Movies
A more romantic take on the Japanese escort business. They're portrayed more as friends-for-hire, good-looking men who can be rented for the night to act as a companion or friend, without the sexual component. I'm not entirely sure how realistic this portrayal is, though I am aware of similar professions in Japan that are purely focused on friendship. The performances are solid, the cinematography is very moody (colorful urban nightlife photography), and the three stories each add value to the overarching theme. There's nothing here that pushes the film to be remarkable, but if you're looking for a sweet, well-made Japanese romance, it shouldn't disappoint.Read all
A lovely drama with genuine moments of greatness, but just a bit too long and predictable to be a real favorite. If you love rural Japan, sunny seaside settings, and a portion of sanguine drama then this film will be right up your alley, but there are better ones that offer more or less the exact same payoff. Yukino Kishii is an absolute treasure though. She has a lovely air about her, which fits in perfectly with the rest of the film. The Japanese countryside is gorgeous, the presentation is lush and it's one of those films that feels like you're taking a mini-vacation from your couch. Lovely, but lacking that little extra to make it truly special.Read all
A gentle coming of age drama that alternates between stylized and more naturalistic scenes. It's an accomplished film by a director who knows what he's doing, at the same time the film struggles to set itself apart from so many other Japanese dramas. Very solid filler in other words. Performances are strong, the cinematography looks very polished, characters are intriguing and the drama is touching. Seeing the coming of age elements mixed with the redevelopment drama is a bit odd, but it gives the film some extra character it lacks elsewhere. Definitely not a bad film, just a little too expected for a true masterpiece.Read all
Sweet and compact romantic drama. The kind of film Japan does well, but also the kind of film that feels a little stuck in its own clichés. There are no surprises here, all the dramatic beats are predictable and even the styling is by the numbers. The execution is on point though, and that's what matters the most. I'm quite fond of these films, so I didn't really mind how predictable everything turned out to be. The cinematography is nice, with several striking moments, the soundtrack pleasant without being overbearing and the performances are endearing. A very solid drama that has no obvious faults, except that it doesn't really set itself apart from its peers.Read all