Reviews

Tender, romantic, and sad

Japanese people seem to know how to make something really delicate, especially when it comes to romance films. Again, this is another film that makes my heart fly up with happiness and then tears fall down heavily. It is a memorable experience.

The story is a bit slow pace but it gets more and more beautiful as the relationship between Toru and Maori grows. You can recognize real love when you see what someone does for another person selflessly, and the romance in the story here is real love, although, in the beginning, it wasn't. You will also see the real and strong friendship between Maori and Isumi. The chemistry between the two leads is just perfect, in my opinion. I enjoy watching good things about people. We've seen the bad of this world, the terrible people of this world, more than enough in films these days, why don't just take a look here and see that good people are out there; real love is out there and real friends for life exist?

You might think...is it so soapy and unrealistic if everything and everyone is so good like that? No, this movie will pull you back to reality soon. If you happen to find a lover of your dreams who is also in love with you and does everything for you and accepts you with your weaknesses and flaws, it will not be forever because we are living here on Earth. Happiness forever is only in fairytales and in Heaven. The movie shows that here on earth you can't have it all perfect and tragedy can come at any moment. Precious memory can come with pain, but should we try to forget it all? We also find that even if you lose your memory in the brain, true memory can be retained in your body and your soul. Excellent work.

Leia Mais

A great concept for a romance.

Protagonists :
The main characters are quite typical: a gloomy, insecure, hyper-reflexive psychasthenic guy (Ganta), exaggeratedly suffering from learned helplessness, and his girlfriend, a cheerful, active, athletic, and carefree sanguine girl (Isaki). Despite their differences, they share a common struggle with insomnia and become members of the astronomical club. Their relationship is marked by a paradoxical dynamic where they become sleepy around each other, a mutual compliment that deepens their bond. Isaki is attracted to Ganta's stability and reliability, while Ganta is drawn to Isaki's cheerfulness and liveliness.

Secondary Characters :
The secondary characters provide a refreshing break from clichés. The mature and reasonable Tao and the eccentric geek girl Yui are particularly pleasing, adding depth and diversity to the story.

Storyline :
The narrative of "Insomnia" is somewhat chaotic. Initially, Makoto seems unsure of what and how she wants to tell the story. This results in a shift from calm, Seinen storytelling to melodramatically exaggerated shojo-style platitudes, and then to geeky meditativeness, particularly in the technical details of camera setup and shooting the night sky. This inconsistency may alienate some viewers. At times, the plot is filled with the main characters' reflections and experiences, along with short excursions into the stories of other characters, while at other times, it becomes empty and boring.

Conclusion :
In the second half, the story finds its footing as a calm, meditative Seinen romantic slice of life with a contemplative protagonist, his sweet, cheerful girlfriend, and a touch of geekiness. The narrative concludes with a successful ending, showcasing a certain personal growth in Ganta. He ultimately decides to act against his usual obedience and responsibility, rebelling against someone else's will for the sake of his girlfriend. This character development adds a satisfying depth to the story, making "Insomnia" a worthwhile read despite its initial shortcomings.

Leia Mais

Facilitating reunions with lost loved ones.

"Wonderland" boasts a fascinating premise: a virtual world facilitating reunions with lost loved ones.

It's the first film I've seen by director Kim Tae-Yong, whose filmography leans towards lower-rated projects.

While the concept is undeniably intriguing, the execution falters. The screenplay feels messy, and the direction lacks polish. This is especially disappointing considering the talented cast, including Bae Suzy and Park Bo-gum. Their performances elevate the material, but they can't quite salvage the film's shortcomings.

Here's the verdict:
"Wonderland" is a mixed bag. The strong central idea is overshadowed by messy pacing and direction. However, the stellar cast delivers, making it a watchable experience for those curious about the sci-fi romance angle. 

Recommendation:
Yes I recommend it with 7/10 rating.

Leia Mais

I WISH IT WAS A SERIES

I really loved it. sometimes I can't watch long series but it depends if I like the serie/movie or not. But I wish this short movie was longer or even a series. I fell in love with cinematography! cinematography is one of the first things I notice in a movie/serie. I really loved the music it fit that vibe perfectly. the cast was good too. I don't know the actors but their acting was good ! I wouldn't rewatch it really because it's just a small love story without anything really happening but it's cuter ! I loved it ! also never watched a Chinese drama so I actually feel happy about it!!

Leia Mais

Heartfelt, heartbreaking movie that felt like it lacked something

Truth be told I have been anticipating the release of this movie for months as I'm a huge fan of nagase ren. I already read the synopsis so I also knew the movie was going to be heartbreaking so I prepared myself going in since it was evident I was in for a tearjerker.

This movie was initially marketed as a romance so I was expecting a tragic romance movie similar in nature to "your lie in April" or "I want to eat your pancreas" and it was but I felt like it left something to be desired. I wasn't fully satisfied with the portrayal of the romantic relationship of the two leads of this movie.

Even though they had spectacular chemistry and they are both amazing actors in their own right that both fulfilled the roles they were given in this movie to the best of their ability I felt like the movie was holding back on progressing them romantically by quite a bit. there was little to no romantic progression and a very vague confession towards the end that got the message across but I wanted something more direct.

The leads barely got involved romantically and even while the FL, Haruna, was alive she described their relationship as being "best friends" which kinda irked me because they were clearly romantically interested in each other yet they never confessed.

I feel like the "sad" part of the movie would have been further exemplified if they portrayed them more as a couple instead of best friends when this is very clearly a romance movie and the ending furthers this claim that their relationship can't really be described as platonic despite it being portrayed as such.

And so the entire movie I was waiting for that one special moment that would signify that yes..they are in love but it never came except the vague confession at the end when she had already passed away and that led to the movie feeling rather bland.

On the contrary, my main gripe with the movie aside everything else was pretty cool. I liked the sound design. The main OST is spectacular and a certified banger. The character development is superb and you really get to see the ML, Akito, really grow as a person in a realistic manner and the story itself progressed nicely and didn't feel rushed or slow, the pacing was just perfect for a movie of this nature.

Also like I mentioned before the acting was really good. I can't say I have ever seen a drama from the FL before but I am aware she's in "ao Haru ride" and after watching this movie and witnessing her performance I feel more inclined in watching more dramas/movies from her. As for nagase ren I was already a fan and I'm even m ore so now. I like how he can create such a great chemistry with his female costars and really make you root for him.

All in all, this was a pretty decent movie and I recommend you check it out for yourself as well to form your own opinion you might even like it more than me.

Leia Mais

3 Gaberas???

The only j-movie which made me bawl my eyes for nearly 1 hr.
Just finished watching this movie, well before didn't had much hope that it'll gonna impress me, thought maybe this gonna be a simple as usual movie where leads die, which actually happened but the way they portrayed it, that was??.
For people who likes romance it would not excite you much but the love shown here the slow and silent romance they had was ethereal.
I would definitely recommend everyone to watch it,you might cry pr be in pain remembering the pain and trauma it'll give but the essence of life and the positivity Haruna showed us towards life is what everyone should seek in their life.

Leia Mais

Well uuuummmmm.........

I really don't know where to start with this. I mean it's not your typical zombie movie it wasn't even what I thought it would be. It's kind of cheesy it's not bad but it's definitely not good I only watched it because a lot of people were saying how bad it was and I thought to myself well usually when a lot of people leave negative reviews it's a lot better than what people make it out to be. For once I have to agree with the majority of the people that left reviews or comments. As I always say be your own critic and as much as I love zombie stuff watching this once was enough for me. The ending was kind of goofy and there's a slight cliffhanger where it left it basically the possibility of a second one but I don't think there will be a second movie.

Leia Mais

Great acting + average writing = good movie

The acting carried this movie. The writing started out good. It felt like the story was slow in the beginning but it gained momentum. I'm really not trying to spoil anything. Let's just say the ending left a lot to be desired.

The FL was given the most detail and it showed, enjoyed her acting and story.....except her ending. She breathes life into the ML and they end up being each others safe space or get away. The ML they tell his story late and it's only in a brief argument. They could've written it better and given us details throughout the movie but the writers missed.

There's a teacher and a senior that help the ML & FL. These 2 are important and great additions to the story. Unfortunately we don't get much backstory on them, maybe this could've been a series. I would recommend this as a time filler, there are a couple extremely cute moments and some heartwarming scenes. 8/10

Leia Mais

At the time the film was filmed, the end of the manga created by Yūki Fumino did not yet exist.

Teen films are always a good idea. Portraits of a generation are like fascinating stories that allow us to understand the unique characteristics and experiences of those who make it up in a specific era. The transition from adolescence to adulthood, known as "coming of age", is presented differently depending on the cultural and temporal context in which it is situated. Furthermore, maturity is not reached in the same way for everyone and it is these stories that increasingly interest the public because they allow us to analyze society and also ourselves a little.
Kamijo Daisuke, in his directorial debut, is responsible for the film proposal 'Hidamari ga Kikoeru' (ひだまりが聴こえる), from 2017, the real-time adaptation of the shōnen-ai genre manga of the same name written and illustrated by Yūki Fumino, a mangaka who began her professional career in 2013. With her delicate and poetic style, her work was published for the first time on October 27, 2014 by Printemps Shuppan.
The script is written by Takahashi Natsuko, known for writing the series 'Hana Yori Dango' and the films 'No Touching At All' ('Doushitemo Furetakunai'), 'Seven Days: Monday - Thursday', 'Seven Days: Friday - Sunday', 'Does the Flower Bloom?', among others.
The plot of this romantic drama of the youth, school and Yaoi genre begins by narrating the difficulties that Kōhei Sugihara has hearing, since the current university student had suffered from a sudden sensorineural hearing loss during high school. Circumstances have led him to become a lonely, distrustful, introverted, unsociable and distant young man with great difficulties relating to other people. He himself admits to feeling "out of place wherever he goes."
Thus, Kamijo Daisuke presents us with a love story between two teenagers of the same gender, and analyzes the problems that the world can pose for a person with hearing problems.
Kōhei's entire life changes when he accidentally meets Taichi Sagawa, who offers to take notes in classes for him in exchange for the lunch that the disabled student gives him every day. Kōhei will soon discover that he can hear the loud voice of the new acquaintance without difficulty.
This is how a friendship develops between a boy who had always had problems socializing, because his hearing problems caused him to be marginalized by his classmates, and another cheerful, optimistic, determined and empathetic, energetic boy and extrovert who lives practically in poverty, needing to work while attending university in order to survive. Both will help each other and, little by little, they will give in to their feelings, unleashing a beautiful story of friendship and love.
Taichi will make Kōhei open up to the world once he assures him that his hearing loss is not his fault. Taichi's kind words pierce through Kohei's usual defense mechanisms and open his heart, causing his feelings for Taichi to turn into love. Now they are more than friends and less than lovers. Still, this relationship changes Kohei forever.
Thanks to Taichi, Kōhei begins to smile and integrate into the social life of the campus. Others also begin to see him with different eyes. Taichi becomes the friend he never had or perhaps lost when he lost his hearing and was ostracized. Taichi teaches him "that there may also be a place for him on the other side."
Taichi and Kōhei challenge gender norms on a journey of self-discovery. His story takes us into themes such as the search, the formation of identity, personal growth and the transition to adulthood. But it also addresses feelings such as loneliness, happiness, marginalization or improvement.
It is not a simple love story between two teenagers, but rather it represents the problems that can arise in a romantic relationship when one of the two members of the relationship has a hearing disability. Thus, beyond a standard love theme, 'Hidamari ga Kikoeru' is a call to eradicate the mistreatment and discrimination that society carries out on minority groups, be it the disabled or the members of the group. LGBTIQ+.
In this way, the film becomes a manifesto to demand the equality of all human beings. Being different, something highly punished in Japan, should not be seen as something bad, but rather should be integrated into society until, one day, there is no discrimination of any kind for the mere fact of being different from others.
The main roles of the film distributed by Nippon Shuppan Hanbai are played by Hideya Tawada and Akira Onodera as Kōhei and Taichi, respectively. The former is known for his role as Takigawa Kinji in the series 'Shuriken Sentai Ninninger' and in the films 'Shuriken Sentai Ninninger the Movie: The Dinosaur Lord's Splendid Ninja Scroll!', from 2015, 'Shuriken Sentai Ninninger vs. ToQGer the Movie: Ninjas in Wonderland', from 2016, among others.
For his part, Onodera Akira has his first leading role in Taichi, after playing the character Amamiya Masaki [Young] in 'High&Low: The Red Rain', Inukai Manabu [Classmate] in 'Daytime Shooting Star' or Sakamata Kiyone [Mysterious teenage boy] in the series 'Rinsho Hanzai Gakusha Himura Hideo no Suiri'.
The cast is completed by Mitsuya Ryo as Yokoyama Tomonori, Takashima Reiko as Sugihara Ryoko, Yamazaki Ami, Igeta Hiroe, Fukumoto Yuki, Hiranuma Norihisa, Nakamaru Shinsho.
However, the ending of the film is understandable. At the time it was filmed, the end of the manga created by Yūki Fumino did not yet exist. We had to wait 7 years later for the trio of debut directors Yaegashi Fuga, Makino Masaru and Harashima Takanobu to bring 'Hidamari ga Kikoeru' to the small screen, in a version for the TV Tokyo channel starring Nakazawa Motoki and Kobayashi Toranosuke. who play Sugihara Kōhei and Sagawa Taichi, respectively.

Leia Mais

Why so Underrated!!!???

I just saw this movie on TikTok , and as a BL addict, I got curious cause Up & Phuwin are there. When I search It on MDL, Im surprised of the rating, So I almost dropped watching it. But I got bored last night so.....
I decided to watch it. When I finish watching it, I was like....... wtf!!! It's so GOOD! I regretting not watching it much sooner.
The hole movie is just so good, the story is not hard to understand. And the plot twist is so unexpected! I loved the acting of Up in this movie, his just so adorable! if you hate Ming in
"My Stand-in" you surely adore him in this movie. I highly recommend of watching this movie! You'll never regret it, I promise

Leia Mais

Beautiful & Emotional

A beautifully crafted movie with a story with messages which would turn viewer into some what a better person.

Thank you all the crew involved for making such a great piece of art!!?

Here are some special things I loved about the movie :)

Cinematography and color grading is remarkable.. Some shots were like pictures drawn on a canvas, gave goosebumps. Massive respect for colorists and dop's.

Acting, script and editing was on point. Struck the emotions in the perfect manner and the movie went it a very great flow.

The background scores too went along really well!!

And yeah, a great script, great acting, beautiful cinematography, beautiful background scoring.. thats a good movie to watch right there!!

The chemistry between Hayasaka and Haruna was so sweet and the way they conveyed their feelings in the end, it was a lot to make a grown man cry :') The ending was also nicely done. The direction and narration of the film is excellent. The acting done by the actors is also so perfect like they really got into their characters and performed very well.

LEARNED: This movie shows exactly how well the character development goes along the way. It may start of a bit slow at the beginning but towards half of the movie, it makes the audience feel touching between the two main characters. Even though they don't express much about their feelings towards each other. The relationship between them feels so natural and genuine through their actions and the way they treated each other so well. Please prepare tissue because I really mean it. What I learned from this movie is to always appreciate peoples around you and cherish each and every moment with your loved ones while you are still able to.


But it's not just about sadness, it really makes you think about love in a whole new way. It shows you how complicated and messy relationships can be, but also how strong and beautiful they can be too.

The characters are so real, you feel like you know them personally. They go through so much, but you just want to root for them the whole time. It's one of those movies that just sticks with you, even after it's over.

You really get a sense that the director understands people, and they made a movie that's both beautiful to watch and emotionally powerful. The actors are amazing, they really bring the characters to life. I can't recommend this movie enough, it's a must-see!

Leia Mais