Foods and Flicks

Another adaptation, this time from a novel. The Grave of the Fireflies is regarded as anti-war film and some regarded the film as the most deeply slashed almost human animated film ever seen. The film was released in 1988 but was able to watch it in 2004. I cried bucket of tears the first time I watched and cried another bucket of tears on the second time.

The movie is about two Japanese kids during World War II and the life they have to go through after their mother died in one of the air raids. The 88 minutes unfolds the love for each other of the two kids. It depicts how the brother and sister’s love made them stronger and happy despite the war.

If you are a sucker for a happy ending, this is not the animated film for you. I like this movie, even if it made me cried a lot. I say, this is a heartbreaking movie of all time but I would still recommend it to anyone.

***

***

I did not reveal much about the film here since no matter how hard I try to explain it in words, it will never be told like it has been in the film. Watch it. I promise that you will never regret it.

Verdict: Excellent

***

To be honest, excellent is an understatement.  This is one of my all time favorite animated film ever.

The movie was adapted from the award-winning Manga series by Yu Koyama.  Although the plot deviated a bit from the original Manga series, the movie focuses on the female assasin named Azumi.

It’s a story of an orphan that was raised to become an assassin.  She is the only girl assassin among the group of assassin trained by Samurai Master.  Like in the Manga, the group was trained to kill warlords to prevent war.  The group’s first mission is to kill their closest friend in the group.  Conflicts about the senseless killing is starting to take its toll on the group but their training as asssasins prevailed.  They continued their mission despite the emotions that are starting to build up.  The movie concluded with Azumi killing the mercenary Bijomaru.  Bijomaru have a narcissic complex and wears make up (like that of a geisha).

***

Currently loving the video :

***

If you wished to see Manga characters portrayed by actors then this it the movie you are looking for.  Aya Ueto looks like Azumi (in Manga) and maybe even prettier.  The other characters justified their role too.  The violence in the movie is milder than the Manga (I assume) since I have seen more blood in Kill Bill than this one. But then, its just good enough for the movie since there are so many bloods spilled on the entire movie.

***

The movie trailer:

Verdict: Excellent

***

I wouldn’t lie.  P and I have watched this movie several times.  And I came across the other movie just now  (Azumi 2) and will be watching it tonight.  Played by same actors but different director, so I am yet to decide if I like the sequel.  Since the sequel have a subtitle Death or Love, I am hoping for a more warm Azumi on this one. And maybe a love story to boot.

I love watching movies.  During my undergrad years, my bestfriend and I visits the movie theater at least once a week.  It was a routine that we never missed.

Since I have been watching movies for ages it will be appropriate to go back and review old movies and flicks that interested me..or maybe disappointed me on some level.  I will try to infuse also on this blog some random post on music and art.

I have seen so many movies in my lifetime but have troubles on memorizing titles and matching actors on which movies.  On this blog, I will try to share my thoughts on movies that I have seen.  Is it good? Or bad? or just okay.

***

For starters:  The Korean flick  I just finished watching now will be the first movie I will review.

ANTIQUE BAKERY

If you are a foodie like me, you will love this movie.  It’s about four men who runs a cake shop that was later became a huge success.  The story evolves on the different character of the four guys in the movie.  There are lots of funny scene and a bit of drama.  However, like every Korean movies that came out, the actors were able to pull it off with grace.  You will see few gay scenes though, so don’t be surprised.  Here’s the trailer of the movie:

It is a feel good movie.  I am trying to search somewhere if it was from a Manga. But if you watched the trailer, you will see an equivalent Manga character for each guy.  But I am wondering if it is a Japanese Manga.  If you are Manga reader like me you will understand what I am saying.  I have not seen this on the movie theaters and  I admit that I’ve watched it through the net via YouTube.

Verdict: Excellent