Usually, we pick one classic Japanese movie such as Kurosawa, Akira's movie, and one contemporary movie.
What kind of Japanese movie would you be interested? or do you have any particular movie that you recommend?
Probably Kurosawa movies are the most highly evaluated movie in the world. But actually in Japan young people like college students are not interested in his movies. Kurosawa movies are maybe too old to them. They go see newer ones, and they like American movies. When I was a college student in Japan, I rarely saw Kurosawa, too. I watch more Japanese movies since I came to America.
Is that similar to Americans? One time I was playing Stevie Wonder song in my car (although I am not really a fan of his), and my American friend laughed at that. Stevie Wonder is too old maybe?
14 comments:
Yeah, Stevie Wonder is pretty old. Although I do like his song called "Boogie on Reggae Woman." That song was later sung by one of my favorite bands called Phish. As far as Japanese movies go, I am definitely not familiar with them. So I am sure anything you put on would be new to me. I would reccomend just playing a popular action movie.
I dunno thats a hard call as Stevie Wonder being to old. He is defiently a classic, like Marvin Gaye,Led Zepllin, or Bob Marely. You shouldn't have it in the car, but it is OK to have it in the home collection, knock the dust off it and play it once in a while. As far as movies as long as its not depressing I should be OK.
I can't think of a good japanses movie that is happy. I usually like the depressing ones like "No one knows". And "Gozu" might be a bit too weird. Although "Kiku juro" was really cute. Although I don't think there was much of a plot. I like J-horror but I don't think it would be appropriate to show in class. Stevie is classical and classics only get better with age. So there's my 2 cents.
I would like to watch more Japanese horror movies. Maybe you could show those? Stevie Wonder is kind of old school. I guess classics are good references to the past, but most young people do not pay them attention.
I don't know if it's similar. I think Americans like all films of all ages. Sometimes I'll watch a good Audrey Hepburn or Paul Newman movie. A lot of my friends will watch old movies too. I'm not a fan of old music though. Usually something from the 90's and today. As for Japanese film, I only know animated films, Miyazaki's are my favorites. The older Japanese films are very long, but still very good.
if you don't like Stevie wonder you fail. He may have been around back in the day but he still comes up with good music even now. None of the people of our generation give him a chance though because he isn't rock and roll and he isn't on MTV. It makes me sad that our generation has such bad music.
As for films that would be worth seeing I wonder if you ever show animated films? There are plenty of them that have great insight into Japanese culture and/or ideals. any Miyazaki film is golden along with other ones like Tokyo Godfathers, Paprika, Voices of a Distant Star, Perfect blue.
Casshern is a pretty cool Japanese action movie. I liked Hana-Bi and Kagemusha as well. I was a fan of the film shall we Dance too. It's a funny one.
I'd like to watch more animated films. Akira is always a classic, also maybe Steamboy or something of the like. I also use to be a fan of like....Princess Mononoke (spelling might be off)or Spirited Away.
Spirited Away would be cool to see again in class.
I would like to see a recent Japanese comedy! I don't really like horror movies.
Well, my favorite modern Japanese movie is Lovely Complex. Because it's just soo funny. Even my roommate loves it. But...it is a chick flick, so... yeah. I like the Japanese comedies and romances though. The Japanese horror films tend to have a lot of elements that are played over and over again. I liked Casshern, but I can only watch that movie so many times.
I think we should watch Tampopo. That instructor lady got me really interested and now I want to see the whole thing! I haven't seen many Japanese films but Nausicaa was really good, as was Porco Rosso. So, uh, I guess more animated films.
If you want to see a lot of Japanese / Korean / Asian movies. Take global connections. There is a specific class that focuses on geisha, samurai, and asian culture. We watched Tampopo in there. Also like...the 7 samurai and we even watched kill bill. Haha. Anyways, it's a really great class. I reccomend it to everyone.
I don't really like old movies. There are some exceptions, of course, but mostly I just don't find them very interesting.
My favorite Japanese movie, by far, is Battle Royale. Maybe it's a bit too violent to show in class, though...
Another one that I thought was good is the animated film Millennium Actress (千年女優). It has an interesting way of tying together elements of Japanese culture from different time periods.
Alot of people are mentioning anime/manga based movies. I find that interesting lol. I can imagine what movies like lovely complex and battle royal would be since I've read the mangas. Millenium actress was rly good too. There are alot of great chinese, korean, and Thai movies too >< sucks we cant list them lol.
A lot of Americans haven't seen the old Hitchcock movies, or any of the classics like Casablanca either. I think really it just isn't a part of contemporary pop culture, and "vintage" isn't necessarily always the coolest thing nowadays.
It's hard to beat Kurosawa but his movies can be pretty abstract, like Yojimbo. That might be part of what turns off younger people or people who don't care as much about movies that require analysis and maybe prefer more contemporary, romantic-comedy or action type stuff.
For good current stuff, what about "
Kikujirou no natsu" by Kitano Takeshi? Also, maybe check out "Udon" by Motohiro Katsuyuki.
But hey -- you can't beat Stevie Wonder. Old music, the classics anyhow, should never die ;)
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