Reviews

A Visual Guide For Dating

One would have to be completely dead inside to not get a warm cozy feeling from watching this film. It is a joy to behold and drink in. And it is so astonishingly relatable because it is happening to ordinary people under very ordinary situations. It is a pure story of love with its only requirement being someone courageous enough to make the first move. Honestly, one does not need to read manuals, books, or listen to experts on how to find love; all one needs to do is watch this movie. It gives you a step-by-step visual presentation of what to do. This is a complete joy to watch!

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The plot is like an Ementali cheese - it is full of holes...

This movie (and it's previous part) has a strong cuteness factor, since the leading actors did a good job with what they'd got and they are both sweet, but the story is just a mess. Obviously, when it comes to TV shows, they don't have to be 100% realistic, but they still have to be believable and logical in their own frame - this movie didn't manage to do it.

We have Golf, who faked his death - why? What was the purpose of it? And how come all the friends at school knew it's fake death, but neither them nor Bank's mom had the decency to tell Bank the truth? Where did the baby from the end of the first movie disappear? If Golf was in contact with at least some people from home during the 5 years, how did he not know that Bank entered a relationship? Etc... - I have the impression that when they made the 1st movie, they didn't know they'd have a 2nd, so when they eventually decided to make one, they were struggling with finding out how to "resurrect" Golf for a happy end, and how to get there. The movie didn't really have a story, just a bunch of people with ununderstandable motivations for there unlikely behaviour, and this way even the happy end didn't bring much catharsis.

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ESQUISITO E INCOMPLETO...

Ontem à noite decidi assistir a esse filme e o começo parece bem promissor, as bases iniciais do filme são bem apresentadas e o enredo se mostra bem interessante e inovador. Afinal, a Coreia do Sul é um dos países que mais se preocupa com a opinião pública e muitas vezes as grandes corporações e pessoas com poder decidem manipular as redes sociais e a mídia para controlar a dita opinião pública.

Entretanto, a reta final do filme nitidamente estava desconexa e confusa, além de que os cortes de edição foram mal feitos e horríveis. Quando finalmente há algum esclarecimento inteligível, nos é apresentado que o garoto era um mitomaníaco narcisista que manipulou um jornalista que já estava em desgraça com o público e a imprensa, motivo? Sei lá, para os roteiristas pouco importava na verdade. Uma pena porque o elenco era muito bom.

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Classic style action-comedy done right.

Before I launch into any kind review, you do not need any context to enjoy this film. It can be enjoyed both in isolation and in context of previous works.

A very enjoyable action comedy that you could bring the whole family along to watch. Imagine a James Bond style film, but instead, place a pair of retired Japanese cops with a solid sense of humour and style in the spotlight.

The soundtrack was PERFECTION and I don’t have much else to say about that. The veteran actors still got it, a still stylish and legendary duo. The story was fun, and that’s the easiest way I can describe it.

The film didn’t let itself get bogged down in politics or agendas, it wasn’t trying to appease anyone or anything, it aimed for fun and hit the bullseye.

This made me want to watch the previous instalments of the series. I cannot recommend it enough. It’s the kind of fun that makes people feel nostalgic to about the fun going to the movies years ago.

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"Try what you can, then you'll find what you like"

The Moon Has Risen was a charming, sweetly funny film written by Ozu Yasujiro and directed by prolific actress Tanaka Kinuyo. A father living with his three daughters, all of marriage age, would have to brace himself as the matchmaking and romancing were about to escalate with the full moons.

Asai Mokichi lives in Nara with his three daughters. He has a hands-off approach with their love lives, letting his daughters do as they will. Chizu is the eldest daughter and a widow. She is traditional and loves caring for the family and her father. Ayako, the second daughter, is quietly shy, and falls somewhere between modern and traditional. Much to her consternation, her aunt is always trying to set her up with marriages she has no interest in. Setsuko, the youngest at 21, is effusive and effervescent. She is close friends with Shoji, a man who is currently living on the premises and unemployed. Shoji’s friend, Amamiya, visits for a while during a business trip. Setsuko and Shoji join forces to matchmake for Ayako and Amamiya when they see how much the two care for each other. The course of true love never runs smoothly, and that goes for Setsuko and Shoji as well!

Many Ozu story elements were to be found. A widowed father, played by Ozu regular Ryu Chishu, had daughters of marriage age. This time though, no one was overly worried about the father being left alone. Chizu enjoyed caring for her father, but even she may have had a love match. No older male friends were called in to help find potential mates, the sisters took care of their own futures. And each other. I loved the sisters’ relationships with each other. I worried that I might find Setsuko annoying as she attempted to bring Ayako and Amamiya together, but after the first few scenes, I found her to be a fun character and appealing. Watching the relationship grow between Setsuko and the aimless Shoji was compelling as well.

This was Tanaka Kinuyo’s second directorial effort and I thoroughly enjoyed how she framed shots. It might have been an Ozu script but she didn’t stay cemented to shooting from the mat as he did. Nor were there the head on conversations directly to the camera and overly controlled acting. Her characters moved fluidly and gracefully. She used beautiful outdoor scenes, tranquil temple locations, and gorgeously composed rooms to great effect. The characters were more tactile and looser than in an Ozu film. The family even had a pet dog! The humor was gentle and felt authentic to the story. I found Tanaka’s style of directing very relaxing.

The Moon Has Risen was an endearing film about three sisters as they carved out futures for themselves and when they faltered there was always a sister around to give destiny a little push in the right direction. Tanaka Kinuyo tied everything together with her own method of directing and extracted excellent performances from the actors. Only the second Japanese woman at the time to direct a feature film, she proved herself well. Oh, and Mizoguchi Kenji, you were wrong, she had plenty of brains to direct.

16 June 2024

*Mizoguchi was against Tanaka directing, stating, she “does not have enough brains to be a film director.”

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Um filme que entrega tudo

O primeiro filme me impressionou muito e esse aqui não foi diferente. Até agora me pergunto como eles uniram elementos tão diferentes tão bem. Além de uma história incrível o filme conta com ótimas atuações, um plot twist surpreendente e um final de aquecer o coração !!! Não posso me esquecer de falar que ele entrega comédia tbm e muitas cenas de ação mas, mesmo assim, achei tranquilo pelo fato de não ter cenas pesadas (com sangue, por exemplo) pois o filme aborda temática fantasiosa e toda "violência" contida nele é fantasiosa. Recomendo muito mas antes de assistir se prepare (muitas emoções).

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From Page to Screen: Disappointing Live Action

From manga to screen, "Wolf Girl and Black Prince" undergoes a transformation that may leave fans of the original manga with mixed feelings. Kento Yamazaki delivers a compelling portrayal of Kyōya Sata, capturing the enigmatic and sometimes sadistic nature of his character with precision. His performance stands out as one of the film's strengths, showcasing his ability to embody complex manga characters on screen.

Opposite Yamazaki, Fumi Nikaidō brings Erika Shinohara to life with charm and authenticity. Their chemistry is perfect, synchronized, and fully replicate the depth seen in the manga's depiction of their relationship. The film's cinematography and direction often fall short, particularly in pivotal emotional scenes where the camera work fails to enhance the narrative's impact.

Despite its shortcomings, "Wolf Girl and Black Prince" offers moments of genuine emotion, notably when Erika splashes water onto Sata's face—a scene that encapsulates their tumultuous dynamic.
While fans of the manga may appreciate seeing their favorite characters on screen, the adaptation ultimately struggles to capture the depth and nuance of its source material.

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