Movie Review: Your Lie in April

This review is a bit late, *gomen* just busy with the holiday rush, work and other events but here it is! 

I haven't been watching any anime series lately so it was nice to get reminisce those "feels" with the live movie adaptation of "Your Lie in April". Which is based on the manga series "Shigatsu wa Kimo no Uso" by Naoshi Arakawa, first published in May of 2011.

 It's impressive how they were able to fit 23 episodes into a movie, although I haven't seen the anime, my brother (who was my movie buddy for the premiere. since he is a fan of the series) was filling me in on the details/similarities and what not. I have to say that it was a good call that I didn't put on make up because true to form, I was crying like a baby before the movie ended something my brother always finds hilarious.

Speaking of hilarious, the audience's reactions were pretty much on cue with what was happening on screen. They laughed and got giddy in such a boisterous way it was funny. There was even a girl in the audience who shouted (for the entire cinema to hear) "Eh di wow!" at a scene in the movie, that was how invested they were with the characters. 

So what is it all about? 

Piano prodigy Kosei Arima (Kento Yamazaki) has lost the will and passion to play music, which has something to do with the death of his strict mother who taught him to play the piano. He meets the spirited violin player Kaori Miyazano (Suzu Hirose) who gets him to play the piano again, through forceful and funny means and it is through their time together that Kosei slowly starts to have feelings for Kaori, but she keeps a secret, a lie that changes them both forever. 

I have to say, I enjoyed (and appreciated) the story's focus on classical music which is what brings our two characters together. It's a refreshing change from the pop-song centric, romantic films that have come out recently (Music and Lyrics, Begin Again). You don't need to be an expert on Beethoven or Mozart to enjoy the music that they play. 

Both characters are on fire when they play their respective instruments on stage. I was also pleased to know that the actors learned how to play the piano and violin for six months prior to filming. It is actually them that you see playing the instruments, no trick shots which is obvious in other films.  

The visuals make you feel that you're watching an anime episode, from the beautiful cherry blossoms, the calm sea, the popular "roof top" hangout at school, its just beautiful. 

I just felt that the second act was weaker than the first and last, I guess this is the downfall of fitting 23 episodes into a 122 minute movie, you won't really get to have the full gist or feel of the story. Of course, you can always watch the series! :) 

If you're into Asian movies, anime, or a fan of the series you should not miss this in cinemas. 7 out of 10. "Your Lie In April" is now showing! 

Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends to Soon?

Ever since news of a live adaptation of Rurouni Kenshin came out, I have been constantly blogging about it. From movie announcements to casting news, to their visit to the Philippines and of course my thought and review on the movies.

Now that I've seen the last movie of the 3 part adaptation of an Anime I grew up with- it was actually hard for me to start writing whatever Movie Review or Movie Reflection I had on The Legend Ends. 

For the first two movies, thoughts on the movie would immediately flood through me and I would have to grab a notebook or start working on a draft for for the blog post just to be able to take down the many "feelings" coursing through me. 

After seeing the third movie though, I didn't feel the same, I thought maybe it was just because I was tired since we saw the film, right after a long day at work. It was well beyond my bedtime as I was watching the movie and so I resolved my lack of vigor to write as due to fatigue, but then the weekend came and went and still inspiration had not struck, another weekend came and went and still nothing.  

When I started to ask myself why I wasn't spouting out paragraph after paragraph (as I had in previous movies) it suddenly dawned on me- it was over. All the anticipation and the excitement would cease to exist once the last "." In this blog post would be placed. 

Looking back at the trilogy adaptation of the beloved manga and anime series Rurouni Kenshin, it really was a feat not yet attempted and now that the dust has settled and rabid fans have already seen all three movies, it is safe to say that the adaptation of the trilogy as a whole was really well done, so much so that the trilogy itself could very well stand on it's own. 

Looking Beyond: Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno

"Huli man at magaling, maihahabol din." 

It is never too late to offer anything that is good. 

With this Filipino saying in mind, I am writing this review of mine, of Rurouni Kenshin Kyoto Inferno; despite having all of the Spoiler Free reviews out there or despite having all the movie reviews out there - period. Every since getting the opportunity to view films in special advanced screenings, I have always made it a point to come out with a movie review as soon as possible, I mean isn't that what all bloggers aim for? A movie review after a movie has already been showing for days would be 'mudada' or useless. Especially one that has received so much media coverage as Kyoto Inferno and to think that the first movie would not have even seen the light of day in any cinema in the Philippines, were it not for the continued support of it's avid fans. 

And so I am writing this as an avid fan, I am writing this as that blogger that I was when the first movie came out, I am writing this not just to say that the movie was amazing and you should all see it because every other writer, blogger and movie critique has already said that. 

As the title above says, this piece is geared more to be (or at least I think that it is shaping up to be) an essay of sorts, yes I was the type of student who worked hard on my essays, often burning the midnight oil and forming callouses on my fingers. Yes, kids, during my time (High School) essays were written by hand, with pen, on paper-shocking. 

So with this warning and caution, I proceed with this essay in the hopes that you, oh dear reader will see it with me through the end. 

It is already Sunday as I am writing this, Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno has already been in cinemas every since Wednesday, and of course anyone who has been planning to see it, probably already has and as I have already mentioned this piece is more of an essay so spoilers will be over the place. 

I thought that reviewing Kyoto Inferno which is the first part of a two-movie sequel (the second being Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends, which comes out next month) would be difficult to review as a single entity or movie since it is just one part of a two movie sequel. 

Although not having a 'conclusion' that will let you sleep peacefully at night Kyoto Inferno on it's own stands as a single entity and is filled with overwhelming themes of peace, hope, despair, revenge,that I have understood at some level the meaning behind the movie tag line "Feel the Future" 

The Children, The Children!

There are two scenes in the movie that tugged at my heart strings the same way, I was crying throughout the movie, my husband kept on bonking me at the head every time he would hear me stifle a sniffle, I was crying so much you'd think that I was watching a drama instead of an action movie. 

In these two scenes were so much tears were shed, Kenshin goes out on a limb to save the future- that is it say, children. One, is a young boy whose family is killed as collateral damage in Shishio's own private resort (hot springs) village. Praise to Sato Takeru's portrayal of Kenshin as you can see him transform thoughout the movie, becoming more somber and determined to stop Shishio as he comes face to face with the carnage, violence and death that Shishio's plans have wrought. 

He stops a young boy as he is urged on by his (cowardly) villagers to take revenge on the men that killed his parents, consumed with grief and hate the young boy lets out a cry of anguish as he is about to stab one of the men who killed and hung his family but before the dagger lands, Kenshin stops him in time. He says: "Do not spoil these little hands, soon they will become big hands and you should use them to protect your family-just like your brother did." (I'm just recalling the lines from memory, sorry if it's not exact) that was such a powerful scene for me, as you are watching this you see the violence and you think that what is playing before your eyes is too awful and too unspeakable to be true but then at the back of your mind and deep down in your heart, you know that there are children being beheaded and young children being turned into soldiers. You know that there are still wars in other countries being fought and so many innocent children are caught in the cross fire. 

In yet another scene where Kenshin risks his life to save a baby, he is taunted by his opponent, by asking if he would lay down his life for one child. Kenshin says that "yes- he would, as the children are the future, the future of an era he has fought for". In yet another powerful line in the movie, the sword maker Arai Shakku says that the swords that he create are not for his son's time but for the peace of his child after' (or something to that extent). It had me thinking, what kind of world are we leaving our children and future generations to live in? Is there any real peace even without war? What about the everyday wars and struggles that we face? How do we face them?

Lupin III to hit SM Cinemas on September 17!

It seems to be the year of Anime Movie Adaptations as Monkey Punch's Lupin III is set to hit cinemas starting September 17 exclusively at SM Cinemas! The movie will be released in Japan on August 30, so that's just a few weeks behind. Not bad eh? :) 

I was never really a fan of the Anime series, growing up - I didn't like the animation, so to get ready for the live action movie, I'll make sure to watch the Detective Conan and Lupin III cross over, (I am a fan of Detective Conan and I really hope SM pushes with screening of the Detective Conan: Dimensional Sniper Movie)! ^_^

So going back to the live action Lupin III - if the trailer is any indication it seems that this is another well made Anime adaptation. 

The actors cast into the role really look like their Anime counterparts without looking too silly.

Sorry guys that means not casting an actress with double D's as Fujiko. 

Here are the actors who will be in the movie though: 

Shun Oguri - Arsen'e Lupin III 

Tetsuji Tamayama - Daisuke Jigen 

Go Ayano - Goemon Ishikawa XIII

Meisa Kuroki - Fujiko Mine 

Tadanobu Asano - Koichi Zenigata 

Jerry Yan - Michael Lee

Yup.....Jerry Yan of F4 fame will be in the movie (more below) 

For Asianovela fans out there particularly that Taiwanese Asianovela that started it all Meteor Garden's Jerry Yan AKA Dao Ming Tsu will be making an appearance in the movie, now whether he will be on the side of good and evil, still remains to be seen. He is slated to play Michael Lee.

Illustrated and written by Monkey Punch Lupin III first made it's appearance on Action Weekly Manga on August 10, 1967 that's 47 years ago! 

The manga is based on the "Gentleman" (yes, I put those quotation marks there) thief from Maurice Leblanc's novels (might check those out too!) 

Since then a franchise has spawned from manga, the animated series, OVAs and movies and now the live action movie is about to hit Cinemas and will be exclusively shown by SM Cinema - so make sure to like and follow them on Facebook and Twitter @sm_cinema for exciting news, updates and fun giveaways! 

Even if I wasn't a fan when of the series when it was first aired on local TV years ago, it's nice to think that I'd get another chance to get to know Lupin and the gang, even if it's through another medium. 

So mark your calendars on September 17-Lupin III is set to steal your hearts-exclusively on SM Cinemas!