nuotio
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| 57 57% | The Boy Who Came Back (1958) - Rated 23 Apr 2024
"Based on 12 Suzuki films that I've seen, this is an unusual entry for him, and somewhat difficult to label. Closest would be a youth film, but the lead is an older social worker who possibly gets too interested in the young hoodlum. This is quite reserved, but still groovier than its American peers of the era. There's a pretty nasty scene late in the film which made me anticipate a violent bloodbath, but it doesn't go there. All in all, a competently directed film which shows off Suzuki's range."
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| 60 68% | Kung Fu Panda 4 (2024) - Rated 22 Apr 2024
"I thought that this was an improvement over the 3rd one and better than you would expect from a 4th film in a series. It was a good decision to cut down the characters for this, and make it more of an adventure. The big twist was obvious and the end fight doesn't quite deliver, but the film has a good pace, the new sidekick was quite good, it's pretty funny and very pleasing visually."
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| 56 55% | Visible Secret (2001) - Rated 17 Apr 2024
"1st Ann Hui film that I've seen, and apparently an outlier in her filmography. If you go in expecting a full horror film, you will most likely be disappointed, as it's largely a love story with some comedy thrown in the mix. It can also be seen as a HK version of Sixth Sense, and while it has clearly been an inspiration, the twist is not that pivotal here as it also has something to say about e.g. generational gap and possibly the handover of Hong Kong. It has great cinematography and good pace."
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| 40 12% | Descendants (2015) - Rated 17 Apr 2024
"I dodged this a couple of times, but eventually our kids forced me to watch it. It's not that bad, I guess, but it's not that great either. It's way too long (almost 2 hrs) and has made for TV production values, but there's something comforting in watching these PG-rated "rotten to the core" characters. The songs are not that bad either, but I still hope I don't need to re-watch this ever again -- and I hope the sequels are better."
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| 54 44% | Maborosi (1995) - Rated 16 Apr 2024
"I've seen a handful of Kore-eda's filmography, but apart from "Our Little Sister", they haven't really worked for me. This continues on that vein; it's an interesting meditation on grief, but nothing that I would return to. It has a strong atmosphere with suitably dark cinematography. I liked the contrast between city and the fishing village, and it was nice to see a different side of Japan. The characters remained distant, as was no doubt the intention, but not very rewarding for the viewer."
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| 62 75% | New Tale of Zatoichi (1963) - Rated 16 Apr 2024
"After the bookend style 2nd film, we get a proper new story, meet Zatoichi's sensei and learn more about his past. This is the first color entry in the series and helmed by another director which give it a bit different feel. A lot of the story revolves around Zatoichi reflecting on his way of life and the price that comes with it. The scenes between Ichi and Yayoi were at times too melodramatic for my liking, but it's still a good film and it will be interesting to see how the series continue."
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| 54 44% | Eight Hours of Terror (1957) - Rated 15 Apr 2024
"This early Suzuki film moves at a brisk pace. It packs a lot of characters and drama in its ~80mins duration, which makes it an entertaining watch, but it could have used a re-write or two to clarify its focus. It benefits greatly from exterior cinematography and vistas which give the bus ride a real sense of danger. It's edgier than Hollywood films of the era, but still a bit too rough around the edges with some odd tonal shifts. It's a film by a director who is still searching for his style."
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| 52 38% | Confess, Fletch (2022) - Rated 15 Apr 2024
"I really wanted to like this. I've never read the books, but the original Chevy Chase Fletch is one of my favorite comedies and I thought Jon Hamm was an inspired choice to play the part. The director has also done a couple of good ones, but they just don't find a right tone for this; the comedy isn't funny and the detective side isn't very interesting. It was fun to see Kyle MacLachlan in a substantial role and I thought he did a good job, but it's a pity that the film just doesn't take flight."
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| 52 38% | Voice Without a Shadow (1958) - Rated 12 Apr 2024
"Early Suzuki effort which starts off as a woman in peril film, and then evolves into a procedural/whodunit. And that is a bit of a shame as she is sent to background and the reporters that are investigating the case are not as interesting - additionally the most colorful character of the film exits way too quickly. The resolution is overly complicated and not very plausible. I liked the cinematography, specific scenes and use of exteriors. It's OK overall, but less than the sum of its parts."
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| 55 50% | The Tale of Zatoichi Continues (1962) - Rated 10 Apr 2024
"This felt more of a bookend to the first Zatoichi film. The plot is quite thin, it's barely 70mins and refers to events of the previous film. It's surprisingly melancholic as an action film with scenes like Zatoichi paying his respects to his opponent from the 1st film or reminiscing about his wife. It was fun to see Tomisaburo Wakayama of Lone Wolf fame as the one-armed swordsman (and more). Abrupt ending. It's not bad, but for me it is a clear step down from the original film."
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