Top Five Foreign Films: 2000-10
I know that seems like a pretty restrictive category, but you'd be surprised how easily it was to fill this category! My increasing enjoyment of foreign films over times means that SO many films that qualified for this category, that I simply had to narrow it down to a year range.
(1) Lust, Caution (2007) - This is an amazing film by Ang Lee. Set during WWII, and specifically during the Japanese occupation of China, this is a movie about love and espionage. An absolutely brilliant movie, and possibly one of my favorites of all time.
(2) Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) - Another brilliant film by Ang Lee. This is an epic tale that combines Lee's amazing use of character driven drama as well as breathtaking cinematography and some of the most 'graceful' kung fu you'll ever see. This is the movie that changed my mind about "reading" foreign films rather than waiting for them to be dubbed...
(3) The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (2009) - The only 'Western' film on the menu (and the first of the trilogy), this is a fantastic departure from your typical formulaic crime thriller. I now have the books on which the movie trilogy is based and have all three in my reading cue. A great story with original characters. What more could you ask for?
(4) Red Cliff (2008) - This movie is a portrayal of the Battle of Chi Ben (Red Cliffs) which occurred at the end of the Han Dynasty. This is a sweeping epic film that blows across the screen in a way that only John Woo could have pulled off. Beautiful and surprisingly thought provoking, it combines some of the best elements of large action films, such as Troy, a pinch of traditional mysticism, and the grace and cinematography of other great Chinese films like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. One of the best parts for me, is the inclusion of Tony Leung Chiu Wai who plays Zhou Yu, a much different character than the intimidating Mr. Yee in Lust,Caution.
(5) Ip Man (2008) - I think of this as the 'kung fu' version of Lust, Caution. The setting is identical and the costumes and scenery are very very similar; although the story, of course, is waaay different. This is a martial arts movie with a LOT more soul than the typical fare. It is a lot of fun to watch, and all the visual elements are in place to ensure that this is a delightful immersive experience.
