Opinion Battles Round 10

Favourite Asian Language Film

Asia has given us plenty of brilliant films many have given the Western world some of the most popular films in film history. We have Studio Ghibli which can battle Disney for stunning animated movies, we have also had horror films which have redefined the genre. There is also Bollywood which is easily just as profitable as Hollywood.

If you want to join the next round of Opinion Battles we will be take on Which Film Should Never Have Had a Sequel, to enter email your choice to moviereviews101@yahoo.co.uk by Saturday 27^th May 2017.

Darren – Movie Reviews 101

Train to Busan

Train to Busan from South Korea is my pick for this because I was simply blown away by the non-stop action horror going on throughout the film. We get a zombie horror that could be put in the same brackets at the original Romero and 28 Days Later. The character development is easily the best in zombie films because you find yourself caring for each and every character you are meant to while hating the ones you are meant to hate. The action sequences are put together so you simply don’t know who will make it out of the situation and most importantly you will want to go back and watch this again as soon as it has finished.

Kim – Tranquil Dreams

Shaolin Soccer

I could go super obscure Asian language film here because there are no doubt tons of favorites. Just dive into the Stephen Chow filmography and we can pick up a ton of 1990s release but for the sake of everyone knowing a title, I’m going with Shaolin Soccer. It was really a toss-up of this one and The Mermaid, however, Shaolin Soccer wins mostly because it features a ton of the 1990s comedy crew that works frequently with Stephen Chow and truly delivers some over the top moments paired up with some ridiculous/crazy computer graphics. Filled with comedy and absurdity, Stephen Chow’s comedy always delivers these two things and without fail. Never judge a book by its cover, that should be what you take away from this movie. Plus, this one wins because the best comedy duo, Stephen Chow and Man Tat Ng are together. They can do no wrong.

 

Cinema Parrot Disco

My Neighbour Totoro

 

My favorite Asian language film? This could be a hard question as I love loads of Asian language movies, especially Japanese films. There’s all the Akira Kurosawa stuff, like the brilliant Seven Samurai. There’s Battle Royale & Akira. There are many great Asian language horror films (although the horror genre is unlikely to make many of my “favorites” lists). But… I have to go with my beloved Studio Ghibli. I can’t NOT choose a Ghibli film for this question! My answer is My Neighbor Totoro. Okay – that wasn’t difficult at all. I love a lot of Asian language films but nothing can beat Studio Ghibli & NOTHING can beat Totoro. 🙂 

 

Damien Riley – Riley Film Reviews

Train to Busan

After 2016 there can be no other choice for me than to recommend The

‘Train to Busan’ as my favorite Asian film. It honestly surprises me

that after so many zombie movies have come down the pike we could

still love another but that’s what audiences are doing and this

reviewer right along with them.

 

There are a lot of twists in the story. The director also wrote the

movie which shows his talent. It has a take-your-breath-away ending

you may or may not expect. Predictions varied in my family. By the

way, I watched it with my 9-year-old and she couldn’t leave the room

she was glued to the film. This film will appeal to horror and

suspense films more than anyone. At the same time, I see a universal

appeal in this film. I must warn you, it does have subtitles but they

are easy to follow. Moreover, there are long stretches of time where

there is no dialog at all. It tells the story through the images.

Please vote for ‘Train to Busan.’

 

Rob – Movie Rob

Battle Royale

Before there was the hunger games, there was the best film about a battle to the death among a group of teens and that was Battle Royale.  It still hasn’t been eclipsed by any other film of the genre.

 

Tom – Plain Simple Tom Reviews

Seven Samurai

 

Many to choose from, I’m sure but surely Kurosawa’s much revered classic is one of the greatest.

A unique story, fine characters, innovative cinematic techniques and if it wasn’t for this film, we wouldn’t have “The Magnificent Seven” Or “A Bug’s Life” . . !

 

Drew – Drew’s Movie Reviews

Your Name

Your Name has become one of Japan’s highest grossing films and it is not hard to see why.  The story is simple, Taki, a boy who lives in Tokyo, and Mitsuha, a girl living in the small village of Itomori, start switching bodies randomly. They learn to be a part of each others’ lives and eventually fall in love and go in search for one another.  What sets this movie apart from similar movies is the way it tackles its love story.  It is a love story through and through but it never becomes melodramatic and there is plenty of humor laced throughout.  I haven’t even mentioned the beautiful animation, that is quite possibly some of the most gorgeous animation to date. I could rave about this movie on and on but I won’t for the sake of time. All in all, Your Name is my favorite Asian Language film because it is funny, charming, beautiful, and heartwarming and is wholeheartedly deserving of the praise it has received.

Emma – Emma Explains It All

Battle Royale

This was a very easy choice for me. Battle Royale was the first Asian speaking film I ever saw and to this day it remains my favourite. Based on a novel it tells the slightly warped tale of a bunch of Japanese schoolchildren who are taken to a deserted island on the pretence of a school trip, only to have bombs strapped to their necks and told they must kill one another until there’s only one kid left standing.

As you can imagine it’s a pretty nutty film. And one of my all time favourites.

S.G. Liput – Rhyme and Reason

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon remains one of only ten foreign-language films to be nominated for Best Picture and the only one hailing from Asia. It’s hard to imagine a Chinese kung-fu action film deserving such an honor, but this is a simple case of a director elevating potentially silly material to an art form. The kung fu action sequences choreographed by Yuen Woo-ping (who also contributed to The Matrix films) are breathtaking and become a gravity-defying ballet, and Ang Lee’s elegant direction only adds to the beauty of the cinematography and musical score. Add in accomplished Asian stars like Chow Yun-fat, Michelle Yeoh, and Zhang Ziyi, and you’ve got one of the best martial arts films ever.

 

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