This classic animated movie takes place in a the futuristic Neo-Japan. Two of the main characters in the movie are Kaneda a bike gang leader and his best friend Tetsuo. While rivaling another gang they get involved in a secret government project known as Akira. As the story evolves and the pair are faced with corruption and greed Tetsuo’s supernatural abilities that liken him to Akira ultimately lead to a final battle in the Tokyo Olympiad where Akira’s secrets were buried 30 years ago.

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When I think of Jackie Chan there are many movies that come to mind, but I have watched none as many times as the 1994 Comedy Fu classic Drunken Master 2 (the American title was later changed to The Legend of Drunken Master).  In it Chan returns to play the role of Wong Fei-Hong, an expert at drunken boxing. The plot is pretty basic, but the overall combination of slap-stick comedy and incredible fight choreography leave me in awe every time I watch this movie.

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The 2003 movie Oldboy is the second in a trilogy known as The Vengeance Trilogy. While not my favorite of all three movies it is probably the most well know. This is the story of Oh Dae-Su, who is imprisoned in a hotel room for 15 years and then released with no explanation as to why he was confined and released. When he is released falls for a young chef, but then must learn who his captor is and figure out why he was imprisoned or his new love interest will be killed.

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The 2003 movie Azumi is an extremely violent movie based off of a popular Japanese manga series. Orphaned because of the war Azumi is raised with a group of other orphans by a master assassin with just one purpose: to kill upon command, anytime, anywhere, without question. In a bid to restore peace to a war-torn nation, the master assassin orders Azumi and her fellow orphans to eliminate several rival warlords. As she carries out her assignment, Azumi begins to question her task and her fate.

This movie is awesome fun and has some fantastic fight scenes. The acting is good and overall it is a very watchable movie, but be forewarned this movie is long! like 2 1/2 hours long… So invite some friends over, make some popcorn and enjoy a totally kick ass movie!

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The 1998 movie The Bird People in China (also known as Chûgoku no chôjin) by director Takashi Miike, is about a young Japanese businessman sent by his company to evaluate precious Jade found in a remote Chinese village. One his way there he meets a yakuza who was sent to tail him to protect his bosses interest in the company. When the men finally arrive their mission becomes sidetracked by their interest in a mysterious young village girl and the secret that makes men fly like birds.

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The 1992 movie Hard Boiled is a Hong Kong film by legendary director John Woo. If you love non-stop action movies this is one that can’t be missed! Chow Yun Fat is the star actor and he doesn’t disappoint as he shows us a million and one different ways to kill people. This movie is just nuts with action! Its got guns, grenades, machine guns, semi automatic weapons, bombs and explosions everywhere and every second.

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The 1993 movie Green Snake is a Hong Kong film adapted from a novel by Lilian Lee. It is based on an old Chinese folk tale about the White Snake and Green Snake.

The movie is part fantasy, part super natural, and part Wire Fu. It is about two snake spirits that are in training to take human form. Because Snakes are evil they are constantly battling with several crazed Taoists and a Buddhist monk. There are many WTF moments in this movie and some of the special effects are super cheesy.

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The 2002 film The Twilight Samurai (also known as Tasogare Seibei) is a Japanese film that takes place in mid-19th century Japan (a few years before the Meiji Restoration). It follows the life of Seibei Iguchi, a low-ranking samurai employed as a bureaucrat. While he is poor, he is also very content. He comes to realize true happiness in life with his daughters, senile mother and an old childhood friend. While the film is based on a samurai, it severely lacks action scenes and instead chooses to focus on the emotions of a samurai.

The movie was directed by Yoji Yamada and won many Japanese film awards. It even received a nomination for the 2002 Academy Awards for best Foreign Language Film (although it did not win).

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Sometimes more can be said by not saying anything at all. I think that was the premise for the movie 3 Iron (aka Bin Jip). In this story a young man breaks into the homes of vacationers and essentially lives their life for the night. He is even kind enough to repay them for their unknowing hospitality by doing their laundry and fixing things that are broken around their house. Everything takes a turn for him when one of the homes he breaks into is actually occupied by a beautiful woman who is hiding in her home from her abusive husband.

There is very little dialog in this entire film. That is part of the allure that drove me to watch this film. I was not let down one bit. This movie absolutely moved me!

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The main character on one of the longest running television shows in Japan is Zatoichi. The movie 2003 movie by the same name provides closure to the long running series. Just who is Zatoichi? Well he is a blind swordsman. This film has it all; sword fights, Yakuza gangs, hell even geisha girls (who aren’t quite what they seem). The film is perhaps almost as famous for its unique CGI effects used for blood splattering as it is for reviving this famous role. I really recommend checking this one out.

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