Release Year: 2008

‘Butterfly Lovers’ is a forgettable version of a legend that deserves a definitive screen portrayal – it has moments of interest, but proves to be an unevenly yoked movie.

‘Cape No.7’ is an ensemble production whose success is tied up with its exploration of Taiwan’s southernmost area, its use of localised flavour and copious amounts of colloquial humour.

‘Chanbara Beauty’ is an uncomplicated, intermittently fun, undead actioner that will please fans of the genre and the videogames.

‘Chanbara Striptease’ is about topless women fighting with swords of which it has many scenes of, so if you want to see such a thing, then watch this film.

‘Chocolate’ is excellent action entertainment from start to finish, and fight fans will be delighted to see that Pinkaew and Rittikrai haven’t lost their touch.

‘CJ7’ is a warm-hearted sci-fi comedy with solid special effects and a winning performance by newcomer Xu Jiao.

‘Connected’ is outrageously entertaining and maintains its energetic momentum throughout.

Kwak Jae-Young has a PhD in stirring emotions and this film has more heart-pulling moments of manipulative magic than a room full of kittens playing with balls of string.

‘Death Bell’ is certainly not the best the genre has to offer, but it is a harmless little frightfest that has a few hints of ‘Saw’ and ‘Battle Royale’ thrown in.

Tackling a taboo subject with maturity and outstanding sensitivity, it should be of no great surprise to see ‘Departures’ striking a chord with audiences around the globe.

It may not be refreshing, it may not be especially exciting, yet ‘Eye For an Eye’ has a few aces up its sleeve.

‘Fatal Move’ is most certainly flawed and could have been a lot tighter and less meandering. Yet it still manages to be an entertaining slice of gangster action that entertains if never really ignites.