All tagged Japanese film

BONUS EPISODE - Your Name.

This week, we watch the highest grossing anime movie of all time, surpassing the 2001 classic Spirited Away. A body-swap movie like you’ve never seen, describing too much of this movies plot would be giving away some of the fun twists along the way. We will say that this movie is beautiful and is worth watching for the animation alone. Your Name., directed by Makoto Shinkai.

Episode 99 - Rashomon

This week, we watch the film that broke Japanese cinema onto the worlds stage. Revolutionary for its time, its non-linear story telling has influenced not only film, but criminal psychology as well, as lawyers and academics alike have referenced the theories presented here for the past 70 years. Rashomon (1950), directed by Akira Kurosawa.

Episode 127 - My Neighbor Totoro

This week, we watch the film that gave Studio Ghibli their iconic character, who happens to be a giant bunny/bear/owl spirit (with human teeth). While this animated tale might advertise itself as high fantasy, it really spends most of its time with two young girls (sisters) who have to move to the countryside to be closer to their sick mother’s hospital, and the kindness they show each other during their difficult time. Also, there is a enormous 12-legged Catbus. My Neighbor Totoro (1988), directed by Hayao Miyazaki.

Episode 128 - Ikiru

This week, we watch the tale of a man diagnosed with stomach cancer, which causes him to reflect on his seemingly wasted life. Taking its time to establish moods appropriate for the subject matter, this film makes you think about what it means to be alive, and how to get the most out of life with what short time we have. Ikiru (1952), directed by Akira Kurosawa.