NYAFF 2011- What are looking forward to and what have we seen?

On the twitter account of Subway Cinema, the guys behind the New York Asian Film Festival asked what films we were looking forward to at this years festival?

The short answer is all of them. I now it's a cop out but in truth we at Unseen are going to try to see them all, after all we did see almost all of the films last year, and we're aiming to do it again.

Mondocurry is on record as saying that he's looking forward to seeing City of Violence and especially Battle Royal, which is at last getting a big screen US showing. He also wants to see all of the Korean thrillers series : Sea of Revenge.

Myself I'm looking forward to the New Johnnie To film Punished. Of course there is the world premiere Takashi Miike Ninja Kids, the adaption of Tezuka's Buddha (a series of books I treasure), Ringing in the Ears from the director of the 8000 Mile films plus five or ten others (you guys know me, so you know I'm not kidding).

This looks to be a kick ass year.How certain am I? We've already reviewed five of the titles (several twice)

Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame, just missed being on my 10 best list when I reviewed it last year, but it jumped up to being one of the best films in 2011 when I saw it at Tribeca. It also floored Mondocurry when he saw it at Tribeca as well.

Reign of the Assassins was on my best of 2010 list. Its a wonderful story that about more than just fighting. I can't wait to see this on the big screen.

13 Assassins is coming in the full uncut version. I've written this up twice.I've seen it a couple of times and I can't wait to see it again completely. It's easily one of the best films of 2011. A MUST see on the big screen.

Raw Force (aka Kung Fu Cannibals) is a midnight movie classic. It's not perfect but its a great deal of fun. I can't wait to see how this plays in a theater full of people.

Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky is another great over the top take no prisoners midnight style movie. Its a must see film with a roomful of cranked up movie lovers. Its very violent in a cartoon sort of way so if you don't like blood stay away- but if you can take you really should see it.

That's all we've reviewed here at Unseen (so far), but we have seen another 6 or 7 other titles (Blade, Dragon Inn, Battle Royal, Versus, City of Violence...) but we're going to hold off reviewing them until closer to time. I will say they are all good with some even must see classics that can now be seen on a big screen.

As always with the NYAFF if you see something you think you'd like GO. The odds are you won't hate it, and even if you don't love it odds are you'll at least like something in it, since the worst that can be said about a NYAFF film is it's an interesting misfire.

For now that's it on NYAFF. Until there is more news (say the schedule) we'll be some what quiet until just before the festival starts.

If you want a taste of years past click on the NYAFF tags in the side bar to see the links to last years coverage (nyaff 2010) and reviews from previous years (nyaff).

ADDENDUM: The screening schedule goes up around June 13th with tickets on sale shortly after....(per Marc at SUBWAY CINEMA)