Wednesday, October 27, 2010

PRIDE



Winter 2004

Well, I'm finally reviewing my favorite drama Pride which stars Kimura Takuya (Halu Satonaka) and Takeuchi Yuko, (Aki Murase). When I watched this series, I seriously could not stop. I love Pride for many reasons and I can say that it tugged at my heart strings because I'm first of all a guy who loves sports in general and two of my favorite actors star in this series. I believe both Kimutaku and Takeuchi gave great performances; the supporting cast was also good. I just loved the pace of the drama, the editing and dialogue created great chemistry among the actors. The romance between Halu and Aki started out as a game but it eventually becomes serious with dire consequences. I really empathized with these characters as the series was able to go deep into the heart of what moved them and gave them a reason for being who they are. I like many leading men, but they aren't young such as Sato Koiichi, Nakai Kiichi, and Hiroyuki Sanada and although Kimutaku is getting up there I still believe that there is nobody around his age or younger that can dazzle on screen and give a mesmerizing performance like him. There's just something about Kimutaku that draws your attention like no other.

Recommendation: I wholeheartedly recommend this drama especially to any guys out there who want to watch a drama series, once in a while, with their lovely ladies. It is both inspiring and full of energy. I've never played hockey and I don't watch any of it on TV, but I do see highlights and know some of the great players past and present. I was first skeptical about a drama revolving around hockey, but if you are a sports fan, you will enjoy it. I have a greater appreciation for the game now that I watched this series. I don't think I will ever watch a series better than this one...maybe?

STORY: 1.0
ACTING: 1.0
DIRECTING: 1.0
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT: 1.0
EMOTIONAL FACTOR: 1.0

5.0 Out Of 5.0 Crowns

Saturday, October 9, 2010

ORANGE DAYS



Spring 2004

Orange Days' plot is centered around a group of college students that are nearing graduation and are struggling to figure out what they want to do with their lives. Yuuki Kai (Tsumabuki Satoshi) is a social welfare psychology student trying to find a job with little luck. One day he meets Hagio Sae (Shibasaki Kou) playing the violin on campus. He is inspired by her talent but she is already intending to sell her violin because she lost her sense of hearing. Coincidentally Kai's friend, Yashima Keita (Eita) asks her out on a date but later begs Kai to go out with her instead after finding out about her hearing loss. Kai is forced to meet Sae at an amusement park and he doesn't know that it is Sae that Keita asked out. They eventually get to know each other better and Kai's knowledge of sign language helps their relationship as they go through ups and downs trying to figure out if they are truly compatible with each other.

Recommendation: Another drama with a talented group of actors. I heard some good things about Orange Days, but I was skeptical after hearing that the story revolves around a deaf girl. I'm not very fond of dramas when a main character has a disability because it can be frustrating to watch and some stories end up being really sad. That said, this series had a lot to offer with a strong love story, likable characters, and good acting. I think Tsumabuki Satoshi is a solid actor, but I don't know if it's his face or the way he acts, but his characters seem so normal and he doesn't bring a lot of excitement to the table. I really liked Shibasaki Kou and her intensity even when she didn't speak much at all. I thought it was an overall average drama, until one scene at the end of episode 7 pulled at my heart strings and I may have shed a tear. I also really liked the intimate scenes because they didn't seem forced. Some kissing scenes in other dramas just look terrible, but it seemed more natural in Orange Days with Kai and Sae. I have to put this one in the 5 crown category as it reminded me of my college days and the feeling of timelessness that went with it. The ending theme song, Sign, by Mr. Children didn't hurt either.

STORY: 1.0
ACTING: 1.0
DIRECTING: 1.0
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT: 1.0
EMOTIONAL FACTOR: 1.0

5.0 Out Of 5.0 Crowns

Saturday, October 2, 2010

HOTARU NO HIKARI 2



Summer 2010

I watched part 1 a few years ago and back then I remember not being excited about this drama, but after watching a few episodes it stuck on me and I felt it was a "sleeper" hit. I really enjoyed it. Part 2 picks up the story between Amemiya Hotaru played by Ayase Haruka and Takano Seiichi (Fujiki Naohito) three years after Hotaru leaves for Hong Kong. When she returns to Japan in the summer she is shocked to see an upset Seiichi (or Buchou which means section or department head). During the three years that they were apart, she only sent him one letter while he was patiently waiting for her return. The story moves forward with both of them living under the same roof, drinking beer, and contemplating on the complexities of love and relationships.

Recommendation: This is a nice chick flick. It's light, funny and warm just like the summer. I got a few chuckles out of Buchou's imitation of Hotaru. In some ways though, the story line seemed a bit far fetched even for a drama. I mean how can you prepare to get married when you haven't had much of a physical relationship? And I really can't imagine someone waiting for a girl for three years when all he gets is one measly letter. Finally, how can Hotaru be so dense? Besides those difficult to imagine scenarios, this drama was good. It's upbeat and the story deepens when another young stud tries to woo Hotaru. The acting was good too and the characters were all unique and lively in their own ways.

STORY: 0.5
ACTING: 1.0
DIRECTING: 0.5
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT: 1.0
EMOTIONAL FACTOR: 1.0

4.0 Out Of 5.0 Crowns