Reviews

You had a crush, you found out your crush already in relationship, WTF you're going to do about it? Normal people probably just go on with their lives, waiting for a chance that probably will come someday, but not for Kimura Ai, she's going to sabotage it.

Kimura Ai, a young, brave, egocentric, and aggressive girl; I believe that after learning that her crush, Tatoe, had a girlfriend, she became obsessed with this thing she thought of as love, allowing her feelings to control her and turning her into a "very" irresponsible person to those around her and even to herself.
The way Ai tries to sabotage Tatoe's relationship with his girlfriend, Miyuki, is by approaching and befriending her.

"Thank you for teaching me how it feels like to be touched. If only you could be patient with me, even if it's out of self-regard, even for a split second. If that means you're opening your heart to me... I'll cherish that moment forever."

I love this film for how it made me feel, how compelling the story was, how beautiful the visuals are, how great the actors' performances are, etc. and this film kinda reminds me of The Half of It, this GL thing that gave me butterflies, even though in here would be realize late but the moment Ai and Miyuki is there and very intimate.

Anna Yamada's performance was very good, her expression, and how she showed Kimura Ai's desperation to be loved was so good, and why the hell she could be this kawaii, if I'm Tatoe, this film could be over in 30 minutes, because if she confessed her feelings, I'd accept them right away, and I'd be a simp for my queen, Yamada-sama 4eva.
Like the others, I also want to mention Haruka Imoe; she's really did a great job. She and Anna always have that intimate scene, and she as Miyuki, can keep up with Ai's aggression, resulting in the most beautiful kiss and sex scenes in Japanese films I've watched.

I think that's all I wanted to type. Thanks.

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"Life is an unknown course"

Like the languid lapping of the waves against the shore near the quiet fishing village in this film, Director Ozu brings a gentle rhythm to the past meeting the present and directing the future currents for the people involved. Komajura and his troupe of traveling actors will find their lives changed as they navigate their circumstances and decisions in this remote place.

Komajura is an aging actor with a less than successful acting troupe. He readily admits their Kabuki plays are not very good. Most of the players have only known the stage for most of their lives. In the sweltering heat of the day, they form a small parade in their costumes as they enter the village, handing out fliers. Some of the men seek out the prettiest women in town to invite to the play. Komajura seeks out an older woman and her 19-year-old son, Kiyoshi. Kiyoshi is actually Komajura's son, but only knows him as an uncle for Komajura doesn't want his son to have a poor actor for a father. Komajura's current mistress, Sumiko, becomes enraged when she finds out about his devotion to his secret family and hires one of the girls in the troupe, Kayo, to seduce the dutiful Kiyoshi setting into motion a wave of changes.

Though Floating Weeds has a romance with the young lovers, the main focus of the story is Komajura as the tides in his life change. He faces the loss of his troupe, his lover, and his son. He lashes out in fury in some of the most violent scenes I've seen in an Ozu film. He is forced to deal with his lack of control over his life circumstances and other people. Eventually, he comes to accept where he is in his life and what his relationships have come to be and that his loved ones will make their own decisions about their lives which he may not agree with. Many of the characters must decide who and where they want to be.

There are two scenes where Komajura becomes violent with the women who crossed him and his son. Though this male dominance may have been acceptable in 1959, it is jolting in this present time and incredibly offensive, making Komajura less sympathetic as he seeks to control the people around him through force. As with all Ozu films, the acting is normally quite restrained, making these outbursts all the more difficult to absorb.

The film itself is a beautifully staged and shot film. Ozu's scenic frames tell a story in and of themselves. They are contemplative, quiet, familiar, giving the characters and the audience room to think and breathe. Many of his frames would make incredible still lifes. His red tea kettle makes an appearance in the barber shop! In a powerful scene, Komajura and Sumiko have it out during a rainstorm. Each stands on the opposite side of the street, unwilling to budge, unwilling to move closer or get wet, unwilling to see the problem from the other's point of view. The words are vicious as the water pours down. Later, in a subtle bit of acting near the end in a train station, the same two actors drop their walls ever so slightly to let the other in as cigarettes are lit and forgiveness is given.

This film is a remake of his silent film, The Story in the Floating Weeds which I have yet to see as the film has no English subtitles. Floating weeds refers to itinerant actors. There were few weeds in this film, if I have any complaints, the movie did begin to feel long as some of the problems were dragged out and it felt as if some scenes could have been trimmed. Most of the acting was absorbing with the exception of the actor who played Kiyoshi. This young actor gave a rather wooden performance.

Ozu was a master of making family concerns and life decisions go from simple to complex to simply masterful. Though this film was not completely centered in a home, Komajura's family both biological and extended family with the troupe was explored. Ozu never ventures far from home and hearth, simply showing us different views of it. There is something comforting in his movies, we come to know the people and their struggles, their strengths and weaknesses, sometimes even see ourselves in them as they try to make the best of their lives. Komajura tells his old lover, "Life is an unknown course." The longer we live, the more these words resonate.

2/7/23

Edit—I have since watched and reviewed the original silent film.

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Trust & Suspicion ... what if you get it wrong?

WOW ... this was a very profound movie. Trust and suspicion ... it really is a case of walking on a razor's edge. How can you really know when it is safe to trust ... or when it is best to be suspicious ... and what if you get it wrong ... can you survive that, can you move forward or will you be consumed by rage and possibly contribute its perpetuation on to the lives of others?

This movie really plunged into the depths of these questions and the ensuing rage and despair when it goes wrong ... and if the situation is redeemable / survivable. It is gritty, confronting and very raw ... the way it was filmed, scripted and acted was nothing less than masterful ... it is like you are grabbed and literally thrust into the lives of the characters and forced to being a witness to the unfolding events which were so realistically portrayed and delivered to the screen.

TRIGGER WARNING: confronting rape scene. I had to skip the actual rape scene ... I couldn't just sit there and watch it without doing anything (ノಠ怒ಠ)ノ ... I was so wild about those rotten mongrel b@stards ... they were in positions of trust and are supposed to protect civilians ... not to get pleasure from brutally raping an innocent girl. Where is Sha Qing when you need him ... where is Ryuuk, write those b@stards' names in your Death Note and give them a very slow and excruciating death ... how about that for rage at the abuse of trust.

Hmmm which brings to mind something Orson Scott Card (an American author who wrote Ender's Game) said that really nails the connection between trust, suspicion and rage:

"There's a sort of rage a man feels when he's been deceived where he most trusted. It compares to no other anger."

And in the end, after all has been said and done, what is left ... 🤔 ...
loss, grief, rage, death (yours and/or others) <> forgiveness, relief, moving forward, alive

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Nice movie worth the watch

Not a bad movie. I did enjoy it.

Synopsis- cannot find one on IQIYI or MyDramaList. I will do my best…about a woman who is a model/actress (I assume) who comes from a rich family but has had differences with her father and she leaves home. She has an agent who is a bit eccentric. He signs her with a company to endorse their product. Turns out to be her ex who is in charge. He left her years ago without a word. They reconnect and she finds out that her half sister is behind all her misfortune over the years. That is my synopsis lol.

Storyline - was not bad. It flowed fine. You understood what was happening and the ending was nice if a bit short for my taste. Some parts I felt they could have gone a bit longer to explain. But all in all I liked the story.

Acting/Cast - was not bad. I liked the actors and felt they did not to bad of a job.

Rewatch - yes, I would rewatch this movie. Only wish the ending was a wee bit longer.

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Pretty Depressing...

If you ever find yourself thinking it is a good idea to try to run fast enough so that despair won't catch up you may just want so slow down or you may, just may find yourself running off a cliff...

So you may want to slow down and watch a Tokyo Sunrise... or any sunrise for that matter, you could also get one of those paraglide Glider thingies used in CLOY so you can fly once you reach that cliff... but that is way beside the point. This is a slow paced depressing movie, as to be expected of a movie about a guy who is driving in to the night to find the first love of hid dead best friend... In a journey to try to move on or maybe understand why the best friend who chose to write a note and a picture instead of using a paraglide thingy when he jumped off a cliff.

So this is sad, the music is sad, the people are sad (in a lot of ways), even the lighting is sad...there is not much dialog but the little dialog there is, is pretty powerful, interesting, self aware and witty at times. The characters are real human being dealing with real human being stuff. Though there is a slight message about moving on and living on it did not take away from the over all depressing theme to this movie. So this is a movie to watch when you just need some depression in your life... be it finding people as depressed as you are, or if you are just too cheerful and need to tone it down a bit this is a great place to find it. Though there are some entertaining elements to this movie, I would say it is more of a movie you watch for its depth and sadness and not for pure entertainment.

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proceed with caution

In my memory, the Crucible/Silenced is by far the hardest film I've ever watched. It is bleak as the dense fog covering the area of Mujin, and the ending is undeniably the most realistic given the context, where corruption goes the distance with money.

Initially I went into this film for being an avid fan of Gong Yoo’s work in 2018, and knew it was not going to be a light watch. But it must be emphasised that nothing could prepare the viewer for the harrowing true story and extremely graphic scenes depicting abuse of the children at the school. Even at the time of writing this review, the recollection of the man poking his head above the bathroom stall is the stuff of nightmares.

The performances were praise-worthy and difficult to criticise, the children especially in encapsulating the immense suffering the victims had endured in its most unrelenting form. The silence throughout the film was insufferable, and by no means an accident. Accompanied with dark palettes with barely a stretch of light and the many enclosed spaces in the building, there was never a moment of release for the viewer from start to finish. Every scene is unflinching as it is unsettling, with the deep rooted fear of not knowing what you will see next.

While most now would recognize Gong Yoo for his cameo in Squid Game (same director), many kdrama fans would remember his role in Goblin. In my humble opinion, his appearance as the school teacher remains his strongest and most memorable performance. It was said during his scene with the car, the injuries were not done by make up, and through it his overwhelming emotions were expressed from knowing what happened to the children. His dedication to the role couldn’t go unnoticed in his raw expressions of anger, disbelief and the sheer helplessness of an adult against the myriad of corrupted and disgusting individuals.

With these being said, this isn’t a film I recommend lightheartedly, nor it's one that begs a rewatch. The Crucible/Silenced would linger in your mind many years after only seeing it once. It’s an important work that managed to spread awareness of horrifying events that could take place behind closed doors, especially in institutes that many may view in a good light and hence avoid suspicion. After all, the worst monsters come as wolves in sheep's clothing.

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A little bit too good to be true

If the summary doesn't state this adapted from the true story I'll not gonna believe this could happen in real life. At least not in my country. Haha...

One hella cooperation from policemen to doctors to flight crew members to the flight passengers make the mission possible. We life in the world that, full of chaos and fraud and all the bad thing happen in the world today, make we think sometimes good heart or humanity is like missing from the picture. But when you watch this act of contribution between people we still can believe that humanity still alive in human heart.

Watch this just to heal your heart. Relax and believe that human basicly good & helpful.

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A must watch heartwarming and entertaining viewing experience.

"Seoul Vibe" is a South Korean movie that was released in the year 2022. The movie is a romantic comedy that follows the story of a young couple who navigate through the ups and downs of their relationship while trying to maintain their individual freedom and personal goals. The film explores themes of love, independence, and the challenges of maintaining a relationship in modern society. With a cast of talented actors and a well-written script, "Seoul Vibe" delivers a heartwarming and entertaining viewing experience. The film is set in the vibrant city of Seoul, which provides a beautiful backdrop for the story. If you are a fan of romantic comedies, "Seoul Vibe" is a must-watch.

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"My Sassy Girl" a heartwarming and hilarious movie.

"My Sassy Girl" is a 2001 Korean romantic comedy that is widely regarded as a classic. The movie tells the story of a college student who falls in love with a quirky and unpredictable young woman. The film's strong script, well-developed characters, and excellent performances by the lead actors make it a highly entertaining and touching film. The movie's blend of humor, romance, and drama is perfectly balanced, making it a must-watch for fans of the genre. The film's timeless appeal has made it a beloved classic not only in Korea but also around the world. Overall, "My Sassy Girl" is a movie that is both heartwarming and hilarious, making it a perfect choice for a date night or a night in with friends.

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“Things are never quite as scary when you’ve got a best friend.” — Bill Watterson

Learn from Experience 2 picks up where part 1 left off. Instead of focusing on Toyomi and Shintaro's ill-fated love affair, this film focused on the friendship of the three women at the center of the story. Given that their friendships were by far the most compelling story element in either film, this was a good thing.

Toyomi has left home and is working at a dress shop having hidden her pregnancy from all but her best friend, Michiko. Yurie and Shintaro became engaged and he is now working for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Yurie, in that standard movie feat of incredible coincidence, walks into the dress shop where Toyomi works. They end up becoming fast friends unaware they have shared the same man and that Toyomi is carrying his child. When Yurie and Shintaro go on their honeymoon, Toyomi gives birth to her baby girl. Toyomi leaves the dress shop and stays with a friend of Michiko. Yurie hunts her friend down and generously invites her to come live with her while her husband is stationed overseas for several months. Toyomi resists but Yurie is a bulldozer and soon Toyomi and child are safely ensconced at Yurie's house. The viewer knows eventually Shintaro will return home and realize he has a child which of course he does. And that he will muck it up as well. Which he also does.

This film was more enjoyable for me for much of it because of the focus on the women and how Toyomi was cared for by her old friend and her new one. Even Toyomi's mother accepted Toyomi and her pregnancy. The strength and understanding of the women made this film and it was all the better for the lack of screen time for cowardly Shintaro. Even his friend could read him. "You can't say no to a rich girl."

In the end, Yurie asks Toyomi to give her daughter up so that Yurie and Shintaro can raise the little girl. They will make the child their heir as further enticement. Knowing the uphill climb before her and her child, in 1937 an illegitimate child would not be readily accepted, Toyomi acquiesces. Yurie dearly loves the baby making it easier for Toyomi to let go. As the sweetly uplifting music plays during the finale it feels like we are supposed to think it's a happy ending for everyone. Toyomi has become a kindergarten teacher, finally dressed in western style clothes. Shintaro is playing with the baby and Yurie has introduced the child to her parents. I still found the ending concerning Shintaro galling. The rich, entitled, man married the wealthier of the two women he was involved with and not only gets Yurie and her money, he also gets Toyomi's child. It would have been easier to swallow if Shintaro was constantly stationed overseas, or died when his conscience fell on him, and Toyomi and Yurie like a couple of sister wives raised the little girl together with help from Auntie Michiko and Toyomi's mother.

Perhaps part 1 could have been the only film and let Toyomi walk away tall, finding her way in the world with her unborn child. While giving her child up might have made it easier on the child and Toyomi, Toyomi's grief was not touched on in the "happy" ending. And Yurie never seemed daunted by the character of the man she had married. Naruse was never afraid to twist the knife so I'm surprised everything was wrapped up with a big pink bow on it regardless of the source material. The film had a melancholy slice of life feeling going for it and the nearly 3 hours for both films felt stretched rather thin. The compassionate and resilient women and their stellar performances will be the only memorable things I take away with me from these films and that's more than some films.

2/6/23

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Hyped at first but disappointed in the end.

I loved the anime so I was so hyped to watch this movie. I was disappointed. Everything felt forced; the acting was mediocre, and the plot had me puzzled. The ending scene where Watanuki is shown to act like Yuuko and a few scenes before where the spider demon laughs to her heart's content to show how evil she is felt rather awkward to me.

Moreover, the music was loud and kind of irrelevant to the movie's aesthetic as if someone hit play and hoped for the best!

The only saving grace of this movie is the cinematography. It's shown that a lot of effort was put there.

If you are a fan of the xxxHOLIC series and want to watch this movie, watch it without expectations!

Personal Overall: 5/10
Rewatch Value: No need

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"She cries and calls his name, but there is no answer"

Director Naruse Mikio developed a two-part movie from a novel written by Kicuchi Kan. As with many of his films, he centered the film around a woman, one who had been done wrong, and must find her way by herself.

Toyomi and Shintaro were in love and planning to marry, that is until he visited his family. His father who had brought their rice company near bankruptcy needed Shintaro to marry someone who would bring in a large dowry. Toyomi's family was comfortable but not able to afford the money he needed. The father also wanted someone whom he felt would be a better fit for Shintaro's future as a diplomat. Initially, Shintaro agreed to meet Yurie, knowing he was not going to marry her. This being a Naruse film, Shintaro fell for modern Yurie almost immediately. And before you could say, duplicitous jerk, he was ghosting Toyomi way before cell phones were invented.

The best part of this film was that the women were portrayed as individuals. Toyomi was a traditional young woman who always wore a kimono. She was devoted to Shintaro and to her friend. Even with her devotion she could still see the writing on the wall with Shintaro. Her best friend, Michiko, who wore Western clothes and appeared more modern was fiercely loyal to Toyomi even as she readied for her own wedding. Yurie, was not the devil in disguise, even though she wore the most stylish of Western clothes, rode horses and spoke her mind. She might not have been head over heels in love with Shintaro, but she was willing to go along with her family when he didn't seem like he was unreasonable. Good luck, girl. As Toyomi and Michiko had discussed, "marriage is something of a gamble."

Shintaro was the weakest character. He used Toyomi and then on the turn of a dime he was in love with Yurie and willing to completely abandon Toyomi. He had loved her until someone better came along. His personality was bland and selfish. If he'd been honest with Toyomi, she might have been more understanding. The problem for her was that he tried to place the blame on his family, but unlike her he wasn't devastated which spoke volumes. To make things worse, she had a secret she was going to share with him until he enraged her with his false heart. Part one ended with the revelation of Toyomi's secret in a letter to Michiko.

Irie Takako gave traditional Toyomi a backbone and clear eyes. Takehisa Chieko made the other woman, Yurie, energetic and sympathetic. Aizome Yumeko as Michiko brought just the right amount of energy to the best friend's role. Takada Minoru was saddled with uninteresting, cowardly Shintaro and did nothing to elevate the character or performance.

I'm looking forward to the second part to see how this story plays out and how life turns out for the three women. My concern is that there may not be enough melodrama to fill two films and that Shintaro won't receive proper retribution for his disloyalty and poor treatment of Toyomi.

2/6/23

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