But you must understand that it's what everyone watches, and doesn't indicate any real familiarity with Asian cinema.
I totally understand your point.
But let me say here that Oldboy was the movie that lit up my whole obsession with asian cinema in the first place more than 10 years ago. (out of chan-wook's bubble i then started to look what else is around)
I know your problem, but sometimes you have to commit yourself that you like something although if it irradiates a commercial touch every whole-hearted fan despises.
That's the problem of commercialism, it blurs the borders of what's designed to be consumed like everydaytrashtv and what's the real innovation that expands your perception.
This is a movie where these lines are not visible. Chan-Wook did a much more westernized and commercial film with "JSA", just because he needed the money to make it good.
it's like biting into the poisoned apple to just get the seeds out and grow your own tree.
directly after he continued with his vision of the trilogy where he began, without any influence of JSA from my perception. (there's just an amazing increase of visual perfection and intensity in the chronology of all three movies)
I'm not making any statements about the film and how excellent it might be. I bought the Blu-ray months ago because I consider it essential and a movie to watch. Please have no concerns that I don't want to watch it.
My real point is only that it is typically one of the first Asian films that people watch, and it's been my experience that when someone brings it up, it's not possible to tell if that person has truly sampled many of the great films in Asian cinema.
Conversely, if someone brings up Equinox Flower, Yi Yi, Center Stage (The Actress), Days of Being Wild, The Face of Another, Spring in a Small Town, Woman of the Lake, Sansho the Bailiff, Floating Clouds, With Beauty and Sorrow, The Vertical Ray of the Sun, What Time is it There?, and Platform all in the same breath, then my ears prick up!
I'm only trying to discern Singlebyte's level of immersion into Asian cinema, and how far he wants to go.
For the record, some of the films I just listed, I haven't even seen yet, but they're representative.
Don't really have time to respond too much because I am typing on an Ipad and getting ready to go out for the evening. That being said,
I am not familiar with very many Asian films, nor would I be able to recommend one over another. I do enjoy movies (of all cultures) and would enjoy watching some of the other recommended flicks members have posted. I would really be curious to see how others compare Oldboy to the other posted movies because I feel this was a great (mind twisting) movie. Usually I am not in favor of subtitled movies, but there are a few great ones out there. (Like DownFall!)
It's a shame that lots of people are really closed minded and will not take the time to watch movies of another culture. Foreign produced films have contributed a lot of quality films over the years. I will at some point try to watch some of these Asian titles posted in this thread!
Anyhow, have to run.. have a great night everyone.
)
