Movies
The Glamorous Life of Sachiko Hanai
Japanese pinku cinema has quite the reputation, but depending on which films you watch, you may wonder how it earned it. Well, try The Glamorous Life of Sachiko Hanai. It's one of those films that stick to the rules of the genre but then builds an entirely different kind of film around it. The result is pretty baffling. The erotic elements are pretty bland, then again, that's what funds these types of films. The plot is pretty random (especially when US President Bush "joins" the film), but that's what makes this film stand out. There's also more than just a silly premise here, the weirdness keeps on coming. It's not the greatest cinema, but it's a lot crazier (and better) than I expected.Read all
A small indie film that shows some potential, but doesn't really capitalize on it. The direction's a bit murky, the mix of genres never truly comes together and the technical qualities are rather poor. The premise is intriguing though and it does get quite atmospheric in places, but it's simply not enough. Maybe with a little extra budget, some better actors, more professional gear and a talented cinematographer this could've ended up a much better film, then again that means replacing about 80% of the entire production. Fans of indie/cult cinema might get something out of it, but I wouldn't really recommend it unless you know what you're getting yourself into.Read all