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jfgemini
Reviews
Shi (2010)
Full Circle Movie
Even though the beginning symbolically felt too ominous to ignore, there's a greater story to be told. It eases you in the study of being human. What is blocked out is the ugliness of life but what is trapt is the yearning soul. Writing is the way out and there should be no shame in going through messiness and ugliness.
The film "After Life" I just saw prior to this and the scene with the students talking about their quest for poetry was beat for beat like the newly dead people being interviewed. And like After Life, Poetry is beyond cinema. Its the story of your life, your tough struggles. You may not be dealing with the extremes of this film but you know that you can do little things in life to be a better person.
Maboroshi no hikari (1995)
Rent/Buy it somehow, someway
I couldn't find a DVD copy on Ebay but my local library had it thankfully. It's a timeless film and the long shot scenes saved it in a weird way. Cinematography was very meticulous in the beginning; barely showing faces in the night, especially Yumikos face (a motif in hiding her grief). But with the open sea setting later on faces are more detailed, masking the coping and grief of loss. It's becoming more of a lost art with shadow use and not so perfectly placed camera angles. Most directors try to be more like Kubrick or Malick using every fiber of detail in their shots. However the best detail is what you shape up in your mind. Kore-eda's vision and the technical work of Masao Nakabori definitely makes it a worthy watch. I must buy a copy of the DVD or fund the future Criterion edition.
Kuroi ame (1989)
A Hidden Masterpiece
When I added this film on my watchlist years ago it was barely 1000 ratings, now it's over 3 thousand and it pleases me to no end because this movie needs more exposure more than ever. Top tier modern black and white film and a message very resonate. No weak aspects what so ever with the acting, directing and writing. Melodrama is a weird taboo in most Japanese films but with its strong themes and horrifying intro, it balances itself out with an intimate drama and ongoing commentary on gossip and the consequences of war. I want to read the book and watch more of the directors resume, only a few so far.