Japanese Cinema

[Professor Chaos]

I'm a big fan of the Toho studio monster movies (Godzilla, Mothra, etc.), and am familiar with the works of Kurosawa, who seems the best known to western film buffs. Beyond that

ViewingKon Ichikawa'swonderful The Burmese Harp recently got me to thinking that there's likely more for me to discover.

All genres, high and low art considered. Thanks in advance

[myrman]

What aboutsome Korean cinema. Iflike monsters check out 'The Host'. Its great

[Dazen1]

Anything by Takeshi Kitano especially Sonatine & Zatôichi.

And too many great films to mention can be found here: mandiapple

[Thierry Henry]

One from me... Ring.

Forget the Hollywood remake of a few years ago, this film is brilliant. Giving me goosebumps just thinking about it - really, really scary.

Just read the review of it in Dazen's link, which scores it like this:

Entertainment value: 100/10
Sex: 0/10
Violence: 1/10
Supernatural Death Rate: 6 bodies in total
Appearances of Evil Incarnate: only 4, but boy, they're good!
Appearances of actual paranormal events: 1*
Scare Factor: aaaargh!/10

* According to the review, unintentional footage of a real ghost (eek, I didn't know that!)

[Chumpy]

I know nothing about it remembering too much from 30s-40s, but recently a daughter has been making us watch Japanese manga-anime DVD stuff with nice stories. The stories are nice/the animation not up to Disney 'Tarzan' quality (I am an ardent Aardman purchaser).

Studio Ghibli.


Hiro in 1st 1 1/2 series of Heroes seemed ok.

[jonjin]

Chumpy wrote:

I know nothing about it remembering too much from 30s-40s, but recently a daughter has been making us watch Japanese manga-anime DVD stuff with nice stories. The stories are nice/the animation not up to Disney 'Tarzan' quality (I am an ardent Aardman purchaser).

Studio Ghibli.


Hiro in 1st 1 1/2 series of Heroes seemed ok.

Why must everything be measured to Disney standards. The Ghibli animations are more dreamy... they look like paintings. Makes a change from the computer CGI that is becoming so common. Plus the storylines are more serene and peaceful. I can't understand why most cinema need to pack 10 different things into every 2 seconds to keep people's attention.

Spirited Away is still my top favourite!

[karlinamillion]

Try;

Tampopo, Woman of the Dunes, and for a laugh Mr Vampire.

[Samantha]

Spirited Away is my fave of the animations.

As far as scary goes, I think "Audition" is the one that bothered me the most.

[meninblack]

Anything by Akira Kurosawa

[drmattx]

I would recommend yoyo girl cop or as it know in japan "Sukeban Deka: Kodo Nemu" its actually hilarious

Here's the plot outline:

"Recruited by a clandestine police organization, "K" must stop a plot by student radicals to create anarchy in Japan. Armed with a hi-tech steel yo-yo, and a new name (Asamiya Saki), she must infiltrate an elite high school to find the terrorists but finds an even more sinister plan is about to unfold."

[Professor Chaos]

Appreciatedall

I guess I could have made it Asian cinema in general, come to think of it.

I saw bits of Zatoichi, and always meant to get back to it. Thanks for the reminder and the link Daren.

Ju-On (The Grudge) was a smart, entertaining horror flick of the kind Hollywood has forgotten how to make, so if Ring is of the same type, I think I'll enjoy.

Studio Ghibli. Oh yes! Loved Princess Mononoke. Will check out Spirited Away.

Yoyo Girl Cop and Mr. Vampire sound right up my alley

[myrman]

Gotta recommend the following:

Oldboy, A Tale of Two Sisters, Brotherhoodand A Bittersweet Life.

[meninblack]

myrman wrote:

Gotta recommend the following:

Oldboy, A Tale of Two Sisters, Brotherhoodand A Bittersweet Life.

These are all Korean....

[myrman]

meninblack wrote:

myrman wrote:

Gotta recommend the following:

Oldboy, A Tale of Two Sisters, Brotherhoodand A Bittersweet Life.

These are all Korean....

Professor Chaos wrote:

Appreciatedall

I guess I could have made it Asian cinema in general, come to think of it.

[Ian Sampson]

Anything with Beat Takeshi is worth watching but this stands out:

Battle Royale.

[Ian Sampson]

A list of the best 30 Japanese films that is well worth a look through. I have Zatoichi:The Blind Swordsman, Battle Royale and a couple of others. I'll be trying a lot of the others over the next few months.

http://www.amazon.com/Thinking-Mans-.../1VMEX3BNYMTL1

Happy viewing.

Ian

[Ian Sampson]

Dazen1 wrote:

Anything by Takeshi Kitano especially Sonatine & Zatôichi.

And too many great films to mention can be found here: mandiapple

Hi dazen1

Sorry, i didn't see your post.

That is an excellent link you've provided,and is going to bebookmarked.

I'm going to see if i can get hold of a copy of Full Metal Yakuza.

Welcome to the 'wam.

Best wishes

Ian

[Jezzer]

Dazen1 wrote:

Anything by Takeshi Kitano especially Sonatine & Zatôichi.

And too many great films to mention can be found here: mandiapple

Loved Zatoichi. Brother is pretty good too.

[Professor Chaos]

Ian Sampson wrote:

A list of the best 30 Japanese films that is well worth a look through. I have Zatoichi:The Blind Swordsman, Battle Royale and a couple of others. I'll be trying a lot of the others over the next few months.

http://www.amazon.com/Thinking-Mans-.../1VMEX3BNYMTL1

Happy viewing.

Ian

That Kurosawa Samurai Classics box set looks pretty tasty, thanks

[Professor Chaos]

Jezzer wrote:

Dazen1 wrote:

Anything by Takeshi Kitano especially Sonatine & Zatôichi.

And too many great films to mention can be found here: mandiapple

Loved Zatoichi. Brother is pretty good too.

Thanks, I love gangster films