Japanese Film - Tumblr Posts
Followup: King Kong vs Godzilla
I was not left disappointed. This movie is fun and good. Not emotionally gripping, but very good fun.
This movie is absurd and funny, especially in a good couple of the dialogues. The film being (in part) kickstarted by a pharma executive frustrated with the company's poor advertising is honestly incredible. And it's even funnier how he keeps on rooting for King Kong even after having lost any kind of control over the situation.
The fights are kinda fun, but obviously a bit underwhelming because of the technical limitations. And while the larger practical setpieces are pretty well done, I find some of the greenscreen effects very janky. The octopus was a very neat setpiece, however, and kind of an exception almost.
I generally do like the designs of the kaiju. They're pretty brutish overall and can be a bit silly sometimes. Godzilla himself looks very dinosaurian with his head and fat body (another example of his versatility as a basic design), and I fw how Kong has this sort of orangutan-macaque-like build moreso than that of a gorilla.
The Bernard Heuvelmans/cryptid deal with the kaiju's general background as unkown strange kinds of otherwise real animals is pretty charming. Not surprising since this was fairly popular or sensational in contemporary sci comm iirc?
I have seen a bit of similarish things with some older science books at my grandparents'. On the topic of cryptids, I strongly suggest getting Cryptozoologicon, btw.
The film also has some cool shots.
And the score, by none other than Akira Ifukube, is brilliant. Here's an anniversary concert rendition of it.
Anyways, a pretty fun watch, and I suggest watching it.
This documentary was so melancholy and sad but man people do manage to mess themselves up.
The Great Happiness Space
Plot: Set in Osaka, Japan, this probing documentary investigates the underground world of high-end Japanese clubs, where attractive young men serve as escorts for wealthy female patrons. Director Jake Clennell pays particular attention to Café Rakkyo, and follows the male staff as they are taught how to make themselves appear as objects of desire. Observing the emotional turmoil both the staff and the customers go through, Clennell asks the question: Can love be bought?
My Feelings: This film is not for everyone. I rented because of the novelty and end up really enjoying it. If you don’t know what a Host Club is then it’s a place where you pay to drink with someone. They are super popular is Japan. They have ones with female host and male one. Always (as far as I know) separate. People can become obsessed with the host and will spent thousands of dollars a night to keep there attention. Some even pay the rent of the host they love or buy them clothing. This film talks to both the male host and there female clients. The story is a tragedy. Watching the women become prostitutes to pay there host club bills breaks my heart. Some even leave there husband or finances.
The pace of the film is slow. Which is typical of a Japanese film. The tone is melancholic. There is no happy ending which is made sadder when you remember its real. It talks a lot about the women’s downfalls and decent into being addicted to Host Clubs. There are some very uncomfortable topics just to warn you. The good I found in it is that it gave a voice to the men who are often treated like villains. In the end they are doing there jobs. When they go home they have the same hangups and problems there clients do. The film can make you feel uncomfortable at times because you want to take a side but can’t.
This film is good for people who are okay with a0 slow film that never gives you an answer simply asks you questions. As a warning I will give a heads up about talk about sex workers(ing), drugs, stalking, and violence. It’s an amazing film if you give it a chance. It’s just a lot to handle.
3/5
Is that japanese cyber-pope?
“Who talks of realism here?”
Seijun Suzuki
- Kagero-za,
1981.
Andromedia (1998) dir. Takashi Miike