Shohei Imamura is known for making films of a provocative nature. He used to work as an assistant of the great Japanese director Yasujiro Ozu. Imamura, in his own right, quickly bcame a creative filmmaker in Japan's post-war era.
Subu is a maker of pornographic films. He is a boarder at the home of the widowed Haru Matsuda . She lives with her two teenage children there. She provides for her children through renting out the room to Subu. Her son Koichi isn't interested in attending college while her daughter Keiko gets attracted towards Subu. Haru keeps a large carp in a fish tank in their bedroom. She thinks that the fish is the reincarnation of her former husband. She believes that her husband is annoyed that she has not remained a widow. Haru becomes increasingly ill and eventually loses her mind. In the meantime, Subu finds himself becoming fascinated with Keiko.
Later Keiko regrets about their relationship. Her regret leads her into self-destructive behavior including drinking and unhealthy adventures with boys. As the story progresses, Subu has a difficult time making a living through pornography. The Pornographers is about the misadventures of Subu and his efforts to find happiness in life.
To adjust its serious themes, Imamura often includes dark humour, like the idea of passing of a prostitute with child as a "virgin" to satisfy the sexual needs of a businessman. His cinematography highlights the voyeuristic nature of " The Pornographers". The subject matter proves to be truly powerful, as he explores with underside of Japanese society and deals with taboo sexual matters. Imamura is not as famous in western cultures as some of his contemporaries, but his films were at the cutting edge for their time. The film represents the director near the height of his creativity.
Bad Day at Black Rock is a 1955 drama film directed by John Sturges that combines elements of Westerns and film noir.
John Macreedy (Spencer Tracy) arrives by train to the small town of Black Rock. After four years,the train has stopped in that station. Macreedy is in search of a Japanese man named Komoko who lived nearby in Adobe flat. The town has a dark secret and leader Reno Smith (Robert Ryan) tries to prevent Macreedy from discovering the information about Komoko. Macreedy meets the town sheriff but the alcoholic sheriff is afraid of Smith. Doc Velie (Walter Brennan), advises Macreedy to leave town soon.
Macreedy is an interesting character , superbly portrayed by Spencer Tracy. Injured in the war, he keeps one hand in his pocket always , giving him a harmless appearance. At the same time, he is a confident man. Robert Ryan is cool but a bit inhuman for my tastes.
One great aspect of the film is it's cinematography. Director John Sturges uses plenty of wide shots here. The camera is almost devoid of close-ups. The widescreen views make the town more isolated from the rest of world.
The film has plenty of suspense , but at times almost drags out too long. The background music score fails to add intensity in this film. Still, Bad Day at Black Rock is a tense drama with sincere character studies and an exemplary lead protagonist.
Headhunters (Norwegian: Hodejegerne) is a 2011 Norwegian film directed by Morten Tyldum. It is based on Jo Nesbø's novel Hodejegerne (The Headhunters).
Roger Brown (Aksel Hennie) is Norway's successful heeadhunter. Being insecured about his own height, he is married to a tall blonde woman named Diana (Synnøve Macody Lund). Diana wants a family but Roger doesn't. Roger is also an art thief. He steals pictures from his clients by using information about them.
Roger is introduced to suave businessman Clas Greve ((Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) by his wife in a function. When Roger learns that Clas is in possession of a great painting, he hatches a plot to steal it from him.
Then it turns into a game of cat and mouse between the two men. Roger is not a likable guy. He is cunning and smug, he misbehaves with his assistant and he emotionally manipulates the employees to extract information out of them. So when things start to go wrong for him , it's really fun to watch. Aksel Hennie manages to play the cocky art thief very convincingly. Other actors also do their part well. The film falters when it tries to push the audience back on Roger's side. As we take pleasure in watching Roger get punished for being such a shithead, the film switches suddenly into an attempt to make Roger a sympathetic character fighting to survive. Apart from that,this film has too many plotholes.
Still the film manages to maintain a definite and well constructed narrative. The film is gripping and exciting throughout and despite many loopholes, it makes for a tight ,immensely entertaining ride.
