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Reviews
Spillets regler (2008)
Depressingly realistic
Movies set in an academic world are few and far between. This kind of setting may seem a bit too dry. But there are many intrigues going on in academic circles. Professors fighting each other for titles and recognition as much as executives in business circles or lawyers in law circles.
In "Moving Up", the debut feature by Danish director Christian Dyekjær, an associate professor in Psychology applies for an opening as a professor, but a colleague of his applies for the same job. The two of them compete for the title by sucking up to the head of faculty while they try to keep up appearances as serious and sensitive intellectuals.
This film doesn't reach the full potential of the premise. "Moving Up" is poking fun at intellectuals playing childish games to get the respect of their peers. But most of the time, it is just a depressingly realistic portrayal of academic circles. It feels more like a tragedy than a comedy. It could use a lot more laughs and caricature to lighten up the grim mood.
Perhaps the real problem of the film is the length of it. While it only lasts 90 minutes, it feels too long-winded and a bit trite. We never leave the offices of the main characters. While this gives us a sense of how limited and isolated the world of the main characters is, it also makes us want to leave it.
Considering that it is a debut feature made on a low budget, "Moving Up" is a decent film. But the filmmakers got lost somewhere on the borderline between comedy and tragedy.
A State of Mind (2004)
For the general
I agree with what most posters say about this movie. Yes, the film does not show any of the real horrors of the country. What it shows is what the North Korean government would allow, and nothing else.
But the film also gives a rare insight into the (few) people whose lives in some ways can be compared to the lives of people in other countries. But where we have film stars, pop singers, authors, intellectuals and other role models that present us with diversified views on life, they (the affluent minority) have only one philosophy, and that is Kim Jong Il. They have no alternative religions, politics, philosophies, myths, icons, legends, thoughts or anything else.
What is interesting about the film is that it gives us an insight into the lives of those who are relatively well off in a totalitarian regime. And it is clear that the movie is made by people who do not live in that same regime. The filmmakers look at the human, 'weak' side of these people instead of just showing these people as role models. The North Korean government would see these people as becoming a glorious unified whole during these games. We see them as robots and slaves to a corrupt regime that doesn't care about them.
It is like British people visiting and making documentaries about the Nazi-devotees in the late 30s Germany. We know what is going on behind the scene, but the devotion and naivety shown by the people on screen is almost just as frightening, since these people could be ourselves under similar circumstances.
Joze to tora to sakana-tachi (2003)
Peculiar Joze, amusing Joze, beautiful Joze
This beautiful fairy tale from the shabby quarters of Osaka instantly became one of my favorite flicks of all time when I went to see at at the premiere at Cinequinto in Shibuya on a cold December afternoon in 2003. The cold and noisy streets of Shibuya contrasted the warmth of the cinema and the pleasant music played by Quruli during the credits.
Tsuneo is an easygoing guy who casually sleeps around with girls, works at the local Mahjong Parlour and generally drifts around. A typical Japanese college kid. That is until he literally bumps into Joze. A physically disabled girl who is pushed around in a baby carriage by an old lady (who sleeps at the dinner table throughout most of the movie). Tsuneo is intrigued by this beautiful and surprisingly intelligent young girl. Joze is sarcastic and defensive, but in a very charming manner, and Tsuneo soon becomes a regular visitor at the old lady's shabby house. But is it possible for a guy such as Tsuneo to commit himself to a very special girl such as Joze?
Chizuru Ikewaki's performance as Joze is really extraordinary. The sarcasm and witty remarks mixes really well with her Osaka-dialect and her eccentric exterior, and yet we sense a very sweet and vulnerable girl underneath her shell. Satoshi Tsumabuki also does his job quite well as Tsuneo. The chemistry and intimacy between the two characters as they grow closer to each feels quite real and convincing, and it is entertaining to just watch them interact casually at the same time.
There are so many details that make this movie entertaining. The kid who glares dumbfounded at a naked girl waves at Tsuneo's little brother. The love hotel that turns into the inside of a virtual aquarium when you turn the lights off. The exceedingly delicious-looking food that Joze casually cooks. All these details make this movie a unique and fun experience.
When the movie was over, I found myself entertained by the comic aspects of the movie, but I was also deeply touched by the love story, that seemed so profound and real. This movie is both a light, romantic comedy as well as an intimate story about two people who develop and evolve through their relationship. In this regard, it is thematically similar to recent films such as "Lost in Translation" (2003), "Eternal Sunshine of the spotless mind" (2004) and the Japanese "Vibrator" (2003).
"Joze to tora to sakana tachi" is a rare and unique film experience. I implore you to see it.
Akame shijuya taki shinju misui (2003)
a classic tale in a beautiful dream universe
"Akame shijuya taki shinju misui", or "attempted love suicide at the 47 falls of akame" is a very basic story in a very complex and mysterious universe. The main character is a who tries to flee from his past, and he ends up in an underworld filled with strange characters. He finds a job skewering meat in a dirty old room in a shabby old house filled with prostitutes, gangsters and a weird old tattoo master. He clearly doesn't fit in to this new world, and the inhabitants of it immediately despises him. In this way, the movie is very comic and entertaining. But when he meets a beautiful young girl with a tattoo out if this world, the story takes a turn. The girl wants to flee this dark and dirty world, and she needs his help. Eventually the writer has to come to terms with who he is, and where he belongs. The girl is astonishingly played by Terajima Shinobu who won a Japanese Academy Award in 2003 because of this movie. Another good thing about this movie is the beautiful scenery during the last scenes at the waterfalls. That said, the movie is too long and not all of the scenes work or make sense. Nonetheless a very beautiful and interesting piece, and Terajima Shinobu shines on the silver screen.
Kinpatsu no sougen (1999)
A touching, well-played drama that is easily misunderstood
How can the love between a a man in his eighties and a 18 year-old girl be justified in anyway? Well, if the old weezer has grown so senile that he believe he is 20 year old again, and the love between them is platonic, then perhaps it is possible to make a convincing love story. And that is exactly what Isshin Inudou has given us as a director in this unusually fresh and energetic movie.
80-something year-old Nippori one day wakes up, and believes himself to be 20 years old again, but his body is still rusty and old. As a way to make the audience enter Nippori's state of mind (or "dream" as he defines it himself), Nippori is played by the 24 years old Yusuke Iseya (famous from Hirokazu Kore-eda's masterworks, Afterlife (1998) and Distance (2001), as well as his own production Kakuto (2003)). Yusuke Iseya gives us a convincing and truly great performance as an old man feeling young again. He does the impossible act of showing decay and incapability as well as vigor and ambition at the same time. A 18 year-old helper, Narisu (played by the likewise talented Chizuru Ikewaki), is troubled in her relationship with her brother (not blood-related) and her best friend dating her brother. On the day that Nippori enters his dream of youth, she enters his life as a helper. Nippori immediately falls in love with this angel in spite of her clumsiness and restrained behavior. Narisu is at first shocked by this strange old guy, but then she sees the vigor and energy in the old man. She begins to share his dream. But how will her brother and her best friend react to this relationship?
Instead of lust and passion, this film shows us commitment and true affection. And it does it in a way that is youthful and invigorating. Isshin Inudou shows us Nippori`s young state of mind by using modern fastbeated music and a quirky fresh pace, but most effective of all is the young talented cast that is capable of sincerity as well as entertainment. Kinpatsu no Sougen is well recommended for anybody who believes love to be something beyond sexual encounters.
Isshin Inudou has since written the script for Yomigaeri (2003) and directed the hit movie: Josee, the tiger and the fish (2003) which also features Chizuru Ikewaki, but in a role that is so entirely different that it will make you doubt that it is the same actress.
Mizu no onna (2002)
Drama hidden in breathtaking images
Movies usually follow a guideline which is usually set by most other movies. Namely Hollywood pieces. Mizu no Onna follows the same guidelines in part, but is otherwise an entirely unique film. It is a very aesthetic movie, and the story lies not in the what is said, but what the viewer sees. It is a movie based on moods and feelings. Watching it will surely inspire any aspirating filmmaker. You will not like this movie if you expect to watch another show following the same guidelines for storytelling as any other movie. This is extraordinary, and extraordinarily beautiful. The performance by UA and Asano Tadanobu, the music by Kanno Yoko, and not least the visuals of this movie in itself makes this a movie one to watch.
Atarashî kamisama (1999)
Intelligent, moving and funny portrayal of Japanese youth
A left-wing anarchist director hands down a camera to the female lead singer of an extreme right-wing punk-rock band. This film is amazing. The growth of the girl. The portrayal of the current generation in Japan. The performance of the band which is entertaining in it's own right. It is a movie about a live human being and how she develops in a society which is "choking in peace and stability". It is a film about seeking ones place in a society. In believing in something. Even if that something is a concept such as an emperor. It also touches upon the different political stances between the portrayed and the portrayer, who actually takes a very active part during this movie. This is the way to make movie. Put a camera out into the world and let the world play with it, and all the while aiming at something and making that something develop. Indirectly directing. Oh, and this is in someways a love story as well. The pacing is slow. It is mainly the girl talking to the camera, but it also includes sequences of North Korea and of course the shocking live performances of the band. The Japanese DVD includes English subtitles. Enjoy it!
Hyaku-nen no monogatari (2001)
Transparent plot, but entertaining at times
Hyakunen no monogatari is about Japanese women throughout the 20th century. Women in three generations played by the same actress, Matsushima Nanako. The series is divided into three chapters. The first features Matsushima who is forced into a marriage. The images are static and quite dull, the drama is predictable. It is like seeing "Gone with the wind" in slow motion. The second continues in the same style, except a lot more drama. Takeshi Kitano is casted as an Japanese soldier after the 2. world war, and he makes this chapter much more interesting than the first. The period depicted is interesting as well, but the main love story between Matsushima and a American/Japanese soldier isn't all that exciting. The third is a road movie/ romantic comedy taking place in America as well as Japan, and it is quite amusing. This time the love story between the two main characters is interesting as well. Mainly because of the brilliant acting by the two. Overall, this drama is worth watching if you're a fan of Matsushima Nanako. If you're a fan of Kitano Takeshi, then you'll have to be a diehard fan since it isn't his usual style of movie. If you're in to J-Drama in general, then it's worth watching.