87

Damn, Kobayashi! Kwaidan is a film split up into 4 parts that each share similar themes of folklore, fear, ritual, and a specific fear of aging. I think this film was really intriguing, it's a valuable insight into Japanese history and the stories that make up their rich beliefs. It's not the scariest film, but it can be spooky. I think the cinematography and use of color was masterful, the layout was interesting as well. Some of it felt a bit dragged out and I feel like the last story wasn't as good as the first 3, but I still really did like this film. It's hard for anthology films to get good scores from me, but this and Kurosawa's Dreams both were very well done.

87

Damn, Kobayashi! Kwaidan is a film split up into 4 parts that each share similar themes of folklore, fear, ritual, and a specific fear of aging. I think this film was really intriguing, it's a valuable insight into Japanese history and the stories that make up their rich beliefs. It's not the scariest film, but it can be spooky. I think the cinematography and use of color was masterful, the layout was interesting as well. Some of it felt a bit dragged out and I feel like the last story wasn't as good as the first 3, but I still really did like this film. It's hard for anthology films to get good scores from me, but this and Kurosawa's Dreams both were very well done.

Prve tri priče su mi bile odlične, dok mi četvrta nije bila interesantna.

Vrlo zanimljiv koncept i vizuelno prost ali jako dobar.

Prve tri priče su mi bile odlične, dok mi četvrta nije bila interesantna.

Vrlo zanimljiv koncept i vizuelno prost ali jako dobar.

It’s hard to explain the surrealistic aura of this film. It’s unmatched

It’s hard to explain the surrealistic aura of this film. It’s unmatched

i will be thinking about the sky in this movie for hours tonight

i will be thinking about the sky in this movie for hours tonight

Typically I don’t particularly enjoy anthology films, but this was a different story. Kobayashi masterfully weaves these 4 folklore tales together to create a 3 hour epic exploring love, betrayal, and, most importantly, the paranormal.

The set design in this film is some of the greatest I’ve ever seen, however, the sound design was a bit confusing to me at times (specifically in The Black Hair). The cinematography and overall atmosphere is expertly crafted and executed. The color grading in the film is absolutely breathtaking as well; each shot could pass as a painting.

The Woman of the Snow was definitely the standout of the four tales for me— the background of the entire sequence is mesmerizing. I didn’t particularly love The Black Hair, but it is by no means bad in any way. Hoichi the Earless was phenomenal and I really loved the sequences where we are with Hoichi and the ghosts in the graveyard; the use of color in that section is crazy. Lastly, In a Cup of Tea was probably the worst of the 4, but I still loved it.

In short, this is a masterpiece of a film. I haven’t seen much of Kobayashi’s work and I have heard that this differs from his usual style and substance. That being said, I want to delve deeper into his filmography to see further this master at work.

Typically I don’t particularly enjoy anthology films, but this was a different story. Kobayashi masterfully weaves these 4 folklore tales together to create a 3 hour epic exploring love, betrayal, and, most importantly, the paranormal.

The set design in this film is some of the greatest I’ve ever seen, however, the sound design was a bit confusing to me at times (specifically in The Black Hair). The cinematography and overall atmosphere is expertly crafted and executed. The color grading in the film is absolutely breathtaking as well; each shot could pass as a painting.

The Woman of the Snow was definitely the standout of the four tales for me— the background of the entire sequence is mesmerizing. I didn’t particularly love The Black Hair, but it is by no means bad in any way. Hoichi the Earless was phenomenal and I really loved the sequences where we are with Hoichi and the ghosts in the graveyard; the use of color in that section is crazy. Lastly, In a Cup of Tea was probably the worst of the 4, but I still loved it.

In short, this is a masterpiece of a film. I haven’t seen much of Kobayashi’s work and I have heard that this differs from his usual style and substance. That being said, I want to delve deeper into his filmography to see further this master at work.