News

Mandy 曼蒂 (2018) - USA   Reviewed by Andrew Chan (Film Critics Circle of Australia)     Absurd and absolutely crazy are words that instantly comes to mind in the critically acclaimed Nicolas Cage starrer in “Mandy”. This is easily Cage best sensationally over the top performance (believe me when I say this) for the past decade and most likely the most insane character we have seen him play. Cage have been known for classic over the top villainous performances in “Face-Off” and many others, but “Mandy” director Panos Cosmatos tops all that in this grossly twisted revenge thriller that...

The Equalizer 2 叛諜裁判2 (2018) - USA   Reviewed by Andrew Chan (Film Critics Circle of Australia)     Denzel Washington is at his dependable best as the action lead in the “equalizer” hit man that aims to put the wrong things right. Picking up from where he left off in the efficient original, the film takes no prisoners and remains direct, harsh and tough when dealing with criminals and people making bad and wrong decisions in life and crimes. I enjoy the way, director Antoine Fuqua kept the tension moments extremely well. The scene where young neighbour played by...

The Quake 八級大地震 命懸一劫 (2018) - Norwegian    Aka Skjelvet   Reviewed by Andrew Chan (Film Critics Circle of Australia)     The sequel to the hit disaster Norwegian 2016’s The Wave, is a clearly a bigger film with bigger budget to boot. Filmed with comparable Hollywood standards for blockbuster disaster film, think Independent Days and numerous others, the Norwegian is quick to cash in on the prequel success. What happens usually will be a lesser attempt, but Director John Andreas Andersen smartly spent most of the film focusing on character study, family issues, coming to terms with the aftermath...

The Negotiation 智命談判 협상 (2018) - South Korea Reviewed by Andrew Chan (Film Critics Circle of Australia) With two of South Korea biggest stars Son Ye-jin and Hyun Bin headlining the latest crime thriller “The Negotiation” genuinely delivers a good old fashioned thriller that condemns wilder government corruptions beyond its hostage and negotiation subject matter. Director Lee Jeong-seok deliberately gives the centre stage to Son Ye-Jin to shine and the way she excellently capture the role of negotiator and the ongoing dilemma between being a human and politics as well as life and death is almost pin-point to perfection. The...

Miko Girl 巫女 (2018) - Japan Reviewed by Andrew Chan (Film Critics Circle of Australia) This is a slow-burner coming of age film that shows how a young immature girl grows up and find herself within a Japanese temple as a “Miko Girl”. Director Su-yeon Gu purposely pace the film allowing the characters to slowly get into their roles and translating on screen the evolution and change. What makes the film more enjoyable than it should be, is largely due to the journey that the audience become invested in and by the end of the film the characters grew and...