Asian Cinema Archive

  • [Taste of Asia] Ip Man 2 : Legend of a Grandmaster. (2010)

    Posted on August 17, 2011 | No Comments
    Ip Man 2 continues the legendary story of one of the most venerated masters of Wing Chun. It  is the highly anticipated sequel to Wilson Yip’s 2008 Yip Man biopic. Although known in the West as Bruce Lees Master, Ip Man is one of Chinese...

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  • [Taste of Asia] The Malay Chronicles – Bloodlines (2011)

    Posted on August 10, 2011 | 2 Comments
    The Malay Chronicles – Bloodlines is an epic fantasy romance, liberally sprinkled with marital arts action, things blowing up, gallons of blood gushing from sword wounds and plenty of slow motion screams of angst in the pouring rain. The blurb informs potential viewers that it...

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  • [Taste of Asia] Farewell My Concubine (1993)

    Posted on August 3, 2011 | 1 Comment
    Directed by Chen Kaige, Farewell My Concubine is a visual and emotional masterpiece thoroughly deserving of its many international film awards and nominations, winning its section at the Cannes Film Festival. The films costumes, sets and props are as lavish and ornate as the operas...

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  • [Taste of Asia] Once a Thief (1991)

    Posted on July 20, 2011 | No Comments
      John Woo took a breather from his normal bloody thrillers to make this questionable romantic action comedy in 1991. The story focuses on three orphans who grew up under the tutelage of wealthy crime boss and a kindly police officer and train as thieves....

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  • Review: More Shion Sono—Cold Fish (2010)

    Posted on June 17, 2011 | 3 Comments
    Director: Shion Sono / Writers: Shion Sono (screenplay), Yoshiki Takahashi (screenplay) / Stars: Makoto Ashikawa, Denden, and Mitsuru Fukikoshi Cinefamily’s Shion Sono retrospective last weekend—where I got to see Love Exposure for a second time in all its glory—kicked off with an exclusive advance screening...

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  • Foreign Focus: Arahan

    Posted on June 16, 2011 | 2 Comments
    When you think of kung fu movies, you’ll probably think of something from Japan, or China. In doing so, you might overlook this little gem from Korea, released in 2004. Made by Ryoo Seung-wan, billed as Korea’s answer to Stephen Chow, Arahan is slick, accomplished,...

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  • Love Exposure

    Posted on June 10, 2011 | 1 Comment
    Director: Shion Sono / Writers: Shion Sono / Starring: Takahiro Nishijima, Hikari Mitsushima, and Sakura Andô (This is not officially a “Taste of Asia” post, but it sort of qualifies…) The word “epic” is one of many that has been increasingly overused in popular culture lately, and so I often try...

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  • [Taste of Asia] Gekkô no Sasayakii (1999)

    Posted on May 18, 2011 | No Comments
    Moonlight Whispers (Gekkô no Sasayakii)  is a 1999 film based on a manga comic book by Masahiko Kikuni, directed by  Akihiko Shiota and tells the story of a seemingly innocent teenage romance. The film is quickly set with Takuya and Satsuki practicing Kendo together, moving...

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  • [Taste of Asia] Ran (1985)

    Posted on May 11, 2011 | No Comments
     Its no secret I am a fan of  the filmmaker and director Akira Kurosawa, so regular readers to the column will be dished a generous serving of his works as we progress through the year. One of the stand out features ; amongst so many...

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  • [Taste of Asia] Spirited Away (2001)

    Posted on May 4, 2011 | 1 Comment
    Spirited Away, one of Japans most successful films, was written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki, and was released in 2001.  This animation is filled with incredible detail and realism and  despite its fantasy setting, the anime is grounded in the real world. It steers away...

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