Suzhou River (China, 2000)

Mardar, a motorcycle courier in his mid-twenties, is one day asked by a shady alcohol smuggler to deliver his sixteen-year-old daughter, Moudan, to her aunt. Mardar and Moudan grow fond of each other. But their tender happiness is disrupted when Moudan thinks that Mardar has kidnapped her for a ransom. She is so disappointed in him that she jumps off the bridge into the Suzhou River. Mardar is now suspected of murder. When, a couple of years later, he comes out of jail he meets the dancer Meimei, an alter-ego of Moudan, and becomes fascinated by her.

With great cinematic style, Suzhou River portrays a love story with much credibility and emotions. The cinematography has been compared to that of Wong Kar-wai (Fallen Angels, Chungking Express) due to its dreamy and surreal nature, and in terms of acting it's a slam-dunk. Good stuff.

Genre: Drama/Romance

Merantau (Indonesia, 2009)

Yuda, a skilled practitioner of Silat Harimau is in the final preparations to begin his "Merantau" a century's old rites-of-passage to be carried out by the community's young men that will see him leave the comforts of his idyllic farming village and make a name for himself in the bustling city of Jakarta. After a series of setbacks leave Yuda homeless and uncertain about his new future, a chance encounter results in him defending the orphaned Astri from becoming the latest victim of a European human trafficking ring led by the wildly psychotic, Ratger and his right-hand man Lars.

The sheer force of the fighting sequences are reason enough to watch this explosive fist fighting madness made by the same director who gave us the incredible action fests The Raid 1 & 2, and Merantau also features the same actor in the lead role. Satisfying bone crunching goodness and fight choreography that makes Hollywood productions green with envy, Merantau should please every viewer that's looking for a fight.

Genre: Action

No Mercy (South Korea, 2010)

Sol Kyung-Gu plays a staff member of the National Institute of Scientific Investigation (NISI) in South Korea. He attempts to uncover the identity of a mysterious serial killer who decapitates his victims.

Korean thrillers are some of the best on this planet, that's a fact. They can be so brutal, gritty and dark that it's just beautiful. No Mercy is a stone cold tale of vengeance, that familiar theme that South Korea just seem to love. Of course I don't want to give away the ending, but wow it takes the cake and pretty much shoves it down your throat. Great actors, also. The main character is played by a fellow named Sol Kyung-Gu, whom you've undoubtedly seen before, perhaps in great films such as Peppermint Candy (2000) or Cruel Winter Blues (2006). 

A superb and suspenseful film.

Genre: Crime/Thriller

Jiro Dreams of Sushi (US, 2011)

A documentary on 85-year-old sushi master Jiro Ono, his business in the Ginza, Tokyo Subway station, and his relationship with his son and eventual heir, Yoshikazu.

Jiro Dreams of Sushi was an American production, but I'm sure that anyone's who's interested in Japanese culture and Japanese cuisine will find this film mighty impressive and interesting. It's impossible not to be amazed at what this man, Jiro, has accomplished and how he makes the perfect sushi dishes. I promise, even if you don't like sushi, the things Jiro makes will make you scream out for just a taste. The sushi looks so shiny and delicious, they're carefully made and it's ridiculous how some of this food is prepared. 

We also get to follow Jiro's son to the fish market and that by itself is an memorable experience. Massive tuna is laying in rows, octopuses are wrapping their arms around the fish vendors. We see the whole trip, from the bloody floors of the fish market halls to the minimalistic black plates in Jiro's restaurant, where the tuna, shrimps and eels looks like a work of art when he's done with them.     

Jiro Dreams of Sushi is an inspiring insight into the world of one of the best sushi chefs ever, and it works up one hell of an appetite. 

Genre: Documentary

Space Battleship Yamato (Japan, 2010)

In 2199, five years after the start of the Gamilas attack on Earth, the planet has been ravaged by the aliens' radiation bombs and the remnants of humanity have fled underground. One day, former pilot Susumu Kodai discovers a capsule sent from the planet Iskandar that tells of a device that can remove the radiation from the Earth's surface. The United Nations of Space Administration rebuilds the battleship Yamato and begins the long trip to Iskandar and back in hopes of saving the Earth.

During World War II, Yamato was a battleship that served with the Imperial Japanese Navy and were one of the most powerful battleships that had ever been constructed. Many years later, Yamato was rebuilt as a starship and used to save the Earth in the animated series Space Battleship Yamato. Fast forward even more years and we reach the point where we got a feature film that's based on the anime TV series. 

It got some really good special effects by Japanese standards, and it's too bad that there isn't more space battles and enemy warships that threatens mankind because those scenes are awesome. Still, it's a cool and exciting space adventure and it makes you wish there'll be a sequel that goes all-out and increases the amount of action and great-looking spaceships. 

Genre: Action/Adventure/Sci-Fi

Hansel and Gretel (South Korea, 2007)

A young man gets lost in the woods but finds himself in a beautiful house with three adorable children. With a warm fireplace and plenty to eat, the place seems too perfect to be true ― and impossible to exit.

Hansel and Gretel took the South Korean film industry by storm and revitalized the horror genre. Loosely based on the dark German fairy tale, this movie adaption makes a few changes, for example the old cannibal witch is now three young children with supernatural powers. Child actors are something I often worry about, because they often aren't good enough actors, but that's not the case here. The three children in the main roles are all very good and as convincing as any other character in the movie, especially the older daughter, I thought. 

One of the most outstanding features of the film is the set design and colors, everything from the lush, deep forest to the old house in the glade looks incredible and makes you wish you were there if it weren't for all the horrific things that kind of wants you dead. Overall it's a great, well-made and gruesome spin on an already dark story.

Genre: Drama/Fantasy/Horror

Kung Fu Hustle (China/Hong Kong, 2004)

Set in Canton, China in the 1940s, the story revolves in a town ruled by the Axe Gang, Sing who desperately wants to become a member. He stumbles into Pigsty Alley, a slum ruled by eccentric landlords who turns out to be the greatest kung-fu masters in disguise. Sing's actions eventually cause the Axe Gang and the slumlords to engage in an explosive kung-fu battle. Only one side will win and only one hero will emerge as the greatest kung-fu master of all.

You might have heard of or seen this one already because it became quite big upon its release. Kung Fu Hustle is  filled with insanely cartonish action and lots of slapstick fun, it plays around with the whole Hong Kong martial arts-genre and has a blast with it. There's no shortage of imaginative fighting styles, my favorite is the two men who shoot swords by playing a huge stringed instrument. Watch it if you like something that's not too serious or slow.

Genre: Action/Comedy/Crime

Beijing Bicycle (China, 2001)

Newly-arrived in Beijing, country boy Guei gets a job as a bicycle courier. But when his bike is stolen, he only manages to persuade his boss to let him keep the job by promising to track the bike down. After some searching, he finds it in the possession of schoolboy Jian and resolves to take it back. Over the following days, as the bicycle passes back and forth between them, the two boys find their fates being bound closer and closer together.

Beijing Bicycle tells a story about youth that's bleak as the bleakest of things. The plot might be a bit thin, but it's still an effective tale of adolescence that pulls no punches and isn't afraid of leaving its main characters in the dirt. It might be somewhat of a downer for viewers who need retribution and happy endings, but for others it certainly is a ride worth taking. A tragic ride on a bike. 

Genre: Drama

Ilo Ilo (Singapore, 2013)

Set in Singapore, Ilo Ilo chronicles the relationship between the Lim family and their newly arrived maid, Teresa. Like many other Filipino women, she has come to this city in search of a better life. Her presence in the family worsens their already strained relationship. Jiale, the young and troublesome son, starts to form a unique bond with Teresa, who soon becomes an unspoken part of the family.

Ilo Ilo has a theme which has been covered before on this blog with films such as The Way Home (2002) and Kikujiro (1999), where a young boy is suddenly in the hands of a new caretaker and must come to terms with it. The director of the film has captured a growing friendship perfectly, and you would never guess that you'd hope for these two characters to stay together. A lot of heart in this one. 

Genre: Drama

The Animatrix (U.S./Japan/South Korea, 2003)

The Animatrix is a collection of several animated short films, detailing the backstory of the "Matrix" universe, and the original war between man and machines which led to the creation of the Matrix.

Yes, some could argue that The Animatrix doesn't belong in an all-asian film blog, but I say otherwise. The Animatrix is like experiencing the world of The Matrix through a Japanese lens. Some of the top animation houses in Japan have contributed to this glorious Sci-Fi anthology, and I could name one of the stories in it that makes it well worth the watch alone. The animation range from great to frickin' amazing, and it's pretty much what you get if you'd give an animation studio the budget of a huge Hollywood blockbuster. 

There's a massive variety in the stories, being that it's nine different tales: we go from feudal Japan to a noir-style detective story, we get a history lesson from a cyber-Buddha about how the war between humans and machines began and we follow some kids as they stumble upon a glitch in the Matrix where objects are suspended in air.

Whether you're a big fan of The Matrix or not, you probably would say that the two sequels were subpar in comparison with the first one, but adding The Animatrix to the original trilogy, we at least can have two movies that's kick-ass. 

Genre: Animation/Action/Sci-Fi

The Clone Returns Home (Japan, 2008)

Kohei Takahara, an astronaut who dies in the line of duty, is legally resurrected as a clone: however, contrary to the scientist's expectations, he reverts to his childhood memories when his twin brother drowned sacrificing his life for Kohei.

The Clone Returns Home is a thought-provoking, light sci-fi story that explores the right and wrongs of cloning, but above all it's a tale of two brothers that never got to grow up together. It has a relatively small cast, but makes up for it with great performances and some really, really lovely cinematography. There's a handful of scenes that was a pure joy to watch, and along with the beautiful music those moments really struck a chord with me. The scene where a human body is being grown and is viewed like from an X-ray was one of my favorites. All in all, just a lot of visual candy in this film. 

Maybe you know by now if you're interested or not in seeing this movie, but I urge you too give it a chance. It may have a bit of a slow tempo, but it's worth it all the way. 

Genre: Drama/Sci-Fi