Osamu Kubota Movies
Based on actual events that served as the inspiration for the 1963 film of the same name, Takashi Miike's 13 Assassins follows a group of noble samurai as they seek to slay a tyrannical, politically connected lord before he seizes control of the entire country. Japan, 1844: as the era of the samurai winds to a close, a sadistic young lord uses his powerful political ties to commit heinous atrocities against the common people. Recognizing the dangers to both his country and its citizens should the lord manage to gain any more power, a concerned government official secretly recruits 13 of the most skilled swordsmen he can find to defeat the evil lord once and for all. But reaching their target won't be easy, because the elusive lord is constantly flanked by legions of fearless bodyguards. Realizing that the bodyguards would decimate his modest task force in a traditional battle, the assassins' leader (Koji Yakusho) lays an ingenious trap that will give his men the upper hand, and waits patiently for their prey to take the bait. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Koji Yakusho, Takayuki Yamada, (more)
- 2006
Ai Yazawa's popular manga of the same name comes to the screen in this adventure about two girls who share the same name as they struggle to sort out their complex love lives. Nana "Hachi" Komatsu has been drawn into a passionate love triangle with Trapnest bassist Takumi and Black Stones' guitarist Nobu. Meanwhile, Nana "Osaki" holds out hope that her band Black Stones will finally find success while being drawn into a clandestine relationship with Trapnest guitarist Ren. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Yui Ichikawa, Mika Nakashima, (more)
Ai Yazawa's popular manga concerning two young women who couldn't be more different despite sharing the same name comes to the screen in this musical drama starring J-Pop icon Mika Nakashima and actress Aoi Miyazaki. Nana "Hachi" Komatsu (Miyazaki) has traveled with her boyfriend to Tokyo in hopes of starting a new life. Elsewhere in this neon-lit metropolis, ambitious punk rock beauty Nana Osaki (Nakashima) arrives determined to become the next big thing in the nocturnal world of rock & roll. On the surface it would seem that these two girls would have little in common, but as they share their dreams and set out in search of true happiness, the girls who couldn't be more different forge a friendship that will last a lifetime. Kentaro Otani directs a film featuring music by J-Rock megastar Hyde. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Mika Nakashima, Aoi Miyzaki, (more)
- 2003
Directed by Isshin Inudo, Josee, the Tiger and the Fish centers on the Tsuneo, a curious, but otherwise typical, college student. When a baby carriage careens down a hill and crashes in his path, Tsuneo comes face to face with Josee, a charming young woman who, despite being disabled, is capable of most anything, least of all a mean breakfast. Though Tsuneo's initial visits to her were made out of sympathy, it doesn't take too long until he falls for her. ~ Tracie Cooper, Rovi
- Starring:
- Satoshi Tsumabuki, Chizuru Ikewaki, (more)
- 2002
In Sabu's Drive, a group of bank robbers ends up in a panic when their driver, Mickey (Toshio Kakei), double-crosses them, taking off with all the loot and leaving them stranded. Meanwhile, Asakuru (Shinichi Tsutsumi of Sabu's Postman Blues) has just seen the doctor about his debilitating tension headaches. One of Asakuru's few pleasures is driving by the corner where a pretty young woman, Sakai (Kou Shibasaki of Battle Royale), takes her lunch break every afternoon. But on this day while he watches the girl, his reverie is interrupted by the bank robbers, who commandeer his car, ordering him to pursue Nishi. Unfortunately for them, Asakuru refuses to drive over the speed limit, let alone run a red light. The gang quickly grows frustrated and stops at a café to formulate a plan. But word is out about their "successful" robbery, and a meddlesome waiter recognizes them and threatens to blow the whistle. He runs into some bad luck, and soon the gang is on the move again, Asakuru in tow, and encountering some strange luck of their own. The angriest (Susumu Terajima of Ichi the Killer) has an edifying run-in with a punk rock band. The youngest member (Masanobu Ando, also from Battle Royale) rediscovers his aptitude for baseball, while Nishi (Ren Osugi of The Twilight Samurai) finds out there may be something more important to him than the cash. Meanwhile, Mickey has an epiphany of his own when his escape plans are thwarted by some angry spirits. Drive was shown at the 2004 New York Asian Film Festival, presented by Subway Cinema. ~ Josh Ralske, Rovi
- Starring:
- Shinichi Tsutsumi, Kou Shibasaki, (more)
- 2002
From the Japanese cult-flick director known simply as Sabu, Koufuku No Kane (The Blessing Bell) follows Igarashi (Susumu Terajima) through the last 24 hours before the factory he works for closes down, leaving him unemployed. After a job hunt brings him no results, Igarishi ponders his fate at the banks of a local river. He isn't counting on an old man committing suicide right next to him, but that is precisely what happens. The problem gets further complicated when a policeman finds the body in the same vicinity as Igarishi, and sends him mistakenly off to jail. Rather than leaving Igarishi feeling even more persecuted, prison life gives the blue-collar young man a sense of purpose. ~ Tracie Cooper, Rovi
- Starring:
- Susumu Terajima, Naomi Nishida, (more)
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