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Mulan (花木蘭) (2020) - USA Reviewed by Andrew Chan (Film Critics Circle of Australia) Help us continue to cover more Asian and Martial Art films by making a donation to Neo Film Blog below. Putting politics aside, the latest live action Disney’s “Mulan” is a good film. From the beautiful cinematography to the epic scenery and traditional virtues, the film succeeds in dealing with bigger issues of Asian representation, #metoo movements and simply a film that resonance and connects with the audience. There are many good things about this adaptation while not staying entirely true to the Disney classic. We get an all star...

The Real Iron Monkey 真假鐵馬騮 (2014) - Hong Kong Reviewed by Andrew Chan (Film Critics Circle of Australia) Help us continue to cover more Asian and Martial Art films by making a donation to Neo Film Blog below. For fans of Asian martial arts cinema, the words”Iron Monkey” resembles two key landmark films, one is Shaw Brothers Chen Kuan Tai and the other is the famed Donnie Yen’s 90s classic. It’s no surprise that “The Real Iron Monkey” attempts to dwell in on past successes and even managed to provide some screen time to “Iron” Chen Kuan Tai “Monkey” reprising the aforementioned role....

Unleashed (地下拳) (2020) - Hong Kong Reviewed by Andrew Chan (Film Critics Circle of Australia) Help us continue to cover more Asian and Martial Art films by making a donation to Neo Film Blog below. It’s about time that martial arts star Ken Lo gets a leading role treatment after years of playing supporting roles in Jackie Chan’s movies. Lo gets to show his acting potential in the first time filmmakers Kwok Ka-hei and Kwok Yat-Choi’s action packed “Unleashed”. Unfortunately, the film remains an unremarkable experience despite the best intentions of real life martial artist Sun Zhenfeng and nemesis Zheng Ziping. Hong Kong’s...

The White Storm 掃毒 (2013) - Hong Kong Reviewed by Andrew Chan (Film Critics Circle of Australia) during the 2013 Hong Kong Asian Film Festival. Help us continue to cover more Asian and Martial Art films by making a donation to Neo Film Blog below. In special memory of Director Benny Chan. After the disappointing and over hyped action / thriller blockbuster, “Cold War”, the makers behind “The White Storm” decided to make a lesser publicity storm, instead letting the quality of the film to tell a thousand words. Director Benny Chan managed to pull of the impossible, while Nick Cheung continues to...

Hotel by the River 강변 호텔 (Gangbyeon hotel) (2018) - South Korea   Reviewed by Andrew Chan (Film Critics Circle of Australia) Help us continue to cover more Asian and Martial Art films by making a donation to Neo Film Blog below. Chances are that director Hong Sang-soo, continues his auteur journey in “Hotel by the River”. Shot in black and white once again, Hong manages to eludes the norms of Korean society and provide a soul barring look at the core of humanity and the ultimate feeling of melancholy and moodiness that is often overshadowed by interactive character dialogues. By all means...