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_DOwGolden 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=9XFE5pSO2YIDoman 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=wNcZDjuz7DIAnnyong 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_EGallants - 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=wxUSH55JVVEIP 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=eM9oboqjzBUCrazy 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=HbXPqGC65CwCastaway On The Moon - Described as When Harry Met Sally crossed with Lost, and as a wacky Korean comedy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsZv4uVmMCsRaging Phoenix - Just watch the trailer and witness the simultaneous break dancing/ass-kicking:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejM7ZCEzs5ABlood 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_Q8000 Miles - Described as the Japanese version of 8 Mile (perhaps obviously), but as a comedy. I'll bite:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBjjfDvLxR0Secret Reunion - Two former opposing secret agents reunite many years later and wackiness ensues. Looks kinda fun:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrBWHQtvmgEPower 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=YkNcbKyHZ74LA Streetfighters - Another so retarded it's brilliant action flick from the 80s that should be a great midnight hit:
http://www.starz.com/titles/LAStreetfightersDeath 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
