Asia Extreme
For the uninitiated, the most ground-breaking, unpredictable and inventive films are being made in the Far East. Alice opens Pandora's Box unleashing an astonishing world of cinema from Korea, Thailand, Hong Kong and Japan; introducing cinema-watchers to the stylish and often violent world of Miike Takashi, Hideo Nakata, Takeshi 'Beat' Kitano and the Pang Brothers amongst others. While films such as 'Battle Royale', 'Ring', 'The Eye', 'Dark Water' and 'Audition' continue to satisfy the ever increasing hunger for astounding cinematic style and outrageous shock moments, Alice is committed to the development of the most exciting and unique of all contemporary genres. Stay tuned...
Right: The hills are alive with the sound of screaming in Miike Takashi's 'The Happiness of the Katakuris'.
The Sword of Doom (1966)
8/10
Director: Kihachi Okamoto
Starring: Tatsuya Nakadai, Yuzo Kayama, Toshiro Mifune, Michiyo Aratama, Yoko Naito
A brutal, amoral samurai, Ryunosuke (played brilliantly by Tatsuya Nakadai) is scheduled to fight an exhibition match. His opponent's wife offers her... Read more
Iron Fisted Monk (1977)
Director: Sammo Hung
Starring: Sammo Hung, James Tien, Chan Sing, Fung Hak-on, Wu Ma
Sammo Hung's first directorial outing is a well-polished, innovative and highly entertaining kung-fu flick that was breaking new ground with its blend... Read more
Zatoichi 25: Zatoichi's Conspiracy (1973)
Director: Kimiyoshi Yasuda
Starring: Shintaro Katsu, Yukiyo Toake, Takashi Shimura
After a long absence, Zatoichi returns to his home village, expecting to be greeted as a hero, only to find few actually remember him. Ostensibly the... Read more
Re-Cycle (2006)
6.1/10
Director: Danny Pang, Oxide Pang
Starring: Angelica Lee, Lawrence Chou, Siu-Ming Lau
The Pang Brothers' spine-chiller about a writer on the hunt for some genuine supernatural experiences while researching her next novel is full of thei... Read more
Vulgaria (2012)
6.3/10
Director: Ho-Cheung Pang
Starring: Chapman To, Ronald Cheng, Dada Chan
To Wai-cheung (Chapman To), a long-time film producer, has yet to produce anything resembling a hit. Beset by financial troubles, he agrees to recreat... Read more
Smuggler (2011)
6.4/10
Director: Katsuhito Ishii
Starring: Masatoshi Nagase, Masanobu Ando, Satoshi Tsumabuki, Yasuko Matsuyuki, Hikari Mit...
Down on his luck actor Kinuta (Satoshi Tsumabuki) is gambling himself into debt when the mobster casino owners make an offer he can't refuse: become a... Read more
Tetsuo II: Body Hammer (1991)
6.4/10
Director: Shinya Tsukamoto
Starring: Tomoroh Taguchi, Nobu Kanaoka, Shinya Tsukamoto
More of a companion piece to "Tetsuo: The Iron Man" than a sequel, "Tetsuo II: Body Hammer" sees director Shinya Tsukamoto's disturbing vision of a wo... Read more
The Tiger Blade (2005)
4.5/10
Director: Theeratorn Siriphunvaraporn
Starring: Atsadawut Luengsuntorn, Phimonrat Phisarayabud, Pongpat Wachirabunjong
Thai policeman Yosthana finds his combat skills lacking when it comes to defeating a gang of Burmese rebels with supernatural powers at their command.... Read more
Muay Thai Chaiya Boxers (2007)
Director: Kongkiat Khomsiri
Starring: Akara Amarttayakul, Thawatchai Penpakdee, Saengthong Gate-Uthong, Prawit Kittich...
Friends since their boyhoods in the country, Piak and Phao travel to the big city lights of 1970s Bangkok to make their fortune at professional boxing... Read more
Shaolin Prince (1982)
7.1/10
Director: Chia Tang
Starring: Ti Lung, Derek Yee, Chan Kwok Kwan, Jason Pai Piao
AKA 'Iron Fingers of Death'. A traitorous Lord usurps the Emperor's throne and his young sons are sent into hiding. One learns the art of the sword... Read more