2LDK

[Akitsu]

I recently watched that japanese movie at a festival, along with Ju-On: The Grudge 1&2, and it was really worth watching ^^
Wondering if anybody else has seen that?
(Possible Spoilers)
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It takes place at a small apartment (2LDK is a japanese term for an apartment consisting of 2 bedrooms, living room, dining room, and kitchen), starring Kakashi's Nonami Maho and another young actress Koike Eiko. While they seem to get on well at first, they soon get annoyed with each other's personalities, with disaster being only a matter of time.
Chainsaw and Katana r only the beginning ^^
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Though the humour is really wicked at times, it's a comedy really worth watching, in an Itchy & Scratchy kind of way hehe
Make sure u don't miss that flick!!

[Mandi Apple]

Originally Posted by Akitsu

(Possible Spoilers)
While they seem to get on well at first, they soon get annoyed with each other's personalities, with disaster being only a matter of time.
Chainsaw and Katana r only the beginning ^^

Thanks for the recommendation Akitsu - sounds like my old flat at university, except for the general lack of Katanas - plenty of kitchen knives, though Sounds like a funny film

[The Kid on the Escalator]

This should be in the extreme forums, judging by this review of 2LDK: http://www.monstersatplay.com/featur...fest-2ldkm.php Also, various reviews I've read have described people walking out because of the over-the-top violence. I have to see this movie; I've had my fair share of roommates from hell.

[The Kid on the Escalator]

The moderators should move this to the extreme forum, and rename it "2LDK/Aragami" I'd love to continue this discussion regarding both films, as they were made at the same time as a cinematic duel between directors Yukihiko Tsusumi and Ryuhei Kitamura, given the same premise by the producer. Each film had to take place in just one location, utilizing only two characters battling each other mentally and physically.

[Vertigo]

Originally Posted by The Kid on the Escalator

The moderators should move this to the extreme forum, and rename it "2LDK/Aragami"

Both location and title stay as they are. If you wish to discuss 'Aragami' as a comparison to '2LDK', please do so.

[Alex Apple]

Originally Posted by Vertigo

Both location and title stay as they are. If you wish to discuss 'Aragami' as a comparison to '2LDK', please do so.

Absolutely. I agree 100%.

[The Kid on the Escalator]

I'll be watching both movies in the next few days, so I'll make sure to give my verdict on which director I thought won the cinematic duel. Judging by reviews, it seems like a close call. I'm particularly looking forward to seeing how Ryuhei Kitamura handles his version, seeing as his last two movies were pretty dreadful. It seems like the more money that is thrown at him, the more he moves away from what makes him a great director, so restricting him to one location and two actors makes me optimistic.

[Yani]

Originally Posted by The Kid on the Escalator

I'll be watching both movies in the next few days, so I'll make sure to give my verdict on which director I thought won the cinematic duel.

I'll be doing the same. From what I've heard, 2LDK wins this duel. Some people didn't like Aragami, some liked. But everybody liked 2LDK.

[The Kid on the Escalator]

I just watched Aragami...this is what I've been expecting from Kitamura ever since Versus, and he finally delivered in this movie. Jaw-dropping sword fights, great touches of humour, and surprisingly, excellent characterization between the two main characters before their final showdown.

My favorite scene by far is when Aragami and the samurai are picking out their weapons to duel with, and their selection process pans out like two boys picking their favourite toys. The samurai's first selection is interrupted with Aragami's reply: "No, that's mine."

[Yani]

Originally Posted by The Kid on the Escalator

I just watched Aragami...this is what I've been expecting from Kitamura ever since Versus, and he finally delivered in this movie. Jaw-dropping sword fights, great touches of humour, and surprisingly, excellent characterization between the two main characters before their final showdown.

I gotta disagree. :? I knew what was coming but still, I was disappointed. The idea of the movie sounds good and was carried out quite well. There's almost nothing wrong with the movie, the dialogue was interesting to follow (this movie has lots of it) and there are some amusing moments too. Maybe it was the fights which left me empty. I was expecting more "stylish" duels and more action in overall. I know, action doesn't make a movie, but in my humble opinion, I needed more. Like in Azumi (which I also disliked), Kitamura shows one nice trick in 'Aragami'. In 'Azumi' it was the 360 degree camera, 'Aragami' has this wonderful looking swordfight in total darkness. Only the spark of the swords when they hit lighten the room. Awesome I'd say.

Originally Posted by The Kid on the Escalator

My favorite scene by far is when Aragami and the samurai are picking out their weapons to duel with, and their selection process pans out like two boys picking their favourite toys. The samurai's first selection is interrupted with Aragami's reply: "No, that's mine."

Yeah, I laughed in that scene. Also, the "Ninja stars are for losers." made me crack. And Tak Sakaguchi's apperance in the end was... let's say over-cool.

Now I gotta find english subtitles for '2LDK' to find out who wins the duel...

[The Kid on the Escalator]

Personally, I thought the duel was more than stylish enough for me. It had that Kitamura flair that I know and love, and it also threw in some great humour at times, like when Aragami keeps reminding the samurai in the midst of fighting that his gun needs to be cocked before shooting.

[Yani]

Originally Posted by The Kid on the Escalator

...and it also threw in some great humour at times, like when Aragami keeps reminding the samurai in the midst of fighting that his gun needs to be cocked before shooting.

Yeah, it had almost as much humour as in 'Versus' and I liked it. Good side in the movie.

[Yani]

Okay, here's my thoughts after watching '2LDK'.

The movie is as simple as 'Aragami', it's has the same basic elements (two main actresses, one compound, and shot in seven days, as rumoured). I think I'll announce the winner of the duel right away, it's '2LDK'. Now for the little review...

The movie starts in a evening before the big day, day when the film studio announces the actress for the upcoming gangster movie. Both main actors, Lana and Nozomi have had an audition for the main heroine role. Both really want that part. Nozomi (Eiko Koike) has moved from her childhood island to a big city Tokyo, hoping her acting career gets the desired boost and to be more independent. Her family is close, and she has some problems with her family and her lovelife. Her sister is soon getting married too. Acting has been her dream since childhood.

Lana (Maho Nonami) is very different from her housemate. Wearing the latest (and the most expensive I see) fashion seems to be her style, which is very different from Nozomi's "casual" clothing (blue jogging suit instead of yellow, maybe this is the newest trend in Asia ). She is looking for her first "big" role, after 10 years of making minor roles in fishy movies ('Woman Prisoner'... *rolls eyes*). She's also a real man-eater, definitely more experienced than Nozomi. She uses that as a weapon too, hitting Nozomi's weak spot. People could easily get the idea Lana is the "bad guy" of the movie, but she has her weak spot as well, somewhere in her past.

The couple doesn't get together at all, and both have their bad habits. Nozomi complains about the rules they had decided when moving together and Lana's easy-living style seems to annoy Nozomi. Anyway, they try to live the next night, but the atmosphere gets too tense and these women must let out some steam. In this case, all household (including katanas, ninja stars... chainsaw... detergent etc.) is available for their combat.

Half of the movie goes "normally", lots of dialogue and little fights there and there, but the rest is filled with attacks and counter-attacks. Few scenes are a bit cheesy (in a good way), but there's cruel violence almost in every minute of the last half an hour. Both did good roles (or its just me) and they are "realistic". Some of the stuff they do isn't very normal, but still. I somehow got the idea, that the director Yukihiko Tsutsumi is a beginner in the movie scene, but the quick pace of the production must've affected somehow. Dunno, but the result is still very good. I liked the idea (used before this in other movies, but fit this perfectly) when Lana & Nozomi are thinking, during the dialogues and they "think" what is their real opinion about the subject.

Ryuhei Kitamura (in my humble opinion) concentrated more on the production and the sets, the visual style etc. of his movie, but Yukihiko's is more character-focused. 'Aragami' looks "better" in some way, but '2LDK' has more depth. Kitamura used a lot of special effects in his movie, but so does Tsutsumi. There are few decent looking CG-effects (part of the cheesy stuff I was talking about) here and there.

'2LDK' has the elements to be the next cult classic alá 'Battle Royale', with the right marketing I think. I wouldn't be surprised if Tartan picks this up soon in their to-be-released list... I can imagine the cover already... "Strikes like a dozen 'Battle Roayles'!" Maybe I'm exaggerating a bit, but I liked this movie a lot. It ain't perfect but is very interesting little indie flick. My rating: 4/5 (for comparison, 'Aragami' 3/5).

I'll add few pics for your pleasure.





Oh, and for the bigger audience... if you wanna see who's the lucky one wielding the chainsaw with a bit disturbed expression, click here

PS. If you wanna see more pics, just use my http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...02/2LDK_01.jpg and change the number, like 2LDK_02.jpg, 2LDK_03.jpg and so on, up to 19. There might some "spoiling" pics within, so if you wanna keep up your suspense fully, don't check 'em. I tried not to put any major spoilers in there though...

[Vertigo]

Thanks for the review and the pics Yani - good stuff!

[The Kid on the Escalator]

I give 2LDK two super enthusiastic happy thumbs up! The ultimate 'roommate from hell' movie, but these two characters can't even hold a candle to some of the roomies I've had to deal with. To top it off, I've had female roomies who were bigger slobs than most guys are.

[logboy]

for those interested - ive managed to preorder 2LDK at dvdpacific.com - they slate it for july 13th so its not that far away...

[logboy]

...heres the cover. available to preoder for $20 at pokerindutries.com now...

[Yani]

Good looking cover there. Resembles very well the movie.

[logboy]

the TLA releasing site also mentions 'aragami' coming out the same time (if not the exact same day) but there no cover there yet and i havent seen it for preorder either...

[Bug-Eyed Earl]

Somehow this reminds me of two girls I know who are best friends, but occasionally go off on each other.

BTW, they will be coming to England on the same trip I'm taking.