Geezer wrote:

Seems odd that for all the old, obscure Japanese films I've watched and collected over the years... I've never seen any of the "Tora-San" movies. AnimEigo just put out a boxed set of the first 4 films, so I broke down and bought them (retail!!!). If they're half as good as I'm expecting I should be in clover.

Seems as though AnimEigo is really good as far as putting out some really good older obscure movies, I've got my share of their movies, though we wouldn't call Lady Snowblood too obscure ...but along those lines, really trying to slow down my DVD purchases, but browsing thru the used anime section at my local indie store, found these 2 films that weren't anime. Had to do some looking for some info, had never heard of these films, they were part of a trilogy in the 60's called the Yokai Monsters, aimed more for a younger audience but had enough monsters to keep us adults interested.

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Looks like some state-of-the-art CGI right there

Anime Dad wrote:

Looks like some state-of-the-art CGI right there

You hit it right on the button, it was released by Rubbersuit Pictures!
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Anime Dad wrote:

Looks like some state-of-the-art CGI right there

LOL, that acronym didn't even exist when those movies were made.

My sister felt a little sorry for me and bought me two Japanese movies to help me recover. It�Ls not that easy to find Asian movies (except animes) in Brussels so I am extra happy .

The first one is Ping Pong, which I�Lve seen many times (EstherM loves Arata ). I lost the the download sometime ago though.

Re-watching Ping Pong made me think that the Japanese entertainment business should be more forgiving. Kubozuka Yusuke is such an amazing actor ... plus I am convinced that many Johnny�Ls have an equally bad drug/booze record.

Then I got Sakuran with Tsuchiya Anna - Kanno Miho has a little part too - about a girl becoming an oiran in Yoshiwara. I found this particulary interesting, especially after having watched JIN. It�Ls quite good despite the fact it�Ls based on a Moyoco Anno ( ) manga. Mind you, it�Ls too polished to be real good, I like my historical movies a tad grittier.

Shinobu Terajima wins Best Actress in Berlin

The awards of the 60th Berlin International Film Festival have been announced. The big news for Japan was Shinobu Terajima (37) taking home a Silver Bear award for Best Actress, in recognition of her performance in Koji Wakamatsu's "Caterpillar."

Terajima is only the third Japanese woman to win the Best Actress award at Berlin. It was previously won by Kinuyo Tanaka in 1975 and Sachiko Hidari in 1964.

In addition to Terajima, two other Japanese people received awards. Director Yoji Yamada, whose "Otouto" made its international premiere as the festival's closing film, was given one of the Berlinale Camera 2010 awards. Meanwhile, Isao Yukisada's "Parade" was awarded one of the Prizes of the FIPRESCI Juries, in the Panorama section of the festival.

EstherM wrote:

Then I got Sakuran with Tsuchiya Anna - Kanno Miho has a little part too - about a girl becoming an oiran in Yoshiwara. I found this particulary interesting, especially after having watched JIN. It�Ls quite good despite the fact it�Ls based on a Moyoco Anno ( ) manga. Mind you, it�Ls too polished to be real good, I like my historical movies a tad grittier.

It's visually over the top too But I did enjoy it.

Anime Dad wrote:

It's visually over the top too But I did enjoy it.

^

Very lavish indeed!

I am watching Gravity�Ls Clowns or Jyuryoku Pierrot now and I have to admit I have no clue were this is going. I�Lm at 30mins and I am still not sure if this is a mystery, a family drama or something else althogether. I am also surprised by Masaki Okada - I had always thought he was just a stone-faced johnny�Ls style bishonen but here he seems lively and interesting enough.

If you're outside the US, I apologize. Please feel free to either bash me or Hulu for restricting the content to the US .

If you made it this far, this may interest you (beemer especially). It appears that the Criterion Collection is now streaming on Hulu. Watch Zatoichi from the comforts of your computer!

http://www.criterion.com/current/posts/1381

dochira wrote:

If you're outside the US, I apologize. Please feel free to either bash me or Hulu for restricting the content to the US . If you made it this far, this may interest you (beemer especially). It appears that the Criterion Collection is now streaming on Hulu. Watch Zatoichi from the comforts of your computer! http://www.criterion.com/current/posts/1381

Nice.... Though I have all 26 movies already.

dochira wrote:

If you're outside the US, I apologize.

So painful to live in a small country where there is never enough critical mass to launch anything.

EstherM wrote:

So painful to live in a small country where there is never enough critical mass to launch anything.

Except for beer and chocolate...life's necessities.

Tu_triky wrote:

Except for beer and chocolate...life's necessities.

Don't forget the waffles.

bmwracer wrote:

Don't forget the waffles.

Yes, breakfast.

hungry now - would kill for some good old waffles now

dochira wrote:

If you're outside the US, I apologize. Please feel free to either bash me or Hulu for restricting the content to the US . If you made it this far, this may interest you (beemer especially). It appears that the Criterion Collection is now streaming on Hulu. Watch Zatoichi from the comforts of your computer! http://www.criterion.com/current/posts/1381

*cough* Proxy *cough*

EstherM wrote:

hungry now - would kill for some good old waffles now

Hehe.

EstherM wrote:

hungry now - would kill for some good old waffles now

Hmm, now that I think about it, so would I.

Keiko Kitagawa, Masaki Okada in "Matataki"

Keiko Kitagawa (23) is starring in a new film directed by Itsumichi Isomura, titled "Matataki." The movie is based on the first full-length novel by screenwriter Len Kawahara, who wrote the screenplay for the 2009 movie "Yomei."

Kitagawa plays a young woman named Izumi, whose boyfriend Junichi (played by 20-year-old Masaki Okada) dies in a motorcycle accident. As a result, the shocked Izumi suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and loses her memory from the time of the incident. With the help of a lawyer (Nene Otsuka), she is eventually able to remember Junichi's final moments. The rest of the supporting cast includes Misa Shimizu, Tomorowo Taguchi, and Kin Sugai.

The theme song will be a new tune by singer K, titled "Aitai Kara."

Isomura ("Ganbatte Ikimasshoi," "Gege") directed and wrote the adapted script. The movie was shot in the spring of 2009 and has already completed post-production. Theatrical release is planned for this June.

gaijinmark wrote:

Keiko Kitagawa, Masaki Okada in "Matataki" Keiko Kitagawa (23) is starring in a new film directed by Itsumichi Isomura, titled "Matataki." The movie is based on the first full-length novel by screenwriter Len Kawahara, who wrote the screenplay for the 2009 movie "Yomei." Kitagawa plays a young woman named Izumi, whose boyfriend Junichi (played by 20-year-old Masaki Okada) dies in a motorcycle accident. As a result, the shocked Izumi suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and loses her memory from the time of the incident. With the help of a lawyer (Nene Otsuka), she is eventually able to remember Junichi's final moments. The rest of the supporting cast includes Misa Shimizu, Tomorowo Taguchi, and Kin Sugai. The theme song will be a new tune by singer K, titled "Aitai Kara." Isomura ("Ganbatte Ikimasshoi," "Gege") directed and wrote the adapted script. The movie was shot in the spring of 2009 and has already completed post-production. Theatrical release is planned for this June.

I'm on Keiko Kitagawa addiction right now..... so I'll look forward to this movie ........