The HDC Asian Horror/Exploitation Top 100 compilation

[_____V_____]

Why am I not surprised at all? ;)

[ChronoGrl]

Thanks for the nomination, NE!

I would be honored to assist in the judging, but there are still so many movies that I have yet to see.

Also, I think that picking "Top 100 Asian Horror Movies" is tough. Just like any Western set of horror movies, there are just as many Asian additions to the sub-genres of horror - I'm not sure that "Asian" should be considered a sub-genre.

Originally Posted by _____V_____

I wouldnt class Oldboy as horror either. Versus, however, comes under the genre because of the subject elements.

We have to draw a line somewhere. I think the debate is open for Ichi, Audition and Tetsuo type flicks. I d like to hear more on this from everyone.

See, I would have to argue with you here. I think that Oldboy and Lady Vengeance most certainly qualify for horror. With Oldboy, Park is exploring Gothic Horror (dickensian horror) to its extremities. It's horrifying. It's pulp. And it's iconic. It's the struggle of the human condition against itself and against all odds. And there are certain twists in the film that are honestly horrifying.

It's the same argument that Doc uses for Ichi - It's as much psychological horror as it is pulp action. I would definitely consider Oldboy horror.

[_____V_____]

That is why the topic will be open for discussion once the deadline for submitting lists is over.

I have received 3 small lists from Ferretchucker, bwind & scouse mac, and a slightly longer one from NeverEnding so far. Also, I have made my own list of recs of about 60-odd flicks for this compilation. Awaiting more entries from all the gurus of Asian and J-Horror in HDC right now.

[ChronoGrl]

You know what? I deserve no title of judge. I've been Googling "Top/Best Asian Horror" to refresh my memory, and there are a SCORE of movies that I haven't even SEEN that keep appearing on these lists:

• Pulse (Kairo)
• Kwaidan
• Onibaba
• Ringu
• Cure
• Suicide Club
• Rahtree: Flower of the Night
• Chinese Ghost Story
• Uzumaki
• Versus
• Evil Dead Trap
• Entrails of a Virgin
• Dark Water

[crabapple]

I have not seen all of the movies mentioned, but because they are two of my favorites and I am well familiar with them, I submit "A Chinese Ghost Story" ("Sien nui yau wan," and it's actually from 1987, my mistake) and "Mad Doctor of Blood Island" with a strong vote of personal approval, and I'd be happy to review both of them if blurbs are needed.

[roshiq]

Originally Posted by ChronoGrl

See, I would have to argue with you here. I think that Oldboy and Lady Vengeance most certainly qualify for horror. With Oldboy, Park is exploring Gothic Horror (dickensian horror) to its extremities. It's horrifying. It's pulp. And it's iconic. It's the struggle of the human condition against itself and against all odds. And there are certain twists in the film that are honestly horrifying.

It's the same argument that Doc uses for Ichi - It's as much psychological horror as it is pulp action. I would definitely consider Oldboy horror.

Though there's always been an argument that Park's Vengeance trilogy shouldn't be consider or tagged into Horror genre rather than should grouped as a revenge flick but I'm here also like to agree with Chrono besides the fact that we are actually huge fan of the trilogy:D.
I think the way Park leveled the 'revenge' issue in this films could be marked as the worst nightmare for any human being for example how about the most disturbing twist of Oldboy? How could a man bear that kinda shocking & horrifying truth for the rest of his life? Besides the unique storyline with convincing amount of gore & torture parts the viewers here also confronting the moral dilemma of the characters & situations in a horrified way that can even able to left an impact for a long time. Same thing goes for Mr. and Lady Vengeance also.

Now, what about Memories of Murder? Like David Fincher's Zodiac it was also based on true events of serial killings by a murderer who never get caught, and it's also not a typical serial killer movie..more than that. Instead of focusing on the murder scenes and shocking images like most conventional serial killer films, the movie puts much more time and details into the story, its characters and the situation of the time the incidents took place. If we can categorized Zodiac as Horror then why not Memories of Murder? To some extent personally I feel MOM is more compelling and chilling than Zodiac.

My another consideration goes for Battle Royale as a survival horror which I believe is easily going to secure a place in the top 10!

[roshiq]

Originally Posted by ChronoGrl

You know what? I deserve no title of judge. I've been Googling "Top/Best Asian Horror" to refresh my memory, and there are a SCORE of movies that I haven't even SEEN that keep appearing on these lists:

• Pulse (Kairo)
• Cure
• Rahtree: Flower of the Night
• Chinese Ghost Story
• Uzumaki
• Evil Dead Trap
• Entrails of a Virgin

I like to add the following films with chrono's list:

• A page of madness (1926)
• Song at the night (1937)
• Ugestu Mongatari (1953)
• Jigoku (1960)
• Matango (1963)
• Woman in the Dunes (1964)
• A Chinese ghost story (1987)
• Untold story (1993)
• 301-302 (1995)
• Perfect Blue (1998)
• Tell me something (1999)
• The Echo (2004)

So the thing Chrono said same applied for me also. But right now watching Onibaba at youtube (already completed 6 out of 11 parts!) and will watch Kairo next!:)

[Disease]

I think "The Host" should be included.

[Despare]

Originally Posted by ChronoGrl

• Pulse (Kairo)
• Kwaidan
• Onibaba
• Ringu
• Cure
• Suicide Club
• Chinese Ghost Story
• Uzumaki
• Versus
• Evil Dead Trap
• Entrails of a Virgin

All of those will be on my list for sure (well, I'll have to watch Cure and H again to make sure they're both deserving as I remember them being very similar) and you need to check them out Chrono. Ringu was ok but it's a landmark film so I can see it being included.

Originally Posted by Disease

I think "The Host" should be included.

It will be on my list as well, one of the best creature features to come from the East in quite some time.

[Angra]

1. Ju-on
2. A tale of two sisters
3. Kairo
4. One missed call
5. Re-cycle
6. Uzumaki
7. Ringu
8. Reincarnation
9. Ju-on: the grudge 2
10. Shutter
11. Imprint
12. Audition
13. Vampire hunter D: bloodlust
14. The host
15. Suicide club
16. The eye
17. Inner senses
18. Ichi the killer
19. Sisily 2km
20. Dark water
21. R-point
22. Save the green planet
23. Ghost actress
24. The dollmaster
25. Ghost tunnel
26. Three... extremes 2
27. We're going to eat you
28. Haunted school
29. ringu 0
30. Ju-on: the grudge
31. ringu 2

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Worth mentioning:

1. Spirited away (not really horror, but it contains lots of ghosts and monsters)
2. Tomie - rebirth (not a fan of the Tomie franchise, but Takashi Shimizu's contribution is by far the best in the series, imho)
3. Bhoot (interesting because it's Indian and because of some very good performances by the lead actor and the guy playing the cop)
4. Kwaidan (just because it's a classic)
5. Wild Zero (Cult)
6. Sairen (Because it's better than the games) :D