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Twin Dragons (1992)
Fun action romp featuring a cameo from virtually everyone in the HK film industry. This was made in support of a film industry move to get corruption out of the industry. Don’t know how well it worked, but it’s typical Jackie action, and you’ll have fun spotting famous faces.… (read more)
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The Sword of Many Loves (1992)
Swashbuckling action, mythical super-abilities, and a cast full of pretty faces make this a surprisingly good watch. I’m not sure whether the Sword of the title refers to Leon’s tackle, but that’s only because there’s a fair swag of double entendre swishing about. Fast and fun, in the mould of the classic HK flicks that you’ve always loved.… (read more)
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Miss Du Shi Niang (2003)
Michelle Reis is exceedingly pretty, as is Daniel Wu, but neither can drag this film above the level of tedium. Historical prostitute dramas can be fascinating, funny, or tragic, but this is none of the above. Costumes lovely, characters reasonable, plot entirely predictable. Don’t waste your money.… (read more)
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Sonatine (1993)
This is one of Kitano’s finest films, despite its faults. It’s the first film in which he showed the gentleness and compassionate tolerance of human faults for which he’s become renowned, as well as the playfulness that sits oddly in a yakuza film.
The first half of the film drags a little: it’s mainly setting the scene and delineating the characters. Worthwhile, it’s true, but it could have been done in less time. Had Kitano made this film now, with … (read more)
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My Brother (2004)
Won Bin and Shin Ha-kyun make for cute sibling rivalry in this ultimately tragic (or at least bittersweet) film that reminded me very much of Friend, another massively successful picture devoted to the display of another kind of brotherly bond (I guess it also has some resonances with Taegukgi).
Why did this film, which is really not far elevated from television melodrama (with Yu-jin’s mother from ‘Winter Sonata’ and all), do so well in Korean theatres? First, it’s … (read more)
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Repatriation (2003)
Among the best, most touching, politically explosive, and formally engaging documentaries I have ever seen, Repatriation is an incredible testament to the power of independent filmmaking when in the hands, voice, mind and heart of a a remarkable individual. My feelings about the film and the man who made it are inextricably bound together. Repatriation is as much about Kim Dong-won’s connection to, and friendship with, a group of political prisoners as it is about the questions of injustice related … (read more)
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Dance of the Drunk Mantis (1979)
I know, the villain’s called Rubber Legs, and we’re supposed to take him seriously. It’s not too bad a name for a character played by Hwang Jang Lee, actually — he was a famed kicker in many, many martial arts films. Here he plays a master of northern drunken fist who bears a grudge. Beggar So’s southern drunken fist style is famous, and Rubber Legs (who apparently languishes in comparative obscurity) wants to find him, fight him, kill him, … (read more)
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Tai Chi Master (1993)
Psst. Hey, wanna see a movie where everyone fights? Then Tai Chi Master might be just what you’re looking for.
Right from the start, where we’re introduced to the young Junbao and Tinbao as junior monks at Shaolin Temple, they’re scrapping. Fortunately, we’re spared too many “lovable tyke” moments, as the lads soon grow into Jet Li and Chin Siu Ho, still exercising their skills on laundry, lunch, and other pupils. Tinbao’s hasty temper lands them in a major pole … (read more)
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