Welcome to the third and final trailer post of the week
You can find the first trailer post here and the second trailer post here.
Well, one review this week and it was my annual Halloween one. It was dedicated to the suspense-thriller/slasher/stalker movie DOOR by Banmei Takahashi. It was released by Third Window Films at the beginning of the week (Oct 30). Highly recommended, not least because you can get a second film DOOR II as part of the release – review for that one coming next week.
Following on from the Heroic Purgatory episode dedicated to Brian De Palma’s Carrie (1976), I’ll be taking part in a recording of an episode covering Lady Snowblood, a film I haven’t watched since I was a teenager.
In terms of films watched – outside of horror movies, I covered the rest of the JFF+ releases with titles like A Muse Never Drowns, Tenzo, An Artisan’s Legacy, Tsunekazu Nishioka, and Follow the Light.
What are the other films released this weekend?
Ao sugiru, Ao 
青すぎる、青 「Ao sugiru, Ao」
Release Date: November 04th, 2023
Duration: 103 mins.
Director: Akiyoshi Imazeki,
Writer: Hirotoshi Kobayashi (Screenplay), Akiyoshi Imazeki (Original Story),
Starring: Yuuki Kamiosako, Aine Hara, Ryotaro Higo, Yuki Matsumoto, Mappi Sakurajima,
Synopsis: Mimi is feeling disconnected from the world and herself. Her father, the only member of her family that she felt close to, has died and she is having trouble with her aunt Yoshiko. She is struggling to finish her graduation project. She cannot see a path forward. Even her friend Kira, a positive person, is struggling. When Mimi begins to hear and see things she wouldn’t normally, it begins a series of encounters and experiences that allow her to see herself differently.
Azuki to Ame 
あずきと雨 「Azuki to Ame」
Release Date: November 04th, 2023
Duration: 70 mins.
Director: Hiroki Kumamoto
Writer: Koichi Kubodera (Screenplay),
Starring: Saki Kato, Kazua Akieda, Ayano Mochizuki, Ryo Shinoda, Kyo Miyamoto, Rakuto Tatekawa, Goichi Mine,
Based on the comic by Tsuchida Seiki, inspired by the artist’s own life experience, this film portrays the loss and regeneration of the life of four men.
Synopsis: Yuki works for a real estate company. You’d think that would help her move on from living with her ex-lover Nobu, but the two are still in the same place. That may change soon as she urges him to move out while at the same time, she opens up her current place to a girl named Riko who has run away from home from the countryside.
Journey Here and There 
あっちこっち じゃあにー 「Acchi Kocchi Jaani-」
Release Date: November 04th, 2023
Duration: 105 mins.
Director: Takuya Matsumoto
Writer: Takuya Matsumoto (Screenplay),
Starring: Takuya Matsumoto, Yuzu, Jin Okada, Tatsuma Goto, Maki Sawa,
Takuya Matsumoto made the film Laugh, Laugh Die which I watched almost a year ago to this day. After that pandemic-themed film, he has made a road movie featuring a failed comedian and a girl. This is the debut of six-year-old girl Yuzu. He takes on the lead role and it may be based on his own experience since he was once part of a comedy duo.
Synopsis: Suematsu is a struggling comedian and internet streamer. His is a lonely life as he works hard but gets teased. However, after meeting a six-year-old girl named Kana and getting her help on making a video, he recruits her for another video where they will go on a road trip. In return, Kana will get to see her father who lives far away. Thus, they hit the road and have many encounters.
Ikinai 
生きない 「Ikinai」
Release Date: November 04th, 2023
Duration: 83 mins.
Director: Kito Hasuda
Writer: Kouhei Nagamune, Kensuke Tsutsumi (Screenplay),
Starring: Katsuya Takagi, Hisashi, Kumiko Tsushimi, Hiroshi Oyama, Keisuke Shiba,
Based on the comic by Tsuchida Seiki, inspired by the artist’s own life experience, this film portrays the loss and regeneration of the life of four men.
Synopsis: Tamao is a foot soldier for the Senzaki clan and his latest job is to dispose of a corpse of Kinjiro, an infamous yakuza. Just before Tamao is about to bury Kinjiro, the rotten gangster comes back to life. The two actually hit it off and become roommates as Kinjiro lies low. This, their strange co-habitation begins.
Ibara Yoru no Inori 
イバラ・夜の祈り 「Ibara Yoru no Inori」
Release Date: November 04th, 2023
Duration: 65 mins.
Director: Minoru Horie
Writer: Akira Yamazaki (Screenplay),
Starring: Ereki Kobayashi, Kamin Shirahata, Narumi Yonezawa, Hichika Ishimoto, Ayane Takizawa,
Synopsis: Mika lives with her filmmaker husband, Toru, and their young son Yusuke. Life isn’t so bad but she isn’t totally happy and Toru isn’t exactly successful. Then, life gets tougher for them…
Futari Shizuka 
二人静か 「Futari Shizuka」
Release Date: November 04th, 2023
Duration: 103 mins.
Director: Rei Sakamoto
Writer: Futoshi Nakano (Screenplay),
Starring: Maki Nishiyama, Shingo Mizusawa, Giko, Kiyomi Ito, Yota Kawase,
Rei Sakamoto cut his teeth as a filmmaker on pink film productions.
Synopsis: Masayuki and Ryoko were an ordinary couple until their then 5-year-old daughter Akina suddenly disappeared while in the care of Ryoko’s father. She has never forgiven the old man, even though he now suffers from dementia. The marriage has suffered and the couple spend their time looking for information on Akina. They get in contact with a pregnant young woman named Rina who is committed to helping them.