Gantz - Japan

          Director:  Shinsuke Sato

          Year:  2011

          Plot:  “After trying to rescue a man on the subway tracks, two teens wake up in a room dominated by a mysterious black sphere that sends them to hunt down and kill aliens hiding on Earth.”

          So I have to say that I watched this a few days ago only because Matsuyama Ken’ichi was in it.  I know that it is based on an anime/manga, but I am not a fan of either.  I read the first chapter and couldn’t get into it.  I couldn’t read more than that simply because of the artwork.  It wasn’t my style, so I just couldn’t get attacked, not that the story idea wasn’t intriguing.

          Anyway, about the movie.  I went into this movie not expecting much of anything (mainly because of my lack of interest in the manga), but I have to saw I was surprised.  Not only did I love Ken’ichi’s character, but I also enjoyed the others.  I really loved the girl.  I knew her reason for death the moment I saw her, but I love the fact that her world gets changed by gestures from the kind Kato.  I had a major problem with Kei at one point, but that was also the point of that part of the movie, so it isn’t a bad thing.

          Now, let’s talk gear.  I loved the suits.  At first I thought they were a little ridiculous, but once the action stated going the tight fitting suits become rather normal.  I did like how the suit would grow around the guys, giving them strength.  It was pretty cool.  I also really loved the weapons.  The guns were pretty awesome.  I love how nothing happens right after the trigger is pulled, but comes a few seconds later.  It leads to lots of nice little pieces.  ^.~

          I was kind of sad at the end.  This was for a few reasons.  One being that something I disliked happened in the end.  Two, it is a very open ending that leaves much to be hoped for.  Finally, just the simple fact that even watching it awhile after release, I still have to wait for the second one.  Oh well, it won’t be too long.  I’m just going to have to get this one on its way to my movie shelf in the mean time.  n.n

          Though fans of the Anime/Manga might not like this movie (because a lot of the sex and all that is left out), I absolutely loved this.  This is the type of movie that an average viewer will like, and not just an Anime fan.  This one has to at least be given a shot.  If you end up not liking it, you can always come back and argue with me.

Death Trance - Japan

         Director:  Yuji Shimomura
          Year:  2005
          Plot:  “An unknown time. An unknown place. Without reasons. With no future. His only desire is… Destruction!”


          Okay, first I must say, the plot completely sucks…  Not necessarily the one in the movie but the one in the stated plot area above.  I like to take the plot from other sites, but this one turned out to be an issue.  That is seriously the plot statement I kept getting.  It is even worse when that plot really has nothing to do with the actual movie besides the fact that we really don’t know where or when this is taking place.
          I do actually mean that the plot has nothing to do with the movie.  The movie centers around a man named Grave (simply referred to as Coffin Man) who stole a coffin from a temple.  Within the coffin is something that will bring about destruction.  The stories that have gone around about the coffin say that it will grant wishes.  Desiring this, Grave and another man set off on separate missions in hope of having theirs granted.  On a mission to stop anyone from opening the coffin is a lone monk.
          That is basically what the movie is about.  It is filled with different fight scenes which I have heard a few people say had cheesy sfx and corny stunts.  I didn’t see this entirely.  Sure the sfx weren’t up to par with decent budget Hollywood movies, but that doesn’t really bother me.  I would rather see crappy sfx in an Asian movie than an American one.
           This movie was actually pretty good.  I loved Grave, as he is really an anime character come to life.  I haven’t heard any complaints about Grave’s character, but I have heard complaints about as specific goddess.  She is supposed to be of destruction, but some people complained about her pretty outfit with flowers and such.  I actually loved that point as not everything pretty is innocent, and not everything rough looking is destructive.


          Anyway, I actually enjoyed this movie.  It was pretty entertaining because of Grave’s character as well as the whole issue about the coffin.  I did have a problem with the stupid katana the monk is carrying around.  I think it needed a little redesigning on the hilt.  It really bothered me.  I did actually kind of like the ending, even though it leaves it very open, you can kind of guess that it is going to continue for quite some time.

Takumi-kun: Bibou no Detail - Japan

          Director:  Kenji Yokoi  (Takeshi Yokoi)

          Year:  2010
          Plot:  “This story takes place in Takumi and Gii's final year in high school.  Takumi is excited about seeing Gii again, but doesn't get to see him before after a few days.  When he finally gets to meet him, Gii has changed completely.  He's cold towards everyone and keeps a safe distance to Takumi.  He even started wearing glasses.  The shock of the sudden change brings back Takumi's people phobia again, and Takumi starts doubting everyone and everything again.”


          I wasn’t sure I was going to like this third installment.  The reason was that the description that was on one of my regular sites said that this movie was kind of strange and didn’t focus on their relationship at all.  Turns out there description had nothing to do with this movie.
          In this movie, there is a new crisis for our favorite couple to face.  That comes in the form of the new first years students, who are mostly the children of other powerful corporations.  It isn’t hard to see where a problem might come in with this.  All of the new students want to get close to Gii.  It would of course be problematic for Takumi in the situation as jealousy would likely arise.  Gii has a plan in place to try to protect Takumi, but it leads to much angst on Takumi’s part.
          I think that this movie was better than the previous installments.  I am not sure exactly what the reason is, but I just feel that this one was a step up.  I guess it also has to do with the fact that because of the situation, Takumi can’t really rely on Gii for support.  This leads to the fact that even without Gii, there is support for Takumi.  He has people around him who care about him and look out for him.
          I liked the fact that even though Takumi has people around him who care, he was still pretty distraught.  The reason I liked this point was because it showed how important Gii was too him even though he might be okay without him, he couldn’t stand that fact.  The ending was very intimate, and probably shouldn’t be watched where just anyone can see it.  Might have to end up having to explain about a Boy’s Love obsession to parents.  n.n


          I really did enjoy this one.  Though there was a lot of angst this movie also had its sweet moments.  Out of the parts I have watched so far, this is the part of the Takumi-kun series that I feel has been the most well done.   This one is definitely one to watch for BL lovers.  n.n

Takumi-kun: Nijiro no Garasu - Japan

          Director:  Kenji Yokoi  (Takeshi Yokoi)

          Year:  2009

          Plot:  “The second movie carries on off from the first.  Takumi and Gii are now a couple and the envy of the whole school.  However, their relationship becomes rocky when first year student Morita Tooru appears in the picture.  Hayama Takumi begins to doubt Gii’s love, and thinks that his lover has given up on him and has moved on to Morita, a freshman student.”

          I have to say that where the first movie was lacking, this one made up for.  The love between the two star character is still cute.  In this movie, the two go through a point where they are rather distant and not fully understanding the other’s view.  This is a more real life like situation.  Just about everyone has had those moments where jumping to a conclusion has led to some problems.  The good thing is that they can be worked out for the better.

          This movie also had it’s sad points as well.  Some of those points were cause by the misunderstandings, but there was one that didn’t stem from our main two stars.  That point stemmed from Suzuki-kun.  I won’t say what the circumstances are exactly, but there is some issues that he goes through.  I found it completely sad that he cared for someone who also cared for him, yet they weren’t going to be able to be together.  It was sweet that the person he liked was able to use something that he learned because of Suzuki-kun to comfort him.

          This one really was a pretty sweet movie, and it was nice to actually see the two kiss.  They seemingly kissed in the first one too, but not in view of the camera, which always seems a waste.  I also felt that it was good to see Gii show some major emotion.  In the first one, though he showed some emotions, others were completely detached.  In this one though he actually shows more emotions to Takumi.

          I wouldn’t say this is the best movie I have seen.  There are a few points that are still a little weak, but that doesn’t really take too much away from the movie itself.  This was a rather good movie, and didn’t have much of the comic book-y feel that the first one did.  Of course, we know there is no hope for this movie as far as anti-gay viewers go.  BL (Boy’s Love) lovers should definitely find this movie good enough to waste about an hour and fifteen minutes on.

Takumi-kun: Soshite Harukaze ni Sasayaite - Japan

          Director:  Kazuhiro Yokoyama
          Year:  2007
          Plot:  “Set at Shidou Gakuin, a boys' Boarding school, situated off the beaten track.  In the second year at school, Hayama Takumi is allocated a room in a dorm to share with Saki Giichi, aka Gii.  Gii was brought up abroad and is the school idol with his exceptional academic performance, as well as his good looks.  One day, Gii confesses to Takumi that he has been in love with Takumi for some time.  This unexpected truth of events unsettles Takumi, however, he comes to realize the true sensitivity of Gii.”


          So I was in a Boy’s Love mood.  Okay, so I am pretty much always up for a BL movie.  I mean who wouldn’t.  Boy’s in love are just too cute.  This movie doesn’t fail at that point either.
          I wouldn’t say that this is the best movie I have ever seen though.  Just watching this movie, it is easy to see points where it could use some work.  The love between the two boys seems to be the only point that might hold it together for most viewers.  I say this because the movie was done too much like a manga.  It is of course based off a manga, but just some of the ways they chose to portray the story were too comic book-y in my opinion.  I do have to say that as an avid manga reader, I quickly over looked these points and focused on the love story.
          I have to say Takumi is simply adorable.  Because of a past incident, Takumi cannot bare the touch of others.  This seems like it could be a discouraging point for a normal love struck teenager.  I guess Gii isn’t really normal though, as he has been in love with Takumi for some time.  It is a little sad that it takes Takumi so long to accept his own feelings, but that is actually understandable.  I did think it was pretty cute how Gii arranged a special show just for Takumi.  n.n


          Though this one might be a little comic book-y at times, it is still a good enough movie to waste a frame of time on.  Though again, this is a Boy’s Love movie, and those against homosexuals should not watch it.  We don’t need them around bad mouthing our cute boys.  n.n

71: Into the Fire - Korea

          Director:  John H. Lee
          Year:  2010
          Plot:  “Based on the true story of 71 students who fight hundreds of North Korean soldiers in front of a middle school in August of 1950 during the Korean War.  Kap-jo was formerly a student who was convicted of murder.  While serving his sentence he volunteers to fight as a soldier.”


          I am pretty surprised that this movie didn’t seem to be very popular on IMDB.  The reason that I have such a hard time understanding this is because I pretty much hate war movies, but fell in love with this one.  Okay, so I did start watching it simply because Big Bang’s Seung Hyun Choi (T.O.P) was in it.  I ended up sticking around for more than just him though.
          The story held my attention even during another late night.  The fact that 71 students were to defend a post for South Korea with enemy infantry headed their way was very intriguing.  I absolutely loved this movie for the fact that those students were so strong.  They were just students, not soldiers, yet they we able to work together to protect a South Korean post.
          After two previous attacks is when the movie gets completely serious.  It is then that the student soldiers are given a choice, an opportunity to surrender and save themselves.  The problem is that by surrendering, the North Korean’s would breach the Nakdong River and thus leave the South Korean’s with no more room to retreat.  The choice is left to the students.  A few leave wanting to survive, but nearly all choose to stay and fight for their country, knowing that they will likely die.  It seems to be a very noble decision they make.
          As per the movie, the students only have to hold out for an hour until reinforcements hopefully arrive.  In the real story, the students held out for 11 hours, which is a far greater accomplishment.  The movie though couldn’t last that long so they shortened the time frame.  Even shortened, the accomplishment seems so great.  The students lasted despite the greater army arriving before them.


          This movie is a major tearjerker.  Most movies cannot get me to even cry, but it seems that these Asian movies that I have been finding lately have that ability.  I have no problem with this, as their movies are so well done story wise that they are worthy of some tears.
          Anyway, I absolutely loved this movie despite it being a war movie.  I am definitely planning on adding this one to my collection in the near future.  This is also one I am suggesting to everyone I know.


          Oh, here's a link to the movie on YouTube.  Click the CC button for English Subtitles.  71: Into the Fire (Part 1/8)

The Love of Siam - Thailand

          Director:  Chukiat Sakveerakul 
          Year:  2007
          Plot:  “Two young boys are best friends living quiet family lives in Bangkok.  Their lives are disrupted when one boy's older sister goes missing on a jungle trip.  The shattered family moves away, separating the boys.  Years later, now in their late teens, the boys meet again. One of them is now the leader of an aspiring boy band whose managing assistant bears a striking resemblance to the lost sister.  The boys must deal with their family and social lives and their feelings for each other.”


          Lately it seems like I have been picking out some good movies.  This is because again, I ended up loving this movie.  The Love of Siam is simply a great movie.  There isn’t too many movies that can actually bring tears to my eyes, and this is in fact one of them that can.
          If I hadn’t been so into the relationship between the character’s, I might have found this movie to be slow.  This movie is two hours and a half long.  That is a long movie, especially if you start watching it at about midnight online.  I had no problem watching this movie then though.  The story had me so wrapped up, I didn’t even notice it was late until 10/17 parts.  I just couldn’t break away from this movie.
          Now about the families.  From the beginning, I felt bad for Mew.  He was left with his aunt and grandma when he was young.  The poor kid was all alone, though it was sweet that him and his grandma connected through the music.  Tong on the other hand had a great family (though Christian).  Once the two boys connected, everything seemed really great, but it wasn’t meant to last.  Once everything happened with Tong, Mew lost more people, first Tong than a little later his grandma.  That kind of life is hard on a kid.
          It’s not too hard to see that Mew would later have a hard time seeing that people cared about him.  The only one he seemed to notice was Tong, and everyone else he didn’t really see.  That is what made the ending so great.  Even with what Tong told him, Mew was still alright.  He realized that he was surrounded by those who really did care for him and would be there for him.
          I still wish the ending could have been different, but as I see it, it could still be.  The movie seems to be ended a little early than what I would have like.  It ended at a place where Tong still needed to be their for his mom and dad.  Though his dad was getting better, they still needed him to be there for them.  If it had ended different, he couldn’t be there as much as June suggested.  Maybe if the movie had been continued to where everyone was alright again, the ending might have come out differently.  At least that is what my heart is hoping.  n.n


          This is one of the best movies I have seen.  It is long, but the story is so great and it just sort of captures you.  Of course this wouldn’t be for anyone who has disdain for homosexuals, but for those who don’t mind the idea of two guys together, this is a great love story.  I say this being a person who usually can’t stand romance movies.  Maybe it is just western love stories I dislike, cause I seem to love Asian romances.

Sukitomo - Japan

          Director:  Mitsuhiro Mihara

          Year:  2006

          Plot:  “Drama following a young boxer Tomokazu and his relationship with his best friend Yoshiko and sister Misao as while he's training for an important match.  His sister and friend have always been there for him, supporting him, but Tomokazu is about to find out that not everything is as simple as it may seem.”

          First off, I must state that this is a shonen-ai or boys-love movie.  It isn’t graphic in any sense.  This movie is more about the emotional connections, and not any actual physical display.  I do mean anything by the way, there is no kissing or anything.  Which is a little depressing, but the movie is good despite.

          At the base of this movie, there is in fact a love triangle between Tomokazu, Yoshiko, and Misao.  This is because both Yoshiko and Misao are in love with Tomokazu.  Yes, Misao is Tomokazu’s sister (step-sister to be exact), and that what makes it hard on her.  If she wasn’t related to him in anyway, she wouldn’t be put in the situation of watching him and Yoshiko together (not in a relationship just really close).  Yoshiko on the other hand put the stress upon himself, but it doesn’t seem completely one-sided either, but you’ll have to see it for yourself.

          I love the fact that Yoshiko as a photographer pays off in the end.  I just love the last little bit after the credits.  To have Tomokazu as being the subject of that picture is really great for the storyline.  Of course the little love between the two pays off quite well also.

          I also loved the fact that Misao came to terms with everything.  She was able to realize that she had the best relationship she could have with Tomokazu and that she would never loose him.  That leads her to realize how Yoshiko feels and not just that he is a rival, and even help him out a bit.

          I loved this movie.  Even though I don’t usually like dramas and romance movies, I seem to love the Asian ones.  This movie was so cute and innocent, though I hated that Tomokazu didn’t go after Yoshiko at one point in the movie.  That fact worked itself out though, so it is okay.  This is seriously one movie that I will be recommending to people, as long as they are not homophobic in anyway.  Those ones definitely won’t like this movie.  n.n

Kurosagi - Japan

          Director:  Yasuharu Ishii
          Year:  2008
          Plot:  “Kurosaki, is a swindler who cheats other professional con artists to help their victims and avenge the death of his own family.  Kurosaki buys information about other swindlers from the man who cheated his family, Katsuragi Toshio.”


          I decided this movie simply because I didn’t know what else to watch.  This movie is based off the TV series and Manga of the same name.  I have never read the manga or watched the series though.  For entertainment purposes on a lazy day, I found this movie at least somewhat worthy.
          I have to say that I liked Kurosaki very much.  I was rather intrigued by the character, which got me through some of the odd parts.  I seen somewhere that someone said that Yamashita Tomohisa, lack of emotional range deterred them from the movie.  I have to argue against this point though.  It is actually a good thing that he doesn’t show too much of a range.  Kurosaki is a black swindler, who had his whole family taken from him.  That kind of past should definitely leave you emotionally scarred.  I don’t know what people were expecting the character to be like, but I actually enjoyed the way Tomohisa performed it.
  I do have to say that this movie could have been written better.  I was constantly getting lost with the whole Julius Caesar aspects.  I really just didn’t get how it fit with the movie.  I got the whole betrayal thing, but the fact that the guy kept wanting to act it out, and who was really who, I was completely lost.  I also have to say that as far as the movie goes, the girl Yoshikawa, was not good for the plot in any way.  She added absolutely nothing.  I’m sure she had a great part in the series, but in a movie, there is just no room for her.
  I saw some complaints about no great character development that was in the series or what not, and though I haven’t seen the series, I do have to say something.  This movie was a 127 minutes, and because of this I am sure the character develops a lot more in the series.  There is way more room for the development in a TV series.


          Though this movie could have been better, I think that it was entertaining the way it was.  If you are rather bored, this is a movie that will at least take up some of your time.  If the characters aren’t very interesting, some of the cons might just be.  I enjoyed how he pulled off the final con.  It was at the very least entertaining.

Nana - Japan

          Director:  Kentarô Ohtani
          Year:  2005
          Plot:  “A chance encounter between two girls of the same name, "Nana," triggers a series of events and relationships.”


          First, I have to say that I completely fell for this movie.  I mean completely.  I first started watching this movie because Matsuyama Ken’ichi was in it.  I couldn’t help it.  I needed my Ken’ichi fix and Kamui Gaiden wouldn’t load or it had completely horrible subtitles.  It is not good to deprive me of my obsessions.  Anyway, so I saw on IMDb that Ken’ichi was in Nana, so naturally I just had to watch.
          Okay so about the movie itself.  Like I said I adore this movie.  I am not sure there is anything that I had a problem with.  I was captivated from the beginning, and I mean the very beginning.
          I loved all of the characters in this one (except Shoji and Sachiko).  Nana and Hachi were definitely the best though (and rightfully so).  I enjoyed the way Nana acted.  Her character was very well done, and I loved her progression with Hachi.  At first she starts out friendly yet holding everything about herself back, but later she opens up enough to let Hachi and everyone get closer.  I also liked Hachi who didn’t think she had anywhere to belong, yet never realized that she belonged where she was, with Nana and her friends.
          I loved the love story that was going on.  Not with Hachi though, that guy was kind of a jerk, but with Nana.  She tried so hard to forget about him, but just couldn’t.  I have to say that this was the first movie where I was actually pleading the character to do something.  I am not the type to talk to the movies I watch, but I kept pleading with Ren to give back the key, or go after her.  I couldn’t help it, I got so attached to Nana, I didn’t want to see her hurt.  The same went for Hachi and Shoji, the jerk.
          I guess some of the casting was a bit weird to some people, but that is only if you have read the manga that this movie is based off of.  I did not see any problem with the casting in the movie, as all actors played their characters really well in my view.  The fact is though that I have never read the manga, and can't say how good the actors played the manga/anime versions.


          I absolutely loved this movie.  I am sure there are a few who could find faults in this movie (mostly action only fans), but it is definitely a movie I would recommend to many viewers.  This is one movie that I definitely have to have in my collection.  n.n