Japanese Movies/Discussion/Recommendations

Finally watched Odoru Daisousasen 3. It follows the template established in the original TV series and found in each of the succeeding made-for-TV specials and theatrical movies. As an OD fan, I thought it was OK, but not as good as the first two OD films or the first character-spinoff movie (the one based on Yusuke Santamaria's character). I think those familiar with the OD franchise will recognize the many (perhaps too many) references and characters from previous OD works, and it was neat how the late Ikariya Chosuke's character was acknowledged and even incorporated into the story. But the plot was kinda mediocre, the villains (and why they did what they did) weak, and that was why I didn't think it measured up to previous OD stories.

^ agreed, I enjoyed OD3 but I already can't remember any of the villains.


I watched Surely Someday directed by everybody's favorite teen idol (pun intended and especially directed towards BMWRacer) Oguri Shun. But all joking aside, respect for not wanting to be just another teen idol.

And his first work is not that bad, he has the right contacts and was able to put together a lovely cast. He professionally mixes flashbacks and several stories lines. But unfortunately the story (yakuza versus losers chase) has been done a million times before.

Next up for me: Trick 3, hopefully somewhere this week.

^^ I just watched that recently too, had low expectations going in and wasn't disappointed, what a horroble film it ended up being though for the first half had the potential to be good and just flooped. :bleh:

Actually been more into the real older movies lately, more the period in the decade right after the war.
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Lightning, directed by Mikio Naruse who really has a style quite like Ozu, I'm getting hooked on his films and the ones more with Hideko Takamine who I've really become a big fan of, :woot: that's her on the DVD cover.
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Latest watch was a newer film, well it was new as it was in color, previous 10 or so had all been in B & W. Le Rendez-vous (Yakusoku), from 1972 and directed by Koichi Saito, really was a dark and interesting 'love story' that was doomed from the start. :puppydog: It was inspired so heavily from the French 'new wave' genre, the only reason you didn't think it was a French film because of the language but the whole mode from the music to the clothing was anything but Japanese. :sweat:
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Recent watch was my oldest film to date, An Inn in Tokyo, a 1935 Ozu effort. Was also his last silent film, don't know if I've ever watched one, bit different, was a bit of a sad and depressing movie, think I read somewhere this was the most depressing one he ever did, lot of it was based on him growing up in poverty. :(
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OK, the only reason I decided to watch Penguins in the Sky--Asashiyama Zoo (Asahiyama Dobutsuen Monogatari) was because Nishida Toshiyuki was in it. The plot summary I read--based on a true story, it's about the northern-most zoo in Japan which is faced with closing down because it can't attract enough visitors--led me to have low expectations. Well, it turned out to be a decent movie. A kid-centric, family type film (well, except for the brief scene which showed two elephants vigorously copulating), it presented a number of themes typical to that genre of movie: respect all living creatures; be nice to everyone, even those who might be different from you; death is just a part of life; stand up for what you believe in. Having Nishida and more than half a dozen very recognizable character actors, along with cameos by Amami Yuki and Manda Hisako helped make the story more palatable for me, as did Tsugawa Masahiko's deft direction (Tsugawa himself is one of the best character actors in Japan). While I probably won't watch this movie again, I was glad to have the chance to view it one time.

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Halfway, it's from 2009 starring Kie Kitano and Masaki Okada. Has become for some strange reason a fave of mine, :victory: have viewed it 3 times in the last month. It's a teen drama but done in a mature way, no idols or J-poppers, just a solid story and good acting...it's about a couple who start to date in their senior year in HS, takes place in Hokkaido where she plans on staying to go to college but he was planiing on going to college in Tokyo, should he stay there to continue his education or leave? Really recommended, though it's a teen drama think we all can relate with them, it's a good family film too. :mrgreen:
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Subbed trailer- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIjOje9-4e4

Itazura ichiban wrote:

I exist to serve, oyakatta-sama! ; :bow:
;) It's playing in San Jose.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgPC74-Tde8

Yes! I finally made an opportunity to watch this movie. What a bloodbath! Lots of action! It's probably got more katana-on-katana action than any film in history. ;) Tsuyoshi Ihara's lionlike persona made a powerful impression.

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It seems to have taken some elements from the venerable Seven Samurai, in that a certain number of samurai are recruited, and the final warrior doesn't quite fit in.

But I'd say that the comparison only goes so far. These are not ronin, fighting for ideals above that of the samurai - in fact it's about the samurai and their duties. It may be a good film to for someone who asks for a film about samurai.

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Itazura ichiban wrote:

Yes! I finally made an opportunity to watch this movie. What a bloodbath! Lots of action! It's probably got more katana-on-katana action than any film in history. ;) Tsuyoshi Ihara's lionlike persona made a powerful impression.

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It seems to have taken some elements from the venerable Seven Samurai, in that a certain number of samurai are recruited, and the final warrior doesn't quite fit in.

But I'd say that the comparison only goes so far. These are not ronin, fighting for ideals above that of the samurai - in fact it's about the samurai and their duties. It may be a good film to for someone who asks for a film about samurai.

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13 Assassins is a great movie. Very entertaining. By the way for Netflix users, this film will be available on disc starting July 5, 2011.

I got a really nice treat this weekend. A friend who knows I like Japanese movies gave me a DVD with the two tax woman movies (Marusa no Onna 1 and 2), a German release with German dub only unfortunately but still ...

It was really fun to watch, I only had seen them once together with my step dad, on German TV in the 80ties.

EstherM wrote:I got a really nice treat this weekend. A friend who knows I like Japanese movies gave me a DVD with the two tax woman movies (Marusa no Onna 1 and 2), a German release with German dub only unfortunately but still ...

It was really fun to watch, I only had seen them once together with my step dad, on German TV in the 80ties.

You can download those films via bittorrent from ADC... Not sure if there are any seeders, though.

bmwracer wrote:
You can download those films via bittorrent from ADC... Not sure if there are any seeders, though.

Cool, thanks! It would be nice to watch the original dialogue although the German dub rocked. Usually when they dub Japanese movies here in Europe, they try to recreate formal speech but then the dialogue sounds always Shakespearian or at least 19th century. And if the setting is contemporary that's just horrible. So I was happy to see that the translators had some fun with Taxing Woman!

^^ There are actually quite a few seeders for the first film so it'll download in no time for you. :mrgreen: First one is no doubt a classic, thought the sequel was only so-so, probably just trying to cash in from the success of the first. :bleh:

EstherM wrote:Cool, thanks! It would be nice to watch the original dialogue although the German dub rocked. Usually when they dub Japanese movies here in Europe, they try to recreate formal speech but then the dialogue sounds always Shakespearian or at least 19th century. And if the setting is contemporary that's just horrible. So I was happy to see that the translators had some fun with Taxing Woman!

I find it very hard to watch dubs of any sort... I just find them annoying.

bmwracer wrote:
I find it very hard to watch dubs of any sort... I just find them annoying.

I second that, don't know how others can watch them, would rather try reading their lips. :nut:

^ agreed but some countries in Europe are quite resistant, France, Germany and Spain for instance dub everything. :shamefulcry:

Thanks god for DVDs, Blurays, the internet and Norther European TV. :mrgreen:

EstherM wrote:^ agreed but some countries in Europe are quite resistant, France, Germany and Spain for instance dub everything. :shamefulcry:

Same here in hte U.S.: Apparently Americans don't like to read subtitles... Or can't read at all.

Thanks god for DVDs, Blurays, the internet and Norther European TV. :mrgreen:

Right on. :victory:

EstherM wrote:Next up for me: Trick 3, hopefully somewhere this week.

Okay, finally catched up with Trick 3. What can I say, it's like going home to my parents house. Everything is nicely familiar and comfy.

But I also felt something that ressembled boredom! I started to wonder, am I getting tired of the Trick universe? :sweat:

EstherM wrote:Okay, finally catched up with Trick 3. What can I say, it's like going home to my parents house. Everything is nicely familiar and comfy.

But I also felt something that ressembled boredom! I started to wonder, am I getting tired of the Trick universe? :sweat:

As the saying goes, "Familiarity breeds contempt."

DVD Beaver review and comparison of High and Low: http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/dvdcompare/highandlow.htm

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