Conversation so far:
What are the themes of the 2008 film Departures?
Along with this theme of death, Takita believed Departures was about life, about finding a lost sense of feeling human;
What did film critics say about the theme of death the 2008 film Departures?
Ebert writes that, as with other Japanese films such as Tokyo Story and The Funeral, Departures focuses on the effect of death on the survivors.
How is the taboo of death shown in the 2008 film Departures?
Initially, Daigo and his family are unable to overcome the taboos and their squeamishness when faced with death.
Are there other major themes besides death in the 2008 film Departures?
Byrnes found that Departures leads one to question the extent of modernity's effect on Japanese culture, noting the undercurrent of traditional attitudes and values which permeated the film.
How the extent of modernity's effect on Japanese culture addressed in the 2008 film Departures?
Although the encoffining ceremony was traditionally completed by the dead person's family, a decreased interest in it opened a niche market for professional encoffiners.
Do the 2008 film Departures' other characters experience growth?
Mika's pregnancy is the catalyst for her reconciliation with Daigo.
Were there any notable reviews of the 2008 film Departures'?
Roger Ebert gave the film a perfect four stars, describing it as rock-solid in its fundamentals and highlighting its cinematography, music, and the casting of Yamazaki as Sasaki.

Question: What are the similarities to those movies?
Self-contained rewrite: What are the 2008 film Departures' similarities to Japanese movies cited by Roger Ebert?