17th Japanese Film Festival is coming to Melbourne!

Looks like a good line up this year. Actually the festival is already halfway through its 'tour' of Australia with only Sydney, Darwin and Melbourne left. Was hoping for Sono Sion's Why don't you play in Hell but hopefully I can watch it soon. :) Tickets are $17 but its better to go for the 5 tickets for $70 combo. Unfortunately, the 5 tickets cannot be split between venues.

GOING TO WATCH

BLINDLY IN LOVE

Aka sheltered son falls in love with Kaho as blind girl? I am so there. One cannot have too much Kaho.

THE GREAT PASSAGE

Matsuda Ryuhei and Miyazaki Aoi in a movie about creating a dictionary. Was on the fence but reviews seem good.

THE APOLOGY KING

Abe Sadao, Inoue Mao and Ono Machiko in a comedy about the super dogeza? Should be good.

THE DEVIL'S PATH

Yamada Takayuki in a dark movie that has good reviews. Not entirely sure what its about since I just had a quick glance through reviews to see whether it was positive or negative. The less I know when I go in, the better.

SHIELD OF STRAW

Miike Takashi's attempt at a big budget action thriller. So-so reviews but I want to see Japan pull of a decent serious cop show instead of those shows that try to be too cool to the point of stupidity. I'm keeping my expectations low so hopefully it will surprise me. The climax better not be in an abandoned warehouse next to a harbour.

THE RAVINE OF GOODBYE

Maki Yoko and Suzuki Anne in a adult drama? Yes, please.

ORPHEUS' LYRE

Watching for Hirosue Ryoko and Fukuda Mayuko. Unfortunately, Inagaki Goro is in it. :( Hopefully his acting is more University of Laughs and less Nagareboshi.

NOT WATCHING

REUNION

Guaranteed everyone will be attacked by onion ninjas movie about the aftermath of the tsunami. Better to watch at home.

SUMMER'S END

I sooooo want to watch this. Mitsushima Hikari in a love triangle with Namakemono-san (which is going to be incesty weird after watching Woman) and Ayano Gou. Unfortunately somone decided it would be a good idea to screen it at the same time as The Apology King! WTF!!!! Why not screen it with something stupid like Gatchaman or a Johnnys movie? Gggrrrrr....

THE GOD OF RAMEN

The only way I would watch this is if I were boarding a plane to Japan straight after watching. Otherwise, its the equivalent of torturing myself for one and a half hours and not being able to relieve the pain.