Dolan’s Cadillac (2009) Movie Review

As an adaptation of Stephen King’s short story of the same name, Jeff Beesley’s “Dolan’s Cadillac” is probably too straightforward and unambitious for its own good, which may be ironic to hear, as most of King’s stories that have gone off the rails as movies have been because of their lack...

July 7th, 2009 | Read More

Hand Phone (2009) Movie Review

Mobile phone related films have been pretty popular of late in both Hollywood and Asia, with the likes of “Connected” and “Cellular” manipulating the modern over-reliance on technology for tense thrills. Thankfully, Korean director Kim Han Min, previously responsible for the offbeat mystery “Paradise...

July 7th, 2009 | Read More

More Than Blue (2009) Movie Review

Although many films rely upon misleading advertising or false hyperbole, viewers can be assured that “More Than Blue” (a.k.a. “A Story Sadder Than Sadness”) delivers exactly as its title suggests. Directed by former poet Won Tae Yeon, the film is an unashamed tearjerker, offering a tale of true...

July 7th, 2009 | Read More

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

Oh! My God 2 (2009) Movie Review

With the original “Oh! My God” having been a surprise box office smash, a sequel was always going to be a distinct possibility. Now, viewers can get another comic dose of lovable rogue Im Jung Hwan as the follow up arrives, with director Kim Jung Woo having handed the reigns to newcomer Hwang Seung...

July 5th, 2009 | Read More

Coming Soon (2008) Movie Review

New Thai horror “Coming Soon” certainly has an impressive pedigree, with debut director Sophon Sakdaphisit having written two of the country’s best recent genre hits in the form of “Shutter” and “Alone”, and with producer Yongyoot Thongkongtoon having worked on the recent “4bia” as...

July 3rd, 2009 | Read More

The Hurt Locker (2008) Movie Review

Kathryn Bigelow’s “The Hurt Locker” is probably the most pro-military movie that has come out of Hollywood in the last few years. And truth be told, it’s not even that pro-military. It’s just that compared to the most recent dozen or so entrants, “The Hurt Locker” does not seem to share...

July 2nd, 2009 | Read More

The Rebel (2006) Movie Review

I had always intended to watch Charlie Nguyen’s “The Rebel”, but never got around to it. Call it procrastination, call it laziness, call it laundries on Sundays. Whatever the excuse, the result is the same: I’m kicking myself for not having watched the film sooner. Released in 2007, “The Rebel”...

June 30th, 2009 | Read More

Embodiment of Evil (2008) Movie Review

“The Embodiment of Evil” is a real cause for celebration, marking as it does the long awaited return of the legendary Brazilian bogeyman Coffin Joe. For those who don’t know, Coffin Joe is the alter ego of writer director and star Jose Mojica Marins, whose earlier “At Midnight I’ll Take...

June 26th, 2009 | Read More

Kick the Moon (2001) Movie Review

“Kick the Moon” was originally released back in 2001 and was directed by Kim Sang Jin, an eclectic director known for his cult hit “Attack the Gas Station”, as well as offbeat comedies such as “Ghost House” and “Mission Possible: Kidnapping Granny K”. The film is another in the very Korean...

June 25th, 2009 | Read More

Parasomnia (2008) Movie Review

PARASOMNIA is one of this year’s most exciting horror films. It’s directed by William Malone, whose previous credits have not fully prepared us for this fine and original little horror. His THE CREATURE (aka THE TITAN FIND) was a watchable, but derivative rip-off of ALIEN starring two exciting...

June 24th, 2009 | Read More

Kill Theory (2009) Movie Review

As slasher movies go, Chris Moore’s “Kill Theory” doesn’t exactly break from the mold. From all outward appearances, it’s pretty run-of-the-mill, with the usual crop of pretty 20-somethings trapped in an isolated location (the ever popular “dad’s cabin in the woods”) being stalked by...

June 23rd, 2009 | Read More

The Good, the Bad, and the Weird (2008) Movie Review

“The Good, the Bad, the Weird”, the latest film from Korean master director Kim Ji Woon sees him delving into yet another genre, having tried his hand at horror with “A Tale of Two Sisters” and gangster melodrama with “A Bittersweet Life”. As can probably be gleamed from the title, the film...

June 21st, 2009 | Read More

Elsewhere (2009) Movie Review

Veteran cinematographer Nathan Hope tries on his Writer and Director caps with “Elsewhere,” a small town thriller released in theatres in January and already out on DVD and Blu-Ray. To be blunt, he really shouldn’t quit his day job. While the production values are high and the acting...

June 20th, 2009 | Read More

Silent Venom (2009) Movie Review

That is it! I’ve had it with these mother******* snakes on this mother******* Pla- Er, Submarine? In a perfect world the idea of this film would have never even been thought of. Unfortunately for us we don’t live in that world and films like Silent Venom actually get made. “Silent Venom”...

June 13th, 2009 | Read More

Sorry for the City (2009) Movie Review

Influential Hong Kong classic “Infernal Affairs” gets the Korean comedy treatment with “Sorry for the City” (also referred to as “City of Damnation”). The film marks the reunion of the popular stars and team behind the hits “My Boss, My Hero” and “My Boss, My Teacher”, with helmer...

June 13th, 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

A Frozen Flower (2008) Movie Review

Although perhaps not as widely recognised as his contemporaries, former poet Yoo Ha is unquestionably one of the most talented directors working in Korea today. Known for never taking the easy or genre approved route, he has yet to make a bad film, and his track record speaks for itself, including the...

June 13th, 2009 | Read More

Naked Kitchen (2008) Movie Review

The popularity of food related Korean films continues with “The Naked Kitchen” from first time female director Hong Ji Young, who also worked on the recent patisserie-set “Antique”. The film boasts an all star cast in the form of “Princess Hours” heartthrob Ju Ji Hoon (also in “Antique”),...

June 6th, 2009 | Read More