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Movie America
Last Knights: A Sublime Tale of Chivalry Where East Meets West
True to its tagline, Kiriyama adapts "Chushingura" faithfully, delivering genuinely entertaining storytelling. The film centers on a knight's unwavering quest for justice and vengeance on behalf of his lord. Unlike Kiriyama's more flamboyant films, such as CASSHERN and GOEMON, this one feels much more serious and carefully crafted. The main character's backstory seems important, so it was disappointing that the flashbacks were left out. It was a beautifully put-together film, featuring cool accessories and backgrounds typical of Kiriyama's style, along with an easy-to-follow story. Despite lacking flashy scenes, the film’s focus on the universal theme of loyalty maintains engagement and reinforces the main argument. -
Movie Australia America
I, Frankenstein: “A dark hero who cares nothing for angels or demons.”
Made by the same studio as "Underworld," I, Frankenstein has a similar dark vibe, but it puts more emphasis on action than on horror. This movie is fast-paced and full of action, so there isn’t much time to take in every part of the story. I was glad to see that Frankenstein’s backstory stuck closely to the original, without any strange changes. The production quality and CG were impressive. I also enjoyed the Gargoyle character, which had a fun, exaggerated style that reminded me of stories I liked in middle school. -
Movie America
Locke: “A Closed-Room Drama by Tom Hardy”
From the start, you wonder why he’s driving alone and what leads him to make such questionable choices. The ending is somewhat abstract, so it may not appeal to everyone. Tom Hardy's acting is outstanding. Even though he only talks to others by phone while driving, you can easily picture the people on the other end. Holding attention for 80 minutes alone in a car must have been tough, but the film remains gripping throughout. -
Movie America
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes “A story about when President Snow was still a pure young man.”
The movie "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes" is a prequel to the "Hunger Games" series, released in 2023. As the title suggests, it depicts the younger days of Coriolanus Snow, who later becomes the dictator of Panem. For fans of the series, this is a highly anticipated film that reveals the dramatic backstory behind how President Snow transformed into the ruthless dictator we know today. -
Movie America
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 “Katniss’s story finally comes to an end!”
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 concludes Katniss's journey with a fierce battle between the rebel army and the dictatorial state. While Jennifer Lawrence's performance and the film's action are commendable, I believe the film falls short as a finale, earning a rating of 2.5 points in my personal assessment. Despite this, its value lies in providing closure to the series. -
Movie America
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 “Finally, the flames of rebellion spread throughout Panem.”
In "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1," Katniss, a former Hunger Games player, becomes the symbol of resistance against President Snow. The story focuses on Katniss and Peeta’s rescue and the rebellion spreading across the districts. -
Movie America
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire “signals the spark of a coming revolution.”
This film serves as a transitional work in the series. Both the action and the story feel less compelling than in the first film. The romantic elements are interwoven throughout, with Katniss frequently navigating complex relationships and motivations. The film as a whole lacks elements that stand out, making it less engaging. The episodic structure is interconnected, creating a narrative dependent on the full series. -
Movie America
Hunter Killer. I love the tension of not being able to make a sound.
It had been long since I had seen a modern submarine movie. The film was full of details such as torpedoing the enemy ship, breaking through the tense torpedo zone, and tilting at an angle during the submarine scene. Another important character in the film is a special forces officer. The film was well-balanced, with both dramas being exciting. -
Movie America
The Hunger Games. Survival Game of Life and Death
The story is about a survival game called "Hunger Games," in which a few wealthy people control the country and use the poor to relieve discontent. It is interesting to see the tactics outside of the games, such as gathering sponsors, appealing to the audience, and sales activities for the games.