*this is a documentary
According to many sources, the word "otaku" can most closesly be associated with the term "geek". Naturally this would have to extend to a smiliar term in "nerd". However, after watching the 1994 documentary on the subject; the word seems to mean something much more. Throughout the course of the movie we see "otakus" who are into video games, comics, buying underwear, making dolls, crafting airplanes, and watching their favorite idols (celebrities). While this collection certainley seems odd to me and probably most of you reading this article; it's apparently the norm of what you could find in Japan. Other than seeing how unique, perverted, and odd some of these obessions were; we also get to listen to many interviews with locals about their interactions with otakus as well as their lives as otakus. Many are blocked off from the outside world, and in one case, a man verbally expressed his wish for a Godzilla like monster to bring Tokyo to it's knees. Weird, right? It's because that guy was a monster-otaku. He even has a book about his childhood. Anyway, I tried to compare the culture of Otakus to something in America and the only thing I could think of was the Hip-Hop culture in New York. Possibly maybe even the anime, gaming, and sci-fi conventions that take place throughout the year all over the United States. Yeah, those were the only things that I could compare this weird "otaku" phenomena too; and I still feel like it's not enough. Perhaps the movies most interesting bit is toward the end. There is a discussion on how Japan as a country has no real goals and ambitions anymore. At one point, Japan's goal was to achieve prosperity. Now that it has that it seems to have lost sight of what it really desires. That's just the opinion of one guy they interviewed on the movie. But when you look at the state of Japan today, and start to hear how people would rather live their lives single; then you can't help but wonder. No one seems to wanna get married, and few seem to even want kids. The decreasing population in Japan is not something thats only talked about in this movie either. In fact nearly all the documentaries I've watched address it in some shape or fashion. Is it possible that Japan is a Otaku itself? I dunno, but the question is an interesting one posed in the movie here. As usual it's available for instant watch on Netflix, for how long I don't know.
Here's a clip from the movie. The guy is a music-otaku(?)
*this is a documentary
There are glasses in the shape of eyes so it doesn't appear the user is wearing them. A toilet seat lifter. A cigarette that supposedly "activates" the brain. These and many other inventions that may or may not be needed were created by none other than the Ig Nobel Prize winning, Toshiro Nakamatsu (aka Dr. Nakamats). This film is a documentary of sorts covering a couple of weeks maybe even a few days in the life of Dr. Nakamats. We get to see how he interacts with potential business partners, how prideful he is in his inventions, and also how many of his inventions showcase his true genius, including a water-powered bike cab for three. Sounds weird I know, but the people offering to buy it wanted it at only half the price of what competitors were selling for. Feeling offended, Dr. Nakamats scolds them and then proceeds to give them a live demonstration of his product before brashly proclailming it to be two or three more hundred dollars more than what the competitors were selling there's for.
The film goes on to show us Dr. Nakamats' interaction with his children, a few lectures he gives, and even the new product he announces on his 81st birthday. The film is interesting, not just because of the different inventions we get to see, but also how eccentric, bold, and prideful the man behind them is. The film doesn't really go into it, but it's heavily implied that Dr. NakaMats is a very difficult man to do business with. He even, at times, appeared to be a bit much for his family to deal with at his most stubborn. Still, as biased the film makers appeared to be, Dr. Nakamats' sweet nature and love for his family as well as his shrewedness as a businessmen shined through equally. The invention of Dr. Nakamats is a film about a sweet old man with a big heart, has incredible ambition, and a weird sort of matter-of-factness about life that seems to both attract and repel those closest to him at any given point and time.
*this is a documentary
Wanna get a way? We all have our "happy place" we like to sneak off to and relax. These places rejuvenate us physically, mentally, and spiritually. However, how many of you can say that your "happy place" costs hundreds or thousands of dollars per visit? Sounds like it defeats the purpose of going to a "happy place" if your paying for it out the wazoo. However, let's say your job (as stressfull as it is) pays better than most of society, including salary-business jobs. Would paying for your "happy place" be worth it then?
The women who visit the Rakkyo cafe often come for an all nighter. Many fall in love with the hosts there (Guys who dress to look cool and beautiful) and some even propose or ask for sex. The hosts are at the mercy of these women. Priding themselves on being able to "sell dreams" to these customers, they often bounce around the cafe from one patron to the next doing what ever they can to make them all happy.
After 30 or so minutes the cafe looks harmless enough, until we get to learn the personal and private lives of many of the patrons that frequent Rakkyo cafe. That's when the movie takes a dark turn and we see the dramatic irony reveal itself. Imagine prostitues using the money they've earned from their work to pay the hosts at Rakkyo for hours and hours of their time. Very few want sex. All want meaniful relationships. However there is a certain sad awareness that no one within these host clubs can be trusted; because their jobs demand that they say whatever to make the patrons feel good. Some of the interviews reveal how warped and detached many of the hosts and patrons have become from the bonds formed at the cafe. One "relationship" between patron and host had lasted 5 years and was celebrated by the hosts and the patron drinking 5 bottles of champagne ranging in cost from $10,000 to $200,000. Personally, I'm good with a $1 bottle of Coke Cola. I'm just saying. Without spoiling too much more of the film, I'll say it really takes any notions you had about fun places like host clubs or even strip clubs and turns them on their head. There's a reason that many people call patrons of such establishments "sleazy". There's also a reason that the customers at these host clubs keep spending hundreds of thousands of dollars (yen) just to be able to drink with the pretty boy hosts of the Rakkyo cafe. Here is a 10-minute preview of the film on Youtube.com
You can watch the whole movie on Netflix Instant Watch.
I'm not positive about it, but I feel there are countless ways movies can build tension; with many of the methods being mixed-n-mashed together. While Hollywood seems content on using around 5 ways to build tension, I've noticed the other countinents looking to be a little more creative and their approach. An example of an action movie where tension is built, not necessarily in the fighting itself, but the scenes inbetween. The chasing, the hiding, the outmanuvering of an opponet then cutting them down; these elements of building tension are what makeup "War of the Arrows".
A movie directed by Han-min Kim whose other credits include Handphone (2009), and Paradise Murdered (2007). He also wrote Handphone as well as War of the Arrows; while acting in Paradise Murdered. A very intense style of directing was used during the action sequences in War of the Arrows; and it was balanced by some scenes of slacker comedy early on.
The hero of the film is not a hero, at least not at first. He's a coward. In fact he's the very definition of one. At a young age, he and his younger sister were the children of a traitor to the throne. Their father sent them off to a safe kingdom nearby before being killed. Unfortunately, both kids witnessed the death of their father. The only thing Nam Yi (the hero) has to remember his father is a (soon to be legendary) bow and a few arrows. Soon, Nam Yi grows up to be the greatest archer in Korea and practices his skills daily. However, he is ultimately looked down upon for having no ambition only then to be a hunter. His sister, is constantly courted by the men in the region. Without spoiling too much, the Qing Dynasty attacks and in the ensuing battle Nam Yi's sister (Ja In) is captured. It's now up to Nam Yi, and his friends to save his people from slavery and persecution.
War of the Arrows is pretty amazing in what it's able to accomplish. It's entertaining, it keeps things simple and visceral; and it doesn't take itself too seriously. Not only all that but Nam Yi being the unsure hero he is makes watching his adventure all that more unpredictable. Nam Yi's skill is unequaled and throughout the movie he is tested by the warriors from the Qing Dynasty. Even after watching Nam Yi best dozens of his pursuers in intense scenes of sniping; the end of the movie still had me in doubt as to whether he could truly survive this insane, blood thirsy pursuit. The pace also begins to rev up as for every warrior Nam Yi slains, his comrade swears revenge and doubles their pursuit of him. One thing that Nam Yi has on his side? He knows the terrain of the forests better than anyone. Afterall, they were his hunting grounds. Anyway, this is a film I recommend for a friday night. Send out for pizza and enjoy yourself, it's a great ride.
Alright guys, this is the final movie in our Women Warrior marathon. This next episode I have two emails to share as well, so of course something that little will get me excited. It's been an interesting sample I have to say so far. Be sure you guys watch the movie before the episode this Sunday! Capeesh?! Good. Until then!
Fans of Kung Fu, Karate, or "Ninja" fighting movies where characters are thick-headed, gymrats who are constanly searching for the newest technique are all over the place. These people love shows like Baki the Grappler, Dragon Ball (and DBZ), and the more contemporary Naruto and Bleach. Count me among this group because I loves me some Dragon Ball and DBZ; but up until a few years ago, I didn't even know something like Fist of the North Star existed. What's the big deal? Well, Fist of the North Star is supposedly the "John Carter" from which all the popular and "classic" Shonen series have spawned from. However, where watching a movie like John Carter (came out earlier this year) now, it was a good, but not great sci-fi movie that's known more for failing to do any real damage at the box office. Fist of the North Star's stomping grounds were the 1980s. For those who have never seen the original film I'm writing about (the 1986 movie) but have somehow seen other stuff from the 80s like Akira; The animation style is somewhat similar as in this movie's art doesn't seemed to have aged well. There's also alot of violence. That last sentence I just wrote, the one before the one your reading now. The sentence I went back and highlighted and bolded. That sentence is an understatement. Check these pictures out:
Looks like a lot going on for a movie about a guy tryingn to get his girlfriend back, huh? The setting of this story takes place in a post-apocalyptic world that has been ravaged by nuclear war. They planet is a barren, dry place with little plant life or water. The people still left alive on the planet are either hunted for their food supply or other amenities; while others have formed gangs and run amuck. One day, Ken (the fist of the north star) is betrayed by his "brother" (a guy he trained in martial arts with under the same teacher). Ken is brutally beaten and later thrown off a cliff. The rest of the movie Ken searches for his girlfriend, the one who betrayed him, and also helps out a few people along the way. Throughout the course of the movie, Ken uses his all powerfull Hokuto Shinken style of martial arts to charge through the countless number of bandits and thugs he finds littered throughout the land. Ken's story of vengeance (or revenge) isn't what really kept my interest. The bloody, over-the-top skrimishes that take place throughout is where the movie brings home the bacon. As I continued to watch this movie I started to see bits and pieces of Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z series; as well as a little bit of Katsuhiro Otomo's Akira. What I mean is that I see many similarities in the way fighting scenes and "power-up" scenes are framed. From the way the aura of strong characters blows around debris down to the chessy dialouge thats sprinkled in and around such scenes. Characters either brag about their training, boast about their bloodlines, or simply glow the color of their spirit in an attempt to intimidate their enemies. Here's Ken glowing his trademark blue:
Most overlooked aspect of this film? The attention to detail in the grotesue, brutal killings you get to witness on screen. *shivers*
PICTURES NSFW...Well, more than likely NSFW (Not safe for work). Bloody, gore and stuff. No nudity though.
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Podcast Running Time: 29 min. 12 sec.
