China

Daomu #1 Review

First described to me as “Indiana Jones meets Tomb Raider”, this does Daomu #1 a disservice. Yes, the plot revolves around a secret society of tomb robbers, so the comparison is understandable, but the preceding quote is more of a marketing tag for Image to hook potential readers. Opening the comic though, the text on the first page reveals an even deeper back story and world mythos than those Western franchises ever achieved. The digitally rendered art, by Ken Chou, is so distinctly 21st century and “not-American”, that this tag line will feel almost misleading after finishing the issue.

Toronto Reel Asian Film Festival Starts Today

The 14th annual Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival starts today and runs through November 15th. The festival is Canada’s premier pan-Asian film festival, showcasing the best in Asian and Asian-Canadian cinema. Reel Asian also hosts a number of industry panels, as well as events for film fans.

Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2010

The 14th annual Toronto Reel Asian Film Festival is Canada's premier pan-Asian international film festival, fostering the exchange of cultural and artistic ideals between east and west. It provides a public forum for homegrown Asian media artists and their work, and fuels the growing appreciation for Asian cinema in Canada.

TIFF 2010
The Butcher, the Chef
& the Swordsman

Director Wuershan’s feature debut, The Butcher, the Chef, and the Swordsman is pretty much the epitome of a Midnight Madness film. A combination of period film, slapstick comedy, food film, love story, martial arts film and revenge thriller, with objects, images, and a contemporary soundtrack constantly being thrown at the audience, this is a film that should not work, but somehow it does.

TIFF 2010
Detective Dee Review

In a strange alternative past set during China’s Tang Dynasty, a woman is about to ascend to the Emperor’s throne. She has ordered that a great Buddha statue be built in her likeness, and it must be ready for her coronation. But on a tour for a visiting dignitary, a high-ranking official mysteriously burns from the inside out. The soon-to-be-empress, Wu Zetian, tells her most trusted warrior, the beautiful lady Shangguan Jing’er, to bring back Detective Dee, who has been jailed by Wu for daring to oppose her, to solve the mystery.

Fantasia 2010 – Bodyguards and Assassins Review

I’ll admit it, I’m a sucker for epic historical films. Grand, sweeping narratives recalling some great event, or really any film where I get to stare at gorgeous sets and costumes. That’s pretty much the reason I went to see Bodyguards and Assassins. I thought, why not learn a little history while I watch some […]