Japanese movies

[Kaikitsune Makoto 189]

"Nora inu" by Akira Kurosawa

"Stray dog" is the English title. Cocktail of great acting by Kurosawa's main actor duo Toshiro Mifune and Takashi Shimura, constant suspense, peak into post-war Japan (movie was made in 1949 when black market was blooming, shortage of everything a fact, US occupation present, massive destructions due to air raids still visible and Japan's phenomenal economic boom yet to start), fascinating clips of Japan's baseball of the time and interesting shooting angles and Kurosawaish quality.

The story is simple. Young detective loses his gun in a crowded bus and spends the rest of the movie trying to get the gun back. Gun is used in crimes and seasoned detective (played by Shimura) leads the investigations. Many layers in the story though and array of interesting details.

Both Mifune and Shimura do great work and this is a movie worth recommending to anyone and especially to people who find Japan interesting in general.

Shimura sweeps more sweat during the movie than Akebono's tsukebito did during summer honbasho. Mifune's physical acting is remarkably sharp and the young 16 year old main female character is very good too. She was a difficult teen in shooting and Kurosawa never used her since although her rebellion showed well in the scenes too :-)

Good movie. I recommend warmly.

[Zuikakuyama 1]

One of the better Japanese movies I saw recently was the Twilight Samurai. It won the best picture award in Japan and was also nominated for oscars as best foreign film in '04.

It stars Rie Miyazawa (Takanohana's fiancee) and Hiroyuki Sanada, who recently had a major supporting role in Tom Cruise's Last Samurai.

I would classify this as a love story, although it had some nice sword fights as well.

[Hananotaka 8]

One thing about 野良犬 is that you can see Mifune as the handsome man he was, and not as the scruffy samurai is often played.

A must-see movie, IMO, is Kitano Takeshi's 座頭市. Fantastic.

[Jonosuke 28]

It stars Rie Miyazawa (Takanohana's fiancee) and Hiroyuki Sanada, who recently had a major supporting role in Tom Cruise's Last Samurai.

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And as I indicated elsewhere it was directed by Yoji Yamada, a current YDC member.

Edited December 25, 2004 by Jonosuke

[Kaikitsune Makoto 189]

Tthere is an unforgetable Japanese film classic made in 1953 by Yasujiro Ozu called "Tokyo Story (Tokyou Monogatari)". IMHO Ozu was one of the two greatest Japanese film directors of the era (the other being of course Kurosawa). He was great at shooting scenes of Onomichi (in Hiroshima Prefecture) , my favorite place in Japan.

But in this movie about an elderly couple living in Onomichi and come to see their children living in Tokyo, there are scenes of Atami as only Ozu could shoot and forms a very integral point of the movie. This movie is available on DVD with English subtitle and I believe some "art" video stores have it so try to see if you can check it out. Ozu's film technique is to make you feel as if you are an observer or eavesdropper but from a height of about less than one meter from the ground. It's as if you are sitting down and watching the story unfold. In a quiet and very unassuming way, Ozu conveys the essence of what the old Japanese way was and how it is being lost in the "modern" age. For some his film may move too slow but in a very profound way it moves you slowly.

Jonosuke said it well already.

I believe you can find Tokyo Monogatari on various on-line stores too. Truly a classic and captivating movie. Ozu's style is slow and many scenes have "unnecessary" slow moments if compared to modern day standards. Tokyo Monogatari is a perfect movie. Ozu's silent film classic "Floating Weeds" from 1934 is also superb and it is even better than the remake he did couple of decades later with sound.

Setsuko Hara's character in Tokyo monogatari is one of the most appealing characters ever. Very powerful role as Noriko.

If someone has not seen any older Japanese movies and I should recommend 5 to start with from what I have seen, maybe these 5 would be a good start:

Tokyo Monogatari by Ozu

Floating Weeds by Ozu (preferrably the silent version)

Stray Dog by Kurosawa

Shichi No Samurai by Kurosawa

Rashomon by Kurosawa

Finnish director Aki Kaurism

[Hananotaka 8]

Shichi No Samurai by Kurosawa

[annoying pedant]

Shichinin no samurai.

[/annoying pedant]

Sorry...

Edited December 25, 2004 by Hananotaka

[Kintamayama 40,611]

Sorry... These movies are too slow for me. I grew up watching some of them. I came back to them later. Same. Slow. Nothing happens. Slowly. If it's a Samurai epic, everyone is guttural and serious. Much killing and always the town fool guy trying to be funny. Costumes. Great epic scenes. Thousands and thousands of actors. Many silences. Cats. Art. Interesting camera angles and deep focus.

And yes. not only the Japanese epics. The others too.

Well, apples and oranges I guess.

[Jonosuke 28]

Truly a classic and captivating movie. Ozu's style is slow and many scenes have "unnecessary" slow moments if compared to modern day standards. Tokyo Monogatari is a perfect movie.

Setsuko Hara's character in Tokyo monogatari is one of the most appealing characters ever. Very powerful role as Noriko.

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Yasujiro Ozu brought together a magnificent collection of character actors and actresses for this film - Chishu Ryu, Chieko Higashiyama, Haruko Sugimura, Kuniko Miyake and truly memorable Setsuko Hara.

Ozu's films are often said to be "too Japanese" for Westerners (which I disagree). I just think you have to be in a certain mind set to really appreciate its beauty. Some say his films would be more appreciated in the autumn of your life. Perhaps true but I know so many people in 20s love his films too.

Take for instance, Ozu's favorite actor Chishu Ryu who plays the father role in "Tokyo Monogatari". Ozu speaks through him in his films and what you notice about Ryu is that he does not talk much. But this man can express so much by not saying much. His speaking style is monotonous and not much intonation nor expression. So how does he convey so much with so little? Well it is how he pauses before he speaks. Just before he starts talking he sort of pauses in certain situations or he conveys his feeling by making certain way of response. So I agree for those used to Jurassic Park, it could be difficult to catch.

As Kaikitsune mentioned Setsuko Hara simply put in an incredible performance in this movie as Noriko - she was an actress many Japanese men fell in love with at the time and her fans are even growing now as this film is being shown again at film festivals and released on DVD.

Hara was born in 1920 and after appearing in over 200 films she mysteriously retired from the film business and became a recluse living in Kamakura and has never appeared in public since 1962.

I just love this film so much.

[Kaikitsune Makoto 189]

Some say his films would be more appreciated in the autumn of your life. Perhaps true but I know so many people in 20s love his films too.

Definitely. Couple of my friends are big fans of Ozu (well the other friend is also a fan of Tarkovski so...) and neither is 30 yet. Tokyo monogatari is a movie that one needs to watch alone or at least in peace and with concentration and immersion. One needs to fall under the spell of the storyline and let it carry its simple magic. Still it is not a difficult movie unlike many Tarkovski's are for example. Anybody can understand the emotions, storyline and events in Tokyo Monogatari in their own way as there is no peculiar "modern art" of the movies. The core is simple but it is the simplicity base on which Ozu builds his masterpiece with the help of superb actors. Even if one pays not attention to details like Jonosuke brought up (the father's way of delivering a message with very little grand gestures or variations of talk etc.), the movie still is so full of universal themes which are depicted in such a beautiful and subtle way that it may just click.

The movie has the whole duration length of similar charm as the one and only Mr Miyagi has in Karate Kids during his scenes :-)

Tonight I will watch Ozu's "Bakushu" ie. "Early summer". Another classic by Ozu and Setsuko Hara naturally...

IMO movies work the best when one can tune up at the right wave length with the movie. Don't watch Tokyo Monogatari in the same way as you watch Armageddon and vice versa. Then again some people only have "Tokyo monogatari"-wave length and some have only "Armageddon"-wave length. In those cases watching the wrong wave length one is not going to work (Punk rocker...)

Reminds me of a movie theater event maybe 8 years ago when on a row in front of me a guy said visibly embarrassed and frustrated to his girlfriend "Should we just leave?" when Bond started the movie by jumping from a cliff after an unmanned aeroplane which was falling down, caught the aeroplane midair, entered the aeroplane via open window or door and corrected the point blank dive saving the plane and himself (Bond, James Bond) from death and lack of sequals. Almost leaned forward and whispered to the troubled guy "Excuse me sir, did you know that this is a James Bond movie?" (I am not worthy...) Gotta tune in.

[Kaikitsune Makoto 189]

Hara was born in 1920 and after appearing in over 200 films she mysteriously retired from the film business and became a recluse living in Kamakura and has never appeared in public since 1962.

She was in some short video clip not so long ago. Amanogawa sent me a sumo tape where there was a little 3-5 minute clip of aged Setsuko Hara. Due to Christmas-vacation induced location constraints I am unable to verify the statement I just made with exact details but will return to the matter upon cessation of location constraint era.

[Azumashida 1]

Just saw a movie titled "K

[Tomoe 0]

One thing about 野良犬 is that you can see Mifune as the handsome man he was, and not as the scruffy samurai is often played.

A must-see movie, IMO, is Kitano Takeshi's 座頭市.  Fantastic.

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But he was realy good in playing "scruffy samurai"! (Whistling...)

btw my favorite of the Kurosawa and Mifune cooperation is Akahige (Red Beard).

[Exil 300]

I feel like watching a Kurosawa movie tonight. Kakushi toride no san akunin (The Hidden Fortress), Shichinin no samurai (The Seven Samurai), or Akahige (Red Beard)... ;-) Any suggestions?

[Jonosuke 28]

Kakushi toride no san akunin (The Hidden Fortress)

If I am not packing like a maniac now I'd go for this one as actually I have *not* seen it. I must check it out. The other day I was also interested in watching one of the movies directed by a Russian director Kaikitsune mentioned but I coudn't find it anywhere...

Edited January 8, 2005 by Jonosuke

[Araiguma_Rascal 0]

Kakushi toride no san akunin (The Hidden Fortress)

If I am not packing like a maniac now I'd go for this one as actually I have *not* seen it. I must check it out. The other day I was also interested in watching one of the movies directed by a Russian director Kaikitsune mentioned but I coudn't find it anywhere...

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I saw "The Hidden Fortress" a few years ago, and though my memory is vague, I think it was pretty good. I believe that the movie is said to be the inspiration for Star Wars.

[madorosumaru 7]

I believe that [Hidden Fortress] is said to be the inspiration for Star Wars.

In a new DVD version of Hidden Fortress, George Lucas explains how much he was influenced by Kurosawa and, in particular, Kakushi Toride no San Akunin when he made Star Wars. R2D2 and C3PO are modelled after the two bickering farmers and the entire theme of a hero protecting a princess pursued by bad guys is from the Japanese film.

I recently watched all three films, after a long break, on DVD releases. They are three good examples of Kurosawa's works. Shichinin no Samurai is the grand epic that has influenced nearly all major films that contain battle/fight scenes that have followed. Kakushi Toride is a Kurosawa "spoof" of the prevalent jidaigeki genre of his time--a quintessential fairy tale. Red Beard is Kurosawa at his most thoughtful. Only a master can play with sentimentality so close to the brink of bathos and still remain intact. One could almost say that Red Beard is that most rara avis , a Kurosawa "chick flick." ;-)

[Exil 300]

I saw "The Hidden Fortress" a few years ago, and though my memory is vague, I think it was pretty good. I believe that the movie is said to be the inspiration for Star Wars.

Amusing trivia: Yojimbo was inspired by John Ford's westerns. It was later remade by Sergio Leone/Clint Eastwood as a western, under title Fistful of Dollars (the first part of the Dollars Trilogy - which also shares some other similarities with Yojimbo/Tsubaki Sanjuro). Also, Shichinin no samurai had earlier been converted to Magnificent Seven.

Back to topic.

Other Japanese movies I've seen and liked include Samurai Fiction, Mononoke-hime, Hana-bi and Gohatto. Based on what I've seen, I'd love to see more of Takeshi Kitano's work. Maybe I should get a copy of Zatoichi.

BTW, if you have the chance to see Stupeur et tremblements, by all means do. It's the story of a gaijin woman trying to adapt to Japanese work-place culture (and failing rather miserably :-().

[Onnagumo 4]

Thank you for starting this thread, Kaikitsune-zeki.... I felt like watching a movie yesterday, but didn't know which one, until I read this. My hubby and I really enjoyed watching The Hidden Fortress again (Sign of approval)

[Sasanishiki 57]

Maybe I should get a copy of Zatoichi.

I enjoyed Zatoichi a lot. WE had it in a film festival here in Auckland, and it was well received. It has a reasonably quirky ending which I quite liked, but it may not appeal to everyone. Still, there were some moments of humour, and enough sword fighting.

[Tomoe 0]

Maybe I should get a copy of Zatoichi.

I enjoyed Zatoichi a lot. WE had it in a film festival here in Auckland, and it was well received. It has a reasonably quirky ending which I quite liked, but it may not appeal to everyone. Still, there were some moments of humour, and enough sword fighting.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I have bought the DVD last week and enjoyed it very much. :-( Especially the sword fighting and the great tap dance finale. The making of on this DVD is very interesting too...

For people who speak german their is a nice DVD Online Shop with a great selection of japanese and other asian films Eastwestdvds

[Iwagakki 0]

How about "Audition"?

that kind of hurt my feelings. I was somewhat afraid of my wife for months after seeing it.

my ankles hurt just thinking about it....

[Itachi 330]

Kurosawa is well known. No one mentioned Ran which I really liked, especially since I had been studying King Lear around the time I first saw it.

Two newer and lighter movies I saw and enjoyed are Shall We Dance (NOT the J-Lo version!) and Kikujiro (with Kitano).

I haven't seen Zatoichi yet but I look forward to it.

A good old black and white film is Women of the Dunes (Suna??? no Onna). It's more of a slow moving thoughtful movie as opposed to action, adventure, or comedy but if you're in the right mood, it's really neat.

[Doitsuyama 1,150]

A good old black and white film is Women of the Dunes (Suna??? no Onna).

Suna no onna is correct...

[Kaikitsune Makoto 189]

Suna no onna is a "must" if one wants to see a very peculiar plotline and somewhat surreal movie. One of those movies one shouldn't try to explain to people but just encourage them to give it a go :-O

Shohei Imamura is one of the other long time directors of Japan. His movie "Unagi" was a good one. It tells a story of a man who murdered his wife in a rampage after finding her in bed with another man. After prison he starts a new life with his pet eel. Many levels in this movie. Check it out.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120408/

This one is stranger:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0289054/

It has pretty interesting depiction of female sexuality. One of a kind. Water piles up inside the woman and she needs to have sex to release the pressure. Then when she has that, the water flows out. Sounds incredibly silly but the whole movie is quite different anyway.

[Takanobaka 0]

Big fan of Tampopo here, but that's definately of a different vein than most of the other movies mentioned here. One way or another, it has a very interesting plotline and a good sense of humor, but it managed to have quite a bit of satire about modern Japan and some of the social problems that are (often) unique to Japan (i.e. the old grandpa who is guarded at all times so he won't choke on mochi, etc.). Still, I think it's a good movie for film buffs as well, since it is probably the only movie I know of which is a spaghetti western about spaghetti!