chaychlochay Reviews

Dune: Part Two (2024)

I was reminded what movies are

[10/10 · 24 March 2024]

Movie is dense, alive, intense, the plot feels inevitable but not predictable. I know this sounds like I'm just throwing words out, but this is the kind of movie that makes you really sit and realize the power film as a medium can have.

I remembered the first one enough, but I'm not a Dune superfan or anything. After watching this one though I feel like I should just watch them back to back to really soak it in. The glimpses of the inner politics (and of otherworldly things) is downright fascinating. Battle choreography fantastic, setpieces, fantastic.

The only negatives I can think of is one particularly bad cgi wide shot which stuck out because everything else is immaculate, as well as one line from Chalamet that did not meet the quality of the performance of the veteran actor he said it to. (Maybe he felt he has to act up to him?l Anyways, great stuff, I'll see you all when Part 3 comes out in 2030.

Sumo Do, Sumo Don't (1992)

A sum greater than its parts

[7/10 · 31 July 2020]

With an interesting premise as well as memorable characters, Sumo Do is an enjoyable movie. It is a movie that geys better as it goes on, with very believable sumo matches.

However, there is some poor directing decisions with sometimes amatuerish camerawork and awkward shots. Some of the dialogue is also delivered (perhaps intentionally) in quick, robotic fashion.

Still, the unique aspects of the film and strength of characterization make it an above average japanese film.

The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (1983)

Pretty good until the last act

[6/10 · 28 July 2020]

Having already seen the 2006 anime adaptation, I had the expectation going in that this could not possibly be nearly as good as that movie. I was right. However, this ended up being a movie I enjoyed. It has a slow pace, and the time shenanigans are much more restrained than the anime remake (at least for the most part). I really liked the lead actress, who reminded me of that of "Sailor Uniform and Machinegun". Turns out, she starred in a TV version of that movie prior to starring in this.

In short, if you are looking to experience the best possible version of "Girl Who Leapt Through Time", please turn your attention to the 2006 anime. If you enjoy this period of japanese culture as well as live action over animation, this is worth a look. The credit sequence alone is enough to make it worth a watch.

Kamikaze Taxi (1995)

3 hour Japanese Tarantino

[6/10 · 6 June 2020]

This movie did not need to be this long, but it actually is paced well. Think of it as watching a director's cut or something. If you like Tarantino style dialogue and Tarantino style violence this movie will go over well with you. As a combination of small moments this is a good film. But as a Yakuza movie, or as a comedy, or social commentary, it doesn't stand as one of Japan's greatest. However it does do all of these things well. Jack of all trades master of none.

Terrace House: Tokyo 2019-2020 (2019–2020)

Tragic Low Point of a Beloved Series

[5/10 · 31 May 2020]

Even omitting the out-of-show events that lead to this series cancellation, Terrace House 2020 was already at reaching it's worst point since the late portion of 'Aloha State'.

Envisioned as a lead up the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (cancelled), the season starts interesting enough, but finds itself sabotaged by poor casting choices that created objections not only in Japan, but with it's worldwide audiences. First, commentary regular Tokui was suddenly removed from broadcast due to tax evasion. Then, a particular member's aggressive advances towards another cast members lead international critics to blame the show of being an enabler of sexual predation.

Finally, the show came to it's abrupt end with the suicide of a member who was cyberbullied following an altercation with another member.

So, while there may be enjoyable moments to this season, as a whole, it is very difficult to recommend watching TH 2020 to anyone but the most diehard TH fans.

Sotsugyo ryoko: Nihon kara kimashita (1993)

Instant Classic! Music, Comedy, and Self-Discovery

[8/10 · 31 May 2020]

I went into this with almost no expectations and ended up stumbling upon one of my favorite Japanese movies. This movie is about a spineless college grad who decided to go on a final trip before entering the business world; however he leaves that island a megastar.

Appreciation of Japanese music will likely be a key factor in whether you 'like' or 'love' this film. Hearing the main character cover the gaudy tunes of Japan yesteryear brought a smile to my face, and even if you dont know the songs, the transformation of the meek boy to flamboyant popstar is comedy in itself.

Usually when I watch foreign films I tend to create a separate rating "system" as the difference between them and domestic films tends to be too wide to put in the same categories. However, I can say with confidence that this films stands high as one of my favorites. Definitely watch!

Rock Requiem (1988)

Hold up well compared to it's contemporaries

[7/10 · 31 January 2020]

This movie was a vehicle for the Johnny's idol group, Otokogumi, but ended being a perfectly watchable band film that doesn't drag on too long as well avoids the pacing problems that plague a lot of japanese films from that time.

"Rock Yo" is about a group of four students who bond over a mutual love of the fictional band 'Crime', and decide themselves to create a band emulating their idols. Over the course of the film, "Rock Yo" hits most all of the 80s Japanese delinquent cliques in stride, with street brawls, underage smoking and drinking, and of course, rock music. However, in this movie it is all presented well and feels like a representative work of that era of youth society. While being very much a work of its time, the films overarching plot points and cinematography do not feel as dated as say, "Lonelyheart".

I would recommend this film to any fan of 80s-90s Japanese culture as well as fans of band films like "That Thing You Do", assuming you can find a subtitled version.

Kikujiro (1999)

Good Acting, Good Premise, Horribly Paced and Meandering

[5/10 · 6 October 2019]

There are good points to this movie; light-hearted, many funny moments, and you grow to feel for the two lead characters. However, as seems to be a staple for Kitano's non-violent directing attempts, the movie clocks about 40 minutes too long, with a point about halfway through then genuinely felt like the movie reached its end. Also interspersed are many dream sequences that add almost nothing to the film and do not fit any of the thematic elements consistent throughout the rest of the film. The movie simply cant keep a reasonable pace, and the films high points which are usually when the mostly stoic child lead actually has lines, are few and far between.

I would only recommend this film to specifically Kitano film lovers, outside of that I didn't think the film has much to give the viewer, thematically or in matters of entertainment value.

Library Wars (2013)

Good Production Values, but Falls to Common Tropes

[7/10 · 22 October 2018]

This is a completely enjoyable film, with a very capable male lead and supporting cast. The politics around the film are murky, desiring a Hunger Games-esqe dystopian government, yet is too similar to the real world, which made me question the actions of the main players far too often. For example, while the law supports the LDF in being able to self-defend against the main anti-book body, they are not allowed to kill. That being said, they still utilize live rounds (?!). Yet, somehow, they are able to hold off enemy forces authorized to use lethal force.

I feel this is a likely a product of the Japanese viewpoint (and movie rating system), while some people are in fact killed, it is clear that this is a movie intended to appeal to a wide range of potential moviegoers. Another negative is that of the female lead. While her acting is not "poor" per se, her lines often pull this movie down to TV drama standards, with talk about "her prince" and a constant desire to come across as cute. One would think that this is an anime adaptation with how heavily they sprinkle these things into an otherwise serious film.