Bad Boys J Movie Review

Title: Bad Boys J
Genre: Action, Friendship, Comedy, Romance
Origin: Japan
Release date: November 9, 2013
Theme song: Bad Boys by Sexy Zone
Cast: Nakajima Kento, Iwamoto Hikaru, Nikaido Takashi, Morita Myuto, Hasimoto Ryosuke, Reina Trendl, Shigeoka Daiki, Kakizawa Hayato, Itano Tomomi and Hashimoto Nanami.

This movie continues after the end of the drama.

After Yoji (Iwamoto Hikaru) is hired at a Ramen shop, he is getting less and less time to spend with Gokurakucho, but when an old friend Onozawa (Shigeoka Daiki) of Yoji’s returns from correction facility Yoji starts to act differently. Shortly after he announces that he has to leave Gokurakucho in order to get promoted to full time, which Kiriki (Nakajima Kento) allows, but feels rather suspicious towards Yoji.

At the same time BEAST’s Danno (Nikaido Takashi) is set to beat Kiriki and determind who the strongest in Hokkaido is. On the other hand, the other gangs around are getting beat by a new threat: EDEN.

At first no one is taking them that seriously, until Nights get beaten in matter of minutes…

Sorry for the short review, I was really trying to keep the spoilers to myself.

I think I mentioned this before, but I really do like when they make movie adaptions of Japanese dramas, because of all those restrictions! I mean not that this movie is great, but I liked it a bit more than the drama: even though it’s a bit too much of idol-ish. Though the drama is something I like to re-watch, and this movie is nothing great the humor and scale is quite different. Again, nothing like the other epic Yankee movies (CROWS Zero), but a nice idea for Yankee movies.

So summing up: a good movie to follow the good drama – when I say good I mean okay :)

☆☆☆ / 3 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥½ / 3½ out of 5 hearts

Library Wars SP Review

Title: Library Wars: Book of Memories

Genre: Action, Comedy, Romance

Origin: Japan

Release date: April 27, 2013

Cast: Okada Junichi, Eikura Nana, Tanaka Kei, Fukushi Sota, Kuriyama Chiaki and Suzuki Kazuma.

Continuing from the movie, this special is about managing regular life and that of being a ‘protector of books’.

After being stroked on the head Kasahara Iku (Eikura Nana) is starting to believe that Dojo Atsushi (Okada Junichi) might be her ‘prince’ who saved her favorite book years back. While worrying how she’ll face him, after all she has said to him, she is visited by her parents, who have come to see her job. The only problem is she had told them she was a clerk, and not a solider in the special task unit.  Dojo, because of his personality is at first very upset of her lying about her profession, but decides to help her out. Komaki Mikihase (Tanaka Kei) on the other hand keeps a close relationship with Nakazawa Marie (Tsuchiya Tao) a hearing impaired girl that visits the library every once in a while. After recommending a book to her, about a hearing impaired girl falling in love, Komaki gets arrested – and it’s up to the LDF to save him…

I was trying not to spoil much of the special, as it is a special, but I am not sure that I gave it a good summary. Oh well… The special is a bit different than the movie, as there are way too many restrictions to TV versions compared to the movies, but they still managed to make it both interesting and quite genuine to the movie. I watched the entire thing in one go without any breaks, and I really like the entire relationship with Dojo and Iku, I can’t really put my finger on it. The age gap is pretty apparent as well as the height difference, but they grow on you… or me. All characters are written with finesse, and they are just my cup of tea.

Okay, I won’t spoil anymore. It’s is a good watch, but you’d need to watch the first movie though…

☆☆☆☆ / 4 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥½ / 3½ out of 5 hearts

Hot Road Movie Review

Title: Hot Road

AKA: Hotto Rodo

Genre: Romance, Teen

Origin: Japan

Release date: August 16, 2014

Cast: Nounen Rena, Tosaka Hiroomi, Kimura Yoshino, Suzuki Ryohei, Taketomi Seika and Ohta Rina.

Miyaichi Kazuki (Nounen Rena) grew up with an absent minded single mother. Her mother hadn’t shown her much affection due to her affair with a married man. Craving for her mother’s attention she shoplifts, but even that doesn’t make her mother give her any minute of responsiveness. In school Kazuki befriends a girl Eri, rumored to be a ‘loose’ girl, which furies Kazuki, as Eri has been nothing but good to her.

One evening Eri takes Kazuki out to meet some bikers, and there she meets Haruyama Hiroshi – who becomes interested in Kazuki. At first Kazuki is reluctant, but soon finds herself drawn to him and his world.

At the same time the bike gang leader is set to be imprisoned, so he decides to give the leader baton to the most promising biker – in this case Haruyama…

Another movie from a Japanese variety, guess the promotion works! Haha…

I don’t know if you can grasp the story, but it really is nice and romantic love story. It has a lot of the ‘growing-up’ theme enrolled around it, but it doesn’t really weigh much the overall story. Somehow the leads have a chemistry, which I have a hard time figuring out. It is not a hot romantic / breath taking romantic chemistry, but rather this calm and yet youthful love. The actors where quite good, but then again I never really judge the Japanese actors – especially the ones I watch for the very first time – in bad or good actors. The adaptation comes from a manga, but I have never really heard of it, so I didn’t really have anything to compare it with.

Nevertheless, I found it interesting and quite adorable, though little bit lacking – just a tiny bit, but that has something to do with the climax, so not telling hehe…

☆☆☆☆ / 4 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥ / 4 out of 5 hearts

MIRACLE: Debikurukun no Koi to Mahou Movie Review

Title: Miracle

AKA: Miracle - Debikurukun no Koi to Mahou / Miracle - Devil Claus' Love and Magic

Genre: Romance

Origin: Japan

Release date: November 22, 2014

Cast: Aiba Masaki, Eikura Nana, Han Hyo Joo and Ikuta Toma.

Hikaru (Aiba Masaki) is an unsuccessful manga artist, who not only is unable to get a breakthrough, but is indecisive in everything he has ever done. His best friend Anna (Eikura Nana), a competent and rather successful sculpturing artist, has always been protective over Hikaru. She knows everything about him, and has had a one-sided love for him which Hikaru hasn’t grasped at all.

Though unsuccessful, Hikaru draws ‘Debukuru-kun’; Santa’s evil counterpart, and post flyers all over the town at night. This is his form of stress release, as he is the ‘sorry’-type – apologizing every time something happens.

One night he bumps into Tae Soo Yeon (Han Hyo Joo) whom he falls immediately falls for, and believs he is destined to be with. After explaining the situation and Soo Yeon to Anna, Anna realizes who that woman might be – her project boss. So she promises Hikaru she’ll help him. Will Hikaru meet his destined woman?

Again a movie I picked up from the Japanese variety, though this one has another factor for me watching, and that is mainly because of Aiba Masaki. I think I have almost watched everything available online of Arashi drama/movie and this is no exception. This is the first Aiba romantic drama – in the actual sense of romance being the center of the movie, so I had to watch it.

The overall idea of the movie very Japanese as there has to be a bit of an odd characteristic, in this case the animated Devil Clause who is always in Hikaru’s mind, but that doesn’t weight too much to the movie, not does it annoy you too much. Surprisingly you feel kind of like Devil Clause is Hikaru’s mind, which is also quite interesting. Aiba as Hikaru was okay, I kind of feel all his character’s overlap – they are all quite cowardly to some extent, but I guess that is his image? And Eikura Nana as Anna was quite good at keeping her character real... Maybe she growing on me?

Now to the good part: is the movie recommendable? Well, I half-enjoyed it, as I was half-bored with it. The movie lacks somewhat depth, which is translated in the overall story to be honest. But then again, the acting somewhat has a bit of charm… So I dunno, maybe? Haha..

☆☆½ / 2½ out of 5 stars

♥♥♥ / 3 out of 5 hearts

Library Wars Movie Review

Title: Library Wars

Genre: Action, Comedy, Romance

Origin: Japan

Release date: April 27, 2013

Cast: Okada Junichi, Eikura Nana, Tanaka Kei, Fukushi Sota, Kuriyama Chiaki and Suzuki Kazuma.

In 1988 the Media Improvement Act was put in motion by the MBC (Media Betterment Committee). The MIA has the sole purpose in censoring books and other material deemed too violent or too vulgar for the public. Due to the publics aggression and refusal to cooperate, the MBC was granted arms, in order to abide law. This sparked the LDF (Library Defense Force), and was formed in 2004 to oppose censorship: who also was provided arms.

Kasahara Iku (Eikura Nana) is opposed to the censorship, and was once in an iffy situation with the MBC since her favorite book almost got censored. But she was heroically saved by a LDF, whom she is unable to recognize. This event leads her to join the LDF. Here she meets her instructor Dojo Atasushi (Okada Junichi), whom she cannot stand, but little does she know he is the very hero who saved her.

In 2019 after a serial murder is arrested, horror books are found in his home. This becomes a public stunt for the MDC, as they decide to ban all horror books – but the LDF refuse. So the wars of the libraries start…

I heard about this movie from an episode of VS Arashi, and I have always been a fan of Okada Junichi, so this was not a problem to watch. There was one thing though: I didn’t think it said ‘Library’ as in the place where there are books, but I thought ‘Liberary’ as in liberty, or at least there was a miss translation. I was quite surprised it actually was LIBRARY as in the place with books, and that LIBERARY is not a word. So… Yeah, a movie about censorship of books, and actual was, with guns and swat uniforms. Believe it or not the idea is not THAT bad, but seriously… people die… like you know… guns and shooting… FOR BOOKS. I love books and I am against the entire censorship, but dying for books in the 21^st century is barbaric. Like really. How stupid do people need to become in order to have other people die, just because you can’t agree on censorship?!

Anyways… It is really well-made and action packed. The pace and story is great, so is everything about the relationships – a decent movie with all it need. I don’t really like Eikura Nana, but she was bearable here. Okada is awesome as usual, so no complaint from me.

All in all, a great and entertaining movie.

☆☆☆☆ / 4 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥ / 4 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

Eight Ranger Movie Review

Title: Eight Ranger

Genre: Action, Comedy, Superhero

Origin: Japan

Release date: July 28, 2012

Cast: Kanjani8 (Yokoyama Yu, Shibutani Subaru, Murakami Shingo, Maruyama Ryuhei, Yasuda Shota, Nishikido Ryo and Okura Tadayoshi), Tachi Hiroshi, Becky and Higashiyama Noriyuki.

The year is 2035 and the Japanese population is about 75mio. Due to the low birthrates, the economy decreases and as a result the country is divided in two: the poor and the wealthy. The rich live in the central city protected by the law, whereas the rest is left to fend for themselves. Whether or not you are to live in the upperpart or lower part is determined when the child is 6 years old: they take a test, and if you pass you are allowed to live in the city with your family, if not, you don’t have a choice but to live outside.

Yokomine Makoto (Yokoyama Yu) failed the test as a kid, and now lives outside the central city. Addicted to gambling he is hunted by loan sharks daily. That is until he meets Captain Silver, a superhero who saves people in need. He then decides to go to ‘Academy for superheroes’, in order to become one himself, but also earn money. Here he meets 6 other people whom he is told he is going to be the leader of, and realizes that all 6 have debts, which is the reason for joining the academy: Marunouchi Shogo (Murakami Shingo), who is addicted to online shopping. Yasuhara Shun (Yasuda Shota) who is addicted to the color blue, and spends all his money on blue items. Nishikino Tetsuro (Nishikido Ryo) who was part of a one-wonder band, and lives believing he is famous. Okawa Ryosuke (Okura Tadayoshi) a naïve guy believing everyone, and falls for every scam. Shibusawa Kaoru (Shibutani Subaru) an alcoholic. And Muraoka Suki (Murakami Shingo) who is desperate for a girlfriend, he spends all his money on beauty salons.

As the criminal world begins to steal children off the streets, and the police are unable to do anything, the superheroes of the Academy of Superheroes’ called Eight Rangers are set out to save everyone. But for some reason the group of 8 don’t all seem like superheroes… Can these so called ‘heroes’ save the world?

I’ve recently started to watch Kanjani8 because of the laughs they give me on Japanese variety, even though I have watched Nishikido’s dramas and some of Yokoyama’s, I never really watched them together. J-idols are really good at acting together, expecially of they are in the same group, so I simply had to watch this.

Kanjani8 are known as fools, or ‘funny’ group, and really I didn’t expect any coolness out of this movie, so this was quite what you’d want to watch if you are a fan. It is light-hearted, and a bit silly to be honest, but that doesn’t make it any less good. It has a childish feature, so I guess some of the targeted audience is children.

Besides that I had quite the laughs, like due to the different colors of the actors I already knew, but also the interesting characters I got to know. So, yeah a fun movie.

☆☆☆½ / 3½ out of 5 stars

♥♥♥½ / 3½ out of 5 hearts

I Just Wanna Hug You Movie Review

Title: I Just Wanna Hug You
AKA: Dakishimetai: Shinjitsu no Monogatari
Genre: Romance, Human
Origin: Japan
Release Date: February 1, 2014
Cast: Keiko Kitagawa, Ryo Nishikido, Yusuku Kamiji, Takumi Saito, Aya Hirayama, Eriko Sato, Megumi Sato,

This story is based on a true story from Abashiri, Hokkaido. Tsukasa (Keiko Kitagawa) got into a severe car accident when she was a high school student. She still suffers from the aftereffects of that accident, with memory impairment and needing to use a wheelchair. Nevertheless, she tries to live life to the fullest. Tsukasa then falls in love with taxi driver Masaki (Ryo Nishikido), who likes playing basketball. Even though they have various difficulties, they try to make a happy family together, but they encounter another serious situation.

A sweet, simple, Japanese heartbreaking movie in its most traditional form. I usually don’t cry at movies or dramas, but when I know it’s based on true stories I just start sympathize with the real people so I get truly emotional. The movie had big expectations in Japan, but I read somewhere that it wasn’t a success as they aniticipated, it only got 2 out of 5 stars in The Japan Times, so I guess not good. However, for me it was okay, not a great movie, but it didn’t deserve all the critics it got. The story was emotional, even though every movie based on a story of a sick person is worth watching and emotional. The main couple were cute and good together, but what else can we expect from Keiko and Ryo ;)
I would recommend this movie for a nice relaxing Sunday night, so it can easy the agony of Monday!

☆☆☆☆/ 4 out of 5 stars    
                                             
♥♥♥♥ / 4 out of 5 hearts

Kimi to Boku Movie Review

Title: Kimi to Boku

AKA: You and Me

Genre: Short movie

Origin: Japan

Release date: May 14, 2011

Cast: Nakamura Aoi and Inaba Yu.

This short movie is about a young man (Nakamura Aoi) who struggles with life as a cartoon artist, and how he develops a relationship with a little cat he had found on the street. The story is followed through our storyteller: ”Gin-o-gou”, who is the cat living with the main character. It starts when the little cat gets lost, but is found on a bench by this young man who has recently moved to Fukuoka. He finds the cat looking up at the stars thus naming him “Gin-o-gou” (from a manga character about the stars (?)), and takes him while putting posters out so someone can take him home. The two eventually bond, and this story continues with the young man struggling with his dreams, but finding comfort in this sweet little being…

So, after watching a whole bunch of half- hearted movies, this piece of heartbreak suddenly emerges and makes me all snotty. I love this short story, but it would’ve been so much nicer if it were longer. The storyline, the main actor and the cute kitten made the 45 min pretty short, because I was interested most of the story though. That might be because I am an animal lover but also because I have a cat which I groomed myself from it was 3 months, so yeah... might have hit a nerve there. I can’t really say much since it really is short, and I do not want to spoil it, but I do recommend it.

☆☆☆½ / 3½ out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥ / 4 out of 5 hearts

The Glorious Team Batista Movie Review

Title: The Glorious Team Batista

AKA: Chiimu Bachisuta no Eikou

Genre: Medical, Mystery

Origin: Japan

Release date: February 9, 2008

Cast: Takeuchi Yuko, Abe Hiroshi, Kikkawa Koji, Ikeuchi Hiroyuki, Tamayama Tetsuji and Sano Shiro.

After a little girl is saved by a medical team that focuses on heart-diseases, the team got to stay and started becoming famous. But one day the ‘death in surgery’ patients started to grow, and the lead surgeon Kiryu Kyoichi (Kikkawa Koji) asked for an inquiry as he did not understand what happened so differently in the surgeries that made these people die. When the hospital chief invites a friend of his, the friend sends Taguchi Kimiko (Takeuchi Yuko), a doctor who listens to patients complain. She is asked to investigate the surgeries as an objective third party, and while doing so, she does not find any reason for the deaths.

When the secretariat of the ministry of health and labor Shiratori Keisuke (Abe Hiroshi) comes to her clinic and tells her that he believes its murder, Taguchi joins him in re-investigating and finding out what really is the reason for the deaths..

I was looking forward to this, because I was in the mood for a medical movie, and to tell you the truth, if you are considering this a medical thing, it’s not. It had so much ‘detective’/’figure-out-how-they-did-it’ bull that I was seriously upset half way through. But once I started to focus I started getting more interested and it was fairly good. The ending was surprising and the acting was okay as well. Though I didn’t really get any character development, which ruins a lot, I gotta admit I was fine with it.

Recommendable? Yes, if you like those movies that find out about truths and lies… whatever.

☆☆☆ / 3 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥ / 3 out of 3 hearts

Sugar and Spice Movie Review

Title: Sugar and Spice

AKA: What girls are made of

Genre: Romance

Origin: Japan

Release date: September 16, 2006

Cast: Yagira Yuya, Sawajiri Erika, Natsuki Mari and Chen Bolin.

This movie is about a young man’s first love, how he learns about the actual feeling of love, and what he feels about it.

After High School Shiro (Yagira Yuya) decides not to go to college, and thereby disappoints his parents greatly. As he has the support of his 70-year-old grandmother, who likes all American including being called “Granma” instead of the Japanese word for it, he starts working at a gas station where he meets Noriko (Sawajiri Erika). He had seen her before on the street going home after school, whilst she was fighting her much older boyfriend, and seeing her cry all alone, falling for her. But seeing her work at the gas station made him fall for her all over again. When the two start getting to know one another they become very close and even start dating, but life has a different way of treating Shiro, as her ex-boyfriend returns and she can’t seem to forget him…

I don’t know what I was epecting, but most definatly not this. It really didn’t have a climax at all, and was so slow paced. The idea was okay I guess, but so damn half-hearted and I really don’t like Sawajiri’s acting. She just pisses me off. The male actor was okay, I havne’t seen him before, but the grandma was ridiculus, and I have NO IDEA why they would put SO much of her story and basically fill the entire thing with her bull… Boring.

But on the other side, I like serious, and I appreciate that they tried to make me think, which I felt this was all about: try and figure out what the hell this all is about.

Recommendable? Not really, unless you like this kind of serious…

☆☆½ / 2½ out of 5 stars

♥ ♥ / 2 out of 5 hearts

Love for Beginners Movie Review

Title: Love for beginners

AKA:  Kyo, Koi wo Hajimemasu

Genre: Romance, High School

Origin: Japan

Relese date: December 8, 2012

Cast: Takei Emi, Matsuzaka Tori, Kimura Fumino, Aoyagi Sho, Yamazaki Kento, Shinkawa Yua and Takanashi Rin.

Hibino Tsubaki (Takei Emi) is a plain girl that doesn’t like to get attention from anyone. That all changes when she starts her first day of school by getting noticed, by the schools no 1 hottie: Tsubaki Kyota (Matsuzaka). Having the same name, both noticed each other, and they both end up sitting next to one another due to that same reason. Disliking his unserious personality and his playboy attitude, she hates being around him, which makes her gets teased by the rest of the class since everyone adores him. He makes fun of her, and ends up kissing her in class, much to Hibinos disgust. This leads to her becoming the class president, without wanting to be it. Kyota uses the situation by making her ask him out, just to tease her. After the best date Hibino has ever had, Kyota tells her that he will give up on her, since she really doesn’t seem interested in him, which unfortunately isn’t true, as she had fallen in love with him…

Okay, out of all the Japanese high school love stories this one is the best one made, and the couple really is beyond adorable! The storyline is very cliché-ish but somehow it has its own innocent flavor. Though the flow is pretty much typical, the story kind of is good. I think I’m starting to understand why people are annoyed at these girl stories. Yes, they are good, but damn they are typical. I think the only part that was missing was that the leads needed to get married or engaged, but else pretty much that. It’s like those American movies (Last Song, Note Book, Safe Haven etc.) that make you roll your eyes a bit, and even laugh like a teenaged girl, but somehow manage to keep you happy.

Do I recommend it? Sure, it really is okay to watch.

☆☆☆☆ / 4 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥½ / 3½ out of 5 hearts

Platina Data Movie Review

Title: Platina Data

AKA: Platinum Data

Genre: Suspense, Mystery, Sci-fi

Origin: Japan

Relese date: March 16, 2013

Cast: Ninomiya Kazunari, Toyokawa Etsushi, Suzuki Honami, Anne and Namase Katsuhisa.

When a serial of child murdering hits Tokyo, the NPA (National Police Academy) decides to call in the SARI (Special Analysis Research Institute), who say they have found their perpetrator. The man in charge, Kagura Ryuhei (Ninomiya Kazunari) is the system development manager, and he introduced the NPA to the ‘DNA investigation system’ test case no. 1, where the found DNA had lead them to not only know about the person but also how he looks. After he is caught, the police officer Detective Asama (Tokoyama Etsushi) notices that there had been obtained illegal DNA from a patient, which had lead them to the perpetrator. He confronts Kagura, who tells him that soon enough all DNA would be obtained legally from all Japan, and made onto a main DNA hard drive.

Three months later, a sibling pair gets killed in the SARI, who had also been involved in the making of the DNA system, and being caught on camera, Kagura had been last seen with the sibling pair. After the DNA is obtained, Kagura himself goes to check it out, and finds that the DNA matches with him. In shock of the result Kagura starts running, but the SARI has cameras all over Japan, and he becomes the prime suspect in the case, making him on top of the list.

Running for his life, he meets his assistant who tells him that she believes him, also she confines in him that the victims were making a side project called MOGUL, which she believes is the reason for their deaths. Now Kagura has to find out what MOGUL is, and make sure he isn’t caught in the progress…

My first reason for watching this was of course Nino, and ten minutes into it I didn’t like it. After a little while I started getting interested in it, like it made me wonder and then I was caught. It is an action packed movie with lots of good sides to it, but I have to admit, I really am not a fan of action/chased movies. Not because they are bad, but just simply because I need more conversation. I need logic and hell I need depth. They did try to give me that here, but it just somehow seemed forced. I like the backstory, but I kind of got confused by the absurdity of the ending. Japanese really know how to freak you out. That said, there isn’t much bad about it, it really is a movie in it grand self. Recommendable.

☆☆☆☆ / 4 out 5 stars

♥♥♥♥ / 4 out of 5 hearts

Kaibutsu-kun The Movie Review

Title: Kaibutsu-kun The Movie

Genre:  Comedy

Origin: Japan

Relese date: November 26, 2011

Cast: Ohno Satoshi, Yashima Norito, Ueshima Ryuhei, Choi Hong Man a.m.o

Right at his coronation, the prince Kaibutsu (Ohno Satoshi) is met by objection from his kingdom due to his selfishness. When his father demands from Kaibutsu’s three guardians/advisers, Dracula (Yashima Norito), Wolfman (Ueshima Ryuhei) and Franken (Choi Hong Man), to bring him back and apologize or they are stripped from their positions, they run after him, but missing the human world and his friends, and refusing to do things he dislikes, Kaibutsu decides to leave the monster world, and the three ends up going with him. While flying on a magic dragon, they miss a tornado, and end up in India, where the people confuse him with a legendary warrior. Liking the royal treatment, Kaibutsu decides to stay, but still refuses to do things for the people. That is until they tell him that they’ll make the world’s best curry, if he saves the kidnapped princess…

I love Kaibutsu-kun: I loved the anime, the manga and I love the live action! I enjoyed the drama, special and now the movie is as good! I can’t really hate it though, and that has probably to with my childhood, and my love for the original Kaibutsu-kun, so yes I am very biased. It is such a family movie, and it is very entertaining. 

That said, it really is a kids movie, and it doesn’t make you all into it. The character is very much the same, as he always was never really changing and Demokin and Demorina (the bad guys) are still trying to use humans for each other resurrection, so things don’t really change. LOL.

☆☆☆½ / 3½ out of 5 stars

♥♥♥½ / 3½ out of 5 hearts

Umizaru 4 Movie Review

Title: Umizaru 4: Brave Hearts

AKA: Umizaru: Brave Hearts / Brave Hearts Umizaru

Genre: Action

Origin: Japan

Release date:  July 13, 2012

Cast: Ito Hideaki, Kato Ai, Sato Ryuta, Naka Riisa, Miura Shohei and Hirayama Hiroyuki.

“Because Japan is surrounded on all sides by water... the Japan Coast Guard patrols its maritime borders... through 11 regions. But for search-and-rescue... they have one organization that covers the whole nation. “The Japan Coast Guard Special Rescue Team”, or "Special Ops." They are based out of the 3rd region's Haneda Airport facility. And boast the highest level rescue skills imaginable. They are 36 select members from 13,000 coast guard officers, divided into 6 teams. They can respond to chemical and gas explosions. They're ready to roll out to any part of the country... to step into situations too hazardous...for even the most trained rescue divers. They face various hazards. Confront death on a regular basis. So they train constantly... building up stamina, mental strength... sharpening their judgment and acumen. They are trained for danger. In short, Special Ops are... the last line of defense in maritime rescue. “Japan Coast Guard Special Rescue Team" (taken from intro)

Senzaki Daisuke (Ito Hideaki) has together with Yoshioka Tetsuya (Sato Ryuta) joined the Special Ops, and dedicated their lives to save other people. Now with a 5 year old son, and one on the way, even Tetsuya has started dating a stewardess called Mika (Naka Riisa), whom he plans on marrying soon, they are both have troubles with balancing their love and family life.

When a flight that Mika is on board of crashes in the middle of the sea, the Special Ops are called…

Every movie is stepping up the game, like both emotionally and action wise. I feel kind of sad that this is the last of the Umizaru story: watching this from the very beginning and growing with the characters, and actually seeing every step he takes and every choice he makes which makes you kind of feeling that you know this guy personally. I sort of hope that they make another one, even though I bet that the Japanese are pretty tired of it. The story is good, and this job they are doing is so respectable, which makes me enjoy their interaction.

I do recommend it, even if you haven’t watched the other stuff.

☆☆☆☆½ / 4½ out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥½ / 4½ out of 5 hearts

Umizaru 3 Movie Review

Title: Umizaru 3

AKA: Umizaru: The Last Message / The Last Message: Umizaru

Genre: Action

Origin: Japan

Release date: September 18, 2010

Cast: Ito Hideaki, Kato Ai, Sato Ryuta, Kato Masaya, Fukiishi Kazue and Miura Shohei.

When a huge accident happens on the drilling plant “Regalia”, a ship colliding in the plant, Senzaki Daisuke (Ito Hideaki) and his buddy Yoshioka Tetsuya (Sato Ryuta) are put to the task to escort the engineer Sakuragi Hiroshiichirou (Kato Masaya) in and out. But due to a typhoon approaching, Daisuke becomes separated from Tetsuya, and gets stuck together with Sakuragi and three other people: Nurse Nishizawa Natsu (Fukiishi Kazue), driller Kizima Hisayoneo (Hamada Gaku) and newbie rescue diver Hotori Takuya (Miura Shohei).

 As the situation grows more dangerous, the rescue helicopters aren’t able get close, and due to Regalia being a combined plant (different countries contributed in the building of the plant), the government officials are more interested in saving the plant, than the actual people.

Now it’s up to Daisuke to save the people inside, and get back home to his wife and new born son…

I can’t believe that for every movie, it just keeps getting better and the quality too! I mean after the drama I really didn’t believe they would be able to make it deep, since 11 episodes is about 8½ hours, but they managed in the second movie to do just that. I really didn’t expect it to be that exciting, but they really overshined themselves. The storyline is as usually heartfelt, and inspiring, though I’ve started to feel as if I’m basically waiting for Senzaki to die, like really. Every movie is him being in a pinch, I mean how he even survives dammit LOL, not a bad thing though.

This movie you can actually watch without seeing the rest, well you can do that with them all, but this one doesn’t seem to be in the same category somehow: yes, it is in water, but we actually only see them diving in the end. Okay, minor detail, but still.

All in all pretty darn good.

☆☆☆☆½ / 4½ out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥½ / 4½ out of 5 hearts

Umizaru 2 Movie Review

Title: Umizaru 2

AKA: Umizaru: Limit of Love / Umizaru: Test of Trust

Genre: Action, Romance

Origin: Japan

Release date: May 6, 2006

Cast: Ito Hideaki, Kato Ai, Sato Ryuta, Otsuka Nene, Fukikoshi Mitsuru and Tokito Saburo.

After Nagare was scrapped the Yokohama team was separated into different branches and different districts. Senzaki Daisuke (Ito Hideaki) together with Yosikawa Tetsuya (Sato Ryuta) got stationed in a mobile rescue unit based in Kagoshima. When his girlfriend Kanna (Kato Ai) visits, to talk about their wedding, she is stunned when Daisuke tells her he needs time to think things through.

When a huge cruise ship breaks down 2km from the Kagoshima shore, the rescue unit is mobilized to save the 600 passengers and crew. On the ship Daisuke happens to find Kanna on, but due to a hurt and pregnant passenger, they split, Kanna to evacuation, Daisuke to escort the passenger. As he is moving through the parking lot, he stumbles upon another passenger, but he is unwilling to leave his car. While lighting his cigarette on, the flares fall on the ground and hit spilt gasoline, making the second floor explode. Managing to avoid the explosion, Daisuke and the two passengers are saved by Tetsuya, only to find out that they are trapped, and have nowhere to get out…

One word: wow. Who said only Americans know how to make action/thriller movies?! This movie is amazing. I have no idea where the 2 hours I spent watching this went! They really took this up a notch!

Again we have the honest and almost realistic story, though with pretty amazing saving/surviving skills, but nevertheless, mostly realistic. Everything from the love story, to the unity of the coast guard, to the stories of the passengers, everything was made so good. One negative would be that the actual progress in their lives was not that vivid, but that is just me.

All in all, a very good movie!

☆☆☆☆½ / 4½ out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥ / 4 out of 5 hearts

Umizaru Movie Review

Title: Umizaru

AKA: Sea monkeys

Genre: Action, Romance

Origin: Japan

Release date: June 12, 2004

Cast: Ito Hideaki, Kato Ai, Kaito Ken, Karina, Ito Atsushi and Murata Mitsu.

Senzaki Daisuke (Ito Hideaki) is a new coast guard recruit, with a master diving license. He joined the coast guard due to boredom at being a salary man. Being cocky and sort of undisciplined, he isn’t really interested in being a diver, but when Mishima Yuji (Kaito Ken) pokes at his pride, he decides to fight back.

On a day out Daisuke meets Izawa Kanna (Kato Ai), a fashion journalist, who he almost has a one night stand with. Even though they decided to part, they keep meeting again.

When the trainees are introduced to the ‘buddy’ system, Daisuke is teamed up with Kudo Hajime (Ito Atsushi), the lowest trainee, and the most likely to be released from duty. At first Daisuke finds him annoying and thinks of him as being in the way, but as time passes they become close.

Now he has to make sure that Hajime passes the test…

First of all bad summary, but sort of what this movie about. That said, I like this, maybe much more than I thought I would. If you’ve watched and liked those Japanese inspiration dramas, like when someome has a hobby or a dream, and then fights for it, you will probably love this too. I mean, for a movie that is almost 10 years old, I honestly was moved. Seriously people sacrificing their lives for other people, is honestly something Japanese are great at making movies off. Acting wise, great. Chemisty, there too, and lastly story, pretty good. Oh yeah, and a whole loads of butts. (Don’t ask)

All in all, a great Japanese movie.

☆☆☆☆ / 4 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥ / 4 out of 5 hearts

DOG x Police Movie Review

Title: Dog x Police
AKA: The K-9 Force
Genre: Action, Police
Origin: Japan
Release date: October 01, 2011
Cast: Ichihara Hayato, Toda Erika, Murakami Jun, Takeyama Takanori, Abe Shinnosuke and Tokito Saburo.

Hayakawa Yusaku (Ichihara Hayato) is an aspiring police officer with the dream of becoming a detective. When a serial bomber racks the streets of Tokyo, he is dreaming of becoming like one of those detectives that solve cases, and actually happens to spot a suspicious man. While running after him and catching him, a man is involved needing to help birth somewhere. Doing his duty, he helps the man, only to find out he is a veterinarian, and delivers puppies. Yusaku witnesses the delivery, and when the last puppy comes out, he is surprised to see it is an albino - and not breathing. The veterinarian says that it is a lost case, but shocked by that Yusaku tries desperately to revive it, and succeeds.
Several months later Yusaku is transferred to a different unit, but is disappointed to find out that it isn’t the detective unit but the K-9 Force. That unit is a dog patrol unit, which teaches dogs to search and to attack criminals. There he meets his instructor Mizuno Natsuki (Toda Erika), a harsh woman, with love for her job. Yusaku on the other hand is annoyed and disappointed in his transfer, so his chief decides to get him a ‘buddy’, a dog. By coincidence he gets buddied up with Shiro, a white dog who happens to be the albino he saved. Slowly he starts to get close to the dog, and they form a bond, but the when the bomber strikes again, it becomes the K-9 Force’s job to help…

Two plusses, Hayato and Erika, and one for the dog Shiro, being super cute, but that’s it. The story is good, but just a bit to newbie’sh for me. I feel good acting, but weak storyline, and screenplay. It almost feels halfhearted, but trying sometimes though, actually getting me teary at the end. So should you watch it? Hmm, it’s not bad, nor is it boring, just yeah, healfhearted…

☆☆☆½ / 3½ out of 5 stars

♥♥♥ / 3 out of 5 hearts

GANTZ Movie Review

Title: Gantz

Genre:   Psycological thriller
Origin: Japan
Release date: 29 January 2011

Cast: Ninomiya Kazunari, Kenichi Matsuyama, Yoshitaka Yuriko and Hongo Kanata.

Kurano Kei (Ninomiya Kazunari) was on his way to a job interview, when suddenly a man falls on the subway railroad. Nobody reacts except a young man, which Kei recognizes as his school friend Kato Masaru (Kenichi Matuyama), and decides to help him. The two manage to pull the man up, but get hit by the subway themselves. Suddenly they wake up in a room filled with 5 other people, who also say that they were supposed to die but woke up in the room, and that they cannot get out. When the 8^th person arrives, a young naked woman, a huge black metal ball announces where they are: they are here to play a game, where they get an assignment, to kill a target, if they do they get points… What they don’t know is that the targets are aliens and not easy at all…

Okay, to begin with, for what it is, it’s pretty cool, I mean graphics, storyline, and also cast and acting was amazing, but I can’t really put my finger on it. There just is something about this movie that feels off: At first I thought it was the actors, but then I realized that they were doing a neat job. Then I thought about the entire alien / battle royal feel, and somehow I didn’t like it, but it didn’t make the movie bad. Even the action and the “reality” of it was cool, but it might be that it just is a little too geeky for me.. Or something like that…

☆☆☆☆/ 4 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥ / 3 out of 5 hearts