Holgren
Member
With GOT finishing and not having any other major series to watch, I decided to go back to my old but much enjoyable routine of watching movies at nights every two days, and i want to start with an eastern movie marathon. What are some of the best asian movies you've seen? No genre limitations. Be it animated or live action, feel free to pick whatever movie you thought was worthwhile. Let us expand our Asian movies horizons!
1.- Harakiri
Yeah I know, Harakiri over Seven Samurais? It was a hard decision but I ultimately found it to be much more enjoyable as well as having a more powerful story. Very fun movie with great fights and story.
2.- Millenium Actress
Satoshi Kon's masterpiece, this animated film that tells the story of an old japanese actress through the movies she participated in is such a powerful memoir that even after watching years ago, its still fresh on my mind. I like the "simplicity" of the story as in there is no supernatural things happening (at least as far as i remember) nor a world in danger storyline. Very emotional and powerful story.
3.- Oldboy
If the gripping story is not enough for you, the hallway fight and the ending will surely make you remember this movie for quite some time. Of all the movies I list here, this is definitely the most accesible for western audiences (that is if you can't stand anime)
4.- The Tale of Princess Kaguya
Based on the oldest monogatari containing japanese folklore, it tells the tale of a girl called Kaguya who is found as a baby in the woods. I am in love with the artstyle and story of this movie. The ending absolutely devastated me (in a good way), and it is always entertaining to see eastern religion representation in cultural films. I am absolutely in love with this movie and could perfectly be N°1.
5.- Twilight Samurai
Warning: not for people who get easily distracted or do not enjoy movies that take their time to tell their story. This samurai film is less focused on action and more on the life of Seibei Iguchi, a low-ranking samurai with a family to support. Living a simple but content life with his daughters and mother (who suffers from dementia), he gets involved in some turn of events that lead him to take the sword again. What makes me choose this movie over other samurai films is watching the lifestyle of rural japanese people. The scenery is amazing and the characters, specially the protagonist, relatable. This is a must watch for any samurai fan, but be warned that the focus is not on action.
I know that my list very japanese, but I don't know much movies from other eastern countries (I still have to watch In the mood for love). Also, even though I ranked them i like them all equally and they interchange places depending on the mood. If you don't want to rank them as I did, feel free to just list them.
PS: I am surprised at the lack of Miyazaki movies in my list. Its just inevitable to think of him and instantly relate him to the Nausicaa manga which is in my opinion his true masterpiece, but that is not a movie so oh well here goes a little nod to it.
1.- Harakiri
Yeah I know, Harakiri over Seven Samurais? It was a hard decision but I ultimately found it to be much more enjoyable as well as having a more powerful story. Very fun movie with great fights and story.
2.- Millenium Actress
Satoshi Kon's masterpiece, this animated film that tells the story of an old japanese actress through the movies she participated in is such a powerful memoir that even after watching years ago, its still fresh on my mind. I like the "simplicity" of the story as in there is no supernatural things happening (at least as far as i remember) nor a world in danger storyline. Very emotional and powerful story.
3.- Oldboy
If the gripping story is not enough for you, the hallway fight and the ending will surely make you remember this movie for quite some time. Of all the movies I list here, this is definitely the most accesible for western audiences (that is if you can't stand anime)
4.- The Tale of Princess Kaguya
Based on the oldest monogatari containing japanese folklore, it tells the tale of a girl called Kaguya who is found as a baby in the woods. I am in love with the artstyle and story of this movie. The ending absolutely devastated me (in a good way), and it is always entertaining to see eastern religion representation in cultural films. I am absolutely in love with this movie and could perfectly be N°1.
5.- Twilight Samurai
Warning: not for people who get easily distracted or do not enjoy movies that take their time to tell their story. This samurai film is less focused on action and more on the life of Seibei Iguchi, a low-ranking samurai with a family to support. Living a simple but content life with his daughters and mother (who suffers from dementia), he gets involved in some turn of events that lead him to take the sword again. What makes me choose this movie over other samurai films is watching the lifestyle of rural japanese people. The scenery is amazing and the characters, specially the protagonist, relatable. This is a must watch for any samurai fan, but be warned that the focus is not on action.
I know that my list very japanese, but I don't know much movies from other eastern countries (I still have to watch In the mood for love). Also, even though I ranked them i like them all equally and they interchange places depending on the mood. If you don't want to rank them as I did, feel free to just list them.
PS: I am surprised at the lack of Miyazaki movies in my list. Its just inevitable to think of him and instantly relate him to the Nausicaa manga which is in my opinion his true masterpiece, but that is not a movie so oh well here goes a little nod to it.
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