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Asian Cinema, or how I learned to love subtitles!Sep 04 '06 (Updated Sep 08 '06) Write an essay on this topic.The Bottom Line I love Asian cinema. See a few of these films to see why! I don't remember the first movie from Asia that I saw. It was probably a kung fu film. However, I can tell you that Asian cinema is much much more than kung fu films. Ask a film student who one of the most influential directors ever was, and they will tell you Akira Kurosawa. This Japanese director directed films that have inspired Sergio Leone and George Lucas. Today, there are many fine directors from Hong Kong, China, Korea, Taiwan and Japan. Here are eight great directors and over a dozen great films to get you hooked on Asian cinema! 1. Princess Mononoke (Mononoke-hime (1997 directed by Hayao Miyazaki) I don't remember how I got hooked on Asian films, but I do remember the first anime that got my son hooked on all things Japan. A complex tale of man and nature told with a fascinating story and stunning animation captured my son's heart when he was only 6. Miyazaki directs "childrens" anime and I would recommend ANYTHING by Miyazaki to adults and children alike. MIyazaki was born in Tokyo in 1941, and is now one of the most well known and loved animation directors alive. 2. Audition (Odishon) (1999 Directed by Takashi Miike) Long known in Japan as a prolific director of violent Yakuza films, Takashi Miike was born in Japan in 1960 and became known internationally with this film. On its surface, Audition may seem like a romance film, but at its core, it is pure horror, done only as Miike can. 3. Old Boy If you like your violence served up with the brilliance of Hitchcockian plot twists and shocks, South Korean director Chan-wook Park (born in 63) serves up movies that you want to turn away from, but can't stop watching. Old Boy is a tale of revenge most twisted and malevolent. 4. 2046 (2004 directed by Kar Wai Wong) What's that, you don't like violence; you like tales of steamy langourious romances? Well check out Hong Kong director Kar Wai Wong, who was born in Shanghai and was raised in Hong Kong. Although he never went to film school his simmering tales of romance are a visual feast and deeply moving. In 2046, Tony Cheung as Chow Mo Wan tries to recapture unrequited love, lost in In the Mood for Love with three different women. A beautiful score and fantastic cinematography will keep you glued to the screen. 5. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (Wo hu cang long) (2000 directed by Ang Lee) Want to start out a bit more mainstream? Check out Taiwanese director Ang Lee's international breakout film. This director now known for Brokeback Mountain was born in Pingtung, Taiwan in 1954. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon was one of the first successful high wire films, showcasing impossible but beautifully filmed martial arts stunts, and a beautiful tale of love, revenge and duty all filmed in the gorgeous landscapes of China. 6. Hero (Ying Xiong) (2002, directed by Yimou Zhang) Zhang is a Chinese director, born in 1951, and part of the new cultural revolution in China. Hero is an epic tale, beautifully filmed about the actions taken by two assassins as seen through different view points in medieval feudal China. Another stunningly beautiful film to watch. 7. The Brotherhood of War (Tae Guk Gi) If you like war movies like Saving Private Ryan this epic tale of brothers forced to fight in the Korean War, stands on its own next to our best war movies. Director Je-gyu Kang born in South Korea in 1962 directs this brutal and emotional story about the lenghts brothers will go to protect one another in a country torn by war. 8. Iron Monkey (Siu nin Wong Fei Hung ji Tit ma Lau) (1993 directed by Woo ping Yuen) If you just like a good old fashioned martial arts flick, check out Woo Ping Yuen's Iron Monkey. Lots of great martial arts fight scenes, comedy and action galore in this Robin Hood style tale. What would Chinese director, Woo Ping Yuen know about martial arts? He was the choreographer for Kill Bill, The Matrix, Once Upon a Time in China and the aforementioned Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon to start. Well that isn't quite ten so, here's a couple more great Miike films that showcase his range: 9. Happiness of the Katakuris This pure camp musical horror film by Takashi Miike will either be the best or the worst film you have ever seen. In any event, I will bet it's the only Japanese musical horror comedy you have seen. A departure of sorts for Miike, this musical had me laughing out loud. The Katakuris run a bed and breakfast in rural Japan. The only problem is that their guests keep dying! What's a family to do? 10. The Bird People of China A beautiful piece of cinema, filmed in rural China tells the tale of how the modern world reacts with the world of simpler times. A Yakuza hitman and a business man travel to rural China to check out a mining investment and along the way reach life changing epiphanies because of their experiences. And another by Chan Wook Park 11. Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (boksuneun naui geot) (2002 directed by Chan Wook Park) Another tale of how good intentions, bad things and revenge can sometimes turn out really really badly for EVERYONE. Chan wook Park was never a fan of Frank Capra, so don't look for happy endings (full review coming soon) And another by Yimou Zhang 12. House of Flying Daggers (Shi Mian mai fu) (2004 directed by Yimou Zhang). This film is practically the poster child for Blu-Ray and Surround Sound. It's deep rich full palate of colors and incredible surround sound make it the ideal film to showcase the advances made in sound and vision. To top it off, its a beautiful lyrical tale. And a bunch more by Miyazaki Spirited Away, My Neighbor Toturro, Castle in the Sky, Kiki's Delivery Service, Porco Rosso and Howl's Moving Castle If you like Top Ten Lists: Action / Alien Movies / All Time Favorite Movies /Box Sets (DVD gift ideas for everyone!) Children's Movies (from a big kid) Christmas Comedies Comedies Cop Dramas / Cult Favorites / Heist Movies / Top Ten Hitman Movies / Horror / Japanimation (Anime) / Top 10 Organized Crime Movies / Romance - the 10 Worst / Romance - My 10 Favorites / Slasher Films/ Songs in Movies / Sci-Fi Tearjerkers/ Teen Films / Vietnam Movies/ War Movies / World War II Movies / Westerns  |
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