We are all used to our samurai flicks being full of adolescent-cool bloody slash action (think Zatoichi) or brooding masterpieces Akira Kurosawa (Ran) style. However, Japanese film-maker veteran Yoji Yamada (The Hidden Blade) breaks the mould with his latest offering which is a subtle tale about love, obligation and duty in Edo Japan.Shinnojo Mimura (Takuya Kimura, 2046) is a humble, low-ranked samurai leading a happy, albeit mundane, life as a poison taster to the lord of his clan.

Danny and Oxide Pang (The Eye), shame on you! We all knew it was only a matter of time before your innovative and intelligent take on the horror genre put you guys on Hollywood’s radar, but did you really have to debut with the tired rehash of horror clichés that is The Messengers?

It’s probably to be expected if your knowledge of New Zealand film does not extend beyond The Lord of the Rings trilogy. And although Sione’s Wedding is not quite the seminal film that will change that view and put New Zealand cinema on the map, it nonetheless churns out reliable gags and laugh-worthy jokes.