Release Year: 2000

‘Dial D for Demons’ is a modest but effective Hong Kong ghost story and generates just enough suspense to keep one on edge until the finale.

The Korean hit makes ample use of the fine chemistry between its two main stars and the inherent interest generated by such a workable premise.

‘Fist Power’ is a very thin framework onto which a few interesting action scenes are hung and should not be treated as a classic of the genre.

The film though has some good special effects and does retain a certain entertainment value, but it stands as a masterclass in the way a director’s lack of self-control can hinder a film’s progress.

For all the plot holes and script deficiencies, this is an excellent slice of Hong Kong entertainment with a return to the edict of fun film-making that made the 80s stand out.

Not a Brunel intellectual challenge, this is a recommended satirical comedy, easy to enjoy and a feather in the cap of Johnnie To’s varied filmography.

This gentle, emollient romantic drama is further proof of my never-ending mantra that, at their very best, no film-making industry can tap into the softer emotions better than Asian cinema.

A good but not great film, as visually it works beautifully, but the pacing of the direction conflicts with the pace at which the story actually develops.

‘Juliet In Love’ could be well-described as an economic and perhaps minimal love story; there are no grand gestures or over-the-top histrionics.

There really is very little reason to recommend ‘Killers From Beijing’ as it is disappointing on just about every level of competent film-making.

While ‘Marooned’ is never especially exciting, it is well-paced and character-driven – a trait that is rewarding for those who stay the course.

‘Mission: Impossible II’ certainly offers the world a clear glimpse of what Woo is capable of when it comes to action, but it also lacks his usual quota of emotional drama and camaraderie.