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10.
Kung Fu Hustle
An efficient entry from Chow Sing Chi. This could probably stand alone as
an action film if the humour did not hit the mark. Thankfully the
humour is pretty universal. The film is made all the more
satisfying having a wealth of experience in the Kung Fu/wuxia
genres with it's continued comic references.
[Read
The Full Review]
9.
The White Dragon
An offbeat romantic comedy featuring a small helping of wuxia style
action. An endearing performance courtesy of Francis Ng makes this
one a winner.
8.
Fate Of Lee Khan
Though not King Hu's masterpiece, the second half of this production is
up there with the best of it's kind. Shame the second quarter
wasn't better but the rest of the film makes up for it's
shortcomings.
[Read
The Full Review]
7.
My Sassy Girl
As classy as it is sassy 'My Sassy Girl' is well worth checking out even
if romantic comedies are not your usual preference. This ones a
winner with effective humour and endearing characters.
[Read
The Full Review]
6.
Windstruck
Pretty much a re-imagining of 'My Sassy Girl', but with the added
ingredient of heartfelt drama, manages to emerge as the superior
piece.
[Read
The Full Review]
5.
Danny The Dog (AKA Unleashed)
Opinion is quite heavily divided on this one, but without a doubt in my
mind this is Jet Li's finest film of all his efforts in the west.
Gritty and savage with a large helping of heart.
[Read
The Full Review]
4.
Seven Swords
Very similar in tone to Tsui Hark's own earlier cult classic 'The Blade',
'Seven Swords' is sure to acquire a similar status. Initially this
has played to mixed reviews but what we are offered here is merely
the first chapter in which the characters and the swords they
wield (which are also very much characters in the film), are
little more than just introduced in this gritty, savage and very
unglamorous depiction of the martial world. When Tsui completes
the latter instalments (Hopefully!) the result could end up being
something very special.
3.
Oldboy
Original and uncompromising, 'Oldboy' will not be everyone's cup of tea.
How this film plays out is both shocking and compelling. Essential
viewing for anyone with even a vague interest in extreme cinema.
[Read
The Full Review]
2.
Sword Of Swords
This was a pleasant surprise. I was expecting a competent 60's swordplay
film I but experienced so much more. On a par with 'One-Armed
Swordsman' with an added emotional punch that most other films
could only hope to achieve. Make
no mistake, this is an outright classic.
1.
The Emperor And The Assassin
One of the first films I watched in 2005 which for me is undoubtedly the
best. Sitting very much in the shadow of 'Hero' and the like, this
somewhat unsung classic deserves far more attention than it has
received.
[Read
The Full Review]
Written
by Pat
King
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