Asian Cinema

meu02136 · Post by **meu02136** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 9:33 pm

dw2k6 wrote:I don't see what the fuss is about with lost in translation, Ive seen parts of it before and have been watching it downstairs on tv today. I think its a bit too pretentious, boring, quiet and slow. Is the whole film two miserable foreigners walking around Japan extremely confused, moaning and acting like they have never ever left their houses and seen other people before?
And it seemed to want to make fun of Japanese peoples engrish at any chance it got.

I didn't want to comment on it because this is an Asian film thread, but seen as everyone else is. I know 2 people who hold this as their favourite film of all time, who usually have good taste in films, but LIT is so slow and boring, nothing happens, no-one speaks, it's just mince.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snyq-0Oa-Os
Also, watch this. I like it.

Coyote Smith · Post by **Coyote Smith** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 10:11 pm

I love Lost In Translation. Its one of the greatest movies I have ever seen. You're all wrong.

Today I bought Casshern, anyone seen that? Also got Enter The Dragon (I'm guessing that counts as 'asian cinema'.

Bob Syko · Post by **Bob Syko** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 1:02 pm

Coyote Smith wrote:Today I bought Casshern, anyone seen that? Also got Enter The Dragon (I'm guessing that counts as 'asian cinema'.

Casshern is pretty good, it's not great and don't expect the story to make sense but it looks nice.

I might be taking a bit of a risk here but.....I don't like Bruce Lee films. I respect him as a Kung Fu genius and what not but I find his films rather boring, especially when they are put next to more modern Kung Fu films. Am I alone in not liking Bruce Lee?

Coyote Smith · Post by **Coyote Smith** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 1:16 pm

I wouldn't say you're taking a risk mate, its just your opinion.

I really like bruce lee films, but its not like the stories are groundbreaking, they're more just a vehicle to showcase lee's kung fu. I do however enjoy the cheesiness of a lot of his films.

Jod · Post by **Jod** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 1:17 pm

I don't know if it's been mentioned yet in this thread, but go out and buy an Akira Kurosawa collection DVD box. Don't mind the black and white, throw away the Hollywood goggles and just enjoy the movies. They're done very well and one can see why he was copied so much. But that's alright, since he copied right back

. Better well stolen then poorly made, neh? Personally, I'd advise Ikiru (To Live), Yōjimbō (the Bodyguard) and Sanjuro (the sequel to the Bodyguard).

Also, any incarnation of Zatoichi might be interesting. For a current interpretation try the 2003 Zatoicihi with Beat Takeshi. If only for the ending credits.

Now, if we're talking animation, that's a whole different genre, I think.

Coyote Smith · Post by **Coyote Smith** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 1:28 pm

I've been wanting some Kurosawa dvds, but they're a bit expensive. I was looking at stray dog yesterday, how is that?

Jod · Post by **Jod** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 1:34 pm

I must admit I've not seen Stray Dog. I don't have all his DVDs, since he made a lot of movies and I'm not quite that rich yet...

Bob Syko · Post by **Bob Syko** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 1:47 pm

The only Kurosawa film I have seen is....dammit, what's it called. It was on film4 recently, Kagemusha. Can't say I was that impressed, apparently I had to see it before I died though so I watched it. Is it a good example of his films? It was certainly very epic but I found the story very confusing, trying to keep up with all those Japanese names is hard for a honkey, even one that has seen more Japanese films than he can count (and I can count to 32).

rumblecat · Post by **rumblecat** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 2:03 pm

Most of the ones I've seen are quality- "Seven Samurai", "Hidden Fortress" , "Yojimba" and "Rashomon".

"Rashomon" was hugely influential in it's telling of the same story from different perspectives and viewpoints- leading to that great Simpsons joke- Marge : "You enjoyed Rashomon." Homer : "That's not how I remember it." They also created the Best Foreign Fim Oscar especially for it.

"Seven Samurai" was remade as Magnificent Seven, Star Wars nicked it's plot from "Hidden Fortress", and I'm gonna call my first son "Yojimba" because it sound really cool if you shout it in a deep voice. YOJIMBA! Give it a go. Really.

James · Post by **James** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 6:48 pm

Bob Syko wrote:I might be taking a bit of a risk here but.....I don't like Bruce Lee films. I respect him as a Kung Fu genius and what not but I find his films rather boring, especially when they are put next to more modern Kung Fu films. Am I alone in not liking Bruce Lee?

Amen to that. I'm with you

The Inquisitor · Post by **The Inquisitor** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 7:45 am

Bob Syko wrote:The only Kurosawa film I have seen is....dammit, what's it called. It was on film4 recently, Kagemusha. Can't say I was that impressed, apparently I had to see it before I died though so I watched it. Is it a good example of his films? It was certainly very epic but I found the story very confusing, trying to keep up with all those Japanese names is hard for a honkey, even one that has seen more Japanese films than he can count (and I can count to 32).

I haven't seen this film but I can honestly say it is not Kurosawa in his prime. The films rumblecat listed are some of his finest but if you are looking for a non-samurai Kurosawa film, I'd recommend these two;

Red Beard - A charming tale about a young trainee doctor who gets enlisted with a small village practice against his wishes and his subsequent relationship with the head doctor.

Ikiru - A heart warming film about a man trying to face his own failing morality and find meaning to his life. It's one of Steven Spielberg's favourite films I believe.

Both films give a unique picture of Japanese life but still retain the underlying humanity and character depth, which he is so famous for.

dw2k6 · Post by **dw2k6** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 10:12 am

When people talk about good Japanese cinema they seem to forget the king.

GODZILLA!

Bob Syko · Post by **Bob Syko** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 10:21 am

I've never seen a godzilla film except the american version*

Are any of them good in a good way?

*which I really liked

dw2k6 · Post by **dw2k6** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 10:32 am

what american version? I hope you don't mean that god awful 1998 american pisstake which shouldn't even be considered godzilla and is hated by the creators and fans of godzilla.

Toho really really hate tristar for making that movie, They say "They took the god out of godzilla".
And in the recent Godzilla final wars the Japanese godzilla absolutely hammers the american CGI one in about 45 seconds to make the point.

Bob Syko · Post by **Bob Syko** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 11:02 am

The american version isn't that bad. It's got a big monster ripping shit up. I'm not that bothered if it is hated by the fans and creators either. It was never going to be like the Japanese versions anyway was it so it should just be enjoyed for what it is, a big monster destroying stuff.

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