Japanese Movies/Discussion/Recommendations

I just finished Shindou :applaud: I guess it has been said here before but itLs warmly recommended.

Has anyone seen Tokyo Sora? Is it any good?

EstherM wrote:I just finished Shindou :applaud: I guess it has been said here before but itLs warmly recommended.

I enjoyed Shindou as well.

I recently saw the 2005 film Su-ki-da starring a young Aoi Miyazaki and Eita as well as Hiromi Nagasaku and Hidetoshi Nishijima who play the same respective characters, only as adults years later.

This was literally and figuratively a "quiet" film...a movie of exceedingly little dialogue and one very quiet in terms of tone and temper. The film requires a bit of patience in that it starts out very slowly with very little said at all b/n the central characters but much emotion is conveyed notwithstanding the solitude of various moments, even when both characters are onscreen.

Hiromi Nagasaku who played Aoi Miyazaki's character (Yu) later on in life as an adult did an impressive job. In fact her performance is what drew me into the film as it began to pick up from the almost mundane pace of the first half. Her acting was perfect in terms of portraying the character later on in life...truly.

The film is slow, but is so intimate in its focus it really feels "real." Midway through I didn't think I would like this film, but I'm glad I finished it.

As much as I like dramas, the level of acting in Japanese films tends to be of a much higher order, I believe. I'm sure the superior quality of the material inputs (i.e. scripts, direction, cinematography) has something to do with that, among other things.

Tu_triky wrote:

I enjoyed Shindou as well.

I recently saw the 2005 film Su-ki-da starring a young Aoi Miyazaki and Eita as well as Hiromi Nagasaku and Hidetoshi Nishijima who play the same respective characters, only as adults years later.

I really wanted to see this movie for Nagasaku Hiromi because I think she's great. Makes me want to watch it even more after reading your review. Also, it's astonishing how much Hiromi and Miyazaki Aoi look alike.

sadacori wrote:

I really wanted to see this movie for Nagasaku Hiromi because I think she's great. Makes me want to watch it even more after reading your review. Also, it's astonishing how much Hiromi and Miyazaki Aoi look alike.

Oh my gosh you totally just read my mind!! :mrgreen:

I was just about to post the following pic in order to mention that Hiromi Nagasaku really does look like an older version of Aoi Miyazaki.

[image]

Don't worry, I'll send you a copy of the film :)

Tu_triky wrote:

Oh my gosh you totally just read my mind!! :mrgreen:

I was just about to post the following pic in order to mention that Hiromi Nagasaku really does look like an older version of Aoi Miyazaki.

Don't worry, I'll send you a copy of the film :)

Recently, I watched a Nagasaku drama and it's just scary how in certain angles, I thought she could've been Miyazaki. I still prefer Nagasaku though.

Thanks for the offer to send me a copy, but you already did. :) I just need to author it to DVD so I can watch it on my TV. :)

sadacori wrote:

Recently, I watched a Nagasaku drama and it's just scary how in certain angles, I thought she could've been Miyazaki. I still prefer Nagasaku though.

Thanks for the offer to send me a copy, but you already did. :) I just need to author it to DVD so I can watch it on my TV. :)

Oh I did!? :doh: I forgot which films I gave you...I'm slippin' :beaten:

I definitely would like to see some of her performances....she was great in Sukida. I was really impressed.

Tu_triky wrote:

Oh I did!? :doh: I forgot which films I gave you...I'm slippin' :beaten:

I definitely would like to see some of her performances....she was great in Sukida. I was really impressed.

I can send you Shuumatsukon, but I have to buy blanks first. Less than 2 weeks and it's almost gone. :sweat:

DVD Beaver review of the Criterion/Eclipse Mizoguchi's Fallen Women: http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film2/DVDReviews42/kenji_mizoguchis_fallen_women.htm

(click to enlarge image)
[image]

Dori and Tricky

I wish you guys wouldn't compare Nagasaku Hiromi to Aoi Miyazaki.

I've only just discovered Nagasaku and I'm busy building a mental pedestal for her.

While I've gone completely off Miyazaki.

Geezer wrote:While I've gone completely off Miyazaki.

Did Astuhime have something to do with it? :beaten:

Geezer wrote:Dori and Tricky

I wish you guys wouldn't compare Nagasaku Hiromi to Aoi Miyazaki.

I'm not comparing them at all. Just noting how they look similar.

Geezer wrote:Dori and Tricky

I wish you guys wouldn't compare Nagasaku Hiromi to Aoi Miyazaki.

I've only just discovered Nagasaku and I'm busy building a mental pedestal for her.

While I've gone completely off Miyazaki.

Hehe.

I agree with cori...physically they do have an uncanny resemblance...nothing more. Sorry if it has burst your bubble, so to speak. I, too, have only recently discovered her...only by watching Sukida.

sadacori wrote:

I can send you Shuumatsukon, but I have to buy blanks first. Less than 2 weeks and it's almost gone. :sweat:

Sure that'd be cool. :)

Thank ye.

sadacori wrote:

Recently, I watched a Nagasaku drama and it's just scary how in certain angles, I thought she could've been Miyazaki. I still prefer Nagasaku though.

Which drama are you referring to? I'm interested in finding out.

Tu_triky wrote:

Which drama are you referring to? I'm interested in finding out.

Nagasuku was in one episode of Jikou Keisatsu (ep 3? 4?) [/list:u]

gaijinmark wrote: Nagasuku was in one episode of Jikou Keisatsu (ep 3? 4?) [/list:u]

Thank you...I noted that from her Dramawiki listing. I know you were quite enthusiastic about Jikou...too many dramas, not enough time. I have made a mental note of Jikou though.

As I said above, I think to a large extent Japanese cinema has more to offer in terms of quality performances, stories, and production values. In any event, I think many would agree Japanese cinema is far more nuanced and sophisticated vis-a-vis dramas, especially in light of the current trend of Japanese dramas. I like to mix 'em up, films and dramas so as not to get burned out on either.

BMW

Did Astuhime have something to do with it?

I think so. Before atsuhime I'd seen a couple of her movies and liked her. Now? I can't get through anything she's in.

As to Nagasaku Hiromi looking like Aoi Miyazaki? Thank Santa I haven't seen any resemblance at all yet.

Mark Yup. I went back and watched her episode of Jiku again.

She's also the Guest Star in the final episode of Shukan Maki Yoko.

Maki and Nagasaku skipping through a whole episode together. Now that's a lot of talent on screen at one time. [/b]

Geezer wrote:
As to Nagasaku Hiromi looking like Aoi Miyazaki? Thank Santa I haven't seen any resemblance at all yet.

Geezer, have you seen Sukida? There is a serious resemblance there...chalk it up to makeup or whatever, but it is quite undeniable.

In any case, I agree with you in the sense that I'm glad I've discovered her talent as an actress.

Tu_triky wrote:

Which drama are you referring to? I'm interested in finding out.

I only saw her in "Kin no Tamago," "Shuumatsukon," and "Aoi Tori," but I liked her in all three dramas. Maybe we should create a thread for Nagasaku so we can discuss her instead of this movie thread. :sweat:

Going by that pic, I can't see much of a resemblance either.

Geez, you'll have to let me know when you've finished the Maki Yoko series, it sounds very interesting.