Chinese Movie Reviews »
The Great Magician (2011) Movie Review
“The Great Magician” was one of the more highly anticipated Chinese releases of late, marking actor Tony Leung Chiu Wai’s return to the screen after a break of three years, having presumably been worked...
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Romancing in Thin Air (2012) Movie Review
Although best known internationally for his action films and triad thrillers, legendary Hong Kong director Johnnie To has enjoyed huge popularity domestically with romantic comedies and dramas, having collaborated with screenwriter Wai Ka Fai...
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White Vengeance (2011) Movie Review
Although its odd English title might suggest some kind of racially themed thriller, “White Vengeance” is actually Hong Kong director Daniel Lee latest Chinese historical epic, following up on “Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the...
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The Flying Swords of Dragon Gate (2011) Movie Review
It’s been a while since I’ve seen a good old-fashioned Chinese martial arts movie, and I guess it’s appropriate Tsui Hark’s “The Flying Swords of Dragon Gate” would be the movie to welcome me...
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Turning Point 2 (2011) Movie Review
Michael Tse returns yet again as Laughing Gor, the undercover cop character made popular in the TVB series “E.U.” and “Lives of Omission”, in a sequel to his first 2009 big screen outing “Turning...
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The 33D Invader (2011) Movie Review
With “3D Sex and Zen: Extreme Ecstasy” having won over audiences at home and abroad, the revival of that most noble and worthy of genres, the Hong Kong category III sex film, continues with...
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Encapsulated Cinema: The Butcher, the Chef, and the Swordsman, Punished, and Kung Fu Chefs
The Butcher, the Chef, and the Swordsman (2011)Presented by Doug Liman, director Wuershan’s dizzying action/comedy is, in some ways, the “Moulin” Rogue of kung fu movies. It’s loud, it’s brash, and it’s often more...
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The Butcher, the Chef, and the Swordsman (2010) Movie Review
“The Butcher, the Chef and the Swordsman” was an interesting release for the Chinese film industry for a number of reasons, in part due to its having been produced through Hollywood studio 20th Century...
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72 Martyrs (2011) Movie Review
“72 Martyrs” is another film released to tie in with the 100th anniversary of the Xinhai Revolution, a turning point in modern Chinese history which played a vital role in bringing down the Qing...
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The Killer Who Never Kills (2011) Movie Review
Although the hitman genre isn’t quite as prolific in Asian cinema as it used to be, it’s still pretty popular, if by now looking more than a little overly familiar. Thankfully, as its oddball...
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Magic to Win (2011) Movie Review #2
“Magic to Win” revisits the popular Hong Kong 1980s “Happy Ghost” films (the first of which arrived back in 1984, inspiring no less than 4 sequels), following the same formula of cute female students...
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Nightmare (2011) Movie Review
“Nightmare” is a film immediately of interest as one of the rare horror efforts to emerge from Mainland China, where pretty much anything even vaguely supernatural is frowned upon by the notoriously strict censors....
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Hong Kong Ghost Stories (2011) Movie Review
“Hong Kong Ghost Stories” is a film which delivers exactly as its title suggests, serving up two short tales of spooky fun, directed by immortal Hong Kong schlockmeister Wong Jing and the prolific Patrick...
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Magic to Win (2011) Movie Review
Talented director Wilson Yip’s magical 2011 action/comedy “Magic to Win” is more in tune with his 2006 effort “Dragon Tiger Gate” than his recent martial arts-related endeavors. Strangely, where “Gate” annoyed me to within...
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Red Light Revolution (2010) Movie Review
Billed, quite accurately, as ‘China’s first sex shop comedy’, “Red Light Revolution” marks the directorial debut of Australian born Sam Voutas, who also scripted as well as playing a small role as a Western...
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Revenge: A Love Story (2010) Movie Review
Josie Ho’s 852 Films follow up Pang Ho Cheung’s wonderfully gruesome “Dream Home” with more dark exploitation fare in “Revenge: A Love Story”, a violent tale which very much lives up to its title....
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The Viral Factor (2012) Movie Review
“Fire of Conscience” mastermind Dante Lam thoroughly understands the action genre. The director’s latest endeavor, the 2012 scorcher “The Viral Factor”, offers up one tantalizing set piece after another, and rarely takes the time...
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Mr. Tree (2011) Movie Review
Acclaimed Mainland Chinese director and international film festival favourite Jia Zhangke serves as producer on “Mr Tree” for debut helmer Han Jia, who worked as an assistant on “Still Life”. The film was the...
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Legendary Amazons (2011) Movie Review
Cecilia Cheung’s comeback continues with “Legendary Amazons”, a Chinese period epic which also marks the return of Frankie Chan (“A Warrior’s Tragedy”), being his first outing as director in over ten years. Drawing upon...
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Love in Space (2011) Movie Review
As can be guessed from its title, “Love in Space” is a romantic comedy, which sees directors Tony Chan and Wing Shya following up their surprise 2010 hit “Hot Summer Days” with more of...
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