This week's Asian Film log:

Audition (Miike, 1999) - This was my first Miike film, and it was pretty much exactly as I expected it to be. Quite cheesy, but lightly enjoyable regardless. Charming narrative through most of the film, then the sudden, totally xtreeeeme violence. Seemed pointless and pandering to me, but eh, it didn't really bother me either. I certainly won't be rushing out to see more Miike, but I'll try more of his films if they come my way. C+

A Tale of Two Sisters (Kim, 2003) - Absolutely adored this, and I'm not even sure why. Sure, it is one of the most beautiful movies visually I've ever seen, but...

1) It's meant to be a horror film, and I didn't find it scary or creepy whatsoever.

2) The several attempts at "Boo!" scares come off as corny and distract from the narrative.

But in the end, I didn't even care about this because the four lead actors are all superb, the cinematography is flawless, and the weird, "confusing" plot is right to my taste. More than all that, the film just conveys a level of beauty rare in any art form. The type one can't express in words. Beauty. A+

Pastoral: To Die in the Country (Terayama, 1974) - Terayama's film is like a confounding, mesmerizing drug trip, yet so much more. Describing the plot is an impossible task, but a hedonistic circus, a baby-killing group of nun-like old women, and a director walking into and co-existing within his own film are just some of the bizarre elements. Perfect fit for me. A-

Gion Festival Music (Mizoguchi, 1953) - An enjoyable disappointment, much like the first Mizoguchi I saw, Ugetsu. I guess after hearing so much about "Master Mizoguchi" for so long my expectations were a little too high.

This portrait of two geisha forced into the prostitution so common of the postwar 50's is compelling enough, but I was never totally drawn into its world. Also, pictures about geisha always rub me the wrong way as I automatically think of them as being Orientalist. Still, the performances are as superb as one would expect from this group of actors. B

(I surely do need to find a more appropriate place to post this stuff.)

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	Genj - December 10, 2007 (04:15 PM) Of the three Miike films I've seen (Ichi the Killer, Audition, Imprint) Audition was my least favorite. Ichi was also the only one I'd give a favorable rating.