The Sea is Watching

The Sea is Watching

Japanese, English Subtitles

2002, 118 minutes

5 Stars

The last screenplay written by Akira Kurosawa, it was directed by Kei Kuwai using Kurosawa's script and notes. It is the story of two women (prostitutes) who live and work in a brothel (not to be confused with Geisha, which they were not). One, O-Shin refuses to accept she is a fallen woman, and falls in love with her customers, hoping one will return that love. The other, Kikuno, has two suitors, one a kind and gentle man the other not. This is a story of sisterhood, of how the women support each other, and what happens when a stranger, Ryosuke, arrives and how he affects the women. It is a gentle movie of love, hope, and survival in a world that doesn't care.

For a trailer, click here.

Eat Drink Man Woman - Foodie's Delight

Eat Drink Man Woman

Mandarin, English Subtitles

1994, 124 minutes

5 Stars

A "foodie" movie of pure excellence; the inspiration of Tortilla Soup. Eat Drink Man Woman is director Ang Lee's masterpiece. A delightful story of an aging widower who still has his adult daughters living at home with him and how they all find love and get on with their lives. You won't need hankies in this comedy, but you will need bibs! The food sequences are phenomenal (be sure to watch the 'extra' where Ang Lee talks about the preparation and filming of the sequences;-) This is a complex film where the stories are brought together at the end, and tied with a beautiful bow. Winner of several awards, and deserving of each and every one, this movie is a "must see" if you like comedy, food, romance! Some sexual content.

Trailer of opening scene http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zs5WiddD7i0

Chunyang

Chunyang

2000, 120 minutes

Korean, Excellent Subtitles

5 Stars

Rainy Day loved this Cannes Film Festival nominated movie! The beginning was a bit off-putting as it is narrated by a man "singing" the folk story of two lovers, Mongryong and Chunyang. Rainy Day would have preferred the narrator not quite so loud, and that would be her only nit to pick. This movie is a winner on so many levels, it is a beautiful introduction to Korea. Chunyang is the daughter of a Courtesan, and by law she, too, is a Courtesan. Mongryong is the son of the Governor. When the two protagonists meet, they fall in love and secretly marry, and then the son is sent to Seoul to complete his training, and his father moves on. The new Governor wants Chungyang as his mistress and does not recognize her marriage. To refuse means imprisonment, possible torture, and death.

For a trailer, 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)

The Red Violin

The Red Violin

English

2000 Academy Awards: Best Music Score

1998, 130 Minutes

5 Stars

Rainy Day loves, Loves, LOVES this movie! Rainy Day had to take violin lessons when she was young. Rainy Day has no musical talent, but she does have a great appreciation for music of all kinds, and this movie is chockablock full of some of the most gorgeous violin music she's ever heard. The star of the movie is the Red Violin, with strong supporting role by Samuel L. Jackson. In a series of flashbacks, we follow the history of this most amazing instrument as it reveals love, romance, and some of the most gorgeous violin music ever. There are a couple of sex scenes, enough to warrant an R rating, so it may not be a 'family time' movie if your kidlets are young.  Each story the violin 'tells' is beautiful and believable.

Click here for a two minute trailer.