Anyone see the Japanese film, "Bright Future"?

[CheapyD]

Rented it last night from Blockbuster...

It's a pretty interesting movie about youth and old age, much different than your average American film. If you enjoy dramas and are looking for something out of the ordinary, I recommend checking it out.

Reviews: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0007GADX6

[seanw]

The director, Kiyoshi Kurosawa, has two other movies currently released on DVD in the US. I haven't seen Doppelganger, which is apparently as much a comedy as anything else, but Cure is great -- scary, creepy, nervewracking horror that's less supernatural than, say, Ringu but which likewise doesn't answer all of the questions it raises.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000YAEHK/

[False Hope]

"...and are looking for something out of the ordinary, I recommend checking it out."

Almost anything Japanese is out of the ordinary. Have you seen the PokeCons (Pokemon Condoms)?

Anyway, it sounds interesting. I've really wanted to see the movies Skyhigh and Versus, however. I haven't rented from Blockbuster in a while... Any other place you suggest that may have it?

[CheapyD]

I had to turn Versus off after a few minutes...I just can't get into Japanese action movies that aren't animated. I tried Pistol Opera too and had the same result.

Other than Netflix, I wouldnt know about other video stores carrying Bright Future.

[punqsux]

thanks cheapy, ill add it to my queue on netflix!

i reccomend the german film Das Experiment, its a really good semi-non-fiction film about a prison psyche expariment which was conducted in the US in the 70's

[Captain J]

Hey Cheapy (or anyone else!) i have a question. Kiyoshi Kurosawa made a japanese horror film in the late 80's called Sweet Home, they film was so popular in Japan the made a video game out of it, Sweet Home for the Nintendo Famicom (our NES) and many said it was the inspiration for resident evil (the game) i have been looking for a copy of this film on any format but a few people i talked to online that deal in those types of movies said that it is owned by the japanese mafia?! anyone know how to see a copy of this film? by the way here is the summary of the film:

http://www.tohokingdom.com/web_pages/reviews/sweet_home.htm\

and the game:

http://nesretreat.www8.50megs.com/reviews/sweethome.html

[seanw]

WOG, that's fascinating. I'm-a have to do me some googling.

[jaykrue]

If you can find it, everyone MUST check out Casshern. It was based off a 70s anime called Casshan about a masked power ranger type guy. Before you scream "Blah! That's cheesy crap! Forget that!" let me just say, it is a visual feast. It was created using green screen CGI and very little props a la Sky Captain. What makes it different from Sky Captain is the lack of blur which Sky Captain was plagued with. Visually and story-wise speaking, I would describe it as Final Fantasy meets Blade Runner. And with that, here's a link to the trailer:

http://www.casshern.com/

[jaykrue]

I had to turn Versus off after a few minutes...I just can't get into Japanese action movies that aren't animated. I tried Pistol Opera too and had the same result.

Other than Netflix, I wouldnt know about other video stores carrying Bright Future.

Greencine (http://www.greencine.com) has it. Greencine is a Netflix type of site that specializes in foreign films. If you can't find it on Netflix, you can find it there.
(http://www.greencine.com)

[Captain J]

Greencine (http://www.greencine.com) has it. Greencine is a Netflix type of site that specializes in foreign films. If you can't find it on Netflix, you can find it there.
(http://www.greencine.com)

nope i checked and no sweet home!

[jaykrue]

nope i checked and no sweet home!

Yeah, you're right. Did some googling and it seems that the movie was made by Toho Video but distribution has ceased. The original print remains in the Toho film vaults and no distribution is pending or even considered.. Weird fun fact I found out - while the movie and game have inspired Resident Evil, the movie and game themselves were inspired by a US film: Poltergeist.

[sblymnlcrymnl]

If you can find it, everyone MUST check out Casshern. It was based off a 70s anime called Casshan about a masked power ranger type guy. Before you scream "Blah! That's cheesy crap! Forget that!" let me just say, it is a visual feast. It was created using green screen CGI and very little props a la Sky Captain. What makes it different from Sky Captain is the lack of blur which Sky Captain was plagued with. Visually and story-wise speaking, I would describe it as Final Fantasy meets Blade Runner. And with that, here's a link to the trailer:

http://www.casshern.com/

It's good, but a bit boring at times.

[projecteightysix]

You guys NEED to see Oldboy, its korean, not japanese. but its probably the best foreign film i've ever seen.

[sblymnlcrymnl]

You guys NEED to see Oldboy, its korean, not japanese. but its probably the best foreign film i've ever seen.

Also a great one.

I'd recommend these as well (quoted from my post in the obscure movies thread):

2LDK (http://aznfilms.com/product_info.php/cPath/21_2/products_id/1224?osCsid=f2b1495ddd7c5dbdb3b8c044c2ea84e4)

Attack the Gas Station (http://aznfilms.com/product_info.php/products_id/82?osCsid=f2b1495ddd7c5dbdb3b8c044c2ea84e4)

Azumi (http://aznfilms.com/product_info.php/cPath/21_1/products_id/1003?osCsid=f2b1495ddd7c5dbdb3b8c044c2ea84e4)

Born To Fight (http://aznfilms.com/product_info.php/cPath/21_3/products_id/1591?osCsid=f2b1495ddd7c5dbdb3b8c044c2ea84e4)

Guns and Talks (http://aznfilms.com/product_info.php/cPath/21_3/products_id/366?osCsid=f2b1495ddd7c5dbdb3b8c044c2ea84e4)

Legend of Zu (http://aznfilms.com/product_info.php/cPath/21_1/products_id/41?osCsid=f2b1495ddd7c5dbdb3b8c044c2ea84e4)

Men Suddenly In Black (http://aznfilms.com/product_info.php/cPath//products_id/1036?osCsid=f2b1495ddd7c5dbdb3b8c044c2ea84e4)

Musa: The Warrior (http://aznfilms.com/product_info.php/cPath/21_1/products_id/323?osCsid=f2b1495ddd7c5dbdb3b8c044c2ea84e4)

My Wife Is A Gangster (http://aznfilms.com/product_info.php/cPath//products_id/132?osCsid=f2b1495ddd7c5dbdb3b8c044c2ea84e4)

[jaykrue]

You guys NEED to see Oldboy, its korean, not japanese. but its probably the best foreign film i've ever seen.j

If you liked Oldboy, check out Three Extremes. The girl from Oldboy is in this one as well. I think it rates pretty high next to Oldboy as a good mindfuck.

[sblymnlcrymnl]

j

If you liked Oldboy, check out Three Extremes. The girl from Oldboy is in this one as well. I think it rates pretty high next to Oldboy as a good mindfuck.

And you'll never be able to eat dumplings again. :lol:

[jaykrue]

Also a great one.

I'd recommend these as well (quoted from my post in the obscure movies thread):

Originally Posted by sblymnlcrymnl
2LDK (http://aznfilms.com/product_info.php/cPath/21_2/products_id/1224?osCsid=f2b1495ddd7c5dbdb3b8c044c2ea84e4)

Good

Attack the Gas Station (http://aznfilms.com/product_info.php/products_id/82?osCsid=f2b1495ddd7c5dbdb3b8c044c2ea84e4)

Haven't Seen It

Azumi (http://aznfilms.com/product_info.php/cPath/21_1/products_id/1003?osCsid=f2b1495ddd7c5dbdb3b8c044c2ea84e4)

Story was good but the fighting seemed forced... I couldn't believe Azumi as a ninja.

Born To Fight (http://aznfilms.com/product_info.php/cPath/21_3/products_id/1591?osCsid=f2b1495ddd7c5dbdb3b8c044c2ea84e4)

Good action. I especially like the little kid muay-Thaiing that Soldier

Guns and Talks (http://aznfilms.com/product_info.php/cPath/21_1/products_id/323?osCsid=f2b1495ddd7c5dbdb3b8c044c2ea84e4)

Haven't Seen It (and your link goes to Musa: Warrior)

Legend of Zu (http://aznfilms.com/product_info.php/cPath/21_1/products_id/41?osCsid=f2b1495ddd7c5dbdb3b8c044c2ea84e4)

Reminds me of Storm Riders but I lean towards this one for over-the-top god wars.

Men Suddenly In Black (http://aznfilms.com/product_info.php/cPath//products_id/1036?osCsid=f2b1495ddd7c5dbdb3b8c044c2ea84e4)

Weird and quirky but not bad.

Musa: The Warrior (http://aznfilms.com/product_info.php/cPath/21_1/products_id/323?osCsid=f2b1495ddd7c5dbdb3b8c044c2ea84e4)

As a lot of Zhang Ziyi's stuff, this is good but I think she was better in House of Daggers.

My Wife Is A Gangster (http://aznfilms.com/product_info.php/cPath//products_id/132?osCsid=f2b1495ddd7c5dbdb3b8c044c2ea84e4)

Funny over-the-top wire-fu w/ gun action. Need I say more? Oh ya, there's a sequel but I haven't seen it yet.

[sblymnlcrymnl]

Originally Posted by sblymnlcrymnl
2LDK (http://aznfilms.com/product_info.php/cPath/21_2/products_id/1224?osCsid=f2b1495ddd7c5dbdb3b8c044c2ea84e4)

Good

Attack the Gas Station (http://aznfilms.com/product_info.php/products_id/82?osCsid=f2b1495ddd7c5dbdb3b8c044c2ea84e4)

Haven't Seen It

Azumi (http://aznfilms.com/product_info.php/cPath/21_1/products_id/1003?osCsid=f2b1495ddd7c5dbdb3b8c044c2ea84e4)

Story was good but the fighting seemed forced... I couldn't believe Azumi as a ninja.

Born To Fight (http://aznfilms.com/product_info.php/cPath/21_3/products_id/1591?osCsid=f2b1495ddd7c5dbdb3b8c044c2ea84e4)

Good action. I especially like the little kid muay-Thaiing that Soldier

Guns and Talks (http://aznfilms.com/product_info.php/cPath/21_1/products_id/323?osCsid=f2b1495ddd7c5dbdb3b8c044c2ea84e4)

Haven't Seen It (and your link goes to Musa: Warrior)

Legend of Zu (http://aznfilms.com/product_info.php/cPath/21_1/products_id/41?osCsid=f2b1495ddd7c5dbdb3b8c044c2ea84e4)

Reminds me of Storm Riders but I lean towards this one for over-the-top god wars.

Men Suddenly In Black (http://aznfilms.com/product_info.php/cPath//products_id/1036?osCsid=f2b1495ddd7c5dbdb3b8c044c2ea84e4)

Weird and quirky but not bad.

Musa: The Warrior (http://aznfilms.com/product_info.php/cPath/21_1/products_id/323?osCsid=f2b1495ddd7c5dbdb3b8c044c2ea84e4)

As a lot of Zhang Ziyi's stuff, this is good but I think she was better in House of Daggers.

My Wife Is A Gangster (http://aznfilms.com/product_info.php/cPath//products_id/132?osCsid=f2b1495ddd7c5dbdb3b8c044c2ea84e4)

Funny over-the-top wire-fu w/ gun action. Need I say more? Oh ya, there's a sequel but I haven't seen it yet.


Link fixed, I think. Thanks.

[jaykrue]

And you'll never be able to eat dumplings again. :lol:

Dumplings? I'll never be able to get close to blenders and/or pianos ever again. :puke:

[punqsux]

while i havent played it, that sweet home game dosent remind me at all of resident evil, sans the door opening.

[Captain J]

while i havent played it, that sweet home game dosent remind me at all of resident evil, sans the door opening.

it wasnt really that the game is like resident evil, it just introduced people to the survival horror category (i.e people in a haunted mansion with guns and zombies attacking) i have the famicom game and its more like an old school corridor dungeons and dragons game when you fight but you walk around an overhead map like an old school final fantasy game! its pretty good! but i just want to see the damn movie! i have a commercial for the game on my hard drive and on my psp and it has small clips of the movie in it as well!

[jaykrue]

I really doubt you'll see this thing back in the limelight considering that Toho (or if what you say is true, the yakuzas) is NOT considering to put this out on DVD

[seanw]

I thought Oldboy was way overrated.

[jaykrue]

I thought Oldboy was way overrated.

Please elaborate

[False Hope]

Darn; I've got a bit of catching up to do.

Anyone have any reccomendations for foreign movies that really (and I mean really) make you think? Movies that mess with your head and such, make you try and see any certain thing from the originator's point of view? I'd love to see one of those. Preferably one from any of the following countries (in preferable order as well):

Japan, Germany, Italy, Ireland, China, Hong Kong, Greece.

[CheapyD]

Darn; I've got a bit of catching up to do.

Anyone have any reccomendations for foreign movies that really (and I mean really) make you think? Movies that mess with your head and such, make you try and see any certain thing from the originator's point of view? I'd love to see one of those. Preferably one from any of the following countries (in preferable order as well):

Japan, Germany, Italy, Ireland, China, Hong Kong, Greece.

How about France? http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094713/

[jaykrue]

Darn; I've got a bit of catching up to do.

Anyone have any reccomendations for foreign movies that really (and I mean really) make you think? Movies that mess with your head and such, make you try and see any certain thing from the originator's point of view? I'd love to see one of those. Preferably one from any of the following countries (in preferable order as well):

Japan, Germany, Italy, Ireland, China, Hong Kong, Greece.

Many posters have already posted a lot of Asian flicks so I'll post a few non-Asian. Well, if you want mindfuck, try The Tin Drum (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078875/). It's a German film. I dunno if you'll be able to find it in your area as it's highly controversial as well as thought provoking. Or try Chris Nolan's (Batman Begins director) pre-Batman movies: Memento (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0209144/) and Following (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0154506/). Both really good at making you perceive things differently. Another one that I thought was good but underrated was Session 9 (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0261983/). Very similar in tone to The Shining. And who can forget college staples Pi (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0138704/) and Cube (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0123755/) (forget the sequels they suck). And if you like the cerebral aspect of The Matrix w/o the wire-fu check out Avalon (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0267287/). It's a Japanese/Polish collaboration. Another good one from the UK (which I hope will come out here) is Layer Cake (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0375912/). Of the ones I mention, I think only Memento and Session 9 are US releases, the rest are foreign. And Layer Cake is a gangster flick but I thought I'd mention it cuz I wanna see really bad.

[seanw]

Please elaborate

As a piece of filmmaking, I thought it was good, but not great, with good performances (especially the lead) and a handful of good scenes (especially the hallway beatdown). As a story ... in order to get that Greek tragedy effect at the end, you have to have an "extreme" story, but even with that in mind, I thought Oldboy took the long way around the barn in developing a lot of its plot elements, which would have been fine except the barn is fairly dilapidated. I don't want to spoil anything for anyone, so copy the following graf into http://www.rot13.com/index.php and decipher it.

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