Oba: the Last Samurai (2011)

Totally Japanese perspectives ignoring the other victims

# This movie portrays a group of Japanese soldiers fought against US military in Saipan island even after Hirohito, Japanese king, had surrendered - from Japanese perspectives alone. But technically, showing an US officer in the movie joining the war, it seems to carry a viewpoint from US soldiers too as well as <Letters From Iwo Jima> and <Flags of Our Fathers> does.

 Captain Lewis, an American officer, having learnt Japanese when he studied in Japan two or more years, represent American perspective. He persuades his boss to understand Japanese ethos mentioning 'bushido', the traditional code of samurai. He ends up declaring that he admire Oba saying he's a real soldier. Given what he said and did, he is pro-Japanese. I'm not criticizing an American perspective in the movie - but propaganda instilled to him in the movie by the producers(obviously Japanese). It's made in Japan and didn't sufficiently explain why he's so favorable to Japanese ethos. Japanese soldiers were hostile to US army altogether, but why their enemy wasn't so?

In Saipan 3000-odd Korean people caught up to serve as sex slave or comfort women or do coercive labor. The movie didn't have any implication of this.

Although they propagate the war they ignited, the production was endurable to watch storytelling and battle scenes.

ps. As regards the title 'Oba: The Last Samurai'. Oba was a soldier in WWII, but why 'samurai', which means a professional medieval warrior in Japan?

Dragon In Jail 獄中龍 1990

 After I had thought it would be merely B movie, I was shocked at the first time I saw this movie turned out great one. Although this film is rarely mentioned in these days, I still watch it from time to time and observe how it is good.

 The main character, 'Henry'(Andy Lau) is a prisoner. He was sent after a violence in which he killed a man in the 'Ma' thug at the kiosk in front of his house. The villain, Ma, poses extreme level I ever seen. If you face a guy like this, it must be nightmare.

 The trial scene in the second half take responsibility. Last scene is somewhat sentimental, but touching. 

 The original score, 紅塵天使, performed by Andy Lau, is also great ingredient in the film. I can't wait to appreciate the song, every time watching this one.

The Lady From Shanghai (1947)

Directed by Orson Welles, the movie shows film-noir style. Mr Wells made some unique scenes- in a courtroom, an aquarium, and an amusement park(the mirror room) that are not generally tried in that era. 

Architecture 101(2012, Korea)

It shows a freshman boy and girl fallen in love with each other and the same people after 10 years (or more) also. In the old days they love each other. Now, wee see things having changed, but we may see and more and more things that haven't changed.

Throughout the movie we can hear music named 'Practice Pieces of Memories' and performed by Exhibition. We all have 'practice pieces' like the name of a song. We fail from time to time and make a practice piece. We sometimes take the piece out and appreciate it, believing the next practice will be better.