Inu no eiga (2005) watch online HD

(Wanted to do a review, but it seems there isn't enough info to do that, so I'll have to place the review here. I've also had it published on an online magazine called Think Online,

Alright, moving on...)

Why did I ever want a dog? Why did I ever need a dog? Mika, 'Say, Marimo'

We feel you, Mika. Dogs have got to be the world's most polarising animals. Haters bitch about their smell, fangs and drool, while lovers bark about their loyalty and adorability. There are few who find residence in the 'they're alright' territory.

Which makes a film about dogs almost impossible to watch objectively. Thankfully, All About My Dog (Inu no Eiga in Japanese) isn't overly concerned with the conundrum, preferring instead to unabashedly proclaim its fascination with mutts. Seven Japanese directors from the film, anime and advertising industries explore the dog-human relationship in exquisitely crafted fashions. It loosely follows Kentaro Yamada (Shidou Nakamura), a timid media planner whose latest campaign for dog food is so stifling—not to mention utterly side-splitting—that it brings back memories of his childhood Shiba dog, Pochi. And weaved between this heart-warming tale are bursts of zaniness, from a spontaneous musical or a mockumetary to a dog's-eye-view of infatuation.

But as innocent as the subject matter is, its dissertation isn't. Drawing from frustrations within their respective fields, each director constructs a subtle criticism on the disorienting effect of capitalism. Be it the ludicrous demands of clients and management ('My Commercial: Lost Way') or the unquenchable desire to be first in anything ('My Dog Is No. 1!'), they skilfully juxtapose human irrationality against canine simplicity, exposing our blindness and need for earthbound fleabags like these as life guides.

Naturally, most anthologies are bound to produce some darlings and, unfortunately, some duds, and this is no different. Both Akira Nagai's 'Dog Talk', about a conversation with the inventor of a doggy-speak translator tool, and 'Coro in Love' by Shinsuke Sato, about a Pug who fantasises about a Pomeranian named Lily despite only seeing her tail, are unwelcome interruptions that do little to win more of our affection or our laughs. And the unnamed cream-coloured claymation puppy who's various antics are inserted in between stories becomes tiresome after repeated appearances. He's cute, but annoyingly overused. Kinda like Harajuku girls, maybe.

But 'Say, Marimo' by acclaimed commercial director Atsushi Sanada is a stunning closer. A tear-jerking, dual-perspective exploration of the mystical connection between a girl Mika (Aoi Miyazaki) and her dog Marimo. Sanada effectively utilises the text-on-black screen techniques of 1930s silent films while a richly textured soundtrack that trumpets all that is glorious about Japanese music. Complete with the aforementioned quote, it is also a poignant summation of the movie. All About My Dog may not be the definitive showreel of cinematic excellence from the land of the rising sun, but it beams enough warmth for our occasionally human-weary hearts to turn towards the panting grin of our ever-loyal best friend.

Dog movies are easy to be stereotyped as much as how dog has been man's best friend for thousands of years.

It seems to me that Isshin Inudou and other creators of this movie tried to get away from that, and there are some evidences there. One is how they have created an omnibus style of movie with 7 directors. The other is that dogs are not the leading roles in this movie. They always remain supportive roles, as people's companions. This movie is 'about' dogs, but it is a tale that is told from man to man.

Putting the main story of Pochi aside for now and speaking of other shorts, I think they're overall very nice, even though I think Koro the Pug's story could have been better. The movie constructs a solid 'image' of dogs in general by showing them (along humans) in different situations and in different perspectives, then brings a strong end to it. It is a little to typical, but I guess it's something that was necessary. I think it was a good ending. The animation right before the last short is quite impressive as well, I think I felt more so because I know many people who just get rid of their dogs so fast, just because they're not puppies anymore.

But in fact, the most impressive part of them all was Pochi, the last episode particularly so. When Yamada cries out Pochi's name the last time, to me it sounded like a cry of mixed emotions including yearning and regret. Last 3 shorts - Pochi, animation and Marimo story - have put together stories about parting with dogs, and they all do it in different ways. And Pochi's one has the deepest impact in it, because it consists people who had to part with their dogs by unexpected events, or those who have parted with their dogs and can't see them again, no matter how much they regret or yearn. In this short, the our usual conception/view of relation between man and dog is reversed. And therefore I found it very impressive and heart-aching. I think it was a story which will directly hit the hearts of those people who had to part with their dogs in other ways than by the dog aging.

'All about my dog' seems a little loose when we actually watch it, and I suspect that is because we are spellbound by dogs' unique charm. But looking back on it, I do think 'All about my dog' is an impressive and original movie. The way of storytelling overall was quite fresh and executed magnificently. And because of it, I claim this movie to stand on its own ground, apart from other dog movies. I think this movie makes us think a lot about how it has achieved it all, as well as about the relationship we have with our dogs.

This film brought me to tears when watching it, lots of touching moments.

It also has some humorous scenes though, for example the Bowlingual story, where a scientist was trying to invent a device that translate dogs speech as he wondering why the dogs always barks (telling) at him..

Overall this film has a total package of, happiness, sorrow and laughters well presented, excellent work on putting different stories and messages together.

It's a worth watching film especially if you are a dog lover, after all, it's 'All About My Dog'. ;)

Can probably be referred to as a series of loosely linked sketches, "All about my dog" seems to want to dare the audience to call it predictable. Indeed, this piece of cinematic work coming from Isshin Inudo and six other directors is not quite what I expected. I wouldn't try to make complete sense out of the over half-a-dozen sketches loosely linked by a very lovable dog called Poochi (Cantonese translation is "marble"). Suffice to say that you get just about everything - satire, comedy, poignancy, and even some surreal scenes with symbolism. And when you thought that movie was over, it laid on you the final fifteens minutes that is unrelated to everything that went on before, fifteen minute of heartbreaking depiction of the relationship between a loving owner and her dog. The visual alternates between POV images and written words (with translated subtitles) on a black screen, against emotionally rousing music in the background. Similar to the technique used in "Be with you", it takes the perspective of one party first, and then of the other. Pet owners who have experienced losing their pets (through the normal ageing process or otherwise) will be deeply touched by and empathise fully with this last sketch. A slight disappointment: Ito Mikasi, while looking absolutely as gorgeous as ever, plays only a very small part in this movie