Highly Recommended
The Looming Storm (2017) (Chinese Thriller/Drama) – Set in 1997, a security guard from a steel factory desperately chases a serial killer in a small city in Southern China. Acting is top notch across the board. Even the relationship between our protagonist and a local hairdresser has some really good moments. Some fantastic imagery involving a grungy steel factory, with large decrepit-looking structures and steel everywhere. When films use this much of a grey color scheme, they usually feel monotonous, but this one contributes some vivid grey visuals. Tons of hard rainfall too. A few good chase sequences to enjoy, one of which is a lengthy one in and around the steel plant. The electronic/industrial score is excellent and very moody. A no nonsense flick with a surprising emotional resonance.
Recommended
Let Me Out (2012) (Korean Drama/Comedy) – After openly criticizing an Indie filmmaker in his class, a film student is challenged to make a film of his own. On the set of his zombie film, melodrama quickly bleeds out of the script and into the shoot. The special effects are underwhelming, the star is a total diva, and the cast and crew are one step away from mutiny. The entire movie is basically focused on the difficulties of film production and the importance of teamwork and collaboration to that process. Lots of logistical problems are shown, from dealing with cast and crew to securing film locations. Interesting stuff, although the on-set spats get a bit repetitive.
The Black Death (2015) (Thai Horror) – Set in 1565, this film begins with a battle, but things quickly turn macabre when the dead soldiers turn to zombies. A nearby village then becomes the target of these monsters. When the zombies eventually invade the village in mass, you will be rooting for some characters to live and other characters to die, which makes it a fun watching experience. There are two bad-asses here; a swordsman dude and a woman blacksmith who uses two big mallets to beat the zombies’ heads in. Pacing is a bit slow at the start, but a good chunk of the middle section consists of a zombie outbreak. This does get bloody and violent, which is a good thing. The ending is a cliffhanger, which could annoy some viewers.
Meatball Machine: Kodoku (2017) (Japanese Cyberpunk Horror) – Yoshihiro Nishimura directs the second film in this franchise. While dealing with a mid-life crisis, a middle age man and his really cute girlfriend (who is less than half his age) attempt to survive when aliens invade the planet and begin to destroy human life. The lead actor (Yoji Tanaka) is a guy who has had a ton of supporting roles in his career, so it’s nice to see him in the lead for once. This gets perverted even before the aliens show up. And once they do show up, it becomes immediately offensive in its style of violence, which is excessively graphic and bloody. It showcases freaky body-horror imagery that combines machinery and human flesh. Creative and demented stuff, but it does get a bit tiresome at times.
Vampire Cleanup Department (2017) (Chinese Comedy/Horror/Romance/Action) – A young man crosses paths with the Vampire Cleanup Department – a special division of the Hong Kong government that was founded to deal with vampire activity. He joins the department as an intern, but meets and falls in love with a cute lady vampire who appears harmless. This as a call-back to old school vampire flicks from the 80s and 90s in Hong Kong. However, this one is slower paced and focuses more on the interaction between our protagonist and the lady vampire (which is cute and endearing). Horror content is the old school spooky variety instead of visceral violence or scares. The final fight with the vampire dude is good, but nothing exceptional. Overall, a charming movie with a surprisingly enjoyable romantic comedy element. Don’t go into this expecting much action.
Not Recommended
Fullmetal Alchemist: The Movie (2017) (Japanese Fantasy Action/Drama) – Two alchemist brothers go on a quest for the Philosopher’s Stone after an attempt to revive their dead mother goes horribly wrong. Near the beginning, there’s a fun, lengthy battle of wizardry that is creative in how it incorporates stone. But like many Japanese “blockbusters”, the pacing drags badly because there’s not enough action and the story is dreadfully boring. Costumes look rather dumb, but the locations near the beginning are great. Special effects are mostly good, with some great stuff here and there (the armored dude looks very real, and I like the humanoid monsters). But it feels like this film blew its budget within the opening 10 minutes.
Bottom of the Barrel
Make Me Shudder (2013) (Thai Horror/Comedy) – A group of student want to challenge themselves by entering the most haunted building of their school, which is forbidden. The protagonists prove to be completely insufferable within the opening 10 minutes. The humor is pure garbage, and is supplemented with dozens upon dozens of loud jump scares. I kid you not, this could have the world record for most jump scares in a single film. There are a few atmospheric sets and locations, but they are completely wasted by having these obnoxious characters scream and act hysterically every single minute of the film. How could any human being find this movie funny? It’s just a bunch of terribly acted douchebag characters screaming at the top of their lungs for two hours. There were apparently two sequels to this piece of crap.
I am not in denial!!!!!!!! 
I still love them. How can you fault a woman in love??? 
Uh-oh, my Korean ship is fast sinking. I think I need zelena to paddle with me.
