010 Today, let's see what dying for someone is like
So, I went to Wrocław for the weekend for the Film Festival (Era New Horizons) with trolit and ksi_ksi. And it was great. There's really something about alternative movies. We saw four: Nymph (2009 Thailand), Pontypool (2008 Canada), King of Ping-Pong (2008 Sweden) and finally, the one I liked best, Two Lines (2008 Turkey). I gotta say, up until now I never was a big fan of cinema. Most of my life I've spent reading books. Yet, I think I'm gonna like this new hobby.
Since the occasion is kinda special, let's say it's time for the second part of top 10 meme, presenting, whaddya know, my favorite Asian movies. What do I look for in one? Since I'm a word freak, I've always appreciated good dialogs and screenwriting the most. Then there's soundtrack and picture. I especially like movies with a certain feeling to it, which can be expressed preferably by words or series of images (and music). Needless to say, I'm picky and often don't finish what I've started watching if it disappoints me. Particularly for this project, I re-watched most of the movies on my top 10 list. Without further ado, here they are.
Rules:
01. Make a graphic(s) with your Top 10 Asian Girls/Boys/Something you like...
02. Have a graphic(s) with an explanation why you like her/him/it, or why she/he is on that place in the ranking
03. Post it on your LJ and tag 5 people to do it too
Top 10 Asian movies
Fly, Daddy, Fly
(2005 Japan) imdb
Mesmerizing movie, but I'm a huge Okada fan, so yeah, I'm biased. I'm so hardcore, I even watched it without subs. Twice. This film inspires me in lots of ways. It's kinda like a Japanese version of MADE. We have struggles of a man who's battling himself and crossing his own limits, so that he can live his life more beautifully. Then there's Okada, perfect as ever, a walking definition of awesome. His jumping, kicking, climbing, reading (!), whistling and looking smokin' hot while doing all the above is a cherry on top. I liked how he kinda reminded me of Wharton's Birdy at certain times. Oh, and I even felt teary once.
Am zin
(Running out of time, 1999 Hong Kong) imdb
" - What's your name?
- There's no use in knowing my name.
- I read the paper, I know who you are.
- It's a shame I have no time.
- What does time matter? "
One of two action movies on my list, both with incredible Andy Lau. who btw makes quite a pretty gal. It's a story about a guy who decides to play a game before he dies, one involving a certain police inspector / negotiator and local mafia. It's a smart piece of work, fascinating to watch and utterly engrossing. All the elements of the film come together like a well designed puzzle. The truly interesting thing here is not only what's Andy Lau's character doing, but how he's doing it. The duel between the two male leads is another definite highlight and so is the very delicate love story. Scenes on a bus anyone? Pure gold.
Mohabbatein
(2000 India) imdb
" - If someone tries to change you, then it is not love, but a compromise. And darling, one doesn't compromise in love. You forgot your own rule. "
Bollywood movies are a specific genre but I like them for their colorfulness, simple but pleasing story-lines, synchronized dancing and Shahrukh Khan. Mohabbatein definitely stands out among others. It's basically an epic paean to love and romance, which conveys a simple message that love actually is the most important thing in life. My best memories from the film (and you can say three main reasons why you absolutely have to see it) is of course Holi - the Festival of Colors, all the amazing songs and Shahrukh's crayon sweaters.
Lost in Love
(Sarang-eul nochida, 2006 Korea) imdb hc
" - How can this end? It didn't even start? "
It's an enchanting story about people who are in love secretly. The movie is overall slow, quiet, sad to the point of frustrating, bitter. You can say there's not much happening, cause the plot is moreover a series of accidental meetings and missed opportunities. But it's filled with hidden feelings which can be seen through little things - a wandering look, a supposedly random gesture. Somehow tales about unspoken love always get to me and this one is exceptionally beautiful.
More quotes:
" - Should I sleep over?
- I'm not good at it.
- Forget it. I must be out of my mind. "
" - You need to break up to know what love really is. "
" - I don't know what else to say but thank you. Thank you... for being nice to me.
- I'm not just being nice to you. I like you. I'm sorry. If I didn't say it today, I thought I could never do it. It has been so tough to think and like someone secretly.
- I've... been there too. Secretly thinking and liking someone for a long time... "
Go
(2001 Japan) imdb
" - The ocean stared at me. And I stared right back. "
Despite irritating taste in female leads (hi there, Shibasaki Kou aka Krzywe Oczy), the movie is enjoyable mostly because of Kubozuka Yosuke's great performance. He screams and picks fights, smashing people around him and he's so cute. Yeah, it's a love story, built around the topics of racism and discrimination, though as expected from Kudo Kankuro, one that's not really romantic or sweet. More like rough and lame, but there's beauty in the ugliness. If you've ever watched any of Kudo's works, you get the idea. It's based on the universal truth from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliette, that you're still you, the same person, no matter what you're called or where you're from. Random thought, possibly irrelevant - Kubozuka's sweater reminds me of one worn by a guy I used to like.
Infernal Affairs
(Mou gaan dou, 2002 Hong Kong) imdb
" - Actually, there's something I want to ask you, but... it's kind of embarrassing. What do you think of me? Do you think I'm a good guy or a bad guy?
- I hardly know who you are.
- Tell you a secret, but don't tell anyone. I'm actually a cop.
- So am I. "
A quick, unpredictable action movie based on a killer concept of two moles - a police officer secretly working for underground organization and a criminal of the same group, who's actually a cop. It's intense and gripping from the beginning till the very end. Both parts are played brilliantly, although I have to say Yan has made a bigger impression on me. All in all, what is worth observing is the ongoing battle of two forces, when it's not that easy to pick a side, and the characters' growing problems with identities.
Hello Schoolgirl
(Sunjeong-manhwa, 2008 Korea) imdb hc
" - Your hand is really warm. That means you're a cold person.
- I'm not a cold person. I'm just lonely. "
To begin with, this movie is visually stunning. The picture is beautiful and all the scenes are placed in regular surroundings which somehow look magical. Also, it's incredibly sweet and innocent. It's about people who are a little bit different than most. Like, extremely nice and extremely lonely. I think the main point is that love really just happens. Accidentally. Even if you're hurt, you don't want it or gave up on it long ago. It just happens and it can happen to you too.
More quotes:
"- I hope you can stop being good for once in your life. "
" - Why did you let go of my hand? Were you scared of what people might say?
- No.
- Why did you do that?
- Well...
- It's okay. I know you give up easily. "
Hellcats
(Ddeugeoun-geosi joh-a x I/Some Like It Hot, 2008 Korea) imdb hc
" - That loser is a typo in my life. "
Sometimes a movie is not really that great or special or anything, but you see something in it that makes it extraordinary. That's how it is with me and Hellcats. For starters, I like and admire all three woman it's about. They're strong and amazing and I wouldn't mind being a bit like them. I'm too old to identify myself that strongly with Sohee, but the other two girls are both a bit similar to me. Ah-mi with her being a screenwriter and her sloppy taste in toxic boyfriends. Her screaming and cursing and just being natural all the time. That's what I like. Unfortunately, I have a feeling it wouldn't work for me in real life. Young-mi on the other hand is a bad-ass, tough and cold, heartless, she could be my idol. It's a very feminine movie - since it portrays the world of women. The guys are either jerks or wimps. But it gives you hope that although life's a bitch and you fall apart all the time, you're gonna put yourself together again, no matter what.
More quotes:
" - You're a work-in-progress but one that will never end... "
" - There are three things a woman should never expose to others: infidelity, wrinkles and what she really has on her mind. But the worst is being exposed of the compulsion to keep these hidden from others. "
" - Tough, isn't it? Life's tough. If anyone told me to go back to my 20s, I'd rather die. Or kill that son-of-a-bitch. But it'll pass eventually. Find every bit of willpower you've got. Stand it, and bear it. That way you'll win in the end. "
Laundry
(2002 Japan) imdb
" - My eyes are peeled again today. I'm a parole officer, protecting the world from bad people. But my eyes start hurting if I keep them peeled too long. They get tired. So I close my eyes like this sometimes. I feel better with my eyes closed since I don't have to see anything. "
Kubozuka, again. I've read somewhere that people describe this movie as sweet, but to me it's so dark, it makes you fear. Or feel uneasy. That's why I'm so deeply in love with it. I would even say it's depressive or sulky, in a good way. The plot is extremely sad, starting from a pure young man with a scar on his brain, working at an old coin laundry, who meets a deeply hurt woman with a lot of issues. They develop some sort of relationship, handicapped as well. The pace is slow and gentle, capturing the essence of bitter-sweetness. It's heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. And the music's bewitching.
Bin-jip
(3-Iron 2004 Korea) imdb hc
" It's hard to tell that the world we live in is either a reality or a dream. "
It's interesting how much I like this movie when there are little to no dialogs in it. While I was watching it for the first time, subtitles went out of sync at one moment and it didn't matter at all. The film plays itself out almost in complete silence (apparently, it's typical for Kim Ki-duk) and it's perfect. Showing the complexity of human emotions through two main heroes - a man and a woman, who are like kindred spirits in a hostile world - without having them say a word. It reminds me of a poem. It's weird, different, hypnotizing and has a great dream-like mood. Also, once again, Birdy reference comes to mind. Indeed, a masterpiece.
Since the occasion is kinda special, let's say it's time for the second part of top 10 meme, presenting, whaddya know, my favorite Asian movies. What do I look for in one? Since I'm a word freak, I've always appreciated good dialogs and screenwriting the most. Then there's soundtrack and picture. I especially like movies with a certain feeling to it, which can be expressed preferably by words or series of images (and music). Needless to say, I'm picky and often don't finish what I've started watching if it disappoints me. Particularly for this project, I re-watched most of the movies on my top 10 list. Without further ado, here they are.
Rules:
01. Make a graphic(s) with your Top 10 Asian Girls/Boys/Something you like...
02. Have a graphic(s) with an explanation why you like her/him/it, or why she/he is on that place in the ranking
03. Post it on your LJ and tag 5 people to do it too
Top 10 Asian movies
Fly, Daddy, Fly
(2005 Japan) imdb
Mesmerizing movie, but I'm a huge Okada fan, so yeah, I'm biased. I'm so hardcore, I even watched it without subs. Twice. This film inspires me in lots of ways. It's kinda like a Japanese version of MADE. We have struggles of a man who's battling himself and crossing his own limits, so that he can live his life more beautifully. Then there's Okada, perfect as ever, a walking definition of awesome. His jumping, kicking, climbing, reading (!), whistling and looking smokin' hot while doing all the above is a cherry on top. I liked how he kinda reminded me of Wharton's Birdy at certain times. Oh, and I even felt teary once.
Am zin
(Running out of time, 1999 Hong Kong) imdb
" - What's your name?
- There's no use in knowing my name.
- I read the paper, I know who you are.
- It's a shame I have no time.
- What does time matter? "
One of two action movies on my list, both with incredible Andy Lau. who btw makes quite a pretty gal. It's a story about a guy who decides to play a game before he dies, one involving a certain police inspector / negotiator and local mafia. It's a smart piece of work, fascinating to watch and utterly engrossing. All the elements of the film come together like a well designed puzzle. The truly interesting thing here is not only what's Andy Lau's character doing, but how he's doing it. The duel between the two male leads is another definite highlight and so is the very delicate love story. Scenes on a bus anyone? Pure gold.
Mohabbatein
(2000 India) imdb
" - If someone tries to change you, then it is not love, but a compromise. And darling, one doesn't compromise in love. You forgot your own rule. "
Bollywood movies are a specific genre but I like them for their colorfulness, simple but pleasing story-lines, synchronized dancing and Shahrukh Khan. Mohabbatein definitely stands out among others. It's basically an epic paean to love and romance, which conveys a simple message that love actually is the most important thing in life. My best memories from the film (and you can say three main reasons why you absolutely have to see it) is of course Holi - the Festival of Colors, all the amazing songs and Shahrukh's crayon sweaters.
Lost in Love
(Sarang-eul nochida, 2006 Korea) imdb hc
" - How can this end? It didn't even start? "
It's an enchanting story about people who are in love secretly. The movie is overall slow, quiet, sad to the point of frustrating, bitter. You can say there's not much happening, cause the plot is moreover a series of accidental meetings and missed opportunities. But it's filled with hidden feelings which can be seen through little things - a wandering look, a supposedly random gesture. Somehow tales about unspoken love always get to me and this one is exceptionally beautiful.
More quotes:
" - Should I sleep over?
- I'm not good at it.
- Forget it. I must be out of my mind. "
" - You need to break up to know what love really is. "
" - I don't know what else to say but thank you. Thank you... for being nice to me.
- I'm not just being nice to you. I like you. I'm sorry. If I didn't say it today, I thought I could never do it. It has been so tough to think and like someone secretly.
- I've... been there too. Secretly thinking and liking someone for a long time... "
Go
(2001 Japan) imdb
" - The ocean stared at me. And I stared right back. "
Despite irritating taste in female leads (hi there, Shibasaki Kou aka Krzywe Oczy), the movie is enjoyable mostly because of Kubozuka Yosuke's great performance. He screams and picks fights, smashing people around him and he's so cute. Yeah, it's a love story, built around the topics of racism and discrimination, though as expected from Kudo Kankuro, one that's not really romantic or sweet. More like rough and lame, but there's beauty in the ugliness. If you've ever watched any of Kudo's works, you get the idea. It's based on the universal truth from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliette, that you're still you, the same person, no matter what you're called or where you're from. Random thought, possibly irrelevant - Kubozuka's sweater reminds me of one worn by a guy I used to like.
Infernal Affairs
(Mou gaan dou, 2002 Hong Kong) imdb
" - Actually, there's something I want to ask you, but... it's kind of embarrassing. What do you think of me? Do you think I'm a good guy or a bad guy?
- I hardly know who you are.
- Tell you a secret, but don't tell anyone. I'm actually a cop.
- So am I. "
A quick, unpredictable action movie based on a killer concept of two moles - a police officer secretly working for underground organization and a criminal of the same group, who's actually a cop. It's intense and gripping from the beginning till the very end. Both parts are played brilliantly, although I have to say Yan has made a bigger impression on me. All in all, what is worth observing is the ongoing battle of two forces, when it's not that easy to pick a side, and the characters' growing problems with identities.
Hello Schoolgirl
(Sunjeong-manhwa, 2008 Korea) imdb hc
" - Your hand is really warm. That means you're a cold person.
- I'm not a cold person. I'm just lonely. "
To begin with, this movie is visually stunning. The picture is beautiful and all the scenes are placed in regular surroundings which somehow look magical. Also, it's incredibly sweet and innocent. It's about people who are a little bit different than most. Like, extremely nice and extremely lonely. I think the main point is that love really just happens. Accidentally. Even if you're hurt, you don't want it or gave up on it long ago. It just happens and it can happen to you too.
More quotes:
"- I hope you can stop being good for once in your life. "
" - Why did you let go of my hand? Were you scared of what people might say?
- No.
- Why did you do that?
- Well...
- It's okay. I know you give up easily. "
Hellcats
(Ddeugeoun-geosi joh-a x I/Some Like It Hot, 2008 Korea) imdb hc
" - That loser is a typo in my life. "
Sometimes a movie is not really that great or special or anything, but you see something in it that makes it extraordinary. That's how it is with me and Hellcats. For starters, I like and admire all three woman it's about. They're strong and amazing and I wouldn't mind being a bit like them. I'm too old to identify myself that strongly with Sohee, but the other two girls are both a bit similar to me. Ah-mi with her being a screenwriter and her sloppy taste in toxic boyfriends. Her screaming and cursing and just being natural all the time. That's what I like. Unfortunately, I have a feeling it wouldn't work for me in real life. Young-mi on the other hand is a bad-ass, tough and cold, heartless, she could be my idol. It's a very feminine movie - since it portrays the world of women. The guys are either jerks or wimps. But it gives you hope that although life's a bitch and you fall apart all the time, you're gonna put yourself together again, no matter what.
More quotes:
" - You're a work-in-progress but one that will never end... "
" - There are three things a woman should never expose to others: infidelity, wrinkles and what she really has on her mind. But the worst is being exposed of the compulsion to keep these hidden from others. "
" - Tough, isn't it? Life's tough. If anyone told me to go back to my 20s, I'd rather die. Or kill that son-of-a-bitch. But it'll pass eventually. Find every bit of willpower you've got. Stand it, and bear it. That way you'll win in the end. "
Laundry
(2002 Japan) imdb
" - My eyes are peeled again today. I'm a parole officer, protecting the world from bad people. But my eyes start hurting if I keep them peeled too long. They get tired. So I close my eyes like this sometimes. I feel better with my eyes closed since I don't have to see anything. "
Kubozuka, again. I've read somewhere that people describe this movie as sweet, but to me it's so dark, it makes you fear. Or feel uneasy. That's why I'm so deeply in love with it. I would even say it's depressive or sulky, in a good way. The plot is extremely sad, starting from a pure young man with a scar on his brain, working at an old coin laundry, who meets a deeply hurt woman with a lot of issues. They develop some sort of relationship, handicapped as well. The pace is slow and gentle, capturing the essence of bitter-sweetness. It's heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. And the music's bewitching.
Bin-jip
(3-Iron 2004 Korea) imdb hc
" It's hard to tell that the world we live in is either a reality or a dream. "
It's interesting how much I like this movie when there are little to no dialogs in it. While I was watching it for the first time, subtitles went out of sync at one moment and it didn't matter at all. The film plays itself out almost in complete silence (apparently, it's typical for Kim Ki-duk) and it's perfect. Showing the complexity of human emotions through two main heroes - a man and a woman, who are like kindred spirits in a hostile world - without having them say a word. It reminds me of a poem. It's weird, different, hypnotizing and has a great dream-like mood. Also, once again, Birdy reference comes to mind. Indeed, a masterpiece.