Japanese Movies/Discussion/Recommendations

Geezer wrote:A.D.

For what it was worth... you're welcome.

In terms of the period, and again having to do with the Shinsengumi, I'd recommend "When the Last Sword is Drawn".

Instead of trying to make heros out of the Shinsengumi as a whole... this one tells the story of one lower level country Samurai who... in a desperate attempt to feed his family... leaves home and joins the Shinsengumi.

It's beautifully filmed, has an amazing cast, and it's a bit easier to follow what's going on, since it's coming at you from one guy's point of view.

But understand, anything to do with the Shinsengumi will have to be, in the end, a tragic story.

Good recommendation, Geezer. I'm sure having Miki Nakatani in it made it even more entertaining for you. This movie is more of a character study of two disparate individuals rather than just your typical Shinsengumi story (of which there have been many film versions). That said, there is enough action, at least in the first two-thirds of the movie to satisfy chambara fans, and the cast is excellent. It is a little off-putting however, to see Yuji Miyake play the head of a clan--he is so ingrained in my mind as one of the co-hosts of Dotchi no Ryori that I tend to forget he is also a veteran actor.

bmwracer wrote:
I agree.

Katsu Shintaro must be rolling in his grave.

Beat Takeshi's Zatoichi--all flash and zero substance, a visually impressive film but lacking the soul and humanity of Katsu-shin's original. Speaking of Katsu Shintaro, can anyone think of another pair of siblings whose talents and careers can match those of him and his older brother Wakayama Tomisaburo?

tried watchin Warau Michael but gave up after 10 minutes. i'll try again later.


the CG and BGM are way too corny

monta wrote:tried watchin Warau Michael but gave up after 10 minutes. i'll try again later.


the CG and BGM are way too corny

Honto ni. :bleh:

That freaking CG dog is ridiculous. :shakehead:

DVD Beaver reviews Criterion's Three Films by Hiroshi Teshigahara: http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film2/DVDReviews32/three_films_hiroshi_teshigahara.htm

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shin 2

can anyone think of another pair of siblings whose talents and careers can match those of him and his older brother Wakayama Tomisaburo?

So many. The Barrymore's come to mind first, for me at least.

Remember, theater, acting, has really always been a "family business". There's nothing odd at all about sons, daughters, grandkids following their folks onto the stage.

Though Julia Roberts has done a far better job of maintaining her success, she was just following her far more talented (though more troubled) brother Eric, into the world of acting.

Was he referring to just Japanese film?


Hmm, I can think of Shirley MacLaine and Warren Beatty, Olivia de Havilland and Joan Fontaine... :)

BMW

I don't know the Japanese families, but considering Japan's rich theatrical history I have no doubt there arre many others.

Ooo! I forgot to mention the Beery's. Wallace Beery. Noah Beery. Noah Beery Jr.

I have to stop this or I'll spend the rest of the night making lists.

finished Warau Michael

this is a horrid not worth watching live action.

how did the girls suddenly change into Fantastic 4 (containing Charlie's Angels + a corny dog)

it's so cheesy. not only they couldn't get a dog,

Spoiler — click to reveal

they used a CG Juri-chan

eeeekkk.... :bleh:

monta wrote:finished Warau Michael

this is a horrid not worth watching live action.

how did the girls suddenly change into Fantastic 4 (containing Charlie's Angels + a corny dog)

it's so cheesy. not only they couldn't get a dog,

Spoiler — click to reveal

they used a CG Juri-chan

eeeekkk.... :bleh:

Yeah, it's a sad, awful movie, despite Juri-chan's presence. :bleh:

bmwracer wrote:Was he referring to just Japanese film?


Hmm, I can think of Shirley MacLaine and Warren Beatty, Olivia de Havilland and Joan Fontaine... :)

Sorry, I should have been more specific--yes, I was referring to Japanese cinema. In terms of siblings, after further thought the only pair I could come up with whose careers might approach those of Katsu/Wakayama are Tsugawa Masahiko and his older brother Nagato Hiroyuki: both have had long careers and are highly recognizable actors/directors in various mediums as well as being members of the Makino family who have been a strong presence in Japanese cinema since 1906. If you expand it to parent/child pairs, Fuji Junko (mother)/Terajima Shinobu (daughter) and Matsumoto Koshiro (father)/Matsu Takako (daughter) come immediately to my mind as prominent actors/actresses.
In terms of American/English acting families, I'd also throw in the Marx Brothers (seriously), especially Groucho and Harpo, to those names mentioned by Geezer and bmwracer.

My best friend and me lived for a while in Japan and we are looking for the title of a movie released around November, December 2006 in Japanese theatres.
Everytime we went to the movies, we saw the trailer and the story intrigued us - it was about a young man who hides for some reason or other in the house of a blind woman, sheLs unaware of his presence though, not knowing that sheLs being constantely observed by him. In one scene he protects her from falling objects when stumbles against her shelves.
:sweat: I know itLs a bit vague, but thatLs kind of all what we could grasp with our limited Japanese :banghead:

Any ideas???

bmwracer wrote:
Yeah, it's a sad, awful movie, despite Juri-chan's presence. :bleh:

not to mention Atsuko-san didn't wear a bra

monta wrote:not to mention Atsuko-san didn't wear a bra

LOL.

Or it was really cold.

Or both. :hehe:

EstherM wrote:My best friend and me lived for a while in Japan and we are looking for the title of a movie released around November, December 2006 in Japanese theatres.
Everytime we went to the movies, we saw the trailer and the story intrigued us - it was about a young man who hides for some reason or other in the house of a blind woman, sheLs unaware of his presence though, not knowing that sheLs being constantely observed by him. In one scene he protects her from falling objects when stumbles against her shelves.
:sweat: I know itLs a bit vague, but thatLs kind of all what we could grasp with our limited Japanese :banghead:

Any ideas???

I believe the movie you are talking about is Waiting in the Dark (Japanese title: Kurai tokoro de machiawase). I really enjoyed this film, left a pretty deep impression on me.

It's starting to get a little bizarre as to how I always seem to have the answer to your questions specifically. Hope I'm not giving off a creepy stalker vibe =P

sucigam wrote:

I believe the movie you are talking about is Waiting in the Dark (Japanese title: Kurai tokoro de machiawase). I really enjoyed this film, left a pretty deep impression on me.

It's starting to get a little bizarre as to how I always seem to have the answer to your questions specifically. Hope I'm not giving off a creepy stalker vibe =P

Just googled "Kurai tokoro de machiawase" and itLs the movie I was looking for!!!! :dancing:
Thanks so much for your help!!!! Please continue the stalking hehehe

That movie looks interesting. I've got it downloading now :)

About the film, "Waiting in the dark/Kurai tokoro de machiawase", I have never seen it, but I want to....but this is not an horror film, right? I can't seem to be able to stand horror films nowadays, or any film that has too much sexual scenes ^^;;;;

And has anyone seen Ooku yet? The new film starring Yukie Nakama? I'm just curious to whether it's a good film to watch or not.

*Sayaka* wrote:About the film, "Waiting in the dark/Kurai tokoro de machiawase", I have never seen it, but I want to....but this is not an horror film, right? I can't seem to be able to stand horror films nowadays, or any film that has too much sexual scenes ^^;;;;

And has anyone seen Ooku yet? The new film starring Yukie Nakama? I'm just curious to whether it's a good film to watch or not.

I watched "Waiting in the dark" last night and I really liked it. ItLs definitly not a horror/action movie nor does it have any sexual scences. On the contrary, itLs slow, touching and sad at times. ItLs about a young Chinese-Japanese whoLs suspected for murder and hides in the house of a blind girl who at first is unaware of his presence.

EstherM wrote:

I watched "Waiting in the dark" last night and I really liked it. ItLs definitly not a horror/action movie nor does it have any sexual scences. On the contrary, itLs slow, touching and sad at times. ItLs about a young Chinese-Japanese whoLs suspected for murder and hides in the house of a blind girl who at first is unaware of his presence.

Sounds very interesting. Thanks for the info, EstherM. I will definitely check it out. :woot: