A Letter to Momo(Japan, 2011)

Clinging to an unfinished letter written by her recently deceased father, young Momo moves with her mother from bustling Tokyo to the remote Japanese island of Shio. However, it's not long before several bizarre occurrences crop up around the previously tranquil island. Momo hears strange mumblings coming from the attic of their home. Annoyed by these creepy goings-on and her mother's refusal to believe them, Momo embarks on a strange and supernatural adventure to discover the source of the mischief, which leads her to a trio of troublesome imps.

I'm so glad I don't have a gang of yokai hanging around, they can be quite something to deal with it turns out. A Letter to Momo uses a very realistic animation style, not unlike the works of Katsuhiro Otomo (Akira), and it looks amazing throughout the film. The animation team worked hard to make it as close to natural movements as possible, which shows a lot in the characters faces and small hand gestures. It's full of Japanese culture and customs, not to mention all the folklore coming to life. The three yokai really are what steals the show with all their antics and outbursts. Momo does a great job of balancing a very mature, sad story with quirky and fun characters, and it's a wonderful film that exceeds were many live-action movies only has tried to tell a similar story of loss and finding happiness again afterwards. 

Genre: Animation/Drama

Shaolin Soccer (Hong Kong, 2011)

After a fateful mistake costing his career, an ex-soccer player bum meets a shaolin kung fu student trying to spread the word of kung fu. The ex-soccer player helps reconcile with his five brothers, and teaches them soccer, adding shaolin kung fu as a twist.

If there's one thing that could get me interested in soccer, it's apparently the addition of martial arts. Shaolin Soccer is directed by Stephen Chow, the man behind Kung Fu Hustle (2004), and just like that one he also plays the main lead. Here, we basically get an answer to the question; what would you get if you mix Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon with soccer? The result is an hilarious comedy with goofy characters with some serious skills in shaolin kung fu. Just like Kung Fu Hustle it has a lot of slapstick action with bodies flying around and people kicking the ball so hard it acts as a fiery rocket across the field. Good fun.

Genre: Action/Comedy/Sport

Kotoko (Japan, 2011)

The story of a single mother who suffers from double vision; caring for her baby is a nerve-wrecking task that eventually leads her to a nervous breakdown. She is suspected of being a child abuser when things get out of control and her baby is taken away.

Let me just start by saying how glad I am that we finally have another Shinya Tsukamoto film on the site, it's certainly been too long since the last time. Tsukamoto has previously made films such as Tokyo Fist (2005), A Snake of June (2002), and above all, Tetsuo: The Iron Man (1988). Kotoko is a chaotic story about a mother whose mind is starting to collapse in on itself. If you're not a fan of shaky camera work, you'll need a barf bag before seeing this movie because sometimes it's like being stuck in a tumble dryer. Crazy camera aside, Kotoko is a phenomenal movie and quite a dark one at that, featuring one of the most shocking deaths I've ever seen, I think. 

Genre: Drama/Horror

Legend of the Millennium Dragon (Japan, 2011)

A 15-year-old boy goes 1200 years back in time to find his unlikely destiny as the savior to end the war between humans and demons.

Legend of the Millennium Dragon has got a bad rep in the review business from what I can gather. Some of the cons I agree with, but I don't think they make it a bad film at all. Some characters are underdeveloped, sure, and the plot isn't as original as you want it to be, but it's still an entertaining samurai and monster adventure with good visuals. It felt like it tried a bit hard to be like a Studio Ghibli film, like Princess Mononoke (1997) and Spirited Away (2001), and when you compared it to those of course it falls flat. See it for what it is and you'll appreciate it much more, I think. 

Genre: Animation/Adventure

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

Starry Starry Night (Taiwan/China, 2011)

12-year-old Mei grew up with her grandparents in the mountains, but now lives with her parents in the city. Her parents constantly fight and she ignored at home. Mei withdraws into her own world and imagination. One day Mei meets transfer student Lee. Mei takes a liking to Lee who seems as withdrawn to the world as Mei. After Mei saves Lee from bullies their friendship becomes real. As Mei home life worsens and her parents announce their divorce, Mei turns to Lee and plan their escape.

You could think that Starry Starry Night is another cute high school drama, but you'd also be dead wrong. It's a story of a girl who's being torn from her childhood and is forced to face the harsh reality of adults and the fact that love isn't something that always lasts. Mei's fantasies comes to life with beautiful animations and in a great way enhances how lonely she is, because if she can't be comforted by her own parents, then maybe she can feel better with a blue, wooden elephant by her side.

Genre: Drama

Arirang (South Korea, 2011)

In 2008, director and screenwriter Kim Ki-duk (3-Iron, Samaritan Girl) went through very hard times that were partially caused by an incident that happened on the set of his film Dream, where an actress almost died. After this, Kim locked himself up in a shack for three years to deal with his anxiety and depression. He also recorded himself speaking his thoughts, and showed how he lived his secluded life up in the mountains.

When watching Arirang, you really feel like a fly on the wall. It has such unbelievable presence to it, it's so honest and real that it's almost embarrassing. Kim Ki-duk is one of my favorite directors, and it was quite something to see him watch my favorite movie of his (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter ... and Spring). Arirang is Kim when he opens up, when he breaks down and when he tries to get back up.

Genre: Documentary/Drama

Sunny (South Korea, 2011)

New high-school transfer student Na-Mi comes from a small town in Jeolla Province to her new school in the capital city of Seoul. On her first day at her new school she is bullied by others. Coming to her help is a group of girls. The girls are Choon-Hwa - known for her strong sense of loyalty & excellent fighting skills, heavyset Jang-Mi - who badly wishes to have plastic surgery, Jin-Hee - excellent when it comes to spewing profanity, Geum-Ok - interested in literature, Bok-Hee - dreams of one day becoming Ms. Korea and Su-Ji - always arrogant. Na-Mi quickly becomes part of their group. These seven girls then form their own group named "Sunny", and they make a vow to stay together forever.

Funny, exciting, sad but also full of joy. Sunny is all of these things, as it explores the eventful school years for seven very different and colorful girls. Definitely a happy pill in movie form.

Genre: Drama

Blind (South Korea, 2011)

A missing person case involving a female university student and the victim in a hit and run case appears to be the same person. Detectives look for a witness. A witness, Min Soo-Ah appears, but Min Soo-Ah is blind. She used to be a promising student at the police academy. With her acute senses, Min Soo-Ah is able to reveal important clues on the hit and run case. Another witness, Kwon Gi-Seob then appears. Gi-Seob, who witnessed the case with his own eyes, gives contradictory statements to Min Soo-Ah. The investigation then goes through many twists and turns, while Min Soo-Ah finds herself up against the killer.

With an interesting plot, Blind manages to be a suspenseful thriller that takes more than one unsuspected turn. The fact that the main character is blind also makes it stand out and doesn't just use that fact as a gimmick. Recommended for those who want a tight, enthralling thriller.  

Genre: Drama/Thriller

Unbowed (South Korea, 2011)

Kim Kyung-ho is a math professor who was fired by his university in 1995, after he questioned the validity of a math question in its entrance exam. Kim files a lawsuit for wrongful dismissal but it is ruled in favor of the university. In 2007, after his appeal was dismissed, Kim out of frustration confronts the presiding judge outside his apartment with a crossbow. A physical struggle ensures and Kim is arrested but maintains that he did not shoot the judge, while the judge claims he was shot by an arrow. Meanwhile Park Jun, a lawyer with a drinking problem and heavily in debt, is approached by Kim's wife to take on the case.

Unbowed is based on a gripping, true story and challenges the legal system in South Korea. It's a compelling court room drama with great actors who had to work for very little pay due to the limited budget of the film, but it became a huge deal on its release and brought up a serious problem with Koreas court system to millions of people.

Genre: Drama

The Front Line (South Korea, 2011)

Towards the end of the Korean War an uneasy ceasefire is ordered, but out on the Eastern front line of the Aerok Hills fierce fighting continues. A race to capture a strategic point to determine a new border between the two Koreas is the ultimate prize. A bullet is then found in the body of dead company commander of the South Korean army. The bullet that killed the company commander belongs to the South Korean army. Lieutenant of the Defense Security Command Kang Eun-Pyo is ordered to go out into the Eastern front line and investigate the murder.

Emotionally powerful and lots of well-directed, great-looking battle scenes. The Front Line has everything that makes for a good war movie. It features great actors like Shin Ha-kyun (Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance) and Kim Ok-bin (Thirst), deals with the struggles of a single platoon and manages to pull you in to its hellish warzone. 

Genre: Drama/History/War

Punch (South Korea, 2011)

17-year-old Wan-Deuk comes from a poor family and his grades in school are equally poor. He is a rebellious and troubled student, but he never loses in fights. Wan-Deuk then meets teacher Dong-Joo. At first, Dong-Joo and Wan-Deuk are like enemies, but Wan-Deuk grows to like him. Meanwhile, Dong-Joo cares for and seems to understand Wan-Deuk. Wan-Deuk takes up kick-boxing and through the sport grows as a person and also develops a dream.

A splendid coming of age film with a big heart. In one of the lead roles we have Kim Yoon-seok (The Chaser, Running Turtle) who delivers a great performance as a somewhat unorthodox school teacher. 

A recommended drama with a lot of punches, humor and warmth.  

Genre: Drama

The Woodsman and the Rain (Japan, 2011)

Katsu, a 60 year-old lumberjack, lives in a small, tranquil village in the mountains. When a film crew suddenly arrives to shoot a zombie movie, Katsu finds himself unwittingly roped into assisting the production and is increasing frustrated by the pushy crew, especially the young, seemingly spineless director Koichi. However, an improbable friendship soon develops between Katsu and Koichi, as Katsu comes to see joy in the filmmaking process, and gradually helps Koichi to recover his sense of self. 

Koji Yakusho (Cure, 13 Assassins) is back in a very feel-good type of movie. The cinematography is very soothing, due to being shot in the beautiful Japanese countryside which I haven't seen so much of in other movies so this was definitely interesting. 

Genre: Drama

From Up on Poppy Hill (Japan, 2011)

Umi, a 16-year old girl, lives in Kokuriko Manor, a house that overlooks Yokohama harbour. Every morning, Umi raises a set of signal flags with the message "I pray for safe voyages". The identity of the person raising the flags arouses much local interest, and a poem about her is published in a school newspaper. The author of this poem, Shun, always sees this flag from the sea as he rides a tugboat to school. The two students eventually meet, and a strong friendship is formed.

Another year, and finally another Studio Ghibli-film. From Up on Poppy Hill is one of those few Ghibli-movies that doesn't feature a storyline with lots of fantasy, thus making it more reminiscent of Whisper of the Heart (1995). Set in the year 1963, Poppy Hill explores the growing relationship between two students and the problems surrounding them. Ghibli's rendition of Tokyo in the 60's looks great, and many sceneries are spectacular in that distinctive Ghibli-kind of way. A warm and more subtle Ghibli-film. 

Genre: Animation/Drama/Romance

Wu Xia (Hong Kong/China, 2011)

Liu Jinxi and his wife Yu are an ordinary couple with two sons, living together in Liu Village. One day two bandits enter the village and attempt to rob the general store. Jinxi happens to be in the shop and fights them when they turn violent towards the shopkeeper, ending up killing them both. During an autopsy, detective Xu Baijiu, who is sent to investigate the case, discovers that one of the dead bandits was among the government's ten most wanted fugitives.

Wu Xia (a.k.a. Dragon) is a beast of a martial arts film, and an interesting take on the genre. Beautiful cinematography and slow-motion fist fights is the perfect match, and director Peter Chan does a great job of developing an intriguing plot. Wu Xia has just as much elements of a detective mystery as it has of martial arts, which makes it one hell of an entertaining movie.

Genre: Action/Drama

My Way (South Korea, 2011)

In colonial era Seoul, 1938, two young men have had a strong sense of rivalry since they were young. Joon-sik is a Korean man who dreams of becoming the Olympic marathon gold winner. Tatsuo is a top Japanese marathon runner and lived with Joon-sik as his family worked for Tatsuo's as servants. One day, Joon-sik falls into trouble and is conscripted into the Japanese army. One year later, Joon-sik faces Tatsuo who is now a captain for the Japanese Imperial Army. 

What it lacks in plot, My Way makes up for in epic warfare. It contains a ton of huge scale battle scenes which are all very well-done, but the plot is rather thin and doesn't exactly break new ground with its story about two rivals who go into war together. But it's still a very enjoyable and touching movie that definitely will appeal to fans of war films.

Genre: Action/Drama/History

Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai (Japan, 2011)

A tale of revenge, honor and disgrace, centering on a poverty-stricken samurai who discovers the cruel fate of his ronin son-in-law, setting in motion a tense showdown of vengeance against the house of a well-respected feudal lord.

Just as its title implies, Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai is a remake of the great 1962 classic Harakiri (a.k.a. Seppuku). Being directed by Takashi Miike (13 Assassins, Ichi the Killer), it's a well-composed and beautifully shot movie where the violence takes a backseat and leaves more room for the unfolding of a tragic tale of samurai honor and revenge. It doesn't come close to the original, but Miike does a great job at honoring the minimalistic approach with the cinematography, and his idea of gore is of course way bloodier than it was in the 60's. 

Genre: Drama

You Are the Apple of My Eye (Taiwan, 2011)

The year is 1994. For Ko-teng, school is all about slacking off and having fun. He's the class clown and never worries about anything. But eventually the teachers assign Chia-yi, every guy's love interest, to help him with his studies. Between the two students a bond is made that will last for many years to come.

... Apple of My Eye is a cute coming-of-age film and also a love story with a decent dose of humor. Some people might find it a bit too cheesy sometimes but stick with it and you'll hopefully appreciate its story about a bunch of friends who must learn to leave their childishness behind.

Genre: Comedy/Drama/Romance

The Raid: Redemption (Indonesia, 2011)

Deep in the heart of Jakarta's slums lies an impenetrable derelict apartment building which became a safe house for the cities most dangerous murderers, killers and gangsters. The rundown apartment block has been considered untouchable by rivals of the notorious crime lord Tama Riyadi and even the police. It all changes when an elite team is tasked with raiding the building in order to take down Tama once and for all.

From Indonesia, this beast of an action film is born and set loose to wreak havoc across the world. The story is next to non-existent, but things like character development and plot twists are very trivial matters when compared to the all-out war and countless shootout scenes that The Raid is filled with. 

Genre: Action/Crime

Silenced (South Korea, 2011)

Kang In-Ho is a newly appointed teacher at a school for the hearing-impaired in Mujin city. While teaching the deaf students, In-Ho feels something strange about the kids distant appearances. Soon, he uncover unfathomable actions committed by the school's faculty against the students.

Based on a horrific true story, Silenced deals with hard themes such as child rape and abuse. Few times have there been such a disturbing portrayal about the molestation of young kids, and it's just as horribly sad as it sounds. Not exactly a sunshine story, and the happy moments can be counted on the fingers of one hand, but it's an honest and tragic story that sheds light on an unspeakable crime.

Genre: Drama