CS Film Club II

Darker than Melancholia?

Kuroneko is a Japanese horror film by director Kaneto Shindo. It tells the tale of two women, a woman and her daughter in law, who are brutally raped and murdered by marauding samurai. They return as ghosts who seduce and murder other unsuspecting samurai until they receive a visit from their son and husband returning as a war hero and also made samurai.

I enjoyed the atmosphere that the movie created. There are many creepy effects and shots that heighten the tension even when you know exactly what’s going to happen. This is the second Shindo film I’ve seen after Onibaba, a movie with very similar themes and execution. Onibaba however I thought had a tighter grasp on its narrative and more effectively employed its horror elements. At times I felt that Kuroneko was unsure of what it was trying to say about its characters and left some things needlessly ambiguous. Also from a technical level the sound mixing is horrendous which can take any viewer out of a movie. A fun watch though, one I’ll sit down to watch again I’m sure.

B so says Doomsday

Harakiri (1962) 

For some reason I feel like I've seen this before.

Anyway...it's a superb movie. Given the acclaim, it's not surprising. Harakiri is essentially a critique of feudal Japan's samurai ethos, which involves a very strict guideline for living and dying. Not only does Kobayashi criticize their philosophies, but how necessary they were towards the end of their reign. In the end, it is abundantly clear that they are all but obsolete. Few "houses" or "clans" are still active, and even then, they betray their own since of honor with phony displays (like the ronin who only feign their desire to commit suicide). Even then, it's the subtle critique of feudal Japan's economic status that really shines through. I don't want to spoil it for those who have yet to watch it, but in the final few scenes, it is really, really clear in showing us how modernity is slowly erasing the past. It's really the transition in Japanese history that does the most damage. And beyond that, this is just an incredibly well-choreographed and well acted. And the cinematography? Perfect. 

Rating: A

Hah, really?

Harakiri is one of my all time favs. Check out the Takashi Miike remake, that's a great watch too.

I figured many people would have that same response. Which is why I listed it.

Oblivion (2013)

Oblivion is an ambitious science fiction film by Tron: Legacy's John Kosinski base on his unpublished manuscript for a graphic novel of the same name. I missed Oblivion's run in the theater back in 2013 but not on purpose. It looked like a film right up my alley. The aesthetic and premise was more than enough to capture my interest, but for one reason or another I just didn't make it. Turns out my instincts were right, and just like with Sunshine, I'm kicking myself for missing this in theaters.

After a brief gaze into our present, we are introduced to an Earth defeated. An alien force called the Scavs have attacked Earth and the resulting counterattack by humanity left the planet unsuitable for life. The broken and reclaimed landscapes are breathtaking to witness. We see the Pentagon half consumed by a bomb crater while grassy fields expand all around it. The Washington Monument stands leaning and isolated, bridges and buildings are half buried in silt, and in the sky our moon is shattered, it's debris fanning out in a proto-ring around the dying planet. It's haunting to see these modern pieces of architecture showcased like the ruins of our past, only this time without the benefit of civilization's progress as a backdrop. This is Earth abandoned.

We learn that humanity has planned to relocate to one of Saturn’s moons, Titan, via a large station called the Tet and there are large generators harvesting materials for the long journey. Jack Harper (Cruise) and Vika Olsen (the delightfully refreshing Andrea Riseborough) are a solitary tech team tasked with maintaining these generators and the drones that protect them from the bands of roving Scavs. Jack is curious about the Earth that was, reminiscing about old football games even collecting artifacts as keepsakes that he finds on his jobs. On the other hand Vika is all about the mission and the reward of leaving for Titan once it's complete. Both actors deliver strong performances and have strong chemistry with their mutual, if incomplete affection. I stated before I'm not a Tom Cruise fan, but I can't deny he really knows how to sell these kind of movies. I'm thinking I may have been too hard on him now. The cast is rounded out by Morgan Freeman, on point as usual, and Olga Kurylenko, who turns in the strongest performance I've seen her deliver.

The cinematography in this is superb. From buried cities, to the sterile outpost, to the quiet lake side cabins, every shot is impeccably set up and shot with deliberate care. The sound in this is fantastic too. I'm a sucker for good sound in my movies. I want to hear the heft, the shrills, the deep baritones and subtle winds. The sound design for the drones is nothing short of perfect. Heavy tones accented by mechanical twangs and chirps adds so much character to the already lively objects and this makes them a highlight. The music is also very good. Clearly following in the footsteps of his Tron collaboration with Daft Punk, Kosinsky chose electronics group M83 to create balanced mix of atmospheric harmonies and pulsing beats to accent each scene. This isn't an action oriented story but when it happens it eye catching and invigorating. Coupled with some well placed tension, it keeps the pace moving forward.

I've read a bit about the story being thin, and while not as grand as say this year's Interstellar, I wouldn't accuse it of that. Is it because we don't get answers to the broader questions? Why are they needed? It's difficult to get into specifics with out spoiling anything but the beauty in sci-fi is leaving a little mystery in the right places. I think Oblivion handles that very well. What it does examines in detail is the emotional connections between us that makes us what we are and drives us to act. This theme permeates everything even up to the last seconds of what is a very brave and fairly shrewd ending. But that also seems to be the trouble with how I see science fiction vs. how the general majority tend to see it. They want every blank filled where instead of understanding which blanks should be filled. There is a lot of homage paid as well, and maybe that's what holds it back. It's fine to respect the talents of those before but maybe find a way to stake your own claim in the genre by advancing on those elements rather than redecorating them. Still, what impressive decorations.

This will require more viewings to solidify it's place but I'm certainly willing to give it that opportunity. It's beautifully shot, well crafted on the technically level, sweeping music, exciting action, complete with a nice twist and thoughtful, emotionally tuned performances, I'd recommend it to anyone a fan of the genre. Overall a welcome addition to a relatively sparse pantheon.

B+

Thanks. Now you don't owe me $10.

It is now!

I'll probably be a bit late since I have two movies and it's Thanksgiving weekend.