I thought a series of insights into foreign cinema was in order. What you like about it and what you dislike. I thought we could discuss the films of a particular country for a week or so and then move onto a different nations movies.

First up Japan & Korea (because I think it's pretty pointless to separate the two, though if you want to point out how different they are that's cool).

Why start with Japan & Korea? I think because they've undergone quite a revolution in the last decade or so. (and I've just come out of the Manga/Anime thread).

Personally my favourite Japanese & Korean films are Seven Samurai, Sonatine, The Host, Brotherhood, Ringu & most recently Letters From Iwo Jima.

Japan has given us plenty of well respected film makers and stars, Kurosawa, Chiba, Kitano, Nakata and more recently the excellent Ken Watanabe immediately spring to mind and let's not forget that Japan & Korea have given us the superior horror movies of the last ten years, most of them remade (not very well) by Hollywood.

Share your views on Japanese & Korean cinema. I'm no expert when it comes to it (obviously), but I'm sure someone out there is.

The wonders of Asian Cinema, especially from these two giants in the land of cinema.

Ok, let me split this into 2 sections, first off...

Japan:

No topic on Japanese cinema can go anywhere without paying its respects to the Emperor of Japanese cinema, Akira Kurosawa. Seven Samurai, Throne Of Blood, Yojimbo, Kagemusha... damn, the list is endless. His name was once synonimous with world cinema geeks, but has now branched out and been embraced by the masses as one of THE all time great directors, a title he thoroughly deserves.

Moving on (before I start to gush about Kurosawa), in recent years there has been a real hotch potch coming to these shores from Japan. With films like the forgettable Junk to the end of an era in Final Wars (the big Gs final Toho movie... aparently), Japan seems to want to emulate a lot of what goes on here in the west, but still retain its very eastern quality.

One constant throughout all the fashions is that Takeshi Kitano is (and will always be) cool. From his edgy cop/gangster/yakuza movies (Boiling Point, Hana-Bi) to Samurai chic (the astounding remake of Zatoichi and the rarely seen Gohatto) via kids killing kids (Battle Royale), the cinematic version of 'Beat' Takeshi (as he is best known here in the west) has yet to really put a foot wrong, something that very few actors in Hollywood can claim.

Although most people, when talking about Japanese cinema, tend to lean towards these more modern movies, its easy to forget the legacy of what has gone before. I am a huge fan of the Lone Wolf And Cub series. Ok, not really that much of a stone cold 'classic', but these films really shone a different light on how we perceive the Samurai/Ronin legends. Although these stories are pretty much part of the national herritage over in the land of the rising sun, it still amazes me how few people have ever seen them, along with the Female Prisoner and Lady Snowblood franchises, these are all great exploitation movies from the 70s when the US was turning out guff like The Thing With Two Heads (ok, I like this film, but its still pretty poor). All of these are must see cinema for any Asian movie fan.

I could go on, and on, and on about Japanese cinema, but I'll draw a line under it there... for now (all that and not a single mention of Hideo Nakata and Takeshi Miike, but hey, I have to leave something for someone else).

Korea:

The recent interest in Korean cinema here in the west is down to one man and one man alone, Chan-wook Park. His 'Revenge' trilogy is something very special indeed, the highlight of which being (for me at least) Old Boy. I showed this to Mrs SNE a while ago, when it was finished she said "How can you enjoy this sick kind of film?", I went on to explain about how revenge is ugly and nothing good can come of it... but alas, I gave up. However, even though she hated it she can appreciate its genius, that genius being in the way that no matter how hard it gets to watch you still can't take your eyes away, not even for a second. At this point I would like to bring to the attention of some that have never seen it Mr Park's first movie, Joint Security Area. This is a very touching film that never gave any indication of what was to come next from Mr Vengence himself, well worth catching it if you can. With this in mind, and with great anticipation I look forward to his next film I'm A Cyborg, But Thats Ok.

I will admit that Korean cinema is not my field when it comes to the Asian countries (I'm very much a Hong Kong kinda guy), but it does seem that Korea is heading in an epic Martial Arts direction at the moment with films like The Restless, from a few years back The Warrior, the high school Matrix-a-thon of Volcano High and the badly advertised Arahan (its no Kung-Fu Hustle, but give it props, its still well worth a watch), but the moods and fashions in Korea seem to switch faster than the clothes in Paris Hilton's wardrobe, so quite whats round the corner for this fine nation is still unknown.

Recomended films:

Japan:

Hana-Bi
Sword Of Vengeance
Battle Royale
Yojimbo
Seven Samurai
Godzilla
Casshern
Dark Water

Korea:

Old Boy
Sympathy For Mr Vengeance
Lady Vengeance (Sympathy For...)
Joint Security Area
A Tale Of Two Sisters
Shiri
The Warrior
Bichunmoo

^Excellent. Thanks SNE.

But we need more input, let's go people.

I'm not very good with foreign cinema, so here's a laymans view:

Battle Royale was awesome!! Did you see the bit with the grenade inside the severed head?? And that crazy psycho guy who just did it for a laugh? Amazing!

Although, a word of warning, in no way, shape or form should anyone ever attempt to watch Battle Royale II, God no, an abomination if ever there was one.

i have a reasonable number of foreign films in my collection...some amazing and some not so

if we're mentioning Korea we cant leave out "brotherhood" because it is absolutely staggering in scale.

i've been watching a fair amount of Russian (and old Iron curtain countries) films recently thanks to my giant latvian friend, Edvin. brother and brother 2...war....

also cant miss out the french...they are all gays and women but you cant fault district 13, irreversible, la haine, taxi and a whole host of other ace films

thailand...Ong-bak, warrior king, bang rajan

Yeah, Thailand Movie is also good. Especially with ones have Tony Jaa in it. Ong-bark and Tom-Yum-Kung are my favourite.

300, Thai style.

My main issue with Asian cinema at the moment is this thought process of some people that watch them, because its Asian its good... WRONG!

Each and every country produces its fair shre of guff. The aforementioned Junk being one (which is a shame, as the idea of a Japanese zombie film really sounded good, but alas, more money wasted), Princess Blade being another (good when theres fighting, wooden when not, which is most of the film unfortunatley), but then again you always get these types who get all 'Burn Hollywood, Asian is cool' with things like this.

Another Japanese film I'd like to point out (especially with the whole 'Burn Hollywood' thing I just stated) is Returner. Not the best film ever made, but enjoyable enough. The reason I point this out is, if you get the chance to watch it see how many blatant Hollywood Blockbusters this film attempts to rip off.

Lastly, I heard someone describe The Host as the Korean Signs, which although made me laugh, I can see what they were getting at. Go figure!

OK, it WAS specifically Japanese/Korean cinema this week , but seen as we've (or you've should I say ) moved on to cover Asian cinema as a whole, what about directors like John Woo, Ang Lee & Zhang Yimou?

Do you think Chinese cinema is coming along nicely, or starting to get a little repetitive?

Also, let's move onto actors from Asia, past and present, who are you're favourites?

VIVA LA REVOLUCION!

Er, don't know what came over me then, sorry.

Ok, this is where my strength lies.

Lets me get this part out of the way, I am a huge fan of Tsui Hark. Anyone who has ever seen the Once Upon A Time In China trilogy will know his work pretty well, but along with Jet Li's finest hours he has also done A Chinese Ghost Story, Zu Warriors Of The Magic Mountain and more recently with Seven Swords. As producer he brought us Yuen Woo Ping's mighty Iron Monkey remake, John Woo's brilliant A Better Tomorrow as well as The Swordsman and New Gragon Gate Inn, but this is only the tip of the iceberg of his amazing career.

Zhang Yimou started off by doing really interesting character pieces with his long running cohort Gong Li (Raise The Red Lantern springs to mind when I say this). In recent years though it would seem that he has become a bit of a one trick pony. Curse Of The Golden Flower seems to be picking up where he left off with House Of Flying Daggers and Hero. Not a bad thing per say, but how many lush looking Wuxia movies do we need to see from him? Actually, I reckon at least another four, then it will be ok to move onto something else (what can I say, I love Wuxia movies).

John Woo has been an unfortunate fellow in recent years. No one can argue the films like The Killer, A Better Tomorrow and Just Heros are the perfect example of just how good a director he can be, but with ropey films like Paycheck and Face/Off on his US CV, well, someone take him back to Hong Kong where he belongs so he can get back to what he does best.

Andrew Lau always gets knocked, but I stand by him and his films, especially films like The Duel, Stromriders, A Man Called Hero and Avenging Fist. Ok, so Young & Dangerous 3 isn't his best work, but every director has their low points (some would say that Andrew Lau's career is a low point, but I laugh in their faces... HAHAHAHAHAHA!).

Joseph Kuo is an absolute legend. He was the man in the chair for greats like The 18 Bronzemen, The Unbeaten 28 (of which, I would like to point out, there were only 12) and 36 Deadly Styles (seems he had a thing for numbers). Seriously, these are proper 'After The Pub' movies, all dirt cheap on DVD and well worth a watch, just to laugh along with if nothing else. Lets call his films a poor mans Drunken Master and leave it at that shall we.

As for actors and Actresses, obviously you have the three dragons in Jacki Chan, Sammo Hung and Yuen Biao, all three made some great kung-fu movies (noteably Project 'A') and all deserving of their legendary status within the Hong Kong movie industry.
Donnie Yen, Andy Lau, Tony Leung, Hwang Jang Lee... the list goes on and on and on.
Michelle Yeoh has always been a favourite here at SNE Towers (apart from Magnificent Warriors, that was TOO much even for me, and I bought Ultraviolet).
In recent years we have Zhang Ziyi (obviously) Maggie Q, Zhao Wei, Maggie Cheung... there I go again.

AT this point I would like to point out that Chinese/Hong Kong cinema isn't all Chop Socky, that is just where my interest lies. If its more developed story telling and character orientated plots then please let me point you all in the direction of the wonderful Wong Kar Wai.

Wong Kar Wai is, for me, one of THE best directors in the business today. With such beautiful films like In The Mood For Love, 2046 and the absolutly magnificent Chungking Express it is hard to argue against this rather bold statement. Seriously, if you have never seen any of his films I urge you to do so, they really are something to behold.

What? No Bruce Lee! Only because if I did, this already mammoth post would be twice as long.

Lastly, congratulations if you made it this far, you have done well, although far from becoming a member of the white lotus clan, you have taken the first step on a great journey... jeez, I talk shit sometimes.

Haven't really seen much Asian cinema for some reason, which is strange as I'm a big fan of foreign movies. Later this month, however, I am going to my local independent cinema for a Cinema China double bill of Hero and In the Mood for Love, both of which I've heard are good.

Two great films, but two very different films, one looks lush and has top action scenes, the other is just beautiful.

Two Korean films I recommend: "301/302" and "A Tale of Two Sisters"

I heard Elisha Cuthbert will be remaking "My Sassy Girl," whcih was a Korean phenomenon.

I raise my arms like antennas to God and pray that this is not true.

*Sigh*

Oh well, there goes another film of which my memory of will be forever tarnished.

So every far eastern hit has to be remade by the west?

I have'nt seen many foreign movies. the ones i have are iether Jackie chan or Bruce Lee movies, {my bro is a big fan} or Italian or French movies, like Amelie, Life is Beautiful, Paris Je't Amie, etc.
I've also seen some Bollywood movie{India} Sholay, Raang De Basnti and more

No, but Jessica Alba will be leading "The Eye" remake and Sarah Michelle Gellar in "Possession" (remake of "Addicted"), both due February 2008!

I haven't seen that many, but of the few that I have, these are the ones I like.


Japanese:

Zatoichi - I had heard of this character, but never bothered looking up anything about him.
I stumbled on this DVD, & found myself enjoying it so much, I watched over again like 4 separate times. The movie, just like the series of an earlier time, is follows one adventure of the "blind masseuse", a gentle samurai warrior who's lone wolf journeys are the counter-part of the italian "man with no name" spaghetti westerns. Silent, noble & despite his blindness, the ability to see with more clarity, not just the world around him but also the will & intentions contained within the hearts of all men.
A great classic character of the Japanese tradition.

Ran - Akira Kurasawa's masterpiece, IMO

Seven Samurai - Of course.


Chinese:

House Of Flying Daggers - Growing up, it always frustrated me whenever the majority of big budget action flicks or martial arts movies of the time often seemed to sacrifice on story to make room for the bangs & the effects. It was generally said, that in these types of movies, you couldn't really have both. And I was one those kids who always asked "Why not?"
And then came the House Of Flying Daggers. And with it's beatufil story of love & intrigue, combined with lavish costumes, great performances & unique individually themed action sequences, it seemed to asked that very same question.

Curse Of The Golden Flower - Some of the most breath-taking & just absolutely beautiful background sets designs ever in a film. So rich are the colors & exquisit details in this movie, that it requires multiple viewings just to be able to soak it all in. Once one can get passed that aspect of the film, it will become obvious that the sets are not a distraction, but an enhancement to the story. And enrichment that adds to the dialogue with an intesity that allows the ideas of what appears to be human pettiness behavior in a royal setting to be revealed as much grander in scope & concept.
And for a movie that make someone as simple minded as myself come to a conclusion like that, that's definitely a statement to power of it's artistry.

Heroic Trio - While I realize that this isn't really considered a maverick of this field, but for me, the charisma between these well-rounded & distinct characters was enuff to hook me in. Plus, I defy any one not to like the villianous Kau & his "skull-cage" on a chain, which, when thrown, encircles a victim’s head and decapitates them. And, I LOVE Maggie Cheung as the Thief-Catcher. One my all-time favorite female characters on film. IMO, she deserved an entire movie based on this one character alone.



Others:

La Femme Nikita - Point Of No Return, while not that bad of a film, does not compare with this original version.

Pan's Labyrinth - Just an absolutely beautiful movie. This film's creativity & emotion are elegantly entwined in a manner that blurs the barrier between the "real" world & the fantasy dimension, almost beyond physical distinction.

Run Lola Run - Just a fun, simple & creative idea for a movie theme.
Run Lola! Run!!

City Of God - Watching this movie feels almost exactly like watching a documentary. The scene where the young kid gang member is asked to chooose getting shot in the hand or in the foot holds more power, depth & context than most movies contain in their entirety. An incredibly eye-opening & moving picture.

El Mariachi - Because of the financial restraints of this picture, the story is forced to be told thru the creativity of all-out action in it's purest, unadulterated form. There should be a law requiring that all action films be shot & directed with as much energy & fun as this one, before any of the million dollars of special effects are added on.
Action-adventure in it's all bared-boned glory.

There have been a number of quality Asian films coming out of late.

Johnnie To seems to be leading the reinvention of Hong Kong cinema with such films as Election, Exiled, Mad Detective and PTU. Some ar genius (Election) others are great ideas (Mad Detective), but all are well worth watching.

The Pang Brothers have done some decent turns since releasing The Eye upon the world. Re-Cycle is a beautiful looking slab of fantasy, but watching it feels like watching a video game. Diary on the other hand is a messed up film. Oxide Pang went solo on this one and unlike most of their films there is very little reliance on effects. Charlene Choi is cast against type to play are leading lady who just doesn't seem to be able to get over her ex-boyfriend. More subtle than the mallet to the skull that was Audition, this is still a thrill to watch.

Kim Ki-duc has really come to the fore of the last couple of years as on of Korea's most exciting directors. Films such as Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter... and Spring, 3 Iron, The Isle and The Coast Guard showing his unique way of story telling. His last effort Breath carried on this tradition, maybe not as engaging as some of the aforementioned titles, but still every bit as worty.

Having said all this, if its just madcap actrion you are after then look no further than Invisible Target. Directed by Benny Chan (New Police Story, Heroic Duo, Jacki Chan's Who Am I) it ticks all the right boxes and is as entertaining as hell. Also worth a mention is that it stars Jaycee Chan, son of Jackie, and if this is anything to go by then it looks like we have another international star just waiting to break out.