James Marsh
Asian Editor;
Hong Kong, China
Originally from England, James has lived in Hong Kong since 2001. He is a programmer for Fantastic Fest, pretty nifty with a pair of chopsticks, yet harbours no aspirations to learn kung fu. When not attending film festivals, watching films, writing about films, or shopping online for Blurays, James is most likely out drinking somewhere, hogging the karaoke mic. Either that or he's asleep and snoring loudly, but that rarely happens. There are just too many films that remain unwatched and not enough hours in the day.
Watch a Clip from Shindo Kaneto's THE NAKED ISLAND
Japanese director Shindo Kaneto, who passed away last year aged 100, is probably best known for his fantastic horror films, Onibaba and Kuroneko, both of which are already in Eureka Entertainment's Masters of Cinema series. On 17 June they will be joined by...
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Full Disclosure: Twitch's List of Shame - May (Part 2)
Continued from hereRudy (dir. David Anspaugh, 1993 USA)Charles Webb, Contributing Writer:About halfway through the sports drama Rudy, at about the point where Sean Astin's would-be Notre Dame player Rudy Ruetigger starts reciting Ronald Reagan's "gipper" speech in full beneath an...
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Full Disclosure: Twitch's Lists of Shame - May (Part 1)
In our ongoing quest to conquer the various indomitable beasts of World Cinema that have until now evaded us, Team Twitch has finally laid claim to works from venerable cinematic masters who span both the globe and most of the...
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Learning from the Masters of Cinema: Henri-Georges Clouzot's THE MURDERER LIVES AT 21
While Henri-Georges Clouzot is best remembered for many of his later films, including The Wages of Fear and Diabolique, the French filmmaker's 1942 debut has gone largely unseen by Western audiences until now. The Murderer Lives at 21 (L'Assassin Habite...
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Li Bingbing Joins TRANSFORMERS 4
Mainland actress Li Bingbing has been announced as the first Chinese star to join Michael Bay's Transformers 4, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The co-production between Paramount Pictures, Jiaflix Enterprises and China Movie Channel is planning to feature a number of...
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China Beat: What did China See in IRON MAN 3?
Much has already been written, both on these pages and many others, about the landmark Hollywood-China co-production that is Marvel and DMG Entertainment's Iron Man 3. The film, directed by Shane Black, is the third solo outing for Robert Downey...
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Is Christopher Nolan in Talks to Direct BOND 24?
After Sam Mendes ruled himself out of directing a second James Bond film after the phenomenal success of last year's Skyfall, speculation has been rife about who will take on the super spy franchise for its 24th official outing. Christopher...
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5th Terracotta Far East Film Festival Brings the Best Asian Cinema to London
Tickets are now on sale for the 5th Terracotta Far East Film Festival, which yet again proves to be an excellent showcase of the best new films from around Asia. Taking place at the Prince Charles Cinema and ICA in...
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Eureka Acquires COMPUTER CHESS for Masters of Cinema
Eureka Entertainment has announced its acquisition of Computer Chess, the award-winning new comedy from Andrew Bujalski (Beeswax, Funny Ha Ha). The distributor will oversee a UK & Eire theatrical run of the film later this year, following a "major UK...
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Time To Get Wasted! First Trailer for Edgar Wright's THE WORLD'S END Lands!
The first teaser trailer for The World's End, the third and final entry in Edgar Wright's "Cornetto Trilogy" has just landed, and it manages to hit all the right beats. Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Martin Freeman, Paddy Considine and Eddie...
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Review: ABDUCTEE Sees Yamaguchi Thinking Outside the Box
Japanese director Yamaguchi Yudai shows signs of creative growth and maturity in this taut, well-directed chamber piece that takes place entirely within the confines of a shipping container. When middle-aged security guard Chiba awakes to find himself bound and gagged...
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Jackie Chan Needs a Partner for Action Comedy SKIPTRACE
Following the baffling success of CZ12 (aka Chinese Zodiac) at the Chinese box office, Hong Kong action star Jackie Chan has clearly found the confidence to take on Hollywood once again. His new project, Skiptrace, is being touted as a...
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Learning from the Masters of Cinema: Kawashima Yuzo's BAKUMATSU TAIYO-DEN (THE SUN IN THE LAST DAYS OF THE SHOGUNATE)
When highly respected Japanese film magazine, Kinema Junpo, published its list of the Best Japanese Films of the 20th Century back in 1999, it featured many undisputed classics from the likes of Kurosawa Akira, Mizoguchi Kenji, Naruse Mikio and Ozu...
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First Look at Harrison Ford Sci-Fi Flick ENDER'S GAME
The first footage has arrived online for Gavin Hood's upcoming science-fiction thriller, Ender's Game. Based on the popular novel by Orson Scott Card, it tells the story of a gifted young lad who is recruited into a hi-tech military academy...
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Full Disclosure: Twitch's Lists of Shame - April (Part 2)
Continued from hereOn the Waterfront (dir. Elia Kazan, 1954 USA)Winner of 8 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor and Best Screenplay, winner of 4 Golden Globes, including Best Picture - Drama and Best Actor - DramaJ Hurtado,...
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Full Disclosure: Twitch's Lists of Shame - April (Part 1)
We carry on apace with this epic undertaking - finally each tackling a classic from our individual Lists of Shame, and sharing our thoughts with you the readers. This month sees the work of such cinematic luminaries as Ozu, Bergman...
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DJANGO UNCHAINED Finally Cleared for China Release
Quentin Tarantino's epic western Django Unchained will finally be released in mainland China on 12 May, according to a statement issued yesterday by the film's distributors, Sony."There is tremendous excitement, anticipation and awareness for the film and we thank the...
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Review: TAI CHI HERO Shifts Up A Gear ... Eventually
Stephen Fung's post-modern martial arts odyssey continues, replacing some of the goofiness of Tai Chi Zero with a more complex plot, while struggling to deliver a knockout punch. Tai Chi Hero follows on immediately from its predecessor, with "freak" Yang...
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Review: IRON MAN 3 Has Wit But Lacks Brains
Shane Black adds humour and verve to Marvel's most successful screen superhero, ensuring Iron Man 3 sees Tony Stark more acerbic and witty than ever. But while Robert Downey Jr. brings the laughs and Black supplies the thrills, the film...
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Udine 2013 Review: THE WAY WE DANCE Finds the Right Beat
The latest offering from local indie director Adam Wong strives to be Hong Kong's answer to the Step Up dance flicks, and for largely transcends its budgetary limitations to deliver a toe-tapping, unashamedly feel-good romp. High-school graduate Fleur (Cherry Ngan) lives...
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