10. BLACK BELT

If you're looking for an 'Ong Bak' style action flick, then 'Black Belt' probably isn't the movie for you. If however, you're interested in a much more sedate, martial arts fable, then you'll find everything you need right here. Packed with heroic characters, slick fight sequences and a simple yet effective story, 'Black Belt' is a thoroughly engrossing and entertaining slice of modern Japanese cinema.

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9. MACHINE GIRL

Although writer/director Noboru Iguchi may not be the mainstream critics' choice, one look at 'Machine Girl' shows that he is an extremely talented individual with a very inventive mind. Despite the low budget and slightly dodgy effects, 'Machine Girl' is just so loaded with over-the-top action and insanely fun performances that you can't help but be entertained. Forget Quentin Tarantino's 'Grindhouse', it is movies like this that are the true incarnation of exploitation cinema.

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8. HOUSE

If you thought that long haired ghostly girls were all that J-horror has to offer then think again! This psychedelic interpretation of a haunted house movie is absolutely crazy, and plays out like a cross between the most outrageous anime and 'The Evil Dead'. Mixing horror with everything from comedy to... well, just about everything but the kitchen sink, this is an immensely fun ride that will take your brain to the brink of insanity and back again.

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7. SECRET

Don't panic, I've not suddenly morphed into a 14-year-old girl, but I have put a Jay Chou film on my list. Why, you ask? Well, actually it is because of Chou himself (*gasp*). Although most people dismiss his work in the filmmaking world, you really have to applaud him for his efforts on 'Secret'. Not only does he manage to put in a strong leading performance, but he also wrote and directed this very touching tale of time travel and romance.

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6. LITTLE BIG SOLDIER

No annual top ten list is truly complete without a Jackie Chan film, and thankfully this year we got one of his finest outings for some time. In fact, I would go so far as to say that 'Little Big Soldier' is the best Chan film in the last ten years because it genuinely plays to his current strengths. Gone are the intricate fight scenes and suicidal stuntwork, and instead we have an effective story that features some great chemistry between the two leads and a little action thrown in for good measure. Proof that there is life beyond kung fu for aging Hong Kong action stars!

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5. JEON WOO CHI: THE TAOIST WIZARD

This big budget Korean blockbuster is a fantastic blend of action, fantasy and comedy. Striking similar tones to 1989's 'The Iceman Cometh', the film focuses around a wizard who is transported from ancient times into present day. Just like the aforementioned Hong Kong outing, 'Jeon Woo Chi' succeeds on just about every level, sporting a strong cast, excellent action sequences and superb effects.

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4. CJ7

I love this film, I really do. Sure, the idea is a fairly simple one, but it is the mark of Stephen Chow that really makes the movie stand out. You've got your usual handful of underdog characters, Chow's distinctly enjoyable brand of humour and one hell of a cute alien, all of which help to make this infinitely more enjoyable than it should be. Truly a family film that will make you feel warm and fuzzy inside.

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3. THE GOOD, THE BAD, THE WEIRD

Kim Ji Woon continues to impress with this lavish Eastern Western that owes more than a little to the Sergio Leone Westerns of days gone by. Bursting at the seams with impressive action and featuring three actors at the top of their game, this is the absolute definition of an adventure film that will have you cheering right up until the very last minute.

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2. TRUE LEGEND

Yuen Woo Ping makes a triumphant return to the director's chair with another finely crafted folktale that contains some very classy, old school action. Chiu Man Cheuk is on fine form as the understated hero of the piece, although his thunder is somewhat stolen by Andy On who makes for one hell of a scary bad guy. As for that controversial ending, I personally thought it made for a fitting epilogue to Su's saga, although I have to admit it was also a nice excuse for some more action.

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1. BODYGUARDS AND ASSASSINS

Even though I saw it fairly early on, 'Bodyguards And Assassins' remained firmly at the top of my list throughout the year. While some may think I chose it just because of the abundance of top class action (basically the entire second half), the real standout elements are the emotional leading performances and the film's tense atmosphere. If anything, I would liken the mood of the piece to an old war movie, as we grow to care about each of the individuals involved and then sit on the edge of our seats waiting to see who will survive.

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