The Foreign Film Thread

c.g._eads said:
Has anybody seen the movie "Ping Pong". I think it's a Chinese movie but it might be Japanese. Always see it at the store but don't know if it's any good.
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Dood, rent some of our picks and then hit us back on what you thought. I didn't see "Ping Pong" in anyone's list but I did see like 100 awesome movies you should be renting. Right now. :beer:
 
I've actually seen a lot more than i thought. I've seen about 90% of the ones on your list (most of which I liked) so I plan on checking the others out.

Just going on suggestions alone, I was kinda disappointed with the last couple I rented (Red and Bread & Tulips). So now I go to IMDB and make sure it's a concept I'd probably like. Of course all the ones I want to rent aren't at my store, which forces me to take chances on the ones that *sound* like they aren't my cup of tea. But yeah, that's a long way of saying that I plan on renting some more of these choices soon.
 
Many of the contributions above are truly extraordinary treats...

I don't know if these two have been mentioned, but if you're interested, you might want to take a look at particularly Rosetta and L'Enfant, along with the Dardenne brothers' other work, if time permits. The two have been Cannes darlings and have won Palme D'ors respectively.
 
You can add for example :

A wonderful Thriller
Mortelle randonnée (Deadly Circuit (USA) ) :
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084358

And if you want a very good comedy :

Le bonheur est dans le pré (Happiness Is in the Field (USA))
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112556

Both great for a saturday evening with your wife and a glass of wine !

Something completely different...
Sitcom : http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0157044

I recommend also all Emir Kusturika's movies. You can start with :
Black Cat, White Cat
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118843

And you have to watch all Ki-duk Kim's (South korean) works :

Bin-jip (3-iron) for example is an absolutely brilliant and wonderful movie
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0423866

;o)
 
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I watch a good deal of foreign films, a lot of Asian ones in particular. There are some really crazy ones out there, but many that people would enjoy. Forgive me if these have already been listed.

(in no particular order)

1. Sukiyaki Western Django

Japanese Western directed by Takashi Miike. Really crazy. Quentin Tarantino is part of the cast.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYUecko6Vd0

2. Survive Style 5+

One of my favorite Japanese films and features one of my favorite Japanese actors, Tadanobou Asano. Also stars Vinnie Jones (Lock, Stock, & Two Smoking Barrels). The art design on this movie is insane.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNJksW7SenE&feature=related

3. Naisu No Mori - The First Contact (AKA: Funky Forest)

Really REALLY bizarre. This is Japan at it's weirdest. That being said, it definately has interesting moments. Totally indie non-Hollywood type stuff but interesting filmmaking.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkbdakkgdpM

4. Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance

The first movie in Korean director Park Chanwook's Vengeance Trilogy. Good, but depressing as hell. It was my least favorite of the three.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FyK2KFjAyI

5. Oldboy

I'm sure most of you guys already know this Korean film, but in case you don't, here it is. Not only my favorite of the Vengeance Trilogy but one of my favorite films. Period.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLn1y9v6yno

6. Sympathy for Lady Vengeance

This is the final movie in Park Chanwook's Vengeance Trilogy and my second favorite of the three.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzXbV9a5GA4&feature=related

7. The Host

Korean monster movie. This one was really good, especially the acting and cinematography. Oh, and it came out before Cloverfield...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCsBMwK40hw

8. I'm a Cyborg, But That's OK

Park Chanwook's latest movie. It's more lighthearted than his Vengeance Trilogy and is endearing. Strange but in a good way.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTRJYmEhYco&feature=related

9. The Chaser

Korean crime thriller. I remember getting pretty caught up in this one. Dark and gritty as well as entertaining.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0obDVN36HDU&feature=related

10. Battle Royale

Most people know of this Japanese film but in case you haven't seen it, check it out. It's a cult classic. A little campy...maybe you can call it a Royale with Cheese but I really do like the film.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-T7yPJVvXw

11. My Sassy Girl

One of the definitive Asian romantic comedy dramas, particularly Korean. Yeah, it's a little heavy on some cheese and a little melodramatic at some points, but not so to where it's unwatchable. Plus, the main actress is really charming and fun to watch. All, I'm saying is, as far as romantic comedies go, this is a good one. (See it before the bad Hollywood remake comes out this year.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShM7loVTFlM
 
Love foreign films!
Some that are NOT to be missed are...
Caramel ( last watched)!
The Sea Inside
Bad Education
4 months 3 weeks 2 days
Talk to Her
Women on the verge of a nervous breakdown
Pans Labyrinth
2046
In the mood for love
Apu Sansar
Eternity and a day
Volver
Farewell my Concubine
Raise the red Lantern
Wings of Desire
Salaam Bombay
Baran
Children of Heaven
Color of Paradise

Check out http://culturazzi.org/review for more reviews that do justice to all these beautiful films with many more of such great recommendations!
 
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Oh man, I caught "My Sassy Girl" the American version (what an awful title. Did they use it cause it's a literal translation from the Korean one?) and it was just awful. Awful awful awful. I am going to go on record as saying that Elisha Cuthbert is one of the worst actresses working today. She plays a drunk girl how 2 13 year old girls would pretend to be drunk at a sleepover. It's really cringe-worthy. Jesse Bradford is okay. But even he, sometimes, seems to be looking at her saying "What are you doing?" On an unrelated noted, absolutely gorgeous cinematography. I want to work with whoever shot this.

Not saying this is a reflection of the Korean version at all. Watched the trailer and the girl looks super-cute so I may still check it out. But man, what an awful film.
 
If you consider Canada foreign (or not) check out work by Guy Maddin. Criterion recently released Brand Upon the Brain! which is a film everyone should see.
 
If you haven't seen "Once", you're missing a really good film. It's Irish. It's music. It's two people in the leads who have never acted before, but who are incredibly good musicians. Shot with 2 digital camcorders over a 3 week period on a budget of 100,000 Euros. Won an Oscar and 13 other awards. Was nominated for a Grammy and 17 other nominations. Well worth 86 minutes of your time.
 
Wong Kar Wai (in addition to those already mentioned)- Chungking Express
- Happy Togeather

Pen-Ek Ratanaruang
- The Last Life in the Universe

Akira Kurosawa
- Rashamon (one of the best movies ever made!)
- Seven Samurai
- Yojimbo

Federico Fellini
- 8 1/2
- Roma
- La Strada
- La Dolce Vita

Ang Lee
- Lust, Caution

Francois Truffaut
- Breathless
- Shoot the Piano Player
- Jules et Jim

Jean Renoir
- La Grande Illusion

Zhang Yimou
- Ju Dou
- Raise the Red Lantern

Anh Hung Tran
- The Scent of Green Papaya

Jean Luc Godard
- Contempt

Alfonso Cuaron
- Y Su Mama Tambien
 
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