Slow Video Movie Review

Title: Slow Video
Genre: Romance, Family, Life
Origin: South Korea
Release Date: October 2, 2014
Cast: Cha Tae Hyun, Nam Sang Mi, Oh Dal Su, Ko Chang Seok, Jin Kyung, Yoo Young, Kim Hyeon, Kim Kang Hyeon

Yeo Jang Boo (Cha Tae Hyun) was born with dynamic visually acuity, which enables him to visually discern fine detail in a moving object that ordinary people cannot, as if he's seeing the world in slow motion. Due to his special ability, Jang-boo has to constantly wear sunglasses, which made him a target of bullying at school and throughout his childhood. He spends 20 years isolated and alone, but his talent proves to be a gift later in life when he finally goes out into the world and ends up working at his neighbor's CCTV control center. One day while unenthusiastically watching passersby onscreen, he spots his first love Bong Soo-mi. Despite being terrible at social interactions, Jang-boo sets out to win her heart.

As the title of this movie, it is indeed very slow. Somehow, they managed to make the first half of the movie go scene by scene, as nothing happened. They used an awful lot of time to show how the character lived his isolated life from the others, if not for Cha Tae Hyun and his adorable acting I would have given up on it. Then the next half of the movie begins and stuff starts to happen, and before you know it, you fall in love with everything! I don’t regret that I kept watching, it was really worth it, you just don’t know it when you start. Cha Tae Hyun of course did a good job; he rather outshined all the other actors, even though I don’t know them I didn’t notice them either. The story were very moving too, It really touched me. Do I recommend the movie? Yes of course I do, you just need at little patience in the beginning, it will all make sense in the end!

☆☆☆ / 3 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥½ / 3½ out of 5 hearts

Bunji's Verdict

This movie was exactly perfect for me - sweet, mellow and not fast paced. Now you think of me as an old lady, but what I mean is that this movie is just perfect for someone who is stressed or tense. It has so much character and personality that you really don’t mind much of it. I was afraid it would be a humor/comedy movie, but was pleasantly surprised when I noticed how serious and fitted funny it is.

Cha Tae Hyun is genius in his acting as always, adapting to a character that well. Though I can’t say everyone else was bad, Cha Tae Hyun was just better (LOL).

The movie in general is a brilliant story, to the point of heartwarming, so I would recommend it. But be warned, it is slow paced.

☆☆☆☆ / 4 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥½ / 4½ 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