Reviews

A trip through Hell

I'll keep this short and sweet.
Spoilers ahead:
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Question: How do you make an entire movie, quite literally, around the twitch of a hand?

Answer: You throw in some dinosaurs, a pack of hungry wolves, some battle scenes, a game of chess, a clay pot, a trip through hell, some fabulous CGI, and an amazing cast of actors!

I personally thought part 1 (Along With the Gods: The Two Worlds) was a better movie overall, but there are many who disagree. Regardless, both movies were very well done and deserve to be seen by those who occasionally enjoy a bit of the fantasy genre. I'd hope they would continue with the plans to make a part 3 and 4, but it doesn't look like that's going to happen, sadly.

Are you still reading? Why?? Go watch!!!

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good storyline projecting the life of certain group of people in 60s

Good one to try. You can expect critical storyline with in-depth meaning beyond sex.
The film follows a group of prostitutes living in post-World War II Tokyo who band together to survive in a world that is hostile to their existence.

The characters are complex and well-drawn, with each of the women having their own distinct personality and motivations. The film delves deep into the psyche of these women, exploring their desires, fears, and struggles.

The cinematography is stunning, with beautifully composed shots that capture the neon-lit streets of Tokyo. The use of color is particularly striking, with bold and vivid hues that give the film a dreamlike quality.

Despite its subject matter, "Gate of Flesh" is not without moments of humor and humanity. The film manages to find moments of tenderness and compassion amidst the harsh realities of life as a prostitute. The performances are uniformly excellent, with each actor bringing depth and nuance to their roles.

Overall, "Gate of Flesh" is a powerful and thought-provoking film that explores themes of sexuality, gender, and power in a way that is both raw and poetic. It is a must-see for fans of Japanese cinema and anyone interested in exploring the darker corners of the human experience.

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I Expected More

I expected more from this movie, but I wasn't bitterly disappointed. The summary tells you essentially all you need to know about the plot of this movie which is that it's about a girl who gets stalked by a man after losing her phone.

Lee Na mi is a young woman who loses her phone on the bus while drunk after a night out. The opening of the movie establishes that Na Mi is a woman who's dependent on her phone-her world essentially revolves around the device so when she loses it and it's picked up by an unknown party, he gains access into her world.

I don't watch movies often because I feel like a lot of the time, more could have been told of the story but due to the 1.30-2hr time limit, often gets omitted. I felt like that was the case with this movie.

There wasn't enough focus on what was meant to be the main focus of the movie-his access into her phone. The killer's M.O is to gain access into his victims' phone and using that access, isolate them from the people in their lives and then kill them. However, the movie spends the bulk of its time having him watch her and take note of her relationships and plot his move. This would've been fine except it put all the focus on the killer and when you watch a thriller, I feel like a driving force behind the emotions of the viewers comes from the fear and distress of the targets/victims-not the methods of the killers/perps. We didn't get enough of Na Mi in distress and living in fear-there wasn't enough build up to how his access into her phone impacted her life, so it was a bit lackluster and made the whole "phone" part of the story unnecessary to me. It could've been omitted, and he could've just been someone who followed her home off the bus, and we'd have had the same result. If they had taken their time to not only show how he used his access to her phone to methodically ruin her life and isolate her from her loved ones but also how that impacted her by making her restless and living in a constant state of fear, distress and distrust and the feeling of endlessly being watched but never knowing who until the final showdown in the house-it would have been much better. What we got, however, was that everything happened too quick, and the movie was over-he blew up her job in one go and her relationship with her best. Her father being removed was a non-factor because she didn't even realize he was missing until the final showdown, and she figured out who he was like the same day he cut out her job and friend from her life. This could've been done better to make it a better thriller, but it was otherwise a fairly good movie.

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How can a slice of life feel so empty?

Things happened but everything was meaningless, because nothing was established. There were so many things that did not work out.

They tried to tell us the main characters are struggling. With what? What was the focus of the story? Honestly, I don't know. Was it striving to achieve your dream no matter what? Was it changing your dream after finding out who you truly are? Was there something going on between the leads or not? Did any of the characters have any depth, personality, personal story? Everyone was so one dimensional, defined by one personality trait or personal story, it was hard to care for any of them…

It’s hard for me to comment about the acting, since the characters were rather shallow. There were few highlights from Shin Seung Ho and Irene did fine - the character had just nothing to offer, so she had nothing to show.

What’s good? The movie is rather pretty.

Overall, it’s not like there was something wrong with this movie… but there was not anything right about it either.

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the romance was so precious here!

What a beautiful way to tell a story about the precious time that passes between people that are in love.

I can totally understand why some would think the time logic is confusing but after exposition from the FL I pretty much understood it. The acting was good. Fukushi Sota was so cute as Minamiyamai. His performance from the beginning was so endearing and you could really feel his love for Fukuju through the screen and that was amazing. Komatsu Nana was also good tho I liked Fukushi’s acting more. At first I wondered why it seemed like Minamiyamai liked her more than she liked him, even one sided at times. After her secret was revealed her behavior made much more sense and you saw exactly how much Minamiyamai meant to her. That ending was so abrupt bc I really loved every moment the leads were together and wanted to see more of them but I am happy we got to see their timelines collide again as we know they do have a happy ending.

I def recommend this movie if you’re new to Japanese movies/shows and you're a big fan of romance or destiny-trope stuff. I was quite pleased with this and loved the romance aspect here. Am open to watching this again in the future.

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Why is this not a series?????

A short story that you’d wish to be a series…

It’s only 14 minutes but it felt like 3 hours long~ in a short period of time, it made me love their characters and their story already.

There are no kissing or intimate scenes, but the way they look at each other, and treat each other, the place, setting, and music — makes it SO ROMANTIC. This is such a perfect example that not having those kind of stereotype scenes could still make a drama beautiful.

I’d love to see the both of them work in another project again one day. Be it a sequel for this, or a totally new drama series this time.

They got big potential to top the dramas we have to this date. There’s really something about their chemistry.

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It will ruin your day

But in a good way. This movie is so well done but it’ll TUG on your heartstrings. Nowadays zombie movies are always copy pastes from each other, and though you can’t do many different things with this genre, this movie totally does it. You get attached to the people there and at some point you really start fearing if your favourite character will die (they probably will here ..) it’s heartbreaking, especially the ending. I’ve been told to watch this movie since forever and always pushed it behind, today I watched it and it kept my attention as well as my emotions. Amazing casting, great acting and overall an amazing plot of the movie. So much action and suspense, I loved it. You won’t regret watching this!!

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"You know Jonathan, if you add your marks with mine, we make a perfect 100!" said Shane

What a lovely movie!

I started watching this very randomly because I was bored and outside it was gloomy dark weather, somehow I ended up watching this movie. It's hard to explain in words how beautiful the whole story, cast, the acting and the cinematography was. It's an unspoken feeling that will linger on your mind for couple of days.

Teenage love is hard, beautiful and full of inexperienced unknown emotions which wa portrayed that pragmatically as possible. Love and friendship intertwined and presented longing, belonging and finally founding peace with one's own mind, which is the most exhausting journey in the world. Shane is longing for a lifelong friendship from Jonathan and he is bottling up his love for Shane.

What I loved about this movie is that they will not show you your pre-assumed happy ending but something more than that. The background music is very soothing, it just blends into the theme so well that it creates a nostalgic earthy aura around it.

Highly recommendable and it's better to watch it alone, so that you can feel the characters like I did.

But one spoiler, don't expect "happy ending". It's not your normal fluffy BL but a LGBTQ themed queer awakening movie.

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Excellent movie

In the beginning, I watched a "politically motivated" movie, the communist faction, and I thought that it wouldn't be for me. And damn it was.
You have to work your way through that beginning. Politics gradually disappeared from the screen during the story and the deep life story of Jun (the great Sid Lucero, whom I also know from the excellent Filipino film Selda) came to the fore, as I followed him gradually over the years and other main characters include Errol and Roland (here on MDL, these characters are not mentioned by mistake) and the other secondary roles are also etched in my memory. When I thought about the political development of the Philippines and watched the GAY LINE OF THE STORY in particular, and we all know that in the past people of minority orientation did not have it easy (often even today), it was quite a strength, a deep experience. I understand that, for example, older generations will be put off by the "communist" beginning and or the heterosexual gay line, when the actors had to submit to quite sexually explicit scenes (somewhere I'm confused whether the Philippine censors didn't even ban or cut out a part in 2010), which were very convincing, I didn't mind that the creators couldn't "age" Errol more towards the end of the film, it didn't detract from the deep story, after all, Errol's older son at the end of the film was actually a year older than his "dad". A really powerful experience for me and it's a shame that 13 years ago technology wasn't at such a high level and the film has an "old" look ...

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Lighthearted romantic comedy

So many silent films from this era were tragic and melodramatic. Ozu's The Lady and the Beard was a breath of fresh air with its lighthearted comedy and sweet romance. No deaths, no one forced into prostitution, no devastating understandings. This easy, delightful comedy may leave you a little like me, weak in the knees from relief.

Okajima is a college student and kendo master, but what makes him stand out is his large bushy beard. His friend, wealthy Teruo, invites him to his sister's birthday party after a match. On the way there, Okajima rescues a kimono clad Hiroko from Satoko, a girl gangster. Later at the party, Teruo's sister and her friends disdain the bearded and coarsely mannered Okajima and try every way they can to embarrass him which proves fruitless.

After graduation, Okajima struggles to find a job. Hiroko, who had been a secretary at one of the places where he interviewed finds him and tells him he lost out on the job because of his beard. Like wise men everywhere, he listened to her and shaved his beard and was instantly hired at a hotel. Not only did it help with his employment but now Ikuko and Satoko were also interested in his clean-shaven face and ability to defend himself and by extension-them.

This film which fell into the post college time of life for Ozu's characters was made in eight days. Unlike Ozu's later films with rigid shots of people and settings, the people and scenes flowed more easily. This was before he had people staring into the camera to recite their lines, which always felt forced to me. I liked the fluidity of this one though I did miss his traditional geometric shots and ubiquitous teapot.

Ozu touched on his oft used theme of traditionalism vs modernism. Okajima with his old-fashioned beard used to scare away women (which he learned from Abraham Lincoln) personified traditionalism. Hiroko, though soft voiced and wearing a traditional kimono also understood the more modern and western ideas. Ikuko was more modern but also from a noble family and was entrenched in her wealthy elitist lifestyle. Finally, modern girl Satoko had gone so far astray that she had fallen into a life of crime. Satoko drove a really nice Lincoln car with a huge greyhound hood ornament though. Okajima and Hiroko did a gentle push-pull dance each moving toward and from strictly traditional ways and strictly modern ways. Ozu found a nice middle of the road for them to travel.

The Lady and the Beard was a pleasant romantic comedy where everyone learned a few life lessons and more about themselves. The comedy could veer into silly slapstick but it never lost its heart when it did. It was a simple story and a simple film that was simply entertaining.

6/20/23

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A story of infatuation, a need to please and possess. This isn't a love story. However, it IS a story -about- love.

Colonel Kim Jin Pyeong has settled into a quiet life after Vietnam. Despite PTSD and nightmares, he finds himself doing what he has to, to simply get through day-by-day. He carries an air of cold indifference wherever he goes, and whatever he does. Whether it's conversations with his wife, eating, sleeping, or shagging -- he's basically just existing. Until Jong Ga Heun moves in across the street, the wife of his subordinate. He realizes instantly that she is different from the other women that surround him on the base and in the residences. Calm, collected, cool; and oddly candid. It's a story about two people who are unhappy with the lives they are living, and how they try to find a way to manage the apathy.

I will admit, the lack of emotion between the two lead characters was stifling. I honestly never thought I'd see cardboard act with cardboard. However, after finishing, there was a moment when I teared up. I wasn't expecting it. If there was a way to put the acting in most of this film, it would be the words 'deadpan delivery'. Constantly. There is so little emotion from the two lead characters, and still even, a lack of chemistry, but perhaps that was intended. Since the characters seem to just be looking to escape their lives and themselves for a while. I wasn't drawn into the 'love story', but I suppose that's because it isn't a love story. The sets are nice, the lighting was well done, and the music is nothing to write home about. I suppose if I were, to sum up how I feel about this movie, the singular word would be: meh.

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A Powerful Movie About Isolation

Before watching this movie, I insist greatly that you check the tags, understand the trigger warnings laid within them, and be prepared for a dark and twisted tale.

This is a very powerful movie about isolation and what people go through to survive it. Both the female and male leads are lonely and isolated. Chihiro due to being drawn into a violent cycle of abuse that repeats over and over. Isolated from those she knows and loves and with a child to protect she often keeps her head down. Naoto due to his practically invisible existence from as early as he can remember. All he wants in life is to, for once, not be forgotten.

I will give you a sincere tip. This movie is not for the light-hearted. However, if you're doing a binge day of jdrama shows/movies -- I would suggest watching the drama "Fishbowl Wives" (2022), and THEN watching this movie. I walked in blind to "Fishbowl Wives" and then randomly found this movie. The combination was dynamite. I don't know how to explain it, but it was like watching the same lead protagonists story -- only from a COMPLETELY different view points.

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MASTERPIECE

I rarely watch/enjoy romance movies, but this one has actually touched my heart.
The plot is simple but extremely well executed. The development between the 2 main characters is incredible. The visuals are really diverse and beautiful, going from urban cities like Tokyo, to Ocean and Snowy mountains. The acting is also very realistic, you feel all emotions, especially sadness. In addition, the sound track is wonderful since it was done by Radwimps (Your name-Suzume-Weathering With You etc.)
Highly recommend it. If you liked the anime movie : I Want to Eat Your Pancreas, you will truly ~enjoy this one as well.

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This Movie is Filmed Like How You Feel Emotions

I will immediately start this off by saying that you're either going to love this movie or hate it. I have a genuine feeling that there is no middle ground. I truly loved it, but again, it's going to be a total trainwreck for some, and a piece of art for others.

"'First love' never turns into past tense." - Hot Gimmick

This is a powerful film about self-recognition, and learning about one's self. To steal moments for yourself and to share yourself with others and to make decisions for today while hoping that tomorrow, the sun will rise, and you will continue on.

The cinematography is flickering, fleeting glimpses at points just as these emotions change throughout the movie. This entire movie is filmed in the way one would feel emotions during the introduction of your first love. Everything is fast, confusing, and flickering. Did you feel sure of everything you did? Were your steps hesitant? Did you feel despair at point only to feel the thrill of elation shortly after?

The color changes the way emotions feel and each emotion and experience with a different person, or a different moment. The classical music that twists through the strife, the sexual tension, and the elated moments when Hatsumi accepts herself were (surprisingly) perfect. It's been a while since I've known every single classical piece on a soundtrack. It didn't feel tacked on either. It actually suited the film's artsy side, all while keeping it instrumental and not distracting you with lyrics.

I would definitely rewatch this movie.

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