Japanese Movies/Discussion/Recommendations

Proving once again that I'll watch anything Miki Nakatani is in... I watched Silk last night.

Picture molasses trying to run out of a tree on a really really really freakin' really cold day.

I checked some reviews over at yahoo and the comments that stood out were; "Don't blame the actors!" and "Hollywood can't figure out what to do with Asian actors"

Okay, don't blame the actors. This picture boasted Miki Nakatani (in a small part), Koji (in a small part) Alfred Molina (in a small part) and Keira Knightley (in a small part).

The lead role was played by some guy named Michael Pitt. He had a big part. Unfortunately this guy couldn't carry a McDonald's Commercial much less a movie.

As to Hollywood's problems with Asian actors. Let's give Hollywood a break this time. This was a big expensive movie, but it came from a French novel. The movie was written by a French writer. It was Directed by a French director. And it was filmed in, and financed by, companies in Japan, France, Italy, and Canada.

Hollywood had nothing to do with this egregious waste of time.

The scenery was grand. And the costumes were terrific. Miki looked fabulous dressed in the height of 19th century French fashion. And Koji looked fearsome dressed as a 19 century Japanese warlord.

Now, if there'd only been a plot. A story. A reason to sit there and stare at the screen for 2 freakin' hours. But there wasn't.

DVD Beaver review of Mizoguchi Kenji's Chikamatsu Monogatari and Uwasa no Onna: http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film2/DVDReviews35/chikamatsu_uwasa_no_onna.htm

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I saw Kamome Diner last night and really enjoyed it.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0483022/

If you're looking for a rock'em-sock'em, fast paced, fists of fury type movie... this ain't it.

This is a quiet story about a Japanese woman -- Staomi Kobayashi -- who moves to Finland on her own, and opens a diner.

No oversized drama. Just a story about some people from different backgrounds, different countries and cultures, who meet, become friends, and learn how to make a decent cup of coffee.

Satomi Kobayashi is, as always, wonderful. Masako Motai is a jewel in this one. And Hairi Katagiri finally gets to play something other than a comic book character. And I thought she did a great job.

Geezer wrote:I saw Kamome Diner last night and really enjoyed it.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0483022/

My old track record is lookin' pretty good...it seems.

I look forward to this one sometime in the future.

I downloaded 2 J-movies over the weekend.... Ishihara Satomi's 2007 movie Hotai Club http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0949804/
Still trying to find subs for it though.

And also from 2007, Ekusute http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0904049/ which is a horror movie about women's hair extensions that attack them :crazy: At least subs are available for it.

Anime Dad wrote:
And also from 2007, Ekusute http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0904049/ which is a horror movie about women's hair extensions that attack them :crazy: At least subs are available for it.

:rofl: creative plot :rofl:
reminds me of some manga but canLt remember which one

I've been having a great time watching some wonderful older movies, thanks to shin2.

I got to see the second and third installments of the Gakko series.

These movies take a look at different aspects of education. The first was about a night school class. The second about a school for the mentally handicapped. And the third, about a group of adults who'd lost their jobs (when the bubble burst) and had to go back to trade school to learn how to do a new job.

Always interesting characters, always terrific actors and actresses, and though never showy... always compelling.

I also had a great time watching Junko Fuji's farewell, retirement film... "Red Cherry Blossom Family" (1972)

This film brought to an end Junko's long string of Gambler Woman, action films for Toei studios. And man, was it ever a star turn. The plot? The action? Everything took second place to Junko's slow, graceful movements, her close-ups, her dancing, her gentle waves to the audience. And in the end, a bow, and a good-bye to all her loyal fans. (I've never seen anything like it in a movie before or since.)

She was off to get married, and the theaters would never be bright again.

Of course she was back doing movies two years later, and hasn't slowed down since. (She's teamed with Ken Takakura in 16 films over the years.)

Her daughter, the one she "retired" to have, is Terajima Shinobu. If you look her up in the data base, or on wikki, you'll see that she's had one heck of a good career as well.

Re: Junko Fuji, if anybody is interested she is in the asadora Tenka although she's credited as Sumiko Fuji, but as sure as the world, that's her.

gaijinmark

Re: Junko Fuji, if anybody is interested she is in the asadora Tenka although she's credited as Sumiko Fuji, but as sure as the world, that's her.

Yup. Click back one page in this thread.

This evening I watched "Musko" ("My Sons"). But I"m gonna need a week or two to decide whether it's the ultimate downer, or one of the most optomistic films I've ever seen. It could go either way.

Interesting how the "little" films demand some thought, some reflection... maybe even some debate. Where the big splashy flicks just are what they are, and require no thought at all.

Geezer wrote:gaijinmark

Re: Junko Fuji, if anybody is interested she is in the asadora Tenka although she's credited as Sumiko Fuji, but as sure as the world, that's her.

Yup. Click back one page in this thread.

That's her alright. I wonder what the deal was with the name change? [/list:u]

gaijinmark wrote:Re: Junko Fuji, if anybody is interested she is in the asadora Tenka although she's credited as Sumiko Fuji, but as sure as the world, that's her.

Her birthname is Terashima Sumiko; I guess she decided to go back to being Sumiko.

Is there a way I get a hold of a copy of Tenka?

Geezer wrote:

This evening I watched "Musko" ("My Sons"). But I"m gonna need a week or two to decide whether it's the ultimate downer, or one of the most optomistic films I've ever seen. It could go either way.

Yes, the ending of Musuko is certainly open to contrasting interpretations. Wistfully optimistic or harshly realistic?

Yamada Yoji is one heckuva filmmaker, ain't he?

Glad you're enjoying the movies, Geezer.

Anime Dad wrote:
And also from 2007, Ekusute http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0904049/ which is a horror movie about women's hair extensions that attack them :crazy: At least subs are available for it.

ah yes, this one. i plan on watching it this saturday. the Chiaki Kuriyama one right?
lol, weird theme. but i just love the artsy cover

it's got an okay rating at imdb too (looking at the fact that people there nearly always gives only 1 star for movies that they don't like)

gaijinmark wrote: That's her alright. I wonder what the deal was with the name change? [/list:u]

My guess is that Toei Studios owned the name, Fuji Junko. (Think of it as a brand name.)

There's a gap in her film history from 1979 to '89. Before '79 everything she did was for Toei. After '89 she seems to have worked for everyone but Toei. And that's when she started working as Fuji Sumiko.

just finished watching 2 movies

1- Sukida starring Aoi Miyazaki
I thought this movie was sooooo slowwwww.. and i think this movie has the least words spoken and far in between.. hehe.. I read few reviews recommending it, but im quite dissapointed.

2-Ryu Ga gotoku
Although i didnt really understand the plot and how each character was related to each other.. haha.. but i really liked this movie.. guess maybe the figthing scenes and the actors were really cool.. thumbs up for this one. :)

Speaking of Sumiko Fuji, she's in Manami Konish's latest movie, Sweet Rain Trailer:http://www.nipponcinema.com/trailers/sweet_rain_shinigami_no_seido/

gaijinmark wrote:Speaking of Sumiko Fuji, she's in Manami Konish's latest movie, Sweet Rain Trailer:http://www.nipponcinema.com/trailers/sweet_rain_shinigami_no_seido/

Thanks for posting the link. This movie looks great. I'm happy Konishi is getting better roles. :woot:

JackClark wrote:I'm happy Konishi is getting better roles. :woot:

So am I. :victory:

just saw Exte a.k.a Hair Extension. it's kinda nice to see a horror movie without this little ghoul girl doing all the killing :beaten:

next is Sukiyaki Western Django. did a sneak-peak. all of the casts are seriously talking in engrish. no subs. i hope this isn't gonna be hard...

holy cow!!

i give 10/10 for Sukiyaki Western Django

this movie is just stylish!