As the workload (and stacks of DVDs) continue to pile up around the FEF offices, we’ve fallen behind with our lists of top ten movies from 2008. Never fear though because I’m starting to crack the whip a little and this week we’re very pleased to bring you the second list from Mike Banner.

10. Le Grand Chef

Director: Jeon Yun-Su
Cast: Kim Kang-Woo, Lim Won-Hee, Lee Ha-Na, Lee Min-Ho, Kwon Sung-Hoon

A lot of different genres combine in this Korean ‘sports’ movie about cooking. It’s a mixed bag, but on the whole it’s entertaining stuff.

9. Clan Feuds

Director: Chang Peng-Yi
Cast: Ti Lung, Chan Si-Gaai, Lo Meng, Sun Chien, Liu Lai-Ling

I love a good Chor Yuen wuxia film me,  and this is a great Chor Yuen wuxia film. This kind of movie might not be to everyone’s tastes, especially if you like straightforward good guy + bad guy x revenge = ass whoopings but, frankly, if a film hasn’t got 30 characters and 18 plot twists I feel slightly cheated.
Read the Far East Films review

8. Lone Wolf And Cub: Sword Of Vengeance

Director: Kenji Misumi
Cast: Tomisaburo Wakayama, Fumio Watanabe, Tomoko Mayama, Shigeru Tsuyuguchi, Asao Uchida

A bleak and moody film about an assassin for hire and his young son. Gushing arterial sprays relieve the tension that builds in this gripping Japanese classic.

7. Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion

Director: Shunya Ito
Cast: Meiko Kaji, Rie Yokoyama, Yayoi Watanabe, Yoko Mihara, Akemi Negishi

A classic in the Women in Prison (WIP) sub-genre. If you like violence, breasts and horror movie overtones then you’ll really enjoy this.

6. The Young Vagabond

Director: Lau Sze-Yue
Cast: Gordon Liu, Jason Pai Piao, Johnny Wang Lung-Wei, Wong Yu, Ku Feng

A kung fu comedy coming from the arse-end of the Shaw Brothers studio’s life time. Gordon Liu is excellent as a young Beggar So. The ending switches gears to hardcore violence and the final few frames – which my girlfriend does a nifty recreation of – are Shaws gold. An under-appreciated gem.

5. A Man Who Was Superman

Director: Jeong Yun-Cheol
Cast: Hwang Jung-Min, Jun Ji-Hyun, Sun Woo-Sun, Kim Jae-Rok, Park Yong-Soo

A terrific performance by Hwang Jung-Min is at the centre of this Korean Dramedy (I hate that term). If you don’t well up at the end, then you’ve either had your tear ducts sealed shut with a hot needle or you have a heart made of granite and hate.
Read the Far East Films review

4. The Magnificent Ruffians

Director: Chang Cheh
Cast: Lu Feng, Lo Meng, Philip Kwok Chun-Fung, Annie Liu On-Lai, Wong Lik

The ‘Venoms’ greatest film. If you know who the ‘Venoms’ are and you haven’t seen this, then you need to get a copy now. Now! Delightful performances and terrific action combine to form pure win.

3. Opium And The Kung Fu Master

Director: Tong Gaai
Cast: Ti Lung, Robert Mak, Tong Gaai, Chen Kuan-Tai, Leanne Liu

Ti Lung’s best Shaw performance (that I have witnessed), Tong Chia’s best film as director, superb action, an original story and Chen Kuan Tai – Shaw Brothers films don’t get much better than this.
Read the Far East Films review

2. Crows Zero

Director: Takashi Miike
Cast: Shun Oguri, Takayuki Yamada, Kyosuke Yabe, Sousuke Takaoka, Meisa Kuroki

Takashi Miike is simply one of the most exciting and interesting directors in the world. Fact! ‘Crows Zero’ is based on a hugely popular manga book and is now a hugely popular film. Full of energy, character and fisticuffs. Bring on the sequel. Oh, and bring on ‘Yatterman’ da-koron.

1. The Chaser

Director: Na Hong-Jin
Cast: Kim Yun-Seok, Ha Jung-Woo, Seo Young-Hee, Park Hyo-Joo, Jung In-Gi

The film is dark and brutal with dashes of black humour. Kim Yoon Seok’s excellent central performance gives the film much needed heart. The satire is more heavy handed than Lennox Lewis wearing lead boxing gloves, but it doesn’t hinder the film severely. And it certainly didn’t prevent it from hoovering up piles of Korean Won and awards trinkets. Oh, and the much coveted number one spot on my films of the year.
Read the Far East Films review