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Andrew Weil recommended Rashomon (1950) in Movies (curated)
Edmund White recommended The Makioka Sisters in Books (curated)
Entertainment Editor (1988 KP) rated Villannex in Tabletop Games
Mar 7, 2018
Dale Yu: First Impression of two quick Japanese card games – Kobayakawa and Villannex
This is a game that would love an app or spreadsheet to make the scoring a bit easier. As it is, it may be the only game that I own which takes longer to score it than to play it! But – there is a fascinating game here – trying to read your opponents and keep your options open as your hand continues to dwindle in size.
Critic: Dale Yu
Read the full review here: https://opinionatedgamers.com/2014/11/04/dale-yu-first-impression-of-two-quick-japanese-card-games-kobayakawa-and-villannex/
Critic: Dale Yu
Read the full review here: https://opinionatedgamers.com/2014/11/04/dale-yu-first-impression-of-two-quick-japanese-card-games-kobayakawa-and-villannex/
Kevin Phillipson (9943 KP) rated Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019) in Movies
May 30, 2019
Awix (3310 KP) rated Daigoro Vs Goliath (1972) in Movies
Aug 4, 2019 (Updated Aug 4, 2019)
Almost indescribably weird Japanese children's film takes all the tropes of the giant monster genre and somehow manages to make them thoroughly whimsical and charming. Up to a point, anyway. Anyone wondering about the sanitation arrangements on Monster Island will enjoy the giant monster toilet which turns up in this film.
The monster suits are awful, the acting mainly consists of the broadest kind of slapstick and people shouting at one another, and even the special effects are decidedly ropey. Yet we must remember this was a children's film and it does have a very peculiar gentle charm to it. If you like Japanese SF movies anyway. Everyone else will probably find it totally unwatchable.
The monster suits are awful, the acting mainly consists of the broadest kind of slapstick and people shouting at one another, and even the special effects are decidedly ropey. Yet we must remember this was a children's film and it does have a very peculiar gentle charm to it. If you like Japanese SF movies anyway. Everyone else will probably find it totally unwatchable.
Jack Reynor recommended Ugetsu (1953) in Movies (curated)
MarshalDillion55 (100 KP) rated God of War (Dang kou feng yun) (2017) in Movies
Feb 9, 2018
Lots of Martial Arts action (1 more)
The historical aspects
Historical action doesn't get any better than this
Taking place in 16th century China, the movie follows the story of General Qi Jiguang (Wenzhuo Zhao) in his fight against the Wokou (Japanese Pirates) that were terrorizing the Chinese coast. Based on a true story.
Asif Kapadia recommended In Ghostly Japan in Books (curated)
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Rings (2017) in Movies
Oct 30, 2017 (Updated Oct 30, 2017)
Done to death (excuse the pun)
(Rant) The American Ring series is a franchise that should never have been given the go-ahead in the first place, mostly because it's a massacre of the original Japanese film, as Hollywood has never heard of the term "less is more". And this pretty much tops the entire collection as the most pointless film that was made. Lessons were clearly not learnt from the initial two movies.
For one, assume that Samara is evil. There are no two ways about that. So why these do-gooders continually attempt to save her is beyond me. Do they never learn? And two, after seeing what Samara can do to a person's face in the previous films, this seems to be less frightening in the third and hopefully final film in the trilogy. Hence the above the qualm - less is more.
The Japanese films diverge massively, and the best part of it is the fact that they don't need to be over-dramatic to create pure fear. Japanese and Korean subtlety does not translate well in the US film industry and its uniqueness is why the movies were exemplary. Not worth your time.
For one, assume that Samara is evil. There are no two ways about that. So why these do-gooders continually attempt to save her is beyond me. Do they never learn? And two, after seeing what Samara can do to a person's face in the previous films, this seems to be less frightening in the third and hopefully final film in the trilogy. Hence the above the qualm - less is more.
The Japanese films diverge massively, and the best part of it is the fact that they don't need to be over-dramatic to create pure fear. Japanese and Korean subtlety does not translate well in the US film industry and its uniqueness is why the movies were exemplary. Not worth your time.
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Kubo and the Two Strings (2016) in Movies
Aug 26, 2017
Not quite in the same league as other Japanese animations
Just like those crazy Studio Ghibli films of fantastic tales and amazing creatures, Laika productions (famous for Coraline) has created a stop motion animation using Japanese folklore. Now as a fan of Ghibli, I can say that this is no way near that league although the animation is always amazing to behold.
The story is rather tragic of a boy from a magical powerful family, who has escaped with his mother as a baby, losing an eye in the process, and growing up to play an instrument that has the power to control paper. Both he and his mother are poor, livingin a cave, hiding away from this family - his father has also perished in this initial battle. However, they are found and his mother gives him her powers to escape and try and find a way of defeating her sisters and father.
It's a quest-based film, filled with perilous obstacles and while it was sad at times - I just don't think it was as heartfelt as other Japanese animations. The voices of Matthew McConaughey and Charlize Theron is always fantastic to hear though.
The story is rather tragic of a boy from a magical powerful family, who has escaped with his mother as a baby, losing an eye in the process, and growing up to play an instrument that has the power to control paper. Both he and his mother are poor, livingin a cave, hiding away from this family - his father has also perished in this initial battle. However, they are found and his mother gives him her powers to escape and try and find a way of defeating her sisters and father.
It's a quest-based film, filled with perilous obstacles and while it was sad at times - I just don't think it was as heartfelt as other Japanese animations. The voices of Matthew McConaughey and Charlize Theron is always fantastic to hear though.