Intense and scary, I think this is the first time I said those two words again since Ju-On: The Grudge 2. Apart from the shortcomings, the two words covered a lot of ground in my eyes.

I really enjoy watching this film, somehow the characters feel likeable to me, making me willing to follow the story they will soon experience, and... the girls are kawaii, Reo-chan!!!

In the previous film, I felt it was too spacious and empty; in this film, I feel it is so adequate and tight, and I love it. For the horror aspect, this film plant tension little by little from the beginning, which is later picked up when it starts entering the phase of killing its character. The tension was already there but suddenly rises dramatically, and I got goosebumps all over my body.

The peak of this film, imo, is when Reo finally finds out who Toshio is after being told by Midori, which made me get goosebumps because I realized that Reo and Toshio's room were close, and he can come in any minute when he knows that she finally knows. So Toshio didn't come, instead, Reo-chan went to his room, just to suddenly carry him on her back, then be chased by Kayako till she fell down the stairs. After that, Reo and his mother were terrorized by Kayako, just like in some home invasion films. Eventually, me and they are getting paranoid; they are afraid to be killed, and I just don't really want to see My Reo-chan get killed, aargh. Kayako then proceeds to kill the remaining characters with an intensity that has penetrated the sky.

The killing scene is in fact ridiculous, but at least it's an on-screen death, and I find it amusing. Throwing someone into the ceiling and not hanging them with Kayako's hair, nice; having Toshio get inside someone's body to kill it from inside, noice, and etc.

For Kayako, now she likes to open her mouth wide; it's scary, but it looks like she's trying hard. It's just so obvious that no one can match Takako Fuji's Kayako. On the other hand, Toshio had several actors who played his role well.

I think that's all. I really enjoyed it, and this ended my journey to watch this film franchise. There's Origins but not gonna watch it anytime soon, probably someday.

Read More

This is pretty decent; the atmosphere isn't so bleak; the comeback of our SCARY Kayako and Toshio and the great build-up are great; it's just that with a bigger house, I kind of feel like this film is too spacious and empty sometimes, and I don't like that.

I like the Naoto segment the best because it follows Naoto as he tries to figure out why Yui became strange after visiting Saeki's house. It's not long but fun to watch, like when he reads Kayako's diary, until finally they show the best on-screen Kayako killing scene in the entire franchise, in my opinion. I can feel my neck cracking.

I guess 3-stars is enough.

Read More

On the poster, the black ghost is far creepier. Inside the film, I can't see her.
Also, I think they should've used the old camera used in The Curse 1 and 2.
So yeah, it's just mediocre, imo.

Idk if I must be upset or not, because at first I wanted to watch White Ghost first, but somehow I chose this instead after reading some "popular reviews" on Letterboxd that were full of positivity.
If I read my mutuals on Letterboxd, then I would proceed to watch White Ghost.
Either way, I will experience the same suffering.
At least, now I can watch White Ghost in peace, knowing I've watched the worst one.

Read More

After watching 7 films from the Ju-On franchise to the point where Kayako visited me in my dream, I decided to freshen up first by watching a non-horror title, I really wanted to watch something that made me doki-doki. Coincidentally the last K-Drama I watched was Business Proposal and many said BP reminded them of this drama, that's why I decided to watch this K-Drama.

To be honest, a lot of things remind me of BP, from the trigger of the conflicts is the 1st & 2nd female leads who do somekind like swap identity to trick the 1st male lead, or the 1st male & female lead just goes on a business trip, it reminds me of BP but still provide a different experience.

I had a great time watching this series, there are also a lot of social comments delivered here, especially those regarding work really hit my heart. If I say, this series is only fun until episode 12, after that it feels draggy, like Shim Hyuk who feels bored around these episodes, I also start to feel bored a lot.

As for the characters, I honestly like Shim Hyuk, played by Siwon of Super Junior, if he is with his group members he is the saneest but here he seems to be venting the madness of his members which he has absorbed for a long time, also he's provided the 2nd lead syndrome here. For the other characters, I feel they are standard, more than enough to run this series.

So this series is entertaining, i just found it run too long.

Read More

Although I'm not satisfied with The Curse 2 and The Curse 1. The atmosphere is so gripping, then produced some great tension and thrilling moments that I had never felt in the previous 3 films. I also like the story that only uses the crew from the TV show as material to be terrorized, the kill count is not as many as the previous film but it let this film to build up a great horror sequence & jumpscare which I think is far more solid and memorable.

The hanging by curtain of black hair; the dressing room which Kayako appeared slowly from the floor; the highschool girl that keeps phasing in and out of the house at different times; and the gives birth scene, I won't be able to forget those anytime soon.

Actually I was still confused by the timeline of a car accident at the beginning and when Chiharu became extra in the Kyoko's film. I'm sure it's been explained in the film but my brain is slow to process it.

Oh yes, I almost forget about Kayako and Toshio, I love them here, Kayako with thick make up is super scary imo; then Toshio, I don't think he's got some changes on his make up, but he's keep making me startled. They just simply in their best form in here.

I enjoyed it so much.
A sequel that is worthy to be called great.

Read More

The tv show was finished in January of 2003 but this film was released in summer of 2002 and it's called "Episode Final"??!!

I don't understand why they revealed the ending, long before the show actually ends, and I watch this movie after finishing the tv show and it gave me a little bit confusion.

Is it somekind of alternate story? It is suck storywise, the build up in the show doesn't feel continuous with this movie, it's so deviated, even this movie ends with cliffhanger, Idk what this film serves purpose for, unlike the tv show that give us a perfect closing of the story and in accordance with the build up from the beginning.

The good things about this film are: slightly better CGI, the fighting choreo isn't too stiff and great camera movement, that's from what I noticed.

That's all I think about this film.

Read More

"Hey!
Don't become a girl who can't do anything without me.
Become a girl who can throw me away at any time.
Become a girl who'll make me want to chase after her." - Hiroshi Haruyama

It's been a long time since a film can make me feel doki doki like this, it just when Kazuki & Eri chased by some high schooler boy, then Kazuki hide in a cabinet, before Haruyama finally found him and grabbed Kazuki's hand while looking at her, at that moment, it was really hit me, there's love love around me, so doki doki and I started to enjoy the film and believe Kazuki & Haruyama would be a great couple.

I think the most important character in this film is Kazuki, then Haruyama. The backgrounds of the two are indeed not explored in a balanced way but the point is that both of them have gone through through a lot, and for Kazuki it seemed reasonable, with her life with her mother like that, at her age it must have made her feel confused, stressed and under great mental pressure. Glad that Kazuki met with Eri then introduce to Haruyama that will become the most important person for her and she cared the most, it's the same the other way around, because they've been through pretty much the same thing through their life and end up feel the same way with life. Finding the right person can change your life for the better, make you appreciate life more and fight for it.

Everything that I felt while watching this film I would not have gotten if the people involved in this film didn't work well, so I think they did a good job.
From the actors, Rena Nonen as Kazuki & Hiroomi Tosaka as Haruyama, did a great job in acting, very good at conveying emotions and their chemistry is well established, they feel like people who really love each other. The other actors also did their portion well; and Yuki Yamada, he seems everywhere, as a guy who have been a fan of Nogizaka46, wouldn't ever forget this guy who kiss Saito Asuka, but it always surprise when I don't intend to watch him but he unexpectedly appear in the movie I try to watch, at least he's acting pretty good, and glad that he's become a big actor years after this film.

For another aspect, maybe I will unite it under a name, namely "Takahiro Miki", after watching this film I am even more sure to fall in love with him; From my experience watching Tomorrow I Will Date With Yesterday's You & My Teacher, I like so many aspects of those films that I found in this film, such as the moody vibe with warm color tones that create such cozy atmosphere that makes me feels good to shed some tears; then there's the cinematography, he's film in my opinion always well shot, it's beautiful and . . . . . . that's it I think or probably also add some emotion to the film.

I think that's all, i root for Kazuki & Haruyama, such a great couple, who give each other comfort in this tough life, provide a reason worth fighting for to stay alive.

——————————————————————

"I've done a lot of bad shit but she doesn't know any of that.
Up until now, I really didn't care about what I do with a chick.
I thought there wasn't much I could do if I made one cry.
That's why I thought at first the hell with Kazuki.
Why is she acting like a dude, but she kinda reminded me of myself and thought why not?
In the beginning, I was just gonna fuck her and have some fun like I always did, but I don't know . . . I can't lay a hand on her.
It's probably because she's really pure inside and yet she's strong, she's complete different from me but either way, she stil sees me as something she cared for.
If I suddenly die, makes me wonder what will happen to her. Makes me feel sorry for her.
If ever I suddenly die, wouldn't you feel sorry for her?
I might end up changing myself for this one girl." - Hiroshi Haruyama

Read More

The third film called Jigoku in japanese I've watched, the first one was Jigoku (1960), the second was known as The Inferno (1979).

I watch this film after finishing The Inferno with their gorgeous visual and captivating story, then there's this film feels like a B-movie.

The story of how the characters sin are different actually with another 2 earlier films so it gives a little bit variety, the first story with the pedophile (?) got the right portion; but the second story with the sect, i find it interesting but at some point it started to feel too long & draggy.

The torture scene I find it boring, I can't help but missing the great build up toward the torture scene in The Inferno that makes it so emotional and terrifying.

So what I like the most is the message this film trying to deliver is that the torments of hell are no joke, so be people who do good and are diligent in worshiping according to their respective religions so that we will be admitted to heaven. Just become a good person.

Read More

"You had your mind made up from the start, that you'd choose your own blood over our six year with Keita."

Honestly, if this case happen to me I would be confused if asked to choose between a child who has our blood or a child we have raised for years, this is really a dilemma that makes my head spin.

This film is still like other calm dramas from Hirokazu Koreeda by bringing out humor and emotional moments at the right time that are just to raise attention but keep the story going because the story of this film revolves around the exchange of children, so it can be a bit boring but because of the funny or emotional moment this film is still interesting even though it doesn't manage to touch my heart.

I remember a bit of dialogue that said "After the war ended, many children were orphaned, and many parents took care of them, and these children don't care if it's not their biological parents who raised them but the children will really appreciate the parents who raised them." so it's clear.

I have a lot to say but I'm not in the mood, so thanks.

Read More

From my point of view this film feels like Kako's attempt to dig into the past, such as the story about the crocodile in the canal which many people think is a hoax, then the story about the child who went missing shortly after the bombing around Kako's residence; the 2 stories were repeated over and over again until they were imprinted in my memory for the duration of this film; then Kako's aunt suddenly comes back to Kako's family house after 18 years of disappearance, this is where the story that appeared earlier and which Kako pays attention to begins to get answers, even more than that.

Surely, the performance of the actors is very natural in my opinion, they make every dialogue flow properly and give a calming vibe which also makes it a charm that binds me.

I put a question mark on the 2 stories I mentioned above because they were repeated over and over again, making me think there must be something about them. Plus the arrival of Kako's aunt, Mikako who came out of nowhere, added to my thoughts, thankfully she came to be a resolution that helped answer my questions and opened up many truths and it was satisfying.

If I'm not mistaken, the last 20 or 10 minutes of this film were very funny, I laughed out loud because I didn't expect that there would be such a funny moment.

Read More

The first one hour feels thrilling, with that a lot of censored sex scene, a little describe the competition that happened in prostitution world, then how the tattoo artist pursuing girls who have beautiful skin to make them as his canvas.

When the film start to be like the synopsis up there, it turns out ridiculous, seems like the person who wrote this story getting drunk halfway through and the story taking a sharp turns into parody, because it's becoming funny, especially at the enx when Ayame make love with George and something happened then it's involved a priest.

That's all I think, thank you.

Read More

I didn't expect the film that I thought would focusing on the horror path by terrorizing the samurai, because the vengeful ghost was well-built, but in fact it took a path that made my chest feel tight.

The meeting of a husband and son of a wife and a mother who had different fates was very stifling. One side was downhearted because they thought he was dead in battle, I assume so that's why they decided to make a pact with the devil; Then the other side feels a deep loss and longing because he lost the underlying reason he kept fighting for his life, the love, the family, the warm.

The actors who played in this film, acted quite well, they're really delivered the emotion in every scene. What I like the most is the cinematography, it has a lot of beautiful shot and great movement too.

So this is not the film you want to watch if you want to get scared (if you expecting to get scared like i did), but hang in there it's satisfying.

Read More

The second Akira Kurosawa film I watched, 2 years ago I've watched High and Low, it pretty impressed me and I was really enjoying watching it. So I came to this film expecting at least to be an enjoyable experience.

From the start of the film I could feel the tension, and I enjoyed every moment in this revenge story wrapped in dirty politics and corporate intrigue.

What Nishi did was extremely reckless, as he himself said "It's like jumping into a snake's pit." he knew it was dangerous because he knew he could die at any moment because these officials have great power to do anything to keep their dirty activities from being exposed to the public.

Toshiro Mifune, i gotta say he one of the coolest actor I've ever seen, he looks dashing and cool, his acting was also good, really deserves to lead this kind of revenge mission, I also realize he seems suitable to play Clark Kent or Superman.

That's all I can think of, I finished watching this film feeling full of emotion but I enjoyed the whole film.

Read More

Simply beautiful.
The snow covering the town gives off cold and warm feeling at the same time, which also gives a sense of comfort.

I thought this film would only revolve around Hiroko and Itsuki exchanging letters, but at some point I thought "If there was a flashback scene which shows the moment when Itsuki male is still alive with Hiroko or Itsuki female, it would be more interesting", and finally the female Itsuki reminisced about her school days when she was in the same class with the male Itsuki (Hiroko fiancee), which I could say the first love vibe was very thick and the fact that those many sweet moment can't be repeated or even continued makes it painful.

I can't help but cry, the desired happy ending that can't come true and dealing with loss and grief is so suffocating, even though healing will happens over time.

Read More

Literally, the 4 main cast are my crush, Ayase Haruka, Masami Nagasawa, Kaho, Suzu Hirose; make this watch really enjoyable and to see them play as sisters made me feel like in heaven. I can't stop smiling while watching this.

A heartwarming family drama between 4 sisters who live under the same roof, where the youngest is a half sibling due to different mothers. The situation is quite relatable for me because I also have a half sibling too, and this step family situation is very complicated, there are many boundaries that cannot be crossed, sometimes it feels awkward, and maybe sometime in the future when my parents are no longer around, I will did the same as Sachi did, as an oldest child from both family.

The conflicts that are presented also seem to be commonplace in families, such as children and mothers who don't get along but still love each other, and some minor conflicts that make the story of these 4 sisters colorful.

This film is full of positive vibes, the chemistry between the main cast is very convincing that they are sisters who love each other, they will be there for each other and show that the house where they live is not worth selling.

Hirokazu Kore-eda, I like his direction, probably gonna check his other works.

Read More