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AdamHawkes
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Babel (2006)
Keep Living
Two boys who are brothers, an American married couple, a Japanese girl who is deaf and her father, and a Mexican baby-sitter who takes care of two children, all of them create one story. It begins with a gunshot fired by the brothers in Morocco. It hits the American woman who is in the middle of sightseeing. While the brothers are afraid of being arrested, the husband who had his wife shot by them tries to help her. In Tokyo, the deaf girl wants someone who loves her, being hurt by prejudice against challenged people. And in Mexico, the two children are taken to a wedding party of the babysitter's son and they experienced the culture that they have never seen. In the each place, they face serious problems and find someone who really cherishes them.
I am interested in films made by Japanese and other countries. That is why I watched this film. This story is greater than I expected. It is a little hard to understand what it represents because it is very profound. I think the film theme is "Keep living", because all of the characters never give up even if difficult things happen. I watched this film to find it more important to live strongly than anything else.
The King's Speech (2010)
Comical and Moving Friendship
King George VI suffers from stammer so he does not like to make speech. His wife worries about that and calls for doctors specialized in it. But all of the doctors cannot get rid of his stammer. King George VI loses his temper and comes to dislike doctors. One day his wife make an appointment with an Australian speech therapist, Lionel Logue. King George VI sees him and is angry with his rude behavior. He tries to go back home but Lionel says to him that he stakes 1 shilling on possibility that King George VI can speak fluently. He accepts it and reads out the story written by Shakespeare loudly listening to music. He cannot hear his own voice, though, he thinks he was not able to speak and goes home with angry. Later he listens to the record and he is surprised at his own eloquent voice. After that he trusts Lionel and starts the therapy. That is the way they make close friends.
I like the characters of this film, especially Lionel. He is apparently rude but this is his way he communicates with patients. He relieves others' mind by talking frankly. I like such an attitude very much. If there are doctors who are like him, I also see them.
This film is based on the real story of the relationship between King George VI and Lionel. I think it is brilliant and moving. After I watched this film, I really decided to cherish my close friends. The life that has the best friend must be wonderful. This film makes me think of that.
Dear Frankie (2004)
Bonds of Affection
Frankie, an elementary school student, is a boy who has deaf ears. Despite his handicaps he is able to understand words others' say by reading their lips. But he is not willing to speak so he talks with written paper or sign language. He respects his father. He writes letters to him every day, who is a member of crews and voyages around the world for a long time. He likes collecting stamps which his father gives. One day, Frankie's classmate tells Frankie to take Frankie's father to him. If Frankie so, the classmate will give him his cards. Frankie is angry with the attitude and accepts it. This makes things complicated. Actually, his mother has a secret about their family.
This story is heartwarming so I love it soon. The scenes of Frankie and his father are very moving. I like the scene in which Frankie runs a race with his father the best of all. It represents father's affection for his son, I think. As time is going by, their relationship is becoming friendlier.
For the first time in years I found my favorite film. I like this film so much that I would like to watch this film again. And I can recommend confidently that you watch this film.
Brokeback Mountain (2005)
Beautiful Love
Two cowboys, Jack and Ennis, work together for a farmer, Aguirre. At first the two do not go on with each other, but little by little they are becoming better friends. In the night, when they are in the same tent, their friendship changes into love. After that, the relationship continues, though, each of them gets married and have children. However both of them miss one another. Jack visits Ennis for the first time in more than a year. They are very happy and they often go to the mountain together, where they used to work – Mt. Brokeback. However the society doesn't permit them. Though cruel destiny interrupts them, they keep loving each other.
I have wanted to watch this film for a long time because it is so famous that almost all people around me know it. Besides, I am one of the people of the kind so I am interested in how sexual minority is described in the film.
The story is more moving than I have expected. I identify myself with Jack because I have experienced the things similar to what he has. While I was watching the film, I couldn't help remembering the past and feeling sad and sympathy.
This film is great and will have an effect on the society where the prejudice against LGBT. I hope this film will get rid of it and make brand-new world where we can live peaceful lives.
An Education (2009)
Fascinating adult world
Jenny Mellor is the smartest and the most beautiful student in a girl's high school. She follow her father, who is strict and stubborn. He wants his daughter to enter Oxford University so she studies very hard. One rainy day she meets a gentleman and has herself driven to her home. She knows a new subject that she has never been taught. After that her mark starts declining and there are few teachers who expect her promising future. Beth is torn between Oxford and the relationship with the man. Through this experience she learns really important things.
I understand her surrounding so much because I also went through experiences similar to hers. It is easier to seek only pleasure than to make efforts to get the best position. But the endeavor makes us feel senses of achievement as a result, I believe.
The actress who plays a role of Jenny Mellor is so great a performer that she represents the mind of the adolescent girl who long for an adult world well. This film is one of my favorite ones.
Big Fish (2003)
The Story of the Life
Will Bloom, a journalist, had been told the stories which his father, Ed Bloom, made up when he was a child. He is fed up with them and ashamed of him. When Ed makes a speech in the wedding party of Will and his wife, Josephine, he tells all the guests his story – "Big Fish." Will cannot help but go away from the party because he doesn't want to listen to him. Will knows his father who is in the tales Ed tells. However all he wanted to do is know what his father really is. The relationship of Will and Ed is getting worse but Ed's disease makes it changed.
This story is fantastic, amusing and moving. The film has all of them so I had been excited while I was watching it. There are several stories and each of them is related to the others. Taking it into consideration, the stories are elaborate. It is one of the reasons why this film is interesting.
I think that Ed doesn't make up his past. Though, of course, he doesn't talk the fact, he tries to tell his life to his son and everyone in his way. If only what someone says is big fish for the others, he only knows what it means. In fact we may be deaf ears to his story.
Kokuhaku (2010)
Class of life
This film begins with a confession a teacher tells her student. The teacher's name is Yuko Moriguchi and the content is that her child was killed by someones who are in her homeroom class. After she talked, she retires her job. But what she said causes the class to change into a horrible one. Why does Ms. Moriguchi tell them about her daughter's death and the murderers. The class of life starts.
This story has five leading roles and is narrated by each of them. This is one of the most important things of the film. As the story are closer to the end, we find the fact of the teacher's purpose little by little. So I was excited while watching this film.
I have read the book which this film is based on. Because I read it before watching this film, I am not satisfied with it enough. Especially, the character of Ms. Moriguchi is different a little from in the book to in the film. In the book she is crueler so I thought, from her lines, that what she says has no emotion. But in this film it is opposite. However I like it as it is for the story itself is very interesting.
This film represents the terrible aspect of junior high school students, bullying and the importance of life. They are so serious topics that the story is not an amusing one but it is profound. So it is worth watching.
Okuribito (2008)
Thinking of death is thinking of life
Daigo works as a cellist of a orchestra in Tokyo. But suddenly it breaks up and he loses his job so he and his wife, Mika, goes back to his home. There he finds a help-wanted ad for "travel agents". He thinks it means travel agents as the name but it is, in fact, embalmers. That is to say, the travelers are "bodies" that goes to the other world. Fortunately or unfortunately he starts to work as an embalmer but his friends and wife are against his job. He himself has a difficulty thinking which job he should takes, a cellist or an embalmer. He, finally, makes up his mind.
I began to think over mortality after watching this film. Being dead and being alive are too abstract to understand. But they are the closest to us, I think. No one does not face them in life. Everyone has chance to die so it is very important if we regard it as terrible or as great. The answer depends on situations because the way human dies is different from one to one. However the job of embalmers is a great one and necessary. Embalmer is far from dirty work. Thank to them we can leave for the next world beautifully.
Please watch this film and reconsider mortality and life of ourselves.
Schindler's List (1993)
The film that should be watched
During World War 2nd, Nazi was persecuting Hebrew. In such a situation, there was a man. Though he was German, he sheltered a lot of Hebrew by employing them as workers of his factory. He is Oskar Schindler. This film shows the story about him and what we must not forget forever.
I have watched this film three times. When I did for the first time, I was an elementary school student. So then I couldn't understand anything about the film. But now I can and think it is worth watching so much, because it teaches us a lot of things that we should know. What Nazi did, of course, is very cruel and must not be repeated. We has to remember not only this but also people who did something merciful to help someone on the edge of death. They stand for justice, I think.
The film has a lot of terrible scenes, so it is hard to see them. But they represent what happened in the real. Therefore I tried not to miss the portraits and remember them.
Oskar Schindler is one of the people I really respect. If you don't know him, please watch this film.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
Brilliant Memories
Joel has a quarrel with his girlfriend, Clementine. She, somehow, forgets her memories about Jim. So he tries to make up with her but he can't. He gets angry and he also deletes his recollections about the time when he has lived with her. While they are being wiped out, he regrets asking the hospital which is specialized in brain to make him oblivious. He struggle not to forget the memories in his consciousness.
At first I can't understand this story because the time and places changes one after another. It is an elaborate work, which is due to the director and casts.
This story is so unique that I am excited with it. If memories can be deleted in the real, I do not want to do so. Because past is becoming more and more brilliant as time goes by, I believe. Even if it was hard then to put up with what you had experienced, several years later it will be one of the great or important things.
This film may give us a chance to reconsider the relationships with people who we love. We need to review our history to find something really important.
Triple Standard (2010)
Be Proud. We Are On The Right Track.
Crim, a basketball star, is a homophobic man, and hates to be considered gay. But he lives with D, one of his teammates, and feels something for him. D is gay and loves Crim, therefore Crim's words, "I'm not gay", hurt his heart. Because D avoids seeing Crim, Crim is angry and upset. And also, Crim suffers for his reality that he himself is gay. At least, he makes up his mind.
I watched a film about a gay person for the first time, so there are a lot of things to think over. I haven't met LGBT people, but I know there are many all over the world. Maybe, I have already met them and may not realize they are gay. I don't dislike LGBT people and rather, I welcome them. You might think "Easier said than done", but I have a reason why I can say it confidently.
Sexual minority is still not accepted all over the world. It is sad and must be changed. Crim's anguish is related to the situation. They cannot confess their sexuality easily because of the prejudice against them. But I want to say, "Be proud. We are on the right track."
Knick Knack (1989)
Please Give The Snowman a Big Hand
A snowman in a snow globe wants to join a group that looks very amusing. Among the members is a beautiful woman in a bikini. Therefore, his aspiration to join the group is becoming stronger and stronger. By doing a lot of things, such as breaking the glass with a hammer, a drill and bombs, he tries to go out of the snow globe, but he can't. Can he escape out of the snow globe and join the group?
This film is pretty, especially the snowman. When I watched him striving to break the glass, I felt like encouraging him. and his action is very humorous. He continues to fail but he never give up and soon hits on a new plan. The new plan are unexpected, so they are very interesting.
This film is an old animated film, but it is still amusing even now. The snowman is as great a comedian as the other famous ones. Please give him a big hand.
Signs (2008)
A Person Who Brighten Your Life
A man is sick and tired of his usual life and feels loneliness he is single. One day, he sees a woman in a building next to his office. Since then they have communicated with written signs and the man's life is becoming lively more and more. He tries to show words, "Do you want to meet me?" But he hesitates and sadly the woman disappears. He is depressed so badly and regrets not writing the question. While he is working, something lightens his face. He looks up and he is surprised.
This film is so romantic that I was moved. their love is beautiful and I'd like to experience such a thing. And I understand his feeling very well. Anyone will be fed up with an ordinary and boring life that is like products made on a conveyor belt. Therefore a person who we love from the heart is necessary. Someday, I also want to meet such a person.
If you already have someone whom you cherish, please continue to do so. He or she may brighten your life. The more you cherish your partner, the more wonderful your life will be. So, like the man's story.
Whacked (1998)
In The Society That Is Annoying
A lot of people in a city fall down one after another regardless of being healthy. It is as if something invisible and terrible attacked the people. What on earth makes them fall? And, in such a situation, a man appears. He is very mysterious because he says nothing and what he thinks cannot be easily read. Actually, he has a pastime that is unknown to others.
This film has no duologue or music, therefore it is difficult to understand. However, when I had finished watching this film, I interpreted a little of what it represented. It may be rebellion of the man against the society that is annoying. Considering it, the man is pitiful.
The bigger a city is, the more uncomfortable the life is, I think. Therefore, something to relieve the stress caused by the life is necessary. Do you have such a thing? And don't you feel stress? If so, please watch this film. When you finish watching this film, you might feel refreshed.
Paperman (2012)
Romantic Fantasy
In a train station, a man and a woman see each other. The love story has begun at this time. The man falls in love with the woman at first sight, but she goes away by train. One day, he finds her across the way in front of his office, while working. He tries to make her notice him by casting paper planes to her, but it doesn't work. Finally, he loses sight of her and he is depressed. However, a lot of paper planes that the man threw give rise to a miracle.
This animated film represents two things. One is the irony which questions the society too accustomed to living an ordinary life. For example, all the workers except for the man have exactly the same appearance. It suggests that obeying rules is not always so good. The other is that miracles will happen if we don't give up. The paper planes standing for the man's love are the evidence. In the real world, this can't happen, but such a thing can do.
This film is romantic and moving. I love it very much and want to watch it again. You may also find it interesting, so please watch it.
Gasman (1997)
The Fact Which Is Not Acceptable
A little girl, Lynne, puts on her yellow dress with her mother's help, while her brother is playing with a toy car and sugar. They are taken by their father to a Christmas party. On the way to the party, the three people meet a woman with two children. One of the two is a little girl who is as old as Lynne. Lynne talks to the girl and they become friends, so they just are friends. However, things are not so simple. They arrive at the party and a lot of children including Lynne enjoy themselves. While Lynne is dancing with Santa, the girl feels lonely and sits on the knees of Lynne's father. Looking at the scene, Lynne realizes that the girl is not just her friend. Lynne feels jealous of and anger with her. Since this moment, her mind is very complicated.
First, this film is very difficult to understand. Therefore it was not until I watched this film three times that I figure out what is represented. However, the director made it so on purpose, I think. Metaphors used in this film are all elaborate. Therefore it is hard, though, it made a sophisticated impression on me.
This film is a kind of masterpiece. I mean the great actors, actresses and director excel. Without them, this film couldn't be like this.
Three Days in Kamakura (2012)
Far and Near
A married couple, Keiko and David, live in Kamakura, Japan. They have no child, though, they are happy to be with each other. But, the relationship with their neighbor is not so good, and what is worse, the neighbor harasses them. David tries to be positive and cheer up Keiko, but she is too tired to accept his love. One day, David takes a little boy to their house because the boy is left by his mother in a school where David works. And David suggests that they take care of the boy instead of his mother, but Keiko objects and argues they call the police. Since the boy came to their house, their relationship has changed little by little.
This film represents the complex emotions and minds of people very well. This is why the actor playing David and the actress playing Keiko are great performers. The complicated relationship of the two is as if it was real.
In addition to this, this film taught me that happiness and joy are not far but near to us. We often run around to pursue them, but doing so blinds us to the genuine happiness close to us. It is, for example, our friends, partners and families.
I love this film, and you might love it too. Please watch this film and think about your happiness.
Otousan no tabako (2007)
A Wonderful Little Actress
A little girl has been buying a pack of cigarettes though she is scolded by her mother. What is her purpose in doing that? Actually, her family has a serious thing. This film is a story about a little girl who loves her family with a mental conflict in her mind.
The leading role, who I think is a girl about 8-years-old, is very good. She is a wonderful little actress. The role requires an ability to represent several emotions such as gladness, sadness, anger and confusion, but the girl performs very well. It is a pity that I have not known such a great performer until now.
In addition to this, this film has some critical messages or people around the world, such as what is really important, what we should do for someone who we love and what real family is like. Each of these is worth thinking of, therefore I'd like you to watch this film and think over them. Doing so also makes your life better than ever, I think.
This film is one of the best films for me, because not only are the actress and actor great but what it shows me is profound. It is a chance to reconsider what is significant for family to watch this film. This film might give you an answer to it.
The Lunch Date (1989)
Happiness, Which Is Usually Invisible
This film consists of racial discrimination, difference between richness and poverty and genuine happiness. A woman, who is white, misses a train because it takes time after she bumps into a man and gathers all of her scattered possessions. She is depressed and goes to a lunchroom in the station. She gets salad and tries to eat it, but she realizes that she forgets to bring a fork. Therefore she leaves her seat to get a fork and returns there to find a man, who is black, eating the salad. She is angry with him and tries to get it back, but he won't stop eating it. She gives up and eats the salad with him. When they finish it, things will start.
At first, I thought this film was a ind of tragedy because the woman is so unfortunate that a lot of troubles happens around her. However, in the middle of this film, it made a different impression on me. It is a rather heart-warming film. When you watch the ending, you might realize that my words make sense.
In addition to this, this film shows several problems, such as racial discrimination and poverty. In the station, there are a lot of people including both whites and blacks. Most whites are well-off compared with blacks. In the situation, the white woman and the black man eat one salad together. It is profound and had me think about the problems.
Today when a lot of things are very confusing, happiness is invisible. Therefore most of us hardly ever notice it. We should have breaks and watch around. This film taught me such a thing.
The Crush (2010)
A Pure Heart of a Pure Boy
A student who is a little boy loves his homeroom teacher and makes a proposal of marriage to her. His dream is to get married to her, but it is broken easily. Actually, she has a fiancé and accidentally the boy witnesses them. He is shocked and decides to fight the fiancé with guns to get her. On the day when they battle, it results in an amazing end.
The boy is pure and maybe everyone has childhood like that. You have also loved your teacher - I know, I have. This film reminded me of my old memories therefore I was ashamed a little but missed it. The love of the boy is stronger than any other, and because of it his behavior is also passionate. There are a lot of things that I have to learn, such as how to approach a woman and what it is to love someone seriously.
This film is a very humorous and heart-warming one that represents feelings of little boys. If you watch this film, you might also remember your childhood and retake the pure heart that you had and is different from now.
Lifted (2006)
An amusing film that shows important thing
The film is a pure comedy. There are two aliens. One is testing for lifting a man and striving to pass the examination. The other is the examiner. The examinee makes mistakes so many times. The examiner is so stern that the examinee is uneasy and gradually becomes upset. And the end of this film is very surprising and amusing.
I watched such an amusing film for the first time in a long time. The way to make audience have fun is elaborate. For example, the use of background music is good. Seemingly, a scene is serious and the music of the scene is solemn, but the next moment it becomes comical. The film delighted me while I was watching it.
The film had a great influence on me. It showed me how important striving to achieve something was. I came to think that efforts necessarily bore fruit.
And the film also showed me how beautiful friendship was. If we cherish our friends, they might also cherish us, I'm sure. The film reminded me of it.
The film is very humorous and shows us important things. I would like to watch the film again. I recommend that you watch this film.
Father and Daughter (2000)
One of the best films
The film is a story about a father and his daughter, mainly about the daughter. When she is a child, I don't know why, she is left by her father. And leaving her, he goes far by rowboat. Later, she always comes to the river where he left and looks for him, but she can't find him. Finally, she becomes an old woman, and then...
I like this film for two reasons. The first reason is its background music. It is like a waltz. I like a waltz, so I like the music too. In addition to this, the music of each part of this film matches the mood of and represents her emotions.
The second reason is its imagery. The image is mostly a shadow picture. It makes me a little sad, but it is very artistic.
I am not surprised that this film won the 2000 Academy Award for Animated Short Film. Its music and imagery are perfectly sophisticated. It's beautiful and artistic. And its story, the father and his daughter's love for each other, is very moving. I like this film so much that I watched it many times. I'd like you to watch this film with someone who you love.
Fish Out of Water (2005)
Good portrait and background music
The film is a story about a man who works as a paddler. Every day, he lived a usual life. However, since the day when he met a woman, who was very beautiful and mysterious, his life has greatly changed.
It is the portrait and the background music of this film that I like. Though the film is a nonverbal one, it had me understand the emotions of its characters because of its music and scenes. And, its portrait is so comical that I had a lot of fun while I was watching this film.
However, I couldn't know to the last whether the leading man loved a fishing woman. Perhaps she loves him . But does he feel anything for her? So, in this respect, the film disappointed me. I would like to know what he feels for her.
On the whole, I like this film very much. Its actors and actresses are good performers and its music effectively represents each scene. And this film might make you not only amused but also happy, because it is comparatively peaceful. There are not violence or fearfulness. So, I recommend that you should watch this film. And I would like you to have a good time.