who thinks the japanese film industry is one of the best around?

Question

they are the ones coming up with really fresh new ideas they really are underrated, they have made some excellent films the japanese the ring is soooo much better, battle royal, to name two well known ones

Answer 1

There are some OK Japanese films, and I love Battle Royal, but considering how well Japanese do other things, their film industry is a big let down. There has never been a major big budget film on par with, say any Star Wars or any big budget Hollywood movies. They have the money and the technology, don't understand why they don't show up Hollywood more.

Answer 2

I have lived in Asia for the past 23 years, and Japanese movies today are below-par even for Asia.
They had their day. All the good Japanese stuff is old.
Today, the best films are coming out of Korea and Taiwan. Hong Kong has been good until recently, with some worthy contenders from the PI, Malaysia and Thailand. And then there's Bollywood.
The Ring and Battle Royal were exploitation crap that's about as good as Freddie v. Jason.
Nobody heard of 'Raise the Red Lantern', 'An Nak', 'The Road Home' or 'City On Fire'?

Answer 3

I agree with you whole heartedly but I feel this way about the Asian film industry in general, not just Japan. Korea has really been coming on lately. The revenge thriller Oldboy rivals anything Hollywood has produced in the last 10 years as a pure compelling entertainment. It's thematic sequel and the final part of a trilogy, Sympathy for Lady Vengeance, was better than every other thriller released last year save The Departed.

Their dramas are distinctive too. Director Ki-duk Kim has a style that I don't think would find much financing in America. Samaritan Girl is my favorite of his films.

For real film buffs, the Asian film industry is definitely one to watch.

Answer 4

I think Anime is great and a film industry unto itself. Their recent horror movies make up for those crappy monster movies (Godzilla and Mothra types) that used to be the only thing they were known for.

However, other than the anime, they are not that great of a powerhouse. Japan traditionally suffers from having their plots stolen ("Seven Samuri" became "The Magnificent Seven"). If they could just keep thier plots secret long enough to really wow the film world, Japan would definitely knock China out of thier top spot.

Answer 5

If you like modern Japanese cinema, check out the director Kurosawa for some classic Japanese film.

His film Redbeard is one of my all time favourites, no special effects, 40 years old and in black & white but amazing!

Answer 6

Japanese horror movies freak me out more than anything else. They are truly disturbing. So that must mean they're doing a good job I guess.

Answer 7

I agree.

If Hollywood would stopping making so many psuedo-Jap horror movies. I've about had it with this horrible age of goor-horror genre movies.

But Ya.. Japanese movies are cool.

Answer 8

not the japanese but the asian is quite good. Oldboy proves that

Answer 9

i think there martial arts films can't be beat

Answer 10

Not me !!!