tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79252025284521920972024-03-14T05:55:54.909-07:00The Crazily Obscure World Cinema Review tom245http://www.blogger.com/profile/17350012493057024091noreply@blogger.comBlogger111125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925202528452192097.post-57550648769267686822016-05-02T17:07:00.001-07:002016-05-02T17:11:24.334-07:00Super Fast Reviews for People in a Hurry Part 6<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Welcome, and apologies for the long absence. With a TEFL starting soon and jobs prepared for the summer, I've had time to sit through some crazy films. So I'm back again to inform you of some notable viewing experiences. Its great to log in after an 8 month period to see this blog gets 5-10 page views a day. At the beginning it was 5-10 views a week, so I'm thankful for the attention. So without further waiting, please enjoy.</div>
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<b><u>Tag (2015)</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Shion Sono</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Japan</div>
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Tag is one of 5 films being released in 2015 by master director Shion Sono. The trailer advertises Tag as a government controlled massacre of teenage girls, when it actually is a biopic of an amnesiac girl, where outbursts of violence is followed by time jumps in the plot. The film opens with the wind acting as a scythe and slices an entire school bus in half. The opening 10 minutes are terrifying, with Sono going insane with creativity and blood. Sadly, the terror and awesome blood-spraying killing, gradually decline as the film continues towards its baffling climax. The film is similar to Strange Circus, as the story seems to make no sense at all until the conclusion, resulting in an explanation that is far-fetched and baffling. I think its worth watching, but it is likely to bore audiences expecting a film similar to Battle Royale or Lesson of Evil.<br />
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SCORE: 66<br />
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<a href="https://assets.vg247.com/current//2014/05/attack_on_titan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://assets.vg247.com/current//2014/05/attack_on_titan.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><u>Attack on Titan: Series 1 (2013)</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Tetsuro Araki</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Japan</div>
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Hands down, Attack on Titan is the most well-known anime. It's also many people's first anime, with a fanbase that is largely casual but rabid. It was genuinely irritating how much my friends pestered me to see this. So I thought why not?<br />
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The series is about Eren Jaeger, a boy who aspires to fight titans. Titans are towering, freakish giants that like to eat humans by picking them up and biting their heads off. Eren and his friends Amin and Mikasa attempt to protect their wall-enclosed city, by joining the titan defender group.<br />
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As cool an idea as this sounds, it is let down for two reasons. The first is the uninteresting main characters that constantly shout and whimper their way through dialogue. Eren is focused entirely on destroying titans, making him a protagonist I find hard to sympathize with. The second would be how the series constantly attempts to keep the viewer's attention by killing off main characters, and leaving each episode on cliffhangers. Many episodes are nothing but build-up to the end-of-episode cliffhanger.<br />
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In general, I found the series barely kept my attention. Despite its fantastic set-up, setting and art design, the series can't get past mediocre characters and poor plot. I know the vocal majority enjoy the series so I would recommend any readers that are curious to make their own decision about the series.<br />
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SCORE: 68<br />
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<b><u>Juvenile Court (1974)</u></b></div>
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Frederick Wiseman</div>
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USA</div>
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Wiseman has directed 43 documentaries over a 48 year period, and all the documentaries have two things in common. The first is that they are studies on institutions, such as zoos or high schools. The second is they are unobtainable. I feel like Wiseman would be more respected and acknowledged if his films were available outside film festivals and his foreigner-unfriendly website, although its a shame he doesn't as his films are extraordinary.<br />
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Juvenile Court is a 144 minute documentary, documenting the processes of a Juvenile Court in 1970s America. The court is a judgement limbo for young offenders, and the film follows the judges, prosecutors, lawyers and the young offenders, as cases come and go. Examples would include: a case where a teenager sold LSD to an undercover cop, a rebellious teen refusing to wear a bra, a child who was whipped by her stepfather and another child who's father (allegedly) dropped burning grease on him.<br />
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Two cases, for me, stand out from the rest. The first would be a boy accused of sexually assaulting a minor. Early in the film, Wiseman shows the boy denying the act, before returning later in the film to show the mother and her two kids sharing their version of events. The film is predominantly about ethics and morality. Who is right? What is the right course of action? And this first case is a perfect example of Wiseman asking these questions. The second case is the final case and I'd rather keep it unspoilt for you. I will say it is the best example of raw humanity I've seen in a documentary.<br />
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All of the cases Wiseman documents in this film, show raw emotions of humanity in its subjects. After the film finishes, it is clear the Juvenile Court continues in the same way. Similar to all of his films, 'Juvenile Court shows the daily work of the institution over a period of time. Its a snapshot into a time and place that is far gone. Its an alarming documentary that I would recommend you hunt down!<br />
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SCORE 86<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7sBqWB4jopkh1FoF2X6BqiGChx_C7JfCXjGnyWhyER0y0jHwZoROZfmA_qMO3tQF7qkqB269GKRLiibqS0EkvgWm7Ec93xVUpUUkL6U2Zuwy09RkHpYICa7x3t-ApFitkehvAnQTCjeAd/s1600/song+of+freedom.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7sBqWB4jopkh1FoF2X6BqiGChx_C7JfCXjGnyWhyER0y0jHwZoROZfmA_qMO3tQF7qkqB269GKRLiibqS0EkvgWm7Ec93xVUpUUkL6U2Zuwy09RkHpYICa7x3t-ApFitkehvAnQTCjeAd/s400/song+of+freedom.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><u>Song of Freedom (1995)</u></b></div>
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Catherine and Tareque Masud</div>
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Bangladesh</div>
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Song of Freedom is a little known Bangladeshi film set during the Liberation War in 1971, where the people of Bangladesh fought for independence from Pakistan. The film is told in a documentary style and follows a group of travelling musicians/entertainers as they raise the spirits and morale of freedom fighters around the area.<br />
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The best thing about Song of Freedom would be its ability of portraying the power and force of the liberation army and showing how devoted people can be once they fight for a willing and necessary cause. Song of Freedom is about an era and a people fighting for their country, and the Masud's do an excellent job of conveying this message to the viewer. So excellent that it will have you shouting Joy Bangla (translates to Victory to Bengal) long into the week. However the power may not be there for non-Bangladeshi viewers like myself.<br />
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The runtime is filled with constant singing with the occasional exchange of war-related stories. There is little in the way of characters, instead focusing entirely on the valiant cause and the positive effect the entertainment has on the freedom fighters. Song of Freedom is definitely a significant film, and I'd recommend watching if you are know about the Liberation war.<br />
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SCORE 77<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTeC7eicbX6SVQ7Gl47PHGGNSKTHqiHRw97NJSdzLSE8B_gFsCJk9E9BywCITzuhyWv57VqMAPp0Xijfz0B_nRTopnNM3dY5WJpDOmSJl9M9STZvEXfi0G1KBzFu1wNPqjMbu-5cBAAnwL/s1600/Eye+of+the+Moon+3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTeC7eicbX6SVQ7Gl47PHGGNSKTHqiHRw97NJSdzLSE8B_gFsCJk9E9BywCITzuhyWv57VqMAPp0Xijfz0B_nRTopnNM3dY5WJpDOmSJl9M9STZvEXfi0G1KBzFu1wNPqjMbu-5cBAAnwL/s400/Eye+of+the+Moon+3.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><u>The Eye of the Day (2001)</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Leonard Retel Helmrich</div>
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Indonesia</div>
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The Eye of the Day is an Indonesian documentary telling the story of a family at the close of the 1990s. The film weaves together politics, revolution and religion to give an accurate representation of Indonesia during the turn of the century. The family Sjamsuddin is a typical family of sons, daughters and a mother. They're the average low-income family, and the film does a good job of showing their everyday lives. As mundane as it sounds, the film is told in a visionary way with flowing and colourful cinematography from start to end. It's a beautiful piece of work, with culture infused into every new scene, making it a wonder to behold. Helmrich shows a personalized and breath-taking view of a beautiful yet troubled country at an important moment of their history. Track this down if you can,<br />
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SCORE 85<br />
<br />tom245http://www.blogger.com/profile/17350012493057024091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925202528452192097.post-35222597419316248902015-09-19T15:30:00.001-07:002015-09-19T15:35:13.799-07:00My Recent Trip to Taiwan Taking a small break from movies... Between the 15th-28th August 2015, I was far from cold, wet England. I went to Hualien, Taiwan! Land of night markets, free wi-fi, and Hello Kitty. For two weeks, I immersed myself in the culture, toured the land, and met lots of cool people. Students from Japan, China, Thailand and Korea, as well as Taiwan, were there, and the whole trip was an incredible experience.<br />
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<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/Asimof/Hualien/TaiwanMap2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/Asimof/Hualien/TaiwanMap2.jpg" height="320" width="232" /></a></div>
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<i>Hualien (where we are staying) is in the west, whereas Taipei (where we landed) is up north.</i></div>
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<i>The Group from England, about to board a long flight.</i></div>
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All the transport took a long time. About 24 hours in total (including transfers and trains). But once in Taipei, there was a massive culture shock. It felt like an alien planet, as there were no white people, and Asians everywhere I looked. And wherever I did look, they were already, uncomfortably, staring back. As we leave the station, there are the occasional cockroaches and massive snails, the size of your hand, on the floor, and a bat flying around a streetlight. Back inside, and we find a part of the train station where you can sit on the floor. Crazy stuff.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwnSkPFfJLLIGk7YO0nKCtR9LcSaCDK9XNuJSHdvh1ZDL4MV1Ey4uHzcsQ2ckQfYcf4dDv0cFOCf2rBjydm' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<i>Area for people to sit in the middle of the train station in Taipei.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-tOaS71gQZ5lCmVLEYG3VPfdqLN9-PdwelQ3qaH8VwizC8_zRUmwOobTr72imQXJ3pXaBMO2Ds8_NYMX2b5Hav2_CP0fWKFFdv7pXBd4-D2D3fj6-QZZiWaSZzZ5RAVWxTWvTAMqDEIJ/s1600/big+snail.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-tOaS71gQZ5lCmVLEYG3VPfdqLN9-PdwelQ3qaH8VwizC8_zRUmwOobTr72imQXJ3pXaBMO2Ds8_NYMX2b5Hav2_CP0fWKFFdv7pXBd4-D2D3fj6-QZZiWaSZzZ5RAVWxTWvTAMqDEIJ/s320/big+snail.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Big snails everywhere. The snails are so much of a problem, that at night, as you are walking, you may hear a massive CRUNCH from standing on one. Happened to me. They moved here from Africa because of Global Warming.</i></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxYG7QrNQd7t88SV3zgpSl_419ZnOhEYeNJNZKpeRriXQXMMwI5i9kOBDnm3McgJc6mldjtUwECil-GDo5zCg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<i>Example of a cockroach (downtown in Hualien).</i></div>
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So we finally got to the college in Hualien (see the map) and it is really late. So as I go to my room, I find out I have to sleep on the floor... and share that floor with four guys. Not what I was expecting, but it was fine. In fact we won an award for the tidiest room. Not quite sure how, but I'll accept it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiLzu6X6DXGQ5c3PwQsOz4XK4cDKb3DNb2YeBLzQI4Y25aOOEooEoseUJYUw0XoohKBEif4gzQQghlxI01rkdwZUGRo1R9yHo_1o-kW4g0UGQC-2GG2FGT2w-Hqx_hDsx9EShQZ3A558wz/s1600/20150827_081745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiLzu6X6DXGQ5c3PwQsOz4XK4cDKb3DNb2YeBLzQI4Y25aOOEooEoseUJYUw0XoohKBEif4gzQQghlxI01rkdwZUGRo1R9yHo_1o-kW4g0UGQC-2GG2FGT2w-Hqx_hDsx9EShQZ3A558wz/s320/20150827_081745.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>The floor.</i></div>
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<i>Receiving the award (note: the guy in the middle was not a roommate but the man giving the award).</i></div>
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While there, the food at the college was strictly vegetarian (Rice, eggplant, tofu etc), but for dinner, we were allowed to venture out and try some of the local cuisine including sushi, noodles, a scrumptious hotpot and ramen.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji2JMRqVN1MqJhaf-SIFWkghOC_mkf9YaALEZ5Us776I-2hCFGM0ClxR8mVDeMR4_a1PiqEnLmg5hNyZXoOf_vgaOjkm92PoggJaxzgoejoiBtDWn87xMnEaf9rcIBNoOUtBgMHO9wXloF/s1600/20150818_124925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji2JMRqVN1MqJhaf-SIFWkghOC_mkf9YaALEZ5Us776I-2hCFGM0ClxR8mVDeMR4_a1PiqEnLmg5hNyZXoOf_vgaOjkm92PoggJaxzgoejoiBtDWn87xMnEaf9rcIBNoOUtBgMHO9wXloF/s320/20150818_124925.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Vegetarian food.</i></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxdPNRObCkNoJpjY85017U_QAqh1nh0Pxc9N9_BORV7KCAyo4oqp6jSQ7HUfnX5h0CQvufa5b8-UIvBX2vT' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<i>food on a day out</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl778zDP6TqfgGk-pCjHocv0ezFzKCZdYbmyikoeAla8Sg8qUqzt29q8BupaKx_HsACvfahGKYshx86cbjgSyOkF8JksFYvS0OnfQll22DkhcTDaq9xYy7i8LmS2I7vXYtncXf1kWdJ_C2/s1600/20150821_184810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl778zDP6TqfgGk-pCjHocv0ezFzKCZdYbmyikoeAla8Sg8qUqzt29q8BupaKx_HsACvfahGKYshx86cbjgSyOkF8JksFYvS0OnfQll22DkhcTDaq9xYy7i8LmS2I7vXYtncXf1kWdJ_C2/s320/20150821_184810.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Sushi! Probably the tastiest food on the trip</i></div>
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A highlight was a day out at Taroko National Park. This national park is considered by many sites as the number one attraction to see in Taiwan, and nothing quite prepares you for the beauty of it. Gorges as high as the sky, and a road on an edge, that dips in and out of caves. On the mountainside are temples, the trees and plants are beautiful, and there was even a monkey in a tree. A monkey in the wild!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz1GM7Zo5xVQkNIUzRNzX4BMTCLyz5ozJ31otZEmJ9_triJ-jn3iDpYcbArXpXXmJcNZOaLoxmmqnSOqxXeQw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<i>Beautiful Taroko :) At the start of the park.</i></div>
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<i>Near the middle of the park. Note the temple on the mountain, and the amount of photos being taken. There were lots of photos.</i></div>
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<i>UK+Thailand+Taiwan.</i></div>
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There were many activities throughout the trip. One was a tea ceremony, another was a hidden aborigine museum under the college, another was calligraphy. All of them immersing me in their incredible way of life, culture and history.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_qW92zn4Fd1qarfxoFbjvUZh0WVOswkqpvbpMGSc8-ypzN1ojkHx-LmE4SyTVU50Y_JDwFnMsT5MwGjwT3EA6_50U1c4uVshtwEmced23bFk7PApAR80AhWhcjHf5aqQzXQNWfzTDkOoA/s1600/11944935_10207380270642418_1313773990_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_qW92zn4Fd1qarfxoFbjvUZh0WVOswkqpvbpMGSc8-ypzN1ojkHx-LmE4SyTVU50Y_JDwFnMsT5MwGjwT3EA6_50U1c4uVshtwEmced23bFk7PApAR80AhWhcjHf5aqQzXQNWfzTDkOoA/s320/11944935_10207380270642418_1313773990_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Tea ceremony group :)</i></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzftY1S5xgbRXh3rjgAipj6gQ5F8oUu3LRo5ioBRy87loIVUQuRFPiplAjr89F601LPQPKUBlKReyZ_s0LfwA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<i>Before starting the tea ceremony. </i></div>
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Aboriginal Museum</div>
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After a week, we took a day trip to Yilan, the county above Hualien. There we met with Andy's mother, father and grandmother, as they showed us around their hometown. This included a brewery, a cake-making shop and a night market. Not forgetting a park with an ocarina shop and temple.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRvfyPP7Ya4T3gDwF5wuhj5_MPigkjnwasX2K2BXBXSPU664NRcOfv13RJzhyphenhyphenJfUK7B1kReTzu5NTBqSKJjmvtCLA2z-dduSHUBF7d-f9OmW6WR-tRDhBeAauTpKtbtUKWcvfjUwhq13LF/s1600/20150823_133020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRvfyPP7Ya4T3gDwF5wuhj5_MPigkjnwasX2K2BXBXSPU664NRcOfv13RJzhyphenhyphenJfUK7B1kReTzu5NTBqSKJjmvtCLA2z-dduSHUBF7d-f9OmW6WR-tRDhBeAauTpKtbtUKWcvfjUwhq13LF/s320/20150823_133020.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i> Brewery</i></div>
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<i>Ocarina shop. Everything was an ocarina in there. Ducks, cats, cows, guitars, turtles... Truly mind-blowing how he can make all those different musical instruments.</i></div>
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Wherever you go in Taiwan, there will be weird things. Here are a few...<br />
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<i>Seaweed flavoured crisps... In England this is very strange.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-Qw8T6D4-7gJMe7UmowSjQrx9Q5kJt6H4DUxNZquealgDyRdo_9v33fBdUElaMeuIpNWV_i3hf8qTL-U0165IirMq3UH8ZbJAk-8258KMqURGw9XIusXf9PkWSdiBZEHgLscQ5gRceWo/s1600/20150823_091439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-Qw8T6D4-7gJMe7UmowSjQrx9Q5kJt6H4DUxNZquealgDyRdo_9v33fBdUElaMeuIpNWV_i3hf8qTL-U0165IirMq3UH8ZbJAk-8258KMqURGw9XIusXf9PkWSdiBZEHgLscQ5gRceWo/s320/20150823_091439.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<i>Everyone knows Shaun the Sheep. He was everywhere in the park in Yilan. This is me and Shaun just chilling.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ5khIQgOrzRceQBqmue8-zSY-zkhZa0Leo2-A5w6JbHLi0fQLEVPb3Vlv84Ly3R5qg_tHuLXzT49HLTpry_CPxMs07sKwx5L8W1GDKoBr9wWifxDBnQkHRW5a531l0c6LFe1JhM1pyvi7/s1600/20150824_202215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ5khIQgOrzRceQBqmue8-zSY-zkhZa0Leo2-A5w6JbHLi0fQLEVPb3Vlv84Ly3R5qg_tHuLXzT49HLTpry_CPxMs07sKwx5L8W1GDKoBr9wWifxDBnQkHRW5a531l0c6LFe1JhM1pyvi7/s320/20150824_202215.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Stray dogs are everywhere. The College adopts about 30 of them, and puts collars on them. They lie down all day. All across the college are sleeping dogs, and they often enter classrooms.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc_OmLRnj8pIfZqUJ_1GO12XONb9Qm9K5sjkSoNGLTS5bqxbaRpJ6y6RBzkxXohSLPVuyghWqpZoNjmFmJ_3OsJDw8ZrQjRQGZ2zAlJ9NeAgxMO9NFknM5lAFJJo8l6Qo9MbG57hI81TPQ/s1600/20150823_152055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc_OmLRnj8pIfZqUJ_1GO12XONb9Qm9K5sjkSoNGLTS5bqxbaRpJ6y6RBzkxXohSLPVuyghWqpZoNjmFmJ_3OsJDw8ZrQjRQGZ2zAlJ9NeAgxMO9NFknM5lAFJJo8l6Qo9MbG57hI81TPQ/s320/20150823_152055.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Cactus with faces.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaNty5YHGTy12YdsGKGr7WZkWEm3NXqftd0QK9ji2fAmZz-OOHvdizdXx5nnUMlUjq1UHYieOotL549q_psPILGSH-cMiHC5wdlsfQR1gOaMCT575i8YqrbVGZ52LLiehoqMOSjuKcQb8-/s1600/20150821_191743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaNty5YHGTy12YdsGKGr7WZkWEm3NXqftd0QK9ji2fAmZz-OOHvdizdXx5nnUMlUjq1UHYieOotL549q_psPILGSH-cMiHC5wdlsfQR1gOaMCT575i8YqrbVGZ52LLiehoqMOSjuKcQb8-/s320/20150821_191743.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>A taxi with about 100 anime figures in the front of it. Safe? No. Cool? YEAH!</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYcEH_h2VvoH4rvXu6-mvTrxQ__Ibjhsnj6R5KJKaaQOLG4Zde5nCFrKWvhgVZPWh68AFBvHs7fINDuUGx7xioT1kDiq0yS4BT3cGjBMaGdpErY4lE6suIklXynlHfmCEE6K-vGUWQh3qR/s1600/20150820_203803.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYcEH_h2VvoH4rvXu6-mvTrxQ__Ibjhsnj6R5KJKaaQOLG4Zde5nCFrKWvhgVZPWh68AFBvHs7fINDuUGx7xioT1kDiq0yS4BT3cGjBMaGdpErY4lE6suIklXynlHfmCEE6K-vGUWQh3qR/s320/20150820_203803.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>A shop called 'Kiss my Baby'...</i></div>
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What really made this trip was the people. I made many many friends while there, and I will miss each of them. I hope to keep in contact with them, they're great people.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-5t-cMpzcR0V3_rSwXw0UiCuzBixBurY6IRBf3Pf-YtFyH6-pt-bvejW3xX5SZ4FE_qbwurT1Ps_s9rzFNn4tDgDURtkibY1CABnjPgEgBPfnkSh-eGWNq_k14NSmiFVC6fiT7DNnX9HM/s1600/20150824_142214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-5t-cMpzcR0V3_rSwXw0UiCuzBixBurY6IRBf3Pf-YtFyH6-pt-bvejW3xX5SZ4FE_qbwurT1Ps_s9rzFNn4tDgDURtkibY1CABnjPgEgBPfnkSh-eGWNq_k14NSmiFVC6fiT7DNnX9HM/s320/20150824_142214.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>China + Taiwan.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBpYnfYmX66ZX9m22LlfYTfP8JwVaYM0jsk-Ynjj8EW9-w67ityWLM9WyQTxCR3VDFFw_wH87uifoFhw9ZZ_N0QIy70tjb7Ea67CETEUA30jgKRfqbKFVDhGe7p4g8B9IOg7zDb2GISozt/s1600/20150826_181419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBpYnfYmX66ZX9m22LlfYTfP8JwVaYM0jsk-Ynjj8EW9-w67ityWLM9WyQTxCR3VDFFw_wH87uifoFhw9ZZ_N0QIy70tjb7Ea67CETEUA30jgKRfqbKFVDhGe7p4g8B9IOg7zDb2GISozt/s320/20150826_181419.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Jay from China, with his identical twin. He prefers Iron Man to Thor for some reason.</i></div>
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<i>Me + Eddy from Thailand.</i></div>
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<i>Me + Yan-Fei Jiang from China :)</i></div>
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<i>Me with the guys from Japan</i></div>
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<i>Andy. He is always happy.</i></div>
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<i>The girls from college in Taiwan.</i></div>
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<i>Viktor and Andrea</i></div>
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<i>Last view of the college</i></div>
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And with that, the Taiwan trip concludes. Thanks to everyone for making it a great time, and I would definitely recommended everyone to visit the country. Thank-you for reading this. I'll be back soon with more film reviews. Especially as I may have just got a job in my local cinema. More soon... :)<br />
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<i>BONUS: View of London from the plane on the way back from Taiwan.</i></div>
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tom245http://www.blogger.com/profile/17350012493057024091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925202528452192097.post-64577610486218349662015-07-27T17:14:00.000-07:002015-07-27T17:16:47.216-07:00Films that Deserve a Blu ray ReleaseIn recent years, there has been an incredible surge of quality home video releases. Companies like Arrow Video, Eureka (Masters of Cinema), and BFI have released incredible sets like the magnificent Late Mizoguchi Box set, Rossellini's War Trilogy, Metropolis Ultimate Edition and the forthcoming Yoshida box-set. Lesser known companies like Third Window Films and Anime Limited also have their fair share of quality releases, specializing in 21st century live-action films (Shion Sono lovers :D) and anime releases respectively. Here's a list of 13, that I'd like these companies to release.<br />
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NOTE- If the title is a box-set, the films in the set are the ones in the paragraph in bold.<br />
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<b>Emir Kusturica Early Works</b></div>
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This Yugoslavian director is mostly forgotten in recent years, with his last film released in 2007, and his last acclaimed film released back in 2004. But delve far back into his filmography and you'll find some hidden gems. His film début <b>'Do You Remember Dolly Bell?' (1981)</b>, Palm D'Or winner <b>'When Father was away on Business' (1985)</b>, and the epic <b>'Time of the Gypsies' (1988)</b> are all excellent films, even better than his most known films: 'Underground', 'Life is a Miracle', and 'Black Cat, White Cat', in my opinion. His zany Fellini-esque antics appear in his early works, full in force. Artificial Eye released the first two on DVD (since out of circulation), and they released 'Time of the Gypsies' way back on VHS.<br />
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Chances are: Unlikely (3/10). Artificial Eye rarely seem to go back and upgrade their DVDs. Maybe if Kusturica releases a new film, it may give someone an incentive.<br />
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<b>The Travelling Players </b></div>
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Theo Angelopoulos's flawless masterpiece. Since reviewing this on the blog, it has stayed in my mind for a while. The film tells main events in the history of Greece between 1939 and 1952 through the eyes of a group of travelling players. These events include the Metaxas's fascist dictatorship, The Second World War and the British occupation. It's very rare for a film to be long and epic, while keeping all of the auteur's unique trademarks throughout.<br />
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Chances are: Possible (4/10). There is a Japanese blu ray, so the HD materials exist. But again, Artificial Eye has the rights, and have released the film in a DVD box-set.<br />
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<b>Shuji Terayama Box-set</b></div>
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Terayama is the king of the Japanese New Wave, with his ultra-insane visuals, content and techniques. He unfortunately died at 47, but left some phenomenal films, including <b>'Throw Away Your Books and Rally in the Streets' (1971)</b>,<b> 'Pastoral: To Die in the Country' (1974)</b>,<b> 'The Boxer' (1977)</b>, and<b> 'Farewell to the Ark' (1984)</b>. They're all great, and combine shocking visuals, with Fellini-esque content and some great soundtracks. 'Throw Away Your Books and Rally in the Streets' has a punk "fuck the world" attitude, which includes scenes of rioting, weed smoking and rampant sex. 'Pastoral' really impressed me when I first watched, and has a moment half way through the film which is rule-changing. 'The Boxer' is a copycat, but far better version of 'Rocky'. While 'Farewell to the Ark' is a really great last film.<br />
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Chances: Eventually (6/10). Arrow said they will think about releasing some Terayama if the Yoshida set sells well. There is a blu ray in Japan as well.<br />
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<b>A Brighter Summers Day (1991)</b></div>
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Edward Yang's four hour Taiwanese New Wave Epic, desperately needs a release. Have you seen the available copy? Its been filmed on a potato. But great news, the film has been restored by the World Cinema Project, a magnificent organisation that restores and exhibits films from all over the world, that have been severely neglected over the years. It is strange that a film from 1991 needs to be restored, but what they have done is extraordinary. The film has a big following from those which have watched it.<br />
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Chances: Its Coming (9/10). It should be released as part of The Masters of Cinema Collection, either as a stand-alone release or as a part of The World Cinema Project Volume 2. Whether it comes by the end of 2015 or up to 2020, who knows?<br />
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<b>The Complete Don Hertzfeldt</b></div>
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Don Hertzfeldt is the ultimate auteur. As an animator, he draws, directs, edits and voices his own films. He also draws every frame. Now that is dedication. This also means there isn't a lot of work and his films can be viewed in 3 hours or so. 'Rejected' is his most known work, and was a mini-viral hit on YouTube a few years ago. As time passed his films have become more mature, resulting in the three-part 'Its Such a Beautiful Day' and Sundance hit 'World of Tomorrow'. I have no idea if the films would look good on blu ray, but having the option to replay those two films would make me, and other fans, incredibly happy.<br />
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Chances: Little chance (2/10). A region 2 release is unlikely as Hertzfeldt distributes his own films (what a talented guy), however he recently begun a Kickstarter to release some of his films on blu-ray, so a region 2 release isn't particularly needed. This Kickstarter will be the only chance to get the films on blu ray (and is region free), so funding it now is necessary.<br />
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<b>Frederick Wiseman- Early Works</b></div>
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Wiseman is always mentioned when people list the best documentaries, but they are notoriously hard to find. I saw 'National Gallery' at its Toronto International Film Festival Premier last year, even asked Wiseman a question at the Q&A, but I have had no luck looking for the rest of his 42 films. He may be the only director who can make a 3 hour documentary about the National Gallery without boring the viewer. Wiseman focuses on institutions in his work and is most well known for his study on Massachusetts Correctional Institution in <b>'Titicut Follies' (1967)</b>. This is his début film, so a box-set of his earliest work would be a great introduction to the world of Wiseman. A box-set of films he made around this time would be monumental, and should include <b>'High School' (1968)</b>, <b>'Law & Order' (1969) </b>and<b> 'Hospital' (1970)</b>.<br />
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Chances: Unlikely (1/10). Wiseman's films are currently distributed through the Zipporah films website, where each film is $30 (+ big fee for shipping), and on DVD.<br />
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<b>Marketa Lazarova</b></div>
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The finest Czechoslovakian film as voted by a 1998 poll of Czech critics, and I whole-heartedly agree with them. This film has a unique and grand vision, set in the Middle Ages, with perfect black and white cinematography. This film is always credited to be found by The Criterion Collection (where they released it on blu), but was released 5 years prior by Second Run on DVD in the UK. Second Run are a fantastic company, that release completely unknown (mostly Eastern-European) films in the UK.<br />
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Chances: Not as unlikely as you may think (4/10). If Second Run ever release a blu-ray, this is likely to be it. 'Marketa Lazarova' has a bigger following then you may think. I wish they would, but they're audience is on DVD so it is unlikely.<br />
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<b>Hou Hsiao-Hsien Childhood Trilogy</b></div>
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Possibly the greatest working director, Hou is still relatively unknown in the West. Three of his early works have recently been restored: <b>'A Summer at Grandpa's' (1984)</b>,<b> 'A Time to Live and a Time to Die' (1985) </b>and<b> 'Dust in the Wind' (1986)</b>. 'A Summer at Grandpa's' is based on Chu Tien-Wen's childhood memories, 'A Time to Live and a Time to Die' is based on Hou's, while 'Dust in the Wind' is based on Wu Nien-Jen's. All 3 are must sees, and are incredible. The Taiwanese DVDs I own have very bad Picture/Audio quality, so I would jump on any release.<br />
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Chances: Possible (5/10). There has to be a reason why they haven't been released thus far. Its possible the rights issues are because the films may be financed partially by the Taiwanese Mafia. There are recent restorations of all 3 and the last two have been included in a Taiwanese blu ray box-set. I'm going to Taiwan in August, so I'll grab it if I can.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht23I7f5COJXUYmGYsn7mFXuoN1w36RUxqdMruEt__KQiTYIqU9ikO-3A7a5rcLm7bhxqixGddWxKJN3YlO0sOrg2dHMirMZBgtXR68lMbst-caofkMKtUkkC3s906Vz2pHAKy_Ok3dGrm/s1600/ocean_waves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht23I7f5COJXUYmGYsn7mFXuoN1w36RUxqdMruEt__KQiTYIqU9ikO-3A7a5rcLm7bhxqixGddWxKJN3YlO0sOrg2dHMirMZBgtXR68lMbst-caofkMKtUkkC3s906Vz2pHAKy_Ok3dGrm/s400/ocean_waves.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Ocean Waves/Only Tomorrow</b></div>
<br />
These are the final two Studio Ghibli films yet to be released on UK blu ray. For those collecting them, there are two gaps, and there has been for a while. While they may not be seen as the best of the bunch, they are Ghiblis and, therefore, are necessary to watch. I would say Ocean Waves is better than people give it credit for.<br />
<br />
Chances: Likely (7/10). Why wouldn't Studio Canal release these? Ghibli releases sell a lot of units. 'The Wind Rises' was released on blu ray in October 2014, and by February 2015, they were still selling over 3,000 copies a month. Most releases sell 500 or so a month. So it should be a no-brainer.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Hou Hsiao Hsien's Historical Trilogy</b></div>
<br />
These are <b>'A City of Sadness' (1989)</b>,<b> 'The Puppetmaster' (1993)</b> and <b>'Good Men, Good Women' (1995)</b>. They are equally as good as his childhood trilogy, but are far more ambitious, with a larger/more epic scope. 'A City of Sadness' is Hou's most acclaimed film, and won the Golden Lion in Venice. The film is historical, with the story revolving around the "White Terror" when the KMT government massacred thousands of Taiwanese. 'The Puppetmaster' is Hou's least accessible film, and is a biopic on Li Tienlu. Li also stars in the film, as a narrator/interviewee. All 3 of these films show Hou in his prime. Feel the power of the long takes.<br />
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Chances: Unlikely (3/10). No restorations and lots of rights issues. But one can dream eh?<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Day for Night (1973)</b></div>
<br />
Francois Truffaut's best film has only been released in the UK on VHS. Its another fellini-esque film based on the process of making a film, but is brilliant in every way possible. Truffaut knows how to direct a film, and this insider, and satirical, look is utterly wonderful.<br />
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Chances: Unlikely (3/10). Warner Bros never release back catalogue titles on blu ray in the UK. Criterion are releasing it in August, you lucky Americans.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Yoji Yamada's 70s Films</b></div>
<br />
Yamada is known in the West for his samurai trilogy, including the critically acclaimed 'The Twilight Samurai'. In the East, Yamada is known for writing/directing most of the 48 Tora-San films. However, if you delve deeper into his work, you'll come across some incredible and breath-taking films which include: <b>'Where Spring Comes Late' (1970)</b>, <b>'Home from the Sea' (1972)</b>,<b> 'The Yellow Handkerchief' (1977) </b>and<b> 'A Distant Cry from Spring' (1980)</b>. These films are some of the most well-crafted and enjoyable ever made. Yamada has directed 84 films thus far and needs more attention outside of Japan.<br />
<br />
Chances: Never going to happen (1/10). Arrow have been releasing risky films, but this, I feel, is too risky for any of the UK labels. Maybe in 10 or 20 years when they run out of films to release, but now its just a dream of mine.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Peter Greenaway's Remaining films from 1985-2000</b></div>
<br />
Peter Greenaway has always despised the mainstream, and even his audience, with his bleak "cinema is dead!!!" outlook on life, but his films are so peculiar and far from the ordinary, they beg to be seen. Even if his early Avant-Garde work is brilliant (and maybe even more self-indulgent) then his post-1980 films, these films are classics and would look far better in glorious high-definition. These films are <b>'The Cook, the Thief, his Wife and her Lover' (1989)</b>,<b> 'Prospero's Books' (1991) </b>and<b> 'The Pillow Book' (1996)</b>. As literary, over-indulgent, inaccessible and sexually gratuitous as his films are, they are undoubtedly incredible.<br />
<br />
Chances: Probable (7/10). There is no real reason they haven't been released yet, so they'll come eventually... hopefully...<br />
<br />tom245http://www.blogger.com/profile/17350012493057024091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925202528452192097.post-39979610421334025432015-07-24T16:11:00.001-07:002015-07-24T16:11:37.079-07:00Super Fast Reviews for People in a Hurry Part 5 Sorry for the long break. Finishing university, and applying for jobs... But now I'm back! And ready to review films. It has been a good few months. Since the last review, there has been my Birthday, Mother's Day, and Easter (this is going somewhere) which of course celebrates (wait for it)...<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>The Life of Jesus (1997)</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bruno Dumont</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
France</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
See what I did there. For a film called 'The Life of Jesus', it has nothing to do with religion or faith. The story follows Freddy, a delinquent teenager, as he hangs out with friends, screws his girlfriend, chases the local Arab and gropes a fat girl. Yeah, I'm not kidding, this film is far from "ordinary" or "standard", particularly for a coming of age story. For beginners Freddie, is a nasty protagonist. Quiet and starey in presentation, but he contains a vile, racist and aggressive hidden-side. He is an unusual character, unlike anything portrayed in cinema before (well done David Douche, you defy your name).<br />
There are many people who dislike Dumont due to his films being well photographed, but have a slimy feel to them. Big factors in this are the ugly characters that feel like they haven't washed for weeks, as well as nudity and violence are infrequent but strong in his films. All feature in his films including the slogging 'Humanite' and 'The Life of Jesus'.<br />
So what actually works in the film? I'm not sure. Everything just clicks into place. The characters may be despicable, but I was always intrigued what happened next. They are fully fleshed-out characters, superbly acted. The location of a dull and small village in Northern France is used well, showing the green country and the brick houses. Not beautiful but different. The film is a view into a strange world through a pessimistic and warped auteur.<br />
<br />
SCORE 80<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>The Missing- Series 1 (2014)</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Tom Shankland</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
United Kingdom</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I was looking forward to this James Nesbitt Mystery/Drama which critics (and my nan) says is top stuff. So the credits role and I see the name Tom Shankland, and I think his name is familiar. I Google his name and find he directed 'The Children', which I reviewed in the first part and gave a horrendous rating of 18. But fortunately, things improved.<br />
Events start very standard. Happy family on holiday. The story is told in the present, with flashbacks to the past. Films and TV series told like this tend to become unnecessarily and over complicated quickly, however this makes sense and never boggles itself down. As a plot device it works very well, and is used fantastically. The best part of this series is where a flashback shows where the episode will end up, BUT IT LIED. As far fetched as this is, and as miffed as some may feel, I thought it was a brilliantly genius way of tricking the audience.<br />
So the child goes 'Missing' and events develop gradually with each episode. James Nesbitt frequently uses his hilarious angry face and, despite being top-billing, gets out-acted by Tcheky Karyo, who plays the French detective who's presence on-screen improves the viewing experience immensely. If anyone wants to have some fun while watching, feel free to play the "Missing Drinking Game". Take a shot if:<br />
-James Nesbitt makes an angry face.<br />
-James Nesbitt shouts "OLLIE".<br />
-Someone asks "Do you speak English" or something similar.<br />
The whole idea of a child being stolen is terrifying, and is what drives the drama. Every episode is gripping and is left with suspenseful cliffhangers that will make you bulk watch. The ending is satisfying, minus the final needless 15 minutes. I can see influences from Sluizer's 'Spoorloos', which is far more horrifying (and better). So finally, the series is good and satisfying, but contains little that is outstanding.<br />
<br />
SCORE 81<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>Van Gogh (1991)</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Maurice Pialat</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
France</div>
<br />
Pialat is a remarkably skilled and frank director which I admire and have respect for, although at the same time manages to be a mixed bag of a director. I'm getting closer to completing his filmography, and nothing particularly stands out. Most notable so far is the incredibly depressing 'La Guele Oeverte', where a lady goes from talking joy to quivering mind-dead vegetable through a terminal cancer. I wont forget that one in a hurry. <br />
'Van Gogh' may be his best film, but once again, is nothing special. The film follows the artist as he moves to a village and struggles with depression. At 2 1/2 hours, the film is lengthy and slow-moving, where most of the action is indoor-conversations. Most people, including those with short attention spans, may do well to avoid this, however, if you can sit back and relax, its easier to get entangled into the story. Events are told which are mostly true, so the film works as a worthy biopic.<br />
The greatest feature of the film is by far the 19th century setting. The world is one where there is little to do, especially if your profession is a painter. So its great to see realistic, and great looking backdrop. Its not distracting at all, and helps the viewer focus on getting immersed into the film. The long-duration and slow story-development doesn't make for rivetting viewing, even if the setting is perfection. In the end, the film is a character study, and that is exactly what it does.<br />
<br />
SCORE 74<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>Repast (1951)</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mikio Naruse</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Japan</div>
<br />
Repast chronicles the crumbling marriage of Michiyo and Hatsunosuke Okamoto played by Setsuko Hara and Ken Uehara. This is a film, like many of Naruse's work, that focuses on the female characters and their struggles through life. Not like most films in general which are told through a male perspective and especially not like Argento who likes to kill his women in various bloody ways (another discussion for another time). This is a film of extraordinary performances, where Hara gives her career best, although she was always incredible. Hara expresses her emotions through repressing, so its easy to see her thoughts and intentions from her slight actions and reactions. Her character doesn't shout or argue, but instead channels her emotions through slight facial reactions, quiet actions and well-written dialogue. 'Repast' could be compared to 'Voyage to Italy', with their realistic view on a failing marriage, but 'Repast' is far superior, with far better acting, direction, cinematography and writing.<br />
<br />
SCORE 84<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLNWzAeh5cbSlJ26KEGVQOpS5H0tmpgLF9HpAkEzLRgageDN4rXbK49zxbB30vrOM-nIcJwlatJj9LQhxetWVFTMgAzpDC5Z83gyZiiCHnfFi86ZHL0d5lwoxRQT-Pq6s1RLk-mqaJFkFc/s1600/edvard+munch.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLNWzAeh5cbSlJ26KEGVQOpS5H0tmpgLF9HpAkEzLRgageDN4rXbK49zxbB30vrOM-nIcJwlatJj9LQhxetWVFTMgAzpDC5Z83gyZiiCHnfFi86ZHL0d5lwoxRQT-Pq6s1RLk-mqaJFkFc/s400/edvard+munch.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>Edvard Munch (1974)</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Peter Watkins</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sweden/Norway/United Kingdom</div>
<br />
'Edvard Munch' is a four hour television film, based on the life of the Norweign artist who painted The Scream. As a famous figure who I knew nothing about, I left this film with a lot of knowledge about his life. The film is one of the most depressing I've seen, as Munch lived a sad and lonely life. His sister and mother died of illnessess when he was an early age, and Munch was sick for many months as a child. This and the fact that his macabre visions expressed through his painting were detested and spat on by the public and critics at the time, made for a depressing life. After all there isn't much to do in 19th Century Norway, exept to wander around/paint/reminisce on bad times. The hatred towards his work is similar to Van Gogh. I could have made this a "Crazily Obscure World Cinema Review Painter Special!!!" I guess...<br />
There is an evolution in Watkins career, particularly from his previous works of 'The War Game' and 'Culloden'. Both are pseudo-documentaries, and are excellent films, like 'Edvard Munch' but Munch is far more ambitious and experimental. It's an incredible watch and fully deserving of its 8.5 IMDB score.<br />
<br />
SCORE 86tom245http://www.blogger.com/profile/17350012493057024091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925202528452192097.post-23403515998343925252015-02-14T13:52:00.001-08:002015-02-14T13:52:18.816-08:00Links to Stream Rare FilmsNote- This was originally posted as a heading atop the blog, although I'm changing it to a blog post to make room for the new section "Super Fast Reviews for People in a Hurry".<br />
<br />
This is a list of where to stream films unavailable on DVD and other formats.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>Flash Player</u></b><br />
<br />
<u>YouTube</u><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2bQItwiPmc">A Brighter Summers Day- 1991</a> (Taiwan)<br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"The World Cinema Foundation are restoring it, so expect to see it on blu-ray within a year or two. Until then all there is, is this dodgy copy. The film is at the peak of the Taiwanese New Wave, and is widely considered to be the best Taiwanese film ever made"</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">IMDB: 8.4. My Score: 90</span></div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZeoLKJtHbU">Chronicle of the Years of Fire- 1975</a> (Algeria)<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"I reviewed it in my blog, incredibly rare"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">IMDB: 7.4. My Score: 66</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uudx6d71tdQ">City of Sadness- 1989</a> (Taiwan)<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"Hsien's greatest work, tells the history of Taiwan during the turbulent time of history known as the 'White Terror'."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">IMDB: 8.1. My Score: 87</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8f0jivEjSzE">In the Heat of the Sun- 1994</a> (China)<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"A coming of age story set on the desolate streets of Beijing during the Cultural Revolution. Phenominal." </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">IMDB: 8.4. My Score: 84.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ho3_gobnw7M">Love Streams- 1984</a> (America)<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"Pure Cassavetes, similar to 'A Woman Under the Influence', but everyone has forgotten about this one"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">IMDB: 8.0. My Score: 83</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9fSGHw7LUU&list=WL90by0jiKChiqVY9YV8qQMe9A5zMuf5pj">Muddy River- 1981</a> (Japan)<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"Reviewed on the blog. Number 10 on Kinejun's top 200 Japanese films" </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">IMDB: 7.9. My Score 79.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MThQ8kQHEyg">Pastoral: To Die in the Country- 1974</a> (Japan)<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"My favourite film no-one has seen. The film is about Terayama's childhood, but a third of the way through, it skips to the present day where the director (not played by himself) realizes it's all a lie, and remembers what it was actually like. You will be hooked from the first minute"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">IMDB: 8.0. My Score: 97</span><br />
<br />
<u>DailyMotion</u><br />
<u><br /></u><a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x10717w_kin-dza-dza-1986-pt-1_creation">Kin-Dza-Dza- 1986</a> (Russia)<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"The Craziest sci-fi I have seen. Really is a weird one"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">IMDB: 8.3. My score 78</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xxwd9b_siberiade-1979-pt-1_creation">Siberiade- 1979</a> (Russia)<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"4 hour Russian epic about life in a small Siberian village"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">IMDB: 8.1. My Score: 88.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xzltaq_the-ascent-1977-pt-1_creation">The Ascent- 1977</a> (Russia)<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"A lot like 'Come and See' part 2. Brutal, beautiful and horrific."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">IMDB: 8.3. My Score: 84</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xqixhf_the-inugamis-1976-part-1_fun">The Inugami Family- 1976</a> (Japan)<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"Kon Ichikawa's most famous film in Japan is completely unheard of it the west. Confusing but a good watch"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">IMDB: 7.5. My Score: 79</span><br />
<br />
<b><u>DivX Web Player</u></b><br />
<br />
<u>Veehd</u><br />
<u><br /></u><a href="http://veehd.com/video/4706167_Day-for-Night-La-nuit-americaine-1973-Part-1">Day for Night- 1973</a> (France)<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"Still not available on DVD. Truffaut's best film"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">IMDB: 8.0. My Score: 85</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://veehd.com/video/4521088_Hazard-Shion-Sono-2005">Hazard- 2003</a> (Japan)<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"A surprisingly good and unseen Shion Sono film. Don't watch it if it is your first film of his."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">IMDB: 6.9. My Score: 74</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://veehd.com/video/2890087_The-Taste-of-Tea">The Taste of Tea- 2004</a> (Japan)<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"This is why Japan has the reputation of being crazy. Strange and unpredictable"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">IMDB: 7.9. My Score 83</span><br />
<br />
<u>Stagevu</u><br />
<br />
<a href="http://stagevu.com/video/sqrgaefvuins">Throw Away your Books and Rally in the Streets- 1971</a> (Japan)<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"Terayama is most known for this provocative rebellious tale. It also featured punk music years before it happened"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">IMDB: 8.4. My Score: 84</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
tom245http://www.blogger.com/profile/17350012493057024091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925202528452192097.post-40318495854403145952015-02-14T13:43:00.001-08:002015-02-14T13:43:21.072-08:00Super Fast Reviews for People in a Hurry Part 4 Welcome to the Valentine's Day special, where I will be reviewing non-stop romantic comedies... Well, maybe not. The only rom-com I have watched was 'What Happens in Vegas', and that was horrendous on a cataclysmic level. The fact I hate it doesn't mean I'm a pessimist. There are films out there so dire, so mind-numbingly torturous, that watching them physically makes you pessimistic. The soul slowly dies, as you hear Ashton Kutcher say to Cameron Diaz "Lets get married again, I love you". <div>
Sorry for dampening the spirit on the one day of a year where you are meant to love someone so much, you buy them trips out, dinner, chocolates, flowers and jewellery. After all that's what Valentine's Day truly is, a holiday made by corporate conglomerations and card companies to extort money from couples. Same as Christmas, Easter, Fireworks Night and Black Friday (which has since been extended to Black Friday Weekend).</div>
<div>
In movie terms, all a screenwriter has to do, is tailor the script to a season or a theme, to take advantage of large audiences. Now this is where I begin ranting about '50 Shades of Grey' (forgive me). Its a pornography book that depends on one thing alone: The viewers imagination. Each reader has a different perception on what the lovers look like, and the scenes that take place, no two imaginations are identical. Adapting it for the big screen, removes the one thing the book had going for it, turning it into a crappy porno. Its the consequence of a Universal Studios executive finding the most popular thing, and, with cash symbols for eyes, says "lets exploit the really dumb members of society and make shitloads of money". He goes on to say "Lets do it with no artistic control, with 2 actors which hate the guts off each other, making a bad film and angering the fans of the book". Universal has always been my least favourite studio, particularly with the force-it-down-your-throat advertising of anything Minion related. They may distribute good films (Wolf of Wall Street, Gravity), but when it comes to making them, they are literally the worst.</div>
<div>
Nothing else has really happened. Australia is now in Eurovision. That's weird. So enjoy the reviews!!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1A6jHw-BA95JCfGhH4qVMDVj1d6lFmtRCVqAhBeHaOb54HIgVKPAAjTNzv_D7FSPQS3i0o9eeW6Q8Js08UfnzkKYf6Gn34hEJYe01Z_-giRP1S_eJilWhIRVedqWV5BpMP_B4Jy2f8EZQ/s1600/gone+girl.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1A6jHw-BA95JCfGhH4qVMDVj1d6lFmtRCVqAhBeHaOb54HIgVKPAAjTNzv_D7FSPQS3i0o9eeW6Q8Js08UfnzkKYf6Gn34hEJYe01Z_-giRP1S_eJilWhIRVedqWV5BpMP_B4Jy2f8EZQ/s1600/gone+girl.png" height="167" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>Gone Girl (2014)</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
David Fincher</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
US</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Fincher has to be one of the most reliable directors in Hollywood, with a near flawless filmography. His films are darkly mysterious, with problematic characters and intricate stories with many layers. The latest is more of the same, but doesn't stop it from becoming a brilliant watch. Ben Affleck plays the husband of missing Wife (played by Rosamund Pike). Saying anything more, would essentially be spoiling the film, as the first part plays out as a first-class mystery, while the second part watches the events unfold. All the events in 'Gone Girl' are superbly paced, something common in most of Fincher's films.</div>
<div>
Affleck may not seem the best at acting in his role, but I think it matches the tone of the film. The aspergers-style performance, makes the audience aware that he himself could have kidnapped her, and thus, adds even more to the film. Everything about this film makes it exhilarating to experience, which I cannot recommend enough. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
SCORE 82</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS1IZmIx99wkhLg_ka9IHho9OJnFFsZ63SrYK6eD8BGlAQ8U36JvTrrNda7yb7bjfP1UYiSVocc6a189tGT4l2sQzzqMLcnI6EJNwrHY0wD6l0Zz5SlTjS86Peol92In1cwwL_4w_WQVVG/s1600/missing.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS1IZmIx99wkhLg_ka9IHho9OJnFFsZ63SrYK6eD8BGlAQ8U36JvTrrNda7yb7bjfP1UYiSVocc6a189tGT4l2sQzzqMLcnI6EJNwrHY0wD6l0Zz5SlTjS86Peol92In1cwwL_4w_WQVVG/s1600/missing.png" height="273" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>Missing (1982)</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Costa Gavras</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
US</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
During a military coup in a South American country, a writer goes missing. His father soon arrives, to aid his wife in trying to find what happened to him. In the same vein as Gone Girl, there is a similar mysterious tone surrounding this film. However, that is where the similarities end. </div>
<div>
The thing this film has done, which no others in cinematic history has done, is show a third-world country under a terrifying military coup. Dead bodies and rampant soldiers fill the streets, with the sound of gun-shots sporadically firing into the air. Its an atmosphere that is unique to this film, making it iconic in some regards. After the kidnapping, the story plays out with no surprises. That said, its really great to watch two acting legends (Sissy Spacek and Jack Lemmon) play off against each other in a tropical South American country during dangerous situations.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
SCORE 80</div>
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<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>Calais: The Last Border (2003)</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Marc Isaacs</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
UK</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
This documentary has 16 votes on IMDB, so I'll forgive you for not having heard of it. Despite it being completely unknown, the film is truly wonderful. It shows Calais as a mid-point of a journey in a variety of different people's lives. Isaacs interviews a man from England that has just opened a failing pub, an old couple trying to make their businesses turn a profit and an immigrant trying to enter the UK. Don't let those descriptions fool you, the one-on-one interviews are so heartfelt and emotionally gripping, they almost had me crying at one point. Isaacs has a tendency in his films to show the best of humanity at the worst of times. He seems to be the only director around which thinks "humanity ain't so bad". </div>
<div>
Calais itself, is not a beautiful city, and is usually the place where us, from the UK, stop off and buy cheap alcohol. They even have the same dreary weather we have! The film is a shining ray of hope in a cold depressing world. Watch it if you can.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
SCORE 85</div>
<div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGW7vTdt94Yg6Y3UOUqwts-GXc2WE5BmybrnFvbZvxxwJGsl5jZFJYmQfQncC5vHpZPHsETtBqpnB08w3DsZmORzLlJEpLG-mwv9yvpBXECY_5LtIcqL_TAXst6K3LCfyHxkBs2tYrcrhH/s1600/calcutta.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGW7vTdt94Yg6Y3UOUqwts-GXc2WE5BmybrnFvbZvxxwJGsl5jZFJYmQfQncC5vHpZPHsETtBqpnB08w3DsZmORzLlJEpLG-mwv9yvpBXECY_5LtIcqL_TAXst6K3LCfyHxkBs2tYrcrhH/s1600/calcutta.png" height="291" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>Calcutta (1969)</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Louis Malle</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
India/France</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This feels like an extension of Malle's 6 hour epic 'Phantom India'. Calcutta is one of India's poorest cities, with most of the inhabitants living in poverty. Cue lots of shots of sewerage running through villages and children picking rubbish off of garbage-heaps. India is much more of a country than that. There are large culture differences, including lots of dedication to religion and faith. There is over-crowding, causing people to travel atop of trains and farmyard animals to run uncontrollably through the busy streets. A street performer swinging his daughter from a pole may be shocking to us in the West, but in Calcutta it is quite usual. If anything this documentary shows a venture into a wildly interesting yet alien world, that is right here on Earth. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
SCORE 72</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>Bitter Lake (2015)</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Adam Curtis</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
UK</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Adam Curtis is the most important documentary maker alive. He is unbiased (*cough* Michael Moore), and delves into complicated subjects in a clear and precise manor. He states facts without any exaggeration, and makes films without the in-your-face style editing. They are still wonderful.</div>
<div>
Previously he has made documentaries about psychoanalysis (the Century of the Self) and the use of fear in politics (The Power of Nightmares). His latest film 'Bitter Lake' is about Afghanistan's development in the latter half of the twentieth century to present day. First they were friends with America, constructing a massive dam and hoping to create a new wonderland there called "Little America". This dream failed. Curtis then chronicles the years after, with presidents being assassinated and different countries attempting to inhabit and modernize Afghanistan. More subjects are explored with the introduction of Wahhabism, America's agreements with Saudi Arabia and the use of fear by leaders of the western world. Its a lot to understand, so you may want to see it multiple times to get the most from it (I've already seen it twice). Not for a second are any of these topics dull or tedious, quite astonishing as its nothing I've been interested in before. The news tend to put a biased slant on news stories, so its brilliant to get a fresh neutral perspective.</div>
<div>
'Bitter Lake' does follow in the footsteps of 'The Power of Nightmares', with their paths crossing a couple of times, but both are vastly different. Bitter Lake seems to have more impact through visual images, such as teaching Dupont's urinal to a class of Muslims, a soldier playing with a bird, and epic scenes of helicopters landing.</div>
<div>
I can't call the film perfect, as the pacing and editing is all over the place, with some images and narration not fitting together. It causes the viewer to think, as everything that the film has to offer is not "put on a plate" (which I think is great, but it might deter the casual viewer). Still I think its a classic.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
SCORE 89</div>
<div>
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<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>Le Amiche (1955)</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Michelangelo Antonioni</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Italy</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Antonioni may be the most pessimistic and depressing of the world's auteurs but it hasn't stopped him from being one of the most acclaimed. Nearly all his films end in divorce or suicide and they usually deal with themes of isolation and fractured relationships. This film was before 'L'Avventura' and even before my favourite of his films 'Il Grido'. All of his films feel like super artsy and stylized neo-realism. Le Amiche has nothing going for it. The film follows a group of woman as they talk about relationships. Nothing interesting at all. The camera-work isn't as beautiful as his later films, but still may be the best thing about this film. Only die-hard Antonioni fans will get something from this.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
SCORE 58</div>
tom245http://www.blogger.com/profile/17350012493057024091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925202528452192097.post-86571805589182997402015-02-01T17:32:00.000-08:002015-02-14T13:47:43.309-08:00Super Fast Reviews for People in a Hurry Part 3 Good evening to you all. This part of the year tends to feel like an empty vacuum after the delights of Christmas. The days grow dingy and bleak as the temperature begins to plummet. The sort of weather which Werner Herzog would say, make a man "look into the abyss, only to see himself looking back". But wait... What's that? The cinema is showing good films for a change. Thank god for Oscar season! Although, the strange thing is that the Oscar films don't have the highest scores in this update. That would belong to a TV show and a film that shows humans have far more potential than we could possibly imagine. They really believe that the sky is not the limit, and that humanity can conquer galaxies, planets, eternal life and so much more... There is no limit. It's really what I needed on a dull, breezy and dark January morning.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>Birdman (2014)</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
USA</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
This is one of the few films that I found appealing ever since I saw the trailer last September. I anticipated for the film more than I should have, which normally results in a disappointing experience of the film (The Wind Rises and Cloud Atlas). 'Birdman' was far more than what the trailer had shown. The film is near flawless. The story of an actor risking everything for a Broadway play, while juggling his homelife and his movie-acting past is told with sweeping beauty and grande splendor.<br />
The long, never-ending take, is not a gimmick, just merely a beacon to show how great the acting is. There was a couple of dodgy transit shots and some of the actors slipping up on a word or two, but who cares? The film is wholly magnificent. Inarritu, has created an experience that no other film has done. It reminds me of what I found so interesting about film in the first place.<br />
<br />
Score 89<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYAo1O8ujuoFheJXJFRyasOer4kZixUhwESLS_49Pbpd37o-L6dTeI550wOdlJUPnj5Vo37X_U_I90_YkpgDghTSnDQEKtcjiEUjmz6NZZoWjIl7glv6KJJxezcbsZpyMlhUeOD12Zvkea/s1600/theory+of+everything.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYAo1O8ujuoFheJXJFRyasOer4kZixUhwESLS_49Pbpd37o-L6dTeI550wOdlJUPnj5Vo37X_U_I90_YkpgDghTSnDQEKtcjiEUjmz6NZZoWjIl7glv6KJJxezcbsZpyMlhUeOD12Zvkea/s1600/theory+of+everything.png" height="166" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>The Theory of Everything (2014)</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
James Marsh</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Britain</div>
<br />
This Stephen Hawking Biopic (like Birdman) has been nominated for Best Picture. It follows Hawking (Redmanyne) and his relationship with his wife Jane (Jones), as his Motor Neurone disease got gradually worse. The story of a man, who is told he has two years to live, is indeed a great story to tell. Everything is done by the books. I know this is what everyone else believes, but they're right. The large amount of biopics coming near Oscar time is colossal, and has now started to take the piss. The UK film Industry and Hollywood are now making films with the belief "this guy has an amazing story to tell, lets tell it".<br />
There is nothing wrong with the film. The acting is brilliant. The story is well told. The cinematographer does a decent job with the visuals. There is nothing to set it apart from the countless other biopics. I saw the Benedict Cumberbatch film 'Hawking' late last year, and I expect the two to merge in my head, during the years to come.<br />
<br />
Score 71<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGmQg9FqmVXFHTX1WaiTzpru0F3Va69Xyrl7HiOlVKjRQ_K_CiUEvbCpMPVWmHxefDJAvJFGs5wVjG_isl9mJrxf7gF81HHPBEex7Tc8psLAHSGeXThj8WaALBdyTb6nVxynmVOYHFPQ7i/s1600/gurren+lagann.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGmQg9FqmVXFHTX1WaiTzpru0F3Va69Xyrl7HiOlVKjRQ_K_CiUEvbCpMPVWmHxefDJAvJFGs5wVjG_isl9mJrxf7gF81HHPBEex7Tc8psLAHSGeXThj8WaALBdyTb6nVxynmVOYHFPQ7i/s1600/gurren+lagann.jpg" height="211" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>Gurren Lagann-Series 1 (of 1) (2007)</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hiroyuki Imaishi</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Japan</div>
<br />
Gurren Lagann tells the story of Simon and his friend Kamina, in their underground village. They are not even told there is a surface, yet Kamina disregards this. One day, a Beastman Gurren (large robot) falls into their village, and with the help of Yoko, they manage to destroy the machine. As the series continues, their goals get bigger and bigger, until they are throwing galaxies at each other for the fate of the universe.<br />
Gurren Lagann is completely barmy and over-the-top. It doesn't give the viewer anything to think about, so could be seen as nothing but thoughtless entertainment. However, the creators had this intention, and created something so enjoyable, so fun, with such iconic and great characters, that it has stayed with me every since I finished watching. I may say this is the greatest thing I have ever seen. In 24 episodes, there is so much character development and so much exhillarating mayhem, that now it has ended, well... I sort of miss it. I kind of hate it for making every other anime look crap in comparison. It'll make you shout "THIS IS THE DRILL THAT WILL PIERCE THROUGH HEAVENS" to your friends only for them to reply with "huh?". Why are you even reading this? You should be watching it now!!!<br />
<br />
Score 100<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqEg4L2Dib0NEKtezhuKdVIKDT2jFZApPC8LoX4PbqzBf-9m5a9Lx-VChxa5ko48zGGvm6UIUKWcvwiPscCa9UQF-h9vqaR7y0vTxE-NdotWH8sAjltAaOOyxCa_BiO4kPzusreSFydTWO/s1600/everything+will+be+ok.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqEg4L2Dib0NEKtezhuKdVIKDT2jFZApPC8LoX4PbqzBf-9m5a9Lx-VChxa5ko48zGGvm6UIUKWcvwiPscCa9UQF-h9vqaR7y0vTxE-NdotWH8sAjltAaOOyxCa_BiO4kPzusreSFydTWO/s1600/everything+will+be+ok.png" height="317" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><b>It's Such a Beautiful Day (2012)</b></u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Don Hertzfeldt</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
USA</div>
<br />
It's Such a Beautiful Day is the culmination of Hertzfeldt's three shorter films "Everything is Going to be OK", "I'm so Proud of you" and "It's Such a Beautiful Day", which tells the story of Bill, as his psyche gradually gets more and more shattered. Bill is the most ordinary of men, taking oranges from the back of the pile, and chewing on a sore in the corner of his mouth as he looks at a shopping bag blowing in the wind. Hertzfeldt then shows Bill's sad past, bleak present and his incredible future, showing that even the most mortal and ordinary beings can be ultra-incredible and extraordinary.<br />
The film is a poetic swansong to life, told through some of the best animation I have ever seen. Hertfeldt draws, narrates, writes and produces his films. The ultimate auteur. The talent this guy has is unbelievable, with an entire filmography of short films which must also be seen. I know its only January, but this may be the greatest film I see all year.<br />
<br />
Score 96<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO_FCcinwiWyea2I-SZSryWrUZhjQnb0G_dNY1MMyZAmsRqIWwLTBUYX3Cias1vpL8wlglD8Iz3PRyhmkArUdqLoWk7iamu87p_qlOez5DyXZDPsQw8Wf3PX9pg-IvRpyX5vxnr4017TYG/s1600/tuesday+after+christmas.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO_FCcinwiWyea2I-SZSryWrUZhjQnb0G_dNY1MMyZAmsRqIWwLTBUYX3Cias1vpL8wlglD8Iz3PRyhmkArUdqLoWk7iamu87p_qlOez5DyXZDPsQw8Wf3PX9pg-IvRpyX5vxnr4017TYG/s1600/tuesday+after+christmas.png" height="171" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>Tuesday, After Christmas (2010)</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Radu Muntean</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Romania</div>
<br />
This film tells the story of a man, choosing whether to devote himself to his wife or his lover. The man is a pretty normal guy, but his ability to cheat on his loving wife really makes him unsympathetic and detestable. Both woman are nice and beautiful, so choosing between them is hard and when he does, the consequences are likely to anger the audience. The film takes its time to reach its climax, with a long and gradual run-up to Christmas. This could be seen as ultra-realist, something that is so real, it is actually a bit boring. If you turned on the film at a random moment you would most likely see an ordinary conversation.<br />
While this may be well directed, acted and photographed, nothing interesting or different happens during the film. Nothing to take it "out of the crowd" but not a bad film at all. That said, I wouldn't ever watch it again and I don't believe it is a classic in any way.<br />
<br />
Score 62<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbePdozdeYZzC1c6uRoqCUNkUfb9xl-lQpiRr6I9YWPFF7Ui0N_VQ24GtwpdJwtKxqVn1B5fdPzD_iOKJK_rRSjTJCCw6kWp-CGEKMPf0yBb1PZ45VqTz6VNonJR5phUxwpQ2D6d6JXAVQ/s1600/La+soufriere.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbePdozdeYZzC1c6uRoqCUNkUfb9xl-lQpiRr6I9YWPFF7Ui0N_VQ24GtwpdJwtKxqVn1B5fdPzD_iOKJK_rRSjTJCCw6kWp-CGEKMPf0yBb1PZ45VqTz6VNonJR5phUxwpQ2D6d6JXAVQ/s1600/La+soufriere.png" height="297" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>La Soufriere (1977)</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Werner Herzog</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Germany</div>
<br />
Herzog is often seen as one of the best directors making films today, having created the Epic 'Fitzcarraldo' and one of the best ever documentaries 'Grizzly Man'. I've seen 15 of his films altogether and 'La Soufriere' remains as one of his best. Herzog travels to the island of Guadeloupe, where a volcano (Soufriere) is due to erupt. The once-busy city is now barren and abandoned, as the citizens have been evacuated. One person has decided to stay in the town, and it is this reason, Herzog journeys to the island.<br />
The film is filled with haunting imagery, and narrated by Herzog himself (what a voice!). To see a city deserted, with empty streets and livestock roaming amok, feels like something from a Hollywood blockbuster. As the film continues, it ventures further into the island, and the people of the island. The final interview with a guy who isn't afraid of dying, is deeply moving, haunting, thought provoking and unforgettable. Perhaps, one of the greatest moments in documentary cinema.<br />
<br />
Score 84<br />
<br />tom245http://www.blogger.com/profile/17350012493057024091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925202528452192097.post-58611189858752880342015-01-16T17:48:00.000-08:002015-01-16T17:58:48.212-08:00Super Fast Reviews for People in a Hurry Part 2 Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a good one :) Lots of essays this month (4 and an exam), so film watching has been at a minimum. Not many films here, but there is a definite variety. Hopefully in the next update I will fit some Oscar hopefuls in. Enjoy!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8qsn4bpy1_10Cn0PBS4P92M7KUG5wv9mPo353iH0h4qTpWEv3IcVMIpJDVcA5P8bB2COcEtSkWu0oTjlWg5z02UmlN6GeaFiXd-BJ2kcxjYpzNMacRrdqYCuXmaz7bH03W6vfTYnnr8NM/s1600/the+hobbit+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8qsn4bpy1_10Cn0PBS4P92M7KUG5wv9mPo353iH0h4qTpWEv3IcVMIpJDVcA5P8bB2COcEtSkWu0oTjlWg5z02UmlN6GeaFiXd-BJ2kcxjYpzNMacRrdqYCuXmaz7bH03W6vfTYnnr8NM/s1600/the+hobbit+3.jpg" height="185" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies (2014)</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Peter Jackson</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
USA</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
Most fans were up in arms about the third film, as Peter Jackson was far from faithful to the book. The only thing that irritated me was that there wasn't more Smaug. He just shows up for ten minutes and dies. How about the big battle with Sauron? He's defeated as well in the first half hour. So yeah, the rest of it is armies meeting and armies fighting.</div>
<div>
Treat this seriously and you will be annoyed, however treat it as a comedy and you'll have alot more fun. My expectations were so low, I was laughing at everything! Bears strapped to Eagles, Legolas jumping like he's in a Mario game and of course the never-ending 1vs1 fight scenes. However, it was the corny dialogue which had me laughing the most. Its better than Desolation of Smaug, but worse than An Unexpected Journey. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
SCORE 76<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ujIoZr8FMYzHnjJg3ylCa7qTSYOpz7rCgnc7G5FD5g4eaqUyt4WcocgTYN4G9KZfq0JirISdmTqDgBun8kNlPiVHgy1yYIy4dD8WlQScFC6knxjFWyL7LCNSKyxpoBIDQrndJ9SdIW2h/s1600/making+a+splash.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ujIoZr8FMYzHnjJg3ylCa7qTSYOpz7rCgnc7G5FD5g4eaqUyt4WcocgTYN4G9KZfq0JirISdmTqDgBun8kNlPiVHgy1yYIy4dD8WlQScFC6knxjFWyL7LCNSKyxpoBIDQrndJ9SdIW2h/s1600/making+a+splash.png" height="280" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>Making a Splash (1984)</u></b></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Peter Greenaway</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Britain</div>
<br /></div>
<div>
From one Peter to another, this is a short film programmed for Channel 4, where Greenaway assesses humans relationship with water, through hyperactive editing and Nyman music. I had previously listened to Water Dances, and its probably my favourite Nyman piece of music, although I had no idea Greenaway used it in a film. The ending result is magnificent. 25 minutes of cinematic bliss. I say all this but only Nyman/Greenaway fans will like it.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
SCORE 82</div>
<div>
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>The Blues Brothers (1980)</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
John Landis</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
USA</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Behind the phenomenal jazz soundtrack, lies a mediocre, unfunny film. This was my first time watching, and I was surprised how bland, drawn-out and empty the film is. It's not straight up "here's the jokes... Laugh" comedy (like Blazing Saddles etc). The comedy comes from the situations, the characters and the dialogue. It puts on a funny atmosphere which makes you prone to laughter, but it never worked. Of course I can't deny the songs, including James Brown, Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles, are leagues better than the film itself. I can't understand the hype and acclaim behind this one.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
SCORE 58<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrhVUJxjW-4qQM7Npo6hzqRsfonbDKKmYUwOK4FYLYQEy9eWveJOUh6Bdj7NtRdzkURxoUpfArtbVaNQF23V7JScc2JG3JWIRkGELzktLZSUdAtX8R8-x3crlW5bn1y7Lq3I8KoFXBcgof/s1600/PitAndThePendulum3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrhVUJxjW-4qQM7Npo6hzqRsfonbDKKmYUwOK4FYLYQEy9eWveJOUh6Bdj7NtRdzkURxoUpfArtbVaNQF23V7JScc2JG3JWIRkGELzktLZSUdAtX8R8-x3crlW5bn1y7Lq3I8KoFXBcgof/s1600/PitAndThePendulum3.jpg" height="168" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>The Pit and the Pendulum (1961)</u></b></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Roger Corman</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
USA</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm not a horror aficionado, but I really enjoyed this 1960s horror film. Vincent Price is brilliant as the cowardly husband, a rare role for the king of horror. The film changes the Edgar Allan Poe story quite a lot, there is a pit, there is a pendulum, and it is terrifying. This is decades before the shock horror which is popular now, and doesn't age as much as I would have thought. I would have loved it to be longer, as the 80 minutes does't cover some necessary parts of the story.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
SCORE 77</div>
<div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>The Castle of Cagliostro (1979)</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hayao Miyazaki</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Japan</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Before Spirited Away, before Princess Mononoke and even before Studio Ghibli! This romp was Miyazaki's first film, straight after directing a series of episodes of Future Boy Conan. It plays out like a classic caper, and the action does not stop for a second. The cool characters and excellent animation makes this a fantastic watch. Ridiculous amounts of fun to be had, and after all, Miyazaki never made a bad (or even ok) film.<br />
<br />
SCORE 78<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7XgdmPPoSWPiBPWT_hG0TxwEF8ZwGsDLn43oHy7ZrBd7zSE7SP8Qdm0ZRixfqlWThYyOOpirkvVHPIYrO5mIQcNB1PGk7fku84p-PsmaHjFg6_MkmD-Tk02o2bxy_xhuXPgef8MW9mHS3/s1600/syndromes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7XgdmPPoSWPiBPWT_hG0TxwEF8ZwGsDLn43oHy7ZrBd7zSE7SP8Qdm0ZRixfqlWThYyOOpirkvVHPIYrO5mIQcNB1PGk7fku84p-PsmaHjFg6_MkmD-Tk02o2bxy_xhuXPgef8MW9mHS3/s1600/syndromes.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>Syndromes and a Century (2006)</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Apichatpong Weerasethekal</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Thailand</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I have reviewed two of his films on the blog before, where I praised him for having a unique vision and for going against everything normal movies do. This film is no different, and is better in some regards. For starters it doesn't start with a 45 minute shot of a back of a car. Set in a hospital in the country, the film tells the everyday stories of the workers and patients. Gorgeous scenery and peaceful mentality abound. All of his films are split into two parts, and the second part to Syndromes is... well... interesting? I'm still trying to make sense of it.<br />
<br />
SCORE 75<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfFlVTRXYvq7KbuR6n1UFMMRp3a2xLDbzdSwW_Uqlve2fnRX_SDp6of1GY5X51Fx6DKvZHyhomNZJnpPHL6rAVQLVC31ILyLZ4jqdTWk3H0q4PLOzu9E1oGis7mcFL1Q78SdiSr7o_wEyd/s1600/la+poison.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfFlVTRXYvq7KbuR6n1UFMMRp3a2xLDbzdSwW_Uqlve2fnRX_SDp6of1GY5X51Fx6DKvZHyhomNZJnpPHL6rAVQLVC31ILyLZ4jqdTWk3H0q4PLOzu9E1oGis7mcFL1Q78SdiSr7o_wEyd/s1600/la+poison.jpg" height="286" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>La Poison (1951)</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sacha Guitry</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
France</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
After the Second World War and before the French New Wave was a thing, Guitry was hugely popular in France. Now he has faded into cinematic obscurity. Despite this film starting slowly, with a peculiar prologue, the film picks up pace about 40 minutes through. From there it is plain sailing, and a complete joy to see unravel, until the abrupt yet brilliant ending. Also stars Michel Simon, the beardy giant from Boudu Saved from Drowning.<br />
<br />
SCORE 75<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigVfiqTP0vZIVGCe2BH14QJfbhXL9EpjEb2e4DrVNMK5Yi2a5GItZhmAYCgzNsGyWU_EGCqGqJqbLcVfvcRo7qRwrJ1JNL5N0asvfCXIIvsbHKp1R1nebSkRxK4rOFWV2RRQqZTTppcOvH/s1600/russian+ark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigVfiqTP0vZIVGCe2BH14QJfbhXL9EpjEb2e4DrVNMK5Yi2a5GItZhmAYCgzNsGyWU_EGCqGqJqbLcVfvcRo7qRwrJ1JNL5N0asvfCXIIvsbHKp1R1nebSkRxK4rOFWV2RRQqZTTppcOvH/s1600/russian+ark.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>Russian Ark (2002)</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Aleksandr Sokurov</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Russia</div>
<br />
I finally got round to seeing the infamous Russian Ark. Yes, the film famous for the ultimate gimmick, that is the entire film is shot in one constant take. No breaks. No nothing. As impressive as that is, I thought it would get tiresome. Turns out the whole film is magnificent from start to finish. It's like a window through history, an adventure through time or a journey to a place that is nearly forgotten. Russia has such a colossal history, so its nice to see a film do it justice. More than a film it is an experience, one that I couldn't recommend more. Although, I would like to see the blooper real.<br />
<br />
SCORE 81</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
tom245http://www.blogger.com/profile/17350012493057024091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925202528452192097.post-642398979130611622014-12-27T18:30:00.001-08:002014-12-27T18:30:57.617-08:00Super Fast Reviews for People in a Hurry Part 1I am back from a long hiatus studying, ready to review films again!!! However I'm still studying, so this is all I can cobble together at this point. A barrage of random reviews of films/TV series etc, I've seen in the week (Week ending 27/12/2014). I hope you enjoy!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitkOoV9RpcDzUX7fsGoaNX2eNGVa5qcBDmRSF67Qb8cSo3_PBdr4O8oQyI1Bm-whDdHA58k9rY6vKCoEPevcvZMcADI5F1XBccr4hadNhhCNI1n04GYwyRVimr85G8u_k1VVnLAf8oUWhX/s1600/durarara.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitkOoV9RpcDzUX7fsGoaNX2eNGVa5qcBDmRSF67Qb8cSo3_PBdr4O8oQyI1Bm-whDdHA58k9rY6vKCoEPevcvZMcADI5F1XBccr4hadNhhCNI1n04GYwyRVimr85G8u_k1VVnLAf8oUWhX/s1600/durarara.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>Durarara (2010) Series 1</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ryohgo Narita</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Japan</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Durarara is my first Anime series I've watched, and boy was it a ride. The Anime is about Mikado, a lonely teen, who moves school to Ikebukuro. There he meets his long-distance friend (Masaomi), a shy schoolgirl with big breasts (Anri) and a ton of crazy characters. One thing Durarara does really well, is the characters are each unique in their own eccentric and crazy way. Each viewer will have a different favourite character. The characters are very much the driving force of what happens, most of which is told through flashbacks. Lots of them. Some of the episodes have over 6 different flashbacks, meaning the story revolves around revelations in back-stories. Every character has a secret past.<br />
Music is good, although often repetitive. The animation is also good, despite the animators deciding not to animate crowds and extras. Sorry if I'm making it sound average. Its a captivating and enticing watch, which made me ignore many of the flaws. Its really great, and I kind of miss it now I've watched it.<br />
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SCORE 87<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFwLZ0Fln1faOiN3ZwqtEySodkhyZfFJcRBRutDeTQJ8MjKyhCoyb5LdStfy-dGZrftt0GLbQpIGQd3gGi-6C4L6bcvFZjSq9znSMpH9YpW1JsLNME7-RHNyE4ej8wiC4nHgBy-vGDW4m_/s1600/i+killed+my+mother.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFwLZ0Fln1faOiN3ZwqtEySodkhyZfFJcRBRutDeTQJ8MjKyhCoyb5LdStfy-dGZrftt0GLbQpIGQd3gGi-6C4L6bcvFZjSq9znSMpH9YpW1JsLNME7-RHNyE4ej8wiC4nHgBy-vGDW4m_/s1600/i+killed+my+mother.png" height="215" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>I Killed My Mother (2009)</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Xavier Dolan</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Canada (French)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
The film is astounding to be directed by a first time director. This is my first Dolan film and I'm very impressed. Dolan stars as well, as a teenage homosexual, firing off against his mother. The acting is really what entices the audiences, and drives the film forward, with stellar performances from the whole cast. The performances are perfect, even if the characters they're portraying are irritating. The son has anger issues, that consistently shouts at his helpless mother.<br />
Dolan breaks the illusion of mothers-son relationships being all about love and care, and has created a film unlike any other in cinema. Even if the cinematography looks like a dodgy cross between Pedro Almadovar and Jean Luc-Godard, and the protagonist is an asshole, Dolan has created one of the most interesting and thought-provoking debuts in cinema.<br />
<br />
SCORE 75<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggKcR5bkZeYTP19v0OVamhgLo-xKOGpn00bz2qtOdbc40kCmfGaBARMVU10b395n6UsyndwUgIGKpCcO8NKqJpA6qR0Ney0A_UpMIO-OHn2rM2DEa2WvXRn3uzJm0dTBh1r4HVbTWAXVkV/s1600/nekromantik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggKcR5bkZeYTP19v0OVamhgLo-xKOGpn00bz2qtOdbc40kCmfGaBARMVU10b395n6UsyndwUgIGKpCcO8NKqJpA6qR0Ney0A_UpMIO-OHn2rM2DEa2WvXRn3uzJm0dTBh1r4HVbTWAXVkV/s1600/nekromantik.jpg" height="276" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>Nekromantik (1988)</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Jorg Buttgereit</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Germany</div>
<br />
I finally obtained a copy of one of the most infamous and disturbing films ever made. Well that's what the reputation says. This film centres on a streetsweeper, who takes a corpse home after a cleaning job. After a 'lovely' sex scene, his wife then leaves the streetsweeper for the corpse, leaving him alone and mentally deranged.<br />
I rarely watch repulsive, stomach churning films, but I thought it would be great to watch with a few friends round the house. The film is so poorly made, they hated it immediately. The acting is also dire, but no-one sees these films for the performances. I found the nasty bits no more than off-putting. That is until the final scene, which had me in fits of laughter. The 'grande' finale is a highpoint of the "Nasty" genre, but doesn't make up for a mostly dismal film.<br />
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SCORE 56<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZrf4Wa7QTLC0Qjz2rg98WORUPXf_rBIfUVe5Xdl2g4BYqarM70T8Kaj7qneaPKDL75Ji1YDjlNy8yDkcaynYemuovGkCyDbbbWfyVCz9DYBFvlneQ6Riwy9kRmgl9pqrYF-2an_T6L8kv/s1600/the+children.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZrf4Wa7QTLC0Qjz2rg98WORUPXf_rBIfUVe5Xdl2g4BYqarM70T8Kaj7qneaPKDL75Ji1YDjlNy8yDkcaynYemuovGkCyDbbbWfyVCz9DYBFvlneQ6Riwy9kRmgl9pqrYF-2an_T6L8kv/s1600/the+children.jpg" height="223" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>The Children (2008)</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Tom Shankland</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
United Kingdom</div>
<br />
Now for a film far worse than Nekromantik. 'The Children' takes place in a "snowy"(obvious fake snow going on) country house near a forest. Its a family gathering for Christmas, but things go wrong when the children become evil and murderous.<br />
The synopsis is pretty decent, with much potential for exploring Oedipul themes and "What if?" scenarios. However everything about the film is so awfully dull, any chance of this is thrown out of the window and torched with a flamethrower. Firstly the acting is catastrophic. Secondly the dialogue is corny and written by a retarded 5 year old. Thirdly the development of the film is inconsistant with a snore inducing introduction, to pointless and random deaths. Fourthly, and most importantly, it is not scary whatsoever. Not even chilling. This is the sole purpose of a movie described as "horror", and if it doesn't do it, it fails completely.<br />
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SCORE 18<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioLw8Urr9xW8-ogOjgJnxDCPBhPEKFFFR5QN22OvMbE64JbTioNJ7SwUk9X2zhv6eQblAjcau1TtK2WFpf7zupmsHqQF-QhTXTQHYQiTuxC6KakeHjwTIgSirStCukndO2fkDh5CY07qE_/s1600/patema+inverted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioLw8Urr9xW8-ogOjgJnxDCPBhPEKFFFR5QN22OvMbE64JbTioNJ7SwUk9X2zhv6eQblAjcau1TtK2WFpf7zupmsHqQF-QhTXTQHYQiTuxC6KakeHjwTIgSirStCukndO2fkDh5CY07qE_/s1600/patema+inverted.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>Patema Inverted (2013)</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Yusuhiro Yoshiura</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Japan</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 19px;"> This is a beautiful Anime, that </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 19px;">really exceeded my expectations. Age is a schoolboy living in a Utopian world on the surface. Patema is a same-age girl who lives underground. They both have different gravities (so up is down for Patema and down is up for Age). Together they rescue each other while falling in love.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"> A year ago I saw a film called 'Upside Down', which looked great and had a perfect relationship between the two characters, but the story was the most flawed in existence. The inverted mechanic works perfectly in Patema Inverted. The relationship between Age and Patema is wonderful as well. The dystopian future setting, like that of City of Ember crossed with North Korea, looks </span></span><span style="line-height: 19px;">phenomenal</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">, with the outside containing wide open green fields and large open skies, and an underground city which is mysterious while being equally as beautiful. The flying mechanic is really great to see on-screen, and lots of fun to watch. Its what 'Upside Down' should have been.</span></span></span><br />
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SCORE 84<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW_ZVaYvNMbb-l33z77EUONMo2_kSCDpjng6uV9ygob-hKBKDeWHg6OOcm6ZgHSgJZA5Hjm_Nhfz-RN2yYidXEzlEkpy_9_khKY6wyZw51-6HwXfyEI8dnnWpaQ_cfKYNUQWjP5q858wIP/s1600/the+castle+of+sand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW_ZVaYvNMbb-l33z77EUONMo2_kSCDpjng6uV9ygob-hKBKDeWHg6OOcm6ZgHSgJZA5Hjm_Nhfz-RN2yYidXEzlEkpy_9_khKY6wyZw51-6HwXfyEI8dnnWpaQ_cfKYNUQWjP5q858wIP/s1600/the+castle+of+sand.jpg" height="165" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>The Castle of Sand (1974)</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Yoshitaro Nomura</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Japan</div>
<br />
"The Castle of Sand" is a typical Police/Detective thriller, similar to Akira Kurosawa's 'High and Low'. The plot thickens, as revelations come to light, resulting in a phenomenal final act. Here, the film changes pace, to a sweeping, emotional, melodramatic, wordless Epic which left me stunned. I've been years trying to find this film, and its well worth the hunt.<br />
<br />
SCORE 86<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWHPxtfWxaMwM3O-AymRh9Bm_4trZ2vHr6laoydG61NVuRXR8wSVQaTtkhwOXVc7VWL0vpjfBFIvOqFPlu-aikM5AMKHIBPy_nZp3UuiwSILbyMpXP_NNzd_RT2rUWDWhYi7Lt-KtDUuBT/s1600/make-mine-music-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWHPxtfWxaMwM3O-AymRh9Bm_4trZ2vHr6laoydG61NVuRXR8wSVQaTtkhwOXVc7VWL0vpjfBFIvOqFPlu-aikM5AMKHIBPy_nZp3UuiwSILbyMpXP_NNzd_RT2rUWDWhYi7Lt-KtDUuBT/s1600/make-mine-music-1.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>Make Mine Music (1946)</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Robert Cormack</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
USA</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I appreciate the movies Disney have made during the war more than most people. 'Saludos Amigos' and 'The Three Caballeros' are unanimously disregarded, despite being some of Disney's best. Donald Duck is a painful screen presence (the Jar Jar Binks of Disney), degrading these films from a 85 to an 80. Make Mine Music doesn't have Donald Duck so it should therefore be flawless.<br />
Even though there are a couple of brilliant sketches, the film doesn't reach up to the mastery of its two predecessors. Maybe its the removal of the exotic ambiance, or some of the sketches are too long and drag. I'd still recommend watching it, for a couple of moments of excellence.<br />
<br />
SCORE 74<br />
<br />tom245http://www.blogger.com/profile/17350012493057024091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925202528452192097.post-41797211837752981672014-09-16T11:48:00.000-07:002014-09-16T11:48:10.557-07:00Toronto Film Festival 2014: In ReviewSo that was it. The festival is over and I'm back in boring old England. But blimey, what an excellent time I have had. All the films I watched were brilliant in some way or another. The films I referred to as 'filler' in the lead-up, all proved themselves to be worthy films. I will do small reviews of all the films I watched during the four days, with my own mini-award ceremony.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Scarlet Innocence (2014)</u></b><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7rnrWDxo34Pi-CbveF-T_YUxDPOieQcUECE7gGcEKpxp8FFfkjd_a-_Nam5b7O8N3bB1h84sacfldNfMt_Gw7idg6jWEeuA9YDMB9pwhME9EpCTSKpz02jKAkgFRDpLMPSD-ZT1iYCOcC/s1600/scarlet+innocence+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7rnrWDxo34Pi-CbveF-T_YUxDPOieQcUECE7gGcEKpxp8FFfkjd_a-_Nam5b7O8N3bB1h84sacfldNfMt_Gw7idg6jWEeuA9YDMB9pwhME9EpCTSKpz02jKAkgFRDpLMPSD-ZT1iYCOcC/s1600/scarlet+innocence+1.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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I reviewed this one on the blog, but to wrap up, its a sophisticated erotic thriller about a man's descent and a lover's deceit. Even though it's not the sort of film I like, I cannot deny how well directed all the scenes are.<br />
<br />
SCORE<br />
72<br />
<br />
AWARDS<br />
Best Acted, Film Least Recommended to See with Parents<br />
<br />
<b><u>The Dead Lands (2014)</u></b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-gEmhk5UiBy5ujpXUeqLsB_lvaMExouBZJoL5IV4RC4TEkrEGFPmSVZSf8LwEhwYldVlDESVKNo8jwHKAJTaeVBpOoZUmRWKHetmbBQ8fTr0vO2zL29-BpcMmVXacvs3HqfH1YKThMioE/s1600/the+dead+lands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-gEmhk5UiBy5ujpXUeqLsB_lvaMExouBZJoL5IV4RC4TEkrEGFPmSVZSf8LwEhwYldVlDESVKNo8jwHKAJTaeVBpOoZUmRWKHetmbBQ8fTr0vO2zL29-BpcMmVXacvs3HqfH1YKThMioE/s1600/the+dead+lands.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
A film about aborigine New Zealanders, that feels like The Lion King meets Apocalypto. The film started with a fire alarm, so we had to leave the theatre, and the fire brigade was called. After a while we were allowed back in, and the film began. What proceeded was a mediocre film, which was predictable throughout. The cinematography was mildly good, but, again, it felt like a lesser Apocalypto. The post-screening Q&A was introduced by a tribal dance (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDO5j-1OlFA">link to the video</a>) and all the actors and directors seemed incredibly passionate and friendly. The audience seemed to love it as well, but their was nothing in the film for me. Infact it made me very tired, I must have fallen asleep 15 or so times during the film, only to be woken up by a character shouting OOGA BOOGA.<br />
<br />
SCORE<br />
59<br />
<br />
AWARD<br />
Most Enthusiastic and Passionate Cast, Most Sleep Inducing<br />
<br />
<b><u>Tokyo Tribe (2014)</u></b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9rCViAF2ZH7dEyp90xS0mbxokW5ayVyZJR18wN20PSeThTX8KhNpRmWlpb_hDGSHoIl1W6KMT84wyeo1nithO1Ls_pGy0xz331x98lxJ1pc-W_ojg5EK5jI67Q-Ba_vkdxVLDPEWSGIEY/s1600/tokyo+tribe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9rCViAF2ZH7dEyp90xS0mbxokW5ayVyZJR18wN20PSeThTX8KhNpRmWlpb_hDGSHoIl1W6KMT84wyeo1nithO1Ls_pGy0xz331x98lxJ1pc-W_ojg5EK5jI67Q-Ba_vkdxVLDPEWSGIEY/s1600/tokyo+tribe.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
One of my most hyped screenings as I am a colossal Sono fan ever since seeing the four hour Love Exposure at 1am on Film4. I have seen eleven of his films and none have disappointed thus far. Sono is a constantly improving director which I would admit is probably my favourite. The film begins with a ten minute shot, accompanied by monotonal rapping and concluding in violence and nudity. What I love about Sono is that he gets the balance of nudity, violence and exploitation, so none of them are overused and exhausted. The whole film was incredibly enjoyable, although the film comes into it's own during the last 30 minutes. What happens during the final third is classic Sono, with non-stop, full throttle, laugh-a-minute exhilaration.<br />
<br />
The crazier the ideas of his films are, the better they turn out to be, so when I heard Sono was directing an Epic Gangster Rap Musical, I was overjoyed. The whole film was great, even if the rapping did absolute nothing for me. The film may even top WTF lists in years to come it was so insane, however it is definitely not for everyone.<br />
<br />
The screening was part of Midnight Madness, so I the film and Q+A finished about 2am. Instead of being tired, I was pumped, humming "Tokyo Tribe, Never Ever Die" until I got to the flat. The audience was crazy, clapping moments of the film, and heckling the sponsored adverts. If you ever get to see a Midnight Madness screening I would advise to do so, there is nothing quite like it.<br />
<br />
SCORE<br />
82<br />
<br />
AWARDS<br />
Favourite Director, Craziest Film, Most Enjoyable Film, Third Best Film<br />
<br />
<b><u>Cruel Story of Youth (1960)</u></b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDgZQ8-9YLM4g_F_wfGPe5WQKlxWUvlI6wFrLFZLtGpaL2qiYTOQSTRlKCJ4XO5i-2CfDijgCWYS3vCSUWYQ_LiVRyXx-kgGEcV_BmR2RosJ9Rem6ekAgg4PZSeJziMnE04uel6TtXvOj0/s1600/cruel+story+of+youth.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDgZQ8-9YLM4g_F_wfGPe5WQKlxWUvlI6wFrLFZLtGpaL2qiYTOQSTRlKCJ4XO5i-2CfDijgCWYS3vCSUWYQ_LiVRyXx-kgGEcV_BmR2RosJ9Rem6ekAgg4PZSeJziMnE04uel6TtXvOj0/s1600/cruel+story+of+youth.png" height="160" width="400" /></a></div>
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This Nagisa Oshima film was showing as part of the Cinematheque, which was showing classic and restored film throughout the festival. This has been a film I had recently wanted to see, due to its notoriety and that it kick-started the Japanese New Wave. This free screening was accompanied by an unexpected introduction from Claire Denis, who greatly admires the film and how it was unique for the period.<br />
<br />
The film has aged slightly, as the synopsis of "two reckless youths falling in love, and concluding in tragedy" has been repeated ever since. Yet the film is largely forgotten, unlike Oshima's "In the Realm of the Senses" which has only got more infamous and controversial. The story concerns a young woman falling for a young man, even after he slaps and rapes her. The woman resists at first, but eventually succumbs to his male stature in a hybristophilia type way. The youth portrayed in the film are selfish, audacious, full of hatred for older citizens and without a care in the world. None of the characters are sympathetic, but provide a good character study of the type of people I wouldn't know anything about. It also provides a snapshot into a time of the late Post-War Japan period, with rioting and lost youth. It's a film that I would recommend if a fan of film history, but not enjoyable whatsoever. Seeing as this is Oshima's second feature, I am very impressed.<br />
<br />
SCORE<br />
74<br />
<br />
AWARDS<br />
Oldest Film, Least Likeable Protagonists.<br />
<br />
<b><u>The Tale of Princess Kaguya (2013)</u></b><br />
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My most anticipated film of the festival is Studio Ghibli's latest. Directed by Isao Takahata, formally known for 'Grave of the Fireflies' and 'Pom Poko', who was also there for the after-screening Q+A, which is possibly the most star-struck I have been. He's not just another over-rated celebrity, but a genuinely talented and respected old man. Did I mention I've seen every Studio Ghibli film to date (excluding The Wind Rises)? Well it was time to begin, and well... It was even better than my exceedingly high expectations.<br />
<br />
The film grabs you from the very first scene and does not let go until the closing credits, by which time I was so close to tears. The film itself has a sad story of homesickness and nostalgia, but its the pure overload of gorgeous images that really got to me. Every scene is drawn as an unbelievably beautiful water-colour painting, that fitted the tenth century setting perfectly. The themes of longing for the past is universal and affects every person in the world. These may be the reason why the phenomenal world of Princess Kaguya is one I want to experience again and again.<br />
<br />
This may be the beginning of another Ghibli golden age, but don't get your hopes up, as Takahata said during the Q+A that it's more likely he won't direct another Ghibli film, than he would. I could see Takahata was about to cry as he was saying this.<br />
<br />
SCORE<br />
88<br />
<br />
AWARDS<br />
Best Film, Closest to Tears, Most Timeless Film, Best Animated.<br />
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<b><u>Coming Home (2013)</u></b><br />
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Zhang Yimou's newest film is very much a tear-jerker. Not me, but the audience was sobbing like crazy. It chronicles the return of a rebel prisoner to his amnesia-suffering wife in the aftermath of the Cultural Revolution. Gong Li's character does not recognise her husband when he does return, causing him to go to great lengths to get her to recognise him. The film is primarily a family drama, where everything that can go wrong, does, for maximum dramatic effect (like Hanake's 'Amour'). It is filled with cultural history of a largely forgotten period of history. Yimou usually shoots on film, focusing on large stories and epic landscapes, so I found this his least impressive film, as its shot on digital and focuses on a small family. The film is disappointing for me, as I know Yimou is capable of unforgettable epic films like 'Raise the Red Lantern', and 'Flowers of War', but this is very much a step back in his career than one forward. The film does have some shining moments, such as a beautiful piano scene, and the letter reading, but the overload of sad scenes made me groan far too often.</div>
<br />
Gong Li is the best thing about this film, giving a truly wonderful performance. All the acting is great from the three main leads, but I wasn't feeling the film as much as the constantly sobbing girl I sat next to. The Yimou Q+A afterwards was really quite brilliant. Despite only making films from the mid-80s, he does feel like a true master of cinema.<br />
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SCORE<br />
71<br />
<br />
<b><u>Song of the Sea (2014)</u></b><br />
<b><u><br /></u></b>
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This wonderful film is directed by Tomm Moore, the man who created one of the most gorgeously animated films ever made with 'The Secret of Kells'. From the trailer, it looked like the animation style was identical, although the story is quite different. The film is about a brother and a sister who go on an adventure to save the magical fairies who have turned to stone. On the way they must dodge vicious owls, and take guidance from a wise man with a long beard, each hair of which contains a different story. Even though 'Song of the Sea' is clearly aimed for children, the creators have conveyed so much heart, emotion and power into the film its impossible not to be stunned, amazed and moved. It is equally as good as 'The Secret of Kells', which is very high praise indeed. The Q+A with the director was very fun, with the children in the audience asking better questions than some of the grown-ups.<br />
<br />
SCORE<br />
82<br />
<br />
AWARDS<br />
Second Best Film<br />
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<b><u>In Her Place (2014)</u></b><br />
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'In Her Place' is a South Korean drama directed by first-time director Albert Shin. The film is about a city woman who travels to rural Japan to live with a teenage girl and her mother. The protagonist soon changes to the teenage girl, when its revealed she is pregnant. Albert Shin is a Canadian director who went back to South Korea to make this remarkable film. The action takes place mostly around a small house in the desolate village of Gungnam, so there are no fancy sets and thus the film focuses on the characters. The whole film is a brutal character study that is physically exhausting, in particular, a devastating scene towards the end. None of the characters were likeable (the directors intention), so I found the film to drag, even if it includes one of cinema's biggest "Oh Sh*t" moments. Well done to Albert Shin for an astonishing debut.<br />
<br />
SCORE<br />
73<br />
<br />
AWARDS<br />
Biggest "Oh Sh*t" Moment<br />
<br />
<b><u>Luna</u></b><br />
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'Luna' is a unknown and unhyped British film directed by David McKean. What persuaded me to buy tickets is it has one of the best trailers I have ever seen. Turns out the trailer gave away all the best parts of the film. Luckily for me I only watched it once (and I suggest you do the same). The story begins as a couple, Grant and Christine, who have recently lost their baby, visiting friends in a remote woods. When their baby passed away, their world deteriorated and they created a sort of fantasy world. As they visit their friends, Fraya and Dean, the fantasy world slowly returns as they struggle to differentiate fantasy from reality. Its quite an incredible film, based slightly off a true story. The characters and the actors portraying them feel like real people, providing a gripping character study. The bizarre and artistic animations are also faultless, adding to the creepy otherworldly aesthetic. 'Luna' will scare, move and will make you think. It stayed with me a while, and is definitely worth watching.<br />
<br />
SCORE<br />
79<br />
<br />
AWARDS<br />
Made me think the most post-watching, Most Interesting Film<br />
<br />
<b><u>Confession</u></b><br />
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'Confession' is a thriller by first-time director Do-Yun Lee, who looks about 14. Collaborating with the cinematographer of Oldboy, and some fine South Korean actors, Lee has made a thriller to the standard of South Korean master-works 'I Saw the Devil' and 'The Chaser'. The script reminds me of Infernal Affairs, while the atmosphere is reminiscent of 'Memories of Murder'. All of this for a directorial debut! Safe to say this was originally filler, but turned out to be the biggest surprise of the festival. If I was to say anything bad about it, it would concern the acting of one of the actors while crying (which wrongfully made me laugh several times) and the ending should be cut by 15 minutes. I am incredibly impressed with this film, and can't wait to read the reviews when its fully released.<br />
<br />
SCORE<br />
81<br />
<br />
AWARDS<br />
Best Debut, Biggest Surprise<br />
<br />
<b><u>National Gallery</u></b><br />
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The final film I saw of the festival was Frederick Wiseman's 'National Gallery'. A sophisticated 3 hour documentary about the National Gallery in London. I find art mostly dull and uninteresting, but Wiseman's documentary did considerably change my thoughts. The three hours was cut down from 170 hours, and takes place during the winter of 2012. Wiseman takes a look at the many wonderful pieces of art and the behind-the-scenes management of the gallery. What did surprise me is how he made the film look so good when using his own artificial lights would be banned due to them fading the pictures (I asked him this in the Q+A once the film had finished, and he said it was because he used a RedOne camera and edited like crazy afterwards). It's quite unexpected how beautiful the inside of the art gallery looks like on film, with gleaming floors and beautiful works of art on the walls. The staff talking about the art really impressed me, and showed me how a simple painting can have an unbelievable story behind it. The film may be too long, but its one of the most relaxing, peaceful experiences possible and is easy to chill throughout. The final dancing scene was a specific highlight, and one of the most gorgeous scenes at the festival. Wiseman is seriously old, but I hope this is not his final film.<br />
<br />
SCORE<br />
75<br />
<br />
AWARDS<br />
Best Documentary, Most Relaxing Film, Longest Filmtom245http://www.blogger.com/profile/17350012493057024091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925202528452192097.post-75504150836846736992014-09-05T08:25:00.000-07:002014-09-05T08:25:06.980-07:00Scarlet Innocence (2014) 'Scarlet Innocence' (Madam Ppang-Deok) is a 2014 South Korean film directed by Pil-Sung Yim and starring Woo-Sung Jung and Esom.<br />
<br />
Deoke (Esom) falls in love with Hak-Kyu (Jung), a university professor turned writing teacher. They have a passionate affair, with major consequences for Deoke's Deaf mother, and Hak-Kyu's wife.<br />
<br />
My first film at the Toronto Film Festival 2014, was the world premiere of this erotic thriller, complete with Q+A with the director. I intentionally watched this film without researching about it, and was pleasantly surprised. 'Scarlet Innocence' is an impeccably crafted film, but is not without a few flaws.<br />
<br />
First thing I noticed was the cinematography, reminiscent of a Soderbergh thriller, with each character lighted so you can see their every sweat. Light is used impeccably, especially the earlier on outdoor scenes. The cinematography is perhaps too good, (not in a Epic 'Lawrence of Arabia' way, but in a "Can't be filmed any better given the material" sort of way), not only because of the composition and lighting, but because it perfectly fits the mood and tone of the film.<br />
<br />
The nice love story that the film begins on quickly takes a dark turn, and continues to get progressively darker. Similar to 'Filth' and 'Wake in Fright', the film chronicles a man's descent into despair, with frightening results. It doesn't just stick to this, by also having a story that includes betrayal, lust and gambling. This film does try and fit too much into the run-time, which helps with the biggest problem for the film that is: there is no clear act structure. The vacancy of any clear middle and end acts make the film hard to enjoy, as I constantly thought the film was wrapping up, only for it to continue for another hour. The film was best during the first 20-30 minutes as you could see clearly what was happening, and was a pretty authentic erotic romance, similar to, and better than, 'Last Tango in Paris', but after this, there is no clear direction where the film is headed making it feel a bit muddled.<br />
<br />
Also impressive is the acting, where I could tell each and every emotion from how the characters act on screen. Woo-Sung Jung takes a break from his heartthrob/action films to portray a multi-layered deceitful persona, far different from his roles in 'A Moment to Remember' and 'The Good, the Bad and the Weird'. If the Oscars were more internationally friendly, I would say he could easily win Best Actor. When I think of South Korean films, I think high-paced action, adorable romances and advanced cinematography, but never quality acting. The acting is good in South Korean movies but never before to this high standard. Both the lead actor and actress were incredible, even during the uncomfortable and revealing sex scenes.<br />
<br />
The reason why this is not scored higher, is because it's just not my type of film. An erotic thriller, where the characters have no redeeming features, is not the sort of film I like at all (I found 'Last Tango in Paris' to be a horrible experience). This is a sophisticated, high quality film that I definitely recommend, if you like the genre.<br />
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<br />
TO CONCLUDE<br />
The first-class acting and brilliant lighting outshine the muddled plot and unsympathetic characters.<br />
<br />
SCORE<br />
72tom245http://www.blogger.com/profile/17350012493057024091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925202528452192097.post-8438939179459131202014-09-04T11:35:00.002-07:002014-09-04T12:48:26.625-07:00Toronto International Film FestivalI am currently chilling in Toronto, in preparation for four days of hardore film watching (that is watching lots of films, not watching films that are hardcore). I have 13 films planned, and I'm going to be too busy to review them. Here is a complete list of films I will watch:<br />
<br />
<b>September 4th 2014</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<u>6pm Scarlet Innocence (South Korea)</u><br />
It has been a while since I watched A South Korean thriller. The Chaser, Mother and I Saw the Devil are recent classics, so I decided there was no better way to start the festival.<br />
<u>9pm The Dead Lands (New Zealand)</u><br />
I know very little about this film. It is mainly filler for the films it is sandwiched between. Its a film about aborigine tribes in New Zealand.<br />
<u>12pm Tokyo Tribe (Japan)</u><br />
I'll be surprised if I can stay awake for this long. Shion Sono is perhaps my favourite director, having not made a bad film in his 15 year directorial career. This film is a Yakuzza, gangster musical, that I expect to be phenomenal. I am indeed a fan, having seen 11 of his films. Shion Sono may even be there!<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>September 5th 2014</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<u>11.45am Aire Libre (Aire Libre)</u><br />
This is filler, and optional. It looks awful from the trailer, so I might miss it if I am exhausted.<br />
<u>3pm Winter Sleep (Turkey)</u><br />
The worldwide acclaimed, 3 hour, Palme D'Or winner, is a film I have yet to get tickets for. I do intend to. I was a bit bored by his previous film 'Once upon a Time in Anatolia', but his work is visually interesting and tells stories at a slow and meditative pace.<br />
<u>8pm Coming Home (China)</u><br />
Zhang Yimou's latest film. Yimou is known for directing the 2012 Olympic Ceremony, 'Raise the Red Lantern' and 'The Flowers of War' (starring Christian Bale). He is a superb director who is truly a visionary.<br />
<br />
<b>September 6th 2014</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<u>9am The Tale of Princess Kaguya (Japan)</u><br />
I would NEVER miss a Studio Ghibli film. This one is directed by Isao Takahata ('Grave of the Fireflies') and is based on a tenth century Japanese fairytale. The reviews have been brilliant thus far.<br />
<u>11:30am Song of the Sea (Europe)</u><br />
Directed by the same guy who directed the masterful 'The Secret of Kells', this has the exact same animation style.<br />
<u>2pm In her Place (South Korea)</u><br />
This is, once again, filler, but it has the most potential out of all the fillers. The trailer gives little away, so I know very little about it.<br />
<u>6.30pm Luna (Britain)</u><br />
The trailer is really quite something. I have to physically pull myself away from the screen to avoid watching it again (incase it spoils the film). The film looks very experimental, and indie. An unanimated 'Waking Life'.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>September 7th 2014</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<u>9.15am Confession (South Korea)</u><br />
Another thriller filler. Although I am down with anything South Korean.<br />
<u>12:15am National Gallery (Britain)</u><br />
I have yet to see a Frederick Wiseman documentary. I'm not sure starting with a 3 hour documentary about London's National Gallery is a good idea...<br />
<u>4.15pm Love in the Time of Civil War (Canada)</u><br />
I like the name. Watching films based on names has failed me before ('2001 Maniacs: Field of Screams', 'The Wild Women of Wongo', 'Cannibal Woman in the Avocado Jungle of Death', 'Dinosaurus'), but this film has a far more interesting synopsis.<br />
<br />
<b>Films I Wanted to See (showing later in the festival or doesn't fit with my schedule)</b><br />
<br />
<u>Beats of Antonov (Sudan)</u><br />
Looks magnificent from the trailer. About the Sudan civil war, and I would have seen this as well. If it were longer than an hour long.<br />
<u>Rec4 Apocalypse (Spain)</u><br />
The first Rec is the scariest film I have seen. The second was good and more of the same. The third was atrocious, partly because, they thought it would be a good idea if they put the camera down and shoot it like a movie. BAD IDEA. It's called Rec, the shaky cam should be compulsory. This fourth one also doesn't have shaky cam, and the story has been blown out of proportion (much like the Paranormal Activity franchise). Why is this here then. The director of the first two, Jaume Balaguero, is directing this, but mainly because it is a guilty pleasure.<br />
<u>They Have Escaped (Finland)</u><br />
Finnish films are quite a rare occurrence. But it does look like a crazy and brilliant coming of age story from the great trailer. Definitely one for DVD.<br />
<u>The World of Kanako (Japan)</u><br />
Tetsuya Nakashima is quite a director. His films are vibrant, energetic and startlingly dark. This is his latest film, is about a missing girl and a father's plight to save her.<br />
<u>Fires on the Plain (Japan)</u><br />
The director of 'Tetsuo''s attempt to adapt and remake Kon Ichikawa's horrifying anti-war film, for present day audiences.<br />
<u>Horse Money (Portugal)</u><br />
Pedro Costa is a little-heard of auteur from Portugal. This film continues the story of Cape Verdean, as he survives in the Portugese slums. The fourth in the series after Ossos, In Vanda's Room and Colossal Youth. I am speechless from watching trailers of his films. The light manipulation in these films are truly beautiful.<br />
<u>The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness (Japan)</u><br />
Who doesn't want to see a documentary on Studio Ghibli? Documenting the creation of 'The Wind Rises' and 'The Tale of Princess Kaguya'.<br />
<u>The Look of Silence (Indonesia)</u><br />
Follow-up documentary of The Act of Killing, this time told from the victim's point of view. Also directed by Joshua Oppenheimer.<br />
<u>The Years of Fierro (Mexico)</u><br />
Fascinating documentary of death-row convict Cesar Fierro, who has been locked up for 30 years. Even more worryingly he might be innocent. Gripped me from the first few seconds of the trailer.<br />
<u>In the Crosswind (Estonia)</u><br />
This looks to be the most visually stunning film of the festival. It concerns the Latvians, Estonians and Lithuanians which were sent by the USSR on trains to the remotest Siberia.<br />
<u>Partners in Crime (Taiwan)</u><br />
About three high school friends. One of them dies in an alleyway, while the other two discover why she died.<br />
<u>Goodbye to Language 3D (France)</u><br />
I doubt many people even know (or care) that French New Wave pretentious rebel Jean-Luc Goddard, is still making films. This is probably over-hyped, but I will watch it anyway.<br />
<u>X+Y (England)</u><br />
An autistic student travels to Taiwan for the Maths championship. Starring Asa Butterfield from 'Ender's Game', 'Hugo' and 'The Boy in the Striped Pajamas'.<br />
<u>Pasolini (Italy)</u><br />
I have always thought a film about Pier Paulo Pasolini would be a great idea. This film stars Willem Dafoe (who looks remarkably like him), and chronicles the final days of his life before his assassination.<br />
<u>Mr Turner (Britain)</u><br />
I have yet to see a good Mike Leigh film (mostly OK and unmemorable), nevertheless he is an amazing director, and this film has heaps of praise.<br />
<u>Leviathan (Russia)</u><br />
Tons of praise at Cannes, has turned director Andrey Zvyagintsev a name to look out for. His previous work 'The Return' was quite a film.<br />
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I will catch-up with the films in this segment during the next year.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I have tickets for all but five of them, the others I intend to buy when they become available. At $18 each (£12), I couldn't stop buying. Now I am about to leave to see some movies!tom245http://www.blogger.com/profile/17350012493057024091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925202528452192097.post-11331922932458758302014-08-09T16:27:00.002-07:002014-08-09T16:29:41.995-07:00Police (1985) 'Police' is a 1985 French film directed by Maurice Pialat and starring Gerard Depardieu.<br />
<br />
Gerard Depardieu plays a policeman called Louis, who attempts to bust a Tunisian narcotics ring. However he falls for Noria, one of the drug traffickers girlfriend, and ends up protecting her, due to the wrongful accusation of theft.<br />
<br />
Depardieu and Pialat had four total collaborations, 'Police' being the first. Pialat has always been a director that is spoken about, but surprisingly few people have seen any of his films (his most voted film on IMDB has 2,500 votes). This is my first foray into his films, which seem to be recommended to me constantly. Gerard Depardieu, on the other hand, seems to be France's most known and loved actor. He may not have the charm that propelled so many actors to stardom, but he has an unparalleled screen presence and a humongous filmography. Ever since watching the brilliant (and actually quite depressing) 'Jean de Florette', Depardieu seems to continually surprise me, and this is no different here. The first ten minutes provides a level of acting rarely achieved in 1970s-80s cinema, with a intense atmosphere and lingering shots.<br />
<br />
'Police' is a crime thriller like no other. The documentary aesthetic, the naff 1980s mise-en-scene and the bland interiors makes the film unique. These points may sound negative, but they combine to create a realistic portrayal of 1980s police that is rarely shown. Usually you get ultra-stylised, minimalistic versions of police offices, but Pialat does the reverse, and creates an authentic setting and atmosphere, so life-like, its easy to forget that this is a film. The film was made half way through the 1980s, and thus, was doomed to be unforgivably naff. The awful hairstyles and the cringe-inducing clothes make an unwelcome return from Rohmer's naff films, but they rarely effect the film itself. Even if Depardieu's haircut is one of cinema's worst.<br />
<br />
Pialat has made the film his own, but he has made the experience of watching it far from enjoyable. The characters may be well developed, and the film is well crafted, however the film lacks structure, contains confusing storylines, and has more words per minute than any film I have seen. 'Police' is far from most people's safety zones, not only in it's content (sexism, nudity, police abuse) but also in what an audience is used to with a film. For example, the main protagonist Louis (Depardieu) is tough, arrogant, sexist and rude. Having a main character that is hard to sympathize with (no matter how well acted) will always irritate the audience. In many different aspects, the film proves to be well made, but so hard to like.<br />
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TO CONCLUDE<br />
Incredibly well acted and directed, but really hard to "adore".<br />
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SCORE<br />
68tom245http://www.blogger.com/profile/17350012493057024091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925202528452192097.post-21988906849725566642014-07-03T12:41:00.001-07:002014-07-03T12:42:10.393-07:00Abhijan (1962) 'Abhijan' (The Expedition) is a 1962 Indian film directed by Satyajit Ray.<br />
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Narsingh is a taxi driver, who gets fired from his firm for dangerous driving. He decides to travel, with his loyal taxi-partner Rama, to his ancestorial homeland of Rajput, when on the way he meets a merchant (Sukharam). The merchant persuades him to stay in the town, due to there being no taxi service. He becomes friends with a Christian school teacher but mistakes her friendly personality for true love.<br />
<br />
Satyajit Ray is an amazing film-maker, who is thought of as a legend in India. He showed Indian cinema to the world with the wonderful 'Pather Pachali', and continued to make great films until his death in 1992. Ray was awarded an honorary Oscar months before his death, which is well-deserved, especially because he made a total of 36 films. It's a shame I haven't seen many of his films (only the Apu trilogy), so I bought the rare Masters of Cinema DVD of 'Abhijan', in hope to change that.<br />
<br />
'Abhijan' is a little known film from Ray's large filmography, that surprisingly few people have seen. It's his biggest film in Bengal, but apart from that it's rarely spoken about. My overall opinion was that the film drags a bit in the middle, but is fully enjoyable and contains many great performances.<br />
<br />
The plot of the film is constantly changing, so therefore, it's hard to figure out where the film is heading, with it starting as a 'fish out of water' protagonist entering a miserable town (the type of film where he makes friends with everyone by the finale), and then changes into a protagonist takes an evil job and looses his friends. The hopeful atmosphere of the film turns into a tragedy, where it feels as if the main character is doomed by his immoral actions. The protagonist switches from bad to good to bad and finally to good again, so by the end of the film I wasn't entirely sure if I liked him or not. The film adds a couple of sub-plots, (the Christian girl, the fight etc) to help fill up the long 2 1/2 hour runtime, but they do get tiresome for a while. 150 minutes is a long time, and I felt like there was not enough interesting events to sustain the brilliance created at the beginning of the film.<br />
<br />
If I was to say "Indian cinema" you would think the colourful singing and dancing exoticism of Bollywood. 'Abhijan' and Ray's other films are far from Bollywood, although they are immersed in Indian culture. Nowhere in the world could make a film combining exotic barren landscape, clanging sitar music and the unfamiliar yet alluring mise-en-scene. I prefer this film to a Bollywood hit like 'Mother India', as it doesn't have the unnecessary singing and dancing, as well as not feeling false and unreal. 'Abhijan' could have genuinely happened in Bengal at some point in time. The film features realistic people in realistic situations, something not seen in the dreamy land of Bollywood, and its a shame they still don't make their films like this.<br />
<br />
TO CONLCLUDE<br />
A superb Indian film from directorial maestro Satyajit Ray. It's never considered one of his greatest, but I fully enjoyed it regardless.<br />
<br />
SCORE<br />
78tom245http://www.blogger.com/profile/17350012493057024091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925202528452192097.post-40276499439857754322014-07-01T15:57:00.002-07:002014-07-01T15:57:58.902-07:00La Grande Bouffe (1973) 'La Grande Bouffe' is a 1973 French film directed by Marco Ferreri, starring Marcello Mastroianni, Michel Piccoli and Phillipe Noiret.<br />
<br />
Four gentlemen decide to take a holiday in a remote country house, and eat themselves to death. Two prostitutes and a school teacher decide to keep them company.<br />
<br />
I finally got round to watching the infamous 'La Grande Bouffe', widely known as one of the craziest films ever made. It's a film that is more likely to appear on WTF film lists, then top 100 film lists. Marco Ferreri has made a career of directing some strange films, my favourite being 'Bye Bye Monkey' where "A man walking on the beach near New York City finds the corpse of King Kong. He also finds Kong's orphaned son, and decides to raise it". Ferreri hasn't made any famous, or even critically acclaimed films, but damn are they crazy.<br />
<br />
A film where four men eat food until they die sounds pretty depressing, but the film is alot more fun then it sounds. The characters are filled with expression, similar to other Italian comedies, but here they are go completely over-the-top and then some. Ferrari lets the actors go off the hook, with some of the craziest performances I have seen. The four men are four of the best Italian actors who have ever lived, starring in films from 'Cinema Paradiso' to 'Belle de Jour'. Most notable is Marcello Mastroianni, who I think is the greatest Italian actor who has ever lived, with an unparalleled screen presence.<br />
<br />
The film is also severely grotesque, due to the large amounts of food consumed. Who ever said you shouldn't play with your food? The large plates filled with extravagant dishes of chickens, crepes, and juicy pig heads, are being gratuitously stuffed into by the four men. No table manners whatsoever, they just grab into the food with their hands. The film is grotesque in a sexual way, with the sexual pleasures of the men being performed in a disgusting way, with ugly bodies and even involving some of the food. This does include the occasional sex ontop of a cake. What makes the film genius is that all of this is purely intentional on Ferreri's part. It made me have so many different reactions, from laughing to almost vomiting, which makes the film both memorable and entertaining. Although I can't say I want to ever watch it again.<br />
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<br />
TO CONCLUDE<br />
Italian humour pushed to it's most extreme. It's immature, disgusting and hunger inducing, but I strangely liked it.<br />
<br />
SCORE<br />
75tom245http://www.blogger.com/profile/17350012493057024091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925202528452192097.post-51011190585834531822014-06-27T15:28:00.000-07:002014-06-27T15:28:17.191-07:00Tange Sazen: The Million Ryo Pot (1935) 'Tange Sazen: The Million Ryo Pot' (Tange Sazen yowa: Hyakuman ryo no tsubo) is a 1935 Japanese film directed by Sadao Yamanaka.<br />
<br />
An older brother passes their family heirloom pot onto his younger brother. Unbeknownst to them, there is a map on the pot leading to a 1 million Ryo treasure. The younger brother's wife sells the pot to some scrap merchants, who then give the pot to the neighbour's son. When the brothers find out the pot has the map on it, a massive hunt begins.<br />
<br />
Sadao Yamanaka is a little known Japanese director, which directed 26 films in seven years prior to the Second World War. When war broke out, he was sent to the front line and died of dysentery, sadly now only three of his films exist. This film is his earliest available work, so the quality isn't ideal, and the film is missing a few key scenes. Although we are lucky to have this masterpiece, that was so close to being lost forever.<br />
<br />
The film is a jidaigeki, a historical period film, that uses many techniques ahead of it's time. This is one of the earliest Japanese talkies that exists, and the first talkie in the Tange Sazen set of films. Before this film, its important to imagine how the Tange Sazen character became a skilled samurai, and lost an eye in the silent films that preceded this one. Luckily for us, it's not necessary to see the earlier films, especially seeing as they are lost forever.<br />
<br />
'Tange Sazen: The Million Ryo Pot' feels like a cross between a Mizoguchi period piece, and a Kurosawa caper. It's even possible to see parts of Ozu, with the luscious soundtrack and the friendly atmosphere. This film was before any of those directors mastered their separate themes and techniques, some of which Yamanaka has already reached mastery on, in this film. This film is already superior to anything Mizoguchi did in the 1930s.<br />
<br />
Despite some obvious missed scenes, the story sticks together very well. It's a screwball caper about a Pot, and the lengths people will go to get it. While this is going on, there is a story of an orphaned child who is taken in by the samurai and the shop-owner. The whole film contains a series of great characters, such as Tange Sazen the ruthless samurai with a hidden tender loving side, the lazy head of a dojo, his jealous wife and the selfish rich brother. There are also two scrap merchants that look suspiciously familiar to two characters in 'The Hidden Fortress'.<br />
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I don't want to give anything away, as the entire film is an entertaining delight. A truly wonderful gem of early Japanese cinema, that I couldn't recommend more.<br />
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TO CONCLUDE<br />
A rarely seen film that is funny, sweet, visually beautiful and a whole load of fun.<br />
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SCORE<br />
82tom245http://www.blogger.com/profile/17350012493057024091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925202528452192097.post-78452926435366350472014-06-26T15:28:00.000-07:002014-06-26T15:28:56.218-07:00Asphalt (1929) 'Asphalt' is a 1929 silent German film directed by Joe May.<br />
<br />
Else Kramer attempts to steal a diamond from a jeweller, but is caught. She is taken into custody by Wachtmeister Albert Holk, a small-time policeman. He believes her false story and lets her free. After this encounter, they are destined to meet again.<br />
<br />
'Asphalt' is a little known German Expressionist film, released at the end of the German Cinema Golden Age of the 1920s. It's one of the final, if not the last, German Expressionist film and is acclaimed by most who watch it. The problem with that is that the core audience of the film is die-hard silent/expressionist film fans, something I am definitely not. I don't dislike the genre, I just haven't seen many of the films.<br />
<br />
The Expressionist movement happened during 1920-1929, and was the most exciting thing in silent cinema. These films were long before Citizen Kane, and were the first to show the beauty of the cinema. 'Nosferatu' and 'Metropolis' are the two most known of these films, both of which are seen as important staplemarks of film history and on the IMDB top 250. The truth is no-one has seen Asphalt, and has almost faded into cinematic obscurity.<br />
<br />
'Asphalt' plays out like a psychological Film Noir Romantic Thriller, complete with a deceiving femme-fatale and a straight-faced detective (in this case a policeman, but close enough). Even though the ending is different to the typical Film Noir film, the signs are definitely there. The thrilling aspect is present after the stealing of the jewellery. It's not possible to tell quite where the film is going, but it takes a thrilling ride to get there. The romantic part of the film was unexpected, but a welcome change of pace. The film uses lights to its advantage, even though the film is not as beautiful as any of the other German Expressionism films I have seen.<br />
<br />
The film could have easily been told in 20 minutes but painfully stretches every action it possibly could. Silent films are more about actions than words, but this was really testing my patience in places. There was so little happening, I drifted off in a few places and when I returned to the film, I had missed absolutely nothing. The acting is decent, although Betty Amann never reaches the heights of Louise Brooks, which she was trying so hard to impersonate. At it's worst, I thought the film was an uninteresting disappointment. There are many good aspects of this film, such as the lighting and the strange turn of events in the finale, however everything has been bettered by other films of the movement.<br />
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<br />
TO CONCLUDE<br />
For die-hard German Expressionist film fans only. The film contains nothing that makes it wonderful or unique, although it is a part of the most exciting film movement before 1950.<br />
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SCORE<br />
69tom245http://www.blogger.com/profile/17350012493057024091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925202528452192097.post-39888590182611681892014-06-24T13:43:00.002-07:002014-06-24T13:43:38.286-07:00General Idi Amin Dada: Autoportrait (1974) 'General Idi Amin Dada: Autoportrait' is a 1974 French documentary directed by Barbet Schroeder about the Ugandan dictator Idi Amin.<br />
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General Idi Amin Dada was the ruler of Uganda between 1971-1979. He invited a film crew to record him as he talks about various subjects like other world leaders, his plans to attack Israel and how he aspires to be Africa's Hitler.<br />
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I bought the rare OOP Masters of Cinema DVD and couldn't wait to see this film. I had previously seen 'The Last King of Scotland' which is a great film with Forrest Whittickers finest performance as Idi Amin. I never quite realised how accurate his portrayal was. Idi Amin is a ridiculous world leader, who was responsible for the murder of 300,000 people. The film is similar to 'The Act of Killing', where the film invites you to relate with a killer while staring evil straight in the eye.<br />
<br />
Despite Idi Amin's kind and heroic ideology, he is completely insane. He fetishises weapons and artillery, he has 18 kids (and divorced 3 wives because they were not revolutionary enough) and his entire regime was amateur and messy. He acts completely psychotic with a loyal country behind him. He may have kicked out all of the Asians which were previously running Uganda, and have the revolutionary ideology many countries aspire to have a leader with, but he is appalling at run a country.<br />
<br />
It's amazing that Schroeder and his team were allowed to film extensively with one of the most infamous dictators who has ever lived. Idi Amin is a tall, scary and frighteningly powerful leader, and even being in the same room as him must have been distressing. Idi Amin was expecting a propaganda film, but what Schroeder made was a one of a kind, chilling, mind-boggling documentary. It's remarkable this film was even made. This film works as an insight into 1970s Uganda and the infamous Idi Amin dictatorship, but as a film drops short. I don't know if it was my high hopes for the film, but I found the film uncomfortable and even boring in places. He is a unique and daunting person (to say the least), but 90 minutes of him talking to camera isn't enjoyable at all. About 95% of the film has Idi Amin's face in shot, a sight that isn't pretty. It seems too long, but that may be because of the repetition. Interviews with others about Idi Amin would be more than welcome.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi207YE9gk99i-2KwQluq6U0VYEwd4Ln0QztIxscJ6meI9JxRYuBQn7pP8KDdh0mYpILn2WKHZqRptCsav9w3ofcY0V7WSbGCdh9apqaNE2HgyL2gaf8co5Tg2LOCUxRy0KkbOn1ps3rDG-/s1600/general+idi+amin+autoportrait.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi207YE9gk99i-2KwQluq6U0VYEwd4Ln0QztIxscJ6meI9JxRYuBQn7pP8KDdh0mYpILn2WKHZqRptCsav9w3ofcY0V7WSbGCdh9apqaNE2HgyL2gaf8co5Tg2LOCUxRy0KkbOn1ps3rDG-/s1600/general+idi+amin+autoportrait.png" height="271" width="400" /></a></div>
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TO CONCLUDE<br />
Intriguing and chilling documentary about one of the most psychotic leaders the world has ever known.<br />
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SCORE<br />
75tom245http://www.blogger.com/profile/17350012493057024091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925202528452192097.post-29404360067849277612014-06-23T13:11:00.002-07:002014-06-23T13:11:35.300-07:00The Ghost of Yotsuya (1959) 'The Ghost of Yotsuya' (Tokaido Yotsuya kaidan) is a 1959 Japanese horror film directed by Nobuo Nakagawa.<br />
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Tamiya is a samurai who wants to marry Iwa, and kills her father (and several of his men) to do so. Naosuke, a friend of Tamiya, witnesses the murder and helps him dispose of the bodies. Tamiya decides to poison Iwa and her admirer, but he gets a lot more than he asks for.<br />
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There are many classic Japanese ghost films, but few make it overseas. The most famous are 'Ugetsu', 'Kwaidan' and 'Kuroneko', which are all brilliant films, but none of them exceed creepy. That is where 'The Ghost of Yotsuya' excels. The final half of the film is constantly shocking, and has plenty of startling scares. Similar in this aspect to Nakagawa's next film 'Jigoku', which has a dull first 2/3rds, and a terrifying finale based in hell. Both these films have the scariest scenes I have seen in pre-1960 classic cinema (except for 'Onibaba'), which is a huge achievement in itself.<br />
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One of the problems with 'Jigoku' was that the film was excruciatingly boring from the beginning until the trip to hell. The film did a poor job of character introduction and it didn't have any interesting scenes in it whatsoever. 'The Ghost of Yotsuya' doesn't have this problem and is thrilling from the first scene, although shit does get real the closer it gets towards the end.<br />
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All Japanese ghost films have the same major problem, that is the characters are nasty evil characters. It feels great when they finally do get their comeuppance, but in the meantime they make the film tough to like. The problem would be bigger in other genres, but in these films the stunning colourful visuals and the continual strange events seem to counter the problem pretty well. 'Ghosts of Yotsuya' never stops to take a breath, with exciting events happening throughout its short runtime. Nakagawa really does take you on a dark and horrifying journey.<br />
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TO CONCLUDE<br />
An exhilarating horror film from the first scene. Unknown and absolutely terrifying.<br />
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SCORE<br />
78tom245http://www.blogger.com/profile/17350012493057024091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925202528452192097.post-69251396122664491202014-06-19T06:44:00.001-07:002016-05-09T15:14:32.158-07:00Kinema Junpo Top 200 Japanese Films<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>The Kinema Junpo 'best of Japan' lists happen once every ten years. It's a list filled with many obscure films, most of which are impossible to watch with English subtitles. I love this list due to the high hit/miss ratio, and that no-one has heard of 90% of these films. The titles in green are the films I have seen, the titles in red are the films I have not seen. This list is by the readers instead of the critics.</b><br />
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<b><a href="https://mubi.com/lists/japanese-movies-all-time-best-200-kinejun-readers">LINK TO FULL LIST</a></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: #38761d;">01 SEVEN
SAMURAI</span></b><span style="color: #38761d;">- </span><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Akira Kurosawa</span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>Considered by everyone to be the greatest Japanese film ever. It's number 20 on the IMDB top 250, and is loved by everyone.</b></div>
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<b>SCORE 87</b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d;">02 TOKYO STORY- Yasujirô
Ozu</span></b></div>
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<b>Placed number 1 on the Director's Sight and Sound top 10. I find people only watch this Ozu film and move on, but he is a flawless director. My favourite would be Tokyo Twilight.</b></div>
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<b>SCORE 83</b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d;">03 IKIRU- Akira Kurosawa</span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>The story is a man gets cancer and builds a playground. It doesn't sound like a number 3 film, but it really is. Takeshi Shimura appeared in 21 Kurosawa films, but this is his career defining performance.</b></div>
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<b>SCORE 86</b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d;">04 THE CASTLE OF SAND- Yoshitaro
Nomura</span></b></div>
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<b>Incredible film. One half detective drama, one half gliding epic. The police investigation will keep you gripped and the ending is absolutely wonderful.</b><br />
<b>SCORE 85</b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d;">05 FLOATING CLOUDS- Mikio
Naruse</span><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b>Number 202 on the Sight and Sound top 250. Naruse is often mentioned in the same breath as Ozu, Mizoguchi and Kurosawa, but not many people have seen any of his films. 'Floating Clouds' tells the story of two lovers who never seem to be together. Hideko Takamine plays the "strong willed woman" which seems to be evident in most of Naruse's films. The opening is beautiful and the ending is devastating, although the rest of it could have been improved.</b><br />
<b>SCORE 76</b><br />
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<b><span style="color: #38761d;">06 TWENTY-FOUR EYES-
Keisuke Kinoshita<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b>Loved in Japan, but was released in the same year as Seven Samurai so is often overlooked. The film spans 20 years in the life of a school teacher in a remote rural area of Japan. The wonderful relationship between the students and the teacher could only be made by the Japanese.</b></div>
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<b>SCORE 84</b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d;">07 A FUGITIVE FROM THE PAST-
Tomu Uchida<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b>Enthralling crime thriller, where there is a ten year gap between the crime and the investigation. The acting is incredible. </b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://crazilyobscureworldcinemareview.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/a-fugitive-from-past-1965.html">MY REVIEW HERE</a></span></b></div>
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<b>SCORE 79</b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d;">08 RED BEARD- Akira
Kurosawa<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b>Slow start, but a flawless final third. The three hour runtime flies by, with some great acting and fantastic character development. The last Mifune/Kurosawa collaboration.</b></div>
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<b>SCORE 85</b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d;">09 HIGH AND LOW- Akira
Kurosawa<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b>Kurosawa's best crime film. It stars both Nakadai and Mifune, Japan's two finest actors, and is tense throughout its 143 minute runtime.</b></div>
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<b>SCORE 89</b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d;">10 MUDDY RIVER- Kôhei Oguri<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b>Very subtle film, inspired heavily by Ozu, about a child and his new neighbours that live on a boat in the river. </b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://crazilyobscureworldcinemareview.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/muddy-river-1981.html">MY REVIEW HERE</a></span></b></div>
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<b>SCORE 79</b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d;">11 YOJIMBO- Akira Kurosawa<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b>The story of Yojimbo was adapted into A Fistful of Dollars. Currently 106 on the IMDB top 250. The sequel is Sanjuro, which I think is better than the original, but both need to watch again before I can confirm a score as there has been years since I have seen either of them.</b></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><b>12 LUPI</b><b>N III: THE CASTLE OF
CAGLIOSTRO- Hayao Miyazaki</b></span></div>
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<b>This very early Miyazaki work is a fun and clever caper.</b></div>
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<b>SCORE 77</b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d;">13 NAUSICAÄ OF THE VALLEY
OF THE WIND- Hayao Miyazaki</span><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b>The first film that obtained Studio Ghibili world-wide recognition. The film is a fantastic piece of science fiction, with a message that should resonate even more today then when it was released.</b></div>
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<b>SCORE 86</b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b>14 THE MAN WHO STOLE THE SUN</b>-
<b>Kazuhiko Hasegawa<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d;">15 HARAKIRI- Masaki
Kobayashi</span><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b>Word is spreading about how amazing this film is. Tatsuya Nakadai's best performance in this unforgettable film. Definitely in my all time top 10.</b></div>
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<b>SCORE 100</b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: #38761d;">16 I ARE YOU, YOU AM ME- Nobuhiko
Obayashi</span><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b>A tale of boy meets girl, boy and girl switches body, boy is now a girl and girl is now a boy. Two great (and brave) performances by the lead actors. Its hilarious and moving at the same time. I just really love Obayashi and his wonderful world he has created. This was </b><b>remade in 2007. Both the original and the remake are completely unknown outside of Japan.</b><br />
<b>SCORE 82</b><br />
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d;">17 UGETSU- Kenji Mizoguchi</span><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b>One of the films that introduced Japan to the world. It's a ghost story set in 16th Century Japan during the civil wars. There is nothing like it in the whole of cinema.</b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://crazilyobscureworldcinemareview.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/ugetsu-monogatari-1953.html">MY REVIEW HERE</a></span></b></div>
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<b>SCORE 83</b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">18 LOVE LETTER- Shunji Iwai<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">19 LONELY HEART- Nobuhiko
Obayashi<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><b>20 THE LIFE OF OHARU</b>- <b>Kenji
Mizoguchi<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b>The life of a prostitute set in 17th Century.</b></div>
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<b>SCORE 79</b></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><b>21 VENGEANCE IS MINE</b>- </span><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Shôhei
Imamura</span><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b>A violent and shocking film about a serial killer.</b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><a href="http://crazilyobscureworldcinemareview.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/vengeance-is-mine-1979.html">MY REVIEW HERE</a></span></b></div>
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<b>SCORE 80</b></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>22 THE YELLOW HANDKERCHIEF</b>-
</span><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Yôji Yamada</span><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">A melancholic road movie between three strangers. as they journey to Hokkaido. A beautiful film that is sure to make you cry during the finale</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: red;">SCORE 83</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><b>23 EARLY SUMMER</b>- </span><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Yasujirô
Ozu</span><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b>Very similar to all of Ozu's other seasonal works. This one is about an arranged marriage.</b></div>
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<b>SCORE 82</b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">24 GODZILLA- Ishirô Honda<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b>It has 27 sequels and has been remade by Hollywood twice.</b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><b>2</b><b>5 THE GIRL WHO LEAPT THROUGH
TIME</b>- <b>Nobuhiko Obayashi</b></span></div>
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<b>Remade as an anime in 2006 and remade again as live-action in 2010. The only Obayashi film currently available is the cult favourite Hausu. His experimental films are scattered all across this list. I enjoyed this film more than I felt I should have. Tomoyo Harada plays Kazuko, a teenage schoolgirl, who spills a chemical in the school science lab and is then able to travel through time. Excellent film, especially the time travel scenes. This is more of a love story than a sci-fi, so it</b><b> is not to everyone's taste (there have been some really negative reviews).</b><br />
<b>SCORE 85</b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">26 FALL GUY- Kinji Fukasaku<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d;">27 CASTLE IN THE SKY- Hayao
Miyazaki<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b>A wonderful Studio Ghibili film. Definitely one of their most loved.</b></div>
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<b>SCORE 82</b></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><b>28 THE INUGAMI FAMILY</b>- <b>Kon
Ichikawa<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b>Ichikawa's most known film in Japan, but is completely unheard of in the west. A death and the reading of a Will leads to a series of murders in the large and despicable Inugami family. Quite confusing in places, but very entertaining.</b></div>
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<b>SCORE 79</b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d;">29 THE TWILIGHT SAMURAI- Yôji
Yamada<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b>The most critically acclaimed samurai film made in the 21st Century.</b></div>
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<b>SCORE 78</b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><b>30 RASHÔMON</b>- <b>Akira
Kurosawa<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b>Japanese cinema was completely unknown in the west before this came along in 1950. Currently 93 on the IMDB top 250. I need to watch it again to give it an honest score.</b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><b>31 THE</b><b> SUN LEGEND OF THE END
OF THE TOKUGAWA ERA- Yuzo Kawashima</b></span></div>
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<b>I watched the blu-ray and enjoyed this film immensely. It's both funny and heartwarming, with a great finale.</b><br />
<b>SCORE 80</b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #38761d;">32 THE EMPEROR'S NAKED ARMY
MARCHES ON- Kazuo Hara</span></b><br />
<b>Featured on A Story of Film: An Odyssey. This documentary is unlike any thing I have ever seen. It follows Kenzo Okuzaki as he visits the members of his army regiment, to uncover the secrets about the deaths of two soldiers. It is a really thought-provoking and ground-breaking documentary.</b></div>
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<b>SCORE 84</b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d;">33 TORA-SAN: OUR LOVABLE TRAMP-
Yôji Yamada</span><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b>The first of 48 Tora-San films, following the life of a yakuza returning to his hometown. Each of the films have a similar story (he returns to home, he falls in love, things go wrong), but were deeply loved in Japan. I had to import the dvd from America to watch these (a month later someone uploads all 48 to YouTube -.-), and thought they were great. Yoji Yamada, a master director, together with the wonderful cast (including Chrishu Ryu and Takashi Shimura), create a franchise which is truly heart-warming and magical.</b><br />
<b>SCORE 82</b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">34 KIDS RETURN- Takeshi Kitano<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d;">35 MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO- Hayao
Miyazaki</span><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b>Studio Ghibili's most iconic film. It's impossible not to smile throughout making it great for kids.</b></div>
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<b>SCORE 82</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #38761d;">36 HUMANITY AND PAPER BALLOONS-
Sadao Yamanaka</span><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b>Sadao Yamanaka's last film before he was sent to war and killed. Not as brilliant as his 100 Ryo Pot film, but still bloody marvellous.</b><br />
<b>SCORE 75</b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">37 SHALL WE DANCE?- Masayuki
Suo<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #38761d;">38 TANGE SAZEN AND THE POT
WORTH A MILLION RYO- Sadao Yamanaka</span><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b>Only three of Sadao Yamanaka's films exist. This is the earliest, and is a pretty well-known story in Japan.</b><br />
<b><a href="http://crazilyobscureworldcinemareview.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/tange-sazen-million-ryo-pot-1935.html">MY REVIEW HERE</a></b><br />
<b>SCORE 82</b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d;">39 THE FAMILY GAME- Yoshimitsu
Morita</span></b></div>
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<b>This hard to find film, is about a typical Japanese family, thrown into jeopardy, when a private tutor is hired to help the son. This film is very 80s. Morita focuses on the relationship of the son and the tutor, and how daunting society's expectations of success in school are.</b><br />
<b>SCORE 85</b><br />
<br /></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b>40 ZIGEUNERWEISEN</b>- <b>Seijun
Suzuki<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #38761d;">41 LATE SPRING- Yasujirô
Ozu<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b>The first film in his seasonal series of films. This one concerns a widowed father and the marriage of his daughter.</b></div>
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<b>SCORE 82</b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><b>42 THE HIDDEN FORTRESS</b>-
<b>Akira Kurosawa<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b>One of my favourite Kurosawa films. George Lucas stole part of the story for Star Wars.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b>SCORE 86</b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><b>43 PASTORAL: TO DIE IN THE
COUNTRY</b>- </span><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Shûji Terayama</span><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b>I randomly watched this, and was stunned. It's a crazy Japanese new wave film, about remembering childhood. Everything is nice and happy, until about a third of the way through the runtime, when he realizes his childhood was terrible. What ensues is a nightmarish version of what happened previously. Terayama is an brilliant auteur, and this is a great starting place for those new to him.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b>SCORE 97</b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b>44 SONATINE</b>- <b>Takeshi
Kitano<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #38761d;"><b>45 NOBODY KNOWS</b>- <b>Hirokazu
Koreeda<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b>Beautiful and devastating film about a group of children, whose mother leaves them alone. My favourite Koreeda so far (He is one of the few auteurs that is still making fresh and exciting films).</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b>SCORE 85</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #38761d;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #38761d;"><b>46 THE CRUCIFIED LOVERS</b>-
<b>Kenji Mizoguchi<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b>Another great period film from Mizoguchi. His most tragic.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b>SCORE 80</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #38761d;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #38761d;"><b>47 STRAY DOG</b>- <b>Akira
Kurosawa<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b>A man steals a colt from a policeman, and goes on a killing spree with the seven bullets in the gun. Not as good as Drunken Angel, but still a great film.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b>SCORE 79</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #38761d;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #38761d;"><b>48 DEPARTURES</b>- <b>Yôjirô
Takita<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b>It won the Oscar for the Best Foreign Language Film in 2009. Definitely deserved. A wonderfully crafted film, that is genuinely beautiful.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b>SCORE 87</b></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: #38761d;">49 WHERE SPRING COMES LATE- Yôji
Yamada</span><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b>A film that shows one family's struggles as they migrate to Northern Japan. Completely breathtaking and deeply engrossing. Yamada's direction and the remarkable performances by the cast made me care about this family as I personally knew them.</b><br />
<b>SCORE 88</b><br />
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><b>50 THE HUMAN CONDITION</b>-
</span><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Masaki Kobayashi</span><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b>My favourite film. Set in three parts and lasting almost 10 hours. Every camera shot is beautiful, Tatsuya Nakadai is a phenomenal acting as the protagonist, and the story is about as epic as you can get. The first part is set in a Chinese POW camp in Japan, the second part is training for war and the third part is behind enemy lines in Russia.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b>SCORE 100</b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d;">51 HER BROTHER- Kon Ichikawa</span><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b>More commonly known as 'Younger Brother', Ichikawa's film shows the ups and downs of the relationship between a sister and her juvenile brother. One of the saddest films on the list, so bring tissues if you like a good cry.</b><br />
<b>SCORE 71</b><br />
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">52 THE MAKIOKA SISTERS- Kon
Ichikawa<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #38761d;">53 THE STORY OF THE LAST
CHRYSANTHEMUM- Kenji Mizoguchi</span><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b>The best 1930's Mizoguchi film. It's not flawless, and is remarkable for the time.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><a href="http://crazilyobscureworldcinemareview.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/the-story-of-last-chrysanthemums-1939.html">MY REVIEW HERE</a></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b>SCORE 77</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">54 HULA GIRLS- Lee Sang-il<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #38761d;">55 THE NAKED ISLAND- Kaneto
Shindô</span><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b>Not a word is spoken throughout its runtime. The peaceful yet harsh life of a family living on a desolate island is utterly mesmerizing.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://crazilyobscureworldcinemareview.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/the-naked-island-1960.html">MY REVIEW HERE</a></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b>SCORE 91</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;">56 THE INSECT WOMAN- Shôhei
Imamura<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #38761d;">57 THE YAKUZA PAPERS: BATTLES
WITHOUT HONOR AND HUMANITY- Kinji </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Fukasaku</span><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b>The first of six films in the Yakuza Papers series. Plenty of lively characters, many gruesome deaths and a fast-moving plot make this engaging and hugely enjoyable to watch. All 5 films in the series are brilliant, although I agree with Kinema Junpo that the first and third are superior.</b><br />
<b>SCORE 87</b><br />
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;">58 THE DEVIL'S BALLAD- Kon
Ichikawa<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><b>59 TIMES OF JOY AND SORROW</b>-
<b>Keisuke Kinoshita<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #38761d;">60 SANJURO- Akira Kurosawa</span><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b>Better than the first one. I still need to rewatch them.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b>SCORE 78</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;">61 TORA-SAN MEETS THE
SONGSTRESS AGAIN- Yôji Yamada<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b>The fifteenth Tora-San film.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><b>62 THE ROCKING HORSEMEN</b>- <b>Nobuhiko
Obayashi<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><b>63 CHIZUKO'S YOUNGER SISTER</b>-
<b>Nobuhiko Obayashi<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><b>64 THE CHERRY ORCHARD</b>- <b>Shun
Nakahara<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;">65 FOUNDRY TOWN- Kiriro Urayama<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;">66 ALWAYS - SUNSET ON THIRD
STREET- Takashi Yamazaki<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #38761d;">67 AN AUTUMN AFTERNOON- Yasujirô
Ozu</span><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<b>All of his films in his late period are great movies. This film is one of his most profound.</b><br />
<b><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://crazilyobscureworldcinemareview.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/an-autumn-afternoon-1962.html">MY REVIEW HERE</a></span></b><br />
<b>SCORE 83 </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;">68 WET SAND IN AUGUST- Toshiya
Fujita<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;">69 BULLET TRAIN- Junya Sato<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: #38761d;">70 THE YAKUZA PAPERS 3: PROXY
WAR- Kinji Fukasaku</span><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b>The third Yukuza Papers film. The whole film is build-up, with underbosses switching sides and pledging allegiances with other Yakuza. Even though the pay off is in the fourth instalment, it doesn't stop this film being constantly exciting.</b><br />
<b>SCORE 87 </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;">71 CURE- Kiyoshi Kurosawa</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;">72 THE YOUTH KILLER- Kazuhiko
Hasegawa<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;">73 KAMIKAZE GIRLS- Tetsuya
Nakashima<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #38761d;">74 LOVE EXPOSURE- Sion Sono</span><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b>The best four hours you can spend. You won't want it to stop</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b>SCORE 96</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;">75 HANA AND ALICE- Shunji Iwai<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #38761d;">76 FIGHTING ELEGY- Seijun
Suzuki</span><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b>My first Suzuki film. I have heard many things about how crazy ad whack his films are. Turns out they are true. This film is about rebellious youth, young love and rival gangs. It's told in a zany and uncontrollable way, that makes the film stand out above the rest. It's a great, fast-paced film to watch.</b><br />
<b>SCORE 79</b><br />
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;">77 THE IVORY TOWER- Satsuo
Yamamoto<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;">78 BROTHEL NO. 8- Kei Kumai<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;">79 DISTANT
THUNDER- Kichitaro Negishi<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;">80 BREAK THROUGH!- Kazuyuki
Izutsu<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;">81 A GENTLE BREEZE IN THE
VILLAGE- Nobuhiro Yamashita<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;">82 THE SUBMERSION OF JAPAN- Shirô
Moritani<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #38761d;">83 MEMORIES OF MATSUKO- Tetsuya
Nakashima</span><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b>Visually crazy, and uses a few awful choices of soundtrack. Confessions is a far superior film.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><a href="http://crazilyobscureworldcinemareview.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/memories-of-matsuko-2006.html">MY REVIEW HERE</a></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b>SCORE 74</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;">84 MR. THANK YOU- Hiroshi
Shimizu<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;">85 DOUBLE SUICIDE- Masahiro
Shinoda<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;">86 THE RENDEZVOUS- Kôichi
Saitô<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;">87 MERRY CHRISTMAS, MR.
LAWRENCE- Nagisa Ôshima<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;">Starring David Bowie.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;">88 TOKYO HEAVEN- Shinji Sômai<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #38761d;">89 PRINCESS MONONOKE- Hayao
Miyazaki</span><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b>My favourite Studio Ghibli film. A beautiful adventure into a wonderful fantasy world.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b>SCORE 94</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;">90 SWING GIRLS- Shinobu
Yaguchi<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;">91 THE LONG DARKNESS- Kei
Kumai<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #38761d;">92 STILL WALKING- Hirokazu
Kore-eda<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b>This could be an Ozu film. Peaceful, meditative and a expertly crafted.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b>SCORE 82</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #38761d;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #38761d;"><b>93 </b><b>BROTHERS AND SISTERS OF
THE TODA FAMILY- Yasujirô Ozu</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b>The worst Ozu film I have seen. It was also my second, so maybe it needs a second viewing.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b>SCORE 67</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #38761d;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #38761d;">94 IMMORTAL LOVE- Keisuke
Kinoshita<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b>Melodramatic with a Spanish flamenco soundtrack. Tatsuya Nakadai plays an evil character for a change.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://crazilyobscureworldcinemareview.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/immortal-love-1961.html">MY REVIEW HERE</a></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b>SCORE 81</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #38761d;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #38761d;">95 KIKI'S DELIVERY SERVICE-
Hayao Miyazaki</span><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b>There is a live-action remake being released soon. The original is a classic that is criminally under-seen.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b>SCORE 80</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;">96 GAMERA: GUARDIAN OF THE
UNIVERSE- Shusuke Kaneko<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;">97 BLOOD OF REVENGE- Tai Katô<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;">98 GONIN- Takashi Ishii<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #38761d;">99 GRAVEYARD OF HONOR- Kinji
Fukasaku</span><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<b>Part of a Yakuza box-set I recently purchased. This film tells the true story of a powerful Yakuza member and his uncontrollable self-destructive behaviour. It's violent tale that is expertly told in an rock and roll way. The wide-screen action is very fast-paced, keeping me entertained and engaged thoroughly throughout.</b><br />
<b>SCORE 76</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #38761d;">100 SPIRITED AWAY- Hayao
Miyazaki</span><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b>Won the Oscar for best animated film 2001. Widely considered to be the greatest anime film ever made. No wonder as its a colourful portal into a breathtaking world that's unlike any other.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b>SCORE 86</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;">101 STREET WITHOUT END- Mikio
Naruse<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #38761d;">102 I LIVE IN FEAR- Akira
Kurosawa</span><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b>Kurosawa's worst film. Everyone else seems to like it though.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b>SCORE 62</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;">103 HUSBAND AND WIFE- Mikio
Naruse<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #38761d;"><b>104 THE GHOST OF YOTSUYA</b>- </span><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Nobuo
Nakagawa</span><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<b>Available on YouTube <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8eUG1gXaM8"><span style="color: #38761d;">HERE</span></a></b><br />
<b>The scariest pre-1960 film I have seen. The film crescendos into some shocking final scenes.</b><br />
<b><a href="http://crazilyobscureworldcinemareview.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/the-ghost-of-yotsuya-1959.html">MY REVIEW HERE</a></b><br />
<b>SCORE 78</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #38761d;">105 THE CEREMONY- Nagisa
Ôshima</span><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b>My first Oshima film is very dark.<span style="color: #38761d;"> </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><a href="http://crazilyobscureworldcinemareview.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/the-ceremony-1971.html">MY REVIEW HERE</a></span></b><br />
<b>SCORE 78</b><br />
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;">106 STATION- Yasuo Furuhata<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #38761d;">107 FIREWORKS- Takeshi
Kitano</span><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<b>Kitano's most critically acclaimed film about a cop with a dying wife and a suicidal friend.</b><br />
<b>SCORE 78</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;">108 THE HUMAN BULLET- Kihachi
Okamoto<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;">109 A SCENE AT THE SEA- Takeshi
Kitano<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #38761d;">110 THE HIDDEN BLADE- Yôji
Yamada</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b>A retelling of The Twilight Samurai, but also very good. I actually preferred this! Fans of action will be disappointed, but its replaced with character development and beautiful landscapes. I adore the unique meditative atmosphere and the greatly developed characters.</b><br />
<b>SCORE 80</b><br />
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;">111 SUMMER DAYS WITH COO- Keiichi
Hara<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;">112 THE DEMON- Yoshitaro
Nomura</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: #38761d;">113 MACARTHUR'S CHILDREN- Masahiro
Shinoda</span><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: red;">Post-war Japan set on an island village, showing the struggles of the villagers attempting to return to normal life after the losing the war. It's comical and upbeat, making the film easy to enjoy. Although it is nothing too significant.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: red;">SCORE 77</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;">114 SHE WAS LIKE A WILD
CHRYSANTHEMUM- Keisuke Kinoshita<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;">115 RED PEONY GAMBLER 5:
ORYU’S VISIT- Tai Katô<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #38761d;">116 THE EEL- Shôhei Imamura</span><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b>Takuro comes home to find his wife having intercourse with another man. He kills her. 8 years go past and he returns to the small village, and opens a barber shop. </b><b>Imamura is fantastic, with each of his films having a distinct vibe and striking visual detail. However this film is the least distinctive. Still, a fine film that doesn't quite go the mile, like Imamura's other films.</b><br />
<b>SCORE 76</b><br />
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;">117 I JUST DIDN'T DO IT- Masayuki
Suo<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;">118 LIGHTNING- Mikio Naruse<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;">119 INTENTIONS OF MURDER- Shôhei
Imamura<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;">120 DAIMAJIN- Kimiyoshi Yasuda<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;">121 BOY- Nagisa Ôshima<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;">122 THE CATCH- Shinji Sômai<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;">123 RYUJI- Toru Kawashima<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #38761d;">124 SANSHO THE BAILIFF- Kenji
Mizoguchi</span><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<b>Mizoguchi's finest film. A tragic story about two wealthy children which are taken from their mother to live a life of slavery. Set in medieval times, the mythic landscape is gorgeous.</b><br />
<b>SCORE 89</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;">125 TOKYO OLYMPIAD- Kon
Ichikawa</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;">126 TAKE CARE, RED RIDING HOOD-
Shirô Moritani<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #38761d;">127 EUREKA- Shinji Aoyama</span><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<b>I saw this film far too long ago, so I'll have to give it a second watch before submitting a score.</b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">128 THE FACE OF JIZO- Kazuo
Kuroki<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">129 CARMEN COMES HOME- Keisuke
Kinoshita<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">130 VACUUM ZONE- Satsuo
Yamamoto<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">131 YEARNING- Mikio Naruse<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">132 JAPAN'S LONGEST DAY- Kihachi
Okamoto<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d;">133 WOMAN IN THE DUNES- Hiroshi
Teshigahara</span><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<b>An entomologist gets trapped in a hole in the middle of the desert, with a widow for company. They eventually fall for each other as his escapes get more and more desperate.</b><br />
<b>SCORE 79</b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">134 THIRD- Yôichi Higashi<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">135 THE FUNERAL- Jûzô Itami<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">136 JOSEE, THE TIGER AND THE
FISH- Isshin Inudo<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d;">137 SISTERS OF THE GION- Kenji
Mizoguchi</span><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b>Mediocre film from Mizoguchi's early period.</b><br />
<b><span style="color: red;"><a href="http://crazilyobscureworldcinemareview.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/sisters-of-gion-1936.html">MY REVIEW HERE</a></span></b><br />
<b>SCORE 73</b><br />
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">138 STAKEOUT- Yoshitaro Nomura<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">139 THE RICKSHAW MAN- Hiroshi
Inagaki<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">140 DEATH BY HANGING- Nagisa
Ôshima<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">141 FAILED YOUTH- Tatsumi
Kumashiro<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">142 SAMURAI VENDETTA- Kazuo
Mori<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">143 MOTHER- Mikio Naruse<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">144 THE GARDEN OF WOMEN- Keisuke
Kinoshita<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">145 GIANTS AND TOYS- Yasuzo
Masumura<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">146 AKITSU SPRINGS- Yoshishige
Yoshida<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">147 SCATTERED CLOUDS- Mikio
Naruse<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">148 MIRRORED MIND- Sogo Ishii<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">149 TONDA COUPLE- Shinji Sômai<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">150 TYPHOON CLUB- Shinji Sômai<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">151 MY SONS- Yôji Yamada<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">152 (HARU)-Yoshimitsu Morita<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">153 LINDA LINDA LINDA- Nobuhiro
Yamashita<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">154 SUMMER TIME MACHINE BLUES-
Katsuyuki Motohiro</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">155 ONE MILLION YEN GIRL- Yuki
Tanada<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">156 I WAS BORN, BUT...- Yasujirô
Ozu<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<b>Ozu's most acclaimed silent film.</b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">157 CAPRICIOUS YOUNG MAN- Mansaku
Itami<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d;">158 DRUNKEN ANGEL- Akira
Kurosawa</span><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<b>His first known film is a personal favourite. Shimura and Mifune are excellent in this gripping crime thriller.</b><br />
<b>SCORE 83</b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">159 WHERE CHIMNEYS ARE SEEN- Heinosuke
Gosho<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">160 13 ASSASSINS- Eiichi
Kudo</span><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b>Thirteen samurai vow to take revenge on a feudal lord.</b><br />
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">161 THE AGE OF ASSASSINS- Kihachi
Okamoto<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">162 KAGERÔ-ZA- Seijun Suzuki<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">163 TSURUHACHI AND TSURUJIRO- Mikio
Naruse<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">164 KAMIKAZE TAXI- Masato
Harada<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d;">165 RING- Hideo Nakata</span><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<b>That horror film with the cursed videotape. Many sequels, remakes and sequels of remakes. I bought the trilogy the other day. The first is a tense and very claustrophobic horror film that genuinely scared me in places (nothing scares me, so this is an achievement). The Second film feels similar to the first one, but the story gets increasingly ridiculous, and the overall atmosphere never manages to reach the terrifying heights of the first film. The third film 'Ring 0-Birthday' is a pointless prequel that is completely unnecessary and not scary whatsoever. The first is most definitely the best.</b><br />
<b>SCORE 79</b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">166 NABBIE'S LOVE- Yuji Nakae<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #38761d;">167 PRIEST OF DARKNESS- Sadao
Yamanaka</span><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b>His second existing film, and the least known. It is still enjoyable, and feels very similar to his other two films.</b><br />
<b>SCORE 75</b><br />
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">168 SINGING LOVEBIRDS- Masahiro
Makino<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">169 THE BALL AT THE ANJO HOUSE-
Kozaburo Yoshimura<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">170 TILL WE MEET AGAIN- Tadashi
Imai<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b>17</b><b>1 SUSAKI PARADISE: RED LIGHT
DISTRICT- Yuzo Kawashima</b></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">172 GALAXY EXPRESS 999- Rintaro</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">173 A TAXING WOMAN- Jûzô Itami<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">174 TOKIWA: THE MANGA
APARTMENT- Jun Ichikawa<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #38761d;">175 AFTER LIFE- Hirokazu
Koreeda</span><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b>The film takes place in Limbo, where a group try and recreate the memories of the deceased. The wonderful story, peaceful tone and great direction make After Life a pleasant viewing.</b><br />
<b>SCORE 75</b><br />
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">176 PULSE- Kiyoshi Kurosawa<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">177 HUSH!- Ryosuke Hashiguchi<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">178 THE BURIED FOREST- Kôhei
Oguri</span></b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
tom245http://www.blogger.com/profile/17350012493057024091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925202528452192097.post-22542205532019924082014-06-18T11:50:00.000-07:002014-06-18T11:50:20.123-07:00Conflagration (1958) 'Conflagration' (Enjo) is a 1958 Japanese film directed by Kon Ichikawa, adapted from the Mishima novel 'Temple of the Golden Pavilion'.<br />
<br />
Goichi Mizoguchi returns to the Temple of the Golden Pavillion, that his, now deceased, father was acquainted with. The head priest takes him in, in hope to find a successor. His mother soon arrives to try and help him, but Goichi rejects her, due to her infidelity. Goichi becomes friends with the crippled Tokari, who insists he makes the priest angry.<br />
<br />
Kon Ichikawa is one of those directors which I would watch more of his films if they were available. 'Tokyo Olympiad' is one of my most wanted to see films, but the only version I can watch, is a Criterion DVD selling for over $100. In the meantime, I decided to watch this little known film from his golden 1950s classic period, which includes the devastating war films 'The Burmese Harp' and 'Fires on the Plain'.<br />
<br />
'Conflagration' is proof that there are amazing films hidden in the depths of Japanese Cinema. It's a film that no-one has ever spoken about, and isn't on any best of film lists (except it's number 124 on the Kinema Junpei's top 200 films, 2009 list). I watched it because it starred Tatsuya Nakadai, Japan's finest actor, and is directed by Kon Ichikawa, a brilliant director from the films I have seen of his. Turns out the film is adapted from a novel by Yukio Mishima, and that I had already seen an adaptation of the story in Schrader's 'Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters'.<br />
<br />
The film is riveting and exciting throughout. While watching it, it's clear the film has a tragic atmosphere. It's obvious that something bad will happen, but it's unclear what it is (unless you look up conflagration in a dictionary, which is a spoiler). The feeling of an inevitable disaster is achieved by the protagonist, Goichi, being a misunderstood character, that never does anything good. He treats the stutter as a curse, and refuses to speak due to his embarrassment. Instead of conquering the defect like most films would have ('Like Stars on Earth'), he is tormented and teased until he is, mentally, pushed over the edge ('Klass'). It may not be the only thing that got him into the negative mind-set, but it's the most shocking and hard-hitting. It's like the anti-'The King's Speech' in that aspect.<br />
<br />
Goichi is a character which wouldn't prevent something bad happening, but would watch from a distance, a point which Kon Ichikawa shows clearly. His timid and desperate personality is acted authentically by Raizo Ichikawa (no relation to Kon), most known for his acting in the 'Shinobi no Mono' ninja films. Every other character in this film is unsympathetic including Tokari, played by Tatsuya Nakadai, who returns to playing an evil cripple ('Immortal Love'), a role he is flawless at.<br />
<br />
The visuals remind me of Kinoshita's 'Immortal Love', where the outdoor scenes are stunning and the indoor scenes are framed well, and have a great use of lighting. The excellent lighting made me notice that Ichikawa has a tendency for sweating characters, especially during the more intense scenes. Despite this, Ichikawa lacks any auteur trademarks, that make Imamura and Oshima masters.<br />
<br />
Overall I would definitely recommend watching 'Conflagaration'. It does the opposite of what so many films do ('Red Beard'), and it does it fantastically. Oh yeah, it also features the strangest reaction to a miscarriage in film history.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwHN7S7pmOjD70ezIiKVSt2UBMaGtw0hvlWQKbN6-7DUeUmnfm6N7hbahKCPI8o_nE3i9H4EI9aPNICSA2Hn4V3IRKnnqKxCHFAM6M8gWrcO-dokle0kQuRHYcuQeagVgNSX5srP1Samv5/s1600/conflagaration.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwHN7S7pmOjD70ezIiKVSt2UBMaGtw0hvlWQKbN6-7DUeUmnfm6N7hbahKCPI8o_nE3i9H4EI9aPNICSA2Hn4V3IRKnnqKxCHFAM6M8gWrcO-dokle0kQuRHYcuQeagVgNSX5srP1Samv5/s1600/conflagaration.png" height="158" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
TO CONCLUDE<br />
Don't be put off by its obscurity, it's a great film from beginning to end.<br />
<br />
SCORE<br />
80tom245http://www.blogger.com/profile/17350012493057024091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925202528452192097.post-47879183157868959582014-06-10T17:12:00.002-07:002014-06-10T17:12:35.562-07:00The Silent Duel (1949) 'The Silent Duel' (Shizukanaru ketto) is a 1949 Japanese film directed by Akira Kurosawa and starring Toshiro Mifune and Takeshi Shimura.<br />
<br />
Dr Kyoji Fujisaki (Mifune) is a surgeon, operating on soldiers in World War II. He contracts Syphilis from a patient while performing surgery by cutting himself with a knife soaked in the patients blood. There is treatment for the disease, but its close to incurable. Once home and working at his father's clinic, he tries to keep the disease a secret and refuses to tell his long-term girlfriend this. Troubles soon arise as he meets the infected patient he saved during the war.<br />
<br />
Akira Kurosawa is definitely the greatest director that has ever lived, directing 30 films throughout his long career. There is an incredible 26 amazing film streak, between 'No Regrets for our Youth' and 'Madadayo', not a single bad film was made in that period. All of those films have above a 7.0 on IMDB (to put that in perspective, Amanda Seyfried only has one film in her filmography with an above 7.0 score), and the 21 films I have seen of them range from good, to phenomenal. His smaller films are bound to be lesser seen, but some of them hold up to the big guns (I think 'Madadayo' is one of his best works). I have all four BFI boxsets, plus the DVD releases of 'The Idiot' and 'Ran', just in case you needed proof of how highly I think of him.<br />
<br />
'The Silent Duel' is near the start of his career, after 'Drunken Angel' and before 'Stray Dog'. It stars his two favourite actors, Toshiro Mifune, who has starred in 16 Kurosawa films, and Takeshi Shimura, who has starred in 21 of Kurosawa's films. The film is worth it for their brilliant acting, especially as the scene where they the son confronts the father is the best scene in the film. Their on-screen presence alone makes the film worth a watch.<br />
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Kurosawa's directing is (of course) great, with some thrilling tension-building surgery scenes that are edited and framed perfectly. It's surprising to see he has developed some of his best techniques so early on in his career.<br />
<br />
The story of the film feels like a condensed 'Red Beard'. The majority of the action is set in a hospital that's not as exciting or beautiful as 'Red Beard', and the story lacks the epic scope Kurosawa is known for. The film plays out as a gripping, and overly melodramatic soap opera, which I got tired with way before the end.<br />
<br />
Although the film is far from his best works, it is still a decent and affectionate film.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ9lr1SHqayKYnrC6EuuzsGoBQGxJUtVSmpw_ArgfaXIc1StGtbl2nkRqijd8OEXkM2Zqp4A0lPLU4YnZMpH2yp_RfZjFyCReZNVqVypRT9ZXnhtMUvn6-Bu6g1oIA8GenFidt5G4z33Nn/s1600/the+silent+duel.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ9lr1SHqayKYnrC6EuuzsGoBQGxJUtVSmpw_ArgfaXIc1StGtbl2nkRqijd8OEXkM2Zqp4A0lPLU4YnZMpH2yp_RfZjFyCReZNVqVypRT9ZXnhtMUvn6-Bu6g1oIA8GenFidt5G4z33Nn/s1600/the+silent+duel.png" height="253" width="400" /></a></div>
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TO CONCLUDE<br />
Acted and directed by Japan's finest, but disappointingly ordinary.<br />
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SCORE<br />
72tom245http://www.blogger.com/profile/17350012493057024091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925202528452192097.post-16945615751148878512014-06-09T15:34:00.000-07:002014-06-09T15:34:36.516-07:00The Organizer (1963) 'The Organizer' (I compagni) is a 1963 Italian film directed by Mario Monicelli and starring Marcello Mastroianni.<br />
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The factory workers of a small town in Turin, Italy decide to go on strike to obtain better working conditions. They enlist the help of a professor (Mastroianni), who is passing through.<br />
<br />
Monicelli is different from other Italian directors, as his films don't focus the crazy and camp (Pasolini, Fellini), or harsh neo-realism (Rossellini), but rather Italian Comedies. They aren't spoof or slapstick, and use a mixture of crazy Italian archetypes, unusual situations (rebelling against authority) and sad endings. 'The Organizer' is a fantastic ensemble comedy, with a large cast and great acting.<br />
<br />
The film does feel, partially, like Rossellini's hard-hitting war trilogy, with the truths of poor living conditions shown explicitly. The characters include every Italian stereotype imaginable, including a crazy fat man, ladies with attitude, and loud children. The unflinching realism, matches well with the comedic characters and creates a funny and dramatic film. The narrative is linear and quite predictable, until the shock finale. Monicelli's films rarely end in happiness, so I should have expected the events of the end.<br />
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The wonderful characters are acted by some of Italy's finest. Marcello Mastroianni is widely known as Italy's greatest actor (thanks to '8 1/2'), and he appears in films by some of the world's greatest directors including Altman, Angelopoulos, Petri, Visconti and, of course, Fellini. He might be the best aspect of this film. Even his presence in the film elevates it to a high standard. There can't be many actors who can play the part of a fish-out-of-water professor any better. The scene where he gives a speech to persuade the workers to strike longer, sent shivers down my neck. The first time this has happened for a speech scene in a film.<br />
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The whole film is a resounding delight, even more enjoyable than 'The Great War'. It takes a while to get into, but when the characters are fully introduced and the professor arrives, the film is mesmerising.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwpNA_zQUXC3jv4hLqFzUw2CO066Z2Ws5LkatvxVEug4UOl5h4r89K0zr6txXUkKu6Anc7Ur6_bOz76NWVmqlTFABu4EyECphkNqalbbijoga0yPb0bOa06ZM0pPVkWP8cetcmmr7iTt4T/s1600/the+organizer.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwpNA_zQUXC3jv4hLqFzUw2CO066Z2Ws5LkatvxVEug4UOl5h4r89K0zr6txXUkKu6Anc7Ur6_bOz76NWVmqlTFABu4EyECphkNqalbbijoga0yPb0bOa06ZM0pPVkWP8cetcmmr7iTt4T/s1600/the+organizer.png" height="213" width="400" /></a></div>
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TO CONCLUDE<br />
An unexpected pleasure, that is powerful, funny and acted to perfection.<br />
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SCORE<br />
80tom245http://www.blogger.com/profile/17350012493057024091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925202528452192097.post-72819539546525953292014-06-06T15:52:00.000-07:002014-06-06T15:56:54.034-07:00The Marquise of O (1976) 'The Marquise of O' (Die Marquise von O...) is a 1976 German film directed by Eric Rohmer.<br />
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Set in 1799 Italy, the Marquise of O's father's house is being invaded by Russian forces. She attempts to escape but is caught by Russians and they attempt to rape her. The Count (Bruno Ganz) saves her by scaring them away, and lets her sleep in her bed. The Russian forces surrender and all is well. Until a few months later when the Marquise realizes she is pregnant. After confirmation, the family send her into exile, and the father's identity is investigated.<br />
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The final film in the 'Eric Rohmer Collection' (at last!), is completely different from every other film in the collection. You can still tell its a Rohmer film, but everything has changed drastically. The most notable difference is that this is a period film set in the 18th Century. Clothes, props and locations are all suited to that time period, eliminating the fashion atrocities present in his other films. All these things add to the mise-en-scene, giving the film an entirely different feeling. This also effects the cinematography, which is tinged brown giving this film a old quality to it. It's more interesting visually then the majority of Rohmer films, but its still not that great.<br />
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The plot develops very slowly. The first ten minutes is action packed during the invasion of the citadel, but the pace slows immediately afterwards. The story itself is similar, as the beginning is exciting while the rest of the film never surpasses dull. Rohmer promises us edge of your seat action, and delivers bland talking and sobbing. The film revolves around a "Who's the father?" conundrum, when it's obvious who the father is from the first 20 minutes. There is only one male character which isn't a family member of the Marquise, so it's bound to be him. The Whodunnit lasts until the last 10 minutes, where the expected is revealed. I'm not sure if it's because I have been watching an abundance of 'Game of Thrones' and 'True Detective' lately, but I found the whole film absolutely boring.<br />
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The acting is to a good quality, with a film-stealing performance from Bruno Ganz (Adolf Hitler in 'Downfall') and some very sobby acting from Edith Clever (Die Marquise). I'm not sure why the film is a German production (perhaps the French got bored of him), but it sort of lends itself to the film. In his French films, the characters talk about love in the typical French way, but there is none of that here. There isn't any talking about boring relationships in bedrooms and there is no trips to cafes with secret lovers. It's a side of Rohmer I have never seen before, or even knew existed, but I can't say it's revolutionary or even moderately exciting.<br />
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The film has a unique and confusing premise, which is: they are Russians, speaking German and living in Italy. The film is directed by a Frenchman, and I watched the whole thing with English subtitles. The film is possible with the help of five countries! Sad to say this is the film's greatest achievement.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Jdw46cSeUxjI4xzkta_XjUbQ05SZs4ZCHo5SDFx1U_bf8kKSdj2FNou2UvDH9_PbKxQvdTuyUSb-L9Fzqs1UizVKOBvgYzD5nXOHjkj3O3WA3wp65CqRqEE28nWZLon1X8EqCUMazFLb/s1600/marquise+of+o.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Jdw46cSeUxjI4xzkta_XjUbQ05SZs4ZCHo5SDFx1U_bf8kKSdj2FNou2UvDH9_PbKxQvdTuyUSb-L9Fzqs1UizVKOBvgYzD5nXOHjkj3O3WA3wp65CqRqEE28nWZLon1X8EqCUMazFLb/s1600/marquise+of+o.png" height="258" width="400" /></a></div>
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TO CONCLUDE<br />
Very different from anything else I have seen from Rohmer, but the story is a bit rubbish, the pace is slow and the whole film is resoundingly dull.<br />
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SCORE<br />
62tom245http://www.blogger.com/profile/17350012493057024091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925202528452192097.post-58707316030340856632014-06-05T16:30:00.000-07:002014-06-05T16:33:57.970-07:00Vive L'Amour (1994) and What Time is It Over There? (2001) 'Vive L'Amour' (Ai qing wan sui) and 'What Time is it Over There?' (Ni na bian ji dian) are 1994 and 2001 Taiwanese films directed by Tsai Ming-Liang. I decided to review them both together for a change.<br />
<br />
'Vive L'Amour' is about three separate characters whose lives unexpectedly meet in an unsold apartment. May-Lin is the estate agent, Ah-Jung is the guy she unexpectedly has sex with, and Hsiao-Kang is the salesman who is living in the apartment (unknown to them).<br />
<br />
In 'What Time is it Over There?', A watch seller, Hsiao-Kang, is trying to come to terms with his father's death. His mother is becoming increasingly insane, so he tries to spend as much time as possible out of the house. He sells Shiang-chyi his watch, and has the urge to change every clock he sees to CEST (the time in Paris). Meanwhile Shiang-chyi travels to Paris and befriends a girl.<br />
<br />
To celebrate buying a new region free Bluray and DVD player, I decided to start watching Ming-Liang's films on region 1 discs. Taiwan seems to be one of the best countries for films, with master directors Hou Hsiao-Hsien and Edward Yang making films there. Ming-Liang is very critically acclaimed, but I did know his films were different from Hsiao-Hsien's and Yang's works. From watching the segment of Ming-Liang in 'A Story of Film: An Odyssey', I learnt that he believes in the most pretentious saying "If you drink, you must piss or cry". So his films contain lots of drinking, lots of pissing and lots of crying. If you see someone drink in one of his films, you could play the "Will he piss or cry? game". Seeing someone piss on screen is the least cinematic thing ever. It shows how his films encapsulates everyday life, without removing the toilet stuff, to create a realistic portrayal of society. You probably never thought The Terminator took a piss several times during the plotline of each of the films, but I'm going to be honest here, no-one really cares. Seriously Ming-Liang, removing the "man pissing in bottle" scene in 'What Time is it Over There?' or "Lady sits on toilet scene" in 'Vive L'Amour' would improve the films significantly. There is no plot or character development in these scenes, so they are pointless and disgusting.<br />
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Something Ming-Liang did use from the Yang and Hsiao-Hsien films was the long take. When I heard about the term "long take" for the first time, I thought how boring they must be, and how no cuts would irritate me. Films like 'The Travelling Players', 'A City of Sadness' and 'Berlin Alexanderplatz' immediately disproved this idea and I now adore the brilliance of the long take. However, Ming-Liang's long takes seems to return to my pre-conceptions. The shots may be composited nicely and use artificial lights impressively, but the long duration emphasizes the fact that nothing happens on-screen whatsoever. They are not so much boring, as tedious and annoying. So little happens in them, I could have fast forwarded x2 the entire films and missed nothing. Character's rarely speak to each other and spend most of the runtime in beds crying, sleeping or walking through vacant corridors and rooms. I'm sure Ming-Liang would think me writing this review on a laptop alone in my room, would be high quality entertainment. Well, it's not.<br />
<br />
Ming-Liang is not afraid to show the gritty depressing realism of life. In 'Vive L'Amour' there is a scene where the young salesman attempts to slit his wrists. There's another scene where the insurance saleslady cries for 10 minutes (a painfully long take). Both films contain sprinklings of very bleak comedy, most notably in 'What Time is it Over There?', which contains some genuinely laugh out loud moments. The long duration and the seriousness of the scenes, are mismatched with some subtle neo-slapstick.<br />
<br />
I found 'What Time is it Over There?' the better film, because of the improved visuals and the superior story. The film deals with death and the constant expiration of time, as well as featuring a legendary cameo. 'Vive L'Amour' is an earlier film, but is far duller and way more irritating. The story weaves in and out of the three protagonists lives, based around the one apartment where neither of them (legally) live. There is impressive acting from Yang Kuei-Mei (May Lin), and the film is filled with bizarre and unexpected moments, but the the film never gels together.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>Vive L'Amour</u></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJIdGKYQ_SFHcubUla2a36n6rPDQ_0KQaQDz1-Csy5ivLznMZu1pYv9dAqWLlbD1jZUYOwzcpVK2lR4P1GDEXkXlJqWGeXDFRJsXHYOwu29UHsiLOeeBjQu0QWsza33EB1OTCMpoiJQ4x/s1600/Vive+L%2527amour.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJIdGKYQ_SFHcubUla2a36n6rPDQ_0KQaQDz1-Csy5ivLznMZu1pYv9dAqWLlbD1jZUYOwzcpVK2lR4P1GDEXkXlJqWGeXDFRJsXHYOwu29UHsiLOeeBjQu0QWsza33EB1OTCMpoiJQ4x/s1600/Vive+L%2527amour.png" height="211" width="400" /></a></div>
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TO CONCLUDE<br />
I admire the beauty, but the film is painfully slow. I was uninterested for the entirety of the running time.<br />
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SCORE<br />
65<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>What Time is it Over There?</u></b></div>
<b><u><br /></u></b>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP7K_sYPFg6o170EP8a5fw0LuCERa_60n-wmlHF996xUgOcZWYVjeAzZzccorF9GB2zsI_pFU2RRTkwYrWpmZF1VSmCfzgWDMM73k-pi4OGia4xzObQnXxzQdEEn9d-gzj30xtJMHrSqpg/s1600/What+time+is+it+over+there.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP7K_sYPFg6o170EP8a5fw0LuCERa_60n-wmlHF996xUgOcZWYVjeAzZzccorF9GB2zsI_pFU2RRTkwYrWpmZF1VSmCfzgWDMM73k-pi4OGia4xzObQnXxzQdEEn9d-gzj30xtJMHrSqpg/s1600/What+time+is+it+over+there.png" height="218" width="400" /></a></div>
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TO CONCLUDE<br />
Equally as slow as the previous Ming-Liang, but is a much more interesting, funny and watchable film. Although it's still not enjoyable.<br />
<br />
SCORE<br />
69tom245http://www.blogger.com/profile/17350012493057024091noreply@blogger.com0