Asian Cinemas/Movies

[MarvelFan]

Similar to the one I made on TV show section...this is a thread about Asian cinemas/movies in general (since it is more easier to get it into one thread instead making separate threads for separate movies)

Be that J-movies, K-movies, C-movies, Thai movies, Bollywood movies, etc...be free to talk and discuss if there's any Asian movies that catch your attention.

It is my wish and hope to expand and spread the more ever growing Asian cinemas for all my friends in this forum

Lets Go!

 

[MarvelFan]

First movie that I want to talk, since it is the most recent one that I watched...is Lost in the Stars (China)



Review:
The movie is a superbly Hitchcokian suspense/thriller film.
Set in the fictional Southeast Asian country, Bankal (similar to Thailand)...He Fei (Zhu Yi Long) is a man begging an apathetic local police force to look for his missing wife, who has been missing since the night before on their wedding anniversary. With his visa expiring in a few days, he has precious little time to find her.
Then this missing person case takes a turn for the unexpected when a woman (Janice Man) shows up claiming to be her wife, with all signs pointing to the fact that she is,indeed He Fei's wife. Finding himself entangled in an increasingly complicated web of conspiracy and deceit, his only saving grace is Chen Mai (Ni Ni). But nothing is as it seems as one by one the mysteries get peeled back, revealing a truth that was quite shocking and twisting.

Plot wise, it is well written film with a complex mystery that keeps us guessing. There's a hint throughout the movie, foreshadowing that is easy to catch on a rewatch. Imo, the movie biggest strength is that it keeps us guessing is what makes it shine.

if you get a chance to see this movie without being spoiled, then it will make the experience seeing the twist 100x better (ignore the trailer that is irrelevant and made me almost skip it, eventhough my partner is the one who suggested me for watching it as she loves this movie very much)

Overall, Lost in the Stars is a very compelling suspense movie. It is not just about the mystery behind the disappearance of He Fei's wife (and her subsequent reapparance), it is about the lies we tell ourselves and others, and whether we keep believing them or not. It's a thought-provoking film that is absolutely worth a watch.

9.5/10

 

[MarvelFan]

Last Samurai Standing (J-Movie, November 13th on Netflix)
starring Okada Junichi & Ninomiya Kazunari

 

[MarvelFan]

Last Samurai Standing (J-Movie, November 13th on Netflix)
starring Okada Junichi & Ninomiya Kazunari

I apologize...turns out this is a series, not a movie.

still exciting nonetheless

 

[MarvelFan]

City Hunter (2024, Japan)



Review:
City Hunter was a classic Japanese manga series, the premise may seem like a simple story but the main character can be complex back story.

There has been so many version made previously, the one with good effort and attempt was the French version, and also the funny Jackie Chan's Hong Kong version...however I must say that this movie by far is the best adaptation and maintained the essence of its original manga. Add to the fact that only with a Japanese production, we can see the Japanese humor and gags done so well.

The plot is clear and fast without interrupting, and for the action comedy movie, the action is even and the humor is not too over-reliance, and the actors are also very funny, especially Suzuki Ryohei as titular character, Ryo Saeba. And how I wish they make into drama series..they have potential to develop the storyline.. Hopefully there's sequel.

Overall it was exciting and fun movie..
Sort of James Bond-ish. Sort of superhero-ish, but without super powers - a bit like Batman who relied on his detective skills and wits, haha...it was funny and outrageously ridiculous.
I really enjoyed watching it ^_^
Highly recommended!

9/10

 

[MarvelFan]

Kokuhaku (Confessions) (2010, Japan)




Review:
Based on the bestselling novel of 2008 ‘Kokuhaku’ by Kanae Minato, "Confessions" is a dark, gripping psychological tale that is sure to keep you on your seats.

The movie starts off rather slow with Moriguchi Yoko (Matsu Takako), a middle school teacher, delivering a farewell speech to her students, declaring the day to be her last day at school. Her students, however, seem to be less concerned and engage themselves in gossips, arguments, texting and other activities. Moriguchi nonetheless continues with her speech, recounting her past— like her affair with a teacher, how he contracted AIDS and passed away, her pregnancy, her decision to live as a single mother, and the tragic death of her dear daughter.
It is only when she reveals something shattering that she manages to catch the attention of her students, leaving them gaping and shocked. She tells them that she believes her daughter’s death was not just a mere accident as claimed by the police but rather a murder, and that the murderers are present in the very same class among them. What’s more, she notifies them that she had injected HIV tainted blood from his deceased husband into the milk that the murderers, her very own students, whom she has labeled as A and B students previously drank. And this shocking declaration is enough to send chaos across the class, leaving A and B students extremely panicked and terrified.

From the very beginning, this movie has created a mystifying atmosphere which gives us, the hint of something very big and unpredictable lying ahead. And then as the story unfolds, we are taken to the world of the victims of the revenge and those related to them, and get a clear picture of the respective motives which drove A and B students to commit something as dreadful as murder. The movie also depicts human emotions such as angst, fear, loneliness, hysteria, pride and horror in a very realistic manner. It also explore how society deals with its kids, specially at that difficult age.

While watching this movie, I, along with my partner got so absorbed in it we was unaware of our surroundings.
For me personally, just when I thought I lost my interest in revenge stories, this movie wakes it up again.

At first you may find it boring, but as you go deeper on the story, you will understand it. How much important life to all of us! And don't take it for granted. You may find some scenes very disturbing but you will appreciate the things they want us to learn.

Overall, "Confessions" is a brilliant psychological thrill with an amounts of tragedy and drama. I can just highly recommend this movie. Its worth it and should definitely be watched!

10/10

 

[chintai80]

City Hunter (2024, Japan)
View attachment 149100


Review:
City Hunter was a classic Japanese manga series, the premise may seem like a simple story but the main character can be complex back story.

There has been so many version made previously, the one with good effort and attempt was the French version, and also the funny Jackie Chan's Hong Kong version...however I must say that this movie by far is the best adaptation and maintained the essence of its original manga. Add to the fact that only with a Japanese production, we can see the Japanese humor and gags done so well.

The plot is clear and fast without interrupting, and for the action comedy movie, the action is even and the humor is not too over-reliance, and the actors are also very funny, especially Suzuki Ryohei as titular character, Ryo Saeba. And how I wish they make into drama series..they have potential to develop the storyline.. Hopefully there's sequel.

Overall it was exciting and fun movie..
Sort of James Bond-ish. Sort of superhero-ish, but without super powers - a bit like Batman who relied on his detective skills and wits, haha...it was funny and outrageously ridiculous.
I really enjoyed watching it ^_^
Highly recommended!

9/10

i been meaning to watch this. the previews looked good.
and your review is hyping it up for me.