I like action Asian cinema. A lot. Some of them are familiar gems where as others are obscure and unknown. Here are my favorite films from Asia (in no particular order).

1. The Killer

Arguably one of the most famous Hong Kong action films of all time, The Killer stars Chow Yun Fat, Danny Lee, and Sally Yeh. Chow Yun Fat plays Ah Jong, a remorseless assassin who on his final job accidentally blinds Jenny (played by Sally Yeh), a night club singer. Filled with regret and slowly beginning to fall for Jenny, Ah Jong signs up for one final hit that will help pay for eye surgery. Yet this time around, a no-nonsense cop by the name of Li Ying (played by Danny Lee) is determined to bring Ah Jong to justice.

While "The Killer" was never really popular in its homeland, it has reached considerable success overseas. This John Woo classic has inspired several American directors, especially Robert Rodriguez and Quinton Tarintino.

2. Fists of Legend

A South Korean sports drama starring Hwang Jung-min, the film follows Im Deok-kyu, a former Olympic hopeful turned down on his luck noodle chef. As a former street fighter, he often tested himself in fights in his youth. This has gotten the attention of a fighting tournament that pits street fighting "legends" against actual fighters. The legends get twenty million won for every round they survive. Im Deok-kyu sees this as both a way to provide for himself and his daughter and redeem himself for his past mistakes.

Note that there is a Jet Li film called Fist of Legend. This film I am discussing is FISTS of Legend.

3. Old Boy

Based off the Japanese manga of the same name, this Korean adaption follows Oh Dae-su (played by Choi Min-sik), who is trying to find out why he was imprisoned for twenty years in an unknown facility. When he finally gets out, he attempts to unmask a conspiracy filled to the brim with taboo sex and violence. With the help of his newfound friend and lover, Mi-do (played by Kang Hye-jung), he goes to find the truth... no matter how much it will hurt him.

4. Saiyuki Western Django

This over the top Japanese western film directed by the infamous Takashi Miike follows a nameless gunman (played by Hideaki Ito), who is meddling in the Heike and Genji clan feuds for profit. The meddling eventual turns into a plot for vengeance... and a way for the nameless gunmen to earn some gold in the process.

And that's it for this list! I plan on extending this list for all Asian films, not just action films. Stay tuned.