10. MAY 18TH

Occasionally verges on melodrama, but is undeniably powerful and stays in the memory long after the two hours have passed. The scenes of genuine tension and horror translate so effectively that even those without prior knowledge of the Gwangju massacre will be left dumbstruck.

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9. BLACK BELT

Though it doesn't quite live up to the significant hype that has been generated about it, 'Black Belt' was still a film that I admired greatly. A familiar plot is the perfect framework for a series of realistic fights that are karate's answer to the thoughtful chanbara films of Yoji Yamada.

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8. BELLS OF DEATH

A Shaw brothers production that owes much to the Spaghetti Western and is all the better for it. One of Chang Yi's best performances as well.

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7. THE BLACK TAVERN

It may not have the tightly-wound tension of King Hu's inn-based films, but this is still a relatively unheralded gem. Packed with oddball characters and claustraphobic action, this is another Celestial remaster worth seeking out.

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6. THE DRUMMER

A thoughtful drama that successfully juxtaposes triad drama with something very much more pensive. Jaycee Chan gives a solid performance, but it is Tony Leung Kar Fei who steals the show as his aggressive father.

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5. RUN, PAPA, RUN

Sylvia Chang adds another fine work to her burgeoning directorial canon with a film that is amusing, poignant and exciting often at the same time.

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4. SAMURAI WOLF

Clearly inspired by Yojimbo, this is a gritty black and white chanbara flick with a very modern edge. The eponymous hero is every bit as cocky as his inspiration and every bit as captivating.

 

 

3. ADRENALINE DRIVE

Another year, another Shinobu Yamaguchi work in my top ten. He'd better keep up his output so that I've got enough inclusions for the next decade! 'Adrenaline Drive' is a dead-pan caper movie that takes two nobodies, turns their lives on their head and throws them into all manner of nutty situations.

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2. BUBBLE FICTION

Almost a Japanese 'Back To The Future' and even more fun than that sounds. Satirical and surreal, laugh-out-loud funny and given a cracking late 80s vibe, this is a great way to spend 100 minutes.

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1. EVEN SO, I DIDN'T DO IT

Masayuki Suo makes a triumphant return to Japanese cinema with a drama that is a very different work to 'Shall We Dance?'. Engrossing despite what could potentially be very dry subject matter, this is a remarkable look at injustice and Japan's court system. Highly recommended.

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