realdeal

It's either a fluffy marshmallow sugar fest movie or a bleak teen angst driven film those are the vibes I expect watching this so I was surprised to see a well executed meaningful movie. I love the whole pacing, those 3 story bits are cleverly woven together and don't forget brilliant writing. Likable characters supported by good to great acting, I was surprised I love Sakurai Hinako's character here, I think she's a good actress it's just that most of her characters in the past are either dumb or boring. Mamiya Shotaro is great too, most complains says he looks too old to play a student but I think the fact that he looks older works for the character. I love this eccentric pair and I would like this story to have a drama version and both of them should reprise their roles. They got great chemistry, it fun watching them interact, the dialogue between them are witty, clever and thought provoking.

Overall great movie, I recommend it if you want something with substance and meaning. Love that ending shot, the aesthetics is anime style. The ending song is perfect too, it cuts deep and stabs you right in the feels.

9/10

Truck-kun's little bro serial killer-chan strikes again.

Kidding aside compared to shoujo movies with similar ending this movie is the standout for me. He Won't Kill, She Won't Die is better than I Want to Eat Your Pancreas, Orange, Your Lie in April and Anohana, and that is because of one reason, "the power of mundanity". This aspect is what most filmmakers ignore which if used properly can be a great tool to show the character development of these characters. We only see this main couple for 8-10 scenes but we understand their motivations, and why or how they fell in love with each other, which makes the ending more painful but beautiful in the end.

If you are fan of this style I recommend you check other works from this director, Bonlin and The time of the backlights.

Muro "why so lucky" Tsuyoshi

A film that wants you to feel than to think, and it's a gamble since it's part mystery movie, but once it SLAPS you on the emotional level you will find yourself thinking about it after you watch it. It will haunt you even after the ending credits. The best comparison I can give is the korean movie Burning, same eerie atmosphere, bleak, non-conclusive and vague ending.

The acting is suberb, Tadanobu Asano's screen presence alone is enough to nail the role as he had this mysterious, apparition-like vibe in him, but the MVP here is Tsutsui Mariko, she is just darn good especially witnessing how her character develops. Goes to show how good film veteran actors in Japan.

9.5/10

It started very confusing like I don't have any clue where the hell all of this is going, but once I get to the middle part suddenly all things became clear. I just can't believe I missed that, the title is very misleading lol. It has all the elements I love in a mystery movie, slow burn, heavy use of symbolism, interlocking parts and especially vague ending (blame haruki murakami lol).

9/10

Slice of life drama that follows the life of the fictionalized Arimura Kasumi. It is not even episodic at all, you can think each episodes as short stories without continuation. Some are dialogue heavy, some are too arthouse for my taste, but some are really good heartwarming plot full of life lessons, episode one is even directed by Hirokazu Koreeda himself. Acting is decent for the most part, lacking in some parts, but great in 2-3 episodes. Goes to show that with the right director Arimura Kasumi can excel just like that in opening episode.

8.5/10

Coming of age films usually requires time, lots of time to explore the lives of these youths, their struggles, fantasies, disappointments, sexuality, dreams, but more importantly show their growth, so it's really amazing how the director manage to do it in just 1 take, 70+ minutes of non interrupted shot. The movie being a narrative within a narrative also helps exploring those elements, the main narrative, the rehearsal and the within narrative, the actual stage play. The tonal shifts between this two blurs the line between reality and fiction. Coming of age also requires sense of time and that passing of time was neatly done thru subtle changes of location, it's genius, camera work is a marvel to behold. The movie is just 70+ minutes one long take but the story spans one month.

I'm always a fan of unconventional/think-outside-the-box way of story telling as it's a huge gamble from the filmmaker, so if it works I wouldn't hesistate give it a high score.

9.5/10

They leave it vague, Waga's sorry could mean 2 things. But the way Rika acted in that rooftop suggest it's really not kanji's. Anyway whoever the father of that child is their relationship won't work either way, so I'm happy with the ending.

I'm not saying ishibashi is better than honami. Im sure honami will nail this version of Rika too, just watch kono yo no hate. Its just that this Rika is a lot more real to me, similar with the manga. Rika in the manga is the best Rika by the way and it's not even close. I'd say the reason why this version is on a paid platform is because ishibashi's Rika is not 100 percent likable like honami's, but the manga version is not TV friendly at all. If they choose to adapt the manga version 1/1 in the future, that actress would have the role of the lifetime.

I agree with ishii though and even kentaro and riho are better actors than 1991 version. Oda yuji was given much credit for his role but remove honami and yuji sakamoto I bet it wont be a timeless classic like we know. Honami literally carried that show.

But since we are comparing

Writing
Manga > 1991 > 2020

Characters
Manga >2020 > 1991

Music
Even

Theme
Even

Read the manga it's a masterpiece.

Japan is really good at this type of movies. The feels would be similar with Woodjob! and it also looks it's more serious.

I haven't watched that much asadora, I didn't know Motokaria starred in one. I might watch asadora again for Kaya, but I don't know if it will get subbed. I think her fanbase is not as big as other popular japanese actresses.

Really? Though I may still love it if at least the characters are as charismatic as those in Mozu, even tabe mikako looks different here. I like her in strong independent roles than cute roles she is known for.

is mori nana not high in your list?

I haven't seen much of her acting where would you place her? This list is in order.

I kinda want to see this movie for tsubamuki satoshi even the great suzuki honami is here.

Kaya kiyohara starring in Asadora is bound to happen it's only a matter of when, but I never expect it would be this soon. BTW is she the youngest to star in Asadora?

I hope it would be as good as the first season of mozu. Same director plus calibre actors. Kinda excited to see ando masanobu in another action movie.

That last scene in episode 10 was powerful. I think I finally understand why 1991 version ended that way. It's much better if you view both dramas as a whole, it's a commentary on tokyo's state during each times. The uncertainty and the resolve which would probably lead to the same conclusion.

It would be a waste if this end up not fully subbed. I mean it was written by yuji sakamoto and his most daring work for that. Plus you have Issei portraying that crazy character.

I know this guy is more of an stage actor but I really wish he keep acting on dramas. He is very good as an actor and very underrated too.