Movies
Not a live-action adaptation of the infamous anime, instead, you get an action brawler with ever-so-light fantastical elements. Director Tanaka does his best to add a little spice, but he doesn't quite succeed. It's better than your average action B-flick, but it's not as unique as it could've been. The mythical elements are fun, but don't really affect the film that much. The action is decent, but it's a bit basic, especially after the more ambitious brawlers Japan has been putting out these past few years. The result is proper entertainment, good filler, and a nice time, but not the most memorable film.Read all
A decent but somewhat inconspicuous mix of drama and crime. Melancholic is a film that's been building up a very solid reputation ever since it was released, maybe that's why I expected something more. At least something more distinctive, I just couldn't figure out what was supposed to be so special about this one. Kazuhiko has just graduated from one of the top universities in Japan, but lands himself a job at a local bath house where he sits behind the counter and cleans the bath area. Until one evening, when he discovers that the bath house is used as a place to kill people and get rid of their corpses. Performances are decent and the premise is interesting enough. The styling is rather plain though and the film's a little long-winded. It seems director Tanaka relied a bit too much on the fun setup and got a little lazy with the execution. It's not bad for a first film, it's just not all that remarkable.Read all