The Wonderful World of Juzo Itami

Films mentioned in this video:
Supermarket Woman
Tampopo
Woman in Witness Protection
The Gentle Art of Japanese Extortion
The Last Dance
The Funeral
A Quiet Life
Tales of a Golden Geisha
A Taxing Woman
A Taxing Woman Returns
Rubber Band Pistol
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I love movies

[@jimmythethird5514]

Now we need a video on Abbas Kiarostami and Allan King

[@joeltalksaboutmovies]

I adore both of them and you'll be pleasantly surprised what the next video is :)

[@altonkatz2041]

He already mentioned the koker trilogy in a video

[@jimmythethird5514]

@@altonkatz2041 yea but he’s yet to mention Close-Up or Taste of Cherry i think

[@p1nh3dlarry72]

Supermarket Woman is one of the most fun and playful films I’ve seen in recent memory, bit of a shame that people don’t seem to talk about it a lot. Thank you for bringing more attention to it.

[@wrightexe1]

Hey Joel, have you seen the Before Trilogy? A lot of your movies remind me of those movies- it’s a lot of long takes with great conversation. Hope you’re doing well.

[@joeltalksaboutmovies]

I have seen the Before Trilogy! I love them as a package more than any one entry one its own. I think the time-spanning examinations of love are really beautiful and brutal. I enjoyed the first two a lot and found the third one inferior in ways but a fitting conclusion no less.

[@wrightexe1]

@@joeltalksaboutmovies I heard Ethan Hawke describe the trilogy as “what might be, what should be, and what is.” I agree, the third is probably the worst, but I wonder if I feel that way because it’s the most unpleasant. What do you find lacking about it?

[@dwezel]

I loved the high speed sandwich handoff scene in the funeral. Such a quirky scene. I was cracking up at the oddness of what was happening.

[@joeltalksaboutmovies]

Believe it or not that scene got me teary eyed, it felt like such a beautiful way to say that once death comes knocking, the scariest part is already over. Navigating that initial fear is like trying to hand a sandwich between two moving cars, but once you do you have a sandwich.

[@dwezel]

@@joeltalksaboutmovies and at the end of the day, that’s all we ever want… a sandwich. There’s definitely some pent up emotion being released in that scene for sure. The juxtaposition of the thrilling scene mixed with their creeping emotion is very effective.

[@zark212]

Exactly. Its pure class How only Juzo Itami could have made such a scene. Its like the entire premise of a Funeral and all they can think about is passing each other food on a speeding Highway lol. The fact they are in a Mini car kind kind of adds to it. I still laugh about it today. Timeless.

[@dennisscott1304]

You know, I think I enjoy this channel even more than your comedy bit stuff. I'm beginning to realize listening to people ramble about their passions is often more entertaining than the things created to be entertainment!

[@BeBackWhenever]

this channel is amazing for my list of movies to watch

[@KBer1]

Beautiful commentary! I watched Supermarket Woman once on a long distance bus between two cities in Japan and never forgot it. I then watched Tanpopo and am now watching all of this guy's films. Juzo is fantastic. The blending of emotions and genre bending in these films is incredible. Thank you for reviewing Juzo. I am going to follow your channel!

[@doglamflar6617]

I’m not a huge movie person, like I love movies and want to learn more but I’m not super knowing about people or anything, so I’m glad you made this channel cus ur like the only person I could watch make this stuff just cus

[@cine-moose2196]

I love these films; I agree with your rankings primarily. "A Quiet Life" has such gorgeous colours. Don't worry about the pronunciation, you try your best and it's the thought that counts. I got called out for my pronunciation as well when I did a ranking of Itami's work.

[@willyblonka1813]

Same thing happened to me but it was Tampopo, the after that my love for Itami just unfolded its amazing. Rip to da real one.

[@guyinplaid3472]

Hey Joel, what do you think of David Lynch's filmography? You seem to, from what I can tell, particularly enjoy films that are specifically about empathy or complex human emotions, and I feel Lynch is one of the most appreciative of these elements of writing, in his usual surreal sense. Love listening to you talk about movies! A person with a passion is something wonderful, that's for sure.

[@Ace1nstinct]

Joel, are you going to watch “The Whale” when it comes out? I would cry if Brendan Fraser gets an award off of that movie, he’s deserving of it after all of the things he’s been through.

[@ryanrockers]

You definitely have seen more movies than me Joel. I haven't seen any of those. I just watched the DC Super-Pets movie tonight. It was funny.

[@zeblunz7882]

What I love about Tampopo is that it’s this huge food fetish kind of movie. It’s about passion and love and sex and its whole theme is all beautifully explained in the ending credits shot when it show a baby breast feeding. It might be weird for modern audiences (maybe even for the audience for it’s time) but I just love the personality of the film and it’s incredible love letter to food and taking it to the next level of specialty. Great movie! Definitely gonna watch more by Juzo!

[@treverroll3075]

Hey Joel, never forget apologies to internet commenters are wasted breath and a waste of the overall audiences time. You don’t owe the world any apologies.

[@sethsteckino6090]

Idk if this is strictly legal, but if you ever streamed yourself watching movies and just shooting the shoot over it, id for sure tune into that. Love hearing your thoughts on movies.

[@Seth_M-T]

Joel Haver commentaries would be pretty cool! Instead of streaming the movie (which isn't legal), he could record an audio commentary as he watches the movie, and then you can simply watch the movie yourself with the audio playing over it.

[@offbrand458]

How do I become a Chad film enjoyer?

[@raimuEight]

I just watched Tampopo for free on KZbin (shout out to those brave souls who just randomly upload banger movies with no regard for KZbin's copyright policies). Holy shit, what a great movie! This movie had me laughing, cheering, crying, tense, and everything in between. Definitely up there as an all time favorite! I will for sure be checking out the rest of this guy's work

[@deadpxn3517]

nice aspect ratio

[@rohanimations]

filmed on an IMAX camera

[@ForlornFoundry]

Tampopo also hits a very deep part of my heart. As I've gotten older and watched the movie again over the years I've found the weird flashy comedy that I love, took a backseat to the genuine wholesome genuine moments the character's have over food. My view on the bit with the dieing wife used to be a weird funny tangent; to one of the heaviest parts of the movie for me on my last watch. Great movies to me, allow me to watch it again and have them tell me how I've changed as a person as I've gotten older. Hoping to watch Minbo this week :D Great video Joel!

[@NoahCross1]

Hell yeah, Itami has sooo many great movies... He's mostly remembered for Tampopo, but Funeral is just as good, and Supermarket Woman, both Taxing Woman movies and Minbo are just... perfect genre films. He is a total master of creating fascinating kingdoms and dissecting them lovingly.

[@NoahCross1]

BTW: Welcome Back, Mr. McDonald. not made by Itami but heavily inspired by him, and a great film in its own right.

[@zanamarana]

Why does life imitating art rarely mean something good for the artist?

[@sushi_donut]

To randomly find Supermarket Woman is like a gift from the universe 😁 Joel's convos are the best.

[@Seth_M-T]

I have to say, Joel, this channel is wonderful. I remember thinking to myself a few months ago "Man, I would love there to be a channel where Joel talks about movies", but I didn't expect that to happen so literally! I know this kind of content could never be as popular as your sketches, but it's such a treat to see you talk passionately about art. It's channels like this that make KZbin so special. Please continue to experiment with these videos and discuss whatever subject matters you find interesting. By the way, I watched all three of the Sam Raimi Spider-Man films thanks to you. They're so much fun! I've seen them all three times now, simply because I enjoy spending time with those characters. As for diving into a director's filmography, I've recently been exploring the works of Hirokazu Kore-eda. I watched Nobody Knows (2004) to begin with and absolutely loved it, and have since watched Shoplifters (2018) and Still Walking (2008). They've all been a hit so far. I highly recommend checking out his work!

[@tommymarco]

you listed some really good films i also want to check out , so thank you :)

[@dopaminecloud]

Superb director that one.

[@lunchmeat9118]

After this video I checked out supermarket woman. Holy shit. I think you even underselled it lmao

[@deadmo1]

Very fun video to watch Joel, thanks for this

[@blakewilliamsfilms]

There's kinda nothing more beautiful than seeing repeating themes or collaborators in a director's work; shows you really earnestly what type of person they were and what meant something to them in their life

[@imclueless8235]

Just randomly stumbled on this channel and I’m kind of glad I did.

[@deadmo1]

oh my god , you are about to find gems of immesurable quality.

[@MangomanGames]

watched tampopo for the first time last week and since that have binged most of his other films. itami has such a unique and distinct directorial voice and it's fucking insane the quality and quantity of films he put out in such a short amount of time. banger after banger after banger

[@diabalotia]

joel have you seen any films from Lasse Åberg before? i find they are similar to juzo itami in many ways, in that they deconstruct and make light of a common modern activity / place (often a holiday or sport in Åberg's case rather than the supermarket or a funeral like Itami) - i think you would really enjoy them (i hope so anyway)

[@Bulldozer4000]

You keep making videos on movies/directors with eerie timing right when I get introduced to them. First Ozu and now Juzo Itami. They were showing Tampopo at a small local cinema and I thought it was great. Such an oddball of a movie yet so pure and novel. Needless to say I went to eat ramen the next day.

[@bottombarrelbudgetfilms1854]

I will definitely check out this director and start with that movie you mentioned first!

[@Pocket_Rob]

Just watched Tampopo. Loved it. In a ramen shop now waiting for my bowl. Cheers.

[@michelnormandin8068]

Great vid jeune homme. Love your enthusiasm and spontaneity.

[@jenniferbauman]

My Criterion list is soo long. 😅 I've only watched three films on it, In The Mood For Love, Cameraperson, and What Is A Woman? Now I have to add more. Ha!

[@filmezki]

Great to see the love for Itami! I just posted a super cut of some his films (all the ones I could find in HD quality). Would love to hear your thoughts on it! 🇯🇵⭐️

[@nikbrickkbsgaming4117]

Just finished tompopo loved it. Bout to watch supermarket women

[@Emily_Travels]

The advice to watch more stuff by the same director is not weird/bad at all! No joke, a couple months back I watched Kill Bill for the first time. I looked into Quentin Tarantino and was like, oh boy, this is the guy who directed Pulp Fiction (which I also still hadn't seen at the time) so started binging his stuff. Since that time, whenever I now watch a mind-blowing good movie, I just binge the directors work. I'm an absolute cinephile though, and my problem is that I like all genres except for bloody-horror (Saw, for instance.) A thing that I used to do was just like: Oh, I like 'The Phantom of the Opera', I want to watch that movie again, but new. So then I'd watch every single version of POTO all the way back to the silent movies. Which, btw, is also interesting to do. Watch 1 story and see how each director puts their own spin on it.

[@Shiro786]

"Rubber Band Pistol" - is that where Oda came up with Luffy's main attack? Damn!

[@tylerdurden9902]

I’m going to watch supermarket woman tonight. Thanks for sharing this, I like this style of content and hearing your thoughts on movies. Looking forward to the next video. Have a great day Joel!

[@maximilian6830]

Have you seen Stalker, Joel? I’m planning to watch it soon and I would like to know your thoughts.

[@st_orlie]

Hey Joel, it would be cool if you did a video on Robert Downey Sr. One of the great low budget filmakers to come out of the underground 60s scene. Thanks.

[@joeltalksaboutmovies]

That's a great idea! I've only seen Putney Swope but once I explore more of his filmography I'm sure I'd have some things to say!

[@st_orlie]

@@joeltalksaboutmovies awesome, and enjoy. It's a trip.

[@cr4cktr0]

Immediately went to check out Tampopo after watching this video. All smiles throughout. Thank you, Joel.

[@thomasvettikad]

bro, i didn't know you had a letterboxd user channel. w videos

[@jackmehoff2363]

You should check out a low budget comedy "eulogy" holy fuck that movie is good

[@no-pq6fl]

i had to stop watching this video 40 seconds in to watch supermarket woman and now i have to do it again for tampopo not complaining though it was an awesome movie

[@gumbyno5808]

Your country is so lucky to have the Criterion Channel

[@tryggjohnson]

Would love to see a video about your thoughts on Jacques Tati

[@joeltalksaboutmovies]

I adore Tati and could definitely see myself doing a video on him!

[@aleccomrie4721]

Thank you for your recommendations as always Joel! Please keep them coming :)

[@notsure1969]

Looks like I've got some new movies to watch.

[@tommymarco]

these videos are old school youtube - the best there is . even the aspect ratio !!!

[@Topcatyo.]

Gonna have to check these films out, I always appreciate the recommendations

[@ihopcsx]

We dig your style Joel

[@joevining2603]

pro-NUN-see-au-shun

[@ShiningBulbasaur]

[@ancientdweller309]

this was nice

[@mattohoshi]

I remember you recommending Super Market Woman at the time and I had only ever seen Tampopo then and was not aware of Juzo Itami's other work. I watched it that night and absolutely adored it. I think I spent the next week watching Itami's entire catalogue. He is now one of my favourites and I have you to thank for putting me on to him. Thanks Joel!

[@joeltalksaboutmovies]

Aww I'm really glad you checked Supermarket Woman out and his whole catalog. He's one of my favorites as well, his movies provide me so much every time.

[@hugzonline537]

I haven't heard about all the movies you mentioned here. I loved hearing you talk about them so I'll have to check them out! :D

[@todayidrewapig]

I watched Tampopo a while back but had a pretty bad time because I can't stand the sound of people eating haha. Might have to check out his less food-related films now. I'm curious, Mr. Haver, have you seen many movies by Leos Carax? I had a similar experience where I kind of stumbled on his movies and immediately felt like I had to see all of them.

[@Jordan_brothers]

I watched a brilliant movie last night called Waking Life. I think you'd really enjoy it. It's a rotoscope animated film similar to your style of animation and it's one of those films that leaves you contemplating life itself after you've watched it.

[@deadmo1]

my favorite movie ever, and funny enough , its all i could think about watching this youtube video. i discovered that he was the guy tht made fear and loathing in las vagas after seeing Waking Life 20+ times.

[@Jordan_brothers]

@@deadmo1 it's so good it's definitely in my top 5 favourite movies. Joel would love it imo

[@deadmo1]

@@Jordan_brothers there is no way he has not seen it, lets be realistic

[@deadmo1]

@@PTV69420 yes, that anime is mental. i wanted a season 2 so bad. also i wanted to read the actual poem book , and its unreadable. or at least, i was not as flabbergasted as I hoped to be, for real.

[@joeltalksaboutmovies]

I watched Waking Life twice a long time ago and remember really enjoying it. Of course the visuals are amazing and dynamic, and some of the conversations really stuck with me. I'd be curious how I'd feel nowadays!

[@booberminfranklin3652]

My first two films of his were Tampopo and Super Market Woman too. He’s the type of filmmaker I want to be. Upbeat, tightly made, and very creative.