Movies
Josee, the Tiger and the Fish
A cute little drama with some heart-warming and poignant scenes scattered throughout, but the second time around I was a little less taken by the presentation. The drama is potent enough and the performances are solid, it just looks a bit plain compared to similar films from that era. It's nice to see a sensitive topic like this handled with the right mix of respect and bravery. It's never too soft and sentimental, but it isn't needlessly evocative either. A slightly shorter runtime and a bit more attention to the cinematography would've elevated it further, but fans of Japanese dramas won't be disappointed.Read all
A capable but rather basic mystery/thriller. After setting up a sudden disappearance, the rest of the film is spent finding out what happened to the missing person. Clues pop up at the right time and little by little the real story is revealed. Director Inudô feels a bit absent from the film though, which is why it fails to rise above its peers. Performances are decent, but the cinematography, soundtrack and plot are a bit too simple. I guess it's telling when a poster of a film adds more intrigue than the styling (kudos for the cool poster though). Zero Focus isn't bad, fans of whodunits will surely find something to love here, but it's in no way exceptional.Read all
An older Inudô film that resurfaced not too long ago. I can't help but feel Hidetoshi Nishijima's role had something to do with it, even if it was rather minor. It's not Inudô's greatest, a bit old-fashioned and too stereotypical at times. Even so, it's a film that has its heart in the right place. The characters are a bit too stereotypical and the presentation could've been better. Some of the comedy and drama haven't aged too well, but there are also some wholesome and pleasant moments. The cast is also pretty solid, it's just that Inudô can do better. Decent drama, but not that memorable.Read all