Manhunt (aka Rovdyr, 2008) Movie Review

Norwegian horror has been thriving of late, with a number of high profile hits such as “Cold Prey” and the zombie Nazi splatter comedy “Dead Snow”. Further adding to the country’s growing reputation for gore is “Rovdyr” from director Patrik Syversen, who had previously shown his dedication...

March 21st, 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

Crush and Blush (2008) Movie Review

“Crush and Blush” is exactly the kind of film that the Korean film industry needs more of. A black, harsh though surprisingly moving anti-romantic comedy, it stands head and shoulders above the hordes of cutesy pieces of soulless candy which crowd cinema screens. The film marks the debut of Lee Kyung...

March 21st, 2009 | Read More

Howard the Duck (1986) Movie Review

One has to wonder if a movie like Howard the Duck really even requires a review. Maybe it’s enough to ask one simple question: Does the concept of a wisecracking duck (or rather, a dwarf actor in an animatronic duck suit) battling the forces of evil while romancing the lead singer of an all-girl...

March 21st, 2009 | Read More

The ESP Couple (2008) Movie Review

“ESP Couple” marks the debut of editor Kim Hyung Joo, who previously worked on the likes of “My Dear Enemy”, “Evil Twin”, and “Don’t Look Back”. Perhaps unable to choose exactly a genre, Kim instead decided to combines elements from several, and as a result although ostensibly a...

March 21st, 2009 | Read More

Action Boys (2008) Movie Review

Although the DVD cover art might seem to suggest some kind of over the top martial arts or cop shenanigans, “Action Boys” actually offers a very different, though arguably far more interesting kind of thrills, being a documentary following the lives and careers of a group of Korean stuntmen. Directed...

March 21st, 2009 | Read More

Boys Don’t Cry (aka Once Upon a Time in Seoul, 2007) Movie Review

“Boys don’t Cry” (a.k.a. “Once Upon a Time in Seoul”) was directed by Bae Hyung Joon, who previously helmed the romantic comedy “Too Beautiful to Lie”. For his follow up feature he changes direction entirely, with a tough slice of historic character drama that mixes issues of friendship...

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

Arc (2006) Movie Review

“Arc” was originally shot back in 2006 and marked the debut of writer director Robert Ethan Gunnerson. The film is likely now receiving a belated release thanks to the presence of lead actor Peter Facinelli who has since gone on to bigger things with the teeny bopper goth hit “Twilight”. However,...

March 8th, 2009 | Read More

Watchmen (2009) Movie Review #2

”I wish I didn’t already know how it’s going to end.” That was the thought that kept going through my head while watching Zack Snyder’s live-action adaptation of “Watchmen”, the limited series comic book that, along with Frank Miller’s “The Dark Knight Returns” made comic books respectable...

March 6th, 2009 | Read More

Ninjas Versus Zombies (2008) Movie Review

The press information for “Ninjas Vs Zombies” explains the concept and strategy behind this indie horror film. Screenwriter and director Justin Timpane “spent an afternoon in a Blockbuster looking for ‘the film they haven’t made yet.’ … By studying the small but fierce fanbases of Joss...

March 5th, 2009 | Read More

Watchmen (2009) Movie Review

Time magazine listed Alan Moore’s graphic novel “Watchmen” as one of the 100 best English-language novels from 1923 to the present, and called it “a work of ruthless psychological realism. It’s a landmark in the graphic novel medium. It would be a masterpiece in any.” And this publication...

March 5th, 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

The Way of War (2009) Movie Review

“The Way of War”, starring Cuba Gooding Jr. and JK Simmons (Spider Man, Juno), seems, at first blush, to be another action movie about a rogue covert operative trying to stay alive while uncovering a government conspiracy at the highest levels. Unfortunately, if you examine closely, you’ll...