Archive for 'Japanese Movies' Category
Cutie Honey by Anno Hideaki (2004)
7 October 2005It all comes down to the power of love, that is what Cutie Honey is all about, and I must say I loved this film. It is totally off the wall, and really feels like a live action anime. And Anno is the perfect person to have pulled that off, since he loves to turn […]
Story of a Prostitute by Seijun Suzuki (1965)
5 October 2005As you know you read my blog I am a huge fan of Seijun Suzuki. I really love how he turns genre’s on their head, and with this film he certainly does. Not a film you would expect from a Japanese director, especially how it makes Chinese seem superior to the Japanese who train treat […]
Tatooed Life by Suzuki Seijun (1965)
3 July 2005An enjoyable film, though probably the least of the Suzuki films that I have seen. This one is decent, though really not all that impressive, and with only a few scenes of stylistic brilliance. Still even the worst of Suzuki’s film is well worth checking out, but I would recommend seeing the rest of his […]
Kanto Wanderer by Suzuki Seijin (1963)
2 July 2005I am continually blown away by the films of Suzuki Seijin. It is a crime against film lovers everywhere that he was blacklisted for so many years. This film isn’t as wild as some of his films, but the sets and production design are incredible and so very Suzuki. This film is incredible, and […]
Paranoia Agent 4 Sayonara Maromi by Satoshi Kon (2005)
1 July 2005So this is the end of the series. No idea why it took me so long to watch, but I am so glad I finally did. Kon really is a master of animation. Sure their are some threads left open. Really only 3 threads come together at the finish, as we learn the back-story of […]
Blue Spring by Toyada Toshiaki (2001)
4 June 2005This is based on a Manga by Matsumoto Taiyo which I would like to check out, as it has to be as disturbing as this film. In an all boys high school it is the students who rule, even chasing teachers out of the school, and what can the teachers do about it. This is […]
Youth of the Beast by Suzuki Seijun (1963)
4 June 2005It could be the biggest crime film fans around the world that Suzuki Seijun was blacklisted for so many years (though he a musical coming out with Ziyi Zhang in it, and I thought he was dead, but loved Pistol Opera which he made not long ago). They always talk about Branded to Kill being […]
Sky High by Kitamura Ryuhei (2003)
21 April 2005Another enjoyable from Kitamura, though not one of his best works for sure. More of a popcorn movie, and not nearly as good as either VERSUS or AZUMI. It looks cool, and has some cool ideas, and some decent effects, though the fights really aren’t too impressive all around. This is based on another manga […]
Fighting Elegy by Suzuki Seijun (1996)
18 April 2005Another strange one from Suzuki Seijin an off beat and strange account of the making of a young fascist in Japan in the 1930’s. And told with Suzuki’s characteristic strangeness. And this was actually supposed to be the first of 2 films based on the book by Suzuki Takashi, and the second half would have […]
Good Morning by Ozu Yasujiro (1959)
8 April 2005I have had this film for ages and not watched it. It might have been a year, and I haven’t watched it. I did watch Tokyo Story and enjoyed it, but it was a languidly paced movie and quite long so I waited to watch this, oh what a mistake! I loved this film! This […]
Swing Girls by Yaguxhi Shinobu (2004)
5 April 2005This is very obviously a new version of SHALL WE DANCE? and it is from the same people. Some of the movie is a bit ridiculous (many of the girls seem to instantly get really good, while only the main 4 have to practice, and finally really get Jazz [that is being after the beat […]
Last Exile Episodes 18-26 by Chigara Koichi (2003)
18 March 2005It took me a long time to get from the start of this to the middle, but from their I just powered through it all in 2 days. Gonzo really proved it’s meddle with this one. I really enjoyed this anime, and maybe it is just the joy of flying and the really cool vanships […]
Last Exile Episodes 9-17 Chigara Koichi (2003)
17 March 2005This continues Gonzo’s steampunk epic with our hero Claus Valca. Here we start to find out what is going on with this series.
Gantz (2004)
10 March 2005The latest work from production house Gonzo was deemed too violent for Japanese TV and was edited for content (and it is bloody as can be). My biggest complaint is that this is another DVD with only 2 episodes on it. And the initial box is set for 6 volumes, and the whole season is […]
Shall We Dance? by Suo Masayuki (writer and director) (1996)
18 February 2005This is really such a lovely film. I remember seeing it when it came out with my mom (must have been home for Christmas or something), and I just watched it again and loved it just as much. It just makes you feel good and makes you want to try out ball room dancing (and […]
Last Exile Episodes 1-8 by Chigara Koichi (2003)
10 February 2005Gonzo has brought it’s merging of computer animation and anime to a knew level with it’s steampunk epic LAST EXILE. The story starts off simple enough with 2 sky couriers, but starts to delve into a much more complicated world of politics and intrigue in a world much different from our own.
Zatoichi 13 Zatoichi’s Vengeance by Tanaka Tokuzo (1966)
31 January 2005Well I am glad I actually had this Zatoichi film in my stack of unwatched movies. It is the last released Zatoichi film that I have watched (leaving only 1 Zatoichi film that I haven’t seen which is Zatoichi 14 Zatoichi’s Pilgrimage from 1966. It has a region 2 release, though the description sounds like […]
Love & Pop by Anno Hideaki (1998)
19 January 2005I have to admit to being a huge fan of Anno, having really enjoyed NEON GENESIS EVANGELION and especially KARE KANO, and I can see how this influenced KARE KANO, and that alone would let me enjoy this film. This film is much like BOUNCE KO GALS, though I thought much better. Another tale of […]
Appleseed by Aramaki Shinji (2004)
14 January 2005Fantastic. This is the best computer animated film I have seen yet, I enjoyed it more than FINAL FANTASY (yes I loved final fantasy, me and about 3 others). Of course I am also a huge fan of Shirow Masamune. His Intron Depot books are amazing, and I always loved the Appleseed Manga, though wasn’t […]
Lady Snowblood Love Song of Vengeance by Toshiya Fujita (1974)
13 January 2005I think I enjoyed this as much as the first one. Maybe not quite as good a film, but still quite enjoyable. Yuki kicks ass. I didn’t think she survived the first one though. A bloody tale of revenge, but this time she is entangled with the corrupt officials of the Meiji restorations secret police.
Ju-On: The Grudge 2 by Shimizu Takahashi (2003)
11 January 2005Well I wouldn’t call this a good film, or even a scary film, but I certainly liked it better than the first one. It has an interesting structure decent performances, and I actually liked the ending. This film could actually be called, Ju-On the Rebirth.
Branded to Kill by Suzuki Seijin (1967)
9 January 2005Suzuki Seijin is one of the most visually impressive director’s to ever exist. This film is amazing in so many ways that it is really hard to describe. An unending orgy of amazing visuals within a twisted store of assassins. The Scope frame is so well used you would think he was born to it […]
Zatoichi 18 Zatoichi and the Fugitives by Maasuda Kimoyoshi (1968)
7 January 2005Well this one finishes off my stash of unwatched Zatoichi films. 2 more DVD’s available, and 1 not available and that would complete my Zatoichi film collection. Katsu-shin is the man! Another chambara masterpiece!
Zatoichi 25 Zatoichi’s Conspiracy by Yasuda Kimoyoshi (1973)
7 January 2005Well I have one more unwatched Zatoichi film after this and I think I am only missing 3 of his films now, 12, 13 and 14 (which doesn’t seem to be available anywhere). Katsu-shin returns in all his glory in this, much like the films of the past, no cheesy 70’s music, and the biggest […]
Hana and Alice by Iwai Shunji (2004)
6 January 2005I really needed a break from Zatoichi, and this was perfect. A high school story about two friends, and the boy that they both end up falling for. A really interesting film that was not at all what I expected it to be, or how I expected it to be. A very enjoyable film. It […]