Karaoke Terror (Japan, 2003)

One member of a gang of karaoke loving middle aged women is murdered by a young man. In need of revenge, her friends track him down and kill him. This starts a war where killing one person means someone's going to be next...

With a plot like that it's pretty clear that you're not meant to take the film too seriously. Karaoke Terror escalates to the point of absurdity, and a particular scene with the blood-thirsty ladies was hilarious in the way they avenged another fallen member of their crew. At times you're wondering what the hell you're watching and later on you're cheering for one of the two rival gangs. 

Based on a book by Ryu Murakami who also wrote Audition which got a widely popular adaption by Takashi Miike.

Genre: Drama/Horror

Natural City (South Korea, 2003)

Two cops, R and Noma, hunt down renegade cyborgs. The cyborgs serve a number of duties, ranging from military commandos to "dolls", engineered for companionship. They have a limited 3-year lifespan, although black market technology has been developed to transfer a cyborg's artificial intelligence into the brain of a human host.

It's not hard to see that the director of Natural City is a huge fan of the setting in Blade Runner (1982) and the action of The Matrix (1999), and I would easily go as far as to say that without those films Natural City wouldn't even exist. But hey, those are some excellent films to take cues from when making a sci-fi film.

The film failed to please the majority of the crowd, but sci-f movie buffs should check it out. A tale of cyborgs and cyborg hunters, with a splash of spectacular violence.

Genre: Action/Drama/Sci-Fi

Voices of a Distant Star (Japan, 2003)

The story of the high school students Mikako Nagamine and Noboru Terao. When the alien Tarsians attack, Mikako volunteers to be a pilot in the space force that will protect mankind. The lovers try to remain in contact using cellular telephone text messages, but as each battle takes Mikako further from the Earth, each message takes longer to arrive. Will their love stand the tests of time and distance?

Being only 25 minutes long, Voices of a Distant Star manages to tell a story which easily could have been stretched to a feature length film. You know that story right; boy meets girl, boy falls in love, girl enlists in Space Force and pilots a 70 foot tall robot to shoot aliens on the surface of Mars. It's impressive to think that the creator, Makoto Shinkai (5 Centimeters Per Second), animated the film entirely by himself. A beautiful story of interplanetary love between a boy who gradually becomes a man, and a young girl who ages much, much slower out there in deep space but still never forgets the boy who awaits her at home.

Genre: Animation/Sci-Fi/Short

The Uninvited (South Korea, 2003)

Jeong-won is a man with no memory of his childhood and his real family. At the beginning of the film he witnesses the deaths of two young girls. He begins seeing the girls dead bodies sitting at his kitchen table. He meets Yeon, a narcoleptic who is a witness in a infant murder case. She can also see the "ghosts" and he soon finds out she is psychic and can also help him recover his lost memories. 

I saw The Uninvited a couple of years ago but wasn't wildly impressed. After having gone back to it I think it must have been due to the fact that I expected something extremely terrifying. Horror fans won't be screaming their eyes out, but at the very least it's a creepy, involving ghost story with some very disturbing scenes. 

Genre: Horror

Doppelganger (Japan, 2003)

Hayasaki is an inventor working on an Artificial Body. It is not going well and he is stressed out and on the verge of being fired from the research division of his company. His doppelganger appears to help him out of the rut he has created for himself.

I saw Doppelganger a couple of years ago and it didn't impress me as much as when I recently re-watched. I think it's because I had soaring expectations due to the fact that it's directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa (Pulse, Cure), who's somewhat of a personal favorite. The concept of Doppelganger is fascinating and interesting, and Koji Yakusho (Shall We Dance?) gives a smashing performance as two completely different individuals.

Genre: Comedy/Thriller

A Lonely Cow Weeps at Dawn (Japan, 2003)

A young widow, Noriko, lives with her senile father-in-law, Shukichi, on a farm. He believes his favorite cow, long gone, is still alive. Noriko pretends to be the cow and lets him milk her - a satisfying arrangement for them both.

Probably about 8 out of 10 people will dismiss this film as a very weird soft porn film or perhaps a pink film with a cow fetish (I can't believe I wrote that). All I can say is, sometimes you got to be careful with what you wish for. I wanted to see something  strange and utterly bizarre, and I certainly got just that. Is it too weird? For some, yes it is. But when you been living in the world of the mainstream movies for too long you crave something completely different, but Jesus F. Christ you'd think there'd be a limit to how weird a film can get. 

On the other hand, I love the fact that there's movies such as this one. I mean, in what other film could you find a woman having sex with her father while impersonating a cow. Whait, what?

There's also a lot of explicit content, so mature audiences only.

Genre: Drama/Romance

The Classic (South Korea, 2003)

Shy Ji-hae's friend is having problems expressing her feelings to the boy she loves, so she asks Ji-hae to write e-mails to him in her name. As the boy falls in love with her letters, Ji-hae discovers the story of her mother's romance which is remarkably similar to her own circumstances.

At first, The Classic seems pretty straightforward and can almost be a bit cheesy from time to time, but it turns out to be a very competent tale of love in two completely different times in South Korea's history. We have the story of Joo-hee that grows up in a very conservative and turbulent time, who falls in love with Joon-ha, and then there's her daughter many years later that goes through the same experience.

The Classic is done by the same man who gave us My Sassy Girl (2001), an almost universally loved romantic comedy, so it's easy to have high hopes for this one. Except for some few overly sappy moments, The Classic tells a heartwarming story about how strong a bond can be between two people.

   

Genre: Drama/Romance

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

Untold Scandal (South Korea, 2003)

The irresistible temptress Lady Cho asks her cad of a younger cousin, Jo-won, to deflower the innocent young Soh-ok, who is to become her husband's concubine. But, his attentions soon shift to the graceful and aloof Lady Sook, who lives according to her convictions as a Catholic. Jo-won becomes obsessed with seducing this chaste woman who has remained celibate for nine years since her husband's death. However, conquering the most virtuous woman in the land proves to be more difficult than Chosun's notorious playboy expects.

Revolving mostly around two characters, Untold Scandal digs deep into the art of seduction, but with a few more wicked intentions than just love. See it if you want a costume drama with good actors and a love story with a little bit less love in it, but more spite. Oh, and the ending was really good, too.

Genre: Drama

Café Lumière (Japan, 2003)

In a residential Tokyo neighborhood, Yoko, a young freelance writer defies her strongly traditional parents with news that she is pregnant and has no desire to marry the father. She calmly accepts this reality and stoically deals with the worried reactions of her family. In an effort to alleviate her loneliness, she befriends the owner of a second-hand bookstore. He falls in love with her, but keeps his feelings silent. Gradually, Yoko begins to re-evaluate everything in her life in this meditative masterpiece of young urban solitude.

Hou Hsiao-hsien pays homage to one of the greatest film makers in Japanese history, Yasujiro Ozu, who gave us such classics as Tokyo Story (1953) and Floating Weeds (1959). If you aren't familiar with Ozu's work, you won't spot the film style that director Hou is going for, but let me tell you, he really nailed it. Often the camera is placed at low height, and rarely does it move. Some of my favorite scenes is the static shots of the city districts where the trains pass each other and continues on their way into dark tunnels below the cramped buildings, really beautiful in a certain way, and so alike Ozu's way of shooting buildings or other objects in his transitions between scenes. 

All this camera goodness is really just the tip of the iceberg for me, because in front of the lens we have a subtle, fantastic drama. Tadanobu Asano (Ichi the Killer) plays one of the main roles, a man who goes around recording the sounds of trains. Yes, really. I can't recommend this film enough, so if you're in the mood for a film that takes it time, watch this meditative and lovely movie now.

Trains are a big part of Café Lumière, in a strangely subduing kind of way.

Genre: Drama

Azumi (Japan, 2003)

In war-torn Japan, the Tokugawa Shogun, desperate to restore peace to his people, orders the assassination of the hostile warlords. A beautiful young woman is raised from birth with nine other orphans, to become an assassin. Her name is Azumi.

Chances are you've heard of Azumi. It was well-received on release and got a lot of fans all over the world, which is not surprising because it's a very cool and fast paced sword fest. Not without its silly moment, like when a guy's head gets cut off and he continues to scream, but a fun ninja brawler nonetheless. 

A sequel was made in 2005, Azumi 2: Death or Love, which wasn't as good but still a movie you definitely should follow up with if you liked this one. 

Genre: Action/Adventure

Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. (Japan, 2003)

Forty-two years after her first visit in Tokyo, Mothra returns to warn mankind that they must return Mechagodzilla, along with Godzilla's bones, to the sea, for the dead must not be disturbed. If not, dire consequences will follow. However, Godzilla is once again on the rampage, and Mechagodzilla is Japan's only defense.

I've watched a lot of Godzilla movies, and after a while, they're starting to feel the same. But some of them stands out as great action flicks and shows some fantastic city destruction. Tokyo S.O.S. was one of the better ones, I think.  The story, which continues from Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla (2002) is involving and the action sequences is better than in many other Godzilla films. There's something incredibly satisfying in seeing huge buildings being torn apart and completely demolished by giant monsters. Also check out Godzilla: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack (2001), as that one also was one of the better ones.

Genre: Action/Fantasy

Save the Green Planet! (South Korea, 2003)

A traumatized young man abducts Korean leaders, believing they're toxic reptilian aliens - a fifth column launching a takeover of beloved Earth. Law enforcements half-seriously hire a disgraced, disheveled private detective with a long-ago history of super-crime solving. The alienated youngster Lee Byeong-gu builds an isolated basement command post/torture chamber/ to force the awful truth out of the slimy, uncooperative politicians and businesspeople. 

Save the Green Planet! is a strangely working mix of sci-fi, horror and comedy. What first seems to be a mostly funny and quirky film, soon takes a dark turn and descends into Lee Byeong's twisted mind and we really start to question wether if he's insane or the only human who knows the truth. A surprisingly deep, unpredictable and moving film.

Genre: Drama/Comedy/Thriller

The Blue Light (Japan, 2003)

Shuichi Kushimori is a 17-year-old student who lives a happy life with his mother and his sister. Without warning, one day his missing stepfather, Sone, is back after a long absence. Sone is soon in a vicious circle of drinking and starts to harass his ex-wife and stepdaughter. When he makes sexual advances towards Shuichi's sister, Shuichi decides to take matters into his own hands. 

The Blue Light is a well-performed dive into a young mans psyche as he feels forced to commit murder. The anxiety grows and it all becomes a downward spiral that can't possibly end well. Or could it? 

Genre: Drama/Crime

Zatoichi (Japan, 2003)

Blind Zatoichi makes his living by gambling and giving massages. But behind his humble facade, Zatoichi is a master swordsman, gifted with lightning-fast draw and strokes of breathtaking precision. Zatoichi wanders into a town run by sinister gangs and a powerful samurai. He's destined for violent showdowns when he stumbles on two beautiful geishas avenging their parents' murder... Duels, wit and a touch of zen! Cult anti-hero Zatoichi is back in a sword-fighting adventure written, directed and starring Takeshi Kitano.

Acclaimed director and actor Takeshi Kitano takes a spin at the popular tale of Zatoichi, the blind swordsman.  Almost everyone knows the story in this day and age: blind man Zatoichi, a humble and kind man makes his living by giving massage or performing acupuncture. But beneath the harmless surface, a master samurai dwells, and every thug that messes with him soon regrets it. The film has some cheesy stabbing effects, but overall it's a great samurai film with fantastic sword fighting. 

Genre: Action/Crime

9 Souls (Japan, 2003)

A convict in an isolated prison stumbles upon a hole in the wall and nine men break out. Some of the escapees have a definite goal but for others it is just a spur of the moment decision. Each of the convicts is carrying a baggage of difficult memories. The men steals a van and head for a primary school near Mt. Fuji to pick up some hidden loot, but when they get to the school, all they find is a small glass key in a time capsule. The men are dumbfounded. But, as they continue on their journey they begin to experience a strange new sense of possibility. Their thoughts turn towards the unfinished business in their lives before they were locked up and one by one they decide to act. But where will their resolutions lead them?

Made by the director of the fantastic school drama Blue Spring (2002), 9 Souls is yet another engrossing film that deals with nine, deeply troubled men and their attempt at facing society. 

Genre: Drama

Gozu (Japan, 2003)

Minami, a member of the Azamawari crew, highly respects his brother Ozaki who has saved his life in the past. However, lately Ozaki's eccentricities (like claiming that a Chihuahua hs sees is a 'Yakuza attack dog') have been making everyone wonder about his sanity. Chairman Azamawari is unsympathetic to Ozaki's little outbursts and secretly orders Minami to take Ozaki to a disposal facility in the city of Nagoya. There, the fate of these two follows a twisted path filled with violence, mother's milk, strange locals, and ultimately the disappearance of Ozaki's corpse which Minami now desperately tries to recover.

A deeply surreal story about the Yakuza, men with cow heads and bizarre sexual activities. All from the strange mind of Takashi Miike (Ichi the Killer, 13 Assassins), Gozu is one of his most Lynch-ian film due to the perplexing nature of the plot. And then of course, there's that certain birth-scene, which is one of the most bizarre and nastiest things I've ever seen.

Genre: Crime/Drama

When the Last Sword is Drawn (Japan, 2003)

Kanichiro Yoshimura is a samurai and family man who can no longer support his wife and children on the the low pay he receives from his small town clan. He is forced by the love for his family to leave for the city in search of higher pay to support them. In his search he joins a notorious clan, known as the Shinsengumi where he does as much as possible to get money. Looked at as a money grubber, Yoshimura proves his strength physically and mentally by being loyal to his honor.

A gripping, sad story that focuses on two samurai who are in the middle of Japans transition into a modern state, where there's no room for swords. A beautiful drama combined with fantastic swordplay and great music. A 10/10 samurai film.  

Genre: Drama

Goodbye, Dragon Inn (Taiwan, 2003)

A Japanese tourist takes refuge from a rainstorm inside a once-popular, old Taipei cinema that is closing down, showing King Hu's 1967 sword-fighting classic "Dragon Inn". Even with the rain bucketing down outside, it doesn't pull much of an audience -- and some of those who have turned up are less interested in the movie than in the possibility of meeting a stranger in the dark.

Goodbye, Dragon Inn will not appeal to everyone. Many won't see the beauty in its minimalistic screenplay. The film is shot with almost no camera movement, most shots lasting well over thirty seconds. There are only about a dozen of lines of dialogue. If that doesn't float your boat, you're out of luck. But if you take time to watch this unique and wonderful film, you'll discover something beyond words. 

Simply become a member of the audience.

Genre: Drama

Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior (Thailand, 2003)

The story begins in a small and peaceful village. One day a sacred Buddha statuette called Ong Bak is stolen from the village by a immoral businessman who sells it for exorbitant profits. It soon becomes the task of a young man, Ting, to track the thief down to Bangkok voluntarily and reclaim the religious treasure. Along the way he uses his astonishing athleticism and traditional Muay Thai skills to combat his adversaries.

Ong-Bak is without a doubt one of the grand champions of martial art movies. It delivers a huge amount of both satisfying fist fights and chases full of crazy stunts through the narrow streets of Bangkok. 

The actor playing Ting trained for four years in preparation for the film, and it clearly shows in every bone breaking punch and face destroying kick. 

Genre: Action/Thriller