Reviews

Rebel without a Cause only with boats

Nakahira Ko’s sexually provocative film Crazed Fruit was the brother of all love triangles. Back in the days when Hollywood’s Desi and Lucy had to be shown sleeping in separate beds, Natsuhisa, Eri, and Haruji broke through societal norms and carried on torrid affairs with each other in the same bed, boat or on the sandy beaches.

The Sun Tribe led by Natsuhisa and Frank was a group of bored well-to-do young people always looking for fun or trouble, whichever one they ran into first. They aimlessly killed time while railing against the establishment and rigid societal traditions. Natsuhisa’s little brother Haruji was more strait laced and gentler in temperament. Haru bumps into a beautiful girl in the train station and falls instantly in love. After they meet again by accident, his heart is sealed. Trouble arises when Natsuhisa discovers Eri’s secret and blackmails her into sleeping with him.

Though tame by modern standards there was no doubt that this film pushed the envelope for 1956. No bare bits were shown but the camera lingered suggestively over areas often considered off-limits. Characters discussed their sexual escapades as the men rated women. Post-coital moments left little to the imagination. And I’ve never seen a Japanese film with so many scenes with characters in swimsuits either.

I had no issue with the sexual content. My concerns were more about character development or the lack thereof. The brothers were close and one would have been labeled ‘the good one’ with the other one labeled ‘troubled’. That shorthand was about all that was given. Both men were obsessed with one woman and dangerously jealous. Eri, the femme fatale juggling three men, was the most thinly drawn. She supposedly loved Haru, was sexually attracted to Natsuhisa, and for some reason at the age of 20 was married to a man twice or three times her age. The volatile mix led to a suspenseful and violent conclusion.

Women may have been more sexually liberal but it was still a film written by a man which lent itself to certain biases. Consent was the male interpretation that “no” meant “yes” which was troubling. The Sun Tribe spent much time rating women and figuring out ways to meet new flesh. They may have rebelled against tradition but that didn’t mean they were any more evolved.

The cinematography was a mixed bag. Some of the shots were beautiful and thrilling. The characters spent a great deal of time either in cars, boats, or on water skis. The backgrounds for all three were laughably bad. Hawaii and Hawaii themed films were popular during the mid-1950s through the 1960s which Crazed Fruit reflected. While not set in Hawaii, the gang routinely wore Hawaiian shirts and played the ukelele. There were numerous scenes of the characters skiing which also seemed to be a popular theme from this time period.

Crazed Fruit explored the lives of (wealthy) children who had been born during WWII, lived through the bombings, and rebelled against the status quo as the country sought to find its own footing. While I could appreciate what the director was seeking to accomplish, I didn’t consider any of the characters particularly appealing. Natsuhisa was reprehensible, Haru was a blank page defined primarily by his desire for Eri, and Eri was only a vessel for the men in her life. The biggest lesson I took away from this film was to watch out for the quiet ones, still waters may run deep, but so does jealousy.

28 June 2025

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Not bad

It was not bad at all, I can even say I enjoyed watching to some degree.
I don't get the insane hate around this movie, while the way they went about some stuff could be considered cringy and cliche. It still, in my opinion, doesn't take that much from the fact that the movie was actually not that bad.

I do think it would be much better if it had more horror stuff. I got really excited when I read that this movie is a horror movie, but it was nothing close to what I expected. It was more of just mystery, I guess.
I enjoyed the acting and the story was pretty good, sadly the way they executed it wasn't the best.
I really dislike the fact how they never explained to us why exactly does Rawee had to move in with their family. That felt like a really important piece of information that was never shown to us.

The thing that I disliked the most is the way Rawee was portrayed as pretty much stereotypical “uke” from some dubious bl manga. The way he would always accidentally cut himself on everything and stumble on nothing, and of course his knight in shinning armour was always there to save him. While it could rarely be seen as cute if it happens once throughout the whole movie, the amount of times it had happened here made it genuinely annoying.

I would say that overall this movie is worth watching it, it's just the fact that while watching it don't try too hard to find some logic in it. Because it's definitely lacking in that department. It's a nice movie to watch when you don't really want to think. While I know that this is definitely not the way it was intended, it is the way it turned out to be.

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This movie is a K-TRAUMA!!! ?

Most of the people have heard about it but doesn't watch it because IT HAS A SAD ENDING 😭 But trust me this one is good like the chemistry and type of vintage movie from my opinion. Watch it trust me i know it will make you cry but in life not only happy things happened sad also happened so why not try this one? Let's review it now

*SPOILERS AHEAD*

This is a school drama. So there was this boy in the school who likes the girl but she likes his best friend. After some time she also started to like him. Girl's best friend also like the man lead and the female lead and her best friend argued on this thing. Before when this happened between female lead and her best friend, female lead , main lead, main lead's best friend and female lead's best friend went to amusement park. There the female lead and main lead sat together on roller coaster and main lead was scared of heights he only sat there because of the female lead there he also confesses his love and from there female lead start to develop feelings for him. They also used to do photography projects together because they were assigned together.


After some days, the male lead has to go abroad and both of them made promise to meet at the female lead's dad book shop at night but the female lead didn't came but the male lead waited whole night for her but she didn't came. Next day when he was going to catch his train the female lead came running towards him and said come back soon i love you and many more things.
After that she never heard from him after 40 years she found out that he was catching a flight back to Korea he died in a tragic accident 😭.

WHY DID I CUT MARKS IN WHICH THINGS?
LET'S TALK ABOUT IT.

1. STORY: I gave it a 9/10 because they both looked so good together and if you will watch the movie you will see how great their chemistry is!!!!!!! The moments they had in like it was just soo wholesomeeeeee!!!!!! I have no words now they are just soo cuteee!!!!! But...... i cuted 1 mark because of the sad ending 😭 okay don't let us remember that calm down.

2. ACTING/CASTING: I gave it 10/10 because every actors nailed and played their role so well FRR. The casting is also good like the pair of kim you jung and byeon woo seok. I NEVER IMAGINED THAT THEY WILL THAT GOOD!!!!!!!!!

3. OST: I don't much notice OSTs but there were only 1-2 OSTs because it was a movie i think but they were great that why is is a 10/10.

4. REWATCH VALUE: It was super good and amazing but making me cry also 😭 it's fine it's okay. But i prefer that i will not rewatch it because i don't wanna make myself cry again only imaging it make me cryyy.

But it is a MUST WATCH go watch it now. I know it has a sad ending but still there cute and funny moments also!!!!!!

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Honestly, I just watched the movie and created this account only to write this review.

Let me start by saying: this film is the best in its category — dark, psychological, black flag, emotionally complex — and definitely not for everyone.
There’s no fluff, no healing romance, no happy ending. Just brutal realism.

Ryuji (the doctor) isn’t a manipulator — he’s broken, emotionally unstable. His actions are abhorrent, no doubt, but his guilt over not being able to save his previous lover pushes him to "save" Makoto.
But calling him a savior isn’t accurate either — because yes, maybe he helped Makoto exist... but at what cost?

Makoto was already broken before he met Ryuji. He was on his way to self-destruction, walking the line between numbness and death.
Ryuji interrupted that process — but in doing so, created a new trauma-bonded dependency unconsciously.

Even after being set free, Makoto returns. Not out of love, but because he doesn’t know how to exist anymore without this pain. He choose to be with Ryuji even after everything (you'll know why only after watching the movie)

There’s so much more I could say, but I’ll stop here to avoid major spoilers.
Just know: this is not a love story.
It’s a story of survival, where two unstable people cling to each other not because they should… but because they have no one else.

One is coping with guilt.
The other is clinging to the only thing that made him feel alive.
They don't deserve each other, they need each other.

Would definitely recommend but if you want fluff, cutesy, happy ending, can't handle real stuff then back off. Just because people don't understand or accept the story they give bad reviews.
LET ME SAY AGAIN: THIS IS NO LOVE STORY, IT IS MORE THAN THAT.
Hope this convince you to watch the movie.

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Cool side of Tsuchiya Tao. Have 2 seiyuu also act!

Watched it for 5 minutes & straight read the manga till finished. I don't recognized Tao Tsuchiya at first, she the scene stealer here. (It's been long time I watched drama/j-movie) Tbh, Mc looks like surrounding by Main characters XD. I mean lot support role actually mc & they really cool. Only know Raul after watching this LA. Idk someone like him read this website or not, imo Raul isn't really bad but he need learn really a loooooooot. Like don't frowning so much or only pouting his mouth to be deliquent brat. I found he can't really act nervous or shocked. Sometimes I thought do they on purpose doing that for comedic scene. Perhaps, he can be Naruto because he have cool looks when doing talking no jutsu. Tbh in manga Arakuni resembles Thyme/Tsukasa (F4) but with more brain.

If agency (or himself) want pursue acting career, I hope he improve so much after meet lot actors especially Tao Tsuchiya in this movie, or taking acting class for several months. Should he meet Kentaro kaku? I mean he were acting as yankee before. Also for me, coolest movie by japanese group still High&Low series (I'm sorry but I hope they can improve because I'm want to support Raul and his groupmates especially their dorama project from now)

Disappointed they change plot even though with same goal. Well, for like 3 arcs in 1 movie ofc isn't enough to make audiance satisfied. They should make this trilogy LA. So if u don't like the LA just read the manga, and sumihiko cool af there (he still cool in LA but more cool on manga). If LA have Masachika carry the show then Arakuni carrying them for real alongside with Sumihiko (Masachika still the best Waifu too) I'm rooting for new era with other cast as well, maybe I'll watch their future series and loving it. Still disappointed with the plot and how everyone appear. It might be good as if have 8 eps too. I was hoping at least like 3 nen A gumi where everyone shine by their own with a girl as center of their goal.

For music, hmm I'm not sure almost all current dorama that I want to finished seems using these type of music (that's why i rarely watch dorama now) Also we have seiyuu acting in this movie. I wasn't sure but it's really him lmao (not Tsuda Kenjiro, but the other one)

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this isn't LGBT...

donno why there's an LGBT tag - the fact that the male leads got close, automatically means sexual attraction? if so i missed the signs - cause there were none to be found.

if i didn't read the description, wouldn't have guessed that the reason Xiao Fang ended up in Surfers' utopia, was cause he just broke up with his gf. from what i saw, it seemed like he was just a man lost in life, with no direction that held on to the only life-line offered to him - that came in the form of a job, to run the surf shop by the sea that Dong Bin owned. a job opportunity that opened up, cause the previous worker had to go back home, cause of family issues.

all of the people who ended up in Wan'an, were either running away from something or were lost & needed a place to call home & that's why they all became "family" - under Uncle Dong Bin guidance. guess hurt people can recognize kinder spirits & he welcomed every new comer into the "family".
everyone who came to Surfers' utopia & stayed were lost in some way, everyone carrying their own baggage, Xiao Fang & Yuan Yong just connected. given the fact that Yuan Yong reminded Xiao Fang of his childhood bff (& what happened to said bff), it was logical that on his part, he wanted to get close to Yuan Yong. that doesn't make them "closeted". people can have chemistry with other people of the same gender or the opposite gender & it can be totally platonic.

if anything, there was no romance to speak off in this movie, even though Yuan Yong & Yu Ling came as a couple, they didn't interact like one - other then when they were making out lol. but they were more like friends with benefits. even in the scene where Xiao Fang & Yuan Yong were shirtless & Xiao Fang was tending to Yuan Yong wounds, the one that was effected by the scene, that was aware of the picture they both presented & how appealing it was, was Yu Ling. the guys weren't effected in the least - cause there was a platonic connection between them - nothing more.

this was a depressing movie - the MC, Xiao Fang - who was running away from the world, maybe cause of what happened in his teens, seeing Yuan Yong felt he had a chance to redeem himself, to regain what he once lost. but the tragic turn of event with Yuan Yong made him realize, that he couldn't redeem himself or save his bff - again. thus what he chose in the end was sadly, tragically logical.

hella depressing... well acted by all & not a boring moment, even though it is pretty slow-paced - but so freakin sad.

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A MUST-WATCH !! Statues, Figurines, Mystical Dolls (Charms), Deity idols, Everywhere! :O

A VERY INTERESTING HORROR!
Director Mike never disappoints when it is Horror genre, just like his "Pee Nak" Film Franchise (horror comedies).

This is a Serious Psychological Horror with a Good Blend of Murder Mysteries n a very good amount of Suspense👌🏻

It's more of a Murder Mystery than a Horror.
(Concepts of Black magic n awakening of Evil Hoon Payon to haunt n attack people, still makes this a horror n gives chills).

Suspense n Mystery of
What happened to (Phuwin) Tham's missing brother,
Why are there hauntings and murders, only after Tham's arrival,
Who will be killed next,
Why are they murdered n
Who is murdering them -- Religious Deity as a punishment for a sin/mistake or Some Black magic Mystical Ghastly Creatures or Humans in the name of Deity n Ghost?
These Mysteries and Suspense are very well maintained throughout the movie.
Whatever, all the scenes of the Haunting (by Evil Mystical Hoon Payon) or the Hunting (if murdered by Humans) are Very Interesting.

Right from the beginning of the movie, from the very first scene, it is very interesting and the mysterious vibe is well carried forward, while Tham exploring the truth of his missing brother (monk).

***
This Story really shows
the Good and Evil (Black Magic) sides of Religious beliefs, faiths and related superstitions,
the Good side of Humans who always try to help others &
the Evil side of Humans (fake monks) exploiting people's weakness (fear or faith on a religion n related superstitions)
and Reminds us strongly that sometimes, whatever we see, is not always true -- There can be more to a person who looks all innocent (retard character) or revered (one elder monk). (Even I was misled by these characters, haha).

***
There is a ghastly, eerie, scary n mysterious vibe every moment in every scene.

The Spine-chilling Scary feel is not bcz of jump scares in haunting scenes but it's bcz of the Fear instilled by the Nail-biting Suspense of what happens next and who is attacked n killed next, as though death or something mysterious, follows one constantly.
(So, Watch this at late Nights only for true scary chills and eerie feels, haha).

BTW, Director Mike made sure that this scary vibe is slowly build with the suspense around the characters and the story but not with any silly jump scares / cheap visual effects that are found in few horrors without much concentration on the plot, just to attract horror genre audience.

***
That island village worships other deities who are considered powerful n punish the ones who destroys their idols.
And also have a strange tradition of worshipping a Life-Sized statue of a dead person with ashes n bones kept inside the statue for the dead person to rest in peace.
Also they carry mystical figurines like charms for protection from black magic
But then, there are full sized Ghastly Creatures, called Hoon Payon, made from a dead body by Evil persons who practise black magic for evil purposes.

So there are many Life-Sized Statues, Figurines, Small Mystical Dolls (Charms), Deity idols, etc Everywhere! :O
U'll be confused for a moment, thinking what is what and which is good & which is evil, haha.

***
Direction, Plot, Story Writing (characterisation), Story Narration and Screenplay are Good.
Pacing is Good.
Cinematography and Locations are very Good.

***
Every Actor performed well.

Phuwin's character Tham is Cool, trying to find out the truth behind his missing brother n Bold to face anything to find the truth behind the Hoon Payon, not scared of the villagers' superstitions, whenever there is a Hoon payon haunting.

Emi as a possessed gal, acted very well.

Up, as an innocent retard, acted so well that u sympathize with his role, Tee when he is bullied but the Plot Twist, that different shade in his role, is an unexpected surprise n just Wow in this story (n the rating will shoot up just bcz of this twist n his acting, haha)

Garto, Bank, every supporting cast did well.
(Except 2-3 actors, when I can recognise almost every actor in this movie, it shows the amount of Thai works that I watch, haha)

***
The Narrative of the Secrets' reveal, is smooth and a surprise.
For eg:
How one elder monk is actually not a monk but a bad human exploiting villagers' beliefs for his own greed and personal gain.
Even the reveal of the Plot Twist at the end.

***
The Story is wrapped up Good and Smooth, clearing all the mysteries of every murder and the secrets of all missing persons.

The Plot Twist at the end is an unexpected move :O,
(Aigoo, I suspected two other monks, haha).
So what happens to Tham (Phuwin) in the end -- Maybe, Need a Sequel to know this, though not necessarily.

***
My Rating is 8.5/10.
(Could be 9, if the confusion of various figurines, as mentioned above, didn't distract me understanding the plot).

Horror Genre Lovers, DON'T MISS TO WATCH THIS!

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I placed spoilers at the end of this review.

The series/movie: Overall, this was an easy watch and somewhat enjoyable. It had a very basic storyline which would have been fine if the script was better. The main problem is it did not do a good job fully explaining some aspect of the story which made some part make no sense. Although it was a happy ending, it was very lack luster. It also includes the one story element I hate. Especially when it served no purpose to the story. There was also a lot of wasted screen time that could have been used to fully explain various parts of the story. Overall, the acting was good.

The movie: The main positive aspect is they did an incredible job editing the episodes into one cohesive movie. There were a few added senses and some that were cut out which helped the story progress. The sound quality was better in the series.

Random Note:

If you are in-between series and have some time to kill, I recommend watching the movie series. The editing really helped the flow of the story.


******Potential Spoiler Alert******

The script does not fully explain what exactly happen between Yeong Wu and Hwang Yi Bin in the past.

Why was Hwang Yi Bin so surprise when Yeong Wu said he was going to be Kim Gi Jin’s model considering that Hwang Yi Bin asked him to do it.

We get the hint that Kim Gi Jin didn’t go to New York, but no explanation why. If it was to stay with Yeong Wu, why did he disappear which made the 1-year time jump serve absolutely no purpose. We also get no full explanation what happen during the time jump.

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SO YA LEL YA LELI CODED

This movie might just be the best thing I’ve ever watched—and even if I come across better ones in the future, I know this one will always stay close to my heart. I absolutely loved every moment from beginning to end. The friendship group was so beautifully portrayed, especially the bond between Ali and Mesut. They started off as complete opposites but became true ride-or-die brothers. Ali’s hopeless crush on Marilyn Monroe, his delusions and daydreams, added such charm, yet he was also the best shooter in their unit—skilled, brave, and dependable. It broke me when he died… not even due to recklessness, just a single moment that cost everything.

Ayla learning to speak Turkish was such a touching part of the story, and the bond between her and Süleyman was so pure and wholesome. Nuran could never fully understand Süleyman, and maybe she wasn’t meant to. God’s plan was for him to be with Nimet—his true partner, with whom he spent 60 years and had two children. Nimet loved him quietly and unconditionally all along, and I believe Süleyman eventually grew to love her deeply as well.

Even though they couldn’t find Ayla for decades—her name changed and the trail went cold—they never gave up. It took from the early 1950s all the way to around 2010 for them to reunite, but they did. Neither of them forgot. Neither broke the promise. That alone was enough to tear me apart emotionally.

One of my favorite moments was when Süleyman (in the movie) walks to the mosque past a store, and the real-life Süleyman is sitting there, reading a newspaper. He greets his movie self—and right after in the end, it cuts to footage of the actual reunion in real life. I cried so much at that point. Truly, a masterpiece. A tearjerker. A memory I’ll always treasure.

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