Richard Yu

Richard Yu Cinema Escapist Nov 12, 2021 Donnie Yen's latest film is heavy on action but begs the question of whether the HK cop drama genre is overdone and in need of a refresh. Go to Full Review Raging Fire (2021) 90% 100%

Richard Yu Cinema Escapist Dec 29, 2020 Between action-packed rescues, acrobatic stunts, and scenes where civilians laud the bravery and heroism of China's Coast Guard, The Rescue at least makes for good propaganda, even if it's lacking in dramatic complexity. Go to Full Review The Rescue (2020) 90% 90%

Richard Yu Cinema Escapist Dec 24, 2020 The Old Town Girls will not leave you fulfilled or satisfied, but the essence of a good neo-noir film is not a "feel-good" experience. Films like these are meant to be dark and depressing, and The Old Town Girls delivers on that promise. Go to Full Review The Old Town Girls (2020) 83% - -

Richard Yu Cinema Escapist Sep 27, 2020 76 Days excels at putting the toll of the pandemic into human terms. Most people only saw the pandemic in terms of daily case counts, however, behind every statistic is a human face. Go to Full Review 76 Days (2020) 100% 84%

Richard Yu Cinema Escapist Sep 7, 2020 "Overall, the film is still worth a watch if you're interested in Chinese history and politics. If the political message doesn't interest you, at least The Eight Hundred has decent special effects amidst explosions and gun battles." Go to Full Review The Eight Hundred (2020) 89% 79%

Richard Yu Cinema Escapist Aug 10, 2020 My Prince Edward is a well produced showcase of some of the struggles that young women in Hong Kong...grapple with as they break out from the conservative mindsets of their parents' generation to forge their own independent paths in life. Go to Full Review My Prince Edward (2019) 100% 86%

Richard Yu Cinema Escapist Feb 20, 2020 The Closet is a softer introduction to horror. There's no jump-scares or blood and guts...instead, the film focuses on Sang-won's personal journey in becoming a better dad for Ina. Go to Full Review The Closet (2020) 89% 59%

Richard Yu Cinema Escapist Dec 30, 2019 The film's heavenly portrayal of cuisine is better than any aperitif to prepare you for dinner Go to Full Review This Is Not What I Expected (2017) 78% 87%

Richard Yu Cinema Escapist Dec 20, 2019 Ip Man 4 captures the zeitgeist of the "yellow peril" that's swept across a contemporary America threatened by the economic and geopolitical rise of the People's Republic of China. Go to Full Review Ip Man 4: The Finale (2019) 85% 95%

Richard Yu Cinema Escapist Dec 14, 2019 I'm Livin' It constantly reminds us of the value of emotional wealth over material wealth. Go to Full Review I'm Livin' It (2019) - - - -

Richard Yu Cinema Escapist Dec 8, 2019 While Hollywood continues to highlight the glittering side of Singapore, local films like Wet Season will provide a valuable outlet for the less joyful moments of life Go to Full Review Wet Season (2019) 82% 56%

Richard Yu Cinema Escapist Dec 7, 2019 Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains demonstrates deep roots in Chinese culture...besides being set in a literal shan shui environment, the film also assumes the essence of a shan shui painting Go to Full Review Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains (2019) 100% - -

Richard Yu Cinema Escapist Nov 11, 2019 While taking an emotional toll, the all-too-realistic bullying scenes also make the film more realistic and empathetic for audience members. Go to Full Review Better Days (2019) 97% 97%

Richard Yu Cinema Escapist Nov 4, 2019 The Shadow Play is not a movie that you kick back and watch on Netflix at the end of a long day; it's a film that requires involvement and thought on the part of the viewer. Go to Full Review The Shadow Play (2018) 20% 20%

Richard Yu Cinema Escapist Oct 11, 2019 While on the surface Jangsari is "just another war movie,'' it's important because it recognizes that adolescents can rise to the task when their families and futures are threatened. Go to Full Review The Battle of Jangsari (2019) 38% 79%

Richard Yu Cinema Escapist Oct 1, 2019 The Climbers had the potential to be a gripping drama-thriller and project China's soft power while doing so, but instead the overt focus on fighting for national pride makes the film a flop. Go to Full Review The Climbers (2019) 33% 80%

Richard Yu Cinema Escapist Sep 21, 2019 Between the entertaining characters and rollercoaster plot, Tazza: The One Eyed Jack is more than entertaining as crime thriller that will keep you thinking and engaged throughout Go to Full Review Tazza: One Eyed Jack (2019) - - 75%

Richard Yu Cinema Escapist Sep 21, 2019 By missing out on character development and eschewing presentations of Shanghainese dishes, Midnight Diner fails to entertain both drama-philes and foodies. Go to Full Review Midnight Diner (2019) - - - -

Richard Yu Cinema Escapist Sep 16, 2019 Even though Fagara doesn't overtly promote "One China," it ultimately reinforces the message that the components of the Greater Chinese community share a lot of similarities rather than differences. Go to Full Review Fagara (2019) 100% 71%

Richard Yu Cinema Escapist Sep 15, 2019 While Shanghai Fortress is not likely to win any awards, it's adequate if you're looking for brainless entertainment Go to Full Review Shanghai Fortress (2019) - - 24%