[Korean Movie] You're My Pet (Neoneun Pet)

You're my Pet (Korean movie 2011) is originally based on the josei manga, also known as "Tramps like us", written by Yayoi Ogawa. 
There is also an Japanese live-action drama of ten episodes, with Koyuki Kato as the female protagonist, and Jun Matsumoto as the male protagonist. The Japanese adaption is called "Kimi wa Peto". But now, we are turning towards the Korean movie.

Ji Eun Yi (Kim Ha Neul) works as an editor for a fashion magazine. She acts like a very cold woman, and wont get along with her colleges. She keeps failing in relationships with men, and her friends is quick to remark that. Her brother, Ji Eun Soo (Choi Jong Hoon), lives with her temporarily while doing the chores for payment.
When Eun Yi goes into the bathroom one night, she walks by someone brushing his teeth. She assumes it is her brother and pats him on the rear. Both becomes pretty shocked, when realizing it's not her brother - but a complete stranger.

Kang In Ho (Jang Geun Suk) was a promising ballet dancer. Two years ago he accidentally dropped a female dancer, while lifting her up. The woman was unable to dance any further after that, and In Ho blamed himself for it. He would not dance with any women anymore. Now, hoping to be a musical choreographer instead. In Ho doesn't have a place to stay and goes to a bar where his friend Eun Soo works. 
Eun Soo later asks his sister, Eun Yi, if In Ho can stay in her house. She quickly disapproves of the idea. But doesn't know that her brother makes a deal with In Ho the same night, taking the payment for six months rent. 

The next evening when Eun Yi arrives at her place, a big blue box is standing in front of her doorsteps. When she tries to open the box, a hand pops out. She is shocked again, to see the same guy from the day before. She brings the soaking wet In Ho, into her apartment. When she tries to contact her brother, he doesn't answer the calls. All of the sudden, In Ho suggest that he will stay as her pet. She goes along with it, trying to scare him away - saying that he will be her dog. But In Ho isn't easy and crawl over to her, pretending to be just that dog. She freaks out, and tries to throw him out. 

In the end... In Ho gets to stay, with a lot of requirements. When Eun Yi is giving him his name, she comes to think of her late dog Momo. And therefore, In Ho is named Momo. Now, how will life become with a human pet... Especially with a colleague, Cha Woo Sung (Ryu Tae Joon), who is interested with her already.

Jang Geun Suk and Kim Ha Neul had a very good chemistry in this. Once in a while, Geun Suk grabs her or cuddle with her. And those moments feel very sweet and natural. I like Geun Suk from before, but he disappointed me a bit with the last drama. Not because he was bad, he was just outshined by others. He still does a great job though, and it felt suitable with him as Momo.
The movie was also hilarious in many points, and I laughed pretty loud sometimes. Especially with the combo of jealous In Ho (Jang Geun Suk) and jealous -or unaware Cha Woo Sung (Ryu Tae Joon).

The Korean adaption have been talked about for some time. So I have really been looking forward to it. And I have to say, it is a very charming and light movie indeed. But it lost a lot of the story, from being that lighthearted. In my opinion, Korean movies is usually better than Japanese. The Japanese live-action had of course ten episodes to prolong the story with. And in that way, they got a lot of the story. While the Korean movie is just 110 minutes long, and perhaps a bit more tricky to get all the content that are needed. 

The manga is a story with a lot of depth. The main female protagonist is mainly very depressed and lonely. But she wont show it. She is also a very tough woman, and wont get pushed over easily. The male protagonist have a lot of mystery to himself, and the two together is a mix of disaster, but also the start of something new. They make things worse, with their unconventional behavior. But they also reconstruct themselves. Slowly, getting better...

This movie, on the other hand, is not that deep. But it makes it to something more believable. I can say that I surely enjoyed this movie for what it was. An entire new idea of the story. Momo didn't end up in Ji Eun Yi's (also called Sumire in the Japanese manga) home on the same terms and the movie didn't focus on the same things. Nor is she as strong-minded in this movie, as she is in the manga. Sometimes, I can see her loosing the "master" position. You also get to know about Momo's problems to quickly, and it wont go any deeper on that point either.

All in all, the basics is the same. The story have the same foundation. But it makes it to something of its own, on the top notes. Which is, in some cases bad and others good. In my opinion it is a little bit of both. 

I, like I mentioned before, don't like when movies or series get to angsty and just fall flat. This one, should perhaps need some more depth to it. But I love that there is no overreacting and no angst. They acted it great. And I didn't feel that it fell flat either. Estimated with the 110 minutes, I think Kim Byung Kon made it work quite well.

I will say it like this; If you really like the main story of this, but can be open-minded for something new and different. You would probably like this movie. It is in fact a very sweet and charming movie, with a lot of good remarks.
If you like the main story, and would hate if something was different. Well, don't watch it. 
 I, myself, recommend watching it. 

You're my Pet trailer ~

[Japanese Movie] Paradise Kiss

Paradise Kiss (Japanese movie 2011) is about Yukari Hayasaka (Keiko Kitagawa) who have her head filled up with the words "study is life". She always tries to study hard, not for her self but for her mother. Yukari's mother always raised her to think studying is the only reason there is to life. To become the best, and go to best school. Otherwise, you are nothing. But eventually, Yukari can't find meaning towards her present life, and feels that she haven't lived at all. 

All of the sudden, a boy with a weird kind of style starts to talk to her, on her way home. She thinks he is trying to hit on her and gives him a snotty remark. When he keeps following her, Yukari tries to run away - which only lead her in the arms of another weird looking person. Unfortunately, she faints from being overworked with all the studies and the stress which comes with it... but maybe that's not so unfortunately. 
Yukari is lead to a place, down some stairs into a mysterious alley. And thats the start of her new life.
 

Yukari wakes up to have an unknown face, right above her own. Miwako Sakurada (Aya Omasa) is a really sparkling, colorful and happy person, who starts calling Yukari, "Caroline" - since she doesn't know her real name. She instantly treats "Caroline" as her friend. 
Isabelle Yamamoto (Shunji Igarashi) is the mother figure of the group, making Yukari some food to get better. She sees pretty clearly that Isabelle is a man, though. 
Amongst all the confusion and Yukari's prejudices, Yukari also finds out that Arashi (Kento Kaku), the boy who followed her, was in fact not hitting on her. He was trying to scout her as their model.

Apparently, this people have a clothing line called "Paradise Kiss" and she would be perfect as their model in the last show, for their school competition. 

Yukari starts of as extremely skeptical towards all of it and refuses. They all try to convince her while she is leaving, when yet a man suddenly appears through the door. 

George Koizumi (Osamu Mukai) makes Yukari nervous from the start. He gives out a very strong aura which makes her want to leave even faster. But still, it makes her a bit curious too. 

Yukari goes back to her ordinary school life, with her ordinary high-school crush for Hiroyuki Tokumori (Yusuke Yamamoto). The boy she have loved for three years, without him really noticing. But she isn't getting back to the ordinary for long, until George himself picks her up in the middle of classes. She keeps refusing them, but not really as confident as before. Yukari really tries to find faults in everything, and like she was taught - she doesn't have time for this silly acts, she needs to study.

Through them, she realizes that there is more to life, and there are things she's good at. That studying doesn't define who she is, and that she has new depths to her personality. She grows and mature as a person, and receives some really good friendships. And other relationships as well.

Paradise Kiss is originally a manga, written and illustrated by Ai Yasawa. There is also an anime from that same manga, adapted into 12 episodes. The manga and anime are widely known, and have been translated into ten different languages. 

In June 4, 2011, the famous Paradise Kiss have also been adapted to a live-action movie. It is directed by Takehiko Shinjo. The movie is 116 minutes long, and have some differences from the original manga. 

First - If you really like the ending of the manga and couldn't stand a different one. Then the movie is probably not for you. If you really wanted to see a different ending, well... then you might try this out. They have made the movie into a more positive thing, all together. Maybe more unbelievable too. It have unfortunately lost a lot of the soul and heart from the manga. 

I prefer the real ending, and the way the manga was made. It is the real ending. But if you don't get caught up comparing the two (which is not even possible), this ending works too, for the storyline of the movie. But then it becomes a different story all together though. I'm really trying not to compare, but it is a live-action movie - so it should be more like the original story. Oh well...
That George doesn't have blue hair, is another thing. And Miwako don't have pink hair either. But that is probably the more convenient way for the actors. (But there is wigs...)

Second - The really bad thing though, is that there is very little character feeling. And the only one getting some character build and evolvement is naturally Yukari, as the main protagonist. The others don't really get much light, throughout the movie. They are just fillers. And with that, the movie misses out with some serious depth. The entire movie becomes pretty flat.

I'm thinking that, maybe Japanese live-action movies are moving forward, though? This is the first time that I actually feel that the movie have a lot of real factors in it. That it could be believable and real. And that it does not feel half asset. That the reactions are more real.
Otherwise, live-action usually just ends up in a very pore outcome. The jokes get to big and the storyline falls apart and isn't believable at all.  And well, very often the girl is a weak and bad excuse of a woman - who needs help with everything, in this kind of stories. But not in this one! Yukari is actually a strong-minded woman with her own thoughts. She even dares to bash people of, and takes what she wants. But that is probably because they actually follow the real story, for that one.

Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy live-action movies that are unreal/fiction too. The ones which are supposed to be stupid and funny. I enjoy the humor and it is just for an easy watch. But the ones which take themselves to seriously, and not being able to. Overreacting with every little thing, and burying themselves in angst - lets just say, its not my cup of tea.
In this kind of genre, with a lot of relationships and hardship - I prefer the more real aspects. The jokes can absolutely have the Japanese charm of being really out there though. Japanese humor is the best humor.

The story is funny from the start. The comedy aspects is great and the storyline have a nice flow. Maybe some of it passes through to quickly, but you have to take in consideration that the movie is only 116 minutes long. So for that length, it is working quite well. And one of the better things, there is no angst! The people just work with what they have and work through troubles without getting a fit. 

Overall, if you are a hardcore fan of the manga "Paradise Kiss" - you should probably not watch it. You will just get angry. If you are looking for an easy watch and wouldn't really compare it with the original story, then watch it. I actually enjoyed it on it's own, with a lot of new thoughts into the storyline and a tough protagonist. It made a good watch for a boring night. But not as the movie "Paradise kiss". 

The theme song and ending song is beautifully put and adapted nicely to the feeling of the movie. Both the theme song, "Hello (Paradise Kiss)" and the ending song, "You" are composed and written by the Japanese pop-singer/songwriter Yui.

 Paradise Kiss Trailer ~

[Movie] Ninja Assassin

I haven't seen this, until now. And I don't really know why. But now I ate it like a pie.
Okay, enough with the rhymes.

Ninja Assassin (2009) is a story about Raizo, played by Rain, who is raised to be a ninja assassin. The Ozuno Clan takes orphan children, who is enrolled and brutally trained to kill. Raizo is chosen by Lord Ozuno (Sho Kosugi) himself, to be his son, and to become the best. Therefor Raizo goes through excruciate pain both mentally and physically, to harden himself.

Kiriko (Kylie Goldstein), doubted the way of the clan, already from the beginning. She was the only one, showing some affection and love towards Raizo. One night, she decides to leave and run for freedom. She ask if Raizo wants to come with her, but he declines - because he don't know any other way.When Kiriko gets caught, she is branded as a traitor of the "family" and punished with death.

Raizo sees the only one he harbor any feelings for, get executed right before his eyes.

Raizo now begin to realize certain things, and with time and from carrying a lot of resentment and pain, he decides to go against the clan and Ozuno - who calls himself his father.

Mika Coretti, (Naomi Harris) is investigating political murders. She realize, from the money transfers, that it is linked with Ozuno. But as soon as she deepens in the investigation and comes to a conclusion, she is haunted by the very ninja assassins themselves. Fortunately, Raizo finds her first - but now they have the whole clan after them.

I, myself like splatter and blood in this kind of movies. So this one is for certain a good pick in that genre. I assure you, blood and splatter - it delivers. It is a bit unreal with the blood everywhere. But have you seen "Kill Bill", then you know that the unreal can be really good. 

They say, Rain is South Korea's pride - since he got the South Korean actors on the map. Or South Korea overall, on the map? But actually, I think they kind of underestimate themselves. Cause, in my opinion, South Korea is already out in the open - with the very popular k-pop all over the world. And also the k-drama. I don't know, but I don't think they understand how popular they really are. Well, this is for another discussion though. 

I like Rain as an actor, he is most definitely a good actor. But, unfortunately - since he don't know English that well, his acting drops a bit. His lines seems forced and his tone of voice is in the same range all the time. 

It is hard to act and talk with emotion, when you don't know the language well enough. So I'm not blaming him. With a little more English, his good to go. I would like to see him in more American produced movies, in the future. I also like the fact, that Lee Joon (MBLAQ) are playing Raizo while young. He also did a really good job in his acting.   

The fighting scenes are special, I especially like the last one. While fire sparks, gleam through the air and the building is burning down, you will see them fight with every little detail in focus. It is kind of beautiful. 

As I said, the fighting is a bit unreal with legs and arms flying everywhere. But the way they film it, it becomes somehow thrilling. You'll see the blade of the knife sweep in a second, next to the camera. And in all, it is as I said, beautiful. Those fighting scenes wouldn't be as good, if it wasn't for how it was filmed. 

This is a Warner bros. pictures and amongst the producers, there are Joel Silver, who have been producing "The Matrix" movies and also "The Book of Eli". The director of the movie is James McTeigue, who debuted with directing "V for Vendetta". 

All in all, this is not a great movie, because I didn't get any emotions or feelings from the movie overall. But indeed, a worthy and good movie. The pictures and scenery are beautiful and it is greatly done. When I saw the first fight scene, I cracked out in laughter, because it was so damn epic. It is definitely worth seeing. 

Ninja Assassin Trailer ~

I wounder if they couldn't show the worst blood scenes in the trailer.... Probably. And I'm laughing my ass of, at the last scene in there. *POW*

[Japanese Movie] Memoirs of a Teenage amnesiac

 

From the smallest thing, everything can change. From a flip of a coin and the choices you make, all can make a difference. All you have to do, is take a step in any direction.

Naomi, played by Maki Horikita, fall down the stairs - to save her camera. All her choices from before, is all forgotten in that one moment. Four years of impressions, feelings, facts and friends - all memories gone, and changed. 

 She didn't know the boy Yuji, played by Kenichi Matsuyama, who sat with her in the hospital. Even though he mention, he once wanted to kiss her.  

 She didn't remember the best friend Mirai, played by Yuya Tegoshi. Even though he always thinks of her best. And always tries to give a smile on her face.

And she doesn't remember the boyfriend, who is not there to see her, in the hospital.
Her father tries to help her remember, but how can she remember the forgotten?

She starts school again, and sees everything in a different light. With this, she can change. Not remembering who she was, makes a pretty big picture of who you can be. Naomi are just doing the things she think is right and wrong, for the moment. And for her self, in that stage.

So maybe when she picked "heads" on that coin, it was meant to be. Running back for the camera, and falling while hurrying... maybe that coin, was a lucky one. Maybe, she didn't fall - but dived.

Memoirs of a Teenage amnesiac (Japanese/American 2010) is a story about Naomi Sukuse, who loses her memory. At first, the main problem is the amnesia itself. But later, it evolves to be more about who she was before the amnesia, and who she is now. How she looks at things differently, from another light and perspective.

The movie is based on the book, with the same name - written by Gabrielle Zevin. And directed by Hans Canosa. It takes place in a Japanese/American school - so it involves a lot of the English language. It was meant to be filmed in America. But it changed, when they wanted a setting and background - that only Japan could give.

I myself, adore this movie. Japanese movies tend to be, way overreacted. It gets to much angst, and the probability is really low.
But in this movie, it holds a very reasonable line. Yeah, of course - the amnesia is a big thing to begin with. But this movie really makes up for it. And it is a fiction, so it is probably allowed.
The message with this movie is incredible and I love the way they tell it.

The pictures through-out the movie, is beautiful. And the way they mix it with the story is great. To see the pictures show up, like that... especially in the end, is a little bit of a mind-blow.
But in the other hand, I love photography too. And the photos made it really beautiful visual, and the storytelling just got better. 

The movie involves a lot of English, of course. And I think they do a great work with the language too. It is a little bit unsure with the pronouncement, sometimes. But overall, okay.
The only thing which went a bit to far - is Yujis depression. But after a hole, of a little bit to much angst, it went right back up and smoothed it all out - getting it only better again. So I forgive that little point of weakness.
The soundtrack makes it go further, in getting the right feeling to the scenes. In whole, the movie is great and worth the watch. I recommend it.

Memoirs of a Teenage amnesiac Trailer ~

[Korean Movie] 71: Into the fire

I am going to write this, while it is still fresh in mind. 

I just saw this amazing movie, that brought me to tears and the biggest admiration.

71: Into the Fire (Korean 2010), is based on a real story. It is about the bravery that 71 student-soldier, trainees, demonstrated during the Korean war in 1950.
Oh Jung Bum, played by Choi Seung-hyun more known as T.O.P (Big bang), is a young man forced to experience war. He is assigned the big part of being the commander of 70 other students, without any former practice.  

They are left by themselves, in a school, to protect the final line of defense. - While the others are fighting the war elsewhere. 

Ku Kap-jo, played by Kwong Sang-woo, was a student convicted of murder. He served his sentence as a soldier in war. No one of the students really realized that is was in fact real, until they got a surprise attack from a small group of North Korean soldiers. While a much bigger threat is laying ahead. 

They have to fight to survive, teenagers who needs to gather their courage together and fight the grown-ups war. To protect their country.

You will see the conflicts and emotions, displayed between young man - while making difficult decisions. A big brother shooting his own little brother, to end his pain and misery. A friend, burying his best friend in the ground. A teenager soldier, losing his life to protect the others. A courage boy, taking a bullet instead of his friend - "because his friend is a better fighter". A commander, growing with his assignment of leading them and fighting to the very end.

 They fought an impossible war, but thanks to them they delayed the North side with eleven hours. 

It is an incredible touching movie, that I think everyone should take their time for. Because it is worth it. You can definitely feel the pain and sorrow. I think the emotions shows throughout the movie and gets to its core, in the end. Really displaying the courage and greatness, of these teenagers. 

Choi Seung Hyun (T.O.P) is pretty new in acting. And of course, he is not perfect. But he most definitely got the painful look in his eyes. I could feel what he felt. So, I would say that he did an amazing work with this. He said himself, that he was in character out of screen too. And felt the pain of Oh Jung Bum. I think that improved a lot.

71:Into the fire, English trailer ~

[Korean Movie] Heaven's postman

A while ago I was watching this amazing movie. Well, it was amazing in my opinion at least. It was so incredible touching. It brought tears to my eyes, so many times. 

So which movie was it - well, Heaven's postman (korean movie 2009) is the name. And the name tells a little bit of the story. 

It is about Shin Jae Joon played by Hero JaeJoong
(one of the most beautiful male persons I know of - just had to say that.) 
He is sent to be a messenger between the real world and heaven. He reads the letters people write to their loved ones, that has past away. And he send it forward to them, or help the still living people to feel just a little bit better and at ease. A really beautiful thought, that can go a bit wrong at times
Shin Jae Joon meets Jo Ha Na (Han Hyo Joo), who left a letter to her late boyfriend. When she place the letter into the mailbox, out in nowhere, she sees Jae Joon. She ask him who he is, and he introduce himself very lightly to be Heaven's postman. Obviously, Ha Na wont believe him. Who would believe a person, saying those words? 
 He then asks Jo Ha Na to be a part-time worker for him, and help him with his letters. And this is where the story takes off.

At first, the thought is just simple. Jae Joon just wants company and probably wants to make Ha Na lighter at heart, forgetting the pain bit by bit. And Ha Na herself, just wants a weird adventure. Helping people through the letters, and still not really believing Jae Joon's words. But soon enough, things get complicated. Things are not always going as planned.

In the beginning I had a little bit of a hard time to understand it. The story gives you hints throughout the movie, and when you actually get it, and start figure things out - Well, it brought me to tears.

The reason why Jo Ha Na saw him, was so heartbreaking for me. Since the outcome and consequences from it, will hurt both parts. Also the reason why Shin Jae Joon is a messenger between the two worlds, gets resolved bit by bit. 

You can actually miss out on those hints, if your not careful. The romance in the movie is one thing, but the really intriguing things is the happenings in the background. Those things which are highlighted near the end.

It's not a cheesy movie, in my opinion... it's just the right amount of everything. You can see how Jo Ha Na is actually the angel and savior in Shin Jae Joon's life, instead of the other way around. He needs her more than he thought. And the pain from realizing things, when it get serious. ~

It is simply a beautiful movie, that will touch your heart. Also, the scenery is really beautiful. You get some amazing surroundings to look at.

Well. It was indeed a very meaningful movie for me, personally. It climbed up a long way on my "have-watched-list". It went by a little bit to fast through the story sometimes though, I would prefer it being a bit longer. But for the length, they concluded it really well. It was reasonable.

I have to say that JaeJoong impressed me a lot. He is not just a good singer and have a good face. He can also act. Thanks to him, you get a deep feeling from the movie. You can really feel the pain in his eyes. And of course, from Han Hyo Joo also. She became more of the main person in the end, and her feelings were most definitely brought out to the audience.

Well, I can't say much more about Heaven's postman, without revealing something major out of the story. I actually thought that it would be even more complex than it was. But that's me in a nutshell... I always think to much into things. 

- I dearly recommend watching it. 

It is a project between both Korea and Japan, called Telecinema. It was produced simultaneously for television and cinema. So it is seven episodes in total - with different story's.  

Heaven's postman being one of the story's/movies. And each act are 120 minutes long. It seems to be a Japanese screenwriter and a Korean producer for everyone of them.
I haven't seen the other ones yet though. I was thinking of seeing "19-nineteen" soon, just because T.O.P is in it (Big bang). Some other titles are "A dream comes true", "Triangle" and "After the banquet".

×××

"If someone you don't know asks you, - have we meet before? Or - Your the heroine of my never-ending dream, on the streets. It may not be for lip-service. That person... may be your destiny."

×××

 

Heaven's postman Trailer ~
(I think the trailer reveals way to much of the story, but well - watch it with your own awareness)

[Korean Movie] Ajussi (The man from nowhere)

I just saw the most thrilling movie, that caught me of guard. I didn't think much about it at first, but I actually ended up sitting all tense, with my fingers in my mouth - probably looking like an idiot. Luckily enough I´m all alone. So I can look like a crazy person and cry all I want.

Ajusshi (The man from nowhere) (2010 Korean movie)
Won Bin play the part as Cha Tae-sik, who is a very quiet and mysterious guy from the very beginning. He owns a Pawn shop and seems to be at his limit, looking very worn and empty - but yet very good looking somehow. (I had to point that out). 

The only "friendship" he have is a very shallow one, with a ten year old girl who lives in the same building. He keeps it shallow, most likely because he don't want anyone close to him.
The ten year old girl, So-mi (Kim Sae Ron), have a mother who gets involved in stealing drugs. Eventually she gets her daughter involved too, dragging her into it, which end up with So-mi being kidnapped.

Tae-sik seems to ignore it at first, but gets involved in it either he wants it or not. But to kidnap So-mi, is a step to far for Tae-sik.

Suddenly you only get to behold the outcome from the events of happening, between Tae-sik and the "bad guys". It shows how this "Ajusshi" wasn't as harmless as he wished to look. And after that you get to see Tae-sik's background story unfold, throughout the movie. Which also lead to the unfoldment of the obscure business the drug dealers have, beneath the surface.

The movie is violent, so it´s not for the lighthearted. But who is lighthearted, with all the movies there is nowadays? Okay, maybe a few... so I warned you. It looks very real.

It is not really original, since there is story's like it. And I have seen many other movies with the same concept before. But somehow it stood out to me anyway.
There were intense scenes that were magnificent made and it moved unexpectedly. There were also a very thrilling knife fight - when I couldn't move out of fascination and suspense, with my fingers across my mouth, actually gasping. Okay, I get really into movies at time - don't blame me! But this movie is really worth the while. 

Won Bin did a great job, executing it. He really showed a empty shell of himself, and made a good character development through the movie. You could really feel how he started to care again. Kim Sae Ron also did a great job with her part. Very sincere indeed, trying to be happy with the circumstances she have. 

Watch it, if you can. 

Ajusshi (The man from Nowhere) Trailer ~