Kieran's Top 12 of 2006

January - Hard Boiled (Hong Kong, 1992)

Comment: Hard Boiled is one of the best films in the heroic bloodshed/gangster genre. John Woo directs Chow Yun Fat in one of his most memorable roles ever, other cast members include the wonderful Tony Leung and the charismatic Anthony Wong. The final result is one very highly entertaining, explosive film that no one should miss.

February - OldBoy (Korea, 2003)

Comment: OldBoy twists your brain in a knot and leaves you feeling shocked at the end of it. Everything about this film works from use of colours to the incredible score. The director Park Chan Wook’s way of story telling is fresh and original, his films leave you wanting more. Choi Min Sik plays the lead role Oh Dae Su and he carries it off extremely well, after all he is one of the best actors in the world.

March - Magnificent Butcher (Hong Kong, 1979)

Comment: Magnificent Butcher is Sammo Hung at his absolute best, the comedy works well and so does the breathtaking action scenes. The film has many standout fights including Sammo vs. Fan Mei San, Lam Ching Ying vs. Yuen Biao, Sammo vs. Chung Fat playing Crazy Cat who uses a fierce cat style and one of the most entertaining final throw downs ever, between Sammo and Lee Hoi-San. If you like Hong Kong martial arts films and haven’t yet seen this, you should go and get a copy, I can guarantee you’ll like it.

April - Infernal Affairs (Hong Kong, 2002)

Comment: Infernal Affairs is one of the best films to come out of Hong Kong is recent years, It’s a drama/thriller rather than an action film. Andy Lau, Tony Leung, Anthony Wong and Eric Tsang heads the all star cast. Any film goer can appreciate the brilliant score and excellent cinematography, this is the first of a trilogy that is full of twists, so if you see this one make sure you catch the other two.

May - Welcome to Dongmakgol (Korea, 2005)

Comment: When I first heard the title of this film Welcome to Dongmakgol I had no idea of the storyline and that’s how it should be, you should watch the film knowing as little as possible and you will get the best from it. Its sheer brilliance please see it if you haven’t already. The most memorable scene for me is the wild boar scene because it is so unusual yet it is the most important scene in the entire film as it brings the characters together. The whole scene is in slow motion and the only sound you hear is the music. Another reason I have chosen this is because of my favourite actor Shin Ha-Kyun and he doesn’t disappoint. This is a stunning directorial debut from Park Kwang-Hyun and hopefully we will get to see some more fresh ideas from him in the future.

June - Public Enemy (Korea, 2002)

Comment: Yes another Korean film, but that’s because Public Enemy is one film I could watch over and over again. It has a solid script, acting, directing, cinematography, music and characters. You will be pulled in as the story is full of twists, officer Kang knows who the murderer is but he can’t prove it and the two (cop and killer) have to try and out-wit one another. Its very bloody and violent buts it necessary to the telling of the story. There are some lighter moments when we are introduced to Mr. Math and when officer Kang is trying to play golf, but this is a action thriller rather than a comedy. Korean cinema is getting better and better, its easily out doing Hollywood by the fact that Korean filmmakers/writers come up with fresh original ideas instead of remaking films.

July - The Prodigal Son (Hong Kong, 1981)

Comment: This ranks up their as one of the all time best kung fu flicks and was one of the first Sammo Hung films I saw. Its stars Yuen Biao and Lam Ching Ying who are both great performers. They bring so much more to the screen than the average kung fu actors. Sammo Hung doesn’t mind taking a back seat in his films to let new stars shine through. The reason I like this film so much is the fact that the story is different from the many other kung fu films. It blends action, comedy and drama together perfectly. After watching a classic like this, it makes you wish that somewhere in Hong Kong right now, there is a small group of students learning the skills of the old style peaking opera. This will never be matched by any of the films made today.

August - The Victim (Hong Kong, 1980)

Comment: This is an enjoyable kung fu flick with a fight no longer than five minutes away. Even though The Victim is action heavy there is still room for a decent plot which holds a fair amount of twists. Sammo Hung directs and stars, and as always he doesn’t disappoint, he allows Leung Kar Yan to take all the credit as the leading man. Leung Kar Yan carries off his role nicely. Behind the action are top chorographers Yuen Biao and Lam Ching Ying. The music is composed by the one and only Frankie Chan. The Victim combines a brilliant mix of action, comedy and drama. The reason I like this film so much is that, first time viewers will be surprised at the ending and of course it offers plenty of fight scenes. There are a few familiar faces to look of for including Karl Maka as the abbot monk and the regulars in Sammo‘s stunt team Chung Fat, Fung Lee, Billy Chan etc. At the end the viewer is left with Sammo (speaking in English for some reason) saying “Good Luck, Baby!” and then the normal freeze frame and credits. Make sure you check this out.

September - God of Gamblers (Hong Kong, 1989)

Comment: This is one of my favourite Chow Yun Fat flicks ever, at the time no one in Hong Kong could match his screen presence. This shows his range as an actor, as he goes from cool and slick to childish and stupid. Andy Lau is the other leading man and the lovely Joey Wong is the female lead. The director Wong Jing has added elements of wacky comedy but thankfully most of the film is focused on the drama and the gambling, there is also a brief shootouts in which Chow wields two pistols. I haven’t seen such a enjoyable film in ages and I recommend everyone to see it, fans of Hong Kong cinema and Chow Yun Fat will not be disappointed. Don’t think of the normal low brow Wong Jing film, this is easily his best ever work and this is what he has built his career on. Just make sure you don’t go to Vegas to be the next God Of Gamblers as you won’t be able to match his skills. He can hear which number dice land on!. Don’t miss it.

October - Swordsman II (Hong Kong, 1992)

Comment: I chose this because of it’s energy, it’s like a hyperactive child dosed up on sugary drinks and sweets. I loved everything about Swordsman II, Ching Sui-Tung is a master at making action epics with a minuscule budget. The cast includes Jet Li, Michelle Reis, Brigitte Lin, Fennie Yuen and Rosamund Kwan, what more could you ask for? This is far better than the original because it doesn’t suffer from multiple directors. I recommend everyone to see this…though I know most HK film fans already have (If so, watch it again). It's definitely one of the best wuxia/new wave films I’ve ever seen.

November - Memories Of Murder (Korea, 2003)

Comment: I have chosen this because of it’s intense storyline and wonderful acting. I have yet to see Song Kang-Ho in a bad role, the carries the film with ease and makes it a pleasure to watch. The ending is shocking, I thought I had it all worked out, but how wrong I was. Like most South Korean films, this should be one at the top of your “to see” list. Memories Of Murder is one of my favourite films because of the lasting effect, you will not be forgetting about this one in a while. The soundtrack is just as haunting as the fact that the story was based on a true case. I had a difficult decision this month as I had watched so many great flicks; Dog Bite Dog, JSA, Sympathy For Mr. Vengeance, Battle Royale and My Brother, but still Memories Of Murder out shone them all.

December - A Bittersweet Life (Korea, 2005)

Comment: What a way to end the year, A Bittersweet Life is one the best gangster films of all time, and it just happens to be from South Korea (which in my opinion is the place that is making the best films in the world at the moment). This is wonderfully acted, directed and everything falls into place to make a truly breathtaking film. Lee Byung Hun is super slick while Shin Mina is great as the unaware element that drives the plot forwards, I just love the unpredictability of the ending as well. If you haven’t already you should do yourself a favour and watch this.