God Man Dog (2007) Movie Review

Originally released back in 2007, “God Man Dog” was the second feature from Taiwanese writer director Singing Chen, following some years after his 2000 award winning debut “Bundled”. His sophomore effort was also a critical success, playing at festivals around the world, and claiming the Tagesspiegel...

July 26th, 2009 | Read More

Marine Boy (2009) Movie Review

“Marine Boy” marks the debut of writer director Yoon Jong Seok, and has nothing to do with the famous Japanese anime of the same name. Instead, the film is a crime thriller set in the shady world of maritime drug smuggling, and is very much in the continuingly popular modern noir form. The title...

July 8th, 2009 | Read More

Hand Phone (2009) Movie Review

Mobile phone related films have been pretty popular of late in both Hollywood and Asia, with the likes of “Connected” and “Cellular” manipulating the modern over-reliance on technology for tense thrills. Thankfully, Korean director Kim Han Min, previously responsible for the offbeat mystery “Paradise...

July 7th, 2009 | Read More

More Than Blue (2009) Movie Review

Although many films rely upon misleading advertising or false hyperbole, viewers can be assured that “More Than Blue” (a.k.a. “A Story Sadder Than Sadness”) delivers exactly as its title suggests. Directed by former poet Won Tae Yeon, the film is an unashamed tearjerker, offering a tale of true...

July 7th, 2009 | Read More

The Forbidden Legend: Sex and Chopsticks 2 (2009) Movie Review

The category III sexploitation revival continues with “The Forbidden Legend: Sex and Chopsticks 2”, the next instalment of director Chin Man Kei’s adaptation of the Chinese text ‘Jin Pin Mei’, a.k.a. ‘The Plum in the Golden Vase’. Chin is certainly more than qualified to reintroduce viewers...

July 5th, 2009 | Read More

Oh! My God 2 (2009) Movie Review

With the original “Oh! My God” having been a surprise box office smash, a sequel was always going to be a distinct possibility. Now, viewers can get another comic dose of lovable rogue Im Jung Hwan as the follow up arrives, with director Kim Jung Woo having handed the reigns to newcomer Hwang Seung...

July 5th, 2009 | Read More

Coming Soon (2008) Movie Review

New Thai horror “Coming Soon” certainly has an impressive pedigree, with debut director Sophon Sakdaphisit having written two of the country’s best recent genre hits in the form of “Shutter” and “Alone”, and with producer Yongyoot Thongkongtoon having worked on the recent “4bia” as...

July 3rd, 2009 | Read More

The Rebel (2006) Movie Review

I had always intended to watch Charlie Nguyen’s “The Rebel”, but never got around to it. Call it procrastination, call it laziness, call it laundries on Sundays. Whatever the excuse, the result is the same: I’m kicking myself for not having watched the film sooner. Released in 2007, “The Rebel”...

June 30th, 2009 | Read More

Kick the Moon (2001) Movie Review

“Kick the Moon” was originally released back in 2001 and was directed by Kim Sang Jin, an eclectic director known for his cult hit “Attack the Gas Station”, as well as offbeat comedies such as “Ghost House” and “Mission Possible: Kidnapping Granny K”. The film is another in the very Korean...

June 25th, 2009 | Read More

The Good, the Bad, and the Weird (2008) Movie Review

“The Good, the Bad, the Weird”, the latest film from Korean master director Kim Ji Woon sees him delving into yet another genre, having tried his hand at horror with “A Tale of Two Sisters” and gangster melodrama with “A Bittersweet Life”. As can probably be gleamed from the title, the film...

June 21st, 2009 | Read More

Sorry for the City (2009) Movie Review

Influential Hong Kong classic “Infernal Affairs” gets the Korean comedy treatment with “Sorry for the City” (also referred to as “City of Damnation”). The film marks the reunion of the popular stars and team behind the hits “My Boss, My Hero” and “My Boss, My Teacher”, with helmer...

June 13th, 2009 | Read More

Tactical Unit: Partners (2009) Movie Review

“Tactical Unit – Partners” is the latest and apparently final entry in the new Johnnie To produced “PTU” series. The film was directed by Lawrence Lau, who also helmed the second in the series, “No Way Out”, as well as a number of other recently acclaimed films such as “My Name is Fame”...

June 13th, 2009 | Read More

The Storm Riders (1998) Movie Review

Having reached its tenth anniversary and with a big budget Pang Brothers directed sequel on the way, the remastered re-release of “The Storm Riders” is both timely and welcome. A massive box office hit on its original 1998 release, the film was a milestone in Hong Kong fantasy cinema, boasting a...

June 13th, 2009 | Read More

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

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

The Sniper (2009) Movie Review

Hong Kong’s “The Sniper” appeals to me because it’s about those mysterious guys who you never see, but who can kill you from three football fields away, and you’d never know it. When done right, like the 1993 Tom Berenger movie “Sniper” or 2001’s “Enemy at the Gates”, sniping is an...

May 17th, 2009 | Read More