Author: Andrew Saroch

Although nobody could say ‘The Silent War’ has a vice-like grip on the viewer, it features a few moments of genuine excitement and gathers quite a momentum by the final third.

‘The Show Must Go On’ is still packed with bone-dry humour juxtaposed with moments of gripping tension, a feat that should not be underestimated.

‘The Shopaholics’ is a simple time waster that has a few effective moments, but meanders around until its uninspiring conclusion.

‘Cart’ is an admirable and very sympathetic version of a pro-longed event that may have happened in Korea, but has echoes through the developed world where profit is evermore as valued as simple human decency.

For a director known for lurid excess, ‘Shield of Straw’ is a subtly haunting thriller with an ending that asks questions of everything that went before it.

It’s certainly not perfect and not among Jackie Chan’s best films, but there is ample entertainment value.

‘Shaolin Temple’ is still a major achievement by a film-maker who was one of the true creators of the genre. There is, therefore, plenty to put this near the top of your viewing list.

Although an above average kung-fu flick (as you’d expect from Chang Cheh) this is one of the weakest of the Venoms films.

Wong sets the screen alight with a stunning array of kicking that nearly steal the entire film. For this reason – and the assurance that this is a good film – ‘The Shaolin Plot’ is solid entertainment.

Although ‘Shaolin Mantis’ is a well made and above average, it undoubtedly disappoints when compared with Liu Chia-Liang’s best work.

‘Shaolin Intruders’ doesn’t offer any of the genre-defining moments that leap out of the true masterpieces of the genre.

Liu lights up the screen with his explosive bootwork while Jack Long and the endearing Blacky Ko provide extra physical presence.