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Nicedog777 · Joined: 22 Jun 2005 Posts: 35 Location: Japan.

Hello again, kind posters. I am curious about the movie scene in Japan. Do the newest American releases come out there relatively quickly, or am I going to have to wait to get my fix of the latest batch of fast food for the mind that Hollywood churns out? Also, how does Japanese film compare to American film?

I am a cinema junkie, in case you're wondering. Love movies, almost as much as books....

JimDunlop2 · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 2286 Location: Japan

You're picking the wrong country if you want movies released on time. On average, it's a few month's wait between when the movie hits the box offices in Japan from the time they stop playing in American theatres.

I'd say, if you got your friends/family to buy the DVD for any given movie just as soon as it was released, and mail it to you air-mail, you'd probably still see it a week before anyone else in Japan. (Give or take a couple weeks).

There are very few worldwide releases. The Matrix was. LOTR wasn't... And Star Wars III opens in about 2 weeks where I live. First sneak preview was last Saturday.

As for selection -- most of the Hollywood junk is standard fare. They have more foreign films here though... Just don't count on understanding them because the general rule is, original language is preserved with Japanese subtitles added. This can be doubly frustrating in the video store.

If you want more info, let me know here or by PM. I can x-ref to an old thread that discussed DVD movies and rentals in Japan. I just can't be bothered to look for it right now unless I know someone is interested... Wink

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

Movies--expensive and delayed, but nicely designed cinemas. They're steep enough so that you don't have people's heads blocking your views. And ohmygod, the souvenirs and trinkets that they sell!

It's also fairly easy (some might disagree, though--I guess it depends on where you are!) to get an account at your friendly neighborhood Tsutaya for rentals. A couple times a month, you can rent videos dirt-cheap.

d

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

may be going · Joined: 18 May 2004 Posts: 129 Location: australia

you can also buy software over the net for your comp. to make it a region free dvd player. cost me USD $20.

Synne · Joined: 06 Apr 2004 Posts: 269 Location: Tohoku

Popularity of a certain movie back home does not reflect how quickly it will be released over here in Japan.

Batman: Begins and Kingdom of Heaven took less then a week to be released in Japan.

Star Wars Episode III has only had one special day showing so far and has yet to be released.

Im a movie fanatic also and it isnt too bad, although sometimes movies will come ridiculously late, such as The Butterfly Effect which is being released in a few months into theaters up here.

About 50% of the time I am able to d/l a DVD quality movie off a torrent before the movie comes to theaters in Japan.

Lately I would say the speed of which movies are coming over is getting better.

In theaters now up in my area to give you an idea are:

Danny the Dog
Hitch
Batman:Begins
War of the Worlds
Winbleton
The Scarlet Letter
The Forgotten
Million Dollar Baby
The Ring 2
Sahara
Hostage
Kingdom of Heaven

Hope this helps.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Yup, movies here are expensive, about 1800 yen unless you are a woman on "ladies day", or unless you can attend the first day of the month, or at the last showing of the day (at which times it may be 1000 yen).

Also, don't know what it's like in other countries, but here, they actually assign your seats, so you can't choose where to sit.

carlspackler · Joined: 08 Sep 2004 Posts: 9 Location: Tochigi

At any major theatre chain tickets for regular shows are 1800 yen, but shows after 8:00 pm (called Late Shows) are 1200 yen. Plus, many theatres have a women's day, a men's day, and a couple's day where tickets for the whole day are 1000 yen. (Note the a couple refers to one man and one woman only.) Plus, as mentioned above, the first of the month is also 1000 yen. These tickets prices seem to be standard throughout the country.

Also, you CAN choose your seat when you buy your ticket, but the seat is reserved, so you can't change it after you've purchased the ticket. Actually I find purchasing movie tickets here inordinately cumbersome, like buying an airline ticket.

But the theatre's are top-notch in terms of quality. Wide comfortable seats, state-of-the-art sound systems, cupholders. And they even serve beer!

JimDunlop2 · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 2286 Location: Japan

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

No reserved seats where I live, but then it could just be me sitting where I feel like. The cinemas are almost always empty. The busiest showing I've seen was Dances with Wolves, I mean the Last Samurai which was about 40% full.
Yes, top notch theatres, I go to a Warner Mycal.

Synne · Joined: 06 Apr 2004 Posts: 269 Location: Tohoku

Foreign Discount/University Student Discount up here is 1000yen any show, any time excluding special pre showings.

Nicedog777 · Joined: 22 Jun 2005 Posts: 35 Location: Japan.

That paints an interesting picture, and helps a lot. While I can't say I am looking forward to the long delay in releases, or the cash required to see a movie (1800 yen? That's crack prices!), it's nice to know that some movies come out over there fast, and that there are discounts now and then. Also, the idea of having a brew while watching a good flick in a theatre just makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside...

I might just have to invest in a region free DVD player.

If I think of anything else, I'll be sure and let you all know.

Thanks again. It feels like I already have friends over there.

Very Happy