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Reviews
Ringu: Saishûshô (1999)
A unique Japanese drama
Before watching this, I had seen every Ring film except Rasen. Rasen was released with English subtitles in 2003, and I plan to see it soon. I am a diehard fan. So, maybe I am a little biased.
The series has a completely different take on the characters of Ringu, and a lot of major events are changed. Some of these changes were clearly made to stretch the story out over 12 episodes. Other changes are just inexplicable; like the video being "hidden" inside a J-pop music video. However unnecessary the changes may seem, they did keep the story fresh and interesting.
The closest American comparison I could make is to the TV soap opera Passions. The format is different, but this is still at heart a TV drama series involving the supernatural. It also has elements of The X-Files and E.R. If that sounds bizarre, just bear in mind that this is a Japanese program.
For the first six episodes, I was hooked. Edge of the chair suspense, real caring for the characters. However, it did start to get hokey as time wore on. By the end, I began to see Ringu as an allegory against multi-level marketing schemes. In fact, the final episode was hokier than the final episode of Hack Dusk and John Galt's final speech in Atlas Shrugged put together.
All that said, the good outweighed the bad. There's no other series quite like it, and it's a must-see for Ringu fans.
Shôta no sushi (1996)
The Japanese Rocky
You've seen Rocky. You've seen Rudy. Now see Shouta!
This is a very touching series, in which every episode ends with a down-to-the-wire sushi battle. It's almost like Iron Chef: The Series, and should be enjoyed by anyone who loves Japanese pop culture.
Nearly every episode, someone breaks into tears, someone goes down on their knees, and someone gets attacked by thugs. The odd thing is, this seems completely natural. My suspension of disbelief was never shaken by this. It might be too melodramatic for American TV, but who are you to judge the Japanese???
That this series was based on a comic book just amazed me. I can guarantee you that you'll be cheering for Shouta before the series is over.
Tengoku ni ichiban chikai otoko (2001)
The Japanese Tony Robbins
I have always enjoyed Japanese television, but this series really hit me more than any other. Can honestly say that watching it has changed my life.
Imagine a bizarre hybrid of Touched By an Angel and a ten-part Tony Robbins seminar, in which Tony Robbins comes down from Heaven to guide a loser towards awakening the giant within. Now imagine the Tony Robbins character behaving like some kind of yakuza from a Japanese cartoon, and looking like a guest on Iron Chef. Throw in over-the-top screwball comedy, ala Third Rock from the Sun. Blend well, and top off with romance and heartfelt melodrama.
The only show I've seen that comes close to it is Shota no Sushi. Whereas Shota's Sushi was all about taking pride in your sushi, and being the best sushi chef you can be; Heaven Cannot Wait is about taking pride in yourself, and living life to the best of your ability.
Have already given my first mission. "If, by 4:00 PM, Friday, June 20th, you do not give up smoking, you will die."
Ying xiong (2002)
A great film, but not the best
I had such high hopes for this film. Nothing could possibly satisfy them.
WARNING -- SPOILERS
I do not think, even considering this, that <i>Hero</i> is a truly great film. It is very good, and probably better than any other movie nominated for an Oscar, but it is not one to go down for all time as a great film.
If there is anything more annoying than a <i>Bicycle Thief</i> rip-off, it is a <i>Rashomon</i> rip-off. The original was very good, I just don't think that technique has so much lengevity that one can rip it off whenever one pleases.
My main problem with this film was in trying to distinguish between Chinese history and film history. While I was swayed towards admiring this film at around minute 24, when Jet Li and Maggie Cheung deflected arrows, I did feel that "film history" was the major force behind this film.
It feels like a parable. It really does feel like a live-action version of <i>Romance of the Three Kingdoms</i> sometimes. It just doesn't rationally play out that way.
I felt that, when I really thought about it, the story made no sense.
I also was disappointed by the action sequences. Especially at the start, it just was not very engaging. I wondered how Donnie Yen could be involved, but then his character disappeared and I didn't have to think about him anymore. There were no more serious fight scenes, only "artistic" fight scenes. Those artistic fight scenes were, fortunately, absolutely stunning (though I wonder what stabbing the water really does).
I have never considered myself a kung fu fan. I have seen a lot of Shaw Brothers movies, and the like, but it was not until now that I realized there really are right and wrong ways to present martial arts. It's not just about skill. Sometimes even the most badass sword fight can look lame.
All that said, I think <i>Hero</i> was a great movie, just not the best.
Lung dik chuen yan (1991)
Stephen Chow at his best
This is Stephen Chow at his best. Some may not think so, because he is extremely silly and over acts constantly, but that's exactly what's so great about it. Half the things he says are completely ridiculous, but it is in no way as ridiculous as his later "nonsense" comedies. He's not cartoonishly bouncing from one wacky situation to the next. He says these things because his character is slow-witted, naively kind-hearted, and completely under-socialized.
There are a few series of shots set to corny music that could have been taken right out of God of Gamblers, and I love that kind of thing. It actually makes me feel good to see how happy these people are. Don't want to go into specifics, but the sincerity and joy of Hong Kong movies is evident in watching this.
I also rank Legend of the Dragon right up there with The Hustler and Color of Money as a pool film. First time I saw it, I was dreading that it would be a typical Crocodile Dundee type fiasco with the "peasant" overwhelmed by the big city and whatnot, but this is actually a hardcore pool junky's movie...with a main character who is slow-witted and possibly insane. Two big thumbs up!
Tomie (1998)
Utterly Japanese movie, and damn good
From the opening credits, I was hooked. There's a strange static and distorted voice over the black screen with simple white titles. Then we're taken to a noisy city street where a young man is digging through a white paper bag. Within a few seconds, what should be horrifying segues into one of the most beautiful moments of stillness I have ever seen in a film, Asian or otherwise. The music is at once haunting and peaceful. It's like those moments in a Miyazaki film that are so peaceful, with a tinge of Dario Argento's Goblin soundtrack.
It is very hard to find a decent review of this movie. The one positive review I found gave away the entire plot. It's one of those movies that is so metaphor-laden, it makes absolutely no sense if you just watch the images and hear the sounds. Still pretty amazing, but I don't think it would keep someone's attention if they weren't thinking while viewing. There is a lot more going on here than just a few murders.
Like many (too many?) Japanese movies, there is a lot left unsaid. Characters with strange quirks are introduced, and it never explains why they have those quirks. Transitions from one scene to the next sometimes feel awkward. It sometimes feels like you're reading a book by a first-time author, as it is not clear why some scenes are even included. This is not a polished high-quality cinematography type film either...not up to the standards of Ringu or Dark Water. It lies somewhere between the blockbusters and Evil Dead Trap.
Even as I make those criticisms, I could only bring myself to take one smoke break. As much as Tomie may look like Sadako (and every other female ghost), this is a truly engaging film that still has me thinking 24 hours after viewing it.
Tokyo Eyes (1998)
Don't listen to the critics on this one
This film, more than any other, has me convinced the critics are completely clueless. It is a perfect blend of everything great about French, Hong Kong, and Japanese storytelling.
Hinano Yoshikawa is vulnerable--and beautiful--throughout. Saying her acting was bad is like saying Juliette Lewis was bad in Cape Fear. If she really is so clueless in real life, well that was just genius casting. Shinji Takeda also gives a great, naturalistic performance.
The last 15 minutes is often criticized or misunderstood. This is really a case of French "who cares what it means, it's beautiful" meets Japanese "you should know what it means, we don't have to explain it." From an American screenwriting craft POV, one may say that it diverges too much from the preceding story, but...I was rapt to the screen and deeply satisfied when the credits rolled.
Critics of this film--and you should watch for this in the future--use phrases such as "something like" and "more or less." In criticizing Kitano's cameo, in particular, it is clear they have no idea what they're talking about. Anyone who is a big enough fan to have actually seen Kitano hit someone on the head with a giant hammer--purposely--will know that this is a classic Kitano performance.