Back from New York Asian Film Fest :D

Film Reviews and Release Comparisons
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ReconFive
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Back from New York Asian Film Fest :D

Post by ReconFive »

Just got back, and had an awesome time! :D

Here are reviews of some of the screenings.

Kekexili (China, 2004) - 4/5
Excellent film that tells the true story of volunteers protecting Tibetan antelope against poachers out of their own free will. The film has a very realistic feel throughout, and almost feels half documentary at times. I found it to be very sad, especially the final act, which plays out very different then you would expect. Highly recommended.

Hana & Alice (Japan, 2004) - 4/5
By far the best Japanese school girls film ever. I enjoyed this much more then I expected. Wonderful story of friendship, with just the right amount of humor. Deffinetly worth seeing.

Someone Special (Korea, 2004) - 4.5/5
This was an outstanding romance drama/comedy, one of the best i've seen in quite a while. Perfect amounts of humor, which is very funny. I laughed out loud several times. And a touching story, even if alittle unbelievable. Very Very highly recommended!

R-Point - 4/5
Have had this one on dvd from a while now, but it was awesome to watch on the big screen :D

One Night in Mongkok (HK, 2004) - 2.5/5
I didn't really get too much out of this film. Pretty decent story and production value, but it just seemed to drag on for too long. Maybe i'll have to give it another chance sometime, but i was pretty underwhelmed this time.


Kamikaze Girls (Japan, 2004) - 3.5/5
This was a pretty entertaining romp of a movie. I do admit that i'm not usually a big fan of films like this, but i tried to go into it with an open mind and give it a fair chance. Some of the humor was very funny, but some wasn't, and at times the whole thing just seemed too obnocsious for its own good. Nonetheless, I did enjoy it very much. It will probably be much better on the next viewing.


Crying Fist - 4.5/5
Outstanding film!! At first you expect it to just be an average boxing film with nothing special about it, but it goes in a completly different direction, and turns out to be a much more. The ending is hands down one of the best i've seen in recent years. Simply loved it.

This was the international premier of the film and director Ryoo Seung-wan was there to answer questions. This was VERY different from his previous recent film Arahan (which i also loved), and proves him as a very talented and diverse filmmaker.
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BiscLimpkit
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Post by BiscLimpkit »

Ah sweet. Some great titles there. Hopefully I can check out some of the newer ones on DVD or at the upcoming EIFF.
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Mordib
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Post by Mordib »

heh, thanks for the report, I don't mind admitting i'm staggeringly jealous that you were able to go! :)

especially happy to read your analysis of 'crying fist' and 'kamikaze girls', both of which are on my long term list, your opinions on both are very similar to the other opinions Ive been given on them.

m.
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bradavon
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Post by bradavon »

What countries do R-Point and Crying Fist come from?

Any surprise films to watch out for? i.e - Hidden Gems.
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BiscLimpkit
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Post by BiscLimpkit »

Brad, the films you mention are South Korean.
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romerojpg
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Post by romerojpg »

R Point is very good, scared me quite a bit, as its just one hell of a spooky film and quite disturbing at times when you think back about it. :)

Crying Fist I have on order, canot wait to see it.. :shock:
didnt know he directed Arahan! a good film, but mildly wasted. Did you see the guy then>?
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bradavon
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Post by bradavon »

Guys?

Any films not from HK, Mainland China, Korea or Japan? Bar Mainland China those 3 are the only ones ever to get publicity.
ReconFive
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Post by ReconFive »

Yeah R-Point rocks!
Probably my 2nd favorite recent horror film from Asia, the 1st being Shutter :)

Yep, Ryoo was at the screening and did an intro and a Q&A after the movie.

Brad...there may have been a few hidden gems out of the ones I didn't get to see. I was also in NY to visit my friend who just arrived from Japan, so i unfortunetly missed some of the sceenings :cry:
Including:
-A Taste of Tea (Japan)
-Godzilla: Final Wars (Japan)
-Josee, The Tiger, and the Fish (Japan)
-Mind Game (Japan) [Animation]
-Marathon (Korea)
-P (Thailand)

All of these i really wanted to see and have heard they are very good.
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Post by romerojpg »

Really other countries aint making great films I guess it is Asian only films and they are the big hitters still. Its not as if potiticio is a place where they make stunning films :D
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bradavon
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Post by bradavon »

Where's that out of interest?

It is an Asian film festival so really I was asking about other Asian countries films such as Thailand or India. For an Asian film festival I'm surprised India was ignored or wasn't it?

p.s - Funny I never knew the Oscars, Golden Bear, Sawadee, Baftas etc . . . solely featured Asians films :wink:
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grim_tales
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Post by grim_tales »

The Sawadee do as its' a Thai festival ;)
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bradavon
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Post by bradavon »

grim_tales wrote:The Sawadee do as its' a Thai festival ;)
No shit Sherlock :D

I could be mistaken but I don't think it's solely Asian films.
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Post by romerojpg »

I dont think other countries are making anything worth seeing, thats why theres only a few countries films in the Asian festival :)
ReconFive
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Post by ReconFive »

There was one film from India playing called "My Brother Nikhil", which I was unable to see. From what i have read, it seems like a pretty good film, but i cannot say for sure.

Overall, I do have to agree that Korea, Japan, and HK make most of the good stuff in Asian cinema.
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Post by romerojpg »

Thing is thailand seemed to get its foot in the door with Ong Bak, and they havent really followed it up well yet :( it only takes 1 film to get an unknown cinea on the worlds film market, they had better hurry up and follow Ong Bak up :)
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Post by Lourdes »

In America "Asian" typcially refers to East Asia. Whereas here we typcially use it to refer to Western and Central Asia.

Romero:
Last Life in the Universe
Beautiful Boxer
February
Monrak Transistor
Mysterious Object at Noon
Nang Nak
Shutter
The Siam Renaissance
Tropical Malady
Born to Fight
6ixtynin9
Bangrajan

The countries with low output of internationally acclaimed titles are Vietnam, Singapore and Malaysia.
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