Asian Cinema

Totoro101 · Movie Executive Producer

RE: Asian Cinema

Man In Black · Anime Mod

Cool find Totty.

BTW - there is a Chinese film on Film 4 TONIGHT at 11.40 called Little Red Flowers. It's a comedy drama about a young boy who stands up against the oppression of Chairman Mao.

Totoro101 · Movie Executive Producer

thanks for the heads up Mib! Well i only came across those films on amazon, i had a gander at them and both really sound quite intresting.Iv taken a look at the trailor for Bloody reunion and it looks really quite graphic.I imagine its going to be quite a shocking film.Its not the usual Asian cinema horror we get which is more psychalogical then blood and guts hollywood drivel, but there is a decent story behind the violence here which makes it far superior to any film of this kind from the US. Cant wait to see it!

GLOWlad · A List Star

Saw The Host...have to admit I knew hothing about it, just happened to see it one night on sky.

I was impressed, it has some funny moments, exciting moments, and then it all gets suprisingly dark come the last half...

Im so used to Hollywood films that serve up by the numbers endings that its was interesting and suprising to see the downbeat ending.

Though Id still have liked a happier ending in this case.

Man In Black · Anime Mod

Simple answer GLOWLad - don't watch anymore Hollywood schlock!

Totoro101 · Movie Executive Producer

I gave up watching hollywood crap years ago myself ^-^.

GLOWlad · A List Star

The irony was that with The Host I was rooting for an happy ending because the movie suceeded in making me care about the characters.

Whereas in your typical Hollywood movie, one doesnt engage with the characters so your kinda happy to see them become monster meat.

It had some striking visuals too, the scene where agent yellow is released from example...and the movie felt like it had something to say, unlikevthe average American movie today.

Dont get me wrong, Im raised on American movies, and there are many I cherish and love, but right now it seems Asia is where the most inventive challenging movies are being made.

Man In Black · Anime Mod

I suggest you either save up your pennies or take out a DVD rental subscription then immerse yourself in all that Asian cinema has to offer. You won't regret it and Totty and I can always recommend top titles for you.

GLOWlad · A List Star

Thanks...I do have a few of Asian movies in my collection, just the usual big names like...

Hero
House of the Flying Daggers
Crouching tiger hidden dragon
Ringu
The Grudge
The Grudge 2
Dark Water
Battle Royale
Lady Vengence
My lucky stars (Because of Michiko Nishiwaki!)
Pulse

Plus one or two more, but obviously nothing like your big collections.

Oh, and I nearly bought bizarre pants obsessed anime Agent Aika the other week, Otaku that I am...

Most of all I like the creepy J-horror stuff, I dislike gore but like genuine scares.

-- Edited by GLOWlad at 20:36, 2007-10-08

Man In Black · Anime Mod

Funnily enough there is little to no gore in J-Horror. That is reserved for the action thrillers. Ichi The Killer for example has more blood and gore than probably every J-Horror film combined.

And your list is a good foundation to build upon now go and explore!

GLOWlad · A List Star

What do think of Agent Aika btw? Ive seen bits of it on youtube and found it bizarre but entertaining...and I like all those villainous 'Delmo's'. But Anime is very much your field I know.

Totoro101 · Movie Executive Producer

Thats a nice collection Glowlad ^^.I actually didnt think Ichi the Killer was so bad, having watched it a few times, its pretty funny actually.I have to confess i have a huge gap in my hong kong/chinese cinema collection which i need to rectify but at the moment im crazy about Japanese and Korean cinema.Agent Aika sounds like fun, iv never heard of it myself though...

-- Edited by Totoro101 at 21:08, 2007-10-08

Man In Black · Anime Mod

Not seen Aika yet either. I've got so much other stuff to catch up on first.

GLOWlad · A List Star

There are lots of clips on Youtube Totoro, its shameless stuff really, Agent Aika is this kick ass woman, and she is constantly fighting with loads of hapless 'Delmo's' a collection of beautiful, identically dressed bad girls. Its kind of sub-James Bond. But the bizarre thing about is that during the fights the camera focuses as much on the fighters pants as anything else! Its surreal, but worth a look for a laugh.

Totoro101 · Movie Executive Producer

Thanks for that Glowlad.Well here is THE site to go on for buying asian movies.Iv just bought a couple,one being Ninja Scroll live action filn Ninin which looks incredible, go here and youll find all kinds of new and rare asian films that would never be released in our shores ^^. Im sure you know this site already though Mib ^-^.

Asian film

Totoro101 · Movie Executive Producer

Ninin The movie
The legend of the blue suit Ninja is about to be real. The all-time-classic japanese cartoon "Ninja Hatori" is back in action with his debut movie "Ninnin The Movie". The original story of the young Ninja Hatori is taken from Fugio and Fugiko (the famous writer of Doraemon). In Ninnin The Movie, the Ninja cartoon boy becomes the virtual boy as Shingo Katori (Juvenile), a member from SMAP (a heartthrob japanese boy band) is Hatori, the Ninja. In his new beginning, Hatori goes to Tokyo to face the adventure and then defeat his old foe with his sword and his star shaped daggers.

B00076OMYM.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

Hellevator (Gushen No Binden)
In the future, huge multi-tiered buildings act as the main human dwellings, with massive elevators bringing people from one section to the next. Luchino is a troublemaking girl on her way up to school one morning. But she realises that trouble may be brewing when her unusual psychic power reveal to her that two of the men on the lift are psychotic killers.

2 new films i bought and one i have now and Ninin i will get in a few weeks.Cant wait.Hellevator is a fantastic horror film and i really recommend to anyone if you want an original and strange horror movie.It reminds me a tad of Hellraiser,a japanese version of it anyway.

Man In Black · Anime Mod

I didn't actually realise this but Little Red Flowers the other night was the first of a week long series of films on Film 4 from mainland China.

Last night they showed the film Beijing B*st*rds about the singer in a pub rock band looking for his girlfriend.

Tonight at 1.20am is Sunflower a film about an artists and his relationship with his son set to parallels of the changes in China.

Thursday night sees The World air at 00:50amwhich is set in a Beijing theme park and features a young dancer who wants to become a part of the new China.

Finally Friday night has Devils On The Doorstep at 00:30am. Set in 1994, this anti-war farce sees Chinese villagers clash with Japanese troops over their unwanted hostage that the Japanese have dumped on the village.

You may notice that mainland China films either feature heavy political and social commentary or are lavish period pieces such as Curse Of The Golden Flower etc.

Darth Mattitude · The Dark Admin

Any of you seen:

?? Well, they will be on their way tomorrow MiB....

Totoro101 · Movie Executive Producer

Iv heard of them both myself, so it means another couple on my list to buy in the near future!

Man In Black · Anime Mod

Thanks DM.

The first Election film was on Film 4 the other week (and I gave plenty of notice so you should have all seen it

) while the second has been on my DVD rental list along with Exiled.

Totoro101 · Movie Executive Producer

Im going to have to wait a while until i buy them sadly :(..

Man In Black · Anime Mod

The season of films from Mainland China on Film 4 is being repeated from Saturday through to Wednesday.

Ch 4 is showing the final part in Park Chan Wook's "Vengeance" trilogy Lady Vengeance on Monday at 00.45am while Ch 5 has in my opinion Bruce Lee's best film Fist Of Fury at 23.05pm although it will probably be dubbed and edited.

jack_jeckel · On The Casting Couch

First post guys :D

Firstly, Exiled is a great choice Matt. Johnny To has been proving recently that he is one of the best directors going today. The first thing that made Exiled really stand out to me was the locations (Macau) and the musical score almost made it seem like I was watching a western. The cast was also great with the Hong Kong big boys Anthony Wong, Simon Yam and Francis Ng. Great film, great action, a must for any fan of Hong Kong films or for anyone who misses classic John Woo :).

Recently I have watched:

Ping Pong!

Now, I have no idea what made me want to get this in the first place. I hadn't really heard too much about it and am not too familiar with the cast except Shido Nakamura(Death Note, Neighbour No 13, Letters from Iwo Jima) and Sam Lee (Dog Bite Dog, Young and Dangerous, Gen X Cops)... and am not a fan of ping pong... well... I didn't use to be anyway.
This film is excellent in everyway, I fell in love with it straight away. It has very likeable characters that keep continuing to grow on you. The action scene(PING PONG~!) and shot soo well it makes you feel like you are playing the game or what they are actually hitting the camera around the table to get those shots. The story is also very interesting and you not too predictable either. This film also introduced me to the music of the great J pop group "Supercar", their 2 main songs in the film are fantastic, one of which is even used for a classic sports montage, good stuff! I highly recommend it to everyone!!

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5u5YaGU3ELk
"Supercar - Yumegiwa last boy"

Man In Black · Anime Mod

Nice stuff Jack. I've had Johnny To's Breaking News sent to me from my DVD rental mob today. I shall try and watch that tonight.

BTW we have a thread in the general movie discussion forum where we review recently watched films. Look forward to seeing your contributions there.

GLOWlad · A List Star

I came across Lady Vengeance by mistake, such an amazing film, cant fathom why they scheduled it in the early hours.

Man In Black · Anime Mod

Er..because it's very violent and the subject matter is very touchy.

Glad you enjoyed it though. You have to check out Park Chan Wook's other two "vengeance" films Sympathy For Mr. Vengeance and Oldboy!

GLOWlad · A List Star

I have on DVD, but its weird, somehow watching it 'live' is better, knowing that a bunch of other people are watching it too.

Or at least me and a few other insomniacs at that hour! I think 11pm would be acceptable to show it...for all its horror, its a beautiful film too.

Ive seen most of Oldboy, again it was visually beautiful.

GLOWlad · A List Star

Forgot to add...its amazing to find such beauty even in films so dark, these are memorable artistic films...again something western films have lost.

-- Edited by GLOWlad at 19:11, 2007-10-16

Man In Black · Anime Mod

Absolutely. Check out Takeshi Kitano's Hana-Bi if you haven't already.

It's about an ex-cop who robs a bank to pay off his debts with the Yakuza and to take his terminally ill wife on a final trip of a lifetime. It is very violent and often bleak yet there is some dark humour and plenty of pathos to tug at your heartstrings.

Also Korean films Brotherhood (taegukgi) and 3 Iron are worth a viewing too.

flying hippy · On The Casting Couch

I have not had a chance to watch this film yet, but i was a big Chow Yun Fat fan before his American films. I loved the better tommorow's and god of gamblers.

On another note I went to Singapore and they are cinema mad one on every block. I was told they are the worlds most cinema going country 80% of recreation goes to cinema.

I can not rembember the name of the film i saw but it was a love story with a twist where this sphere from out of space falls with this guide how to find the perfect partner hidden inside. Poor Boy meets rich girl vice versa.

Man In Black · Anime Mod

Hey Flying Hippy. Welcome aboard. Please make an official introduction in our "Introduce Yourself" thread so everyone can say hello! Tell us about yourself , how you found the forum and what your into, etc.

Totoro101 · Movie Executive Producer

Been buying quite a few films on play asia and just recieved my Ninin box set through there, excellent film which iv been looking foward to getting hold of for ages ^^.Iv bought another film
which i cant remember its title but ill post the picture of it when i can, it looks fantastic.Found one and its called Gegege no Kitaro, its been released on the 26th so iv preorded the box set edition, cant wait to get it, its a live action anime i believe.

-- Edited by Totoro101 at 22:44, 2007-10-18

Man In Black · Anime Mod

My reviews are up for Exiled and Election 2 HERE

Totoro101 · Movie Executive Producer

As usual, your reviews are top class.I wish i had your talent, you would be fantastic for one of those movie magazines or a writer for Neo!

Man In Black · Anime Mod

Thanks Totty but I'm not nearly that good.

Totoro101 · Movie Executive Producer

You really are you know.I think so and im sure many other readers of what you write think the same to ^^.

Man In Black · Anime Mod

So far it would seem that those "other readers" just you and Eve... hmm

Totoro101 · Movie Executive Producer

i wish you wouldnt be so negative on yourself mib... :(.

Man In Black · Anime Mod

That's what I do best.

Besides, you two are the only ones who comment on my work so it would appear to be fact thus far.

Handsome Dead · A List Star

I hope this is the right place to ask about this but, similarly to flying hippy, recently i've become a big Chow Yun-Fat fan and want some of his more 'obscure' films such as Prison on Fire and God of Gamblers which i've never really seen over here, but the problem comes when I try to order as they're often about £25 which is a lot more than I can afford to spend on one DVD. Now, I wouldn't have a problem with this if this was the only way to get them, so I ask, does anyone know anywhere that sells cheap foreign, particularly asian, films?

Man In Black · Anime Mod

Hong Kong Legends have a load of Chow Yun Fat DVDs for low prices:

http://www.hongkonglegends.co.uk/index.php

You can also try here :

http://www.asiancultcinema.co.uk/

And of course E-bay where I get a lot of my stuff!

-- Edited by Man In Black at 02:53, 2007-10-29

Totoro101 · Movie Executive Producer

I dont know why but iv never been a big fan of Chow Yun Fats movies.

Handsome Dead · A List Star

Man In Black wrote:

Hong Kong Legends have a load of Chow Yun Fat DVDs for low prices:

http://www.hongkonglegends.co.uk/index.php

You can also try here :

http://www.asiancultcinema.co.uk/

And of course E-bay where I get a lot of my stuff!

-- Edited by Man In Black at 02:53, 2007-10-29

Cheers, mate!

Man In Black · Anime Mod

A couple of TV heads up for you:

On Saturday night at 2.35am on BBC 2 is a Japanese drama called Warm Water Under A Red Bridge

And on Monday on Ch4 at 00.10 is Takeshi Kitano's excellent remake of Zatoichi. Highest recommendations for you to check out.

Totoro101 · Movie Executive Producer

Seen the Takeshi version of Zatoichi many times but will have to check out Warm water, nice find as usual Mib ^^

Man In Black · Anime Mod

I've just discovered what the Warm Water.... film is about. It's concerns a guy who falls in love with a woman who has an unusual "talent". She expels vast amount of water when she reaches climax during intimate moments...

Man In Black · Anime Mod

Heads up that starting on Saturday for a week on SKY Premier is Jackie Chan's New Police Story. Good film, worth checking out for a slice of new wave action with vintage ass kicking Jackie.

Totoro101 · Movie Executive Producer

I really enjoyed New Police story but a bit of a anticlimax at the end and nothing really different to what Jackie has done before,nice to see him in a more serious role.

Man In Black · Anime Mod

The great Chinese film Little Red Flowers is on More 4 at 10.00pm (11.00pm on More 4 +1) tonight while just in time for Xmas, Ju-On: The Grudge 2 is on Ch4 on this Thursday 13th December.

-- Edited by Man In Black at 13:16, 2007-12-08

Darth Mattitude · The Dark Admin

While we are doing this end of the year round up thing...

Whats been the best Asian movie of this year then?