To keep it simple; I just bought early summer and wasn't completely satisfied with it in comparison to my other Ozu movies.
I'm thinking that I should trade it for Late Spring but according to IMDB reviews, it seems like it's just a combination of tokyo story and early summer.
I currently own Tokyo Story, both Floating Weeds, and now Early Summer.
What are your favorite Ozu films?
You definitely should see Early Spring. It is my favorite. All Ozu movies overlap a little in terms of theme, but it's the endless variation within those themes (and the occasional uncharacteristic choices) that are so wonderful and charming. If you accept this, then you can enjoy all Ozu movies instead of looking for something radically different.
I just wached Early Summer and really loved it. Not as much as Tokyo Story or Late Spring, but very very close. I've also seen both Floating Weeds and love them as well. I really want to see some more, but I guess I'll have to wait till more comes out on DVD.
Great, thank you! I'll get my hands on it as soon as possible. Have you seen Miyazaki's Ugetsu? I just watched my criterion of it again last night. Great film, great extras, includes a book with original Uedo stories.
shareYes I love Ugetsu. It is a masterpiece. I think Mizoguchi did it though, not Miyazaki.
Also, in my original reply to your message, I meant to say "Late Spring" not "Early Spring" (which doesn't exist, I don't think) HAHA easy to get confused with these seasonal films!
There is an "Early Spring", so be careful: I thought you actually meant that film, which is also great, although maybe not at the top. It has to do with a bored young office worker who starts an affair with a girl at work and ends up neglecting his wife.
shareWow, cool. I want to see it! :)
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there will be snacks.
Early Summer, Tokyo Story 10/10
Late Spring 9/10
The Flavor of Green Tea Over Rice, Early Spring, Equinox Flower, Good Morning, Floating Weeds, Late Autumn, End of Summer, An Autumn Afternoon 8/10
If you didn't enjoy "Early Summer", you should watch it again. Ozu can disappoint you the first time around, then on reviewing, you wonder how you could have failed to appreciate so many wonderful things.
I think that Late Spring is hands down the best of the six i've seen, the others being Floating weeds 1 & 2, Tokyo Story, Early Summer, and Tokyo Twilight.
shareI actually did not like Tokyo Story as much as I think I should have, considering it's one of the cornerstones of the cinema and all that. I found it rather listless and a little dragging toward the end. 8/10
Early Summer, on the other hand, kept me in rapt attention until the very end, when Noriko breaks down completely. It's one of my favorites and an easy 10/10 (and those are quite rare).
Late Spring is part Tokyo Story, Part Early Summer (like you said), but it's more Early Summer IMO, and for that I loved it and gave it 9/10.
A Story Of Floating Weeds was a 9/10 as well, it showed a less composed side of Ozu that I wouldn't mind getting another glimpse of. I must watch his remake soon, it's sitting on my shelf.
But yeah, Early Summer is my favorite of all his films so far, and the greatest to boot.
Believe me, you don't want Hannibal Lecter inside your head."
i like tokyo twilight the best.
shareI greatly recommend the early I Was Born, But... It is both hilariously funny and heartbreaking. It's been unavailable on DVD thus far, but I believe Criterion is releasing it this April.
Also, Late Spring, Early Summer and Tokyo Story are all beautiful films.
"I Was Born, But..." is one of my favorites. I also really like the similar "Ohayo"
sharehm... I've only seen I Was Born, But..., A Story of Floating Weeds, Late Spring, Early Summer, and Floating Weeds. Out of those, I think Floating Weeds just barely edges itself out over the rest. The visuals are great and the sounds of the island and the music used in it strike a deep nostalgia in me.
sharei've seen Tokyo Story, Late Spring and Early Summer so far, rated all three of them 6/10
not bad movies, but i don't have the slightest urge to rewatch them
so many movies, so little time