Favourite Japanese TV/Movies

[mcchan]

Nobody Knows is one of the most depressing movies I have ever seen! I watched it all the way to the end hoping for a happy ending.

'Concrete' (Konkurīto) is also very depressing and disturbing because it's based on the murder of Junko Furuta in the 80s. Any women going to Japan... do not recommend! >.>

Any fans of"Hausu" here? A friend and I just watched it this week in complete bewilderment, which is to say it was thoroughly engaging from start to finish. Wacked-out visuals, creepy horror, a story inspired by the ideas of a 10-year-old girl, and a killer soundtrack to boot!

You mean the weird 70's horror film? XD

I'm really into Japanese horror. Big props for Battle Royale. However, I find most Japanese horror movies strange, which makes them even more interesting. So, if you haven't seen it, you should definitely check out UZUMAKI. It will kind of blow your mind and make you confused.

See, I LOVE j-horror, but I couldn't watch Uzumaki to the end. It felt like a nightmare where things don't really make sense. Usually, I wanna wake up from those nightmares, so I pressed stop XD. But yeah, their horror films have different dynamics to western, they are a lot more psychological. I hate when America goes and makes an english version of them and misses out on basically everything that makes the film good. Like my fave, Kairo, had an American version called 'Pulse' that really really sucked, took all the whole meaning of the original away

[Greg_ShimanePA]

Any fans of"Hausu" here? A friend and I just watched it this week in complete bewilderment, which is to say it was thoroughly engaging from start to finish. Wacked-out visuals, creepy horror, a story inspired by the ideas of a 10-year-old girl, and a killer soundtrack to boot!

You mean the weird 70's horror film? XD

Yup! One of the most compulsively watchable films I've ever seen, but definitely not everyone's cup of tea. Can't blame you for the XD. We agree about "Kairo" though -- it and "Audition" are among the best horror films (Japanese or otherwise).

[kenkennif]

I LOVE TAKESHI KITANO - And anything he does =D

[mcchan]

Any fans of"Hausu" here? A friend and I just watched it this week in complete bewilderment, which is to say it was thoroughly engaging from start to finish. Wacked-out visuals, creepy horror, a story inspired by the ideas of a 10-year-old girl, and a killer soundtrack to boot!

You mean the weird 70's horror film? XD

Yup! One of the most compulsively watchable films I've ever seen, but definitely not everyone's cup of tea. Can't blame you for the XD. We agree about "Kairo" though -- it and "Audition" are among the best horror films (Japanese or otherwise).

I just find it amazing that someone would have mentioned the film, hence the 'XD'. It's very "theatrical" and pretty weird (not as weird as Uzumaki tho), and yeah, not everyone's cup of tea. OH! Another one, Shutter, there is a halfassed American version of it too. Audition was good X3.

[Takamizawa]

I'm really into Japanese horror. Big props for Battle Royale. However, I find most Japanese horror movies strange, which makes them even more interesting. So, if you haven't seen it, you should definitely check out UZUMAKI. It will kind of blow your mind and make you confused.

See, I LOVE j-horror, but I couldn't watch Uzumaki to the end. It felt like a nightmare where things don't really make sense. Usually, I wanna wake up from those nightmares, so I pressed stop XD. But yeah, their horror films have different dynamics to western, they are a lot more psychological. I hate when America goes and makes an english version of them and misses out on basically everything that makes the film good. Like my fave, Kairo, had an American version called 'Pulse' that really really sucked, took all the whole meaning of the original away

I dunno, the Uzumaki movie didn't do much for me, but the manga is freaking creepy. I usually don't like manga at all, but the first few volumes especially were just horrifying (in a good way). As for creepy movies, I wouldn't classify it as "horror," but Takashi Miike's Gozu is definitely disturbing. It'll make you never EVER want to go to Nagoya.

[yume]

Yup! One of the most compulsively watchable films I've ever seen, but definitely not everyone's cup of tea. Can't blame you for the XD. We agree about "Kairo" though -- it and "Audition" are among the best horror films (Japanese or otherwise).

I just find it amazing that someone would have mentioned the film, hence the 'XD'. It's very "theatrical" and pretty weird (not as weird as Uzumaki tho), and yeah, not everyone's cup of tea. OH! Another one, Shutter, there is a halfassed American version of it too. Audition was good X3.[/quote]
Audition was an awesome movie! I wouldn't call it a horror film as much as a thriller, but there are a few things that really stick with you about that. How almost meek and ordinary the girl seemed, the guy in the bag and what he was fed, and, ultimately, the sound of the piano wire-shiver! Shutter was a great movie too, and, like you said, a great example of how Americans ruin things.

You mentioned Pulse too. Did you notice how in the remake they were using excerpts from the original movie-or it was so close it look the exact same? I noticed that when I saw the previews. They definitely didn't tell things correctly though.

If anything (speaking of non-Japanese movies), The Eye is a great series of movies. The American remake was close and tried to stay true while re-engineering everything for Americans to understand, but it was still missing something. However, if you haven't seen the following sequels, you should definitely check them out. They have completely different storylines, changing the story in surprising and completely different ways.

[mcchan]

Audition was an awesome movie! I wouldn't call it a horror film as much as a thriller, but there are a few things that really stick with you about that. How almost meek and ordinary the girl seemed, the guy in the bag and what he was fed, and, ultimately, the sound of the piano wire-shiver! Shutter was a great movie too, and, like you said, a great example of how Americans ruin things.

You mentioned Pulse too. Did you notice how in the remake they were using excerpts from the original movie-or it was so close it look the exact same? I noticed that when I saw the previews. They definitely didn't tell things correctly though.

If anything (speaking of non-Japanese movies), The Eye is a great series of movies. The American remake was close and tried to stay true while re-engineering everything for Americans to understand, but it was still missing something. However, if you haven't seen the following sequels, you should definitely check them out. They have completely different storylines, changing the story in surprising and completely different ways.

When you say 'remake' you mean the American version? It's nothing like the original Kairo. I haven't read Kiyoshi Kurosawa's novel, but considering he also directed the original, it's probably a fair translation of it. The American Pulse, makes no sense whatsoever. It feels like the ghosts are evil, it's overly dramatised, blond bimbo and newly found boyfriend have happy ending. It's pathetic. I find it offencise that they dare to consider it an version. >.>

The main reason why i don't like the American 'The Eye' is Jessica Alba. u_u She is so bad, there isn't a film she doesn't manage to ruin for me.... okay, maybe Sin City she didn't. But anything she is main character is a no no. I have watched the sequels though. What are their names?

If you like the less horror/thriller, try the Taiwanese 'Silk' (i know I pit in my list of Japanese, but meh, Asian films count too). It's a damn good film, Kairo style. I'm surprised American studies haven't tried to destroy it yet.

[Looseleaf]

I LOVE TAKESHI KITANO - And anything he does =D

High five!

I love Beat Takeshi / Takeshi Kitano stuff, I think I've probably watched all his films and love the humour and presence of them. Emotionless and bleak but somehow captivating at the same time. Not too sure about the American film he made - Brother.

As for horror, Japanese versions always seem to be ruined by American directors. Nothing against American directors at all but they don't capture the raw terror and psychological drama of the originals. Such as in Eye / Dark Water / Ring etc etc. I'm not sure which is better though - Korean or Japanese horror. Both are pretty sick yet exciting.

Takashi Miike and Chan-wook Park being a couple of my favourites. I also like Ki-duk Kim, Wong Kar Wai and Steven Chow (I know the last 2 are Chinese but you know....), to name a few more.

My favourite of all has to be Miyazaki Hayao. I love his work!!

[mcchan]

Actually, Dark Water was directed by Walter Salles, who's the best Brazilian director and one of the best worldwide. I didn't think his version was bad at all, as far as remakes go, it's pretty fair to the original.

[Looseleaf]

Actually, Dark Water was directed by Walter Salles, who's the best Brazilian director and one of the best worldwide. I didn't think his version was bad at all, as far as remakes go, it's pretty fair to the original.

Ok, fair enough but I didn't enjoy the remake as much. Maybe I'm just too prejudiced against remakes?!

[mcchan]

Actually, Dark Water was directed by Walter Salles, who's the best Brazilian director and one of the best worldwide. I didn't think his version was bad at all, as far as remakes go, it's pretty fair to the original.

Ok, fair enough but I didn't enjoy the remake as much. Maybe I'm just too prejudiced against remakes?!

Maybe~ but I'm too, so I don't blame you. I usually twist my nose at them, but still watch them so I can complain . It was the same with Dark Water, but after seeing The Eye, The Ring, One Missed Called, Pulse and other awful remakes, it wasn't as bad. Remakes can never capture the orginal's essence and I'm not sure if they do it on purpose or not. But the west has different storytelling techniques which are intrinsic to our society and that not always suits the Asian films/comics/animation style, if ever.

[Looseleaf]

"mcchan"But the west has different storytelling techniques which are intrinsic to our society and that not always suits the Asian films/comics/animation style, if ever.

I agree with that but it seems to me sometimes they try to.....but just fail. Other times they just go way off, probably on purpose. Who knows?? Maybe they can just write some of their own stuff for once, lol. I mean look at 'The Departed', great film in itself but it was a near identical copy of the original film 'Infernal Affairs', albeit in an American setting. They could have changed more of it. Ok, the final scene was different as they killed him off but otherwise the same.

I'm both excited and yet dreading the US remake of 'Akira' - the Katsuhiro Ohtomo original was one of my first anime films and still one of my favourites. I only pray it won't turn into the next 'Street Fighter' or 'Super Mario' style live action film. I know these were games but sometimes animation is used because it really is the best format.

[mcchan]

I agree with that but it seems to me sometimes they try to.....but just fail. Other times they just go way off, probably on purpose. Who knows?? Maybe they can just write some of their own stuff for once, lol. I mean look at 'The Departed', great film in itself but it was a near identical copy of the original film 'Infernal Affairs', albeit in an American setting. They could have changed more of it. Ok, the final scene was different as they killed him off but otherwise the same.

I'm both excited and yet dreading the US remake of 'Akira' - the Katsuhiro Ohtomo original was one of my first anime films and still one of my favourites. I only pray it won't turn into the next 'Street Fighter' or 'Super Mario' style live action film. I know these were games but sometimes animation is used because it really is the best format.

x_x WHAT?! They are making an American version of Akira?! Oh man, why'o'why... Akira was a breakthrought in animation, and a masterpiece imo (animation graduate here, so a bit of a geek). I agree with you, sometimes animation is the best medium for many reasons and can't really be translated to live action. Of couse, CGI and sfx makes everything virtually possible nowadays. Speed Racer was pretty good.... but then again, the anime was kinda crap XD

I think sometimes they have an english version because a lot of people can't be bothered watching a film in another language. I see a lot of those walking out of foreign language films in the cinema. The staff has to tell us 'it's in this language, is that ok?' because people DO complain afterwards. u_u It's annoying and it doesn't happen with only Asian films, see 'Let the right one in' that had a remake not that long after the original. So many people left in the middle of the film, and it's a fabulous horror. And, also, most westerns can't empathise with the Asian 'look', so they don't feel connected to the characters.

[yume]

The main reason why i don't like the American 'The Eye' is Jessica Alba. u_u She is so bad, there isn't a film she doesn't manage to ruin for me.... okay, maybe Sin City she didn't. But anything she is main character is a no no. I have watched the sequels though. What are their names?

If you like the less horror/thriller, try the Taiwanese 'Silk' (i know I pit in my list of Japanese, but meh, Asian films count too). It's a damn good film, Kairo style. I'm surprised American studies haven't tried to destroy it yet.

lol A lot of people say they dislike Jessica Alba as a main character. However, I really enjoyed her in Dark Angel.

The sequels for The Eye are The Eye 2 and The Eye 10. You can find them on Netflix if you have it. I love Netflix. That's where I found a lot of my foreign movies.

[yume]

I agree with that but it seems to me sometimes they try to.....but just fail. Other times they just go way off, probably on purpose. Who knows?? Maybe they can just write some of their own stuff for once, lol. I mean look at 'The Departed', great film in itself but it was a near identical copy of the original film 'Infernal Affairs', albeit in an American setting. They could have changed more of it. Ok, the final scene was different as they killed him off but otherwise the same.

I'm both excited and yet dreading the US remake of 'Akira' - the Katsuhiro Ohtomo original was one of my first anime films and still one of my favourites. I only pray it won't turn into the next 'Street Fighter' or 'Super Mario' style live action film. I know these were games but sometimes animation is used because it really is the best format.

x_x WHAT?! They are making an American version of Akira?! Oh man, why'o'why... Akira was a breakthrought in animation, and a masterpiece imo (animation graduate here, so a bit of a geek). I agree with you, sometimes animation is the best medium for many reasons and can't really be translated to live action. Of couse, CGI and sfx makes everything virtually possible nowadays. Speed Racer was pretty good.... but then again, the anime was kinda crap XD

I think sometimes they have an english version because a lot of people can't be bothered watching a film in another language. I see a lot of those walking out of foreign language films in the cinema. The staff has to tell us 'it's in this language, is that ok?' because people DO complain afterwards. u_u It's annoying and it doesn't happen with only Asian films, see 'Let the right one in' that had a remake not that long after the original. So many people left in the middle of the film, and it's a fabulous horror. And, also, most westerns can't empathise with the Asian 'look', so they don't feel connected to the characters.

Actually, they did make one huge change in The Departed from Infernal Affairs. That whole thing going on with the therapist, the "love/sex" angle that all American films and remakes seem to have a must, was a big change from the original. The therapist in Infernal Affairs was like so minor.

Also, I actually love the Super Mario Bros. live action from the '90s. I liked it even though they had a Daisy instead of a Peach.

Other than Akira, they are also making a Cowboy Bebop remake.

I also know what you mean about going to the theatre and them having to tell people that it's a foreign language film. That happened when I went to see The Orphanage (Spanish film). I was just like, "Yeah, I know." Sort of like a duh thing. Have people not realized that if you watch an American preview and the only voice you hear is the announcer that it's a foreign language film? American trailers don't allow the foreign language to come through.