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

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

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

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

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