I had to give up on Asian cinema other than Japanese and Anime. It just doesnt work for me. Especially Korean.
I think (most) martial arts are very cool. But i don't like the way they are depicted in films.
I agree with the sentiment; I often think that the extreme cultural differences between the West and East makes it difficult to comprehend that cinema completely. People love it but, unfortunately, I've never been a huge fan of it.
I agree with the sentiment; I often think that the extreme cultural differences between the West and East makes it difficult to comprehend that cinema completely. People love it but, unfortunately, I've never been a huge fan of it.
I got your back, Squid
If we're talking about extremely violent, kinetic, colorful films, I can understand. But there are a great number of small, intimate absorbing films too. The films of Ozu, Koreeda & Mizoguchi all come to mind.
If we're talking about extremely violent, kinetic, colorful films, I can understand. But there are a great number of small, intimate absorbing films too. The films of Ozu, Koreeda & Mizoguchi all come to mind.
In fact, kinetic, colourful films would be much more palatable to me in that sense; it's then less about recognising cultural signifiers and more about just enjoying one of the universal methods of entertainment. It's the intimate projects, the ones that are made for Eastern audiences and therefore require some knowledge of the ideologies in that place, that I find are much more distanced for me.
Ah I tend to look at older films by how influential they are and within there time periods as apposed to nowadays expectations.
Considering the soundtrack and some of the edits, you'll find a lot to note. However, I've only seen it once, so I'm not sure if it will hold up even for me.
I had to give up on Asian cinema other than Japanese and Anime. It just doesnt work for me. Especially Korean.
I think (most) martial arts are very cool. But i don't like the way they are depicted in films.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Abdrewes
If we're talking about extremely violent, kinetic, colorful films, I can understand. But there are a great number of small, intimate absorbing films too. The films of Ozu, Koreeda & Mizoguchi all come to mind.
Quote:
Originally Posted by legendarymatt92
In fact, kinetic, colourful films would be much more palatable to me in that sense; it's then less about recognising cultural signifiers and more about just enjoying one of the universal methods of entertainment. It's the intimate projects, the ones that are made for Eastern audiences and therefore require some knowledge of the ideologies in that place, that I find are much more distanced for me.
lol, I definitely condone the colorful and ultraviolent ones. That's why crazy ones like Dead Sushi and Tokyo Gore Police made the list.
Karate-Robo Zaborgar would be a good choice for people who don't like blood.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Foggy
Actually picked up Rashomon today (on DVD).
It'll be interesting to see your thoughts on it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Foggy
Couldn't find one in the store, but the DVD was very very cheap. Also got Cache and The Graduate.
I blind-bought The Graduate and watched it once. Thought it was good.
It was actually playing at the cinema across the street here. I just didn't think I liked the movie that much to see it on the big screen. However, I might run down there to see Alien on the big screen next Wednesday.
It was actually playing at the cinema across the street here. I just didn't think I liked the movie that much to see it on the big screen. However, I might run down there to see Alien on the big screen next Wednesday.
Beware of the Cinemark Classic series. The films are not projected at 4K resolution so they look no better than the bluray you own. That said, the seats in the XD Theaters (I'm not sure if your Cinemark is XD or not) are very nice as is the 70 ft. Screen.
Beware of the Cinemark Classic series. The films are not projected at 4K resolution so they look no better than the bluray you own. That said, the seats in the XD Theaters (I'm not sure if your Cinemark is XD or not) are very nice as is the 70 ft. Screen.
Thanks for the heads-up. I'll have to see how I feel that day.
The seats are nice. Not sure if they're XD, but I'm liking them a lot better than the Odeon ones (no offense to the Odeon, but my bum keeps falling asleep there ).
If nothing else, everybody will remember this film for bringing Tony Jaa into the spotlight. Ong Bak is a simple story, but it’s the perfect platform to showcase the man pulling off impressive parkour and Muay Thai moves to beat the snot out of oodles of bad guys. The fights and stunts are amazing here, and that’s enough to entice most martial arts fans.
Entertainment: Good | Story: Good | Film: Good | Resonance: High
-------------------- 59:
[Show spoiler]Howl’s Moving Castle (Hauru no Ugoku Shiro)
Japan
This magical anime feature includes some cool action, but most of its charm will be in watching a young girl turn into an old woman, and adapt to living in a strange walking castle. The comedy is whimsical, the magic is palpable, and the visuals are pretty. As endearing as this film is, it has good replay value.
Entertainment: Very Good | Story: Pretty Good | Film: Good | Resonance: High
-------------------- 58:
[Show spoiler]Executioners from Shaolin (Hong Xi Guan)
China
Despite being dated, cheap, and silly, this film does totally rock. It has an interesting story, but it’s a real hoot to see Pei Mai (the same Pei Mai as seen in the Kill Bill movies) beating the snot out of people and chucking them down the temple stairs. Fighting is pretty frequent, training scenes are cool, and the overall concept is pretty fun to watch (even if it is laughable).
Entertainment: Very Good | Story: Good | Film: Average | Resonance: Very High
-------------------- 57:
[Show spoiler]Escaflowne: The Movie
Japan
The anime series Vision of Escaflowne is a darn good work of high fantasy, with fully-developed characters and a good story arc set in a well-built environment. The film version is heavily condensed, lacking in the quality characterizations and refinement, but it still does its best to shove in as much as it can. It’s still an entertaining saga, with plenty of action, and with some very striking artwork.
Entertainment: Very Good | Story: Pretty Good | Film: Good | Resonance: High
-------------------- 56:
[Show spoiler]Death Note Part I and Part II (Desu Nôto)
Japan
Death Note is a popular series that’s hit the manga, anime, and film markets. They all tell a similar story, but the first two films back-to-back provide a decent rendition of this saga. It cuts through a lot of the crud to get to the point, showcasing the characters and their conflicts in an episodic manner. It’s a very unique concept with its own unique rules and nuances. Overall, the film versions are faithful and well-done; the anime version may be the longer and fuller experience, but these films can help you get the gist of the thing faster.
Entertainment: Good | Story: Good | Film: Good | Resonance: High
-------------------- 55:
[Show spoiler]Lupin III: Castle of Cagilostro (Rapan Sansei: Kariosutoro no Shiro)
Japan
What an adventure. I’m not even a fan of Lupin III (this is the only thing I’ve seen of the franchise), but being a fan is clearly not a requisite. It’s easy and fun to follow Lupin on his madcap adventure, which ultimately leads to a majestic, charming, and action-packed adventure. It has all the right elements I could ask for, and it should be appealing for all audiences.
Entertainment: Good | Story: Good | Film: Good | Resonance: High
-------------------- 54:
[Show spoiler]Gantz and Gantz II: Perfect Answer
Japan
If you’ve read the manga or seen the anime, you know that Gantz is one of the weirdest and most psychotic franchises out there. In 2010 and 2011, two films for Gantz were released, to be watched back-to-back for a singular experience. The first film plays out pretty closely to the manga/anime, albeit a little compressed, but with all the same peril and mysteries. The second film provides more thrills, plus a closing that’s far less ambiguous than the anime. Together, the two films form a saga that’s intriguing, exciting, and really slick.
Entertainment: Good | Story: Good | Film: Good | Resonance: High
-------------------- 53:
[Show spoiler]The Thieves (Dodookdeul)
South Korea
This film has just about everything I could want in a heist film. It’s got big action, it’s got impressive stuntwork, it’s got interesting infiltration scenes, it has comedy, and it has some heart to it. Characters are really fun and endearing. It’s a fun flick overall, and should be essential viewing for fans of the genre.
Entertainment: Good | Story: Good | Film: Good | Resonance: High
-------------------- 52:
[Show spoiler]Ponyo (Gake no ue no Ponyo)
Japan
This might be the cutest movie I’ve ever seen! As yet another film from Hayao Miyazaki, Ponyo has a lot of charm and heart. It’s really endearing to watch the title character bonding with a human boy, interacting with human things, with the fantastic backdrops of the seaside as the setting. What it lacks in conflict, it makes up for in humor and childlike imagination.
Entertainment: Good | Story: Good | Film: Very Good | Resonance: High
I don’t even know if this film is well-known at all, but if nothing else, it stars the ever-awesome Sonny Chiba, and he plays it as cool as ever in this action-packed flick. This movie gets so intense, he even punches a guy’s eyeballs clean out of their sockets! Fighting is frequent and bloody, but there’s also a lot of playful comedy and banter to this. With some really rough and gritty filming, this picture comes off as a type of exploitation-era martial arts flick, and it’s really fun that way.
Entertainment: Very Good | Story: Good | Film: Good | Resonance: High
-------------------- 50:
[Show spoiler]Appleseed: Ex Machina (Ekusu Makina)
Japan
Appleseed first came out in the 80s, as a short and exciting piece of grungy sci-fi. Then the 2003 film came out, using a really funky style of CGI animation that gave everything a cell-animated look. It was a fun enough film, but a little weird. In 2007, this film was released as a sequel, and I felt it was a grade better than the films before it. It still has the core cast of good characters, and a decent story. It’s also one cool film with really cool visuals and action.
Entertainment: Very Good | Story: Good | Film: Good | Resonance: High
-------------------- 49:
[Show spoiler]Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (Boksuneun Naui Geot)
South Korea
Despite being a little slow and brooding, this is a visually striking, emotionally-poignant, and delicately-composed piece of superb crime fiction. Most of the characters are vulnerable to some level; some are even mentally retarded, throwing some interesting new dynamics into the story. It has its moments of brutal vengeance, as the film’s title promises, but overall it’s best seen for its incredible story and incredible tone and atmosphere.
Entertainment: Good | Story: Good | Film: Very Good | Resonance: High
-------------------- 48:
[Show spoiler]Steamboy (Suchîmubôi)
Japan
Sounds silly, I know, but Steamboy proved to be even more awesome than I initially imagined possible. Coming from Katsuhiro Otomo, the man behind Akira, Steamboy has its fair share of mass carnage, with steam-powered ships, tanks, and planes running amok and wreaking havoc. The cast is filled with likable characters, and the animation quality is top-notch. As unique and entertaining as this film is, I see little reason to not recommend it.
Entertainment: Very Good | Story: Good | Film: Good | Resonance: High
-------------------- 47:
[Show spoiler]Man From Nowhere (Ajeossi)
South Korea
Pretty much the same story as Man on Fire, only without Tony Scott’s crazy style; between the two, I prefer this film best. It still has its heart in the right place, for it is touching to see the title character’s bond with a girl who winds up getting kidnapped. Some cool fighting ensues; not much, but enough to make the film satisfying. The film has action, heart, and style, and overall, it’s a decent watch.
Entertainment: Good | Story: Very Good | Film: Very Good | Resonance: Pretty High
-------------------- 46:
[Show spoiler]Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children
Japan
This movie follows after one of the most revered video games of all time: Final Fantasy VII. If you’re a fan, chances are that you’ll really love seeing your favorite characters in your favorite settings brought to life with vivid, high-impact CGI animation. Even if you’re not a fan, or if you’re like me and never played the game, the film is still wildly entertaining, with phenomenal motorcycle chases, massive swordfights, and high-flying epic duels in mid-air, all sucking up the last hour or so of the film. It can be a little hard to keep track of who’s who and what’s what, but established fans probably understand it more. If you watch the Complete Edition on Blu-Ray, with 20 extra minutes, you can also understand a little more of the story, and it is generally sound.
Entertainment: Very Good | Story: Good | Film: Good | Resonance: High
-------------------- 45:
[Show spoiler]Golgo 13: The Kowloon Assignment (Golgo 13: Kûron no Kubi)
Japan
Who else could play the cool, suave assassin Golgo 13 in a live action film than Sonny Chiba? The man struts his stuff and kicks plenty of butt in this film. At the same time, the film maintains a certain grittiness and sleaze, without sacrificing any excitement. It’s a bit like a Japanese Dirt Harry or something, and it sure is cool that way.
Entertainment: Very Good | Story: Good | Film: Good | Resonance: High
-------------------- 44:
[Show spoiler]Ip Man 2: Legend of the Grandmaster (Yip Man 2)
China
You’ve certainly heard of Bruce Lee, but who was it that originally trained the martial arts legend? Ip Man is the man, and before taking on Bruce Lee as an apprentice, he led an epic life. In the first autobiographical film, the title character struggled against adversity during the Japanese invasion of WWII. In this follow-up, the Ip Man’s struggles continue, first in challenging the corruption around him, and then in challenging a foreign boxer threatening the dignity and culture of his homeland. What follows is a bit like watching a Rocky movie, but it sure is gripping. With quality martial arts choreography and quality storytelling, it is a darn good sequel.
Entertainment: Very Good | Story: Good | Film: Good | Resonance: High
-------------------- 43:
[Show spoiler]Shinobi: Heart Under Blade
Japan
This film brings two clans of rivaling shinobi together, each with unique powers, and all kinds of mayhem ensues. There are plenty of brilliant fight scenes scattered around this picture, and with an imaginative visual style, the film succeeds at entertaining. However, it’s also a romance story at its core, and much like Romeo and Juliet, it’s made all the more tragic as the lovers are placed on separate sides of the ninja war. As cool as the film is, it also has heart.
Entertainment: Very Good | Story: Good | Film: Good
-------------------- 42:
[Show spoiler]Good, the Bad, and the Weird (Joheunnom Nabbeunnom Isanghannom)
South Korea
That’s right, this is a western set in the Far East. Does that make this an “eastern,” I wonder? It’s pretty much the same general story as The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly, in the sense that there are three dudes looking for treasure somewhere. However, set in turn-of-the-century Manchuria, this film pits horsemen against guys in jeeps with rifles. There’s explosive action, lots of stunts and fights, and it’s pretty much non-stop throughout. With a rip-roaring soundtrack and loads of style, this might go down as the funnest western I’ve ever seen.
Entertainment: Very Good | Story: Good | Film: Good | Resonance: High
-------------------- 41:
[Show spoiler]House of Flying Daggers (Si Mian Mai Fu)
China
This is actually one of my standard go-to films when it comes to historical wuxia-style flicks. HoFD has a superbly elegant and graceful style, with fantastic color schemes, smooth and flowing camera work, and delicately-nuanced fight scenes. It is as beautiful of a film as it is exciting. It also has a decent story, with good heartfelt characters at its core. I almost wish I could rank it higher, but there is one other film by Yimou Zhang that I prefer over this one…
Entertainment: Good | Story: Good | Film: Good | Resonance: Very High
Thanks for the heads-up. I'll have to see how I feel that day.
The seats are nice. Not sure if they're XD, but I'm liking them a lot better than the Odeon ones (no offense to the Odeon, but my bum keeps falling asleep there ).
So are audiences more considerate in the Stares or UK? Kermode makes it sound like UK audiences are complete savages.
So are audiences more considerate in the Stares or UK? Kermode makes it sound like UK audiences are complete savages.
Time to read your 40-59...
Well, I haven't been to a big showing in the States yet. All the movies I've seen so far have had only a few people attending.
Still, it seems like Americans talk more in the movies. With the few audience members I've had, I could hear them talking now and then, even though they tried to keep it on the down-low. Brits seemed way more polite, imo.
Thankfully, in both the US and UK, I've never been bothered by cellphones, texters, or hecklers.
The biggest factor I notice is that the audiences I see in the US are younger than those in the UK. The UK probably has its share of hooligans, but I rarely saw them.
Interesting. I'm rarely disturbed by audiences. Maybe it's just that the films I really get excited for are "art-house" films, so the audience is usually pretty old and thus quiet. I quite frankly couldn't care less if people talk or text during Iron Man 3, for example.
Including Ong bak on your list kind of baffled me. The style of that film has really dated (the replays), other than that though its a really fun action film.
Interesting. I'm rarely disturbed by audiences. Maybe it's just that the films I really get excited for are "art-house" films, so the audience is usually pretty old and thus quiet. I quite frankly couldn't care less if people talk or text during Iron Man 3, for example.
Yeah, people don't bother me much either. Even if they do chat a little.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Abdrewes
Including Ong bak on your list kind of baffled me. The style of that film has really dated (the replays), other than that though its a really fun action film.
The bolded phrase right there would explain why it made the list. There's one other film with Tony Jaa I like better. From director Prachya Pinkaew, there's actually two films I rank even higher than Ong Bak.
Yeah, people don't bother me much either. Even if they do chat a little.
The bolded phrase right there would explain why it made the list. There's one other film with Tony Jaa I like better. From director Prachya Pinkaew, there's actually two films I rank even higher than Ong Bak.
Heard it was good.
I'll be curious to hear which two you Tony Jaa films liked more. I've only seen him in Ong Bak, and he's a hell of a physical specimen.
Mud is pretty good. It's not as great as Take Shelter (Jeff Nichols' last film) but if you stick with the languid pace, it pays off. It's a pretty wise and simple coming of age story with terrific performances and a distinct atmosphere
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