Blog Archives

Zatoichi in Desperation (1972)

(from , dir: )
Posted on February 12, 2006 by Mat

It’s a crying shame when a well-loved film series becomes so formulaic that each successive film brings nothing fresh or original to the story line or character development of the series. Unfortunately, it seems that Zatoichi in Desperation has steered the Zatoichi franchise down this path of fruitless repetition. Having said this, Zatoichi in Desperation cannot be called a terrible film: it’s just a bad film, as there are a handful of good scenes which make the film watchable.

It … (read more)

Comments Off on Zatoichi in Desperation (1972)

Tony Takitani (2004)

(from , dir: )
Posted on February 11, 2006 by Deni

Quietly surreal in quality, populated by characters that redefine the words ‘quirky’ and ‘dysfunctional’, the internationally popular and highly critically acclaimed works of Japanese author Haruki Murakami are wondrous and fascinating and inarguably unique. But by the very same token, one probably would never have really considered any Murakami novel suitable for translation to film, if the idea ever even occurred to start with.

In taking Tony Takitani (a short story written almost a decade ago and printed in English … (read more)

Comments Off on Tony Takitani (2004)

Lone Wolf And Cub Vol 5: Baby Cart In The Land Of Demons (1973)

(from , dir: )
Posted on February 6, 2006 by Alison

For my money, this is the best of the Lone Wolf and Cub series. Or maybe it’s just that I get more enthusiastic with each new film I see. Whatever the case, I’m very enthusiastic about this one.

It’s impossible to talk about the Lone Wolf and Cub series without talking lot about swordplay. After all, that’s what the series is all about: indeed, it’s reputed to be the best swordplay series ever made. Having not seen the entire … (read more)

Comments Off on Lone Wolf And Cub Vol 5: Baby Cart In The Land Of Demons (1973)

Samurai 7 (2004)

(from , dir: )
Posted on January 28, 2006 by Deni

It would be hard to argue that any other film in Japanese film history has had more influence and impact than Akira Kurosawa’s epic 1954 film, Seven Samurai. Even if it could be argued that the director made better films in his half a century career, Seven Samurai stands as a unique and uniquely positioned landmark work, held dear in the heart of an entire country, and highly respected by not a few people outside of it, for reasons … (read more)

Comments Off on Samurai 7 (2004)

The Grudge (Ju-On) (2003)

(from , dir: )
Posted on January 25, 2006 by Eugene

There was, from our Western eyes, a Renaissance in horror coming out of Japan. Awareness about the Ring series had come to light and Dark Water was a worthy successor. As such, there was a level of expectation from The Grudge which, in hindsight, was somewhat undeserved. If anything, it just goes to show that the Japanese horror industry is just as fallible as their international brethren.

I suppose part of the disappointment with the film is in part to … (read more)

Comments Off on The Grudge (Ju-On) (2003)

Campus / Girl Next Door (2001)

(from , )
Posted on January 25, 2006 by Alison

Anyone who thinks that Sailor Moon is already halfway to porn will get a bit of a surprise with this one. This is the real hentai deal, complete with close-ups, anatomically correct body parts, and moaning (in your choice of Japanese or English).

Well, I say anatomically correct, but that’s not strictly true: the detail is surprisingly accurate, it’s just the scale that’s off. The girls have the usual helium-balloon breasts that you find in all anime, but these ones … (read more)

Comments Off on Campus / Girl Next Door (2001)

Paranoia Agent (2004)

(from , dir: )
Posted on January 25, 2006 by Andy

You slide a disk into the tray. The laser bites and the disk whirs in appreciation. You select the first episode from the main menu and the chiming theme kicks in — man, I love anime.

Though, as much as I enjoy anime my brain won’t disconnect completely to the experience. I still think about the, ‘1:32 scale model of the Pisa Tower constructed out of dirty dishes’ or, ‘when am I going to deal with a refrigerator that is … (read more)

Comments Off on Paranoia Agent (2004)

.Hack//sign (2003)

(from , dir: )
Posted on January 25, 2006 by Ian

I must admit that I did feel a little flashback to TRON while watching .Hack//sign. Well, the “sucked into a computer game and cannot get out till a quest is performed” part anyway.

I am a bit of a Massive Multiplayer Online Game junkie, and have played pretty much all of the current ones that are out here (even some that are not). .Hack encapsulates all the things that people (well, me at least) want out of a MMOG, … (read more)

Comments Off on .Hack//sign (2003)