Samurai X: Vol.1 Trust & Vol.2 Betrayal (1999)

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Posted on January 25, 2006 by Deni

Samurai X, a play on words derived from the pattern that scars the legendary Kenshin Himura’s face, despite its rather pedestrian title is anything but ordinary. This is in fact bloody poetry, and I mean that in a literal sense, rather than a derogatory one. From the very first scenes, and if you are at all familiar with the Rurouni Kenshin TV series of which Samurai X is a prequel, it is clear that this is quality, and deadly … (read more)

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Scrapped Princess (2004)

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Posted on January 25, 2006 by Andy

Scrapped Princess has all the hallmarks of a fairly standard fantasy adventure with a drizzle of comedy. There’s the perky blonde princess with the prerequisite obliviousness to danger, the somewhat dour older brother and the gormless knight-wannabee hanger on.

What sets Scrapped Princess way above the usual action comedy fare is its silences, a theme established early in episode 1. When the siblings are attacked by bandits, there is an extended cut of Pacifica watching from the safety of the … (read more)

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Shadow Magic (2001)

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Posted on January 25, 2006 by Ching Yee

Now you can’t say this movie doesn’t have an interesting story behind it. The second in the new Silk Screen series, Shadow Magic is about the introduction of silent movies into China which sowed the seed for China’s early film industry.

During the early 1900s, a few enterprising Westerners introduced silent movies into China and were probably dismissed by the general masses as evil brainwashing foreigners, save a few curious and innovative locals who saw the enormous potential in them. … (read more)

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Shaolin: Wheel of Life (2000)

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Posted on January 25, 2006 by Spike

In early 2000 I was fortunate enough to see the “Shaolin Kung Fu Monks” show – 20 highly proficient practitioners of Kung Fu from the Shaolin temple in China in a 2-hour stage-show, that was touring Australia. I provided a review of that spectacular performance for Heroic Cinema.

When Mark offered me the opportunity to review Shaolin Wheel of Life — a commercial video/DVD from the same people, I jumped at the opportunity. What I found was definitely a mixed … (read more)

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She, The Ultimate Weapon (2002)

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Posted on January 25, 2006 by Andy

Based on the manga, Saikano by Shin Takahashi, She, the Ultimate Weapon’s design is faithful to its comic origins. Takahashi’s distinct facial designs are here. Present are his noses that barely register as nasal speed bumps as are the series of scratchy red lines for cheeks that seem to leave the teenagers in a permanent state of embarrassment. The backgrounds have a washed out, pastel palette that reflects an oppressive Indian summer that shows no signs of yielding to autumn.… (read more)

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Shiri (1999)

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Posted on January 25, 2006 by Alison

The reunification of the two Koreas is obviously something of great concern in South Korea, and Shiri drives this fact home. But don’t mistake me: this is not a dry political drama, or a slice of propaganda. This one is a compelling actioner that will have you clenching every muscle you possess, and maybe some of those on the person sitting next to you.

The plot is a simple one, dealing with double agents from North Korea and a dastardly … (read more)

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So Close (2002)

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Posted on January 25, 2006 by Jonathan

Okay film-goers, let’s get going. I’ll keep this snappy, because I’m here to give you the low down on one snap-p-py piece of cinema — So Close.

Pop quiz; which HK director is responsible for this film? If your answer’s not Corey Yuen, you deserve to be beaten repeatedly with a pair of rollerblades by Zhao Wei, because his name’s right there under the title, but in the mean time, here’s a selected Corey Yuen filmography…

1993 — Fong … (read more)

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Star Blazers (1980)

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Posted on January 25, 2006 by Andy

Star Blazers for me will always be that equation: 365 earth days had to be divisible by 148,000 light years or the earth would be destroyed. Even as a kid I knew there was something profoundly tragic about the lone Space battleship Yamato taking on the vastly superior Gamilon forces. Outnumbered, they always seemed on the verge of being overwhelmed, one Wave Motion Gun misfire away from defeat. And all the while, the ‘Days Remaining’ counter at the end of … (read more)

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