Fantastic!

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

The tone of this movie is interesting -- the stakes are both dramatic and high, but it's balanced with a lot of fun, tongue and cheek dialogue.

One of those movie experiences that is so good it makes you realize you've been grading everything else on a curve.

Absolutely horrendous, made up facts, no continuity, bad camera work. Utterly idealized and false outsiders view of Japanese culture. Somehow Oreck managed to fool people with this vapid nonsense, even to the point of getting SWSW and Independent lens to show it...(bad) form and no substance.

'Look at insects--carefully. It's actually a way of life.' These words, spoken by Dr. Takashi Yoro, a beloved philosopher who is filmed in a rare interview in this movie (and yes, I did have to look him up, because I was touched by what he said), could be a guiding metaphor for Beetle Queen. I watched insects on the screen as I have never watched them in real life. I began to watch them as the Japanese in the movie seem to watch them--with wonder. By the time of the firefly scene at the center of the movie, I was spellbound. The music-- Japanese pop from the 80's--was so perfect. It sort of sparkled, just like the scene. I actually ended up buying the soundtrack which I have enjoyed richly but it made me want to see the film again.So I rented it from Netflix to watch again recently--pretty rare for me--but I wanted the wonder.I got it in spades.

If you're one of those who possesses a chronic fear of insects,do yourself a favour & avoid this film at all costs. That aside,Jessica Oreck's stunning documentary,'Beetle Queen Conquers Tokyo' is a meditation on the people of Japan,and how & why they worship & honour beetles,crickets,etc. We see how the business of harvesting beetles are a cottage industry. Beetles & other insects are viewed with respect there (it may have a lot to do with their grasp of both Buddism & Shinto,an even more ancient religion that views nature as sacred). Jessica Oreck ('An Anatomy Of Memory')directs this loving meditation on what we in the west view as creepy crawly,and are prone to stepping on insects,rather than understanding them (such a pity). Interviews with philosophers & merchants of beetles,crickets,etc.,as well as footage of Japanese citizens being truly one with their surroundings are aplenty. Spoken in English & Japanese with English subtitles. Not rated by the MPAA,this film serves up absolutely nothing to offend (but you may consider leaving the little ones home,as they will find the subtitles a crashing bore,as well as the subject matter)

Imagine a country where children buy beetles at pet shops and lovingly observe and play with them instead of saying "Ewwww!" and running away.Welcome to "Beetle Queen Conquers Tokyo," a meditation on the parallel universe of insects that delights so many people in Japan. Set to an intriguing electronic score, the film introduces us to the "delicately ergonomic lives" of insect oddities in cities and natural settings and the people who hunt, sell, collect, and just plain revere them.We witness a fuzzy white moth's birth photographed with all the interest that might be accorded a cute and cuddly mammal. Families out at dusk to watch fireflies -- believed by some to embody the souls of deceased relatives. A man who has earned enough to buy a Ferrari by stalking and hawking prized specimens.Along the way we learn about Zen gardens, Shinto, and communal dances at holiday celebrations -- just because they are intriguing and also happen to be part of the landscape.The star of the movie is the Kabuto beetle, whose fierce look belies a peculiarly passive personality, although once in a while they cross horns with each other. Japanese youngsters spend hours with these bugs the way American kids lavish attention on their hamsters.Surprisingly, this may not be a great film for children. My two boys, ages 7 and 13, both fell asleep about 10 minutes in. The subtitles are part of the problem. And my older kid said bugs definitely don't go well with popcorn.