Joined: 14 Feb 2009 Posts: 6884 Location: Syracuse, NY Country:
Posted: Fri Dec 24, 2010 4:58 am Post subject:
bmwracer wrote:
It's pretty much like American films of today: more box-office driven than quality driven... And more times than not, a mediocre product.
Sadly you're right, I've noticed that trend too much from them the last few years, guess that's why I try to stick with the older ones. For good stories, plots and over acting hard to beat those pre 1975 ones, though not always. _________________
Re: Ozu Yasujiro--As a non-fan of Ozu, I'd like to recommend a film that I think Ozu fans will like: Musuko (My Sons), made in 1991. While the style and technique is different from Ozu, the themes addressed are similar: filial piety, family conflict, loneliness, sacrifice, issues with the elderly. The movie won the Japan Academy Award for Best Picture, Best Actor (Mikuni Rentaro) Best Supporting Actor (Nagase Masatoshi), and Best Supporting Actress (Wakui Emi). Give it a shot Ozu fans; I think you won't be disappointed.
Joined: 15 Jun 2004 Posts: 46182 Location: Los Skandolous, California Country:
Posted: Fri Dec 24, 2010 1:14 pm Post subject:
I watched Kurosawa's Yojimbo earlier this evening. One notices how many other filmmakers borrowed heavily from his work when thinking about it retrospect.
I watched Kurosawa's Yojimbo earlier this evening. One notices how many other filmmakers borrowed heavily from his work when thinking about it retrospect.
Yup.
Now you need to watch the sequel, Sanjuro... With an eye-popping closing duel.
Joined: 13 Feb 2010 Posts: 189 Location: Ontario Country:
Posted: Sat Dec 25, 2010 1:35 pm Post subject:
Until The Lights Come Back: Christmas film with an ensemble cast who interconnect with each other after a downed satellite causes a black out in Tokyo. Including an ex con trying to reunite with his first love, a young man who befriends a model with a secret, and a candle shop owner has a crush on the bartender who has issues of his own across the street. Those are just a few of the characters you meet in this very enjoyable movie with a great cast that feature surprising twists during the course of the movie. I've had the DVD for a few years now and it's nice to revisit once in a blue moon. Might not be a Christmas classic, but an enjoyable film nonetheless.
Welcome to the Quiet Room: Uchida Yuki channels her inner Girl, Interrupted and One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest. I was in the middle with this one, but after thinking about it after awhile I'm leaning towards positive. Wasn't expecting many comedic situations, but to me it made the film a lot more enjoyable to watch. I've become a fan of Uchida Yuki, she was tremendous along with her supporting actor buddy Aoi Yu, who stole the show with her small screen time. Surprised to see Tsukamoto Shinya, but thankfilly no power drills were shown during his time on screen.
Only problem I had with the film was the ending, just thought it was cruel what Uchida did.
If being a prolific accomplished filmmaker were not enough, at aged 79 Yamada Yoji can add novelist to his resume:
Film director Yamada writes 1st novel on childhood of Tora-san
TOKYO �\
Acclaimed Japanese film director Yoji Yamada has written his first novel on the childhood of Tora-san, the main character of his hit movie series �e�eOtoko wa Tsuraiyo�f�f (It�fs tough being a man).
The novel titled �e�eKekko Kedarake�f�f (a slang expression meaning �e�egood enough�f�e) is being carried as a series in a biweekly Tora-san magazine launched Thursday by publisher Kodansha Ltd, Yamada said in a press conference Wednesday.
The novel, written in the style of a monologue by the main character Torajiro Kuruma, depicts his childhood, which has not been shown in the long-running film series.
�e�eIt would be wonderful if the novel is adapted onto the screen,�f�f said the 79-year-old Yamada, who marks the 50th anniversary of his debut as a film director this year.
The late actor Kiyoshi Atsumi played Tora-san and actress Chieko Baisho, 69, played his younger sister Sakura in the film series.
A total of 49 movies, including a special edition, were released from 1969 to 1997 in the series, according to its distributor Shochiku Co.
For old farts like me, the Tora-san movies are a great watch.
Joined: 13 Feb 2010 Posts: 189 Location: Ontario Country:
Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2011 3:20 pm Post subject:
bmwracer wrote:
You can download that Ozu movie and others from asiandvdclub.org.
Nice. Will check them out.
Couldn't sleep that night so watched it anyways, I thought it was ok from what I remember. Definitely will give it another go in the near future when I'm not fighting to keep my eyes open, hehe.
Jigoku: Shocked when I saw this airing on TCM, but glad I gave it a go. Incredible movie, considering it was made back in 1960. What they were able to pull off was aw-inspiring, I can imagine what the audiences were going through when they saw this in theatres. Film is a slow burn, but gradually picks up until shit hits the fan for the final act. For a horror move, I didn't find it scary at all, but was very impressed with how crazy Hell looked with such a small budget (Just a guess), yet I didn't find it cheesy or cheaply done. Nakagawa Nobuo goes balls out with this one, I have to check out the rest of his work. Great stuff.
Safe to say Kitano's done better. I was kind of disappointed in it. If you like a lot of violence (and I mean a LOT of violence!!) then you might like it. The only positive for me was Shiina Kippei as Kitano's #2 , Mizuno. I was surprised he did so well as a yakuza!
The other thing I can't figure out is, at the end of the credits they say there's going to be an "Outrage 2" this Fall, but
Click on button to reveal/hide spoiler:
How can you have an "Outage 2" when everybody gets killed in the first "Outrage"??
Joined: 13 Apr 2007 Posts: 12121 Location: It was fun while it lasted. Country:
Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2011 9:07 am Post subject:
Takashi Yamazaki to direct third "Always" film in 3D
Wed, January 19, 2011
The hit 2005 movie "Always: Sanchome no Yuhi" is getting another sequel. Takashi Yamazaki is once again taking the director's chair for "Always: Sanchome no Yuhi '64," which will be shot in 3D. Returning cast members reportedly include Hidetaka Yoshioka, Shinichi Tsutsumi, Koyuki, Maki Horikita, Masako Motai, Tomokazu Miura, and Hiroko Yakushimaru.
Yamazaki directed the first film based on Ryohei Saigan's manga "Sanchome no Yuhi" in 2005, which earned 3.5 billion yen and won many awards. Yamazaki delivered the sequel "Always: Zoku Sanchome no Yuhi" in 2007, grossing 4.56 billion yen and winning several more awards.
The first two films were set in Tokyo during the late '50s, as Tokyo Tower was being built. The new movie will be set in 1964, the year that the Summer Olympics were held in Tokyo. Although that was not part of the original manga, Yamazaki showed the proposal to Saigan and obtained his approval.
Shooting started on January 12 and will wrap up in late April. Theatrical release is planned for the first half of 2012.
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guess that's why I try to stick with the older ones. 
For good stories, plots and over acting hard to beat those pre 1975 ones, though not always.
It's got Nagase so it's gotta be good, he's one of my top 2 or 3 actors. 
gonna go grab it there, probably the only place for it.
