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The Spy Gone North (2018) - South Korea   Reviewed by Andrew Chan (Film Critics Circle of Australia)     Films about South Korean government agencies sending spies into North Korea is fast becoming a cliche genre. Luckily, “The Spy Gone North” provides an different realistic look and venture through layers of both North and South characters without being stereotypical figureheads (with the exceptions of the portrayal of Kim Jong-II). With that being said, director Yoon Jong-bin whose body of work include “The Berlin File” smartly merges comic timing with the tense and danger of the situation to create a...

Mission Impossible 6: Fallout (2018) - USA   Reviewed by Andrew Chan (Film Critics Circle of Australia)     To call this the best Mission Impossible Film in the series is probably an understatement as it oozes with thrills, non stop engagement, action packed and all the hallmarks of precisely what action thriller blockbuster should be. There is not a single moment of boredom in Tom Cruise latest adventure as the famed IMF agent Ethan Hunt as he jumps from one impossible stunt and situation to another in pure breathtaking atmosphere and almost an instant joy to watch. This is...

Hereditary (2018) - USA   Reviewed by Andrew Chan (Film Critics Circle of Australia)     Billed as the scariest movie since “Exorcist” is probably an overstatement, but “Hereditary” is definitely spooky and an ordeal that is likely to send shiver down your spine and leaves he audience gasping for answers after the credit rolls. In fact, the story of a dysfunctional family caught in the middle of a tragedy works well as a separate depressing drama even without the supernatural elements. However, “Hereditary” works by staying true to the composition, build up of suspense and smashing finale of events...

In Your Dreams 以青春的名義 (2017) - Hong Kong     Reviewed by Andrew Chan (Film Critics Circle of Australia)   As part of the wave of local productions funded by the Hong Kong government comes  a moody and arty film for first time director Tam Wai-ching, starting Carina Lau as the emotionally struggling and lonely housewife and potential young lover in a fantastic debut by Ng Siu-hin. “In Your Dreams” lack coherent storyline, but more than compensate with artistic and pretension to create a dream for the audience to follow through in their mind. The film is clearly aiming for...

The Debt Collector (2018) - USA    Reviewed by Andrew Chan (Film Critics Circle of Australia)     Perfect Netflix action Friday night film, “The Debt Collector” is surprisingly fun, violent and entertaining. Scott Adkins headlines the film as the newbie debt collector partnering with hard man Louis Mandylor and the two plays off each other particularly well. Adkins is an martial arts star that I have a lot of time for, for every film big or small, he gives 110% in the stunts and fight scenes. In the day and age where most ageing action icons will take shortcuts...