Cinema Escapist
Explore and connect the world through a cinematic lens
The 10 Best Taiwanese Movies of 2019
BY Anthony Kao
Cinema Escapist reveals the top Taiwanese movies of 2019, across genres like romance, horror, action, crime, drama, sports, and more.
Review: “Ashfall” Is An Epic Disaster Film With Korean Flavor…And Tropes Galore
BY Anthony Kao
Starring Lee Byung-hun, Ha Jung-woo, Bae Suzy, and Ma Dong-seok, “Ashfall” (a.k.a. “Baekdusan”) combines big-budget Hollywood tropes with inter-Korean politics.
The 11 Best Korean Movies of 2019
BY Anthony Kao
Discover the top Korean movies of 2019, across genres like action, drama, comedy, romance, crime and more.
The 11 Best Japanese Movies of 2019
BY Anthony Kao
Cinema Escapist reveals the top Japanese movies of 2019, across genres like romance, anime, sci-fi, action, drama, and more.
Review: K-Drama “Crash Landing On You” Appeals To Both Romantics and Political Junkies
BY Anthony Kao
Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin headline the amusing and geopolitically relevant drama "Crash Landing On You,” showing on Netflix and tvN.
Review: “So Long, My Son” Offers Meditative Look At Two Chinese Families Over Three Decades
BY Anthony Kao
Through two families linked by friendship and tragedy, director Wang Xiaoshuai’s “So Long, My Son” offers a humanistic look at China in the wake of...
Review: Netflix’s “Triad Princess” Tells Familiar Yet Binge-able Tale of Gangsters, Celebrities, and Romance
BY Anthony Kao
Netflix's second fully original Taiwanese series "Triad Princess" brings cheesiness galore, but retains a certain charm.
Review: In Taiwanese Horror Movie “Detention,” Authoritarianism Is The Real Monster
BY Anthony Kao
Based off a popular video game, horror film “Detention” is an important milestone in coming to terms with Taiwan’s authoritarian past.
Review: “A Sun” Is A Meticulous Family Drama Worthy of Its Golden Horse Awards
BY Anthony Kao
Taiwanese director Chung Mong-hong's "A Sun" weaves an intricate and entertaining tale of family misfortune.
Revew: “Neko Cafe” Caters to Cat Lovers, With Bland Results
BY Anthony Kao
Slice-of-life Japanese movie “Neko Cafe” is a fur-gettable feline feature.