The Man With The Iron Fists (18)

HH

Dir: RZA

With: RZA, Russell Crowe, Lucy Liu

Runtime: 95 minutes

AS bad movies go, The Man With The Iron Fists is one of the more enjoyable given its many intriguing elements.

The feature debut of its co-writer, director and star RZA (of Wu Tang Clan fame), the film is presented by Quentin Tarantino, co-penned by Eli Roth and features Russell Crowe among its ensemble.

But the ensuing homage to the wuxia Chinese martial arts movies and jidaigeki period Japanese films of the late Seventies and early Eighties plays out like a chaotic mess.

The plot finds an honest blacksmith (RZA) and a mysterious British hero (Crowe) caught in the crossfire between various warriors, assassins and prostitutes who are all in search of an emperor's gold. But while RZA throws everything at the screen, including flying body parts, he can't mask the movie's shortcomings, including his own wooden acting.

Cult status beckons, but not in a good way.

Reviewed by Rob Carnevale

It's A Wonderful Life (U) HHHHH

Dir: Frank Capra

With: James Stewart, Lionel Barrymore

Runtime: 130 minutes

CHRISTMAS in Glasgow simply would not be complete without leaving the GFT sobbing after seeing It's A Wonderful Life for the umpteenth time.

Nothing has changed – Bedford Falls still stands, as does the hapless bank worker George Bailey who unwisely wishes he had never been born. Capra's tale of loss, redemption, and valuing the simple things in life like love and friendship was nominated for five Oscars but didn't win one. Do we care? Listen out for bells ringing as you step, damp-eyed, back into the cold.

Glasgow Film Theatre, tomorrow-December 27; Edinburgh Filmhouse, December 16-24

Gremlins (12A)

HHHH

Dir: Joe Dante

With: Phoebe Cates, Zach Gilligan

Runtime: 101 minutes

APPEARING for one day only at Cineworld are those cute furry fellas who just love to snuggle – as long as you treat them right. If you don't -

Joe Dante's 1984 comedy, produced by Spielberg and written by Chris Columbus (Home Alone), shows three filmmakers having the time of their lives, and you will too as the town of Kingston Falls experiences a Christmas it will never forget.

To be taken as antidote if the sugar rush from It's a Wonderful Life proves too much.

Cineworld cinemas, December 11 only

Alex Cross (15)

H

Dir: Rob Cohen

With: Tyler Perry, Matthew Fox

Runtime: 101 minutes

JAMES Patterson's lively literary creation is given a leaden translation to the big screen. Tyler Perry plays the detective with an outstanding gift for reading human nature. When a determined serial killer begins to stalk the streets of Detroit, Cross is faced with his toughest case yet. The pacing is pedestrian and the acting strictly of afternoon TV movie quality. It's like the last 20 years of crime thrillers didn't happen.