10The Great Passage
An unusual Japanese film that is difficult to categorise, but rewards the patient viewer. A story about revising the local dictionary, this is a resolutely Japanese production that’s proud of its national quirks and idiosyncrasies. This makes for a mostly fascinating film that is sure to surprise people who, though put off by the synopsis, give it a try.
Read our review
9Line Walker
Remake of the hit tv series, ‘Line Walker’ takes a familiar idea about the blurred loyalties of undercover cops and breathes new life into it. Tense, exciting and difficult to second guess, this is an outstanding thriller that deserves some recognition outside of Hong Kong.
8Sword Master
Derek Yee’s remake of one of the hits films he originally starred in, ‘Death Duel’, is a feast for the eyes, but never at the expense of the other elements of the story. Excellent swordplay action fills the screen, the weird and wonderful characters add some surreal colour to the proceedings and Yi scores another directorial hit.
Read our review
7A Violent Prosecutor
A terrific partnership between leads Hwang Jung-Min and Gang Dong-Won makes this action thriller come alive. Despite its two hour running time it breezes along with real momentum and gives viewers two heroes to root for.
Read our review
6Midnight Runners
A rip-roaring action comedy the like of which I had assumed died before the start of the new millenium. A buddy cop film that recalls such great films as ‘Lethal Weapon’, ‘Beverly Hills Cop’ and ‘Running Scared’ and strikes a perfect balance between humour and fisticuffs.
Read our review
5Our Time Will Come
Excellent war-time drama from Ann Hui that looks at the conflict in Hong Kong through the eyes of the local resistance. Zhou Xun excels in the lead role and the whole film benefits from being in the hands of one of Asia’s great directors.
Read our review
4Our Little Sister
A near faultless drama from Hirokazu Koreeda that focuses on a trio of sisters accepting their half sister into the fold when their father dies. Superbly acted, sublimely written and full of characters that you actually want to know, far removed from the usual neuroses-filled ciphers that often populate Hollywood attempts at the ‘Strong Female Drama’ (whatever that means).
Read our review
3The Red Turtle
I could never be described as an animation aficionado, but I reasonably confident that I can spot quality when watching it. ‘Red Turtle’ is a bewitching, dialogue-free film that startles with its visuals and thoughtful, life-affirming tone. A first-class Franco-Japanese effort that’s sure to be appreciated as a classic in years to come.
Read our review
2She Remembers, He Forgets
A finely-tuned drama that is touching, but never needlessly sentimental and, by the end of its running time, left this viewer with a tear in his eye. Soppy goat. Proof that there’s still some real quality coming out of Hong Kong cinema.
Read our review
1Tunnel
This was a complete surprise. While I was expecting a small scale disaster film like the excellent ‘127 Hours’, what I actually got was a richly-woven, complex drama with lashings of wit and satire. Any film that takes place mostly in one location needs to be very special and ‘Tunnel’ – though using outside locations and characters – is up their with the very best of that cinema can offer.
Read our review
