House of Fury (Hong Kong, 2005)

Too much screen time is wasted on unnecessary hi jinks in this modest action thriller that could have been a better venue for its stars. 

The story follows a family of kung-fu practitioners living in Hong Kong as they try to survive an attack from notorious villains. 

Rating: @

Priest (Hollywood, 2011)

Vampires beware; a new hunter is in town in this supernatural action flick with decent visuals but not much on anything else. Paul Bettany stars as a member of a group of vampire killers called “priests” in the very dark and Gothic future. 

This flick has some nifty set design that really gives it an original atmosphere like in the Underworld movies. 

Rating: @@@

Le Grand Chef (Korea, 2007)

A fantastic film about two chefs competing for the grand title of the “Royal Chef” of South Korea. Even if you’re not a fan of cooking, this movie is still a must-see. 

A lot of back-stabbing and rice boiling ensues but it’s done in great taste that makes this flick an attention grabber from start to finish. 

Rating: @@@@

Azumi (Japan, 2003)

Cute J-pop star Aya Ueto shines in the title role in this kinetic, bloody live-action version of the Japanese manga. 

The film follows a girl assassin as she goes about her business trying to kill war-mongering feudal warlords in ancient Japan. 

This flick is a bit too long for its own good running at 2 1/2 hours, but it’s alright since you’ll have a bloody good time watching it. 

Rating: @@@@

Don’t Go Breaking My Heart (Hong Kong, 2011)

Dazzling and expertly made, this cityscape romantic comedy is one charming Hong Kong flick. 

Chinese actress Gao Yuan Yuan turns in a terrific leading lady performance as the film’s main heroine and HK actors Louis Koo and Daniel Wu takes turns in stealing the spotlight as the film’s would-be suitors. 

Rating: @@@@

Black Swan (Hollywood, 2010)

This is one mind-blowing film with a knockout performance from its lead actress. 

Watch as Portman pulls off an act worthy of Oscar gold. Black Swan is an unforgettable movie.

Rating: @@@@

The Host (Korea, 2006)

This is a monster movie of epic proportions, with healthy doses of humor and drama. The film follows a normal South Korean family as they go against a mutant fish monster from the Han River, who “kidnaps” their youngest daughter. 

This movie became a huge blockbuster in South Korea when it was released and it’s like the Korean version of Godzilla. 

Rating: @@@@

Go (Japan, 2001)

A very engaging flick about a Japanese-born North Korean guy living in Japan and the different circumstances that he encounters along the way. 

It stars Kubozuka Yōsuke as the Korean guy going through some teenage angst and Kou Shibasaki as the Japanese babe who will eventually tame him. 

The core of this flick is the love story between the two of them, but all throughout the movie a lot of insights are given on how an ethnic Korean lives his life in a strict society like Japan. 

Rating: @@@@

Sparrow (Hong Kong, 2008)

This is a great film from the renowned HK filmmaker Johnnie To, who directed slick flicks like Breaking News and Election. The film follows a group of pickpockets as they make their living in the streets of Hong Kong. 

The twist comes in when they all meet a mysterious and beautiful woman that turns their operation upside down. The title of the film pertains to the pickpockets, which are called "sparrows" in Hong Kong. 

RATING: @@@@

The Runaways (Hollywood, 2010)

Dakota Fanning and Kristen Stewart star in this mesmerizing rock and roll tale of the 70s all-girl rock band The Runaways. The film follows the band's formation and rise to success, only to end up disbanded due to drugs and conflicting personalities.

Both the female leads turn out terrific performances but the movie is way too short for its own good. Still, it has a lot of memorable moments specially the scene where the band performs live in Japan. See it to get a slice of sweet rock and roll history.


RATING: @@@

The Man from Nowhere (Korea, 2010)

This action flick is the top-grossing film in South Korea for the year 2010 and if you see it you'll know why. The movie follows a guy who runs a pawn shop and befriends a young girl who lives next door. 

Due to unexpected circumstances the girl is kidnapped and the man desperately tries to get her back with guns blazing literally, since he turns out to be an ex-military special agent who has mastered a very deadly form of martial art.

RATING: @@@@

Breaking News (Hong Kong, 2004)

Johnnie To crafts an excellent cops and robbers film with Breaking News, a high-octane action extravaganza that overflows with style and cool visuals. 

The film follows a gang of robbers as they terrorize the streets of Hong Kong and eventually ends up with a stand-off with the police in an apartment complex. 

RATING: @@@@