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.

Raising Jeffrey Dahmer (2006) Movie Review

“Raising Jeffrey Dahmer” takes a slightly different approach to depicting the life and crimes of the infamous American serial killer, focusing not on the maniac himself, but on his parents, in particular his father. Through this, first time director Rich Ambler is able not only to chart Dahmer’s...

May 8th, 2009 | Read More

20th Century Boys (2008) Movie Review

“20th Century Boys” has been one of the most eagerly anticipated events in Japanese cinema for some time. The adaptation of the best selling 24 volume manga by Naoki Urasawa is to be made into a trilogy of films, with a massive total budget of 6 billion yen, setting a new record for the industry....

April 14th, 2009 | Read More

Look for a Star (2009) Movie Review

“Look for a Star” has pretty much everything needed for a successful romantic comedy, with megastars Andy Lau and Shu Qi in the lead roles, an experienced director at the helm in the form of Andrew Lau of “Infernal Affairs” fame, and a picturesque setting in Macau. Add to this an impressive supporting...

April 11th, 2009 | Read More

Forever Enthralled (2008) Movie Review

After the critical mauling he received for his shabby wuxia would-be epic “The Promise”, it’s easy to see Chen Kaige’s return to Peking Opera and “Farewell my Concubine” territory as going back to the well. Not that this is necessarily a bad thing, as he certainly has a fascinating subject...

April 11th, 2009 | Read More

The Accidental Gangster and the Mistaken Courtesan (aka Riot in a Gibang in 1724, 2008) Movie Review

“Riot in a Gibang in 1724”, also known by the longer, though no less awkward moniker of “The Accidental Gangster and the Mistaken Courtesan” sees director Yeo Gyoon Dong trying something very different to his low budget road movie “Silk Shoes”. Despite its period setting, the film is a kinetic...

April 11th, 2009 | Read More

Portrait of a Beauty (2008) Movie Review

“Portrait of a Beauty” sees “Le Grand Chef” director Jeon Yun Soo offering a fascinating take on the life of Shin Yun Bok, one of the greatest ever Korean artists, based upon the supposition that the painter was actually a woman who disguised herself as a man in order to chase her dreams in the...

April 11th, 2009 | Read More

Romantic Island (2008) Movie Review

It’s really not hard to see the rationale for making “Romantic Island”, with the premise offering gorgeous, sun-drenched tropical scenery, an eye-candy cast, and plenty of laughter and love – the perfect escapist remedy for the winter blues or financial woes. Certainly, director Kang Chul Woo,...

April 11th, 2009 | Read More

Laid to Rest (2009) Movie Review

“Laid to Rest” is the second outing from noted special effects and makeup talent Robert Hall, which sees him step away from the grounded drama of his debut “Lightning Bug” and into full-on horror. The film is an old school piece of slasher mayhem, with a straightforward genre plot providing an...

April 10th, 2009 | Read More

Tactical Unit: No Way Out (2009) Movie Review

“Tactical Unit – No Way Out” is the second in the series of new films following on from Johnnie To’s acclaimed 2003 police thriller “PTU”. This time around Lawrence Lau, previously responsible for the excellent “My Name is Fame”, steps up to direct, with To acting as producer....

April 9th, 2009 | Read More

Cold Prey 2 (2008) Movie Review

When the Norwegian slasher “Cold Prey” was released back in 2006, it was hailed by some as being the best example of the form for some years, being a back to basics slice of gory fun and genuine tension. Given its success, “Cold Prey 2” was always inevitable, and the film now arrives on region...

March 27th, 2009 | Read More

Manhunt (aka Rovdyr, 2008) Movie Review

Norwegian horror has been thriving of late, with a number of high profile hits such as “Cold Prey” and the zombie Nazi splatter comedy “Dead Snow”. Further adding to the country’s growing reputation for gore is “Rovdyr” from director Patrik Syversen, who had previously shown his dedication...

March 21st, 2009 | Read More

Lady Cop and Papa Crook (2008) Movie Review

“Lady Cop and Papa Crook” is a film which has attracted publicity for all the wrong reasons, having been delayed after a battle with the notoriously strict Chinese censors. This is a shame, and it is great to see the film finally emerge, as it offers fans of Hong Kong cinema plenty to get excited...

March 21st, 2009 | Read More

Crush and Blush (2008) Movie Review

“Crush and Blush” is exactly the kind of film that the Korean film industry needs more of. A black, harsh though surprisingly moving anti-romantic comedy, it stands head and shoulders above the hordes of cutesy pieces of soulless candy which crowd cinema screens. The film marks the debut of Lee Kyung...

March 21st, 2009 | Read More

The ESP Couple (2008) Movie Review

“ESP Couple” marks the debut of editor Kim Hyung Joo, who previously worked on the likes of “My Dear Enemy”, “Evil Twin”, and “Don’t Look Back”. Perhaps unable to choose exactly a genre, Kim instead decided to combines elements from several, and as a result although ostensibly a...

March 21st, 2009 | Read More

Action Boys (2008) Movie Review

Although the DVD cover art might seem to suggest some kind of over the top martial arts or cop shenanigans, “Action Boys” actually offers a very different, though arguably far more interesting kind of thrills, being a documentary following the lives and careers of a group of Korean stuntmen. Directed...

March 21st, 2009 | Read More

Boys Don’t Cry (aka Once Upon a Time in Seoul, 2007) Movie Review

“Boys don’t Cry” (a.k.a. “Once Upon a Time in Seoul”) was directed by Bae Hyung Joon, who previously helmed the romantic comedy “Too Beautiful to Lie”. For his follow up feature he changes direction entirely, with a tough slice of historic character drama that mixes issues of friendship...

March 21st, 2009 | Read More

Tactical Unit: The Code (2008) Movie Review

“Tactical Unit – the Code” is likely to be an enticing prospect for fans of Hong Kong action cinema, being the first in a series of follow ups to Johnnie To’s seminal 2003 police thriller “PTU”, a film which still stands as one of the best of the genre. Here, To serves as producer, passing...

March 8th, 2009 | Read More

Ip Man (2008) Movie Review #2

“Ip Man” was arguably the most anticipated film of last year for martial arts fans, not only as it tells the tale of the real life Wing Chun grandmaster and Bruce Lee’s teacher, but as it marks the fourth collaboration between director Wilson Yip and star Donnie Yen. As if this wasn’t enough,...

March 8th, 2009 | Read More

Arc (2006) Movie Review

“Arc” was originally shot back in 2006 and marked the debut of writer director Robert Ethan Gunnerson. The film is likely now receiving a belated release thanks to the presence of lead actor Peter Facinelli who has since gone on to bigger things with the teeny bopper goth hit “Twilight”. However,...

March 8th, 2009 | Read More

The Warlords (2007) Blu-Ray Movie Review

The Chinese historical epic has gone from strength to strength in recent years, with films such as “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” and “Hero” through to John Woo’s mega budgeted blockbuster “Red Cliff” bringing the past to life in increasingly grandiose fashion. One genre outing which...

February 23rd, 2009 | Read More