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

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

Red Cliff Part 1 and 2 (2008-09) Movie Review

Within the first 30 minutes of John Woo’s “Red Cliff”, which features a continuous 30-something minutes of battle scenes, you understand why the film ran over schedule and over budget, coming in at a reported “most expensive production ever in Asia” $80 million dollars. Released in Asia in...

April 9th, 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

Chanbara Beauty (OneChanbara: The Movie, 2008) Movie Review

If you actually went out and spent the time to hunt down and watch “OneChanbara” (aka “Chanbara Beauty”), since it’s unlikely you’ll stumble across it while surfing your local channels, you really have no reason to complain about the film’s shortcomings. The movie sells itself: a bikini-clad...

April 5th, 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