Hello everyone,
As the title of the post suggests, I am an avid fan of Asian movies, and I'm here to share some of the Asian-movie-goodness!
No doubt you'll know, or may have seen already, and might have your own opinion on, some of the titles I post here, but I'll try to only recommend you the movies which I personally think are really good.
The internationally-acclaimed :
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Chinese
Cast : Chow Yun-Fat, Michelle Yeoh, Zhang Ziyi
Viro's notes : Nominated for Oscar, which says something for itself. Unlike many stereotypes of Asian (especially Chinese) movies, this movie relies heavily on its story, and not its fighting/action sequence. However, this movie also hosts one of the best fighting scenes I've ever seen, the twist is it's a fighting scene between two women.
Hero
Chinese
Cast : Jet Li, Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Maggie Cheung, Zhang Ziyi, Donnie Yen
Viro's notes : Possibly one of the best Asian movies ever made. The fighting scenes are breathtaking, one of the best as well; and the story is amazing, with a deep underlying message. It stars some of the most famous Chinese actors, and even if you don't want to see the other movies I recommended, at least watch this one, it's *that* good.
Wuxia (Chinese Martial Arts) movies :
Fearless
Chinese
Cast : Jet Li, Collin Chou
Viro's notes : Jet Li's last Hong Kong wuxia movie. The fighting scenes in this movie also stands out from the rest, and the story's not disappointing either. It's loosely based on a historical Chinese figure, who is more of a legend.
House of Flying Daggers
Chinese
Cast : Andy Lau, Zhang Ziyi, Takeshi Kaneshiro
Viro's notes : A very nice story, and a movie with a more realistic feel. Do give it a try as well.
Romance :
My Sassy Girl
Korean
Cast : Jeon Ji-Hyun, Cha Tae-Hyun
Viro's notes : As far as romance movies go, nothing, and I mean NOTHING, will ever measure up to this movie. It's tear-breaking, heart-wrenching, but it's also one of the most beautiful piece of film I've ever seen. It will be remade to a Hollywood version soon, and I beg you to do the world a favor and watch this first before it happens.
Il Mare :
Korean
Cast : Jeon Ji-Hyun, Lee Jung-Jae
Viro's notes : Another lovely movie. It has been made to a Hollywood version, titled The Lake House (I bet you know this movie, with Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock), however I'd say the original Korean version gets to me a lot more. For me, it's also one of the movies that boasts the most beautiful, scenic background, and one of the greatest soundtrack.
Fantasy :
The Promise
Chinese
Cast : Hiroyuki Sanada, Cecilia Chung, Nicholas Tse, Jang Dong-Gun
Viro's notes : This movie is more like between a romance movie and a wuxia movie. Personally, I find this movie to be not too interesting at first, but quickly exceeds my expectations and by the end of the movie, I was left amazed.
Warriors of Heaven and Earth
Chinese
Cast : Jiang Wen, Kiichi Nakai, Zhao Wei
Viro's notes : An action-fantasy movie. Personally, I love how it relates to the history of the Silk Road, most definitely worthwhile to see.
Drama :
The Twilight Samurai
Japanese
Cast : Hiroyuki Sanada, Rie Miyazawa
Viro's notes : While it has fight sequences, it focuses more heavily on the story aspect and the everyday struggle of the lead character. The movie is also recognized as an accurate portrayal of Japan at that time, hence for me it's also an added value to the movie.
Wait 'Til You're Older
Chinese
Cast : Andy Lau, Karen Mok, Felix Wong
Viro's notes : It's a beatiful movie, which can remind you of the true value of a family.
Action :
Infernal Affairs (I, II, and III)
Chinese
Cast : Andy Lau, Tony Leung Chiu Wai
Viro's notes : Widely heralded in Asia as the best Hong Kong movie in the last few years. This movie, is remade to become the Oscar-winning Hollywood movie, The Departed. Yes, once again, The Departed is a remake from this one. I find the original Hong Kong movie to be better, since it is originally is split into three parts; while The Departed is a very Americanized version and it forcefully fits the 3 movies into just 1.
A Battle of Wits
Chinese
Cast : Andy Lau
Viro's notes : It's a war-action movie, derived from a manga, and heavily focuses on the strategy.
The Warlords
Chinese
Cast : Jet Li, Andy Lau, Takeshi Kaneshiro
Viro's notes : Another action-war movie, which is worth it to see based on the cast alone.
Comedy :
Kung Fu Hustle
Chinese
Cast : Stephen Chow
Viro's notes : Extremely funny! Widely held as one of the best Hong Kong movies as well.
