Rubber's Lover

[dwatts]

Erm. First off, nice DVD. Really, well packaged, nice extras, and a nice transfers (this film isn't intended to be pristine, and it's in black and white).

Beyond that though, the film itself felt like an endurance test to me. I"m not sure I "got" most of it. Oh, the basic premise is easy enough to understand, but it just felt way too long for my liking. It outstays its welcome by a good half hour.

Still, some of the images are interesting - mixing S&M and science isn't a bad idea. It manages not to be stupid anyway. It's just not all that much fun - is it?

Anyone?

I thought this one was pretty decent though I'm not sure I'd watch it over and over. The best scene in the movie is in the trailer (when the crazy girl takes the elevator down to the lab and you can hear the guy in the wheelchair gibbering), but there are some other good shots that were pretty effective (fight on the bed).

I watched it with my wife and that was probably a mistake.

If you got any enjoyment whatsoever out of it (i.e. you didn't hate watching it), I can recommend his other movie, Pinocchio 964. It was a lot better in nearly every way. I thought Rubber's Lover was a little more disturbing though.

[edit]
I wouldn't go so far as to say Rubber's Lover was "fun" though it did have something about it that made it enjoyable. I think it's that you aren't quite sure what to expect next while you are watching it. Maybe future viewings wouldn't be as interesting.

In my opinion Japanese horror pretty much falls into two camps: endurance tests and suspense builders. I would say that films like Rubber's Lover, Pinnochio 964, and Tetsuo are of the former category while films like Ring, Juon, Kairo are of the latter category. I haven't seen Audition though I would like to) but from what I've read it may be a little of both. I happen to enjoy the former over the latter because my sense of suspense is broken I guess.

[dwatts]

Hey, someone else saw this

Audition would fall into your "suspense" catagory, I reckon.

You know though, I think I fall into an opposite point of view as your own. I don't think Rubber's Lover will get less interesting after multiple viewings, I think it will get more interesting. I reckon this is because I was simply overwhelmed first time around, with my brain finally giving up as all this noise, energy, and imagery washed over me. I was lost in it. Subsequent viewings, I think, will allow me to grab more and more of it.

This film is kind of a "Begotten" with a modern touch, and a clearer narrative. It's no easier to comprehend though.

Now, Tetsuo I will revisit (thank God for DVD, where I can watch a film, hate it, but have the time and ability to easily revisit it for reappraisal! ) I probably would have gotten Pinnochio 964, but I didn't see it. I bought Rubber's Lover from Best Buy.

You know, without a doubt this is a challenging movie. So I guess complaining about my difficulty with it is slighty silly. It's bound to be a bit wonky, if you know what I mean. I'm not writing it off, but I'm going to carefully choose when I revisit, so the time is right - you know?

[DefJeff]

I didn't really care for this film too much.

I already posted up my comments on it on the old thread here , but just to say again, I thought this film was boring. Like you dwatts, maybe I didn't "get the most of it" either, but to me it just felt like people screaming for 75% of the film. No fun at all. The trailer made it look so good too.

I did love most of the music though, I thought it really fit well.

[dwatts]

Yeah, the screaming bothered me too. On and on and on

Man, what's up with the search function? I diligently use it before starting a new thread, but this is the second time I didn't get a hit for some reason...... maybe I just don't get that either

You may be right... it could be the kind of movie that gets better the more you watch it. I'll have to set some time aside this weekend to see it again.

There was too much screaming in that movie for me... I agree. The other offender imo is Texas Chainsaw Massacre (original). I absolutely love that movie, but the screaming during the last act is just a little much. I guess it is unnerving though.

Speaking of which, did you have any trouble watching that scene in Rubber's Lover where the lights are strobing? I can't remember exactly when the scene happened or what was going on but I recall a really extreme strobing scene which was pretty difficult for me to watch in the dark.

Anyway, Pinnochio 964 is pretty enjoyable... there are some pretty funny parts in it and some of the special effects are pretty enjoyable. Neither movie is as good as Tetsuo imo, mostly due to the chaotic soundtrack and the really awesome stop motion effects.

I need to check Audition out!

[tobaccoman]

I was pretty interested in these upon their arrival to storeshelves, but average reviews have kept me away. It's probably better that way, since there are so many better movies that I don't have/haven't seen (I know, if I haven't seen them how would I know, but judging by reaction/reviews and my own personal liking I have come up with my own little system (it's been working quite well as I haven't purchased a bad/moderate movie for at least 6 months, unless it's from Troma (of course))). Like Audition (like many of you), I have not seen along with about 50 (don't know if this is literal, probably) other Miike movies (that guys fucking crazy with how many movies he throws out). I can't wait for the Lion's Gate release later this year, especially if it's porting over all the previous bonus materials and then some. I always wante to buy it in stores, before it went OOP (but that was before I got to know him as a director, then after seeing Ichi, it was gone). I could still order it, but it's gotten pretty expensive and especially after hearing about the new release, it's way too expensive for the $30+shipping that I've seen it listed for.

[dwatts]

--Speaking of which, did you have any trouble watching that scene in Rubber's Lover where the lights are strobing?--

On my 12 foot screen, it was definately a bit of a headbang It seems to be rather lengthy for such a scene, I agree. Still, I was sitting there waiting for the epileptic fit to kick in, but it didn't. Just a bit of froth at the corners of my mouth - pah!

I hated this movie, along with Pinnocchio 964, so much that I intend to dump them on eBay.

[dwatts]

Well, I tried my hand at discussing this movie again - after another viewing.

You can find my thoughts at this place here. Just go down the the R's.

I don't know, it did grow on me a bit. I think this film would work much better as a silent flick - really.