List of Asian Movies to Draw Inspiration From [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTimePost
narukagami

02-10-07, 11:22 AM
The "best asian movie" thread gave me the idea to make a list of all movies instead of determining only one movie. So to avoid hijacking, here we go:

(Mostly) Japanese:
47 Ronin
47 Assassins
Adventure in Kigan Castle
After the Rain
Azumi
Azumi 2
Band of Assassins
Betrayal
Bloody Shuriken
Broken Swords
Bushido Blade
Challenge
Chushingura
Crest of Betrayal
Crimson Bat: Oichi Wanted, Dead or Alive
Crimson Bat: The Blind Swordswoman
Crimson Bat: Trapped!
Crimson Bat: Watch out!
Daredevil in the Castle
Date Masamune
Destiny's Son
Dora Heita
Double Suicide
Duel at Fort Ezo
Fall of Ako Castle
Flower Sword
Fort of Death
Fugitive Samurai
Gate of Hell
Gohatto
Gojoe
Gonza the Spearman
Goyokin
Harakiri
Heaven and Earth
Hidden Fortress
Incident at Blood Pass
Journey of Honor
Kagemusha
Kill!
Killer's Mission
Kumamoto Monogatari
Lady Snowblood - Blizzard From The Netherworld
Lady Snowblood 2 - Love Song of Vengeance
Last Samurai
Legend of the Devil
Legend of the Eight Samurai
Life of Oharu
Lone Wolf and Cub: Sword of Vengeance
Lonewolf and Cub: Babycart at the river Styx
Lonewolf and Cub: Babycart in Peril
Lonewolf and Cub: Babycart in the land of Demons
Lonewolf and Cub: Babycart to Hades
Lonewolf and Cub: Babycart white heaven in Hell
Magoichi Saga
Portrait of Hell
Ran
Rashomon
Reborn from Hell: Samurai Armageddon
Reborn from Hell 2: Jubei's Revenge
Red Lion
Rise Against the Sword
Ronin of the Wilderness
Sabu
Saga of the Vagabonds
Samurai Assassin
Samurai Banners
Samurai Fiction
Samurai I - Musashi Miyamoto
Samurai II - Duel at Ichijoji temple
Samurai III - Duel at Ganryu Island
Samurai Pirate
Samurai Rebellion
Samurai Reincarnation
Samurai Saga
Samurai Vendetta
Samurai Wolf
Samurai Wolf 2: Hell Cut
Sanjuro
Sansho the Bailiff
Satan's Sword
Satan's Sword 2
Satan's Sword 3
Secret of the Urn
Seven Samurai
Shadow Hunters
Shadow Hunters 2: Hero's Gun
Shinsengumi Chronicles
Shogun
Shogun Assassin
Shogun's Shadow
Sleepy Eyes of Death - Full Circle Killing
Sleepy Eyes of Death - Sword of Fire
Sleepy Eyes of Death - Sword of Seduction
Sleepy Eyes of Death: Sword of Satan
Sure Death 4: Revenge
Sword Devil
Sword for Hire
Sword of Doom
Sword of the Beast
Taira Clan Saga
Takeda Shingen
Tenchu
Thirteen Assassins
Three Outlaw Samurai
Three Swordmen
Three Treasures
Throne of Blood
Traitors in the Blue Castle
Whirlwind
Yagyu Conspiracy
Yagyu Secret Scroll
Yagyu Secret Scroll: Two Secret Sword
Yojimbo
Zatoichi - Adventures of a Blind Man
Zatoichi - Blind Swordsman's Revenge
Zatoichi - Flashing Sword
Zatoichi - Masseur Ichi Enters Again
Zatoichi - Masseur Ichi on the Road
Zatoichi - The Blind Swordsman & the Chess
Zatoichi - The Blind Swordsman and the Fugitives
Zatoichi - The Blind Swordsman Cane Sword
Zatoichi - The Blind Swordsman:The Samarita
Zatoichi - The Outlaw
Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo
Zipang
Yagyû ichizoku no inbô (Shogun's Samurai)
Onmyoji
Onmyoji II
When the last sword is drawn
Red Shadow
Kibakichi: Bakko-yokaiden
Aragami
Shogun's Ninja
Legend of 8 Samurai
The Myth
Dororo
Aoki Ookami

(Mostly) Chinese:
Storm Riders
Zu: Warriors of the Magic Mountain
Burning Paradise
Crouching Tiger
Fearless
the Banquet
Curse of the Golden Flower
Flying Daggers
House of Flying Daggers
Green Snake
Condor Heroes
Return of Condor Heroes
Chronicles of the Heavenly Dragon
Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre
Duel to the Death...
Hero
Burning of the Red Lotus Monastery
The Swordswoman of Huangjiang
Come Drink With Me
Temple of the Red Lotus
The Jade Bow
One-Armed Swordsman
Have Swordsman, Will Travel
The Magic Blade
The Butterfly Murders
Last Hurrah for Chivalry
The Sword
A Chinese Ghost Story
The Bride with White Hair
Butterfly Sword
Swordsman
Swordsman 2
Once Upon a Time in China
Iron Monkey
Dragon Inn
Burning Paradise
The Blade
Ashes of Time
Blade of Fury
A Touch of Zen
Sword Searchers
The Legend of Zu
Sorrowful to a Ghost
Sword in the Moon
Kung Fu Hustle
Master of the Flying Guillotine
Five Deadly Venoms
Kid With The Golden Arm
Avenging Warriors of Shaolin
Flag of Iron
Master Killer
Chinese Super Ninja
Fearless Fighters
The Promise
Legend of the Seven Golden Vampires

Korean:
Legend of the Evil Lake
Musa the Warrior
Duelist
Bichunmoo
Dae Jang-geum
Damo

Anime:
Ninja Scroll
Rurouni Kenshin OAVs
Mononoke-hime
Inuyasha

Other:
Jade Warrior
Kill Bill
EvilVegan

02-10-07, 05:59 PM
Shogun's Samurai (seriously) Isn't this the movie that comes before Samurai Reincarnation? Or am I thinking Samurai Resurrection?

Kung Fu Hustle (humorously, but seriously good)
Ranger REG

02-10-07, 08:37 PM
The "best asian movie" thread gave me the idea to make a list of all movies instead of determining only one movie. So to avoid hijacking, here we go:

47 Ronin
47 Assassins
Adventure in Kigan Castle
After the Rain
Azumi
Azumi 2
Band of Assassins
Betrayal
Bloody Shuriken
Broken Swords
Bushido Blade
Challenge
Chushingura
Crest of Betrayal
Crimson Bat: Oichi Wanted, Dead or Alive
Crimson Bat: The Blind Swordswoman
Crimson Bat: Trapped!
Crimson Bat: Watch out!
Daredevil in the Castle
Date Masamune
Destiny's Son
Dora Heita
Double Suicide
Duel at Fort Ezo
Fall of Ako Castle
Flower Sword
Fort of Death
Fugitive Samurai
Gate of Hell
Gohatto
Gojoe
Gonza the Spearman
Goyokin
Harakiri
Heaven and Earth
Hidden Fortress
Incident at Blood Pass
Journey of Honor
Kagemusha
Kill!
Killer's Mission
Kumamoto Monogatari
Lady Snowblood - Blizzard From The Netherworld
Lady Snowblood 2 - Love Song of Vengeance
Last Samurai
Legend of the Devil
Legend of the Eight Samurai
Life of Oharu
Lone Wolf and Cub: Sword of Vengeance
Lonewolf and Cub: Babycart at the river Styx
Lonewolf and Cub: Babycart in Peril
Lonewolf and Cub: Babycart in the land of Demons
Lonewolf and Cub: Babycart to Hades
Lonewolf and Cub: Babycart white heaven in Hell
Magoichi Saga
Portrait of Hell
Ran
Rashomon
Reborn from Hell: Samurai Armageddon
Reborn from Hell 2: Jubei's Revenge
Red Lion
Rise Against the Sword
Ronin of the Wilderness
Sabu
Saga of the Vagabonds
Samurai Assassin
Samurai Banners
Samurai Fiction
Samurai I - Musashi Miyamoto
Samurai II - Duel at Ichijoji temple
Samurai III - Duel at Ganryu Island
Samurai Pirate
Samurai Rebellion
Samurai Reincarnation
Samurai Saga
Samurai Vendetta
Samurai Wolf
Samurai Wolf 2: Hell Cut
Sanjuro
Sansho the Bailiff
Satan's Sword
Satan's Sword 2
Satan's Sword 3
Secret of the Urn
Seven Samurai
Shadow Hunters
Shadow Hunters 2: Hero's Gun
Shinsengumi Chronicles
Shogun
Shogun Assassin
Shogun's Shadow
Sleepy Eyes of Death - Full Circle Killing
Sleepy Eyes of Death - Sword of Fire
Sleepy Eyes of Death - Sword of Seduction
Sleepy Eyes of Death: Sword of Satan
Sure Death 4: Revenge
Sword Devil
Sword for Hire
Sword of Doom
Sword of the Beast
Taira Clan Saga
Takeda Shingen
Tenchu
Thirteen Assassins
Three Outlaw Samurai
Three Swordmen
Three Treasures
Throne of Blood
Traitors in the Blue Castle
Whirlwind
Yagyu Conspiracy
Yagyu Secret Scroll
Yagyu Secret Scroll: Two Secret Sword
Yojimbo
Zatoichi - Adventures of a Blind Man
Zatoichi - Blind Swordsman's Revenge
Zatoichi - Flashing Sword
Zatoichi - Masseur Ichi Enters Again
Zatoichi - Masseur Ichi on the Road
Zatoichi - The Blind Swordsman & the Chess
Zatoichi - The Blind Swordsman and the Fugitives
Zatoichi - The Blind Swordsman Cane Sword
Zatoichi - The Blind Swordsman:The Samarita
Zatoichi - The Outlaw
Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo
Zipang
Storm Riders
Zu: Warriors of the Magic Mountain
Burning Paradise
Crouching Tiger
Fearless
the Banquet
Curse of the Golden Flower
Flying Daggers
House of Flying Daggers
Green Snake
Condor Heroes
Return of Condor Heroes
Chronicles of the Heavenly Dragon
Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre
Duel to the Death...
Hero
Burning of the Red Lotus Monastery
The Swordswoman of Huangjiang
Come Drink With Me
Temple of the Red Lotus
The Jade Bow
One-Armed Swordsman
Have Swordsman, Will Travel
The Magic Blade
The Butterfly Murders
Last Hurrah for Chivalry
The Sword
A Chinese Ghost Story
The Bride with White Hair
Butterfly Sword
Swordsman
Swordsman 2
Once Upon a Time in China
Iron Monkey
Dragon Inn
Burning Paradise
The Blade
Ashes of Time
Blade of Fury
A Touch of Zen
Sword Searchers
The Legend of Zu
Sorrowful to a Ghost
Bichunmoo
Sword in the Moon
The Legend of the Evil Lake
And which of these have nekkid ladies? :devil:
madmonk

02-11-07, 08:12 AM
I would love a bit of editing in your list, Naru (sorry. I have watched to much ghost hunt lately :D).

Coul you divide them at least by Japanese, Chinese, Korean and others? Maybe an Anime thread to, or in this one, I don't know.

For Korean I recomend Legend of the Evil Lake, Musa the Warrior, Duelist... I forgot the name of the other one... damn I watch too many movies :embarrass

Don't Forgett Jade Warrior, that is the best Finnish movie I have seen! and it is a KUNG FU movie so cool you have to see it!
Monkris

02-11-07, 12:05 PM
I know it is anime and not a movie. But Ninja Scroll is one of the best inspirational pieces for Oriental Adventures setting I can think of. It is one of the first things I suggest to friends looking for good Japanese
HamHam

02-11-07, 12:45 PM
Onmyoji and Onmyoji II are both good.
narukagami

02-11-07, 12:52 PM
And which of these have nekkid ladies? :devil: Quite a few of them, actually. :smirk:

Coul you divide them at least by Japanese, Chinese, Korean and others? Maybe an Anime thread to, or in this one, I don't know. Right now pretty much everything after Zipang is Chinese, but I don't think it'd be too hard to do.

I know it is anime and not a movie. But Ninja Scroll is one of the best inspirational pieces for Oriental Adventures setting I can think of. It is one of the first things I suggest to friends looking for good Japanese An anime section is a go, but IMHO there are far better ones than Ninja Scroll. Such as the Rurouni Kenshin OAV: Tsuioku Hen (AKA Trust and Betrayal)

Onmyoji and Onmyoji II are both good. I can't believe I forgot them.
Ranger REG

02-11-07, 10:28 PM
I know it is anime and not a movie. But Ninja Scroll is one of the best inspirational pieces for Oriental Adventures setting I can think of. It is one of the first things I suggest to friends looking for good Japanese
:bored:

Meh. Never set eyes on Ninja Scroll. My inspiration comes from Toshiro Mifune films (falls under chanbara, akin to Kill Bill), samurai films directed by Kurosawa, imported TV series like Abarenbo Shogun and Taiga Drama, and jidai-geki like Azumi.

All live-action. ;)
TJ_Oboro

02-12-07, 06:54 PM
I might suggest Ghost Dog as well. The character isnt a samurai but he follows the teachings of the Hagakure to the letter. Good movie though.
narukagami

02-12-07, 07:30 PM
As a matter of personal preference: No.
Ranger REG

02-12-07, 07:49 PM
Quite a few of them, actually. :smirk:
Please indicate them with an asterisk ("*"). ;)

BTW, "Chusingura" and "47 Ronin" are basically the same story.

Also, "Hakkenden," "Satomi Hakkenden," "The Legend of the Eight Samurai," and "The Legend of the Eight Dog Warriors" are based on one tale.
Sir Elton

02-12-07, 11:13 PM
Ranger REG . . .

Nevermind. It's alright to look at naked ladies, not lust after them.
HidaAkira

02-13-07, 07:22 AM
How about "Red Sun"?
A rather meh movie, but it has Toshiro Mifune in the Wild West.
Anything with TM is worth watching at least once.

Oh and "When the last sword is drawn", a fairly recent samurai drama. I have no idea what the original title is.
It was quite good.
Kid SixXx

02-13-07, 08:59 AM
Boy am I disappointed with the lack of love for the Chang Cheh (Shaw Brothers) goodness in that kung fu movie list!

And including One-Armed Swordsman but omitting her sister movie, Master of the Flying Guillotine? I am totally cry! :weep:

Bichunmoo is Korean, not Chinese IIRC, but it is a good inclusion.

Speaking of Korean, musa means "warrior" so the title Musa the Warrior is a redundancy to be blamed on whomever translated it.

More Kung Fu

Five Deadly Venoms
Kid With The Golden Arm
Avenging Warriors of Shaolin
Flag of Iron
Master Killer
Chinese Super Ninja (totally campy but still great)

Fearless Fighters (also totally campy but still fun to watch. Play the drinking game where you chug a beer every time you hear the word "mincemeat.")

Japanese

Kibakichi: Bakko-yokaiden (this one has Hengeyokai in it, folks. Sorta fun but kinda ruined by low production values.)

Aragami
Shogun's Ninja

Yagyû ichizoku no inbô (aka Shogun's Samurai. Yet another movie about Yagyu Jubei)

Legend of 8 Samurai (Weird version of The Hakkenden but at least it has Sonny Chiba & Henry Sanada in it.)
thomsirveaux99

02-13-07, 10:18 AM
You don't think Red Shadow could go in there? It would be a little iffy since it's kind of a parody but the main peices of the plot would make good gaming fare.
Kid SixXx

02-13-07, 11:17 AM
You don't think Red Shadow could go in there? It would be a little iffy since it's kind of a parody but the main peices of the plot would make good gaming fare.

Red Shadow is pretty much the ninja version of Samurai Fiction (even directed by the same guy) so I'd include it.
narukagami

02-13-07, 12:14 PM
How about "Red Sun"?
A rather meh movie, but it has Toshiro Mifune in the Wild West.
Anything with TM is worth watching at least once.

Oh and "When the last sword is drawn", a fairly recent samurai drama. I have no idea what the original title is.
It was quite good. Eh, as much as I like the Big TM, Red Sun is more a wild west movie than anything. We're going for movies to inspire OA games, not just "good movies featuring something or someone oriental."

Boy am I disappointed with the lack of love for the Chang Cheh (Shaw Brothers) goodness in that kung fu movie list!

And including One-Armed Swordsman but omitting her sister movie, Master of the Flying Guillotine? I am totally cry! :weep:

Bichunmoo is Korean, not Chinese IIRC, but it is a good inclusion.

Speaking of Korean, musa means "warrior" so the title Musa the Warrior is a redundancy to be blamed on whomever translated it.

More Kung Fu

Five Deadly Venoms
Kid With The Golden Arm
Avenging Warriors of Shaolin
Flag of Iron
Master Killer
Chinese Super Ninja (totally campy but still great)

Fearless Fighters (also totally campy but still fun to watch. Play the drinking game where you chug a beer every time you hear the word "mincemeat.")

Japanese

Kibakichi: Bakko-yokaiden (this one has Hengeyokai in it, folks. Sorta fun but kinda ruined by low production values.)

Aragami
Shogun's Ninja

Yagyû ichizoku no inbô (aka Shogun's Samurai. Yet another movie about Yagyu Jubei)

Legend of 8 Samurai (Weird version of The Hakkenden but at least it has Sonny Chiba & Henry Sanada in it.) Added.

You don't think Red Shadow could go in there? It would be a little iffy since it's kind of a parody but the main peices of the plot would make good gaming fare. I was actually going to ask you the name of that movie later.
narukagami

02-13-07, 12:19 PM
Ranger REG . . .

Nevermind. It's alright to look at naked ladies, not lust after them. You're no fun.
madmonk

02-13-07, 01:56 PM
You're no fun.

He left one part out "not lust A LITTLE after them", you must lust GREATLY after them :D.

Anyway, There are some good suggestion there, but we need more Fu. Anything with "36th Chamber of Shao-Lin" is great. Actually, it is somewhat a trilogy, and it is a must for Fu lovers, like Mad men, like Monks, and Mad Monks too.

Also, for fantastical Kung Fu, you can't forget Buddha Palm!!!

And sorry, it doesn't have nekkid ladies. For that, you must search for A Chinese Torture Chamber Story, I and II :D

OH MY GOD HOW COULD I FORGOT "A CHINESE GHOST STORY", and don't change the ghost for... er, otic, that's another kind of movie
Sir Elton

02-13-07, 01:59 PM
Guys . . . Didn't your mothers ever teach you about non-sexual nudity? :D
madmonk

02-13-07, 02:06 PM
But they don't fight! not naked! and I bet most of them are not Asian. We want our Oriental Adventures...

Ok guys, enough with the joking. I don't want this good thread to be censored/closed, so let's stay focused.
Ranger REG

02-13-07, 10:53 PM
Ranger REG . . .

Nevermind. It's alright to look at naked ladies, not lust after them.
And I thought you were going to comment on Satomi Hakkenden.

:smirk:

BTW, does Taiga Drama series count (currently watching Komyo ga Tsuji)? How about Abarenbo Shogun?

I know there were some historical K-Drama. I'm currently watching Chu Mong (or Jumong) on KBS.
angledragonofearth

02-14-07, 02:21 AM
You need Jackie and the 26 Crazy Fist, and the Street Fighter saga (the japanese movie line, NOT the hollywood crap) nothing like a guy who can kill you with two fingers and handcuffed, not to mincing what he did to the would-be rapist in the first movie :hides:.
Kid SixXx

02-14-07, 09:09 AM
How in the world did I forget the old school classics, Eighteen Weapons of Kung Fu and Eight Diagram Pole Fighter?

For Jackie Chan old school goodness, check out Drunken Master (I and II, although II has the better fights) and Snake In the Eagle's Shadow.

For more Jet Li period piece action in addition to Once Upon A Time In China and Swordsman 2, you should probably look into The Legend [of Fong Sai-Yuk] (I and II) & Twin Warriors.

And I would venture to say that the John Carpenter cult classic, Big Trouble In Little China, would also kinda qualify.

@ Ranger REG: I've got AZNTV on my digital cable package & I've also noticed the number of kung fu television series on the airwaves. I've been watching Drunken Kung Fu and taping Handsome Siblings and Hero of the Times (another retelling of the Fong Sai-Yuk stories) when I am at work.
Bullshido

02-14-07, 08:43 PM
"Musa: the warrior" Is pretty good.
Hochiu

02-15-07, 12:45 PM
http://warehouse.carlh.com/article_035/cover.jpg

You forgot it.
Ainamacar

02-15-07, 01:08 PM
More Korean examples:
Arahan
Shadowless Sword
Kid SixXx

02-15-07, 01:43 PM
http://warehouse.carlh.com/article_035/cover.jpg

You forgot it.

No he didn't.

(Mostly) Chinese:
Storm Riders
Zu: Warriors of the Magic Mountain
Burning Paradise
Crouching Tiger
Fearless
the Banquet
Curse of the Golden Flower
Flying Daggers
House of Flying Daggers
Green Snake
Condor Heroes
Return of Condor Heroes
Chronicles of the Heavenly Dragon
Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre
Duel to the Death...
Ranger REG

02-15-07, 07:46 PM
http://warehouse.carlh.com/article_035/cover.jpg

You forgot it.
:embarrass

I didn't want to say.

--owner of above DVD.
Lord Gwydion

02-15-07, 09:58 PM
There are a couple of Korean TV dramas I can recommend.

Dae Jang-geum is long (the Korean version of the Japanese Taiga Drama, running 54 episodes), and doesn't have lots of martial arts or fantasy elements (one Taoist immortal with a prophecy, a few "ghosts" which may or may not be in people's imaginations), but if you want to know what life was like in an Asian royal palace compared to on the streets, this is the show to watch. And it's got a great story as well.

Damo (I think the U.S. version is called "Damo: Undercover Lady Detective" or something like that) is Korean wuxia. It's the story of a group of police officers trying to stop a rebellion, and involves over-the-top wirework stunts, lots of sword, bow and gun fights, and the mandatory love triangle(s). It's also short, at only 16 or so episodes (1 DVD box set, compared to Dae Jang-geum's 3).

There's a lot of Fantasy/Historical cinema out the past two years or so here in Japan, not sure how much has hit North America or Europe. I haven't seen a lot of them yet, but here are some of the (Japanese) titles:

The Promise Chinese story, but with Chinese, Japanese and Korean lead actors, high fantasy story of war, love and honor. Saw it, liked it's visual stylings, but want to see it again with English subtitles rather than Japanese (dialogue is all Chinese) before I comment on the story.

The Myth Jackie Chan and a Korean actress whose name escapes me at the moment, in a fantasy wuxia story. Haven't seen it yet, missed it when it played here last year and waiting for the DVD.

Dororo Live action version of an Osamu Tezuka manga, starring Shibasaki Kou (the hot actress in Japan right now) as a warrior woman fighting bakemono. Haven't seen it yet, but it's in theaters now.

Aoki Ookami Japanese production of the story of Genghis Khan's rise to power. Opens here in Japan next month, and I can't wait to see it.

And there's a few more that I can't think of off the top of my head. I'll post more if I remember them.
Kid SixXx

02-16-07, 06:57 AM
:embarrass

I didn't want to say.

--owner of above DVD.

I can never find this one at my normal haunts. Must be out of print.
Rowan_Whispercloak

02-17-07, 07:23 AM
I've only seen the last part of Dual to the Death and it was pretty good.

There are also numerious titles that could be added to the list from both the Chinese as well as more animated titles.

I would personly suggest finding a retelling of the Journey to the West (avoid Saiyuki for this purpose, not a bad series in itself, but not what I would use as a intial viewing). Sun Wukung (the monkey king) is one of those archtypal trickster characters and well the story itself is very good (well worth reading the 100 chapters).
Ranger REG

02-19-07, 04:51 AM
I can never find this one at my normal haunts. Must be out of print.
Or your video store have the wisdom NOT to order it.

I bought mine at Tower Records & Videos, and look what happened to them. (And I thought it would have more nekkid ninja girls.) :nonono:
Hochiu

02-19-07, 03:09 PM
I can never find this one at my normal haunts. Must be out of print.

Amazon.com is where I got my copy!
narukagami

02-19-07, 03:11 PM
I've only seen the last part of Dual to the Death and it was pretty good. You only saw the good part, the rest of the movie is giant steaming pile of crap. Avoid it like the plague!

I'll get around to editing in more movies later.
Hochiu

02-19-07, 03:19 PM
Honestly, if you just watch the trailer for the movie, it tells you basically the entire plot, shows you the greatest action scenes, and more or less tells you the end.
Kid SixXx

02-20-07, 06:12 AM
I have heard that it's pretty bad, but I don't actively go into watching kung fu movies thinking that I'm going to see A Streetcar Named Desire either.

As long as there is at least one implausibly hilarious fight (ie. any given Sho Kusugi ninja movie) I should be happy.

I'll cue it up on Netflix or something.
Kasai_Saka

02-20-07, 11:34 PM
Incase no one has actually read the book Shogun, by James Clavell, they should, it's excellent.
Bullshido

02-24-07, 03:27 PM
I know it is not a real asian film, but I thought Kill Bill was a great source of inspiration.
PuppyKhan

02-27-07, 11:05 AM
House of Flying Daggers
Hero

I thought Hero was a bit too heavy on the propaganda, and not Jet Li's best fighting. If we were ranking these, this would not be near the top for me.

House of Flying Daggers had a really annoying non Asian element that pops up in Chinese movies. The archery shown was European. It may be more of pet peeve for me as I practice Mongolian archery (same technique Chinese would use pre Communism) but since this is a thread for inspiration and flavor, I think that's important to know.

I don't remember about the horse reining, but Chinese movies often use English reining which is also a mistake on flavor. Chinese reining is much closer to Western.

Anyhow, to add a movie worth noting:

Legend of the Seven Golden Vampires

Its got Dracula, its got Martial Arts, its got Van Helsing in Hong Kong... Think Dracula goes to China. Not a stricktly Asian theme but a good D&D fantasy crossover type of movie.
Rogue Shadows

02-27-07, 11:16 AM
<<<This post is no longer valid. Ignore it.>>>
narukagami

02-27-07, 02:52 PM
Why...why why why...is Mononoke Hime (Princess Mononoke in English) not up there?

No, stop now. There is no valid reason for Mononoke Hime to not be on that list. Not one.

Shame on you. Um, yes it is.
Rogue Shadows

02-27-07, 03:33 PM
Oh, wait...there's a seperate anime list.

My bad.

Hmm. Another good question is "why is there a separate anime list?"

Anime is Japanese too...
madmonk

02-27-07, 07:41 PM
Yakuza movies are Japanese two, soccer anime is Japanese too, sailor fuku are Japanese two :rolleyes:
narukagami

02-27-07, 07:45 PM
Oh, wait...there's a seperate anime list.

My bad.

Hmm. Another good question is "why is there a separate anime list?"

Anime is Japanese too... They're separated for easy reference for those who want movies that are not animated.

Allot of those movies I pulled of various lists all over the internet, so a few may have gotten intermixed.
narukagami

02-27-07, 07:53 PM
By the way.

LIST UPDATED

Added a whole buncha backed up additions. Ultimately decided to exclude Kill Bill as all the movies it drew its inspiration from are all on the list anyway.
Paragon_of_Tyr

02-28-07, 05:08 PM
Kurosawa's first film: Sanshiro Sugata (alternate title: Judo Saga) - about the making of a Judo Master

He also had a remake later on that he didn't direct but just had a writing credit. Forgot the title, but essentially the same story with his final opponent a Karateka instead of a Jujitsu master in the first one.

Also for India:

Mahabharata by Peter Brooks (British, not Asian unfortunately)- about the best filmed adaptation I've seen of the Indian Epic. 12-hours worth of understanding Indian mindset, mythology and Magic.
Paragon_of_Tyr

02-28-07, 05:26 PM
Havoc in Heaven (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Havoc_in_Heaven)

A Chinese Cartoon featuring the Monkey King. The designs of the Kingdom of Heaven and God-like Magic here may inspire a high-powered campaign.
Bullshido

02-28-07, 08:40 PM
By the way.

LIST UPDATED

Added a whole buncha backed up additions. Ultimately decided to exclude Kill Bill as all the movies it drew its inspiration from are all on the list anyway.


I think you should include it. It is its own film even if it borrows a great deal from other movies. Virtually every martial arts film is a rip off of other films.
narukagami

02-28-07, 08:43 PM
I think you should include it. It is its own film even if it borrows a great deal from other movies. Virtually every martial arts film is a rip off of other films. Good point, plus its not fair that I have a bunch of movies up there that are just different adaptations of the same story but not a film that was inspired by others now that I think about it more. Added.
The Ubbergeek

02-28-07, 11:02 PM
I have a suggestion..... Shin Angyo Onshi - Phantom Master--Dark Hero From Ruined Empire. Interesting and very cool korean/japanese 'anime' who use korean folk tale(s) as a background. It could be usefull (and a good animated flick). :)
Chanmanm8

03-03-07, 04:08 PM
Two Awesome Martial Arts Movies:
1.) ONG BAK

2.) The Protector (same martial artist from Ong Bak)
LuckyDragon

03-04-07, 04:34 PM
Two Awesome Martial Arts Movies:
1.) ONG BAK

2.) The Protector (same martial artist from Ong Bak)


Ong Bak is great. The guys name is Tony Jaa.
GoriceXII

03-04-07, 05:32 PM
I know some Chinese historical dramas use apocryphal elements but it would be hard not to find them in just about any country's films these days. "The Promise" has to be one of my favourites but it has some such elements in it.
bellhooks

03-06-07, 09:50 AM
I would just like to point out that most of the movies mentioned so far are anti-feminist in the extreme. They promote a patriarchal world view, that encourages violence against women.
LuckyDragon

03-06-07, 10:04 AM
I would just like to point out that most of the movies mentioned so far are anti-feminist in the extreme. They promote a patriarchal world view, that encourages violence against women.

But they are just martial arts films. They are meant to be fun.
Kid SixXx

03-06-07, 10:35 AM
But they are just martial arts films. They are meant to be fun.

Bellhooks is a troll, my friend.

I have noted the "XXXXX is racist / promotes violence against women/ ad nauseam" posts all over the forums.

Place him / her on your Ignore List and keep on keepin' on.
bellhooks

03-06-07, 10:41 AM
Bellhooks is a troll, my friend.

I have noted the "XXXXX is racist / promotes violence against women/ ad nauseam" posts all over the forums.

Place him / her on your Ignore List and keep on keepin' on.

I see, an angry black woman is nothing but a troll. I have been posting about important social issues here because misogyny and racism is such a problem in the gaming community.
Kid SixXx

03-06-07, 10:47 AM
And I am an angry black male. Your point is?

Ah, I forgot! It's

http://www.livejournal.com/userpic/43010156/2670330
bellhooks

03-06-07, 10:48 AM
And I am an angry black male. Your point is?

Then you should be fighting with me.
Kid SixXx

03-06-07, 11:05 AM
And the battle against tyranny starts with kung fu & samurai movies.

Oooookay..

No offense, but is a thread about movies really an appropriate soapbox?
bellhooks

03-06-07, 04:04 PM
And the battle against tyranny starts with kung fu & samurai movies.

Oooookay..

No offense, but is a thread about movies really an appropriate soapbox?

What better place to address the problem where it begins?
narukagami

03-06-07, 04:08 PM
Why is it my thread that has to be trolled? :rolleyes:
madmonk

03-06-07, 06:27 PM
Naruchan! (sorry, too much anime for my:D ) It is not being trolled, it is being shadowlands ogred... remember, this is the OA board.
Swordsage_Master

03-06-07, 11:55 PM
Two Awesome Martial Arts Movies:
1.) ONG BAK

2.) The Protector (same martial artist from Ong Bak) The protector has some AWESOME choreographed fight scenes and a cameo by Jackie Chan as he and Tony bump into eachother in the airport. I took it as a sort of passing the torch moment.

Another movie I have seen is a Japanese movie called Shinobi Heart under Blade. It is a fantasy tale of two rival ninja clans that go to war when a man and a woman fall in love from oppossing clans. It's Romeo and Juliet with powerful fantasy Ninjas.
PuppyKhan

03-07-07, 02:06 AM
Now that I'm sitting near my movie collection, I have a few more suggestions.

Anything from the Venoms series. You list the first, but I also want to specifically add at least Return of the 5 Deadly Venoms. It has some very unoptimized characters - not every game needs to be Gestalt uber optimized tanks.

Wait, I see you have Avenging Warriors of Shaolin already. Good, very high on my list. Venoms, Wu Tang... It has a really great variety of weapons forms. And for the frame or two its visible, they use the proper archery style! The pole fighting is great. Largely basic staff forms, but one of the better pole arm fights I've seen on film.

That reminds me, how about some of the Wu Tang films?

The made for TV Ariabian Nights may be mostly Middle Eastern, but the Aladdin segment with Jason Scott Lee is set in Samarqand and modelled largely as a good Chinese game setting.

Also, nothing in the way of Mongol on your list. There's not many out there, but I'll share what I can remember.

The Conqueror - infamous for John Wayne cast as Chinggis Khaan (Genghis Khan to the overly anglicized) being considered the worst casting blunder of all time. Otherwise the film isn't too bad. It screws up the history only a little (Borte was not Tatar) but gives a little dose of steppe politics and warfare.

Genghis Khan - This has some notable actors like Omar Shariff and Telly Savalas, but is a far worse movie over all. Good for some goofy moments and tries to relate how Chinggis Khan formed his tribe initially much like a D&D adventuring party. But the history is atrociously butchered and some of the settings are way off. Watch it only if you get a kick out of seeing Kojak try to be a Mongol!

Did I mention there was not a lot? There are few made in Asia that are pretty good for history and culture, great campaign setting stuff, but not released in the US. You can occasionally grab some on ebay but expect them to be the wrong region. There are two new movies being made, one jointly by Japanese and Mongol filmmakers which I expect to be good, and another one jointly by Russian and Chinese filmmakers called simply Mongol which from the synopsis I've read online is heavy on anti Mongol Propaganda. (ie- Chinggis Khaan's second son was NOT fathered by a Chinese merchant as they portray) Otherwise, the pictures looked interesting - someone had a sword made of bone in one. There is also a film just released called Nomad about the forming of Kazakhstan - should have some steppe nomad conflict good for game ideas, but that's pure speculation.

Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon can double for Mongol as it has a whole sequence off in the steppe and the rogue raiding party is based on a hodge podge of steppe nomad types.

BTW - I second The Mahabharata by Peter Brooks for Indian, its in my personal collection.
Masterbullshido

03-07-07, 10:41 AM
Its not an asian martial arts film, but Commando has all the elements of a great OA adventure.
Ogrelee

03-07-07, 02:53 PM
Wow, I missed a lot of these. And I consider myself well traveled. I love the lone wolf series and Seven samurai. Tai Chi Master with jet li was great fun. Is that in there?
I thought that Island in the Clouds (That Right?) had some great ideas for adventures, even though it wasn't a period piece. That's Miyazaki, right? I'm going to go looking for some of these. Thanks for the list.
Swordsage_Master

03-07-07, 10:43 PM
Oh man I can't believe I forgot
Fist of White Lotus
It's about Pai mei (plyaed by Lo leih) the taoist priest/monk and creator of White Eyebrows Style Kung fu. He battle a young Gordon Lui a tiger stylist.

If you recognize those names and have seen the Kill Bill movies you'll remember that Gordon Lui plays Pai mei in the movie as the brides sifu and teacher of the five point exploding heart technique she finally kills Bill with.

Anyway this is an awesome, classic Kung Fu movie with great fight scenes and a good story.
Lord Gwydion

03-07-07, 11:31 PM
There are two new movies being made, one jointly by Japanese and Mongol filmmakers which I expect to be good,

This is Aoki Okami: Chi Hate Umi Tsukiru Made (Blue Wolf: To the Ends of the Earth and Sea is I think how IMDB has it translated).

Saw it last Saturday. It was really good, and mostly historically accurate. And the archery displayed was typical Japanese archery (I've never seen actual Mongolian archery so I don't know how it compares, but at least what's shown in this movie is different from European archery for those that care).
Kid SixXx

03-08-07, 07:26 AM
Oh man I can't believe I forgot
If you recognize those names and have seen the Kill Bill movies you'll remember that Gordon Lui plays Pai mei in the movie as the brides sifu and teacher of the five point exploding heart technique she finally kills Bill with.

Gordon Liu also stars in the must watch 36th Chamber of Shaolin / Master Killer!

Fist of the White Lotus her sister movie, Legend of the Liquid Sword, are both guilty favorites of mine.
Ikyotojin

03-08-07, 06:54 PM
Wow - that is a GREAT list - there are some I haven't even heard of!


Should you really include the greatest comedy? Last Samurai... I saw it in Japan and they REALLY gave Cruise a beating in the translations! The people I went to see it with were polite about it but they really didn't like him or his character.

But I have to give him some small credit - he bothered to learn enough basic kenjitsu to look good.
PuppyKhan

03-09-07, 06:58 PM
Last Samurai...

Include it. Its perfect inspiration for an OA setting. You have a mid level non-OA Fighter travel into your OA setting from some foreign land and gain a level of Samurai (or whatever) as a PrC along with some local knowledge and stays there. Could base a campaign on that premise alone - basic story for most Barbarians in D&D already. They would consider him a Barbarian that got better.

Barbarian just means someone not your culture anyway. Chinese considered most anyone else a barbarian, Mongols considered anyone from a farming culture barbaric, especially Chinese... You could probably house rule that anyone playing a character not from your OA setting is automatically a Barbarian untill they gain a level in a local class. ("What, you want to play a Marco Polo type coming for a visit? Guess what... No, I don't care if you are a Noble 2/Civilized Merchant 3, around here that makes you Barbarian 5... and not a very useful one." Got to remember to pull that one someone as a joke.)

But I have to give him some small credit - he bothered to learn enough basic kenjitsu to look good.

Its the Enter the Dragon effect... Wait, need to add Enter the Dragon! Perfect D&D module, go to this dungeon and beat this bad guy while winning his martial arts tourney!

Anyway, Hollywood has been having real fight scenes more and more since the 70s. Keanu Reeves studied Kung Fu for something like 6 months to be able to do The Matrix. Even the latest round of Star Wars movies had much better fighting and noticable style variations. Yoda doing Eagle Claw, Mace doing Katana, and don't forget Darth Maul. Sure beat the simple fencing in the first 3.
PuppyKhan

03-09-07, 07:10 PM
This is Aoki Okami: Chi Hate Umi Tsukiru Made (Blue Wolf: To the Ends of the Earth and Sea is I think how IMDB has it translated).

Saw it last Saturday...

Where?!? Can't find it showing anywhere near me. Or in the US at all.
Irving

03-09-07, 07:39 PM
It barely fits into the category, I know, but Ciruq de Soleil's Dralion is great just for visual and auditory inspiration. Some of is is just too bizaare to be useful, but at a bare minimum, the soundtrack will prove to be great background music for a game.
Lord Gwydion

03-09-07, 08:02 PM
Where?!? Can't find it showing anywhere near me. Or in the US at all.

Um, I live in Japan. :D Don't worry, it will hit the States sooner or later.
Ranger REG

03-10-07, 01:50 AM
Include [Last Samurai]. It's perfect inspiration for an OA setting. You have a mid level non-OA Fighter travel into your OA setting from some foreign land and gain a level of Samurai (or whatever) as a PrC along with some local knowledge and stays there. Could base a campaign on that premise alone - basic story for most Barbarians in D&D already. They would consider him a Barbarian that got better.
Meh. I prefer Shogun, both book and mini-series.
Ranger REG

03-10-07, 01:53 AM
Um, I live in Japan. :D Don't worry, it will hit the States sooner or later.
Really? What can you tell me about Furin Kazan, the latest Taiga Drama to hit Hawaii (via KIKU)?

(Yes, we concluded Komyo ga Tsuji about the Yamauchi Clan -- mainly Kazutoyo/Tsushima and Chiyo -- who live through the warring era and served Nobunaga, Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa.)
The Ubbergeek

03-10-07, 01:02 PM
I would just like to point out that most of the movies mentioned so far are anti-feminist in the extreme. They promote a patriarchal world view, that encourages violence against women.

They are also for a good part historical-based - to hide the fact of the heinous mysoginia of the past would be bad.
narukagami

03-10-07, 01:03 PM
They are also for a good part historical-based - to hide the fact of the heinous mysoginia of the past would be bad. Please don't feed the troll. ;)
DemetriusModicium

03-11-07, 03:12 PM
I know it is anime and not a movie. But Ninja Scroll is one of the best inspirational pieces for Oriental Adventures setting I can think of. It is one of the first things I suggest to friends looking for good Japanese

Ninja Scroll is superior! It also boasts some of the best stand-alone quotes from an anime or movie ever, such as,

Tassai: "Shut up and perhaps I'll let you live just a little bit longer! And don't let it cross your mind that I wouldn't mind raping a dead girl!"
Lord Gwydion

03-11-07, 09:06 PM
Really? What can you tell me about Furin Kazan, the latest Taiga Drama to hit Hawaii (via KIKU)?

(Yes, we concluded Komyo ga Tsuji about the Yamauchi Clan -- mainly Kazutoyo/Tsushima and Chiyo -- who live through the warring era and served Nobunaga, Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa.)

Actually, I should be watching it, since I live in the area that was ruled by Takeda Shingen, but haven't been. My wife doesn't like the jidai-geki, so she usually wants to watch something else on Sunday evenings. Sorry!
Ranger REG

03-11-07, 10:43 PM
Actually, I should be watching it, since I live in the area that was ruled by Takeda Shingen, but haven't been. My wife doesn't like the jidai-geki, so she usually wants to watch something else on Sunday evenings. Sorry!
Taiga Drama gone jidai-geki??? :uh-huh:

That's like watching a telenovela starring The Power Rangers.
Lord Gwydion

03-12-07, 12:43 AM
Okay, maybe they use slightly different terminology in Hawaii than they do here, but a "jidai-geki" here just means the literal translation, "period piece." Doesn't matter if it's camp, fantasy, action, comedy, or high drama.
Ranger REG

03-12-07, 03:47 AM
Okay, maybe they use slightly different terminology in Hawaii than they do here, but a "jidai-geki" here just means the literal translation, "period piece." Doesn't matter if it's camp, fantasy, action, comedy, or high drama.
Yeah, it's period piece, which is what Taiga Historical Drama is all about.

I tend to use it to represent a sub-genre of tokusatsu (or live-action adventure, using high-flying, wire-jumping elements like those in Ju Rangers, Kikaida, etc.), Japanese version of Wuxia.
GoriceXII

03-13-07, 04:31 AM
I would just like to point out that most of the movies mentioned so far are anti-feminist in the extreme. They promote a patriarchal world view, that encourages violence against women.

Out of curiousity would you be willing to discuss this issue in another thread? I'm rather interested in hearing what you have to say actually.
Kid SixXx

03-13-07, 02:28 PM
Out of curiousity would you be willing to discuss this issue in another thread? I'm rather interested in hearing what you have to say actually.

bellhooks was a gimmick poster who assumed the persona of this real life person (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bell_hooks) and trolled other forums.

TMK, this poster was recently banned.

Yep, I fell for the gimmick, too.
GoriceXII

03-13-07, 02:53 PM
Wow...well thanks for the tip.
Roxlimn

03-13-07, 03:27 PM
Is there any particular reason why Jackie Chan's films aren't included? There's a lot of relatively mediocre Style Vs. Style filcks he starred in, but there were greats.

Drunken Master is practically the template for the Drunken Master PrC in Complete Warrior. Seems only right that the movie should be included as inspiration.

In like manner, I'd also recommend Snake in the Eagle's Shadow.

Arahan, while modern, includes plenty of classical elements easily included in any D&D sessions, OA even moreso.
Ranger REG

03-13-07, 08:25 PM
Is there any particular reason why Jackie Chan's films aren't included? There's a lot of relatively mediocre Style Vs. Style filcks he starred in, but there were greats.
Because I get blank faces from the young'uns here who only knows Jet Li. :P

It gets worse if we mention Bruce Lee, Bruce Li (no relations to Jet), Dragon Lee, Sammo Hung, etc.
Kid SixXx

03-14-07, 07:00 AM
Because I get blank faces from the young'uns here who only knows Jet Li. :P

It gets worse if we mention Bruce Lee, Bruce Li (no relations to Jet), Dragon Lee, Sammo Hung, etc.

God forbid someone mentions Lu Feng.
Roxlimn

03-14-07, 07:54 AM
I feel so old. I'm as old as you, REG! :P
Swordsage_Master

03-15-07, 12:12 AM
I am an ancient one too. I love all the old jackie movies. But REG is right, not too many people know of anything before Rush Hour.

Most of my favorires are old school cheesy Kung Fu movies. From the Shaw Bros./Wutang etc..
Ranger REG

03-15-07, 02:19 AM
Please don't feed the troll. ;)
I'm only feeding it with puffer fish ... deliberately ill-prepared. :evillaugh
Roxlimn

03-16-07, 04:48 PM
All the more reason to include them in the list!

These young folk would do a lot better to watch the old Jackie Chan flicks than they would watching, say, Ghost Rider.
madmonk

03-18-07, 12:27 AM
Korean swordplay movies that are good (some of them have already been mentioned, but y to make list of Korean swordplay movies):

Musa the Warrior
Shadowless Sword
Duelist
Sword in the Moon
Legend of the Evil Lake
Bichunmoo
Saulabi

I really like them. Another of note for players that like monks is Geochilmaru (good look trying to find it).
Ranger REG

03-18-07, 04:00 AM
You could look at some "period" K-drama on DVDs, like Jumong.
Paragon_of_Tyr

03-18-07, 08:52 AM
Jeezus, at the Gym they were showing Snake in the Eagles Shadow... :P

I totally forgot everything inside the film 'cept for the ending when Jackie introduced his Cat style
Roxlimn

03-18-07, 09:07 AM
He developed Cat's Claw in the middle of the film. He integrated Snake Fist and Cat's Claw at the ending to evolve a style called Snake in the Eagle's Shadow, hence the name of the film.
madmonk

03-18-07, 11:52 AM
Ugh, in my korean swordplay movies I forgot Saulabi. I will add it so when the OP adds them, he will only have to cut and paste.
Does anyone knows of another korean swordplay movie?
HidaAkira

03-20-07, 04:40 AM
There is also "Snake in the Monkey's Shadow"
Evil Snake stylists go around messing things up until this one guy learns Drunken Boxing and monkey style and combines the two.
Cheesy as anything, but amusing.
Slayer_5

03-20-07, 09:25 AM
Wild Zero

Seriously, THE most realistic interpretation of Japanese mysticism and magic that has ever been put to film
Werral

03-23-07, 08:00 PM
Mr Vampire - a Chinese vampire movie with a hopping vampire where sticking ricec up your nose is a valid tactical decision.

The Hidden Blade - funny, sad, tender, brutal. Really really good

Drunk on Women and Poetry - if your players ever want to play an alcoholic artist...

Glad "Zu Warriors" is on the list because Long Brows rocks (any stats for him in D&D?
PuppyKhan

03-27-07, 01:39 PM
Look what I found:

http://www.kungfucinema.com/guide/top_10/classic_kung_fu.html
madmonk

03-27-07, 01:44 PM
Any movie with 5 stars in that website, and almost all movies with more than 3 stars, are very good. A greatly recommended site. Mark Pollard is one of the best genre reviewers out there.