MOVIE: Welcome to the Quiet Room (2007)

Welcome to the Quiet Room
(クワイエットルームにようこそ)
2007
direction: Suzuki, M.
screenplay: Suzuki, M.

quickie:
An aspiring writer living with a TV comedian wakes up to the bright lights of a psychiatric ward which is more like a rehab for girls with eating disorders

general impression:
Funny, Quiet.

lows:
Scenes are a bit disjointed, characters could have used more depth, the fact that the psychiatric ward only has anorexic and bulimic patients, offers no peace for people who can relate to Yuki Uchida’s character

highs:
Ryo as Nurse Eguchi, funny moments, doesn’t say anything about sanity or insanity

notes:
I suppose some might be tempted to recall movies like One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest or Girl, Interrupted. Movies have dealt with the whole concept of sane people having dysfunctions, subtly stating that we’re all crazy anyway.

Personally, I thought Asuka Sakura (Uchida) is one of those sane people with your average amount of dysfunction. She’s constantly trying to cope with some undefined obstacle by hiding in idiotic television shows, standing very close to the edge until she loses her balance and falls.

Although the movie still lacks that emphatic touch, it does evoke the sense of being lost. Where do these people go? They’re not crazy enough that they set their hair on fire but they’re not functioning well enough without alcohol, nicotine, sleeping pills or just a daily dose of stupid TV shows.

As the movie points out, we’re only sane if someone says so. In Asuka’s case, her claim to sanity is a pothead who shows his butt on television for a living. Does that make sense?

Miki’s (Yuu) logic presents the fact that you have to be crazy to be able to live with everyone else. She develops an eating disorder after she realizes the truth: someone else who deserves the food she eats is starving. And she is unable to deal with that.

What is sane? To know this truth and escape from it?

The movie is easy on the eyes but it lacks a “feel” which make it seem average at best. However, the actors are delightful and the writing is a step above your typical Thursday movie.

Watch this movie, if only for Nurse Eguchi played by Ryou. Hilarious.

FINAL RATING:
[3.5] out of [5]

MOVIE: The Machine Girl (2008)

The Machine Girl
2008
direction: Iguchi, N.
screenplay: Iguchi, N.

quickie:
“YOU KILLED MY BROHTER! RAWR!”

general impression:
Campy. Mostly good for laughs.

lows:
Degree of violence ranges from hilarious to disgusting.

highs:
Tempura arm! Sentai poses! Drill bra! Oh yeah, and strong female protagonist.

notes:
Assuming you won’t be looking for the meaning of life here, Machine Girl is an absolute laugh trip. It’s, of course, a bad movie with cheap effects, a questionable plot and average (bordering on awful) acting.

There are times when you’re laughing at the violence and times when you’re cringing so I suppose this movie is still not for the squeamish. Like most Japanese movies, lots of high pressure blood squirting all over the place.

If you watched Planet Terror, there’s a good chance that you might start comparing the two. That would be up to you. I prefer taking The Machine Girl as this disgusting funny movie rather than the action film that Planet Terror was.

It’s cheap, disgusting and funny. What else is there to say?

FINAL RATING:
[2] out of [5]

MOVIE: Lovely Complex (2006)

Lovely Complex
2006
direction: Ishikawa, K.
screenplay: Suzuki, O.

quickie:
Tall girl, short guy. Romance and comedy ensues.

general impression:
It falls a little below enjoyable

lows:
The minor characters are a little too minor, the quirk seems forced

highs:
Genuine effort of the lead characters to be as happy and charming as possible, funny if you tilt your head in a certain angle

notes:
I watched the movie after watching the anime (the review of which I might get around after a few years…) and was severely disappointed.

I have never been a big fan of the shoujo genre but Lovely Compex – with the funny accent and the splash of colors – was something I actually sat through and enjoyed. Risa, the protagonist, is your typical angsty teen yet she pulls off the melancholia with her sunny disposition and a slight oddness. Ema Fujisawa, who portrays her in the movie, actually did pretty OK in capturing the melodrama that is Risa. Teppei Kokkei who portrays Ootani pulls enough attention from his fans and I suppose he’s not part of what’s bad about the film.

The downside of the movie is the fact that the supporting cast is so weak. Not that the minor characters ever stole the show from Risa in the anime but they did their part in making the story fun. The movie cast was just… bleah. Bland and sometimes even offensive.

The story is pretty average but that’s not really the point. The manga and the anime barely makes it past average. The success is from the funny way that the story was told. The film kind of missed that.

FINAL RATING:
[2] out of [5]

MOVIE: Ekusute (2007)

Ekusute ~ Hair Extensions
2007
direction: Sono, S.
screenplay: Sono, S.

quickie:
Hair extensions. Duh.

general impression:
Creepy but at the same time quirky, odd and funny.

lows:
Has an overall goofy first-impression, has some dragging points, lots of sense of humor required from the audience

highs:
Sion Sono quirk. Chiaki Kuriyama good looks. Ridiculous and entertaining.

notes:
If you’ve watched Suicide Circle, then you probably know who Sion Sono is. And if you’ve watched Kill Bill or Battle Royale, you probably know who Chiaki Kuriyama is.

This movie is kind of odd and strange. It is about… hair extensions. I admit to the idea being more than just a little goofy. But truth is, hair extensions are creepy. It’s real human hair and who knows where it comes from.

Ekusute cleverly juxtaposes the idea of hair extensions with organ transplant. People put on this pieces without feeling at all iffy about the fact that it might come from someone who died of some terrible disease or if it was shaved off a rape victim (ok, maybe farfetched…).

I won’t go as far as saying that organ transplant concerns vanity but it is in the same line as getting a liver harvested from some kid who was abducted. Freakish, really.

Of course, Sion Sono can’t scare the heck out of a guy dying from kidney failure so he settles for frightening the… erm, hair out of girls and guys who put odd things in their head.

The movie is interesting and entertaining but only if you’re willing. Otherwise, I think you’ll end up disappointed or bored. It doesn’t have screaming moments or horrible, horrible imagery. It will make you cringe here and there but it’s mostly ridiculous and fun. The good thing is, Sion Sono wanted it to be.

The shop where Chiaki Kuriyama works in is named after a serial killer. Flashing sign saying ‘don’t take it too seriously’

And it’s kind of hard to. The fetishist character who propagates the extensions is silly to the bones, right up to his death. Despite the absurd violence, I laughed out loud as he died. It’s… ridiculous.

Horror fans might not like this, there are better gore-trip movies to see with your friends. I think this movie is for the seriously interested people. If you like the absurd, then Ekusute will provide some Goosebumps and laughs.

FINAL RATING:
[2] out of [5]

SPECIAL: Death Note (Trilogy)

Death Note
2006
Death Note: The Last Name
2006
Direction: Shuusuke Kaneko

L: Change the World
2008
Direction: Hideo Nakata

Quickie:
There’s this notebook?

General Impression:
Good. Not impressive, story-wise. Some fans might be disappointed, others might like it. Pretty solid adaptation in my opinion.

Lows:
The thriller elements needs a little more kick, the supernatural elements are nearly forgotten

Highs:
It ends better than the canon manga story did, Ken’ichi Matsuyama as L isn’t that bad, Erika Toda is pretty (this counts), the material was handled well i.e. the kinks of the slightly amateur writing was worked out

Notes:
Perhaps it isn’t fair to roll up the review for three movies in one but I’d like to think of this trilogy as a complete whole.

I found the movie adequate and interesting enough. The manga and the anime are massively overrated, really. The material is very interesting because it is forever fun to debate about morals. Add the fact that it’s Japanese, which for some part of the population makes it twice as cool, and you have a winning combi.

As far as movies go, it isn’t bad at all. It’s several steps above average, actually. I think it was brilliant for them to set it apart from the manga and the anime. Sometimes it’s good to stick with the material but in this case, deviating made it better. The characters are still who you expect them to be and the theme is in place. The morality debate is not as forced as it is in the manga. The choices made were better motivated, the scenes made sense and all three movies fit together quite well.

Not a bad way to spend a few hours of your life. Might not be for people who take the morality debate way too seriously.

FINAL RATING:
[3] out of [5]

MOVIE – キャシャーン (2004)

Casshern
released: 2004
directed by: Kazuaki Kiriya.
main cast:
Yusuke Iseya as Tetsuya Azuma/Casshern
Kumiko Aso as Luna Kozuki
Toshiaki Karasawa as Burai
Mayumi Sada as Saguree
Jun Kaname as Barashin.

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First thing is that you better be in a good mood if you’re planning to watch this film.

Casshern is really, really nice to look at. The visuals alone will get you through its 141 minute playing time. It’s gritty, elaborate, fantastic (i.e. not realistic) and grand. The effort to make it look attractive is easy to appreciate.

However, the structure of the plot of the movie is weak. Not bad, just questionable.

The beginning of the movie has a steep, steep rising action filled with war, cell manipulation, family feud, love and experiments gone haywire. It then begins to slow down as more questions are asked and some fights are thrown in for entertainment. The movie then spirals into a conclusion that doesn’t really do anything for the mind.

The narrative could have been done in a simpler way. Being thought-provoking is good and all that but it still has to be comprehensible and coherent. The story could have been told in a more stylish manner that would perhaps matched the fascinating visuals.

Casshern is a pretty good movie to view. Rather lengthy, rather dragging at times. As I said, watch it while in a good mood. Not recommended for people who don’t agree with science fiction.
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Official Website:
http://www.casshern.com/

MOVIE – 自殺サークル (2002)

自殺サークル
(English Title: Suicide Circle)
released: 2002
directed by: Sono Sion
main cast:
Ryo Ishibashi as Detective Kuroda

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“There’s mass confusion on the platform. This is unprecedented…”

Right. Suicide Club. Speaks for itself, doesn’t it? The film opens as quite the shocker with 54 school girls merrily committing suicide by jumping in front of a train. Yep. Blood everywhere, folks.

Sadly, it ends up being just a shocker and more or less… just a cult film with no real lasting impact. The plot goes everywhere and I don’t think it even tried to be coherent. There’s no real focus on anything and issues were brushed but never really addressed. It’s a mindfuck more than anything.

But despite that, Suicide Club is not a stupid movie nor is it a bad movie. It dealt with suicide, screwed around with ideas a little and went crazy. You kind of go “huh” afterwards and then shrug it off. The message is… “shit happens”

This movie is for the generally curious. It doesn’t shed light on anything. Maybe that people are easily influenced by fads and that popstars might be the death of you. But who doesn’t know that yet?
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Website: Sono Sion’s Website

MOVIE – Audition (1999)

Audition
released: 1999
directed by: Takashi Miike
main cast:
Ryo Ishibashi as Aoyama Shigeharu
Eihi Shiina as Yamazaki Asami

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“deeper… deeper…”

First thing to be said is that this is easily one of the creepiest movies you will ever see. It is damn fucking creepy.

The effectiveness comes from the fact that the movie sets this light mood at the beginning. It’s about a man (Aoyama played by Ryo Ishibashi) whose wife died years back and he finally decides to remarry. His friend suggests they hold a fake audition (hence the title) for a movie and here, we all meet Yamazaki Asami. Yamato Nadeshiko turned Yandere to the nth levels.

The friend who suggested the fake audition warns Aoyama about trusting Asami but blind love has taken over. He gives her a call and did I mention that this movie is creepy? It is revealed to us here that Asami lives in this little apartment doing nothing but sitting around. With a burlap sack that leaps and growls.

Eihi Shiina is quite the actress and the director frames her very neatly for extra creepy points. The innocent look on her face is perfect. It’s never completely ominous but you see the creepy hints here and there. I think the movie wouldn’t have done as well if it wasn’t her playing the part. Applause to you, Eihi Shiina.

The pace of the film is really good. It comforts you but gives you hints of the creepy thus you’re not completely caught off guard with a jerky twist but you’re still squirming in your seat as the real horror show unfolds before you. And what a horror show it really is. Keep an eye out for a slight mindfuck.

This is true horror. If you’re looking for a real scare, this one is for you. Otherwise, mark this one “AVOID” because it ain’t your happy-happy, feel good movie.
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Website: n/a

MOVIE – 僕は妹に恋をする / I Love My Little Sister (2007)

僕は妹に恋をする
(English Title: I Love My Younger Sister)
directed by: Hiroshi Ando
released: 2007
main cast:
Matsumoto Jun as Yori
Eikura Nana as Iku
Contains Mature Content
–

“Iku is my bride”

I’m a generally curious person so I decided to give this movie a go after finding out that it’s directed by Hiroshi Ando (who also directed Blue, which I missed some months ago). It’s been around for a while but the fact that it stars Matsumoto Jun made me more than a little hesitant (to state a rather obvious fact, I’m not too fond of Matsumoto Jun).

As the title implies (more like screams), this movie is based on a manga that focuses on incest. Matsumoto Jun plays the role of Yori, the male older twin to Eikura Nana’s character Iku. The movie opens with the twins in a field where Yori gives Iku a ring fashioned out of a weed flower, telling her that she is his bride. Forward some years after, the twins are already grown and Yori still remembers that day.

So my impressions…

It’s a very quiet movie. Very. Even the dialogue is minimal. I can’t remember much about the camera movements but I think the shots are pretty static too. There is very little chemistry between the characters. The composition and blocking of the characters gets a bit weird sometimes. To say the least, the movie feels a little stiff and rather bland.

It is not a terrible movie but I don’t think a lot of people would sit through it. You hardly feel for the twins. Drama relies heavily upon the amount of connection the audience gets from the characters. I had hoped that this movie will at least attempt to show the inner workings of the romantic relationship between twins/siblings, maybe even defend it a little. But sadly, it ends up trying to tape together little scenes that barely flesh out the personalities of the characters. And those little scenes that are supposed to prepare you for the ending just fail so the last scene feels rather off because you don’t (at least I don’t) think that the story was supposed to go that way. So even though it isn’t terrible, it ends up being rather uninteresting, unremarkable and unfortunately – forgettable.

I give it a 3.5 out of 10.
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Official Website: CLICK!

SPECIALS – Nana Movies

Nana / Nana 2
directed by: Kentaro Otani
released: 2005 / 2006
main cast:
Nakashima Mika as Oosaki Nana
Miyazaki Aoi as Komatsu Nana (Nana)
Ichikawa Yui as Komatsu Nana (Nana 2)
–

“Ne Nana…”

Hm. The movies with the infamous actress switch.

Let’s start by saying that I have never finished the manga nor have I finished watching the anime. My intention for watching the first movie was because of my excitement for the second one because cute Kanata Hongo is in it.

Now, let’s begin with Nana.

Nana is originally a manga created by Yazawa Ai (also famous for Paradise Kiss among others). Its title comes from the names of the two protagonists (Komatsu Nana and Oosaki Nana) and the story obviously follows the lives of these two women.

As for the first movie, it’s really not bad as far as these types of movies go. The strength comes mostly from Miyazaki Aoi’s darned cheerfulness and knee-melting smile. It’s a lovely piece of friendship chick flick with a soundtrack that made Nakashima Mika a bit more famous.

Nakashima Mika might not be a spectacular actress but her chemistry with Miyazaki Aoi is enough to give the movie a great run. The story is about friendship despite the differences between the two Nanas and the two actresses played the parts quite well, showing how the two personalities complement each other.

The supporting characters are given minimal parts, so fans of Nobu or Shin would be quite disappointed. The costumes are great though and it was enough to make me spend a thousand on a rockin’ Nana plaid skirt.

Komatsu Nana’s ending line was truly wonderful and it was a successful way of ending a good movie.

Hm. Now for Nana 2.

Well, a lot of drama began even before the movie was shown. I really didn’t follow it but there was much controversy about the role of Komatsu Nana.

With that in mind, I watched Nana 2. I seriously (with all honesty) wanted to like the movie. I did not want to have any bias against Ichikawa Yui nor was I overly critical of her. If any, I felt bad for her and truly wanted to appreciate whatever kind of Komatsu Nana she was going to show me.

And my totally unbiased opinion is… she was not that good. I would even dare say that she was bad.

As I mentioned, Miyazaki Aoi was practically glowing. So cheerful.

Ichikawa Yui cried. A lot. I partially blame the writers. Komatsu Nana is badly portrayed in this movie. She is supposed to come out as complex and tough but that idea kind of just sinks.

Moreover, the movie wasn’t even sure where it was going story-wise. Nana is about Nana and Nana. Friendship and junk like that. The second movie misses this point completely. Hrm, well, except for the nice shot of the two Nanas watching fireworks in the ending scenes. If they’d done a second movie with that kind of relationship in mind, it would have been so much more bearable to watch.

But Kanata Hongo was so much fun to look at. So the second movie isn’t a complete waste if you’re one of his fans (as I am). Hiroki Norimiya was great in both movies and the second movie was really fortunate to have him.

My final verdict is… Nana is a great movie. Nana 2 is for obsessive-compulsive people who need to watch it or risk a lot of sleep loss. Or you know, curious people who want to see what all the criticism is about.
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Nana Movie Official Website: http://www.nana-movie.com/
Nana 2 Movie Official Website: http://www.nana2-movie.com/