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Rating: 
Summary: Haunting journey to a lost Japan
Review: A prodigiously dull tour through the less-seen islands and coastlands of Japan, narrated by an American expatriate and author who relocated in order to experience "the real Japan." His pompous prose irritates and bores by turns, and is maddeningly self-centered. He praises uncritically all things Japanese, and castigates the evil West (a familiar, if tiresome theme). "Sex makes, in its own way, the ideal souvenir" is just one of the dubious gems of this skippable travelogue. Conceivably useful for students of Japanese culture, it is to be hoped that the viewer will exercise more discernment than did the author. Though my family normally loves travel videos, we voted this one a must-skip for all but the most determined insomniac.
Rating: 
Summary: Nice scenery -- terrible script!
Review: A prodigiously dull tour through the less-seen islands and coastlands of Japan, narrated by an American expatriate and author who relocated in order to experience "the real Japan." His pompous prose irritates and bores by turns, and is maddeningly self-centered. He praises uncritically all things Japanese, and castigates the evil West (a familiar, if tiresome theme). "Sex makes, in its own way, the ideal souvenir" is just one of the dubious gems of this skippable travelogue. Conceivably useful for students of Japanese culture, it is to be hoped that the viewer will exercise more discernment than did the author. Though my family normally loves travel videos, we voted this one a must-skip for all but the most determined insomniac.
Rating:
Summary: The Japan I loved
Review: Basically footages of Japan off the usual tourist track and nothing more. There are still many beatiful towns in Japan today so I don't see how this film captured anything lost or vanishing in Japan. Besides, its so boring! His narration is self centered talking about Japanese culture as if he knows something about it(he doesn't). He also focuses on women, young japanese women too much making me think that this love affair with Japan is more of a love affair with its women - he stereo types them as docile, submissive and "made to please man" types.
Rating:
Summary: More about His own inner fantasies than reality.
Review: Basically footages of Japan off the usual tourist track and nothing more. There are still many beatiful towns in Japan today so I don't see how this film captured anything lost or vanishing in Japan. Besides, its so boring! His narration is self centered talking about Japanese culture as if he knows something about it(he doesn't). He also focuses on women, young japanese women too much making me think that this love affair with Japan is more of a love affair with its women - he stereo types them as docile, submissive and "made to please man" types.
Rating:
Summary: documentary as poetry
Review: Inland Sea is a documentary based on Richie's book of the same name.It transcends this form, however, to become a truly unique vision of one man's love affair with a Japan that has all but vanished.It is best to see along with reading the book. It is well worth every penny.
Rating:
Summary: documentary as poetry
Review: Inland Sea is a documentary based on Richie's book of the same name.It transcends this form, however, to become a truly unique vision of one man's love affair with a Japan that has all but vanished.It is best to see along with reading the book. It is well worth every penny.
Rating:
Summary: The Japan I loved
Review: The Inland Sea is a beautifully made documentary which is really more poetry than documentary. I was born in Japan and I can smell, touch and feel the flavor. This is really more like a European art film than a documentary and Donald Richie is very funny and wry. I cried at the end. A must for those who truly understand Japan.
Rating:
Summary: Haunting journey to a lost Japan
Review: The Inland Sea is a film version of Donald Richie's celebrated memoir. Uncannily, the film closely follows the interior nature of the book, and the truly beautiful images match the lost villages and shrines Richie described forty years ago. He sensitively narrates his own poetic prose, which has moments of wry humour. If you've ever visited rural Japan, you won't believe your eyes. It re-captures the whole mood and you can watch this film over and over again.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful and atmospheric
Review: The Inland Sea is a gorgeous and fascinating look at an area of Japan most Westerners know nothing about. I loved it so much that as soon as it was over, I started it over and watched it again all the way through.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful and atmospheric
Review: The Inland Sea is a gorgeous and fascinating look at an area of Japan most Westerners know nothing about. I loved it so much that as soon as it was over, I started it over and watched it again all the way through.
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