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Not as entertaining as the original
Sanshiro Sugata Part II was a pale reflection of the original Sanshiro Sugata from 1943. While the original was fun and had a solid story arch, the sequel's story was thinner, more confusing, heavy on propaganda and not very entertaining.Sugata has been away for two years but hasn't learned much. He helps a young rickshaw driver when a drunk American sailor beats the boy. A Japanese fight promoter hears about the incident and invites him to compete against "Lister the Killer," an American boxer, but he declines. Unfamiliar with boxing, Sugata decides to watch a match and is disgusted by the showy sport, alluding to it looking like dogs or roosters fighting. He returns to the dojo where Higaki Gennosuke's brothers show up looking for a battle with him. Sensei Yano sends the rude brothers away. "The man who knows not himself knows nothing." Later, Higaki Gennosuke whom Sugata defeated in the previous film, who is quite ill but healed in spirit pleads with Sugata to stay away from the unbalanced brothers. Sugata has been suffering from self-doubt wondering whether he should give up judo because of the harm that comes to his opponents but he also wants to fight whenever he can which leads to him not sleeping. He's also concerned about the survival of Japanese martial arts. The three laws of the dojo state that no one is to drink in the dojo, no fighting for money, and no fights without the sensei's permission. Suffice to say he breaks all three, fighting both the American and the crazy karate brother.
This sequel's fights weren't as well done or exciting. The final battle on the snowy mountain was hard to see as the bodies were dark silhouettes on the white background. In the first film, the contests furthered Sugata's growth, in this film, they all seem to be about promoting Japanese martial arts as superior to other forms.
Where Sugata traveled a spiritual path of self-discovery in the first film, he seemed completely confused and erratic in this one. The propaganda was heavy-handed, though it was understandable in the waning days of WWII when the writing was on the wall. While I could easily recommend the first film, this second one may be more for Kurosawa completionists.
8/11/23
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Bad start but get's better
Sometimes you will see a cover and instantly know that this is just not for you.... but then you may look a bit closer and find out that Greg Hsu is the star and all of a sudden you just have to watch it for that smile.... But deep down inside you know that Greg is probably the only thing this movie has to offer.And well it started off just like it´s cover suggested, annoyingly bad silly humour... Greg Hsu as a homophobic over the top jerk (with muscles) slightly painful to watch second hand embarrassment making me rethink my choice to watch it, but since Greg Hsu is the star and they trowed in a bunch of open minded granny's I stuck to it and it actually got better. Showing me yet again the Greg is a versatile actor (having like 10 personalities in this) and more then just a pretty face. The other male lead did a really good job too. Some twists where more predictable than others, actually most of them where predictable. the character development was however lovely and I think I may almost have shed a tear.
So I am not going to say this is great, but if you are a Fan of Greg Hsu or ghosts, this is not a bad place to watch them just don´t judge the movie by its cover or first 30 minutes or so. It does indeed get better. But honestly it is probably worth a 6,5 or a 7 but the cast and moments of brilliance (few as they are), as well as the presence of a cute dog truly adds a whole lot of stars.
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Please
I cried so hard I couldn't breathe. Both the acting and cinematography are great. Just watch it.I wasn't expecting much of it, and after watching the trailer on Netflix I thought it was gonna be an overall pretty funny movie with some sad bits. I'd still say some scenes are funny, and I wouldn't say the movie was really sad because as I finished it it's not the impression it left on me. But there was so much regret shown, and yet so much love, it was beautiful and it absolutely destroyed me. After the end of the movie, I stared at my ceiling in silence for a whole 10 minutes. I'm so happy I watched it, I just hope you give it a try too :')
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A buddy cop movie with an atypical ghost element
This buddy cop movie is quite atypical as it features a fantastical element with this very interesting concept of "ghost marriage". It contains a lot of the usual elements of such movie with the investigation, the buddying up between 2 very different individuals as well as the comedic aspects but the LGBTQ+ topic approached in addition with the fantastical twist bring some freshness to the genre.It is quite light and does not take itself very seriously, it has almost a parodic vibe. This makes it an overall fun watch which could have been even better with a tighter writing and a better pacing. The acting is quite good: I was more convinced by the comedic scenes than by the emotional ones...Still, I'm quite certain that it is more related to the script being a bit bonkers at times as well as the filmmaking a bit over-the-top than to the actors themselves.
The music did not leave a lasting impression on me and I'm not sure I will necessarily re-watch the movie but I had a good time watching it for sure.
I would recommend this to people that are looking for a comedy with an interesting premise and like buddy cop movies. It is not very memorable, nor very deep, gritty or dark but it is quite entertaining and fun, which is sometimes just what you need.
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"A lotus will only grow in the mud"
Kurosawa Akira made his directorial debut with Sanshiro Sugata in 1943. Set in the Meiji era, the story followed brash young fighter Sanshiro Sugata as he learned about judo and himself. Though the plot was quite simple, Sanshiro's journey from thoughtless bully to thoughtful fighter was appealing to watch. (The film lost seventeen minutes of footage after it was cut by the Japanese censors deemed some scenes not appropriate for wartime viewing.)Sanshiro comes to town in order to learn more about jiu-jitsu. He wanders into a dojo just in time to hear the members deciding to mete out punishment to a rival instructor who is teaching a new version of jiu-jitsu called judo. Sanshiro asks if it's an ambush. "Ambush? It's just a match without a referee." And one where the opponents greatly outnumber the unsuspecting teacher. Sanshiro watches in fascination as Sensei Yano throws the half-dozen men attacking him into the river. Sanshiro quickly changes his mind and decides to train in judo instead. Initially, the young fighter takes every opportunity in town to become involved in a fight to test his abilities. After Yano tells him he knows nothing about humanity and that teaching him would be like "putting a knife in a lunatic's hand", Sanshiro attempts to prove his loyalty and worth by spending the night in a mucky lotus pond. When a flower blooms from the mire, he gains a revelation about life and himself. Much of the rest of the film entails Sanshiro competing against other opponents on his path toward growth as a person and in judo. He develops feelings for an opponent's daughter which complicates matters when he has to face her father in a competition.
Whether or not they were realistic, the fights were engaging. Each match engendered personal progress in Sanshiro. The best fight was Yano's against the rival school's ambush. With a quiet confidence Yano defeated his foes in a humorous manner. The most emotional fight was Sanshiro's contest with Shimura Takashi's Murai, who had fallen away from his practice and was no match for the younger fighter. The older man was gracious and let Sanshiro know they were not enemies which stirred more self-improvement in the young man. The climactic clash against the film's villain, Higaki, reminded me of a samurai duel the way they circled and sized each other up. One man found enlightenment through a flower, the other used one as an ashtray. Without Yano's guidance Sanshiro might have ended up like the arrogant Higaki. The last confrontation was where it truly looked like a Kurosawa film with the wind bending the tall grasses and clouds racing across the sky.
This may not have been Kurosawa's most emotionally or narratively complex film but it had a compelling hero's journey as Sanshiro learned the spiritual aspects of his practice and in life. He grew as a man and as a fighter under the guidance of his wise sensei. Unlike so many of Kurosawa's later heroes who were forced into isolation during their emotional crucibles, Sanshiro remained devoted to his sensei and gained friends from former opponents. I found Sanshiro Sugata to be an entertaining film, even in its shortened version.
8/11/23
Edit: I read there is a DVD version available that was able to include the missing minutes.
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A Very Good Comedy/Action Film!
“Veteran” is just a plain, fun romp of an action/comedy film about a Metro detective who is hellbent on taking down the drug addict man who is the son of a wealthy corporate tycoon. The theme is a fairly common one of a wealthy man who believes that he’s untouchable and above the law. Plus, I needed something to get the bad taste of “King the Land” out of my mouth, and this movie more than fit the bill for me in that regard.Detective Seo Do Cheol leads a band of misfit detectives on various sting operations. The film opens up with him taking down an auto theft ring, and the apprehension of the Russian and Korean criminals down on the docks is beyond hilarious! Watching Detective Bong howl like a Native American battle cry, and fly out of nowhere to take down one of the operatives, is one of the funniest moments of the scene as she ends up missing the guy entirely and knocking herself out.
Do Cheol finds out that a friend (Bae) who helped him with the sting operation is trying to get his back pay of wages that the corporation is refusing to pay him, and the sadistic, drug addict, Jo Tae Oh takes great delight in having Bae beaten in front of his young son and then covering up an attempted murder with a suicide ploy. Of course, Do Cheol doesn’t believe a word of it as he’s already experienced Jo Tae Oh’s sadistic side first-hand at a party where he delightfully abuses two women just for the sheer pleasure of it.
As we’ve seen countless times before in K-dramas and movies, the rogue detective finds himself up against the system, where he’s forced to deal with high-priced lawyers, corrupt police officers who are being paid, and even high political officials who all want Do Cheol to leave the case alone. Even his wife is approached by Jo Tae Oh’s lawyer and assistant with a purse filled with money as a payoff. However, Do Cheol refuses to back down and vows to do whatever it takes to uncover the truth and take Jo Tae Oh down.
Do Cheol is a skilled fighter, and an above-average detective, and Hwang Jung Min plays him perfectly. He’s a likable guy who seems to take abuse from everyone, from his superiors, his co-workers, and even his wife, who snaps at him as soon as he gets home from a long day.
Yoo Ah In gives us an equally riveting performance as the drug-crazed Jo Tae Oh, a man who delights in the pain of others. He wears a smile like the Joker and before you know it, he goes on rampages of rage and violence. We are given hints as to why he might be like this as his father, while not on drugs, is certainly ruthless and prone to violence himself. Jo Tae Oh believes he has to prove himself in order to be his father’s successor, but his cravings for violence end up being his undoing.
The only part of the movie that had me scratching my head was the end. During their showdown, Do Cheol allows himself to be beaten in order to secure an “assault on a police officer” charge, or even just a “resisting arrest” as their fight is in front of cameras and many spectators all recording the incident on their phones. While it made the fight more interesting, I didn’t understand why he would have to take such a beating. Perhaps the charge is different in Korea, which is why I sort of dismissed it. In the US, after Jo Tae Oh hits him with the first punch—which takes place after Do Cheol is already read him his rights—that would have been more than sufficient for the charge to stick.
Koreans are masters of combing and using different thematic and genre elements in their shows and movies. This movie has plenty of action, laugh-out-loud moments, and scenes that will have you cringing, and the film also gives viewers something to think about. Koreans love using entertainment as a means to try and invoke change. In this case, it’s about not allowing the wealthy to prey upon the poor or the helpless nor allowing the wealthy to simply buy their way out of prosecution. In short, nobody is above the law and everyone should be held accountable, no matter who they are or where they come from.
All in all, this movie was a lot of fun, and I’m already looking forward to Veteran 2!
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Does it deserve the Oscar awards it got, it is your decision to make
I guess everyone has a different interpretation of the story, despite some people's claims that the movie was boring. In my opinion, three classes—the rich, the poor, and the poorer—were represented in the narrative. The poorer people I am referring to are, without a doubt, the former housekeeper and her husband. Most people would wonder why the father had to kill Mr. Park, but someone once told me that Mr. Park's subconscious sudden admission that he thought Kelvin's father and the former housekeeper's husband were the same because they both smelled bad was the final straw that caused him (Kelvin's father) to kill Mr. Park.The film serves as a metaphor for a number of social problems that exist globally, most notably in South Korea. It focuses on classism and how it relates to capitalism, poverty, social strata, and other issues.
Despite the comedic nature of the film's opening, we are thrust into the spotlight when we discover that the entire family are con artists. We are all perplexed as to why the Parks are so clueless, and unaware of what is happening. However, in reality, when you trust someone, you often naively believe everything they say and do.
The movie then attempts to present itself as a thriller, but it falls short in this regard; in my opinion, it actually presents itself as survival horror mixed with comedy horror.
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I did cry.
I loved the acting and story, But I thought this was a comedy. Ended up sobbing, it was so good And the ending did go well with the plot although Mao and Ming han never got together it was faded. The part where he and Mao Maos grandmother were on video call was so kind hearted. And over all this movie gets a 10/10 from me. Do recommend it is definitely binge worthy, although like I said it did make me cry when he looked up and was saying "mao mao don't joke like this" 😢 Also in the end his and maos dad's relationship was really cute!Was this review helpful to you?
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You Will Laugh And You Will Cry!
A surprising, hilarious, and touching film about a straight police officer (Wu Ming Han) who gets married to a gay ghost (Mao Mao). The circumstances around his why Ming Han agrees to marry the ghost will make you laugh, and the grandma's adoration and support of her dead grandson (going so far as to arrange his marriage after death) are moving, even while bizarre.Their marriage becomes the set up for an overarching plot point: solving the mystery of Mao Mao's death. And as the mystery is solved, you will be surprised. Talk about plot twist!
While Ming Han brings Mao Mao justice and needed closure to a certain conflict in his life, Mao Mao brings to Ming Han the love of his grandma and father. At the end of the movie, there's genuine love and affection between them, and Ming Han remains committed to remembering Mao Mao, even keeping his memorial alter in his home. It's clear that Ming Han accepts Mao Mao as his husband.
The film challenges us to stretch our imaginations about what a marriage can be and what loyalty to a partner can be. At the end, Ming Han demonstrates a kind of commitment to his husband that, even if not romantic or sexual, is no less true.
A little detail not to miss in the closing scene: Ming Han picking up his portable tumbler with a rainbow heart sticker front and center on it!
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NOT a BL, but worth the watch
I had hoped to watch this movie, since it was released in Taiwan, bunt unfortunately I had to wait half a year.I'm an absolute BL addict, I thought this could be another supernatural-loves-human BL. But it isn't. It's something different. Something very funny, chaotic and mostly thought-provoking. An homophobic ass of a policeman, badmouthed gays and gets himself into trouble, picks up an envelope with remnants of a dead gay guy, and so he accepted the marriage to the ghost.
So, maybe now there will be some hints to the story, stop reading if you won't be spoiled.
I love how the two guys find a way to understand each other an embrace the strengths and weaknesses of the other and try to fulfill the last wishes of the ghost. With a lot of action, chaos, fun and a lot of verbal battles.
Although the policeman is brash and cocky, he has a sweet heart and a soft spot for his ghostly husband. I can't describe it, but it has catched me off guard. It's kind of heartwarming, shows how you develop an understanding for things you thought you wouldn't ever understand and how some impacts in your life can change you into a better person. I can really recommend the movie.
watched on Netflix Germany
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Breaking a Vicious cycle of Laziness
When you do nothing, nothing happens in life. you become Lazy and do nothing, its a vicious cycle.i remembered how this little movie left me inspired last time so i just rewatched it. it shows how sports can change a persons life. no it actually changes the person and life naturally changes around him or her. it was depicted beautifully here.
our FL is sluggish at the beginning and so is the movie. i never saw a FL portray such a character before. at mid point she picks up boxing and her energy levels increase and she becomes more lively and so does the movie. many ridiculous and unfortunate things happen to people in this movie and it was depicted as comedy on surface because they have nothing going on in life and have lost grip on life and themselves. at first female lead is like that too but when she finds something to do, she starts to focus and becomes a better person. By the end her Circumstance didnt change much but she has..... and the people around her starts to look at her differently and her broken relationships starts to improve....
Music complimented the mood of the FL through out the movie.
Beware there is one Sexual assault.
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pretty messy
the only thing I can really say that was bad about this movie is that the storyline was messy, it was a bit difficult to keep up but maybe the fact that there are no eng subtitles is also apart of the reason. overall i wouldn't say it's a bad story or movie in general, I in general love plots that a goofy and really random but I know not everyone does and so I understand other people don't really like it. but the story did make sense to me at the end(!SPOILERS AHEAD OF THE WHOLE MOVIE!)
from what i understood of the movie is saimon has a really big imagination and likes takashi, then they go on a trip together, and takashi falls in love with a woman who he met because of a phone number in a bathroom who ends up bieng an alien, but before they find out she's an alien saimon confessed his feeling to takashi, but after they fought with the alien lady, takashi and saimon go back home, and then they stop to say bye to eachother but that's when takashi asks saimon for the juice that they got from the thug lookin guy on a bike, and saimon throws it at him but the next shot is saimon standing there alone and the can falling on the ground and no takashi anywhere, and then we see another part of his imagination and that's the end
so overall very confusing(i could barely explain and it still doesn't make really sense)
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life goes on
The red string of fate concept makes another comeback in this movie. This movie felt more than the typical coming of age movie, it addressed the reality of how some people come and go in our lives. Things in our life don't pan out the way we wish oftentimes, and things such as right person wrong time is what makes life life. Both actors are great, I love Nana Komatsu and Suda Masaki is equally talented and charismatic of an actor. The fact that both of them have been married for a while makes the movie even more satisfying to watch haha.I did end up crying a few times here and there throughout the film, there are some scenes where it's just so beautiful, heartbreaking, and realistic at the same time. Most parts of the film are just really cinematically pleasing and calming. A lot of the camerawork showed wide landscape pans, and I noticed they often match what Nana wears to the landscape, which makes everything even more intentional and beautiful. I'd recommend this movie to everyone who loves a good slice of life movie that isn't afraid to show the process of life and growth.
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Great Movie
I really enjoyed watching this movie! Acting by all was really good especially the leads they did an extremely well job. Honestly I was disappointed in the ending I was really rooting for them, by some miracle, to get together and of course live happily ever after! I mean who wouldn’t. other than that it really was a fun movie to watch and I’m glad I did!what would be even better though is if they did a sequel and then they get together and live happily ever after! of course writers gotta write a whole new story, but it would be worth it! Great Job everyone including the Director 👍👍👍
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nikah sama hantu gay??
⭐8/10filmnya lucuuu. komedinya dapet. dan premisnya menarik. kalo diliat2 fokusnya cuma ngejar mafia narkoba doang yang kebetulan jd pembunuh mao bang yu. habis mafianya mati, udah beres. kita gatau kabar penghianatnya gimana dan gimana sama klnjutan karir wu ming han, tp meski konfliknya itu doang, gw salut sama pesan moralnya sih..
bagian action dari film ini juga ga begitu buruk. dan kerjasama suami-suami (wu ming han - mao bang yu) ini juga kompak dan kocak.
unsur lgbt+ nya jg cuma jd latar belakang yg ga trlalu byk dibahas dan kayanya ga akan terlalu mengganggu buat ditonton homofobik karena pada dasarnya wu ming han kliatan agak homofobik jg.
gw suka bgian mao bang yu yg sngat cinta alam dan cinta hewan sampai ngasih positive vibes ke wu ming han untuk ikut berdonasi. character development nya juga berasa bgt terutama untuk bapaknya mao bang yu dan wu ming han. akhir filmnya ditutup dengan kedamaian bagi semua and i love it.
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