Recommended Korean movies?

[Skykid]

Just Miike Takashi and Iwai Shunji alone could dwarve anything coming from Corea and China in the past decade

You're lucky we're not standing in the same room with sharp instruments to hand.

Mainland Chinese cinema has utterly destroyed all other Asian cinema in the last decade and left nothing in its wake, running parallel with its economy.

For me Japanese films are still right at the bottom of the pile; even below Korea, since Chan Wook Park has single-handedly put them in 2nd place on the pan-asian front.

I'm still taking recommendations for Japanese live-action cinema that's actually not shit, so fire away.

[chum]

There have been some excellent movies coming from Japan in the last decade or two

Indeed, many hidden gems.

The guy who directed Taste of Tea would be Katsuhito Ishii, and he definitely is a one hit wonder, "The Funky Forest" wasn't nearly as good as "The Taste of Tea" (which is one of my all-time favourites.)

[Skykid]

There have been some excellent movies coming from Japan in the last decade or two

Indeed, many hidden gems.

List??

I do take on recommendations seriously. And I'll be back to crucify you all if they turn out to be dreadful.

[chum]

You could check out "Moving", "Eureka", "Sleeping Man", "Ritual", "Maborosi", "All About Lily Chou-Chou", "Blessing Bell" and "The Bird People in China". All great, if you ask me!

[xbl0x180]

Just Miike Takashi and Iwai Shunji alone could dwarve anything coming from Corea and China in the past decade

You're lucky we're not standing in the same room with sharp instruments to hand.

Mainland Chinese cinema has utterly destroyed all other Asian cinema in the last decade and left nothing in its wake, running parallel with its economy.

For me Japanese films are still right at the bottom of the pile; even below Korea, since Chan Wook Park has single-handedly put them in 2nd place on the pan-asian front.

I'm still taking recommendations for Japanese live-action cinema that's actually not shit, so fire away.

Are you trying to prove njiska's comment is correct? Live-action cinema from the past decade or two? Or are you looking for something that's only a few years old? This would be hard for me since I don't watch any recent movies from anywhere. I can only speak for the past two decades (from 1992 until around 2010).

From Iwai Shunji:

Hana To Arisu (I consider it one of my favourites from the past decade)
Lily Chou-Chou No Tsubete
Love Letter
April Story

From Miike Takashi:

Audition
Koroshiya Ichi/"Ichi The Killer"
Visitor Q

From Tsukamoto Shinya:

Tetsuo (still blown away by this film... I can't recall seeing anything else like it)
A Snake Of June
Bullet Ballet

From Tomomatsu Naoyuki:

Maid-Droid

From Nakajima Kanji:

"The Clone Returns Home"

From Murakami Ryu:

Topazu/"Tokyo Decadence" (sort of a modern-day Histoire D'O. I wish the book were translated into English)

From Ishii Katsuhito:

Cha No Aji/"Taste Of Tea" (surreal; almost Magical Realist)

From Anno Hideaki:

Love And Pop (oddly enough, it's sort of a sequel to Topazu, although only in theme)

From Yamamoto Masashi:

Junk Food
"Man, Woman And The Wall"




One thing Corea has going for it is its Idol Pop and Indie Pop scenes, which are way ahead in every respect. The Fluxus and Pastel record labels reign supreme in the Land of the Morning Calm, while artists such as Rain/Bi and Se7en harken back to the times of Michael Jackson and Madonna with regards to stage performances

[xbl0x180]

I'd say Murakami Ryu and Miike Takashi, and their contemporaries, are people to watch in the Japanese modern culture scene. Corea just doesn't have that kind of cultural pull, whether it's painting, photography, writing, and sculpting, except for their Pop music and maybe some modern fashion (the bourgeoisie there dress really well). Corea is trapped between cultural giants, China and Japan

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ry%C5%AB_Murakami


They're sort of the Gaspar Noes and Catherine Breillats of the Far East, for better or worse

[iconoclast]

You could check out "Moving", "Eureka", "Sleeping Man", "Ritual", "Maborosi", "All About Lily Chou-Chou", "Blessing Bell" and "The Bird People in China". All great, if you ask me!

Lily Chou-Chou is the only one on this list I've seen, and it is great indeed. I should check the rest of these out.

[Skykid]

All About Lily Chou-Chou

Absolutely baffling this one. You chaps must relish boredom. I still can't remember how I sat through the whole thing.

Audition
Koroshiya Ichi/"Ichi The Killer"
Visitor Q

Although I can't comment beyond these, since they're the only ones in the list I've seen, these are far from great films guys, sorry. Miike has ability, no doubt, but of what I've seen he's yet to do anything I'd really put him on a pedestal for.

I have a soft spot for Tsukamoto's Tetsuo; as an art-house film I think it's one of the best of its kind. But these lists don't even have Nakashima's stuff on there, and he's the only JP director I've seen come through with anything of value in a good long while.

Directors like Lu Chuan, Xiaoshuai Wang and Wong Kar Wai -- amongst others -- are examples of where Asian cinema has flourished in the last decade. I'll get around to completing my list of good stuff in a bit and post up a separate thread so this one can get back to Korea.

On that note:

Just saw I'm a Cyborg, But that's OK. Serious contender for the best film I've seen so far this year. Quirky, funny, gorgeous to look at, and decidedly bitter sweet. It's set in a mental institution, with none of the characters having any hope of mental rehabilitation: not that you really want them to change. Definitely not a Hollywood romance flick. Amazing mise en scene as well. In face I would go as far to say that it is Park Chan Wook's best, and most mature film to date. If Oldboy was a spotty teenager, then Cyborg is fully adjusted adult.

I had this in my Netfix queue a bit ago and decided to watch it. Beautifully shot, really absorbing, and the ending scene is just great. I'd highly recommend it.

Nice film. MX7 you do seem easily pleased by the odd. I certainly wouldn't go so far as to say this was Park's best, that would be acrimoniously unsavoury toward his earlier work which I feel remains more accomplished.

That said, the hallmarks of his directing talent were still in full swing. It's a sweet, unusual film made with Park's usual endearing and colourful brushstrokes. I see so much Jeunet in him, but at the same time he's unique and comfortable to the point where his moviemaking comes off as effortless. It was creative and humorous, and the characterisations were superb. Surely the most fun I've ever had viewing the antics of a mental hospital. He also got a rather excellent performance out of Rain, Korea's popstar heartthrob, which, if anyone has had the misfortune of watching Ninja Assassin, will consider a real turn out for the books. Getting good performances is a hallmark of a good director, and this is no exception.

Certainly not Park's best, and not recommended above any of his more prominent films IMO; but when it comes to Korean cinema I'd still have to agree it's one of the better.

[xbl0x180]

All About Lily Chou-Chou

Absolutely baffling this one. You chaps must relish boredom. I still can't remember how I sat through the whole thing.

I love the HD video photography and music score [for all of Iwai Shunji's movies], so it was not boring at all to see something that looks beautiful and sounds memorable. Iwai Shunji has directed some of the best HD video movies around. Only Danny Boyle could top it with his 28 Days Later

Audition
Koroshiya Ichi/"Ichi The Killer"
Visitor Q

Although I can't comment beyond these, since they're the only ones in the list I've seen, these are far from great films guys, sorry. Miike has ability, no doubt, but of what I've seen he's yet to do anything I'd really put him on a pedestal for.

Bottom line, though, is that they're still great movies and representative of some of the best coming from the Far East and as part of a bigger moviemaking scene.

I have a soft spot for Tsukamoto's Tetsuo; as an art-house film I think it's one of the best of its kind. But these lists don't even have Nakashima's stuff on there, and he's the only JP director I've seen come through with anything of value in a good long while.

Directors like Lu Chuan, Xiaoshuai Wang and Wong Kar Wai -- amongst others -- are examples of where Asian cinema has flourished in the last decade. I'll get around to completing my list of good stuff in a bit and post up a separate thread so this one can get back to Korea.

Whaaaa...? No Hou Hsiao-Hsien and Zhang Yimou? I thought you said Chinese film-making was on par to its economic rise. Hahaha.

On that note:

Just saw I'm a Cyborg, But that's OK. Serious contender for the best film I've seen so far this year. Quirky, funny, gorgeous to look at, and decidedly bitter sweet. It's set in a mental institution, with none of the characters having any hope of mental rehabilitation: not that you really want them to change. Definitely not a Hollywood romance flick. Amazing mise en scene as well. In face I would go as far to say that it is Park Chan Wook's best, and most mature film to date. If Oldboy was a spotty teenager, then Cyborg is fully adjusted adult.

I had this in my Netfix queue a bit ago and decided to watch it. Beautifully shot, really absorbing, and the ending scene is just great. I'd highly recommend it.

Nice film. MX7 you do seem easily pleased by the odd. I certainly wouldn't go so far as to say this was Park's best, that would be acrimoniously unsavoury toward his earlier work which I feel remains more accomplished.

That said, the hallmarks of his directing talent were still in full swing. It's a sweet, unusual film made with Park's usual endearing and colourful brushstrokes. I see so much Jeunet in him, but at the same time he's unique and comfortable to the point where his moviemaking comes off as effortless. It was creative and humorous, and the characterisations were superb. Surely the most fun I've ever had viewing the antics of a mental hospital. He also got a rather excellent performance out of Rain, Korea's popstar heartthrob, which, if anyone has had the misfortune of watching Ninja Assassin, will consider a real turn out for the books. Getting good performances is a hallmark of a good director, and this is no exception.

Certainly not Park's best, and not recommended above any of his more prominent films IMO; but when it comes to Korean cinema I'd still have to agree it's one of the better.

You guys are pretty much listing movies by the same director! Hahah. One director does not a film movement make. I have viewed thousands of movies and if I were to begin reeling off my favourites, I'd be listing stuff from Italy, France, England, the US, Germany, and... Japan. Corean movies wouldn't even come to mind until around 100 or so. Their industry doesn't produce very good movies in general.

Oh, and I absolutely loathe everything by Jeunet. His films are unwatchable garbage and one of the very, very raer instances where I did not finish watching a movie (Greenaway, Del Toro, and Almodovar being the others). I can see where we seriously diverge

[gct]

How did this thread suddenly grow by a page? Probably because I didn't post anything yet...

I recently saw Castaway on the Moon, it's the only Korean film I saw lately. I thought it was rather creative and whimsical, so I enjoyed it despite being so hard to believe some parts of the situation.

Yellow Sea is next on my list.

Now that I have had a word, it is time for the thread to once again sink away into distant memory...

[Skykid]

Bottom line, though, is that they're still great movies

Except they aren't.

Whaaaa...? No Hou Hsiao-Hsien and Zhang Yimou? I thought you said Chinese film-making was on par to its economic rise. Hahaha.

Patience. I'm not going to reel off everyone until I actually get around to it. Careful where you tread with Yimou too, a lot of his Hollywood crossover stuff seriously lacks substance compared to his earlier work.

Oh, and I absolutely loathe everything by Jeunet. His films are unwatchable garbage and one of the very, very raer instances where I did not finish watching a movie (Greenaway, Del Toro, and Almodovar being the others). I can see where we seriously diverge

Fair enough, you'd have to be blind not to see his influence on Park's style though.

What was the Del Toro, Almodovar and Greenaway you switched off (The Pillow Book?)

[xbl0x180]

Bottom line, though, is that they're still great movies

Except they aren't.

They are... and they are definitely better than the majority of movies coming from Corea (and Asia in general)

Oh, and I absolutely loathe everything by Jeunet. His films are unwatchable garbage and one of the very, very raer instances where I did not finish watching a movie (Greenaway, Del Toro, and Almodovar being the others). I can see where we seriously diverge

Fair enough, you'd have to be blind not to see his influence on Park's style though.

What was the Del Toro, Almodovar and Greenaway you switched off (The Pillow Book?)

It's an ugly, gaudy, visually-overwhelming, too-rich style combined with tons of useless/whimsy plot devices. I see it influenced Park's film... and I intensely dislike anything that may resemble that style.

Amelie, Pan's Labyrinth, a bunch of wannabe-eccentric Almodovar trash, and The Cook, The Thief, The Wife, The Lover (and something boring and ugly called 8 Women).

[CIT]

Nobody has recommended Kim Ki-Duk yet!?

Samaria and Bin-Jip are his best and among the best films of the last decade in my opinion.

[xbl0x180]

Nobody has recommended Kim Ki-Duk yet!?

"Bad Guy" was okay. Just like most of what I've seen: great premise that derails towards the end for lack of tighter editing, acting, maybe even writing and budget, or whatever happened towards the wrap-up. It's not something I'd want to watch more than once.

[Skykid]

They are... and they are definitely better than the majority of movies coming from Corea (and Asia in general)

You're either out of your mind or out of your depth. Which Japanese film in the last decade comes anywhere near something like Kekexili? Seriously?

Of all the films we watched last weekend, Mad Max 2 was better than Ichi The Killer, no shit.

[evil_ash_xero]

What's the gag with spelling Korea "Corea". I don't know that one.

Yeah, I thought Tale Of Two Sisters was great. But I do agree with Skykid that most Japanese movies are pretty poor(not the old ones). I saw Audition, and while I liked it, I just thought it was OK. Their movies lack depth. That's the only way I can put it. Now, I may check out some of these other films...but if Audition is one of his "best"...he's one overrated guy.

What mainland Chinese movies are worthwhile, Skykid? I thought most of their movies boiled down to patriotic kung-fu films, due to the censorship of the government. I mean, I've seen Hero...and...uh..that follow up movie, with the girl. I can't remember the name of it. I'm really not in the mood for wire-fu or anything. If there's something I don't know about, lay it on me.

I just watched "The Yellow Sea", which was good too, but not as good as The Chaser. Oddly enough, the thing that hurt that movie(TYS), was all the chase scenes, towards the end. Didn't have that problem with "The Chaser"...which is kind of ironic. You seen "The Chaser", Skykid?

I'm watching Thirst, but not really liking it a whole lot. I really haven't loved anything Park has done, besides Oldboy. I guess that puts me in the minority here. Strange we have some backlash here with Oldboy...of all the people I know, where I live..that's about the only SK movie they ALL like. Probably because it's like a Tarantino movie with more subtitles.

Surprised not more of you like The Host. It's awesome, man.

[iconoclast]

I liked The Host a lot. By far the best monster movie I've seen in ages.

[hzt]

Nobody has recommended Kim Ki-Duk yet!?

Samaria and Bin-Jip are his best and among the best films of the last decade in my opinion.

I wanted to but his films don't fill the requirements of the original request that revived this thread. If I'm objective about it I don't think I can rate him as highly as that but I absolutely love his films and Bin-Jip is probably my favourite.

Skykid you should really watch Miike's Graveyard of Honour I was saying about the other day, I haven't figured out your taste in film yet but I think you might like it and it's very different to the other films of his you've watched.

[xbl0x180]

They are... and they are definitely better than the majority of movies coming from Corea (and Asia in general)

You're either out of your mind or out of your depth. Which Japanese film in the last decade comes anywhere near something like Kekexili? Seriously?

Of all the films we watched last weekend, Mad Max 2 was better than Ichi The Killer, no shit.

Nah. You're just not into good Japanese movies and would rather watch garish or poorly-made stuff, that's all (evidenced by what you have written in this thread)


Not a gag spelling with regards to the country:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corea

[Skykid]

What's the gag with spelling Korea "Corea". I don't know that one.

Yeah, I thought Tale Of Two Sisters was great. But I do agree with Skykid that most Japanese movies are pretty poor(not the old ones). I saw Audition, and while I liked it, I just thought it was OK. Their movies lack depth. That's the only way I can put it. Now, I may check out some of these other films...but if Audition is one of his "best"...he's one overrated guy.

People tend to confuse abstract movies with art, "just because," and that's doing yourself and those you go around to singing their praises a disservice. Movies that make you think should be encouraged, but Japanese directors steadfast embrace of OTT bizarre and extreme themes is as tired as old boots, and they regularly forget that their work is meant to have some kind of entertainment value in the process. And even when it's fairly straight, as was disappointingly outlined by Nakashima's Confessions, it's a bit like watching a scrawny guy trying to hold down a hot air balloon. Before you know it, it's escaped his grip, and the film then loses sight of its realism, and in-turn its tension and credibility. Many of these traits have a cultural resonance. That Japan is peculiar is hardly headline news: but that doesn't get them off the hook. Poor movies are poor movies, and deserve all the criticism they get. Pantomime-style over emotive acting, hazy mish-mash plots that lack concentration or resolution, and a general aloofness that fails to have any dramatic impact are three recurring themes that tend to make Japanese live action movies a total waste of time and effort.

Skykid you should really watch Miike's Graveyard of Honour I was saying about the other day,

Ah yeah, that's the straight-up-no-bullshit Miike isn't it? That will be really interesting to see, thanks for reminding me dude.

What mainland Chinese movies are worthwhile, Skykid? I thought most of their movies boiled down to patriotic kung-fu films, due to the censorship of the government. I mean, I've seen Hero...and...uh..that follow up movie, with the girl. I can't remember the name of it. I'm really not in the mood for wire-fu or anything. If there's something I don't know about, lay it on me.

I'm glad you asked. This is precisely the reason I wanted to do a topic for Asian movies, it sounds to me like all you poor movie goers have been stuck with Hollywood crossovers and Japanese movies (you have my sympathies) and have been missing out on all the good stuff!

This topic is getting derailed from Korean movies big-time, so I'll save the mods a thread split. You can find my top list of Asian movies here:

http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.ph ... 9&p=785332

[Obiwanshinobi]

"All About Lily Chou-Chou"

I thought it was the BAD kind of bad. Like, no good at all. You might want to check out Ostatni dzwonek if you are into that sort of stuff.
Golly, it's the first time I see it in colour. Blows as hard as ever.

[Skykid]

"All About Lily Chou-Chou"

I thought it was the BAD kind of bad. Like, no good at all.

We're in agreement.

Lily Chou Chou is the ultimate pretentious artfag movie, and a Japanese artfag movie to make things worse. It's 147 painful minutes of mismatched, nonsensical scenes, minimal dialogue and a cold sterility. Its topical take on the subject of angsty youth, lust and internet identities is good enough subject matter, but the execution is about as interesting as watching paint dry; and considering this is the equivalent of the longest and worst music video in existence, that may be a popular alternative.

Save your minutes for something with entertainment value.

[chum]

Well that's too bad since that's probably the most accessible film out of the ones I listed, It's clearly aimed towards teenagers.

I like slow "artfag" movies I guess. Sorry?

[Skykid]

Well that's too bad since that's probably the most accessible film out of the ones I listed, It's clearly aimed towards teenagers.

I like slow "artfag" movies I guess. Sorry?

No need to apologise, it's your life.

[CIT]

Not a gag spelling with regards to the country:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corea

..where it says: "Corea is an alternate spelling in many languages other than English"

Clearly, you were posting in English though, and there it happens to be spelled with a K.

[DocHauser]

One recent Korean film I like that seems pretty underrated is 'Sorum' from 2001, directed by Jong-chan Yun. It has a similar look and style to Sympathy for Mr Vengeance, but came out a year earlier, so it may have been an influence on Park Chan-wook's films. Here's a trailer:

http://youtu.be/NJ_iLP20QSA

Someone mentioned 'Spring, Summer...' as being 'Buddhism for Dummies'. I don't think that's quite the case. It's clearly influenced by an older film, 'Why Has Bodhi Dharma Left For The East' from 1989, regarded as one of the best Korean films of its time. Some of the scenes in Kim Ki-Duk's film are very similar, along with the setting and characters. But if you want to learn something about Buddhism, then the older one is defintely the one to watch, as it was made by a practising Buddhist and large parts of the dialogue are quoted verbatim from Buddhist sutras. Kim Ki-Duk, however, is a Catholic, and admitted that some of the rituals in his film were purely of his invention. It seems he just wanted to tell his own story, rather than produce a guide to Buddhist enlightenment.

[alamone]

"The Man from Nowhere" (Korean title Ajeossi / "Mister") is not bad, it's on Netflix too.
A bit slow at the beginning though.

[xbl0x180]

Well that's too bad since that's probably the most accessible film out of the ones I listed, It's clearly aimed towards teenagers.

I like slow "artfag" movies I guess. Sorry?

Hahah. He's watched Jeunet without so much as a peep of protest. You'd have to OD on ritalin pixie stix to stand more than a few minutes of that over-the-top, nonsensical drek

[Skykid]

Well that's too bad since that's probably the most accessible film out of the ones I listed, It's clearly aimed towards teenagers.

I like slow "artfag" movies I guess. Sorry?

Hahah. He's watched Jeunet without so much as a peep of protest.

Eh? Who are you talking about, me? The only Jeunet films I've seen are Amelie, Delicatessen and Alien Resurrection.

But they're all better than Lily Chou Chou, for what it's worth. They're watchable, at least.

[xbl0x180]

Well that's too bad since that's probably the most accessible film out of the ones I listed, It's clearly aimed towards teenagers.

I like slow "artfag" movies I guess. Sorry?

Hahah. He's watched Jeunet without so much as a peep of protest.

Eh? Who are you talking about, me? The only Jeunet films I've seen are Amelie, Delicatessen and Alien Resurrection.

But they're all better than Lily Chou Chou, for what it's worth. They're watchable, at least.

See what I mean? That's three too many Jeunet films to have watched and not see how garishly vulgar they look