Japanese Film Festival 2024 mini-reviews
Jun. 14th, 2024 01:12 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
alchemicinkThe Japanese Film Festival Online 2024 is happening right now! There are a number of movies currently available to stream for free (in selected countries until June 18). You can browse the selections here.
I've managed to watch three movies so far, and so I wanted to write some mini reviews for them. (I know I'm cutting it close on the deadline for watching them, but maybe you can track the movies down elsewhere if you miss this opportunity to watch)
These are all pretty much spoiler-free.
We're Broke, My Lord (2023)
The Premise:
Set in the 1800s, Koshiro has dreams of being a salmon merchant, but he learns one day that he's the son of the region's feudal lord who's retiring and wants him to take over. Koshiro agrees, but quickly learns they're in terrible debt. Instead of giving up, Koshiro and friends work hard to pay off the debt and figure out how it happened in the first place.
Content note: this movie contains very casual references to ritual suicide ("hara-kiri") and one very brief suicide attempt.
My Review:
This movie had me laughing a lot! It's very silly with a lot of gags and jokes. Some of it is very over-the-top, so your mileage may vary depending on what kind of humor you enjoy. (There is a running gag where one of the brothers has a snotty nose, and I personally thought that was too gross for me.) I liked that the plot was pretty straightforward and easy to follow, though sometimes things come together a little too neatly. But, overall, this is a story about living and making an impact on the people around you, which I found to be rather uplifting.
Who's in it?
Koshiro is played by Kamiki Ryunosuke, who you may be familiar with from his voice acting work (including "Spirited Away" and "Your Name") or several live action projects. Other cast include Sugisaki Hana (from the live action Bleach movie), Asano Tadanobu (from "Thor" and most recently, "Shogun"), and Sato Koichi (who is also in another JFF film, "Kiba: The Fangs of Fiction" which I haven't watched yet)
Matsuyama Kenichi (from the old live action "Death Note" movies, "Gantz," and many other projects) plays a side character. (The snot-nosed one unfortunately)
"The Handsome Suit" (2008)
The Premise:
Takuro is the friendly owner of a neighborhood diner. He does good business and is well-liked by his customers and friends. But he's also considered ugly, so he never manages to get a date. That's where the creators of "The Handsome Suit" step in and offer him the opportunity to test one out. Putting on the suit transforms you into a completely different person, and Takuro quickly takes advantage of his new good looks. But is that what he really wants?
Content note: This movie contains a lot of casual fat-shaming.
My Review:
This wasn't a terrible film, but it wasn't exactly outstanding either. The plot is pretty predictable, so it drags at some points. But I think all the actors did well enough to carry it through. There were parts that made me laugh! But even though the message is obviously that you have to look past outward appearances, I'm not quite sure the resolution of the film really sells that point.
It's a good film if you have time to kill and nothing else to do.
Who's in it?
Takuro is played by comedian Muga Tsukaji (who I most recently saw in the drama Ousasa last year! But he has popped up in other things I've seen too.) Other cast include Kitagawa Keiko (who debuted as Sailor Mars in the live action "Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon" but she's been in a ton of other dramas and movies too), Tanihara Shosuke, and Sada Mayumi.
"I am what I am" (2022)
The Premise:
This is a slice of life film about Sobata Kasumi, who is aromantic and asexual (aroace). The story follows her as she navigates through switching jobs, making new friends, and dealing with people who don't understand her.
My Review:
I absolutely loved this movie! As a definitely-ace-maybe-aro person myself, the story was incredibly relatable. I was a little wary that this might be incredibly angsty, but it was a good mix of lighthearted and serious moments. I sincerely appreciated that the drama wasn't about Sobata struggling with her identity, but actually just struggling with people who refuse to understand it. (Like I said, incredibly relatable to me!) I'd definitely recommend this to people who aren't on the aroace spectrum just so they can see this perspective and hopefully understand it a bit better.
Who's in it?
Sobata is played by Miura Toko (from the movie "Drive My Car" which is apparently really good but I've never seen). Other cast include Maeda Atsuko (former AKB48 member) and Sakai Maki.
Kitamura Takumi also makes a brief appearance at the end. (He's Yusuke in the live action Yu Yu Hakusho series, and he also was in the Ousasa drama I mentioned earlier. He keeps popping up everywhere I look these days honestly!)
I started watching "School Meals Time Graduation" and "Wedding High" but didn't vibe with either of them. They're probably okay movies but just not personally for me.
I also started "The Zen Diary" which I'll probably try to continue, but the pace might be too slow for me to enjoy.
Anyway, I hope to catch a few more movies this weekend before they disappear.
I've managed to watch three movies so far, and so I wanted to write some mini reviews for them. (I know I'm cutting it close on the deadline for watching them, but maybe you can track the movies down elsewhere if you miss this opportunity to watch)
These are all pretty much spoiler-free.
We're Broke, My Lord (2023)
The Premise:
Set in the 1800s, Koshiro has dreams of being a salmon merchant, but he learns one day that he's the son of the region's feudal lord who's retiring and wants him to take over. Koshiro agrees, but quickly learns they're in terrible debt. Instead of giving up, Koshiro and friends work hard to pay off the debt and figure out how it happened in the first place.
Content note: this movie contains very casual references to ritual suicide ("hara-kiri") and one very brief suicide attempt.
My Review:
This movie had me laughing a lot! It's very silly with a lot of gags and jokes. Some of it is very over-the-top, so your mileage may vary depending on what kind of humor you enjoy. (There is a running gag where one of the brothers has a snotty nose, and I personally thought that was too gross for me.) I liked that the plot was pretty straightforward and easy to follow, though sometimes things come together a little too neatly. But, overall, this is a story about living and making an impact on the people around you, which I found to be rather uplifting.
Who's in it?
Koshiro is played by Kamiki Ryunosuke, who you may be familiar with from his voice acting work (including "Spirited Away" and "Your Name") or several live action projects. Other cast include Sugisaki Hana (from the live action Bleach movie), Asano Tadanobu (from "Thor" and most recently, "Shogun"), and Sato Koichi (who is also in another JFF film, "Kiba: The Fangs of Fiction" which I haven't watched yet)
Matsuyama Kenichi (from the old live action "Death Note" movies, "Gantz," and many other projects) plays a side character. (The snot-nosed one unfortunately)
"The Handsome Suit" (2008)
The Premise:
Takuro is the friendly owner of a neighborhood diner. He does good business and is well-liked by his customers and friends. But he's also considered ugly, so he never manages to get a date. That's where the creators of "The Handsome Suit" step in and offer him the opportunity to test one out. Putting on the suit transforms you into a completely different person, and Takuro quickly takes advantage of his new good looks. But is that what he really wants?
Content note: This movie contains a lot of casual fat-shaming.
My Review:
This wasn't a terrible film, but it wasn't exactly outstanding either. The plot is pretty predictable, so it drags at some points. But I think all the actors did well enough to carry it through. There were parts that made me laugh! But even though the message is obviously that you have to look past outward appearances, I'm not quite sure the resolution of the film really sells that point.
It's a good film if you have time to kill and nothing else to do.
Who's in it?
Takuro is played by comedian Muga Tsukaji (who I most recently saw in the drama Ousasa last year! But he has popped up in other things I've seen too.) Other cast include Kitagawa Keiko (who debuted as Sailor Mars in the live action "Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon" but she's been in a ton of other dramas and movies too), Tanihara Shosuke, and Sada Mayumi.
"I am what I am" (2022)
The Premise:
This is a slice of life film about Sobata Kasumi, who is aromantic and asexual (aroace). The story follows her as she navigates through switching jobs, making new friends, and dealing with people who don't understand her.
My Review:
I absolutely loved this movie! As a definitely-ace-maybe-aro person myself, the story was incredibly relatable. I was a little wary that this might be incredibly angsty, but it was a good mix of lighthearted and serious moments. I sincerely appreciated that the drama wasn't about Sobata struggling with her identity, but actually just struggling with people who refuse to understand it. (Like I said, incredibly relatable to me!) I'd definitely recommend this to people who aren't on the aroace spectrum just so they can see this perspective and hopefully understand it a bit better.
Who's in it?
Sobata is played by Miura Toko (from the movie "Drive My Car" which is apparently really good but I've never seen). Other cast include Maeda Atsuko (former AKB48 member) and Sakai Maki.
Kitamura Takumi also makes a brief appearance at the end. (He's Yusuke in the live action Yu Yu Hakusho series, and he also was in the Ousasa drama I mentioned earlier. He keeps popping up everywhere I look these days honestly!)
I started watching "School Meals Time Graduation" and "Wedding High" but didn't vibe with either of them. They're probably okay movies but just not personally for me.
I also started "The Zen Diary" which I'll probably try to continue, but the pace might be too slow for me to enjoy.
Anyway, I hope to catch a few more movies this weekend before they disappear.
