James Marsh

1 month ago | scmp.com | James Marsh

4/5 starsAfter breathing new life into some of Japanese cinema’s most beloved monsters in Shin Godzilla and Shin Ultraman, animator-turned-director Shinji Higuchi now turns his attention to the classic 1970s disaster thriller The Bullet Train. Part reboot, part sequel, Bullet Train Explosion revisits the nail-biting scenario of a high-speed train that will explode if its speed drops below 100 miles per hour (160km/h).

1 month ago | scmp.com | James Marsh

One of the most celebrated cinematic love stories of all time, Wong Kar-wai’s In the Mood for Love returns to Hong Kong cinemas this week in recognition of the film’s 25th anniversary. Presented in a brand new 4K restoration, this extended edition of the 2000 masterpiece boasts nine minutes of never-before-seen footage. It was previously screened in mainland China earlier this year to coincide with Valentine’s Day.

1 month ago | scmp.com | James Marsh

2/5 starsFirst dates can be murder. This is especially true for Violet (Meghann Fahy), the heroine of Christopher Landon’s latest high-concept thriller, Drop, who receives anonymous and increasingly threatening messages on her cellphone while on her first night out following the death of her husband. The evening comes to a head when she is ordered to murder her date, Henry (Brandon Sklenar), or risk her young son being killed instead.

1 month ago | scmp.com | James Marsh

3/5 starsA world-class Japanese chef returns to his former stamping ground in search of that ever elusive third Michelin star in Grand Maison Paris, director Ayuko Tsukahara’s big-screen spin-off of the hugely successful Japanese television series La Grande Maison Tokyo. Takuya Kimura and Kyoka Suzuki reprise their roles in this feature-length adventure shot entirely on location in the French capital.

1 month ago | scmp.com | James Marsh

Opening on April 10, the 49th Hong Kong International Film Festival is a 12-day cinematic showcase of award winners and crowd pleasers from across the globe. While there is a notable lack of new Hong Kong films debuting at this year’s edition, the exciting and eclectic line-up boasts nearly 200 films. These include more than 50 Asian premieres, a celebration of actor Louis Koo Tin-lok’s impact on the Hong Kong film industry as a producer, and a smorgasbord of restored international classics.