The Best Asian Movies of the 1990s
Although I have already incoporated some of the very best Asian movies cinema has to offer in my best of-lists of a decade there are plenty of films that are more than worthy to be discovered. The reason why I started a new series of listings is simply that many Asian movies are very different of what we came to know of from American or European cinema. To fully appreciate the films on this list you should be open-minded because some of the craziness that asian directors think of goes way beyond that of what Western movie makers churn out every year. But it is exactly that often groundbreaking craziness which makes movies from Asia that much fun.
As ususal, don't hesitate to leave a comment if you feel up to it.
PS: The movies are sorted by year and not necessarily by my preference. This list is by no means complete as I will add new worthwhile films as I stumble across them.
As ususal, don't hesitate to leave a comment if you feel up to it.
PS: The movies are sorted by year and not necessarily by my preference. This list is by no means complete as I will add new worthwhile films as I stumble across them.
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- DirectorHaruki KadokawaStarsTakaaki EnokiMasahiko TsugawaAtsuko AsanoIn 16th century Japan, two samurai engage in massive battles across the countryside, one attempting to conquer and the other attempting to defend his land while repressing his love for a woman after taking a vow of celibacy."Heaven and Earth"
- DirectorAkira KurosawaIshirô HondaStarsAkira TeraoMitsuko BaishôToshie NegishiA collection of tales based upon eight of director Akira Kurosawa's recurring dreams."Akira Kurosawa's Dreams"
- DirectorSiu-Tung ChingKing HuRaymond LeeStarsSamuel HuiCecilia YipJacky CheungA kung-fu manual known as the sacred scroll is stolen from the Emperor's library. An army detachment is sent to recover it. Meanwhile, a young swordsman and his fellow disciple are accidentally drawn into the chaos."The Swordsman"
- DirectorYimou ZhangFengliang YangStarsGong LiWei LiBaotian LiIn rural China, the young bride of a tyrannical owner of a silk-dyeing business finds temporary solace in the arms of her husband's nephew, but problems arise when she becomes pregnant."Ju Dou"
- DirectorAnn HuiStarsMaggie CheungSiu-Kwong ChungTan Lang Jachi TianAfter the Sino-Japanese War, Kwei Dz, one of the family members of Japanese soldiers accepted a Chinese officer's proposal and remained in China. Later they had a daughter named Ann. The officer went to Hong Kong to work, leaving Kwei Dz and Ann in Macao. Kwei Dz, unable to communicate with her in-laws, much less accept their ways, became remorseful. Yet the worst problem she had was that Ann did not accept her as a mother. After Ann got a Master Degree in UK she went back to Hong Kong. Kwei Dz had been feeling very homesick for her mother country and decided to take Ann and return to Japan. In Japan, Ann began to understand her mother's pain because she did not understand Japan or the Japanese. Later a telegram from Canton arrived saying that Ann's grandfather had had a stroke. Upon seeing her to grandfather, Ann realized that, in spite of his now frail body, a body once tortured by Red Guards, he was so hopeful for China's future. Ann saw that China was now trying to find its own way in the midst of its self-inflicted turmoil."Song of the Exile"
- DirectorSiu-Tung ChingStarsLeslie CheungJoey WangMichelle ReisA Chinese Ghost Story II Chinese 倩女幽魂 II人間道 is a 1990 Hong Kong romantic comedy-horror film directed by Ching Siu-tung and produced by Tsui Hark. It is the sequel to A Chinese Ghost Story and is followed by A Chinese Ghost Story III."A Chinese Ghost Story II"
- DirectorJing WongStarsAlan TamAndy LauEric TsangThe Red Army aims to assassinate the Daka Lama in Singapore. Ling May, with a rare blood type, encounters them. Terrorists strike. Authorities seek a donor match as Ling's boyfriend and a conman intervene, racing against time."The Last Blood"
- DirectorBlackie Shou-Liang KoStarsStephen ChowJacky CheungAnn BridgewaterTwo best friends and cop partners become the subject of a beautiful news reporter's documentary. The two soon find themselves competing for screen time as well as the love of the reporter while after a murderous arms dealer."Curry and Pepper"
- DirectorTung Cho 'Joe' CheungStarsAlan TangElizabeth LeeMay Mei-Mei LoA well-known gangster is released from prison, and decides look for his daughter with the help of a troubled young woman."Gods, Gangsters and Gamblers"
- DirectorBenny ChanStarsAndy LauChien-Lien WuMan-Tat NgDuring a bank heist, the getaway driver Wah took a young woman Jo Jo hostage. After preventing her from getting killed by his accomplices, they began a forbidden relationship causing mayhem and chaos for their friends and family."A Moment of Romance"
- DirectorParkman WongStarsStephen ChowMichael Wai-Man ChanVivian ChowRuthless gangster Guts pulls off a heist of diamonds, then enlists the aid of longtime triad member, Fei, to arrange a buyer for them. But when Guts double crosses the buyer, Fei ends up with the diamonds, wanted by both the cops and Guts."The Unmatchable Match"
- DirectorSiu-Tung ChingHark TsuiStarsTony Leung Chiu-waiJoey WangJacky CheungBasically a retread of the first movie, in which the evil Tree Spirit is back with yet another ghost played by Joey Wong. The Swordsman Yen and Leslie Cheung characters are replaced by a Buddhist Abbot and disciple (Tony Leung). Jacky Cheung also pops up again, this time as a money-grabbing swordsman with a neat bag of tricks."A Chinsese Ghost Story III"
- DirectorKazuo KurokiMasahiro MakinoStarsYoshio HaradaKanako HiguchiRenji IshibashiA group of masterless samurai living in Edo's red light district must fend off a militia bent on wiping out local prostitutes."Rônin-gai"
- DirectorHark TsuiStarsJet LiRosamund KwanBiao YuenLegendary martial arts hero Wong Fei-Hung fights against foreign forces' plundering of China. When Aunt Yee arrives back from America, Wong Fei-Hung assumes the role of her protector."Once Upon a Time in China"
- DirectorYimou ZhangStarsGong LiJingwu MaSaifei HeChina in the 1920s. After her father's death, Songlian is forced to marry the wealthy Master Chen. With three wives already, each living in a separate house, there is fierce competition for his attention and the privileges that are gained."Raise the Red Lantern"
- DirectorNobuhiko ÔbayashiStarsHikari IshidaTomoko NakajimaToshinori OmiFollows two sisters, one clumsy and ignored, the other a perfect child. After the latter dies in an accident, she returns as a ghost to guide her little sister."Us Two"
- DirectorTony AuStarsAnita MuiTony Ka Fai LeungHidekazu AkaiTwo former lovers are reunited in war-torn Shangai during its occupation by Japanese troops in World War 2."Au Revoir Mon Amour"
- DirectorStanley KwanStarsMaggie CheungHan ChinTony Ka Fai LeungBiopic of 1930s Chinese actress Lingyu Ruan."Center Stage"
- DirectorJackie ChanStarsJackie ChanCarol 'Do Do' ChengEva CoboJackie is hired to help the UN find Nazi gold hidden in Sahara. He's accompanied from Spain by 2 (later 3) cute women. As there are others wanting the gold, lots of kung fu fighting and comedy follows."Operation Condor"
- DirectorLawrence Ah-MonStarsAndy LauSharla CheungMan-Tat NgThe first part of the Lee Rock trilogy which chronicles the rise and fall of the corrupt police force that Lee Rock becomes a part of. Rock enters Hong Kong as an immigrant from the mainland. Despising poverty, Rock becomes a police officer. Being a clean officer made him little money so he decides to be like the other officers and become a crooked but fair officer. He's about to marry the woman of his dreams when tragedy strikes. But not even that can keep Lee Rock from rising to the top."Lee Rock"
- DirectorLawrence Ah-MonStarsAndy LauSharla CheungAaron KwokThe second part of the trilogy chronicling the rise and fall of Hong Kong's top corrupt official. During this time period, Lee Rock enjoys his success and has found a new love. But jealousy within the ranks and a new department designed to clean up the corruption within the system is threating the comfort that Lee Rock enjoys."Lee Rock II"
- DirectorRingo LamStarsBilly ChowShui-Wah FokRobert HungA clumsy, easy-going but tough restaurant chef witnesses a murder of a cop. This leads him to a world of trouble, as the killer seeks to silence him. Luckily, the vengeful partner of the dead cop is there to help him."Touch and Go"
- DirectorKazuki ÔmoriKoji HashimotoStarsKôsuke ToyoharaAnna NakagawaMegumi OdakaTime travelers use Godzilla in their scheme to destroy Japan to prevent the country's future economic reign."Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah"
- DirectorChi Li TangSiu-Ming TsuiStarsMoon LeeKar Lok ChinSibelle Hu"Bury Me High"
- DirectorGordon ChanStarsStephen ChowSharla CheungMan-Tat NgA SWAT team leader is forced by his captain to go undercover as a high school student to retrieve the captain's personal gun which was stolen during a school field trip to the police station."Fight Back to School"