Genre: Drama

Witty, moving and, most important of all considering its intentions, scathing without jaundiced polemic, this is a remarkable film.

What initially sounds like an interesting study of not only ignored youth, but also mental illness is quickly turned into an episodic drama without substance.

‘What Price Survival’ is nice to look at on the surface but is ultimately very tedious and the action sequences make for insufficient compensation. All in all, dull and boring.

‘Whatever Will Be, Will Be’ is an unusual film to recommend as it is so anchored to convention that it initially seems to have little to differentiate it from the many other similarly themed films.

Granted, the environment in which this production was filmed is breath-taking and leaves a searing impression beyond the final frames. However, the storyline is strong enough not to be a slave to the cinematography.

‘When Taekwondo Strikes’, while still falling foul of the prosaic nature of the narrative and its uninspiring characterisation, is thankfully lifted above the mundane.

The unrealistic and slightly uncomfortable relationship that is the film’s centre never lets the film be anything more than a watchable film from a director who more should be expected from.

‘Whiplash’ may not be a particularly well known film, but with such a skilful blend of characterisation and robust fight scenes it really should be.

‘Whisper Of The Heart’ is a heartfelt and moving piece of cinema that expertly manages to cover everything from first love and friendship to family and ambition.

‘White Vengeance’ – in keeping with the generic expectations of recent years – has big, bruising conflict aplenty and it’s those moments that tend to have the greatest impact.

Kent Cheng gives the best performance of his career in a role that always manages to avoid histrionics.

It may be a little tame for serious Category III fans and it does border on pretension on several occasions but overall, ‘Wild’ is an engaging, offbeat thriller about a narcissistically doomed couple living on the edge.