This review may contain spoilers
I've been planning to watch this movie ever since I finished Nobuo Nakagawa's Jigoku as part of 3 themed films and titled Hell/Jigoku that I want to watch.Focusing on the sins of infidelity and incest (probably murder also), then how these sins affect life and give pain to the living and the dead.
This film really gave me goosebumps since the opening, it really emphasized that they didn't play around with this sinful act plus it was supported by a very slick story with poignant, emotional and desiring dialogues.
This film has a bizzare atmosphere, it's hard to explain it but because of the atmosphere, the sins that Miho/Aki, Unpei, Shima, Ryuzo, Yukio and Kumi made me nervous even more, because this film takes the theme of sin & hell so what they do in this world must be punished in hell, not too different from the hell described by my religion.
I've read some other user reviews, some say this film is a revenge story, after thinking about it, there's some truth in it, Miho takes revenge in the form of her daughter, Aki, by dragging the person who hurt Miho to go to hell, not just killing them but 'take them to hell'.
But I was more focused on the sin that was carried while watching this film, a good decision to make infidelity and incest the main sin, the director, Tatsumi Kumashiro, is used to making pink films so no doubt about 'those kind of scene' and the final result is that this film is like a big upgrade, has a solid story, actors who act very well, then this film really has visuals that are astonishing, the production design is top-notch.
Oh yeah, I almost forgot, there are two moments that hit me hard as a human who still commits sins everyday, 1.) When Ryuzo who has become bone sheds tears, as if representing the torment of the grave (he should be buried) is exists; 2.) When Shima who had entered hell was tortured, until her body was destroyed but later her body was intact again so that she would be tortured until she is clean from sin.
I think that's all I want to say after watching this film, some of which I wrote based on my beliefs so sorry if it feels sadistic but it is what it is, so that we as human beings become good human beings regardless of life there are many choices but being good people without doing anything weird and sinful is the best choice.
If we have committed many sins, we can repent so that our sins are forgiven, just believe that God will forgive all our mistakes and then we live on a good path for the rest of our lives.
Thank you.
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From there I bonded with the characters, especially Suzuki, Takuo, Saito, Sekiguchi and Tanaka; because they can be called the founding members of Swing Girls who try to live their dreams and passions that grew unintentionally.
In the rest of the film, i just enjoying the jazz performance which is very cool while watching the characters of the young people do it with passion, burning enthusiasm and sacrificed a lot of valuable things in their lives to do jazz.
I've read other user review, and must agree that this film better than Whiplash, despite has the same great jazz performance but this film has kawaii girls who sheds blood, sweat & tears.
Absolutely one of the best film I've ever watch and rank up high there.
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Meomchuji mothae more more more and more~
Geureoni han beon deo~
I wanna have more more more more more and more~
Meomchugi shireo more more more and more~
Geureoni han beon deo~
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I was expecting to watch a pink film with silly story but this is actually darker, so artistic.
Twice song's "More & More" somehow pop up in my head after i finished this film, and kinda fit I think with the relationship between Michio and Aki that as the time goes by they're together, what they did also getting more & more weird, crazy and beyond reasonable.
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5 stars for getting butterflies flying in my stomach, also with its great production value.
The story was kinda weird, I could say that the relationship between Erika (Fumi Nikaido) and Kyouya (Kento Yamazaki) was toxic but delivered lightly, typical shoujo genre. What makes me bond with Erika and Kyouya is because they are often together even though it is quite annoying because Kyouya thinks Erika is just his dog. Meanwhile, Erika hopes for more, this is shown by her very sweet attention and treatment to Kyouya and makes me fall in love with Fumi Nikkaido myself. Fumi-san was just so kawaiii and make my heart doki-doki.What makes me thinking to give this film 5-star is what I've type above "the production value", usually when I watch japanese manga live action high school romance it's either gonna be bland and flat or exaggerating everything, but this Okami Shojo is right in the middle, balanced.
I love all the settings: the school, Ayumi's house, Kyouya's apartment, Kobe, even just the street. The environment doesn't feel dull, has a great scenery, life inside it was not quiet or weird, just like what it is should be in real life.
The cinematography was top notch, they make useful of all the settings, take a lot of great shot from it, like my favorite one when Erika talk to Kyouya about dating in free time later after school trip, while they're sitting between the pillars in front of the door of a building and DOP taking shot of Erika and Kyouya from inside the building when the door opened and at that moment I realized that this film production team is no joke, it's simple but picturesque.
After that I remember the one take shot at beginning when Erika with her friend, Ayumi, tailing Kyouya to get the pictures of him and then the girls's runaway, I watch it again and it feels so satisfying. Also I realize how great the camera movement throughout the film, truly looks like a real pro. I take a note of the cinematographer name, his name is Yasushi Hanamura, well done.
Next is the sound, they put a perfect song or music for every scene, not just using orchestral sound but a lot of english fun song that I find it rare in japanese film. All the emotion of the characters, whether it's sad or happy it can radiate more with the help of music.
Then the actors, they played all the characters very well, especially Fumi Nakaido and Kento Yamazaki, as one of the thing that makes this film works.
Overall, a very good film imo. I have a lot to say in my mind but hard to put it in to words, so that's it. Thank you.
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The best thing I ever did is to love you..
Rewatch for the Fifth Time in the last 5 years. But this is the first time I watch it after make Letterboxd account, so I'm gonna review it.It's still one of the greatest romance film I've ever watch, every aspect in this film is perfect that the remake can't even close this masterpiece.
The sense of nostalgia, friendship chemistry is shown very well that I feel connected as I feel related with the characters because I experience the same thing while I was still a high schooler.
What is certain is that Giddens Ko managed to adapt his book to the big screen very well. Also the actors and actress acted really well and also played a role in building this film. The soundtracks was so good like the Those Bygone Years, i cried like crazy when the songs played in the flashback scenes at the end.
Now, cause I've watch the remake, I'm gonna mention the things that makes this TW version great.
First, every aspects feel balanced, romance and the friendship cooked side by side, so when his friendship is released, the romance can be crushed well; not like the JP that pushing the friendship too much and when the romance takes over, it becomes lame.
Second, TW version feel more like a romcom so it can be enjoyed by everyone not like the JP that I think gonna work if it choose to take the artsy direction, it's calm and slow that when the comedy show up, it feels awkward cause it's not dark comedy.
Third, the acting from the cast of the TW more natural and not exaggerating, the JP version is otherwise.
That's all I think about this film. Masterpiece.
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Family is everything, the most important and valuable thing in life.
The first part of the film really did a great job connecting me with the old couple Shukichi and Tomi.Their journey to Tokyo to see their children, but they're kinda push them away, although the children intentions are good to sent them to Atami in hopes of giving the old folks time to calm their minds, but their reason "busy" makes me feel mad, also the old folks didn't felt calm cause you know.. If you have watched it.
Glad there's Noriko, the center of this film Trilogy, she's became a widow here because her husband died in war. Noriko is the only one in Tokyo who treat the old couple very well like she's the real daughter / children of them, even though their relationshis is only in-laws, and in fact, Noriko's belong to freedom.
The old folks "real children" is like a reflection, they're selfish and unable or unwilling to pay attention to their parent, and there are so many children who still behave like that today.
An outpouring session between Mother and Noriko makes my heart squezeed. Noriko's kindness combined with Mother's warmth, a moment that could be the beginning of tears when watching this film.
Then later at the end there is a moment where the father gives a speech to Noriko, words that any parent will say to a person who has married their child and this moment broke my tears, it's warm.
Overall it's the best from Noriko Trilogy.
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Infidelity can destroy a marriage.
Yasujiro Ozu's work brought back the topic of marriage and it was quite a shock because it turned out to bring up the topic of problems that might occur in couples who usually destroy their relationship, usually called cheating.Well, what I like about Ozu's film is that it doesn't use dramatization, so it's more realistic and maybe feels relateable to some people. Like here, usually in other films it is portrayed in a vulgar and wild manner but here it feels simple but still has an impact when seen by people who have done it. (Not me, I'm single hiks ..)
Then from the wife's side, Masako, whose knowledge was built from conversations with neighbors and parents until finally she knew that the reality was well organized, when she left was understandable, and grateful she didn't ask for a divorce.
The affair between Sugi and Goldfish closes well and becomes one of the iconic scenes in this film, becoming a symbol of peace.
The drawback of this film, in my opinion, is that the emotional boost is lacking, I can cry when watching Noriko Trilogy but not here. But the moment when Masako chose to leave Sugi for a long time, was enough to inject a little emotion that was not much felt from the beginning of the film.
There was a feeling of despair in Sugi and it made me remember the words of one of the characters in this film but I forgot his name, he said "Your wife is your closest partner" and that's kinda hits me.
Sugi goes to Mitsuishi alone, then Masako follows him there was the sweetest moment in this film, indicating they have made peace with the bitter past and are willing to accept each other to start a new day together once again. Masako's reason for following Sugi to Mitsuishi was also touching, he got a letter from Mr. Onodera who said "Follow Sugi, before it becomes a bigger problem." must have made Masako think, and I'm glad she did because you never know what would happen to a man that have a burden of guilt.
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Another good works from Mr. Ozu.
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"The moment you said you loved me, your love is over. The moment your love ends, my love begins."
In the first half, I thought that this was a murder mystery film mixed with a simple romance, but it turns out to be very intimate. As the film progresses, the second half of it becomes more like a romance wrapped in a murder mystery.I gotta say that I like this film, to see this film more as a romance film, how it gave me the feeling that I usually get from conventional romance films. My emotions are raging, and my chest tightens as I witness this love relationship that feels both wrong and cozy, wrapped in a murder mystery that somehow becomes the sentimental playground of this love story.
One of the things that makes this film good, IMO, is that it looks too beautiful, combined with the good performances of the actors, making this film even more charming.
Anyway, this film made me absolutely sad, it hurts my meow meow. The moment Hae-joon found the stock analyst's phone, can I put "if only" to what it brings to the story? Knowing there's a chance they'll get the ending I dream of, if they wait patiently. I'm weak for this.
Idk what to type anymore. That's all. Thanks.
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I was expecting this film to be so heavy in terms to be enjoyed but actually it pretty much easy to follow but the hypnotic material that this movie throws into my head, like a ticking time bomb.
Just as Takabe comes out of Mamiya's house he suddenly gets a glimpse of things that make me also get almost the same image but a scary woman. From here my defenses have collapsed too, the next series of events tend to give me shock and start to make me uncomfortable, just seeing the dark side of the room that is not exposed to light in this film makes me shiver.
This film really had me drowning without realizing it and it was great. The last time I experienced something like this was when I watched Session 9 last year, simply shocking.
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This film lived up to my expectations, it's wellcrafted, got some pretty dang good jumpscare that i haven't seen in ages that makes me goes shriek in the middle of the night, I love how this film keeps on giving me goosebumps and also maintains its tension throughout the film.
This film really takes advantage of what the main character has and executes it properly to spread terror, to be honest there are many films that feature ghosts that haunt but not to the point of making goosebumps or scary as in this film, where the character Mun is said to have been blind since she was a baby and only got to see when she was an adult after she got a corneal donor, but from someone who can see ghosts (how unlucky she is), Throughout the film we see her suffering with her eyes at being able to see ghosts where it affects her psychologically, where the ending feels acceptable.
Despite how good this film was to me overall,I really only like the first and second act, where there are many memorable moments of horror from the grim reaper to the moment in the elevator and there is still a sense of Hong Kong. The third act turned out to be like a thai horror film, the vibe, and even the cinematography changed. The changes weren't really harmful, it was just that the transition was a bit of a drag for me.
Overall, one the scariest asian horror film.
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I did enjoy it tho, and I didn't really think much about anything while I watched this, so I can ignore how the action sequence was fun but stiff and unconvincing at times and just enjoy the star power this film has. It's exciting to see Haeng-seon imo now has a real daughter, then the charismatic Sol Kyung-Gyu, Lee Jae-Wook ahjussi, and other popular actors that I forget where I saw them before.
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The story is quite interesting, stand into more traditional mystical folklore horror with the inugami, but there's more conflict caused by the curse that's actually quite dramatic and complicated, and it also has a moment of surprise.
It's not pure horror though; it has a romance that's actually the one that drives this film forward; it was quite normal, sweet, and sensual, before finally there's a reveal towards the end that surprised me.
As a horror film, those frightening moments came from intense meetings of the characters, the Bonomiya family, that led to digging more into this Inugami thing, and delivered by the actors' solid performances, it was great.
Once again, this film deserve praise for how beautiful it looked; precisely captured the sublimity, the calmness of the rural village of Omine and Yuki Amami's beauty.
I think that's all, thanks.
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I don't like the two other story, the cast performance was okay but the moment that should be haunting was not really hit, you know, and it's really affecting my overall satisfaction of watching this film.
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I gotta say, I like this film better, surely at the beginning I came for the horror, but as time goes on, this film leaning more into romance and drama, and I like that.
Junchu and Sansan's relationship was not harmonious before because Junchu could not move on from Manli (the fiancee) and there was a disappointment because his mother lied to him about her illness so he would get married, but over time it developed into a sweet and heartfelt relationship (just not imagine it to be as good as those good romancce film); compared to I Miss U, which stay in the horror's path but trying to be melodramatic, so the feelings can't really hits because they keep trying to scare.
The horror, Fan BingBIng mostly appeared in her human form, pretty. When they try to make her creepy, the film is already overwhelmed with emotion, so she's becoming not scary. That doesn't mean she's an insignificant character tho, she's pretty much the one who helped Junchu and Sansan to be harmonious, she also looks friendly at first but later she can't accept seeing them happy (I really like her gaze from the attic), so she tries to get Junchu back and that's mean by becoming an evil ghost.
I'm glad that Sansan and Junchu had a chance to smile happily together before the film ends for good.
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"You don't sing, you die. Sing off-key, you die. Score lower than 80, you die."
A ghost who's gonna kill you if you bad at singing? damn.Super hilarious; the comedy is very Thai. Just reading the premise made me chuckle.
At the beginning, there are character introductions. I thought it was going to be dull and plain, but they filled it with jokes that almost always hit me. There is talk about Mae-nak, Buppah, which was familiar to me; the parody of Lights Out short film ver. was quite funny.
When the night comes, Premika goes out to strike and hands her mic to her victims. I like it as it's usually always funny, and most importantly: the songs are such a bop. My favorite was the drunk guy at dinner; he sang a song from a Thai band called The Innocent (I looked it up), and the song title is ฝากรัก / Fahk Ruk (Entrusting My Love); it was so dreamy, interspersed with footage of the man meeting his wife in the past and fell in love.
When the people who were challenged by Premika failed, they died with bad CGI, but I can forgive it because the film is funny and I enjoyed it.
When I thought I was done, this film gave me more: Premika's ghost backstory, told through a song, titled ไถ่เธอคืนมา / Tai Tur Keun Mah (Buy You Back) (Orig. Singer: Pongsit Kumpee), and it was unexpectedly touching, heartwrenching; my eyes were teary.
I'm really satisfied with this film. Thanks.
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