Author: Andrew Saroch

An extraordinary story about how ordinary people cope with the very worst that can happen and how love is a remarkable bond.

What may sound like an unpleasant crime thriller because of the concept and title is actually another of the comedy films that Chow Yun-Fat made earlier in his career.

One of the better mainland films of recent years and probably the best of the ones that focus on the revolution.

Full of negative characterisation, sloppily handled sentiment and rudderless direction, this is a film that drags along like the walking dead and manages to smother its noble intentions with complete indecision.

A typically operatic Korean rom-com where subtlety is elbowed aside in favour of ‘My Sassy Girl’ style emotional fireworks.

Andrew Saroch takes a look at the best that Hong Kong cinema had to offer in 2001.

Director Huang Hong conjures up a few powerful moments that even the most cynical viewer will be touched by, utilising his excellent cast and some exceptional village scenery.

While Derek Chiu’s latest film is an acceptable blockbuster, the wit and style of the director’s earlier works is sadly fading away from him.

With a welcome big screen appearance by Anita Yuen and an all-star rendition of Sam Hui’s beloved ’Private Eyes’ theme, this celebration of Hong Kong is an unpretentious distraction.

If any viewer has been brought up on the Hong Kong musicals that Jeff Lau’s work alludes to, this will be highly recommended.

Even though I was eager to like the film and the trailer helped make this seem a possibility, this is a major disappointment – even for the most forgiving fans of the Samuel Hui/Karl Maka classic.

‘A Battle Of Wits’ is that rare work that is exciting, tense and yet is an introspective on the violence, war and conformity.