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Reviews
Noizu (2022)
What is the price of truth?
What is the price of truth? The movie greatly details this question through the lenes of the characters of the island and the police who are trying to find the answer to the mystery. The movie subverts expectations in interesting ways. Though the running time of the movie, you will question yourself, is the truth worth all of the effort. The search for one single truth leads to the destructions of so many lives. None of the characters other than the criminal, are portrayed in single black or white. They all have their own agendas and concerns, but at the end of the day are just people trying to live their lives. To a younger audience the portrayal of the islanders may seem a bit jarring, and some might find them repulsive as well, but that comes from a limited perspective of people, and how they are in real life.
The acting could have been better. Actors shine in some moments, but overall two out of the three leading men, are a hit and a miss in most scenes. Similarly, the cast has some performers, who are natural, and some over acting.
The background score is gripping and aids the scenes without being overly intrusive.
The movie has a very interesting twist (layered) in the very last ten minutes, which despite not being the theme during the running minutes of the movie, add up nicely.
It is not the best movie. Or the worst movie. But a worthwhile watch at least once.
Henshin (2014)
Ship of Theseus
Ship of Theseus
I wanted to see Kamiki's acting, but I had the impression that the story was a little painful for me, who was a junior high school student at the time. But looking back, I think it was well worth watching this work. I don't know for sure, but I had the impression that at the stage of writing the script, words were chosen that pierced each and every line deeply. It was true that I had a hard time watching this role as a fan, but I didn't feel scared because the cast had scrutinized the meaning of each line before issuing it. I personally like the camera work, room photos, dirty clothes, and half-eaten meals that make the two people look real when they ate. The lyrics of the last theme song resonate very much. It was very nice to have the theme song and feel that it was made for this work.
The atmosphere like the folds of Kamiki at the beginning was very good, so I felt the outline of the part that wasn't so clearer as I proceeded.
Jun cannot return to his former self, who had a mild personality, and soon becomes a sharp and ferocious personality, even killing people.
It's good to have a life, but I think it's a living hell if I'm no longer myself, I'm no longer in love with her, and I'm struggling when I'm out of control.
I was thinking about it all the time, remembering the theory of Ship of Theseus.
Tetsu no Hone (2020)
Watch this drama if you are into nuanced plots
The synopsis is misleading. This is a psychological drama above all else. The thematic question being "necessary evil;"On the surface level it's may seem like a drama that's going no where, but through out the drama many things are being contemplated. The importance of change, Should you be righteous following the truth, or is that righteousness just pure selfishness at the cost of the people closest to you. Should the formation of something signify it's existence now that, that time has passed.
Many may be underwhelmed by Heita since he's not doing anything major, but in actuality he is the glue that connects everything to everything else. He brings out the human side of a drama, and best of all just because someone is doing something evil doesn't mean that they are evil. Heita looks faces the gray world that we all live in.
Sorry my review my seem cryptic, but if you watch the drama you'll understand it. And I don't want the drama to be spoiled.
Watch this drama if you are into nuanced plots.
Shizumanai hone (2003)
A Gem
The synopsis does a disservice to this wonderful gem. This is a tale about two people at opposite ends of their lives coming together and finding solace through their journey together, Shota who is at the main starting point in his life and Jun-chan who is at the last part of his life both try to runaway from their realities. Shota who for the most part of his life lacked adult guidance, is mature but innocent as a neglected child of that age would be. Jun-chan who is still contemplating the passage of time and how he is at the end of his life, a frail old grandpa who has no one he knows alive anymore. At it's heart this is a coming of age story. Just because we age doesn't mean we learn to be adults. Naoki-san with his expressions and body language portrays the frailty, vulnerability and stubbornness that a young man who suddenly realizes he is an old man and life has long passed him by and the window of opportunities have long shut. While the young Kamiki, is phenomenal as Shota, I would go as far as to say this is his best and most realistic acting of that era. We see Shota at the beginning of the drama, as a mature child. He calmly leaves his home, carefully packs, even is aware enough to bring first aide and money along. However during uncertainties he breaks down and we see the innocent child trying to hide behind an adult mask, A child so desperate for adult guidance, that when he finds the reliable Jun-chan, he sticks to his side like a glue, from that point we finally see the whinny child, who wants attention, who is curious and hurt easily. His inexperience with the world is paired well with Jun-chan's life experiences. One has all the experience and the other has none, but neither of them are truly grasp the current world they live in. Jun-chan whose world has long gone and Shota whose hasn't started. They are aliens to the current world they live in. Jun-chan feels relevant while taking care of the young Shota, he feels needed. Shota on the other hand feels he is being heard and seen. In most scenes they are at conflict with each other, a battle of different generations. Not very different from arguments grandparents and grandchildren, each coming from their own life experiences while not trying to understand where the other is coming from. By the end of their journey they learn lessons from each other, forming a bond deeper than bloods. This is a very worthwhile drama to watch. The innocence and vulnerability is charming. The acting grounded and layered. The story is relevant for every generation, as most people in their lives will have been Shota and Jun-chan at different times. What happens when the end and the beginning meet. This is charming drama full of nuances and allegories. The drama is full of juxtapositions as it is both hopeful and depressing at the same time. I was watching it with someone who is not interest in jdramas nor do they understand japanese but the multiple themes of human connection, parental negligence, childhood, and the eventual death were things she picked up right away. Honesty it is a masterpiece and more people should watch it.