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

Ao Haru Ride Movie Review

Title: Ao Haru Ride
Genre: School, Romance, Friendship
Origin: Japan
Release Date: December 13, 2014
Cast: Tsubasa Honda, Masahiro Higashide, Yua Shinkawa, Ryo Yoshizawa, Izumi Fujimoto, Mitsuki Takahata

When she was a middle school student, Futaba Yoshioka (Tsubasa Honda) liked Kou Tanaka (Masahiro Higashide), who was unlike the other boys a quiet and gentle guy. Kou Tanaka then moved away and they lost contact. At the end of Futaba Yoshioka's first year as a high school student she meets Kou Tanaka again. Kou Tanaka’s name has changed to Kou Mabuchi and his personality seems different from his middle school days. Will he recognize her?

Last time I watched a Jmovie were… a year ago. Wow, I think I’m all “koreanized”, I guess that’s just what I prefer. But it was nice going back to the Japanese screen, and with such a lovely movie. The story sounded quite nice, and I missed those Japanese high school themed dramas, so I thought a movie would be a good comeback. The story was quite charming, and I loved how they gradually expressed their feelings and thoughts whether it be romance or friendship. One thing that bothered me a little, were the dialogues. They could have made the male actor talk a little more and make him explain his actions. It really frustrated me sometimes, but I guess that’s how it is.
It must really be a long time ago I watched anything Japanese since I didn’t recognize anyone, so it felt a bit ‘fresh’. I had no anticipation or anything, so I just enjoyed the movie and it did leave me with a nice feeling in the end. Recommend? Yes absolutely.  

☆☆☆☆ / 4 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥½ / 4½ out of 5 hearts

Friend Movie Review

Title: Friend

AKA: Chingoo

Genre: Crime, Drama, Friendship

Origin: Korea

Release date: 31 March 2001

Cast: Yu Oh Seong, Jang Dong Gun, Seo Tae Hwa and Jung Woon Taek.

The story follows 4 childhood friends who reunite after being separated in middle school. Joon Suk (Yu Oh Seong) is the son of a mobster, the strongest and the leader of the 4 man gang. Dong Soo (Jang Dong Gun) is the son of a mortician, and also the second strongest. The two are generally bad in school and usually get beef because of their backgrounds by the teachers. Sang Taek (Seo Tae Hwa) is a middle class person, but is really clever and does very good in school. And lastly the groups goof Jung Ho (Jung Woon Taek) who usually gets the group free stuff since his mother goes abroad a lot.

The story takes a turn when the boys fall for the same girl from a band, and Dong Soo starts to feel inferior to Joon Suk. This doesn’t split the group but when Sang Taek gets beat up by some high shoolers from another school because of that very girl, the boys defend him against almost the entire hord of the high school. After being expelled from the school Dong Soo decides to join a gang, which is the rival gang of Joon Suks father’s gang. After the death of Joon Suks father, Joon Suk takes the spot as the mobster boss, putting the two friends against each other…

My number one reason for watching this is because of the huge amount of reference in Korean variety and Korean TV. This is one of the most famous Korean movies and is one of those with high commercial success, not that I always agree with the Korean audience. To put bluntly the movie is weird, not bad and not boring, but you somehow have this terrible gut feeling the entire way through, either feeling bad or confused about the results. It is one of those kinds of movies that speaks of the Korean culture, with that I mean the ACTUAL culture and not the romantic Korean drama version. The movie is not bad, especially if you like those down to earth yet realistic movies (realistic is the best word for this movie).

I like that the theme ‘Friendship’ really is thorough, even though there is a lot of gangs and fighting involved, not to mention mobsters. The general thing is about these 4 and their friendship through the movie, also of course how they grow apart but still have the lingering feelings of their time together.

To sum up: a real gem and the acting is really good.

☆☆☆☆ / 4 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥½ / 3½ out of 5 hearts

Heartless City Review

Title: Heartless City
AKA: Cruel City / Undercover
Genre: thriller, romance, action, crime
Episodes: 20
Broadcast period: 2013-May-27 to 2013-Aug-30
Cast: Jung Kyung Ho, Nam Gyu Ri, Lee Jae Yoon, Son Chang Min, Kim Yoo Mi, Choi Moo Sung, Yoon Hyun Min, Go Na Eun, Kim Hyo Sun, Jung Soo Young, Jung Ji Soon, Kim Byung Ok, Jung Moon Sung ...

The police infiltrates the mob, the mob infiltrates the police, people take advantage of people, they kill and betray for money, while a few others try to fight them all in hope of truth and justice. Ji Hyung Min (Lee Jae Yoon) and Lee Kyung Mi (Go Na Eun) are two police officers, a couple, in midst of all chaos revolving drugs and killing. They try to hunt down the head of the mob, thinking it is Docter's son, Jung Shi Hyun (Jung Kyung Ho) and old friend of Lee Kyung Mi. Yoon Soo Min (Nam Gyu Ri) is the younger sister of Lee Kyung Mi and ends up falling in love with Shi Hyun, not knowing his real identity. Will she choose love or revenge? Or will she even have the choice . . .

This drama is so crazy, first of all, all those undercover agents, its like the police consists of the mob and the mob consists of the police, okay exaggeration but yeah that's the feeling. And oooooh my God, Jung Kyung Ho (Smile, you) I had not expected this role to fit him like this, he did a great job, though he did have the same face expression a lot, this role suits him. The story was good, nice, and I like the way it turned out, but I wished for a tiiiiiiny bit of more romance, it stayed a bit in the background, but it was still there. There was friendships and such as well (me like) and a lot of times there were some huge twists that would make your jaw drop. And so many times I would say about the characters "I hate this guy" then later "ok nevermind I like him" hahah.. also all those people working with drugs, we didnt really see a whole bunch of people take drugs but we did see consecuenses of drugs, which was actually cool, but I'm guessing it's because of the broadcast station. Anyway, I recommend this drama! I enjoyed it! it's a cool police-mob drama.

☆☆☆☆½ / 4½ out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥½ / 4½ out of 5 hearts

BAD BOYS J Review

Title: BAD BOYS J

Genre: Fighting, Friendship, Comedy, Romance

Episodes: 12

Broadcast period: 2013-Apr to 2013-Jun

Theme song: BAD BOY by Sexy Zone

Cast: Nakajima Kento, Iwamoto Hikaru, Nikaido Takashi, Morita Myuto, Hasimoto Ryosuke, Yasui Kentaro, Itano Tomomi, and Triendl Reina.

In Hiroshima three gangs are fighting for territory: Beast, Nights and Gokuraku Cho. Beast being the top group with over 3000 followers and an insane strong top Danno Hidenori (Nikaido Takashi), owns most of the territory. Nights, Hiroshimas second largest group is a group with good looking flashy guys, but like Beast have a strong top Hiro (Hasimoto Ryosuke).

After Gokuraku Cho’s leader leaves, the group is left with a new Top who is thinking more about himself than the members. This leaves the no. 2, Kawanaka Yoji (Iwamoto Hikaru) conflicted whether or not to do something about it. He one day happens to save Kiriki Tsukasa (Nakajima Kento) from bullies from his own group, and befriends Tsukasa, who is devastated since the bullies took his gift he had been wanting to give a girl. Yoji and his two friends, Iwami Eiji (Fukusawa Tatsuya) and Nakamura Hisao (Watanabe Shota), who are in the same group, advise Tsukasa, who just moved to Hiroshima, to stay away from the girl, since their top has his eyes on her. But when the girl is taken away by Gokuraku Cho’s top, he goes to save her, and happens to beat the top, which automatically makes him the new leader and top of Gokuraku Cho..

I think I have a problem, I really like delinquents! I mean, I used to think it was those who went to school, but these guys actually don’t even go to school! And I still love it! It reminded me a bit of Majisuka Gakuen, but somehow it became a bit more.. serious? Though, there are a lot of fun moments, it was really good. I enjoyed it, and it did remind me of an amateur version of CROWS ZERO. But that didn’t ruin it - I mean they can be the worst actors I would still enjoy it. Man.. I suck.. LOL.

Okay, now, should you watch it? Hmm, I don’t know, it is one of those Japanese dramas.. That just makes you shake your head, especially if you‘ve watched sad ones recently…

☆ ☆ ☆ ½/ 3½ out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥ / 4 out of 5 hearts

The Equator Man Review

Title: The Equator Man
AKA: The man from the equator
Genre: Melodrama
Episodes: 20
Broadcast period: 2012-Mar-21 to 2012-May-24
Cast:  Uhm Tae Woong, Lee Hyun Woo, Lee Joon Hyuk, Siwan, Lee Bo Young, Kyung Soo Jin, Im Jung Eun, Park Se Young, Kim Young Chul, Lee Won Jong, Lee Jae Yong, Lee Dae Yeon, Cha Hwa Yun, Lee Seung Hyung, Jung Ho Bin . . .

Jang-il (Lee Joon Hyuk (young: Siwan)) is the smart kid at school, with the dream of becoming a prosecutor to protect the weak. One day he faces some trouble, as dept collectors come looking for him at school. Unexpectedly the strong kid at school Seon Woo (Uhm Tae Woong (young: Lee Hyun Woo)) saves him. As Seon Woo gets into trouble Jang-il is too be his tutor, but Jang-il soon finds out that Seon Woo hasn't been taking advantage of his potential. The two of them develop a close relationship, one where they would do almost anything for one another, almost. Their friendship comes to a test, a test strong enough to tear them apart. Seon Woo's father dies a mysterious death, which police claims is suicide. But that just doesn't make any sense to Seon Woo, and he starts investigating. On his way to the police station to submit the proof for his father’s murder, he meets Jang-il. To whom he shouldn’t have turned his back on. Jang-il prevents Seon Woo from going to the station by as very last resort attempting murder. Now he has so live hiding a secret which is eating him up from inside, something which has torn the two friends apart. Several years later, Seon Woo will build his power up from scratch, trying to  find out what really happened and seek revenge. Revenge on a friend.  You will be surprised.

This drama is the next big drama, so amazing I was glued to the screen for 20 episodes. Amazing tension and it's got you from the start. I loved the part where they were kids, loved the little Seon Woo SO much! Everything about him, so cool. Jang-il on the other hand, I seriously couldnt watch. I was so sick of him and even made me hate the actor, I guess he is that good at acting? or what? I was really surprised by Uhm Tae Woong, I had not expected his acting to be THAT good! Maybe because I wasnt that happy about him in that one movie I watched. Here on the other hand.. WOW! so nice, the acting, and his charactor. The love stories, which I havent mentioned, I wasnt too happy about it, I hate those stories with "I must have you, cant live without you"-stalkerish kind of , not crush but like really.. like a crazy person. And its like, the girl from their childhood likes Jang-il but he is disgusted by her because of her father? or because she isnt from at well-off family. And Jang-il likes(like crazy person) the girl who likes Seon Wo and whom he likes. I really hate that kind of thing but I guess the drama is so good I could bear with it. But it made me hate the actor, I dont remember him this annoying in City Hunter. Seriously if you like the action, tension, drama, with sweet love and great actors, this is for you. The revenge part is so good! Wow-mazing!

☆☆☆☆½ / 4½ out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥½ / 4½ out of 5 hearts

Bunji's Verdict
I guess 2012 was the year of good dramas, because Equator Man defiantly is on that list of great dramas. It has great actors, good screenplay, good chemistry between actors and great dialogues. Though I have to say, the revenge part was crazily deep, so I actually for the first time felt like the lead became crazy because of it. Usually you see them scream, and act like madmen, but this guy seriously became mad. Like, I was scared.

But the bad part was the length and the fact that the only thing this drama is about is revenge. Okay yeah there are many, but you really don’t have time to breathe in the entire drama because of the tension, and the fact that you actually know why and how everything happened, but the lead doesn’t. So the entire drama is about waiting, waiting for things you already knew happened happens. Of course except in the beginning where you get to know the stuff, that the rest, I don’t know how many, episodes are about. It did take me some while to watch this, I started this before Jenji, can you imagine, but couldn’t end it.

I do recommend those who enjoy the entire “justice” part, and also if you like the “back to your own place” thingi…

                                                             

☆☆☆☆ / 4 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥ / 4 out of 5 hearts

Pikanchi Life Is Hard Dakara Happy Movie Review

Title: Pikanchi Life Is Hard Dakara Happy

Genre:  Friendship, Life

Release Date: March 1, 2004

Origin: Japan

Cast: Ohno Satoshi, Sakurai Sho, Aiba Masaki, Ninomiya Kazunari and Matsumoto Jun

It has been three years since the group had split, and the leader finally returned to Yashio, but things have changed; not only is the housing complex where Takuma (Ninomiya Kazunari) used to live about to get demolished, but the rest have changed drastically. Haru (Ohno Satoshi) and Bon (Matsumoto Jun) got into a disagreement about the demolishing of the complex which they had been fighting hard to keep, so that Takuma could have a place to return, which leads to Bon leaving Yashio, and Haru joining the demonstrants. Shun (Aiba Masaki) almost fell into depression after failing the Aoegaku University entrance for the third time, but found peace at a crochet school. Chu (Sakurai Sho) on the other hand settled down: got married and has a kid, so he started as a sales man in order to feed his family.

All have problems of their own, and they soon realize that life is tougher than they imagined…

Different from the first one, this one is about the gang being ‘grown ups’, and that itself is pretty funny. But the movie is not that great compared to the first one, mainly because the storyline only has one focus, whereas the first one had several. Or that’s how I remember it. Still it’s enjoyable, and the boys are as cute as ever, hehe..

☆☆☆½ / 3½ out of 5 stars

♥♥♥½ / 3½ out of 5 hearts

Pikanchi - Life Is Hard Dakedo Happy Movie Review

Title: Pikanchi Life Is Hard Dakedo Happy

Genre: Friendship, Life

Release Date: October 18, 2002

Origin: Japan

Cast: Ohno Satoshi, Sakurai Sho, Aiba Masaki, Ninomiya Kazunari and Matsumoto Jun

This movie revolves around 5 high school students, who live in the Yashio Housing complex in Shinagawa. What’s special about it is that even though it’s big and has all the necessities, it’s not really part of Shinagawa city, and is linked by only two bridges. The 5 students are friends from different homes, and statuses; Futaba Rentarou ”Bon” (Matsumoto Jun) living in the wealthy part of Yashio and his father is the owner of a restaurant, but does not act superior because of that. He is simple- and open-minded to everyone and everything, and always has a smile on his face. Takada Haruhiko ”Haru” (Ohno Satoshi) is known to be the most unlucky guy in Yashio, also works hard to earn money since he lives in the part of the average houses. But due to his unfortunate and rather spaced out nature, he’s most likely to wind up without any of his earnings. Okano Shun (Aiba Masaki) our narrator lives at the same complex as Haru, and is as average as he could be, except his father is the radio DJ of the surrounding place.  Kamogawa Tadashi “Chu” (Sakurai Sho) is a Yankee living in the bad part of Yashio, where he is the leader of a smaller bike gang. Lastly there is Onda Takuma (Ninomiya Kazunari) living in poor part of Yashio. When he first started school the rest thought of him as a stuck up kid, since he always has the newest of the newest stuff, they soon realize that he was shoplifting, and he ends up becoming their leader.

After the group try to go to Harajuku - the ‘big city’ - they all encounter different situation, which leads them all to start to think about their future…

Hmm, I think you could call this a Japanese answer for American pie? Haha, okay maybe not completely, but it sure is funny. At first I was thinking that it’s pretty ridiculous, but somehow it grows on you and the characters somehow have an effect on you. All four boys are completely mad, and instead of being disgusted, I laughed and went “That’s such a guy thing!”. So I just let go, and became open-minded, and joyed every part of it. It’s not really the most interesting movie, but entertainment wise, good.

☆☆☆½ / 3½ out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥ / 4 out of 5 hearts

Sunny Movie Review

Title: Sunny
Genre: Friendship
Origin: Korea
Release date: May 04, 2011
Cast: Yoo Ho Jeong, Kang So Ra, Sim Eun-kyeong, Jin Hee-kyeong and many others..

Im Na Mi (Yoo Ho Jeong) is a housewife with not much to live for except being a wife and mother. Her housebound is a busy man and her daughter doesn’t care about her, so when they leave home, she has nothing else to do besides house work. One day she goes to visit her sick mother in the hospital, she passes by a room where a patient screams and throws stuff at the nurses and doctors. She glances at the name, and is shocked to recognize it, but doesn’t really think much of it. The next day, she visits her mother again, only to be drawn to the room again, where she is greeted by her old friend Ha Choon Hwa (Jin Hee Kyung) who is dying of cancer. Choon Hwa asks her to gather their old group, Sunny, so that she can see them one last time before she dies.
This search brings Na Mi down memory lane, when she is reminded of the time when she came from Jeolla Do, as a country bumpkin, to Seoul. She is reminded of the dreams and hopes Sunny had, and also what has happened to her friends of 25 years ago…

This is a real chick flick, Korean style yeah, but still chick flick. Lol, don’t get me wrong, it’s a good movie. Very moving, funny, sweet, and not to mention relatable. But one thing I was sure of when watching this, I sooooooooo do not want to be a house wife, well not like her anyway. Like the dullest life ever, not just dull, but that isn’t a life. I love how this drama moves from past to present and how the characters haven’t changed over the years. Though, if you ask me, everything just passed by quickly. Maybe because it’s a movie, but like it was fast pased, made me want to watch it more.. Also some of the things were done halfheartedly, like her crush, the quite one of the group leaving, and the split up.
Anyways, recommendable!

☆☆☆☆/ 4 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥½/ 4½ out of 5 hearts

Jenji's verdict
At first I found the movie weird, like what is this movie about?.. lol,. I've considered watching it a few times before but thought it looked boring and old. But it was fun, like really girl friend movie hahah, it was fun watching middle aged almost, if not, boring women and then seeing them when they were young and watch them recall the memories and trying to find themselves again as they used to be once. It was a really funny movie but turned out to be sad T_T but still really good. A great friendship movie and i was really shocked by the ending,. Enjoyable and recommendable! DEF.!

☆☆☆☆/ 4 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥½/ 4½ out of 5 hearts

Warrior Baek Dong Soo Review

Title: Warrior Baek Dong Soo
AKA:Musa Baek Dong Soo / Honorable Baek Dong Soo
Genre: Period
Episodes: 29
Broadcast period: 2011-Jul-04 to 2011-Oct-10
Cast:Ji Chang Wook, Yeo Jin Goo, Yoo Seung Ho,
Park Gun Tae, Yoon So Yi, Lee In, Shin Hyun Bin, Nam Ji Hyun, Choi Min Soo, Jun Kwang Ryul, Park Joon Gyu, Lee Jin Ah, Oh Man Suk, Yoon Ji Min, Park Chul Min, Jun Gook Hwan, Geum Dan Bi, Lee Won and many more!

Warrior Baek Dong Soo , a real-life legend in Joseon Dynasty during King Jeongjo's reign. Around the King many traitors do whatever they can to get to power and wealth.
A little baby boy is born, Baek Dong Soo, the son of a great man who risked his life for the Crown Prince. Baek Dong Soo lost both his parents and was raised by his father's friends, all men dedicating their lives to protecting the Kingdom. Baek Dong Soo grows to an young man and we follow him as he is experiencing a lot of different things and learning martial arts along with his very good friends Yeo Un and Cho Rip so that they can serve the King. Yeo Un is also the son of one of Dong Soo's father's friends and they develop a close friendship however Yeo Un is having a really hard time as the Sky Lord, an assassin, uses him by making him believe that his fate is to be an assassin. Friendship, brotherhood and loyalty is what this drama is all about.

Writing a review is not an easy thing because we follow Baek Dong Soo through 25 years or so.. But that is what makes you so immersed in the drama, you follow the characters for so long and get a really good understanding of everything that happens. I really really liked this drama, when I started it I didnt think I would finish it that fast (29 episodes is not an easy thing for me !) but it went really fast and I have never cried this bad while watching a drama! Its not because it was like one of those really sad melodramas but because of the friendships and how those people were willing to give their everything and didnt think twice to sacrifice themselves for a greater cause. What was a bit new for me in drama was that we follow the same people for 25 years or so, it worked really well for this drama and if it was another story I dont think it would work out, but here it did and it only made it better. If you like historical dramas and dramas about friends and loyalty I definitely recommend this drama 100 % , I was crying so badly through the last few episodes but I am not gonna say more because Ill end up spoiling everything. BUT, i was gonna give 5 stars as well but im gonna give 4.5 just because the technical-director or whatever he is called could do a better job. The fighting scenes are good for a korean drama, really, but still, it could be better!

☆☆☆☆½ / 4½ out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥♥ / 5 out of 5 hearts

Bunji's verdict

Hmm… It took me over 2 years to finish this drama, and it is the only drama I have left from that time – which I started and hadn’t finished. It was quite a long way to get by, and I am proud of my accomplishment.

That said, I am more than disappointed. Well, not so disappointed that I would say I hated it, but more that I really can’t find much in this drama which would make me recommend it, anytime, anywhere or at all. I’ll just say the good thing first: the two dudes and the girl (and her life/story): Great acting and good interpretations of the characters. Besides that I really felt I spent 29 hours of pure jawing and wrong storytelling. Just saying: don’t ruin history by making something as ridiculous as a group of assassins. Eish, I don’t understand why Oh Man Suk would agree on such a badly written storyline – at least try to keep the facts straight. And I don’t get why these assassins were as political as well. Also there was a lot of sitting around and thinking a lot – I wonder if the really did that then.

As said before, a lot of ‘meditating’ and a lot of talking – I am usually a fan of talking, but this was just a way to keep the story going I guess, but it felt very repetitive.

The love story was just plainly put bad, though they tried to fix that with a bromance – and it works, for the first 12 episodes; because they don’t really have much screen time together later on. The lead actress (the one who loves Dong Soo but is one sided) has a great backstory and I enjoyed her character the most, but when they make a dumb ending it kind of just disappears in the horizon.

I am sad to say I believe I was way too late to watch this, as it isn’t a classic, it’s a momentary drama which only works while hyped (meaning not everyone – like me – will enjoy it). But yeah not all bad.

Okay summing up: an action period drama with (very bad and few) links to the historic part of Crown Prince Sado’s death – and the legend (who by the way lived around the time of King Jeongjo not Sado) Baek Dong Soo. But if you are a fan of those boys you might like it more than I do. (I like them, but they will never affect my rating)

☆☆☆ / 3 out of 5 stars

♥♥½/ 2½ out of 5 hearts