James Mudge is BeyondHollywood.com's longest contributing movie reviewer. Based out of Glasgow, James is our go-to guy for Asian movie reviews old and new. He has a forthcoming book about Asian movies set to be released sometime this century. Maybe.

A Frozen Flower (2008) Movie Review

Although perhaps not as widely recognised as his contemporaries, former poet Yoo Ha is unquestionably one of the most talented directors working in Korea today. Known for never taking the easy or genre approved route, he has yet to make a bad film, and his track record speaks for itself, including the...

June 13th, 2009 | Read More

Naked Kitchen (2008) Movie Review

The popularity of food related Korean films continues with “The Naked Kitchen” from first time female director Hong Ji Young, who also worked on the recent patisserie-set “Antique”. The film boasts an all star cast in the form of “Princess Hours” heartthrob Ju Ji Hoon (also in “Antique”),...

June 6th, 2009 | Read More

The Sniper (2009) Movie Review

“The Sniper” is a film which hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons, thanks to the all-consuming nude photo scandal surrounding star Edison Chen, resulting in a long delay to its release and an apparently drastic cutting down of his role. However, for once this may actually have been a good...

June 6th, 2009 | Read More

A Very Short Life (2009) Movie Review

With Hong Kong cinema not always being known for its sensitive side, a category III rated drama about child abuse and murder may not initially sound like a particularly appetising prospect. Thankfully, “A Very Short Life”, which was written and directed by “Fatal Move” helmer Dennis Law, takes...

June 6th, 2009 | Read More

Wushu: The Young Generation (2008) Movie Review

As a film which is actually about martial arts, it is hard to fault the pedigree of “Wushu – The Young Generation”. Aimed at introducing a new and highly talented bunch of experts, the film also stars the legendary Sammo Hung, and was produced by none other than Jackie Chan. It was directed by...

June 6th, 2009 | Read More

I Know How Many Runs You Scored Last Summer (2008) Movie Review

No doubt because the fans demanded it, the world can now bask in the glory of the first ever cricket themed comedy horror in the form of “I Know How Many Runs you Scored Last Summer”. The Australian film marks the feature debut of husband and wife team Doug Turner and Stacey Edmonds, who had previously...

May 30th, 2009 | Read More

Macabre (1980) Movie Review

“Macabre” was originally released back in 1980 and marked the debut of Italian horror director Lamberto Bava. The son of the legendary Mario Bava, who was responsible for countless influential genre classics including “Black Sunday” and “Black Sabbath”, his works were always somewhat overshadowed...

May 30th, 2009 | Read More

Martyrs (2008) Movie Review

As Hollywood horror slowly drowns in a mire of teen friendly remakes, over the last few years, it is arguably the French who have given genre addicts their much needed fixes, including such gruesome gems as “Switchblade Romance”, “Frontiers” and “Inside”. Following these comes “Martyrs”,...

May 30th, 2009 | Read More

Sleepless (2001) Movie Review

“Sleepless” was originally released in 2001 and saw legendary horror director Dario Argento returning to the Giallo form in an attempt to reverse what had seemed for many years to be the irreversible decline of his once glorious career. Perhaps inevitably receiving mixed reactions from critics and...

May 30th, 2009 | Read More

The House by the Cemetery (Uncut, 1981) Movie Review

UK gore and horror fans have real reason to rejoice as Lucio Fulci’s 1981 gut muncher “The House by the Cemetery” has at last been passed uncut by the dreaded BBFC. The film now returns to DVD in all its gruesome glory via Arrow Video as part of their Masters of Giallo series, and comes complete...

May 24th, 2009 | Read More

Cutie Honey (2004) Movie Review

A live action version of the enduringly popular Japanese manga and anime series, “Cutie Honey” was directed by Hideaki Anno of “Neon Genesis Evangelion” fame. Originally released back in 2004, the film now arrives on region 2 DVD via MVM Entertainment, finally giving fans a chance to revel in...

May 24th, 2009 | Read More

Zombie Virus on Mulberry Street (2006) Movie Review

“Zombie Virus on Mulberry Street”, the first feature from writer director Jim Mickle, picked up a number of plaudits and prizes on its initial release back in 2006 with a successful tour of genre festivals. Now with a new and not entirely necessary expanded moniker (the original title was the simpler...

May 24th, 2009 | Read More

Summer Whispers (2007) Movie Review

“Summer Whispers” marks the debut of first time writer director Kim Eun Joo, and offers a pleasingly understated take on the usual Korean romance. The title is certainly appropriate and evocative, as the film has a bright, though almost ethereal feel, dealing not only with love, but also with life...

May 16th, 2009 | Read More

Iris Chang: The Rape of Nanking (2007) Movie Review

“Iris Chang – The Rape of Nanking” is a documentary produced in 2007 by the Toronto based ‘Association for Learning and Preserving the History of WWII in Asia’ to mark the 70th anniversary of the Nanking Massacre. The film is based upon Chang’s bestselling 1997 book “The Rape of Nanking:...

May 16th, 2009 | Read More

China White (1989) Movie Review

“The China White” was originally released back in 1989 and was the first international film from Hong Kong director Ronny Yu, who has since gone on to helm the likes of Jet Li’s “Fearless” and the forthcoming anime adaptation “Blood: The Last Vampire”. Having been surrounded by controversy...

May 16th, 2009 | Read More

Lost and Found (2008) Movie Review

Following on from her award winning turn in the historical mystery “Shadows in the Palace”, actress Park Jin Hee’s stock continues to rise with the spirited romantic comedy “Lost and Found”. The film marks the debut of writer director Jeong Jeong Hwa, who tries something a little different...

May 16th, 2009 | Read More

The Machine Girl (2008) Movie Review

“The Machine Girl” was always destined for cult fandom due to the simple fact that it revolves around a cute Japanese schoolgirl with a machinegun arm, who goes out for revenge against the bullies and yakuza who killed her brother. With an unbeatable premise such as this, the quality of the film...

May 10th, 2009 | Read More

Tactical Unit: Human Nature (2008) Movie Review

The new “Tactical Unit” series inspired by Johnnie To’s classic “PTU” continues with the latest instalment “Human Nature”, which offers up another tale of morally ambiguous cops and their struggle to uphold the law while battling their own personal demons. With To again serving as producer,...

May 10th, 2009 | Read More

Triad Story (1990) Movie Review

Although Stephen Chow is obviously best known for his comedic genius and hits such as “Kung Fu Hustle” and “Shaolin Soccer”, as a young actor he paid his dues in a variety of genres. Inevitably, as with pretty much every other performer of his generation, this saw him making a number of appearances...

May 10th, 2009 | Read More

Crossing (2008) Movie Review

“Crossing” is the latest film to tackle the North South Korean divide, a highly emotive subject which has inspired a number of heart searching works in recent years. The film represents somewhat of a change of pace for director Kim Tae Kyun, previously known for commercial hits such as the brash,...

May 10th, 2009 | Read More