Roujin Z (Japan, 1991)

An old man is being treated specially by the Department of Health under the so-called Project Z, a special nursing bed with a 6th generation computer on board. When the pain and loneliness of the old man reaches his ex-private nurse, she decides to rescue him from the government's experiment. Thus begins a wild chase through the busy streets of Tokyo as the 6th generation computer begins to have the personality of the old man's ex-wife and as the government's secret project unfolds.

What's impressive with Roujin Z is the names behind it; Katsuhiro Otomo, creator of Akira, wrote the story and screenplay, while Satoshi Kon (Paprika, Perfect Blue) served as art director and set designer. How can it go wrong knowing that? Well, it doesn't naturally. Roujin Z is a wild joyride with stunning animation which of course looks like a companion piece to Akira. All the 90's anime aesthetic you could ask for with that special blend of science-fiction technology and early computer tech with chunky monitors and huge mechanical keyboards. The plot doesn't nearly reach the depths of Akira, being a much smaller film but there's still ambition in its satirical view of older generations and handing them over to robot beds. 

Genre: Animation/Comedy/Sci-Fi. 1h 20min.

Hiruko the Goblin (Japan, 1991)

A school was built on one of the Gates of Hell, behind which hordes of demons await the moment they will be free to roam the Earth. Hiruko is a goblin sent to Earth on a reconnaissance mission. He beheads students in order to assemble their heads on the demons' spider-like bodies. Hieda, an archaeology professor, and Masao, a haunted student, investigate the gory deaths.

Hiruko the Goblin feels like a very ambitious film for director Shinya Tsukamoto (Tetsuo: The Iron Man), with a much larger scope for the story than his usually more character focused movies like Bullet Ballet (1998) or A Snake of June (2002). With Hiruko the Goblin he basically makes an alien invasion film with a yokai skin and pits two unlikely heroes against the demons of hell. 

It's a fun, creepy horror adventure where Tsukamoto wears his influences on his sleeves, both David Cronenberg and The Thing (1982) can be dimly seen behind the scenery. A cool film for fans of Tsukamoto and Japanese monster films, although a hard sell for all the arachnophobes out there!

Genre: Comedy/Fantasy/Horror. 1h 29min.

Heat Wave (Japan, 1991)

A woman follows in her late father's footsteps and becomes a gambler, only to meet her father's murderer at a game.

Heat Wave (a.k.a. Kagero) doesn't bring a whole lot of new twists to the world of cinema but it's still a tense thriller which after a fateful confrontation ends in a flaming and well-choreographed brawl. The setting of a suspenseful card game is definitely reminiscent of Ian Fleming's Casino Royale, and I think it's a brilliant concept when two adversaries have no choice but to fight each others wits when there's people and witnesses around. I also enjoyed the surprise of seeing Tatsuya Nakadai in a prevalent role. 

Genre: Crime/Drama

Only Yesterday (Japan, 1991)

A twenty-seven-year-old office worker travels to the countryside while reminiscing about her childhood in Tokyo.

Only Yesterday is probably the most mature film animation giant Studio Ghibli has ever done, far away from the usual fantasy elements that often marks their other creations. Here, we're acquainted with 27-year old Taeko who, while taking a job out in the sticks, thinks back to her early days in the city. Made by Isao Takahata (Grave of the Fireflies), Only Yesterday shows an incredible appreciation for nature and the life outside our stressful bubble of hectic social life and work. Studio Ghibli takes something as ordinary as slicing up a pineapple and makes it a joy to watch because it's so carefully and meticulously animated. Takahata took 17 members of his staff on a research trip to a rural area in Yamagata prefecture similar to the place where many of the film's present-day (1982) scenes are set. There the staff consulted with a farmer named Inoue, who taught them about harvesting safflowers, as the film's heroine, Taeko, does in the narrative. The staff videotaped their journey so that they would be able to re-create accurately in animation both the fields of safflowers and the natural beauty of the region in general.

The cinematography is a love letter to the films of Yasujiro Ozu (Tokyo Story) with the "camera" set very low and rarely moving. Where Hayao Miyazaki makes films about the often fantastical and made-up worlds, Takahata usually focuses on the character driven stories and the deeply personal journeys that leaves a bittersweet taste with the viewers. The juxtaposition of Taeko's younger and older self naturally portrays the dreams we give up, the wishes never fulfilled but also how we're different people from when we were young. 

Genre: Drama/Romance

Rhapsody in August (Japan, 1991)

An elderly woman living in Nagasaki Japan takes care of her four grandchildren for their summer vacation. They learn about the atomic bomb that fell in 1945, and how it killed their grandfather.

I've always had a huge interest in the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It's such a horrible and shocking chapter in the history of the world that every movie that deals with these events automatically gains my attention. Rhapsody tells of a family which greatly has been affected by the bombings, and of their story many years later when grandchildren all become parts of a living legacy. It's more of a family drama with a sad undertone, but no less fascinating. Not the movie I'd expect to see Richard Gere in, but he does have a small part in it. One of three films directed by Akira Kurosawa which revolves around the atomic bombings, the other two were I Live in Fear (1955) and Dreams (1990). Not one of his most prominent works but a good film nonetheless. 

Genre: Drama

A Brighter Summer Day (Taiwan, 1991)

A boy experiences first love, friendships and injustices growing up in 1960s Taiwan.

A four hour long movie, directed by Edward Yang who also made my favorite movie of all time, Yi Yi (2000). A Brighter Summer Day is based on a real incident that happened in the 60's when Edward was only 13 years old, an event that later got the name "The Murder Incident of the boy on Guling Street". Edward isn't afraid of working with a huge cast, in Yi Yi there were many, many characters and minor parts played by amateur actors. A Brighter Summer Day though, uses no less than 100 amateur actors in different, minor roles. That's quite impressive, and was one of the biggest Chinese projects of its time.

But on the other hand, it's such a huge film with a running time that requires your dedication. If you are willing to give it that, A Brighter Summer Day proves to be one of the more powerful and unforgettable drama movies ever. 

Genre: Drama/Crime/Romance

Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky (China, 1991)

The story is set in the year of 2001 in a prison owned by a major company. A new prisoner sees his friends being harassed and killed by the guards and seeks his revenge.

Riki-Oh is the kind of movie where you can see a dog get split in half by a kick, and where people punch through stomachs with superhuman strength. One major downside with the movie is that it's so obvious when a doll is used because they look kind of cheep. That aside, some effect are great, like when a fat guy gets his stomach ripped open and blood is gushing out. It's a B-martial arts movie where body parts are getting torn off, bodies are exploding and bad guys being pushed down meat blenders. If the practical effects just had been a little better it would have been one of the most disgusting films ever, but now it ranges from decent to terrible, but terrible in a hilarious way. 

Nothing too serious, but fun if you're in the mood for it. 

Genre: Action/Comedy

Once Upon a Time in China (Hong Kong, 1991)

Set in late 19th century Canton this martial arts film depicts the stance taken by the legendary martial arts hero Wong Fei-Hung (1847-1924) against foreign forces' (English, French and American) plundering of China. When Aunt Yee arrives back from America totally westernised, Wong Fei-Hung assumes the role of her protector. This proves to be difficult when his martial arts school and local militia become involved in fierce battles with foreign and local government. As violence escalates even Aunt Yee has to question her new western ideals, but is it possible to fight guns with Kung Fu?

Once Upon a Time in China is a showcase of brilliant kung fu and slapstick brawls. Jet Li plays the hero, but the real protagonist is the advanced martial art that's being unleashed on all the thugs and turns them into stew. A very entertaining fighting movie.

Genre: Action/Adventure/Drama  

A Scene at the Sea (Japan, 1991)

Born with a hearing impairment, Shigeru is a part timer working for the sanitation service. His girlfriend Takako has the same condition as well. On his usual pickup route, Shigeru finds a broken surf-board in a pile of garbage, and is introduced to the world of surfing. Shigeru fails in his attempt to catch a waves, but un-hindered by the world around them, Shigeru and Takako commute to the beach every day. Not to be discouraged, Shigeru's love for surfing consumes everything around him. 

Behold, a film by Takeshi Kitano. This was actually his first project that didn't include crude violence and yakuza, which is almost what he specializes in for his other movies. A Scene at the Sea is instead a quiet, poetic portrayal of a relationship, that nearly becomes a love triangle between Shigeru, his girlfriend, and his strong love for his newfound surfing obsession.

Genre: Drama

964 Pinocchio (Japan, 1991)

Pinocchio 964, lobotomised cyborg sex slave, is thrown out onto the street by his owners because of his inability to maintain an erection. He is befriended by a criminally insane, memory-wiped, homeless girl. Meanwhile, the corporate entity who manufactured and sold him plots to kill him because of his malfunction.

An insane and surreal journey with some really crazy characters. The camera-work is reminiscent of the cult classic Tetsuo: The Iron Man (1989) and makes it even more of a mad experience. It's considered to be one of the most important works in the genre of Japanese cyberpunk. 

Genre: Sci-fi/Horror

Raise the Red Lantern (Hong Kong/China, 1991)

China in the 1920's. After her father's death, nineteen year old Songlian is forced to marry Chen Zuoqian, the lord of a powerful family. Fifty year old Chen has already three wives, each of them living in separate houses within the great castle. The competition between the wives is tough, as their master's attention carries power, status and privilege. Each night Chen must decide with which wife to spend the night and a red lantern is lit in front of the house of his choice. And each wife schemes and plots to make sure it's hers.

Raise the Red Lantern was directed by Zhang Yimou (Hero, House of Flying Daggers), so it's no wonder why the cinematography is stunning. Zhang Yimou knows how to tell a story with unique scenery, almost as if they are his greatest actors. Raise the Red Lantern was named as one of the 25 movies you must see before you die, and is critically acclaimed throughout the world. A must for every asian movie fan.

Genre: Drama