21. Survival Style 5+ (Gen Sekiguchi, 2004, Japan)
Both the director, Gen Sekiguchi and the scriptwriter, Taku Tada, made their debut with this particular film, since their previous works were almost exclusively music videos. The fact mirrors in the aesthetics of “Survival Style 5+” that sometimes are similar to a music video and sometimes to an anime; the pace is rather fast, the colors are particularly vivid, the humor abysmal, and the absurdity omnipresent. (Panos Kotzathanasis)
22. Symbol (Hitoshi Matsumoto, 2009, Japan)
Hitoshi Matsumoto proved once more with this film that his logic applies solely to him and can be quite incoherent when somebody else tries to figure him out. The movie revolves around two axes. In the first one, a Japanese man wakes up in his pajamas in a white room without doors. Eventually he discovers a switch and when he pushes it, a number of random objects appear from every direction that may help him escape, including a pink toothbrush and a rope. The second ones takes place in a dusty village in Mexico, where a masked wrestler is about to fight a crucial match. His family is also present, although they are anxious due to his unwillingness to compete.
Although the second axis seems realistic enough, this is nevertheless another absurd film by the master of the kind, a fact that becomes evident by the hilarious way the two stories eventually combine. Even more hilarious and impressive is the striking finale, where the film's technical prowess also becomes clear. (Panos Kotzathanasis)
23. The Mole Song: Undercover Agent Reiji (Takashi Miike, 2014, Japan)
In fact, “The Mole Song” is one of those unashamedly entertaining comedies, to be taken for what it is. A good thing that comes with the lightness of the plot is that it leaves mind-space for a full enjoyment of the other aspects of the movie, such as the bold and eclectic production design, the stunning hairdos and costumes (Papillon's suits are to die for) the yakuza's rituals, the lysergic color scheme and, not last, a barrage of silly gags. (Adriana Rosati)
24. The Odd Family: Zombie on Sale (Lee Min-jae, 2019, S. Korea)
The deep meaning and social criticism behind the movie (notably on a gender point of view) could be discussed, but it is more interesting to focus on the comedic aspect. Indeed, the movie manages to be funny throughout its whole duration. It starts strong, keeps making you laugh and ends up still entertaining. This should be underlined, as making people laugh is not an easy task. And the comedy comes from different places: absurd situations, slapstick comedy, parody, and a play with references and genres, which counts on the viewer's knowledge of pop-culture, making the process even more enjoyable. (Oriana Virone)
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25. Zone Pro Site: The Moveable Feast (Chen Yu-hsun, 2013, Taiwan)
“Zone Pro Site” is one of those shamelessly silly, goofy, quirky, but not stupid films. It is is one roller coaster ride in full colour, mostly cute pastels. It plays with names, homonyms, absurdity, and slapstick. It has a surprise at every corner even if you think it cannot surprise you more. Yet, the film takes itself and all the fun with all due unrestricted seriousness. Especially when it comes to tradition, family, and food. After all, its very concept is built as a celebration of Taiwanese traditional and movable out-door banquet bandoh. (Anomalilly)
