Staff Picks of the Month - Action Films

Cheer (Approval Moderator & Editor) recommends:

Hard Boiled

When we decided to make this month action films oriented, I immediately jumped to my old DVD collection. Of course I had to choose something classic for this feature. And what’s better than John Woo’s heroic bloodshed genre?

Woo is one of my favourite action directors ever. He set a new ground of action filmmaking through his amazing Hong Kong pieces. Hard Boiled was one of the most notable action films the world of cinema ever knew. The film’s plot wasn’t anything magnificent, some gangster and cops fights with obvious hints of brotherhood between  Tony Leung and Chow Yun Fat’s characters. But the action part was more than engaging, with a great mixture of old school setting and new techniques. 

If you’re wondering if this is mindless action then let me assure you that it is: bullets flying, explosions, people dead more than alive, shooting, violence and guns everywhere. But with John Woo’s masterful filmmaking, you will find yourself utterly satisfied, entertained and even wanting more!

Aya97 (Editor) recommends:

The Good, The Bad, The Weird

First of all I have to say that I love this month's topic. I love action movies so much so I decided to share with you one of the most charming one from my Completed list. Maybe you've heard of the Italian movie The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, well you can think of this as its Korean remake.

I remember seeing the original one a long time ago, and last year I stumbled upon the Korean version. What attracted me to it at first was the star-studded cast. It's not often you find A list actors together in a movie. Their chemistry is marvelous, and it's a pleasure to watch them interact with one another.

First you have the gentleman  Jung Woo Sung playing "The Good" hero, then Lee Byung Hun "The Bad", but hot man, and last but not least(and personally my favorite)  Song Kang Ho "The Weird " guy who always has something up his sleeve.

So if you have nothing to do, and feel bored you may consider giving this movie a try! Happy Watching!!

Elisabetta (Editor) recommends:

The Man From Nowhere

The trope of a nothing-to-lose, brutally skilled, reluctant hero who he decides to protect vulnerable innocence and wreaks havoc while doing so is attractive and utilized worldwide.

Watching Man From Nowhere you’ll automatically recollect movies like Leon The Professional, Taken, or Safe (which seems like a direct rip-off from Man From Nowhere, with Statham playing the main role).

Man from Nowhere, however, brings some unexpected freshness with it. The setting feels more serious and sincere. The underworld is portrayed as more cruel and immoral. And, unlike while watching most Western action movies, with every scene you’ll get tense and worried that something really bad and heart-wrecking is going to happen and there will be no happy ending.

If you trying to introduce some action-loving men in your life to the world of Asian filmmaking, and you’re afraid that dramas would be too big of a shock for them, this is the movie you should choose. (Seriously it’s one of very few Eastern works that my husband managed to watch till the end with me, and he said afterward that it’s his favourite Asian movie so far.)

Skye-N-Rain (Administrator) recommends:

Rurouni Kenshin (Trilogy)

Brilliant Sword Fighting Scenes. Check

Great Music. Check

Star Studded Cast. Check

In my eyes, the Kenshin trilogy is the Lord of the Rings of Japan. Both of them have 3 long movies, terrific action scenes, and a deep storyline that moves you to the very core. Unlike the anime/manga the story is based off of, the live action films are slightly darker in tone, yet it retains enough comedic moments to not be the perfect mixture of comedy and action. 

I could keep going on about this movie, but I won't. Simply watch the trailer, if you like the feel of it, you'll most likely also enjoy the films!