EoTY - Editor’s Choice Awards: Best Asian Movie of the Year

So many movies, so little time. I believe 2010 was a great year for movies with so many different kinds from different countries. The nominees are….

Bandage (Japan)- I didn’t expect much for this movie, starring Jin Akanishi, but I was pleasantly surprised when I started watching it. Akanishi was type casted as the lead angsty singer, but Kie Kitano and Kengo Kora shine in their roles as the teenage manager and silent guitar player. Sure, the plot was pretty typical in the way that the girlfriend breaks up the band, but the original music was awesome. It was about an indie band and was able to catch the indie film feel as well. It sold 70,000 advanced tickets on its first day of availability - setting a live action film record (to show comparison, Gokusen: The Movie sold 25,000, and 20th Century Boys 1 sold 2,500 tickets).

Parade (Japan) - This is a film about 4 roommates who all get along with each other and are vastly different. Their relationships are adorable. Then someone moves in one day, and none of them know him, but assume he is friends with one of the roommates. Turns out he’s not, but they let this 18 year old prostitute move right in. The day he moves in was the first day a string of vicious attacks on females start. The movie is filmed great, and the sex and nudity scenes were filmed weren’t trashy although I wouldn’t reccommend it for those faint hearted (I’m 19 and was shocked). Overall this was a good two hour movie that shows the many dynamics of life in Japan and people’s relationships. It won an award at the Berlin Film Festival, and it’s a movie that kept me hooked wondering who the attacker was. There was a huge shocker at the end that I totally didn’t see coming. It stars Tatsuya Fujiwara (Death Note), who I’m a huge fan of.

The Man From Nowhere (Korea) - This film, starring hottie Won Bin, is an amazing film. The plot is pretty typical about a former special agent, whose only friend is kidnapped due to her druggie mother. Thus forcing him to become a badass once again. The man has secrets of his own that come to light as he searches for her. Kim Sae Ron has a phenomenal performance as the kidnapped little girl, and some of the ending scenes are very emotional (Let’s just say I cried.). The filming is fantastic, and the action is well done as well. There is one scene where Won Bin jumps out a window; the poor camera guy had to jump with him. They wore wires of course. Viewers will be pleased with the shirtless scenes Won Bin films. As of the beginning of December, it is the highest grossing film of 2010 and ranked number 15 on the highest grossing movies of all time. It has won multiple awards at several award shows this year. Won Bin has won best actor award along with Kim Sae Ron winning best newcomer. The amazing cinematography, lighting, music, editing, and visual effects have won awards as well.

Little Big Soldier (China/Hong Kong) - This film starring Wang Lee Hom and Jackie Chan, who produced and wrote it, was a pretty good movie. I thought the filming was well done, and the colors the film captured did the film justice. The fighting between Chan and Wang led me to believe that this was a love/hate bromance, and I loved it. Wang was the uptight General Prince of a rival state, while Chan played a soldier that really didn’t want to fight, but farm. So, Chan kidnaps the general in hopes of getting farmland. This movie kept me entertained, and although it probably isn’t Oscar material, it was still something any good movie should be, entertaining.

Secret Reunion (Korea) - Starring Kang Dong Won and Song Kang Ho, this movie had all the makings of an action movie, but actually turned out to be quite the comedy. Kang and Song play North and South Korean federal agents, respectively. A botched mission leaves both abandoned, and the two meet later in life only to become partners while searching for runaway wives. The acting and filming were phenomenal, and it’s no wonder that this movie became one of the top grossing films of 2010. It is also ranked in the top earned Korean films of all time at 21.

The winner for Best Asian Movie of the Year is…

The Man from Nowhere
This movie was just fantastic although I was depressed that they didn’t develop the two main characters relationship more. Won Bin was absolutely amazing, and it’s no wonder all the ladies like him! Seriously, guys, too good. I found myself fangirling like no other. It wasn’t as gory or a lot of nudity as most would think. I was pleasantly surprised. It’s no wonder why this movie has earned so much money. It is seriously phenomenal, and I’m pretty surprised Korea didn’t use it for their Oscar submission. Everyone will be shocked at Won Bin’s transformation between Mother and this movie. As you can probably tell from my very long rant, I recommend everyone and their dogs to watch this movie!!