Avalanche directed by Mikio Naruse - 8/10
This was the first film I've seen by this Japanese master and I enjoyed it a lot. Naruse really knows how to work within the melodrama genre in this early film. The story isn't particularly great, and I found the second half of the film to be rushed however the visuals and direction of the film was great. I liked the matching compositions in the film similar to the work of Ozu, and I also like how Naruse darkened the image when representing the mind of the characters. This isn't one of the best films of its kind but it made me care for the characters and was enjoyable to watch. I look forward to watching Naruse's later masterpieces.
Tokyo Story directed by Yasujiro Ozu - 10/10
This film has possibly dethroned Ozu's Late Spring to become my favorite feature film of all-time! I had high expectations for the film ever since I heard about it a year and a half ago and it has exceeded them! Ozu's ascetic visual style is here in all its glory with incredible characters and a minimalistic plot. The film is also possibly the saddest film I've ever seen. Based on what I heard about the story before I thought the film was going to be more moralistic than it actually was, the film is very objective in its portrayal of this postwar Japanese family. Even though this is my favorite film, I'm not sure if those unfamiliar to the slower Ozu style should start here, once I watch more Ozu films I'll find out which is the best introduction to his work. Anyone into family dramas, Japanese films, and slow films should definitely watch this film if they haven't already! If you've already seen it check out Late Spring and An Autumn Afternoon which are equally incredible.
I Lived, But... directed by Kazuo Inoue - 8.5/10
This documentary on the life and works of Yasujiro Ozu is the best documentary about a filmmaker I've ever seen. The film reveals many details about Ozu's life, working methods, and films that I never knew about and has great interviews. The only sad thing is that the film introduced me to another master director Sadao Yamanaka who's filmography for the most part is lost, and to interesting Ozu silent films which are also lost! I wish I had a time machine to save all the great lost films!