The Moss (2008) Movie Review

“The Moss” is hotly tipped Hong Kong director Derek Kwok’s follow-up to his much praised debut “The Pye-Dog”, and sees him sticking to the same territory with another gritty tale of urban angst. Here, the tone is somewhat darker, and the film delves even further into the...

August 7th, 2008 | Read More

Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon (2008) Movie Review #2

With John Woo’s mighty “Red Cliff” having been in production for an age before finally storming into Chinese cinemas, it was always inevitable that a number of other films would attempt to steal a little of its thunder, or at least to cash in on its inevitable success. The highest profile...

August 2nd, 2008 | Read More

Jail House Eros (1990) Movie Review

The excellently titled “Jail House Eros” boasts what may well be the ultimate premise in exploitation cinema, combining the women in prison genre and the wackiest excess of the Hong Kong ghost film. Needless to say, the film was the brainchild of none other than Wong Jing himself, and is...

July 13th, 2008 | Read More

Ghost Snatchers (1986) Movie Review

“The Ghost Snatchers” was originally released back in 1986 when the Hong Kong ghost boom was in full swing, with filmmakers still desperate to cash in on the success of Sammo Hung’s classic “Spooky Encounters” and the hit “Mr Vampire” series. The film was directed...

July 9th, 2008 | Read More

And the Spring Comes (2007) Movie Review

“And the Spring Comes” is Sixth Generation Mainland Chinese director Gu Changwei’s second outing, and the follow up to his widely acclaimed, award winning debut “Peacock”. Casting his own wife in the decidedly unglamorous lead role, he again explores rather grim themes of...

July 9th, 2008 | Read More

Lady Whirlwind (1972) Movie Review

Martial arts fans have a reason to be excited this month with the re-release of “Lady Whirlwind”, a classic slice of old school action from 1972 featuring the incomparable Angela Mao. Thankfully the film has retained its original title, rather than its bizarre and misleading Western moniker...

July 4th, 2008 | Read More

Marriage Trap (2008) Movie Review

Despite its decidedly generic cover and familiar premise, to pitch “Marriage Trap” as a simple romantic comedy would definitely be selling it short. Marking the debut of Mainland Chinese director Zhang Cheng, the writer of Ning Hao’s excellent “Crazy Stone”, the film is...

June 21st, 2008 | Read More

Come Drink With Me (1966) Movie Review

(Movie Review by Kevin Nickelson) Remember those days when you went through the junk in your attic and stumbled across a piece of treasure that you’d forgotten about. Maybe it was an embarrassing photo of a drunk family member at a party, or a sterling silver Buddha with the clock in the belly. The...

June 19th, 2008 | Read More

Heroes of the East (1979) Movie Review

(Movie Review by Kevin Nickelson) Have you ever visited a home where the décor wildly differs from room to room? There is the main living room, usually reserved for guests, decked out in something vaguely similar to Victorian style. You move to the kitchen, which is 90’s glass and wood panel. Turn...

June 5th, 2008 | Read More

Two Stupid Eggs (2007) Movie Review

“Two Stupid Eggs” is Mainland Chinese director Kiefer Liu’s follow up and sequel of sorts to his hit parody “Big Movie”, and for a change is actually a remake of a Western film, namely the 2003 award winning Spanish comedy “Torremolinos 73″. Although dealing...

May 24th, 2008 | Read More

Beach of the War Gods (1973) Movie Review

Now re-issued on DVD, the excellently titled “Beach of the War Gods” was originally released way back in 1973 and is likely to be of particular interest to martial arts fans for having been written and directed by the “One Armed Swordsman” himself, Jimmy Wang Yu. The film was...

May 16th, 2008 | Read More

The Beasts (1980) Movie Review

Originally unleashed back in 1980, “The Beasts” is a nasty piece of exploitation cinema that has been lurking around and gathering a quite reputation for itself over the years, now finally re-issued on DVD. The film was the second from director Dennis Yu, who also gave the Hong Kong horror...

May 11th, 2008 | Read More

Fatal Move (2008) Movie Review

With the awesome “SPL” still fresh in the memory, it’s hard to imagine any Hong Kong action fan not getting excited at the prospect of “Fatal Move”. Boasting a cast reunion of Simon Yam, Wu Jing and the legendary Sammo Hung, and bringing in familiar faces such as Danny Lee,...

May 11th, 2008 | Read More

Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon (2008) Movie Review

Daniel Lee’s “Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon” is the second of the big-budget Chinese epics that I’ve seen, including the very underwhelming “An Empress and the Warriors”. It is also the first of two movies based on the epic Chinese novel “Romance...

May 6th, 2008 | Read More

Cops and Robbers (1979) Movie Review

Originally released back in 1979, “Cops and Robbers” marked the debut of Hong Kong New Wave director Alex Cheung, who went on to helm other thrillers such as “Man on the Brink” and “Danger Has Two Faces”. A tough slice of police drama that was a big winner at the box...

April 27th, 2008 | Read More

The Saviour (1980) Movie Review

Although he has recently become a familiar name the world over thanks to big budget hits like Jet Li’s “Fearless” and Hollywood blockbuster sequels “Bride of Chucky” and “Freddy vs. Jason”, Hong Kong director Ronny Yu actually has a body of work stretching back...

April 20th, 2008 | Read More

Kung Fu Dunk (2008) Movie Review

Although based upon the manga “Slam Dunk”, “Kung Fu Dunk” is basically an attempt to emulate the success of Hong Kong comedy megastar Stephen Chow’s smash hit “Shaolin Soccer”. A vehicle for popster/actor/director Jay Chou, the film gives him a chance to combine...

April 18th, 2008 | Read More

Summer Palace (2006) Movie Review

(Movie Review by James D. Bass) Like any truly good relationship, the much anticipated arrival of Summer Palace to America carried with it a great deal of hope. The hype that preceded the release had been generated on the independent film circuit, and certainly promised hidden treasure from behind the...

April 18th, 2008 | Read More

An Empress and the Warriors (2008) Movie Review

2008 isn’t the Year of the Rat, it’s the Year of the Martial Arts Epics. In the span of a few months, fans of Chinese cinema will be treated to the biggest number of films featuring big stars, big budgets, and big set pieces the likes of which they’ve never seen before. Tony Ching’s...

April 13th, 2008 | Read More

M (2007) Movie Review

“M” is the latest effort from critically acclaimed Korean director Lee Myung Se, who has won praise both at home and abroad for his highly stylised works that tend to overflow with cinematic flair. With this, his eighth film he seems to be in reflective mood, combing the themes of bittersweet...

March 21st, 2008 | Read More