What´s HOT in Asian cinema right now?

[Dane]

Haven´t been updated regarding Asian cinema in a while. Was wondering what Horror/Thriller/Suspense movies that made a mark at the box office, and is worth getting on DVD/Blu-ray.

[toddly6666]

Any Asian film with a good story and good acting...those are hard to find! ;)

[nitin77]

Mother by Joon-Ho Bong from Sth Korea

Thirst by Chan Wook Park from Sth Korea (note this is not to erveyone's taste, I only liked parts of it myself)

The Chaser by Hon-Jin Na from Sth Korea


toddly, you dont like any of the sth korean stuff?

[toddly6666]

Mother by Joon-Ho Bong from Sth Korea

Thirst by Chan Wook Park from Sth Korea (note this is not to erveyone's taste, I only liked parts of it myself)

The Chaser by Hon-Jin Na from Sth Korea


toddly, you dont like any of the sth korean stuff?

well, I used to be able to watch more Korean stuff, but I currently have trouble watching any Korean movie that doesn't star Min-sik Choi - the only Korean actor that I truly respect.

[nitin77]

fair call, what about Kang-Sang Ho (memories of murder, the host etc)?

korean cinema isnt as strong as hat it was a few years ago but theres still the odd gem every now and then.

[toddly6666]

fair call, what about Kang-Sang Ho (memories of murder, the host etc)?

korean cinema isnt as strong as hat it was a few years ago but theres still the odd gem every now and then.

Kang sang ho is one of the main reasons I cant watch Korean films anymore. I cant stand his poor acting and I cant look at his ugly face.

[flixtime]

What's HOT in Asian cinema right now? Easy answer - Maria Ozawa!!!!

Umm, didn't want to bypass the opportunity to try and mark my territory as number one fan of Maria O-wowza! here at DVDTalk.

Anyway, is it just me or is Asian cinema discussion really dormant around various Internet message boards nowadays (actually for a while it seems), and I suppose the dearth of discussion extends to foreign films in general.

For more casual fans of Asian cinema, the suggestions might be slim. In all likelihood, nitin offered the best feedback in terms of waiting for MOTHER and THIRST (both up as pre-orders in R3 and R1 respectively). With one notable exception, I've found myself in a good place and have been very content with the recent output from South Korea. Though I might not label them essential viewing, I've been pleased with the majority of recent Korean suspense/thrillers...the most recent being HANDPHONE...and a number of them fall in the category of good/watchable/entertaining for me. One movie that is up for pre-order and now has me interested - after reading some (surprisingly to me) reasonably positive reviews - is the South Korean monster pig flick CHAW. So that is really tempting, but then I'd be tempted to pick up the UK disc of PIG HUNT too, and do a monster pig double feature...and I'd probably have to order in some Chinese spare ribs and shredded pork with garlic sauce to enhance the viewing atmosphere.

A South Korean horror film to keep an eye out for (no DVD announcement as of yet) is POSSESSED; it has received good reviews.

And why the recent Korean thriller MISSING (aka SHILJONG) was released to DVD without English subtitles is still a headscratcher to me.

Beyond South Korea, nothing is jumping to mind in terms of essential horror/thriller/suspense type films. Hong Kong/China is doing their usual with a bunch of cop/crime films and I still have to catch up with efforts such as OVERHEARD, I CORRUPT ALL COPS, TURNING POINT, PLASTIC CITY, LADY COP AND PAPA CROOK, OCEAN FLAME, and maybe too BUTTONMAN (even though it seems it might be rather poor). And CHAMELEON - an action flick from Japan - seems interesting, and likely too their Oscar submission NOBODY TO WATCH OVER ME (more a drama apparently)...and the Chinese WWII drama CITY OF LIFE AND DEATH has received some mention from others in this forum.

So maybe the pickings might indeed be slim in terms of must-see Asian horror/thriller/suspense movies (for casual viewers), though I suppose you can apply that label beyond Asian cinema as well.

One last thought, if you don't mind going old-school maybe THE HOUSEMAID (1960) from Korea. It is considered to be a classic of Korean cinema. It didn't really work for me in that sense, but if approached without those lofty expectations maybe I could find myself more appreciative of the effort...maybe as a dark comedy or something similar.

In this post it seems I've said a lot without really saying anything...I suppose I've missed my calling...I could have been a great politician!


P.S.
toddly's nightmare scenario that'd make him give up movie watching forever:
casting SONG Kang-ho and Akshay Kumar as co-leads in a remake of DUMB AND DUMBER...and make it Bollywood-long with a three-hour runtime

[nitin77]

interesting because I think Kang Sang Ho is a very good actor, at least from what I have seen him in.

Akshay Kumar on the other hand is a complete moron.

[toddly6666]

Flixtime, sometimes im amazed how well u know my taste. Putting those two retards in a movie together IS my nightmare!

[TheDoug]

I might as well throw in my two cents worth. FLIXTIME I love your longwinded answer, and many of your choices. How could you forget the tidal wave movie
HAEUNDAE? As to the actor factors, I'll lean towards Min Sik-Choi, although I do like Song Kong-ho in MEMORIES OF MURDER. (I see it as overexposure).

Toddly6666 must be happy that Min Sik-Choi has finally come out of his self-imposed five year dormancy with release of HIMALAYA, WHERE THE WIND DWELLS on dvd.

[Rypro 525]

I really really liked Thirst (yes i saw it in its very limited theatrical release lol). Now if only universal would have released this in more theaters to capitalize on the vamp craze, this could have made some good bank (or at least in more then 15 screens). My only problem with it was that a few of the scenes that needed wire removal are a bit dodgy looking.

[newginafets]

Any Asian film with a good story and good acting...those are hard to find! ;)

:jawdrop:

unless you're an asian.

[toddly6666]

unless you're an asian.

got any recommendations then?

[zombeaner]

Haeundae is one of its kind in my opinion... its almost at the top of my korean movie list

I didn't think it was that great, decent though. It is now available on DVD in the UK

[flixtime]

Flixtime, sometimes im amazed how well u know my taste. Putting those two retards in a movie together IS my nightmare!
And Studio Ghibli is going to cease production of animated films, opting instead to fund sequels to the Asian DUMB AND DUMBER...along with producing original ventures all featuring Asian actors with really trendy haircuts.

FLIXTIME I love your longwinded answer, and many of your choices.
Thanks TheDoug, I appreciate the sentiment, glad to hear my musings provide some entertainment value.......umm, just to clear one thing up, when you put forth that you love many of my choices...well, you wouldn't be trying to cut in on my Maria Ozawa action, would you...I wouldn't be too happy about that. :lol:

I'm certainly interested in checking out HAEUNDAE, but after seeing the jaw-dropping trailer for 2012, HAEUNDAE might suffer in comparison...a case of bad timing for HAEUNDAE.

[zombeaner]

I may have to challenge you to a duel for calling SONG Kang Ho a retard. He is one of my favorite actors.

[TheDoug]

And Studio Ghibli is going to cease production of animated films, opting instead to fund sequels to the Asian DUMB AND DUMBER...along with producing original ventures all featuring Asian actors with really trendy haircuts.


Thanks TheDoug, I appreciate the sentiment, glad to hear my musings provide some entertainment value.......umm, just to clear one thing up, when you put forth that you love many of my choices...well, you wouldn't be trying to cut in on my Maria Ozawa action, would you...I wouldn't be too happy about that. :lol:

I'm certainly interested in checking out HAEUNDAE, but after seeing the jaw-dropping trailer for 2012, HAEUNDAE might suffer in comparison...a case of bad timing for HAEUNDAE.

After googling Maria's photo montages, I then understood what you meant by her being "hot!" I'll stick with my Hong Kong hottie's for now. Finally, is HAEUNDAE sounded out like HYUNDAI the Korean car manufacturer???

[Ralph Jenkins]

Aside from Thirst, there are really no recent Asian films on my radar. Kind of sad, really. When I try to think of recommendations, all I come up with are older films. I've been discovering some great Japanese films from the '50s, '60s and '70s, but yeah, that's not exactly "right now".

[Tutut]

Mother by Joon-Ho Bong from Sth Korea

Thirst by Chan Wook Park from Sth Korea (note this is not to erveyone's taste, I only liked parts of it myself)

The Chaser by Hon-Jin Na from Sth Korea
I would add Private Eye from Park Dae Min to this good list.

toddly, you dont like any of the sth korean stuff?
Since he doesn't like Song Kang Ho I guess he missed these :):
The Day a Pig Fell into the Well
Green Fish
The Quiet Family
Shiri
The Foul King
Joint Security Area
Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance
Memories of Murder
The President's Barber
Antarctic Journal
Sympathy for Lady Vengeance
The Host
Secret Sunshine
The Good, the Bad, the Weird
Thirst

[dleedlee]

The Message. fits the OP, it has torture, espionage, thriller, kinkiness, drama and good acting.

[toddly6666]

I would add Private Eye from Park Dae Min to this good list.


Since he doesn't like Song Kang Ho I guess he missed these :):

Shiri - my favorite Korean movie (he wasn't annoying in this film)
Joint Security Area - painful movie
Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance - painful movie
Sympathy for Lady Vengeance - painful movie
The Host - painful movie
The Good, the Bad, the Weird - I couldn't even watch it after 10 minutes

[toddly6666]

Well, I just bought two highly anticipated Japanese films on DVD the other day. One was painfully stupid, and one seemed pretty good. Both don't have English subtitles on the DVDs.

YATTAMAN

YATTAMAN was painfully stupid. I wanted to fast forward through the whole movie. It's basically a cross between Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and Imagination Movers. Bad acting, boring action, and just plain stupid.

FILM: 5.5
DVD VIDEO: 9
DVD AUDIO: 9
EXTRAS: 9


GOEMON

GOEMON was awesome! Casshern director Kazuaki Kiriya is getting better and better it seems. I like his style a bit more than Ryûhei Kitamura. The story seemed interesting, the acting was good. The main actor reminded me of a Japanese Colin Farrel. Very good action and all eye candy. Much improvement over CASSHERN. I watched the whole movie without English subtitles (because there weren't any) and I was totally entertained and did not nod off or want to fast forward.

FILM: 8
DVD VIDEO: 8.5
DVD AUDIO: 8.5
EXTRAS: 0


Here's the trailer for GOEMON:
<object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/a_BzNsDvpRY&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/a_BzNsDvpRY&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>

Here's a trailer for next year's THE CUP OF TEARS by director Kazuaki Kiriya:
<object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/En5mvdyV8J0&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/En5mvdyV8J0&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>


Is anyone interested in buying my YATTAMAN DVD? I'll sell it for $20 including shipping. It's the super box set. 1 disk is the movie and 2 more disks of endless extras. Awesome packaging. If you wait for the official English-subtitled DVD, you can use this superbox set for the packaging and just the extras. Here's pictures of my dvd. Iif anyone is interested, please email me at toddly@hotmail.com or pm me:
http://i37.tinypic.com/qs4odl.jpghttp://i36.tinypic.com/2pyusns.jpg
http://i37.tinypic.com/358cieb.jpghttp://i35.tinypic.com/2mmsglv.jpg
http://i37.tinypic.com/90njsy.jpghttp://i35.tinypic.com/8x4rdd.jpg
http://i35.tinypic.com/sb0osm.jpghttp://i35.tinypic.com/300bsd4.jpg

And here's the trailer for Takashi Miike's YATTAMAN if no one has seen it yet:
<object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_6-MDr4X31Y&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_6-MDr4X31Y&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>

[newginafets]

got any recommendations then?

no matther how good the movie id recommend if your mindset of asian movies already bad, it would never change.

But maybe you can try these:

- Pintu Terlarang/Forbidden Door (Joko Anwar, Indonesia)
- Children of Heaven, The Color of Paradise (Majid Majidi, Iran)
- Black (Sanjay Leela Bhansali, India)
- The Rainbow Troops/Laskar Pelangi (Riri Riza, Indonesia)
- Seven Samurai (Akira Kurosawa, Japan)
- Tokyo Story (Yasujiro Ozu, Japan)
- Taegukgi (Je-gyu Kang, South Korea)

But stating Oldboy, Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance, Lady Vengeance, JSA painful is baffling, i wonder what your fave movies are.

[toddly6666]

no matther how good the movie id recommend if your mindset of asian movies already bad, it would never change.

But maybe you can try these:

- Pintu Terlarang/Forbidden Door (Joko Anwar, Indonesia)
- Children of Heaven, The Color of Paradise (Majid Majidi, Iran)
- Black (Sanjay Leela Bhansali, India)
- The Rainbow Troops/Laskar Pelangi (Riri Riza, Indonesia)
- Seven Samurai (Akira Kurosawa, Japan)
- Tokyo Story (Yasujiro Ozu, Japan)
- Taegukgi (Je-gyu Kang, South Korea)

But stating Oldboy, Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance, Lady Vengeance, JSA painful is baffling, i wonder what your fave movies are.


I never said Oldboy was painful. Quite the opposite, Oldboy is a masterpiece! Taegukgi I did see and was nothing special...And i've seen Seven Samurai, which is okay as well...My favorite Asian movies are Tampopo (or anything basically by Juzo Itami), anything by Miyazaki/Ghibli, Hero, House of Flying Daggers, IP Man, Battle Royale, The Great Yokai War, Mind Game, Akira, Ghost in the Shell. I've seen many of those art-house Asian films "Scent of Green Papaya on the Road Home Under the Green Lantern to say Farewell to My Concubine" which are okay, but nothing amazing or memorable. Also, any Tibetan related-movies are pretty good...But I want a little more from a movie besides fabulous cinematography...I still want to rent Vietnam's Journey From the Fall though. I'll someday check out the others on your list...I'm not too impressed with the new fresh crop of male actors from China, Korea, or Japan. Asian actresses on the other hand are so much better...Don't even start recommending me Wong Kar Wai as a good Asian filmmaker as well...Him and Lars Von Trier are the biggest cinema scam artists in history. Here's a review of Lars Von Trier's ANTI-CHRIST from New York Press, which exactly sums up Von Trier as well as Wong Kar Wai:

HISTORY SHOULD RECORD Danish filmmaker Lars Von Trier as cinema’s biggest hoaxster.Von Trier’s never made a good film—Zentropa, Breaking the Waves, Dancer in the Dark, Dogville (most of them part of his “Dogme” movement) were shams perpetrated on the culturally absent-minded—yet von Trier has bamboozled critics and festival organizers into repeatedly showcasing his hoodwinks. Von Trier’s new film Antichrist, starring Willem Dafoe and Charlotte Gainsbourg, is his latest manipulative salvo. The quasi-religious title is misleading provocation; Antichrist is really anti-cinema.

Here's the link to the rest of the review that I agree with: http://www.nypress.com/article-20508-antichrist.html



Iranian and Indian movies are another story and in another thread!;)

[zombeaner]

I still want to rent Vietnam's Journey From the Fall though.

This is really good, I caught at a festival screening in a crowd FULL of Vietnamese Americans and there wasn't a dry eye in the house.

[TheDoug]

This is really good, I caught at a festival screening in a crowd FULL of Vietnamese Americans and there wasn't a dry eye in the house.

Hmmm. This film seemed to pass me by, thanks for the head's up on this Vietnamese film. I see where Amazon.com has it for sale:
http://www.amazon.com/Journey-Fall-Kieu-Chinh/dp/B000U788WU

Or I may rent it from Netflix. :)

[newginafets]

I never said Oldboy was painful. Quite the opposite, Oldboy is a masterpiece! Taegukgi I did see and was nothing special...And i've seen Seven Samurai, which is okay as well...My favorite Asian movies are Tampopo (or anything basically by Juzo Itami), anything by Miyazaki/Ghibli, Hero, House of Flying Daggers, IP Man, Battle Royale, The Great Yokai War, Mind Game, Akira, Ghost in the Shell. I've seen many of those art-house Asian films "Scent of Green Papaya on the Road Home Under the Green Lantern to say Farewell to My Concubine" which are okay, but nothing amazing or memorable. Also, any Tibetan related-movies are pretty good...But I want a little more from a movie besides fabulous cinematography...I still want to rent Vietnam's Journey From the Fall though. I'll someday check out the others on your list...I'm not too impressed with the new fresh crop of male actors from China, Korea, or Japan. Asian actresses on the other hand are so much better...Don't even start recommending me Wong Kar Wai as a good Asian filmmaker as well...Him and Lars Von Trier are the biggest cinema scam artists in history. Here's a review of Lars Von Trier's ANTI-CHRIST from New York Press, which exactly sums up Von Trier as well as Wong Kar Wai:

HISTORY SHOULD RECORD Danish filmmaker Lars Von Trier as cinema’s biggest hoaxster.Von Trier’s never made a good film—Zentropa, Breaking the Waves, Dancer in the Dark, Dogville (most of them part of his “Dogme” movement) were shams perpetrated on the culturally absent-minded—yet von Trier has bamboozled critics and festival organizers into repeatedly showcasing his hoodwinks. Von Trier’s new film Antichrist, starring Willem Dafoe and Charlotte Gainsbourg, is his latest manipulative salvo. The quasi-religious title is misleading provocation; Antichrist is really anti-cinema.

Here's the link to the rest of the review that I agree with: http://www.nypress.com/article-20508-antichrist.html



Iranian and Indian movies are another story and in another thread!;)

Iran and India are part of Asia. How about movies by Kim ki-duk? Like 3-iron, Breath, Address Unknown?
House of Flying Daggers for me is good, just because of its visual. They are basically dancing, not fighting. It's good to know you actually like some Asian movies that i also like (Battle Royale). I thought you really hated asian movies that you don't have any favorite at all.

[nitin77]

all personal taste guys, I love some of the movies toddly classed as 'ok' and you could throw back some of his own arguments against the movies he's said he has liked. But in the end, its personal taste.

Except when it comes to akshay kumar, then its just a matter of taste :)

[toddly6666]

Iran and India are part of Asia. How about movies by Kim ki-duk? Like 3-iron, Breath, Address Unknown?
House of Flying Daggers for me is good, just because of its visual. They are basically dancing, not fighting. It's good to know you actually like some Asian movies that i also like (Battle Royale). I thought you really hated asian movies that you don't have any favorite at all.

I like Iranian movies, although you got to seriously be in the mood for them, or basically in the mood for a "dreary female rights related flick".

I watch most Indian movies as well (as long as they don't star Ashkay Kumar or Salman Khan). I've seen most of the good ones post-2000. What do you think of my percentile of good Indian films per year - 1 percent are good and 99 percent are crap. Do you agree with that? How about you guys, Flixtime and Nitin? ;) You can even change the percentile to 8 percent good and 92 percent are crap if that makes a difference...

I think I've seen all the wrong Ki-duk Kim films - I've only seen the awful Samaritan Girl, Bad Guy, and The Isle...I still need to see his more respectable ones....

[nitin77]

1 percent is generous :)

toddly, not sure kim ki-duk is really your type of filmmaker.

[flixtime]

What do you think of my percentile of good Indian films per year - 1 percent are good and 99 percent are crap. Do you agree with that? How about you guys, Flixtime and Nitin? ;) You can even change the percentile to 8 percent good and 92 percent are crap if that makes a difference...
Without having to declare a percentage, the "miner" reference put forth by BuddhaWake in the Indian cinema thread is accurate, you do have to plow through a pile of coal to find the diamond...and though coal is at least useful for some things, the bad Indian movies are really, really, really....really bad...and cost in time too because of the 140-minute runtimes. So as compared to all the other major film-producing nations, the "miner" reference certainly fits India more aptly than anyplace else.

As someone who watches a lot of movies though, I'm generally content with the variety, change of pace, and uniqueness provided by Indian cinema...and they are useful for when I am looking for very light entertainment (and "yes", as I write this, I'm succeeding at putting a mental block on all the times they fail at even light entertainment).

[flixtime]

I've been discovering some great Japanese films from the '50s, '60s and '70s,
Have you seen THE MAN WHO STOLE THE SUN (1979) yet? It rates top shelf in my book.

For the curious, it's available via an English-friendly, R2 Japan DVD (maybe $30 from YesAsia). There's a cheapie Hong Kong DVD too but - from hazy recollection - I think they might have changed the character names from Japanese to Chinese and stuff like that in the subtitles. I haven't followed if it received any other DVD release (picked up the Japanese DVD a long while back).

[eXcentris]

Don't even start recommending me Wong Kar Wai as a good Asian filmmaker as well...Him and Lars Von Trier are the biggest cinema scam artists in history.

This is of course ridiculous. Just because you value film as entertainment over film as art (not implying that the two are incompatible) doesn't make the later crap or the directors "scam artists". Sometimes, your "criticism" of film is downright mindboggling...

[toddly6666]

This is of course ridiculous. Just because you value film as entertainment over film as art (not implying that the two are incompatible) doesn't make the later crap or the directors "scam artists". Sometimes, your "criticism" of film is downright mindboggling...

I know people love Wong Kar Wai and is respected as a filmmaker, I just think he's awful. What would he be without Christopher Doyle as well?

Wong Kar Wai is an artist but it's at the same level as this:

http://www.peteykins.com/sparklepics4/StillPainting.jpg

[newginafets]

I know people love Wong Kar Wai and is respected as a filmmaker, I just think he's awful. What would he be without Christopher Doyle as well?

Wong Kar Wai is an artist but it's at the same level as this:

http://www.peteykins.com/sparklepics4/StillPainting.jpg

Some people would consider that as the best art in the world.

[toddly6666]

Some people would consider that as the best art in the world.

Those are the same people that may consider Wong Kar Wai and Lars Von Trier as the best filmmakers in the world. ;)

[TheDoug]

Those who love Wong Kar Wai and Lars Von Trier might be classified as "dogmatic" (sic) in their devotion. I've lost favor with Lars Von Trier's pomposity , and Wong Kar Wai tends to be over indulgent at times as well in the way he approaches to telling cinematic stories. Art is so subjective though, so I think we may be beating a dead horse, as they say. Aren't we all getting away from the topic of this forum?

[flixtime]

The Hong Kong hitmen thriller ACCIDENT from director Soi Cheang (LOVE BATTLEFIELD, DOG BITE DOG, SHAMO) is coming to Hong Kong DVD/Blu-ray on November 11th. The movie seems to have been quite well-received by critics.

[BuddhaWake]

The Hong Kong hitmen thriller ACCIDENT from director Soi Cheang (LOVE BATTLEFIELD, DOG BITE DOG, SHAMO) is coming to Hong Kong DVD/Blu-ray on November 11th. The movie seems to have been quite well-received by critics.

How dare you derail from the toddly bashing? shame on you! Toddly, you don't have to justify yourself to anyone. you like what you like and everyone likes what they like. no big deal.

[Giles]

from what I've read my next order will be

MOTHER
ACCIDENT

and maybe YATTAMAN - what have the reviews been like for it??

[newginafets]

Those are the same people that may consider Wong Kar Wai and Lars Von Trier as the best filmmakers in the world. ;)

what i was trying to say is we can't justify what's best for us upon others' opinion. Art is subjective.

[toddly6666]

from what I've read my next order will be

MOTHER
ACCIDENT

and maybe YATTAMAN - what have the reviews been like for it??

Its a fun but stupid movie - wanna buy my version. Its wortu buying just for the packaging.

[Brian T]

Don't even start recommending me Wong Kar Wai as a good Asian filmmaker as well...Him and Lars Von Trier are the biggest cinema scam artists in history.

This is of course ridiculous. Just because you value film as entertainment over film as art (not implying that the two are incompatible) doesn't make the later crap or the directors "scam artists". Sometimes, your "criticism" of film is downright mindboggling...

Attempting to debate him over it is pointless, and rather like arguing with an old vinyl LP that's skipping. Just go with his downbeat flow and try not to permanently lodge your eyes back in your head from constantly rolling them--that can hurt. If you want thoughtful discussion of Asian cinema without all the hate & hijackings ("retards"? Seriously? :( ), DVDTalk is, generally, not the place to find it. ;)

Asking for straight-up recommendations here is generally (though obviously not entirely) a pointless task, as has been proven before, unless you enjoy reading more about movies and performers that people hate, rather than those people actually like, and why. :lol:

Perhaps if there was a general Asian cinema thread here, at least some of this narrowmindedness would have the context of pro-con debate, but in a thread where someone simply wants to know what's "hot" or popular, the fun sure dries up quickly. And at the hands of the same person nearly every time! :lol:


Art is so subjective though, so I think we may be beating a dead horse, as they say. Aren't we all getting away from the topic of this forum?

The topic derailed, as it nearly always does here in regards to Asian cinema, as soon as the same old tired lists (read: horses) of movies, performers and directors that certain people hate began to surface (as well as the inevitable links to articles that only parrot the sentiment). Perhaps the person who asked the original question will be better rewarded elsewhere (once he's exhausted the previous few inarguably "positive" recommendations in this thread).


Its a fun but stupid movie - wanna buy my version. Its worth buying just for the packaging.

Because this is what really matters.

[Brian T]

I'm certainly interested in checking out HAEUNDAE, but after seeing the jaw-dropping trailer for 2012, HAEUNDAE might suffer in comparison...a case of bad timing for HAEUNDAE.

Saw this on the big screen here in Toronto during it's run, and I'm not sure the two films deserve to be compared, especially since the Korean film was hugely successful exactly where it was supposed to be—at home. Taken in context of its intended audience and it's release date earlier this past summer, there was no case of bad timing. Additionally, it's too uniquely Korean in its approach to character and storytelling to have strong legs nearly anywhere else (other than for the spectacle, which comes late in the film, which probably won't be the case with 2012). Therefore, 2012, whether it proves to be good or bad in any individual's eye, shouldn't be compared on any level beyond, perhaps, special effects, and that would be patently unfair since it's got about 15-20 times the overall budget behind it, so its effects, at the very least, should be better. My overall thoughts on the film, though, just won't be worth including in this thread at this point, sadly. :(



Finally, is HAEUNDAE sounded out like HYUNDAI the Korean car manufacturer???

No.

[BuddhaWake]

not everything can nor deserves to be turned into a dissertation. some movies are good to pass the time and others require much more.

[Brian T]

not everything can nor deserves to be turned into a dissertation. some movies are good to pass the time and others require much more.

Not expecting dissertations in a thread like this in a broad-range forum, but it would be really nice to see fewer rants and insults about who and what people hate when such things weren't even solicited in the original post. ;)

[BuddhaWake]

Not expecting dissertations in a thread like this in a broad-range forum, but it would be really nice to see fewer rants and insults about who and what people hate when such things weren't even solicited in the original post. ;)

funny you mention that because most of the insults here have been by you to toddly and the rest of us. maybe not directly by calling him or us names but indirectly. if you have a stick up your ass because of your great knowledge of asian films that are not oldboy or Jackie Chan like the rest of us (in your mind) doesn't mean that you are even addressing the question which was What´s HOT in Asian cinema right now. So your collection of vcds from all the chinatowns in canada and the US is still not answering the question. you constantly talking down to people because they don't like something you feel is some gift to mankind really has no bearings on peoples taste. maybe some tastes are not as refined as yours. maybe the criterion forum is more for you but good luck even talking about non kurosawa. if the Oldboy is the greatest movie ever fanboyism of these boards is bad, good luck over there. ask about taiwanese films, or vietnamese or indian since that is also asia but often forgotten or ignored in discussions. You are already an expert in all this so maybe there is no need to even have discussions. but even then, you can still come down mount olympus and tell us how big idiots we are for not liking x film and for liking y film or for never having heard of z film. which you would probably tell us about after just hearing about it yourself. the only narrowmindedness here is really from you. taste is subjective. is hard to understand sometimes, i often wonder why people like some of the crap they do, but i know its all about tastes and i don't have to think further on it. For the record, I disagree with toodly a good 90% of the time, especially with the Kar Wai and Von Trier stuff but so fucking what. I don't need to insult him nor anyone else or act like a pompous asshole just because i disagree or because i have some intangible knowledge of some crap no one cares about. Now, write your book on asian cinema so we can learn something from you. wear your asian crusader cape and get your panties bunched because someone insulted someone who more than likely, doesn't care about you if you love him or hate him, and could care less if someone on the internet of all places calls someone ugly, fat, retarded or whatever no matter how insensitive it.

all grammatical errors, mispelling and diction errors purely on purpose because in the internet and no one should care so much.

[flixtime]

Wow Brian T, quite the haughty tone for someone who has offered a grand total of zero recommendations to the original poster Dane. If you think so little of us - as per the incredibly condescending tone of your recent posts - feel free to excuse yourself from the forum. Candidly, it appears you have a tough time relating to people who don't hold opinions in line with your own.

[toddly6666]

So, overall, what we are all trying to say is, "no, there arent any hot Asian movies out now in theaters or on dvd. ;)

[Tutut]

funny you mention that because most of the insults here have been by you to toddly and the rest of us. maybe not directly by calling him or us names but indirectly. if you have a stick up your ass because of your great knowledge of asian films that are not oldboy or Jackie Chan like the rest of us (in your mind) doesn't mean that you are even addressing the question which was What´s HOT in Asian cinema right now.

I didn't see Toddly talking a lot about what's hot except for Goemon, he began saying good asian films are hard to find, then talking about some actors (Choi Min Sik did nothing in 2009), then about some directors (WKW no work in 2009 and Von Trier who has nothing to do with the topic) and he tried to sell his DVD.
Looks like you know Brian T personnaly, I don't, but I understand his feelings because I don't like negative statement without any little explaination and what I read in your post make you look narrow minded and intolerant.

[BuddhaWake]

your right there isn't anything hot out right now. I am both those things of arrogant people that have a condesending attitude every time they post here. but is ok, because everyone acts like Chaser and Good Bad Weird are two masterpieces when they are average at best but because these are negative views they are not allowed here or you have to defend your viewpoint to the death when comments such as "masterpiece" "greatest movie ever" "I came in my pants while watching it" don't require any other thought. and no I don't know Brian, but if you come here and to dvd talk enought you know. just like anyone here knows toddly by now and his tongue in cheeck manner of posting and aswering. I also recomend you reread what has been posted. besides what's the fucking point since the OP hasn't even bother to comment further than the initial post about what he has seen or the many films mentioned here whether as a HOT or COLD or LUKE WARM.

I don't like negative statement without any little explaination
goood. got it. so as long as they are positive statements or ones you agree with, then explanations are not needed or further discussion alowed. I'll make a note for next time. Now to condense everything.

COLD: Chaser
COLD: Good Bad Weird
HOT:.... nothing so far this year for me. yet to see Thirst.
HOT: Dharm. I don't have to explain myself because is a positive statement so i'm on the clear. and is indian so only 3 people would care and they have all seen it.

edit it to add one, Ip Man and while many didn't like Warlords I enjoyed it.

[toddly6666]

Additionally, it's too uniquely Korean in its approach to character and storytelling to have strong legs nearly anywhere else.

Brian, it's called poor writing, poor acting, and poor filmmaking - no one wants to see that. Just because it's a foreign movie, it shouldn't get any bonus points for being foreign or "exotic". A bad film is a bad film.

I just watched Bad Boys 2 the other day, a film that I thought was forgettable after I saw it in the theater. But after watching it on DVD, this really is a great piece of filmmaking for its genre - excellent filming, the actors have good chemistry with each other, good flow, no filler, and great action. It's very cliche to disresrespect typical Hollywood blockbuster-type films, but even these films are hard to be copied by other countries. Even The Day After Tomorrow is better than HAEUNDAE.

[flixtime]

I didn't see Toddly talking a lot about what's hot except for Goemon,
Which puts him one up on both eXcentris and Brian T. toddly's thoughts on Asian film aren't exactly a revelation to regulars around here. Some people appear capable of letting him have his opinion...and others feel they have some right to toss personal jabs at him. And Brian T's comments towards toddly are indeed a carryover from a thread in Movie Talk a short while back (where toddly and the original poster of that thread's use of the word "retard" again was an issue for Brian T (just one among a number of issues in that thread)). Given all the insults directed towards toddly, he deserves credit for the way he has handled himself.

then talking about some actors (Choi Min Sik did nothing in 2009)
His most recent 2008 movie was just released to Korean DVD, so at least in that sense the mention is topical (accidental or not).

I don't like negative statement without any little explainationAs I expect you are aware, dust-ups between toddly and others have occured in the past, and he has explained his position. What great contributions have eXcentris and Brian T made as of late to the International forum? If there input is primarily going to be about chastising toddly, then I can do without it. Brian T made comments about how he wants to focus on positive discussion. Well, have a look at the thread for THE GOOD, THE BAD, THE WEIRD. He stated a lengthy positive opinion of the film. Much later after the DVD release, at least a couple of folks posted 1 or 2-line comments about how they thought it was a great movie. I then followed with a slightly longer negative opinion. And yet, he chose to engage me in conversation about what little I did like, when he easily could have opted to draw out further discussion about the merits of the film from those who posted that they liked it.

what I read in your post make you look narrow minded and intolerant.
Why the jab at BuddhaWake, he certainly wasn't the source of this thread going off track...at least a couple of us were sick and tired of the attacks on toddly and chose to speak up about it (after Brian T chose to open it up again)...you get what you give. Some people think toddly is daft with his opinion on films and how he expresses that opinion...yet I don't recall great instances of toddly launching personal insults at other members of this forum...the personal venom seems to flow one way - from others towards him...if he were writing for Cahiers du Cinema then the complaints would be justified, but this forum to me is about casual movie talk with your buddies...from my stance the "fun" in this thread started to disappear beginning with the comment from eXcentris and finally Brian T (coming after a couple of others had already commented to just leave it be and write disagreement off to nothing more serious than personal tastes). Finally, to my eyes, toddly makes a lot of positive contributions to the International forum, and I respect that he states his opinion on both things he likes and things he doesn't like.

As evidenced by this post, complaining about people is an easy thing to do.

[toddly6666]

Which puts him one up on both eXcentris and Brian T. toddly's thoughts on Asian film aren't exactly a revelation to regulars around here. Some people appear capable of letting him have his opinion...and others feel they have some right to toss personal jabs at him. And Brian T's comments towards toddly are indeed a carryover from a thread in Movie Talk a short while back (where toddly and the original poster of that thread's use of the word "retard" again was an issue for Brian T (just one among a number of issues in that thread)). Given all the insults directed towards toddly, he deserves credit for the way he has handled himself..

What was Brian and I talking about in Movie Talk? I know i've used the word "retard" more than once before. haha....Well, when it comes to me talking about Wong Kar Wai, I do expect fans getting nasty with me because I have no understanding of how anyone can like his amateurish work. The best thing he's ever done was the commercial for Samsung.


I just bought the DVD of JOURNEY FROM THE FALL for $8 from Blockbuster's closing-down sales. I haven't watched it yet though...

[flixtime]

What was Brian and I talking about in Movie Talk? I know i've used the word "retard" more than once before. haha....
It was back in Movie Talk in early-mid August. Some fellow posted about needing help to identify a Korean drama. You chimed in with your usual - given what has transpired, I think we can now label them as "provocative" - statements on Korean cinema...including multipe uses of "retard" towards your favorite Korean actor. More than one person, including Brian T, took exception to your comments. Brian T was successful in getting the original poster - who had also used the term "retard" - to go back and change it to "mentally challenged".

[flixtime]

...when comments such as..."I came in my pants while watching it" don't require any other thought.
Well, to be fair, that sort of feedback kind of stands on its own...I sure as heck don't want to know any of the details...though I do wonder if it has anything to do with Maria Ozawa...in which case I'd be very jealous.

[indiephantom]

I thought THE CHASER was terrific.

[zombeaner]

I guess I am just retarded. I enjoyed The Chaser. The Good, The Bad, and The Weird was one of the more fun films I've seen this year with some amazing cinematography. Ip Man was a lot of fun with some great action sequences. Haeundae was also fun if you don't take it too seriously. There is a lot of hate on this thread.

[BuddhaWake]

I thought THE CHASER was terrific.

I guess I am just retarded. I enjoyed The Chaser. The Good, The Bad, and The Weird was one of the more fun films I've seen this year with some amazing cinematography. Ip Man was a lot of fun with some great action sequences. Haeundae was also fun if you don't take it too seriously. There is a lot of hate on this thread.

the chaser was too formulaic and the portagonist acted out of character on more than one occasion just for the purpose of getting the movie moving in a certain direction. so it was average. I should change the cold to luke warm i guess since it wasn't a total waste of time but it not one i would revisit. since negative comments about movies hurt people fragile state I'll just say that The Chaser is the BEST KOREAN MOVIE named the Chaser EVER. This of course is just an opinion and everyone is entitled to one or two.

[zombeaner]

I'm not fragile, I just don't agree. The hate on this thread has been vehement, especially when considering that it is being directed at films. Some on this thread act like "The Chaser" slept with their girlfriend. It isn't the Holocaust, it is just a movie you didn't like.

[BuddhaWake]

well, it is the best korean movie call the chaser that i've seen. and there is no hate about films in this thread. I haven't said once I hated any movie ever, in this thread nor any other. Zombeaner, i didn't mean any offense towards you. I just quoted you and indiephantom regarding the chaser because I felt like saying why i didn't like it. since people "want" and "expect" only positive comments I made sure there was a positive in my comments for them to take with them.

[slop101]

I really liked Ip Man, and it's a couple years old now, but Johnny To's Exiled is probably one of my favorite modern-day Hong Kong movies. I just bought the blu-ray and it gets better with repeated viewing.

[eXcentris]

"Exiled" is probably the last Asian film I really liked. But then again, I haven't really followed Asian cinema in the past couple of years. Anyway, I just put in an order for "The Chaser", "Ip Man" and "Accident" so we'll see how it goes.

P.S. I don't see how being a "contributor" should automatically grant you a free pass to pollute threads with nonsense without expecting others to respond. You reap what you sow.

[toddly6666]

EXCENTRIS,
IP MAN is awesome - that's one of the best Asian films with good story and amazing action....

[BuddhaWake]

just remembered 2 hot ones. The Magic Hour and I'd Rather Be a Shellfish both from Japan. todd, you would like Magic Hour. flix, you would like both.

[toddly6666]

just remembered 2 hot ones. The Magic Hour and I'd Rather Be a Shellfish both from Japan. todd, you would like Magic Hour. flix, you would like both.

hmmm....i dont know. The trailer for the film looks awful. It reminds me of a Japanese RADIOLAND MURDERS, which is one Lucas-written film that is more painful than his Star Wars prequels....;)

[nitin77]

Exiled is indeed an excellent film, had not like Johnnie To before that.

[BuddhaWake]

hmmm....i dont know. The trailer for the film looks awful. It reminds me of a Japanese RADIOLAND MURDERS, which is one Lucas-written film that is more painful than his Star Wars prequels....;)

never seen radioland murders (know nothing about it) but this one is a comedy and is pretty light and fun.

[logboy]

there's always lots of good Asian films around. problem is, I think people too often wait for things to get covered in a way which brings the films to life a little more. as much as we might hate hype, it's an extension of how we both naturally sometimes gravitate towards similar things. I think those moments of hearing about a film that everyone seems to be talking about are sometimes genuine, and they can be misleading too. some spend time trying to convince others of a films value in order to reassure themselves by thinking others saying they enjoyed it creates a common sense it's worthy of a wider appeal into which they fit in.

there's so many Asian films each year that the sites covering them converge around films in a random way that shows the language barrier stops each picking it's own choices and makes it look as though the films they could cover are the films it's right to be covering. picking out stuff in isolation can make film into powerful independant experiences that suit us in our own right, but the search for such films can leave us with lots of hollow or mediocre experiences as we try to balance between our own choices and the choices we make that match the idea of people finding choices that coincide.

[newginafets]

The Chaser is AWESOME!

[visitor Q]

The Chaser is AWESOME!

How "AWESOME" is it!???? Sorry to ask for any expression, but seriously.

The last Korean films I've witnessed positive reviews for were Seven Days, Our Town and May 18 but was let down for various reasons. Each had its own problems especially Seven Days (most notably filming and editing) and May 18 (loses itself in melodrama and self importance).

Care to chime in on which components make The Chaser "AWESOME"?? Not trying to be sarcastic, I would genuinely like to know ....

Thanks.

[slop101]

Care to chime in on which components make The Chaser "AWESOME"?? Not trying to be sarcastic, I would genuinely like to know ...."Awesome" is the wrong word to describe The Chaser - it's hyperbole and suggests that it's some slam-ban action/adventure. It's not. It's a fairly subdued and almost somber character piece that deals with an ex-cop who's become a down and out pimp and a serial killer that's targeted hookers. It's pretty well-written and acted, but if it were an American film, it would probably be straight-to-video after a festival circuit, and maybe a limited release in art-house theaters if it was lucky.

[visitor Q]

It's a fairly subdued and almost somber character piece that deals with an ex-cop who's become a down and out pimp and a serial killer that's targeted hookers. It's pretty well-written and acted, but if it were an American film, it would probably be straight-to-video after a festival circuit, and maybe a limited release in art-house theaters if it was lucky.

That's not necessarily a bad thing at all, especially if it were an American film as you put it. I'm just tired of flashy, borderline dizzy aspiring camera work, sloppy editing and/or heavily convoluted plots. Seven Days was heavily guilty of all of this and it's a damn shame. '01-'05 was the Korean renaissance but their leanings have become more Hollywood. It's over and I'd like to get back to basics. So I'm very wary of contemporary Korean cinema in general ...which is too bad. Maybe I should give Chaser a shot.

[slop101]

Didn't mean it as a bad thing. But it's not a "big" movie by any means, which is what a lot people seemed to be labeling it as. If you're tired of the flashy stuff, you should like Chaser. It does have a little bit of everything: suspense, action, humor, drama, etc.

[newginafets]

How "AWESOME" is it!???? Sorry to ask for any expression, but seriously.

The last Korean films I've witnessed positive reviews for were Seven Days, Our Town and May 18 but was let down for various reasons. Each had its own problems especially Seven Days (most notably filming and editing) and May 18 (loses itself in melodrama and self importance).

Care to chime in on which components make The Chaser "AWESOME"?? Not trying to be sarcastic, I would genuinely like to know ....

Thanks.

Well, if you happen to love Oldboy, Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance or Memories of Murder, then you will definitely enjoy this one. Well, it's definitely far way better than recent Law Abiding Citizen if you want to compare with Hollywood movie.

[BuddhaWake]

"Awesome" is the wrong word to describe The Chaser - it's hyperbole and suggests that it's some slam-ban action/adventure. It's not. It's a fairly subdued and almost somber character piece that deals with an ex-cop who's become a down and out pimp and a serial killer that's targeted hookers. It's pretty well-written and acted, but if it were an American film, it would probably be straight-to-video after a festival circuit, and maybe a limited release in art-house theaters if it was lucky.

couldn't agree more. and the american direct to video comment is just how i see it. if it were an american movie it would be one of those with ex-stars or b level stars that would be rumored for a release but end up with a weekend theatrical release and dvd right after. its being remade in the US but I don't understand why. there must be 100 scripts just like it out there why by the remake rights.

[BuddhaWake]

That's not necessarily a bad thing at all, especially if it were an American film as you put it. I'm just tired of flashy, borderline dizzy aspiring camera work, sloppy editing and/or heavily convoluted plots. Seven Days was heavily guilty of all of this and it's a damn shame. '01-'05 was the Korean renaissance but their leanings have become more Hollywood. It's over and I'd like to get back to basics. So I'm very wary of contemporary Korean cinema in general ...which is too bad. Maybe I should give Chaser a shot.

I think this is how many (not all) of us see it. if there's a cheap HK release of it i would maybe venture for t otherwise is not worth a $30 korean release. because at $30 it will be dissapointing.

[toddly6666]

It's pretty well-written and acted, but if it were an American film, it would probably be straight-to-video after a festival circuit, and maybe a limited release in art-house theaters if it was lucky.

That's exactly how I percieve most recent Asian flicks. People tend to support an amateurish foreign film by saying it's not because it's amateurish, but as being misunderstood due to translation problems, cultural differences, or not being "Hollywood enough". Straight-to-video for a reason.


Did anyone see Japan's ALWAYS SUNSET ON THIRD STREET - it's a downright amateurish, poorly acted film. A big hit in Japan which got a sequel, but that is a bad film.


Is anyone interested in seeing another bad Japanese film? I'll sell my DVD of the live-action version of GRAVEYARD OF FIREFLIES for $10 including shipping if anyone is interested.

[eXcentris]

I think this is how many (not all) of us see it. if there's a cheap HK release of it i would maybe venture for t otherwise is not worth a $30 korean release. because at $30 it will be dissapointing.

There is a cheaper HK release, that's what I ordered.

[eXcentris]

That's exactly how I percieve most recent Asian flicks. People tend to support an amateurish foreign film by saying it's not because it's amateurish, but as being misunderstood due to translation problems, cultural differences, or not being "Hollywood enough". Straight-to-video for a reason.


Did anyone see Japan's ALWAYS SUNSET ON THIRD STREET - it's a downright amateurish, poorly acted film. A big hit in Japan which got a sequel, but that is a bad film.


See, i think that's the reason people get annoyed with your film "criticism". Whenever you don't like a film, it automatically goes into the "bad amateurish film with poor acting" folder. "Always Sunset on Third Street" for example, received both popular and critical acclaim. Ok, you didn't like it and that's fine. But why oh why must you conclude that every film you don't like is a bad film???

"Like/hate" do not automatically translate into "good/bad". And if you cannot understand the difference (i.e. between personal taste and the the value of film as art), then any "criticism" of films you make is pretty much worthless.

[slop101]

That's exactly how I percieve most recent Asian flicks. People tend to support an amateurish foreign film by saying it's not because it's amateurish, but as being misunderstood due to translation problems, cultural differences, or not being "Hollywood enough". Straight-to-video for a reason.I never stated or implied that it was "amateurish". In fact, it's just as well-made and professional as the average Hollywood flick It's just not a big and slick production - it's more like an above-average budget indie flick. It's production design is first class.

[newginafets]

See, i think that's the reason people get annoyed with your film "criticism". Whenever you don't like a film, it automatically goes into the "bad amateurish film with poor acting" folder. "Always Sunset on Third Street" for example, received both popular and critical acclaim. Ok, you didn't like it and that's fine. But why oh why must you conclude that every film you don't like is a bad film???

"Like/hate" do not automatically translate into "good/bad". And if you cannot understand the difference (i.e. between personal taste and the the value of film as art), then any "criticism" of films you make is pretty much worthless.

Couldn't agree more.

[nitin77]

I liked Always Sunset on Third Street too.

[toddly6666]

"Always Sunset on Third Street" for example, received both popular and critical acclaim.

USA's Oscar-winning CRASH got popular and critical acclaim too.

Why do you keep assuming that Im telling you that it's a bad film for youself? When I talk about a certain film, I don't need to start off with "I personally believe in my own opinion" Miss Universe opening before I rip apart a film. I just explained why I think certain films are bad which is my personal opinion, not yours. ALWAYS is a poor film, because it's amateurishly acted, not emotional, dull, full of filler, and poorly written. The whole movie looks like a set rather than a time period. I know why it's a hit in Japan. If the comic book didn't exist and have such a following, the film would be nothing. Japan's obsession with youth is annoying because it tends to get into their screenplays which are poorly developed writing of romance and/or relationships. When I watch a movie about relationships between people, I don't want to see something written by a manga artist for pre-teens. I want a professionally-written film. Maybe it's a good adaptation of the comic book. I don't know. But I'm nuts over WATCHMEN and people are nuts over HARRY POTTER, NARNIA flicks, LORD OF THE RINGS, and PASSION OF THE CHRIST, but these are other films which have gotten mixed reviews - great reviews by fans and fair reviews by non fans...All you have to do is explain why you liked ALWAYS. Don't tell me that I don't think it's a bad film. You don't have to tell me that a movie is good because it got good reviews. Tell me how you feel about the film.

Every film I don't like is a bad film? That doesn't make sense, because I love films which are considered bad as well. It's known that THE READER and CRASH are critically acclaimed films that are actually commonly known as really bad films. There's "word on the street" that "why did these films get anywhere?". If that common negative belief exists in America, does it exist in Asia? Maybe? No? All critically-acclaimed Asian films are actually good films too?

If there is a negative view towards the Oscars, which there is by a lot of film buffs in America, in which the best films or best actors actually don't always get picked, do you actually believe that the equivalant of these Oscar-type awards in other countries don't do the same? Most American average joes respect the Oscars. A typical American film buff does not respect the Oscars, because they would be more supportive of the not-as-popular awards shows such as Golden Globes or Independent Film Awards. The average joe picks the typical mainstream Hollywood films as the best films/actors of the year. The film buff picks the obscure and usually better films/actors. That's how it roles. But if you are the type of person that identifies yourself as a film buff, how can you be an average joe when it comes to foreign films? Does anyone know what I mean? If THE CHASER, THE GOOD, THE BAD, THE WIERD, or THIRST were American films, what would they be? They would be a typical thriller film, a typical action comedy, and a typical good horror film.

I'm still curious to see what Wong Kar Wai or Lars Van Tier is going to do next, but it doesn't mean I like them or think that they are good filmmakers. At least im not some harsh, senile boycotting critic. Some people straight away don't want to see filmmakers they don't like. I want to see films by filmmakers I don't like. Is that a crime?

[BuddhaWake]

USA's Oscar-winning CRASH got popular and critical acclaim too.

Why do you keep assuming that Im telling you that it's a bad film for youself? When I talk about a certain film, I don't need to start off with "I personally believe in my own opinion" Miss Universe opening before I rip apart a film. I just explained why I think certain films are bad which is my personal opinion, not yours. ALWAYS is a poor film, because it's amateurishly acted, not emotional, dull, full of filler, and poorly written. The whole movie looks like a set rather than a time period. I know why it's a hit in Japan. If the comic book didn't exist and have such a following, the film would be nothing. Japan's obsession with youth is annoying because it tends to get into their screenplays which are poorly developed writing of romance and/or relationships. When I watch a movie about relationships between people, I don't want to see something written by a manga artist for pre-teens. I want a professionally-written film. Maybe it's a good adaptation of the comic book. I don't know. But I'm nuts over WATCHMEN and people are nuts over HARRY POTTER, NARNIA flicks, LORD OF THE RINGS, and PASSION OF THE CHRIST, but these are other films which have gotten mixed reviews - great reviews by fans and fair reviews by non fans...All you have to do is explain why you liked ALWAYS. Don't tell me that I don't think it's a bad film. You don't have to tell me that a movie is good because it got good reviews. Tell me how you feel about the film.

Every film I don't like is a bad film? That doesn't make sense, because I love films which are considered bad as well. It's known that THE READER and CRASH are critically acclaimed films that are actually commonly known as really bad films. There's "word on the street" that "why did these films get anywhere?". If that common negative belief exists in America, does it exist in Asia? Maybe? No? All critically-acclaimed Asian films are actually good films too?

If there is a negative view towards the Oscars, which there is by a lot of film buffs in America, in which the best films or best actors actually don't always get picked, do you actually believe that the equivalant of these Oscar-type awards in other countries don't do the same? Most American average joes respect the Oscars. A typical American film buff does not respect the Oscars, because they would be more supportive of the not-as-popular awards shows such as Golden Globes or Independent Film Awards. The average joe picks the typical mainstream Hollywood films as the best films/actors of the year. The film buff picks the obscure and usually better films/actors. That's how it roles. But if you are the type of person that identifies yourself as a film buff, how can you be an average joe when it comes to foreign films? Does anyone know what I mean? If THE CHASER, THE GOOD, THE BAD, THE WIERD, or THIRST were American films, what would they be? They would be a typical thriller film, a typical action comedy, and a typical good horror film.

I'm still curious to see what Wong Kar Wai or Lars Van Tier is going to do next, but it doesn't mean I like them or think that they are good filmmakers. At least im not some harsh, senile boycotting critic. Some people straight away don't want to see filmmakers they don't like. I want to see films by filmmakers I don't like. Is that a crime?


So, eXentris, what was your opinion of Always Sunset on Third Street?

I agree with todd with one thing, everything looked like it was in a studio or sound stage. it was typical melodrama often seen in Japan and other Asian countries. I didn't hate it but I didn't love it either it was just better than ok but I'm glad I saw it. If I want an overly melodramatic period piece I'll do I'd rather be a shellfish wish was excellent. but taking into consideration what slop said, being an above average indie film, they did a decent job. some of the cgi stuff took me out of the film a bit. but this is one of those films that tries to get a cheap emotional reaction from you. bring on the violins type. but that is the type of story it is so no one should expect anything different and knowing this one could get more enjoyment out of it. is one of those "remember the good old days that weren't that good but still remember them" type movies and within that frame it works. so while I dissagree with todd on this one, like I do on many many others he has explained himself hundreds of time by now, we get it. but I'm guessing you already saw it based on your response to toddly so I'm looking forward to your opinion of it.

[BuddhaWake]

Couldn't agree more.

so which part are you agreeing to? that toddly is off his bunkers? and what would you know, you've been here 2 months. so someone posting in 1 thread gives you enough information about them to form an opinion about that person? eXentris has been here for a decade pretty much, he's like a grandpa here (not calling you old eX, just wise). so if you are going to have an opinion about someone make it your own don't be a hype man. and you yourself said this in this very thread:

what i was trying to say is we can't justify what's best for us upon others' opinion. Art is subjective.
so you changed your mind?

[nitin77]

that was deliberate though you know (shot on a studio look), whether you like it or not is a separate issue.

Also, this is not really going anywhere. No one is willing to back down from, let alone discuss, their opinions or views which are pretty much diametrically opposed. Seems like heels have been dug in and thats that.

[BuddhaWake]

that was deliberate though you know (shot on a studio look), whether you like it or not is a separate issue.

Also, this is not really going anywhere. No one is willing to back down from, let alone discuss, their opinions or views which are pretty much diametrically opposed. Seems like heels have been dug in and thats that.

is it? I didn't realize that. any particular reason to make it look "artificial" like that? romantisicm purposes? I didn't take it like that but if that was their intent then it works. I wouldn't consider it "magical realism" per say but I guess it works in making in story bookish.

I have to dissagree with you a bit here, no one should back down from their opinion if they don't wish. is not a debate but a discussion but we are not having that either because if you say something negative you have to justify yourself or be insulted those with positive comments only have to say they liked it but not why hence no discussion. even posting positive gets you insulted because "contributions" from dvdtalk members are not as good as from some other places to some. look at the european thread. no problems there.

[nitin77]

I am not saying people should back down from their opinion but they way they are currently being put, there is no room for discussion. There are blanket cover all comments being thrown about which are not conducive to any discussion.

Anyway, thats my opinion and I am sticking with it. So there :)

And yeah the 'artificial' look is mainly to reinforce the romanticised nostalgia for 1950's Tokyo, which is what the movie and its themes are aiming for IMHO (ie the longing for that era which cannot be replicated now only recreated).

[BuddhaWake]

I am not saying people should back down from their opinion but they way they are currently being put, there is no room for discussion. There are blanket cover all comments being thrown about which are not conducive to any discussion.

Anyway, thats my opinion and I am sticking with it. So there :)

And yeah the 'artificial' look is mainly to reinforce the romanticised nostalgia for 1950's Tokyo, which is what the movie and its themes are aiming for IMHO (ie the longing for that era which cannot be replicated now only recreated).

that makes sense. maybe i'll revisit it with that in mind and see if i like it more. i never thought of it that way, i just figured it was more to do with budget limits.

[nitin77]

it may well have been due to budget constraints too (not sure), but its implementation in the way I mentioned above works for me.

[toddly6666]

I would say that the old school time period set worked smoothly and nicely in KUNG FU HUSTLE, but it didn't work in ALWAYS. Something just didn't click right with ALWAYS. That has to do more with the director than the budget. If the director can't get his actors to believe that they are in that time period, then it's going to look like a set. (Think of the George Lucas prequels - Lucas is a bad director because he didn't inspire his cast to act better with all those CGI backgrounds. So the Star Wars prequels looked like a film with actors acting in front of a blue screen. A true good director can inspire his actors to act in a way in which they blend flawlessly with background CGI or CGI characters, such as Peter Jackson's King Kong or Lord of the Rings.)

Actually with K-20: LEGEND OF THE MASK, a film I didn't like, did a pretty good job with capturing an old school time period nicely, just like KUNG FU HUSTLE.

I've actually noticed that more recent movies that try to do a certain time period (the 1930s for example) have trouble capturing a sense of that time period without reminding the audience that it's a set. A lot of these directors get tons of money for their budget, but have trouble capturing a time period. I think it was done a lot better in cinema of the 1970s and 1980s, which didn't have bloated budgets (Bugsy Malone, The Sting, Last Emperor, etc.). When I see a 70s/80s movie that's about the 1930s, it's as if im really there experiencing it, unlike these newer films which just make me feel im watching a set. I think it got worse in the 90s (think of Batman, The Shadow) when a certain time period just looked like a set.

I have yet to see a film that didn't mess up the Renaissance time period. Those films always seem to capture that time period. Whenever I watch those films, I can't think of a time once where I thought "oh they are just a bunch of actors from our time period dressed up in costumes". Even watching Les Miserables on stage - it's done so well, that it doesn't even seem like a set or a bunch of actors.

[Dane]

A true good director can inspire his actors to act in a way in which they blend flawlessly with background CGI or CGI characters.
Well, sometimes a given actor/actress just arn´t any better regardless of CGI background or not. Hayden Christnesen just isn´t a partucular any good actor.

In this regard, I have to point out an outstanding job done by BoB Hoskins i Who Framed Roger Rabbit

[BuddhaWake]

yeah I think Bob Hoskins is the go to test when it comes to things like this, and he had to interact with the rabbit and others, it wasn't just background. hell, even brad pitt in cool world wasn't bad compared to no talen anakin.

[toddly6666]

Well, sometimes a given actor/actress just arn´t any better regardless of CGI background or not. Hayden Christnesen just isn´t a partucular any good actor.

There is nothing wrong with the talent of any of the actors from the Star Wars prequels. All of them have shown talent in other movies (Hayden Christensen was good in Life as a House and Shattered Glass). But to make Natalie Portman, Samuel L. Jackson, Christopher Lee, Ewan McGregor, and Liam Neeson look bad in a movie - that takes a BAD director and George Lucas is an awful director...the only ones that actually acted well in those prequels were Ian McDiarmid, Temuro Morrison, and Ray Park. They were the only ones that seemed like they were Star Wars characters instead of actors wearing Star Wars costumes. Those prequels would have been better if they were directed by McG, Uwe Boll, Stephen Sommers, or Brett Ratner.

[mrhan]

I don't know if these have been mentioned but I recently saw them. Ichi (female version of Zatoichi) is good but not worth a second look. I really wanted to like it more since it starred the actress from Cyborg Girl; a movie which I really enjoyed. However, Crazy Racer is worth your time and repeated viewing. An excellent film imho.

Crazy Racer:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0851515/


Ichi:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1060256/

[toddly6666]

I don't know if these have been mentioned but I recently saw them. Ichi (female version of Zatoichi) is good but not worth a second look. I really wanted to like it more since it starred the actress from Cyborg Girl; a movie which I really enjoyed. However, Crazy Racer is worth your time and repeated viewing. An excellent film imho.

Crazy Racer:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0851515/


Ichi:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1060256/

Can you post a link to a trailer for Crazy Racer? I couldn't find one online...

[mrhan]

Can you post a link to a trailer for Crazy Racer? I couldn't find one online...

Here you go.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbXPqGC65Cw

If I saw this first and wasn't recommended the movie by friends I wouldn't have had any interest in watching it.

[flixtime]

...is HAEUNDAE sounded out like HYUNDAI the Korean car manufacturer???
TheDoug, though I forgot to do so earlier, I did ask this question to someone at my local Korean grocery store, problem is now I've sort of forgotten exactly how she pronounced it...I think it might have been pronounced Hey-oon-day for the movie HAEUNDAE. I can ask again (and this time try and do a better job of remembering and phonetics)...if you're more curious to know.

[TheDoug]

Flixtime thanks for your phonetic efforts. I'm not losing sleep over it but was just curious. Maybe if I download the trailer on YouTube they'll pronounce it somewhere...:-)

[flixtime]

Maybe if I download the trailer on YouTube they'll pronounce it somewhere...:-)
:lol: You're a smart man! Me, maybe not so much...what's that saying "common sense ain't so common".

Watching the trailer now, at least I see I was reasonably accurate in my attempted phonetics.

And I think the folks at the Korean grocery were at least a little impressed that I knew something about Korean films...so I can take solace in that.

[James_M]

I saw Always Sunset on Third and I felt it was a middling movie, neither good nor bad. I wouldn't say the acting was great nor horrible. The movie was like a light comedy and appropriate like comic actors act in a tv sitcom. I felt the actress Koyuki, (best known in America from the Last Samurai) acted well as hers was the serious role.

I personally liked the sequel much better. Better story and character focused.

[toddly6666]

the English-subtitled GOEMON DVD is out right now and I bought it yesterday. It's the "type" of dvd that will probably be sold at hkflix.com soon. The video quality is anamorphic with Dolby Digital 5.1 Japanese, with English or Spanish subtitles. The video is okay, not as good as the original Japanese DVD. It slightly looks pixilated during dark scenes.