Reviews »
Robo-G (2012) Movie Review
Although it may sound like a film following the exploits of a robotic gangster, “Robo-G” is in fact a Japanese outing charting the wackiness that ensues when an old man is hired to masquerade...
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Ghost Sweepers (2012) Movie Review
Attempting to inject a little originality into the horror genre is a laudable endeavour indeed, and something which has characterised the career to date of Korean director Shin Jung Won, who previously gave fans...
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Zero Dark Thirty (2012) Movie Review
Kathryn Bigelow’s “Zero Dark Thirty” is essentially a crime procedural that takes place over a decade, following the CIA (or to be more precise, a small group of CIA analysts) as they hunt down...
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The Concubine (2012) Movie Review
“The Concubine” sees actress Jo Yeo Jeong following her much praised performance in “The Servant” with another bodice-ripping costume drama and tale of lust and envy, this time for director Kim Dae Seung (“Bungee...
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The Taste of Money (2012) Movie Review
Im Sang Soo’s 2010 dark erotic drama “The Housemaid” caused quite a stir, winning awards at a variety of festivals around the world and being nominated for the prestigious Palme d’Or at Cannes. Still,...
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All Superheroes Must Die (2011) Movie Review
I’ve been wanting to see writer/director/star/chauffeur Jason Trost’s “All Superheroes Must Die” (originally working the film festival circuit under the much cooler sounding “Vs”) for some time now. The idea of a gritty superhero...
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Pieta (2012) Movie Review
“Pieta” marks the 18th film from Korean auteur and agitator Kim Ki Duk, following up on his exceptionally personal and enjoyably bizarre 2011 Cannes winning documentary “Arirang”, which he made as part of a...
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Helter Skelter (2012) Movie Review
Quite possibly the best looking and most hysterical film of 2012, “Helter Skelter” marked the return of Japanese director and former fashion photographer Ninagawa Mika some 5 years after her colourful debut “Sakuran”. Based...
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New On Blu-Ray: The Wild Geese (1978)/Ashanti (1979)
Since its inception a few years back, Severin Films has been on point, tracking down and unleashing cool and obscure genre fare that you won’t find anywhere else on DVD. And they’re back at...
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Django Unchained (2012) Movie Review
Sergio Corbucci’s 1966 spaghetti western, “Django”, is legendary as the film that launched 100 unofficial sequels. This is obvious hyperbole and urban legend—to date only 30-something are accounted for—but it still spawned a crap...
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Les Misérables (2012) Movie Review
Having never read Victor Hugo’s novel, nor seen the legendary stage production, the vast majority of what I know about “Les Misérables” comes from an episode of “Animaniacs”. That said, I do love a...
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This Is 40 (2012) Movie Review
At this point you know exactly what you’re getting into when you sit down to watch a Judd Apatow movie. You’ll start out with some raucous, improvised humor—think frequent use of the word vagina...
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Encapsulated Cinema: The Man with the Iron Fists, ParaNorman, and Total Recall
I had very high hopes for RZA’s “The Man with the Iron Fists.” The rapper’s directorial debut appeared to be a love song to the genre, one that was packed with an impressive cast...
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Jack Reacher (2012) Movie Review
Tom Cruise is Jack Reacher. Let me say that again: Tom Cruise plays Jack Reacher, the hero of novelist Lee Child’s series of action/adventure books. Now, if that statement offends you in anyway, then...
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Berberian Sound Studio (2012) Movie Review
“Berberian Sound Studio” was easily one of the most talked about horror films of 2012, having generated much discussion at a variety of international genre festivals, including Frightfest in London, where it won the...
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All About My Wife (2012) Movie Review
Although it may sound worryingly like just another Korean romantic comedy, “All About my Wife” is thankfully a film with a lot more to offer. Directed by Min Kyu Dong (“Antique”), the film is...
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Diva (2012) Movie Review
The Hong Kong music industry comes under the spotlight in “Diva” from hotly tipped director Heiward Mak, who received praise and attention for her earlier outings “High Noon” and “Ex”, and for co-scripting Pang...
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Shadows of Love (aka Repeat I Love You, 2012) Movie Review
“Hi, Fidelity” writer director Calvin Poon returns with pan-Asian romantic comedy “Shadows of Love”, this time backed by acclaimed film maker Stanley Kwan (“Rouge”, “Centre Stage”) lending his talents as producer. The film features...
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Encapsulated Cinema One-Shot: Darren Lynn Bousman’s The Barrens
I’ve been holding out hope that someone with a knack for horror would deliver a solid genre flick centered around the Jersey Devil. I’m beginning to think such a request simply too much to...
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The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012) Movie Review
It’s impossible for me to talk about “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” without first discussing the delivery mechanism. Over the past few months there has been much back and forth over the fact that...
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