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James Marsh
Originally from England, James is a freelance film critic and journalist who has been based in Hong Kong since 2001. In addition to writing for the Post, he is resident film critic on RTHK Radio 3’s Morning Brew, and Asian Editor of ScreenAnarchy.com. He serves as a consultant for Fantastic Fest, and has a problematic addiction to physical media.
From a Thai tear-jerker to a Korean cross-dressing romcom and a hand-drawn Japanese anime, our pick of the best Asian films of the past year.
Other films being released from December 2024 to March 2025 include Paddington in Peru, Captain America: Brave New World and The Brutalist.
Hou Hsiao-hsien acolyte Huang Xi’s second feature is an absorbing, skilfully crafted family drama anchored by Chang’s nuanced performance.
Kenji Kamiyama directs this animated film set 200 years before LotR and starring the voices of Gaia Wise, Brian Cox and Luke Pasqualino.
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From takes on the Legend of the White Snake to baffling tales of half-snake girls and soft-core erotica, 10 movies for the Year of the Snake.
Despite interesting cultural observations in the first third, this comedy thriller is let down by poor writing and very stilted performances.
The controversial movie starring Sebastian Stan that chronicles Donald Trump’s rise to power was cut for its Hong Kong cinema release.
Yang is the stand-out star in this ambitious, heartfelt series that sends up police procedural TV shows and addresses racial stereotyping.
Kasumi Arimura and Kentaro Sakaguchi talk coffee, playing the piano and which of their body parts they would like to live on in someone else.
Starring Sutthirak ‘Gee’ Subvijitra and Maylada Susri (Bow), My Boo is best as an unabashed romance as much of the humour misses the mark.
From a film about the ‘real’ Kris Kringle to a Tim Burton-esque movie to Die Hard with Santa, 10 other times Christmas has been on the line.
Sung Kang is tame as a tycoon fighting Evans’ drug cop to get at his estranged wife and her son, in a film that has action but lacks panache.
Korea’s rampant misogyny and homophobia are highlighted in this intelligent romcom, boosted by a fine performance from Kim Go-eun.
‘GL’ fans will love watching lesbian stars Freen Sarocha Chankimha and Rebecca Patricia Armstrong, but Uranus 2324 offers little to others.
Jackie Chan stars as himself as he jets off to adopt a panda cub and has to fight off kidnappers in this terrible family film.
This year’s programme includes a drama ripped from Hong Kong headlines, a social satire in a near-future Japan and a modern romantic drama.
Korean star Gang Dong-won talks about practising his sword swing on the golf course, and how Netflix allows filmmakers more artistic freedom.
Nick Cheung plays an ex-soldier who takes on a drug cartel after his family die, in a ridiculous thriller whose action scenes can’t save it.
The film’s demeaning portrayal of the deaf community and a final reveal that is insulting in its sheer stupidity make this one to miss.
Song Joong-ki stars as an immigrant who becomes a Colombian crime lord in Korean movie Bogota: City of the Lost, a one-star waste of time.
The Taiwanese Netflix drama depicts the rivalries, rejections and heartbreak suffered by women in show business.
In Netflix Japanese drama, Kasumi Arimura plays the girlfriend of an organ donor and Kentaro Sakaguchi the recipient of his heart.
Big on sword-fighting, but lacking in narrative, Netflix historical movie follows two friends who end up on opposing sides in a rebellion.
Four lonely souls in Taipei engage in extreme sex in a search for meaning to their lives. They bare their bodies but not their souls.
Like Donald Trump as portrayed by Robert de Niro, Farrell’s New York mobster Oswald Cobb is a brilliant creation, backed up by a great cast.
Transformers One, featuring the voices of Scarlett Johansson and Chris Hemsworth, returns to the franchise’s animated roots in this prequel.
Kim Woo-bin plays a martial artist who finds some much-needed purpose in new Netflix action comedy Officer Black Belt, directed by Jason Kim.
Also featuring Karena Lam and Stephy Tang, Tales of Taipei doesn’t have much to do with that city nor its 10 component films with each other.
Blockbusters, sequels and prequels, from It Ends With Us to Wicked and sequels to Moana, Joker and Gladiator – here is a selection of the Hollywood films coming to cinemas near you this autumn.
Fujino (voiced by Yuumi Kawai) is a schoolgirl who has built a fan base for her comic strip and who becomes jealous of another girl (Mizuki Yoshida) who is also a popular artist. Then they team up.
