J-Movie: Orange (2015)

In a Nutshell: This is a manga adaptation film which depicts friendship in a form of a parallel universe, where a message to her own self was transmitted through a letter by Naho’s future endeavor.

On her way to school, Naho received a letter from the future telling her of the sequence of events that will take place in school. She then shrugged the idea of it however she met a new transferee in her class, Kakeru. Later on, her curiosity arises as the letter gives her the decision to make in an event that she has to make one for herself.

Comments: Japanese films are generally about uplifting the human spirit and fighting your own evil. This film has a gloomy side which was portrayed through the character of Kakeru. However, evil can be altered through the presence of the people significant to Kakeru, his friends. Basically, it presents well the idea that when you took a matter seriously and urgently, you can make a difference to someone. This is what this film is all about – friendship over romance and friendship above everything else.

Review: Gokusen

It has been 7-8 years since the last time I watched this drama and it's one of those that influenced me when I was just starting my interest to J-doramas. But then just recently, I decided to re-watch the series for a random reason that I wanted to relive the moment from the last time I’ve had. I’m glad I did because I can properly make a review about it.

Synopsis: The story is about a high school teacher, Yamaguchi Kumiko or Yankumi (Nakama Yukie), a tough and a diligent educator to her students who's more involved with the matters of life than in the academic purposes. Her background as the fourth generation heir of the Ooedo Family, a group of Yakuza molded her to become who she is in character. However, aside from becoming the next leader of the clan, she also wanted to fulfill her calling which is to become a teacher to change the lives the students of Shirokin High. This is where she entwined fate with the 3D class which is well known as magnets to a lot of troubles.

Theme Song: Let’s play V6’s ‘Feel Your Breeze’ – I just rekindled my love for this song, as it rings in my head these days.

Review: Petal Dance

In a Nutshell: A soul searching journey of four friends but not quite which was set through traveling in the direction of where the wind is headed.

Summary: The story started with Haraki (Shiori Kutsuna) as a university student who has a part time job and whose character was mostly comprehended by its background. The first scene was with a boyfriend namely Kawada (Shunsuke Kazama), whom along the way didn't have much significance in the story. They also showed the side of her life with her job and few noticeable interactions to a co-worker, a senior (Mariko Goto) who eventually bid goodbye after the boutique where they both worked with closed down. However, the most relevant event that inspired her soul searching is when she developed her curiosity towards the whereabouts of an old friend who suddenly disappeared without prior notice, as she learned that all along, the friend attempted to commit suicide. Hence, she wanted to know what compelled her to hurt herself and she wanted to meet her again whether or not she's alive.

The next introduction is with Motoko (Sakura Ando) who's first scene was through the reunion with an ex-husband Naoto (Masanobu Ando) – and  she asked him to lend them a car to borrow for a trip together with her friend Jinko to visit Miki (Kazue Fukiishi), a classmate from the university who was admitted in rehabilitation because of attempted suicide.

In Haraki’s decision to search for Kyoko (Hanae Kan), she happened to meet Jinko (Aoi Miyazaki) in a library where she borrowed a book on the topic of suicide. Then they came across each other again at the train station. However, Haraki was misunderstood by Jinko when she saw her swaying from back to front repeatedly like that of the starting position for a jump. Thus, thinking of what she might do to herself, she ran up to her and dragged her to the ground to stop her. Because of the event, Jinko injured her fingers and in return, as apologetic as she felt towards Jinko, Haraki accompanied her to the clinic. After that, they exchanged some friendly words while during the conversation, they talked about where are going after. Jinko mentioned about meeting a friend, borrowing a car, and not close to necessary, they needed a driver. After a moment, Haraki volunteered herself because she has so much free time in her hands.

This is where the trip of them together started. They traveled by land, with the objective to meet a friend whom Motoko and Jinko both knew from the university. Both are casually talking about her, saying things like they would never know what to say to make her feel better or to make the situation easier for her to manage. Following these ideas, they are also troubled by thoughts of what could have been done to prevent this moment from happening. Meanwhile, Haraki was driving and consciously listening to the conversation between the two while she has the thought of her friend in her mind. While on the road, the concept of the wind appeared in the conversation, and Haraki could somewhat relate to what the two are feeling because of too much familiarity with the situation. However, she didn't relate her situation to them. There she remembered a moment wherein Kyoko shared to Haraki that when you wish for something and let the wind carry it to its direction, it will come true. Hence, the same thought processes are unconsciously occurring amongst them.

Arriving to the place, they met Miki after so long. The moment was a mixed feeling of awkwardness and longing for one another. Anyhow, they realized that they must create something out of the position they are into. This included Miki bringing them to the places where she'd want them to be with. Then the next day, they exactly did what was planned.

I think that from this moment on, it would be better to anticipate of what's going to happen afterwards.

Review: South Bound (2013)

H

Rating: Highly Recommended

South Bound is a Korean adaptation to a novel originally written by the Japanese author, Hideo Okuda. In Japan, the said novel was also published through a film with the same title that was released in 2007.

Synopsis: It is about a film director whose works are inspired by his nature to question what the society dictates. For this reason, it provides him the concept of indifference from everything that is being sold by the media and the society to him. Through his own beliefs and efforts, he chose to live in Deul Island that was passed on to him by his ancestors. The said island serves as a prospect for economic growth and development to some politicians by building hotel and resort at the vicinity. However, as determined as Choi Hae-Kab (Kim Yun-Seok) is to fight for his ownership in the said island, he put all of his power and strength to protect the natural habitat of the people living in the area.

Commentaries:

I came across this movie in an accident and I was so happy, almost felt like finding a treasure without even hunting for it. Anyway, this film has uplifted my day in so many ways that later on, I will try to enumerate them. As you know, I'm not a picky watcher, so for as long as you've something interesting and new to offer, you've got high potential for my liking. I was really glad, I made it to this movie.

The movie is inspirational and insightful, most especially to me who has a very different take on everything that happens in my day to day life: from the moment I wake up till the time I say my prayers in my sleep. So in between these moments, there are handful of events that occur: some are happy and some are sad. And sometimes, when we focus on the things that are out of our own perspectives, we lose sight of our individual judgment. 

Review: Rich Man, Poor Woman

In a Nutshell:

A rom-com series that is poised to tackle the more important issues in the story such as the friendship between two individuals who are both inclined of the same interest in the business world. This humanistic drama will take us a ride of emotion through the good memories and bad times.

Commentaries:

The story was a pleasant surprise. It's because the title is deceiving me of what I should expect from it though it was expected from j-doramas already that they would never fail to exceed assumptions. I finished the series proudly for 3 days while I'm busy. It's a big thing for me since I've always felt productive after finishing a drama that I was curious about but never really got me interested until 3 days ago.

This drama is a heartfelt story of friendship. But if you are looking forward to the romantic side of the story, then you will not be deprived of it either. As for me, I was satisfied in both aspects.

Bookworm Alert: Spectacular Happiness

Hi everybody! I just finished this book that I have fallen in love with; and because I found a great pleasure and experience while reading, I thought it would be great to share it with everyone. It contains words, images, backgrounds, thoughts and beliefs that I've always wanted to talk about. All of these I have achieved through its portrayal in this novel. The honestly, it's nauseating truthfulness was a pleasant expression to get indulge with.