Ponytail Picks #65 - Japan
Gorge on these delicious morsels from our friends across the (Pacific) pond.
LISTEN
A soundtrack to a Japanese spring
Erica and I are headed back to the Land of the Rising Sun in May. After loving our initial trip this past fall, we’re bringing her parents along to introduce them to the food, history, and customs of this fascinating (and fascinatingly diverse) place.
Speaking of diversity, this playlist means to give a taste of just that. Weighted primarily by music from the nation itself, I’ve peppered in a few Japan-themed choices to keep your eardrums guessing. Enjoy!
-AK
Now that we’ve got a taste for it, we want more.
Tell us about the Japanese music you know
in the comments below.
WATCH
Japanese film picks
I’m not going to pretend to have seen a wide breadth of Japanese films but almost all the ones that have drifted over the Pacific into my North American consciousness are, unsurprisingly, worthy of recommendation, so I’ll list a few of them here in case you haven’t caught them yet (and I won’t try and choose between all of the lovely Studio Ghibli films I’ve seen—just go watch them all).
Paprika (2006)
It’s a procedural but the main character is a therapist instead of a detective or a cop, and the setting isn’t the gritty streets of New York or LA but the trippy landscape of dreams. A visually incredible swan dive into the stories of our psyches, playing in cinemas now (cinemas in the movie, I mean—it’s very meta).
Drive My Car (2021)
Positively scrumptious narrative layering here. A breathtaking road trip movie (of sorts) taking you through tunnels of suffering into the good morning of redemption.
House (1977)
Absolutely bonkers haunted house horror, both in its kooky craft (lots of fun VFX like in the shot above) and shit-is-bananas content (e.g. someone turns into bananas).
Shoplifters (2018)
A beautiful, heart-wrenching drama about a unique family just trying to get by.
One Cut of the Dead (2017)
Incredibly fun, especially after the twist. The set-up is great, the payoff is perfect. A zombie comedy that I enjoyed even more than the wonderful Shaun of the Dead.
Godzilla (1954)
This big guy is one of Japan’s most famous cinematic exports. I finally watched the original take on him a little while ago and it immediately became my favourite of all the Godzilla movies I’ve seen (not a high bar, mind you, considering I’ve still yet to see the most recent and highly praised Japanese-made Godzilla offering, Godzilla Minus One). The cinematography and practical effects are excellent, and the underlying theme of humanity’s penchant for destruction is as poignant as ever.
-JB
READ
Kafka on the Shore
Have you ever read a book that seemed to be written just for you? Harumi Murakami’s Kafka on the Shore felt that way for me:
A music-obsessed teenager getting into vulnerable, intellectually challenging conversations with librarians while trying to outrun an Oedipal curse? You had me at “music-obsessed.”
A mentally disabled man who can talk to cats trying to track down the shapeshifting murderer of his feline friends? Put me on the case, boss.
A writer who can somehow weave these two wildly different plots together? Show me how! I want to know!
Maybe the reading experience won’t feel as serendipitous for you, but I wager that you’ll be entertained regardless. What a book. They say1 it’s not considered to be one of Murakami’s masterpieces. I say that’s a shame.
-AK
The flight attendant at the departure desk is calling our section to board. Join us next time as we strive for a tranquil, lasting
Joel! You need to explore Yasujirō Ozu's films. You will love them, I promise.
Ooo i've had my eye on Paprika for a little while. This feels like this push