Breath (South Korea, 2007)

A relationship between a condemned prisoner and a married female artist. Jin is a convicted killer awaiting execution on Death Row; Yeon is a lonely artist locked in a loveless marriage. When Jin's repeated attempts at suicide make the nightly news, Yeon finds her emotions stirred, and her curiosity peaked. Eventually, Yeon decides to pay a visit to Jin, and in the course of their many conversations the two lost souls forge an intimate bond. Upon catching wind of his wife's unconventional relationship, Yeon's husband grows increasingly jealous, and attempts to cease communications between her and the convicted killer.

An unusual romance with more anxiety than love is what we're treated to with Breath. Directed by one of my favorites, Kim Ki-duk (3-Iron), Breath is right up the alley of his style of making movies, but those who aren't fans of his minimalistic approach might have a hard time keeping up interest. Not his best film but still another one of his portrayal of a destructive relationship. 

Genre: Drama

Glasses (Japan, 2007)

Taeko an stressed out career woman leaves her stressed out life in the city for an island vacation. The vacation does not become what expected, as everyone on the island are rather strange.

Glasses (a.k.a. Megane) is a pretty slow but good film about trying to appreciate life. During her trip, Taeko meets people who has far less need of material things than herself, and learns that life is more than just owning a lot of stuff. There's not an awful lot of dialogue and the tempo, as I've said, requires a viewer with bit of patience, but it's a soothing and very calm film where not a lot of stuff must happen all the time and that's quite nice, I think. 

Genre: Drama

Exte: Hair Extensions (Japan, 2007)

Customs agents discover a huge amount of human hair used as materials for 'hair extensions' along with the dead body of a young girl with a shaved head. With the corpse being soon transported by the police, the results of the autopsy determine that the woman's internal organs have been harvested. The possibility is pointed out that she was kidnapped in some foreign country and was a victim of black market human organ racketeering ring. A sinister, fearless smirk comes over Yamazaki, the morgue night watchman.

As I've said before, I'm rarely impressed by the works of director Shion Sono. Only on rare occasions has he made a film I can tolerate (Suicide Club, Cold Fish), and Exte is one of those. The premise is kind of silly and it's important not to take it too seriously, so if you can do that it's a fun horror flick with creepy ghost hair spilling out of peoples bodies. 

Genre: Comedy/Horror

Night Train (China, 2007)

Wu Hongyan is a young woman working as a prison guard during executions of female convicts. She feels lonely after her husband died, and she takes a night train to another city to visit a dating service. After a series of unsuccessful dates, she meets Li Jun. It quickly becomes obvious that he is hiding a secret: he is the widower of one of the female convicts of which Wu Hongyan assisted in the execution. Li Jun is torn apart by his feelings, as he is both attracted to Wu Hongyan, and having a desire for revenge for his executed wife.

Night Train is a very somber film, with dark themes and presentation. It's a good film for those who don't necessarily need everything to tie up nicely with a warm, happy ending. For those who don't go mad when it's revealed that there's no light at the end of the tunnel. 

Genre: Drama

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

Like a Dragon (Japan, 2007)

Former Yakuza underling Kiryu Kazuma, who has recently been released from prison after a lengthy incarceration, and is trying to piece his life together and distance himself from his Yakuza past. Along the way he encounters Haruka, a distressed young girl who is trying to find her lost mother (a former club hostess). Unfortunately Kiryu's problems slowly escalate as he is pursued by a former associate, the baseball bat-wielding psycho Majima Goro who has a grudge to settle with Kiryu.

Director Takashi Miike often makes movie adaptations of other work, for example manga or games. Like a Dragon is based on the video game-series Yakuza, and the film has just as much of slapstick action and Yakuza thug-wars as its counterpart. Fans of Miike will recognize his style of over-the-top fighting and quirky, Japanese humor. Nothing too serious, but a fun and intense Yakuza flick.

Genre: Action/Crime

Secret Sunshine (South Korea, 2007)

Lee Shin-ae and her only child move to the small town of Miryang. Her husband has recently died and she has decided to start life anew back in the hometown of her deceased husband. While entering Miryang, Shin-ae's car breaks down along a highway and she is able to get the local mechanic in Miryang named Kim Jong-chan to help her. Although they come from different social backgrounds, the pair hits it off and seems to find comfort in each other's presence.

Secret Sunshine is a tough film, with many devastating blows that hits Lee Shin-ae, who is played by the always enjoyable Jeon Do-yeon (The Housemaid), who became the first Korean actor to win an acting award at Cannes. Her co-actor Song Kang-ho, who we all know from films such as Thirst (2009) and The Host (2006), also does a great job of portraying a man who wishes to win Shin-ae's heart even though they don't connect at all.

Evangelion: 1.11 (Japan, 2007)

The fate of the world is threatened by seemingly monstrous entities known as Angels. NERV is an organisation set up to counter this threat and it is up to young pilots to protect Earth but exactly what are the real motives behind NERV?

If there's one thing in Japan that's so popular it's unhealthy, it's mecha. That's why it comes as no surprise that Japanese people worship the Evangelion-universe as a religion. It's basically mecha-heaven. Evangelion 1.11, 2.22 and 3.33 are the films that has been released up until this point and there's another one on its way. They're insanely good animated and the fighting sequences are just as devastating as you want them to be. 

Genre: Action/Animation/Sci-Fi 

Big Man Japan (Japan, 2007)

The film takes the form of a mockumentary that follows Masaru. Masaru is an otherwise normal Japanese citizen except for an inherited ability to grow to a height of approximately 30 meters in response to the application of high voltage electricity. As both his father and grandfather before him, Masaru has accepted the duty to protect Japan against various giant monsters while working for a sub-division of the defence ministry.

Big Man Japan is one of the most unique and strangest take on the giant monster-genre. Just one look at it and you know that only Japan could have come up with this. The special effects could have been a lot better, but it's a movie that foremost lives on its mocking of various topics, such as capitalism, Japanese pop-culture and the whole monster movie-genre. Also, the ending is hilarious. 

Genre: Comedy/Sci-Fi

Secret (Hong Kong/Taiwan, 2007)

Ye Xiang Lun is a music student majoring in piano who just transferred to Tamkang, a school famous for its musically talented students, especially those who play piano. On his first day of school, he hears a mysterious melody being played, and following it meets Lu Xiao Yu, another piano major. When he asks her about the song she was playing, she tells him that it is a secret that cannot be told. The two form a friendship that quickly evolves into a romantic relationship. However unbeknownst to Xiang Lun, there is more to Xiao Yu than initially meets the eye.

Secret is a melodrama taking place in a music school, and, by now, you probably now if you'll like it or not. Whether you're a fan of these kind of romantic films or not, it's hard to deny the great things about this one; the surprisingly good visual effects, the lovely soundtrack and the sudden turns of the plot. Not bad by any means.

Genre: Drama/Fantasy/Romance

Lust, Caution (China/Taiwan/Hong Kong, 2007)

Teen Wong Chia Chi, a shy college freshman finds her calling in a drama society devoted to patriotic plays. But the troupe's leader, Kuang Yu Min, isn't just a theater maven -- he's a revolutionary as well, and he's devoted to carrying out a bold plan to assassinate top Japanese collaborator Mr. Yee. Wong puts herself in a dangerous position as Mrs. Mak; she befriends Mr. Yee's wife, and slowly gains trust before tempting him into an affair.

Lust, Caution is a tight, well-directed espionage film with fantastic actors, Tony Leung (Chungking Express) among others. Director Ang Lee has created a beautiful portrayal of 1930-40's Hong Kong and Shanghai and fills it with a thrilling assassination story. 

Genre: Drama/Romance/Thriller

5 Centimeters Per Second (Japan, 2007)

Takaki and Akari are two classmates in elementary school. During their time together they have become close friends. Their relationship is tested when Akari moves to another city because of her parents' jobs. Both of them struggle to keep their friendship alive, as time and distance slowly pulls them apart. When Takaki finds out that he is moving further away, he decides to visit Akari one last time.

Before animation genius Makoto Shinkai created the incredible Children Who Chase Lost Voices (2011), he directed the equally beautiful 5 Centimeters Per Second and immediately made a huge name for himself. It pulls on your heartstrings, and it's hard not to get moved by this portrayal of a doomed, yet very strong relationship. The animation is flawless. I want to eat every cloud that floats across the many gorgeous, purple skies this film has to offer. 

Genre: Animation/Drama/Romance

Sword of the Stranger (Japan, 2007)

The film follows Kotaro, a young boy who is hunted by a group of swordsmen from Ming Dynasty China for mysterious reasons. Among the group is a fearsome Western fighter named Luo-Lang, whose only desire is to find a worthy opponent. Due to circumstances, Kotaro and his dog meet Nanashi, a nameless ronin who is haunted by memories of his past which have led him to avoid drawing his sword ever again. When the Ming clash with a Sengoku-era feudal lord, a proud general, and monks torn between faith and survival, the reason behind the Ming group's pursuit tests the bond between Kotaro and Nanashi.

Now, here's an animated film that completely reeks of quality. If you're interested in either samurai movies or anime, you can't go wrong with this one. Fantastic sword fights is the name of the game, and the soundtrack is just as epic as it is beautiful. 

Genre: Animation/Action/Adventure

Black Belt (Japan, 2007)

The events take place in 1932 in Japanese-occupied Manchuria, in which the corrupt leaders of the Japanese army are trying to take over all the Karate dojos for their own personal benefit. Amidst these circumstances the master of one of these dojos dies before choosing his successor, leaving three of his pupils Taikan, Giryu and Choei the task of deciding amongst themselves who deserves it most.

A super powerful knuckle buster of a martial arts film. The main characters are played by real karate experts, and it shows in every bone breaking punch. No special effects were used, and the film is free from the slapstick that often can be seen in other fighting movies. All for a more realistic, more painful display of karate. 

Genre: Action/Drama

Sad Vacation (Japan, 2007)

Kenji, abandoned by his mother, scrapes out a meager existence doing odd jobs including driving bar hostesses and their customers home. Besides this he takes care of the sister of an old friend in jail and a young illegal immigrant. But his life reaches a turning point when he happens to meet Chiyoko, his long lost mother. She is now married to Mamiya, the owner of an express package delivery service. 

Tadanobu Asano (Last Life in the Universe) gives a great performance as usual in this great drama written by Shinji Aoyama, who also directed Eureka (2000). Centers around a family whom all got their own problems. Nothing new really, but it features a likeable cast and fans of Asano should check it out.

Genre: Drama 

Alone (Thailand, 2007)

Alone tells the story of Pim who moved from Thailand to Korea to escape the guilt of being the surviving half of a conjoined twin. Flashbacks to Pim's childhood show how the bittersweet relationship with her sister, and their commitment to stay together forever, transforms into a repressive bond that ultimately leads to a separation. After she returns to visit her dying mother, the spirit of her dead sister angrily thrusts herself into Pim's life.

A ghost story that isn't half bad, though it relies heavy on jump scares. Just tell yourself that you're not going to see anything groundbreaking or particular new that hasn't been done before in the asian horror genre, and you might enjoy it more for what it is. 

Genre: Horror/Thriller

Mad Detective (Hong Kong, 2007)

The film centers on Chan Kwai-Bun, a schizophrenic, former police inspector who decides to come out of retirement to help a rookie cop solve a complex murder case, involving a missing colleague and a suspected policeman suffering from a multiple personality disorder.

A thriller with an interesting theme: schizophrenia. Even the main character have a couple of screws loose, and that adds to the originality and some cool elements to the plot. It also never drags on due to the reasonable running time (89 min), which makes this an even more recommended movie to those who think they've seen it all.

Genre: Action/Crime/Thriller

Adrift In Tokyo (Japan, 2007)

Leading a lazy life, Fumiya has been a student for 8 years and owes money to loan sharks. One day, a man named Fukuhara comes to collect the loan, which Fumiya cannot pay. So Fukuhara makes a proposition: He will cancel the debt as long as Fumiya agrees to walk with him across Tokyo to the police station of Kasumigaseki, where he intends to turn himself for a crime he deeply regrets. Not having much choice, Fumiya accepts the deal, and they start walking through the city of Tokyo.

A charming and funny movie with an interesting idea: just to keep on walking. On their stroll they encounter some folks that are just as quirky as Fumiya's hairstyle. Down-to-earth and with just the right amount of goofiness, this is a walk you should take. 

Genre: Drama

The Detective (Hong Kong, 2007)

A private detective is drawn into a complex murder mystery when he is hired to track down a missing young woman.

A plot easy to be drawn into, and it holds up all the way, never getting stale. The lead actor is perfect for the role, and it's great fun seeing him try to solve a murder case that's getting more and more dangerous by the minute.

P.S: Don't let the extremely weird and terrible opening song scare you away, when it ends, it never comes back...

Genre: Drama/Thriller

Epitaph (South Korea, 2007)

Epitaph, a.k.a. Gidam, is a pretty movie. Beautiful cinematography, and contains some scenes that could be taken right out of some fairy tail. With that said, it's also a movie about a morgue where strange things has happened lately.

The plot involves three separate stories that intertwine, all related to a morgue where bizarre things tend to happen. The film is set in 1942 and does a great job of depicting that specific era. There are some horror scenes (with music from the shower scene in Psycho) but that's just a bonus to a interesting story with some twists. Give it a chance. It's worth it.

Genre: Drama/Horror