I Love Japanese Movies

I was not able to go to the Japanese film festival at the Shangrila this year but I don’t mind as I have been watching Japanese movies at home. I am always excited to watch these movies from Japan because the story lines are always fresh, usually out of the ordinary. Most of the endings tough are somewhat tragic or should I say realistic. 

I used to write short stories and modesty aside, I think my stories would be a good material for a Japanese movie Most of these Asian movies though demand your full attention when watching because you need to closely follow the story so as not to miss important points. Anyway these movies also made me wish that I can visit Japan with my family someday. Here are two Japanese movies I recently watched and enjoyed . 

Confessions 

This film made me feel very disturbed. Based on what I researched, the film won many awards.


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The Girl Who Leapt Through Time 

Another love story involving time travel, I am really fascinated with the possibility of traveling through time. This movie reminded me that I wish to read the novel- “The Time Travelers Wife” soon. This is a nice story that will keep you guessing till the end. I like the story though I think there are some loopholes and the ending made me feel bitin.

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Lake House and Il Mare

I am a sucker for love stories. I love reading a book or watching a movie about a great love story as they always make me feel better. I also almost always end up having a crush on the male protagonists in the story. Anyway, I just want to share two of the most beautiful love stories I have seen – Lakehouse and Il Mare. The story is interesting and magical because of the concept of time travel. Others may find it boring though. 


 IL Mare 




The Korean film Il Mare stars Jun Ji-hyun and Lee Jung-jae was released in 2000. I saw this just a few weeks ago and I find it better than the Hollywood version. Il mare is sadder though and has more silent moments that others may find tiresome.



  

The Lake House 


The Hollywood version -The Lake House was released in 2006 and stars Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock. One noted difference of this version from the original is the ending. I prefer the ending of this version.

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Japanese Love Stories

One of my officemate is an anime fanatic and he loves to watch and download all these Japanese anime and movies. He offered to lend me some of the love stories he had downloaded via internet and am grateful because I loved both of them.

The plot of Japanese love stories (unlike many from Pinoy love stories) are very unpredictable. Viewers keep guessing and thinking as the movie progresses.

The title of the first Japanese movie I watched is Sky of Love (Koizura). It turned out to be a touching teenage love story. It stirs all kinds of emotions and as the main characters are high school students, it brings back not so distant memories for me (laughs).

The differences between the Japanese cultures from that of ours are also evident in the film. Some part of the movie can be quite shocking too. Imagine, the female lead, Mika, is a high school freshman when she got pregnant.

While watching it, i felt the love, the excitement, shock, anger, and sadness. In the end, it almost made me cry. For those in search of a good touching love story, I recommend this one. Here’s a youtube video I found.

Tokyo Boy is another Japanese love story I recently watched but it is very different from Sky of Love. It is narrated in two ways, from the point of view of the female lead and the lead guy. The complications brought about by love and split personality disorder is discussed in the film (very original for me). I love Sky of Love more but Tokyo Boy is also okay. As of this moment, I am craving for more Japanese love stories.

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