Our Overview of Overseas Gems
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Reviewed by: Ryan McNally
Ang Lee’s martial-arts drama Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, the highest-grossing foreign film of all-time, was recently released on video. With Crouching Tiger the current flavor of the month, it’s a great time to introduce yourself to some other classic foreign films. If the idea of sitting through a foreign film is about as appealing to you as attending an 8:00 a.m. Friday Calculus class or going a weekend without hitting the party scene, these 10 foreign-language movies will provide a painless way to introduce yourself to this exciting medium. Selections range from action thrillers to monster flicks to romances guaranteed to get you some play: |
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| 1. |
Hate (La Haine)
This shattering story of an Arab, black and Jew living in the projects of Paris and tangling with the police, skinheads and upper class socialites is brilliantly directed by Mathieu Kassovitz. It’s a blistering social commentary - think Do The Right Thing or Boyz In the Hood - that will blow you away.
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| 2. |
Life Is Beautiful
The former record-holder for most Academy Award nominations by a foreign film (7) is the touching story of an Italian (Roberto Benigni) trying to shield his son from the atrocities of the Holocaust.
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| 3. |
Shall We Dance?
A conservative Japanese businessmen (Koji Yakusho), trapped in the boring monotony of everyday life, makes the scandalous decision to take dance lessons. A great date flick. Also recommended: The Eel, also starring Yakusho, a superb drama that won the top prize at the 1997 Cannes film festival.
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The Legend Of Drunken Master
Those familiar with Jackie Chan’s martial arts’ wizardry in Rush Hour and Shanghai Noon will enjoy his awe-inspiring, classic Hong Kong kung-fu pics such as Drunken Master. Other Chan flicks you won’t want to miss: Rumble In The Bronx, Police Story and Project A.
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| 5. |
All About My Mother
Legendary Spanish director Pedro Almodovar (Woman On The Verge Of A Nervous Breakdown) helms this acclaimed film about a woman (brilliantly acted by Cecilia Roth) dealing with her son’s tragic death. A touching film that’s a solid date flick and also features a handful of transvestite characters to help satisfy the sexual deviant in all of us. Note for the boyz: Co-stars sizzling hottie Penelope Cruz.
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| 6. |
Run Lola Run
German Tom Tykwer wrote and directed this exciting action thriller about a woman named Lola (the feisty Franka Potente) who receives a frantic call from her boyfriend Manni. His problem: If she doesn’t come up with the money he owes a mobster boss in the next 15 minutes, he’s a dead man. Brilliant, innovative direction will keep you pinned to your seat. (Word to the wise: Opt for the subtitled version and spare yourself the painfully cornball dubbing job.)
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| 7. |
Hard-Boiled
Before director John Woo helmed American films such as Face/Off and Mission Impossible 2, and actor Chow Yun-Fat soared to new heights in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, both were already Hong Kong legends for action films such as Hard-Boiled. The movie's 45-minute hospital climax is considered by some to be the greatest action sequence ever filmed. Also recommended: Woo and Yun-Fat teaming in another Hong Kong action classic, The Killer.
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| 8. |
Like Water For Chocolate
Classic Mexican romance about a woman whose cooking has the power to bring out the passion in people. If you can’t get some action while watching this flick, something is very, very wrong.
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| 9. |
Central Station
Fernanda Montenegra gives a spectacular, Oscar-nominated performance in this moving South American film about the relationship between a disillusioned old woman (Montenegra) and a young boy who witnesses his mother's death. The gradual bond formed between these two lost souls makes for yet another good date flick.
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| 10. |
Godzilla Vs. The Smog Monster
Monster mayhem to bring out the testosterone in us all. I’m partial to this particular Godzilla entry after spending many Thanksgiving afternoons as a young boy watching the petrifying Smog Monster do battle with Godzilla, but you also can’t go wrong with the classic Godzilla vs. Mothra and, of course, the original Godzilla. Just do yourself a favor and stay away from the blasphemous 1998 American Godzilla film starring Matthew Broderick.
Also recommended: Blow Up, Il Postino, The Dreamlife Of Angels, The Seven Samarai, Johnny Stecchino, Cinema Paridiso. You can pick any of these up at Amazon.com. |
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