biniBningPunkista
By the beach.
So far, it gave me a huge disappointment. Not even Yamapi nor Horikita Maki could make me raise this this to 10.
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I think I enjoyed Solanin because of the fact that I was able to read the manga in the first place and was able to appreciate it more due to the involvement of music. Seeing Aoi Miyazaki sing her heart out on the stage was quite amazing to watch. This was the first time I've ever seen her sing like that and a rock genre nonetheless. I just hope that wasn't a voice over or else I might tear my hair out because I find her singing really cool.
The pacing of the story was alright, it wasn't slow nor too fast, but you had to understand the dialogue to appreciate it for what it is. There is so much meaning to the title Solanin and the movie would explain it well. There were funny moments on simple actions and tear jerking moments in unexpected scenes.
One last thing I have to really comment on, they were able to produce Meiko's t-shirt from the manga for the Live Action movie. That one, I really liked because it meant that they were really going through with details. Do check out the manga drawing in parallel with the Movie cover and you'll understand what I mean.
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I hated the ending. I can't believe that's how crappy they made the ending to be. This is a manga adaptation!!! The least they could do was follow the manga. I'm mad for the mangaka who didn't fight for her rights. The ending just ruined it for me.
They started the film with a couple of really cute kids whose acting was superb. I love that part were the young boy kissed the young girl so she would stop crying. (Those kids are so freaking adorable!) Then it shifts to the older version the kids, who actually grew up. Here comes in Junior high student Mayu (Mao) and Takuma (Masaki) up to the point they went to high school.
I would have to say, the cinematography was really beautiful and the sound track is pure joy to listen to though the movie was a bit draggy in some parts. The main cast were really good at their role and the story line is so great. Even the manga was quirky, funny and heavy all at the same time. Mao portrayed Mayu as a love-struck teenager who wouldn't let go of a promise made to her. Masaki was great at portraying a guy who is also in love but is afraid to love because he knew he was going to die eventually, *sigh* harsh reality for these two teenage kids.
As the story went on, I was getting too much engrossed because of everything. Even cried in some scenes… but the ending. Oh well. It is a beautifully made movie. But it shows you how much time you are wasting by being an idiot.
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Now on to the film.
The movie is about Susuke Naomi who incurred an amnesia through an unfortunate incident. She fell down the stairs to save a camera but in the process hit her head on the ground and lost memory of four years in her life. When she woke up, she didn't know that she was in high school, has a jerk for a boy friend named Ace and that she was in a year book with her best friend Mirai. Most of all, she was helped during her accident by a guy named Yui whom she never really talked to. He's like that dark ominous figure in the school who was one year older than her.
A lot of things happened to her, like finding out the real her, doing things she had never done before and maturing all through it in the process.
The film was really beautiful especially when you see it in the eyes of Naomi. The cinematography was gorgeous and the production was well done. The story line was not that perfect, but the scenes executed by the actors were really good that you wouldn't mind the other boring parts of it and have I mentioned the cinematography? Again… it made up for everything even if the actors didn't.
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Love Letter was a beautiful film in a wonderful setting and great plot lines. Though it was confusing at first, it still gives you a slight thinking that it has a reason for being like that. Then once you get to understand what in the world is happening, you’ll get to unfold what it was all about and why.
The film was very simple, not too dramatic or mind boggling. It didn’t even have any CG effects in it but it will show you extremely good actors, great story in the back ground and a really nice soundtrack to come along with everything. It also has this softness that has melancholy written all over the story but the sweetness seeps in with everything until it’s late to realize that you’re caught up with the story and would want more.
This left me weeping at the end but made me feel good at the same time. It surely made me want to recommend it everyone.
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Kimi ni Todoke is one of the sought out japanase manga these days. Even my cousin (who is an adult in his own right and definitely a straight guy) enjoyed this movie. He professed on watching the anime, while I opted on reading it since the manga production is much faster than that of the anime version.
As for the movie, like almost every Japanese film I’ve seen, it had a slow pacing at first until things build up to the point where you couldn’t stop watching anymore and just get totally hooked up. The story is very simple, boy likes girl, girl likes boy… we all know how teenage romance could get going.
What makes this movie different?
I would have to say that it’s Sawako’s character. In teenage romance stories, there are the usual girls who are the brassy type: loud, war freak or popular. There are those opposite characters as well: very quiet, aloof because she’s shy or because she has lots of family problems or was being abused in all kind of things or she’s plainly an anti-social person.
In Sawako’s case, (the protagonist in this movie) has a peculiar character. She has no family problem since she’s very much loved by her parents, she has no image disturbances only that she’s being usually mistaken as a curse giver thus the SADAKO nickname came about and she’s not poor either so financially she is stable. So basically she had no flaws when it comes to her personality background. So what’s so interesting about her? The protagonist is a misunderstood person. She gets ignored but not bullied, she tries to blend in and be friends with everyone but instead is feared upon. Sawako is actually a nice person but she just don’t know how to show it properly.
That’s where this bubbly Kazeha guy comes in. He alters Sawako’s tiny universe and thus the high school romance begin.
I would say the manga is more detailed when it comes to projecting how these main two characters feel. What they are thinking are made in tiny thought bubbles that cannot be used in the movie because that would just be weird.
Cinematography was very simple because the setting was always in the school grounds and yet the angles and perspectives gives out a bigger impact on the viewer. As for the soundtrack, it was synced in properly with all the scenes and the choice of music if very appropriate for a soft themed movie.
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What I liked about this was how everything coincided with each other on the ending part. Initially I watched the film because of Ikuta Toma being one of the characters but slowly, I realized that there are other veteran actors casted in this film which was quite surprising because I thought it was a really low budgeted film. Then again… that’s what they wanted the movie to seem like.
Over all, the movie was funny in some ways, confusing due to the fact that it made me guess some of the character’s real intentions. The sound track and the setting did make sense after finishing the 103 minutes run.
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Paradise Kiss is the creation of Ai Ayazawa, one of my favorite mangaka who happens to be the same author of Nana. (I just HAD to include that here.)
This movie made me nod my head and say, "Okay, that was good... now next please." It wasn't something special compared to reading the manga. It was so different I ended up getting disappointed and almost pissed off, but I ended up with a complacent feeling thanks to Mukai Osamu who acted as George just because he was so darn hot and also for Keiko Kitagawa as Yukari just because she was such a pretty model.
As for character comparisons, Miwako was supposed to be small! But they used a taller actress for her which was sad because she was a key character too. There is also Arashi who is Miwako's boyfriend. He didn't make much impact here compared in the manga where he was such a laid back guy not the stiff one he portrayed in the movie, then Hiroyuki also ruined it for me. He was supposed to be the-clean-cut-looking-guy, with brunette hair and a killer smile, but they made him sport a blondish hair which made him look like gangster no matter how they made him sport decent looking clothes.
After all this character rant, Isabella finally comes in to the rescue! They have chosen Shunji Igarashi to act as Isabelle. I can't believe they could make him into such a beautiful transvestite. This was mostly the high light of my movie watching along with Yukari/Caroline's cat walk and George's created dress.
Over all it was a fine movie, but not one I would be recommending dearly.
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Music wise, there's not much to boast about since the music is more prominent before and after the movie but to make up to it, both lead characters sings through the duration of the film that I could say it's good enough as a sound track. The movie's motif on music is more on the sound of everyday surroundings because it is a vital element for the whole film.
The plot line is slow and yet everything is in it. Since I'm a sucker for good endings, this hits the spot. Okada Junichi is one hell of an actor if he wanted to be one. He's cute, sassy and has that great smile. While Kumiko Aso is a dead ringer look alike for Arakagai Yui! (That is, if you place the Camera farther away to keep her profile to not focus enough on her face. lolz) Then again that's not the sole reason why I like her. Her acting is pretty good and her voice, its so cute when she sings and hums to herself.
Over all the movie has lots to offer. What I liked most about the film was how they started the story from a simple coincidence to an awesome ending.
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Mao as Saori was a good thing, I couldn't say she nailed the role but she was really good in it. Being that clueless Japanese woman, it was quirky and funny. While Sherr, I seriously loved it when the guy smiles and his Japanese accent was not as slang as I thought it would be, listening to him speak the Japanese language felt nice. Sherr makes me want to have a Caucasian man for myself too!
The movie wasn't perfect, but over all it was a good watch and surely not a waste of time. The sound track on the last part was pure Joy. I always loved it when Aiko does sound tracks.
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What made me watch it in the first place was Joe Odagiri as Ginko and Yu Aoi as Tanyu. Both actors are big names in the Japan entertainment industries and their acting was not subpar at all. They played their roles amazingly.
Music was in sync with the scenes but it was not that special. Although I would have to take note of the background music during a scene with Tanyu and her magical skills using long metal chopsticks. That scene was really brought out by the music, I think without the sound track that specific scene wouldn't have been as powerful as it seemed.
I re-watched segments of the film just for the sake of ogling on Joe Odagiri and his white hair. Not sure if you're interested in that, but if you are, then share the boat with me. It's worth re-watching.
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Setting aside my embarrassment, I watched it at home again without any kids or grannies around.
To be honest, this was the first film that I have appreciated Ando Masunobu in. I've first seen him in "Synesthezia" with Aoi Miyazaki, but I didn't like his character there too much. Here in Sakuran I loved the way he acted as Seiji who was the "keeper" or "care-taker" of the Oiran, (the highest ranking female prostitute in the house) which was eventually transferred to Kiyoha (Anna Tsuchiya). I loved the way she played the hot headed TOP Woman. Even though she wasn't the Oiran yet, she already had the attitude of one. She was spunky and feisty for a woman who lives and breathes the life in a brothel. Though this was her role, her life as an Oiran in the making was bitter and sad, she's witty and beautiful but was kept in a container, thus her life is compared to a goldfish in a bowl.
The story was manga based, so it had a bit of a shoujou-ish plot line going on. Nonetheless, it was a great movie. The ending was just my taste, the setting was perfect and beautiful, as well was the over all cinematography. Everything was vibrant with hues such as red... red... and more red. I think that color has so much significance for this movie. It makes sense that the bright colors used for the film was very appropriate for its theme. The sound track was fit for the whole movie and it has caught my attention so much that I researched about the singer Shiina Ringo and discovered the band Tokyo Jihen, hence I now have the collection of their songs.
I have already re-watched this Movie several times and would re-watch it again in the future.
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Why? As the five characters slowly investigate among themselves the truth behind the death of their gravure idol during her 1 year memorial anniversary, they unfold each other's personal lives and connection with the dead idol. During this time, they are all cooped up in a small apartment formulating reasons as to what really happened before and during the time of their idol's death.
If you think this is a boring film, well watch the movie and think again. This isn't your average film full of talk, mystery and well… more talk. This is one of those films that would make you scratch your head in the beginning, then seat straight-look-forward-to-screen in the middle and finally say "So that's what happened" in the end.
Its very entertaining to watch not that their acting was over the top, it was simply perfect. Every character portrayed themselves so well. The way they analyzed each other, puzzled things together and draw a conclusion to each scenario... it was very smart and witty. There were flashbacks to give a better visual of the scenarios they come up with and that definitely helped in building up the story and make the unfolding of the mystery more fun. I give kudos to the writer of this movie who made everything interesting.
Cinematography wise, it wasn't much since the focus is more on each characters who are talking inside a small room and as for the music I wasn't able to remember it much but it did somehow help as a background to build up the mood of the film.
Recommending this to those who like watching films which are more on the conversation side with mystery and comic relief on the side lines. BTW, there's no other film that I could compare it with since I think… it is one of a kind.
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The storyline… it kept me hanging on until the very end.
If you are a very curious person like me when it comes to mind-boggling stuff, you are definitely one to hang on till the last scene even though this movie has a lot of draggy moments. The camera tends to focus on everything and anything, but then at the end of the movie, I got to understand the significance of those lens focuses.
The cast was great, I like Miyazaki's character as Mari, I thought the characters in this movie did not seem complicated but I got that all wrong. The lead actor was a bit too good for this movie though, I felt that he could have done better on other films, his acting here was a bit wasted. But still, he was awesome and brought his own character to life. He was able to pull off the kind of role for a person who sees different perspectives in simple stuff and yet trying to live a normal life.
The ending confused me a lot and there are also scenarios where I had to analyze or think too much to actually understand what was going on but overall this movie is a good watch once I came to terms with the fact that there were a lot of meanings on the different scenes that were shown.
This film made me watch it twice so just I could re-analyze and understand everything that actually happened. The soundtrack was okay, but what really got me listening was the ending song entitled "Gerbera" in the last scene. That song gave me the meaning of synesthesia altogether. It was a significant title once I was able to understand the whole meaning of the film.
Giving this 8/10 for everything I have mentioned and recommending it to those who don't mind draggy stuff and would love to have their brains twisted into analyzing the film.
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What piqued my interest is how they showcased a weird story line, (aside that I also checked this movie because of Aoi Miyazaki) It may sound a bit sci-fi-ish but there were no aliens involved only the made-up disease as the main problem. The film may seem to have no direction at first and I was also getting too frustrated with all the silence and sullen looks until I realized how important those actions were for this film. Those scenes with the focus on seemingly random things were actually vital in these movie so as to make sense of everything in the end. Cinematography was grainy, maybe because it was an old film? But still... it gave a rather bland feeling to a supposedly modern and colorful world.
The actors did somehow try their best to portray a depressive state, not just in actions but in the mind as well. However, the acting didn't really feel all that satisfying because I felt like something was still missing. It was trying to give a message about human connections and empathy but it's hard to internalize that sort of meaning because of the lack conversation between the characters.
Setting those complains aside, I was still able to enjoy something really weird. It's not refreshing, but it's something new to watch. It's not everyday I pick a movie genre like this, so basically it gave me a wider perspective on indie kind of films. Music wise, it was eerie and yet it was another key point for the whole thing, without it, there would be no story at all. The tones are really out of this world and completely weird, so don't expect something melodious, because it's not.
Surely this film is not for everyone. If you're the type who likes to sit down and analyze what is happening in an almost silent film for the whole 60+ minutes... this was made for you.
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