Amsterdam

 

It might be pedantic to criticize the lack of consistency when talking about this film. Do not say something like: "Everything relies on the General’s speech (like Ken Watanabe in Japanese films) and Burt's narration," "How could the three live in Amsterdam where they didn't seem to work at all?" or "Why Amsterdam in the first place?"

I guess this film is intended to be enjoyed for its visuals and a strange sense of happiness (or euphoria?) it conveys. Everyone, even the villains, looked happy being part of the production. I particularly loved the end credits with the art pieces by Valerie (Thanks Wowow for not cutting the end bits!) and how Burt's false eye moved. Oh, the film was all about eyes or eyeballs, perhaps? Is that why Rami Malek (Freddie! Long time no see since Bohemian Rhapsody!) and Anya Taylor-Joy (a beauty with the distinctive and lovely eyes- I hope she will play Judy Garland one day.) appeared?

Last but not least, I appreciate that no bombing or fires were used to wrap up the story (though there were shooting, poisoning and running down)!

帝都物語（Teito Monogatari）Final!

 

Having started back in June, my journey through the Teito Monogatari series has finally come to an end for now. I'm filled with a massive sense of achievement and satisfaction. Would I recommend this series to my friends? ...Well, probably not. It’s time-consuming and requires a tremendous amount of energy to read through.

However, I don't regret my investment of a little over 6,000 yen in this series—not one bit! I believe it was money well spent. These days, there are few things that can keep you entertained for such a long time at that price.

(Spoilers Ahead) What’s regrettable, though, are the last two volumes. They seem to have gotten a bit carried away, as the author's friends, business partners, and even the author himself play important roles. Also, the way the publisher's president was portrayed just felt like blatant flattery. But I would love to see that very last scene on the big screen in a dark cinema—with the president played not by the man himself, but someone like... how about Takeshi Kaneshiro? I wish someone would throw 100 trillion yen at me.

Speaking of the storyline, no sorcerer is less "efficient" or "effective" than Kato. There seem to be hundreds of quicker and easier ways for him to destroy or erase Tokyo—like directly attacking politicians, targeting even XXXX (clue: four Chinese characters, too sacred to name specifically), or joining the US military or the UN rather than the Japanese army. I wonder why he chose to join the army and climb the ranks bit by bit. Was he just a warlock with a strange fetish for military uniforms and brutal training?

力道山未亡人（Widow of Rikido-zan, the Wrestler）

 

A true story of a woman who led an exceptionally dramatic life.

Her husband, Rikidozan, was both an extraordinary professional wrestler and a visionary entrepreneur. Their marriage lasted only six months, ending with his death after being stabbed, leaving her to inherit a massive enterprise and debt at the just age of 22.

Apart from her story, the term "alpha male" came to mind for the first time in years. Oh yes, most men back then were more or less like him—talking big and striving to make things happen.

Husbands and Wives

I deeply regret wasting my time reading these books. The only solace is that I borrowed them from the library... Both books feature a demanding husband and a devoted wife in a rather off-putting way.

As for Mr. Aramata’s travelogue (pictured left), it describes an itinerary that only he and his wife could possibly pull off. Traveling around Italy in a rented car and with a state-of-the-art navigation system (for its time), he insists this is a "travel guide" that every well-traveled senior reader should follow. Is he kidding? He had already been to Italy several times, accompanied by his wife—a former flight attendant—and an editor. In reality, he left all the driving to his wife and glossed over the process of negotiating with locals, which I find to be the most challenging part of any trip. Oh, must be nice! Anyone trying to follow what’s written in this book will likely run into trouble immediately or lose their wallet, passport, or even their life. Don't try this at home.

I used to be a huge fan of Mr. Yamaguchi’s work. I bought (and bought brand new!) a wide variety of his books, ranging from art books and essays to illustrated columns about his daily life. However, this book by his wife—focusing mainly on his food preferences and how fussy he is—was uncomfortable to read. Whether intentionally or not, his wife gives the impression that he is the boss and she tirelessly humors him as if it were her duty. I didn't need to know that side of him, nor did he need to reveal his privacy to this extent. Without these family matters, his artistic work remains outstanding. After finishing the book, I couldn't help but wonder: Would they go that far just for royalties? Or is their need for validation so strong that they feel compelled to display his bossiness and her obedience? Or were we merely being shown some kind of play?

In the end, I feel both books only end up cheapening the husbands' main work.

The Silence of the Lambs

 

Every single man in this film was really a disgusting bastard.

At the first viewing when I was in my twenties, Clarice looked tall, smart, and confident. But this time she appeared small, desperate, and weak, being harassed in every way by all the men around her. Every man, including her own boss, treated her like a little girl or used her as a disposable asset. How on earth could an FBI boss send a trainee to a prison full of extremely dangerous, untouchable criminals all on her own? They could have been sued for providing such a horrible working environment.

Throughout the time I watched the film, I was like: "Hey, would you do the same if Clarice were Margot Robbie or Charlotte Rampling, OBE?" They were such bullies just because Clarice was young, pretty, small, and in a lower position. Only Dr. Lecter saw her as a human being with her own life (in his peculiar way).

By the way, how did Dr. Lecter take a bath in that extreme condition? If I were him, my sense of smell would have been killed by my own smell, and my escape route would have been detected soon by police dogs—which must have been an easy task for them.

Meanwhile, Clarice also appeared strange to me. Killing an animal raised at home for food (in my case, chickens, not lambs) was a rather usual act in our generation (probably a bit younger than her). I was sad and shocked, but soon I forgot and began to think it was just the way things were. I wonder how that experience could be such a trauma. Doesn't Clarice eat hamburgers or steaks at all?

Despite the sickening male characters typifying pre-MeToo machismo, the details of the film—like the generous portions of American food served at the graduation party—were wonderful. Among them, I particularly liked the costumes. Characters wore only natural materials: no PU, no Lycra. But if there had been only synthetic materials, Buffalo Bill might not have developed his fetishism for "real" skin.

I also liked the way the characters dressed. They all dressed appropriately for the occasion (though Lecter looked like Bobby Caldwell in the very last scene). It appeared rather fresh to see people wearing non-stretch suits and jackets.

Last but not least, what annoyed me more than the harassing men in the film were the advertisements, which became longer and more frequent as the story got closer to the end. The curse of Amazon Prime Video...

季節のない街（A Town without Seasons)

By Yamamoto Shugoro

This is a collection of interconnected short stories depicting everyday incidents among impoverished people living in a shantytown on the outskirts of Tokyo. Each character is portrayed with harsh realism—their slyness, pettiness, and vanity are brutally exposed.

It was much more hard-boiled than I had assumed.

Many reviewers insist that the author depicts his characters with warm sympathy toward the underprivileged. On the contrary, I felt he observed these people as if they were animals in a zoo, with no sympathy at all. I found this collection to be more like a social report devoid of sentimentality. Hopeless is hopeless—that’s it.

Yet, his toughness feels oddly comfortable. As someone in a less fortunate position myself, cheesy and hypocritical comments about my situation always made me mad and feel belittled (though I don't mean the "24-Hour Television" program specifically). Meanwhile, the author just sits next to the characters, saying nothing and simply watching, which provides a genuine sense of ease.

Hellraiser

 

Why on earth did I watch this movie? I probably associated it with "Teito Monogatari" (the film), since both feature handmade (and very wax-like) creatures, blood that looks like thickened nail polish, and mucus.

If I had seen this in a theater, I would have walked out as soon as it started. Thank God I watched it on WOWOW instead.

As for the sequels? Well, I think I've seen enough...