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TheStarWolf
Reviews
Kiraware Matsuko no isshô (2006)
Disjointed, with wretched execution
The premise was intriguing, the actors were fine and, given a competent director, this could have been a very good film. Unfortunately, the director is some hack who thinks MTV-style rock videos is the pinnacle of film art and many of the more confusing flashback sequences play out as such. Switching viewpoints also didn't make sense as the boy had no way of figuring out that part given the data at his disposal. Worse is that I saw this on the same evening I enjoyed the vastly superior Japanese film ALWAYS - SUNSET ON 3rd STREET and the contrast between that one and the disjointed MEMORIES OF ... nearly fried my neural pathways. People who enjoy 'different' for different's sake might enjoy it, but otherwise, steer well clear.
Always san-chôme no yûhi (2005)
A true delight
Does a wonderful job of giving the viewer a look at what life in 1958 Tokyo was like. Likable characters, believable situations, and terrific recreation of a period neighbourhood.
The atmosphere is spot-on as is the 'mood' of the people, and they must have raided every antiques shop, not to mention more than a few museums to produce several of the scenes.
There's what has to be one of the most memorable scenes involving something which doesn't exist that I can recall. Won't say more for fear of spoiling it, but it worked beautifully in context.
There's even mostly happy endings, though they do set up the possibility of a sequel and now that I know there is one, I'm very much looking forward to seeing it.