Meh, I had such high hopes for this one but it didn't really do it for me. Cold Fish offers an interesting take on guilt, entrapment, and desire (mostly by challenging the perpetrator-victim binary) and seems to offer also a somewhat satirical social commentary on consumerism, greed, and excess. The cinematography and acting were both phenomenal. Still, Sono's male gaze was so blatantly obvious. I'm kinda over movies that must use a type of romanticized violence directed at female bodies to trigger a reaction from the audience. The women in this movie are nothing more than willing sex-objects for both the characters in the story and for us as viewers: all the scenes depicting sexual assault are displayed as sexy (or at least seem to balance dangerously on the edge of desire, something Sono has probably done intentionally). If Sono truly wanted to provide a critical analysis of the horrors of sexual excess, he wouldn't have depicted the nudity and sex as enjoyable for the audience. I don't want to diminish the film's technical strong suits but I just wish the women were not solely treated like tools and objects of consumption (especially that one closet scene with Murata Aiko and the female fish shop worker was just unnecessary plot wise). Maybe it is because this was released in 2011, but I look forward to new wave of Japanese cinema that does not need to rely on the violation of the female body as a cheap plot advance.
I mean, it really depends on what you're into but I just finished episode 2 and it's been fun so far. For some…
He's not supposed to be the main love interest (since he's in a pretend relationship with the female lead) but the dude's gonna be end game for sure. I'm guessing Don (JC de Vera) will probably turn out to be the sml instead!
soooo like is it good?? can someone pls write a review or comment
I mean, it really depends on what you're into but I just finished episode 2 and it's been fun so far. For some reason it gives me mature old school Disney channel vibes (e.g. That's so Raven/Wizards of Waverly Place) since they have a very similar set-up of 'overtly expressive main character ends up in some weirdly unrealistic yet funny situation and needs to go through character development to resolve the issue' (but minus the canned laughter). The show follows your typical quirky female lead who, with the help of her supportive friends, is looking for her prince charming and needs to overcome her superstitious beliefs. It's definitely on the lighthearted/funny side so don't expect full melodrama or anything. But Bob is an absolute sweetheart and will steal your heart immediately.
The best thing about this movie is not even the story itself but rather the way people go wild in the YouTube comments trying to interpret its meaning lol.
A fun, lighthearted watch if you're not bothered by a more exaggerated style of acting. The story was pretty straightforward, and the eventual plot reveal did not necessarily come as a surprise, but it had all the elements of a solid whodunnit.
but... is there some kind of reference to his death as well? She said he seems familiar... Have they "met"…
I think they might be alluding to the Sokcho submarine incident during which nine soldiers drowned in a captured North Korean submarine (there are some articles you can find online). I think the director wanted to tie two national tragedies (which involved death by drowning) together and and it would explain why the vampire decides to leave right at this moment.
I think a deeper understanding of Buddhism is needed to appreciate the philosophical undertones of the movie (the house's spatial design seems to symbolize the way karma and the cycle of birth are entangled, and I'm guessing the director tried to give a subtle commentary on class inequality as well). Now, unfortunately, my knowledge is quite limited so this movie basically left me confused rather than scared.
It was okay-ish at best. The premise was interesting and unique but the execution doesn't quite live up to the expectations. The editing was choppy, the sound effects and background music were cliché, and the performance of especially the supporting cast left much to be desired. But lemme just say: I've seen enough dick in this movie to be content for the rest of the year. The director used a very voyeuristic style of filming where the camera lingers just a tad too long on the bare butts and tight speedos of the actors. And while I generally have no issue with mature scenes in movies, it is very clear that the nudity in this particular film serves no purpose other than for the enjoyment of the audience, and that blatant objectification made me feel like a creep. The nudity just didn't suit the story: it was not at all linked to a character's feeling of longing or desire since it is very clear the camera zooms in on the actor's private parts even during scenes that are supposed to be scary or emotional. A good director should know the connotations of particular camera angles (and when not to use them). I would have loved to see more attention given to the actual plot rather than the bodies of the actors. It is only really in the last half hour of the movie that we (sort of) get to know the motivation and drive of the characters, and even here things remain vague (Obet deserved more depth and we never get to know the backstory of Don Filipo either). The ending was rushed and could have had more impact for all that the movie tried to set up.
It has already been shown during some film festivals, if I'm not mistaken. Highly doubt that this will be available for the general public anytime soon... Short films are usually quite hard to find online anyway!
Need to watch Spec first, but Keizoku is optional.
Thanks, that's good to know! I was so lost with all these different seasons and were I was supposed to start. Can't believe the first season was produced in 2010, I don't think I've ever committed to watching a show with such an expansive history.
wait is the director of this movie getting his cheeks clapped? LMAOOOOOOO was not expecting that!
I'm kind of undecided whether I must see that as the pinnacle of art house-ness or whether the dude simply couldn't find anyone else to star as the main character LMAO!
It's not really porn, as some people suggest here, but it is certainly explicit. I think the orgy (and the inability of the main character to fully engage and enjoy it) is used as a metaphor for his overall dissatisfaction with life. Like all the other characters, he is in search of genuine connection and love, and the sex is used as a means to highlight how simple bodily pleasure isn't necessary able to solve emotional disconnect. Unlike most of the supporting cast, who experience various levels of emotional fulfillment in their daily lives, the main character has no particular exciting/gratifying life to return to. In that same line of thought, I think the cup scene also shows the main character's longing for his crush and a desire to merge lust and love and, while it is pretty weird, I can see its relevance. What does boggle my mind are those freaking cats?! Literally, for the life of me, I can't say why the director used all these cat references.
Edit: well, never mind, I watched the actor's interviews and apparently each of the characters' body types represents an animal. Apparently the main character resembles a cat (In this case probably also personality wise, which could imply that his character is somewhat distant yet needy?). Considering that information, I think the director may have wanted to depict more general themes like loneliness and longing for love/acceptance within LGBTQ+ community at large (since we see all the animal-body types are represented in this film, a reference to queer terminology that often classifies certain body types on dating apps-- you know, the bear, wolf, etc.) but all of this remains a bit to vague to really be sure. The ambiguity of the film deludes much of that message.
Considering the amount of struggle this series has been going through since the release of the trailer you would think it's been cursed or something lol.
I really did try to like it but, man, the acting was absolutely dreadful. The main lead has such an extensive filmography and still acts like he has an actual stick up his ass. I'm sure his beauty attracts viewers but a pretty face can only get a show so far.
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Still, Sono's male gaze was so blatantly obvious. I'm kinda over movies that must use a type of romanticized violence directed at female bodies to trigger a reaction from the audience. The women in this movie are nothing more than willing sex-objects for both the characters in the story and for us as viewers: all the scenes depicting sexual assault are displayed as sexy (or at least seem to balance dangerously on the edge of desire, something Sono has probably done intentionally). If Sono truly wanted to provide a critical analysis of the horrors of sexual excess, he wouldn't have depicted the nudity and sex as enjoyable for the audience. I don't want to diminish the film's technical strong suits but I just wish the women were not solely treated like tools and objects of consumption (especially that one closet scene with Murata Aiko and the female fish shop worker was just unnecessary plot wise). Maybe it is because this was released in 2011, but I look forward to new wave of Japanese cinema that does not need to rely on the violation of the female body as a cheap plot advance.
Edit: well, never mind, I watched the actor's interviews and apparently each of the characters' body types represents an animal. Apparently the main character resembles a cat (In this case probably also personality wise, which could imply that his character is somewhat distant yet needy?). Considering that information, I think the director may have wanted to depict more general themes like loneliness and longing for love/acceptance within LGBTQ+ community at large (since we see all the animal-body types are represented in this film, a reference to queer terminology that often classifies certain body types on dating apps-- you know, the bear, wolf, etc.) but all of this remains a bit to vague to really be sure. The ambiguity of the film deludes much of that message.