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Reviews
Jingi no hakaba (1975)
Brilliant Cinematic Study of a Violent Maniac
Graveyard of Honor is a fantastic entry into the yakuza genre or, for that matter, the gangster genre in general. However, more so than many of its counterparts, it is an excellent Brechtian character study. Filmed in a "mockumentary" style, Graveyard of Honor breaks up its action and storytelling relatively often with bits of narration, setting the events of the film in their period context and transitioning over long gaps in time.
A reviewer once equated this film to the "blacksploitation" films of the same period: this betrayed the reviewer's ignorance to the genre. The Japanese gangster film is far more presentational than its western counterparts. From the bright, red, paint-like blood to the strict characterizations and operatic emotions, Graveyard of Honor and other films like it are a sort of midway point between Kabuki theater and French nihilism. It is an intriguing genre, and one that internationally acclaimed director Kinji Fukasaku uses brilliantly to pose intriguing questions and point out crucial problems in the Japanese mindset of the time.
To truly appreciate his 1970s yakuza films, it helps to have knowledge of the history leading up o that time from the end of World War II. Watching Graveyard of Honor on its own will certainly be an entertaining experience, but anyone perplexed or intrigued by the film should do research on other films of the period, their cultural context, and their societal implications. Fukasaku was a groundbreaking director, and it's a shame that his brilliance could be lost in the cultural gap.
King Kong (2005)
The World has gone to the Apes: King Kong is a Disaster
Peter Jackson's ability to wow the critics is something this reviewer will never understand. King Kong, in particular, is a train-wreck of a film. Jackson is widely quoted as being an almost obsessive fan of the original; it was the film that inspired him to be a filmmaker. However, in his hands, Kong is a tedious enterprise that seems to be more about Jackson's self-indulgence than his allegiance to any classic story.
Almost everything in Kong is a horrific disappointment. The dialogue is inexcusable (the film's last line is "No, it was beauty killed the beast," and that's one of the film's least heavy-handed moments), the acting is worse (surprsingly, its the CGI beast and Jack Black that deliver the most grounded, somewhat believable performances. Watts has two facial expressions, Brody one, and Collin Hanks is entirely forgettable), and the film's pacing is atrocious. Filled with sub-plots that go no where and feel even more awkward than the Bilbo/Sam exchanges in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, the film could easily have been cut down by an hour and lost nothing: if anything, such a cutting would have made the story more clear, focused, and maybe even given it a chance to be emotionally effective.
The CGI, however, is worth the ticket price. Personally, I despise the current reliance on computer effects over far more believable, artistic means (computer effects certainly have their place: but I find them typically overused). King Kong is no exception, and several sequences could have been done with model work, patience (computer generated sunsets are my greatest pet-peeve. If you're going to show us "the beauty of nature" then do so; don't insult us with a phony creation). However, Kong himself is masterfully created. In close-ups, it is often impossible to believe that he is computer generated. Had Jackson spent more effort filming real things, instead of relying on computer effects in practically the vast majority of the film's shots, every moment of CGI could have had as much attention, been as awe-striking, and given modern audiences a world truly worthy of being branded the "Eighth Wonder of the World.' As it stands, you will still have your breath taken away several times, but in the hands of a less indulgent director, the film might have been something truly amazing.
Kong is not the disappointment that WAR OF THE WORLDS proved to be earlier this year, but it is a ridiculously indulgent effort from Jackson. This is the film made for himself, not for an audience, and the perfect example of when a studio should strongly suggest trimming to a director. Everything in the film goes on for too long: sequences that initially seemed to promise some kind of redemption for the film quickly grow burdensome and pull the film down further yet.
Nothing is genuine in Kong. None of the real-life performers have as much life or honesty to them as does the giant, computer generated ape. Could this have been some message from Jackson? Only the most idealistic of fans could believe such rubbish. Kong is a $200 million shipwreck. The most effective metaphor for life in the film is that between Jack Black's filmmaker and Jackson: both destroy the very things that they love.
Alive (2002)
No, it's not Versus: It's better!
Most complaints I've heard of this film really come down to one thing: It isn't Versus. Yes, the cast and crew is basically the same. Yes, Kitamura rehashes a few shots in the fight scenes that come in the film's second half, but that's about where the similarities end. Versus takes place essentially all outside, showcasing Kitamura's ability to craft an interesting B-movie in natural locations. For Alive, almost everything takes place inside. In small, cramped spaces. Here the art design is thrust into your face, and WHAT art design it is! We are treated to several very intricate and interesting spaces, and our characters are for the most part confined to those spaces. Also a key difference is that we don't get much action here until the end of the film. Versus was all about action and cool, here a LOT more emphasis is put on characters and situation and messing with your mind. Because of this, Alive is a far more interesting film than Versus. You may not pop it in and go to a random scene to watch five or ten minutes of cool zombie bloodshed, but you will sit glued to the screen for nearly two hours watching he interaction of a few genuinely interesting characters.
I'm now ecstatic that I ordered the DVD despite some naysay. You should too! But be sure to realize this is a different animal from Versus - it's often slow, and requires a bit of thought to get the most out of it. I hope Media Blasters picks it up for subtitled R1 DVD release!