Daisuke

fate and friendship

this is very good drama though it is sad to see from flashbacks and forwards the fate of these friends； some criticise this but for me it deepens the tragedy as most tragedies like Greek tragedy you know the characters are tied to an inescapable destiny〜this drama is dark from the start with violence in korean schools and descends into predictable gangster violence and fight for survival of poor people with only small episodes of relief and hope in romance and loyalty to lighten the story。 I was interested in the school episodes and transition from this to the gangsterism though less in the formulaic gangster drama itself・ taking account of development of many episodes there is a certain sympathy for one of the friends but this evaporates from episode 16 as we see them equally caught in the net [there is a sea/fishing motif appearing at the start and at points throughout the drama] of evil。 part of sang taek coming in later is used to work out broader plot of organised crime and corruption though his move from diligent student aiming at law career to going into the army and journalism for me lacks credibility as with how he is brought back into relation with the other school friends as part of the plot。 the element of romance is rather straining for effect and real purpose in this drama and also seems formulaic〜still a very involving and good drama of its type though I do not think this is one for re-watch

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weird mix of fantasy and reality comic and serious

fantasy mixes with reality in this movie as a teenager's weird sexual obsession is the background for many stories of other inhabitants of his apartment block and middle school。 there is a lot of silliness in this movie but also、 if you are open minded a lot of interest and amusement though not entirely lighthearted some serious developments in the story though、meaning it did not drag for me at any time。 hiraoka plays his role well and his contortions bending and stretching maybe made him taller in the end！ it ends with more obvious manga parodies and an unexpected ironic outcome in one point of story。 worth watching to fill two hours WARNING: if you are a real middle school-er let your parents see the title only not contents unless they have liberal views as there are some really "explicit" scenes here they may not take in the comical way intended！！www

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Emperor in August

very good historical account of the attempted coup against Japan's acceptance of terms of allied powers to end Pacific War and Showa emperor's central role in achieving it〜 the production values are good although the lighting is rather dark、 whether intended is not clear but even so maybe adds to claustrophobic atmosphere of tension as ministers argue and small group of conspirators drawn from military elite try to gather support for their ill-starred enterprise： the swan song of militarism that dominated Japanese politics and society through 1930s to 1940s〜10/10 as interesting history and likely I will watch again

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Touching historical drama of a family and Hiroshima

I decided to watch this drama having enjoyed Matsuzaka's other dramas〜 episode 1 has a slow gentle start、I was expecting more impact of historical events to be show in the drama but initially it sets the scene of a provincial family's story but it more than makes up for this as the series progresses to the awful climax of the Hiroshima bombing： the the settings, costume, production are very authentic〜I like the ML and FL： both very pretty and Matsumoto honaka has nice character but all the characters including the support actors and actresses I can really empathise with。 very much recommended if you will like serious historical drama and becoming attached to the lives and futures of a family living through the personal and historical events of its era〜

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dark madness

unremittingly dark and depressing 〜my final perception of this film is that what starts as a scenario just barely plausible as real presents through increasingly destructive imagery a metaphorical descent into madness reflected in the surreal final twists。as film it was well done with the lighting and camera work conveying the dark and claustrophobic atmosphere (？the enclosed space of the mind within which it takes place) I can not give it top score because though I recognise its merit at an intellectual level for me this film is devoid of anything uplifting： why do we（or maybe better why do we have to）produce such films？

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OK but confusing and difficult to sustain interest

my first impression of this drama is first two episodes very unpleasant〜 even when you get the back story so can understand more the students I still find it swings between very unpleasant and hopelessly sentimental。the sensei: this woman should play a saint。for me it was difficult to warm to any of the characters。 I had this on hold quite long before trying to finish it〜 it did gain momentum again but confusingly in last episodes moved focus to one character's story [admittedly lead character in early episodes] but with the effect it seemed like two separate dramas in some respects。I feel this is a drama that tries hard to get over a message and develop characters but goes in different directions and does not know what message or messages it stands for、except we have another great sensei dying for her kids that is totally not of this world、 while the characters do not really develop but just change overnight from very unreasonable to reasonable to fit in with where it is in the fixed number of episodes。 in summary nothing great but ok so a generous ーas always for me ー 7/10

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not comedy as expected

I was surprised by this movie。 I expected a light-hearted comedy but it was really a serious look at the problems gay people have in being ’’out’’ and living together and being accepted by parents in a very conservative Chinese society。I was very surprised the Chinese censors would allow movies that deal with this topic although sexual contact between the partners was not at all explicitー then I saw this was actually a Taiwanese movie so it gave a false impression attitudes in China could be changed。obviously that remains untrue、 so it was rather misleading in that way。 as to the movie itself、 I did not think the acting or direction was very good unfortunately。 for me the actors were rather unconvincing in their roles and the acting was wooden。 the production values were low。 however it must be praised for being very brave in tackling a serious topic。it is just a pity that this is gives a very false impression that attitudes are being or can be changed in China〜 it is more like the Taiwanese or western world hope China will change its attitude to homosexuality but there is very little evidence of this in real life、 although it is not illegal as such and there was a long history of same sex relationships in China before attitudes changed in Twentieth Century. unfortunately the same thing happened in Japan after introduction of western attitudes in Nineteenth Century、although now it is improving。 the attitudes here and in China have just try to ignore reality。

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Intro credits nearly put me off watching this but I like it for its happiness and how the characters develop. I put off watching the final episode partly because I was enjoying it so much I did not want it to end but partly because I was fearing a good drama series would end slushy and unbelievable. For me a good drama is where characters develop and hard choices need to be faced for you to grow as human being. I will not go into detail but by this test this drama was not finally truly successful. I feel the drama was great until towards the end. I give it 10/10 for the excellent episodes. Would re-watch except ending.

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Weird mix of light and dark

This drama is weird mix with bomb attack with real casualties mixed with comedy. I really liked it in parts but in all for me the combination of "goofy humor" ・bokutachi airheads with serious message does not work。I mean there is really serious stuff here and the next minute they are acting like airhead bokutachi。 Just when they get me to laugh five minutes later I feel like crying。 It is one extreme to the other。Giving me identity crisis　ଽ (৺ੋ ௦ ৺ੋ )৴ but at the end I know who the real * of this show was: the guy with the conscience, you will see what I mean if you watch.

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Very touching drama, nice male and female leads and interesting other characters, especially Mr Oh the teacher - why do we never get teachers like this in real life? Covers many teen problems, not just romance, various sub-plots keep interest going. I thought it dragged in the middle, with lot of unoriginal school tropes. Can get too heavy, especially with male lead's struggles, one after another, but glad I stayed with it. Start of last episode I thought it had a credible conclusion but of course it then drowned in "corn" and tears, helped by the soulful music . This romantic type of drama, it seems this is inevitable. Need to be in sentimental mood for tears.

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Mixed feeling about this. I liked the Se Gi parts best. Why is it so many Korean dramas start so good then go on and on and cram a quick resolution into the final episode? [though to be fair often Japanese of some types are the same]. The idea and storyline was very good but be warned from about episode 15 dragged and faded as the syrupy romance and backstory took over. I struggled to make it to the final episode, must be a stubborn streak. [me??]. It is the kind of drama if you watch while it airs you tune out before you get to the end and never finish it. The final episode was good but everything was so rushed and crammed into one episode〜〜why ? weak end to good drama.　Acting/caste very good if you like those looks. Music. I dislike rap music but on this show it is even more intrusive 〜〜gives me headache((((*｡_｡)_ Re-watch? Not for me. Was 10/10 for first half but a generous 7/10 by the end.

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