Movies
It's definitely a difficult film to recommend.
Not all that Japan touches turns into gold. I'm not the biggest fan of their music-centered cinema, not even Masanori Tominaga's latest could change my mind. It's still a lot better than I expected it to be, Tominaga is after all a very talented and peculiar director, but it still hits familiar limitations. The music in the film isn't very impressive, even though it is supposed to be, which is par for the course. The crime story on the other hand is pretty fun, especially when it becomes more convoluted and even takes on surreal qualities. The final third of the film saved this one from mediocrity, and it did so with plenty of flair.Read all
A funny little crime comedy. In the beginning, you may be forgiven for thinking Rolling follows a more dramatic route, but it quickly dawns that we're dealing with a drier form of comedy here, hiding behind a light crime story. I really appreciated the film's quirkiness, but it was just a little too fleeting to make a big impression. The deliberate pacing, the odd plot twists, and the particular soundtrack give the film a very smooth and enjoyable vibe. The performances are solid, the cinematography on point, and the runtime appropriate. Rolling offers distinct entertainment and does so confidently, but it lack that little extra to make it truly special.Read all
A pretty standard biopic. Not only are they quite easy to construe, but they're also the perfect excuse to chase a bit of marketable retro charm, something that will get all the film fans giddy. There's some decent drama here, but it does get a little tiresome after a while, especially after the film passed the 2-hour mark. The film's a little slow to get going, but the performances are quite strong and Suei's origin story is interesting. His life story is just that though, and there are better films handling Japan's adult industry. It's all a little too by the numbers, but if you're looking for decent filler drama, it's not the worst choice.Read all