Taiwanese Movie Reviews »

Chinese Visual Festival ’13: Happy or Not (2003)

Chinese Visual Festival ’13: Happy or Not (2003)

James Mudge May 19, 2013

Shot back in 2003, “Happy or Not” is Wu Wuna’s second film, and was the deserving winner of the Best Documentary Award at the Taipei Film Festival. The documentary sees Wu’s own sympathetic personality...

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Chinese Visual Festival ’13: Let’s Fall In Love (2009)

Chinese Visual Festival ’13: Let’s Fall In Love (2009)

James Mudge May 19, 2013

Originally released in 2009, “Let’s Fall in Love” is a hugely popular documentary from Taiwanese director Wu Wuna (also credited in places as Wu Tairen) which sees her seeking out and following the efforts...

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Black & White Episode 1: The Dawn of Assault (2012) Movie Review

Black & White Episode 1: The Dawn of Assault (2012) Movie Review

James Mudge December 13, 2012

Popular Taiwanese television action drama “Black and White” makes it to the big screen in suitably bombastic fashion with feature “Black & White Episode 1: The Dawn of Assault”, co-written and directed by series...

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10+10 (2011) Movie Review

10+10 (2011) Movie Review

James Mudge October 21, 2012

Although the anthology format is common enough in Asian cinema, “10+10” offers something a little different, not to mention more densely packed and diverse, cramming in no less than 20 short films, each no...

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Double Trouble (2012) Movie Review #2

Double Trouble (2012) Movie Review #2

James Mudge September 18, 2012

Jackie Chan’s son Jaycee Chan follows in his father’s footsteps with mismatched buddy comedy “Double Trouble”, very much in the traditional Hollywood style of “Rush Hour” and other such hits. The film marks the...

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Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale (2011) Movie Review

Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale (2011) Movie Review

James Mudge June 24, 2012

Taiwanese films have been causing an increasing stir both at home and abroad, none more so than historical blockbuster “Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale”, which tells the true story of a 1930s aboriginal...

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The Spin Kid (2011) Movie Review

The Spin Kid (2011) Movie Review

James Mudge May 28, 2012

Screened at Taiwan Cinefest 2012. Popular Taiwanese star Blue Lan follows up domestic box office smash “Night Market Hero” with “The Spin Kid”, a fusion of modern and traditional culture with the actor as...

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Taiwan Cinefest Expands to North America, 2012 Line-Up Announced

Taiwan Cinefest Expands to North America, 2012 Line-Up Announced

Nix May 14, 2012

Used to be you had to be in London to enjoy the latest and greatest films from Taiwan, which was bad news for Stateside fans wanting a little taste. Now you won’t actually have...

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Film Shots: Taiwan Cinefest 2011

Film Shots: Taiwan Cinefest 2011

James Mudge May 30, 2011

Taiwan Cinefest, now in its third year, is the largest European Taiwanese film festival, taking place in London and other cities around the UK. This year, the festival consists of 4 features and a...

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Kung Fu Dunk (2008) Movie Review

Kung Fu Dunk (2008) Movie Review

James Mudge April 18, 2008

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...

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The Knot (2006) Movie Review

The Knot (2006) Movie Review

James Mudge March 6, 2007

“The Knot” is of some significance in being the first joint blockbuster production between Mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, and the first to use a Chinese company for its expansive digital effects work....

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The Heirloom (2005) Movie Review

The Heirloom (2005) Movie Review

James Mudge April 14, 2006

“The Heirloom” marks the debut of Taiwanese director Leste Chen, who had previously worked on music videos for the likes of Joey Yung and Eason Chan, a fact which is probably enough to start...

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Millennium Mambo (2001) Movie Review

Millennium Mambo (2001) Movie Review

Gopal March 27, 2005

Most of us, at one point or another, have known a girl like Vicky — pretty, smart and hailing from a good family, yet somehow aimless and self-destructive. Despite all the opportunities given to...

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Pushing Hands (1992) Movie Review

Pushing Hands (1992) Movie Review

Nix January 3, 2005

1992′s “Pushing Hands” is the debut film of director Ang Lee, who co-wrote the script with his familiar partner-in-crime, James Schamus. As with all of Lee’s movies, regardless of genre trappings, the film concerns...

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Double Vision (2003) Movie Review

Double Vision (2003) Movie Review

Nix May 28, 2003

Kuo-fu Chen’s “Double Vision” was written, executed, and intended for international audiences, so maybe this is why the film lacks a more “Asian” feel. Oh sure, the screenplay by Chen and Chao-Bin Su makes...

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Eat Drink Man Woman (1994) Movie Review

Eat Drink Man Woman (1994) Movie Review

Nix May 10, 2002

Ang Lee’s movies always find a way to surprise me. Maybe that’s why I like them so much — I go in not expecting much, but come out having learned a lot about life....

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Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) Movie Review

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) Movie Review

Nix September 22, 2001

I have to admit, I was blown away by the amazing cinematography of “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” (hereby referred to as CTHD for brevity’s sake). The movie is breathtaking to look at and the...

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