Haywire

Akan Datang (watched already, but no time write yet =P)

I Give My First Love to You (2009) - Japan

Earlier today I was in a quest to find a Romance Japanese movie to understand Japanese culture better. In the midst of randomness, I chanced upon this movie. First few seconds reminded me of "One Litre of Tears", of which I watched 5 years ago? I could only recall few things about the show. That the show is a real adaptation of a girl fighting her critical illness, and that it's so touching I probably did, shed a litre of tears. And i dont do that (tearing) much at all.

This show, turned out to be similarly about a boy, Takuma, fighting his critical illness, and about the selfless, sweet, innocent love that his girlfriend, Mayu, showers him with. Though no tears were shed (i think it's more of my grow-up-ness instead of less-than-stellar-performance).

Well, I do get the sneak peek out of Japanese High School, a sneak peek of how sweet and faithful and strong a Japanese lady can be. Fulfilling show to watch on a lazy Sunday. She said, no regret in falling in love with him, even when she knows that he'll leave early. She might have committed herself to him out of ignorance of what's in store (being that young, probably 6?). And yes, I don't discredit that she really doesnt regret it.

My case is a slightly different one. I am too bloody well aware and accustomed to do whatever shitty SWOT / DMAIC / PDCA kinda shit that I do, consciously and rationally, weigh options, risks, scalability etc. Well, I am still that bloody accustomed. It's ingrained. But for this very case, for her, I'll be like Mayu, and dare to love.

Acting: 7.5/10
Plot: 5/10
Filmography: 7/10
Heart-stirring: 8.5/10
Remember-worthiness: 5.5/10
Watch-worthiness: 7/10

Cloud Atlas (2012) - Germany

Plot was cool, pay attention or get literally lost of what's happening.
There's erm... one, two, three... total should be six, SIX different stories, all seemingly linking to each other. go figure. Even if you cant figure no shit, pretend that you paid 1 movie tickets to watch 6 movies. awesome 6 short movies at that.

To give you a sneakpeek of how cool it is: (credit to wiki)

Actor	"The Pacific Journal of Adam Ewing" (1849)	"Letters from Zedelghem" (1936)	"Half-Lives: The First Luisa Rey Mystery" (1973)	"The Ghastly Ordeal of Timothy Cavendish" (2012)	"An Orison of Sonmi~451" (2144)	"Sloosha's Crossin' an' Ev'rythin' After" (2321)
Tom Hanks	Dr. Henry Goose	Hotel Manager	Isaac Sachs	Dermot Hoggins	Cavendish Look-a-like Actor	Zachry
Halle Berry	Native Woman	Jocasta Ayrs	Luisa Rey	Indian Party Guest	Ovid	Meronym
Jim Broadbent	Captain Molyneux	Vyvyan Ayrs	N/A	Timothy Cavendish	Korean Musician	Prescient 2
Hugo Weaving	Haskell Moore	Tadeusz Kesselring	Bill Smoke	Nurse Noakes	Boardman Mephi	Old Georgie
Jim Sturgess	Adam Ewing	Poor Hotel Guest	Megan's Dad	Highlander	Hae-Joo Chang	Adam / Zachry Brother-in-Law
Doona Bae	Tilda Ewing	N/A	Megan's Mom, Mexican Woman	N/A	Sonmi~451, Sonmi~351, Sonmi Prostitute	N/A
Ben Whishaw	Cabin Boy	Robert Frobisher	Store Clerk	Georgette	N/A	Tribesman
James D'Arcy	N/A	Young Rufus Sixsmith	Old Rufus Sixsmith	Nurse James	Archivist	N/A
Zhou Xun	N/A	N/A	Talbot / Hotel Manager	N/A	Yoona~939	Rose
Keith David	Kupaka	N/A	Joe Napier	N/A	An-kor Apis	Prescient
David Gyasi	Autua	N/A	Lester Rey	N/A	N/A	Duophysite
Susan Sarandon	Madame Horrox	N/A	N/A	Older Ursula	Yosouf Suleiman	Abbess
Hugh Grant	Rev. Giles Horrox	Hotel Heavy	Lloyd Hooks	Denholme Cavendish	Seer Rhee	Kona Chief

Well, wont write much, a good sci-fi movie, will leave me awed, but that's all. it doesnt make my heart wrench or make me smile or my heart beats faster. Watch & enjoy, this is a good one



Acting: 8.5/10
Plot: 9/10
Filmography: 9/10
Remember-worthiness: 7/10
Watch-worthiness: 9/10

G@me (2003) - Japan

I was in quest for a Japanese movie to understand their culture better. Why? if you ask, it's because I've recently started dating a Japanese lady. I'm positive that she's the one I've been looking for and here I am, spending my weekend in search for any clue of their culture. Like what they always say, Love happens naturally, but you gotta nurture it.

G@me. At first 10 minutes, I thought this will be just another retarded show. What I see was just Japanese guys (and my impression of them has been, "the Asian version of French", if you know what I mean), bickering in office. And then, enter the lead actress. Cute, pretty, and honestly, somehow reminded me of my dream lady~

So I thought it'll be another "I hate you, kidnap your daughter, get your ransom". even if it would have gone that way, the show was enjoyable enough cos Yukie Nakama was actually kinda naughty innocent girly cute in the show. And, fast forward to the twist, Yukie was actually not who she claimed to be, yada yada yada, and turned into a character of that ruthless corporate ladies. And she acted that portion ruddy damn well too.

And forward onto the NEXT twist, this ruthless lady transformed into a middle aged lady being foolishly deep in love. And how she acted this portion well too. Again, I might be prejudiced, cos she reminded me of her through the show. Great happy ending, exciting twists and slight suspension on who's who.

Acting: 8/10
Plot: 9/10
Filmography: 7/10 - simple
Remember-worthiness: 7/10
Watch-worthiness: 8.5/10

One Day (2010) - Taiwan

Decided to watch it cos it was in the finalist list of a couple of film festivals. So, can't be that bad right.

Watching it gives me a nice reminiscence of Taiwan, the place, the people, the hokkien language. But hey, it's little draggy if i have to be honest.

 Nikki Hsieh and Shu Hao had this cute and innocent looks and their acting felt natural.

Credit to the nice (though predictable) twist at the ending. Well, watching sweet young lovers losing the other half, gotta give your heart a slight winch wont it.

Acting: 9/10
Plot: 8/10
Filmography: 8.5/10
Remember-worthiness: 5/10
Watch-worthiness: 7/10