FILM RECOMMENDATIONS: INTERNATIONAL (2001-20)
Universe Entertainment Ltd., Miramax Films
Age Certificate: 12A
Language: Cantonese
Country: Hong Kong
IMDb: 7.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 90/100
Plot
A Shaolin follower assembles his five childhood friends so that they can use their martial arts skills to play football and thereby popularise Shaolin kung fu.
Review
This film feels like a classic even though was released not too long ago. I admire Chow for adding comedy to his films as that makes the story feel more wholesome and memorable. Chow combines both martial arts and sports, particularly football (soccer), which must have inspired other films such as 'Kung Fu Dunk' (2008) which follows a similar narrative of the main character using his skills in martial arts to play sports.
My rating: 8.5/10
Columbia Pictures, Star Overseas
Age Certificate: 15
Language: Cantonese
Country: Hong Kong
IMDb: 7.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 90/100
Plot
In Shanghai, China in the 1940s, a wannabe gangster aspires to join the notorious "Axe Gang" while residents of a housing complex exhibit extraordinary powers in defending their turf.
Review
One of the best films in Chinese film history. Chow uses the same story technique as 'Shaolin Soccer' (2001) and it does him a favour because the comedy and the action complement each other in this film. Chow knows how to incorporate martial arts into storytelling and make it funny at the same time. The characters are likeable and each have their own moments to showcase their fighting scenes. We also get to see the main character, Sing (portrayed by Chow), start off as an anti-hero to later become the hero of the story. The ending does not have a blockbuster type fighting sequence; however, the fighting choreography can still be admired and actually compliment the character's development as a martial artist at the end of the film.
My rating: 9/10
Shanghai Film Group Corporation, Emperor Motion Pictures
Age Certificate: 12
Language: Mandarin
Country: China, Taiwan
IMDb: 4.9/10
Plot
Shi-Jie was abandoned by his parents as a child and left with the master of the local kung fu school. As he grows up, he vigorously trains in martial arts and develops an ability to predict his opponents' moves before they occur. This ability serves him well on the basketball court and he catches the eye of Chen-Li, a shady businessman who convinces Shi-Jie to join a local college's basketball team to help them defeat a rival school who were so brutal that they have been banned in the U.S.
Review
Similar to 'Shaolin Soccer' (2001), the narrative follows the main character who uses his skills as a martial artist to play sports, in this case - basketball. It is not as comedic as Chow's films but Jay Chou still seems to portray a likeable character.
My rating: 6.9/10
Emperor Motion Pictures, JCE Movies Ltd.
Age Certificate: 15
Language: Cantonese
Country: Hong Kong
IMDb: 6.6/10
Plot
Two friends, Thongs and Octopus, are ordered by their mentor to kidnap the Lee family's baby. Although reluctant, they carry out the job and soon develop a strong bond with the infant.
Review
Various parts of the films are hard to watch especially the last act because of what happens to the infant. Apart from that, the comedy works well with this film if you do not take the story too seriously, similarly to films such as 'Baby's Day Out' (1994). I don't know how to feel about the narrative as it involves kidnapping a baby but the comedy and the relationship that the 'kidnappers' and the infant develop distracts you from the immorality of their actions. Overall, the ending is satisfying and gives the story justice.
My rating: 7/10
Fineworks/CL Company, Next Entertainment World
Age Certificate: PG
Language: Korean
Country: South Korea
IMDb: 8.2/10
Plot
A story about the love between a mentally-ill father and his lovingly adorable daughter. Wrongfully accused of murder and rape, Yong-Goo is imprisoned for murder, and builds friendships with the hardened criminals in his cell, who in return help him see his daughter again by smuggling her into the prison.
Review
This was probably my introduction to the Korean film industry and it was a brilliant start. The story is beyond brilliant; heart-breaking yet has many joyous moments. The film follows the story of a father who is wrongfully imprisoned for the murder of a little girl. From the beginning, you feel empathy for the father and his struggles of raising a child whilst being mentally ill. The story becomes even more saddening when you witness a rigged court hearing. What makes it worse is seeing his daughter, who is wise beyond her years, not being able to defend her innocent father. The film illustrates the injustice that many innocent people face in the eyes of the law and the unjust treatment of people with mental health issues during the 20th century.
My rating: 9.5/10
Next Entertainment World, RedPeter Film
Age Certificate: 15
Language: Korean
Country: South Korea
IMDb: 7.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 94/100
Plot
While a zombie virus breaks out in South Korea, passengers struggle to survive on the train from Seoul to Busan.
Review
A conventional zombie apocalypse film with characters you actually care about. This film feels like a mix of 'Snakes on A Plane' (2006) and 'Snowpiercer' (2013); the zombies being the snakes and the characters have to make their way to the front of the train whilst getting through the zombies. The film's pace and tone fit well with the narrative; it has a clear beginning, middle and the ending leaves on a somewhat cliffhanger as it is not a happy ending. Sure, there is a sequel to this story but the film ending leaves many questions about the remaining characters (more to do with the aftermath of the events) and it is upto the audience to believe what they think happens next.
My rating: 8.6/10
Next Entertainment World, RedPeter Film
Age Certificate: 15
Language: Korean
Country: South Korea
IMDb: 5.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 50/100
Plot
Peninsula takes place four years after the zombie outbreak in Train to Busan. The Korean peninsula is devastated and Jung Seok, a former soldier who has managed to escape overseas, is given a mission to go back and unexpectedly meets survivors.
Review
Not as exciting as the first film but, nonetheless, a good zombie film. The first film focused on the characters more than the zombies and that is why the film did so well, investing more into the characters to make the audience feel empathy and care about the story. The sequel doesn't live up to the hype as 'Train to Busan' (2016), probably due to the shift in genre, focusing more on action sequences like 'World War Z' (2013) than the story itself. The ending is a lot more 'happier' than its original which was unexpected.
My rating: 7/10
Warner Bros. Japan
Age Certificate: N/A (most likely PG)
Language: Japanese
Country: Japan
IMDb: 6.6/10
Plot
Hatori Matsuzaki is a female high school student who has a crush on her childhood friend Rita Terasaka and believes he will eventually choose her as his heroine, but Rita begins dating Miho Adachi. Meanwhile, the most popular male student, Kosuke Hiromitsu takes an interest in Hatori.
Review
Japanese films seem to be comfort movies for me because the plot is not unique for the romance genre as it involves the stereotypical main leads fall in love but have obstacles in their way, one being the second male lead syndrome in which he takes a liking to the female lead character. The film is very light hearted and refreshing to watch on a cold winter night.
My rating: 6.5/10
Nippon Television, Toho
Age Certificate: N/A (most likely PG/U)
Language: Japanese
Country: Japan
IMDb: 7.1/10
Plot
A schoolgirl is feared by her classmates because she looks like a character from a horror movie.
Review
Based on the manga series of the same name, this film introduces a group of high school students who become friends after meeting the main character, Sawako Kuronuma. Sawako is the stereotypical shy and socially awkward student but is feared by her peers because of her resemblance to Sadako, the antagonist of the film 'Ring' (1998). In the school, she becomes close friends with two other students, Chizuru and Ayane, whom take a liking in Sawako after hanging around her for a day. Shota Kazehaya, the popular male student in the school, also takes an interest in Sawako and pretty much falls in love her personality. The film is filled with light hearted drama as the students are tested on their friendship as well as jealousy and romance.
My rating: 8.5/10
AGPPL, UTV Motion Pictures
Age Certificate: 12
Language: Hindi
Country: India
IMDb: 7.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 75/100
Plot
A sixteenth century love story about a marriage of alliance that gave birth to true love between a great Mughal emperor, Akbar, and a Rajput princess, Jodha.
Review
The cinematography for this film is one of the best that I have seen. The amount of effort and budget that must have gone into the costume department was worth it as the film was nothing but beautiful in every single scene. The story was consistent in its tone and narrative as well as depicting Indian history as accurate as possible.
My rating: 7.1/10
Filmkraft Productions Pvt. Ltd
Age Certificate: 12A
Language: Hindi
Country: India
IMDb: 7.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 75/100
Plot
A developmentally disabled young man tries to continue the work his father did in communicating with extra-terrestrials from outer space, which leads to something miraculous and wonderful.
Review
Whilst Bollywood is known for its romance and action, this film falls in the Sci-Fi category for its own version of 'E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial' (1982). The focus was put on Roshan's character, Rohit, a mentally disabled man due to an accident whilst in his mother's womb. He discovers his father's computer and accidently contacts aliens. After coming across an abandoned alien which he named 'Jadoo', the alien grants him powers of super strength and intellectual ability. Rohit uses his powers to his benefit as well as protecting Jadoo from the government / police. The film follows the plot of E.T during the last act, however, it does not take away the director's creativity in making the characters likeable. The film is also the first to make an alien film in India film history.
My rating: 8/10
Haddock Films, Warner Bros.
Age Certificate: N/A (most likely 15)
Language: Spanish
Country: Argentina
IMDb: 7.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 83/100
Plot
A paraplegic computer engineer in a wheelchair starts hearing noises and voices of bank robbers in his basement.
Review
An original story about a man who discovers noises in a basement and decides to eavesdrop or investigate. This does not do him any favour as he then later becomes too involved with the bank heist. The film is filled with thrilling plot twists and gritting moments especially towards the end of the film. To be honest, it is probably the only Argentinian and Spanish film I have ever watched up until now so I cannot say all Spanish films are up to this standard but it is definitely a good start to Spanish films.
My rating: 6.9/10
**********
I used to grow up watching a lot of Cantonese and Mandarin films... so, I decided to make a list on the ones that were my favourite but also the most memorable ones too.
Sabina 🦁
