This is a fun movie and it is very light. It makes you dreamy so you shouldn't have high expectations from it, however it is a nice movie. Enjoy!
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Story: The story is like the synopsis says, a girl, Naomi, loses her memory of the past 5 years. For the first theird of the story she is lost trying to figure out who she is and what her life was like before. For the second third, she seems to not care about who she was because she had changed and she liked who she was now and not before. For the third half, it seems like she was split between her old and new self. So yea the story was a bit confusing. I feel like there was no smooth transition of events. It didn't flow well for me. I get that this is supposed be one of those deeper emotional think-hard movies, and I usually get those, but with this movie I just ended up confused and a bit upset about the ending. There was no real wrap-up of the story, I get that the ending is supposed to indicate that she decided to be with Mirai and that they were perfect for each other since the beginning, but there is no sense of closure for any of the characters. I still want to know what the heck happened to them in between the time frame of the movie. That's another problem, they tried to fit a whole year's worth of events in one movie. They way they handled made it seems mashed and mixed together. I still don't know why she and Yuji broke up. I know that he had told her to forget him if he goes crazy, but did he go crazy? Because at the end he seemed pretty normal to me. Also, she promised Yuji that she wouldn't leave him even if he went crazy. There is no real explanation of why they broke up or how they fell out of love. It just happened... What I liked though was the concept of the story, and the setting. I thought the whole going to an Japanese American school thing was cool, although it didn't really fit into the story well. There was no main purpose of the American aspect other than to get the Hollywood actors, like Emma Roberts, in this movie. This story would be the same with or without the American characters and in a all-Japanese high school.
Acting: The acting was ok. But some of the American actors, Ace especially, seemed a bit out of place among the Japanese actors. Also some of the Japanese actors seemed a bit forced when speaking English, especially Mirai. The best acting in my opinion was during the Yuji and Naomi scenes. Even those were a bit forced at times as well, especially the beach scene.
Music: I loved the music. Great music choices, in fact I'm going to look up the OST right now so I can get some of the songs.
Rewatch: I don't think I'll watch this headache of a movie again.
Overall: I liked the concept and idea, however the producers failed to take what could have been a great story and made it into a jumbled mess of a movie like this. Not having read the book, I feel that this story was just all over the place. It had a great meaning to it, You're never really who you think you are, People change. High School is just a memory that fades away. But it just got lost somehow in between when Naomi was choosing between all the boys she had fawning over her. When her dad explained the whole I forget High School and all the things I did as a kid, I was like oh so that was the point of this story. I had to think for 10 minutes about how this story fit with that theme. I gave it a seven because I really liked the Yuji story line and I liked Naomi's dad, but that's all I'll ever really remember of the story.
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If you like novels like 1984, Lord Of The Flies, The Giver or Hunger Games...You may like watching Ikigami, The Ultimate Limit. Set in an unknown but familiar looking future time; the population is contained and controlled by random selection. Children are inoculated when they enter school and sometime during their young adulthood; the 'chosen to sacrifice for prosperity' are given 24 hours notice of their death. The story begins here for the viewer. We get to follow one man (Shota Matsuda) who's job it is to inform the chosen that their death is nigh.
I found it incredibly interesting; the different reactions people had to this news. This story is more about the human condition, human reactions in the face of death with nothing left to lose. It is not a rousing tale of the populous rising up to over throw the oppression. It is dark, sad and really touching.
The color pallet of the film lends itself to this feeling. Dark blue lighting, cloudy days, windowless rooms and dank underground work places. There are glimpses of light just as their are glimpses of hope in the lives of those lived and those left behind.
I've never read the manga but I am curious now. I recommend this film highly and not just because I am a rabid fan of Matsuda Shota. But I am a fan for a reason besides the superficial. He is a great actor, with a rubber face, fearless emoting and the ability to go very dark. He can turn it on a dime and be comedic too but for that you will have to watch some of his other films and dramas.
The whole cast was stellar. I particularly loved Yuta Kanai and Yamada Takayuki. Their acting was amazing and their stories touched my heart.
This is a cool movie. Give it a try if you are in the mood for darker fare.
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A lot of parts though had me cringing, especially the female lead's attempts at seduction cause every time she came up with an idea I would close my eyes and be like "This can not end well." But it was really funny, though it'll probable make you feel embarrassed for her.
Her reason for doing, well, what she was doing, I found a bit weird and lacking, but I realized the whole honor issue is a big deal in most Asian countries and I've actually seen something like that in another drama so it didn't really bother me much.
Anyway, so I gave the story a ten cause though it's quite usual and ordinary,the transition and pacing was good and easy which I cant say for a lot of dramas. The acting I found really good. The female lead acted out her part really well, that I was actually able to sympathize with her character in most parts (some not so much) and the male lead not only spoke very convincing American English, he also played his part really well. I mean, some might say that his face had a lack of expression at some points but that's because that was the character he was playing. He is a cold ruthless business man, he can't be expected smile or cry at everything he feels. I was actually able to tell what he was feeling even with the "lack" of facial expression which i think is remarkable. His acting was really good, and most of the actors did a really good job.
The music for me was very unusual cause i have never heard music like that in a Korean movie before so i was actually really pleased it seemed to fit. I mean it sounded a bit americanized at first but when i realized it was actually Korean, i was like "Hmm, cool." So the music was a very big plus for me and very appropriate.
Would I watch this again? Maybe, probably, yes. 'Maybe' because i usually don' like to watch things where the female lead makes a fool of herself, but 'probably' because I liked the movie, and the characters. I didn't find the transition from English to Korean, awkward at all.
Basically I jumped into this without reading the reviews but I'm happy about that because I found that most of the faults mentioned I didn't notice till I read the reviews so I actually enjoyed the movie. And it was funny too.
so yeah, I would recommend this. It's really good :). Good enough to inspire me to write my first ever review on my drama list. Hurray :D
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What a movie. The Japanese can definitely do romance!I was deliberating whether to give it a 9, because although the story was very cute, it didn't strike me as special. I did half enjoy watching it though. It didn't feel like the actors were acting ;)
But as we moved to the latter stages, I knew this had to score high. It tugged my heartstrings, and a beautiful love shone through. How could I have labelled it as mediocre in the beginning?
I've seen Hiroshi Tamaki in Nodame, and loved him in it. I loved him in this also, albeit a different way, and he gelled well with the female lead. Who by the way, is GORGEOUS, however geeky they make her look.
Enter this with no expectations, and you will be blown away. Thankfully, I didn't read any spoilers beforehand, though I did get an inkling, when she coughed up blood when she lost her baby molars. I was thinking...hmmmm.
Looks up. Did I give anything away there? Nah. Not really :) What a gorgeous movie. For the first time, I truly believe Japan can do romance better than Korea, if they wanted too :)
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I've never written a review for anything before, nor, am i very good at writing them, but, i just had to say something about this movie...This movie, was beautiful, it brought me to tears. It's a bittersweet love story about a girl, in 2008, who drops her cell phone during an earthquake, and a boy from 1912 finds it. They are able to talk on the phone, and start to have feelings for each other.
There was this one scene in particular, that really moved me, and not to give away any spoilers, i will call it "the gift from Erizen and the old lady/little girl scene" when you watch the movie, you will understand. It was beautiful, and very touching. I've re-watched that scene a few times, and it still makes me tear up...
I'm going to end my review by saying that you should definitely watch this movie, you will not regret it.
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i was thinking. this would be only a "OK" movie. not high scored. not special.
but I´m was wrong!!!
it was a great movie !
Iam really suprised.
already in the beginning you know who the murderer is,but the writer and the film director have done a good job !
nevertheless it was in every single second exciting !
to make a movie about a insane killer who kills people based on a farytale -great idea!
"the sheep kill the wolf"
i see also chinese people know to make such a good thriller movie !
thanks for it !
i can recommmend !
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There is not such a happy and funny basic feeling it is more serious and shows a Yukawa who is struggeling with his understanding of human emotions.
Even the classical Galileo structure is changed, there is no supernatural phenomenon in relation to a murder case which Yukawa analyses and solves but a more psychologic analysis of the suspects.
I am amazed how this japanese dorama series set another highlight showing a completely new perspective of the Galileo story. The movie is very good. It sends you through a rollercoaster ride of emotions and leads you to a much better understanding of the character of professor Yukawa Manabu.
If you like the Galileo series you must watch it! If you like psychologic movies or sad stories this movie is also the right choice for you!
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This review may contain spoilers
I have slightly complex feelings on this movie, so bear with me. Skip to 'Overall' if you want to know whether this movie is for you or not.Story- It was a good idea for a story, quite interesting. The story is actually the reason I decided to watch the movie- not because I'm a big AKB48 fan or anything. Honestly, the plot is interesting, complex, and it definitely captures your attention start to finish.
Cast- I actually am not familiar with any of the actors in this movie, so I'm not biased in the least. I have to say, most of the roles were EXTREMELY well cast. The roles that weren't, did what they had to do anyway. Particularly two of the main males- Taichi mainly, and Riku. They pulled off the attitudes their character needed with skill. The females are nothing special- they do what they have to.
Music- Although the title in itself should imply it has good music, it isn't outstanding. Honestly, I didn't really notice music in this movie. There was the 'Suicide Song', mainly. The song itself is a haunting little tune when you first hear it, but as the movie goes on you learn to see it in a slightly different light. It isn't a piece of amazing music artistry, but it definitely fits the theme of the movie. One of the characters had a classical music ringtone? In all honesty, that's the only other thing I can tell you about the music of this movie.
Rewatch Value- There were a couple extremely cool parts editing wise in this movie, that I feel would not have the same cool effect if this movie was seen a second time. The ending of the movie as well. No spoilers but it was unexpected for sure. I would watch it again if I were trying to get somebody else to watch it, but I can't see going out of my way to see it again.
Overall- It was an interesting movie, for sure worth watching. The story is paced well throughout, with just the right amount of twists thrown in there. It is NOT a scary movie, as I originally thought it was going to be, and there is only a slight romance that is hinted at. For me, it gets a 7, 'Good', because while it isn't the most amazing OMGSOGREATOUTSTANDINGWOW movie I've ever seen, I'm glad I watched it.
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wish there were more of this kind...
Actors are outstanding...fitting their roles perfectly, and acting skills are fantastic
The story was "Catchy" and interesting kinda unique in it's idea
Music was good but it didn't play a major role in attracting attention because our attention was alredy stolen >_
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This movie is not for the ones with a weak heart because there is a lot of hardcore violence involved and you will cry and get shocked so much throughout the movie!
The acting is not only good with Won Bin, but also with all the others. Really well done cast! The story is very interesting and it will keep you tensed every single second of the movie. The music is very effective and it makes everything more thrilling. At the end of the movie, the song that they chose for the credits is simply ORGASMIC!
This is a must watch movie if you are not grossed out by seing a lot of blood and other obscene things. But let's face it, this is the world we live in and this is really happening.
Enjoy :)
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Takumi-kun Series 5: That, Sunny Blue Sky
15 people found this review helpful
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