HANG OUT VOL.4

SOMETHING HAPPENSON THE SNOWY MOUNTAIN.

Chapter 02

2024.12.11

Edit:Yuri Sudo

HANG OUT VOL.4

HANG OUT VOL.4
SOMETHING HAPPENSON THE SNOWY MOUNTAIN.

In winter, it's snowy mountain movies.

There are movies that I want to watch when a new season comes. In spring, "April Story," in summer, "Kikujiro's Summer," and in autumn, "Autumn in New York." In winter, movies about snowy mountains are good. Love and suspense take place on snowy mountains, and the beautiful scenery is soul-cleansing. So, here are five of them.

Chapter 02 | SOMETHING HAPPENSON THE SNOWY MOUNTAIN.

No.1
On Her Majesty's Secret Service
(1969)

Love rating: ★★★★<br>
 Thrill level: ★★★★★<br>
 Extreme coldness level: ★★<br>
 Ski rating: ★★★★

Love rating: ★★★★
Thrill level: ★★★★★
Extreme coldness level: ★★
Ski rating: ★★★★

Love, skate, help.
A unique 007 story set in a snowy mountain.

In some ways, this film can be called a "legendary" one within the series.

Sean Connery, who had played James Bond up until then, retired after the previous film, "You Only Live Twice," and this film passed the baton to George Lazenby, who had no acting experience. However, Sean Connery's image of Bond was so strong that Lazenby announced during production that he would be stepping down after this film. So it was a one-off James Bond. Although the box office revenue was not so good at the time, it was later paid homage by famous creators, and it is a special example that has been highly evaluated in later generations.

The highlight of the film is the spectacular ski scene. Bond, now a spy, chases Blofeld, the mastermind, and ends up in the snowy mountains of Switzerland. Of course, he is discovered and tries to escape, but he skis down the snowy mountain. He does so with light footwork and a magnificent arc. When you hear that, it makes sense: apparently Lazenby was a ski instructor and even competed in competitions when he was young.

The cheap CG is a bit of a problem, but the series' usual flashy action and direction are still there, and the setting is a snowy mountain, giving 007 a different charm. There are also glimpses of a Swiss Christmas market, so there are plenty of elements of a winter movie. I recommend watching it with your partner or friends.

On Her Majesty's Secret Service

Bond is tasked with tracking down Blofeld, the mastermind behind the crime organization SPECTRE. A beautiful woman named Tracy appears before him, and the story moves forward. Bond infiltrates Blofeld's headquarters alone, only to discover that he is plotting a terrible plan to wipe out humanity. He launches a surprise attack to thwart the plot, but...

1969 / Peter Hunt / 130 minutes / UK

©️Everett Collection/amanaimages

©️Allstar/amanaimages (banner photo)

No.2
"The Hateful Eight"
(2015)

Love level: -<br>
 Thrill level: ★★★★★<br>
 Extreme coldness level: ★★★★★<br>
 Betrayal rating: ★★★★★

Love level: -
Thrill level: ★★★★★
Extreme coldness level: ★★★★★
Betrayal rating: ★★★★★

Snow and lies pile up,
To a spectacular ending.

Don't be surprised, but 80% of the film is set in the cabin, even though it's 168 minutes long. Still, it's Tarantino's skill that keeps it interesting, and the fact that it was nominated for three categories at the 88th Academy Awards is proof of that.

Eight unknown men and women gather at a mountain cabin where the film is set. A murder case leads them to try to discover each other's true intentions, but lies lead to more lies and an unexpected outcome. A gunfight ensues in the cabin, blood and flesh fly everywhere, and the closed-door atmosphere conveys a fishy smell from the screen. It is not a pleasant film, even to put it mildly, but on the other hand, the images of red blood flowing across the snowy fields are strangely beautiful. In addition to the story, we hope you will pay attention to these vivid images.

It's a painful movie that leaves the audience wondering who is lying, but there is one thing... I hope that the words muttered by one of the characters, "I'm the type of person who likes to spend Christmas with my family," are true.

"The Hateful Eight"

Eight men and women with their own reasons are stranded in a small mountain hut due to heavy snow. A murder case triggers the story to go awry, and their words and actions, which are covered in lies, start to reveal each person's true nature. What is the truth that is revealed as they spend the night together?

2015 / Quentin Tarantino / 168 minutes / USA

©️Capital Pictures/amanaimages

No.3
"Take me skiing"
(1987)

Love rating: ★★★★★<br>
 Thrill level: ★★★<br>
 Extreme coldness level: ★<br>
 Ski rating: ★★★★★

Love rating: ★★★★★
Thrill level: ★★★
Extreme coldness level: ★
Ski rating: ★★★★★

It is the bible for young people,
A piece that elevates skiing to fashion.

When you think of movies about snowy mountains, the first one that comes to mind is undoubtedly this one. Produced by Hoichoi Productions and starring Tomoyo Harada and Hiroshi Mikami, it is a masterpiece that beautifully combines romance, youth, and skiing.

In addition to being an interesting movie with a good tempo, it is only because of Hoichi Productions that they managed to pull off a skiing HOW TO. At the beginning, classmates including Fumio, played by Hiroshi Mikami, show us various ways to ski. It is extremely light-hearted, and makes you want to ski just like that.

By the way, Hoichoi Productions has previously published "The Way of Adultery" and "Good Restaurants in Tokyo," both of which are instructional books that deal seriously with seemingly silly themes. There are some similarities with this work.

Back to WataSuki. We must not forget the props that appear in the story. The Toyota Celica "GT-FOUR" that the characters drive was Toyota's first bevel gear full-time 4WD, released in 1986. Its form, described in advertisements as "streamlined," is flat and stylish from front to back. Thanks to this car, the idea that "skiing is a four-wheel drive" was instilled in people.

Furthermore, since mobile phones were not yet commonplace at the time, the amateur radio equipment featured in the film also drew attention. It was used as a means of communication in the snowy mountains, and some people even started obtaining qualifications after watching the film.

Looking at it again in this way, this film not only shows the equation of leisure called skiing, but also can be said to be a work that has elevated skiing from a sport to a fashion. Now in the Reiwa era, skiing is returning to being a "sport for those who have the time," but I hope that more people will watch WataSuki and casually visit snowy mountains.

"Take me skiing"

Fumio was a ski racer in his university days, but now he is working for a trading company and is a businessman who is bad at romance. On Christmas Eve, he goes to the slopes with a friend and meets Yu, an office worker, and falls in love at first sight. At Manza over the New Year holidays, the two confess their feelings to each other and start dating, but Fumio is unable to see her due to work. On Valentine's Day, what happens at Shiga Kogen and Manza?

1987 / Yasuo Baba / 98 minutes / Japan

No.4
"What happened in the French Alps"
(2014)

Love level: ★<br>
 Thrill level: ★★★★<br>
 Extreme coldness level: ★★★<br>
 Ski rating: ★★★★

Love level: ★
Thrill level: ★★★★
Extreme coldness level: ★★★
Ski rating: ★★★★

When faced with nature, one's true nature is revealed.

In nature, humans return to their original state. The mountain climbing staff at the editorial department often say this, and watching this film, I strongly feel that.

A family of four comes to France for a five-day ski vacation. At the beginning of the film, the four of them leisurely ski down a snowy mountain together, which seems to represent the family's wealth, but also to foreshadow the events that follow.

On the second day, the four of them are having lunch on the terrace of a restaurant when an avalanche occurs right before their eyes. The entire terrace is whited out, causing chaos for a time. Fortunately, there is no major damage, but the father's actions at the time cause controversy later. With his wife's suspicions, the children's conflicts, and family relationships changing, how will the father handle the situation?

In the midst of the great outdoors, where there is no escape, the smallness and strength of humans are highlighted. The magnificent music of the orchestra adds to this, making for a stomach-churning experience. Be prepared to watch.

"What happened in the French Alps"

A Swedish family is on a five-day ski vacation at a luxury resort in France. However, while eating lunch, an avalanche occurs right in front of them. Fortunately, no serious damage occurs, but the father's actions at the time destroy the family's relationships. During the remaining time of the vacation, the father tries to regain the trust of his wife and children, but...

2014 / Ruben Östlund / 118 minutes / Sweden, Denmark, France, Norway

©️Fredrik Wenzel

No.5
"On that Christmas night."
(2010)

Love rating: ★★★<br>
 Thrilling rating: ★<br>
 Extreme coldness level: ★★<br>
 Christmas rating: ★★★★★

Love rating: ★★★
Thrilling rating: ★
Extreme coldness level: ★★
Christmas rating: ★★★★★

There's no one right answer for Christmas.

The term "Christmas Bocchi" was coined in recent years. It refers to people who spend Christmas alone, and what a lonely five letters it is. I just want you to feel at ease. I would recommend this work to people like that.

This is an anthology-style work set in a small town in Norway, depicting the townspeople on a certain Christmas Eve. However, there is none of the happy mood that is typical of works that deal with such events. None of them are ordinary Eves.

Someone disguises himself as Santa and sneaks into his former home, someone helps a troubled couple give birth, and a man and woman in an affair face their fateful day. After watching this movie, you will surely be deeply reflecting on your relationships with your family and partner. On the other hand, Christmas loners will feel affirmed that not everyone has a happy Christmas. It is such a warm movie. You can also see a typical Nordic Christmas scene, so please watch until the last cut.

"That Christmas Night"

A group drama set on Christmas Eve in a small town in Norway. A man whose marriage has fallen apart, but still wants to give presents to children, disguises himself as Santa and sneaks into his old home. A boy sneaks out of his house to spend time with a Muslim girl who doesn't celebrate Christmas. A doctor helps a Kosovo couple who cannot return to their homeland give birth. Several events that happened on the same Christmas Eve intersect, and in the end...

2010 / Bent Hamer / 85 minutes / Norway, Germany, Sweden

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