chase3001

Enjoyed it more that I thought I would. Still thinking about it two days after I watched it.

JoeySeven

I watched A little more of Empire of passion yesterday.
Enjoy some parts even more then the first time,can't wait to watch the whole movie again.



Also I found 3 more Nagisa Ôshima movies(not including In the Realm of the Senses )available
for rent in the states(I just checked netflix only )

1-Gohatto (1999)aka Taboo His last movie he did
2-Max Mon Amour (1986)
3-Yakuza Graveyard (1976)

Kerborus

A warning for those jumping into Realm of the Senses - the end brings your eyes true horror. At least for men... The two movies are not too much alike other than their esoteric similarities.

Trevor

That might be a bit too much of an obvious spoiler. But I would warn people not to automatically watch Realm if you enjoyed Empire. Just make sure you know what you're getting into. It's artfully made, but

Maxflier

I haven't seen the film yet, but from his statement I assume But I am holding out hope that that's not what it is because spoilers suck, unintended or not.

Trevor

It's not that, but Keborus should edit his post.

JoeySeven

Just a little note on Realm of the Senses.

MTRodaba2468

Well, you're right. It is an art-porn film (that's not something I'd consider a spoiler); probably the most well-known one, although it's purpose isn't to titillate the audience, like most porn films.

Trevor

^ Nice job ruining that film for some people.

Even if you had used the spoiler tags correctly, why even go there?

JoeySeven

Anymore thoughts on Empire of Passion?which I liked more then Realm of the Sense.

MTRodaba2468

Again, my apologies. I rushed through the post and didn't realize I messed up the tags.

As far as why I would go there, even if I hadn't messed up the tags, it's simple. The guy made a guess as to what happened, and I was Sorry for being careless that time, but I'm not intentionally doing so...

Trevor

But he also said so why confirm or deny? You're just ruining the film for him, and everyone else. I'm in utter shock that several just throw out these comments on a competely different film. It was partly ruined for me by the spoiler earlier in this thread, but if I hadn't seen the film right after that I'd be really pissed by the recent posts. Not singling you out, it's 3-4 of you, with me to partially blame by thinking that my polite way of trying to say STOP! would help, but it only made things worse.

These last ten posts have just been a complete and total debacle, and I apologize to the entire thread for my part in them.

MTRodaba2468

I was trying to avoid spoiling it for everyone by attempting to put the spoiler tags around them, that way, he could choose to ruin the film for himself or not, by choosing to see whether he guessed right or not. If he didn't want to, the option is open for others whom may be curious to find out what happened, but are put off by the hardcore sexual content (that is, if they didn't research the case themselves; Realm is based on a true story).

I've already acknowledged that I was careless when tagging it, and I take full responsibility for that. But as long as the other posters and I try to be more cautious, I see no reason why it can't be discussed as well, since the two films are linked based on themes and production history.

too much

Maybe we (or you guys) should create a spoiler thread. That way you can go as far as you want in discussing any of movies we are viewing week to week. The point is, a few people have ruined that film (Senses) for others. If Senses was the movie we were viewing, it would have made a little more sense. And right after you post a message, it shows up for you to see! If it did not apply the spoiler tags correctly, you can always either delete the message or edit part of your message.

Ginwen

I watched this today. I thought it was decent, probably 7/10 or so. I liked the ghost parts the best. Her screaming and crying kind of drove me crazy though.

I've never watched In the Realm of the Senses since I've always been driven off by one aspect of it (it was well publicized in the 70's, I knew about it even at 14 or so, so nothing here was a spoiler to me).

CardiffGiant

I just finished watching this. I'd probably rate it in the same general area as others here as I, too, thought it was a visually successful film. Shots of the village, the well, and the return to the wheels rolling on the rickshaw were certainly memorable.

There were some scenes that would momentarily take me out for a second (e.g. - a character's continued breathing, or snow blowing/smoke machines), but those were minor little occurrences in the film.

I also watched some of the extras and I felt that the video essay by Catherine Russell was very informative and helps lift the film up. She provides significant insight (in a relatively short piece) about the importance of both films (along with "In the Realm..."). The only drawback to that extra is that if you haven't seen "In the Realm..." (I haven't), it gives away quite a bit of information...especially in the second half of the video essay.

visitor Q

Great pick up!

I too noticed this but did not draw the connection. Great piece of filming in and of itself.

I really need to watch some of the extras and re-watch the film again to nail down some of the subtext, but overall I enjoyed it. It's is also a reminder to finish up a few other Kaidan (ghost) films that I already own just to see how the matter relates.

As others have mentioned, the visual aspects are quite stark - everything looked as if it could be framed and hung up on a wall. Oshima has an incredible eye.

Promising film with an age old idea of infidelity. Genuinely creepy and atmospheric once the tide turns! Look forward to seeing more of Oshima's films.

JoeySeven

gglass4269

what?

HistoryProf

Just got around to watching this today and was totally blown away. A lot of Japanese fare tends to leave me in 'meh' territory, but this was just a fantastic film that kept me riveted from start to finish. I confess to being a tad surprised by the shaving scene in particular, not realizing that this was the same director as "Realm"

Aside from it being a pitch perfect piece of storytelling, I must also commend Criterion for the transfer - it's absolutely luminous...one of the best I've ever seen of a movie 30+ years old....it's practically flawless, and the depth of color was just amazing to watch. I don't think I was 15 minutes in before I knew this was going on the 'to buy' list.

Trevor

I agree that the transfer was beautiful. I actually forgot that I was watching a DVD and was thinking it was a blu-ray for much of the film.