Asian Cinema - 2007 to date! What have i missed?

[diceman]

Are you guys bashing one out, over who can type the longest post?

This shouldn't be too hard to beat; let's see . . . :mrgreen:

- Yo-Yo Girl Cop (Japan)

I'll watch this after I've seen Sukeban Deka II & III and rewatched the first film and watched the second film for the first time

The second SD-Movie hasn't got Yoko Minamino, but a couple of the most awesome Yo-Yo action-scenes this series can offer. The movie Kenta has made, however, should feel better, if they'd made a series out of it.

- Hula Girl (Japan)

May try some day. And maybe Waterboys, too. Or maybe not.

"Waterboys" I own the Korean DVD, which has gone OOP in the meantime. Haven't watched it yet, though. Another great Shinobu Yaguchi-movie is "Swing Girls".

- Memories of Matsuko (Japan)

...

I'm almost positive that you're gonna hate it. :mrgreen:

- The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya (Japan)

If I had time to watch TV shows (other than Sukeban Deka...)

I don't watch a lot of Anime-series, but this one actually succeeded to bring out the Otaku in me a few times.

- Mad Detective (Hong-Kong)

This is quite good, but To has made better films (Throwdown, Sparrow etc).

"Throwdown" is brilliant, "Sparrow" I've yet to see. Or don't. I don't care too much about Johnnie To, I'm catching his movies more by chance.

- Dai-Nipponjin (Japan)

This is kind of brilliant, although seem to have given it "only" a 3. But that equal's to most people's 4.

And one of those few movies, where bad CGI has actually a purpose (which will become pretty obvious in the end).

- The Rebel (Vietnam)

i don nou...

You should check it out sometimes (but avoid if you happen to be French AND a patriot). Dragon Dynasty has got release on their hands.

- Sukiyaki Western Django (Japan)
Sadly all western releases only feature the international cut and the Japanese DVD doesn't have subtitles. Sure, they're all speaking english, but understanding it can prove to be a real challenge.

That's why God game man understanding, and someone invented ears.

Hmm, you're probably right. I should be rewatching it with the Audio turned on. Didn't know such a thing existed in the first place.

- The Machine Girl (Japan)

I have the (delayed) R2J - with Hajirai Machine Girl - on order, altgough I'm prepared for a disappointment. But I had to catch the LE dvd and I'm happy I did, it went "out of print" two months before its release.

The more you've paid for it, the bigger your disappointment will be. :mrgreen: Although I admit of being more than a little jealous of that "Hajirai Machine Girl Bonus feature).

- Tokyo Gore Police (Japan)
Don't believe Hung Fist. It's awesome. :mrgreen:

:x

Seriously, "TGP" is a ride from start to finish. And definetely more than your average Horror-Trash; I even dare calling it the first Avantgardistic Splatter Flick ever.

- CJ7 (Hong-Kong)

I'll watch it if it the dvd falls from heaven and lands in front of me witout killing me or cutting my eye.

Liked it even better than Kung-Fu Hustle. The story is a bit predictable, though.

- An Empress and the Warriors (Hong-Kong)

HK's made too many period pics recently.

Yes, they did. But they all tried too much, like being historical accurate, exceptionally epic, having multi-layered characters and so on. "An Empress and the Warriors" is just a very fine and oldschool adventure flick; pleasantly short, good action, colourful scenery, some sappy romance and it's over before it starts to be annoying.

- The Chaser

This I wanna buy. Some day.

It's actually way more mainstream than most reviewers tend to make it look like, but since the acting is always believable and the suspense and emotional moments remain tangible throughout, it seems to be bigger than it actually is. Not a masterpiece, just a really great thriller. I just wished, that the ending had the intensity of some of the twists that came before.

- Chocolate (Thailand)
If you love Muay Thai, watch this girl kicking the crap out of multiple adversaries. And the story actually works (kind of).

I don't know about the story but I don't want to touch Tony Jaa but I want to hug her and that's what matters. The ending was a riot, on both sides of the sceeen (at a festival at least)

I could've watched it in a theater as well, but my car broke down right before departure, which sucked.

- Negative Happy Chainsaw Edge (Japan)
The most awesome romantic chainsaw film with some terrific fight scenes

I believe you. Still waiting for a subtitled (US, maybe?) release.

- 5 Centimeters per Second: A Chain of Short Stories About Their Distance (Japan)
Shinkai perfection

Perfect, indeed. And maybe the only perfect movie Shinkai has done so far. "The Place promised in our early days" was a bit of a mess and not half as good animated than such an apocalyptic story deserved. "Voices of a distant Star" I've yet to see, though, but I've heard pretty mixed opinions.

- The Sky Crawlers (Japan)
It's not a Ghost in the Shell (although occasionally the terrific soundtrack is) but it's still pure Oshii.

I heard otherwise, but again, I believe you. Movies with great soundtracks (especially if they're done by Kenji Kawai) have it quite easy with me.

- Tokyo Sonata (Japan)
I knew Kurosawa could do a great film if he dropped the ghosts.

I probably will never get myself around to watching this (too many other movies on my list), but I sort of liked "Kairo". Creeped me out a little.

- Evangelion 1.0: You Are (Not) Alone
Me like but haven't seen the TV

Have the TV-Series here, which I will be watching sometimes this year, I guess.

- Tennen kokekko (Japan)
Yamashita isn't what he used to be but this is still a great film.

Since I heard you raving about it, it's now on my immediate To-Buy List as well.

- Spider Lilies (Taiwan)
This is actually a pretty dumb girl romance film but I like it a bit.

I just found it pretentious and annoying. Movies about lesbians shouldn't be made by women in the first place, they don't know what us guys really like to see, ahem, did I say that out loud? :mrgreen:

- Like a Dragon (Japan)
A good video game adaptation? Yes. A good film? Yes. Summer night in Tokyo has never looked this good before.

Looks good, yeah, still sort of rocks, but the second time on DVD those apparent plot-holes started to bother me a little. Miike should have made a more independent movie, instead of taking knowledge of the Game's story for granted.

- Sparrow (Hong Kong)
One of To's best.

Maybe I'll watch that someday. Per chance. Won't seek it out, though.

Za yakiniku mubi: Purukogi (Japan)
- Not that great but Riki Takeuchi is crazy and Yu Yamada's pants are great too

Now you made me curious . . .

- Heavenly Forest (Japan)
Cliché ridden sentimental platonic romance in which Aoi Miyazaki is cuter than almost anyone, anywhere, ever.

Nah, she's way cuter in "Nana". Sort of liked "Heavenly Forest", but some choices of the main character annoyed the heck out me.

- Flash Point (Hong Kong)
Wilson Yip seems like a one time wonder (SPL). But this an ok film.

Ditto. Louis Koo's girlfriend in this movie is one heck of a beauty.

- Big Bang Love – Juvenile A (Japan)
It's not as horrible as people say. The structure is just completely wrong, you need to know how the films end before you can enjoy it.

I'm indifferent.

Kantoku banzai (Japan)
- If you've a got a bit of Tom in you, you may like it. And it's got Anne.

I may have missed your joke about Tom and Anne. Haven't seen it yet, though.

- Shamo (Hong Kong)
Good film (Love Battlefield) followed by terrific films (Dog Bite Dog) followed by duh (Shamo). What happened?

I love the intensity of "Dog bite Dog", but I don't find much ambition in myself to watch this one as well.

- OneChanbara (Japan)
It looks good. In stills.

I don't (want to) believe you. I'll check it out myself later that evening.

- Ashes of Time: Redux (Hong Kong)
Wong goes Lucas. Stick with one of the older cuts.

Haven't watched the Recut (for obvious reasons), but the older cut is great.

- Vexille (Japan)
How bad can a movie be?

Crap movie. Looks like 90 minutes of a sterilized computer-game cut-sequence. Has got a lot of action, though, but absolutely no intensity.

- Appleseed: Ex Machina (Japan)
This benefitted from Vexille being made. But there's still no reason to waste your time.

Again here's me not wanting to believe you.

[HungFist]

You win

[diceman]

You know, I could've watched half of "Chanbara Beauty" in the meantime, but instead I chose to win in some obscure posting game (which hasn't even been officially anounced) on some even more obscure movie-board. Damn . . .

[HungFist]

So what could I have done with my time...

- Yo-Yo Girl Cop (Japan)

I'll watch this after I've seen Sukeban Deka II & III and rewatched the first film and watched the second film for the first time

The second SD-Movie hasn't got Yoko Minamino, but a couple of the most awesome Yo-Yo action-scenes this series can offer. The movie Kenta has made, however, should feel better, if they'd made a series out of it.

Reminded me of this great quote:

"Let's see...a director who can't direct, an idol who can't act, and I don't think Ichiro Nitta is doing the soundtrack."
- Muldoon / advdg

- Hula Girl (Japan)

May try some day. And maybe Waterboys, too. Or maybe not.

"Waterboys" I own the Korean DVD, which has gone OOP in the meantime. Haven't watched it yet, though. Another great Shinobu Yaguchi-movie is "Swing Girls".

There's a new film coming from him - Happy Flight - which is why I got slighty interested in checking his older work.

- Memories of Matsuko (Japan)

...

I'm almost positive that you're gonna hate it. :mrgreen:

Well, I liked parts of Shimotsuma monogatari, so who knows.

- The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya (Japan)

If I had time to watch TV shows (other than Sukeban Deka...)

I don't watch a lot of Anime-series, but this one actually succeeded to bring out the Otaku in me a few times.

Don't be embarrased about your inner otaku. I also greatly enjoy the series "Girls Bravo" (season 1, season 2 R1 is for sale for anyone interested)

- Mad Detective (Hong-Kong)

This is quite good, but To has made better films (Throwdown, Sparrow etc).

"Throwdown" is brilliant, "Sparrow" I've yet to see. Or don't. I don't care too much about Johnnie To, I'm catching his movies more by chance.

It's easy to catch his films by chance because he's working like Miike. And like Miike, he's not the greatest director imaginable but still one of the best working today cause there aren't so many great/original directors working in HK and JP today.

Do watch Running Out of Time if you haven't already

- Dai-Nipponjin (Japan)

This is kind of brilliant, although seem to have given it "only" a 3. But that equal's to most people's 4.

And one of those few movies, where bad CGI has actually a purpose (which will become pretty obvious in the end).

The ending is simply brilliant. And I love the fake documentary style and dry humour that preceeds it.

- The Rebel (Vietnam)

i don nou...

You should check it out sometimes (but avoid if you happen to be French AND a patriot). Dragon Dynasty has got release on their hands.

You should know DD aren't that popular around here...

- Sukiyaki Western Django (Japan)
Sadly all western releases only feature the international cut and the Japanese DVD doesn't have subtitles. Sure, they're all speaking english, but understanding it can prove to be a real challenge.

That's why God game man understanding, and someone invented ears.

Hmm, you're probably right. I should be rewatching it with the Audio turned on. Didn't know such a thing existed in the first place.

It's really cool with audio. There's even a new version of the Django theme song :mrgreen:

- The Machine Girl (Japan)

I have the (delayed) R2J - with Hajirai Machine Girl - on order, altgough I'm prepared for a disappointment. But I had to catch the LE dvd and I'm happy I did, it went "out of print" two months before its release.

The more you've paid for it, the bigger your disappointment will be. :mrgreen: Although I admit of being more than a little jealous of that "Hajirai Machine Girl Bonus feature).

Be jealous, sucker

- Tokyo Gore Police (Japan)
Don't believe Hung Fist. It's awesome. :mrgreen:

:x

Seriously, "TGP" is a ride from start to finish. And definetely more than your average Horror-Trash; I even dare calling it the first Avantgardistic Splatter Flick ever.

it was like splatter by that ADHD director who did Matsuko and Shimotsuma...

- CJ7 (Hong-Kong)

I'll watch it if it the dvd falls from heaven and lands in front of me witout killing me or cutting my eye.

Liked it even better than Kung-Fu Hustle. The story is a bit predictable, though.

Stephen Chow may get get into trouble with child pornography soon. It turned out the film he's watching in From Beijing With Love is a Traci Lords film. And she was apparently underage in that.

- An Empress and the Warriors (Hong-Kong)

HK's made too many period pics recently.

Yes, they did. But they all tried too much, like being historical accurate, exceptionally epic, having multi-layered characters and so on. "An Empress and the Warriors" is just a very fine and oldschool adventure flick; pleasantly short, good action, colourful scenery, some sappy romance and it's over before it starts to be annoying.

Perhaps I'll give it a chance then. I always though these period films were too serious. I'm looking forward to Red Cliff, though.

- The Chaser

This I wanna buy. Some day.

It's actually way more mainstream than most reviewers tend to make it look like, but since the acting is always believable and the suspense and emotional moments remain tangible throughout, it seems to be bigger than it actually is. Not a masterpiece, just a really great thriller. I just wished, that the ending had the intensity of some of the twists that came before.

Most people call it great, but some call it just average and plain predictable. The big boss of Third Window Films actually turned it down. He's the same guy who didn't want to waste money on TGP.

- Chocolate (Thailand)
If you love Muay Thai, watch this girl kicking the crap out of multiple adversaries. And the story actually works (kind of).

I don't know about the story but I don't want to touch Tony Jaa but I want to hug her and that's what matters. The ending was a riot, on both sides of the sceeen (at a festival at least)

I could've watched it in a theater as well, but my car broke down right before departure, which sucked.

Ah, that's a shame. It was great in theatre where in the beginning the audience was pretty quiet, later they started getting more exited, and during the final stunts everybody was just cheering and applauding.

In one of the screenings there was even extra exitement when some guy who was running from the police decided the hide in the theatre, and the film had to be paused for a moment when the police raid the place.

- Negative Happy Chainsaw Edge (Japan)
The most awesome romantic chainsaw film with some terrific fight scenes

I believe you. Still waiting for a subtitled (US, maybe?) release.

Forget about the Americans. The film is actually very easy to follow and there's plenty of easy dialogue too.

- 5 Centimeters per Second: A Chain of Short Stories About Their Distance (Japan)
Shinkai perfection

Perfect, indeed. And maybe the only perfect movie Shinkai has done so far. "The Place promised in our early days" was a bit of a mess and not half as good animated than such an apocalyptic story deserved. "Voices of a distant Star" I've yet to see, though, but I've heard pretty mixed opinions.

You're a mixed opinion. No one has ever said a bad word of Distant Star. And apppart from the sci-fi stuff, Places is brilliant.

- The Sky Crawlers (Japan)
It's not a Ghost in the Shell (although occasionally the terrific soundtrack is) but it's still pure Oshii.

I heard otherwise, but again, I believe you. Movies with great soundtracks (especially if they're done by Kenji Kawai) have it quite easy with me.

I think some people were fooled by the promotional campagn which made it look like a more simple film. But it has all the Oshii themes and philosophy in it. In fact, many people found it boring because there wasn't enough action.

- Tokyo Sonata (Japan)
I knew Kurosawa could do a great film if he dropped the ghosts.

I probably will never get myself around to watching this (too many other movies on my list), but I sort of liked "Kairo". Creeped me out a little.

Kairo is pretty worthless. Tokyo Sonata is great but strangely misunderstood. People seem to be missing most of the comedic aspect.

- Tennen kokekko (Japan)
Yamashita isn't what he used to be but this is still a great film.

Since I heard you raving about it, it's now on my immediate To-Buy List as well.

If you get a chance, do check his real masterpieces No One's Ark and Realism no yado. He's become more financially succesful now and lost some of the freshness, but he's still making great films (better than almost any other Japanese director). And I think he may still surprise us. After his celebrated indie hits he made a fake documentary and pink film (Cream Lemon, which I still haven't found time to watch). Then he made Linda 3, followed by Matsugane ransha jiken which was mispromoted as "hippy detective drama comedy" but in fact it's pure Yamashita black comedy. Looking forward to hearing about his next project.

- Spider Lilies (Taiwan)
This is actually a pretty dumb girl romance film but I like it a bit.

I just found it pretentious and annoying. Movies about lesbians shouldn't be made by women in the first place, they don't know what us guys really like to see, ahem, did I say that out loud? :mrgreen:

Bloody sovinist :x

- Like a Dragon (Japan)
A good video game adaptation? Yes. A good film? Yes. Summer night in Tokyo has never looked this good before.

Looks good, yeah, still sort of rocks, but the second time on DVD those apparent plot-holes started to bother me a little. Miike should have made a more independent movie, instead of taking knowledge of the Game's story for granted.

It's actually not a direct copy of the game storyline. A lot of the characters are totally new (the Korean hitman, the young couple etc).

- Sparrow (Hong Kong)
One of To's best.

Maybe I'll watch that someday. Per chance. Won't seek it out, though.

Then I shall try to convince you with a poster



... and a trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CljNv5fLxnU

Za yakiniku mubi: Purukogi (Japan)
- Not that great but Riki Takeuchi is crazy and Yu Yamada's pants are great too

Now you made me curious . . .

- Heavenly Forest (Japan)
Cliché ridden sentimental platonic romance in which Aoi Miyazaki is cuter than almost anyone, anywhere, ever.

Nah, she's way cuter in "Nana".

Where's "ignore user" button?

- Flash Point (Hong Kong)
Wilson Yip seems like a one time wonder (SPL). But this an ok film.

Ditto. Louis Koo's girlfriend in this movie is one heck of a beauty.

Well, Sammo Hung was one heck of a beauty in SPL

Kantoku banzai (Japan)
- If you've a got a bit of Tom in you, you may like it. And it's got Anne.

I may have missed your joke about Tom and Anne. Haven't seen it yet, though.

There was no joke. And don't mention Tom and Anne in the same sentence. Ever.

- Shamo (Hong Kong)
Good film (Love Battlefield) followed by terrific films (Dog Bite Dog) followed by duh (Shamo). What happened?

I love the intensity of "Dog bite Dog", but I don't find much ambition in myself to watch this one as well.

Good. Watch Love Battlefield then (if you haven't already). But don't read anything about the storyline and don't even look at the dvd cover or menus. The ending is so great, btw. I watched the film with friends and it was a room full of greasy guys crying like babies. This doesn't usually happen.

- Ashes of Time: Redux (Hong Kong)
Wong goes Lucas. Stick with one of the older cuts.

Haven't watched the Recut (for obvious reasons), but the older cut is great.

The new cut is pure terrorism. They've unsuccesfully tried to turn it into In a Mood For Love in a Desert. The soundtrack is new, for example they got rid of the spaghetti western tunes before Leung Chiu Wai's fight and replaced it with some emotional sobbing. That kind of stuff done for the entire film. Of course the base film remains great, but none of the changes they've made is for better. The film even looks uglier than my French dvd (which is the international cut, though)

Ok, should I stop spamming and post some content. Yeah. Some recent films that I find slightly or more interesting. Comments are welcome (if anyone made it this far...)

- Funuke Show Some Love, You Losers! (Japan)
This could be really bad, but some people call it a great black comedy. Stars cutie honey Eriko Sato

- Megane (Japan)
A film where everybody wears glasses can’t be all bad. Right?

- Sad Vacation (Japan)
Subs just appeared. This could be great. Aoyama, Miyazaki, Asano, Odagiri. Need to order when have money.

- Adrift in Tokyo (Japan)
Again subs available. This could be bad, but also could be good. It’s got Odagiri at least.

- Help Me Eros (Taiwan)
I recall liking at least parts of The Wayward Cloud (some great long takes) and this is from the same director.

- Trivial Matters and Exodus (Hong Kong)
I can’t remember why I’m interested in Trivial Matters but Variety describes Exodus as” Pang Ho-Cheung's satirical thriller about a female conspiracy to rid the planet of men”.

- Gong Tau (Hong Kong)
This may not be very good but it’s Herman Yau + black magic so maybe worth a watch?

- Yubisaki kara sekai wo
A friend told me this is good, even if not excellent. And it’s short, 63 min.


Shing, honey, don’t ban us.

[bradavon]

And presenting the:

Who can masturbate for longer thread!

[HungFist]

Says someone who's made 18 000 posts in 4 years

[bradavon]

And all of them add value to the forum .

[gasteropod]

Has anyone seen God's Puzzle? I want to know if it's any good.

[thelostdragon]

@diceman:
Like your choice of movies.

[Shingster]

I enjoyed Megane quite a lot more than I expected to, I know Lourdes hated it though.