Oldboy
Show East, 2003
Based on the 1996 manga of the same name, this 2003 South Korea film follows Oh Dae-su, a businessman arrested for public drunkenness who is placed in a sealed hotel room for 15 years. When Dae-su learns that his wife was murdered, he begins a search for the mastermind behind his trauma, a man named Evergreen. Dae-su begins his search for Evergreen to claim vengeance while uncovering a horrible family secret.
2046
20th Century Fox, 2004
Legendary director Wong Kar-wai created a third film, 2046, as the final follow up to his two previous films, 1990's Days of Being Wild and 2000's In the Mood for Love. These films follow protagonist Chow Mo-wan, played by Tony Leung Chiu-wai, and his quest for fulfillment and lust in 1960s Hong Kong. The film is composed of four arcs and is not linear but features an all-star cast led by the iconic Leung (Lust, Caution, Cyclo, and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings), Ziyi Zhang (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Hero, and Memoirs of a Geisha), Gong Li (Curse of the Golden Flower and Memoirs of a Geisha), Faye Wong (Cantonese and J-pop music) and Maggie Cheung (In the Mood for Love, Hero and Clean). Beautiful visuals and stunning cinematography surround an engrossing story.
47 Ronin
Universal Pictures, 2013
A historical fantasy adaptation of the tale of the 47 ronin, the 2013 film stars Keanu Reeves as a half-English, half-Japanese samurai who, along with 46 other samurai, become ronin and work to avenge the death of their master. While it received critical drubbing, it was a fun film that stars several of GI's favorite actors: Reeves; Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa; and, Tadanobu Asano and Hiroyuki Sanada, both of whom appear in 2021's Mortal Kombat reboot and forthcoming sequel Mortal Kombat II, and Shogun, which appears in our list of favorite shows. The special effects are interesting, we love a good tale of samurai intrigue, and our favorites lead an action-packed fight.
Man with the Iron Fists
Universal Pictures, 2012
The story of the blacksmith with metal forearms is a promising one. The RZA, of the Wu-Tang Clan, plays the Blacksmith, who is looking to make a payment to secure his lover, Pink Blossom, and leave the village. However, he gets drawn into conflict among the clans of Jungle Village who are after a large shipment of gold. The Blacksmith is attacked and loses his forearms after coming to the aid of Zen-Yi, son of the leader of the Lion clan. Coming from the mind of RZA and Eli Roth, Man with the Iron Fists is fun and a nice homage to martial arts films of the past. The soundtrack is a nice addition also. It's a good watch for date night if you're into martial arts films and want something stylish.
Bodyguards and Assassins
We Distributions, 2009
Bodyguards and Assassins is a historical film that focuses on Dr. Sun Yat-Sen's visit to Hong Kong to discuss revolutionary plans to overthrow the Qing government in 1905. Like-minded revolutionaries vow to protect Yat-Sen and serve as bodyguards and decoys to throw Qing agents off his trail as he meets with other revolutionaries. It has a few big names in the cast, chiefly Donny Yen, who plays a pivotal role as one of the later participants, Shen Chongyang. It has good setup, action and serves as a history lesson about the early struggle of revolutionary China.
Show East, 2003
Based on the 1996 manga of the same name, this 2003 South Korea film follows Oh Dae-su, a businessman arrested for public drunkenness who is placed in a sealed hotel room for 15 years. When Dae-su learns that his wife was murdered, he begins a search for the mastermind behind his trauma, a man named Evergreen. Dae-su begins his search for Evergreen to claim vengeance while uncovering a horrible family secret.
2046
20th Century Fox, 2004
Legendary director Wong Kar-wai created a third film, 2046, as the final follow up to his two previous films, 1990's Days of Being Wild and 2000's In the Mood for Love. These films follow protagonist Chow Mo-wan, played by Tony Leung Chiu-wai, and his quest for fulfillment and lust in 1960s Hong Kong. The film is composed of four arcs and is not linear but features an all-star cast led by the iconic Leung (Lust, Caution, Cyclo, and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings), Ziyi Zhang (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Hero, and Memoirs of a Geisha), Gong Li (Curse of the Golden Flower and Memoirs of a Geisha), Faye Wong (Cantonese and J-pop music) and Maggie Cheung (In the Mood for Love, Hero and Clean). Beautiful visuals and stunning cinematography surround an engrossing story.
47 Ronin
Universal Pictures, 2013
A historical fantasy adaptation of the tale of the 47 ronin, the 2013 film stars Keanu Reeves as a half-English, half-Japanese samurai who, along with 46 other samurai, become ronin and work to avenge the death of their master. While it received critical drubbing, it was a fun film that stars several of GI's favorite actors: Reeves; Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa; and, Tadanobu Asano and Hiroyuki Sanada, both of whom appear in 2021's Mortal Kombat reboot and forthcoming sequel Mortal Kombat II, and Shogun, which appears in our list of favorite shows. The special effects are interesting, we love a good tale of samurai intrigue, and our favorites lead an action-packed fight.
Man with the Iron Fists
Universal Pictures, 2012
The story of the blacksmith with metal forearms is a promising one. The RZA, of the Wu-Tang Clan, plays the Blacksmith, who is looking to make a payment to secure his lover, Pink Blossom, and leave the village. However, he gets drawn into conflict among the clans of Jungle Village who are after a large shipment of gold. The Blacksmith is attacked and loses his forearms after coming to the aid of Zen-Yi, son of the leader of the Lion clan. Coming from the mind of RZA and Eli Roth, Man with the Iron Fists is fun and a nice homage to martial arts films of the past. The soundtrack is a nice addition also. It's a good watch for date night if you're into martial arts films and want something stylish.
Bodyguards and Assassins
We Distributions, 2009
Bodyguards and Assassins is a historical film that focuses on Dr. Sun Yat-Sen's visit to Hong Kong to discuss revolutionary plans to overthrow the Qing government in 1905. Like-minded revolutionaries vow to protect Yat-Sen and serve as bodyguards and decoys to throw Qing agents off his trail as he meets with other revolutionaries. It has a few big names in the cast, chiefly Donny Yen, who plays a pivotal role as one of the later participants, Shen Chongyang. It has good setup, action and serves as a history lesson about the early struggle of revolutionary China.
MOVIES
