Chinese Movie Reviews »
Chinese Visual Festival ’13: The Transition Period (2009)
Part of his series exploring institutions in China, Zhou Hao’s remarkable 2009 documentary “The Transition Period” offers an amazingly frank look at the workings of the Chinese government as it follows a civil servant...
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Chinese Visual Festival ’13: Cop Shop II (2011)
The sequel to his acclaimed observational documentary “Cop Shop” (2009), “Cop Shop II” (2011) sees influential Mainland Chinese director Zhou Hao returning after a year to again capture the daily operations of the police...
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Chinese Visual Festival ’13: Emergency Room China (2013)
“Emergency Room China” is the latest film from award winning Mainland Chinese director Zhou Hao, one of the most acclaimed and influential figures of the Modern Chinese Independent Documentary Movement. Following on from his...
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The Chrysalis (2013) Movie Review
Though limited by notoriously tough censorship, the horror genre is slowly but surely finding its feet in Chinese cinema, with directors coming up with new and occasionally creative ways to work around the restrictions....
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Love in Time (2012) Movie Review
“Love in Time” is an old fashioned Hong Kong romantic comedy directed by Leefire, a multi-talented type also known as a playwright, radio host and song writer, following up on his not entirely successful...
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The Last Supper (2012) Movie Review
With big budget Chinese historical dramas and epics still proving incredibly popular, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that two films went into production around the same time about the Feast at Hong Gate,...
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Chinese Zodiac (2012) Movie Review
Jackie Chan, perhaps best known these days for his outspoken Chinese nationalism rather the stunt-filled action films in which he made his name, returns with “CZ12” (“Chinese Zodiac”), his latest outing as writer, director,...
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Naked Soldier (2012) Movie Review
Back in the crazy heyday of Hong Kong cinema, the word ‘naked’ used to appear in film titles a lot, particularly in those produced by schlockmeister Wong Jing. Notable examples of this were cult...
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Back to 1942 (2012) Movie Review
Despite its name, “Back to 1942” isn’t in fact a time travel flick, but the latest blockbuster from top Chinese helmer Feng Xiaogang, responsible for recent hits such as “Aftershock” and “The Assembly”. Adapted...
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The Guillotines (2012) Movie Review
With Chinese period epics still continuing to fill cinemas, it’s no surprise that old school Shaw Brothers favourites are increasingly being brought back to screens, 1975 classic “The Flying Guillotine” now reappearing as “The...
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Vulgaria (2012) Movie Review #2
Pang Ho Cheung, arguably the most talented writer and director working in Hong Kong today, swaps the gentle wit of his popular “Love in the Puff” and sequel for something considerably ruder in the...
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Cold War (2012) Movie Review
The biggest, most hyped and eagerly awaited Hong Kong thriller of the year arrives in the form of “Cold War”, written and directed by first-timers Longman Leung and Sunny Luk. Backed by a massive...
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Triad (2012) Movie Review
There’s no denying that recent years have been lean times for fans of triad and Hong Kong gang action, though there’s finally a splash of neon light at the end of the tunnel with...
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Natural Born Lovers (2012) Movie Review
Patrick Kong, Hong Kong’s top purveyor of cynical urban romantic comedy, returns with more of the same in “Natural Born Lovers”. It’s easy enough to see why Kong has proved so popular with audiences,...
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Due West: Our Sex Journey (2012) Movie Review
The revival of category III rated Chinese erotic cinema continues with “Due West: Our Sex Journey”, based on the popular internet writings of Xiang Xi Murakami Haruki. Like the recent global hit “Sex &...
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Tai Chi Hero (2012) Movie Review
For anyone who hasn’t seen “Tai Chi 0”, there are spoilers in the following review. Stephen Fung’s steampunk-martial arts epic “Tai Chi” continues with “Tai Chi Hero”, released hot on the heels of “Tai...
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The Assassins (2012) Movie Review
For viewers still smarting at Chow Yun Fat having dropped out of John Woo’s epic “Red Cliff” comes “The Assassins”, finally offering fans the chance to see the actor playing legendary Three Kingdoms personage...
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Tai Chi Zero (2012) Movie Review #2
“Tai Chi” has unquestionably been one of the more high profile Chinese cinema events of the year, a two part steampunk-martial arts mash up whose trailers promised all manner of over the top madness....
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Encapsulated Cinema: Chinese Zodiac, John Dies at the End, and Dredd
Chinese Zodiac (2012) Action superstar Jackie Chan’s last foray into the cinematic world of death-defying stunts is sure to rub a number of his long-time fans the wrong way. Instead of going back to...
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Diva (2012) Movie Review
The Hong Kong music industry comes under the spotlight in “Diva” from hotly tipped director Heiward Mak, who received praise and attention for her earlier outings “High Noon” and “Ex”, and for co-scripting Pang...
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