Painted Fire, Korean bio-pick of Jang Seung-up

Chi-Hwa-Seon: Painted Fire

Korean, English subtitles

2003, 117 minutes

5 Stars

Rainy Day loved this movie. No great fight scenes, and the protagonist really isn't all that lovable. this award winning movie is an engrossing portrait of Jang Seung-up, a 19th century Korean artist who was a drunken womanizer with a total disregard for rules. As one reviewer stated, that makes him "something of a spiritual ancestor to Jackson Pollock." This movie is, in a word, sumptuous. Sumptuous scenery, sumptuous costumes, and sumptuous art work. A surfeit of sumptuousness. Jang Seung-up lived as the sun set on the Chosun dynasty and social upheaval ran rampant throughout Korea. Definitely not for family viewing due to some beautiful lovemaking scenes. According to the movie, Jan Seugn-up disappeared in 1897. Wikipedia lists that as his death date. Click here for some images of his art.

For a trailer, click here.

A Funny Lone Wolf and Cub type Chinese Movie

New Legend of Shaolin

Cantonese, English Subtitles

1994, 94 minutes

4 Stars

Another great Jet Li kung-fu romp! If you like lots of action, not-deliberately-funny subtitles, and a rather thin story, this is the perfect movie. Pure escape. Rainy Day doesn't know why the subtitles for Chinese movies tend to be much more fun than for Japanese movies, but they are. This movie appears to be very loosely based on Chinese history when the Ching Dynasty was destroying the various Temples of Shaolin.  Some of the most enjoyable acting was from the six young boys who were quite accomplished martial artists on their own. Be sure to watch it with subtitles, much better than the dubbed version. A lot like Lone Wolf and Cub, only funny.

For a trailer, with the boys practicing their kung fu, click here.

Third in the Samurai Trilogy by Yoji Yamada, Love and Honor

Love and Honor

Japanese, English subtitles

2006, 121 Minutes

5 Stars

Rainy Day loved Twilight Samurai and Hidden Blade, and when she watched this movie, the third of the samurai trilogy by Yoji Yamada, she was not disappointed. Mimura Shinnojo is a low level samurai, a food taster who dreams of quitting his position and opening his own dojo to teach the sword to any young boys who want to learn. Before he can realize his dream, he tastes poisoned shellfish, and though he survives the poison, he is blind. Though this is part of a samurai trilogy, it is not a martial arts film, it is, rather, a film of love and honor, and how both are met and betrayed and found. Love and Honor is a touching movie, great acting, beautifully photographed, and filled with drama. If you saw the other two, this is a 'must see movie.'

For the trailer, click here.

More Anime, Castle in the Sky

Castle in the Sky

Anime, English (or Japanese with subtitles)

1986, 125 minutes

5 Stars

Okay, Rainy Day admits it, she likes good anime. She finds it a little disconcerting that the anime from Japan is so, well, Western. The characters are western, and in this case the buildings were quite western, but none of that detracted from the story. Sheeta has a magic stone others want, and this is the story of how she, and her boy friend Paku find the magic land of Laputa and take care of the bad guys. They are pursued by the evil government officials who want the fabled gems of Laputa, her evil cousin who wants the power of Laputa, and a band of bumbling pirates who want wealth and riches and end up helping the kids. Rainy Day enjoyed listing to the Japanese version, with English subtitles. Great animation.

For a trailer, click here.

For the movie, in English, click here. 

Woman in the Dunes

Woman in the Dunes

Japanese, English Subtitles

1964, 127 minutes

5 Stars, B&W

Rainy Day admits she has NO idea why she picked this movie, but she is soooo glad she did! This movie, based on Kobo Abe's novel, is erotic, allegorical and earned the Cannes Special Jury Prize and two Oscar nominations. It tells the story of an entomologist captured by locals who trap him in a sand pit with a woman where he must come to terms with what is and isn't important in life. Does he escape the pit? If so, will he return, or fetch the feds down upon the town? The photography is some of the most beautiful Rainy Day has seen, especially the cascading sand; and the music is hauntingly beautiful-metallic and percussion-think Taiko drums. Two actors and a great story. Think Alfred Hitchcock type of movie. Riveting.

Click here for a sample of taiko drumming.

Click here for the original Japanese trailer (no subtitles)

Click here for the movie (subtitles)

Liked Speed Racer? Watch Nausicaa!

Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind

Anime, English

1984, 117 minutes

5 Stars

If you are old enough to remember, and enjoyed, the old Speed Racer cartoon series, you are in for a treat with Nausicaa. The same type of artwork, and marvelous voices by such luminaries as Uma Thurman, Patrick Stewart, and Edward James Olmos, amongst many others. Nausicaa, Warrior Princess of Wind Valley, must unravel the mystery of the Toxic Jungle as it encroaches upon her home, as well as fight off the evil villains who wish to not only eliminate her people but further destroy her planet. This is not only a fun and beautifully done good versus evil, but also an environmentally conscious anime that will transport the viewer to a magical place and a beauty unmatched. This is not only a fun film for everyone, but is thoughtful, and very well done. Watch it!

For a trailer, click here. (unfortunately, this trailer is in Korean, and no subtitles, but you can still get the idea)

Or, if you want to watch the movie on your computer, click here.

Kwaidan, a 4-story collection

Kwaidan

Japanese, English subtitles

1964, 164 minutes

5 stars, Color

Rainy Day caught this on the tube the other day, and is delighted to see Netflix has it. It is a collection of 4 short stories, Kaidan, Ghost Story, Hoichi the Earless, and Weird Tales. Perhaps, when originally made, it was a frightening collection, today not so much. The stories open like a flower, one petal at a time, to reveal what must be revealed. An arrogant man discovers he must return to his first wife, the one he loved and spurned; another must play his biwa for the spirits of those lost in a horrific battle, another finds and loses love through his own actions, in the final story, there is a great deal of silence – and powerful tension. Kwaidan is another one of those visual feasts, color or the absence thereof, plays an important part. Pay attention. Enjoy.

For a trailer, click here

Sansho the Bailiff

Sansho the Bailiff

Japanese, English subtitles

1954, 124 minutes

5 Stars, B&W

"Without mercy, man is not a human being." This quote in the movie plays a major roll. A merciful and just feudal lord and his family are exiled because of his deliberate actions of mercy and justice against orders from the lords above him. He goes in one direction, his wife and children go in another, and then set out to find him, and are taken by slavers, the mother goes to an island, the brother and sister are taken together somewhere else. Justice and mercy are beautifully juxtaposed against cruelty and evil. This is not a happy story, but is a cinematic masterpiece in acting, directing and photography. Each scene is artistically composed, lighted, and filmed. Riveting, heart-wrenching, and beautiful. Do not miss this film!

For a trailer, click here.

non claustrophobic Cave of Forgotten Dreams

Cave of Forgotten Dreams

English

2010, 90 minutes

5 Stars

In 1994 an old cave was discovered in the Ardeche River valley in France. The entrance to the cave, covered by a massive landslide thousands of years ago and it's gorgeous art remained pristine until rediscovered. The art on the walls is stunning, the photography is excellent, the music, well, Rainy Day wasn't thrilled with it and frankly saw no reason for it. Still, it gets 5 stars. The art dates back to circa 30,000 BCE; it is realistic unlike some cave art. The four horses and the cave lions are exquisite. The narration is very good and the interviews enlightening. And Rainy Day did NOT go claustrophobic while watching it. There are several sites online if you search on Chauvet Cave or Cave of Forgotten Dreams. If you enjoy archeology, paleontology, gorgeous art, history – watch this movie!

For a virtual visit to the cave, click here.

For an article in popular Archaeology, September 2011, click here.

For a trailer, click here.