Reviews

Abduction

3.5

Action, Martial Arts, Sci-Fi, Thriller •
Jul 3

A bit like a SyFy Channel movie mixed with an Adkins actioner, ‘Abduction’ is ninety or so minutes of sci-fi silliness coupled with action awesomeness featuring two of the best screen fighters around.
House Of The Rising Sons

3.0

Biography, Drama, History, Music • Hong Kong
Jun 27

It’s a solid study of the strains that sudden fame has on friendship, especially when the screaming girls and management team are favouring two members over the whole five.

Kickboxer 5: The Redemption

3.5

Action, Drama, Martial Arts, Thriller • USA
Jun 23

‘Kickboxer 5’ is far from perfect but it remains a solid action outing that is boosted by the inclusion of such a physically adept leading man.
Wira

3.5

Action, Martial Arts • Malaysia
Jun 23

The action in ‘Wira’ makes up for any fumbles with the narrative and while this could have been a shorter, sharper film it’s nevertheless a great action showcase for those involved.
A Wicked Ghost

1.5

Horror • Hong Kong
Jun 19

‘A Wicked Ghost’ is a vaguely interesting premise, let down by some rather pedestrian direction and generally wooden performances by its largely unknown cast.
Flu

3.5

Drama, Sci-Fi • South Korea
Jun 15

If you’re in the mood for a measure of catharsis, mid-isolation, ‘Flu’ is a well made disaster film that is just polished enough not to be too harrowing in the current climate.
Debt Collectors

4.0

Action, Comedy, Crime • USA
Jun 10

This is pulp noir action done right, the banter as sharp as the flying fists and Johnson wisely builds on the first film adding depth to French and Sue as their bond deepens.
Set Up

2.0

Crime, Horror • Hong Kong
Jun 6

Definitely a blight on Billy Chung’s eclectic cinematic oeuvre, ‘Set Up’ is a formerly shelved title that should have remained buried indefinitely.
The Inugami Family

3.5

Drama, Mystery, Thriller • Japan
May 29

Ichikawa has put together an attractive and professional interpretation of one of Japan’s beloved characters.
Killing

5.0

Action, Chanbara, Drama • Japan
May 25

Tsukamoto proves that he can stand with the filmic legends as he proudly represents a unique sense of style in a densely populated medium.
Kickboxer 4: The Aggressor

2.0

Action, Martial Arts • USA
May 25

‘Kickboxer 4’ feels like an homage to some of Van Damme’s earliest hits but it fails to make the most of its action opportunities.
The Iron Mask

2.5

Action, Adventure, Family, Fantasy • China, Russia
May 19

Chan fans may be disappointed he’s not the main focus but he does feature in an inventive scrap with Schwarzenegger and overall there is some cool action on offer.
Last Ghost Standing

2.5

Comedy, Horror • Hong Kong
May 15

It’s certainly not a film that will rock anyone’s world, but as a throwback to a bygone era of Hong Kong horror it’s a refreshingly rewarding treat.
Time To Hunt

4.0

Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller • South Korea
May 8

Could be a marmite type of film but this reviewer loved it and ‘Time to Hunt’ once again shows South Korea is producing some of the most exciting cinema around.
Once A Black Sheep

3.0

Action, Comedy, Thriller • Hong Kong
May 8

‘Once A Black Sheep’ is solid fare though its relative anonymity should tell you much about its place in Hong Kong cinema.
Indecent Woman

2.5

Adult, Crime, Thriller • Hong Kong
May 1

No Category III classic assuredly, but certainly a pleasantly sexy diversion that makes for pain-free viewing.
Vortex

4.0

Action, Drama, Thriller • China
Apr 27

A searing action thriller about those on the lower rungs of society desperately trying to get their hands on a large sum of cash.
Up The Mountain

3.5

Documentary • China
Apr 22

Hard to categorise, gorgeously shot and occasionally challenging in form, ‘Up The Mountain’ is quite unlike anything else.
Kickboxer 3: The Art of War

2.0

Action, Martial Arts • USA
Apr 22

If you’re looking for a low budget action movie with some explosions and cheap fist fights, ‘Kickboxer 3’ might just pass for some late night entertainment.
Ghost Office

1.5

Comedy, Horror • Hong Kong
Apr 16

Clearly a set of well-intentioned, though poorly executed, morality plays, ‘Ghost Office’ proves itself in the long-run to be an enormous flub.