Monthly Archives: August 2020

Media Mix, Aug. 30, 2020

Posted on August 30, 2020 by philipbrasor

Here’s this week’s Media Mix, which is about the popular TBS drama series, Hanzawa Naoki 2. As pointed out in the column, the dramatic elements of the production are purposely exaggerated, especially the acting, which is at least partially based … Continue reading →

Posted in Media | Tagged | Leave a comment

Review: In Syria

Posted on August 22, 2020 by philipbrasor

Narrative films that take as their subject current affairs face a dilemma in terms of execution. How much of the story will be irrelevant or even incorrect in years to come? What sort of viewpoint should the direction take, or … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged | Leave a comment

Review: Booksmart

Posted on August 21, 2020 by philipbrasor

This American teen comedy, focusing almost exclusively on the girls’ experience, is blessed with one of the best titles of recent memory. “Booksmart” implies a brain full of stuff derived from reading materials and outside sources rather than from experience. … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged | Leave a comment

Media Mix, Aug. 16, 2020

Posted on August 16, 2020 by philipbrasor

Here’s this week’s Media Mix about recent cases of child molestation by school teachers and childcare professionals. As pointed out in the column, the crime of sexual abuse generally becomes more difficult to prove and prosecute when the victim is … Continue reading →

Posted in Media | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Review: The Divine Fury

Posted on August 14, 2020 by philipbrasor

Though Korean movies still find wider distribution in Japan than do movies from other countries outside of the U.S., some Korean movies have an easier time of it than others. The fact that this occult actioner features Park Seo-jun, who … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged | Leave a comment

Media Mix, Aug. 2, 2020

Posted on August 2, 2020 by philipbrasor

Here’s this week’s Media Mix about the fall of the Japanese apparel industry as a result of the coronavirus crisis. As I mentioned, the industry was already failing even before the pandemic. The Big Three—Renown, Onward, and Sanyo Shokai—were struggling … Continue reading →

Posted in Media | Tagged | Leave a comment