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Post by Neko Bazu on Jan 12, 2007 11:58:02 GMT -1
It's cropped up in enough threads by now; it warrants its own. Eastern TV - specifically Japanese, Chinese, Korean et al. Favourites? Hates? Recommendations? Put it here I'm gonna start with a rec that I just gave Travis in a PM - Metropolis. Produced by Katsuhiro Otomo (he of Akira fame), it set a new milestone in animation upon its release, much like the afore-mentioned title, blending 3D characters with stunningly detailed 2D backgrounds. The plot starts off moderately sugary, but by the end has descended into the all-consuming chaos that Otomo is recognised for. Throughout, many questions are asked about the future, especially regarding the relationship between man and machine, and it delves into many other topics along the way, questioning family, power, duty and corruption among other subjects. The characters are all likeable in their own ways (even the villains have a certain charm), and the development of their relationships with each other throughout keeps the story fresh as the main events bound along at an almost perfect speed, neither lingering too long nor rushing through. The finale is quite exceptionally hard-hitting - I personally was more disturbed by this than Akira - and I freely admit that a couple of tears were shed at the very end. It was one of those films that asks questions, provides answers, and leaves you wondering more yourself. Considering it's a 12 rating, it's surprisingly deep and dark. Well worth looking into it if you're a fan of Akira or if other works that ask for answers (such as Laputa: Castle in the Sky by studio Ghibli) take your fancy. On a critical level, I feel like I should give this film 8/10, but in all truth that's probably far too harsh, especially when you consider that even the dubbed voices fit the lip-syncing and are notable in the fact that they suit the characters and aren't annoying. 9/10
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Post by thales on Jan 12, 2007 12:05:10 GMT -1
monkey was great ;D
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Post by Travis on Jan 12, 2007 12:08:35 GMT -1
If we're embracing film as well, I got to mention the Bruce Lee movies. I loved 'The Big Boss', but my fave has to be 'Way of the Dragon', the climatic fight with Chuck Norris is brilliant!
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Post by Neko Bazu on Jan 12, 2007 12:13:49 GMT -1
Just about any Lee film is worth watching at least once ;D Which one was it where he fights in among all the mirrors at the end? Tony Jaa is pretty damn fantastic in Ong Bak too... the helicopter scene is just... ! www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iz6G8zDN9n0[Edit: Okay, helicopter scene's from Warrior King - great film either way!]
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Post by thales on Jan 12, 2007 12:16:54 GMT -1
Just about any Lee film is worth watching at least once ;D Which one was it where he fights in among all the mirrors at the end? Tony Jaa is pretty damn fantastic in Ong Bak too... the helicopter scene is just... ! www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iz6G8zDN9n0thats from warrior king , not ong bak, another great film
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Post by Neko Bazu on Jan 12, 2007 12:19:38 GMT -1
Ah, my bad! I'll go edit now! Shame he's going to Hollywood really; I have this horrible feeling they'll ruin him with special effects etc (see later Jet Li stuff )
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Post by Travis on Jan 12, 2007 12:20:29 GMT -1
The hall of mirrors is from Enter The Dragon. The film where Hollywood got hold of kung fu, and decided to go with a big budget, and a Bond-esque baddies lair. Just about any Lee film is worth watching at least once ;D Which one was it where he fights in among all the mirrors at the end? Tony Jaa is pretty damn fantastic in Ong Bak too... the helicopter scene is just... ! www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iz6G8zDN9n0
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Post by jh1980 on Jan 12, 2007 12:22:29 GMT -1
I liketh Fist of Fury. Though the "romantic" bit in the graveyard is a bit weird... there's Bruce Lee talking to the girl, and the subtitles say "I love you more than anything" but his facial expression says "I'm going to tear off your head and shit down your throat!"
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Post by Neko Bazu on Jan 12, 2007 12:22:32 GMT -1
The hall of mirrors is from Enter The Dragon. The film where Hollywood got hold of kung fu, and decided to go with a big budget, and a Bond-esque baddies lair. That's the one! Must admit, the big budget didn't do Lee any favours, but that particular scene is among my favourites - it just works for me!
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Post by Neko Bazu on Jan 12, 2007 12:24:03 GMT -1
I liketh Fist of Fury. Though the "romantic" bit in the graveyard is a bit weird... there's Bruce Lee talking to the girl, and the subtitles say "I love you more than anything" but his facial expression says "I'm going to tear off your head and shit down your throat!" I think Lee's just permanently stuck in that position... Possibly happened when he broke his neck and carried on filming; something got stuck
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Post by jh1980 on Jan 12, 2007 12:26:38 GMT -1
I think Lee's just permanently stuck in that position... Possibly happened when he broke his neck and carried on filming; something got stuck LOL hmmm I think it might just be badly dubbed, and the original was "do not lecture me woman! I shall elope with you whether you like it or not!" anyway got a meeting unfortunately, back soon I hope...
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Post by Travis on Jan 12, 2007 12:27:02 GMT -1
There's Bruce Lee talking to the girl, and the subtitles say "I love you more than anything" but his facial expression says "I'm going to tear off your head and shit down your throat!" Sounds like a night out in Hull!
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Post by Neko Bazu on Jan 12, 2007 12:28:36 GMT -1
I think Lee's just permanently stuck in that position... Possibly happened when he broke his neck and carried on filming; something got stuck LOL hmmm I think it might just be badly dubbed, and the original was "do not lecture me woman! I shall elope with you whether you like it or not!" anyway got a meeting unfortunately, back soon I hope... "As much as I love you, get back in the kitchen and make dinner, before I rip your head off and shit down your throat!" (By Lee's standards, that's quite romantic )
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Post by jh1980 on Jan 12, 2007 12:44:12 GMT -1
"As much as I love you, get back in the kitchen and make dinner, before I rip your head off and shit down your throat!" (By Lee's standards, that's quite romantic ) LOL yeah I guess so! Well that was a brief meeting...
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Post by thales on Jan 12, 2007 14:20:05 GMT -1
Ah, my bad! I'll go edit now! Shame he's going to Hollywood really; I have this horrible feeling they'll ruin him with special effects etc (see later Jet Li stuff ) in the extras of warrier king, says he wont change, wwants to highlight thai fighting methods
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Post by Neko Bazu on Jan 12, 2007 14:28:52 GMT -1
Bloody hope so! Hollywood's ruined many a great martial artist, but I think Jaa has the potential to outshine even Bruce Lee now, purely because Muay Thai is that much more destructively spectacular - the current generation of teens haven't had much exposure to Bruce Lee (he's more of a legend than a film star now, if you see what I mean) and what is seen generally shows off his speed rather than his full range of ability, Jackie Chan just wasn't amazingly violent, Jet Li ruined his chance by allowing the effects... Tony Jaa could inspire a whole generation single-handedly, if he plays it right. The potential is certainly there. Will he be able to resist what I have no doubt most directors would want though?
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Post by thales on Jan 12, 2007 14:37:24 GMT -1
Bloody hope so! Hollywood's ruined many a great martial artist, but I think Jaa has the potential to outshine even Bruce Lee now, purely because Muay Thai is that much more destructively spectacular - the current generation of teens haven't had much exposure to Bruce Lee (he's more of a legend than a film star now, if you see what I mean) and what is seen generally shows off his speed rather than his full range of ability, Jackie Chan just wasn't amazingly violent, Jet Li ruined his chance by allowing the effects... Tony Jaa could inspire a whole generation single-handedly, if he plays it right. The potential is certainly there. Will he be able to resist what I have no doubt most directors would want though? the scene at the end of warrier king, for about 15mins, just breaking bones ;D yeah, bruce was great, still watch them now and again, jackie chan wa great in hongkong, policew story era etc actually have got very big into korean films lately, some great ones, got the host the other day , excellant!!
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Post by Neko Bazu on Jan 15, 2007 10:41:00 GMT -1
Steering the thread onto a totally different tact; are there any anime fans on this site? I know series such as Dragonball Z, Outlaw Star, Yu-Gi-Oh! and Pokémon (to name a small handful) made it at least moderately big in the UK; any present/past fans? Also, what about Takeshi's Castle or Endurance TV - Endurance UK, as you may know it? Endurance, we ain't got no life insurance, doo-bee-doo~
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Post by The Lucky C on Jan 15, 2007 11:56:10 GMT -1
Takeshi's castle! Those happy, clappy, Jappy chappies as Craig Charles calls them. Great fun, watched a load whilst drinking heavily at one point. It enhanced it.
As for anime, the only thing that I've really watched is Noir, I enjoyed that.
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Post by Neko Bazu on Jan 15, 2007 12:52:52 GMT -1
Takeshi's Castle is exactly the sort of thing we could do with having on more mainstream TV over here Shame about H&S regulation really Not seen Noir personally, but several friends have said it's good. Go on, gimme the spiel, try and sell it! ;D
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