Movielogr
Rudy Maxa's World Exotic Places: Japan (2017)
Directed by Rudy Maxa
Twitter Facebook Google+Overview
Travel journalist Rudy Maxa and Washington, D.C. restaurateur Daisuke Utagawa present three distinct regions of Japan, focusing on the nation’s food and food producers. From the ramen of the northern island of Hokkaido, to the sushi of Tokyo, to the Wagyu beef raised on the southern island of Kyushu, food is a window on the soul of Japan.
Length 75 minutes
Actors
Viewing History (seen 1 time)
| Date Viewed | Device | Format | Source | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06/29/2019 | TV | DVD | Library | 7 stars |
| (Average) 7 stars |
Viewing Notes
Another DVD off the “new” shelf in the documentary section. Wasn’t in TMDb so I added it while I was at the library. Probably not the thing I should be watching right now but when you can’t go to Japan these kinds of travelogue docs are the next best thing. Sorta. I am fascinated by this guy Rudy Maxa who travels all over the world and makes these docs for a PBS series.
So Rudy is basically a surrogate for the everyday middle America old white guy. He’s generally ignorant of the places they visit and the culture and the country. He makes the dumbest comments and elects to KEEP them in the final cut for the episode. Mispronounces so many words (his butchering of “onsen” as AHN-sin over and over is grating). It makes all the sense in the world why he has a long running travelogue TV show.
All that said, his guide Daisuke is the savior of this collection of episodes. Daisuke is a restauranteur from D.C. with connections in Japan. He’s the hookup for so many cool places and restaurants they visit. Not to mention the incredible food they get to enjoy. Of course, Rudy Maxa reacts to this food with all the grace of a boomer at the local summer carnival eating a funnel cake for the first time. “Oh this is good.” “that’s really nice” “that’s some tasty stuff”
It’s mindblowing to watch this guy getting served the best food in the world and being like, “oh yeah that tastes like beef.” “yep melts in your mouth” AND AND AND when they get served a new dish or item, he just eats it whereas Daisuke takes a moment to savor the aroma and appearance, understanding this is some of the finest prepared food they could have. It’s crazy to see but I’m sure that’s the appeal; “oh that dude’s like my dad.”
I’m gonna check out more of his DVDs now that I’m aware of them. Curious to see him in another country that I’m far less familiar with.
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