James Marsh
@marshy00.bsky.social
Film critic in Hong Kong: South China Morning Post / RTHK Radio 3 / Deadline / Deep Dive Movie Reviews / ScreenAnarchy / Fantastic Fest / Critics Choice / OFCS - also talking & writing for Arrow / Umbrella / Second Sight / Film Movement / Vinegar Syndrome
New movies out today in Hong Kong: FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY’S 2, DIE MY LOVE, GOOD BOY, ROAD TO VENDETTA, MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM IRON-BLOODED ORPHANS, UNDER CURRENT (06/12)
December 4, 2025 at 6:23 AM
New movies out today in Hong Kong: FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY’S 2, DIE MY LOVE, GOOD BOY, ROAD TO VENDETTA, MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM IRON-BLOODED ORPHANS, UNDER CURRENT (06/12)
SAVE THE GREEN PLANET: announced while I was on holiday, this absolutely stacked release of a seminal South Korean oddball masterpiece. Mad respect to @pierceconran.bsky.social and James Pearcey for all their efforts, and allowing me to contribute an essay. www.arrowfilms.com/p/save-the-g...
Save the Green Planet Limited Edition 4K UHD | Arrow Films
Shop Save the Green Planet Limited Edition 4K UHD at Arrow Films. Free UK Delivery
www.arrowfilms.com
December 4, 2025 at 4:08 AM
SAVE THE GREEN PLANET: announced while I was on holiday, this absolutely stacked release of a seminal South Korean oddball masterpiece. Mad respect to @pierceconran.bsky.social and James Pearcey for all their efforts, and allowing me to contribute an essay. www.arrowfilms.com/p/save-the-g...
As someone who grew up in the Anglican Church (I'm the son of a preacher man) but never really found my faith, it was the importance of community and storytelling that helped me recognise and appreciate why my Dad does what he does. Josh O'Connor's character here absolutely nails that perspective.
WAKE UP DEAD MAN is definitely the most Miss Marple-y of @rianjohnson.bsky.social's Benoit Blanc whodunnits, what with its small rural parish setting. The MAGA allegory was just subtle enough to float, and really appreciated how refreshingly faith and the Catholic Church was represented. More pls.
a man in a suit and tie stands in front of an altar with his arms outstretched
ALT: a man in a suit and tie stands in front of an altar with his arms outstretched
media.tenor.com
December 4, 2025 at 3:53 AM
As someone who grew up in the Anglican Church (I'm the son of a preacher man) but never really found my faith, it was the importance of community and storytelling that helped me recognise and appreciate why my Dad does what he does. Josh O'Connor's character here absolutely nails that perspective.
WAKE UP DEAD MAN is definitely the most Miss Marple-y of @rianjohnson.bsky.social's Benoit Blanc whodunnits, what with its small rural parish setting. The MAGA allegory was just subtle enough to float, and really appreciated how refreshingly faith and the Catholic Church was represented. More pls.
a man in a suit and tie stands in front of an altar with his arms outstretched
ALT: a man in a suit and tie stands in front of an altar with his arms outstretched
media.tenor.com
December 4, 2025 at 3:49 AM
WAKE UP DEAD MAN is definitely the most Miss Marple-y of @rianjohnson.bsky.social's Benoit Blanc whodunnits, what with its small rural parish setting. The MAGA allegory was just subtle enough to float, and really appreciated how refreshingly faith and the Catholic Church was represented. More pls.
Hong Kong has been reeling from an incomprehensible tragedy in recent days. I was given the daunting task of selecting 10 films that focus on communities enduring trauma and finding a modicum of catharsis. This was not an easy one. www.scmp.com/lifestyle/en...
Want to find solace in film? 10 movies that may offer catharsis and hope
Following last week’s tragic fire at a Tai Po estate in Hong Kong, we look at films in which humanity endures through the darkest of hours.
www.scmp.com
December 2, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Hong Kong has been reeling from an incomprehensible tragedy in recent days. I was given the daunting task of selecting 10 films that focus on communities enduring trauma and finding a modicum of catharsis. This was not an easy one. www.scmp.com/lifestyle/en...
MARTY SUPREME is fantastic. Essentially 50s-set UNCUT GEMS, with global ping pong aspirations replacing gambling and jewellery, but fuelled by the same heart-palpitating sense of desperation and unwavering self-belief. Somehow the 80s soundtrack completely works and Chalamet has never been better.
two people are playing ping pong in a dark arena
ALT: two people are playing ping pong in a dark arena
media.tenor.com
December 2, 2025 at 8:38 AM
MARTY SUPREME is fantastic. Essentially 50s-set UNCUT GEMS, with global ping pong aspirations replacing gambling and jewellery, but fuelled by the same heart-palpitating sense of desperation and unwavering self-belief. Somehow the 80s soundtrack completely works and Chalamet has never been better.
WICKED FOR GOOD: even more aggressively mediocre than the first film. Performances suffer this time out from the lack of strong musical numbers and all the pivotal action taking place off screen. Looks terrible and poor Michelle Yeoh just cannot sing. Grande still MVP.
a woman in a pink dress is wearing a tiara
ALT: a woman in a pink dress is wearing a tiara
media.tenor.com
December 2, 2025 at 4:52 AM
WICKED FOR GOOD: even more aggressively mediocre than the first film. Performances suffer this time out from the lack of strong musical numbers and all the pivotal action taking place off screen. Looks terrible and poor Michelle Yeoh just cannot sing. Grande still MVP.
Skipping town to enjoy some of that famous British sunshine
November 21, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Skipping town to enjoy some of that famous British sunshine
Slowly updating my website. Not a lot of original content there, but a convenient one-stop-shop to post links to all my reviews. There's still a lot to add, reformat, and plenty of broken links if you dig deep enough, but do take a look if you have a minute, and it's free of course. marshattacks.com
The James Marsh film review archive
All my reviews and features conveniently located in one place
marshattacks.com
November 21, 2025 at 3:06 AM
Slowly updating my website. Not a lot of original content there, but a convenient one-stop-shop to post links to all my reviews. There's still a lot to add, reformat, and plenty of broken links if you dig deep enough, but do take a look if you have a minute, and it's free of course. marshattacks.com
Compiling my Best Asian Films of 2025 list. What do i absolutely positively have to make sure I see before I lock this thing down?
November 19, 2025 at 5:31 AM
Compiling my Best Asian Films of 2025 list. What do i absolutely positively have to make sure I see before I lock this thing down?
Reposted by James Marsh
LEFT-HANDED GIRL: had the distinct pleasure of chatting with Tsou Shih-ching earlier this month - frequent Sean Baker producer turned solo director - about her fantastic new film, which opens in Hong Kong on Thursday: www.scmp.com/lifestyle/en...
Why it took Sean Baker’s producer 20 years to make her debut Left-Handed Girl
Tsou Shih-ching’s directorial debut, a heartfelt Taiwanese drama, was born from a moment of childhood guilt when her grandfather scolded her.
www.scmp.com
November 18, 2025 at 2:54 PM
LEFT-HANDED GIRL: had the distinct pleasure of chatting with Tsou Shih-ching earlier this month - frequent Sean Baker producer turned solo director - about her fantastic new film, which opens in Hong Kong on Thursday: www.scmp.com/lifestyle/en...
LEFT-HANDED GIRL: had the distinct pleasure of chatting with Tsou Shih-ching earlier this month - frequent Sean Baker producer turned solo director - about her fantastic new film, which opens in Hong Kong on Thursday: www.scmp.com/lifestyle/en...
Why it took Sean Baker’s producer 20 years to make her debut Left-Handed Girl
Tsou Shih-ching’s directorial debut, a heartfelt Taiwanese drama, was born from a moment of childhood guilt when her grandfather scolded her.
www.scmp.com
November 18, 2025 at 2:54 PM
LEFT-HANDED GIRL: had the distinct pleasure of chatting with Tsou Shih-ching earlier this month - frequent Sean Baker producer turned solo director - about her fantastic new film, which opens in Hong Kong on Thursday: www.scmp.com/lifestyle/en...
Reposted by James Marsh
Mind-boggling story here
The research shows overlap between whale calls and human language.
UC Berkeley leaps ahead in decoding whale talk with AI
The research shows overlap between whale calls and human language.
bit.ly
November 18, 2025 at 5:23 AM
Mind-boggling story here
THE APARTMENT: after a bit of a hiatus, @stevehackman1.bsky.social and I return to our Every Best Picture series, joined this episode by my longtime crony @pierceconran.bsky.social to discuss this seminal romantic comedy and all things Billy Wilder. Enjoy! youtu.be/8n0gvRblAD0?...
Every Best Picture - The Apartment (1960) - Academy Award Winners
YouTube video by Deep Dive Movie Reviews
youtu.be
November 15, 2025 at 6:16 AM
THE APARTMENT: after a bit of a hiatus, @stevehackman1.bsky.social and I return to our Every Best Picture series, joined this episode by my longtime crony @pierceconran.bsky.social to discuss this seminal romantic comedy and all things Billy Wilder. Enjoy! youtu.be/8n0gvRblAD0?...
New pickups from @criterion.bsky.social @arrowvideo.bsky.social
November 15, 2025 at 1:30 AM
New pickups from @criterion.bsky.social @arrowvideo.bsky.social
HAD I NOT SEEN THE SUN: Netflix's latest Taiwanese drama series may present as a serial killer mystery, but is really a romantic teen drama, packed with blackmail, extortion, drug abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault, bullying and just a hint of the supernatural. www.scmp.com/lifestyle/en...
Review | Had I Not Seen the Sun: Netflix’s ridiculous serial killer romance
In this Taiwanese Netflix romance, a serial killer is interviewed nine years after his crimes by a reporter who is plagued by nightmares.
www.scmp.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:00 AM
HAD I NOT SEEN THE SUN: Netflix's latest Taiwanese drama series may present as a serial killer mystery, but is really a romantic teen drama, packed with blackmail, extortion, drug abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault, bullying and just a hint of the supernatural. www.scmp.com/lifestyle/en...
AGAINST ALL ODDS: While smaller and scrappier than most recent Chinese war movies, Lau Ho-leung's Hong Kong-set WWII thriller punches well above its weight - and features Louise Wong with a skinhead and flamethrower! www.scmp.com/lifestyle/en...
Review | Against All Odds: Hong Kong-set WWII thriller punches above its weight
A downed US pilot’s rescue entwines with a plot to assassinate a Japanese official in a gripping, intimate WWII thriller set in Hong Kong.
www.scmp.com
November 13, 2025 at 7:36 AM
AGAINST ALL ODDS: While smaller and scrappier than most recent Chinese war movies, Lau Ho-leung's Hong Kong-set WWII thriller punches well above its weight - and features Louise Wong with a skinhead and flamethrower! www.scmp.com/lifestyle/en...
New movies out today in Hong Kong: THE RUNNING MAN, NOW YOU SEE ME: NOW YOU DON’T, AGAINST ALL ODDS, KOKUHO, THE FIRST RIDE
November 13, 2025 at 12:27 AM
New movies out today in Hong Kong: THE RUNNING MAN, NOW YOU SEE ME: NOW YOU DON’T, AGAINST ALL ODDS, KOKUHO, THE FIRST RIDE
KOKUHO: Anchored by an astonishing central performance from Ryo Yoshizawa and a fastidious devotion to the traditional art of kabuki theatre, Lee Sang-il’s sumptuous saga emerges as the finest Japanese film of the year. www.scmp.com/lifestyle/en...
Review | Kokuho: kabuki epic with Ryo Yoshizawa is the best Japanese film of the year
Kokuho is a lavish, bewitching story of two Japanese kabuki theatre actors, raised in the same family and competing to become the best.
www.scmp.com
November 12, 2025 at 8:36 AM
KOKUHO: Anchored by an astonishing central performance from Ryo Yoshizawa and a fastidious devotion to the traditional art of kabuki theatre, Lee Sang-il’s sumptuous saga emerges as the finest Japanese film of the year. www.scmp.com/lifestyle/en...
Reposted by James Marsh
R.I.P. Nakadai Tatsuya, one of the giant figures in history of Japanese cinema news.yahoo.co.jp/pickup/6558551
俳優・仲代達矢さん死去 92歳 - Yahoo!ニュース
映画「人間の条件」や黒沢明監督の「影武者」などに主演し、主宰する「無名塾」で後進を育てた俳優で文化勲章受章者の仲代達矢（なかだい・たつや、本名元久＝もとひさ）さんが死去したことが11日、分かった。9
news.yahoo.co.jp
November 11, 2025 at 2:42 AM
R.I.P. Nakadai Tatsuya, one of the giant figures in history of Japanese cinema news.yahoo.co.jp/pickup/6558551