Platina Data

Originally posted on: 11 October 2013

Reposted on: 17 October 2013

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プラチナデータ

I waited for months for this. Five months, at least. Glad to have finally watched it. Massive thanks to yuizaki_libra for subbing the film.

Watching Platina Data reminded me how I got to love Ninomiya Kazunari’s acting. In this film, he portrayed Kagura Ryuhei, a DNA system developer. Based on the trailer, it’s obvious that he’s become a suspect in a murder. I think it wouldn’t be a spoiler if I write here about… I guess I won’t. Let’s just say that I’m once again impressed. It’s like being brought back to Ryuusei no Kizuna days.

I like the plot and overall story. I like the twist. I already knew about a part of someone’s character, so it’s good to know that there was still something left for me to guess and think about. And I got it right, though there were others I’ve reckoned.

Although Nino was the primary reason that Platina Data caught my attention, what convinced me to watch it was its genre. I dig psychological suspense films, although they usually get me. The Silence of the Lambs still gets me. Since we’re talking about Nino, allow me to say how I love his outfits in this film. Either as a professional or rugged, he rocked ‘em all. I personally love the black long-sleeved ‘jacket’ with a zipper in front.

The one thing that bothered me in this film was its sound editing, especially the choice of music. I don’t care about Breathless because that was at the end credits. The main OST was okay but its timing in the film was not perfectly impressive. Don’t even include the other ones, especially during the chase scene when Kagura was riding a motorbike. I found it bothersome.

This scene just stimulated my lachrymal glands.

Why? Well, I posted it in my Facebook account. I said, “When dealing with ‘such’ cases, it is always given that only one shall remain. So when truth was revealed, the soft-hearted nurse in me got in the way and had my lachrymal glands stimulated, but was also beginning to regret for the possible loss.”  It confirmed that there would be a loss. =(

Before I spam this entry with Nino’s photos, which I think I already did, I’d like to thank Director Ohtomo Keishi for making this film. I loved his Rurouni Kenshin like so much so it’s nice to know that I got impressed with another project of his. Definitely looking forward to the Rurouni Kenshin sequels next year.

Pending entries...

I'm hoping I'd be able to write about the following projects (in random). I've already watched them but I haven't mentioned them significantly.

Dream High 2
Goblin
Legend of the Blue Sea
Bring it On, Ghost!
Descendants of the Sun    (Updated: 26 September 2017, Wednesday)
Love in the Moonlight
5-ji Kara 9-ji Made (From 5 to 9)
Andalucia: Revenge of the Goddess
Architecture 101
Hana Yori Dango (1, 2, SP)
Moon Embracing the Sun
The Producers

Riaru Kanzen Naru Kubinagaryu no Hi / Real

This was originally posted in 'Chronicles of Faith' on 21 November 2015.

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Real got to be one of the best movies I've watched, storyline or plot wise. I knew there was something quite off, but I just got carried away that I forgot to try figuring it out. There were a few ideas at the back of my mind while watching, but none hit bull's eye.

This 2013 movie casts Satoh Takeru (Tonbi, Rurouni Kenshin) and Ayase Haruka (Hotaru no Hikari) as Koichi and Atsumi, respectively. This film was based on the novel Riaru Kanzen Naru Kubinagaryu no Hi by Inui Rokuro.

The plot? Koichi and Atsumi have been friends since their childhood days and they eventually became lovers. About one year ago, Atsumi attempted to commit suicide and fell into a coma afterwards. Koichi, desperate to know why Atsumi attempted suicide, takes part in a new medical procedure that involves the central nervous system. Koichi will enter the subconscious mind of Atsumi through the medical procedure.

When Koichi enters the subconscious mind of Atsumi, shes asks Koichi to find a picture of a "plesiosaur" she drew as a child. The drawing is the key that brings back a suppressed childhood memory that brings their minds together. 

Nanka! It was really interesting. As much as I want not to praise Satoh, well.. he was amazing as Koichi. Satoh had played characters that are likely to get stuck in your head. No one would forget him playing Himura, but I did not see Himura here. Not even Ogawasara Aki from The Liar and His Lover. As for Ayase, I've read a lot of praises about her but I couldn't conclude anything yet. I could say though that like Satoh, she did not bring Hotaru from Hotaru no Hikari. I haven't watched her other projects yet.

Updated. I usually post photos when posting especially if it's about movies, dramas, and books. However, I can't do that here because uploading photos in Blogspot seems to be not working. It's annoying and disappointing.

リアル is a sci-fi medical mystery film. I would recommend this to anyone, especially those with medical background or just interest in medical science.

Bokura ga Ita

I think Bokura Ga Ita was the sweetest film I’ve watched in ages, next to Runaway Bride. There were of course sad moments, but those were the unfortunate events in the lives of Yano Motoharu (Ikuta Toma) and Takahashi Nanami (Yoshitaka Yuriko). Like what Yano said, “The pluses are greater than the minuses.”

My favourite character in this film was Takahashi Nanami. I like Yano but his decision-making lapses didn’t please me. I didn’t hate him though, well except for that scene in part one when his mother was out or would be coming late. But he looked awkwardly funny by the end of the scene.

When Yano and Nanami had their first intimate slash vis-a-vis moment, I was surprised how I didn’t feel uneasy with with the way Nanami looked at Yano. Had it been other movie or actress, I might have felt an internal cringe in me. On the other hand, I find it casual and relaxing. I think Yoshitaka has such effect. It was the same in GANTZ: The Final Answer.

Nanami reminded me that true love waits. She was just firm for her love for Yano. I think she was also the personification of 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, which says:

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Such love was so strong and powerful that it earned the name of being a compass. I’d say it’s true.

I also love how the cinematography of Bokura Ga Ita, both of Zenpen and Kohen, rolled smoothly in a pleasant way. I find the nature scenes, especially during daytime, refreshing. Even the night scenes were cozy. There was even a nostalgic scene, when Nanami was at the subway. It reminded me so much of GANTZ: The Final Answer.

Bokura Ga Ita Kohen

Because I got so attached to the first film, I couldn’t help but immediately watch the sequel. I bet, the fans of the Bokura Ga Ita Zenpen were so happy that they only had to wait a couple of weeks for the Kohen. The sequel was heavier in plot too, but I’d say Nanami’s character and presence made everything lighter. But I noticed that she’d matured and became stronger.

For the first time, I saw a visibly strong Takahashi Nanami. It was during a dinner with Takeuchi Masafumi (Takaoka Sousuke). Everything about her, from the inside out, including her aura exuded strength. It was not a brute type of strength but rather a firm resolution or conviction. I loved it.

Despite that, Nanami remained pure, in a sense that she still kept in touch with her true feelings. I’m glad she’s not a damsel-in-distress type, whose strength is always questionable to me. Nanami had pains and sorrows but her strength was within her. It’s also equally admirable that she remained hopeful and faithful.

When I saw the connection of both parts, technically speaking, I got so amused. It must’ve been the reason I saw the two movies as one. I also like how there are, as usual, words of wisdom to live by from Bokura Ga Ita. How both parts complete the story made it all the more sweet and sentimental.

Most importantly, I love how this film ended. I think it was just fitting and realistic. Had they ended Bokura Ga Ita differently, I might’ve been too pissed with the writers of this film.

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Originally posted on: 29 April 2013
Reposted on: 3 August 2013