Reviews

Seeding Of A Ghost

2.5

Crime, Horror, Thriller • Hong Kong
Aug 7

For the undemanding genre fan, or neophyte viewers just discovering Asian horror, ‘Seeding of a Ghost’ is that illustrious “beer & pizza” time waster that provides a taster of what else to expect.
Double World

3.0

Action, Adventure, Fantasy • China
Jul 31

Big of budget and large in scope, ‘Double World’ starts out promising and begins to build to something rather exciting before petering off in the final third when it can’t quite keep up its momentum.

Zen Master 6

3.0

Action, Martial Arts • China, Hong Kong
Jul 20

Too early for the post-‘Once Upon A Time In China’ boom and too late for the post-‘Shaolin Temple’ frenzy in 1981, ‘Zen Master 6’ is perhaps better appreciated all of these years later.
Skyfire

2.5

Action, Disaster • China
Jul 10

‘Skyfire’ is a suitably big and brash disaster epic that mimics the bombastic Hollywood productions that reached their apex in the 1970s.
Abduction

3.5

Action, Martial Arts, Sci-Fi, Thriller • China, USA
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

Disaster, 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.