Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky (2010)

It was a dark and stormy night at the museum...

Two headstrong, avant garde artists having a torrid affair might be something you've seen before.

But surely, there has to be something worth seeing if it's the creators of Chanel no. 5 and the Rites of Spring?

Read my full review at Fridae, first published on 21 April 2010.

Shutter Island (2010)

Spoiler alert: Everything about this movie spoils itself

How does Martin Scorsese turn a mystery into a dreary and predictable not-thriller?

Is it possible to overdo a stylistic tribute to noir?

Is it possible to create a film with atmospherics so stratospheric, they call their atmospherics to attention than create any atmosphere?

Read my joint review with Hee Enming at Fridae, first published on 14 April 2010.

Monga (艋舺) (2010)

A true gangster never needs a chair to sit on

What would you get if you crossed the first arc of Godfather with the visual style of City of God, set it in Taiwan, and tell it like an Taiwanese afternoon soap?

Read my full review at Fridae, first published on 14 April 2010.

Prince of Tears (淚 王子) (2009)

"Green Bottles" was never a happy car song for these children...

Political purges, paranoia, professional informers, and death camps.

These are all features of a capitalist dictatorship.

Now, watch this tale told from the eyes of children.

Read my full review at Fridae, first published on 14 April 2010.

Greenberg (2010)

He was always bothered by that speck in his eye

Antonioni knew all about film when he made his anti-film, L'Avventura.

Did Noah Baumbach really know all about comedies when he made Greenberg?

Come watch Ben Stiller in this anti-comedy about nothing!

Read my full review at Fridae, first published on 14 April 2010.

Clash of the Titans (2010)

Zeus felt more at ease with sparkly laser lights than shimmering armour

How does Liam Neeson say "Release the Kraken!" this time round?

Does it still look like a man in a rubber suit in a tokusatsu feature?

Was Bubo the original Jar Jar Binks of the Greek mythology genre? Is it in the remake?

Read my full review at Fridae, first published on 7 April 2010.

Tenshi ko noi (天使の恋) (2009)

He possessed the unique ability to fall asleep in a sitting position

Ever wondered how Trainspotting would look like with Japanese schoolgirls looking for trouble?

Read my full review at Fridae, first published on 7 April 2010.

A Single Man (2009)

Tom Ford likes angora sweaters too

Can Tom Ford adapt a book by Christopher Isherwood without going overboard with visual excesses?

Read my full review at Fridae, first published on 31 March 2010.

Men who stare at goats (2009)

The fluffer turned up on time at the set

Love a shaggy dog story?

Love a good conspiracy theory?

1970s secret military experiments meet the war on terror. Psychic ninjas to the rescue!

Read my full review at Fridae, first published on 31 March 2010.

Fire of Conscience (火龙) (2010)

The mirror universe has a Leon Lai too

Has the recession finally forced Hong Kong directors to make better films?

Does Leon Lai's add on facial hair mean he's a better actor now?

Can Hong Kong make good cop shows that don't reference Infernal Affairs?

Read my full review at Fridae, first published on 31 March 2010.