Kamikaze Girls

Recently I saw Kamikaze Girls (Shimotsuma Monogatari: Yankī-chan to Rorīta-chan)!

Original image located here. Accessed 5th November 2024

For me, there are three kinds of Japanese cinema. There's the first which is anime. There's the second that says it's own thing to an attentive world (ie the films of Akira Kurosawa). And there's the third kind: one's that dedicated to throwing as much weird/random stuff as it lay it's hands on.
But the most fascinating thing I have found about the third kind is that it's relationship to the other two: It seems to be a cousin of the first kind whilst trying to distance itself from the second kind as much as possible. 
And Kamikaze Girls belongs firmly in the third kind. And belong it does with mad colours, weird hair, randomness, a celebration of Japanese sub-cultures and a truly off-the-wall sense of humour. Needless to say, it's the kind of movie that takes a particular mindset to be appreciated.

It should be noted that I watched this movie in the company of some Lolitas so it's fair to say that this movie is one that knows its audience exactly.

The Lost Weekend

And this week's Friday night movie has been... The Lost Weekend!

Original image located here. Accessed 23rd February 2024

Best Picture Oscar winner no.: 18 (1945)

There's been this joke circulating that winning the Best Picture Oscar is guaranteed if one makes a movie about someone trying to overcome some sort of personal struggle. To that end, the blame for such a trend can be laid on the shoulders of this movie that depicts a guy fighting a losing battle with alcoholism and alienating those around him. 

The difference is however that this movie still packs a punch decades later and still sets a standard that many of it's imitators can't hope to reach. It certainly isn't easy to watch, being a harrowing experience with sprinkles of dark humour, but it certainly is a compelling one. 
It's also a rare instance that, when they feel like it, the Academy can take a risk and reward a challenging movie. Wish they did it more often...

Mrs Miniver

 And this week's Friday night movie has been... Mrs Miniver!

Original image located here. Accessed 16th February 2024

Best Picture Oscar winner no.: 15 (1942)

In recent years I've heard complaints that the Oscars are being too political. Such a notion never made such sense to me as it would seem that they have always been political. Such was the case with this movie as it was a made during a major worldwide event - that being World War II.

So what we have here is a family, and a community, being effected by the War. Of course, this subsequently comes across as being a propaganda piece. Nevertheless, there are some moments of note: The tension from the pilot scene, the character development and the finale in the church. 
It may have been dull in places but it seems that it's humane approach is what makes it succeed.

How Green Was My Valley

And this week's Friday night movie has been... How Green Was My Valley!

Original image located here. Accessed 9th February 2024

Best Picture Oscar winner no.: 14 (1941)

I'm over a month into this year-long undertaking and already something has become clear: The Best Picture Oscars are not necessarily awarded to the best movies, more what was popular at the time.
Having said that I will never understand the hate that Shakespeare in Love gets. Are people really salty that it achieved an upset victory over Saving Private Ryan? And going by that logic, do people hate Moonlight for winning over La La Land?
So what has the above got to do with this movie? Well folks, it's the one that beat out Citizen Kane for the Best Picture Oscar.

Sadly this one didn't do much for me. The trials and tribulations of a Welsh mining town may sound like potential for a compelling narrative but it simply didn't connect with me. Maybe it's because the movie is showing it's age, or maybe the portrayal of the Welsh as singing drunks or maybe it's how depressing life as a Welsh miner really is.
Am I missing something here?
Oh well...

Rebecca

    And this week's Friday night movie has been... Rebecca!

Original image located here. Accessed 2nd February 2024

Best Picture Oscar winner no.: 13 (1940)

To say that Alfred Hitchcock was one of the greatest filmmakers ever lived is a statement that goes without question. However such status doesn't necessarily translate into Oscar success. Hitchcock never won the Oscar for Best Director and only one of his films got the top award. 
And this is it.

I've seen several Hitchcock movies so I am well aware of what to expect. And this one delivers: Excellent cast, moody imagery, suspense, creeping paranoia, shadows and a gothic setting all round. 
Mind you, this is quite a ballsy choice for Best Picture winner: Thrillers/horror movies never really do well, let alone one with a lesbian subtext. But given the source material, accompanied by a master director and producer who knew what he was doing makes for an unstoppable force.