Japanese Movies/Discussion/Recommendations

Geezer wrote:Oh, and I knew there was something I came in here to say. (Easily distracted when it comes to Suzuki movies)

I finally got to see the 1974 season of the Zatoichi [/i]TV Series

I know, it's TV not movies, but they've just been released on DVD, and the Zatoichi fans are over here, so I thought this was the place for a comment.

I have to say I was pleased and suprized when I got the disc.

I was expecting grainy video, lots of cheap interior shots, and a basically inferior product.

Happily, what I found were 6, 46 minute long, Zatoichi movies. It was done on the same film stock. They had the same sets available, and all the extras and talented stunt men they needed.

So for me, as a Zatoichi loon, getting to see these episodes was like finding buried treasure.

Katsushin was still in his prime when he did these, and he clearly wanted to keep the quality up.

Nice to know... I've a gaping hole in my DVD collection when it comes to the deadly blind masseuse... I hope to rectify that situation.

When I get a second job. :beaten: :sweat:

BMW

I'd actually rate Tokyo Drifter as better. Loved them both, but a bit more went into Drifter.

There's a lot of experimentation going on in Tokyo Drifter. Different ways to use film, camera angles, and sets, to tell a story.

As pure movie, it's good. But if you pay attention to some of the things the director was trying (for the first time anywhere) it becomes something special.

Geezer wrote:BMW

I'd actually rate Tokyo Drifter as better. Loved them both, but a bit more went into Drifter.

There's a lot of experimentation going on in Tokyo Drifter. Different ways to use film, camera angles, and sets, to tell a story.

As pure movie, it's good. But if you pay attention to some of the things the director was trying (for the first time anywhere) it becomes something special.

Looks like I'll be adding that to my wish list.

BMW,

By the way... Now that you've seen Branded to Kill, you might be interested in taking a look at 2001's Pistol Opera, staring Makiko Esumi.

Pistol Opera is a remake of Branded to Kill. Done by the same director, Suzuki (he was in his 90s when he did it). Esumi takes over Jo's role as the #3 killer.

It's the same story, but Suzuki isn't, couldn't be, static as a creative artist. This is more than just doing the movie in color and putting a woman in the lead role.

It's a trip to watch one right after the other.

Geezer wrote:BMW,

By the way... Now that you've seen Branded to Kill, you might be interested in taking a look at 2001's Pistol Opera, staring Makiko Esumi.

Pistol Opera is a remake of Branded to Kill. Done by the same director, Suzuki (he was in his 90s when he did it). Esumi takes over Jo's role as the #3 killer.

It's the same story, but Suzuki isn't, couldn't be, static as a creative artist. This is more than just doing the movie in color and putting a woman in the lead role.

It's a trip to watch one right after the other.

Cool.

Thanks for the recommendation.... Now I've gotta dig it up somewhere.

Speaking of Pistol Opera, here's a DVD Beaver review: http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/DVDReview2/pistol-opera.htm

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While we're on the topic of Seijun Suzuki films, has anyone seen his latest one, Princess Raccoon? It's a musical! :hehe: Hopefully I can check it out soon.

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Some reviews:
http://www.brightlightsfilm.com/49/princess.htm
http://www.cinemastrikesback.com/?p=317

DougFunnieee wrote:While we're on the topic of Seijun Suzuki films, has anyone seen his latest one, Princess Raccoon? It's a musical! :hehe: Hopefully I can check it out soon.

A musical??? :headscratch:


That's outta left field. ;)

bmwracer wrote:
A musical??? :headscratch:


That's outta left field. ;)

Yup! It's a musical!

A lot of the Odagiri Joe fans have checked it out. The reviews there are not so great. Even I didn't really like it all that much, though the movie did have it's moments. :P

I saw Shunji Iwai's latest flick last night, "Hana and Alice." It's about the friendship of two girls. One of them falls for a guy she sees on the train, and when she witnesses him bang his head and become momentarily unconscious while walking down a street, she convinces him that she is his girlfriend. She also convinces him that he doesn't remember this because she tells him that he has amnesia! :rofl: Needless to say, things get more complicated from there.

It's a very charming and innocent film, and not to mention very beautiful. Highly recommended! :thumbsup:

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bmwracer wrote:Since you guys are talking about essentially B-movies, have any of you seen Branded to Kill?

That is one bizarre, wacky movie.

And what is with Shishido Jo and those hamster cheeks of his? :headscratch: :hehe:

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Numba One Killer.... :bow:

DougFunnieee wrote:...
It's a very charming and innocent film, and not to mention very beautiful. Highly recommended! :thumbsup:

...

That sounds good and funny. Thanks. :D

Ooo! Thanks for the heads-up on "Hana and Alice" Doug.

I'm a big Shunji Iwai fan.

Can someone recomend me more movies like:
A Day On The Planet
Blue Spring
Ping Pong
Go (my favorite)
Swing Girls
Waterboys

I like movies about highschool/college students.

Instead of recommending a particular film, I'd like to recommend a director: Yoji Yamada. IMO he is Japan's greatest living live-action director, and he's got the stats to back him up. Four of his films have won the Japanese Academy Best Picture Award (no other director has won it this many times). He has been nominated eight times for Best Director by the Japanese Academy Awards and has won that honor three times. He has also been nominated eight times for Best Screenplay and has won that award three times. As of 2005, he has 68 credits as a director; 93 credits as a screenwriter; and I'd estimate probably close to 80 credits as a producer. His films have collectively earned more money at the Japanese box office than any other director in Japanese cinematic history. His Tora-san series (48 movies over a 28-year period) were responsible for keeping one of Japan's Big Three studios (Shochiku) afloat. Born in 1931, he is still going strong; he is set to direct his third consecutive period film (all his previous films were set in contemporary times) later this year starring Takuya Kimura. One reviewer has written that in every Yamada film, he strives to make the audience both laugh and cry. Having watched a lot of Yamada's films, I'd say he succeeds in this endeavor. His films move seamlessly from the comic to the dramatic, which is no small feat. Characteristically, his films are sentimental without being corny. All his films focus on working-class people who struggle to do their best for themselves and their families. Younger audiences find his films to be old-fashioned, and it is true that most of his films target middle-aged and older people. But, so what? His film successes, both financially and critically, are beyond dispute. Even though he is for the most part unknown in the West, he is one of the great names in Japanese cinematic history, and I would recommend his films for anyone who wishes to see the product of a master storyteller and craftsman. BTW, here is a list of his four films which have won the Japanese Academy Award for Best Picture (all of them are available with English subtitles): Tasogare Seibei (Twilight Samurai); Gakko I (A Class to Remember); Musuko (My Sons); Kofuku No Kiiroi Hankachi (Yellow Handkerchief).

Good write-up. :thumbsup:

I still have to watch "The Hidden Blade" myself.

DVD Beaver review of Gojira (Godzilla, to us Americans): http://www.compare.dvdbeaver.com/film/DVDReviews20/godzilla_dvd_review.htm

And no Raymond Burr in sight. :thumbsup: :hehe:

DougFunnieee wrote:Good write-up. :thumbsup:

I still have to watch "The Hidden Blade" myself.

Thanks for the compliment. Hidden Blade--Yamada's most recent film, a very good movie and a prime example of Yamada's ability to mix comedy and drama together in a natural flowing way. I think it is wonderful that, in the latter stage of his career, he has chosen to tackle period movies, the most recognizable form of Japanese cinema both in Japan and internationally. I think both Hidden Blade and especially Twilight Samurai compare favorably with other iconic period dramas by the likes of Kurosawa, Kobayashi, Inagaki, Gosha, and Okamoto.

DVD Beaver comparison of The Mysterians: http://www.compare.dvdbeaver.com/film/DVDReviews12/mysterians.htm

Anyone got info or review on this one? It's Maid in Akihabara or ‚Ü‚¢‚Ç in@‚ ‚«‚͂΂ç (maido in akihabara)BIt looks funny. :beaten: :hehe:
Release Date: 2006/02/24 to buy



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