Before we all get sucked into compiling "best of 2004" lists, what is everybody most looking forward to seeing in 2005?
I haven't been keeping up properly on upcoming releases, so my list right now is pretty short. And it's a little weird, as only one of these three films is yet to be released. But I'm thinking of theatrical screenings (not DVD) ...
.... and based on my list for last year -- I'm still waiting for local theatres to screen BRIDE AND PREJUDICE and 2046 (ironically, it's the cult films like BATTLEFIELD BASEBALL that end up here first, probably because San Francisco is a city full of fanatic festival types) -- it's impossible to guess how long it will take for which new films from Asia to show here.
There's some hope: Cannes honorees OLDBOY and NOBODY KNOWS are slated for spring releases in the U.S., as well as KUNG FU HUSTLE (I guess the distributor has learned a lession from SHAOLIN SOCCER). And EROS, but no date yet for 2046 -- what's going on there??! I'm hoping that THREE EXTREMES and 20:30:40 may show up at local film festivals or indie theaters, as well as NEW POLICE STORY and some other Asian films that may be a bit under my radar at present but may provide some nice surprises.
Anyway, here are my top three film wishes for 2005:
SEVEN SWORDS -- a new Tsui Hark wu xia pian film, yay! I'm hopeful about this one, and maybe recent history with HERO and FLYING DAGGERS will get it to the U.S. quicker (and non-mangled).
GODZILLA: FINAL WARS -- opened a few weeks ago in Japan, but I've not read anything about a Stateside release (except for the world premiere in Hollywood ....). After seeing the trailer about a zillion times during Godzillafest, I'm more than ready for major city-stomping!!
DAYS OF BEING WILD -- yes, this is a few years old, but in conjunction with the new WKW remastered releases Kino is sending DAYS around the U.S. through next Spring (San Francisco on February 25th!! Check the Kino web site for a full listing). I've never seen this in a theater and it's probably the one film I'm most excited about seeing in 2005.
So, what's on your wish list?
I haven't been following Asian cinema as closely as I used to, but here are a few I am looking forward to:
GODZILLA: FINAL WARS - like you I am eagerly awaiting some city stomping. I am interested to see what Kitamura has done with the series.
TOM YUM GOONG - probably my most anticipated 2005 release. A re-teaming of the ONG BAK team with a budget of $3,000,000. I can't wait to see what they have in store for the audience in terms of stuntwork.
THE MYTH - I haven't been impressed by anything Jackie Chan has done in the last 5 years, but the fact that this has him reteaming with director Stanley Tong is enough to get me interested in seeing it.
KUNG FU HUSTLE - hopefully this one will make it to multiplexes here in the US and I will get to see my first Stephen Chow film theatrically.
GODZILLA FINAL WARS was horrendous... but, it seems that the folks who have seen the film are split; I was a fan of Kitamura, and was incredibly let down, while others thought it was a great tribute to the series.
Various reviews can be seen at
http://www.monsterzero.us and
http://www.fangoria.comGlad those who went, had a good time at Godzillafest back in November
http://www.sfgodzillafest.com -- it was a lot of hard work, and I'm glad that it paid off with capacity turn-outs and many happy movie-goers! :)
THE PROMISE - Chen Kaige costume drama
TOM YUM GOONG - after ONG BAK, I think many a martial film fan is as excited as I'm about this one.
SEOUL RAIDERS - the only, only reason for that is my Tony love :) (and I'm one of the few who actually liked TOKYO RAIDERS but not enough to anticipate a sequel)