|
|
Blue Island
(2022)
|
Wilson Kwong
|
But a film like Blue Island really epitomizes the power of cinema in preserving the truth, which is no small feat, and in the current realty of Hong Kong, a valiant victory.
Posted Jun 06, 2022
|
|
|
Love on a Diet
(2001)
|
Wilson Kwong
|
Although I always knew that this was a film that would stand the test of time on a personal level, I didnt think it would hold such a high tier of relevance 15 years on.
Posted Feb 13, 2022
|
|
|
Shaowu the Bad
(2017)
|
Wilson Kwong
|
The film has great elements that work well on its own, but when taken together as a whole, isnt unified enough to create the type of emotional impact one would expect
Posted Feb 13, 2022
|
|
|
Paradox
(2017)
|
Wilson Kwong
|
The films existence is indeed a paradox that needs further explanation, and its title is therefore quite creatively apt.
Posted Feb 13, 2022
|
|
|
Alifu, the Prince/ss
(2017)
|
Wilson Kwong
|
For most general viewers, there will certainly be a sense of unfamiliarity, which punctuates the importance of films like this.
Posted Feb 13, 2022
|
|
|
The Third Wife
(2018)
|
Wilson Kwong
|
When it comes to cinemas growing need for more female voices, seeing someone like Mayfair create such a powerful debut is exactly what the medium needs right now.
Posted Feb 13, 2022
|
|
|
Furie
(2019)
|
Wilson Kwong
|
Headlining a revenge thriller that is sure to be seen as a female version of Taken (2008), Ngo delivers a heartfelt performance in a film that is far from perfect, but still manages to pack in a couple of furious punches.
Posted Feb 13, 2022
|
|
|
First Love
(2019)
|
Wilson Kwong
|
Theres no question that First Love is a Miike film, but thats not to say that it feels tired or uninspired.
Posted Feb 13, 2022
|
|
|
Gundala
(2019)
|
Wilson Kwong
|
Whats not forgivable is the films failure to choreograph enthralling fight scenes, given the talent pool and reputation of Indonesian cinema.
Posted Feb 13, 2022
|
|
|
Saturday Fiction
(2019)
|
Wilson Kwong
|
This is a welcome return for Gong Li as an actress and another reminder that Lou continues to be one of Chinas most talented filmmakers.
Posted Feb 13, 2022
|
|
|
No.7 Cherry Lane
(2019)
|
Wilson Kwong
|
Yonfans film serves as a literal reminder of Hong Kongs past, while also hinting at the possibility of an artistic future, albeit from one of the industrys oldest working filmmakers.
Posted Feb 13, 2022
|
|
|
Enter the Fat Dragon
(2020)
|
Wilson Kwong
|
Having said that, even without curbing your expectations too much knowing that this is essentially still a Wong Jing film, Enter the Fat Dragon is a fairly enjoyable piece of Hong Kong cinema.
Posted Feb 12, 2022
|
|
|
Shanghai Triad
(1995)
|
Wilson Kwong
|
In the end, Shanghai Triad isnt the most complex or nuanced film out of Zhangs varied filmography, but it still manages to be a layered examination of the triad world.
Posted Feb 12, 2022
|
|
|
Drifting
(2021)
|
Wilson Kwong
|
With Drifting, Li certainly solidifies himself as a filmmaker worthy of excitement by creating an authentically bleak narrative about one of the most marginalized populations in Hong Kong.
Posted Feb 12, 2022
|
|
|
Undercover Punch and Gun
(2019)
|
Wilson Kwong
|
In the end, while Tam and Lui seem to have approached their co-directorial debut with the best of intentions, Undercover Punch & Gun just doesnt have the kinetic buoyancy that its premise and initial guise would have suggested.
Posted Feb 12, 2022
|
|
|
Time
(2021)
|
Wilson Kwong
|
At the end of the day, Time will stand out as the film that brings back screen legends Tse and Fung in their most hefty roles in decades.
Posted Feb 12, 2022
|
|
|
All U Need is Love
(2021)
|
Wilson Kwong
|
All U Need Is Love is far from the solution to Hong Kong cinemas existential or financial woes, but in a rather random and silly way, its a flavor of the spirit the industry needs.
Posted Feb 12, 2022
|
|
8/10
|
God Exists, Her Name Is Petrunija
(2019)
|
Grant Watson
|
A richly characterised and a gently satirical treat.
Posted Jun 15, 2021
|
|
6/10
|
Tezuka's Barbara
(2019)
|
Grant Watson
|
An effectively made film, and does show a relatively obscure and challenging side to the elder Tezuka's work. A lack of easily identifiable characters, however, and a frustrating lack of sympathy both make it a much easier film to admire than enjoy.
Posted May 09, 2021
|
|
7/10
|
Days
(2020)
|
Grant Watson
|
It is not his best work, and it feels retrograde by several years of artistic development, but at the same time it has a wonderful effect that is well worth experiencing.
Posted Oct 22, 2020
|
|
9/10
|
Better Days
(2019)
|
Grant Watson
|
Better Days truly is one hell of a thing.
Posted Aug 24, 2020
|
|
7/10
|
Ne Zha
(2019)
|
Grant Watson
|
It is not a major achievement in the genre - other than in the commercial sense - but it is a bold and promising step along the road.
Posted Sep 29, 2019
|
|
6/10
|
She Remembers, He Forgets
(2015)
|
Grant Watson
|
What is on the screen is a serviceable and entertaining romantic drama that will appeal to its target audience.
Posted May 02, 2019
|
|
6/10
|
Going the Distance
(2018)
|
Grant Watson
|
Something admirable and well assembled, but slightly dull.
Posted May 02, 2019
|
|
7/10
|
Animal World
(2018)
|
Grant Watson
|
As a stand-alone feature, Animal World is over-the-top, dripping with excess, and genuinely rather odd.
Posted May 02, 2019
|
|
5/10
|
Jinpa (Zhuang si le yi zhi yang)
(2018)
|
Grant Watson
|
Ultimately, and despite a great amount of charm, this first half does not feel the sum of its parts.
Posted May 02, 2019
|
|
3/10
|
Tracey
(2018)
|
Grant Watson
|
Tracey is a good idea executed poorly
Posted May 02, 2019
|
|
5/10
|
Unlovable
(2018)
|
Grant Watson
|
There is potential in Unlovable (...) As it stands, however, the film feels like a missed opportunity.
Posted May 02, 2019
|
|
8/10
|
Little Forest
(2018)
|
Grant Watson
|
Everybody needs a film like Little Forest once in a while. It soothes and calms. It washes over you with an easy charm.
Posted May 02, 2019
|
|
7/10
|
Fake
(2016)
|
Grant Watson
|
His careful and patient treatment (...) transforms Fake into a work that genuinely transcends its initial limited focus.
Posted May 02, 2019
|
|
4/10
|
DiDi's Dreams
(2017)
|
Grant Watson
|
It simply feels like a weak greatest hits package performed not by artists but by their tribute band. It is reheated and profoundly lazy stuff, feeling both unenthused and rushed.
Posted May 02, 2019
|
|
9/10
|
Dying to Survive
(2018)
|
Grant Watson
|
It is a comedy that invites laughter. It is a drama that inspires sorrow. It is a political statement that provokes rage.
Posted May 02, 2019
|
|
7/10
|
The Apology
(2016)
|
Grant Watson
|
While not becoming a fully objective historical document, the documentary does a tremendous job of leading its audience to immerse themselves in the emotion of the past.
Posted May 01, 2019
|
|
8/10
|
Ciao Ciao
(2017)
|
Grant Watson
|
"An altogether excellent film in a crowded genre. Fans of Chinese independent cinema will find plenty to enjoy."
Posted May 01, 2019
|
|
|
Misono Universe
(2015)
|
Harris Dang
|
La La La at Rock Bottom is a great acting showcase for Subaru Shibutani, another success for Fumi Nikaido and one of director Nobuhiro Yamashita's most enjoyable films.
Posted Oct 30, 2018
|
|
|
The Assassin
(2015)
|
Harris Dang
|
Much like Wong with The Grandmaster, Hou has made a martial arts film that is more of a personal statement than a genre piece, but his style suits the genre surprisingly well and certainly makes its mark in martial arts cinema.
Posted Oct 30, 2018
|
|
|
Ghost Theater (Gekijô Rei)
(2015)
|
Harris Dang
|
It's just so sad to see such a director like Hideo Nakata stoop so low after knowing what promise he used to have.
Posted Oct 30, 2018
|
|
|
Flying Colors
(2015)
|
Harris Dang
|
For those looking for a film by walking the path rather than knowing the path will be rewarded with a very funny and inspirational crowd-pleaser. Kasumi Arimura gives a star-making performance as Sayaka.
Posted Oct 30, 2018
|
|
|
Keeper of Darkness
(2015)
|
Harris Dang
|
Keeper of Darkness is inconsistent but still a distinctive and entertaining ride that is a huge improvement over Cheung's directorial debut. The characters are so well-defined that I would love to see what they would do in the future.
Posted Oct 30, 2018
|
|
|
Himeanole
(2016)
|
Harris Dang
|
With fantastic performances, subtly unhinged direction from Yoshida, and a refreshing lack of adherence towards mainstream storytelling, Hime-anole is a cult classic in the making. Just go in without any prior knowledge about the plot.
Posted Oct 30, 2018
|
|
|
The Mohican Comes Home
(2016)
|
Harris Dang
|
Mohican Comes Home finds director Shuichi Okita turning the family drama genre on its head while its stellar performances and refreshing storytelling guarantee that this fantastic film goes out like a rock-star.
Posted Oct 30, 2018
|
|
|
Destruction Babies
(2016)
|
Harris Dang
|
Destruction Babies is a brutal, exhausting and challenging piece of work with fantastic performances, some sharp comments about Japanese society and some moments that are guaranteed to shock.
Posted Oct 30, 2018
|
