In His Chart 2 Movie Review

Title: In His Chart 2

AKA: Kamisama no Karute 2

Genre: Drama, Family

Release Date: March 21, 2014

Origin: Japan

Cast: Sakurai Sho, Miyazaki Aoi and Fujiwara Tatsuya.

This sequel continues few months later than where the first movie left off.

Kurihara Ichito (Sakurai Sho) works at Honjo Hospital and is still famous for never turning down a patient during his night watch. His wife Kurihara Haruna (Miyazaki Aoi) is heavily pregnant, expecting to give birth soon, but that doesn’t change the doctors working hours, nor the dynamic of the couple. During a conference Kurihara meets his college friend Shindo Tatsuya (Fujiwara Tatsuya), known as a “Tokyo elite”, though he for unknown reasons transfers to the town hospital, Honjo Hospital.  At first Kurihara rejoices, but soon butts heads with him, as Shindo seems to care less about the hospital and the patients, and more about leaving earlier than everyone else.

That changes when one of their senpais becomes a patient: the two begin to question what it means to be an “excellent” doctor, and how to balance between work/patients and family/home life…

Having watched the first movie some time back, I could still remember the feeling I had then, while watching this one. It did remind me of the original, but it also felt a bit “newer” compared to the original. Of course, that has something to do with Fujiwaras characters entry, but still, the rest felt more comprehendible, as the first one was a bit more unrelatable. I guess this one could be categorized as ‘closer to home’, since it’s easier to identify with the loss of someone we know, rather than losing a patient.

Sakurai was good as usual, so was Miyazaki, and I really liked Fujiwaras portrayal of his character, even though was a supporting character - he really felt more like an equal to the lead. So, nice co-acting from both.

All in all, a good movie with fine acting.

☆☆☆☆ / 4 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥ / 4 out of 5 hearts

Rurouni Kenshi 3 Movie Review

Title: Rurouni Kenshin - The Legend Ends

AKA: Rurouni Kenshin  3

Genre: Samurai, Period, Action

Origin: Japan

Release date: September 13, 2014

Cast: Sato Takeru, Takao Emi, Fujiwara Tatsuya and Kamiki Ryunosuke.

After surviving the fall from the ship, Kenshin (Sato Takeru) wakes up at his old masters. Remembering what had happened he wants to set out and find Kaoru (Takao Emi) but is told that she couldn’t have survived 2 days in the water. Furious at that fact and at Shishio (Fujiwara Tatsuya) for being responsible, Kenshin begs his master to teach him the final technique so he can kill Shishio. Knowing Shishio can’t fight more than 15 minutes due to his wounds, Kenshin wants to bet everything on that final fight.

Shishio on the other hand wants to repeat history by bombarding Tokyo and thanks to his intel finds out that Kenshin is alive. So he gives the government a demand: if they label Kenshin as a fugitive for the murders he did during the war and to get him executed for them, he’ll stop the bombarding...

This movie is the same quality as the previous one: awesome and well-acted. The only difference is that this one has focus on the actual fighting. Yes the previous one had it too, but the second one has more of an action vibe, rather than storyline. This is probably the only negative part of the movie. But don't get me wrong this does not make the movie bad: it's really good for a second part of one story, and also it has one epic final battle. I just don't understand the final fight, even if they did explain it - but that is just me. The cast is really great; I really like how each character is portrayed - again quite honest to the manga, which I appreciate.

To sum up: a really great third movie of the trilogy.

☆☆☆☆½ / 4½ out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥½ / 4½ out of 5 hearts

Rurouni Kenshi 2 Kyoto Inferno Movie Review

Title: Rurouni Kenshin - Kyoto inferno

AKA: Rurouni Kenshin  2

Genre: Samurai, Period, Action

Origin: Japan

Release date: August 1, 2014

Cast: Sato Takeru, Takao Emi, Fujiwara Tatsuya and Kamiki Ryunosuke.

In the year Hyogo 1878 (Meiji Era 11), the Japanese law enforcement are trying to catch the ‘new battousai’. Due to Kenshi (Sato Takeru) leaving his samurai ways and lives his life in peace with his friends, the new battousai, Shishio Makoto (Fujiwara Tatsuya) has been creating havoc around Japan. Because of that the home minister, now currently one of the tops of the government, asks for a meeting with Kenshin. When he arrives Kenshin is asked to kill Shishio, as Shishios main goal is to get revenge and destroyed the new government.

At first Kenshin refuses since he enjoys life as it is, but when he is shown what Shishio is doing to the country, he partly feels responsible as Shishio took over his past position. So, by leaving his new life, Kenshin sets out to find Shishio, but finds out that he is much less powerful than Shishio, as he isn’t even able to beat Shishios underling… Will the old Battousai show his past colors?

The more I read my summary the less I like it. Oh well, I hope I don’t ruin it for the ones that want to watch it.

Anyways, an awesome movie, like so amazing: from the acting to the scenography. Like everything is so well-made! And it is amazingly well created! I don’t know if you’ve read the manga, but they are very honest to the story of the manga - I think I mentioned that before? Oh and Sato is sooo cool! And Fujiwara I almost didn’t recognize! Omg, and Kamiki!.... Sorry! Fangirl mode!

This movie has all my favorite things, though I am not a fan of fighting, I was kind of amazed by the fight scenes. SO much that I noticed EVERYTHING, and that is rare for me. You can actually watch the first movie without watching the second and the third, but you’ll miss out! I am telling you!

☆☆☆☆½ / 4½ out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥ / 4 out of 5 hearts

ST: Scientific Taskforce Review

Title: ST Keishichou Kagaku Tokusou-han

Genre: Police

Episodes: 10

Broadcast date: 2014-Jul to 2014-Sep

Cast: Fujiwara Tatsuya, Okada Masaki, Shida Mirai, Kubota Masataka, Miyake Hiroki and Ashima Sei.

Back as a team under the name ST (Scientific Taskforce) where Yurine Tomohisa (Okada Masaki) still is the Captain of the group of ‘outsider’ police officers. When the director of the police force leaves, the only support for the ST team disappears, and a new director arrives and she does not like the team.

Besides the fact that the ST team is rude and arrogant, the team leader Akagi Samon (Fujiwara Tatsuya) takes the cake by being the most ill-mannered and offensive of the bunch, and it’s the Captains job to keep him decent - which Yurine exceeds in more than anyone. And surprisingly the Yurine seems to fit in the group well, which creates a well-functioning duo and a harmony to the team.

But not everyone agrees with the ways of ST, especially the new director…

This is actually the first drama, of the year, in which I couldn’t wait till next week’s release. Not that the drama was THAT exciting, but I really looked forward to every single episode. And about the storyline, it’s great, nothing boring at all. The cast was brilliant on the other hand, might be the real reason for me to watch it, especially the confusing yet bromantic duo: Akagi and Yurine (Fujiwara Tatsuya and Okada Masaki). Talk about great acting! The two really are great actors, and they really are good at acting opposite each other!

I rather not spoil this, because I really think it’s a worthy watch, and recommendable!

☆☆☆☆ / 4 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥½ / 4½ out of 5 hearts

Kamji’s Verdict:
Eh? What? Why? Was that the ending? I’m so confused right now. I have been watching this for quite a while now, maybe half an episode everyday, but I managed to finish it. It’s not boring, nor bad, I’m just the stressed out student with all my exams. This drama was good, a typical genius-detective-solving-crimes Japanese drama with a little sprinkle of bromance, very cute! Captain and kurosaki are eye candys, it’s an interesting show to learn about psychology and murder mysteries. Ten episodes only and no romance but great show.

Ps. Just found out there is movie coming up, the grand finale, maybe that’s why it ended like that.

☆☆☆☆ / 4 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥ / 4 out of 5 hearts

ST Keishichou Kagaku Tokusou-han SP Review

Title: ST Keishichou Kagaku Tokusou-han

Genre: Police

Broadcast date: 2013-Apr-10

Cast: Okada Masaki, Fujiwara Tatsuya, Shida Mirai, Kubota Masataka, Miyake Hiroki and Ashima Sei

“To cope with diversifying of crimes, the Metropolitan Police Department gathered the top 5 investigators from the National Research Institute of Police Science.  Then they were granted with a special investigation privilege. It is called “Scientific Taskforce”. ST” for short. This is a special unit to fight against crime and destroy the wicked by the use of science as their weapons.” (Intro)

Becoming the captain of his very first team, Yurine Tomohisa (Okada Masaki) is surprised to find out that his team seems very cold. The so-called ST is a team of 5 people: the leader, Akagi Samon (Fujiwara Tatsuya) who is a forensic medicine expert, Aoyama Sho (Shida Mirai) a profiler with a master degree in psychology from US, Kurosaki Yuji (Kubota Masataka) a chemistry expert, Yamabuki Saizo (Miyake Hiroki) another chemistry expert and Yuuki Midori (Ashima Sei) a physics expert.

When a, what seems to be a random shooting occurs, the ST are called out, but are met with dislike by the rest of the police force, mainly due to the ST teams attitudes. Yurine soon finds out that all members suffer from medical condition such as insomnia, obsessive-compulsive behavior, severe claustrophobia, aichmophobia (fear of sharp object) and the leader himself is a hermit, basically is a hermit with face to face situations. He himself is a perfectionist, and soon realized why he is put in the group as the captain..

I like it, a lot actually. Weird people, a great cast, and on top of that a good storyline, makes me happy. I actually hope they would make a drama out of this, because I really had a good time watching this. Even though I sort of knew who the killer was, I have to admit, I really did like the way the story progressed. Instead of saying it was about figuring out the killer, it is more about these people and how they persuade everyone else to believe them, which makes this kind of like a rapid talk drama (they speak fast when they explain stuff, expecially the leader, phew!)

Anyways, a good 1½h spent on this, NO REGRETS!

☆☆☆☆ / 4 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥ / 4 out of 5 hearts

The Incite Mill Movie Review

Title: The Incite Mill
AKA: 7 Days Death Game
Genre:  Psychological thriller

Origin: Japan
Release date:  16 October 2010

Cast: Fujiwara Tatsuya, Ayase Haruka, Hirayama Aya and Ishihara Satomi.

While searching for a well-paid part-time job, Satoshihisa Yuki (Fujiwara Tatsuya) meets Suwamei Shoko an OL, who tells him about a job that pays 112,000 yen pr. hour, in seven days, meaning 16 million in a week. Mesmerized by Shoko, Yuki agrees to the job, and together with Shoko and 8 other people, he is taken to a place called “Ankikan”.

The ten people are informed that they will be monitored 24 hours a day for 7 days straight in a psychological experiment, under lockdown: so basically they can’t escape. They are informed of rules: firstly they have to be in their rooms by 10 pm. Secondly when a crime happens they have to solve it, and if they figure out the criminal, they have to vote whether or not to imprison him. Lastly, the game finishes after 7 days or when two survivors are left. Paranoia starts, but they agree on mutual trust, until one of them if found dead the next morning…

One crazy ass movie! What the… Yeah, I did expect a lot of the things that did happen, but seriously? What’s up with Japanese and their enjoyment in seeing people murder each other! Man! Lol, and Fujiwara seems to like these kinds of movies, since he is mainly acting in that type of movies! Haha.. But that’s why we love him, right? :P Anyways, I liked it, had crumbles in my tummy and I actually had to stop several times, since it became just too freaky for me… Like, stop and walk around for a minute, and continue watching. Phew!

☆☆☆☆ / 4 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥½ / 3½ out of 5 hearts

Ojiichan wa 25 sai Review

Title: Ojiichan wa 25-sai

Genre: Family
Episodes: 8
Broadcast period: 2010-Nov to 2010-Nov
Cast: Fujiwara Tatsuya, Takahashi Katsumi, Daito Shunsuke, Kurashina Kana and Irie Jingi.

Kurihara Minoru (Fujiwara Tatsuya) went on a trip on a mountain to take a landscaping picture for his son Norihiko, which he had promised him. At that time he falls off a cliff and is never heard of again.

46 years pass, Norihiko is now 52 years with two children; Kensuke (Daito Shunsuke) a light version of a hikikomori and Mai (Kurashina Kana) a ‘playful’ girl.. They both have zero respect for their father, either they forgot his birthday or don’t care about it. Even his wife left him. What happens is that on the same day all news channels go crazy: a man was found frozen, but still somehow alive. And to make it weirder, he is the same Kurihara Minoru that disappeared 46 years ago! Even though 46 years have passed he looks just the same…

This drama is probably the fastest I’ve ever finished a drama, and the reason is, well it freaking short! I mean 22min pr. episode, and there are only 8 of them! Like less than 3 hours! But the story is sort of sweet, and the entire setting is hilarious. I actually would’ve liked a longer story, it sort of felt empty.  Fujiwara Tatsuya is a brilliant actor, and the rest did a decent job as well, nothing bad here… I’m usually used to Daito Shunsuke being a delinquent, so it’s nice seeing him in a different character.

It’s okay for what it is.

☆☆☆ / 3 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥ / 3 out of 5 hearts

Jenji's verdict  
This drama is so hilarious and fun for me, and I really loved Tatsuya in it. He is so hilarious and I dont know why but that "oldfashioned-good-man" is attractive somehow. It's like him bringing those old principles back to the family and being really like grandfather but looking like that, just hilarious. I loved it. And even with it just being a comedy I think there was a lot of meaning behind it all. And wow! what a great actor he is. Somehow he character just suits him. But enough about just him, the drama itself was such an easy-watch. Not just because its extremely short, really its just like a movie, but there wasnt all that annoying extra stuff. Really great mini-drama, I liked it a lot! I found the father a bit too much of a coward though, annoyed me a bit but oh its okay. 

☆☆☆☆ / 4 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥ / 4 out of 5 hearts

Kaiji 2 Movie Review

Title: Kaiji 2: Jinsei gyakuten gêmu.
AKA: Kaiji: The Ultimate Gamblr
Genre: Suspense
Origin: Japan
Release date: 2011-Nov-05
Cast: Fujiwara Tatsuya, Yoshitaka Yuriko, Namase Katsuhisa and Kagawa Teruyki.

Even though he managed to pay all his debt, Ito Kaiji (Fujiwara Tatsuya) ends back underground after falling into debt again. With the help of fellow underground workers, he earns enough money to get back over ground for 14 days, where he plans to earn 200 million to get his and the rest 25 workers freedom back.

Here he meets and old ‘friend’, who cheats him off money, but leaves an invitation to a casino. The casino has crazy minimum bets, and the machines are x100 pr. Bet. But the one that catches Kaijis eye is the biggest of them all: the x1000 machine “Swamp”, meaning every ball is worth x1000 than usual. Unfortunately he realizes that they are rigged, but decides to join up with Ishidas daughter Yumi (Yoshitaka Yuriko), a fired employee of Teai, Sakazaki Kotaro (Katsuhisa Namase) and his old ‘friend’ Tonegawa Yukio (Kagawa Teruyuki), to take on the monster machine Swamp…

Honestly, it’s pretty good. Didn’t really expect enjoying it as much as I did; I was nervous and excited some of the time. I remember watching the first one and liking it, but it wasn’t really that thrilling, okay yeah the bridge scene is insanely tense, but else, not really. I honestly felt on edge most of the time, though it wasn’t all that ‘tricky’, it had moments of brilliance. And I think what I loved most about it was Kaijis character: most humanlike ever! Kind a cool how Fujiwara can change from crazy to sad and then pathetic, then all happy, and lastly crazy once again.. Endless circle!

It’s very Japanese with the moral talk and the ‘gambarre’ moments, but well, not too much…

Pretty enjoyable :)

☆☆☆☆ / 4 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥½ / 3½ out of 5 hearts

Jenji's verdict
I think I might like the first one better than this one. Even though the first one was more complicated I think, it still had more action, more going on. And it was more exciting for me. Here it was a bit too much of him taking on a whole lot of dept as if it didnt even matter anymore. I was getting annoyed instead of him lol, feeling for him, taking all that responsibility for other people and risking it all and then losing time after time. I felt almost worse than he looked. More than getting angry I was getting annoyed. But again seeing him in all these different roles it really shows what a good actor he is. And if you have watched the first then this one is really recommended to watch too anyway. 

☆☆☆☆ / 4 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥ / 3 out of 5 hearts

Kaiji Movie Review

Title: Kaiji: Jinsei gyakuten gêmu.
AKA: Kaiji
Genre: Suspense
Origin: Japan
Release date: 2009-Oct-11
Cast: Fujiwara Tatsuya, Amami Yuki, Namase Katsuhisa
Tatsuya Fujiwara, Matsuyama Ken'ichi and Yamamoto Taro.

Ito Kaiji (Tatsuya Fujiwara) is an average worker, and has no meaning in life. One day, by accident, he meets Endo Riko (Yuki Amami) who tells him that he owns millions of yen, which he had lend. Kaiji, who doesnt know anything about it, freaks out saying that he doesnt have the money pay her back.
Then Riko invites him to join a competition on a ship that is going to make him get all the money, so he can pay back. As he joins the competition, he finds out that it is no ordinary game. In order to join the game, you have to borrow 3mio yen, but there are interests in every single minute. All hell breaks loose as every single player fights to stay in the game.

I can explain this movie in 2 words: insane and weird. The entire movie happens extremely fast, so I didn't really have time to step out and question everything. My mind became fixed on cheering for Kaiji, since he had over 100 mio in debt. Some things were disturbing, like the rich people eating dinner and watching gamers fall off a rooftop. For Ken'ichi Matsuyama fans, you wont get dissapointed, since his character is worth watching. The pairing up with the Death Note cast is so great that I actually replayed the 'bonding' scene over and over again.
If you like mind games, watch it. If you like Light and L together, watch it.

☆☆☆½ / 3.5 out of 5 stars

♥♥½ / 2½ out of 5 hearts

Jenji's verdict
Mi layk dis muvi. Though I did get a bit confused,, i had a hard time catching up. It got really complicated at the end but that might just be me bit slow.. hehehe. I was like "Did he do it? Or maybe not, maybe he's trying to confuse him, or he wants him think that he wants to confuse him, or maybe this is just really simple? .." yeah and i gave up thinking bout that couse from my point of view its impossible to predict that. But dude seriously awesome movie. Its like money make people insane,, well not all but most people. Like so insane like when they never get enough money and when they got lots of it they dont know what to do with their lives anymore so they just watch poor people fight for their freedom and their lives and so they take advantage of them. Aaargghh most rich people just suck. How bout using ur money for something helpful. Idiots. Taking advantage of Light and L. Freaks, no life, they should b the ones working underground day and night for nothing.
Im gonna give this movie 4 ☆'s cause its bout poeple fighting againsk those STUPID rich dudes ! Fightoo-o! + Lighto-chan ^^

☆☆☆☆ / 4 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥/ 4 ♥'s out of 5