late spring

Eclipse Series #3 - Late Ozu (Early Spring / Tokyo Twilight / Equinox Flower / Late Autumn / The End of Summer) (Criterion Collection)
$69.95
A great set of films for those who enjoy post-war Japanese cinema (late 1950's early 1960's). Three of the films start Hara, Setsuko, the premier Japanese actress of this period. Those looking for Samurai action should skip this series as the series, and many of Ozu's films, focus on family life in post-war Japan. The films reflect Japanese life and traditions and the transition between generations in the mid-twentieth century.

The first two films are in black and white, the other three reflect the transition to color at the turn of the decade. We enjoyed both formats. All films are in Japanese with English subtitles.

OPI India Collection Spring/Summer - Curry Up, Don't Be Late!
$8.50
Color has the energy to excite, to sooth and charm and there has never been a better, brighter moment for color than this Spring and Summer 2008 collection. A sunny, high-energy pallette for the nails that will compliment all of the new fashions. 1/2 oz.

Late Spring Poppies by Brigitte Curt 24"x20" Art Print Poster
$32.00
Late Spring Poppies by Brigitte Curt Image Size 24"x20" Paper Size 24"x22" Fine Art Reproduction on High Quality Art Paper. Retails for $32.00 or more.

Early Summer - Criterion Collection
$39.95
Yasujiro Ozu is considered second only to Kurosawa in the hierarchy of Japanese cinema (by Westerners, anyhow), so it has always shocked me how unavailable his films are. Most of his films do exist on VHS, and there is at least one on DVD, Ohayo, which I have considered purchasing in the past, but have not as of yet. But, for hell's sake, I live in a decently large city now, and I can hardly find a single film of his. Finally, I did manage to rent one, Early Summer. I can say right away that I did not enjoy it. I found it barely of interest in cultural aspects, but I was also quite unaffected by it, and, frankly, quite bored. I don't bore easily, either.

The cultural aspects were only valuable, in that it showed me a part of Japanese culture that I did not know very well, that is the intimate workings of a tyrant family life. I have a feeling, though, that these modes of thought are outdated in Japan now. I think my main problem with the film was the script itself. I hated most of the characters, but I cannot say that I really even got to know them all that well. I hated the brother, the grandparents, the uncle, the neighbors, and the young children the most. I found the main character somewhat uncompelling and underdeveloped.

I'm certainly not going to give up on Ozu. I do know of his overrated reputation. Early Summer is not among his more famous films, anyway, and I'm sure, from reading about them, that Tokyo Story or Floating Blossoms would not be any much more appealing to me than if I were in a coma. I still would give this film 1/10.