Karl Hungus recommends...

Karl Hungus

So I've been meaning to do this for a while now. I had already put up a Karl Hungus Recommends thread on the Horror board, and I've been meaning to do one here, but haven't been bored enough, I guess.

Anyway, as before, these are just films that I recommend people should see, if you haven't already. So here we go:

Brotherhood
This one was passed over for Film Of The Week this time around, but it's a phenominally good movie that deserves more recognition. It is, in my mind, one of the best war movies I've ever come across, and possibly one of the only films (Along with Empire Of The Sun) that has me in tears by the end.

Save The Green Planet
It's definetly an oddity in that it paces effortlessly between black comedy, thriller, sci-fi and drama genres, and every facet of it gets amazing detail, everything seems to blend effortlessly. Parts of the film will have you in tears with emotion, laughing hysterically, or wincing in pain. Not to mention, it's probably one of the most refreshingly original films I've seen. Just see it.

Memories Of Murder
From the same director that brought us The Host, and based on a true account of South Korea's first Serial Killer, this is one remarkable film, as it doesn't stick to the clichés of most films that deal with the subject, but focuses mainly upon the characters, and is possibly one of the best films of the genre. It isn't contrived, the characters aren't archetypes, they're very real and genuine, there's a black sense of humour at work, and it might not be what you'd expect from such a film. I would really, really recommend you see it.

Nausicaa of the Valley of the Winds
Miyazaki is easily best known for the likes of Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke and Howl's Moving Castle, but this was the film that started it all, the first Studio Ghibli production, and a thoroughly good film. I think that despite Ghibli's success after the aforementioned Spirited Away, Nausicaa seems to have stayed in relative obscurity, but it really showcases the imagination, themes and beauty that Miyazaki has become famous for.

Vital
An absolutely breath-taking film, that I recommend in full knowledge that some of you will hate it, but I feel that I must give mention of it anyway. It's almost impossible to sum up why this film had such an effect on me, but it drew me in completely, chilled me to the bone, and astonished me with some of the most incredibly beautiful scenes I've ever seen. I'm sure some people just won't get it, but I really do feel that it's really worth a watch.

Kikujiro
Takeshi Kitano is possibly one of the most skilled directors there is today, and although he's best known for his more hard hitting gangster films, or his role in Battle Royale, he's made a few films that people wouldn't really expect from him. Kikujiro is a heart-warming and often hilarious road movie about a young boy being taken to visit his mother by a troublesome wannabe thug, who develops a bond with the boy through their travels. It's a very simple little movie, but damn is it a good one.

The Plague Dogs
From the same people that brought us Watership Down. Do I need to say any more?

Sanjuro
This was the only sequel that Akira Kurosawa ever did, a follow up to Yojimbo, and it's an incredibly good film. Everything about it is just perfection, the pacing, the action scenes, and the absolutely stunning preformance from Toshiro Mifune. I don't want to give too much away, but the ending is one of the most breath taking duels ever commited to film. Well recommended.

The Woodsman
This is a film that should be seen for Kevin Bacon's preformance alone. It's an excellent film in it's own right, but Bacon really elevates it further. He's incredible, equally chilling and sympathetic in his portrayal of a convicted paedophile. It's probably not an easy watch, but it really is worth it.

Pom Poko
Another Ghibli film, this time the work of Isao Takahata, who's best known for his incredible film, Grave Of The Fireflies. But I feel this film really does deserve more attention, as it's an absolutely bonkers film about shape-shifting racoons protecting their forest from human civilisation. Quirkly, imaginative, with incredible heart and soul, and a fantastic portrayal of Japanese mythology.

Anyway, I've struggled to narrow down my selection of films, and write compelling blurbs about them. So I hope some people will enjoy my recommendations, as I know a few people here have in the past.

Rhyme

Karl Hungus wrote:

Pom Poko
Another Ghibli film, this time the work of Isao Takahata, who's best known for his incredible film, Grave Of The Fireflies. But I feel this film really does deserve more attention, as it's an absolutely bonkers film about shape-shifting racoons protecting their forest from human civilisation. Quirkly, imaginative, with incredible heart and soul, and a fantastic portrayal of Japanese mythology.

Also,

testicles

.

But yes, Nausicaa is an amazing film and worthy of all (and more) praise.

Pugsley

And I recommend the first three most definately, havent seen any of the others, must remedy that.

projectmayhem

been eyeing up brotherhood for weeks now.... this post may spur me on to renting it tonight

nacho libre

The Woodsman is a great film. I recall Kevin Bacon saying it was an ordeal just to get this film made as no studio wanted a bar of it.

Karl Hungus

projectmayhem wrote:

been eyeing up brotherhood for weeks now.... this post may spur me on to renting it tonight

You won't be dissapointed, or a 2 week ban.

BlitzKrieg

didnt think brotherhood was that great, it was good enough but nothing special in my opinion enjoyable but as a war film it has been bettered many times. On a side note I couldnt help but chuckle at how it uses almost the exact same narrative structure to titanic.

Deliverance

Pom poko was mesmerizing and an excellent, strange film. Brotherhood, I have been looking at for a while as well looks good think I'll check it out.

johnny_ultimate

Damn you and your usually correct recommendations!
Must check out Vital, sounds very interesting.

qwertplaywert

where the hell is anchorman karl!

Karl Hungus

qwertplaywert wrote:

where the hell is anchorman karl!

In the hearts and minds of all who post on this board.

s8n

I'm holding out for Angelwhore's recommendations........

Karl Hungus

s8n wrote:

I'm holding out for Angelwhore's recommendations........

Huh... I haven't been called that in a very long time, and all of a sudden, two or three people have started with it. It's a conspiracy!

Anyway, if someone would like any recommendations, feel free to ask, and I'll do my best.

Petey2006

Brotherhood, Kikujiro, Sanjuro. All fantastic films.

Karl Hungus

Petey2006 wrote:

Brotherhood, Kikujiro, Sanjuro. All fantastic films.

What did you think of the rest of the films?

Petey2006

Havenay seen yet. Will be seeking them out.

FX Meister

I haven't heard of any of those movies. I'd say most of them are rubbish.

Valmont

the woodsman was brilliant, great performances by mos def and Bacon. Unforgettable. Haven't seen the rest

paddycorry

Have seen Nausicaa recently, and it is genuinely brilliant. Kikujiro is excellent as well.

Have been working through one or two of your Asian movie recommendations karl, ... still to watch those crazy Takashi miike ones, but Seven Samurai is next, one of those 'always meant to watch it, and don't know why i never did' kind of movies... y'know the ones...

Karl Hungus

Some decent reviews there Paddy, although I disagree with your rating of Sympathy For Mr. Vengeance. 6/10? It's a far better movie than that!

flogen

get a blog like the rest of us, ffs!!!

johnny_ultimate

Karl Hungus wrote:

Some decent reviews there Paddy, although I disagree with your rating of Sympathy For Mr. Vengeance. 6/10? It's a far better movie than that!

Indeed. I watched it recently and thought it blew Oldboy out of the water. A really astonishing watch.
And I watched Vital and Two Sisters on your recommendation, Karl. Vital was.... interesting. I didnt dislike it, but I didnt particularly like it either. A weird little film. Two Sisters was much better, really worthwhile watch. Kind of went all David Lynch at the end, it did.

Karl Hungus

johnny_ultimate wrote:

Indeed. I watched it recently and thought it blew Oldboy out of the water. A really astonishing watch.
And I watched Vital and Two Sisters on your recommendation, Karl. Vital was.... interesting. I didnt dislike it, but I didnt particularly like it either. A weird little film. Two Sisters was much better, really worthwhile watch. Kind of went all David Lynch at the end, it did.

I wouldn't say it was better than Oldboy, but it really is an exceptional film.

I knew when recommending Vital that for a lot of people, it wouldn't be their thing, but I thought it was a mezmerising film.