We Are X (2016)

Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

This was an amazing documentary to see on the Japanese rock band X Japan. It tells their story from the beginnings to current and is very informative. They also included many of their songs for the soundtrack, If you like Japanese rock music or just rock music in general then please see this as you will enjoy it! I give 'We Are X' a 8/10

Once again I am blown away to learn of a fantastic sounding band that I'd never heard or even heard of before. How is it that bands like this are ignored by the mainstream companies here in the US? Rather than blame low sales on downloads and music sharing they should consider the fact that they tend to hang on to outdated acts while ignoring new ones. That this band could have been popular around the world since the 1980s and never made it big here in the states astounds me.The band being discussed is X Japan, formed in 1982 by drummer/composer Yoshiki and vocalist Toshi. The film opens with their preparations to perform at Madison Square Garden in 2014. As they prepare for the show we are presented with interviews, mostly with Yoshiki, talking about his life and what drew him to perform and create music. Faced with the tragic news of his father's suicide as a child he talks of how that was the catalyst to change his life.The band wasn't hugely successful the first year it was formed but a growing following developed and by 1989 they were a huge hit. Sales of their albums around the world was in the millions. But never here in the US. That didn't stop them from achieving the popularity they did worldwide. But they still dreamed of making it big here.The story of the band is marked with tragedy as well as success. Where most documentaries about bands deal with the excess of success, the overabundance of drugs and women and loss of fortune due to spending, none of that is visible here. Instead we're presented with a story of the individuals in the band focusing mostly on its founders. The others are discussed as well but it is the things that happened in the lives of these two that mostly led the band to the path they traveled.Yoshiki's life was filled with tragedy at various points. His health has always been an issue as well. Dealing with asthma he often collapses on stage his performances are so physically demanding. Oxygen tanks are kept on hand just to help him recover. He wears a neck brace for injuries sustained while performing. He has carpal tunnel and wears a wrist band. And yet he plays like a whirling dervish, amazing to witness.Toshi had his own demons to deal with. A fantastic rock singer (who reminded me of Klaus Meine of Scorpion fame) there came a time in his life when Toshi met and fell in love with a woman he eventually married. What he didn't know was that she was part of a cult that slammed the music of X Japan and that they successfully pulled Toshi away from the band causing it to break up. This led to more tragedies I won't discuss, instead leaving them for those who choose to watch the film to learn of on their own.The intersecting lives of these two men formed the basis for some amazing rock music, orchestral at times and pulsating as well. After watching the film I found myself wanting to do something I haven't done in years, visit a record store in search of music by this band. Knowing the story behind the scenes makes their music even more touching.The film includes not just behind the scenes footage of the band and performances new and old but comments and discussions with others who enjoy the band. Fans fill the frame multiple times here. Stan Lee, who created a comic with Yoshiki is here as are Marilyn Manson and Gene Simmons who proclaims had they made it in the US they would have been the biggest band ever. It is a fascinating documentary on the biggest band you never heard of and well worth investing time in.Extras on the blu-ray include deleted scenes, deleted interviews, Sugio Yoshiki on WE AR X, a performance of "Forever Love" from their last live performance (the original lineup), a performance of "Kurenai" from their last live performance (the original lineup) and "Born to be Free", a fan video.This is a movie that you can enjoy more than once and one I know I'll add to my collection. I may have to add a few of their CDs to that collection as well.

Here's my review of #XJapan new documentary, #WeAreX which I think is a quintessential and revealing look at one of earth's biggest rock bands. With archival footage and in-depth interviews, WE ARE X basically gives the fans access into the personal lives of Yoshiki and his bandmates and their dramas.Every band has their ups and downs, many still blame Yoko Ono for splitting the Beatles, for example, I'm just one of those who cherish them solely for their music. X JAPAN fans, however, are in a class all by their own. Their commitment to their idols can reach the point of suicide, literally. They're intense, unlike any other.Now, I grew up in Asia, so I've heard about X Japan, though I didn't grow up a fan of theirs particularly. So when I did meet Yoshiki in person and interviewed him a few weeks ago at this film's press day, o yes, I was very much aware that I was in the presence of a rock icon. The question is how will American audiences receive this film? It's the same question of how will they receive X Japan, I'm guessing they'd be driven by curiosity more than anything else. That's why WE ARE X docu is helpful, it can introduce X Japan's music and story to a whole new region and a whole new generation who may not have been there on other parts of the world in the '80s and '90s.I think director Stephen Kijak approaches this documentary in a very basic, very chronological way, which I think is a smart move if its goal is to embrace new audiences, you have to start at the beginning and that's what WE ARE X does. Mostly led by Yoshiki, the founder of the band, we get to see how they formed, when Sony signed them, we get to see the personalities of each member and why their vocalist decided to leave, so on and so forth. And all throughout, Kijak incorporates not only X Japan's music but also all sorts of visual that appropriately fits in the moment at hand, especially when dealing with someone like Yoshiki who is clearly philosophical. So what you get at times while watching this film is a series of what can be described as spiritual montage or music videos.When other rock stars are too busy snorting cocaine and banging groupies, Yoshiki prefers facing existential questions. I lost count on how many times this film mentions the word 'death,' on top of the band going through tragedy after tragedy after tragedy. And because of that, there is something therapeutic and enlightening about watching WE ARE X, even if you are not necessarily a believer. Yoshiki is so deep in his thoughts and so articulate and profound in his speech, that I think he's just as charismatic as John Lennon was. Maybe that's the secret to great songwriting, which is to never stop questioning the mysteries of life and putting all those things down in music and lyrics.When you watch WE ARE X, it's fun watching X Japan when they were younger with their big colorful hair and crazy lookin' clothes and now that they're older, they're more calmed in their presentation. There's still that visual rock that made them a phenomenon but the spectacle is much more controlled now, and perhaps that comes with age and wisdom.-- Rama's Screen --

It's a great film about X Japan - one of the most unusual and flamboyant rock bands of the 20th century. It chronicles their rise to superstardom. X-Japan blew up traditional rock music and became the founders of J-rock, a musical genre that is becoming increasingly popular all over the world. Their role in the musical world can be compared to such rock giants as The Rolling Stones.Director Stephen Kijak was able to get into the spirit of this incredible story and created an amazing, brutally honest film. He used plenty of unique photos and videos from the group's personal archives, for example, a video by David Lynch. The film mesmerizes by its brightness and dynamism. The narrative changes fast, moving from everyday life to Yoshiki Hayashi's (the leader of the band) thoughts about life and death, and it shows that the life of musicians includes a lot of hard work and taking things to the limit.Backstage footage from rehearsals and concerts, as well as interviews with band members where they talk about their youth, personal tragedies, losses and moments of triumph. Footage from the archive chronicles other important moments such as the split of the band and their last concert, the death of one of the guitarists, vocalist who got under the influence of the sect and reunion of the band many years later, all these events are proved by archive footage. There are also videos of the concert to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Emperor Akihito's ascension, from Tokyo Dome and Madison Square Garden concerts. Interviews with Gene Simmons, Marylin Manson and Stan Lee, who respect the art of the band and personally know Yoshiki Hayashi. And during the whole film, you can hear the fantastic music of X Japan.It is a life story of the musicians who had they ups and downs, times of happiness and pain, story about overcoming and moving forward. The film is worth watching to find out about musicians from Japan who conquered the hearts of people all over the world.