SeoulFire

You know that saying, “To know me is to love me”? Well…… I can’t really claim that. What I can claim is this: To know me is to know I love movies. Being an only child I spent an abnormal amount of time by myself. Still do. Because of this fact I was allowed the time to develop my truest, deepest, and most reliable friendship: film. While I never thought I would turn my back on American film I must admit that I have been having a slight affair with a very close and personal relative of his…….. Asian film. Now before you judge me let me make my case………well there’s really no case to be made. American film is great but Asian film is fantastic…..and unpredictable. That’s important in any relationship.

Plus, seeing foreign films has a tendency to open your eyes on the blatant ignorance we have a tendency to display as Americans. Not every Asian woman ends up saying, “Me love you long time.” Not every film features the cast flying through trees with swords and an uncanny ability to fight quietly. Not every Asian actor overacts their roles. And sometimes the Asian guy walks away with the girl, not just a warm look or a hug or a quick peck on the cheek. But I digress.

I consider this blog my own personal column……found on the backpage of the local newspaper where the population is a whopping 54 people, sits right under the crossword puzzle, and no one even tries to read. This is ok because that means I can write whatever I want to write and write it whenever I want to write it. In recognition of this I have decided to add a feature where I will be listing five foreign films I am crazy about called, “Of the Asian Persuasion”. While most of them will be Hong Kong films some will be different countries simply because I’m hoping to branch out as a much as possible. Also, this will not include the synopsis of the film, you can find that anywhere.  While some of the films might have gotten bad reviews from other places this is just my opinion. Besides, they may become classics later on: The Wizard of Oz was a flop and all of the critics bashed it relentlessly. I’m just sayin.

OF THE ASIAN PERSUASION #1:

1. Secret (2007): I must admit that this took me a couple of tries to warm up to. Which is rare. Usually if a film doesn’t leave me with that special feeling inside I move on but I could not do that with this one. The first half gives you this sweet and playful romance between two alluring characters. Then the last half kinda turns into a sci-fi mystery that’s hard to combine with the first half which has a slight tendency to make it really corny. After watching it the second time around it has officially become one of my favorite films. Honestly I’m a little disappointed in myself looking back at my first reaction to the film considering Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is easily in my top 5 favorite films.            

         The other deciding factor was Jay Chou who directed, wrote, and was the lead actor in the film. Not only can he do all of that but he’s practically a genius at piano. The piano battle he did, yes he played very peice of music in the film (which was to win a peice of music for the one he loved BTW), is reason enough to watch.  

   2.   Dry Wood Fierce Fire (2002): I have yet another confession to make on this one: I am a huge fan of Louis Koo… and I have no problem saying that it is pure lust on my part. He just reminds me of the really playful guy that I can act like a 3 year old with and wouldn’t get judged for it. He has that Jimmy Fallon-esqe way of having that special smirk or full out laughing in the middle of a scene but it has the tendency to make the scene better. I’m not the only one though so I don’t feel so bad. Regardless of this fact I really did enjoy this one for the film that it was. No big, important messages in it but chemistry is important and Louis Koo and Miriam Yeung definitely have it. It’s basically Hugh Grant and Sandra Bullock in Two Weeks Notice which I love. A romantic comedy that is not strictly formulaic and can brighten any rainy day.

    3. And I Hate You So… (2000): This was very much in the tradition of the classic Meg Ryan concoctions….which I did not mind at all. More in the sense of “Sleepless in Seattle”/ “You’ve Got Mail” where the film explores the longing of the two main characters instead the building of the relationship. I found myself constantly checking how much time was left in the film because the characters had this roundabout way of realizing their true feeelings for each other that took FOREVER. They made sure the audience was the one that knew these characters should be together before the actual characters knew themselves (i.e. Sleepless in Seattle) which is briliant and annoying all at the same time. A lot of people are bashing this one but Wizard of Oz……. I’M JUST SAYIN!!!

   4. Chocolate (2008):Just see it. There’s not much to say. It’s that awesome. What? You want more? An autistic girl who can do anything that she sees, particularly all of the Kung Fu moves she sees in a large amount, has to fight various people to get money for her sick mother. The actress was trained for about a year and little to no strings were used in the fight scenes. Yeah. See it. Love it. Obsess about it.

   5. One Nite in Mongkok (2004): Again. Not much to say. Just see it.  A great commentary on our ideas of good and evil no matter what country or culture you might watch this in. Very fast paced. Bonus: Daniel Wu is in it. Yes. I do love Daniel Wu AND Louis Koo. Yes, it is pure lust. Yes, I am the perfect consumer.