YESASIA: YumCha! - Asian Entertainment: Editor's Picks, Articles, Professional Reviews, News

Neco-Ban Cats In Your Life (Blu-ray) (2D + 3D) (English Subtitled) (Hong Kong Version)
Lily (Actor) | Ibu Masato (Actor) | Ken Arima (Director)

Kittens in 3D
December 14, 2011 Picked By Sanwei See all this editor's picks
This movie has kittens in 3D: Need I say more? Neco-Ban Cats In Your Life is a short and quiet story about a grumpy old man, his sleepy granddaughter, and the many, many cats that show up in their country home. Ibu Masato frowns away as a proud, retired man with a bad back and a chip on his shoulder about his wife and daughter leaving him at home. He barely speaks out loud, but through narrative voiceover we hear his obsession with time, his grievances with being bored and alone, his concern for appearances, and his crabby curiosity about all the cats running amuck in the house. Through a small, ridiculous turn of events, he ends up stranded on his roof with no way down. The myriad helpless... [read more]
East Meets West (2011) (Blu-ray) (Hong Kong Version)
Ekin Cheng (Actor) | Eason Chan (Actor) | Mini Yang Mi (Actor) | William So (Actor)

The smartest dumb movie of 2011
January 31, 2012 Picked By Rockman See all this editor's picks
Jeff Lau doesn't make smart movies, but he's one of the smartest comedy directors working today. Those who can see beyond the endless barrage of lowbrow gags in his films will actually see genuine thought and consideration going into how he tells his stories. This applies especially to East Meets West, easily Lau's best film since Chinese Odyssey 2002. It's true that East Meets West is not a film for everyone, especially those not used to Lau's frenetic storytelling and comedic style. For those not sure whether East Meets West is for them, use the first 20 minutes as a litmus test. If you can handle Lau's manic pacing, nonsensical pop culture-specific humor (Kenny Bee playing Kenny Bee?!),... [read more]
Night Ghost (EP)
Evita Wong (Singer)

Deliciously wicked
February 9, 2012 Picked By Rockman See all this editor's picks
In Hong Kong, most radio DJs are actually more qualified to become musicians than many of the pop singers they interview because of their extensive knowledge of music. However, many DJ-turned-singers (like Softhard, I Love You Boyz, and even the band Wildchild) have focused more on the comedic aspect of their music, while more traditional vocalists like Chris Wong and Barry Yip failed to break through. Now comes Evita Wong, also known as Ekee. Previously a co-host of a show for young girls on Hong Kong's most popular youth-oriented station, Ekee took on a darker image in recent years, hosting her own nightly alternative rock show before moving to a late-night slot with Wrong Channel.... [read more]
City Hunter (2011) (DVD) (7-Disc) (English Subtitled) (End) (SBS TV Drama) (First Press Limited Edition) (Korea Version)
Park Min Young (Actor) | Lee Min Ho (Actor) | Kim Sang Joong (Actor, Actor) | Cheon Ho Jin (Actor)

Another City Hunter
December 7, 2011 Picked By Sanwei See all this editor's picks
To make things clear right off the bat, the 2011 Korean drama City Hunter is based on the manga by Hojo Tsukasa, but it is not about a lecherous private detective with an underground agency. There is a crime-busting vigilante who signs off as "City Hunter", but his character does not have any obvious connection with the manga hero - although audiences may form conjectures of their own. For those expecting a City Hunter adaptation, the drama's departure from the manga will confound if not disappoint initially. Don't let it stop you from watching. Once you get past the fact that it's not the manga storyline but a different beast, the Korean take on City Hunter easily pulls you in with exciting... [read more]
In Time With You (DVD) (End) (Taiwan Version)
Ariel Lin (Actor) | Wilson Chen (Actor) | King Shih Chieh | Jerry Huang

Love or Friendship?
January 31, 2012 Picked By Sanwei See all this editor's picks
Last year, a little movie called You are the Apple of My Eye turned into Taiwan's collective rose-tinted memory of first love, high school friendship, and coming of age in all its misgivings and blessings. On the small screen, a little drama called In Time with You also took audiences down a heartaching road of love and friendship, then and now, through the story of two longtime friends who are one step away from something more. Of course, In Time with You isn't a record-breaking phenomenon like Apple, but like Apple, the drama's characters started appearing in pop culture usage as representative of that universal someone. If Apple's Shen Chia Yi is the one you let get away, then In Time... [read more]
BEAST - 1st Concert Welcome To BEAST Airline (3DVD + Photobook) (Korea Version)
BEAST

BEAST takes flight with 1st Concert
January 30, 2012 Picked By Sanwei See all this editor's picks
The BEAST members look more like little boys playing dress up than pilots in the intro reel for their Welcome to BEAST Airline concert held on December 12, 2010, but it's all business once the show takes flight. The concert opens with the explosive dance hit Special, a personal favorite of mine because of its raspy rock vocal touches. BEAST has such a great repertoire of dance singles - Soom, Bad Girl, Mystery, Shock, Beautiful - the energy level pretty much stays sky high throughout the concert. What I find particularly special about BEAST among the many K-pop boy bands though is actually their equally strong repertoire of side tracks and slow numbers, which don't get plugged and performed... [read more]

Feature Articles

YesAsia 2011 Bestsellers - Movies
Written By YumCha! Editorial Team

Chinese period movies, in particular action epics, is the genre of choice among YesAsia's best-selling movies of 2011. Hong Kong period action films take up a good half of the top ten ranking, and superstars Andy Lau and Donnie Yen headline the top four spots with two movies each. Korean action also made a strong showing, with Kim Jee Woon being the only director to appear twice in the top ten. BEST-SELLING MOVIES OF 2011 1. Shaolin (Hong Kong/China) One of the highest-grossing Chinese films of 2011, Benny Chan's martial arts epic also captivated action fans around the world with its mix of explosive action scenes, splendid martial arts choreography, and deep spirituality. 2. Wu Xia (Hong... [read more]

Review Highlights

Entertainment News

Flying Swords and Bullets lead Hong Kong Film Award Nominations

The Lady Iron Chef (DVD) (Hong Kong Version)

The Hong Kong Film Awards Association announced the nominees for their 31st edition on February 8, 2012. Leading the pack are 3D wuxia epic Flying Swords of Dragon Gate and Chinese blockbuster Let the Bullets Fly, each with 13 nominations. Both films - directed by... [Read More]