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Shao Lin San Shi Liu Fang [Shaolin Master Killer] (1978) --> If you are interested in the older martial arts film coming out of China, you are in for a treat with this Chia-Liang Liu directed masterpiece. Chia-Liang Liu is still directing today, his latest at the writing of this review is Qi jian [Seven Swords] (2005), but Shaolin Master Killer or 36th Chamber of Shaolin as it is also called is his best film (at least that is available in North America). The film stars Chia Hui Liu (San Te) as a Confucian philosophy student, who witnesses the murders of his classmates and teacher by invading Qing (Manchu) forces. San Te escapes to the Shaolin Temple to learn the martial arts in order exact revenge on the murderers. The film shows it's greatness during San Te's five year training period (others may take longer or never finish). He is tested in each of the 36 chambers and through the trials he becomes a master in the art of kung-fu. Taking his skills and knowledge back to his village, he conquers his enemies and frees the town.


Full Spectrum Staff

The Constant Gardener (2005) --> Directed by Brazilian Fernando Meirelles, who amazed the world with the film City of God back in 2002, leaves South America behind and brings us to Africa to tell a story of corporate greed and murder all wrapped around a love story. Adapted from a novel by John le Carre, The Constant Gardener stars Ralph Fiennes as diplomat Justin Quayle who searches for answers in his wife's murder only to be threatened and bullied by corporate and political interests protecting a tuberculosis treatment that is revealed to be dangerous for the people who are receiving it. Quayle finds out the drug company is using poor Africans as guinea pigs forcing them to take an experimental drug for tuberculosis in order to receive free treatment for AIDS. His wife knew and was killed for it. When he receives no help from his government also his guilt for not paying more attention to his wife's life overwhelms him and he lets himself be murdered also.


Full Spectrum Staff

Lo Squartatore di New York [The New York Ripper] (1982) --> Lucio Fulci decided to move into slasher territory with this film. Famous for the gore and violence of his films, Fulci doesn't let his fans down even if The New York Ripper can't be considered one of his greatest films. The story is straight forward chronicling a police lieutenant's (Jack Hedley) hunt for a serial killer who rapes, murders and slices up his victims. Fulci adds some humourous elements giving the ripper a voice like a cartoon duck, and gives us enough twists in the story to leave us guessing on the identity of the killer, but this film's only real attraction is its brutality.


Full Spectrum Staff

Memoirs of a Geisha (2005) --> Based on the bestselling novel of the same name by Arthur Golden, this Rob Marshall (Chicago (2002)) film describes the life of a Geisha house during WWII Japan. Focusing on one girl (it is her story that is told), Sayuri (played by Ziyi Zhang) who is sold by her father into the life, the film documents her journey from childhood to the height of the Geisha world until the invasion by the Americans destroys Japanese life. At heart, Memoirs of a Geisha is a love story. Sayuri meets the Chairman (played by Ken Watanabe) as a child and realizes her wish to marry him by film's end. Beautifully filmed with detailed attention played to costume and custom, Memoirs of a Geisha is one of the best dramas of 2005.


Full Spectrum Staff

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