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

Protege (2007) Movie Review

Last year two films were the main contenders at the Hong Kong Film Awards: “Tau Ming Chong” (“Warlords”) and “Moon To” (“Protégé”). The former, which earned 13 nominations, is an epic scale, often surprisingly violent period film about three blood brothers. The latter, which earned...

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

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

All About Women (2008) Movie Review

After the disappointingly lacklustre “Missing”, it’s hard not to view “All About Women” as yet another comeback film for the once mighty Tsui Hark. Although a “Sex and the City” style comedy exploring the inner turmoil of women in modern China may not sound like the most obvious choice...

February 15th, 2009 | Read More

Legendary Assassin (2008) Movie Review #2

“Legendary Assassin” sees Chinese martial arts sensation Wu Jing step behind the camera for the first time, co-directing along with Nicky Lee Chung Chi, who also provided the stunt choreography for the likes of “Invisible Target” and “Lady Cop & Papa Crook”. Wu has been building an impressive...

February 15th, 2009 | Read More

Home Run (2008) Movie Review

Despite its title, “Home Run” is not a film about baseball, but about urban living and relationships in modern urban China. The Mainland-Hong Kong co-production was directed by Fan Gang Liang, whose first outing “The Story of Xiao-Yan” won a slew of accolades, including Best Directorial Debut...

February 15th, 2009 | Read More

The Bravest Revenge (1970) Movie Review

One of the great things about being a fan of martial arts films is that no matter what the current state of the genre may be, there is always a seemingly endless back catalogue of gems available on tap. One such blast from the past, originally released back in 1970 and now seeing the light again on DVD...

February 15th, 2009 | Read More

The Divine Weapon (2008) Movie Review

The Korean historical costume epic continues to thrive with “The Divine Weapon” from director Yoo Jin, previously responsible for “Wild Card” and acclaimed co-producer Kang Woo Suk of “Public Enemy” fame. Mining a fascinating historical premise for rousing effect, the film certainly struck...

February 7th, 2009 | Read More

Champions (2008) Movie Review

With the coming of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, a slew of related sports related films were always inevitable. One of the first major productions now hitting DVD is “Champions”, from director Tsui Siu Ming, who recently produced the likes of “The Equation of Love and Death “ and “Battle of Wits”....

February 6th, 2009 | Read More

Sukiyaki Western Django (2007) Movie Review

Although not entirely a new concept, Asian Westerns have certainly been enjoying a minor surge in popularity of late with acclaimed Korean director Kim Ji Won’s “The Good, the Bad and the Weird” and eccentric Japanese auteur Takashi Miike’s “Sukiyaki Western Django”. The latter has now been...

February 3rd, 2009 | Read More

Who’s That Knocking At My Door? (2007) Movie Review

The Korean independent film scene continues to thrive with “Who’s that Knocking at my Door?” which marks the feature length debut of writer director Yang Hae Hun, whose short “My Dear Rosetta” screened to acclaim at Cannes. Taking its title from the debut effort of legendary American director...

January 25th, 2009 | Read More

Shanghai Affairs (1998) Movie Review

As Donnie Yen’s inexorable rise to superstardom continues with box office hits like “Painted Skin” and “Ip Man”, it’s good to see some of his earlier films reappearing on DVD. Following on from the recent reissue of his hilarious disco dancing classic “Mismatched Couples” comes “Shanghai...

January 25th, 2009 | Read More

Runaway Blues (1989) Movie Review

“Runaway Blues” was originally released back in 1989 and was directed by David Lai, who was also responsible for the classic “Saviour of the Soul”, as well as a number of 1980s Hong Kong genre favourites such as “Spiritual Love”, “Lost Souls” and “Possessed”. The film is another of...

January 25th, 2009 | Read More

Ride Away (2008) Movie Review

Given the ever burgeoning population of Korean romantic comedies and dramas, any new genre entries have to offer either an all star cast or something a little different in order to stand out from the mob. Of course, given the fairly strict conventions and audience requirements of the form, the latter...

January 24th, 2009 | Read More

Our School E.T. (2008) Movie Review

Despite its familiar sounding title, “Our School E.T.” is not the tale of an alien taking on the Korean education system, but is in fact the latest vehicle for top rubber faced comic Kim Su Ro, star of recent hits like “Vampire Cop Ricky” and “A Cruel Attendance”. In this case, ‘E.T.’...

January 24th, 2009 | Read More

Rough Cut (2008) Movie Review

Grumpy auteur and outspoken critic of the Korean film industry Kim Ki Duk puts his money where his mouth is by continuing his recent assault on screens. Here, he follows his own directorial outing “Dream” and protégé Jeon Jae Hong’s excellent “Beautiful”, which he produced, with “Rough...

January 23rd, 2009 | Read More

Legendary Assassin (2008) Movie Review

Jacky Wu, aka Wu Jing, the star of “Legendary Assassin” has been touted as the next Jet Li/Jackie Chan ever since he burst onto the scene in the ‘90s, then progressed in supporting roles (usually as the silent but deadly bad guy with lightning fast kicks) in crime and martial arts movies starring...

January 19th, 2009 | Read More

Rule Number One (2008) Movie Review

“Rule#1” is the latest offering from young Singaporean director and former critic Kelvin Tong, who has quickly established himself as one of the more interesting and quirky film makers working in Asian cinema today thanks to the likes of “Love Story” and “The Maid”. Although he has dabbled...

January 15th, 2009 | Read More

Phobia (aka 4Bia, 2008) Movie Review

Horror anthologies can be rather hit and miss affairs, ranging in quality from the excellent “Three” to the rather shabby “Black Night”. The awkwardly titled “4 Bia” (apparently playing on the word ‘phobia’, though causing no end of problems with pronunciation and search engines in the...

January 12th, 2009 | Read More