Yet another serial killer drama, Knight Moves is perhaps a little too in love with its own ingenuity. Chess Grand Master Peter Sanderson (Christopher Lambert) finds himself, in the middle of a crucial tournament, challenged to a game whose rules he does not know, by a killer who will murder women until Sanderson stops him. The local police, headed by Sedman (Tom Skerrit), suspect this is actually a game Sanderson is playing with them; while Kathy, a woman profiler brought in on the case, finds herself falling in love with Sanderson but still suspecting him.

None of the performances are more than competent and Lambert's aloof neurotic is perhaps less likable than was intended. Director Carl Schenkel is too fond of odd camera angles and garish lighting, but the end result is a moderately successful detective story for those who are fond of puzzles.

On the DVD: Knight Moves is ungenerous with special features, providing a bare minimum of filmographies, photo gallery and trailer. It has a visual aspect ratio of 2.35:1 and Dolby Digital sound. --Roz Kaveney

Having based so much of his career on the films from the region, Jean Claude Van Damme heads to Hong Kong itself for his film Knock Off. Set in the 72 hours running up to the British handover to China (and released a mere year after the actual event), the film's action centres around the colony's thriving bootleg business, tied in with a rather convoluted plot concerning the CIA, Russian Mafia and an attempt to hold the United States to ransom through covert attacks. The opening section unwisely tries Van Damme's hand at knockabout humour with partner Rob Schneider but merely proves that the star is severely lacking the sort of humorous touch that Arnold Schwarzenegger has so successfully utilised. Once Knock Off descends into more familiar Van Damme territory, the film--and its leading man--are on surer ground. There are a good deal of spectacular fight sequences, some amazing stunts and a feisty female sparring partner in the form of Lela Rochen. Even the always-reliable Paul Sorvino pops up. Director Tsui Hark hits upon some interesting and initially invigorating visual effects but soon overdoes them, actually highlighting the lack of decent story rather than enhancing it. There is an incredible film to be made about this period in history but this isn't it. Knock Off is merely another undemanding, high-kicking, high-octane vehicle for Van Damme. --Phil Udell