All Film Reviews

‘Mad Monkey Kung Fu’ features an excellent cast, first-rate action, an absorbing plot and a powerful soundtrack – more than enough reasons to recommend this to any true film fan.

It tackles a complex subject with real skill and, while not pretending to be the definitive film on the matter – as if any one film could claim to be – it is a work of rare brilliance.

Although it could be argued that there is some well-executed action at the end, the fact of the matter is that it comes too late to succeed in entertaining.

If you’re a big Robert Tai fan, add a star to the following mark; most though should see ‘Mafia vs. Ninja’ as a cheap and cheerful mix of kung fu and surrealism.

There is much to enjoy about this film, and the ingenuity shown in many scenes is typical of HK, proving that it can offer a lot more than found in Hollywood no-brainers.

Wong Jing manages to restrain his usual vulgarity and blend together some genuinely amusing comic scenes with an enviable amount of superior fight choreography.

The film is really just a blatant rip-off of bigger, better movies and the majority of the martial arts action is simply laughable.

This film could be recommended alone for it’s exceptional fight action, but as you’d expect from this cast there’s much more on offer.

There are quite a few spurts of fight action, but these are in-keeping with the playful tone of the film and offer little spectacular.

Whether she’s using a bull-whip, fighting Hwang Jang Lee or enjoying a momentary pause, Yeoh controls this film with pure class.

It’s hard to think of a film that attempts to mix so many elements together, trying to please just about every potential viewer.

It’s another story about the quiet drama of everyday life despite being set in the music industry and while Hong Kong keeps making films that stay true to their roots, I’ll always be watching.

Keanu Reeves makes an assured directorial debut and an all round great fight film with the rather impressive ‘Man of Tai Chi’.

A flawed thriller it might be, but it still retains an ability to chill that is appreciated though not always present in the genre.

Not the return to modern action many a Woo fan may have hoped for but fun in fits and starts if you can forgive its flaws.

There is so much acclaim to heap on ‘Marathon’ that it is difficult to pin-point just one stand out feature.

A B-movie with some bite, ‘Maria’ stumbles with its by-the-numbers story and unnecessary scenes of torture but is saved by some cool fight scenes and a fierce lead performance from Cristine Reyes.

While ‘Marooned’ is never especially exciting, it is well-paced and character-driven – a trait that is rewarding for those who stay the course.

‘Marry A Rich Man’ is a rom-com film that commits the cardinal crime of not being very romantic.

Jet Li excels in this third lead role with another flawless display of kung-fu alongside his dramatic abilities.

This fine period film flawlessly combines the dazzling choreography that one expects from Liu Chia-Liang and the moral edge that often underlines his work.

Although this isn’t the best Venoms film, it certainly isn’t the worst and still features a hundred reasons why it should be recommended viewing.

A ho-hum attempt at old school martial arts that succumbs to plodding pacing and dull storytelling.

It’s hard not to be drawn into director Wang Yu’s eccentric world with its almost Python-esque techniques and fights.