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unmeiwa
Secondary or past film interests:
French "new wave" (not so new anymore)
80s-90s Japanese films
Wong Kar Wai
Taviani brothers
Belle epoque period films, esp. by Merchant Ivory
Eric Rohmer
Hollywood Golden Era (30s-40s)
Alfred Hitchcock
Disney full-length animated feature films
Hayao Miyazaki
Akira Kurosawa
I have voted on over 300 films, but I have yet to write reviews on anything other than Ranma 1/2. former cineaste, now on tentative hiatus.
Reviews
Fanshî dansu (1989)
the real koan
Zen Buddhism is famous for koans, or paradoxical riddles or cases. The koan in this film is: how can Zen monks successfully adapt an age-old tradition to modern life?
How do modern-day monks compare to the religious ideals? rigidity of monastery?
some things that recommend this film: - fancy dances, see impressive Zen rituals - human portrayal of entrants into the monastery - COMEDY: fat monk Chinran, 80s office lady girlfriend who acts cute but takes charge, singing rock-star monk, senile Zen master - wry cinematography
You'd be better off watching this film if you've background knowledge of the Japanese monastic institution. The film doesn't explain much of the context.
Oyajî (2000)
A thoughtful drama with a beautiful song theme
The best summary for Oyaji is the song theme, "Sayonara daisukina hito," by hana*hana, which means "Farewell my beloved."
This is a drama about the very strong ties in a family of five: Oyaji (dad, old man), the father, who a doctor with a small private office; Okasan (mother), a loving housewife; their three growing children, Sayuri, the mature eldest daughter, who is a teacher; Suzu, the middle child, who is about to marry; and the son, Tadashi, whom Oyaji wants to take up the family practice.
The personal longings and desires of each family member conflict with the family unit, and each must decide if he/she is willing to bid farewell to the beloved family.
I really liked Ryoko Hirosue in this drama, and the rest of the supporting characters, but I have to say that Masakazu Tamura's role as Oyaji was the driving force behind it. Of course I can't reveal the conflicts that appear throughout the story, but I really felt for him, even though he is obstinate and a classic "oyaji." (But it was surprising how the beautiful Matsushima could be the aging mother; she's not much older than Sayuri!)
There are also some very funny parts in Oyaji, (it's not just a heavy drama); I thought Shin Yazawa as Sumika did a great imitation as the GAARU type, heavy makeup and all.
Ranma ½ (1989)
Cute and meaningful
At first, I was reluctant to see Ranma ½ , having heard it described as a gratuitous slapstick comedy, but I've changed my mind.
Ranma is one of the cutest and dearest series you will ever watch. On the surface, it is about a young man with a terrible, but comical curse who has a fiancée he is not too fond of. That in itself (the curse) is extraordinary, but the meaningful characters make Ranma ½ so much more.
In Ranma, things are not always what they seem, and besides the protagonist's dilemma, there's Akane, Ranma's fiancée. If I have to name my favorite character of all time, it must be Akane. (Much of this review is due to her.) Although Akane seems to be only a girl of violent temperament, she is really, deep down, gentle and eager to be more feminine and dear. Her hidden character glimmers through sometimes during the show, like when she tells Ranma something to the effect of, "I know you're not telling the truth when you say I'm cute, but I'm just happy you said it." (Ranma's bewildered facial reaction is, 'she really is cute'). Akane's model is her eldest sister, Kasumi, who is the epitome of Japanese feminine grace and beauty. (The show also focuses on Ranma and Akane's growing affection/love for each other.)
Of course, what would Ranma ½ be without the humor and the wit of which it has been so lauded for? The host of magically-cursed humans, especially the panda, is very cute and funny, and the fantastically silly Tendo-dojo is a place of endless fiancé and family fights (literally). There are many plays on words that non-Japanese speakers would miss (like how Ranma's last name foreshadows his curse, and Akane's name means crimson, scarlet). There are some gratuitous displays that would make some people blush, but you must keep in mind that Japanese view nudity in a different, less severe way, than the West.
I have seen an episode of Ranma ½ in English dubbed, and I recommend that you *never* see this version. The dubbing does no justice to the characters, especially Ranma and Akane, making them too forceful. If you have the means, see the original version or the subtitled version and enjoy the nuances of the voices.