Chef: Three Star School Lunch (2016)

Chef: Three Star School Lunch was fun to watch. Made me crave for chicken meals at some times.

Hoshino Mitsuko is the talented three-star chef of famous French restaurant, La Cuisine de La reine, in Ginza, Tokyo. She has drawn attention not just from Japan but also the world for the new recipes she continuously conceives with her delicate palate and unrivalled creativity. Gourmands around the world visit the restaurant for her cuisine and there is a three-year wait for reservations. Mitsuko has absolute confidence that there is no one in this world who will not finish her food. But one day, trouble occurs between Mitsuko and the restaurant owner Shinoda Shogo and she is fired. She has difficulty finding a new restaurant due to Shinoda’s interference and her over-inflated pride, and ends up creating school lunches for a popular variety program by the hotshot producer Yaguchi Saki. It was believed to be something easy for Mitsuko, but she meets many obstacles and keeps failing. Moreover, this is aired on TV and made known to the world. Even so, Mitsuko does not give up and starts to create school lunches in order to hear children say her food is delicious and also regain her lost stars.

It'd be nice to have a lunch served by a three-star chef. Doesn't really matter how many star/s the chef has.

Doctor X

I love that Doctor X only had 8 episodes though I’d like to watch more of Daimon-sensei’s surgical operations. At first I was wary of who Daimon Michiko (Yonekura Ryoko) really was. It was not denied that she’s only 37 years old, but her surgical skills were superb. I wondered how she became so skilled to the point that she’d say she would never fail.

“私 は失敗しない.” Sensible medical and health professionals know that there’s no guarantee when it comes to the body especially when going through surgery.

I just realized that it first aired on my birthday. Sugoi!

It’s nice to see Katsumoura Masanobu again in a drama this time playing another medical character as Kaji Hideki. Masanobu was also a doctor (Morimoto Tadashi) in Code Blue. In another medical drama, Voice, he was featured in episode 3.

Kaji-sensei in Doctor X was rather indignant to Daimon-sensei. It was understandable, only because he’s eventually changed his professional opinion.

Despite being harsh to Daimon-sensei, I like that Kaji-sensei was one of those few people who could really approach her head on. If it’s not him, it’d be Jonouchi Hiromi (Uchida Yuki) the anesthesiologist.

I think it’s the second drama of Uchida that I’ve watched, next to Bambino! I’m having a fondness for this actress. Well, Jonouchi-sensei was honest and likable. She was also not like most of her colleagues, though the last episode revealed her frustration.

Whenever I watch a medical drama, especially when they feature the operating room, I always have my eyebrow ready to scrutinize. If Doctor X was a real medical situation and I were one of the O.R. staff, especially if I were a surgeon or just a scrub nurse, I might’ve screamed, “Scrub out!” a number of times.

In episode 8, Hijikata Ikuya was appointed by Director Busujima Ryonosuke (Ito Shiro) to perform a delicate surgery. At the operating room, if I were a scrub nurse I’d block his way and scold him. If I were a surgeon, I’d scream at him if not kick him out. I’d never let him come close to the table.

In an earlier episode, an O.R. nurse put the loupe goggles to a doctor, I can’t remember who, in a way that made me want to kick them both. The way the staff move around the table was also bothersome.

My favourite episode in Doctor X was the fifth episode, not because I figured out the problem before Daimon-sensei but because I saw a side of her that was fun.

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Originally posted on: 01 August 2013

Reposted on: 13 August 2013

Love Shuffle

Originally posted on: 29 July 2013

Reposted on: 7 August 2013

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YAY, PANDA!

I reckoned watching Love Shuffle because of Karina. And boy, it was so much fun. I laughed a lot and hard that I even cried. Their idea – love shuffle – was crazy but it was fun. The characters all have their stories and were all interesting. And their interaction/relationship with each other was equally amusing. I just got so absorbed that I still can’t get it off my head. *plays Eternal Flame*

As soon as I finished the pilot episode, I knew it’s gonna be fun. As early as that, I already cried because I laughed hard. It’s on the elevator scene. Just the thought of their plan.. Can’t even..

I’ve already seen Hiroshi Tamaki as Chiaki in Nodame Cantabile and Karina in Bambino! as well as Summer Nude [pilot ep]. Their characters in those dramas were so cool, especially Chiaki. So when I saw them as Uta-san and Ai-ai, respectively, I was sort of blown away. That scene when they were discovered by Kiku-rin looking at the photo, they were just so funny. These actors are versatile.

 

Love Shuffle was obviously a romantic-comedy but there were also a number of serious matters in this drama. There’s psychology, psychiatry, sociology, some political, and suspense. It was like a pizza. It was so amusing.

Each character was likeable. But if you pay close attention, there were some with traits that were annoying. I just took it as if having friends who are bare with their weaknesses. My favourite female character was Aizawa Airu (Karina). I love that she was straightforward. Like me, she wasn’t also trying to be cute making me like her more. But even she had things I don’t particularly agree with. I don’t like how she starts a relationship, as pointed out by Kikuta Masato (Tanihara Shosuke).

Kikuta or Kiku-rin was one amusing character. He seemed to be the most mature of them all, but I think that’s only because he’s a professional. Still, even though he’s a psychiatrist, I’m bothered with how he’s uncertain with some things when most or a lot of people in his profession could answer. But as the episodes went on, I thought it only showed him as an honest person, a genuine character. A lot of people assume the answer to things but don’t really act on what they know. Among the pairings, I liked him most with Kamijyo Reiko (Kojima Hijiri). I’m referring to their interaction with one another. I think its because they can both reach a common sensible level. Besides, a doctor-patient interaction should be left professionally.

Like Aizawa [read: Karina is in Summer Nude with Yamashita Tomohisa, who played Aizawa-sensei in Code Blue. So imagine my kilig.], Reiko was straightforward though not as blunt. As for Kagawa Mei (Kanjiya Shihori), I was bothered with her thought-process regarding romantic relationship.

I guess the same can be said of Usami Kei (Hiroshi). I didn’t like him most for his simple-mindedness and how he refused to at least understand complex reality.

Although Usami and Oishi Yukichi (DAIGO) were cute as Tara-chans, I didn’t like them individually. Not always though. Well I guess I just couldn’t bring myself to like guys like them. Yes, even when/if Usami gets serious.

I’ve already seen the other works of Yoshitaka Yuriko: Bokura ga Ita and GANTZ, so I was looking forward to her character as Hayakawa Kairi. As I watched her character, I kind of understand people who have the same condition as her. It also helped me see suicidal people’s train of thoughts in another light.

Like Karina, Hiroshi, and Yoshitaka, I’ve also seen Matsuda Shota in another drama before. Well, it was in Hana Yori Dango. If I thought his character as Nishikado Sojiro was interesting, him being Sera Ojiro was more interesting and fun. I also think he’s the one who keeps the relationship among the “pyjama party people” balanced. I’d love to have a friend like him, a friendship like they have. “Pyjama party” every now and then sounds fun.

It’s nice that four adult people are having the kind of relationship that they have. I’d like to have a friendship like that. That scene when the boys pledged to protect Airu was sweet. I hope my guy friends will offer the same, though I’m not really going to require them to save me. At least knowing that there’s someone willing is fine.

Lucky Seven

I love Lucky Seven. Every episode brought smile to my face and never failed to make me laugh.

What to say? I really enjoyed every episode of this drama. I enjoyed the interaction between characters, either one to another or as a group. I especially enjoyed the Nitta-Shuntaro “relationship” because it was so much fun, regardless of their insults.

There was a scene when Nitta Teru (Eita) had to run but before he could, Tokita Shuntaro (Matsumoto Jun) faced him. “Confronted” would not suit their position. They were literally at each other’s face and I thought, “Man, that’s so close!” I even thought that they looked like about to kiss each other.

Well, it’s so Nitta.

Can’t really remember what prompted me to watch Lucky Seven, though I’ve reckoned this before. I think it’s because I was looking for something mentally-stimulating. A detective drama like Lucky Seven seemed a sensible option. Besides, I sort of “trust” Matsumoto acting decently. I don’t mean to insult him.

I also enjoyed the character of Mizuno Asuka (Naka Riisa). I liked it that she’s not one Mary Sue. And albeit being a detective, she was actually unusually slow in assessment and conclusion. But I still enjoyed watching Asuka. I believe her weaknesses only made the character genuine, convincing, and more interesting.

The Lucky Seven Detective Agency seemed to be stripped off of senior-junior formalities. I actually liked it. There was still a professional respect for each other, but their personal interaction prevailed most of the time.

If it was a typical or traditional Japanese company, everyone except for Tsukushi Masayoshi (Kadono Takuzo) and the agency’s president Fujisaki Touko (Matsushima Nanako), should be paying ‘respect’ to Asahi Junpei (Oizumi Yo). But everyone, without exception, enjoyed the liberty of making fun of the office’s chief. And his poor dating skills or knowledge when it came to women, just made him an easy target. It’s also fun whenever he would try to get back at the junior staff, or perhaps just Shuntaro and Asuka. It also seemed like he couldn’t directly get to Nitta. Interesting.

When Touko looked at the application form of Shuntaro, I laughed at the choice of photo. It reminded me of Naruto. I wish though that I could do the same, though it’s definitely unlikely.

I was actually surprised with the intense physical involvement of Matsumoto in Lucky Seven. Sure I’ve seen him punched some guys in another dramas, but this was different. He was so cool! But there was one thing I didn’t like in Shuntaro, especially as the series progressed. Whenever he smiled, smirked, and moved as if saying “I told you,” he just reminded me of Domyouji Tsukasa. I find it bothersome.

It would’ve been nice if Matsumoto tried smiling differently, smirking differently. But when I thought about it, I wondered if such resemblance was not hard to miss, on my part, because I’ve watched Lucky Seven and Hana Yori Dango in the same year.

That’s why I missed Nitta more. His interaction with Shuntaro seemed to keep Matsumoto from appearing like Domyouji. Besides his effect on everyone, I missed his eccentric side. Nitta was just so much fun to watch. I’ve always looked forward to seeing him in each episode.

Lucky Seven wa hontou ni omoshiroi deshita. I was watching it on a fast pace then I realized that I was already on the last episodes. I almost went on panicking because Nitta was not a prominent presence compared to the office’s water dispenser.

The fighting scenes were nice though there were some that were too show-off. They were well choreographed, but I’d prefer to have something more spontaneous. And probably crazy.

I’m definitely looking forward to Lucky Seven SP. And truth be told, I already miss this drama, everyone at the Lucky Seven Detective Agency. It’s like it was filled with a lot of good vibes. 大好き! And I hope that Matsumoto Jun showed no trace of Domyouji Tsukasa in the SP.

The scenes I loved the most usually involved Nitta, or Asuka picking on Shuntaro. But there was one epic scene that I really loved. If I were to describe it in my mother tongue, sobrang benta!

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Originally posted on: 14 July 2013

Reposted on: 07 August 2013

Kazoku Game

家族ゲーム

Before Kazoku Game started airing, I’ve been curious what it’d be about. The trailer showed something dark, from the past. Is Yoshimoto Koya (Sakurai Sho) bad? Is he good? What are his intentions? For someone from the allied health, it’s obvious that there was something about Yoshimoto.

Yes, I also had my share of questions, but as soon as Yoshimoto-sensei pinned Numata Shigeyuki (Uragami Seishuu) down, I knew that Yoshimoto would be one complex character. It’s like I already understood him in a snap. And if you haven’t seen or encountered complex people before, you might just keep on wondering.

“When there is something that people can’t measure with their own scale, it can’t be helped that they’d feel it’s weird.”

So Kazoku Game was about the Numata Family and Yoshimoto Koya, who would always make me wonder why he walked that way.

Sakurai Sho stars in this troubling drama as the private tutor Yoshimoto Koya. Koya becomes a tutor to a student, Numata Shigeyuki, an underachiever on the verge of dropping out of middle school. Expecting immediate results, Shigeyuki’s father makes a deal with Koya that if he could make Shigeyuki return to school within a week, he would receive a 100,000 yen bonus. Koya accepts the offer, replying that he would only need 5 days to complete the mission but demands that no one should interfere with his methodology in doing so. – DramaWiki 

More than the Numata Family, I saw this drama as a story of individuals, of a family representing a/the society, and even the society itself. When I was watching this drama, I happen to have been reading and writing reports about bullying in Japan. It’s like seeing the Japanese society in another “darkness.”

 

And when there was a series of scenes on bullying in this drama, I couldn’t help but be moved. I feel so bad for the students who have been bullied at school. Watching Kazoku Game made me wonder if this drama was a “protest” to the Japanese society.

It may sound like a hard core heavy drama but it was not, at least not always. There were also funny moments. I love those moments when Yoshimoto was trying to blackmail Numata Shinichi (Kamiki Ryunosuke) in episode 8. It was so hilarious. I think another funny scenes were from an earlier episode when both were after a USB, which met an unfortunate end. It was just too silly.

Even when Yoshimoto was trying to mock anyone, through sarcasm, it never fails to make me laugh still. It’s like I understood what he meant. I got his point. I actually sometimes wonder if I’m as “crazy” as Yoshimoto that why’s I understood him.

What Yoshimoto thought and said of the Numata Family were true. I personally disliked the parents. They were so annoying, especially the wife, Numata Kayoko (Suzuki Honami). But I’m happy for Suzuki winning Best Supporting Actress. My aversion toward her character is a proof that she carried out the character well.

The husband, Numata Kazushige (Itao Itsuji), was equally annoying especially for what he did after asking help from Yoshimoto-sensei. Seriously? But I’d like to say that it was triggered by someone particular. It can also be said that Kazushige was a typical guy. Annoying. He’s somehow traditional but bent. I also didn’t like the way he saw his children.

Shinichi, albeit his model student status, was obviously a mess inside. I somehow understood why he acted the way he did but those were not excuse for his actions. He’s actually a complex character. Had Yoshimoto stopped pushing the Numata Family to the edge, Shinichi might’ve totally lost his heart. He found it whilst going through the “family game.”

I think the most impressive among the Numata family was actually Shigeyuki, the youngest member. Sure, he was a pitiful being in the beginning but it was understandable because of his default immaturity.

However, it was Shigeyuki who understood things well and fast. His “recovery” and courage were inspiring. I could also say that his faith in Yoshimoto-sensei was equally impressive. For a kid like him to “understand” Yoshimoto, that was something.

As for Asami Maika/Tachibana Maki (Kutsuna Shiori), I knew there was something about her. It was interesting. I’ve never been annoyed or upset with her but she got me curious. When the drama progressed and she was slowly ‘revealed,’ I was somehow at ease. Well, I was still curious. So when she was finally “revealed,” I was finally relieved and at the same time impressed.

I’ve read comments and stuff about Kazoku Game but I don’t really care much. People are entitled to their opinion. But I admit that  confessions or comments referring to this drama as “weird” or “disturbing” made me wonder. Was Kazoku Game really that complex? I was like, “Welcome to reality.” As for the others, with regard to acting or anything, or what about Sakurai because he’s a Japanese ‘idol,’ you know, I have to borrow the line of Shigeyuki in episode 1.

Except for “Most of the monsters are not created suddenly.” and “Are you psychics?” screenshots, all the photos and .gifs here were taken from Tumblr.

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Originally posted on: 10 July 2013

Reposted on: 07 August 2013

Rich Man, Poor Woman

I can’t remember why I watched Rich Man, Poor Woman but I regret watching it late. I’ve already read posts about this J-Drama but I just didn’t take notice. I didn’t even thought of including this in the drama list that I will watch.

But here was the second surprise. I enjoyed it. I enjoyed the story and I was able to relate to some of the characters’ personalities, or characters. Yes, I could even relate to Natsui Makoto (Ishihara Satomi), just not her chasing personality and too straightforward character. I am not that. I am not too bold with confrontations. Still, I admire her boldness and optimism. I can even relate to Hyuga’s prosopagnosia condition.

As for Hyuga Toru (Oguri Shun), I’m amazed with his dedication to his craft. It’s funny how he goes too focused with the task at hand. His childishness is also amusing, except when he’s being selfish and brat. But I admire his kindness, his loyalty to his friend. Despite his personality, something within him is really admirable. If it happened to me, it might take me time to recover.

One of the most unforgettable scenes involving Hyuga would be his visit to Todai. It was too much for me to bear. Yes, I cried of too much laughter.

It was nice to see Asari Yosuke again in a drama, in a lighter one. I’ve already seen him in >Code Blue. I hated him as Fujikawa Kazuo in that medical drama, but I’m fine with his character as Yasuoka Michiya in Rich Man, Poor Woman.

Like most Japanese dramas, Rich Man, Poor Woman left me with rocking words. I mean, those statements that hit me bulls eye. Close. I think what Hyuga said in third episode makes sense. If you’re going to give up anyway, do it soon. Stop wasting time, that’s what he didn’t said but I believe he was implying.

Natsui also said something sensible, though she was only quoting someone. It was nice and refreshing. It was on Episode 5 when they were testing a product. That visit was actually nice. I enjoyed that episode. The interaction with the locals and elders were fun.  I also like that retired artist, whose name I already forgot.

In the 6th episode, the ‘younger’ Hyuga said something that I love. It makes sense. One should not put a tag price on one’s value. Sure, results are important but financial results do not define everything. The real value of something and someone will never really measured by any figures.

“You think our worth is only about how much we can make?” When he said those words, my admiration for Hyuga increased. Of course, mine is not like his colleagues and employees. I didn’t overestimate him. Perhaps those around him hasn’t seen someone like him before.

There was another line that would be a great reminder of the value of things. Elders have always said that those things that cost us no sweat can easily disappear whereas those we’ve achieved through tears and sweat will be there to stay.

“It was made in an instant… it disappeared in an instant.”

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Originally posted on: 3 July 2013

Reposted on: 5 August 2013

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

Whisper of the Heart

I don’t know how to get started. Whisper of the Heart by Studio Ghibli was such a sweet and sentimental animated film. It’s inspiring at the same time. If you’ve watched The Cat Returns, you’ll like Whisper of the Heart. There are some connections.

I think I should share a part of the film’s plot.

Shizuku Tsukishima is a 14-year-old student at Mukaihara High School, where she is best friends with Yuko Harada. Living in Tokyo with her parents Asako and Seiya, as well as her sister Shiho, Shizuku is a bookworm and is keen on writing. One evening, she looks through the checkout cards in her library books. She discovers they have been checked out by a young man named Seiji Amasawa. Over the next few days, Shizuku encounters Seiji, who often annoys her. Finding a cat riding a train, Shizuku follows it to discover an antique shop run by Shiro Nishi. In the shop is a cat statuette, “The Baron.”

I’m stopping here. Watch the film and enjoy the story. It’s simple but it’s great.

I enjoyed the animation or cinematography of this film. I also loved how this film had those “non-sense” gestures. There was a time when Shizuku was trying to turn off her lampshade but she wasn’t able to do so in one, two, or three tries. Like what anyone would do, she got up. It was simple but I liked it. There was also a scene when her father put out a cigarette. I just liked those “unnecessary” but “essential” scenes.

There were also words of wisdom to live by from Whisper of the Heart, like most Japanese films animated or not. I love what Nishi Shiro said regarding someone’s ability or skill.

“When you first become an artist you are like that rock. You’re in a raw natural state with hidden gems inside. You have to dig down deep and find the emeralds tucked away inside you. And that’s just the beginning. It takes a lot of hard work.”

There was also another from Tsukishima Seiya, Shizuku’s father. I thought he was a cool father when he had a talk with Shizuku regarding her project. It was nice. I actually got reminded of the Ninomiya chefs.

  

It’d be nice to have parents, or someone, like Tsukishima Seiya. Blessed are those who have someone like him in their lives. He was inspiring.

In the same manner, Amasawa Seiji and Tsukishima Shizuku were equally inspiring. It was nice. Well, I really enjoyed the sweetness and sentiments ofWhisper of the Heart. Seiji wanted to become a violin maker while Shizuku was inspired to pursue writing. I was about to say, “It’s sweet,” when I remembered how Seiji happened to have read some books that Shizuku was about to read. That was sweeter.

I’d love to watch more animations like this. I think I’m now officially a fan of Studio Ghibli, though I haven’t watched all their animations.

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Originally posted on: 14 April 2013

Reposted on: 3 August 2013

Hiroshima no Pika

Hiroshima no Pika. This was my first Japanese book,first Japanese book, which I got when I was 5 or 6 years old. I understood no word from the book but my innocent heart kind of understood.

I still remember some of the photos, especially the cover. Most especially, I still remember the title of the book though I didn’t know what Hiroshima no Pika meant. It’s only after 20 years that I’ve known what it means. That explains the name of Pikachu.

I wonder where my book is now. Well, most likely it’s in Davao. I’d like to retrieve it. Or, I can just buy a new one.

Btw, you may check Hiroshima no Pika on YouTube.

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Originally posted on: 9 April 2013

Reposted on: 3 August 2013

GANTZ

[I’ve always admired Ninomiya Kazunari as an actor. I always get carried away with his acting, though not much in Stand Up!, so I thought I’d like to watch his other dramas/movies to check on his acting consistency but when I found out that GANTZ was on sci-fi genre, I thought it’ll be the last on my list because I’ve never been fond of sci-fi stuff.]

I can’t remember why I decided to watch GANTZ soon but I’m quite thankful that I did.

Ninomiya was impressive as Kurono Kei, who used to be a simple slash invisible guy. It was amusing how his character developed from someone unsure to someone with confidence. I remember their second assignment/case, when the “Boom Box” alien turned his face toward Kei. That “Me?” reaction was so funny, at least for me. I also think Ninomiya pulled it off without the annoying awkward effect. Only few actors can act awkward without being annoying.

Watching GANTZ kept me reminded why Ninomiya Kazunari was called an actor “who can act with his eyes and lips.” I’ve always been a fan of under-acting, of subtle facial expressions. Such always catch my attention. And this reminds me of Sakurai Sho and Ohno Satoshi.

Kurono Kei was an interesting character, showing complexity, compared to Kato Masaru (Kenichi Matsuyama) whom I find… dull. It’s like I couldn’t think of something to tickle my interest regarding him. I was curious though about the outcome of his relationship with his brother and what’s going on between him and Kei Kishimoto (Watanabe Natsuna).

At first, I actually thought that Kato was the acting leader of the team so I kept wondering when would he step up.

I hope the sequel of GANTZ will also be interesting. I wasn’t really attached to the plot although their third assignment reminded me why God forbids idol worship. There were also a lot of casualty and those who stayed weren’t as interesting as Kurona. That made me wonder if character development was only left to Kei.

Since this film was based on a manga, I can’t really judge the difference so everything I’ve written here were according to what I’ve witnessed and thought while watching GANTZ. By the way, it’d be better if they used more lights for this film.

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Originally posted on: 14 March 2013
Reposted on: 3 August 2013

Honey and Clover

I’ve always wanted to watch Honey and Clover because of Aoi Yu. And when I found out that Sakurai Sho was also in this film, I’ve decided that I must watch this movie no matter what. So imagine what I felt when their characters first met.

 

It reminded me of When Love Begins, a 2008 Anne Curtis-Aga Muhlach film. “Love begins with one hello.”

Aoi Yu is an incredible talent. I may have not seen all of her movies but she’s the one actress whose films I’ve watched most. I like how she portrayed her role in Honey & Clover. I do not know Hanamoto Hagumi based on the manga and Anime, I haven’t watched the live action series too, but the way Aoi portrayed her was captivating. You can just tell that Hagumi was one pure character.

I’ve already seen Sakurai Sho in his TV series Nazotoki wa Dinner no Ato de and I can’t wait for the movie with Keiko Kitagawa. I was impressed with his acting in that series, especially with those subtle facial expressions. I was actually surprised when I found out that he’s a member of Arashi. Never did it occur to me that I’d be totally impressed by Arashi. Anyways, so when I saw Sakurai as Takemoto Yuuta I was totally impressed. I was convinced with the character because I saw Takemoto Yuuta.

I like actors who make me see their movie characters real well. I’d say Aoi Yu and Sakurai Sho did that when they portrayed their respective roles in Honey and Clover. I’d love to see more actors like them.

Morita Shinobu (Iseya Yusuke) said something to Hagumi when he was burning his art. Those were the words I wanted to hear. I wish I’d hear them truthfully. That just reminds me of Liverpool FC.

 
From LostInTheAir, posted without permission

One of my favourite scenes in the film was when Morita and Hagumi were painting together. It was just fun. Of course, I love the scenes when Hagumi was passionately painting, although I’m not a fan of abstract. I’ve never thought that music can be painted. Even when she painted the canvass just black, I still liked it. I was reminded with my drawing when I was really angry. It was ironic though because the result was not a dark art. It was so light that it could be mistaken as a child’s work.

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Originally posted on: 12 February 2013
Reposted on: 2 August 2013

Rurouni Kenshin [live action movie]

I was so glad when I got to watch Rurouni Kenshin at the cinema before the Metro Manila Film Festival last month. But I also watched it again, two more times actually. It was just a great movie and has made me very nostalgic. My previous post is a testament to that.

To begin with, when I watched the trailer of Rurouni Kenshin, I was struck with how Sato’s stance was so like Himura’s. I was so moved. And of course, when I got to watch the film, I was moved even more. I believe there’s nothing much to say against Sato Takeru as Himura Kenshin, or as Battosai. I was also amazed with how Sato’s hair got to “imitate” Himura’s hair. The colour had nothing to do with it. It was how his hair, albeit an extension, moved like how Himura’s hair would.

As for the other characters, I’d say Aoki Munetaka as Sagara Sanosuke should share some of his ruggedness to Taketo Tanaka as Myoujin Yahiko. I didn’t like Sagara in this movie. As for Eguchi Yosuke as Saito Hajime, I think he did fine. The Anime version was more cold and intimidating. I’m not complaining though. I just hope that when (yes, we’re that expectant) they get to make the sequel, Saito will be more like Saito Hajime, the leader of the Third Squad of the Shinsengumi.

There’s nothing much to say. I am glad of how it turned out. Rurouni Kenshin was one of my favourite Anime of all time. I’m glad the live action film did not disappoint me.

Rurouni Kenshin trailer

Director: Keishi Ōtomo

Producer: Osamu Kubota

Cast/Team Kenshin except for Saito:
    Satoh Takeru - Himura Kenshin
    Takei Emi - Kamiya Kaoru
    Aoki Munetaka - Sagara Sanosuke
    Aoi Yu - Takane Megumi
    Tanaka Taketo - Myojin Yahiko
    Eguchi Yosuke - Hajime Saito

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Originally posted on: 02 August 2013