Japanese Culture: Which movies capture it? - Page 2 - Blu-ray Forum

Todd Tomorrow · 11-21-2014, 03:02 PM

Films by the Japanese the directors mentioned definitely give you a better idea than Hollywood films which depict Japan as an exotic (Black Rain) and which treat the in a condescending manner (Lost in Translation).

GxyExpress999 · 11-21-2014, 03:10 PM

In addition to what's posted:

etc.

NLScavenger · 11-21-2014, 03:22 PM

There is no real singular "Japanese cultural spirit" unless you want to believe all nihonjinron scholars. Japan is a very culturally heterogeneous country with lots of local cultures so watch as many films as you can.

I'm not really into Japanese cinema, but I must recommend this very bizarre gem even though it's not representative of Japan.

It's a region free German release with English subs, but copyright stuff at the startup is in 50hz so there is a big chance the disc might not work on your player. It also contains a making of, but for some stupid reason it has no subtitles in either German or English.

Petra_Kalbrain · 11-21-2014, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NLScavenger

There is no real singular "Japanese cultural spirit" unless you want to believe all nihonjinron scholars. Japan is a very culturally heterogeneous country with lots of local cultures so watch as many films as you can.

I'm not really into Japanese cinema, but I must recommend this very bizarre gem even though it's not representative of Japan.

It's a region free German release with English subs, but copyright stuff at the startup is in 50hz so there is a big chance the disc might not work on your player. It also contains a making of, but for some stupid reason it has no subtitles in either German or English.

Damn it!!! Now I want Ramen. REAL RAMEN! Not that packaged dry noodle sodium nightmare crap that North American grocery stores stock on their shelves. Real, honest to goodness, professionally prepared Ramen!!! Thanks a lot!!!

P.S. Love me some early Ken Watanabe film work.

jayxrico · 11-21-2014, 05:05 PM

A documentary but Jiro Dreams of Sushi is an interesting watch.

Woodsy · 11-21-2014, 05:15 PM

Hirokazu Kore-eda is the BEST Japanese filmmaker working today, imo. This is a must-see!

And more recently...

GxyExpress999 · 11-21-2014, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jayxrico

A documentary but Jiro Dreams of Sushi is an interesting watch.

Yeah and The Cove is also an intriguing documentary about Japanese culture from an American point of view.

Blu Titan · 11-21-2014, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Engage

Hey all, I'm just looking for a movie that really capture the spirit of the Japanese Culture or Japanese History.

Thanks for any help!

Anything directed by Ozu

.

jscoggins · 11-21-2014, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blu Titan

Anything directed by Ozu

.

Can you imagine if Ozu directed Gojira?

Infernal King · 11-21-2014, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jscoggins

Can you imagine if Ozu directed Gojira?

Lol

Quote:

Originally Posted by Engage

Hey all, I'm just looking for a movie that really capture the spirit of the Japanese Culture or Japanese History.

Thanks for any help!

Do you mean contemporary Japanese culture or historical Japanese culture? Because I'm not sure how relevant Ozu or Kurosawa films are when it comes to reflecting what the modern day culture in Japan is like.

Todd Tomorrow · 11-21-2014, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jscoggins

Can you imagine if Ozu directed Gojira?

The b&w original is a rather serious and melancholy film. It isn't Ozu, but it also isn't like the many sequels, which became garish, monster-mash kids films. If Ozu had directed Gojira it probably wouldn't be too far off the original.

Polyrhythm · 11-21-2014, 08:34 PM

Two that I've watched very recently are The Tale of Princess Kaguya...and to a lesser extent, Big Hero 6.

BigmoufStrikes · 11-21-2014, 08:56 PM

Maybe some titles by Takeshi Kitano like Sonatine, Dolls, Kikijuro, just to name a few.
Some underworld yakuza movies that are great are the Yakuza Papers, Dead or Alive 2, and Rainy Dog.With a picture into society maybe Young Thugs Nostalgia. For a social satire on Japanese infatuation with heroes checkout Zebra Man.

Mansinthe · 11-21-2014, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Engage

Hey all, I'm just looking for a movie that really capture the spirit of the Japanese Culture or Japanese History.

Thanks for any help!

aside from classics from OZU / Mizugochi and kurosawa i would recommend you to take a look at the label "thirdwindowFilms". if you are really interesstet in the culture their movies are a good starting point.

and this one of course:

madridista8700 · 11-21-2014, 10:04 PM

The Karate Kid II is all what you need.

Andrew-Kenneth · 11-21-2014, 10:40 PM

MifuneFan · 11-21-2014, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyrhythm

.and to a lesser extent, Big Hero 6.

BobbyMcGee · 11-21-2014, 11:44 PM

Have not seen this one mentioned:

Fear and Trembling (2003)

Trailer:

Official website: http://www.cinemaguild.com/fearandtrembling/index.htm

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0318725/
Rotten Tomatoes: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/fear_and_trembling/
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fear_and_Trembling_(film)

The film is based on a novel by Amelie Nothomb.

If you can find a way to watch the film, I highly recommend it. I believe the U.S. DVD is now long OOP.

FlexMentallo · 11-22-2014, 06:52 AM

House / Hausu.

Been to Japan many times and its pretty much exactly like that movie.

DarknessBDJM · 11-22-2014, 07:09 AM

I think Kiyoshio Kurosawa's films hit a lot on Japanese culture, often through metaphorical means though. Tokyo Sonata is more straight forward.

11-21-2014, 03:02 PM	#21
Todd Tomorrow Blu-ray Knight Member since:Nov 2008 Location:Berlin, Germany Blu-ray reviews:1	Films by the Japanese the directors mentioned definitely give you a better idea than Hollywood films which depict Japan as an exotic (Black Rain) and which treat the in a condescending manner (Lost in Translation).

11-21-2014, 03:10 PM	#22
GxyExpress999 Blu-ray Ninja Top contributor Member since:Oct 2008 Location:US of A Home Theater Gallery:7	In addition to what's posted: etc.

11-21-2014, 03:22 PM	#23
NLScavenger Blu-ray Ninja Top contributor Member since:Dec 2013 Location:Netherlands 4K collection:45 Blu-ray collection:865 Trading Score:9	There is no real singular "Japanese cultural spirit" unless you want to believe all nihonjinron scholars. Japan is a very culturally heterogeneous country with lots of local cultures so watch as many films as you can. I'm not really into Japanese cinema, but I must recommend this very bizarre gem even though it's not representative of Japan. It's a region free German release with English subs, but copyright stuff at the startup is in 50hz so there is a big chance the disc might not work on your player. It also contains a making of, but for some stupid reason it has no subtitles in either German or English.

11-21-2014, 05:05 PM	#25
jayxrico Senior Member Top contributor Member since:May 2013 4K collection:190 Blu-ray collection:2624 DVD collection:623 Trading Score:53	A documentary but Jiro Dreams of Sushi is an interesting watch.

11-21-2014, 05:15 PM	#26
Woodsy Expert Member Member since:Aug 2010 Location:San Francisco Bay Area 4K collection:325 Blu-ray collection:2789 DVD collection:6 Trading Score:11	Hirokazu Kore-eda is the BEST Japanese filmmaker working today, imo. This is a must-see! And more recently...

11-21-2014, 08:34 PM	#32
Polyrhythm Member Member since:Jan 2014 Location:Los Angeles Blu-ray collection:54 DVD collection:28	Two that I've watched very recently are The Tale of Princess Kaguya...and to a lesser extent, Big Hero 6.

11-21-2014, 08:56 PM	#33
BigmoufStrikes Expert Member Member since:May 2013 Blu-ray collection:1602 DVD collection:508 Trading Score:88	Maybe some titles by Takeshi Kitano like Sonatine, Dolls, Kikijuro, just to name a few. Some underworld yakuza movies that are great are the Yakuza Papers, Dead or Alive 2, and Rainy Dog.With a picture into society maybe Young Thugs Nostalgia. For a social satire on Japanese infatuation with heroes checkout Zebra Man.

11-21-2014, 10:04 PM	#35
madridista8700 Special Member Top contributor Member since:Jan 2009 Location:Denmark 4K collection:122 Blu-ray collection:189 Trading Score:7	The Karate Kid II is all what you need.

11-21-2014, 10:40 PM	#36
Andrew-Kenneth Senior Member Top contributor Member since:Sep 2010 Location:Antwerp, Belgium Blu-ray collection:1242 Blu-ray reviews:13 Trading Score:1

11-22-2014, 06:52 AM	#39
FlexMentallo Active Member Member since:Nov 2013 Location:Los Angeles, CA 4K collection:194 Blu-ray collection:1164 DVD collection:74	House / Hausu. Been to Japan many times and its pretty much exactly like that movie.

11-22-2014, 07:09 AM	#40
DarknessBDJM Power Member Member since:Sep 2010 Trading Score:6	I think Kiyoshio Kurosawa's films hit a lot on Japanese culture, often through metaphorical means though. Tokyo Sonata is more straight forward.

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