Movie season's lesser gems

Christmas season often means a bonanza for movie-goers, and this year is no exception - from director Zhang Yimou's latest comedy A Simple Noodle Story to Hong Kong director Teddy Chan's action-drama Bodyguards and Assassins. Now that you've watched the mega-budget productions of big stars and special effects, take a break - and try a light-hearted comedy or a screaming horror flick.

Midnight Taxi (pictured), an aptly named and terrifying thriller, marks the debut of young mainland director Zhang Jiangnan. Adapted from an online novel of the same title, the movie tells the story of a Beijing-based taxi driver's encounter with a mysterious woman and the series of accidents that occur. Scriptwriter Zhang uses all the traditional horror elements, such as darkness, blood and sudden illusions, but also leaves a lot of room for the viewers' imagination. Viewers can find traces of Japanese horror movies, such as the classic The Ring.

The movie stars Hong Kong actor Jordan Chan and mainland actress Deng Ziyi in the lead roles. Chan, who is famous for playing the funny nobody in Hong Kong gangster movies, manages to draw the laughs even while acting scared, as when he realizes that his girlfriend has been dead for years. Newcomer Deng proves she can be more than a beautiful face. Midnight Taxi is the only horror movie of 2009. Despite some logical weaknesses in the script, the movie is still worth watching.