My Top Ten Favorite Asian Movies… What Are YOURS?
28 May
Why I LOVE Asian Cinema
If you haven’t been watching Asian movies, I got news for you – you’ve been missing out on a lot of cool flicks. Before I finish my next post about this new killer movie that is coming out and the physical training that went into it, here is a quick little non-fitness post. I want to tell you why I love Korean, Japanese, Cantonese, etc. movies… Here is the reason why I included many Asian movies in my post 25 Movies That Motivate Me To Train Hard. Also – this story was somewhat inspired by Chris McCombs recent post on his favorite books in different fields. So here is just a small selection of some of my favorite Asian flicks:
Another one from Takeshi Kitano – and possibly even better than Sonatine. Among beautiful music and cinematography a tired and sad cop chases his inner demons by killing off Yakuza thugs…
3-Iron is is basically a movie about feelings I guess. A loner goes around the empty houses of strangers and spends the night there. In exchange he fixes stuff around the house. Until he meets a woman in one of the houses…
An ultra-violent film preaching against violence. Tired Yakuza is sent to settle a gang war. He instead flees to the beach to wait for things to settle down. What follows is a mix of heart crushing violence and meditative introspection on seizing the day and living to the fullest. Brilliant Takeshi Kitano – the ultimate bad ass without trying to be one…
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
This is basically a Chinese fantasy about the coming of age of a young princess. And of course we see her and a bunch of other guys (all of whom cinema giants) kick ass in gorgeous wire- and choreography- embellished martial artistry
A cheesy plot serves as a vehicle for one of the best action movies of all time. The gun fights here are a thing of beauty – delivered here by the action duo Chow Yun Fat and director John Woo.
This is just a kung-fu version of Robin Hood. Set in China. The action scenes are ridiculous – have to be seen to be believed. Donnie Yen and Yuen Woo-Ping (choreographer of the Matrix movies) are a lethal team!
A drunk girl almost falls off the ledge at a subway station. A goofy guy saves her but gets into a series of troubles because of her – turns out there is something she is not telling him…
A man finds himself a prisoner without knowing why. He is kept in a locked room for 15 years. During this time he tries not to go insane and plots his revenge. Suddenly he is released without explanation. And the film is just beginning…
A bunch of kung-fu monks play soccer using their kung fu skills. Stephen Chow is a comedic genius and a decent athlete – he pulls off all the stunts (with CGI of course). He is also hilarious – playing his usual goofy screen persona.
Another John Woo / Chow Yun Fat collaboration. A gun for hire makes a fatal mistake, hurting an innocent girl in the process. He starts his own private war against a ton of bad guys. One of the movies that inspired the matrix – the gun fights have to be seen to be believed…
So – any Asian cinema junkies out there?
I had almost forgotten that I loved those movies. Glad the new movie that I’m writing my next post about reminded me about Asian flicks. Anyway – what would your list look like? What did I miss? Share in the comments below…
Pic by jeremybarwick
Related posts:
you should check out the “fearless a.k.a Huo Yuan Jia” and “yip man”. i don’t think it fits the western “action” movie…. but i raises our national spirit!
Chuck,
I’ve seen those and they are both excellent. In fact, I”m almost done with a post on Yip Man.
Great suggestions, buddy!
Yavor
Bruce Lee, Jet Li, and Jackie Chan films
No asian film collection is complete without them.
Chris,
No doubt Bruce Lee, Jet Li, and Jackie Chan are up there. Maybe I should write another post with martial arts movies only.
Cheers,
Yavor
glad you like yip man….
*jackie chan movies is kinda funny or on the comedy side if you ask me. to really see him fight, go check out the old films of his..
Chuck,
I like that Jackie’s films are funny. Action wise the best one is Drunken Master 2. Though the stunts in the Police Story films are also crazy.
Yavor
great list. bruce lee, jet li, jackie chan are givens. i like your list, immensely. if you haven’t already seen these, i would recommend
Some off the top of my head. Great job Yavor!
Daniel,
wow – you got me unprepared buddy! I haven’t seen half of those you listed. So these enter my to see list:
Thanks for contributing!
Yavor
I have to think that anything with Bruce Li/Lee is list worthy. That guy was insane when it came to fitness. Wiki has a summary of some of his feats here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Lee#Physical_feats
Andy,
No doubt man! But I think that Bruce Lee is in a category of his own and that is why he is missing from the list here.
Cheers,
Yavor
Love “Hard Boiled” and “The Killer”. Chow Yun-Fat and John Woo rock!
Rodil,
No doubt – and have you watched A Better Tomorrow 2:
Hi!
Just came across your site this morning and I must admit it’s a bit of a goldmine at the moment, keep up the good work!
I’ll chip in on this thread, here are some of my favourites:
- Zatoichi (Kitano Takeshi – any film of his is great)
- Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter… and Spring (sub. Fall for Autumn in the US!)
- Kung Fu Hustle (another Stephen Chow film)
- Joint Security Area (JSA) (another Chan-Wook Park)
I won’t even touch on Akira Kurosawa films…
Kieron,
unfortunately I still haven’t seen enough of Kim Ki duk’s movies, Sprin,Summer… included. But I plan to LOL! Same for JSA. I should pop those DVDs in the player soon though, thanks for reminding me!
As for Kitano and Kung Fu Hustle – of course!
Cheers,
Yavor
why arent there any Gong Li films in this list??? for she is the best actress in asia (if not the best in the world)
Joel,
well unfortunately Ihaven’t seen enough Gong Li (or Zhang Yimou for that matter). Maybe she will make the nex top 10 list
Feel free to add your suggestions,
Yavor
You have really good taste in movies.