30 Days of Night

0801
30 Days of Night review

"A film that thrives on its setting and the atmosphere Slade manages to draw from it. The creepy vampires, the polished cinematography and moody soundtrack only enhance the icy dread."

The End of the Pale Hour

0802
The End of the Pale Hour review

"The execution is slick, the performances are strong, the score is a bit more refined and the themes are handled with the proper respect and gravitas."

Sauna

0803
Sauna review

"Sauna is an impressive experience, solid in just about every department. Extremely strong lead, nice and fitting visuals, great soundtrack and intriguing storyline."

Merry-Go-Round

0804
Merry-Go-Round review

"If only the soundtrack would've been a bit better, this film could have turned out to be a small masterpiece."

The Flowers of War

0805
The Flowers of War review

"The Flowers Of War borders on sentimentality and poses as a very epic endeavor. It's Zhang's magnificent direction that erases any major critiques, turning the film into a proper epic spectacle."

One Percenter

0806
One Percenter review

"The cinematography is on point, the performances are way above average and the action scenes are vibrant, everything is there to become a niche favorite."

Outrage: Beyond

0807
Outrage: Beyond review

"Outrage: Beyond falls just a little short of its predecessor. Because of the fact that it feels like the middle section of a full-blown trilogy the ending isn't as convincing as it could've been."

Godspeed

0808
Godspeed review

"Depending on where you're coming from, Godspeed is either a superb crime flick or an ever so slightly disappointing Mong-Hong Chung film."

The Brink

0809
The Brink review

"Li delivers a fun, gritty and stylish crime flick with some very impressive action scenes and a stand-out performance by Shawn Yue."

Whisper of the Heart

0810
Whisper of the Heart review

"Kondo's first film is a perfect match for the Ghibli brand."

Bright Future

0811
Bright Future review

"The characters are interesting, the performances are perfect, the narrative structure feels fresh and the presentation is stylish without being overly detracting."

Daaaaaali!

0812
Daaaaaali! review

"Daaaaaali! is a fitting and refreshing ode to one of the biggest painters of the 20th century, and it's every bit as madcap as the man's paintings."

Tales from Earthsea

0813
Tales from Earthsea review

"A stylish and well-executed fantasy film, sporting Ghibli's polished animation, a lovely soundtrack, and a morally ambiguous lead character."

New Blood

0814
New Blood review

"Hyn Huet Ching Nin is a good place to start if you're interested in watching a Hong Kong horror flick. Maybe it's not really all that representative, but that's what makes it easier to digest."

Orochi - Blood

0815
Orochi - Blood review

"The addition of the fantastical figure gives Orochi a somewhat novel feel though."

Once Upon a Time in Shanghai

0816
Once Upon a Time in Shanghai review

"Between the stunning cinematography, the impressive fight scenes and the fast-paced plot it's hard not to like at least some part of Once Upon a Time in Shanghai."

Hard Luck Hero

0817
Hard Luck Hero review

"The actors are solid, there are quirky narrative details, the cinematography is on point and the pacing is slick. All that is needed for some prime entertainment."

Scabbard Samurai

0818
Scabbard Samurai review

"Matsumoto's new film is a little gem, a film that does not impress in spades but focuses on smaller details."

I Belonged to You

0819
I Belonged to You review

"Yibai Zhang's talent is beyond questioning. The stronger bits of his latest effort are stunning, dressed up in lush visuals and backed up by a strong soundtrack."

The Midnight Meat Train

0820
The Midnight Meat Train review

"The kills are gory, Jones is an amazing killer and Kitamura's direction is the right kind of flashy, which makes for a brutal, tense and very entertaining horror flick."

Flavors of Youth

0821
Flavors of Youth review

"A film that's rich in atmosphere, beautifully animated and with just the right amount of depth, a film that soothes and comforts but is more than simple sentimental fluff."

Ip Man 2

0822
Ip Man 2 review

"Visually a little better than the first film, awesome fight sequences where Yen is allowed to shine and a fully satisfying finale where the final blow caused a big fat inner "Yeah!"."

River of First Love

0823
River of First Love review

"That said, it's a film that caters to fans of light-hearted Japanese dramas, doing little to even try and persuade people outside of its niche."

Drunken Master II

0824
Drunken Master II review

"The pairing of Liu and Chan results in some of the coolest and frantic martial arts moments ever put on film, making it that much easier to forget about all the film's shortcomings."

Fulltime Killer

0825
Fulltime Killer review

"A sprawling action/crime blend, bustling with cinematic joy and providing ample opportunities for To show off his unique talents. Stylish, fun and never a dull moment in sight."