, including a young Mark Harmon, must defend the village from the Vietcong, or as it was called by the men there, "Charlie." There are only two Vietnam War movies I've seen. Go Tell the Spartans and Bat-21. See this movie and read Bat-21. Will I get paid for this review? No. Just see this moive.

i seen this movie at the theatre when it was 1st released
and vietnam war movies were trickling in.
burt lancaster and marc singer give stand out performances
as the american advisors.
the battle scenes, and american views of the people
of south vietnam, give this gritty war drama a boost of realism.
not sure where this was filmed, kinda looked liked a california
back lot....beat feet and see this movie..!

In 480BCE 300 Spartan Hoplites held a pass for the better part of 3 days against a Persian force that may have numbered over 200,000 men. The Spartans were aided by around 7,000 coalition troops during the first 2 days. However, they were dismissed on the 3rd day. The Spartans, their Helots and the Thespians allies died to a last man. It was one of the most gallant stands in all of military history.

To this day there is an inscription on the funeral mound @ Thermopylae that serves as a memorial to their sacrifice. An English translation is as follows:

GO TELL THE SPARTANS, STRANGER PASSING BY
THAT HERE OBEDIENT TO THEIR LAWS WE LIE.

The title of this movie is an allusion to Thermopylae. However, the film itself is about the earliest days of Vietnam. It recounts a time not long after the fall of Dien Bien Pu; an epoch when the U.S. did not have a commitment of a significant number of troops. During the period covered in this movie all that we had over there were a handful of military advisors.

The film details an obscure event at a Vietnam village known as Muc Wa. Although the battle itself will not likely even find its way into the footnotes of history, it nevertheless serves as an excellent "premonition" of what was to come. It narrates how much the U.S. underestimated the fighting prowess and resolve of the Viet Cong. In fact, Muc Wa can be said to be a microcosm of how the entire Vietnam War went for the United States.

The cast of the film is fairly impressive. The lead is taken by Burt Lancaster who portrays a Major who is asked to do the impossible with almost no resources at all. A very young Marc Singer plays his XO. Craig Wasson (best known for his leading role in Brian Depalma's BODY DOUBLE) plays a shy young corporal.

This is a terrific Vietnam movie that encapsulates just about everything that went wrong for the U.S. in the ill-fated conflict. It's a must see for all who seek to learn and understand the facts of the early stages and how it all went downhill from there.

All respect to Mel Brooks, early Woody Allen, Blake Edwards and any other brilliant filmmaker who has turned their talents to creating the ultimate comedy...they all must take a back seat to this film.

I've never experienced such a perfect merging of screenplay, characterization and direction. Arkin and Falk have a chemistry and timing that simply must be seen to be believed.

I've been a movie buff for a long time, but I must admit that totally missed this when it came out. In fact, it was running one night on a cable station in the mid 80s when I first saw it. I was visiting my parents, and on it came. I had just stopped in to say hello, but after the first 10 minutes I knew I wasn't going anywhere. I'll never forget sitting next to my father, who was in his seventies at the time, hearing him cracking up. He had a great laugh, a deep, full laugh, and I'd never in my life heard such pure joy come out of my father, who was a serious and subdued man. It may sound strange, but I felt closer to my father after watching this movie with. Sharing such a joyful experience with him will always be a very cherished memory.

Do yourself a favor. Find someone you love. Doesn't need to be romantic love, just someone who really counts in your life. Watch this movie with them. If it doesn't become a special memory, email me and complain.

This is, as you have read in other reviews, a great movie. My reason for writing this review is not to review the movie, you can read that in other reviews, but to let you know that the DVD is so much better than the VHS (I bought the VHS copy a couple of months before the DVD was available for pre-order, because I didn't think it would be coming out on DVD). That said, the banter between the Peter Falk and Alan Arkin is really great, and at some point, you will find yourself quoting parts of the movie. My wife, who does not like "these kinds of movies" laughed throughout the entire film. Anyway, get the DVD and give the VHS away, that's what I did.

What more can I add to all the previous glowing reviews here. I just reread all 53 reviews and laughed so hard remembering all the gags in the movie my sides hurt.

I have just one correction to make to some of the reviews: The pre-flight safety briefing given to Shel on Wong Airlines was conducted in Cantonese, not Mandarin. Since I happen to understand Cantonese (and also Mandarin), that scene is even more hilarious because Bill (?) Hong is giving a real safety briefing in all seriousness, with the exception of the line about Mae West.

If you've not seen the original In-Laws, do so of you'll regret it.

The movie was one of the worst I had seen in my life. I did not have high hope for the animated series but I was very much surprised. The dialogue and, bizzarly enough, the acting are a hundred times as good as the film and the plot and characters are also much more intriguing.

This is the second season of Spawn and it is crammed full of plot developments and great characters. Sam and Twitch get more room here. But since this has stopped airing as of 1999 there has been no fourth season. It's a shame since the one thing I can be sure ofis that the story could have had one hell of a send-off when it finally climaxes.

It's more than likely in syndication somewhere so I'd start watching this if I were you. But be prepared. The violence is quite graphic and the overall tone of the stories ranges from kiddie fiddlers to satanic demons. Needless to say, it's not a cartoon for kids. It's an animated series for adults.

The DVD is in full screen format, as originally drawn and is in Dolby 5.1 surround. Todd McFarlane says in his commentary that he was working on a darker sequel for the movie. It has since not happened. But I'd keep my fingers crossed, because the toys sell like crazy and the audience is definitely there.

The original Spawn series on HBO was a wonderfully executed project, and the second season is just as good. The story is well developed, with plenty of action. Spawn seems much more indestructible in this set than in the first, as he is becoming familiar with the powers bestowed upon him. In fact, there is only one 'counter' display during the entire movie to remind us that Spawn's power is not infinite. The installment answers few questions, and raises even more. There is also more of a Japanimation style to some of the scenes this time around.

While the movie itself is superb, the menu system could have used a little tweaking. The background music that accompanies the main menu isn't in sync at the loop point. Also, on some screens, all the available choices are displayed in text, while on others there are small 'arrow' buttons. Nitpicky details, but details nonetheless.

Spawn proves to be as complex as ever, never fully becoming hero nor villain, still unable to cope with his new existence.

Highly recommended to fans of the series. For the uninitiated, you will get more out of Spawn 2 if you've seen the first installment beforehand. Five stars for the film, four stars for the DVD presentation.

I remember watching this series when it aired on HBO. I was in shock at how dark and perfectly executed the mood of the "cartoon" was. This wasn't re-using frame after frame like Hanna-Barbara, it wasn't happy kiddie-fare from Disney, and it wasn't some strange art style inspired from Europe like Heavy Metal. Spawn was truly an animated series for adults, and people who could think. Don't let the spelling of other reviewers (words like "phat" and the excessive use of the letter z, e.g.) fool you into thinking this for the current MTV generation only. This is for anyone who wants to see an intelligent, dark series that probably gets away with more grim acts than many R-rated movies. Exceptional and eye-opening. You owe it to yourself to see this work of art.

The movie was one of the worst I had seen in my life. I did not have high hope for the animated series but I was very much surprised. The dialogue and, bizzarly enough, the acting are a hundred times as good as the film and the plot and characters are also much more intriguing.

This is the second season of Spawn and it is crammed full of plot developments and great characters. Sam and Twitch get more room here. But since this has stopped airing as of 1999 there has been no fourth season. It's a shame since the one thing I can be sure ofis that the story could have had one hell of a send-off when it finally climaxes.

It's more than likely in syndication somewhere so I'd start watching this if I were you. But be prepared. The violence is quite graphic and the overall tone of the stories ranges from kiddie fiddlers to satanic demons. Needless to say, it's not a cartoon for kids. It's an animated series for adults.

The DVD is in full screen format, as originally drawn and is in Dolby 5.1 surround. Todd McFarlane says in his commentary that he was working on a darker sequel for the movie. It has since not happened. But I'd keep my fingers crossed, because the toys sell like crazy and the audience is definitely there.

The original Spawn series on HBO was a wonderfully executed project, and the second season is just as good. The story is well developed, with plenty of action. Spawn seems much more indestructible in this set than in the first, as he is becoming familiar with the powers bestowed upon him. In fact, there is only one 'counter' display during the entire movie to remind us that Spawn's power is not infinite. The installment answers few questions, and raises even more. There is also more of a Japanimation style to some of the scenes this time around.

While the movie itself is superb, the menu system could have used a little tweaking. The background music that accompanies the main menu isn't in sync at the loop point. Also, on some screens, all the available choices are displayed in text, while on others there are small 'arrow' buttons. Nitpicky details, but details nonetheless.

Spawn proves to be as complex as ever, never fully becoming hero nor villain, still unable to cope with his new existence.

Highly recommended to fans of the series. For the uninitiated, you will get more out of Spawn 2 if you've seen the first installment beforehand. Five stars for the film, four stars for the DVD presentation.

I remember watching this series when it aired on HBO. I was in shock at how dark and perfectly executed the mood of the "cartoon" was. This wasn't re-using frame after frame like Hanna-Barbara, it wasn't happy kiddie-fare from Disney, and it wasn't some strange art style inspired from Europe like Heavy Metal. Spawn was truly an animated series for adults, and people who could think. Don't let the spelling of other reviewers (words like "phat" and the excessive use of the letter z, e.g.) fool you into thinking this for the current MTV generation only. This is for anyone who wants to see an intelligent, dark series that probably gets away with more grim acts than many R-rated movies. Exceptional and eye-opening. You owe it to yourself to see this work of art.

Mulan is a character unlike any other Disney heroine. She lives for a purpose of bringing herself and her family, honor. She fights, not only the Huns, but also Chinese tradition. All that she does and says is powerful. Other characters present humor and irony, making the film cute and sending a strong inspiration to be yourself and strive for the best. The music, including "Reflection", is well performed and composed (voices of Lea Salonga, Donny Osmond, Ming-Na Wen, Eddie Murphy, etc.). Orchestrations from this movie were nominated for the Oscars. The animation combines typical Disney styles with touches of Chinese art. This is truly a moving story with some breathtaking animation thanks to computer technology.

Mulan is a cute, but less than graceful young woman growing up in ancient China. She has come of age, and it is time to be married off, but the village matchmaker does not believe it is possible. Mulan is simply not a proper young Chinese woman, and will never bring her family honor. Until the day a Hun army decides to make war against China, and Mulan is the only member of her family who is able to fight. The catch is, she has to hide her femininity, because only men can fight in the army. Her ancestors send a mighty dragon to bring Mulan back before she causes her family further shame and embarrassment, but Mushu (Eddie Murphy), a much more miniscule dragon, takes his place, and decides to help Mulan in her quest instead of bringing her home. Disguised as a male soldier, Mulan barely manages to keep her secret while training, marching, and fighting, but by the time her struggle is over, Mulan learns that she doesn't have to be a perfect bride or beauty in order to bring her family plenty of honor.
There's a lot of Negativity about the Disney animated features that have been released since The Lion King. Many have said that The Lion King was the last film of the Disney Renaissance that supposedly started with The Little Mermaid. Not at all true. Mulan is a prime example. It's true that the last of Disney's Broadway Style musicals was The Hunchback of Notre Dame (though hopefully we'll see more someday), but Mulan is still a wonderful animated film full of beautiful art and music. The characters are loveable, funny, believable, and endearing, and well played by their respective voice talents. Eddie Murphy, of course, is the big name tagged to this feature, playing a role that he nearly seemed to be reprising in Shrek, but he's much funnier in Mulan. And while there IS a clear villain, Shan Yu and his army of Huns, the real conflict in this film is Mulan's struggle to discover herself and to prove her worth, to her family, her people, and to herself.
The DVD includes a surprisingly sophisticated and downright old looking Christina Aguilera (surprisingly from before her Genie In a Bottle days) video, singing the song "Reflections." It also features a 98 degrees (Who? Ha ha) "True To Your Heart" video. Both are quite enjoyable, though you may want to close your eyes or squint at times during both of them. Ha ha. The Theatrical Trailer is also included. Plenty of room for more extras here, but I suppose we'll have to wait for one of those Platinum Releases to come out some time later this century. Still, this video is well worth buying, and it would be even if there were no extras! Mulan is another true and instant Disney Classic!

I love this movie. O.k. I admit it. I have a small crush on Chang. It's all right since he's animated, but he is a hottie. The songs are great in this movie. not too much and entertaining.

I love that Mulan is such a feminist out of necessity. It is one thing to act on a principle b/c you just believe it... but there are a whole world of us out there who simply cannot help but be who we are. Mulan is our spokesperson. She is not trying to lead a revolution. She isn't trying to create the Feminine Mystique... she's just a girl trying to figure out how she fits in, and trying to do the right thing, even when she doesn't always know what that is. And she finds someone who loves her just the way she is.

EXCELLENT story. Also, the scenery and the history is AWESOME as well.