Opinions on Isao Yukisada?
 

What everyone thinks of Isao Yukisada, director of "Justice". Are all his films like this? Quite light hearted and amusing?

I figured I'd ask here, judging by the excellent response in the Iwai thread (thanks guys).

Besides Justice and some other short thing I've only seen Sekachu, Go and Kyo no dekigoto. I like his films but I have a problem with his casting of idol types because it''s hit and miss with dire consequences. Go worked nicely, it was amazing to see the cast pull off decent performances without resorting to the typical screeching and acting like idiots, or speaking randomly in English. Even Kubozuka was okay, quite shocking really. All in all I love the film, doesn't go too OTT.
Kyo no dekigoto fails in this respect, I love atmospheric films like this but for me it was spoilt by a couple of cast members, Rena Tanaka in particular. She spoils every film she's in with her poor acting and put-on voice. It wasn't just her however, the rest of the cast seemed to think that they were acting for TV but an amount of that actually worked. I was really quite disappointed, had he not scraped the barrel for the entire cast it would have been an excellent film.
Sakachu is as you can imagine, it's an attempt copy the whole Korean 'pure love' thing made popular by Winter Sonata. Of course anyone who has met Koreans will know that's a laugh but hey. It was a pretty good film like most from Fuji TV, horrendously clichéd and the cast were dragged from TV but performances were solid and after Gege I get tears in my eyes if I even hear the name Takao Osawa. It's a reliable little romance film, rather dull but it's okay. The only real weakness was the chap playing Takao Osawa's character when he was younger. He only appeared to have one expression.

So like I said, hit and miss but I have a low tolerance for screeching. Ah, not that lighthearted and amusing overall. Justice was a short after all. Try Go it's certainly the most like it and is good light entertainment.

What did you think of Ping Pong? That question does have a purpose.

Personally I think Kyo no dekigoto, Go, and Sekai no Chushin de Ai wo Sakebu are all great films. Yukisada Isao is a director who's films I'm happy to take a chance with just on his name alone. Never really had a problem with his use of J-idols, he's a commercial director so it's hardly surprising. Have to disagree about Tanaka Rena being so crap she spoils every film she's ever been in as well.

I have a pathalogical hatred of Rena, I think the pitch of her voice triggers the release of some sort of angry chemical in my brain. Same happesn with a few other idols who put-on silly voices but they don't affect me quite so much as my eardrums don't explode.

Thanks once again for excellent comments.

Yeah I really want to watch Sekai no Chushin de Ai wo Sakebu because I'm an admirer of Takao Osawa.

I'm struggling to recognise Rena Tanaka. She was supposedly in GTO but have no idea who she was... oh well.

I've not seen Ping Pong yet :(

Takao Osawa was alright, he just didn't display anything that I hadn't already seen in Gege however his acting was the best by far. Although when he's not meant to be losing his vision he still acts as if he is. Strange wooden and almost gawping expressions as if he's struggling to see. Perhaps his face just naturally sticks out and looks 'gawpy.'

Rena Tanaka was only in the GTO film. Not seen that myself although if the special is anything to by...

Don't see Ping Pong, please.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with Ping Pong, great story and acting and it is at times very funny. Definitely worth watching.

Just a heads up to let folk know that Isao's latest "Year One in the North" has been released on Japanese DVD.

It looks like a period piece starring Ken Watanabe.

However the disc does not include English subtitles. Oh well.

I guess I should try and hunt down his previous movies, namely "Go."