Reviews

Helps you emotionaly

Hi everyone how are you. I have recently lost a parent figure who helped raised me, it has been very hard. I am the type of person who would study and do homework for hours on end, but every since what happened, I haven't been able to do any work at all. Not even homework which has gotten me in trouble. I felt numb and empty. I stumbled upon this film and decided to watch since I am fan of the actors in it. As I began watching it I found my self relating to the characters and their struggles. Some complain about the acting but I happen to disagree. Irene small range of emotion in a way helps my connect with her, helped me feel like I was not alone. Her character has been through a lot and it would be strange if she had a lot of emotion. Her way of portraying the character was well done and deserves more praise. The male lead has lost someone in the film and gives up and isnt him any more. I was really able to connect with his character. Watching him recover from his loss with the help of Irene but mostly because of himself, was really healing to myself. The plot has many 'morals of the stories' and life lessons. Some of then are clear and some are hidden. The hidden ones you only find when you need, like the ones about over coming grief I found. Someone struggling with finding a job or where they want to be will find different things that will help them. Overall this movies was amazing. The plot was great and i would totally re-watch. This movie has a talent for helping everyone my matter what situation because of the extremely relatable story line. I know for me personally it has helped me heal and melt away some of my numbness. If you want a good movie with a good story plot just because you want to watch a movie, watch it. If you are going through something and want a movie that will help with that, watch it. Hope this was helpful.<3

Read More

Minimal yet effective

It's a bit of "Home Alone" with zombies. Almost the entire film happened in one location (Joon-woo's apartment), and we get a sense of how lonely it was for him. My eyes were glued to the screen watching this. The introduction of the character Yoo-bin brought a breath of fresh air into the film, and the interaction between the two was great to watch. I don't think there's anything new in this film though, as this is very similar to a French zombie film “The Night Eats the World", but it's still very gripping in its execution that you can't help but grip the edge of your seat while watching this. Effective use of moments of silence, dark environments, narrow hallways as well as the building's setup. It was a great watch.

Read More

If you enjoy true crime, you wont get bored

The story was pretty simple and something you can find while listening to a true-crime podcast but it's a movie.

It's definitely not a waste of time but that's about it.

What I Liked
The commentary on how society treats deaf people rings true throughout the narrative, it also accents the police incompetency that will frustrate you

The killer is your typical unstable, grandiose, psychopath who was quite smart and thus could explain why he wasn't caught for most of the narrative

What I Found Meh
The cops like in most true crime/ horror films are a waste of taxpayers' money, none of them believed the victims because they were deaf and women and were really shitty at their jobs

All the women are victims with little to no agency for most of the story, aside from running away or crying, and that's kinda cliche, Despite there being numerous ways to fight off the killer.
While the men were the only ones to even hurt the killer (like the serial killer does more damage to himself than any of his victims)

Ratings Explained
The story is pretty solid, the acting top-notch, the music highlighted the moments but nothing really stood out.
It's a pretty straightforward narrative so rewatch value is not as high as the suspense is greatly reduced.

Read More

Not very good either as horror or BL

If bare skin could compensate for other weaknesses in a film, this would be quite a good film. For no good reason, the male characters spend more screen time in just their underwear or less.

However, there isn't much of BL here except that one man has a one-sided love for another, and it doesn't feel at all like BL. As for horror, there are plenty of the usual tactics (ominous music, ghosts appearing in mirrors, etc) to scare those who would *not* want to watch horror because they are easily scared. The film isn't at all likely to appeal to those who actually enjoy horror.

Still, this isn't a lengthy film and if you are not expecting groundbreaking work in either BL or horror, it isn't altogether bad. There is a bit of a plot twist towards the end, though it seems like a twist that seems to exist for the sake of having a twist. One might also appreciate the characterization of Obet--the motivations for his behavior and the struggles he undergoes lend some semblance of depth to an otherwise superficial film.

And while I'm not averse to nudity in film, the focus on the men's bodies is pointless. The characters may simply be in their underwear, but does it serve the story for the camera to linger on ... whatever region the clothing is covering with more eagerness than an underwear commercial. It would actually seem more respectable if an underwear company had sponsored the film and asked for product placements. Perhaps the filmmakers are eager to have something to attract audiences, but if this is so, it is baffling why they have not gone for full-blown BL and steamy sex scenes.

Read More

Not Everyone Film

First, the cinematography in this film is very good and beautiful. there is a touch of a polaroid photo as a highlight "important scene" (polaroid makes the scene more dramatic and gorgeous). For shooting the scene in my opinion is very good.

The plot brought in this film raises social issues about modernization that often occurs in big cities, many millennials are familiar with sexual activities in young ages (in this film, high school children are depicted), then a child is confused about what kind of family she family is (because in this film it is described as complex past of Narita Hatsumi's parents, Tachibana Ryoki, and Odagiri Azusa). The pace in this film is just right, but there are some scenes that have a fast pace, so if you use subtitles, sometimes you have to repeat a bit.

The theme of this film is quite interesting but the execution is not execute well enough because there are several scenes that will confuse the audience without a clear explanation. Like the scene when Tachibana Ryoki saw the X-ray of the baby that was given to him and then Tachibana told Hatsumi, but Hatsumi left Tachibana there. Then why Hatsumi's brother, Narita Shinogu, wants to sleep with Hatsumi even though he wants to protect her is also not well described, as a result the audience is also confused. Furthermore, Akane's role and her relationship with Subaru are also not well described as to what kind of reason they like each other. The last role of Hatsumi's father at the end of this film for what? is still confusing.

Fortunately, in my opinion the cast in this film is quite good, Hori Miona as Hatsumi is the right choice of MC because her personality of a Hatsumi who is innocent and still easily influenced by others is well described. Shimizu Hiroya as Tachibana is also appropriate because he describes the personality of Tachibana who is ambitious and serious but has a good side. As well as other casts are also appropriate in my opinion.

Music in this film is quite okay but not perfect, but for the OST of this film, which is presented by KAF, “Yoru ga Furiyamu” is quite well combined with the Tokyo landscape at the end of the scene.

Verdict,
This film would be even better if it was made into a drama with 7-12 episodes because in this film there are several scenes that are not clear how and the reason why that happened. Character development in this film, only the character of Hatsumi which is well described (the transition from an innocent girl to someone who is more determined and mature), while the other characters are not well described.
I would recommend this film to people who want to see a simple love story and good cinematography but can't expect more in terms of plot and pace, because in my opinion, this film is less than perfect, it can be seen from the pace which is quite fast so the plot presented is a little messy.

N.B. This film also tells us that now with the advancement of technology, the younger generation is no longer taboo about sex and other things. One of the positive values ​​of this film is, it can also teach adults people too understand and not to be taboo about sex activities to their teen and should tell them how Do's and Don't, so that the younger generation is more educated and not trapped in having children at a young age and early marriage .

Read More

Weird movie which needs to be watched more than once!

This movie was based on the hit song "Kaette kita yopparai" by The Folk Crusaders, a folk and pop music group that also appeared in the film. It was released in March 1968.

I had to watch this film two tmes (and it repeats the movie twice in one playing, with a slight "twist" in the second run-through) before I go the point being made..

After I realized what it was trying to say, it became a lot clearer and it made sense then.

My late brother, James Vernon Robinson, was stationed in Japan with the U S Navy as a security/intelligence NCO in the 1960s-early 1970s; he always said that unless you has a hockie mask on, carrying a chain saw dripping with blood, that passing through Japanese customs was simple and quick, if you weren't carrying a Korean passport...but, if you were carrying a Korean passport, you were placed under a bright lamp and interrogated for hours or days as to your past lives, income, et al (hyperbole, but you get the meaning!) before the Japanese allow you, as a Korean, to enter their country!

This film sheds the same paradigm, but in a more humorous way!

This film would probably be more enjoyed by young people, because of the silly song associated with it, although it does have an overall message.

Re-watch, probably not!

Read More

what even just happened

This film lacks any kind of cohesion. I was so confused about what I was so supposed to take away from this experience, this film did absolutely nothing and I genuinely don’t know what it was trying to tell me. Besides the plot, the passing of time was super weird, I’m not actually sure how long a period of time it takes place over. Also both Shane and Carrie were awful friends, going out with each other despite Carrie knowing that Jonathan, who she was supposed to be good friends with, was in love with Shane and Shane knowing that he and Carrie had dated in the past. Then Shane claims Jonathan to be his best friend and talks about how he never had anyone else, despite how terribly he treats him. I mean, the sex scene, literally why? It was so unnecessary and made no sense because ten minutes later Shane says they’re just friends, at least I’m assuming unless you’re my best friend in response to a love confession is a feelings conformation (can’t be sure with this film seeing as it seems just as confused about what story it’s trying to tell as I am). Also the scene where he randomly had sex with that older guy was weird too, it’s something I’ve seen in a couple LGBT films and I really need it to stop, it’s such a weird addition. Plus the book about trans people at the beginning? I don’t know what that was about because it had no relevance to the rest of the plot.
Overall the only saving grace is the visuals, it’s shot in an old analogue camera style that gives the film a really nice aesthetic and often has this green-ish lighting that adds tremendously to the vibe of the locations. Besides that it’s abrupt, nonsensical and contains a host of subpar acting.

Read More

It was fine.

This was just fine.

The storyline felt really jumpy and confusing at some points, the transition between them being in high school and then being in college really through me off, I didn't really understand that that time passed. I mean I caught on eventually but it wasn't obvious. The was acting was all right, though I felt like the girl literally had no personality. I guess she really didn't need one she was there to cause conflict. The ending was not satisfying at all to me, I don't need them to love each other in the end, what I did need though was an explanation of why he slept with him. Like why would you play with your best friends heart like that?

Read More

Beautiful

I had watched the drama version before realizing there were extra scenes and going back to watch those. It's only about 10 minutes more but WOW, this cut added a bunch of scenes I had been craving and wrapped up a few loose ends. I'd definitely recommend just watching this instead of the drama.

All that aside, however, wow. This was just beautiful and it had stole my heart from the beginning. 10 minutes in and I was sold. The chemistry between the leads, the little bits of nervousness and secrecy — it was all done so well.

The second half got a little cliche (The director's cut does explain it better than the drama does) but even though it had a twist I didn't love, I felt like it was understandable and it made the later climaxes worth it. Would definitely recommend this, it's going to give me a hangover for a week.

The OST was great too, especially a really nice beach scene with a song called Don't Turn Away by 5 Alarm!

Read More

Not enough In-depth in the Story

This extremely short movie was not what had expected, first off it is literally 15 minutes so its one of those quick watches when you waiting at the train station or something!!

I personnel did not enjoy this, as i felt it left a lot of unanswered questions, and everything was just put together for the sake of it!!

It does explore the homophobia side of things, but again i think this short film could done better if was a more a series, or even a full length movie instead of the 15 minute that I witnessed.

There were some good points to this, as the couple were already in a relationship and how they came to there decision, instead of one making and the other ghosting, the growth of the mom and her acceptance of her sons choice.

But overall Nah this was way too short and it could have done better!!!

Read More

Japan, we love you and your crazy ideas!

My biggest complement for this movie is the comedy. This movie was just hilarious. I literally stayed laughing for the whole movie. With that said, this movie cannot be analyzed in a sense of matter like other movies. To put it simply, if it made you laugh, it was good. The only way to rate it is based on how much you laugh. Being a parody, the plot and characters are made to be extremes.
Also, The action was pretty good and funny. That's where a lot of the comedy came from.
And all those OG Spider-Man scenes were the cherry on top

My biggest problem with the movie was the two main leads. Their Characters and acting I am having a hard time judging. The two main leads felt a bit flat to me but I don't know if it has to do with the rest of the character being so over the top or it was their acting itself. Still cant decied.

I also believe that during the middle montage, the movie was a bit staler. I had fewer laughs during the part of the movie and it took a bit to get it back to high levels again.

Read More

Another fine additon to the "Tomie" series

Just finished this movie and I must say that it deserves to be an additon to the "Tomie" series...

I may have missed a few of the earlier versions of the series, but it is worthy to be considered amongst the rest; good cinematography, especially using the gray-toned filters in the mountain scenes and also waiting until the end for the "Gotcha" moments!.

It isn't as 'bold' as some of the earlier versions of the Tomie series, but it gives you a good scare in the final part of the movie!

I sometimes think they intentionally put it of to make the climax better and more shocking...

Re-watch value...at least every October, before Halloween....IF YOU DARE!

Read More

The cinematography, ost, and casting are great! Despite the actors being relatively new, they did an excellent job – I didn't find it flaw at all! I really enjoyed each character, even though they weren't super fleshed out. The cast's reenactment of the five boys' passion, motivation, drive, and ambition really made me wish I had hobbies/clubs and friends like this back in high school. Moreover, I seriously love the colors and cinematography! They really transport you to the past and make you reminisce the best moments in your youth.

I haven't watched the original, however, I would say all together, this was a well-made film! The beginning might be a little slow to some, but it really builds up the exciting occurrences in the latter portion of the film! I especially love the last twenty minutes or so of the film, it's so fun! The film did what it could have in under two hours — kept it simple, yet made it a good time.

Read More