HIFF27

Kamome Diner is about a woman who opens a Japanese diner in Finland. That's about it.

But as with all films that are light on plot, attention here focuses toward character. Luckily, each and every character in Kamome Diner is memorable, and the acting is equally remarkable. The feel of the film is aesthetically pleasing; very calm and relaxing. Character development is slow paced and deliberate. The cinematography is very simplistic; minimal camera movement with long takes. Add to this a dash of that quirky Japanese humor you all know and love, and you have something special.

Kamome Diner is meant to be savored. If you are patient enough to let the charm of this film unfold, you will definitely enjoy this.

Dare da, dare da, dare da
Sora no kanata ni odoru kage
Shiroi tsubasa no Gatchaman
Inochi wo kakete tobidaseba
Kagaku Nimpo Hinotori da

Tobe! Tobe, tobe, Gatchaman
Yuke! Yuke, yuke, Gatchaman
Chikyuu wa hitotsu, chikyuu wa hitotsu
Oh, Gatchaman, Gatchaman

This revenge film is obviously bloody and brutally violent. But other than the subsequent shock value, Soo offers hardly anything else.

Sadly, there's nothing here that hasn't been done better elsewhere. The plot is bland, the acting is okay, and even the violence is average in comparison.

If you're looking for a great Asian revenge film, see Oldboy or Dog Bite Dog instead.

Finishing The Game plays out like a 70's documentary perfectly, depicting the search for Bruce Lee's posthumous replacement for Game of Death. Director Justin Lin's love for the genre is apparent in the attention to detail he has paid in capturing the feel of the generic Bruce Lee imitator flicks. The film is also infused with corny 70's humor and brings to light through comedy the offensive typecasting of Asians in Hollywood.

Fans of Bruce Lee-- or Bruce Li, for that matter-- should definitely catch this flick.

Dai Nipponjin is a documentary of a man who is down on his luck. His wife and daughter have deserted him, his only friend is a stray cat, and he is the laughing stock of those around him. ...Also, he transforms into a giant and fights monsters when necessary.

This film plays the documentary angle straight, injecting a real heartfelt storyline into a typical off-the-wall Japanese comedic plot. You genuinely feel sorry for the man; then he transforms, and you laugh again. Consequently, the pace of the film is slower than you would expect for a film like this, but it also makes for a fuller viewing experience...

Then, it all goes to Hell. And it is GENIUS.

The Yakiniku Movie is an awkward blend of Japanese humor and Korean drama. You would expect a film named after a food to actually focus on that food; instead, the plot revolves mainly around the characters with dramatic seriousness, only straying into comedic territory when showing the villains or the Iron Chef-like competitions-- and when it does, it's so silly it contradicts the drama and throws the whole thing off.