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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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