Genre: Drama

‘The Emperor and the Assassin’ is a minor masterpiece and comes highly recommended, though it should be stated that this is not a film for everyone.

As a meditation on father/daughter relationships, ‘The Empty Hands’ is lazy and thinks that a slickly delivered camera shot is a good replacement for basic storytelling.

If you are a fan of slasher films and gory splatter fests, then this is not for you. However, if you like your horror with a more subtle edge and a strong narrative then this comes highly recommended.

Despite a slow and at times wearisome first half of the film, it eventually blossoms into a distinguished genre work that is recommended to any fan of the Jade Screen.

If you want an added fix of Richard Norton go for something better like ALL of his HK films or even his US efforts with Cynthia Rothrock.

‘The Final Master’ does have some knockout moments though and the climax in particular is full of the kind of crisp, clean and measured choreography that looks so good on the screen.

The film that started it all has an intriguing mystery element to it that keeps the viewer engaged in the storyline and Chang Cheh even plays with elements of gothic horror in the way it’s shot.

‘Flag Of Iron’ is a good film in nearly all of its departments and therefore earns a strong recommendation.

With plaudits earned by each and every department, it goes without saying that this is a work of art. Slow-moving, yet deeply effecting, ‘The Floating Landscape’ is undoubtedly one of the best films of 2003.

‘The Flower And The Angry Waves’ is a great little film, as worthy of attention as any of Suzuki’s later films or indeed of any fellow period films.

As it begins to appear that this will be another unfunny Japanese comedy where kookiness is more valued than originality or wit, the film changes direction and goes some way to redeeming itself.

Classy, tense, complex and delivering some fine tuned action scenes: ‘The Foreigner’ is a well crafted film that gives Chan one of his best roles.