FORT90 forum

So once again, it is upon us, one of the best damn reasons to be a film fanatic in NYC; the New York Asian Film Festival. I'll cut to to the chase; even though this year's offerings somewhat pales in comparisons to last year's (though it's hard to compete with House and Fish Story), there's still plenty of awesome stuff to check out. Here's my handy list of recommendations, in order of "GOTTA SEE IT!!!" to "has potential":

Symbol - The latest from the brains behind Big Man Japan looks (and sounds) absolutely incredible. Has been compared to 2001 and definitely feels like it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adrFTTr_DOw

Golden Slumber - Another wacky, roller-coaster ride, feel good Japanese dark comedy, or so it seems, this one about a failed assassination plot. Directed by the dude who did Fish Story, which was my fave movie last year, aside from House. I'm willing to bet good money it will be mind-blowingly great:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XFE5pSO2YI

Doman Seman - A movie about occultists at war with yakuza warlocks, the same director again helmed a fave of mine from many years past (about a man with cerebral palsy whose a cereal killer, so the dude is essentially the Japanese Crispin Glover), and I'm expecting the same here. The trailer looks absolutely nuts:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNcZDjuz7DI

Annyong Yumika - I'm a sucker for documentaries, and this one about a now dead Japanese porn star who made waves in Korea seems to have potential:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOuS8OpkJ_E

Gallants - A bunch of vets from the kung fu movie biz making a triumphant return to the big screen. Hey, old people beating the shit out of each other = a good time in my book:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxUSH55JVVE

IP Man 2 - The real life story behind Bruce Lee's teacher was one of my faves last year; the sequel is supposedly much better, and definitely looks it. Dave & Joe; you guys enjoyed part one, right?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM9oboqjzBU

Crazy Racer - Looks like a Guy Richie film, but set in China, and has tons of references and in-jokes when it comes to Hong Kong cinema, the latter of which is the biggest selling point for me:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbXPqGC65Cw

Castaway On The Moon - Described as When Harry Met Sally crossed with Lost, and as a wacky Korean comedy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsZv4uVmMCs

Raging Phoenix - Just watch the trailer and witness the simultaneous break dancing/ass-kicking:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejM7ZCEzs5A

Blood of Rebirth - Could be awesome, could be a borefest, there's a fever-like quality to the trailer that I dig, hence why I'm giving it a chance. I also hear the soundtrack is amazing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8T_c8_ee_Q

8000 Miles - Described as the Japanese version of 8 Mile (perhaps obviously), but as a comedy. I'll bite:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBjjfDvLxR0

Secret Reunion - Two former opposing secret agents reunite many years later and wackiness ensues. Looks kinda fun:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrBWHQtvmgE

Power Kids - A bunch of kung fu loving kids beat the shit out of adults so they can save the life of a dying friend, or something like that:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkNcbKyHZ74

LA Streetfighters - Another so retarded it's brilliant action flick from the 80s that should be a great midnight hit:
http://www.starz.com/titles/LAStreetfighters

Death Kappa - Another modern ode to classic rubber suited monsters:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X81rdLVs7Xc

... I also went to a press screening of Confessions last night, and simply put, one of the best films I've seen all year, without a doubt. HIGHLY recommended:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywWsWaz_sk8

Hey, I totally forgot! For showtimes and tickets, just hit the website...

http://subwaycinema.com/

... Let me know which ones you might wanna see, maybe we can organize something.

Myself, Dave, Joe, and Joe's friend Peter all throughly enjoyed LA Streetfighters this past weekend. Catch if you can next time it airs on Starz!

And earlier this afternoon I saw Rising Phoenix, which I figured would be at least halfway decent, and was completely blown away by how good it was. Nice to see an all female kung-fu showdown that's just as intense as two dudes beating the shit out of each other, among other things. Such a shame that it's only in the festival for one screening.