All Film Reviews

‘Let’s Go Slam Dunk’ cannot seem to decide whether it is aiming for heart-felt sentiment or low-brow, ‘Lucky Stars’-style comedy.

The driving force of the film is Dayo Wong’s strutting performance – an aspect that viewers will either love or loathe – and the outrageous scenes of various losers battling on the karaoke stage.

‘Lethal Contact’ is as unfunny as film-making gets, with endless low-brow jokes that fail to register even the slightest smirk.

‘Lethal Force’ should be seen with as many like minded action and eastern film fans and after copious amount of alcohol to appreciate the trippy madness and manic mayhem it provides.

Joyce Godenzi accepts the lead role with real grace and, like Michelle Yeoh before her, is a flawless mixture of fighting prowess and femininity.

‘Life Express’ is far more moving than should be expected – it certainly has a deeper air of poignancy than the average episode of any medical drama.

‘Life Must Go On’ is not a cavalcade of hilarity nor is it remotely original, but it is a pleasant surprise and another reminder of the life left in Hong Kong cinema.

This is the kind of stripped down thriller that Hong Kong can still do so well and proof that, while output has become a mere trickle, the quality is still there.

‘Lion vs. Lion’ is so frustrating because when it’s good, it’s superb. Sadly the focus tends to be on the comedic aspects of the film which range from the amusing to the banal.

With strong performances from its two leads, a cast of solid background characters and a nod to the indomitable spirit of the Hong Kong people, ‘Little Big Master’ is captivating viewing.

It’s definitely still a Chan movie through and through though, and as bizarre as it sounds, it does give you a slapstick yet emotional tour de force with a cutting edge.

‘Long Arm of the Law’ falls short of its reputation but still remains solid and compelling.

Not for the fainthearted but for fans of hard-edged cop action films from the golden era of Hong Kong, this is tough to beat.

‘Look For A Star’ will be welcomed by the legions of Andy Lau fans who are keen for the star to return to a genre he dominated at the end of the century.

‘Look Out, Officer!’ provides no real surprises but it is a solid slice of light-hearted comedy that makes the most out of its impressive cast.

If they’d actually bothered to spend some time on the script or even just made a more likeable leading character, ‘Looking For Jackie’ could have been a half decent underdog story.

‘Looking For Mister Perfect’ is the kind of light and fluffy film that one would associate with Wong Jing or Joe Ma and not the man responsible for savage hits like ‘City On Fire’ and ‘Full Contact’.

Director Lee Chi Ngai has crafted a film that contains some scenes of immense beauty that will stay with the discerning viewer for weeks after watching them.

Whichever way you look at it, ‘Lost City In Snow Heaven’ isn’t a very pretty picture and I’d be amazed if anyone walks away from it with any degree of satisfaction.

‘Lost in Thailand’ is a remarkable debut for writer/director Xu Zheng, especially as his turn as the film straight man is also so impeccable.

Much like ‘Last Flight’, the pace is just too static and there isn’t enough fun or silly action to recommend it to even B-movie aficionados.

With characterisation so strongly emphasised in the film, it’s encouraging to see that both of the pivotal figures are empathetic enough to make Derek Yee’s goal successful.

The idea of an introspective love story may not sound too appealing, but this is the kind of film that truly rewards the patient viewer.

With Ivana Wong on board, a few satirical barbs at the industry and a degree of wit that while not exactly Neil Simon is refreshing, this is better than it should have been.