Japanese Movie Recommendations 2021

 The Day of Destruction

This movie just hit different because of our world's situation right now. The message was supposed to be something more abstract, something connected with Olympics, but as I watched it, the dialogue, the lyrics from the song, it's like a commentary on our world right now. Technical aspect is superb, the cinematography, audio and that song created this atmosphere that will immersed you from beginning to end. It gripped me more than any zombie movie could. I didn't even notice an hour had passed already.

Beats per MIZU

Cute and well executed short film, just to give you an idea it is shorter than a typical Japanese drama episode. I am not the biggest fan of the romance genre but I love how creative they get in this movie. It's about a girl who is obsessed with BPM (beats per minute) and it's brilliant how they incorporate that in a love story. The main lead Ishikawa Ruka is adorable, she's like an anime character turned to life, total opposite from her role in Colorless. Lastly, cinematography is on point and I love those catchy songs, definitely I didn't waste my time.

The Great War of Archimedes

The trailer was a bit misleading as it is not your typical war action movie, the climax only happen at the beginning and that's it, but it's not boring to me, I like it a lot. I rank it above Eternal Zero which is from the same director. Historically I don't know if it's accurate but it can really get uplifting towards the end. Suda Masaki is great Tanaka Min as well, Hamabe Minami was just there to sell the movie. Smart lead tag is on point, if you enjoy movies such Imitation Game, The fifth State, Theory of Everything, this movie is like that.

Special Actors

From the same guy who made One Cut of the Dead although not as good as that movie it still manage to make the movie fresh and give you a think outside the box feel which is rare for modern commercial movies nowadays. I think people who didn't like One Cut might like this one more, more character driven, easy to follow plot and such a heartwarming ending. The acting is also brilliant. It seems he has now a budget to get good theatre actors. I love to see more from Ueda Shinichiro, he already got a unique niche style with only few films on his resume. He will be a cult type of filmmaker similar to Sion Sono, Takashi Miike & Ishii Katsuhito.

Red Post on Escher Street

Sion Sono got some really good amateur talents here just saying, they are only amateur by name but I guarantee they know acting more than any cute but mediocre mainstream actors on TV, heck their names aren't even listed here on MDL. It just goes to show how bad casting policies in Japan, or the rest of the world for that matter, because for people in suits making movies is business first before Art. More than gore Sono is known for his random well constructed narrative but also for putting his own commentary in his movies, in particular criticizing the whole society, here it felt so timely that when he breaks the fourth wall in end, it just hits you different.

Our Family

Finally watched it with subs and what can I say what a great film indeed. Japan has a way to make you feel suffocated with its grounded portrayal of family problems but at the same time giving you that much needed hope in the end. Brilliant performance form its cast, Mieko harada is darn believable as a woman with Alzheimer and Ikematsu and Tsubamuki represents the type of people, how we act when we get hit with similar situation. That subtle change in Tsubamuki's facial expression from the film's climax to its ending sums up the whole movie.

True Mothers

Naomi Kawase managed to convey these two very sensitive themes that often go into a melodramatic route, teenage pregnancy and child adoption. The movie hit the required emotions from the father's perspective, mother, biological mother and especially the child (watch out for that ending credit). The interview part is a nice touch, brilliant acting on that part. She also outdone herself directing this film, imagine the task required in guiding the young but brilliant Makita Aju on her role in this movie. This film is an easy masterpiece for me, a perfect example of why I love Japanese movies.

Blue Hour

Really good first film from this director, Hakota Yuko, I've seen this plot/idea used before but the director did inject something to it to make it fresh and more heartfelt in the end. The acting is superb, I like this combo of Kaho and Shim Eun Kyung, love their chemistry on screen. As for the ending I think it would be wrong if you think too much of it, don't think of it deeply just absorb the whole message, like in any Haruki Murakami novels, feels over facts.

Zokki

If you are into that weird side of Japanese movies then this is a must watch just think of the likes of funky forest, taste of tea etc. It has set of weird characters my favorite is that friendship between that bald tall guy who screams "I want to die all the time" and his friend whom in my books became the best wingman in Japanese cinema history. Their story gave me my best laugh in recent memories but at the same time weird but it has heartwarming moments as well. They had great minds behind the production even Chara is the one who did the music.